The Aftermath of the Red Wedding in Westeros: Houses Bolton, Karstark, Manderly, Umber, and Others

Introduction

The redemption for the Boltons came swiftly and brutally with the Red Wedding. In their victory over the Starks, House Bolton secured a place as the powerful Warden of the North, but the loss extended far beyond just the Starks. Here, we explore the fates of other northern houses - House Karstark, House Manderly, House Umber, House Mormont, House Ryswell, House Glover, House Tallhart, and House Reed - in the aftermath of one of the most shocking and treacherous events in the history of Westeros.

House Bolton: The Victors and Vengeful

After the Red Wedding, House Bolton, under the leadership of Lord Roose Bolton, emerged as the conquerors of the North. As rewards, they obtained the Lordship of Winterfell, the position of Lord Paramount, and the Wardenship of the North. The fate of these newfound powers saw the House Bolton dealing with both internal and external threats.

The legitimization of Ramsay Bolton: The offspring of Lord Roose’s bastard child, Ramsay, was granted legitimacy by King Tommen I Baratheon, preparing the way for Ramsay to marry “Arya Stark,” actually Jeyne Poole. This act not only solidified the Bolton foothold in the region but also fueled further conflicts as the Starks and their loyalists sought revenge. Stannis at the Wall: The arrival of Stannis Baratheon at the Wall poses a significant external threat to the Boltons, as Stannis may seek to reclaim the North and dismantle Bolton’s new reign. Plotting against the Boltons: Stark loyalists, including the Karstarks, Ryswells, Glovers, Tallharts, and others, continue to plot against the Boltons, driven by the desire for vengeance and the hope to re-establish the Starks' authority in the North.

House Karstark: Leaderless and Divided

With the execution of Lord Rickard Karstark and the imprisonment of his eldest son, Harrion, House Karstark remains leaderless in their homeland. The Karstarks could bolster their position in their own right by forging an alliance with Stannis, but Rickard's uncle, Arnolf Karstark, has different plans. Arnolf, a castellan of Karhold, intends to forcibly marry his niece, Alys, to his son Cregan, a move that would ensure Karhold reverts to his line upon Harrion’s expected death. However, this plot may be thwarted if Alys manages to escape from Karhold.

House Manderly: Aligning with Ambitions

House Manderly, the wealthiest and most influential house in the North, staunchly aligns with the Boltons to maintain their wealth and influence. However, there are hidden ambitions here. Lord Wyman Manderly, along with his son Wylis, hosts a significant desire to reclaim his ancestral seat, Last Hearth, which has been held captive by House Frey. When Lord Davos Seaworth arrives at White Harbor to negotiate with King Stannis on behalf of the Ironborn, he is promptly arrested and exchanged for Wylis' safe return. But this event is just a fa?ade; Lord Wyman intends to use this event to further his ambitions and weaken his rivals in the process.

House Umber: A Divided Loyalist

Lord Greatjon Umber, after his capture at the Red Wedding, leaves his two uncles as castellans of Last Hearth. When Mors 'Crowfood' Umber pledges the castle to Stannis in the south, Greatjon Umber refuses to join the Boltons and instead leads a rebel army for Stannis. His stance creates a rift between the two Umber brothers and leads to a standoff. Meanwhile, Hother 'Whoresbane' Umber leaves with an army to support the Bolton's cause. Both brothers are reluctant to fight each other, showcasing the internal divisions within House Umber.

House Mormont: True Loyalty to the Starks

House Mormont remains staunchly loyal to the Starks, as they have done sincegetColor#0000ff time immemorial. Despite the death of House Stark, Lady Maege Mormont is sent by King Robb Stark on a quest to Greywater Watch. Lady Alysane Mormont, her heir, forges an alliance with Stannis to oppose the Boltons and the Ironborn. Meanwhile, Ser Jorah Mormont wanders across Essos, having been abandoned by his Queen. Amidst other men who seek her, he continues to stay true to his ancestral duties.

House Ryswell: Unwavering Support for the Boltons

House Ryswell stands as one of the most staunch allies of the Bolton cause. Barbrey Ryswell, by marriage to Dustin, rules Barrowton and harbors a deep-seated hatred for the Starks, spurred by her unrequited love for Eddard’s brother, Brandon Stark. Lord Rodrik Ryswell and his contentious sons also join Roose Bolton's forces, aiding in securing the defeat of the Ironborn at the Fever River.

House Glover and House Tallhart: Ruined and Ruined

Both Houses Glover and Tallhart have been largely destroyed, with their castles taken over by the Ironborn. Robett Glover remains captive to the Lannisters, and his brother, Ser Galbart, ventures off to Greywater Watch. Similarly, the Tallharts, with only their children remaining, face an uncertain future.

House Reed: A Mysterious Nonentity

The fate of House Reed is shrouded in mystery. Lord Howland Reed’s sons, Jojen and Meera Reed, leave Beyond the Wall with Prince Bran Tully to seek the Three-Eyed Raven. Crannogmen troops have been successfully defending Moat Cailin against the Ironborn, their poisoned arrows causing infections and weakening the Ironborn forces. The lord himself, however, has not been seen, suggesting he may know the truth of Jon Snow's parentage.

As the Seven Kingdoms continue to unravel, these northern houses remain central to the ongoing power struggles.

Conclusion

The fall of the Starks and the subsequent rise of House Bolton have dramatically altered the power dynamics of the North. However, the story of the houses mentioned above is far from over, and their fates continue to intertwine with the ongoing saga. The journey to reclaim and rebuild their power is fraught with danger and complexities, making the fate of the North uncertain in the wake of the Red Wedding.