Editing Bannerman (section)

==Duties==
[[File:Calling the BannersDiego Gisbert LlorensII.png|thumb|350px|Calling the Banners, by Diego Gisbert Llorens © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Bannermen are expected to provide their [[military strength]] to their liege lords.{{ref|AGOT|28}} According to [[George R. R. Martin]], "The lords have vassals, the vassals have vassals, and sometimes the vassals of the vassals have vassals, down to the guy who can raise five friends."<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Social_Structure_Moat_Cailin_and_More Social Structure, Moat Cailin, and More], June 10, 2002</ref> Poor relationships between liege and bannerman might lead to vassals not providing all or any of their swords,{{ref|AGOT|28}}{{ref|ADWD|41}} however, or even the bannermen siding with their liege's enemy.{{ref|FAB|Aegon's Conquest}} Bannermen might hold back their support from a losing cause.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Siege_of_Storms_End The Siege of Storm's End], July 18, 1999</ref>

Bannermen can act in their own self-interest,{{ref|AGOT|53}} sometimes to the detriment of their liege.{{ref|ASOS|66}} Disgraceful actions by a bannerman can bring shame on his liege{{ref|ASOS|37}} and homeland.{{ref|AGOT|12}} Bannermen can test new lords to judge their worth.{{ref|AGOT|53}} Some liege lords pit their bannermen against each other to keep them weak.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands: House Tully}}

As part of peace efforts, bannermen can be asked to send their kin to to serve as [[hostage]]s.{{ref|ACOK|25}} The families of bannermen can also befriend those of their liege.{{ref|AFFC|32}}