The Black Rose

Uther Peake

**The Black Rose**is an unofficial political faction in the Reach, a blanket term used to describe those that support the claim of Theodore Tyrell to Highgarden. Primarily backed by the Peakes of Starpike, the Black Rose is named after the notable dark black hair that all of the children of Samantha Peake and Gwayne Tyrell share. 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 Black Rose is politically opposed to it's rival faction the White Rose, a similar faction that seeks to ensure Alysanne Tyrell inherits Highgarden.

## History

After the Wedding of Black and White, where the Black Rose and it's white 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".

Initially, Gwayne staunchly ignored the new voices crying for his son to be named heir over Alysanne. After a small incident that began as a land dispute between Lord Hightower and Lord Costayne and nearly erupted into a civil war, Gwayne began making progresses around the Reach every few years, in order to stamp out the dissidence and make it clear in no uncertain terms that both the Black Rose and the White Rose were not tolerated by the man who was nevertheless still the Lord of Highgarden, regardless of his heir.

The Black Rose would see a decline in prevalence mirroring it's rival white rose in the coming years, as wars and plagues ravaged the Reach, causing many to lose sight of the original conflict, instead focused on more pressing matters. But when Gwayne crowned himself King Gwayne I Tyrell upon his entering of the Rosegold Rebellion, the question of succession came up once again, though it was known by all parties as a decision that would be made after the war was won.

Following the war, however, Gwayne once again declined to address the issue after setting aside his crown. In a twist of events, the former High Marshal of the Reach and Lord of Whitegrove, Dustonbury, and Starpike, Lord Uther Peake became the new High Justiciar of the Reach, in direct servitude to King Viserys.

With his newfound position of authority and ability to take Gwayne to task for breaking Westerosi inheritance law, many now wait patiently for the day that Uther Peake attempts to exact his dues on Highgarden.

## Known Members

*Claimants to Highgarden proposed by the Black Rose:*

* Theodore Tyrell, Lord Treasurer of Highgarden, first son of Gwayne Tyrell and Samantha Peake
* Ser Thaddeus Tyrell, second son of Gwayne Tyrell and Samantha Peake
* Margot Tyrell, twin daughter of Gwayne Tyrell and Samantha Peake
* Meredyth Tyrell, twin daughter of Gwayne Tyrell and Samantha Peake

*Other Members:*

* Uther Peake, Lord of Whitegrove, Dustonbury, and Starpike, High Justiciar of the Reach
* Samantha Peake, Lady of Highgarden
* Lord Costayne
* Lord Vyrwel
* Lord Mullendore