Criston Cole The Kingmaker Life And History | HBO House Of The Dragon History & Lore 

Apparently, Jamie in the books had made a comment on Ser Criston; "Ser Criston Cole, the best and the worst of the Kingsguard". For better or worse, a Cole had never been granted such high honors, and he was very capable with a sword, defeating many of the famed knights of his time. Not the best Hand, much like Jaehaerys had learned with his own Lord Commander Redwyne, who was a good Jouster but not an astute politician. Which is fine, we all have our strengths and weaknesses. Had Aemond listened to Cole's warnings and strategy, mayhaps they may not have lost nearly as much as they did, and may or may not have survived the war as well. That said, for better or worse, whether viewed by the Greens or the Blacks, I believe his loyalty to his faction was admirable. He never once thought to swap sides, and staunchly stood for Aegon's rights as his Monarch. He was killed dishonorably however. Only more needless death in this devastating Westerosi Civil War Be it all for good or ill, he shall forever be remembered as: *Ser Criston Cole, the Kingmaker*

“Treason…is only a word. When two princes fight for a chair where only one may sit, great lords and common men alike must choose. And when the battle’s done, the victors will be hailed as loyal men and true, whilst those who were defeated will be known forevermore as rebels and traitors. That was my fate.”

This channel is second to none when it comes to brief summaries of major key plots in ASOIAF lore. I'd recommend it to anyone who hasn't read the books/doesn't want to or even to someone like myself as a book reader who needs a quick refresher.

"The best and the worst. And a few who were a bit of both. Like Ser Criston Cole the Kingmaker." Jaime Lannister

"The worst …The worst were those who played the game of thrones." - Ser Barristan Selmy talking about the Kingsguard in A Dance with Dragons

Ser Criston Cole is a violent brute but is also capable of charming and devoted. A True Knight! Insulting a Knight's liege-lord is a bad idea.

The Ballad of Brave Ser Criston: 🎶Ser Criston bravely rode alone. To protect the king they would dethrone. The Rainbow banner flown on high, he showed the wisdom of the crone! Treason! The coward's arrows flew and then struck home. Treachery! With his final act how bright he shone. Betrayal! How will these traitors ever atone?🎶

Gotta respect the rise. He made some poor decisions, but he is the Kingmaker to Aegon II the Golden.

It is absolutely crazy to me how the dance could've been avoided and all the suffering and pain caused by The Greens could've been avoided if they had just not been power hungry. Aemond wouldn't have lost his eye. Aegon wouldn't have been crippled and in perpetual pain the rest of his life. Alicent wouldn't have gone mad and hated herself and the greens so much afterwards that she loathed the color green itself. And all of them would still be alive. Aegon could've kept on whoring and drinking, which is all he ever cared about in the first place. Aemond could've become a respected and feared warrior, perhaps even joined the Queensguard and been one of the greats of history. He could've claimed some other dragon that wouldn't just breed further animosity in the family and still had success with it. Alicent could've happily retired from politics and court and scheming and plotting and spent the rest of her life just enjoying herself and doing what she wanted to do for a change instead of what she'd been forced to do since she was a child. Otto would still be alive, and he could've had what he always wanted: hightower blood on the throne. All he had to do was marry one of his grandkids (or great grandkids) to some of Rhaenyra's kids with Daemon. Aegon's wife would still be alive and happy. Their kids would still be alive. Instead, they lost. Utterly. Completely. Absolutely NOTHING was accomplished by them and NONE of them had descendants. The only one of their line that survived the Dance was Aegon's girl and she married Rhaenyra's son Aegon the Younger, but she died before having kids so everyone in the green camp died literally for nothing. They broke Targaryen power and authority forever for nothing. They got all the dragons killed for nothing. Everyone could've won their own personal story if the greens had not been greedy and power hungry. I hope Criston Cole enjoyed his treason. He got to briefly be hand of the king during a nightmare war where he committed atrocities against innocents then died because he had no support from the people he sold his soul for. He deserved an unheroic death and to be remembered as scum.

A step by step instruction on how to turn your reputation to dust.

Best swordsman of his era clearly. At the end he challenged them to fight him four v one and they refused. Cole would of won. But but cristen is an incel hehehehehe the kids

The Kingmaker

Well, many bad things can be said about him, but he is a master of the sword who defeated Daemon in a fair tournament and he is a kind lover who master the tongue in medieval times 😂😂😂

Rooks rest will be insane lol

Also Aemonds best friend

I love these vids - You do a great job.

Can you please share where to find the map you use for your videos. The map is illustrated beautifully and I’d love to be able to take a look at the detail it. If you could pls share where to find and look at it, I’d really appreciate it🙏

Criston Cole is one of the better characters in the Dance of the Dragon conflict.

Mushroom gives everyone but Criston Cole a salacious story. I suppose he's never seen betrayed as punching down. Ser Criston Cole has not been accused of betraying his position and abusing power above those lower in society.

All round nice guy ☝️👍😁

I think he pretty cool tbh doesn’t even seem that bad

Worst kingsguard and hand of all time

Stop it was weird to have the twins have long ass hair and a grown out beer like they wouldn't change that after they split up

I'm team Green and I still can't stand Sir simping 😅

Last to take the gotdamn black !!!!

Crispen*

I just can't wait for The Butchers Ball.. Bye, Cole!!

Worst kingsguard.....cole🤮

The kingmaker is kinda lame name tbh

Dear Cole. Up yours ! - Love, The River Lords

House cole never had anyone rise so higher for good and bad.

Criston was a very good fighter ! Nothing more. He should’ve never been given that sort of power!

CRISTON COLE BAY BAY!!!

Kind of a badass you have to admit

For my brothers who are always looking to be first to take the black to avoid the kings Justice or those looking to serve the nights watch out of honor and duty I leave one of you to the first to take the black…. I didn’t even know he made an epic speech when he crowned Aegon The II, I just thought what he said on the show was all he said. As I said on other video I look forward to seeing how they handle the beloved Butchers Ball… Your contributions have been truly outstanding my lord, the length of the aegon iii video couldn’t have been easy to make. Your videos make YT even better!! For this my lord I send high praise!!! Here here!!!

“Behold, the traitor dragon Meleys”

Kings guard use to be the nfl of Westeros.

I really don’t like criston cole at all lol

Didn't one of the men that killed him have some sort of sick line like "i'll have no songs sung about your bravery" because of the thoasands of deaths he caused

Ser criston cole I salute you 🔥🛡️⚔️🏹🗡️

I do not like that sir krispy kreme

I'm not sure they casted Criston Cole in HotD well, but I am 100% convinced they casted Daemon well. Sir Criston is an interesting character, but one I prefer to put in the "love to hate" category. Whatever pushed him away from the Princess to the Green Queen, he went ruthless and caused so much damage. He deserved his death. I'll be interesting to see how HotD handles it. This video was well done and fascinating. I had forgotten some details, so I was happy to be reminded of them.