House Karstark

House Karstark is a vassal house which holds fealty to House Stark of Winterfell. Their lands are north-east of Winterfell, located in heavy forested lands overlooking the Shivering Sea. Their stronghold is a castle called Karhold.

The Karstark sigil is a white sunburst on black. Their words are "The Sun of Winter."

Members

 * Lord Rickard Karstark, the head of the family.
 * His children: Harrion, Torrhen, Eddard and Alys.
 * His uncle, Arnolf, castellan of Karhold.

In the books
In the Song of Ice and Fire novels House Karstark is a loyal vassal of the Starks. They are distantly related, since the house was founded by Karlon Stark, a younger son of House Stark who put down a rebellion by House Bolton nearly a thousand years ago. Karlon was rewarded with his own lands and permission to build his own castle, which was named Karlon's Hold. Over the centuries Karlon's Hold became Karhold and the Karhold Starks became the Karstarks.

The Karstarks are reliable and fierce warriors. Their military power is formidable, as they are able to field some 300 cavalary and 2,000 infantry. They fought alongside the Starks during Robert's Rebellion.