Ser Humfrey Hardyng was a tourney knight of renown from the Vale during the reign of King Daeron II Targaryen. In 208 AC he won a great melee at Maidenpool and overthrew Ser Donnel of Duskendale and Lords Arryn and Royce in the lists. At the tourney at Ashford Meadow in 209 AC he began as one of the five champions of the fair maid, unhorsing Lord Medgar Tully and Ser Joseth Mallister and besting his good-brother Ser Humfrey Beesbury in a struggle of a dozen lances the smallfolk dubbed "the Battle of Humfrey," defeating fourteen knights on the first day. In the final tilt Prince Aerion Targaryen's lance impaled his horse and his leg was crushed in two places between the falling mount and the splintered fence; Lord Ashford named him victor but the broken leg ended his run as champion. He joined Ser Duncan the Tall's side in the trial of seven to take vengeance on Aerion, was gravely wounded, and died of his wounds, as recorded in The Hedge Knight.
