Florian the Fool

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Florian
Alias Florian the Fool
Title Ser
Books
Dornish puppeteers perform the tale of Florian and Jonquil at the Ashford Tourney. Art by Mike S. Miller.

Ser Florian, better known as Florian the Fool, is the main character in a tale about falling in love with a maiden named Jonquil. He is one of the many legendary heroes of the riverlands from the Age of Heroes.[1]

About

Florian was a great fool and a great knight.[2] He is described in tales of the First Men[1] as a knight even though chivalry only came to Westeros with the Andal invasion.[citation needed]

According to legend, Florian was homely,[3] wore armor made of motley,[2] and was not of noble birth.[2] He bore a famous sword.[4] Florian first spied Jonquil bathing in a pool that is located in the town of Maidenpool.[5]

There are songs about Florian and Jonquil; "Six Maids in a Pool" may be one of them. They are favorites of Sansa Stark.[3]

History

During the tourney at Ashford Meadow, Ser Duncan the Tall observed Tanselle performing a puppet show of Florian and Jonquil.[2]

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Ser Dontos Hollard claims to be Florian in his promise to get Sansa Stark out of King's Landing.[3]

There is an as-yet-untitled famous song about Florian and Jonquil which Sansa knows. She offers to sing the song to Sandor Clegane but he declines.[3] During the Battle of the Blackwater he demands the song, but Sansa sings him the Mother's Hymn instead.[6]

A Feast for Crows

Early on in her quest to find Sansa Stark, Brienne of Tarth remembers that when she was a child her nurse had filled her ears with tales of valor, regaling her with the noble exploits of many champions, among them Florian the Fool.[4]

A Dance with Dragons

Aboard the Selaesori Qhoran, Tyrion Lannister mocks Ser Jorah Mormont's plan to get back into Daenerys Targaryen’s good graces by presenting her with Tyrion:

You think Daenerys will execute me and pardon you, but the reverse is just as likely. Maybe you should hop up on that pig, Ser Jorah. Put on a suit of iron motley, like Florian the –

Jorah cracks Tyrion's head around and knocks him sideways before he can finish.

Quotes

Jonquil: You are no knight, I know you. You are Florian the Fool.

Florian: I am, my lady, As great a fool as ever lived, and as great a knight as well.
Jonquil: A fool and a knight? I have never heard of such a thing.

Florian: Sweet lady, all men are fools, and all men are knights, where women are concerned.[2]

– puppeteers playing Jonquil and Florian, at the Ashford tourney


Sweet lady, I would be your Florian.[3]

Dontos Hollard, to Sansa Stark


Sandor: I never got my song.

Sansa: I... I know a song about Florian and Jonquil.
Sandor: Florian and Jonquil? A fool and his cunt. Spare me. But one day I'll have a song from you, whether you will it or no.

Sansa: I will sing it for you gladly.[3]

Sandor Clegane and Sansa Stark


I'll have that song. Florian and Jonquil, you said.[6]

Sandor Clegane, to Sansa Stark

Behind the Scenes

Florian and Jonquil might be a tribute to the song "Jonquil & Florian" by The Starlings.

References