This is a blog I wrote on Amino. George RR Martin is the acclaimed author ofntbe now hit TV series Game of Thrones I have read this particular series since 2004. I was a fan way before the show came out. Reading his books are truly a scavenger hunt. This just highlights one of the many historical and mythological parallels he makes throughout the series. Plus I had a fun little inner monologue that I got pretty goof feedback on.
I'm sick of trying to think of a friendly intro. Hey it's me [Bran the Builder|http://aminoapps.com/p/kez0sx]. Its not that I don't want to be friendly. No, not at all. but by the fifth friendly intro with nothing completed it makes you wonder. I've decided it's a form of magic... I'm cursed. See, I physically can't finish one thing without starting three others. I swear...
Anyways, I hope to present a new take on a frequently argued subject. I hope to put forth an option to end the debates. And if you don't believe me... Too bad lol. All in all, I'll explain who actually wrote the Pink Letter and how I made the connections.
First we gonna start with some history and mythology. From the most basic. We know that Westeros has many ties to British History, War Of The Roses being one of the most obvious examples. Even the look of the map is quite similar. I'm gonna go ahead and say this is confirmed. Westeros is tied to British history.
As my random research continued, the subject matter shifted to mythology. I've found many parallels between Greek and Roman Gods and Goddess to characters in Asoiaf over the years. As I read, other mythologies crept into my thoughts. I began wondering where they could fit.
One mythology, in particular, I had related to a couple different possibilities. That's of course Welsh Mythology and begins with the story of Bran the Blessed. As quickly as I can, ill explain Bran and his story.
Bran the Blessed was the first Welsh king. He was also a known giant. During these times, relations with the Irish king were. Well pretty much shit down put it bluntly. Peace was the ultimate goal, so Bran thought it wise to marry his sister, Branwen, to the Irish King. This would have been the perfect plan, but Brans half brother(some crazy name I gave up trying to pronounce or spell) was offended he was not counciled.
In retaliation, he kills some of the Irish Kings horse. Apparently that's the equivalent of spitting in someone's face after giving them the finger, because the Irish King loses it and the only way Bran could calm the situation was to mgive him his magical cauldron. The cauldron had the ability to bring the dead back to life.
Now this appeased the Irish King so he loaded up his new wife and went home to Ireland. When he gets back, he can't quit thinking about how disrespected he was by the half brother. It continued to bother him so much, he began to take it out on Branwen. He imprisoned her to the kitchens and ordered she be beaten daily.
Obviously, this didn't sit so well with Branwen, so she trained a starling to fly back to her brother, Bran, with a message. Bran gets the message and assembles army to march to rescue his sister.
When Bran and his army arrive, the Irish King attempts peace, offering to build a house large enough for Bran to stay in. When finished, the Irish left 100 bags hanging from the ceiling, filled with grains, they said. Brans half brother(still not gonna learn his name) suspected some treachery was amiss, so decided to check out this new summer condo.
Doesn't take long for the half brother to puzzle everything out. He actually stays behind and kills all the assassins. Later that night during the feast, he is still upset about the assassins and ambush. Something tells him, it would be a good idea to throw Branwen and the Irish Kings son in a fire and kill him.
As you can expect, this causes a big war to break out. While fighting, our instigator half brother just keeps finding usefully information. He realizes the Irish are using Brans cauldron to just reanimate any one who died. Half brother, didn't like the odds, so hid amongst the corpses. Eventually he was tossed into the cauldron. Once inside, Operation Cauldron Destruction commenced or (OCD) . He succeeds in destroying the cauldron, but in the process sacrifices himself.
During the battle, Bran takes a mortal wound. He instructs his men to cut off his head and bury it in London because that's what all kings should want done with their head when they die. His men follow orders, and they start to return home. When they stop on the way, Bran starts talking, telling the best jokes, and sharing all the gossip. So entranced were they that when someone finally checked the clock 80 years had passed.
Now these guys gulped real big, considered their options, and decided they better get this head buried before someone really starts missing them. They bury the head immediately when they get To London. They buried it right where the Tower of London stands today. It's said that as long as Bran faces France, London would never be invaded.
Side Note:
British had this dumbass come along, think his name was Arthur. But anyways, good ole Arty thinks he's better than the old guys. He goes digs up Brans head, gave it a solid 40 yard punt, and was last seen popping his colla' with the neon sign buzzing "THUG LYFE" flashing above his head. Needless to say, London was invaded after that. See what happens when you dig up old heads?
Another Side Note:
As I read about Bran the Blessed it said he is associated with a character from Arthurian mythology. He's considered to be the Fisher King. Now this Fisher King gets his name for the most obvious reasons, he sits on the banks of the river and fishes all day. He's unable to move because apparently he took a wound to his "leg" "foot" "groin"... Take your pick... And it left him paralyzed from the waste down. For obvious reason, my mind immediately looked to Bran parallels. The Fisher King was also in possession of this ancient artifact called the Holy Grail. You may have heard of it. I was seeing a metaphor of knowledge or access to the weirwood net, or getting "plugged into the matrix" being the Westerosi equivalent of the Holy Grail. Food for thought.
From the name connection, Bran, it just seemed more probable he would be closer associated with the house that felt it necessary to have at least one Brandon a generation. When I finally broke my fixation on the one, it only made sense to compare to the least favorite Stark. Jon Snow.
Internal monologue discussion earlier
Brain:
We start with the givings to find plausible deductions.
Me:
Wait what?
Brain:
Firstly, Jon would comparatively be Bran. Therefore, a known foe would need to be Irish King.
Me:
He would also have to marry Jon's..... Holy shit!!!!
Brain:
Correct, Ramsay Bolton did just have a marriage celebration to honor his union with Arya Stark.
Me:
Damn, I know that shit.... What's next? What's next? What's next?
Brain:
Branwen went with the Irish King, but before long he had her imprisoned and beaten daily.
Me:
Yep, Yep, Yep,. Those are Ramsay traits. 100% But WTF.. How in the hell is a starling anything possibly like a letter with pink wax? Figure that one out why don't ya..
12 seconds later
Brain:
There is a species of Starling that are know as violet backed starling. As you can see it says violet in name yet can have a very distinct pink color.
Me:
Wait, wait, wait, wait... No....no way.... A pink bird who could be trained(theoretically) to deliver a message like other birds?
Whaaaaa.... You messing with me aren't ya?
Brain:
This message is recieved the same way. Both kings assembled an army.
Me:
OK yeah you're definitely messing with me.
Brain:
Admittedly, Jon is mortally wounded, and to the best of our knowledge dead. Parallels still remain. They both were murdered. Brans head lives on for another 80+ years. It's practically canon that Jon will be brought back. Living after his death. It's said if Brans head is buried facing France, they would never be invaded.
Me:
Oh, oh, oh. I got this. So Jon is the shield that guards the realms of men. So hypothetically let's say Jon dies, or better yet he is charged with desertion from the Watch. He could even get beheaded. But anyways, back in the day they had these 79 deserters who got put inside the Wall. Jons body could be displayed the same way. Then physically he could kinda be guarding the realms of men.
Brain:
Whoaaaa.....
Me:
Whoaa...
-Should have took a picture. Steam was coming out of my ears
Anyways a different way. Bran(jon) sister("arya") marries the Irish King(Ramsay). He imprisons and tortures Branwen("arya"). She trains a bird to take a message(the pink letter, pink starling) Bran(jon) raises an army(wildlings) to rescue her("arya").
Basically, what I'm saying is Jeyne Poole wrote the Pink Letter. I wholeheartedly believe Ramsay dictated what to write But it was Jeyne who penned the letter. Another form of torture Ramsay is so fond of. This accounts for a possible handwriting argument. Also, since it's by Jeyne, other Ramsay traits shouldn't be there like the flayed skin or the blood ink.
Lastly, I never suspected anyone but Ramsay honestly. I can see why some of the ideas are fun to speculate and create outlandish ideas. Sometimes the simplest answer is the correct one. I'm sure that makes me a hypocrite. No worries. Please share your thoughts? You tell me "Nailed It!" or "Failed It! "
P.S. Yeah... Another Side Note
If Jon depicts this character from Welsh mythology, consider this. Jon is Bran the Blessed. Draws the strong Stark connection in symbolism and associations.
But...
He's also Aegon. Sorry if this upsets you but he will most likely be Aegon in the books too. But that's not the point. He's Aegon the Conqueror first king of westeros. Bran was the first Welsh King. That gives him direct link to Bran and Aegon's name which is just another parallel of ice and fire. Stark and Targaryen.
As always thank you for your time,
-Bran the Builder
-Me