Though George R. R. Martin still expresses his frustration with the HBO show, the Game of Thrones world is getting ready to be explored again with the upcoming series House Of The Dragon, which will be taking a closer look at the Targaryen Civil War, also known as The Dance Of Dragons. With growing excitement among the fan base — especially the fans that have read the books — the kingdoms of Westeros and all the details that make them incredibly impressive will be on full display.
One aspect of this wonderful world that has sparked many fan theories and countless heated arguments is the Kingsguard. In Game of Thrones, many were familiar with Kingsguard like Ser Barristan Selmy and Jaime Lannister, who defended the king, and The Book of Brothers held the records and achievements for all the finest knights who have donned the role. Fans of the books and shows alike can spend hours over who was the best fighter or who deserved to be in the order in the first place.
Arthur Dayne
Without a doubt, the Sword Of The Morning was the best duelist the Kingsguard had ever seen. As a Dayne of Starfall, he wasn’t just raised to be the best in the world with the sword - he had the hardware to prove it. Dawn, the ancestral sword of his house, wasn’t passed down from father to son, like most households. Instead, one had to earn it by being the best.
Fans caught a glimpse of this legendary Kingsguard through one of Bran’s visions and marveled at how he bested multiple warriors. He obeyed his prince’s commands to defend the tower, and it took Ned Stark a final second aid from Howland Reed to defeat Sir Arthur Dayne. This only highlight the sheer talent that Arthur Dayne displayed as Kingsguard, and though he died in battle, his loyalty to Prince Rhaegar cannot go unnoticed.
Barristan Selmy
Barristan The Bold or “The Old”, depending on where the person is in Westeros, took the mantle of the best swordsman after Sir Arthur Dayne's passing. While the show did give him a lot of valuable screen time, his accomplishments are far greater in the books.
Barristan Selmy was the one who put an end to the seemingly never-ending series of Blackfyre Rebellions by slaying Maelys The Monstrous. He single-handedly infiltrated a keep and rescued the newly mad and captive Aerys Targaryen II, living up to his role as a Kingsguard. Like most Kingsguards, Barristan remained loyal to the king. After his heartbreaking dismissal, he pledged his allegiance to a far-suited ruler who appreciated his hard work, wisdom, and guidance.
Jamie Lannister
Jamie Lannister is as controversial as it gets when it comes to the Kingsguard. The Kingslayer might have an asterisk next to his name forever, but it doesn’t change the fact that out of anyone in the Kingsguard's history, Jamie Lannister saved the most lives when the Mad King planned to burn King's Landing.
Jamie’s induction into the Kingsguard might have been to spite his father Tywin, but he was still the youngest to join such an illustrious order. He served in arguably the best generation of the Kingsguard among legends like Arthur Dayne and Barristan Selmy. Despite starting as the charming but wicked knight, Jamie was certainly one of the best characters in Game of Thrones due to his complex arc, transforming into a more honest and conscientious fighter. Though he wasn't the most intelligent Kingsguard and his morality, at times, questionable, he knew when he needed to take action and serve people in the kingdom when duty calls.
Oswell Whent
Oswell Whent was heavily overshadowed by the other members of the Kingsguard at his time. But this knight from Harrenhall wore brandishing bat wings on his helmet and was every bit the honorable warrior as those he served with.
The tourney organized by his brother might have resulted in a rebellion that ended the Targaryen dynasty as a whole, but he stood valiantly at the Tower Of Joy, fighting against Ned Stark and his men. Like the other knights, Oswell died in the battle, which would lead to Ned Stark's decision to take baby Jon Snow under his protection.
Gerald Hightower
The White Bull was Lord Commander to the best the Kingsguard had to offer. He was the one who placed the white cloak over Jamie Lannister’s shoulders, to welcome him into the order. Gerald also displayed how loyal he was when he told Jamie that the Kingsguard were there to protect the king, not judge him.
Gerald was at the Tower of Joy with Arthur Dayne and Oswell Whent and refused to flee when Ned Stark outnumbered and offered to let them leave unharmed. As iron sharpens iron, the best surely trains the best.
Duncan The Tall
If any character from the books deserves a spinoff series of their own, it is Sir Duncan The Tall, leading an incredibly eventful life as a Hedge Knight who traveled across Westeros and slept under hedges to stay humble.
Book fans who know the Targaryen story by heart recall that Duncan had stood in for Prince Aerion in a trial by seven. Duncan then took young Prince Aegon “Egg” Targaryen as a squire and traveled across the kingdoms going from one adventure to another. His mentor-mentee relationship with the young prince illustrates the respect that he has earned as a Kingsguard.
Aemon The Dragonknight
Prince Aemon Targaryen was often regarded as one of the noblest and strongest knights in the history of Westeros. One trait of his that solidified his legacy was how truly selfless he was. His life was mostly spent during the conquests of Dorne.
He took a poisoned arrow for King Daeron and carried a comatosed King Baelor on his back across Dorne. He gave his life defending his brother, King Aegon II, who famously treated him terribly.
Prince Lewyn Martell
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Art by: Gutter1333
Uncle to Doran and Oberyn Martell, this Prince Of Dorne served as Kingsguard under Aerys Targaryen II. Even though his niece Elia Martell was disrespected by Rhaegar and held captive by the Mad King, Lewyn Martell held his oath to the last.
He fought against Robert Baratheon's forces in the trident. He kept fighting against many strong knights while being mortally wounded. He is fondly remembered by Jamie Lannister in the books.
Brienne Of Tarth
Brienne of Tarth’s journey as a Kingsguard didn’t begin with the iron throne but by standing beside Renly Baratheon, who she truly believed to be the rightful king. She earned this position by defeating many knights, including Sir Loras Tyrell.
In the books, Renly’s Kingsguard is named the Rainbow Guard with each knight being named after a color. Brienne The Blue was falsely charged with the murder of King Renly and fled. Despite some misfortunes, Brienne always proved to be a mighty and skilled knight and one of the rare women to accomplish this feat. In the controversial finale, she earned the right to be called Lord Commander in Bran’s Kingsguard.
Loras Tyrell
Loras Tyrell’s story takes two different paths across the books and the show. In the books, he eventually becomes a Kingsguard, being known for his valor and skill with the blade. He would also command the Rainbow Guard under King Renly.
In the books, Loras tries his best to educate King Tommen in the ways of a knight before traveling to capture Dragonstone. He was reportedly fatally wounded during his successful siege. Though the series illustrated his proficiency as a knight and that he briefly became the Kingsguard to Renly, he did not join the order under King Tommen's reign nor experienced the fate of his book counterpart.