Gleeman

A gleeman is a type of professional entertainer. They often travel between different towns and villages.

Overview

Gleemen are traveling entertainers who make their living by singing, playing music, and telling stories in inns and taverns across the land. Other skills also involve tightrope walking, juggling, and tumbling. Many are well versed in the different forms of poetry and storytelling, such as High Chant, Plain Chant, and Common Chant.

Due to living life on their roads, they are also often masters of self-defense.

History

After serving as court bard for House Trakand in Caemlyn for many years, Thom Merrilin unexpectedly left his position to become a wandering gleeman.

Season 1

The gleeman Thom Merrilin arrives in Breen's Spring at the same time as Rand al'Thor and Mat Cauthon, and performs a somber song for the patrons of the Four Kings Inn. Thom later defeats the innkeeper, Dana, after she reveals she is a Darkfriend, and joins Rand and Mat on the road. He personally battles a Fade when they are attacked on the Grinwell farm.

Known gleemen

• Thom Merrilin

Quotes

We call ourselves gleemen because a silly name makes us less frightening. Nothing is more dangerous than a man who knows the past.

Thom Merrilin to Rand al'Thor.

Changes from the book series

Gleemen are adapted from the occupation of the same name  (book spoilers!) in the book series.

• In the books, gleemen are identified by colorful patches on the exterior of their cloaks. In the television series, the patches are subtle, and worn on the interior of the gleeman's cloak.