Bitterbridge, formerly known as Stonebridge, is the seat of House Caswell in the Reach. It is situated where the river Mander meets the Roseroad. It takes its name from an ancient stone bridge that crosses the Mander.
History[]
The ironborn of old would raid the Mander as far as Stonebridge in their longships.
The Battle of Stonebridge was one of many battles during the Faith Militant uprising against King Maegor I Targaryen. The savagery of that particular battle made the Mander run red with blood for twenty leagues. The bridge and castle that commanded it was forever known as Bitterbridge thereafter.
During the Dance of the Dragons, Hugh Hammer was named Lord of Bitterbridge by Prince Daemon Targaryen for his service in the Battle in the Gullet. Troops from Bitterbridge participated in the First Battle of Tumbleton and Hugh was killed at Second Tumbleton. Prince Maelor Targaryen and Ser Rickard Thorne were killed by a mob at Bitterbridge. When Lord Ormund Hightower came to raze Bitterbridge in revenge, Lady Caswell hanged herself from the castle walls.
During the War of the Five Kings, Bitterrbridge and House Caswell served beneath the Tyrells in support of King Renly Baratheon. Bitterbridge itself saw little action during the course of the war, though King Renly did hold a melee there, upon his crossing the Mander in 299AC.