Why did Blackfish never marry?

[Narkalui]

I always assumed he was in love with Minisa Whent. Any other interpretations?

 

[Needle]

While the Blackfish was loyal to a fault and an honest man (brutally so at times) it seems as if he was also a bit of a rebel and wild child. I think as a young man, when big brother Hoster (Lord of Riverrun and the Riverlands of course) pushed him to marry, it may have been a mistake, causing the Blackfish to push back by refusing to do so.

 

[Boaz]

My thoughts....

Like Needle wrote, Brynden wanted to make his own decisions and would not cooperate with Hoster's plans. And mayhems out of respect he never married, while still maintaining his freedom.

Or... Brynden loved another woman and has honored her ever since.

Or... Brynden just likes to play the field.

Or... Brynden's life may be mirrored in the life of one of his family members.... e.g. Robb Stark married against his family's wishes... e.g. Lyanna Stark secretly eloped and she died in childbirth.

As far as I know, GRRM has not told us.

 

[Narkalui]

No, I suppose you are right there, until we get a Blackfish POV chapter we won't know for sure. I've always assumed he was in love with Hoster's wife because Cat always thinks about her mother whenever she thinks about Brynden's bachelorhood...

 

[Werthead]

The other popular theory is that the Blackfish is gay and, unlike Renly, was not prepared to hide it and pretend he was something he wasn't.

 

[Boaz]

Wert, is that a popular theory or do you sense/know this to be true? I ask because you're connected.