The Citadel

The Kingsguard

General Information

Founded by Aegon the Conqueror, the Sworn Brotherhood of the Kingsguard always numbers seven members who alone bear the right to carry a pure white unblazoned shield. Led by their Lord Commander, the Kingsguard—also known as the White Swords—swear to protect their king and his family with their own lives, to obey his commands, and to keep his secrets. Many legendary knights—among them Ser Ryam Redwyne, Prince Aemon the Dragonknight, Ser Duncan the Tall, Ser Gerold Hightower, and Ser Barristan Selmy—have been part of the order.

Most recently, Barristan the Bold was dismissed from his place in the Kingsguard on account of advanced age. Ser Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer, was raised to Lord Commander in his place while the Hound was given the white cloak that was stripped from him despite not being a knight.

Spoilers

Preston Greenfield of the Kingsguard would be killed in the riot at King’s Landing following Myrcella Baratheon’s departure for Dorne. Balon Swann was named to replace him. Boros Blount was stripped of his cloak by Queen Cersei following his handing over of Tommen Baratheon to Jacelyn Bywater, and Osmund Kettleblack was named in his stead. Arys Oakheart was named sworn shield to Myrcella Baratheon for her journey to Dorne. At the Battle of the Blackwater, the Hound fled King’s Landing while Ser Mandon Moore was killed while attempting to murder Tyrion Lannister at the behest of an unknown figure.

Lord Tywin proceeded to restore Ser Boros to the Kingsguard, while Ser Loras Tyrell took the white cloak as part of the alliance with the Tyrells. Jaime Lannister, returned to King’s Landing and attempted to do his duty by the Sworn Brotherhood in an attempt to redeem himself. Following Lord Tywin’s death, Queen Cersei plotted against the Tyrells and attempted to see Ser Loras killed by engineering his rash decision to go to Dragonstone and storm the citadel so that the Redwyne fleet could be freed to return to the Reach as the ironborn were assaulting it. Ser Loras successfully storms of the citadel, but is gravelly wounded by quarrel, mace, and boiling oil and not expected to live. And in Dorne, Ser Arys Oakheart is seduced by Princess Arianne Martell, who leads him into her conspiracy to see Myrcella Baratheon crowned as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. This plot is discovered by her father, however, and Ser Arys charges to his death against Areo Hotah, the Martell captain of the guard.

Cersei, having been imprisoned by the Faith following the accusation that she had commanded the murder of the previous High Septon among many other crimes (accusations which them implicate Ser Osmund of the Kingsguard and his brothers, who are all imprisoned as well), learns that Arys Oakheart is dead and arranges for her uncle Ser Kevan—now regent—to name the mysterious, giant Ser Robert Strong to the Kingsguard. Ser Robert, a man known to Qyburn, has allegedly sworn vows of silence. There are those who say he neither eats nor sleeps nor makes use of the privy, leading Kevan Lannister to have suspicions about his identity and true nature.