Editing Three Sage Kings (section)

==History==
The [[House Gardener|Gardeners]], kings of [[First Men]] origin, were aware of the fighting in the [[Vale of Arryn|Vale]], the [[riverlands]], and the [[stormlands]] as [[Andals]] advanced deeper into [[Westeros]]. Several [[Kings of the Reach]] strengthened their defenses and sought [[magic]]al aid in preparation for the Andals. When Andals finally arrived in the Reach, however, the Three Sage Kings took a policy of accord and assimilation toward the newcomers instead of armed resistance.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reach: Andals in the Reach}}

[[Garth IX Gardener]] brought a [[septon]] to his court and made him one of his counselors. He also built the first [[sept]] at [[Highgarden]], though he continued to worship the [[old gods]]. [[Merle I Gardener]] converted to the [[Faith of the Seven]] and helped fund the construction of septs, [[septry|septries]], and [[motherhouse]]s throughout the Reach. [[Gwayne V Gardener]] was the first of his family to be born into the Faith and the first to be made a [[knight]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reach: Andals in the Reach}}

Merle and Gwayne wed Andal maidens to bind their fathers to the Gardener realm. All three kings took Andals into their service as [[household knight]]s and retainers; Ser [[Alester Tyrell]], the founder of [[House Tyrell]], was made Gwayne V's champion and [[sworn shield]], for instance.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Reach: House Tyrell}}

In exchange for pledges of fealty, the Three Sage Kings bequeathed lands and [[lord]]ships on the most powerful Andal kings who arrived in the Reach.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reach: Andals in the Reach}} Families formed by the intermarriage of First Men and Andal nobles include [[House Cuy|Houses Cuy]], [[House Graceford|Graceford]], [[House Leygood|Leygood]], [[House Orme|Orme]], [[House Roxton|Roxton]], [[House Uffering|Uffering]], and [[House Varner|Varner]]. As the centuries passed the noble houses of First Men and Andals intermarried so freely that it became impossible to tell them apart.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reach: Andals in the Reach}}

The Gardeners sought after Andal craftsmen, especially blacksmiths and stonemasons, and encouraged their [[bannermen]] to do the same. Thus the First Men of the Reach learned to arm and armor themselves in [[iron]] instead of [[bronze]] and strengthen their castles with Andal masonry.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reach: Andals in the Reach}}

Though some of the new-made Andal lords broke their vows in later years, most remained loyal. The leal Andals helped their Gardener kings and liege lords put down rebels and also defend the Reach from later generations of invading Andals.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reach: Andals in the Reach}}