Hand of the King
The Hand of the King is the king on the Iron Throne's chief advisor and is the executor of his command in the Seven Kingdoms.
Contents
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. 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.
History
After the Targaryen War of Conquest Orys Baratheon served as the first Hand, serving King Aegon I Targaryen. The title of hand derives its name from Aegon's description of Orys as
...My shield, my stalwart, my strong right hand.[2]
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
Upon the death of his Hand, Lord Jon Arryn, King Robert Baratheon asks Lord Eddard Stark to serve as Lord Arryn's replacement. After Robert dies, however, his son, Joffrey Baratheon, has Ned Stark executed. Joffrey's grandfather, Lord Tywin Lannister serves as the new Hand of the King.
A Clash of King
Because he is campaigning during the War of the Five Kings, Tywin has his son, Tyrion Lannister, serve as the acting Hand in King's Landing.
Lord Alester Florent serves as the Hand to Stannis Baratheon, a rival claimant to the Iron Throne. Lord Mace Tyrell serves as Hand to Renly Baratheon, who is killed at Storm's End.
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. Tywin is then murdered by Tyrion, who flees the city.
Stannis chooses Ser Davos Seaworth to be his new Hand, as Alester is arrested for treason.
A Feast for Crows
Ser Harys Swyft and then Lord Orton Merryweather serve as Hand for Tommen's mother, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister.
A Dance with Dragons
Following Cersei's arrest by the Faith of the Seven, Mace Tyrell becomes Hand of the King for Tommen.
Ser Barristan Selmy serves as Hand to Queen Daenerys Targaryen in Meereen.
Lord Jon Connington is the Hand to King Aegon VI Targaryen.
List of Known Hands
Time unknown
- Septon Murmison ? - ?, regarded as one of the worst Hands and a warning to future generations.
- Myles Smallwood ? - ?, regarded as one of the worst Hands and a warning to future generations.
Hands of Claimants to the Iron Throne
- 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 VI Targaryen
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
- Stannis Baratheon to Cressen
- Cersei Lannister to Jaime Lannister
The Hand should speak with the king's voice.[5]
- thoughts of Davos Seaworth
References and Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
- ↑ Bubonicon Report, August 25, 2012 So Spake Martin
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Prologue, p 17.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 19, Davos III.