The next big killer of the kingsguard, other than being eaten alive by the tainted, or stabbed through the head with a straw-like tongue and having their brains sucked out (which happens a lot more than you might think), is trauma. It’s not unheard of for a soldier to be celebrating, cracking jokes and drinking ales, to then be found dead the next day, slumped over from a heart attack or stroke.

Surprisingly, given the nature of the work and the life expectancy of a recruit, very few are found having committed suicide. The most popular explanation goes that they usually pass out from alcohol consumption before they can put their swords to a neck or wrist.