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A key difference separating LOTR and Game of Thrones can be highlighted by a famous observation from the GOT author. “How did Aragorn handle taxes?” Certainly, the King of Gondor ruled for 100 years after the conclusion of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels, but the details of his rule remain unexplored. This type of inquiry fuels Martin’s personal fantasy world, often plunging his characters into moral ambiguity in a way Aragorn never would.

Delving into Knighthood in Two Fantasy Worlds

The upcoming Game of Thrones spinoff, The Hedge Knight, aims to dive into this moral mud through the beloved tale of Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and Aegon Targaryen (Dexter Sol Ansell). They face multiple perilous adventures in an era when the Targaryen dynasty still holds the Iron Throne but their fearsome dragons have gone extinct. During a comic con discussion, the actor commented on one major difference between Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings: the core meaning of knighthood.

“This world that Martin has built, it contains a lot more dark and adult themes that are explored. A lot of treachery and backstabbing, and it's hard to find your way,” Claffey stated. “And for a lot of people in this world, it works; this was true for Littlefinger for a long time. For a person to have the true knightly valor in that world is something to really look up to, particularly in the world of the Seven Kingdoms. I deeply appreciate Dunk’s need to uphold the ethics that chivalry has largely abandoned in this world through his journey in the tourney. In my view it takes a lot more to be a warrior than it does in Middle-earth.”

After the discussion, Claffey attempted to soften that statement, fearing it might ignite a war between the two fandoms and put him squarely in the middle. Of course, it prompted a follow-up conversation to further explore his perspective on how chivalry differs between the worlds of GOT and The Lord of the Rings.

Clashing Tones in Fantasy Worlds

As per the actor, a major part of the distinction stems from the clashing styles between these two legendary fantasy worlds.

“There is so much more integrity present [in Middle-earth] because of the adult themes in GOT and George’s world,” Claffey said. “Characters get so far in positions and status by doing terrible acts and stabbing people in the back, both physically and metaphorically. With the epic series that is The Lord of the Rings, you witness so much more honor, and aside from Morgoth or the Dark Lord, those pure evils, [LOTR] is a lot more like fairy tale evil.”

Instead of thinking chivalry is harder, the actor believes that in the Seven Kingdoms it’s more difficult to navigate while trying to be a honorable knight.

The Weight of Chivalry in Westeros

“A warrior with a certain rank must have mental confusion,” he said, referring to the ethically blurring stress that comes from trying to navigate the politics of the realm from the vantage point of a humble fighter. Viewers have seen the pressure of chivalry across the franchise, with characters like Criston Cole in House of the Dragon and Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones demonstrating how individuals under oath are compelled to go against their principles, and what it does to them psychologically.

However, although serving as a warrior in the Seven Kingdoms may be harder than in Middle-earth, the actor is quick to concede that his character in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms wouldn’t stand a chance against the greatest that The Lord of the Rings has to present.

“Aragorn defeats Dunk’s ass any day of the week,” Claffey declared, “I believe George probably agrees.”