Unveiling the Secrets of House Tully in Game of Thrones

The main characters of Game of Thrones are primarily drawn from the Noble Houses of Westeros. Fans enjoy debating the virtues and flaws of their favorite family, but it is important to note that there are numerous other participants in the conflicts that span the entire continent. While the Starks and the Lannisters tend to dominate the attention, the influence of House Tully should not be underestimated. Although they may not be the most powerful, they possess a likable quality that sets them apart.

Given the vast scope of events in Westeros, it is impossible for every character to receive equal attention. Some fans believe that certain characters could be removed from the main narrative without detriment. With limited capacity, other characters, events, and entire families are left out in the cold. The position of House Tully in the grand scheme of things is still uncertain, but they are the focus of one of the franchise's oddest jokes.

How did House Tully attain power?

House Tully is unique among noble families for never ruling as kings, tracing their lineage back to the Age of Heroes. They initially served a local king before submitting to Andal invaders and pledging loyalty to Armistead Vance. The Tullys were rewarded with land and built their ancestral castle, Riverrun, as a defense against invaders. They gained prominence during Aegon the Conqueror's conquest of Westeros, adhering to their favored strategy of submission.

Through their natural submissiveness, House Tully was granted dominion over the fertile and populous riverlands for over a millennium. They played a role in the Dance of the Dragons, with Lord Grover Tully supporting Aegon II and his grandson, Elmo, defying his orders to support Rhaenyra. Elmo led a successful campaign in Rhaenyra's name but his reign was short-lived, succumbing to illness during a march to King's Landing. Elmo's sons, Kermit and Oscar, later led an army in support of Rhaenyra's claim to the Iron Throne. Ultimately, both claimants died before the end of the Dance of the Dragons. The Tullys' strange tradition of naming their members after Muppets adds an interesting, albeit peculiar, element to their story.

How strong was House Tully?

What happened to House Tully?

House Tully has displayed considerable military prowess throughout various historical periods. They played a crucial role in Robert's Rebellion, as Lord Hoster Tully strategically pursued marriages to consolidate his power. Despite his efforts to arrange a union for his war hero brother Brynden, who came to be known as Blackfish, Brynden resisted and became an opponent of his brother for life. Following the Mad King's execution of Brandon Stark, who was intended to marry Lord Hoster's daughter Catelyn, Lord Hoster decided to support Robert Baratheon's claim to the throne. He then arranged for Catelyn to marry Brandon's brother Eddard and wedded her sister Lysa to Jon Arryn. House Tully played a crucial role in the Battle of the Trident, which marked the beginning of the end for Aerys II Targaryen.

The impact of the Red Wedding on Westeros was profound. Under the orchestration of Lord Walder Frey, a former vassal of House Tully, the demise of Robb and Catelyn Stark was ensured. In addition, Lord Edmure Tully was taken as a hostage, while Ser Brynden the Blackfish managed to escape. As a reward for aiding in quelling the Northern Rebellion, House Frey was elevated as the new ruling house of the Riverlands, causing significant damage to House Tully. Nevertheless, Brynden initiated a siege on Riverrun and successfully reclaimed it for House Tully. Tragically, the Lannisters intervened and seized it back, resulting in the demise of the Blackfish. House Tully faced a period of defeat until an opportune moment for retaliation arrived. Arya Stark, the daughter of Catelyn and sister of Robb, honed her skills as an assassin with the Faceless Men. She exacted vengeance by assassinating Walder Frey and using poison to eliminate nearly all male heirs of House Frey. Consequently, the Tullys were able to effortlessly reclaim Riverrun without encountering any opposition.

Throughout its history, House Tully has been characterized by strategic surrenders, tense negotiations, and a relentless cycle of betrayal. For nearly a millennium, their prevailing tactic was to abandon their vows at the first sign of a stronger noble. This treacherous approach was eventually adopted by their own vassal, who nearly annihilated them. Only a single vengeful assassin prevented the Tullys from becoming victims of their own plot. Interestingly, Arya, who happens to be a Tully as well, reflects a possible lesson from House Tully's saga. It appears that every few generations, a capable individual emerges. While their commitment to family, duty, and honor may be questionable, the enduring symbol of the silver trout persistently finds its way back upstream.