| Palace of the Kings | |
|---|---|
| Type | Castle |
| Continent | Tamriel |
| Province | Skyrim |
| Hold | Eastmarch (Giant's Run) |
| Settlement | Windhelm |
| Appears in | Arena, Skyrim, ESO |
The Palace of the Kings (also called the Palace of Kings,[1][2] and known historically as the Palace of Ysgramor)[3]:550[4][5] is a large castle at the far end of the Valunstrad district in Windhelm. It is one of the last remaining structures from the days of the First Empire of the Nords and is home to the hold's Jarl.[6]
HistoryEdit
Ysgramor built the palace so as to tower over the city, showing man's dominion over the very winds that had caused Yngol's death on the voyage from Atmora. He also had the palace built so he could always look upon the hill of his dear son's resting place, and feel that his line would know peace in this new home that was never known in Atmora.[7]
When the city was damaged during the Second Akaviri Invasion, the invading Akaviri burned and looted the Palace of the Kings.[8] Jorunn was crowned High King in the palace three weeks after the Akaviri were defeated,[1] but elected to repair the rest of the city before the palace. The court was temporarily displaced as a result, and by 2E 581 the city was ruled from Stone-Fist Hall while repairs were ongoing.[8][9] A number of stone chunks from the damaged Palace had illegally found their way into Nord homes during the Interregnum.[4] The Palace was still closed for the Konunleikar celebrating the tenth year of Jorunn's reign in 2E 582.[10] The repairs on the Palace were nearly complete when it was ransacked circa 2E 582 by Greymoor vampires working with the Icereach Coven. The interlopers kidnapped King Jorunn when he was giving a tour of the palace, and proceeded to hold him captive in the palace dungeons while they attempted to turn him into a vampire. This was done on the orders of their patron, Rada al-Saran, who planned to forcibly make the Skald-King an ally of the Gray Host. He was rescued by Lyris Titanborn and the Vestige before this could happen.[11][12]
The building remained standing by 2E 864.[6] During the Imperial Simulacrum, Windhelm Palace was occupied by King Asgan and adventurers would seek an audience with him, accepting quests that would take them all over Skyrim.[13]
In 4E 201, the palace serves as the headquarters of the Stormcloaks, under the leadership of Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak, who sits upon the ancient Throne of Ysgramor. And so the Palace of the Kings is, as such, the center of the pro-Nord war effort in the Civil War.[3]:263
GalleryEdit
-
Palace entrance during the Imperial Simulacrum
-
Main hall, circa 2E 582
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The Throne of Ysgramor
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Main hall, circa 4E 201
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The Jarl's bedroom
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NotesEdit
- A type of ginger beer is named after the building.[2]
See AlsoEdit
- For game-specific information, see the Skyrim and Elder Scrolls Online articles.
ReferencesEdit
- ^ a b Jorunn the Skald-King — Helgreir Lute-Voice, Bard of Windhelm
- ^ a b Palace of Kings Ginger Beer description
- ^ a b The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Prima Official Game Guide — David Hodgson
- ^ a b Piece of the Palace of Ysgramor description
- ^ Pending Orders
- ^ a b Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: Skyrim — Imperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
- ^ Songs of the Return, Vol 19
- ^ a b The Improved Emperor's Guide to Tamriel: Skyrim — Flaccus Terentius, 2E 581
- ^ High King Joruun's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Royal Worker dialogue in ESO
- ^ The Coven Conundrum quest in ESO
- ^ Sister Balra's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Rulers in Arena