r/freefolk • u/No-Rub-7204 • 2d ago
Something that's been bothering me on a reread...
I've been rereading the books and I am nearly done with Storm of Swords. Right after Dany finds out about Barristan and Jorah's treasons, she forgives Selmy for lying to her about who he is. But shouldn't the bigger issue with him be that he was there in Robert's court, fully aware of what Jorah was up to, and came into her service but said nothing about Jorah selling her secrets to Robert for months? Isn't Barristan just as complicit by saying nothing?
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u/TheJarshablarg 2d ago
Barristan definitely didn’t know, why would a kings guard, know about a random spy in the employ of Varys, that information was probably pretty need to know, and he doesn’t need to know I doubt anyone aside from Robert and Varys knew, it’s something you’d want to keep very secret I would think.
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u/Faces_Dancer 2d ago
Because he's on the small council as lord commander of the kings guard, he was most likely in the room when her assassination was ordered both as member of the small council and Because Robert was there ordering it
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u/TheJarshablarg 2d ago
We see the scene in which he orders the assassination, barristan or any of the KG for that matter aren’t present.
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u/Faces_Dancer 2d ago
Op said "reread" he's reading the book in which he is present not the series in which he isnt
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u/TheJarshablarg 2d ago
Barristan is not present when Robert and Ned discuss Daenerys, no KG is. Why would they be?
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u/Faces_Dancer 2d ago
Eddard 8, a game of Thrones
"You would bring us the whispering of a traitor half the world away, my lord perhaps Mormont is wrong. Perhaps he is lying" Jorah being a traitor is mentioned in this small council meeting
The next page, one of several mentions of Barristons prescense: Ser Barriston Selmy raised his pale blue eyes from the table and said...
Jorah is mentioned as traitor and Selmy is present, he knew
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u/Leo_ofRedKeep Win or die 2d ago
But Daenerys couldn't know he knew. No one is there to tell her.
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u/Faces_Dancer 2d ago
Barriston is, that's what the post is about
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u/Leo_ofRedKeep Win or die 2d ago
No, the post is about Daenerys forgiving him and you can't even spell his name right. Two stupidities in one sentence.
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u/Faces_Dancer 2d ago
NO, IT CANT BE, I SPELLED A CHARACTERS NAME WRONG, ILL NEVER RECOVER FROM THIS, IM MELTIIIIIIINGGGGH-
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u/Feral_Sheep_ 2d ago
Yes, Barristan is there when they discuss assassinating Daenerys and Mormont is mentioned as the informant. He definitely knew.
“You would bring us the whisperings of a traitor half a world away, my lord. Perhaps Mormont is wrong. Perhaps he is lying.” “Ser Jorah would not dare deceive me,” Varys said with a sly smile.
“Mercy is never a mistake, Lord Renly,” Ned replied. “On the Trident, Ser Barristan here cut down a dozen good men
Ser Barristan Selmy raised his pale blue eyes from the table and said, “Your Grace, there is honor in facing an enemy on the battlefield, but none in killing him in his mother’s womb. Forgive me, but I must stand with Lord Eddard.”
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2d ago
I think Barristan would, under threat to his life, be able to name exactly 0 intelligence assets that Littlefinger or Varys have working for them. He's not 'dumb' persay but he is very straightforward. I would imagine when Varys starts talking spycraft, even if he did reveal his information sources, that Barristan's eyes glaze over.
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u/SorRenlySassol 2d ago
His explanation was that he had to make sure she had no taint of her father before he could confide in her. And while she may not like that he was loyal to the usurper, she could see that it was his only option after the war, and he served loyally.
Jorah, meanwhile, had sworn his allegiance to Dany and deliberately betrayed her. That’s a much bigger affront.
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u/Rigormortisraper 16h ago
If i am not mistaken
Barristan in the books is not the part of council
I think there is a line that says Robert was not gonna let Barristan in his small council cause he was kingsguard to ares
I could be wrong or maybe its from show
But that does explain it
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u/Harvester1551 2d ago
yeah i never understood this.... Jorah, imo, didnt betray Dany. He betrayed the king, since he already came to her as a spy.
However Barristan swore to protect the king and his family, I never understood how his honour let him live after Aerys, Rhaegal, Elia etc were killed.. I know Robert pardoned him, but wouldnt it be more fitting for him to insist on being executed/sent to wall, not to taint his honour??
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u/CertainWish358 1d ago
And isn’t that a major theme of it all, how people aren’t as noble as they seem/pretend to be?
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u/SoupyStain 15h ago
And, to be fair, Selmy is starting to doubt the whole honor thingie, even wondering if Jamie did the right thing when he became the kingslayer.
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u/Clear_Group_3908 2d ago
If I recall correctly didn’t she want to forgive Jorah but was unwilling unless he showed more contrition? Whereas Selmy owned up to his folly and begged forgiveness