The Quest for Kingship in the North: Before Robb Stark

The title of King in the North is a significant position within the political landscape of Westeros. Before Robb Stark assumed this title, the North had a different trajectory. From Eddard Stark's claim to the title to the historical decision made by Torrhen Stark, the North's relationship with kingship has been complex.

Eddard Stark: Warden of the North

Before Robb Stark was declared King in the North, the title was held by his father, Eddard Ned Stark. As the Warden of the North and the head of House Stark, Ned Stark was a prominent figure and was highly respected by his bannermen. However, he did not formally take the title of King, although he was the de facto ruler of the North during his tenure.

Torrhen Stark: The King Who Knelt

Following Eddard Stark, the title of King in the North came to an end for several centuries, until the Targaryen conquest of Westeros. Before Robb Stark, the last King in the North was Torrhen Stark, known as the King Who Knelt. Torrhen was a wise and strategic leader during his time, recognizing the inevitability of Aegon the Conqueror's victory over the North.

Aegon I Targaryen, with his three dragons, defeated the army of House Lannister and House Gardener. Torrhen made the choice to surrender and kneel before Aegon, ensuring that the North remained a vassal region under House Targaryen. After the Targaryen conquest, the North did not have a king for nearly 300 years, instead, the Starks served as the most powerful lords of the region.

The North's Long Period Without Kingship

Between Torrhen Stark and Robb Stark, there was no King in the North for almost 300 years. The North was ruled by lords, with the Starks being the paramount lords, equivalent to kings in many ways. Torrhen's decision to bend the knee was a strategic move aimed at preserving the North's autonomy and ensuring a favorable relationship with the Targaryens.

After the Targaryen conquest, Torrhen Stark continued to support House Targaryen, and later, when the Baratheons took power, he stood alongside them. The Starks maintained their influence and power in the North, with Winterfell serving as their seat of power. While the title of King in the North did not exist, the Starks had the authority and recognition of the people of the North, much like the liege lords of the Seven Kingdoms.

The Lineage of the North's Leadership

Before Robb Stark could claim the title of King in the North, his predecessors held the position of Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. Torrhen Stark was the last King in the North, a title he relinquished in the face of Aegon Targaryen's overwhelming forces. Torrhen's decision to kneel had long-lasting consequences, as it established the Starks as the most powerful lords in the North.

From Torrhen Stark to Robb Stark, the leadership of the North changed significantly. The Starks maintained their influence and power through strategic alliances and military prowess. Their ability to stand beside the Targaryens and later the Baratheons demonstrated their importance in the broader political landscape of Westeros.

The history of the North and its kingship is a testament to the complex political dynamics of Westeros. The transition from kings to lords and back to kings highlights the evolving nature of power and leadership in this fictional world.