House Hightower of the Hightower is one of the most important and powerful vassals of House Tyrell (and before them of House Gardener).
The family is one of the oldest and wealthiest in Westeros, existing since the Dawn of Days when they were petty-kings. During the coming of the Andals and the creation of the Kingdom of the Reach, the Hightowers allied with the newcomers. Thus they were able the keep their wealth, lands and privileges, still enjoying a degree of independence uncommon among most bannermen in the Seven Kingdoms, and many have a haughty pride to go with it. House Hightower rarely takes part in wars within the realm. They were integral in the foundation of the Citadel and continue to be patrons of both the Citadel and the Faith.
As their history might show, the Hightowers are fairly well-known as pragmatists. They fight when it is beneficial to them to do so, and make peace when it is beneficial to do so. As a rule they are not given to fanaticism (religious or otherwise), and do not consider themselves partisans of any particular cause. They are notoriously loyal to the family, and are always seeking the advantage in a situation. A common slight used against the Hightowers is that they are cynical, which is true to varying degrees.
The current Lord of the Hightower, Lorent, is a wizened old man in his fifties, and he fits the archetype of a Hightower to the letter. His wife is a wealthy daughter of the Reyne family, and he has six children, which he has used to strengthen connections with other great families. His three sons are fiercely loyal to the family, and while rivalries among the three are rumored, they tend to put on a united front to the other families of Westeros. His son and heir, Bradwell, is rumored to be idealistic and at odds with his father on several issues, and it is unknown how the family’s affairs will play out once old Lord Lorent passes.
General information about House Hightower from the books.