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House Seaworth
House Seaworth

"I have faith in the Lord of Light. I have faith in our cause. I have faith in my captain."
―Matthos to his father, Davos[src]

Matthos Seaworth was the son of Ser Davos Seaworth and a squire and scribe to Stannis Baratheon.

Biography[]

Background[]

Matthos baby

Davos holding a newborn Matthos.

Matthos Seaworth is the son of Ser Davos Seaworth, the famous "Onion Knight" rewarded by Stannis Baratheon for supplying food to the castle of Storm's End while it was under siege during Robert's Rebellion.[1] Davos became one of Stannis's most loyal vassals. Matthos serves his father and King Stannis by working as a crewman on his father's warship and also as King Stannis's scribe.[2] He is Stannis's squire and it is expected that one day he will become a knight.[3]

Game of Thrones: Season 2[]

Matthos is present during the ritual burning of the images of the Seven, conducted by Melisandre, as offerings to the Lord of Light. Like the rest of the assembly, Matthos chants praises to the eastern god. Later, at Dragonstone, Stannis holds a meeting in the Chamber of the Painted Table. Matthos reads aloud from a letter that he has prepared stating Stannis's claim to the Iron Throne.[4]

Painted Table Dragon motif 2x01

Matthos as Stannis' scribe at the Painted Table.

Stannis objects to the use of "beloved brother" to refer to Robert, which Ser Davos calls harmless courtesy to no avail. Matthos continues to detail the illegitimacy of Joffrey as a bastard born of incest between Cersei and Jaime Lannister. Stannis insists that Jaime be called the Kingslayer and that he receive his title as a knight. Matthos finishes reading and Stannis says that Eddard Stark made a mistake by not telling more people when he learned the truth about Joffrey. He orders copies of the letter to be sent to every corner of the realm from the Arbor to the Wall. Stannis says that the time has come to choose and that he wants no man to be able to claim ignorance.[4]

Matthos remains while Davos fails to convince Stannis of seeking an alliance with either his brother Renly or Robb, and Maester Cressen unsuccessfully attempts to poison Melisandre.[4]

Davos and Salladhor at Dragonstone

Matthos and Davos host Salladhor Saan.

Davos and Matthos meet with the Lysene pirate Salladhor Saan on the beach of Dragonstone. Davos promises that Salladhor will be paid a fortune in gold when they take King's Landing. Salladhor points out that Stannis has the smallest army of the claimants to the Iron Throne and wonders why he should fight for the king with the smallest chance of victory. Davos tells him that it is a smart gamble to back Stannis because Stannis is a proven battle commander. He adds that Renly and Joffrey have never fought before. Davos adds that Stannis has just begun the fight and expects more of his bannerman to join his cause because he is the most honorable man in the Seven Kingdoms.[5]

Salladhor notes the irony of a smuggler vouching for the honor of a king. Matthos warns Salladhor to mind his words, calling him a pirate. Davos silences his son and Salladhor says that he is not insulted and asserts his pride in his reputation as an excellent pirate, asserting that he does not sail for promises. Davos challenges this, explaining that Salladhor sails on a promise of ships to plunder every time he leaves port. Salladhor says that promise always comes true and Davos says that his promise is the same. Davos points out that Salladhor is not a young man and that pirate's lives are short. Salladhor jokes that only the clever pirates grow old. Davos suggests that Salladhor could continue to steal from cargo ships and live an easy life while it lasts but that he is offering a harder alternative with greater rewards, promising riches and fame. Salladhor says that he has a good name for songs and then tells Davos that he wants Cersei.[5]

Matthos

Matthos argues with Saan about Cersei Lannister.

He says that he will lend his 30 ships provided he can sleep with Cersei when they take King's Landing. Matthos is annoyed by Salladhor's selfishness and says they are not fighting for Salladhor to rape the Queen. Salladhor makes the distinction that he does not intend to rape her and jokes that Matthos has not experienced his persuasiveness. Matthos insists that Stannis has a divine right to rule and Salladhor is dismissive of the claim, saying that he has heard similar all over the world. Matthos turns away and Davos says that he cannot promise the Queen, only the gold and glory. Salladhor asks if Davos believes that Stannis can win and Davos says that Stannis is the "one true king." Salladhor contrasts Davos's loyalty to Stannis against their history together; Stannis chopped off Davos's fingers for smuggling.[5]

Salladhor says that he will sail with Davos because Davos is the most honest smuggler he has ever met and asks Davos to make him rich. They shake hands and Salladhor leaves.[5]

Dragonstone island

Matthos and his father discuss Stannis.

Matthos asks Davos when Stannis will set sail. Davos says that it will be when Stannis's god wills it. Matthos takes offense and says that the Lord of Light is his god and Davos's god too. He urges Davos to learn to read so that he can experience the holy books for himself. Davos expresses his doubt in the power of prayer. Matthos says that Davos has always returned home. Davos says that he did not pray but Matthos counters that he always prayed for Davos to return. Davos says that he will put his faith in Stannis because of the opportunities he has given their family. Matthos says that Stannis is only a man and Davos warns him not to tell Stannis that.[5]

Davos and Matthos arrange model ships on the Painted Table. Stannis and Melisandre arrive and Davos reports his success recruiting Salladhor. Stannis is doubtful of their capability, saying that pirates prefer to fight unarmed men. Davos deadpans that it is the wiser choice and Stannis counters that they will not have a choice. Stannis asks Davos if he trusts Salladhor. Davos replies that he is an old friend and that they have known each other for thirty years but that he has never trusted Salladhor. Davos reassures his King that Salladhor will follow the scent of gold, much like that of a mercenary. Stannis promises that Salladhor will have his share if he gets the job done and dismisses the men. As they leave, Melisandre stops Matthos and whispers in his ear, "Death by fire is the purest death."[5]

Davos Matthos faith

Davos and Matthos en route to King's Landing.

Matthos serves aboard Stannis's flagship the Fury.[6] They travel to the Stormlands where Renly dies in mysterious circumstances and Stannis assumes control of his forces. Stannis then sails on King's Landing, naming Davos as commander of his fleet.[7] During the journey, Stannis asks Davos to serve as Hand of the King when he takes the Iron Throne.[6]

Matthos is confident of victory, saying that their ships outnumber their opponents' by 10:1, while their army outnumbers their opponents' by 5:1; despite his father's warnings, he asserts his faith in the Lord of Light, their cause and his captain.[3]

Matthos death 2x09

Matthos is killed by the wildfire's blast.

Stannis's fleet, commanded by Davos, sweeps into Blackwater Bay and approaches the city at night. The original plan is to destroy the royal fleet and land troops under the city walls. However, the royal fleet proves to be absent. Instead, Tyrion has sent out a single ship pumping wildfire directly into the bay. Davos realizes too late that it is a trap, and screams at the ships to sail away from the royal vessel. At Tyrion's signal, Bronn ignites the wildfire with a flaming arrow. This results in a tremendous explosion that obliterates the leading elements of Stannis's fleet, including Davos's flagship, and kills Matthos, who was standing on the bridge of the ship, closest to the explosion.[3]

Game of Thrones: Season 3[]

After the Battle of the Blackwater, Davos is picked up from the spears of the merling king by Salladhor, who asks Davos if his son survived the battle, to which Davos simply shakes his head. Sallador shares in Davos's grief, having lost a son as well.[8] Stannis later offers his condolences to Davos for the death of his son, remembering him as a "loyal lad."[9] Davos meets with Gendry and expresses his guilt over his son's death.[10]

Game of Thrones: Season 7[]

When Davos escorts Tyrion to King's Landing to secretly meet with Jaime whilst he himself meets with Gendry, Tyrion remarks that the last time he was here, he "killed [his] father with a crossbow". Davos adds that last time he was here, Tyrion "killed [his] son with wildfire".[11]

Quotes[]

Spoken by Matthos[]

Matthos Seaworth: "Let me teach you how to read."
Davos Seaworth: "Oh, you and your mother!"
Matthos Seaworth: "It won't take long, you already know the letters. The Holy books are much more persuasive than I can be!"
— Matthos and Davos.[src]
Davos Seaworth: "I wish I had a God, truly. I'm not mocking you, but I've seen men pray to every God there is. Pray for wind, pray for rain, pray for home. None of it works."
Matthos Seaworth: "But you always came home."
Davos Seaworth: "I wasn't praying."
Matthos Seaworth: "No, but I was. Every night that you were at sea, I lit a candle and I prayed for you."
Davos Seaworth: "You want me to have a God? Fine. King Stannis is my God. He raised me up and blessed me with his trust. He gave you a future I could never have imagined. You know how to read, you'll be a knight someday. You think a Fire God commanded that? It was Stannis, only Stannis."
— Matthos and Davos's views on religion.[src]
Matthos Seaworth: "Are they welcoming their new King?"
Davos Seaworth: "I've never known bells to mean surrender. If they want to play music with us, let's play. Drums."
Matthos Seaworth: "DRUMS!!"
— Matthos and Davos approach Blackwater Bay.[src]
Davos Seaworth: "Where are their ships?"
Matthos Seaworth: "It was wise to attack at night. We took them by surprise."
Davos Seaworth: "Lord Varys knows what you had for breakfast three days ago. There are no surprises here."
Matthos Seaworth: "If that's true, there's dissention in the ranks. Maybe their sailors have mutinied."
Davos Seaworth: "Maybe."
— Matthos and Davos unknowingly sail towards Tyrion's wildfire trap.[src]

Family[]

 
 
Famtree-Unknown
Father

Deceased
 
Famtree-Unknown
Mother

Deceased
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Famtree-DavosSeaworth
Davos
Seaworth


 
Famtree-MaryaSeaworth
Marya
Seaworth


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Famtree-MatthosSeaworth
Matthos
Seaworth

Deceased
 
 

In the books[]

In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Matthos is the third of Davos's seven sons, and serves his father proudly on the ship, the Black Betha. Four more of Davos's sons also serve in Stannis's army - Dale, Allard, Maric and Devan - and only Devan survives the Battle of the Blackwater. In the TV series, these five sons have been functionally condensed into Matthos.

In "Robert's Rebellion - Davos Seaworth", Davos states that Matthos is his only son, which indicates that his six other sons from the book - Dale, Allard, Maric, Devan, Stannis and Steffon - do not exist in the TV series.

"Matthos" is pronounced "Math-os", not "Mat-ohs".

Gallery[]

Appearances[]

References[]

Notes[]

  1. In "Winter Is Coming," which takes place in 298 AC, Sansa Stark tells Cersei Lannister that she is 13 years old and Bran Stark tells Jaime Lannister that he is 10 years old. Arya Stark was born between Sansa and Bran, making her either 11 or 12 in Season 1. The rest of the Stark children have been aged up by 2 years from their book ages, so it can be assumed that she is 11 in Season 1. Arya is 18 in Season 8 according to HBO, which means at least 7 years occur in the span of the series; therefore, each season of Game of Thrones must roughly correspond to a year in-universe, placing the events of Season 2 in 299 AC.

External links[]


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