So you’re keen to watch Game of Thrones but you can’t figure out who ranks where in the realm of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros? Well, here is your chance to untangle the web of the Great Houses, even if the web of lies, deceit and betrayal is still beyond your grasp.
But first, a short history lesson.
Millennia ago, the Targaryens arrived in Westeros and conquered the Seven Kingdoms, which were each ruled independently by a powerful royal family. Some families were destroyed and replaced while others submitted to the rule of Aegon Targaryen who established his Iron Throne in the city of King’s Landing. Only House Martell of Dorne was able to resist Aegon’s dragons, but was later incorporated into the Seven Kingdoms through a peaceful marriage alliance some two centuries later.
Approximately 17 years before the Game of Thrones story begins, the mad King Aerys Targaryen, along with most of his family, was killed in a rebellion led by Robert Baratheon. Only Daenerys Targaryen and her brother, Viserys, are thought to have survived and living in exile in Essos.
House Baratheon
Motto: Ours Is The Fury
Historically, the Baratheons have ruled the Stormlands from their Stronghold at Storm’s End. However, since becoming the royal house they have also taken possession of Dragonstone, the old Targaryen island fortress, while the King rules from King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms.
House Arryn
Motto: As High As Honour
House Arryn has ruled over the Vale of Arryn for millennia as Lords Paramount of the Vale and Wardens of the East. Their ancestral seat is the Eyrie, a stronghold built high in the side of a cliff face and thought to be completely impenetrable.
House Frey
Motto: N/A
House Frey was a minor house of no notability until they bridged the Green Fork of the Trident River six centuries ago. Having built strongholds on either side of the bridge, known as the Twins, the Freys exact a heavy toll for crossing the river. This income has quickly elevated them from obscurity to being one of the most powerful noble houses in the Riverlands.
House Greyjoy
Motto: We Do Not Sow
House Greyjoy rules over a bleak and unwelcoming chain of islands off the west coast of Westeros known as the Iron Islands. The castle at Pyke, on the island of the same name, is their seat of power and the head of the house is the Lord Reaper of Pyke.
Lord Balon Greyjoy led a rebellion against King Robert Baratheon eight years before our story begins. Two of his sons, Rodrik and Maron, were killed in the rebellion while his other son, Theon, was made a ward of Eddard Stark to ensure Balon’s submission. Only his daughter, Yara, and two of his brothers remained on the islands.
House Lannister
Motto: Hear Me Roar
House Lannister of Casterly Rock is one of the richest and most power families and oldest dynasties in Westeros. Tywin is the head of House Lannister and Lord of Casterly Rock. Cersei, Tywin’s daughter is wife to Robert Baratheon and Queen of Westeros while her brother, Jaime, serves in the Kingsguard.
Their unofficial motto, “A Lannister always pays his debts”, is as well known as the official one and is used mostly as a threat to their enemies.
House Tyrell
Motto: Growing Strong
House Tyrell rules over a vast, fertile and heavily populated region of southwestern Westeros from their castle seat, Highgarden. While the house is currently led by Mace Tyrell, his mother, Olenna, still wields considerable power.
House Martell
Motto: Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken
House Martell rules the peninsular of Dorne on the southern point of Westeros from their castle Sunspear. Though loyal to the Iron Throne, Dorne has isolated itself more and more since Robert’s Rebellion.
The rulers of Dorne are styled as Prince or Princess rather than King, Queen or Lord.