House Umber

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

Based on author 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. House Umber is one of the Vassal Houses in The North. Their ancestral keep is known as Last Hearth and is the northernmost stronghold of The North, closest to The Wall. Their sigil consists of four golden chains connected to a central gold ring on a field of red. Their motto, if they have one, has thus far not been revealed.

The members of House Umber are typically very large in stature and have a reputation (even north of The Wall) of being fierce warriors. They are strong supporters of House Stark, the longtime Great House of The North. Thus far, the role played by House Umber in the series has been relatively minor, but with the start of the program’s fourth season, there is the potential for this House to take a more prominent place among the major characters of the series, since their involvement was strongly alluded to in the final episodes of season three.