The Reach

The Reach is the largest, most populous, and most fertile region of Westeros after the North, ruled by House Tyrell from Highgarden. It occupies the lush southwest of the continent, a land of rolling farmland, vineyards, orchards, and rivers, and is the breadbasket of the Seven Kingdoms. The Reach is also the seat of chivalry and courtly culture, and home to Oldtown, the realm's greatest city of learning.

The Reach is watered by the river Mander and its tributaries and supports a vast population and a great many noble houses. It is rich in food, wine, and knights, and its lords pride themselves on the ideals of courtesy and chivalry more than any other region.

Geography

The Reach lies between the Westerlands, the Stormlands, and Dorne, stretching from the Mander's mouth on the Sunset Sea to the Dornish Marches in the south. Highgarden, the Tyrell seat, sits on the upper Mander. Oldtown, at the mouth of the river Honeywine in the southwest, is the oldest city in Westeros and home to the Citadel of the maesters and the Starry Sept.

Other notable holdings include Brightwater Keep (House Florent), Old Oak, Goldengrove, Horn Hill (House Tarly), and the Arbor, the island of House Redwyne famous for its wines.

History

The Reach was once ruled by the Kings of the Reach, the line of House Gardener descended from Garth Greenhand, who held Highgarden for thousands of years. King Mern Gardener died at the Field of Fire against Aegon the Conqueror's dragons, and Aegon then raised the Gardeners' stewards, House Tyrell, to be Lords of Highgarden and overlords of the Reach.

In the story

The Reach's wealth, food, and armies make House Tyrell a decisive power in the War of the Five Kings. The Tyrells first back Renly Baratheon through his marriage to Margaery Tyrell, then, after Renly's death, ally with House Lannister and help win the Battle of the Blackwater. The grain and gold of the Reach become essential to feeding King's Landing and sustaining the Iron Throne.

Inhabitants

The lords of the Reach are sworn to House Tyrell, whose words are "Growing Strong." The region prizes tourneys, courtesy, and the songs of chivalry, and its many houses, Tyrell, Florent, Tarly, Redwyne, Hightower, and others, are among the proudest in Westeros.