Difference between revisions of "Brienne Tarth"

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{{Infobox character  
 
{{Infobox character  
| Character_name = [[File:MiniBrienne.png|50px|left]] '''Brienne of Tarth''' [[file:House Tarth.PNG|50px|right]]
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| name = [[File:MiniBrienne.png|34px|left|link=]] '''Brienne of Tarth''' [[file:House Tarth.PNG|34px|right|link=House Tarth]]
 
| image          = [[File:Brienne by quickreaver.jpg|300px]]
 
| image          = [[File:Brienne by quickreaver.jpg|300px]]
 
| image_caption  = Brienne depiction by quickreaver, FFG©
 
| image_caption  = Brienne depiction by quickreaver, FFG©
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| Date_of_Death  =
 
| Date_of_Death  =
 
| Books          = [[A Clash of Kings]]<br>[[A Storm of Swords]]<br>[[A Feast for Crows]]<br>[[A Dance with Dragons]]
 
| Books          = [[A Clash of Kings]]<br>[[A Storm of Swords]]<br>[[A Feast for Crows]]<br>[[A Dance with Dragons]]
| Played by     = Gwendoline Christie
+
| Played_by     = Gwendoline Christie
 
| TV_series      = [[Game of Thrones - Season 2|Season 2]]
 
| TV_series      = [[Game of Thrones - Season 2|Season 2]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
'''Brienne Tarth''', also called '''Brienne of Tarth''', '''the Maid of Tarth''' or, mockingly, '''Brienne the Beauty''', is the only child and heir of Lord [[Selwyn Tarth]] of [[Evenfall Hall]].  
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'''Brienne of Tarth''', the ''Maid of Tarth'', and mockingly called the ''Brienne the Beauty'', is the only child and heir of Lord [[Selwyn Tarth]] of [[Evenfall Hall]], on the island of Tarth.
  
 
==Character and Appearance==
 
==Character and Appearance==
[[File:Brienne of Tarth.jpg|250px|thumb|Brienne of Tarth by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/ Amoka©]]]
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[[File:Brienne of Tarth.jpg|300px|thumb|Brienne the Blue, of the [[Rainbow Guard]]. Art by Amoka©]]]
[[File:Brienne of Tarth HBO.jpg|300px|thumb|Gwendoline Christie as Brienne ([[Game of Thrones|TV show]])]]
+
[[File:Brienne of Tarth HBO.jpg|300px|thumb|Gwendoline Christie as Brienne in the [[Game of Thrones|TV show]]]]
  
Brienne is simple, loyal, and determined, but also headstrong and judgmental. She is immensely skilled at combat. She has an awkward personality, but is also honest and stubborn. She holds a naïvely idealized notion of [[knight|knighthood]], despite the insults she receives from many knights, who call her "Brienne the Beauty" to mock her ugliness and lack of traditional girlie pastimes and clothing. She yearns for respect, acceptance and a chance to prove her valor in a worthy cause. She loves [[Renly_Baratheon|Renly]] for his chivalry and treatment towards her, grateful for his acceptance of her into his Rainbow Guard.
+
Brienne is simple, loyal, and determined, but also headstrong and judgmental. She is immensely skilled at combat. She has an awkward personality, but is also honest and stubborn. She holds a naïvely idealized notion of [[knight|knighthood]], despite the insults she receives from many knights, who call her "Brienne the Beauty" to mock her ugliness and lack of traditional girlie pastimes and clothing. She yearns for respect, acceptance and a chance to prove her valor in a worthy cause. She loves [[Renly_Baratheon|Renly]] for his chivalry and treatment towards her, grateful for his acceptance of her into his [[Rainbow Guard]].
  
Brienne is considered ugly, due to her height and build though [[Jaime]] notices that her eyes are pretty and they show her confidence in battle. She has large, very blue eyes that appear trusting and guileless, but they are her only attractive feature. She is taller and stronger than many men and is extremely broad-shouldered, but has virtually no bust. Her face is broad and coarse, with a nose that has been broken several times. Her mouth is too wide, with prominent and crooked teeth and lips so plump they seem swollen. Her hair is the color of dirty straw and her face is mottled with freckles.{{Ref|aFfC|4}}
+
Brienne has large, blue eyes, straw-colored hair; broad, coarse features; Her teeth are prominent and crooked, her mouth is too wide, her lips are swollen, her nose is battered and has been broken more than once, and her face is covered in freckles. She is tall, muscular and ungainly, thick for a woman by Westerosi standards.{{Ref|aFfC|4}} Brienne is considered ugly, due to her height and build, though [[Jaime]] notices that her large blue eyes are pretty and they show her confidence in battle.
  
 
When asked about her height Martin commented:  
 
When asked about her height Martin commented:  
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==History==
 
==History==
Brienne was born the eldest daughter of Lord [[Selwyn Tarth]]. She had a single older brother, [[Galladon of Tarth|Galladon]], who drowned when she was eight, and two younger sisters, both of whom died in the cradle. This makes her the only offspring of Lord Selwyn, a fact that naturally encouraged him to find a suitable match for her. Given her ugly and ungainly appearance and attitude, however, the task was a difficult one.  
+
Brienne is the was born the eldest daughter of Lord [[Selwyn Tarth]], lord to Evenfall Hall, on the island of Tarth. Her mother died when she was so young that she doesn't remember her.{{Ref|HBOGOT|s02e05}} She had a single older brother, [[Galladon of Tarth|Galladon]], who drowned when she was eight, and two younger sisters, both of whom died in the cradle. This makes her the only offspring of Lord Selwyn, a fact that naturally encouraged him to find a suitable match for her. Given her ugly and ungainly appearance and attitude, however, the task was a difficult one, especially since Brienne was bent on a martial life rather than a marital one more comfortable with a sword than in the company of court society.
  
Her father successfully found three men willing to betroth her, for her father's wealthy lands, though the first two fell through. The last, Ser Humfrey Wagstaff, warned her he would insist she act womanly once they were wed. Though only sixteen, Brienne replied she would only accept such a demand from a man who could beat her in combat. In the effort, Ser Humfrey ended up with three broken bones and a broken betrothal. Her father never tried again.<ref>[[A Song of Ice and Fire Campaign Guide]]</ref>
+
Her father successfully found three men willing to betroth her, for her father's wealthy lands, though the first two fell through.{{Ref|AFFC|4}} The last, Ser Humfrey Wagstaff, warned her he would insist she act womanly once they were wed. Though only sixteen, Brienne replied she would only accept such a demand from a man who could beat her in combat. In the effort, Ser Humfrey ended up with three broken bones and a broken betrothal. After that, her father stopped trying to arrange a marriage for her.{{Ref|AFFC|9}} Brienne's only positive encounter with a man occurred When [[Renly Baratheon]] visited Tarth during his coming of age tour, he crossed path with Brienne and treated her courteously, so she fell in love with him.{{Ref|AFFC|4}}
  
When [[Renly Baratheon]] visited Tarth during his coming of age tour, he crossed path with Brienne and treated her courteously, making Brienne fall in love with him.
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<!--
 +
Ser Lucas Inchfield suitor and she was later sent to foster at [[Storm's End]] ?
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-->
  
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
When [[Renly Baratheon]], with whom she is infatuated, declared himself [[Iron Throne|king]], Brienne joined him for his march on King's Landing. She won a great melee at [[Bitterbridge]] and asked to join the [[Rainbow Guard]] as her prize, becoming Brienne the Blue.{{Ref|aCoK|22}} In Renly's camp, Brienne is continuously mocked. Some of the young knights wager on who will be the first to get her [[maidenhead]], until [[Lord Randyll Tarly]] puts an end to it and warns Brienne of their cruel teasing.{{Ref|aFfC|14}}
 
  
She is present when Renly is murdered, and is falsely accused of the crime.{{Ref|aCoK|33}}{{Ref|aFfC|4}}{{Ref|aFfC|14}} She flees with and enters the service of [[Catelyn Stark]]. At the [[House Tully|Tully]] castle of [[Riverrun]], Catelyn decided to free Jaime Lannister in return for [[Tyrion Lannister]] freeing her daughters [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] and [[Arya Stark|Arya]]. To make sure Jaime kept his end of the bargain, she entrusted Brienne with the duty of escorting the imprisoned [[Jaime Lannister]] to [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|aSoS|2}}  
+
When [[Renly Baratheon]], with whom she is infatuated, declared himself [[Iron Throne|king]], Brienne joined him for his march on King's Landing. She proved her mettle in a great melee at [[Bitterbridge]],  defeating the [[Loras Tyrell|Knight of Flowers]] and asked to join the [[Rainbow Guard]] as her prize, becoming Brienne the Blue.{{Ref|aCoK|22}} In Renly's camp, Brienne is continuously mocked. Some of the young knights wager on who will be the first to get her [[maidenhead]], until Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] puts an end to it and warns Brienne of their cruel teasing.{{Ref|aFfC|14}}
 +
 
 +
Brienne was arming the king for battle when a shadow entered his tent and killed him. She was accused of the murder, but [[Catelyn Stark]] was able to convince those present that she was innocent and took Brienne with her when she fled the camp.{{Ref|aCoK|33}} When they arrived at [[Riverrun]], Brienne wanted to leave to take revenge on Stannis Baratheon for Renly's death, but Catelyn convinced Brienne to enter her service instead.{{Ref|aCoK|39}}
  
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
She and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] are captured by the [[Brave Companions]]. During their captivity, the two develop a grudging respect for each other.{{Ref|aSoS|21}} After Catelyn's death, Jaime entrusts Brienne with the [[Valyrian steel]] longsword given to him by his father, [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]], naming it [[Oathkeeper]]. He sends her out to seek the vanished [[Sansa Stark]].{{Ref|aSoS|72}}  
+
 
 +
At [[Riverrun]], after receiving news that her sons Bran and Rickon were killed, Catelyn decided to free [[Jaime Lannister]], making Brienne escort Ser Jaime as she sent him to King’s Landing to fulfil the promise made by the Hand, [[Tyrion Lannister]], to return her daughters [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] and [[Arya Stark|Arya]] if the Kingslayer were freed.{{Ref|aSoS|2}} Brienne defended Jaime ably, and learned much of his history that is little known to Westeros at large and the two develop a grudging respect for each other. They made for the city by boat and threw off pursuit from Riverrun when Brienne scaled a cliff and rolled boulders onto the pursuing galley{{Ref|aSoS|1}} and continued by land{{Ref|aSoS|11}}, where they eventually are captured by the [[Brave Companions]].{{Ref|aSoS|21}}
 +
 
 +
In the end, after Catelyn's death at the Red Wedding, Jaime entrusts Brienne with the [[Valyrian steel]] longsword given to him by his father, [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]], naming it [[Oathkeeper]]. He sends her out to seek the vanished [[Sansa Stark]], to fulfill his promise to Lady Catelyn.{{Ref|aSoS|72}}  
  
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 +
 
Brienne searched fruitlessly for Lady [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] throughout Crackclaw Point and some of the [[Riverlands]], where she crosses paths with members of the disbanded [[Brave Companions]]. Using [[Oathkeeper]], Brienne manages to kill [[Pyg]], [[Shagwell]] and [[Timeon]] at the [[Whispers]].{{Ref|aFfC|19}} At a crossroads near the [[Trident]], Brienne fights another group of Brave Companions led by [[Rorge]], who has been masquerading as [[Sandor Clegane]] while raping and murdering in the Riverlands. Brienne kills Rorge, but is grievously wounded by [[Biter]].{{Ref|aFfC|36}} After [[Gendry]] rescues her from Biter, he and the remaining members of the [[Brotherhood Without Banners]] take her captive. The undead [[Catelyn Stark]], now leading the Brotherhood as Lady Stoneheart, does not believe Brienne's tale of her search for Sansa and judges her to be a traitor who is serving the Lannisters. Brienne was given the choice of killing [[Jaime Lannister]] to prove her loyalty, or to hang. Brienne refuses to choose and is sentenced to hang. After seeing [[Podrick Payne]] hanging near her, she shouts a single unknown word as they are about to do the same to her{{Ref|aFfC|41}}
 
Brienne searched fruitlessly for Lady [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] throughout Crackclaw Point and some of the [[Riverlands]], where she crosses paths with members of the disbanded [[Brave Companions]]. Using [[Oathkeeper]], Brienne manages to kill [[Pyg]], [[Shagwell]] and [[Timeon]] at the [[Whispers]].{{Ref|aFfC|19}} At a crossroads near the [[Trident]], Brienne fights another group of Brave Companions led by [[Rorge]], who has been masquerading as [[Sandor Clegane]] while raping and murdering in the Riverlands. Brienne kills Rorge, but is grievously wounded by [[Biter]].{{Ref|aFfC|36}} After [[Gendry]] rescues her from Biter, he and the remaining members of the [[Brotherhood Without Banners]] take her captive. The undead [[Catelyn Stark]], now leading the Brotherhood as Lady Stoneheart, does not believe Brienne's tale of her search for Sansa and judges her to be a traitor who is serving the Lannisters. Brienne was given the choice of killing [[Jaime Lannister]] to prove her loyalty, or to hang. Brienne refuses to choose and is sentenced to hang. After seeing [[Podrick Payne]] hanging near her, she shouts a single unknown word as they are about to do the same to her{{Ref|aFfC|41}}
  
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[[Category:Characters from the Stormlands|Tarth, Brienne]]
 
[[Category:Characters from the Stormlands|Tarth, Brienne]]
 
[[Category:House Tarth]]
 
[[Category:House Tarth]]
[[fr:Brienne de Torth]][[ru:Бриенна Тарт]][[zh:&#22612;&#26031;&#30340;&#24067;&#34174;&#22958;]]
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[[fr:Brienne de Torth]]
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[[ru:Бриенна Тарт]]
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[[zh:&#22612;&#26031;&#30340;&#24067;&#34174;&#22958;]]

Revision as of 15:35, 21 May 2012

MiniBrienne.png
Brienne of Tarth
House Tarth.PNG
Brienne by quickreaver.jpg
Brienne depiction by quickreaver, FFG©

Aliases
  • The Maid of Tarth
  • Brienne the Beauty
  • Brienne the Blue
Allegiances
Books

Played by Gwendoline Christie
TV series Season 2

Brienne of Tarth, the Maid of Tarth, and mockingly called the Brienne the Beauty, is the only child and heir of Lord Selwyn Tarth of Evenfall Hall, on the island of Tarth.

Character and Appearance

Brienne the Blue, of the Rainbow Guard. Art by Amoka©

]

Gwendoline Christie as Brienne in the TV show

Brienne is simple, loyal, and determined, but also headstrong and judgmental. She is immensely skilled at combat. She has an awkward personality, but is also honest and stubborn. She holds a naïvely idealized notion of knighthood, despite the insults she receives from many knights, who call her "Brienne the Beauty" to mock her ugliness and lack of traditional girlie pastimes and clothing. She yearns for respect, acceptance and a chance to prove her valor in a worthy cause. She loves Renly for his chivalry and treatment towards her, grateful for his acceptance of her into his Rainbow Guard.

Brienne has large, blue eyes, straw-colored hair; broad, coarse features; Her teeth are prominent and crooked, her mouth is too wide, her lips are swollen, her nose is battered and has been broken more than once, and her face is covered in freckles. She is tall, muscular and ungainly, thick for a woman by Westerosi standards.[1] Brienne is considered ugly, due to her height and build, though Jaime notices that her large blue eyes are pretty and they show her confidence in battle.

When asked about her height Martin commented:

Brienne is well over six feet tall, but not close to seven, no. Just off the top of my head, I would say Brienne is taller than Renly and Jaime and significantly heavier than either, but nowhere near the size of Gregor Clegane, who is the true giant in the series. Shorter than Hodor and the Greatjon, maybe a bit shorter than the Hound, maybe roughly the same height as Robert.[2]

History

Brienne is the was born the eldest daughter of Lord Selwyn Tarth, lord to Evenfall Hall, on the island of Tarth. Her mother died when she was so young that she doesn't remember her.[3] She had a single older brother, Galladon, who drowned when she was eight, and two younger sisters, both of whom died in the cradle. This makes her the only offspring of Lord Selwyn, a fact that naturally encouraged him to find a suitable match for her. Given her ugly and ungainly appearance and attitude, however, the task was a difficult one, especially since Brienne was bent on a martial life rather than a marital one more comfortable with a sword than in the company of court society.

Her father successfully found three men willing to betroth her, for her father's wealthy lands, though the first two fell through.[1] The last, Ser Humfrey Wagstaff, warned her he would insist she act womanly once they were wed. Though only sixteen, Brienne replied she would only accept such a demand from a man who could beat her in combat. In the effort, Ser Humfrey ended up with three broken bones and a broken betrothal. After that, her father stopped trying to arrange a marriage for her.[4] Brienne's only positive encounter with a man occurred When Renly Baratheon visited Tarth during his coming of age tour, he crossed path with Brienne and treated her courteously, so she fell in love with him.[1]


A Clash of Kings

When Renly Baratheon, with whom she is infatuated, declared himself king, Brienne joined him for his march on King's Landing. She proved her mettle in a great melee at Bitterbridge, defeating the Knight of Flowers and asked to join the Rainbow Guard as her prize, becoming Brienne the Blue.[5] In Renly's camp, Brienne is continuously mocked. Some of the young knights wager on who will be the first to get her maidenhead, until Lord Randyll Tarly puts an end to it and warns Brienne of their cruel teasing.[6]

Brienne was arming the king for battle when a shadow entered his tent and killed him. She was accused of the murder, but Catelyn Stark was able to convince those present that she was innocent and took Brienne with her when she fled the camp.[7] When they arrived at Riverrun, Brienne wanted to leave to take revenge on Stannis Baratheon for Renly's death, but Catelyn convinced Brienne to enter her service instead.[8]

A Storm of Swords

At Riverrun, after receiving news that her sons Bran and Rickon were killed, Catelyn decided to free Jaime Lannister, making Brienne escort Ser Jaime as she sent him to King’s Landing to fulfil the promise made by the Hand, Tyrion Lannister, to return her daughters Sansa and Arya if the Kingslayer were freed.[9] Brienne defended Jaime ably, and learned much of his history that is little known to Westeros at large and the two develop a grudging respect for each other. They made for the city by boat and threw off pursuit from Riverrun when Brienne scaled a cliff and rolled boulders onto the pursuing galley[10] and continued by land[11], where they eventually are captured by the Brave Companions.[12]

In the end, after Catelyn's death at the Red Wedding, Jaime entrusts Brienne with the Valyrian steel longsword given to him by his father, Tywin, naming it Oathkeeper. He sends her out to seek the vanished Sansa Stark, to fulfill his promise to Lady Catelyn.[13]

A Feast for Crows

Brienne searched fruitlessly for Lady Sansa throughout Crackclaw Point and some of the Riverlands, where she crosses paths with members of the disbanded Brave Companions. Using Oathkeeper, Brienne manages to kill Pyg, Shagwell and Timeon at the Whispers.[14] At a crossroads near the Trident, Brienne fights another group of Brave Companions led by Rorge, who has been masquerading as Sandor Clegane while raping and murdering in the Riverlands. Brienne kills Rorge, but is grievously wounded by Biter.[15] After Gendry rescues her from Biter, he and the remaining members of the Brotherhood Without Banners take her captive. The undead Catelyn Stark, now leading the Brotherhood as Lady Stoneheart, does not believe Brienne's tale of her search for Sansa and judges her to be a traitor who is serving the Lannisters. Brienne was given the choice of killing Jaime Lannister to prove her loyalty, or to hang. Brienne refuses to choose and is sentenced to hang. After seeing Podrick Payne hanging near her, she shouts a single unknown word as they are about to do the same to her[16]

A Dance with Dragons

Brienne appears briefly at Pennytree when Jaime camps there, whatever word she shouted apparently making the Brotherhood spare her. She asks Jaime to help her save Sansa Stark from the Hound, claiming they are a day's ride away. She tells Jaime, however, that he must go with her alone, or the Hound will kill Sansa.[17] The scenario she describes, however, seems unlikely to be real, as Sansa was last seen by readers in the Vale and the Hound is apparently dead.[16]

Family tree

 
 
 
 
Selwyn
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
 
Endrew
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Galladon
 
Arianne
 
Alysanne
 
Brienne
 


There is widespread speculation that Brienne descends from Ser Duncan the Tall. A shield bearing his personal arms was in the armory at Evenfall Hall, and Brienne later used these arms when she was traveling in the Riverlands.[4] Though Martin confirmed that a descendant of Dunk appeared in the books he did not give a name.[18][19] See Brienne of Tarth/Theories

References and Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 4, Brienne I.
  2. The Citadel. "Brienne of Tarth."y (January 31, 2001) So Spake Martin
  3. Game of Thrones, Season 2, "The Ghost of Harrenhal".
  4. 4.0 4.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 9, Brienne II.
  5. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 22, Catelyn II.
  6. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 14, Brienne III.
  7. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 33, Catelyn IV.
  8. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 39, Catelyn V.
  9. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
  10. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 1, Jaime I.
  11. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 11, Jaime II.
  12. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 21, Jaime III.
  13. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 72, Jaime IX.
  14. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 19, The Drowned Man.
  15. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 36, Cersei VIII.
  16. 16.0 16.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 41, Alayne II.
  17. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 48, Jaime I.
  18. Summary of the Dayton signing tour with question and answers on the So Spoke Martin section of Website Westeros.
  19. Summary of the Mysterious Galaxy Signing in San Diego, California on the So Spake Martin section of website Westeros.

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See Also