AMBER : THE NOBLE HOUSES


There are seventeen Noble Houses in Amber, made up of the most powerful non-Royal families in the city of Amber. They each have a major role in various aspects of the functioning of Amber, both the realm and the city.

All of the Noble Houses of Amber are centred on their large mansions in the city. Allegedly some of these are as old as the oldest parts of Castle Amber itself, and most have grown over time, incorporating surrounding land (and sometimes buildings) into themselves. Though none approach the Castle in size, they all approach it in richness and opulence. In fact, since Random came to the throne, some, in places, have begun to exceed the Castle's opulence.

Some Houses have other properties in Amber City. For example, some of the trading Houses have mansions and warehouses down by the docks. Some also have properties in the countryside outside the City, and indeed through the Golden Circle.

Amber's Noble Houses are responsible for many of the statues and monuments scattered about the City, some of which were raised to glorify themselves, others to curry favour with the Royal Family, or Oberon in particular. Some of Amber's public spaces and buildings, shopping arcades, and the Cathedral of the Unicorn particularly have also been built or added to for these reasons.


The Noble Houses

All the House shield designs shown below are those of the Noble House itself, and thus of the Head of the House. Other, lesser, members of the House, if they have shield designs at all will have them based on the designs shown, with additions and changes based on their heritage. Most Noble Houses have Heralds to assist in these matters.


ASHLURIAN

The Shield of House Ashlurian Head of House Lord Paris, who is also Lord Mayor of Amber City. They are primarily landowners, and have both large holdings in Amber, and in a number of Golden Circle shadows. They are major importers of food to Amber. Several other members of the house are also involved in various aspects of the civic administration of Amber.

CHANTRIS

The Shield of House Chantris Head of House Lord Wolfgang. A house most well known for its heavy involvement in the Amber military. Lord Wolfgang is a general within the army of Amber. They also have significant interests in armouries both within Amber and in the Golden Circle. The fourth son of Lord Wolfgang, Harold, is leader of the Royal Lifeguard under William Feldane. Ernst Chantris, son of Lord Wolfgang's youngest brother, is second in command of the Castle Guard, under Guthrun Norwulf.

CHARENTON

The Shield of House Charenton Head of House Lady Solange. Quite an old house, which is linked by marriage to the royal families of a number of important Golden Circle shadows. For this reason they tend to be prominent in trade with those shadows. They have also developed a reputation as diplomats; several of Ambers ambassadors to the Golden Circle are members of House Charenton. In particular Lady Solange's daughters Ellen and Sylvia are married to the Kings of particularly important Golden Circle shadows.

CLEMENS

The Shield of House Clemens Head of House Lord Corelius; however, even for an inhabitant of Amber he is an old man, and leaves most of the actual running of the House to his son Kail, daughters Lara and Judith and nephew Ambrose. A relatively small house whose fortunes are still recovering after being persecuted by King Oberon for a time. Eustace, third son of the head of house, is Amber Harbourmaster. They have interests spread over a broad range of fields, both in and out of Amber.

DANTON

The Shield of House Danton Head of House Lord Ulfgar. A merchant house, heavily involved in the Amber Merchant Marine, with a large trading fleet. They also own several shipyards, mostly in the Golden Circle.

DERHEMEN

The Shield of House Derhemen Head of House Lord Arran. A merchant house which makes most of its money importing specialist rather then bulk items. As such they have contacts in markets across, and beyond, the Golden Circle, and control a medium-sized trading fleet.

DU MOTIER

The Shield of House Du Motier Head of House Lord Aubrey, who is also head of the Bank of Amber. A house whose major interests lie in banking and finance, but who also have fingers in many other pies, in particular trade. They own a number of small merchant shipping lines.

FELDANE

The Shield of House Feldane Head of House Lord Shannon. A house most well known for its heavy involvement in the Amber military. The head of house is a general within the army of Amber. His eldest son is Lord Wyndham. His third son, Lord William, is head of the Royal Guard. As a house they have significant interests in armouries both within Amber and in the Golden Circle.

FULLERI

The Shield of House Fulleri Head of House Lord Issac. His younger brother Yves Fulleri is Chief of the City Watch. As a house they have a heavy involvement with the Amber Navy, running several shipyards for them, and are also involved in building and construction. Because of this their wealth and standing has grown considerably with the expansion of Amber City since King Random came to the throne.

HEXAN

The Shield of House Hexan Head of House Lord Armand. A merchant house heavily involved in trade and manufacturing throughout the Golden Circle. As such they import a large amount of such goods into Amber, and have a significant trading fleet.

KARM

The Shield of House Karm Head of House Lady Marianne. The oldest surviving Amber noble family, whose numbers still remain small after allegedly being the target of a vendetta by Prince Finndo of Amber long ago. They have the largest library of any noble house, surpassing the of Amber Castle in some fields. Because of this they have a reputation for learning and scholarship.

KESHT

The Shield of House Kesht Head of House Lord Salvador, who is married to Lady Elizabeth. Their daughter, Lady Leonora, is the mother of Prince Caleb. One of the major trading houses of Amber, with links to, and offices in, shadows throughout the Golden Circle. As such it has also produced a number of Ambers diplomats and ambassadors.

MOTIUS

The Shield of House Motius Head of House Lady Rhian. A merchant house specialising in luxury items from across the Golden Circle. Several members of the house are known as artists of various kinds, in particular Lady Rhian's youngest daughter Cynehild.

NORWULF

The Shield of House Norwolf Head of House Lord Godmund. The newest noble family in Amber, established since King Random came to the throne on the basis of money made by fortuitous trading with new markets along the new shadow paths created with the redrawing of the Primal Pattern. Because of their 'new money' status they are somewhat looked down upon by the other houses, but do control a major trading fleet. Guthrun, the oldest daughter of the head of house, is chief of the Castle Guard. As the newest Noble House, Norwulf House in the smallest of the mansions of the Noble Houses.

REIN

The Shield of House Rein Head of House Lord Fletcher, Corwin's friend, who is also Lord Commander of Castle Rosa and de facto ruler of the settlement at Corwin's Pattern. House Rein is a smallish house whose interests are spread across a wide range of fields without specialising in any. They have more holdings at Corwins Pattern than any of the other Amber noble houses.

URIEN

The Shield of House Urien Head of House Lord Hymel. A small, long-established Amber noble family, consisting mainly of landowners and vintners. Lady Carmel, daughter of the head of house, is a friend of Queen Vialle. Lord Hymel has a number of other daughters (Isabella, Sophia, Aurore and Lucille), but as yet no sons.

VENWAY

The Shield of House Venway Head of House Lady Angharad. A land owning and merchant house. Ivor, son of the head of house, is Chief Priest of the Unicorn in Amber; his cousin, Ronan, is Major-Domo of Amber Castle. Several other members of the house are also involved in various aspects of the civic administration of Amber.

Back to my Amber Page