Jaime

Biodata

Background / History

Knighthood

At fifteen, Jaime accompanied the campaign against the Kingswood Brotherhood and fought its leader, the Smiling Knight. Despite being outmatched and placed in danger, he refused to retreat. Arthur Dayne intervened, saved him, and killed the outlaw. Impressed by Jaime’s courage, Dayne knighted him on the spot with Dawn 41.

Killing Aerys II

Jaime killed King Aerys Targaryen by stabbing him in the back, earning the reviled name “Kingslayer.” Aerys had placed wildfire beneath King’s Landing and intended to destroy the city; Jaime justified the killing as an act to save its inhabitants 22 41.

Davion rejects that justification as inconsistent with Jaime’s subsequent conduct. In his assessment, Jaime remained silent while Tywin’s forces entered the city and committed atrocities against its people 22.

The Tysha Deception

When Tyrion was thirteen, he and Jaime rescued Tysha from roadside attackers. Jaime pursued the attackers while Tyrion stayed with her. Tyrion and Tysha subsequently fell in love and secretly married 28.

After discovering the marriage, Tywin ordered Jaime to tell Tyrion that Tysha was a prostitute hired as a coming-of-age gift. Jaime delivered the lie guiltily, exploiting the trust Tyrion placed in him. That deception helped enable Tywin’s subsequent abuse of Tysha and left Tyrion believing their relationship had never been genuine 28.

Appearance

Jaime is exceptionally handsome, with sharply defined features and a charming, unabashed smile 31.

• Hair: Short, golden, and neatly trimmed 31.
• Bearing: Often relaxed or languid, even before competition 32 41.
• Public reception: His appearance draws excited attention from noblewomen during the knights’ procession 31.

Personality

Jaime presents himself as confident, teasing, and casually aristocratic. He exchanges friendly barbs with Davion but initially dismisses him as an opponent whose success depends on brute strength. His real ambition at the tourney is to face Barristan Selmy and prove himself against the veteran knight 33 41.

His apparent indifference to public hatred conceals considerable pride and sensitivity. When the crowd chants against him, he responds with a smug smile; Tyrion recognizes the gesture as a defense against humiliation rather than genuine unconcern. After losing to Davion, Jaime’s composure breaks, and he curses his opponent before leaving the grounds 41 42.

Jaime is affectionate and protective toward Tyrion, defending him against an unfair accusation from Tywin and supporting his claim to Casterly Rock. That loyalty is compromised by his earlier obedience to Tywin in the Tysha affair 28 32 33.

He invokes his Kingsguard oath when refusing to leave royal service, but his determination to remain with Cersei is equally decisive. His attachment to her also leaves him unaware that she has other lovers 33 50.

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

Jaime’s principal martial distinction is his swordsmanship. Tyrion calls him the greatest living swordsman in Westeros, and the narration identifies his skill with a sword as the chief source of his military renown 21 41.

• Fought the Smiling Knight at fifteen without retreating, though Arthur Dayne ultimately had to rescue him 41.
• Is acknowledged by Robert, despite the king’s dislike of him, as one of the realm’s foremost fighters 41.

Jousting

Jaime is an accomplished jouster, though his lance work falls short of his swordsmanship. His jousting ability is placed roughly alongside that of Loras Tyrell and Sandor Clegane 41.

• Reached the final of the Hand’s Tourney at Lannisport against Jorah Mormont; they broke nine lances and made dozens of passes before Robert declared Jorah champion 41.
• Recognizes that Davion deliberately feigned losing his balance against Kalen Leygood, demonstrating an experienced eye for mounted combat 38.
• Selects a curved round shield to redirect Davion’s superior strength rather than absorb it directly 41.
• Successfully deflects Davion’s first attack, but cannot adjust when Davion changes his aim on the second pass 41.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Kingsguard armor — Finely made armor that Davion considers valuable enough to demand a substantial ransom after defeating him 32 42.
• Curved round shield — Chosen specifically to deflect the force of Davion’s lance in their semifinal 41.
• Goldenheart jousting lance — An expensive lance that breaks against Davion’s shield during their first pass 41.
• House Lannister banner — Carries the golden lion standard during the knights’ procession, riding abreast of Barristan’s royal stag banner 31.

Relationships

• Cersei Lannister — Twin sister and lover. Jaime promises to remain with her rather than return to Casterly Rock. Cersei regards him as both a source of security and someone she can control; he mistakenly believes he is her only lover 33 42 50.
• Tyrion Lannister — Younger brother. Jaime defends his attendance at the tourney, proposes him as heir to Casterly Rock, and treats him with indulgent affection. Tyrion’s deep trust in Jaime makes the lie about Tysha especially damaging 21 28 32 33.
• Tywin Lannister — Father, who wants Jaime to leave the Kingsguard and assume responsibility for Casterly Rock. Jaime refuses despite Tywin’s anger 33.
• Davion Whent — Tyrion’s friend and Jaime’s tournament opponent. Jaime initially judges him an unpromising pleasure-seeker, later recognizes his ability, and ultimately resents him after being defeated 33 38 42.
• Arthur Dayne — Rescued Jaime from the Smiling Knight and bestowed his knighthood 41.
• Barristan Selmy — Fellow Kingsguard knight and the opponent Jaime hopes to face to test his own prowess 31 41.
• Robert Baratheon — Reigning king whom Jaime guards. Robert openly dislikes him, delights in his tournament defeat, and requires his attendance despite his injury 41 42 48.

Story Role / Major Arcs

The Hand’s Tourney and Casterly Rock Dispute

Jaime leads the knights’ procession beside Barristan Selmy. His Lannister banner rides level with the royal standard, angering Robert and Jon Arryn; Davion interprets the display as a challenge to royal authority 31 32.

At Tywin’s tent, Jaime refuses an order to resign from the Kingsguard and take over Casterly Rock. He proposes Tyrion instead, provoking Tywin’s fury. Afterward, Jaime reassures Cersei that he will not leave her 33.

Defeat by Davion

After watching Davion defeat Kalen Leygood, Jaime revises his initial low opinion of Tyrion’s friend. He later considers offering Davion knighthood, but doubts that an honorable candidate would accept it from the Kingslayer 38 40.

Jaime’s defeat enrages Cersei and contributes to her interest in confronting Davion. Although injured, Jaime subsequently accompanies Robert at the Blackwater Rush camp, preventing a planned night with Cersei; she summons Davion to her bedchamber instead 42 48.

Notable Quotes

“Father, I have told you many times. I swore an oath when I became a member of the Kingsguard. I will never break it.” 33

“Give the lordship of Casterly Rock to Tyrion. He is better suited to it than I am!” 33

“Earl Davion, be careful. I won't go easy on you just because you're Tyrion's friend.” 41