Reyne-Tarbeck revolt

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Reyne-Tarbeck revolt
Reyne Tarbeck Rebellion.png
art by RobinF

Date 261 AC[1]
Location Castamere and Tarbeck Hall in the westerlands
Result Elimination of Houses Reyne and Tarbeck
Restoration of Lannister dominance over the westerlands
Belligerents
House Reyne
House Tarbeck
House Lannister
House Banefort
House Marbrand[2]
House Plumm[2]
House Prester
House Stackspear
House Westerling
Notable commanders
Lord Roger Reyne
Ser Reynard Reyne
Lord Walderan Tarbeck
Lady Ellyn Tarbeck
Lord Tion Tarbeck
Ser Tywin Lannister
Strength
House Tarbeck:
  • 500 household knights[3]

House Reyne:[1]

  • 2,000 soldiers (only 1 in 10 a knight)
  • More than 300 men, women and children
At Tarbeck Hall:[4]
  • 500 knights
  • 3,000 men-at-arms
  • 3,000 crossbowmen.

At Castamere:[3]

Losses
Complete elimination of the rebellious vassalsMinimal

The Reyne-Tarbeck revolt was an uprising in the westerlands in 261 AC. Houses Reyne and Tarbeck renounced fealty and rose against their Lannister overlords due to the perceived weakness of the Lord of Casterly Rock, Tytos Lannister. The revolt was crushed by Tytos's heir, Ser Tywin Lannister.[1]

Prelude

There are many factors that led to the Reyne-Tarbeck rebellion, the weak and ineffective leadership of Lord Tytos Lannister being a key one. The early ambitions of Lady Ellyn Reyne of Castamere was another reason for the escalation of the conflict due to her scheming and vindictiveness.

Ellyn was an ambitious and ruthless woman, who desired to marry into the rich Lannister family and become the Lady of Casterly Rock. Her father, Robert Reyne, successfully arranged a betrothal of her to Tywald Lannister, the heir of Lord Gerold Lannister. However, both Ellyn's betrothed and father were slain during the Peake Uprising in 233 AC. Ellyn instead married Gerold's second son, Tion, and became the Lady of Casterly Rock in all but name, as Gerold was widowed. Ellyn held a splendid court and used her position to support House Reyne, including her brothers Roger and Reynard. However, she had a fierce rivalry with Lady Jeyne Marbrand, the wife of Gerold's third son, Tytos.[1]

After Ellyn's husband Tion died in the Fourth Blackfyre Rebellion in 236 AC, Gerold began to prepare Tytos for rule. Most of the Reynes departed Casterly Rock for Castamere. Ellyn remained, but was hastily married to the twice-widowed Walderan Tarbeck, Lord of Tarbeck Hall, by Lord Gerold in 239 AC, after Ellyn had attempted to seduce Tytos, and Tytos had confessed this to his wife, Jeyne. Maester Beldon wrote of the ugly rivalry between Ellyn and Jeyne, which the fool Lord Toad called the War of the Wombs.[1]

Tytos became Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West in 244 AC. Tytos had the desire to be loved, and as such was willing to forgive people quickly. Many saw this as a weakness, and as such, many of Tytos's bannermen and merchants from Lannisport and Kayce borrowed from him without paying their debts. Through her brothers, Lady Ellyn Tarbeck borrowed fold from House Lannister as well, and used it to restore the crumbling Tarbeck Hall. The power of House Lannister grew less, and even beyond the westerlands people began to realise the Lannisters were no longer to be feared.[1] As such, Tytos betrothed his daughter Genna to Emmon Frey, the second son of Lord Walder Frey, in 252 AC, only to please Walder. Upon hearing the announcement, Lord Roger Reyne left the hall in anger, while his sister Ellyn laughed aloud. Tytos's eldest son, Tywin, spoke out against the wedding because he thought it an uneven match.[5] Tytos later sent Tywin to King's Landing to serve as a royal cupbearer at King Aegon V Targaryen's court and another son, Kevan, to Castamere.[1]

Lord Tytos's eldest three sons left to fight in the War of the Ninepenny Kings in 260 AC. When Tywin returned from the Stepstones with his brothers, the newly-knighted Kevan and Tygett, he took upon himself the task of restoring House Lannister's dominance, despite Tytos's reluctance. Tywin demanded repayment of his father's loans and all who could not pay were ordered to send hostages to the Rock. Kevan formed a new company of five hundred veterans to aid Tywin. While Ser Harys Swyft agreed to surrender his daughter Dorna into Kevan's custody, Lord Roger Reyne laughed when he read Tywin's edicts and advised his friends and vassals to do nothing. Lord Walderan Tarbeck wanted to convince Tytos to rescind Tywin's edicts, but Tywin had him imprisoned when he came to Casterly Rock.[1]

In return, Ellyn Tarbeck seized three Lannisters—two Lannisters of Lannisport, as well as Stafford Lannister, whose sister Joanna was betrothed to Tywin—and threatened them harm unless her lord and husband was returned. Tytos ignored Tywin's suggestion that Lord Walderan should be sent back to his wife in three pieces, one for every Lannister taken. Tytos instead returned Walderan unharmed and forgave the Tarbeck debt to House Lannister.[6][1]

Revolt

Ser Tywin Lannister remained determined to defeat the disloyal vassals of House Lannister. In 261 AC, less then a year after the exchange of captives, Tywin sent ravens to Tarbeck Hall and Castamere demanding answers for their crimes at Casterly Rock. As he had expected, Lord Roger and Ser Reynard Reyne, as well Lord Walderan and Lady Ellyn Tarbeck, rose in rebellion, renouncing their fealthy to Casterly Rock.[1]

Without the permission of Lord Tytos Lannister, Tywin marched against the upstart vassals with three thousand men-at-arms and crossbowmen and five hundred knights.[1] According to a semi-canon source, the host was joined on the march by troops from House Marbrand and House Prester, as well as a dozen lesser lords,[2] although The World of Ice and Fire does not appear to count these soldiers.[7]

The fall of Tarbeck Hall

Because the Lannisters marched on Tarbeck Hall so suddenly, Lord Walderan Tarbeck had no time to rally his banners. As such, he met the Lannister host in battle with only his household knights. A short bloody battle ensued in which the Tarbecks were butchered.[1] According to a semi-canon source, Lord Walderan's heir, his only surviving son from his first marriage, died during battle, but Walderan himself was taken alive, as were two of his sons from his second marriage. Though Walderan expected to be ransomed,[2] they were all executed. The heads of Walderan and his sons were impaled on spears, and led the march onto Tarbeck Hall.[8]

At Tarbeck Hall, Lady Ellyn expected a long siege. He sent ravens to Castamere, asking her brothers Roger and Reynard for help. Tywin, however, had siege engines prepared in less than a day. With these engines, a great boulder was thrown over the walls onto Tarbeck Hall's aged keep, bringing the castle down upon Ellyn and her son, Tion. All resistance ended and the gates were thrown open. Tywin commanded the castle be put to the torch. For a day and night the flames burned until nothing was left of Tarbeck Hall except a blackened empty shell.[1] According to a semi-canon source,[2] Tywin forced Ellyn's daughters, Rohanne and Cyrelle, to join the silent sisters, while Rohanne's three-year-old son disappeared during the fighting. Reports suggest that the boy had been thrown down a well by Ser Amory Lorch.[2]

Lord Roger Reyne of Castamere arrived with two thousand hastily-gathered men in time to witness Tarbeck Hall aflame. Most reports claim the Lannisters had three times as many men as the Reynes (a few unreliably claim five times as many). Only one in ten of Roger's host were knights, thus 200 compared to Tywin's 500 heavy horse. This was only a quarter of the full strength the Reynes could have summoned, for they had many friends in the westerlands, and the Red Lion's prowess would have addressed many more hedge knights and sellswords - but he rushed to Tarbeck Hall with only what forces were on hand to try to save them, which also resulted in his men being exhausted and hungry after the forced march.

When they arrived, Tarbeck Hall was already lost and the Lannister host outnumbered them two to one: a more prudent lord might have surrendered, but Roger was never prudent, and hoped that surprise would carry the day. Despite all the disadvantages facing the Reynes, the resulting battle was a nearer thing than might be expected: Roger and his men were tired, but still disciplined and seasoned soldiers. The Red Lion did manage to hit the Lannisters completely by surprise and catch them out of formation. If Roger had had time to gather more men, or more heavy horse, he might have been able to carve a path to Tywin's command tent - but he did not, and after a while numbers began to tell and the Reynes' assault was blunted. The Lannister host rallied, and Tywin personally led the counter-attack. Roger and his men were forced to flee under heavy fire: Roger himself was wounded by a crossbow bolt between the shoulders, which while not a mortal wound made him loose so much blood that he fell off his horse half a league away and had to be carried back to Castamere. Half of the Reyne men died durring battle.[1]

The fall of Castamere

As Lord Roger was feverish and weak due to his injuries, his younger brother, Ser Reynard Reyne, assumed command of the remaining Reyne forces. The Reynes took refuge at Castamere, their subterranean seat which had developed from gold and silver mines. Knowing the Lannisters had more men, Reynard led all his men down into the mines. Ser Tywin Lannister arrived at Castamere three days after the burning of Tarbeck Hall,[1] and according to a semi-canon source, his host had doubled in size with the arrival of forces from Lords Banefort, Plumm, Stackspear, and Westerling.[2] Reynard believed he held the advantage, as Tywin could not possibly fight his way inside the mines. When his people were all inside, Reynard sent terms for surrender to Tywin, stating that the Reynes would be loyal vassals in return for Tywin's brothers serving within Castamere as hostages.[2]

Tywin ignored Reynard's terms. Instead, he ordered his force to seal the mine entrances with pick and shovel. All entrances were blocked with tons of stone, earth, and soil so that there was no way in or out. Over the course of three days, Tywin had his men dam a nearby stream and divert it to the mine entrance. Water easily found its way though the tiny gaps in the rubble that blocked the mouth of the entrance. None of the three hundred men, women, and children within emerged from the tunnels. Lannister men stationed at the most distant entrances claimed they could hear faint screaming and shouting, but by daybreak, there was nothing but silence. Tywin commanded that the castle on the surface be set ablaze.[1]

Aftermath

By the end of the campaign the rebellious Houses Reyne and Tarbeck were obliterate. The ruined, blackened, and crumbling castles of Castamere and Tarbeck Hall stand empty to this day as a reminder to those who dare scorn the power of the Rock.[9][10] Castamere's mines have remained sealed.[1]

Tywin's manner of dealing with the revolt had made him respected and feared throughout the Seven Kingdoms.[1] Though the brutality of Tywin's methods drew censure from some, everyone agreed that order had been restored to the westerlands.[11]

Tywin's actions to restore House Lannister's power are immortalized in the song "The Rains of Castamere", and he is known to have used the song as a threat against troublesome bannermen.[9]

Quotes

The lion has awoken.[1]

- Harys Swyft regarding Tywin Lannister


Roose: The curse of Tywin Lannister. Our goat should have consulted the Tarbecks or the Reynes. They might have warned him how your lord father deals with betrayal.

Jaime: There are no Tarbecks or Reynes.

Roose: My point precisely.[12]

- Roose Bolton and Jaime Lannister


Jaime: My father had a saying too. Never wound a foe when you can kill him. Dead men don't claim vengeance.

Hoster:Their sons do.

Jaime:Not if you kill the sons as well. Ask the Casterlys about that if you doubt me. Ask Lord and Lady Tarbeck, or the Reynes of Castamere. Ask the Prince of Dragonstone.[13]

- Jaime Lannister and Hoster Blackwood

References

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rtwoiaf_the_westerlands:_house_lannister_under_the_dragons.7B.7B.7B3.7D.7D.7D.7B.7B.7B4.7D.7D.7D" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rtwoiaf_the_westerlands:_house_lannister_under_the_dragons.7B.7B.7B3.7D.7D.7D.7B.7B.7B4.7D.7D.7D" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rtwoiaf_the_westerlands:_house_lannister_under_the_dragons.7B.7B.7B3.7D.7D.7D.7B.7B.7B4.7D.7D.7D" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rtwoiaf_the_westerlands:_house_lannister_under_the_dragons.7B.7B.7B3.7D.7D.7D.7B.7B.7B4.7D.7D.7D" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rtwoiaf_the_westerlands:_house_lannister_under_the_dragons.7B.7B.7B3.7D.7D.7D.7B.7B.7B4.7D.7D.7D" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rtwoiaf_the_westerlands:_house_lannister_under_the_dragons.7B.7B.7B3.7D.7D.7D.7B.7B.7B4.7D.7D.7D" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rtwoiaf_the_westerlands:_house_lannister_under_the_dragons.7B.7B.7B3.7D.7D.7D.7B.7B.7B4.7D.7D.7D" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rtwoiaf_the_westerlands:_house_lannister_under_the_dragons.7B.7B.7B3.7D.7D.7D.7B.7B.7B4.7D.7D.7D" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rtwoiaf_the_westerlands:_house_lannister_under_the_dragons.7B.7B.7B3.7D.7D.7D.7B.7B.7B4.7D.7D.7D" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rtwoiaf_the_westerlands:_house_lannister_under_the_dragons.7B.7B.7B3.7D.7D.7D.7B.7B.7B4.7D.7D.7D" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rtwoiaf_the_westerlands:_house_lannister_under_the_dragons.7B.7B.7B3.7D.7D.7D.7B.7B.7B4.7D.7D.7D" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rtwoiaf_the_westerlands:_house_lannister_under_the_dragons.7B.7B.7B3.7D.7D.7D.7B.7B.7B4.7D.7D.7D" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rtwoiaf_the_westerlands:_house_lannister_under_the_dragons.7B.7B.7B3.7D.7D.7D.7B.7B.7B4.7D.7D.7D" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rtwoiaf_the_westerlands:_house_lannister_under_the_dragons.7B.7B.7B3.7D.7D.7D.7B.7B.7B4.7D.7D.7D" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rtwoiaf_the_westerlands:_house_lannister_under_the_dragons.7B.7B.7B3.7D.7D.7D.7B.7B.7B4.7D.7D.7D" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rtwoiaf_the_westerlands:_house_lannister_under_the_dragons.7B.7B.7B3.7D.7D.7D.7B.7B.7B4.7D.7D.7D" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rtwoiaf_the_westerlands:_house_lannister_under_the_dragons.7B.7B.7B3.7D.7D.7D.7B.7B.7B4.7D.7D.7D" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rtwoiaf_the_westerlands:_house_lannister_under_the_dragons.7B.7B.7B3.7D.7D.7D.7B.7B.7B4.7D.7D.7D" defined multiple times with different content
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 georgerrmartin.com Unabridged version of "The Westerlands" chapter from The World of Ice and Fire
  3. 3.0 3.1 According to the semi-canon, unabridged version of "The Westerlands" from The World of Ice and Fire, House Tarbeck had five hundred household knights Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "westerlands2" defined multiple times with different content
  4. Tywin Lannister "rode forth himself with five hundred knights and three thousand men-at-arms and crossbowmen behind him", and compared to the two thousand men of Roger Reyne, was said to have "three times his strength", according to most accounts (The World of Ice and Fire, The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons), thereby demonstrating that Tywin had three thousand men-at-arms and three thousand crossbowmen, bringing his total to sixty-five hundred men, roughly three times as many as Lord Roger's two thousand.
  5. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 32, Cersei VII.
  6. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 44, Jaime VII.
  7. The World of Ice and Fire states that Tywin's host, identified as "five hundred knights and three thousand men-at-arms and crossbowmen", was three times as large, according to most counts, as Roger Reyne's two thousand men. That indicates that Tywin had three thousand men-at-arms and three thousand crossbowmen, giving him 6,500 compared to Roger's 2,000. As the addition of soldiers from Houses Prester and Marbrand are ommitted from the printed edition, it is possible these men are amongst Tywin's aforementioned host.
  8. The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragon.
  9. 9.0 9.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
  10. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 33, Jaime V.
  11. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
  12. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 37, Jaime V.
  13. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 48, Jaime I.