Game of Thronesbrings countless noble families to the page and screen. More than half of the cast comes from a lineage with centuries of history and a pre-selected destiny ahead of them. The Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryens feel trapped in their family lineage. Others establish new noble bloodlines with their actions. Brienne of Tarth is the most notable member of her family, but House Tarth has more than just one mighty warrior.
One of the most fascinating elements ofGame of Thronesis the way it deliverscenturies of backstoryin a handful of words. George R. R. Martin’s expertly crafted dialogue often imparts the cultural perception of people, places, and events with one or two sentences. This is a necessary skill since the books and series have too many characters for most fans to keep straight. They don’t all get the same spotlight, but stolen moments often change everything.
How was House Tarth founded?
House Tarth named themselves after the island they ruled. Tarth is a gorgeous landmass off the coast of the stormlands. It’s called the Sapphire Isle for the beautiful blue seas that surround it on all sides. The island features a spine of tall mountains with well-hidden valleys. Meadows above the sea provide fantastic views of the striking water. Lakes and waterfalls decorate Tarth, presenting a glorious picture. The earliest members of House Tarth were kings of their lovely home island. They’re said to dateback to the Dawn Age, the era during which the first humans stepped foot on Westeros. This suggests that House Tarth was among the earliest families to reach the continent and almost certainly the first to reach the island. Tarth became part of the stormlands through a nonviolent union when the Storm King, Durran the Fair, married the princess of Tarth.
Tarth has remained the territory of the Storm Kings since Durran’s marriage. Unfortunately, Tarth became the first part of the stormlands targeted by the Andal Invasion.The Andals of Essossought to conquer Westeros to spread their religious beliefs. They succeeded, aside from a few holdout areas. Though the Andals fought their way into control of Tarth, they gradually attained peace with the First Men through intermarriage. The modern House Tarth has Andal ancestry thanks to the mixed culture of their home. House Tarth claimsties to Houses Targaryen, Durrandon, and Baratheon. They would have political connections to each, though House Tarth remains somewhat self-sufficient.
Who leads House Tarth?
The leader of House Tarth is called the Evenstar. Their castle is called Evenfall Hall. The current Evenstar is Lord Selwyn Tarth. Selwyn is said to be an honorable and kind man. He’s an extremely dedicated father, seemingly preferring hisresponsibility to his childover his commitment to the realm. Selwyn is a widower who takes a new mistress each year, enjoying the companionship of many women without ever remarrying. The Evenstar provided everything he could for his child. He and his unnamed wife had four children. His only son tragically drowned when he was eight, and his two youngest daughters died in the cradle shortly before their mother suffered an unspecified fate. Brienne was her father’s world, but her unique desires made her an unusual heir.
Brienne of Tarth is the heir to House Tarth, though her father remains alive at this point inGame of Thrones. Selwyn tried to marry Brienne off to several young men from noble families. The first died tragically, but the second and third rejected her. Brienne wasn’t interested in life as a princess. She wanted to train as a warrior against society’s usualroles for women. Selwyn supported Brienne’s dreams, allowing the master-at-arms of Evenfall Hall to train her in warfare. Brienne spent most of her life training as a knight. She, or her potential future husband, will inherit Evenfall Hall. Though Selwyn seems somewhat happy with the arrangement, others are cruel, like the noted terrible father, Lord Randall Tarly, who had this to say:
As for you, my lady, it is said that your father is a good man. If so, I pity him. Some men are blessed with sons, some with daughters. No man deserves to be cursed with such as you.
Where does House Tarth stand?
House Tarth’s geopolitical position hasn’t changed much inGame of Thrones. They remain the Lords of Evenfall and the dominant force overseeing the beautiful Sapphire Isle. They also control the Straight of Tarth, which connects the island to the stormlands. House Tarth onceserved House Durrandonas the Storm King, prompting them to remain loyal to whichever house commands the larger land mass. They currently obey House Baratheon as one of their most notable vassals. House Tarth declared for Renly Baratheon in the War of the Five Kings, snubbing Stannis after a midnight meeting. Unfortunately, Stannis' red priestess had Renlyassassinated by a shadow monster, leaving Tarth without a horse in the race. Brienne represents House Tarth for the remainder of the books. The show depicts her becoming the first Lady Commander of the Kingsguard, tying her family to the Iron Throne for the first time.
House Tarth is a minor family inGame of Thrones, but Brienne remains an integral fan favorite. Brienne of Tarth represents the Sapphire Island by being more committedto the ideals of knighthoodthan almost any other character in the franchise. She’s an extraordinary example for any other knight, and though few carry the same banner, her story lives on beyond her name. House Tarth may be one of the best families to be born into in Westeros.
