Tomard, also called Fat Tom, is a guard of House Stark at Winterfell. He follows Lord Eddard Stark to King’s Landing after he becomes the Hand of the King. Tomard has a son named TomToo.
Tomard was renowned for being the slowest of Lord Eddard Stark’s guards. He was fat and had ginger-colored whiskers, and though many mocked him for his speed, he was one of Ned’s most loyal servants. He served House Stark as the Captain of the Guard and followed Lord Stark when he agreed to King Robert Baratheon’s demand to become the Hand of the King.
Tomard Details
- Name: Tomard.
- Alias: Fat Tom.
- Title: Captain of the Guard.
- Year of Birth: Around 249-253AC.
- Year of Death: 299 AC in King’s Landing.
- Allegiance: House Stark.
- Culture: Northmen.
- Religion: Old Gods of the Forest.
- Child: TomToo.
Biography
There is little information about Tomard’s birth and childhood. However, when Jon Snow and his half-brother Robb Stark were kids, they created a mountain of snow and were caught by Mance Rayder, who served as a brother of the Night’s Watch under Lord Commander Qorgyle. Mance agreed to be quiet about their mischievous act, and the kids later dropped the snow on Tomard, who chased them around Winterfell until they were all tired. Years later, Fat Tom gave Arya Stark the nickname Arya Underfoot.
Relevance in A Song of Ice and Fire
A Game of Thrones
When Lord Eddard Stark travels to deliver justice to a deserter of the Night’s Watch, Tomard accompanies him with his children. He and Desmond drag Gared to an Iron Stomp, where Lord Stark beheads him with Ice, House Stark’s Valyrian steel greatsword.
On reaching Winterfell, Ned learns that King Robert Baratheon is heading for Winterfell. After the King arrives at the castle, he asks Ned to become the Hand of the King. Lord Stark agrees to his friend’s demands and takes about fifty House Stark guards, including Tomard.
On reaching King’s Landing, Eddard starts investigating the death of the former Hand of the King, Lord Jon Arryn. He tasks Fat Tom and Desmond with guarding him when he travels to Tobho Mott’s shop on the Street of Steel.
After an attempt at Bran Stark’s life, Catelyn Stark travels to King’s Landing, where she learns from Lord Petyr Bealish that Tyrion Lannister owns the knife used by the assassin trying to kill Bran. On returning to Winterfell, Catelyn meets Tyrion and orders for his arrest. Upon learning about what happened, Yoren, a wandering crow of the Night’s Watch, arrives at King’s Landing and tells Lord Eddard Stark of his wife’s actions.
When Arya, who was in the room when Yoren meets Lord Stark, gets sent to her chambers, she wishes it were Fat Tom who escorted her instead of Desmond as she could have made an excuse to leave and listened in on her father’s conversation.
Ser Jaime Lannister attacks Ned Stark for his brother’s arrest, and Jory Cassel dies during the conflict. Alyn becomes the Captain of the Guard for Ned, but he leaves with Lord Beric Dondarrion to arrest Ser Gregor Clegane. Fat Tom gets assigned to Alyn’s role. When Ned discovers Queen Cersei Lannister’s secret, he plans to send his daughters Sansa and Arya back to Winterfell on the Wind Witch. Ned writes a letter and tasks Fat Tom with taking it to Stannis Baratheon. However, the Captain gets killed by the City Watch before he delivers the message.
Lord Eddard Stark is arrested and brought before King Joffrey Baratheon and his mother, Queen Cersei Lannister. The letter Ned wrote to Stannis gets used as evidence of his treason, and after Varys convinces him to confess for his daughter’s sake, he gives in. Joffrey then orders Ser Ilyn Payne to behead Ned Stark for treason.
Though Fat Ton never delivered the message to Stannis, he eventually learns of Joffrey and his siblings’ parentage. He sends out letters throughout the Seven Kingdoms, telling everyone that the King is a product of the incestual relationship between his uncle and mother.
Relevance in Adaptation
In HBO’s Game of Thrones, Phil Dixon portrayed Tomard. When Lord Renly Baratheon delivers the news of his brother’s hunting accident, Lord Eddard Stark writes a letter to Stannis Baratheon and orders Tomard to transport the letter. The guard successfully leaves King’s Landing and escapes being killed.
Tomard: The Loyal Guard
Though he was not the smartest or the fastest of Lord Stark’s guards, Fat Tom was one of the most loyal guards of the Stark. He protected Ned and served faithfully till his death in King’s Landing.
