The Citadel

The Archive of 'A Song of Ice and Fire' Lore

Heraldry

House Lannister of Casterly Rock

A roaring lion, gold on crimson

General Information

The Lannisters are an ancient house, descended from Andal adventurers and claiming descent through the female line from Lann the Clever, a legendary trickster of the Age of Heroes. They ruled as Kings of the Rock until the Field of Fire, where King Mern of the Reach died. King Tommen II had lost his life and the family’s Valyrian steel greatsword Brightroar when he had gone on his fool’s quest to Valyria (Gerion Lannister, Lord Tywin’s youngest brother, had gone in search of it and had never returned as well). King Loren of the Rock managed to survive and bend the knee to Aegon. The westerlands are rich in gold, making the Lannisters the richest house in the Seven Kingdoms. Their motto is, “Hear Me Roar!”

Lord Tywin Lannister was King Aerys’s Hand for twenty years but was replaced with a string of unlucky men. It was he who led the Sack of King’s Landing, at the end of the civil war. His daughter Cersei he wed to King Robert. His son and heir is the Kingslayer, Ser Jaime Lannister, twin to Cersei. His youngest son, Tyrion, is known as the Imp for his misshapen, dwarfish body and his cynical wit. His only remaining brother, Ser Kevan, is his closest advisor.

Information about House Lannister that reveals spoilers from the books.