Kingsguard

The **Kingsguard**, also known poetically as the **White Swords** or **white cloaks**, are the royal bodyguards of the Iron Throne. Regarded as the finest knights in the Seven Kingdoms, they are sworn to protect their king and the royal family with their own lives, to obey his commands, and to keep his secrets. The Kingsguard are sworn for life and are forbidden from owning land, taking a wife, or fathering children, although they can hold non-hereditary commands, such as being warden or Hand of the King.

Two female ruling monarchs, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (129–130 AC) and Queen Daenerys Targaryen (300 AC-Present), have operated with a Queensguard instead of a Kingsguard.

## Customs

### Duties

The Kingsguard is composed of seven men, all of them sworn knights. A Kingsguard knight serves for life, regardless of age or any physical or mental ailments. When an invalid Kingsguard knight is incapable of performing his duties, they are taken up by his sworn brothers. The knights of the Kingsguard are forbidden to marry, father children, and to hold land. Regardless, the White Swords may retain or be granted certain titles. Aemon Targaryen and Lewyn Martell continued to use the style of "prince", while Lord Commanders Ryam Redwyne, Criston Cole, and Marston Waters also acted as Hand of the King, and Ser Jaime Lannister was named Warden of the East.

The first duty of the Kingsguard is defending the king from harm. They are sworn to obey the king's commands, to keep his secrets, to counsel him when requested and to keep silent when not, and to defend his name and honor. The king can decide to extend the protection offered by the Kingsguard to others. Some kings have chosen to extend this protection to their wives, children, and other relatives, and some have even chosen to grant this protection to their lovers, mistresses, and bastards. The Kingsguard are sworn to protect the queen, though not from anything the king might do. They are also sworn not to harm any member of the royal family.

In order to protect the king and the royal family night and day, the seven-man Kingsguard must rely to some degree on others. Prince Joffrey Baratheon has Sandor Clegane as his sworn shield, and other knights are trusted with the king's security when the entire Kingsguard meets in White Sword Tower. The queen may be guarded by her own sworn shield, such as Jonquil Darke for Alysanne Targaryen, or household knights, such as Vylarr and his red cloaks for Cersei Lannister.

The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard serves on the king's small council. When the small council is in session, one of the Kingsguard always stands guard outside the council chambers, while another is usually posted at the end of the bridge into Maegor's Holdfast.

### Equipment

The Kingsguard wear all white cloaks and intricate suits of white enamelled scales, their fastenings for breastplate and other pieces made of silver. They alone bear the right to carry a pure white unemblazoned shield. Their white armour has little decoration, although some members wear decorative brooches or gaudy helms. According to a semi-canon source, the Kingsguard's standard depicts seven silver swords encircling a golden crown.

### Appointments

The rite for making a new member of the White Swords can vary. It can be a solemn and formal event in which the knight kneels as he makes his vows before the king, and he then receives the white cloak of the Kingsguard from the Hand of the King or the Lord Commander himself. The new Kingsguard might then be anointed by the High Septon in the names of the Seven.

The Lord Commander is always chosen by the king, with seniority and ability playing parts in the decision. Also, the Lord Commander is generally chosen from the existing pool of the Kingsguard.

### White Book

The white cloaks' uninterrupted history since its creation during the reign of King Aegon I Targaryen is recorded in the White Book, formally named *The Book of the Brothers*. The White Book is kept in the White Sword Tower, the tower of the Red Keep in King's Landing which is home to the Kingsguard. Every knight who has ever served in the Kingsguard has a page in the book, on which his deeds are recorded. The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard is tasked with keeping the entries up to date, while septons come three times a year from the Great Sept of Baelor to add heraldic drawings and illuminations.

## History

The Kingsguard was founded during the reign of the first Targaryen king on the Iron Throne, Aegon the Conqueror. The first Kingsguard was created at the suggestion of Aegon's sister-wife, Queen Visenya Targaryen, after a Dornish assassination attempt on their lives in the streets of King's Landing in 10 AC. She deliberately modeled the Kingsguard vows of holding no lands or title on the ancient vows of the Night's Watch, and seven knights were chosen because the king ruled the Seven Kingdoms.

When Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen put forth his claim to the Iron Throne, two Kingsguards of the reigning King Maegor I Targaryen, Olyver Bracken and Raymund Mallery, abandoned him. According to some, Maegor was killed by a member of the Kingsguard who could no longer abide his tyranny. As king, Jaehaerys selected five members of the Kingsguard in the War for the White Cloaks.

During the Dance of the Dragons, the Kingsguard split between knights serving King Aegon II Targaryen and Queensguard serving Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen.

A hedge knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, rose to become Lord Commander for King Aegon V Targaryen.

During Robert's Rebellion, Ser Jonothor Darry and Prince Lewyn Martell were killed during the Battle of the Trident, while Ser Arthur Dayne, Ser Oswell Whent, and Lord Commander Gerold Hightower died in combat at the tower of joy. Ser Jaime Lannister slew his charge, King Aerys II Targaryen, during the Sack of King's Landing, earning himself the "Kingslayer" sobriquet. The new king, Robert I Baratheon, allowed Jaime to remain in the Kingsguard and elevated the other surviving member of the Mad King's white cloaks, Ser Barristan Selmy, to the position of Lord Commander.

## Historical Members

### Unknown Reign

It is unknown under which king the following Lord Commanders and knights served in the Kingsguard:

#### Lord Commanders

* Ser Robert Flowers, known as *Red Robert Flowers*.
* Ser Alyn Connington, called the *Pale Griffin*.
* The Demon of Darry, a famous Lord Commander.

#### Knights

* The Greatheart, a famous member.
* Ser Gyles, better known as *Gyles Greycloak*. He was a traitor.
* Ser Jeffory Norcross, called *Neveryield*.
* Ser Michael Mertyns, the *White Owl*.
* Ser Orivel, the *Open-Handed*. He was a coward.
* Unknown knight of House Cave.
* Unknown knight of House Hardy.
* Unknown knight of House Pyne.
* Two unknown knights of House Darklyn.
* Ser Rupert Crabb.
* Ser Clarence Crabb, the *Short*.
* Ser Rolland Darklyn, the youngest member to join the Kingsguard until Ser Jaime Lannister. He died just an hour after entering the Kingsguard.
* Ser Tom Costayne, called *Long Tom Costayne*, who was in the Kingsguard for sixty years.
* Serwyn of the Mirror Shield. A legendary hero; said in some tales to have been a knight of the Kingsguard but in fact lived in the days of the First Men, long before there were knights or a Kingsguard.

### Aegon I Targaryen (10–37 AC)

* Ser Corlys Velaryon, first Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
* Ser Robin Darklyn, known as *Darkrobin*.
* Ser Richard Roote.
* Ser Gregor Goode, brother to Ser Griffith.
* Ser Griffith Goode, brother to Ser Gregor.
* Ser Humfrey, better known as *Humfrey the Mummer*. A hedge knight.
* Ser Addison Hill, the *Bastard of Cornfield*. Later became Lord Commander. It is unknown whether this occurred during Aegon I's reign or in the reign of Aenys I.

Two members of Aegon's Kingsguard died defending him.

### Aenys I Targaryen (37–42 AC)

* Ser Raymont Baratheon; prevented an assassination attempt on King Aenys I during the Faith Militant uprising (the canon status of the character is unclear).

### Maegor I Targaryen (42–48 AC)

* Ser Davos Darklyn, slain by Lord Qarl Corbray with Lady Forlorn in 43 AC during the Battle Beneath the Gods Eye.
* Ser Owen Bush, killed outside a brothel in 48 AC near the end of Maegor's reign.
* Ser Maladon Moore, executed by King Jaehaerys I Targaryen in 48 AC.
* Ser Jon Tollett, chose to take the black in 48 AC after Maegor's death.
* Ser Symond Crayne, chose to take the black in 48 AC after Maegor's death.
* Ser Harrold Langward, refused to take the black and was slain in a trial by combat by Ser Gyles Morrigen in 48 AC.
* Ser Olyver Bracken, deserted Maegor in 48 AC, then chose to take the black.
* Ser Raymund Mallery, deserted Maegor in 48 AC, then chose to take black.

Two members of Maegor's Kingsguard were slain by Lord Rupert Falwell, famed as the *Fighting Fool*, at the Battle at the Great Fork of the Blackwater in 42 AC.

The five Kingsguard knights who survived Maegor's reign were allowed to choose between joining the Night's Watch or death. Four out of five chose to take the black. Ser Olyver Bracken and Ser Raymund Mallery later raised a rebellion at the Wall trying to set themselves up as lords of their castles: in the counter-attack by House Stark, Olyver was killed and Raymund fled beyond the Wall, where he was killed by wildlings half a year later.

### Jaehaerys I Targaryen (48–103 AC)

It is recorded by the maesters that King Jaehaerys had more Kingsguard knights serve during his reign than any other monarch. Furthermore many historians concur that no king ever possessed a Kingsguard that could equal Jaehaerys first seven.

* Ser Gyles Morrigen, first to be named to Jaehaerys' Kingsguard as Lord Commander.
* Ser Joffrey Doggett.
* Ser Lorence Roxton.
* Ser Victor the Valiant.
* Ser Willam the Wasp.
* Ser Pate the Woodcock.
* Ser Samgood of Sour Hill.
* Ser Lucamore Strong, who broke his vows by secretly taking three wives and fathering numerous children. As punishment, he was gelded by his sworn brothers and sent to the Wall by his king. Known as *Lucamore the Lusty* ever since.
* Ser Robin Shaw.
* Ser Ryam Redwyne, later raised to Lord Commander, thought to be one of the best knights Westeros has ever seen. Served shortly and poorly as Hand of the King.
* Ser Clement Crabb.

### Viserys I Targaryen (103–129 AC)

* Ser Ryam Redwyne, Lord Commander until his death in 105 AC.
* Ser Harrold Westerling, served as Lord Commander until his own death in 112 AC.
* Ser Erryk Cargyll, twin to Ser Arryk.
* Ser Arryk Cargyll, twin to Ser Erryk.
* Ser Criston Cole, joined in 105 AC, became the Lord Commander in 112 AC.
* Ser Willis Fell.
* Ser Rickard Thorne.
* Ser Steffon Darklyn.
* Ser Lorent Marbrand.

### Dance of the Dragons (129–131 AC)

The reign of King Aegon II Targaryen covered the war of succession known as the Dance of the Dragons. During this war, both the eldest living son of late King Viserys I, Prince Aegon, and the eldest living child of King Viserys I, the daughter he had proclaimed his heir, Princess Rhaenyra, were crowned. The Kingsguard itself split between the two rival claimants: three followed the Lord Commander in supporting Aegon II, and the remaining three swore allegiance to Rhaenyra and became the core of her Queensguard.

#### Aegon II Targaryen

* Ser Criston Cole, the *Kingmaker*, remained Lord Commander for Aegon II. Was an active part of the greens, and placed the crown on King Aegon II's head himself. Later also served as Hand of the King for Aegon II. Slain by three arrows at the Butcher's Ball in 130 AC. He is remembered as a controversial figure in history.
* Ser Arryk Cargyll, twin to Ser Erryk, a member of Viserys I's Kingsguard. Slew and was slain by his twin brother Erryk in an assassination attempt on Dragonstone in 129 AC.
* Ser Rickard Thorne, a member of Viserys I's Kingsguard. Ordered to escort Aegon II's second son Prince Maelor to Oldtown for safekeeping, but was killed by a mob at Bitterbridge while defending the little princeling in 130 AC.
* Ser Willis Fell, a member of Viserys I's Kingsguard. Ordered to escort Aegon II's daughter Princess Jaehaera to Storm's End for safekeeping, where he survived the war.
* Ser Marston Waters, appointed to the Kingsguard late in the war, after the fall of Dragonstone. Survived the war and was heavily involved in the political intrigues of the regency that followed Aegon II's death.
* Ser Gyles Belgrave, appointed to the Kingsguard at some unknown point after the war began. During the Hour of the Wolf he was executed by Lord Cregan Stark after being accused of treason in the poisoning of Aegon II in 131 AC.

#### Rhaenyra Targaryen

* Ser Steffon Darklyn, her first Lord Commander, a member of Viserys I's Kingsguard. Defected to the blacks and brought the crown of Viserys I to Dragonstone, during the Sowing he made an attempt to mount Seasmoke but was burned to death by the dragon in 129 AC.
* Ser Lorent Marbrand, her second Lord Commander, a member of Viserys I's Kingsguard. Killed by a mob in Flea Bottom during the riot of King's Landing in 130 AC.
* Ser Glendon Goode, her third Lord Commander, a young knight elevated to the Kingsguard after the fall of King's Landing. Retrieved Lorent Marbrand's body to prevent the rioters from despoiling it and served as Lord Commander for less than a day being one of the Seven Who Rode, he was thrown from his horse and torn to pieces during the ongoing riots in 130 AC.
* Ser Erryk Cargyll, twin to Ser Arryk, a member of Viserys I's Kingsguard. Slew and was slain by his twin brother Arryk during an assassination attempt on Dragonstone in 129 AC.
* Ser Lyonel Bentley.
* Ser Harrold Darke, one of the Seven Who Rode, seven knights who were sent by Rhaenyra to rescue her third son Prince Joffrey Velaryon when the prince mounted the dragon Syrax and attemted to fly to the Dragonpit, during the riots of King's Landing.
* Ser Adrian Redfort.
* Ser Loreth Lansdale, one of the Seven Who Rode.

Lyonel, Harrold, Adrian, and Loreth were four knights that Rhaenyra elevated to her Queensguard after she captured King's Landing. When riots later forced her to flee the city they continued to defend her; Lyonel was killed in an attack by broken men as they made their way to the coast, while the remaining three were killed in the ambush that awaited Rhaenyra when she arrived back on Dragonstone in 130 AC. None of Rhaenyra's Queensguard survived the war, neither holdovers from her father's Kingsguard nor knights she herself appointed.

### Aegon III Targaryen (131–157 AC)

* Ser Willis Fell, chosen as the new Lord Commander at the beginning of the regency because he was the sole surviving member of the Kingsguard from the reign of Aegon III's grandfather Viserys I. He served as Lord Commander for two years, but died in 133 AC when the Winter Fever struck King's Landing.
* Ser Marston Waters, Lord Commander and served as Hand of the King until being slain by his sworn brother Mervyn Flowers in 135 AC.
* Ser Regis Groves.
* Ser Amaury Peake.
* Ser Mervyn Flowers.
* Ser Raynard Ruskyn, became Lord Commander in 135 AC.
* Ser Edmund Warrick.
* Ser Dennis Whitfield.
* Ser Agramore Cobb.
* Ser Joffrey Staunton.
* Prince Aemon Targaryen, also known as the *Dragonknight*. Nephew of King Aegon III, who joined the Kingsguard in 153 AC. Hailed as the greatest knight of his generation.

Ser Robin Massey and Ser Robert Darklyn were named to the white cloaks by Aegon III (Robin as Lord Commander), but the appointments were later set aside by Lord Unwin Peake in 133 AC.

### Daeron I Targaryen (157–161 AC)

* Prince Aemon Targaryen, also known as the *Dragonknight*. Participated in the conquest of Dorne. Became a captive of the Dornish after the conquest was undone in the Dornish rebellion in 161 AC.
* Ser Olyvar Oakheart, the *Green Oak*. Participated in the conquest of Dorne. Died beside his king in Dorne.

Three Kingsguard knights died trying to protect Daeron I in Dorne, and one other Kingsguard threw down his sword and yielded, in 161 AC. It is currently unknown if Olyvar Oakheart was one of the three to die in 161 AC, or whether he died earlier during Daeron I's reign.

### Baelor I Targaryen (161–171 AC)

* Prince Aemon Targaryen, also known as the *Dragonknight*. Rescued by King Baelor I from the Dornish.

### Viserys II Targaryen (171–172 AC)

* Prince Aemon Targaryen, Lord Commander, also known as the *Dragonknight*.

### Aegon IV Targaryen (172–184 AC)

* Prince Aemon Targaryen, Lord Commander, also known as the *Dragonknight*. Killed defending his brother King Aegon IV from an assassination attempt by two brothers of House Toyne.
* Ser Terrence Toyne, executed on the orders of King Aegon IV in 178 AC after he was discovered to have an affair with Lady Bethany Bracken, Aegon IV's mistress.

### Daeron II Targaryen (184–209 AC)

* Ser Gwayne Corbray.
* Ser Donnel of Duskendale.
* Ser Willem Wylde.
* Ser Roland Crakehall.

### Aerys I Targaryen (209–221 AC)

* Ser Roland Crakehall.
* Ser Donnel of Duskendale.

### Aegon V Targaryen (233–259 AC)

* Ser Duncan the Tall, Lord Commander, a famed knight of humble origins, and close friend to King Aegon V. Died in the tragedy at Summerhall in 259 AC.

### Jaehaerys II Targaryen (259–262 AC)

* Ser Gerold Hightower, also known as the *White Bull*. Lord Commander after the death of Duncan the Tall.
* Ser Barristan Selmy, called *Barristan the Bold*.

### Aerys II Targaryen (262–283 AC)

* Ser Gerold Hightower, Lord Commander, also known as the *White Bull*. Died in battle at the tower of joy in 283 AC.
* Prince Lewyn Martell, killed by Ser Lyn Corbray during Robert's Rebellion, in the battle of the Trident in 283 AC.
* Ser Barristan Selmy, called *Barristan the Bold*. Fought in and survived the battle of the Trident.
* Ser Gwayne Gaunt, killed by Ser Symon Hollard during the Defiance of Duskendale in 277 AC.
* Ser Oswell Whent, died at the tower of joy in 283 AC.
* Ser Arthur Dayne, the *Sword of the Morning*. Deadliest of the Kingsguard in his time. Died at the tower of joy in 283 AC.
* Ser Jonothor Darry, died in the battle of the Trident in 283 AC.
* Ser Harlan Grandison. Died in his sleep in 281 AC.
* Ser Jaime Lannister, Harlan Grandison's replacement. Survived the Sack of King's Landing of 283 AC, where he killed King Aerys II Targaryen. Known as the *Kingslayer* ever since.

## Recent Members

### Robert I Baratheon (283–298 AC)

After Robert's Rebellion had concluded, the new king, Robert I Baratheon, had multiple positions to fill at once, as five of the members of the Kingsguard of his predecessor, King Aerys II Targaryen, had died during the war. (Gerold Hightower, Arthur Dayne, Lewyn Martell, Oswell Whent, and Jonothor Darry.) Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Jaime Lannister, the two surviving knights of the Kingsguard of King Aerys II, were pardoned by King Robert. They swore loyalty to the new king and served as members of his Kingsguard throughout his reign. The other five vacancies were filled with not necessarily the best skilled knights, as Robert had to settle for who was available. Furthermore, Queen Cersei Lannister exercised her influence over the naming of new Kingsguard members throughout Robert's reign; she spoke against Ser Richard Horpe, and so he was passed over.

* Ser Barristan Selmy, also known as *Barristan the Bold*, Lord Commander.
* Ser Jaime Lannister, also known as the *Kingslayer*.
* {Unknown}, Arys Oakheart's predecessor.
* Ser Arys Oakheart, named to the Kingsguard in 290 AC.
* Ser Boros Blount.
* Ser Mandon Moore, regarded by Jaime Lannister as the most dangerous of the Kingsguard after himself. Brought to King's Landing by Lord Jon Arryn.
* Ser Meryn Trant.
* Ser Preston Greenfield.