'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Is Already Setting Up the Biggest Mystery About Its Main Character

'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Is Already Setting Up the Biggest Mystery About Its Main Character Peter Claffey as Dunk with Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1Image via HBO By  Kendall Myers Published  2 hours ago Kendall Myers is a Senior Author with Collider. As part of the TV and Movies Features team, she writes about some of the most popular releases before, during, and after they premiere. In three years, she has written over 900 articles with topics ranging from classic sitcoms to fantasy epics. Sign in to your Collider account Add Us On Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Editor's note: The below contains spoilers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 1.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has officially begun with a by-the-book adaptation of George R. R. Martin's novella The Hedge Knight, but with the story shifting to a visual format, it emphasizes the biggest mystery surrounding one character. Initially, Dunk (Peter Claffey) doesn't seem that complicated. He is an honorable man who wants to do his best as a knight, but one unresolved theory from the book series gives him hidden depths, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is already leaning into it. Despite Dunk's claims, readers have wondered whether he was ever really knighted by Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb) on his deathbed, even collecting evidence that suggests Dunk is lying about his past. With the series already posing the same question, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has the opportunity to confirm that Dunk was never formally knighted, resolving one of the biggest mysteries surrounding his character.

'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Hasn't Explicitly Addressed One Major Theory About Dunk

While the show's premiere doesn't confirm that Dunk was formally knighted by Arlan, it doesn't deny it either. Instead, the question is alluded to in a series of subtle hints that suggest Dunk may be lying. The strongest and most obvious clue comes when Dunk's knighthood is directly questioned by Plummer (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor). As he attempts to sign up for the tourney at Ashford, Dunk tells the story of how he was knighted, and though the fact that there were no witnesses isn't as suspicious as Plummer makes it out to be, a well-timed flashback calls the story into question. Dunk explains to Plummer that Ser Arlan always "meant" for him to become a knight, which is a strange way to phrase the sentiment, but more revealing is the episode's quick cut to a flashback featuring a young Dunk asking if that's what Arlan intends for his future, only to get no answer. That addition instantly punches a hole in Dunk's argument, supporting the idea that Arlan never knighted Dunk.

This idea is only reinforced by the moment when Dunk meets the Fossoways. When Steffon (Edward Ashley) comments on his longsword, Dunk responds as if he is being accused of stealing it, defensively answering a fairly normal remark. There could be other explanations for this; after all, Dunk feels out of place among the great lords at the tourney and wants to be recognized as a knight, but even Steffon thinks his response is strange. These seemingly small moments suggest that there is more to the story than Dunk is telling.

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This Dunk Mystery Is Straight from George R. R. Martin's Novella

Dunk the Tall looking up at something with his brows furrowed in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.Image via HBO

The idea that Dunk is lying about being formally knighted isn't new to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and actually follows in the footsteps of the source material. Martin's version of the story never confirms anything directly, but the truth is heavily implied in the narration, if you read between the lines. Dunk never directly recalls the events of his knighting, referencing the life-changing moment only in dialogue, and as he considers his options after Arlan's death, he briefly contemplates finding a new knight to squire for, which seems odd for someone who's supposedly been newly knighted himself. This glimpse inside Dunk's head also reveals his guilt, which isn't necessarily explained, unless he were telling a lie as important as his official claim to knighthood.

These hints aren't limited to the first novella and remain a recurring theme throughout all three stories Martin has written. Dunk later hesitates to knight others, despite it being a well-established fact that any knight can make a new knight, and gives indirect answers about his knighthood whenever he can. The most obvious example comes in the second story, The Sworn Sword, when a character asks if Arlan knighted Dunk, and he responds, "No one else was likely to do it," which is fairly evasive. Mattin has yet to definitively reveal the truth one way or the other, though he has several stories that he intends to write that could do so. Until then, all of these small instances add up, leading readers to the theory that Dunk is lying about being knighted, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is already alluding to the same.

'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Should Provide a Firm Answer About Dunk's Knighthood

Peter Claffey as Dunk riding a horse in armor in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1.Image via HBO

With HBO's adaptation already adding new evidence to the theory, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has a chance to solidify the idea that Dunk was never formally knighted. Much like Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) from Game of Thrones, Dunk acts like the perfect knight, and if he technically had no claim to the title, it would be a contradiction. After all, his lie may get him in the door, but it isn't an honorable thing for him to do, blemishing his spotless reputation. Game of Thrones often toyed with complex moral contradictions like this, especially when it came to knights, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms could expand that theme, adding a new perspective to it.

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Revealing that Dunk is lying about his past would be a great addition to the overall story, but on a smaller level, it would add nuance to Dunk's character. He perfectly fits the description of a moral hero, but the choice to lie would add some dimension, allowing the show to play with his morality and make him even more compelling. So far, the clues to this mystery have been vague, but the fact that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is hinting at it so early could allow the adaptation to finally address this idea directly in a way the novellas have yet to do.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is streaming on HBO Max with new episodes on Sundays.

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A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms

Like Follow Followed TV-MA Drama Action Fantasy Adventure Release Date January 25, 2026 Network HBO Showrunner Ira Parker Directors Owen Harris Writers George R. R. Martin, Ira Parker 4 Images Close

Cast

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• Peter Claffey Ser Duncan 'Dunk' the Tall
• Dexter Sol Ansell Egg

Franchise(s) Game of Thrones Creator(s) George R. R. Martin, Ira Parker Powered by Expand Collapse

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• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
• Game of Thrones

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