Top 10 Game of Thrones Houses
The House Always Wins! Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 “Game of Thrones” houses.
For this list, we're looking at any of the noble houses featured in the “Game of Thrones” TV show or George R.R. Martin's associated book series. No matter how small or obscure, each family of Westeros was considered. We will also be mentioning plot points from the show's story so far, so if you've been living in a cave like the three-eyed raven for the past few years, this is your SPOILER ALERT.
Special thanks to our users Jake Fraser, jwiking62, Daenerys Targaryen and Henk van Woudenberg for suggesting this idea, check out the voting page at: http://www.WatchMojo.comsuggest/Top+10+Game+of+Thrones+Houses
#10: House Bolton
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With a flayed man displayed proudly as their sigil, the Boltons are one of the most savage families in the Seven Kingdoms. Originating in the Age of Heroes, House Bolton ruled a large portion of the North for centuries, defending their stronghold, Dreadfort, and skinning their enemies alive. Eventually, they bent a knee to the Starks and remained loyal to them, until the Red Wedding where patriarch Roose Bolton delivered the final blow to Robb, cementing the Boltons as the Wardens of the North. In one swift move, the Boltons defeated their Northern rivals, intimidated the surrounding Houses into pledging their allegiance, and proved their House motto true: “Our Blades Are Sharp.”
#9: House Tully
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Serving as prominent allies for King Aegon’s conquest, House Tully was rewarded with rule over the Riverlands in the West of the continent. The Tullys remained Targaryen loyalists until the uprising against the Mad King Aerys in which they aligned themselves with House Baratheon and the Starks. Living up to their words: “Family, Duty, Honor,” House Tully fought vigorously for Robb Stark during the War of the Five Kings, before they were betrayed by one of their sworn vassals, House Frey. Their sigil of a silver trout may seem meek, but the Tullys are a bold family with a history of military prowess. In the words of the Blackfish: “As long as I’m standing, the war is not over.”
#8: House Greyjoy
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These are some real salt of the Earth people– literally, since their leader sits on a salt throne. House Greyjoy has ruled over the Iron Islands off the West Coast of the continent for centuries. Worshipping the Drowned God and displaying a golden kraken on their banners, Greyjoys are unmatched when it comes to shipbuilding or really anything having to do with the sea. Like the rebellious teenager of the Seven Kingdoms, they’re often raiding villages along the coastlines and declaring their independence from the mainland, adhering to their words- “We Do Not Sow.” Although much of Westeros thinks this house is dead and gone, the Greyjoys know all too well that what is dead may never die.
#7: House Mormont
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A small, but mighty house in the North, the Mormonts rule over Bear Island and are fiercely loyal supporters of House Stark. Although a relatively poor family with only wooden structures, they’ve taken up their Black Bear banners many times to successfully defend their home whether from Targaryens, Lannisters, or Boltons, justifying their slogan, “Here We Stand.” Many great men have come from this bloodline to reach high honors such as Lord Commander, but unlike others, this House also trains its women for battle. The bold and brave Lady Lyanna Mormont now leads this House, and there’s not a warrior in Westeros who wouldn’t answer her call.
#6: House Martell
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The Martells control the southern land of Dorne, which operates almost independently from Westeros. Their land is home to extreme heat and ferocious warriors as conveyed in the house symbol, a gold spear piercing a red sun. Embodying the saying “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken,” House Martell has never truly been vanquished by outside forces. They were the only family to successfully fend off Aegon the Conqueror and his dragons, living free from the throne for centuries. After being on the losing side of Robert’s Rebellion, the Martells receded into isolation, fostering a grave distaste for Lannisters. Although the Martell name has almost disappeared, their legacy remains as possibly the most liberal house in the realm, even practicing gender-blind succession.
#5: House Baratheon
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Known for their boisterous nature and imposing men, Baratheons rightfully live by the expression, “Ours is the Fury.” This principal house in the stormlands united the North against Targaryen rule in a bloody civil war led ferociously by Robert Baratheon. Although the new, royal House Baratheon of King’s Landing was soon formed when Robert married into an alliance with lioness Cersei Lannister, that house – which sported the sigil of a crowned black stag – was merely a corrupted evolution of the original name. After Robert’s Rebellion, Stannis created his own faction entitled House Baratheon of Dragonstone, and later called himself the True King of Westeros before he was ultimately defeated and killed at Winterfell.
#4: House Tyrell
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Rulers of the Reach and once Wardens of the South, House Tyrell maintains one of the largest armies in Westeros, as well as a massive amount of coin. Known for immense chivalry and military superiority, their house banner of a golden yet thorny rose perfectly encapsulates their dual nature. Acting as Targaryen loyalists during Robert’s Rebellion, they were able to put aside their long-standing rivalry with House Martell to fight several key battles that helped shape the future of the Seven Kingdoms. Even after Robert won the war and was declared King, the Tyrell banner continued to blossom as the house made strong ties between themselves and the Baratheons through Lorace Tyrell and Robert’s brother Renley. “Growing Strong” is the most appropriate slogan for a family that has managed to control so many affairs in the capital while never ruling as King.
#3: House Lannister
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House Lannister remains the principal family of the Westerlands under the banners of a golden lion and the words “Hear Me Roar.” However, as the richest family in the Seven Kingdoms, they also live up to their unofficial slogan “A Lannister always pays his debts.” The Lannisters have always had a strong presence in the realm serving as the Hand of the King, crushing the revolts of their vassal houses and delivering the final blow to Aerys Targaryen by initiating the sack of King’s Landing, in which Jaime Lannister earned the nickname “Kingslayer.” Whether you love them or love to hate them, the Lannisters are perhaps the best at playing the game ofthrones.
#2: House Targaryen
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After Aegon the Conqueror and his two sisters united the Seven Kingdoms, the Targaryens ruled over Westeros for almost 300 hundred years. Despite the infamous reputation of The Mad King Aerys and his plan to burn King’s Landing to the ground, this family is known to produce some strong leaders, a trend that one tenacious descendant plans to restore. Unlike her father, Daenerys Targaryen acts as an idealist and vows to restore the Targaryen legacy with the help of her three fearsome dragons. With the three-headed dragon sigil, it’s no surprise the Targaryens have always had an affinity for these mythical winged beasts and are often seen riding them into battle, hence the badass family motto – “Fire and Blood.” Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: - House Frey - House Umber - House Karstark
#1: House Stark
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Tirelessly strong-willed and noble almost to a fault, House Stark is one of the oldest familial lines in Westeros and has inspired the loyalty of the surrounding houses in the North for centuries. Often referred to as “Kings in the North,” the Starks also maintain a close allegiance with the Night’s Watch. Uniting under the motto “Winter is Coming,” the Starks’ motto acts as a warning to the kingdom, rather than a self-aggrandizing catchphrase. And that speaks to the family’s character on the whole: flying banners of the direwolf the Starks display not only vicious combat skills, but also a quiet and modest wisdom uncommon in the Seven Kingdoms.
