Post by Sara Cromwell on Apr 28, 2008 15:57:00 GMT -5
Godric Gryffindor
Godric Gryffindor hailed from a moor that is now known as Godric's Hollow, a small West Country village. Gryffindor is said to have praised courage, determination and strength of heart above all other qualities. Indeed, he selected students for his house based upon their daring and bravery, according to the Sorting Hat. He also was the most in favour of allowing Muggle-borns into the school. He was initially a close friend of Salazar Slytherin, but over time, their friendship deteriorated; though never stated, it is likely that the two's contrasting beliefs and intentions regarding Muggle-borns may have been part of the reason for the split.
His known relics are a goblin-made sword (the Goblins claim that Godric stole it from them), adorned with rubies, and the Sorting Hat. The two items share a particular bond; whenever a "true Gryffindor" needs it, the Sword will let itself be pulled out of the hat.
Godric Gryffindor hailed from a moor that is now known as Godric's Hollow, a small West Country village. Gryffindor is said to have praised courage, determination and strength of heart above all other qualities. Indeed, he selected students for his house based upon their daring and bravery, according to the Sorting Hat. He also was the most in favour of allowing Muggle-borns into the school. He was initially a close friend of Salazar Slytherin, but over time, their friendship deteriorated; though never stated, it is likely that the two's contrasting beliefs and intentions regarding Muggle-borns may have been part of the reason for the split.
His known relics are a goblin-made sword (the Goblins claim that Godric stole it from them), adorned with rubies, and the Sorting Hat. The two items share a particular bond; whenever a "true Gryffindor" needs it, the Sword will let itself be pulled out of the hat.
Rowena Ravenclaw
[/color][/font][/size]Rowena Ravenclaw was a witch noted for her cleverness and creativity, and was described by Xenophilius Lovegood as "beautiful." The Sorting Hat introduced her as “Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,” suggesting she was from Scotland. She was a good friend of Helga Hufflepuff; their friendship is used to emphasise the failed friendship between Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin. Ravenclaw devised the ever-changing floor plans and moving staircases in the Hogwarts castle, and coined the proverb "Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure."
Ravenclaw is described by the Sorting Hat as having selected students according to intelligence and wisdom. Ravenclaw House thus values in its members a sharp mind, wisdom, creativity, and cleverness for its own sake, and thus, rather than asking for a password from her members to get to the dormitories, a bronze eagle knocker asks them a riddle-like question which, if answered incorrectly, would force the student to wait until another could answer the question correctly, allowing the failed student to learn.[/center]
Salazar Slytherin
Salazar Slytherin is described as "power hungry" by the Sorting Hat, and was known as "shrewd Slytherin from fen". The Fens of eastern England are marshlands around Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and adjoining counties, although it is not established that Slytherin actually came from that particular region. Slytherin is the only founder whose physical appearance was ever described in any detail; his statue in the Chamber of Secrets depicts a man "ancient and monkey-like, with a long thin beard that fell almost to the bottom of his sweeping robes."
Slytherin was a Parselmouth, a wizard with the rare ability to speak with snakes. Like Rowena Ravenclaw and Godric Gryffindor, Slytherin appears to have carefully selected members of his House. According to Albus Dumbledore, the qualities which Slytherin prized in his "handpicked students" included resourcefulness and determination. He also selected his students according to cunning, ambition, and blood purity.
Salazar Slytherin is described as "power hungry" by the Sorting Hat, and was known as "shrewd Slytherin from fen". The Fens of eastern England are marshlands around Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and adjoining counties, although it is not established that Slytherin actually came from that particular region. Slytherin is the only founder whose physical appearance was ever described in any detail; his statue in the Chamber of Secrets depicts a man "ancient and monkey-like, with a long thin beard that fell almost to the bottom of his sweeping robes."
Slytherin was a Parselmouth, a wizard with the rare ability to speak with snakes. Like Rowena Ravenclaw and Godric Gryffindor, Slytherin appears to have carefully selected members of his House. According to Albus Dumbledore, the qualities which Slytherin prized in his "handpicked students" included resourcefulness and determination. He also selected his students according to cunning, ambition, and blood purity.
Helga Hufflepuff
[/i][/size]Helga Hufflepuff came from a broad valley. She favoured loyalty, honesty, fair play, and hard work. Members of her house usually display at least one of these traits in varying degrees. The Sorting Hat further describes her as "good Hufflepuff" or "sweet Hufflepuff". She does not appear to have applied particularly strict standards of selection to her house. Although in Goblet of Fire, she is stated as having considered “hard workers most worthy of admission,” she is elsewhere described as taking “all the rest” of the students after selection by her colleagues, and is quoted by the Sorting Hat as having said, “I’ll teach the lot, and treat them just the same.” This sets her apart from the other Founders, by making her an egalitarian.[/center]