How A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms Finally Fixes Game Of Thrones’ Kingsguard

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Okay, so I just finished the second episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and honestly, seeing the Kingsguard really come to life felt so satisfying. It’s like George R.R. Martin’s original idea for Game of Thrones is finally being fully realized. In “Hard Salt Beef,” we finally get the Targaryens arriving at the Ashford tournament, and a big part of that is seeing these Kingsguard knights in action – it’s a payoff that’s been a long time coming!

In Game of Thrones, the Kingsguard are elite knights dedicated to protecting the king and his family across the Seven Kingdoms. The story A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms takes place during the reign of Daeron II Targaryen, which is why the Kingsguard travels with his three sons – Baelor, Maekar, and Aerion – to Ashford.

Though these particular Kingsguard members are new to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the Kingsguard as a group have been part of the story since Game of Thrones began in 2011 and also appear in the House of the Dragon prequel. However, the Kingsguard in this newest prequel series are noticeably different.

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms Finally Gives The Kingsguard White Armor

Image via HBO

It’s been fifteen years since we first saw the Kingsguard brought to life in the world of Game of Thrones, originally serving King Robert Baratheon and his family. While the series didn’t accurately portray the Seven Kingdoms’ elite knights until the third show in the franchise, it was worth the wait for a faithful adaptation.

In A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the Kingsguard are depicted wearing white armor, staying true to how George R.R. Martin originally described them in A Song of Ice and Fire. The books that served as the basis for Game of Thrones detail that the Kingsguard’s white attire extended beyond armor – they also wore white cloaks and carried entirely white shields.

The family’s crest – a crown encircled by seven white swords – is visible on the armor worn by the Kingsguard in the novella A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Because of this symbol, the Kingsguard were also known as the White Swords, in addition to being called the Sworn Brotherhood.

The second episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms focuses mainly on two knights from the Kingsguard, Ser Roland Crakehall and Ser Donnel of Duskendale. They challenge Dunk, questioning whether he’s a true knight, which ultimately motivates him to get his own armor and crest.

The Kingsguard In Game Of Thrones & House Of The Dragon Didn’t Follow GRRM’s Book Description

The Kingsguard in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms looks noticeably different from how they’ve appeared in other shows. In Game of Thrones, they wore golden armor, a design choice that reflected the power and riches of Houses Lannister and Baratheon.

Unlike previous series, House of the Dragon more closely reflects George R.R. Martin’s original vision, showing the Kingsguard in traditional silver and white armor, including white cloaks. Since A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms takes place after House of the Dragon in the Game of Thrones timeline, this consistent look for the Kingsguard fits, as the Targaryen dynasty still rules.

I’m really enjoying A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms so far! It looks like the Kingsguard will remain important, especially as the story focuses more on the adventures of Egg and Dunk and how the Targaryens react to them. Like Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, this series is based on George R.R. Martin’s writing – specifically, his novellas this time. And what’s great is that the show seems committed to staying pretty faithful to the source material, which is a huge plus for me.

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2026-01-28 22:38