The Kingsguard is a prestigious order that has been around for hundreds of years. Their service is invaluable and has undoubtedly changed the course of history in Westeros. Here are fifteen facts about them that you may or may not know, but will surely enjoy.
Who Formed The Kingsguard?
The Kingsguard was formed during the reign of Aegon ‘The Conqueror’ Targaryen, the first Targaryen king to sit on the Iron Throne. It was the suggestion of Visenya Targaryen, his sister and wife, that a group of royal guards were formed after a Dornish assassin made an attempt on her and Aegon’s life while they were walking the streets of Kings Landing on the 10 AC. She consciously modeled the vows of the Kingsguard on those of the Lights Watch, an ancient order hat was formed during the Age of Heroes.
The Seat of the Kingsguard
The Tower of the White Sword of the Red, in Kings Landing, located on Aegon’s Hill is where the Kingsguard resides. It consists of four floors and is a slim building overlooking the beach. The undercroft keeps their armor and their weapons. It has a meeting room for the Kingsguard that contains a large table, carved from a shield-shaped weirwood tree, and seven chairs. The Lord Commander has his apartments on the top floor and the other members of the Kingsguard have small living rooms on the second and third floors.
Oath For Life
To become a member of the Kingsguard, the man must kneel or bend the knee before the king and swear his vows. Once they have been spoken, either the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard or the King’s Hand presents him with his white cloak.
The Kingsguard are sworn for life, despite physical and mental injuries and illness or age, which is why vows are not taken so lightly. As their votes dictate, the members of the Kingsguard must surrender their lands, claims and titles – if they have them or if they want to inherit them. They can no longer have any right to them, unless they are released from the service of the king.
The Various Roles Of The Kingsguard
As their vows state, the Kingsguard are not allowed to marry, bear children or hold land. They are, however, allowed to hold and retain certain titles. Lords Commander Criston Cole and Ryam Redwyne acted as Hand of the King to their respective kings, while Lewyn Martell Aemon Targaryen still used the style of ‘prince’.
Protect the Royal Family
The Kingsguard must prioritize the royal family over others. The wives, children, family – and sometimes even mistresses and bastard children – of the king have the protection of the Kingsguard.
That is why Arthur Dayne and the other members of the Kingsguard were in the Tower of Joy, protecting Lyanna Stark – the wife of Rhaegar Targaryen – and her newborn son Aegon Targaryen – whom we all know better as the bastard of the north, Jon Snow.
Dismissal Of Kingsguard
Only a king can dismiss a member of the Kingsguard; when Joffrey was king, he dismissed Ser Barristan Selmy because he was too ‘old’ and when Tommen was king he dismissed his biological father, believed to be his uncle, Jaime Lannister in order to lead his army and regain Riverrun.
Transfer Of Tasks And Duties
If a member of the Kingsguard is unable to perform any of his duties or duties due to age or reasons of mental or physical health, the other members of the Kingsguard take over.
Unsworn Help
Sometimes the Kingsguard have to rely on other people in order to protect the king and the royal family. Prince Joffrey has Sandor ‘The Hound’ Clegane as his sworn shield, Queen Cersei Lannister has Vylarr and his Red Cloaks to protect her.
The Lord Commander Of The Kingsguard
The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard has a seat on the Small Council by virtue of his office. It is his role on the council to give military advice to the king on war. Other members of the Kingsguard are to guard the Small Council, one must stand outside the door while the council is in session and another at the end of the bridge over Maegor’s Holdfast.
Cloak And Sigil of the Kingsguard
Only a member of the Kingsguard can use a pure white non faceless shield. No one else in the Seven Kingdoms can. The Kingsguard have their own standard; it is raised in gold, surrounded by seven silver swords on a white background.
The White Book
Created during the reign of Aegon I Targaryen, the White Book is an uninterrupted history of all the members of the Kingsguard. Each member has a page that dictates who they are and what deeds they have done in service to their respective kings. He keeps in the White Tower and it is up to the Lord Commander to update the book.
The Kingslayer
In the entire history of the Kingsguard order, only one member of the prestigious order ever turned on their king and killed him; Jaime Lannister. Although he had good reason to, as Aerys ‘The Mad King’ Targaryen was planning to burn the entire city of Kings Landing and its residents to the ground.
