Florian the Fool

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

Ser 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]

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 armor made of motley,[3] and was not of noble birth.[3] He bore a famous sword.[6] Florian first spied Jonquil and her sisters bathing in a pool that is located in the town of Maidenpool.[7]

There are songs about Florian and Jonquil; "Six Maids in a Pool" may be one of them.[7]

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.[8] Songs about Florian and Jonquil are favorites of Sansa Stark.[5] Brienne of Tarth learned about Florian and other heroes from her nurse.[6]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Imprisoned in Maegor's Holdfast, Sansa Stark reads a favorite book of legends, including Florian and Jonquil.[9]

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.[10] Sandor demands the unnamed song about Florian and Jonquil when he visits Sansa's chamber, but Sansa sings him the Mother's hymn instead.[11]

A Storm of Swords

The half-mad Easy thinks himself Florian the Fool reborn.[12]

A Feast for Crows

Imprisoned in the sky cells of the Eyrie, Marillion sings of Jonquil's fool and other sad songs.[13]

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.[6]

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.[14]

Quotes

Bran, that is only a story, like the tales of Florian the Fool. A fable from the Age of Heroes.[15]

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.[3]

—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.
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.[5]

Behind the Scenes

A tribute Florian and Jonquil is the fan-made song "Jonquill & Florian" by The Starlings.

References