Barristan Selmy

Barristan Selmy is a character in Game of Thrones. He has not been cast yet but is expected to debut in the second episode of the series.

Ser Barristan Selmy is the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, the elite bodyguard of the King on the Iron Throne.

In the books
In the Song of Ice and Fire novels, Barristan Selmy is one of the most skilled and respected knights in the Seven Kingdoms. He started learning the art of combat as a small child and was taking part in tourneys whilst barely a teenager. He was made a member of the Kingsguard whilst very young and proved his valour in the War of the Ninepenny Kings, where he slew Maelys the Monstrous, the last of the Blackfyre Pretenders, in combat. He also rescued King Aerys II Targaryen from the rebellions Darklyns during the Defiance of Duskendale. During Robert's Rebellion Ser Barristan remained true to King Aerys and fought alongside his son Prince Rhaegar Targaryen at the Battle of the Trident. Barristan took grievous wounds, but unexpectedly lived. By the time he had recovered, Rhaegar and King Aerys were dead and Robert enthroned. Ser Barristan was talked into remaining as a member of the Kingsguard to provide continuity to the former regime and on the basis of his high reputation for honour and steadfastness.