Queen's Men

The Queen's Men are the faction of devout followers of R'hllor, the Lord of Light, who serve Stannis Baratheon and his queen, Selyse Baratheon. They are distinguished from the King's Men by their religious fervor, their loyalty to Melisandre, and their advocacy for burning unbelievers as sacrifices to their god. Throughout A Dance with Dragons, they act as a zealous, often disruptive presence at Castle Black, pressing for the conversion of the wildlings and the execution of Stannis's enemies, and they form a significant political and military force within Stannis's camp.

Identity and Composition

The Queen's Men are defined by their faith in R'hllor, a god they believe is the one true deity. They are led by Queen Selyse Baratheon and her uncle, Ser Axell Florent, who styles himself the Queen's Hand. Their most prominent members include knights such as Ser Godry Farring, called the Giantslayer, Ser Clayton Suggs, Ser Corliss Penny, and Ser Richard Horpe, though Horpe is more of a pragmatist than a zealot. The faction is composed of southron knights and lords who abandoned their lands in the south to follow Stannis north, and they have adopted the red god as their own, often more fervently than the king himself. They are a minority within Stannis's overall host, but their influence is outsized due to their proximity to the queen and Melisandre.

Religious Zeal and Practices

The Queen's Men are characterized by their public displays of faith and their intolerance for other religions. They hold nightly prayers around a great fire, chanting, "The night is dark and full of terrors." They are known for their advocacy of human sacrifice, believing that burning unbelievers will appease R'hllor and grant them victory. This is most starkly illustrated during Stannis's march on Winterfell, when the Queen's Men, led by Ser Godry Farring and Ser Clayton Suggs, burn four men for cannibalism, hoping the sacrifice will end the blizzard. Ser Clayton Suggs, in particular, is noted for his cruelty and his desire to burn Asha Greyjoy, whom he calls a "demon worshiper." Their zeal often puts them at odds with the King's Men, who are loyal to Stannis but not to his new god, and with the northmen, who worship the old gods.

Role at Castle Black and in the North

At Castle Black, the Queen's Men are a constant source of tension. They are led by Queen Selyse, who has taken up residence in the King's Tower. They pressure Jon Snow to allow them to convert the wildlings by force, and they are eager to see Val married to one of their own knights, such as Ser Patrek of King's Mountain. They are also deeply suspicious of the wildlings and the Night's Watch's new allies. When Stannis marches south, he leaves a dozen of his men behind to serve Melisandre, but most are greybeards and cripples, as he needs every able sword for his campaign. The Queen's Men's influence wanes in Stannis's absence, but they remain a powerful and vocal faction, constantly reminding Jon Snow of his obligations to their king and their god. During the march on Winterfell, the Queen's Men are the most vocal advocates for pressing on despite the brutal snowstorms, and they are the ones who urge Stannis to make a sacrifice to R'hllor to end the storm. Their presence is a constant reminder of the religious schism within Stannis's cause.

Relationship with Stannis and Melisandre

The Queen's Men are more loyal to Melisandre than to Stannis himself. They see her as the true conduit to R'hllor's power. Stannis tolerates them because he needs their swords, but he is not one of them. He refuses to burn unbelievers on the march, stating, "I will have no burnings." This creates a rift between the king and his most devout followers. The Queen's Men are also at odds with the King's Men, who are loyal to Stannis but not to his new religion. This internal division weakens Stannis's cause, as the two factions distrust each other and often work at cross-purposes. The Queen's Men are a constant source of friction, but they are also a source of fervent, if misguided, loyalty, and they provide Stannis with a core of fighters who are willing to die for their faith.