Difference between revisions of "Kevan Lannister"

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Kevan is described as a thick-waisted man of fifty-five years in {{Date|300}}. He has green eyes, rounded shoulders and fair skin.{{Ref|aFfC|7}} He is portly, balding, with short blond hair. He has a close-cropped, yellow beard that follows the line of his massive jaw.{{Ref|aGoT|56}}{{Ref|aDwD|54}} He is remembered by his nephew, [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], as being a stout man with a sword in his youth.{{Ref|affc|16}}
 
Kevan is described as a thick-waisted man of fifty-five years in {{Date|300}}. He has green eyes, rounded shoulders and fair skin.{{Ref|aFfC|7}} He is portly, balding, with short blond hair. He has a close-cropped, yellow beard that follows the line of his massive jaw.{{Ref|aGoT|56}}{{Ref|aDwD|54}} He is remembered by his nephew, [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], as being a stout man with a sword in his youth.{{Ref|affc|16}}
  
While it is said that Kevan never had a thought that his elder brothers [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] did not have first, he is by no means stupid; he simply recognized the superiority of his brother at an early age. Kevan is comfortable doing his duty to realize his brother's wishes, though this means perpetually living in his shadow. Unlike his younger brothers, [[Tygett Lannister|Tygett]] and [[Gerion Lannister|Gerion]], Kevan followed Tywin willingly and without frustration for being subservient. After [[Joanna Lannister]] died, Kevan became Tywin's most trusted captain and confidant.
+
While it is said that Kevan never had a thought that his elder brother [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] did not have first, he is by no means stupid; he simply recognized the superiority of his brother at an early age. Kevan is comfortable doing his duty to realize his brother's wishes, though this means perpetually living in his shadow. Unlike his younger brothers, [[Tygett Lannister|Tygett]] and [[Gerion Lannister|Gerion]], Kevan followed Tywin willingly and without frustration for being subservient. After [[Joanna Lannister]] died, Kevan became Tywin's most trusted captain and confidant.
  
 
Kevan is recognised by his niece, [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], for being tireless, prudent and unfailingly obedient to her father, and one of the few men Tywin relied on.{{Ref|aFfC|3}} Tyrion thinks of him as solid and steady.{{ref|ASOS|32}}
 
Kevan is recognised by his niece, [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], for being tireless, prudent and unfailingly obedient to her father, and one of the few men Tywin relied on.{{Ref|aFfC|3}} Tyrion thinks of him as solid and steady.{{ref|ASOS|32}}

Revision as of 13:45, 14 September 2015

House Lannister.png
Kevan Lannister
House Lannister.png
Kevan Lannister.jpg
Portrait by Amok©

Titles
Allegiance House Lannister
Born In 244 AC[1]
Died In 300 ACKing's Landing
Spouse Dorna Swyft
Books

Played by Ian Gelder
TV series Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 5

Ser Kevan Lannister is a knight from House Lannister and is the younger brother of Lord Tywin Lannister. Despite being nothing more than a household knight of Tywin, he has two hundred knights under his command, with gold to hire sellswords and influence to double his numbers.[2] In the television adaptation Game of Thrones he is played by Ian Gelder.[3]

Appearance and Character

See also: Images of Kevan Lannister

Kevan is described as a thick-waisted man of fifty-five years in 300 AC. He has green eyes, rounded shoulders and fair skin.[2] He is portly, balding, with short blond hair. He has a close-cropped, yellow beard that follows the line of his massive jaw.[4][5] He is remembered by his nephew, Jaime, as being a stout man with a sword in his youth.[6]

While it is said that Kevan never had a thought that his elder brother Tywin did not have first, he is by no means stupid; he simply recognized the superiority of his brother at an early age. Kevan is comfortable doing his duty to realize his brother's wishes, though this means perpetually living in his shadow. Unlike his younger brothers, Tygett and Gerion, Kevan followed Tywin willingly and without frustration for being subservient. After Joanna Lannister died, Kevan became Tywin's most trusted captain and confidant.

Kevan is recognised by his niece, Cersei, for being tireless, prudent and unfailingly obedient to her father, and one of the few men Tywin relied on.[7] Tyrion thinks of him as solid and steady.[8]

However, Kevan has proved himself an able and competent leader in his own right. Despite not being a lord, his strategic thinking, significant retinue and personal wealth made him a man of significant standing

History

Kevan alongside his brothers, fought in the War of the Ninepenny Kings and won his knighthood. Upon the return to Casterly Rock, Tywin charged Kevan with the task of ridding the westerlands of robber knights and bandit outlaws. Tywin then had Kevan collect the outstanding debts owed to Casterly Rock, and those who could not pay immediately had to surrender a family member as a hostage till the debt was settled. As Ser Harys Swyft not able to pay at the time, he handed his daughter Dorna into Kevan's custody.[9]

Kevan soon fell in love with Dorna and married her. They would later have four children: Lancel, twin boys Martyn and Willem, and a newborn daughter, Janei.

In 274 AC, Kevan attended to the entertainment of the Princess of Dorne and her children, Oberyn and Elia Martell, during their visit to Casterly Rock to see Lady Joanna Lannister. Unfortunately, their visit came shortly after Joanna's death and Tyrion Lannister's birth. Tywin, in his grief, placed Kevan in charge of attending to their Dornish guests, establishing his trust in his younger brother.[10]

Kevan soon became Tywin's closest confidant, sharing all of his counsels.[2] As the second son of a Lord of House Lannister, Kevan became a household knight and served his older brother, though this meant he held no lands of his own. Kevan did hold certain incomes and was frequently rewarded by Tywin for his good service despite his lack of status, and he set aside chests of coin from this and his generous inheritance from his late father, Tytos Lannister.[2]

Kevan was a noted tourney knight in his youth. He fought in a melee at King's Landing, but was thrown from his horse by Thoros of Myr, whose flaming sword terrified his horse.[11]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Ser Kevan Lannister. © FFG

Ser Kevan accompanies Lord Tywin Lannister during his campaign in the Riverlands.[4] At the battle on the Green Fork, he commands the center, a large mixed force. Tywin intends the left flank to break and for Kevan to wheel around to crush the advancing northmen against the river, but the cautious northern commander, Lord Roose Bolton, withdraws rather than fall into this trap. Following their victory, the Lannisters discover that Robb Stark was not present in the battle, and they move toward Riverrun.[12]

However, when word reaches Tywin's host of the defeat at the Whispering Wood and of the capture of his nephew, Ser Jaime Lannister, Kevan continues with the rest of the army to Harrenhal. Tywin orders Kevan to command Ser Gregor Clegane, Ser Amory Lorch and Vargo Hoat to lead their reavers in setting the riverlands afire from the Gods Eye to the Red Fork while the rest of their host re-deploys at Harrenhal.

A Clash of Kings

Kevan accompanies his brother's attempt to force his way back to the westerlands and takes part in the Battle of the Fords. He retreats with the army after the defeat at Stone Mill.[13] Later he takes part in the attack on Stannis Baratheon's flank during the Battle of the Blackwater.

A Storm of Swords

After the siege on King's Landing is lifted, King Joffrey I Baratheon appoints Ser Kevan to his small council as master of laws.[14] After receiving news of the death of his son Willem at Riverrun, and with his other sons' lives in danger (Lancel's wound refuses to heal, and Martyn remains in Stark captivity), Kevan becomes consumed by worry and grief for a time. As a result Tywin must rely on Tyrion more than he would prefer.

Kevan attends the wedding of Sansa Stark and Tyrion Lannister, where he dances with several ladies at the feast, including Sansa. He is present when news of the Red Wedding is received and is appalled by Joffrey's statement that he wants the head of Robb Stark so he can serve it to Sansa at his own wedding, a request that Tywin refuses to grant.

Kevan gives Joffrey a magnificent red leather jousting saddle for the royal wedding, at which Joffrey dies.[15][16]

A Feast for Crows

When the body of Lord Tywin Lannister is discovered, Ser Kevan is one of the first to be notified of his brother's death. He prays by the bed-side of his brother, evidently shaken by the murder.[7]

Following the death of Tywin, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister offers Kevan the position of Hand of the King. Kevan doubts Cersei's leadership, and reveals Tywin informed him of his plan to send her back to the westerlands as Lady of Casterly Rock with a new husband before his death. Kevan states that he will only accept the position if Cersei names him regent as well as Hand and she return to the Rock. He also advises choosing Mathis Rowan or Randyll Tarly as Hand of the King instead. Cersei refuses his demands and throws wine in his face when he insults how she raised Joffrey.[2]

Cersei later appoints two Lannister cousins in positions that Kevan was better suited for; Daven is made Warden of the West and Damion is named castellan of Casterly Rock. Kevan is angered that Daven received the title of warden, though he bears Daven no ill will as he knows Daven never asked for the position. At Tommen's wedding, Cersei suggests that Kevan hunt down the Hound, but he rebuffs her.[17]

Kevan rides at the head of the escort— 100 crossbowmen, 300 men-at-arms, and the lords of the west—that is to return Tywin's body to the westerlands to be buried in Casterly Rock. Kevan quickly becomes alienated from his immediate family and comes to believe Tyrion Lannister to be Joffrey's murderer. He also comes to believe the rumors of incest between Cersei and Jaime, and confronts his nephew with his suspicion during the procession. He leaves to help his son Lancel restore Castle Darry, the estate Kevan had won for him.[6] However, Lancel soon becomes a religious fanatic and abandons Darry.

Kevan refuses to add his forces to his cousin's at the siege of Riverrun, and returns to the west to see his younger son Martyn.[18] After Cersei's imprisonment, the small council led by Grand Maester Pycelle and Ser Harys Swyft send a raven to Casterly Rock offering him the regency.[19]

A Dance with Dragons

Kevan accepts the role of regent to King Tommen I Baratheon, and sets about trying to fix the mess that Cersei made. As a concession to House Tyrell, Kevan makes Mace Tyrell Hand of the King and raises two of Tyrell's bannerman to the small council: Paxter Redwyne is made the master of ships, and Lord Randyll Tarly the master of laws.

Kevan visits the imprisoned Cersei and confronts her about her affair with his son Lancel. He tells her that regardless of the outcome of her trial, her rule is now at an end.[5]

Kevan discusses with the small council how to deal with the crown's crisis of Jon Connington and his feigned dragon, as well as the crown's financial problems. He later has supper with the freed Cersei and King Tommen.

After dinner Kevan is told by a servant that Grand Maester Pycelle is seeking him, and in the maester's chamber he finds a white raven announcing winter's arrival. Varys suddenly shoots Kevan in the chest with a crossbow, and the wounded Kevan notices that Pycelle has already been slain. Varys explains he bears Kevan no ill will, but he cannot allow Kevan to undo Cersei's misrule. With his death by crossbow, Cersei will believe that Kevan was murdered by Tyrion Lannister or House Tyrell. The Tyrells, in turn, will suspect Cersei herself, undermining the alliances shoring up Tommen's hold on the Iron Throne. This would open the way for Prince Aegon to take the throne. Varys then commands his "little birds" to finish Kevan off.[20]

Quotes by Kevan

A man who fights for coin is loyal only to his purse.[21]

– Kevan, regarding a Tyroshi sellsword


Cersei: Bring us Sandor's head, and I know His Grace will be most grateful. Joff may have liked the man, but Tommen was always afraid of him... with good reason it would seem.
Kevan: When a dog goes bad, the fault lies with his master.[17]

- Cersei Lannister and Kevan


Cersei: The king is my son.
Kevan: Aye, and from what I saw of Joffrey, you are as unfit a mother as you are a ruler. [17]

- Kevan and Cersei Lannister

Quotes about Kevan

Kevan should be Tommen's Hand. Harys Swyft is a toad, and my sister is a fool if she thinks elsewise.[22]

- Jaime Lannister's thoughts


My uncle Kevan would make a passably good regent if someone pressed the duty on him, but he will never reach for it. The gods shaped him to be a follower, not a leader.[23]

- Tyrion Lannister to Aegon Targaryen


This pains me, my lord. You do not deserve to die alone on such a cold dark night. There are many like you, good men in service to bad causes ... but you were threatening to undo all the queen's good work, to reconcile Highgarden and Casterly Rock, to bind the Faith to your little king, unite the Seven Kingdoms under Tommen's rule ...[20]

- Varys to Kevan

Family

Kevan Lannister is married to Dorna of House Swyft, with whom he has three sons, Lancel, Willem and Martyn, and a daughter, Janei.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tytos
 
Jeyne
Marbrand
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tywin
 
Joanna
Lannister
 
Kevan
 
Dorna
Swyft
 
Emmon
Frey
 
Genna
 
Tygett
 
Darlessa
Marbrand
 
Gerion
 
Briony
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Robert
Baratheon
 
Cersei
 
Jaime
 
Tyrion
 
Sansa
Stark
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issue
 
 
 
 
 
Tyrek
 
Ermesande
Hayford
 
Joy
Hill
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Joffrey
Baratheon
 
Myrcella
Baratheon
 
Tommen
Baratheon
 
Amerei
Frey
 
Lancel
 
Willem
 
Martyn
 
Janei
 
 
 

References and Notes

External links