Difference between revisions of "House Hightower"

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(Historical Members)
(Historical Members)
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** Lord [[Martyn Hightower]] eldest son and heir of Manfred.
 
** Lord [[Martyn Hightower]] eldest son and heir of Manfred.
 
*** Lady [[Ceryse Hightower]], daughter of Martyn, first wife of [[Maegor I]]. Died in 45 AC, possibly killed under Maegor's command.
 
*** Lady [[Ceryse Hightower]], daughter of Martyn, first wife of [[Maegor I]]. Died in 45 AC, possibly killed under Maegor's command.
** Ser [[Morgan Hightower]]. Had recently joined the [[Warrior's Sons]] during the [[Aegon's Conquest|Conquest]], and later became their Commander. He was the sole Warrior's Son pardoned by [[Maegor I]] following the Faith Militant Uprising. Possible killed his brother, the High Septon.
+
** Ser [[Morgan Hightower]]. Had recently joined the [[Warrior's Sons]] during the [[Aegon's Conquest|Conquest]], and later became their Commander. He was the sole Warrior's Son pardoned by [[Maegor I]] following the Faith Militant Uprising. Possibly killed his brother, the High Septon.
** [[High Septon (Hightower)|High Septon]]. Had recently taken the vows of a Faith during the [[Aegon's Conquest|Conquest]], and later became High Septon. Condemned Maegor's later marriages, and was killed in 44 AC, after a threat that Maegor was going to burn down the Starry Sept
+
** [[High Septon (Hightower)|High Septon]]. Had recently taken the vows of a Faith during the [[Aegon's Conquest|Conquest]], and later became High Septon. Condemned Maegor's later marriages, and was killed in 44 AC, after a threat that Maegor was going to burn down the Starry Sept.
 
** Unknown number of daughters. Manfred offered his youngest to Aegon I upon opening the gates of Oldtown to him, which Aegon declined so as not to offend his Queens.
 
** Unknown number of daughters. Manfred offered his youngest to Aegon I upon opening the gates of Oldtown to him, which Aegon declined so as not to offend his Queens.
 
* [[Patrice Hightower]], maiden sister of Manfred and aunt of Martyn. Suspected by some to have murdered her nephew, the High Septon, in 44 AC.
 
* [[Patrice Hightower]], maiden sister of Manfred and aunt of Martyn. Suspected by some to have murdered her nephew, the High Septon, in 44 AC.

Revision as of 19:30, 4 December 2014

House Hightower of the Hightower
House Hightower.png
We Light the Way
Coat of arms Cendrée, a tower argent with a beacon on fire gules
Seat Hightower
Head Leyton Hightower
Region The Reach
Titles
  • Voice of Oldtown
  • Lord of the Port
  • Lord of the Hightower
  • Defender of the Citadel
  • Beacon of the South
Heir Ser Baelor Hightower
Overlord House Tyrell
Ancestral weapon Vigilance
Founded Age of Dawn

House Hightower of the Hightower is one of the most important and powerful vassals of House Tyrell (and before them of House Gardener). Their seat is the Hightower in the city of Oldtown within the Reach. The sigil of House Hightower is a stone white watchtower, with a fire on the top.[1][2] Their words are "We Light the Way".[3] They possess a Valyrian steel sword called Vigilance.[4]

Members of the house are considered loyal and stalwart. The Hightowers can be legitimately referred to as being either "of Hightower" or "of Oldtown." [5]

History

Kingdom of the Reach

The family is very old, existing since the dawn of days when they were petty-kings. During the coming of the Andals and the creation of the Kingdom of the Reach by House Gardener, the Hightowers allied with the newcomers. Thus they were able the keep their wealth, lands and privileges. The Hightowers were integral in the foundation of the Citadel.[3]

Targaryen Era

During the Wars of Conquest by the Targaryens, Lord Banfred Hightower heeded the High Septon and did not join his liege lord, King Mern IX, on the march to the Field of Fire. Soon, Mern was dead and Highgarden surrendered, with the Tyrells replacing the Gardeners. When Aegon the Conqueror arrived at Oldtown on dragonback, Manfred Hightower opened his gates. Aegon spared the city, and the High Septon anointed him and acknowledged Aegon's right to rule all Seven Kingdoms.

The Hightowers were strong supporters of the greens against the blacks during the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. King Aegon II Targaryen was supported by his mother, the Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower, and his grandfather, the Hand of the King Ser Otto Hightower. Ser Gwayne Hightower served as second-in-command of the City Watch of King's Landing. Lord Ormund Hightower commanded the greens' army from the Reach, which also included the knights Bryndon and Hobert Hightower. Three of the Hightowers' bannerhouses (the Costaynes, Mullendores and Beesburys) fought for the blacks, however.[4]

Perhaps because of their heavy losses during the Dance of the Dragons, House Hightower gave strong support to neither side during the the Blackfyre Rebellion, keeping a foot in both Targaryen and Blackfyre camps.

Ser Abelar Hightower challenged Prince Valarr Targaryen in the first tilt of the Ashford Tourney and was defeated.[1] House Hightower is among the houses that Ser Eustace Osgrey mentioned as part of his litany of great houses that Osgrey maids once married into.[6]

Prince Oberyn Martell and Princess Elia Martell visited Oldtown on their way to Casterly Rock where their mother was to broker their marriage to the Lannister twins, Cersei and Jaime. While in Oldtown they met Baelor Hightower, whom Elia fancied but Oberyn mocked after he farted in their presence. Lord Tywin Lannister later offered his youngest son, Tyrion, as a match for a Hightower daughter, but Lord Leyton Hightower declined.

Baratheon Era

During Robert's Rebellion, the Hightowers remained loyal to King Aerys II and the Targaryen dynasty.[7] Ser Gerold Hightower, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, was killed at the Tower of Joy.[8] The Hightowers knelt to the new king, Robert Baratheon, after the defeat of the Targaryens.

Lord Leyton attended the Tourney at Lannisport to watch his sons joust. Lynesse accompanied her father, meeting and marrying Lord Jorah Mormont. Mormont's hall on Bear Island proved underwhelming, and she eventually became the chief concubine of Tregar Ormollen in Lys.

House Hightower continues to be patrons of both the Citadel and the Faith of the Seven.[3] They are as rich as House Lannister and can field three times as many swords as other Tyrell bannermen, as well as the manpower of Oldtown.[9] The four-decked Honor of Oldtown is the flagship of the Hightower fleet.

The current head of the house, Lord Leyton, has not descended from the High Tower in over a decade. His fourth and current wife is Rhea Florent. Besides her family, the Hightowers are connected to several prominent Reach houses; Leyton's second daughter, Alerie, is wed to their liege, Mace Tyrell.

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

At the start of the War of the Five Kings, the Hightowers follow the Tyrell lead, declaring for Renly Baratheon on the outbreak of the conflict. Alerie Hightower's daughter, Margaery Tyrell, marries Renly. The Hightowers do not change to Stannis Baratheon's side after Renly's assassination.

A Storm of Swords

Once the Tyrells ally with House Lannister, Alerie travels to King's Landing, where she attends the wedding of Margaery to King Joffrey Baratheon and the funeral of Lord Tywin Lannister.

A Feast for Crows

Alerie attends the funeral of Lord Tywin Lannister and Margaery's wedding to King Tommen Baratheon. For much of the war, despite Lord Leyton Hightower's granddaughter Margaery being married to three kings, Hightower support for causes is largely nominal, as the House continues its cautious approach.

House Hightower’s caution changes in response to the Greyjoy attacks on the Reach. Old Lord Leyton stays in his tower with Malora the Mad Maid, supposedly researching books of spells, and sends forth his sons with varying tasks. Baelor is building ships, Gunthor is building up the harbor's defenses, Garth Greysteel is training men, and Humfrey is traveling to his sister Lynesse in Lys, where he hopes to hire sellsails. The ironborn have conquered parts of the Arbor and are attempting to blockade the Honeywine. One attack on the harbor has already been repulsed by the defenders, but Oldtown remains under serious threat.

House Hightower at the end of the third century

The known Hightowers during the timespan of the events described in A Song of Ice and Fire are:

With unspecified familiar relationship to the main branch:


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unknown
Hightower
 
Unknown
wife
 
Gerold
 
Unknown
Hightower
 
Unknown
Archmaester
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three
wives
 
Leyton
 
Rhea
Florent
 
 
 
 
 
Walys
Flowers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Baelor
 
Rhonda
Rowan
 
Malora
 
Garth
 
Alerie
 
Mace
Tyrell
 
Leyla
 
Jon
Cupps
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Willas
Tyrell
 
Garlan
Tyrell
 
Loras
Tyrell
 
Margaery
Tyrell
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denyse
 
Desmond
Redwyne
 
Alysanne
 
Arthur
Ambrose
 
Gunthor
 
Jeyne
Fossoway
 
Humfrey
 
Lynesse
 
Jorah
Mormont
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denys
Redwyne
 
 
 
 
 
Alyn
Ambrose
 


Historical Members

Sworn Houses

References and Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Hedge Knight.
  2. The Citadel. Heraldry: Houses in the Reach
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Feast for Crows, Appendix.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 The Princess and the Queen.
  5. The Arryns and the Hightower, May 1999. So Spake Martin
  6. The Sworn Sword.
  7. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 12, Daenerys I.
  8. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 39, Eddard X.
  9. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 45, Samwell V.
  10. Reading from The World of Ice and Fire. Notes from George R.R. Martin's reading and Q&A at the Bubonicon 44 in Albuquerque by Trebla.
  11. Ran's comment [1]

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