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The '''Hand of the King''' is the king's chief advisor and executor of his command in the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. Duties of the Hand include commanding the king's armies, drafting laws, dispensing justice, and generally managing the day-to-day running of the kingdom. The Hand may act on the king's behalf when he is indisposed, and sit on the [[Iron Throne]] while doing so. The Hand also sits on the [[small council]] and will run the council if the king is not present.  
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[[File:GT01 11094 EddardStark JacobMurray2.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Lord [[Eddard Stark]], Hand of the King. © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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[[File:Tyrion as Hand.jpg|thumb|right|350px|[[Tyrion Lannister]], acting as Hand of the King, wears the necklace of linked hands. © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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[[File:Yulia Startsev The Hand's Judgement.png|thumb|right|350px|© Fantasy Flight Games]]
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The '''Hand of the King''' is the chief advisor to the [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]] and is the executor of the king's command in the [[Seven Kingdoms]].
  
The office typically makes the Hand the second most powerful man in the kingdom next to the king, though some Hands had the reputation of ruling their kings. It is considered by some to be a difficult and unglamorous job of great responsibility. A popular saying goes, "What the king dreams, the Hand builds," but the lowborn say, "The king eats, and the Hand takes the shit."<ref>[[A Game of Thrones]], [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 4|Chapter 4]], Eddard</ref> Many able men have failed in the office throughout history.
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==About==
 +
Duties of the Hand include commanding the king's armies, drafting laws, dispensing justice, and generally managing the day-to-day running of the kingdom. The Hand may act on the king's behalf when he is indisposed, and sit the [[Iron Throne]] while doing so. The Hand also sits on the [[small council]] and will run the council if the king is not present.  
  
The Hand resides in a tower of the [[Red Keep]] called the [[Tower of the Hand]]. His badge of office always includes a hand, though the each Hand can design his own. A necklace of hands linked into a chain is one possible badge. Servants of the Hand wear the emblem of a hand.
+
The office typically makes the Hand the second-most powerful man in the kingdom next to the king, though some Hands had the reputation of ruling their kings.  
  
==List of Known Hands==
+
It is considered by some to be a difficult and unglamorous job of great responsibility. A popular saying goes, "What the king dreams, the Hand builds," but the lowborn say, "The king eats, and the Hand takes the shit."{{ref|agot|4}} Many able men have failed in the office throughout history.
  
{| class=wikitable
+
The Hand resides in a tower of the [[Red Keep]] called the [[Tower of the Hand]].{{Ref|AGOT|20}} His badge of office always includes a hand, though each Hand can design his own. [[Brynden Rivers]] used a iron brooch,{{Ref|TMK}} [[Eddard Stark]] used a silver clasp,{{Ref|AGOT|33}} while [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] and [[Tywin Lannister]] used a golden chain.{{Ref|ACOK|32}}{{Ref|ACOK|65}} Servants of the Hand might wear the emblem of a hand.{{Ref|AGOT|22}}
! width=150px|During the rign of King
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! width=150px|Hand of the King
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==History==
! width=400px|Period and Notes
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During [[Aegon's Conquest|Conquest]] of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] by King [[Aegon I Targaryen]], after the first few victories, Aegon proclaimed [[Orys Baratheon]]  to be
 +
 
 +
{{Quote|...My shield, my stalwart, my strong right hand.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}}}
 +
 
 +
Because of Aegon's description, Orys is regarded to have been the first Hand of the King.
 +
 
 +
==Recent Events==
 +
===''A Game of Thrones''===
 +
Upon the death of his Hand, Lord [[Jon Arryn]], King [[Robert I Baratheon]] asks Lord [[Eddard Stark]] to serve as Lord Arryn's replacement.{{Ref|AGOT|4}} After Robert dies, however, his son, [[Joffrey Baratheon]], has Ned Stark executed.{{Ref|AGOT|65}} Joffrey's grandfather, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] serves as the new Hand of the King.{{Ref|AGOT|57}} Because Tywin is capaigning in the [[riverlands]] during the [[War of the Five Kings]], he sends his younger son, [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] to serve as acting Hand to [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|AGOT|69}}
 +
 
 +
===''A Clash of King''===
 +
As acting Hand, [[Tyrion Lannister]] serves in [[King's Landing]] until Lord Tywin Lannister arrives during the [[Battle of the Blackwater]].{{Ref|ACOK|65}}
 +
 
 +
Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] serves as Hand to [[Renly Baratheon]], a rival claimant to the [[Iron Throne]], who is killed at [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|Storm's End]].{{Ref|ACOK|Appendix}}
 +
 
 +
===''A Storm of Swords''===
 +
Following the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], Tywin serves as Hand to Joffrey and, after [[Purple Wedding|Joffrey's death]], to King [[Tommen Baratheon]],{{Ref|ASOS|66}} until he is murdered.{{Ref|ASOS|77}}
 +
 
 +
Lord [[Alester Florent]] serves as the Hand to [[Stannis Baratheon]], a rival claimant to the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|ACOK|12}} After Alester has been arrested and executed for treason, [[Axell Florent]] tries to make [[Davos Seaworth]] advise  Stannis to name himself as Hand of the King, but Stannis chooses Davos to be his new Hand instead.{{Ref|ASOS|36}}
 +
 
 +
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 +
After she fails to convince [[Jaime Lannister]] to become Hand,{{Ref|AFFC|3}} and refuses to meet the terms Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] has for the office{{Ref|AFFC|7}}, Ser [[Harys Swyft]]{{Ref|AFFC|17}} and later Lord [[Orton Merryweather]]{{Ref|AFFC|39}} serve as Hand of the King for King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]], chosen by his mother, Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]]. After Cersei is arrested by the [[Faith of the Seven]], Merryweather resigns the [[small council]] and flees [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|AFFC|43}}
 +
 
 +
Prior to the [[Kingsmoot]], [[Asha Greyjoy]] offers to support her uncle [[Victarion Greyjoy|Victarion]] as [[King of the Isles and the North|king]] if he names her his Hand. Victarion rejects her offer due to the absence of the office in [[ironborn]] culture, Asha's gender, and their contrasting views on the [[ironborn]] war for the [[North]],{{ref|affc|18}} and Asha and Victarion each stand in the kingsmoot, both losing to [[Euron Greyjoy]].{{ref|affc|19}}
 +
 
 +
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 +
After Merryweather has resigned, Ser [[Kevan Lannister]], as Regent, elevates [[Mace Tyrell]] to Hand of the King for King Tommen I.{{Ref|ADWD|54}}
 +
 
 +
Meanwhile, Ser Davos Seaworth continues as Hand of the King for Stannis Baratheon,{{Ref|AFFC|Appendix}}{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}} while Ser [[Axell Florent]] is calling himself the Queen's Hand to [[Selyse Florent]].{{Ref|ADWD|39}}
 +
 
 +
In [[Meereen]], Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] serves as Hand for Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] in her absence, after King [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]] has been removed from power.{{Ref|ADWD|70}}
 +
 
 +
Lord [[Jon Connington]] serves as the Hand to Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]], despite the latter not having been crowned king yet.{{Ref|ADWD|61}} Connington is styled "Hand of the True King".{{Ref|TWOW| Arianne I}}
 +
 
 +
==List of known Hands==
 +
 
 +
{| class=wikitable width=100%
 +
! width=200px|During the reign of King
 +
! width=250px|Hand of the King
 +
!Period and Notes
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="5"| [[Aegon I Targaryen]]
 +
| Lord [[Orys Baratheon]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
 +
| {{Date|1|7}}. First Hand of the King.
 +
|-
 +
| Lord [[Edmyn Tully]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Riverlands: House Tully}}
 +
| {{Date|7|9}}
 +
|-
 +
| Lord [[Alton Celtigar]]
 +
| {{Date|9|17}}
 +
|-
 +
| Ser [[Osmund Strong]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}}
 +
| {{Date|17|34}}
 +
|-
 +
|  Lord [[Alyn Stokeworth]]
 +
| {{Date|34|37}}
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="3"| [[Aenys I Targaryen]]
 +
|  Lord [[Alyn Stokeworth]]
 +
| {{Date|37}}
 +
|-
 +
| Prince [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor Targaryen]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
 +
| {{Date|37|39}}
 +
|-
 +
| Septon [[Murmison]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
 +
| {{Date|39|41}}
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="2"| [[Maegor I Targaryen]]
 +
|  Lord [[Lucas Harroway]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Riverlands: House Tully}}
 +
| {{Date|43|44}}. By orders of the king, he was thrown from the roof of the [[Tower of the Hand]] by [[knight]]s of the [[Kingsguard]].
 +
|-
 +
| Lord [[Edwell Celtigar]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}
 +
| {{Date|44|48}}
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="7"| [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
 +
| Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}
 +
| {{Date|48|50}}
 +
|-
 +
| Lord [[Daemon Velaryon (son of Aethan)|Daemon Velaryon]]{{Ref|fab|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
 +
| {{Date|50|54}}
 +
|-
 +
| Lord [[Myles Smallwood]]{{Ref|fab|Birth, Death and Betrayal under Jaehaerys I}}
 +
| {{Date|54|57}}
 +
|-
 +
| Septon [[Barth]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}
 +
| {{Date|58|98}}{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}<ref group="N" name=death>''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' states that Barth died in {{Date|99}} in ''The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I''. However, the more recently published ''Fire & Blood'' has changed this to {{Date|98}}.</ref>
 +
|-
 +
| Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}
 +
| {{Date|99|100}}. Concurrently served as [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]].
 +
|-
 +
| Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}
 +
| {{Date|100|101}}
 +
|-
 +
| Ser [[Otto Hightower]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}{{Ref|TRP}}
 +
| {{Date|101|103}}
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="3"| [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
 +
| Ser [[Otto Hightower]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}{{Ref|TRP}}
 +
| {{Date|103|109}}. Removed as Hand after pushing the inheritance of his [[Alicent Hightower|daughter's]] sons over Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]].
 +
|-
 +
| Lord [[Lyonel Strong]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}{{Ref|TRP}}
 +
| {{Date|109|120}}. Died in a fire at [[Harrenhal]].
 +
|-
 +
| Ser [[Otto Hightower]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}{{Ref|TRP}}{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}
 +
| {{Date|120|130}}. Reinstated after predecessor's death.
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="2"| [[Aegon II Targaryen]]
 +
| Ser [[Otto Hightower]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}{{Ref|TRP}}{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}
 +
| {{Date|130}}. Executed by Rhaenyra Targaryen.
 +
|-
 +
| Ser [[Criston Cole]]{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}{{Ref|AFFC|16}}
 +
| {{Date|130}}. Concurrently served as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Died at the [[Butcher's Ball]].
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="9"| [[Aegon III Targaryen]]
 +
| Lord [[Cregan Stark]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{Ref|fab|Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf}}
 +
| {{Date|131}}. Only held office for a day, before returning to the [[North]].
 +
|-
 +
| Ser [[Tyland Lannister]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{Ref|fab|Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand}}
 +
| {{Date|131|133}}. Died of [[Winter Fever]].
 +
|-
 +
| Lord [[Unwin Peake]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{Ref|fab|Under the Regents - Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
 +
| {{Date|133|134}}. Resigned the office after the king turned down a marriage proposal with his [[Myrielle Peake|daughter]].
 +
|-
 +
| Lord [[Thaddeus Rowan]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{Ref|fab|Under the Regents - Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
 +
| {{Date|134|135}}. Imprisoned and tortured by plotters seeking to undermine the [[House Rogare|Rogare family's]] influance over the court.
 +
|-
 +
| Ser [[Marston Waters]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{Ref|fab|Under the Regents - Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
 +
| {{Date|135}}. Concurrently served as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Participated in a plot to imprison Lord Thaddeus Rowan and members of the Rogare family present at court. He was then named Hand, however, he died trying to arrest his sworn brother, Ser [[Mervyn Flowers]], a fortnight later.
 +
|-
 +
| Lord [[Thaddeus Rowan]]{{Ref|fab|Under the Regents - Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
 +
| {{Date|135}}. Reinstalled after the imprisonment of plotters and death of Ser Marston Waters. However, after a moon's turn he was dismissed once again due to poor mental condition.
 +
|-
 +
| Grand Maester [[Munkun]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{Ref|fab|Under the Regents - Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
 +
| {{Date|135|136}}. Served as Hand until the election of a new Hand in the [[Great Council|Council of 136 AC]].
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="4"|  [[Tommen Baratheon]]
+
| Lord [[Torrhen Manderly]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{Ref|fab|Under the Regents - Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
| [[Mace Tyrell]]
+
| {{Date|136}}. Elected as the new Hand during the [[Great Council|Council of 136 AC]]. Dismissed when king came of age.
| 301 AL
 
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Orton Merryweather]]
+
| Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{Ref|AFFC|43}}
| 300 AL - 300 AL
+
| Unknown–{{Date|157}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Harys Swyft]]
+
| [[Daeron I Targaryen]]
| 300 AL - 300 AL
+
| Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{Ref|AWOIAF| Viserys II Targaryen}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}}{{Ref|ASOS|59}}
 +
| {{Date|157|161}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Tywin Lannister]]
+
| [[Baelor I Targaryen]]
| 2nd term 300 AL - 300 AL
+
| Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{Ref|AWOIAF| Viserys II Targaryen}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}}{{Ref|ASOS|59}}
 +
| {{Date|161|171}}
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Joffrey Baratheon]]
+
| [[Viserys II Targaryen]]
| [[Tywin Lannister]]
+
| Unknown
| 2nd term 298 AL - 300 AL
+
| {{Date|171|172}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Tyrion Lannister]]
+
| rowspan="4"|[[Aegon IV Targaryen]]
| was acting hand during part of his father's 2nd term
+
| [[Lord Bracken]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}
 +
| {{Date|172}}–Unknown. Father of two of the king's mistresses.
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Robert Baratheon]]
+
| [[Butterwell (Hand of the King)|Lord Butterwell]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}{{Ref|TMK}}
| [[Eddard Stark]]
+
| Unknown–Unknown
| 298 AL
 
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Jon Arryn]]
+
| Lord [[Lucas Lothston]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}
| 283 AL - 298 AL
+
| {{date|178}}. Husband of a king's mistress, father to a second of the king's mistresses.
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="5"| [[Aerys II Targaryen]]
+
| Lord [[Jon Hightower]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}
| Lord [[Rossart]]
+
| Unknown–Unknown
| 283 AL
 
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Qarlton Chelsted]]
+
| rowspan="4"|[[Daeron II Targaryen]]
| 283 AL
+
| Lord [[Ambrose Butterwell]]{{Ref|TSS}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}}
 +
| Unknown–{{Date|196}}. Removed for failing to contain the [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]].
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Jon Connington]]
+
| [[Lord Hayford]]{{Ref|TSS}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}}
| 283 AL
+
| {{Date|196}}. Died at the [[Battle of the Redgrass Field]].
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Owen Merryweather]]
+
| Prince [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor Targaryen]]{{Ref|THK}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}
| 282 AL (?) - 283 AL
+
| {{Date|196|209}}. Died after a blow to the head suffered in the [[trial of seven]] during the [[tourney at Ashford Meadow]].
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Tywin Lannister]]
+
| Prince [[Valarr Targaryen]] (Possibly){{Ref|TSS}}
| +/- 262 AL -  282 AL (?)
+
| {{Date|209}}. Died during the [[Great Spring Sickness]]. It is currently unknown whether Valarr is referred to as Hand in ''[[The Sworn Sword]]'', or whether "the Hand" named as having died in the Spring Sickness is a separate individual.
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Aerys I Targaryen]]
 
| [[Aerys I Targaryen]]
| [[Brynden Rivers]]
+
| [[Brynden Rivers]]{{Ref|TSS}}{{Ref|TMK}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}
| 209 AL - 221 AL (?)
+
| {{Date|209|221}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[Maekar I Targaryen]]
 +
| [[Brynden Rivers]]{{Ref|TSS}}{{Ref|TMK}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}
 +
| {{Date|221|233}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[Aegon V Targaryen]]
 +
| Unknown
 +
| {{Date|233|259}}
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="3"|[[Daeron II Targaryen]]
+
| rowspan="2"| [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]]
| [[Baelor Targaryen|Baelor Breakspear]]
+
| Lord [[Ormund Baratheon]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}
| 196 AL - 208 AL
+
| {{Date|259|260}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[House Hayford|Lord Hayford]]
+
| [[Edgar Sloane]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
| 196 AL
+
| Unknown–{{Date|262}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Ambrose Butterwell]]
+
| rowspan="5"| [[Aerys II Targaryen]]
| ? - 196 AL
+
| Ser/Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
 +
| {{Date|262|281}}. Resigned his post for Aerys's slights against him.
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Aegon IV]]
+
| Lord [[Owen Merryweather]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{Ref|ASOS|11}}
| [[House Butterwell|Lord Butterwell]]
+
| {{Date|281|282}}. Removed from office and exiled for failing to contain [[Robert's Rebellion]].
| ?
 
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Baelor I]]<br>[[Daeron I]]
+
| Lord [[Jon Connington]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}{{Ref|ASOS|11}}
| [[Viserys II|Prince Viserys]]
+
| {{Date|282|283}}. Removed from his office and exiled after losing the [[Battle of the Bells]].
| ?
 
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Jaehaerys I]]
+
| Lord [[Qarlton Chelsted]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The End}}{{Ref|ASOS|11}}
| Septon [[Barth]]
+
| {{Date|283}}. He bravely resigned his position over Aerys's [[wildfire plot|plan]] to burn [[King's Landing]] and was subsequently burned alive for it.
| Served as Hand for over Forty years
 
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Aenys I]]
+
| Wisdom [[Rossart]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The End}}{{Ref|ASOS|11}}
| [[Maegor I|Prince Maegor]]
+
| {{Date|283}}. Was Hand for a fortnight. Named after the [[Battle of the Trident]].
| ?
+
|-
 +
| rowspan="2"| [[Robert I Baratheon]]
 +
| Lord [[Jon Arryn]]{{Ref|AGOT|4}}
 +
| {{Date|283|298}}
 +
|-
 +
| Lord [[Eddard Stark]]{{Ref|AGOT|4}}
 +
| {{Date|298}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]]
 +
| rowspan="2"| Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]{{Ref|AGOT|65}}{{Ref|AGOT|69}}
 +
| rowspan="2"| {{Date|298|300}}. Served as Hand as well under [[Aerys II Targaryen]]. While he was [[War of the Five Kings|campaigning in the Riverlands]], his son [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] was acting Hand ({{Date|298|299}}).
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="4"| [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]]
 +
|-
 +
| Ser [[Harys Swyft]]{{Ref|AFFC|17}}
 +
| {{Date|300}}
 +
|-
 +
| Lord [[Orton Merryweather]]{{Ref|AFFC|39}}
 +
| {{Date|300}}
 +
|-
 +
| Lord [[Mace Tyrell]]{{Ref|ADWD|54}}
 +
| {{Date|300}}–Present
 
|}
 
|}
  
===Time unknown===
+
[[File:Hand of the King.jpeg|thumb|350px|Hand of the King brooch, from ''[[Game of Thrones]]''.]]
* Septon [[Murmison]] ? - ?
 
* [[Myles Smallwood]] ? - ?
 
* Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]] ? -?
 
* Ser [[Otto Hightower]] ? - ?
 
  
===Hands of Claimants to the Iron Throne===
+
==Hands of claimants to the Iron Throne==
* Lord [[Mace Tyrell]], for [[Renly Baratheon]]
+
* Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], for [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
* Lord [[Alester Florent]], for [[Stannis Baratheon]]
+
* Lord [[Mace Tyrell]], for [[Renly Baratheon]] before Renly's death.
 +
* Lord [[Alester Florent]], for [[Stannis Baratheon]], later removed and executed for treason.
 
* Lord [[Davos Seaworth]], for [[Stannis Baratheon]]
 
* Lord [[Davos Seaworth]], for [[Stannis Baratheon]]
* Lord Commander [[Barristan Selmy]] for [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
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* Ser [[Axell Florent]], self-styled Hand of the Queen for [[Selyse Florent]]
* Lord [[Jon Connington]] for [[Aegon Targaryen|Aegon VI]]
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* Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] for [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
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* Lord [[Jon Connington]] for [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon VI Targaryen]]
  
==References and Notes==
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==Quotes==
{{references|2}}
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{{Quote|The Hand of the King was the second-most powerful man in the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. He spoke with the [[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men|king]]'s voice, commanded the king's [[armies]], drafted the king's [[Laws and justice of the Seven Kingdoms|laws]]. At times he even sat upon the [[Iron Throne]] to dispense king's justice, when the king was absent, or sick, or otherwise indisposed. [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] was offering him a responsibility as large as the realm itself. It was the last thing in the world he wanted.{{Ref|AGOT|4}}|thoughts of [[Eddard Stark]]}}
  
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{{Quote|They say the Hand dreams the king's dreams, speaks with the king's voice, and rules with the king's sword.{{ref|AGOT|35}}|[[Petyr Baelish]] to [[Eddard Stark]]}}
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{{Quote|A weak ruler needs a strong Hand, as [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] needed [[Tywin Lannister|Father]]. A strong ruler requires only a diligent servant to carry out his orders.{{Ref|AFFC|16}}|[[Cersei Lannister]] to [[Jaime Lannister]]}}
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{{Quote|The Hand should speak with the king's voice.{{Ref|ADWD|19}}|thoughts of [[Davos Seaworth]]}}
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{{Quote|'''Davos''': The King's Hand should be a highborn [[lord]], someone wise and learned, a battle commander or a great [[knight]]...<br>
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'''Pylos''': Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]] was the greatest knight of his day, and one of the worst Hands ever to serve a king. Septon [[Murmison]]'s prayers worked miracles, but as Hand he soon had [[Seven Kingdoms|the whole realm]] praying for his death. Lord [[Ambrose Butterwell|Butterwell]] was renowned for wit, [[Myles Smallwood]] for courage, Ser [[Otto Hightower]] for learning, yet they failed as Hands, every one. As for birth, the [[dragon]]kings oft chose Hands from amongst [[House Targaryen|their own blood]], with results as various as [[Baelor Breakspear]] and [[Maegor the Cruel]]. Against this, you have Septon [[Barth]], the blacksmith's son the [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Old King]] plucked from the [[Red Keep]]'s library, who gave the realm forty years of peace and plenty. Read your history, Lord Davos, and you will see that your doubts are groundless.{{Ref|ASOS|54}}|[[Davos Seaworth]] and [[Pylos]]}}
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==Notes==
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{{Notes}}
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==References==
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{{References}}
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{{Hands of the King}}
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[[Category:Hands of the King| ]]
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[[Category:Members of the small council]]
 
[[Category:Titles]]
 
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[[fa:دست پادشاه]]
 
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[[fr:Main du Roi]]
 
[[ru:Десница Короля]]
 
[[ru:Десница Короля]]
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Revision as of 17:31, 30 July 2019

Lord Eddard Stark, Hand of the King. © Fantasy Flight Games
Tyrion Lannister, acting as Hand of the King, wears the necklace of linked hands. © Fantasy Flight Games
© Fantasy Flight Games

The Hand of the King is the chief advisor to the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and is the executor of the king's command in the Seven Kingdoms.

About

Duties of the Hand include commanding the king's armies, drafting laws, dispensing justice, and generally managing the day-to-day running of the kingdom. The Hand may act on the king's behalf when he is indisposed, and sit the Iron Throne while doing so. The Hand also sits on the small council and will run the council if the king is not present.

The office typically makes the Hand the second-most powerful man in the kingdom next to the king, though some Hands had the reputation of ruling their kings.

It is considered by some to be a difficult and unglamorous job of great responsibility. A popular saying goes, "What the king dreams, the Hand builds," but the lowborn say, "The king eats, and the Hand takes the shit."[1] Many able men have failed in the office throughout history.

The Hand resides in a tower of the Red Keep called the Tower of the Hand.[2] His badge of office always includes a hand, though each Hand can design his own. Brynden Rivers used a iron brooch,[3] Eddard Stark used a silver clasp,[4] while Tyrion and Tywin Lannister used a golden chain.[5][6] Servants of the Hand might wear the emblem of a hand.[7]

History

During Conquest of the Seven Kingdoms by King Aegon I Targaryen, after the first few victories, Aegon proclaimed Orys Baratheon to be

...My shield, my stalwart, my strong right hand.[8]

Because of Aegon's description, Orys is regarded to have been the first Hand of the King.

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Upon the death of his Hand, Lord Jon Arryn, King Robert I Baratheon asks Lord Eddard Stark to serve as Lord Arryn's replacement.[1] After Robert dies, however, his son, Joffrey Baratheon, has Ned Stark executed.[9] Joffrey's grandfather, Lord Tywin Lannister serves as the new Hand of the King.[10] Because Tywin is capaigning in the riverlands during the War of the Five Kings, he sends his younger son, Tyrion to serve as acting Hand to King's Landing.[11]

A Clash of King

As acting Hand, Tyrion Lannister serves in King's Landing until Lord Tywin Lannister arrives during the Battle of the Blackwater.[6]

Lord Mace Tyrell serves as Hand to Renly Baratheon, a rival claimant to the Iron Throne, who is killed at Storm's End.[12]

A Storm of Swords

Following the Battle of the Blackwater, Tywin serves as Hand to Joffrey and, after Joffrey's death, to King Tommen Baratheon,[13] until he is murdered.[14]

Lord Alester Florent serves as the Hand to Stannis Baratheon, a rival claimant to the Iron Throne.[15] After Alester has been arrested and executed for treason, Axell Florent tries to make Davos Seaworth advise Stannis to name himself as Hand of the King, but Stannis chooses Davos to be his new Hand instead.[16]

A Feast for Crows

After she fails to convince Jaime Lannister to become Hand,[17] and refuses to meet the terms Ser Kevan Lannister has for the office[18], Ser Harys Swyft[19] and later Lord Orton Merryweather[20] serve as Hand of the King for King Tommen I Baratheon, chosen by his mother, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister. After Cersei is arrested by the Faith of the Seven, Merryweather resigns the small council and flees King's Landing.[21]

Prior to the Kingsmoot, Asha Greyjoy offers to support her uncle Victarion as king if he names her his Hand. Victarion rejects her offer due to the absence of the office in ironborn culture, Asha's gender, and their contrasting views on the ironborn war for the North,[22] and Asha and Victarion each stand in the kingsmoot, both losing to Euron Greyjoy.[23]

A Dance with Dragons

After Merryweather has resigned, Ser Kevan Lannister, as Regent, elevates Mace Tyrell to Hand of the King for King Tommen I.[24]

Meanwhile, Ser Davos Seaworth continues as Hand of the King for Stannis Baratheon,[25][26] while Ser Axell Florent is calling himself the Queen's Hand to Selyse Florent.[27]

In Meereen, Ser Barristan Selmy serves as Hand for Queen Daenerys Targaryen in her absence, after King Hizdahr zo Loraq has been removed from power.[28]

Lord Jon Connington serves as the Hand to Prince Aegon Targaryen, despite the latter not having been crowned king yet.[29] Connington is styled "Hand of the True King".[30]

List of known Hands

During the reign of King Hand of the King Period and Notes
Aegon I Targaryen Lord Orys Baratheon[8] 17 AC. First Hand of the King.
Lord Edmyn Tully[31] 79 AC
Lord Alton Celtigar 917 AC
Ser Osmund Strong[32] 1734 AC
Lord Alyn Stokeworth 3437 AC
Aenys I Targaryen Lord Alyn Stokeworth 37 AC
Prince Maegor Targaryen[33] 3739 AC
Septon Murmison[33] 3941 AC
Maegor I Targaryen Lord Lucas Harroway[34][31] 4344 AC. By orders of the king, he was thrown from the roof of the Tower of the Hand by knights of the Kingsguard.
Lord Edwell Celtigar[34] 4448 AC
Jaehaerys I Targaryen Lord Rogar Baratheon[35][36][37] 4850 AC
Lord Daemon Velaryon[38] 5054 AC
Lord Myles Smallwood[39] 5457 AC
Septon Barth[35] 5898 AC[40][N 1]
Ser Ryam Redwyne[35] 99100 AC. Concurrently served as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
Prince Baelon Targaryen[35] 100101 AC
Ser Otto Hightower[35][41][42] 101103 AC
Viserys I Targaryen Ser Otto Hightower[35][41][42] 103109 AC. Removed as Hand after pushing the inheritance of his daughter's sons over Princess Rhaenyra.
Lord Lyonel Strong[41][42] 109120 AC. Died in a fire at Harrenhal.
Ser Otto Hightower[41][42][43][44] 120130 AC. Reinstated after predecessor's death.
Aegon II Targaryen Ser Otto Hightower[41][42][43][44] 130 AC. Executed by Rhaenyra Targaryen.
Ser Criston Cole[43][44][45] 130 AC. Concurrently served as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Died at the Butcher's Ball.
Aegon III Targaryen Lord Cregan Stark[46][47] 131 AC. Only held office for a day, before returning to the North.
Ser Tyland Lannister[46][48] 131133 AC. Died of Winter Fever.
Lord Unwin Peake[46][49] 133134 AC. Resigned the office after the king turned down a marriage proposal with his daughter.
Lord Thaddeus Rowan[46][49] 134135 AC. Imprisoned and tortured by plotters seeking to undermine the Rogare family's influance over the court.
Ser Marston Waters[46][49] 135 AC. Concurrently served as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Participated in a plot to imprison Lord Thaddeus Rowan and members of the Rogare family present at court. He was then named Hand, however, he died trying to arrest his sworn brother, Ser Mervyn Flowers, a fortnight later.
Lord Thaddeus Rowan[49] 135 AC. Reinstalled after the imprisonment of plotters and death of Ser Marston Waters. However, after a moon's turn he was dismissed once again due to poor mental condition.
Grand Maester Munkun[46][49] 135136 AC. Served as Hand until the election of a new Hand in the Council of 136 AC.
Lord Torrhen Manderly[46][49] 136 AC. Elected as the new Hand during the Council of 136 AC. Dismissed when king came of age.
Prince Viserys Targaryen[46][21] Unknown–157 AC
Daeron I Targaryen Prince Viserys Targaryen[46][50][51][52][53][54] 157161 AC
Baelor I Targaryen Prince Viserys Targaryen[46][50][51][52][53][54] 161171 AC
Viserys II Targaryen Unknown 171172 AC
Aegon IV Targaryen Lord Bracken[55] 172 AC–Unknown. Father of two of the king's mistresses.
Lord Butterwell[55][3] Unknown–Unknown
Lord Lucas Lothston[55] 178 AC. Husband of a king's mistress, father to a second of the king's mistresses.
Lord Jon Hightower[55] Unknown–Unknown
Daeron II Targaryen Lord Ambrose Butterwell[56][57] Unknown–196 AC. Removed for failing to contain the First Blackfyre Rebellion.
Lord Hayford[56][57] 196 AC. Died at the Battle of the Redgrass Field.
Prince Baelor Targaryen[58][59] 196209 AC. Died after a blow to the head suffered in the trial of seven during the tourney at Ashford Meadow.
Prince Valarr Targaryen (Possibly)[56] 209 AC. Died during the Great Spring Sickness. It is currently unknown whether Valarr is referred to as Hand in The Sworn Sword, or whether "the Hand" named as having died in the Spring Sickness is a separate individual.
Aerys I Targaryen Brynden Rivers[56][3][57][60] 209221 AC
Maekar I Targaryen Brynden Rivers[56][3][57][60] 221233 AC
Aegon V Targaryen Unknown 233259 AC
Jaehaerys II Targaryen Lord Ormund Baratheon[61] 259260 AC
Edgar Sloane[62] Unknown–262 AC
Aerys II Targaryen Ser/Lord Tywin Lannister[62] 262281 AC. Resigned his post for Aerys's slights against him.
Lord Owen Merryweather[62][63] 281282 AC. Removed from office and exiled for failing to contain Robert's Rebellion.
Lord Jon Connington[64][63] 282283 AC. Removed from his office and exiled after losing the Battle of the Bells.
Lord Qarlton Chelsted[65][63] 283 AC. He bravely resigned his position over Aerys's plan to burn King's Landing and was subsequently burned alive for it.
Wisdom Rossart[65][63] 283 AC. Was Hand for a fortnight. Named after the Battle of the Trident.
Robert I Baratheon Lord Jon Arryn[1] 283298 AC
Lord Eddard Stark[1] 298 AC
Joffrey I Baratheon Lord Tywin Lannister[9][11] 298300 AC. Served as Hand as well under Aerys II Targaryen. While he was campaigning in the Riverlands, his son Tyrion was acting Hand (298299 AC).
Tommen I Baratheon
Ser Harys Swyft[19] 300 AC
Lord Orton Merryweather[20] 300 AC
Lord Mace Tyrell[24] 300 AC–Present
Hand of the King brooch, from Game of Thrones.

Hands of claimants to the Iron Throne

Quotes

The Hand of the King was the second-most powerful man in the Seven Kingdoms. He spoke with the king's voice, commanded the king's armies, drafted the king's laws. At times he even sat upon the Iron Throne to dispense king's justice, when the king was absent, or sick, or otherwise indisposed. Robert was offering him a responsibility as large as the realm itself. It was the last thing in the world he wanted.[1]

—thoughts of Eddard Stark

They say the Hand dreams the king's dreams, speaks with the king's voice, and rules with the king's sword.[66]

A weak ruler needs a strong Hand, as Aerys needed Father. A strong ruler requires only a diligent servant to carry out his orders.[45]

The Hand should speak with the king's voice.[67]

—thoughts of Davos Seaworth

Davos: The King's Hand should be a highborn lord, someone wise and learned, a battle commander or a great knight...
Pylos: Ser Ryam Redwyne was the greatest knight of his day, and one of the worst Hands ever to serve a king. Septon Murmison's prayers worked miracles, but as Hand he soon had the whole realm praying for his death. Lord Butterwell was renowned for wit, Myles Smallwood for courage, Ser Otto Hightower for learning, yet they failed as Hands, every one. As for birth, the dragonkings oft chose Hands from amongst their own blood, with results as various as Baelor Breakspear and Maegor the Cruel. Against this, you have Septon Barth, the blacksmith's son the Old King plucked from the Red Keep's library, who gave the realm forty years of peace and plenty. Read your history, Lord Davos, and you will see that your doubts are groundless.[68]

Notes

  1. The World of Ice & Fire states that Barth died in 99 AC in The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I. However, the more recently published Fire & Blood has changed this to 98 AC.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
  2. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 20, Eddard IV.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 The Mystery Knight.
  4. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 33, Eddard VIII.
  5. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 32, Sansa III.
  6. 6.0 6.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 65, Sansa VIII.
  7. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 22, Arya II.
  8. 8.0 8.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  9. 9.0 9.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 65, Arya V.
  10. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 57, Sansa V.
  11. 11.0 11.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 69, Tyrion IX.
  12. A Clash of Kings, Appendix.
  13. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 66, Tyrion IX.
  14. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 77, Tyrion XI.
  15. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 12, Daenerys I.
  16. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
  17. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 3, Cersei I.
  18. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 7, Cersei II.
  19. 19.0 19.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 17, Cersei IV.
  20. 20.0 20.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 39, Cersei IX.
  21. 21.0 21.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 43, Cersei X.
  22. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 18, The Iron Captain.
  23. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 19, The Drowned Man.
  24. 24.0 24.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 54, Cersei I.
  25. A Feast for Crows, Appendix.
  26. A Dance with Dragons, Appendix.
  27. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 39, Jon VIII.
  28. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 70, The Queen's Hand.
  29. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 61, The Griffin Reborn.
  30. The Winds of Winter, Chapter Arianne I.
  31. 31.0 31.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Riverlands: House Tully.
  32. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I.
  33. 33.0 33.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I.
  34. 34.0 34.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
  35. 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 35.4 35.5 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
  36. Fire & Blood, Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I.
  37. Fire & Blood, A Surfeit of Rulers.
  38. Fire & Blood, A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade.
  39. Fire & Blood, Birth, Death and Betrayal under Jaehaerys I.
  40. Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
  41. 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 41.4 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I.
  42. 42.0 42.1 42.2 42.3 42.4 The Rogue Prince.
  43. 43.0 43.1 43.2 The Princess and the Queen.
  44. 44.0 44.1 44.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II.
  45. 45.0 45.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.
  46. 46.0 46.1 46.2 46.3 46.4 46.5 46.6 46.7 46.8 46.9 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III.
  47. Fire & Blood, Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf.
  48. Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand.
  49. 49.0 49.1 49.2 49.3 49.4 49.5 Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - Lysene Spring and the End of Regency.
  50. 50.0 50.1 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Viserys II Targaryen.
  51. 51.0 51.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I.
  52. 52.0 52.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I.
  53. 53.0 53.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II.
  54. 54.0 54.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 59, Sansa IV.
  55. 55.0 55.1 55.2 55.3 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV.
  56. 56.0 56.1 56.2 56.3 56.4 The Sworn Sword.
  57. 57.0 57.1 57.2 57.3 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I.
  58. The Hedge Knight.
  59. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II.
  60. 60.0 60.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I.
  61. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II.
  62. 62.0 62.1 62.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
  63. 63.0 63.1 63.2 63.3 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 11, Jaime II.
  64. The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion.
  65. 65.0 65.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: The End.
  66. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 35, Eddard IX.
  67. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 19, Davos III.
  68. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 54, Davos V.