Winterfell

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Winterfell (临冬城)
Type	Fortified castle and northern seat of power
Affiliation	House Stark; The North
Occupation/Role	Seat of House Stark, administrative center of The North, and major military stronghold
Status	Standing and active
Location	On the northern plain at the edge of the Wolfswood
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background & History

Winterfell is regarded as the heart of The North. Its three-acre Godswood is said to predate the castle by more than ten thousand years; according to tradition, Brandon the Builder raised Winterfell around that ancient wood with the aid of giants. 13

At the beginning of the story, Winterfell prepares to receive King Robert Baratheon while hosting Garon Glover, who comes to seek Sansa Stark's hand in marriage. Ned Stark approves the betrothal, binding House Glover more closely to the Starks. 1 2 When Ned departs south, he orders Catelyn Stark to remain in Winterfell to govern The North in his absence, stressing that a member of House Stark must hold the castle. 28

After Ned's imprisonment, Robb summons the northern bannermen to Winterfell. House Glover's arrival with 2,500 men notably strengthens Robb's authority among the assembled lords. 82 83

Ironborn Siege

Winterfell becomes the central target of Euron Greyjoy's northern campaign after Torrhen's Square, Cerwyn, and Moat Cailin fall. Its defenders are badly outnumbered and lack the reserves needed to properly man the walls. 93 100 101

Euron attacks Hunter's Gate, breaches its outer gate with a battering ram, and later infiltrates the inner wall during a night raid. Ser Rodrik Cassel holds the defense until Garon's cavalry arrives from the Wolfswood, routing the Ironborn before Euron can seize the Stark children. 102 103 104

Following the relief, Garon takes command of the defenses, stations his men across all four gates, repairs the damaged sections of the walls, and organizes treatment for the wounded. 106 Before his death from wounds sustained in the siege, Ser Rodrik entrusts Winterfell and the Starks to Garon's protection. 108

Northern Command Center

Sansa Stark later appoints Garon supreme commander of the northern forces from Winterfell, securing the support of most gathered northern lords. 114 116 Garon prevents Ramsay Snow from using Bolton troops to enter the castle, ordering them to camp in Winter Town instead. 113

Winterfell remains the base from which northern forces are gathered, intelligence is received, and campaigns against the Ironborn are directed. Garon leaves Jon Snow in charge of its defense with 300 men before departing for the Iron Islands. 117 149

After Bran leaves north with the Reeds and Hodor, Sansa, Jon, and Maester Luwin remain responsible for the castle. 152 They later prepare Winterfell for Ramsay's attack by monitoring the approaches from the Dreadfort, assembling Deepwood Motte reinforcements in the Wolfswood, and coordinating with Cerwyn and Torrhen's Square. 213

Later Role

Following the southern campaign, Winterfell receives Garon's returning army and the remains of Eddard Stark, who is laid to rest in the crypts. House Manderly also delivers 15,000 wagonloads of grain, filling Winterfell's stores ahead of winter. 239

Garon and Sansa marry in the Godswood, joining House Glover and House Stark. The marriage is arranged to secure the Stark line, with their future children intended to inherit Stark blood and name. 240

Winterfell subsequently serves as the political center for northern lords preparing to confront the Wildlings and White Walkers. 239 241

Layout & Defenses

• Winterfell is protected by two massive granite walls with a moat between them. The outer wall stands about 25 meters high, while the inner wall rises to roughly 30 meters. 101
• The castle has four gates:
  • Main Gate — protected by two large gatehouse keeps and a drawbridge.
  • Hunter's Gate — a comparatively weakly defended side gate and the focus of Euron's siege.
  • North Gate
  • South Gate 101 102
• A passage within the inner wall links the north and south gates, allowing defenders to reinforce positions across much of the castle without leaving the fortifications. 101
• Under ordinary conditions, adequate provisions and eight to nine hundred defenders are considered sufficient to hold Winterfell against a much larger besieging army. 101
• During the Ironborn attack, the outer gate of Hunter's Gate is destroyed, but the inner portcullis remains intact long enough to delay a full breach. 102
• The castle's drawbridges are raised during emergencies, including the Ironborn siege and Ramsay Bolton's later attack. 100 213

Notable Locations

Godswood

Winterfell's walled Godswood is described as the castle's heart. It contains an ancient weirwood and is reached from the Great Hall by crossing the training yard, passing the guest chambers, and entering through an iron gate. 13

The Godswood is the site of Garon and Sansa's wedding ceremony, officiated by Maester Luwin. 240

Great Hall

The Great Hall serves as Winterfell's principal political and ceremonial space. It hosts councils of northern lords, receives refugees and envoys, and becomes a center for command decisions during the Ironborn invasion. 100 116 239

Training Yard

The training yard is used for martial instruction and gatherings. Bran practices archery there under Jon Snow's guidance, while Garon later helps him correct his shooting technique. 3

Crypts

Winterfell's crypts hold the remains of House Stark. Eddard Stark is returned there for burial after Garon's army comes back from the Riverlands. 239

Winter Town

The settlement outside Winterfell supports the castle and becomes a military staging area during the war. Northern refugees and civilians gather there, while Ramsay's troops are kept outside its walls after Garon denies them entry into Winterfell. 109 113 239

Major Sieges and Defenses

Event	Chapter	Outcome
Ironborn siege under Euron Greyjoy	100–106	Hunter's Gate is breached and the castle is infiltrated during a night raid, but Garon's cavalry arrives in time to drive Euron away.
Post-siege restoration	106–109	Garon assumes command, redistributes defenders, repairs Hunter's Gate, and reinforces the four gates.
Bolton threat under Ramsay Snow	113–116	Ramsay is denied access to the castle and forced to camp in Winter Town.
Battle against Ramsay's army	213	Jon Snow, Sansa, Maester Luwin, Robett Glover's forces, and Cerwyn cavalry coordinate Winterfell's defense.

Governance

• Eddard Stark — Lord of Winterfell before departing for King's Landing; leaves Catelyn in charge of the castle and The North. 28
• Catelyn Stark — Governs Winterfell after Ned's departure and later arranges the Garon–Sansa marriage to protect the Stark succession. 28 240
• Robb Stark — Uses Winterfell to summon the northern bannermen after Ned's arrest. 82 83
• Sansa Stark — Acts as Winterfell's ruling lady during the Ironborn invasion and later exercises authority as Duchess of Winterfell. 100 116 201
• Garon Glover — Commands Winterfell's defense after the Ironborn siege, becomes supreme commander of northern forces, and later rules alongside Sansa through marriage. 106 116 240
• Jon Snow — Entrusted with Winterfell's defense during Garon's absence and leads preparations against Ramsay Bolton. 149 213