HOUSE CASSEL

House Cassel is a potentially-extinct vassal house from the North that holds fealty to House Stark of Winterfell. Their sigil is ten white wolf heads on grey with a black border.

Known members of House Cassel include Ser Rodrik Cassel, who was the master-at-arms and military advisor for the Starks at Winterfell, as well as his nephew, Ser Jory Cassel, who acted as Lord Eddard Stark’s guard captain. Both Rodrik and Jory were both skilled warriors as well as extremely loyal and trusted servants, though it cost them both of their lives during the start of the War of Five Kings. Their house may have become an extinct noble house following the death of Ser Jory, who was murdered by Ser Jaime Lannister in the capital of King’s Landing while defending Lord Eddard, as well as the subsequent murder of Ser Rodrik during the Fall of Winterfell at the hands of Lord Eddard’s former ward, Theon Greyjoy, while defending the Stark’s home. Some years later, after House Stark regained control of the region, the North once again seceded under Jon Snow, who later pledged the North to Queen Daenerys Targaryen in exchange for House Targaryen's aid during the Great War. The North was then finally allowed to become independent again by the elected king of the Six Kingdoms, Bran Stark, following Daenerys Targaryen's war for Westeros. As result of Northern independence, if House Cassel does have any surviving members, they currently are ruled under the Queen in the North, Sansa Stark.

In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Ser Rodrik's older brother had four sons including Jory, but the other three did not live to adulthood. Rodrik himself was married three times but they gave him only daughters, and his last wife is also dead. Following Rodrik's death, the only surviving member of House Cassel is his daughter Beth, who was taken to the Dreadfort by Ramsay Snow following the Sack of Winterfell, and her fate is unknown (his other daughters having previously died due to unrevealed circumstances). It is implied by their coat-of-arms that House Cassel was founded by Lonnel Snow, a bastard son of Lord Brandon Stark, who was in turn the tenth child of Lord Cregan Stark, hence the reversed Stark colors and the ten wolf heads.

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HOUSE CERWYN

House Cerwyn of Cerwyn is a vassal house from the North. It holds fealty to House Stark of Winterfell. Castle Cerwyn is located east to the Kingsroad, south of Winterfell and their heraldry consists of a black battle-axe on silver.

Known members of House Cerwyn include Lord Medger Cerwyn, the head of the house, who was flayed alive by House Bolton after Medger refused to pay tax to Ramsay Bolton and proudly professed his loyalty to House Stark, denouncing Bolton as a turncloak. Medger’s son and heir, Cley Cerwyn, then declared Jon Snow the King in the North once the Starks regained control of the region from the Boltons. Jon Snow later pledged the North to Queen Daenerys Targaryen in exchange for House Targaryen's aid during the Great War. The North was then finally allowed to become independent again by the elected king, Bran Stark, following Daenerys Targaryen's war for Westeros. As result of Northern independence, House Cerwyn is now ruled under the Queen in the North, Sansa Stark.

In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, House Cerwyn is one of closest bannermen to the Starks. Castle Cerwyn being just a half day's ride from Winterfell. Following the deaths of Lord Medger Cerwyn and his son Cley, Lady Jonelle, past thirty, swears fealty to the new Warden of the North, Lord Roose Bolton. Cerwyn men are present at Winterfell for the wedding of Ramsay Bolton. In A Dance with Dragons, following the liberation of Deepwood Motte, surviving Cerwyn soldiers from the earlier siege of Winterfell join Stannis Baratheon in his campaign against the Boltons - though it is unclear if Lady Jonelle has openly switched sides as the Mormonts and Glovers did.

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HOUSE GLOVER

House Glover of Deepwood Motte is a vassal house from the North. It holds fealty to House Stark of Winterfell and their lands extend throughout the Wolfswood, northwest of Winterfell. Their sigil is a silver armored fist on a scarlet red background.

Known members of House Glover include Lord Galbart Glover, the head of the house, who was assigned by Robb Stark to lead the vanguard against House Lannister during the War of the Five Kings. At some point shortly thereafter, Galbart had died and his brother, Robett Glover, became the Lord of Deepwood Motte when Balon Greyjoy sent a fleet of thirty ships to seize the Glover’s castle. The Ironborn then imprisoned Lord Robett’s wife and children, and brutalize House Glover's subjects. When the War of the Five Kings finished, the Glovers took back Deepwood Motte with the help of House Bolton and slayed every Ironborn there. Some time later, when Jon Snow attempts to rally the North in order to combat House Bolton and take back Winterfell, Robett refuses as he remained bitter towards the late Robb Stark for not coming to his aid during the Ironborn attack. However, following the Battle of the Bastards, Lord Glover then declared for the victorious Jon Snow as the King in the North. Jon later pledged the North to Queen Daenerys Targaryen in exchange for House Targaryen's aid during the Great War. The North was then finally allowed to become independent again by the elected king of the Six Kingdoms, Bran Stark, following Daenerys Targaryen's war for Westeros. As result of Northern independence, House Glover is now ruled under the Queen in the North, Sansa Stark.

In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, House Glover is a loyal and reliable vassal of the Starks. Before they became bannermen of House Stark, they were petty kings. During the Ironborn's invasion, Asha Greyjoy (Yara Greyjoy) takes Deepwood Motte with her forces, holding Sybelle and her children as hostages. The events relating to House Glover in Season Six differs significantly from the novels. In A Dance of Dragons, Deepwood Motte is taken by a combined northern and Baratheon army led by Stannis. Most of the Ironborn garrison is slaughtered but Asha and nine of her followers are taken prisoner. This victory wins Stannis the support of the northern lords and allows him to muster an army to challenge the Boltons and their House Frey allies.

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HOUSE HORNWOOD

House Hornwood of Hornwood is a vassal house from the North that holds fealty to House Stark of Winterfell. Castle Hornwood is southeast of Winterfell, located in a forested region and bordering the holdings of House Manderly to the south and House Bolton to the northeast. Their sigil is a black moose head on an orange field and their house words are "Righteous in Wrath."

While making plans to retake the North, Jon Snow lists the Hornwoods as one of the houses that have not yet declared for House Bolton, along with the Cerwyns, Glovers, Mormonts, and Mazins. Jon decided that he and his forces must appeal to these lesser houses to gather enough men to face the thousands that support Ramsay Bolton. The Hornwoods later agree to join the Starks in taking back Winterfell alongside the Mazins and Mormonts, supplying two hundred men for the reformed Stark army, and participate in the victorious Battle of the Bastards. In the aftermath of the battle, Lord Hornwood is present at Jon's proclamation as King in the North. House Hornwood is one of the Northern houses to then fight in the Battle of Winterfell and the subsequent Battle of King's Landing. Following this, the North was then finally allowed to become independent again by the elected king of the Six Kingdoms, Bran Stark. As result of Northern independence, House Hornwood is now ruled under the Queen in the North, Sansa Stark.

In A Song of Ice and Fire novels, House Hornwood is a loyal vassal of the Starks. When Robb Stark summoned his bannermen, Lord Halys Hornwood and his son Daryn went to Winterfell and joined his army. Daryn became one of Robb's personal guards. Both of them were killed in the subsequent battles. Once Ramsay Bolton learned about the death of Halys and Daryn, he kidnapped Lady Donella, raped her, and forced her to marry him and to sign a will naming him the sole heir of the Hornwood lands. Then he locked her in a cell and did not bring her food. When Ser Rodrik Cassel arrived to save her, it was too late: she starved to death after chewing several of her fingers. In A Dance with Dragons, following the liberation of Deepwood Motte, House Hornwood is one of the northern houses who join Stannis Baratheon in his campaign against the Boltons.

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HOUSE karstark

House Karstark of Karhold is an extinct vassal house that held fealty to House Stark of Winterfell, and briefly did so for House Bolton of the Dreadfort following the Red Wedding. Their lands were northeast of Winterfell, located in heavy forested lands overlooking the Shivering Sea. The Karstark sigil was a white sunburst on black and their house words were "The Sun of Winter."

House Karstark traced their descent from Karlon Stark, who was a younger son of the King in the North and was awarded lands on the eastern region of the North after putting down a rebellion of House Bolton about a thousand years ago. When Robb Stark called his banners to march south to rescue his father, Lord Eddard Stark, Harrion Karstark died in a battle. After rallying an army of nearly twenty-thousand soldiers, Robb then began a campaign in the Westerlands. His captive, Ser Jaime Lannister, briefly escaped after killing Torrhen Karstark, Harrion's brother. As an act of revenge against House Lannister, Lord Rickard Karstark, the head of the house, broke into the dungeons of Riverrun and murders the young captives, Martyn and Willem Lannister. As result, Lord Rickard is beheaded for treason, however, Rickard's retainers abandon Robb's cause, greatly reducing the size of the Northern army. Some time later, following the death of King Robb at the Red Wedding, Rickard’s youngest son and heir to Karhold, Harald Karstark, joined House Bolton, who helped orchestrate the massacre. Harald participated in the Battle of the Bastards against House Stark, though he perished during battle, leaving his daughter, Alys Karstark, as the new head of House Karstark. She later swore fealty to Jon Snow, the new King in the North, who then pardoned the Karstarks, allowing them to keep Karhold. House Karstark was one of the Northern houses to then fight alongside the Northern armies during the Great War against the White Walkers and their army of the dead. During battle, however, their house became extinct with the death of Alys and her Karstark forces.

In A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Lord Rickard has three sons in the books: Harrion, Torrhen, and Eddard, as well as a daughter Alys. Harrion takes part in the Battle of the Green Fork and is taken as a hostage (it is unknown if he is still alive). Harrion’s brothers, Torrhen and Eddard, who serve as part of Robb Stark's personal bodyguard, are killed by Jaime Lannister during the Battle of the Whispering Wood. When Jaime realizes that his army is lost during the Battle of the Whispering Wood, he makes a final push to single-handedly carve his way through the Northern army in an attempt to kill Robb Stark in single combat. Jaime manages to reach Robb's personal bodyguard and kill several of them, including Eddard and Torrhen, before being knocked unconscious.

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HOUSE MANDERLY

House Manderly of White Harbor is one of the most powerful vassal houses from the North and hold fealty to House Stark of Winterfell. They control White Harbor, the main seaport of the North and is one of only five settlements in Westeros large enough to be called a city. Their sigil is a white merman holding a trident on an aquamarine background.

House Manderly was once a powerful noble house in the southern region of the Reach, however, centuries ago they were driven out of the Reach and were given sanctuary and lands by House Stark in exchange for their pledge of fealty. The Manderlys still keep many traditions from the South, because even though they are descended from the First Men just like their fellow Northmen, they have long ago adopted the Faith of the Seven and the chivalric culture of the past Andal invaders. They are the richest house in the North through fish, grain and overseas trade. Ser Wendel Manderly is among those slain alongside King Robb and Catelyn Stark at the Red Wedding massacre. Despite this, Ser Wendel’s father, Lord Wyman Manderly, the head of the house, remained neutral during the conflict between the forces of Jon Snow and Ramsay Bolton, even though House Bolton plotted against the Starks during the Red Wedding. However, after Ramsay is defeated and executed during the Battle of the Bastards, Lord Wyman pledges allegiance to House Stark and is the second to proclaim Jon Snow as the King in the North, calling him the "White Wolf." Some time later, the North was finally allowed to become independent again by the elected king of the Six Kingdoms, Bran Stark. As result of Northern independence, House Manderly is now ruled under the Queen in the North, Sansa Stark.

In A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Lord Wyman wishes to pay the Lannisters, Boltons and Freys back for the death of his son Wendel at the Red Wedding, but cannot act openly against them as long as his other son Wylis is held prisoner at Harrenhal. He bides his time, waiting for an opportunity to avenge Wendel's death, since "the north remembers." Ser Davos Seaworth later attempts to persuade Wyman to join Stannis Baratheon’s cause. Lord Wyman then fakes Davos' execution, revealing that he was loyal to House Stark all along, but he will only follow a legitimate son of Lord Eddard Stark over his daughter (as the North believes that Ramsay has married Arya Stark). Davos is then sent to find the young heir, Rickon Stark, on the Isle of Skagos, as the Manderlys secretly knew where he was hiding.

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HOUSE MARSH

House Marsh is a potentially-extinct vassal house from the Neck, a swamp and marsh-filled region of Westeros that is the southernmost part of the North, on the border with the Riverlands. They are sworn to House Reed of Greywater Watch, who hold fealty to House Stark of Winterfell. The sigil of House Marsh is ten green frogs on a yellow background.

Like the Reeds, House Marsh are crannogmen, a distinct offshoot of the First Men who have adapted to living in the swamps of the Neck and formed their own petty kingdoms, which gradually aggregated into larger territories. When the Andals invaded Westeros six thousand years ago, the crannogmen were able to successfully resist their advance and were eventually unified by one ruler known as the Marsh King. Many centuries later, this tiny independent kingdom was conquered by the rising power of House Stark, who were determined to unite the entire North as one realm. Ultimately the Starks defeated the last Marsh King, and married his daughter to secure control of the Neck. House Reed then came to rule over all of the other crannogmen, and have served as loyal vassals under the Starks for centuries. The only known member of House Marsh was Bowen Marsh, who was the First Steward at Castle Black, a senior position within the Night's Watch, a military order which holds and guards the realm from foreign or otherworldly threats. Bowen was in charge of the day-to-day running of the Watch, dealing with issues of supplies, funding, logistics and communications. Marsh later takes part in and helps organize a mutiny against the Lord Commander, Jon Snow, as many of the brothers felt that he had forsaken the Night's Watch for their enemies, the wildlings. As result, Bowen Marsh was executed for treason. Some time later, the North was finally allowed to become independent again by the elected king of the Six Kingdoms, Bran Stark. As result of Northern independence, House Reed is now ruled under the Queen in the North, Sansa Stark, making House Marsh a vassal to the Northern queen as well.

In A Song of Ice and Fire novels, aside from Bowen Marsh, no other members of the house are mentioned. Bowen names Ser Wynton Stout as castellan when he leaves to investigate wildling incursions. Bowen then wins the fight at the Bridge of Skulls at heavy cost of life to the Night's Watch. He is severely injured in battle.

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HOUSE POOLE

House Poole is a potentially-extinct minor vassal house from the North who holds fealty to House Stark of Winterfell. The sigil of House Poole is a blue plate on white, with a grey tressure.

Vayon Poole served the Starks as the Steward of Winterfell and was the father of five daughters, including Jeyne Poole, the childhood friend of the eldest Stark daughter, Sansa Stark. Following the mysterious death of the Hand of the King, Jon Arryn, King Robert Baratheon and his royal party travel north from the capital of King’s Landing to Winterfell in order to request Lord Eddard Stark as his new Hand. During the welcome feast, Jeyne sits with Sansa and they discuss the king’s son, Prince Joffrey Baratheon, whom Sansa is now arranged to wed. Some time later, Vayon travels south to the capital with other members of the Stark household as result of Lord Eddard’s new position. Following the death of King Robert, tensions rise between the Stark and the Lannisters, as Queen Cersei Lannister has Eddard arrested for treason when he discovers that her children are not Robert’s, but a product of incest with her brother, Ser Jaime Lannister. Vayon Poole is later attacked by Lannister men during the purge of the Stark household, ordered by King Joffrey after Eddard tries to remove him from the throne due to his illegitimate claim. Poole is killed while he and his men are packing for an evacuation that Eddard had ordered in anticipation of his move against Joffrey. Lord Eddard is executed shortly thereafter, and the fate of Jeyne and her sisters are unknown, as there was no mention if they accompanied their father to King's Landing. Several years later, the North was allowed to become independent again by the elected king of the Six Kingdoms, Bran Stark. As result of their independence, if there are any surviving members, House Poole is now ruled under the Queen in the North, Sansa Stark.

In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Jeyne does travel south to the capital with her father and survives the Lannister purge, however, there is no mention in the books that Jeyne has any siblings. Jeyne is eventually forced by the Lannisters to impersonate Arya Stark and marry Ramsay Bolton. However, she managed to escape the Boltons, and currently is in Stannis Baratheon camp, soon to be sent to Castle Black, home of the Night’s Watch, a military order which holds and guards the realm from foreign or otherworldly threats.

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HOUSE REED

House Reed of Greywater Watch is a vassal house from the Neck, a swamp and marsh-filled region of Westeros that is the southernmost part of the North, on the border with the Riverlands. The hold fealty to House Stark of Winterfell and their sigil is a black lizard-lion on a grey-green field.

House Marsh are crannogmen, a distinct offshoot of the First Men who have adapted to living in the swamps of the Neck. Like the other First Men, the crannogmen formed their own petty kingdoms which gradually aggregated into larger territories. When the Andals invaded Westeros six thousand years ago, the crannogmen were able to successfully resist their advance and were eventually unified by one ruler known as the Marsh King. Many centuries later, this tiny independent kingdom was conquered by the rising power of House Stark, who were determined to unite the entire North as one realm. Ultimately the Starks defeated the last Marsh King, and married his daughter to secure control of the Neck. House Reed then came to rule over all of the other crannogmen, and have served as loyal vassals under the Starks for centuries. During Robert's Rebellion, Howland Reed, the current head of the house, fought alongside his liege-lord Eddard Stark and saved his life during one of its final skirmishes at the Tower of Joy. Several years later after the outbreak of the War of the Five Kings, Howland's children, Jojen and Meera, traveled north to find one of Lord Eddard’s son, Bran Stark, and guide him in his quest to find the Three-Eyed Raven who lives beyond the Wall. Eventually, they make their way to the raven’s cave, however, Jojen is stabbed multiple times by wights, prompting his sister to cut his throat in order to prevent him from becoming one himself. After then being touched by the Night King in a vision, the cave is attacked by the White Walkers and their army of the dead. After Meera and Bran flee, the eventually cross back into the Seven Kingdoms and Meera safely escorts the Stark heir to his home of Winterfell. Some time later, following the Great War, the North was allowed to become independent again by the elected king of the Six Kingdoms, Bran Stark. As result of Northern independence, House Reed is now ruled under the Queen in the North, Sansa Stark.

In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, the crannogmen are gifted and talented hunters and warriors. They have an ages-old feud with House Frey, who rule the lands immediately to the south. The Reeds came to the attention of House Stark when Howland Reed met Lord Eddard at a tournament at Harrenhal. Howland and Eddard became fast friends and allies. Aside from Eddard, Howland was the only survivor of the raid at the Tower of Joy, on the occasion of Lyanna Stark's death. The Reed stronghold at Greywater Watch is hard to find because it supposedly moves around on a floating island.

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HOUSE UMBER

House Umber of the Last Hearth is an extinct vassal house that held fealty to House Stark of Winterfell. Their lands were in the far north of the Stark territories, just south of the Wall, making the Umbers the northernmost noble house in Westeros until their extinction. The Umber sigil was four chains linked by a central ring on a dark red field.

At the start of the War of the Five Kings, House Umber rallied behind House Stark. Following Lord Eddard Stark’s execution in the capital of King’s Landing, Greatjon Umber was the first to suggest crowning Robb Stark as the King in the North, and knelt before him. After rallying an army of nearly twenty-thousand soldiers, Robb begins a campaign in the Westerlands against House Lannister. Shortly thereafter, however, King Robb is murdered by House Frey during the Red Wedding, which was also orchestrated by the Lannisters and House Bolton. Some years later, the Greatjon's son, Smalljon Umber, arrives at Winterfell, then ruled by Ramsay Bolton, and hands over his captive, the youngest Stark heir, Rickon Stark. It is never revealed how, but Smalljon informs Ramsay that the Greatjon has died. Although Smalljon refused to pledge fealty to Ramsay, he did join his cause against the Starks during the Battle of the Bastards, which ultimately resulted in his death. Afterwards, Smalljon’s young son, Ned Umber, became the new Lord of Last Hearth and eventually swore fealty to Jon Snow, the new King in the North, who then pardoned the Umbers for their betrayal against the Starks. Some time later, following the Fall of Last Hearth, an early event of the Great War, House Umber became extinct when Ned Umber and his men and household were slaughtered inside the Last Hearth by the army of the dead. Ned’s body was left behind inside the castle as a message, while those who were slaughtered were nowhere to be found, likely having been reanimated as wights by the White Walkers.

In A Song of Ice and Fire novels, the Umbers respect strength alone and were once petty kings. They are strong, formidable warriors who enjoy life to the full, although some of the family members are less reputable, with some Umber lords said to still practice the banned tradition of First Night. Their lands are close to the Wall and they are bitterly opposed to the wildlings, as sometimes small wildling bands who evade the Night’s Watch raid their lands.When Greatjon Umber joined King Robb's army, he took most of the Umber troops, leaving behind the green boys and the old. Following the Red Wedding, Mors Umber and the green boys join Stannis Baratheon in his campaign against the Boltons, while Hother Umber and the greybeards reluctantly join the Boltons because Greatjon is held captive by House Frey.

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