Ser Loras Tyrell is an anointed knight of House Tyrell and the third son of Lord Mace Tyrell and Lady Alerie Hightower. He is the younger brother of Willas Tyrell, Garlan Tyrell and Margaery Tyrell.
Appearance and Character[]
Loras is described as exceptionally handsome, with golden eyes and long, flowing brown hair. Sansa Stark believes him to be lithe with gorgeous eyes. He is also described as having a slender frame. It is often remarked that Loras and Margaery look like twins as much as Cersei and Jaime. Loras is considered one of the most beautiful young men in the Seven Kingdoms.
While courteous, he is still thirsty for glory and can be short-tempered, reckless and impetuous, as recognised by Jaime. Tyrion finds him a prickly lad. Prince Oberyn Martell does not believe that Loras is as good a warrior as he is a tourney jouster. In fairness, Loras is a highly skilled swordsman, extremely confident in his own abilities - Jaime is quick to point out that Loras is not modest about his prowess, and realises that this is because Loras started off as too good a warrior too young (not unlike Jaime himself, funnily enough). Loras is brave to a fault, willing to be the leader of an expedition hunting for Gregor Clegane.
Loras Tyrell was a kind-hearted, chivalrous, friendly and charismatic young man in his own right, an utter favourite of the crowds throughout the Seven Kingdoms. When he becomes Kingsguard, however, Jaime Lannister soon realises that Loras may be arrogant and overconfident, but he is not false, and he normally has good intentions in the things he does. He is also extremely loyal, as shown by his service to Renly Baratheon and the fact that he buried Renly's corpse somewhere that meant something to both of them, somewhere nobody could disgrace Renly's grave. He refused to ever dishonour Renly's memory by word or deed.
Despite his good nature, Loras Tyrell had a wrathful, even a vengeful streak: when he discovered that Renly was dead, in his wroth he struck down Robar Royce and Emmon Cuy for failing to protect him (which he would deeply regret afterwards), and swore vengeance against Brienne of Tarth after rumours spread that she was behind it. That being said, Loras did not allow his wrath to cloud his sense entirely, as he was willing to listen to Brienne's testimony face-to-face and consider the possibility that she was innocent.
Loras has a sense of honour, as when Sandor Clegane saved him from his older brother Ser Gregor during the Tourney of the Hand, Loras openly conceded the victory to the Hound for saving his life, even addressing him as ser even though the Hound wasn't a knight and loathed knighthood on principle.
History[]
Loras was sent to Storm's End as a child, serving as a squire to Lord Renly Baratheon, and it is possible that this is where they began their clandestine love affair. Loras purchases his armour from Tobho Mott in King's Landing. He unhorsed Ser Jaime Lannister during a tourney, causing Petyr Baelish to hand a valyrian steel dagger over to King Robert Baratheon.
Books[]
A Game of Thrones[]
Loras rides in the Hand's Tourney, representing Highgarden. At the end of every joust, he gifts a white flower to a fair maiden in the crowd. After his final victory on the first day, against Ser Robar Royce, he gives a red rose to Sansa Stark, leading to her infatuation with him. He is amongst the final four riders.
Riding against Gregor Clegane, Loras chooses to ride a mare, this outrages the Mountain's stallion and makes him fall. Ser Gregor gets angry and attacks Loras, but Sandor Clegane comes to his aid. Afterwards, Loras forfeits at the final round against the Hound, in order to thank him. when Gregor is later accused of breaking the king's peace, Loras requests that Eddard Stark send him to deliver justice. Recognising Loras' desire for vengeance, Eddard instead sends Beric Dondarrion at the head of the royal party.
A Feast for Crows[]
Ser Loras and Ser Balon Swann offer to stand vigil over the corpse of Tywin so that Jaime can get some rest, as they believe he needs sleep. Loras begins to argue with the Lord Commander, but Balon escorts him away before he can.
