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| − | The '''King-Beyond-the-Wall''' is a title given to a [[Free Folk]] leader or over-chief who manages to unite a significant number of the northern tribes under his command, enough to pose a threat to the [[Seven Kingdoms]] south of [[ |
+ | The '''King-Beyond-the-Wall''' is a title given to a [[Free Folk]] leader or over-chief who manages to unite a significant number of the northern tribes under his command, enough to pose a threat to the [[Seven Kingdoms]] south of [[the Wall]]. Uniting the fractious and independently-minded tribes (who often have radically different traditions, customs and laws) into a single force is extremely difficult, only possible with a leader of impressive military skill and personal charisma. Most of the time, the Wildlings are not so united. |
The title and position are not hereditary. It is unknown what the specific process for becoming the current King-Beyond-the-Wall is, though it seems to be based more on general acclamation by the King's followers than on a formal vote. |
The title and position are not hereditary. It is unknown what the specific process for becoming the current King-Beyond-the-Wall is, though it seems to be based more on general acclamation by the King's followers than on a formal vote. |
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Revision as of 12:58, 15 November 2012
The King-Beyond-the-Wall is a title given to a Free Folk leader or over-chief who manages to unite a significant number of the northern tribes under his command, enough to pose a threat to the Seven Kingdoms south of the Wall. Uniting the fractious and independently-minded tribes (who often have radically different traditions, customs and laws) into a single force is extremely difficult, only possible with a leader of impressive military skill and personal charisma. Most of the time, the Wildlings are not so united.
The title and position are not hereditary. It is unknown what the specific process for becoming the current King-Beyond-the-Wall is, though it seems to be based more on general acclamation by the King's followers than on a formal vote.
At the present time, the Free Folk are united under the command of Mance Rayder, the current King-Beyond-the-Wall.
Season 1
Ser Alliser Thorne names Mance Rayder as the leader of the wildlings beyond the Wall and indicates he has held this post for more than ten years.[1]
When Osha, Stiv and Wallen - deserters from Rayder's army - inadvertantly imprison Bran Stark, they debate taking him back to Mance Rayder to win forgiveness. They reject the notion, which is rendered moot when Robb Stark and Theon Greyjoy arrive[2]. Osha later tells Maester Luwin that they were fleeing the awakening of an old, remorseless foe, the White Walkers, indicating that the wildlings are already aware of the threat of the Walkers and may already be fighting them[3].
Lord Commander Jeor Mormont, puzzled by reports of Mance Rayder's forces gathering in the mountains, decides to lead a reconnaisance-in-force to determine Rayder's intentions and level of threat[4].
Season 2
During a meeting of the Small council in King's Landing, Grand Maester Pycelle reports that a raven has arrived from Castle Black carrying a message from Lord Commander Jeor Mormont. Tyrion reads the letter to Cersei and the other council members, in which Mormont asks for more troops to defend the Wall. Petyr Baelish is dismissive of the wildlings, but Varys explains that they are less "wild" lately, as they have stopped fighting each other and instead have united together under the new King-Beyond-the-Wall, Mance Rayder. Cersei points out that they are in the middle of a massive civil war with more than half of the realm in revolt, and barely have enough troops to defend the capital city, much less send reinforcements to the Wall. Cersei flippantly says that the Night's Watch will have to handle the threat on their own.[5]
According to Ygritte, thousands of Wildlings are gathering in the Frostfang mountains under the command of King-Beyond-the-Wall Mance Rayder, forming the biggest Wildling host in living memory.[6] Ygritte points out to Jon Snow that the Free Folk follow Mance Rayder because they chose him to be King-Beyond-the-Wall, not like people south of the Wall who serve kings and lords because they are the son of the last ruler.[7]
In the books
In the Song of Ice and Fire novels, Mance Rayder is a former member of the Night's Watch who turned his cloak and fled beyond the Wall many years before the beginning of the series. As an outsider, his uniting of the wildling tribes is even more impressive (though technically, Rayder was born a wildling, but given up as an infant to be raised by the Night's Watch).
Previous Kings-Beyond-the-Wall included Raymun Redbeard, who invaded the North some 120 years ago and was stopped by Lord Willam Stark (at the cost of his life) and the Umbers. The most storied King was Joramun, who is said to have lived thousands upon thousands of years ago. According to legend he awoke giants from the earth using a magical horn and made common cause with the King of the North to destroy the Night's King, a formidable and evil sorcerer who had taken over the Night's Watch in its infancy.
See also
- The King-Beyond-the-Wall at A Wiki of Ice and Fire (spoilers from the books).
References
- ↑ Cripples, Bastards and Broken Things
- ↑ A Golden Crown
- ↑ You Win or You Die
- ↑ Fire and Blood
- ↑ "The Night Lands"
- ↑ "The Old Gods and the New"
- ↑ "A Man Without Honor"