Staunton (Lord)

"Cole and the royal army first marched north and laid siege to Rook's Rest, a Black stronghold near Dragonstone. When the lord saw their approach, he sent a raven to Rhaenyra begging for help. For days he watched his fields and villages burning, with no response from his queen."

- Viserys Targaryen

Lord Staunton is an unseen character in Game of Thrones. He is not expected to appear in the series, being long dead when it begins.

History
House Staunton was loyal to the Blacks during the Dance of the Dragons, and Rook's Rest came under attack from the royal army led by Ser Criston Cole. When he saw them approach and sent a raven to his Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen on Dragonstone, in which he requested their aid. For days he watched the Green army burn his fields and villages with no reply before the arrival of Rhaenys Targaryen on her dragon Meleys.

In the books
In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Lord Staunton was one of the lesser lord who sat on the black council, a version of the Small Council that advised Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen during the Dance of the Dragons.

Rook's Rest was taken by Aegon II Targaryen and Aemond Targaryen after they killed Rhaenys Targaryen and Meleys with the aid of their dragons Sunfyre and Vhagar. They put the garrison to the sword and decapitated Lord Staunton, taking his head to King's Landing and mounting it above the Old Gate.