A Knight’s Tale Outshines A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

by

As a long-time fan of George R.R. Martin, I’ve always been captivated by the incredibly detailed and often grim world of Westeros. His newest series, though, feels different – it’s surprisingly lighthearted and even hopeful at times! That’s definitely not what I’m used to from the Game of Thrones universe, and honestly, while it’s a bit of a departure, the story of Dunk and Egg still has plenty of that familiar darkness woven throughout.

As a long-time fan, I noticed something interesting! Before HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the movie A Knight’s Tale – with Rufus Sewell, Paul Bettany, and Alan Tudyk – told a very similar story way back in 2001. While George R.R. Martin’s tales came first, it’s cool to see they both seem to pull from the same historical source. Honestly, I think Martin’s version is just a bit more compelling!

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms & A Knight’s Tale Are Cut from the Same Cloth

This story begins with a twist on the opening of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. After the knight Sir Ector suddenly dies from a stomach ailment while traveling, his squires – William, Roland, and Wat – find themselves without a master or money. They come up with a risky plan: William will pretend to be a knight and compete in an upcoming tournament. While Roland and Wat worry it’s too dangerous, William is determined to improve his luck.

The three friends team up to prepare William for the tournament, arriving just in time. However, William needs proof of noble status to compete. Luckily, they stumble upon a nearly naked Geoffrey Chaucer, who lost his clothes in a gambling debt. Chaucer agrees to forge a family history for William, inventing a noble title – Ser Ulrich von Liechtenstein of Gelderland. He then uses his gift for words to promote William during the tournament, quickly creating a devoted and enthusiastic following for this handsome, mysterious knight.

William immediately falls in love with the lovely Lady Jocelyn, but she’s unimpressed by typical displays of affection. Jocelyn is an independent woman who refuses to be seen as a reward for winning a competition. She boldly challenges Sir Ulrich to demonstrate his love by deliberately losing his next match.

Count Adhemar de Anjou, Will’s jealous competitor for Jocelyn’s love, is determined to win her at any cost. He constantly tries to embarrass Will, ridiculing his background and ultimately revealing his humble origins. Because tournaments are only for nobles, Will’s deception should be punishable by death. Luckily, his strong sense of honor impresses someone who knights him, allowing him to challenge Adhemar fairly in the upcoming jousting competition.

Ultimately, A Knight’s Tale is a heartwarming story about love and the power of self-determination. It shows us that we aren’t bound by fate – no matter where we come from, we have the ability to create our own future and overcome the circumstances we’re born into. The movie is upbeat and encouraging, and it takes a very different approach than the original story it’s based on.

Chaucer Is Firmly Rooted at the Heart of Both Knight’s Tales

Fans have noticed the parallels between A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and A Knight’s Tale, and they’re right to point them out. The main characters, Sir Duncan the Tall and the hero of A Knight’s Tale, share several key similarities from the beginning: both are orphans, serving relatively unknown knights, and aspire to achieve great things despite their humble origins.

George R.R. Martin based his depictions of jousting tournaments on the movie version of Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe. Scott often included references to Chaucer in his writing, which accounts for some of the parallels. Martin is famous for the realistic details in his stories, a result of his thorough research. This research wasn’t limited to historical events like the War of the Roses and the Crusades; he also drew inspiration from non-fiction sources.

Shakespeare’s impact is clear throughout George R.R. Martin’s fantasy works, including their adaptations. For example, the prophecies that drove the characters Stannis Baratheon and Cersei Lannister share similarities with Shakespearean plot devices. Martin’s fondness for tragic stories and complex, flawed characters also echoes Shakespeare’s style. Moments of lightheartedness and humor in Martin’s writing recall the wit found in the works of both Shakespeare and Chaucer.

Martin’s First Novella in The Tales of Dunk and Egg Precedes A Knight’s Tale

HBO’s new series, based on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, arrives over twenty-five years after the film A Knight’s Tale. Though A Knight’s Tale drew some ideas from George R.R. Martin’s stories, the series also seems to have been inspired by the movie, with similar scenes appearing in both.

Both stories share a focus on how easily swayed and excitable the audience is. This crowd craves excitement and violence, and their support changes quickly. By highlighting this bloodthirsty public and their obsession with entertainment, the works feel very current, subtly pointing out our enduring need for spectacle—the more dramatic and violent, the better.

What truly makes A Knight’s Tale stand out compared to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is its optimistic and inspiring spirit. Viewers are invested in William Thatcher’s journey and root for him to succeed, hoping he’ll become a role model for anyone, no matter where they come from, and prove that anyone can achieve their dreams.

We now live in a world where people generally anticipate negative outcomes. The world created by Martin is harsh and realistic, where hope is often scarce. While fans of the Game of Thrones universe enjoy the drama and violence, everyone still needs a glimmer of hope. However, those same fans understand that finding it within Westeros is usually futile.

5 Questions
Knights, Tourneys, and Tall Tales: Test Your Westeros Wit
Your Top Score
—
Attempts
—
0
0
Report Error

Found an error? Send it so it can be corrected.

Read More

2026-01-30 17:07