How Brienne's moving moment on Sunday's 'Game of Thrones' was a spectacular deep cut reference to the books

On Sunday's episode, Jaime and Brienne had their most emotional and meaningful moment yet when he knighted her.
Not only did this fulfill an important part of Brienne's character arc many fans hadn't dared hope for, but the scene was a reference back to her ancestor.
George R.R. Martin's "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" novella collection is about Ser Duncan the Tall, a knight who happens to be one of Brienne's ancestors.
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HBO's latest episode of "Game of Thrones" brought the world to tears as Brienne of Tarth knelt before Jaime Lannister and arose as Ser Brienne, a knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

Not only was this deeply tender moment incredible for Jaime and Brienne, two characters with the deepest bonds of friendship (and yes, we believe romance), but it also gave fans of George R.R. Martin's book series a lovely nod.

As Martin revealed in 2016, Brienne is the descendant of a famous Westerosi knight named Ser Duncan the Tall. Martin wrote three novellas about Ser Duncan, called simply "Dunk," and compiled them into one book titled "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms."

brienne of tarth

These books take place about 100 years before the events of the "A Song of Ice and Fire" novels and "Game of Thrones" itself. Thanks to similar descriptors used for both Brienne and Dunk, fans had long guessed that the two might be connected. But Martin didn't confirm this theory until just a few years ago .

Even knowing Brienne's knightly origins, and watching her operate within Westeros as the most noble and honorable fighter for years, fans had hardly dared to hope she wouldactually become a knight one day. As she said on Sunday's episode, women in Westeros are not allowed to be knights.

But customs are easily changed, and traditions go by the wayside when death is knocking at your door.

"Arise, Brienne of Tarth, a knight of the Seven Kingdoms."

Brienne and Jaime knighting Game of Thrones season 8 episode 2 HBO

On Sunday's "Game of Thrones" installment, Brienne and Jaime found themselves sitting around the fire with Tormund Giantsband, Tyrion Lannister, Ser Davos Seaworth, and Podrick Payne. With wine flowing and war stories being traded, the scene felt like watching a small, intimate house party.

But the light atmosphere shifted when Tormund showed disbelief that Brienne wasn't a "ser" like her male peers. He boasted that he would make her knight if he was a king, and Jaime chimed in to point out that it doesn't take a king to make someone a knight.

He said he'd prove it, and knight Brienne on the spot.

Brienne hesitant Game of Thrones season 8 episode 2 HBO

She laughs it off at first, but Podrick watches her carefully. As Jaime pushes Brienne into coming to him so she may kneel to be knighted, Podrick gives her a quiet nod. He's been at her side for years, learning from her and witnessing her chivalry. Podrick knows what this would mean to her, and how serious this moment is about to be.

And so Brienne went to Jaime.

"In the name of the Warrior, I charge you to be brave," Jaime said, placing his sword upon her shoulder. "In the name of the Father, I charge you to be just. In the name of the mother, I charge you to defend the innocent. Arise, Brienne of Tarth, a knight of the Seven Kingdoms."

Ser Brienne of Tarth crying Game of Thrones HBO HBO

Brienne stood, tears in her eyes, as Tormund began to clap excitedly. Jaime looked around, almost surprised to realize there were other people in the room. And we at home cheered, seeing the truest knight of the Seven Kingdoms standing in her rightful place.

Jaime reciting the knighting ceremony and, by default, saying the title of Brienne's own ancestor's dedicated book series, was one of the most poetic scenes on "Game of Thrones" to date.

For more "Game of Thrones" insights from INSIDER's Kim Renfro, pre-order her book "The Unofficial Guide to 'Game of Thrones'" now.

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