Heroes Wiki

-Welcome to the Hero/Protagonist wiki! If you can help us with this wiki please sign up and help us! Thanks! -M-NUva

READ MORE

Heroes Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Warning
Andy in childs play
This article's content is marked as Mature
The page Barristan Selmy contains mature content that may include coarse language, sexual references, and/or graphic violent images which may be disturbing to some. Mature articles are recommended for those who are 18 years of age and older.

If you are 18 years or older or are comfortable with graphic material, you are free to view this page. Otherwise, you should close this page and view another page.

Have no fear, sers, your king is safe... no thanks to you. Even now, I could cut through the five of you as easy as a dagger cuts cheese. If you would serve under the Kingslayer, not a one of you is fit to wear the white. Here, boy. Melt it down and add it to the others, if you like. It will do you more good than the swords in the hands of these five. Perhaps Lord Stannis will chance to sit on it when he takes your throne.
~ Ser Barristan Selmy to Joffrey and the Kingsguard

Ser Barristan Selmy is a major POV character in the A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, and a supporting character in its television adaptation, Game of Thrones.

He is a stormlander knight of House Selmy and the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard to King Robert I Baratheon, previously serving as a member of the Kingsguard to Aerys II Targaryen until Robert's Rebellion. He is widely regarded as one of the last true and honorable knights in the realm, and the greatest living swordsman. His legendary accomplishments in battle and bravery earned himself the nickname Barristan the Bold.

He was portrayed by Ian McEllhinney.

Personality[]

I took Robert's pardon, aye. I served him in Kingsguard and council. Served with the Kingslayer and others near as bad, who soiled the white cloak I wore. Nothing will excuse that. I might be serving in King's Landing still if the vile boy upon the Iron Throne had not cast me aside, it shames me to admit. But when he took the cloak the White Bull had draped about my shoulders, and sent men to kill me that selfsame day, it was as though he'd ripped a caul off my eyes. That was when I knew I must find my true king, and die in his service...
~ Barristan to Daenerys Targaryen

Ser Barristan Selmy devoted the majority of his life to defending the king, as a member of the Kingsguard and later the Lord Commander, but both of the kings that he served drew complexities in him. When he served under the psychopathic King Aerys Targaryen, he was most likely conflicted about having to protect a madman like Aerys, who terrorised his people and abused his powers as king throughout his entire reign. When Robert Baratheon ascended to the throne, Barristan served him just as loyally and even maintained a friendship with Robert - indeed, before he became king, Robert respected Barristan enough to pardon him after the Battle of the Trident. He viewed Robert as a terrible king, though, and always strived to serve a greater ruler than both of his previous betters. The feeling of owing something to House Targaryen is what really drove him to seek out Daenerys Targaryen after Joffrey Baratheon dismissed him from the Kingsguard, instead of serving the other Baratheons. He also desires to serve a good ruler before dying and hopes to find that in Daenerys.

Though he was an old man when he came into the service of Robert and Daenerys Targaryen, Barristan was a courageous and fierce fighter who could duel evenly with much younger and skilled swordsman, once even claiming that he could cut into the five Kingsguard like "carving a cake" (Considering that barely any of the Kingsguard present were especially skilled warriors, this was probably true). He valued honour greatly and grew disgusted how Cersei and Joffrey were weeding the Small Council and court with sycophants; in rage he surrendered his title of Lord Commander but refused Varys' offer as he was a knight and would die a knights death. This shows that such devotion to his status as a knight has given him a supreme sense of loyalty and honour. Infuriated by Barristan calling him a boy and saying that Stannis Baratheon will defeat him, Joffrey had Lord Janos Slynt sending 2 of his gold cloaks to execute Selmy. They were found both dead, causing Cersei to regret listening to her son's idea of firing Barristan.

Barristan was also a deep supporter of House Targaryen. Though he was horrified regarding the acts that Aerys committed, he still fought to retain the Targaryen Dynasty during the Battle of the Trident and was close with Rheagar, Aerys' son whom he bodyguarded during the battle. He was spared of his life by Robert, despite Lord Roose Bolton's advice of killing him. Though he served under the man who killed Rheagar and stole Aerys' throne, he continued to respect and love Targaryens and finally assisted the Mad King's last living heir, Daenerys in helping her in her campaign to take the throne, as well as her campaign in Slaver's Bay. Ser Barristan Selmy was extremely brave, being completely able to confront a ring of Sons of the Harpy with only a sword and no armour, while his faceless opponents had the advantage of armoured faces, numbers and weapons. Barristan fought incredibly well for a man of his age, cutting down a great number of the Sons without even crossing swords twice, even continuing after he was severely disoriented - what is fitting is that one of the greatest warriors that the Seven Kingdoms knew died the way he always wanted to, fighting against the forces of a malevolent and dangerous enemy with a sword in hand.

Skills[]

Combat:

  • A living legend, Barristan Selmy is regarded by many as the greatest living swordsman in Westeros, his skills second only to the late Ser Arthur Dayne. Even at age 60 he remains a highly skilled warrior, easily besting opponents far younger and stronger than he is.

Navigation[]

           A Song of Ice and Fire Logo Heroes

Westeros
Beyond the Wall
Group of the Last Greenseer
Three-Eyed Crow | Coldhands | Leaf | Bran Stark | Meera Reed | Jojen Reed | Hodor

Free Folk and Giants
Mance Rayder | Val | Mother Mole | Sigorn | Loboda | Tormund Giantsbane | Dim Dalba | Gilly | Jax | Karsi | Kullback | Leathers | Osha | Sissy | Wun Wun | Ygritte

The Wall
Night's Watch
Jon Snow | Jeor Mormont | Samwell Tarly | Benjen Stark | Bowen Marsh | Othell Yarwyck | Pypar | Eddison Tollett | Qhorin Halfhand | Denys Mallister | Cotter Pyke | Donal Noye | Alliser Thorne | Jaremy Rykker | Waymar Royce | Jarman Buckwell | Grenn | Satin | Dywen | Todder | Halder | Bedwyck | Jafer Flowers | Othor | Small Paul | Ulmer | Donnel Hill | Bannen | Cooper | Aemon | Yoren | Gared | Will | Endrew Tarth | Leathers | Jax

The North
House Stark
Family: Torrhen Stark | Rickard Stark | Brandon Stark | Eddard Stark | Benjen Stark | Catelyn Stark | Robb Stark | Sansa Stark | Arya Stark | Bran Stark | Rickon Stark | Jeyne Westerling | Talisa Stark
Household: Harwin | Hodor | Luwin | Farlen | Mikken | Tomard | Mordane | Varly | Jeyne Poole | Jory Cassel | Martyn Cassel | Rodrik Cassel | Hallis Mollen | Aberdolf Strongbeard

House Manderly
Wyman Manderly | Marlon Manderly | Wylis Manderly | Wendel Manderly | Wylla Manderly

House Karstark
Rickard Karstark | Harrion Karstark | Eddard Karstark | Torrhen Karstark | Alys Karstark

House Umber
Greatjon Umber | Mors Umber | Hother Umber | Smalljon Umber | Ned Umber

House Glover
Ethan Glover | Galbart Glover | Sybelle Glover | Robett Glover

House Mormont
Jeor Mormont | Jorah Mormont | Maege Mormont | Dacey Mormont | Alysane Mormont | Lyanna Mormont

Others
Cley Cerwyn | Medger Cerwyn | Hugo Wull | Howland Reed | Jojen Reed | Meera Reed | Helman Tallhart | Benfred Tallhart | Leobald Tallhart | Mallador Locke | House Forrester

The Vale of Arryn
House Arryn
Family: Sharra Arryn | Aemma Arryn | Jon Arryn | Denys Arryn | Elbert Arryn | Robert Arryn
Household: Brynden Tully | Vardis Egen

House Royce
Family: Gerold Royce | Rhea Royce | Yohn Royce | Nestor Royce | Robar Royce | Waymar Royce
Household: Mya Stone

Others
Anya Waynwood | Eon Hunter | Jon Lynderly | Donnel Waynwood | Vance Corbray | Knights of the Vale

Riverlands
House Tully
Edmyn Tully | Hoster Tully | Brynden Tully | Edmure Tully | Catelyn Tully

House Frey
Forrest Frey | Sabitha Frey | Stevron Frey | Perwyn Frey | Arwood Frey | Olyvar Frey

Brotherhood without Banners
Beric Dondarrion | Thoros of Myr | Lem Lemoncloak | Edric Dayne | Gendry | Sandor Clegane (TV series) | Harwin | Mad Huntsman | Anguy | Jack-Be-Lucky | Greenbeard

Others
Elder Brother | Jonos Bracken | Ghost of High Heart | Jonothor Darry | Raymun Darry | Karyl Vance | Willem Darry | Marq Piper | Septon Meribald | Oswell Whent | Septon Ray | Tytos Blackwood | Denys Mallister | Jason Mallister | Jaremy Mallister | Theomar Smallwood | Thoren Smallwood | Lyonel Strong | Harwin Strong | Willis Wode

Iron Islands
House Greyjoy
Quellon Greyjoy | Victarion Greyjoy | Aeron Greyjoy | Asha Greyjoy | Theon Greyjoy | Yara Greyjoy

Others
Tristifer Botley | Cotter Pyke | Qarl the Maid | Rodrik Harlaw | Baelor Blacktyde | Sawane Botley

Westerlands
House Lannister
Tyland Lannister | Tytos Lannister | Kevan Lannister | Tygett Lannister | Daven Lannister | Jaime Lannister | Tyrion Lannister

Others
Addam Marbrand | Aubrey Crakehall | Harrold Westerling | Raynald Westerling | Jeyne Westerling | Lyle Crakehall | Podrick Payne | Sandor Clegane

Crownlands
House Targaryen
Aegon V Targaryen | Aemon Targaryen | Alysanne Targaryen | Baelor Targaryen | Baela Targaryen | Daenerys Targaryen | Daeron II Targaryen | Jaehaerys I Targaryen | Jaehaerys II Targaryen | Viserys I Targaryen | Rhaena Targaryen | Rhaegar Targaryen | Aegon Targaryen

House Baratheon of Dragonstone
Family: Stannis Baratheon | Shireen Baratheon
Household: Melisandre | Davos Seaworth | Axell Florent | Cressen | Pylos | Bryen Farring | Matthos Seaworth | Devan Seaworth
Vassals and allies: Bryce Caron | Monford Velaryon | Guyard Morrigen | Richard Horpe | Rolland Storm | Godry Farring | Andrew Estermont | Justin Massey | Bonifer Hasty | Sigorn | Alys Karstark | Salladhor Saan | Mors Umber | Hugo Wull | Alysane Mormont | Sybelle Glover | Aberdolf Strongbeard

House Velaryon
Corlys Velaryon | Laena Velaryon | Vaemond Velaryon | Addam Velaryon | Jacaerys Velaryon | Monford Velaryon

Blacks
Rhaenys Targaryen | Daemon Targaryen | Corlys Velaryon | Jacaerys Velaryon | Laena Velaryon

Others
Davos Seaworth | Duncan the Tall | Bryen Farring | Godry Farring | Gendry | Hot Pie | Brynden Rivers | Erryk Cargyll | Jarman Buckwell | Justin Massey

Stormlands
House Baratheon
Family: Davos Baratheon | Raymont Baratheon | Rogar Baratheon | Ormund Baratheon | Lyonel Baratheon | Steffon Baratheon | Robert I Baratheon | Stannis Baratheon | Renly Baratheon | Shireen Baratheon | Gendry Baratheon (TV series)
Household: Cressen | Donal Noye

Others
Andrew Estermont | Anguy | Balon Swann | Barristan Selmy | Beric Dondarrion | Bonifer Hasty | Bryce Caron | Guyard Morrigen | Lady Fell | Endrew Tarth | Brienne of Tarth | Davos Seaworth | Matthos Seaworth | Devan Seaworth | Jon Connington | Rolland Storm

The Reach
House Tyrell
Willas Tyrell | Garlan Tyrell | Loras Tyrell | Margaery Tyrell | Olenna Tyrell

The Citadel
Marwyn | Aemon | Luwin | Cressen | Pylos | Samwell Tarly

Others
Melessa Tarly | Dickon Tarly | Arys Oakheart | Axell Florent | Manfred Hightower | Gerold Hightower | Leyton Hightower | Hyle Hunt | Ottyn Wythers | Ryam Redwyne | Allun Caswell | Lyman Beesbury | Lord Merryweather

Dorne
House Martell
Nymeria | Doran Martell | Oberyn Martell | Lewyn Martell | Arianne Martell | Quentyn Martell | Trystane Martell

Others
Arthur Dayne | Edric Dayne | Ellaria Sand | Sand Snakes | Nymeria

Faith of the Seven
High Septon (Aegon's Conquest) | High Sparrow | The Shepherd | Theodan Wells | Elder Brother | Septon Meribald | Mordane | Septon Ray | Pious Dwarf | Faith Militant | Holy Brothers | Begging Brothers | Sparrows

Essos
Free Cities
Areo Hotah | Benerro | Aegon Targaryen | Daenerys Targaryen | Greenbeard | Thoros of Myr | Ternesio Terys | Moqorro | Kinvara | Daario Naharis | Groleo | Zanrush | Lady Crane | Syrio Forel | Salladhor Saan | Talisa Maegyr | Varys

Rhoyne
Garin the Great | Nymeria

Slaver's Bay
Kingdom of Meereen
Daenerys Targaryen | Hizdahr zo Loraq | Barristan Selmy | Galazza Galare | Daario Naharis | Belwas | Tumco Lho | Grey Worm | Missandei (TV series) Groleo | Rakharo | Aggo | Jhogo | Unsullied

Unsullied
Grey Worm | Hero | Marselen | Stalwart Shield | White Rat

Dothraki Sea
Aggo | Jhogo | Quaro | Malakho | Rakharo | Kovarro | Irri

Asshai
Melisandre | Quaithe

Summer Sea
Summer Isles
Quhuru Mo | Xhondo Dhoru | Kojja Mo

Sothoryos
Basilisk Isles
Tumco Lho

Naath
Missandei (TV series)

Legendary Figures
Azor Ahai

Dragons
Drogon | Rhaegal | Viserion | Arrax | Meleys | Vermax | Seasmoke | Tyraxes | Vhagar | Vermithor

Direwolves
Ghost | Grey Wind | Lady | Nymeria | Summer | Shaggydog

Video Games
House Forrester
Asher Forrester | Ethan Forrester | Mira Forrester | Rodrik Forrester | Talia Forrester | Gared Tuttle

Advertisement