The trial by combat is a staple of Game of Thronesdrama, and there are many fascinating ones to examine in the main series and the extended histories. This custom is a staple of Westerosi culture in Game of Thrones and George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice & Fire book series, used to determine the guilt or innocence of a subject by means of a violent duel, often to the death. In the main series, these trials mainly consist of participants electing champions, allowing great warriors a chance to do battle on behalf of their party.
Surprisingly, there are only three trials determined by combat in the main Game of Thrones series, but there are several noted in the history of House Targaryen in the centuries prior. These are documented in books like Fire & Blood, A World of Ice & Fire, the Dunk & Egg novellas, and in passing conversation and lore mentioned in the main novels. In some cases, people demanded a "trial by seven," which meant seven combatants fighting on each side in honor of the Faith of the Seven. This was an Andal tradition brought to Westeros.
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King Maegor I Targaryen vs. Damon Morrigen - Trial of the Seven
Winner: Maegor I Targaryen
Artwork by Amok.
King Maegor I, also known as Maegor the Cruel, was the third king of Westeros, known for his aptitude for violence and ruthlessness against his enemies. Maegor claimed the Iron Throne after his brother Aenys died, bringing his mother, Dowager Queen Visenya, to King's Landing to help him take control of the capital. In the capital, she welcomed anyone who would oppose his rule to face him in combat. What resulted was a trial by seven, with Maegor and Damon Morrigen leading their respective sides. Maegor was the sole survivor of fourteen participants.
Both Maegor and Aenys were sons of Aegon the Conqueror, but Maegor was Queen Visenya's son, while Aenys was born to Queen Rhaenys.
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Harrold Langward vs. Gyles Morrigen
Winner: Gyles Morrigen
King Maegor I died a mysterious death in Targaryen history, and his heir, Jaehaerys I Targaryen, gave all members of Maegor's Kingsguard a choice between joining the Night's Watch or death. While the rest joined the Watch, Ser Harrold Langward demanded a trial by combat. He was opposed by young Ser Gyles Morrigen, who defeated Langward and joined Jaehaerys' Kingsguard as its Lord Commander.
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Braxton Beesbury vs. King Jaehaerys I Targaryen
Winner: Jaehaerys Targaryen
King Jaehaerys I was known for his long-lasting and relatively peaceful reign as king, but there was an instance where he chose to take part in a trial by combat in his daughter's honor. Ser Braxton Beesbury was accused of seducing Princess Saera Targaryen, and demanded a trial by combat, electing to defend himself. In their duel, Jaehaerys killed Ser Braxton with the ancestral Targaryen Valyrian steel sword, Blackfyre.
If HBO were to ever make Game of Thrones season 9, then an unused idea from A Song of Ice and Fire should be revisited to make the story work.
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Victor Risley vs. Gareth Long
Winner: Gareth Long
During the reign of King Aegon III, following the end of the Dance of the Dragons, a brief but treasonous uprising occurred in King's Landing. Victor Risley and Gareth Long were both part of this and when Gareth Long was captured, he accused Risley of being an accomplice. Risley demanded trial by combat instead of joining the Night's Watch, so Gareth Long faced him, killed him, and went to take the black at the Wall.
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Prince Aemon Targaryen vs. Morgil Hastwyck
Winner: Aemon Targaryen
Fan art by Chillyravenart
Prince Aemon the Dragonknight is one of the first Targaryens mentioned in George R.R. Martin's books, as this Kingsguard Lord Commander is renowned as the fabled ideal of a Westerosi knight, serving five kings with honor and nobility. King Aegon IV, also known as "the Unworthy," despised Aemon for his glory, especially after this trial by combat. Aemon defended the honor of Queen Naerys Targaryen, his sister and Aegon IV's wife, after she was accused of treason by Ser Morgil Hastwyck. Aemon won, relieving his sister of her crimes. This is a famous knightly event in Westeros' history.
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Duncan The Tall's Trial of Seven
Winner: Duncan the Tall
Ser Duncan the Tall is kind of the expert on trials by combat, as he partook in three throughout his life. The first occurred early in his days, and will likely happen in the first season of the upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms TV series. Ser Duncan defended a woman who was being assaulted by Prince Aerion Targaryen, who, along with his brother Daeron, demanded a trial by seven over the matter. Ser Duncan earned the help of Crown Prince Baelor Targaryen (Baelor Breakspear), who tragically died in the fight, helping Duncan live.
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Duncan The Tall vs. Lucas Inchfield
Winner: Duncan the Tall
Ser Duncan's next trial by combat happens in the novella The Sworn Sword, one of the Dunk & Egg novellas. Duncan the Tall is serving as the sworn sword to Ser Eustace Osgray, who gets into a conflict with Lady Rohanne Webber. Rohanne is represented by Ser Lucas Inchfield, who actually manages to drown Ser Duncan during the fight, still dying in the process. Duncan is later resuscitated, making him the winner.
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Glendon Flowers vs. Daemon II Blackfyre
Winner: Glendon Flowers
The next trial by combat occurs in The Mystery Knight, another Dunk & Egg novella, though Ser Duncan doesn't participate in this fight. The conflict occurs during a tourney, where Ser Glendon Flowers is accused of stealing a dragon egg. Ser Duncan claims that Glendon has been framed to eliminate him from the tournament, allowing Daemon II Blackfyre an easier path to victory. Their trial was held in a tournament joust, where Glendon knocked Daemon from his horse.
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Lyonel Baratheon vs. Duncan The Tall
Winner: Duncan the Tall
Duncan the Tall's final trial by combat was far later in his life, after the events of the Dunk & Egg novellas. During the reign of Aegon V Targaryen (Egg), Lord Lyonel Baratheon attempted a rebellion after Aegon V's son broke his betrothal with Lyonel's daughter. This duel didn't actually end in death, though Ser Duncan defeated Lyonel in combat, forcing him to yield.
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Rickard Stark vs. The Mad King
Winner: The Mad King
Rickard Stark's trial by combat is one of the most disturbing in Game of Thrones history, and it was among the catalysts for Robert's Rebellion. Rickard demanded trial by combat when his eldest son Brandon Stark was accused of crimes by the Mad King, Aerys II Targaryen. King Aerys declared fire as his champion, claiming that Rickard would be proclaimed innocent if he didn't burn before tying him to the rafters and lighting fire beneath him. Needless to say, fire won.
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Bronn vs. Vardis Egan
Winner: Bronn
Bronn and Ser Vardis Egen share the first trial by combat in the Game of Thrones series. When Tyrion Lannister is brought to the Eyrie, one of the strongest castles in Westeros, he's placed on a shabby trial for the attempted murder of Bran Stark and for the murder of Jon Arryn. Despite having no evidence against Tyrion, Lady Lysa Arryn refuses to accept the possibility of his innocence, so Tyrion demands a trial by combat. He requests his brother Jaime Lannister as his champion, but Lysa demands the duel be held that day.
The Winds of Winter will reveal how much ASOIAF’s ending aligns with Game of Thrones, and I hope George R.R. Martin keeps one great show moment.
Tyrion requests that someone in the room represent him, and the choice is simple for Bronn, a low-born sellsword. This is his opportunity to risk his life as the anticipated underdog in a trial by combat in order to earn the favor of one of the wealthiest men in Westeros. Ser Vardis Egan is a respectable knight who's held to the esteem of the Vale's culture of honor, and Bronn uses this against him by fighting dirty. He tires out the heavily armored knight, slowly cutting him down before executing him, winning Tyrion's freedom and kicking off a lasting friendship.
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Beric Dondarrion vs. The Hound
Winner: The Hound
Another sham trial occurs in Game of Thrones season 3 when the Brotherhood Without Banners captures Sandor Clegane, The Hound, somewhere in the Riverlands. They accuse him of committing atrocities on behalf of House Lannister, which he denies, but Arya is present to inform them of the murder of Mycah, the butcher's son from season 1. The Hound is given the option to defend himself in a trial by combat, facing off against Beric Dondarrion. While this might normally be a walk in the park for Sandor, Beric has incidentally come prepared with the Hound's weakness: fire.
Beric Dondarrion is once again resurrected by Thoros of Myr, to the shock of everyone there.
In the name of the Lord of Light, Beric Dondarrion wields a flaming sword, triggering the Hound's childhood trauma and lifelong fear of fire. Regardless, the Hound manages to defeat Beric, killing him with a slice through the shoulder. Beric Dondarrion is once again resurrected by Thoros of Myr, to the shock of everyone there. Furthermore, the Hound is freed, frustrating Arya, who believes him worthy of death for his role in Mycah's death and for the death of her father, Eddard Stark. This leads to another complex relationship for the series.
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The Mountain vs. The Viper
Winner: The Mountain
One of the most insane moments of Game of Thrones season 4 was the duel between the Mountain, Ser Gregor Clegane, and the Viper, Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne. Both parties were representing separate people, determining the fate of Tyrion Lannister's life after he was put on trial for the murder of Joffrey Baratheon. Oberyn Martell, who had arrived in King's Landing seeking revenge on the Lannisters for their role in the brutal murder of his sister, Elia Martell, had the perfect opportunity to legally kill the main perpetrator.
Oberyn Martell is a well-traveled and renowned warrior, but it still shocked the crowd when he got the best of the seemingly invincible Mountain. He brought Ser Gregor to the ground while still in fine shape, but he wouldn't let the knight die without confessing his crimes and placing the blame on Lord Tywin Lannister. Oberyn's moment of over-confidence led to his death, as the Mountain flipped him over and killed him with his bare hands, making for one of Game of Thrones' most horrifying deaths.
Based on George R.R. Martin's novels, this fantasy series follows the power struggles among noble families as they vie for control of the Iron Throne in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. The series is known for its complex characters, political intrigue, and unexpected plot twists.
Custom image by Ana Nieves
Artwork by Amok.
Fan art by Chillyravenart
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