House Reyne

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” first 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 primary continents, known as Westeros and Essos, make up the bulk 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, in the long run these generally take a backseat to the military conflicts, political machinations and family dynamics that are the principle focus of the story.

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 the monarch holds 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 sovereign. Each region also possesses any number of “Vassal Houses” who owe their loyalty to the governing Great House in one capacity or another. By the time the series begins, there are a number of Houses (both Great and Vassal) that no longer have any surviving members. This could be due to any number of factors, depending on the specific history or backstory involved. In any case, such Houses are labeled “Extinct Houses” and typically play very little, if any, role in the series beyond a passing mention as part of a specific storyline.

One of these Extinct Houses is known as House Reyne, whose members were originally Vassals to the Lannisters, the governing Great House of The Westerlands. Their sigil consisted of a two-tailed red lion facing backwards on a field of silver. House Reyne was originally the second-wealthiest family in all of Westeros after the Lannisters, and prior to the start of the series, they rebelled against their overlords. Despite their best efforts, however, the Reyne Rebellion was eventually defeated, their stronghold of Castamere was burned to the ground, and every surviving member of the House was massacred. The Lannisters' victory over their rebellious vassals was so complete that it inspired “The Rains of Castamere” (“Rains” is a pun on the House’s name), a popular song still performed throughout the Seven Kingdoms.