Warning! Spoilers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 4 ahead!A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has introduced Steffon and Raymun Fossoway, and their decisions in episode 4 mark a significant moment in this Game of Thrones house’s family tree. Though the Fossoways aren’t as notable as the Lannisters or Starks in the Game of Thrones franchise, they still have their place within the legendarium. They are mentioned throughout George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, and participate in many of those big battles and conflicts in Game of Thrones.
As for individual characters, Steffon and Raymun remain the most notable Fossoways. In A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, episode 4, Ser Steffon swears his sword to Dunk, only to betray him at the last moment and take Prince Aerion’s side. It’s a massive hit against the hedge knight, who has to scramble then to find an extra fighter. This is when Raymun, Steffon’s cousin and squire, asks to be knighted so he can fight by Dunk’s side instead.
Steffon Fossoway’s Betrayal In AKOTSK Leads To A Century-Long Divide In The Family
Edward Ashley leaning with a sword in A Knight of the Seven KingdomsPhotograph by Steffan Hill/HBO
Steffon’s betrayal and Raymun’s outrage in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms are exactly as written in Martin’s The Hedge Knight. It seems like a small moment at first glance, but those familiar with the Fossoways in Game of Thrones will recall that there are two different branches to this house—the red-apple Fossoways and the green-apple Fossoways.
Dunk’s Trial of Seven is precisely the moment when this house splits in two. Steffon’s betrayal inspired Raymun to adopt a different sigil for his shield, and he painted over the traditional red Fossoway apple with green. Over a century later, during the events of Game of Thrones, these two branches of the apple tree are still distinct, and it’s all because of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Ser Duncan the Tall.
The Fossoways’ Role In Game Of Thrones Explained
In Game of Thrones, the Fossoways of Cider Hall still sport the red-apple banner, while the descendants of Ser Raymun Fossoway are seated at New Barrel under the green-apple banner. Though distinct, both branches of this family tree are sworn to House Tyrell of Highgarden. This means that, following Robert Baratheon’s death in Game of Thrones, the red and green Fossoways turned their loyalty to first Renly, then Stannis Baratheon.
While HBO’s version of the story didn’t place much emphasis on the Fossoways, it’s worth considering the significance of their roles between A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and Game of Thrones. Both the green apples and red apples lent their support to the Baratheon siblings, who just so happened to be the descendants of the man who knighted Raymun during Dunk’s Trial of Seven. It’s a small detail, and all part of what makes prequels like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms such a fun ride.