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A central distinction separating LOTR and GOT can be illustrated by a famous observation from George R.R. Martin. “How did Aragorn handle taxes?” Indeed, the King of Gondor ruled for 100 years after the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, but the details of his rule remain unexplored. Such inquiry drives Martin’s own fantasy world, often dragging his protagonists into moral ambiguity in a way the LOTR hero avoided.

Exploring Knighthood in Two Fantasy Worlds

HBO’s next GOT spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, will delve into these complexities through the fan-favorite story of Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and Aegon Targaryen (the young star). They encounter a series of perilous adventures in an age when the Targaryen dynasty still holds the Iron Throne but their mighty beasts have died out. At a recent panel, Claffey commented on one major difference between GOT and LOTR: the very definition of knighthood.

“This world that Martin has created, it contains a lot more dark and mature subjects that are presented. Much betrayal and backstabbing, and it's hard to navigate,” Claffey stated. “And for a lot of people in this world, it works; this was true for Littlefinger for a considerable period. For somebody to have the true knightly valor in that realm is something to genuinely admire, especially in the land of the Seven Kingdoms. I deeply appreciate Dunk’s commitment to uphold the ethics that knighthood has largely abandoned in this world through his journey in the tourney. In my view it takes a lot more to be a knight than it does in Tolkien’s world.”

After the panel, the actor tried to walk back that comment, fearing it might spark a war between the two fandoms and put him right in the crossfire. Naturally, this led to a deeper interview to further explore his perspective on how chivalry varies between the universes of Game of Thrones and LOTR.

Clashing Tones in Fantasy Worlds

According to the actor, a significant part of the distinction stems from the contrasting tones between these two legendary fantasy worlds.

“You find so much more honor evident [in Tolkien’s world] due to the adult themes in GOT and George’s world,” he said. “Characters rise to power in positions and status by doing terrible acts and betraying others, literally and figuratively. In the epic series that is The Lord of the Rings, you witness so much more nobility, and aside from the dark Vala or Sauron, those absolute villains, [LOTR] is a lot more like storybook villainy.”

Rather than thinking knighthood is harder, the actor believes that in Westeros it’s tougher to maneuver while trying to be a honorable knight.

The Weight of Chivalry in Game of Thrones

“A knight with some status must have some head fog,” he remarked, referring to the ethically blurring stress that comes from attempting to survive the politics of the realm from the vantage point of a humble knight. Viewers have witnessed the stress of knighthood across the franchise, with figures like Ser Criston Cole in HotD and Jaime Lannister in GOT demonstrating how individuals bound by vows are compelled to go against their morals, and the impact to them internally.

That said, while serving as a warrior in Westeros may be more difficult than in Tolkien’s realm, Claffey is quick to concede that his role in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms wouldn’t stand a chance against the greatest that The Lord of the Rings has to present.

“The Ranger beats Dunk any day of the week,” Claffey declared, “I’d say George probably agrees.”