Arnolf Karstark

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House Karstark.PNG
Arnolf Karstark
House Karstark.PNG

Arnolf Karstark.jpg
Arnolf Karstark by Robert O'Leary

Alias Lord Arnolf
Title Castellan of Karhold
Allegiance House Karstark
Culture Northmen
Born Karhold[1]
Books
Arnolf Karstark - by Marc Fishman ©

Arnolf Karstark is the uncle of Lord Rickard Karstark. He is the castellan of Karhold,[2] but the followers of Stannis Baratheon refer to him as Lord Arnolf as a courtesy.

Appearance and Character

See also: Images of Arnolf Karstark

Arnolf is gaunt, crooked and bent from age and walks with a cane. His left shoulder is half a foot higher then his right. He has a scrawny neck, squinty grey eyes, and is a few white hairs away from complete baldness. His teeth are yellow and he was a forked ragged grey and white beard.[3] Theon Greyjoy considers Arnolf "a poor excuse for a man".[4]

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

After Stannis Baratheon sends a declaration of his arrival in the North and a demand for fealty, Arnolf is the only northerner to respond favorably to him, pledging Stannis his support.[5] It is revealed, however, that Arnolf only responded favorably in hopes that when the Iron Throne hears of the pledge they will execute Harrion Karstark, the Lord of Karhold who is still a hostage of the Lannisters. Harrion's death would make Alys Karstark the heir and Arnolf would then force her to marry his son Cregan Karstark to claim Karhold. In addition, Arnolf works in secret with Roose and Ramsay Bolton to try and lure Stannis north to attack the Dreadfort, where Arnolf's force would meet up with Stannis's army and then turn its cloak as the siege begins. Roose promises Arnolf a full pardon for this service to the Lannisters.

However, under Jon Snow's advice Stannis does not attack the Dreadfort, but Deepwood Motte instead, thus spoiling the plan. Arnolf has his army meet up with Stannis at a crofters' village when they march on Winterfell. Arnolf brings four hundred spears, two score archers, a dozen mounted lances, and a maester with a cage of ravens.[3] During the upcoming battle Arnolf plans to have his host turn on Stannis. However, this plot is revealed to Jon Snow by Alys Karstark, who had fled to the Wall to escape the arranged marriage with Cregan. Jon sends a message to Stannis to warn him of Arnolf's treachery.

The Winds of Winter

Tycho Nestoris brings Jon Snow's message to Stannis in time, and Stannis has Arnolf, his son Arthor, and three grandsons brought before him on the pretext of breaking their fast. Upon entering the village's watchtower, Arnolf notices the chained Theon Greyjoy in the corner and realises that Stannis is aware of his planned treachery.

Stannis's knights surround the five Karstarks; two of his grandsons attempt to resist and are badly injured, but Arnolf does not put up a fight. Stannis has vowed that all five will die, but whether quickly or by fire will depend on their cooperation.[6]

Family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.


References and Notes