Kingdom of Winter

The Kingdom of Winter is a realm located north of the Neck on the continent of Westeros, ruled by the King of Winter of House Stark from Winterfell.

The Kingdom of Winter is currently ruled by King Theodan Stark, the son of Alaric Stark.

## Origin

In late 53 AC, Lord Osric Stark called his banners and marched for the Wall to defend the North against an invading wildling hoard. He pleaded for the Iron Throne to send aid but none arrived. In Osric's stead, his young son, Alaric, ruled Winterfell with the assistance of his maester. Alaric did admirably.

However, Osric fell against the wildings and Alaric became the new Lord of Winterfell. Soon after Osric's body was returned, Alaric received a letter from the Prince-Regent of the Iron Throne expressing condolences and to postpone the funeral until his wife, the Princess Alysanne, could arrive. Alaric did no such thing.

When Alysanne arrived in the second moon of 55 AC, she was met by his uncle, Rodrik Stark. Silverwing was made to wait outside of the walls of Winterfell. When she was finally brought to the Great Hall, she was met not with bread and salt, but a young lord who sat in his throne with a greatsword upon his lap. No guest right was provided to the princess. The two met in his solar for a long time but nothing came of it. The next morning, she left for King's Landing. A moon later, Alaric received another letter, this time informing him that the crown was removing the lands north of Last Heart from his domain and providing them to the Night's Watch at Alysanne's recommendation. Rodrick and Alaric were both outraged with this news and tyranny, and the same day ravens were dispatched to each hold in the North, calling the men to Winterfell once more.

Maester Donnel's notes state he counseled strongly against angering the Targaryen dynasty, and recommended that he simply allow the land to be granted to the Night's Watch. Alaric and Rodrick both refused this advice, and letters were sent to each holding that House Stark had the capacity to send word to with the following letter.

*“The North has been forgotten.*
*It is by these words that I, Alaric Stark, declare the North independent from the Iron Throne. King Alaric I Stark rises where Lord Alaric Stark falls, remember lords of the southern lands: many of us have held these lands since before the Valyrian Freehold was a thought in your silver-hairedmonarch's minds. House Stark will defend its birthright with its lifeblood***.**
*Winter is Here.”*
King Alaric I Stark met no resistance to his assertion of independence. King Alaric had a new crown fashioned in the design of past Stark crowns, an open circlet made of hammered bronze incised with runes of the First Men, surmounted by nine black iron spikes in the shape of longswords. Donnel continued to advise against the path that Alaric followed, insisting that only death awaited him. Alaric accepted his counsel but did not take any action that Donnel advised. Alaric found himself listening to his uncle far more than any other advisor in his employ, while the old man was no longer a warrior he still had the mind of one. Alaric appointed Rodrick as his regent until his 16th nameday and even then retained the man as an advisor.

Alaric continued to rule from the years 58-60 with his uncle as his main advisor with Donnel continuing to provide guidance. However, when Rodrick passed in 60, Donnel found himself to finally be the sole advisor for the young king.

## Government

While the independent Kingdom of the North is one spanning back thousands of years, the Kingdom of Winter is unique in that the King relies heavily upon his Council of Winter. As the North is a great, expansive region, the King depends on his councilors and high lords to exercise his justice and see to the North's betterment whenever they can.

However, the King of Winter is still a King and has absolute say on all matters.

## Regions

While the North is not split up as the Iron Throne, it does have significant regions that are ruled by the various vassals of the King of Winter. They are:

* The Wolfswood
* The Barrowlands
* The Rills
* The Neck
* The Bite
* The Lonely Hills