The men of the Night’s Watch enjoy a lot of screen time in Game of Thrones. If the series fit a more traditional TV structure, Jon Snow would likely be the central hero. His journey takes him through the trials of service under the black brotherhood. Life with the crows is harsh and unforgiving, but their strict rules provide purpose for those who may lack it. The Night’s Watch has three orders, each of which performs specific duties to serve their cause.
George R. R. Martin loves to explore the implications of a decision. Very few things exist in his world without adequate justification from every logical perspective. Questions of logistics, historical implications, and non-combat roles often fall between the cracks in fictional universes. Martin always thinks about how the armies get their food before they fight.
Who are the Rangers of the Night’s Watch?
The order of rangers is the central fighting force of the Night’s Watch. They have the most dangerous task among the crows. Rangers learn to ride and fight, mounting workhorses to travel far beyond the Wall. Their quests often see them struggling against the elements for long periods of time. Rangers are the most likely group to encounter the Free Folk, leading to frequent battles. When a newcomer reaches the black brotherhood, they typically dream of becoming a ranger. It’s what most young men of Westeros imagine when they consider the Night’s Watch. Conversely, the Free Folk despise the rangers with a special distaste. Many wildlings wear ranger armor after meeting and killing them in the woods. The gradual decline of manpower in the Night’s Watch has adversely affected patrols, allowing Free Folk and other issues to propagate in the forest. Nevertheless, the rangers monitor the Wall with endless vigilance and commendable bravery.
Every Night’s Watch order has a commanding officer who reports to the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. The First Ranger is Benjen Stark, Eddard Stark’s youngest brother. Benjen took the black without explanation, willingly leaving Winterfell for the Wall despite his family’s station. He held the castle in the North during Robert’s Rebellion but became a ranger after his brother helped overthrow the Targaryen dynasty. Benjen quickly rose through the ranks as a skilled ranger, allowing him to take command. Ben disappears after taking a small group to search for missing rangers beyond the Wall. The other notable ranger in Game of Thrones is Mance Rayder, the King-Beyond-the-Wall, who grew up among Night’s Watch raiders. Mance abandoned the Shadow Tower after a wildling woman showed him kindness. Most of the other named rangers in the series appear briefly.
Who are the Stewards of the Night’s Watch?
The order of stewards handles the more mundane tasks of the Night’s Watch. The central goal of the black brotherhood is to defend the Wall, prompting every crow to take up a blade in times of danger. Despite that mandate, the rangers are the only group who make fighting part of their day-to-day routine. Stewards fulfill every critical need on the Wall and in the surrounding castles. They hunt, render, and cook food for their brothers. Stewards tend horses and maintain weaponry to ensure preparedness. It’s up to them to keep the rangers safe and warm by cutting firewood and mending clothing. Their tasks might be less exciting, but the Night’s Watch cannot function without the stewards.
Jon Snow and Samwell Tarly become stewards when they join the Night’s Watch. They’re each appointed personal stewards to a high-ranking brother. Jon serves Lord Commander Jeor Mormont, a position that suggests a leadership position in his future. Sam, meanwhile, works for Maester Aemon Targaryen, the longtime scholar and healer of Castle Black. Their quests take them far beyond the work they entered the Night’s Watch with, but their tasks remain endlessly important. Many stewards stay behind when Jeor Mormont leads 200 men into the forest from Castle Black. Jon Snow’s experience grants him a positive reputation with many, including Maester Aemon, who says this:
He has proved himself valiant, loyal, and resourceful. Were it not for him, you would have found Mance Rayder sitting here when you arrived, Lord Slynt. You are doing him a great wrong. Jon Snow was Lord Mormont’s own steward and squire. He was chosen for that duty because the Lord Commander saw much promise in him. As do I.
Who are the Builders of the Night’s Watch?
The final order of the Night’s Watch is the simplest. The builders are the masons, carpenters, miners, and woodsmen who maintain the Wall and its surrounding castles. The Wall is a massive architectural feat that may have involved the work of giants and forest wizards to construct. The builders repair any cracks and reinforce any areas where the ice may melt. Beyond the Wall, Night’s Watch builders work on the three manned castles their brothers occupy. Like other Night’s Watch brothers, they take up arms when necessary and spend their time fixing broken things between conflicts. Very few Night’s Watch builders get names. Their leader is Othell Yarwyck, a man who rarely lets his mind stray from wood and stone.
The Night’s Watch has jobs beyond their three orders. Arguably, the nicest gig in the brotherhood is that of a “wandering crow” recruiter. Some travel the Seven Kingdoms to bring more men to the Wall, while others operate the places of worship in the castles. Every man of the Night’s Watch does his part, even if they rarely take up a sword. Rangers, stewards, and builders may not gain equal attention, but they’re all necessary parts of the brotherhood.
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