Lady Melissa Blackwood, nicknamed Missy, was a member of
House Blackwood during the reign of Aegon IV Targaryen. She was the sixth of
Aegon's nine mistresses, and the best loved of them.
Appearance and Character
Melissa was slender of frame, and pretty.
She had a kind heart, was generous and modest, and was well
loved.
History
Melissa became the sixth mistress of King Aegon IV Targaryen
early in the King's reign, in 172 AC, replacing Lady Barba Bracken, who had
been sent from court in disgrace. Even though she was Aegon's mistress,
Melissa's kind heart and generosity led her to be befriended by Aegon's
sister-wife Queen Naerys, her brother Prince Aemon the Dragonknight, and her
son Prince Daeron.
Melissa was slender of frame, but Barba had been buxom. When
Barba was heard to joke that Melissa was flat as a boy, King Aegon, who
previously had renamed the hills known as the Mother's Teats after Barba
("Barba's Teats"), named the mountains for Melissa instead and
granted them to House Blackwood. Members of House Bracken still refer to the
hills as "Barba's Teats", while members of House Blackwood still call
them "Missy's Teats".
Melissa was King Aegon's mistress for five years, during
which she gave birth to three children: two daughters, Mya and Gwenys, and a
son, Brynden Rivers. Brynden would later be able to maintain close relations at
court, due to the fact that his mother had been well loved during her time
there, even after her dismissal.
Lord Bracken, with the help of his daughter Barba, groomed
his younger daughter Lady Bethany to replace Melissa. In 177 AC, King Aegon
visited Stone Hedge to see his bastard son by Barba, Aegor Rivers, and Bethany
caught his eye and returned with him to King's Landing.
A statue of Melissa can be found in the godswood of
Raventree Hall, the seat of House Blackwood.
Recent Events
A Dance with Dragons
Hoster Blackwood tells Ser Jaime Lannister that the godswood
of Raventree Hall contains a statue of Lady Melissa, whom Hoster claims was
much more beautiful than Barba Bracken. Hoster also tells Jaime the story of
why the Brackens and Blackwoods call the Teats different names.
Family
Alias: Missy
Title: Lady
Allegiance: House Blackwood
Culture: Rivermen
Born: In or between 156 AC and 160 AC
Issue: Mya Rivers, Gwenys Rivers, Brynden Rivers
Book(s) : The World of
Ice & Fire (mentioned), A Dance with Dragons (mentioned)
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