Lyn Corbray

Ser Lyn Corbray is a knight of the Vale, a suitor to the widowed Lady Lysa Arryn, and a man whose cold ambition and martial pride make him a dangerous player in the power struggles following Jon Arryn's death.

Identity and Role at the Eyrie

Ser Lyn Corbray is a lean, handsome knight, heir to an ancient but impoverished house. He is noted for his vanity, recklessness, and hot temper, and is whispered to be notoriously uninterested in the intimate charms of women. At the Eyrie, he is one of the principal suitors vying for the hand of Lady Lysa Arryn, standing high in her favor alongside the gout-ridden Lord Eon Hunter. His presence at court is marked by a sharp tongue and a readiness to offer his sword, as when he declares that the gods favor the man with the just cause, yet often that turns out to be the man with the surest sword, modestly suggesting himself as champion against Tyrion Lannister.

Actions and Ambitions

Corbray is quick to voice his opinions on matters of justice and vengeance. When Catelyn Stark argues against the folly of executing Tyrion Lannister, Corbray counters that beheading the Imp would serve as a warning to the Kingslayer. He is present during the trial by combat, where he drawls that the trial must come first, then execution. His eagerness for bloodshed and his confidence in his own martial prowess are defining traits. He is also the knight who escorts Tyrion Lannister and Bronn through the Bloody Gate after their release, commanding them never to return, a task he performs with a stone-faced demeanor.

Narrative Significance

Ser Lyn Corbray represents the faction of the Vale's nobility that is restless, ambitious, and eager for conflict following Jon Arryn's death. His presence among Lysa's suitors underscores the political vacuum at the Eyrie and the jockeying for power that surrounds the weak Lord Robert Arryn. His character serves as a contrast to more cautious or honorable figures like Brynden Tully, highlighting the volatile mix of pride and desperation that characterizes the Vale's court during this period of instability.