#Tanselle Too-Tall

[ophelias-lamentation]

new fanart challenge <3

[franzkafkagf]

TANSELLE TOO-TALL 💃🏼⬆️ WAS HER NAME❗️📝 BUT 🙅‍♀️ SHE WAS NOT TOO TALL⬆️🧍‍♀️ FOR ME❗️😍

[murd3rbug]

self indulgent info dump about the hedge knight

I did this in a couple of hours and used the Hedge Knight as my only source for everything. If you see any mistakes please kindly correct me! This is mainly for me because I can't stop thinking about the Hedge Knight and want to do a project related to it, so here's everything I think I would need for it.

(contents: a [long] summary of the hedge knight, every named character, all of the tourney matches, the trial by 7 teams and deaths)

SUMMARY:

Ser Arlan of Pennytree, a hedge knight (or wandering knight), dies of a chill. His squire, Dunk is the only one who can bury him, and Dunk buries him facing the sunset, as he reflects on Ser Arlan's life. Dunk mourns the old man, yet continues taking their horses Thunder, Chestnut, and Sweetfoot, as well as Ser Arlan's sword and remaining money. He stops by an inn where he is near attacked by a drunk man, and where a bald boy called Egg demands to be his squire, but Dunk refuses because he did not want to ruin the boy's life. Dunk goes to the grand tourney at Ashford, hoping to earn some money, and Egg follows him. Dunk takes Egg as his squire, because of Egg's willpower.

At Ashford Dunk sells his horse, Sweetfoot, so that he can afford armor. He meets the cousins Ser Steffon Fossoway and his squire, Raymun Fossoway. However, he is not able to enter the lists for the tourney since no one can prove his knighthood; that is until the Hand of the King and heir to the throne Baelor Breakspear, vouches for him, after recalling how Ser Arlan broke 4 lances against him. However Prince Baelor's brother, Prince Maekar is dismissive of Dunk and is worried for his two missing sons, Prince Daeron and Prince Aegon. Dunk enters but only for the 3rd day, so he will have a better chance at winning.

On the 1st day, many jousts happen. The final joust is when Prince Aerion "Brightflame" Targaryen, grandson of King Daeron, nephew of Prince Baelor, and son of Prince Maekar uses his lance to kill Ser Humfrey Hardyng's horse. It's dishonorable and Humfrey breaks his leg in the fall. Ser Humfrey is declared the champion. That night, Prince Aerion attacks the puppeteer (Tanselle "Too-Tall) that Dunk has a crush on, because her show involved a dragon (the crest of House Targaryen) getting killed. Egg calls Dunk, and Dunk beats up Prince Aerion. When Dunk gets seized by the guards, Egg reveals himself to be Prince Aerion's younger brother, Prince Aegon Targaryen.

Aerion wants to behead Dunk, and Maekar finds his son, Prince Daeron who was supposed to accompany Egg, and Prince Daeron says that a robber knight took him so his father would not be disappointed in him. Daeron withdraws his accusation and tells Dunk that he dreamed of Dunk with a dead dragon, and that Daeron's dreams come true. Dunk demands a trail by combat and Aerion demands a trail by seven. (Teams listed on the bottom of this post.)

Baelor Breakspear fought against the Kingsguard, since the Kingsguard are bound by their vows to never harm a member of the Royal Family. Aerion fought against Dunk, since Aerion was Dunk's main accuser. Daeron was unhorsed by Ser Robyn. Prince Baelor drove down one of the Kingsguard, and it is implied he also did so to another Kingsguard and his brother, Prince Maekar. Aerion unhorsed Dunk, however Dunk was able to beat Aerion using tactics he learned from Flea Bottom. Aerion withdrew his accusation.

Afterwards, Dunk is heavily injured and the two Humfreys are dead. After Prince Baelor's helmet was removed, his brains fell out and he died. When Dunk is healed he attends the funeral, and the new heir to the throne, Prince Valarr, Baelor's eldest son asks Dunk why his father died for a hedge knight. Prince Maekar revealed to Dunk he accidentally killed his brother, even though he loved his brother and expressed his sadness and regret. Maekar told Dunk he sent Aerion to Lys, and he offered Dunk a position in his household, but Dunk declined. Instead, Dunk asks to take Prince Aegon as his squire, and continue to live as a poor hedge knight, as long as he continued to use the nickname "Egg."

EVERY NAMED CHARACTER:

Dunk (Ser Duncan the Tall)

Thunder

Chestnut

Sweetfoot

Ser Arlan of Pennytree

Egg (Aegon V)

Prince Daeron Targaryen

Lord Caron of the Marches

Ser Lyonel Baratheon

House Dondarrion (Manfred Dondarrion)

Otho Bracken

Quentyn Blackwood (MENTIONED)

MENTIONED COMPETITORS: Denys Marbrand, Joseth Mallister, Clarence Cargyll, Desmond Darry, Benifer Blackwood, Robert Blackwood, Roland Blackwood, Roger Blackwood, Ormond Westerling, Swann, Matthew Mullendore, Abelar Hightower, Alador Florent, Jon Florent, Franklyn Frey, Penrose, Samwell Stokeworth, Lord (Unkown) Parren, Gunthor Estermont, Leo Tyrell, Samwyle Tarly

Humfrey Hardyng

Aegon III (Mentioned)

Steely Pate

Plummer (Steward)

Lord Ashford (has 2 sons and a daughter)

Prince Baelor "Breakspear" Targaryen

Prince Aerion "Brightflame" Targaryen

Prince Valarr "The Young Prince" Targaryen

Prince Matarys "The Younger Prince" Targaryen (Nicknamed by Lord Swann's fool)

Ser Roland Crakehall (Kingsguard)

Ser Donnel of Duskendale (Kingsguard)

Henly (Master of Horses)

Steffon Fossoway

Raymun Fossoway

Symeon Star-Eyes noble Serwyn of the Mirror Shield, Prince Aemon the Dragonknight, Ser Ryam Redywne, and Florian the Fool (all fabled heroes portrayed in Tanselle Too-Tall's puppet show)

Prince Aerys Targaryen (Mentioned)

Prince Rhaegal Targaryen (Mentioned)

Prince Maekar Targaryen

Lord Stokeworth (Mentioned, Ser Arlan overthrew him)

The Bastard of Harrenhal (Mentioned, Ser Arlan overthrew him)

The Grey Lion, Ser Damon Lannister (Mentioned, Ser Arlan overthrew him, challenged Leo Tyrell)

Lord Baratheon hosted a tourney to celebrate the birth of his grandson (Where Ser Arlan broke 4 lances with Baelor Breakspear)

Jonquil (Subject of a puppet show, Florian the Fool's lover)

Tanselle "Too-Tall"

Tybolt Lannister

Lyonel Baratheon (called "THE LAUGHING STORM")

King Daeron the Good (Mentioned)

Wate and Yorkel (Aerion's guards)

Ser Willem Wylde

TOURNEY MATCHES: (winners are underlined)

there are 5 champions, Lord Tyrell, Androw Ashford, Lord Tully, Prince Valarr, and Robert Ashford. challengers face off champions. it is 1v1, however several matches occur at the same time. it is a joust and abides by the usual rules: you use lances to try and unhorse your opponent, and after unhorsed you can either yield or continue on foot with weapons. the loser gives their equipment to the winner, and can only ransom it back at the end of the tourney, the champions will decided if lord ashford's daughter should keep the crown of love and beauty.

champion v challenger:

THE GRAY LION OF CASTERLY ROCK V LORD TYRELL

TYBOLT LANNISTER V LORD ASHFORD'S ELDEST SON (ANDROW ASHFORD)

LORD TULLY OF RIVERRUN V SER HUMFREY HARDYNG

SER ABELAR HIGHTOWER V PRINCE VALARR

LORD LYONEL"THE LAUGHING STORM"BARATHEON V THE YOUNGER ASHFORD SON (ROBERT ASHFORD)

MEANING: TYBOLT LANNISTER AND THE LAUGHING STORM BECOME CHAMPIONS, THE REST OF THE CHAMPIONS REMAIN

-

SER PEARSE CARON V LORD TYRELL

SER JOSETH MALLISTER V SER HUMFREY HARDYNG

SER GAWEN SWANN V PRINCE VALARR TARGARYEN

MEANING: ALL CHAMPIONS REMAIN

-

UNNAMED MATCHES IN 2s, 3s, AND 5s

THESE SPECIFIC THINGS WERE CALLED OUT:

SER HUMFREY HARDYNG V SER HUMFREY BEESBURY

"BATTLE OF THE HUMFREY"

SER TYBOLT LANNISTER V SER JON PENROSE

LEO TYRELL V ROBYN RHYSLING

HUMFREY HARDYNG "HUMBLED 14 KNIGHTS"

-

single match:

PRINCE AERION BRIGHTFLAME V HUMFREY HARDYNG

TRIAL:

Judges: Prince Maekar, Prince Baelor, Lord Ashford, Lord Tyrell

(not needed because of the trial by combat)

-

Trial of the Seven:

dunk's side: (TOURNEY LANCES)

Raymun Fossoway

Robyn Rhysling

Humfrey Beesbury (Slain by Ser Donnel of Duskendale)

Humfrey Hardyng (Died after the battle)

Lyonel Baratheon / The Laughing Storm

Ser Duncan the Tall

Baelor Targaryen (Accidentally killed by his brother Maekar's mace, died after the battle)

aerion's side: (WAR LANCES)

Steffon Fossoway

Daeron Targaryen

Ser Roland Crakehall (Kingsguard)

Ser Donnel of Duskendale (Kingsguard)

Ser Willem Wylde (Kingsguard)

Maekar Targaryen

Aerion Targaryen

[shiesie]

Obviously, not all the characters are currently dead, but this poll is simply influenced by the energy I get when I read the books

[rynnthefangirl]

GRRM needs to write the rest of the Dunk and Eggs novellas so I can see who the other 7 episodic love interests that fall for the himbo knight are.

[problemduetest4life]

Fancasting myself as Tanselle Too Tall bc I take tall baddie representation anywhere I can

[claudiatherelentless]

Concept: We don't Know The Princess of Dornes name yet because it's Tanselle

[atopvisenyashill]

Lyanna likely married Rhaegar of her own will. If she was kidnapped or held against her will, then she would have slit Rhaegar's throat like Ygritte/Arya might have had.

source: trust me bro

and i’m sorry, i’m about to be so annoying with this answer, but this comparison is so ridiculous. because what you’re saying here - not in the text. what is in the text is that arya is literally kidnapped by several different people and can’t fight her way out even when she has gendry and hot pie, bc they are all children up against trained fighters who frequently outnumber them. what is in the text is jon gets the drop on ygritte, because sometimes you simply lose a fight! what is in the text is this moment from ned’s memories:

lyanna screaming for her brother! even with how distorted this dream/memory is, lyanna screaming for her brother is included for a reason. and how is she supposed to fight her way out of this? she is 16 and dying and being held captive by three of the most skilled knights in westeros’ history. arya can’t even beat sandor or harwin how is lyanna supposed to beat three people? you can’t just say no to the king (or crown prince) and not face serious repercussions. look at arya just whacking joffrey on the trident - harming the crown prince is dangerous, it is treason, it doesn’t matter if he’s a dick. it doesn’t matter if he’s the one in the wrong either - joffrey was hurting someone & being belligerent but it doesn’t matter because he’s crown prince. in the mystery knight, aerion brightflame gets to be a huge asshole and racist to Tanselle Too Tall and the only reason he faces a consequence is because Dunk is there AND Baelor Breakspear, the crown prince, agrees that his nephew needs to not be such an asshole. You cannot say no to royalty!

we also have no evidence in text that lyanna and rhaegar married as of yet! there’s some moments that could foreshadow a marriage, but that is not yet canon, it is a theory, and even so, it still doesn’t answer whether she was lied to or manipulated in some way to go along with rhaegar’s plan - and we don’t even know what rhaegar’s plan was anyway, besides making off with lyanna and impregnating her.

what we have in the text are the untrustworthy memories of people like ned, aemon, barristan, and jon connington. these are people who had biases, who were involved in the conflict, and who didn’t have all or even most of the information. we have meera’s story version of the harrenhal tourney, which is howland’s pov. we have a few comments over the years from george. but we do not have a peek into lyanna or rhaegar’s minds or plans. and it is certainly a possibility that four fully grown, very skilled knights subdoed a 16 year old.

[agentrouka-blog]

What do you think about Casella Vaith?

Hi there!!

As her wiki page rightfully suggests, she is most likely identical with the aged Lady Vaith of the Dunk and Egg tale "The Sworn Sword". And a tragic figure.

LADY CASSELLA VAITH Daughter of a Dornish lord After the Submission of Sunspear, Aegon escorted the hostages that the king had gathered from the lords of Dorne back to King's Landing. Among them was Cassella Vaith, a willowy maid with green eyes and pale white-blond hair, whom Aegon ended up keeping "hostage" in his own chambers. When the Dornishmen revolted and murdered King Daeron, all the hostages were to be killed, and Aegon—by then bored of her—returned Cassella to her place with the other prisoners. However, the new king, Baelor, pardoned all the hostages and personally took them back to Dorne. Cassella never wed, and in her old age she was consumed by the delusion that she had been Aegon's one true love and that he would soon send for her. Children by Cassella Vaith: None. (The World of Ice and Fire - The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV)

She was taken hostage in 158 AC during king Daeron I's Conquest of Dorne, old enough to be considered a maid, and was treated as spoils of war and sexually assaulted by a then 23-year-old Prince Aegon (later crowned The Unworthy). In 161 AC, she was turned over to the hostages awaiting execution for the death of king Daeron, but ultimately pardoned and returned home by the new king Baelor. That's around 3 years in captivity as Aegon's "mistress" aka. victim.

Next we hear of her, she is an anecdote of Dunk and Egg's time in Dorne. Dunk was rude to her, likely in part because he was still grieving the loss of his horse Chestnut.

The stot had died on the long thirsty crossing between the Prince's Pass and Vaith, with Egg upon his back. [...] Chestnut had died on the long dry ride to Vaith, that part was true. [...]  "I don't know how to talk with highborn ladies," he confessed as they were pouring. "We both might have been killed in Dorne, on account of what I said to Lady Vaith." "Lady Vaith was mad," Egg reminded him, "but you could have been more gallant. Ladies like it when you're gallant. [...] Dunk had doubts. "She's outlived four husbands, she must be as old as Lady Vaith.  (The Sworn Sword)

And another mention in The Mystery Knight, having impressed Dunk in some unspecified way enough to be worth remembering in this context.

Voices echoed in his head, and faces drifted past him—old Ser Arlan, Tanselle Too-Tall, Bennis of the Brown Shield, the Red Widow, Baelor Breakspear, Aerion the Bright Prince, mad sad Lady Vaith. 

He met her in 209/2010 AC, so this was 52 years after she was abducted from Dorne as a girl, and she is still around and kicking, even as she is old and "mad". We don't know how old she was when she was kidnapped, but likely a teenager rather than an established adult woman. Perhaps the experience was so traumatic that she had to reframe reality in order to cope with it, a mechanism we have seen employed in similar situations, with Daenerys and Drogo, Sansa and Joffrey, Jon and Ygritte. In a different take, she might be more similar to Falia, who is equally delusional about her true status with the man who captured her family, though with a more malicious bend. Then there's Lysa with Littlefinger, though the power dynamics are reversed.

Either way, it's not surprising that she never married and stayed locked inside her traumatic youth for the rest of her life.

A tragic figure.

[warsofasoiaf]

Do you have any theories about what Aegon V's smallfolk reforms we're?

I've mentioned this before, but I think Aegon's reforms were probably directly addressing things he experienced while walking the land as Egg. Seeing Tanselle-Too-Tall being assaulted by Aerion Brightflame might see Aegon enacting smallfolk against protection from assault from nobles or making sure Aerion's BS defense can't be used as evidence of "treason." Hearing the smallfolk complain about their inability to move during the drought might give Aegon the idea to further codify freedom of travel and undo some of Bloodraven's police state policies. But we won't know for certain unless we get another Dunk and Egg or possibly some mentions in Fire and Blood, volume 2.

Thanks for the question, Anon.

SomethingLikeALawyer, Hand of the King

[makerkenzie]

A Meta-Song of Meta and Songs

ASOIAF is a long and complex saga of meta-storytelling.

GRRM is perpetually telling stories about telling stories.

This is why theater and pageantry are so important in this universe. It's why we hear so much about storybooks and mummer shows. It's why Prince Aerion beat up Tanselle Too-Tall over a freaking puppet show. It's why Tyrion wants to have a singer killed. I mean...singers, in this setting, aren't all that powerful. They're not like pop stars in the real world, they're generally poor and nomadic. And yet...they can make the rich and powerful feel super-uncomfortable.

It's often said that GRRM likes to subvert tropes. And...okay, so, I will expand on that. All these players, starting with individuals and moving up through families and even entire armies, start with certain assumptions about how their lives are supposed to go. Ask any of them, "If your life were in a storybook, which story would it be?" and they'll all have answers ready.

...and for each answer, GRRM says, "oh, about that?" and he hangs the answer by its ankles and shakes it until all the trinkets fall out of its pockets.

It's not that the characters' starting answers are entirely wrong, necessarily. They're not entirely wrong, not always. They tend to be oversimplified, at best.

FOR EXAMPLE: Start with Jon. Ask him which story is his, and he'll say: "I'm Ned Stark's bastard." Oh, about that? The bastardy was the disguise that kept him alive all this time. Ned didn't have any children except those he had with Catelyn.

To be totally fair, it's not wrong to say Ned was his daddy.

[ophelias-lamentation]

[franzkafkagf]

tanselle too tall was her name, but she was not too tall for me.

[satan-conduit-le-bal]

"tanselle too-tall was her name, but she was not too tall for me"

[fortunate-hal]

"That was good," Egg enthused. "I like how you make them move, Jonquil and the dragon and all. I saw a puppet show last year, but they moved all jerky. Yours are more smooth."                 

"Thank you," she told the boy politely.    

Sketches of Tanselle Too-Tall made in preparation for the ink illustrations of The Hedge Knight, scanned from Art of Gary Gianni for George R. R. Martin’s Seven Kingdoms    

[xoxoctic]

Summer is for Dorne - TANSELLE TOO-TALL

The girl nodded. “Give me the shield. I’ll paint it this very night and have it back to you on the morrow.” Dunk handed it over. “I am called Ser Duncan the Tall.” “I’m Tanselle,” she laughed. “Tanselle Too-Tall, the boys used to call me.” “You’re not too tall,” Dunk blurted out. “You’re just right for...” He realized what he had been about to say, and blushed furiously. “For?” said Tanselle, cocking her head inquisitively. “Puppets,” he finished lamely.