Wylis Manderly

From A Wiki of Ice and Fire
Jump to: navigation, search
House Manderly.PNG
Wylis Manderly
House Manderly.PNG
Wylis Manderly.jpg
art by sir-heartsalot

Title Ser
Allegiance House Manderly
Born White Harbor[1]
Books

Ser Wylis Manderly is a knight from House Manderly. He is the eldest son and heir of Lord Wyman.[2] Married to Leona Woolfield and has two daughters; Wynafryd and Wylla Manderly.

Character and Appearance

Wylis is a very fat man, bald and with a large walrus mustache. He is quiet and formal.[2] After being held captive in Harrenhal for two years, all defiance has left him and he has dull eyes and sallow, sagging jowels, as observed by Ser Jaime Lannister.[3]

His wife, Leona, is very devoted to him.[4] They have two daughters together, Wynafryd and Wylla.

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Ser Wylis commands the men from White Harbor when Robb Stark calls his banners, as his father, Lord Wyman Manderly, is too fat to ride a horse any longer and remains to look after the city's defenses. The force, consisting of 1,500 men with about 20 knights, 200 mounted riders, swordsmen and freeriders and the rest foot, marches from White Harbor to Moat Cailin, where Robb is gathering his troops before heading south. Wylis is accompanied, apart from his younger brother Wendel, by Lady Catelyn Stark, Ser Rodrik Cassel and Ser Brynden Tully, who all arrived by ship in White Harbor coming from the Vale of Arryn. Although she thinks that Wylis is probably the fattest man she has ever seen, apart from his father, so that she pities his horse, and that he wears only clothes that have food stains, Catelyn likes him well enough. When they arrive near Moat Cailin, Wylis remains in the camp while his brother Wendel rides on with Catelyn to the castle to greet Robb.[2]

The northern host marches south and arrives at the Twins, where they are greeted by Ser Stevron Frey, who invites Robb to the Twins in the name of Lord Walder Frey. Robb's bannermen, distrusting Walder, advise against Robb putting himself in the hand of the Lord of the Crossing, with Wylis suggesting that Walder should come out of his castle and treat with Robb in plain sight of both men's forces. It is ultimately decided that Catelyn will go to the Twins to talk with Lord Walder.[2]

After an agreement with Walder has been found, the northern army splits and Wylis comes under the command of Lord Roose Bolton, who marches his troops south along the kingsroad to engage Lord Tywin Lannister's main host at the Trident as a diversion for Robb's attempt to lift the siege of Riverrun. Lord Bolton's forces suffer a defeat against Tywin's in the Battle of the Green Fork, in which Wylis is captured.[2][5]

A Clash of Kings

Lord Tywin Lannister offers to trade Wylis, held captive at Harrenhal, to his father without ransom, if Lord Wyman withdraws his support from King Robb Stark. Wyman refuses him. He points this out when he attends the harvest feast at Winterfell and talks with Ser Rodrik Cassel, Maester Luwin and Bran Stark. Wyman also stresses that he would not want to see his son Wylis languishing at a cursed place such as Harrenhal longer than he must and expresses the hope that in time a fair exchange of prisoners can be arranged. Additionally, Wylis would not want to sit out the rest of the war. In this context, Lord Manderly describes his son as gallant and fierce as a mastiff.[6]

In reply to the northern peace terms submitted by Robb Stark via Ser Cleos Frey, Tyrion Lannister offers to trade Wylis and Harrion Karstark for Willem Lannister in an exchange of prisoners.[7]

While in Harrenhal, the prisoners taken in the Battle of the Green Fork are housed in the upper chambers of the Tower of Dread. Most of them are given freedom of the castle when they pledge not to attempt escape and thus Wylis can start haunting the kitchens, where he is always looking for morsels of food. Arya Stark learns about this "fat lordling" from Hot Pie.[8]

Harrenhal is captured by Lord Roose Bolton's troops after the Brave Companions switch sides following Tywin's deparature from the castle.[9] As a result, Wylis is liberated and remains with Roose's host.[10]

A Storm of Swords

Wylis is part of Lord Roose Bolton's army when it leaves Harrenhal to Vargo Hoat and the Brave Companions and moves north to cross the Trident at the Ruby Ford to eventually join forces with Robb Stark at the Twins on the occasion of Lord Edmure Tully's wedding. When Roose's army arrives at the river, the ford is unpassable and Roose has to ferry his men across in small boats. Wylis and the knights from White Harbor serve as rear guard during the operation. When two thirds of the force have crossed the Trident, the rest, mainly Locke, Norrey and Burley men, are suddenly attacked by Lannister forces, leading to the Battle of the Ruby Ford. Wylis tries to rally the men as best as he can, but they come under attack by heavy cavalry led by Ser Gregor Clegane, who drives the defenders into the water. Many men drown, die in the fighting or flee, while others are captured, including Wylis. While later meeting with Robb Stark at the Twins, Lord Bolton claims that he was unable to help the men on the south shore.[11][10] However, since Roose has already made the secret deal with Lord Tywin Lannister and Lord Walder Frey that will lead to the murder of Robb Stark and many of his bannermen[12], the whole engagement is probably a ruse meant to weaken the Stark forces.

When Ser Gregor retakes Harrenhal, Wylis is again kept as prisoner at Harren the Black's castle. While there, he keeps asking the Mountain's men for food. Eventually, Gregor gives the order to feed Wylis with "roast goat", meaning flesh cut from the still-living Vargo Hoat. Wylis eats most of Vargo's flesh, with other prisoners and Vargo himself also receiving some parts.[3]

Tywin Lannister writes to Lord Wyman, telling him that Wylis is his captive and lists conditions for his safe return, mainly that Lord Manderly bends his knee to the Iron Throne and to the new Warden of the North, Lord Roose Bolton. If Wyman refuses, Wylis will die a traitor's death and White Harbor will be stormed and sacked with the Manderlys extinguished.[4]

A Feast for Crows

The Iron Throne negotiates with Lord Wyman Manderly about the possibility of White Harbor abandoning the northern cause and rallying behind the new Warden of the North, Lord Roose Bolton. Wyman suggests he will wed off both his granddaughters to Freys and open his harbor for ships of the Crown, but only if Wylis is returned to him safely. The small council under Queen Regent Cersei Lannister discusses this proposal. Harys Swyft, the new Hand of the King after Lord Tywin Lannister's death, asks whether the Crown even has Wylis in its hand, receiving the answer by Cersei that he should be in Harrenhal. She does not know if Wylis is still alive, as she knows that Ser Gregor Clegane was never particularly gentle with prisoners, even those who brought a good ransom. She suggests that, in case Wylis has died, they should send Wyman the heads of those responsible with the sincerest apologies of the Iron Throne, thinking by herself that if the head of Gregor appeased Prince Doran Martell of Dorne, a similar gesture should be enough for "a fat northman wrapped in sealskins". She shares that she already demanded that Wyman execute Davos Seaworth, held prisoner by Lord Manderly, as a token of his good will. She expects him to oblige, because this is the only way for a safe return of Wylis.[13]

Grand Maester Pycelle informs Cersei that Wyman has done as commanded and executed Davos, as is confirmed by Frey witnesses. Cersei orders Pycelle to send a raven to Wyman that, now that he has proven his loyalty, Wylis will be returned to him soon.[14] However, Cersei is still not sure that Wylis is actually alive, as the messages sent to Harrenhal in this regard receive no reply.[3]

When Cersei sends her resisting brother, Ser Jaime Lannister, off to the Riverlands to lift the Second Siege of Riverrun, she lists reestablishing order at Harrenhal and getting hold of Wylis on the way as additional reasons why Jaime needs to attend personally to the matter.[3]

Upon his arrival in Harrenhal, Jaime learns about the gruesome details of the death of Vargo Hoat, including the fact that his flesh has been fed to Wylis and other prisoners. He asks to see all prisoners, starting with Wylis, threatening the remaining Mountain's men that they will also die, if Wylis is dead. However, Wylis is alive and brought to Jaime, if in a ragged and filthy condition and completely broken in spirit. Jaime notices his dull eyes and sallow, sagging jowls and wonders whether he and the other prisoners had any inkling of what they had been eating at one point. When he tells Wylis that he will be escorted to Maidenpool and put on a boat to White Harbor, Wylis collapses in tears. It takes four men to lift him up again, making Jaime think that the man ate too much roast goat.[3]

Jaime sends Wylis off to Maidenpool with a party that includes some Brave Companions and is under the command of Ser Ronnet Connington, whom Jaime wants to get rid off after Ronnet made insulting remarks about his former betrothed, Brienne of Tarth.[15][16]

A Dance with Dragons

Upon his arrival in White Harbor, Davos Seaworth, who is in the city to negotiate a possible alliance of House Manderly with Stannis Baratheon, learns that the Lannisters still keep Wylis as prisoner, whereas Davos thought that both of Lord Wyman's sons are dead. Davos receives this as a bad omen for his mission, because the captivity of Wylis makes Wyman susceptible to blackmail.[17] He seems to be proven right when Wyman acts hostile in their negotations and Wylis's wife, Leona, accuses him of trying to stir up more treason, although Davos realizes that she is speaking from fear. Wyman eventually orders Davos's arrest and execution.[18]

Wylis arrives back in White Harbour to see his wife and daughters. His father holds a welcoming feast in his son's honor. During the feast, Wyman uses the need for digestion after he ate too much as excuse for a secret meeting with Davos to inform him about the background of his long imprisonment and to apologize for it. He explains that he had to fake Davos's execution, using another prisoner, to guarantee the safe return of Wylis and that he could not reveal this to him earlier. Wyman also apologizes for his daughter-in-law, pointing out that Wylis is the whole life of Lady Leona.[4]

At Winterfell, where the wedding of Ramsay Bolton and "Arya Stark" has taken place, Hosteen Frey questions Wyman on the whereabouts of Rhaegar, Jared and Symond Frey, suggesting foul play by Wyman in this context. He points out that the three were Wyman's guests and brought his son home. Wyman is dismissive, stressing that, whereas the Freys merely returned Wendel's bones, it was Lord Tywin Lannister who was true to his word and returned his son Wylis safe and whole, calling in this context on the Seven to save Lord Tywin's soul.[19]

Quotes about Wylis

Gallant, that son of mine, and fierce as a mastiff.[6]

- Wyman Manderly

Family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wyman's
father
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Donella's
father
 
 
 
 
 
Marlon's
father
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wyman
 
Deceased
wife
 
 
Halys
Hornwood
 
Donella
 
Ramsay
Snow
 
Marlon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wylis
 
Leona
Woolfield
 
Wendel
 
 
Daryn
Hornwood
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wynafryd
 
Wylla
 


References and Notes