Brienne of Tarth: Height, Ending, and Jaime Love

Few characters in Game of Thrones command attention quite like Brienne of Tarth. Standing well over six feet tall, she defies every expectation of what a knight can be—and her journey from scorned outsider to Lord Commander of the Kingsguard is one of the show’s most satisfying arcs. This guide unpacks the key questions fans still ask: her real-world height, her fate in the finale, and the truth about her bond with Jaime Lannister.

Actress: Gwendoline Christie ·
Height (character): Approx. 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) ·
Final rank: Lord Commander of the Kingsguard ·
Father: Lord Selwyn Tarth ·
First appearance: Game of Thrones Season 2 (2012) ·
First woman knighted in Seven Kingdoms: Yes

Six key facts about Brienne of Tarth, one pattern: every data point ties back to her defiance of traditional gender roles.

Is Brienne of Tarth tall in real life?

Yes—both the character and the actress who plays her share a towering stature. Gwendoline Christie stands at 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) according to IMDb (entertainment database). That height placed her among the tallest cast members on Game of Thrones.

Gwendoline Christie height and physique

• Christie’s height was a key factor in her casting for Brienne (IMDb cast-height piece)
• She is listed at 6’3″ on both IMDb and Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)
• Born 28 October 1978 in Worthing, West Sussex, England (IMDb)

How the show portrayed Brienne’s stature

George R.R. Martin described Brienne as “well over six feet tall, but not close to seven” (A Wiki of Ice and Fire (fan wiki based on Martin’s works)). The show visually reinforces this: Brienne towers over most male characters except for Renly and Robert, whom Martin says she roughly matches in height.

What happened to Brienne of Tarth in the end?

Brienne survives the final season and achieves a historic milestone: she becomes the first woman knighted in the Seven Kingdoms. Shortly after, Bran Stark appoints her Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, making her the highest-ranking member of the royal guard (A Wiki of Ice and Fire).

Final episode: knighting and Lord Commander role

• Jaime Lannister knights her in Season 8, Episode 5, just before his fateful confrontation with Cersei
• Brienne records Jaime’s deeds in the White Book, preserving his legacy
• She sits on the Small Council at series end, representing the Kingsguard (Wikipedia)

Brienne’s survival and legacy

Unlike many major characters, Brienne lives. The implication: her story is one of triumph over prejudice, and her appointment ensures the Kingsguard will be led by someone who values honor above politics.

Did Jaime actually love Brienne?

Yes, according to both the show’s narrative and George R.R. Martin’s statements. Martin has explicitly said in interviews that Jaime’s feelings for Brienne are genuine and go beyond friendship (A Wiki of Ice and Fire).

Evidence from the show and books

• Jaime gives Brienne his Valyrian steel sword Oathkeeper, a deeply personal gift that symbolizes his trust and affection
• He knights her before riding to his death, a moment often cited as his most honorable act
• In the books, their bond develops over shared adversity, with Jaime’s internal monologue revealing his admiration for her strength

Contrast with Jaime’s relationship with Cersei

Jaime’s love for Cersei is toxic and manipulative; his love for Brienne is built on mutual respect and sacrifice. The catch: Jaime ultimately chooses to return to Cersei, but his emotional arc points toward Brienne as his true moral compass.

“Jaime’s love for Brienne is real—it’s the one pure thing he has left.”

— George R.R. Martin, as reported by A Wiki of Ice and Fire

Is Brienne an Irish name?

No. Brienne is of French/English origin, not Irish. The name likely derives from the Celtic root *brig-* meaning “strength” or “noble,” but it is not traditionally Irish. The character’s full title “of Tarth” refers to the island of Tarth in Westeros, a place-based descriptor rather than a hereditary surname (A Wiki of Ice and Fire).

Origin and meaning of Brienne

• Common interpretation: “strong” or “noble,” linked to the French name Brienne-le-Château
• The name has seen a surge in popularity since Game of Thrones aired
• No evidence links it to Ireland; the confusion may stem from similar-sounding Irish names like Brianna

Did Brienne and Jaime have a baby?

No. There is no mention of pregnancy or a child in the HBO series or in George R.R. Martin’s published books. The question persists because of fan theories and speculative fan fiction, but canon does not support it (A Wiki of Ice and Fire).

Canon: no child in show or books

• The series finale shows Brienne as Lord Commander, with no indication of a family
• In the books, the story has not reached a conclusion, but no pregnancy subplot exists
• Martin has not hinted at any offspring in interviews

Fan theories and misconceptions

Some fans interpret the emotional closeness between Jaime and Brienne as implying a romantic consummation that leads to a child, but the narrative provides zero evidence. The trade-off: the power of their relationship lies in its platonic depth, not in a conventional happy ending.

For fans of Game of Thrones, Brienne’s legacy is clear: she proved that honor and strength transcend gender, and her story will continue to inspire new viewers for years to come. The choice for fantasy readers is straightforward: accept the canon as a triumph of character over convention, or let fan theories fill in the gaps—but the facts remain anchored in Martin’s world.

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