House Bolton

House Bolton	House Bolton
 	
 	
Words 	Our Knives are Sharp
Sigil 	A red flayed man on a pink field
Traits 	Cold, near-colourless eyes
Seat 	The Dreadfort
Current Lord	Roose Bolton
Current Lady	None
Heir 	Ramsay Snow
Liege 	House Stark
Founding 	Age of Heroes
 	
House Bolton is an ancient house with a sinister reputation.  The house has feuded with House Stark for centuries for prominence in the North, and the two houses have only known real peace for the last seven hundred years after the Starks put down the last major Bolton rebellion.  The Boltons were well-known for flaying their enemies, a practice some say they continue, despite its illegality.
==History==
House Bolton has existed since the Age of Heroes, though none know the exact circumstances of its founding.  They have ever been rivals of the Starks for the title of Kings in the North, and throughout history the Boltons have taken the place of the Starks several times.  During these struggles the Boltons acquired their reputation for flaying, and it is said that some great Bolton lords flayed the skin of their Stark enemies and wore it as a cloak.  Ultimately, however, the Starks were victorious, and about one thousand years ago the Boltons swore fealty to the Starks as Kings in the North.  Though they rose one last time in rebellion about three hundred years later, the Boltons were put down once again.
Lord Roose Bolton's only son who survived the cradle, Domeric Bolton, died about two years ago of a terrible sickness of the belly.  His wife, Lady Bethany Ryswell, died quite recently, only weeks or months ago, and he has taken a bastard named Ramsay Snow into the Dreadfort as an heir.
==Holdings==
===Defense Holdings===
Castle: The Dreadfort.  A large and extremely solid castle, the Dreadfort is an intimidating sight, with high walls and triangular merlons like sharp teeth.  It has held out under siege for several years in the past.  Rumors say there are secret dungeons where flayed skins as kept as trophies and where flayings continue to take place.
===Land Holdings===
The Boltons control the Lonely Hills region east of Winterfell.  They and their bannermen control a large part of the North.
===Power Holdings===
The Boltons have a sizable army and several bannermen.  Next to the Starks they have the largest single force in the North.  Roose Bolton is a seasoned battle commander known for calm and discretion; he fought ably in the Rebellion.
===Wealth Holdings===
Maester Tybald: A red-haired maester who has served the Dreadfort for some years.
==Relations==
The Boltons have several bannermen, including House Minos.  They are known to be calm and patient as lords, and generally speaking their lands are quiet and peaceable.  Many Northern lords, especially those loyal to or sworn to the Starks, distrust or fear the Boltons, however.
==Family and Household==
[Bethany Ryswell]
 
 
 
 
Roose Bolton
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[Domeric Bolton]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ramsay Snow
*Steelshanks Walton, master-at-arms
*Maester Tybald, maester.
*Ben Bones, kennelmaster.
Category:House