The families of these rulers are called Great Houses. Each Great House has a sigil (symbol) and a motto. Minor Lords and their Houses pledge allegiance to these families and are their vassals and may be called upon to defend them when needed.
The King bestows the title of Warden to certain Heads of Great Houses. The Wardens command the armies of one of the regions of the Seven Kingdoms in the name of the Iron Throne for the defense of the entire realm.
The Traditional Great Houses
The ancestral stronghold of the Baratheons is Storm's End. When Robert Baratheon becomes king, Renly Baratheon becomes the Head of House Baratheon and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, including the Island of Tarth. The House motto is: "Ours is the fury".
House Baratheon's sigil is a stag on a gold background. When Robert ascended to the Throne a crown was added around the neck of the stag.
House Targaryen is a former Great House of the Seven Kingdoms and the previous royal family. Before taking the Iron Throne, they lived in Dragonstone. The House motto is "Fire and Blood".
House Targaryen's sigil is a red three-headed dragon.
House Stark's sigil is a grey direwolf on a white background.
The Head of House Arryn is Lord of the Eyrie, Lord Paramount of the Vale and Warden of the East. The Lord of the Eyrie rules over the Vale of Arryn and the Three Sisters (islands). The House motto is "As high as honour".
House Arryn's sigil is a white falcon and crescent moon.
The Head of House Lannister is Lord of Casterly Rock, Lord Paramount of the Westerlands and Warden of the West. The House motto is "Hear me Roar", but the unofficial motto is "A Lannister always pays his debts" - which is used in a negative context.
The sigil of House Lannister is a golden lion rampant on a crimson field.
The Head of House Tully is Lord Paramount of the Riverlands or Trident and rules from Riverrun. The House motto is "Family, duty, honour".
The sigil for the House of Tully is a silver trout on a red and blue background.
The Head of House Tyrell is Lord Paramount of the Reach and Warden of the South. He rules over the Reach, the Shield Islands and the Arbor from Highgarden. The House motto is "Growing strong".
The House Tyrell sigil is a golden rose on a green field.
The Head of House Greyjoy is Lord of the Iron Islands, a title traditionally held by the Lord Reaper of Pyke. The House motto is: "We do not sow".
The House Greyjoy sigil is a gold kraken (a mythical giant octopus) on a black background.
The Head of House Martell is the Lord of Sunspear who also holds the title of Prince of Dorne. Dorne retained its independence until it joined the Seven Kingdoms through a peaceful marital arrangement. The House motto is: "Unbowed, unbent, unbroken".
The House Martell sigil is a red sun pierced by a golden spear on an orange background.
Changes Made Since the War Started
House Tully has been stripped of lands and titles because it supported House Stark in the rebellion against the Iron Throne. Petyr Baelish is now ruler of Riverlands from Harrenhal a huge castle in disrepair. Baelish's appointment is a snub to Lord Frey (a vassal of House Tully)who had expected to be rewarded after the Red Wedding when he arranged the murder of Robb Stark, his wife, his mother and most of his bannermen.
Harrenhal
Petyr Baelish, also known as Littlefingers.
Roose Bolton, Head of the House of Bolton (a vassal House of the Stark House) and Lord of Dreadfort is rewarded for betraying Robb Stark at the Red Wedding by an appointment as temporary Lord of Winterfell and Lord Paramount of the North until they are eventually ruled by the children of Tyrion Lannister and Sansa Stark if and when they have any.
Roose Bolton
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