GRRM Reveals Secret Connection Between Dunk & Game of Thrones’ Best Knight

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Brienne of Tarth from Game of Thrones and Ser Duncan the Tall from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms share many similarities. Despite living in different time periods, both characters become knights and eventually lead as Lord Commander for their kings. Both Dunk and Brienne had to overcome significant challenges to earn their knighthood, which wasn’t simply given to them.

Dunk is a young, self-made knight with a difficult past – he grew up as an orphan and claims his father was executed for theft. Brienne, famous from the show Game of Thrones, comes from a respected noble family. Author George R.R. Martin has hinted at a surprising link between them, suggesting that qualities like kindness and bravery can be inherited.

Geogre R.R. Martin Confirmed That Dunk And Brienne Are Related

Back in 2016, while Game of Thrones was still airing, author George R.R. Martin revealed at a science fiction convention that Brienne of Tarth is related to Ser Duncan the Tall, as reported by Variety. Brienne was a key character on Game of Thrones starting in Season 2, and Dunk is the main character in the current series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. In the fourth book of the A Song of Ice and Fire series, A Feast for Crows, Brienne remembers finding an old shield with an elm tree and shooting star in her family’s armory as a child, not realizing it once belonged to Ser Duncan the Tall.

When Brienne visited Dun Fort in Duskendale, she had her shield repainted to disguise her identity. According to the book A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg, previously asked a painter named Tanselle to create a shield for them with an image of an elm tree and a shooting star. While George R.R. Martin doesn’t directly state a family connection, this shared shield design strongly hints that Brienne is related to Dunk.

Brienne and Dunk both lead captivating stories as a knight and their squire. When Brienne sets out to find Sansa Stark, Jaime Lannister provides her with armor and weapons and assigns Podrick Payne – affectionately called Pod – to serve as her squire. Brienne remains loyal to Sansa and is knighted by Jaime right before the Battle of Winterfell in Game of Thrones Season 8, Episode 2, called “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.” Interestingly, the scene where Brienne becomes a knight echoes a similar moment in Dunk’s story, which is now being shown in the series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

Arise, Ser Brienne of Tarth. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

As a huge fan of both Game of Thrones and George R.R. Martin’s work, I always loved the little nods to his wider world. There’s a fun moment in Season 4 where Joffrey, of all people, mentions Ser Duncan the Tall – calling him “quite a man.” Jaime’s dry response, “So they say,” is perfect. It’s a subtle connection because you find out Ser Duncan is mentioned in the Book of Brothers, which details the history of the Kingsguard. Martin hasn’t fully explained it, but it definitely hints that traits like honor and bravery can run in families, and that’s especially interesting when you consider Brienne and her connection to Dunk.

In Game of Thrones, Brienne of Tarth (played by Gwendoline Christie) recalls a ball her father held, hoping to find her a suitable husband. She attempted to escape after discovering the young men were only there to ridicule her, but Renly Baratheon, King Robert’s brother, kindly greeted her. Brienne remained loyal to Renly until his death, and then vowed to serve Catelyn Stark.

Dunk And Brienne Share A Legacy Of Honor, Courage, And Strength

Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) and Brienne of Tarth are known throughout the realm as exceptionally honorable knights. Both consistently put their lives at the service of fairness and noble principles. Dunk immediately defends an innocent performer, Tanselle, at Ashford, even striking Aerion Targaryen. He powerfully argues for protecting the defenseless while searching for the final combatant for his Trial of Seven. Likewise, Brienne safeguards the helpless Sansa Stark from the brutality of Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones, ultimately becoming her dedicated protector.

Both Dunk and Brienne are exceptionally tall, and this is a significant characteristic in their stories. People remember Dunk as “the Tall,” and Brienne’s height often draws both attention and judgment. Brienne’s story concludes happily in Game of Thrones when she becomes Lord Commander to King Bran Stark and finishes the entry for Ser Jaime Lannister in the Book of Brothers.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 is currently airing on HBO Max.

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2026-02-10 20:34