Update (July 2026): (Since the conclusion of the television series, I have gone back and reworked all of the “Top Warriors of Westeros” posts. What began as a Top 10 has now expanded to a full Top 20 in light of the additional material and perspective we gained.
With George R.R. Martin’s remaining books still unwritten, these rankings remain a mix of book canon and informed speculation. The core arguments and personal opinions are unchanged, I’ve simply improved formatting, clarity, spelling, and flow so the series reads better and holds up as a proper archive piece.)
The overall Top 20 Greatest Warriors of the Westeros can be found here.
The venerable Lord Commander of the Kingsguard,, Ser Barristan Selmy, makes my list as 3B of the Greatest Warriors of Westeros. 3B because Jaime Lannister is at #3A. The two are near equivalent and near impossible to differentiate. So much so that one could easily say it is Ser Barristan who is 3A, and they would not be wrong.
#3B-Ser Barristan Selmy, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard
Advanced in age for a warrior, but showing no signs of slowing down, Ser Barristan certainly lives up to his moniker of “The Bold.” A lifetime of combat, and a true and honorable man and knight. Ser Barristan is revered — nay, beloved — by the highborn and smallfolk of the Seven Kingdoms alike. He is the type of knight that fits the romance, the ones that Sansa dreams about.
At the time of the War of the Five Kings he is the Lord Commander for King Robert Baratheon and had served under the Mad King Aerys, presumably as a knight rather than Lord Commander. I say this because at the time of the Tower of Joy, the Lord Commander was Gerold Hightower. Gerold was actually at the Tower and was slain, so it’s unclear exactly when Barristan became Lord Commander. He was pardoned by Robert after the Trident, so it’s possible that there was a gap between Gerold and Barristan.
After the pardon he serves Robert as Lord Commander until dismissed by Cersei after Robert’s death. This has a profound effect on him, denouncing the Baratheon heir (actually Lannister heir when you look at it) and setting out on the road of seeking Daenerys. The best part of his dismissal is his frank appraisal of Joffrey and the fact that he takes crap from no one over it. When the pathetic Gold Cloaks of the City Watch of King’s Landing (aka “Red Shirts”) arrive to arrest him, he dispatches them and disappears until turning up in A Feast for Crows.
Ser Barristan had been a member of the Kingsguard for ages it seemed, as he joined when he was 23. He earned his nickname by taking part in a joust at the age of 10 when he was still a squire after acquiring some armor.
He defeated Prince Rhaegar at the Tourney at Storm’s End and even The Hound in another joust, so his skill is not to be doubted. And on top of all of this he was knighted at 16. He is most likely a prodigy as a knight by any sense of the definition but tempered with decades of experience as time wears on.
Much like some of the other characters in the book, we get a sense of his prowess only through the past. But like other mighty warriors he is seen as an outstanding example of knighthood and a great warrior. Slaying Maelys the Monstrous in the War of the Ninepenny Kings (aka the Fifth Blackfyre Rebellion) probably doesn’t hurt your knight credentials either. Barristan is not one of those “deep history” characters but from a generation prior — a generation prior to Robert/Ned’s generation. But it’s important to note that everyone who talks about his prowess is united in their praise.
The interesting part is that he is not caught in the “crossfire” of having served The Mad King, which was responsible for Robert’s Rebellion through his actions. Presumably the Kingsguard do just that: guard the king, not judge him. This is alluded to by Jaime when he talks about slaying Aerys. Perhaps Ser Barristan’s fame is beyond reproach.
So much so when he seeks out Danerys it seems right. Of course after a lifetime of serving perhaps that is all he knows to do?
We do not, however, get a sense as to what kind of leader of men he is on the field of battle. Lord Commander of the Kingsguard yes. The fact, however, that he survived the Trident when many didn’t is important to note. Again, he has fought on the field of battle, just not leading it. Being a member of the Kingsguard presumably precludes a lot of this as his primary role is the protection of the king. That is not to say he couldn't, but its not featured for him in the books until its mentioned/previewed in The Winds of Winter, if it ever comes out.
As an aside, one gets the sense that Barristan is set in the mold of William Marshal. He is a renowned tourney fighter like Marshal and a warrior par excellence. Given Martin’s penchant for “borrowing/being inspired by” history, I think this is likely the case. Having fought in the War of the Ninepenny Kings, one wonders how familiar he is with Brynden Tully (at #15 on this countdown) he is?
Ser Barristan’s ranking sits comfortably here: beloved by the high and low in the Seven Kingdoms and with the prowess to back it up, even at the age of 57. He is one of the finest blades of the realm and fitting that he appears at #3B.
Lastly? Barristan's exploits are too numerous to mention. Above is just a glimpse of this legendary warrior.
No comments:
Post a Comment