Florian the Fool
| Ser Florian the Fool | |
|---|---|
| Title | Ser (posthumously) |
| Culture | Rivermen |
| Lover | Jonquil |
| Books |
|
Florian, called Florian the Fool, is a legendary hero of the riverlands from the Age of Heroes.[1] He is known for falling in love with a maiden named Jonquil.[2]
Contents
Legend
Florian was a great fool and a great knight.[3] He is described in tales of the First Men[1] as a knight, although true knighthood only came to Westeros with the coming of the Andals.[4] Scholars doubt the existence of Florian and his peers.[1]
According to legend, Florian was homely,[5] wore “a suit of iron motley,”[6] and was not of noble birth.[3] He bore a famous sword.[7] Florian first spied Jonquil and her sisters bathing in a pool that is located in the town of Maidenpool.[8]
There are songs about Florian and Jonquil; "Six Maids in a Pool" may be one of them.[8]
History
Singers compared the sudden marriage of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen and Queen Alysanne Targaryen to the great romance of Florian and Jonquil.[2]
During the tourney at Ashford Meadow, Ser Duncan the Tall observed Tanselle performing a puppet show of Florian and Jonquil.[3]
While playing as children at Winterfell, Jon Snow and Robb Stark would pretend to be Prince Aemon the Dragonknight and Florian the Fool.[9] Songs about Florian and Jonquil are favorites of Sansa Stark.[5] Brienne of Tarth learned about Florian and other heroes from her nurse.[7]
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
Imprisoned in Maegor's Holdfast, Sansa Stark reads a favorite book of legends, including Florian and Jonquil.[10]
A Clash of Kings
Ser Dontos Hollard claims to be Florian in his promise to get Sansa out of King's Landing.[5]
There is a famous song about Florian and Jonquil which Sansa knows. She offers to sing it to Sandor Clegane but he declines.[5]
During the Battle of the Blackwater, a harper sings beautiful, sad songs, including one about Florian, in the Queen's Ballroom at the Red Keep.[11] Sandor demands the unnamed song about Florian and Jonquil when he visits Sansa's chamber, but Sansa sings him the Mother's hymn instead.[12]
A Storm of Swords
The half-mad Easy thinks himself Florian the Fool reborn.[13]
A Feast for Crows
Imprisoned in the sky cells of the Eyrie, Marillion sings of Jonquil's fool and other sad songs.[14]
Early on in her quest to find Sansa, 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.[7]
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 comparing the knight to Florian the Fool.[6]
Quotes
Bran, that is only a story, like the tales of Florian the Fool. A fable from the Age of Heroes.[15]
—Luwin to Bran Stark
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.
Florian: Sweet lady, all men are fools, and all men are knights, where women are concerned.[3]
Jonquil: A fool and a knight? I have never heard of such a thing.
—puppeteers playing Jonquil and Florian, at the Ashford tourney
Sweet lady, I would be your Florian.[5]
Sandor: I never got my song.
Sansa: I ... I know a song about Florian and Jonquil.
Sansa: I will sing it for you gladly.[5]
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.
Behind the Scenes
A tribute to Florian and Jonquil is the fan-made song "Jonquill & Florian" by The Starlings.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Riverlands.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Fire & Blood, A Surfeit of Rulers.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 The Hedge Knight.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach: Andals in the Reach.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 18, Sansa II.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 40, Tyrion IX.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 4, Brienne I.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 21, Jaime III.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 79, Jon XII.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 51, Sansa IV.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 60, Sansa VI.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 62, Sansa VII.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 55, Jon VII.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 10, Sansa I.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 66, Bran VII.