Lord Commander of the Night's Watch
| Lord Commander of the Night's Watch | |
|---|---|
| Office | Leader of the Night's Watch |
| Region | The Wall and the Gift |
| Current Holder | Lord Jon Snow |
| Created | During the Long Night |
Lord Commander of the Night's Watch is the title held by the most senior officer of the Night's Watch; his seat is at Castle Black. The plural form includes "Lords Commander",[1][2] "lords commander",[3] and "lord commanders".[4]
Some Free Folk refer to the Lords Commander as "Lord Crow",[5][6][7] on account of their nickname for the members of the Watch.[8][5]
Contents
Election
When a Lord Commander dies, any sworn man of the Night's Watch can nominate himself or be nominated by his brothers for the position. All sworn brothers of the Night's Watch have a vote, but since it is impossible for everyone to attend, the garrison commanders of those not at Castle Black cast the vote for them.[9]
To win the election the candidates are required to receive two-thirds of the votes of the Sworn Brothers of the Night's Watch.[9] If no candidate achieves that amount, the choosing is repeated on the next day, with no time limit set. Elections can last several days, and there was once a choosing that lasted near two years and seven hundred votes.[10]
Duties
The Lord Commander is the final authority of the Night's Watch and oversees the entire organization. He is assisted by the maester of Castle Black, the First Ranger, the Lord Steward, the First Builder, and other high officers under him.[11] The Lord Commander serves until his death.
The officer's chambers are in the top two floors of the Lord Commander's Tower.[12] The Lord Commander's squires are traditionally promising youths of good birth who are being trained in command.[13][14] The Lord Commander's steward is also his squire by custom.[15]
History
During summertime, historical Lords Commander had builders raise the Wall higher.[11]
The Night's King, the legendary thirteenth leader of the Night's Watch, had his name stricken from history.[16]
During Aegon's Conquest, Lord Commander Hoare did not leave the Wall to oppose House Targaryen, even though his brother, King Harren the Black, was burned alongside his kin by Aegon the Conqueror.[17]
Brynden Rivers was elected as Lord Commander in 239 AC but he disappeared while ranging beyond the Wall in 252 AC.[18]
An election for a new Lord Commander occurred circa 269 AC,[N 1] where Ser Wynton Stout was a dozen votes short of being elected Lord Commander.[19]
In 288 AC, following the death of Lord Commander Qorgyle, Jeor Mormont was elected Lord Commander.[20]
According to Samwell Tarly, Maester Aemon has known a dozen lords commander during his years of service at the Wall.[3][N 2]
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
Jon Snow becomes the steward of Lord Commander Jeor Mormont.[13] After the Lord Commander's Tower burns, Jeor moves his chambers to the King's Tower.[17]
A Clash of Kings
Jeor leads the great ranging of the Night's Watch beyond the Wall.[21]
When Maester Luwin advises Theon Greyjoy to surrender Winterfell and take the black, Theon imagines himself rising high among the Night's Watch and possibly becoming Lord Commander. Theon ends up defeated by Ramsay Snow, however, with the sack of Winterfell.[22]
A Storm of Swords
Jeor is slain during the mutiny at Craster's Keep.[23]
Through the efforts of Samwell Tarly, Jon is elected as Jeor's successor as Lord Commander.[2][24]
A Feast for Crows
There have been 998 Lords Commander of the Night's Watch, as of Lord Commander Snow. The oldest list in Castle Black's vaults, as found by Samwell, mentions 674 Lords Commander.[25]
A Dance with Dragons
Jon beheads Janos Slynt for insubordination.[26] After receiving a letter from Ramsay and announcing his intention to march on Winterfell, the Lord Commander is attacked during the mutiny at Castle Black.[27]
Lords Commander during A Song of Ice and Fire
Jeor Mormont, 997th Lord Commander, elected in 288 AC. Called 'the Old Bear'. Killed by his own men in the mutiny at Craster's Keep during the great ranging.[23]
Jon Snow, 998th Lord Commander, elected in 300 AC by an overwhelming margin. Previously served as Jeor's personal steward.[24]
Historical Lords Commander
A chronological list of Lords Commander has not yet been published.
Uncertain era
Runcel Hightower, who tried to make the position of Lord Commander hereditary and pass it to his bastard son.[1]
Rodrik Flint, who thought to make himself King-Beyond-the-Wall.[1]- Marq Rankenfell, one of the three Lords Commander who nearly destroyed the Watch when they forgot their vows in favor of their pride and ambition.[1]
- Robin Hill, one of the three Lords Commander who nearly destroyed the Watch when they forgot their vows in favor of their pride and ambition.[1]
Tristan Mudd, one of the three Lords Commander who nearly destroyed the Watch when they forgot their vows in favor of their pride and ambition.[1]
Orbert Caswell, who was called the Black Centaur and held the position for nine years.[25]
Before the Conquest
- The Night's King, the thirteenth Lord Commander. He converted the Night's Watch into his personal army and led it in battle against Brandon the Breaker, the King of Winter, and Joramun, the King-Beyond-the-Wall.
Lord Commander Crowl, who led the Night's Watch over a thousand years ago.[28]
Osric Stark, a brother or son of a King in the North. He was chosen Lord Commander when he was ten, making him the youngest commander. He served for sixty years. Three other Starks are known to have been among the youngest to be elected to the position of Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.[25]
Lord Commander Hoare, who refused to involve the Night's Watch in Aegon's Conquest. He was of House Hoare, although his first name is never given. His brother, King Harren the Black, was slain in the burning of Harrenhal.[17]
After the Conquest
Lothor Burley, who hosted Queen Alysanne Targaryen in 58 AC.[29]
Jack Musgood, know as Sleepy Jack after 226 AC, when he was caught off guard allowing the King-beyond-the-Wall, Raymun Redbeard, to pass the Wall and was thus late for the Battle of Long Lake.[26]
Brynden Rivers, called 'Bloodraven', a bastard son of King Aegon IV Targaryen and Hand of the King to King Aerys I and Maekar I Targaryen. Arrested and sent to the Wall by King Aegon V Targaryen after the Great Council of 233 AC. He was elected to the post of Lord Commander in 239 AC, but disappeared on a ranging in 252 AC.[18]
Lord Commander Qorgyle, 996th Lord Commander. He was a member of House Qorgyle from Dorne, although his first name is never given. He died in 288 AC and was succeeded by Jeor Mormont.[20]
Quotes
The Night's Watch is pledged to take no part in the quarrels of the realm. Yet over the centuries certain Lords Commander, more proud than wise, forgot their vows and near destroyed us all with their ambitions.[1]
—Benjen Stark to Jon Snow
The Lord Commander of the Night's Watch is a lord, first and foremost. He must be able to treat with other lords ... and with kings as well. He must be a man worthy of respect.[2]
Stannis: You are only lord commander by my sufferance. You would do well to remember that.
Jon: I am lord commander because my brothers chose me.[30]
Eddison: I had a frightening dream last night, m'lord. You were my steward, fetching my food and cleaning up my leavings. I was lord commander, with never a moment's peace.
Jon: Your nightmare, my life.[31]—Eddison Tollett and Jon Snow
Notes
- ↑ In late 299 AC, Maester Aemon tells Jon Snow that "thirty years ago" Ser Wynton Stout was almost elected as Lord Commander of the Night's Watch (A Storm of Swords, Jon VIII). This election thus occurred circa 269 AC.
- ↑ As Aemon served from 233 AC to 300 AC, four out of these dozen lords commander are known: Brynden Rivers, Lord Commander Qorgyle, Jeor Mormont, and Jon Snow.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 55, Jon VII.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 78, Samwell V.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 35, Samwell IV.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 49, Jon X.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 23, Jon III.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 51, Theon I.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 58, Jon XII.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 37, Bran V.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 75, Samwell IV.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 76, Jon XI.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 21, Tyrion III.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 52, Jon VII.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 48, Jon VI.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 39, Jon VIII.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 70, Jon IX.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 56, Bran IV.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 60, Jon VIII.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 64, Jon VIII.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Jeor Mormont.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 13, Jon II.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 66, Theon VI.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 33, Samwell II.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 79, Jon XII.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 5, Samwell I.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 7, Jon II.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 69, Jon XIII.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The North: The Stoneborn of Skagos.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 3, Jon I.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 28, Jon VI.
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