Everyone might be focused on Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, and Cersei Lannister to take the Iron Throne, but there’s a new group on the playing field who could pose a significant threat.
The latest trailer for the final season of Game Of Thrones debuted The Golden Company; a new army recruited by Cersei Lannister to help her bid in the battle for the throne.
But why should you be concerned about Cersei’s new lackeys? Here’s what you need to know about The Golden Company.
Have we heard about this Golden Company before?
In season seven, Cersei appeared to make a temporary truce with Jon Snow and Daenerys to unite against the White Walkers. This, however, as she revealed to Jaime, was a tactical ploy she plans to take advantage of in the battles ahead.
The end of the season saw her send Euron Greyjoy to retrieve The Golden Company army who reside in Essos. Cersei’s acquisition of this army took place after speaking with the Iron Bank’s Tycho Nestoris (Mark Gatiss) earlier in the season, stating how she needed an army, and noted Qyburn (Anton Lesser) had made ‘overtures’ to The Golden Company.
Before this, The Golden Company were mentioned way back in season four, when Davos suggested to Stannis to hire the group, highlighting their reputation as one of the most skilled armies around.
Interestingly, Jorah Mormont also once fought for The Golden Company before pledging his sword to Daenerys’ brother Viserys.
So who actually are The Golden Company?
Originating from Essos, The Golden Company are the largest sellsword company (private army) in the Free Cities. The army consists of 10,000 men, including archers, cavalry and massive war elephants.
In the Game Of Thrones books, The Golden Company was founded one hundred years before the War Of The Five Kings by Aegor Rivers, otherwise known as Bittersteel.
Aegor, one of the bastard sons of King Aegon IV Targaryen, fled Westeros after the first Blackfyre Rebellion and established his own sellsword company to revive House Blackfyre’s fighting force.
Who leads The Golden Company?
In season eight, the army is led by Harry Strickland (Marc Rissman) who is briefly glimpsed from behind in the recent trailer.
Harry’s great-grandfather was part of the original Blackfyre group who founded The Golden Company. His connection to the army’s lineage perhaps explains his high ranking, considering he’s not exactly held with high regard among his men due to his less than stellar fighting skills and timid personality.
So why should I care, quite honestly?
Have you not been paying attention? With the White Walkers barrelling into Westeros with their seemingly unstoppable army, The Golden Company potentially hold the only chance of turning the odds – hence why Cersei might be feeling pretty smug with herself.
The bigger question is, as essentially hired goons, whether they’ll remain firm in their allegiance with House Lannister. As the future of all races in Westeros is threatened, we can see a shift in sides if Cersei becomes obsessed with taking down Daenerys and Jon Snow over their White Walker invaders.
The balance of power? It could all pivot on The Golden Company.
Game Of Thrones season eight kicks off 14 April 2019.
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