The White Rose

Lucas Hightower

**The White Rose** is an unofficial political faction in the Reach, a blanket term used to describe those that support the claim of Alysanne Tyrell to Highgarden, as well as that of her husband, the Master of Laws and famed tourney knight Lucien Hightower. Primarily backed by the Hightowers of Oldtown, the White Rose is named after the infamously pious "White Rose of Highgarden", Alysanne Tyrell, the claimant to Highgarden the organization backs. Despite many attempts to quell the increased factionalism by Gwayne Tyrell, the Lord of the Reach, they have only served to quiet the hot running tensions, and not erase them. The White Rose is politically opposed to it's rival faction the Black Rose, a semi-official political alliance that seeks to back Theodore Tyrell's claim to Highgarden.

## History

After the Wedding of Black and White, where the White Rose and it's black counterpart were formed, the Reach changed very little immediately. Aside from a clear line in the sand between the fluctuating powers in the bitter feud between House Hightower and House Peake, few cared of Lord Gwayne's endless defiant obstinate behavior.

However, tensions began to rise a little over a year after the birth of Gwayne's first son on his newlywed wife Samantha, a baby boy named Theodore, for his great-grandsire. By the time a second son, Thaddeus, had been born, many questioned why Gwayne had made no mention of setting aside his daughter and son in law in favor of his own newborn sons.

In truth, resentment and enmity had been in the making between the Lord and Lady of Highgarden since their wedding night. Between his strange, erratic behavior at the ceremonies, including his announcement of Alysanne and Lucien as his heirs, his insistence that the two wear black to the altar, and the growing martial spats only two years into their relationship, Gwayne's stubborn spite was plain for many to see, or so they thought. As the household of Highgarden grew stormier, so did the tensions between the Lords of the Reach who saw one side over another as more just, though no forceful conflicts came to head. The new Lord Costayne, having been insulted by Gwayne and Alysanne when Ser Mervyn murdered his elder brother at the opening feast without punishment, shortly thereafter declared publicly that he would recognize no other lord in Highgarden than Theodore Tyrell upon Gwayne's death, and pledged his swords to protect his rights, and those of his lady mother. Tied by marriage, Lord Vyrwel followed him shortly, as well as half a dozen lesser lords of the Reach along the Red Mountains and River Mander, forming the coalition of lords often referred to as "The Black Council".

In response, Lord Hightower began imposing his claim to lands bordering Lord Costayne's, in the hopes of diminishing the power of his overmighty vassal, whilst secretly sending ravens to ensure the aid of Lord Florent should civil war break out, knowing his loyalty to Gwayne Tyrell's interests, and his niece Alysanne's by extension. Both began marshaling larger and larger forces to be stationed upon the contested territories, until the conflict's attention was brought to Gwayne, who ordered them both off of the land immediately, making trips to Oldtown and Three Towers both to have private conversations with the hostile lords. Though little else came of the dispute, it is still remembered as a tangible focal point for the conflict growing between the White Rose and the Black, and is a rallying cry for the Black Rose in particular, Lord Costayne still complaining of how his rights as a lord were being ignored and suppressed.

Publicly, the power of the White Rose grew tenfold after the Rosegold Rebellion. Following victories at Bitterbridge and the Golden Truce. In spite of noted White Rose Lord Lyonel Hightower dying, his younger brother and heir to Highgarden, Lucien Hightower, was made Master of Laws on King Viserys' Small Council, and his eldest son, Dorian, betrothed to Princess Alysella, forging a strong public connection between House Tyrell and House Targaryen, and in particular, the White Rose. Nevertheless, this was severely undercut by the appointment of Lord Uther Peake to the position of High Justiciar of the Reach, enabling him to use the laws of the land to bring the Reach's inner conflicts to head if he so chooses.

## Known Members

*Claimants to Highgarden proposed by the White Rose:*

* Alysanne Tyrell, eldest daughter of Gwayne Tyrell, heiress to Highgarden
* Lucien Hightower, Master of Laws
* Dorian Tyrell, eldest son of Alysanne Tyrell and Lucien Hightower
* Ser Mervyn Florent, sworn shield of Alysanne Tyrell

*Other Members:*

* Lyonel Hightower, former Lord of Oldtown and High Marshal of the Reach (Deceased)
* Lucas Hightower, Lord of Oldtown
* Aladore Florent, Lord of Brightwater Keep