Sworn shield
A sworn shield or sworn sword is a knight or similar warrior who makes an oath to serve an individual[1] often as a bodyguard,[2] soldier,[3][4] or champion.[5]
Contents
Duties
Many lords and lordlings keep a retinue of knights and sworn swords in their service, including at court.[6] Sworn swords can fight in their lord's host during wartime.[3][4]
The Kingsguard are a specialized and most prestigious type of sworn shield, sworn to the King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men.[7] However, an individual Kingsguard may be appointed the sworn shield of another member of the royal family,[8][9][10] and a non-Kingsguard may also serve as the king's sworn shield.[11]
History
Ser Duncan the Tall and Ser Bennis of the Brown Shield were hedge knights who swore their service to Ser Eustace Osgrey during the landed knight's quarrel with Lady Rohanne Webber.[1]
Known sworn shields and swords
Historical
- Ser Alester Tyrell, for King Gwayne V Gardener[12]
- Orys Baratheon, for Lord Aegon Targaryen[13]
- Ser Gyles Morrigen, for King Jaehaerys I Targaryen[5]
- Jonquil Darke, for Queen Alysanne Targaryen[10]
- Ser Criston Cole, for Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen,[14] later Queen Alicent Hightower[14]
- Ser Harwin Strong, for Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (replacing Criston)[14]
- Ser Erryk Cargyll, for Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (replacing Harwin)[14]
- Ser Rickard Thorne, for Prince Maelor Targaryen[15]
- Ser Florian Greysteel, for Lord Manfryd Mooton[15]
- Ser Willis Fell, for Princess Jaehaera Targaryen[16]
- Ser Duncan the Tall, for Prince Aegon Targaryen[17]
A Song of Ice and Fire
- Sandor Clegane, for Prince Joffrey Baratheon[18]
- Ser Jorah Mormont, for Viserys Targaryen[2]
- Ser Arys Oakheart, for Princess Myrcella Baratheon[8]
- Brienne of Tarth, for Lady Catelyn Stark[19]
- Ser Gascoyne of the Greenblood, for Prince Trystane Martell[20]
- Ser Osney Kettleblack, for King Tommen I Baratheon[11]
- Ser Gerris Drinkwater and Ser Archibald Yronwood, for Prince Quentyn Martell[21]
- Ser Narbert Grandison, Ser Benethon Scales, Ser Patrek of King's Mountain, Ser Dorden the Dour, Ser Malegorn of Redpool, Ser Lambert Whitewater, Ser Perkin Follard and Ser Brus Buckler, for Queen Selyse Florent[22]
- Ser Andrew Estermont, for Edric Storm[23]
- Ser Daemon Sand, for Princess Arianne Martell[24]
Quotes
A hedge knight could ride bare naked if he chose; he had no one to shame but himself. It was different when your sword was sworn. When you accept a lord's meat and mead, all you do reflects on him, Ser Arlan used to say. Always do more than he expects of you, never less. Never flinch at any task or hardship. And above all, never shame the lord you serve.[1]
—thoughts of Duncan the Tall
Ser Tommard, this man is the prince's sworn shield. He'll kill you![25]
Sansa: I didn't know you had a dog ...
Joffrey: He's my mother's dog, in truth. She has set him to guard me, and so he does.
Sansa: You mean the Hound.[26]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Sworn Sword.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 46, Daenerys V.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 63, Catelyn X.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 38, Tyrion V.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Fire & Blood, The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 47, Eddard XIII.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 8, Bran II.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 20, Tyrion V.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 24, Cersei V.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach: House Tyrell.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Stormlands: House Baratheon.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown.
- ↑ The Hedge Knight.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 44, Sansa III.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 39, Catelyn V.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 13, The Soiled Knight.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 50, Daenerys VIII.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 69, Jon XIII.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Appendix.
- ↑ The Winds of Winter, Arianne I
- ↑ The Mystery Knight.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 15, Sansa I.