Highgarden

Highgarden is the ancient seat of House Tyrell, the Lords of the Reach, and one of the great castles of the Seven Kingdoms. Its power derives not only from its formidable walls and the strength of its armies but from the vast agricultural wealth of the Reach, which makes it the breadbasket of the realm. In the wars following Robert Baratheon's death, Highgarden's allegiance has been the decisive factor in the struggle for the Iron Throne.

Political and Military Significance

Highgarden's power is a constant factor in the calculations of every major player in the War of the Five Kings. After the death of Renly Baratheon, Mace Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden, forged an alliance with the Lannisters, sealing it with the marriage of his daughter Margaery to King Joffrey. This alliance gave the Iron Throne access to the Reach's vast resources. When Tywin Lannister was Hand of the King, he commanded the strength of Highgarden, and after his death, the Tyrells' support remained crucial for the boy king Tommen. The Lannisters' hold on the throne is understood to be dependent on this alliance; as Davos Seaworth reflects, the Lannisters have wed the wealth of Highgarden. The Tyrells' influence is so pervasive that when Cersei Lannister is imprisoned, her uncle Kevan notes that the governance of the realm is being handed to Margaery's kith and kin, with Mace Tyrell named King's Hand and his bannermen Randyll Tarly and Paxter Redwyne assuming key positions.

The Reach's Military Strength

The military might of Highgarden is a recurring theme. Lord Mace Tyrell commands the power of Highgarden, and his bannermen are formidable. Randyll Tarly, Lord of Horn Hill, is a renowned military commander who brings his army to King's Landing. The Tyrell fleet, under Lord Paxter Redwyne, is a significant naval force. The Reach's strength is such that it can field armies that rival those of any other kingdom. When the Golden Company lands in the south, the small council debates how to respond, with Mace Tyrell confident that his sons can retake the Shield Islands and that the threat from the sellswords is manageable. The Tyrells' power is also a source of tension; Kevan Lannister is acutely aware that he is outnumbered on the small council by Tyrell allies and must tread carefully to avoid an open quarrel.

The Tyrell Family and Court

The Tyrell family is central to Highgarden's identity. Lord Mace Tyrell is ambitious and proud, but his mother, Lady Olenna Tyrell, the Queen of Thorns, is a far more subtle and dangerous player. His sons, Ser Loras, the Knight of Flowers, and Ser Garlan the Gallant, are celebrated knights. The family's fortunes are tied to Margaery's position as queen. The Tyrells' influence at court is resented by Cersei Lannister, who sees them as rivals. The small council chamber in King's Landing is divided between Lannister and Tyrell loyalists, a tension that defines the political landscape of the capital. The Tyrells' ultimate goal is to secure their dynasty, and their actions are consistently aimed at increasing their power and influence.

Narrative Significance

Highgarden itself is never visited in the narrative of A Dance with Dragons, but its presence is felt throughout. It is the source of the armies that prop up Tommen's rule, the origin of the political faction that challenges Cersei, and the provider of the food and wealth that sustain the capital. The fate of the Iron Throne is inextricably linked to the loyalty of Highgarden. The Tyrells' alliance with the Lannisters is a marriage of convenience, and the cracks in that alliance are beginning to show, setting the stage for future conflict. The castle represents the immense, fertile, and ambitious power of the Reach, a power that is both a pillar of the current regime and a potential threat to it.