What Is a Hedge Knight on A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS?

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Someone once described a hedge knight as ‘like a knight, but…sadder,’ and honestly, there’s a bit of truth to that. But it doesn’t quite capture the whole picture. As I started watching A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, I found myself wondering what really defines this type of knight. Ser Duncan the Tall isn’t your typical landed knight, and the show does a great job of exploring what sets him – and others like him – apart. It’s a fascinating look at a different kind of Westerosi warrior.

What Is a Hedge Knight on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?

In Westeros, people—mostly men, but occasionally women—become “Sers” through a knighting ceremony performed by another knight, a powerful lord, or the King. As part of this, they all take the same vow to the Seven Gods. Knighthood was brought to Westeros thousands of years ago by the Andals, who also introduced the Faith of the Seven. This explains why knighthood isn’t common in the North, as they still follow the old gods.

Most knights in Westeros dedicate their service to a single lord and their castle, pledging loyalty to one master. However, “hedge knights” are different – they aren’t tied to any lord. They’re essentially freelance warriors who travel around Westeros, offering their services for pay and a place to stay, rather than out of lasting loyalty.

As a movie lover, I always find the hedge knights fascinating. They’re basically wandering knights who travel around and compete in tournaments, hoping to win prizes and maybe even get noticed by a lord or lady. It’s a tough life, and most of them are young guys trying to prove themselves. Usually, if they survive long enough, they’d eventually settle down and become proper, landed knights. But Ser Alran of Pennytree was different. He actually preferred the life of a hedge knight. He thought they were the ‘real’ knights, because their only loyalty was to their personal oath to help those who couldn’t help themselves. It’s a cool idea, and makes him a really compelling character!

Why Are They Called Hedge Knights?

Hedge knights earned their somewhat shameful name because they often slept amongst hedges. Since they didn’t own property – only their horse and what they could carry – these wandering knights frequently spent the night sleeping outdoors.

Do People in Westeros Respect Hedge Knights?

In Westeros, hedge knights generally aren’t seen as being as noble or respectable as knights who own land. In the tales of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, two women who worked for Lord Dondarrion even ridiculed Dunk, implying he was no better than themselves. This reputation is worsened by the fact that some hedge knights fall on hard times and turn to banditry, leading some to believe they’re little more than robbers in disguise.

Are There Any Famous Hedge Knights in Westeros?

Two hundred years before Ser Duncan the Tall’s time at Ashford, Queen Visenya Targaryen greatly honored a wandering knight named Humfrey the Mummer. She appointed him as one of the original members of the Kingsguard, a select group sworn to protect her husband and brother, Aegon the Conqueror. Humfrey was among the first seven knights to wear the distinctive white armor and dedicate their lives to the king’s safety.

Why tell the story of a humble, little-known knight like Dunk? A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is only the beginning. But as Ser Arlan pointed out, a knight doesn’t need a noble birth – true knighthood comes from character, not status.

Mikey Walsh writes for TopMob. He’s a fan of honorable, independent fighters in games, but really dislikes players who just hide and wait. You can find him on Bluesky at @burgermike, and he’s always participating in discussions about ranking the Targaryen kings.

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2026-01-19 07:06