- "He killed your father. He murdered the Hand of the King!"
- ―Lysa Arryn (to Robin Arryn) accuses Tyrion Lannister of assassinating Jon Arryn.
Assassins[1] are men and women who carry out the murder of individuals in exchange of monetary gain or for political reasons. Unlike mercenaries, who wage war on behalf of their employers, assassins carry out surprise attacks using subterfuge and deceit.
There are also certain organizations of professional assassins in the world, such as the feared Faceless Men of Braavos.
Known assassinations and assassination attempts[]
- A catspaw, armed with a dagger of Valyrian steel, is hired by an unidentified individual to murder Bran Stark after a fall that leaves him comatose. The assassin causes a fire at Winterfell in an attempt to leave Bran's chamber unattended, but is stopped by Catelyn Stark and killed by Bran's direwolf Summer.[2]
- Jon Arryn was assassinated by his wife, who laced his wine with Tears of Lys, at Littlefinger's instructions.[3]
- A wineseller attempts to poison Daenerys after Varys puts out the word that King Robert is offering a reward in exchange for the death of Daenerys and her unborn child. The wineseller is foiled by Ser Jorah Mormont, who realized Daenerys had been targeted after being granted a pardon.[4]
- Lancel causes Robert's death at Cersei's orders, by giving him a strong wine while he was hunting, resulting in Robert being mortally wounded by a boar.[4]
- The mysterious Jaqen H'ghar is a member of the order of professional assassins known as the "Faceless Men", who are based in the Free City of Braavos.[5]
- Ser Mandon Moore, acting on behalf of an unidentified party - either Cersei or Joffrey, as Tyrion figures afterwards[6] - attempts to murder Tyrion during the Battle of the Blackwater, but is killed by Podrick Payne before he can succeed.[7]
- A Warlock disguised as a young girl is sent by the vengeful Warlocks of Qarth to assassinate Daenerys Targaryen when she arrives in Astapor, using a venomous Manticore, but the attempt is foiled by the intervention of Ser Barristan Selmy.[8]
- Lothar Frey hires assassins that disguise themselves as musicians for the wedding feast of Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey. Following the bedding ceremony, the assassins play "The Rains of Castamere" and shortly after seize crossbows and take part in the massacre of King Robb Stark, his family, and closest retainers.[9]
Behind the scenes[]
The Faceless Men are based on the Assassins, an Islamic Shia secret society that was active in the Middle East during the 11th to 13th centuries.[10]
References[]
- ↑ Game of Thrones: Season 1, Episode 5: "The Wolf and the Lion" (2011).
- ↑ "The Kingsroad"
- ↑ "First of His Name"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "You Win or You Die"
- ↑ "Valar Morghulis"
- ↑ "The Climb"
- ↑ "Blackwater"
- ↑ "Valar Dohaeris"
- ↑ "The Rains of Castamere"
- ↑ http://m.historyextra.com/article/premium/game-thrones-based-on-real-medieval-inspiration