Everything we know about Lord Lyman Beesbury in House of the Dragon

Who was Lyman Beesbury?

Credits: HBO

Lyman Beesbury, a man of integrity, served as the Master of Coin during the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen. Known for his frugality and financial acumen, Lyman managed the realm’s treasury with diligence. As a senior member of the Small Council, he was a voice of reason, often advocating for caution and pragmatism.

Despite his advanced age, Lyman’s sharp intellect made him an essential figure in the court. His unwavering loyalty to King Viserys’s vision for the realm, particularly regarding Princess Rhaenyra’s succession, became a defining aspect of his legacy. However, his refusal to condone the Greens’ coup led to his untimely and tragic death.

In the show

Credits: HBO

Early Life and Role as Master of Coin

Lord Lyman Beesbury was the Lord of Honeyholt and served as the Master of Coin on King Viserys I Targaryen’s Small Council. Known for his frugal management of the realm’s finances, Lyman was a dedicated servant of the crown. His approach to economic matters often clashed with the more extravagant proposals discussed during council meetings.

As Master of Coin, Lyman frequently advocated for caution in spending. For example, during discussions about the Heir’s Tournament, he proposed delaying the event due to its high cost, though his concerns were dismissed by King Viserys. Lyman also voiced frustration over Prince Daemon’s use of royal funds for the City Watch, urging the prince to justify his expenditures to the council.

Service During King Viserys’s Reign

Lyman regularly participated in Small Council meetings, providing financial oversight and advice. He raised concerns about open warfare with the Free Cities during debates over the Stepstones, warning of the significant costs such conflicts could incur. Lyman also expressed shock when Prince Daemon stole a dragon egg, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

He attended many key events, including Queen Aemma and Prince Baelon’s funeral and the ceremony naming Rhaenyra as Princess of Dragonstone. While Lyman remained loyal to Viserys, he often stayed silent during contentious discussions, focusing instead on his financial responsibilities. His pragmatic and cautious nature shaped his reputation as a voice of reason within the council.

Later Years on the Small Council

By 126 AC, Lyman, though aging and partly senile, continued his service as Master of Coin. During meetings, his contributions became less frequent, and his remarks were often overlooked. Despite this, he remained loyal to King Viserys and his policies. When discussing the Stepstones, he agreed with Queen Alicent’s view that fortifications were too costly, though he was quickly overruled by Princess Rhaenyra.

Lyman also supported Lucerys Velaryon’s claim to Driftmark during debates over the succession. His unwavering commitment to the realm’s stability and financial prudence remained evident, even as his influence within the council waned.

Opposition to the Green Council

Following King Viserys’s death in 132 AC, Lyman was summoned to a meeting of the Green Council. When informed of their plans to crown Aegon II as king, Lyman openly opposed the plot. He accused his fellow councilors of treason, theft, and disregarding the late king’s wishes. He argued that Viserys had named Rhaenyra as his heir and dismissed claims that the king had recanted on his deathbed.

Lyman’s firm stance against the Greens led to a heated confrontation. Despite being outnumbered, he remained resolute, highlighting the oaths of fealty sworn to Rhaenyra and questioning the legitimacy of the council’s actions. His loyalty to Viserys’s decree ultimately set him apart from the rest of the council.

Death During the Green Coup

Lyman’s defiance came to a tragic end when Ser Criston Cole forcibly silenced him. As Lyman protested, Cole pushed him down, causing his head to strike the marble table and puncturing his temple. The blow killed Lyman instantly, marking him as the first victim of the Dance of the Dragons. His lifeless body was left on the council table as the Greens finalized their plans to crown Aegon II.

Lyman’s death shocked many, symbolizing the brutal lengths to which the Greens would go to secure power. His unwavering integrity and loyalty to Viserys’s wishes made him a martyr for those opposing the coup, and his house later rose in rebellion against the Hightowers in retaliation for his murder.

Personality and Legacy

Lyman Beesbury was a man of integrity, loyal to the crown and devoted to his duties as Master of Coin. His frugality in managing the realm’s finances often made him a cautious voice in council meetings, urging careful deliberation over costly proposals. He avoided political scheming, focusing instead on fulfilling his role faithfully.

Even in his final moments, Lyman’s steadfast commitment to King Viserys’s wishes and his forthrightness in opposing the Greens demonstrated his courage. His tragic death underscored the cost of standing by one’s convictions during a time of treachery and upheaval. Lyman’s legacy as a loyal servant of the crown endured, inspiring those who opposed the Greens during the Dance of the Dragons.

In the books

Credits: Lily Abdulina

Service as Master of Coin

Lyman Beesbury served as the Lord of Honeyholt and head of House Beesbury during the reigns of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen and his grandson, King Viserys I Targaryen. He held the position of Master of Coin and Lord Treasurer, managing the realm’s finances for decades. His service was nearly uninterrupted, showcasing his expertise and dedication to the role.

As Master of Coin, Lyman was known for his frugal approach to financial management. He provided sound advice on matters of the crown’s treasury, ensuring stability during both monarchs’ reigns. By the end of King Viserys’s reign, Lyman had grown into an elder statesman, respected for his loyalty and long years of service.

Opposition to the Green Council

At the age of eighty, Lyman attended a Small Council meeting following King Viserys I’s death. This meeting, convened by Queen Alicent Hightower, revealed plans to crown her son, Prince Aegon Targaryen, instead of Princess Rhaenyra, Viserys’s named heir. Lyman was the only council member to support Rhaenyra’s claim, standing firmly by the late king’s decision.

Lyman condemned the council’s actions, accusing them of treason for attempting to usurp Rhaenyra’s rightful position. His loyalty to the late king’s wishes put him at odds with the rest of the council, who sought to secure Aegon’s ascension to the Iron Throne.

Controversy Surrounding Lyman’s Death

The exact circumstances of Lyman Beesbury’s death remain unclear, with conflicting accounts provided by various sources. Grand Maester Orwyle claimed that Ser Otto Hightower ordered Lyman’s arrest, leading to his imprisonment in the black cells, where he succumbed to a chill. However, Septon Eustace alleged that Ser Criston Cole slit Lyman’s throat with a dagger during the council meeting.

Court fool Mushroom offered a more gruesome version, asserting that Criston threw Lyman from a window, impaling him on the spikes of the Maegor’s Holdfast moat. Neither Eustace nor Mushroom witnessed the event, leaving the truth of Lyman’s fate shrouded in mystery. Following his death, Lyman was quietly succeeded as Master of Coin by Ser Tyland Lannister.

Secrecy and Family’s Demand for Justice

Lyman’s death was concealed from the public, with rumors spreading that he was languishing in a black cell. The secrecy surrounding his fate fueled unrest among his family. Lyman’s heir, Ser Alan Beesbury, openly demanded the release of his grandsire, unaware of his death. This outcry further underscored the tension between House Beesbury and the supporters of Aegon’s claim.

Lyman’s unwavering loyalty to Princess Rhaenyra and his refusal to compromise on his principles made him a symbol of resistance against the Green Council’s coup. His tragic end marked the beginning of the Dance of the Dragons, a conflict that would tear the realm apart.

Quotes

“I am an old man, but not so old that I will sit here meekly whilst the likes of you plot to steal her crown.”

Compilation

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (A Song of Ice and Fire)

$18.00 $13.22

Taking place nearly a century before the events of A Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms compiles the first three official prequel novellas to George R. R. Martin’s ongoing masterwork, A Song of Ice and Fire.

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

12/18/2024 08:42 pm GMT