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The Hedge Knight is the first of a planned series of novellas written by George R. R. Martin, often referred to as "Dunk and Egg stories" after their protagonists. The stories take place in the same universe as Martin's Song of Ice and Fire cycle, roughly a century before the events in A Game of Thrones.
Stories
The Hedge Knight
The first novella was originally published August 25, 1998 in the Legends anthology, edited by Robert Silverberg. The story was later adapted to a graphic novel published June 1, 2004 by Ben Avery which was drawn by Mike S. Miller.
The story is set in 208 after Aegon's Landing and revolves around a young hedge knight, Dunk, styling himself Ser Duncan the Tall, on his way to his first tournament, where he hopes to become a champion. He soon meets a young boy, Egg, and reluctantly accepts him as his squire. Apart from the developing relationship between Dunk and Egg, a large part of the story is devoted to a vivid description of the tournament at Ashford, and its momentous consequences.
The Sworn Sword
The second novella was published 2003 in the "Legends II" anthology, edited by Robert Silverberg.
Dunk and Egg have left the hedges for the service of a lesser lord, Ser Eustace Osgrey of Standfast. When a border dispute between Ser Eustace and the neighbouring Lady Webber turns into open conflict, Dunk serves his lord both as a diplomat and as a commander of Standfast's small force. The story illuminates several aspects of the feudal system of Westeros. Also, a series of flashbacks narrated by Ser Eustace relate the events of the Blackfyre Rebellion, and its conclusion at the Battle of the Redgrass Field of 196 AL.
House Targaryen at the time of the Hedge Knight (208)
Viserys II
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+-----------+--------+
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Aegon IV--+--Naerys Aemon
| | 'Dragonknight'
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+-------------+-------------+--------+ |
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Daemon Aegor Brynden Daeron II--+--Myriah
'Blackfyre' 'Bittersteel' 'Bloodraven' | Martell
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+-+---+ +---------+--------+-------+---------+
| | | | | | |
Aemon Aegon Baelor Aerys Aelinor Rhaegel Maekar
'Breakspear' |
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+---------+ +---------+-----------+-----+-----+----+
| | | | | | | |
Valarr Matarys Daeron Aerion Aemon Aegon Rhae Daella
'The Drunk''Brightflame'
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