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A key difference between The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones is highlighted by a famous observation from George R.R. Martin. “What was Aragorn’s tax policy?” Indeed, the King of Gondor ruled for 100 years after the events of Tolkien’s books, but the specifics of his governance remain vague. Such inquiry drives Martin’s personal fantasy world, often plunging his characters into moral ambiguity in a way the LOTR hero never would.

Delving into Knighthood in Different Fantasy Worlds

HBO’s next Game of Thrones spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, will delve into these complexities through the fan-favorite story of Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and Egg (the young star). They encounter a series of perilous adventures in an era when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne but their mighty beasts have died out. At a recent panel, Claffey commented on one major difference between Game of Thrones and LOTR: the core meaning of chivalry.

“This world that George has built, there are a lot more dark and adult themes that are presented. Much betrayal and deceit, and it’s challenging to navigate,” Claffey said. “For a lot of individuals in Westeros, it pays off; it did for Littlefinger for a long time. For somebody to have the true knightly valor in that world is a quality to really look up to, especially in the land of Westeros. I deeply appreciate Dunk’s commitment to maintain the morals that knighthood has probably forgotten in this world on his quest in the tourney. I think it takes a lot more to be a knight than it does in Tolkien’s world.”

After the discussion, the actor attempted to walk back that comment, fearing it might ignite a conflict between the two fandoms and put him right in the crossfire. Naturally, this led to a follow-up conversation to delve into his perspective on how knighthood varies between the universes of Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings.

Divergent Themes in Fantasy Worlds

As per the actor, a significant part of the difference comes down to the clashing tones between these two iconic fantasy worlds.

“There is so much more integrity evident [in Middle-earth] due to the mature content in Game of Thrones and Martin’s creation,” he said. “People rise to power in roles and rank by doing hideous things and stabbing people in the back, both physically and metaphorically. In the glorious trilogy that is LOTR, you witness so much more nobility, and aside from the dark Vala or the Dark Lord, those pure evils, [LOTR] is a lot more like storybook villainy.”

Instead of believing chivalry is harder, Claffey believes that in Westeros it’s more difficult to maneuver while trying to be a honorable warrior.

The Weight of Chivalry in Game of Thrones

“A warrior with some status must have mental confusion,” he said, referring to the morality-clouding anxiety that stems from attempting to survive the scheming of Westeros from the vantage point of a humble knight. Audiences have seen the pressure of knighthood throughout the series, with characters like Ser Criston Cole in HotD and Jamie Lannister in GOT exploring how people bound by vows are compelled to go against their principles, and what it does to them psychologically.

However, although serving as a warrior in the Seven Kingdoms may be harder than in Tolkien’s realm, the actor is quick to admit that his character in The Hedge Knight is no match against the best that The Lord of the Rings has to present.

“Aragorn defeats Dunk any day of the year,” he declared, “I believe Martin would concur.”