When viewers get a glimpse of the majestic Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones season 2 episode 3 for the first time, everyone is left stunned. She is fierce, courageous, and honourable, more than most knights of Westeros and fights with integrity. She is introduced as a warrior who fights to get a place in Renly Baratheon’s Kingsguard.
Defeating anyone who comes in her way, Brienne is mighty on the battlefield, but has a gentle heart otherwise. Her journey across Westeros is filled with adventure as Lady Stark tasks her to return Jaime to King’s Landing. Fighting looters, difficult weather, and even protecting Jaime from warring families, Brienne gives it her all to keep a promise she made. That shows what a dignified woman she is in a world that thrives in chaos and debauchery.
With the premiere of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, we see a glimpse of Brienne in Dunk. Are they related somehow? Let’s find out.
Brienne’s connection to Ser Duncan the Tall
Brienne and Dunk have more in common than just their height measurements. The duo might just be related by blood as revealed in a short scene in A Feast for Crows, the fourth novel in A Song of Ice and Fire. Brienne reveals how she found a shield with an Elm Tree as a sigil at her house. She uses that shield later by painting over it and carrying it along during her travels.
That shield was seen in the second episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms when Dunk requests Tanselle to paint his shield so he can enter the tournament. This gives fans something to ponder upon and eventually tie the loose ends together. Even though we know Dunk joins the Kingsguard eventually and hence will not be able to father legitimate children, Brienne is certainly his descendant.
George R.R. Martin further confirmed this theory and promised to shed more light on this connection in the future stories. Moreover, Peter Claffey, who plays Dunk in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, told Den of Greek,
“[Martin] hasn’t confirmed it to me, but yeah I think there’s probably some lineage, for sure. There are a lot of commonalities between Brienne and Dunk. They have a very similar sort of moral compass, similar sort of demeanor, similar sort of almost vulnerability and gullibility with speaking and interacting with people. I absolutely loved Brienne and Gwendoline Christie in the show. I hope I get to meet her some time, it would be so cool.”
The resemblance between the two is not uncanny and seems to be perfectly believable. From their unwavering moral compass and ethical outlook towards life to their warrior prowess and magnificent physical build, Dunk and Brienne are cut from the same cloth.
Read more: Who is Ser Duncan the Tall?
Subtle hint at the relationship in Game of Thrones
Image: HBO
Though Game of Thrones did not reveal much about Brienne of Tarth’s lineage, there was one not so subtle hint that gives away the connection between the two characters. When Brienne takes the vows and becomes a Knight, the episode is cleverly titled, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Regardless to mention, this is the title of the show where Dunk’s story is being unfolded.
We hope Martin picks up the pen again and carve out more stories that reveal the connection between Dunk and Brienne. It’s highly uncommon to find honourable and honest people like them in the insane world of Westeros.
Read more: George R.R. Martin dropped subtle hints about Jon’s parentage years ago
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