Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Redeems This Wasted Game of Thrones Character

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The new Game of Thrones prequel might share more ties with the original series than many people think. While the prequel is set roughly 100 years before the original show, which limits direct connections, George R.R. Martin’s books reveal a hidden link between the two fantasy stories.

The series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is adapted from George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg stories, which follow the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall and his young companion, Aegon Targaryen. Martin reveals that a well-known character from his A Song of Ice and Fire series has a hidden link to Dunk, and the show aims to properly acknowledge this connection.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Introduces Brienne of Tarth’s Ancestor

It’s not obvious from the stories themselves, but Brienne of Tarth is descended from Ser Duncan the Tall. While the precise family tree connecting them isn’t fully known, there are clues throughout the tales that suggest they are related.

In A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Dunk adopts a symbol featuring an elm tree and a shooting star. Later, in the fourth A Song of Ice and Fire book, A Feast for Crows, Brienne remembers seeing this same symbol on shields in Tarth and has one made for herself to help her travel incognito. George R.R. Martin eventually confirmed that this was intentional – Brienne is actually a descendant of Duncan the Tall.

It’s unknown exactly how Brienne of Tarth is related to Dunk (Duncan the Tall). George R.R. Martin hasn’t revealed any children for Dunk, and as a Kingsguard under Aegon V Targaryen, he wouldn’t have been allowed to marry or have legitimate heirs. This suggests Brienne might be descended from a child Dunk had outside of marriage, possibly before joining the Kingsguard. Ultimately, Dunk must have had at least one child, and that line of descendants eventually led to Brienne of Tarth.

Brienne of Tarth Is the Perfect Successor to Duncan the Tall

Brienne of Tarth is a memorable character from Game of Thrones, known for her strength and unwavering honor. Throughout much of the show, she’s a prominent figure, establishing herself as a highly respected warrior. However, the final season unfortunately sidelines Brienne, reducing her role to mostly supporting Jaime Lannister’s storyline.

Brienne of Tarth deserves a better fate, and fans now recognize the strong sense of honor that comes from her family history. Like her ancestor, Dunk, she embodies a simple but unwavering dedication to doing what’s right, inspiring those around her. This commitment to honor, rather than seeking glory, is a core part of what makes Brienne such a unique and admirable warrior in Westeros.

Brienne shares some physical characteristics with her ancestor, most notably her impressive height. Like Ser Duncan the Tall, she towers over almost everyone in the world of Game of Thrones, which often draws unwanted attention. However, she uses her height to her advantage in battles, giving her an edge in close combat. Though it’s unknown if Brienne is aware of her connection to Ser Duncan, viewers can easily see how his legendary deeds influenced her own.

What’s great about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is its subtlety. It doesn’t force connections to the larger story on viewers. Fans familiar with George R.R. Martin’s world will recognize the link between Duncan and Brienne themselves, while the show lets its characters develop independently.

New episodes of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premiere at 10 pm EST on Sundays on HBO Max.

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2026-02-03 03:09