Torrhen Stark
| House / Order | House Stark |
|---|---|
| Race / Culture | First Men |
| Status | Deceased |
| Origin | The North |
| Born | Before Aegon's Conquest |
| Died | After the Conquest |
| Weapon | |
| Fate | Submitted to Aegon I; became the King Who Knelt |
| Portrayed by |
Torrhen Stark was the last King in the North and the first Stark to rule as Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North under the Iron Throne. He is remembered as the King Who Knelt for surrendering to Aegon the Conqueror without a battle, sparing the North the fate of those who burned at the Field of Fire.
The King Who Knelt
When Aegon's conquest swept the south, Torrhen mustered the host of the North and marched to the Trident to face the Targaryens. There, encamped across the river, he saw the dragons that had incinerated the armies of the Reach and the Westerlands and judged that resistance meant only the slaughter of his people. Sending his envoys through the night, he chose to bend the knee rather than see the North burn.
Submission
Torrhen laid his ancient crown at Aegon's feet and rose as Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, swearing fealty to the new king of the Seven Kingdoms. Some of his men are said to have wept at the surrender, but the choice preserved his house and his people. House Stark thereafter ruled the North as Aegon's wardens rather than as kings.
Legacy
The decision defined the relationship between the proud, independent North and the Iron Throne for nearly three centuries, until Robb Stark was hailed King in the North once more during the War of the Five Kings.