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The '''Knight of the Laughing Tree''' was a [[mystery knight]] who fought at the [[Tourney at Harrenhal]]. He defeated three knights whose squires had bullied Howland Reed, demanding that they chastise their squires in order to ransom back their horses and armor.
{{Infobox character
| arms = Knight of the Laughing Tree
| epithet = Knight of the Laughing Tree
| image = [[File:Laughing tree.jpeg|250px]]
| image_caption = Art by Roman Papsuev
| Alias =
| Title =
| Allegiance =
| Race =
| Culture =
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth=
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death=
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned)
| coat-of-arms = A smiling heart tree
}}


The Knight of the Laughing Tree's identity remains unknown. He was small of stature and wore ill-fitting, mismatched armor. The blazon on his shield was a smiling [[weirwood|heart tree]], hence the title ''Knight of the Laughing Tree''.  
The '''Knight of the Laughing Tree''' was a [[mystery knight]] who fought at the [[tourney at Harrenhal]] in {{date|281}}. He defended the honor of a [[crannogman]] by challenging and defeating three knights whose squires had bullied the crannogman, demanding that they chastise the squires in order to ransom back their horses and armor.
 
The Knight of the Laughing Tree is so-called because of the blazon on his shield, a smiling [[weirwood]]. His true identity remains unknown. According to a semi-canon source, the bullied crannogman was [[Howland Reed]].{{ref|AWOIAF| Howland Reed}}


==History==
==History==
Most of what is known about the Knight of the Laughing Tree comes from a story told by [[Meera Reed]] to [[Bran Stark]].
Most of what is known about the Knight of the Laughing Tree comes from a story told by [[Meera Reed]] to [[Bran Stark]]. As an introduction to her story, Meera suggests that this knight "might have been a [[Crannogmen|crannogman]]", to which [[Jojen Reed]] adds "or not". Jojen expects Bran to have heard this tale "a hundred times" from his father, [[Eddard Stark]], but Bran denies any knowledge of the tale. He later explains that [[Nan|Old Nan]] was the one narrating stories to him, not his father.{{Ref|aSoS|24}}


According to Meera's tale, a crannogman - most likely her own father, [[Howland Reed]] - came to [[Harrenhal]] to attend the [[Tourneys in Westeros|tourney]] and found himself bullied by three squires, who beat and mocked him. None were older than fifteen, but all were considerably larger than Reed himself. He was rescued by [[Lyanna Stark]], who shouted indignantly that Reed was her father's [[Feudalism|bannerman]] and beat off his attackers with a tourney sword. Lyanna then sought medical care for Reed's injuries and introduced him to her brothers.
According to Meera's tale, a crannogman—most likely her own father, [[Howland Reed]]—attended the [[tourney at Harrenhal]], finding there [[Aerys II Targaryen]] ("the king") and [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] ("the dragon prince"). With the Targaryens were the [[Kingsguard]] ("the White Swords"), there to welcome [[Jaime Lannister]] ("a new brother") into their ranks. Based on their known composition of the time, the knights present would be Lord Commander [[Gerold Hightower]], [[Jonothor Darry]], [[Arthur Dayne]], [[Lewyn Martell]], [[Barristan Selmy]], and [[Oswell Whent]].{{Ref|aSoS|24}}<ref name="Citadel1">[http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/FAQ/Entry/Who_were_the_different_people_in_Meeras_story/ "The Citadel: FAQ, entry 6.2.6- Who were the different people in Meera's story?" (2007]</ref>


That evening Lyanna persuaded Reed to attend the feast marking the start of the tournament. There she identified the three squires who had attacked him as serving [[House Haigh]], [[House Blount]] and [[House Frey]]. [[Benjen Stark]] offered Reed a horse and armor in order to avenge himself, but although the crannogman dearly wished to do so, he was totally inexperienced at jousting. That night Reed prayed to the [[old gods]] for help.
Among the lords present in the tourney were [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] ("the storm lord") and [[Mace Tyrell]] ("the rose lord"). Notably absent was [[Tywin Lannister]] ("the great lion of [[Casterly Rock|the rock]]"). Meera reports that Tywin had quarelled with Aerys and intentionally stayed away. However, many of the knights and bannermen of [[House Lannister]] did attend the tourney.{{Ref|aSoS|24}}<ref name="Citadel1"/> Among the women present were [[Elia Martell]] ("the wife of the dragon prince") and a dozen of her lady companions.{{Ref|aSoS|24}}<ref name="Citadel1"/> [[Walter Whent]] of Harrenhal hosted the tourney. His daughter reigned as [[queen of love and beauty]] at the opening of the tourney, though her title had to be defended against challengers. Her champions were her four brothers and famous uncle, Oswell Whent.{{Ref|aSoS|24}}<ref name="Citadel1"/>


The tournament began the next day, and each of the knights whose squires had attacked Reed were victorious. On the second day, the Knight of the Laughing Tree appeared to enter the lists. He challenged each of the three knights and defeated them all. When they came to ransom their horses and armor, the mystery knight only charged them to "Teach your squires honor."
[[File:Knight of the Laughing Tree1.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Jousting illustration dating to 1881. Artwork by Alfred Fredericks, currently in the public domain. Used to illustrate the duel of the Knight of the Laughing Tree and the Porcupine Knight in the "Art of Ice and Fire" website.]]
The crannogman found himself bullied by three squires, none older than fifteen-years-old. He had already "grown to manhood", but the boys were all larger than him in size. His only offensive weapon, a three-pronged spear, was easily snatched away by his opponents. He was then thrown into the ground. His assailants repeatedly mocked him, shoved him, and kicked him. Help arrived in the person of [[Lyanna Stark]] ("the she-wolf"), who shouted indignantly that Howland was [[Rickard Stark|her father]]'s [[Feudalism|bannerman]]. She beat off his attackers with a tourney sword, scattering them away.{{Ref|aSoS|24}}<ref name="Citadel1"/>


Many swore that evening to unmask the mystery knight, but he did not appear the next day. The paranoid King [[Aerys II]], certain that the Knight of the Laughing Tree had to be an enemy conspiring against him, ordered Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] to discover his identity, but all that could be found was the shield with the laughing weirwood, hanging from a tree.<ref>[[A Storm of Swords]], [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 24|Chapter 24]], Bran</ref>
The crannogman was wounded and Lyanna took him back to her "lair", probably a tent. She cleaned his wounds and bound them with linen, then introduced the guest to her brothers [[Brandon Stark]] ("the wild wolf"), [[Eddard Stark]] ("the quiet wolf"), and [[Benjen Stark]] ("the pup"). That evening, Lyanna persuaded the crannogman to attend the feast marking the start of the tournament. She insisted that he was highborn and had as much right to attend as anyone. The "wolf maid" was not easy to refuse. Benjen found a suitable garb for the man. Within Harrenhal, he ate and drank with the Starks. Their table also included certain Stark sworn swords, notably members of Houses [[House Dustin|Dustin]] ("barrowdown men", men from the [[barrowlands]] or [[Barrowton]]), [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]] ("moose"), [[House Mormont|Mormont]] ("bears"), and [[House Manderly|Manderly]] ("mermen").{{Ref|aSoS|24}}<ref name="Citadel1"/>


==Theories==
During the feast Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, a noted musician, performed a sad and beautiful song that made Lyanna weep; when Benjen teased her for crying, she poured wine over his head. A [[wandering crow|recruiting officer]] of the [[Night's Watch]] was there, trying to convince knights to join the Watch. Robert Baratheon was involved in a drinking contest with [[Richard Lonmouth]] ("the knight of skulls and kisses"). Meera notes in passing that Robert won the contest. The crannogman focused his attention on [[Ashara Dayne]] ("a maid with laughing [[purple eyes]]"), a companion of Elia, who was dancing in turns with various partners. First a member of the Kingsguard (either her brother Arthur Dayne or infatuated Barristan Selmy), secondly [[Oberyn Martell]] ("a red snake"), third [[Jon Connington]] ("the lord of griffins"), and lastly Eddard Stark. Eddard was too shy to ask her for a dance, so Brandon asked her on behalf of his brother.{{Ref|aSoS|24}}<ref name="Citadel1"/>{{Ref|aDwD|67}}
The Knight of the Laughing Tree's identity is currently unknown, but Meera's story contains several potential clues.


The mystery knight must have been someone who knew about Howland Reed's experience with the squires and was motivated to avenge him. The Knight of the Laughing Tree was significantly shorter than most men, and almost certainly did not have his own armor (as ill-fitting armor would be a significant disadvantage), but did have access to someone else's. He was a competent enough jouster to defeat three knights, but as none of them were particularly well-known, he need not have been unusually skilled. Meera was surprised that Bran had never heard the story before, which suggests that the Knight may have been either a Stark, or someone close to the family.
Still during the feast, both the crannogman and Lyanna recognized the three bullying squires. One served a [[pitchfork knight]] ([[House Haigh]]), one served a [[porcupine knight]] ([[House Blount]]), and the last boy served a [[Knight of the two towers‎‎|knight of two towers]] ([[House Frey]]). She pointed them out to her brothers. Benjen offered to find the crannogman a horse and armor in order to avenge himself. He failed to reply, torn with indecision. His pride demanded vengeance, but he was afraid of losing and making a fool of himself, bringing shame to his people in the process. He was no knight and was not used to horses and lances. Before going to sleep at the tent of Eddard, as the "quiet wolf" had offered him hospitality, he prayed to the [[old gods]].{{Ref|aSoS|24}}<ref name="Citadel1"/>


Strong possibilities include:
During the first two days of the tournament, the porcupine knight, pitchfork knight, and the knight of the two towers each won a place among the champions, all in jousting. Late on the afternoon of the second day, a [[mystery knight]] "short of stature" appeared in the lists. His armor was made up of mismatched armor bits and pieces that appeared ill-fitting on him. His shield was blazoned with the image of "a white [[weirwood]] with a laughing red face". The tale earlier mentions that the crannogman had with him "a leathern shield" but does not specify whether this was the same shield. The mystery knight challenged and defeated all three of the previously mentioned knights, winning custody over their horses and armor. None of them were particularly popular, so the [[smallfolk]] cheered for the mysterious "Knight of the Laughing Tree". When the defeated trio sought to ransom back their former property, the knight declared his terms, that they ought to teach their rude squires honor. His voice sounded "booming" through his helm. The trio proceeded to chastise their squires sharply.{{Ref|aSoS|24}}


* '''Lyanna Stark'''. Lyanna was known to be a something of a tomboy, and is strongly implied to have had an interest in learning to fight; as she was an extremely skilled rider, the idea that she might have secretly practiced jousting is highly plausible. Her brother [[Eddard Stark|Ned]] described her as headstrong, hot-tempered and somewhat reckless, and we know that she was indignant on Reed's behalf. As a woman, she would most likely have been unusually short compared to most knights, and would not have had her own armor. Most intriguingly, this theory offers a possible answer to the mystery of why [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], who eventually won the tournament, passed over [[Elia Martell|his own wife]] to crown Lyanna his [[Queen of Love and Beauty]]; if Rhaegar succeeded in discovering that Lyanna was the Knight of the Laughing Tree, he might have seen it as a way to honor her valor without putting her in danger from King Aerys by revealing what she had done.
The mystery knight attracted unwanted attention. Robert Baratheon and Richard Lonmouth were determined to unmask him, while King Aerys was certain that the man was his enemy.{{Ref|aSoS|24}} The king was convinced that the tree on the mystery knight's shield was laughing at him. He decided that the mystery knight was Ser [[Jaime Lannister]], who had returned to the tourney, defying Aerys's order to protect Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella]] and Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] in [[King's Landing]]. Aerys told his beliefs to every man who would listen, and furiously commanded his own knights to defeat the Knight of the Laughing Tree when the jousts resumed the next morning, to unmask and expose him.{{ref|twoiaf| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}


* '''Howland Reed''' himself. As Reed knew nothing of jousting, this theory requires the belief that the old gods answered his prayer by granting him supernatural skill. A related theory suggests that the Knight might have been a '''[[Children of the Forest|Child of the Forest]]''', sent by the old gods to act as Reed's champion. Bran suggests both of these theories.
However, by the next day, it was discovered that the knight had disappeared. The king became angered by this, certain that someone close to him had given warning to "this traitor who will not show his face."{{ref|twoiaf| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}} An angry Aerys sent his men, including Prince Rhaegar, to search for the vanished knight, but only his shield could be found, abandoned in a tree.{{Ref|aSoS|24}}


* '''Benjen Stark'''. As a male child of a Great House, he certainly would have been a trained fighter, and was still young enough to be shorter than most fully-grown men. It's unclear whether he would have had his own armor at this time, but he told Reed he knew where to find some, and he was the one who suggested the idea of seeking vengeance to Reed in the first place.
==Theories==
[[File:Warriortree_by_Luisa_Cruz.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Lyanna Stark as the Knight of the Laughing Tree, by Luisa Cruz]]
:{{main|Knight of the Laughing Tree/Theories}}
Meera's story contains several potential clues about the identity of the mystery knight. Fans have often based their evidence for his supposed identity on the disappearance of Lyanna shortly after the tournament.<ref name="Forum5">Conversation topic: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/28283-the-knight-of-the-laughing-tree/ The Knight of the Laughing Tree] on [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/ Westeros Forum] </ref><ref name="Forum4"/>
*The mystery knight must have been someone who knew about Howland Reed's experience with the squires and was motivated to avenge him. For the fans this points to the Stark siblings and Howland Reed himself, as the books do not mention anyone else noticing the incident.
*His height was below average, or else it would not be noted in the first place.
*The mismatched armor would point to the knight not having access to regular armor, or having regular armor with tell-tale markings on it.
*The booming voice was most likely not the regular voice of the knight.
*The weirwood image implies a connection to the old gods and the [[north]].<ref name="Citadel2"> [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/FAQ/Entry/Who_was_the_Knight_of_the_Laughing_Tree/ "The Citadel: FAQ, entry 6.2.7- Who was the Knight of the Laughing Tree?" (2011)]</ref><ref name="Forum1">Conversation topic: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/60771-knight-of-the-laughing-tree/ Knight of the Laughing Tree] on [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/ Westeros Forum] </ref><ref name="Forum4"/>
*He was competent enough at the joust to defeat three knights who had made it through the first day of the tourney, but as none of them were particularly well-known, he need not have been unusually skilled.
*Meera was surprised that Bran had never heard the story before, which suggests that the knight may have been either a [[House Stark|Stark]], or someone close to the family.<ref name="Forum2">Conversation topic: [http://asoiaf.yuku.com/topic/2164/Who-Was-the-Knight-of-the-Laughing-Tree?page=2#.UBBOcipXvH4 Who was the Knight of the Laughing Tree?] on [http://asoiaf.yuku.com/directory#.UBBP7CpXvH4 asoiaf.yuku.com]</ref><ref name="Forum4">Conversation topic: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/3280-howland-reed-knight-of-the-laughing-tree/page__st__40 Howland Reed=Knight of the Laughing Tree?] on [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/ Westeros Forum] </ref>


* '''Ashara Dayne'''. Dayne was present at the feast, where she spoke with [[Brandon Stark]] and danced with Ned. She might have learned of Reed's plight from one of them, and as she is rumored to have been in love with one or both brothers, could have planned to impress them by defending Reed. Whether Dayne was trained as a fighter is unknown, but it would not be terribly unusual for a [[Dorne|Dornishwoman]] to do so, although jousting is not a Dornish tradition. Furthermore, Meera describes Dayne as having "laughing purple eyes," which resonates with the Knight's chosen sigil of a laughing weirwood.
==See Also==
*[[:Category:Images of the Knight of the Laughing Tree|Images of the Knight of the Laughing Tree]]


* '''Eddard Stark'''. Ned was a close friend of Howland Reed in later years, took House Stark's responsibility to defend its bannermen very seriously, and certainly would have been a trained fighter. However, there is nothing to indicate that he was unusually short, and the image of a ''laughing'' weirwood seems at odds with Ned's somber personality.
==References==
{{references}}


==References and Notes==
[[Category:Mystery knights]]
{{references}}
*[http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/FAQ/Entry/Who_was_the_Knight_of_the_Laughing_Tree/ The Citadel: FAQ - 6.2.7. ''Who was the Knight of the Laughing Tree?'']
[[Category:Terms]]
[[Category:Terms]]


[[fr:Chevalier d'Aubier rieur]][[zh:笑面树骑士]]
[[tr:Gülen Ağacın Şövalyesi]]
[[es:Caballero del Árbol Sonriente]]
[[fr:Chevalier d'Aubier rieur]]
[[pt:Cavaleiro da Árvore que Ri]]
[[ru:Рыцарь Смеющегося Дерева]]
[[zh:笑面树骑士]]

Latest revision as of 18:30, 29 July 2026

Knight of the Laughing Tree
Image of Knight of the Laughing Tree
Art by Roman Papsuev
Coat of arms A smiling heart tree
Book A Storm of Swords (mentioned)

The Knight of the Laughing Tree was a mystery knight who fought at the tourney at Harrenhal in 281 AC. He defended the honor of a crannogman by challenging and defeating three knights whose squires had bullied the crannogman, demanding that they chastise the squires in order to ransom back their horses and armor.

The Knight of the Laughing Tree is so-called because of the blazon on his shield, a smiling weirwood. His true identity remains unknown. According to a semi-canon source, the bullied crannogman was Howland Reed.[1]

History

[edit]

Most of what is known about the Knight of the Laughing Tree comes from a story told by Meera Reed to Bran Stark. As an introduction to her story, Meera suggests that this knight "might have been a crannogman", to which Jojen Reed adds "or not". Jojen expects Bran to have heard this tale "a hundred times" from his father, Eddard Stark, but Bran denies any knowledge of the tale. He later explains that Old Nan was the one narrating stories to him, not his father.[2]

According to Meera's tale, a crannogman—most likely her own father, Howland Reed—attended the tourney at Harrenhal, finding there Aerys II Targaryen ("the king") and Rhaegar Targaryen ("the dragon prince"). With the Targaryens were the Kingsguard ("the White Swords"), there to welcome Jaime Lannister ("a new brother") into their ranks. Based on their known composition of the time, the knights present would be Lord Commander Gerold Hightower, Jonothor Darry, Arthur Dayne, Lewyn Martell, Barristan Selmy, and Oswell Whent.[2][3]

Among the lords present in the tourney were Robert Baratheon ("the storm lord") and Mace Tyrell ("the rose lord"). Notably absent was Tywin Lannister ("the great lion of the rock"). Meera reports that Tywin had quarelled with Aerys and intentionally stayed away. However, many of the knights and bannermen of House Lannister did attend the tourney.[2][3] Among the women present were Elia Martell ("the wife of the dragon prince") and a dozen of her lady companions.[2][3] Walter Whent of Harrenhal hosted the tourney. His daughter reigned as queen of love and beauty at the opening of the tourney, though her title had to be defended against challengers. Her champions were her four brothers and famous uncle, Oswell Whent.[2][3]

Jousting illustration dating to 1881. Artwork by Alfred Fredericks, currently in the public domain. Used to illustrate the duel of the Knight of the Laughing Tree and the Porcupine Knight in the "Art of Ice and Fire" website.

The crannogman found himself bullied by three squires, none older than fifteen-years-old. He had already "grown to manhood", but the boys were all larger than him in size. His only offensive weapon, a three-pronged spear, was easily snatched away by his opponents. He was then thrown into the ground. His assailants repeatedly mocked him, shoved him, and kicked him. Help arrived in the person of Lyanna Stark ("the she-wolf"), who shouted indignantly that Howland was her father's bannerman. She beat off his attackers with a tourney sword, scattering them away.[2][3]

The crannogman was wounded and Lyanna took him back to her "lair", probably a tent. She cleaned his wounds and bound them with linen, then introduced the guest to her brothers Brandon Stark ("the wild wolf"), Eddard Stark ("the quiet wolf"), and Benjen Stark ("the pup"). That evening, Lyanna persuaded the crannogman to attend the feast marking the start of the tournament. She insisted that he was highborn and had as much right to attend as anyone. The "wolf maid" was not easy to refuse. Benjen found a suitable garb for the man. Within Harrenhal, he ate and drank with the Starks. Their table also included certain Stark sworn swords, notably members of Houses Dustin ("barrowdown men", men from the barrowlands or Barrowton), Hornwood ("moose"), Mormont ("bears"), and Manderly ("mermen").[2][3]

During the feast Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, a noted musician, performed a sad and beautiful song that made Lyanna weep; when Benjen teased her for crying, she poured wine over his head. A recruiting officer of the Night's Watch was there, trying to convince knights to join the Watch. Robert Baratheon was involved in a drinking contest with Richard Lonmouth ("the knight of skulls and kisses"). Meera notes in passing that Robert won the contest. The crannogman focused his attention on Ashara Dayne ("a maid with laughing purple eyes"), a companion of Elia, who was dancing in turns with various partners. First a member of the Kingsguard (either her brother Arthur Dayne or infatuated Barristan Selmy), secondly Oberyn Martell ("a red snake"), third Jon Connington ("the lord of griffins"), and lastly Eddard Stark. Eddard was too shy to ask her for a dance, so Brandon asked her on behalf of his brother.[2][3][4]

Still during the feast, both the crannogman and Lyanna recognized the three bullying squires. One served a pitchfork knight (House Haigh), one served a porcupine knight (House Blount), and the last boy served a knight of two towers (House Frey). She pointed them out to her brothers. Benjen offered to find the crannogman a horse and armor in order to avenge himself. He failed to reply, torn with indecision. His pride demanded vengeance, but he was afraid of losing and making a fool of himself, bringing shame to his people in the process. He was no knight and was not used to horses and lances. Before going to sleep at the tent of Eddard, as the "quiet wolf" had offered him hospitality, he prayed to the old gods.[2][3]

During the first two days of the tournament, the porcupine knight, pitchfork knight, and the knight of the two towers each won a place among the champions, all in jousting. Late on the afternoon of the second day, a mystery knight "short of stature" appeared in the lists. His armor was made up of mismatched armor bits and pieces that appeared ill-fitting on him. His shield was blazoned with the image of "a white weirwood with a laughing red face". The tale earlier mentions that the crannogman had with him "a leathern shield" but does not specify whether this was the same shield. The mystery knight challenged and defeated all three of the previously mentioned knights, winning custody over their horses and armor. None of them were particularly popular, so the smallfolk cheered for the mysterious "Knight of the Laughing Tree". When the defeated trio sought to ransom back their former property, the knight declared his terms, that they ought to teach their rude squires honor. His voice sounded "booming" through his helm. The trio proceeded to chastise their squires sharply.[2]

The mystery knight attracted unwanted attention. Robert Baratheon and Richard Lonmouth were determined to unmask him, while King Aerys was certain that the man was his enemy.[2] The king was convinced that the tree on the mystery knight's shield was laughing at him. He decided that the mystery knight was Ser Jaime Lannister, who had returned to the tourney, defying Aerys's order to protect Queen Rhaella and Prince Viserys in King's Landing. Aerys told his beliefs to every man who would listen, and furiously commanded his own knights to defeat the Knight of the Laughing Tree when the jousts resumed the next morning, to unmask and expose him.[5]

However, by the next day, it was discovered that the knight had disappeared. The king became angered by this, certain that someone close to him had given warning to "this traitor who will not show his face."[5] An angry Aerys sent his men, including Prince Rhaegar, to search for the vanished knight, but only his shield could be found, abandoned in a tree.[2]

Theories

[edit]
Lyanna Stark as the Knight of the Laughing Tree, by Luisa Cruz
Main article: Knight of the Laughing Tree/Theories

Meera's story contains several potential clues about the identity of the mystery knight. Fans have often based their evidence for his supposed identity on the disappearance of Lyanna shortly after the tournament.[6][7]

  • The mystery knight must have been someone who knew about Howland Reed's experience with the squires and was motivated to avenge him. For the fans this points to the Stark siblings and Howland Reed himself, as the books do not mention anyone else noticing the incident.
  • His height was below average, or else it would not be noted in the first place.
  • The mismatched armor would point to the knight not having access to regular armor, or having regular armor with tell-tale markings on it.
  • The booming voice was most likely not the regular voice of the knight.
  • The weirwood image implies a connection to the old gods and the north.[8][9][7]
  • He was competent enough at the joust to defeat three knights who had made it through the first day of the tourney, but as none of them were particularly well-known, he need not have been unusually skilled.
  • Meera was surprised that Bran had never heard the story before, which suggests that the knight may have been either a Stark, or someone close to the family.[10][7]

See Also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Howland Reed.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 24, Bran II.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 "The Citadel: FAQ, entry 6.2.6- Who were the different people in Meera's story?" (2007
  4. ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 67, The Kingbreaker.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring.
  6. ↑ Conversation topic: The Knight of the Laughing Tree on Westeros Forum
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Conversation topic: Howland Reed=Knight of the Laughing Tree? on Westeros Forum
  8. ↑ "The Citadel: FAQ, entry 6.2.7- Who was the Knight of the Laughing Tree?" (2011)
  9. ↑ Conversation topic: Knight of the Laughing Tree on Westeros Forum
  10. ↑ Conversation topic: Who was the Knight of the Laughing Tree? on asoiaf.yuku.com
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