  |
This article's content is marked as Mature The page contains mature content that may include coarse language, sexual references, and/or graphic violent images which may be disturbing to some. Mature pages are recommended for those who are 18 years of age and older. If you are 18 years or older or are comfortable with graphic material, you are free to view this page. Otherwise, you should close this page and view another page. |
The Kingswood Brotherhood are minor antagonists in the A Song of Ice and Fire franchise. They were an organization of outlaws who gained an infamous recognition for constantly robbing and kidnapping nobles, yet managed to evade capture for years. They were led by Simon Toyne, whose family had fallen from grace after Ser Terrence Toyne, a Kingsguard to King Aegon IV Targaryen, was caught abed with Lady Bethany Bracken, one of the king's many mistresses.
The Kingswood Brotherhood was defeated and destroyed in 281 AC, one year before Robert's Rebellion.
History[]
The Kingswood Brotherhood was formed by Simon Toyne during the reign of King Aerys II Targaryen, also known as the Mad King. The outlaw band gained an infamous reputation for robbing and kidnapping several nobles and holding them ransom before disappearing into the Kingswood. The Kingswood Brotherhood were aided by the smallfolk, who sheltered them from the authorities, as they believed that the outlaws were the only ones who could protect their rights. Having had enough of this nuisance, the Mad King sent a detachment of soldiers led by his Kingsguard to deal with the Brotherhood. Some of the outlaws also killed their target, as the Smiling Knight killed Ser Victor Tyrell, a cousin of Lord Mace Tyrell.
During their final year of activity, Ser Gerold Hightower, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, was wounded in a raid by being shot through the hand by Ulmer of the Kingswood, whose outlaw band attacked Princess Elia Martell's escort through the Kingswood. Ulmer went on to steal a kiss and some jewels from Elia. The outlaw Fletcher Dick taught Ulmer with the bow and is considered among the greatest archers to have ever lived.
In its latest years, the Kingswood Brotherhood made themselves such a nuisance that King Aerys II Targaryen decided to dispatch a military party led by Ser Arthur Dayne of the Kingsguard to destroy them, as Ser Gerold was absent due to having recently being wounded by Ulmer. The royal retinue included Lord Sumner Crakehall and his two squires, Jaime Lannister and Merrett Frey. During this period of fighting, the boy Merrett ended up getting captured by the bandit woman Wenda the White Fawn, who branded her sigil on Merrett's bottom before ransoming him back to Lord Crakehall. Later, Merrett was heavily wounded by a mace strike on his helmet during another battle against the Brotherhood, making him unable to fight and become a knight.
Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, was eventually able to gain the smallfolk's confidence and trust by giving them better rights after bringing their grievances to the king, who accepted the petition. Arthur also made sure the royal forces paid for any items they took from the peasants during their stay in their towns and farms. As a result, with the loss of the smallfolk's aid, the Kingswood Brotherhood could no longer hide and the royal forces were no longer harassed by the population. During an ensuing clash, the Brotherhood faced off against Ser Barristan Selmy and Arthur Dayne. During his time as a squire for Lord Crakehall, Jaime also fought the outlaws and would later be knighted by Ser Arthur for his bravery.
While Ser Barristan killed Simon Toyne, Arthur Dayne dueled with the Smiling Knight, who was notoriously known for showing a creepy smile on his face. When the Smiling Knight's sword broke, Arthur allowed the robber knight to get another sword. The Smiling Knight expresses his desire for Arthur's sword, Dawn, before being killed by the Sword of the Morning. In the aftermath, all members of the Kingswood Brotherhood are presumed dead, while Ulmer avoided execution by taking the black and joining the Night's Watch. During his service at the Wall, he still remembered his time with the Kingswood Brotherhood, in which he claims that he wounded Ser Gerold Hightower as well as having stolen the jewels of Princess Elia Martell and a chest full of coins.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- When he was a squire of House Crakehall, along with Jaime Lannister, Merrett Frey was kidnapped by Wenda the White Fawn, who branded a cheek of his bottom. During the main story, Merrett still deeply hates Wenda and resents having her mark, thinking how it made his marriage with Mariya Darry worse. This may imply that Merrett was raped by Wenda, or that just Mariya might believe there was sex involved.
- One of the outlaws, Ulmer, is a recurring character in the Night's Watch's storyline in A Song of Ice and Fire. He claims to be the one who wounded Ser Gerold Hightower because he wanted to steal a kiss from Princess Elia Martell and stole Elia's jewels and a chest of coins. Jon Snow and the other Black Brothers love Ulmer's stories. Ulmer participates in the Great Ranging beyond the Wall, fights and is one of the survivors of the attack of the Others at the Fist of the First Men, fights during the mutiny at Craster's Keep as a loyalist, and survives. It is not said whether he fought at Castle Black or at the Bridge of Skulls during the wildling invasion of the Wall. After Jon Snow becomes Lord Commander, he makes Ulmer the archery instructor of Castle Black's garrison. He is also one of the four Black Brothers who shoot the burning Mance Rayder as mercy killing.
- Some readers compare the Kingswood Brotherhood to Robin Hood's band and his merry companions. And there are those who think of the Brotherhood with a certain fondness, believing that they could be a kind of defenders of the smallfolk.
