Difference between revisions of "King in the North"

From A Wiki of Ice and Fire
Jump to: navigation, search
(History)
(39 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
'''King in the North''' and '''King of Winter''' are ancient titles held for thousands of years by [[House Stark]] of [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|aGoT|2}}{{Ref|aGoT|71}}{{Ref|aCoK|69}} They were the last kingdom of the [[First Men]] and continued to rule [[the North]] after the [[Andals]] [[Andal invasion|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.<ref>So Spake Martin: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Heraldry_in_Westeros Heraldry in Westeros], April 13, 1999</ref>
+
{{Title
 +
| Name = King in the North
 +
| image = [[File:Crown of winter.jpg|300px]]
 +
| image_caption = Crown of Winter, illustrated by John Goodenough. Fantasy Flight Games ©
 +
| Symbol =
 +
| Office = Ruler of the [[north]]
 +
| Region = [[North]]
 +
| Current Holder =
 +
| Heir =
 +
| First Holder =  [[Brandon Stark (Builder)|Brandon Stark]] <small>(as King of Winter)</small>
 +
| Last Holder = [[Robb Stark]]
 +
| Creator =
 +
| Created = [[Age of Heroes]]
 +
| Defunct = [[Aegon's Conquest]]<br>{{Date|299}}, [[Red Wedding]]
 +
| Replaced =
 +
}}
 +
'''King in the North''' (or '''King of the North'''{{Ref|ADWD|37}}) and '''King of Winter''' are ancient titles held for thousands of years by [[House Stark]] of [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|aGoT|2}}{{Ref|aGoT|71}}{{Ref|aCoK|69}} They were the last kingdom of the [[First Men]] and continued to rule the [[north]] after the [[Andals]] [[Andal invasion|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.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Heraldry_in_Westeros Heraldry in Westeros], April 13, 1999</ref>
 +
 
 +
==Customs==
 +
The crown of the Kings of Winter was an open circlet of hammered bronze incised with [[runes]] of the [[First Men]], surmounted by nine black iron spikes in the shape of longswords.{{Ref|aCoK|7}}
 +
 
 +
The Kings in the North are buried in the [[crypt of Winterfell]], with older kings buried in deep and dark lower levels.{{ref|AGOT|66}} Each king's stone statue has an iron sword across its lap and is guarded by a stone wolf.{{ref|AGOT|50}} The servants of the kings are buried in a lichyard next to Winterfell's First Keep.{{ref|AGOT|53}}
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 +
[[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}}
  
[[House Stark]] traces their descent from [[Bran the Builder]] who is said to have lived in the [[Age of Heroes]] and built the [[Wall]] at the end of the [[Long Night]]. Ballads claim the ancient kings drove [[giants]] from the North and slew [[skinchanger]]s in the [[War of the Wolves]]. Over thousands of years, the Kings of Winter conquered and reduced to vassalage a number of rival kings, including [[Barrow King]]s, [[Red King]]s, [[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]], 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 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 successfully defended the North during the [[Andal invasion]] and they often warred with the [[ironborn]] from the [[Iron Islands]] and [[wildlings]] from [[beyond the Wall]]. The Starks battled with the [[House Arryn|Arryns]] for a thousand years over [[the Bite]] after the [[Rape of the Three Sisters]].{{ref|ADWD|8}}
+
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}}
  
Originally, "The Kings of Winter" was the title used by the Starks who ruled the proto-kingdom centered around Winterfell itself.  Centuries later, as they united most of the North under their rule, they increasingly called themselves "The Kings in the North" - a title claiming authority over the entire region.  The shift in titles became solidified around 6,000 years ago, after the Starks finally subdued the Boltons - just as the first ships of the Andal Invasion were beginning to land on the eastern coasts of Westeros.  In subsequent generations the Starks rallied the entire North to resist encroachments by the Andals into the North.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Kings of Winter}}  
+
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]]. The crown of the Kings of Winter was surrendered to Aegon.{{ref|ACOK|7}} Since then Lord Stark has traditionally held the title [[Warden of the North]] for the Iron Throne.
  
The last King in the North prior to the end of the third century was [[Torrhen Stark]], who bent the knee to [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]] during the [[War of Conquest]], thus making the North part of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] controlled by the [[Iron Throne]]. Since then Lord Stark has traditionally held the of [[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]]''.{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Dawn Age}}
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
 
===''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.{{Ref|aGoT|71}} He is also later known as the [[King of the Trident]].{{ref|ACOK|46}}{{ref|ASOS|14}}
+
The title is revived during the [[War of the Five Kings]] after King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]] orders the execution of [[Eddard Stark]], Lord of [[Winterfell]]. Rejecting [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]] and the [[Iron Throne]], the [[north]]ern and [[riverlands|river]] lords assembled at [[Riverrun]] after the [[Battle of the Camps]] declare Eddard's eldest son, [[Robb Stark|Robb]], to be the King in the North.{{Ref|aGoT|71}} Robb is also later known as the [[King of the Trident]].{{ref|ACOK|46}}{{ref|ASOS|14}}
  
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
After [[Balon Greyjoy]] [[War of the Five Kings#The Rise of the Kraken|conquers]] several portions of the North, he styles himself "[[King of the Iron Islands|King of the Isles]] and the North" by right of conquest, disputing the Stark claim.{{ref|ACOK|49}}
+
The smith of Riverrun makes a crown for Robb inspired by the old crown of the Kings of Winter.{{ref|ACOK|7}}
 +
 
 +
After [[Balon Greyjoy]] [[War of the Five Kings#The Rise of the Kraken|conquers]] several portions of the north, he styles himself "[[King of the Isles and the North]]" by right of conquest, disputing the Stark claim.{{ref|ACOK|49}}
  
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
Because he is childless and his younger brothers, [[Bran Stark|Bran]] and [[Rickon Stark|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.{{ref|ASOS|45}}{{ref|awoiaf| "Robb Stark" entry}} Before Jon can be informed of Robb's decision, however, the king is murdered at [[the Twins]] during the [[Red Wedding]].{{ref|ASOS|51}} One of Robb's betrayers, Lord [[Roose Bolton]], is named [[Warden of the North]] by the Iron Throne.{{ref|ASOS|72}}
+
Along with being King in the North, Robb is also the [[King of the Trident]].{{ref|ASOS|14}} After the [[ironborn]] capture [[fall of Moat Cailin|Moat Cailin]], [[taking of Deepwood Motte|Deepwood Motte]], [[capture of Torrhen's Square|Torrhen's Square]], and [[capture of Winterfell|Winterfell]], Robb is called by some the King Who Lost the North.{{ref|ASOS|20}}{{ref|ASOS|37}}
 +
 
 +
Because he is childless and his younger brothers, [[Bran Stark|Bran]] and [[Rickon Stark|Rickon]], are believed dead, King Robb worries that [[Tyrion Lannister]] will claim Winterfell through his marriage to [[Sansa Stark]]. According to a semi-canon source,{{ref|AWOIAF| Robb Stark}} Robb decides to legitimize his [[bastard]] half-brother, [[Jon Snow]], and names him as heir in his will.{{ref|ASOS|45}} Before Jon can be informed of Robb's decision, however, the king is murdered at the [[Twins]] during the [[Red Wedding]].{{ref|ASOS|51}} One of Robb's betrayers, Lord [[Roose Bolton]], is named [[Warden of the North]] by the Iron Throne.{{ref|ASOS|72}}
 +
 
 +
An unknowing Jon is elected [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]].{{ref|ASOS|79}}
  
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
Line 25: Line 53:
  
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''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]] at [[Castle Black]].{{ref|ADWD|69}}
+
When [[Stannis Baratheon]] requests homage, [[Lyanna Mormont]] answers that the [[House Mormont|Mormonts]] are loyal to the King in the North, who is a [[House Stark|Stark]].{{ref|ADWD|3}}
 +
 
 +
During the wedding feast for [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] and "[[Arya Stark]]" ([[Jeyne Poole]]), Lady [[Barbrey Dustin]] tells [[Theon Greyjoy]] that Ramsay's father, Lord Roose, may aspire to become "King of the North".{{ref|ADWD|37}}
 +
 
 +
Jon Snow is attacked and possibly slain by fellow members of the [[Night's Watch]] in the [[mutiny at Castle Black]].{{ref|ADWD|69}}
 +
 
 +
==Known Kings==
 +
The following is a possible chronology of known Kings in the North; no precise lineage is known and some published information may be contradictory.
 +
 
 +
;Antiquity
 +
* [[Brandon Stark (Builder)|Brandon Stark]], also known as ''Brandon the Builder'', founder of House Stark and the first King in the North, alleged builder of [[Winterfell]],{{ref|AGOT|2}} [[Storm's End]],{{ref|ACOK|31}} the [[Hightower]],{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reach: Oldtown}} and the [[Wall]].{{ref|AGOT|24}}
 +
*  [[Brandon Stark (Breaker)|Brandon Stark]], also known as ''Brandon the Breaker'', who allied with [[Joramun]] to defeat the [[Night's King]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}}
 +
 
 +
;Wolf's Den
 +
* [[Jon Stark]], who built the [[Wolf's Den]] after driving sea raiders—possibly [[Ibben]]ese, [[Valyrian Freehold|Valyrians]], or early [[Andals]]{{ref|TWOIAF|The North: The Kings of Winter}}—away from the [[White Knife]].{{ref|AGOT|66}}{{ref|ADWD|29}}
 +
** [[Rickard Stark (king)|Rickard Stark]], also known as ''the Laughing Wolf'', son of Jon, who defeated the [[Marsh King]] and extended the Stark kingdom to include the [[Neck]].{{ref|AGOT|66}}{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: The Crannogmen of the Neck}}
 +
* [[Theon Stark]], also known as ''the Hungry Wolf'', who defeated the greatest Andal invader, [[Argos Sevenstar]], conquered the [[Three Sisters]], and attacked the [[Fingers]],{{ref|TWOIAF|The North: The Kings of Winter}} possibly beginning the [[War Across the Water]].
 +
* [[Edrick Stark]], also known as ''Edrick Snowbeard'', who ruled for near a century but lost the Wolf's Den to slavers from the [[Stepstones]].{{ref|ADWD|29}}
 +
** [[Brandon Stark (Ice Eyes)|Brandon Stark]], also known as ''Ice Eyes'', Edrick's great-grandson, who recovered the Wolf's Den from slavers.{{ref|ADWD|29}}
  
==Crown==
+
;Recent kings
[[File:Crown of winter.jpg|thumb|300px|Copyrighted work by Fantasy Flight Games (FFG)]]
+
* [[Torrhen Stark]], also known as ''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]].{{ref|AGOT|66}}
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.{{Ref|aCoK|7}}
+
* [[Robb Stark]], also known as ''the Young Wolf'', the first King in the North and [[King of the Trident]]{{ref|ASOS|14}} after [[Aegon's Conquest]],{{ref|AGOT|71}} who never lost a battle{{ref|ASOS|35}} but died in the [[Red Wedding]].{{ref|ASOS|51}} He was also called the King Who Lost the North.{{ref|ASOS|37}}
  
{{Quote|Bronze and iron are stronger than gold and silver. The old Kings of Winter wore such a sword-crown.{{Ref|aSoS|49}}}}
+
;Uncertain era
- King [[Robb Stark]]
+
* [[Brandon Stark (Shipwright)|Brandon Stark]], also known as ''Brandon the Shipwright'', who loved to sail and built up a mighty northern fleet{{ref|AGOT|66}} thousands of years before [[Aegon's Conquest]].{{ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}
 +
** [[Brandon Stark (Burner)|Brandon Stark]], also known as ''Brandon the Burner'', who burned the northern shipyards{{ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} after the disappearance of his father, Brandon the Shipwright, on the [[Sunset Sea]].{{ref|AGOT|66}} The north has since had no strength at sea for centuries.{{ref|ACOK|16}}
 +
* [[Dorren Stark]], who reigned when [[Redwyn]] fought [[giants]] and traded with [[children of the forest]].{{ref|ACOK|6}}
 +
* [[Brandon IX Stark]], who destroyed the ships of the [[Skagosi]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: The Stoneborn of Skagos}}
 +
* [[Rodrik Stark]], who won [[Bear Island]] from the [[ironborn]] in a wrestling match and awarded it to [[House Mormont]].{{ref|AGOT|66}} This occurred after the death of the Old Kraken, [[Loron Greyjoy]],{{ref|TWOIAF|The North: The Kings of Winter}} a [[High King of the Iron Islands]] chosen in a [[kingsmoot]].{{ref|AFFC|1}} Rodrik's sons and grandsons battled the ironborn over [[Cape Kraken]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The North: The Kings of Winter}}
 +
* [[Harlon Stark]], who centuries ago starved out the [[Dreadfort]] in a siege lasting two years.{{ref|ADWD|17}}
 +
* [[Benjen Stark (Bitter)|Benjen Stark]], also known as ''Benjen the Bitter''{{ref|ACOK|66}}
 +
* [[Benjen Stark (Sweet)|Benjen Stark]], also known as ''Benjen the Sweet''{{ref|ACOK|66}}
 +
* [[Eyron Stark]]{{ref|ACOK|66}}
 +
* [[Edderion Stark]], also known as ''Edderion the Bridegroom''{{ref|ACOK|66}}
 +
* [[Walton Stark]], also known as ''Walton the Moon King''{{ref|ACOK|66}}
 +
* [[Brandon Stark (Bad)|Brandon Stark]], also known as ''Brandon the Bad''{{ref|ACOK|66}}
 +
* [[Jorah Stark]]{{ref|ACOK|66}}
 +
* [[Jonos Stark]]{{ref|ACOK|66}}
 +
* [[Edwyn Stark]], also known as ''Edwyn the Spring King''{{ref|ACOK|66}}
  
==Known Kings in the North==
+
;Crypts
No precise lineage of Kings in the North is known, but the individuals listed below are supposed to be in rough chronological order.
+
Traveling in the [[crypt of Winterfell]] in [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 66|Chapter 66]] of ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[Bran Stark]] sees the statues of Kings [[Jon Stark|Jon]], [[Rickard Stark (king)|Rickard]], [[Theon Stark|Theon]], [[Brandon Stark (Shipwright)|Brandon the Shipwright]], [[Brandon Stark (Burner)|Brandon the Burner]], [[Rodrik Stark|Rodrik]], and [[Torrhen Stark|Torrhen]].{{ref|AGOT|66}} It is unconfirmed if this is a chronological listing.
* [[Bran the Builder]], founder of house Stark and the first King in the North, 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 [[Theon Stark|Theon the Hungry Wolf]]
 
* King [[Brandon Stark (Shipwright)|Brandon the Shipwright]], loved sailing and built up a mighty northern fleet.
 
* King [[Brandon Stark (Burner)|Brandon the Burner]], son of Brandon the Shipwright, burned the entire northern fleet after the disappearance of his father on the [[Sunset Sea]].
 
* King [[Jonnel Stark]]
 
* King [[Dorren Stark]]
 
* King [[Jon Stark]], built the [[Wolf's Den]] after driving away sea raiders.
 
* King [[Rickard Stark (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 Stark|Edrick Snowbeard]]
 
* King [[Brandon Stark (Ice Eyes)|Brandon "Ice Eyes"]], great-grandson of Edrick
 
* King [[Benjen Stark (Bitter)|Benjen the Bitter]]
 
* King [[Benjen Stark (Sweet)|Benjen the Sweet]]
 
* King [[Eyron Stark]]
 
* King [[Edderion Stark|Edderion the Bridegroom]]
 
* King [[Walton Stark|Walton the Moonking]]
 
* King [[Brandon Stark (Bad)|Brandon the Bad]]
 
* King [[Jorah Stark]]
 
* King [[Jonos Stark]]
 
* King [[Edwyn Stark|Edwyn the Spring King]]
 
* King [[Harlon Stark]]{{ref|ADWD|17}}
 
* 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 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 [[War of Conquest|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===
+
While leaving the crypt in [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 69|Chapter 69]] of ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', Bran sees the statues of Kings [[Torrhen Stark|Torrhen]], [[Edwyn Stark|Edwyn]], [[Theon Stark|Theon]], [[Brandon Stark (Burner)|Brandon the Burner]], [[Brandon Stark (Shipwright)|Brandon the Shipwright]], [[Jorah Stark|Jorah]], [[Jonos Stark|Jonos]], [[Brandon Stark|Brandon the Bad]], [[Walton Stark|Walton]], [[Edderion Stark|Edderion]], [[Eyron Stark|Eyron]], [[Benjen Stark (Sweet)|Benjen the Sweet]], [[Benjen Stark (Bitter)|Benjen the Bitter]], and [[Edrick Stark|Edrick]].{{ref|ACOK|69}} It is unconfirmed if this is a reverse chronological listing.
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|Jon (Snow) Stark]], secretly legitimised as a Stark and declared heir by decree of King Robb.{{ref|ASOS|45}}{{ref|awoiaf| "Robb Stark" entry}} Jon may be dead after being attacked by his own men of the [[Night's Watch]], where he served as Lord Commander.  
+
In [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 41|Chapter 41]] of ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[Theon Greyjoy]] recalls the names of some statues in the crypt, mentioning Kings [[Edrick Stark|Edrick]], [[Brandon Stark (Shipwright)|Brandon the Shipwright]], and [[Theon Stark|Theon]], as well as Lord [[Beron Stark|Beron]].{{ref|ADWD|41}}
# Prince [[Bran Stark]], second in line. Currently [[beyond the Wall]] and believed dead.
+
 
 +
==Quotes==
 +
{{quote|The first [[Lords of Winterfell]] had been men hard as the land they ruled. In the centuries before the [[House Targaryen|Dragonlords]] came over the sea, they had sworn allegiance to no man, styling themselves the Kings in the North.{{ref|AGOT|4}}|thoughts of [[Eddard Stark]]}}
 +
 
 +
{{quote|The old Kings of Winter are [[crypt of Winterfell|down there]], sitting on their thrones with stone wolves at their feet and iron swords across their laps, but it's not them I'm afraid of.{{ref|AGOT|26}}|[[Jon Snow]] to [[Samwell Tarly]]}}
 +
 
 +
{{quote|'''Osha''': Grim folk, by the look of them.<br>
 +
'''Bran''': They were the Kings of Winter.<br>
 +
'''Osha''': Winter's got no king. If you'd seen it, you'd know that, summer boy.{{ref|AGOT|66}}|[[Osha]] and [[Bran Stark]] in the [[crypt of Winterfell]]}}
 +
 
 +
{{Quote|'''Walder''': Some would say it's a poor king who crowns himself with bronze, Your Grace.<br>
 +
'''Robb''': Bronze and iron are stronger than gold and silver. The old Kings of Winter wore such a sword-crown.<br>
 +
'''Walder''': Small good it did them [[Aegon's Conquest|when the dragons came]].{{Ref|aSoS|49}}|[[Walder Frey]] and [[Robb Stark]]}}
 +
 
 +
{{quote|[[Bear Island]] knows no king but the King in the North, whose name is [[House Stark|STARK]].{{ref|ADWD|3}}|[[Lyanna Mormont]] writing to [[Stannis Baratheon]]}}
 +
 
 +
{{quote|Theon had never felt comfortable in the [[crypt of Winterfell|crypts]]. He could feel the stone kings staring down at him with their stone eyes, stone fingers curled around the hilts of rusted longswords. None had any love for [[ironborn]].{{ref|ADWD|41}}|thoughts of [[Theon Greyjoy]]}}
 +
 
 +
{{quote|[[Roose Bolton|Lord Bolton]] aspires to more than mere [[lord]]ship. Why not King of the North?{{ref|ADWD|37}}|[[Barbrey Dustin]] to [[Theon Greyjoy]]}}
 +
 
 +
<!--===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|Jon (Snow) Stark]], secretly legitimised as a Stark and declared heir by decree of King Robb.{{ref|ASOS|45}}{{ref|awoiaf| Robb Stark}} Jon may be dead after being attacked by his own men of the [[Night's Watch]], where he served as [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|Lord Commander]].  
 +
# Prince [[Bran Stark|Brandon Stark]], second in line. Currently [[beyond the Wall]] and believed dead.
 
# Prince [[Rickon Stark]], third in line. Currently on [[Skagos]], also 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 [[Joffrey Baratheon]].
+
# 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]].)
 
# 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 positions as ordered assume the following:
  
* the Kingdom of the North is an extant kingdom distinct from the [[Seven Kingdoms]] of Westeros;
+
* 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;
+
* 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 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]];
 
* Jon Snow's legitimisation is unconditional and independent of the survival of any of the legitimate offspring of Lord [[Eddard Stark]];
* the Starks practice [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primogeniture#Male-preference_cognatic_primogeniture 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
+
* The Starks practice [[w:Primogeniture#Male-preference_primogeniture|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]].
+
* Sansa Stark was not removed from the line of succession by King Robb's decree following her marriage to [[Tyrion Lannister]].-->
  
==References and Notes==
+
==References==
{{references|2}}
+
{{references}}
  
 +
[[Category:Kings in the North| ]]
 +
[[Category:House Stark]]
 +
[[Category:The North]]
 
[[Category:Titles]]
 
[[Category:Titles]]
[[Category:The North]]
 
[[Category:House Stark]]
 
  
 +
[[es:Rey en el Norte]]
 
[[fa:پادشاه شمال]]
 
[[fa:پادشاه شمال]]
 
[[fr:Roi du Nord]]
 
[[fr:Roi du Nord]]

Revision as of 02:33, 25 December 2021

King in the North
Crown of winter.jpg
Crown of Winter, illustrated by John Goodenough. Fantasy Flight Games ©
Office Ruler of the north
Region North
First Holder Brandon Stark (as King of Winter)
Last Holder Robb Stark
Created Age of Heroes
Defunct Aegon's Conquest
299 AC, Red Wedding

King in the North (or King of the North[1]) and King of Winter are ancient titles held for thousands of years by House Stark of Winterfell.[2][3][4] 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.[5]

Customs

The crown of the Kings of Winter was an open circlet of hammered bronze incised with runes of the First Men, surmounted by nine black iron spikes in the shape of longswords.[6]

The Kings in the North are buried in the crypt of Winterfell, with older kings buried in deep and dark lower levels.[7] Each king's stone statue has an iron sword across its lap and is guarded by a stone wolf.[8] The servants of the kings are buried in a lichyard next to Winterfell's First Keep.[9]

History

House Stark traces their descent from the legendary Bran the Builder, who is said to have lived in the Age of Heroes[10] and built the Wall and Winterfell[11] 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.[12]

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.[12]

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.[13][14] The Starks also eventually conquered the troublesome island of Skagos.[15]

While "King of Winter" was used by ancient Stark monarchs, "King in the North" was used in more recent centuries.[12] 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. The crown of the Kings of Winter was surrendered to Aegon.[6] 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.[16]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

The title is revived during the War of the Five Kings after King Joffrey I Baratheon orders the execution of Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell. Rejecting House Baratheon of King's Landing and the Iron Throne, the northern and river lords assembled at Riverrun after the Battle of the Camps declare Eddard's eldest son, Robb, to be the King in the North.[3] Robb is also later known as the King of the Trident.[17][18]

A Clash of Kings

The smith of Riverrun makes a crown for Robb inspired by the old crown of the Kings of Winter.[6]

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.[19]

A Storm of Swords

Along with being King in the North, Robb is also the King of the Trident.[18] After the ironborn capture Moat Cailin, Deepwood Motte, Torrhen's Square, and Winterfell, Robb is called by some the King Who Lost the North.[20][21]

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. According to a semi-canon source,[22] Robb decides to legitimize his bastard half-brother, Jon Snow, and names him as heir in his will.[23] Before Jon can be informed of Robb's decision, however, the king is murdered at the Twins during the Red Wedding.[24] One of Robb's betrayers, Lord Roose Bolton, is named Warden of the North by the Iron Throne.[25]

An unknowing Jon is elected Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.[26]

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,[27] although he redirects the ironborn offensives to the Reach.[28]

A Dance with Dragons

When Stannis Baratheon requests homage, Lyanna Mormont answers that the Mormonts are loyal to the King in the North, who is a Stark.[29]

During the wedding feast for Ramsay Bolton and "Arya Stark" (Jeyne Poole), Lady Barbrey Dustin tells Theon Greyjoy that Ramsay's father, Lord Roose, may aspire to become "King of the North".[1]

Jon Snow is attacked and possibly slain by fellow members of the Night's Watch in the mutiny at Castle Black.[30]

Known Kings

The following is a possible chronology of known Kings in the North; no precise lineage is known and some published information may be contradictory.

Antiquity
Wolf's Den
Recent kings
Uncertain era
Crypts

Traveling in the crypt of Winterfell in Chapter 66 of A Game of Thrones, Bran Stark sees the statues of Kings Jon, Rickard, Theon, Brandon the Shipwright, Brandon the Burner, Rodrik, and Torrhen.[7] It is unconfirmed if this is a chronological listing.

While leaving the crypt in Chapter 69 of A Clash of Kings, Bran sees the statues of Kings Torrhen, Edwyn, Theon, Brandon the Burner, Brandon the Shipwright, Jorah, Jonos, Brandon the Bad, Walton, Edderion, Eyron, Benjen the Sweet, Benjen the Bitter, and Edrick.[4] It is unconfirmed if this is a reverse chronological listing.

In Chapter 41 of A Dance with Dragons, Theon Greyjoy recalls the names of some statues in the crypt, mentioning Kings Edrick, Brandon the Shipwright, and Theon, as well as Lord Beron.[44]

Quotes

The first Lords of Winterfell had been men hard as the land they ruled. In the centuries before the Dragonlords came over the sea, they had sworn allegiance to no man, styling themselves the Kings in the North.[45]

—thoughts of Eddard Stark

The old Kings of Winter are down there, sitting on their thrones with stone wolves at their feet and iron swords across their laps, but it's not them I'm afraid of.[46]

Osha: Grim folk, by the look of them.

Bran: They were the Kings of Winter.

Osha: Winter's got no king. If you'd seen it, you'd know that, summer boy.[7]

Walder: Some would say it's a poor king who crowns himself with bronze, Your Grace.

Robb: Bronze and iron are stronger than gold and silver. The old Kings of Winter wore such a sword-crown.

Walder: Small good it did them when the dragons came.[47]

Bear Island knows no king but the King in the North, whose name is STARK.[29]

Theon had never felt comfortable in the crypts. He could feel the stone kings staring down at him with their stone eyes, stone fingers curled around the hilts of rusted longswords. None had any love for ironborn.[44]

—thoughts of Theon Greyjoy

Lord Bolton aspires to more than mere lordship. Why not King of the North?[1]


References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 37, The Prince of Winterfell.
  2. 2.0 2.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 71, Catelyn XI.
  4. 4.0 4.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 69, Bran VII.
  5. So Spake Martin: Heraldry in Westeros, April 13, 1999
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 7, Catelyn I.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 66, Bran VII.
  8. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 50, Arya IV.
  9. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 53, Bran VI.
  10. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 51, Jon VI.
  11. The World of Ice & Fire, The North: Winterfell.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 The World of Ice & Fire, The North: The Kings of Winter.
  13. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 8, Tyrion III.
  14. The World of Ice & Fire, The Vale.
  15. 15.0 15.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The North: The Stoneborn of Skagos.
  16. The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Dawn Age.
  17. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 46, Bran VI.
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 14, Catelyn II.
  19. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 49, Tyrion XI.
  20. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 20, Catelyn III.
  21. 21.0 21.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 37, Jaime V.
  22. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Robb Stark.
  23. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 45, Catelyn V.
  24. 24.0 24.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 51, Catelyn VII.
  25. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 72, Jaime IX.
  26. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 79, Jon XII.
  27. A Dance with Dragons, Appendix.
  28. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 29, The Reaver.
  29. 29.0 29.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 3, Jon I.
  30. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 69, Jon XIII.
  31. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 31, Catelyn III.
  32. The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach: Oldtown.
  33. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 24, Bran IV.
  34. The World of Ice & Fire, The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch.
  35. 35.0 35.1 35.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 29, Davos IV.
  36. The World of Ice & Fire, The North: The Crannogmen of the Neck.
  37. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 35, Catelyn IV.
  38. 38.0 38.1 Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
  39. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 16, Bran II.
  40. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 6, Jon I.
  41. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 1, The Prophet.
  42. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 17, Jon IV.
  43. 43.0 43.1 43.2 43.3 43.4 43.5 43.6 43.7 43.8 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 66, Theon VI.
  44. 44.0 44.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 41, The Turncloak.
  45. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
  46. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 26, Jon IV.
  47. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 49, Catelyn VI.