Barristan Selmy

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Barristan Selmy
Alias Barristan the Bold
Title Lord Commander
Allegiances
Culture Westeros
Born In 237 AL
Books

Ser Barristan Selmy, called "Barristan the Bold," is a celebrated hero and knight of the Kingsguard, serving throughout a time when the Kingsguard were considered to be the greatest knights of the realm.

History

Barristan earned his epithet by donning the armor of a mystery knight and entering a tourney at the age of ten. He received his knighthood at the age of sixteen from King Aegon V. An eminently successful tourney knight throughout his career, he has also proven his worth on the battlefield, killing Maelys the Monstrous in single combat in the War of the Ninepenny Kings, ending the line of the Blackfyre pretenders. He was named to the Kingsguard at the age of twenty-three and swore his vows before Ser Gerold Hightower, during the reign of Jaehaerys II, for which he gave up the claim to his family seat, and the girl he was to wed was married to his cousin instead.[1] Though he fought bravely for the Targaryens during the rebellion which overthrew them, in particular at the Battle of the Trident where he was gravely wounded, Barristan later took Robert Baratheon's pardon and became the Lord Commander of Robert's Kingsguard. Barristan is a formidable fighter even in his advanced years, having won the championship of a tourney at King's Landing at the age of 57, and unhorsing Sandor Clegane in a tilt just a year prior to the outbreak of the War of the Five Kings.[2]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Barristan served loyally as Lord Commander of Robert's Kingsguard until Robert's death. In an unprecedented move, he was dismissed from the Kingsguard and the small council by Joffrey I on grounds of old age. When the king ordered him seized and questioned for a perceived threat uttered in the heat of his dismissal, Selmy killed the gold cloaks sent after him.

A Storm of Swords

The events forced him reevaluate his years of service in Robert's Kingsguard alongside the likes of the Kingslayer and others whom he considered near as bad. He came to the conclusion that this service was inexcusable and that his duty was to find his true king, and die in his service.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

This search led him to Illyrio Mopatis who paired him with Strong Belwas in the guise of "Arstan Whitebeard," a Westerosi squire, and sent him to King Aerys's last surviving descendant, Daenerys. Hiding his true identity for a time to assess whether Daenerys was of a sound mind, Barristan taught her some about Westerosi culture and her family history. Upon the revelation of his identity, Daenerys nearly banished him for his deception and his service under Robert, her greatest enemy. However, when Selmy explained his deception and repented for his service in Robert's Kingsguard Dany pardoned him and readmitted him into her service, now as Lord Commander of her Queensguard.

Appearance

He wears a suit of white enameled scale armor. He has white hair, yet still looks strong and graceful.[3]

References and sources

This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The original content was at Characters from A Song of Ice and Fire.
The list of authors can be seen in the page history of Characters from A Song of Ice and Fire.
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