The Warden of the South

The Warden of the South is a title of supreme military authority in the Seven Kingdoms, traditionally held by the Lord of Highgarden, the head of House Tyrell. The title grants its bearer command over the armed forces of the Reach, one of the most populous and fertile regions of Westeros, in the name of the Iron Throne. During the events of A Dance with Dragons, the title is held by Mace Tyrell, who uses it to bolster his position as King Tommen's Hand and to advance the interests of his house.

Origins and Authority

The title of Warden of the South is one of four great wardenships of Westeros, alongside the Warden of the North, the Warden of the East, and the Warden of the West. These positions were created to give the Iron Throne regional military commanders capable of mobilizing forces quickly in times of war. The Warden of the South commands the armies of the Reach, a region known for its chivalric traditions, powerful lords, and vast agricultural wealth. The title is not hereditary by law but has been held by House Tyrell for generations, making it effectively a Tyrell prerogative.

Mace Tyrell as Warden of the South

Mace Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden, is the Warden of the South during the War of the Five Kings and its aftermath. He uses the title to assert his authority and to claim a leading role in the governance of the realm. When Ser Kevan Lannister convenes the small council after Cersei's walk of atonement, Mace Tyrell is present as both Hand of the King and Warden of the South, a combination that gives him immense influence. He is described as seated on an oaken throne carved in the shape of a hand, a vanity he had produced after Ser Kevan agreed to grant him the office of Hand. His authority as Warden is invoked in discussions of military strategy, particularly regarding the threat posed by the Golden Company's landing in the south. Mace insists that he will deal with the sellswords and the pretender Aegon Targaryen in due time, asserting his role as the realm's defender in the south.

The Title in the Context of the Reach's Power

The Warden of the South is not merely a ceremonial title; it carries real military weight. The Reach is the most populous of the Seven Kingdoms, and its lords can field the largest armies. Mace Tyrell's possession of the title, combined with his position as Hand, makes him the most powerful single lord in King's Landing after the regent. His bannermen, such as Randyll Tarly and Paxter Redwyne, are among the most capable commanders in Westeros. The title also gives Mace a claim to lead the defense of the realm against external threats, a claim he uses to justify his slow response to the Golden Company's invasion, preferring to wait until his daughter Margaery's trial is concluded before marching south.

The Title's Significance in the Narrative

The Warden of the South serves as a symbol of the Tyrells' ambition and their central role in the politics of the Iron Throne. Mace Tyrell's insistence on the title and his use of it to demand precedence in council meetings reflect the growing power of Highgarden and the increasing dependence of the Lannisters on Tyrell support. The title also highlights the fragility of the Lannister-Tyrell alliance, as Mace's ambitions often clash with those of the Lannister regent, Ser Kevan. The Warden of the South is thus both a military office and a political tool, wielded by Mace Tyrell to secure his family's dominance in the realm.