The Lannister family is an incredibly powerful economic dynasty with an abundance of gold in their possession, dominating the landscape of their realm. Not only that, but this family is currently considered the most powerful house in Westeros.
Let’s explore the intriguing truths behind the wealthiest family in the world of Game of Thrones – the Lannisters, through the article below.
1. The Lannisters are one of the oldest houses in Westeros
There is nothing to dispute about the cunning nature of the Lannisters, and the six seasons of Game of Thrones have proven this as they have always been the ones occupying the highest throne in power struggles. However, the origins of House Lannister remain a mystery, and one can be certain that this family has been present in Westeros for a very long time.
The ancestors of House Lannister are believed to be Lann the Clever, rumored to be one of the First Men. However, many believe he descended from the Andal bloodline, having crossed the Narrow Sea over 6,000 years ago to conquer Westeros. Lann the Clever successfully seized Casterly Rock and established House Lannister from that point to this day.
2. The Lannister motto and sigil are quite different
In the series, we see that the sigil of House Lannister is a golden lion on a crimson background. They are also renowned for the phrase “a Lannister always pays his debts,” leading many to believe that this is their official motto.
In reality, the motto of House Lannister is “Hear me roar.” This motto is rarely spoken, but it is fitting for the sigil of this family, and one can understand why the sigil of House Lannister is a golden lion roaring fiercely.
3. The fortress of Casterly Rock
The ancestral home of the Lannister line is Casterly Rock, which is considered the stronghold of the Westerlands with a view overlooking the Sunset Sea. Casterly Rock is built on a rocky hill, and its structure makes it reminiscent of a lion sleeping in the sun, thus the Lannister sigil is a lion.
And beneath this rocky hill lies the largest gold mine in all of Westeros, and the lands that House Lannister governs also contain vast amounts of gold, making them the wealthiest family in the Seven Kingdoms.
4. Originating from Andal, the people who crossed the Narrow Sea
The Lannisters are often described as tall, handsome, or beautiful, with golden hair and blue eyes, and many believe this is due to their Andal bloodline, who crossed the Narrow Sea to conquer Westeros over 6,000 years ago.
In reality, their ancestry is linked to the First Men, and they also fought against the Andals. However, later on, they realized that they could not withstand the Andals who had crossed the Narrow Sea, thus the Lannister lineage has intermingled between the two factions, resulting in the Lannister bloodline today.
5. The Valyrian steel sword Brightroar has been lost
In the history of House Lannister, there are numerous mentions of the Valyrian steel sword named Brightroar. This sword has been passed down through generations and was last seen during the reign of King of the Rock – Tommen II.
After the Doom of Valyria, this sword was lost along with the family of Tommen, and after many years of searching, the Lannisters still have not been able to locate this sword. They have attempted to replace it with swords from other houses but have yet to find a worthy substitute.
6. The Lannisters once ruled as Kings of the Rock
The Lannisters once had a time of ruling as Kings of the Rock, and this reign lasted until the Targaryens conquered all Seven Kingdoms. During the wars between these two great houses, Loren Lannister, the last king to bear the title King of the Rock, gathered an army of 60,000 men to fight against the overwhelming forces of King Aegon.
As a result, the Lannisters were defeated in this battle, and King Loren was forced to yield to Aegon, which led to the Lannisters continuing to rule Casterly Rock along with the surrounding lands, earning the title Wardens of the West.
7. The Lannisters have the second-largest army in Westeros
With their vast economic power, the Lannisters have always focused on building a strong army for their domain. They can proudly claim to have the second-largest army in Westeros. The size of their army is somewhat smaller compared to that of the Reach, where House Tyrell governs.
According to estimates, the Westerlands of House Lannister could muster up to 50,000 troops during a full-scale invasion (this number is 80,000 with the Reach of House Tyrell). This number does not include the various garrisons that the Lannisters maintain in Lannisport.
(To be continued)
