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, 237 AL - called "Barristan the Bold", is a celebrated hero of the Kingsguard, coming from a time when the Kingsguard were considered to be the greatest knights of the realm. He killed Maelys the Monstrous in single combat in the War of the Ninepenny Kings, ending the line of the Blackfyre pretenders. Though he fought bravely for the Targaryens during the rebellion which overthrew them, in particiular at the Battle of the Trident where he was seriously wounded, Barristan later took Robert Baratheon's pardon and became the Lord Commander of Robert's Kingsguard. Vigorous despite his age, near sixty at the beginning of A Game of Thrones, Barristan remains a remarkably capable fighter.

Barristan served loyally as Lord Commander of Robert's Kingsguard until Robert's death. But when, in an unprecedented move, he was dismissed from it and the small council by Joffrey, led by the new regent Cersei, and after men were sent after him to kill him, he reevaluated his years of service in Robert's Kingsguard along the likes of the Kingslayer Jaime Lannister 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.

This search led him to Magister Illyrio 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.

Barristan is a formidable fighter even in his advanced years. A year before the start of War of the Five Kings, Barristan unhorsed Sandor Clegane in a tournament and four years previous had been tourney champion.[1]

Appearance

He wears a suit of white enameled scale armor. He has white hair, yet still looks strong and graceful.[2]

References and sources

  1. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 25, Eddard
  2. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 15, Sansa

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