Winterfell, the seat of the Lord of Winterfell.
The Lord of Winterfell is the ruler of the stronghold Winterfell, the capital of the North. Lords of Winterfell have traditionally also served as Lords Paramount of the North and as Wardens of the North. As Lord Paramount of the North, the Lord of Winterfell is the ruler of the entire region of the North while as Warden of the North, he is tasked with defending Westeros from attacks from north of the Wall.
In the past, the Lord of Winterfell was also given the title of the King in the North, during its time as an independent kingdom. A colloquial title also used for the Kings in the North was The Kings of Winter. House Stark ruled as Kings in the North for thousands of years until Roose Bolton's betrayal as part of the Red Wedding. After Roose Bolton was murdered by Ramsay Bolton, his legitimised bastard son - Winterfell is now under the rule of the Bastard of Bolton.
Season 1
Rickard Stark held the title until he was murdered by the Mad King during Robert's Rebellion.[1] When the series begins, Rickard's second son Eddard Stark is the holder until his death when the title passed to his eldest son, Robb.[2] Following Eddard's execution under false acts of treason by King Joffrey Baratheon, Robb Stark goes to war and leaves his eldest brother Bran to be Lord of Winterfell in his absence. Robb stylizes himself King in the North like the Starks of old. Robb promises to avenge his father and separate the North from the rule of the Seven Kingdoms.[3]
Season 2
During the War of the Five Kings, Balon Greyjoy rises in rebellion against the Iron Throne and stylizes himself as King of the Iron Islands. King Balon sends his daughter Yara to seize Deepwood Motte, his brother Victarion to seize Moat Cailin and his son Theon to raid the Stony Shore.[4]
However, Theon decides to use an attack on Torrhen's Square as a distraction. With Winterfell undefended, Theon seized the chance and took Winterfell as his own, making him the new Lord of Winterfell.[5]
Season 3
In exchange for his part in the Red Wedding, Roose Bolton is named Warden of the North, becoming the new Lord of Winterfell, although he does not immediately move there.
Season 4
After the Fall of Moat Cailin, the Bolton army occupies the ruined fortress of Winterfell and begins restoring it as House Bolton settles in as the new rulers of the North.
Season 5
Stannis Baratheon offers to legitimize Jon Snow. He admits that his goal is to legitimize Jon as a full member of House Stark and install him as the Lord of Winterfell, surmising that the Northern lords will rally to Stannis's cause to take the Iron Throne if Stannis has the backing of a Stark lord. Jon ultimately declines the offer, leaving Winterfell's heir as Ramsay Bolton.
Lords of Winterfell
- {Rickard Stark}
- {Eddard Stark}
- {Robb Stark}
- Bran Stark
- Theon Greyjoy (styled as "Prince of Winterfell")
- {Roose Bolton}
- Ramsay Bolton
Historical Lords of Winterfell
- Brandon the Builder, legendary figure who according to myth began construction of Winterfell eight thousand years ago.
- Torrhen Stark, Lord of Winterfell during the Targaryen Conquest.
- Cregan Stark, Lord of Winterfell during the Dance of the Dragons.
References
- ↑ "Winter is Coming"
- ↑ "Baelor"
- ↑ "Fire and Blood"
- ↑ "What is Dead May Never Die"
- ↑ "The Old Gods and the New"
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