All Brothers of the Night's Watch
- Photo: HBO
Jon Snow is the bastard son of Eddard Stark (maybe). He appears in several of the A Song of Ice and Fire books and is played by Kit Harington.
Jon Snow was raised amongst the Stark children. When he comes of age, he joins the Night's Watch, goes on a mission to infiltrate the wildlings, loses his virginity to his spear wife Ygritte who keeps telling him he knows nothing, watches Olly put an arrow through her, is betrayed by his own brothers, dies, is resurrected by a Red Priestess Melisandre at Davos Seaworth's request, freaks everyone out, makes Tormund crack jokes, and then quits the Night's Watch because his watch had ended, technically, when he died. Now, he faces foes on many fronts, not the least of which are those White Walkers, preparing to bring hell and the Long Night with them.
Status: Alive/Dead/Alive Again - His watch has ended.
Jon considers the Wall a worthy way to spend one’s life due to the way his father talks about it and because his uncle Benjen is First Ranger there. Jon becomes the Lord Commander, gets stabbed by Brothers who oppose his alliance with the wildlings, and then is raised from the dead by Melisandre.
Why he took the black:
As Ned leaves for King’s Landing to become Robert’s Hand, Catelyn has made it clear she won’t share the household with Ned’s bastard. With Bran in fragile health after a fall/push and an assassination attempt on his life, Catelyn is more than a little on edge, unable to contain her hatred for Jon.More Jon Snow
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- Photo: HBO2
Night's King (Books), Night King (Show)
The Night's King was the 13th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch who married a White Walker woman, went rogue, and declared himself and his wife king and queen. They controlled the Night's Watch through sorcery. He and the Night's Queen ruled from the Nightfort that was later abandoned and contains a mysterious magical door.
The King of Winter Brandon the Breaker and King-Beyond-the-Wall Joramun defeated the Night's King and freed the Night's Watch.
The Night's King is a legendary leader who is rumored to have been a member of the House Stark. He could have been Brandon the Builder or Brandon the Bloody Blade. It hasn't been revealed yet.
Status: Thought to have died, the Night King reveals himself to Jon Snow at Hardhome and demonstrates how he can turn the dead into wights. He's amassed a wight army.
Why he took the black:
Unknown - Photo: HBO3
Brynden Rivers (Three-Eyed Raven)
Rivers, a legitimized Targaryen bastard of Aegon IV, was a Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch after many years of fighting in the Blackfyre rebellion.
Status: Deceased (Season 6) - Killed by the Night King as he transfer all of his knowledge to Bran, the next Three-Eyed Raven.
Why he took the black:
In the books, Rivers is accused of playing a part in Aenys Blackfyre’s beheading and chose the Wall instead of being held captive by King Aegon V indefinitely. Duncan the Tall escorted Brynden Rivers and several of the men from his fighting men called the Raven’s Teeth. He became the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch in 239 AC. He went ranging beyond the Wall and never returned.
That is, until we discover on the show that Rivers became the Three-Eyed Raven, known as the Bloodraven in the books. He was played by Struan Rodger in Season 4, and Max von Sydow in Season 6. - Photo: HBO
Jeor Mormont is the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. He appears in the A Song of Ice and Fire book series and was played by James Cosmo.
Jeor is a strong and fearless leader. He chooses Jon Snow as his personal steward. Jeor is killed by Night's Watch mutineers at Craster's Keep.
Status: Deceased (Season 3) - Killed by Karl at the mutiny at Craster's Keep.
Why he took the black:
The Lord of Bear Island and the head of House Mormont fought on the side of Ned Stark and Robert Baratheon. Possibly weary from war and with his wife dead, he abdicated his title to his son, Ser Jorah Mormont, who disgraced the family name by slave trading. Jeor’s sister, Maege, ruled instead. He gives Jon the Mormont ancestral sword, Longclaw. He's the uncle of firecracker Lyanna Mormont who currently rules House Mormont.More Jeor Mormont- #35 of 108 onThe 100+ Favorite 'Game of Thrones' Characters
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- Photo: HBO
Maester Aemon is a member of the Night's Watch and the son of Maekar Targaryen. He appears in the A Song of Ice and Fire book series and was played by Peter Vaughan, who is blind in real life, on Game of Thrones.
Aemon was the maester of the Night's Watch. Most people are not aware that he is a Targaryen. He is very encouraging to Jon Snow, possibly because they are both Targs. He inspires Sam to become a maester and join in the coming White Walker fight.
Status: Deceased (Season 5) - As he lies dying (of old age), with Gilly and Sam watching over him, the maester calls out to his brother Aegon V by his childhood nickname, Egg. He says, “Egg, I dreamed that I was old.”
Why he took the black:
The third son to King Maeker I Targaryen and Dyanna Dayne, he was named after the famous Prince Aemon. His grandfather, King Daeron II, saw too many in line for the throne and sent young Aemon to the Citadel. He became a maester at 19 and was summoned to serve on the small council for the Iron Throne. He refused, not wanting to supplant the sitting Grand Maeaster.He served as maester at the Targaryen family seat at Dragonstone, serving under Prince Daeron until the latter died of the pox. He moved on to serve at the Citadel until he was summoned by the Great Council of 233. They offered him the Iron Throne and he quietly refused.
Rule went to his younger brother, Aegon V. Aemon chose the Wall for fear of being used in a coup against his brother. He took freed prisoners with him to Castle Black. Among them, Brynden Rivers, better known to book readers as the Bloodraven and to series watchers as The Three-Eyed Raven.
One of Maester Aemon's greatest challenges was hearing word of the destruction of House Targaryen during Robert’s Rebellion. He tells Jon that he had to hear of the killing of children and brutality as an old man at the Wall.More Maester Aemon- Dig Deeper...The Best Maester Aemon Quotes
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- Photo: HBO
Samwell Tarly is studying to become the maester of the Night's Watch. He is a close friend of Jon Snow. He appears in the A Song of Ice and Fire book series and is played by John Bradley-West.
While traveling back to the Wall with one of Craster's girls, Gilly, and her newborn child, Sam kills a White Walker in an act of bravery. He leaves the Wall before Jon is killed and resurrected.
Status: Alive. Left for Oldtown to become a maester and help Jon fight the White Walkers.
Why he was forced to take the black:
Besides taking his place as a powerful lord in the Reach and perhaps across the Seven Kingdoms, Sam is sent to the Wall. Sam is not a skilled fighter, not of athletic build, and is a bookish fellow. His father and military commander Randyll Tarly can’t stand the sight of him. He gave Sam the choice to take the black or meet with an accident on a hunting trip. Dear old dad should probably believe that his son is one of the few people in the Seven Kingdoms to kill a White Walker. He'll probably need that information later.More Samwell Tarly- Dig Deeper...The Best Samwell Tarly Quotes
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- Photo: HBO
Benjen Stark is the younger brother of Eddard Stark and the son of Rickard Stark. He appears in the A Song of Ice and Fire series and is played by Joseph Mawle.
Benjen is a member of the Night's Watch. He is sent out on a mission to find some lost rangers and he never returns.
Status: Alive and returned as Coldhands.
Why he took the black:
It’s not clear why Benjen went to the Wall. It may have had something to do with protecting his honor in the wake of Rhaegar Targaryen’s abduction of his sister and subsequent war. Maybe Benjen knew that Rhaegar and Lyanna were actually in love and didn’t count on the resulting war and Robert's wrath. Possibly he and Ned decided it was best to take the black than answer any questions.More Benjen Stark- #37 of 108 onThe 100+ Favorite 'Game of Thrones' Characters
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- Photo: HBO8
Mance Rayder
Mance Rayder was born a wildling. He became an outstanding member of the Night’s Watch. He abandoned his post and went back to the wildlings. Rayder became the leader of the wildlings, known as the King Beyond the Wall. He was played by Ciarán Hinds.
Status: Deceased (Season 5) - Burned at the stake by the Watch for not bending the knee, mercy killed by Jon before he burned alive.
Why he took the black:
He was taken in by the Night’s Watch when he was a child. He would later abandon his post when the Lord Commander disrespected a wildling woman over a kindness done to young Mance.More Mance Rayder- Dig Deeper...The Best Mance Rayder Quotes
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- Photo: HBO9
Eddison Tollett
Eddison Tollett is a brother of the Night's Watch. He appears in the A Song of Ice and Fire book series and is played by Ben Crompton.
Eddison joins Jon Snow on a mission to capture or kill the mutineers at Craster's Keep. He became the unofficial Lord Commander after Jon's death and resurrection by Melisandre.
Status: Alive
Why he took the black:
GRRM said that he joined when he was 15 when Yoren told him that women couldn’t resist a man in uniform. He didn’t tell him Edd the part about taking no wife and celibacy. Since he came from a cadet branch of a minor house, he also may have joined just to have three squares and a roof over his head. - Photo: HBO10
Qhorin Halfhand
The Halfhand was one of the most experienced and skilled rangers in the Night’s Watch. He was stationed at the Shadow Tower and led a search party for Benjen Stark. He was played by Simon Armstrong. He lost the middle, ring, and pinky fingers on his right hand, battling a wildling. He became just a proficient with a weapon with his left as he was with his right.
Status: Deceased (Season 2) - Sacrificed himself so that Jon can infiltrate the wildings. He intentionally loses to Jon in a sword fight, even though he is a master swordsman.
Why he took the black:
Unknown. But he’s suspected of having been highborn and his skills with ranging and sword fighting make many believe he was a knight or some such. He’s also familiar with magic. Some theories suggest Halfhand was Ser Arthur Dayne although we see Ned and Howland Reed kill Dayne in the show. - Photo: HBO11
Yoren
Yoren was a recruiter for the Night's Watch. He was played by Francis Magee.
Yoren grabs Arya Stark so that she doesn't witness her father's execution. He hides her amongst a group of Night's Watch recruits he is transporting to the Wall. He is killed by Lannister men who wanted to take one of his recruits.
Deceased: (Season 2) - Killed by Ser Amory Lorch when he fought Lannister men who came for Gendry.
Why he took the black:
Forced to join the Night’s Watch when he killed his brother’s killer. - Photo: HBO12
Denys Mallister
Denys Mallister is a brother of the Night's Watch. He appears is the A Song of Ice and Fire book series and was played by J.J. Murphy in the series. Murphy passed away during filming in season five. Showrunners Dan Weiss and David Benioff did not recast him, saying he was the best Denys Mallister they could have hoped for. "Now his watch is ended."
Denys is considered to become Lord Commander of the Night's Watch after Jeor Mormont is killed.
Status: Alive (To Date, Books Only)
Why he took the black:
It is not known why Mallister, a popular and accomplished knight and champion, joined the Night’s Watch decades ago. Possibly, he didn't stand to inherit and decided to go to the Wall and do something noble for the realm. - Photo: HBO13
Will
Will is a ranger of the Night's Watch and was played by Bronson Webb.
Will flees his post after his fellow rangers were killed by White Walkers. He is apprehended and killed for desertion by Eddard Stark, who does not believe his story, which seems odd for a man who kept saying, "Winter is coming."
Status: Deceased (Season 1) - Ned beheads him for deserting the Night's Watch.
Why he took the black:
Will was caught poaching on House Mallister’s lands. He was given the choice of joining the Night’s Watch or losing a hand. He was a veteran of 100 rangings by the time he see the White Walkers and flees onto House Stark’s lands. - Photo: HBO14
Janos Slynt
Janos Slynt was the commander of the City Watch in King's Landing and was played by Dominic Carter.
Status: Deceased (Season 5) - Executed by Lord Commander Jon Snow for disobeying orders and plotting against him.
Why he was forced to take the black:
The former Commander of the City Watch at King’s Landing and former Lord of Harrenhal was a serial bribe-taker and Littlefinger’s lackey. He’s sent to the Wall by Tyrion Lannister to prevent Joffrey from giving him further power and from Slynt, well, being Slynt. - Photo: HBO15
Mallador Locke
Locke was one of Roose Bolton’s minions who was good at tracking people down. He was played by Noah Taylor. Bolton sent him to kidnap Jaime Lannister. Locke takes Jaime and Brienne hostage, cuts off Jaime’s hand, and throws Brienne in a bear pit.
Status: Deceased (Season 4) - Bran wargs into Hodor, who basically dismantles Locke.
Why he took the black:
Infiltrates the Night’s Watch to find Bran and Rickon for Ramsay Bolton. He’s promised 1,000 acres. He never collects, thanks to Hodor. - Photo: HBOSer Alliser Thorne, from House Thorne in the Crownlands, was the Master at Arms at Castle Black. He was played by Owen Teale.
Status: Deceased (Season 6) - Executed by newly-resurrected and former Lord Commander Jon Snow after staging a mutiny. He led some brothers in stabbing the LC, who didn’t like Jon’s taking up with the wildlings and breaking other Night’s Watch codes. His last words were, “I had a choice, Lord Commander. Betray you or betray the Night’s Watch. You brought an army of wildlings into our lands. An army of murderers and raiders. If I had to do it all over knowing where I’d end up, I pray I’d make the right choice. I fought. I lost. Now I rest. But you, Lord Snow, you'll be fighting their battles forever.”
Why he took the black:
Thorne fought on the Targaryen side of Robert’s Rebellion. At the end of the war, he was given the choice of being executed or going to the wall.More Alliser Thorne- Dig Deeper...The Best Alliser Thorne Quotes
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Olly
Olly is not a book character and appeared in Seasons 4 through 6 on the series. Olly’s family is attacked by the Wildlings. Ygritte kills his father and Styr kills his mother. This is why Olly was more than happy to put an arrow in her as the wildlings attacked the Wall. He was played by Brenock O’Connor.
Status: Deceased (Season 6) - Executed for treason by Jon Snow.
Why he ended up at the Wall:
The wildling Styr sent him to Castle Black to draw the Night's Watch out into the open to fight. He remains there, full of revenge for the wildlings and ultimately betrays Jon Snow, whom he believes betrayed him, the memory of his family, and the Night’s Watch. - Photo: HBO18
Gendry
Gendry is a former blacksmith and bastard of Robert Baratheon. He is played by Joe Dempsie.Gendry is taken by Melisandre to use for the benefit of Stannis Baratheon. Melisandre reveals to Gendry that he has royal blood.
Status: Alive
Why he considered taking the black:
With the hunt on for Robert’s bastards, Gendry decides to join the Night’s Watch. But he never makes it there. He joins the Brotherhood Without Banners then he’s sold to Melisandre for her need of royal blood magic. Davos Seaworth helps him escape the black cells and the last time anyone saw Gendry, he was in a row boat. - Photo: HBO19
Jaqen H'ghar
Jaqen H'ghar is a recruit of the Night's Watch and one of the Faceless Men of Braavos. He appears in the A Song of Ice and Fire book series and is played by Tom Wlaschiha and Patrick O'Kane on the HBO show Game of Thrones.
Jaqen H'ghar is amongst the recruits that Yoren is bringing to the Wall. After Yoren is killed and the recruits are taken prisoner, Jaqen H'ghar helps Arya Stark escape from Harrenhal.
Status: Alive
Why he recruited for the Night's Watch:
The Faceless Man was posing as a prisoner who was forced to join the Night’s Watch in order to cross paths with Arya. A man is not a crow. A man serves the Many-Faced God. - Photo: HBO20
Hot Pie
Hot Pie is a recruit of the Night's Watch and friend of Arya Stark. He is played by Ben Hawkeye.
Hot Pie is amongst the recruits that Yoren is bringing to the Wall. After Yoren is killed and the recruits are taken prisoner, Jaqen H'ghar helps Arya Stark, Gendry, and Hot Pie escape from Harrenhal. He decided to stay on as an apprentice bread maker at the Inn at the Crossroads.
Status: Alive
Why he was recruited:
He was recruited by Yoren to fulfill the request for more sworn brothers, but never makes it to the Wall. He may still be working at the inn. - Photo: HBO21
Lommy Greenhands
Lommy is a recruit of the Night's Watch and friend of Arya Stark. He was played by Eros Vlahos.
Lommy is amongst the recruits that Yoren was taking to the Wall. He was killed by a Lannister man-at-arms. Arya later gets revenge on the Lannister man and kills him with her sword, Needle.
Status: Deceased (Season 2)
Why he took the black:
An orphan, Lommy is caught stealing and sent to the Wall. - Photo: HBO22
Karl Tanner
Karl Tanner is a brother of the Night's Watch and was played by Burn Gorman.
Karl is a key player in the mutiny of Lord Commander Mormont and capturing Caster's Keep. He was killed by Jon Snow who led a mission to capture or kill the mutineers before they joined forces with the Free Folk.
Status: Deceased (Season 4)
Why he took the black:
He was an infamous assassin and enforcer in Flea Bottom. Sent to the Wall because he was a holy terror. - Photo: HBO23
Rorge
Rorge is a criminal who is forced to join the Night's Watch. He appears in the A Song of Ice and Fire books series and is played by Andy Beckwith on the HBO show Game of Thrones.
Before reaching Castle Black, Rorge escapes and joins the Lannister army serving at Harrenhal.
Status: Alive
Why he took the black:
Rorge did a lot of terrible things and was being sent to the Wall when he joined the Lannister forces. - Photo: HBO24
Biter
Biter is a criminal who is forced to join the Night's Watch. He appears in the A Song of Ice and Fire books series and is played by Gerard Jordan on the HBO show Game of Thrones.
Status: Alive
Why he took the back:
Biter was a dangerous criminal. He was cleared out of the black cells along with Rorge and Jaqen H’Ghar and sent to the Wall. Before reaching Castle Black, Biter escapes and joins the Lannister army serving at Harrenhal. - Photo: HBO25
Grenn (Aurochs)
Grennwas is a ranger in the Night's Watch and friend of Jon Snow. He appears in the A Song of Ice and Fire book series and was played by Mark Stanley on the HBO show Game of Thrones.
Grenn joins Jon Snow on a mission to kill or capture the mutineers at Craster's Keep.
Status: Deceased (Season 4) - Killed by a giant while trying to hold the gate at the Wall.
Why he took the black:
He was orphaned at three and grew up on a farm. He joins the Night’s Watch probably because of something to do with a farmer’s daughter. - Photo: HBO26
Pypar
Pypar was a member of the Night's Watch and friend of Jon Snow. He appears in the A Song of Ice and Fire book series and was played by Josef Altin on the series.
Pypar is one of the brothers who helps Jon Snow when he arrives at Castle Black, shot full of arrows.
Status: Deceased (Season 4) - Killed by Ygritte when the wildlings stormed Castle Black.
Why he took the black:
The former singer was really sent to the wall for refusing to have sex with a lord at Acorn Hall. But the lord said Pyp was stealing. The story Pyp tells the other sworn brothers is that he was caught stealing food to feed his sister. He may not even have a sister. - Photo: HBO27
Dareon
Dareon is a steward of the Night's Watch. He appears in the A Song of Ice and Fire book series and was played by an unidentified extra on the HBO show Game of Thrones.
Dareon is in the same recruiting class as Jon Snow. He is known to sing at meal times.
Status: Deceased (in the books) - Killed by Arya for deserting the Night's Watch.
Why he took the black:
The singer was caught in bed with Lord Mathis Rowan’s daughter. He said he was invited. She said he raped her. He was sent to the Wall. - Photo: HBO28
Jaremy Rykker
Jaramy Rykker is a ranger in the Night's Watch. He appears in the A Song of Ice and Fire book series and is played by Jeffrey O'Brien on the HBO show Game of Thrones.
Jaramy attends the ceremony where Jon Snow and Samwell Tarly take their vows.
Status: Whereabouts Unknown
Why he took the black:
He backed the Mad King during Robert’s Rebellion and was given the choice between death and the Wall by Tywin Lannister. - Photo: HBO29
Waymar Royce
Waymar Royce is a brother of the Night's Watch. He appears in the A Song of Ice and Fire book series and is played by Rob Ostlere on the HBO show Game of Thrones.
While scouting a location suspected of hosting Wildlings, Waymar Royce encounters a White Walker and several Wights.
Status: Deceased (Season 1) - Killed by White Walkers, became a wight.
Why he took the black:
Royce didn’t see much opportunity for him as the third son of Lord Yohn Royce. He joined the Night’s Watch and became a ranger. On the way to the wall, he and his father stayed at Winterfell. Sansa fell hard for him. - Photo: HBO30
Bowen Marsh
Bowen Marsh is the First Steward of the Night's Watch. He appears in the A Song of Ice and Fire book series and is played by Michael Condron on the HBO show Game of Thrones.
Bowen Marsh is in charge of the daily operations of the Night's Watch. He witnessed Jon Snow and Sam Tarly take their vows.
Status: Deceased (Season 6) - Executed for treason by Jon Snow.
Why he took the black:
Unknown
