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One central distinction separating The Lord of the Rings and GOT is illustrated by a famous observation from George R.R. Martin. “What was Aragorn’s tax policy?” Certainly, Aragorn ruled for a century after the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, but the details of his governance remain unexplored. Such inquiry fuels Martin’s personal fictional universe, often dragging his protagonists into ethical gray areas in a way the LOTR hero avoided.

Exploring Chivalry in Different Realms

The upcoming Game of Thrones spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, aims to dive into this moral mud through the fan-favorite tale of Ser Duncan the Tall (the actor) and Egg (the young star). They face a series of perilous adventures in an era when the Targaryen line still holds the throne but their fearsome dragons have gone extinct. During a comic con discussion, Claffey commented on one significant difference between Game of Thrones and LOTR: the very definition of knighthood.

“This world that Martin has created, there are a lot more sinister and mature subjects that are presented. A lot of betrayal and backstabbing, and it's hard to navigate,” Claffey stated. “For a lot of individuals in Westeros, it works; this was true for Littlefinger for a long time. For somebody to have the true knightly valor in that realm is something to really look up to, especially in the land of the Seven Kingdoms. I deeply appreciate Dunk’s commitment to maintain the morals that knighthood has probably forgotten in Westeros on his quest in Ashford. In my view it requires a lot more to be a knight than it does in Middle-earth.”

Following the discussion, Claffey tried to soften that statement, concerned it might ignite a war between the two fandoms and place him right in the crossfire. Naturally, it prompted a deeper interview to delve into his thoughts on how knighthood differs between the worlds of Game of Thrones and LOTR.

Clashing Tones in Fantasy Worlds

According to the actor, a significant part of the difference stems from the clashing tones between these two legendary fictional settings.

“You find so much more honor present [in Middle-earth] because of the mature content in Game of Thrones and Martin’s creation,” he explained. “Characters rise to power in positions and rank by doing terrible acts and betraying others, both physically and metaphorically. With the glorious trilogy that is LOTR, you see so much more nobility, and other than Morgoth or Sauron, those absolute villains, [LOTR] is a lot more like fairy tale evil.”

Instead of believing chivalry is more difficult, Claffey believes that in Westeros it’s more difficult to maneuver while attempting to remain a decent knight.

The Weight of Knighthood in Game of Thrones

“A warrior with a certain rank must have some head fog,” he remarked, referring to the morality-clouding stress that stems from trying to navigate the politics of the realm from the perspective of a low-born knight. Audiences have seen the pressure of chivalry throughout the franchise, with characters like Criston Cole in HotD and Jamie Lannister in Game of Thrones exploring how individuals under oath are compelled to betray their morals, and what it does to them psychologically.

However, while being a knight in the Seven Kingdoms may be harder than in Middle-earth, Claffey is quick to concede that his character in The Hedge Knight is no match against the greatest that The Lord of the Rings has to offer.

“Aragorn beats Dunk’s ass any day of the year,” he declared, “I believe Martin would concur.”