Lucamore Strong
Alias | Lucamore the Lusty |
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Title | Ser |
Allegiances | |
Culture | Rivermen |
Born | or before 40 AC[1] |
Spouse | Three wives |
Issue | Sixteen children |
Books |
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Lucamore Strong, also known as Lucamore the Lusty, was a knight from House Strong and a member of the Kingsguard during the reign of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen. When it was discovered he had broken the vows of the Kingsguard, he was sent to the Night's Watch by King Jaehaerys I.
Contents
Appearance and Character
Lucamore was described as an amiable, strapping, broad-shouldered, young blond bull. He was a great favorite of the smallfolk in tourneys and was well loved at court.[2][3]
History
In 55 AC, a great tourney was held to celebrate the completion of the Dragonpit. Ser Lucamore was the victor of the great melee in the pit. After the death of Ser Willam the Wasp the following year, Jaehaerys awarded a white cloak to Ser Lucamore. Ser Lucamore was on duty when Balerion returned to King's Landing in 56 AC with the afflicted Princess Aerea Targaryen barely clinging to him. Lucamore shoved through the onlookers and carried the girl to Grand Maester Benifer. He later told anyone who'd listen that the princess was stick thin, so hot with fever he could feel the heat through his armor, there was blood in her eyes and something was moving beneath her skin. He was summoned by King Jaehaerys the next day and commanded not to speak of Aerea anymore.[2]
After Princess Rhaena Targaryen, who had ruled as de facto Lady of Harrenhal, died in 73 AC, King Jaehaerys named Lucamore's brother, Ser Bywin Strong, the new Lord of Harrenhal.[2]
It was discovered by Ser Ryam Redwyne of the Kingsguard near the end of 73 AC that Ser Lucamore had broken his Kingsguard vows: he had wed in secret, not once, but thrice, with each woman being ignorant of the other two. On these three wives, he had fathered a total of sixteen children. Ser Ryam brought the revelation to the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Gyles Morrigen, who in turn had Ser Lucamore seized and brought before the Iron Throne, along with his three wives and all his children. This scandal shocked both the court and city, although it was eventually a cause of great laughter and merriment among the smallfolk.[3][4][5][6]
Ser Gyles requested that Ser Lucamore be put to death. In front of the king, Lucamore fell to his knees, confessed his guilt, and begged for mercy. According to Septon Barth, the king might have granted it, had Lucamore not been foolish enough to add "for the sake of my wives and children" to the end of his plea, as this was tantamount to throwing his crimes in the king's face.[3] Jaehaerys declared he would have no oathbreakers serving him, and Queen Alysanne added that Lucamore had not only broken the vows of the Kingsguard, but also his marriage vows. None of the three marriages could be declared lawful, and thus all the children were bastards. Alysanne also declared that his wives were not entirely innocent: while each woman had been unaware of the other two, they had known that Lucamore was a knight of the Kingsguard and thus not allowed to wed. She declared some mercy would be granted for them, but none for him.[3]
Ser Lucamore was gelded by his former sworn brothers of the Kingsguard, after which King Jaehaerys sent Lucamore to the Wall to join the Night's Watch. Two of his elder sons chose to accompany him. A daughter chose to become a septa. His three wives were each sent into exile away from King's Landing, the first given to the charge of Lord Bywin Strong of Harrenhal, Lucamore's brother in the riverlands, the second to Lord Daemon Velaryon of Driftmark in the crownlands, and the third wife was sent to Ser Garon and Lord Boremund Baratheon of Storm's End in the stormlands, along with their children, who were forbidden to continue using the surname Strong from that day forth. The children of his first wife were known as Rivers, the children of his second as Waters, and the children of his third as Storm. Lucamore forever more became known as Lucamore the Lusty. His deceits are recorded in the White Book and are sung about in a humorous song.[3][4][5][6]
Recent Events
A Feast for Crows
Ser Arys Oakheart uses Lucamore as an example why he must keep his vows.[4] Ser Jaime Lannister mentions Lucamore to Ser Loras Tyrell[5] and later cites him as an example to Ser Ilyn Payne when discussing what to do about Ser Osmund Kettleblack.[6]
Quotes about Lucamore
When I rose against my uncle Maegor, two of his Kingsguard abandoned him to fight for me. They might well have believed they would be allowed to keep their white cloaks once I'd won, perhaps even be honored with lordships and a higher place at court. I sent them to the Wall instead. I wanted no oathbreakers around me, then or now.[3]
—Jaehaerys I Targaryen while sentencing Lucamore
Arianne: Yes, and what of Lucamore the Lusty, with his three wives and sixteen children? The song always makes me laugh.
Arys: The truth is less funny. He was never called Lucamore the Lusty whilst he lived. His name was Ser Lucamore Strong, and his whole life was a lie. When his deceit was discovered, his own sworn bothers gelded him, and the Old King sent him to the Wall. Those sixteen children were left weeping. He was no true knight, no more than Terrence Toyne...[4]
References
- ↑ See the Lucamore Strong calculation.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 13, The Soiled Knight.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 44, Jaime VII.
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