Harwin Strong
Ser Harwin Strong, called Breakbones, was a knight of House Strong who served as a captain of the City Watch of King's Landing during the reign of Viserys I Targaryen.
The eldest son of Lord Lyonel Strong, lord of Harrenhal, he was said to be one of the strongest men in Westeros, and in time became a constant presence at the side of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, heir to the Iron Throne.
Chapter 1
The captain of the City Watch
105–112 ACBooks and show
Harwin was the eldest son of Lord Lyonel Strong, lord of Harrenhal, and had a younger brother, Larys, and two sisters. When his father was named Master of Laws by King Viserys I in the year 105, the whole family moved with him to King's Landing.
There Harwin joined the City Watch and rose to command as one of its captains. By 112 he was already counted among the suitors circling Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, her father's chosen heir.
Chapter 2
The princess's favor
113–115 ACBooks and show
According to the fool Mushroom, in 113 Harwin was returning from a night of revelry in the city when he crossed paths with Rhaenyra, freshly spurned by Ser Criston Cole. By his account, she found comfort in Harwin and the two ended up in bed together. Soon after, he and his sisters escorted the princess to Driftmark aboard the Sea Snake.
The following year Rhaenyra married Ser Laenor Velaryon, and at the wedding tourney she granted her favor to Harwin before the whole court. In that same tourney Criston Cole broke his collarbone and elbow, earning him the mocking name Brokenbones. From then on he was rarely far from Rhaenyra's side.
Septon Eustace claims that when the princess's second son, Lucerys, was born, both her husband Laenor and Harwin were present at her side.
Chapter 3
The fire at Harrenhal
115–120 ACBooks and show
As tension with the Green faction grew, Rhaenyra moved to Dragonstone and Harwin followed her as her sworn shield, a post he held for the following years.
In 120 Prince Aemond Targaryen called Rhaenyra's sons "Strongs" during an argument that turned violent. King Viserys I stripped Harwin of his post at the princess's side and sent him back to Harrenhal; Ser Erryk Cargyll took his place.
Not long after, Harwin died in a fire at Harrenhal that also killed his father, Lord Lyonel. The blaze was blamed on the castle's curse, though suspects said to have set it included Prince Daemon Targaryen, Lord Corlys Velaryon, his own brother Larys, and even King Viserys I himself.