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[[File:The North and Kingsroad.jpg|thumb|350px|The lands surrounding [[Winterfell]] and the [[kingsroad]] in ''[[Game of Thrones]]]]
 
[[File:The North and Kingsroad.jpg|thumb|350px|The lands surrounding [[Winterfell]] and the [[kingsroad]] in ''[[Game of Thrones]]]]
  
'''The North''' or '''the north'''{{ref|AGOT|1}} is one of the constituent regions of [[Westeros]] and was a sovereign kingdom before the [[War of Conquest]]. The region covers the entire area south of the [[Wall]] and north of [[the Neck]]. The North has been ruled by [[House Stark]] for thousands of years from the castle known as [[Winterfell]].  Other notable houses of the region include [[House Bolton|Bolton]], [[House Karstark|Karstark]], [[House Manderly|Manderly]], and [[House Umber|Umber]]. [[Bastardy|Bastards]] of noble origin raised in the North are given the surname Snow.
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The '''north'''{{ref|AGOT|1}}{{ref|ADWD|20}}{{ref|ADWD|26}} or the '''North'''{{ref|TWOIAF| The North}} is one of the constituent regions of [[Westeros]] and was a sovereign nation ruled by [[Kings in the North]] before [[Aegon's Conquest]]. The largest region of the [[Seven Kingdoms]],{{ref|AGOT|4}} the dominion of [[House Stark]] extends from the border of the [[New Gift]], which is controlled by the [[Night's Watch]], to the southern edge of the [[Neck]] far to the south.{{ref|TWOIAF| The North}}
  
== Geography ==
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The north has been ruled by the Starks for thousands of years from the castle known as [[Winterfell]]. Notable bannermen of the region include [[House Bolton|Bolton]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Dustin|Dustin]], [[House Flint|Flint]], [[House Glover|Glover]], [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Karstark|Karstark]], [[House Manderly|Manderly]], [[House Mormont|Mormont]], [[House Reed|Reed]], [[House Ryswell|Ryswell]], [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]], and [[House Umber|Umber]].{{ref|AGOT|Appendix}}{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: The Kings of Winter}} [[Bastardy|Bastards]] of noble origin raised in the north are given the surname Snow.
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==Geography==
 
:{{See also|:Category:Places in the North{{!}}Places in the North}}
 
:{{See also|:Category:Places in the North{{!}}Places in the North}}
The North is vast in size. It is the largest of the [[Seven Kingdoms]]' regions, nearly as large as the the other territories combined.{{ref|AGOT|4}} The region is sparsely populated, with vast wilderness, forests, pine-covered hills and snow-capped mountains, speckled with tiny villages and holdfasts. Its climate is cold and harsh in winter and occasionally it will snow in summer. The North has two major land barriers, the [[Wall]] to the north and [[the Neck]] to the south. The North is bound on each side by major seas, the [[Shivering Sea]] to the east and the [[Sunset Sea]] to the west.{{ref|TLOIAF}}
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[[File:Alyn Spiller Northland Keep.JPG|thumb|350px|Northland Keep by Alyn Spiller. © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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[[George R. R. Martin]] has indicated that [[w:Scotland|Scotland]] is an inspiration for the north.<ref>''The Denver Post'': [http://www.denverpost.com/2012/05/31/game-of-thrones-author-george-r-r-martin-on-sex-violence-and-t-v/ “Game of Thrones” author George R.R. Martin on sex, violence and T.V.], updated April 30, 2016</ref> While some say the vast north is nearly as large as the rest of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] combined,{{ref|AGOT|4}} in actuality it is roughly a third of the landmass controlled by the [[Iron Throne]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The North}} The region is sparsely populated, with vast wilderness, forests, pine-covered hills and snow-capped mountains, speckled with tiny villages and holdfasts. Its climate is cold and harsh in winter and occasionally it will snow in summer. The north has two major land barriers, the [[Wall]] to the north and the [[Neck]] to the south. The north is bound on each side by major seas, the [[Shivering Sea]] to the east and the [[Sunset Sea]] to the west.{{ref|TLOIAF}}
  
[[Winterfell]], the ancestral seat of [[House Stark]], is a large castle centrally located in the North. The vast [[wolfswood]], the largest forest of the Seven Kingdoms, extends northwest to the [[Bay of Ice]] and [[Sea Dragon Point]]. [[Deepwood Motte]], the seat of [[House Glover]] lies in the wolfswood. [[House Mormont]] rules [[Bear Island]] in the Bay of Ice. The [[northern mountains]] extend from the wolfswood to the Wall and are inhabited by [[northern mountain clans]].{{ref|TLOIAF}}
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[[Winterfell]], the ancestral seat of [[House Stark]], is a large castle centrally located in the north. Nearby is the [[winter town]]. The vast [[wolfswood]], the largest forest of the Seven Kingdoms, extends northwest to the [[Bay of Ice]] and [[Sea Dragon Point]]. [[Deepwood Motte]], the seat of [[House Glover]], lies in the western wolfswood. [[House Mormont]] rules [[Bear Island]] in the Bay of Ice. The [[northern mountains]] extend from the wolfswood to the Wall and are inhabited by [[northern mountain clans]].{{ref|TLOIAF}}
  
 
South of the wolfswood is hilly terrain with several large lakes. [[Torrhen's Square]], seat of [[House Tallhart]], is located by the largest of these lakes. Farther west along the Sunset Sea is the [[Stony Shore]], which contains fishing villages. Southeast of the Stony Shore and north of [[Blazewater Bay]] is the [[Rills]], plains which are ruled by [[House Ryswell]]. East of the Rills and south of Winterfell are the [[barrowlands]], hilly plains dotted with the barrows of the [[First Men]]. [[House Dustin]] rules the large town of [[Barrowton]]. There are unnamed rivers which flow south from Barrowton and near Torrhen's Square into the [[Saltspear]], while another unnamed river divides the Stony Shore from the Rills.{{ref|TLOIAF}}
 
South of the wolfswood is hilly terrain with several large lakes. [[Torrhen's Square]], seat of [[House Tallhart]], is located by the largest of these lakes. Farther west along the Sunset Sea is the [[Stony Shore]], which contains fishing villages. Southeast of the Stony Shore and north of [[Blazewater Bay]] is the [[Rills]], plains which are ruled by [[House Ryswell]]. East of the Rills and south of Winterfell are the [[barrowlands]], hilly plains dotted with the barrows of the [[First Men]]. [[House Dustin]] rules the large town of [[Barrowton]]. There are unnamed rivers which flow south from Barrowton and near Torrhen's Square into the [[Saltspear]], while another unnamed river divides the Stony Shore from the Rills.{{ref|TLOIAF}}
  
South of the barrowlands is [[the Neck]], an isthmus forming the border with the [[Riverlands]] to the south. A vast swamp and the source of the [[Green Fork]], the Neck is home to the [[crannogmen]]; [[House Reed]] rules from the moving castle [[Greywater Watch]].{{ref|ACOK|28}} The ruined castle of [[Moat Cailin]], located on the [[causeway]] near the [[Fever River]], controls access to the North from the Neck. It is here the [[King in the North|Kings in the North]] held off southron invasions.{{ref|AGOT|55}}
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South of the barrowlands is the [[Neck]], an isthmus forming the border with the [[riverlands]] to the south. A vast swamp and the source of the [[Green Fork]], the Neck is home to the [[crannogmen]]; [[House Reed]] rules from the moving castle [[Greywater Watch]].{{ref|ACOK|28}} The ruined castle of [[Moat Cailin]], located on the [[causeway]] near the [[Fever River]], controls access to the north from the Neck. It is here the [[King in the North|Kings in the North]] held off southron invasions.{{ref|AGOT|55}}
  
A large peninsula is located west of the Neck and south of the Saltspear and Blazewater Bay. [[Flint's Finger]], home of [[House Flint of Flint's Finger]], is located on its northern shore, while [[Cape Kraken]] and and the [[Flint Cliffs]] are located along its western and southern shores, respectively. South of the peninsula are [[Ironman's Bay]] and the [[Iron Islands]].{{ref|AWOIAF|"Ironman's Bay" entry}}
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A large peninsula is located west of the Neck and south of the Saltspear and Blazewater Bay. [[Flint's Finger]], home of [[House Flint of Flint's Finger]], is located on its northern shore, while [[Cape Kraken]] and and the [[Flint Cliffs]] are located along its western and southern shores, respectively. South of the peninsula are [[Ironman's Bay]] and the [[Iron Islands]].{{ref|AWOIAF| Ironman's Bay}}
  
East of the barrowlands is the [[White Knife]], a major river of the North which has its source at [[Long Lake]] northeast of Winterfell. [[Castle Cerwyn]], the seat of [[House Cerwyn]], is located near a tributary south of Winterfell. The White Knife runs south to [[White Harbor]], one of the major cities of the Seven Kingdoms and the main port of the North. Southeast of White Harbor is [[Oldcastle]], the seat of [[House Locke]], while farther east are [[Ramsgate]] and the [[Broken Branch]], which has its source in the [[Sheepshead Hills]] northeast of White Harbor. [[Widow's Watch]], the castle of [[House Flint of Widow's Watch]], is built on an isolated peninsula east of Ramsgate in the [[Shivering Sea]].{{ref|TLOIAF}} The [[Bite]] separates the southeastern North, much of which is influenced by [[House Manderly]] of White Harbor,{{ref|ADWD|29}} from the [[Vale of Arryn]].
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East of the barrowlands is the [[White Knife]], a major river of the north which has its source at [[Long Lake]] northeast of Winterfell. [[Castle Cerwyn]], the seat of [[House Cerwyn]], is located near a tributary south of Winterfell. The White Knife runs south to [[White Harbor]], one of the major cities of the Seven Kingdoms and the main port of the north. Southeast of White Harbor is [[Oldcastle]], the seat of [[House Locke]], while farther east are [[Ramsgate]] and the [[Broken Branch]], which has its source in the [[Sheepshead Hills]] northeast of White Harbor. [[Widow's Watch]], the castle of [[House Flint of Widow's Watch]], is built on an isolated peninsula east of Ramsgate in the [[Shivering Sea]].{{ref|TLOIAF}} The [[Bite]] separates the southeastern North, much of which is influenced by [[House Manderly]] of White Harbor,{{ref|ADWD|29}} from the [[Vale of Arryn]].
  
[[Hornwood]], the seat of [[House Hornwood]], is located north of White Harbor and south of [[the Dreadfort]], the seat of [[House Bolton]]. The Dreadfort lies near the [[Weeping Water]], which flows east to the Shivering Sea. Northeast of the Dreadfort are the forested lands of [[House Karstark]]. East of their castle, [[Karhold]], are the [[Grey Cliffs]].{{ref|TLOIAF}} Located in the [[Bay of Seals]] are several islands, including [[Skagos]] and uninhabited [[Skane]]. The largest, Skagos, is said to be inhabited by cannibals and [[unicorns]] and is only nominally controlled by the Starks of Winterfell.{{ref|AFFC|15}}
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[[Hornwood]], the seat of [[House Hornwood]], is located in the [[Hornwood (forest)|Hornwood forest]] north of White Harbor and south of the [[Dreadfort]], the seat of [[House Bolton]]. The Dreadfort lies near the [[Weeping Water]], which flows east to the Shivering Sea. Northeast of the Dreadfort are the forested lands of [[House Karstark]]. East of their castle, [[Karhold]], are the [[Grey Cliffs]].{{ref|TLOIAF}} Located in the [[Bay of Seals]] are several islands, including [[Skagos]] and uninhabited [[Skane]]. The largest, Skagos, is said to be inhabited by cannibals and [[unicorns]] and is only nominally controlled by the Starks of Winterfell.{{ref|AFFC|15}}
  
 
North of Winterfell and the Dreadfort and northwest of Karhold are the lands of [[House Umber]], whose castle of [[Last Hearth]] is located in a forest. The Umbers control the [[Lonely Hills]]{{ref|ADWD|17}} and land along the Bay of Seals.{{ref|ACOK|16}} Beginning near Last Hearth, the [[Last River]] flows southeast between Karhold and the Dreadfort.{{ref|TLOIAF}}
 
North of Winterfell and the Dreadfort and northwest of Karhold are the lands of [[House Umber]], whose castle of [[Last Hearth]] is located in a forest. The Umbers control the [[Lonely Hills]]{{ref|ADWD|17}} and land along the Bay of Seals.{{ref|ACOK|16}} Beginning near Last Hearth, the [[Last River]] flows southeast between Karhold and the Dreadfort.{{ref|TLOIAF}}
  
The [[Wall]] is a colossal fortification that protects the North from threats [[beyond the Wall]], such as [[wildlings]]. It is separated from the northern lands owing allegiance to Winterfell by the [[Gift]], which are lands of the [[Night's Watch]] north of the Umbers' lands.  
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The [[Wall]] is a colossal fortification that protects the north from threats [[beyond the Wall]], such as [[wildlings]]. It is separated from the northern lands owing allegiance to Winterfell by the [[Gift]], which are lands of the [[Night's Watch]] north of the Umbers' lands.  
  
Winterfell and Moat Cailin are located along the [[kingsroad]], which connects [[Castle Black]] at the Wall with the Riverlands to the south.
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Winterfell and Moat Cailin are located along the [[kingsroad]], which connects [[Castle Black]] at the Wall with the riverlands to the south. There are farms, holdfasts, inns, and villages along the road.{{ref|AGOT|13}}{{ref|AGOT|70}}
  
== People ==
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In the video game ''[[Game of Thrones - A Telltale Games Series]]'', [[House Forrester (Telltale)|House Forrester]] lives at [[Ironrath]] in the wolfswod. Their rivals, [[House Whitehill (Telltale)|House Whitehill]], live at [[Highpoint]] between the wolfswood and the northern mountains.{{ref|TT|3}} The name of [[Rillwater Crossing]], seat of [[House Glenmore (Telltale)|House Glenmore]], suggests it may be located in the Rills.
[[File:Thaldir Wolves of the North.jpg|Northmen are sometimes referred to as "wolves" because of the sigil of [[House Stark]] - art by Tiziano Baracchi. © Fantasy Flight Games|thumb|right|300px]]
 
The northmen are nearly all descended from the [[First Men]]. They are known as a straight-forward, hardy, tough breed who hold the comforts of the south in disdain. Most of them still follow the [[old gods]] and their [[heart tree]]s, and have little inclination for the new gods. There are a few houses who instead follow the [[Faith of the Seven]], including [[House Manderly]] of [[White Harbor]], who are of [[Andal]] origin, [[House Whitehill]], and [[House Wells (the North)|House Wells]].<ref>''[[A Song of Ice and Fire Campaign Guide]]''</ref> Most [[knight]]s of the North live in the region's southern lands.<ref>So Spake Martin, July 14, 1999, [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Drowned_God_and_More The Drowned God and More]</ref>
 
  
The constant cold and the iron grip of winter set apart the northerners from the people of the kingdoms south of the Neck. Their whole life rests on the fact that winter is coming and they have to prepare themselves in order to survive it. The North's terrain and climate do not easily yield the necessities of daily life. In such an environment there is no place for hollow courtesies, courtly rituals, nor fancy culture and [[tourneys]]. The northmen have long memories. A lord who does not seek his rightful vengeance threatens to have his own men turn on him.
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==Seasons==
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[[File:T Jedruszek NorthernInfantry.jpg|thumb|350px|Northern Infantry by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games.]]
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The north is strongly affected during the long winters, with thousands of people killed and famine a common occurrence due to poor harvests before winter or the inability to raise crops during the longer winters that last for for years on end. Some greater lords maintain greenhouses at their castles, such as the glass gardens of [[Winterfell]].<ref name=winter>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Effects_of_Winter/ The Effects of Winter (June 21, 2001)]</ref>
  
Some of the northmen live in remote, distant areas where they act as little more than clans and tribes. These remote folk, such as the [[crannogmen]], the [[northern mountain clans]] and the [[Skagosi]], are still vassals of the Starks, however, and are allowed to maintain their own ways and traditions as long as they remain loyal to Winterfell.
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Once autumn is declared by the [[Citadel]], the lords of the north store away a part of the grain they have harvested.  How much is a matter of choice; between one fifth and one fourth seems prudent, however. Additionally food is smoked, salted, and otherwise preserved ahead of winter. Coastal communities depend on fish and inland ice fishing is common on the rivers and [[Long Lake]]. Poor harvests before winter will mean famine, however.<ref name=winter/>
  
Heraldry in the North is significantly simpler than that in the South, showing the lesser influence that chivalry has had there; and due to its religious aspect, most northmen refuse to take holy orders and thus cannot become [[knight]]s. Nevertheless, northmen do hold the Night's Watch in high regard.
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In winter, snows can fall forty feet deep.  Rain falls cold and hard, and sometimes turns into hail that can send men running for cover and ruin crops. Even during summer, snowfalls are not unusual but tend to be brief and not particularly damaging to agriculture.
  
==Seasons==
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==People==
The North is particularly badly affected during the long winters, with thousands of people killed and famine not an uncommon occurrence due to poor harvests before winter or the inability to raise crops during the longer winters that last for for years on end, outside of special "glass gardens" and castles built on or near hot springs, like [[Winterfell]].
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[[File:Thaldir Wolves of the North.jpg|Wolves of the North.- Illustrated by Tiziano Baracchi. © Fantasy Flight Games. |thumb|right|350px]]
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Most northmen are descended from the [[First Men]], although there have been centuries of intermarriage with the [[Andals]] who conquered south of the [[Neck]].<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Event_Horizon_Chat Event Horizon Chat (March 18, 1999)]</ref> The [[Old Tongue]] spoken by the First Men of antiquity has been replaced in the north by the [[Common Tongue]], with the earlier language now only spoken [[beyond the Wall]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The North}} Northern accounts can be considered "frosted".{{ref|AFFC|42}} Northmen such as [[House Karstark|Karstarks]] and [[House Umber|Umbers]] are often large in stature and have thick beards, long hair, and heavy cloaks of wool or fur.{{ref|ASOS|20}} Northmen are sometimes referred to as "wolves" by [[ironborn]]{{ref|ACOK|56}} and [[southron]]s.{{ref|AFFC|9}}
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The constant cold and the iron grip of winter set apart the northerners from the people of the kingdoms south of the Neck. The north's terrain and climate do not easily yield the necessities of daily life. Northmen place less of an emphasis on courtly ritual and culture, and instead prefer hunting and brawling. Their [[tourneys]] are often melees and rarely feature jousting. [[Guest right]] is treasured in the north.{{ref|TWOIAF| The North}} Northmen have long memories, and a [[lord]] who does not seek his rightful vengeance threatens to have his own men turn on him.{{ref|ASOS|20}}
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Some northmen live in remote, distant areas where they act as little more than clans and tribes. These remote folk, such as the [[crannogmen]], the [[northern mountain clans]], and the [[Skagosi]], are still vassals of the [[House Stark|Starks]], however, and are allowed to maintain their own ways and traditions as long as they remain loyal to Winterfell. Some [[maesters]] believe the blood of [[Cape Kraken]]'s people is closer to that of [[ironborn]] than northmen.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Mountain Clans}}
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Most of the north's people still follow the [[old gods]] and their [[heart tree]]s, and have little inclination for newer religions. There are a few houses who follow the [[Faith of the Seven]], including Houses [[House Manderly|Manderly]], [[House Wells (north)|Wells]], and [[House Whitehill|Whitehill]].<ref>''[[A Song of Ice and Fire Campaign Guide]]''</ref> Due to its religious aspect, most northmen refuse to take holy orders and thus cannot become [[knight]]s, although some [[northern cavalry]] are knights who still follow the old gods instead of the Seven.{{ref|ADWD|29}} Most knights of the north live in the region's southern lands, such as [[White Harbor]]<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Drowned_God_and_More The Drowned God and More (July 14, 1999)]</ref> and the [[barrowlands]].{{ref|AGOT|53}} Heraldry in the north is simpler than that in southern Westeros, showing the lesser influence that chivalry has had there.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Shields_of_the_North Shields of the North (June 03, 2000)]</ref>
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Northmen hold the [[Night's Watch]] in high regard, and many lords send annual gifts to support the black brothers.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}}
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==Economy==
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As the north is largely uncultivated, there are few roads of import there. Most of the inland trade passes by either the [[kingsroad]] or the rivers. Trade items from the north include wool,{{Ref|aCoK|17}} hides, and timber.{{ref|ADWD|15}} [[White Harbor]] contains silversmiths{{Ref|aSoS|73}} and the [[Old Mint]].{{ref|ADWD|15}}
  
Once autumn is declared by the [[maesters]], the lords of the North store away a part of the grain they have harvested. How much is a matter of choice; between one fifth and one fourth seems prudent, however. Additionally food is smoked, salted, and otherwise preserved ahead of winter. Coastal communities depend on fish, although even in winter ice fishing is common on the rivers and [[Long Lake]]. Poor harvests before winter will mean famine, however.  
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==Military strength==
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The north's exact [[military strength]] has not yet been revealed. According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the north can perhaps raise forty-five thousand soldiers, {{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} although it would take a long time to gather them from such a large region.<ref name=strength>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Strength_of_the_Regions Strength of the Regions (February 28, 2002)]</ref> According to [[George R.R. Martin]], the north's [[military strength]] is about equal to that of the [[Vale of Arryn]], and [[Dorne]].<ref name=strength/> During [[Aegon's Conquest]], King [[Torrhen Stark]] raised an army of thirty thousand men.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} Nearly twenty thousand can be raised on short notice{{Ref|AGOT|55}} near the start of autumn,{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} while thousands more might be raised from more distant houses, such as the [[northern mountain clans]], if more time is allowed.{{ref|ADWD|17}}
  
In winter, snows can fall forty feet deep. Rain falls cold and hard, and sometimes turns into hail that can send men running for cover and ruin crops. Even during summer, snowfalls are not unusual but tend to be brief and not particularly damaging to agriculture.
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A semi-canon source from 2005 places the infantry-to-cavalry ratio at four to one.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} House Manderly, of [[southron]] origins, is known to command the most heavy horse north of the [[Neck]].{{Ref|ADWD|29}} Mail is the most common armor found in the north.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Yet_More_Questions Yet More Questions (July 22, 2001)]</ref> As knighthood is associated with the [[Faith of the Seven]], and the majority of the northmen holds to the [[old gods]], knighthood is rare in the north.{{Ref|AGOT|53}}
  
== Commerce ==
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The north has had no strength at sea since [[Brandon Stark (Burner)|Brandon the Burner]] set fire to the remaining fleet of his father, [[Brandon Stark (Shipwright)|Brandon the Shipwright]].{{Ref|ACOK|16}}
As the North is largely uncultivated, there are few roads of import there. Most of the inland trade passes by either the [[kingsroad]] or the rivers. Trade items from the North include wool,{{Ref|aCoK|17}} hides, and timber.{{ref|ADWD|15}} There are silversmiths at [[White Harbor]].{{Ref|aSoS|73}}
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
The peoples of the North are nearly all descended from the [[First Men]], who settled the land nearly 12,000 years ago. Little is known of that time, but cryptic runes carved in old stones and the barrows the First Men lived in can still be found in the [[barrowlands]]. Ancient forts of the First Men are scattered throughout the North, including a ringfort atop Seal Rock near [[White Harbor]] and ruins in [[Sea Dragon Point]]. The [[children of the forest]] also made [[weirwood]] circles.{{ref|ADWD|26}}
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===Dawn Age===
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[[File:Tiziano Baracchi banner of the north.jpg|thumb|350px|Banner for the North illustrated by Tiziano Baracchi. © Fantasy Flight Games. ]]
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The peoples of the north are nearly all descended from the [[First Men]], who settled the land nearly twelve thousand years ago. Little is known of that time, but cryptic runes carved in old stones and the barrows the First Men lived in can still be found in the [[barrowlands]]. Ancient forts of the First Men are scattered throughout the north, including a ringfort atop Seal Rock near [[White Harbor]] and ruins in [[Sea Dragon Point]]. The [[children of the forest]] also made [[weirwood]] circles.{{ref|ADWD|26}}
  
About 8,000 years ago, [[the Long Night]] occurred, when the [[Others]] invaded. The event defined and shaped the North, leading to the founding of the [[Wall]], the order of the [[Night's Watch]], the castle of [[Winterfell]] and the first Stark kings.
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===Kings of Winter===
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About eight thousand years ago, the legendary [[Long Night]] occurred when the [[Others]] invaded from the [[Lands of Always Winter]]. The event defined and shaped the north, leading to the founding of the [[Wall]], the order of the [[Night's Watch]], the castle of [[Winterfell]] and the first Stark [[Kings of Winter]]. [[Brandon Stark (Breaker)|Brandon the Breaker]] is said to have allied with [[Joramun]], a [[King-Beyond-the-Wall]], to bring down the [[Night's King]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}}
  
When the [[Andal Invasion|Andals invaded Westeros]], the Stark [[Kings of Winter]] resisted them successfully, stopping them at [[Moat Cailin]], the only kingdom in Westeros to do so.{{Ref|aGoT|66}}
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The Starks gradually defeated rival kings, such as the [[Barrow King]]s to their south and the [[Red King]]s to their east.{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: The Kings of Winter}} During the [[Andal invasion]], the Kings of Winter stopped [[Andals]] at [[Moat Cailin]] and the eastern shores, the only kingdom in Westeros to do so.{{Ref|aGoT|66}}{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: The Kings of Winter}}
  
King [[Jon Stark]] founded the [[Wolf's Den]] at what is now [[White Harbor]] after driving out sea raiders.{{ref|ADWD|29}} His son, [[Rickard Stark (King)|Rickard Stark]], conquered [[the Neck]] from the [[Marsh King]] and married his daughter.{{Ref|AGOT|66}} King [[Rodrik Stark]] is said to have won [[Bear Island]] from the [[ironborn]] in a wrestling match. Two thousand years ago the North warred with the [[Vale of Arryn]] over the [[Three Sisters]], with the Arryns eventually gaining control of the islands.{{ref|ADWD|9}}
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King [[Jon Stark]] founded the [[Wolf's Den]] at the mouth of the [[White Knife]] after driving out sea raiders.{{ref|ADWD|29}} His son, [[Rickard Stark (king)|Rickard Stark]], conquered the [[Neck]] from the [[Marsh King]] and married his daughter.{{Ref|AGOT|66}} King [[Rodrik Stark]] is said to have won [[Bear Island]] from the [[ironborn]] in a wrestling match. Two thousand years ago the north warred with the [[Vale of Arryn]] after the [[Rape of the Three Sisters]], with the Arryns eventually gaining control of the islands in this [[War Across the Water]].{{ref|ADWD|9}}
  
For many centuries the [[House Bolton|Boltons]] were bitter rivals of the Starks of [[Winterfell]]. The practice of flaying their enemies gave the Boltons a sinister reputation. Approximately a thousand years ago, the Boltons finally swore fealty to the Kings in the North and agreed to abandon their practice of flaying their enemies.
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For many centuries the [[House Bolton|Boltons]] were bitter rivals of the Starks of [[Winterfell]]. The practice of flaying their enemies gave the Boltons a sinister reputation. It is said that a thousand years ago, the Boltons finally swore fealty to the Kings in the North and agreed to abandon their practice of flaying their enemies.{{ref|ACOK|51}}
  
A thousand years before the [[Wars of Conquest|Conquest]], the [[House Manderly|Manderlys]] were driven from the river [[Mander]] by [[House Gardener]] of [[the Reach]] and fled to the North, where they were welcomed by the Starks of Winterfell as their own bannermen.{{ref|TSS}} The Manderlys received the Wolf's Den and developed [[White Harbor]], one of the five cities of [[Westeros]] and the main northern port for commerce and naval transport. The Manderlys are the most prominent of the few northern noble houses of [[Andal]] origins and customs.
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A thousand years before [[Aegon's Conquest]], the [[House Manderly|Manderlys]] were driven from the river [[Mander]] by [[House Gardener]], the [[Kings of the Reach]], and fled to the north, where they were welcomed by the Starks of Winterfell as their own bannermen.{{ref|TSS}} The Manderlys received the Wolf's Den and developed [[White Harbor]], one of the five cities of [[Westeros]] and the main northern port for commerce and naval transport. The Manderlys are the most prominent of the few northern noble houses to follow the [[Faith of the Seven]] instead of the [[old gods]].
  
The Starks led the North to war during the [[War of Conquest]]. After the [[Field of Fire]], however, King [[Torrhen Stark]] knelt to [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]] rather than face his [[dragons]]. The North was included in the [[Seven Kingdoms]] and owed allegiance to the [[Iron Throne]] of [[House Targaryen]]. The Stark [[Kings in the North]] became the Lords of Winterfell and [[Warden of the North|Wardens of the North]].
+
===Targaryen Era===
 +
[[File:T Jedruszek WinterfelHonorGuard.jpg|thumb|350px|Winterfell Honor Guard by artist Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games.]]
 +
The Starks led the north to war during [[Aegon's Conquest]]. After the [[Field of Fire]], however, King [[Torrhen Stark]] knelt to [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]] rather than face his [[dragons]]. The north was included in the [[Seven Kingdoms]] and owed allegiance to the [[Iron Throne]] of [[House Targaryen]]. The Stark [[Kings in the North]] became the Lords of Winterfell and [[Warden of the North|Wardens of the North]]. Some northmen who refused to bend the knee fled into exile  in [[Essos]] and formed the [[Company of the Rose]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
  
During the [[Dance of the Dragons]], the Starks supported [[the blacks]] against [[the greens]]. Lord [[Roderick Dustin]] led two thousand northern soldiers, known as the [[Winter Wolves]], during the war, while the Manderlys had knights from White Harbor also support the claim of [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]].{{ref|TPATQ}}
+
Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]] convinced her husband, King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]], to grant the [[New Gift]] to the [[Night's Watch]]{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} despite the objections of Lord [[Ellard Stark]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: The Lords of Winterfell}}
  
Lord [[Dagon Greyjoy]] led the ironborn in raiding the North during the reign of King [[Aerys I Targaryen]]; Lord [[Beron Stark]] gathered swords to repel them.{{ref|TMK}}
+
During the [[Dance of the Dragons]], the Starks supported the [[blacks]] against the [[greens]]. Lord [[Roderick Dustin]] led two thousand northern soldiers, known as the [[Winter Wolves]], during the war, while the Manderlys had knights from White Harbor also support the claim of [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]].{{ref|TPATQ}} Lord [[Cregan Stark]] led a great host of northmen to King's Landing, where he briefly ruled as [[Hand of the King]] for [[Aegon III Targaryen]] during the [[Hour of the Wolf]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}
  
The people of the North must be vigilant against [[free folk|wildlings]] who manage to bypass the [[Wall]]. One [[King-beyond-the-Wall]], [[Raymun Redbeard]], was defeated by the Starks and [[House Umber|Umbers]] at [[Battle of Long Lake|Long Lake]].{{ref|ADWD|7}}
+
Lord [[Dagon Greyjoy]] led the ironborn in raiding the north during the reign of King [[Aerys I Targaryen]]; Lord [[Beron Stark]] gathered swords to repel them.{{ref|TMK}}
  
A century ago the [[Skagos]]i unsuccessfully rebelled against the Starks, costing the lives of the Lord of Winterfell and hundreds of his supporters.{{ref|AFFC|15}}
+
The people of the north must be vigilant against [[free folk|wildlings]] who manage to bypass the [[Wall]]. One [[King-beyond-the-Wall]], [[Raymun Redbeard]], was defeated by the Starks and [[House Umber|Umbers]] at [[battle at Long Lake|Long Lake]].{{ref|ADWD|7}}
  
The northmen composed much of the rebel forces during [[Robert's Rebellion]], also known as the War of the Usurper. After King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] caused the deaths of Lord [[Rickard Stark]] and his heir, [[Brandon Stark]], their successor, Lord [[Eddard Stark]], led armies alongside Lord [[Robert Baratheon]], who was chosen king at war's end.
+
A century ago the [[Skagos]]i unsuccessfully rebelled against the Starks, costing the lives of Lord [[Barthogan Stark]] and hundreds of his supporters.{{ref|AFFC|15}}
 +
 
 +
===Robert's Rebellion===
 +
The northmen composed much of the rebel forces during [[Robert's Rebellion]], also known as the War of the Usurper. After King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] caused the deaths of Lord [[Rickard Stark]] and his heir, [[Brandon Stark]], their successor, Lord [[Eddard Stark]], led armies alongside Lord Robert Baratheon, who was crowned King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert I]] at war's end.
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
King [[Robert Baratheon]] travels from [[King's Landing]] to [[Winterfell]] to offer the position of [[Hand of the King]] to his old friend, Lord [[Eddard Stark]], which the [[Warden of the North]] reluctantly accepts.{{ref|AGOT|3}}{{ref|AGOT|6}} When Eddard is later imprisoned in the [[Red Keep]] after the death of Robert, his heir, [[Robb Stark]], calls the northern banners to Winterfell and marches south to rescue Eddard.{{ref|AGOT|53}} After hearing that King [[Joffrey Baratheon]] ordered the execution of Eddard, the assembled northern and river lords in [[Riverrun]] reject the sovereignty of the [[Iron Throne]] and proclaim Robb to be [[King in the North]].{{ref|AGOT|71}}
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[[File:Tomasz Jedruszek Winerfell.jpg|thumb|500px|Lords of Winter - by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games.]]
 +
King [[Robert I Baratheon]] travels from [[King's Landing]] to [[Winterfell]] to offer the position of [[Hand of the King]] to his old friend, Lord [[Eddard Stark]], which the [[Warden of the North]] reluctantly accepts.{{ref|AGOT|3}}{{ref|AGOT|6}}
 +
 
 +
When Eddard is later imprisoned in the [[Red Keep]] after the death of Robert, his heir, [[Robb Stark]], calls the northern banners to Winterfell and marches south to rescue Eddard{{ref|AGOT|53}} with a strength of nearly twenty thousand{{Ref|AGOT|55}}{{Ref|ADWD|20}} close to the start of autumn.{{Ref|ACOK|prologue}} [[House Karstark]] contributes at least two thousand three hundred men, mostly infantry.{{Ref|AGOT|53}} [[House Manderly]] provides at least fifteen hundred,{{Ref|AGOT|55}} but it is not their full strength.{{ref|ADWD|29}}  [[House Dustin]] sends a minimal amount.{{Ref|ADWD|41}} Of the four thousand armored lances who come to Winterfell, only three or four hundred are [[knight]]s.{{Ref|AGOT|53}}
 +
 
 +
Robb is victorious over [[House Lannister]] forces in the [[battle in the Whispering Wood|Whispering Wood]] and the [[Battle of the Camps]], but Lord [[Roose Bolton]] is defeated by Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] on the [[battle on the Green Fork|Green Fork]]. After hearing that King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]] ordered the execution of Eddard, the assembled northern and river lords in [[Riverrun]] reject the sovereignty of the [[Iron Throne]] and proclaim Robb to be [[King in the North]].{{ref|AGOT|71}}
  
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
With Robb campaigning south of [[the Neck]], his younger brother [[Bran Stark|Bran]] remains as the Stark in Winterfell. Bran hosts various bannermen at Winterfell's harvest feast.{{ref|ACOK|16}}{{ref|ACOK|21}} [[Ramsay Snow]], the Bastard of [[Roose Bolton|Bolton]], abducts the widowed Lady [[Donella Hornwood]] and claims the lands of the [[House Hornwood|Hornwoods]]. After hearing that Ramsay starved Donella, the [[House Manderly|Manderlys]] skirmish with the [[House Bolton|Boltons]].{{ref|ACOK|28}}{{ref|ACOK|35}}
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[[File:Tomasz Jedruszek King Robb's Host.png|thumb|King [[Robb Stark]]'s Host by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games]]
 +
With Robb campaigning south of the [[Neck]], his younger brother [[Bran Stark|Bran]] remains as the Stark in Winterfell. Bran hosts various bannermen at Winterfell's [[harvest feast]] in {{date|299}}.{{ref|ACOK|16}}{{ref|ACOK|21}} Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]], the castellan of Winterfell, allows [[House Manderly]] to begin construction of a fleet with the aid of [[House Umber]].{{Ref|ACOK|16}}
 +
 
 +
[[Ramsay Snow]], the Bastard of [[Roose Bolton|Bolton]], abducts the widowed Lady [[Donella Hornwood]] and claims the lands of the [[House Hornwood|Hornwoods]]. After hearing that Ramsay starved Donella, the Manderlys skirmish with the [[House Bolton|Boltons]] in the [[Hornwood (forest)|Hornwood]].{{ref|ACOK|28}}{{ref|ACOK|35}}
  
The [[Iron Islands]] also declare their independence from the [[Iron Throne]].{{ref|ACOK|24}} With most of the northern soldiers fighting alongside Robb in the south,{{ref|ACOK|11}} King [[Balon Greyjoy]] claims the North and sends the [[ironborn]] to raid the [[Battle of the Stony Shore|Stony Shore]] and capture [[Battle of Deepwood Motte|Deepwood Motte]], [[Battle of Torrhen's Square|Torrhen's Square]], and [[Moat Cailin]]. [[Theon Greyjoy]] captures [[Battle of Winterfell|Winterfell]],{{ref|ACOK|46}} but the northern capital is later [[Sack of Winterfell|sacked]] by Ramsay Snow and the Bolton garrison from [[the Dreadfort]].{{ref|ACOK|66}}  
+
The [[Iron Islands]] also declare their independence from the [[Iron Throne]] during the [[War of the Five Kings]].{{ref|ACOK|24}} With most of the northern soldiers fighting alongside Robb in the south,{{ref|ACOK|11}} [[Balon Greyjoy]], [[Lord of the Iron Islands]], claims the north and sends the [[ironborn]] to raid the [[harrying of the Stony Shore|Stony Shore]] and capture [[taking of Deepwood Motte|Deepwood Motte]], [[capture of Torrhen's Square|Torrhen's Square]], and [[fall of Moat Cailin|Moat Cailin]]. [[Theon Greyjoy]] captures [[Capture of Winterfell|Winterfell]],{{ref|ACOK|46}} but Rodrik Cassel assembles near two thousand men to retake the castle from the ironborn. Rodrik's loyalists are betrayed by Ramsay Snow and six hundred Boltons from the [[Dreadfort]] in a [[battle at Winterfell]], however. The northern capital is then [[Sack of Winterfell|sacked]] by Ramsay and the Boltons.{{ref|ACOK|66}}
  
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
Robb Stark, King in the North and [[King of the Trident]], intends to march north from the [[Riverlands]] to expel the ironborn.{{ref|ASOS|45}} However, he is [[Red Wedding|betrayed and murdered]] at [[the Twins]] by his bannermen, Lords [[Walder Frey]] and [[Roose Bolton]],{{ref|ASOS|51}} who have their forces slaughter most of the northmen in the south.{{ref|ASOS|52}} In return for his services to [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]], Roose is named the new Warden of the North for the Iron Throne.{{ref|ASOS|72}}
+
Bran Stark flees with [[Hodor]], [[Meera Reed]], and [[Jojen Reed]] from Winterfell. They travel through the [[northern mountains]] and the [[Gift]] to the [[Nightfort]].{{ref|ASOS|56}}
 +
 
 +
Balon Greyjoy, the self-declared [[King of the Isles and the North]], falls to his death at [[Pyke]].{{ref|ASOS|45}}
  
King [[Stannis Baratheon]] sails from [[Dragonstone]] to the [[Wall]] to aid the [[Night's Watch]] in defeating the [[wildling]] army of [[Mance Rayder]], [[King-beyond-the-Wall]], in the [[Battle of Castle Black]].{{ref|ASOS|73}}
+
Robb Stark, King in the North and [[King of the Trident]], intends to march north from the [[riverlands]] to expel the ironborn.{{ref|ASOS|45}} However, he is [[Red Wedding|betrayed and murdered]] at the [[Twins]] by his bannermen, Lords [[Walder Frey]] and [[Roose Bolton]],{{ref|ASOS|51}} who have their forces slaughter most of the northmen in the south.{{ref|ASOS|52}} In return for his services to [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]], Roose is named the new [[Warden of the North]] for the Iron Throne.{{ref|ASOS|72}}
 +
 
 +
King [[Stannis Baratheon]] sails from [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]] to the [[Wall]] to aid the [[Night's Watch]] in defeating the [[wildling]] army of [[Mance Rayder]], [[King-beyond-the-Wall]], in the [[Battle of Castle Black]].{{ref|ASOS|73}}
  
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
While south of the Neck, Roose attempts to consolidate control over the North.{{ref|AFFC|17}}
+
While south of the Neck, Roose attempts to consolidate control over the north.{{ref|AFFC|17}}
  
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
The [[House Ryswell|Ryswells]] and [[House Dustin|Dustins]] defeat the [[ironborn]] at the [[Fever River]],{{ref|ADWD|15}} while the [[House Bolton|Boltons]] recapture [[Moat Cailin]] and thereby allow Lord [[Roose Bolton]] to march north with his Frey allies.{{ref|ADWD|20}} {{ref|ADWD|37}} Roose has a tenuous grasp over the North, considering only the Ryswells and Dustins to be loyal allies because of marriage ties. The [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyns]], [[House Tallhart|Tallharts]], [[House Umber|Umbers]], and [[House Manderly|Manderlys]] are reluctant supporters or are outright plotting against Roose.{{ref|ADWD|32}} Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] secretly tasks [[Davos Seaworth]] with bringing [[Rickon Stark]] back from [[Skagos]].{{ref|ADWD|29}} [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] marries "[[Arya Stark]]", who is actually [[Jeyne Poole]], at [[Winterfell]] in order to claim the ancient capital of the North.
+
[[File:Dimitri Bielak Northern Courser.JPG|thumb|350px|Northern Courser by Dimitri Bielak © Fantasy Flight Games]]
 +
In {{Date|300}}, Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] has completed some forty-six warships.{{Ref|ADWD|15}}{{Ref|ADWD|29}}<ref group="N">Davos sees twenty-three ships in the harbor (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 16|Davos II]]), but according to Lord Wyman, there are "as many more" hidden up the White Knife (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 29|Davos IV]])</ref> Wyman secretly tasks [[Davos Seaworth]] with bringing [[Rickon Stark]] back from [[Skagos]].{{ref|ADWD|29}}
  
Stannis gains the [[northern mountain clans]] for his cause and [[retaking of Deepwood Motte|liberates]] Deepwood Moote for the [[House Glover|Glovers]],{{ref|ADWD|26}} although the [[House Karstark|Karstarks]] plan to betray him for Roose.{{ref|ADWD|44}} Stannis marches through the [[wolfswood]] to [[Siege of Winterfell|take Winterfell]] from Roose. His march is slowed, however, by strong blizzards which hamper the armies of both Stannis{{ref|ADWD|62}} and Roose.{{ref|ADWD|46}}
+
The [[House Ryswell|Ryswells]] and [[House Dustin|Dustins]] defeat the [[ironborn]] at the [[Fever River]].{{ref|ADWD|15}} [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] uses [[Theon Greyjoy]] to resolve the [[siege of Moat Cailin]] and thereby allow Lord [[Roose Bolton]] to march north with his Frey allies.{{ref|ADWD|20}}{{ref|ADWD|37}} From the roughly twenty thousand northmen who marched south with [[Robb Stark]] at the start of war, only one in five returns north, most of them men from [[House Bolton]].{{ref|ADWD|20}}
 +
 
 +
Roose has a tenuous grasp over the north, considering only the Ryswells and Dustins to be loyal allies because of marriage ties. The [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyns]], [[House Tallhart|Tallharts]], [[House Umber|Umbers]], and [[House Manderly|Manderlys]] are reluctant supporters or are outright plotting against Roose.{{ref|ADWD|32}} Ramsay marries "[[Arya Stark]]", who is actually [[Jeyne Poole]], at [[Winterfell]] in order to claim the ancient capital of the north.{{ref|ADWD|37}}
 +
 
 +
Rather than attacking the [[Dreadfort]], [[Stannis Baratheon]] is convinced by [[Jon Snow]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], to travel west from [[Castle Black]] to the [[northern mountains]]. The [[northern mountain clans|mountain clans]] field him three and a half thousand men,<ref group="N">Stannis Baratheon had come north with no more than fifteen hundred men ([[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 19|''A Dance with Dragons'', Davos III]]), and has five thousand men after the mountain clans join him ([[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 35|''A Dance with Dragons'', Jon VII]]).</ref> and Stannis [[fight by Deepwood Motte|liberates Deepwood Moote]] for the [[House Glover|Glovers]].{{ref|ADWD|26}} The king marches through the [[wolfswood]] to take Winterfell from Roose. Stannis's [[march on Winterfell]] is slowed, however, by strong blizzards{{ref|ADWD|62}} which also hamper Roose.{{ref|ADWD|46}}
 +
 
 +
===''The Winds of Winter''===
 +
{{Warning|This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.}}
 +
At the [[crofters' village]], Stannis discovers that the [[House Karstark|Karstarks]] planned to betray him for Roose.<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>
  
 
==Houses==
 
==Houses==
 
{{Columns|3|
 
{{Columns|3|
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Ashwood]]'''.<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Amber]]'''<br>
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Blackmyre]]'''.<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Ashwood]]'''<br>
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Boggs (The Neck)|House Boggs]]'''.<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Blackmyre]]'''<br>
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Bole]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:House Blackwood.png|30px]] '''[[House Blackwood]]''' of the [[Wolfswood]]<br>
[[File:Bolton.png|30px]] '''[[House Bolton]]''' of [[the Dreadfort]].<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Boggs (north)|House Boggs]]'''<br>
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Branch]]'''.<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Bole]]'''<br>
[[File:House Burley.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Burley]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:Bolton.png|30px]] '''[[House Bolton]]''' of the [[Dreadfort]]<br>
[[File:House Cassel.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Cassel]]'''.<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Branch]]'''<br>
[[File:House Cerwyn.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Cerwyn]]''' of [[Castle Cerwyn|Cerwyn]].<br>
+
[[File:House Burley.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Burley]]'''<br>
[[File:House Condon.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Condon]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:House Cassel.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Cassel]]'''<br>
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Cray]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:House Cerwyn.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Cerwyn]]''' of [[Castle Cerwyn|Cerwyn]]<br>
[[File:House Crowl.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Crowl]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:House Condon.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Condon]]'''<br>
[[File:House Dustin.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Dustin]]''' of [[Barrowton]].<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Cray]]'''<br>
[[File:Fenn.png|30px]] '''[[House Fenn]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:House Crowl.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Crowl]]'''<br>
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Flint of the mountains|House Flint]]''' of the [[northern mountains|mountains]].<br>
+
[[File:House Dustin.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Dustin]]''' of [[Barrowton]]<br>
[[File:House Flint of Flint's Finger.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Flint of Flint's Finger|House Flint]]''' of [[Flint's Finger]].<br>
+
[[File:Fenn.png|30px]] '''[[House Fenn]]'''<br>
[[File:Flint Widows Watch.png|30px]] '''[[House Flint of Widow's Watch|House Flint]]''' of [[Widow's Watch]].<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Fisher of the Stony Shore|House Fisher]]''' of the [[Stony Shore]]<br>
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Forrester]]'''.<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Flint of Breakstone Hill|House Flint]]''' of [[Breakstone Hill]]<br>
[[File:House Glover.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Glover]]''' of [[Deepwood Motte]].<br>
+
[[File:House Flint of Flint's Finger.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Flint of Flint's Finger|House Flint]]''' of [[Flint's Finger]]<br>
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Greengood]]'''.<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Flint of the mountains|House Flint]]''' of the [[northern mountains|mountains]]<br>
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Greystark]]''' of the [[Wolf's Den]].<br>
+
[[File:Flint Widows Watch.png|30px]] '''[[House Flint of Widow's Watch|House Flint]]''' of [[Widow's Watch]]<br>
[[File:House Harclay.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Harclay]]'''.<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Forrester]]'''<br>
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Holt]]'''.<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Frost]]'''<br>
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Long]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:House Glover.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Glover]]''' of [[Deepwood Motte]]<br>
[[File:House Hornwood.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Hornwood]]''' of the [[Hornwood]].<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Greengood]]'''<br>
[[File:Ironsmith1.png|30px]] '''[[House Ironsmith]]'''.<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Greenwood]]'''<br>
[[File:House Karstark.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Karstark]]''' of [[Karhold]].<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Greystark]]''' of the [[Wolf's Den]]<br>
[[File:Lake.png|30px]] '''[[House Lake]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:House Harclay.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Harclay]]'''<br>
[[File:House Liddle.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Liddle]]'''.<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Holt (north)|House Holt]]'''<br>
[[File:Lightfoot.png|30px]] '''[[House Lightfoot]]'''.<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Long]]'''<br>
[[File:House Locke.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Locke]]''' of [[Oldcastle]].<br>
+
[[File:House Hornwood.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Hornwood]]''' of [[Hornwood]]<br>
[[File:Magnar.png|30px]] '''[[House Magnar]]''' of [[Kingshouse]].<br>
+
[[File:Ironsmith1.png|30px]] '''[[House Ironsmith]]'''<br>
[[File:House Manderly.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Manderly]]''' of [[White Harbor]].<br>
+
[[File:House Karstark.svg|30px]] '''[[House Karstark]]''' of [[Karhold]]<br>
[[File:Marsh.png|30px]] '''[[House Marsh]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:Lake.png|30px]] '''[[House Lake (north)|House Lake]]'''<br>
[[File:Mollen.png|30px]] '''[[House Mollen]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:House Liddle.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Liddle]]'''<br>
[[File:House Mormont.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Mormont]]''' of [[Bear Island]].<br>
+
[[File:Lightfoot.png|30px]] '''[[House Lightfoot]]'''<br>
[[File:House Moss.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Moss]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:House Locke.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Locke]]''' of [[Oldcastle]]<br>
[[File:House Norrey.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Norrey]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:Magnar.png|30px]] '''[[House Magnar]]''' of [[Kingshouse]]<br>
[[File:House Overton.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Overton]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:House Manderly.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Manderly]]''' of [[White Harbor]]<br>
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Peat]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:Marsh.png|30px]] '''[[House Marsh]]'''<br>
[[File:HousePoole.png|30px]] '''[[House Poole]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:Mollen.png|30px]] '''[[House Mollen]]'''<br>
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Quagg]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:House Mormont.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Mormont]]''' of [[Bear Island]]<br>
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Redbeard]]''' (at the [[Wall]]).<br>
+
[[File:House Moss.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Moss]]'''<br>
[[File:Reed coat of arms.png|30px]] '''[[House Reed]]''' of [[Greywater Watch]].<br>
+
[[File:House Norrey.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Norrey]]'''<br>
[[File:House Ryswell.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Ryswell]]''' of the [[Rills]].<br>
+
[[File:House Overton.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Overton]]'''<br>
[[File:House Slate.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Slate]]'''.<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Peat]]'''<br>
[[File:Stane.png|30px]] '''[[House Stane]]''' of [[Driftwood Hall]].<br>
+
[[File:House Poole.svg|30px]] '''[[House Poole]]'''<br>
[[File:House Stark.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Stark]]''' of [[Winterfell]].<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Quagg]]'''<br>
[[File:House Stout.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Stout]]''' of [[Goldgrass]].<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Redbeard]]''' (at the [[Wall]])<br>
[[File:House Tallhart.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Tallhart]]''' of [[Torrhen's Square]].<br>
+
[[File:Reed coat of arms.png|30px]] '''[[House Reed]]''' of [[Greywater Watch]]<br>
[[File:HouseThenn.png|30px]] '''[[House Thenn]]'''.<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Ryder]]''' of the [[Rills]].<br>
[[File:Umbercrest.png|30px]] '''[[House Umber]]''' of the [[Last Hearth]].<br>
+
[[File:House Ryswell.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Ryswell]]''' of the [[Rills]]<br>
[[File:House Waterman.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Waterman]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:House Slate.svg|30px]] '''[[House Slate]]''' of [[Blackpool]]<br>
[[File:Wells.png|30px]] '''[[House Wells (the North)|House Wells]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:Stane.png|30px]] '''[[House Stane]]''' of [[Driftwood Hall]]<br>
[[File:Whitehill.png|30px]] '''[[House Whitehill]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:House Stark.svg|30px]] '''[[House Stark]]''' of [[Winterfell]]<br>
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Woodfoot]]''' of [[Bear Island]].<br>
+
[[File:House Stout.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Stout]]''' of [[Goldgrass]]<br>
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Woods]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:House Tallhart.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Tallhart]]''' of [[Torrhen's Square]]<br>
[[File:Woolfield.png|30px]] '''[[House Woolfield]]'''.<br>
+
[[File:House Thenn.svg|30px]] '''[[House Thenn]]'''<br>
[[File:House Wull.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Wull]]'''.<br>
+
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Towers (north)|House Towers]]'''<br>
 +
[[File:Umbercrest.png|30px]] '''[[House Umber]]''' of the [[Last Hearth]]<br>
 +
[[File:House Waterman.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Waterman]]'''<br>
 +
[[File:Wells.png|30px]] '''[[House Wells (north)|House Wells]]'''<br>
 +
[[File:Whitehill.png|30px]] '''[[House Whitehill]]'''<br>
 +
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Woodfoot]]''' of [[Bear Island]]<br>
 +
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Woods]]'''<br>
 +
[[File:Woolfield.png|30px]] '''[[House Woolfield]]'''<br>
 +
[[File:House Wull.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Wull]]'''<br>
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===''Game of Thrones - A Telltale Games Series''===
 +
Houses from ''[[Game of Thrones - A Telltale Games Series]]'' include:
 +
{{Columns|1|
 +
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Branfield (Telltale)|House Branfield]]'''<br>
 +
[[File:House Forrester.png|30px]] '''[[House Forrester (Telltale)|House Forrester]]''' of [[Ironrath]]<br>
 +
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Glenmore (Telltale)|House Glenmore]]''' of [[Rillwater Crossing]]<br>
 +
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Tuttle (Telltale)|House Tuttle]]'''<br>
 +
[[File:Whitehill.png|30px]] '''[[House Whitehill (Telltale)|House Whitehill]]''' of [[Highpoint]]<br>
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
{{Quote|In the south, the way they talk about my [[Seven Kingdoms]], a man forgets that your part is as big as the other six combined.{{Ref|aGoT|4}}}} – [[Robert Baratheon]] to [[Eddard Stark]]
+
{{quote|They say those northmen are a savage folk, and their woods are full of wolves.{{ref|TMK}}}} - [[Daemon II Blackfyre|John the Fiddler]] to [[Duncan the Tall]]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
{{Quote|In the south, the way they talk about my [[Seven Kingdoms]], a man forgets that your part is as big as the other six combined.{{Ref|aGoT|4}}}} – [[Robert I Baratheon]] to [[Eddard Stark]]
  
  
{{Quote|The north is hard and cold, and has no mercy.{{ref|ASOS|20|p 226}}}} – [[Eddard Stark]]
+
{{Quote|The north is hard and cold, and has no mercy.{{ref|ASOS|20}}}} – [[Eddard Stark]] to [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn Tully]]
  
  
{{Quote|The north remembers.{{ref|ASOS|20|p 229}}}} – [[Robb Stark]]
+
{{Quote|The north remembers.{{ref|ASOS|20}}}} – [[Robb Stark]] to [[Brynden Tully]]
  
  
{{Quote|The north remembers, Lord Davos. The north remembers, and the mummer’s farce is almost done. {{ref|aDwD|29|pages 382-394}}}}
+
{{Quote|The north remembers, Lord Davos. The north remembers, and the mummer's farce is almost done.{{ref|aDwD|29}}}}
 
– [[Wyman Manderly]] to [[Davos Seaworth]]
 
– [[Wyman Manderly]] to [[Davos Seaworth]]
  
==References and Notes==
+
==Notes==
 +
{{Notes}}
 +
 
 +
==References==
 
{{References|2}}
 
{{References|2}}
{{Template:HousesNorth|state=uncollapsed}}
+
 
{{Template:Region North|state=uncollapsed}}
+
{{Regions}}
 +
{{HousesNorth|state=uncollapsed}}
 +
{{Region North|state=uncollapsed}}
  
 
<!-- Categories -->
 
<!-- Categories -->
 
[[Category:The North| ]]
 
[[Category:The North| ]]
[[Category:Places in Westeros|North, The]]
+
[[Category:Places in Westeros]]
  
 
<!-- language interwikis -->
 
<!-- language interwikis -->

Revision as of 16:29, 25 January 2018

Map (click to zoom)
The lands surrounding Winterfell and the kingsroad in Game of Thrones

The north[1][2][3] or the North[4] is one of the constituent regions of Westeros and was a sovereign nation ruled by Kings in the North before Aegon's Conquest. The largest region of the Seven Kingdoms,[5] the dominion of House Stark extends from the border of the New Gift, which is controlled by the Night's Watch, to the southern edge of the Neck far to the south.[4]

The north has been ruled by the Starks for thousands of years from the castle known as Winterfell. Notable bannermen of the region include Bolton, Cerwyn, Dustin, Flint, Glover, Hornwood, Karstark, Manderly, Mormont, Reed, Ryswell, Tallhart, and Umber.[6][7] Bastards of noble origin raised in the north are given the surname Snow.

Geography

Northland Keep by Alyn Spiller. © Fantasy Flight Games

George R. R. Martin has indicated that Scotland is an inspiration for the north.[8] While some say the vast north is nearly as large as the rest of the Seven Kingdoms combined,[5] in actuality it is roughly a third of the landmass controlled by the Iron Throne.[4] The region is sparsely populated, with vast wilderness, forests, pine-covered hills and snow-capped mountains, speckled with tiny villages and holdfasts. Its climate is cold and harsh in winter and occasionally it will snow in summer. The north has two major land barriers, the Wall to the north and the Neck to the south. The north is bound on each side by major seas, the Shivering Sea to the east and the Sunset Sea to the west.[9]

Winterfell, the ancestral seat of House Stark, is a large castle centrally located in the north. Nearby is the winter town. The vast wolfswood, the largest forest of the Seven Kingdoms, extends northwest to the Bay of Ice and Sea Dragon Point. Deepwood Motte, the seat of House Glover, lies in the western wolfswood. House Mormont rules Bear Island in the Bay of Ice. The northern mountains extend from the wolfswood to the Wall and are inhabited by northern mountain clans.[9]

South of the wolfswood is hilly terrain with several large lakes. Torrhen's Square, seat of House Tallhart, is located by the largest of these lakes. Farther west along the Sunset Sea is the Stony Shore, which contains fishing villages. Southeast of the Stony Shore and north of Blazewater Bay is the Rills, plains which are ruled by House Ryswell. East of the Rills and south of Winterfell are the barrowlands, hilly plains dotted with the barrows of the First Men. House Dustin rules the large town of Barrowton. There are unnamed rivers which flow south from Barrowton and near Torrhen's Square into the Saltspear, while another unnamed river divides the Stony Shore from the Rills.[9]

South of the barrowlands is the Neck, an isthmus forming the border with the riverlands to the south. A vast swamp and the source of the Green Fork, the Neck is home to the crannogmen; House Reed rules from the moving castle Greywater Watch.[10] The ruined castle of Moat Cailin, located on the causeway near the Fever River, controls access to the north from the Neck. It is here the Kings in the North held off southron invasions.[11]

A large peninsula is located west of the Neck and south of the Saltspear and Blazewater Bay. Flint's Finger, home of House Flint of Flint's Finger, is located on its northern shore, while Cape Kraken and and the Flint Cliffs are located along its western and southern shores, respectively. South of the peninsula are Ironman's Bay and the Iron Islands.[12]

East of the barrowlands is the White Knife, a major river of the north which has its source at Long Lake northeast of Winterfell. Castle Cerwyn, the seat of House Cerwyn, is located near a tributary south of Winterfell. The White Knife runs south to White Harbor, one of the major cities of the Seven Kingdoms and the main port of the north. Southeast of White Harbor is Oldcastle, the seat of House Locke, while farther east are Ramsgate and the Broken Branch, which has its source in the Sheepshead Hills northeast of White Harbor. Widow's Watch, the castle of House Flint of Widow's Watch, is built on an isolated peninsula east of Ramsgate in the Shivering Sea.[9] The Bite separates the southeastern North, much of which is influenced by House Manderly of White Harbor,[13] from the Vale of Arryn.

Hornwood, the seat of House Hornwood, is located in the Hornwood forest north of White Harbor and south of the Dreadfort, the seat of House Bolton. The Dreadfort lies near the Weeping Water, which flows east to the Shivering Sea. Northeast of the Dreadfort are the forested lands of House Karstark. East of their castle, Karhold, are the Grey Cliffs.[9] Located in the Bay of Seals are several islands, including Skagos and uninhabited Skane. The largest, Skagos, is said to be inhabited by cannibals and unicorns and is only nominally controlled by the Starks of Winterfell.[14]

North of Winterfell and the Dreadfort and northwest of Karhold are the lands of House Umber, whose castle of Last Hearth is located in a forest. The Umbers control the Lonely Hills[15] and land along the Bay of Seals.[16] Beginning near Last Hearth, the Last River flows southeast between Karhold and the Dreadfort.[9]

The Wall is a colossal fortification that protects the north from threats beyond the Wall, such as wildlings. It is separated from the northern lands owing allegiance to Winterfell by the Gift, which are lands of the Night's Watch north of the Umbers' lands.

Winterfell and Moat Cailin are located along the kingsroad, which connects Castle Black at the Wall with the riverlands to the south. There are farms, holdfasts, inns, and villages along the road.[17][18]

In the video game Game of Thrones - A Telltale Games Series, House Forrester lives at Ironrath in the wolfswod. Their rivals, House Whitehill, live at Highpoint between the wolfswood and the northern mountains.[19] The name of Rillwater Crossing, seat of House Glenmore, suggests it may be located in the Rills.

Seasons

Northern Infantry by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games.

The north is strongly affected during the long winters, with thousands of people killed and famine a common occurrence due to poor harvests before winter or the inability to raise crops during the longer winters that last for for years on end. Some greater lords maintain greenhouses at their castles, such as the glass gardens of Winterfell.[20]

Once autumn is declared by the Citadel, the lords of the north store away a part of the grain they have harvested. How much is a matter of choice; between one fifth and one fourth seems prudent, however. Additionally food is smoked, salted, and otherwise preserved ahead of winter. Coastal communities depend on fish and inland ice fishing is common on the rivers and Long Lake. Poor harvests before winter will mean famine, however.[20]

In winter, snows can fall forty feet deep. Rain falls cold and hard, and sometimes turns into hail that can send men running for cover and ruin crops. Even during summer, snowfalls are not unusual but tend to be brief and not particularly damaging to agriculture.

People

Wolves of the North.- Illustrated by Tiziano Baracchi. © Fantasy Flight Games.

Most northmen are descended from the First Men, although there have been centuries of intermarriage with the Andals who conquered south of the Neck.[21] The Old Tongue spoken by the First Men of antiquity has been replaced in the north by the Common Tongue, with the earlier language now only spoken beyond the Wall.[4] Northern accounts can be considered "frosted".[22] Northmen such as Karstarks and Umbers are often large in stature and have thick beards, long hair, and heavy cloaks of wool or fur.[23] Northmen are sometimes referred to as "wolves" by ironborn[24] and southrons.[25]

The constant cold and the iron grip of winter set apart the northerners from the people of the kingdoms south of the Neck. The north's terrain and climate do not easily yield the necessities of daily life. Northmen place less of an emphasis on courtly ritual and culture, and instead prefer hunting and brawling. Their tourneys are often melees and rarely feature jousting. Guest right is treasured in the north.[4] Northmen have long memories, and a lord who does not seek his rightful vengeance threatens to have his own men turn on him.[23]

Some northmen live in remote, distant areas where they act as little more than clans and tribes. These remote folk, such as the crannogmen, the northern mountain clans, and the Skagosi, are still vassals of the Starks, however, and are allowed to maintain their own ways and traditions as long as they remain loyal to Winterfell. Some maesters believe the blood of Cape Kraken's people is closer to that of ironborn than northmen.[26]

Most of the north's people still follow the old gods and their heart trees, and have little inclination for newer religions. There are a few houses who follow the Faith of the Seven, including Houses Manderly, Wells, and Whitehill.[27] Due to its religious aspect, most northmen refuse to take holy orders and thus cannot become knights, although some northern cavalry are knights who still follow the old gods instead of the Seven.[13] Most knights of the north live in the region's southern lands, such as White Harbor[28] and the barrowlands.[29] Heraldry in the north is simpler than that in southern Westeros, showing the lesser influence that chivalry has had there.[30]

Northmen hold the Night's Watch in high regard, and many lords send annual gifts to support the black brothers.[31]

Economy

As the north is largely uncultivated, there are few roads of import there. Most of the inland trade passes by either the kingsroad or the rivers. Trade items from the north include wool,[32] hides, and timber.[33] White Harbor contains silversmiths[34] and the Old Mint.[33]

Military strength

The north's exact military strength has not yet been revealed. According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the north can perhaps raise forty-five thousand soldiers, [35] although it would take a long time to gather them from such a large region.[36] According to George R.R. Martin, the north's military strength is about equal to that of the Vale of Arryn, and Dorne.[36] During Aegon's Conquest, King Torrhen Stark raised an army of thirty thousand men.[37] Nearly twenty thousand can be raised on short notice[11] near the start of autumn,[38] while thousands more might be raised from more distant houses, such as the northern mountain clans, if more time is allowed.[15]

A semi-canon source from 2005 places the infantry-to-cavalry ratio at four to one.[35] House Manderly, of southron origins, is known to command the most heavy horse north of the Neck.[13] Mail is the most common armor found in the north.[39] As knighthood is associated with the Faith of the Seven, and the majority of the northmen holds to the old gods, knighthood is rare in the north.[29]

The north has had no strength at sea since Brandon the Burner set fire to the remaining fleet of his father, Brandon the Shipwright.[16]

History

Dawn Age

Banner for the North illustrated by Tiziano Baracchi. © Fantasy Flight Games.

The peoples of the north are nearly all descended from the First Men, who settled the land nearly twelve thousand years ago. Little is known of that time, but cryptic runes carved in old stones and the barrows the First Men lived in can still be found in the barrowlands. Ancient forts of the First Men are scattered throughout the north, including a ringfort atop Seal Rock near White Harbor and ruins in Sea Dragon Point. The children of the forest also made weirwood circles.[3]

Kings of Winter

About eight thousand years ago, the legendary Long Night occurred when the Others invaded from the Lands of Always Winter. The event defined and shaped the north, leading to the founding of the Wall, the order of the Night's Watch, the castle of Winterfell and the first Stark Kings of Winter. Brandon the Breaker is said to have allied with Joramun, a King-Beyond-the-Wall, to bring down the Night's King.[31]

The Starks gradually defeated rival kings, such as the Barrow Kings to their south and the Red Kings to their east.[7] During the Andal invasion, the Kings of Winter stopped Andals at Moat Cailin and the eastern shores, the only kingdom in Westeros to do so.[40][7]

King Jon Stark founded the Wolf's Den at the mouth of the White Knife after driving out sea raiders.[13] His son, Rickard Stark, conquered the Neck from the Marsh King and married his daughter.[40] King Rodrik Stark is said to have won Bear Island from the ironborn in a wrestling match. Two thousand years ago the north warred with the Vale of Arryn after the Rape of the Three Sisters, with the Arryns eventually gaining control of the islands in this War Across the Water.[41]

For many centuries the Boltons were bitter rivals of the Starks of Winterfell. The practice of flaying their enemies gave the Boltons a sinister reputation. It is said that a thousand years ago, the Boltons finally swore fealty to the Kings in the North and agreed to abandon their practice of flaying their enemies.[42]

A thousand years before Aegon's Conquest, the Manderlys were driven from the river Mander by House Gardener, the Kings of the Reach, and fled to the north, where they were welcomed by the Starks of Winterfell as their own bannermen.[43] The Manderlys received the Wolf's Den and developed White Harbor, one of the five cities of Westeros and the main northern port for commerce and naval transport. The Manderlys are the most prominent of the few northern noble houses to follow the Faith of the Seven instead of the old gods.

Targaryen Era

Winterfell Honor Guard by artist Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games.

The Starks led the north to war during Aegon's Conquest. After the Field of Fire, however, King Torrhen Stark knelt to Aegon the Conqueror rather than face his dragons. The north was included in the Seven Kingdoms and owed allegiance to the Iron Throne of House Targaryen. The Stark Kings in the North became the Lords of Winterfell and Wardens of the North. Some northmen who refused to bend the knee fled into exile in Essos and formed the Company of the Rose.[44]

Queen Alysanne Targaryen convinced her husband, King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, to grant the New Gift to the Night's Watch[45] despite the objections of Lord Ellard Stark.[46]

During the Dance of the Dragons, the Starks supported the blacks against the greens. Lord Roderick Dustin led two thousand northern soldiers, known as the Winter Wolves, during the war, while the Manderlys had knights from White Harbor also support the claim of Rhaenyra Targaryen.[47] Lord Cregan Stark led a great host of northmen to King's Landing, where he briefly ruled as Hand of the King for Aegon III Targaryen during the Hour of the Wolf.[48]

Lord Dagon Greyjoy led the ironborn in raiding the north during the reign of King Aerys I Targaryen; Lord Beron Stark gathered swords to repel them.[49]

The people of the north must be vigilant against wildlings who manage to bypass the Wall. One King-beyond-the-Wall, Raymun Redbeard, was defeated by the Starks and Umbers at Long Lake.[50]

A century ago the Skagosi unsuccessfully rebelled against the Starks, costing the lives of Lord Barthogan Stark and hundreds of his supporters.[14]

Robert's Rebellion

The northmen composed much of the rebel forces during Robert's Rebellion, also known as the War of the Usurper. After King Aerys II Targaryen caused the deaths of Lord Rickard Stark and his heir, Brandon Stark, their successor, Lord Eddard Stark, led armies alongside Lord Robert Baratheon, who was crowned King Robert I at war's end.

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Lords of Winter - by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games.

King Robert I Baratheon travels from King's Landing to Winterfell to offer the position of Hand of the King to his old friend, Lord Eddard Stark, which the Warden of the North reluctantly accepts.[51][52]

When Eddard is later imprisoned in the Red Keep after the death of Robert, his heir, Robb Stark, calls the northern banners to Winterfell and marches south to rescue Eddard[29] with a strength of nearly twenty thousand[11][2] close to the start of autumn.[38] House Karstark contributes at least two thousand three hundred men, mostly infantry.[29] House Manderly provides at least fifteen hundred,[11] but it is not their full strength.[13] House Dustin sends a minimal amount.[53] Of the four thousand armored lances who come to Winterfell, only three or four hundred are knights.[29]

Robb is victorious over House Lannister forces in the Whispering Wood and the Battle of the Camps, but Lord Roose Bolton is defeated by Lord Tywin Lannister on the Green Fork. After hearing that King Joffrey I Baratheon ordered the execution of Eddard, the assembled northern and river lords in Riverrun reject the sovereignty of the Iron Throne and proclaim Robb to be King in the North.[54]

A Clash of Kings

King Robb Stark's Host by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games

With Robb campaigning south of the Neck, his younger brother Bran remains as the Stark in Winterfell. Bran hosts various bannermen at Winterfell's harvest feast in 299 AC.[16][55] Ser Rodrik Cassel, the castellan of Winterfell, allows House Manderly to begin construction of a fleet with the aid of House Umber.[16]

Ramsay Snow, the Bastard of Bolton, abducts the widowed Lady Donella Hornwood and claims the lands of the Hornwoods. After hearing that Ramsay starved Donella, the Manderlys skirmish with the Boltons in the Hornwood.[10][56]

The Iron Islands also declare their independence from the Iron Throne during the War of the Five Kings.[57] With most of the northern soldiers fighting alongside Robb in the south,[58] Balon Greyjoy, Lord of the Iron Islands, claims the north and sends the ironborn to raid the Stony Shore and capture Deepwood Motte, Torrhen's Square, and Moat Cailin. Theon Greyjoy captures Winterfell,[59] but Rodrik Cassel assembles near two thousand men to retake the castle from the ironborn. Rodrik's loyalists are betrayed by Ramsay Snow and six hundred Boltons from the Dreadfort in a battle at Winterfell, however. The northern capital is then sacked by Ramsay and the Boltons.[60]

A Storm of Swords

Bran Stark flees with Hodor, Meera Reed, and Jojen Reed from Winterfell. They travel through the northern mountains and the Gift to the Nightfort.[61]

Balon Greyjoy, the self-declared King of the Isles and the North, falls to his death at Pyke.[62]

Robb Stark, King in the North and King of the Trident, intends to march north from the riverlands to expel the ironborn.[62] However, he is betrayed and murdered at the Twins by his bannermen, Lords Walder Frey and Roose Bolton,[63] who have their forces slaughter most of the northmen in the south.[64] In return for his services to House Baratheon of King's Landing, Roose is named the new Warden of the North for the Iron Throne.[65]

King Stannis Baratheon sails from Dragonstone to the Wall to aid the Night's Watch in defeating the wildling army of Mance Rayder, King-beyond-the-Wall, in the Battle of Castle Black.[34]

A Feast for Crows

While south of the Neck, Roose attempts to consolidate control over the north.[66]

A Dance with Dragons

Northern Courser by Dimitri Bielak © Fantasy Flight Games

In 300 AC, Lord Wyman Manderly has completed some forty-six warships.[33][13][N 1] Wyman secretly tasks Davos Seaworth with bringing Rickon Stark back from Skagos.[13]

The Ryswells and Dustins defeat the ironborn at the Fever River.[33] Ramsay Bolton uses Theon Greyjoy to resolve the siege of Moat Cailin and thereby allow Lord Roose Bolton to march north with his Frey allies.[2][67] From the roughly twenty thousand northmen who marched south with Robb Stark at the start of war, only one in five returns north, most of them men from House Bolton.[2]

Roose has a tenuous grasp over the north, considering only the Ryswells and Dustins to be loyal allies because of marriage ties. The Cerwyns, Tallharts, Umbers, and Manderlys are reluctant supporters or are outright plotting against Roose.[68] Ramsay marries "Arya Stark", who is actually Jeyne Poole, at Winterfell in order to claim the ancient capital of the north.[67]

Rather than attacking the Dreadfort, Stannis Baratheon is convinced by Jon Snow, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, to travel west from Castle Black to the northern mountains. The mountain clans field him three and a half thousand men,[N 2] and Stannis liberates Deepwood Moote for the Glovers.[3] The king marches through the wolfswood to take Winterfell from Roose. Stannis's march on Winterfell is slowed, however, by strong blizzards[69] which also hamper Roose.[70]

The Winds of Winter

Content.png
Warning
This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for The Winds of Winter, and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.

At the crofters' village, Stannis discovers that the Karstarks planned to betray him for Roose.[71]

Houses

Arms unknown House Amber
Arms unknown House Ashwood
Arms unknown House Blackmyre
House Blackwood.png House Blackwood of the Wolfswood
Arms unknown House Boggs
Arms unknown House Bole
Bolton.png House Bolton of the Dreadfort
Arms unknown House Branch
House Burley.PNG House Burley
House Cassel.PNG House Cassel
House Cerwyn.PNG House Cerwyn of Cerwyn
House Condon.PNG House Condon
Arms unknown House Cray
House Crowl.PNG House Crowl
House Dustin.PNG House Dustin of Barrowton
Fenn.png House Fenn
Arms unknown House Fisher of the Stony Shore
Arms unknown House Flint of Breakstone Hill
House Flint of Flint's Finger.PNG House Flint of Flint's Finger
Arms unknown House Flint of the mountains
Flint Widows Watch.png House Flint of Widow's Watch
Arms unknown House Forrester
Arms unknown House Frost
House Glover.PNG House Glover of Deepwood Motte
Arms unknown House Greengood
Arms unknown House Greenwood
Arms unknown House Greystark of the Wolf's Den
House Harclay.PNG House Harclay
Arms unknown House Holt
Arms unknown House Long
House Hornwood.PNG House Hornwood of Hornwood
Ironsmith1.png House Ironsmith
House Karstark.svg House Karstark of Karhold
Lake.png House Lake
House Liddle.PNG House Liddle
Lightfoot.png House Lightfoot
House Locke.PNG House Locke of Oldcastle
Magnar.png House Magnar of Kingshouse
House Manderly.PNG House Manderly of White Harbor
Marsh.png House Marsh
Mollen.png House Mollen
House Mormont.PNG House Mormont of Bear Island
House Moss.PNG House Moss
House Norrey.PNG House Norrey
House Overton.PNG House Overton
Arms unknown House Peat
House Poole.svg House Poole
Arms unknown House Quagg
Arms unknown House Redbeard (at the Wall)
Reed coat of arms.png House Reed of Greywater Watch
Arms unknown House Ryder of the Rills.
House Ryswell.PNG House Ryswell of the Rills
House Slate.svg House Slate of Blackpool
Stane.png House Stane of Driftwood Hall
House Stark.svg House Stark of Winterfell
House Stout.PNG House Stout of Goldgrass
House Tallhart.PNG House Tallhart of Torrhen's Square
House Thenn.svg House Thenn
Arms unknown House Towers
Umbercrest.png House Umber of the Last Hearth
House Waterman.PNG House Waterman
Wells.png House Wells
Whitehill.png House Whitehill
Arms unknown House Woodfoot of Bear Island
Arms unknown House Woods
Woolfield.png House Woolfield
House Wull.PNG House Wull

Game of Thrones - A Telltale Games Series

Houses from Game of Thrones - A Telltale Games Series include:

Quotes

They say those northmen are a savage folk, and their woods are full of wolves.[49]

- John the Fiddler to Duncan the Tall


In the south, the way they talk about my Seven Kingdoms, a man forgets that your part is as big as the other six combined.[5]

Robert I Baratheon to Eddard Stark


The north is hard and cold, and has no mercy.[23]

Eddard Stark to Catelyn Tully


The north remembers.[23]

Robb Stark to Brynden Tully


The north remembers, Lord Davos. The north remembers, and the mummer's farce is almost done.[13]

Wyman Manderly to Davos Seaworth

Notes

  1. Davos sees twenty-three ships in the harbor (A Dance with Dragons, Davos II), but according to Lord Wyman, there are "as many more" hidden up the White Knife (A Dance with Dragons, Davos IV)
  2. Stannis Baratheon had come north with no more than fifteen hundred men (A Dance with Dragons, Davos III), and has five thousand men after the mountain clans join him (A Dance with Dragons, Jon VII).

References

  1. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 1, Bran I.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 20, Reek II.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 26, The Wayward Bride.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 The World of Ice & Fire, The North.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
  6. A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The North: The Kings of Winter.
  8. The Denver Post: “Game of Thrones” author George R.R. Martin on sex, violence and T.V., updated April 30, 2016
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 The Lands of Ice and Fire.
  10. 10.0 10.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 28, Bran IV.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 55, Catelyn VIII.
  12. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Ironman's Bay.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 29, Davos IV.
  14. 14.0 14.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 15, Samwell II.
  15. 15.0 15.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 17, Jon IV.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 16, Bran II.
  17. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 13, Tyrion II.
  18. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 70, Jon IX.
  19. Game of Thrones - A Telltale Games Series, "The Sword in the Darkness".
  20. 20.0 20.1 So Spake Martin: The Effects of Winter (June 21, 2001)
  21. So Spake Martin: Event Horizon Chat (March 18, 1999)
  22. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 42, Brienne VIII.
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 20, Catelyn III.
  24. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 56, Theon V.
  25. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 9, Brienne II.
  26. The World of Ice & Fire, The Mountain Clans.
  27. A Song of Ice and Fire Campaign Guide
  28. So Spake Martin: The Drowned God and More (July 14, 1999)
  29. 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 53, Bran VI.
  30. So Spake Martin: Shields of the North (June 03, 2000)
  31. 31.0 31.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch.
  32. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 17, Tyrion IV.
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 15, Davos II.
  34. 34.0 34.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 73, Jon X.
  35. 35.0 35.1 A Game of Thrones: d20-based Open Gaming RPG.
  36. 36.0 36.1 So Spake Martin: Strength of the Regions (February 28, 2002)
  37. The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  38. 38.0 38.1 A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
  39. So Spake Martin: Yet More Questions (July 22, 2001)
  40. 40.0 40.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 66, Bran VII.
  41. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 9, Davos I.
  42. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 51, Jon VI.
  43. The Sworn Sword.
  44. The World of Ice & Fire, The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh.
  45. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
  46. The World of Ice & Fire, The North: The Lords of Winterfell.
  47. The Princess and the Queen.
  48. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III.
  49. 49.0 49.1 The Mystery Knight.
  50. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 7, Jon II.
  51. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
  52. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 6, Catelyn II.
  53. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 41, The Turncloak.
  54. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 71, Catelyn XI.
  55. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 21, Bran III.
  56. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 35, Bran V.
  57. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 24, Theon II.
  58. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 11, Theon I.
  59. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 46, Bran VI.
  60. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 66, Theon VI.
  61. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 56, Bran IV.
  62. 62.0 62.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 45, Catelyn V.
  63. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 51, Catelyn VII.
  64. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 52, Arya XI.
  65. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 72, Jaime IX.
  66. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 17, Cersei IV.
  67. 67.0 67.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 37, The Prince of Winterfell.
  68. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 32, Reek III.
  69. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 62, The Sacrifice.
  70. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 46, A Ghost in Winterfell.
  71. The Winds of Winter, Theon I