House Arryn

As High As Honor

House Arryn once laid claim to the Vale, on the eastern side of Westeros. It was formerly headed by Jon Arryn, who was mysteriously murdered acting as the King Robert Baratheon's Hand of the king. Jon passed his reign to his son, Robert Arryn, and the Lady Lysa Arryn, a descendant of House Tully. The seat resides in the Eyrie, an impregnable castle that sits atop a 600-foot mountain called the Giant's Lance. Heavily guarded, it can only be reached by way of mule.

House Baratheon

Ours is the Fury

House Baratheon rules over the Stormlands and calls its seat at Storm's End, which has never been successfully besieged. It is said that Storm's End is protected by magic spells within its walls, which protect it from harm. Its former head, Robert Baratheon led a rebellion against the former ruling House Targaryen, and became King of the Seven Kingdoms. However, after a violent incident with a boar, Robert was killed, leaving his heir Joffrey Baratheon to reign. Robert's youngest brother, Stannis, now claims right to the iron throne, entertaining a rumor that King Joffrey may not be Robert's legitimate born son.

House Baelish

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The fastest climber of houses is headed by Petyr Baelish, also known to some as "Littlefinger." Though the family claims the iron head as its sygil, Lord Baelish has taken on the mockingbird. Underestimated because of his low-birth, Petyr has always plotted to rise above his family's poor name. Formerly claiming Harrenhall as its seat, the house now looks to climb new heights.

House Bolton

Our Blades are Sharp

House Bolton rules over the Dreadfort and once claimed House Stark as its liege lord. The house is known for flaying the skin of its enemies, though the practice was long forbidden by the ruling House Stark. The house has come into power over the north after allying with House Lannister and betraying the Starks. The ruling lord is Roose Bolton.

House Clegane

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House Clegane is a house of knights sworn to House Lannister. One of its members is Gregor Clegane, the Mountain, known for being ruthless and unstoppable in the field. The other is Sandor Clegane, the Dog, who once served King Joffrey Baratheon in the King's Guard. After the Battle of the Blackwater, Sandor disappeared from King's Landing, and was never seen by House Lannister again.

House Dondarrion

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House Dondarrion is a small, old house that controls Blackhaven, which controls passage to Dorne. They were originally sworn to Storm's End. However, during the War of the Five Kings, its lord, Beric Dondarrion dissolved allegiance to any house or king. Leading a band of men called the Brotherhood Without Banners, Lord Beric, also known as the "Lightning Lord," attempts to save the people of the Riverlands from the war's destruction.

House Frey

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The House Frey is a noble house of the Riverlands and claims the Twins as its seat. Often overlooked for its unseemly likeness to Lord Walder Frey, the family's power stems from its control of the bridge over the Trident. After being rebuked by the marriage of Rob Stark to Jayne Westerling, the Freys murder Robb and Catelyn Stark and Lord Edmure Tully, leaving Riverrun without an heir.

House Greyjoy

We Do Not Sow

House Greyjoy is the ruling house of the Iron Islands and claims the island of Pyke as its home. Formerly headed by Balon Greyjoy, its remaining heirs are Theon Greyjoy, whose whereabouts are unknown to Westeros, and Asha Greyjoy. The iron born are a pirate class of men, known for "paying the iron price" for their achievements. They exclusively worship the Drowned God.

House Karstark

The Sun of Winter

House Karstark is seated at the Karhold in the north. The Karstarks are known for being fierce and strong men, but also somewhat strong-willed. The Karstarks are cousins of the Starks, and were so named for their castle and the founder who built it, Karlon Stark. Lord Rickard Karstark is executed by the King in the North Robb Stark for the murder of Lannister prisoners. Wounded by this latest offense, House Karstark has joined with House Bolton to topple the Stark's reign of the North.

House Lannister

Hear Me Roar

One of the wealthiest houses in all of Westeros lays claim to the eastern reaches of the kingdom and its seat at Casterly Rock. Ruling head Tywin Lannister serves as Warden of the East and Hand of the king to his grandson, King Joffrey Baratheon. House Lannister ruled as Kings of the Rock until House Targaryen invaded Westeros. The family's wealth comes from the mines of gold on their lands, resulting in their unofficial motto, "A Lannister always pays his debts."

House Martell

Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken

House Martell rules over the kingdom of Dorne and calls its home at Sunspear. Unlike the other Westerosi houses, House Martell uses equal primogeniture to determine heirs, meaning the oldest inherits regardless of gender. They refer to rulers as princesses and princes rather than ladies or lords. The Princess Elia of House Martell was wed to Rhaegar Targaryen, and killed during Robert's rebellion at the hands of Gregor Clegane, the Mountain. Her brothers, Prince Doran and Oberyn have vowed to avenge her death ever since.

House Mormont

Here We Stand

House Mormont lays claim to Bear Island in the North and is sworn to House Stark. The women of Bear Island are known for being strong, fierce, and loyal. Located on the Bay of Ice northwest of Winderfell, the family holds few valuable resources, other than possessing a rare weapon of Valyrian steel named "Longclaw." The house was once headed by Lord Jeor Mormont, the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Murdered at the hands of his own men, the "Old Bear" left behind an exiled son, Sir Jorah Mormont, who fights alongside Daenerys Targaryen in the Free Cities.

House Payne

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Sworn to House Lannister, the Paynes have been one of their most loyal bannermen. Sir Ilyn Payne serves as the King Joffrey Baratheon's executioner in King's Landing, and is known for being a silent, brooding, and very dark man. Ilyn's tongue was cut out by the Mad King, after questioning his true rule over the Seven Kingdoms. Of unknown relation to Sir Ilyn, is Podrick Payne, the squire of Tyrion Lannister.

House Reed

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House Reed resides in Greywater Watch, the swamplands of the north. They are known as "crannogmen." Small in size, but skilled in hunting, the Reeds have been loyal bannermen to House Stark. Lord Howland Reed fought alongside Eddard Stark at the Battle of the Trident during Robert's rebellion. His children, Meera and Jojen Reed, have been escorting and protecting the fugitive Brandon Stark, since Winterfell was destroyed by the ironmen.

House Seaworth

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House Seaworth began when Stannis Baratheon knighted a common smuggler named Davos Seaworth, also known as the "onion knight." His nickname hails from his brave delivery of onions and other food items to Storm's End. His delivery of provisions saved Stannis and his men from the attempted besiege of the Tyrells, fighting for the Mad King during Robert's rebellion. Sir Davos is Hand to Stannis Baratheon.

House Stark

Winter is Coming

House Stark currently calls the North its home. One of the purest descendents of the First Men, House Stark continues to worship the old gods and protect the realm from the perils of the North. Their castle, Winterfell, was built over a natural hot spring to protect from long winters. It was formerly headed by Eddard Stark, who was executed by the King Joffrey Baratheon, after serving as King Robert's second Hand of the king. The last remaining known heir to Westeros is Eddard's oldest daughter Sansa Stark, who has now been wedded to Tyrion of House Lannister.

House Targaryen

Fire and Blood

House Targaryen ruled the Seven Kingdoms for almost 300 years. Originally from Valyria, the Targaryens resided in Dragonstone after a mysterious event wiped Valyria from the map. Their seat is still officially in King's Landing, however, even after the "mad king" Aerys II lost the throne to Robert Baratheon. The mad king's oldest son, Rhaegar Targaryen had taken Lyanna Stark, Robert's betrothed, which led to a rebellion that overthrew the kingdom. House Targaryen is known for once holding the power of dragons, which have not been seen by Westeros for hundreds of years. Its last remaining heir is Daenarys Targaryen, the Unburnt, Mother of Dragons, khaleesi to Drogo's riders, and rightful queen of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.

House Tully

Family, Duty, Honor

House Tully was once the ruling family of the Riverlands and resided in the castle Riverrun. The last remaining male heir is Brynden Tully, the Blackfish, brother of Lord Hoster Tully, whose whereabouts are unknown. After a series of miscalculations, Lord Hoster's children Catelyn Stark and Edmure Tully were murdered at the hands Walder Frey, Lord of the Twins.

House Tyrell

Growing Strong

House Tyrell rules the reach, and its seat lies in Highgarden. It is ruled by Mace Tyrell, who is said to lack the political wits needed to be more than just the figurehead he is. The house's success is owed to his mother, Olenna Tyrell, and his children, Willas, Garlan, Loras, and Margaery.

House Westerling

Honor, not Honors

House Westerling is an old, noble house that gained status from its family ties and marriages with both the Targaryens and the Lannisters. The Westerlings are sworn to House Lannister and claim the western Crag as its territory. However, Jeyne Westerling, the lord's eldest daughter, falls in love with and marries Robb Stark. In the televsion show version, she is known as "Lady Tilasa" and hails from Volantis.