Barristan Selmy

Born around 237 AC in the Stormlands, Barristan Selmy was the son of Lyonel Selmy, head of House Selmy. At ten, he was sent to King's Landing as a page, later becoming a squire. His legend began at sixteen when he unhorsed Duncan the Tall, a Kingsguard knight, and then Prince Duncan Targaryen in a tournament, earning knighthood from King Aegon V. During the War of the Ninepenny Kings, he slew Maelys I Blackfyre, the last of the Blackfyre pretenders, in single combat, a feat that secured his place in the Kingsguard under King Jaehaerys II.

Selmy served loyally through Aerys II's reign, though he was tormented by the Mad King's cruelty. At the Battle of the Trident, he fought bravely, killing several of Robert's bannermen before being wounded. After Robert's victory, Robert Baratheon pardoned him and kept him as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, a role he held for years. [edit]

Barristan Selmy embodies the ideal of chivalry: honor, duty, and loyalty above all. He is humble yet proud, never boasting but always aware of his legendary skill. His sense of honor is so strict that he refuses to break his vows even when it would be pragmatic. He values justice and protects the innocent, but his rigid adherence to the knightly code sometimes blinds him to political realities.

In his later years, he shows wisdom and patience, mentoring Daenerys with fatherly care. He is introspective, often reflecting on his past failures, especially his inability to stop Aerys's madness. Despite his age, he remains fiercely determined, refusing to let his body's decline diminish his spirit. [edit]

Barristan's arc is a journey from loyal servant of the crown to a man who chooses his own path. After being dismissed by Joffrey in a humiliating ceremony, he throws down his white cloak and declares he could cut through his five would-be killers. He then travels to Meereen, where he reveals his identity to Daenerys and pledges his sword. In the books, he becomes a point-of-view character in A Dance with Dragons, commanding Daenerys's forces while she is away. He struggles with the brutal realities of ruling a city and with his own aging body, but he remains steadfast.

In the show, he meets his end in Season 5, killed by the Sons of the Harpy in a skirmish, a death that sparked fan outrage. In the books, he is still alive, leading the defense of Meereen, and fan theories speculate he may betray Daenerys in The Winds of Winter due to his honor conflicting with her actions.[edit]

Barristan Selmy is widely cherished by fans as the last true knight in a world where honor is often a liability. His unwavering loyalty and martial prowess made him a symbol of chivalry, and his death in the show sparked significant backlash, with many arguing he deserved a better fate. The actor Ian McElhinney's disappointment mirrored fans' feelings, and the character's legacy was so strong that he was referenced in the series finale, a nod to book readers.

Selmy's popularity is reflected in his ranking: he places at #14,910 in overall popularity and #450 among characters in his type, with a score of 25.16. His presence in the books and show continues to be a talking point, and fan theories about his future in The Winds of Winter keep the discussion alive.[edit]