Why A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms ep 3 only hints at Egg’s huge significance to the Thrones-verse

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Note: Spoilers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 3 follow after the break below

Okay, so Sky’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is the newest batch of stories from George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones world. But it’s pretty different from what we’ve seen in Thrones and House of the Dragon – it’s set in a totally different time and place!

Taking place roughly 110 years after the events of House of the Dragon and 90 years before Game of Thrones, the story centers on the down-to-earth adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his young, shaven-headed squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). There are no dragons or magic in this tale.

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In episode three we learn exactly who this eerily self-possessed boy is.

But there’s so much more to the story than that…

Who is Egg really in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?

Spoilers for episode three follow.

For those familiar with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, “Egg” is actually a nickname for Aegon. George R.R. Martin’s world features numerous characters named Aegon, but this one is the fourth son of Prince Maekar and the grandson of King Daeron II Targaryen.

During the tourney at Ashford, Aegon held a relatively unimportant royal position. To help understand his status, if King Daeron II was like Queen Elizabeth II, Aegon would be comparable to Prince Edward’s son, the Earl of Wessex.

Despite a humble start, a series of events beginning at the Ashford Tourney eventually lead Aegon to become King Aegon V.

Okay, so people are saying this kid, Egg, is destined to be king. Honestly, what does that even matter right now? I mean, it just means if he wants to keep hanging out with Dunk as his squire, he’s going to have to jump through a whole bunch of royal hoops, that’s all.

Knowing how Aegon’s story eventually unfolds changes how you read certain earlier details. One example is a quick line from episode three about Maekar’s third son – Aegon’s older brother – where Raymun Fossoway jokes that he’s so unproductive he’ll be sent to the Citadel to train as a Maester.

That third son was actually Aemon Targaryen, who later became Maester Aemon. He was older than Aegon and could have been king, but he chose to become a Maester and join the Night’s Watch instead. He eventually lost his sight and spent his final years teaching Jon Snow and Sam Tarly at the Wall. Yes, that Aemon Targaryen.

A particularly striking moment occurs when Egg becomes completely fascinated by Tanselle’s puppet dragon that breathes fire. It’s easy to understand why – especially considering dragons once soared through the skies but haven’t been seen in generations.

Aegon V is best known in the world of Game of Thrones for what happened at Summerhall in 259 AC, roughly 40 years before the events of the show. Although he was a thoughtful and kind king who aimed to improve life for ordinary people, he believed the only way to ensure these changes lasted was to revive dragons.

He believed his strength to control the kingdom’s rebellious nobles and lords came from the fear inspired by his dragons. Without them, he wouldn’t be able to maintain control.

According to reports, he dispatched missionaries to the most remote parts of the world in search of dragon knowledge. He also experimented with Wildfire, a powerful alchemical explosive used by pyromancers – most notably by Cersei to demolish the Great Sept of Baelor.

When Aegon the First’s great-grandchild was born, he invited loved ones to a celebration at Summerhall palace. Tragically, a fire erupted during the gathering, claiming the lives of most present, including the king himself.

Martin has only revealed scraps of history in his supporting texts, like this fragment of a letter from the castle’s maester: “The blood of the dragon gathered in one… Seven eggs to honour the seven gods, though the king’s own septon had warned… pyromancers… wildfire… flames grew out of control… towering… burned so hot that… died, but for the valor of Lord Comman.”

The story delves into dark territory. It suggests that Aegon, who was fascinated by dragons, tried to hatch the dragon egg he received as a baby, but a fire broke out and things went terribly wrong. This connects to his brother Aerion, whom we already know – he became so fixated on the link between the Targaryen family and dragons that he deliberately drank wildfire, resulting in a gruesome death – and frankly, no one mourned him.

Aegon’s grandson, Aerys II, known as the Mad King, continued the family’s fascination with dragons, even believing he was one. This obsession ultimately sparked the rebellion led by Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark, bringing an end to the Targaryen dynasty. Without this obsession, the events of Game of Thrones would never have happened.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms airs weekly on Sky Atlantic at 9pm on Mondays.

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2026-02-03 00:21