This is a listing of members of the Kingswood Brotherhood in A Song of Ice and Fire.
For the main character index, see here
The Kingswood Brotherhood
- No man's gold was from them,
nor any maiden's hand.
Oh, the brothers of the Kingswood,
that fearsome outlaw band.
An outlaw band that existed prior to the start of the series, they were hunted down and largely killed by Aerys's Kingsguard, including a young Jaime Lannister. They were composed of Simon Toyne, The Smiling Knight, Wenda the White Fawn, Oswyn Longneck the Thrice-Hanged, Big Belly Ben, Fletcher Dick and Ulmer of the Kingswood, and possibly others.
- Decapitated Army: Probably broke up after the deaths of both their charismatic leader and their most feared warrior.
- Just Like Robin Hood: They initially won support and shelter from peasants by spreading their wealth around but rather than fighting against the Sheriff of Nottingham, it was Ser Arthur Dayne who dealt with them. He won the hearts and minds from the smallfolk, successfully appealed to a pre-insanity Aerys to improve conditions for the small-folk, and the Kingswood Brotherhood lost support completely. This is something which separates them from the Brotherhood who really are La Résistance fighting against the corrupt Freys and Lannisters, under whom even the reformed Ser Jaime is tarnished with Guilt by Association.
- Predecessor Villain: In as much as they can be considered villains, they're this for the Brotherhood Without Banners, being an outlaw band who operated Just Like Robin Hood. The new brotherhood, however, proves to be much more aggressive than its predecessor, and also enjoys much greater support, as while the former brotherhood merely had to deal with unfair taxes, the current one was formed in the middle of a civil war, with one side actively encouraging its forces to Rape, Pillage, and Burn its way across the countryside, giving its foes ample reason to fight to the death.
- The Man They Couldn't Hang: Oswyn Longneck, the Thrice-Hanged.
- What Happened to the Mouse?: Toyne and the Smiling Knight are dead, and Ulmer's in the Night's Watch. What happened to Oswyn, Ben, Wenda and Dick is never made clear.
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Simon Toyne
Simon Toyne was the leader of the Kingswood Brotherhood, an outlaw organization that operated during the reign of Aerys II Targaryen.
- See the Stormlands Houses page for more on House Toyne.
- Just Like Robin Hood: Remembered for his courage and audacity. He even entered a tourney as a mystery knight and jousted with Prince Rhaegar.
- Noble Fugitive: After becoming the last living member of his house following a few too many disagreements with the Targaryens.
- Posthumous Character: Killed by Barristan Selmy.
Big Belly Ben
Big Belly Ben was a famous member of the Kingswood Brotherhood.
- Know When to Fold 'Em: Big Belly Ben retreated from a fight where he nearly killed Sumner Crakehall when the lord’s talented young squire, Jamie Lannister, came to the rescue.
- Noodle Incident: Tom Sevenstrings sings a silly song about Big Belly Ben and the High Septon's goose.
- Stout Strength: A famed member of a fighting band with the nickname "Big Belly" would imply he was this.
Fletcher Dick
Fletcher Dick was a famous member of the Kingswood Brotherhood.
- Mentor Archetype: He taught Ulmer how to use a bow.
The Smiling Knight
The Smiling Knight was an infamous outlaw of the equally infamous Kingswood Brotherhood.
- Ax-Crazy: Jaime dubs him "the Mountain of my youth" noting that while he was only half the size of Gregor Clegane he was twice as insane, which says a lot considering just how bad the Mountain is.
- Be Careful What You Wish ForThe Smiling Knight: It's that white sword of yours I want.Ser Arthur Dayne: Then you shall have it, ser.
- Blood Knight: "The Smiling Knight" was an Ax-Crazy Master Swordsman who was obsessed with crossing swords with the Kingsguard. Jaime, who once crossed swords with him laments that he has become the Smiling Knight as opposed to his goal of being like Ser Arthur Dayne (the Knight in Shining Armor who slew the Smiling Knight).
- Determinator: Continued his duel with Ser Arthur Dayne despite bleeding from a dozen minor wounds and having to fetch a new sword once his was ruined by Dawn.
- Duel to the Death: Against Ser Arthur Dayne.
- Let's Fight Like Gentlemen: he and Dayne seem to have fought this way, with the Smiling Knight even leaving to fetch a new sword partway through.
- Master Swordsman: He was thought to be insane, but was also a deadly swordsman. He was certainly good enough to fight a prolonged duel with Arthur Dayne, widely regarded as the best swordsman in Westeros.
- Noble Demon: Jaime notes that the Smiling Knight was a bizarre mix of cruelty and chivalry all in one man.
- Offstage Villainy: He is said to have been more insane than Gregor Clegane, a Serial Killer, Serial Rapist, and kinslayer. Yet, his only known act of cruelty is slaying Victor Tyrell, so it's a mystery what he did to earn such a reputation.
- Self-Proclaimed Knight: No one is really sure if he really was a knight or just a crazy person with armor and a sword, although the fact he was able to fight toe-to-toe with Arthur Dayne suggests he at least had a knight's training.
- Slasher Smile: It's generally assumed that "The Smiling Knight" sported one of these.
Wenda the White Fawn
Wenda the White Fawn was a famous member of the Kingswood Brotherhood.
- Action Girl: One of Arya's idols.
- Ambiguously Related: She may be connected to House Cafferen, a Stormlands House whose sigil includes two white fawns.
- Pain to the Ass: Her trademark was branding a fawn into the arses of her highborn captives, which she did to Merrett Frey.
- The Smurfette Principle: The only female member of the Kingswood Brotherhood.
Ulmer of the Kingswood
See the Night's Watch Rangers page.
