The High Steward was the royal steward of the Kingdom of the Reach.[1] In time, the title was held hereditarily by the head of House Tyrell during the reign of House Gardener.[2] The position was abolished when the Tyrells were granted Highgarden and elevated to Lord Paramounts of the Mander and Wardens of the South after submitting to Aegon the Conqueror.[3]
History
[edit]Gareth Tyrell, a bookish man, was named High Steward by the King of the Reach, and was followed in this office by his son Leo. Gareth and Leo performed their duties so admirably that the Gardener kings made the office of High Steward hereditary.[1]
Over the centuries, generations of Tyrells served capably as High Steward, many becoming close confidants and advisors to the Kings of the Reach, some even acting as castellans in times of war; at least one High Steward served as regent during the minority of King Garland VI.[1] During the anarchy that followed the death of King Garth X, Ser Osmund Tyrell, the High Steward, rallied the great houses of the Reach to end the war and place a second cousin of Garth Greybeard on the throne as King Mern VI. Through the able counsel of Ser Osmund, his son Ser Robert, and grandson Lorent Tyrell, Mern VI ruled well and did much to restore the Reach.[2] Mern VI was so pleased with his High Stewards, he gave the hand of a daughter to Ser Robert, allowing all subsequent High Stewards to claim descent from the Gardeners; nine more unions were to come between the Gardeners and their stewards.[1]
During Aegon's Conquest, King Mern IX marched his his army to face Aegon the Conqueror; in the ensuring Field of Fire, Mern IX and his entire line were wiped out. Harlan Tyrell, Mern IX's High Steward, had been left at Highgarden and when Aegon arrived to secure its surrender, the High Steward opened the gates and pledged himself to the conquerer. For this, Aegon raised the Tyrells to Lords of Highgarden and Wardens of the South.[1][4] The Tyrells' elevation was fruitlessly protested by the great houses of the Reach, most prominently House Florent,[5] who bitterly complained about having to serve "upjumped stewards".[1]
Known High Stewards
[edit]- Gareth Tyrell, the first Tyrell to be named High Steward.[1]
- Leo Tyrell, Gareth's son and successor, the first hereditary High Steward.[1]
- Ser Osmund Tyrell, High Steward to King Garth X Gardener and later King Mern VI Gardener.[1]
- Ser Robert Tyrell, High Steward to King Mern VI, Osmund's son and successor.[1]
- Lorent Tyrell, High Steward to King Mern VI, Robert's son and successor.[1]
- Harlan Tyrell, High Steward to King Mern IX Gardener. Last High Steward, raised to Lord Paramount of the Mander.[3]
See also
[edit]- Lord Seneschal of Highgarden, a similar title presumably created after Aegon's Conquest
- High Steward of the Vale, a similar office within the Vale of Arryn
References
[edit]- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach: House Tyrell.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach: Andals in the Reach.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Conquest.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Appendix.