Brienne of Tarth

A woman barred from knighthood who upheld honor when the world demanded she break it.

Brienne of Tarth is a fictional character in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series and its television adaptation, Game of Thrones. Introduced in the second novel, 1998's A Clash of Kings, she serves as a warrior fighting for the honor of Renly Baratheon before swearing loyalty to Catelyn Stark. Brienne is barred from knighthood solely because she is a woman, despite being one of Westeros's most skilled and honorable fighters. She appears prominently in A Feast for Crows (2005) as a point-of-view character, alongside her appearances in A Dance with Dragons (2011). In the television series, English actress Gwendoline Christie portrays her, joining as a recurring cast member in season two before being promoted to the main cast from season four onwards.

Quick Facts

Series

A Song of Ice and Fire character; Game of Thrones

First

Novel:
A Clash of Kings (1998)
Television:
"What Is Dead May Never Die" (2012)

Last

Television:; "The Iron Throne" (2019)

Creator

George R. R. Martin

Adapted by

D.B. Weiss & David Benioff (Game of Thrones)

Portrayed by

Gwendoline Christie

Also known as

The Maid of Tarth
Brienne the Beauty
Brienne the Blue

Gender

Female

Lore & Background

Brienne's background is rooted in House Tarth, where she is the only surviving child of Lord Selwyn Tarth. After losing her mother as a child and her brother Galladon to drowning at age eight, Brienne faced relentless criticism from Septa Roelle, who destroyed her self-esteem by insisting no man would ever desire her. Her father attempted three unsuccessful betrothals: one ending in the fiancé's death, another broken by Ser Ronnet Connington upon first meeting her, and a final attempt with Ser Humfrey Wagstaff that ended when Brienne broke three of his bones after he demanded she cease training. She fell in unrequited love with Renly Baratheon after he danced with her during a coming-of-age tour. When the War of Five Kings began, she secured permission to declare for Renly independently, eventually winning the Melee at Bitterbridge and joining his Rainbow Guard as standard bearer.

Reader's Guide

Brienne of Tarth defies Westerosi norms through her physical description and unwavering code. Described as very tall, muscular, flat-chested, with straw-colored hair and broad features covered in freckles, she is considered unattractive by most, though Catelyn Tully and Jaime Lannister admire her large blue eyes. Her personality is defined by a rigid belief that knights must be chivalrous and honor their vows, earning her the mocking nickname 'Brienne the Beauty.'

In the books, she describes herself as 'the only child the gods let [my father] keep' and a 'freakish one.' Gwendoline Christie notes in an interview that Brienne developed outer strength to match men while remaining internally fragile and romantic. Her critical acclaim includes Saturn Award and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for her television portrayal, culminating in a 2019 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for the final season.

Did You Know?

Brienne was betrothed at age seven to a boy who died of illness before the wedding could take place.
She broke three bones in Ser Humfrey Wagstaff's body when he demanded she stop training after their marriage.
Brienne bit off an ear of the mercenary leader Vargo Hoat before being thrown into a bear pit at Harrenhal.
In A Feast for Crows, Brienne encounters Gendry, Arya's former traveling companion, who was helping shelter orphans at an inn.