House Tyrell

House Tyrell of Highgarden is one of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms, being Lords Paramount of the Mander and the liege lords of the Reach. A large, wealthy house, its wealth is only surpassed among the Great Houses by House Lannister, and the Tyrells can field the greatest armies. Additionally, if they call the ships of the Redwyne fleet, the lords of the Shield Islands, and the coastal lords, they can command a navy that equals if not surpasses the royal fleet of King's Landing.

Highgarden is an ancient seat of rule and the heart of chivalry in the Seven Kingdoms; the Tyrells style themselves 'Defenders of the Marches' and 'High Marshals of the Reach', and traditionally, they have been Wardens of the South in addition to Lords Paramount of the Mander. Their sigil is a golden rose on a green field, and their words are "Growing Strong." Members of the family tend to have curly brown hair and brown eyes.

The Age of Heroes
House Tyrell traces their line of descent through the female line to the legendary Garth the Gardener, the mythical first King of the Reach. Members of House Gardener, the ruling house of the Kingdom of the Reach, periodically intermarried with lower ranking houses of the Reach such as House Tyrell. The Tyrells served as stewards to House Gardener. Ser Alester Tyrell, the founder of the house, was an Andal knight and adventurer who showed such prowess at arms that he was named the champion and sword shield of King Gwayne V Gardener, the last of the Three Sage Kings. During the minority of King Garland VI Gardener, a member of House Tyrell ruled the Reach in his name as Regent.

Aegon's Conquest of Westeros
Following the defeat and death of King Mern IX Gardener and his other kin at the Field of Fire during Aegon's Conquest, Harlen Tyrell, hereditary high steward of the Reach, surrendered Highgarden to Aegon the Conqueror. As a reward, Harlen was granted the castle along with dominion of the Reach as Lord Paramount of the Mander.

The Second War of Conquest
With the rescue of Margaery Tyrell from the siege of the Red Keep, the Tyrells willingly threw their weight behind the Targaryen forces. A portion of Highgarden forces marched north to accompany Aegon VI Targaryen in his reconquest of the Riverlands, but the majority remained in the Reach to face the threat of the ironborn under Euron Greyjoy. Many men were lost to poor leadership during the sack of Oldtown. Fortunately the arrival of Dornish forces saved the Reach from being plundered and pillaged.

The Second War of the Kraken
Following the death of Lord Mace Tyrell in 315 AC, his eldest son Lord Willas became Lord of Highgarden and Warden of the South. Because of Willas' crippled leg, he lacked support from some houses of the Reach who believed the Lord of Highgarden should have been his brother Garlan. Willas persevered with the aid of his most powerful bannerman, his cousin Lord Hightower. Even so, some failed to answer his call to arms when Urras the Bane came to call upon the Reach. Lord Willas' decision to call on the Golden Company to fight beside his forces earned him the respect of many, and he shared in the glory when Aemon Steelsong killed the Bane and ended the war.

The Winter of Wolves
The descent of such a bitter winter threatened to shut down even the food production of the Reach, famously one of the most fertile regions of Westeros. Despite a steep rise in demand, Lord Willas refused to raise prices on food exported from the Reach, and in fact put in place sanctions which prevented other lords from committing such uncharitable price-gouging.

The War in the Narrows
Although Lord Willas lived to see the beginning of the War in the Narrows, he did not survive to see its end, dying in 332. His successor was his son Garlan, named for Willas' gallant brother, who had for several years shadowed his father in his duties. Forces from the Reach were dispatched to the Narrow Sea and the Free Cities when Prince Baelon rose in rebellion, but they were folded into the forces of the Golden Company and commanded by their leader.

The Fourth War of the Kraken
Though the majority of ironborn forces focused on the Riverlands under the hand of Regnar Twice-Crowned, nearly as many Reachmen fought and died as Riverlanders. When word of the ironborn attacks reached Lord Garlan in King's Landing, he ordered his lords to raise levies and march north to the aid of Lord Tully. His reasoning has been questioned over the years: did he believe that the Reach would be next if the Riverlands fell? Did he see this as a chance to weaken ironborn forces and prevent future attacks? Or did he desire revenge for the sack of Oldtown many years before? Whatever the cause, the forces of the Reach entered battle shoulder to shoulder with the men of the Riverlands, and saw the end of the war come on the wings of dragons at the Blue Fork.

With Garlan's sister Olenna Tyrell married to King Rhaegar I Targaryen, a large portion of Lord Tyrell's time was spent in King's Landing. Appointed as Master of Laws in 335, Garlan Tyrell served at the king's pleasure until 344, when his wife Lady Leyla Caswell died in childbirth. Lord Tyrell resigned his post and returned to Highgarden to oversee his lands and care for his children, though he remained in mourning for his lady love until his death in 362.

The Southern Schism
The Tyrells remained largely neutral during the Southern Schism, supporting neither Baelorian nor Starry Faith rites publicly. Privately, however, most of the family were aligned with the Starry Septon, and remained so even after his removal from office.

The Mead Summer
The Mead Summer was a great chance for House Tyrell and the Reach to grow their influence and wealth. The period saw many places of industry built and expanded upon; nearly half of all watermills and windmills in the Reach date from this time.

Lord Theo Tyrell took control of Highgarden after his father's death, but did not rule as Warden of the South for long; he died in a jousting accident at the Kingswood Tourney in 379. His son Gareth took up his mantle and ruled with his wife, Lady Liana Hightower.

The End of the Third Century
The Great Famine and the War of Three Kings saw the revival of Lord Willas Tyrell's laws against price gouging, as food became scarce and many men went off to war, leaving their fields fallow. Lord Gareth Tyrell died suddenly during the War of the Three Kings, developing a stomach complaint and passing away within days, leading some to speculate he may have been poisoned.

Recent History
Lord Luthor Tyrell succeeded his father in 398 AC, during the War of the Three Kings, and ruled only seven years until his death in 405. His brother Lyonel followed him as Lord of the Reach for only two years before his sudden and unexpected death.

Lyonel failed to create a will or even write a document demonstrating testamentary intent. As such, the title of Warden of the South will pass to a little-known second cousin, Leo Tyrell.

Lineage of House Tyrell
Willas Tyrell (b. 274, d. 332) – Talla Tarly (b. 280, d. 329) Garlan Tyrell (b. 308, d. 362) – Leyla Caswell (b. 310, d. 344)
 * Olenna, b. 304. Married Rhaegar I Targaryen.
 * Garlan, b. 308. Ruled as Lord of Highgarden.
 * Theo, b. 330. Ruled as Lord of Highgarden.
 * Elena, b. 334. Died during the Summer Sickness.
 * Marga, b. 338. Married Lord Ashford.
 * Lysa, b. 341. Married Lord Oakheart.
 * Garrett, b. 344. Married Alissa Hightower and served as castellan to Lord Hightower.

Descendants of Theo Tyrell
Theo Tyrell (b. 330, d. 379) – Serena Redwyne (b. 330, d. 392) Gareth Tyrell (b. 351, d. 398) – Liana Hightower (b. 353)
 * Gareth, b. 351. Ruled as Lord of Highgarden.
 * Luthor, b. 353. Married Baratheon heiress.
 * Lia, b. 355. Married Lord Blackbar.
 * Alla, b. 357. Married Lord Blackmont.

Descendants of Garrett Tyrell
Garrett Tyrell (b. 344, d. 375) – Alissa Hightower (b. 346, d. 389) Thaddeus Tyrell (b. 368, d. 399) – Cassa Costayne (b. 370, d. 405)
 * Thaddeus, b. 368. Served as minor commander of Hightower militia.
 * Olene, b. 370. Married Lord Bulwer.
 * Leo, b. 380.