House Stark

The words gave her a chill, as they always did. The Stark words. Every noble house had its words. Family mottoes, touchstones, prayers of sorts, they boasted of honor and glory, promised loyalty and truth, swore faith and courage. All but the Starks. Winter is coming, said the Stark words. Not for the first time, she reflected on what a strange people these northerners were.
- A Clash of Kings

Arms of House Stark. Words: 'Winter is Coming'

House Stark are a House of First Man descent, situated at the western edges of the great forest that spans the north-western reaches of the North. Their seat is Winterfell.

History

Apart from House Dustin and House Bolton, no house in the North can claim a line so long as House Stark, and none so storied. Their legacy is so great that their mythical founder has become part of the founding traditions of many other realms and houses across Westeros. Some in the Reach claim House Stark separated off from the original followers of Garth the Green through Brandon of the Bloody Blade, the most savage of Garth's children - though this cannot be verified, and may well be apocryphal.

The history of House Stark goes back to the Long Night. Brandon the Builder is said to have raised Winterfell in the generation after the Long Night - and was instrumental in the raising of the Wall intended to keep out the Others and their armies of the dead. Brandon's son, another Brandon Stark - was said to have been involved in the building of the Hightower - though this seems unlikely. Shortly after the Wall was raised, Brandon the Breaker fought alongside Joramun, the King-Beyond-the-Wall - to bring down the thirteenth Lord-Commander of the Night's Watch - who at that time was reigning as the Night's King with his corpse queen.

Since that time, House Stark have reigned as Kings of Winter through the Age of Heroes, warring with their neighbours and growing their realm. The Starks played a key role in the downfall of the Kingdom of the Flints of Breakstone Hill, and the Blackwoods of the Blackwood, sending the latter into exile in the Riverlands. As of the time of the Coming of the Andals, they have been embroiled in a particularly violent and long-lasting feud with House Dustin, commonly referred to as the Thousand Year War. House Stark has also managed to gain dominion over the mouth of the White Knife, exploiting Sisterman raids to wrest the area from the Red Kings of House Bolton. Jon Stark ordered the building of the Wolf's Den to serve as his bastion against intrusion up the White Knife, whether from Sisterfolk or would-be Andal conquerors. He appointed his cousin, Aslak Greystark, to rule there in his name.

Notable Members

• Brandon Stark - known as 'the Builder'. Raised the Wall, Winterfell - and is credited with many great works across ancient Westeros.

• Brandon Stark - Known as 'the Breaker'. Early King of Winter during the Age of Heroes, who fought to bring down the infamous Night's King.

• Jon Stark - King of Winter during the early Andal Invasions. Raised the Wolf's Den at the mouth of the White Knife.

• Rickard Stark - Known as 'The Laughing Wolf' and son of Jon Stark. Joined a Northern alliance to defeat the Warg King.

Houses Sworn to House Stark

• House Greystark of the Wolfs Den
• House Cerwyn of Castle Cerwyn
• House Hornwood of Hornwood
• House Brownbarrow of Heapsdown
• House Elliver of Denwood Castle
• House Mollen of Cedar Den
• House Alvis of Branswood Hold
• House Pine of Allpine