A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (2026)
Finally, GOT fans received something so good, entertaining, and exceeding our expectations. After writers screwed up the ending of Game of Thrones and an average execution in House of the Dragon, season II, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms truly delivered a masterpiece.
This shows it's not the dragons, or crowns, or power struggles between noble houses that matter, but a good story, and good execution of it. As George R.R. Martin directly involved in the production and creation of the show, we could see even minor details to precision.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which is based on the fictional world created by George R.R. Martin. It's a prequel to the Game of Thrones , just like House of the Dragon.
General Details
- Created by - Ira Parker and George R. R. Martin
- Based on Tales of Dunk and Egg in A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin
- Release - January 18, 2026 –present
- No. of seasons - 1 (6 episodes)
- Main Cast - Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall, Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg, Daniel Ings as Ser Lyonel Baratheon, Danny Webb as Ser Arlan of Pennytree, Henry Ashton as Prince Daeron Targaryon,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Knight_of_the_Seven_Kingdoms_(TV_series)
The show has received 8.9/10 from 169K ratings on IMDB. After a slow and steady start, it just gained the love and positive reviews in the last few episodes.
The story is about some adventures and the transformation of Ser Duncan the Tall ("Dunk"); a hedge knight, and his squire Egg.
So, this story is between the events in HoTD and the GOT. Let me share a small overview of the timeline.
- 1 AC - Aegon's Conquest
HoTD - 101 AC - The start where Viserys I was chosen as the next heir in the Great Council is set up by King Jaehaerys
- 129 AC to 131AC - Targaryen Civil War
- 153 AC - The last dragon died
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - 209 AC - Starting with the Ashford tourney
GoT - 297 AC - starting with the arrival of King Robert to Winterfell
So, the first episode started with Dunk burying his master, Ser Arlan of Pennytree. He was the closest family member and mentor to him. Taking his sword, shield, and three horses, he is going to join the tournaments at Ashford Meadow. And along the way, we can see the typical countryside, fields, mountains, rivers, castles, etc., just like in the rest of the series. Dunk is honourable, strong, and uncertain of his place in the world. He is tall, just like Lady Brienne of Tarth; she is one of his descendants.
Along the way, he met Egg, a small yet curious kid who became his squire and companion, eventually. To enter the tournament, some lord had to vouch for him. But coming from nowhere and without any background, he couldn't find anyone.
In the second episode, Tragarian prince Baelor, the heir to the Iron Throne and the hand of the king, Prince Maekar, and his son Aerion came to the tourney. Somehow, Dunk could convince Prince Baelor by telling about the heroics of Sir Arlon and get to vouch for him. Here we could watch the tournament's first jousting matches.
After a steady, slow start, things got heated in the next episode. A grild name Tanselle and her crew performed a dragon being slain. Dunk was quite fond of her, and she was painting her armor. Anyhow, Prince Aerion got insulted and broke her finger. Suddenly, Dunk attacked the prince. Guards captured him, and when the prince tried to take revenge, Egg stood up. He was the youngest son of Maekar and the brother of Aerion. So, after that incident, everything changed.
Dunk was imprisoned. Eventhough he attacked the prince, Prince Baelor believed he tried to protect the innocent as every knight should do. Dunk demanded trial by Combat, but Aerion asked for trial by seven. So, Dun k had to find another 6 knights to fight beside him in a seven-versus-seven joust at dawn. Daeron, Maekar, three Kingsguard, and Steffon, who betrayed Dunk, fought for Aerion. Lyonel, Robyn, Hardyng, Ser Humfrey Beesbury, and newly knighted Raymun came for Dunk. But still, with one man short, Dunk appealed to the crowd. The climax of the show is with the entrance of Prince Baelor to fight for Dunk, against his family. That scene was pure magic with the GOT Music.
The fifth episode, "In the Name of the Mother," shaped the fate of Westeros. At the start of the trial, Dunk was not focused, with a series of flashback events on his head, and he was knocked down by Aerion. But he regained his strength, and after a cruel duel, Aerion yielded, and Dunk got released from the charges. Beesbury and Hardyng are confirmed as killed, and Dunk pledged his service to Baelor. But unfortunately, when Baelor removed his helmet, there was a fatal wound to the head, and he died. It was an unexpected knock from Maeker during the trial.
The final episode was emotional, and laying the foundation for the next season. Baelor was cremated, and Maeker was already repenting, as it was an accident from his end. He offered Dunk to stay in Summerhall, where Egg can be his squire. But Dunk refuses, and to his travel he requests permission to take Egg. But Maeeker refused. Anyway, Egg escaped and lied to Dunk and accompanied him.
So, season one started with a masterpiece. It shows that fans accept not just rulers and wars, but also ordinary people trying to live with honour in a difficult land. Let's see in the next season soon!
Sources
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27497448/?ref_=ttrt_ov_bk
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Knight_of_the_Seven_Kingdoms_%28TV_series%29#
My TV Series collection
Better Call Saul(2015-2022, The Sopranos (1999 - 2007), The Wire ( 2002–2008), Breaking Bad (2008-2013), Game of Thrones (2011-2019), Chernobyl (2019), Peaky Blinders (2013 - 2022), Friends (1994 - 2004), Vikings (2013 - 2020), True Detective - Season I (2014), Money Heist (2017 - 2021), Koombiyo (2017-2018), Rome (2005-2007), Young Sheldon (2017-2024), The Lord of the Rings Film Trilogy, The Last Ship (2014–2018), See (2019–2022), Narcos (2015-2017), Spellbinder (1995-1997), Da Vinci’s Demons (2013 – 2015)
So, that's it for today!! Until the next time! Enjoy!
Thank you.
Best Regards!
Excellent summary of the technical details. However, I wonder if six episodes are enough to adequately cover the events of the Ashford Tournament without sacrificing the development of the supporting characters.
Upvoted! Thank you for supporting witness @jswit.