What If Barristan Would Have Been Present When Aerys Murdered Rickard and Brandon Stark?

Barristan the Bold, one of the 'Best Knights' in Westeros, made no attempt to intervene when King Aerys II Targaryen ordered the execution of Lord Rickard Stark and his son Brandon. Like King Arthur’s silent acquiescence in the face of his wife’s murder, Barristan seemed to hide behind his oath, showing a terrifying lack of protest.

Arya Stark’s Sentinel

During the tragic events, only two Kingsguard members are known to have been absent. Arthur Dayne and Oswell Whent were at the Tower of Joy with Rhaegar Targaryen, while Jaime Lannister and Gerold Hightower were present. Barristan, the one whose presence was most crucial, was presumably present but stood by inert as the execution unfolded.

Defender or Guardian?

If Barristan had been present, his role would have been to protect King Aerys from the Starks. Despite Brandon Stark’s valid objections regarding Rhaegar, his actions were indeed rash and threatening. Barristan, in his pursuit of maintaining the image of the Kingsguard, would have likely turned a blind eye to the injustice instead of speaking up.

Justifying Evil?

Barristan was more than willing to overlook Aerys’s mass incineration of innocent people, Jamie Lannister's controversial actions, King Robert’s indulgence in party debt, and Joffrey’s cruel behavior. Yet, the one true noble act committed by Jaime Lannister, rescuing his sister, infuriated Barristan to the point where he allowed the other Kingsguard to be humiliated and ridiculed for it.

Paragon of Virtue?

Many view Barristan as a saintly paragon of virtue, but in reality, he would likely have turned a blind eye to the horrors and injustices, claiming that he was simply fulfilling his duty. This mirrors the behavior of his peers during King Aerys’s reign.

The Same Bullied by Barristan

It is quite ironic that those who should have been protecting the innocent and upholding justice, such as Jaime Lannister, were singled out for ridicule and humiliation by Barristan. Jaime’s actions, though controversial, can still be seen as a form of noble and genuine good. In contrast, Barristan’s actions and his inaction betray a deep-seated willingness to see his fellow knights disgraced.

Conclusion

Barristan the Bold, in his current pedestal, is not as virtuous as he appears. As a member of King Aerys’s Kingsguard, he had the opportunity to make a difference, but instead chose to stand by silently as injustice was committed. His actions, or lack thereof, reflect a profound lack of moral compass and a willingness to uphold the status quo, even when it meant supporting evil.