A Song of Ice and Fire

 
ESmith
 
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ESmith
Total Posts:  550
Joined  15-11-2005
 
 
 
10 November 2007 14:29
 

I have been reading George R. R. Martin’s series called A Song of Ice and Fire, a rather well written epic fantasy.  One of the key features of Mr. Martin’s plot is pervasive political intrigue between powerful families and houses.  Each house, big or small, is represented with what he calls a Sigil, essentially a fast and loose coat of arms.  He isn’t very good at following the rules (especially the tincture rules) but he has created a rather extensive armorial of his massive cast of characters.

Below are a few of the more important houses "sigils".  There is an amazingly extensive list available HERE. Just thought you’d all enjoy.

 

house Targaryen

http://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Heraldry/her_targaryen.gif

House Stark of Winterfell

http://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Heraldry/her_stark.gif

House Greyjoy of Pyke

http://www.westeros.org/Graphics/Heraldry/her_greyjoy.gif

 
ESmith
 
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ESmith
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10 November 2007 14:30
Jonathan R. Baker
 
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Jonathan R. Baker
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Joined  27-03-2007
 
 
 
12 November 2007 14:08
 

I’ve read this series as well, although it was before I truly learned very much about heraldry.  This makes me want to go back and re-read the series so that I can see how well Martin did on the heraldry.

 
Kyle MacLea
 
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Kyle MacLea
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12 November 2007 15:35
 

Let’s face it, by the time he’s done, we’re going to go back and re-read it anyway, so another reason (heraldry) will just make it a more interesting read the second time around!  =)

Kyle=

 
David Pritchard
 
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David Pritchard
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12 November 2007 16:00
 

The fantasy term ‘sigils’ comes from sigillium, the Roman term for the figures cut into a signet ring constituting a personal seal. In English the term sigilliography is the study of seals.