Michael Manwoody

Ser Michael Manwoody was a knight of House Manwoody during the reign of King Daeron II Targaryen. In his early years he studied at the Citadel, becoming a cultured man of great learning and wit. He attended Queen Myriah Martell at her court before serving at the court of King Daeron II, whose great confidant he became; on several occasions he was sent to Braavos to negotiate with the Iron Bank on behalf of the Iron Throne, though the recorded letters bearing his name and seal appear to be written in the hand of Princess Elaena Targaryen. With the blessing of Daeron II, Michael wed Elaena shortly after the death of her previous husband, a marriage made for love — by her own account she loved him for his passion for music rather than his intelligence, and he would often play the harp for her. The couple had no children, and when Michael died Elaena commanded that his effigy be carved holding a harp in place of the sword and spurs customary for a knight. Recorded in The World of Ice & Fire, he was named by George R. R. Martin in honor of a late friend whose given name was Michael and who used the screenname "Manwoody".