In a Collider Q&A, Peter Claffey (Ser Duncan the Tall) gave a deeply emotional explanation for one of the most important decisions in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Why Dunk chooses to take young Aegon “Egg” Targaryen as his squire. It is because Dunk feels profound guilt for his role in the death of Prince Baelor Targaryen, who was Egg’s uncle. By making Egg different than the other nobles, he is trying to make up for taking Baelor from the world.
Quick read:
- Peter Claffey says Dunk feels responsible for Baelor’s death
- He wants to make it up for it by taking Egg to squire
- He aims to make Egg into a nobleman like his uncle
Credits: Steffan Hill / HBO
The burden of Baelor’s death
Peter Claffey’s touching words were,
“Seeing as the way things unfolded towards the end, you know Dunk definitely felt that he has a duty to Westeros. To try and provide them with some king or some good Targaryen to replace the person he feels at fault for taking.”
Claffey’s answer directly ties into the tragic events at the Tourney at Ashford Meadow. Baelor Targaryen was the beloved heir to the Iron Throne, known as one of the finest Targaryens of his generation. Baelor’s untimely death leaves a massive void in the royal line, and Dunk carries the weight of believing he helped take that future king from Westeros.
Atonement through Egg
After hesitating at first, rather than walking away, Dunk chooses to dedicate himself to guiding and protecting young Egg, who later goes on to become a king. By training and shaping Egg into a worthy ruler, Dunk sees it as his personal redemption, which is giving the realm a “good Targaryen” to help make up for the one he feels responsible for losing.
This interpretation adds a beautiful layer of tragedy and honour to Dunk’s character. Peter’s words capture why the bond between Dunk and Egg feels so profound. It was born not just from friendship, but from duty, guilt, and a knight’s quiet vow to serve Westeros the best way he knows how.
