Heddle family

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House Heddle
Region The Riverlands
Overlords

House Heddle is a knightly house from the Riverlands.[1][2] Its known current members only own the the Crossroads Inn, and other than their surname are apparently no different from smallfolk.

History

Jon Heddle, known as Long Jon, was a knight in the 1st century AC. When he was crippled and done with adventuring, he took over an old inn at the crossroads between the Kingsroad, the river road, and the high road. Ser Jon took to ironworking as well, creating a sign for his inn in the shape of a black dragon. The sign would clank in the wind and gave the inn its new name, the Clanking Dragon.[1]

Many years later in 196 AC, when Long Jon's son was an old man, the Blackfyre Rebellion broke out. Lord Darry, who was a fierce Targaryen supporter, became angry at the inn's black dragon sign because it resembled the coat of arms of the rebels, and so cut the sign down and hacked it to pieces and threw it into the river.[1]

Some years later, a descendant of Long Jon, Ser Tommard Heddle (known as Black Tom), sought the hand of Lord Ambrose Butterwell's daughter, killing three of her other suitors. The two were married and Black Tom Heddle became a sword of Butterwell's household and commander of the garrison at Whitewalls. In 211 AC, Lord Butterwell and Black Tom Heddle became involved with the Second Blackfyre Rebellion. When Black Tom attempted to capture or kill Egg, the disguised prince and squire to Duncan the Tall, he was challenged and killed by Dunk. The rebellion was put down within the day.[2]

Over time, the Heddle's inn became known as the River Inn, where one could take a ferry across to Lord Harroway's Town and Whitewalls. However, the river moved and soon that name faded. Masha Heddle's grandfather was the innkeeper at the time the river moved.[1]

When Catelyn Tully was a child, Masha was kind to her, and gave her and other children sweet cakes.[3]

Recent events

The Heddles' inn, at the crossroads.

A Game of Thrones

Catelyn Stark and Ser Rodrik Cassel stay at the inn at the crossroads while returning to the north from King's Landing. There they encounter Tyrion Lannister, whom they arrest and take with them when they leave. Masha Heddle begs the nobles to take their fight elsewhere, but is refused.[3]

Later, Lord Tywin Lannister takes revenge on Masha Heddle, hanging her on a gibbet in the yard of the inn. He takes the inn as his quarters while he is encamped at the crossroads. Tyrion sees Masha's body when meets his father at the inn after leaving the Eyrie with his clansmen.[4]

A Storm of Swords

After Masha Heddle's death, her nephew reopens the inn, bringing in whores to attract customers. Visiting the inn for wine and information, Sandor Clegane and Arya Stark happen upon three of Gregor Clegane's men. After a brief conversation, in which Sandor implies that the Mountain's men plan to torture the innkeeper to find out where he keeps his gold, a fight breaks out. Sandor and Arya kill Polliver, the Tickler, and a Sarsfield squire, but Sandor is badly wounded in the mêlée.[5]

A Feast for Crows

Masha Heddle's nephew is eventually killed at the hands of an unidentified noble and the inn is left vacant. Later, two of Masha's nieces, Jeyne and Willow, reopen the inn for business and it serves as a refuge for orphan children. The Heddles and the inn are now connected with the brotherhood without banners; in addition, Gendry now works for them as a smith.[1]

In 300 AC, Brienne of Tarth, Podrick Payne, Septon Meribald, and Ser Hyle Hunt travel to the crossroads inn. A fight ensues when outlaws from the Brave Companions arrive. Gendry joins in the fight, Rorge and Biter are slain, and Brienne is badly wounded. Jeyne Heddle tends to Brienne's wounds after the battle, but Brienne, Hyle and Podrick are all given over to Lady Stoneheart.[1]

House Heddle at the end of the third century

The known Heddles during the timespan of the events described on A Song of Ice and Fire are:

Historical Members

  • Ser Jon Heddle, known as Long Jon, who took over the "Bellringer inn" and named it the "Clanking Dragon".
  • Ser Tommard Heddle, known as Black Tom, a knight and one of the conspirators of the Second Blackfyre Rebellion.
  • Masha Heddle's grandfather, innkeeper of the River Inn at the time the river moved.

References and Notes