Difference between revisions of "Hand of the King"
m (→List of known Hands) |
m (→List of known Hands: tried to fix boxes as Alyn Stokeworth was only appearing in Aenys instead of Aegon & Aenys. Same with Otto Hightower) |
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| Unknown–{{Date|34}}. Known to be Hand in {{date|19|34}}, oversaw construction of the city wall around [[King's Landing]]. | | Unknown–{{Date|34}}. Known to be Hand in {{date|19|34}}, oversaw construction of the city wall around [[King's Landing]]. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | Lord [[Alyn Stokeworth]] |
− | + | | {{Date|34|37}} | |
|- | |- | ||
| rowspan="3"| [[Aenys I Targaryen]] | | rowspan="3"| [[Aenys I Targaryen]] | ||
+ | | Lord [[Alyn Stokeworth]] | ||
+ | | {{Date|37}} | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Prince [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor Targaryen]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} | | Prince [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor Targaryen]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} | ||
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| {{Date|100|101}} | | {{Date|100|101}} | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | + | | Ser [[Otto Hightower]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}{{Ref|TRP}} | |
− | + | | {{Date|101|103}}. | |
|- | |- | ||
| rowspan="3"| [[Viserys I Targaryen]] | | rowspan="3"| [[Viserys I Targaryen]] | ||
+ | | Ser [[Otto Hightower]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}{{Ref|TRP}} | ||
+ | | {{Date|103|109}}. Removed as Hand after pushing the inheritance of his [[Alicent Hightower|daughter's]] sons over Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]]. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Lord [[Lyonel Strong]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}{{Ref|TRP}} | | Lord [[Lyonel Strong]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}{{Ref|TRP}} | ||
| {{Date|109|120}}. Died in a fire at [[Harrenhal]]. | | {{Date|109|120}}. Died in a fire at [[Harrenhal]]. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | + | | Ser [[Otto Hightower]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}{{Ref|TRP}}{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}} | |
− | + | | {{Date|120|130}}. Reinstated after predecessor's death. | |
|- | |- | ||
| rowspan="2"| [[Aegon II Targaryen]] | | rowspan="2"| [[Aegon II Targaryen]] | ||
+ | | Ser [[Otto Hightower]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}{{Ref|TRP}}{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}} | ||
+ | | {{Date|130}}. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Ser [[Criston Cole]]{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}{{Ref|AFFC|16}} | | Ser [[Criston Cole]]{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}{{Ref|AFFC|16}} |
Revision as of 22:14, 22 November 2018
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.
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.[2] His badge of office always includes a hand, though each Hand can design his own. Brynden Rivers used a iron brooch,[3] Eddard Stark used a silver clasp,[4] while Tyrion and Tywin Lannister used a golden chain.[5][6] Servants of the Hand might wear the emblem of a hand.[7]
History
During Conquest of the Seven Kingdoms by King Aegon I Targaryen, after the first few victories, Aegon proclaimed Orys Baratheon to be
...My shield, my stalwart, my strong right hand.[8]
Because of Aegon's description, Orys is regarded to have been the first Hand of the King.
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
Upon the death of his Hand, Lord Jon Arryn, King Robert I Baratheon asks Lord Eddard Stark to serve as Lord Arryn's replacement.[1] After Robert dies, however, his son, Joffrey Baratheon, has Ned Stark executed.[9] Joffrey's grandfather, Lord Tywin Lannister serves as the new Hand of the King.[10] Because Tywin is capaigning in the riverlands during the War of the Five Kings, he sends his younger son, Tyrion to serve as acting Hand to King's Landing.[11]
A Clash of King
As acting Hand, Tyrion Lannister serves in King's Landing until Lord Tywin Lannister arrives during the Battle of the Blackwater.[6]
Lord Mace Tyrell serves as Hand to Renly Baratheon, a rival claimant to the Iron Throne, who is killed at Storm's End.[12]
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,[13] until he is murdered.[14]
Lord Alester Florent serves as the Hand to Stannis Baratheon, a rival claimant to the Iron Throne.[15] After Alester has been arrested and executed for treason, Axell Florent tries to make Davos Seaworth advise Stannis to name himself as Hand of the King, but Stannis chooses Davos to be his new Hand instead.[16]
A Feast for Crows
After she fails to convince Jaime Lannister to become Hand,[17] and refuses to meet the terms Ser Kevan Lannister has for the office[18], Ser Harys Swyft[19] and later Lord Orton Merryweather[20] serve as Hand of the King for King Tommen I Baratheon, chosen by his mother, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister. After Cersei is arrested by the Faith of the Seven, Merryweather resigns the small council and flees King's Landing.[21]
A Dance with Dragons
After Merryweather has resigned, Ser Kevan Lannister, as Regent, elevates Mace Tyrell to Hand of the King for King Tommen I.[22]
Meanwhile, Ser Davos Seaworth continues as Hand of the King for Stannis Baratheon,[23][24] while Ser Axell Florent is calling himself the Queen's Hand to Selyse Florent.[25]
In Meereen, Ser Barristan Selmy serves as Hand for Queen Daenerys Targaryen in her absence, after King Hizdahr zo Loraq has been removed from power.[26]
Lord Jon Connington serves as the Hand to Prince Aegon Targaryen, despite the latter not having been crowned king yet.[27] Connington is styled "Hand of the True King".[28]
List of known Hands
Time unknown
- Myles Smallwood, regarded as one of the worst Hands and a warning to future generations.[56]
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 Axell Florent, self-styled Hand of the Queen for Selyse Florent
- 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
The Hand should speak with the king's voice.[58]
—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.[56]—Davos Seaworth and Maester Pylos
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 20, Eddard IV.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Mystery Knight.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 33, Eddard VIII.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 32, Sansa III.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 65, Sansa VIII.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 22, Arya II.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 65, Arya V.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 57, Sansa V.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 69, Tyrion IX.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Appendix.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 66, Tyrion IX.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 77, Tyrion XI.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 12, Daenerys I.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 3, Cersei I.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 7, Cersei II.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 17, Cersei IV.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 39, Cersei IX.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 43, Cersei X.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 54, Cersei I.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Appendix.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Appendix.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 39, Jon VIII.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 70, The Queen's Hand.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 61, The Griffin Reborn.
- ↑ The Winds of Winter, Chapter Arianne I.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Riverlands: House Tully.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I.
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I.
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 33.4 33.5 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 34.4 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I.
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 35.4 The Rogue Prince.
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 The Princess and the Queen.
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II.
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 39.4 39.5 39.6 39.7 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III.
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Viserys II Targaryen.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 59, Sansa IV.
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 45.3 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV.
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 46.3 The Sworn Sword.
- ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I.
- ↑ The Hedge Knight.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II.
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
- ↑ 53.0 53.1 53.2 53.3 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 11, Jaime II.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion.
- ↑ 55.0 55.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: The End.
- ↑ 56.0 56.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 54, Davos V.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 19, Davos III.