With the debut of HBO’s latest prequel, fans are scrambling to place Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg, on the chaotic Westerosi timeline. While House of the Dragon took us back to the height of Targaryen power, and Game of Thrones showed us its ultimate collapse, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms sits comfortably in the middle.
Specifically, the series begins in the year 209 AC (After Aegon’s Conquest). This places the show roughly 90 years before the events of Game of Thrones and about 80 years after the bloody civil war seen in House of the Dragon.
A World Without Dragons
The most significant difference in this era of Westeros is the lack of fire-breathing monsters. The last Targaryen dragon died in 153 AC, more than 50 years before Dunk and Egg begin their journey. While the Targaryen dynasty still holds the Iron Throne under King Daeron II, their “god-like” status has faded.
Instead of dragon-warfare, the conflict here is grounded and “gritty.” Showrunner Ira Parker has described the setting as akin to 14th-century Britain—focusing on the “smallfolk” and the traveling “hedge knights” who must survive without the safety of a Great House.
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How It Connects to the Rest of the Franchise
Despite the nearly century-long gaps, there are deep connective tissues to the original series. The squire “Egg” is actually Aegon V Targaryen, who eventually becomes the brother of Maester Aemon (the elderly mentor of Jon Snow at the Night’s Watch).
To see exactly where these stories land in relation to one another, use the timeline below:
The Westeros Franchise Timeline
| Event | Year | Series / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Aegon’s Conquest | 1 AC | The start of the Targaryen Dynasty |
| The Dance of the Dragons | 129–131 AC | House of the Dragon |
| Last Dragon Dies | 153 AC | The “Magic” fades from Westeros |
| The Ashford Tourney | 209 AC | A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms |
| The Summerhall Fire | 259 AC | The birth of Rhaegar; death of Dunk/Egg |
| Robert’s Rebellion | 282 AC | The fall of the Targaryen Dynasty |
| Begin of Main Series | 298 AC | Game of Thrones |
Furthermore, the show is expected to span several decades if it continues beyond its already-greenlit second season. This could lead directly into major historical events like the Blackfyre Rebellions or the tragic Summerhall Fire, which served as the prologue to the Mad King’s rise and the start of Robert’s Rebellion.
Why the Timeline Matters: The “Smallfolk” Perspective
While Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon focused on the “High Lords” in their castles, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is our first real look at the “Smallfolk.” Because it is set in a period of relative peace, we get to see what Westeros looks like when it isn’t being burned to the ground.
We follow Dunk, a man of humble origins who stumbles into the path of history, and Egg, a boy who carries the heaviest secret in the realm. This timeline placement allows George R.R. Martin to explore the “human heart in conflict with itself” without the distraction of world-ending prophecies.
What to Expect: Smaller Scale, Bigger Heart
Unlike the hour-long, epic-scale episodes we’ve come to expect, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms features shorter, 30-to-40-minute episodes. The focus is on chivalry, honor, and the unlikely bond between a lowborn knight and a secret prince. It’s a “tall tale” that promises more heart than political backstabbing—at least for now.
