A Character on "Game of Thrones" Died of Natural Causes and That’s Almost a First

If you’re not all caught up with Game of Thrones, here be spoilers!

A grand total of seven notable characters met their end in the most recent Game of Thrones instalment, "The Long Night", though, given how many we were predicting would find themselves on the wrong end of The Night King’s spear, that’s actually a pretty good result for Team Living!

(Ahem, of course, we should spare a thought for the literal thousands of nameless soldiers and reanimated corpses who also met their grisly end. Yes, even you, Zombie Viserion.)

We always knew the battle of Winterfell would be a violent one. And yet, no one—not even Bran—could have guessed that a main character would expire from natural causes amid the carnage.

Statistically, it seemed impossible. As we wrote late last year, a report by proper researchers examined the causes of death for every single "important" character through the show’s first seven seasons. This amounted to about 186 deaths. And of those, it was found that 56.4 per cent died from "injuries", mostly from wounds to the "head and neck region". 

Sound familiar?

"Burns" and "poisonings" were the second and third most common causes of death, respectively.

But right at the bottom of the ranking came "natural causes", with a grand total of two documented deaths.

Those who perished of natural causes (AKA old age) included Maester Aemon, who passed in Sam and Gilly’s presence, and Lord Hoster Tully, who carked it off-screen. There is some dispute as to whether or not Greatjon Umber died of natural causes off-screen as well. Even if he did, the point stands: people usually don’t get a peaceful, natural death in the world of Game of Thrones.

Except, we can now add one more name to that very short list: Melisandre.

That’s right, the Red Woman, played by Carice van Houten, had been keeping herself alive for more than 400 years thanks to a supernatural necklace. However, she finally took off her charmed jewellery (having given Arya the pep talk she needed to son the Night King into submission) and succumbed naturally (and rapidly!) to old age.

We’re sure most people had Ser Davos exacting his revenge upon Melisandre in their personal GOT Dead Pools, but he had to settle for watching her walk away and withering in front of his very eyes.

At least Melisandre went to the grave knowing her prophesising was right... eventually.

Night night!

Header Image: HBO