The following is some history and background about the House which members might find useful. In certain cases current politics/relations with people or groups are elaborated upon, even though they are current and not in the past tense.
House Corsobar was established by Aroghetto Corsobar in 806 after the young soldier exposed a large assassination/coup plot against the Queen and two other Houses at that time. In gratitude, the offending House's estates and assets were given over to Aroghetto, and the Queen granted him the title of Duke. Such loyalty is difficult to find in Altara and the Royal House wanted to keep it.
The lands granted it are still the lands it rests on today, for the most part, with only a few acres added or subtracted here or there as trade and political ties altered the original mass of estates. The large strip along the eastern border with Illian has not been altered much, allowing the House to reap the majority of the resources from that region. Much of Corsobar's economy relies on the fishing industry on its lands to the south, along the coast; the citrus orchards which are also found on the more southern portion of the Corsobar estates; and on the northern portion, where the forests are thick and plentiful, Altaran Sumac used to produce the lacquer for varnishing woodworkings that Altaran artists are renowned for. Corsobar holds a large portion of the market for lacquer production, as not many Altaran Houses, merchant or noble, hold property containing as many Altaran Sumac. There is some heavy competition from estates held more directly on Garen's Wall, as Altaran Sumac thrives there, but Corsobar dominates the market--barely--because more villages (and thereby more laborers) reside on Corsobar lands than in the estates of other Houses on the Wall itself.
A healthy friendly-competitive relationship is maintained between Corsobar and the merchant houses of Altara, mostly. There have been merchant houses organized and invested by other nobles, secretly, to try and undermine the business of Corsobar. However, since a number of the prospering merchant houses of Altara owe their prosperity to their benefactor, House Corsobar, such newly established single-purposed merchant houses as those made to thwart Corsobar have not lasted long. Part of Corsobar's ability to withstand most attacks in such a tumultuous nation is the generosity of the House instills a loyalty in those benefitted which rivals any loyalty to the Royal Family itself.
Many of the other noble Houses are envious or plainly resentful of Corsobar's prosperity and longevity, and have plotted, throughout history, to be their downfall. The Houses who despise Corsobar the most, however, changes frequently. Altaran nobles squabble amongst themselves bloodily, and the fidelity of the leader of each House changes as generations die and new ones are born, or as others are married into one family as opposed to another. Currently, Corsobar maintains a cordial front toward one of the other larger Houses, Marello, but keeps an active rivalry against Marello behind the scenes--and vice-versa.
Cordiality to the Queen is as polite as it would be to any other noble. Altarans are polite, after all, even if short-tempered. The House has always been loyal to the reigning monarch at any given time, but never terribly deferrential, save perhaps the first two generations of the House, when it was still fresh in their minds how they acheived their Duchy. Marriage between the Royal House and House Corsobar happened perhaps more times than any other Altaran House--even as the throne changed hands from one House to another. However, House Corsobar never took the Throne itself, even when it was offered at one point. It has long been whispered by various nobles and commoners alike that Corsobar is more powerful than the ruler, herself--but considering the nation she reigns, most noble Houses are--so its not a very significant distinction .
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Page design, text, House conception: ©
Caprice, 2000
Background courtesy of Eos Development
The Wheel of Time Setting: © Robert Jordan and
Tor Books