Randyll Tarly

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Randyll Tarly
Tarly.png
Sardag randyll tarly.jpg
Randyll Tarly - by Sardag ©

Titles
Allegiance House Tarly
Spouse Melessa Florent
Books
Randyll Tarly - © TheMico

Randyll Tarly is Lord of Horn Hill and head of House Tarly. He is married to Melessa Florent, and is the father of the POV character Samwell Tarly. Randyll wields the Tarly ancestral blade Heartsbane, a Valyrian steel greatsword, in battle.

Appearance and Character

See also: Images of Randyll Tarly

Randyll is a lean and balding man with a short, bristly grey beard.[1] He is a narrow man but iron willed, shrewd and capable.[2] He is considered one of the finest battle commanders in Westeros.[3]

In the field Randyll wears mail and boiled leather with a breastplate of grey steel.[4] He carries Heartsbane across his back in a jeweled scabbard.[5]

History

During Robert's Rebellion Randyll led the van for Lord Mace Tyrell. He inflicted the only defeat on Robert Baratheon's forces, at the Battle of Ashford, in which Randyll slew Lord Cafferen.[6]

A martinet, Randyll became disappointed in his gentle, timid firstborn son Samwell and made several harsh attempts to engage him in manly, martial pursuits, but all to no effect. Eventually his wife Melessa Florent gave birth to a second son, Dickon. As the two brothers grew up, it became apparent that Dickon would be the son that Randyll had wanted. Randyll left Samwell to his own devices until he approached adulthood. At that time, Randyll threatened to end Samwell's life if he did not join the Night's Watch, thereby nullifying his claim to Horn Hill.[7]

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

When Renly Baratheon calls his banners, Randyll joins with House Tyrell in supporting Renly.[1] Randyll is hosting Renly at Horn Hill when they receive Stannis Baratheon's letter claiming that the late Robert I Baratheon's children are bastards.[8] At the camp by Highgarden, Randyll is told by his son and heir, Dickon, of a cruel game that several of the knights are playing on Brienne of Tarth. Randyll summons Brienne and tells her that some of the men laid wagers on the first to claim her maidenhead. He then tersely advises her that women have no place on the battlefield.[4] Catelyn Tully meets Randyll at the melee at Bitterbridge.[1]

After the parley with Stannis beneath the walls of Storm's End, Lord Randyll counsels attacking Stannis to make sure he gains no strength while Renly is away.[8] Randyll and Lord Mathis Rowan discuss tactics for the upcoming battle. Before it can take place, however, Renly is assassinated.[9] Afterwards, Randyll continues to follow the Tyrells in forsaking Stannis's cause.[10] He captures Renly's stores at Bitterbridge and puts a great many men to death, mainly those sworn to House Florent, his wife's family.[11]

Randyll is sent out with Lord Rowan to find Lord Tywin Lannister and bring him to Tumbler's Falls where Lord Mace Tyrell is waiting with a huge host and a fleet of barges.[12] Once again following the lead of his liege lord, he joins with the Lannisters and fights against Stannis, commanding the center at the Battle of the Blackwater.[13] For this, he receives a commendation for his services - although the abandoned Florent seat at Brightwater Keep is awarded to Garlan Tyrell.

A Storm of Swords

Randyll destroys a northern force attacking the town of Duskendale, resulting in the capture of Harrion Karstark and Robett Glover and the death of Helman Tallhart.[14] Afterwards, he takes the town of Maidenpool with Lord Renfred Rykker, locks Lord William Mooton of Maidenpool in a tower, and secures the kingsroad.[15][16][17]

A Feast for Crows

Randyll, along with Lord Mathis Rowan, is named by Ser Kevan Lannister as a good candidate for Hand of the King, but Queen Regent Cersei Lannister refuses to name a Tyrell bannerman as Hand.

Randyll then takes his forces and begins reconstruction of Maidenpool. His son Dickon is married to Eleanor Mooton, the daughter of the pardoned Lord William.[18] Brienne encounters Randyll again while he is dispensing harsh but fair justice in the market square. He extracts her business from her, but allows her to leave.[4] After Brienne returns with the heads of several Brave Companions, Randyll complains that he has executed many outlaws, but cannot find their leaders.[19] When word of the imprisonment of Margaery Tyrell reaches Randyll, he marches his army to King's Landing.

A Dance with Dragons

Randyll's army reaches King's Landing before his liege lord, Mace Tyrell. The Faith releases Margaery and her cousins into his custody after Lord Tarly swears a holy oath to return them for trial. To try and undo the damage Cersei did to the Tyrell and Lannister alliance, Kevan Lannister makes Tarly the new justiciar (master of laws) on King Tommen I Baratheon's small council.[20] Kevan thinks that Randyll is more dangerous than Mace.[2]

Quotes by Randyll

Randyll: No disrespect to you, Lady Stark, but it would have been more seemly had Lord Robb come to pay homage to the king himself, rather than hiding behind his mother’s skirts. Catelyn: King Robb is warring, my lord, not playing at tourney.[1]

– Randyll and Catelyn Stark


I say that Stannis is a danger to you, leave him unblooded and he will only grow stronger, while your own power is diminished by battle. The Lannisters will not be beaten in a day. By the time you are done with them, Lord Stannis may be as strong as you ... or stronger.[8]

– Randyll, to Renly Baratheon


It takes more than a pretty cloak to charge a shield wall. I was leading Mace Tyrell’s van when you were still sucking on your mother’s teat, Guyard.[8]

– Randyll, to Guyard Morrigen


The gods made men to fight, and women to bear children. A woman's war is in the birthing bed.[4]

- Randyll, to Brienne of Tarth

Quotes about Randyll

Randyll Tarly is the finest soldier in the realm. A poor Hand for peacetime, but with Tywin dead there's no better man to finish this war.[3]

Kevan Lannister, to Cersei Lannister


Tarly is the real danger. A narrow man, but iron-willed and shrewd, and as good a soldier as the Reach could boast.[2]

Kevan Lannister's thoughts

Family

 
 
 
 
Randyll
 
Melessa
Florent
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Samwell
 
Talla
 
Two
daughters
 
Dickon
 
Eleanor
Mooton
 
 


References and Notes