How Every Major A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Character Dies in The Books

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Be warned: this article reveals key plot points from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, The Tales of Dunk and Egg, and Game of Thrones. The world of Game of Thrones is known for its unexpected turns, betrayals, and heartbreaking losses. Now, with the new stories featuring the honorable knight Dunk in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, even more characters are vying for power. But will they survive the dangerous path to the Iron Throne?

Because George R.R. Martin has already established the backgrounds of these characters, we can share what happens to them. Be warned: this will contain spoilers about their lives, tragic fates, and deaths, including what the books reveal about characters like Ser Duncan, Egg, Maekar, and Lyonel Baratheon, as the story progresses within the Game of Thrones timeline.

Ser Duncan The Tall

Almost nothing is known about Dunk (Peter Claffey)’s early life before he became an orphan in Flea Bottom, or the years leading up to his appearance in George R. R. Martin’s The Hedge Knight. Fortunately, his later travels with Egg reveal a unique life across Westeros, with more stories planned in future novellas. When Prince Aegon eventually becomes king, he brings Ser Duncan with him, who rises through the ranks to become Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.

Martin hasn’t revealed exactly when or how Duncan was promoted – it was about twenty years after the Tourney at Ashford Meadows – but most believe Ser Duncan faithfully served his king until the disastrous fire at Summerhall. The details of what happened at the Targaryen summer palace remain a secret, and for years, Ser Duncan was thought to have died there with Aegon and his family. However, rumors of his survival have emerged, leaving the final chapter of his life as unclear as its opening.

Prince Aegon V Targaryen

Young Prince Aegon (Dexter Sol Ansell) trained as a squire under Ser Duncan, with or without his father’s approval, and learned firsthand about the lives and hardships of common people in Westeros. After becoming a skilled knight, he broke with tradition by marrying Betha Blackwood for love and starting a family, content to live a life away from the Iron Throne. However, destiny had different ideas for him.

Whenever a Targaryen heir died, high-ranking officials had to choose the next in line for the throne. This led to the selection of Aegon the Unlikely as King, and his strengths proved to be both advantages and disadvantages. While his changes helped the common people of Westeros, they angered the nobles. His sons continued this pattern by marrying for love instead of political gain, which further diminished Targaryen power. In an attempt to regain control, Aegon tried to hatch dragon eggs, but a devastating fire at Summerhall claimed his life, along with his wife and their son, Duncan, when he was only 33 years old.

Prince Valarr Targaryen

After King Baelor Targaryen’s death during the Trial of Seven, viewers are introduced to his eldest son, Prince Valarr (Oscar Morgan). As the oldest son of the late King Daeron II’s heir, Valarr unexpectedly becomes the new potential ruler, facing an unclear path ahead. Fortunately, the show reveals what kind of king Valarr would ultimately become.

Like a dark chapter reminiscent of the events that inspired Game of Thrones, a devastating illness became the biggest danger in Westeros. Just one year after King Daeron II’s father died, “The Great Spring Sickness” killed the king himself, his brother Valarr, another brother named Matarys, and tens of thousands of people throughout the seven kingdoms.

Prince Maekar Targaryen

At this point in Targaryen history, Prince Maekar (Sam Spruell) faced a series of unfortunate events, as depicted in The Hedge Knight. Shortly after his father died of the plague, his older brother, Aerys, became king as planned. However, Aerys appointed their bastard uncle, Brynden Rivers (known as Bloodraven), as his Hand – a position many, including Maekar, felt should have gone to him, causing a significant and lasting disagreement.

Maekar’s furious withdrawal to Summerhall was understandable, but in Westeros, anything can change. The decade which followed would see not only the death of Aerys, but of the remaining brother Rhaegel (along with his heirs), raising Maekar to the Iron Throne against all odds. Dying in battle against a rebellion some 12 years later, Maekar’s reign generally brought peace and stability to the peoples of Westeros.

Prince Aerion Targaryen

Prince Aerion “Brightflame” (Finn Bennett) in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is clearly portrayed as a harsh, arrogant, and self-obsessed prince – the proud son of Maekar Targaryen. The events at the Ashford tourney changed many people, but Aerion wasn’t one of them. Sending him East didn’t teach him any valuable lessons, despite his father’s hopes.

During his father’s rule, Aerion seemed poised to become king, but his extreme pride led him to a foolish and fatal attempt to transform into a dragon. He drank wildfire – the highly flammable substance famous for the Battle of Blackwater Bay in Game of Thrones – and it killed him. After King Maekar died, his only son was overlooked when a new heir was chosen.

Ser Raymun Fossoway

Inspired by Ser Duncan’s tales, young squire Raymun Fossaway (Shaun Thomas) starts a new family line – House Fossoway – as shown in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. The series expands on the original story by introducing Raymun’s wife, Lady Rowan (Rowan Robinson), who helps him establish House Fossoway of New Barrel. She’s a character not found in the books.

Martin doesn’t record any death for Raymun Fossaway, and the new, green House Fossaway isn’t mentioned in connection with any. This could suggest he lived a long and successful life. However, his legacy continues through numerous kind and honorable descendants – nicknamed the “green-apple Fossaways” – who appear throughout the story, from King Joffrey’s wedding to the ranks of the Night’s Watch with Jon Snow.

Lord Lyonel Baratheon

Lyonel Baratheon, nicknamed “The Laughing Storm” for his distinctive approach to combat, became increasingly well-known and admired after encountering Ser Duncan. However, his fortunes reversed when King Aegon V ascended to the throne, a change foreshadowed by his earlier warning that “a war is coming.”

When I became Lord of Storm’s End and head of House Baratheon, I agreed to a marriage between my daughter and Prince Duncan, Aegon’s heir. But when that promise fell apart, I felt betrayed and decided I could no longer serve the throne. I declared myself ‘Storm King,’ reclaiming the old title for the ruler of the Stormlands. Thankfully, things didn’t escalate into a full-blown war. Prince Duncan and I settled things with a trial by combat, restoring peace. After that, I lived out my days quietly during King Aegon’s reign.

Prince Daeron Targaryen

Okay, so Prince Daeron, played by Henry Ashton, really didn’t seem like he was destined for much beyond enjoying life’s pleasures – drinking and, well, women. And sadly, that turned out to be true. He actually died before his brother Aerion. The official story, from their scholarly brother Aemon, was that Daeron was haunted by disturbing dreams of dragons, violence, and disaster, and that’s what ultimately killed him. But honestly? Rumors that he died from a sexually transmitted disease seem just as plausible, if you ask me. It’s a pretty grim detail, but that’s Game of Thrones for you!

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2026-03-03 01:19