History FallenHero / ASongOfIceAndFire

* The Kingsguard of Aegon II and the Queensguard of Rhaenyra considers each other to be false knights serving a usurper. The split of the Kingsguard during the Dance was blamed on Criston Cole who served Aegon II.

* The Kingsguard of Maegor the Cruel, on the grounds that they served Maegor. His remaining Kingsguard were all sent to the Wall, where two of them, Ser Olyvar Bracken and Ser Raymund Mallery, started a rebellion among the Night's Watch that led to the death of Lord Walton Stark. Ser Olyvar was killed when the rebellion was crushed, while Ser Raymund and a few of his followers escaped north of the Wall, hoping to defect to the wildlings, who instead butchered and ate them.

* The Kingsguard of Maegor, on the grounds that they served Maegor. His remaining Kingsguard were all sent to the Wall.

* Ser Marston Waters and Ser Mervyn Flowers instigated a coup to topple the Rogarre family and place King Aegon III under their control.

The Hand is the King's chief lieutenant and is in charge of makingthe King's commands a reality. Some Hands, however, caused conflict because they and the Kings they served did not see eye-to-eye.

* Rodrik Flint was another Lord Commander but he sided with wildlings and even became King-Beyond-The Wall.

* Prince Viserys Targaryen was thought lost during The Dance of the Dragons so his return was considered a miracle. He was Hand during the reigns of his brother Aegon III and his nephews Daeron I and Baelor. He developed a reputation as an unsavory power behind the throne. When Baelor died of malnutrition, Viserys became king and was the prime suspect in his nephew's death. His reputation remains mixed.

* Lord Eddard Stark was a hero who helped topple House Targaryen. When he became Hand, he found out that King Robert's children were illegitimate so he planned a coup but failed and was executed. He is remembered as a traitor despite his best intentions.

[[folder:House Targaren]]
* Daemon Blackfyre was the illegitimate son of a king. He was proof that a bastard can rise in mainstream Westerosi society. But he then rebelled and lost his life. He is now remembered as the greatest of traitors and proof that bastards are untrustworthy.

* Prince Viserys Targaryen was thought lost during The Dance of the Dragons so his return was considered a miracle. He was Hand during the reigns of his brother Aegon III and his nephews Daeron I and Baelor. He developed a reputation as an unsavory power behind the throne. When Baelor died of malnutrition, Viserys became king and was the prime suspect in his nephew's death. His reputation remains mixed.

* Prince Maegor Targayen was an effective hand for his brother King Aenys but his own antics as King tarnished his reputation forever.

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[[folder:Other examples]]
* Daemon Blackfyre was the illegitimate son of a king. He was proof that a bastard can rise in mainstream Westerosi society. But he then rebelled and lost his life. He is now remembered as the greatest of traitors and proof that bastards are untrustworthy.
* Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen was called "The Realm's Delight" in her youth but having illegitimate sons tarnished her reputation, making most people see her half-brother Aegon II as a more suitable heir. Her forces occupied the capitol during the Dance but the deprivation caused the peasants to revolt and kill the Targaryen dragons. Though her descendants ruled after her, she has gone down in history as a traitor.

The Kingsguard are supposed to be the valiant protectors of the King. The Reality is far more complicated.

* Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen was called "The Realm's Delight" in her youth but having illegitimate sons tarnished her reputation and made her half-brother Aegon II a more suitable heir. Her forces occupied the capitol during the Dance and the deprivation caused the peasants to revolt and kill the Targaryen dragons. Though her descendants ruled after her, she has gone down in history as a traitor.

* Daemon Blackfyre was the illegitimate son of a king. He was idolized and beloved. He became proof that a bastard can rise in mainstream Westerosi society. But he then rebelled and lost his life. He is now remembered as the greatest of traitors and proof that bastards are untrustworthy.

* Lord Rogar Baratheon was called a hero by Septon Barth. He helped King Jaeherys take the throne from Maegor but he later thought that the young king was impetuous and had to be set aside so he tried to instigate a coup. He was foiled and pardoned but he was kept on a short leash for the rest of his life.

* The Kingsguard of Aegon II and the Queensguard of Rhaenyra considers each other to be false knights serving a usurper.
* Ser Lucamore Strong was a famous and knight until his secret that he had three wives and numerous children was discovered.

* Ser Jaime Lannister committed the ultimate by slaying the king that he swore to protect.

* Ser Lucamore Strong was a famous and loved knight until his secret that he had three wives and numerous children was discovered.

* Runcel Hightower was also a Lord Commander but his decision to let his son inherit his position instead of relying on an election caused a civil war in the Watch.

* Lord Rogar Baratheon was called a hero by Septon Barth. He helped King Jaeherys take the throne from Maegor but he laterb thought that the young king was impetuous and had to be set aside in favor. Finally, he tried to instigate a coup. He was foiled and pardoned but he was kept on a short leash for the rest of his life.

* Lord Eddard Stark was a hero who helped topple House Targaryen. When he became Hand, he found out that King Robert's children were illegitimate so he planned a coup but failed and was executed. He is remembered as a traitor despite his best inentions.

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* Nothing is known about Marq Rankenfell, [[EvilBastard Robin Hill]] and Tristan Mudd only that they almost destroyed the Watch.

Morality is so murky in ''[[Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire]]'' that it is easy for anyone who thinks themselves the hero to fall to their own hubris and become the thing they fight against.

[[folder:The Hand of the King]]

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