They were outlawed during the Faith Militant uprising, however. The Warrior's Sons were a military order of knights who gave up worldly possessions and swore their service to the High Septon. Knighthood can also be stripped from individuals, through attainder or royal decree. Instead of being the Lord of Griffin's Roost, the head of House Connington is now known as the Knight of Griffin's Roost. The Conningtons, originally a lordly house, were reduced to landed knights by King Robert I Baratheon as a punishment for Lord Jon Connington's participation in Robert's Rebellion on the side of House Targaryen. Lordly houses can be reduced to landed knights as punishment from the crown. Such a peculiar status if often reflected by taking a style that incorporates the name of their castle, such as the Knight of Ninestars. Especially landed knights who come from ancient houses, and who have extensive lands and a large, strong castle may actually be more powerful than many smaller lordlings. It is certainly possible that a landed knight has more lands and wealth than a small lord.

And although knights are often ranked below lords, certain landed knights might actually be more powerful than lesser lords. However, the title of a knight has its own prestige, as it cannot be inherited. It is mostly the title which sets the two apart, as the title of lord is generally considered to be more prestigious than the title “ser”. Īlthough lords hold certain legal rights (e.g., the right of pit and gallows) which knights do not have, and outrank knights at tourney’s and feasts, certain landed knights can be lord in all but name. Receiving your knighthood from a king, prince, Kingsguard knight, or legendary knight holds great prestige. įurther, a young knight's repute partially derives from the honor of the man who conferred knighthood on him.

For example, Lord Caswell of Bitterbridge had his only son and heir, a weakling, knighted. Regardless, at times, a lord's son is knighted without fulfilling the requirements. Doing otherwise would lose honor rather than gain it, and would make a lord and his family be held up to ridicule. Knighthood is seen as primarily a martial position, so even the sons of powerful lords are not necessarily knighted if they are incapable of fulfilling the requirements. Social pressure keeps knighthood from being exploited by unscrupulous knights who might give the accolade for money. A knight of House Florent by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight GamesĪny man can be knighted, no matter their birth.