Thoros of Myr
Thoros of Myr is a red priest of the Lord of Light, a warrior-priest who serves at the court of King Robert Baratheon. He is a figure of considerable renown, known for his martial prowess and his distinctive practice of setting his sword ablaze in combat, a feat that both terrifies and inspires those who witness it. His presence at the Hand's tourney and his subsequent involvement in the escalating war between the Starks and Lannisters mark him as a notable, if unconventional, participant in the realm's affairs.
Appearance and Role at Court
Thoros is a large man, described as fat, with a shaven head, a characteristic of his order. He wears the flowing red robes of a priest of the Lord of Light, a faith from the Free Cities that is viewed with suspicion in the Seven Kingdoms. Despite his priestly vestments, he is a formidable fighter, having once scaled the walls of Pyke with a flaming sword in hand during Balon Greyjoy's rebellion. At the tournament held in honor of Eddard Stark's appointment as Hand of the King, Thoros participates in the melee, a chaotic free-for-all battle with blunted weapons. He emerges victorious after three hours of fighting, his flaming sword frightening the mounts of other riders and giving him a decisive advantage. The final tally of the melee includes three broken limbs, a shattered collarbone, a dozen smashed fingers, and two horses that had to be put down, underscoring the brutal nature of the contest and Thoros's own ferocity.
Role in the War of the Five Kings
Following the death of King Robert and the outbreak of war, Thoros becomes a figure of resistance against the Lannisters. He is named in the list of traitors read by Grand Maester Pycelle in the throne room of the Red Keep, a decree that commands him to present himself and swear fealty to the new king, Joffrey Baratheon, or be adjudged a traitor with his lands and titles forfeit. This marks him as an enemy of the crown. He joins forces with Lord Beric Dondarrion, another outlawed lord, and together they lead a band that harries Lannister foraging parties in the riverlands. Tywin Lannister, in a council with his son Tyrion, dismissively refers to them as "a pair of Ned Stark's afterthoughts making a nuisance of themselves," indicating that while they are a persistent irritant, they are not yet considered a major strategic threat. Thoros's role in this guerrilla campaign is to serve as a combatant and a symbol of defiance, his flaming sword a beacon of resistance in the war-torn region.
Narrative Significance
Thoros of Myr embodies the intersection of religious fervor and martial violence in a world where the old gods and the new are both challenged by the chaos of war. His presence at the tournament and his subsequent outlaw status illustrate the rapid disintegration of the king's peace and the rise of armed conflict. He is a figure who, despite his eccentricities and foreign faith, is a capable and feared warrior, and his actions contribute to the broader tapestry of rebellion and resistance against the Lannister regime. His role as a thorn in the side of Lord Tywin's forces, while minor in the grand scale of the war, demonstrates that the conflict is not solely between great houses but also involves a scattering of determined individuals who refuse to bend the knee.
