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| “ | When I took command of the Watch, you were stray mongrels. Starving and undisciplined. Now, you're a pack of hounds. You're sated and honed for the hunt. My brother's city has fallen into squalor. Crime of every breed has been allowed to thrive. No longer. Beginning tonight, King's Landing will learn to fear the color gold! | „ |
| ~ Daemon Targaryen |
The City Watch of King's Landing, also known as the Gold Cloaks, are supporting antagonists in the A Song of Ice and Fire novel series and its television adaptation, Game of Thrones.
The City Watch of King's Landing is a law enforcement and military police organization of defenders who are given the responsibility of defending the capital city of King's Landing as well as enforcing law and order within the city. However, they are not as trained as the City Watch of Lannisport. Though the City Watch are only sworn to the Iron Throne, they presumably fell under the bailiwick under the Master of Laws.
History[]
Foundation[]
The City Watch, an organization responsible for maintaining law and order in King's Landing, was established as early as the reign of Maegor I Targaryen, and after his death, Prince Jaehaerys took charge and arrested the Commander of the City Watch before appointing Lord Qarl Corbray as the new commander. During the reign of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, he and his wife Queen Alysanne sent the City Watch to find the knight and singer Tom the Strummer, for they wanted to appoint him as court singer.
In 59 AC, when a disease called the Shivers plagued Westeros, Lord Qarl Corbray died of the disease. Many members of the City Watch were also struck by the Shivers, leading to anarchy in the streets of King's Landing.
Daemon's modernization[]
During the years 104–105 AC, after King Viserys I Targaryen was convinced by his hand, Ser Otto Hightower, to remove his brother, the rogue Prince Daemon Targaryen, from the small council as well as strip him of his title of Master of Coin, he was given the title of Master of Laws. Daemon was also appointed as Commander of the City Watch, a title in which he greatly thrived, leaving Otto Hightower with regret over his own actions.
During his time in office, Daemon's charisma allowed him to inspire loyalty among many of the rank-and-file members of the City Watch, and he improved their usage of armaments and equipment, as well as giving them the distinctive golden cloaks that gave them the name Gold Cloaks. Prince Daemon provided them with specific weapons he had issued, including dirks, short swords, and cudgels. At that time, the City Watch consisted of approximately two thousand gold cloaks, making them a formidable force in King's Landing. As a result of Daemon's leadership, crime in King's Landing fell sharply, probably due to Daemon's love of inflicting harsh punishments.
Game of Thrones[]
Season 1[]
The Small Council, led by Hand of the King Eddard Stark, receives information from Commander Janos Slynt of the City Watch. Slynt informs them that the Tourney of the Hand event is drawing a significant number of people into King's Landing, causing a shortage of Watch members. In response, Lord Stark orders the Master of Coin, Petyr Baelish, to acquire funds to bring in reinforcements for the City Watch. Additionally, he offers Slynt the assistance of his personal household guards to help maintain peace and order in the city.
In an effort to overthrow Joffrey Baratheon and Cersei Lannister following the death of Robert Baratheon, Eddard Stark devises a plan to secure the loyalty of Janos Slynt and the City Watch with the help of Littlefinger. Reluctantly, Lord Stark agrees with Littlefinger that bribing Slynt is necessary to ensure the support of the City Watch. However, unbeknownst to Lord Stark, Slynt has already been bought by the Lannisters. When Eddard Stark and his guards attempt to apprehend Joffrey in the throne room, Slynt and the Gold Cloaks betray them. They ruthlessly attack and kill all of Lord Stark's guards, thereafter arresting Lord Eddard Stark.
Season 2[]
King Joffrey issues an order for Janos Slynt and the City Watch to mercilessly massacre all of Robert Baratheon's illegitimate children, including infants. Tyrion Lannister, acting as Hand of the King, is repulsed by Slynt's willingness to carry out such horrific acts, particularly the killing of innocent babies. Tyrion is also wary of Slynt's past betrayal of the previous Hand, Eddard Stark, which ultimately led to his execution. Recognizing that he cannot trust Slynt, Tyrion removes him from his position and exiles him to the Wall to join the Night's Watch. Bronn is appointed as the new Commander of the City Watch, replacing Slynt.
Varys mentioned to Tyrion how effective Bronn was as the new commander of the City Watch. After the riot in King's Landing, he was able to restore order and significantly reduce thefts in preparation for the upcoming Battle of the Blackwater. Bronn stated that the City Watch had apprehended and eliminated all known thieves out of concern for a prolonged siege, as sieges always present favorable opportunities for thieves.
After the Battle of the Blackwater, Lord Tywin Lannister assumed his position as Hand of the King and dismissed Bronn from his position.
Gallery[]
External Links[]
- City Watch of King's Landing on the A Wiki of Ice and Fire.
- City Watch of King's Landing on the Wiki of Westeros.
