As some of you surely know I have a bit of a man-crush on Ser Brynden Tully, also known as “The Blackfish”. I know that some people do not like him at all and I can understand that in a way. But there are also people out there who like Roose Bolton, so I really do not care.
One of the categories I want to cover in this blog is my take on the different characters – especially if I have found a picture/person that in my opinion resembles a character best. Nevertheless, I still want to keep the connection to the books and therefore you will always find some kind of description from the books with a short summary how I see the character’s role in the coming books.
The Blackfish in the books
We first meet Brynden Tully with Catelyn in “A Game of Thrones” when she brings her captive Tyrion Lannister to the Vale. He serves as Commander for House Arryn (his niece Lysa is Lady Arryn at that time) after a quarrel with his older brother Hoster Tully, the Lord of Riverrun. After Tyrion’s release he quits the service there and joins Robb Stark’s campaign. He fast becomes one of his most trusted commanders and advisors. During the wetsern offense he commands the outriders and the Young Wolf’s success is often heavily connected with his great-uncle who once had been a formidable knight, riding with Barristan “The Bold” Selmy against the Ninepenny Kings. Before King Robb leaves Riverrun for attending Edmure Tully’s wedding at the Twins he hands over the command in the Riverlands to Brynden. Even after the red wedding Brynden Tully decides to stay loyal to his king and holds the castle which becomes one of the last remaining holdouts for the Starks. Jaime Lannister lifts the siege by convincing his captive Edmure Tully to hand over Riverrun and king Robb’s young queen Jeyne, who also was protected by the Blackfish. Before the castle is given to the Lannisters, Ser Brynden escapes by swimming through the Watergate and sneaking through the enemy lines.
Ser Brynden in the coming books
Normally this next section should include my thoughts on what the character will do, and how this will affect the story as a whole. In this special case I have a much easier way to do that as I once wrote a lengthy essay on the topic which was published on “Tower of the Hand”. Check it out: http://www.towerofthehand.com/blog/2012/08/14-north-is-not-for-blackfish/index.html (sorry for the broken link – now it should work) One more thing I can add to all what is written there – in the meantime I found a character who seems to know where Ser Brynden is: Tytos Backwood. Here is some evidence from ADWD:
[Jonos Bracken]: “What brings you here, my lord? The Blackfish? We heard how he escaped.” “Did you?” Jaime settled on a camp stool. “From the man himself, perchance?”
“Ser Brynden knows better than to come running to me. I am fond of the man, I won’t deny that. That won’t stop me clapping him in chains if he shows his face near me or mine. He knows I’ve bent the knee. He should have done the same, but he always was a stubborn one. His brother could have told you that.”
“Tytos Blackwood has not bent the knee,” Jaime pointed out. “Might the Blackfish seek refuge at Raventree?”
“He might seek it, but to find it he’d need to get past my siege lines, and last I heard he hadn’t grown wings. […]
And later:
[Jaime]: “The choice was his. His uncle would have made us bleed.”
“We agree on that much.” Blackwood’s voice gave nothing away. “What have you done with Ser Brynden, if I may ask?”
“I offered to let him take the black. Instead he fled.” Jaime smiled. “Do you have him here, perchance?”
“No.”
“Would you tell me if you did?”
It was Tytos Blackwood’s turn to smile
A Riverlander who named his firstborn son and heir after his Lord’s younger brother before naming his thirdborn after his Lord seems to have some kind of admiration for the man (Brynden is no common name – there are only 3 men of this name known). In combination with the fact that he held out so long brings me to the assumption that Brynden Tully at least visited Raventree before going elsewhere. Jonos Braken’s men also concentrated more on Blackwood and his soldiers. Take my word, Tytos Blackwood knows about the Blackfish’s intentions and maybe whereabouts.
Brynden Tully on the web
“The years have not improved it, I fear,” Brynden Tully said, but when he lifted off the helm, Catelyn saw that he lied. His features were lined and weathered, and time had stolen the auburn from his hair and left him only grey, but the smile was the same, and the bushy eyebrows fat as caterpillars, and the laughter in his deep blue eyes.
If you search for images on the web you most likely find Clive Russel who portrays him in the HBO series (a portrayal which brought him the nickname “Duchefish” on A Podcast of Ice and Fire). I think he fits quite well, but my dreamcasting would be different. You may also find a picture that (for me) resembles Dennis Quaid, or this one (from the cardgame) which I do not like at all. Amok’s take on Brynden Tully which you can find here fits very well to my mental image. But let me say it honest to you, there is only one man I see when I read about the Blackfish – Jeremy Irons. Specifically the Jeremy Irons from Kingdom of Heavens or Eragon (crappy film, I know). He is my Ser Brynden Tully, and will ever be.
Some words before I go to bed
I hope not all of my posts take me that long to write, but I had to start somehow and decided I take a character I really have enough to write about. Tell me what you think about the Blackfish and the format as a whole.
And a poll
My Song of Ice and Fire 