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'''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>
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{{Title
 +
| Name = King in the North
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| image = [[File:Crown of winter.jpg|300px]]
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| image_caption = Crown of Winter, illustrated by John Goodenough. Fantasy Flight Games ©
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| Symbol =
 +
| Office = Ruler of the [[north]]
 +
| Region = [[North]]
 +
| Current Holder =
 +
| Heir =
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| First Holder =  [[Brandon Stark (Builder)|Brandon Stark]] <small>(as King of Winter)</small>
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| Last Holder = [[Robb Stark]]
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| 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==
 
==Customs==
[[File:Crown of winter.jpg|thumb|300px|Crown of Winter, illustrated by John Goodenough. Fantasy Flight Games ©]]
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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 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}}
 
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 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}}
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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}}
 
 
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}}
 
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]]. 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.
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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 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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===''A Storm of Swords''===
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
Robb is also called the [[King of the Trident]].{{ref|ASOS|14}}
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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}} 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}}
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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 selected [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]].{{ref|ASOS|79}}
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An unknowing Jon is elected [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]].{{ref|ASOS|79}}
  
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
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===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
When [[Stannis Baratheon]] requests homage, [[Lyanna Mormont]] answers that the [[House Mormont|Mormonts]] are loyal to the [[House Stark|Stark]] King in the North.{{ref|ADWD|3}}
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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}}
 
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}}
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;Antiquity
 
;Antiquity
* [[Brandon Stark (Builder)|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}}
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* [[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 the Breaker]], who allied with [[Joramun]] to defeat the [[Night's King]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}}
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*  [[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
 
;Wolf's Den
* [[Jon Stark|Jon]], 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}}
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* [[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 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}}
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** [[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|Theon 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]].
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* [[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|Edrick Snowbeard]], who ruled for near a century but lost the Wolf's Den to slavers from the [[Stepstones]].{{ref|ADWD|29}}
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* [[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 Ice Eyes]], Edrick's great-grandson, who recovered the Wolf's Den from slavers.{{ref|ADWD|29}}
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** [[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}}
  
 
;Recent kings
 
;Recent kings
* [[Brandon Stark (Shipwright)|Brandon the Shipwright]], who loved to sail and built up a mighty northern fleet.{{ref|AGOT|66}}
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* [[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}}
** [[Brandon Stark (Burner)|Brandon the Burner]], who burned the entire northern fleet 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}}
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* [[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}}
* [[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]].{{ref|AGOT|66}}
 
* [[Robb Stark|Robb the Young Wolf]], the first King in the North 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 [[King of the Trident]].{{ref|ASOS|14}}
 
  
 
;Uncertain era
 
;Uncertain era
* [[Dorren Stark|Dorren]], who reigned when [[Redwyn]] fought [[giants]] and traded with [[children of the forest]].{{ref|ACOK|6}}
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* [[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 IX Stark|Brandon IX]], who destroyed the ships of the [[Skagosi]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: The Stoneborn of Skagos}}
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** [[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}}
* [[Rodrik Stark|Rodrik]], 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}}
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* [[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}}
 
* [[Harlon Stark]], who centuries ago starved out the [[Dreadfort]] in a siege lasting two years.{{ref|ADWD|17}}
* [[Benjen Stark (Bitter)|Benjen the Bitter]]{{ref|ACOK|66}}
+
* [[Benjen Stark (Bitter)|Benjen Stark]], also known as ''Benjen the Bitter''{{ref|ACOK|66}}
* [[Benjen Stark (Sweet)|Benjen the Sweet]]{{ref|ACOK|66}}
+
* [[Benjen Stark (Sweet)|Benjen Stark]], also known as ''Benjen the Sweet''{{ref|ACOK|66}}
* [[Eyron Stark|Eyron]]{{ref|ACOK|66}}
+
* [[Eyron Stark]]{{ref|ACOK|66}}
* [[Edderion Stark|Edderion the Bridegroom]]{{ref|ACOK|66}}
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* [[Edderion Stark]], also known as ''Edderion the Bridegroom''{{ref|ACOK|66}}
* [[Walton Stark|Walton the Moon King]]{{ref|ACOK|66}}
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* [[Walton Stark]], also known as ''Walton the Moon King''{{ref|ACOK|66}}
* [[Brandon Stark (Bad)|Brandon the Bad]]{{ref|ACOK|66}}
+
* [[Brandon Stark (Bad)|Brandon Stark]], also known as ''Brandon the Bad''{{ref|ACOK|66}}
* [[Jorah Stark|Jorah]]{{ref|ACOK|66}}
+
* [[Jorah Stark]]{{ref|ACOK|66}}
* [[Jonos Stark|Jonos]]{{ref|ACOK|66}}
+
* [[Jonos Stark]]{{ref|ACOK|66}}
* [[Edwyn Stark|Edwyn the Spring King]]{{ref|ACOK|66}}
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* [[Edwyn Stark]], also known as ''Edwyn the Spring King''{{ref|ACOK|66}}
  
 
;Crypts
 
;Crypts
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==Quotes==
 
==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]]
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{{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|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>
 
{{quote|'''Osha''': Grim folk, by the look of them.<br>
 
'''Bran''': They were the Kings of Winter.<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]]
+
'''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>
 
{{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>
 
'''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]]
+
'''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|[[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|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===
 
<!--===Line of succession===
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* 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|3}}
+
{{references}}
  
 
[[Category:Kings in the North| ]]
 
[[Category:Kings in the North| ]]

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.