The Great Houses of Game of Thrones
By rowankaiser
Night’s Watch
Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO
House Words: “Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. I shall live and die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life and honor to the Night’s Watch, for this night and all the nights to come.“
House Sigil: Unofficially, the crow
Location: Castle Black, on The Wall, in the far north of the Seven Kingdoms
Status at the start of Season 5: The nearly-broken Night’s Watch has just defeated the invading armies of Mance Rayder with the help of Stannis Baratheon. They have no leader and very few men remaining.
Profile: The Night’s Watch isn’t a House, but instead an organization dedicated to protecting the Seven Kingdoms from threats North of The Wall. They are all men, who all swear lifetime oaths to serve the Watch. Members of the Watch are divided into Rangers, Builders, and Stewards, though all are trained to fight when pressed.
Role in the War of the Five Kings: As the show begins, Night’s Watch members begin discovering supernatural wights. One attacks Lord Commander Jeor Mormont, although he’s saved by his steward, Jon Snow. After the attack, Mormont sends messages describing what has happened to the Lords of the Seven Kingdoms, and leads the Watch on a Great Ranging, officially to find the missing First Ranger, Benjen Stark.
Jon Snow discovers and infiltrates the army of the King-Beyond-The-Wall, Mance Rayder. The Wildlings are moving to attack the South, possibly fleeing something worse. Meanwhile, Mormont’s main forces are attacked by White Walkers and decimated. Mormont attempts to take shelter at Craster’s Keep, but is betrayed by mutineers and killed.
Jon Snow arrives at Castle Black, where his rival Alliser Thorne has become Acting Commander. Snow attempts to warn Thorne of Rayder’s danger, but Thorne refuses to fully commit to a defense. The Wildlings attack The Wall from the North while a raiding party hits Castle Black from the south, but thanks to the courage and skill of all the defenders, they hold out long enough for reinforcements to arrive from King Stannis Baratheon.
Role in Robert’s Rebellion: The Night’s Watch officially remains neutral in political disputes below The Wall. Maester Aemon, formerly of House Targaryen, considered deserting but remained with the Watch.
History: The Night’s Watch was founded 8000 years prior to the events of Game of Thrones at the end of the Long Night, when the White Walkers very nearly destroyed what would become the Seven Kingdoms. Their thirteenth Lord Commander was known as the Night’s King, and apparently betrayed the Watch for the White Walkers. Since then, the magical attacks have largely disappeared, but the Watch has remained to guard the North from Wildling attacks.
House Lord: Alliser Thorne was Acting Commander of the Night’s Watch following the recent death of Lord Commander Jeor Mormont.
Heir: The Night’s Watch chooses its Lord Commander via election.
Members: Jeor Mormont (deceased), Alliser Thorne, Janos Slynt, Benjen Stark, Yoren (deceased), Jon Snow, Grenn (deceased), Pyp (deceased), Samwell Tarly, Maester Aemon, Rast (deceased), Olly, Locke (deceased), Qhorin Halfhand (deceased), Dolorous Edd, Bowen Marsh
Retainers: Gilly
