Three-eyed crow/Theories

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Stated as questions or possibilities. More appropriate for another article. Illogical or previously disproven. Proven by canon source, and moved to main page. Speculative and lacking any evidence to support arguments. Responding to another theory (use discussion page instead). This does not include responses that are also standalone theories. Usage of an indented bullet does not imply the statement is a response.

A number of statements in A Dance with Dragons suggests that the identity of the Three-eyed crow could be that of Targaryen Great Bastard, Brynden Rivers.

Evidence

• The three-eyed crow tells Bran Stark that his mother named him Brynden and that he was a lord.^[1]
• The three-eyed crow was once a man of the Night's Watch, and Brynden Rivers was Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.^[2][3]
• The three-eyed crow says he has "a thousand eyes and one"^[4] and there is a song written about Brynden Rivers called A Thousand Eyes, and One.^[5]
• Bran describes the three-eyed crow as having white skin, long white hair and one red eye^[6], and Rivers was an albino.^[7] He also lost an eye in the Blackfyre Rebellion^[8]
• Bran also describes a red splotch on the three-eyed crow's neck and cheek.^[9] Rivers possessed a wine-red birthmark at the same location, from which he got the nickname "Bloodraven".
• Leaf states: "He has lived beyond mortal span…"^[10] Rivers would be 125 years old.
• The three-eyed crow tells Bran that he had a brother he loved, a brother he hated, and a woman he desired.^[11] Rivers had a half-brother he hated; Aegor Rivers and he desired his half-sister, Shiera Seastar, who became his mistress. During the Blackfyre Rebellion, Rivers chose the side of his other half-brother, Daeron II Targaryen though there is no reference that he loved this brother.
• Rivers was thought to be a sorcerer.^[12]
• The mother of Brynden Rivers was Mylessa of House Blackwood.^[13][14] House Blackwood is descended from the First Men, and is one of the few houses south of the Neck that still keeps the Old Gods. If either of those factors are prerequisites for greenseers, Rivers satisfies them.
• The three-eyed crow favors ravens for skinchanging. Brynden's nickname is 'Bloodraven'.

References and Notes