Quick Brienne question (AFFC spoilers)

[Jeroam]

An odd thing stuck in my head as I was reading one of the early Brienne POVs. When she gets her shield repainted, she describes the new heraldry as something she remembers from the armory back on Tarth. I know I had seen that heraldry somewhere before, and when it came back to me a lot of other hinted at things fell into place.

Is Brienne the grandaughter of Ser Dunk the Tall?

[ChasenFate]

::Shrugging Shoulders::
I have no idea....

[AryaUnderfoot]

Originally Posted by Jeroam

Is Brienne the grandaughter of Ser Dunk the Tall?

I think you may have something there, Jeroam. Brienne's father is called The Evenstar, which fits nicely with the heraldry. I believe the Tarth heraldry also has a star on it. But why would they change the heraldry from Dunk's to the current one? And isn't Tarth under Baratheon rule? Would they have joined the rebellion?

If Ser Dunk were related to Brienne, he would at least have to be her great-grandfather- I believe he was as old if not older than Aemon when he first met Egg.

[Culhwch]

But remember that Dunk winds up being the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, so unless he married, recieved a lordship, had a child, and then took his vows, this theory doesn't work out so well. I think it's just a nice resonance - that they are both sort of outcast knights, looked down upon by the 'real' knights, but actually embody the value of knightship more than those pretenders.

Maybe he recieved the white shield on Tarth, for some reason (as Jaime was elevated to the Kingsguard at Harrenhal), and his old shield was left there...

[Lord of Winterfell]

The "Brienne as a descendant of Dunk" theory has been tossed around quite a bit over at Ran's board (both the old and the new).

I think its quite possible. But it may have merely been a tip 'o the hat towards the Hedge Knight and its sequels.

[Raven]

GRRM has commented on this, both before and after AFFC was released.

Before, he was asked if any descendants of Dunk's had been seen in the main series. He replied 'yes'. This led to lots of speculation (Hodor? Grenn? Small Paul?) but Brienne was most people's choice.

After AFFC was released, George was again asked the same question, and replied that there was a pretty big clue in AFFC that should give it away.

Case closed, really.

As to how it happened: well, George hopes to release another five D&E stories (at least), so I guess we'll find out somehow. But my guess would be that it was a case of an unacknowledged bastard, perhaps passed off as a legitimate Tarth heir...

[Boaz]

Dunk 'n Egg? I prefer Dunkin Doughnuts.

[Riva]

Wasnt dunk only 16 or 17. I remember that Aemon was already studying to be a maester. I just searched the hedge knight and sworn sword for Aemon (i have those downloaded :x) but couldnt find any hints of his age.

But anyway its damn nice to find hints from Feast for crows concerning egg .