Knight of the Laughing Tree: how did Jon Snow's parents meet?

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  • čas přidán 19. 05. 2017
  • Twenty years before Game of Thrones, the biggest party in Westeros was held at Harrenhal - with Starks, Targaryens and Daynes in attendance. Who was the mysterious knight who fought for a young crannogman?
    This video contains spoilers for Game of Thrones up to Season 6 and Book 5.
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Komentáře • 1,7K

  • @stalk8r
    @stalk8r Před 7 lety +8444

    Me at the beginning: Such a random little tale, why make a video about it?
    Me at the end: Holy shit, this story started the events of Game of Thrones.

    • @Ruminations09
      @Ruminations09 Před 7 lety +376

      That's basically how I feel whenever I start reading about any historical event in GoT lore.

    • @avarma6313
      @avarma6313 Před 7 lety +171

      if it wasnt for this event there may have been no jon snow

    • @HimanshuSingh-sf3lc
      @HimanshuSingh-sf3lc Před 7 lety +66

      PokemonTom09 just read the books ffs..

    • @k0kiss
      @k0kiss Před 7 lety +161

      Vilkku There are more small events that lead up to bigger events. G.R.R Martin is really good at world building and connecting events.

    • @avarma6313
      @avarma6313 Před 7 lety +101

      grrm is incredibly intelligent you can just make 5 tv series just out of what happend before game of thrones.Its scary to think so much of planetos is still undiscovered.

  • @Grim187Grey
    @Grim187Grey Před 7 lety +7342

    "Lyanna was great at riding"
    I'm sure Rhaegar would agree.

  • @cr4ckem
    @cr4ckem Před 7 lety +4810

    Yeah, I remember those sweet highschool parties where we plotted to overthrow the government.

    • @g-rexsaurus794
      @g-rexsaurus794 Před 7 lety +60

      Trump, you were also one of those hippies at the time?

    • @zeeiremonger9201
      @zeeiremonger9201 Před 7 lety +60

      congrats you did it bro

    • @jackstraw522
      @jackstraw522 Před 6 lety +5

      Michael Price he still said it so it's fair game

    • @TurnipCart
      @TurnipCart Před 3 lety +12

      Hahahahahahah! Hilarious because of how true that probably is in present day. Commies everywhere man!

    • @dark_fire_ice
      @dark_fire_ice Před 3 lety +2

      Oh good, I thought I was the only one

  • @mattyp3183
    @mattyp3183 Před 4 lety +1706

    The thought of Ned having his brother ask Ashara to dance because he was shy is so heartwarming

    • @joaovitoralmeidarodriguess8576
      @joaovitoralmeidarodriguess8576 Před rokem +12

      there is no honor in that.

    • @CC-tl3zs
      @CC-tl3zs Před rokem +84

      @@joaovitoralmeidarodriguess8576 he wasn’t expected to be the outwardly noble one until Brandon, who was expected to be outwardly noble, kicked it. The war gave him all the time he needed to be stoic.

    • @bessux1995
      @bessux1995 Před rokem

      @@joaovitoralmeidarodriguess8576 Caralho, que comentário imbecil.

    • @jonstark153
      @jonstark153 Před rokem +56

      @@joaovitoralmeidarodriguess8576 neither there is a dishonour

    • @tamerlane9889
      @tamerlane9889 Před rokem +10

      He just like me fr

  • @fatherireland5737
    @fatherireland5737 Před 7 lety +5970

    Only George R.R. Martin would kill Rhaegar, the single most important character in A Song of Ice and Fire, before the series actually begins.

    • @nickvangruen3906
      @nickvangruen3906 Před 7 lety +84

      Connor Lee I think that littlefinger might be more important than Rhaegar

    • @klioseth4336
      @klioseth4336 Před 7 lety +834

      +Nick Van Gruen Rhaegar is way more important than littlefinger. Rhaegar caused the rebellion, fathered Jon snow, inspired Danny and was deeply aware of the prophecy of ice and fire and even thought he was fulfilling it by being with lyanna.
      In comparaison, Littlefinger planned the murder of a Hand, betrayed another, killed a puppet king and just seek power while the kingdoms collapse. He has no value to the overall story. He just symbolizes the greed and selfishness of men for whom self-interest is everything.

    • @Mcrawf21
      @Mcrawf21 Před 7 lety +130

      The Rebellion was nothing compared to the War of the Five Kings. Littlefinger is responsible for the entire ASoIaF story.

    • @janmil5630
      @janmil5630 Před 7 lety +164

      Littlefinger isn't really any more important than the other characters he's currently with. Sure he's the mastermind of most of the things that happened and probably has his own ambitions but his worth pretty much ends there.
      He's kind of like only above Margaery/Varys/other players by a step. Margaery wants to be Queen, she does all sorts of tricks to become Queen, she's smart and cunning. LF wants to be King(well, that's what he says), he does all sorts of tricks to become King, he's smart and cunning. The only difference is that he's done a lot more "tricks" than Margaery.

    • @keithjohnston4488
      @keithjohnston4488 Před 7 lety +7

      go on then, actually argue...bold statement is not argument.

  • @pearse9116
    @pearse9116 Před 7 lety +5220

    "This was like the biggest highschool housepart in all of Westeros . . . who got the most drunk? Who hooked up with who? Who was plotting to overthrow the government?"
    Damn, Alt-Shift-X has had some crazy house parties.

    • @Lynch2507
      @Lynch2507 Před 7 lety +236

      So how's the party goin?
      Pretty good, got laid, had a few drinks, made a plan to overthrow the capitalist pigs and install a new communist regime. ya know, the usual.

    • @hjorturerlend
      @hjorturerlend Před 7 lety +30

      I can get behind the last part ;)

    • @LeoSkyro
      @LeoSkyro Před 7 lety +149

      The answer to who got the most drunk will never not be Robert.

    • @tbeller80
      @tbeller80 Před 7 lety +21

      Isn't there a line in the books somewhere about how put off Lyanna was from Robert's drinking at the tourney?

    • @td644
      @td644 Před 7 lety +28

      Wait you never laid out plans to overthrow a government over beerpong? You missed out.

  • @Sara-jg2qx
    @Sara-jg2qx Před 7 lety +497

    The fact that Ned never told Bran the story always reminded me of what the Stark children always say about Lyanna: "Father never talked about her".

  • @teacupkoala175
    @teacupkoala175 Před 2 lety +861

    I love that Rhaegar, Ellia, Lyana and Robert all have this super complicated love web going on, and Jon Connington is just kinda there with the unrequited love

    • @Spongebrain97
      @Spongebrain97 Před rokem +84

      Yeah from Connington's POV you'd think that he was Rhaegar's best friend and they were inseparable but in the grand scheme he really wasn't and Rhaegar probably didn't even notice anything nor think they were close 😅

    • @kushagraagrawal7292
      @kushagraagrawal7292 Před rokem +28

      Also ashara dayne, ned, and barristan selmy. Possibly Brandon as well.

    • @viderevero1338
      @viderevero1338 Před rokem +1

      Don't forget to spray Cersei in there.

    • @leo_the_v.3847
      @leo_the_v.3847 Před 7 měsíci +8

      He just like me fr

    • @juwebles4352
      @juwebles4352 Před 7 měsíci +12

      don't forget how cersei gets caught up in that web too

  • @Joan-gd5ct
    @Joan-gd5ct Před 7 lety +353

    Maybe the fact that Rhaegar (whose wife Ellia attended the tourney) crowned Lyanna in front of all the court was not just a love thing. He in fact was crowning her with the only title a woman could get, because he considered her to be the true winner of the tourney.

    • @miea34
      @miea34 Před rokem +73

      That is actually lovely

    • @SPQSpartacus
      @SPQSpartacus Před 9 měsíci +34

      Wow. That’s really something Rhaegar would do.

    • @talisa222
      @talisa222 Před 3 měsíci +8

      I like this theory. In the end their relations might have had nothing do with love in any way. He married her for the prophesy and crowned her as the honorable thing to do. I imagine he respected and well-liked her.

  • @nonchefsaussy
    @nonchefsaussy Před 7 lety +2516

    - you know Varys was lit that night; gossip like a mf. Medieval romper on.

  • @Amir-mq4jy
    @Amir-mq4jy Před 7 lety +810

    "Maybe it's Ned "
    Ned : " I don't fight in tournaments"

    • @oThalesra
      @oThalesra Před 5 lety +42

      Maybe that's why he hid his identity

    • @ianmcpherson2171
      @ianmcpherson2171 Před 5 lety +18

      I think it being Ned is a good possibility

    • @thepainkiller4939
      @thepainkiller4939 Před 4 lety +8

      It was Lyanna.

    • @thepainkiller4939
      @thepainkiller4939 Před 4 lety +47

      @@ianmcpherson2171 Lyanna because it makes sense. Think about it, Rhaegar was sent to find out who it was... He probably found out it was Lyanna, and lied about it because he fell in love with her.

    • @ianmcpherson2171
      @ianmcpherson2171 Před 4 lety +10

      Maybe but the way GRRM writes I think it's more possible it was Ned and he just didn't make a big deal about it.

  • @1mrs1
    @1mrs1 Před 5 lety +273

    One other piece of evidence that points to it being Lyanna: the Reeds are surprised that Ned never mentioned the story to Bran. Ned knows it was Lyanna but buries all the memories of her deep to protect the promise he made to her: keep Jon Snow safe. Also, to Howland Reed it was just a cool thing that happened to him, but to Ned it was the start of a tragedy that would end in the deaths of basically his entire family.

  • @ultron-5600
    @ultron-5600 Před 4 lety +318

    Anyone in the seven kingdoms: *Exists*
    King Aerys, “The Mad King”: You’re my enemy!

    • @connorbosley4431
      @connorbosley4431 Před 3 lety +31

      Anyone: *breathes*
      Aerys: and i took that personally

    • @deeta000
      @deeta000 Před 2 lety +14

      He was right to be paranoid. I’d conspire against a leader with foot long fingernails.

  • @theColJessep
    @theColJessep Před 7 lety +3040

    Silly, small of stature but a good, agile fighter with a booming voice? It was Ser Pounce! =3

    • @shawofeverything3716
      @shawofeverything3716 Před 7 lety +131

      Profile pictures checks out.

    • @Wolfeson28
      @Wolfeson28 Před 7 lety +17

      If that's the truth, I don't think we can handle it!

    • @NikkiM.
      @NikkiM. Před 7 lety +87

      Ser Pounce is the Knight of the Laughing Tree and Azor Ahai.

    • @ArmageddonAngel
      @ArmageddonAngel Před 7 lety +39

      Nikki M. Solis the pounce that was promised

    • @heyheyheyheyheyhey76
      @heyheyheyheyheyhey76 Před 7 lety +34

      Ser Pounce would sit on the Iron Throne. Ser Pounce would rule everything in harmony. Drogon Rhaegal and Viserion would serve as bodyguards. Ghost the fluffy white wolf will be hand of the king.

  • @ramonalejandrosuare
    @ramonalejandrosuare Před 7 lety +1021

    "Who got the most drunk, who hooked up with who, who was plotting to overthrow the government..."
    So basically Robert Baratheon was the real MVP of the Tourney of Harranhal.

    • @PeterPranker1
      @PeterPranker1 Před 4 lety +13

      Harrenhal*

    • @PeterPranker1
      @PeterPranker1 Před 3 lety +2

      @Wolf I mean, I'm not expecting him to see my reply and fix the comment. It's for other people who sees it.

    • @Rol-E-Roll-da_real_1
      @Rol-E-Roll-da_real_1 Před 2 lety +13

      OMG your comment just reminded me that I want a focus series on Robert Baratheons parties before AND after becoming King. Boy must've partied hard as hell.

    • @BarrywHiteFTW
      @BarrywHiteFTW Před rokem +1

      😂

    • @bait5257
      @bait5257 Před rokem +4

      It was Jon arryn who started the rebellion...

  • @tedesco7219
    @tedesco7219 Před 5 lety +259

    Turns out it was actually Quaithe, as usual

    • @marinuswillett6147
      @marinuswillett6147 Před 3 lety +44

      Duh. Lyanna is half horse. What else is half horse? Centaurs. Where are centaurs said to have lived? The eastern Dothraki Sea. What's just south of the Eastern Dothraki Sea? Quarth. Who lives there? Quaithe

  • @alisdairreid6998
    @alisdairreid6998 Před 5 lety +612

    "You never heard this tale from your father?" "Your lord father never told it to you?"
    Ned has been consistently taciturn with all matters Lyanna. Why not with this tale too?

    • @goranpersson7726
      @goranpersson7726 Před rokem +19

      i mean, the reed boy did not know eddard himself. probably only really knew him as a friend of his father through the stories. if his own father told tales of what he and his friends got up to he quite reasonably might have had the assumption that the other part of those stories might tell them to his own children

  • @epser5842
    @epser5842 Před rokem +183

    Jon's identity, killing the greatest knight to ever live, his children helping Bran to save the world, the plot to put Jon on the throne, and now being the catalyst for Robert's war. I love how this seemingly ordinary crannogman is somehow at the center of everything.

  • @anarsehole
    @anarsehole Před 4 lety +613

    So, what you're telling me is that everything that happened is
    ALL HOWLAND REED'S FAULT

    • @karahtar
      @karahtar Před 3 lety +125

      All because the status quo was broken. Because a little crannogmen wanted to see what all the fuzz was about...

    • @Jess-yo9rt
      @Jess-yo9rt Před 3 lety +20

      @@karahtar I laughed way too much at this comment, time to get out of the internet.

    • @admin.slayerenryu5217
      @admin.slayerenryu5217 Před 3 lety +60

      More like because of a couple idiot squires. That and Aerys ever growing paranoia and Rhaegar's actions regarding Lyanna.

    • @marinuswillett6147
      @marinuswillett6147 Před 3 lety +25

      Howland Reed is Quaithe

    • @elenarodriguez7809
      @elenarodriguez7809 Před 2 lety +13

      You can blame Aerys. So what if a mystery knight won and beat up 3 idiot squires? Why did Aerys care? If he never sent Rhaegar to find the mystery knight Lyanna and Rhaegar would have never met and fell in love.

  • @prabetoo11
    @prabetoo11 Před 7 lety +397

    a man simply cannot ignore a game of thrones video

    • @d4dagger
      @d4dagger Před 7 lety +20

      [Fixed] alt shift x's game of thrones video

    • @aniruddhachaudhari3160
      @aniruddhachaudhari3160 Před 7 lety +3

      a man cannot wait for the next season of game of thrones
      a man is no one , but still a man doesn't get what he wants

    • @TheStainlessFish
      @TheStainlessFish Před 7 lety

      wtf are you even saying?

    • @sodapopwilliamsw925
      @sodapopwilliamsw925 Před 6 lety +1

      A man really can't wait for the 8th season

  • @Eevivivi
    @Eevivivi Před 4 lety +194

    it’s worth noting that Lyanna saves Howland from the squires by beating them with a wooden tourney sword.

    • @lluewhyn
      @lluewhyn Před 2 lety +26

      Right, so she therefore has the most direct connection to deliberately riding against those same squires and forcing their chastisement.

    • @devilpistons1269
      @devilpistons1269 Před rokem +12

      Syrio Forel is Jon's mother?

    • @ashtonwilliams4016
      @ashtonwilliams4016 Před rokem +1

      Rhayger found out and fell in love with lyanna, battle of the trident

    • @mxmlnlcdcdffmnt2232
      @mxmlnlcdcdffmnt2232 Před rokem +6

      @@devilpistons1269 Its basicaly canon, DnD just "kinda forgot" to reveal it in the show, im sure George wont do that mistake

    • @mum-your
      @mum-your Před 4 měsíci

      @@mxmlnlcdcdffmnt2232 in season 1 when arya was fighting syrio and ned watching them, i think dnd tried to hint at the lynna stuff. but who cares, at the end the forgot

  • @fayrayprincess7677
    @fayrayprincess7677 Před 6 lety +189

    I actually never questioned that it was anyone other than Lyanna. It just makes too much sense. It gives a good excuse for Rhaegar to fall in love with her.

  • @jediqueer6162
    @jediqueer6162 Před 5 lety +753

    I mean... I feel like it was always implied that it was Lyanna who did it, from the start. Lyanna rescues him at the start, Lyanna wants him to stand up for himself, she's described as a "She-Wolf" and from what we know about her is a lot like Arya, and the idea of Rhaegar being sent after the night only to discover it was Lyanna Stark creates a nice start to their relationship. I never got the impression it was supposed to be Howland.

    • @matthewparker9276
      @matthewparker9276 Před 3 lety +49

      Bran certainly thought it was Howland, but it just doesn't quite feel right in the story, and meera implies that that would be the fairy tale interpretation, but not the truth.

    • @mpt3245
      @mpt3245 Před 2 lety +7

      It parallels Jon saving Sam too in some ways.

    • @lluewhyn
      @lluewhyn Před 2 lety +16

      @Innocent Jogger Especially because Ned believes that Lyanna's actions later led to her death (in a roundabout way). He has reservations about Arya's fate because he sees so much of Lyanna in her.

    • @hostile_prof
      @hostile_prof Před rokem +2

      I actually had the thought that because the Knight of the Laughing Tree speaks in the story and no one can tell if they were female I got the impression that Lyanna convinced Benjen to pretend to be the knight while speaking and she did the riding. It seems to explain to me why the armor was ill fitting, Lyanna couldn’t have brought any personal armor if she had it (Rickard had sent her with her brothers so she could meet her betrothed and foster alliances for house Stark) But Benjen could very well have been sent with armor since he would be about the age of some squires and lordlings and sparing could be an easy in for a new friendship (Rickard as wanted Benjen to make friends and form new alliances for the house) and he seemed to be the person to have a way to get his hands on armor quickly for Howland so it would track that he would be sent with armor that was about his size, but with potentially some room to grow considering he was just 14.

    • @ChadKakashi
      @ChadKakashi Před rokem +2

      Most women don’t fight and the ones that do aren’t as good/strong as men. Plus the knight speaks so I’d be obvious if she was a woman.
      Plus a short stature, on top of being a woman (meaning weak), would be such a disadvantage, she has to be INCREDIBLY skilled and experienced to win.
      The theory works because of the stuff with Rhaegar, it’s completely unbelievable otherwise. Bran’s time travel stuff fits more if you don’t count the Rhaegar stuff.

  • @ser_ryon_vine6392
    @ser_ryon_vine6392 Před 7 lety +416

    its funny cuz i remember the chapter when Jon flees from the wildlings to get back to castle black, he rids off on the horse like a beast, and then thinks to himself later on that he shouldnt have been able to do that....i always saw that as a connection to Lyanna since she was half a horse lol

    • @edwardwrites374
      @edwardwrites374 Před 7 lety +27

      Maybe they did a partial warg with their horses. Wait that sounds weird... heh

    • @Cissablack708
      @Cissablack708 Před 4 lety +14

      I alwaya loved it when they referred to lyanna and Brandon in the book as a "couple of centaurs" i cant remwbwr if it waa roose bolton or barbrey Dustin

    • @angadsingh9314
      @angadsingh9314 Před 4 lety

      Robb was a better rider than Jon.

    • @sophiawilson8696
      @sophiawilson8696 Před 3 lety +2

      All Northmen ride like the centaurs. There a scene in books that Ayra almost out rides one of her father banner man. Let me tell you an other clue Daenerys who is given a white horse by husband takes it like she born on a horse. Lyanna loves riding like daughter like mother.

    • @sophiawilson8696
      @sophiawilson8696 Před 3 lety

      @@Cissablack708 it was Lady Dustin.

  • @IainDoc15
    @IainDoc15 Před 7 lety +1299

    I'd never heard the time travel theory before, but I think it might now be my favourite
    But yeah, it was probably Lyanna

    • @colejames423
      @colejames423 Před 7 lety +79

      God I hope not. Anytime time-travel is introduced it always fucks up the story with it's plot holes and paradoxes.

    • @micaelagonzalez71
      @micaelagonzalez71 Před 7 lety +19

      Exactly! The whole Hodor loop thing is totally BS (though I did cry). But it just doesn't fit ASOIAF in my opinion.

    • @gunterke
      @gunterke Před 7 lety +10

      Yes, Lyanna fits better as Bran, though wanting to become a knight, he didn't quite master weapons very well before he got paralysed.

    • @gunterke
      @gunterke Před 7 lety +1

      (yet)

    • @treesarecool12345678
      @treesarecool12345678 Před 7 lety +2

      IainDoc15 D+D=T. Go on Reddit and find it. Your life will be changed forever

  • @zazzrazzamatazz9970
    @zazzrazzamatazz9970 Před 7 lety +213

    I'd always thought Ned's dislike of the Tourney of the Hand was just the stated one- that it was too expensive. But I'd think he surely knew what Lyanna did at Harrenhall. The tourney in King's Landing would have just been a painful reminder of the past.

  • @Rileykirk77
    @Rileykirk77 Před 7 lety +226

    The Knight of the Laughing Tree was Lancel, Osmund Kettleblack, or even Moon Boy for all I know. . .

  • @cav89-
    @cav89- Před rokem +16

    Using Jon Arryn’s image of his funeral rites while talking of the biggest party ever had me chuckling, which evolved into uncontrollable laughter as I imagined him getting so wasted that he passed out in some corner and Robert put two stones over his eyes, while Ned watched from a distance, not wanting to take part in the prank but almost laughing himself

  • @RogueSeraph
    @RogueSeraph Před 6 lety +92

    The amount of badasses on that single tournament...wow.
    I would've loved to see that on the show.

    • @PedroLucas-mg5je
      @PedroLucas-mg5je Před 2 lety +5

      Let's hope that more details about the tourney will be revealed in the next books! (Martin himself said that if he was going to write a ASOIAF prequel book, he would focus on the Tourney of Harrenhal and I even had a title idea: The Tourney Of The False Spring)

    • @goranpersson7726
      @goranpersson7726 Před rokem +2

      @@PedroLucas-mg5je i mean considering how important the tourney was I would not be surprised if a full book series could be made up of the tourney and maybe a few months prior to it with all the setup for it

    • @muneebsajjad4247
      @muneebsajjad4247 Před 10 měsíci

      If they ever make that prequel/spin-off show about Robert's Rebellion (which I really hope they do) this Tourney of Harrenhal is where the story should start from. It was basically the main catalyst for the war.

  • @Cleptrio
    @Cleptrio Před 6 lety +82

    I love the whole Lyanna story, but the idea of Bran going back and being a knight for a day is so freakin cute.

  • @Erufailon42
    @Erufailon42 Před rokem +40

    Man, I can't believe it took me 20 years to realize the significance that Rhaegar was sent to search for the mystery knight and then later crowned Lyanna. The crowning always seemed a bit odd to me. Like he just did it because she seemed odd or whatever with no previous contact. And then later she ran off with him just because of the crowning? But if they met because of this story it suddenly all connects.
    And the fact that Ned never told Bran the story was also a bit of a mystery to me. Sure, it might have been painful to talk about his dead sister, which is what I've always assumed, though it seemed a bit weak as an explanation. But if it's actually the literal reason why Lyanna ran off with Rhaegar, and the origin of Jon Snow and "Promise me Ned"...
    Well, thank you for clearing up that little mystery for me.

  • @EL-ISS
    @EL-ISS Před 2 lety +78

    I wish you'd have added Leana Stark's words as she saved Howland: "That's my father's man you're beating!"
    Leana barely has any lines in the series, but when she speaks it really nails her character and how similar she is to Arya. Had Leana lived, Arya would be her favourite niece!
    Regardless, love you're videos and always rewatching them to find more and more details. Cheers for all the good work, you deserve the success!

  • @needycatproductions6830
    @needycatproductions6830 Před 7 lety +174

    So beautiful. I didn't even think that Rhaegar might have actually found the Knight of the Laughing Tree. It would in fact fit perfectly if it was Lyanna and they had their first 1 on 1 meeting. I am now convinced. Thanks so much, Alt Shift X and in general for another great video.

    • @RUAmplified
      @RUAmplified Před 7 lety +3

      Jim Nastycs sooo romantic

    • @g-rexsaurus794
      @g-rexsaurus794 Před 7 lety +9

      A 23 year old married men with children seducing a 15 years old virgin girl, SO romantic.
      NOT

    • @needycatproductions6830
      @needycatproductions6830 Před 7 lety +11

      How do you know who seduced who?

    • @liynne
      @liynne Před 6 lety +9

      sadly, in medieval times this was perfectly fine and normal to happen.

    • @TheConspiratorist
      @TheConspiratorist Před 6 lety +1

      DancingDovaaah
      Well, the married part is pretty fucked anywhere you go. A 23 year old man, with a lot more life experience than a 15 year old, seducing the other is also fucked.

  • @neilbodwell9172
    @neilbodwell9172 Před 2 lety +29

    I don't think Ned asked Brandon to ask Ashara for him, I think Brandon saw that his little brother was looking at her and just decided to try to set his little brother up like a good big brother would.

  • @kristopherbarker3282
    @kristopherbarker3282 Před 5 lety +16

    When I first heard this story, my first thought was 'Yeah, that's Lyanna.'

  • @jv11112
    @jv11112 Před 7 lety +356

    It's Jaqen because reasons

    • @finn3224
      @finn3224 Před 6 lety +5

      Jz6x6 because faceless men *

    • @theonlywalltostareat5808
      @theonlywalltostareat5808 Před 5 lety +8

      A man dont even born yet

    • @sirocco2810
      @sirocco2810 Před 4 lety +3

      Nah DnD will make it a spin off and Arya will be the laughing tree because they need her to do the heroic shit.

    • @senseiwing6425
      @senseiwing6425 Před 4 lety +8

      A man is a horse

    • @jakes1566
      @jakes1566 Před 4 lety +8

      Every character besides the POV characters are faceless men.

  • @thatguywhostacks
    @thatguywhostacks Před 7 lety +715

    JUST DROP THE DAMN TRAILER BEFORE I PISS MYSELF DAMNIT!

    • @thekub32
      @thekub32 Před 7 lety +3

      Seeing the date on which Season 6's trailer was released, Season 7's trailer will be released on the 1st of July.

    • @antoniocarvalho2730
      @antoniocarvalho2730 Před 7 lety

      I'm so excited about it. I've been watching GOT since its release back in 2011 but season 7 has definitely something special. Hope you're right Johnson.

    • @williamdrouin8063
      @williamdrouin8063 Před 7 lety

      Dwayne Johnson i think we will have a first trailer ( like a proper one (1m-2m) before July like in early June and a second one on July 1

    • @moon2a379
      @moon2a379 Před 7 lety +2

      Well if they drop the official trailer I won't watch it first of all
      It will be pretty close to the release
      It's gonna ruin some twists in the main show
      It's gonna just spoil things

    • @guysimchony309
      @guysimchony309 Před 7 lety +4

      Mianah 9A When has a GoT trailer ever spoiled something? They're always great at teasing the season and getting us excited while not giving away any major plot points

  • @TheStainlessFish
    @TheStainlessFish Před 7 lety +277

    Is no one going to say anything about the fucking brilliant animations :O I'm psyched here. Good Job +Alt Shift X

    • @jackierosas9593
      @jackierosas9593 Před 7 lety +47

      thepinkfish19454832 The animations are from the series and actors from the show narrate stories about the history of Westeros. It's really cool and they even have some on CZcams

    • @TheStainlessFish
      @TheStainlessFish Před 7 lety +2

      oh alright. It goes really well with shift's video, that's what I meant :D

    • @Cardea81
      @Cardea81 Před 7 lety +1

      thepinkfish19454832 yes! i loved it

    • @MultiPumkinface
      @MultiPumkinface Před 7 lety

      crazy

    • @tuna5936
      @tuna5936 Před 6 lety

      how can i find it ? those animations

  • @muffin6369
    @muffin6369 Před 6 lety +19

    GRR doesn't ever write a "little tale" he is always 100 steps ahead of everyone and every which way the story could go. He NEVER makes a mistake. One thing builds on another, one thing is part of another, one thing affects 10 things. GRR is simply "THE MAN"!!!

  • @92alexmaster
    @92alexmaster Před 7 lety +141

    Lyanna was an absolute badass.

  • @benjaminsaffir7871
    @benjaminsaffir7871 Před 7 lety +206

    "Everyone was there", and in order to fill out the rectangle you include Eon Hunter, like anyone cares about him haha.

    • @AltShiftX
      @AltShiftX  Před 7 lety +148

      Hey now, I'm sure lots of people care about Eon! Maybe not his sons though, seeing as they murder him and all...

    • @Creationsofmyown
      @Creationsofmyown Před 7 lety +2

      But focusing on minor characters would be almost as bad as doing done to death videos that assume from the outset a "theory" that's the major red herring for the story.

    • @fredex8
      @fredex8 Před 7 lety +5

      I've not read the books but 'Eon Hunter' totally sounds like the lead in a sci-fi B movie porn parody.

    • @GoErikTheRed
      @GoErikTheRed Před 7 lety +19

      I've read the books twice and I have no idea who Eon Hunter is.

    • @gibberishtwist
      @gibberishtwist Před 7 lety +9

      I'm currently on my fourth read-through of the series and I have no idea who he is either.

  • @ivanrenic4243
    @ivanrenic4243 Před 4 lety +23

    0:22 "...who hooked up with who, who is plotting to overthrow the goverment" you know, the usual.

  • @davidnicolae8158
    @davidnicolae8158 Před 7 lety +42

    Lyanna beeing the Knight of the Laughing Tree would also fit well with Ned never telling his son the story, as he was always really reserved when the talk was about his sister.

  • @Jake-mc6kw
    @Jake-mc6kw Před 7 lety +687

    I thought it was obvious that it was Lyanna, GRRM loves female warriors

    • @Thalasius
      @Thalasius Před 7 lety +61

      Yeah I agree with u 100% I always thought it was Lyanna

    • @monsieurlaguillotine3481
      @monsieurlaguillotine3481 Před 7 lety +138

      At least they're well thought out female warriors. Unlike...every other fantasy series ever.

    • @farfromirrational948
      @farfromirrational948 Před 7 lety +11

      its bran. he worgs to the past and paints the image of the tree he grew up with before destroying them all for whatever reason

    • @farfromirrational948
      @farfromirrational948 Před 7 lety +22

      awww crap....I thought I was be clever, I hadn't seen the whole video.....hes explaining this theory now lmao

    • @AroundElvesWatchUrselves96
      @AroundElvesWatchUrselves96 Před 7 lety

      K den

  • @9SMTM6
    @9SMTM6 Před 7 lety +13

    Another point that supports Lyanna as the Knight: as was told Jojen was quite surprised that Eddard never told the Stark child's the story of the Knight, but he doesn't know or didn't connect that Eddard never spoke about Lyanna, so if Eddard knew that Lyanna was the Knight he wouldn't have spoken about it.

  • @TheUberSuperNova
    @TheUberSuperNova Před 7 lety +524

    Obviously Lyanna was a great rider, just ask Rhaegar.

    • @Brandonhayhew
      @Brandonhayhew Před 6 lety +4

      Ravus Nox Fleuret Lady dustin knows brandon and lyanna were both great riders and ned says that as well.

    • @emanresplandor3878
      @emanresplandor3878 Před 6 lety +1

      what do you mean?

    • @Brandonhayhew
      @Brandonhayhew Před 6 lety +1

      Kriswella Matho He actually means is the mystery knight was Lyanna, she was a great rider, but not only rheagar that knows but also brandon, eddard, barbery, catelyn.

    • @emanresplandor3878
      @emanresplandor3878 Před 6 lety +24

      no, i thought ravos means another thing. you know.

    • @Brandonhayhew
      @Brandonhayhew Před 6 lety +1

      Kriswella Matho okey

  • @vathek5958
    @vathek5958 Před 7 lety +48

    I always thought it was Ned, dressing up in such a way that he wouldn't be recognised to avoid the fame while still defending someones honour sounds just like him. However, I agree now that Lyanna fits the wider story the best.

  • @infa_xd
    @infa_xd Před 7 lety +67

    I was bored and thinking about going outside but then I saw your upload.. you saved my life. Thanks.

  • @stierpatrik988
    @stierpatrik988 Před 7 lety +152

    thanks for the high quality content, sir

    • @spj4you
      @spj4you Před 7 lety

      Go see his Arya/Wolf vid. Still my favorite one and what I seriously want for Arya's storyline by the end it.

    • @stierpatrik988
      @stierpatrik988 Před 7 lety

      haha I've watched literally all of his videos, I consider myself a hardcore fan ;)

  • @CiarantheDirector
    @CiarantheDirector Před 7 lety +20

    I really really hope it was Lyanna now; that would fit beautifully with the whole helping out Howland thing

  • @FallenAngel-lk8bm
    @FallenAngel-lk8bm Před 7 lety +31

    I've heard this theory before and I always thought it was Lyanna. You made a great point that I hadn't considered before about Rhaegar actually knowing she was the knight but keeping it a secret.That made so much sense and I think you just blew my mind. Further evidence (although circumstantial) that she was the knight.

  • @ardenvida4598
    @ardenvida4598 Před 7 lety +8

    the beginning was my favorite description of the tourney at Harrenhall ever oh my god that's hilarious

  • @Zana205
    @Zana205 Před 7 lety +35

    A fun review, I enjoy how you seemingly did why you said in the review, you gave us and obvious answer only to delve into the ones that are more likely, Lyanna being my prediction for years.

  • @jfenriquez89
    @jfenriquez89 Před 6 lety +3

    Absolutely love how broken down, sited and informative your videos are. So cool to take such a deep look into the stories and characters. Thank you for what you do

  • @Methus3lah
    @Methus3lah Před 2 lety +5

    The knight of the laughing tree was actually Ser Pounce warging into Hoster Tully from the future.

  • @Kevdawg1900
    @Kevdawg1900 Před 7 lety +497

    Who remembers Gendry??

  • @Oupii313
    @Oupii313 Před 7 lety +117

    I DEMAND a prequel Movie about shit like this, before rebellion and the rebellion.

    • @oliverhancock5397
      @oliverhancock5397 Před 7 lety

      MrLepola they have spin off mini series planned. 🙂

    • @armandorubio456
      @armandorubio456 Před 7 lety +1

      MrLepola but nobody knows if it's going to be Roberts rebellion..might be dance of dragons or aegons conquest or even the tales of sir dunken the tall i would like Roberts rebellion be a movie trilogy

    • @Jonra1
      @Jonra1 Před 7 lety +10

      I thought George already confirmed that there will be nothing about Roberts Rebellion everyone knows how it is going to end eventually.

  • @gamerex9378
    @gamerex9378 Před 7 lety +1

    This is instantly one of my favorites. Keep up the great work.

  • @thedarkfaegaming
    @thedarkfaegaming Před 7 lety +17

    as soon as you mentioned the Stark boys being the knight, I was shaking my head like "No, no, no. Lyanna fits more."
    and yep

  • @hitchens1959
    @hitchens1959 Před 7 lety +12

    THANK YOU FOR FINALLY MAKING THIS ILY

  • @noneofyourbeeswax01
    @noneofyourbeeswax01 Před 6 lety +11

    I assumed from the first reading that Lyanna was the Mystery Knight. Clearly he knew no-one but the Starks there, and ofc Prince Rhaegar going after "him" and allegedly not finding "him" allows for secret meeting between he and Lyanna

  • @Str8Raiser
    @Str8Raiser Před 6 lety

    @ Alt Shift X - BRAVO, sir. I absolutely enjoyed every second of this video. Thank you so much for taking the time to put this together. This kind of stuff helps me understand GRRM's world so much more deeply with each new episode.

  • @WooKie52577
    @WooKie52577 Před 7 lety

    I've read this theory before and pretty much know what you're going to say from the title alone but having you read it and explain it is a whole different experience. I love you.

  • @gusgriswal
    @gusgriswal Před rokem +5

    I'm a bit late to the party but I love all of your game of thrones videos. I'm going deep down the rabbit hole watching them all.

  • @Knight860
    @Knight860 Před 7 lety +89

    Ned is somber as an adult, but their are references in his conversations with Robert that as a kid he enjoyed goofing off a little, he and Robert talk about a food fight the two started once at the Eyrie. The tale also makes it sound like every Stark did something that made Howland love the family all the more (Lyanna beats of the squires and tends to his wounds, Benjen offers to get him horse and armor, Brandon offers to take on the Squires personally) However when we get to Ned all he does is give Howland a tent to sleep in, that alone doesn't sound much compared to his siblings and not really worth Howland going to the TOJ to repay him for, and thinking Ned is so awesome rather than just the shy brother to some awesome siblings. Unless you consider that night Howland leaves the tent to go pray to the old gods, Ned in the bed next to his possibly awoke and slipped out to listen in and decided to avenge Howland himself. This would fit with our understanding that every Stark helped or offered help to Howland and his undying loyalty to Ned later on, especially going to the tower of joy with him. The final piece of evidence is Bran never having heard the tale from Ned, would a guy like Ned boast to his kids the tale if he was in fact The KOTLF? Additionally, the tourney indirectly led into Robert's Rebellion where most of his family died and he himself almost died, so recounting the tale would definitely dredge up some bad memories for Ned, especially given the number of times the Reed kids claim Bran must of heard it. All that said I am pretty sure Lyanna was in on Eddard's plan, maybe even helped him get the armor to wear and once Aerys wanted the KOTLT captured and unmasked, Lyanna might of agreed to be the cover to make Rhaeger think twice about turning over the rider to his father, after all she cried at his harp play so more reason for him to think twice about following his bat-shit crazy dad's order and him naming her queen of love and beauty was to reward her for her bravery in his own way. The following is pure speculation, but we never hear of Aerys reaction to this but if he freaks out over the KOTLT, Vary could of done some digging and come to the conclusion that Lyanna was the Knight, word might of gotten out to Rhaegar that the King was going to have Lyanna arrested and he was left with taking the least worst option and met with Lyanna at Harrenhall to hide her away (as well as possibly fulfilling the dragon must have three heads prophecy by knocking her up) so a war did not break out. Brandon Stark destroys that plan in his bonehead move to go down to Kings landing and the rest is history. I could be wrong and Lyanna is the KOTLT, which makes sense since GRRM is a self described feminist and it's hinted that there is more to Lyanna than being a damsel in distress or hopeless romantic. *Disclaimer this explanation to Ned being the KOTLT is not mine, I read it once on Rawrist's channel*
    Also it sounds interesting that Bran would of warged into the KOTLT to be a knight for a day, but looking at what happens to Hodor and Thistle, those experiences screw with the mind of the person being warged into leaving brain damage, I can't imagine Howland Reed would be able to fight in Roberts Rebellion then go down to TOJ and help kill Arthur Dayne with the kind of brain damage we see in the show as a result of warging. So unless the KOTLT is someone not on the list of suspects and ended up with severe brain damage after the tourney than Bran warging back in time to participate can be ruled out.

    • @mollyocallaghan5065
      @mollyocallaghan5065 Před 7 lety +4

      Ned is really good at inspiring loyalty in his bannermen (see: northmen being willing to die in the snow to save his 'precious little girl') I think it fits too well to be anybody but Lyanna

    • @shananika
      @shananika Před 7 lety +32

      Marcus Drake Ned offering Howland a place in his tent is a big deal. People talk down to Howland and treat him like trash because he's a Crannogman, but Ned was kind to him. Howland was most likely going to sleep under a tree somewhere, but instead he got to sleep in a Lords tent. He also got to hang out with ALL of the Starks and eat at their table. I'm sure he felt a strong gratitude and friendship towards all of them collectively. And if Lyanna was the knight, thats plenty enough reason for Howland to want to be at TTOJ with Ned. They thought Lyanna had been abducted and were there to save her.

    • @Knight860
      @Knight860 Před 7 lety +5

      I agree, almost all the Northern Houses love the Starks, "Fake Arya" aka Jeyne Poole and Rickon Stark are a rallying call to put the family that did right by them back in power at Winterfell. The kindness and generosity the Starks showed to Howland Reed was enough to make him willing to follow Ned into hell (i.e. Robert's Rebellion) and not just because Ned was Howland's Liege Lord. I would not be surprised though a little creeped out to be honest, if Howland intercepted Ned's bones when they were being returned North so that the Iron Born, Boltons and Lady Dustin couldn't intercept them and desecrate them.

    • @DAAraiz
      @DAAraiz Před 5 lety

      Oh...he said he’s a feminist? Well that explains it then, every good character is secretly a woman and all the men are evil, the end.

    • @heyitsmira17
      @heyitsmira17 Před 5 lety +4

      @@DAAraiz Ned and Cersei would disagree with your statement

  • @elinljungstrom3932
    @elinljungstrom3932 Před 7 lety

    You are my absolute favorite ASOIAF-youtuber, your videos are just great. Loved the visuals in this one.

  • @yeon1436
    @yeon1436 Před 7 lety

    Those animations are so good. Thanks for the High quality content mate

  • @Birrrrra
    @Birrrrra Před 7 lety +11

    I'm glad GRRM kept the identity a secret, because it's nice to believe that Bran got to be a knight for a day and it's possible that the tragedy that was Rhaegar and Leana's relationship all began because Rhaegar was sent to find her

  • @ABLEARC
    @ABLEARC Před 6 lety +16

    I just picked up on the fact that the Isle of Faces wedding was basically confirmed at the end of season 7. Wow.

    • @phslhs
      @phslhs Před 5 lety

      not basically, actually

    • @emmaclarke2885
      @emmaclarke2885 Před 4 lety

      @@phslhs no. In the show they say the wedding happened in Dorne

  • @megaparsec118
    @megaparsec118 Před 6 lety +2

    Thank you.
    We have started watching your videos at our house, and just.... wow. Thank you for making this content.

  • @CrazyBullProduction
    @CrazyBullProduction Před 7 lety +2

    Keep using that beautiful art, it makes the videos top notch!

  • @zagreus2846
    @zagreus2846 Před 7 lety +310

    We all know it's really Euron

  • @qz7573
    @qz7573 Před 7 lety +3

    MY LORD this is fantastic content

  • @amanduuuh_7117
    @amanduuuh_7117 Před 7 lety +1

    Yes!!!! I've always wanted to really sit down and look at this event deeper and never got around to it. THANK YOU!!!!

  • @jerry-no-morebondsmith7997

    can't lie I really wait for your videos and its always worth it thank u

  • @persuedbyabear
    @persuedbyabear Před 5 lety +9

    I've only just discovered all of these amazing videos (and I'm in love), but I'm starting to realise how incredible the fans of GoT are... In the video, you mention a theory some fans came up with about how Lyanna and Rhaegar could have gotten married on the conveniently close Isle of Faces, all so that Bran would be able to have a vision about it in the future etc. etc., and now, after finished all of GoT up until S07, I know that's ACTUALLY WHAT HAPPENED. Similar things have happened in other videos where you talk about or mention fan theories and they end up being relatively, if not almost completely, accurate. GoT fans are SO GODDAMN SMART!!

  • @kyndread71
    @kyndread71 Před 5 lety +8

    Bran warging into Howland doesn't work -- remember in S01, Bran can't even hit a target with an arrow at close range.
    I like the Lyanna/Laughing Tree theory much better.

  • @jannik1806
    @jannik1806 Před 7 lety +1

    you are doing an awesome job and even though it might sound strange, your voice is extremely nice to listen to while u present ur thoughts and ideas. Keep it up, there are not many on youtube who can compete on your level!

  • @EloTartarus
    @EloTartarus Před 7 lety +1

    Thanks for the quality video as always.

  • @k.jamescarters9557
    @k.jamescarters9557 Před 5 lety +3

    In the books this is fantastic...in the show it may get a one minute flashback. Not many hours left and a lot of questions to answer

  • @flahoo2807
    @flahoo2807 Před 2 lety +5

    The issue with bran warging into howland reed is the lack of knightly experience aside from some swordyard training before brans fall.

  • @andyw5578
    @andyw5578 Před 7 lety

    You and Preston have made me rethink (and reread) more than my overly neurotic mind would have!
    And I sincerely Thank You!!!

  • @NoahHBender
    @NoahHBender Před 7 lety

    Thank you so much for another incredible video!

  • @niceguy1052
    @niceguy1052 Před 7 lety +14

    Ayyyyy I love these vids

  • @Brandonhayhew
    @Brandonhayhew Před 6 lety +23

    Lyanna stark is the Knight of the Laughing Tree.

  • @fyreda2572
    @fyreda2572 Před 3 lety +1

    i like how grrm literally created history for a show based on history.

  • @robyn9661
    @robyn9661 Před 7 lety

    your videos make me smile alt
    thx

  • @SirDavothe2
    @SirDavothe2 Před 7 lety +18

    Lyanna sounds like a legend, I guess I should expect no less from the mother of John Snow.

  • @bestdadakasongoku4157
    @bestdadakasongoku4157 Před rokem +3

    Benjen goes to to be first ranger, thematically of course Lyanna makes the most sense but don’t discount my boy Ben like that man, I think it very well could also have been him

  • @Suppenkultur
    @Suppenkultur Před 6 lety

    Awesome as always! Thanks for the overview :)

  • @yellozhnm
    @yellozhnm Před 7 lety

    Excellent quality content, as always. Thanks 👍🏼

  • @kenny42069
    @kenny42069 Před 6 lety +5

    Damn, all of these theories are pretty great. I almost don't want a definitive answer now. But it'd also be really cool to see the Tourney of Harrenhal in the last season.

  • @moedais1
    @moedais1 Před 7 lety +13

    I refuse to watch any other trailer summary videos until I see the one from Alt Shift X

    • @MartialArtsCat101
      @MartialArtsCat101 Před 7 lety +6

      moedais1 Same! Best channel on yt for game of thrones content

  • @londontown4255
    @londontown4255 Před 7 lety

    Absolutely amazing as always-thank you

  • @Panyc333
    @Panyc333 Před 6 lety +1

    I don't know how many times I've watched this video. Always enjoyable. Been a long time sub. Thank you for this channel.

  • @Brando64
    @Brando64 Před 7 lety +33

    My money's on Lyanna Stark, thanks for this, Shift.

  • @MichaelHolmgaard
    @MichaelHolmgaard Před 7 lety +5

    Omg I SO want a prequel series about Rhaegar Targaryan! And another about Aegon :)

  • @olafjernskjegg3855
    @olafjernskjegg3855 Před 7 lety

    Best GOT channel on YT. Nice work, Alt Shift X

  • @woody_you_want
    @woody_you_want Před 7 lety

    The best visual guides for any type of theory videos on CZcams

  • @DM-hh3yf
    @DM-hh3yf Před 7 lety +21

    KNIGHTS OF THE NOTIFICATION TREE