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

The glitz of tourney lists and the clashing of lances often mask a harsher truth in Westeros. HBO's latest Game of Thrones spin-off, 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,' introduces us to Ser Duncan the Tall, a man constantly dismissed as a 'hedge knight.' While the name sounds poetic, it carries a social stigma that defines the series' central conflict.

The Economics of Knighthood in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

In Westeros, being a knight isn't just about bravery; it's about bank accounts. As explained in episode 1, any knight can dub another, but maintaining the lifestyle is a massive financial burden. You need high-quality armor, horses, and a squire to keep everything running. For a hedge knight like Dunk, who doesn't serve a Great House, every tourney is a high-stakes gamble. If he loses, he risks losing all his gear unless he can pay a hefty ransom—a debt that could end his career instantly.

Hedge Knights vs. True Knights: The Ronin of Westeros

Think of hedge knights as the Ronin of the Seven Kingdoms. Unlike 'true knights' who live in luxury within castle walls, hedge knights sleep literally in the hedges. Characters like Ser Lyonel Baratheon have pavilions and lands to return to, while Dunk's home is wherever he tethers his horse. According to George R.R. Martin's lore, many in Westeros look down on them as little more than armed vagabonds. However, Dunk’s master, Ser Arlan, always maintained that a hedge knight was the 'truest kind of knight' because their service to the innocent isn't bought by a lord’s gold.