Queensguard

Queensguard
Standard of the Kingsguard, a crown surrounded by seven white swords.[1]
Type Sworn brotherhood
Royal bodyguard
Allegiance Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men
Current Leader Lord Commander Barristan Selmy
Founder Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen
Queen Daenerys Targaryen
Founded 129 ᴀᴄ (to guard Queen Rhaenyra)
Disbanded 130 ᴀᴄ (upon Rhaenyra's death)
Reorganized 298 ᴀᴄ (to guard Queen Daenerys)
Unadorned white shield of the Queensguard.

The Queensguard is another term for the Kingsguard, titled such when they serve as royal bodyguards for a Queen Regnant rather than a king. 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. They are sworn for life, and are forbidden from owning land, taking a wife, or fathering children.[2] There have been only two known instances in the history of A Song of Ice and Fire that a Queensguard has been implemented: the first under Rhaenyra Targaryen during the Dance of the Dragons civil war,[3] and more recently under Daenerys Targaryen after the death of her husband, Khal Drogo.

History

The first known implementation of the Queensguard was founded by Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, as an elite bodyguard for her and her family during the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. Daenerys Targaryen established her own Queensguard following the death of her husband Khal Drogo, when she declared herself Queen of Westeros.[4]

Historically composed of seven knights sworn to a lifetime of service, members are to serve unto death despite age or any physical or mental ailments, with an invalid member's duties being taken up by his sworn brothers.[5] During his time as a member of the Queensguard, a member is not allowed to hold lands, sire children, marry, or have any worldly allegiance except to his monarch. All members of the Queensguard are traditionally sworn knights, although this is currently not the case under Daenerys.

Of note is that prior to his meeting with Skahaz mo Kandaq, Lord Commander Ser Barristan Selmy thinks that Daenerys Targaryen "had never established a proper Queensguard even for herself."[6]

Historical Members

Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (129 ᴀᴄ-130 ᴀᴄ)

The Kingsguard of King Viserys I Targaryen split during the succession war that broke out upon his death, known as the Dance of the Dragons. Four of them sided with Rhaenyra's half-brother Aegon II (including Lord Commander Ser Criston Cole), but the other three defected to Rhaenyra, forming the core of her new Queensguard: Ser Steffon, Ser Lorent, and Ser Erryk.

Recent Members

Queen Daenerys Targaryen (298 ᴀᴄ-present)

Quotes

You are the first of my Queensguard.[4]

– Daenerys Targaryen to Jorah Mormont


She still clung to the hope that someone would come after her. Ser Barristan might come seeking her; he was the first of her Queensguard, sworn to defend her life with his own.[12]

– thoughts of Daenerys Targaryen


If the queen had commanded me to protect Hizdahr, I would have had no choice but to obey. But Daenerys Targaryen had never established a proper Queensguard even for herself nor issued any commands in respect to her consort.[6]

– thoughts of Barristan Selmy


Only Ser Loreth Lansdale moved quickly enough to strike a blow in the queen's defense, cutting down the first two men who came at him before being slain himself. With him died the last of the Queensguard.[3]

References

This article is issued from Westeros. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.