Game of Thronesconfirms one of the biggest theories about George R.R. Martin’sSong of Ice and Firebooks, revealing thatJon Snow is the legitimate child of Lyanna Stark and Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. Despite the show initially introducing him as Ned Stark’s bastard,Jon’s parentage reveal inGame of Thronesconfirms he’s the true heir to the Iron Throne. And although this revelation doesn’t lead to him claiming it at theend ofGame of Thrones, it paints a totally different picture of characters like Lyanna and Rhaegar.
Prior to Bran’s vision inGame of Thronesseason 7, viewers are told that Rhaegar Targaryen abducted and raped Lyanna Stark. As Daenerys notes inGame of Thronesseason 8, it’s not a depiction of her brother that adds up with all the great things people often say about him. And Jon’s parentage twist proves that Rhaegar and Lyanna fell in love and were married, debunking these claims about Rhaegar. However,viewers may be left wondering how Rhaegar and Lyanna met beforeGame of Thrones, as their history is clearer in the books.
Lyanna Stark & Rhaegar Targaryen Met At A Tourney Before Robert’s Rebellion
He Crowned Her The Queen Of Love And Beauty At Harrenhal
Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen’s history is outlined in Martin’s books, which is one of the reasons L+R=J became such a hugeSong of Ice and Firetheory over the years. Lyanna and Rhaegar’s first meeting, in particular, gave readers reason to believe that the two were interested in one another romantically.Martin’s books reveal that Rhaegar and Lyanna met at a huge tourney held at Harrenhal by Lord Walter Whent. Rhaegar won the tourney, defeating multiple members of the Kingsguard, including Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Arthur Dayne.
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As champion,Rhaegar named Lyanna Stark the queen of love and beauty, a title initially held by Lord Walter Whent’s daughter, for whom the tournament was held. InA Game of Thrones,Ned recalls how Rhaegar placed a crown of blue roses in his sister’s lap — a decision that shocked the lords and ladies in attendance. Their negative reactions stemmed from the fact that Rhaegar was already married to Elia Martell, as well as the fact that Lyanna was promised to Robert Baratheon. Martin writes:
“Ned remembered the moment when all the smiles died, when Prince Rhaegar Targaryen urged his horse past his own wife, the Dornish princess Elia Martell, to lay the queen of beauty’s laurel in Lyanna’s lap. He could see it still: a crown of winter roses, blue as frost.”
Littlefinger mentions this to Sansa Stark during the show as well, but it’s a conversation that may be forgotten by the timeGame of Thronesreveals the truth about Jon in season 7. In both iterations of the story, the couple meet at the tourney at Harrenhal. And oneSong of Ice and Firetheory suggests that Lyanna may have competed in it as the Knight of the Laughing Tree as well. This would have given her more opportunities to interact with Rhaegar prior to them meeting again a year later, then running away together.
Was Lyanna Stark The Knight Of The Laughing Tree?
This Song Of Ice And Fire Theory Would Add Context To Their Romance
InA Storm of Swords, Meera also tells Bran about the tourney at Harrenhal, butshe focuses on a mysterious figure present at the event: the Knight of the Laughing Tree. According to Meera, the knight appeared during the second day of the tourney and was “short of stature.” The knight’s “ill-fitting” armor was pieced together randomly, and his shield featured an image of a weirwood tree. He defeated three knights who bullied a crannogman a day earlier — a man Lyanna Stark had gone out of her way to defend — then vanished before anyone could learn his true identity.
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While most people at the tourney assumed the Knight of the Laughing Tree was a man,the figure’s height and shield have led readers to believe that Lyanna Stark was the one beneath the armor. We know from other characters' recollections of her that she had a lot in common with Arya, from her fiery and stubborn personality to her horse-riding and fighting skills. If Martin confirms this theory inThe Winds of WinterorA Dream of Spring,it may shed light on how well Lyanna and Rhaegar got to know one another during the tourney.
Lyanna & Rhaegar’s Story Was A Huge Factor In Robert’s Rebellion
Lyanna Supposedly Being Abducted Led To The Conflict
Robert wasn’t pleased with Rhaegar crowning Lyanna the queen of love and beauty, and this set up his hatred of Rhaegar Targaryen, which only got worse when Lyanna disappeared with him.Lyanna and Rhaegar’s relationship was a keycontributor to Robert’s Rebellion, a conflict responsible for much of what followed inGame of Thrones.When Lyanna and Robert ran away together, Robert assumed that Rhaegar had forced his betrothed to go with him. Robert refused to believe Lyanna wanted to leave, as he was infatuated with her.
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Of course,Robert wasn’t the only person who thought Lyanna had been kidnapped by Prince Rhaegar. Lyanna’s father and brothers also believed she’d been abducted. This led Ned’s brother, Brandon Stark, to travel to King’s Landing and demand her return. He also wanted to see Rhaegar punished for the crimes he believed he had committed. Sadly, the Mad King arrested him instead of meeting his demands — then burned him alongside his father after calling Rickard Stark to court.
IfGame of Thrones’Jon twist is the same as the blueprint for the books, Roberts' Rebellion was “built on a lie.”
In reality,the attack on the Starks was what really set Robert’s Rebellion in motion, but it all led back to Lyanna and Rhaegar’s relationship. The name of the conflict also painted Robert Baratheon as one of its main leaders and heroes, and his actions were driven by jealousy and anger over Lyanna. But ifGame of Thrones’Jon twist is the same as the blueprint for the books, Roberts' Rebellion was “built on a lie.”
The History Of Lyanna & Rhaegar Was A Lie, According To Game Of Thrones
It’s Likely The Case For A Song Of Ice & Fire As Well
Although Lyanna and Rhaegar’s story started Robert’s Rebellion,the conflict was based on a lie: that Lyanna had been kidnapped by Rhaegar.Game of Thronesreveals that the two characters were in love with one another, with Rhaegar annulling his marriage to Princess Elia Martell before wedding Lyanna.A Song of Ice and Firehasn’t technically confirmed this, but it’s likely to follow the same path as Jon’s parentage reveal in the show. After all, theGame of Thronesshowrunners correctly guessed who Jon Snow’s mother was before Martin said yes to them adapting the series (viaCollider).
Game of Thronesseason 7, episode 7, “The Dragon and the Wolf,” reveals the true nature of Lyanna and Rhaegar’s relationship.
Martin has also dropped plenty of clues throughout the source material, all of which lay the foundation for the same Lyanna/Rhaegar reveal inA Song of Ice and Fire.Game of Thronesconfirmed the truth of this theory early, proving that Robert’s Rebellion was, as Bran notes, “built on a lie.” Of course, given the Mad King’s behavior leading up to it, it was probably necessary either way — but the truth makes Prince Rhaegar and Ned Stark look much better.
Source:Collider
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones is a multimedia franchise created by George R.R. Martin. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is the basis for the award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones, which lasted for eight seasons. After the incredibly divisive final season of Game of Thrones, the series was followed up by the prequel series House of the Dragon, which also received critical acclaim.
