Difference between revisions of "Gerold Hightower"

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| TV_series = [[Game of Thrones - Season 6|Season 6]]
 
| TV_series = [[Game of Thrones - Season 6|Season 6]]
 
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Ser '''Gerold Hightower''', known as the '''White Bull''', was the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard|Lord Commander]] of the [[Kingsguard]] during the reigns of Kings [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]] and [[Aerys II Targaryen]].{{ref|AGOT|39}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} He was the uncle of [[Leyton Hightower]], Lord of the [[Hightower]] and head of [[House Hightower]].{{ref|acok|12}} An amalgamation of Gerold and Ser [[Oswell Whent]] is portrayed by [[w:Eddie Eyre|Eddie Eyre]] during a flashback in [[Game of Thrones - Season 6|Season 6]] in the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]''.<ref>[https://twitter.com/EddieEyre/status/729796204733837313 Tweet] by @EddieEyre: "'Gerold Hightower', but the character was an amalgamation of both really", 9 May 2016</ref>  
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Ser '''Gerold Hightower''', known as the '''White Bull''', was a [[knight]] of [[House Hightower]] and the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard|Lord Commander]] of the [[Kingsguard]] during the reigns of kings, [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]] and [[Aerys II Targaryen]].{{ref|AGOT|39}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} He was the uncle of Lord [[Leyton Hightower]] of [[Oldtown]].{{ref|acok|12}} An amalgamation of Gerold and Ser [[Oswell Whent]] is portrayed by [[w:Eddie Eyre|Eddie Eyre]] during a flashback in [[Game of Thrones - Season 6|Season 6]] in the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]''.<ref>[https://twitter.com/EddieEyre/status/729796204733837313 Tweet] by @EddieEyre: "'Gerold Hightower', but the character was an amalgamation of both really", 9 May 2016</ref>  
  
 
==Character==
 
==Character==
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Gerold was present when King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] burned Lord [[Rickard Stark]] alive in the [[Red Keep]]'s throne room, and while [[Brandon Stark]] strangled himself to death. After the two Starks died, Gerold took Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] aside and reminded him they were sworn to defend the king, not to judge him.{{ref|ACOK|55}}
 
Gerold was present when King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] burned Lord [[Rickard Stark]] alive in the [[Red Keep]]'s throne room, and while [[Brandon Stark]] strangled himself to death. After the two Starks died, Gerold took Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] aside and reminded him they were sworn to defend the king, not to judge him.{{ref|ACOK|55}}
  
During the [[Robert's Rebellion|ensuing rebellion]], after the [[Battle of the Bells]], Gerold was sent to find Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]].{{Ref|awoiaf| Rhaegar Targaryen}} While Rhaegar eventually returned to [[King's Landing]], Gerold did not. He was next seen at the [[tower of joy]] in the [[Red Mountains]] of [[Dorne]], with two of his sworn brothers, Ser [[Arthur Dayne]] and Ser [[Oswell Whent]],{{Ref|AGOT|39}} both of whom had been with Rhaegar when he disappeared originally.{{Ref|awoiaf| Rhaegar Targaryen}} Here, they were guarding [[Lyanna Stark]].{{Ref|awoiaf| Rhaegar Targaryen}}{{Ref|aGoT|39}}  
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During the [[Robert's Rebellion|ensuing rebellion]], after the [[battle of the Bells]], Gerold was sent to find Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]].{{Ref|awoiaf| Rhaegar Targaryen}} While Rhaegar eventually returned to [[King's Landing]], Gerold did not. He was next seen at the [[tower of joy]] in the [[Red Mountains]] of [[Dorne]], with two of his sworn brothers, Ser [[Arthur Dayne]] and Ser [[Oswell Whent]],{{Ref|AGOT|39}} both of whom had been with Rhaegar when he disappeared originally.{{Ref|awoiaf| Rhaegar Targaryen}} Here, they were guarding [[Lyanna Stark]].{{Ref|awoiaf| Rhaegar Targaryen}}{{Ref|aGoT|39}}  
  
 
The three Kingsguard were eventually found at the tower by Lyanna's brother, Lord [[Eddard Stark]] of [[Winterfell]], and six of Eddard's companions. After a short conversation with Eddard, during which the three knights refused several opportunities to leave unharmed, [[combat at the tower of joy|combat ensued]] in which Gerold died.{{Ref|aGoT|39}} Stones from the tower were used to build his cairn upon a nearby ridge.{{Ref|aGoT|39}}
 
The three Kingsguard were eventually found at the tower by Lyanna's brother, Lord [[Eddard Stark]] of [[Winterfell]], and six of Eddard's companions. After a short conversation with Eddard, during which the three knights refused several opportunities to leave unharmed, [[combat at the tower of joy|combat ensued]] in which Gerold died.{{Ref|aGoT|39}} Stones from the tower were used to build his cairn upon a nearby ridge.{{Ref|aGoT|39}}

Revision as of 12:30, 22 November 2017

House Hightower.png
Gerold Hightower
Kingsguard.svg
Gerold hightower lord commander of the kingsguard by gutter1333-d6futic.jpg
art by Gutter1333 ©

Alias The White Bull
Titles
Allegiances
Culture Reachmen
Died 283 AC
the tower of joy
Books

Played by Eddie Eyre
TV series Season 6

Ser Gerold Hightower, known as the White Bull, was a knight of House Hightower and the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard during the reigns of kings, Jaehaerys II Targaryen and Aerys II Targaryen.[1][2] He was the uncle of Lord Leyton Hightower of Oldtown.[3] An amalgamation of Gerold and Ser Oswell Whent is portrayed by Eddie Eyre during a flashback in Season 6 in the television adaptation Game of Thrones.[4]

Character

See also: Images of Gerold Hightower

Gerold was considered to be fierce, despite his old age,[1] and in his heyday, he would have been stronger than Jaime Lannister at his prime.[5]

History

In the Kingsguard

It is currently unknown when Gerold joined the order of the Kingsguard. He became Lord Commander in 259 AC, following the death of his predecessor, Ser Duncan the Tall.[2] During the War of the Ninepenny Kings, Gerold took command of the royal forces after the death of the Hand of the King, Lord Ormund Baratheon.[2] After the war, he accepted Ser Barristan Selmy into the order.[6][7]

Around 280 AC/281 AC, Gerold was shot through the hand by Ulmer, an outlaw of the Kingswood Brotherhood, who went on to steal a kiss and some jewels from Princess Elia Martell of Dorne.[8] In 281 AC, at the tourney at Harrenhal, Gerold fastened the white cloak of the Kingsguard about the shoulders of the newest member, Ser Jaime Lannister.[9] That evening, when King Aerys II Targaryen ordered Jaime to return to King's Landing to guard Queen Rhaella and Prince Viserys, Gerold offered to go in Jaime's stead, so Jaime could remain at Harrenhal and take part in the tourney, but Aerys refused.[10][11]

Robert's Rebellion

Gerold was present when King Aerys II Targaryen burned Lord Rickard Stark alive in the Red Keep's throne room, and while Brandon Stark strangled himself to death. After the two Starks died, Gerold took Ser Jaime Lannister aside and reminded him they were sworn to defend the king, not to judge him.[12]

During the ensuing rebellion, after the battle of the Bells, Gerold was sent to find Prince Rhaegar.[13] While Rhaegar eventually returned to King's Landing, Gerold did not. He was next seen at the tower of joy in the Red Mountains of Dorne, with two of his sworn brothers, Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Oswell Whent,[1] both of whom had been with Rhaegar when he disappeared originally.[13] Here, they were guarding Lyanna Stark.[13][1]

The three Kingsguard were eventually found at the tower by Lyanna's brother, Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell, and six of Eddard's companions. After a short conversation with Eddard, during which the three knights refused several opportunities to leave unharmed, combat ensued in which Gerold died.[1] Stones from the tower were used to build his cairn upon a nearby ridge.[1]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Lord Eddard Stark has a fever dream of Gerold, Ser Arthur Dayne, and Ser Oswell Whent at the tower of joy.[1]

A Storm of Swords

Resting on a weirwood stump, Ser Jaime Lannister dreams of he and Brienne of Tarth being visited by the shades of Gerold, Oswell, Arthur, Ser Jon Darry, Prince Lewyn Martell, and Prince Rhaegar Targaryen in the depths of Casterly Rock.[10]

Quotes by Gerold

The Kingsguard does not flee.[1]

– Gerold to Eddard Stark in Eddard's dream


You swore a vow to guard the king, not to judge him.[12]

– Gerold to Jaime Lannister, after Aerys II Targaryen murdered Brandon and Rickard Stark

Quotes about Gerold

That was the White Bull, loyal to the end and a better man than me, all agree.[12]

Jaime Lannister to Catelyn Stark


I learned from the White Bull and Barristan the Bold. I learned from Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, who could have slain all five of you with his left hand while he was taking a piss with the right. I learned from Prince Lewyn of Dorne and Ser Oswell Whent and Ser Jonothor Darry, good men every one.[7]

Jaime Lannister to Loras Tyrell, Osmund Kettleblack, Balon Swann, Meryn Trant, and Boros Blount

Family

Gerold was a member of House Hightower. He had at least one brother, who went on to continue the Hightower line. Gerold was the uncle of Lord Leyton Hightower, and thereby the great-uncle of Leyton's nine children.[3]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unknown
Hightower
 
Unknown
wife
 
Gerold
 
Unknown
Hightower
 
Unknown
Archmaester
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three
wives
 
Leyton
 
Rhea
Florent
 
 
 
 
 
Walys
Flowers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Baelor
 
Rhonda
Rowan
 
Malora
 
Garth
 
Alerie
 
Mace
Tyrell
 
Leyla
 
Jon
Cupps
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Willas
Tyrell
 
Garlan
Tyrell
 
Loras
Tyrell
 
Margaery
Tyrell
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denyse
 
Desmond
Redwyne
 
Alysanne
 
Arthur
Ambrose
 
Gunthor
 
Jeyne
Fossoway
 
Humfrey
 
Lynesse
 
Jorah
Mormont
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denys
Redwyne
 
 
 
 
 
Alyn
Ambrose
 


References and Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 39, Eddard X.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II.
  3. 3.0 3.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 12, Daenerys I.
  4. Tweet by @EddieEyre: "'Gerold Hightower', but the character was an amalgamation of both really", 9 May 2016
  5. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 21, Jaime III.
  6. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 57, Sansa V.
  7. 7.0 7.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 67, Jaime VIII.
  8. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 33, Samwell II.
  9. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 58, Eddard XV.
  10. 10.0 10.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 44, Jaime VI.
  11. The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 55, Catelyn VII.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Rhaegar Targaryen.