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The last king of Ankh-Morpork was Lorenzo the Kind, and his reign was ended with an axe wielded by Suffer-Not-Injustice "Stoneface" Vimes, the then-commander of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch; who was also, technically, defender of the crown. Vimes was of a noble family, but his name was disgraced after the killing- after all, even if he did what everybody else wanted to do, he had still killed a king.

Stoneface's case was re-evaluated by the Guild of Historians at Lord Vetinari's request. The name of Vimes has been re-established along with the coat of arms, much to the bewilderment of his descendant Samuel Vimes. Commander Vimes is now forced to use a noble title and a coat-of-arms, but he insists that he be called "Commander".

Samuel Vimes seems to have also inherited Stoneface's nickname, and some of his officers call him "Old Stoneface" when they think he can't hear them.

Annotation

Possibly a parody of Oliver Cromwell, who had king Charles I of England executed, who was later, after his death, beheaded.