What Happened To Baelor Targaryen in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 5 Explained

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In Season 1, Episode 5 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Baelor Targaryen unexpectedly fights alongside Ser Duncan the Tall. It’s a surprising turn because Baelor ends up battling his own brother and nephews. However, his decision highlights his commitment to honor and doing what he believes is right, even when it’s difficult. Spoiler alert: The following discusses events from Episode 5.

The cost of victory was far greater than Baelor expected, ultimately claiming his life despite his honorable actions. At first, it appeared he’d survived with only minor losses – both Ser Humfreys, Beesbury and Hardyng, were killed, but Baelor seemed to emerge as a winner when Dunk forced Aerion to surrender. However, the removal of his helmet revealed a fatal blow to the back of his head, resulting in a shocking death reminiscent of the most dramatic moments in Game of Thrones, and ending the life of the potential heir to the Iron Throne.

Did Maekar Really Kill Baelor (& Was It On Purpose)?

Currently, all evidence points to Maekar being the one who killed Baelor. He struck the fatal blow to the back of Baelor’s head with his mace during the battle, and both the book and television series confirm this account without any conflicting information. In George R.R. Martin’s The Hedge Knight, Maekar even admits to it, telling Dunk about the event.

Some will claim I intentionally killed my brother, but I swear it’s not true – though I’ll likely be haunted by those accusations for the rest of my life. I know my own weapon struck the fatal blow. He was only fighting three Kingsguard, and their duty was simply to protect themselves, so it must have been me. Oddly enough, I don’t remember actually hitting him. I wonder if that’s a blessing, or a torment. Probably a bit of both, I suspect.

It’s easy to miss in the hectic battle scenes of the show, which are gritty and center on Dunk and Aerion’s fight. However, a brief shot near the end reveals someone swinging a mace, turning to defend themselves and hitting the back of another person’s head – this is probably the moment Maekar fatally struck his brother.

Accepting Maekar’s explanation that the killing wasn’t intentional feels right, as it’s clear he didn’t intend to harm his brother. A tragic accident is actually more impactful and heartbreaking. While Maekar may have been less honorable and lived in his brother’s shadow, there’s no reason to believe he wanted him dead, or that he’d benefit from it. Killing a family member would ruin his reputation, so it doesn’t make sense he would have planned it.

Why Baelor Targaryen Was Killed In A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms

Baelor’s death is classic George R.R. Martin – a surprising and tragic event for a genuinely good person who didn’t deserve to die. Like Ned Stark’s execution, it reminds us this fantasy world doesn’t always reward goodness, and victory always comes at a price. Dunk wins the battle, but it’s a hollow victory because of Baelor’s death. In a fight where seven men face seven others, it feels realistic that people would die, regardless of their status – whether they’re a simple knight or a prince.

This experience teaches Ser Duncan a valuable lesson about doing what’s right. It shows him that standing up for justice can come at a great cost, even death – a risk Prince Baelor Targaryen himself was willing to take. Dunk realizes he’s been given a rare opportunity to make a real difference and honor Baelor’s sacrifice, as he explains to Maekar in The Hedge Knight.

Dunk realized the truth in what the man said. “If I hadn’t fought back, you would have taken my hand, and my foot too. I sometimes sit under that tree, looking at my feet, and wonder if I could have sacrificed one of them. How could a foot be worth a prince’s life? And the other two, the Humfreys, they were good men as well.” Ser Humfrey Hardyng had died from his injuries just the night before.

“And what answer does your tree give you?”

I don’t hear anyone nearby. Old Ser Arlan used to say every evening, ‘I wonder what tomorrow will bring.’ He never knew the answer, just like we don’t. Perhaps one day I’ll need this foot, or even the realm will, more than a prince’s life is worth.

Who Becomes Heir After Baelor’s Death?

Although Baelor’s death might suggest Maekar would be next in line for the Iron Throne, his position as the fourth son of King Daeron II, combined with Baelor having sons, meant he wasn’t a likely candidate. However, through a series of events and after several years, he surprisingly does become king.

After Baelor’s death, his son Valarr—who was wearing Baelor’s armor at the trial—became the heir to King Daeron. Sadly, a widespread illness swept through Westeros only months later, claiming the lives of Valarr, his brother Matarys, and the king himself. This ended the line of succession that started with Baelor, and his oldest surviving brother, Aerys, took the throne. Aerys had no children and therefore named four different individuals as his heirs.

  • His brother Rhaegal, the third eldest of Daeron II’s sons and the last one above Maekar.
  • When Rhaegal died in 215 AC, choking on a pie, his son Aelor was named as heir.
  • Aelor then died in 217 AC due to an accident caused by his twin sister (and wife), Aelora, who then became Aerys’ heir.
  • Aelora took her own life due to grief over what happened to her brother/husband, so Maekar became the next in line to the Iron Throne, and became king in 221 AC, 12 years after Baelor’s death.

The first season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will conclude on Sunday, February 22nd, at 10 p.m. Eastern Time on both HBO and HBO Max.

What were your thoughts on Baelor’s death? Share your opinions in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-16 06:41