Difference between revisions of "House Bolton"

From A Wiki of Ice and Fire
Jump to: navigation, search
(touch up)
Line 5: Line 5:
 
| Coat_of_arms = A red flayed man on pink de sang
 
| Coat_of_arms = A red flayed man on pink de sang
 
| Words = ''Our Blades are Sharp''
 
| Words = ''Our Blades are Sharp''
| Seat = [[The Dreadfort]]
+
| Seat = The [[Dreadfort]]
 
| Current_Lord = [[Roose Bolton]]
 
| Current_Lord = [[Roose Bolton]]
| Region = [[The North]]
+
| Region = The [[north]]
 
| Title = [[Red King]] (Age of Heroes)<br>Lord of the [[Dreadfort]]<br>[[Warden of the North]]
 
| Title = [[Red King]] (Age of Heroes)<br>Lord of the [[Dreadfort]]<br>[[Warden of the North]]
| Heir = [[Ramsay Bolton]]
+
| Heir = [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]]
 
| Overlord = [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]
 
| Overlord = [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]
 
| Ancestral_weapon =
 
| Ancestral_weapon =
Line 18: Line 18:
 
}}
 
}}
  
'''House Bolton of the Dreadfort''' is an old line descended from the [[First Men]] and dating back to the [[Age of Heroes]]. Their sigil is a flayed man, red on pink.{{ref|AGOT|53}}<ref>The Citadel. Heraldry: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/Houses/2/#In the North]</ref> Their seat is the [[Dreadfort]] and they are one of the most powerful houses of the [[North]]. The Boltons are known for their practice of flaying their enemies.
+
'''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]]. The Boltons are known for their practice of flaying their enemies.  
  
According to [[George R. R. Martin]], their words are "Our blades are sharp," while a common saying among the Boltons is "A flayed man holds no secrets."
+
The Bolton sigil is a flayed man, red on pink.{{ref|AGOT|53}}<ref>The Citadel. Heraldry: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/Houses/2/#In the North]</ref> According to [[George R. R. Martin]], their words are "Our blades are sharp."<ref>The Citadel. Heraldry: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/Mottoes/ House Mottoes]</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}}
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
[[‎File:Sardag Roose Bolton profile.jpg|[[Roose Bolton]], the current Lord of the [[Dreadfort]] - by Sardag ©|thumb|300px|right]]
 
[[‎File:Sardag Roose Bolton profile.jpg|[[Roose Bolton]], the current Lord of the [[Dreadfort]] - by Sardag ©|thumb|300px|right]]
The Boltons are an ancient and powerful house of the North who once ruled as [[Red King]]s from the [[Dreadfort]]. Their land reached from the [[Last River]] and the [[White Knife]] to the [[Sheepshead Hills]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Kings of Winter}} It has been suggested that the legendary [[Night's King]] was a Bolton.{{ref|ASOS|56}}
+
The Boltons are an ancient and powerful house of the north who once ruled as [[Red King]]s from the [[Dreadfort]]. Their land reached from the [[Last River]] and the [[White Knife]] to the [[Sheepshead Hills]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: The Kings of Winter}} It has been suggested that the legendary [[Night's King]] was a Bolton.{{ref|ASOS|56}}
  
Since 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}} The Boltons are said to have flayed the skins of several Stark lords and hung them in the Dreadfort. According to rumor, some Bolton lords wore the flayed skins of their enemies—including Starks, such as the son of [[Bael]]{{ref|ACOK|51}}—as cloaks. This practice has given the Boltons a sinister reputation. The last Red King, [[Rogar Bolton|Rogar the Huntsman]], submitted to Winterfell when the [[Andal invasion]] of [[Westeros]] was also 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| The Kings of Winter}}
+
Since 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| The North: The Kings of Winter}} The Boltons are said to have flayed the skins of several Stark lords and hung them in the Dreadfort. According to rumor, some Bolton lords wore the flayed skins of their enemies—including Starks, such as the son of [[Bael]]{{ref|ACOK|51}}—as cloaks. This practice has given the Boltons a sinister reputation. The last Red King, [[Rogar Bolton|Rogar the Huntsman]], submitted to Winterfell when the [[Andal invasion]] of [[Westeros]] was also 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| The North: The Kings of Winter}}
  
 
Thousands of years ago,<ref>According to ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 29|Chapter 29]], the Greystarks ruled the Wolf's Den before the wars between Winterfell and the Vale. This warfare began because of the [[Rape of the Three Sisters]], which occurred two thousand years ago according to ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 9|Chapter 9]].</ref> 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}}  
 
Thousands of years ago,<ref>According to ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 29|Chapter 29]], the Greystarks ruled the Wolf's Den before the wars between Winterfell and the Vale. This warfare began because of the [[Rape of the Three Sisters]], which occurred two thousand years ago according to ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 9|Chapter 9]].</ref> 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 the flayed skins of a hundred [[Sistermen]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Vale}}
+
''[[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 the flayed skins of a hundred [[Sistermen]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Vale}}
  
The Boltons threatened Winterfell during the reign of King [[Edrick Stark|Edrick Snowbeard]].{{ref|TWOIAF| Winterfell}} 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}}
+
The Boltons threatened Winterfell during the reign of King [[Edrick Stark|Edrick Snowbeard]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: Winterfell}} 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}}
  
 
Approximately a thousand years ago, the Boltons bent their knees to Winterfell and agreed to abandon their practice of flaying their enemies.{{ref|ACOK|50}} Also a thousand years ago, [[Karlon Stark]] built [[Karhold|a castle]] on land taken from a rebel lord;{{ref|ASOS|20}} it is possible this land of [[House Karstark]] was taken from the Boltons. For many centuries the Boltons have remained loyal to the Starks, although rumors persist that they continue to flay their prisoners in secret and maintain a hidden chamber in the Dreadfort to display the skins of their enemies.{{Ref|aGoT|53|p 575}}
 
Approximately a thousand years ago, the Boltons bent their knees to Winterfell and agreed to abandon their practice of flaying their enemies.{{ref|ACOK|50}} Also a thousand years ago, [[Karlon Stark]] built [[Karhold|a castle]] on land taken from a rebel lord;{{ref|ASOS|20}} it is possible this land of [[House Karstark]] was taken from the Boltons. For many centuries the Boltons have remained loyal to the Starks, although rumors persist that they continue to flay their prisoners in secret and maintain a hidden chamber in the Dreadfort to display the skins of their enemies.{{Ref|aGoT|53|p 575}}
  
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 counseled that Lord [[Robert Baratheon]] should slash the throat of the legendary [[Kingsguard]] knight Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], but Robert sent for his [[maesters]] instead.
+
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 counseled that Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] should slash the throat of the legendary [[Kingsguard]] knight Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], but Robert sent for his [[maesters]] instead.
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
  
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
After the arrest of [[Eddard Stark]] 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|Cerywn]] man at the [[Smoking Log]] in the winter town outside the castle. Roose and [[Robett Glover]] demand a command. When the northern host splits at [[the Twins]], Bolton receives his wish, commanding an army of mostly infantry to engage Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]. Forcing a march, Roose hopes to catch Tywin unawares, but is forced to retreat at the [[Battle of the Green Fork]]. Reforming his army at the mouth of the [[causeway]], he begins to harass [[House Lannister|Lannister]] supply lines.
+
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 [[House Cerwyn|Cerywn]] man at the [[Smoking Log]] in the [[winter town]] outside the castle.{{ref|AGOT|53}} Roose and [[Robett Glover]] demand a command. 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}} Forcing a march, Roose hopes to catch Tywin unawares, but is forced to retreat at the [[battle on the Green Fork]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} He reforms his army at the mouth of the [[causeway]].{{ref|AGOT|71}}
  
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
Roose marries [[Walda Frey (daughter of Merrett)|Walda Frey]] at the Twins and takes the [[ruby ford]] and the [[inn at the crossroads|crossroads]]. Following orders from Ser [[Edmure Tully]], Roose and Ser [[Helman Tallhart]] march on [[Harrenhal]]. Bolton is able to [[Sack of Harrenhal|seize]] the fortress by making a deal with the [[Brave Companions]] sellsword company within, and is aided by [[Arya Stark]] and [[Jaqen H'ghar]]. At Harrenhal, Roose unwittingly takes the incognito Arya as his cupbearer. After learning that the [[House Greyjoy|Greyjoys]] have taken much of the North and of the [[House Lannister|Lannister]]-[[House Tyrell|Tyrell]] victory at the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], Lord Roose sends Helman and [[Robett Glover]] to attack [[Duskendale]] in Robb's name.{{ref|ACOK|64}}
+
Encamped at the [[Twins]],{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} Roose marries{{ref|ACOK|39}} [[Walda Frey (daughter of Merrett)|Walda Frey]] and takes the [[ruby ford]] and the [[inn at the crossroads|crossroads]].{{ref|ACOK|30}}{{ref|ACOK|39}}
  
Meanwhile, Roose's bastard son, [[Ramsay Snow]], marries and kills Lady [[Donella Hornwood]], taking the [[Hornwood]] lands for himself. He then leads the Dreadfort men in [[battle at Winterfell|betraying]] the northmen under Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]], [[sack of Winterfell|burning Winterfell]] and capturing or slaughtering all within.{{ref|ACOK|66}}
+
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]] sellsword company 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 the [[House Greyjoy|Greyjoys]] 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 burn [[siege of Darry|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}} Bolton men battle [[House Manderly|Manderly]] knights in Hornwood forests.{{ref|ACOK|35}} Ramsay then leads the Dreadfort men in [[battle at Winterfell|betraying]] the northmen under Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]], [[sack of Winterfell|burning Winterfell]] and capturing or slaughtering all within.{{ref|ACOK|66}}
  
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
 
[[File:Bolton Bannermen.jpg|400px|thumb|Bolton bannermen - by Amok ©]]
 
[[File:Bolton Bannermen.jpg|400px|thumb|Bolton bannermen - by Amok ©]]
The northern army sent by Roose into the [[Crownlands]] is crushed in the [[Battle of Duskendale]].{{ref|ASOS|19}}
+
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, 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 [[Walton|Steelshanks Walton]] with 200 men to secure Jaime's passage.
 
When Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] is captured by the Brave Companions, 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 [[Walton|Steelshanks Walton]] with 200 men to secure Jaime's passage.
  
The same day that Jaime leaves Harrenhal, Roose rides north to attend the wedding of Edmure Tully at [[the Twins]]. He watches as his rearguard under Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] is chewed up by Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] at the [[Battle of the Ruby Ford]]. He leaves six hundred men under the command of Ser [[Kyle Condon]] and [[Ronnel Stout]] to guard the [[Trident]]. Roose arrives at the Twins with three thousand foot and five hundred horse, most of which are Bolton or [[House Karstark|Karstark]] men.
+
The same day that Jaime leaves Harrenhal, Roose rides north to attend the wedding of Edmure Tully 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]]. He leaves six hundred men under the command of Ser [[Kyle Condon]] and [[Ronnel Stout]] to guard the [[Trident]]. Roose arrives at the Twins with three thousand foot and five hundred horse, most of which are Bolton or [[House Karstark|Karstark]] men.
  
Roose's actions culminate with his personal killing of his king, Robb Stark, in the [[Red Wedding]], which he planned with Lord [[Walder Frey]] with the approval of Lord [[Tywin Lannister]].{{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]], becoming Ramsay Bolton. Ramsay has been amusing himself with the torture of the captive [[Theon Greyjoy]].
+
Roose's actions culminate with his personal killing of his king, Robb Stark, in the [[Red Wedding]], which he planned with Lord [[Walder Frey]] with the approval of Lord [[Tywin Lannister]].{{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. Ramsay has been amusing himself with the torture of the captive [[Theon Greyjoy]].
  
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
Line 62: Line 64:
 
The Boltons' authority is contested by [[Stannis Baratheon]] and several northern lords, and is begrudged by nearly all others. Lord Roose's strongest supporters are his relatives of [[House Dustin]] and [[House Ryswell]].
 
The Boltons' authority is contested by [[Stannis Baratheon]] and several northern lords, and is begrudged by nearly all others. Lord Roose's strongest supporters are his relatives of [[House Dustin]] and [[House Ryswell]].
  
Roose's horse marches north along with 2,000 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 the ironborn garrison there to surrender, and Ramsay has them flayed alive. 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.
+
Roose's horse marches north along with 2,000 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 the ironborn garrison there to surrender, and Ramsay has them flayed alive. 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.
  
The Bolton-Frey army quarters in Winterfell as the autumn snows fall, awaiting the assault of King Stannis. While there, Roose must deal with high tensions between the different factions, particularly between the Freys and Lord [[Wyman Manderly]]. Theon manages to escape with Jeyne Poole, much to Ramsay's chagrin. According to a [[Bastard Letter|letter]] purportedly sent from Ramsay to [[Jon Snow]], the Boltons have smashed Stannis's army.
+
The Bolton-Frey army quarters in Winterfell as the autumn snows fall, awaiting the [[march on Winterfell]] by King Stannis. While there, Roose must deal with high tensions between the different factions, particularly between the Freys and Lord [[Wyman Manderly]]. Theon manages to escape with Jeyne Poole, much to Ramsay's chagrin. According to a [[Bastard Letter|letter]] purportedly sent from Ramsay to [[Jon Snow]], the Boltons have smashed Stannis's army.{{ref|ADWD|69}}
  
 
==House Bolton at the end of the third century==
 
==House Bolton at the end of the third century==
Line 107: Line 109:
 
*'''[[House Cerwyn]]''' of [[Cerwyn]].
 
*'''[[House Cerwyn]]''' of [[Cerwyn]].
 
*'''[[House Dustin]]''' of [[Barrowton]].
 
*'''[[House Dustin]]''' of [[Barrowton]].
*'''[[House Hornwood]]''' of [[Hornwood]]. Ramsay Snow became the Lord of Hornwood after forcibly marrying the now-deceased Lady [[Donella Hornwood]].
+
*'''[[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 joined King [[Stannis Baratheon]].
 
*'''[[House Karstark]]''' of [[Karhold]]. [[Castellan]] [[Arnolf Karstark]] is secretly aligned with the Boltons even though he has joined King [[Stannis Baratheon]].
 
*'''[[House Locke]]''' of [[Oldcastle]]. [[Ondrew Locke]] is likely working with [[Wyman Manderly]].
 
*'''[[House Locke]]''' of [[Oldcastle]]. [[Ondrew Locke]] is likely working with [[Wyman Manderly]].
Line 119: Line 121:
  
  
{{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]]
+
{{Quote|What did any Bolton ever know o’ honor?{{ref|ADWD|15}}}} - the [[Lazy Eel]]'s proprietor to his customers
  
  
{{Quote|What did any Bolton ever know o’ honor?}} - the [[Lazy Eel]]'s proprietor
+
{{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}}}}
+
{{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]]
- [[Hugo Wull]]
 
  
 
==References and Notes==
 
==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}
+
{{references|3}}
 +
 
  
 
{{HousesNorth}}
 
{{HousesNorth}}
[[Category:Red Kings| ]]
+
 
 
[[Category:House Bolton| ]]
 
[[Category:House Bolton| ]]
 +
[[Category:Houses of First Men origin|Bolton]]
 
[[Category:Houses from the North|Bolton]]
 
[[Category:Houses from the North|Bolton]]
 
[[Category:Noble houses|Bolton]]
 
[[Category:Noble houses|Bolton]]
[[Category:Houses of First Men origin|Bolton]]
 
  
 
[[es:Casa Bolton]]
 
[[es:Casa Bolton]]

Revision as of 17:03, 11 January 2016

House Bolton of the Dreadfort
Bolton.png
Our Blades are Sharp
Coat of arms A red flayed man on pink de sang
Seat The Dreadfort
Head Roose Bolton
Region The north
Titles
Heir Ramsay Bolton
Overlord House Baratheon of King's Landing
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. The Boltons are known for their practice of flaying their enemies.

The Bolton sigil is a flayed man, red on pink.[1][2] According to George R. R. Martin, their words are "Our blades are sharp."[3] According to the Bolton servant "Reek", Lord Roose Bolton believes a naked man has few secrets, but a flayed man has none.[4]

History

Roose Bolton, the current Lord of the Dreadfort - by Sardag ©

The Boltons are an ancient and powerful house of the north who once ruled as Red Kings from the Dreadfort. Their land reached from the Last River and the White Knife to the Sheepshead Hills.[5] It has been suggested that the legendary Night's King was a Bolton.[6]

Since 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.[5] The Boltons are said to have flayed the skins of several Stark lords and hung them in the Dreadfort. According to rumor, some Bolton lords wore the flayed skins of their enemies—including Starks, such as the son of Bael[7]—as cloaks. This practice has given the Boltons a sinister reputation. The last Red King, Rogar the Huntsman, submitted to Winterfell when the Andal invasion of Westeros was also beginning. King Theon Stark, the Hungry Wolf, and the Boltons defeated Argos Sevenstar and his Andals in the Battle of the Weeping Water.[5]

Thousands of years ago,[8] 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.[9]

The Chronicles of Longsister state that during the Rape of the Three Sisters by the Kings of Winter, which occurred two thousand years ago,[10] Belthasar Bolton had a Pink Pavilion made from the the flayed skins of a hundred Sistermen.[11]

The Boltons threatened Winterfell during the reign of King Edrick Snowbeard.[12] 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.[13]

Approximately a thousand years ago, the Boltons bent their knees to Winterfell and agreed to abandon their practice of flaying their enemies.[14] Also a thousand years ago, Karlon Stark built a castle on land taken from a rebel lord;[15] it is possible this land of House Karstark was taken from the Boltons. For many centuries the Boltons have remained loyal to the Starks, although rumors persist that they continue to flay their prisoners in secret and maintain a hidden chamber in the Dreadfort to display the skins of their enemies.[16]

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 counseled that Lord Robert Baratheon should slash the throat of the legendary Kingsguard knight Ser Barristan Selmy, but Robert sent for his maesters instead.

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 Cerywn man at the Smoking Log in the winter town outside the castle.[1] Roose and Robett Glover demand a command. When the northern host splits at the Twins, Roose receives his wish, commanding an army of mostly infantry to engage Lord Tywin Lannister.[17] Forcing a march, Roose hopes to catch Tywin unawares, but is forced to retreat at the battle on the Green Fork.[18] He reforms his army at the mouth of the causeway.[19]

A Clash of Kings

Encamped at the Twins,[20] Roose marries[21] Walda Frey and takes the ruby ford and the crossroads.[22][21]

Following orders from Ser Edmure Tully, Roose and Ser Helman Tallhart march on Harrenhal.[21] Bolton is able to seize the fortress by making a deal with the Brave Companions sellsword company within, and he is indirectly aided by Arya Stark and Jaqen H'ghar.[23] At Harrenhal, Roose unwittingly takes the incognito Arya as his cupbearer. He and the Freys under Ser Aenys learn of the Greyjoys 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.[24]

Meanwhile, Roose's bastard son, Ramsay Snow, marries and kills Lady Donella Hornwood, taking the Hornwood lands for himself.[25][26] Bolton men battle Manderly knights in Hornwood forests.[26] Ramsay then leads the Dreadfort men in betraying the northmen under Ser Rodrik Cassel, burning Winterfell and capturing or slaughtering all within.[27]

A Storm of Swords

Bolton bannermen - by Amok ©

The northern army sent by Roose into the crownlands is crushed in the battle at Duskendale.[28]

When Ser Jaime Lannister is captured by the Brave Companions, 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 200 men to secure Jaime's passage.

The same day that Jaime leaves Harrenhal, Roose rides north to attend the wedding of Edmure Tully 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. He leaves six hundred men under the command of Ser Kyle Condon and Ronnel Stout to guard the Trident. Roose arrives at the Twins with three thousand foot and five hundred horse, most of which are Bolton or Karstark men.

Roose's actions culminate with his personal killing of his king, Robb Stark, in the Red Wedding, which he planned with Lord Walder Frey with the approval of Lord Tywin Lannister.[29] 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. Ramsay has been amusing himself with the torture of the captive Theon Greyjoy.

A Dance with Dragons

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

Roose's horse marches north along with 2,000 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 the ironborn garrison there to surrender, and Ramsay has them flayed alive. 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.

The Bolton-Frey army quarters in Winterfell as the autumn snows fall, awaiting the march on Winterfell by King Stannis. While there, Roose must deal with high tensions between the different factions, particularly between the Freys and Lord Wyman Manderly. Theon manages to escape with Jeyne Poole, much to Ramsay's chagrin. According to a letter purportedly sent from Ramsay to Jon Snow, the Boltons have smashed Stannis's army.[30]

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

House Bolton men lead a group of shackled prisoners to Harrenhal – by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games
The Bastard's Elite. © FFG

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

It is not happenstance that they put a flayed man on their banners.[31]

- Jon Snow to Stannis Baratheon


What did any Bolton ever know o’ honor?[32]

- 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.[9]

- Robett Glover to Wyman Manderly and Davos Seaworth


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.[33]

- Hugo Wull to Corliss Penny

References and Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 53, Bran VI.
  2. The Citadel. Heraldry: the North
  3. The Citadel. Heraldry: House Mottoes
  4. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 56, Theon V.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The North: The Kings of Winter.
  6. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 56, Bran IV.
  7. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 51, Jon VI.
  8. According to A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 29, the Greystarks ruled the Wolf's Den before the wars between Winterfell and the Vale. This warfare began because of the Rape of the Three Sisters, which occurred two thousand years ago according to A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 9.
  9. 9.0 9.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 29, Davos IV.
  10. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 9, Davos I.
  11. The World of Ice & Fire, The Vale.
  12. The World of Ice & Fire, The North: Winterfell.
  13. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 17, Jon IV.
  14. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 50, Theon IV.
  15. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 20, Catelyn III.
  16. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 53, Bran VI, p 575.
  17. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 59, Catelyn IX.
  18. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 62, Tyrion VIII.
  19. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 71, Catelyn XI.
  20. A Clash of Kings, Appendix.
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 39, Catelyn V.
  22. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 30, Arya VII.
  23. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 47, Arya IX.
  24. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 64, Arya X.
  25. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 28, Bran IV.
  26. 26.0 26.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 35, Bran V.
  27. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 66, Theon VI.
  28. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
  29. A Storm of Swords, Epilogue.
  30. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 69, Jon XIII.
  31. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 3, Jon I.
  32. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 15, Davos II.
  33. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 42, The King's Prize.