*For this chapter, I would advise following along the map from the Map of the North used by the iceandfire wiki. I only use the ASOIAF wiki for lore, but I felt this map was the clearest and easiest to understand.
Excerpts from: Domesday of the North; a review of the bannermen of the North
- Maester Eule of Winterfell (published three hundred years before Aegon's Conquest)
"Of the few things that unite the kingdoms of Westeros, the affairs of dealing with the local geography is a challenge shared by all. Few face this the way the North has. The Andal Vale of Arryn is perhaps the only other kingdom with severe, northern climates, though this is in the face of high mountains, and not the all-encompassing nature that the North faces.
As with all kingdoms, the vassals of a kingdom come and go. Through war and disease, to old age and marriage. Many houses have fallen extinct through treason, or through poison. Regardless, it has been ordered by His Grace, Osric VI Stark, to record the current standing of his vassals. This work was done with the assistance of the maesters assigned to House Stark's vassals, and through the orders of House Stark themselves."
- Excerpt from Chapter One: Introduction
"In order to understand the vast information more easily, I have elected to split this work into regions. The northern, southern, eastern, western, and central portions of the Kingdom of the North. We will begin with the southern portion which shall be made up mostly of the Neck. The Neck begins at the marshy lands just north of the Kingdom of the Isles and the Rivers and extends all the way north to the fortress of Moat Cailin. The title of Warden of the Neck is currently held by House Reed of Greywater Watch. An elusive House of Crannogmen, House Reed holds suzerainty over all the other Crannogmen including Houses Blackmyre, Marsh, and number of others. As Wardens of the Neck, House Reed is empowered to use any means necessary to protect and defend the North's only land border. Though the ruined fortress of Moat Cailin is technically within the lands of the Neck, House Stark directly administers the great castle over House Reed.
Though perhaps among the most strategically important areas of the North, the Neck only holds one other house of import, House Flint of Flint's Finger. Though not a great house by any means, they hold a powerful name, and Flint's Finger is the primary port-of-call for the North's western battle fleet. Despite them being expected to defend the Neck alongside of House Reed and all the minor houses, due to their location being far to the west, they are usually easier to bypass by hostiles, if one could ever make it that far north that is. Truly they can only effectively assist in the defense if they have been given proper warning beforehand.
Moat Cailin is perhaps the strongest castle in the North, behind Winterfell, even as a ruin. And despite its current state, His Grace and his ancestors have long appointed castellans and garrisons to hold the great castle in times of war preparation and defense. As of now, Ser Medrick Manderly, the brother of Lord Haryll Manderly, serves as Castellan of Moat Cailin. Though one has not been appointed in many a century, traditionally the Lords of Moat Cailin hold the additional title of Defender of the Neck, sometimes the Defender of the Marches of the Neck. Though it has been reported from every King in the North that 'Defender' is junior to 'Warden' House Reed never leaves the marshes in-force. If an enemy reaches the walls of Moat Cailin, that Lord has traditionally taken authority in the defense of the area.
The southern portion, called 'Southern Marches' by the Northerners, can raise a host of about four to five thousand men, the smallest size of the North."
- Excerpt from Chapter Two: The Southern Marches
"Geographically, the next portion of the North is the central area, called 'North Proper' by the Northerners, the North Proper encompasses all of House Stark's demesne, and many smaller lords, most notably, House Cerwyn of Castle Cerwyn, and House Tallhart of Torrhen's Square.
The North Proper has always been the leader of Northern culture and administration, assisted greatly by the placement of Winterfell. Most of the geography of this region encompasses vast, rolling plains, nearly constantly covered with a thin layer of frost at best, many feet deep of snow at worst. Though no enemy has ever been able to defeat the combined force of the Neck and Moat Cailin, it is common sense that the North Proper be the next region an enemy would encounter. If this work is to be honest to itself, it must be admitted that besides the massive and brutal fortress of Winterfell, there are not a great number of natural defenses in the region. With most of the defense taking the form of man-made structures such as Winterfell and Castle Cerwyn, as well as minor holdfasts and semi-permanent picket lines. This is not to say that it is defenseless. Winterfell itself is incredibly hardy, and would no doubt be incredibly difficult to take. Its central position also assists in its defense as any enemy that marches north to Winterfell, can fall victim to flanking attacks from the north, east, and west.
This is also not considering the very essence of the North; the cold. Though the marshes of the Neck are humid and not unlike something a knight of South is accustomed to, once one leaves the Neck and enters the North Proper…well an un-informed man will quickly take to the cold and may never rise from his slumber. The North Proper is not nearly the coldest region in the North, but it is certainly shocking to those who know nothing more than the warm, summer air of the South.
The North Proper can raise a host size numbering roughly twelve to fifteen thousand men, depending on how harsh the winters are. Most of this number can be accredited to the personal host of House Stark, though House Cerwyn and House Tallhart number roughly three thousand alone, combined."
- Excerpt from Chapter Three: The North Proper
"The western portion of the Kingdom of the North is referred to as the 'Lowlands' by the Northerners. The Lowlands encompass all the land west of Torrhen's Lake, and south of Sea Dragon Point. There are three Houses worth mentioning in this area, each ruling the three regions that make up the Lowlands.
House Dustin of Barrowton rule the Barrowlands. The Barrowlands are the eastern-most region of the Lowlands and are relatively close to Moat Cailin, and Torrhen's Square. House Dustin is perhaps among House Stark's most steadfast bannermen, with them being troublesome very few recorded times. It should be recorded that as of now, though hopefully not in the future, House Dustin holds a bitter rivalry with House Manderly. Whenever a castellan of Moat Cailin needs to be appointed, they are both the first houses to send word to Winterfell offering support. His Grace's decision to appoint Ser Medrick half a year ago greatly angered House Dustin, though much of their anger is focused on House Manderly.
House Ryswell rules the Rills, the central region of the Lowlands. House Ryswell and their sworn vassals can command the greatest number of mounted troops in the North. Though they follow the Old Gods through and through, some of them even participate in tourneys of the South and hold the title of Ser, though they see this more as an attention to their martial prowess, then their holy devotion to a god. Traditionally, House Ryswell has gifted a horse to the Prince of Winter upon their tenth nameday. This being said, no one knows the harshness of winter like the Northerners and as such, it is not uncommon for a gift horse to die from exposure, or a prince to die early, or other such reasons. Additionally, across the Saltspear from Flint's Finger, stands the mighty, but lonely, Salter's Mount. A heavily fortified keep with a single great tower that overlooks a moderately sized port. Salter's Mount is ruled by a cadet branch of House Ryswell with the appointed purpose of defending the Saltspear from waterborne invaders. They often correspond with House Flint of Flint's Finger to achieve this goal.
The last notable house is also the least worth mentioning. House Fisher rules the Stony Shore, the long, and mostly uninhabited portion of the Lowlands. House Fisher is the poorest of the three houses, and do not even have a central seat to call home. Truly, they resemble the Mountain Clans more than a house. House Fisher does have a central branch located in the hamlet of Smalltrees, but there are many cadet branches, far too many to keep track of. The inhospitable land shapes the Stony Shoremen into hardy folk who have naught time to do senseless acts. Of all the peoples of the North, they seem to require a central lord the least. Most assuredly, it seems the only reason that a house is actually granted the area is with the sole duty of spreading any news sent from the rest of the Kingdom.
The Lowlands can raise a host of about five thousand, no more than six, if the banners are called. A vast majority of this coming from House Dustin and House Ryswell."
- Excerpt from Chapter Four: The Lowlands
"The penultimate region of the North is the 'Eastern Shoulder' as dubbed by the Northerners. The Eastern Shoulder encompasses all the land north of the Bite, up to Karhold, and east of Winterfell. The Eastern Shoulder is perhaps the most well populated of the five regions of the North, and a number of major Houses call the region home. Of the more than a dozen houses, there are six worth mentioning.
The southernmost house in the Easter Shoulder is House Locke of Oldcastle. Perhaps the least powerful of the following houses, House Locke are technically vassals to House Manderly. House Locke is given the responsibility of patrolling the southeastern shores of the North. This is a common misconception confused with the Manderlys. Though the mentioned house is the greatest naval power, they have a different responsibility, as we shall touch on later. House Locke, due to their proximity to House Manderly and the interbreeding between them, has a higher-than-normal amount of anointed knights in their service. It has been reported though that House Locke, devout to the Old Gods, is anointed in their honor, instead of the Seven-who-are-One.
The next house moving north is House Manderly of White Harbor. Perhaps the wealthiest house behind House Stark, House Manderly uses their wealth and geography to control a massive trading fleet and exert a large degree of influence over the eastern battle fleet as well, which just so happens to call White Harbor their port-of-call. House Manderly, having originally been of the Reach to the south, is the only House in the North that follows the Andal faith instead of the Old Gods. However, do not let this confuse you; House Manderly is still shunned by many of the Faith south of the Neck, and the faith that they practice has been heavily influenced by the Old Gods. Certainly, those of House Manderly are not the arrogant, faith-pushers those of the South can be. Furthermore, they are only one of two houses in recorded history, to never once commit an act of treason or participate in a rebellion against House Stark. Despite their Andal background, many of their women gladly marry into other northern houses including House Stark, with nearly no complaints of raising future children in the eyes of the Old Gods. Though perhaps not originally Northern themselves, House Manderly definitely lives up to the reputation of a Northman. House Manderly holds the title of Warden of the White Knife; this gives them the duty of defending and patrolling the White Knife, a river that extends far into the North Proper.
The next house as we travel north is House Flint of Widow's Watch. This particular House Flint is the most powerful of the three branches, though not the oldest. As Widow's Watch sits atop the lone peninsula splitting the Bite from the Shivering Sea, House Flint is charged with defending the extreme eastern coast of the North. They are assisted in this goal by a small portion of the eastern battle fleet that calls Widow's Watch their home port. Besides this, due to their proximity with trading route with the South and Essos, House Flint of Widow's Watch is among the wealthier houses of the North, though certainly not rich by any means.
House Hornwood of Hornwood is a relatively small house in the region, though they are rich in history and culture. Of all the notable houses on the Eastern Shoulder, House Hornwood is the closest to Winterfell, allowing them a degree of influence and power. Before House Stark unified the North under them, House Hornwood used to be a part of their private demesne. It wasn't until after House Stark subjugated House Bolton that they were gifted the lands in the Hornwood, undoubtedly, to create a buffer between Winterfell and the Dreadfort.
House Bolton of the Dreadfort was the last major house to fall to the Starks in their conquest of the North. House Bolton is known for their cruelty and colored history. To this day, House Bolton is the only house to have never married into House Stark. Despite this, House Bolton boasts a not insignificant host size; and, depending on strategy, can offer resistance during a rebellion, even by themselves. Despite this, they seem to have cowered in the recent generations as many of the Bolton Lords have died from winter chill and other such sadness, leaving very young, impressionable heirs that can be sent as a ward to Winterfell.
The last major notable house on the Eastern Shoulder is House Karstark of Karhold. Considered a cadet branch of House Stark, House Karstark was formed by a second son, granted a seat after a failed Bolton rebellion. The positioning of House Hornwood and House Karstark are not for nothing. House Karstark, despite some of their lands touching the Shivering Sea, are not particularly a marine-minded people. They can raise a fearsome host however, with Karstark spearmen being amongst the most feared defensive troops in the North. The positioning of House Karstark is one that often merits confusions. Karhold and its demesne, are sometimes mixed into the last, not yet mentioned region of the North, politically and culturally speaking. However, they are undoubtedly a member of the Eastern Shoulder, geographically speaking.
The Eastern Shoulder is the most populated region of the North. As such, they can raise the second largest host in the North, behind the North Proper. At full strength, the Eastern Shoulder can raise a host of about thirteen thousand strong. Though this number can inflate if more people are pressed into service.
- Except from Chapter Five: The Eastern Shoulder
"The last major region of the North is the 'Highlands' as compared the southwestern Lowlands. As one can rightly assume, the Highlands are where most of the North's many mountains and hills can be located. Many a smart house have built their seats atop exposed crags and other defensive locations. This is where House Karstark can sometimes be considered a Highland house due to their environs. The Highlands are the only region to border the Gift, and the Wall. In addition, they are the first of the North to assist the Night's Watch in particularly nasty raids.
House Glover of Deepwood Motte is the southernmost Highland house. Located on the western edge of the Wolfswood, they and their bannermen hold the secrets of taming Ironwood. House Glover is a very close vassal of House Stark, with some of the friendliest connections between them. Despite this, they have an unfortunate streak of siding with the losing faction during any Stark civil war. Regardless, House Glover is perhaps the second most powerful house in the Highlands. Though they are the richest in the Highlands, much of this coming from their Ironwood.
House Mormont of Bear Island is among the northernmost houses in the North. In addition, they have the unfortunate knowledge of being amongst the poorest houses as well. This is somewhat offset at the higher-than-normal frequency of them receiving a Stark marriage. Due to the proximity to both the Shadow Tower on the Wall, and defending the Bay of Ice, House Mormont does boast a small portion of the western battle fleet calling Bear Island home. Many of the Lord Captains of the Western Fleet, as well as many Lord Admirals, hail from House Mormont. House Mormont, along with House Manderly, happens to be one of the two houses in the North to have never bore arms against Winterfell, and they are certainly proud of this as well.
House Umber of Last Hearth is officially the northernmost, major, house of the Kingdom of the North. Quickly recognized for their large statures, booming voices, and great tempers, House Umber are the most martially powerful house in the Highlands. When the banners of the North are called to march south, House Umber usually leaves a significant portion of their host at Last Hearth in the case the Night's Watch requires assistance. House Umber additionally controls a majority of the many iron mines that dot the North. Despite this, they are not considered the richest of the Highlands, though they are wealthy, nonetheless.
The last two 'groups' worth mentioning are the Mountain Clans and the Skagosi. Despite the Mountains Clans formally recognized as different houses, due to the lack of a central seat, they are often grouped together. The Mountain Clans are the most 'barbaric looking' people of the North, with them being the first image a Southerner thinks of. Regardless, do not confuse the Mountain Clans of the North with the Hill Tribes of the Vale. While the hill tribesmen are truly bandits and wildings, the Mountain Clans of the North are law abiding people and are somewhat civilized. Due to the lack of any major infrastructure, they are often the least prepared to call their banners, and are often left as reserve, despite their ferocious nature. Houses Flint of the Mountains, Norrey, Wull, and others are men of the Mountain Clans. Lastly, the Skagosi of Skagos are the final notable people. Though they swear allegiance to House Stark of Winterfell, in reality, they rule themselves. Centuries can pass without them ever responding to a call to arms, or a summons. Even other Northern houses such as House Umber and House Karstark consider them to be nothing more than wildlings.
Though not as populated as the Eastern Shoulder or the North Proper, the Highlands sport powerful houses like House Umber and House Glover. At full strength, the Highlands can offer about eight thousand troops."
- Excerpt from Chapter Six: The Highlands
Excerpts from: Vassals of Westeros
- Archmaester Aethelon (published sixty-one years before Aegon's Conquest)
"All the houses of the North swear fealty to the Starks of Winterfell. Yet, much like of Westeros, most houses swear to another in a deep level of feudalism. For example, House Locke of Oldcastle swears to House Stark, but is an immediate vassal of House Manderly of White Harbor. In the same way, House Stark possesses a number of immediate vassals, sworn directly to them. There are five notable houses that should be mentioned; Cassel, Frost, Mollen, Poole, and Tanning.
House Cassel is the oldest of the five houses and the most influential. According to family legend, House Cassel started from a legitimized bastard of House Stark. Granted a manse within the massive castle of Winterfell, House Cassel was later granted a small holdfast just west of Winterfell, creatively named Westwalls. The holdfast is nothing spectacular; a single, squat tower with a wooden palisade around it. Used more for warmth than defensive purposes. House Cassel has always been the most martially minded of the five houses; of the five centuries leading up to this work, a member of House Cassel has served either as the master-at-arms, assistant master-at-arms, or captain of the Winterfell Honor Guard in some capacity. In accordance with this, House Cassel can raise the greatest host of the five houses, though relative to major houses in the North, it is still quite small.
House Frost is a house with an interesting history. Originally, they were known as House Frost of Frosthall, located west of Castle Cerwyn and north of Torrhen's Square. This House Frost was much more powerful, raising a respectable host in their own right. They also held a number of respectable positions within the many centuries of Stark rule. Yet, during a conflict; it is unknown if this was the rebellion against Edric II Stark, or another rebellion, House Frost was annihilated to the last. Sometime later, supposedly around three centuries ago, a man, only known prior as 'Robin' was granted a lordship and chose the name Frost for his house. Supposedly, he was Robin Snow, and instead of naming a house after a bastard's title, chose the next closest thing. House Frost has grown since then, though against popular belief, the current House Frost, has no relation to the more ancient house. House Frost can raise the second largest host of the five houses. Interestingly, of the five houses, House Frost is the least participant in offices in Winterfell. While others will the roles of soldiers and stewards and others, House Frost is usually left alone.
House Mollen has the clearest creation of the four older houses. Many years ago, the North was ruled by Rickard XII Stark. Rickard XII had five sons; Donnor, Roderick, Barthogan, Hother, and Errold. Donnor would later succeed as Donnor VII Stark. Roderick remained in Winterfell his life and served on his brother's council. Twins Barthogan and Hother joined the Night's Watch together. The youngest, Errold, was reportedly a quiet man and simply requested a small estate to grow his family. The name Mollen does not have a clear story; some say that it was the name of Errold's direwolf, others say it was the name of a childhood friend. Regardless, Errold Stark, became Errold Mollen. Justly so from the very large family that Errold Mollen sired, a shocking thirteen, for many of the centuries after, most of the Winterfell guard, and Honor Guard, could trace their lineage back to Errold Mollen.
House Poole is oft considered the most servile of the five houses. Much like House Cassel is often used for martial offices, many members of House Poole has served as stewards, butlers, treasurers, and more in Winterfell. The created time and name of House Poole are both unknowns. There are many legends and myths, but all are either too mythical or boring to simply be considered. House Poole possess the smallest holdfast of the houses and rarely uses it; their duties often confining them to their small manse within the walls of Winterfell. House Poole has an insignificant host size. The most recent census records only six guards raised by the house, four of which resided in the unused holdfast. Due to the lack of personal use, at the request of House Stark, their holdfast is oft used as an outpost, as it lies southwest of Winterfell.
House Tanning is another house that has clear origins. The primogeniture of House Tanning was a guard who saved Cregan XV Stark from a mountain lion attack. When granted a lordship, the guard, who was reportedly a son of a tanner, named it after his father in his honor. To this day, many lower servants of Winterfell, including the cooks, stablemasters, hound masters, and others are fulfilled by House Tanning. Despite their origin, House Tanning is another house with a relatively small host. Much like House Poole, House Tanning serves House Stark in more civil pursuits."
- Excerpt from Chapter Nine: House Stark of the North
*This will most likely be the last of the 'Writings and History' chapters for awhile. If anyone has any specific requests that can be addressed in future chapters, please feel free to let me know, I have simply ran out of ideas while working on the actual storyline.
**I have a majority of the next chapter done as well. All I have to finish is the last section and make any final edits.
