The Citadel

House Selmy of Harvest Hall

General Information

The house is led by a knight. The only member of the house to appear is Ser Barristan Selmy, called the Bold after riding in a tourney as a mystery knight at the age of 10, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Ser Barristan’s name is legendary and greatly respected, as he has done many deeds (such as slaying the last of the Blackfyre Pretenders and the outlaw Simon Toyne). Chosen at the age of twenty-three to join the White Swords, he was the best swordsman in the Seven Kingdoms in his youth and is still one of the best fighting men in the realm despite his age. He cut down a dozen good men at the Trident, friends of Lord Robert Baratheon and Lord Eddard Stark, and would have died had Lord Robert not sent his maester to tend to him.

Spoilers

After Robert’s death, Ser Barristan was relieved of his place in the Kingsguard by King Joffrey, so that the Kingslayer could take his place as Lord Commander and on the small council and so the Hound could wear the white cloak. Protesting his removal and refusing the offer of lands and a towerhouse near Lannisport, he spoke defiantly and was pursued by men of the City Watch. Two of the watchmen died.

He next appeared in Qarth, taking the name of Arstan and claiming to be the squire to a eunuch warrior named Strong Belwas who had been sent to bring Daenerys Targaryen to Pentos. He advised and aided Dany in many ways, including killing the Titan of Braavos. When his identity was revealed by Ser Jorah Mormont, Dany sent the both of them on an extremely dangerous mission as punishment for their lies. They both survived, and Daenerys forgave Ser Barristan and took him into his service.