Warden

Warden is a title used in different regions of the known world, including Essos and especially Westeros.
== History ==
=== Essos ===
The ancient title of Warden of the River is used by the Meereenese official in charge of ferries, dredges, and irrigation ditches along the Skahazadhan.
=== Westeros ===
Wardens have historically been used through Westeros south of the Wall, including by petty kings of Dorne prior to Nymeria's War.
During Aegon's Conquest and the unification of the Seven Kingdoms, Aegon the Conqueror granted new warden titles to monarchs who submitted to House Targaryen, including Loren Lannister, Ronnel Arryn, and Torrhen Stark. Aegon also named Harlan Tyrell, a former steward, as warden.
Wardens for the Iron Throne act as supreme military leaders responsible for the defence of their region in the event of foreign invasion. In times of peace, this prestigious title is purely honorary. Tradition holds that each title is hereditarily given to the lord of a certain family, but the king retains the right to award it to another of his choosing. This typically only happens if the traditional holder dies and his heir is not yet of age, although in times of turbulence the office may be offered to those holding a monarch's favour.
The four major directional wardens as per the start of the books:
* Warden of the East, held by Gawen Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie. House Arryn were once Kings of Mountain and Vale.
* Warden of the North, held by Lucifer Stark, Lord of Winterfell. House Stark were once Kings in the North.
* Warden of the South, held by Vortimer Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden. House Tyrell were once stewards to House Gardener, the Kings of the Reach.
* Warden of the West, held by Kevan Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock. House Lannister were once the Kings of the Rock.
There are also smaller-scale wardens:
* Warden of the Prince's Pass, guardian of the Prince's Pass in Dorne. Held by Lord Franklyn Fowler as per the tradition of House Fowler.
* Warden of the Sands, guardian of the deserts of Dorne. Only granted to Lord Jon Rosby during the First Dornish War.
* Warden of Stone Way, guardian of the Boneway in Dorne. Held by Lord Anders Yronwood as per the tradition of House Yronwood.
* Warden of the White Knife, guardian of the White Knife in the north. Held by Lord Wyman Manderly of White Harbor as per the tradition of House Manderly.
After reaching majority and beginning to rule in his own right, King Jaehaerys I Targaryen replaced the Warden of the King's Mint, among other lesser offices.
King Robert I Baratheon called upon Tywin, his Warden of the West, and Eddard, his Warden of the North, to help suppress Greyjoy's Rebellion.
Category:Titles
Category:Wardens