Winston Smith | 26 Apr 2016 11:37 a.m. PST |
There should be seven Kingsguard Knights. All of the Mad King's Guard, with the exception of Ser Jaime and Set Barristan were slain during Robert's Rebellion. Ser Barristan was badly wounded. Jaime….. Well, Kingslayer. Why were the "replacements" so dubious? Meryn Trant was a cowardly bully. Mandon Moore tried to kill Tyrion. Boros Blunt was too fat to be of any use. Arrys Oakheart shed his vows all over Dorne. (Book only…) Etc. Certainly no Duncan the Tall or Arthur Dayne in that lot. Why? |
Tango01 | 26 Apr 2016 11:43 a.m. PST |
Well… not all!… now there are a truly "badass" one!… (smile) Maybe when you have an stupid King… he choise stupid Kingguards!… (smile) Amicalement Armand |
KTravlos | 26 Apr 2016 11:52 a.m. PST |
The Lannisters partly used the Kingsguard as a patronage system. |
darthfozzywig | 26 Apr 2016 12:15 p.m. PST |
Yeah, Robert didn't exhibit a lot of good judgment in the post-rebellion world. Like Conan, his vision didn't really go beyond overthrowing the old tyrant and seizing the crown. |
nazrat | 26 Apr 2016 12:57 p.m. PST |
Stalin Syndrome? Maybe those going for power didn't want good, strong, noble guys around the king. |
Doctor X | 26 Apr 2016 4:42 p.m. PST |
The King uses a lottery system. |
Ivan DBA | 26 Apr 2016 5:02 p.m. PST |
Because it's a lame job. People with any ability would rather do almost anything else. Tywin actually tells Jaime as much in one episode. |
Crazyivanov | 26 Apr 2016 5:24 p.m. PST |
Let's start at the top: Barristan Selmy, a good man, moral strong, and beloved of the small folk. Perhaps the only aspect of the "Old Regime" worth keeping on. Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer: a handsome though in the eyes of many conservative Lords, even those of Robert's Rebellion, wicked man. On the outside a near perfect knight. He is a good enforcer, and tourney knight, and the brother of the king's wife and a useful hostage against Tywin Lannister. Mandon Moore: cold and emotionless. He was brought to court by Jon Aryn, though neither Rob nor Jon loved him overmuch. Likely his job was to act as an enforcer and nothing more. Meryn Trant: MY only clear questionable character. He was likely brought to the guard as "compromise" candidate. He is loyal to the Lannisters but his house is loyal, personally loyal, to Robert. His job was likely to be an enforcer and a backup Sworn Sword to Cercei. Boros Blount: Here my supposition takes over completely. I believe that Ser Blount was elevated to Kingsguard solely for his ability to put away food and drink. King Robert would have drinking companions, and may have found it easy to combine the jobs of body guard and drinking companion. Arys Oakheart: Ser Oakheart gets a bit of a bad rap, having been in Dohrne and being seduced by a character that is raw sex appeal and intelligence. By comparison the poor lad never really had a chance. Until that point he gave regular and honorable service. It is perhaps note worthy that Osmund Kettleblack brought honor to the cloak and some ability to the office. |
Bandolier | 26 Apr 2016 7:46 p.m. PST |
It's part political for getting 'close' to the king and part retirement plan for old soldiers who no longer want to sleep under trees but have no other prospects. |
Winston Smith | 27 Apr 2016 6:03 a.m. PST |
In Jaime Lannister's case it was a spiteful move by the Mad King to deprive Tywin Lannister of his golden boy heir. |
KTravlos | 27 Apr 2016 1:22 p.m. PST |
Conan was a better King than Robert imho ;P |
Mithmee | 27 Apr 2016 2:22 p.m. PST |
So correct since he actually took the Kingdom that he won and made it greater than what it was. |
jowady | 27 Apr 2016 5:06 p.m. PST |
Robert is not overly troubled by brains. Still you would think that as a Knight and a Warrior he would choose better companions. Belatedly recognizing this, and how much he has given in to Cersei is I think the main reason that he makes Ned his Hand. But Robert is weak and Ned pays the price. This of course though begs the question of who should have been on the Guard instead? Now I don't know everyone, especially those from the period right after Robert takes the throne but here are a few of mine (BTW I would do away with the "serve for life" rule); Barristan Selmy Beric Dondarrion Loras Tyrell Arys Oakheart Jon Stark (Snow) I leave 2 places open. I would release the Kingslayer, while he and Cersei would hate it it would go a long way to binding Tywin to the Crown. |
darthfozzywig | 27 Apr 2016 9:22 p.m. PST |
onan was a better King than Robert imho ;P No doubt! I was not disparaging my favorite Cimmerian, just noting that he hadn't planned beyond "kill Numedides, take crown". Clearly he turned out to be a better monarch than poor Robert. Also a better chooser of wives. |