Difference between revisions of "Golden Company"

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==Culture==
 
==Culture==
On his deathbed Ser [[Aegor Rivers]] commanded that  when he was dead, the flesh was to be boiled from his skull and then to  be dipped in gold and placed on a standard the company would carry  before them when they crossed the [[narrow sea]] to retake Westeros. Each of his successors has followed this example, upon their deaths  their golden skulls adorn the standard poles of the Golden Company.{{Ref|aDwD|24}}
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On his deathbed Ser [[Aegor Rivers]] commanded that  when he was dead, the flesh was to be boiled from his skull and then to  be dipped in gold and placed on a standard the company would carry  before them when they crossed the [[narrow sea]] to retake Westeros. Each of his successors has followed this example, upon their deaths  their golden skulls adorn the standard poles of the Golden Company.{{Ref|aDwD|24}} As the heirs of Bittersteel discipline is like mother's milk to the men of the Golden Company, able to march quickly after a haphazard and disorganized landing with the chaos that would have inevitably delayed a hastily assembled host of household knights and local levies nowhere in evidence.
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==

Revision as of 22:29, 12 September 2012

The Golden Skulls of all former company captains

The Golden Company is a company of sellswords founded by the Great Bastard, Bittersteel. They are considered the largest, most famous, and most expensive sellsword or mercenary company in the Free Cities. Despite the notorious unreliability of sellswords, the Golden Company is reputed to have never broken a contract. Their motto is "Our word is good as gold." [1]

History

It was founded by Aegor Rivers, called "Bittersteel", a legitimized bastard of King Aegon IV, after he fled Westeros with the younger sons of Daemon Blackfyre at the end of the Blackfyre Rebellion. When Aegor saw all the exiled lords and knights signing on with other sellsword companies, such as the Ragged Standard or the Maiden's Men, and saw the support of House Blackfyre ebbing away, he created his own sellsword company.

Since then they have fought mainly in the Disputed Lands. The Golden Company is said to be made up of exiles, and the sons of exiles. The Golden Company were once helmed by Maelys the Monstrous, the last of the Blackfyre Pretenders.[2][3] During the War of the Ninepenny Kings Ser Barristan Selmy cut a bloody path though the Golden Company's ranks to slay Maelys the Monstrous in single combat.

Their war cry, "Beneath the gold, the bitter steel" pays homage to their founder. Viserys Targaryen once feasted the captains of the Golden Company in the hopes they might take up his cause. They ate his food and heard his pleas and laughed at him.

Culture

On his deathbed Ser Aegor Rivers commanded that when he was dead, the flesh was to be boiled from his skull and then to be dipped in gold and placed on a standard the company would carry before them when they crossed the narrow sea to retake Westeros. Each of his successors has followed this example, upon their deaths their golden skulls adorn the standard poles of the Golden Company.[4] As the heirs of Bittersteel discipline is like mother's milk to the men of the Golden Company, able to march quickly after a haphazard and disorganized landing with the chaos that would have inevitably delayed a hastily assembled host of household knights and local levies nowhere in evidence.

Recent Events

A Feast for Crows

Most recently, the Company broke its contract with the city of Myr, despite the looming war with neighboring Lys and Tyrosh. According to sailors in King's Landing, they are making for Volantis.[5] No one can say why they have broken their contract.

A Dance with Dragons

While traveling on the Valyrian road with Illyrio, on the way to meet Griff and company, Tyrion questions Illyrio as to how he managed to get the Golden Company to break their contract with Myr. Illyrio wriggles his fat fingers and says:

Some contracts are writ in ink, and some in blood. I say no more.[2]

Tyrion then points out to Illyrio that the Golden Company have spent so much of their history fighting against the Targaryens. He asks how Illyrio managed to convince the Golden Company to take up Daenerys’s cause, Illyrio brushes away the objection as if it were a fly, replying:

Black or red, a dragon is still a dragon.[2]

It is revealed that the Golden Company initially abandoned the contract because they expected to meet and join Daenerys Targaryen when she sailed from Meereen to Volantis. However when they learn she has stayed in Meereen, they decide to swear allegiance to Aegon Targaryen and join him in an invasion of Westeros.[4]

The company has claimed several victories already, taking several castles and are next planning to take Storm's End.[6]

Composition

The Golden Company consist of 10,000 men, several thousands horses and a number of elephants.

A partial breakdown:

  • 500 knights, each having three horses.
  • 500 squires, each having one horse.
  • 1,000 archers

Notable Members

Captain-generals

Members

Quotes

Daenerys will give the exiles what Bittersteel and the Blackfyers never could. She will take them home.[2]

-Illyrio Mopatis, to Tyrion

References and Notes