Ser Harrold Westerling is the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard in House of the Dragon season 1. Everyone around him holds him in high esteem, and he exudes chivalry and honor. In episode 9, as the Green Council decided to seize the throne, the Lord Commander had disapproval written all over his face. In the book Fire & Blood, Ser Harrold dies before King Viserys, and little is known about him. But the show has given this character new life. And it reminds us of the honorable Ser Barristan Selmy from its predecessor, Game of Thrones.
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Parallels Between Ser Harrold and Ser Barristan
Otto Hightower orders Ser Harrold to take his knights and murder Rhaenyra and her family. Harrold answers this by detaching his white cloak from his armor, signifying his departure. In season 1 of Game of Thrones, after King Robert’s death, Cersei dismisses Ser Barristan from the Kingsguard. This is a disgrace and an insult to the knight because Kingsguard is a sworn brotherhood in which a knight is only relieved of his duties upon his death. Upon hearing that Jaime is installed as the new Lord Commander, Barristan is infuriated.
He throws down his cloak, gloves and sword after he tells the other Kingsguard, “Even now, I could cut through the five of you like carving a cake.” With this, he leaves the Red Keep and King’s Landing. Eventually, Selmy finds his way to Daenerys Targaryen in Astapor. He dies defending her against the Sons of Harpy.
With no predestined path, Ser Harrold might make his way to the Blacks and serve Rhaenyra Targaryen. He will honor the oath to protect her when she was declared heir as he was nowhere to be seen at Aegon’s coronation. A substantial gain for the Blacks, we assume he will parallel Ser Barristan’s character arc.
Ser Criston goes against his Commander as Jaime Lannister did to Barristan Selmy. Jaime had squired for the knight since he was 16, and he unjustly took over the person who taught him everything he knew about being a knight. And now, Criston Cole will most probably take over Harrold Westerling as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Fans noticed these parallels too.
We stan lord commanders who won’t bow to snakes #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HOTD pic.twitter.com/2SCvptOain
— Clare (HOTD’s Version) (@rhaenyshive) October 17, 2022
So… he’s the original Barristan Selmy 👀#HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/HShoXpIFTD
— Saya. – HotD SPOILERS (@SayaSnow95) October 17, 2022
Ser Barriston Selmy vibes. pic.twitter.com/ngqNxM7AjO
— Jared Truettner (@JarednSpace) October 17, 2022
Although, some fans have been quick to point out that Selmy was less honorable than Ser Harold. Did you notice these parallels? Join more such discussions on our discord server!
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