House Hightower
House Hightower of the Hightower | |
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![]() We Light the Way
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Coat of arms |
A white tower crowned with flames on smoke grey (Cendrée, a tower argent, beacon inflamed gules) |
Seat | The Hightower, Oldtown |
Head | Lord Leyton Hightower |
Region | The Reach |
Titles | |
Heir | Ser Baelor Hightower |
Overlord | House Tyrell |
Ancestral weapon | Vigilance |
Founder | Uthor of the High Tower |
Founded | Dawn Age |
House Hightower of the Hightower, also known as House Hightower of Oldtown,[1] is one of the most powerful of the noble houses in the Reach. Their seat is the Hightower, located in the city of Oldtown. The sigil of House Hightower is a stone white watchtower, with a fire on the top.[2][3] Their motto is "We Light the Way",[4] and they possess a Valyrian steel sword called Vigilance.[5]
The Hightowers are among the oldest and proudest of the Great Houses.[4] They have often preferred trade instead of war,[4] and have also avoided many wars because of their support for the Faith of the Seven.[6]
Contents
Traits
A proud family,[7] some Hightowers are said to have dabbled in alchemy and necromancy.[4] Members of House Hightower thus far described tend to have silver or golden hair.[N 1]
History
Hightower Kings
The family is ancient, existing since the dawn of days when they were petty-kings. While most scholars believe they descend from the First Men, Maester Yandel posits they descend from the seafarers and traders that settled at the top of the Whispering Sound in an earlier time, men who came to Westeros before the First Men and seem to have founded the original incarnation of Oldtown. Whatever the truth, the Hightowers resided in the ancient black stone fortress of Battle Isle at the mouth of the Honeywine before the "Hightower" of stone was built.[6]
The Hightowers built four successive wooden beacon towers atop the fortress. The legendary King Uthor of the High Tower is said to have commissioned Bran the Builder or his son Brandon to design the fifth tower, one built entirely of stone. Uthor's sons, King Urrigon and Prince Peremore the Twisted, were integral in the foundation of the Citadel.[6][4]
During these early days Oldtown was threatened and sacked many times, including by ironborn raiders, Dornishmen, and the armies of the Kings of the Reach, House Gardener of Highgarden. The Kings of the High Tower raised strong walls and higher towers to keep any further invaders out. Oldtown was not brought into the realm of the Gardeners by conquest, but by marriage, during the reigns of King Lymond Hightower and King Garland II Gardener. Lymond the Sea Lion wed the daughter of Garland, while Garland put aside his own wives to marry Lymond's daughter.[8]
Gardener Era
During the coming of the Andals, the Hightowers and the Gardeners allied with the newcomers. Thus they were able to keep their wealth, lands and privileges. Protected by the might of Highgarden, the lords of Oldtown turned their eyes to trade and commerce and grew with every generation to become one of the richest and most powerful noble families in Westeros. The Hightowers were also one of the first great lords to accept the Faith of the Seven and thus gave their patronage to the establishment of the office of High Septon and the building of the Starry Sept as the center of the Faith.[6]
Through the centuries of the Kingdom of the Reach, the Peakes and Osgreys boasted about marrying their daughters to Hightowers.[9][10]
Targaryen Era
During Aegon's Conquest of the Seven Kingdoms, Lord Manfred Hightower heeded the High Septon and did not join his liege lord, King Mern IX Gardener, 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 opened his gates. Aegon spared the city, and the High Septon anointed him and acknowledged House Targaryen's right to rule all Seven Kingdoms.[11][12]
After the High Septon objected against the suggested match between Prince Maegor Targaryen and Princess Rhaena Targaryen, he suggested instead his own niece as Maegor's bride: Ceryse Hightower, the daughter of Lord Manfred Hightower.[13] Ceryse and Maegor were wed in 25 AC. Maegor took a second bride in 39 AC, claiming that Ceryse was infertile. Lord Manfred objected to Maegor's second wedding. After Maegor had left Westeros in exile, and Septon Murmison had failed to make Ceryse fertile, Ceryse returned to the Hightower.[13]
In 41 AC, Lord Martyn Hightower succeeded his father Manfred. In 43 AC, Martyn's brother Ser Morgan was the sole Warrior's Son pardonned by Maegor, following the mysterious death of the High Septon and the yielding of Oldtown by Martyn to the Targaryens. That same year, Maegor and Ceryse were reunited, and Ceryse eventually returned to King's Landing with her husband, where she remained until her death in 45 AC.[13]
In 47 AC, Princess Rhaella Targaryen, the younger daughter of the deceased Prince Aegon Targaryen and Queen Rhaena Targaryen, was sent to Oldtown by King Maegor I Targaryen to be raised as a septa. When her mother Rhaena fled from Maegor in the night the next year, Maegor sent a rider to Oldtown commanding Lord Hightower to behead Rhaella as punishment for her mother's betrayal. Lord Hightower refused, however, and imprisoned the messenger instead. He then declared his support for Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen.[13]
Eustace Hightower's ship was the only one of the three in Alys Westhill's expedition of 56 AC across the Sunset Sea to return.[14]
In 85 AC, the ruling Lord Hightower sent his men to search for the escaped Princess Saera Targaryen.[15]
In 89 AC, the ruling Lord Hightower staged a tourney at Oldtown in honor of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, who was visiting the city during one of his royal progresses.[15]
The Dance of the Dragons

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 Aegon's grandfather, Ser Otto Hightower, served as his first Hand of the King. Ser Gwayne Hightower, one of Otto's sons, served as second-in-command of the City Watch of King's Landing. Otto and Gwayne were killed amid the fall of King's Landing, however, and Alicent was taken captive by Aegon's rival, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen.[5][16]
Meanwhile, Lord Ormund Hightower, Otto's nephew, commanded the greens' army from the Reach, which also included Ormund's cousins, Ser Bryndon and Ser Hobert Hightower. Three of the Hightowers' bannerhouses (the Costaynes, Mullendores and Beesburys) fought for the blacks, however.[5] Ormund knighted Prince Daeron Targaryen after the Battle on the Honeywine,[5] and the Hightower host fought at Longtable and Bitterbridge.[16] Ormund and Bryndon were both killed by Lord Roderick Dustin at First Tumbleton.[16] Although he was an ineffective leader, Hobert sacrificed himself during his poisoning of Ser Ulf White after Second Tumbleton. Lord Unwin Peake led the remnants of the Hightower host in retreat after the battle.[17]
Later History
Lord Ormund was succeeded by his son, Lord Lyonel Hightower, who caused relations to sour when he announced his intent to marry his widowed step-mother, Lady Samantha Tarly, denounced by the High Septon as a form of incest.[18] After the Rogare Bank collapsed in 136 AC, she founded the Bank of Oldtown.[19]
Following the death of her first husband, Lady Rhaena Targaryen married Garmund Hightower and had six daughters by him.[20]
House Hightower gave strong support to neither side during the First Blackfyre Rebellion, keeping a foot in both Targaryen and Blackfyre camps.[10]
Ser Abelar Hightower challenged Prince Valarr Targaryen in the first tilt of the tourney at Ashford Meadow and was defeated.[2]
Recent History

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.[21] Lord Tywin Lannister later offered his youngest son, Tyrion, as a match for a Hightower daughter, but Lord Leyton Hightower declined.[22]
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.[23] The Hightowers knelt to the new king, Robert I 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 Jorah Mormont, Lord of Bear Island. Mormont's hall proved underwhelming, however, and Lynesse eventually became the chief concubine of Tregar Ormollen in Lys.[7]
House Hightower continues to be patrons of both the Citadel and the Faith of the Seven.[4] 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. The four-decked Honor of Oldtown is the flagship of the Hightower fleet.[24]
Lord Leyton has not descended from the High Tower in over a decade.[25] His fourth and current wife is Lady Rhea Florent. Besides her family, the Hightowers are connected to several prominent Reach houses; Leyton's second daughter, Lady Alerie, is wed to their liege lord, Mace Tyrell.[4]
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
Alerie Hightower's daughter, Margaery Tyrell, marries Renly Baratheon at Highgarden.[26]
A Clash of Kings
At the start of the War of the Five Kings, the Hightowers follow the Tyrell lead in supporting Renly.[27] The Hightowers do not change to Stannis Baratheon's side after Renly's assassination.
Daenerys Targaryen reminds the exiled Ser Jorah Mormont of his second wife, Lynesse Hightower.[7]
A Storm of Swords

Following the Battle of the Blackwater, the small council of King Joffrey I Baratheon grants some lands from the defeated to Lord Leyton Hightower.[22]
With the Tyrells allied with House Lannister, Alerie travels to King's Landing, where she attends the royal wedding of Margaery to Joffrey, during which the king dies.[28]
A Feast for Crows
Alerie attends the funeral of Lord Tywin Lannister[29] and Margaery's wedding to the new king, Tommen I Baratheon.[30]
House Hightower's caution changes in response to the taking of the Shields and attacks on the Reach by House Greyjoy. 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 Brightsmile 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 of King Euron Greyjoy conquer parts of the Arbor, however, and attempt to blockade the Honeywine. One attack on Oldtown's harbor is repulsed by the defenders, but the city remains under serious threat.[24]
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:
- Lord Leyton Hightower, called the Old Man of Oldtown.
- Lady Rhea Florent, his fourth wife.
- Ser Baelor Hightower, his eldest son and heir. Called Baelor Brightsmile. Married to Rhonda Rowan.
- Malora Hightower, his eldest daughter. Called the Mad Maid.
- Alerie Hightower, his second daughter. Married to Lord Mace Tyrell.
- Ser Garth Hightower, his second son. Called Garth Greysteel.
- Denyse Hightower, his third daughter. Married to Ser Desmond Redwyne.
- Leyla Hightower, his fourth daughter. Married to Ser Jon Cupps.
- Alysanne Hightower, his fifth daughter. Married to Lord Arthur Ambrose.
- Lynesse Hightower, his sixth daughter. Married to Ser Jorah Mormont; now concubine to Tregar Ormollen in Lys.
- Ser Gunthor Hightower, his third son. Married to Jeyne Fossoway.
- Ser Humfrey Hightower, his fourth son.
- Lady Rhea Florent, his fourth wife.
- Ser {Gerold Hightower}, called the White Bull. Lord Commander of the Kingsguard under kings, Jaehaerys II Targaryen and Aerys II Targaryen. His uncle. Slain at the tower of Joy in 283 AC.
With unspecified familiar relationship to the main branch:
- Maester {Walys Flowers}, son of a Hightower girl and an archmaester of the Citadel. Maester to the late Lord Rickard Stark.
Unknown Hightower | Unknown wife | Gerold | Unknown Hightower | Unknown Archmaester | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3 unknown wives | Leyton | Rhea Florent | Walys Flowers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Malora | Garth | Leyla | Jon Cupps | Alysanne | Arthur Ambrose | Humfrey | Lynesse | Jorah Mormont | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Baelor | Rhonda Rowan | Alerie | Mace Tyrell | Denyse | Desmond Redwyne | Gunthor | Jeyne Fossoway | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Willas Tyrell | Garlan Tyrell | Loras Tyrell | Margaery Tyrell | Denys Redwyne | Alyn Ambrose | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Historical Members
Before the Conquest
- King Uthor of the High Tower, a legendary figure of the Dawn Age, credited with the building of the first stone Hightower.
- King Urrigon Hightower, his eldest son and successor, who bequeathed lands for the foundation of the Citadel.
- Prince Peremore Hightower, called the Twisted, who brought a group of scholars together, who, in the end, would go on to found the Citadel.
- King Otho II Hightower, who strengthened the defenses of Oldtown to prevent further sacking by foreign forces.
- King Lymond Hightower, called the Sea Lion, who defeated an invasion of ironborn raiders and married the daughter of Garland II Gardener, thus bringing Oldtown under the power of Highgarden. Afterwards he ruled as the first Lord of Oldtown.
- Lord Jeremy Hightower, who fostered trade and doubled his house's wealth.
- Lord Jason Hightower, his son and heir, who rebuilt the Hightower a hundred feet higher.
- Lord Dorian Hightower, who set aside his wife for an Andal princess and the stability of trade.
- Lord Damon Hightower, called the Devout, his grandson, who was the first to accept the Faith of the Seven.
- Lord Triston Hightower, his son, who was fostered by the Faith and raised the Starry Sept.
- Lord Barris Hightower, his son, who gave the High Septon his first crystal crown.
- Lord Triston Hightower, his son, who was fostered by the Faith and raised the Starry Sept.
- Lord Damon Hightower, called the Devout, his grandson, who was the first to accept the Faith of the Seven.
- Lord Hightower, ruling during the reign of King Garth XI Gardener. His comment led people to refer to the king as "Garth the Painter".[31]
- Runcel Hightower. He was Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and tried to bequeath the Watch to his bastard son.
After the Conquest
- Lord Manfred Hightower, was the head of House Hightower during Aegon's Conquest.[32]
- Lord Addam Hightower, eldest son and heir to Manfred.[33]
- Lord Manfred Hightower, the son of Addam.[34]
- Lord Martyn Hightower, Manfred's eldest son and heir.
- Queen Ceryse Hightower, the daughter of Manfred, and the first wife of King Maegor I Targaryen.
- Ser Morgan Hightower, Martyn's younger brother, and a member of the Warrior's Sons.
- Lady Patrice Hightower, Manfred's maiden sister and Martyn's aunt. Suspected by some to have murdered the High Septon, in 43 AC.[6][13]
- Lord Manfred Hightower, the son of Addam.[34]
- Garmon Hightower, a younger son of Manfred and brother to Addam, slain by Ser Joffrey Dayne during the First Dornish War.
- A son who had recently taken the vows of a septon at the end of Aegon's Conquest.[32]
- A son who had joined the Warrior's Sons.
- Daughters. Manfred offered his youngest to Aegon I Targaryen upon opening the gates of Oldtown to him, which Aegon declined so as not to offend his Queens.[32]
- Lord Addam Hightower, eldest son and heir to Manfred.[33]
- Unknown male Hightower for which a betrothal to one of Lord Tarth's triplet daughters was arranged by Queen Rhaenys Targaryen.[35]
- Lord Donnel Hightower, who ruled the Hightower during the early part of the reign of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen.
- Ser Eustace Hightower, Donnel's grandson.
- Eustace's wife and children.
- Ser Norman Hightower, Donnel's grandson.
- High Septon, a younger brother of Lord Donnel who became High Septon after Alfyn.[36]
- Other brother(s) of Lord Donnel.[36]
- Donnel's other relatives, including: uncles, nieces and at least 6 cousins and 2 nephews.[36]
- Ser Eustace Hightower, Donnel's grandson.
- Lord Hightower ruling in 85 AC. He sent his men to search for the escaped Princess Saera Targaryen.[15]
- Lord Hightower ruling in 89 AC. He staged a tourney in honor of King Jaehaerys I.[15]
- Lord Hightower, the Lord of the Hightower during the late reign of King Jaehaerys I and the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen.[37]
- Lord Ormund Hightower, his son and successor. Lord of the Hightower during the Dance of the Dragons.[5] Married twice, second to Lady Samantha Tarly.[38]
- Lord Lyonel Hightower, his son, Lord of the Hightower during the reign of King Aegon III Targaryen. Second husband of Lady Samantha Tarly.[38]
- Six children.[38]
- Ser Myles Hightower, Lyonel's cousin.[38]
- Martyn Hightower, his son.[38]
- Garmund Hightower, his son, married to Princess Rhaena Targaryen.
- Six daughters.[20]
- Bethany Hightower, his daughter. One of the thirty-three maidens from the Reach proposed by Samantha Tarly as a suitable wife for King Aegon III Targaryen.[9]
- Ser Bryndon Hightower, the foremost knight of Oldtown, cousin to Lord Ormund. Killed alongside Ormund by Lord Roderick Dustin at the First Battle of Tumbleton.[16]
- Ser Hobert Hightower, cousin to Lord Ormund. Sixty years old in 130 AC.[16]
- Lord Lyonel Hightower, his son, Lord of the Hightower during the reign of King Aegon III Targaryen. Second husband of Lady Samantha Tarly.[38]
- Ser Otto Hightower, his younger brother. He was the Hand of the King during the reigns of Jaehaerys I, Viserys I and Aegon II Targaryen. He was the uncle of Lord Ormund Hightower.[39][40]
- Alicent Hightower, daughter of Ser Otto and the Queen of King Viserys I Targaryen, who gave him three sons and a daughter, including Aegon II Targaryen, who was one of the claimants in the Dance of the Dragons.[39]
- At least one other son.
- Ser Gwayne Hightower, the youngest brother of Queen Alicent.[39]
- Lord Ormund Hightower, his son and successor. Lord of the Hightower during the Dance of the Dragons.[5] Married twice, second to Lady Samantha Tarly.[38]
- Unnamed female Hightower, one of the thirty-three maidens from the Reach proposed by Samantha Tarly as suitable queens, alongside Bethany Hightower.[9]
- Lord Jon Hightower, Lord of the Hightower, and Hand of the King in the final years of the reign of King Aegon IV Targaryen.[41]
- Ser Abelar Hightower, a participant of the tourney at Ashford Meadow and heir to Oldtown.[2]
- Lord Quenton Hightower, Lord of the Hightower during the reign of King Maekar I Targaryen. He ordered Oldtown to be closed and anyone caught trying to leave to be killed to prevent the spread of the grey plague as it took half the city. Survivors of the plague murdered him and his young son in the streets the day he had those orders rescinded.
- His young son.[42]
Sworn Houses
House Beesbury of Honeyholt
House Bulwer of Blackcrown
House Costayne of the Three Towers
House Cuy of Sunhouse
House Mullendore of Uplands
Quotes
The Hightowers are an ancient family, very rich and very proud.[7]
Notes
- ↑ Alerie Hightower has silver hair, despite being in her late thirties, early forties. Lynesse Hightower has golden hair and resembles Daenerys Targaryen. And in the end of his life, King Jaehaerys I Targaryen confused Alicent Hightower with his daughter Saera, who, although her appearance has not been described, was a Targaryen.
References
- ↑ So Spake Martin: The Arryns and the Hightower, May 8, 1999
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Hedge Knight.
- ↑ The Citadel. Heraldry: Houses in the Reach
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 A Feast for Crows, Appendix.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach: Oldtown.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 12, Daenerys I.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach: The Gardener Kings.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 The Sworn Sword.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: Aegon's Conquest.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Aegon's Conquest.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Targaryen Lineage.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 70, Tyrion X.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 39, Eddard X.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 45, Samwell V.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Prologue.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 69, Tyrion IX.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 31, Catelyn III.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 60, Tyrion VIII.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 7, Cersei II.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 12, Cersei III.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach: Andals in the Reach.
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I.
- ↑ asoiaf.westeros.org: [SPOILERS] Family trees and successions - "Addam Hightower is indeed the father of Manfred #2."
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I.
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon.
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 38.4 Fire & Blood, Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf.
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
- ↑ Ran's comment [1]
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 8, Jaime I.
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