Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall
The titular “hedge knight” he is an unusually tall and well built man of poor lineage. He reveals that he was an orphan boy from Flea Bottom, a depressed area in King’s Landing. He served as a squire for Ser Arlan of Pennytree, who taught him how to fight and how to conduct himself in the chivalrous manner of a “true knight.” His adherence to this code of conduct often bordered on the naïve but it was also what endeared people to him and brought him the respect of men of higher station. Dunk, like his master before him, is also a canny tactician and a brave, capable fighter.
Ser Arlan of Pennytree
Ser Duncan’s master, mentor, and overall father figure, he was the first one to see the spark of greatness in the young street urchin known as Dunk, taking him in and making him his squire. Though of slight build he was a brave man and a canny combatant. He succumbs to disease before knighting Dunk.
Aegon “Egg” Targaryen V
Dunk’s pale, bald, quick-witted, and outspoken squire, he initially takes the boy for nothing more than a strange little nuisance, making the incredulous boast of “knowing every knight and heraldic device in the Seven kingdoms”. He decides to take him along out of a strange combination of pity and amusement, but is genuinely surprised when he makes good with his boast. He finds out shortly afterwards that the pale child is none other than Aegon Targaryen V, youngest son of King Maekar and Queen Dyanna. He goes by the name “Egg”, short for “Aegon”, and shaved his head to hide the telltale platinum blonde hair of his Targaryen lineage. Despite his youth and delicate appearance Egg is wise beyond his years, brave, and resourceful proving himself useful to Dunk on more than one occasion.
Steely Pate
A blacksmith that Dunk befriends during the tourney, Pate forges his armor for the tournament.
Ser Raymun Fossoway
Raymun is Ser Steffon Fossoway's squire and cousin who fought on behalf of Ser Duncan during the Trial of the Seven.
Ser Steffon Fossoway
Ser Steffon is a knight that Duncan befriends who promises to fight with him during the Trial of the Seven, but suddenly sides with the accusers in exchange for the reward of a lordship promised by Aerion Targaryen.
Prince Baelor Targaryen
The eldest son of King Daeron Targaryen II and Queen Myriah Martell and brother to Aerys, Rhaegel, Maekar, and Aelinor; impressed by Dunk’s chivalry and bravery and fights on his behalf when he falls short one fighter during the Trial by Seven. He rides off into battle wearing his son’s armor, proving to be a fatal mistake as it is thinner and lighter, affording less protection. He dies from a stray mace blow to the head inflicted by his brother Maekar. His death ensures that Maekar is now the first in the line of succession to the Iron Throne.
Tanselle
An attractive young puppeteer of Dornish descent and Dunk’s love interest in the “Hedge Knight”, she is pivotal to events in the novella as it is Prince Aerion’s assault on her that sets events into motion.
Prince Aerion Targaryen
Prince Baelor’s sociopathic and sadistic sibling, he is exceedingly arrogant and violent earning him the nickname “Aerion the Monstrous”. He disgraces himself by intentionally killing Ser Humfrey Hardyng's horse during the tourney. He takes offense at a puppet-play because it featured a traditional Dornish song that alludes to their refusal to acknowledge Targaryen rule. Rationalizing that it borders on sedition and therefore merits punishment he soon takes his aggression out on the nearest helpless being, which happened to be Tanselle, the lovely puppeteer performing at the fete. Dunk defeats Aerion in unmounted combat and he retracts his accusation.
Prince Daeron Targaryen
Aerion's other brother, also called Daeron the Drunken because of his love of wine and leisure, was very different from his other siblings lacking both their characteristic fiery character and Valyrian features. Unlike his other siblings however he had inherited certain seer-like gifts from the Targaryen bloodline such as the ability to have prophetic dreams. Being weak-willed though his dreams frightened him so rather than try to harness this natural talent he turned to the drink to escape his dreams.
Ser Humfrey Hardyng
One of two knights named Humfrey who participated in the tournament, Ser Humfrey Hardyng fought for Dunk’s accusers.
Ser Humfrey Beesbury
One of two knights named Humfrey who participated in the tournament, Ser Humfrey Beesbury fought at Duncan's side.
Ser Robyn Rhysling
One of the hedge knights who agrees to fight for Dunk during the Trial of the Seven.
Ser Lyonel Baratheon
A gregarious and fearless knight from House Baratheon, he is called the "Laughing Storm" as he comes from the Stormlands and for his unnerving habit of erupting into booming laughter during combat. When Ser Steffon Fossoway suddenly changes his allegiance to fight for Prince Aerion it is Ser Lyonel that grants Raymun Fossoway his knighthood, allowing him to participate on Dunk’s behalf during the Trial of the Seven.
Prince Maekar
Aegon's father, who later offers Dunk a position in his household as a retainer and trainer to Aegon; Dunk refuses the post though asking instead to be allowed to travel taking Aegon as his squire, under his former pseudonym “Egg”.
Ser Eustace Osgrey
The ruling lord of Standfast and, as of The Sword Sword, the current Lord whom Dunk and Egg have sworn their allegiance to. Ser Eustace is a middle-aged knight who rules over a small, poor plot of land. He tasks Dunk help patrol his lands as his peasants are being harassed by the supporters of Lady Rohanne of Coldmoat, a noblewoman who questions his territorial claims. Later it is revealed that Ser Eustace was a traitor to the crown supporting the usurper, Daemon Blackfyre, during the Blackfyre Rebellion. He stripped of most of his lands as punishment for his participation in the failed coup.
Ser Bennis the Brown
Ser Eustace's other sworn sword, Ser Bennis is an arrogant, ill-mannered and ill-tempered brute of a man. Upon discovering that Lady Rohanne’s peasants have dammed up the river that runs between their territories he threatens one of them and when they refuse to back down he reacts angrily by cutting the cheek of one of them, an act that ignites hostilities between the two rival factions.
Lady Rohanne Webber
A noblewoman and head of Coldmoat, she and Ser Eustace are at odds with each other because of the close proximity of their properties with one another. She commands her peasants to dam up a stream to better irrigate the crops growing within her lands. This act however causes a drought in Ser Eustace’s lands, causing the already tense situation between them to flare up. Lady Rohanne has earned the fearsome pseudonym “The Red Widow” because of her clan sigil, the spider, her bright red hair, and because she has already been widowed four times. Despite her fearsome moniker Lady Rohanne is actually a young, beautiful woman of slender build possessing lovely red hair. It is revealed later on that she was once in love with Ser Eustace’s youngest son, who died at Redgrass Field for participating in the Blackfyre Rebellion.
Ser Lucas Inchfield
Lady Rohanne’s retainer and overseer of castle functions is also known as the "Long Inch" for his 6-foot 7-inch height. He is one of the few men who is able to squarely meet Duncan in the eye and is also one of her most persistent suitors. Lady Rohanne however has already refused him on several occasions. Ser Lucas is a conceited, condescending man who enjoys lording over the peasants within Coldmoat.
Lord Beron Stark
A minor character in the novel only alluded to for assembling a contingent of knights to fight with him to repel the Greyjoy raids on the northern coast. Originally Dunk and Egg were supposed to make their way to Lord Beron to swear their allegiance to him and participate in his campaign against the raiders.
Lord Butterwell of Whitewalls
The extremely wealthy middle-aged lord of Whitwalls from the Butterwell clan, his vast wealth comes from his numerous herds of dairy cattle and enormous pasturelands. He is secretly a supporter of the Blackfyre rebellion and the tournament he sponsors for his wedding is actually a means for Blackfyre partisans to gather and plan another grab for the crown. When Aegon/Egg discovers the plot later on Lord Butterwell’s properties are confiscated and his castle torn down as a warning for other would-be plotters.
Ser Gorman Peake
A haughty, disdainful knight whom Dunk believes is the murderer of Ser Arlan’s former squire. He participates in Lord Butterwell’s tournament to meet up with other Blackfyre conspirators to avenge the confiscation of two of the three castles that his family once owned for their participation in the Blackfyre Rebellion.
Ser Maynard Plumm
Ser Maynard Plumm is one of the hedge knights that Dunk and Egg encounter en route to Lord Butterwell’s wedding feast cum tournament. Later when a Blackfyre partisan assassin attacks Dunk leaving him for dead he comes to rescue him. It is revealed later on that Plumm is actually one of the Lord Hand's many secret agents in his spy network.
Ser Kyle the Cat of Misty Moor
A hedge knight participating in the tournament who shows Dunk and Egg some hospitality when they are turned down at a local inn.
Ser Glendon Ball
A young hedge knight who also participates in Lord Butterwell’s tourney, he claims to be the illegitimate son of Ser Quentyn "Fireball" Ball, a famous knight who fought in support of Daemon Blackfyre.
John the Fiddler
A mysterious hedge knight who also takes part in the tourney, John, despite being a hedge knight is well-dressed and travels with a small retinue, marking him as a wealthy man---a rarity for hedge knights. He is strangely warm, bordering on overly familiar, towards Dunk and Egg, which automatically makes them suspicious of him. Later it is revealed that he is actually one of the surviving sons of Daemon Blackfyre, instigator of the Blackfyre Rebellion.
Ser Uthor Underleaf
Ser Uthor Underleaf, also known as the “Snail Knight” because of his personal sigil, is the first unhorse Duncan in the tourney. He is required to give Ser Uthor his armor and horse as penalty for losing. He chivalrously warns Dunk later on that someone bribed him to kill him in the final tilt in the jousting event.
Alyn Cockshaw
A hedge knight/assassin who claims to have bribed Uthor Underleaf to kill Dunk during the match, and having failed to do that he decides to take matters into his own hands, stabbing him then throwing him down a well.
Black Tom Heddle
Lord Butterwell's son-in-law who attempts to kill Aegon/Egg to provoke another war, Duncan kills him during the rescue of Egg.
Lord Brynden Rivers/Bloodraven
Current Hand of the King and Master of Whispers, Lord Brynden Rivers is also called “Bloodraven” because of the wine-colored, crow shaped birthmark upon his cheek. He is a man of ruthless cunning and amazing foresight. In order to protect the kingdom more effectively he has planted several spy networks within key places throughout the Seven Kingdoms providing him detailed reports of the comings and goings of individuals with major houses and minor houses making him the most feared man in Westeros.
