At a Glance
- Dunk buries his master Ser Arlan and heads to Ashford tournament claiming knighthood
- Showrunner Ira Parker says moral actions matter more than official ceremony
- HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms airs Sundays on HBO and HBO Max
- Why it matters: The series challenges traditional notions of nobility and heroism
The opening moments of HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms present a muddy hillside funeral where Dunk (Peter Claffey) buries Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb). This somber scene sets the stage for the former squire’s bold decision to claim his deceased master’s sword and ride to the Ashford tournament as a knight.
But doubt lingers. Did Ser Arlan actually perform the knighting ceremony before his death? Dunk’s nervous reaction when the Ashford steward warns about torture for impersonating a knight suggests the ritual may never have happened.
The Sword That Raises Questions
The uncertainty deepens when Dunk insists the sword belongs to him by right. This declaration catches the attention of Ser Steffon Fossoway, highlighting how unusual such a claim sounds coming from someone of Dunk’s apparent station.
Yet according to showrunner Ira Parker, the technicality of knighthood matters less than the character’s actions. Speaking on the official Game of Thrones podcast, Parker reframed the debate around what truly defines a knight.
What Makes a Knight
“It’s not like it’s an easy thing to do. It’s not like anyone can just stand up and say, ‘I am a knight; here we go.’ You need things. You need horses, you need armor, you need to be able to fight… These guys are professional fighters,” Parker explained.
The showrunner emphasized that the trappings of knighthood-name, arms, armor-don’t determine worth. Instead, he pointed to immediate action and moral choice as the true measure.
“You don’t even have to be a good person; you don’t even have to be a moral person. But if you try and help out in the immediate vicinity, you don’t have to go off and change the entire course of history in the realm. You just have to help the guy next to you that’s struggling at the moment.”
Dunk’s Guiding Principle
Parker revealed this philosophy becomes central to Dunk’s character development throughout the series. “I think Dunk… as we will see, sort of takes that as his guiding light, and you know, maybe gets him in a little bit of trouble.”
This approach positions A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms as exploring themes of identity, merit, and moral courage rather than focusing on birthright or ceremony. The series suggests that heroism emerges from choices made in the moment rather than titles bestowed by tradition.
New episodes arrive Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.
