Game of Thrones Season 8: What do we know about the Golden Company?

September 12th, 1:20am September 12th, 1:20am Abhinav Pathak22, Game of Thrones geek, Passionate Fiction Writer and the author of ‘Gopalkant’s Wife’.

In the last episode of the seventh season, Cersei Lannister truly proved how much she has turned into her father Tywin Lannister in terms of political decision making and diplomacy. She truly showed how far she can go to achieve her ambition of being the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, whether it was breaking faith with Jon and Daenerys or even her brother – Jaime Lannister. She took a smart move on her part, conspiring with Euron Greyjoy – shipping him off to Essos in order to make a deal with the Golden Company. With the sellsword company being brought into the game in the Final Season, there’s much to speculate on the end-game.

Let’s talk about what role the Golden Company can play in Game of Thrones Season 8, and what we already know about them, taking references from the books and the TV show:

# It was founded by a Targaryen bastard:

The Golden Company was founded by Aegor Rivers aka Bittersteel. He was a bastard son of King Aegon IV Targaryen and one of the survivors of the First Blackfyre Rebellion – a Targaryen civil war. He earlier worked with the Second Sons. Later in his life, he formed his own sellswords company – the Golden Company.

# They have never broken a contract:

The Golden Company has maintained a long reputation of never breaking a contract. It is also mentioned in the show a couple of times. Even Ser Davos Seaworth established this while advising Stannis Baratheon.

Davos: “Westeros is not the world, your grace. We need to look east for ships and men. Ten thousand skilled soldiers fight for the Golden Company.”

Stannis: “The Golden Company?!”

Davos: “They’ve never broken a contract.”

Stannis: “They’re sellswords!”

Davos: “We’re willing to use blood magic to put you on the throne, but we’re not willing to pay men to fight?!”

This proves that the Golden Company has long been known for upholding their pledge and their loyalty is entrusted by many. Even their motto is “Our word is as good as gold.”  Considering they’ll support Cersei in the final season who knows what havoc will they can bring in for Jon and Daenerys.

# Ser Jorah Mormont previously worked with the Golden Company:

Before joining Daenerys’ cause, Ser Jorah Mormont spent his days in exile in Essos. He was exiled from the Seven Kingdoms by Eddard Stark after finding out that the former sold poachers into slavery. Thanks to Daenerys, we learn in the fourth season that Jorah was himself a part of the Golden Company.  This may turn out to be an advantage for Dany as her most trusted advisor knows the potential enemy very well.

# Their leader is Harry Strickland:

Harry Strickland is the captain-general of the company. He is considered to be a coward by many of the lieutenants and commanders. In the books, the Golden Company has already invaded Westeros and has taken Storm’s End and is planning on invading King’s Landing next. But during the invasion, Harry is all weary and reluctant to fight which upsets Jon Connington. German actor Marc Rissmann is all set to play the role of Harry Strickland in Game of Thrones Season 8. The actor is known for playing some badass characters in TV series like The Last Kingdom, Into the Badlands, and Riviera. So, can we expect Rissman to play a fantastic role in Game of Thrones too and change the un-warrior-kind image of Harry Strickland as known in the books?

# They support Aegon Targaryen aka Young Griff in the books:

In the book series, the Golden Company is supporting Young Griff – Aegon Targaryen, the first-born son of Rhaegar as he presents himself to be (probably, he’s just an imposter!). Well, this ‘Aegon’ name really confuses me as it runs quite often in House Targaryen, just like ‘Brandon’ in the Stark family. So, let’s just call him Young Griff. So, many book readers might know that Varys is supporting him in the books and even brags to Kevan Lannister that he had switched him away, right before the Sack of King’s Landing. Griff has already invaded Westeros on the advice of Tyrion Lannister and has successfully taken Storm’s End.

With the revelation of Jon’s true name and heritage in Season 7 and the show leaving out Young Griff’s storyline from the TV series, is it possible that the Golden Company will now back Jon Snow up after knowing his heritage?

What do you think will be the role of the Golden Company in Game of Thrones Season 8? Talk to us in the comments section down below.

© Wiki Of Thrones