Winter town

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The North and the location of the winter town
The North and the location of the winter town
Winter town
The North and the location of the winter town

The winter town is a town located outside of Winterfell, the seat of House Stark in the North. During autumn and winter it is one of the largest northern settlements, along with White Harbor and Barrowton.[1]


Winter town beneath the walls of Winterfell by Ted Nasmith ©

The winter town has rows of small and neat houses built of log and undressed stone. Located at Winterfell's main gatehouse, the market square has wooden stalls for produce and goods[2] and a well at its center.[3] The local alehouse is the Smoking Log.[2] The kingsroad lies past the sprawl of castle and town,[4] while the wolfswood is two miles away.[2] Hunting parties from Winterfell can avoid the winter town by taking the Hunter's Gate instead of the main gate.[5]

Its streets are muddy during summer, when four fifths of the homes are left empty. During wintertime, however, the winter town becomes filled with northmen from throughout the region,[2] such as clansmen from the northern mountains.[6] Some townfolk claim that Winterfell is warmed by a dragon which sleeps below the castle.[7]

Winter Town, when it is full, has a population of around 15,000.[8]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Robb Stark, Bran Stark, and Theon Greyjoy ride through the winter town with the direwolves Grey Wind and Summer on their way to the wolfswood.[2]

After receiving a frosty greeting from Robb in Winterfell, Tyrion Lannister decides to stay in an inn in the town, rather than in Winterfell.[9]

The winter town becomes full when Robb calls the northern banners in response to the Iron Throne's imprisonment of Lord Eddard Stark. The townspeople cheer Robb when he leads the soldiers south along the kingsroad.[10]

A Clash of Kings

Some smallfolk from the town attend the harvest feast in Winterfell.[11]

The area is eventually occupied by Theon's ironborn during the War of the Five Kings.[12] Theon unsuccessfully parleys with Ser Rodrik Cassel in the market square after Rodrik gathers an army of Stark loyalists to retake Winterfell. The square is defended by Rodrik's men, including spearmen, archers atop the houses, and knights from White Harbor.

Later that day, Rodrik's men are betrayed by the Dreadfort garrison brought by Ramsay Snow. The Stark men are unable to form up between the houses, which Boltons put to the torch.[13] Following the scattering of Rodrik's men in this battle at Winterfell, Theon admits the Boltons into Winterfell, which they quickly sack.[3]

A Dance with Dragons

The remnants of the winter town are buried by the blizzard striking the North.[13]

References and Notes

  1. The World of Ice & Fire, The North.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 37, Bran V.
  3. 3.0 3.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 66, Theon VI.
  4. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 13, Tyrion II.
  5. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 50, Theon IV.
  6. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 49, Jon X.
  7. The World of Ice & Fire, Winterfell.
  8. Luwin states that Robb's initial army (which he claims numbers 12,000 men), when quartered in the settlement, were numerous enough that "the winter town is full to bursting." (AGOT Bran VI) Given that four fifths of Winter Town's housing would be available for the army with the last fifth being occupied by the civilians who normally live there (AGOT Bran V), that would mean the town can house 15,000 people at maximum capacity.
  9. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 24, Bran IV.
  11. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 21, Bran III.
  12. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 46, Bran VI.
  13. 13.0 13.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 41, The Turncloak.