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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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{{Title
[[File:Yulia Startsev The Hand's Judgement.png|thumb|right|350px|© Fantasy Flight Games]]
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| Name = Hand of the King
The '''Hand of the King''' is the king's chief advisor and executor of his command in the [[Seven Kingdoms]].
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| image = [[File:Yulia Startsev The Hand's Judgement.png|350px]]
==About==
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| image_caption  = Necklace of linked hands, by Yulia Startsev © Fantasy Flight Games
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.
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| Symbol   =
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| Office          = Chief advisor<br>[[Regent]]<br>Leader of the [[small council]]
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| Region   = [[Seven Kingdoms]]
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| Current Holder  = Lord [[Mace Tyrell]]
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| Heir            =  
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| First Holder  = Lord [[Orys Baratheon]]
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| Creator = King [[Aegon I Targaryen]]
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| Created = {{Date|-2}}
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| Defunct =
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| Replaced =
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}}
  
After the [[War of Conquest]] [[Orys Baratheon]] served as the first ever Hand of the King to [[Aegon I]]. The title of hand derives its name from Aegons description of Orys as...
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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]].
  
{{Quote|''...My shield, my stalwart, my strong right hand'' <ref>Bubonicon Report, August 25, 2012 [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Bubonicon_Report/ So Spake Martin]</ref>}}
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==Culture==
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Duties of the Hand include commanding the king's armies,{{Ref|AGOT|4}} drafting laws,{{Ref|AGOT|4}} dispensing justice,{{Ref|AGOT|4}} 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.{{Ref|AGOT|4}}
  
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.  
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The office typically makes the Hand the second-most powerful man in the kingdom next to the king,{{Ref|AGOT|4}} though some Hands have had the reputation of ruling their kings.{{Ref|ASOS|38}}
  
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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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.{{Ref|ASOS|54}}
  
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 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.
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The Hand resides in the [[Tower of the Hand]] within the [[Red Keep]].{{Ref|AGOT|20}} His badge of office always includes a hand, though each Hand can design his own. [[Rogar Baratheon]] and [[Brynden Rivers]] used brooches of [[gold]]{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} and [[iron]],{{Ref|TMK}} respectively, and a [[silver]] clasp has also been used.{{Ref|AGOT|33}} Several Hands have used chains,{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Go9ld}}{{Ref|FAB|Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf}}{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}} such as a necklace of linked golden hands.{{Ref|ACOK|32}}{{Ref|ACOK|65}} Servants of the Hand might wear the emblem of a hand.{{Ref|AGOT|22}}
  
==List of Known Hands==
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==History==
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[[File:Orys Baratheon by feliche.jpg|thumb|[[Orys Baratheon]], by feliche ©]]
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During [[Aegon's Conquest|the Conquest]] of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] by [[House Targaryen]], King [[Aegon I Targaryen]] proclaimed his half-brother, [[Orys Baratheon]], to be "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.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} Orys resigned after losing a hand in the [[First Dornish War]].{{Ref|FAB|Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I}}
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 +
Lord [[Osmund Strong]] oversaw construction of the walls of [[King's Landing]],{{Ref|FAB|Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I}} and Lord [[Alyn Stokeworth]] and Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] oversaw construction of the [[Red Keep]].{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
 +
 
 +
King [[Maegor I Targaryen]] executed Lord [[Lucas Harroway]] and his kin after his daughter, Queen [[Alys Harroway]], was accused of infidelity.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
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 +
Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]] was seen as the true power in the realm while serving as Hand during the minority of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} Septon [[Barth]], considered by some as the wisest man to have served as Hand,{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} began the [[Books of Law]] in {{Date|55}}.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}
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 +
Ser [[Otto Hightower]] served as Hand to Jaehaerys in the king's final years, and Otto continued in the position for King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]. Because Otto encouraged Viserys to name as his heirs the children of the king's second wife, Otto's daughter [[Alicent Hightower|Alicent]], he was replaced as Hand by Lord [[Lyonel Strong]]. Otto was reinstated after Lyonel's death at [[Harrenhal]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} First Otto and then Ser [[Criston Cole]] served King [[Aegon II Targaryen]] as Hand during the [[Dance of the Dragons]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]] named Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] as Hand of the Queen for [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], Aegon's rival.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} Lord [[Cregan Stark]] was briefly Hand during the [[Hour of the Wolf]].{{Ref|FAB|Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf}}
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Ser [[Tyland Lannister]],{{Ref|FAB|Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand}} Lord [[Unwin Peake]],{{Ref|FAB|Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows}} Lord [[Thaddeus Rowan]],{{Ref|FAB|Under the Regents - The Voyage of Alyn Oakenfist}} Ser [[Marston Waters]],{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}} and Lord [[Torrhen Manderly]]{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}} all served as Hand during the contentious [[regency of Aegon III]]. [[Viserys II]] served as Hand to three different kings: his brother Aegon III,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}} and his nephews [[Daeron I]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}} and [[Baelor I]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}} prior to becoming king, himself.
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Lord [[Ambrose Butterwell]] failed to prevent the [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]], and his successor, [[Lord Hayford]], was killed by Lord [[Gormon Peake]] during the war.{{Ref|TSS}} Prince [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor Targaryen]] was a popular Hand, but he was killed during the [[tourney at Ashford Meadow]].{{Ref|THK}} Lord [[Brynden Rivers]], on the other hand, was mistrusted as Hand,{{Ref|TSS}}{{Ref|TMK}} and his appointment angered [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar Targaryen]], [[Prince of Summerhall]].{{Ref|TSS}} Brynden called a [[Great Council]] after King Maekar's death, and King [[Aegon V Targaryen]] sent him to the [[Wall]] for having orchestrated the death of [[Aenys Blackfyre]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}
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At the age of twenty, Ser [[Tywin Lannister]] became the youngest man to serve as Hand.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} It was said throughout the Seven Kingdoms that it was Tywin who truly ruled, not King [[Aerys II Targaryen]],{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{Ref|AFFC|27}} and Tywin eventually resigned after his heir, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]], was appointed to the [[Kingsguard]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Aerys dismissed first Lord [[Owen Merryweather]] for failing to prevent [[Robert's Rebellion]], and then Lord [[Jon Connington]] for his failure at the [[Battle of the Bells]].{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}} Aerys burned Lord [[Qarlton Chelsted]] for his opposition to the king's [[wildfire plot]],{{Ref|ASOS|37}} but Aerys and Lord [[Rossart]] were then killed by Jaime while attempting to enact their plot during the [[Sack of King's Landing]].{{Ref|ASOS|11}}
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 +
King [[Robert I Baratheon]] named Lord [[Jon Arryn]] as his Hand.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Vale: House Arryn}}
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 +
==Recent Events==
 +
===''A Game of Thrones''===
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[[File:GT01 11094 EddardStark JacobMurray2.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Eddard Stark]], by Jake Murray © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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Upon the unexpected death of his Hand, Lord [[Jon Arryn]], King [[Robert I Baratheon]] asks his childhood friend, Lord [[Eddard Stark]], to serve as Jon's replacement.{{Ref|AGOT|4}}
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After Robert dies, Eddard is imprisoned for treason against his son, King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]].{{Ref|AGOT|52}} Joffrey's grandfather, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], is named as the new Hand,{{Ref|AGOT|57}} and Joffrey eventually orders Eddard's execution.{{Ref|AGOT|65}} Because Tywin is campaigning in the [[riverlands]] with the outbreak of war in the [[Seven Kingdoms]], he sends his younger son, [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]], to serve as acting Hand in [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|AGOT|69}}
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 +
===''A Clash of King''===
 +
Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] serves as Hand to [[Renly Baratheon]],{{Ref|ACOK|Appendix}} a rival claimant to the [[Iron Throne]], but Renly is killed at [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|Storm's End]].{{Ref|ACOK|33}}
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 +
Tyrion's presence at the [[Red Keep]] upsets his sister, [[Cersei Lannister]], who serves as [[Queen Regent]] for her son, King Joffrey.{{Ref|ACOK|3}}{{Ref|ACOK|20}} Many Kingslanders hate Tyrion, considering the [[dwarf]] to be an evil councillor.{{Ref|ACOK|41}}{{Ref|ACOK|44}}
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Lord Tywin assumes his position as King's Hand for Joffrey after defeating [[Stannis Baratheon]] at the [[Battle of the Blackwater]].{{Ref|ACOK|65}}
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 +
===''A Storm of Swords''===
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[[File:Tyrion as Hand.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Tyrion Lannister]], by Henning Ludvigsen © Fantasy Flight Games]]
 +
Tywin serves as Hand to Joffrey and, after [[Purple Wedding|Joffrey's death]], to King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]],{{Ref|ASOS|66}} until he is murdered in the [[Tower of the Hand]] by Tyrion.{{Ref|ASOS|77}}
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 +
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 for treason, [[Axell Florent]] tries to make Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] advise Stannis to name himself as Hand of the King. Instead of Axell, Stannis chooses Davos to be his new Hand.{{Ref|ASOS|36}}
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 +
===''A Feast for Crows''===
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Cersei, Queen Regent for her son Tommen, orders the burning of the Tower of the Hand by [[wildfire]].{{Ref|AFFC|12}} She fails to convince her brother, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]], to become Hand,{{Ref|AFFC|3}} and she refuses to meet the terms her uncle, Ser [[Kevan Lannister]], has for the office.{{Ref|AFFC|7}} Cersei instead appoints first Ser [[Harys Swyft]]{{Ref|AFFC|17}} and later Lord [[Orton Merryweather]]{{Ref|AFFC|39}} as Tommen's Hand. After Cersei is arrested by the [[Faith of the Seven]], Orton resigns from the [[small council]] and flees King's Landing.{{Ref|AFFC|43}}
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 +
Prior to the [[kingsmoot]], [[Asha Greyjoy]] offers to support her uncle [[Victarion Greyjoy|Victarion]] as [[King of the Isles and the North]] 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}} Asha and Victarion each stand in the kingsmoot, both losing to [[Euron Greyjoy]].{{Ref|AFFC|19}}
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 +
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 +
As Lord Regent, Kevan elevates Mace to Hand for King Tommen I.{{Ref|ADWD|54}} Lord Tyrell sits upon an oaken throne carved in the shape of a hand.{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}
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 +
Davos continues as Hand of the King for Stannis,{{Ref|AFFC|Appendix}}{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}} while Axell calls himself the Queen's Hand for Stannis's wife, [[Selyse Florent]].{{Ref|ADWD|39}}
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 +
After King [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]] has been removed from power in [[Meereen]], Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] serves as Queen's Hand for the absent [[Daenerys Targaryen]].{{Ref|ADWD|70}}
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 +
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}}
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===''The Winds of Winter''===
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{{Warning/twow}}
 +
Lord Connington is styled "Hand of the True King".<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Arianne I (The Winds of Winter)|Arianne I]]</ref>
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 +
==List of known Hands==
  
 
{| class=wikitable width=100%
 
{| class=wikitable width=100%
! width=150px|During the reign of King
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! width=200px|During the reign of King
! width=150px|Hand of the King
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! width=250px|Hand of the King
 
!Period and Notes
 
!Period and Notes
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[Tommen Baratheon]]
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| rowspan="5"| {{coa|Targaryen|s}} [[Aegon I Targaryen]]
| [[Mace Tyrell]]
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| {{coa|Baratheon|s}} Lord [[Orys Baratheon]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
| {{Date|300}} - Present
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| {{Date|1|7}}. First Hand of the King.
 +
|-
 +
| {{coa|Tully|s}} Lord [[Edmyn Tully]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands: House Tully}}
 +
| {{Date|7|9}}
 +
|-
 +
| {{coa|Celtigar|s}} Lord [[Alton Celtigar]]
 +
| {{Date|9|17}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Orton Merryweather]]
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| {{coa|Strong|s}} Ser [[Osmund Strong]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}}
| {{Date|300}} - {{Date|300}}
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| {{Date|17|34}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Harys Swyft]]
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| rowspan="2" | {{coa|Stokeworth|s}} Lord [[Alyn Stokeworth]]
| {{Date|300}} - {{Date|300}}
+
| {{Date|34|37}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Tywin Lannister]]
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| rowspan="3"| {{coa|Targaryen|s}} [[Aenys I Targaryen]]
| {{Date|300}} - {{Date|300}}. Served as Hand as well under [[Joffrey Baratheon]] and [[Aerys II Targaryen]].
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| {{Date|37}}
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Joffrey Baratheon]]
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| {{coa|Targaryen|s}} Prince [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor Targaryen]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
| [[Tywin Lannister]]
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| {{Date|37|39}}
| {{Date|298}} - {{Date|300}}. Served as Hand as well under [[Aerys II Targaryen]].
 
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Tyrion Lannister]]
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| {{coa|Septon|s}} Septon [[Murmison]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
| Was acting hand during his father [[Tywin Lannister]]s 2nd term as Hand, while he was [[War_of_the_Five_Kings|campaigning in the Riverlands]].
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| {{Date|39|41}}
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Robert Baratheon]]
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| rowspan="2"| {{coa|Targaryen|s}} [[Maegor I Targaryen]]
| [[Eddard Stark]]
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| {{coa|Harroway|s}} Lord [[Lucas Harroway]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands: House Tully}}
| {{Date|298}} - {{Date|298}}
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| {{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]].
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Jon Arryn]]
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| {{coa|Celtigar|s}} Lord [[Edwell Celtigar]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}
| {{Date|283}} - {{Date|298}}
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| {{Date|44|48}}
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="5"| [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II Targaryen<br>The Mad King]]
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| rowspan="7"| {{coa|Targaryen|s}} [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
| Lord [[Rossart]]
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| {{coa|Baratheon|s}} 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|283}}. Was Hand for a fortnight.
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| {{Date|48|50}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Qarlton Chelsted]]
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| {{coa|Velaryon|s}} Lord [[Daemon Velaryon (son of Aethan)|Daemon Velaryon]]{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
| {{Date|283}} - {{Date|283}}. He bravely resigned his position over Aerys' [[The Wildfire Plot|plan]] to burn [[King's Landing]] and was subsequently burned alive for it.
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| {{Date|50|54}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Jon Connington]]
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| {{coa|Smallwood|s}} Lord [[Myles Smallwood]]{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death and Betrayal under Jaehaerys I}}
| {{Date|282}} - {{Date|283}}. Fired from his office and exiled after losing the [[Battle of the Bells]].
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| {{Date|54|57}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Owen Merryweather]]
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| {{coa|Septon|s}} Septon [[Barth]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}
| {{Date|281}} - {{Date|283}}
+
| {{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>
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Tywin Lannister]]
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| {{coa|Redwyne|s}} Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}
| +/- {{Date|262}} {{Date|281}}
+
| {{Date|99|100}}. Concurrently served as [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]].
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]]
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| {{coa|Targaryen|s}} Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}
 +
| {{Date|100|101}}
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="2" | {{coa|Hightower|s}} Ser [[Otto Hightower]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}
 +
| {{Date|101|103}}
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="3"| {{coa|Targaryen|s}} [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
 +
| {{Date|103|109}}. Removed as Hand after pushing the inheritance of his [[Alicent Hightower|daughter's]] sons over Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]].
 +
|-
 +
| {{coa|Strong|s}} Lord [[Lyonel Strong]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}
 +
| {{Date|109|120}}. Died in a fire at [[Harrenhal]].
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="2" | {{coa|Hightower|s}} Ser [[Otto Hightower]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}
 +
| {{Date|120|129}}. Reinstated after Lyonel's death.
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="2"| {{coa|Aegon II Targaryen|s}} [[Aegon II Targaryen]]
 +
| {{Date|129|130}}. Executed by Rhaenyra Targaryen.
 +
|-
 +
| {{coa|Kingsguard|s}} Ser [[Criston Cole]]{{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"| {{coa|Targaryen|s}} [[Aegon III Targaryen]]
 +
| {{coa|Stark|s}} 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]].
 +
|-
 +
| {{coa|Lannister|s}} 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]].
 +
|-
 +
| {{coa|Peake|s}} Lord [[Unwin Peake]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{Ref|FAB|The 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]].
 +
|-
 +
| {{coa|Rowan|s}} Lord [[Thaddeus Rowan]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
 +
| {{Date|134|135}}. Imprisoned and tortured by plotters seeking to undermine the [[House Rogare|Rogare family's]] influence over the court.
 +
|-
 +
| {{coa|Kingsguard|s}} Ser [[Marston Waters]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{Ref|FAB|The 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, but he died trying to arrest his sworn brother, Ser [[Mervyn Flowers]], a fortnight later.
 +
|-
 +
| {{coa|Rowan|s}} Lord [[Thaddeus Rowan]]{{Ref|FAB|The 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.
 +
|-
 +
| {{coa|Grand Maester|s}} Grand Maester [[Munkun]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{Ref|FAB|The 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]].
 +
|-
 +
| {{coa|Manderly|s}} Lord [[Torrhen Manderly]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
 +
| {{Date|136}}. Elected as the new Hand during the [[Great Council|Council of 136 AC]]. Dismissed when the king came of age.
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="3" | {{coa|Targaryen|s}} Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]]
 +
| Unknown<ref group="N">Ser [[Tywin Lannister]] was the youngest ever to be appointed [[Hand of the King]] at the age of twenty in {{Date|262}} ''([[The World of Ice and Fire]], The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II)''. Therefore Viserys, born in {{Date|122}} ''([[The Rogue Prince]])'', cannot have been named Hand earlier than {{Date|143}}. As Viserys was Aegon III's Hand during the final years of his reign, which ended in {{Date|157}} ''([[The World of Ice and Fire]], The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III)'', Viserys cannot have been named Hand later than {{Date|155}}. Thus, Viserys was appointed Hand of the King in or between {{Date|143}} and {{Date|155}}.</ref>–{{Date|157}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{Ref|AFFC|43}}
 +
|-
 +
| {{coa|Targaryen|s}} [[Daeron I Targaryen]]
 +
| {{Date|157|161}}{{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}}
 +
|-
 +
| {{coa|Targaryen|s}} [[Baelor I Targaryen]]
 +
| {{Date|161|171}}{{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}}
 +
|-
 +
| {{coa|Targaryen|s}} [[Viserys II Targaryen]]
 
| Unknown  
 
| Unknown  
| {{Date|259}} - {{Date|262}}  
+
| {{Date|171|172}}
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="4"| {{coa|Targaryen|s}} [[Aegon IV Targaryen]]
 +
| {{coa|Bracken|s}} [[Lord Bracken]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}
 +
| {{Date|172}}–Unknown. Father of two of the king's mistresses.
 +
|-
 +
| {{coa|Butterwell|s}} [[Butterwell (Hand of the King)|Lord Butterwell]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}{{Ref|TMK}}
 +
| Unknown–Unknown
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Aegon V Targaryen]]
+
| {{coa|Lothston|s}} Lord [[Lucas Lothston (husband of Falena)|Lucas Lothston]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}
| Unknown
+
| {{date|178}}. Husband of a king's mistress, father to a second of the king's mistresses.
| {{Date|233}} - {{Date|259}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Maekar I Targaryen]]
+
| {{coa|Hightower|s}} Lord [[Jon Hightower]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}
| Unknown
+
| Unknown–Unknown
| {{Date|221}} - {{Date|233}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Aerys I Targaryen]]
+
| rowspan="4"| {{coa|Targaryen|s}} [[Daeron II Targaryen]]
| [[Brynden Rivers]]
+
| {{coa|Butterwell|s}} Lord [[Ambrose Butterwell]]{{Ref|TSS}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}}
| {{Date|209}} - {{Date|221}}. In the end, he was stripped of office by [[Maekar I]] and later sent to the [[wall]] by King [[Aegon V]].
+
| Unknown–{{Date|196}}. Removed for failing to contain the [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]].
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="4"|[[Daeron II Targaryen]]
+
| {{coa|Hayford|s}} [[Lord Hayford]]{{Ref|TSS}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}}
| Unknown
+
| {{Date|196}}. Died at the [[Battle of the Redgrass Field]].
| {{Date|209}} - {{Date|209}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Baelor Targaryen|Baelor Breakspear]]
+
| {{coa|Targaryen|s}} Prince [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor Targaryen]]{{Ref|THK}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}
| {{Date|196}} - {{Date|209}}
+
| {{Date|196|209}}. Died after a blow to the head suffered in the [[trial of seven]] during the [[tourney at Ashford Meadow]].
 
|-
 
|-
| [[House Hayford|Lord Hayford]]
+
| {{coa|Valarr Targaryen|s}} Prince [[Valarr Targaryen]] (Possibly){{Ref|TSS}}
| {{Date|196}} - {{Date|196}}. Died at the [[Redgrass Field]].
+
| {{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 sickness is a separate individual.
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Ambrose Butterwell]]
+
| {{coa|Targaryen|s}} [[Aerys I Targaryen]]
| Unknown - {{Date|196}}
+
| rowspan="2" | {{coa|Bloodraven|s}} [[Brynden Rivers]]{{Ref|TSS}}{{Ref|TMK}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}
 +
| {{Date|209|221}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Aegon IV Targaryen]]
+
| {{coa|Maekar I Targaryen|s}} [[Maekar I Targaryen]]
| [[House Butterwell|Lord Butterwell]]
+
| {{Date|221|233}}
| Unknown - Unknown
 
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Viserys II Targaryen]]
+
| {{coa|Targaryen|s}} [[Aegon V Targaryen]]
 
| Unknown  
 
| Unknown  
| {{Date|171}} - {{Date|172}}
+
| {{Date|233|259}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Baelor I Targaryen]]
+
| rowspan="2"| {{coa|Targaryen|s}} [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]]
| [[Viserys II|Prince Viserys]]
+
| {{coa|Baratheon|s}} Lord [[Ormund Baratheon]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}
| {{Date|161}} - {{Date|171}}
+
| {{Date|259|260}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Daeron I Targaryen]]
+
| {{coa|Sloane|s}} [[Edgar Sloane]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
| [[Viserys II|Prince Viserys]]
+
| Unknown–{{Date|262}}
| {{Date|157}} - {{Date|161}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Aegon III Targaryen]]
+
| rowspan="5"| {{coa|Targaryen|s}} [[Aerys II Targaryen]]
| [[Viserys II|Prince Viserys]]
+
| {{coa|Lannister|s}} Ser/Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
| Unknown - {{Date|157}}
+
| {{Date|262|281}}. Resigned his post for Aerys' slights against him.
 
|-
 
|-
| Unknown
+
| {{coa|Merryweather|s}} Lord [[Owen Merryweather]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{Ref|ASOS|11}}
| {{Date|131}} - Unknown. Several Regents and Hands followed in the Regent Wars.
+
| {{Date|281|282}}. Removed from office and exiled for failing to contain [[Robert's Rebellion]].
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Aegon II Targaryen]]
+
| {{coa|Connington|s}} Lord [[Jon Connington]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}{{Ref|ASOS|11}}
| [[Criston Cole]]
+
| {{Date|282|283}}. Removed from his office and exiled after losing the [[Battle of the Bells]].
| {{Date|130}} - {{Date|130}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Otto Hightower]]  
+
| {{coa|Chelsted|s}} Lord [[Qarlton Chelsted]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Fall of the Dragons: The End}}{{Ref|ASOS|11}}
| {{Date|129}} - {{Date|130}}. Served as Hand under three different kings.
+
| {{Date|283}}. He resigned his position over Aerys's [[wildfire plot|plan to burn King's Landing]] and was subsequently burned alive for it.
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
+
| [[File:RossartSigil.png|16px]] Wisdom [[Rossart]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Fall of the Dragons: The End}}{{Ref|ASOS|11}}
| [[Otto Hightower]]
+
| {{Date|283}}. Was Hand for a fortnight. Named after the [[Battle of the Trident]].
| {{Date|103}} - {{Date|129}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
+
| rowspan="2"| {{coa|Baratheon|s}} [[Robert I Baratheon]]
| [[Otto Hightower]] succeeded Barth.
+
| {{coa|Arryn|s}} Lord [[Jon Arryn]]{{Ref|AGOT|4}}
| Unknown - {{Date|103}}
+
| {{Date|283|298}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Barth|Septon Barth]]
+
| {{coa|Stark|s}} Lord [[Eddard Stark]]{{Ref|AGOT|4}}
| Served as Hand for forty years.
+
| {{Date|298}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Maegor I Targaryen]]
+
| {{coa|Baratheon of King's Landing|s}} [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]]
| Unknown
+
| rowspan="2"| {{coa|Lannister|s}} Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]{{Ref|AGOT|65}}{{Ref|AGOT|69}}
| {{Date|42}} - {{Date|48}}  
+
| rowspan="2"| {{Date|298|300}}. Served as Hand as well under [[Aerys II Targaryen]]. While Tywin is [[War of the Five Kings|campaigning in the riverlands]], his son [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] is acting Hand ({{Date|298|299}}).
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Aenys I Targaryen]]
+
| rowspan="4"| {{coa|Baratheon of King's Landing|s}} [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]]
| [[Maegor I|Prince Maegor]]
 
| {{Date|37}} - {{Date|42}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Orys Baratheon]]
+
| {{coa|Swyft|s}} Ser [[Harys Swyft]]{{Ref|AFFC|17}}
| {{Date|37}} - {{Date|37}}
+
| {{Date|300}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Aegon I Targaryen]]
+
| {{coa|Merryweather|s}} Lord [[Orton Merryweather]]{{Ref|AFFC|39}}
| [[Orys Baratheon]]
+
| {{Date|300}}
| {{Date|1}} - {{Date|37}}. First ever Hand of the King.
 
 
|-
 
|-
 +
| {{coa|Tyrell|s}} Lord [[Mace Tyrell]]{{Ref|ADWD|54}}
 +
| {{Date|300}}–Present
 
|}
 
|}
  
 +
[[File:Hand of the King.jpeg|thumb|350px|Hand of the King brooch, from ''[[Game of Thrones]]''.]]
 +
 +
==Hands of claimants to the Iron Throne==
 +
* {{coa|Velaryon|s}} Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], for [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
 +
* {{coa|Tyrell|s}} Lord [[Mace Tyrell]], for [[Renly Baratheon]] before Renly's death
 +
* {{coa|Florent|s}} Lord [[Alester Florent]], for [[Stannis Baratheon]], later removed and executed for treason
 +
* {{coa|Seaworth|s}} Lord [[Davos Seaworth]], for [[Stannis Baratheon]]
 +
* {{coa|Florent|s}} Ser [[Axell Florent]], self-styled Hand of the Queen for [[Selyse Florent]]
 +
* {{coa|Queensguard|s}} Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] for [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
 +
* {{coa|Connington|s}} Lord [[Jon Connington]] for [[Aegon Targaryen (Young Griff)|Aegon VI Targaryen]]
 +
 +
==Quotes==
 +
{{Quote|The King's Hand should have a hand. I will not have men speaking of the King's Stump.{{ref|FAB|Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I}}|[[Orys Baratheon]] to [[Aegon I Targaryen]]}}
  
[[File:Hand of the King.jpeg|thumb|350px|Hand of the king brooch, from the [[Game_of_Thrones|TV Series]]]]
+
{{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]]}}
  
==Time unknown==
+
{{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]]}}
A list of some of the worst Hands, Whose names are remembered as a warning to future generations.
 
* Septon [[Murmison]] ? - ?
 
* [[Myles Smallwood]] ? - ?
 
* Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]] ? - ?
 
* Ser [[Otto Hightower]] (see above)
 
  
==Hands of Claimants to the Iron Throne==
+
{{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]]}}
* Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], for [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
 
* 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]]
 
* Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] for [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
 
* Lord [[Jon Connington]] for [[Aegon Targaryen|Aegon VI]]
 
  
==Quotes==
+
{{Quote|The Hand should speak with the king's voice.{{Ref|ADWD|19}}|thoughts of [[Davos Seaworth]]}}
{{Quote|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. Robert was offering him a responsibility as large as the realm itself. It was the last thing in the world he wanted.}} - [[Ned]]
 
  
 +
{{Quote|'''Davos''': The King's Hand should be a highborn [[lord]], someone wise and learned, a battle commander or a great [[knight]]...<br>
 +
'''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]]}}
  
{{Quote|"I sat on his [[small council|council]] for fifteen years, helping [[Jon Arryn]] rule his realm while [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] drank and [[whore]]d, but when Jon died, did my brother name me his Hand?  No, he went galloping off to his dear friend [[Ned Stark]], and offered him the honor.  And small good it did either of them." {{Ref|aCoK|0|p 17}}}} - [[Stannis]]
+
==Notes==
 +
{{Notes}}
  
 +
==References==
 +
{{References}}
  
{{Quote|"A '''weak''' ruler needs a strong Hand, as Aerys needed Father.  A strong ruler requires only a diligent servant to carry out his orders."}} - [[Cersei Lannister]]
+
{{Hands of the King}}
  
==References and Notes==
+
[[Category:Hands of the King| ]]
{{references|2}}
+
[[Category:Small council]]
{{Template:Hands of the King}}
 
[[Category:Hand of the King| ]]
 
[[Category:Members of the Small council]]
 
 
[[Category:Titles]]
 
[[Category:Titles]]
 +
 
[[es:Mano del Rey]]
 
[[es:Mano del Rey]]
 
[[fa:دست پادشاه]]
 
[[fa:دست پادشاه]]
 
[[fr:Main du Roi]]
 
[[fr:Main du Roi]]
 +
[[nl:Hand des Konings]]
 +
[[pt:Mão do Rei]]
 
[[ru:Десница Короля]]
 
[[ru:Десница Короля]]
 
[[zh:&#22269;&#29579;&#20043;&#25163;]]
 
[[zh:&#22269;&#29579;&#20043;&#25163;]]

Latest revision as of 07:38, 18 February 2024

Hand of the King
Yulia Startsev The Hand's Judgement.png
Necklace of linked hands, by Yulia Startsev © Fantasy Flight Games
Office Chief advisor
Regent
Leader of the small council
Region Seven Kingdoms
Current Holder Lord Mace Tyrell
First Holder Lord Orys Baratheon
Creator King Aegon I Targaryen
Created 2 BC

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.

Culture

Duties of the Hand include commanding the king's armies,[1] drafting laws,[1] dispensing justice,[1] 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.[1]

The office typically makes the Hand the second-most powerful man in the kingdom next to the king,[1] though some Hands have had the reputation of ruling their kings.[2]

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.[3]

The Hand resides in the Tower of the Hand within the Red Keep.[4] His badge of office always includes a hand, though each Hand can design his own. Rogar Baratheon and Brynden Rivers used brooches of gold[5] and iron,[6] respectively, and a silver clasp has also been used.[7] Several Hands have used chains,[8][9][10][11] such as a necklace of linked golden hands.[12][13] Servants of the Hand might wear the emblem of a hand.[14]

History

Orys Baratheon, by feliche ©

During the Conquest of the Seven Kingdoms by House Targaryen, King Aegon I Targaryen proclaimed his half-brother, Orys Baratheon, to be "my shield, my stalwart, my strong right hand."[15] Because of Aegon's description, Orys is regarded to have been the first Hand of the King.[15] Orys resigned after losing a hand in the First Dornish War.[16]

Lord Osmund Strong oversaw construction of the walls of King's Landing,[16] and Lord Alyn Stokeworth and Queen Visenya Targaryen oversaw construction of the Red Keep.[17]

King Maegor I Targaryen executed Lord Lucas Harroway and his kin after his daughter, Queen Alys Harroway, was accused of infidelity.[17]

Lord Rogar Baratheon was seen as the true power in the realm while serving as Hand during the minority of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen.[18] Septon Barth, considered by some as the wisest man to have served as Hand,[5] began the Books of Law in 55 AC.[19]

Ser Otto Hightower served as Hand to Jaehaerys in the king's final years, and Otto continued in the position for King Viserys I Targaryen. Because Otto encouraged Viserys to name as his heirs the children of the king's second wife, Otto's daughter Alicent, he was replaced as Hand by Lord Lyonel Strong. Otto was reinstated after Lyonel's death at Harrenhal.[8] First Otto and then Ser Criston Cole served King Aegon II Targaryen as Hand during the Dance of the Dragons.[20] Prince Jacaerys Velaryon named Lord Corlys Velaryon as Hand of the Queen for Rhaenyra Targaryen, Aegon's rival.[20] Lord Cregan Stark was briefly Hand during the Hour of the Wolf.[10]

Ser Tyland Lannister,[21] Lord Unwin Peake,[22] Lord Thaddeus Rowan,[23] Ser Marston Waters,[11] and Lord Torrhen Manderly[11] all served as Hand during the contentious regency of Aegon III. Viserys II served as Hand to three different kings: his brother Aegon III,[24] and his nephews Daeron I[25] and Baelor I[26] prior to becoming king, himself.

Lord Ambrose Butterwell failed to prevent the First Blackfyre Rebellion, and his successor, Lord Hayford, was killed by Lord Gormon Peake during the war.[27] Prince Baelor Targaryen was a popular Hand, but he was killed during the tourney at Ashford Meadow.[28] Lord Brynden Rivers, on the other hand, was mistrusted as Hand,[27][6] and his appointment angered Maekar Targaryen, Prince of Summerhall.[27] Brynden called a Great Council after King Maekar's death, and King Aegon V Targaryen sent him to the Wall for having orchestrated the death of Aenys Blackfyre.[29]

At the age of twenty, Ser Tywin Lannister became the youngest man to serve as Hand.[30] It was said throughout the Seven Kingdoms that it was Tywin who truly ruled, not King Aerys II Targaryen,[30][31] and Tywin eventually resigned after his heir, Ser Jaime Lannister, was appointed to the Kingsguard.[30] Aerys dismissed first Lord Owen Merryweather for failing to prevent Robert's Rebellion, and then Lord Jon Connington for his failure at the Battle of the Bells.[32] Aerys burned Lord Qarlton Chelsted for his opposition to the king's wildfire plot,[33] but Aerys and Lord Rossart were then killed by Jaime while attempting to enact their plot during the Sack of King's Landing.[34]

King Robert I Baratheon named Lord Jon Arryn as his Hand.[35]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Eddard Stark, by Jake Murray © Fantasy Flight Games

Upon the unexpected death of his Hand, Lord Jon Arryn, King Robert I Baratheon asks his childhood friend, Lord Eddard Stark, to serve as Jon's replacement.[1]

After Robert dies, Eddard is imprisoned for treason against his son, King Joffrey I Baratheon.[36] Joffrey's grandfather, Lord Tywin Lannister, is named as the new Hand,[37] and Joffrey eventually orders Eddard's execution.[38] Because Tywin is campaigning in the riverlands with the outbreak of war in the Seven Kingdoms, he sends his younger son, Tyrion, to serve as acting Hand in King's Landing.[39]

A Clash of King

Lord Mace Tyrell serves as Hand to Renly Baratheon,[40] a rival claimant to the Iron Throne, but Renly is killed at Storm's End.[41]

Tyrion's presence at the Red Keep upsets his sister, Cersei Lannister, who serves as Queen Regent for her son, King Joffrey.[42][43] Many Kingslanders hate Tyrion, considering the dwarf to be an evil councillor.[44][45]

Lord Tywin assumes his position as King's Hand for Joffrey after defeating Stannis Baratheon at the Battle of the Blackwater.[13]

A Storm of Swords

Tyrion Lannister, by Henning Ludvigsen © Fantasy Flight Games

Tywin serves as Hand to Joffrey and, after Joffrey's death, to King Tommen I Baratheon,[46] until he is murdered in the Tower of the Hand by Tyrion.[47]

Lord Alester Florent serves as the Hand to Stannis Baratheon, a rival claimant to the Iron Throne.[48] After Alester has been arrested for treason, Axell Florent tries to make Ser Davos Seaworth advise Stannis to name himself as Hand of the King. Instead of Axell, Stannis chooses Davos to be his new Hand.[49]

A Feast for Crows

Cersei, Queen Regent for her son Tommen, orders the burning of the Tower of the Hand by wildfire.[50] She fails to convince her brother, Ser Jaime Lannister, to become Hand,[51] and she refuses to meet the terms her uncle, Ser Kevan Lannister, has for the office.[52] Cersei instead appoints first Ser Harys Swyft[53] and later Lord Orton Merryweather[54] as Tommen's Hand. After Cersei is arrested by the Faith of the Seven, Orton resigns from the small council and flees King's Landing.[55]

Prior to the kingsmoot, Asha Greyjoy offers to support her uncle Victarion as King of the Isles and the North 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.[56] Asha and Victarion each stand in the kingsmoot, both losing to Euron Greyjoy.[57]

A Dance with Dragons

As Lord Regent, Kevan elevates Mace to Hand for King Tommen I.[58] Lord Tyrell sits upon an oaken throne carved in the shape of a hand.[32]

Davos continues as Hand of the King for Stannis,[59][60] while Axell calls himself the Queen's Hand for Stannis's wife, Selyse Florent.[61]

After King Hizdahr zo Loraq has been removed from power in Meereen, Ser Barristan Selmy serves as Queen's Hand for the absent Daenerys Targaryen.[62]

Lord Jon Connington serves as the Hand to Prince Aegon Targaryen, despite the latter not having been crowned king yet.[63]

The Winds of Winter

Content.png
Warning
This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for The Winds of Winter, and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.

Lord Connington is styled "Hand of the True King".[64]

List of known Hands

During the reign of King Hand of the King Period and Notes
House Targaryen.svg Aegon I Targaryen House Baratheon.svg Lord Orys Baratheon[15] 17 AC. First Hand of the King.
House Tully.svg Lord Edmyn Tully[65] 79 AC
House Celtigar 2.svg Lord Alton Celtigar 917 AC
House Strong.svg Ser Osmund Strong[66] 1734 AC
House Stokeworth.svg Lord Alyn Stokeworth 3437 AC
House Targaryen.svg Aenys I Targaryen 37 AC
House Targaryen.svg Prince Maegor Targaryen[67] 3739 AC
Star of the Faith.svg Septon Murmison[67] 3941 AC
House Targaryen.svg Maegor I Targaryen House Harroway.svg Lord Lucas Harroway[68][65] 4344 AC. By orders of the king, he was thrown from the roof of the Tower of the Hand by knights of the Kingsguard.
House Celtigar 2.svg Lord Edwell Celtigar[68] 4448 AC
House Targaryen.svg Jaehaerys I Targaryen House Baratheon.svg Lord Rogar Baratheon[69][70][5] 4850 AC
House Velaryon.svg Lord Daemon Velaryon[71] 5054 AC
House Smallwood.svg Lord Myles Smallwood[72] 5457 AC
Star of the Faith.svg Septon Barth[73] 5898 AC[74][N 1]
House Redwyne.svg Ser Ryam Redwyne[73] 99100 AC. Concurrently served as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
House Targaryen.svg Prince Baelon Targaryen[73] 100101 AC
House Hightower.svg Ser Otto Hightower[73][75] 101103 AC
House Targaryen.svg Viserys I Targaryen 103109 AC. Removed as Hand after pushing the inheritance of his daughter's sons over Princess Rhaenyra.
House Strong.svg Lord Lyonel Strong[75] 109120 AC. Died in a fire at Harrenhal.
House Hightower.svg Ser Otto Hightower[75][76] 120129 AC. Reinstated after Lyonel's death.
Aegon II Targaryen.svg Aegon II Targaryen 129130 AC. Executed by Rhaenyra Targaryen.
Kingsguard.svg Ser Criston Cole[76][77] 130 AC. Concurrently served as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Died at the Butcher's Ball.
House Targaryen.svg Aegon III Targaryen House Stark.svg Lord Cregan Stark[24][10] 131 AC. Only held office for a day, before returning to the north.
House Lannister.svg Ser Tyland Lannister[24][21] 131133 AC. Died of Winter Fever.
House Peake.svg Lord Unwin Peake[24][11] 133134 AC. Resigned the office after the king turned down a marriage proposal with his daughter.
House Rowan.svg Lord Thaddeus Rowan[24][11] 134135 AC. Imprisoned and tortured by plotters seeking to undermine the Rogare family's influence over the court.
Kingsguard.svg Ser Marston Waters[24][11] 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, but he died trying to arrest his sworn brother, Ser Mervyn Flowers, a fortnight later.
House Rowan.svg Lord Thaddeus Rowan[11] 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.svg Grand Maester Munkun[24][11] 135136 AC. Served as Hand until the election of a new Hand in the Council of 136 AC.
House Manderly.svg Lord Torrhen Manderly[24][11] 136 AC. Elected as the new Hand during the Council of 136 AC. Dismissed when the king came of age.
House Targaryen.svg Prince Viserys Targaryen Unknown[N 2]157 AC[24][55]
House Targaryen.svg Daeron I Targaryen 157161 AC[24][78][25][26][79][80]
House Targaryen.svg Baelor I Targaryen 161171 AC[24][78][25][26][79][80]
House Targaryen.svg Viserys II Targaryen Unknown 171172 AC
House Targaryen.svg Aegon IV Targaryen House Bracken.svg Lord Bracken[81] 172 AC–Unknown. Father of two of the king's mistresses.
House Butterwell.svg Lord Butterwell[81][6] Unknown–Unknown
House Lothston.svg Lord Lucas Lothston[81] 178 AC. Husband of a king's mistress, father to a second of the king's mistresses.
House Hightower.svg Lord Jon Hightower[81] Unknown–Unknown
House Targaryen.svg Daeron II Targaryen House Butterwell.svg Lord Ambrose Butterwell[27][82] Unknown–196 AC. Removed for failing to contain the First Blackfyre Rebellion.
House Hayford.svg Lord Hayford[27][82] 196 AC. Died at the Battle of the Redgrass Field.
House Targaryen.svg Prince Baelor Targaryen[28][83] 196209 AC. Died after a blow to the head suffered in the trial of seven during the tourney at Ashford Meadow.
Valarr Targaryen.svg Prince Valarr Targaryen (Possibly)[27] 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 sickness is a separate individual.
House Targaryen.svg Aerys I Targaryen Brynden Rivers.svg Brynden Rivers[27][6][82][84] 209221 AC
Maekar Targaryen.svg Maekar I Targaryen 221233 AC
House Targaryen.svg Aegon V Targaryen Unknown 233259 AC
House Targaryen.svg Jaehaerys II Targaryen House Baratheon.svg Lord Ormund Baratheon[85] 259260 AC
House Sloane.svg Edgar Sloane[30] Unknown–262 AC
House Targaryen.svg Aerys II Targaryen House Lannister.svg Ser/Lord Tywin Lannister[30] 262281 AC. Resigned his post for Aerys' slights against him.
House Merryweather.svg Lord Owen Merryweather[86][34] 281282 AC. Removed from office and exiled for failing to contain Robert's Rebellion.
House Connington.svg Lord Jon Connington[87][34] 282283 AC. Removed from his office and exiled after losing the Battle of the Bells.
House Chelsted.svg Lord Qarlton Chelsted[88][34] 283 AC. He resigned his position over Aerys's plan to burn King's Landing and was subsequently burned alive for it.
RossartSigil.png Wisdom Rossart[88][34] 283 AC. Was Hand for a fortnight. Named after the Battle of the Trident.
House Baratheon.svg Robert I Baratheon House Arryn.svg Lord Jon Arryn[1] 283298 AC
House Stark.svg Lord Eddard Stark[1] 298 AC
House Baratheon of King's Landing.svg Joffrey I Baratheon House Lannister.svg Lord Tywin Lannister[38][39] 298300 AC. Served as Hand as well under Aerys II Targaryen. While Tywin is campaigning in the riverlands, his son Tyrion is acting Hand (298299 AC).
House Baratheon of King's Landing.svg Tommen I Baratheon
House Swyft.svg Ser Harys Swyft[53] 300 AC
House Merryweather.svg Lord Orton Merryweather[54] 300 AC
House Tyrell.svg Lord Mace Tyrell[58] 300 AC–Present
Hand of the King brooch, from Game of Thrones.

Hands of claimants to the Iron Throne

Quotes

The King's Hand should have a hand. I will not have men speaking of the King's Stump.[16]

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.[89]

A weak ruler needs a strong Hand, as Aerys needed Father. A strong ruler requires only a diligent servant to carry out his orders.[77]

The Hand should speak with the king's voice.[90]

—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.[3]

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.
  2. Ser Tywin Lannister was the youngest ever to be appointed Hand of the King at the age of twenty in 262 AC (The World of Ice and Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II). Therefore Viserys, born in 122 AC (The Rogue Prince), cannot have been named Hand earlier than 143 AC. As Viserys was Aegon III's Hand during the final years of his reign, which ended in 157 AC (The World of Ice and Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III), Viserys cannot have been named Hand later than 155 AC. Thus, Viserys was appointed Hand of the King in or between 143 AC and 155 AC.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
  2. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 38, Tyrion V.
  3. 3.0 3.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 54, Davos V.
  4. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 20, Eddard IV.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Fire & Blood, A Surfeit of Rulers.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 The Mystery Knight.
  7. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 33, Eddard VIII.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
  9. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Go9ld.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Fire & Blood, Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 Fire & Blood, The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency.
  12. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 32, Sansa III.
  13. 13.0 13.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 65, Sansa VIII.
  14. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 22, Arya II.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 Fire & Blood, Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I.
  17. 17.0 17.1 Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
  18. Fire & Blood, The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC.
  19. Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
  20. 20.0 20.1 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold.
  21. 21.0 21.1 Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand.
  22. Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows.
  23. Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Voyage of Alyn Oakenfist.
  24. 24.00 24.01 24.02 24.03 24.04 24.05 24.06 24.07 24.08 24.09 24.10 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III.
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I.
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I.
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 27.5 27.6 The Sworn Sword.
  28. 28.0 28.1 The Hedge Knight.
  29. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V.
  30. 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 30.4 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
  31. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 27, Jaime III.
  32. 32.0 32.1 A Dance with Dragons, Epilogue.
  33. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 37, Jaime V.
  34. 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 34.4 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 11, Jaime II.
  35. The World of Ice & Fire, The Vale: House Arryn.
  36. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 52, Jon VII.
  37. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 57, Sansa V.
  38. 38.0 38.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 65, Arya V.
  39. 39.0 39.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 69, Tyrion IX.
  40. A Clash of Kings, Appendix.
  41. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 33, Catelyn IV.
  42. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 3, Tyrion I.
  43. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 20, Tyrion V.
  44. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 41, Tyrion IX.
  45. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 44, Tyrion X.
  46. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 66, Tyrion IX.
  47. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 77, Tyrion XI.
  48. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 12, Daenerys I.
  49. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
  50. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 12, Cersei III.
  51. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 3, Cersei I.
  52. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 7, Cersei II.
  53. 53.0 53.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 17, Cersei IV.
  54. 54.0 54.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 39, Cersei IX.
  55. 55.0 55.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 43, Cersei X.
  56. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 18, The Iron Captain.
  57. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 19, The Drowned Man.
  58. 58.0 58.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 54, Cersei I.
  59. A Feast for Crows, Appendix.
  60. A Dance with Dragons, Appendix.
  61. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 39, Jon VIII.
  62. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 70, The Queen's Hand.
  63. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 61, The Griffin Reborn.
  64. The Winds of Winter, Arianne I
  65. 65.0 65.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Riverlands: House Tully.
  66. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I.
  67. 67.0 67.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I.
  68. 68.0 68.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
  69. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
  70. Fire & Blood, Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I.
  71. Fire & Blood, A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade.
  72. Fire & Blood, Birth, Death and Betrayal under Jaehaerys I.
  73. 73.0 73.1 73.2 73.3 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
  74. Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
  75. 75.0 75.1 75.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I.
  76. 76.0 76.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II.
  77. 77.0 77.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.
  78. 78.0 78.1 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Viserys II Targaryen.
  79. 79.0 79.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II.
  80. 80.0 80.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 59, Sansa IV.
  81. 81.0 81.1 81.2 81.3 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV.
  82. 82.0 82.1 82.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I.
  83. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II.
  84. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I.
  85. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II.
  86. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
  87. The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion.
  88. 88.0 88.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: The End.
  89. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 35, Eddard IX.
  90. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 19, Davos III.