Editing House Bolton

{{Noble House
| House_name = House Bolton of the Dreadfort
| image = House Bolton.svg
| image_caption =
| Coat_of_arms = A red flayed man on pink de sang<br>''(Carnation gouttée-de-sang, a flayed man gules)''
| Words = Our Blades Are Sharp
| textcolor = #900
| bgcolor = #f99
| bordercolor = #d66
| Seat = The [[Dreadfort]]
| Current_Lord = Lord [[Roose Bolton]]
| Region = [[North]]
| Title = [[Red King]] <small>(historical)</small><br>[[Lord of the Dreadfort]]<br>[[Warden of the North]]
| Heir = [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]]
| Overlord = [[House Stark]] {{s|?–{{Date|299}}}}<br>[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]] {{s|{{Date|300}}–present}}
| Ancestral_weapon =
| Cadet_branch = [[House Bolton of Winterfell]]
| Founded = [[Age of Heroes]]
| Founder =
| Died_out =
}}

'''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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|7|1|1}}{{Ref|ASOS|62}}

The Bolton sigil is a red flayed man, on pale pink spotted with red blood drops.{{Ref|AGOT|53}}{{Ref|ACOK|47}}{{Ref|ACOK|66}}{{Ref|ASOS|50}}{{Ref|ASOS|51}}<ref>The Citadel: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/Houses/2/#In%20the%20North Heraldry - In the North]</ref> According to [[George R. R. Martin]], their words are "''Our Blades Are Sharp''".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160220065434/http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Gallery/Entry/House_Bolton1 The Citadel: Gallery - House Bolton]</ref> According to the Bolton servant "[[Ramsay Snow|Reek]]", Lord [[Roose Bolton]] believes "a naked man has few secrets, but a flayed man has none".{{Ref|ACOK|56}}

==Culture==
The Boltons are known for their historical practice of [[flaying]] their enemies,{{Ref|ACOK|50}} and they are said to hang the skins of their enemies in a room of the [[Dreadfort]].{{Ref|AGOT|53}} The family has a reputation for being dishonorable,{{Ref|ADWD|15}} treacherous,{{ref|ADWD|61}} cruel,{{Ref|ADWD|29}}{{ref|ADWD|61}} and cunning.{{Ref|ADWD|29}} According to [[Jon Snow]], [[House Umber]] has no love for the Boltons.{{ref|ADWD|17}}

Boltons use pink sealing wax for their messages.{{ref|ADWD|26}}{{ref|ADWD|28}} [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay]], the Bastard of Bolton, has written in blood instead of [[maesters]]' ink.{{ref|ADWD|26}}{{ref|ADWD|28}}

==History==
===Red Kings===
[[File:T Jedruszek BringersOfDread.jpg|thumb|350px|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 King]]s from the [[Dreadfort]], with their land reaching from the [[Last River]] and the [[White Knife]] to the [[Sheepshead Hills]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|7|1|1}} It has been suggested that the legendary [[Night's King]] was a Bolton.{{Ref|ASOS|56}} Some Red Kings allied with [[Marsh Kings]] to defend against [[southron]] invaders.{{Ref|TWOIAF|7|1|1}}

The Boltons have a sinister reputation{{Ref|TWOIAF|7|1|1}} because of their tradition of [[flaying]] their enemies,{{Ref|ACOK|50}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|7|4}} with the skins then hung in a room of the Dreadfort.{{Ref|AGOT|53}} After the [[Long Night]], the Red Kings were bitter rivals of the [[King in the North|Kings of Winter]], the [[House Stark|Starks]] of [[Winterfell]]. The Boltons achieved some successes against the Starks, with Kings [[Royce II Bolton|Royce II]] and [[Royce IV Bolton|Royce IV]] burning Winterfell.{{Ref|TWOIAF|7|1|1}} According to rumor, some Boltons wore the flayed skins of Stark princes and lords, such as the son of [[Bael the Bard]],{{Ref|ACOK|51}} as cloaks{{Ref|TWOIAF|7|1|1}} during the [[Age of Heroes]].{{Ref|ASOS|62}}

The last Red King, [[Rogar Bolton|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]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|7|1|1}}

===Vassals of Winterfell===
Thousands of years ago,{{Refn|group="N"|According to [[Bartimus]], the [[House Greystark|Greystarks]] ruled the [[Wolf's Den]] before the [[War Across the Water|wars between Winterfell and the Vale]].{{Ref|ADwD|29}} This warfare began because of the [[Rape of the Three Sisters]], which occurred two thousand years ago.{{Ref|ADwD|9}}}} the Dreadfort rose in an unsuccessful rebellion with the [[House Greystark|Greystarks]] of the [[Wolf's Den]] against the Starks. The Boltons survived the rebellion, although the Greystarks did not.{{Ref|ADWD|29}}

''[[The Chronicles of Longsister]]'' state that during the [[Rape of the Three Sisters]] by the [[Kings of Winter]], which occurred two thousand years ago,{{Ref|ADWD|9}} [[Belthasar Bolton]] had a [[Pink Pavilion]] made from the [[flaying|flayed]] skins of a hundred [[Sistermen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|7|4}}

The Boltons threatened Winterfell during the reign of King [[Edrick Stark|Edrick Snowbeard]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|7|1|6}} 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.{{Ref|ADWD|17}}

"A thousand years ago",{{Refn|group="N"|[[Theon Greyjoy]] recalls that the Boltons bent the knee to the [[House Stark|Starks]] of [[Winterfell]] "a thousand years ago".{{Ref|ACoK|50}} 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.}} the Boltons bent their knees to Winterfell and agreed to abandon their practice of flaying.{{Ref|ACOK|50}} It is rumored the skins of their enemies hang in a room within the Dreadfort, however.{{Ref|AGOT|53}}

===Iron Throne Era===
[[Barba Bolton]] attended the [[Maiden's Day Ball]] 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.{{Ref|FAB|21}}

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 I Baratheon|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.{{Ref|AGOT|33}}

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 [[poison]]ed by Ramsay.{{Ref|ADWD|32}} Now heirless, Roose brought Ramsay to the [[Dreadfort]].{{Ref|ACOK|16}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
[[‎File:Sardag Roose Bolton profile.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Roose Bolton]], the [[Lord of the Dreadfort]], by Sardag ©]]
After [[arrest of Eddard Stark|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 [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]] man at the [[Smoking Log]] in the [[winter town]] outside the castle. Roose and [[Robett Glover]] demand a command.{{Ref|AGOT|53}}

When the [[north]]ern host splits at the [[Twins]], Roose receives his wish, commanding an army of mostly infantry to engage Lord [[Tywin Lannister]].{{Ref|AGOT|59}} 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]].{{Ref|AGOT|62}} Roose reforms his army at the mouth of the [[causeway]].{{Ref|AGOT|71}}

Robb is able to relieve [[Riverrun]], where he is proclaimed [[King in the North]] after the [[Battle of the Camps]].{{Ref|AGOT|71}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
Encamped at the [[Twins]],{{Ref|ACOK|Appendix}} Roose marries [[Walda Frey (daughter of Merrett)|Walda Frey]], a granddaughter of Lord [[Walder Frey]].{{Ref|ACOK|39}}{{Ref|ASOS|37}} Lord Bolton takes the [[ruby ford]] and the [[inn at the crossroads|crossroads]] in the [[riverlands]].{{Ref|ACOK|30}}{{Ref|ACOK|39}}

Following orders from Ser [[Edmure Tully]], Roose and Ser [[Helman Tallhart]] march on [[Harrenhal]].{{Ref|ACOK|39}} Bolton is able to [[fall of Harrenhal|seize the fortress]] by making a deal with the [[Brave Companions]] within, and he is indirectly aided by [[Arya Stark]] and [[Jaqen H'ghar]].{{Ref|ACOK|47}} At Harrenhal, Roose unwittingly takes the incognito Arya as his cupbearer. He and the [[House Frey|Freys]] under Ser [[Aenys Frey|Aenys]] learn of [[House Greyjoy]]'s [[ironborn]] taking much of the north and of the [[House Lannister|Lannister]]-[[House Tyrell|Tyrell]] victory over [[Stannis Baratheon]] in the [[Battle of the Blackwater]]. Roose orders Helman to first [[siege of Darry|burn Darry]] and then join [[Robett Glover]] in attacking [[Duskendale]] in Robb's name.{{Ref|ACOK|64}}

Meanwhile, Roose's bastard son, [[Ramsay Snow]], marries and kills Lady [[Donella Hornwood]], taking the [[Hornwood]] lands for himself.{{Ref|ACOK|28}}{{Ref|ACOK|35}} [[House Manderly]] responds with [[fighting in the Hornwood]].{{Ref|ACOK|35}} 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 [[sack of Winterfell|burn Winterfell]], capturing or slaughtering all within.{{Ref|ACOK|66}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
[[File:Bolton Bannermen.jpg|thumb|350px|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 Stark|Bran]] and [[Rickon Stark]].{{Ref|ASOS|24}}

The northern army sent by Roose into the [[crownlands]] is crushed in the [[battle at Duskendale]].{{Ref|ASOS|19}}

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.{{Ref|ASOS|37}}{{Ref|ASOS|44}}

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]].{{Ref|ASOS|45}}

Roose arrives at the Twins with three thousand foot and five hundred horse, most of whom are Bolton or [[House Karstark|Karstark]] men.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} [[Robb Stark]], [[King in the North]], intends for Roose to command the rearguard during his upcoming campaign against the ironborn-held [[fall of Moat Cailin|Moat Cailin]].{{Ref|ASOS|45}}

Roose's actions culminate with his personal killing of Robb at the Twins in the [[Red Wedding]], which he planned with [[Lothar Frey|Lame Lothar Frey]] with the approval of Lords [[Walder Frey]] and [[Tywin Lannister]].{{Ref|ASOS|51}}{{Ref|ASOS|Epilogue}} 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 Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]], becoming Ramsay Bolton.{{Ref|ASOS|72}} Ramsay has been amusing himself with the torture of the captive [[Theon Greyjoy]].{{Ref|ASOS|49}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
[[Cersei Lannister]], the [[regent]] for the young Tommen, relies on House Bolton to hold the north for the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|AFFC|16}} 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]].{{Ref|AFFC|17}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
The Boltons' authority is contested by Stannis and several northern lords, and is begrudged by nearly all others.{{Ref|ADWD|15}}{{Ref|ADWD|17}} Lord Roose's strongest supporters are his relatives of [[House Dustin]] and [[House Ryswell]].{{Ref|ADWD|32}}

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.{{Ref|ADWD|20}} 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.{{Ref|ADWD|32}}

Ramsay Bolton, the [[Lord of the Hornwood]], [[wedding of Ramsay Bolton and Arya Stark|weds "Arya"]] at [[Winterfell]] in the presence of several northern lords,{{Ref|ADWD|37}} and he claims to be the [[House Bolton of Winterfell|Lord of Winterfell]].{{Ref|ADWD|26}}{{Ref|ADWD|41}} 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]].{{Ref|ADWD|46}} Theon manages to escape with Jeyne, much to Ramsay's chagrin.{{Ref|ADWD|51}}

According to [[Bastard Letter|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.{{Ref|ADWD|69}}

===''The Winds of Winter''===
{{Warning/twow}}
Theon tells Stannis he expects that Ramsay will be marching on the [[crofters' village]] while Roose remains safe in Winterfell.{{Ref|TWoW||[[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]}}

==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:

* Lord [[Roose Bolton]], Lord of the [[Dreadfort]] and [[Warden of the North]], called "the Leech Lord".
** His first wife, deceased.
** Lady {[[Bethany Bolton]]}, his second wife, deceased.
*** {[[Domeric Bolton]]}, his trueborn son, deceased.
*** Sons, died still in the cradle.{{Ref|ADWD|32}}
** Lady [[Walda Frey (daughter of Merrett)|Walda Frey]], Lord Roose's third wife, called "Fat Walda", currently with child.
** [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]], born Ramsay Snow and called "the Bastard of the Dreadfort", his [[Bastardy|natural son]] and heir. Self-styled [[Lord of the Hornwood]] and Lord of [[House Bolton of Winterfell|Winterfell]].
*** Lady {[[Donella Hornwood|Donella Manderly]]}, Ramsay's first wife, [[Lord of the Hornwood|Lady of the Hornwood]] as the widow of Lord [[Halys Hornwood]]. Perishes after being imprisoned without food.
*** Lady "[[Arya Stark]]", actually [[Jeyne Poole]], Ramsay's second wife. Currently in custody of King [[Stannis Baratheon]].

{{Bolton_tree}}

===Household===
[[File:Sept13 The Bastard's Elite.JPG|thumb|350px|The [[Ramsay Snow|Bastard's]] Elite, by Sept13 © Fantasy Flight Games]]
* [[Steelshanks Walton|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 (son of Jammos)|Walder Frey]], called "Big Walder", Ramsay's squire.
* {[[Walder Frey (son of Merrett)|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.
* [[Theon Greyjoy|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 [[Free folk|wildling]] spearwife.
* [[Arya Stark|Nymeria]], called "Nan". Lord Roose's former cupbearer at Harrenhal. Actually a disguised Arya Stark.
* [[Nage]], a man-at-arms.

==Historical Members==
* King [[Royce II Bolton]], a [[Red King]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|7|1|1}}
* King [[Royce IV Bolton]], a Red King known as "Royce Redarm".{{Ref|TWOIAF|7|1|1}}
* King [[Rogar Bolton]], known as "Rogar the Huntsman", the last Red King.{{Ref|TWOIAF|7|1|1}}
** Sons.{{Ref|TWOIAF|7|1|1}}
* [[Belthasar Bolton]], a participant of the [[Rape of the Three Sisters]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|7|4}}
* [[Barba Bolton]], a maiden at the [[Maiden's Day Ball]].{{Ref|FAB|21}}

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

*[[House Cerwyn]] of [[Cerwyn]].
*[[House Dustin]] of [[Barrowton]].
*[[House Hornwood]] of [[Hornwood]]. Ramsay Snow becomes the Lord of Hornwood after forcibly marrying the now-deceased Lady [[Donella Hornwood]].
*[[House Karstark]] of [[Karhold]]. [[Castellan]] [[Arnolf Karstark]] is secretly aligned with the Boltons even though he has declared for King [[Stannis Baratheon]].
*[[House Locke]] of [[Oldcastle]]. [[Ondrew Locke]] is likely working with [[Wyman Manderly]].
*[[House Manderly]] of [[White Harbor]]. Wyman Manderly has his own agenda.
*[[House Ryswell]] of the [[Rills]].
*[[House Stout]] of [[Goldgrass]].
*[[House Umber]] of the [[Last Hearth]]. [[Hother Umber|Hother Whoresbane]] has joined the Boltons because [[Jon Umber|Greatjon Umber]] is a hostage at the [[Twins]] but [[Mors Umber|Mors Crowfood]] has joined Stannis in his [[march on Winterfell]].

==Quotes==
[[File:House_Bolton_by_gotheyjoy.jpg|450px|thumb|right|[[Roose Bolton]] and his sons [[Domeric Bolton]] and [[Ramsay Snow]] by gotheyjoy]]
{{Quote|Who dressed [[Arya Stark|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.{{Ref|ASOS|22}}|[[Ravella Smallwood]] to the [[brotherhood without banners]]}}

{{Quote|Every great lord has unruly bannermen who envy him his place. [[Tywin Lannister|My father]] had the [[House Reyne|Reynes]] and the [[House Tarbeck|Tarbecks]], the [[House Tyrell|Tyrells]] have the [[House Florent|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 [[House Stark|Starks]] and wear their skins as cloaks.{{Ref|ASOS|62}}|[[Jaime Lannister]] to [[Brienne Tarth|Brienne of Tarth]]}}

{{Quote|It is not happenstance that they put a flayed man on their banners.{{Ref|ADWD|3}}|[[Jon Snow]] to [[Stannis Baratheon]]}}

{{Quote|What did any Bolton ever know o' honor?{{Ref|ADWD|15}}|the [[Lazy Eel]]'s proprietor to his customers}}

{{Quote|And that seal ... the Boltons of the [[Dreadfort]] went into battle beneath pink banners spattered with little drops of blood. It only stood to reason that they would use pink sealing wax as well.{{ref|ADWD|26}}|thoughts of [[Asha Greyjoy]]}}

{{Quote|'''Cromm''': They are only [[northmen|wolves]].<br>
'''Asha''': [[House Stark|The wolves]] are all slain. These are the [[flaying|skinners]] who slew them.{{ref|ADWD|26}}|[[Cromm]] and [[Asha Greyjoy]]}}

{{Quote|The Boltons have always been as cruel as they were cunning, but [[Ramsay Snow|this one]] seems a beast in human skin.{{Ref|ADWD|29}}|[[Robett Glover]] to [[Wyman Manderly]] and [[Davos Seaworth]]}}

{{Quote|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.{{Ref|ADWD|42}}|[[Hugo Wull]] to [[Corliss Penny]]}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References}}

{{HousesNorth}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bolton}}
[[Category:House Bolton| ]]
[[Category:Houses of First Men origin]]
[[Category:Houses from the North]]
[[Category:Lords of the Dreadfort| ]]
[[Category:Noble houses]]
[[Category:Royal houses]]

[[es:Casa Bolton]]
[[fa:خاندان بولتون]]
[[fr:Maison Bolton]]
[[it:Nobile Casa Bolton]]
[[pt:Casa Bolton]]
[[ru:Болтоны]]
[[tr:Bolton Hanesi]]
[[zh:波顿家族]]