Kingsguard

Seven sworn knights who guard the king and his family.

The Kingsguard are the seven knights sworn to protect the king and his family. With the Small Council they make up most of the royal court at King's Landing.

Lore & Background

Ser Barristan Selmy, Barristan the Bold, is Lord Commander at the start of the series: a member for most of his life who served three kings, stayed loyal to the Targaryens during Robert's rebellion and then accepted Robert's pardon. Joffrey sends him into retirement, which he sees as a disgrace, and he later serves Daenerys Targaryen. Jaime Lannister became the youngest member of Aerys II's Kingsguard and later killed the king he guarded, earning the name Kingslayer; Joffrey names him commander.

Reader's Guide

In the television series Brienne of Tarth is named commander of King Bran's Kingsguard, with Podrick serving after his knighting, and she completes Jaime's entry in the White Book that records the order's deeds.

Other members include Ser Arys Oakheart, who goes to Dorne with Myrcella and is killed after Arianne Martell draws him into a plot; Ser Meryn Trant, who serves Robert, Joffrey and Tommen, kills Syrio Forel and ends up on Arya Stark's list; and Ser Balon Swann, made Kingsguard after Ser Preston Greenfield's death. Loras Tyrell joins when Margaery marries Joffrey. During Robert's Rebellion three of the order, Ser Arthur Dayne, Ser Oswell Whent and the Lord Commander Ser Gerold Hightower, guarded Lyanna Stark at the Tower of Joy.