Summary
- The Green Men are an ancient order dedicated to the protection of a grove of weirwood trees in the God's Eye, an island near Harrenah that is perhaps the most mysterious place in Westeros.
- In season 2 episode 8 of
House of the Dragon
Daemon Targaryen sights a Green Man, confirming that they still exist. - The Green Men may have significant knowledge of the history of Westeros and could play a significant role in the future.
House of the Dragon has done much to shed new light on the motivations behind its main characters. What it has also done is tie the Targaryens into the mysticism of Westeros more than ever before. During the events of the season two finale, Daemon Targaryen was escorted by Alys Rivers to the weirwood on the shore of the God's Eye. Just before he touched it and witnessed a vision of the White Walkers and the Targaryens' role in stopping them, Daemon saw something that perhaps no other Westerosi had seen in centuries: a Green Man.
This figure was only seen briefly, but it was a significant moment for readers of the book. The Order of the Green Men is a secret group tasked with caring for and protecting the weirwoods located on the Isle of Faces, the island at the center of the God's Eye. No one has been able to confirm whether they still existed during the time of the Targaryen dynasty, but seeing one far from their island is a huge moment for fans of the lore. To understand their significance and the mysticism surrounding them, a full explanation of their history is necessary.
The First War in Westeros
- In the ancient past of Westeros, the Children of the Forest and the First Men clashed in war.
- Both sides fought to a deadlock.
- This forced them to make a peace treaty from which the Green Men were born.

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The seeds for the Green Men were planted when the First Men arrived in Westeros. Crossing the Arm of Dorne, a massive land bridge that connected Essos to Westeros, the First Men were greeted by Westeros's original inhabitants, the Children of the Forest. As the First Men began to spread across the continent, their attempts to build villages and fortresses required timber. Not knowing any better, and not respecting the Children's religion, the First Men also cut down weirwood trees. Their actions were seen as an affront to the Children of the Forest, who declared war on the First Men. Thus began the first known war on Westeros soil.
Scholars are still unsure of the exact length of the war between the Children of the Forest and the First Men. The reality is that myth and reality tend to blur during this time. Some suggest that the war lasted hundreds of years, others thousands. Whatever the actual length, one thing is certain: the resulting conflict changed the geopolitical landscape of Westeros forever. The Children used their magic, supposedly from the God's Eye, to destroy the Arm of Dorne, ensuring that no more Men could pass through. They threw every magical weapon they could at the First Men. Using their magic and the animals of the land, they fought as best they could.
The First Men, however, had the advantage of superior weapons and horses, and were generally physically stronger. Although the children did their best to prevent more humans from entering Westeros, the First Men were already too numerous for it to make much of a difference. After generations of war, the Children and the First Men slowly began to tire of the constant fighting. This shared distaste for further bloodshed led to a surprising conclusion to the conflict at the God's Eye.
The Pact That Created the Green Men
- The Pact was created to end the war between the Children of the Forest and the First Men.
- The Green Men were formed to protect the grove of weirwood trees where the Pact was made.
- The Green Men probably have the Children's magic at their disposal.

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Gathering on the island at the center of the God's Eye, the Children and the First Men began working on a deal that would benefit both sides. It was decided that the Children would retain dominion over the forests, while the First Men would have the right to settle any open land. This included coasts, meadows, swamps, and mountains. A further stipulation was that the weirwoods were to remain untouched by the First Men and their axes. Both sides agreed, cementing the Pact and preserving peace for the next thousands of years until the arrival of the White Walkers. In fact, the peace between the two races was so complete that the First Men eventually abandoned their religion in favor of the Old Gods worshipped by the Children.
To commemorate the event, a face was carved into every weirwood tree on the island so that the Old Gods could witness the moment. To ensure the protection of this sacred site, the Order of the Green Men was created. They will remain on the Island of Faces for the next millennia, but no one is entirely sure what their culture is like. Or, for that matter, whether or not they are human. The little information available suggests that the Green Men are said to ride elk. Some children's stories say they have green skin and horns or antlers, although the maesters will tell those folk that the Green Men probably just wear green robes and wear masks adorned with horns.
What is certain about them, however, is that no one has ever actually reached their island to report what lies at the center of the God's Eye. Those who approach by boat are usually surprised by storms of wind or flocks of angry ravens. This would suggest that the Green Men, probably a testament to the magic of their order, are wargs or green seers capable of performing magic that most others in Westeros have forgotten. There is even enough room to speculate that the Green Men may be protecting some of the last known Children of the Forest in the South. Some fan theories have even suggested that the rumors of the Green Men's bizarre appearance are due to them being hybrids of the First Men and the Children of the Forest.
The Green Men are one of the most enduring mysteries of Westeros.
- The Green Men may know the true history of Westeros from their weirwood grove.
- When a demon spots one, it confirms that the order still exists.
- Later in the war, Addam of Hull may visit the Green Men.

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It is ironic indeed, one of the greatest mysteries of Westeros, perhaps people with genuine knowledge of the true history of the country, are in the center of the country and no one can contact them. The Green Men have made little or no attempt to reach the modern rulers of Westeros. In fact, so little contact has been made between them and the rest of the country that some people doubt they even exist anymore. It has certainly been confirmed that the Green Men repelled the Andal Invaders centuries before the arrival of Aegon the Conqueror. Their resistance is the only reason there is still a field of naturally growing weirwood trees south of the Neck in Westeros.
Beyond that, there are only rumors of their existence. Therefore, the fact that Daemon spotted one of their members on the shores of the God's Eye is a huge deal. Not only does it confirm that the group still exists at the time of the Dance of the Dragons, which was already claimed by Addam of Hull who supposedly spoke with the Green Men at some point during his adventures, but also how they likely survived all this time. Little is known about the Isle of Faces or its ability to support a population. Assuming that the Green Men are careful to maintain their numbers, then it is very likely that they must go ashore to scavenge for food or resources from time to time.
It is also conceivable that the Green Men could possibly sense that the weirwood tree Daemon was about to use was revealing important visions of the future. This lone Green Man may have communicated with it to learn what he could. Regardless, this brief instance of the Green Men in the show hints at their further involvement. If House of the Dragon intends to incorporate them more into the story, then Addam of Hull's visit to the Isle of Faces could become more than hearsay. He could end up being the recipient of the Green Men's wisdom, perhaps contributing to a turning point in the civil war.