Ashford Tourney

In 209 AC, Lord Ashford marked his daughter's thirteenth nameday with a tourney on the fields of Ashford. The girl was crowned Queen of Love and Beauty, and five knights swore to hold her honor with the lance: whoever unhorsed them would take their place, and only after three days of jousting would it be known whether she kept the crown.

The organizers laid out five lists running north to south so that no rider would face the sun, and raised the viewing stand to the east, under an orange canopy that sheltered the lords and ladies.

Leo Tyrell, Tybolt Lannister, Lyonel Baratheon, Humfrey Hardyng and Valarr Targaryen took turns holding their ground. Hardyng unhorsed Humfrey Beesbury after thirteen passes and later won again, by decree, over Prince Aerion Targaryen; Valarr Targaryen strung together victory after victory until he counted seven more. Tybolt Lannister beat Androw Ashford, Lyonel Baratheon beat Robert Ashford, Leo Tyrell beat Damon Lannister, and Medgar Tully fell to Hardyng's lance.

During the tourney, a clash between Ser Duncan the Tall and Prince Aerion Targaryen ended with the hedge knight striking the prince. Aerion's guards seized Duncan on the spot, and the prince demanded a trial of seven: seven swords to a side, to be settled outside Ashford.

Before the fight, Ser Duncan got Princes Aerion and Daeron to withdraw their accusations, which cleared him of guilt. Even so, the battle went ahead between the champions already chosen. Ser Roland Crakehall fought on the side of Aerion and Daeron.

In the clash, Ser Humfrey Beesbury was killed by Ser Donnel, and Ser Willem Wylde had to be carried from the field, badly wounded. Prince Baelor died shortly after from a blow to the head, possibly dealt by his own brother Maekar, and Ser Humfrey Hardyng — champion only days before — also died of the wounds he had taken.