House Selmy

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House Selmy of Harvest Hall
House Selmy.svg
Coat of arms Three stalks of yellow wheat, on a brown field
(Brunâtre, three stalks of wheat or)
Seat Harvest Hall
Head Lord Arstan Selmy[1]
Region Stormlands
Titles
Overlord House Baratheon

­House Selmy of Harvest Hall is one of the principal noble houses from the Stormlands.[3] Its seat is Harvest Hall in the Dornish Marches. They blazon their arms with three stalks of yellow wheat on brown.[2][4]

According to semi-canon sources, House Selmy are only landed knights.[5][6] In the appendix of A Dance with Dragons, however, the head of the house, Arstan Selmy, is listed as a full lord, making the Selmys marcher lords.[1]

History

Ser Barristan Selmy, also known as "Barristan the Bold", is one of the greatest knights of the Kingsguard. Barristan is the eldest son of Ser Lyonel Selmy.[2] He was in line to inherit the seat of House Selmy, but Barristan gave up his claim after he became a member of the Kingsguard. His cousin, who married the girl destined for Barristan, may also have taken over Barristan's claim to Harvest Hall.[7]

At a tourney at Blackhaven, a ten-year old Barristan Selmy entered the lists as a mystery knight. He was eventually unhorsed and unmasked by Prince Duncan Targaryen, earning Barristan the nickname 'Bold'.[2]

Barristan squired for Ser Manfred Swann and was knighted at sixteen years old by King Aegon V Targaryen. Barristan was named to the Kingsguard when he was twenty-three years old and had the white cloak placed on his shoulders by Ser Gerold Hightower, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Barristan won a tourney held at Storm's End, beating Prince Rhaegar Targaryen in the final tilt. Barristan slew Maelys the Monstrous during the War of the Ninepenny Kings.[2]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Ser Barristan Selmy, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, rides to meet King Robert I Baratheon on his return trip from the North, along with Lord Renly Baratheon and Ser Ilyn Payne.[8] Barristan is stripped of his white cloak by Robert's successor, Joffrey Baratheon, and is replaced as Lord Commander by Ser Jaime Lannister.[7] Barristan slays two gold cloaks on his way out of King's Landing.[9]

A Clash of Kings

House Selmy supports Renly during the War of the Five Kings.[10]

Posing as "Arstan Whitebeard", a squire of Strong Belwas, Ser Barristan joins the retinue of Daenerys Targaryen, judging her worth.[11]

A Storm of Swords

Arstan's identity as Barristan is revealed and he becomes one of Daenerys's most trusted advisers.[12]

A Dance with Dragons

The current head of House Selmy is Arstan Selmy, Lord of Harvest Hall.[1]

House Selmy at the end of the third century

The known Selmys during the timespan described in A Song of Ice and Fire are:

Lyonel
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Barristan
 
Son
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Son
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Arstan
 


Historical Members

  • Lord Selmy ruling in 49 AC, a guest at the Golden Wedding.[13]
  • Unnamed Selmy, grandfather of Ser Barristan Selmy. He did not trust Dornishmen.[14]
  • Unnamed cousin of Barristan, married to the girl Barristan was supposed to marry before joining the Kingsguard.[7]
  • Unnamed Selmys, cousins of Barristan Selmy, with whom he played a kissing game, during his boyhood at Harvest Hall.[14]

References