This is a listing of members of the Brotherhood Without Banners in A Song of Ice and Fire.
For the main character index, see here
Brotherhood Without Banners
- "Any knight can make a knight, and every man you see before you has felt a sword upon his shoulder. We are the forgotten fellowship."—Beric Dondarrion
Originally a troop of soldiers sent out by Eddard Stark under the leadership of Lord Beric Dondarrion to bring the king's justice to Gregor Clegane's band of marauders, the Brotherhood Without Banners become outlaws when the Lannisters take the throne and continue to fight on in the name of House Baratheon against increasingly hopeless odds as the series progresses. They also become increasingly extreme in their definition of "justice", particularly under the leadership of Lady Stoneheart, and begin hanging anyone they encounter with even a tangential connection to the Lannisters.
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Tropes related to the Brotherhood
- Berserk Button: The Hound pushes it when he mockingly calls them "brave companions", and, to a man, the Brotherhood justifiably loses their collective shit.
- Darker and Edgier: After Lady Stoneheart takes over, they became Knight Templars who hangs anybody they viewed as a Lannister supporter.
- The Dreaded: For the Lannisters and their allies the Freys.
- Everyone Has Standards: They hang those they judge guilty, and they don't draw out the deaths of those they condemn. When they discover the smallfolk of Stony Sept have Karstark soldiers who had raped and plundered a small village in crow cages to slowly die of thirst, Anguy quickly puts them out of their misery with some arrows. The smallfolk also get a lecture on the appropriate measures of summary trial and execution.
- Hanging Judge:
- Their preferred method of execution. If they find you guilty, you hang; unless, of course, you invoke trial by combat and somehow win. Then they let you go because the Gods have spoken in your favour.
- Lady Stoneheart dispenses even with that courtesy and she hangs Freys and more Freys, including the Frey who took the Schmuck Bait and brought with him ransom for the earlier Frey, only to end up hanged next to the person kidnapped. Few Riverlanders call her out for this change in policy, though.
- He Who Fights Monsters: Over time, they become just as hard, violent and ruthless as the kind they opposed. This is symbolically underscored by the fact that Lem takes up the helm worn by Sandor and then Rorge, both individuals who the Brotherhood condemned. Thoros calls him on this and laments that "War makes monsters of us all."
- Just Like Robin Hood: A deconstruction thereof, as their pro-peasant, anti-corrupt aristocrat practices quickly go in a Knight Templar direction. Several members are references to/ expies of Robin and his band (Beric/Robin; Thoros/Friar Tuck, Lem Lemoncloak/Will Scarlet, etc.) The main difference is that Robin Hood and his gang are deliberate outlaws whereas Lord Beric and his cohorts were a royally mandated host who were screwed over by the Lannisters usurping the Crown when they did, legitimate victims of injustice who decide to help others robbed of land, title, and station.
- Kangaroo Court: A particular problem with their arc revolves around what "justice" really means in the context of Westeros and what fairness of trial means.
- The Brotherhood was originally a royal contingent dispatched by Ned Stark to bring Gregor Clegane to justice for committing brigandage in the Riverlands under Tywin Lannister's orders. They were branded as outlaws by the usurping Lannister family regime who discredited Ned Stark's orders and legacy as Hand. So from the perspective of the Brotherhood, they are legally carrying out justice on an unjust illegitimate system. But to Sandor Clegane, a bitter cynic and general curmudgeon, they are hypocrites and self-proclaimed righteous idiots.
- The little that we know of the Seven Kingdoms' justice system suggests precisely an acute absence of a fully functioning, let alone fair, one. Lords each have the right to the pit and gallows on their lands with little supervision, training or assessment of their judgment calls, noblemen are rarely made to answer for their crimes (especially against smallfolk), there's nothing resembling a jury, no consistent process of appeal and there's nothing remotely like equality before the law. The Brotherhood, on the other hand, allows commoners to act as witnesses and speak of the abuses they suffered against lords both low and high. Of course, by modern standards, the Brotherhood's idea of justice rests on the words of very few witnesses, there's no presumption of innocence, there's nothing remotely like counsel for the defense and there's no separation of powers since they are both the police force and Judge, Jury, and Executioner. But, given the world of the Riverlands (where people like Gregor Clegane, the Brave Companions and later House Frey have been allowed to run amok), it's actually... a marked improvement.
- Kick the Dog: After Lady Stoneheart takes leadership, she hangs anybody she views as a Lannister supporter. Brienne has to choose between being hanged (along with Ser Hyle Hunt and Podrick Payne) or killing Jaime.
- Knight Templar: They gradually start turning into this.
- La Résistance: They start out as this: specifically, to the black ops rape and pillage the Lannisters put the Riverlands to via House Clegane. But, it broadens: to Starks, to Baratheons, to Freys... to anyone who pillages the countryside as part of war. Now the Lannisters and Freys are basically in control of most of the Riverlands, they are even more this.
- Meaningful Name: The "Brotherhood Without Banners" suggests humanitarian relief organizations such as "Doctors Without Borders" and "Reporters Without Borders", which is rather closer to their function in the Riverlands than as a straightforward Robin Hood analogue.
- Men of Sherwood: The Brotherhood without Banners, a Vigilante Militia La Résistance group that repeatedly shows up fighting against bandits and the worst of the noble houses. A The Dead Have Names speech implies that they've taken lots of casualties in the past, but in books 3-5 (and possibly beyond), they have a nearly miraculous survival rate for the setting.
- Misplaced Retribution: They've been hanging outlaws and broken men around the Riverlands for the Rape, Pillage, and Burn committed at Saltpans. Problem is, that atrocity was committed by the Brave Companions.
- "Not So Different" Remark: Sandor Clegane calls them out on their hypocrisy when they capture him and accuse him of war crimes solely because his brother is Gregor Clegane. He does shut up when Arya brings up him executing Mycah however.
- Not So Similar: The reason the Brotherhood bristle when Sandor calls them "brave companions" is that they offered Sandor a fair hearing and trial, allowed him Trial by Combat and let him go when he won. In other words, they treated him fairly, much fairer than his own Lannister masters have done so. In addition, for all the Brotherhood's faults and even at their very worst, they are Knight Templars interested only in dispensing an admittedly rough form of justice, and they are nowhere near as depraved (or as indiscriminate) as the psychotic band of rapists and murderers that the Brave Companions consist of.
- Pay Evil unto Evil: The main reason the Brotherhood is popular is that, so far, they have attacked actual war criminals, rapists and the nastier of the assessable Freys. Thus, the smallfolk — and some nobles both petty and semi-powerful — are openly rooting for them, to the point of many secretly being an active part of their network, when not simply offering to cover them with a carefully blind eye or easy logistics.
- Pet the Dog: Before the entrance of Lady Stoneheart as their leader, they're quite kind to the smallfolk they meet on the road, and don't particularly mistreat Arya Stark, and in a pretty literal sense, Sandor Clegane once he wins his trial by combat.
- Even then, they still allowed Septon Meribald to go on his way, rather than face judgement like Brienne, Pod, and Hyle (of whom he was an extended traveling companion, and thus criteria to be a Lannister collaborator). Although, Meribald was a well-known and well-liked figure around the Riverlands.
- Ragtag Bunch of Misfits: Contrast with the Brave Companions.
- The Remnant: They become this after Beric Dondarrion's death. They are more or less the remnants of Robert's regime, and specifically Ned Stark's tenure as the Hand, being the only living legacy of his policies in his time in office. Fittingly, it ends up being led by his undead wife.
- Revenge: Their motivation once the resurrected Catelyn takes over.
- Vigilante Militia: The Brotherhood Without Banners combines this with La Résistance in a medieval setting. While they're most remembered for resisting the Lannister soldiers, they work to enforce law and order amongst everyone in the lawless Riverlands, fighting Sociopathic Soldiers on both sides as well as common bandits.
- We Help the Helpless: They start out as a sort of Robin Hood outfit, defending the smallfolk against the predations of the Lannister armies. However, although this remains a part of their goals, their desire for revenge slowly starts blurring further into their mandate and starts taking equal priority.
- Written by the Winners: Initially, Lord Beric, Thoros, and others were legally enforcing the Crown's will when Ned Stark declared Gregor Clegane an outlaw and called his Feudal Overlord to court. But then the Lannisters usurped the throne, discredited the Hand and provided Clegane total legal cover to do as he pleased in the Riverlands... at which point, the Brotherhood became outlaws simply to fulfill their original purpose. However, they are still much better liked by many people in the Riverlands than the current rulers.
- Your Terrorists Are Our Freedom Fighters: Jaime's attempt to curtail the Brotherhood Without Banners in A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons realistically shows how this confusion takes place:
- From the perspective of the Freys and the Lannisters, the Brotherhood Without Banners are dangerous outlaws who attack the lives and persons of high lords and are therefore destabilizing the peace of the Riverlands. From the point of view of the smallfolk, the Lannisters and the Freys are abusive scumbags who invaded their homes, committed Rape, Pillage, and Burn, and — in the case of the Freys — brutally betrayed their Feudal Overlord and, worse, were rewarded for doing so. As far as most petty lords and smallfolk are concerned, the Brotherhood were the only ones protecting, resisting, and bringing war criminals from all sides to justice. It's therefore rather hard for most locals to see them as outlaws, when the Crown and the region's feudal overseers are seen as corrupt, brutal, negligent and uncaring.
- Jaime compares the BWB with the Kingswood Brotherhood, and tries to invoke Arthur Dayne's approach of winning hearts and minds, dispensing justice equally, paying for their bed and board, and negotiating a peaceful surrender of all remaining Stark loyalists without dropping an ounce of blood. However, the Brotherhood's base hasn't eroded and Freys continue to be killed with impunity, because Ser Arthur was a better embodiment of Knight in Shining Armor while secret acts of heroism, and Guilt by Association with his family's actions (which he did not know about), and the fact he is rewarding the people who committed atrocities means that Jaime can't really gain true support.
Lord Beric Dondarrion
Lord Beric Dondarrion
The Lightning Lord, Wisp 'o the Wood, The Scarecrow Knight, The Lord of Corpses
- "Robert is slain, but his realm remains. And we defend her."
Lord of Blackhaven and head of House Dondarrion. Eddard Stark tasked him with leading a small army to defeat and execute Gregor Clegane after the knight savagely raided The Riverlands. Disappears shortly after, though he becomes infamous for becoming the leader of a rebellion against Lannister, Baratheon, and Stark alike in defense of the common people.
- 24-Hour Armor: He wears his armor constantly, even while sleeping, only taking it off when he faces Sandor Clegane in a duel, since Sandor wasn't wearing armor, either.
- Accidental Misnaming: Robb mistakenly calls him Derik.
- Amnesiac Lover: He was betrothed to Allyria Dayne, but due to his many deaths and resurrections, he can barely remember anything about himself, much less her and what she even looked like. Somewhat downplayed though, since they are never seen interacting as Allyria is The Ghost.
- Arranged Marriage: To Allyria Dayne.
- Beauty Is Never Tarnished: Outstandingly averted.
- Being Good Sucks: He's a genuinely noble, just character, but his only rewards for being so are a body of scar tissue and to be constantly killed and resurrected, losing a piece of himself each time.
- Bling of War: Wears a black breastplate with a enamel lightning bolt. However, it has become extremely dented and the bolt is chipped by all the battles he has fought in.
- Came Back Wrong: Every time Thoros resurrects him he loses a some of his memories.
- Chekhov's Gunman: After a brief appearance in the first book where he gets sent to kill Ser Gregor Clegane and a few mentions in the second, Beric reappears in the third as a major character in Arya's POV.
- Combat Pragmatist: Wields a magical flaming sword in a duel with an enemy who has a pathological fear of fire.
- Covered in Scars: He has taken numerous wounds during the war that have left him heavily scarred.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: Every time he fought The Mountain. It still doesn't stop him.
- Damaged Soul: His repeated resurrections are doing a number on his mind, but he still seems to have a good grasp on his moral code, although he is clearly disturbed by the potential of what might happen should he continue dying.
- Dark Messiah: A hero who united the Brotherhood to protect the smallfolk in The Riverlands. He's also technically one of the living dead.
- Death Seeker: Implied.
- Despair Speech: Gives one to Thoros when he wonders at the toll of the war and his repeated resurrections on his mind:Beric: Can I dwell on what I scarce remember? I held a castle on the Marches once, and there was a woman I was pledged to marry, but I could not find that castle today, nor tell you the color of that woman's hair. Who knighted me, old friend? What were my favorite foods? It all fades. Sometimes I think I was born on the bloody grass in that grove of ash, with the taste of fire in my mouth and a hole in my chest. Are you my mother, Thoros?
- The Determinator: Not even death will stop him from carrying out Ned Stark's order to bring Gregor Clegane, Tywin Lannister, and their bandists and sellswords to justice and protect the people from their rampage.
- The Dreaded: To the Lannister forces in the Riverlands. He especially becomes this to the Freys after the Red Wedding, even though by then he is dead it is thought he still commands the Brotherhood.
- Empty Shell: Hinted at slowly becoming one. Beric seems to have the same personality and values he had whilst alive, but he states that every time he comes back from the dead he loses a bit more of himself. He remembers he had a castle and a betrothed once, but he can't remember her name or what she looked like, or where his castle stood.
- Every Scar Has a Story: He tells Arya about how he got several of his scars when he catches her looking at them.
- Eye Scream: Courtesy of The Mountain.
- Flaming Sword: By spilling his blood on it.
- Fragile Speedster: He becomes known for two things during the war. Executing strategic lightning raids to cripple his enemy's forces and dying during the raids he leads.
- From Nobody to Nightmare: When we briefly meet him in A Game of Thrones, he's just another young lord seeking glory in the tourney. He's then sent by Ned Stark to bring Ser Gregor Clegane to justice for his crimes against the Riverlands. Those who didn't share Ned's optimism probably assumed he would be nothing more than another hero for The Mountain to add to his body count. Though they weren't quite wrong, Beric proved to be a greater threat than anyone imagined as he rallied the smallfolk and victims of war crimes to start a resistance, one that continues to plague the Lannister forces, as well as Houses Frey and Bolton. He even personally gains a mythic reputation as a Robin Hood type figure who won't let anything prevent him from hindering the enemies to the realm. Not even his own death.
- The Ghost: Appears so seldom during the war that many often think he's dead when he's alive or vice versa.
- Good Thing You Can Heal: Could be a case of Death Is Cheap but Beric himself said that every time he's brought back, he feels less and less like his old self. And his scars from the times that he got killed do remain.
- Hanging Around: For his third death, he was hanged by Amory Lorch.
- The Heart: According to Thoros, Beric is this for The Brotherhood. Something that becomes abundantly clear when Beric dies to bring back a coldblooded, vengeful Catelyn.
- Heroic Sacrifice: Gives himself over to Ser Amory Lorch after he threatens to hang two commoners if Beric doesn't surrender. Of course, Ser Amory hangs all three of them, but Beric manages to survive thanks to Thoros reviving him. He also clearly had the best intentions when he exchanged his life to resurrect Catelyn. This didn't turn out well.
- Knight in Shining Armor: He is one of the very knights in the series whose explicit reason for fighting is to defend the weak from the strong, punish those who commit war crimes, and do whatever he can to make sure as many of the smallfolk survive the war as possible.
- Made of Iron: He can take almost any blow and still fight on. Of course, he is repeatedly dying from said blow and then brought back to life.
- Master Swordsman: Good enough to go toe-to-toe with The Hound.
- The Man They Couldn't Hang: He has a reputation for this as well as for surviving other injuries which should be fatal. It turns out that Thoros just keeps resurrecting him every time he dies.
- Mutilation Conga: He still bears all the scars of the many injuries he has suffered, including a missing eye and the mark of a hangman's noose.
- Names to Run Away from Really Fast: The Lightning Lord.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: He gives his word to Arya that she will be reunited with her mother. Thus he gives his life to resurrect Catelyn Stark, but as a vengeance seeking monster who bears no resemblance to the mother Arya loves.
- Noble Fugitive: He is the most wanted "outlaw" in all of the Seven Kingdoms.
- The Rival: To The Mountain during the War of the Five Kings. Ironically Gregor ends up undead, too.
- Scarred Equipment: His armor is very battle worn from his constant fighting.
- Undying Loyalty: To King Robert.
- Urban Legend: He's starting to become this. Even though he has sacrificed himself to resurrect Catelyn, the Brotherhood's attacks are still attributed to him.
Thoros of Myr
Thoros of Myr
The Red Wizard
- "We are brothers here, holy brothers, sworn to the realm, to our god, and to each other."
A Red Priest sent to Westeros to convert them to worship of R'hllor, he became more fond of drinking, whoring, and fighting, even becoming a favorite drinking companion of King Robert Baratheon. He never had much faith in his religion until he was sent as part of a force to kill Gregor Clegane, and managed to bring his friend Beric Dondarrion back to life. After that he (mostly) shaped up and became one of the leading members of the Brotherhood Without Banners. After Beric Dondarrion dies and Lady Stoneheart takes over the Brotherhood, Thoros stays loyal to the group but steps down from his leadership position.
For the main R'hllor entry, see here.
- The Alcoholic: He was well known for his love of drinking and partying, which is one reason he got on so well with Robert Baratheon. He cuts back after helping found the Brotherhood, but when the group begins to lose its way under Lady Stoneheart, he begins drinking more again.
- Badass Preacher: Thanks to a few tricks enabled by R'hllor, Thoros' already formidable presence on the battlefield is heightened by his flaming sword.
- Bad Powers, Good People: He is presented as a generally good man, but that doesn't change the fact that his primary ability seems to actually be that of a necromancer as opposed to the healer most of his comrades believe him to be.
- Blood Magic: He can use blood to light swords on fire.
- Boisterous Bruiser: Before his religious awakening.
- Chekhov's Gunman: Mentioned in passing in the first book, when Sansa narrates the Hand's Tourney.
- Cunning Linguist: He has a talent for learning other languages, which is one of the reasons he was sent to Westeros.
- The Conscience: He tries to be this to the Brotherhood after Beric dies and Lady Stoneheart takes over, but most of them don't pay much attention to his concerns.
- Crisis of Faith: He'd actually been undergoing one for years before we ever got to meet him, as it's partly what fuelled his bad habits. Actually raising a friend during repeated-by-rote rites he felt were due the dead, regardless of how little he believed in his god at that point, did a huge amount to bolster his conviction that R'hllor actually does exist. But, after the glow of new-found faith wears off, he's not getting a lot of joy out of living it, so he could well be undergoing a different crisis. What do you feel if you find out that serving your god isn't what you'd hoped it was, but it's too late to back out and you can't hit the merry denial of atheism anymore?
- The Cynic: Develops into one by A Feast For Crows:Thoros: Justice. I remember justice. It had a pleasant taste. Justice was what we were about when Beric led us, or so we told ourselves. We were king's men, knights, and heroes... but some knights are dark and full of terror, my lady. War makes monsters of us all.
- Deadpan Snarker: He tones down the snark once the Brotherhood begins going in a direction he doesn't like.
- Dirty Old Monk: More fond of joking, drinking, tournies (aka "betting and fighting"), and whores than religion. At least, before forming the Brotherhood.
- This might contribute to him being one of the Red Priests who isn't super creepy. He's either been too lax in his faith to gain the "knack", or is just too much of a jovially seedy stereotype who, therefore, manages to counteract it if he has got it.
- Flaming Sword: He used to just use wildfire to create them, but finds he can now actually do it for real.
- Formerly Fat: He got fairly large as a member of Robert's court, but his religious awakening and fighting a guerrilla war have trimmed him back down to top fighting shape.
- Good Shepherd: A borderline example. He started out as a Boisterous Bruiser lecherous priest who was a nice guy, but later on has a religious awakening and helps start a group of outlaws whose goal was to protect the smallfolk. What makes him borderline is that those outlaws become increasingly knight templarish over time, and while Thoros does not approve of this, he doesn't do anything to stop it (in part because the deity he believes in is not particularly merciful).
- The Lancer: To Beric.
- Massive Numbered Siblings: He was the last of eight children born to a poor family in Myr. Since they could not all be taken care of, Thoros was given over to the Red Priests to raise to be one of them.
- The Medic: He serves as a healer for the Brotherhood. Some of them believe that Beric has never really died, and that Thoros is just that good of a healer. He and Beric don't try to dissuade them of that notion, since it's obvious they are in denial.
- Necromancer: He is able to bring back Beric from death with prayer, but the wounds remain and Beric says he feels "less" each time he comes back.
- Seers: He can look into fire and catch glimpses of the future and other events occurring. He notes that his ability to do so has gotten significantly better recently.
- Warrior Monk: He may not do so good at the monk part, but he is quite the warrior.
Ser Gendry
Ser Gendry of the Hollow Hill
The Bull
- "When I hit that steel it sings. Are you gonna sing when I hit you?"
One of King Robert's bastard sons. Raised in King's Landing, Gendry was an apprentice blacksmith who had no knowledge of his biological father. He befriends Arya Stark as they travel with a group of Night's Watch recruits. He eventually ends up joining the Brotherhood Without Banners and is knighted by Lord Beric Dondarrion.
For the main House Baratheon entry, see here.
- Animal Motifs: Bulls for stubbornness and strength. He is nicknamed "the Bull" for the bull-horned steel helmet he wears.
- The Apprentice: To Tobho Mott.
- Awesomeness by Analysis: Has the very strong potential to be this in melee fights to offset his lack of formal training. Combined with his Hyper-Awareness comes years of blacksmithing experience as, specifically, an armourer to one of the top masters in King's Landing. Let's just say it's likely to suck to be his opponent if you're wearing cheap armour or simply pooly-designed or maintained plate while he's got his warhammer... Big time.
- The Blacksmith: A rather good one, despite his youth. The quality of his work suggests he's not just at apprentice level any more. Even though he's probably not yet a fully-fledged master armorer.
- Character Tic: His face takes on a pained expression when he's thinking.
- Chronic Hero Syndrome: Somewhat. Gendry is very selfless, a trait that got him, Arya, and Hot Pie caught by Gregor Clegane and taken to Harrenhal in A Clash of Kings. He mostly remains this way, even after joining The Brotherhood Without Banners who suffer from He Who Fights Monsters.
- Crazy Jealous Guy: He does not appreciate Arya and Ned Dayne getting along so well.
- Generation Xerox: Again, with the standard Baratheon blue eyes, black hair, and strong body, he's the spitting image of Robert in his youth, much like Renly. He also inexplicably has a fondness for hammers as weapons, horned helms, brash heroics, and Stark girls.
- He also has a rather more flexible version of his uncle Stannis's sense of justice. In fact, he also comes across as a much less boisterous Robert, while still quite unconsciously charming and good (if a bit blunt) with people and practical politics (again, somewhat like his dad crossed with Renly), with that distinctly Stannis-side that sits up and takes notice at social injustice. He's also Stannis-like in that he can concentrate on getting a job done to completion, as well as breaking a task down into steps leading to his goal (even when it means doing bits he doesn't particularly want to do to get there). And, like all Baratheons, he'll listen to advice, but may not necessarily take it.
- Heroic Bastard: Much like his uncle Stannis, Gendry has strong, natural leanings towards Cape-hood. Pity about the company he winds up keeping, really. They are both converts to the Red God as well.
- Hyper-Awareness: He was the first and only recruit of the Night's Watch to realize on his own that Arya is a girl.
- In the Blood: Both Gendry and Robert have an affinity for hammers.
- Knight Templar Big Brother: Acts this way towards the group of small children he takes care of in A Feast for Crows.
- The Lancer: To Arya's hero.
- Like Father, Like Son: Robert Baratheon is mentioned as favoring a warhammer in combat. Gendry is first introduced wielding a blacksmith's hammer.
- Lonely Together: At the Riverlands, Arya briefly considers proposing Gendry to be his family; this never becomes anything beyond a thought.
- Only One Name: Only known as Gendry until he was knighted by Lord Beric. In the technical sense, as a bastard of the Crownlands, Gendry should be known as "Gendry Waters"; however, it's not known whether King Robert was aware of Gendry's existence, so that name would only apply if he was recognized as Robert's offspring (which he wasn't).
- Secret-Keeper: Aside from Jaqen, he's the only one who knows Arya is actually Arya Stark during A Clash of Kings.
- Secret Legacy: Has no idea who his father was. Starting to become a Running Gag, since his former master, Stannis, Ned, and Brienne have all figured it out, and Brienne hasn't even met Robert but notes Gendry's resemblance to Robert's brother Renly. Brienne even asks Gendry some leading questions about Robert in A Feast For Crows, but he doesn't get it.
- Strong Family Resemblance: He bears a strong resemblance to Robert when he was young.
- Brienne is also taken aback when she first meets him as he resembles Renly a lot, especially after she's terribly wounded by Biter.
- Surprise Incest: Thankfully averted. Bella, a prostitute at the Peach, propositions him shortly after bragging that she's King Robert's bastard, making her and Gendry oblivious half-siblings. Fortunately, Gendry did not inherit his father's predilection for whores, so he just gets annoyed and moves away from her.
- Tall, Dark, and Handsome: Arya takes notice of this. Bella also certainly thought so, embarrassingly enough (not that either of them realised they were half-siblings). Brienne noticed it, too, when she confused him with Renly. Yup, that Baratheon build and colour does it again.
- Two Guys and a Girl: With Arya and Hot Pie. He's The Lancer to Arya's Hero.
- Unskilled, but Strong: He starts out as a complete noob when it comes to tactical situations. As an example, Arya, for one, can fight rings around him. But, you'd really not want to be hit by this former blacksmith's apprentice: that strength would prove less than healthy. He starts learning very quickly though: he's worked everything out about spotters by the time we meet him at the inn.
- Wise Beyond Their Years: In some odd ways, he's this. He's quite mature for his age, is very quick at spotting many things about him and storing them up if he can't quite puzzle them out at the time — and, is streets ahead of most low-born boys when it comes to the practical sides of street commerce and politics. He's also very quick to start playing Team Dad well when given the task. Yet, has surprising blank spots. Like, the aforementioned not picking up on who his father is. Or the not quite processing the problems within the Brotherhood for the worrying signs they are.
Harwin
Harwin
A soldier from Winterfell, he was one of Lord Eddard Stark's guard who were assigned to help kill Ser Gregor Clegane.
For the main Stark Household entry see here.
- Born in the Saddle: A proud Northern horseman through and through; he has to remind Arya through a humbling example that he is by no means a stranger to horse riding.
- Chekhov's Gunman: He is a minor character in the first book and is named as one of the Stark soldiers going with Beric to hunt down Gregor, and his presence with the Brotherhood in the third leads to Arya's identity being discovered after they encounter her.
- It's Personal: His loyalty to Lady Stoneheart stems from the fact that he was sworn to her as Lady Stark in the first place and they likely knew each other personally.
- Mouth of Sauron: To Lady Stoneheart.
- Nice Guy: By far one of the more pleasant members of the Brotherhood, although he is no longer loyal to Arya's father, but to his True Companions. And once Lady Stoneheart takes over, he becomes much darker.
- Number Two: He seems to be this for Lady Stoneheart, as he is seen speaking for her.
- Took a Level in Badass: In the first book, he was unhorsed at the Hand's Tourney by Ser Meryn Trant. By A Storm of Swords, Harwin is an experienced warrior and has become more physically fit.
- Unreliable Narrator: When he describes the Battle of the Bells to Arya, he says that Robert would have slain Jon Connington but the battle never brought them together. But this contradicts Connington's memories of the event, where he recalls that Robert almost killed him on the steps of the Sept.
- Voice for the Voiceless: He speaks for Lady Stoneheart because her slashed throat makes her difficult to understand.
Tom of Sevenstreams
Tom of Sevenstreams
Tom O'Sevens, Tom of Sevenstrings
A bard who once earned the ire of Lord Edmure Tully, but is now a dedicated member of the Brotherhood.
- The Casanova: He has at least seven bastards running around, and has even slept with some noblewomen.Ravella Smallwood: The riverlands are full of maids you've pleased, all drinking tansy tea. You'd think a man as old as you would know to spill his seed on their bellies. Men will be calling you Tom Sevensons before much longer.
- Cheshire Cat Grin: He has a wide smile that he likes to display whenever plotting to do something nasty to Lannisters and their allies.
- Disappeared Dad: Claims to have a least seven sons, all of whom have sweet voices. However, he has very little to do with their lives.
- Like an Old Married Couple: Gets snarked at a lot by Lady Smallwood, rumored to be a former lover.
- Lovable Rogue: A womanizer bard.
- The Mole: For the Brotherhood in Riverrun after Emmon Frey occupies it in A Feast for Crows.
- One Degree of Separation: Besides his prior connection with Edmure Tully, he is the cousin/kinsman of a Ser Pate who was the first husband of Amerei Frey (sister of "Fat" Walda Bolton) and who was killed by Gregor Clegane in battle.
- Shipper on Deck: After Arya gets in a fight with Gendry, he winks at her while singing a romantic song about a lord and a wild forest maiden.
- Wandering Minstrel: His life before the Brotherhood, and his cover at the Frey occupied Riverrun.
Lem Lemoncloak
Lem Lemoncloak
A member of the Brotherhood who wears a bright lemon colored cloak.
- Badass Cape: Gives him his nickname.
- Becoming the Mask: Brienne mistakes Lem for the Hound after seeing him in Sandor's snarling dog helm. When Lem puts the helm on again for Brienne's hanging, he's actually called the Hound in the text.
- The Brute: The most ruthless and violent of the Brotherhood.
- Cynicism Catalyst: His wife and children were killed by Lannister soldiers and he seeks to avenge their deaths.
- Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep": "Lem" is not his actual name. It is short for "Lemoncloak" after his yellow cloak.
- He Who Fights Monsters: Suffers the worst of this, taking up the dog's head helm worn by Sandor and then Rorge, both individuals who the Brotherhood condemned. Thoros calls him on this.
- Jerkass: He is crass and mean-spirited, and perhaps the least cuddly member of the Brotherhood. Until Lady Stoneheart takes over.
- Knight in Sour Armor: Bitter and cynical. Even lampshaded by an innkeeper, who describes Lem as being as sour as the lemons he gets his cloak colour from.
- Lack of Empathy: Doesn't display much of it.
- Outliving One's Offspring: Lannister soldiers killed his children.
- Pet the Dog: Clouts and scolds Gendry for fighting with Arya, on the grounds that she's a girl and much younger than him.
- Weirdness Censor: He writes off Beric being brought back to life as Thoros being just a really good healer.Beric: Even brave men blind themselves sometimes, when they are afraid to see.
Anguy
Anguy
Archer
A commoner from the Dornish Marches who has amazing skills with a bow.
- Chekhov's Gunman: Is briefly mentioned as the winner of the archery contest at the Hand's Tourney in A Game of Thrones before becoming more important in A Clash of Kings.
- Friendly Sniper: He is one of the nicer and more personable members of the Brotherhood.
- In-Series Nickname: Other members of the Brotherhood call him "Archer". The reason should be fairly obvious.
- Master Archer: Despite being a young commoner, Anguy's marksmanship is described as almost superhuman and he is likely the most skilled archer in the series.
- Refused the Call: After he won the Hand's tourney, Eddard Stark sent his men to offer him a position in his guard. He all but told them to piss off. He does later join the party Beric puts together to hunt down the Mountain, which his how he became one of the first members of the Brotherhood.
- Rich in Dollars, Poor in Sense: It is indicated that after winning the tourney in the first book, he blew his winnings on Arbor gold (a vintage of wine) and dining on roast swan with high-class prostitutes (Chataya's). The only thing he still has to show for it is a custom pair of boots and a dagger.
- What Happened to the Mouse?: He isn't seen with the Brotherhood in A Feast for Crows, and the index lists him as being with Edric Dayne and several others who did not follow Lady Stoneheart after Beric's final death reviving her.
Greenbeard
Pellos of Tyrosh
Greenbeard
A Tyroshi warrior who joined the Brotherhood Without Banners.
- The Big Guy: He is a strong warrior, and even larger than Lem.
- Deadpan Snarker: He's rather sarcastic.
- The Leader: He is in charge of the first group of Brotherhood members Arya encounters.
- Only Known by Their Nickname: Nobody ever calls him Pellos.
- Put on a Bus: He is sent by Beric to accompany The Mad Huntsman south of the Mander to buy grain to bring back to the smallfolk of the Riverlands.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here:
Word of God states he may be a deserting freerider from Jaime's or Robb's army.
The Mad Huntsman
The Mad Huntsman
A member of the Brotherhood from Stony Sept.
- The Big Guy: a big, well-armed quarrelsome man.
- The Brute: He uses force to carry out the Bortherhood's goals and keep his village safe.
- Fluffy Tamer: He keeps a pack of "the meanest dogs you'd ever want to see."
- Hair-Trigger Temper: He is considered quarrelsome.
- Names to Run Away from Really Fast: A mad huntsman doesn't sound like a nice person.
- Only Known By His Nickname: His true name has never been mentioned.
- Put on a Bus: In-universe, he's sent along with Greenbeard to buy food south of the Mander with the gold confiscated from Sandor Clegane.
- Right-Hand Attack Dog: Keeps a pack of dogs.
- Roaring Rampage of Revenge: He joined the Brotherhood after his wife and sister were raped by Lannister soldiers, in addition to them burning his crops and killing six of his dogs and tossing their bodies down his well. Now he lives only to make the Lannisters suffer for their crimes against him.
Jack-Be-Lucky
Jack-Be-Lucky
A one-eyed member of the Brotherhood.
- Deadpan Snarker: Seen snarking.
- Disappeared Dad: His father was hanged by some men of House Piper for an unknown crime.
- Eyepatch of Power: He only has one eye.
- Ironic Nickname: He has no luck at all.
- Noodle Incident: Mentions that he was once held in Riverrun's dungeons but never elaborates on why.
- You Killed My Father: He lost two brothers to the Lannisters when the War of the five Kings began.
Swampy Meg
Swampy Meg
A former member of the Brotherhood.- Action Girl: Implied to be one of the group's fighters based on being listed in the appendixes.
- Put on a Bus: She's one of those who leave the group after Lady Stoneheart takes over.
Watty
Watty
An Archer and scout for the Brotherhood.- Butt-Monkey: He gets sick and throws up a lot from a fever and is wounded by an arrow while fighting the Brave Companions.
- Handicapped Badass: He's fine continuing to scout after being wounded by an enemy archer.
- Put on a Bus: He's among those who leaves the Brotherhood due to the direction Lady Stoneheart takes it.
Lord Edric Dayne
Lady Stoneheart
