Understanding Jorah Mormont’s Exile in Game of Thrones: Unrevealed Details and Would Ned Stark Allow Him to Join the Night’s Watch?

In the epic saga of Game of Thrones, Jorah Mormont’s journey begins in exile, a far cry from his noble lineage. Ordered by Daenerys Targaryen to seek a cure for greyscale, Jorah (portrayed by Iain Glen) is nowhere near the Wall, where his father once served as Lord Commander. Instead, he finds himself far removed from Westeros, acting as a spy for Varys while ultimately pledging his loyalty to Daenerys.

This tale of Jorah is characterized by his steadfast devotion to Khaleesi, culminating in his sacrifice in the series finale. His quest for honor serves as a means of redemption for his past transgressions that were serious enough to attract the ire of Ned Stark and force Jorah into exile. Ironically, this exile provided an unexpected opportunity for Daenerys, despite initially shaming the Mormont family.

The Complex Reality Behind Jorah Mormont’s Exile

Omitted Details of Jorah’s Background

Jorah’s banishment stems from his involvement in selling poachers to Tyroshi slavers, a decision made instead of taking them to the Night’s Watch. In a realm rife with violence, slavery was deemed one of the gravest offenses. To evade justice at the hands of Ned Stark, Jorah absconded to Essos, specifically Lys. Yet, his motives for this drastic choice were more complex than mere self-preservation.

His marriage to the young and beautiful Lynesse Hightower, whom he met at a tournament in Lannisport, inadvertently led to this downfall. Upon returning to Bear Island, Lynesse struggled to adapt to the harsh Northern lifestyle and the couple faced financial ruin as Jorah attempted to maintain her comfort. In a bid to resolve their debts, he tragically resorted to selling the poachers into slavery and ultimately decided to flee into exile to preserve his life and the remnants of their relationship. This journey took him across Essos, where he eventually became a companion to the Dothraki after losing Lynesse to another man.

Ned Stark’s Deadly Decision Regarding Jorah Mormont

The Improbability of Joining the Night’s Watch

Ned Stark was a man of honor, deeply committed to his duty as Warden of the North. Under normal circumstances, individuals guilty of crimes typically have the option to join the Night’s Watch, thereby redeeming themselves through service. Notably, Ned understood the significance of the Night’s Watch, especially with his own brother, Benjen, in its ranks. However, several passages in A Game of Thrones imply this option was not viable for Jorah.

“‘The Usurper wanted his head,’ Illyrio told them. ‘Some trifling affront. He sold some poachers to a Tyroshi slaver instead of giving them to the Night’s Watch. Absurd law. A man should be able to do as he likes with his own chattel.’

Ned’s perspective further solidified this notion in a conversation with Varys:

“‘Do you remember Ser Jorah Mormont?’

‘Would that I might forget him,’ Ned said bluntly. The Mormonts of Bear Island were an old house, proud and honorable, but their lands were cold and distant and poor. Ser Jorah had tried to swell the family coffers by selling some poachers to a Tyroshi slaver. As the Mormonts were bannermen to the Starks, his crime had dishonored the North. Ned had made the long journey west to Bear Island, only to find when he arrived that Jorah had taken ship beyond the reach of Ice and the king’s justice. Five years had passed since then.

‘Ser Jorah is now in Pentos, anxious to earn a royal pardon that would allow him to return from exile,’ Robert explained. ‘Lord Varys makes good use of him.’

‘So the slaver has become a spy,’ Ned said with distaste. He handed the letter back. ‘I would rather he become a corpse.‘”

This exchange suggests that Ned intended to execute Jorah, mirroring his earlier decisions regarding offenders like Will, the Night’s Watch deserter. Jorah himself admitted in Season 1, “Ned Stark wants my head.”Additionally, taking the black may not have appealed to Jorah, considering he would be reuniting with his father at the Wall under shameful circumstances.

The Nearly Realized Path of Joining the Night’s Watch

A Potential Reunion with Jon Snow

While Jorah did not join the Night’s Watch before the main events of Game of Thrones, discussions arose about him possibly doing so towards the series’ conclusion. Ahead of Season 8, the show’s writers contemplated various scenarios for Jorah’s future, with writer Dave Hill stating:

“For a long time we wanted Ser Jorah to be there at the Wall in the end. The three coming out of the tunnel would be Jon and Jorah and Tormund. But the amount of logic we’d have to bend to get Jorah up to The Wall and get him to leave Dany’s side right before [the events in the finale] … there’s no way to do that blithely. And Jorah should have the noble death he craves defending the woman he