Game Of Thrones: 10 Greatest Warriors In The History Of Westeros

7. Cregan Stark

Stark Banner
HBO

Around 150 years or so before Ned would reluctantly accept the position, another Stark briefly held the title of Hand of the King.

Cregan Stark, referred to as the Old Man in the North, ruled Winterfell and the North, but unlike most of his ancestors had big, more southron ambitions in mind, getting involved in the Targaryen Civil War The Dance of the Dragons (known as the Pact of Ice and Fire).

Although Rhaenyra Targaryen lost the war, Cregan continued to support her son, Aegon III, afterwards. With Aegon III on the Throne but only 11-years-old, Cregan Stark was named Hand of the King - he served for just six days, bringing to justice all those who had opposed his King, in what became known as the Hour of the Wolf.

So yeah, he was a bit of a political badass and a feared warrior, but what really established Cregan's reputation in a warrior sense was his fight with the legendary Aemon Targaryen, aka Aemon the Dragonknight. One of the most revered knights in history, after the pair battled Aemon referred to Cregan as the finest swordsman he had ever faced. That's one hell of a compliment.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.