Gerold Hightower

Ser Gerold Hightower, also known as the White Bull, is a posthumous character in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novel series. He was the Lord Commander of the Kinsguard during the reigns of Kings Jaehaerys II Targaryen and Aerys II Targaryen. Gerold was also the uncle of Lord Leyton Hightower and was called the "White Bull" due to his immense strength.
In the sixth season of Game of Thrones, Gerold Hightower appears as an amalgamation of himself and Ser Oswell Whent. He was portrayed by Eddie Eyre, who also portrayed Ser Axell Bulwer in House of the Dragon.
== Biography ==
Nothing is known about Gerold's past nor when did he join the Kingsguard. When he was young, he assumed the title of Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, following the tragic death of Ser Duncan the Tall, the previous Lord Commander, who died together with King Aegon V Targaryen and his son Prince Duncan the Small in a fire at Summerhall. During the War of the Ninepenny Kings, after Lord Ormund Baratheon, the Hand of the King to Jaehaerys II, was slain by Maelys Blackfyre, Gerold assumed command of the royal forces. In the aftermath of the war, he accepted the twenty-three year old Ser Barristan Selmy into the Kingsguard after the latter had slain Maelys the Monstrous in single combat.
Around 280/281 AC, during an early raid by the infamous outlaw band known as the Kingswood Brotherhood, one outlaw, Ulmer of the Kingswood, shot Ser Gerold through the hand before stealing a kiss from Princess Elia Martell, the wife of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. Ulmer also stole some of her jewels during the attack. In 281 AC, during a tourney at Harrenhal, when King Aerys II names Ser Jaime Lannister to the Kingsguard, Gerold Hightower was the one who fastened the white cloak of the Kingsguard on Jaime's shoulders. That night, when King Aerys orders Jaime to return to the Red Keep to guard Queen Rhaella Targaryen and Prince Viserys Targaryen, Ser Gerold offered to go in Jaime's stead so the latter can take part in the tourney, but the Mad King refused.
Prior to the start of Robert's Rebellion and after Rhaegar's taking of Lyanna Stark, Gerold was present as King Aerys burns Lord Rickard Stark and his son Brandon alive. Noticing that Jaime Lannister was uncomfortable and disapproving of the horror he is witnessing, Gerold takes him aside to remind him that he made a vow to defend the king not to judge him.
=== Robert's Rebellion ===
During Robert's Rebellion, after Houses Stark, Baratheon, Arryn, and Tully secured a victory over the Loyalist army at Stony Sept during the Battle of the Bells, Gerold was sent by the Mad King to find Prince Rhaegar, who disappeared after his apparent abduction of Lyanna Stark. Finding the prince at a tower in the Red Mountains of Dorne, Ser Gerold, alongside Ser Arthur Dayne, and Ser Oswell Whent, were commanded by Rhaegar to stay and guard Lyanna, who is in the tower.
=== Death ===
Following the Sack of King's Landing, the three Kingsguard, Gerold, Arthur, and Oswell, are now one of the remaining few who are still loyal to the Targaryens. They were later encountered by the young Lord Eddard Stark and his party of six northern highborn companions. During a short conversation, Gerold Hightower, alongside Arthur Dayne and Oswell Whent, refused the opportunities to leave unharmed before engaging the Stark party in combat. 
While the details surrounding the fight are unknown, it is known that Ser Gerold, Ser Arthur, and Ser Oswell were slain while Ned Stark and Howland Reed are the only survivors. Following Lyanna Stark's passing, Gerold's cairn was built on a nearby ridge from stones taken from the Tower of Joy.
== Recent History ==
=== A Game of Thrones ===
Bran Stark, who wishes to become a Kingsguard someday, lists the members of the Kingsguard he knows from songs and from stories that were told by Old Nan. Gerold Hightower's name was amongst the names Bran listed.
Following a brutal and bloody brawl with Ser Jaime Lannister, which left Eddard Stark with a broken leg, the latter has a fever dream where he encounters Gerold, Arthur Dayne, and Oswell Whent at the Tower of Joy.
=== A Storm of Swords ===
While resting on the stump of a Weirwood tree, Jaime had a dream where he and Brienne of Tarth were encountered by the shades of Gerold Hightower, Ser Oswell, and Ser Arthur, Ser Jonothor Darry, Prince Lewyn Martell, and even Prince Rhaegar Targaryen himself. All shades had come to judge Jaime for killing the Mad King. During the dream he witnesses Brienne burning as she defends him from the shades.
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