Roose Bolton

Roose Bolton is a character in Game of Thrones. He is played by Michael McElhatton and debuts in the second season. Roose Bolton is the Lord of the Dreadfort and the head of House Bolton. He is fighting for Robb Stark in the War of the Five Kings.

Background
He is the head of House Bolton, a vassal family to House Stark of Winterfell. He is the Lord of the Dreadfort. Although the character did not appear in the first season the House Bolton banners were visible among Robb Stark's forces.

Season 2
Lord Bolton argues with King Robb Stark after a battle with Lannister forces that they should kill the Lannister prisoners and wounded, because it will be more difficult to feed them as well as keep the Northern army on the move. Robb denies his request, stating that this would be dishonorable and he will follow the laws of war.

In the books
Roose Bolton becomes a prominent character in later books. He's noted for his practice of having regular leechings, which he believes improves his health and has earned him the nickname of "the Leech Lord."

He was also the commander of the Northern forces at the Battle of the Green Fork, which differed from the TV series' portrayal of the conflict. Roose Bolton met Tywin's host of 20,000 with a larger diversionary force of 16,000, retreating in good order after their surprise attack had failed and they had bought enough time for Robb Stark's success at the Battle of the Whispering Wood. Northern casualties were relatively light, though several of their lords were either killed or captured.