Well folks, here we are at the first part of the end of our journey (a day or two late mind you)! We have looked through all the various Houses in Westeros, and have compiled a little history of each character and their family members, to try and help you become familiar with the massive world George R.R. Martin has created. Today we take a look at all of the characters who don’t belong in any of the major houses, but play a big role in the story nonetheless. Before we do that however, lets recap the houses we covered.
2) House Stark
5) House Tyrell
7) House Tully and House Arryn
So, I guess this took us a little more than a week, but at least you know your stuff now! Today we look at all of the Random Characters that we may have mentioned in previous posts, but didn’t explore fully. This article is going to contain major/minor spoilers. Some of them even happen this season. So please, continue at your own risk.
Petyr “LittleFinger” Baelish
Petyr Baelish was fostered at Riverrun, where he grew up with the Tully children. He fell in love with Catelyn Tully, but she only loved him like a brother. When he challenged Brendan Stark for her hand, Brendan not only beat him but scarred him badly, and only stopped because Catelyn intervened. After bedding Catelyn’s sister Lysa (who became pregnant with his child, but because of his low stature, had an abortion on her father’s command) one night, he was banished from Riverrun. When Lysa married Jon Arryn, she still loved Petyr and so had Jon appoint him to be in control of customs in Gulltown. There Petyr began to amass a large fortune which helped him purchase brothels in Kings Landing, and make friends in high places. He was then appointed to Master of Coin in the small council for King Robert, and it was here where he became a major player in the game of thrones. He tried to help Eddard Stark, by giving him advice when Eddard was appointed Hand of the King. But Eddard, being too honest and honorable, made the mistake of trusting Petyr, which landed him in the dungeons and inevitably executed. Petyr still sits on the small council, for King Joffrey, as the Master of Coin, but the game is still being played, and he always is thinking of his next move. In the series, Petyr Belish is played by Aiden Gillan.
Lord Varys (“the Spider”)
Although Varys is a Lord of the small council, he is the Master of Whispers, and thus many of the things he has told people cannot be believed fully. It is said that Varys was a born a slave in Lys and was purchased by a traveling mummer show, but a wealthy man purchased him for a large sum of money. When he had Varys in his possession, he used a potion to immobilize him and while Varys lay unable to move, he cut his manhood and used it in a dark magic ritual. Varys was then discarded, as he was no further use. Afterwards, he learned to become a master thief, and befriended Illyrio Maptis, they created a business where Varys would steal wealthy lords and ladys’ possessions only to have Illyrio return it for a small fee. Soon this became boring for Varys who learned that information was much more valuable than trinkets. So he gathered street urchins and taught them his art. They became a network of spies. He was hired by King Aerys to be his Master of Whispers. He advised Aerys up until his death, and would then serve Robert and Joffrey in the same position on the small council. He also befriended Eddard Stark, but as with Petyr Baelish, Eddard had a hard time trusting anyone in Kings Landing. Varys is loyal only to the Realm and will do anything to make sure that peace is obtained, regardless of who is king and how many wars are fought, ironically. In the show Varys is played by Conleth Hill.
Grand Maester Pycelle
Maester Pycelle has served many kings as a Grand Maester, but has always served the Lannister’s best interest. He is the one who convinced Aerys to open his gates to Tywin, which led to the sacking of King’s Landing. Even though he tries to play coy and old, he really has been pushing the agendas of House Lannister. When Eddard began asking questions into what Jon Arryn was searching for prior to his death, Pycelle pointed the finger at Varys to try and throw Eddard of the trail, and Eddard slowly began to see that he was under the Queen’s command. In the show, Pycelle is portrayed by Julian Glover.
Jorah Mormont
Jorah Mormont is the son of Jeor Mormont, Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. When he was young, his father took the black, so he could have the lordship of Bear Island. He fought in the Greyjoy rebellion, and because of his valor, was knighted, and when the celebration/tournament occurred, he met his wife Lynesse. When they returned to Bear Island, Lynesse was unimpressed and became unhappy, so Jorah went through great lengths to make her happy, but ended up penniless for it. When he tried to sell poachers that he found on his land, he was caught and given the choice between taking the black, or death. He instead fled over the narrow sea, and became a sell sword. While he was fighting in battles in Lys, his wife left him and he was left to fight the Braavosi on the Rhoyne. He was noticed by Viserys Targaryen during the celebration of Danaerys’s engagement party, and there went into his service. Although he reported all of the Targaryens movements to the Varys and King’s Landing (in hopes to get a pardon), he ended up declaring Danaerys his queen and swore he sword to her, even protecting her when Khal Drogo was near death. Jorah still travels with Danaerys and offers her his wisdom whenever he can. Jorah is portrayed by Iain Glen on the television show.
Ser Davos Seaworth
When Stannis was walled up in Storm’s End and running low on provisions for his army, Davos smuggled food (mainly onions) to the army via ship at night. When the siege was lifted, he was knighted and named Davos Seaworth (also nicknamed the Onion Knight). But his past could not be forgotten, so for his smuggling days, Stannis removed three of his fingers, which Davos now keeps in a bag around his neck, as a constant reminded of what has been given to him and more importantly, what was (and can be) taken away. He is a devout supporter of Stannis and is his voice of reason in all of his council meetings. Davos Seaworth is played by Liam Cunningham in the HBO show.
Bronn
We meet Bronn during the first season (and book) when Catelyn Tully takes Tyrion into custody. He is the first to offer Tyrion his lodgings but also one of the first to help Catelyn escort him to the Eyrie. When Tyrion opts for a trial by battle, Bronn offers his sword, knowing full well that a Lannister always pays their debts. He continues to follow Tyrion as protection, though only remains in his service as long as he is given the gold he is promised. When the Battle of the Green Fork occurs, it is Bronn who finds Shae for Tyrion. After the battle, he escorts Tyrion back to King’s Landing and there is promoted to Captain of the City Watch. Bronn is portrayed by Jerome Flynn in the HBO series.
Gendry
We first came across Gendry during the first season, when Eddard Stark starts to look into what Jon Arryn was searching for. We learn that Gendry is none other than Robert Baratheon’s bastard son. Gendry is unaware of this, and when he decides to take the black, he meets Arya on the road to Castle Black. He is also the only other person aware that Arya is a girl and not some boy named Arry. The gold cloaks are on the look out for him, in their quest to kill every bastard of Robert Baratheon, but so far Gendry has escaped their grasp. In the show he is portrayed by Joe Dempsie.
That about sums up the rest of the major players in Game of Thrones, but there are a few that I would like to mention. It should be pointed out that even the minor characters present in the series can become major at any time, or at least create a major impact. So tomorrow, we shall take a look at Part 2 of Random Character Section in the finale of House of the Day!!
