8 Dead Game Of Thrones Characters You Forgot Existed (And Why They're Important)

Life And Death:

Barristan the Bold earned his nickname through forty years of service in the Kingsguard, first under the Mad King Aerys and then under his usurper Robert Baratheon. After Robert’s death, his supposed-heir Joffrey publicly dismissed Selmy on the grounds of his age and the old knight fled in disgust, crossing the Narrow Sea to join Daenerys’ Queensguard.

Barristan previously served a lunatic and a drunk, and by his own admission he wanted to know what it felt like to fight for someone he believed in. This was how he died, fighting his Queen’s enemies on the streets of Meereen. After finding Grey Worm wounded and surrounded by several Sons of the Harpy, Barristan cuts them down to save his Unsullied comrade, though is mortally wounded in the process.

Why He Was Important:

Selmy was so important to Daenerys that in reaction to his murder the Mother of Dragons rounded up the heads of Meereen’s noble families and fed a few of them to her babies. The old knight saved Dany's life before they were even introduced, stopping an assassination attempt by the Warlocks of Qarth upon his arrival in Slaver's Bay, Astapor. Not a bad first day at work.

Thereafter he became a voice of reason for the young Queen, advising her against making the mistakes her father had made, though Daenerys isn't the only big player that has been influenced by Barristan the Bold. At the age of 16, Jamie Lannister began squiring for Selmy, and Barristan had a huge influence on the future Kingslayer, who declared his admiration for his swordsmanship during his imprisonment by Robb Stark.