The conflict at the Ashford Tourney is about to explode. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has released a teaser for its upcoming fifth episode, titled “In the Name of the Mother.” The brief look confirms that the huge Trial of Seven set up in the previous episode will finally begin . This rare event is a massive, 14-knight battle that will decide the fate of Ser Duncan the Tall.
Fans eager for the next chapter should note the adjusted release schedule. Episode 5 will debut on Sunday, February 15 at 10 p.m. ET. It will be available simultaneously on the HBO cable channel and for streaming on HBO Max . This marks a return to the regular weekly Sunday pattern after Episode 4 had a special early streaming release to avoid competition with the Super Bowl .
The Stakes of the Trial of Seven Explained
The Trial of Seven is not a simple duel. It is an ancient and dangerous form of justice from the world of Game of Thrones . While a normal trial by combat involves one champion fighting for the accused against one for the accuser, this version is far bigger. It requires seven knights to fight on each side.
The tradition comes from the Andal people and their Faith of the Seven. The belief was that having seven champions on each side would better honor the seven gods and lead to a more just outcome . The battle only ends when every knight on one side is dead or yields . For the accused, Ser Duncan the Tall, the stakes are impossibly high. If he cannot find six other knights to fight beside him, he is automatically declared guilty . If his side loses the battle, the gods are considered to have judged him guilty as well .
In the story, Prince Aerion Targaryen demanded this extreme trial after Dunk attacked him for harming a puppeteer . Aerion’s brother, Prince Daeron, also falsely accused Dunk of kidnapping their younger brother, Egg, making the charges even more serious .
Meet the Champions Fighting For and Against Dunk
Assembling a team of seven knights was a huge challenge for Dunk, a lowly hedge knight with few allies. His young squire, Egg, and the friendly Raymun Fossoway worked hard to recruit fighters from the tourney grounds . On the other side, Prince Aerion had a much easier task, with the power and resources of the Targaryen family at his disposal .
Dunk’s team includes a surprising mix of knights who agreed to stand for his honor:
- Ser Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings): A powerful knight eager for the fight.
- Ser Humfrey Hardyng (Ross Anderson) and Ser Humfrey Beesbury (Danny Collins): Hardyng seeks revenge after Aerion injured him in a joust.
- Ser Robyn Rhysling (William Houston): A one-eyed knight loyal to his faith.
- Raymun Fossoway (Shaun Thomas): He was knighted on the spot so he could join the fight after his cousin betrayed Dunk.
- Prince Baelor Targaryen (Bertie Carvel): In a stunning last-minute arrival, the Hand of the King himself chose to fight for Dunk, shocking his own family .
Prince Baelor Targaryen stated, “This man protected the weak, as every true knight must. Let the gods determine if he was right or wrong.”
Prince Aerion’s team is filled with royal power and elite guards:
- Prince Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett) and his father, Prince Maekar Targaryen (Sam Spruell).
- Prince Daeron Targaryen (Henry Ashton), though he hinted to Dunk he may not fight hard.
- Three members of the Kingsguard: Ser Donnel of Duskendale, Ser Roland Crakehall, and Ser Willem Wylde.
- Ser Steffon Fossoway (Edward Ashley): Raymun’s cousin, who betrayed Dunk to join Aerion’s side for a promised lordship .
What to Expect From Episode 5 “In the Name of the Mother”
The new teaser promises that the episode will focus heavily on the long-awaited battle . Beyond the clash of swords, the teaser also suggests the story will explore Dunk’s past. Viewers can expect flashbacks to Dunk’s childhood, adding more depth to his character just as he faces the biggest fight of his life .
This will be the first time a Trial of Seven has been depicted in a Game of Thrones television show. The event is described in George R.R. Martin’s novella The Hedge Knight, which serves as the source material for this season. The last known trial of this type in the history of Westeros happened nearly a century before the events at Ashford Meadow .
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