Over a century after House Targaryen conquered nearly all of Westeros, the North fell under
the leadership of Lord Cregan Stark, whose long life saw him nicknamed the Old Man of
the North.
And whose influence would greatly impact the future of not only his realm but the entire
continent.
In the earlier years of his rule, Cregan Married Lady Arra Norrey, who gave birth to one child,
Rickon stark, before passing away.
An accomplished warrior, the Lord of Winterfell once fought Prince Aemon the Dragonknight
Targaryen, who later claimed he never faced a finer swordsmen.
And so when war came to the continent, in 129 AC, Cregan Stark ensured the North’s
presence was felt.
After the death of King Viserys I, his chosen heir Rhaenyra Targaryen, was usurped by her
younger brother Aegon II, under the influence of his mother, Lady Alicent Hightower, wife
of the deceased king.
War then erupted, with the realms of Westeros fracturing and both the Green and Black Factions
doing all they could to persuade the Lords of the continent to join their cause.
Representing Queen Rhaenyra, her first born son Prince Jacaerys, at the age of 15, rode
his dragon Vermax to the Vale, recruiting House Arryn and their forces for the blacks.
He then travelled north, meeting with House Manderly and the Starks and secured their
allegiance through the Pact of Ice and Fire, promising a Targaryen bride for House Stark.
With Winter approaching, Lord Cregan rallied his forces, taking advantage of the need for
soldiers to gather a massive army, bringing childless, homeless and unwed men to war.
As well as young sons hoping to spare their families from supporting them during the harsh
years of Winter.
However because of the size of the North, and difficulty in raising and training men
from all over the territory, it would take 2 years for their forces to unite.
And so while the larger host was being gathered, a smaller army, known as the Winter Wolves
was assembled at Barrowton.
Consisting of 2000 northern warriors under the command of Lord Roderick Dustin.
Also known as Roddy the Ruin.
The rugged and powerful warriors of the Winter Wolves, rode shaggy horses, armed with axes,
spiked maces, mauls and ancient iron swords.
They proved devastating in battle, charging 5 times into Lannister spearmen at the Battle
of the Lakeshore.
And while 2/3rds of Northern forces were killed or injured in the fighting, they emerged victorious.
The death toll of over 2000 men made it the bloodiest land battle of the war, and became
known as the Fishfeed.
The Winter wolves also participated in the Butcher’s Ball, where a combined army of
the Northmen and Riverland warriors ambushed Ser Criston Cole, one of the leaders of the
Green faction, nicknamed Kingmaker for his efforts to place Aegon on the Throne.
Lord Roderick Dustin sounded the charge for the vanguard, which saw the Northmen charging
alongside Riverland Knights.
Although Ser Criston Cole, challenged the enemy leadership to single combat, they declined,
killing Ser Criston with a volley of arrows and crushing his forces.
The Winter Wolves who survived these intense battles, then made a final push at the First
battle of Tumbleton.
Although outnumbered 10 to 1, they charged from a postern gate carving their way through
enemy forces.
The sacrifice of the Northmen, allowed for their commander Ser Roderick Dustin to engage
the enemy commander Lord Ormund Hightower and his cousin Ser Bryndon Hightower, slaying
them both before succumbing to his own injuries.
And while this might have clinched victory for the Blacks, they soon suffered a betrayal
by the Dragon Riders Ulf the White and Hard Hugh Hammer, two low born men believed to
have trace amounts of Valyrian blood, now risen in status by their ability to bond with
a dragon.
And while the battle was lost because of their treachery, the efforts of the Winter Wolves
and their skills as warriors made them famous throughout the continent.
Another group hailing from the North, and marching south on behalf of their Northern
Lord Cregan Stark, were the Knights of White Harbor, led by the brothers Ser Medrick and
Ser Torrhen Manderly.
Yet where the Winter Wolves were sent directly into battle, the Manderly forces went to Queen
Rhaenyra serving her in the capital.
During the decline of her rule in King’s Landing, the Manderly Northmen were deployed
to restore peace during a riot, pacifying the areas between Aegon’s Hill and the Iron
gate.
After losing the city, the Manderly Brothers asked the Queen to come with them to White
harbor where she might be protected, but she instead chose to travel to Dragonstone, leaving
the Manderly’s behind.
This proved to an devastating error however, as she was betrayed by her people on the Island,
then captured killed by the enemy.
After two years of preparation, the main host of Northmen under Cregan Stark were ready
to march, and travelled south eager for combat.
However, the situation in the continent had changed drastically since the signing of the
pact of ice and fire, and Cregan Stark’s plans were soon dashed as a result.
During the years of fighting, Queen Rhaenyra had taken King’s Landing, only to lose it
after a few months.
She then met her end on Dragonstone, but her forces refused to surrender, continuing to
fight on after her death.
On the other side, King Aegon II suffered massive injuries, nearly dying, only to recover
and retake King’s Landing.
Nevertheless his allies and advisors were scattered, with many killed in battle.
The realm meanwhile was still torn apart and fighting continued, meaning Aegon’s actual
power did not extend much further than the capital.
Fearing the massive northern army approaching, Aegon’s remaining advisers urged him to
sue for peace, but he stubbornly refused.
And so before Cregan Stark could arrive in King’s Landing, Aegon was poisoned to death
by his own people, and Rhaenyra’s first born son, known to history as King Aegon III
was placed on the throne.
With an apparent victory for the Blacks ending the immediate conflict, everyone hoped it
was enough to spare the south from the wrath of the Northmen.
And while it did in fact end the war, Cregan Stark was furious that his men were denied
battle.
In retribution, he took charge of the capital, ruling with iron fist for 6 days in what came
to be known as the Hour of the Wolf.
During this time, he arrested 22 individuals, accusing them of poisoning Aegon II.
Although most chose to join the Night’s Watch at the Wall, green supporters Ser Gyles
Belgrave of the Kingsguard and Larys the Clubfoot Strong chose death.
Lord corlys Velaron was originally arrested, but was then pardoned by the King.
Cregan Stark agreed to allow the pardon after a negotiation in which he was betrothed and
married to Lady Alys Blackwood, who went on to give birth to four children.
On the last day Cregan Stark took the title Hand of the king, and oversaw the executions
and sentences of the guilty, then resigning his position and returning to the North.
For his part in consolidating the reign of Aegon III, Lord Stark received many favors
and rewards during the King’s reign, although a princess of House Targaryen was never actually
delivered to Winterfell.
Ultimately leaving the Pact of Ice and Fire unfulfilled.
In addition, many of the Northmen who left home to help the north prepare for Winter,
chose to remain behind and make new lives in the south.
As for Lord Cregan Stark, he went on to marry Lady Lynara Stark after the death of his second
wife Alys, having 4 more children, including Brandon Stark who continued the family line
as the future Lord of Winterfell.