Samwell Tarly

Lore & Background

Samwell Tarly was born with dark hair, pale eyes, and a large moon-shaped face, weighing an estimated twenty stone (130 kg; 280 lb). His father, Randyll, despised his lack of physical vigor and grooming for the younger brother Dickon to inherit Horn Hill. After stabbing an Other with dragonglass at Craster's Keep, earning the name "Sam the Slayer," he rescued Gilly and her infant son. Guided by Coldhands, Sam crossed the Wall and orchestrated Jon Snow's election as the 998th Lord Commander by convincing rivals Denys Mallister and Cotter Pyke to support him. Later, on a voyage to Braavos, he secretly swapped Gilly's baby with Mance Rayder's son to prevent sacrifice. Accompanied by Maester Aemon, who died during the journey, Sam arrived in Oldtown where he met acolyte Alleras and fellow novice Leo Tyrell.

In Their Own Story

In *A Game of Thrones*, Sam was bullied by Ser Alliser Thorne until Jon Snow defended him. He first noticed that corpses Othor and Jafer Flowers were wights sent by the Others. In *A Clash of Kings*, he accompanied Lord Commander Jeor Mormont on the Great Ranging, where he befriended Gilly at Craster's Keep and helped discover dragonglass weapons under the snow at the Fist of the First Men. During the attack in *A Storm of Swords*, Sam killed an Other with a dagger while Small Paul died. He fled to Craster's Keep, surviving a mutiny that killed Mormont and Craster. In *A Feast for Crows*, he traveled to Braavos, where Aemon learned of Daenerys Targaryen before passing away. There, Sam encountered a disguised Arya Stark and fought deserter Dareon. He eventually reached Oldtown to report to Archmaester Marwyn about the prophecy, while entrusting his care to Alleras.

Reader's Guide

Samwell Tarly is the most relatable character to George R. R. Martin, who stated in a 2014 interview that Sam represents "the fat kid who likes to read books and doesn't like to go up a lot of stairs." Like Martin, Sam had troubled relationships with his fathers and chose not to fight if given the option, reflecting Martin's own refusal to serve in the Vietnam War. He is second cousin to Shireen Baratheon and Edric Storm through his mother. His key ally Jon Snow originally estimated him to weigh twenty stone. Through his relationship with Gilly, Sam overcame his self-professed cowardice to become a hero who discovered the lethal properties of dragonglass against the White Walkers.

Did You Know?

• Samwell Tarly was named the most relatable character to George R. R. Martin because he is 'the fat kid who likes to read books and doesn't like to go up a lot of stairs.'
• Sam earned the nickname 'Sam the Slayer' after stabbing an Other with a dragonglass dagger at Craster's Keep.
• In *A Feast for Crows*, Sam encountered a disguised Arya Stark in Braavos but did not realize her identity.
• Sam is second cousin to Shireen Baratheon and Edric Storm through his mother, Lady Melessa Florent.
• Jon Snow originally estimated Sam's weight at twenty stone (130 kg; 280 lb), calling him the fattest boy he had ever seen.