Sir Barristan (Barristan the Bold) Selmy

• Individual Picture Notes
  • Ian McElhinney as Barristan Selmy in HBO Game of Thrones

• General Notes
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    A legend in his own time, Ser Barristan Selmy is known far and wide as Barristan the Bold.  He won the name "the Bold" at the age of 10, when he donned borrowed armor to appear as a mystery knight at a tourney in Blackhaven.  He was defeated and unmasked in the tournament by Duncan, Prince of Dragonflies.
    
    Barristan has served four kings faithfully and with great distinction.  He was knighted in his 16th year by King Aegon V Targaryen after performing great feats of prowess as a mystery knight in the winter tourney at King's Landing, defeating Prince Duncan the Small and Ser Duncan the Tall, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.  Barristan brought King Aerys II to safety during the Defiance of Duskendale, despite an arrow wound in his chest.
    
    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, and he is friends of Lord Robert Baratheon and Lord Eddard Stark. 
    
    Athough he was captured and almost mortally wounded at the Battle of the Trident, Robert sent his own maester to tend to him because of how honorably and loyally he had fought on the behalf of House Targaryen. Robert then chose to name Barristan head of his Kingsguard, in lieu of his good-brother Jaime, for his service.
    
    Though he may have lost half a step in the intervening  years, he is still an exceptional warrior, able to readily beat men 30 and even 40 years his junior in the lists.  His almost superhuman longevity means he is still tall and straightbacked, with white hair. He is as chivalrous as a knight can be, and would never act to dishonor himself.
    
    Later dismissed by Queen Cersei as Lord of the Kingsguard because of his "advanced age", Sir Barristan self-EXILED to the east and was born again as "Arstan WHITEBEARD".  He has now sworn allegiance to Queen Daenerys Targaryen.