This is because taking the black forgives a man of any of his previous misdeeds, and the fact that brothers serve for life makes it a convenient way to get rid of political rivals, unwanted bastards, or lawbreakers taking up space in the dungeons. Brothers of the Night's Watch also customarily sever ties with their families, to remove the temptation for them to return to their old lives.ĭespite its noble roots though, the organization's ranks are now largely filled by criminals, the impoverished, and those who have found themselves on the losing end of a war.
This sacred oath pledges recruits to a lifetime of service in the Watch, with desertion punishable by death. When joining the Night's Watch (commonly referred to as "taking the black," due to the black cloaks of the uniform), recruits swear a vow before a heart tree or in a sept. Only three of the castles remain manned, with the Night's Watch commanding fewer than 600 men by Season 5.
By the events of Game of Thrones, even the Night's Watch itself has forgotten its original mission, and now focuses mainly on containing Wildling raids.Īs a result, their importance in the eyes of the noble families of the Seven Kingdoms has continued to shrink, and the Watch has fallen into a sharp decline. In the years since then though, as the White Walkers faded from memory into myth, and eventually, into children's stories, the influence of the Night's Watch has dwindled. It was once considered a great honor to serve in the Watch, and many nobleborn men gladly joined the order. Subsequently, a Stark known as Bran the Builder erected the Wall, along with 19 castles that the Night's Watch would man for thousands of years to come.Īt the height of its power, the Watch commanded 10,000 soldiers, along with horses, servants, and a fleet of ships. This culminated in a legendary engagement known as the Battle for the Dawn that finally ended the war after years of fighting.Īccording to the stories, the survivors of this battle went on to found the Night's Watch, with the goal of never again allowing the White Walkers to threaten the people of Westeros. Their march was eventually halted by an alliance between the First Men and the Children of the Forest, after the discovery that Dragonglass could kill the White Walkers. Following some unknown agenda, these creatures and their armies advanced southward, destroying all in their path. This era was known as The Long Night, and was marked by the emergence of the White Walkers from the far north. In a time known as The Age of Heroes, a winter that lasted an entire generation fell upon Westeros.
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