Renfred Hayford is the current Lord of Hayford as the successor of his mother Bethany Hayford. Between 426 AC and 433 AC he served on the Small Council as Master of Coin.

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Appearance and Character

Renfred Hayford is an aging man with greying hair. His build is regular, with some strength gained from martial training, but not to an extent of a pure knight. Usually, his countenance shows an earnest look, seldom betraying what passes through his thoughts before he speaks them.

In character, he is a man of convictions, oftentimes stubborn about them, with many of them of the sort that could be considered old-fashioned. However, he can be mild in matters that might otherwise cause greater upheaval, by not assigning them great relevance.

History

Early Life

In 384 AC, the year her father Steffon Hayford had died, Lady Bethany Hayford gave birth to her first son Renfred. Newly the Lady of her lands, Lady Bethany was greatly involved with the administration of Hayford, even more so after the death of Renfred’s father Gilbert Mallery, a scion of a junior line of that house. Thus, her son and heir early on learned the arts of statecraft, assisting his mother as administrator.

While his brother Oswell became a squire and later a knight of the Golden Company, Renfred’s training, while the martial side was not neglected, was more one in the vein of his grandfather, who had been Master of Coin for King Aenar I Targaryen. His studies encompassed History, Law, and Economics, the latter of which he chiefly applied to the management of the agricultural production around the town and castle of Hayford. Where military matters were concerned, he focussed less on personal combat, but rather on the organisational aspect of warfare, and how to lead men into battle, although he proved to be quite persevering in duels, as well, mayhaps a trait less gained through training at arms but rather his general stubbornness.

Marriage

Usually spending his time alone, Renfred did not partake in many courtships, save for one towards Lady Saffron Grafton of Gulltown in the year of 408, after they had met at the Tournament of Harrenhal, which however was broken upon the lady’s decision to travel the world as a scholar for a prolonged time. After that courtship ended, time passed until Renfred would pursue a marriage again, as it is said that he truly had loved Lady Saffron. After being presented several matches from the Crownlands, he found both the need for marriage and the sufficient affection towards Lady Mira Rambton in 412 AC, a woman nine years his junior.

The year after, their first daughter Annara Hayford, named after Renfred’s younger sister, was born, whom they would raise as a future ruler, with skills that would come useful to her either as Lady of Hayford, or the consort of another house. That was even further established when in 417 AC, Annara was followed by a younger sister named Hostella Hayford.

Two years later, in 419 AC, a son named Marston Hayford was born, but Lady Annara had already taken well to the Maester’s teachings, and so her education was continued. Two more times, Lady Mira was with child, in 421 AC birthing a stillborn daughter, and in 425 AC a second son, whom they named Eustace Hayford.

Small Council

When Lucerys Velaryon died in 426 AC, Renfred was asked by King Aegon VII to join the Small Council as Master of Coin, in recognition of his skilled administration in Hayford, which he followed, bringing his children to court at King’s Landing, including his daughter Annara, who had become a maiden flowered by that point, and joined the household of Princess Rhaenyra as her lady-in-waiting. There, he also took Vorian Dayne as a squire, who had been his predecessor’s page, upon the recommendation of Velaryon’s widow Gael Targaryen. Renfred did instruct his squire in knightly skills, but mainly, the young Dayne was an assistant in matters of administration, and his performance in paperwork was what earned him his knighting from Renfred in the end.

In the year of 427 AC, a small sickness passed through Hayford, and claimed the lives of three members of the family. Elderly Lady Bethany died of poor health, followed by both of Renfred’s sons, who were staying at their home, as opposed to Annara, who, dwelling in King’s Landing, now became heiress again, to her father who now additionally to his courtesy title as Master of Coin had become Lord of Hayford.

During his time of the Small Council, Renfred cooperated closely with the other members at court, and when in 431 AC the Silver Wedding took place, he was among those most outspoken against the second marriage of the King, believing polygamy to be entirely inconsolable with the principles of the Faith of the Seven. That establishment of attitude led to both a closer relationship with Queen Rhaenyra and her supporters, beyond the connection through Lady Annara’s position with the Queen Consort, and to a further concernment with the Faith itself, including many considerations towards theology.

Recent Events

Partially because of the rift that was to be seen in the Royal Court, Lord Renfred resigned from the Small Council in 433 AC, and returned to Hayford, where he managed his holdings directly, while his heiress continued to travel between her home and the Hayford mansion in King’s Landing. In the past years, House Hayford has been chiefly represented by its heiress at the Court of King’s Landing, while Lord Renfred remained in his own castle.

In 435 AC, Symond Frey passed through Hayford on his way home from King’s Landing, and spent a night as Lord Renfred’s guest in the castle. Originally unbeknownst to Renfred, that night was spent by Lord Symond and Renfred’s younger daughter Hostella together, causing her to give birth to a boy named Harrold Waters nine moons later. Ever since, Renfred has looked upon Lord Frey with disfavour, although never openly.

Family

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Household Members