Ser Duncan the Tall—"Dunk" to those who know him—is one of George R.R. Martin's most beloved characters. He's not a prince or a lord. He's a giant from Flea Bottom who might not even be a real knight. And he becomes one of the most important figures in Westerosi history.
Here's everything you need to know about the man at the heart of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Dunk's Origins: Flea Bottom to Knighthood
Where He Came From: Dunk was born in Flea Bottom, the poorest slum in King's Landing. Orphaned young, he survived on the streets until a hedge knight named Ser Arlan of Pennytree took him on as a squire.
His Training: For years, Dunk traveled with Ser Arlan, learning swordplay, horsemanship, and the knight's code. He wasn't trained in a castle—he learned on the road, in real fights, through hard experience.
The Uncertain Knighting: When Ser Arlan died, he supposedly knighted Dunk on his deathbed. But there were no witnesses. No ceremony. Just words spoken by a dying man to the boy he raised.
Is Dunk really a knight? The show treats this as its central question. Dunk believes he is. The world isn't sure.
The Tallest Knight in Westeros
Dunk is notably huge—nearly seven feet tall, broad-shouldered, and powerful. His size is both advantage and burden.
In Combat: His reach and strength make him formidable. Knights with more training underestimate him at their peril.
In Society: His size makes him conspicuous. He can't blend in. Everyone remembers the giant.
The Name: "Dunk the Tall" isn't poetry. It's description. And it follows him everywhere.
Peter Claffey, at 6'5", brings physicality to the role while also capturing Dunk's gentleness. This is a man who could break you in half but would rather not.
Dunk's Legacy in Game of Thrones
If you've watched Game of Thrones, you've already heard of Dunk:
Lord Commander of the Kingsguard: Dunk eventually becomes Lord Commander under Aegon V (Egg). The hedge knight who couldn't prove his knighthood rises to lead the most elite knights in the realm.
Brienne's Ancestor: In GOT, Brienne reads from the White Book about Ser Duncan the Tall. There's strong implication that Brienne descends from Dunk—she shares his height, his honor, and her outsider status.
Death at Summerhall: Dunk died alongside his friend Egg in the tragedy of Summerhall, trying to hatch dragon eggs. Rhaegar Targaryen was born that same night. Dunk's story ends where so much of GOT's story begins.
Hodor's Great-Grandfather: Yes, really. Old Nan's stories suggest Dunk fathered a child with a woman of her family. Hodor's size is Dunk's legacy.
Why Dunk Matters
In a world of lords and princes, Dunk represents something radical: the idea that honor isn't inherited.
He has no family name. No lands. No wealth. What he has is a code—protect the weak, keep your word, do what's right even when it costs you.
The nobility of Westeros talks about honor. Dunk lives it. That's why a king chose him as a friend, and why readers have loved him for decades.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms isn't just Dunk's story. It's an argument that the best of us can come from anywhere.
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