House Bolton

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House Bolton of the Dreadfort
House Bolton.svg
Our Blades Are Sharp
Coat of arms A red flayed man on pink de sang
(Carnation gouttée-de-sang, a flayed man gules)
Seat The Dreadfort
Head Lord Roose Bolton
Region North
Titles
Heir Ramsay Bolton
Overlords
Cadet branch House Bolton of Winterfell
Founded Age of Heroes

House Bolton of the Dreadfort is a noble house from the Dreadfort in the north. They are an old line descended from the First Men and dating back to the Age of Heroes.[1][2]

The Bolton sigil is a red flayed man, on pale pink spotted with red blood drops.[3][4][5][6][7][8] According to George R. R. Martin, their words are "Our Blades Are Sharp".[9] According to the Bolton servant "Reek", Lord Roose Bolton believes "a naked man has few secrets, but a flayed man has none".[10]

Culture

The Boltons are known for their historical practice of flaying their enemies,[11] and they are said to hang the skins of their enemies in a room of the Dreadfort.[3] The family has a reputation for being dishonorable,[12] cruel,[13] and cunning.[13]

History

Red Kings

Bringers of Dread, by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games

The Boltons are an ancient and powerful house of the north who once ruled as Red Kings from the Dreadfort, with their land reaching from the Last River and the White Knife to the Sheepshead Hills.[1] It has been suggested that the legendary Night's King was a Bolton.[14] Some Red Kings allied with Marsh Kings to defend against southron invaders.[1]

The Boltons have a sinister reputation[1] because of their tradition of flaying their enemies,[11][15] with the skins then hung in a room of the Dreadfort.[3] After the Long Night, the Red Kings were bitter rivals of the Kings of Winter, the Starks of Winterfell. The Boltons achieved some successes against the Starks, with Kings Royce II and Royce IV burning Winterfell.[1] According to rumor, some Boltons wore the flayed skins of Stark princes and lords, such as the son of Bael the Bard,[16] as cloaks[1] during the Age of Heroes.[2]

The last Red King, Rogar the Huntsman, submitted to Winterfell when the coming of the Andals to Westeros was beginning. King Theon Stark, the Hungry Wolf, and the Boltons defeated Argos Sevenstar and his Andals in the Battle of the Weeping Water.[1]

Vassals of Winterfell

Thousands of years ago,[N 1] the Dreadfort rose in an unsuccessful rebellion with the Greystarks of the Wolf's Den against the Starks. The Boltons survived the rebellion, although the Greystarks did not.[13]

The Chronicles of Longsister state that during the Rape of the Three Sisters by the Kings of Winter, which occurred two thousand years ago,[17] Belthasar Bolton had a Pink Pavilion made from the flayed skins of a hundred Sistermen.[15]

The Boltons threatened Winterfell during the reign of King Edrick Snowbeard.[18] At some point unspecified centuries ago, the Boltons rebelled against the Starks. The Stark armies besieged the Dreadfort for two years before the Boltons capitulated to King Harlon Stark and dipped their banners once more.[19]

"A thousand years ago",[N 2] the Boltons bent their knees to Winterfell and agreed to abandon their practice of flaying.[11] It is rumored the skins of their enemies hang in a room within the Dreadfort, however.[3]

Iron Throne Era

Barba Bolton attended the Maiden's Day Cattle Show in King's Landing, but King Aegon III Targaryen chose to wed Daenaera Velaryon instead. Barba asked the Iron Throne for aid in feeding northmen during winter.[20]

When Lord Eddard Stark called the banners of the north to fight in Robert's Rebellion, Lord Roose Bolton took up arms, fighting in the Battle of the Trident. Afterward, he advised Lord Robert Baratheon to slash the throat of Ser Barristan Selmy, a knight in the Kingsguard of King Aerys II Targaryen, but Robert instead sent for his maesters to treat the wounds of the legendary Barristan the Bold.[21]

When Domeric Bolton, Roose's accomplished son and heir, learned that he had a bastard half brother, he rode up the Weeping Water to befriend Ramsay Snow. According to Lord Bolton, Domeric was then poisoned by Ramsay.[22] Now heirless, Roose brought Ramsay to the Dreadfort.[23]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

After the arrest of Lord Eddard Stark, Warden of the North, in King's Landing, Lord Roose Bolton responds to Robb Stark's calling of the banners to Winterfell. A Bolton man knifes a Cerwyn man at the Smoking Log in the winter town outside the castle. Roose and Robett Glover demand a command.[3]

When the northern host splits at the Twins, Roose receives his wish, commanding an army of mostly infantry to engage Lord Tywin Lannister.[24] Lord Bolton hopes to catch Tywin unawares by forcing a night march, but the northmen are forced to retreat at the battle on the Green Fork.[25] Roose reforms his army at the mouth of the causeway.[26]

Robb is able to relieve Riverrun, where he is proclaimed King in the North after the Battle of the Camps.[26]

A Clash of Kings

Encamped at the Twins,[27] Roose marries Walda Frey, a granddaughter of Lord Walder Frey.[28][29] Lord Bolton takes the ruby ford and the crossroads in the riverlands.[30][28]

Following orders from Ser Edmure Tully, Roose and Ser Helman Tallhart march on Harrenhal.[28] Bolton is able to seize the fortress by making a deal with the Brave Companions within, and he is indirectly aided by Arya Stark and Jaqen H'ghar.[4] At Harrenhal, Roose unwittingly takes the incognito Arya as his cupbearer. He and the Freys under Ser Aenys learn of House Greyjoy's ironborn taking much of the north and of the Lannister-Tyrell victory over Stannis Baratheon in the Battle of the Blackwater. Roose orders Helman to first burn Darry and then join Robett Glover in attacking Duskendale in Robb's name.[31]

Meanwhile, Roose's bastard son, Ramsay Snow, marries and kills Lady Donella Hornwood, taking the Hornwood lands for himself.[32][33] House Manderly responds with fighting in the Hornwood.[33] Ramsay then leads the Dreadfort men in betraying the northmen under Ser Rodrik Cassel in a battle at Winterfell. After dispersing Rodrik's host, Ramsay has his men burn Winterfell, capturing or slaughtering all within.[5]

A Storm of Swords

Bolton bannermen, by Amok © Fantasy Flight Games

In the aftermath of the sack of Winterfell, Bolton men search the kingsroad in the north for the missing Bran and Rickon Stark.[34]

The northern army sent by Roose into the crownlands is crushed in the battle at Duskendale.[35]

When Ser Jaime Lannister is captured by the Brave Companions and brought to Harrenhal, Roose allows him to go on his way if he agrees to place all blame for the loss of his hand on the Brave Companions. Roose sends his captain, Steelshanks Walton, with two hundred men to secure Jaime's passage back to King's Landing.[29][36]

The same day that Jaime leaves Harrenhal, Roose rides north to attend the wedding of Edmure Tully, Lord of Riverrun, to Roslin Frey at the Twins. He watches as his rearguard under Ser Wylis Manderly is chewed up by Ser Gregor Clegane in the fighting at the fords of the Trident. Lord Bolton leaves six hundred men under the command of Ser Kyle Condon and Ronnel Stout to guard the Trident.[37]

Roose arrives at the Twins with three thousand foot and five hundred horse, most of whom are Bolton or Karstark men.[38] Robb Stark, King in the North, intends for Roose to command the rearguard during his upcoming campaign against the ironborn-held Moat Cailin.[37]

Roose's actions culminate with his personal killing of Robb at the Twins in the Red Wedding, which he planned with Lame Lothar Frey with the approval of Lords Walder Frey and Tywin Lannister.[7][39] House Bolton usurps House Stark, with Roose being named the new Warden of the North by the Iron Throne. Meanwhile, Ramsay Snow is granted a royal writ of legitimacy by King Tommen I Baratheon, becoming Ramsay Bolton.[40] Ramsay has been amusing himself with the torture of the captive Theon Greyjoy.[38]

A Feast for Crows

Cersei Lannister, the regent for the young Tommen, relies on House Bolton to hold the north for the Iron Throne.[41] Her small council considers aiding the Boltons against House Greyjoy, the self-styled Kings of the Isles and the North, if Roose is able to defeat Stannis Baratheon.[42]

A Dance with Dragons

The Boltons' authority is contested by Stannis and several northern lords, and is begrudged by nearly all others.[12][19] Lord Roose's strongest supporters are his relatives of House Dustin and House Ryswell.[22]

Roose's horse marches north along with two thousand men from the Twins. His passage is secured thanks to the forced efforts of Theon Greyjoy, whose will has been broken by Ramsay. At the siege of Moat Cailin, Theon is able to convince its ironborn garrison to surrender, and Ramsay has them flayed alive.[43] At Barrowton in the north, Roose instructs Ramsay to behave more discreetly, and arranges the marriage of Ramsay to "Arya Stark", who is actually Jeyne Poole, in order to secure dynastic legitimacy.[22]

Ramsay Bolton, the Lord of the Hornwood, weds "Arya" at Winterfell in the presence of several northern lords,[44] and he claims to be the Lord of Winterfell.[45][46] The Boltons and Freys quarter in Winterfell as the autumn snows fall, awaiting the march on Winterfell by King Stannis. While there, Roose deals with high tensions between the different factions, particularly between the Freys and Lord Wyman Manderly.[47] Theon manages to escape with Jeyne, much to Ramsay's chagrin.[48]

According to a letter purportedly sent from Ramsay to Jon Snow, the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch at Castle Black, the Boltons have smashed Stannis's army.[49]

The Winds of Winter

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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.

Theon tells Stannis he expects that Ramsay will be marching on the crofters' village while Roose remains safe in Winterfell.[50]

House Bolton at the end of the third century

The known Boltons during the timespan of the events described in A Song of Ice and Fire are:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unknown
first wife
 
 
"Fat" Walda
Frey
 
Roose
 
Bethany
Ryswell
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Miller's wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unborn
child
 
Sons
 
Domeric
 
Donella
Hornwood
 
Ramsay
Snow
 
"Arya Stark"
 
 
 


Household

The Bastard's Elite, by Sept13 © Fantasy Flight Games
  • Walton, called "Steelshanks", Lord Roose's captain.
  • Maester Tybald, counselor, healer and tutor at the Dreadfort. Placed by Lord Roose at Arnolf Karstark's army. Currently imprisoned under orders of King Stannis Baratheon.
  • Walder Frey, called "Big Walder", Ramsay's squire.
  • {Walder Frey}, called "Little Walder", Ramsay's squire. Murdered at Winterfell.
  • Elmar Frey, a page to Lord Roose.
  • {Reek}, a man-at-arms infamous for his stench. Slain by Rodrik Cassel's men while posing as Ramsay.
  • Reek, formerly Theon Greyjoy, a hostage and attendant of Ramsay.
  • Ben Bones, kennelmaster at the Dreadfort.
  • Damon Dance-for-Me, Sour Alyn, Skinner, Grunt, men-at-arms sworn to House Bolton and members of the Bastard's Boys.
  • {Luton}, another of the Bastard Boys. Severely injured during a fight between Manderly and Frey men, finished off by Ramsay.
  • {Yellow Dick}, another of the Bastard's Boys. Slain by Rowan, a wildling spearwife.
  • Nymeria, called "Nan". Lord Roose's former cupbearer at Harrenhal. Actually a disguised Arya Stark.
  • Nage, a man-at-arms.

Historical Members

Sworn Houses

After Roose Bolton is raised to Warden of the North several houses swear fealty to their new overlord, not all willingly.

Quotes

Who dressed the poor child in those Bolton rags? That badge ... there's many a man who would hang her in half a heartbeat for wearing a flayed man on her breast.[51]

Every great lord has unruly bannermen who envy him his place. My father had the Reynes and the Tarbecks, the Tyrells have the Florents, Hoster Tully had Walder Frey. Only strength keeps such men in their place. The moment they smell weakness .... during the Age of Heroes, the Boltons used to flay the Starks and wear their skins as cloaks.[2]

It is not happenstance that they put a flayed man on their banners.[52]

What did any Bolton ever know o' honor?[12]

—the Lazy Eel's proprietor to his customers

The Boltons have always been as cruel as they were cunning, but this one seems a beast in human skin.[13]

Let me bathe in Bolton blood before I die. I want to feel it spatter across my face when my axe bites deep into a Bolton skull. I want to lick it off my lips and die with the taste of it on my tongue.[53]

Notes

  1. According to Bartimus, the Greystarks ruled the Wolf's Den before the wars between Winterfell and the Vale (A Dance with Dragons, Davos IV). This warfare began because of the Rape of the Three Sisters, which occurred two thousand years ago (A Dance with Dragons, Davos I).
  2. Theon Greyjoy recalls that the Boltons bent the knee to the Starks of Winterfell "a thousand years ago" (A Clash of Kings, Theon IV). It is unknown if this means one thousand years ago (seven hundred years before Aegon's Conquest) or if George R. R. Martin is being figurative.

References

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 The World of Ice & Fire, The North: The Kings of Winter.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 62, Jaime VII.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 53, Bran VI.
  4. 4.0 4.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 47, Arya IX.
  5. 5.0 5.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 66, Theon VI.
  6. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 50, Arya X.
  7. 7.0 7.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 51, Catelyn VII.
  8. The Citadel. Heraldry: the North
  9. The Citadel: Gallery - House Bolton
  10. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 56, Theon V.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 50, Theon IV.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 15, Davos II.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 29, Davos IV.
  14. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 56, Bran IV.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Vale.
  16. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 51, Jon VI.
  17. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 9, Davos I.
  18. The World of Ice & Fire, The North: Winterfell.
  19. 19.0 19.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 17, Jon IV.
  20. 20.0 20.1 Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows.
  21. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 33, Eddard VIII.
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 32, Reek III.
  23. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 16, Bran II.
  24. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 59, Catelyn IX.
  25. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 62, Tyrion VIII.
  26. 26.0 26.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 71, Catelyn XI.
  27. A Clash of Kings, Appendix.
  28. 28.0 28.1 28.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 39, Catelyn V.
  29. 29.0 29.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 37, Jaime V.
  30. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 30, Arya VII.
  31. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 64, Arya X.
  32. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 28, Bran IV.
  33. 33.0 33.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 35, Bran V.
  34. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 24, Bran II.
  35. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
  36. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 44, Jaime VI.
  37. 37.0 37.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 45, Catelyn V.
  38. 38.0 38.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 49, Catelyn VI.
  39. A Storm of Swords, Epilogue.
  40. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 72, Jaime IX.
  41. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.
  42. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 17, Cersei IV.
  43. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 20, Reek II.
  44. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 37, The Prince of Winterfell.
  45. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 26, The Wayward Bride.
  46. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 41, The Turncloak.
  47. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 46, A Ghost in Winterfell.
  48. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 51, Theon I.
  49. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 69, Jon XIII.
  50. The Winds of Winter, Theon I
  51. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 22, Arya IV.
  52. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 3, Jon I.
  53. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 42, The King's Prize.