aventador577 #1 Posted September 8, 2018 My vote goes to septon Barth. 1 AlaskanSandman reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormking902 #2 Posted September 8, 2018 Ned Stark lol but seriously septon Barth was probably the best. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
White Ravens #3 Posted September 8, 2018 Brynden Rivers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rufus Snow #5 Posted September 8, 2018 Barth   ... but I was tempted by Tyrion the Barber Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Josette DuPres #6 Posted September 8, 2018 The right Hand for the right occasion. The times he is living in give the Hand the opportunity to be great. Tywin was very capable but the realm was at peace. He didn't get the chance to shine.  Bloodraven had to contend with the Blackfyres and saved the Targaryen dynasty from their threat. Barth used diplomacy and concessions to make peace with the faith.  I'm going with Bloodraven for my pick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Euron III Greyjoy #7 Posted September 8, 2018 Septon Barth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ylath's Snout #8 Posted September 8, 2018 Blood Raven, he got magicks and what-not. 1 Foot_Of_The_King reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TPTWP Timett #9 Posted September 9, 2018 Tywin followed by Bloodraven Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foot_Of_The_King #10 Posted September 9, 2018 (edited) The world book makes it seem like Barth was the best (and we as fans appreciate a promotion by merit system.) Bloodraven and Tywin seemed to be pretty damn effective also. Edited September 9, 2018 by Foot_Of_The_King Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PrinceHenryris #11 Posted September 9, 2018 While I wouldn't necessarily argue with Barth, Bloodraven or Tywin,  I would like to add Prince Viserys Targaryen.  Served as hand for 35 years for three difficult kings and held the realm together during that time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Giant Ice Spider #12 Posted September 9, 2018 1 hour ago, PrinceHenryris said: While I wouldn't necessarily argue with Barth, Bloodraven or Tywin,  I would like to add Prince Viserys Targaryen.  Served as hand for 35 years for three difficult kings and held the realm together during that time. It was 15, I think. I'm not sure he's the best, but we get the impression Jon Arryn was a pretty decent Hand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lady Isis #14 Posted September 9, 2018 Bloodraven for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord Varys #15 Posted September 9, 2018 We have no indication that Bloodraven was actually a good Hand. He served in that office for a long time, and that implies he was competent (or at least knew how to remain in power), but it is no indication that he was a good Hand as such. He couldn't prevent the Third Blackfyre Rebellion nor this Peake Rebellion that led to King Maekar's death. He dealt very decisively with the Second Blackfyre Rebellion but he pretty much ignored the Ironborn raids before that - and while I assume he did something to stop those after Daemon II had been dealt with, we don't know that yet at this point. Thus we have not sufficient information to number Bloodraven among the great Hands. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damon_Tor #16 Posted September 9, 2018 You need to establish a metric here. Best hand as in "was best for the Kingdoms"? In the short term or the long term? Bloodraven manipulated the royal family, but to what end? And he wound up a tool of the Children, the ultimate enemy of humanity by some perspectives. Was he their ally (or puppet) even before he became a part of them? As to "what was best for the Kingdoms" that's entirely subjective. To someone who would think humanity should be subsumed by the Children, maybe Bloodraven really is best. To someone who thinks dragons (as the nuclear weapons metaphor) or magics in general are the biggest threat to humanity, then Lucas Lothston gets the gold medal, since it appears to be his bloodline taking residence in Harrenhal that shut down magic to begin with. Then again he took possession of Harrenhal before he became hand, so I suppose there's another question there: do we only count their actions while they're acting as the Hand? Does Bloodraven's tenure as Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and then as the Three-Eyed Crow count for/against him? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adam Yozza #17 Posted September 9, 2018 For me it's got to be either Barth or Viserys II. Tywin was a damn good hand and did have to deal with a very unstable King but only had to do so during a period of peace. Baelor Breakspear also seems to have been quite successful at the job and while I think Bloodraven is a very talented politician and commander, I can't help but feel he'd have been more effective as the Master of Whispers than the Hand. 1 Morte reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PrinceHenryris #18 Posted September 10, 2018 23 hours ago, Giant Ice Spider said: It was 15, I think. I'm not sure he's the best, but we get the impression Jon Arryn was a pretty decent Hand. Viserys as Hand: Aegon III 136-157 Daeron I 157-161 Baelor 161-171 Looks like 35 years to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Giant Ice Spider #19 Posted September 10, 2018 6 minutes ago, PrinceHenryris said: Viserys as Hand: Aegon III 136-157 Daeron I 157-161 Baelor 161-171 Looks like 35 years to me. My bad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M.Alhazred #20 Posted September 10, 2018 BloodRaven.He did put down several of the Blackfyre rebellions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites