The action of the series “Game of Thrones” takes place in a fantasy world created by writer George R. R. Martin. Despite the cruelty of the multi-part story, it continues to attract more and more attention, because directors, actors and screenwriters are working hard on each detail. The Game of Thrones world is inhabited not only by real people, but also by fantastic creatures such as White Walkers, Dragons and Forest Children. However, ordinary characters, without any abilities, are also interesting to the audience. One of the usual, but important for the story, characters in the series is Sir Barristan Selmi.
The formation of a knight
In the series, this hero was first introduced at the age of 61, but a lot of facts are known about his youth when he only became a knight. Sir Lionel Semley was the father of the guy, from whom he inherited a craving for battles. Selmi earned his nickname “The Brave” back at the age of ten, when he first took part in a tournament in Blackhavel. Due to his young age, the guy decided to keep his name a secret, but after losing to Sir Dunan, also known as the Prince Dragonfly, his identity was exposed. Despite the shameful defeat, many were shocked by the boy’s courage and strength, and therefore called him “Brave”.
When Barristan was sixteen years old, he decided to take part in the tournament, which took place in the Royal Harbor. Also, the young Sir Barristan again decided not to give his name. This time he was able to defeat Prince Duncan and Duncan High, who served as Lord Commander of the Royal Guard. As a reward, King Eyegon V Targaryen decided to reward the guy and make him a knight.
Ser Barristan on the side of the Targaryen
After being knighted, Selmi began to faithfully serve the Targaryen family. On behalf of the king, Sir Barristan took part in several wars and helped stifle many uprisings. It is known that more than once he often won battles, despite serious injuries. One such case occurred during the Twilight Dole Rebellion, when a knight was able to save the king with an arrow in his chest. At twenty-three years old, Selmy was admitted to the Royal Guard, and a few years later he achieved the rank of Lord Commander.
Service to Robert Baratheon
When the uprising began under the leadership of Robert Baratheon, Sir Barristan remained among the few devotees to the king. "Game of Thrones" first showed Selmi as a devoted knight of Baratheon, but initially he was not. Even when the Targaryen victory was impossible, he remained faithful to the oath he had made to the king.
After the Battle of the Trident, Barristan was captured by Robert. When the Baratheon found out about the bravery of the knight, he decided to have mercy on him. As it turned out, during the battle, Semly was able to hit the twelve soldiers of Robert, but could not leave due to injury. Then the Baratheon sent a personal master to Syr Barristan to heal the wounds of the knight. Shortly after the victory, Baratheon returned to Selmy the title of Lord Commander of the Royal Guard.
For many years, Barristan served Robert and participated in all battles as the head of the king’s army. He discouraged Baratheon to take part in the knightly tournament, thereby saving the king from shame. He also accompanied Robert while hunting a wild boar. When the king was seriously wounded and dying, Sir Barristan guarded his chambers.
Exile Selmy
After the death of Robert Baratheon, the Iron Throne took Joffrey Baratheon. Then the new ruler of Westeros decided to send Barristan on vacation. This order violated the oath of Selmi to serve the king to death, so the knight did not want to leave his post, not even agreeing to a reward in the form of gold and his own lands. In addition, the king’s order hinted at Syra’s inability to fulfill his duties.
Then Joffrey ordered the capture of Barristan, but he killed two guards who attacked him, thereby proving his strength. After that, he left the castle and went to Daenerys Targaryen. In Quart, he saved her life, thereby achieving the favor of the Dragon Mother.
Hero's death
Despite the fact that in the novels of George R. R. Martin, Sir Barristan remains alive, the creators of the series decide to kill the hero. According to the series, the knight dies at the hands of the Sons of the Harpy.
The former slave owners of Mierin called themselves the sons of Harpy. After Daenerys freed all the slaves in the city, the gentlemen revolted. During one of the riots, Barristan Selmi dies, who before his death managed to kill many of them.
In the book, he became the ruler of Mierin, after Daenerys went with the army to the Royal Harbor to regain the Iron Throne.
The actor who played the role of a knight
Ser Barristan Selmi took part in events shown from the first to fifth seasons of history. The image that Ian McElhinnie had to transform into is Sir Barristan. The actor in August celebrated his 68th birthday. Despite his age, Ian continues to take part in the creation of film projects.
He previously took part in the film Amber City. Escape ”, where he played the role of one of the builders of the underground city. He also starred in Hamlet, Michael Collins, Retreat Prayer.
Despite the fact that the character of Ian McElhini will no longer appear in the Game of Thrones, fans are unlikely to forget him, because this hero was important for the whole story.