Who Were The Hightowers In Game Of Thrones

Who Were the Hightowers in Game of Thrones?

The Hightowers are a powerful and ancient family in the world of Game of Thrones, hailing from the Reach, a fertile and wealthy region in Westeros. They are not as prominently featured as some of the other great houses like the Starks or Lannisters, but their influence and history are incredibly important, especially when you start looking into the events of the prequel series, House of the Dragon. Let’s dive deep into who they are, what makes them special, and why they matter.

The Seat of Power: Oldtown and the Hightower

The Hightowers’ base of power is the city of Oldtown, one of the oldest and most significant cities in Westeros. Unlike other houses that reside in castles, the Hightowers live in a grand tower, aptly named the Hightower. This massive structure is a symbol of their age and authority. Imagine a super tall lighthouse made of stone, that’s the Hightower! It dominates the skyline of Oldtown and is an impressive sight. Oldtown itself is a center of learning and culture, home to the Citadel, where maesters are trained. This close relationship with knowledge significantly shapes the Hightower’s family.

Oldtown’s importance isn’t just in learning. It’s also a major port city, bringing in trade and wealth. This means the Hightowers have a strong economic position, giving them even more influence. They aren’t just powerful because of soldiers, but also because of their money and the important things that happen within their city walls.

Ancient Lineage: History of House Hightower

The Hightowers boast a very long and proud family history. They are among the oldest houses in Westeros, predating even the Targaryen conquest. Their family goes back to the Age of Heroes, when the First Men settled in Westeros. This makes them one of the few houses that wasn’t started or significantly changed by the arrival of the Andals, who brought their religion of the Seven and their knights with them. They were Kings of Oldtown before they became lords, an important detail that reflects their independent spirit and their long-standing rule in their own region. This also means they were used to making their own decisions for a long time, which is an important factor when we consider their later actions.

The Hightower’s Faith and Influence

The Hightowers, despite their history as First Men, fully embraced the Faith of the Seven, and are considered one of its most pious adherents. The Faith of the Seven has its most influential base in Oldtown, under the stewardship of the High Septon, adding to Oldtown’s importance. This connection to the faith makes the Hightowers very influential within religious circles of Westeros, and it further strengthens their position in society.

Key Hightower Characters in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon

While House Hightower doesn’t take centre stage in the original Game of Thrones series, it is vital in the House of the Dragon prequel. Let’s look at some of its most important members.

Lord Leyton Hightower

Lord Leyton is the head of House Hightower during the events of House of the Dragon. He’s known as “Old Man Hightower”, and though he mostly stays in Oldtown, his decisions have a big impact on events of the show. He’s a shrewd man who seems to prefer staying out of direct conflict, but he also looks out for the well-being of his family. Lord Leyton plays an important role in setting the stage for the conflicts that follow.

Otto Hightower

Otto is perhaps the most prominent Hightower character we see in House of the Dragon. He is Lord Leyton’s younger brother and serves as Hand to King Viserys I Targaryen. This position gives him a lot of power and influence at court in King’s Landing. Otto is ambitious and cunning. He is very strategic in his actions, trying to secure a good position for his family. His desire for power sometimes puts him at odds with other powerful figures in the court, and contributes to the major conflicts within the Targaryen family.

Alicent Hightower

Alicent is Otto’s daughter. She becomes the second wife of King Viserys I Targaryen, and queen of the Seven Kingdoms. This marriage is an incredibly significant event, catapulting House Hightower into the highest levels of power. Alicent is intelligent, beautiful, and dutiful. She struggles to navigate the complex world of the royal court, especially when her children with Viserys become involved in disputes over the succession to the Iron Throne. She embodies the internal conflict between loyalty to her family and her role as a queen, adding depth to her character.

Gwayne Hightower

Gwayne is another son of Lord Leyton, and he serves as a knight in the Kingsguard during the Dance of the Dragons. He is shown to be loyal and skilled in combat. His presence in the Kingsguard represents how close the Hightowers have managed to become with the Royal family, showcasing their strategy of political maneuvering.

Other Notable Hightowers

There are other Hightowers in the family that you might see in the show, although they are not as central to the main plot. Each of them plays a role in further demonstrating the family’s deep roots and influence within the world.

The Hightower’s Strengths and Weaknesses

Like any house, the Hightowers have their own particular strengths and weaknesses. Understanding these help to explain their actions throughout the story.

Strengths:

• Wealth: As the rulers of Oldtown, a major port city and trade hub, they have enormous wealth, which allows them to fund armies, build infrastructure, and exert economic pressure.
• Knowledge: Their close connection with the Citadel gives them access to a deep well of knowledge, which they use to make wise and informed decisions.
• Piety: Their strong connection to the Faith of the Seven gives them moral influence and support from religious people.
• Strategic Planners: Hightowers are not impulsive. They often carefully consider their actions, which makes them formidable players in the game of thrones.

Weaknesses:

• Reluctance for War: Although they have considerable power, they often avoid open warfare, preferring to use diplomacy and influence. This can sometimes be interpreted as weakness by other more aggressive houses.
• Internal Divisions: Like many large families, the Hightowers can have internal conflicts and disagreements that sometimes hinder their ability to act with one voice.
• Political Vulnerability: Their position as advisors and power brokers also makes them vulnerable, as they become targets when other houses seek to consolidate their own power.

The Hightowers and the Dance of the Dragons

The Hightowers played a huge part in one of the most important conflicts in Westerosi history, the Dance of the Dragons. This civil war occurred during the rule of the Targaryen family. Here’s how it ties back to the Hightowers:

Hightower’s Role in the Succession Crisis

The main reason for the Dance of the Dragons was the succession to the Iron Throne after King Viserys I Targaryen died. Viserys had named his daughter Rhaenyra as his heir. However, Otto Hightower, as Hand of the King, worked with other parties to support his grandson Aegon, son of Alicent, instead. This conflict of interest directly started the war. The marriage of Alicent to Viserys had moved the Hightowers into the heart of the Royal family and their desire for more power brought a lot of trouble.

Hightower Loyalty and Influence During the Conflict

During the war, the Hightowers largely supported their family, the Greens faction, and the claim of Aegon II. They had significant resources and influence in the Reach, which was important in the conflict. This also showed their influence in court, since other key players choose to side with them because of the power they commanded. It also illustrated the divide within Westeros over who should rule the Iron Throne.

Consequences for House Hightower

The Dance of the Dragons had major consequences for all of Westeros, including House Hightower. Though they were ultimately on the winning side, the war exhausted a lot of their resources and power. Also, the conflict further showed how deep the internal divisions could be, even within families. Their experiences during the Dance of the Dragons highlight the dangers of playing such a high-stakes game.

The Hightower Legacy

Even after the Dance of the Dragons, the Hightowers continued to be a significant house in Westeros. They didn’t completely disappear from the historical records. Their position in Oldtown remained secure, giving them continuing influence and wealth. The memory of the Dance of the Dragons likely impacted how they acted politically in future conflicts, making them very cautious. The Hightowers provide a good lesson on the importance of both direct power and behind-the-scenes influence.

The story of the Hightowers is a great example of how complex and intertwined family histories are in the world of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. They may not be as talked about as some other families, but their story proves they have been crucial in shaping the fate of Westeros.