Are Westeros and Essos Linked: Theories and Speculations
The ever-fascinating A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin leaves many questions unanswered. One of the intriguing theories is whether the continents of Westeros and Essos are linked by the legendary Lands of Always Winter. This hypothesis could potentially explain the widespread phenomena of the Long Night across both lands. Let's delve into the historical and mythological background of these locations to explore the possibilities.
Historical and Mythological Background
According to ancient legends, a land bridge called the Arm of Dorne once connected Westeros and Essos. This Arm provided a passage for the First Men, who wandered upon Westeros around 12,000 years ago, and the Children of the Forest, already inhabiting the homeland. The First Men and the Children of the Forest eventually clashed in a significant conflict known as the War for the Dawn.
To impede the advance of the First Men, the Children of the Forest utilized powerful magic to shatter the Arm of Dorne. This event resulted in the sinking of large portions of the land bridge into the Narrow Sea. The only vestiges of this ancient link exist today as a series of islands called the Stepstones, straddling the waters between the two continents. The eastern end of the Dorne peninsula, often referred to as the Broken Arm of Dorne, is a remnant of the vanished land bridge.
Theories and Speculations
While the Arm of Dorne provides an intriguing theory, the reality of such a connection is highly debated. First, if such a bridge existed and was powerful enough to bridge the gap between Westeros and Essos, residents of both continents would undoubtedly have discovered it long ago. The First Men operated within Westeros for over 10,000 years, yet no accounts of such a connection have been recorded in the books or the television series. This absence of evidence strongly suggests that no such passage ever existed.
Furthermore, the mention of the White Walkers is another compelling reason to doubt the existence of a link between Westeros and Essos. Given their affinity for the cold and the long winters, it would have been logical for the White Walkers to threaten both lands. Yet, the series explicitly portrays the White Walkers as a threat mainly to the North of Westeros, with no known instances of their presence in Essos. This geographical disparity suggests that the two continents remained separate.
Geographical and Historical Evidence
No existing maps in the world of Ice and Fire indicate any connection between Westeros and Essos. In fact, the creator George R.R. Martin himself has stated that the world of Ice and Fire is finite and does not include any uncharted territories. These geographical and historical facts further reinforce the likelihood that Westeros and Essos remain distinct continents.
Similarly, the Pentos, the Free Cities, and the various other regions on the southeastern coast of Essos present no signs of a land bridge leading to Westeros. These locations are depicted with detailed maps and geographical features, and no alternative routes or connections have been included.
Moreover, the stories and legends that have been passed down through the characters in the series A Song of Ice and Fire align with the idea of Westeros and Essos as separate lands. Characters like the First Men and Andals are described as having arrived in Westeros without mention of a northern migration to Essos.
Conclusion
While the theory of a connection between Westeros and Essos, such as the Lands of Always Winter or the Arm of Dorne, is captivating, the evidence from the series and the world created by George R.R. Martin strongly suggests that these lands are indeed separate. The absence of any known passage, the geographical layout of the world, and the explicit evidence from the stories themselves all point to the existence of two distinct continents, each with its own distinct history and geographic features.