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| Alias | Ulmer of the Kingswood[1] | |||
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| Born | kingswood[2] | |||
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Ulmer of the Kingswood is an old ranger of the Night's Watch. He is an archer and a former member of the Kingswood Brotherhood.[3]
Appearance and Character
Ulmer is stooped with a grey beard. His limbs and skin are loose.[3]
The roguish Ulmer is a skilled archer and dancer.[4] He often tells stories about the Kingswood Brotherhood to the men at Castle Black.[3][5]
History
Ulmer was once a member of the Kingswood Brotherhood, outlaws active during the reign of King Aerys II Targaryen. Ulmer was trained by Fletcher Dick,[2] who he considers the finest archer who ever lived.[3] Ulmer claims he once put an arrow through the hand of Ser Gerold Hightower, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, in order to steal a kiss from a Dornish princess (presumably Elia Martell). He also stole her jewels and a chest of coins.[3] Ulmer helped Wenda the White Fawn burn her mark in the buttocks of her highborn captives,[4] such as Merrett Frey.[6] After the destruction of the Brotherhood by Ser Arthur Dayne, Ulmer was sent to the Wall.[2]
Recent Events
A Storm of Swords
Ulmer is part of the great ranging, the force that leaves Castle Black and the Shadow Tower in search of Benjen Stark and Mance Rayder, and he survives the fight at the Fist. Ulmer has an archery contest with Donnel Hill at Craster's Keep.[3] Jeor Mormont, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, gives four dragonglass arrows to Ulmer.[3] Craster's wives give two loaves of bread to the surviving black brothers. They refuse Ulmer's request for more bread, causing unrest among the guests.[3] Ulmer stays loyal to the Watch during the mutiny at Craster's Keep, and he is one of the few survivors of the ranging to make it back to Castle Black.[7]
After the election of Jon Snow as the new Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Ulmer of the Kingswood congratulates Jon.[1]
A Feast for Crows
Jon orders that the garrison of Castle Black practice the bow daily under the guidance of Ulmer. Samwell Tarly sometimes misses his daily practice with Ulmer, due to losing track of time in the library while researching the Others. In a meeting with Jon Snow, Sam says that his archery skills are improving under Ulmer's tutelage, although he still considers himself a terrible archer. He tells Jon that he likes Ulmer's stories and that someone should put them in a book, and Jon commands Sam to do so at the Citadel.[5]
A Dance with Dragons
When Melisandre sacrifices "Mance Rayder" to R'hllor at Castle Black, burning him alive, Jon has Ulmer, Donnel Hill, Garth Greyfeather, and Bearded Ben shoot arrows at the burning man to end his suffering.[8]
The roguish Ulmer gracefully dances with serving girls at the wedding feast of Alys Karstark and Sigorn of Thenn.[4]
After Jon treats with Tormund Giantsbane, Ulmer acts as representative for the Watch's men who wish to know if they will have peace or war. Jon responds that there will be peace.[9] Three days later, when Tormund leads his free folk through the Wall to safety, Jon gives Ulmer the task of commanding the Wall. Ulmer stands atop the Wall with forty of Castle Black's best archers, ready to respond if there is any trouble.[10]
Quote by Ulmer
Ulmer: You have a good eye and a steady hand, but you'll need a deal more to best a man of the kingswood. Fletcher Dick it was who showed me how to bend the bow, and no finer archer ever lived. Have I told you about old Dick, now?
Donnel: Only three hundred times.[3]—Ulmer and Donnel Hill
Ulmer: If it please m'lord, the lads were wondering. Will it be peace, m'lord? Or blood and iron?
Jon: Peace. Three days hence, Tormund Giantsbane will lead his people through the Wall. As friends, not foes.[9]—Ulmer and Jon Snow
Quotes about Ulmer
Every man at Castle Black had heard Ulmer's tales of the great outlaw band of yore; of Simon Toyne and the Smiling Knight, Oswyn Longneck the Thrice-Hanged, Wenda the White Fawn, Fletcher Dick, Big Belly Ben, and all the rest.[3]
—thoughts of Samwell Tarly
Samwell: I can hit the target more often than not now, but I'm still the worst archer who ever bent a bow. I like Ulmer's stories, though. Someone needs to write them down and put them in a book.
Jon: You do it.[11]—Samwell Tarly and Jon Snow
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 79, Jon XII.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Ulmer.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 33, Samwell II.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 49, Jon X.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 5, Samwell I.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Epilogue.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 48, Jon VI.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 10, Jon III.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 53, Jon XI.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 58, Jon XII.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 7, Jon II.