Grover Tully

In the year 101 AC, the realm gathered to decide who would inherit the Iron Throne after the death of King Jaehaerys I. Grover Tully, as Lord of Riverrun, cast his vote for Prince Viserys Targaryen rather than Laenor Velaryon, favoring the right of blood that passed from father to son over the one running through the maternal line.

Eleven years later, in 112 AC, one of Lord Grover's sons sought the favor of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and competed for her hand in a tournament. The suitor did not win the marriage, and House Tully was left off the list of families joined by blood to the heir to the Iron Throne.

When the Dance of the Dragons broke out, Grover Tully was already an old man, confined to his bed, and he sided with Aegon II Targaryen. His grandson, Ser Elmo Tully, refused to accept that stance: he forbade the mustering of Riverrun's forces and pulled the house's support toward Rhaenyra Targaryen, openly defying his grandfather.

Grover did not live long past the Battle of Ladera: according to the jester Mushroom, he died of a stroke brought on by what his grandson had done.

Accounts describe him as a stubborn man, holding to his convictions even once he could no longer rise from his bed. Archmaester Gyldayn went so far as to write that Grover's temperament only worsened the modest reputation his house already carried.