House Kettleblack

House Kettleblack
Coat of arms	Gules, a kettle within an orle sable
Region	Crownlands
Overlord	House Baratheon of King's Landing

House Kettleblack is a knightly house from the Crownlands.^[1] According to semi-canon sources they blazon their arms with a black kettle on red, within a black orle.^[2] Physically, the Kettleblacks are tall, with dark hair and hooked noses. The Kettleblacks are known for their unscrupulous behavior.

History

Ser Osmund Kettleblack fought as a sellsword in the Stepstones and the Disputed Lands, fighting with the Gallant Men for Lys and Tyrosh. He claims to have been knighted by Ser Robert Stone, who is now dead.^[3]

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

During the War of the Five Kings, Ser Osmund, Osney and Osfryd Kettleblack are sellswords in King's Landing. Queen Cersei Lannister hires them as part of a sellsword retinue to replace Captain Vylarr's guards, whom Tyrion Lannister sends from the capital. Unbeknownst to Cersei, the Kettleblack brothers are informing on her to Tyrion. Cersei names Ser Osmund to the Kingsguard to replace Ser Boros Blount after she dismisses Blount for cowardice. He is assigned to guard King Joffrey Baratheon during the Battle of the Blackwater. Osfryd becomes the captain of Cersei's new red cloak guard and remains with the queen during the battle. Although none of the Kettleblacks are involved in the fighting, Osney and Osfryd received their knighthoods after the Battle of the Blackwater.

A Storm of Swords

Ser Osfryd and Ser Osney retrieve Prince Tommen Baratheon from Rosby following the battle.

The brothers' father, Oswell Kettleblack, rows Ser Dontos Hollard and Sansa Stark out to the waiting Merling King the night they escape from King's Landing, showing that Petyr Baelish may be the one actually controlling the Kettleblacks.

Ser Osmund is called as a witness for the prosecution in the trial of Tyrion Lannister for the death of King Joffrey. His testimony is made up.

A Feast for Crows

Cersei tells the Kettleblacks to dispose of the corpse of Shae, not caring how they do so.

While the Kingsguard meets in the White Sword Tower, Ser Osney and Ser Osfryd guard King Tommen Baratheon. Osfryd is named as the new Commander of the City Watch of King's Landing after the departure of Ser Addam Marbrand. Jaime reprimands Osmund and Boros Blount, who has been restored to the Kingsguard, telling them not to kill anyone on Cersei's orders without first asking him.

Cersei has Osney sneak into the Great Sept of Baelor and murder the High Septon appointed by Tyrion. Cersei offers Osney sex as a reward. She plots with Osney, telling him to seduce Queen Margaery Tyrell and then confess to the new High Septon, the "High Sparrow". As punishment, Cersei will make sure he is sent to the Wall, where he is to kill Jon Snow. However the plan goes awry when the High Sparrow has Osney tortured until he confesses to sleeping with Cersei. Osney and Cersei are both imprisoned by the Faith, awaiting trial. The small council removes Ser Osfryd from the position of Commander of the City Watch and replaces him with Humfrey Waters.

Oswell is at Gulltown when the Merling King docks and he learns some interesting information which he shares with Petyr.

A Dance with Dragons

Ser Kevan Lannister imprisons Osfryd as well, planning to send him and Osney to the Wall or have them face Ser Robert Strong in trial by combat, depending on their pleas.

House Kettleblack at the end of the third century

The known Kettleblacks during the timespan of the events described in A Song of Ice and Fire are:

Oswell, called 'Kettleblack', a man-at-arms in service to Lord Petyr Baelish.
- Ser Osmund Kettleblack, his eldest son, a member of the Kingsguard.
- Ser Osfryd Kettleblack, his second son, former Commander of the City Watch of King's Landing and sworn sword of Queen Cersei Lannister.
- Ser Osney Kettleblack, his youngest son, sworn sword of Queen Cersei Lannister.