House Rowan
House Rowan are a House of First Men origin from the Reach. Their seat is Goldengrove.
History[edit]
Legend names Rowan Gold-Tree as the house’s foremother. Grief-stricken when her lover spurned her for a wealthier rival, Rowan wrapped a golden apple in her hair, planted it upon a hill, and from it sprang a tree whose bark, leaves, and fruit shone like beaten gold; the daughters born of that tree became the first Rowans. [1]
Nearly every noble line in the Reach claims blood from Garth Greenhand, yet singers insist the Rowans boast a closer tie: some tales even call Rowan the mother of Lann the Clever. [1]
When King Garth III “the Great” Gardener enlarged his realm through diplomacy rather than war, Goldengrove entered the Kingdom of the Reach by oath of friendship and mutual defence, securing the Rowans as steadfast bannermen of the Gardeners. [2]
During the Seven Years' War, Goldengrove was entirely conquered by Jasper Risley, an ambitious Andal warlord whose alliance with the Lannisters of Casterly Rock proved decisive. The Gardeners failed to retake the castle, and as part of the post-war settlement, Goldengrove, along with significant tracts of land formerly held by House Crane, was ceded to House Risley. The Risleys made Goldengrove their new seat.
Though House Rowan was not exiled or extinguished, they lost their ancestral stronghold and with it much of their former standing. In an effort to preserve some measure of influence, Sera Rowan, once queen to King Galayn Gardener, married Turquin Risley, Jasper's heir. She bore him a son before his untimely death, linking the blood of First Men and Andals.
For years, House Rowan lingered in diminished status, their lands held by House Risley. Yet the tides began to shift under the rule of King Galayn Gardener. When Robert Risley refused to bend the knee and relinquish his claim to Goldengrove, Galayn launched a campaign to reclaim the lost territories.
The war was not swift, but it was decisive. With the aid of the Durrandons and even a handful of the Children of the Forest, Galayn Gardener broke the Risley hold on the region. Goldengrove was retaken in a hard-fought campaign, and House Rowan was restored to their ancestral seat.
In their weakened state House Manderly attacked them and tried to take away land. King Galayn Gardener intervened.
Notable Members of House Rowan[edit]
- Lord Joseth Rowan – Lord of Goldengrove under the rule of King Gwayne IV 'the Gods Fearing' Gardener during the Andal Invasions.
- Lester Rowan – Lord of Goldengrove under the rule of King Gwayne IV 'the Gods Fearing' Gardener during the Andal Invasions. Known as the friend of many.
- Tyler Rowan - Lord of Goldengrove under the rule of King Robert Risley during the Andal Invasions.
- Orland Rowan - Lord of Goldengrove under the rule of King Galayn Gardener during the Andal Invasions.
- Garmund Rowan - Lord of Goldengrove under the rule of King Gunthor 'Whitehand' Gardener during the Andal Invasions.