Warden is a title employed both in Westeros and certain regions of Essos.
History[]
Westeros[]
The title of Warden is present in Westerosi history at least since the time before Nymeria's War, with King Yorick V Yrownwood styling himself Warden of the Stone Way, among his many titles.
During Aegon's Conquest, Aegon the Conqueror granted titles of Wardens to the monarchs that submitted to him: Loren Lannister, Ronnel Arryn and Torrhen Stark. Aegon also granted the title to Harlen Tyrell, the High Steward of Highgarden, who yielded Highgarden and the Reach following the Field of Fire. Wardens for the Iron Throne were to act as supreme military leaders responsible for the defense of their region in the event of foreign invasion,[1] under the authority of the King, who held the title of Protector of the Realm.
Thus, the titles created were:
- The Warden of the West is usually the ruling Lord of House Lannister of Casterly Rock.
- The Warden of the North is usually the ruling Lord of House Stark of Winterfell.
- The Warden of the East is usually the ruling Lord of House Arryn of the Eyrie.
- The Warden of the South is usually the ruling Lord of House Tyrell of Highgarden.
During the First Dornish War, a fifth Warden was created, the Warden of the Sands, to serve as the supreme military commander of the forces occupying Dorne. However, with the death of Lord Jon Rosby during the Defenestration of Sunspear, the title became defunct.
The title carries significant prestige and honour, although it is often secondary to the holder's primary title, which is usually the ruling lord of a great House. Tradition holds that the title is inherited by the ruling lord's heir, but the King or Regent may award it to another of his choosing. This typically only happens if the traditional holder dies and his heir is not yet of age or in times of political turbulence.
Lesser Westerosi Wardens[]
There are also smaller-scale military wardens:
- Warden of the Prince's Pass, guardian of the Prince's Pass in Dorne. Held by the head of House Fowler.
- Warden of Stone Way, guardian of the Boneway in Dorne. Held by the head of House Yronwood.
- Warden of the White Knife, guardian of the White Knife in the north. Held by the head of House Manderly.
One of the lesser offices of the royal court is the Warden of the King's Mint.
Essos[]
In Meereen, tthe ancient title of Warden of the River is used by the Meereenese official in charge of ferries, dredges, and irrigation ditches along the Skahazadhan.
Recent history[]
A Game of Thrones[]
Following the death of Jon Arryn, King Robert I Baratheon bestows the title of Warden of the East on Ser Jaime Lannister, which upsets the Vale of Arryn. Lady Lysa Arryn refers to her son, Lord Robert Arryn, as the True Warden of the East.
Lord Eddard Stark, the Warden of the North, is executed upon the order of King Joffrey Baratheon. His son, Robb Stark, is declared King in the North by his bannermen and King of the Trident by the riverlords in rebellion to the Iron Throne, thus leaving the Warden of the North title vacant.
A Storm of Swords[]
Robb Stark, King in the North and King of the Trident, creates the new title of Warden of the Southern Marches for his uncle, Ser Brynden "Blackfish" Tully, in recognition of his prominent military role in the War of the Five Kings, thus tasking him to oversee the defenses of the Riverlands.
After betraying and murdering King Robb the Red Wedding, Roose Bolton, Lord of the Dreadfort, is named Warden of the North for his service to the Iron Throne and House Lannister.
Lord Tywin Lannister restore the title of Warden of the East to Robert Arryn once Lysa weds Petyr Baelish, the Lord of Harrenhal and Lord Paramount of the Riverlands, thereby restoring the allegiance of House Arryn to the Iron Throne.
Tywin, the Warden of the West, is slain by his son and lawful heir, Tyrion Lannister.
A Feast for Crows[]
Queen Regent Cersei Lannister grants the title of Warden of the West to Ser Daven Lannister in a deliberate slight against Tywin's brother, Ser Kevan Lannister.[2]
A Dance with Dragons[]
Skahaz mo Kandaq refuses the offer of King Hizdahr zo Loraq to be named Warden of the River.[3]
- ↑ So Spake Martin: Social Structure, Moat Cailin, and More, June 10, 2002
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 12, Cersei III.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, The Queensguard.