Galladon Morne

"Ser Galladon was a champion of such valor that the Maiden herself lost her heart to him. She gave him an enchanted sword as a token of her love. The Just Maid, it was called. No common sword could check her, nor any shield withstand her kiss. Ser Galladon bore the Just Maid proudly, but only thrice did he unsheathe her. He would not use the Maid against a mortal man, for she was so potent as to make any fight unfair."
- A Feast for Crows

Arms of House Morne

Galladon Morne, better known as Ser Galladon of Morne, was the founder and lord of Morne on the isle of Tarth during the early Andal Invasions. He was famed as the 'Perfect Knight' for his impeccable behaviour, and bore a sword named the Just Maid, which was apparently given to him by the Maiden herself.

History

Galladon was an Andal knight who rose to become leader of the Andal adventurers from Andalos. Famously beautiful and strong, Galladon was possessed of a 'knightly' temperament and gained the sword the 'Just Maid' allegedly from the Maiden of the Seven. Galladon, a zealot, apparently had been taken as a lover by the Maiden.

After the eastern side of Tarth was claimed from the Evenstars, Galladon was faced with a difficult decision to make for the future of Tarth: either leave for new lands, battle the First Men under Arlan Evenstar for the the rest of Tarth, or compromise and come to an agreement. In 31 A.I., he would make his decision. The Evenstars would rally their men to the borders, though Galladon would defeat them and go on to conquer the rest of Tarth, leading to the death of Arlan Evenstar and the flight of the remaining Evenstars from Tarth orchestrated by an unknown third party by 32 A.I. after a year of conflict.

Afterwards, Galladon would be urged by his confidants to declare himself king as the sole independent ruler left on the isle. Galladon would seclude himself in prayer and contemplation, later emerging to make his decision to be crowned. His septon would declare Tarth, or as the Andals called it, 'Sapphire Isle', the golden land promised to Hugor of the Hill and Galladon it's rightful king. This was a decision many of his Andal contemporaries denounced, most notably Corwyn Corbray and to a lesser extent Symeon Santagar, as this was considered as Galladon eschewing his knightly duties for personal glory. But among others, such as the Qorgyles, the Mornes remained respected and Galladon's crowning recognised as legitimate.

Galladon of Morne was expelled from Tarth as a consequence of The Storming of Tarth, and roamed the Riverlands for the rest of his life. His sword, Just Maid, is said to have disappeared in those rivers and hills.