Every GAME OF THRONES Easter Egg in A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS Episode 1

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Though A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms doesn’t have any real dragons (only a puppet version!), it’s full of nods to George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire universe. Here’s a breakdown of all the Easter eggs, terms, and historical references to Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, and the world of Westeros found in the first episode.

Hedge Knight

Most knights in Westeros are loyal to a specific lord or castle, but “hedge knights” are different. They don’t serve anyone permanently and travel around Westeros taking on short-term jobs. Unlike other knights who own land, hedge knights don’t have a home base and choose their own assignments. They’re called “hedge knights” because they often sleep outdoors, under hedges and bushes, rather than in castles.

Ser Arlan explained to Dunk that hedge knights, while considered by some to be the most authentic kind of knight, aren’t generally well-respected. Most people see them as knights who have fallen on hard times. Some eventually find a lord to serve, but because they’re low-ranking and often struggle to find work, a few turn to banditry. Interestingly, despite their humble status, a hedge knight was actually one of the very first members of the Kingsguard.

The Tourney at Ashford Meadow

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set during a well-known tournament held at Ashford in the year 209 After Conquest. The town and the Ashford family’s castle both share the name of the noble House Ashford. Their symbol is an orange flag featuring a white sun and chevron.

I’ve always been captivated by the lands of the Reach, and Ashford holds a special place in my imagination. It’s nestled beside the Cockleswent, a lovely stream that flows into the grand Mander River. And it’s not far from Highgarden, the beautiful seat of House Tyrell, the most powerful family in the region. But Ashford is remembered for more than just its location. It’s a place where history turned. Roughly seventy-three years after the events depicted in the tales of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, it was the site of Robert Baratheon’s only defeat during his rebellion against the Targaryens – a truly pivotal battle.

House Dondarrion (Ser Manfred)

When Dunk reached Ashford, he spotted the banner of House Dondarrion from Blackhaven. The banner shows a purple, forked lightning bolt on a black background filled with stars. Blackhaven is located in the Stormlands, near the border between that region and Dorne. House Dondarrion is loyal to House Baratheon.

Dunk is hoping a well-known relative of Ser Manfred Dondarrion will speak on his behalf. Interestingly, this relative—Lord Beric Dondarrion, who later returns from the dead in Game of Thrones—will share a characteristic with Ser Manfred: red hair.

Maidenpool

Dunk felt Ser Arlan only made one mistake: hitting him. This happened in Maidenpool, a Riverlands town close to the Crownlands. Although Maidenpool wasn’t shown in Game of Thrones, Tywin Lannister used Arya Stark’s lack of knowledge about Maidenpool’s ruling family, House Mooton, to prove she was lying about her origins. He didn’t physically punish her for not knowing the answer, though.

The city of Maidenpool is named after a well-known story from Westeros, but we’ll share that tale another time.

House Fossoway (Ser Steffon and Raymun)

Ser Steffon and his cousin, Raymun, belong to the old and noble House Fossoway of Cider Hall, located in the Reach. Cider Hall is situated near the town of Ashford to the west.

House Fossoway claims its origins go back to the First Men, believing they are descended from the legendary Green Garthand of the Age of Heroes. Their emblem is a red apple on a gold background, referencing the orchards where they produce and sell hard cider.

Ser Lyonel Baratheon “The Laughing Storm”

Lyonel Baratheon, the Lord of Storm’s End, was an ancestor of King Robert Baratheon and his brothers, Stannis and Renly. A large crown shaped like deer antlers represents the black stag that is the symbol of House Baratheon.

History of the Joust

Lyonel Baratheon thinks jousting is too amazing to be something anyone could have created – he believes it’s ancient, possibly even divinely inspired, mentioning it began over four thousand years ago. Jousting is especially loved in the southern parts of the Realm, where most people follow the Faith of the Seven. When the Andals arrived in Westeros from across the Narrow Sea, they brought with them both their religion and the tradition of knighthood, which isn’t common in the North, where people still worship the old gods.

The Andals arrived in Westeros between two and six thousand years before the events of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Around four thousand years ago is a reasonable estimate for when the first jousting tournaments took place, possibly started as a celebration honoring the god of war, known as the Warrior.

Tanselle’s Puppet Show and Serwyn of the Mirror Shield

The puppet show Dunk saw in the first episode featured a popular story among common folk, often shared through songs. The tale tells of Serwyn, a famous knight from the Age of Heroes, known for his bravery and wit. He polished his shield until it was like a mirror. This allowed him to defeat the dragon Urrax by thrusting a spear into its eye. As Serwyn approached, the dragon could only see its own reflection in the shield, completely concealing the knight.

Serwyn of the Mirror Shield is a legendary figure, and people don’t seem to mind that the details of his story don’t quite add up. Some stories claim he was one of the Kingsguard, but this is impossible. The Age of Heroes, when Serwyn supposedly lived, happened thousands of years before knights – or even the idea of the Kingsguard – existed in Westeros. In fact, it was long before dragons even arrived.

But, like all good stories, the facts don’t matters when the puppet show is that good.

House Beesbury

While walking among the tents, Dunk noticed a banner representing House Beesbury, who rule the Honeyholt. Their lands are located in the western Reach, a bit north of Oldtown. The Beesbury family emblem shows three beehives against a black and yellow background.

An unidentified member of House Beesbury appeared in this episode, but this isn’t the first time someone from his family has been on an HBO show. His ancestor, Lord Lyman Beesbury, served as Master of Coin during King Viserys’s reign in House of the Dragon. Criston Cole shockingly murdered the elderly Lord Beesbury, who was a member of the Small Council, because he refused to support the plan to make Aegon king instead of Rhaenyra. This made Lord Beesbury the first casualty in the Dance of the Dragons.

Mikey Walsh writes for TopMob and is known for frequently criticizing Criston Cole. You can find him on Bluesky at @burgermike, and he’s also active in online discussions ranking the Targaryen kings.

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2026-01-19 07:04