Quick Links
Ahead ofHouse of the Dragon’s finale, HBO unveiled the first look footage of the latestGame of Thronesprequel,A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. The highly-anticipated show that has a 2025 release date deals with two niche characters in theGame of Throneslore. The knight in question is Ser Duncan the Tall, and the young Targaryen prince Aegon, nicknamed Egg, squires for him. AsGame of Thronesspawns into a universe, it is essential to address whereA Knight of the Seven Kingdomsfits in, and who the key characters are.
The show is based on a series of novellas by George R. R. Martin, referred to as “The Tales of Dunk and Egg.” So far, three novellas have been released, and the first season is adapted from the first short story - “The Hedge Knight.” Back in April 2023, HBO announced that it had placed an order for a third live-action show in the franchise, which was tentatively titled,“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight.“Now shortened toA Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the third installment lies in the middle of the original -Game of Thrones,and the prequel -House of the Dragon. It details a time when the Targaryens still held the Iron Throne.
What IsA Knight of the Seven KingdomsAbout?
The official logline ofA Knight of the Seven Kingdomsstates:
A century before the events of Game of Thrones, there was Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg.
This description immediately makes it clear thatA Knight of the Seven Kingdomsis also a prequel to the original. This means that it deals with the Targaryens, the last of whom would eventually be ousted from power.A Knight of the Seven Kingdomsshould begin withthe Hedge Knight, Ser Duncan the Tall’s journey to Ashford in 209 AC. He’d acted as a squire for Ser Arlan of Pennytree and been all over Westeros, except the North with him. Ser Arlan practically raised Duncan from about four or five years to the cusp of his early adulthood (16 or 17). He’d seen Duncan of Flea Bottom, alias Dunk, chase a pig and taken him under his wing. From then on, Duncan went wherever Ser Alan would go.
The Tourney at Ashford, however, changed the course of Duncan’s life. Originally, Ser Arlan was supposed to participate in the tourney but died on his way. Duncan gave him a burial and decided to enter the tourney in his place. He rested at an inn, where he met Prince Aegon, disguised as a commoner. Duncan refusedbald-headed Prince Aegon’s first request to take him as a squire. Unbeknownst that the boy was a prince of House Targaryen, Duncan agreed to take him as squire at their second meeting at Ashford. Duncan needed a squire, and he assumed that this bald boy who went by the name “Egg” was probably an orphan from Flea Bottom.
Was Duncan Disallowed From Participating In The Ashford Tourney?
Absolutely yes, as Duncan had nobody to vouch for him, and knighthood was a requisite for participation. While he maintained through conflicting details that Ser Arlan had knighted him on his deathbed,Lord Ashford’s stewarddismissed him. The next day, Duncan returned to Ashford and narrated his story to Princes Baelor and Maekar Targaryen. Baelor had jousted against Ser Arlan, and agreed to vouch for Duncan.
How Do Dunk And Egg’s Adventures Begin?
Simply put, Dunk and Egg’s adventures begin the moment the knight takes up Maekar’s offer to take the young Egg as a squire. He is on the Targaryens' radar after defending the innocent Dornish puppeteer Tanselle against Prince Aerion’s attacks. Duncan jumps to Tanselle’s defense, and is taken prisoner forstriking a Targaryen prince. Egg, who’s revealed himself to be Aerion’s younger brother, protects Duncan from harm, but the twisted tales of Princes Daeron and Aerion force Prince Baelor to sanction a Trial of Seven. Duncan fights alongside the six champions - Ser Robyn Rhysling, Ser Humfrey Hardyng, Lord Lyonel Baratheon, Ser Humfrey Beesbury, Raymun Fossoway, and Prince Baelor Targaryen, against Aerion, Daeron, Maekar, three Kingsguard knights, and Ser Steffon Fossoway.
Duncan defeats Aerion in combat, and forces him to yield. What’s interesting is that Duncan remembers the Knights' vows, because the Smallfolk stand behind him. Prince Baelor dies in this trial and Prince Maekar can’t come to terms with it. He regrets siding with Aerion and has him banished to the Free Cities. He is impressed with Duncan, so much so, he offers him a station at his seat, Summerhall, in exchange for taking on his son, Egg, as his squire. As Duncan prefers to be a wandering knight, Egg is allowed to accompany him on theiradventures across Westeros.
Duncan and Aegon /Egg travel to Dorne, Planky Town, Riverlands, Whitewalls, and Winterfell.A Knight of the Seven Kingdomswill utilize the around the world adventure trope. Family drama, politics and power play should take a backseat to Duncan and Egg’s adventures. This third live-action series in theGame of Thronesfranchise will include more slice of life moments from the world still run by the Targaryens.As fate would have it, Egg eventually becomes Aegon the Fifth and Duncan goes on to serve him asLord Commander of his Kingsguard. It’s no wonder Ser Duncan the Tall has four pages dedicated to him in the Book of Brothers.
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.
