The Debate on Heritage and Bastards in Westeros

Lost in the eternal saga of Westeros is the persistent question of what would happen were Brienne of Tarth to carry Jaime Lannister's child. Many discussants wonder if this hypothetical child would inherit Jaime's wealth and titles. However, the reality of Westerosi law and customs speaks a different tune. According to the principles of inheritance and bastards, there are several key factors at play.

Understanding Legitimacy and Bastardy

In the Seven Kingdoms, the status of a child is determined by the circumstances of its birth. If Brienne of Tarth were to carry Jaime's child and this child were to be born outside of marriage, the child would be considered a bastard. This classification is not merely a reproach; it holds significant legal and social implications.

Bastards do not inherit titles or wealth. The Lannister family, like many noble houses, has strict rules against bastard inheritance. Even if Brienne were to manage to convince the remaining Lannisters of her child's paternity, the offspring would still face considerable hurdles. The child would need to prove its noble parentage and obtain legal recognition, which is a near impossibility during the chaotic and suspicious nature of Westeros.

Legal and Social Barriers to Inheritance

Even if the child were somehow legitimized and married off secretly, the Lannister family would likely deny the child its inheritance. The Lannisters have a long history of valuing bloodline purity and power. Any suggestion that a bastard child might claim their titles would be seen as a strategic move to seize control rather than a legitimate claim. This would severely undermine the claim and likely lead to conflict.

Secret Marriages and Legal Recognition: If Brienne and Jaime had married in secret, the status of the child would depend on the recognition of the union. Marriages in Westeros often require royal or noble lineage confirmation, and a secret marriage would be no exception. Without explicit acknowledgment of the marriage and its legitimacy, the child remains a bastard and forfeits any claim to Lannister wealth and titles.

Current State of the Lannister Family

At present, the inky Lannister alive, Tywin's nephew Tyrion, reigns as the Hand of the King but only holds the position due to political maneuvering and not through the trust of the old family lines. Tyrion has neither the titles nor the wealth to pass on. This further reinforces the weightlessness of any claim by a bastard child.

Future Descendants and Possible Claims: Even if Jaime had titles or wealth (though his status is uncertain), the legitimacy of his offspring would be the primary deciding factor. If the child were a bastard, it would have no claim. However, if the child were to marry into a noble lineage, there might be a small chance of inheritance through the spouse's family, but this scenario is highly speculative without concrete evidence of such a marriage.

In conclusion, the inheritance of Jaime Lannister's wealth and titles by a child born outside of marriage, whether recognized or not, would be a futile endeavor. The social and legal structures of Westeros are rigidly opposed to such claims. Only through explicit acknowledgment and a change in the family's attitude towards bastards can such a claim be made, and even then, the process would be fraught with peril.

Thus, the answer remains clear: No, a bastard child of Brienne of Tarth would not have a claim to Jaime Lannister's wealth and titles.