Difference between revisions of "King in the North"
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(TWOIAF does not specify when "King in the North" replaced "King of Winter") |
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==History== | ==History== | ||
− | [[House Stark]] traces their descent from [[Bran the Builder]], who is said to have lived in the [[Age of Heroes]] and built the [[Wall]] | + | [[House Stark]] traces their descent from the legendary [[Bran the Builder]], who is said to have lived in the [[Age of Heroes]]{{ref|ACOK|51}} and built the [[Wall]] and [[Winterfell]]{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: Winterfell}} in the aftermath of the [[Long Night]]. Ballads claim the ancient Kings of Winter, the Lords of Winterfell, drove [[giants]] from the north and slew the [[skinchanger]]s led by [[Gaven Greywolf]] in the [[War of the Wolves]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: The Kings of Winter}} |
− | Over thousands of years, the Kings of Winter | + | Over thousands of years, the Kings of Winter expanded from Winterfell, conquering and reducing to vassalage a number of rival kings, including [[Barrow King]]s in the [[Thousand Years War]], [[Red King]]s of [[House Bolton]], [[House Flint of Breakstone Hill|Flints]], [[House Slate|Slates]], [[House Umber|Umbers]], [[House Locke|Lockes]], [[House Glover|Glovers]], [[House Fisher of the Stony Shore|Fishers]], and [[House Ryder|Ryders]]. They defeated the [[Warg King]] and [[Marsh King]]s, forced the [[House Blackwood|Blackwoods]] to flee, and vanquished the [[House Greenwood|Greenwoods]], [[House Towers (north)|Towers]], [[House Amber|Ambers]], and [[House Frost|Frosts]]. Many of their defeated enemies were forced to yield their women as prizes or brides.{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: The Kings of Winter}} |
− | + | The Stark kings often warred with the [[ironborn]] from the [[Iron Islands]] and [[wildlings]] from [[beyond the Wall]]. After the [[Rape of the Three Sisters]], the Starks battled with the [[House Arryn|Arryn]] [[Kings of Mountain and Vale]] for a thousand years over the [[Bite]] in the [[War Across the Water]].{{ref|ADWD|8}}{{ref|TWOIAF| The Vale}} The Starks also eventually conquered the troublesome island of [[Skagos]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: The Stoneborn of Skagos}} | |
− | + | While "King of Winter" was used by ancient Stark monarchs, "King in the North" was used in more recent centuries.{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: The Kings of Winter}} The last King in the North was [[Torrhen Stark]], who bent the knee to [[House Targaryen]] during [[Aegon's Conquest]], thus making the north part of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] controlled by the [[Iron Throne]]. Since then Lord Stark has traditionally held the title [[Warden of the North]] for the Iron Throne. | |
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− | The last King in the North was [[Torrhen Stark]], who bent the knee to [[ | ||
The history of the Stark kings is described in Maester [[Childer]]'s ''[[Winter's Kings, or the Legends and Lineages of the Starks of Winterfell]]''.{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Dawn Age}} | The history of the Stark kings is described in Maester [[Childer]]'s ''[[Winter's Kings, or the Legends and Lineages of the Starks of Winterfell]]''.{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Dawn Age}} | ||
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- King [[Robb Stark]] | - King [[Robb Stark]] | ||
− | ==Known Kings | + | ==Known Kings== |
− | No precise lineage of Kings in the North is known, but the individuals listed below are supposed to be in rough chronological order. | + | No precise lineage of Kings of Winter or Kings in the North is known, but the individuals listed below are supposed to be in rough chronological order. |
− | * [[Bran the Builder]], founder of house Stark and the first | + | * [[Bran the Builder]], founder of house Stark and the first king, builder of [[Winterfell]], [[Storm's End]] castles and the [[Wall]]. |
* King [[Brandon Stark (Breaker)|Brandon the Breaker]], allied with [[Joramun]] to defeat the [[Night's King]]. | * King [[Brandon Stark (Breaker)|Brandon the Breaker]], allied with [[Joramun]] to defeat the [[Night's King]]. | ||
* King [[Theon Stark|Theon the Hungry Wolf]]. | * King [[Theon Stark|Theon the Hungry Wolf]]. | ||
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* King [[Harlon Stark]].{{ref|ADWD|17}} | * King [[Harlon Stark]].{{ref|ADWD|17}} | ||
* King [[Brandon IX Stark]], who destroyed the ships of the [[Skagosi]].<!-- timeframe?--> | * King [[Brandon IX Stark]], who destroyed the ships of the [[Skagosi]].<!-- timeframe?--> | ||
− | * [[Torrhen Stark|Torrhen the King Who Knelt]], who bent the knee to [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]], making the | + | * [[Torrhen Stark|Torrhen the King Who Knelt]], who bent the knee to [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]], making the north part of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] subject to the [[Iron Throne]]. |
− | * [[Robb Stark|Robb the Young Wolf]], the last King in the North and the first after [[ | + | * [[Robb Stark|Robb the Young Wolf]], the last King in the North and the first after [[Aegon's Conquest]], who never lost a battle and died at the events of the [[Red Wedding]]. He was also [[King of the Trident]]. |
===Line of succession=== | ===Line of succession=== | ||
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{{references|3}} | {{references|3}} | ||
+ | [[Category:Kings in the North| ]] | ||
+ | [[Category:House Stark]] | ||
+ | [[Category:The North]] | ||
[[Category:Titles]] | [[Category:Titles]] | ||
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[[es:Rey en el Norte]] | [[es:Rey en el Norte]] |
Revision as of 16:36, 26 January 2016
King in the North and King of Winter are ancient titles held for thousands of years by House Stark of Winterfell.[1][2][3] They were the last kingdom of the First Men and continued to rule the north after the Andals invaded and took over the southern kingdoms of Westeros. While the running direwolf is the sigil of House Stark, some Kings in the North had personal variants.[4]
Contents
History
House Stark traces their descent from the legendary Bran the Builder, who is said to have lived in the Age of Heroes[5] and built the Wall and Winterfell[6] in the aftermath of the Long Night. Ballads claim the ancient Kings of Winter, the Lords of Winterfell, drove giants from the north and slew the skinchangers led by Gaven Greywolf in the War of the Wolves.[7]
Over thousands of years, the Kings of Winter expanded from Winterfell, conquering and reducing to vassalage a number of rival kings, including Barrow Kings in the Thousand Years War, Red Kings of House Bolton, Flints, Slates, Umbers, Lockes, Glovers, Fishers, and Ryders. They defeated the Warg King and Marsh Kings, forced the Blackwoods to flee, and vanquished the Greenwoods, Towers, Ambers, and Frosts. Many of their defeated enemies were forced to yield their women as prizes or brides.[7]
The Stark kings often warred with the ironborn from the Iron Islands and wildlings from beyond the Wall. After the Rape of the Three Sisters, the Starks battled with the Arryn Kings of Mountain and Vale for a thousand years over the Bite in the War Across the Water.[8][9] The Starks also eventually conquered the troublesome island of Skagos.[10]
While "King of Winter" was used by ancient Stark monarchs, "King in the North" was used in more recent centuries.[7] The last King in the North was Torrhen Stark, who bent the knee to House Targaryen during Aegon's Conquest, thus making the north part of the Seven Kingdoms controlled by the Iron Throne. Since then Lord Stark has traditionally held the title Warden of the North for the Iron Throne.
The history of the Stark kings is described in Maester Childer's Winter's Kings, or the Legends and Lineages of the Starks of Winterfell.[11]
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
The title is revived during the War of the Five Kings by Robb Stark, who breaks away from the Iron Throne after the murder of his father, Lord Eddard Stark. Rejecting House Baratheon of King's Landing, the northern and river lords assembled at Riverrun declare Robb to be the King in the North.[2] He is also later known as the King of the Trident.[12][13]
A Clash of Kings
After Balon Greyjoy conquers several portions of the north, he styles himself "King of the Isles and the North" by right of conquest, disputing the Stark claim.[14]
A Storm of Swords
Because he is childless and his younger brothers, Bran and Rickon, are believed dead, King Robb worries that Tyrion Lannister will claim Winterfell through his marriage to Sansa Stark. Robb decides to legitimize his bastard half-brother, Jon Snow, and names him as heir in his will.[15][16] Before Jon can be informed of Robb's decision, however, the king is murdered at the Twins during the Red Wedding.[17] One of Robb's betrayers, Lord Roose Bolton, is named Warden of the North by the Iron Throne.[18]
A Feast for Crows
King Balon's brother and successor, Euron Crow's Eye, continues to style himself King of the Isles and the North,[19] although he redirects the ironborn offensives to the Reach.[20]
A Dance with Dragons
Jon Snow, who does not know he was Robb's chosen successor, is attacked and possibly slain by fellow members of the Night's Watch in the mutiny at Castle Black.[21]
Crown
The crown of the King in the North was shaped as an open circlet of hammered bronze incised with runes of the First Men, surmounted by nine black iron spikes in the shape of longswords.[22]
Bronze and iron are stronger than gold and silver. The old Kings of Winter wore such a sword-crown.[23]
- King Robb Stark
Known Kings
No precise lineage of Kings of Winter or Kings in the North is known, but the individuals listed below are supposed to be in rough chronological order.
- Bran the Builder, founder of house Stark and the first king, builder of Winterfell, Storm's End castles and the Wall.
- King Brandon the Breaker, allied with Joramun to defeat the Night's King.
- King Theon the Hungry Wolf.
- King Brandon the Shipwright, loved sailing and built up a mighty northern fleet.
- King Brandon the Burner, son of Brandon the Shipwright, burned the entire northern fleet after the disappearance of his father on the Sunset Sea.
- King Dorren Stark.
- King Jon Stark, built the Wolf's Den after driving away sea raiders.
- King Rickard Stark, son of Jon, defeated the Marsh King, extending their kingdom to include the Neck.
- King Rodrik Stark, son of Rickard, won Bear Island from the ironborn in a wrestling match and awarded it to House Mormont.
- King Edrick Snowbeard.
- King Brandon "Ice Eyes", great-grandson of Edrick.
- King Benjen the Bitter.
- King Benjen the Sweet.
- King Eyron Stark.
- King Edderion the Bridegroom.
- King Walton the Moonking.
- King Brandon the Bad.
- King Jorah Stark.
- King Jonos Stark.
- King Edwyn the Spring King.
- King Harlon Stark.[24]
- King Brandon IX Stark, who destroyed the ships of the Skagosi.
- Torrhen the King Who Knelt, who bent the knee to Aegon the Conqueror, making the north part of the Seven Kingdoms subject to the Iron Throne.
- Robb the Young Wolf, the last King in the North and the first after Aegon's Conquest, who never lost a battle and died at the events of the Red Wedding. He was also King of the Trident.
Line of succession
The following is the hypothetical line of succession to the title and position King in the North following on from King Robb Stark. It can also be taken as the line of succession to Lordship of Winterfell.
- Prince Jon (Snow) Stark, secretly legitimised as a Stark and declared heir by decree of King Robb.[15][16] Jon may be dead after being attacked by his own men of the Night's Watch, where he served as Lord Commander.
- Prince Brandon Stark, second in line. Currently beyond the Wall and believed dead.
- Prince Rickon Stark, third in line. Currently on Skagos, also believed dead.
- Princess Sansa Stark, fourth in line. Currently in hiding as "Alayne Stone" in the Vale, accused in the regicide of King Joffrey Baratheon.
- Princess Arya Stark, fifth in line. Missing and presumed dead. (In actuality currently in Braavos as an apprentice of the Faceless Men.)
The positions as ordered assume the following:
- The Kingdom of the North is an extant kingdom distinct from the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, an independent political entity;
- King Robb is without issue, his Queen Jeyne Westerling having been unable to conceive an heir due to Sybell Spicer's manipulation;
- Jon Snow's legitimisation by King Robb is considered legal and accepted by his bannermen;
- Jon Snow's legitimisation is unconditional and independent of the survival of any of the legitimate offspring of Lord Eddard Stark;
- The Starks practice male-preference cognatic primogeniture, that is not excluding female heirs from the succession, but placing female heirs behind male heirs regardless of birth order; and
- Sansa Stark was not removed from the line of succession by King Robb's decree following her marriage to Tyrion Lannister.
References and Notes
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 71, Catelyn XI.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 69, Bran VII.
- ↑ So Spake Martin: Heraldry in Westeros, April 13, 1999
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 51, Jon VI.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The North: Winterfell.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The North: The Kings of Winter.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 8, Tyrion III.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Vale.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The North: The Stoneborn of Skagos.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Dawn Age.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 46, Bran VI.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 14, Catelyn II.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 49, Tyrion XI.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 45, Catelyn V.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Robb Stark.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 51, Catelyn VII.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 72, Jaime IX.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Appendix.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 29, The Reaver.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 69, Jon XIII.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 7, Catelyn I.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 49, Catelyn VI.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 17, Jon IV.