Heartsbane Unveiled: Unraveling the Epic Saga in Game of Thrones

Highlights

House Tarly is a noble family in Game of Thrones, with Lord Randyll Tarly as the patriarch and Horn Hill as their ancestral seat.

Randyll Tarly, a proud and heartless individual, compels his son Samwell to enlist in the Night's Watch out of disdain for his scholarly pursuits.

Heartsbane, the Tarlys' hereditary Valyrian steel greatsword, has been passed down through countless generations, only to eventually come into the possession of Ser Jorah Mormont for the decisive encounter with the Night King.

House Tarly appears in Game of Thrones when Samwell, the eldest son of Lord Randyll Tarly, arrives at Castle Black. When he declares his last name, it becomes evident that he belongs to a noble House, confirming his highborn status. "I am Samwell Tarly, from Horn Hill. Well, I used to be from Horn Hill. I have come to join the Night's Watch."

An Heirloom Of House Tarly - Heartsbane

Horn Hill, the ancestral seat of the Tarlys, is where Lord Randyll and his family reside. While Randyll's character emerges later in Game of Thrones, Samwell recounts the harsh treatment he endured from his father. Samwell's words reveal Randyll as a stern and unsympathetic man with a strong inclination towards combat. The series uncovers that Randyll compelled Samwell to join the Night's Watch because he was ashamed of his scholarly interests. Randyll desired an heir who would engage in battles, unlike Samwell, who spent his time immersed in books. Although Randyll's decision to sentence his son to a life at Castle Black was dishonorable, it is important to note that the Tarlys are an esteemed noble House, serving as vassals to House Tyrell of Highgarden. They have a proud history and possess their own Valyrian steel greatsword.

Crafted from the scarce Valyrian steel, Heartsbane is a colossal two-handed greatsword, reminiscent of the Stark's iconic weapon - Ice. Game of Thrones lore mentions that both these swords surpassed the size of Jon Snow's bastard sword, Longclaw. House Tarly possessed Heartsbane for an impressive five centuries. This cherished family heirloom was handed down from one lord of Horn Hill to the next. Although Randyll occasionally entrusted Samwell with the greatsword, the latter feared he might accidentally harm his sisters with its razor-sharp blade, as nothing can match the cutting power of Valyrian steel. The legends also narrate that Randyll deemed Samwell unworthy of wielding Heartsbane. Naturally, after compelling Samwell to join the Night's Watch, Heartsbane was expected to come into the possession of his younger brother, Dickon Tarly. However, events took an unexpected turn when Samwell and Gilly visited Horn Hill during Game of Thrones season 6.

Samwell And Gilly's Trip To Horn Hill

In 37 AC, during the reign of King Aenys I Targaryen, the keepers of Heartsbane utilized the mighty greatsword in various campaigns, including the renowned Vulture Hunt. Among these brave warriors was Lord Samwell Tarly, also known as "Savage Sam," who wielded Heartsbane to vanquish the rebellious followers of the Vulture King during the conclusion of the Second Dornish War. In recognition of his loyalty and valor, King Aenys I bestowed upon Savage Sam a reward befitting his service, comprising of gold, prestigious positions, and honorable distinctions.

In accordance with the events depicted in HBO's Game of Thrones, the esteemed Lord Randall Tarly served as the last documented bearer of Heartsbane. With the intention of passing this cherished family heirloom to his son Dickon, Lord Randall employed the ancestral sword during the pivotal Battle of Ashford against the formidable usurper, Robert Baratheon. Commanding the vanguard forces of House Tyrell, Randyll wielded Heartsbane with relentless determination, leading his troops to prevail over the adversary's men in the western region. Notably, the Battle of Ashford stands as the solitary engagement in which Robert suffered defeat at the hands of the loyalist factions.

Heartsbane, one of the few Valyrian steel swords in the Seven Kingdoms, proudly adorns the Tarlys' antler sword stand. Similar to Ice, this extraordinary greatsword is exceptionally large. Its bow-shaped hilt and arrow fletching pommel symbolize the huntsman, the sigil of House Tarly. In Game of Thrones season 6, episode 6 "Blood of My Blood," Samwell, after being scorned by his father for aspiring to become a Maester and for harboring a Free Folk woman at home, escapes with Gilly during the night. On that very night, he clandestinely takes Heartsbane with the intention of examining its Valyrian steel composition at the Citadel.

Heartsbane is the name of my family's sword.

Jorah reminded Samwell that despite the executions of his father and brother by Daenerys Targaryen, he still had family. Samwell replied that he couldn't physically hold the sword upright. Reflecting on his time as a sworn brother of the Night's Watch under Jorah's father, Lord Commander Jeor Mormont, Samwell believed it was fitting to give the Valyrian Steel sword, Heartsbane, to Ser Jorah for the imminent battle against the Night King and the Army of the Dead. He expressed that he would be honored if Ser Jorah accepted it.

Ser Jorah unsheathed Heartsbane, vowing to wield the legendary sword in honor of his late father. They silently acknowledged one another with a slight nod, as Jorah fearlessly laid down his life in the battle for the living in Game of Thrones.