Where ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Fits in the ‘Game of Thrones’ Universe

‘The Game of Thrones’ universe is rapidly expanding, with HBO developing several new spinoffs that promise to create a vast and intricate world. Amid this surge of content, it can be challenging to keep track of the timeline and connections. The focus has largely been on prequels, which is unsurprising given the success of ‘House of the Dragon’. 

These new stories draw from George R. R. Martin’s rich source material, with ‘House of the Dragon’ based on his book ‘Fire & Blood’. Another upcoming prequel, ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight’, will adapt Martin’s short stories about Dunk and Egg, detailed in the collection ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’.

‘The Hedge Knight’ is set in a time after ‘House of the Dragon’ but before the events of ‘Game of Thrones’. Specifically, it occurs around 80 years after ‘House of the Dragon’ and 90 years before ‘Game of Thrones’. The series will explore the Targaryen family during a period when dragons have disappeared, but the Targaryen dynasty remains influential.

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Egg, one of the main characters in ‘The Hedge Knight’, is Daenerys Targaryen’s great-grandfather, linking this prequel directly to the broader Targaryen history.

Connections to the original series include appearances from characters like Maester Aemon, who is a central figure in the story. Aemon, who was seen in ‘Game of Thrones’ as a friend to Jon Snow, is depicted in his earlier years in the Citadel and the Night’s Watch. Additionally, a young Walder Frey, who later becomes a key antagonist in ‘Game of Thrones’, is likely to make an appearance. 

The series might also feature references to other notable characters from the ‘Game of Thrones’ era, such as Barristan Selmy and Olenna Tyrell.

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The setting of ‘The Hedge Knight’ will focus on the political and social upheaval following the First Blackfyre Rebellion, a period of tension and intrigue that, while lacking dragons, offers its own dramatic conflicts.

 The backdrop of ongoing Blackfyre Pretender claims and the spread of the Great Spring Sickness will provide rich material for storytelling, distinguishing ‘The Hedge Knight’ from other entries in the franchise.

–Farheen Ali