Kingsguard

The Kingsguard is an elite formation of seven knights, supposedly the greatest and most skilled warriors in all of Westeros. Their duty is to protect the King and the royal family from harm at all times. Members of the Kingsguard are sworn for life and are forbidden from owning land, taking a wife and fathering children.

Members of the Kingsguard wear gold plate and scale armor with white detailing and white armor.

The Kingsguard is led by the Lord Commander, currently Sandor Clegane. The Lord Commander appears to have no marks on his armor to distinguish him from other members.

Roster
The members of the Kingsguard under Robert I :


 * Ser Barristan Selmy, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
 * Ser Boros Blount.
 * Ser Preston Greenfield.
 * Ser Mandon Moore.
 * Ser Jaime Lannister.
 * Ser Arys Oakheart.
 * Ser Meryn Trant.

And the members of the Kingsguard under Joffrey I :


 * Sandor Clegane, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
 * Ser Boros Blount.
 * Ser Preston Greenfield.
 * Ser Mandon Moore.
 * Ser Arys Oakheart.
 * Ser Meryn Trant.
 * Jaime Lannister

In the books
In the Song of Ice and Fire novels, the Kingsguard, also called the White Swords, were founded by King Aegon the Conqueror after his conquest of Westeros. Over the three centuries since then, many famous and legendary knights have joined its ranks, including members of the Great Houses. The Kingsguard of King Aerys II Targaryen is particularly famed for its mighty warriors, including Prince Lewyn Martell of Dorne, Ser Arthur Dayne, Lord Commander Gerold Hightower and Ser Oswell Whent. The current roster is held to be inferior, the result of political appointments made to appease other houses rather than being selected for valor and skill at arms. The retaining of Ser Jaime Lannister in the group after his murder of King Aerys during the civil war is particularly controversial.