Brynden Corbray is the Lord of Heart's Home, and the second son of Lord Ronnel Corbray and Lady Myra Lynderly. Brynden formerly served in the Kingsguard, from 387 to 407 AC, the Rainbow Guard, from 405 to 408 AC, and the Winged Knights, from 408 AC to 420 AC.
Appearance and Character[]
Where he was once a muscular warrior, Brynden Corbray has become what he feared the most. Old. With his long brown hair now grey, to match his steely eyes, Brynden's lean muscular figure has begun to thin, his near-daily training no longer enough to scare off the effects of age. However, he still holds himself as a warrior, clad in armour, and bearing the Valyrian Steel that he has wielded for over half of his life. His sword, however, is the only remnant of the man he used to be. Where his beard used to be the only distinct feature on his face, wrinkles and lines have appeared across his visage.
History[]
Early Life[]
Brynden was born in the year 369 AC at Heart's Home, as the second son of Lord Ronnel Corbray. Never destined to become the heir to House Corbray, Brynden instead began to train as a warrior, like the Corbrays of legend. At the age of six, he began to train under his uncle Gawen, in the ways of a knight. Even from an early age, Brynden was proficient with a sword, laying out guards in his family's castle like they were training dummies.
When he was ten years of age, Brynden, his uncle, and his father, travelled to the The Kingswood Tourney, where Gawen entered the lists. The Corbray knight unhorsed two combatants, and Brynden became enamoured with the lance. At the tourney, Gawen encountered a knight of the Kingsguard, Ser Marq Farring. Gawen had been unhorsed by Ser Marq, and the two agreed that Brynden would squire under Marq in King's Landing.
Squireship and the White Sword Tower[]
Brynden travelled to the capital with Ser Marq in the royal party, and saw the King for the first time, becoming intrigued with the Targaryens and their dragons. At King's Landing, Brynden was put through rigorous training, and fought every man in the Kingsguard at the time, including the Lord Commander, Daven Crakehall, defeating them all, eventually. Continuing to train, Brynden was knighted upon his seventeenth birthday, by Ser Marq.
The White Raven and the Hammer[]
It was a year later that Ser Brynden Corbray received the honour of a lifetime. Ser Arron Jast of the Kingsguard had perished of a sickness, and King Aenar, along with Lord Commander Daven Crakehall, inducted the young knight into the Kingsguard at the age of 18. Proud of his son, Ronnel Corbray had Lady Forlorn delivered to the White Sword Tower with an escort, and Brynden Corbray became the picture of a legendary Corbray.
It was one year later that he got his first taste of war. In the Kingswood, the Warsmiths, led by Brynden Hammer, had attacked Foolskeep, and slain Lord Follard, along with his three sons, and a group of 50 royal men-at-arms. News arrived at the capital a few weeks later, that the Warsmiths had raided Helmshall, and looted the castle for their gains. Daven Crakehall was appointed as the leader of the forces, and Brynden accompanies him, along with Marq Farring. Brynden had heard much and more of Brynden Hammer and the Warsmiths, and had formed an admiration of them. However, the raids on Foolskeep and Helmshall had left a sour taste in the Kingsguard's mouth, and he knew that Hammer must be put down.
Brynden and Marq fought side by side in the Battle of the Weeping Willows, cutting down Warsmiths as they fought through the trees, pushing back against Hammer's charge, and engaging with Gentle Geoff, the giant Warsmith. Whilst Brynden fought Geoff to a standstill, Farring was not so lucky, and was slain in the field of battle. Brynden, seeing the chaos, was forced to leave Farring's body at the postern gate, in the royal retreat.
Brynden fought at the Fording of the Rush, carrying Lord Commander Daven Crakehall away from Sumner the Sunderer, whilst one of his brothers slew the Warsmith. Victory running through his veins, Brynden urged the Lord Commander to pursue Brynden Hammer, receiving a clout on the ear for his troubles, and a stern explanation. At first, Brynden was angry with the Lord Commander, pinning the lack of action on cowardice, but after the Song of Sword and Steel, he realised how wise the Lord Commander was.
Returning to King's Landing, Brynden recovered, and had his wounds patched up by a maid of sixteen, named Alysanne, who took an attraction to the Corbray. Whilst the King and the Lord Commander dealt out punishments to the captive Warsmiths, Brynden and the maid's love bloomed, in direct violation of his oaths, leading to great heartbreak when the Kingsguard were drawn to war again.
At the Song of Sword and Steel, Brynden joined Crakehall in flushing out Hammer and the Warsmiths, the Kingsguard and the cavalry waiting in the trees as Hew and Hammer advanced on the Kingsbridge. Corbray watched as the Warsmiths tore through the men of the crown, and pleaded Crakehall to charge. Eventually the Lord Commander relented, and, white cloaks billowing in the wind, the men of Daven Crakehall crushed rebels beneath their feet. Brynden leapt from his horse and drew Lady Forlorn, after his lance had shattered on a Warsmith's shield, and engaged the nearest Warsmith he could. Brynden Hammer. The two Bryndens looked each other in the eye and smiled, beginning their deadly dance. The rebel's warhammer crushed into Corbray's shield many a time, distorting the pale white metal as the two fought. Hammer caught Lady Forlorn's blade often with the haft of his hammer, and the duel carried on for half an hour. Both men were bleeding heavily, and the battle looked a stalemate, until Lady Forlorn caught Brynden Hammer under the shoulder, stabbing him through to his heart. The Warsmiths had been defeated, and Brynden fell to the ground, unconscious. The battle was won.
Upon the victorious party's return, Brynden was taken back to the maid who had previously assisted him, and discovered that the girl had become pregnant. Presumably, with the child of Brynden Corbray, Knight of the Kingsguard. Brynden knew that the girl could not stay in the city. If the child looked like their father, the two would be executed, and the child killed as well. After his wounds were healed, Brynden made a fateful decision. He arranged for a ship to take Alysanne to Heart's Home, with a letter for his uncle, Gawen.
Famine and Family[]
It was four years later that the Great Famine hit King's Landing. Whilst those in the Red Keep were less affected, Brynden knew the plight of those on the streets of the capital, and often ate only half of his rations, riding to the streets of the city and offering the rest to the hungry and poor. This granted the Kingsguard a good rapport with the people of King's Landing, and made the two-and-twenty year old knight a well-renowned member of the Kingsguard.
During the Famine, Brynden received a raven from Heart's Home, the Corbray seal on the letter giving the sender away. The pain and suffering of the Great Famine was removed from Brynden's mind as he read the words upon the page.
"Your son is well. Alysanne is not wanting for food, and the two will survive the famine.
Never break your oaths again, or I will come down to King's Landing and tear your head from your neck.
Gawen."
Brynden knew he would not likely see his son again, but he felt well knowing he was safe.
Three Thieves, Three Kings, One Kingdom[]
Viserion took flight from King's Landing in 396 AC, and Brynden followed, captaining one of the royal fleet's ships. At the Battle of Splinters, he did very little, his ship staying mostly upon the sidelines of the battle, as Viserion fell from the sky. Brynden's ship was unaffected by Daarius Ormollen's raids on the fleet, and thus he stayed relatively unharmed throughout the early war.
It was at the Second Battle of Splinters that the Kingsguard distinguished himself. His ship collided with a Stepstones warship, captained by Balerion the Black, son of the Black Pearl of Braavos, and a famed pirate. Balerion was everything Brynden was not. In his black armour, the Braavosi was a shadow of the white cloaked knight, and his lecherous, whoring ways were opposite to the stoic, oathkeeping of the Valeman. Lady Forlorn met Balerion's rapier, steel clashing with Valyrian Steel as they danced upon the deck of Balerion's ship, the Black Pearl. Eventually, Lady Forlorn tore Balerion's plate asunder, and killed the man in one swipe. With the death of the right flank's commander, the Crown's forces managed to surround the centre of Ormollen's fleet, pushing Daarius back.
At the Battle of the Broken Arm, Brynden killed no notable commanders, but slew many pirates upon the deck of his ship and theirs, bringing the Targaryen fleet to a swift victory, fighting under dragonfire. Ormollen's Pyre was a short battle as well, Brynden barely killing ten men over the course of the conflict.
At the Gallows, Brynden fought alongside another knight of the Kingsguard, through Alequo Silverband's halls, until the King of the Stepstones met Maekar Targaryen in the skies above Grey Gallows. Brynden was taken by the Targaryen's valour, as the dragons danced, and found great respect for the Prince.
Scarlet Winter, White Cloaks[]
Another letter was delivered from Heart's Home at the outbreak of the Scarlet Winter. Brynden dreaded every letter, but as the first, it relieved Brynden of many of his worries.
"She is warm. Your son begun his squireship a few years ago, and he is, luckily, taking after his father.
I will still remind you that you have oaths to keep.
Gawen."
Brynden often went out to the Blackwater Bay, wearing a white bearskin cloak that he had purchased from a Northern merchant looking to profit from the winter, and sparred with the Kingsguard squires on the ice, defeating them swiftly as he went. Upon the Night With No Moon, Brynden was assigned to Maekar Targaryen, the Prince that he had seen fighting over Grey Gallows, and the two watched as the red moon overhead the city, their beliefs in the Starry Rites fearing the worst. Upon the death of Aemon Targaryen, and Maekar's resignation from the Small Council, Aenar assigned the Corbray to Summerhall, to protect Maekar and his kin.
Knights of Summer[]
Upon Maekar and Brynden's arrival at Summerhall, the Kingsguard was brought to the great hall of the palace, where he was inducted into Maekar's personal guard, the Rainbow Guard of Summerhall, as Ser Brynden the White. He has served as Summerhall's Kingsguard for two years, and formed a close bond with House Targaryen of Summerhall.
Calm Before the Storm[]
Along with the Prince of Summerhall and his retinue, Brynden attended the Tourney of the Red Comet, being defeated by Eon Stark in the semi-finals of the joust, and Alester Hersy in the second round of the melee. Whilst there, he developed a friendship with Milanna Sunderland, who he unmasked in the joust after already defeating her in the melee, and a respect for Eon Stark, who defeated him in a duel after they both unhorsed each other in the joust.
After the tourney, Brynden accompanied Maekar to King's Landing, where he witnessed the first tense conversation with the Lady of the Seven Kingdoms. Loyally, the Kingsguard followed the Prince of Summerhall back to their home, and when the Targaryens of Summerhall left for Oldtown, and Prince Maekar was crowned as Lord Protector, Brynden stood by his side.
Troupe of Mummers[]
Brynden continued to stand guard over Maekar and his family, though he slowly grew discontent with the lack of action from the Lord Protector. When Maekar made his intention to parley with the Dornish clear, and to engage in talks with House Arryn, the knight volunteered himself to go north to his homeland, along with Princess Jaehaera and Lord Reynard Rowan.
Sailing north, Brynden's journey was relatively uneventful, the weather being primarily on the side of the Merciless Wave, the Reachman merchantman that the party had paid for passage. However, the knight's efforts were nearly jeopardised by Corlys Velaryon and the Royal Fleet, who insisted on investigating the ship's cargo. In a stroke of luck, Velaryon's search was not too thorough, and the Valeman and his companions went unnoticed.
Things only got worse when they reached Heart's Home. Whilst the party was well-received by Lord Corbray, they were given news that Alaric Arryn had taken the Vale's army to the Riverlands, and no word had been received by Ronnel Corbray since.
Wings Spread[]
After the revelation of Alaric Arryn's defeat in the Riverlands spread to the Vale, Brynden was shaken. In all his time having known the Lord of the Eyrie, he had almost forgotten that defeat was a possibility. And yet there he was, dead in a realm not his own. And the news only got worse. Artys, his dear brother, had perished in dragonfire, after scarring the Crown Prince. Shaken to his core, Brynden was only content that Rhaegar got what was coming to him. Along with the Princess Jaehaera, whom he had passed to Lord Reynard Rowan at their small wedding, Brynden stayed at Heart's Home, steeling himself for the responsibility that had been dropped upon him. Aianna had returned briefly to the castle, but left soon after, searching for the Mountain Clans. It would be not long after that Jaehaera and the Lord of Goldengrove would bid their farewells. Brynden promised he would visit, and yet he was not sure he would have the confidence to. Alone, in a castle that was, by technicality, his home, Brynden made a decision. He would ride west, into the Mountains of the Moon, to treat with Osric Arryn.
It would not be hard to convince the Lord of the Eyrie to accept Brynden into the Winged Knights. His sword skill was famed, and the ranks of the order were low, after many perished during the Mummer's War. With tensions rising with the Mountain Clans, Brynden was all too happy to enlist.
War in the Mountains[]
One year into his service as a Winged Knight, and he saw his first action under that banner. At the Skirmish of the Black Abyss, Brynden followed Osric Arryn into battle, and sternly berated him for his feigned retreat tactic, yet praised him for his intelligence. This would become a theme. It would be little time before Brynden faced the only battle of the War in the Mountains that put his house in the line of fire. At Raven's Ford, Brynden fought alongside and led the men of his house, showing his skill at war and tactics on the field, matching his skill at combat nearly beat for beat. With his sister, Aianna, Brynden brought pride to House Corbray, and showed that even though he no longer fought for the Crown, he had not lost his honour or his skill.
At Highbrood, Brynden reluctantly participated in the bloodbath, vowing to have words with his liege, and the man who suggested the assault. However, Osric had said words for him, and Brynden continued to serve faithfully. Years would pass without any action, with the only battle after Highbrood being a catastrophic failure, and taking place without the Corbray. However, it did affect the man, tearing his opinion of his superior, Ser Alester Hersy, into pieces. Brynden became deeply uncomfortable with the order, and, in late 418 AC, cordially handed his resignation to Lord Osric, and left for his home.
An Unfamiliar Tradition[]
When he returned to Heart's Home, Brynden was greeted enthusiastically by his father. However, that enthusiasm did not last. Ronnel was concerned for the future of the house. Brynden had not yet married, his elder brother was dead, and Aianna was not likely to wed. That would pass the house over to his cousin Andar, a man more concerned with whoring than with ruling. And so, Brynden was forced to choose a wife, from the houses of the Vale. After a long search, Brynden decided on a woman, of __ years of age, named _______, of House ______. Whilst initially reluctant to marry a woman so much younger than him, she reassured him that it could be no worse than marrying some drunken sot of her own age. And so, the two were married. Later that year, their first son, Lyn, was born. And so, the future of House Corbray was secured.
In 420 AC, their second son, Alaric, named for the former Lord of the Eyrie, was born. And yet, as happy as that was, that year was stricken with tragedy. His health already failing, Ronnel Corbray passed into the realm beyond, leaving Brynden as Lord of Heart's Home. In his two years with his father, Brynden learnt the ways of lordship, something he had never been educated in, and picked up on it with great efficiency. Now at fifty years old, Brynden's sword arm was growing weaker, and he had more time for books and studies.
Lordship, Leadership, and Revelations[]
With the death of his father, Brynden was forced into a role he had not been meant for. However, he coped. Whilst his skill with money was not up to scratch, he learnt swiftly, spending long periods of time with the Heart's Home Maester, learning the skills and tricks that his father used. He put his own knowledge from his time at war into his rulership, organizing the patrols that searched for Mountain Clansmen around Heart's Home into more rigid units, and increasing the number, having a larger amount closer to the castle. Brynden's changes would not end there. Palisade walls would be constructed around the small town surrounding the walls, with stakes facing forward. Any besieging armies would have a great trouble at Heart's Home.
Even though Brynden's physical prowess had decreased, his skill had not, and so, when asked by Artys Arryn, Keeper of the Gates, to squire his son, he was glad. Whilst initially not the warrior that Robert expected, Brynden's tutelage proved instrumental in making the son of the Keeper the man he is today. Unable to train the boy personally, to great effect, Brynden used his wisdom and experience to help the Arryn realise what knighthood was about. For six years, the two trained, with Brynden allowing his squire freedom to explore the lowlands around Heart's Home between training sessions, whilst the Lord of the castle inspected the defenses he had set up. During the Arryn's squireship, a third and final child was born to the family, Sharra, a daughter, much to the happiness of her mother.
Three years later, however, Brynden's past came back to haunt him. During a bitter winter night, a hedge knight came to the gates of Heart's Home, slumped on the back of his horse. Brynden ordered the man be brought to the keep, and given a warm room and bed. In the morning, when the Lord of Heart's Home came to visit him, Brynden felt the worst feeling of all flow over him. Familiarity. Before the fire sat Gwayne Stone, bastard son of the White Raven. Expecting the worst, Brynden greeted Gwayne with caution, yet was met with a friendly, and unsurprised, reception. Gwayne had been sent by Lord Ronnel to search for Clansmen nearby, and had heard from a traveller that his grandfather had perished of an illness. And so, the two were reunited. Although he feared the reaction of his wife, Brynden introduced the two anyways. Much to the surprise of the Lord of Heart's Home, the two spoke cordially, and so, the past and the present were once more at peace.
During the Blue Winter, in 427 AC, the Lord of Heart's Home sent his squire, Robert, to assist House Lynderly with bandit attacks on their lands. Robert was incredibly successful, studying the camp intensely, and reporting it to the Snakewood. Impressed with his squire, the Corbray greeted the Arryn upon his return, and asked him to kneel, placing his sword on his shoulders, and asked him to rise as Ser Robert Arryn. Soon after, Brynden had the pleasure to encounter Visenya Silvermoon and Prince Baelor Targaryen, who toured the Mountains and Vale, assisting smallfolk. In his short time knowing Selenya Targaryen, the White Raven had respected her greatly, and he felt the same for her daughter, and in 431 AC, when invitations to her marriage to Aegon Targaryen came to Heart's Home, he attended with his entire family, a rare public appearance from the White Raven.
When it came to Baelor Targaryen, the respect flew mostly the other way. Baelor, whilst recognising Brynden's age, was in awe of the man, and wished to squire for him. After the year of relaxation following Robert Arryn's squireship, Brynden was all too happy to accept the young Targaryen as his squire, training him in the same way he trained his last pupil. However, Baelor was also intrigued by the former Kingsguard's past, and whilst the two were training, Brynden would regale the prince with tales of his past, of the Hammer Uprising, of the Mummer's War, and of the War of the Three Thieves. He named the men he killed, and their accomplishments, and Baelor listened intently. After four years, before the outbreak of the Bleeding, Baelor finished his training, and was knighted for it, without the heroics that his previous squire had achieved, but with all of the skill.
The Hammer Returns, Family Struggles[]
It was little after Prince Baelor's ascension to knighthood that another request came, this time from the Crossing, in the Riverlands. Lady Elana Frey wished for her son, Symond, to travel to Heart's Home and squire for the Lord there. Symond's training was much like the others, yet due to his similar age to Brynden's own son, Lyn, the heir to the Crossing had a far more enjoyable experience. However, Lyn's influence would not be entirely beneficial - whilst Robert Arryn and Baelor Targaryen learnt the skills and the ideals of knighthood, Symond's learning was mostly the latter, with Lyn's less honourable lifestyle affecting Symond's until the end of the boy's squireship, with Symond being knighted half for his skill, and half to get him away from Brynden's son, at the tender age of sixteen.
During Symon'd squireship, worse news than Brynden could have ever expected came four years after the end of the Blue Winter, when Heart's Home was still struggling to recover from the season. Duncan Hammer, supposed son of the man that Brynden Corbray had slain, and respected, had raised himself in rebellion against the Crown, with a reborn Warsmiths, consisting of knights and lords, unlike the band of smallfolk who Brynden had dispersed all those years before. Whilst initially conflicted over his beliefs in the Starry Rites, and his deep respect for the Hammer, the news of the fall of the Hightower, the castle that had held him and his liege, Maekar, pushed him to side with King Rhaegar Targaryen, fully. However, his chance to fight would not come, in any large way, with the Hammer Uprising staying far from the Vale. Whilst not able to participate directly in the war, Brynden sent his bastard son to King's Landing to assist the royal forces. When Gwayne left, Lyn attempted to leave with him, but was stopped by his father.
And so, Gwayne Stone won fame and valour for the house of Corbray, whilst Brynden attempted to discipline his son. However, whilst Lyn learnt quickly, he preferred to wander around Heart's Home, drinking and fraternising with hedge knights and unsavoury folk. By the end of the Hammer Uprising, after his eighteenth nameday, Lyn had added whoring to his list of less-than-lordly activities.
Worried for his son's health, Brynden arranged for more guards to be posted in areas that Lyn was oft-spotted in, as well as around the castle. Intended to simply protect the heir to Heart's Home, Brynden's plan had a greatly appreciated side-effect, with the more observant guardsmen being able to spot any suspicious figures, safeguarding the castle greatly.
Illness and Recovery[]
During the Four Year Winter, Brynden fell ill to a winter chill, and was forced into his bed. Much to his annoyance, Lyn took over rulership, along with the careful assistance of the castle Maester. Whilst Brynden's rule was stable at worst, and prosperous at best, Lyn's short regency was near catastrophic, with guard patrols being pulled back to defend the young man's favourite whorehouses, and often week-long absences of the regent himself. Whilst the Maester tried to pull everything together, he had not the strength of argument that Lyn Corbray had, and so things fell to chaos.
When Brynden was well enough to hear of this, three years into his illness, he felt himself flush with anger, and leapt from his bed, ignoring the Maester's pleas. It is said that he grasped his son by the scruff of his neck, and shook him until he apologised profusely. Lyn, once again, disappeared into the back-alleys for the next week, to dispel the guilt he felt.
Now, in 438 AC, Brynden has fully recovered from his sickness, and has returned to full control over his lands and holdings. However, eighteen years after he inherited them, he still feels uncomfortable with them. Not only that, but rumours of a mysterious knight wandering the Corbray lands, requesting support for some strange campaign, send shivers down his spine.
Recent Events[]
Brynden travels to Fairmarket with his son, Alaric, to participate in the celebrations there.
Family[]
- Lord Ronnel Corbray - Father - b. 349 AC, d. 420 AC
- m. Lady Myra Corbray nee Lynderly - Mother - b. 350 AC, d. 407 AC
- Ser Artys Corbray - Brother - b. 367 AC, d. 408 AC
- Lord Brynden Corbray - b. 369 AC
- l. Alysanne - Lover - b. 371 AC
- Gwayne Stone - Son - b. 388 AC
- m. Lady ________ ______ - Wife - b. ___
- Lyn Corbray - Son and Heir - b. 418
- Alaric Corbray - Son - b. 420
- Sharra Corbray - Daughter - b. 422
- Aianna Corbray - Sister - b. 381 AC
- Ser Gawen Corbray - Uncle - b. 351 AC
- m. Alyssa Ruthermont - Aunt - b. 354 AC
- Ser Andar Corbray - Cousin - b. 372 AC