History Characters / ASongOfIceAndFireTheKingsguard

* TheAce: Considered one of the best knights in Westeros at the moment, he is also known for his courtly manners and valor. When reflecting on Ser Balon's skills after he is appointed, Tyrion Lannister notes that he is "good with a lance, [[CarryABigStick better with a morningstar]], [[ArcherArchetype superb with a bow]]." Even Jaime tells him that the Kingsguard is honored to have him as a member, with his only issue being the question of how he will handle the possibility of ConflictingLoyalty should it arise.

* FatBastard: Very much. To the point he actually comes across as sickly (possibly diabetic?). As well as annoying.

** Even the function of the Kingsguard has caveats. Oh, it's packaged as being the best of the best knights of the realm being chosen to serve the king (and by extension, the kingdom) as both bodyguards and loyal advisors with vows that reflect those of the Night's Watch... But, this hides an often ugly truth in plain sight beyond the usually politely glossed-over issues reality vs ideals throws into the ring: seven knights, ones usually picked from the Great Houses (or other important factions) get bonded to the throne by vows supposed to be more binding than those of most knights. Not unlike, say, ''those of marriage''. Targaryens may not have married outsiders as often as they, perhaps, should have, but using vows sworn on the Seven this way is still a form AltarDiplomacy (for men!). With all the politics, bargaining and threats that entails.

* DirtyCoward: During the riot in King's Landing, he refuses to go find Sansa and bring her to safety, making a lame excuse that his white cloak might enrage the mob. Later, he is ordered to guard Prince Tommen by Cersei but immediately gives the boy up to Tyrion's forces when they ambush his own. He is temporarily stripped of rank, before being reinstated eventually. The only reason he probably isn't executed was that Tyrion would never hurt his nephew, and the Kingsguard needed a new member after the desertion of Sandor Clegane. Jaime eventually makes him Tommen's food taster to repay the man for his disgrace. When Blount protests this, Jaime retorts Blount is welcome to try and kill him if he doesn't like the Lord Commander's decision: Boros doesn't have the courage to try.

* TheNondescript: He's a bit handsome, but not stunningly so (good-looking enough for Arianne to take into her bed, at least). His face is described as "not unpleasant to look upon".

* JustFollowingOrders: His excuse to Jaime when asked why he beat Sansa at Joffrey's command. Jaime tells him that they also have a duty to protect the King from their own silly decisions, and to only carry out reasonable commands from Tommen and come to him if he ever orders something cruel.

* RiddleForTheAges: It is a wonder how someone as useless, cowardly, and unpleasant as him get into the Kingsguard in the first place. At best it may have been a combination of the sheer number of spots that needed to be filled after the fall of Aerys and the implication that Boros was a pretty decent tourney knight in his youth. (Which would prove that there really is a world of difference between a tourney knight who specializes in jousting and a knight who fights in real battles or has to fulfill the bodyguard duties of the Kingsguard.) At worst he may have been a political appointment from the start, and the appointment made either to please some lord or so Blount would be the pawn of someone in the court.

* LousyLoversAreLosers: When Arianne Martell takes Arys Oakheart as her lover (to [[ManipulativeBitch manipulative him]]) she was actually surprised by how bad in bed he was. She even recalls how their first time having sex ended with him [[SpeedSex climaxing on her thighs before he could even insert himself into her]]. She mentions she spent a long time 'training' and 'instructing' him about lovemaking so she wouldn't be bored and unsatisfied while having him as a lover. Somewhat {{Justified|Trope}} since he's part of the Kingsguard who all take an oath of [[CelibateHero celibacy]], so he's very inexperienced while Arianne is a SexGoddess.

* EvenTheGuysWantHim: That's how pretty he is.

* ButtMonkey: Despite being an elite kingsguard, he doesn't get a lot of respect. His greatest moment is killing the First Sword of Braavos, who was armed with only a stick and out-numbered 5-1. Jaime thinks he is adequate at best [[spoiler: while Cersei, Taena and Margaery all believe he doesn't stand a chance against Osmund Kettleblack, who may or may not be a real knight.]]

* ButtMonkey: Despite being an elite kingsguard, he doesn't get a lot of respect. Sandor tells Arya that any boy with a soldier could defeat three Meryn Trants at once, Tyrion and Bronn (a sellsword at the time) humiliate him in sequence at court ("If Sr. Meryn speaks again, kill him.") and Jaime thinks he is adequate at best [[spoiler: while Cersei, Taena and Margaery all believe he doesn't stand a chance against Osmund Kettleblack.]]

* WouldHitAGirl[=/=]WouldHurtAChild: On Joffrey's orders.

* ButtMonkey: Despite being an elite kinsguard, he doesn't get a lot of respect. Sandor tells Arya that any boy with a soldier could defeat three Meryn Trants at once, Tyrion and Bron ( a sellsword at the time) hmuliate him in sequence at court ("If Sr. Meryn speaks again, kill him.") and Jaime thinks he is adequate at best [[spoiler: while Cersei, Taena and Margaery all believe he doesn't stand a chance against Osmund Kettleblack.]]

* RiddleForTheAges: It is a wonder how someone as useless, cowardly, and unpleasant as him get into the Kingsguard in the first place.

For the Kingsguard members who served Aerys II, see [[Characters/ASongOfIceAndFireAerysKingsguard here]]. For historical kingsguard before that, see [[Characters/ASongOfIceAndFireHistoricalKingsguard here]].

For the Kingsguard members before the Baratheon Kings, see [[Characters/ASongOfIceAndFireHistoricalKingsguard here]].

* DyingMomentOfAwesome: Tragically {{Subverted|Trope}}; he charges single-handedly into the face of overwhelming numbers (including many crossbowmen) rather than surrender Myrcella to them, shrugging off crossbow bolts even as they rip through his armour like paper and managing to slay three men even as his horse is killed beneath him before he is finally cut down. But it's [[SenselessSacrifice a pointless and unnecessary death]] and implied to be motivated more by [[DeathSeeker his shame and despair driving him over the edge]] than courage or duty, so that it ends up more tragic and pathetic than awesome

** To Myrcella Baratheon, whom he is charged to protect while she is in Dorne. It's a purely platonic example since Arys views her as a surrogate daughter and [[spoiler:throws his life to protect her]].

* TokenGoodTeammate: After Ser Barristan is removed from the Kingsguard, Arys is the only even half-decent person in it until Ser Balon Swann joins.

* MyMasterRightOrWrong: Enforced. Ser Balon has a brother, Donnel, who sided with first Stannis, then Renly, and now serves House Lannister. Tyrion, noting this at an unrelated time, is impressed with House Swann's pragmatism, but Jaime sees only potential holes in the Kingsguard.

* DyingMomentOfAwesome: Tragically {{Subverted|Trope}}; he charges single-handedly into the face of overwhelming numbers (including many crossbowmen) rather than surrender Myrcella to them, shrugging off crossbow bolts even as they rip through his armour like paper and managing to slay three men even as his horse is killed beneath him before he is finally cut down. But it's [[SenselessSacrifice a pointless and unnecessary death]] and implied to be motivated more by [[DeathSeeker his shame and despair driving him over the edge]] than courage or duty that it's more tragic and pathetic than awesome

* TheAce: Considered one of the best knights in Westeros at the moment, he is also known for his courtly manners and valor. When reflecting on Ser Balon's skills after he is appointed, Tyrion Lannister notes that he is "good with a lance, [[CarryABigStick better with a morningstar]], [[ArcherArchetype superb with a bow]]."

** For good or ill, Ser Balon appears to be taking this seriously. In ''A Dance With Dragons'' [[spoiler:he's under orders by Cersei to stage an ambush while bringing Myrcella back to King's Landing which would end in Prince Trystane Martell's death and Tyrion being framed for the deed. Doran Martell notes that though Ser Balon obviously hates the orders, he plans to obey]].

* ToBeLawfulOrGood: Some of the members face this issue.

* PunchClockVillain: Under Joffrey, Aerys II and Maegor the cruel.