Brynden Tully

Brynden Tully, called the Blackfish, was a knight of House Tully, the younger brother of Lord Hoster Tully and uncle to Catelyn Stark, Lysa Arryn, and Edmure Tully. A veteran of the War of the Ninepenny Kings and a renowned commander, he served as castellan of Riverrun during the War of the Five Kings. His refusal to bend the knee after the Red Wedding and his subsequent flight into the riverlands made him a living legend of the Stark-Tully cause, a figure of stubborn honor in a world of betrayal.

Identity and Background

Brynden Tully earned his nickname, the Blackfish, for his refusal to marry a woman chosen by his brother, Lord Hoster, choosing instead to remain a bachelor and pursue a life of arms. He fought with distinction in the War of the Ninepenny Kings, where he served alongside Barristan Selmy and other notable knights. His martial skill and strategic acumen were widely respected, and he became a trusted advisor to his niece, Catelyn Stark, during the early stages of the War of the Five Kings. He was instrumental in the capture of Jaime Lannister at the Whispering Wood and later served as castellan of Riverrun.

Role in the War of the Five Kings and Aftermath

After the Red Wedding, which saw the murder of his great-nephew Robb Stark and many of his kin, the Blackfish refused to surrender Riverrun to the Lannister-Frey alliance. He held the castle against a siege led by Jaime Lannister, demonstrating both tactical skill and unwavering resolve. When Edmure Tully, his nephew and the rightful Lord of Riverrun, was forced to surrender the castle to save his unborn child, the Blackfish escaped by swimming the river, refusing to yield even in the face of overwhelming odds. His escape made him a fugitive, but also a symbol of resistance.

Relationships and Conflict

The Blackfish's relationship with his brother, Lord Hoster, was strained by his refusal to marry, but he remained loyal to House Tully. His bond with his niece Catelyn was strong, and he shared her deep distrust of the Freys and Boltons. He held a particular contempt for the Freys, whom he blamed for the Red Wedding, and for Roose Bolton, whom he considered a treacherous opportunist. His conflict with Jaime Lannister was one of mutual respect but irreconcilable opposition; Jaime admired the Blackfish's skill and honor but was bound to defeat him.

Change and Ending

The Blackfish's story in A Dance with Dragons ends with his escape from Riverrun. After Edmure's surrender, he slipped away, leaving his fate uncertain. He is last known to be at large in the riverlands, a hunted man but still a potential rallying point for those who oppose Lannister and Frey rule. His refusal to die or surrender, even when all seems lost, cements his legacy as a figure of unyielding defiance.

Narrative Role and Evaluation

Brynden Tully serves as a foil to the more pragmatic and compromised characters of the later books. His unwavering adherence to his principles, even at the cost of his own safety, makes him a rare example of untainted honor in a narrative dominated by moral ambiguity. His escape from Riverrun provides a glimmer of hope for the Stark-Tully cause, suggesting that resistance, however diminished, continues. He is a reminder of the old world of oaths and loyalties that the War of the Five Kings has largely destroyed.