Lore:Torygg - The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP)

High King Torygg
High King Torygg
Race	Nord	Gender	Male
Died		4E 201Solitude
Resided in		Solitude
Previous Ruler		Istlod
Next Ruler		Elisif the Fair
Appears in		Skyrim

Torygg was the High King of Skyrim and Jarl of Solitude until his death at the hands of Ulfric Stormcloak in 4E 201.[1] His father, Istlod, the High King of Skyrim, held Skyrim together for almost twenty-five years, and when he died, the Moot convened to elect his successor, which by tradition would be Torygg. Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak of Windhelm used the Moot to talk about Skyrim's independence in terms just shy of treason, which Torygg reportedly respected. The Moot eventually voted to make Torygg the High King of Skyrim.[2]

One of Istlod's courtiers, Sybille Stentor, helped raise him, and Torygg appointed her as his court wizard when he became jarl.[2] Torygg was known to give speeches about the Empire, which some of his subjects considered rambling.[3] Not long before his death, he married Elisif the Fair.[4][5]

In 4E 201, Ulfric traveled to Solitude, where he requested an audience with Torygg. Torygg and his court believed that Ulfric had traveled to Solitude to ask the High King to declare independence. However, Ulfric instead challenged Torygg to a duel in the Blue Palace. Once the challenge was issued, Torygg had no choice but to accept it; if he had not, Ulfric would have had cause to call a new moot and hold a new vote for High King.[2] Although Torygg had some martial training, Ulfric and Torygg himself knew that he did not stand a chance against him.[2][6][7] Accounts of the duel differ, with Ulfric claiming that he shouted Torygg to the ground and stabbed him through the heart with his sword, killing him.[7] Other accounts claim that Ulfric literally shouted Torygg apart.[2][4][8] Regardless, after killing Torygg, Ulfric fled and was able to escape Solitude when one of the city guards named Roggvir opened the gates for him.[9][10][11]

Ulfric stated that he killed Torygg to prove that he was merely a weak puppet king of the Empire and that Skyrim needed a high king who was not imperially appointed.[7] Ulfric believed that Torygg would be a symbol of the perceived problems facing Skyrim, including the Empire's weakness, the White-Gold Concordat, and the banning of Talos worship.[2] Ulfric also believed that killing Torygg would send a message to the other jarls.[7] Ulfric's detractors viewed his actions as those of a self-serving opportunist who killed Torygg to advance his ambition of becoming high king.[4][12][13][14]

According to Sybille Stentor, if Ulfric had asked Torygg directly to declare independence, Torygg might have done it. However, Stentor stated that Torygg was not ready to allow the Empire founded by Tiber Septim, who became Talos when he died, to fall apart. She also stated that Torygg believed that Skyrim needed the Empire because the Aldmeri Dominion was a sleeping beast that Skyrim could not slay alone, many Nords served in the Imperial Legion, and it provided food and resources that were important to the people.[2]

Torygg's death ultimately led to the outbreak of the Stormcloak Rebellion.[8] Upon Torygg's death, his soul passed to Sovngarde,[6] and his beloved widow, Elisif, succeeded him as Jarl of Solitude.[8][5][15]:421 As part of Torygg's burial, Elisif made offerings to all the gods except for Talos, whose worship was outlawed under the White-Gold Concordat.[4] After his death, Elisif forbade the Burning of King Olaf, a festival put on by the Bards College, because she felt that burning a king in effigy was distasteful due to the recent killing of Torygg.[16]

See Also[edit]

• For game-specific information, see the Skyrim article.

References[edit]

1. ^ Nords Arise! — Anonymous
2. ^ a b c d e f g Sybille Stentor's dialogue in Skyrim
3. ^ Sayma's dialogue in Skyrim
4. ^ a b c d Elisif the Fair's dialogue in Skyrim
5. ^ a b Gerdur's dialogue in Skyrim
6. ^ a b High King Torygg's dialogue in Skyrim
7. ^ a b c d Ulfric Stormcloak's dialogue in Skyrim
8. ^ a b c Alvor's dialogue in Skyrim
9. ^ Captain Aldis' dialogue in Skyrim
10. ^ Vivienne Onis' dialogue in Skyrim
11. ^ Greta's dialogue in Skyrim
12. ^ Hadvar's dialogue in Skyrim
13. ^ Legate Rikke's dialogue in Skyrim
14. ^ Balgruuf the Greater's dialogue in Skyrim
15. ^ The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Prima Official Game Guide — David Hodgson
16. ^ Viarmo's dialogue in Skyrim