Historical High Septons

The Stern One (251-267)
Eldric Donniger, the Stern One, whose reign spanned 251-267. This High Septon was known during his time as “the Dour One,” though history gave him the epithet “the Stern One” due to his harsh counseling of kings and princes. His reign was characterized by an attempt to roll back the corruption that had infested the Great Sept, a task that was successful but ultimately temporary. According to Septon Gerris of Rosby, this High Septon “was ever chasing an epiphany, but failed to be the change he wished to see in the world.”

The Chaste One (267-276)
Symond Bracken, the Chaste One, whose reign spanned 267-276. This High Septon was known as “the Chaste One” even during his reign. He aggressively campaigned for the closure of brothels and other houses of ill repute, banished two members of the Most Devout to Essos after finding they kept mistresses, and even chastened the king himself over a lack of faith to his sister-wife. The Chaste One was known to rail against the doctrine of Exceptionalism put forth by Septon Robeson, though he could do little to reverse it. This High Septon was carried off by natural causes at the age of 58, leading some to call for investigations on the suspicion of foul play. The investigations never materialized. According to Septon Gerold Serrett, this High Septon “was fixated on the sins of others to the detriment of the sins of the self.”

The Old One (277-280)
Gerrold Errol, the Old One, whose reign spanned 277-280. This High Septon was elected after two relatively young predecessors. He had been born the year of the First Blackfyre Rebellion and was ancient even by the standards of the Faith. He ought to have retired to a peaceful cloister to live out his last days in peace and quiet, but the Most Devout pressured him to don the crystal crown after two High Septons judged to be too brash. The anti-corruption measures they had imposed on the Faithful had slackened during this High Septon’s reign. According to Elder Brother Runcelford of Peasebury, this High Septon “ought to have ruled for more days or for fewer.”

The Fat One (280-295)
Jonos Serry, the Fat One, whose reign spanned 280-295. This High Septon was known as “the Gregarious One” during his reign, a moniker delivered without an over-abundance of respect. Though victim of hedonistic proclivities, this one’s reign was characterized by status quo. Few things changed under his hand, for good or for ill. He is remembered, when he is remembered at all, for living entirely too long. According to Septon Gerris of Rosby, this High Septon “ought to have never been.”

The Brief One (297-298)
Septon Balon, the Brief One, whose reign spanned 297-298. This High Septon was known as “the Shivering One” during his reign in reference to his decision to host his coronation outdoors in the reign. Eccentric and prone to bizarre behaviors, this High Septon is believed by historians to be a compromise candidate. He was carried off by sickness late in the year. According to Elder Brother Runcelford of Peasebury, this High Septon “would have been better off had he simply taken the offer of Elder Brother Alan of Quiet Isle.”

The Opulent One (299-310)
Gylbert Brax, the Opulent One, whose reign spanned 299-310. This High Septon was elected on the far side of his predecessor’s unexpectedly short tenure. Known as “the Rich One” during his lifetime, this High Septon has become notorious among scholars of the Faith for his complete ineptitude and his penchant for diverting alms to his own pet projects over the poor. According to Septon Gerris of Rosby, this High Septon “was guided by the golden lamp rather than the light it cast.”

The Cold One (310-323)
Rickard Locke, the Cold One, whose reign spanned 310-323. This High Septon was the head of a reformist clique. The dubious behavior of his predecessor directly facilitated his own ascent, as few of the Most Devout were willing to stand in opposition to the man that was the very antithesis of the previous High Septon. Despite his emphasis on reforms for the Faith, this High Septon also engaged in politics. When Viserys made a mad bid for power, murdering his own kin in the process, this High Septon roundly condemned it, throwing the Faith’s support behind Aegon VI. In an attempt to muster every sword he could, Aegon VI granted the Faith the right to reestablish the Warrior’s Sons. These knights went to war with the king and the survivors would serve as a useful cadre for the slow process of rebuilding the order. According to Septon Guyard of Highgarden, this High Septon “made the hard choices necessary to safeguard the Faithful.”

The Soft One (324-329)
Garth Norcross, the Soft One, whose reign spanned 324-329. This High Septon earned his moniker for being slow to act on abuse of power accusations. Those handful of septons that did find themselves facing judgement were often obliged to face a tribunal of their peers, rather than stand before the High Septon himself. Scholars argue just how involved this High Septon was in the process, with some believing he leveraged his influence to shield the accused and others believing he allowed the Most Devout to decide as they saw fit. According to Septon Gerris of Rosby, this High Septon “proved to be the one project that the Smith could never quite finish.”

The Weak One (329-331)
Septon Alyn, the Weak One, whose reign spanned 329-331. This High Septon’s rule was characterized by bursts of frenetic activity separated by long bouts of illness. In the end, the Red Death would carry this High Septon away. Scholars praise his actions in those relatively few times when he was healthy and much conjecture has been presented as to what might have happened if he had stayed healthy. According to Elder Brother Runcelford of Peasebury, this High Septon “might have been the best of us, had illness not taken him from us so soon.”

The Hardy One (331-352)
Brynden Farring, the Hardy One, whose reign spanned 331-352. This High Septon was elected at a tumultuous time. His predecessor had been carried off by plague and the realm was panicking. Not to be outdone by an illness, this High Septon galvanized the population of Westeros, declaring the value of self-sacrifice, self-flagellation, abstinence, and hard work -- all things he believed could reverse the Red Plague. It was on an otherwise unremarkable midday sermon at the Seven Shrines that he whipped the Faithful into such an intense state that he lost control of them. The subsequent Storming of the Citadel prompted the Anointment Crisis, which would overshadow much of the remainder of this High Septon’s reign, which were otherwise characterized by sweeping reforms and doctrinal changes. Despite the controversial nature of his decisions, scholars of the Faith almost universally commend him for his handling of the crisis -- just as their counterparts in the Citadel condemn him. It was during this High Septon’s reign that the Faith became more routinely involved in the Small Council. According to Septon Guyard of Highgarden, this High Septon “arrived with little fanfare to do the Father’s own work.”

The Fierce One (352-368)
Gulian Blackmont, the Fierce One, whose reign spanned 352-368. This High Septon is best known for his continuation of his predecessor’s policies, particularly in regards to the Anointment Crisis. He spent his tenure ruthlessly crushing opposition to his predecessor’s reforms. Despite his efficiency, scholars of the Faith have noted that this High Septon was thoroughly unimaginative and only served to uphold or overturn the decisions made by his predecessors. According to Septon Gerris of Rosby, this High Septon “could not decide when to relieve his bowels without citing precedent.”