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There’s something different with HBO’sA Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. An adaptation of a series of novellas by author George R. R. Martin, this third live-action installment in theGame of ThronesUniverse should be a realistic representation of the minutiae of life in Westeros. Two characters, namely, Ser Duncan the Tall and Prince Aegon Targaryen, alias Egg will leadA Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Duncan takes on the bald boy Egg as his squire, and hehappens to be a Hedge Knightwho works in the service of various lords throughout the realm.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdomswill chiefly portray Westeros through the eyes of Duncan and Egg, as they traverse the continent in the era of the later Targaryens. The show isn’t a power struggle between the noble families of Westeros, but a depiction of Targaryen rule, politics, treachery, rebellions, and everyday life. It’s one of a kind, but it will weave in its storytelling the major events that occurred while monarchs fromHouse Targaryen of Westerosstill sat the Iron Throne.
The Tourney At Ashford Meadow - 209 AC
The Tourney at Ashford Meadow is where it all begins. Duncan gives his master, Ser Arlan of Pennytree, a burial and seeks to participate in his place. The young, bald Prince Aegon, disguised as a commoner, runs into him at an inn on the way to Ashford.
Duncan turns down Prince Aegon’s (alias Egg) first couple of requests to squire for him but agrees the second time at Ashford. Duncan refers to himself as a hedge knight and claims Ser Arlan knighted him before dying. The steward of Ashford bars Duncan from participating in the tourney because he doubts his knighthood. Dejected, Duncan runs into Princes Baelor and Maekar Targaryen at the castle the next day and narrates his ordeal. Prince Baelor recalls fighting Ser Arlan andvouches for Duncan’s knighthood.
The Trial Of Seven That Ends In Prince Baelor’s Death - 209 AC
The second of the two infamous Trials of the Seven takes place after things get out of hand at Ashford. Maekar’s son, Daeron, accuses Duncan of kidnapping their youngest brother, Egg. To make matters worse, Duncan is under arrest for protecting the Dornish puppeteer, Tanselle Too-Tall, against Maekar’s other son, Aerion. He’s brought to the castle, where the indignant Maekar gives in tothe Mad Prince, Aerion’s demands, and Baelor grants permission for a Trial of Seven.
Seven champions fight on each side, with Maekar’s older, charming brother and the heir to the throne, Baelor, fighting for Duncan. Maekar is unhorsed in the joust but mortally wounds Baelor by striking him with his mace. Baelor dies soon after, while Maekar’s sons, Daeron and Aerion, disgrace him. He regrets the manner of Baelor’s death and sends Aerion away to the Free Cities. He also offers Duncan a place at his seat in Summerhall in exchange for letting Egg squire for him. Duncan prefers to be a Hedge Knight, and in the end, Maekar lets Egg accompany him.
The Second, Third And Fourth Blackfyre Rebellions
The Blackfyre Rebellionsbleed House Targaryen and the realm for five generations. The conflict has roots in Aegon IV or Aegon the Unworthy’s misrule, and the act of legitimizing all his bastard children before dying. It all begins in 182 AC when Aegon the Fourth knights and bestowsthe Conqueror’s sword Blackfyreupon one of his bastard sons, the twelve-year-old, Daemon Waters, thereby enabling him as a contender against his heir, Daeron. It’s pertinent to mention Aegon IV is Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen’s grandson from their youngest, Prince Viserys Targaryen.
Twelve years after Aegon IV’s death, Daemon, now established as a Blackfyre, is emboldened enough to rise against his half-brother, Daeron II, in the First Blackfyre Rebellion of 196 AC. The Rebellion is quelled, but successive ones arise, andA Knight of the Seven Kingdomshas to have a take on the Second Blackfyre Rebellion (211 AC) and the Third Blackfyre Rebellion (219 AC). In 236 AC, Ser Duncan the Tall kills Daemon III Blackfyre at the Battle of Wendwater Bridge, thereby quelling the Fourth Blackfyre Rebellion.
The Great Council Of 233 AC
Egg’s father, Maekar, was furthest down in the line of succession but inherited the throne because his childless brother, King Aerys had recognized him as heir. Years later, King Maekar I’s death left the succession uncertain, and a Great Council was convened in 233 AC for resolution. This convention is one of the two councils held to break the deadlock over the Targaryen succession. The first one of 101 AC, convened by King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, has made it toFire & Blood’s televised adaptation -House of the Dragon.
Maekar’s two older sons, Daeron and Aerion had died while his third son, Aemon, had taken a Maester’s vow. His fourth son, Egg, had squired for a Hedge Knight, Duncan the Tall, for years, thus the courtiers were unsure of him. Meanwhile, Daemon I Blackfyre’s fifth son, Aenys, also laid claim to the throne. The Great Council chose Aegon as Maekar I’s successor and that’s howEgg ended up on the Iron Throne as Aegon the Fifth, and earned the title “Unlikely.”
Aegon V’s ascension to the throne in 233 AC and Ser Duncan becoming the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard in time is a full circle moment for their partnership and something to look forward to inA Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones, based on the Song of Ice and Fire book series by George R.R. Martin, tells the sprawling story of warring families in Westeros. This includes the Starks, the Lannisters, the Baratheons, and the Targaryens. Along with human conflicts, Westeros is also threatened by the re-emergence of dragons, and an undead enemy from beyond the Wall.
