House Stark, a revered noble family in Game of Thrones, is known for their unwavering principles, resilience against oppression, and control over a harsh territory in Westeros. But the North wasn't always united under their banner. House Bolton, one of their disloyal vassals, traces back its defiance to the era of the Red Kings of the Dreadfort.
In the realm of Game of Thrones villains, a character needs to commit heinous acts to stand out. Ramsay Bolton succeeded in earning the audience's disdain, culminating in a memorable demise. Delving into his family's history may shed light on his twisted upbringing and bring a hint of empathy, though never justification, for his actions.
Unmasking the Red Kings
The Red Kings of the Dreadfort once ruled the lands now part of the North. Situated east of Winterfell, House Bolton held sway over a vast domain from their stronghold, the Dreadfort. Over centuries, their leadership evolved, surviving through the Age of Heroes and contending with House Stark's dominion attempts. The Red Kings, depicted by their crest of a flayed man, were fierce adversaries to the Starks, known for their cruelty and longevity in power.
Legacy of the Red Kings
The Red Kings' saga is marked by failed attempts to overthrow House Stark and claim rulership over the North. Despite periodic successful rebellions, like Royce II Bolton's temporary seizure of Winterfell, their victories were short-lived. The clashes between the Red Kings and the Kings of Winter ceased after millennia of conflict, with a Bolton eventually surrendering to the Starks to halt the bloodshed during the Andal invasion.
The Decline of House Bolton
Roose Bolton and his illegitimate son, Ramsay Snow, epitomize cruelty in Game of Thrones, harboring a deep-seated enmity towards House Stark. In the books, House Bolton betrays the Starks to gain favor with the Iron Throne, leading to their eventual downfall at the hands of Jon Snow and Sansa Stark in the Battle of the Bastards. The Red Kings' legacy, passed down through generations, ultimately meets a grim end as House Bolton faces annihilation.
The Red Kings of House Bolton posed a formidable challenge to the early Stark rule, leaving a lasting impact on the North's history. While their ruthless ways may have prolonged the North's independence against the Andal invasion, their demise at the hands of the Starks sealed their dark chapter in Westerosi lore.