Cousland family

The Cousland family holds one of only two teyrnirs in Ferelden, the other belonging to Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir.

History
The outpost of Highever was originally held by the Elstan Family, a secondary branch of the Howe family, the Arls of Amaranthine. During the Towers Age, Bann Conobar Elstan was murdered by his wife, Flemeth, thus ending the bloodline. Sarim Cousland, captain of Conobar's guard, took the lands and title.

The Couslands declared their independence from Amaranthine, starting a war that lasted thirty years. When the war ended, Highever won its independence and possession of half the land that had once been southwestern Amaranthine.



Highever became a teyrnir during the Black Age. Previously, the Couslands held only the minor title of Bann. During the lycanthrope plague, Bann Cousland (Mather Cousland according to Aldous, Haelia according to the codex) gathered the lords together under the Cousland banner to drive the werewolves out of their lands, thus earning the title of Teyrn.

During the unification of Fereldan, Teyrna Elethea Cousland fought King Calenhad in an attempt to maintain Highever's independence. When King Calenhad's army reached Highever, Teyrna Elethea led the local banns against him, but Calenhad won. After Elethea's men were defeated, Calenhad asked her to swear fealty. She did, thus allowing the Couslands to retain the teyrnir.

Some time after the unification of Ferelden, but before the occupation by Orlais, the Couslands conspired with Warden-Commander Sophia Dryden in the Grey Warden's attempted rebellion. The rebellion was betrayed to King Arland by politicians before it began. King Arland executed the Cousland Teyrn and a number of others, and then sent soldiers to Soldier's Peak to stamp out the remainder of the rebellion.

During the rebellion against Orlais, the Couslands opposed the Orlesian rule. However, Arl Tarleton Howe of Amaranthine supported the Orlesians and this resulted in several bitter battles between Amaranthine and Highever. Eventually the Couslands manage to capture Harper's Ford and hang Tarleton Howe for his treachery.

Unlike his father, Rendon Howe, was part of the rebellion like his uncle Arl Byron Howe. Rendon and Bryce Cousland fought beside each other at the battle of White River, becoming two of the fifty rebels who survived the defeat. Thereafter, Arl Rendon Howe was a great friend of the Couslands.

Known members

 * Sarim Cousland
 * Mather Cousland
 * Haelia Cousland
 * Teyrna Elethea Cousland
 * Teyrn Ardal Cousland - He was killed at the Battle of Lothering, defending King Vanedrin from Orlesian assailants.
 * Teyrn Bryce Cousland
 * Teyrna Eleanor Cousland
 * Fergus Cousland
 * Human Noble
 * Oriana Cousland
 * Oren Cousland