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{{Noble House  
 
{{Noble House  
| House_name = House Karstark of Karhold
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| House_name = House Karstark of [[Karhold]]
 
| image = [[File:House_Karstark.PNG|250px]]
 
| image = [[File:House_Karstark.PNG|250px]]
 
| image_caption =  
 
| image_caption =  
| Coat_of_arms = Sable, a sunburst argent
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| Coat_of_arms = A white sunburst on black<br>''(Sable, a sunburst argent)''
 
| Words = ''The Sun of Winter''
 
| Words = ''The Sun of Winter''
 
| Seat = [[Karhold]]
 
| Seat = [[Karhold]]
 
| Current_Lord = [[Harrion Karstark]]
 
| Current_Lord = [[Harrion Karstark]]
| Region = [[The North]]
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| Region = [[north]]
| Title = Lord of Karhold
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| Title = Lord of [[Karhold]]
 
| Heir = [[Alys Karstark]]
 
| Heir = [[Alys Karstark]]
| Overlord = [[House Bolton]]
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| Overlord = [[House Stark]] (AGOT)<br>[[House Bolton]] (ADWD)
 
| Ancestral_weapon =
 
| Ancestral_weapon =
 
| Cadet_branch =
 
| Cadet_branch =
| Founded_in =  Thousand years ago
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| Founded_in = "a thousand years ago"<br><small>(Possibly around ~700 BC)</small>{{refn|group=N|name=date|[[Catelyn Stark]] recalls that [[Karlon Stark]] put down a rebel lord "a thousand years ago" (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 20|Catelyn III]]). 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.}}
 
| Founder = [[Karlon Stark]]
 
| Founder = [[Karlon Stark]]
 
| Died_out =
 
| Died_out =
 
}}
 
}}
  
'''House Karstark of Karhold''' is a noble house from the [[North]]. Karstarks are big, fierce men, bearded and long-haired, and favor wearing cloaks made of the pelts of seals, bears, and wolves. Their blazon is a white sunburst on black and their motto is, "The Sun of Winter".<ref>The Citadel. [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/Entry/House_Karstark House Karstark]</ref>
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'''House Karstark of Karhold''' is a noble house from [[Karhold]] in the [[north]]. They were founded as a cadet branch of their overlords, the [[House Stark|Starks]] of [[Winterfell]], and are among their principal bannermen.{{ref|agot|Appendix}} Their blazon is a white sunburst on black{{ref|AGOT|53}} and their motto is "The Sun of Winter".<ref>The Citadel. [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/Entry/House_Karstark House Karstark]</ref>
  
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==Traits==
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Karstarks are big, fierce men, bearded and long-haired, with brown hair and blue-grey eyes.{{ref|AGOT|53}}{{ref|ASOS|20}} Lord [[Rickard Karstark]] and his daughter, [[Alys Karstark|Alys]], have long, narrow faces.{{ref|ASOS|14}}{{ref|ADWD|44}}
  
== History==
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Karstarks and their men wear thick cloaks made of the pelts of seals, bears, and wolves, or black woolen cloaks patterned with the white sunburst.{{ref|AGOT|53}}{{ref|ASOS|20}} Karstark soldiers wear black iron halfhelms,{{ref|AGOT|53}} mail hauberks or shirts of sewn rings, and heavy boots.{{ref|ASOS|20}} Lord Rickard wears black mail.{{ref|ASOS|14}}
The Karstarks are descendants of the [[First Men]], and have the blood of the [[House Stark|Starks]] of [[Winterfell]] in their veins from a thousand years before. A thousand years ago a young Stark, [[Karlon Stark]], for whom the house named, put down a rebellion of the [[House Bolton|Boltons]] and was granted lands for his valor.{{Ref|aSoS|20}} The castle he built had been named Karl’s Hold, but that soon became [[Karhold]], and over the centuries the Karhold Starks had become Karstarks. Karhold lies far to the northeast of [[Winterfell]] in the midst of a forest beyond the [[Last River]], overlooking the [[Shivering Sea]].{{Ref|aSoS|20}}
 
  
The Karstarks answered the call of [[Robb Stark]] when he called the banners of The North. Led by Lord Rickard and his sons [[Harrion Karstark|Harrion]], [[Eddard Karstark|Eddard]], and [[Torrhen Karstark|Torrhen]], they brought three hundred mounted horse and near two thousand foot on the march south with Robb. Lord Rickard's heir [[Harrion Karstark]] was captured during [[Battle of the Green Fork]] and his two other sons were killed by [[Jaime Lannister]] during the [[Battle of the Whispering Wood]]. Rickard desired vengeance, but Jaime was needed as a prisoner. Still, Lord Rickard loyally campaigned with Robb through the [[Westerlands]]. After [[Catelyn Stark]] freed the Kingslayer from captivity in an effort to retrieve her daughters, Rickard finally got his revenge by murdering two Lannister hostages in the dungeons of [[Riverrun]], along with few guards. For his crime, Robb Stark sentenced him to death and beheaded him. After the execution of Lord Rickard, the Karstark cavalry broke away from the rest of the Northmen and returned to Karhold. Their infantry ended up joining [[Roose Bolton]]'s force.
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==History==
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The Karstarks descend from [[Karlon Stark]], a younger son of [[Winterfell]]. Possibly around 700 BC,<ref group="N" name=date/> Karlon put down a rebel lord and was granted lands for his valor.{{Ref|aSoS|20}} The castle he built near the [[Grey Cliffs]] was named Karl's Hold, but that soon became [[Karhold]], and over the centuries the Karhold Starks became Karstarks.{{Ref|aSoS|20}}
  
With the death of Lord Rickard, Harrion Karstark beccame the new Lord of Karhold. With Harrion in Lannister captivity, however, [[Arnolf Karstark]], the castellan of Karhold, declared for [[Stannis Baratheon]]{{Ref|aDwD|3}} in a plot with [[House Bolton|the Boltons]]{{Ref|aDwD|32}} to provoke the Lannisters into executing Harrion and then marry his son Cregar to Rickard's daughter Alys, and then turning against Stannis when his forces reached [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|aDwD|44}} Arnolf's plot to claim Karhold is foiled when [[Jon Snow]] arranges the marriage between [[Alys Karstark]] and [[Sigorn]], the Magnar of [[Thenn]], and sends a raven to King Stannis informing him of Arnolf's treachery. Should Harrion die, lordship of Karhold would pass to Alys and the newly founded [[House Thenn]].{{Ref|aDwD|49}}
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Over the centuries, several Karstarks have wed Starks. These include [[Margaret Karstark]], who was wed to [[Bennard Stark]], the second son of Lord [[Benjen Stark (lord)|Benjen Stark]], with whom she had three sons; [[Alys Karstark (wife of Brandon)|Alys Karstark]], who was wed to Lord [[Brandon Stark (son of Cregan)|Brandon Stark]], with whom she had three children; And [[Lysara Karstark]], who was wed to Alys's grandson [[Artos Stark]], whom she gave two sons.{{ref|twoiaf| Appendix: Stark Lineage}}
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During [[Robert's Rebellion]], Lord [[Rickard Karstark]] fought alongside Lord [[Eddard Stark]] at the [[Battle of the Trident]].{{ref|ASOS|20}}
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==Recent Events==
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===''A Game of Thrones''===
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The Karstarks answer the summons of [[Robb Stark]] when he calls the banners of the north. Led by Lord [[Rickard Karstark]] and his sons, [[Harrion Karstark|Harrion]], [[Eddard Karstark|Eddard]], and [[Torrhen Karstark|Torrhen]], they bring three hundred horse and near two thousand foot to [[Winterfell]], singing hymns and marching to the rhythm of a big drum. The Karstark family enters the castle to pay their respects to the Starks.{{ref|AGOT|53}}
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On the march south, the Karhold men quarter in the [[Drunkard's Tower]] at [[Moat Cailin]]. [[Catelyn Stark]] warns her son Robb that he cannot seem indecisive in front of men like Lord [[Roose Bolton]] and Rickard Karstark.{{ref|AGOT|55}} When the Stark host splits at the [[Twins]], Rickard's heir Harrion leads the Karstark spears with Lord Bolton's infantry, while Rickard and his other sons accompany Robb with their cavalry.
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Eddard and Torrhen are two of the [[Robb Stark's personal guard|thirty sons of lords]] who ride with the Young Wolf during the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]], where the brothers are killed by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]].{{ref|AGOT|63}}
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Among others, [[Tyrion Lannister]] sees the Karstark sunburst among the enemy banners in the [[Green Fork]]. He follows Ser [[Gregor Clegane]]'s charge against a double crescent of Karstark spearmen waiting behind tall oaken shields with the sigil of [[Karhold]]. Harrion is captured during this [[battle on the Green Fork]] and brought to [[Harrenhal]].{{ref|AGOT|62}}
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Rickard desires vengeance for his sons, but Jaime is needed as a prisoner. After the [[Battle of the Camps]], Lord Karstark is seen by Catelyn praying at [[Riverrun]]'s godswood with Robb and other followers of the [[old gods]]. He is perceived by Catelyn as a man in a nightmare, gaunt and hollow-eyed in his grief. Rickard remains loyal and is the second man to proclaim Robb the [[King in the North]] after Lord [[Jon Umber|Greatjon Umber]].{{ref|AGOT|71}}
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===''A Clash of Kings''===
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The Karstarks are one of the families with ties to [[House Hornwood]] through the female line, and thus one of the houses interested on the inheritance of the [[Hornwood]] lands after the deaths of Lord [[Halys Hornwood]] and his heir, [[Daryn Hornwood|Daryn]].{{ref|ACOK|16}}
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Lord Karstark campaigns with Robb through the [[westerlands]], driving a lance through Ser [[Stafford Lannister]]'s chest at the [[Battle of Oxcross]]{{ref|ACOK|32}} and raiding along the coast thereafter along with [[Galbart Glover]].{{ref|ACOK|39}}
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[[Tyrion Lannister]], the acting [[Hand of the King]], plans to exchange Harrion Karstark and Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] for [[Willem Lannister]], but the negotiations fail. Harrion is released from captivity after the [[fall of Harrenhal]] to Lord [[Roose Bolton]].{{ref|ACOK|47}} Roose sends him as part of [[Robett Glover]] and Ser [[Helman Tallhart]]'s force to take [[Duskendale]].{{ref|ACOK|64}}
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[[Theon Greyjoy]] notices few Karstark banners among the army commanded by Rodrik that gathers at Winterfell to expel the ironmen. They are betrayed by [[Ramsay Snow]] and the garrison of the [[Dreadfort]] during the [[battle at Winterfell]], however.{{ref|ACOK|66}}
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===''A Storm of Swords''===
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After the [[Sack of Winterfell]], [[Bran Stark]] considers going to the [[House Umber|Umbers]] or the Karstarks, whom he considers loyal. He remembers that his father [[Eddard Stark]] always said Karhold was a strong castle.{{ref|ASOS|9}}
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In the [[battle at Duskendale]], Harrion is captured by Lord [[Randyll Tarly]]'s army, and he then is held at [[Maidenpool]].{{ref|AFFC|Appendix}} Some of the Karstark foot that survive the battle rejoin Roose Bolton's forces.{{ref|ASOS|49}}
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Lord Karstark returns to Riverrun from the westerlands with the rest of Robb's army. Finding that [[Catelyn Stark]] had freed Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] from captivity in an effort to retrieve her daughters, [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] and [[Arya Stark|Arya]], Rickard feels she has robbed him of his vengeance. Driven to desperation, he and seven of his men murder the captive squires [[Tion Frey]] and [[Willem Lannister]], killing two [[House Tully guards|Tully men]] and injuring three Umbers in the process.{{ref|ASOS|20}} Meanwhile, he sends his cavalry to scour the [[riverlands]] for Jaime, as Rickard has promised the hand of his daughter [[Alys Karstark|Alys]] to whomever brings him Jaime's head.{{ref|ASOS|31}}
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For his crime, Robb Stark sentences Rickard to death and beheads him. In his speech before his execution, Rickard appeals to his and his family's loyalty to House Stark, and he curses Robb with an accusation of [[kinslaying]] due to the ancient relation between Karstarks and Starks.{{ref|ASOS|20}}
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Karstark men search the [[crownlands]] and riverlands, including [[Acorn Hall]],{{ref|ASOS|22}} [[Blackbottom Bend]],{{ref|ASOS|22}} the [[Hayford]] road,{{ref|ASOS|22}} [[Sallydance]],{{ref|ASOS|22}} and [[fighting at Sow's Horn|Sow's Horn]].{{ref|ASOS|27}} [[Second sack of Maidenpool|Maidenpool]],{{ref|AFFC|14}} [[Stoney Sept]],{{ref|ASOS|29}} and an unnamed village{{ref|ASOS|14}} are attacked by northmen, possibly Karstarks. Jaime is eventually captured by the [[Brave Companions]] and brought to Lord Bolton at Harrenhal.{{ref|AFFC|31}} To protect Jaime from roving Karstarks, Roose has [[Steelshanks Walton]] escort the Kingslayer from Harrenhal to [[King's Landing]].{{ref|ASOS|37}}
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Some Karstark infantry are part of the force that Lord Bolton keeps with him after the [[fighting at the fords of the Trident]]. They march with Roose to the [[Twins]] for the wedding between Lord [[Edmure Tully]] and [[Roslin Frey]],{{Ref|aSoS|49}} and the incognito Arya hears their songs in the tents outside the castles.{{ref|ASOS|50}} During the [[Red Wedding]], mailed men in shaggy fur cloaks—presumably Karstarks or [[House Bolton|Boltons]]—join the slaughter of men loyal to Robb, such as [[Jon Umber (son of Jon)|Smalljon Umber]].{{ref|ASOS|51}}
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Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]] sends a raven to Karhold in a plea for help to defend [[attack on Castle Black|Castle Black]] from [[wildlings]].{{ref|ASOS|55}}
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===''A Feast for Crows''===
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[[Brienne of Tarth]] spots the badge of House Karstark among those that have been collected from the dead around [[Duskendale]].{{Ref|aFfC|9}}
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Ser [[Roger Hogg]], the [[Knight]] of [[Sow's Horn]] in the [[crownlands]], tells Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] that he had been attacked by men wearing the white sunburst.{{ref|AFFC|27}} Ser [[Daven Lannister]] confesses to Jaime that he had sworn not to cut his hair until avenging his father, Ser [[Stafford Lannister]], but he could not accomplish his goal once Rickard Karstark was executed by Robb.{{ref|AFFC|33}}
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===''A Dance with Dragons''===
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With the death of Lord [[Rickard Karstark|Rickard]], [[Harrion Karstark]] becomes the new Lord of [[Karhold]]. With Harrion in [[House Lannister|Lannister]] captivity, however, Rickard's uncle [[Arnolf Karstark]], the castellan of Karhold, declares for King [[Stannis Baratheon]]. House Karstark is the only major northern house to do so.{{Ref|aDwD|3}} Stannis considers granting [[Winterfell]] to Arnolf.{{ref|ADWD|17}}
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Secretly, however, Arnolf is in a plot with the [[House Bolton|Boltons]]{{Ref|aDwD|32}} to provoke the Lannisters into executing Harrion and then marry his son [[Cregan Karstark|Cregan]] to Rickard's daughter [[Alys Karstark|Alys]], and then turning against Stannis when his forces reach [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|aDwD|44}} Alys flees to the [[Wall]] seeking the help of [[Jon Snow]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]]. Arnolf's plot to claim Karhold is foiled when Jon arranges a marriage between Alys and [[Sigorn]], the [[Magnar]] of [[Thenn (region)|Thenn]]. Should Harrion die, lordship of Karhold would pass to Alys and the newly-founded [[House Thenn]].{{Ref|aDwD|44}} Cregan arrives at [[Castle Black]] only to find Alys already betrothed, and he is thrown into an ice cell. He is given the choice to join the [[Night's Watch]] and be cleared of all crimes or wait for the return of King Stannis and be executed for treason.{{ref|ADWD|49}} Jon has [[Clydas]] send a raven from [[Castle Black]] to [[Deepwood Motte]] in an attempt to warn Stannis of Arnolf's intentions.{{ref|ADWD|49}}
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A captive [[Theon Greyjoy]] is present at the [[Dreadfort]] when [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] hosts Arnolf and [[Hother Umber]].{{ref|ADWD|12}} Arnolf later joins Stannis at a [[crofters' village]] with four hundred spears, two score archers, and a dozen mounted lances.{{ref|ADWD|62}}
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===''The Winds of Winter''===
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{{Warning/twow}}
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Stannis learns of Arnolf's plot thanks to the letter sent by Jon Snow. Stannis summons Arnolf, his son [[Arthor Karstark|Arthor]], and his three grandchildren to his presence under the pretext of breaking fast. Stannis's knights surround and arrest the Karstarks, injuring two of the grandchildren in the process. Stannis offers the Karstarks a choice: a swift death in return for cooperation or being burned alive.<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>
  
 
==House Karstark at the end of the third century==
 
==House Karstark at the end of the third century==
The known Karstarks during the timespan of the events described in [[A Song of Ice and Fire]] are:
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The known Karstarks during the timespan of the events described in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' are:
  
* Lord [[Rickard Karstark|{Rickard Karstark}]], Lord of Karhold. He was executed by [[Robb Stark]].
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* Lord {[[Rickard Karstark]]}, Lord of [[Karhold]]. He is executed by [[Robb Stark]].
** [[Harrion Karstark]], his eldest son, the new Lord of Karhold.
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** [[Harrion Karstark]], his eldest son, the new Lord of Karhold. Called Harry by his sister. A hostage of the [[Iron Throne]].
** [[Eddard Karstark|{Eddard Karstark}]], his second son. Slain at the [[Battle of the Whispering Wood]].
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** {[[Torrhen Karstark]]}, his second son, called Torr by his sister. Slain at the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]].
** [[Torrhen Karstark|{Torrhen Karstark}]], his third son. Slain at the [[Battle of the Whispering Wood]].
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** {[[Eddard Karstark]]}, his third son, called Edd by his sister. Slain in the Whispering Wood.
** [[Alys Karstark]], his daughter, and Harrion's heir. Married to [[Sigorn]], the [[Magnar]] of [[Thenn]].
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** [[Alys Karstark]], his daughter, and Harrion's heir. Married to [[Sigorn]], the [[Magnar]] of [[Thenn (valley)|Thenn]].
* [[Arnolf Karstark]], his uncle. The castellan of Karhold.
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* [[Arnolf Karstark]], his uncle. Called Lord Arnolf despite being only the [[castellan]] of Karhold.
** [[Cregan Karstark]], Arnolf's eldest son.
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** [[Cregan Karstark]], Arnolf's eldest son, a prisoner of the [[Night's Watch]].
 
** [[Arthor Karstark]], Arnolf's second son.
 
** [[Arthor Karstark]], Arnolf's second son.
***Three grandchildren, sons of Arthor.
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***Three grandchildren
  
{{Template:Karstark_tree}}
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{{Karstark tree}}
  
==References in the books==
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==Historical Members==
===A Song of Ice and Fire===
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* Lord [[Karlon Stark]], founder of the house.
* The Karstarks, led by Lord Rickard and his sons Harrion, Eddard and Torrhen, came to [[Winterfell]] when [[Robb Stark|Robb]] called his banners. They brought three hundred mounted horse and near two thousand foot, singing hymns and marching to the rhythm of a big drum. [[Bran Stark|Bran]] saw them as fierce big men, with their faces covered with beards and their bodies with pelts and skins.
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* Lady [[Margaret Karstark]], married [[Bennard Stark]], mother of [[Benjen Stark (son of Bennard)|Benjen]], [[Brandon Stark (son of Bennard)|Brandon]] and [[Elric Stark|Elric]].{{ref|twoiaf| Appendix: Stark Lineage}}
* The Karstark family entered Winterfell to pay their respects to the Starks, wearing black iron halfhelms and black woolen cloaks patterned with the white sunburst. Bran overhears Eddard Karstark muttering to his brother Torrhen that he would sooner die than live crippled as Bran. Torrhen replies that Bran was likely broken inside, but was too craven to take his own life.
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* Lady [[Alys Karstark (wife of Brandon)|Alys Karstark]], married Lord [[Brandon Stark (son of Cregan)|Brandon Stark]], mother of [[Rodwell Stark|Rodwell]], [[Beron Stark|Beron]] and [[Arsa Stark|Arsa]].{{ref|twoiaf| Appendix: Stark Lineage}}
* The Karhold men command the [[Drunkard's Tower]] at [[Moat Cailin]] on the march south.
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* [[Lysara Karstark]], married [[Artos Stark]], third son of Lord [[Beron Stark]], mother of [[Brandon Stark (son of Artos)|Brandon]] and [[Benjen Stark (son of Artos)|Benjen]].{{ref|twoiaf| Appendix: Stark Lineage}}
* [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] warns Robb that he cannot seem indecisive in front of men like [[Roose Bolton]] and Rickard Karstark.
 
* When the northern army splits at [[the Twins]], Rickard Karstark and his two younger sons join Robb with the cavalry, while his oldest leads the Karstark spears with [[Roose Bolton]]'s infantry.
 
* Among others, Tyrion sees the Karstark sunburst among the enemy banners at the [[Battle of the Green Fork|Green Fork]]
 
* Harrion Karstark is captured and taken prisoner to [[Harrenhal]].
 
* Torrhen and Eddard Karstark are two of the thirty sons of nobles that ride beside the Young Wolf during the war.
 
* Both Torrhen and Eddard are slain by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] at the [[Battle of the Whispering Wood]].
 
* Rickard Karstark is seen by [[Catelyn Tully]] praying at [[Riverrun]]'s godswood with Robb and other followers of the [[Old Gods]].
 
* After the death of his sons, Lord Karstark is perceived by Catelyn as a man in a nightmare, gaunt and hollow-eyed in his grief.
 
* Lord Karstark is the second man to acclaim Robb Stark as King in the North, just after the [[Jon Umber (Greatjon)|Greatjon]].
 
* The Karstarks are one of the families with ties to [[House Hornwood]] through the female line, and thus one of the houses interested on the inheritance of their lands after the death of Lord [[Halys Hornwood]] and his heir Daryn.
 
* [[Arnolf Karstark]] sent regrets to Winterfell alleging that they could not send help to Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]] against the [[ironborn]] because all the men had gone south with Robb.
 
* At one point, the acting [[Hand of the King]] [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] planned to exchange Harrion Karstark and Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] for [[Willem Lannister]], but the negotiations failed.
 
* Rickard Karstark killed Ser [[Stafford Lannister]] at the [[Battle of Oxcross]], driving a lance through his chest.
 
* Lord Rickard Karstark and [[Galbart Glover]] raided along the coast during Robb's campaigning in the Westerlands.
 
* [[Theon Greyjoy]] noticed few Karstark banners among the army commanded by Rodrik Cassel that gathered at Winterfell to expel the ironmen.
 
* When [[Roose Bolton]] takes Harrenhal, Harrion is released from captivity. Lord Bolton sends him as part of [[Robett Glover]] and [[Helman Tallhart]]'s force to take [[Duskendale]].
 
* At the [[Battle of Duskendale]], Harrion Karstark is captured again by [[Randyll Tarly]]'s army, and is held at [[Maidenpool]].
 
* After the [[Sack of Winterfell]], Bran considers going to the [[House Umber|Umbers]] or the Karstarks, which he considered loyal. He remembers that his father always said Karhold was a strong castle.
 
* Lord Karstark is upset at Catelyn when she frees Jaime, and tells her that she has robbed him of his vengeance.
 
* Roose Bolton tells Jaime Lannister that a thousand Karstarks prowl the lands south and east of Riverrun, looking for him.
 
* Rickard Karstark murdered [[Tion Frey]] and [[Willem Lannister]] in their cell, as revenge for the deaths of his sons Torrhen and Eddard. For this, Robb sentenced him to death. In his speech before his execution, Rickard appealed to his and his family's loyalty to House Stark, and cursed Robb with a (feeble) accusation of kinslaying due to the ancient relation between Karstarks and Starks. After his execution the Karstark cavalry abandoned Robb's army.
 
* The Karstarks that survived the [[Battle of Duskendale]] joined Roose Bolton's forces and went with him to [[the Twins]].{{Ref|aSoS|49}} They are part of the force that he keeps with him after the [[Battle of the Ruby Ford]].
 
* [[Maester Aemon]] sent a raven to Karhold in a plea for help to defend [[Castle Black]] from [[wildlings]].
 
* The Karstarks take [[Stannis Baratheon]]'s side against the ironmen and the Boltons, being the only major noble house from the North do do so.
 
* Ser [[Daven Lannister]] confesses to Jaime that he had sworn not to cut his hair until avenging his father Ser Stafford, but he couldn't accomplish his goal once Karstark had been executed by Robb.
 
* [[Brienne of Tarth]] spots the badge of House Karstark among those that had been collected from the dead around [[Duskendale]].{{Ref|aFfC|9}}
 
* Ser [[Roger Hogg]], the Knight of Sow's Horn in the [[Crownlands]], told Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] that he had been attacked by men wearing the white sunburst.
 
* The Karstarks' declaration for Stannis is actually a ruse orchestrated by Arnolf and [[Roose Bolton]]. The plan is to provoke the Lannisters to execute Harrion and turn against Stannis when his forces reach Winterfell. Arnolf's plot also involves forcing Alys to marry his son Cregan, making the latter Lord of Karhold.
 
* Alys arrives at [[the Wall]] seeking [[Jon Snow]]'s help, and reveals Arnolf's treachery. Cregan arrives to find Alys already married to [[Sigorn]], the new [[Magnar]] of [[Thenn]], and is thrown in an ice cell. He's given the choice to join the [[Night's Watch]] and be cleared of all crimes or wait for the return of Stannis and be executed for treason.
 
* Stannis learns of Arnolf's plot thanks to a letter sent by Jon Snow. Stannis summons Arnolf, his son Arthor, and his three grandchildren, to his presence under the pretext of breaking fast. Stannis' knights surround and arrest the Karstarks, injuring two of the grandchildren in the process. Stannis offers the Karstarks to choose between cooperation and being granted swift deaths, or being burned alive.
 
  
==References and Notes==
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==Quotes==
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{{quote|[[Old Nan]] said they had [[House Stark|Stark]] blood in them, going back hundreds of years, but they did not look like Starks to Bran.{{ref|AGOT|53}}}} - thoughts of [[Bran Stark]]
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{{quote|We are kin, [[House Stark|Stark]] and Karstark.{{ref|ASOS|20}}}} - [[Rickard Karstark]] to [[Robb Stark]]
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{{quote|'''Stannis''': I am more inclined to bestow [[Winterfell]] upon [[Arnolf Karstark]]. A good [[northman]].<br>
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'''Jon''': A northman. The Karstarks abandoned [[Robb Stark|my brother]] amongst his enemies.<br>
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'''Stannis''': After your brother took off Lord [[Rickard Karstark|Rickard's]] head. Arnolf was a thousand leagues away. He has [[House Stark|Stark]] blood in him. The blood of Winterfell.{{ref|ADWD|17}}}} - [[Stannis Baratheon]] and [[Jon Snow]]
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{{quote|'''Ramsay''': Scratch a Karstark and you'll find a [[House Stark|Stark]].<br>
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'''Roose''': After the scratch the [[Robb Stark|Young Wolf]] gave Lord [[Rickard Karstark|Rickard]], that may be somewhat less true than formerly.{{ref|ADWD|32}}}} - [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] and [[Roose Bolton]]
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==Notes==
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Revision as of 14:22, 6 September 2018

House Karstark of Karhold
House Karstark.PNG
The Sun of Winter
Coat of arms A white sunburst on black
(Sable, a sunburst argent)
Seat Karhold
Head Harrion Karstark
Region north
Title Lord of Karhold
Heir Alys Karstark
Overlords
Founder Karlon Stark
Founded "a thousand years ago"
(Possibly around ~700 BC)[N 1]

House Karstark of Karhold is a noble house from Karhold in the north. They were founded as a cadet branch of their overlords, the Starks of Winterfell, and are among their principal bannermen.[1] Their blazon is a white sunburst on black[2] and their motto is "The Sun of Winter".[3]

Traits

Karstarks are big, fierce men, bearded and long-haired, with brown hair and blue-grey eyes.[2][4] Lord Rickard Karstark and his daughter, Alys, have long, narrow faces.[5][6]

Karstarks and their men wear thick cloaks made of the pelts of seals, bears, and wolves, or black woolen cloaks patterned with the white sunburst.[2][4] Karstark soldiers wear black iron halfhelms,[2] mail hauberks or shirts of sewn rings, and heavy boots.[4] Lord Rickard wears black mail.[5]

History

The Karstarks descend from Karlon Stark, a younger son of Winterfell. Possibly around 700 BC,[N 1] Karlon put down a rebel lord and was granted lands for his valor.[4] The castle he built near the Grey Cliffs was named Karl's Hold, but that soon became Karhold, and over the centuries the Karhold Starks became Karstarks.[4]

Over the centuries, several Karstarks have wed Starks. These include Margaret Karstark, who was wed to Bennard Stark, the second son of Lord Benjen Stark, with whom she had three sons; Alys Karstark, who was wed to Lord Brandon Stark, with whom she had three children; And Lysara Karstark, who was wed to Alys's grandson Artos Stark, whom she gave two sons.[7]

During Robert's Rebellion, Lord Rickard Karstark fought alongside Lord Eddard Stark at the Battle of the Trident.[4]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

The Karstarks answer the summons of Robb Stark when he calls the banners of the north. Led by Lord Rickard Karstark and his sons, Harrion, Eddard, and Torrhen, they bring three hundred horse and near two thousand foot to Winterfell, singing hymns and marching to the rhythm of a big drum. The Karstark family enters the castle to pay their respects to the Starks.[2]

On the march south, the Karhold men quarter in the Drunkard's Tower at Moat Cailin. Catelyn Stark warns her son Robb that he cannot seem indecisive in front of men like Lord Roose Bolton and Rickard Karstark.[8] When the Stark host splits at the Twins, Rickard's heir Harrion leads the Karstark spears with Lord Bolton's infantry, while Rickard and his other sons accompany Robb with their cavalry.

Eddard and Torrhen are two of the thirty sons of lords who ride with the Young Wolf during the battle in the Whispering Wood, where the brothers are killed by Ser Jaime Lannister.[9]

Among others, Tyrion Lannister sees the Karstark sunburst among the enemy banners in the Green Fork. He follows Ser Gregor Clegane's charge against a double crescent of Karstark spearmen waiting behind tall oaken shields with the sigil of Karhold. Harrion is captured during this battle on the Green Fork and brought to Harrenhal.[10]

Rickard desires vengeance for his sons, but Jaime is needed as a prisoner. After the Battle of the Camps, Lord Karstark is seen by Catelyn praying at Riverrun's godswood with Robb and other followers of the old gods. He is perceived by Catelyn as a man in a nightmare, gaunt and hollow-eyed in his grief. Rickard remains loyal and is the second man to proclaim Robb the King in the North after Lord Greatjon Umber.[11]

A Clash of Kings

The Karstarks are one of the families with ties to House Hornwood through the female line, and thus one of the houses interested on the inheritance of the Hornwood lands after the deaths of Lord Halys Hornwood and his heir, Daryn.[12]

Lord Karstark campaigns with Robb through the westerlands, driving a lance through Ser Stafford Lannister's chest at the Battle of Oxcross[13] and raiding along the coast thereafter along with Galbart Glover.[14]

Tyrion Lannister, the acting Hand of the King, plans to exchange Harrion Karstark and Ser Wylis Manderly for Willem Lannister, but the negotiations fail. Harrion is released from captivity after the fall of Harrenhal to Lord Roose Bolton.[15] Roose sends him as part of Robett Glover and Ser Helman Tallhart's force to take Duskendale.[16]

Theon Greyjoy notices few Karstark banners among the army commanded by Rodrik that gathers at Winterfell to expel the ironmen. They are betrayed by Ramsay Snow and the garrison of the Dreadfort during the battle at Winterfell, however.[17]

A Storm of Swords

After the Sack of Winterfell, Bran Stark considers going to the Umbers or the Karstarks, whom he considers loyal. He remembers that his father Eddard Stark always said Karhold was a strong castle.[18]

In the battle at Duskendale, Harrion is captured by Lord Randyll Tarly's army, and he then is held at Maidenpool.[19] Some of the Karstark foot that survive the battle rejoin Roose Bolton's forces.[20]

Lord Karstark returns to Riverrun from the westerlands with the rest of Robb's army. Finding that Catelyn Stark had freed Ser Jaime Lannister from captivity in an effort to retrieve her daughters, Sansa and Arya, Rickard feels she has robbed him of his vengeance. Driven to desperation, he and seven of his men murder the captive squires Tion Frey and Willem Lannister, killing two Tully men and injuring three Umbers in the process.[4] Meanwhile, he sends his cavalry to scour the riverlands for Jaime, as Rickard has promised the hand of his daughter Alys to whomever brings him Jaime's head.[21]

For his crime, Robb Stark sentences Rickard to death and beheads him. In his speech before his execution, Rickard appeals to his and his family's loyalty to House Stark, and he curses Robb with an accusation of kinslaying due to the ancient relation between Karstarks and Starks.[4]

Karstark men search the crownlands and riverlands, including Acorn Hall,[22] Blackbottom Bend,[22] the Hayford road,[22] Sallydance,[22] and Sow's Horn.[23] Maidenpool,[24] Stoney Sept,[25] and an unnamed village[5] are attacked by northmen, possibly Karstarks. Jaime is eventually captured by the Brave Companions and brought to Lord Bolton at Harrenhal.[26] To protect Jaime from roving Karstarks, Roose has Steelshanks Walton escort the Kingslayer from Harrenhal to King's Landing.[27]

Some Karstark infantry are part of the force that Lord Bolton keeps with him after the fighting at the fords of the Trident. They march with Roose to the Twins for the wedding between Lord Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey,[20] and the incognito Arya hears their songs in the tents outside the castles.[28] During the Red Wedding, mailed men in shaggy fur cloaks—presumably Karstarks or Boltons—join the slaughter of men loyal to Robb, such as Smalljon Umber.[29]

Maester Aemon sends a raven to Karhold in a plea for help to defend Castle Black from wildlings.[30]

A Feast for Crows

Brienne of Tarth spots the badge of House Karstark among those that have been collected from the dead around Duskendale.[31]

Ser Roger Hogg, the Knight of Sow's Horn in the crownlands, tells Ser Jaime Lannister that he had been attacked by men wearing the white sunburst.[32] Ser Daven Lannister confesses to Jaime that he had sworn not to cut his hair until avenging his father, Ser Stafford Lannister, but he could not accomplish his goal once Rickard Karstark was executed by Robb.[33]

A Dance with Dragons

With the death of Lord Rickard, Harrion Karstark becomes the new Lord of Karhold. With Harrion in Lannister captivity, however, Rickard's uncle Arnolf Karstark, the castellan of Karhold, declares for King Stannis Baratheon. House Karstark is the only major northern house to do so.[34] Stannis considers granting Winterfell to Arnolf.[35]

Secretly, however, Arnolf is in a plot with the Boltons[36] to provoke the Lannisters into executing Harrion and then marry his son Cregan to Rickard's daughter Alys, and then turning against Stannis when his forces reach Winterfell.[6] Alys flees to the Wall seeking the help of Jon Snow, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Arnolf's plot to claim Karhold is foiled when Jon arranges a marriage between Alys and Sigorn, the Magnar of Thenn. Should Harrion die, lordship of Karhold would pass to Alys and the newly-founded House Thenn.[6] Cregan arrives at Castle Black only to find Alys already betrothed, and he is thrown into an ice cell. He is given the choice to join the Night's Watch and be cleared of all crimes or wait for the return of King Stannis and be executed for treason.[37] Jon has Clydas send a raven from Castle Black to Deepwood Motte in an attempt to warn Stannis of Arnolf's intentions.[37]

A captive Theon Greyjoy is present at the Dreadfort when Ramsay Bolton hosts Arnolf and Hother Umber.[38] Arnolf later joins Stannis at a crofters' village with four hundred spears, two score archers, and a dozen mounted lances.[39]

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.

Stannis learns of Arnolf's plot thanks to the letter sent by Jon Snow. Stannis summons Arnolf, his son Arthor, and his three grandchildren to his presence under the pretext of breaking fast. Stannis's knights surround and arrest the Karstarks, injuring two of the grandchildren in the process. Stannis offers the Karstarks a choice: a swift death in return for cooperation or being burned alive.[40]

House Karstark at the end of the third century

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unknown
Karstark
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Arnolf
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rickard
 
Unknown
wife
 
Unknown
first wife
 
Cregan
 
Unknown
second wife
 
 
Arthor
 
Daughters
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Harrion
 
Eddard
 
Torrhen
 
Alys
 
Sigorn
 
 
 
Six grandsons
[Note 1]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes:
  1. It is not known whether these are the sons of Cregan, Arthor or one of their sisters.


Historical Members

Quotes

Old Nan said they had Stark blood in them, going back hundreds of years, but they did not look like Starks to Bran.[2]

- thoughts of Bran Stark


We are kin, Stark and Karstark.[4]

- Rickard Karstark to Robb Stark


Stannis: I am more inclined to bestow Winterfell upon Arnolf Karstark. A good northman.

Jon: A northman. The Karstarks abandoned my brother amongst his enemies.

Stannis: After your brother took off Lord Rickard's head. Arnolf was a thousand leagues away. He has Stark blood in him. The blood of Winterfell.[35]

- Stannis Baratheon and Jon Snow


Ramsay: Scratch a Karstark and you'll find a Stark.
Roose: After the scratch the Young Wolf gave Lord Rickard, that may be somewhat less true than formerly.[36]

- Ramsay Bolton and Roose Bolton

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Catelyn Stark recalls that Karlon Stark put down a rebel lord "a thousand years ago" (A Storm of Swords, Catelyn III). 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. A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 53, Bran VI.
  3. The Citadel. House Karstark
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 20, Catelyn III.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 14, Catelyn II.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 44, Jon IX.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Stark Lineage.
  8. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 55, Catelyn VIII.
  9. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 63, Catelyn X.
  10. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 62, Tyrion VIII.
  11. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 71, Catelyn XI.
  12. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 16, Bran II.
  13. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 32, Sansa III.
  14. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 39, Catelyn V.
  15. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 47, Arya IX.
  16. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 64, Arya X.
  17. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 66, Theon VI.
  18. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 9, Bran I.
  19. A Feast for Crows, Appendix.
  20. 20.0 20.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 49, Catelyn VI.
  21. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 31, Jaime IV.
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 22, Arya IV.
  23. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 27, Daenerys III.
  24. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 14, Brienne III.
  25. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 29, Arya V.
  26. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 31, Brienne VI.
  27. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 37, Jaime V.
  28. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 50, Arya X.
  29. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 51, Catelyn VII.
  30. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 55, Jon VII.
  31. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 9, Brienne II.
  32. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 27, Jaime III.
  33. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 33, Jaime V.
  34. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 3, Jon I.
  35. 35.0 35.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 17, Jon IV.
  36. 36.0 36.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 32, Reek III.
  37. 37.0 37.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 49, Jon X.
  38. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 12, Reek I.
  39. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 62, The Sacrifice.
  40. The Winds of Winter, Theon I