The Origins of Davos Seaworth: Unraveling the Mystery of the Onion Knight

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Davos Seaworth, renowned as the Onion Knight, acquired his moniker by virtue of his expertise as a smuggler during the tumultuous period of Robert's Rebellion. His remarkable ability to clandestinely transport provisions, predominantly onions, to Stannis Baratheon and his armies stationed at Storm's End proved to be a resounding success.

Davos, despite facing punishment from Stannis and losing four fingertips, remains unwaveringly loyal to him, as he sees him as a fair and noble leader. In the books, Davos continues to stand beside Stannis, actively seeking support from House Manderly in the North. His mission involves the perilous endeavor of rescuing Rickon Stark from the treacherous island of Skagos, infamous for being inhabited by cannibals.

Ser Davos Seaworth, the head of House Seaworth, made his debut in the second season of HBO's Game of Thrones adaptation, where he was skillfully portrayed by Liam Cunningham. This character, originating from George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire novel series, is known for his unwavering loyalty and strong moral compass.

Davos possesses a captivating backstory, but perhaps what intrigues the most is his intriguing title, "The Onion Knight." Typically, soldiers earn their nicknames based on notable battles or deeds, reflecting their accomplishments. However, the moniker "Onion Knight" paints a rather peculiar image. It evokes thoughts of a small onion-shaped knight bravely battling against an army of knights. So, how exactly did Davos acquire such an unusual title?

Who is Davos?

Davos Seaworth, as he would later become known, had a humble beginning. Unlike his birth name, "Seaworth" was a name he adopted later in life. Originating from the poverty-stricken district of Flea Bottom in King's Landing, Davos had to resort to unlawful acts for survival. However, he turned his sailing abilities into a successful career as a renowned smuggler, earning the reputation as one of the finest in all of the Seven Kingdoms.

A reliable indicator of a skilled smuggler is their ability to hold a conversation with their head intact.

Due to his unwavering loyalty during Robert's Rebellion, he rose to become Stannis Baratheon's most trusted advisor. In recognition of his service, Stannis bestowed knighthood upon Davos and rewarded him with land on Cape Wrath, thus prompting Davos to adopt the name Seaworth and leave behind his life of smuggling. However, his skills as a sailor would prove valuable in the future.

As a former smuggler transformed into an advisor, Davos exhibited unwavering loyalty to Stannis, truly believing that Stannis was a strict and just leader who possessed all the qualities necessary to be a worthy ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. While the TV series depicted Davos remaining loyal to Stannis until his untimely demise, the literary works of George R.R. Martin have yet to explore such events. Stannis is still alive and actively supported by Davos Seaworth, who is busy rallying support for House Baratheon.

Why was Davos Called The Onion Knight?

Davos, known as "The Onion Knight," gained his reputation for his exceptional smuggling abilities. During the tumultuous period of Robert's Rebellion, Stannis Baratheon and his forces were stationed on Storm's End, an island besieged by hardship. Their provisions grew scarcer each passing day, and they faced relentless battles against Mace Tyrell's army. Davos, however, arrived just in time to alter their fate.

Employing his ship, draped in black sails, Davos clandestinely transported a crucial supply of food into Storm's End, predominantly comprising of onions. This selfless act earned him the distinctive moniker of The Onion Knight. With this vital sustenance, the Baratheon forces gained the much-needed nourishment to endure another year, revitalizing their hope until reinforcements under Eddard Stark's command arrived.

Despite Stannis's fairness and sense of justice, he acknowledged Davos's help yet couldn't overlook the smuggling act, leading to his decision to penalize the smuggler. However, Stannis deviated from the usual punishment of severing an entire hand or all fingers and chose to amputate four fingertips from Davos's less dominant hand. Hence, this was the recompense demanded by King Stannis for my offenses, and I view it as a straightforward settlement.

Davos kept the remains of his fingertips in a pouch that hung from his neck and continues to wear in the books.

What Happens to Davos?

Beside the obvious consequence of losing the fingertips on his non-dominant hand, Davos finds himself navigating different paths as the show and books deviate significantly. In the show's storyline, Davos ultimately distances himself from Stannis due to a series of ill-fated choices leading to Stannis' demise. He eventually aligns with Jon Snow, assuming the key role of his chief sailor and trusted advisor. Similar to his role with Stannis, Davos aids Jon by identifying the various actors and challenges they encounter. Furthermore, it is Davos who stumbles upon Jon Snow's lifeless body following his assassination, compelling Melisandre into resurrecting him.

Davos remains loyal to Jon until the series concludes. However, when Jon is sent back to the Night's Watch and Bran becomes the new King, Davos becomes an advisor to Bran on the small council. His duties include overseeing the rebuilding of fleets and forts, a significant departure from his role in the books. It is possible that Martin may place him in a similar position by the end of his series. In the novels, Stannis is still alive, meaning Davos continues to stand by his side. An excerpt from The Winds of Winter revealed his whereabouts, but in the last novel, A Dance With Dragons, readers last saw Davos negotiating support for Stannis with House Manderly, who seek a Stark to rule the North and are aware of Rickon Stark's presence on Skagos Island.

Unfortunately, Skagos has gained notoriety for its inhabitants, who are known for engaging in cannibalism. Lord Manderly presents Davos with the daunting task of rescuing Rickon from this treacherous island. In exchange for Davos' success, Lord Manderly pledges his support to Stannis. This serves as sufficient motivation for Davos as he embarks on a perilous journey to an island inhabited by cannibals.

Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones, adapted from George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire novels, intricately weaves the tale of feuding families in the realm of Westeros. Among these houses are the Starks, Lannisters, Baratheons, and Targaryens. In addition to human antagonism, Westeros faces menacing challenges such as the return of dragons and a supernatural foe from beyond the Wall.

Original:

First TV Show Game Of Thrones

Latest TV Show House of the Dragon

First Episode Air Date April 17, 2011

Where to watch HBO Max

Spin-offs House of the Dragon

The initial television series, Game of Thrones, aired on April 17, 2011, while the most recent installment is House of the Dragon. Both shows can be streamed on HBO Max, with House of the Dragon serving as a spin-off.

Editor's P/S

Davos Seaworth, also known as the Onion Knight, is a fascinating character in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series and its television adaptation, Game of Thrones. Davos is a former smuggler who rose to become a trusted advisor to Stannis Baratheon. He is known for his unwavering loyalty, strong moral compass, and his unique nickname, "The Onion Knight."

Davos' nickname has an interesting origin story. During Robert's Rebellion, Davos was a smuggler who was tasked with transporting supplies to Stannis Baratheon's forces at Storm's End. Stannis' forces were under siege by Mace Tyrell's army, and they were running low on supplies. Davos managed to smuggle a ship full of onions into Storm's End, which helped to keep the Baratheon forces alive. As a result of this act, Davos became known as "The Onion Knight."