Tales of Dunk and Egg is a series of novellas written by George R. R. Martin, set in the same fantasy universe as his A Song of Ice and Fire novels. The first novella, 'The Hedge Knight,' was published in 1998 in the anthology Legends, edited by Robert Silverberg. Subsequent entries 'The Sworn Sword' (2003) and 'The Mystery Knight' (2010) appeared in later anthologies, Warriors and Warriors 2. In 2015, the three stories were collected into a single volume, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, illustrated by Gary Gianni.
The series follows the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall, a young, lowborn hedge knight known as Dunk, and his squire, Aegon Targaryen, disguised as 'Egg.' Set roughly 90 years before the events of A Game of Thrones, during the reign of King Aerys I Targaryen, the tales explore themes of chivalry, class disparity, political intrigue, and the fading ideals of knighthood in Westeros. Through tournaments, trials by combat, and encounters with Targaryen princes and lords, Martin delves into the gritty realism of medieval-inspired fantasy, blending humor, action, and moral ambiguity.
The novellas have been critically acclaimed for their character-driven storytelling and have significantly expanded Martin's world-building, gaining a devoted following among fans of the A Song of Ice and Fire series. They highlight the human elements behind the grand history of the Seven Kingdoms, influencing the broader legacy of Martin's epic fantasy genre.
