Ser Barristan Selmy, most commonly known in Westeros as Barristan the Bold, is a famed knight, the former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard of King Robert Baratheon and current Lord Commander of the Queensguard of Daenerys Targaryen.
Selmy is a supporting character in the first three books in the series. He does not appear in the fourth volume, but in A Dance with Dragons, he becomes a POV character.
Early Life
Barristan Selmy is the son of Ser Lyonel Selmy of Harvest Hall. He served as squire to Lord Manfred Swann of Stonehelm. He was named "the Bold" at the age of 10 when he wore borrowed armor to appear as a mystery knight in a tourney held at Blackhaven. At this tourney, he was defeated and unmasked by Prince Duncan Targaryen.
He was knighted at the age of 16 by Aegon V after his impressive display of martial prowess while competing as a mystery knight in a tourney held at King's Landing. Barristan defeated Prince Duncan Targaryen and Ser Duncan the Tall, then Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
It has been said that Ser Barristan was the finest swordsman in the Seven Kingdoms during his youth. During the War of the Ninepenny Kings, Ser Barristan slew the last of the Blackfyre Pretenders, Maelys Blackfyre, in single combat, ending the final Blackfyre Rebellion.
The Kingsguard
At age 23, Ser Barristan was named to the Kingsguard by Lord Commander Gerold Hightower.
During the Defiance of Duskendale, Ser Barristan rescued the imprisoned Aerys II Targaryen, bringing him to safety despite being wounded in the chest by an arrow. During the course of the rescue, Ser Barristan slew Ser Symon Hollard in single combat, thus avenging the murder of Ser Gwayne Gaunt of the Kingsguard.
He rescued Lady Jeyne Swann and her septa from the infamous Kingswood Brotherhood, killing Simon Toyne and defeating the Smiling Knight.
The Battle of the Trident
Ser Barristan fought on the side of the royalist forces during the War of the Usurper. At the Battle of the Trident, he was said to have cut down a dozen men. Grievously wounded and near death, Robert Baratheon had Ser Barristan treated by his own maester. Ser Barristan spent the rest of the conflict recuperating from his wounds.
Lord Commander of the Kingsguard
Impressed by his immense courage, skill and loyalty, Robert Baratheon pardoned Ser Barristan. He elected to remain in the Kingsguard, and was named Lord Commander. He led the attack on Old Wyk during the Greyjoy Rebellion. At age 57, Ser Barristan was the champion of a tourney at King's Landing.
Dismissal from the Kingsguard and "Arstan Whitebeard"
Ser Barristan was dismissed from the Kingsguard at age 61 by Joffrey I Baratheon, and offered land, a keep and servants. Ser Barristan dismissed the offer as a keep for him to die in, and threw down his sword in disgust after a standoff with the rest of the Kingsguard, telling Joffrey to melt it down and add it to the Iron Throne. Barristan resolved to seek out the last Targaryens, and journeyed to the Free Cities under the name of Arstan Whitebeard. He entered into the service of Illyrio Mopatis who directed him towards Daenerys Targaryen, and sent Strong Belwas with him, with Ser Barristan posing as Belwas' squire. As Arstan, he rescued Daenerys Targaryen from two assassin's attacks, during one of which he slew Mero of Braavos in single combat. After he revealed his true identity to Daenerys Targaryen, she challenged him to help her end the siege of Meereen to prove his honor. Ser Barristan and Ser Jorah Mormont entered the city via the sewers and opened the gates from within, allowing Daenerys's forces to take the city. For his valor, Daenerys forgave him his deception and after Jorah Mormont's previous betrayal led to him being dismissed from the Queen's service, she named Ser Barristan Lord Commander of her Queensguard.
Defence of Meereen
After Daenerys chose to remain in Meereen and learn the art of rulership, Barristan remained at her side, serving as both bodyguard and counsel. Barristan disagreed with Daenerys's decision to remain in Slaver's Bay, instead urging her to leave for Westeros as soon as possible. He later urged her to accept the proposal of marriage of Prince Quentyn Martell of Dorne, but she opted to marry the local Meereenese noble Hizdahr zo Loraq in an attempt to placate Meereenese rebells. During the grand re-opening of the Meereenese slave pits, Daenerys' rogue dragon, Drogon, swept in and flew off with her. After Daenerys disappeared, Ser Barristan assumed command of Meereen's defences against the encircling armies of Yunkai and other nations. Suspecting King Hizdahr of attempting to poison Daenerys with a poisoned sweet (which was instead eaten by Strong Belwas, who narrowly survived due to his size and girth), Ser Barristan and another Meereenese loyal to Daenerys, Skahaz mo Kandaq, conspired to arrest and depose Hizdahr. The coup was successfull, and Ser Barristan convened a council of Daenerys loyalists to rule Meereen in her absence.