Like Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon before it, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms delivered an instantly iconic battle in the penultimate episode of season 1 on Sunday night. That battle came at a cost, too, as not every character made it out of the skirmish alive.
If you need a breakdown of who died in the Trial of Seven, or are looking to get filled in on every major plot development in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, we’ve got you covered.
(Warning: Spoilers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 5, Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon ahead.)
Who died in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 5?
Despite Aerion Targaryen repeatedly stabbing Dunk, the Hedge Knight survived his trial and forced the prince to yield. Dunk got Aerion to revoke his accusation in front of the crowd right before he was dragged off the field himself for some much-needed medical attention. Steely Pate and Raymun Fossoway started to tend to Dunk before Baelor Targaryen walked in and gives some advice of his own. The Hand of the King and heir to the Iron Throne revealed that Ser Humfrey Beesbury and Ser Humphrey Hardyng died in the fighting, defending Dunk’s honor. Dunk offered his services to Baelor, and the prince very nearly took him in.
Baelor asked Steely Pate to remove his helm, though, only for the blacksmith to react in shock to what he saw underneath. The righteous Targaryen prince reached behind his head and saw blood on his fingers, eventually turning to reveal that the entire back of his head was open. Unimpeded look at his brain and everything. He falls into Dunk’s arms and dies. Make no mistake about it – Baelor Targaryen is dead.
Who killed Baelor Targaryen in the Trial of Seven?
When Aerion and Dunk were fighting 1-on-1, Prince Maekar Targaryen tried going to his son’s rescue. Baelor and Lyonel Baratheon held Maekar back, all while he flailed around with his mace in an effort to break free. Baelor even made note of his younger brother’s strength with a mace when speaking to Dunk, Raymun and Pate after the trial.
Prince Maekar Targaryen delivered the killing blow to his own brother, seemingly by accident, but moving himself up in the line of succession nonetheless. Neither of the older princes would have been in that position if Aerion had simply agreed to fight Dunk in a standard trial by combat, and now House Targaryen is once again in a precarious situation.
What to expect in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 finale
The fallout from Baelor’s death is going to be real, with plenty of blame to toss around. Maekar killed him, the Kingsguard swore not to harm him, Aerion invoked the Trail of Seven, Tanselle committed treason by puppetry, Dunk punched Aerion and Egg concealed his identity to Dunk. And with the Blackfyre Rebellion only a decade or so in the past, all the finger-pointing could lead to some serious rifts. We’ve seen in House of the Dragon just how gnarly Targaryen disputes can get, even with dragons out of the picture.
There are two published Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas left to adapt after season 1 completes the arc from The Hedge Knight, so look to The Sworn Sword and The Mystery Knight for what is coming further down the road.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms FAQ
Who died in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 5?
Prince Baelor Targaryen died due to a mortal head wound. His younger brother, Maekar, killed Baelor as part of the Trial of Seven between Ser Duncan the Tall and Prince Aerion Targaryen during the Tourney at Ashford Meadow.
Who is Baelor Targaryen?
Baelor Targaryen was the oldest-born child of King Daeron II Targaryen and Queen Myriah Martell. He was the heir to the Iron Throne and the Prince of Dragonstone. He had two sons with Jena Dondarrion, Valarr and Matarys Targaryen. Baelor also had several nephews, including Aerion and Aegon – a.k.a. Egg.
When does the A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms finale come out?
Season 1, episode 6 will premiere at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 22.
Where can I watch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
The show will initially air on HBO, but it will be available to stream on HBO Max simultaneously.
What is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms based on?
The show is an adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s trilogy of Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. The first book, The Hedge Knight, is the basis for season 1. There are two more stories in the series – The Sworn Sword and The Mystery Knight – that were published in 2003 and 2010, respectively. Those will serve as inspiration for future seasons, to say nothing of Martin’s planned-but-unpublished upcoming installments.
