As a scholar of Westerosi history, I find myself deeply captivated by the enigmatic figure that is Lord Brynden Rivers, also known as Bloodraven and the Three-Eyed Raven. His life story is nothing short of extraordinary, a tapestry woven from threads of rebellion, politics, and the supernatural.
As a gamer immersed in the world of “House of the Dragon,” I can’t help but feel the chills running down my spine after witnessing the supernatural twists in the season finale. Throughout most of this season, Daemon Targaryen has been ensnared within dreams and hallucinations, but his final peek into the future was nothing short of revelatory. He caught a glimpse of much of “Game of Thrones” and the end of his own storyline. In the midst of it all, he made a striking connection with a significantly younger version of the Three-Eyed Raven. This fresh visage piques my curiosity about Lord Brynden Rivers, the man who will presumably step into that role.
One of the most irritating minor gripes about enjoying Game of Thrones while also knowing a lot about A Song of Ice and Fire is the minor name changes. The show seems to randomly capitalize a lot of proper nouns that George R. R. Martin left in lowercase. Some titles change in the adaptation. One of the best examples is the old man who gave Bran Stark the gift of foresight. The books call him the three-eyed crow, but Game of Thrones dubs him the Three-Eyed Raven.
Who is Brynden Rivers?
In the annals of Westeros, few lives can rival the intrigue and adventure of Brynden Rivers. Born in the year 175 After Conquest, he emerged around four decades following the conclusion of the infamous Dance of the Dragons. A son born out of wedlock to the powerful King Aegon IV Targaryen, Brynden is one of many such children sired by the monarch. His distinct red birthmark, stretching across his neck and cheek, earned him the nickname “Bloodraven.” The mother of this nobleman was Lady Melissa Blackwood, who served as Aegon IV’s sixth mistress. As a result of his noble lineage, Brynden was counted among the Great Bastards. In the year 184 After Conquest, on his deathbed, King Aegon IV issued his final proclamation, legitimizing every son and daughter he had ever fathered. This move set off a series of wars, catapulting Brynden into a conflict that would indelibly shape the course of his life.
In summary, Brynden Tully, who was not fond of his half-siblings, especially his rival Aegor Rivers over Shiera Seastar, supported his legitimate half-brother King Daeron II during the First Blackfyre Rebellion led by their other half-brother, Daemon Blackfyre. The rebellion, one of several power grabs by House Blackfyre, was ultimately ended when Brynden’s elite archer unit, the Raven’s Teeth, rained arrows down upon them, killing Daemon, his brother, and first son. Aegor Rivers, who lost an eye in a duel with Aegor, still claimed victory for King Daeron II.
In the future, Daeron perished due to a plague, handing over the crown to his son, Aerys I. Brynden assumed the roles of King’s Hand and chief spymaster under Aerys, earning recognition as one of the greatest spymasters ever. However, many regarded Brynden as a blood relative killer for executing Daemon. They accused him of practicing dark arts, causing divine retribution in the form of misfortunes. His ability to foresee events was likened to having “a thousand eyes and one.” Throughout his service under multiple kings, Brynden’s term came to an end after the Third Blackfyre Rebellion. Known for his strict approach towards pretenders, this policy would eventually lead to his downfall. Brynden illegally apprehended and executed Aenys Blackfyre, who advocated for peaceful discussions on potential successors. King Aegon V then imprisoned Brynden for that action. Instead of facing execution, Lord Bloodraven decided to join the Night’s Watch.
How did Brynden Rivers become the Three-Eyed Raven?
Lord Bloodraven quickly rose through the ranks to become the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. He brought many members of his Raven’s Teeth and, potentially, the Valyrian steel sword Dark Sister with him to the Wall. Very little is known about his time beyond the Wall. He reached the Wall in 233 AC at the age of 58. Six years later, he earned the title of Lord Commander, the highest office in the Night’s Watch. In 252 AC, Brynden went about his usual ranging beyond the Wall. He never returned to the Night’s Watch. Many believed that he died somewhere beyond the Wall. Around 50 years later, Bran Stark would discover Brynden in a hidden cave within the haunted forest. Brynden became the three-eyed crow or Three-Eyed Raven, depending on adaptational preferences. He is the last greenseer, capable of glimpsing the future and the past. He lives with the Children of the Forest on a throne of sacred weirwood. Brynden is Bran’s mentor, raising him to understand his psychic gifts. He explains his backstory to Bran like this:
In my personal realm, Bran, exist spectral figures – a brother whom I cherished, another I loathed, a woman who captivated me. Yet, beyond the foliage, they persist, yet to them, my words never found an echo. The past is indeed the past; it serves as our teacher, but we’re powerless to rewrite it.
Who plays Brynden Rivers in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon?
In a brief yet memorable stint, the late and talented Max von Sydow played the enigmatic Three-Eyed Raven as Lord Brynden Rivers in just three episodes of “Game of Thrones”. His brief presence made a significant impact. In the upcoming prequel series, “House of the Dragon”, Joshua Ben-Tovim takes over this role for a moment. Known mainly for his dance and theatrical work with IMPERMANENCE, Ben-Tovim may not reappear in “House of the Dragon” as it ends before Brynden’s birth, but there’s a possibility he could return in the upcoming “Game of Thrones” spin-off series, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”.
As a devoted gamer, I can’t help but feel thrilled about getting a deeper dive into the character of Brynden Rivers. So far, we’ve only caught brief glimpses, but seeing him in all his complexity is truly exciting. The tale of Lord Bloodraven is packed with captivating aspects of Westeros that it seems he deserves his own series. From the First Blackfyre Rebellion to the small council, the Night’s Watch, and his time as the Three-Eyed Raven, Brynden Rivers led a life filled with intrigue. It’s high time this enigmatic figure got some of the spotlight for once.
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2024-08-12 21:03