House Florent

DISCLAIMER: THE SYMBOLS IN THIS SET ARE FROM THE HBO TV SERIES, NOT THE ORIGINAL NOVELS.

Based on George R.R. Martin’s famous series of novels (collectively known as “A Song of Ice and Fire”), the television series “Game of Thrones” premiered in 2011 on the channel HBO. It is set in a fantasy world heavily based on the society and culture of the European Middle Ages. Two large continents, Westeros and Essos, make up most of the visible landmass in this world, with the former being featured in storylines much more frequently. While typical elements from fantasy stories, such as dragons and various forms of magic, are seen throughout the series, they generally take a backseat to much larger themes, such as military conflicts, political machinations, and family dynamics.

The continent of Westeros is made up of many different regions, each of which has its own culture and history. Most of these regions form constituent parts of a single political realm, which is presided over by a ruling monarch. While they hold ultimate power over the realm, local governance of each region is handled by a “Great House”, a noble family whose members answer directly to the monarch. Each region also contains an extensive network of lesser noble houses called “Vassal Houses”, who owe their loyalty to the governing Great House. House Florent is one of the Vassal Houses in the Reach. Their ancestral home, Brightwater Keep, is located in the southwestern part of the Reach, near the headwaters of the Honeywine River. Their sigil is a red-gold fox on a field of ermine. Their motto, if they have one, has thus far not been revealed.

The history of House Florent is explained in the backstory that Martin developed for his world. For thousands of years, the Reach was ruled by House Gardner, to whom the Florents possessed close familial ties. When Aegon Targaryen invaded Westeros three centuries prior to the time of the series, House Gardner was completely wiped out, and House Tyrell, who had acted as stewards to the Gardners for centuries, voluntarily surrendered to Aegon in order to preserve the Reach from destruction. In return, Aegon granted House Tyrell lordship over the entire region. This political snub angered the Florents, who’s ties to the Gardners were stronger than the Tyrells, and there has been a degree of animosity between the two families ever since.