Brynden Tully
| House / Order | House Tully |
|---|---|
| Race / Culture | Andal |
| Status | Alive |
| Origin | The Riverlands |
| Born | Riverrun |
| Died | |
| Weapon | |
| Fate | Defended Riverrun; escaped its surrender |
| Portrayed by |
Ser Brynden Tully, called the Blackfish, is a renowned knight of House Tully, the younger brother of Lord Hoster Tully and great-uncle to Robb Stark. A formidable warrior and commander, he is one of the most respected fighting men in the Riverlands and a steadfast pillar of his house during the War of the Five Kings.
The Blackfish
Brynden earned the name "Blackfish" from his brother Hoster, who chided him for refusing to marry and remarked that he was the black goat of the Tully flock; Brynden retorted that he was the black fish instead, and took the name proudly, replacing the leaping trout of his arms with a black one. He spent years estranged from Hoster over the old quarrel but never wavered in loyalty to his family.
Robb Stark's War
When Robb Stark marched south, the Blackfish served as one of his finest commanders, leading his scouts and outriders with great skill and winning victories in the field. He was among the most capable of the Young Wolf's captains and a voice of hard counsel.
Defense of Riverrun
Brynden survived the betrayal of the Red Wedding, which destroyed Robb and much of the Northern host, because he was not present at the feast. He took command of Riverrun and held the castle in defiant siege against the Lannister and Frey forces, refusing every demand to surrender even when his captured nephew Edmure was used against him, and ultimately slipping away rather than yield.