| Lord Commander of the Queensguard | |
|---|---|
 Standard of the Kingsguard, a crown surrounded by seven white swords.[1] | |
| Region | Seven Kingdoms |
| Current Holder | Ser Barristan Selmy |
| First Holder | Ser Steffon Darklyn |
| Creator |
Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen Queen Daenerys Targaryen |
| Created | 129 AC |
Lord Commander of the Queensguard is the title held by the most senior sworn brother of a Queensguard, the royal bodyguards for a queen. Supposedly the finest knights in the Seven Kingdoms, they are sworn to protect their queen and the royal family with their own lives, to obey her commands, and to keep her secrets.
Duties
The Lord Commander commands the other six knights of the Sworn Brotherhood of the Queensguard, and he is a member of her council.[2][3] The Lord Commander is appointed by the queen, with seniority and ability being factors in the selection.[4]
History
Although Queen Alysanne Targaryen appointed Jonquil Darke as her sworn shield after an assassination attempt,[5] the first known implementation of the Queensguard was founded at the start of the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, when the Kingsguard of King Viserys I Targaryen split between knights serving King Aegon II Targaryen and Queensguard serving Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, who named Ser Steffon Darklyn as her Lord Commander.[2][6]
When Prince Jacaerys Velaryon called for dragonriders, Steffon made an attempt to mount Seasmoke during the Sowing, but he was burned to death by the dragon.[6] He was succeeded by Ser Lorent Marbrand, who was named Lord Commander after Queen Rhaenyra ascended to the Iron Throne following the fall of King's Landing. Ser Lorent was tasked with finding six worthy knights to serve beside him in Rhaenyra's Queensguard.[7][N 1]
Lorent died during the riot of King's Landing, leading a hundred knights and men-at-arms into Flea Bottom, of which only sixteen returned. According to Mushroom, Rhaenyra wept when she was told of the manner of Lorent's death. His body was retrieved by his sworn brother Ser Glendon Goode, to prevent the rioters from despoiling it. Ser Glendon succeeded Lorent as Lord Commander, but less than a day later, the young knight also died in the riot.[8]
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
Daenerys Targaryen names Ser Jorah Mormont as the first of her Queensguard following the death of her husband, Khal Drogo.[9]
A Dance with Dragons
Barristan, the former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard to King Robert I Baratheon, becomes the Lord Commander of the Queensguard of Daenerys Targaryen, Queen of Meereen.[10] After she disappears from Daznak's Pit, however, Ser Barristan recalls that Daenerys had not established a proper Queensguard.[3]
Known Lords Commander of the Queensguard
Ser Steffon Darklyn, died in an attempt to tame a dragon.[2]
Ser Lorent Marbrand, died in the Riot of King's Landing.[2]
Ser Glendon Goode, Lord Commander for a day, he died in the Storming of the Dragonpit.[11]
Ser Barristan Selmy, Barristan the Bold, for Daenerys Targaryen.[10]
Notes
- ↑ Only five out of the six knights chosen by Lorent have been revealed: Glendon Goode, Lyonel Bentley, Harrold Darke, Adrian Redfort, and Loreth Lansdale.
References
- ↑ The Winds of Winter, Barristan I
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 The Princess and the Queen.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 55, The Queensguard.
- ↑ So Spake Martin: Archon Meeting (October 5-7) (October 05, 2001)
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 72, Daenerys X.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 2, Daenerys I.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II.