King's Guard

**The Kingsguard**, also known by many as the **White Swords** or **White Cloaks**, are a group of seven of the realm's strongest and most skilled knights, swearing solemn oaths to the protection of the reigning King on the Iron Throne and his family. Members of the Kingsguard are sworn for life to the protection of the royal family, and are sworn to celibacy, and sworn from taking lands or titles.

The Kingsguard are based and housed in White Sword Tower, located within the Red Keep.

## Equipment and Duties

The Kingsguard wear all white cloaks, carry plain white shields, and with some occasional exceptions, wear little or no ornamentation or sigils on their white armor. This plain but striking attire lends credence to their role of being seen but not heard, until their advice is asked. Discretion and wisdom are often as important skills as martial ability, being as they are expected to be with their king or queen at all times, privy to all their secrets, plans, and every aspect of their personal lives.

The Kingsguard wear intricate suits of white enameled scales, their fastenings for breastplate and other pieces made of silver. They often wear long hauberks, adorned with mother-of-pearl scales, chased with gold. They alone bear the right to carry a pure white unemblazoned shield.

In order to protect the royal family night and day, the seven-man Kingsguard must rely to some degree on others. Other knights are trusted with the king's security when the entire Kingsguard meets in White Sword Tower.

One of the Kingsguard always stands guard outside the council chambers when the small council is in session, and one is usually posted at the end of the bridge into Maegor's Holdfast.

## Appointments

The rite for making a new member of the White Swords can vary. In common there seems to be the fact that it is a solemn and formal event, in which the knight kneels as he makes his vows before the king, and he receives the white cloak of the Kingsguard from the Hand of the King or the Lord Commander himself. The Lord Commander is always chosen by the king, with seniority and ability only playing parts in the decision. Also the Lord Commander is generally chosen from the existing pool of the Kingsguard.

## Kingsguard under Vaegon I Velaryon

* *Lord Commander Ben Flowers, Appointed in 240 AC after The Great Council of 240 AC.*
	+ *Ser Roland Lannister, Appointed in 240 AC after The Great Council of 240 AC.*
	+ *Ser Valarr Crakehall, Appointed in 240 AC after The Great Council of 240 AC.*
	+ *Ser Beric Tarly, Appointed in 240 AC after The Great Council of 240 AC.*
	+ *Ser Orys Connington, Appointed in 240 AC after The Great Council of 240 AC.*
	+ *Ser Balon Baratheon, Appointed in 240 AC after The Great Council of 240 AC.*
	+ *Ser Lucifer Massey, Appointed in 240 AC during Vaegon Velaryon's Coronation.*

## Kingsguard under Aegon V Targaryen

*Representing KG under Daeron Targaryen as well.*

* *Lord Commander Duncan the Tall (†), Appointed in 236 AC by King Aegon. Died during the Laughing Storm's Rebellion in the Falcon's Coup of the White Tower.*
	+ *Ser Lucifer Hardy (†), Appointed in 233 AC, Died during the Laughing Storm's Rebellion.*
	+ *Ser Quentyn Storm (†), Appointed in 237 AC, Died during the Laughing Storm's Rebellion in the Falcon's Coup of the White Tower, surrounded by dead bodies.*
	+ *Ser Lukas Pyne (†), Appointed in 213 AC, Died during the Laughing Storm's Rebellion, the circumstances of his death are unknown.*
	+ *Ser Clarence Crabb (†), Appointed in 223 AC, Died during the Laughing Storm's Rebellion by an onslaught of Ironborn warriors as he tried to protect Betha Targaryen.*
	+ *Ser Tommen Costayne (†), Appointed in 209 AC, Died during the Laughing Storm's Rebellion by an onslaught of Ironborn warriors as he tried to protect Betha Targaryen.*