Jaime

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Jaime Lannister
Alias(es)	Kingslayer; White Knight; Godslayer
Gender	Male
Affiliation	House Lannister; Kingsguard (formerly); Night's Watch
Occupation/Role	Former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard; knight; Night's Watchman
Status	Alive; returns from Beyond the Wall severely wounded 695
First Appearance	5

Background

Jaime served four years as squire to Lord Sumner Crakehall and was knighted at fifteen by Ser Arthur Dayne for valor during the campaign against the Kingswood Brotherhood. That same year, King Aerys II selected him for the Kingsguard. 317 422

During the fall of King's Landing, Jaime killed Aerys II beneath the Iron Throne after learning that the king intended to burn the city with wildfire. He was pardoned by Robert Baratheon, but gained the lasting name Kingslayer. 305 317

His choice to wear the white cloak removed him from the succession to Casterly Rock, making Tyrion House Lannister's lawful heir under Westerosi inheritance law. Jaime later admitted that he had accepted the Kingsguard appointment primarily for Cersei rather than honor alone. 121 422

Appearance

Jaime is a notably handsome Lannister knight whose confidence and martial bearing draw attention even without armor. 5 54

• Brilliant golden hair, often described as flowing in the wind. 54 145
• Green eyes. 90
• Usually appears in silver Kingsguard armor and a white cloak; his armor is sometimes gilded. 104 145
• Wears Lannister red when not in Kingsguard dress. 54 317
• Later adopts the black clothing and cloak of the Night's Watch. 648 649

Personality

Jaime projects high-spirited confidence and takes pride in his skill with a sword. He prefers direct action to political maneuvering, openly considering himself better suited to errands and martial matters than court intrigue. 5 7 30

His devotion to Cersei frequently overrides his judgment. He reacts fiercely to threats against her, distrusts those he believes are close to her, and repeatedly struggles to separate his personal loyalty from his Kingsguard vows. 25 90 169

Despite his arrogance, Jaime is protective of Tyrion and capable of reflection. Tyrion's peril drives him to confront Tywin and offer to abandon the white cloak in exchange for Tyrion's life. Later, guilt over Aerys, the Kingsguard's decline, and his own choices motivates him to seek redemption through reforming the order and serving at the Wall. 305 362 395 559

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

Jaime is a master swordsman, knighted for battlefield valor and widely regarded as one of the realm's foremost fighters. 30 317

• Defeated Daemon Sand in a duel despite Daemon's greater arm strength, using superior technique, speed, and calm defense. 650
• Personally led the pursuit of Ser Marq Piper and fought during his attempted escape from Riverrun. 222 231
• Killed numerous Sparrows during the assault on the Great Sept of Baelor with fierce, precise swordsmanship. 478
• Was pushed into exhaustion by Gryn Crabb in a prolonged sparring match, showing that endurance can limit him against exceptional opponents. 422

Military Command

Jaime has talent as a battlefield commander, though his impatience and strategic errors have had severe consequences. 30 222

• Led 15,000 Westerlands soldiers against Riverrun and routed Edmure Tully's 16,000-man Riverlands force. 222
• Divided his army while pursuing Ser Marq Piper, allowing Robb Stark to ambush and capture him. 222
• Commanded three hundred Lannister Red Cloaks in the attack on the Sparrows at the Great Sept. 472 478
• Organizes the Kingsguard's duties, including anti-poisoning measures, troop leadership in the Riverlands, and monthly martial challenges. 326 402

Kingsguard Leadership

As Lord Commander, Jaime becomes increasingly concerned with the honor and competence of the Kingsguard.

• Questioned Ser Osmund Kettleblack's background and fitness for the white cloak. 326
• Intended to remove unworthy members and restore the order's former glory. 395
• Recorded Ser Balon Swen's attempted assassination of Brynden Tully in the White Book rather than concealing the dishonor. 439
• Recognized that restoring an institution was more difficult than winning with a sword. 395

Diplomacy

Though less politically gifted than Tywin, Jaime develops greater patience in negotiations.

• Offered House Lannister's support for Mace Tyrell as Hand of the King and for Margaery Tyrell's continued betrothal to the king. 460
• Defended Gryn Crabb's standing and advised Ser Daven Lannister to treat him as a respected commander rather than an upstart. 419

Equipment

• Longsword — Jaime's principal weapon throughout his service as a Kingsguard and Night's Watchman.
• White cloak and gilded Kingsguard armor — Worn during his service in the Kingsguard. 145
• Longclaw — A Valyrian steel sword loaned to Jaime by King Gryn for a dangerous northern mission. 672
• Black cloak — Worn after his exile to the Night's Watch. 648

Relationships

• Cersei Lannister — Twin sister and lover. Jaime's devotion to her shapes his choices, while their relationship repeatedly conflicts with his vows and sense of honor. 23 169 391
• Tyrion Lannister — Younger brother. Jaime protects Tyrion within House Lannister, supports him during his trial, and helps him escape through a secret passage. 35 362 364
• Tywin Lannister — Father. Tywin favors Jaime as his heir, while Jaime resents being treated as an instrument of family succession. 35 362
• Ser Kevan Lannister — Uncle and adviser. Kevan urges Jaime to protect Tyrion and later criticizes Jaime for abandoning his inherited duties. 317
• Lancel Lannister — Cousin. Jaime offers Lancel encouragement as a young Lannister but later clashes with him over Lancel's religious devotion and rejection of his family identity. 99 415
• Joffrey Baratheon — Jaime reflects on Joffrey as his son and fears that the boy resembles Aerys II. 326
• Ser Barristan Selmy — Former Lord Commander. Barristan strongly opposes Jaime succeeding him because of the Kingslaying. 169
• Gryn Crabb — Political ally, rival swordsman, and eventual confidant. Gryn supports Jaime's search for honor, while Jaime comes to respect Gryn's conception of justice and promises future aid. 169 422 703
• Daemon Sand — Dornish avenger who challenges Jaime to a duel; Jaime defeats him and binds him to join the Night's Watch. 649 650

Story Role / Major Arcs

Service to Cersei and the Lannisters

At the beginning of the story, Jaime acts as Cersei's closest defender and messenger. His jealousy toward Gryn Crabb and impatience with courtly intrigue reveal how personally he treats threats to her influence. 7 25 31

When Eddard Stark rejects Joffrey's claim, Jaime stands beside Cersei at the Iron Throne. He later fights Eddard and Jory Cassel during the battle in the throne room, where Eddard forces him to his knees. 163 164

Lord Commander of the Kingsguard

Cersei removes Barristan Selmy and appoints Jaime as Lord Commander. Jaime immediately doubts whether an oathbreaker deserves the role and considers leaving King's Landing to find his lost sense of self. 169

He later reads his own short White Book entry and decides that, from then on, he will write his own history. 317

Capture in the Riverlands

Jaime routs Edmure Tully's army outside Riverrun, but his pursuit of Ser Marq Piper leads him into Robb Stark's ambush in the Whispering Wood. He is captured alongside many Westerlands knights. 222

A rescue operation organized through false peace envoys briefly frees him, but he is recaptured after encountering Edmure during the escape. He is then transferred to a dungeon and heavily shackled. 231

Tyrion's Trial

When Tyrion faces execution, Jaime confronts Tywin and offers to surrender his white cloak and resume his position as heir to Casterly Rock if Tyrion is spared. Tywin accepts immediately. 362

Jaime then helps Tyrion escape through a hidden tunnel, following arrangements made by Gryn Crabb. 364

Cersei's Death and Exile

After Cersei's death, Jaime leads the Lannister Red Cloaks against the High Sparrow and the armed Sparrows at the Great Sept. He treats the attack as personal vengeance. 478 481

The Small Council later convicts him of harming innocents, strips him of the Kingsguard title, and exiles him to the Wall to take the black. 484

The Night's Watch and Beyond the Wall

At Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, Jaime reunites with Tyrion and Lancel while adjusting to life among the Night's Watch. 559

He defeats Daemon Sand in a duel that forces Daemon to join the Watch, then accepts Longclaw from King Gryn for a mission connected to the coming war between the living and the dead. 650 672

Jaime returns from Beyond the Wall severely wounded; only five men return from the two ranger parties, while Daemon Sand and Jorah Mormont are confirmed dead. 695

Notable Quotes

“A Lannister always pays his debts!” 117

“From this day onward, he would write his own path.” 317

“I will make you—make everyone—see the supreme glory of the Kingsguard.” 395

“Calmness is a knight's sharpest blade.” 650