The Night's Watch are supporting characters in the Book series, A Song of Ice and Fire and the TV adaptation Game of Thrones.
The Night's Watch is a military order dedicated to holding the Wall, the immense fortification on the northern border of the Seven Kingdoms, defending the realms of men from what lies beyond the Wall. The order's foundation dates back to the Age of Heroes, at the time when the Others were pushed back. The men of Night's Watch wear only black, and they are known as black brothers. Recruits who join the Watch are said to take the black.
History[]
The Wall was allegedly built by Bran the Builder as means to protect the realm of Westeros from the Lands Beyond the Wall. It chose its lord commander ever since its foundation. The Others were finally defeated by the Night's Watch at the Battle for the Dawn, which is recalled in "The Night That Ended".
At some point prior to the series, Maester Aemon, uncle to King Aegon V, renounced his claim to the Iron Throne and his title, dropping the last name Targaryen. As a leader of the Night's Watch, he became a Maester.
Members[]
Known Lord Commanders[]
Recent Lord Commanders[]
- Lord Jon Snow, 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch
Former Lord Commanders[]
- Lord Jeor Mormont, 997th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and Jorah Mormont's father. Killed by his own rangers during the mutiny at Craster's Keep.
- Night's King
- Lord Commander Crowl
- OSricStark
- Rodrick Frint
- Tristan Mudd
- Mad Marq Rankenfell
- Robin Hill
- Runcel Hightower
- Hoare
- Lothor Burley
- Sleepy Jack Musgood
- Brynden Rivers
- Lord Commander Qorgyle
Brothers[]
List of some of the Known Brothers. This is not a complete list.
- Benjen Stark, First Ranger and younger brother to Lord Eddard Stark. Missing beyond the Wall and thought dead. Reveald to be alive in Season 6 of the TV series, and later sacrifices himself to save his nephew, Jon Snow.
- Blane, a senior ranger of common blood, scout and second to Qhorin Halfhand. Killed while in command of the Shadow Tower men during the fight at the Fist.
- Bowen Marsh, Lord Steward of the Night's Watch. Leads a successful but costly defense in the fight at the Bridge of Skulls.
- Chett, former steward to Maester Aemon until Samwell Tarly is raised to the post. Sent to the pens to take care of the dogs. He conspires to kill Jeor Mormont at the Fist of the First Men, but is slain and turned into a wight.
- Cotter Pyke, commander of Eastwatch-by-the-Sea.
- Donal Noye, one-armed blacksmith at Castle Black. He was personal blacksmith to House Baratheon and made Robert's warhammer before losing an arm during the siege of Storm's End. He dies killing Mag Mar Tun Doh Weg in the tunnel underneath the Wall during the attack on Castle Black.
- Eddison Tollett, a steward, called "Dolorous Edd" for his sarcastic and black humor.
- Jarmen Buckwell, a senior ranger. Survives the fight at the Fist and retreats back to Castle Black.
- Ser Denys Mallister, commander at the Shadow Tower.
- Janos Slynt, former commander of the City Watch of King's Landing, later Lord of Harrenhal, and finally a brother of the Night's Watch. A political lackey of House Lannister, he is exiled to the Wall by Tyrion Lannister, who wants to rid King's Landing of corruption and himself of Lord Slynt. Tyrion's father, Lord Tywin Lannister, later tries to make Janos a tool of House Lannister in the Watch, and nearly turns the election for a new lord commander in Janos's favor. After Jon Snow's election to the post, Janos's continued insubordination leads Jon to behead him.
- Maester Aemon, maester of Castle Black and one of the last Targaryens. Dies of old age at sea with Samwell Tarly.
- Ser Mallador Locke, knight and ranger. Killed during the fight at the Fist.
- Othell Yarwyck, First Builder of the Night's Watch.
- Qhorin Halfhand, second-in-command at the Shadow Tower and a ranger of much repute. He allows Jon Snow to kill him so that Jon will be accepted among the wildlings.
- Thoren Smallwood, acting First Ranger after Benjen Stark's disappearance. Killed by a wight bear during the fight at the Fist.
- Samwell Tarly, son of renowned battle commander Randyll Tarly. Obese and an admitted coward. Sent by Lord Commander Jon Snow to the Citadel for study.
- Grenn, a recruit with Jon who is assigned to the rangers.
- Pypar, more commonly known as Pyp, recruit with Jon, originally with a mummers' troupe.
- Dareon, a recruit in the same group as Jon and is named a steward sent to Eastwatch-by-the-Sea. He was an apprentice singer in the Reach. While in Braavos he deserts but is killed by Arya Stark.
- Todder, more commonly known as Toad, is a recruit in the same group as Jon, named a ranger.
- Jeren is a recruit in the same group as Jon Snow and is named a steward. He was the bastard son of a septon.
- Halder, also known as Stoney, is a recruit in the same group as Jon Snow and is named a builder. Incredibly strong.
- Albett, also known as Pimple, is a recruit in the same group as Jon Snow and is named a builder.
- Satin is a recruit of the Night's Watch after Jon. He becomes Jon's steward and squire.
- Ser Jaremy Rykker, a senior ranger and knight. Killed by a wight at Castle Black.
- Ser Waymar Royce, novice ranger and knight, slain by an Other.
- Ser Wynton Stout, an elderly ranger.
- Small Paul, a simple-minded brother. He is part of a conspiracy to kill Jeor Mormont until the brothers are attacked at the Fist of the First Men. He saves Samwell Tarly, but is slain and returns as a wight.
- Stonesnake, ranger from the Shadow Tower. Companion to Qhorin Half-Hand and the most accomplished mountain climber in the Watch. Missing and presumed dead after trying to cross the Frostfangs alone and on foot.
- Ulmer, a grey-bearded outlaw, once part of the Kingswood Brotherhood. Skilled with a bow.
- Yoren, senior wandering crow. He attempts to smuggle Arya Stark to the north, but is killed at the Gods Eye fighting Lannister men under Amory Lorch who are searching for the outlaw Beric Dondarrion.
Trivia[]
- George R. R. Martin's experiences from a snowstorm while studying at Northwestern University influenced his creation of the Night's Watch and the Wall.
