Walder Frey (son of Ryman)
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 by Amok © | |
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| Alias | Black Walder |
| Allegiance | House Frey |
| Culture | Rivermen |
| Born | In 258–280 AC[1] |
| Father | Ryman Frey |
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| Played by | Tim Plester |
| TV series | Season 3 | Season 6 |
Walder Frey, called Black Walder to differentiate him from others with the same name, is a member of House Frey. He is the second son of Ser Ryman Frey, grandson to Ser Stevron Frey, and great-grandson of Lord Walder Frey. Tim Plester portrays "Black Walder Rivers", a combination of Black Walder Frey and Walder Rivers, in the television adaptation Game of Thrones.
Contents
Appearance and Character
- See also: Images of Black Walder Frey
Black Walder is a wiry man with a black beard.[2] He earned his nickname due to his irascible temper and stern attitude, inspiring terror in those around him.
History
Black Walder is known to be resolute and easy to anger, being feared by many among his own family. Enmity runs deep between Walder and his elder brother, Edwyn Frey.[3]
Black Walder refuses to marry, according to Merrett Frey.[4] Walder is rumored to instead have maintained numerous affairs with several women, including cousins and the wives of his close relations. There is talk that he bedded the wives of his brothers Edwyn (Janyce Hunter) and Petyr (Mylenda Caron), his cousin Fair Walda, and his half-cousin once removed Amerei, among others. Black Walder is even rumored to have maintained a relationship with Lord Walder's seventh wife, Annara Farring. The relations may cast doubt over the paternity of many of the newborn Freys, including the young heiress Walda Frey and her cousin Perra, or Lord Walder's six children with Annara.
Recent Events
A Clash of Kings
When explaining the abundance of Walders in the Frey family to Bran Stark, Big Walder mentions Black Walder, referring to him as the fourth in the line of succession. After receiving the news of Ser Stevron Frey's death at Oxcross, Big Walder updates the line of succession, placing Black Walder third.[5] He fights in the westerlands with Robb Stark.[6]
A Storm of Swords
Black Walder and Smalljon Umber scale the walls in the storming of the Crag. He is among the leaders of the outcry at Robb's wedding to Jeyne Westerling.[7]
Black Walder is one of the Freys that receive the guests at the Twins for the wedding of Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey, where Grey Wind greets them with anger. Robb comments to his mother, Catelyn Stark, that he is surprised that Black Walder behaved like a lamb during the wedding. This changes when the Red Wedding begins; during the slaughter, Catelyn sees Black Walder hamstring a Vance who had been fighting Ser Harys Haigh.[8]
Afterwards, news arrives at King's Landing that Seagard surrendered to Black Walder.[9] Merrett Frey thinks on the ill repute of Black Walder when riding to Oldstones.[4]
A Feast for Crows
After resolving the siege of Seagard by threatening to kill the captive Patrek Mallister,[10] Black Walder leads the search for the outlaws that hanged Petyr and Merrett Frey at Oldstones. He manages to learn from peasants in Hag's Mire that the slayer is Lady Stoneheart, but he is unable to find her.[11]
After Ser Ryman Frey's death while returning to the Twins, Ser Edwyn Frey confesses to Ser Jaime Lannister that he suspects Black Walder had a hand in their father's death, and he is afraid that he will be the next.[3]
Quote about Black Walder
With Ser Stevron, I might have been able to make amends, but Ser Ryman is dull-witted as a stone, and Black Walder ... that one was not named for the color of his beard, I promise you. He went so far as to say that his sisters would not be loath to wed a widower. I would have killed him for that if Jeyne had not begged me to be merciful.[7]
Why buy a cow when there were udders all around begging to be milked?[4]
—thoughts of Merrett Frey
From what Edwyn tells me, though, I'd best pick one who hasn't flowered yet, or I'm like to find that Black Walder has been there first.[12]
—Daven Lannister, on choosing his Frey bride
My brother had a hand in this, I'll wager. He allowed the outlaws to escape after they murdered Merrett and Petyr, and this is why. With our father dead, there’s only me left between Black Walder and the Twins.[3]
Family
Theories
References
- ↑ See the Walder Frey (son of Ryman) calculation.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 49, Catelyn VI.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 44, Jaime VII.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 A Storm of Swords, Epilogue.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 35, Bran V.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 39, Catelyn V.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 14, Catelyn II.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 51, Catelyn VII.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 60, Tyrion VIII.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 38, Jaime VI.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 30, Jaime IV.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 33, Jaime V.