The North has always had a complicated relationship with King’s Landing. In Game of Thrones, some Northern rulers chose to bow to the Iron Throne and remain loyal to the realm, while others fought for independence and rejected southern rule entirely.
The Starks of the North valued honor, duty, and loyalty, but not all of them shared the same view on peace and unity. This list ranks every major King in the North from least to most loyal to King’s Landing, while also including key Wardens of the North who played major roles in shaping the conflict between the North and the crown.
7. Robb Stark Openly Rebelled Against the Iron Throne
Robb was extremely devastated after the death of his father, Eddard Stark, and swore vengeance against the Lannisters for their role in his murder. While the Young Wolf and his bannermen discussed their next move, he was reminded that the North was independent before Aegon’s Conquest. His men finally acknowledged him as King in the North.
He openly rebelled against the Iron Throne during the War of the Five Kings, no longer believing the crown could be trusted or respected. Robb’s decision permanently broke the North’s loyalty to the Iron Throne and subsequently reignited the North’s desire for independence.
In many ways, his rebellion felt inevitable, because once Ned was executed, there was no realistic path for Robb to remain loyal to a crown that had already betrayed his family.
6. Sansa Stark Chose Northern Independence
Years of betrayal and political manipulation convinced Sansa that the North would only be truly safe if it governed itself independently, and that’s why, when she became Queen in the North, she sought independence for her home. Unlike Ned, who believed in serving the realm, Sansa prioritized Northern freedom above loyalty to the Iron Throne.
Even after her brother, Bran, became the new ruler of Westeros, Sansa still demanded full independence instead of remaining part of the realm. Her decision made it clear that protecting the North’s identity and freedom mattered more to her than maintaining loyalty to King’s Landing.
5. Jon Snow Was Torn Between The North and The Realm
Raised as a Stark in the North, Jon valued honor and duty, which initially aligned him with his people’s independence, but his role as a leader in the fight against the White Walkers pushed him to think beyond and focus on the survival of Westeros. This is why he ultimately bent the knee to Daenerys Targaryen, believing unity was necessary to face the greater threat.
Jon was never fully loyal or disloyal to King’s Landing. He consistently chose what he believed was best for the realm as a whole and for the safety of everyone, even when some of his decisions were controversial.
4. Roose Bolton Was Only Loyal to King’s Landing For Political Gain
Roose became the new Warden of the North after killing Robb, later moving to consolidate power and rebuild Winterfell as his seat of control. This happened after he aligned himself with the Lannisters, not out of loyalty, but for security.
Roose consistently shifted sides depending on which rulers gave him the most power, protection, or advantage in the moment, making his loyalty to the crown purely opportunistic.
In the end, he’s a leader who used King’s Landing as a tool for political survival rather than a throne he genuinely served. His loyalty was only a performance, with every alliance lasting only as long as it benefited his hold on power.
3. Cregan Stark Aided the Targaryens But Still A Proud Northerner
Cregan Stark is a character introduced in House of the Dragon, and he stands out as an important Northern figure who showed strong loyalty to King’s Landing. He is often considered one of the more loyal Northern rulers because he supported the Targaryen claim in the aftermath of the Dance of the Dragons.
His loyalty, however, was not blind submission since he acted on his own terms and remained firmly rooted in his Northern values. As soon as he finished his duties in the South, he quickly returned to Winterfell, proving that his true priority was always the North.
Cregan truly represents a Stark who respected the crown when necessary but never allowed it to define or control Northern identity.
2. Eddard Stark Gave His Life and Honor For the Realm
No one in Game of Thrones showed extreme loyalty to King’s Landing more than Ned. He served as Hand of the King under Robert Baratheon, even though he disliked southern politics. As Warden of the North, he also did not seriously consider Northern independence.
His commitment to seeking justice after discovering the royal family’s secrets ultimately led to his arrest and execution, and it’s unfortunate that his Northern values were not able to save him. This goes to show that being genuinely loyal to something can come at a high cost, especially when that loyalty is not matched by the people or system you are trying to serve.
1. Torrhen Stark Bent the Knee and Surrendered the North
Torrhen Stark / Credits: The Complete Guide to Westeros via HBO
Torrhen Stark is remembered in Westerosi history as the king who bent the knee to Aegon the Conqueror. He pledged loyalty to House Targaryen to protect his people and prevent destruction in the North. He understood that once Aegon arrived with his dragons, resisting would be futile and would likely result in a losing war.
Although Torrhen showed loyalty to the crown, his decision was ultimately pragmatic, prioritizing survival and stability over pride or independence. He surrendered the North out of a sense of responsibility, ensuring his people would continue to live in peace.
Even Robb and Sansa argued that Torrhen saved thousands of lives and that his critics forget they are alive today because he chose to kneel.
King/Queen/Warden of the NorthLoyalty to King’s LandingRobb StarkLeast loyal; openly rebelled against the Iron ThroneSansa StarkLeast loyal; chose Northern independenceJon SnowNeutral; torn between the North and the realmRoose BoltonPurely opportunistic; only loyal to King’s Landing for political gainCregan StarkVery loyal; aided the Targaryens but still a proud NorthernerEddard StarkMost loyal; gave his life and honor for the realmTorrhen StarkMost loyal; bent the knee and surrendered the North to Aegon the Conqueror
Here is a quick FAQ guide:
Who is the first King in the North?
According to legend, the first King in the North was Bran the Builder, who lived eight thousand years ago.
Why did the Starks stop being Kings in the North?
The North stopped having a King in the North after Torrhen Stark surrendered to Aegon I Targaryen during Aegon’s Conquest, making the North part of the Seven Kingdoms under the Iron Throne.
Who is the current ruler in the North in Game of Thrones?
Sansa Stark is crowned Queen in the North after declaring it an independent kingdom.
Which King in the North is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
Game of Thrones is currently available to watch on HBO Max.
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