The Tales of Dunk and Egg are a series of three fantasy novellas by Martin, set in the same world as his A Song of Ice and Fire novels. They tell the story of Ser Duncan the Tall, a lowborn knight who travels the Seven Kingdoms with his squire, Aegon V Targaryen, who is secretly a prince and the future king. The novellas are:
- The Hedge Knight (1998), which introduces the characters and their friendship, and features a tournament at Ashford Meadow, where they encounter several members of the royal family, including the cruel Prince Aerion Targaryen.
- The Sworn Sword (2003), which follows Dunk and Egg as they serve under Ser Eustace Osgrey, a minor lord involved in a feud with his neighbor, Lady Rohanne Webber, over a stream of water.
- The Mystery Knight (2010), which sees Dunk and Egg attending a wedding at Whitewalls, where they uncover a conspiracy to overthrow King Aerys I Targaryen and crown his brother, Daemon Blackfyre.
Martin has stated that he plans to write more novellas in the series, with a total of nine or twelve stories envisioned. The existing novellas have been collected in a single volume, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, with illustrations by Gary Gianni, in 2015.
What do we know about the prequel series?
The prequel series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, has been given a straight to series order by HBO and Discovery, as part of their newly rebranded streaming service, Max. The series will adapt the first novella, The Hedge Knight, and will explore the early days of Dunk and Egg’s relationship, as well as the history and politics of Westeros in the aftermath of the first Blackfyre Rebellion.
The series will be executive produced by Martin, Ira Parker, Ryan Condal, and Vince Gerardis. No cast or crew members have been announced yet, but the series is expected to start filming in June 2024, according to a report by Bleeding Cool. The series will join another Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, which is based on Martin’s Fire and Blood, and chronicles the rise and fall of House Targaryen. House of the Dragon is currently in production for its second season, after a successful debut in 2023.
Why are fans excited about the prequel series?
The prequel series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, is a highly anticipated project for fans of Game of Thrones, as it will offer a new perspective on the world of Westeros, and a different tone from the main series. The Tales of Dunk and Egg are more lighthearted and adventurous than the grim and violent A Song of Ice and Fire, and feature more humor and romance. The novellas also showcase the rich and diverse culture of the Seven Kingdoms, and introduce many characters and events that have an impact on the main series, such as the ancestors of the Starks, Lannisters, and Baratheons, and the origins of the Three-Eyed Raven.
The prequel series will also appeal to fans who are eager to see more of Martin’s stories on screen, as the author has been notoriously slow in finishing his novels. The last book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, A Dance with Dragons, was published in 2011, and fans are still waiting for the next installment, The Winds of Winter. The prequel series will provide some consolation and satisfaction for fans who are hungry for more of Martin’s writing and worldbuilding.
