Criston Cole

With the Blacks (as Rhaenyra's supporters were called) gathering their troops, Aegon II became frustrated with the inefficiency of his Hand of the King, Ser Otto Hightower, and dismissed him from his position, giving the post to Ser Criston Cole, who had been nicknamed "the Kingmaker". Criston proved to be a more aggressive military leader than Ser Otto and suggested that the Greens go on the offensive. He then led the king's soldiers to Duskendale (where they sacked the city) and Rook's Rest, taking this fortress after a fierce battle. When Prince Aemond Targaryen became Protector of the Realm and Regent after King Aegon II was wounded, Criston remained as king.[6]

Due to conflicting sources, the real reasons that led Criston to support Aegon II are unclear; some believe he supported Aegon out of ambition, believing him to be more controllable than his headstrong half-sister Rhaenyra; Indeed, Aegon II eventually elevated Ser Criston to the position of Hand of the King.[7] However, some say Rhaenyra's personal rejection of him drove them away.[7] But there are those who point to a noble motive for Cole, saying that he defended the old Andal custom where a son always takes precedence over a daughter; or perhaps he did not want to see Rhaenyra's children on the Iron Throne, since Ser Criston believed they were bastards born of adultery.[6] In any case, many lords and nobles of the kingdom were aware of Viserys's desire to have Rhaenyra as his successor and become the first queen in the country's history, thus dividing the kingdoms and leading to a civil war.[7] During a meeting of the small council after the death of King Viserys in 129 AC, Cole slit the throat of Lord Lyman Beesbury, the only member of the council to support Princess Rhaenyra's ascension against Aegon. Criston crowned Aegon II with the iron and ruby ​​crown of Aegon the Conqueror. However, Rhaenyra, who was at Dragonstone at this time, was enraged at having her right usurped and began to gather allies, leading the kingdom into a violent civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. Ser Criston Cole then became one of the main military leaders of the Greens, the faction that supported Aegon II.[6]

Court jester Mushroom tells a different story – that Rhaenyra was taking lessons from her uncle, Prince Daemon, so that she would lose her virginity to Ser Criston, a man she loved, instead of her fiancé, the prominent homosexual Laenor Velaryon. She famously failed to seduce Ser Criston at the White Sword Tower, however, and this led her to seek solace in the arms of Ser Harwin Strong, who became her lover. Be that as it may, Cole ceased to be the princess's loyal friend and developed a strong enmity towards her. When Rhaenyra left for Driftmark, she took Ser Harwin as her sworn shield.[5]

In 114 BC, Ser Criston attended Rhaenyra's wedding to Laenor, which concluded with seven days of feasting and tournaments. Cole fought Queen Alicent's champion and later, during the individual combat tournament, he broke Ser Harwin's collar, which led Mushroom to nickname Rhaenyra's new lover "Bonebreaker". Criston's morningstar also broke the helmet of Ser Joffrey Lonmouth, the Knight of the Kisses, Laenor's favorite, who died six days later. Although many were furious with Criston for this, including King Viserys, Queen Alicent did not share this sentiment and asked Ser Criston to become her sworn shield. Cole became a strong supporter of Alicent from that day forward.[5]

Criston tutored Prince Aemond Targaryen in arms.[5]

Ser Criston was the son of a noble servant of Lord Dondarrion of Blackhaven. He won the single combat at the tournament at Maidenpool to celebrate the ascension of Viserys I Targaryen, drawing the attention of the royal court by knocking the Black Sister from the hands of Prince Daemon Targaryen with his morningstar. He gave the laurel of victory to the seven-year-old Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, whose favor he carried while defeating Daemon in the jousts, as well as the famous Cargyll twins of the Kingsguard, before being unhorsed by Lord Lymond Mallister. King Viserys decided to fulfill his daughter Rhaenyra's wish by naming Criston as his sworn shield. In 105 AC, Criston, who was twenty-three years old, became a member of the Kingsguard, taking the place of the legendary Ser Ryam Redwyne.[5]

Cole won Rhaenyra's favor again during a tournament in 111 AC, where he unhorsed Ser Gwayne Hightower, younger brother and champion of Queen Alicent Hightower, King Viserys' wife.[6] In 112 BC, Ser Criston was still Rhaenyra's champion and companion. The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Harrold Westerling, died that year, and Criston was appointed as his replacement. There was a rumor that Cole had a romantic relationship with Rhaenyra in 113 AC, but nothing was confirmed.[7][5] Septon Eustace said that Ser Criston crept into Rhaenyra's chamber to confess his love for her, offering to elope with her to one of the Free Cities where he would pledge his sword to some merchant prince, but Rhaenyra rejected him, saying that a Targaryen was meant to be more than a mercenary's wife and if he could ignore his vows to the Kingsguard, he could also forget his marriage vows.

Criston had very dark hair and pale green eyes. Many women described him as charming.[2]

Criston was an exceptionally skilled warrior, particularly with his morningstar.[2] He is also known to have wielded a longsword in battle.[3] The "Kingmaker" rode a white horse.[4]

Pseudonym(s) "The Kingmaker" Title(s) Sor Mr. Commander of the Royal Guard Hand of the King Cole House Loyalty Royal Guard The Greens Portonegro Birth, in 82 AD Death 130 AD, south of the Eye of God