Difference between revisions of "True knight"

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A '''true [[knight]]''' embodies all that a knight should be, that is, a perfect knight exemplifying all the qualities of what knighthood stands for. He is a shining example to all. Very few knights are considered true knights, achieving and maintaining such high and noble ideals is a hard duty.  
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[[File:THE HEDGE KNIGHT 6a Mike S. Miller and Anders Finer.jpg|thumb|Ser [[Duncan the Tall]], by Mike S Miller ©]]
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The '''true knight''' is a concept that embodies all that a [[knight]] should aspire to be - exemplifying all the qualities of what knighthood stands for. He is a shining example to all and held in the very highest esteem. Very few knights are considered true knights, as achieving and maintaining such high and noble ideals is a hard duty.  
  
There are [[Westeros]]i songs and stories, particularly those depicting honorable knights and chivalry, that are very popular amongst all stratas of the society.
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==Culture==
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There are [[Westeros]]i songs and stories, particularly those depicting honorable knights and chivalry, that are very popular amongst all strata of society. In particular, [[Sansa Stark]] is captivated by the concept of the true knight.{{ref|AGOT|29}}
  
He must fully embrace the oath of knighthood:
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A true knight must fully embrace the oath of knighthood:
{{Quote|a touch on the right shoulder with the blade. "In the name of the Warrior I charge you to be brave."<br>The sword moves from right shoulder to left. "In the name of the Father I charge you to be just."<br>Right shoulder. "In the name of the Mother I charge you to defend the young and innocent."<br>The left. "In the name of the Maid I charge you to protect all women....<ref>[[The Hedge Knight]]: 518</ref>}}
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{{Quote|In the name of [[Warrior (the Seven)|the Warrior]] I charge you to be brave. In the name of the [[Father (the Seven)|Father]] I charge you to be just. In the name of [[Mother (the Seven)|the Mother]] I charge you to defend the young and innocent. In the name of the [[Maiden (the Seven)|Maid]] I charge you to protect all women.{{Ref|THK}}}}
  
[[Sansa Stark]] is captivated by the concept of the true knight at the beginning of the novels.
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==Chivalric code==
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[[File:Ser Arthur Dayne by henning.jpg|thumb|Ser [[Arthur Dayne]], by Henning Ludvigsen © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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True knights are supposed to:
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* Be brave and just.
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* Defend the young and innocent, especially women who can not defend themselves.{{Ref|ACOK|32}}{{Ref|AFFC|4}}{{Ref|AFFC|30}}{{Ref|AFFC|31}}
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* Be cleanly as well as godly.<!--, but some take cleanly to mean a bath once every few weeks.-->{{Ref|THK}}
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* Act with military courtesy: in combat when nobles and knights are taken prisoner, their lives are spared and are often held for ransom.
  
==True knights ?==
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==Alleged True Knights==
*[[Serwyn]] of the Mirror Shield
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{{Columns|2|
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*[[Serwyn of the Mirror Shield]]
 
*Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]]
 
*Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]]
*Prince [[Aemon Targaryen]], the Dragonknight
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*Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon Targaryen]], the Dragonknight
*Ser [[Arryk]]
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*Ser [[Arryk Cargyll]]
*Ser [[Erryk]]
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*Ser [[Erryk Cargyll]]
 
*Ser [[Gerold Hightower]], the White Bull
 
*Ser [[Gerold Hightower]], the White Bull
*Ser [[Arthur Dayne]], the Sword of the Morning
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*Ser [[Arthur Dayne]], the [[Sword of the Morning]]
*Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], the Bold  
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*Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], the Bold
*Ser [[Duncan]] the Tall
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*Ser [[Duncan the Tall]]
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*Ser [[Galladon of Morne]], the Perfect Knight
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*[[Brienne of Tarth]], not a knight, being a woman, but lives by knightly virtues
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}}
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
{{Quote|He was no true knight}} Sansa, to [[Sandor Clegane]], on Ser [[Gregor Clegane]]  
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[[File:Heliotropa_no_true_knight.jpg‎‎|thumb|400px|right|[[Sansa Stark]] assures [[Sandor Clegane]] that his brother [[Gregor Clegane|Gregor]] is no true knight. Art by Heliotropa©]]
  
{{Quote|It is chivalry which makes a true knight, not a sword … without honor, a knight is no more than a common killer.  It is better to die with honor than to live without it.}}  
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{{Quote|This man protected the weak, as every true knight must.{{Ref|THK}}|[[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor Targaryen]] to [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar Targaryen]] regarding [[Duncan the Tall]]}}
Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], educating his squires in the [[Great Pyramid]]
 
  
==References and Notes==
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{{Quote|[[Knight]]s are sworn to defend the weak, protect women, and fight for the right, but none of them did a thing. Only Ser [[Dontos Hollard|Dontos]] had tried to help, and he was no longer a knight. No more than the [[Tyrion Lannister|Imp]] was, nor the [[Sandor Clegane|Hound]] … the Hound hated knights … I hate them too. They are no true knights, not one of them.{{Ref|ACOK|32}}|thoughts of [[Sansa Stark]] after being beaten by [[Boros Blount]]}}
  
[[Category:Titles]]
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{{Quote|'''Sansa''': True knights protect the weak.<br>
[[Category:Knights|!]]
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'''Sandor''': There are no true knights, no more than there are gods. If you can't protect yourself, die and get out of the way of those who can. Sharp steel and strong arms rule [[known world|this world]], don't ever believe any different.{{ref|ACOK|52}}|[[Sansa Stark]] and [[Sandor Clegane]]}}
{{stub}}
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{{Quote|A true knight must defend the gentler sex.{{Ref|AFFC|4}}|[[Creighton Longbough]] to [[Brienne of Tarth]]}}
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{{quote|You are a true knight, Ser Lyle, to help a lady in distress.{{ref|AFFC|30}}|[[Amerei Frey]] to [[Lyle Crakehall]]}}
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{{Quote|Old or young, a true knight is sworn to protect those who are weaker than himself, or die in the attempt.{{Ref|AFFC|31}}|thoughts of [[Brienne of Tarth]]}}
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{{Quote|It is chivalry which makes a true knight, not a sword. Without honor, a knight is no more than a common killer. It is better to die with honor than to live without it.{{ref|ADWD|67}}|[[Barristan Selmy]] to his squires}}
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==References==
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{{references}}
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[[Category:Knights| ]]
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[[Category:Terms]]

Latest revision as of 15:40, 11 November 2022

Ser Duncan the Tall, by Mike S Miller ©

The true knight is a concept that embodies all that a knight should aspire to be - exemplifying all the qualities of what knighthood stands for. He is a shining example to all and held in the very highest esteem. Very few knights are considered true knights, as achieving and maintaining such high and noble ideals is a hard duty.

Culture

There are Westerosi songs and stories, particularly those depicting honorable knights and chivalry, that are very popular amongst all strata of society. In particular, Sansa Stark is captivated by the concept of the true knight.[1]

A true knight must fully embrace the oath of knighthood:

In the name of the Warrior I charge you to be brave. In the name of the Father I charge you to be just. In the name of the Mother I charge you to defend the young and innocent. In the name of the Maid I charge you to protect all women.[2]

Chivalric code

Ser Arthur Dayne, by Henning Ludvigsen © Fantasy Flight Games

True knights are supposed to:

  • Be brave and just.
  • Defend the young and innocent, especially women who can not defend themselves.[3][4][5][6]
  • Be cleanly as well as godly.[2]
  • Act with military courtesy: in combat when nobles and knights are taken prisoner, their lives are spared and are often held for ransom.

Alleged True Knights

Quotes

Sansa Stark assures Sandor Clegane that his brother Gregor is no true knight. Art by Heliotropa©

This man protected the weak, as every true knight must.[2]

Knights are sworn to defend the weak, protect women, and fight for the right, but none of them did a thing. Only Ser Dontos had tried to help, and he was no longer a knight. No more than the Imp was, nor the Hound … the Hound hated knights … I hate them too. They are no true knights, not one of them.[3]

—thoughts of Sansa Stark after being beaten by Boros Blount

Sansa: True knights protect the weak.
Sandor: There are no true knights, no more than there are gods. If you can't protect yourself, die and get out of the way of those who can. Sharp steel and strong arms rule this world, don't ever believe any different.[7]

A true knight must defend the gentler sex.[4]

You are a true knight, Ser Lyle, to help a lady in distress.[5]

Old or young, a true knight is sworn to protect those who are weaker than himself, or die in the attempt.[6]

—thoughts of Brienne of Tarth

It is chivalry which makes a true knight, not a sword. Without honor, a knight is no more than a common killer. It is better to die with honor than to live without it.[8]

Barristan Selmy to his squires

References