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"As long as the Boltons rule, the North is divided."

- Ser Davos Seaworth to Lady Lyanna Mormont

The Conflict in the North was a short-lived conflict that took place in the North during the rule of House Bolton. After escaping Winterfell with the help of Theon Greyjoy, Lady Sansa Stark, accompanied by Brienne of Tarth and her squire Podrick Payne, fled to Castle Black where she reunited with her half-brother Jon Snow, the bastard son of Eddard Stark, the former Warden of the North. With the help of Ser Davos Seaworth, former Hand of the King to the late King Stannis I, and Free Folk leader Tormund Giantsbane, Sansa and Jon plot to recapture Winterfell from the Boltons and restore Stark rule to the North.

Escaping Winterfell
Arranged by Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish, the Lord Protector of the Vale, and Roose Bolton, the Warden of the North, Lady Sansa Stark, the daughter of the former northern Warden Eddard Stark, was to be married to Roose's bastard son, Ramsay. Littlefinger intended for Sansa to return to her home, Winterfell, and Roose hoped that Ramsay's marriage to Sansa would strengthen their hold on the North, which is known for fiercely being loyal to House Stark, whom House Bolton overthrew with the backing of House Lannister. However, by doing this, the the Boltons were also defying the Iron Throne as Sansa was believed to have played a role in the murder of the late King Joffrey I. Therefore, the Boltons could not necessarily count on the support of the Iron Throne nor House Lannister should conflict arise. Regardless, House Bolton remained in control of the North. During a visit in King's Landing, however, Petyr Baelish offered to the Queen Mother Cersei Lannister to take back Winterfell in the name of the Iron Throne with the knights of the Vale if King Tommen I names him the Warden of the North.

Initially happy to have returned to her home, Sansa understandably found herself uncomfortable around those who betrayed and murdered her family. She also soon discovered the true psychotic nature of Ramsay, noting how Theon Greyjoy, who had become Ramsay's psychologically destroyed hostage called "Reek," was a shell of his former self. In front of Reek's own eyes, after their marriage, Ramsay forced himself onto Sansa. He also flayed those who expressed any signs of friendship or loyalty to Sansa, and would show her the results. Witnessed by Reek, Sansa was confronted by Ramsay's lover Myranda, who threatened to torture her; unable to watch this, Reek once again "became" Theon and killed Myranda. Theon then helped Sansa escape, jumping off the walls of Winterfell following the Battle of Winterfell.

Sansa and Theon were pursued by Bolton soldiers and Ramsay's hounds. They were eventually found after crossing a river, but were saved by Brienne of Tarth and her squire Podrick Payne. On the path to Castle Black, where Sansa intended to reunite with her brother Jon Snow, who had become the 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Theon parted ways, intending to return to the Iron Islands to reunite with his father and sister.

Reunited Starks
Sansa eventually reunited with her bastard brother Jon Snow, who, after facing a mutiny, had recently been resurrected by the red priestess Melisandre. After executing the men in charge of the mutiny and Olly, Jon sought to leave the Night's Watch and go south, on the basis that his death had freed him from his vows. However, as he was packing, Sansa arrived in the courtyard alongside Brienne and Podrick. They soon embraced, having not seen actual family in years. That night, Jon promised to protect Sansa and to go wherever she goes, who then tells him there is only one place they can go: home.

A New Lord Bolton
Meanwhile, at the Bolton-controlled Winterfell, hostilities were growing between father and son. Ramsay was faced with the possibility of being disowned in the event that Roose's wife, Walda Bolton, were to have a son. His nightmare came true as Maester Wolkan announced to Roose, Ramsay, and the Lord of Karhold Harald Karstark, who pledged his allegiance to the Boltons, that Fat Walda had given birth to a boy. Fearful, Ramsay congratulated his father and embraced him. Ramsay then stabbed his father, killing him instantly. Visibly disturbed by what he had just done, Ramsay instructed Wolkan to send a raven to all the Northern houses that Roose Bolton was poisoned by his enemies. He also told Wolkan to bring him Walda and the baby. Wolkan reluctantly obeyed, addressing Ramsay as his lord after being corrected by Lord Karstark, who showed no signs of shock nor disturbance by what had just occurred. Ramsay soon after met with his step-mother, who allowed him to hold his baby brother. Walda told Ramsay that she was sent for Lord Bolton, who assumed it was meant for Ramsay's father. Ramsay then brought her and the child into his kennels, opening the gates to his hounds. Ramsay informed her that he was Lord Bolton. Despite her pleads for her and her baby's lives, Ramsay had his hounds devour them to death, securing his post as the new Lord of Winterfell and the Dreadfort, Lord Paramount of the North, and Warden of the North.

A Threatening Letter & Securing Allegiances
During a small feast at Castle Black which included Sansa, Jon, Brienne, Podrick, Free Folk chieftain Tormund Giantsbane, and acting Lord Commander Eddison Tollett, a Bolton soldier arrived with a letter addressed to "the treacherous bastard Jon Snow." In it, Ramsay revealed he held his and Sansa's little brother Rickon Stark hostage. He threatened to massacre Jon's "wildling lovers," flay Rickon and repeatedly force himself onto Sansa, allowing his men to as well, all the while forcing Jon to watch before gouging out his eyes. Realizing they were left with no choice, Jon reluctantly agreed to join Sansa in taking back Winterfell.

Earlier, with the Karstarks already loyal to the Boltons, Ramsay sought out to secure the loyalty of the Umbers and the Manderlys, whose combined forces would leave them with the largest army in the North and completely unrivaled. Jon "Smalljon" Umber, the new Lord of Last Hearth, met with Ramsay at Winterfell, where he mocked Ramsay for failing to convince him that his father was truly poisoned by his enemies. Smalljon remarked how he would have killed his father had he not died on his own. He then informs Ramsay and Harald Karstark that Jon Snow has let a large amount of wildlings cross the Wall, the basis of Ramsay's letter that he later writes to Jon. Smalljon reminds them that whenever wildlings successfully cross, it is the Umbers who have to deal with them, being the farthest north. Ramsay agrees to help him defeat the wildlings if he bends the knee; however, Smalljon refuses to bend the knee and swear an oath, and instead shows his loyalty by giving Ramsay a gift: Rickon Stark, who is believed to be the current head of House Stark, and his companion, Osha, who is later killed by Ramsay. Though the Umbers and Karstarks join Ramsay, he does not receive a response from the Manderlys.

With the Stark army completely annihilated at the Red Wedding, Sansa and Jon must rely on the other Northern houses to form an army. Sansa points out that "the North remembers" and is fiercely loyal to the Starks, though Ser Davos Seaworth, who is advising the two, remains skeptical. Sansa brings up how her great uncle, Brynden Tully "the Blackfish", has retaken Riverrun, the ancestral seat of House Tully. She does not mention, however, that she learned this piece of information from Petyr Baelish, whom she met with secretly at Mole's Town. While she, Jon, and Davos travel around the North to try and recruit the Northern houses, Sansa sends Brienne of Tarth and Podrick to Riverrun to negotiate with the Blackfish.

When the duo arrives, they find that Riverrun is already under siege by the armies of House Frey and House Lannister, commanded by Ser Jaime Lannister. Jaime allows Brienne to negotiate with the Blackfish, though he warns that the Blackfish is "arrogant" and will not be easily swayed. Though the Blackfish is emotional when reading Sansa's letter to him, noting that she sounds just like her mother, he refuses to surrender the castle and help his great niece, stating that he could not help her even if he wanted to. The castle is later successfully captured by Lannister and Frey forces, and the Tully army is placed under their custody. With the help of the Blackfish, both Brienne and Podrick are able to escape before the castle falls to the Lannisters and the Freys.

In the North, Jon and Tormund first convince the Free Folk to fight with the Starks in taking back the North. Though reluctant, Dim Dalba is convinced when Wun Weg Wun Dar Wun, the last giant, agrees to fight for "Snow," and the Free Folk rally behind Jon. Jon, Sansa, and Davos then travel to Bear Island, ruled by House Mormont, where they meet the young Lady Lyanna Mormont, the head of her house. Lady Mormont is initially resistant towards helping them, pointing out how Sansa was previously a Lannister and than a Bolton. Sansa reassures her that she will always be a Stark, and that she simply did what she had to do to survive. Despite this, Lady Mormont does not want to contribute to another person's war again. However, she is convinced by Davos, who explains to her the impending invasion of the White Walkers, who have risen again. Davos says that the North needs to be united when they have to face the White Walkers before anyone south does, and that as long as the Boltons rule, the North will remain divided. Lady Mormont agrees to remain loyal to the Starks, and donates 62 fighting men to their cause. Afterwards, the three travel to Deepwood Motte to meet with Lord Robett Glover. He received them out of respect for Jon and Sansa's father, but quickly declined to join their army. Lord Glover pointed out how it was the Boltons who helped liberate his castle and subjects when the Iron Islands invaded the North, while King Robb Stark was off "breaking vows with his foreign whore." Sansa reminded Lord Glover that House Glover is sworn to defend House Stark when called upon to. Disturbed and seemingly angered, Lord Glover says how his family and people wept when they heard of her father's death, and that his own brother hailed hers the King in the North. With sadness in his voice, however, he asserts that House Stark is dead.

Later at camp, Sansa points out how to Jon and Davos how they only have 200 Hornwoods, 143 Mazins, and 62 Mormonts. She wants to continue recruiting more houses, but Jon argues that they have to fight now, noting how the weather could turn against them. Unable to stop her brother, who commands the army, Sansa secretly writes a letter to Petyr Baelish, asking for the knights of the Vale placed under his command by Lord Robin Arryn, the young head of House Arryn.

The Battle of Bastards
A day before the battle, Jon Snow, Sansa Stark, Davos Seaworth, Lyanna Mormont, and Tormund parley with Ramsay Bolton, Harald Karstark, and Smalljon Umber. Ramsay offers mercy if Jon surrenders. He further promises to pardon Jon for "deserting the Night's Watch" and pardon the "treacherous lords," though Jon knows that he will not. Jon instead offers to save the lives of both of their armies and duel Ramsay in one-on-one combat. Ramsay, however, refuses, and begins to taunt him and the others. Sansa tells Ramsay that he will die tomorrow and rides off. Ramsay then mocks Jon, telling him that he cannot wait to have Sansa back in his bed. He then tells Jon that the battle will commence tomorrow and rides off.

The next day, the Bolton army meets with the loyal Stark army on the outskirts of Winterfell. The smaller Stark army stands near a treeline to provide protection and prevent from being attacked from behind, while the much larger Bolton army stands across the battlefield. In front of them are multiple burning flayed corpses to provoke fear and demoralize the Stark army. They are also used by Bolton archers to notice wind movements and determine distances. Ramsay rides to the front of his army with Rickon. Ramsay then "plays a game" with the young Lord Stark: run as fast as he can to his brother. Rickon begins walking, looking back - Ramsay urges him to run faster. As he is handed a bow and arrow by a Bolton soldier, Rickon begins running; Jon, meanwhile, climbs onto his horse and rushes into the field to grab Rickon. Just before they meet, however, one of Ramsay's arrows penetrate Rickon, killing him instantly.

Ramsay then has his archers begin firing at Jon, forcing Jon to move closer to his army. Jon's horse is hit and killed; as Jon falls, Ramsay has his cavalry, led by Harald Karstark, charge at Jon, who pulls out Longclaw preparing to defend himself. Just as he is about to be struck, the Bolton forces are met by Stark cavalry, who Davos ordered to follow their commander into battle to save him. Stark infantry rushes from behind, fighting alongside Jon. The Stark archers begin to ready their weapons, but Davos orders them to stand down as they would be hitting their own men; Ramsay, however, has his archers fire anyway. Realizing they cannot stay behind and do nothing, Davos has the archers follow him into the battlefield. With the help of the Free Folk led by Tormund and the giant Wun Wun, the tide seems to be turning in favor of the Starks. However, massive piles of bodies form around the battlefield, which are struck by Bolton archers to keep them in place. When the piles reach an incredible height, Ramsay has Smalljon Umber charge into the battle, leading with him a pike phalanx. The phalanx surrounds the Stark army, which is trapped from behind from the piles of bodies that have risen up. As the phalanx tightens, the wildlings begin to fall back, but are met by Bolton soldiers led by Smalljon Umber. Jon himself is trampled, though is able to climb the fearful men, gasping at air. As the phalanx tightens, the Stark soldiers and wildlings find themselves unable to move. Tormund, meanwhile, engages in a vicious duel with Smalljon.

Just as all hope seems lost for the Stark forces, the knights of the Vale ride in, commanded by Lord Petyr Baelish and Lady Sansa Stark. Smalljon is distracted by the war horn, allowing the beaten Tormund to tear out his throat and stab him multiple times in his face, eventually killing him. Ramsay and his generals are shocked as the Arryn soldiers break the phalanx, freeing the surviving wildlings and Stark soldiers. They retreat to Winterfell, chased by Jon, Tormund, Wun Wun, and the rest of the Stark army and the wildlings as the knights of the Vale finish off the remaining Bolton forces.

At Winterfell, Ramsay believes that they are safe as the Starks are ill-equipped for a siege; Winterfell is renowned for being able to withstand sieges, and is said that 500 men could hold it against 10,000. However, Wun Wun is able to break through the gates despite being hit by multiple arrows from the Bolton archers garrisoned there. The Stark forces and wildlings flood the courtyard, killing off the remaining Bolton forces and surrounding Ramsay. Wun Wun collapses to his knees from the arrows, and just as Jon reaches out to him, he is shot through the eye by Ramsay, killing him. Ramsay taunts Jon, saying that he would gladly take him up on his offer earlier to engage in single man-to-man combat. Jon throws down his sword and picks up a Mormont shield, protecting him from the arrows that Ramsay fires. As Jon reaches Ramsay, he throws him to the ground with the shield and proceeds to savagely beat him. However, when he sees Sansa, he stops, allowing for Ramsay to be thrown into a cell. The Bolton banners are dropped down as the Stark banners are risen, solidifying their rule over Winterfell once more. Later, Sansa oversees Ramsay's execution, who is mauled to death by his hounds. As a result of his death, House Bolton is therefore extinct, ending the ancient feud between the two Northern houses.

Aftermath
With the Boltons defeated, House Stark rules the North from Winterfell again. Sansa Stark, who is believed to be the last living Stark, is named the Lady of Winterfell. At a meeting between the northern lords at Winterfell, Jon Snow is named the King in the North by his bannermen, including Lyanna Mormont, Wyman Manderly, Robett Glover, and Cley Cerwyn.

House Bolton
Lord Ramsay Bolton ruled the North from Winterfell, serving as the Lord of Winterfell, Lord Paramount of the North, and Warden of the North with the backing of the Iron Throne. Previously, these ranks and titles were awarded to Ramsay's father, Lord Roose Bolton, whom was awarded with these for his actions during the Red Wedding in which he personally murdered King Robb Stark and oversaw the annihilation of the rebelling Northern army. However, Ramsay murdered his father, as well as his step-mother Walda Bolton and his recently-born younger brother, usurping the positions for himself.

Previously, House Bolton served as vassals to House Stark. Roose Bolton often fought alongside and advised King Robb during the War of the Five Kings. It was thanks to Roose's bastard son, Ramsay Snow, that the Ironborn were driven out of Winterfell and the North during the Ironborn invasion of the North. This allowed the Stark army under King Robb to continue marching towards Casterly Rock, the ancestral seat of House Lannister. For the Boltons' help in driving out the Ironborn, many of the Northern houses pledged fealty to House Bolton when they were elevated to the rulers of the North by the Iron Throne.

House Stark
Lady Sansa Stark served as the head of House Stark, along with her bastard half-brother Jon Snow. Previously, House Stark ruled as Lords of Winterfell, Lords Paramount of the North, and Wardens of the North from their ancestral seat of Winterfell, and, before the Targaryen conquest in which the Seven Kingdoms were unified, they ruled as the Kings in the North. After suffering nearly two decades of abuses from the Iron Throne, including the monstrous deaths of Lord Rickard Stark and his son Brandon Stark at the hands of King Aerys II, and the unjust death of Lord Eddard Stark at the hands of King Joffrey I, the Starks rebelled against the Iron Throne and declared the North a free and independent kingdom once more. Crowned by his bannermen, Eddard Stark's eldest son, Robb Stark, was chosen to be the King in the North. Though the Northern armies were victorious in their battles, the North and the Starks found themselves ultimately losing the War of the Five Kings. Finally, the Northern rebellion and dream of independence was put down at the Red Wedding, in which House Bolton and House Frey, backed in secrecy by House Lannister, slaughtered most of the Northern army and murdered Robb, his wife Queen Talisa Stark and their unborn son, and his mother Catelyn Stark. For their role in this, the Iron Throne rewarded the houses by elevating them to the Lords Paramount of their regions, respectively.

Sansa Stark was to be wed to Tyrion Lannister after her formerly betrothed, King Joffrey I, was instead wed to Margaery Tyrell. However, she escaped King's Landing, and was instead wed to Ramsay Bolton, as arranged by Roose Bolton and Petyr Baelish, the latter whom helped Sansa escape the capital. Miraculously, however, Sansa was able to escape Winterfell with the help of Theon Greyjoy, and was taken to Castle Black, alongside Brienne of Tarth and Podrick Payne, where she reunited with the recently-resurrected Jon Snow. Together, they sought to take back Winterfell from Ramsay and place House Stark as the rulers of the North again, regardless of it being a defiant act towards the Iron Throne.