Post by Wraith on Mar 22, 2016 6:49:25 GMT
The Missing Darry Bastard
“A more significant lordship by far was granted to Ser Lancel Lannister. Joffrey awarded him the lands, castle, and rights of House Darry, whose last child lord had perished during the fighting in the riverlands, "leaving no trueborn heirs of lawful Darry blood, but only a bastard cousin."
Now supposedly all the trueborn heirs are dead leaving a bastard cousin. Who is that cousin and what will his or her role to play? There have been several theories I have read think that is Tristan Rivers, a member of the Golden Company. The other leading theory suggests Humfrey Waters, the newest Lord Commander of the Gold Cloaks. For my money it will be Humfrey Waters.
Here are several theories on the topic that have come before:
1. https://www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/comments/43wttc/spoilers_extended_speaking_of_the_heir_to_darry/
2. asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/86167-tristan-riverss-parentage/
3. warsandpoliticsoficeandfire.wordpress.com/2016/02/26/heirs-in-the-shadows-the-plowman-at-the-gates/#more-5102
Humfrey Waters is likely the bastard of our own wacky Willem Darry while he was the Master at Arms of the Red Keep. He was made master-at-arms of the royal castle in 270 AC. Jonothor Darry would be another contender but it would be nice if some of the Kingsguard actually kept their oaths. Since this bastard Darry is a cousin it is unlikely that he is the son of Raymun Darry. Since he was likely born in King’s Landing would lead to the surname Waters.
Now who is Humfrey Waters?
"Osfryd Kettleblack no longer commands the City Watch. The king has removed him from office and raised the captain of the Dragon Gate in his place, a certain Humfrey Waters."
Cersei was so tired, none of this made any sense. "Why would Tommen do that?"
"The boy is not to blame. When his council puts a decree in front of him, he signs his name and stamps it with his seal."
Cersei was so tired, none of this made any sense. "Why would Tommen do that?"
"The boy is not to blame. When his council puts a decree in front of him, he signs his name and stamps it with his seal."
This is the only line of dialogue we have about Humfrey Waters and it isn’t a lot to go on its true. Still we can note two interesting things: He was the commander of the Dragon Gate. He was appointed by the small council headed by Kevan Lannister.
Firstly, he was the Commander of the Dragon Gate. Appointing former gate commanders seems to be a stepping stone of command. Both Janos Slynt and Jacelyn Bywater were former gate commanders, of Iron and Mud respectively. The appointment of Addam Marbrand and Osfryd Kettleback was clear Lannister nepotism by Tywin and Cersei respectively.
Dragon Gate is one of the first hints to his Darry background. We know that Darry’s were hardcore Targaryen loyalist.
Ser Raymun could remove the hangings, but not the marks they'd left. Later, the Imp had slipped a handful of stags to one of Darry's serving men for the key to the cellar where the missing tapestries were hidden. He showed them to Jaime by the light of a candle, grinning; woven portraits of all the Targaryen kings, from the first Aegon to the second Aerys. "If I tell Robert, mayhaps he'll make me Lord of Darry," the dwarf said, chortling.
Secondly the appointment was made by the Small Council, which means it was probably made by Kevan since he is the regent. Now why would Kevan elevate Humfrey if he was a bastard of Darry? Read the first quote again.
That’s right the lands of Darry have passed to Lancel, Kevan’s own son who is having plenty of troubles: broken men, missing smallfolk, etc in his new holding. If you did have the bastard cousin of the lands your son was inheriting wouldn’t you want to keep him far away from those lands in order not to press his claim? Say make him the Commander of the Gold Cloaks were you keep him in King’s Landing. Keep him close where you can keep an eye on him and hopefully have him think fondly of House Lannister to whom he now owes his position.
Having a Targaryen loyalist as Commander of the Gold Cloaks has certain historical parallels as well.
For the would-be Aegon VI has his eyes on the capital, and after his conquest of Storm’s End will likely march on King’s Landing. The traditional last line of defense for King’s Landing would be its City Watch – a Watch now under the command of a man of unknown loyalties, with potential bastard descent from a family unwaveringly dedicated to the cause Aegon now represents. (Amusingly, Waters had been commander at the Dragon Gate before his rise to general command of the City Watch – an appropriate station for an eventual Targaryen loyalist). This would not be the first time the City Watch essentially handed the keys to the city to an invader. During the Dance of the Dragons, the Watch’s commander Ser Luthor Largent murdered his first lieutenant – Gwayne Hightower, brother of the Dowager Queen – and ordered the city gates (whose “green” loyalist commanders had likewise been murdered) to be opened to the “black” faction of Rhaenyra (out of loyalty to her consort Daemon, onetime commander of the gold cloaks). Like his historical forbear, Humfrey Waters may order the gates of the capital opened to an invading Targaryen, spurning a dowager queen within the city for a prince without, to whom he owed historical loyalty. 3
Having a secret Darry perfectly placed to open the gate to King’s Landing to either Aegon or Dany would be an excellence revenge for House Darry.
So what does everyone think?