Martin's writings. Anyone wishing to remain completely spoiler free for this prequel series should avoid any pages displaying this tag. Brienne is the sole surviving child and heir of Lord Selwyn Tarth of Evenfall Hall , on the island of Tarth , located in the Narrow Sea off the coast of the Stormlands. Though few men in Westeros would find her attractive, she is unusually tall and muscular for a woman by Westerosi standards and developed a taste for martial activity as a child.
Brienne has grown up to become skilled at arms and dreams of becoming a knight , an unusual aspiration for a Westerosi woman. Brienne's mother died when she was so young that she does not remember her. She recalls a certain ball where the other ladies made a laughingstock of her until she was rescued by a young Renly Baratheon. She is also called the "Maid of Tarth," [citation needed] or, disparagingly, "Brienne the Beauty," due to her appearance.
She proves herself by winning a tournament amongst his men, including a victory over Renly's favorite โ and Lord Commander of the Kingsguard โ Ser Loras Tyrell. She asks to be named to his Kingsguard as a reward. Renly grants her request, despite her gender and consequent lack of knighthood.
Catelyn arrives in the camp to negotiate an alliance between Renly and her son, King Robb Stark. Brienne takes offense when Lady Catelyn does not refer to Renly as "Your Grace," and later, escorts her and Renly through the camp as they talk.
She tells Catelyn to call her just "Brienne," as despite her birth, she does not consider herself a "Lady. Littlefinger also visits Renly's camp, as an envoy from King Joffrey Baratheon.
