Lord Commander of the Night's Watch

**Lord Commander of the Night's Watch** is the title held by the most senior officer of the Night's Watch; his seat is at Castle Black. The plural form includes "Lords Commander", "lords commander", and "lord commanders".

## Election

When a Lord Commander dies, any sworn man of the Night's Watch can nominate himself or be nominated by his brothers for the position. All sworn brothers of the Night's Watch have a vote, but since it is impossible for everyone to attend, the garrison commanders of those not at Castle Black cast the vote for them.

To win the election the candidates are required to receive two-thirds of the votes of the Sworn Brothers of the Night's Watch. If no candidate achieves that amount, the choosing is repeated on the next day, with no time limit set. Elections can last several days, and there was once a choosing that lasted near two years and seven hundred votes.

## Duties

The Lord Commander is the final authority of the Night's Watch and oversees the entire organization. He is assisted by the maester of Castle Black, the First Ranger, the Lord Steward, the First Builder, and other high officers under him. The Lord Commander serves until his death.

The officer's chambers are in the top two floors of the Lord Commander's Tower. The Lord Commander's squires are traditionally promising youths of good birth who are being trained in command. The Lord Commander's steward is also his squire by custom.

## History

During summertime, historical Lords Commander had builders raise the Wall higher.

The Night's King, the legendary thirteenth leader of the Night's Watch, had his name stricken from history.

During Aegon's Conquest, Lord Commander Hoare did not leave the Wall to oppose House Targaryen, even though his brother, King Harren the Black, was burned alongside his kin by Aegon the Conqueror.

Brynden Rivers was elected as Lord Commander in 239 AC but he disappeared while ranging beyond the Wall in 252 AC.

An election for a new Lord Commander occurred circa 269 AC, where Ser Wynton Stout was a dozen votes short of being elected Lord Commander.

In 288 AC, following the death of Lord Commander Qorgyle, Jeor Mormont was elected Lord Commander.

According to Samwell Tarly, Maester Aemon has known a dozen lords commander during his years of service at the Wall.

## Lords Commander

### Uncertain era

* Runcel Hightower, who tried to make the position of Lord Commander hereditary and pass it to his bastard son.
* Rodrik Flint, who thought to make himself King-Beyond-the-Wall.
* Marq Rankenfell, one of the three Lords Commander who nearly destroyed the Watch when they forgot their vows in favor of their pride and ambition.
* Robin Hill, one of the three Lords Commander who nearly destroyed the Watch when they forgot their vows in favor of their pride and ambition.
* Tristan Mudd, one of the three Lords Commander who nearly destroyed the Watch when they forgot their vows in favor of their pride and ambition.
* Orbert Caswell, who was called the Black Centaur and held the position for nine years.

### Before the Conquest

* The Night's King, the thirteenth Lord Commander. He converted the Night's Watch into his personal army and led it in battle against Brandon the Breaker, the King of Winter, and Joramun, the King-Beyond-the-Wall.
* Lord Commander Crowl, who led the Night's Watch over a thousand years ago.
* Osric Stark, a brother or son of a King in the North. He was chosen Lord Commander when he was ten, making him the youngest commander. He served for sixty years. Three other Starks are known to have been among the youngest to be elected to the position of Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.
* Lord Commander Hoare, who refused to involve the Night's Watch in Aegon's Conquest. He was of House Hoare, although his first name is never given. His brother, King Harren the Black, was slain in the burning of Harrenhal.

### After the Conquest

* Lothor Burley, who hosted Queen Alysanne Targaryen in 58 AC.
* Jack Musgood, know as Sleepy Jack after 226 AC, when he was caught off guard allowing the King-beyond-the-Wall, Raymun Redbeard, to pass the Wall and was thus late for the Battle of Long Lake.
* Brynden Rivers, called 'Bloodraven', a bastard son of King Aegon IV Targaryen and Hand of the King to King Aerys I and Maekar I Targaryen. Arrested and sent to the Wall by King Aegon V Targaryen after the Great Council of 233 AC. He was elected to the post of Lord Commander in 239 AC, but disappeared on a ranging in 252 AC.
* Lord Commander Qorgyle, 996th Lord Commander. He was a member of House Qorgyle from Dorne, although his first name is never given. He died in 288 AC and was succeeded by Jeor Mormont.
* Jeor Mormont, 997th Lord Commander, elected in 288 AC. Called 'the Old Bear'.