Harry Strickland

Harry's great-grandfather joined the revolt that raised Daemon Blackfyre against King Daeron II Targaryen. Defeat cost him his lands, and House Strickland had to leave the Seven Kingdoms alongside Bittersteel.

Son, grandson and great-grandson all grew up in Essos, within the company formed by the exiles, and Harry likes to recall that his family has been "golden for four generations".

For years Harry handled the company's accounts; when its captain-general died, he took command and passed that paymaster's post to another of his men.

As captain he had Rolly Duckfield as his squire, whom he eventually sent to Jon Connington to train Prince Aegon Targaryen in arms. Watkyn then became his new squire and cupbearer.

Camped three miles south of Volon Therys, Harry joined his army to that of Jon Connington and Prince Aegon Targaryen. When the company set out for the Seven Kingdoms, he seemed weary and reluctant to fight.

Connington, who never fully trusted him, always took him for a coward.

Harry is a stout man with a big, round head, grey eyes and thinning grey hair he combs sideways to hide his baldness.

He often complains of the blisters long marches leave on his feet, is not a man quick to draw steel, and has a soft spot for the company's elephants.

In the television adaptation Harry's story ends differently: there he dies in the year 305 AC, an outcome with no equivalent in the novels, where he remains alive.