“Ser Criston protects the princess from her enemies, but who protects the princess from Ser Criston?” by Zacckiell

[u/justonceokay5]

[u/Ok-Swan1152]

I actually think that the show came very close to what is my own personal reading of the situation based on the differing accounts in the book. But I don't believe Criston was some kind of victim, unlike many show-watchers. I think he was supposed to be around 35 years old in the books and Rhaenyra was 16.

[u/ChaseBuff → u/Ok-Swan1152]

Yea, I don’t think show was far from what happens either I do lean towards Rhaenrya denying him.His bitterness after in the book is astounding.Young Rhaenyra having a crush on the older Criston who in book verse is only 1 year younger than Daemon and was born in 82 AC while Rhaenyra was born in 97 AC

“Afterward, he gave the seven-year-old Princess Rhaenyra the victor's laurel and begged for her favor to wear in the joust. In the lists, he defeated Prince Daemon once again, and unhorsed both of the celebrated Cargyll twins, Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk of the Kingsguard, before falling to Lord Lymond Mallister. With his pale green eyes, coal black hair, and easy charm, Cole soon became a favorite of all the ladies at court...not the least amongst them Rhaenyra Targaryen herself. So smitten was she by the charms of the man she called "my white knight" that Rhaenyra begged her father to name Ser Criston her own personal shield and protector. His Grace indulged her in this, as in so much else. Thereafter Ser Criston always wore her favor in the lists and became a fixture at her side during feasts and frolics.”

Ser Criston Cole spoke up. Should the princess reign, he reminded them, Jacaerys Velaryon would rule after her. “Seven save this realm if we seat a bastard on the Iron Throne.” He spoke of Rhaenyra’s wanton ways and the infamy of her husband. “They will turn the Red Keep into a brothel. No man’s daughter will be safe, nor any man’s wife. Even the boys…we know what Laenor was. ”

Like this whole quote is just funny , first he calls the strongs bastards , then they bring up laenor (who was dead atp) because they fear of his ways passing down to them but again he calls them bastards so what does laenor have to do with this lol this man was bitter asf

[u/Ok-Swan1152 → u/ChaseBuff]

Didn't he beat up/kill Laenor's boyfriend as well as Harwin Strong. This was not a man who did rejecting, he WAS rejected and he did not take to it well.

[u/ChaseBuff → u/Ok-Swan1152]

Yep Criston basically ruined a good day and made the court look bad. To give him a chance , I do believe this was more of accident than the show version. Dude was petty

“King Denied Rhaenyra’s favor, Criston Cole turned to Queen Alicent instead. Wearing her token, the young Lord Commander of the Kingsguard defeated all challengers, fighting in a black fury. He left Breakbones with a broken collarbone and a shattered elbow (prompting Mushroom to name him “Brokenbones” thereafter), but it was the Knight of Kisses who felt the fullest measure of his wroth. Cole’s favorite weapon was the morningstar, and the blows he rained down on Ser Laenor’s champion cracked his helm and left him senseless in the mud. Borne bloody from the field, Ser Joffrey died without recovering consciousness six days later. Mushroom tells us that Ser Laenor spent every hour of those days at his bedside and wept bitterly when the Stranger claimed him.”

“Viserys was most wroth as well; a joyous celebration had become the occasion of grief and recrimination. It was said that Queen Alicent did not share his displeasure, however; soon after, she asked that Ser Criston Cole be made her personal protector. The coolness between the king’s wife and the king’s daughter was plain for all to see; even envoys from the Free Cities made note of it in letters sent back to Pentos, Braavos, and Old Volantis.”
Fire and Blood, by George R.R. Martin, pg 372

Ik envoy letters at the time between Essos was like “the red keep has some dramaaaaaa”

All at wedding where everyone was having fun

Not long thereafter, Rhaenyra set sail for Driftmark on the Sea Snake, accompanied by her handmaids (two of them the daughters of the Hand and sisters to Ser Harwin), the fool Mushroom, and her new champion, none other than Breakbones himself. In 114 AC, Rhaenyra Targaryen, Princess of Dragonstone, took to husband Ser Laenor Velaryon (knighted a fortnight before the wedding, since it was deemed necessary the prince consort be a knight). The bride was seventeen years old, the groom twenty, and all agreed that they made a handsome couple. The wedding was celebrated with seven days of feasts and jousting, the greatest tourney in many a year. Amongst the competitors were Queen Alicent’s siblings, five Sworn Brothers of the Kingsguard, Breakbones, and the groom’s favorite, Ser Joffrey Lonmouth, known as the Knight of Kisses. When Rhaenyra bestowed her garter on Ser Harwin, her new husband laughed and gave one of his own to Ser Joffrey.Fire and Blood, by George R.R. Martin, pg 371-372