Balman Byrch
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title | Ser | |||
| Allegiances | ||||
| Culture | Crownlands | |||
| Born | Crownlands[1] | |||
| Died |
300 AC Stokeworth | |||
| Spouse | Lady Falyse Stokeworth | |||
| Books |
| |||
Balman Byrch is a knight from House Byrch and the husband of Lady Falyse Stokeworth, the heir to Stokeworth.
Contents
Appearance and Character
Balman has a thick blond mustache. His wavy blond hair is receding and he has a pot belly.[2] He enjoys food and drink, including hippocras.[2]
Queen Cersei Lannister thinks that Balman is a fool.[2]
History
Ser Balman was once a renowned tourney jouster, and in his youth he was considered one of the most handsome knights.[2] He jousted in the tourney at Lannisport in 289 AC after Greyjoy's Rebellion, as well as in a tourney at Duskendale in 294 AC.[2]
Balman has been married to Falyse for ten years, and they have no children. It is rumored that Balman shuns his wife's bed, preferring maidens.[3]
Recent Events
A Feast for Crows
Ser Balman and his wife, Falyse Stokeworth, attend the funeral of Lord Tywin Lannister in King's Landing. Queen Regent Cersei Lannister is offended when they inform her that Lady Tanda Stokeworth, mother of Falyse and the pregnant Lollys Stokeworth, would like to name Lollys's bastard child after Cersei's late father if a boy is born.[4]
When Lollys gives birth to a son, her husband, Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, names the child Tyrion Tanner.[2][5] Cersei is offended that Bronn named the child after her despised younger brother, Tyrion Lannister. Falyse and Balman return to the capital from Castle Stokeworth, and during the journey they are turned away from Rosby by order of the late Gyles Rosby's ward and are disgusted by sparrows they encounter. Claiming she fears that Tyrion Lannister will attempt to have Bronn assassinate her son, King Tommen I Baratheon, Cersei manipulates Balman into a conspiracy to kill Bronn.[2]
Although Cersei expects that Bronn will suffer a mortal hunting mishap, the chivalrous Balman instead challenges Bronn to a duel at Castle Stokeworth, believing the former sellsword's lack of experience on horse will ensure his victory. However, Bronn drives his lance through the chest of Balman's horse, causing the animal to fall and crush Balman's legs. In return for Bronn's promise of mercy, Balman confesses Cersei's involvement. Balman cries out for help from Maester Frenken, and Bronn kills him with a knife to the eye. Falyse orders for Bronn to be seized, but Bronn's supporters instead force Falyse to flee Stokeworth. A despondent Falyse begs Cersei for aid in recovering Stokeworth, but the queen instead allows Qyburn to take Falyse and user her in his experiments on to keep her from telling tales.[6]
Quotes by Balman
Cersei: I tell you truly, I have grave doubts about Ser Bronn of the Blackwater.
Falyse: The man is insolent, Your Grace. Uncouth and foul-mouthed.
Cersei: No. And you are a man who would know true knighthood.[2]
Balman: He is no true knight.
—Cersei Lannister, Falyse Stokeworth, and Balman
Quotes about Balman
As a catspaw he leaves much to be desired, she reflected. Still, he should serve.[2]
—thoughts of Cersei Lannister
—thoughts of Cersei Lannister
References
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Balman Byrch.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 24, Cersei V.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 66, Tyrion IX.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 7, Cersei II.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Appendix.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 32, Cersei VII.