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S1·E6 — A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Daeron II Targaryen, the Good holds the throne Hand: Vacant — the realm mourns Prince Baelor

The hour retold

The finale is about the arithmetic of Dunk's victory, and it does not balance. The blow that seemed like nothing was everything: Baelor Breakspear, Prince of Dragonstone and Hand of the King, the one man the realm could least afford to lose, dies of a broken skull — killed by his own brother's mace in a hedge knight's quarrel over a puppeteer's fingers. Ser Humfrey Hardyng follows him into the ground, and the meadow that gathered for a fair maid's tourney holds funerals instead. The good years of Daeron the Good's reign begin their long ending in that one wasted death, and Dunk is left to wonder forever whether his hand and his foot were worth one great man's life.

Out of the ruin comes the offer the whole series exists to reach. Prince Maekar, carrying his brother's death in his own hand, comes to Dunk not with vengeance but with a question and a proposal: take Aegon as your squire, and show him the realm his brothers will never bother to see. Aerion is packed off to Lys and Daeron to a drink he will not climb out of, and a hedge knight of no house rides south for Dorne with a prince of the blood polishing his kettle helm — Ser Duncan the Tall, sworn to no lord and every smallfolk who ever needed a sword, a knight not of any one house but, as the title has it, of the Seven Kingdoms entire.

What happens

The blow that seemed nothing was everything: Baelor Breakspear, Prince of Dragonstone, Hand of the King, dies of a broken skull — killed by his brother's mace in a hedge knight's quarrel.
The realm's future dies with him: the succession now runs through sickly Valarr, and the good years of Daeron's reign begin their long ending.
Ser Humfrey Hardyng succumbs to his wounds; the meadow that hosted a wedding-feast tourney buries its dead instead.
Prince Maekar comes to Dunk not with vengeance but a question — and an offer: take Aegon as your squire; show him the realm his brothers will never see.
Aerion is packed off to Lys, Daeron to a watch he'll drink through. And a hedge knight rides south for Dorne with a prince shining his kettle helm — Ser Duncan the Tall, of no house, of the Seven Kingdoms.

The people of the episode

DtSer Duncan the Tall — Wonders forever whether one good man's life was worth his foot and his hand.EEgg — A prince apprenticed to the realm itself, one muddy road at a time.MTPrince Maekar Targaryen — Carries his brother's death in his hand for the rest of his days.VTValarr Targaryen — The Young Prince inherits Dragonstone — and none of his father's greatness.ABAerion Brightflame — Exiled to Lys, where the wine is stronger and the patience shorter.DIKing Daeron II Targaryen — Buries his best son and keeps his peace. The peace is all he has left.

The fallen — spoilers

Baelor Breakspear — The best man in the realm, dead of his brother's mace — the price of a hedge knight's honor.
Ser Humfrey Hardyng — Died of his wounds from the trial of seven, unbowed to the last.