Criston Cole

A knight of unmatched skill whose rigid honor fuels the fire of civil war.

Ser Criston Cole is a knight from the Dornish Marches, the common-born son of the steward to the Lord of Blackhaven, portrayed by Fabien Frankel in House of the Dragon. He is a member of the Kingsguard under King Viserys I Targaryen and King Aegon II Targaryen; during Aegon's reign he succeeds Ser Harrold Westerling as Lord Commander and later succeeds Ser Otto Hightower as Hand of the King. At the Heir's Tournament he defeats Lord Boremund Baratheon and Prince Daemon Targaryen and receives the favor of Princess Rhaenyra, at whose insistence he is appointed to the Kingsguard.

Quick Facts

Role: Ser of the Kingsguard; Lord Commander
Allegiance: House Targaryen (Viserys I, then Aegon II)

Lore & Background

Rhaenyra pressures Criston into an affair, breaking his Kingsguard vows. When she is engaged to Ser Laenor Velaryon he asks her to run away with him; she refuses, leaving him distraught, and he confesses to Queen Alicent Hightower, who keeps his secret. At the wedding feast Ser Joffrey Lonmouth, Laenor's lover, tells Criston he knows of the affair; Criston beats him to death and is about to take his own life when Alicent interrupts him. After Viserys' death he kills Lord Lyman Beesbury, who protested the plot to crown Aegon, and crowns Aegon king at the Dragonpit.

Reader's Guide

Ten years after the wedding, while training Rhaenyra's son in swordsmanship, Criston provokes Ser Harwin Strong, which leads to Harwin leaving King's Landing. In season 2 he begins a relationship with Alicent, sends Ser Arryk Cargyll to assassinate Rhaenyra, and is made Hand of the King by Aegon II. He leads an army with Ser Gwayne Hightower through the Crownlands, executes Lord Gunthor Darklyn after the Sack of Duskendale, and commands at the Battle at Rook's Rest, afterwards parading the head of the dragon Meleys through King's Landing.