Difference between revisions of "Patchface"

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| Character_name = Patchface
 
| Character_name = Patchface
 
| image          = [[File:patchface.jpg|250px]]
 
| image          = [[File:patchface.jpg|250px]]
| image_caption  =  
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| image_caption  = Patchface with [[Davos Seaworth]] and [[Shireen Baratheon]], by M. Luisa Giliberti ©
 
| Alias          = Patches{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}
 
| Alias          = Patches{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}
 
| Title          =
 
| Title          =
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'''Patchface''', called '''Patches''' by [[Shireen Baratheon]], is [[Stannis Baratheon]]'s court [[fool]] and jester at [[Dragonstone]]. His face is tattooed in motley, earning his name.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}
+
'''Patchface''', nicknamed '''Patches''',{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}{{ref|ASOS|10}} is Lord [[Stannis Baratheon]]'s court [[fool]] and jester at [[Dragonstone]]. His face is tattooed in motley, earning his name.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} His given name is unknown.
  
 
==Appearance and Character==
 
==Appearance and Character==
 
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Patchface|Images of Patchface]]''
 
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Patchface|Images of Patchface]]''
Patchface takes his name for the tattoos covering his broad face and bald head, marked in a pattern of green and red squares.{{Ref|ASOS|54}} This is the fashion in the Free City of [[Volantis]] for [[slave]]s and servants. In his youth, he was a clever boy with astonishing wit; after his accident, however, his mind and body are broken. After his survival from the shipwreck he is described as soft and obese, subject to twitches and trembles and has a weird sideways walk.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}
+
Patchface takes his name from the tattoos covering his broad face and bald head, marked in a pattern of green and red squares.{{Ref|ASOS|54}} This is the fashion in the Free City of [[Volantis]] for [[slave]]s and servants.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} The obese fool is dough-soft and slump-shouldered.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}{{ref|ASOS|54}}
 +
 
 +
Patchface has lost his memory and much of his wits. The [[fool]] suffers from twitches and trembles, and he is often incoherent. He has an unusual sideways walk.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Some consider him a [[lackwit|simpleton]].{{ref|ADWD|44}}
 +
 
 +
The fool wears a mock helm fashioned from an old [[tin]] bucket, with a rack of deer antlers strapped to the crown and hung with cowbells.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} The bells ring frequently, as Patchface seldom remains still{{ref|ASOS|54}} and often hops back and forth.{{ref|ASOS|10}}
 +
 
 +
Some of Patchface's rhymes seem to be of prophetic nature, though none of his listeners understand them (see [[Patchface/Theories]]).
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
[[File:Patchface Amok.jpg|350px|thumb|Patchface - by Amok ©]]
 
[[File:Patchface Amok.jpg|350px|thumb|Patchface - by Amok ©]]
Patchface was a jester [[Slavery|slave]] in [[Volantis]]. He was a clever boy with astonishing wit. His freedom was bought by Lord [[Steffon Baratheon]], who was impressed with him and intended to bring him back to [[Storm's End]] from his trip to the [[Free Cities]]:<!--Steffon wrote a letter before the trip back telling his family of the jester's amazing skill-->
+
Patchface was a jester [[Slavery|slave]] in [[Volantis]]. He was a clever and skilled boy with astonishing wit. His freedom was bought by [[Steffon Baratheon]], [[Lord of Storm's End]], who was impressed with the boy during his trip to the [[Free Cities]]. While returning to [[Westeros]], however, Steffon's ship, ''[[Windproud]]'', broke up in [[Shipbreaker Bay]] while his eldest sons, [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] and [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]], watched from the parapets of [[Storm's End]]. All onboard were believed killed, including Lord Steffon, his wife [[Cassana Estermont|Cassana]], and over a hundred soldiers and sailors.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}
 
 
{{Quote|The king — the old king, Aerys II Targaryen, who had not been quite so mad in those days, had sent his lordship to seek a bride for Prince Rhaegar, who had no sisters to wed. “We have found the most splendid fool,” he wrote Cressen, a fortnight before he was to return home from his fruitless mission. “Only a boy, yet nimble as a [[monkey]] and witty as a dozen courtiers. He juggles and riddles and does magic, and he can sing prettily in four tongues. We have bought his freedom and hope to bring him home with us. Robert will be delighted with him, and perhaps in time he will even teach Stannis how to laugh.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}}}
 
  
[[Maester]] [[Cressen]] regrets that Patchface never did teach Stannis to laugh.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}
+
Patchface washed up among the dead three days later, his naked skin white and wrinkled; [[Jommy]] swore the boy's flesh was clammy cold. The fool was taken for dead, but then he coughed up water and sat up. Patchface had survived the shipwreck, albeit broken in mind and body; the ordeal had taken his memories, and half his wit. What happened to him during the two days is unknown, but the fisherfolk like to say "a [[mermaid]] had taught him to breathe water in return for his seed." It was suggested by Ser [[Harbert]], the castellan of Storm’s End, that it would be kindest for [[Cressen]] to let the mad boy die from [[milk of the poppy]], but the maester refused to do so.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}
  
Lord [[Steffon Baratheon]]'s ship, ''[[Windproud]]'', broke up in [[Shipbreaker Bay]] within sight of [[Storm's End]] while his sons [[Stannis Baratheon]] and [[Robert Baratheon]] watched. Everyone aboard ship was killed including the lord, his lady, and over 100 soldiers and sailors. Patchface washed up three days later, his naked skin white, wrinkled, and, the man that found him, [[Jommy]], swears to his dying day that the fool's skin was clammy cold. They had taken him for dead, but then he coughed up water, albeit broken in mind and body; the ordeal had taken his memories, and half his wit. Now he is subject to twitches and trembles and mostly incoherent. What happened to him during the two days is unknown, but the fisher folk like to say "a [[mermaid]] had taught him to breathe water in return for his seed." It was suggested by Ser [[Harbert]], the castellan of Storm’s End, that it would be kindest for Maester [[Cressen]] to let the mad boy die, but he had refused, and he now wonders at that decision.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}
+
Patchface is employed as court fool and jester at Dragonstone. He spends most of his time with [[Shireen Baratheon]], Lord Stannis's daughter. He offers strange insights and stranger songs, sometimes touching upon what may have really happened to the boy at the bottom of the bay.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}
 
 
Patchface is employed as court fool and jester at Dragonstone. He spends most of his time with [[Shireen Baratheon]], Stannis's daughter, who calls him Patches. He offers her strange insights and stranger songs, sometimes touching upon what may have really happened to the boy at the bottom of the bay.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}
 
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
Patchface accompanies Princess [[Shireen Baratheon]] when she visits [[Maester]] [[Cressen]] in his chamber to see the [[white raven]]. Later the fool is at the feast where Cressen attempts to kill [[Melisandre]] with poisoned wine, but the poison does not affect her. Cressen drinks what is left, and dies.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}
+
Patchface accompanies [[Shireen Baratheon]] when she visits Maester [[Cressen]] in his chamber at [[Dragonstone]] to see the [[white raven]]. When Cressen arrives at the castle's feast, a dancing Patchface accidentally collides with the maester and knocks him over. [[Melisandre]] places Patchface's [[tin]] helm on Cressen's head. The maester returns the helm to the fool, but [[Selyse Florent]] commands Cressen to continue wearing it. Cressen attempts to kill Melisandre with poisoned wine, but [[strangler|the poison]] does not affect the [[red priest]]ess. Cressen drinks what is left, and dies.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}
  
Patchface is in attendance when [[Stannis Baratheon]] burns the statues of [[Faith of the Seven|the Seven]] on [[Dragonstone]]'s beach.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}
+
Patchface is in attendance when [[Stannis Baratheon]] burns the statues of [[Faith of the Seven|the Seven]] on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone's]] beach.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}
  
[[Petyr Baelish]] alleges that Shireen is the daughter of Patchface and [[Selyse Florent]].{{Ref|ACOK|15}}
+
During a [[small council]] meeting in the [[Red Keep]], Lord [[Petyr Baelish]] suggests spreading the tale that Shireen, whose face is disfigured by [[greyscale]], was fathered by Patchface instead of Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|15}} [[Renly Baratheon]] insults Stannis by mentioning the rumor during their parley at [[siege of Storm's End (299)|Storm's End]].{{ref|ACOK|31}} The insinuation also casts doubt on Stannis's proclamation that the children of Queen [[Cersei Lannister]] were fathered by her brother, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]], instead of the late King [[Robert I Baratheon]].{{ref|ACOK|42}}
  
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
When [[Davos Seaworth]] returns to Dragonstone, he finds Patches playing with Shireen and [[Edric Storm]].{{Ref|ASOS|10}}
+
When [[Davos Seaworth]] returns to Dragonstone, he finds Patches playing [[monsters and maidens]] with Shireen and her cousin, [[Edric Storm]].{{Ref|ASOS|10}}
 +
 
 +
Maester [[Pylos]] prevents the loud fool from attending Shireen's lessons.{{ref|ASOS|54}}
  
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
Patches accompanies Shireen and Selyse to [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]] and [[Castle Black]].{{Ref|ADWD|44}} Melisandre tells [[Jon Snow]] that she has glimpsed the fool in her flames and considers him dangerous.{{Ref|ADWD|49}}
+
Patches accompanies Shireen and Selyse to [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]], and [[Cotter Pyke]] writes to [[Jon Snow]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], that the fool is a [[lackwit|simpleton]]. He receives a motley cloak of beaver pelts, sheepskins, and rabbit fur. His hat sports antlers hung with bells and long brown flaps of squirrel fur which hang down over his ears.{{ref|ADWD|44}}
 +
 
 +
Selyse does not introduce Patchface to Jon when the entourage arrives at [[Castle Black]]. [[Wun Wun]] is fascinated with the fool, and the [[giant]] laughs loudly after Patchface falls into a snowdrift.{{Ref|ADWD|44}}
  
==Rhymes==
+
Patchface attends the wedding of [[Alys Karstark]] and [[Sigorn]], and [[Owen the Oaf]] dances with him during the feast. Melisandre tells Jon that she has glimpsed the fool [[vision|in her flames]] and considers him dangerous.{{Ref|ADWD|49}}
Some of Patchface's rhymes seem to be of prophetic nature, though none of his listeners understand them; see [[Patchface/Theories]].
+
 
 +
When Jon announces a ranging to rescue [[free folk]] at [[Hardhome]], Patchface enthusiastically volunteers to lead it.{{ref|ADWD|69}}
  
 
==Quotes by Patchface==
 
==Quotes by Patchface==
{{Quote|The shadows come to dance, my lord, dance my lord, dance my lord. The shadows come to stay, my lord, stay my lord, stay my lord.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}|Patchface to [[Cressen]] and [[Shireen Baratheon]]}}
+
[[File:Patchface TheMico.jpg|thumb|Patchface by The Mico ©]]
 +
{{Quote|The shadows come to dance, my lord, dance my lord, dance my lord. The shadows come to stay, my lord, stay my lord, stay my lord.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}|Patchface to [[Cressen]]}}
  
 
{{Quote|Under the sea, smoke rises in bubbles, and flames burn green and blue and black. I know, I know, oh, oh, oh.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}|Patchface during the burning of the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]] on [[Dragonstone]]}}
 
{{Quote|Under the sea, smoke rises in bubbles, and flames burn green and blue and black. I know, I know, oh, oh, oh.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}|Patchface during the burning of the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]] on [[Dragonstone]]}}
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{{Quote|In the dark the dead are dancing. I know, I know, oh oh oh.{{ref|ADWD|44}}|Patchface at [[Castle Black]]}}
 
{{Quote|In the dark the dead are dancing. I know, I know, oh oh oh.{{ref|ADWD|44}}|Patchface at [[Castle Black]]}}
  
{{Quote|Under the sea the mermen feast on starfish soup, and all the serving men are crabs.{{Ref|ADWD|49}}|Patchface at [[Castle Black]]}}
+
{{Quote|Under the sea the [[mermen]] feast on starfish soup, and all the serving men are crabs.{{Ref|ADWD|49}}|Patchface at [[Castle Black]]}}
  
 
{{Quote|The crow, the crow. Under the sea the crows are white as snow, I know, I know, oh, oh, oh.{{Ref|ADWD|53}}|Patchface to [[Jon Snow]]}}
 
{{Quote|The crow, the crow. Under the sea the crows are white as snow, I know, I know, oh, oh, oh.{{Ref|ADWD|53}}|Patchface to [[Jon Snow]]}}
Line 75: Line 83:
  
 
==Quotes about Patchface==
 
==Quotes about Patchface==
 +
{{Quote|[[Shireen Baratheon|The girl]] was the only one who laughed at him now, the only one who cared if he lived or died.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}|thoughts of [[Cressen]]}}
 +
 +
{{Quote|We have found the most splendid fool. Only a boy, yet nimble as a [[monkey]] and witty as a dozen courtiers. He juggles and riddles and does [[magic]], and he can sing prettily in four tongues. We have bought his freedom and hope to bring him home with us. [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] will be delighted with him, and perhaps in time he will even teach [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] how to laugh.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}|[[Steffon Baratheon]] writing to [[Cressen]]}}
 +
 +
{{Quote|The wretch is mad, and in pain, and no use to anyone, least of all himself. The kindest thing you could do for that one is fill his cup with the [[milk of the poppy]]. A painless sleep, and there's an end to it. He'd bless you if he had the wit for it.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}|[[Harbert]] to [[Cressen]]}}
 +
 +
{{Quote|Davos was reminded of Patchface, Princess [[Shireen Baratheon|Shireen's]] lackwit fool. He had gone into the sea as well, and when he came out he was mad. Am I mad as well?{{ref|ASOS|10}}|thoughts of [[Davos Seaworth]]}}
 +
 
{{Quote|That creature is dangerous. Many a time I have glimpsed him in my flames. Sometimes there are skulls about him, and his lips are red with blood.{{Ref|ADWD|49}}|[[Melisandre]] to [[Jon Snow]]}}
 
{{Quote|That creature is dangerous. Many a time I have glimpsed him in my flames. Sometimes there are skulls about him, and his lips are red with blood.{{Ref|ADWD|49}}|[[Melisandre]] to [[Jon Snow]]}}
  

Revision as of 15:45, 17 June 2020

Patchface
Patchface.jpg
Patchface with Davos Seaworth and Shireen Baratheon, by M. Luisa Giliberti ©

Alias Patches[1]
Allegiance House Baratheon of Dragonstone
Born 262275 AC[2]
Books

Patchface, nicknamed Patches,[1][3] is Lord Stannis Baratheon's court fool and jester at Dragonstone. His face is tattooed in motley, earning his name.[1] His given name is unknown.

Appearance and Character

See also: Images of Patchface

Patchface takes his name from the tattoos covering his broad face and bald head, marked in a pattern of green and red squares.[4] This is the fashion in the Free City of Volantis for slaves and servants.[1] The obese fool is dough-soft and slump-shouldered.[1][4]

Patchface has lost his memory and much of his wits. The fool suffers from twitches and trembles, and he is often incoherent. He has an unusual sideways walk.[1] Some consider him a simpleton.[5]

The fool wears a mock helm fashioned from an old tin bucket, with a rack of deer antlers strapped to the crown and hung with cowbells.[1] The bells ring frequently, as Patchface seldom remains still[4] and often hops back and forth.[3]

Some of Patchface's rhymes seem to be of prophetic nature, though none of his listeners understand them (see Patchface/Theories).

History

Patchface - by Amok ©

Patchface was a jester slave in Volantis. He was a clever and skilled boy with astonishing wit. His freedom was bought by Steffon Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End, who was impressed with the boy during his trip to the Free Cities. While returning to Westeros, however, Steffon's ship, Windproud, broke up in Shipbreaker Bay while his eldest sons, Robert and Stannis, watched from the parapets of Storm's End. All onboard were believed killed, including Lord Steffon, his wife Cassana, and over a hundred soldiers and sailors.[1]

Patchface washed up among the dead three days later, his naked skin white and wrinkled; Jommy swore the boy's flesh was clammy cold. The fool was taken for dead, but then he coughed up water and sat up. Patchface had survived the shipwreck, albeit broken in mind and body; the ordeal had taken his memories, and half his wit. What happened to him during the two days is unknown, but the fisherfolk like to say "a mermaid had taught him to breathe water in return for his seed." It was suggested by Ser Harbert, the castellan of Storm’s End, that it would be kindest for Cressen to let the mad boy die from milk of the poppy, but the maester refused to do so.[1]

Patchface is employed as court fool and jester at Dragonstone. He spends most of his time with Shireen Baratheon, Lord Stannis's daughter. He offers strange insights and stranger songs, sometimes touching upon what may have really happened to the boy at the bottom of the bay.[1]

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Patchface accompanies Shireen Baratheon when she visits Maester Cressen in his chamber at Dragonstone to see the white raven. When Cressen arrives at the castle's feast, a dancing Patchface accidentally collides with the maester and knocks him over. Melisandre places Patchface's tin helm on Cressen's head. The maester returns the helm to the fool, but Selyse Florent commands Cressen to continue wearing it. Cressen attempts to kill Melisandre with poisoned wine, but the poison does not affect the red priestess. Cressen drinks what is left, and dies.[1]

Patchface is in attendance when Stannis Baratheon burns the statues of the Seven on Dragonstone's beach.[6]

During a small council meeting in the Red Keep, Lord Petyr Baelish suggests spreading the tale that Shireen, whose face is disfigured by greyscale, was fathered by Patchface instead of Stannis.[7] Renly Baratheon insults Stannis by mentioning the rumor during their parley at Storm's End.[8] The insinuation also casts doubt on Stannis's proclamation that the children of Queen Cersei Lannister were fathered by her brother, Ser Jaime Lannister, instead of the late King Robert I Baratheon.[9]

A Storm of Swords

When Davos Seaworth returns to Dragonstone, he finds Patches playing monsters and maidens with Shireen and her cousin, Edric Storm.[3]

Maester Pylos prevents the loud fool from attending Shireen's lessons.[4]

A Dance with Dragons

Patches accompanies Shireen and Selyse to Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, and Cotter Pyke writes to Jon Snow, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, that the fool is a simpleton. He receives a motley cloak of beaver pelts, sheepskins, and rabbit fur. His hat sports antlers hung with bells and long brown flaps of squirrel fur which hang down over his ears.[5]

Selyse does not introduce Patchface to Jon when the entourage arrives at Castle Black. Wun Wun is fascinated with the fool, and the giant laughs loudly after Patchface falls into a snowdrift.[5]

Patchface attends the wedding of Alys Karstark and Sigorn, and Owen the Oaf dances with him during the feast. Melisandre tells Jon that she has glimpsed the fool in her flames and considers him dangerous.[10]

When Jon announces a ranging to rescue free folk at Hardhome, Patchface enthusiastically volunteers to lead it.[11]

Quotes by Patchface

Patchface by The Mico ©

The shadows come to dance, my lord, dance my lord, dance my lord. The shadows come to stay, my lord, stay my lord, stay my lord.[1]

—Patchface to Cressen

Under the sea, smoke rises in bubbles, and flames burn green and blue and black. I know, I know, oh, oh, oh.[6]

—Patchface during the burning of the Seven on Dragonstone

Fool's blood. King's blood, blood on the maiden's thigh, but chains for the guests and chains for the bridegroom, aye, aye, aye.[3]

—Patchface to Davos Seaworth

Under the sea the old fish eat the young fish. Up here the young fish teach the old fish.[4]

—Patchface to Davos Seaworth

In the dark the dead are dancing. I know, I know, oh oh oh.[5]

—Patchface at Castle Black

Under the sea the mermen feast on starfish soup, and all the serving men are crabs.[10]

—Patchface at Castle Black

The crow, the crow. Under the sea the crows are white as snow, I know, I know, oh, oh, oh.[12]

—Patchface to Jon Snow

Malegorn: Lord Snow, who will lead this ranging?

Jon: Are you offering yourself, ser?
Malegorn: Do I look so foolish?

Patchface: I will lead it! We will march into the sea and out again. Under the waves we will ride seahorses, and mermaids will blow seashells to announce our coming, oh, oh, oh.[11]

Malegorn, Jon Snow, and Patchface

Quotes about Patchface

The girl was the only one who laughed at him now, the only one who cared if he lived or died.[1]

—thoughts of Cressen

We have found the most splendid fool. Only a boy, yet nimble as a monkey and witty as a dozen courtiers. He juggles and riddles and does magic, and he can sing prettily in four tongues. We have bought his freedom and hope to bring him home with us. Robert will be delighted with him, and perhaps in time he will even teach Stannis how to laugh.[1]

The wretch is mad, and in pain, and no use to anyone, least of all himself. The kindest thing you could do for that one is fill his cup with the milk of the poppy. A painless sleep, and there's an end to it. He'd bless you if he had the wit for it.[1]

Davos was reminded of Patchface, Princess Shireen's lackwit fool. He had gone into the sea as well, and when he came out he was mad. Am I mad as well?[3]

—thoughts of Davos Seaworth

That creature is dangerous. Many a time I have glimpsed him in my flames. Sometimes there are skulls about him, and his lips are red with blood.[10]

References