The Helliconia trilogy · Brian W. Aldiss

Who’s who across the Great Year

Family trees drawn from a close reading of Spring, Summer and Winter. Select a name to see how the text ties each person to the others.

Oldorando: the line of Yuli

From the boy of the Prelude to the family that rules the settlement when Laintal Ay is young.

descendant & namesake cousin-brother grandfather AlehawYuli’s father YuliBoy of the Prelude IskadorYuli’s companion SiSon of Yuli & Iskador IyfilkaLegendary singer Sar GotthFather of Dresyl Wall Ein DenLord of Embruddock Loil BryLaintal Ay’s grandmother Little YuliLaintal Ay’s grandfather Dresyl DenGreat-uncle to Laintal Ay Dly HoinDresyl’s wife NahkriQuarrelsome ‘uncle’ KlilsBoastful ‘uncle’ LoilanunLaintal Ay’s mother Laintal AyHunter, heir of Oldorando DathkaLike a brother to him Asurr Tal DenShay Tal’s grandfather Shay TalVisionary; the academy Aoz RoonSwaggering hunter OyreAoz Roon’s daughter

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Borlien & Oldorando: the royal houses

The Eagle of Borlien, his queen of queens, and the Oldorando court that a dynastic match would join them to.

planned match later marries VarpalAnganolKing of Borlien JandolAnganolThe Eagle of Borlien MyrdemInggalaThe queen of queens YeferalOboralThe queen’s brother RobaydayAnganolPrince of Borlien Princess TatroThe king’s daughter Sayren StundKing of Oldorando Bathkaarnet-sheMadi queen of Oldorando Simoda TalPrincess of Oldorando Milua TalSimoda’s younger sister

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Shivenink, Sibornal & Koriantura: four households

The Keeper’s sons, the family Luterin is promised to, a widow far from home, and a porcelain dealer’s house.

betrothed friend & fellow ensign his captive Keeper ShokeranditKeeper of the Wheel Favin ShokeranditLuterin’s brother Luterin ShokeranditThe Keeper’s son Insil EsikananziLuterin’s betrothed Umat EsikananziInsil’s brother Bandal Eith LahlToress Lahl’s husband Toress LahlWidow of Bandal Eith Lahl Eedap Mun OdimPorcelain dealer Besi BesamitikahlOdim’s first mistress Kenigg OdimEedap’s son

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Across the books

The threads that run from one volume into the next.

A place that carries on

Oldorando, then and later

In Spring, Yuli’s people settle at Oldorando, a place the characters also call by an older name, Embruddock. By Summer it is a kingdom with its own royal house, whose daughters are drawn into the plans of Borlien’s ruler.

OldorandoSpring · Yuli’s settlement
the same place
OldorandoSummer · Sayren Stund’s kingdom

A bloodline across the books

From the Eagle to Winter

One family tie runs between two of the books, and it is a late surprise. Switch on spoilers to see it.

In Winter, Toress Lahl tells Luterin Shokerandit that the king whose bust stands in the old chapel is a distant ancestor of hers, and that he died almost five centuries earlier.

JandolAnganolSummer · the Eagle of Borlien
distant ancestor
Toress LahlWinter

Select a name in the tree to see their family ties and where the text says so. Spoilers stay hidden unless you switch them on.