Why is egg bald in knight of the seven kingdoms

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: Egg is bald in 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' due to his advanced age and the natural progression of male pattern baldness. The character is approximately 59 years old during the events of 'The Hedge Knight' (209 AC), and by 'The Mystery Knight' (212 AC), he is 62. This physical trait reflects his maturity and contrasts with the youthful appearance of his squire, Dunk, emphasizing their generational differences.

Key Facts

Egg is approximately 59 years old in 'The Hedge Knight' (209 AC)
By 'The Mystery Knight' (212 AC), Egg is 62 years old
Egg's baldness is a result of male pattern baldness, a common genetic trait
The character's full name is Aegon V Targaryen, later known as 'Aegon the Unlikely'
Egg serves as squire to Ser Duncan the Tall throughout the three novellas

Overview

'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' is a collection of three novellas by George R.R. Martin set in the fictional world of Westeros, approximately 90 years before the events of 'A Game of Thrones.' The stories follow the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk), a hedge knight, and his squire Egg, who is secretly Aegon V Targaryen, a prince of the royal family. The novellas include 'The Hedge Knight' (published 1998), 'The Sworn Sword' (2003), and 'The Mystery Knight' (2010). Egg's baldness is a consistent physical characteristic throughout these stories, serving as both a visual identifier and a plot point that contrasts with Dunk's towering height and youthful appearance. The setting is during the reign of King Daeron II Targaryen (Daeron the Good), with the stories taking place between 209 AC and 212 AC in the timeline of Westerosi history.

How It Works

Egg's baldness is portrayed as a natural result of aging and genetics, specifically male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). In the narrative, this trait develops gradually; while Egg is already balding in 'The Hedge Knight,' his condition becomes more pronounced as he ages through the subsequent stories. Martin uses this physical detail to emphasize Egg's maturity and wisdom despite his initially youthful role as a squire. The baldness also serves practical storytelling purposes: it makes Egg instantly recognizable to readers, distinguishes him from other Targaryens who typically have silver-gold hair, and creates visual contrast with Dunk's robust physique. Additionally, Egg often uses his bald head as a disguise element, as few would suspect a bald boy to be a royal prince, allowing him to travel incognito with Dunk throughout the Seven Kingdoms.

Why It Matters

Egg's baldness matters because it humanizes a royal character in a fantasy setting, making him more relatable and distinct from typical heroic archetypes. This physical trait symbolizes his practical, down-to-earth nature despite his noble birth, foreshadowing his future reign as Aegon V Targaryen (Aegon the Unlikely), a king known for his reforms and connection to common people. Within the narrative, the baldness creates ongoing humorous moments and character development opportunities, particularly in how Dunk and others perceive and interact with Egg. For readers, it serves as a memorable visual cue that reinforces Egg's identity across multiple stories and connects to broader themes in Martin's work about appearance versus reality in medieval-inspired societies.