Warrior's Sons
The Noble and Puissant Order of the Warrior's Sons was an order of Westerosi knights sworn to the Faith of the Seven. They were part of the Faith Militant, and were otherwise known as the Swords. Their counterparts were the "Stars" or Poor Fellows. The Warrior's Sons obeyed and answered to the High Septon, as they believed the High Septon spoke for the Seven.[1]
Contents
Appearance
- See also: Images of the Warrior's Sons
Warrior's Sons had inlaid silver armor over hair shirts, rainbow cloaks, and swords with star-shaped crystals in their pommels.[2] Their badge was a rainbow crystal sword shining in darkness.[3][4]
History
Only anointed knights joined this order. Most of the Warrior's Sons were former hedge and household knights, but some were of higher birth such as younger sons of lords, or older lords who wish to atone for their sins. The Warrior's Sons' duties were often to protect holy places such as septs or to escort the devout safely across the land, protecting them from brigands and the unfaithful.
The order developed a reputation for fanaticism and implacable hatred for enemies of the Faith; they saw any who worshiped other gods as false and evil. They were said to have been holy men, ascetics, sorcerers, dragonslayers, and demonhunters.[2]
King Maegor I Targaryen warred against the Warrior's Sons and the Poor Fellows during the Faith Militant uprising. Maegor the Cruel survived a trial of seven against Ser Damon Morrigen, a captain of the Swords. Hundreds of Warrior's Sons at the Sept of Remembrance were later burned by Balerion's dragonfire and fired upon by House Targaryen archers. Again atop Balerion, the king also defeated hundreds of Swords from their Stoney Sept chapter at the Great Fork of the Blackwater.[5]
Maegor outlawed the militant orders, offering a dragon coin as a bounty for an unrepentant Warrior's Son.[6] Ser Morgan Hightower was the only Warrior's Son to receive a pardon; some believe Morgan was responsible for the death of his brother, the High Septon, in 44 AC.[1]
Although outlawed, the Warrior's Sons existed until the reign of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen. Jaehaerys the Conciliator and Septon Barth negotiated a peace with the High Septon, however, and the Swords and Stars peacefully disbanded.[7]
Recent Events
A Feast for Crows
After the War of the Five Kings in 300 AC, the ruling King Tommen I Baratheon, under the edict of his mother and Regent Cersei Lannister, overturns Maegor the Cruel's law which forbade holy men from being armed, and the orders of the Faith Militant are reborn.[2] Over a hundred knights have so far pledged their swords and lives to the Warrior's Sons and obey the new High Septon, known by many as the High Sparrow.[3] Lancel Lannister, Lord of Darry, renounce his titles, land, and bride to serve the Warrior's Sons and the Faith of the Seven.[8] Cersei observes the Warrior's Sons' rainbow-striped robes,[9] rainbow stripes on their swordbelts,[3] and crystals on the crests of their greathelms,[3]
A Dance with Dragons
Warrior's Sons and Poor Fellows escort Cersei during her walk of atonement. The knights of Ser Theodan Wells wear silver plate atop hair shirts, and their kite shields depict the crystal sword.[4]
Known members
- Ser Theodan Wells, known as Theodan the True, commander of the Warrior's Sons[10]
- Ser Lancel Lannister, former Lord of Darry and head of House Lannister of Darry
Historical members
- Ser Morgan Hightower, a commander during the Faith Militant uprising[1]
- Ser Damon Morrigen, known as Damon the Devout[11]
Quotes
Holy men, ascetics, fanatics, sorcerers, dragonslayers, demonhunters … there were many tales about them. But all agree that they were implacable in their hatred for all enemies of the Holy Faith.[2]
– Cersei Lannister to Taena Merryweather
– Cersei Lannister's thoughts
References and Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach: Oldtown.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 28, Cersei VI.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 36, Cersei VIII.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 65, Cersei II.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 33, Jaime V.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 30, Jaime IV.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 43, Cersei X.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Appendix.
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire.