Candidates King Viserys Kingsguard
At the start of the second episode titled “The Rogue Prince” of HOTD, it is announced that Ser Ryam, the Lord Commander of Kingsguard has passed away in his sleep due to a long illness. Subsequently, anumber of good candidatesfor the position are called to the court of King Viserys. Viserys later asks Rhaenyra to choose the best candidate among them and she chooses Ser Criston Cole in the Kingsguard. But who are the other candidates including Ser Cole in court? Since not all knights are mentioned by name, we’ll take a look at which houses they hail from as their house flags are clearly visible.
Let’s examine them one by one.
1. Crakehall House
The Crakehall House of Crakehall is one of the principal noble houses in the Westerlands. It was founded by the legendary Crake the Boar Slayer. Primarily known for their sturdiness, their headquarters – Crakehall is located along the Ocean Road in the south of the Westerlands between the Sunset Sea and a large forest. The Crakehalls are a house of First Men descent who claim descent from Crake the Boarkiller of the Age of Heroes. Most men in Crakehall are knights. One of Kingsguard’s candidates is from House Crakehall. Their sigil is a black and white brindle boar on a brown background. Their watchwords are – “None So Fierce”.
2. Mallister House
The Mallister House of Seagard is one of the noblest houses in Riverlands. Seagard is a fortress built to defend the coast against raiders from the Iron Isles and dates from before Aegon’s conquest. The Mallisters are wary of the Ironborn. Their seal is a silver eagle on a purple background. Their watchwords are “Above the Rest”. During the Targaryen era, House Mallister aided House Targaryen in the conquest of Aegon and rebelled against King Harren the Black of Harrenhal. Ser Rymun Mallister, son of Lord Lymond Mallister of Seagard is one of Kingsgard’s candidates for court. One of Kingsguard’s candidates is from House Mallister.
3. Corbray House
One of Kingsguard’s candidates is from House Corbray of Heart’s Home, which is a loyal vassal house to House Arryn of Eyre. They come down from Andals, and are proud to hold one of the purest Andal bloodlines in Westeros. It is an old but poor house, however, they have been notable warriors and fighters throughout history. This house was founded by Ser Corwyn Corbray and their ancestral weapon is a Valyrian steel longsword known as Lady Forlorn. Their Sigil is three black crows in flight, each holding three red hearts, on a white field. Their words do not appear in the books and are not mentioned in the television series (GOT and HOTD).
4. Tarly House
The Tarly House of Horn Hill is located in the foothills of the Red Mountains. They are one of the strongest sworn to House Tyrell. They are reputed to be the House that produces the finest soldiers in the Reach. Herndon of the Horn and Harlon the hunter, legendary twin sons of Garth Greenhand, are considered the founders of House Tarly in the Age of Heroes. One of Kingsguard’s candidates is also from House Tarly. Their ancestral weapon is Heartsbane. The sigil of House Tarly is a hunter with red steps on a green background. Their watchwords are “First in Battle”.
5. Cole House
House Cole is one of the noble houses in Stormlands. They emblazoned their arms with ten black pellets (in a 4,3,2,1 sequence from top to bottom) on a scarlet background. House Dandarrion is their overlord. Ser Criston Cole, son of the Lord of Blackhaven’s steward, is also one of the Royal Guard’s candidates for the court of King Viserys. Learning her fighting skills, the princess Rhaenyra Targaryen chooses him to be Lord Commander of the Kingsguard under Viserys I Targaryen. He later gets the name the kingmaker, because Criston placed Aegon II Targaryen on the Iron Throne instead of Rhaenyra Targaryen. This led to the Targaryen Civil War known as the Dance of the Dragons.
