Recreation of Thrones could have ended nearly seven years in the past, however the franchise is stronger than ever, with each Home of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms turning into big successes and extra spin-offs being developed. George R. R. Martin not too long ago introduced that his franchise, which spans each web page and display screen, is now heading to the stage alongside the Royal Shakespeare Firm with the upcoming play The Mad King.
This spin-off is probably the most instantly related to Recreation of Thrones because it explores the reign of King Aerys II Targaryen (David Rintoul)father of Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), permitting it to characteristic many necessary characters, a few of whom seem within the authentic present and others who impression the story lengthy after their deaths. Much more intriguing is that Martin’s announcement reveals that the play will deal with the Tourney at Harrenhal, an occasion that followers have been speculating about for many years. As such, The Mad King is able to reply a long-standing thriller that Recreation of Thrones by no means addressed.
The Tourney at Harrenhal Units Up the Occasions of ‘Recreation of Thrones’
Whereas the play takes place roughly 17 years earlier than Recreation of Thronesthe Tourney at Harrenhal is a big issue within the present’s occasions as a result of it is likely one of the inciting occasions of Robert’s Revolt. This struggle shapes Westeros forward of Recreation of Thrones, positioning characters for his or her varied roles. However extra importantly, the tourney itself brings Lyanna Stark (Aisling Franciosi) and Rhaegar Targaryen (Wilf Scolding) collectively, instantly resulting in Jon Snow’s (Package Harington) delivery. All through Martin’s books, there are a number of references to the occasion the place Rhaegar crowns Lyanna the Queen of Love and Magnificence, and Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) joins the Kingsguard, however the tourney’s largest thriller includes a personality identified solely because the Knight of the Laughing Tree.
Within the books, this story is relayed by way of Meera Reed (Ellie Kendrick)who heard it from her father. She explains {that a} crannogman — seemingly her father, Howland (Leo Woodruff) — was bullied by three squires, solely to be saved by Lyanna Stark. Quickly after, the Knight of the Laughing Tree joined the joustdifficult the lads these squires served and defeating all three earlier than demanding that they train their squires honor. After the thriller knight’s victory, Aerys grows suspicious, believing the nameless knight to be his enemy, and sends males to unmask the stranger. Nevertheless, the Knight of the Laughing Tree is rarely discovered, leaving his id a thriller.
‘Recreation of Thrones’ New Prequel Can Reveal the Knight of the Laughing Tree’s Id
The Tourney at Harrenhal leaves the knight’s id unconfirmed, and over time, followers have developed many theories. Ned Stark (Sean Bean) and all three of his siblings are current within the story, making them potentialities. With the thriller knight’s defend and identify coming from a weirwood tree, the Northern household all look like candidates. Different potentialities embody Howland Reed himself and Ashara Dayne, who’s a mysterious determine herself. Neverthelessprobably the most broadly accepted thought is that the knight is Lyanna Stark. The outline matches, as she would have identified concerning the bullying, worshipped the Outdated Godsand been smaller than most knights, although this does not clarify the knight’s jousting ability. If Lyanna is the knight, it might clarify how she and Rhaegar meet, since he is likely one of the folks Aerys sends to pursue the knight. Proponents of this concept even recommend that these occasions impressed Rhaegar’s curiosity in Lyanna, which is a serious plot level that impacts Recreation of Thrones.
Since Martin and the RSC’s upcoming play explores the numerous occasions of the Tourney at Harrenhal, it ought to deal with the Knight of the Laughing Tree’s storyoffering solutions that followers have been ready for. Whereas the play itself might not be formally canon, particularly as it would seemingly make some modifications to Martin’s story, the writer did work with the manufacturing, which means that he seemingly offered details about his unfinished plans. After the books left this Recreation of Thrones thriller unsolved for many years, The Mad King has the prospect to lastly reply it.