House of Dragon: What Is Night Watch? Was Daemon Targaryen Part of It?

“Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children.

By Rishabh Shandilya
September 13,2022
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“Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. I shall live and die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life and honor to the Night’s Watch, for this night and all the nights to come.”

Remember this oath, Yes it’s a Night Watch’s oath. Throughout both Game of Thrones, and House of the Dragons, we’ve heard whispers and mentions of Night’s Watch. We know that John snow during his initial years was sent to Night Watch, as well as Daemon Targaryen who was ordered to join the city’s watch of Kings Landing on the orders of his brother who stripped him or his ranks of master of coins.

Night Watch
Night Watch in Game of Thrones

But what exactly is Night’s Watch, and why Daemon was dismissed and ordered to join the ranks? Let’s find out.

What Is Night’s Watch?

The Night’s Watch is an order of devoted warriors sworn to protect the Seven Kingdoms from the threats that linger outside the Wall, the massive barrier that marks the northern frontier of the human domains.

The origins of the brotherhood may be traced to the era of the Heroes, during which the Others were finally repelled. Soldiers of the Night’s Watch are referred to as “black brothers” due to their uniform of all-black clothing. Members of the Watch are known to “take the black” when they enlist.

The Wall
The Wall in Game of Thrones

The force basically consists of 3 departments, The Rangers are responsible for fighting, defending the Barrier, and patrolling the Haunted Forest; the Builders are responsible for maintaining the Wall as well as the fortresses, and the Stewards are responsible for providing food and supplies to the soldiers of the Night’s Watch.

Was Prince Daemon Sent To The Watch?

Daemon Targaryen
Daemon Targaryen in House of Dragon

Many fans are confused about whether the rogue prince was part of the Night’s Watch or not. No Daemon was never sent away to join the Night’s Watch. Instead, his brother Viserys has ordered him to join the City’s watch which is a union of soldiers responsible for the protection of the King’s Landing.

Daemon was master of coin till 104 A.C., and then master of laws for half a year. Nevertheless, Daemon was unimpressed with the process of administration, and the prince’s attitude rendered him an adversary of Ser Otto Hightower, who also served as Viserys’s Hand and had persuaded King Viserys to dismiss the prince from the small council. Commander of the King’s Landing City Watch, Daemon quickly rose through the ranks and remained there for two years, much to Otto’s dismay. With 2,000 men under his control, Daemon’s influence only grew.

Many of the City Watch’s regulars were won over by Daemon’s charisma, and he was able to get them better weapons and training as a result. Because he outfitted each soldier with a yellow cloak, that unit soon became renowned as the Gold Cloaks. Under Daemon’s leadership, crime dropped dramatically, most likely as a result of his penchant for meting out severe penalties to petty criminals.

Daemon Targaryen
Daemon Targaryen and Golden Cloak

Daemon became well-known among the Flea Bottom underworld, including the cutpurses, whores, and gamblers, where he earned a shady reputation. He met a whore Mysaria, or “Misery” as her adversaries called her. Daemon proclaimed himself “Prince of the City,” but he was really regarded as “Lord Flea Bottom” by the people of King’s Landing.