This story contains spoilers for ““A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” Episode 2, “Salted Tough Meat.”
Could things be looking up for Ser Duncan the Tall?
In the second episode of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” HBO’s adaptation of George RR Martin’s “Tales of Dunk and Egg” novella series, the hopeful errant knight made some progress toward achieving his dreams.
After reaching out to each and every nobleman he hopes still remembers his late master Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb), Dunk (Peter Claffey) finally finds someone who will vouch for him: Prince Baelor Targaryen (Bertie Carvel).
The heir to the Iron Throne is the only person who remembers the late knight errant, giving Ser Duncan the recognition he needs to participate in the tournament. Baelor also gently reminds Dunk that he needs his own personal weapons: he has been carrying Ser Arlan's.
Episode 2, titled “Hard Salt Beef”, features the arrival of an entourage of Targaryens in Ashford, including Baelor, his brother, and his nephew. With the introduction of the current generation of dragon blood, here's a refresher on how they relate to the Targaryens at the center of “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon.”
Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett), left, mistakes Dunk (Peter Claffey) for a stable boy.
(Steffan Hill/HBO)
When is 'The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' set again?
“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” takes place about a hundred years before the events of “Game of Thrones.” The Tournament of Ashford takes place in 209 AC (short for After the Conquest, when Aegon Targaryen conquered Westeros), while Ned Stark's execution occurs in 298 AC.
The Dance of Dragons, the Targaryen civil war at the center of “The House of the Dragon,” lasts from 129 to 131 AD So “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” takes place about 78 years after the events of its “Game of Thrones” prequel. It has also been about 50 years since real dragons were seen in the Kingdom, so the Targaryens are not as feared as they once were.
Who currently sits on the Iron Throne?
King Daeron II TargaryenAlso known as Daeron the Good, he is the current Lord who reigns over the Seven Kingdoms. His great-grandparents are Queen Rhaenyra and Daemon of the “House of the Dragon.”
According to tradition established in the books, Daeron was considered a just and kind-hearted ruler, especially compared to his father, King Aegon IV.
Maekar (Sam Spruell) is both a descendant and ancestor of other known Targaryens.
(Steffan Hill/HBO)
Who are the Targaryens on the show?
Prince Baelor Targaryenthe eldest son of King Daeron and heir to the Iron Throne, he is among the Targaryens who arrive at Ashford in episode 2. His son, Prince Valarr, is shown participating in the joust at the end of the episode.
baelor's brother Maekar Targaryen (Sam Spruell), King Daeron's fourth son, is also among the Targaryen retinue arriving at Ashford. his son Aeroion (Finn Bennett) accompanies him, while the audience meets two of his other children, Daeron and Aegonare missing.
There is no mention in the episode of Maekar's third son, Aemon, who was sent to the Citadel as a child to be raised as a scholar. “Game of Thrones” fans know him as the maester of the Night's Watch who befriends Jon Snow.
Those familiar with the Targaryen family tree will also know that Maekar is the great-great-grandfather of Daenerys Stormborn from “Game of Thrones.”
What about the other Great Houses?
Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings) is among those Dunk meets in “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.”
(Steffan Hill/HBO)
Since “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” apparently takes place during times of relative peace, most of the Great Houses are probably in their own corners of Westeros. But so far the series has featured Ser from Storm End. Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings), the jovial Mr. also known as Laughing Storm, who befriends Dunk in the first episode.
Described as “a boastful giant of a man” and “one of the greatest fighters of his time” in books such as “The World of Ice and Fire,” Lyonel is the great-grandfather of King Robert Baratheon, known for overthrowing the Targaryens and claiming the Iron Throne after Robert's Rebellion.
Gentleman Leo Tyrell (Steve Wall) of Highgarden is among those Dunk tries to vouch for and appears in the second episode. Also mentioned in the episode Damon Lannisterthe Lord of Casterly Rock, known as the Gray Lion. Damon is the great-great-grandfather of the key trio of Lannisters in “Game of Thrones”: Cersei, Jaime and Tyrion.
The show has not mentioned which Stark is the current Lord of Winterfell. There is a possibility that Cregan Stark, who led his House during the events of “The House of the Dragon” and becomes known as “The Old Man of the North,” is still alive. A House Tully banner can be seen during the joust at the end of Episode 2.
