The many warring houses in Game Of Thrones ensured that the civil war for the Iron Throne was a conflict wherein the winner wasn’t a foregone conclusion. From the Lannisters to the Starks to the Targaryens, every great family in Westeros had, at one point or another, a viable path to taking the seat of power in Westeros and ruling over the Seven Kingdoms. However, some Game of Thrones houses are more powerful than others, and when stacked against one-another it becomes clear that some were never destined to rule.
While House Targaryen ruled over Westeros for centuries, even from the time before the prequel House of the Dragon, their downfall after King Robert Baratheon’s rebellion led to a power vacuum. The death of King Robert in Game of Thrones season 1 suddenly made the individual strength of each house in Game of Thrones more important than ever. Rather than vying for the favor of Kings Landing, the noble houses suddenly found themselves competing for the Iron Throne itself.
13
12
House Stark
Sigil: A Gray Dire Wolf Head Against A Green And White Backdrop
House Stark has always been a prominent house in Westeros, both before and during the events of Game of Thrones. This is thanks in part to their seat of power, Winterfell, being among the northernmost settlements in the Seven Kingdoms prior to the Wall. By the end of Game of Thrones House Stark was easily the most powerful house in Westeros, with King Bran the Broken seated on the Iron Throne and Sansa Stark being crowned the Queen in the North.
The Starks have always known their place is up north and away from the politics and viciousness of King’s Landing. They found themselves drawn into the War for the Seven Kingdoms somewhat reluctantly, though quickly proved themselves to be a formidable force. “Winter is coming” is the Stark’s family motto. They could have used it for self-promotion or self-aggrandizement, but they use it to remind the other houses that there is much more going on in Westeros than there seems.
While the Starks make noble leaders in the north and have the support of their bannermen, they didn’t hold the support needed for a claim on the throne until Daenarys attacked Kings Landing during the finale of Game of Thrones, after which Bran became the clear best choice for a benevolent ruler for the beleaguered commonfolk of Westeros.
11
House Lannister
Sigil: A Golden Lion On A Crimson Background
House Lannister is a family nearly entirely devoted to the pursuit of power when audiences and readers were first introduced to the world of Westeros and, as House of the Dragons shows, they have always been a house that’s been close to the Iron Throne. They held Kings Landing throughout most of Game of Thrones, and their fierceness was embodied by Cersei Lannister, the final member of the family to sit on the seat of power of the Seven Kingdoms before the ascension of King Bran Stark.
The Lannisters may have many fooled into believing their family motto is “A Lannister Always Pays His Debts” but this is actually just in service to their actual motto: “Hear Me Roar”. Their home, Casterly Rock, is one of the most impressively fortified castles throughout Westeros. Following the death of Cersei, Tyrion Lannister became the head of House Lannister and, unlike some houses, it’s likely they will remain a powerful presence even with a Stark on the throne.
10
House Martell
Sigil: A Red Sun Pierced By A Golden Spear Against An Orange Background
Residing in Dorne, House Martell has always been considered one of the most powerful families in Westeros, but they are also the most culturally unique. Their appearances in Game of Thrones somewhat undersell them as a house, though the fact that the Lannisters saw Dorne as a safe place to send their children during the period following Robert’s death (at least until it seemed Dorne contained a threat) speaks volumes. The Martell family motto “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken” fits aptly for this household as they are, despite appearances on the show, a formidable house.
House Martell, much like house Tyrell, isn’t a stranger to wealth. They are also very skilled warriors and they are by far the most progressive house in the series, having no problem allowing women into positions of power and accepting bastards without shame. The Martells, unlike many of the other houses in the series, have gained most of their power through marriage rather than war. The Dornish people were the last to join the Seven Kingdoms, but they certainly don’t let them hold them back in the power games the houses play.
9
House Arryn
Sigil: A While Falcon And Crescent Moon Against A Dark Blue Background
House Arryn is another house with historic greatness that preceeds Game of Thrones by several centuries, including during the period of House of the Dragon. They have ruled over the Vale of Arryn for thousands of years, and continued to play a vital role in the politics of the Seven Kingdoms by the time Game of Thrones began.
The seat of power for House Arryn is hidden away in the impenetrable fortress called the Eyrie. When the Baratheons and Starks needed the Vale to stand up the Mad King, Jon Arryn and the men of the Vale stood tall and fought against the tyranny of a corrupt and maniacal ruler. Their leadership was somewhat lacking after the death of Jon Arryn, however, making it easy for Littlefinger to manipulate his way to taking power in the Vale. After the death of Littlefinger, Robin Arryn takes his rightful place as the head of the feared Knights of the Vale, and they continue to play an important role in King Bran Stark’s court.
8
House Greyjoy
Sigil: A Golden Kraken On A Black Background
.JPG?q=49&fit=crop&w=500&dpr=2)
One of the most unique houses in Game of Thrones is House Greyjoy, or as they refer to themselves, the Iron-Born. They reside on the Iron Islands far away from the Westeros mainland, and live by their own traditions and customs which, at times, resemble a group like the Dothraki more than a house like the Lannisters. They’s just as formidable as the kin of Khal Drogo too, at least on the water, as the Greyjoys have one of the largest and most impressive naval fleets in all of Westeros.
They are truly a sight to behold while locked in battle on the open sea, but when they become landlocked it’s a much different story. House Greyjoy is used to fighting, using to paying the “iron price” for what they have. The Greyjoy family motto “We do not sow” reveals everything audiences and readers need to know about their military and fighting capabilities. They refuse to play by a lot of the rules the other houses play by and sustain themselves mostly by pillaging and taking what they need from whomever they can take it from.
7
House Baratheon
Sigil: A Crowned Black Stag On A Gold Field
House Baratheon is all but extinct by the time Game of Thrones concluded, but throughout most of the series and for centuries before, they were one of the most prominent houses in Westeros. King Robert’s rebellion alone is proof of this, as the other houses wouldn’t have followed anything less than one of the most powerful families in a war against the might of the long-ruling Targaryens.
After Robert’s death, the Baratheon family splinters into just a shadow of its former self. Their house words are “Ours is the Fury”, a motto they definitely live by. The Baratheons are hot-headed and brash, always ready to start or end a fight, which is definitely a significant factor in what ends their house. The three Baratheon heirs all but destroy themselves and each other after Robert’s death, making it difficult to imagine what they could’ve been capable of as a united house. Only Gendry is left to carry on the legacy of the Baratheons but the power he wields is minimal.
6
5
House Mormont
Sigil: A Black Bear On A White Field Surrounded By Green
Lyanna says it best herself when she says “We are not a large house but we are a proud house”. House Mormont may not be the most powerful house by the time Game of Thrones begins, by they are a historic one with a proud legacy. Their home on Bear Island separates them from a lot of the conflict that takes place in King’s Landing, with the exception of any fight that involves a Stark.
The Mormonts know no king but the King in the North, and they will stop at nothing to protect the Stark family, entering any battle for them at the drop of a hat. House Mormont’s family motto “Here we stand”, combined with their house animal the bear, display how fierce and loyal the Mormonts can be despite the hardships they’ve faced.