Highlights
- The Kingsguard plays a prestigious and important role in House of the Dragon, providing protection to the monarch and the royal family.
- Notable members of the Kingsguard from Game of Thrones include Ser Jaime Lannister and Ser Barristan Selmy, who have served in both the Mad King’s and Robert Baratheon’s Kingsguard.
- The characters in the Kingsguard, such as Ser Steffon Darklyn and Ser Arryk Cargyll, have complex loyalties and significant story arcs that contribute to the rich history of House of the Dragon.
House of the Dragon sees a return of The Kingsguard, which occupies a prestigious place in the circles of power. The monarch and the royal family are rarely ever without their protection. The two most notable members of the Kingsguard from the original HBO series, Game of Thrones are Ser Jaime Lannister, and Ser Barristan Selmy (also known as Barristan the Bold). They served in the Mad King’s and in Robert I Baratheon’s Kingsguard.
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After Robert’s rebellion, the new king pardoned the honorable Ser Barristan Selmy and bestowed upon him the coveted position of Lord Commander. When Cersei Lannister dishonorably relieved him of his duties, he remarked:
I am a knight! I shall die a knight!
Ser Barristan sailed to Essos to serve Daenerys Targaryen, and whatever became of his arc is tragic indeed. Game of Thrones prequel – House of the Dragon boasts honorable and experienced warriors in the Kingsguard that histories will never forget.
6 Ser Steffon Darklyn
He Stood Behind The Rightful Heir (Rhaenyra)
Ser Steffon of House Darklyn of Duskendale served in the Kingsguard of Jaehaerys as well as his successor, Viserys. In House of the Dragon season 1, episode 10 “The Black Queen,” Ser Steffon asserted:
I swore first to King Jaehaerys, my Prince. And then to His Grace King Viserys, when he succeeded him.
In House of the Dragon season 1, episode 2 “The Rogue Prince,” he informed Viserys of Rhaenyra’s return to the Red Keep:
Your Grace, the princess has returned from Dragonstone.
There’s a bit to unpack here. After Daemon seized Dragonstone with his army of Gold Cloaks and stole Dreamfyre’s egg, Rhaenyra flew on dragonback to retrieve it. Ser Steffon remained steadfast in his duties and served Viserys loyally. In the show, he swore allegiance to Rhaenyra after Daemon threatened to have him executed if he turned his back on her. Steffon went on to serve in the Queensguard of Rhaenyra and was seen attending the funeral of her stillborn daughter, Visenya. The capable Ser Steffon became the first Lord Commander of Rhaenyra’s Queensguard and was among the first knights that bowed to her on Dragonstone.
5 Ser Arryk Cargyll
Upheld His Oath Until The End
Ser Arryk, on the other hand, remained with the Greens, and he believed it was his sworn duty to tolerate what he described as Aegon’s “proclivities.” Ser Arryk disagreed with his brother, saying:
It’s for the Hand to find wisdom. We swore an oath of service until death
House of the Dragon season 2 teaser trailer includes a snippet from the Duel Of The Cargyll Twins, where the Greens send Arryk to Dragonstone to assassinate Rhaenyra, but he is caught by Erryk. The brothers fight to the death, thus making them two of the characters likeliest to die in House of the Dragon season 2.
4 Ser Ryam Redwyne
The First Lord Commander of Viserys Targaryen’s Kingsguard
Ser Ryam of House Redwyne served as Lord Commander of not one but two kings’ Kingsguards, viz Jaehaerys and his grandson, Viserys. Additionally, Ser Ryam also served as Jaehaerys’ Hand but dispensing advice wasn’t his forte. He was named Hand after King Jaehaerys’ previous advisor, Septon Barth, died.
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Ser Ryam is considered among the worst Hands but the finest Kingsguards. He was eventually replaced by Jaehaerys’ heir, Prince Baelon Targaryen, but continued to serve as the elite bodyguard. On HBO’s House of the Dragon, Ser Ryam stood behind King Jaehaerys at the Great Council of Harrenhal that was convened to choose an heir. He passed away during Viserys’ reign, at the very beginning of House of the Dragon‘s “The Rogue Prince” and this is how the king remembered him:
Ser Ryam was a strong Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. But he was ill for some time. He passed in peace, I Hope.
3 Ser Criston Cole
Rose From Anonymity to Prestige
Princess Rhaenyra chose Ser Criston as her Sworn Protector because he had combat experience. He’d spent a year fighting as a foot soldier against Dornish incursions and was knighted by Ser Arlan Dondarrion. He served under Lord Commander Harrold Westerling, who, in the beginning, identified him as:
Son of the steward of the Lord of Blackhaven.
Though Ser Criston had real combat experience before joining the Kingsguard, he broke his oath of chastity with Rhaenyra and nursed hatred toward her as she refused to elope with him. Ser Criston confessed his sins to Alicent, and she let him go unpunished. Thereafter, he showed unwavering loyalty towards her and her children.
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Ser Criston was the personal sworn shield of Alicent Hightower – a woman he held in high regard. House of the Dragon season 2 teaser trailer shows him taking on a bigger role in the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. Ser Criston appears fierce and unapologetic, and he executes a man with his sword.
2 Ser Erryk Cargyll
Risked His Life to Enter The Blacks’ Camp at Dragonstone
Ser Erryk and his twin brother, Ser Arryk served in the Kingsguard of Viserys. The twins’ personal feelings behind Aegon’s succession had a bearing on them as well. In Dance of the Dragons, Ser Erryk was disillusioned with Aegon as he knew about his exploits. He chose to side with the Black Queen – Rhaenyra:
Something must be done. Aegon isn’t fit to rule.
Otto Hightower dispatched the Cargyll twins to find the Prince, who had left the Red Keep secretly at the time of his father, Viserys’ death. Ser Erryk was Aegon’s sworn protector and was aware of his wrongdoings. The brothers were at loggerheads over Aegon’s ascension, and Ser Erryk defected to the Blacks. Before leaving, he chose to smuggle Princess Rhaenys out of the Red Keep. He also stole Viserys’ crown and traveled to Dragonstone to join Rhaenyra’s Queensguard. While presenting Viserys’ crown, Ser Erryk swore the holiest of oaths to Rhaenyra:
I swear to ward the Queen with all my strength and give my blood for hers. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall guard her secrets, obey her commands, ride at her side, and defend her name and honor.
1 Ser Harrold Westerling
Left The Greens as He Knew the Sanctity of His Position
Lord Commander Ryam Redwyne was succeeded by Ser Harrold Westerling, who remained in the Kingsguard until Viserys’ death. He wasted no time in finding Ser Ryam’s replacement in the Order:
Your Grace, my Lords. The Kingsguard must soon be restored to its full complement of seven. With the help of the Hand, I’ve invited a number of fine candidates to court. All have passed fair trials.
Ser Harrold served Viserys honorably but vacated after he saw Ser Criston murder Lord Beesbury in cold blood. In House of the Dragon, he expressed distaste for all the politicking and subterfuge that went on in the small council after Viserys’ death. He ordered Ser Criston to cast down his sword and remove his cloak. When the former showed defiance, he refused to follow Otto’s dishonorable command to assassinate Rhaenyra and quit as Lord Commander:
I am Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. I recognize no authority but the King’s. And until there is one, I have no place here.
