Randyll Tarly

From A Wiki of Ice and Fire

Lord Randyll Tarly is the Lord of Horn Hill and the head of House Tarly. He is married to Melessa Florent. He has a reputation as a strong battle commander, and wields the Tarly ancestral blade Heartsbane, a Valyrian steel greatsword, in battle.

[edit] Appearance

He is a lean and balding man with a short, bristly grey beard.

[edit] History

Randyll Tarly is considered one of the best soldiers in Westeros. During Robert's Rebellion his army inflicted the only defeat on Robert Baratheon's forces, at the Battle of Ashford. A martinet, he became disappointed in his gentle, timid firstborn son Samwell and made several harsh attempts to engage him in manly, martial persuits, but all to no effect. When Melessa gave birth to his second son, the more bold Dickon, Randyll left Samwell to his own devices until he approached adulthood. At that time, Randyll threatened Sam's life he did not join the Night's Watch, thereby nullifying his claim to Horn Hill.

When Renly called his banners to him, Randyll joined with House Tyrell in supporting him. At the camp, Dickon told Randyll of a cruel game that several of the knights were playing on Brienne of Tarth. He summoned Brienne to her and told her that they had laid wagers on the first to claim her maidenhead. He then tersely advised her that women have no place on the battlefield. When Renly was assassinated, he continued to follow the Tyrells in abandoning Stannis's cause and joining with the Lannisters. He received a commendation for his services at the Battle of the Blackwater.

Randyll then took his forces and began reconstruction of Maidenpool. Brienne encountered him again while he was dispensing harsh but fair justice in the marketsquare. He extracted her business from her, but allowed her to leave. After Brienne returned with the heads of several Brave Companions, Randyll complained that he had executed many outlaws, but could not find their leaders.