*Apologies, I moved back to school after we had a week break (my school has weird academic terms) and between moving and classes, I haven't had much time to write. I had already written this, so even though it seems like a break from the main plot, I wanted to give you this as a continuation of the first set.
**As for Yohn and Catelyn:
- Catelyn AND Brynden would be unacceptable to the Vale.
- Brynden alone would be unacceptable to the Vale.
- Yohn and Brynden could work, but Brynden is further from Robin than Catelyn is, in terms of family connection. Catelyn is Robin's aunt (As I am sure you are aware, I digress) Whereas Brynden is Robin's great uncle. In addition, in these medieval societies, with the strong, masculine presence of Yohn Royce, Catelyn could counter that with some motherly attention that the young Robin would still need at this point in his life. (Jon Arryn no doubt feels for his young son, seeing as he just lost his mother. Lady Catelyn he hopes can fill that void.)
***Fear not, I am about half way through the next story chapter and I HOPE to be done with it by this coming monday (but no promises due to homework and classes)
Excerpts from: Kings in the North; a study of Kings and their Lands
- Maester Torghen (Published one year before Aegon's Conquest)
"Contrary to the thoughts of those south of the Neck, the 'King in the North' was not always the title held by the Starks of Winterfell. During the Age of Heroes, the North held many different kingdoms. House Bolton ruled as the Red Kings, House Blackwood ruled as the Kings of the Wood, House Ryder ruled as the Kings of the Rills. These are but to name a few. House Stark was not unique in this aspect, ruling as the Kings of Winter, named thusly from their ancestral seat of Winterfell. A distinctively different title than the one held in the future. During the Age of Heroes, House Stark consolidated their holdings and enacted brutal campaigns of conquest. The earliest records from the Library of Winterfell tell the tale of Edrick II Stark, and how he amassed his host and conquered the Wolfswood and pushed House Blackwood from the North. Edrick II would pass on this campaign however and his grandnephew and heir would succeed as Edderion I Stark, I digress. According to all the available evidence, it was not until House Stark conquered the North, or a majority portion at least, did they use the title; 'Kings in the North.' Errol III Stark is the earliest recorded King in the North, although he is certainly not the first one, as the times of him and other events would make this extremely unlikely. Unfortunately, much of the history has been lost and any previous Kings have been lost to history. Understand dear reader, that the mythic and legendary Stark, Bran the Builder, was not actually the King in the North, but rather, serving as the first King of Winter. Confusing, yes, but an important difference."
- Excerpt from Chapter Two: Kings of the North
"The Kings in the North of House Stark did not rule their vast kingdom alone. There are viable records that indicate that very early on, the Kings established a council of sorts to assist them in their rule. There is no known established name for this body as many records name it different titles. The Council of the North, the Northern Council, the Winter Council, or simply the Council are all known titles to refer to the same body. This body has no set number of persons, and the total number and duties has evolved over thousands of years. The head of the Council is of course the King in the North. The presence of a royal officer called a Justiciar is also mentioned. This 'Justiciar' has been described as the right hand of the King though the extent of their duties is not fully known as the title seemed to have fallen out of use many centuries ago. The position of Justiciar seems to have been replaced by the currently used title of 'Steward.' The next officer is called the Marshal. This is a title that seems to have survived since its inception. The Marshal of the North was historically entrusted only with the duty of holding the kingdom during the absence of the King. Though in recent centuries, many kings have granted them the duty of marshaling the royal armies of the North. A position called the 'Chamberlain' seems to have seen some use but became rare to non-existent in records two centuries ago, one can surmise that the position has fallen into abeyance. One of the greatest and most important positions was the Treasurer. Historical analysis indicates that there was a former title used in the old tongue, however this too has since been lost to history. Two more positions are to be noted. The King's Depute and the Advocate of the Seas. The Advocate of the Seas appears to be the direct translation from the ancient old tongue, though the title currently used by His Grace Torrhen IX Stark is simply the High Admiral. The King's Depute is a unique position in relation to the others. While the other officers seemed to have logical and understandable roles, the King's Depute, also known as simply the Lord Depute, has a number of duties. It seems to be a combination of serving as the King's personal attendant as well as serving as his head of household. Though more realistically, perhaps this is simply a pretty title to hide a spymaster of sorts. The last and most well recorded is the position of Chancellor of the North. The Chancellor of the North was not responsible for holding the North, as was the duty of the Marshal, but rather, ensuring the peace and justice of the kingdom. Serving as the highest law official and advising the kings on legal matters."
- Excerpts from Chapter Three: King and Council
"…And the council of Walton IV Stark thus be: Jonos Karstark, Steward of the North. Benjen Ryswell, Marshal of the North. Dorren Greystark, Treasurer of the North. Walder Towers, Master of the Chambers. Daryn Mormont, High Admiral of the North. Joscelin Stark, King's Depute. Hanna Hornwood, Chancellor of the North…
…And the council of Brandon XIX Stark thus be: Jonos Karstark, Steward of the North. Karl Umber, Marshal of the North. Brandard Poole, Treasurer of the North. -r-~-ric F-~t, Mast-~ of the Chamb-~? (unknown). Godric Manderly, High Admiral of the North. Ryam Frost, King's Depute. Royce Bolton, Chancellor of the North…
…And the council of Torrhen IX Stark thus be: Jon Mormont, Steward of the North. Donnel Flint, Marshal of the North. Jorah Dustin, Treasurer of the North. Marfryd Manderly, High Admiral of the North. Brandon Snow, King's Depute. Harmen Umber, Chancellor of the North…"
- Excerpts from Chapter Six: Known and Current Councils
"The Steward of the North originally evolved from the previous post of Justiciar. Initially, the Steward held great power and was the second-most powerful person in the kingdom. In recent centuries however, it seems to be more of a sinecure position of high honor. Since Cregan XIV, grandfather to Walton IV, the Steward was only granted the extent of their authority on the specific decrees of the King. As in, unlike the other posts, when a new Steward is appointed, their duties only extend so far as they are given. As such, it is oft-recently given to those who the King wishes to hear advice from but does not wish them to hold any responsibilities. Sometimes, though by no means the convention, the position of Steward is gifted to a family member of the King's wife…"
- Excerpts from Chapter Seven: Steward of the North
"…though this issue was no longer truly a problem. As for the rest of the King's council, one of his most powerful officers was the Marshal. For many of the past centuries, the Marshal has been given the responsibility of readying the armies of the North. This includes ensuring the troops of the equipment they need, to their pay, and all administrative aspects. Importantly, it shall be noted that the Marshal of the North is unlike the Marshal of the Reach. While the Marshal in the south is responsible for leading the troops raised, the Marshal in the snowy north is not entitled to lead the amassed troops. It is still the custom that the King in the North, or another member of the royal family, lead any army. As such, though the Marshal raises the armies, and supplies them, they do not inherently command them. For the first thousand years or so, there is no evidence that supports that the Marshal held the Kingdom in the absence of the king. Instead, it isn't until the reign of Rickard the Pious where we find undeniable evidence that the Marshal was given command of the North. This isn't to say they weren't before; it simply is not recorded."
Excerpt from Chapter Eight: Marshal of the North
"The position of High Admiral, sometimes referred to Lord High Admiral, Lord Admiral, or simply Admiral, held unique beginnings. Since the Coming of the Andals, only the North has continued to worship the Old Gods. And the senior naval commander of the North is intertwined with the gods themselves. According to the journal of King Willam VIII Stark, the original name of the title was called 'Advocate of the Seas.' Unfortunately the same journal does not actually list the Old Tongue name itself. Regardless, because of this unique name, many maesters have debated the importance of the position. Before Brandon the Burner, the North held a vast and impressive war fleet. Perhaps this is because the officer was supposedly the 'agent' between the King and the gods of the water? Truly, the reason is unknown to this day. While the official title is still the Advocate of the Seas, and every holder is written down in the North's government books, today, it is colloquially referred to as simply the High Admiral. Long has the south made assumptions about the northern navy that simply are not true. One of the biggest mistakes is the assumption that the North has two admirals, one for the western fleet based in Flint's Finger though a significant detachment calls Bear Island home. And another for the eastern fleet, located entirely at the dockyards of White Harbor. This would make logical sense however each of the fleets is commanded by Lord Captain, both of whom report to the High Admiral."
Excerpt from Chapter Ten: High Admiral of the North
"The Chancellor of the North is perhaps one of the more overlooked, yet more important figures of the Northern council. Though the authority to grant lordships, issue bills of attainder, and pass judgements on major issues are vested singularly with the King in the North, the Chancellor is responsible for giving sound advice to the King on all possible ramifications. Additionally, it is the duty of the Chancellor to lead a small army of scribes that works to transcribe every decree that is issued, and have these copies sent to every castle and village. In wartime, the Marshal can be considered the most important council member, yet in peacetime, I would argue that it is the Chancellor that is the most powerful. More often than naught they are sent as the King's personal representative to settle disputes, and importantly, if the King is absent from the kingdom, and it is not wartime, 'tis the Chancellor granted the command of the North, not the Marshal. Much like the position of the King's Depute, the Chancellor is more often than naught given to a member of House Stark or an extremely loyal and able lord."
Excerpt from Chapter Twelve: Chancellor of the North
"House Stark has produced some of the greatest monarchs of Westeros. Some of these are the mythic Bran the Builder and his son and successor, Brandon Stark. Others are Theon the Hungry Wolf and Bran the Burner. One of my colleagues from the North, Maester Hothar, is beginning a great work that he hopes to publish in his lifetime. I digress, he postulates that for just as many great rulers of House Stark, there were bad ones as well. Maester Hothar has discussed his theory that perhaps Edric II Stark is amongst the worst Stark kings. I personally disagree with such a harsh sentence, though Edric II was quiet terrible. What I, my dear reader think, is that the worst kings were those who were unable to continue the stable regime during and after their reign. This has caused some disagreements with other brothers at the Citadel, but I would argue this. Is it not an inherent duty of a monarch to not only rule justly and ably, but also to ensure their work is carried out after their time has come? For my perfect example, I give to you one of the lesser-known Kings in the North; Roderick X Stark. Roderick X was the fourth son and immediate successor of Rickard XXV. Roderick I only sired one child, a girl, Princess Raya. Princess Raya would marry a Stark cousin and sire a boy, Prince Haymar, an unusual name for a scion of House Stark. However, during most of the history of the Kingdom of the North, they followed an absolute male primogeniture. For all this, women are in fact looked upon more favorably in the North than most other places, with them being able to even become the lady regnant of their house, but as for the King in the North, it was always a male. As such, Roderick X's heir was his nephew from his younger brother Jon, Prince Cregard…
…Roderick X had appointed Prince Haymar as the King's Depute and appointed Prince Cregard as his Steward. But before his death, Roderick X met with his daughter many times. And this is where the conflict known as the Cry of the Wolves begins. After Roderick X's death, Prince Cregard moved very quickly and had himself crowned as the new King in the North, but he was very unpopular. Prince Haymar and his mother Princess Raya won the support of the Mormonts, the Dustins, the Ryswells, and the Flints. Cregard VI, now known as Cregard the Short Lived, was able to gain the support of the Karstarks, the Manderlys, and the Umbers. The war would go on for only a year or so. However, after Cregard VI fell in battle, the Lord Bolton, who we only know as today as the 'Bloody Bolton' assassinated Princess Raya and Haymar I, known as Haymar the Only. The Bolton was executed, but the kingdom faced a crisis. The last heir, male or female, left of the main Stark line, was Cregard's newly sired son, Jon. The survivors of both sides agreed to a peace and to establish a regency for the young Jon who would succeed as Jon the Good. His regnal number has been lost though through some historiography, I am able to unilaterally say he is either Jon IX, X, XI…
…such a crisis almost left the North to face an interregnum which would have undoubtedly spilt a great deal of Northern blood. Had only Roderick X been more decisive in his decision to name an heir, such a disaster may have not occurred. In the end, his official heir's line, Cregard, would still carry on to this day."
- Excerpts from Chapter Nineteen: The Council and Crisis
*I hope you like the backstory so far. Admittedly, I have had trouble keeping up with all the Stark kings so if you find any inconsistencies, please feel free to let me know.