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[grumbler]

Well, the idea that anyone would need to give an assasin a knife is kind of weird. Presumably they would have one of their own - knives not being all that hard to come by...but giving them such a noticeable and valuable knife means it needs some kind of explanation that involves someone doing something either very stupid or somewhat clever. Somewhat clever was eliminated, and that left pretty stupid.

Which leaves Joffrey.

The reality is that the knife was needed to set Catelyn on Tyrion, and I don't think George really thought it through all that much, which is unusual for him.

Unless Littlefinger set it up, as I have noted.  I have no evidence, of course, and if anyone can point out evidence that the assassin must have been launched before Littlefinger could access Joffrey to suggest this, my theory goes up in smoke.

Still, if one looks to see who gained from the attempt on Bran's life, one name stands out.  Qui bono, anyone?

[Berkut]

The attempt to assasinate Bran happened 8 days after the Kings party left Winterfell.

[Berkut]

And the kings party left Winterfell "close on a fortnight" after the fall. So I don't think there would be any way Littlefinger could be involved.

[viper37]

So, who gave the knife to the assassin that instead of putting Bran out of his misery after falling, managed to get himself killed by Summer?

When Catelyn asked Jaime, he said he was sure it was not Tyrion or Cersei.
He also said he remember the knife passing hands from Tyrion to Robert himself, after Jaime was dismounted by Loras at some Tourney.
Does this means Robert send the assassin to kill Bran?????!!!!!!!!
The assumption have always been Robert didn't know about Cerseis infidelity, and he would put her to sword if he knew.

Look at all the characters of the series.  Find one you'd describe as a snake. A guy who's always one step before everyone in his plots, wich is quite something in a kingdom where plotting against each another is the norm.

That's the man you're looking for.

[viper37]

No, it was Stannis.

funny, I would have tought Little Finger was the instigator of the plot, or the idea behind it.  That's his style.

[Berkut]

No, it was Stannis.

funny, I would have tought Little Finger was the instigator of the plot, or the idea behind it.  That's his style.

Definitely, but it simply doesn't work. He had no way of setting it up, he was back in Kings Landing.

[Habbaku]

No, it was Stannis.

funny, I would have tought Little Finger was the instigator of the plot, or the idea behind it.  That's his style.

Definitely, but it simply doesn't work. He had no way of setting it up, he was back in Kings Landing.

Indeed, which is why it was Stannis.  Or maybe Brienne, I forget.

[Eddie Teach]

A cutthroat would already have a knife, no?  I mean, how does one become a cutthroat without one?

With a sword or a saw perhaps. Though the knife is certainly more convenient. 

[Sophie Scholl]

And the kings party left Winterfell "close on a fortnight" after the fall. So I don't think there would be any way Littlefinger could be involved.

This.  Also, I'm pretty sure the guy wasn't a legit killer either, just one of the king's party that Joffrey hired to do the task.  He might have given the blade because A) The guy didn't have one of his own and B)  Because if it went off successfully, he could have used it as proof that it was him that sent the guy to fulfill his "dad's" comment and look good in his eyes.

[The Brain]

The "Littlefinger" back in King's Landing was just a cunning papier-mache ruse.

[Agelastus]

And the kings party left Winterfell "close on a fortnight" after the fall. So I don't think there would be any way Littlefinger could be involved.

I haven't read the books, but is there any particular reason people seem to be considering the assassination attempt as a "spur of the moment" thing rather than a plot laid weeks or months in advance?

Using a distinctive knife normally only makes sense if someone who will be present at the attempt is supposed to believe something (either correctly or incorrectly) due to its' presence. It's a message.

And to me, being several days travel away from the scene of a crime seems like an excellent move for any serious conspirator to make if he's after a long term rather than immediate goal.

[Berkut]

Why would anyone plan on killing Bran weeks or months in advance?

[Sophie Scholl]

Because Little Finger is so damn crafty, he planned for Bran to climb the ruined tower and catch Cersei and Jamie in action and the subsequent tossing out the window of Bran.  He planted the idea for Cersei and Jamie to hide out there to escape Robert's notice via subliminal implanting and then took the form of one of the crows due to his warg nature to push Bran toward that exact window.  He  pulled a Varys and disguised himself so that no one would notice him being present during the entire trip other than briefly appearing as himself to plant the idea in Joffrey's head to hire someone to off Bran with the knife he provided.  He's just that damn good.  Bow before Little Finger.

[Eddie Teach]

Why is he called Littlefinger anyway? Is it from how he drinks his wine? 

[The Brain]

It's an Indian name.