Who is Ser Arlan of Pennytree? Dunk's Mentor in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Explained
Viewers who tuned in for episode two of HBO's fantasy drama series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms were greeted with an unexpected opening scene featuring Ser Arlan of Pennytree, portrayed by actor Danny Webb, emerging from a stone shelter in a state of complete nudity. This bold introduction has sparked considerable interest in the character's history and the actor behind the role.
The Backstory of Ser Arlan of Pennytree
Ser Arlan was a hedge knight hailing from the village of Pennytree, whose journey to knighthood began when his grandfather brought him to King's Landing to witness the final dragon. Throughout his career, he achieved notable tournament victories, including triumphing over Ser Damon Lannister at a competition in Lannisport. He further demonstrated his prowess by unseating the lord of House Stokeworth and the Bastard of Harrenhal during a melee.
His martial skills were tested against royalty when he fell to Prince Baelor Targaryen at a tournament in Storm's End, though Ser Arlan maintained he had shattered seven lances against the crown prince while Baelor insisted it was only four. Beyond tournaments, he fought alongside his nephew during the Blackfyre Rebellion at the Battle of the Redgrass Field, showcasing his experience in actual warfare.
Ser Arlan's Relationship with Dunk
The paths of Ser Arlan and Dunk crossed when the knight discovered the young man living rough in the slums of Flea Bottom. Taking pity on him, Ser Arlan took Dunk under his wing as a squire, beginning a mentor-protégé relationship that would shape both their lives. The pair went on to serve House Dondarrion during a battle against the Vulture King, further cementing their bond through shared combat experience.
Tragically, Ser Arlan succumbed to illness while journeying to the Ashford tourney, an event that directly kicks off the narrative of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. His death leaves Dunk to reflect on their time together and question his mentor's legacy, as depicted in episode two where Dunk experiences PTSD while watching a jousting competition.
Behind the Scenes and Character Portrayal
Showrunner Ira Parker discussed the character's memorable introduction with a cheeky reference to Ser Arlan's physical attributes, stating: 'Everybody has their one special thing', to quote a good movie. He's got this strange serenity to him that makes me feel like we haven't gone too big with the size of his knighthood. Parker elaborated that the episode deliberately challenges the character's legacy, explaining: The reason Ser Arlan has what he has is... because we spend the whole episode taking a s*** on him.
Peter Claffey, who plays Dunk, revealed in the Inside the Episode feature that his character questions his entire way of life and whether Ser Arlan was truly the person he should look up to. This internal conflict forms a central theme throughout the series as Dunk grapples with his mentor's legacy while seeking confirmation of Ser Arlan's achievements to achieve knighthood himself.
Actor Danny Webb's Career
Veteran actor Danny Webb brings Ser Arlan to life with decades of experience across film and television. His notable roles include appearances in Alien 3, Robin Hood, Hummingbird, and Valkyrie. More recently, he has featured in BBC's The Gold alongside his A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms co-star Sam Spruell, as well as The Regime with Kate Winslet, Pennyworth, and the Death in Paradise spin-off Beyond Paradise.
According to IMDb, Webb's upcoming project is Improper Bastards, currently in pre-production. His portrayal of Ser Arlan adds another memorable character to his extensive filmography.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms continues to air on HBO on Sundays in the USA and on Mondays on NOW in the UK, exploring the rich history of Westeros decades before the events of Game of Thrones.
