Difference between revisions of "House Karstark"

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'''House Karstark of Karhold''' is a noble house from [[the North]] and is a cadet branch of their overlords, [[House Stark]]. 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>
+
'''House Karstark of Karhold''' is a noble house from [[Karhold]] in [[the North]] and is a cadet branch of their overlords, [[House Stark]]. 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>
 
 
  
 
==History==  
 
==History==  
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. Their founder was [[Karlon Stark]], who put down a rebel lord and was granted lands for his valor.{{Ref|aSoS|20}} The castle he built was named Karl's Hold, but that soon became [[Karhold]], and over the centuries the Karhold Starks became 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 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. Their founder was [[Karlon Stark]], who put down a rebel lord and was granted lands for his valor.{{Ref|aSoS|20}} The castle he built was named Karl's Hold, but that soon became [[Karhold]], and over the centuries the Karhold Starks became 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}} East of Karhold are the [[Grey Cliffs]].
  
 
Lord [[Rickard Karstark]] fought alongside [[Eddard Stark]] at the [[Battle of the Trident]].  
 
Lord [[Rickard Karstark]] fought alongside [[Eddard Stark]] at the [[Battle of the Trident]].  
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===''A Game of Thrones''===
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
The Karstarks answer the call of [[Robb Stark]] when he calls the banners of the North. Led by Lord Rickard and his sons, [[Harrion Karstark|Harrion]], [[Eddard Karstark|Eddard]], and [[Torrhen Karstark|Torrhen]], they bring three hundred horse and near two thousand foot on the march south with Robb, singing hymns and marching to the rhythm of a big drum. On the march south, the Karhold men quarter in the [[Drunkard's Tower]] at [[Moat Cailin]]. When the Stark host splits at [[the Twins]], Rickard's heir Harrion leads the Karstark spears with Lord [[Roose Bolton]]'s infantry, while Rickard and his other sons accompany Robb with their cavalry. Eddard and Torrhen are two of the [[Robb's personal guard|thirty sons of lords]] who ride with the Young Wolf during the [[Battle of the Whispering Wood]], where they are killed by [[Jaime Lannister]]; meanwhile Harrion is captured during the [[Battle of the Green Fork]] and brought to [[Harrenhal]]. Rickard desires vengeance, but Jaime is needed as a prisoner. Still, Lord Rickard remains loyal and is the second man to proclaim Robb the [[King in the North]] after Lord [[Jon Umber (Greatjon)|Greatjon Umber]].  
+
The Karstarks answer the call of [[Robb Stark]] when he calls the banners of the North. Led by Lord Rickard 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, wearing black iron halfhelms and black woolen cloaks patterned with the white sunburst. [[Bran Stark]] overhears Eddard Karstark muttering to his brother Torrhen that he would sooner die than live crippled as Bran. Torrhen replies that Bran is likely broken inside, but is too craven to take his own life.
 +
 
 +
On the march south, the Karhold men quarter in the [[Drunkard's Tower]] at [[Moat Cailin]]. [[Catelyn Tully]] warns her son Robb that he cannot seem indecisive in front of men like [[Roose Bolton]] and Rickard Karstark. 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 [[Robb's personal guard|thirty sons of lords]] who ride with the Young Wolf during the [[Battle of the Whispering Wood]], where they are killed by [[Jaime Lannister]].
 +
 
 +
Among others, [[Tyrion Lannister]] sees the Karstark sunburst among the enemy banners at 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 the [[Battle of the Green Fork]] and brought to [[Harrenhal]].
 +
 
 +
Rickard desires vengeance for his sons, but Jaime is needed as a prisoner. After the [[Battle of the Camps]], Rickard 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. Lord Rickard remains loyal and is the second man to proclaim Robb the [[King in the North]] after Lord [[Jon Umber (Greatjon)|Greatjon Umber]].  
  
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
 
===''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 Hornwood|Daryn]].
 +
 
Lord Karstark campaigns with Robb through the [[Westerlands]], driving a lance through Ser [[Stafford Lannister]]'s chest at the [[Battle of Oxcross]] and raiding along the coast thereafter along with [[Galbart Glover]].  
 
Lord Karstark campaigns with Robb through the [[Westerlands]], driving a lance through Ser [[Stafford Lannister]]'s chest at the [[Battle of Oxcross]] and raiding along the coast thereafter along with [[Galbart Glover]].  
  
When [[Roose Bolton]] takes Harrenhal, Harrion is released from captivity. Lord Bolton sends him as part of [[Robett Glover]] and Ser [[Helman Tallhart]]'s force to take [[Duskendale]].  
+
[[Tyrion Lannister]], the acting [[Hand of the King]], plans to exchange Harrion Karstark and Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] for [[Willem Lannister]], but the negotiations fail. When [[Roose Bolton]] takes Harrenhal, Harrion is released from captivity. Lord Bolton sends him as part of [[Robett Glover]] and Ser [[Helman Tallhart]]'s force to take [[Duskendale]].
 +
 
 +
[[Arnolf Karstark]], the castellan of Karhold, sent regrets to Winterfell that they cannot send help to Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]] against the [[ironborn]] because all the men had gone south with Robb. [[Theon Greyjoy]] notices few Karstark banners among the army commanded by Rodrik that gathers at Winterfell to expel the ironmen.
 
   
 
   
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
In the [[Battle of Duskendale]], Harrion is captured again by Lord [[Randyll Tarly]]'s army, and is held at [[Maidenpool]]. The Karstarks that survive the battle rejoin Roose Bolton's forces.  
+
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.
 +
 
 +
In the [[Battle of Duskendale]], Harrion is captured by Lord [[Randyll Tarly]]'s army, and is held at [[Maidenpool]]. The Karstarks that survive the battle rejoin Roose Bolton's forces.  
  
Lord Karstark returns from the Westerlands with the rest of Robb's army. Finding that [[Catelyn Stark]] had freed Jaime Lannister from captivity in an effort to retrieve her daughters, Rickard is driven to desperation for revenge. He and seven of his men murder the captive squires [[Tion Frey]] and [[Willem Lannister]], killing two [[House Tully|Tully]] men in the process. Meanwhile, his cavalry scours the Riverlands for Ser Jaime. 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 curses Robb with an accusation of kinslaying due to the ancient relation between Karstarks and Starks. After the execution of Lord Rickard, the Karstark cavalry breaks away from the rest of the northmen and returns to Karhold.  
+
Lord Karstark returns from the Westerlands with the rest of Robb's army. Finding that [[Catelyn Tully]] had freed [[Jaime Lannister]] from captivity in an effort to retrieve her daughters, 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|Tully]] men in the process. Meanwhile, his cavalry scours the Riverlands for Ser Jaime, as Rickard has promised the hand of his daughter [[Alys Karstark|Alys]] to whomever brings him Jaime's head.{{ref|ASOS|31}}
  
The Karstark infantry march with Lord Bolton to [[the Twins]].{{Ref|aSoS|49}} They are part of the force that he keeps with him after the [[Battle of the Ruby Ford]].
+
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 curses Robb with an accusation of kinslaying due to the ancient relation between Karstarks and Starks. After the execution of Lord Rickard, the Karstark cavalry breaks away from the rest of the northmen and returns to Karhold.
 +
 
 +
The Karstark infantry are part of the force that Lord Bolton keeps with him after the [[Battle of the Ruby Ford]]. They march with Lord Bolton to [[the Twins]] for [[Red Wedding|the wedding]] between [[Edmure Tully]] and [[Roslin Frey]].{{Ref|aSoS|49}}
 +
 
 +
Maester [[Aemon]] sends a raven to Karhold in a plea for help to defend [[Battle of Castle Black|Castle Black]] from [[wildlings]].
 +
 
 +
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 +
[[Brienne of Tarth]] spots the badge of House Karstark among those that have been collected from the dead around [[Duskendale]].{{Ref|aFfC|9}}
 +
 
 +
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. 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.
  
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
With the death of Lord 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}} 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 Lord Commander [[Jon Snow]]'s help, and reveals the situation. Arnolf's plot to claim Karhold is foiled when Jon arranges a marriage between Alys and [[Sigorn]], the [[Magnar]] of [[Thenn]], and sends a raven to Stannis informing him of Arnolf's treachery. Cregan arrives at [[Castle Black]] only to find Alys already wed, 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.
+
With the death of Lord 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}} 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 Lord Commander [[Jon Snow]]'s help, and reveals the situation. 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|49}} Jon sends a raven to Stannis informing him of Arnolf's treachery. Cregan arrives at [[Castle Black]] only to find Alys already wed, 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.
 
   
 
   
 
===''The Winds of Winter''===
 
===''The Winds of Winter''===
Stannis learns of Arnolf's plot thanks to a 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 between cooperation and being granted swift deaths, or being burned alive.
+
Stannis learns of Arnolf's plot thanks to a 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 between cooperation and being granted swift deaths, or being burned alive.<ref>[[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)]]</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:
+
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 is executed by [[Robb Stark]].
 
* Lord [[Rickard Karstark|{Rickard Karstark}]], Lord of Karhold. He is executed by [[Robb Stark]].
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{{Template:Karstark_tree}}
 
{{Template:Karstark_tree}}
 
==References in ''A Song of Ice and Fire''==
 
 
* After Robb calls Winterfell's banners, the Karstark family enters the castle 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.
 
* [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] warns Robb that he cannot seem indecisive in front of men like [[Roose Bolton]] and Rickard Karstark.
 
* Among others, Tyrion sees the Karstark sunburst among the enemy banners at the [[Battle of the Green Fork|Green Fork]]. He follows [[Gregor Clegane]]'s charge against a double crescent of Karstark spearmen waiting behind tall oaken shields with the sigil of Karhold.
 
* After the [[Battle of the Camps]], 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.
 
* 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 deaths of Lord [[Halys Hornwood]] and his heir [[Daryn Hornwood|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.
 
* [[Theon Greyjoy]] noticed few Karstark banners among the army commanded by Rodrik Cassel that gathered at Winterfell to expel the ironmen.
 
* 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 for freeing 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.
 
* [[Maester Aemon]] sent a raven to Karhold in a plea for help to defend [[Castle Black]] from [[wildlings]].
 
* 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]], tells Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] that he had been attacked by men wearing the white sunburst.
 
* Should Harrion die, lordship of Karhold would pass to Alys and the newly-founded [[House Thenn]].{{Ref|aDwD|49}}
 
  
 
==References and Notes==
 
==References and Notes==
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[[Category:House Karstark|*]]
 
[[Category:House Karstark|*]]
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[[Category:House Stark|!]]
 
[[Category:Noble houses|Karstark]]
 
[[Category:Noble houses|Karstark]]
 
[[Category:Houses from the North|Karstark]]
 
[[Category:Houses from the North|Karstark]]
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[[es:Casa Karstark]]
 
[[es:Casa Karstark]]
 
[[fr:Maison Karstark]]
 
[[fr:Maison Karstark]]
 
[[ru:Карстарки]]
 
[[ru:Карстарки]]
 
[[zh:&#21345;&#21490;&#22612;&#20811;&#23478;&#26063;]]
 
[[zh:&#21345;&#21490;&#22612;&#20811;&#23478;&#26063;]]

Revision as of 19:56, 24 April 2014

House Karstark of Karhold
House Karstark.PNG
The Sun of Winter
Coat of arms Sable, a sunburst argent
Seat Karhold
Head Harrion Karstark
Region The North
Title Lord of Karhold
Heir Alys Karstark
Overlord House Bolton
Founder Karlon Stark
Founded One thousand years ago

House Karstark of Karhold is a noble house from Karhold in the North and is a cadet branch of their overlords, House Stark. 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".[1]

History

The Karstarks are descendants of the First Men and have the blood of the Starks of Winterfell in their veins from a thousand years before. Their founder was Karlon Stark, who put down a rebel lord and was granted lands for his valor.[2] The castle he built was named Karl's Hold, but that soon became Karhold, and over the centuries the Karhold Starks became Karstarks. Karhold lies far to the northeast of Winterfell in the midst of a forest beyond the Last River, overlooking the Shivering Sea.[2] East of Karhold are the Grey Cliffs.

Lord Rickard Karstark fought alongside Eddard Stark at the Battle of the Trident.

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

The Karstarks answer the call of Robb Stark when he calls the banners of the North. Led by Lord Rickard 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, wearing black iron halfhelms and black woolen cloaks patterned with the white sunburst. Bran Stark overhears Eddard Karstark muttering to his brother Torrhen that he would sooner die than live crippled as Bran. Torrhen replies that Bran is likely broken inside, but is too craven to take his own life.

On the march south, the Karhold men quarter in the Drunkard's Tower at Moat Cailin. Catelyn Tully warns her son Robb that he cannot seem indecisive in front of men like Roose Bolton and Rickard Karstark. 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 of the Whispering Wood, where they are killed by Jaime Lannister.

Among others, Tyrion Lannister sees the Karstark sunburst among the enemy banners at 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 the Battle of the Green Fork and brought to Harrenhal.

Rickard desires vengeance for his sons, but Jaime is needed as a prisoner. After the Battle of the Camps, Rickard 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. Lord Rickard remains loyal and is the second man to proclaim Robb the King in the North after Lord Greatjon Umber.

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.

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

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

Arnolf Karstark, the castellan of Karhold, sent regrets to Winterfell that they cannot send help to Ser Rodrik Cassel against the ironborn because all the men had gone south with Robb. Theon Greyjoy notices few Karstark banners among the army commanded by Rodrik that gathers at Winterfell to expel the ironmen.

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 Starkalways said Karhold was a strong castle.

In the Battle of Duskendale, Harrion is captured by Lord Randyll Tarly's army, and is held at Maidenpool. The Karstarks that survive the battle rejoin Roose Bolton's forces.

Lord Karstark returns from the Westerlands with the rest of Robb's army. Finding that Catelyn Tully had freed Jaime Lannister from captivity in an effort to retrieve her daughters, 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 in the process. Meanwhile, his cavalry scours the Riverlands for Ser Jaime, as Rickard has promised the hand of his daughter Alys to whomever brings him Jaime's head.[3]

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 curses Robb with an accusation of kinslaying due to the ancient relation between Karstarks and Starks. After the execution of Lord Rickard, the Karstark cavalry breaks away from the rest of the northmen and returns to Karhold.

The Karstark infantry are part of the force that Lord Bolton keeps with him after the Battle of the Ruby Ford. They march with Lord Bolton to the Twins for the wedding between Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey.[4]

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

A Feast for Crows

Brienne of Tarth spots the badge of House Karstark among those that have been collected from the dead around Duskendale.[5]

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. 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.

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.[6] Secretly, however, Arnolf is in a plot with the Boltons[7] 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.[8]

Alys flees to the Wall seeking Lord Commander Jon Snow's help, and reveals the situation. 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.[9] Jon sends a raven to Stannis informing him of Arnolf's treachery. Cregan arrives at Castle Black only to find Alys already wed, 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.

The Winds of Winter

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's knights surround and arrest the Karstarks, injuring two of the grandchildren in the process. Stannis offers the Karstarks a choice between cooperation and being granted swift deaths, or being burned alive.[10]

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.


References and Notes