Fair warning, I'm just making my way into the books, but I've watched the show since day one. I have an MA in Medieval History and Archaeology (though admittedly I specialise in Anglo-Saxon and Viking subjects), and I couldn't help but think that Barristan Selmy is based on Sir William. My thoughts below.
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Both started with poor prospects: Both Barristan and William are of noble birth. Barristan was not a firstborn son, neither was William. William's father went so far as to openly admit his son's life was worthless when King Stephen threatened to hurl the child William from an onager.
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Both impressed higher lords at a young age: Barristan won tournaments at age 9, and through his bravery won the favour of higher lords. William's bravery in the face of death impressed King Stephen so much that he allowed him to live as a ward to a Norman lord.
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Both are associated in some way with "mad" kings: Barristan with the clearly mad Aerys II, William with Stephen of Blois, who reportedly went/was mad during his reign.
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Both achieved their station by tournament prowess: Barristan was famous for his prowess in the lists, and in fact built his career on it. William, the Marshal literally made his fortune by winning tourneys and ransoming his opponents' horses and armour.
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Both served the Crown above all other ties: Barristan served both the Targaryen and Baratheon regimes. William got his start because of Stephen, and served the Plantagenet primogenture afterward.
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Both served rebel queens: Barristan and Danaerys, William and Empress Matilda.
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Both served successive generations of royal houses: Barristan served (to my knowledge, it may be more, very limited book knowledge) 4 kings/queens, William served 5 kings and by extension Matilda.
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Both are revered as the/one of the greatest knights who ever lived: Ser Barristan is renowned as quite possibly the greatest knight to ever serve the Seven Kingdoms (note, not swordsman). Sir William was described by Stephen Langton as "the greatest knight who ever lived" and might be the origin of that term.
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Both are unflaggingly loyal: Barristan admits to being disgusted by Aerys and Robert very often, but followed his oath. William was often at odds with his rulers, but served their will nonetheless.
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Both were crucial advisors to their rulers: Barristan served on numerous Small Councils, William literally taught the ways of war to 5 kings.
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Both were feared in old age: Both Barristan and William were regarded, even in old age, as one of the fiercest fighters anyone could face.
So there you have it. Please tell me your thoughts, and please forgive my relative book ignorance.
Submitted February 26, 2017 at 12:53AM by eochaid1297 http://ift.tt/2kYDx9N
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