Difference between revisions of "Winter town"

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==History==
 
==History==
During spring and summer, four-fifths of the winter town's homes are empty.{{ref|AGOT|37}} During autumn and winter, however, the town becomes filled with northmen from throughout the region, including farmers,{{ref|AGOT|37}} villagers,{{ref|TWOIAF| The North}} and [[northern mountain clans|clansmen]] from the [[northern mountains]].{{ref|ADWD|49}} When full, the winter town might have a population of around fifteen thousand.{{refn|group=N|Less than one in five homes are occupied in ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 37|Bran V]], when [[Bran Stark]] rides to the [[wolfswood]]. [[Luwin]] later states in [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]] that [[Robb Stark]]'s initial army (which is around 12,000 men), when quartered in the settlement, are numerous enough that "the winter town is full to bursting". This occurs during late summer (with autumn arriving in ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 4|Bran I]]). Given that four fifths of the winter town's housing would be available for the army with the last fifth being occupied by the civilians who normally live there,{{ref|AGOT|37}} the town might therefore house 15,000 people at maximum capacity.}}
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During spring and summer, four-fifths of the winter town's homes are empty.{{ref|AGOT|37}} During autumn and winter, however, the town becomes "full to bursting" with northmen from throughout the region, including farmers,{{ref|AGOT|37}} villagers,{{ref|TWOIAF| The North}} and [[northern mountain clans|clansmen]] from the [[northern mountains]].{{ref|ADWD|49}} When full, the winter town might have a population of around fifteen thousand.{{refn|group=N|Less than one in five homes are occupied in ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 37|Bran V]], when [[Bran Stark]] rides to the [[wolfswood]]. [[Luwin]] later states in [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]] that [[Robb Stark]]'s initial army (which is around 12,000 men), when quartered in the settlement, are numerous enough that "the winter town is full to bursting". This occurs during late summer (with autumn arriving in ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 4|Bran I]]). Given that four fifths of the winter town's housing would be available for the army with the last fifth being occupied by the civilians who normally live there,{{ref|AGOT|37}} the town might therefore house 15,000 people at maximum capacity.}}
  
 
Some townfolk claim that the hot springs of [[Winterfell]] are warmed by a [[dragon]] that sleeps below the castle.{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: Winterfell}}  
 
Some townfolk claim that the hot springs of [[Winterfell]] are warmed by a [[dragon]] that sleeps below the castle.{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: Winterfell}}  
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During the winter of {{date|134}} northmen in the winter town ate dogs and horses to avoid starvation.{{ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
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[[Theon Greyjoy]] once had an amorous encounter with [[Bessa (Winterfell)|Bessa]] and [[Kyra]] of the winter town.{{ref|AGOT|37}}
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
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After receiving a frosty greeting from [[Robb Stark]] in [[Winterfell]], [[Tyrion Lannister]] decides to stay in an inn in the winter town, rather than in the castle.{{ref|AGOT|24}}
 
After receiving a frosty greeting from [[Robb Stark]] in [[Winterfell]], [[Tyrion Lannister]] decides to stay in an inn in the winter town, rather than in the castle.{{ref|AGOT|24}}
  
[[Robb Stark]], [[Bran Stark]], and [[Theon Greyjoy]] ride through the winter town with the direwolves [[Grey Wind]] and [[Summer]], on their way to the [[wolfswood]].{{ref|AGOT|37}}
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Robb, [[Bran Stark]], and [[Theon Greyjoy]] ride through the winter town on their way to the [[wolfswood]]. Most townspeople have become accustomed to their [[direwolves]], [[Grey Wind]] and [[Summer]].{{ref|AGOT|37}}
  
The winter town becomes full when Robb calls the [[north]]ern banners in response to the [[Iron Throne]]'s imprisonment of his father, Lord [[Eddard Stark]]. The townspeople cheer Robb when he leads the soldiers south along the [[kingsroad]].{{ref|AGOT|53}}
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The winter town becomes full when Robb calls the [[north]]ern banners in response to the [[Iron Throne]]'s imprisonment of his father, [[Eddard Stark]], Lord of Winterfell. The townspeople cheer Robb when he leads the soldiers south along the [[kingsroad]].{{ref|AGOT|53}}
  
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
 
Some [[smallfolk]] from the town attend the [[harvest feast]] in Winterfell.{{ref|ACOK|21}}
 
Some [[smallfolk]] from the town attend the [[harvest feast]] in Winterfell.{{ref|ACOK|21}}
  
The town is occupied by Theon's [[ironborn]] when they [[capture of Winterfell|capture Winterfell]] during the [[War of the Five Kings]].{{ref|ACOK|46}} [[Kyra]], a tavern wench who has lived her entire life in the winter town, becomes Theon's bedmate in Winterfell.{{ref|ACOK|50}}
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After the [[capture of Winterfell]] by Theon's [[ironborn]] during the [[War of the Five Kings]],{{ref|ACOK|46}} [[Kyra]], a tavern wench who has lived her entire life in the winter town, becomes Theon's bedmate in the castle.{{ref|ACOK|50}}
 
 
Theon unsuccessfully parleys with Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]] in the market square after Rodrik gathers an army of [[House Stark|Stark]] loyalists to retake Winterfell. The square is defended by Rodrik's men, including spearmen, archers atop the houses, and knights from [[White Harbor]].{{ref|ACOK|66}}
 
  
Later that day, Rodrik's men are betrayed by the [[Dreadfort]] garrison brought by [[Ramsay Snow]]. The Stark men are unable to form up between the houses, which [[House Bolton|Boltons]] put to the torch.{{ref|ASOS|49}}{{ref|ADWD|41}} Following the scattering of Rodrik's men in this [[battle at Winterfell]], Theon admits the Boltons into Winterfell, which they quickly [[sack of Winterfell|sack]].{{ref|ACOK|66}}
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Theon unsuccessfully parleys with Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]] in the market square after Rodrik gathers an army of [[House Stark|Stark]] loyalists to retake Winterfell. The square is defended by Rodrik's men, including spearmen, archers atop the houses, and knights from [[White Harbor]].{{ref|ACOK|66}} Later that day, however, Rodrik's men are betrayed by the [[Dreadfort]] garrison brought by [[Ramsay Snow]]. The Stark men are unable to form up between the houses, which [[House Bolton|Boltons]] put to the torch.{{ref|ASOS|49}}{{ref|ADWD|41}} Following the scattering of Rodrik's men in this [[battle at Winterfell]], Theon admits the Boltons into Winterfell, which they quickly [[sack of Winterfell|sack]].{{ref|ACOK|66}}
  
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
The remnants of the winter town are buried by the blizzard striking the north.{{ref|ADWD|41}}
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The remnants of the winter town are buried by the blizzard striking the north.{{ref|ADWD|41}} Lord [[Roose Bolton]]'s army instead quarters in Winterfell.{{ref|ADWD|37}}
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
 
{{quote|When the snow fell and the ice winds howled down out of the north, [[Old Nan]] said, farmers left their frozen fields and distant holdfasts, loaded up their wagons, and then the winter town came alive.{{ref|AGOT|37}}|thoughts of [[Bran Stark]]}}
 
{{quote|When the snow fell and the ice winds howled down out of the north, [[Old Nan]] said, farmers left their frozen fields and distant holdfasts, loaded up their wagons, and then the winter town came alive.{{ref|AGOT|37}}|thoughts of [[Bran Stark]]}}
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==Chapters that take place in the winter town==
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*[[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 24|''A Game of Thrones'': 37. Bran V]]
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*[[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 66|''A Clash of Kings'': 66. Theon VI]]
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==

Revision as of 15:10, 2 June 2019

The north and the location of the winter town
The north and the location of the winter town
Winter town
The north and the location of the winter town

The winter town is a town located outside of Winterfell, the seat of House Stark in the north. During autumn and winter it is one of the largest northern settlements, along with White Harbor and Barrowton.[1]

Layout

Winter town beneath the walls of Winterfell by Ted Nasmith ©

The winter town has rows of small and neat houses built of log and undressed stone. Its streets are muddy.[2] Located at Winterfell's main gatehouse, the market square has wooden stalls for produce and goods[2] and a well at its center.[3] The local inn[4] and alehouse is the Smoking Log.[2]

The kingsroad lies past the sprawl of castle and town,[5] while the wolfswood is two miles away.[2] Hunting parties from Winterfell can avoid the winter town by taking the Hunter's Gate instead of the main gate.[6]

History

During spring and summer, four-fifths of the winter town's homes are empty.[2] During autumn and winter, however, the town becomes "full to bursting" with northmen from throughout the region, including farmers,[2] villagers,[1] and clansmen from the northern mountains.[7] When full, the winter town might have a population of around fifteen thousand.[N 1]

Some townfolk claim that the hot springs of Winterfell are warmed by a dragon that sleeps below the castle.[8]

During the winter of 134 AC northmen in the winter town ate dogs and horses to avoid starvation.[9]

Theon Greyjoy once had an amorous encounter with Bessa and Kyra of the winter town.[2]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

After receiving a frosty greeting from Robb Stark in Winterfell, Tyrion Lannister decides to stay in an inn in the winter town, rather than in the castle.[4]

Robb, Bran Stark, and Theon Greyjoy ride through the winter town on their way to the wolfswood. Most townspeople have become accustomed to their direwolves, Grey Wind and Summer.[2]

The winter town becomes full when Robb calls the northern banners in response to the Iron Throne's imprisonment of his father, Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell. The townspeople cheer Robb when he leads the soldiers south along the kingsroad.[10]

A Clash of Kings

Some smallfolk from the town attend the harvest feast in Winterfell.[11]

After the capture of Winterfell by Theon's ironborn during the War of the Five Kings,[12] Kyra, a tavern wench who has lived her entire life in the winter town, becomes Theon's bedmate in the castle.[6]

Theon unsuccessfully parleys with Ser Rodrik Cassel in the market square after Rodrik gathers an army of Stark loyalists to retake Winterfell. The square is defended by Rodrik's men, including spearmen, archers atop the houses, and knights from White Harbor.[3] Later that day, however, Rodrik's men are betrayed by the Dreadfort garrison brought by Ramsay Snow. The Stark men are unable to form up between the houses, which Boltons put to the torch.[13][14] Following the scattering of Rodrik's men in this battle at Winterfell, Theon admits the Boltons into Winterfell, which they quickly sack.[3]

A Dance with Dragons

The remnants of the winter town are buried by the blizzard striking the north.[14] Lord Roose Bolton's army instead quarters in Winterfell.[15]

Quotes

When the snow fell and the ice winds howled down out of the north, Old Nan said, farmers left their frozen fields and distant holdfasts, loaded up their wagons, and then the winter town came alive.[2]

—thoughts of Bran Stark

Chapters that take place in the winter town

Notes

  1. Less than one in five homes are occupied in A Game of Thrones, Bran V, when Bran Stark rides to the wolfswood. Luwin later states in Bran VI that Robb Stark's initial army (which is around 12,000 men), when quartered in the settlement, are numerous enough that "the winter town is full to bursting". This occurs during late summer (with autumn arriving in A Clash of Kings, Bran I). Given that four fifths of the winter town's housing would be available for the army with the last fifth being occupied by the civilians who normally live there,[2] the town might therefore house 15,000 people at maximum capacity.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The North.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 37, Bran V.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 66, Theon VI.
  4. 4.0 4.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 24, Bran IV.
  5. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 13, Tyrion II.
  6. 6.0 6.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 50, Theon IV.
  7. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 49, Jon X.
  8. The World of Ice & Fire, The North: Winterfell.
  9. Fire & Blood, The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency.
  10. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 53, Bran VI.
  11. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 21, Bran III.
  12. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 46, Bran VI.
  13. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 49, Catelyn VI.
  14. 14.0 14.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 41, The Turncloak.
  15. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 37, The Prince of Winterfell.