Who is Old Nan and what does she know?

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[@InDeepGeek]

This is an updated version of a video first published in October 2018

[@MichaelFMeyer-lz5fv]

i just saw last hour the old one for a second time, lol

[@SamBrickell]

Damn. I thought for a moment I had invented time-travel.

[@higginswalsan]

Nuh uh

[@ThommyofThenn]

Cheers mate

[@Manofthewhiteknife]

Robert, why did Gemma stop making content and delete her channel? The two of you are the cornerstones of this community. She had a lot of great videos....

[@BSZ76]

She’s a secret Targaryen. Naenarys Targaryen

[@lastofgiants]

She has white hair. Based theory

[@thing_under_the_stairs]

She's the one who hid the dragon egg(s?) at Winterfell.

[@EatPoo]

I laughed way harder at this than would appear adequate.

[@kaizen9406]

She is wighted Nissa Nissa obviously

[@Hellsing7747]

Lol

[@tomlangford1999]

Every woman in these books is Shiera Seastar, and every man is Benjen.

[@thing_under_the_stairs]

Except for the ones who are either Rhaegar Targaryen, Euron Greyjoy, or Jaqen H'gar, of course. And half the women are Ashara Dayne.

[@Ar1AnX1x]

@@thing_under_the_stairs these theories are mostly goofy but also part of why I love ASOIAF, its so open-ended and interconnected, like a web, that people just can imagine their own version of things

[@kennyhudson9201]

@@Ar1AnX1x That's the part I like the least. The lack of definition. The fact that everyone can have their own story. It's not a video game. We should all imagine something somewhat similar, or else what kind of story telling is that? I mean, does the author not want us to know HIS story? I just feel like open ended is somehow narrative cowardice, unwilling to say anything concrete or give anything definition.

[@tlidd]

R+L=Benjen

[@Ar1AnX1x]

@@kennyhudson9201 it's not that open-ended that its just whatever you want it to be, there's definitely things there for you to pay attention to that there's a certain point to, by 'open-ended' I don't mean lazy writing, I mean left up to interpretation which is basically how some of the best art is like you actually have it backwards, writing a scenario which can mean different things to different people is so much harder to do than telling your audience what to think

[@awesomehpt8938]

Old nan is a device that dumps lore about the background history of Westeros, for the readers benefit.

[@zico739]

Thank you for stating the obvious.

[@totalCoolerUsername]

​@@zico739Thank you for doing the same thing

[@fuzzzone]

This. The only bit I disagree with in the video is that GRRM is doing anything subtle with her. She is an authorial expository tool for world-building; not to convey fact or truth, though any of the things she talks about could wind up being so, but to draw the reader into the cultural worldview of the characters.

[@williammcdonald3147]

Wong, she’s clearly John snows real mum (ned likes them dusty)

[@matthewsmith1779]

The correct answer.

[@awesomehpt8938]

Oh my sweet summer child what do you know about Old Nan

[@darksister535]

❤❤❤

[@danielhogan6255]

i liked for two reasons... 1) LOL 2) 169 likes.

[@skoomauser4996]

Duh! Obviously we all know that

[@Matt-xc6sp]

She is everyone and knows everything. The OmniNan

[@alosterionwrynn]

I pretty sure that she is the BatNan

[@hokogan]

Nan the Nuilder

[@MartinIsRunning]

OmNan, for short

[@thatonecoolguy761]

She’s the shrouded lord, the great other, and Azor Ahai all in one. She’s also Ser Pounce’s human form.

[@jackcoogan310]

Much like LOTR, ASOIAF is a story about stories. Nan is the personification of “the north remembers”

[@poolhall9632]

I like this a lot and it makes total sense. She's the only one that actually remembers .

[@EddieFeatherston]

Nan is the personification of "folk lore is more reliable than ivory tower knowledge" which is a very common trope.

[@honeydukes4181]

I’ve been listening to you for 6 years now. Your knowledge, vocabulary, and natural way of speaking is unmatched among all KZbinrs. I deeply appreciate your work and I can safely say as someone that has read all the books you’ve helped me thoroughly understand them.

[@erin122123]

me as well, one of my favourites ❤

[@sertank735]

He has a delightful voice.

[@DmDrae]

Ditto

[@michaelbayer5094]

well said. I fear George will not finish the books. Years ago I thought that I read (or maybe just wished it?) that a team of writers were assisting him in hopes of a completed series. Either way, Robert belongs the team dedicated to finishing the last 2.

[@sertank735]

@@michaelbayer5094 I think he’ll finish WoW. It’s not looking good for Spring.

[@brileyford5856]

Remember, they SPECIFICALLY mention that Old Nans body was never found after winter fell was sacked. She is a glamoured Children of the Forest

[@BertramGroverWeeks]

This is the most lagging and most correct tinfoil ASOIAF theory

[@rhondacombs7571]

I’m here for it

[@BertramGroverWeeks]

@@rhondacombs7571 It was Leaf all along. Leaf was also Nettles. Gray Area figured this out

[@Palemagpie]

Oh here, that's an interesting idea

[@CheeseCrumbs00]

I like this, maybe shes half children of the forest half human, like the ghost of high heart

[@J.A.Y.200X]

If Hodor is indeed a Descendant of Ser Duncan the Tall, then that means he possibly has three living relatives by the time of the first book. Old Nan of course, but also Lord Selwyn Tarth (Maybe) and his daughter Brienne. In A Feast For Crows, Brienne mentions a shield hanging in the Armoury of her Family's hall, Evenfall hall, which matches Duncan's shield as described in The Hedge Knight. GRRM confirmed Brienne is descended from Duncan, so either her Mother or Father is a descendant.

[@dougdupont6134]

If Old Nan is around 100 years old, Duncan would have been less than 10 years old when she was born. This tracks, considering that Walder Frey is a toddler when Duncan was in his late teens. I don't think Nan is a relative of his.

[@Maegorthecrueltargaryen]

She isn't dunks desendant she is a possible lover

[@jwhite-1471]

@@Maegorthecrueltargaryen OP didn't say Nan was a descendant, they said Hodor is.

[@calijoe1074]

Dunk has three descendants in GOT, Hodor, Brienne, and the “Thick as a Castle Wall” Gren aka The Aurochs

[@sleepingbee8997]

I love how all of the various ridiculous theories about "Who Old Nan really is!!!1!" would be exactly the kind of fantastic stories that Old Nan herself would love to tell. A long lost relative or a magical creature, disguising herself as an old woman, so she can share a prophecy to a later generation is just the sort of tale she would weave, along with a wink to really send a chill down the spine of a child.

[@gleann_cuilinn]

i appreciate how you bring in the narrative function of characters and events when the fandom gets bogged down in theories and speculation. you've reminded me how i thought of old nan when first watching the show and reading the books. a humble yet remarkable glimpse into the magic that lies hidden in westeros, and a charming example of the ancient oral tradition

[@ms.aguilar4077]

This. Exactly.

[@timschrade5084]

Most of the characters depicted in A Song of Ice and Fire resemble specific archetypes that seem to parallel the 7 holy figures in the faith. Old Nan is an example of the Crone.

[@Marcara081]

Nah 'cuz she's fire 😍

[@timschrade5084]

@Marcara081 what? Old Nan is fire so she can't represent the crone? Elaborate please.

[@Marcara081]

@@timschrade5084 Too hot to be crone.

[@timschrade5084]

To each their own my friend.

[@ahmedshaharyarejaz9886]

If she is the Crone, then who are the Maiden, The Mother, The Father, The Warrior, The Smith and the Stranger?

[@AndrewK23777]

Old Nan occupies an interesting and important narrative role. For one as an expository vehicle for GRRM adding to in-universe history , lore and mythos etc. And of course to impact characters she tells her stories to and the reader. Her tales of varying degrees of truth are quite eye-opening that there is seemingly much more going on beneath the surface (especially magically) in this universe from the first book. Many of her stories do have a lesson and some also tease future elements in the narrative , some have and will play on or echo her tales. Also , clearly a perspective of a very old Northern person. Ntm , an archetype imo , a sort of blend of the old wise woman and a less magical seemingly benign version of a crone. And as the vid mentions an embodiment of the North remembering and of the ancient oral traditions. Her stories have impacted and will live on via the Stark children and the likely the many many others she has told her tales. She is both a literal and figurative throwback. Do look forward to likely reading about Nan in her younger days in D&E and any part she plays in "She-Wolves" ; which itself will be an interesting insight into a fascinating and contentious period of Stark history.

[@jammysmears4077]

It is said in Ankhian folklore that if danger ever threatens the city, the ornamental wooden hippos on the Brass Bridge will get up and run away.

[@DizzyBusy]

Why, a fellow Discworld fan in the wild. There are dozens of us. Dozens!

[@MrDUneven]

Oook.

[@pentegarn1]

She's a high level bard!!! ;)

[@dereks2042]

Right around level 50-60. Right?

[@EricRodriguez248]

I'm a huge fan of the theory that Old Nan is a Child of the Forest. "Michael Talks About Stuff" did a fantastic video a few months ago that at first sounds really far-fetched, but after watching that I'm kinda rooting for it to be true. It would explain her unusually long-life. And if Blood Raven is potentially more in the dark than we think, it would make sense to have someone in Winterfell who could keep an eye on the Starks in the hopes of finding a powerful Brandon and (eventually) leading him to Blood Raven. Very tin-foily, but I'm here for it! Makes it very fun to go back through the books and look for connections.

[@mementomori771]

What a decade of wait did to this Fandom is sad

[@DominionSorcerer]

Some humans just live longer than average lives, it doesn't have to be explained beyond that. Walder Frey's around the same age and she's certainly no Child of the Forest. Beyond that she simply shares what is in actuality really common folk tales and stories in the North and much of Westeros.

[@GoldenMinotaur]

I think old nan was a wildling, and is known on both sides of the wall. Hodor is Tormund's half giant son from his winter with the giantess he "slayed"

[@haerverk]

.. but she is described as tiny

[@GoldenMinotaur]

@@haerverk at 100 everyone is tiny

[@user-op6kt8pg9y]

Not giants ​@@GoldenMinotaur

[@ahogan7355]

She passed on the memories and stories of old, too the young. Honorable act for a simple nanny.

[@dmckenzie9281]

Old Nan is a great character! There is definitely more to her than meets the eye.

[@brennanmartin7370]

"more to her than meets the eye" -> Optimus Nan

[@russianhorde]

Since nobody usually asks: how is Old Nan?

[@dw1419]

I’ll do you one better: Why is Old Nan?

[@View619]

How Old is Nan?

[@dw1419]

A Nan, a Plan, a Canal: Panama

[@IMSwimmer19]

I agree! I think Martin used this character to bring attention to this more traditional, generational wisdom of women so often dismissed as "old wives' tales". Those stories survive because they're valuable!

[@krue14]

“Bless your heart;” I can’t believe that you keep the ASOIAF content going. It’s alway fantastic, though. Much love to you and yours. You keep the story alive for us all.

[@natie3322]

She’s a glamoured Child of the Forest. She was Nettles, and started working with Bloodraven. She replaced the real Old Nan, and settled in. When she thought Bran was dead she called Sheepstealer and flew away breathing fire. She went back to Bloodraven cave. Now Bran knows her as Leaf.🍃

[@J_Mock92]

I like that theory too. It just feels right for some reason lol

[@thomasclark9564]

its a nice idea but i gotta agree with indeepgeek here she didnt really do a very good job if that was her mission and the 80 year wait seems pointless when bloodraven can communicate with him anyway

[@thomasclark9564]

sheepstealer being there would also be a big change to what we know about dragons in the story which i think might feel a little deus ex machina

[@DrAwesome43]

@@thomasclark9564 Just after Winterfell is burned, Bran is warged into Summer and snooping around. He sees "a winged snake flying through the sky breathing fire" or something like that. It's easy to read it as symbolic foreshadowing... but the literal interpretation is that Summer saw a dragon flying away from Winterfell after it is destroyed.

[@PapaEmeritus_4evr]

Great theory even though I can't agree with it.

[@joetedesco63]

Robert!! You never disappoint!!! Very well written. And delivered!!

[@bluewonk8910]

She's also an excellent way to share stories of the world in a good way. Instead of an appendix you get stories baked in naturally for the reader.

[@wht-rabt-obj]

I don't think she is anything other than Old Nan, but I do think she knows things or perhaps sees things.

[@DLYChicago]

Old Nan rocks! She's one of the best characters in ASOIAF. Despite her embellishments, her stories are always true. GRRM plays with prophets and prophecies. Many people are following false prophets such as Melisandra. The true prophets are Maggy the Frog, the Hedge Witch of Bald Hill, and Old Nan.

[@autje1970]

This is why Tyrion's spiel about Bran and stories in the show's final episode resonates with me more when I take the books into account than when I think of the show. Stories like Old Nan's (and others, in the books) should indeed bind people together now that dark winds are rising again, not gold, armies, or sigils. Problem for the show is that we don't get many of those stories, but Tyrion's speech applies very well to the books.

[@Gator5000e]

Another great video. And a shout out to the late Margaret John who played Old Nan in the show. She was awesome.

[@prairieskye]

Beautifully expressed thoughts on Old Nan, thank you❤

[@paulmphoto]

I like the idea she is Leaf in disguise when Leaf lived with men for 200 years.

[@Devinski77]

Add onto that she was picked up by a dragon aka sheepstealer because she's nettles too

[@rhondacombs7571]

I too subscribe to Michael’s theories!

[@rivolverocelot3010]

😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮 that's a bar

[@Vinny__212]

Phoneomenal presentation.. always wondered about her but never deep dived. This was truly illuminative and well-researched. Kudos!

[@MartFord]

To me, Old Nan is the beginning of the poem, and Brandon becoming the King, because "we need a King to tell the stories" was the end of the poem. I think this little line in that final episode on the TV show was shared by GRRM with the showrunners to have that little motif come to an end. It starts and ends with a storyteller... perhaps GRRM is emodied as Old Nan and Brandon in the books, as our storyteller.

[@tjimicole2677]

11:28 OLD NAN: "What about Long Night?" BRAN: "We've already had it." OLD NAN: "We've had one, yes. What about second Long Night?"

[@PapaEmeritus_4evr]

I think this is the best theory. Shes been around so long and passes along important events. Shes a story teller and an educator.

[@zyph2001]

I think this is one of the best videos you've ever made, and I'm always eager for more!

[@rayfairbanks6280]

Thanks for keeping up to date with your other channel! Your narration is top notch imho.

[@MariaVosa]

I don't think I've seen a video of your's that I agree more with. And I usually agree with them.

[@ismagoff]

I like the idea that she indeed was with ser Duncan and that Hodor is his descendent. Their height is not the only thing they have in common. I've heard a theory about ser Duncan is linked to his foot (the foot that he paid with the life of Prince Baelor) and why he was allowed to keep it. It suggests that he will be using his foot to save lives in the tragedy of Summerhall, including the life of Princess Rhaella and her unborn son, Prince Rhaegar. Wouldn't it be a beautiful parallel if Ser Duncan also died holding the door for others to live? Seems pretty on brand for GRRM.

[@kristiankolbjrnsrud4498]

'Micheal talks about stuff' made a great video about an alternative theory that Old Nan is 'Leaf' - the child of the forest in Bloodravens cave. I've seen many people in this comment section say so, but his video goes in great detail, and with a lot of textual evidence to back it up!

[@devonmarcus101]

IDG made a video about Old Nan. I love this channel.

[@dbfurrer]

Another simply great video! I really enjoy your insights and perception, keep it on!

[@tomlangford1999]

New theory: Old Nan is a literary device

[@roscojenkins7451]

Or sheira seastar...

[@JLchevz]

Excellent analysis. We benefit from analyzing from a literary perspective instead of from an in-world one in order to understand the role a character is playing. Some characters are disguised as other characters and stuff like that, which comes to us from analyzing the little details of the books but some others like Old Nan serve to tell a greater story more fluidly. She gives richness to the world of ASOIAF.

[@DINOROAR2912]

Old Nan is simply the Syrio Florel for the entire Stark family, she provides stories, ideas, concepts and magical histories so that each of the Stark children can relate what they experience to the past and thus have context for their life

[@lutilda]

Agreed! I think she's an example of how the North remembers what happened in their history and pass it down. While it's just believed to be stories, it's all true. But I don't think she necessarily "knew" they were true, so much as she believed they were important to share and pass down as knowledge to the next generations.

[@DzinkyDzink]

Old Nan was a wet nurse for Brandon Stark, Cregan Stark's son. That's almost a 100 years before ASOIAF timeline. She's definitely some sort of ancient being that manages to convince everyone around that's she's been there "since their father's baby time" which just keeps going on and one while the generations of Starks succeed each other.

[@richardtabor8686]

Old Nan hype!! ty so much for all the great content.

[@Coasterr200145]

Love Old Nan. Glad you did this video of her.

[@richardtabor8686]

Old Nan Hype!!! ty for the content. Can't wait to hear this....

[@nj3195]

Nan is a character that embodies the reason why reality becomes just stories, then legends,, then myths. She is the bridge between reality and fiction.

[@LalinDissanayaka]

She's a very important character thank you for making a video of her

[@charlespirate1]

Fair play. You got 14 minutes out of old nan. Fair play.

[@OhJustCommenting]

I miss this channel and roberts lovely voice. Missed when i used to love GoT. But now i have been digging into Dune content and 3 body problem :'(

[@i.d.k..ijustgothere1260]

Great stuff, love it!

[@jaqjynx]

I would love GRRM to do a story book of old nans stories.

[@xavier84623]

Even without a plan or bloodraven conspiracy,she could still just be a child of the forest waring a glamor. Leaf says they are among us.

[@MRptwrench]

Nicely done, and with much care.

[@ciaran_mcghee_music]

Just re read book one and she’s mentioned so often! I love this video.

[@EmeraldView]

She's a great story teller

[@blooveymcgrady]

I always loved hearing stories from my grandma and my grandpa, even into adulthood.

[@whatthefrerejacques]

Well done, Robert!

[@andrewward5891]

Old Nan is a storytelling trope. In many books, tv shows, and movies there’s an old person that spouts out old tales and prophecies. Nobody takes the oldster seriously (like Robb gently making fun of Nan’s tales) but their stories usually foreshadow an upcoming event in the show/movie/book. The prophetic old person is just a story writing trope to dump some foreshadowing on the reader/ viewer

[@stnylan]

Your closing statement about stories made me.immediately think of this line from Dr Who: "You said memories become stories when we forget them. Maybe some of them become songs."

[@sertank735]

“Now that’s a big man!” - D&D

[@ThommyofThenn]

This is George having a bit of fun with the necessity of world-building expository dumps. Who better to tell the reader the stories and legends of the world, than a kindly elder who tells them to the POVs, and also the reader. I'm seeing some comments here making fun, but how else would you rather learn the lore? Expo-dumps might be "immersion breaking" or "inorganic," but I find using Old Nan' educating and entertainment of the kids to be a very naturalistic way of introducing aspects of the backstory.

[@kriszack8374]

Thank you for creating content! It is very soothing and I love listening to you! Keep up the great work!

[@2007VolkswagenJetta]

If she’s in that flashback Bran had then she’ll be in the new Dunc and Egg show

[@sertank735]

“Old Nan kind of forgot about who she is.” - D&D

[@nemesis196304]

Ole Nan was important simply because she remembers the things that people forgot. She lived the stories that the Stark children needed to learn.

[@nilssteinhauer9879]

I've always loved your videos but right now I really wish I could give this video 100 thumbs up

[@animesempai0]

Old Nan was right about one thing, I think we all do live inside of the eye of a blue-eyed giant named macumba😂

[@BinarySecond]

The eye is flat. Wake up sheeple

[@p.c.howard7025]

Excellent insight

[@carastone3473]

It’s quite impressive to live this long in Westeros! She may be only 1 of 2 GOT characters who actually died of old age; the other, of course is Maester Aemon.

[@mythal0620]

Great video! I think, that old Nan ist just an alter ego of GRR Martin, and in this respect, of course, something like omnipotent. Through her, the author communicates how important stories are, and that stories often make history, perhaps better history than the one we are experiencing right now, for example.

[@ruthanneseven]

I agree about story-telling completely. Nowadays, in real life, these are called myths, which is simply another word for history. Embellishments aside, they exist with elements of truth. Recently, I read that Altantis was now settled as a completely fictional tale. Fictional tales don't last thousands of years. Nan is a counterbalance to the three eyed Crow in many ways. It's so easy to brush her aside, yet she openly tells the truth about so much! If I recall correctly, she dies during Theon's takeover of Winterfell. By this time, Bran is on his way to meet the Three Eyed Crow.. (Please correct me if I'm wrong), but this too is significant. She has all the qualities of a wildling, without actually being one. She's far older than anyone knows. She's very wise and observant. There's more to her than meets the eye, for sure. Perhaps she is a product of a mating between a Child of the Forest and a First Man? She's quick-witted and knowledgeable about the oddest things. She's baffled me for a while. Thoughts?

[@lionwithglasses180]

She is a time traveling Stark with a secret suit of armor. The Invincible IronNan

[@teabagmcpick889]

She’s enrichment. Reinforcing lore & adding depth to other characters.

[@patrickb1303]

Just sitting on the toilet hypothesizing about Old Nan. 2024

[@JangoMike]

I was just thinking I hope he drops a new video today . . . Lol Thank you!

[@dw1419]

“New” = updated version of an old video

[@tarvoc746]

Whoever Old Nan is, one thing is clear: She would make a rad GM for any TTRPG group.

[@jgr7487]

The best theory that Old Nan was playing a role is that she was told she'd tell the stories to a Bran, one of them, not exactly our Bran, son of Ned. So many Brandons have passed, she believes it was all a lie, as "Crows are liers". And, yes, her being Shiera Seastar is ludicrous. My favourite option is her being Leaf. I really liked this vid tho.

[@ian7064]

She's a child of the forest in disguise

[@nathanhook8351]

The other source worth noting here is GRRM's children book 'the ice dragon,' It's not set in Westeros as such, but may be a story that Nan tells the Stark Kids. It also ends with a pool that is always frozen even in summer, like the pool that exists in the Godswood at Winterfell.

[@robertsmiley2207]

Nobody knows but she's old 🧓 enough to have known every single Brandon Stark that ever existed if her stories are to be believed

[@michaelzimmer2118]

I saw a video theory says she’s a children of the forest with a glamour disguise

[@BlackstreetBoys2Men]

You’ll remember Old Nan when the white walkers come

[@EvelynDayless]

I don't care what anyone says Old Nan is 100% accurate and she'll be the queen of westeros by the end cause she's got the best stories.

[@AAMolder]

“And who has the best story of all??” 😂🤣

[@joxidearmageddonator882]

There's an interesting section I recall about Old Nan, during Clash of Kings. When everyone is claiming that the red comet is a sign of their own victory, I think Bran asks Old Nan what it means and she says "Dragons are back". She's the only one that knew!

[@JojenReed]

I do agree!

[@ronniecorbett6306]

Nan is a Child of the Forest in disguise.

[@TravisBrady-wn8fr]

Ol Nan: " What? You no likey kidney pi"

[@jensibowable]

Nan is an example of perfect word building imo

[@DrBusiness9]

n GoT Bran 4 (Chapter 24), “It was just a lie, he said bitterly, remembering the crow from his dream. “I can’t fly. I can’t even run.” “Crows are all liars,” Old Nan agreed, from the chair where she sat doing her needlework. “I know a story about a crow.” Bran didn’t say anything about a crow. How did she know? You are absolutely correct about her significant narrative purpose, and her need to keep the old stories alive, you just need to open up to her having a larger more connected role. It's not obvious since she's good at hiding her true self.

[@treehouse318]

i ❤ old Nan.

[@Immhotep]

I have an outside theory, could she have been a penpal/friend of maester aemon or another maester along the wall. He/they could have shared many of the stories about the wall, watch and North with her over the years. It would explain how a commoner would have much wider knowledge of the world than you might expect from someone who has lived in winterfell for her whole life.

[@glennhiggins7680]

In some light she looks like my dear old gran`. Bless her heart.