House Bolton is a major house of the North that traces its bloodline back to the First Men, like House Stark. The seat of House Bolton is the Dreadfort. House Bolton is best known for their practice of skinning their enemies, and their house words are “Our blades are sharp.” Their sigil is a skinned man upon a bed of pink.

For thousands of years, House Stark has ruled as Kings in the North with the loyalty of all other Northern houses. However, unlike other Northern houses, House Bolton has challenged House Stark for power in the North many times, until they finally pledged their fealty to House Stark 1,000 years ago. However, 300 years later, House Bolton again revolted against House Stark, until the Starks captured The Dreadfort and left House Bolton with no choice but to once again swear their loyalty to House Stark.

Many centuries later, Lord of the Dreadfort, Roose Bolton, has once again risen up against House Stark. Thought to be a loyal bannerman and trusted advisor to Robb Stark, Roose Bolton turned out to be a traitor who played a major role in the demise of House Stark, finally establishing House Bolton as wardens of the North.

SIGNIFICANT BOLTON CHARACTERS

Lord Roose Bolton once fought loyally by the side of Ned Stark during Robert’s Rebellion. However, after realizing that Robb could not win the War of the Five Kings, he sided with the Lannisters in secrecy and planned for the downfall of House Stark. During the Red Wedding, he was the one to slay King Robb.

Ramsay Snow is the bastard son of Lord Roose Bolton and captor of Theon Greyjoy. Ramsay resents his baseborn status and has murdered those who have referred to him as a bastard.