Game of Thrones Timeline – The Complete History of Westeros

Westeros was inhabited by the Children of the Forest.

The First Men invaded Dorne in the South of Westeros. A war began between the Children of the Forest and the First Men.

The First Men and the Children of the Forest agreed a truce. It was agreed that the First Men would have control of open land while the Children would control the forests.

The Long Night began. The White Walkers invaded from the north. The First Men and the Children of the Forest united to force them back to the north.

Brandon Stark, known as Bran the Builder, built the Wall and set up the Night’s Watch to keep the White Walkers in the north. When the Wall was built many of the First Men living in the north became trapped behind the Wall. They called themselves the Free Folk, but inhabitants of Westeros called them wildlings. Bran the Builder also founded Winterfell and House Stark.

Lan the Clever founded House Lannister.

House Stark became the dominant house in The North. The head of the house was called The King in the North. They were rivalled by House Bolton.

House Bolton was forced to submit to the Starks in the North.

The Andals from Essos invaded Westeros, landing in the Vale. They quickly conquered Westeros south of The Neck. Unable to conquer The North, they made peace.

The Andals killed most of the Children of the Forest. Those that survived went into hiding.

The Andals took over The Vale and founded House Arryn.

The Andals took over the Iron Islands and intermarried with the inhabitants of the islands. They also intermarried with the inhabitants of other regions of Westeros.

The various houses of Westeros had become defined in seven kingdoms each ruled by a dominant house with others serving that house. The seven Kingdoms were named: the Kingdom of the North, the Kingdom of the Vale, the Kingdom of the Reach, the Kingdom of Isles and Rivers, the Kingdom of the Rock, The Storm Kingdom and the Principality of Dorne.

The Valyrians began to inhabit the Free Cities of Braavos, Lorath, Norvos, Qohor, Pentos, Myr, Tyrosh, Lys, and Volantis in Western Essos. This caused conflict with the native inhabitants. Nymeria of the Rhoynar decided not to attempt to fight against the Valyrians and their dragons and fled to Dorne in the south of Westeros. She married Lord Martell and together they conquered Dorne.

House Bolton rose against House Stark but was beaten into submission. Karlon Stark was given some of the Bolton lands. He founded house Karstark.

House Frey built a bridge and castle known as The Twins at the Green Fork of the Trident. They became wealthy from the toll they charged anyone wishing to cross their bridge.

The Doom of Valyria, a simultaneous eruption of fourteen volcanoes, destroyed the city of Old Valyria and much of the surrounding area, the Valyrian Targaryen family took control of the island of Dragonstone to the east of Westeros. The Doom destroyed most of the Targaryen’s dragons. The few that remained were taken to Dragonstone.

The Iron Born from the Iron Islands led by King Harwyn conquered land in the Riverlands and the Stormlands. He built a large castle known as Harrenhal.

Aegon Targaryen decided to invade Westeros. He landed in Blackwater Bay and began construction of the Red Keep. He and his sisters, Rhaenys and Visenya, rode the three remaining dragons Balerion, Vhagar and Meraxes and burned anyone who would not submit.

Aegon Targaryen’s half brother, Orys Baratheon, invaded the Stormlands and took the land for himself, founding House Baratheon.

Torrhen Stark decided to submit rather than fight the Targaryens. The Starks were allowed to rule the North under the overlordship of the Targaryens.

Dorne was the only region of Westeros that Aegon was unable to conquer. Aegon therefore allowed Dorne to remain independent.

Aegon Targaryen began construction of King’s Landing at the mouth of the Blackwater River.

Aegon I died and Aenys Targaryen succeeded his father as King of the Seven Kingdoms. He was weak and gave his half-brother, Maegor, the power to deal with uprisings in his name. Maegor was given the title Hand of the King.

The Faith of the Seven were unhappy with the Targaryen’s practice of incest and their military branch, the Faith Militant, led an uprising against the Targaryens.

Aenys Targaryen died and his younger brother Maegor took the throne over Aenys’s children. He led an attack against the Faith Militant, killing thousands. This made him very unpopular.

There was an uprising against Maegor. Maegor killed himself rather than face defeat.

Maegor was succeeded by Aenys’s son Jaehaerys. He agreed a treaty with the Faith Militant whereby they would disband and accept the Targaryen practice of incest.

The numbers of Night’s Watch had steadily declined over the years. The Night’s Watch abandoned Nightfort and moved its headquarters to Castle Black.

Jaeherys Targaryen died and was succeeded by his grandson, Viserys I.

Viserys I died. Before his death he nominated his daughter Rhaenyra to rule after him.

Ser Criston Cole, Commander of the Kingsguard, named Daemon, Viserys’s brother as the rightful heir.

War broke out between Rhaenyra and Daemon and their supporters over who should sit on the iron throne. The war became known as the Dance of the Dragons since both used dragons.

Aegon defeated his sister Rhaenyra and fed her to his dragon.

Rhaenyra’s son, Aegon continued the fight against Aegon II seeking to claim the throne for himself and gain revenge for his mother’s death. When Aegon II died he succeeded as Aegon III. The Dance of the Dragons had led to the death of all the Targaryen dragons.

The war continued until Aegon II died and then Rhaenyra’s son succeeded as King Aegon III. The Dance of the Dragons had led to the death of all the Targaryen dragons.

Aegon III’s son, Daeron succeeded his father. Aged 14 years he decided to invade Dorne but was killed in the attempt. He was succeeded by his brother Baelor who made peace with Dorne.

King Baelor died childless. He was succeeded by his brother Viserys II.

Viserys II died and was succeeded by his son Aegon IV. Aegon IV was a bad and cruel King. He disliked his son Daeron ,who was married to Myriah Martell and was peace-loving. Instead, Aegon IV gave preferment to his bastard son Daemon, known as Daemon Blackfyre.

Aegon IV died. He was succeeded by his trueborn son, Daeron II.

Daeron’s half-brother Daemon Blackfyre claimed the throne stating that Daeron was illegitimate. The moved sparked a civil war as houses declared themselves for one side or the other.

Daemon, with a large force, marched on King’s Landing. He was met by an army led by Daeron II’s sons Baelor and Maekar. The resulting Battle of Redgrass Field was eventually won with the arrival of Dornish forces in support of King Daeron that routed Daemon’s men.

In recognition of the support given by Dorne during the battle of Redgrass Field, Daeron II married his sister Daenerys to Maron Martell.

Ser Duncan the Tall and Prince Aegon embarked on a series of adventures across Westeros. Their adventures were told in the Tales of Dunk and Egg.

An illness known as the Great Spring Sickness spread through Westeros killing many of the population including King Daeron II and his heir Prince Baelor. Daeron’s next eldest son succeeds as King Aerys I.

Supporters of the Blackfyre family attempt a second revolt against the throne but are caught and executed. Many Blackfyre loyalists fled to the Free Cities. Daemon Blackfyre’s brother formed the Golden Company providing sellswords to those who will pay.

Aerys I faced another rebellion by the Blackfyres but it was again put down successfully.

Aerys died childless and was succeeded by his brother Maekar I.

Maekar I died while laying siege to a rebel lord’s castle. Maekar’s two eldest sons had died of disease so the throne was offered to Maekar’s third son, Aemon who wa a maester of the Citadel. He refused stating that his vows as a maester would not allow him to be King. The throne therefore passed to Maekar’s fourth son Aegon V.

Aegon V was a benevolent ruler who tried to enact measures to make life easier for the smallfolk. However, in order to do so he had to raise taxes on the rich which turned many lords against him.

Aegon V faced a new rebellion by the grandson of Daemon Blackfyre, but it was easily supressed.

Pycelle became Grand Maester to Aegon V. He had a fascination with wildfire.

Aegon V had wanted his son Daeron to marry Lady Olenna Redwyne but he broke the engagement choosing not to marry. Lady Olenna married Luthor Tyrell instead.

Faced with continual rebellions, King Aegon V decided that he would not be secure unless he had a dragon. While trying to hatch dragon eggs at Summerhall, the building caught fire and King Aegon V, his son Duncan and his friend Duncan the Tall, as well as many other members of the court, died.

King Aegon V was succeeded by his son, Jaehaerys II.

Jaehaerys II was faced with a new rebellion by supporters of the Blackfyres. Known as the War of the Ninepenny Kings because nine leaders of the rebellion sought to make their own lands in Westeros, the rebels had some initial success but when the leader of the rebellion, Maelys Blackfyre was killed by Ser Barristan Selmy they faced defeat. Selmy and Brynden Tully, known as Blackfish, were celebrated as heroes for helping Aegon V defeat the rebels. Barriston Selmy was appointed a member of the Kingsguard.

King Aerys II appointed Tywin Lannister Hand of the King.

Twins Cersei and Jaime were born to Tywin Lannister and his wife Joanna.

A son, Tyrion, was born to Tywin and Joanna Lannister. He suffered from dwarfism. His mother died from complications with the birth.

Cersei Lannister and her friend Melara Hetherspoon visited a witch called Maggy in the forests. She was told that she would marry the king and become queen, that she would have 3 children all of whom would die before her and her husband would father 20 children. She was also told that her reign as queen would be short-lived because a younger and more beautiful queen would take her place.

Aerys II would not allow a marriage between Cersei Lannister and his son Rhaegar. Instead he married Rhaegar to Elia Martell of Dorne.

Aerys II was beginning to mistrust Tywin Lannister.

A son, Theon, was born to Balon Greyjoy.

Prince Rhaegar won the tournament held at Harrenhal but shocked those present when he named Lyanna Stark Queen of Love and Beauty instead of his wife.

Aerys II made Jaime Lannister a member of the Kingsguard. Tywin was furious since the post meant Jaime could never marry and could not inherit Casterly Rock. He resigned as Hand of the King.

Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark disappeared. Lyanna’s brother Brandon assumed Rhaegar had kidnapped her and rode to King’s Landing to protest but Aegon had him imprisoned. Rickard Stark then rode to King’s Landing demanding justice but was executed with wildfire. Brandon was strangled.

Eddard Stark, now head of house Stark, called out his bannerman and joined Robert Baratheon. They vowed to bring down the Targaryens. Robert was defeated at the Battle of Ashford but then saw victory at the Battle of the Bells.

Rhaegar Targaryen had his marriage to Elia of Dorne annulled and secretly married Lyanna Stark.

Eddard Stark married Catelyn Tully and Jon Arryn married Lysa Tully.

The royalist forces led by Rhaegar Targaryen were defeated at the Battle of the Trident. Rhaegar was killed by Robert Baratheon.

With Rhaegar dead many nobles changed sides and marched to King’s Landing. Jaime Lannister killed Aerys II and was given the name Kingslayer.

Robert Baratheon was proclaimed King Robert I. He appointed Jon Arryn as Hand of the King.

Lyanna Stark gave birth to a son in the Tower of Joy. As she lay dying from the birth she gave the child to her brother Ned to look after. Ned kept the identity of the child secret and brought him up as his bastard. He was named Jon Snow.

After learning of the death of Lyanna Stark, Robert Baratheon married Cersei Lannister to maintain the loyalty of the Lannisters. Their first son, Joffrey, who was actually fathered by Cersei’s twin, Jaime, was born later that year.

A daughter, Daenerys, was born to Queen Rhaella on Dragonstone. Rhaella died soon after her daughter’s birth. Daenerys and her brother Viserys were taken to Essos by loyalist supporters.

A son, Robb, was born to Eddard and Catelyn Stark.

A daughter, Myrcella, was born to Cersei and Robert Baratheon. She was also fathered by Jaime Lannister.

A son, Tommen, was born to Cersei and Robert Baratheon. He was fathered by Jaime Lannister.

A daughter, Sansa, was born to Eddard and Catelyn Stark.

A daughter, Arya, was born to Eddard and Catelyn Stark.

A son, Brandon, was born to Eddard and Catelyn Stark.

Lord Balon Greyjoy led a rebellion against King Robert. After months of fighting the Greyjoy Rebellion was put down. Theon Greyjoy was made a ward of Eddard Stark.

A son, Robin, was born to Jon Arryn and Lysa Tully.

A son, Rickon, was born to Eddard and Catelyn Stark.

Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen were given refuge in the home of Magister Illyrio Mopatis of Pentos who offered support to help Viserys reclaim the Iron Throne.

The children of Ned Stark found a litter of direwolf pups and took one each.

Jon Arryn, Hand of the King, was poisoned. Robert Baratheon rode north with his family to ask Ned Stark to be the new Hand of the King. Ned reluctantly accepted. The arrangement was to be sealed with the marriage of Joffrey Baratheon and Sansa Stark.

Bran Stark witnessed Cersei and Jaime Lannister having sex in the Tower. Jaime pushed him out of the window hoping he would die. He survived the fall but was paralysed from the waist down.

Ned, Sansa and Arya Stark left Winterfell for Kings Landing. Jon Snow went north with his uncle Benjen to join the Night’s Watch. Sansa was keen to please Joffrey who was easily angered. After Joffrey taunted Arya for sparring with a wooden sword he was furious when Arya’s direwolf attacked him. Arya threw his sword in the river then forced her direwolf to run away. Cersei ordered Sansa’s direwolf killed instead.

Bran, recovering from his fall, survived an assassination attempt when his direwolf killed the assassin. Catelyn left Winterfell to go to Kings Landing to warn Ned that they were in danger.

Ned discovered that Robert and Cersei’s children were not fathered by Robert. He decided to tell Robert but Robert died while hunting boar after drinking very strong wine supplied by Cersei.

Joffrey Baratheon was crowned King. Ned wrote to Stannis Baratheon telling him that he was the rightful heir but Petyr Baelish told the Lannisters of Ned’s betrayal. Ned was persuaded to pledge support for Joffrey in return for his life. Joffrey, however, ordered his immediate execution by beheading.

Arya Stark was in the crowd that witnessed her father’s execution. She was taken by Yoren who cut her hair and disguised her as a boy.

Robb Stark called out the Stark bannermen to avenge his father’s death and was proclaimed King in the North. Meanwhile both Renly and Stannis Baratheon laid claim to the throne. Balon Greyjoy, King of the Iron Islands joined the war known as the War of the Five Kings.

On the continent, Viserys Targaryen gave his sister Daenerys in marriage to the leader of the Dothraki, Khal Drogo, in return for help to invade Westeros and retake the Iron Throne. Viserys soon found himself out of favour with the Dothraki and was murdered by having molten gold poured over his head.

A pregnant Daenerys tried to help the lamb women after their settlement had been raided. This led to a quarrel between Khal Drogo and other Dothraki. Drogo was injured and one of the lamb women, Mirri Maz Duur, was asked to cure him. Instead the wound became infected and Drogo worsened. Daenerys asked Mirri Maz Duur to use magic to cure him. The magic caused Daenerys to lose her son and Drogo was left in a vegetative state. Daenerys smothered Drogo and ordered his body burned. She then walked into his funeral pyre with her 3 dragon eggs. Next morning she was revealed to be alive with 3 baby dragons.

The War of the Five Kings continued. Robb Stark made many gains against the Lannisters. Stannis Baratheon was supported by the Red Priestess, Melisandre, who summoned a shadow that executed Renly.

Theon Greyjoy had been sent by Robb Stark to persuade his father to ally with Robb. Instead Theon allied himself to his father and captured Winterfell for himself. After Bran and Rickon escaped Theon had two young boys killed and burned then claimed he had killed the Stark boys.

At Roose Bolton’s suggestion, Robb agreed to let Ramsay Bolton re-take Winterfell from Theon Greyjoy.

Renly Baratheon’s widow, Margaery Tyrell, became betrothed to Joffrey Baratheon as part of an alliance between the Lannisters and the Tyrells.

Robb Stark had promised to marry one of Walder Frey’s daughters as part of a deal to allow the Northern army to cross the Twins. Robb broke the alliance by marrying Talisa Maegyr.

Arya was granted three kills by Jaqen H’ghar for saving the lives of three men by releasing them from a burning cart. After helping Arya to escape Jaqen revealed himself to be a faceless man. Arya declined his offer to train her as a faceless man but she accepted a coin and memorised the words ‘Valar Morghulis’ to use if she changed her mind.

Daenerys Targaryen and her remaining loyal supporters arrived in Qarth. There she managed to survive the House of the Undying and defeat warlock Pyat Pree. She took riches and bought a boat to sail west.

Jon Snow and Sam Tarly joined Lord Mormont’s ranging party. Jon Snow then went with Qhorin Halfhand to find the main wildling camp. He was unable to kill Ygritte and was captured himself. Qhorin Halfhand was also captured and persuaded Jon to kill him in order to infiltrate the wildlings.

The Baratheons were attacked by the people when they were making their way back to the Red Keep after seeing Myrcella leave for Dorne. Sansa was taken and was about to be raped when she was saved by The Hound (Sandor Clegane).

Stannis Baratheon sailed to King’s Landing to attack the capital. Tyrion hatched a plan to use wildfire to burn Stannis’s fleet before it could attack. The Battle of Blackwater Bay initially went to plan but enough of Stannis’s men survived to attack the city. Tyrion was attacked by Ser Manston Moore acting on the orders of Cersei. He was badly cut across the face, but his life was saved by Podric Payne.  The Lannisters won the battle after reinforcements led by Tywin Lannister arrived.

Robb Stark suffered a defeat and had to retreat. Hoster Tully died and Robb and his mother attended the funeral. Robb then made the mistake of executing Rickard Karstark who had killed Martyn and Willem Lannister in revenge for the death of his own sons in the war. His action reduced his support.

Arya and her comrades were captured by the Brotherhood Without Banners. Sandor Clegane had also been captured by them and he recognised Arya. Sandor was freed after winning a trial by combat. After Gendry was sold to Melisandre Arya escaped but was captured by Clegane who said he would take her to her mother for a ransom.

Daenerys and her followers reached Astapor where she decided to buy the army of Unsullied. She bought the whole army and the slave girl, Missandei, for one of her dragons. After the exchange she commanded her dragon to kill the slave master.

North of the Wall Jon Snow met Mance Raydor and convinced him that he had defected from the Night’s Watch. He grew closer to Ygritte and they were sent to climb over The Wall as part of an assault on the Night’s Watch to allow the wildlings to move south of The Wall away from the White Walkers and the army of the dead. Having reached the other side of the Wall Jon was not able to kill a horse breeder, a fight broke out and Jon was attacked by the wildling Orell who warged into an eagle. Bran and his party were sheltering in a nearby tower and Bran warged into his direwolf to help Jon. Jon got on a horse and rode away. As he did Ygritte fired three arrows at Jon which left him badly injured.

The main body of Night’s Watch led by Lord Mormont were attacked by White Walkers and wights. Mormont and a few men including Samwell Tarly escaped and retreated to Craster’s Keep. Tensions mounted and a number of the Night’s Watch mutinied against Mormont and killed him. Sam escaped with Gilly and her baby but ran into a White Walker which he killed with a dragonglass dagger.

Ramsay Bolton had taken Winterfell and killed the Greyjoy occupying army. He kept Theon and proceeded to mentally and physically torture him. Ramsay gave Theon the name Reek.

Robb Stark decided to try a new strategy but realised he needed the support of Walder Frey. Walder Frey agreed an alliance but said that it had to be sealed with the marriage of Catelyn’s brother, Edmure, to his daughter Roslin.

Robb Stark and most of his army attended the wedding which became known as the Red Wedding. After the ceremony there was a feast in the great hall. After Edmure and Roslin had retired for the night the rest of the party continued celebrating. The doors were then secured and the pregnant Talisa was stabbed in the stomach. Stark men were then shot with crossbows and Robb was wounded. Roose Bolton, previously a Stark ally, stabbed Robb in the heart. Catelyn had her throat cut. Robb’s direwolf was killed and its head sewn onto Robb’s body. This last act was witnessed by Arya who had arrived with Sandor Clegane.

The wedding of Margaery and Joffrey went ahead but Joffrey’s wine was poisoned and he died. Tyrion was arrested on Cersei’s order, accused of administering the poison. Sansa’s escape was arranged by Petyr Baelish.

Tommen became King but the country was ruled by his grandfather, Tywin, as Hand of the King. Encouraged by her grandmother, Margaery began to make Tommen fall in love with her.

Petyr Baelish took Sansa to the home of her aunt Lysa Arryn who Baelish had recently married. They quarrelled and Baelish killed Lysa by pushing her through the moon door.

Arya and Sandor Clegane reached The Vale where Clegane hoped to sell Arya for a ransom. However they learned that Lysa Arryn was dead. Arya and Clegane were then found by Brienne of Tarth and Podrick Payne. Arya hid while Brienne and Clegane fought. After Clegane was wounded Brienne and Podrick left. Arya took Clegane’s money and left him for dead. She found a ship to take her to Braavos.

Tyrion faced trial for killing Joffrey. He requested trial by combat and Oberyn Martell agreed to fight on Tyrion’s behalf. The Crown fielded Gregor Clegane (The Mountain). Oberyn was able to stab Clegane multiple times and instead of killing him when he had the chance he demanded Clegane accept the guilt for the murder of Oberyn’s sister Elia and her children. Clegane then gained the upper hand and killed Oberyn by compressing his brain.

Daenerys and her army reached Meereen, captured the city, freed the slaves and made herself queen. Daenerys considered whether to launch her invasion of Westeros, but after hearing that the city of Yunkai had fallen, she realised she needed to learn how to rule before returning to Westeros.

Bran, Hodor, Meera and Jojen reached the cave of the three-eyed raven.

After being released from prison by Jaime Lannister, Tyrion killed his ex-lover Shae before killing his father with a crossbow as he sat on the toilet.

Jon Snow was questioned by Alliser Thorne and Maester Aemon regarding his desertion of the Night’s Watch. After explaining he was spared death mainly due to Maester Aemon’s intervention.

Jon took a band of volunteers north of the Wall to Craster’s Keep to deal with the mutineers. One of the party was a man, Locke, who had been sent by Ramsay Bolton to kill him. However, Bran and his party had been taken prisoner by the mutineers and Bran warged into Hodor and killed Locke.

The Wall and Castle Black were attacked from north and south by wildlings led by Mance Raydor. Jon took charge of the defence and ordered the release of his direwolf Ghost to join the fighting. During a pause in the fighting Jon saw Ygritte pointing an arrow at him. Before either could speak Olly shot Ygritte and she died in his arms.

Jon realised it was impossible to fight all the wildlings and agreed to go to try to reach an agreement with Mance Raydor. Before an agreement could be reached Stannis Baratheon arrived with his army and defeated the wildlings.

Following the death of Tywin Lannister, Cersei ruled through King Tommen. However, Tommen was torn between loyalty to his wife, Margaery Tyrell and his mother.

A new religious group arrived in King’s Landing. Called the Sparrows they were against all forms of sin and corruption. The Sparrows also opposed the acknowledged religion – the Faith of the Seven – as corrupt.

Cersei decided to ally herself with the Sparrows and tried to bribe the ‘High Sparrow’ by allowing him to re-form the Faith Militant. This armed branch of the Faith arrested Loras Tyrell on a charge of being a homosexual. Margaery was also arrested as an accomplice. Soon afterwards Cersei was arrested and charged with extramarital affairs and incest. Cersei was made to make a ‘walk of atonement’ naked through the streets of the city.

Cersei was fearful for her daughter Myrcella in Dorne and sent Jaime to bring her back to King’s Landing. Elaria Sand wanted revenge for Oberyon Martell’s death and planned to poison Myrcella. Jaime arrived accompanied by Bron but they were captured soon after they arrived. Jaime managed to convince Prince Doran to let him take Myrcella back to King’s Landing. He agreed on condition that her betrothed, Trystane be given a place on the Small Council. As they left Elaria Sand kissed Myrcella goodbye. It was a poisoned kiss and Myrcella died soon afterwards.

After killing his father, Tyrion realised he could not remain in Westeros and, together with Varys who believed Daenerys should be queen, fled to the continent. Along the way Tyrion was captured by Jorah Mormont who had been exiled by Daenerys for spying on her when she was a teenager. They came into conflict with the Stone Men and Jorah was touched and developed greyscale. They were then captured but persuaded their captors that they could fight in the fighting pits. Mormont was exiled again but Daenerys took Tyrion as her advisor.

Petyr Baelish arranged a marriage between Sansa and Ramsay Bolton. Sansa was shocked and angry to see Theon Greyjoy but she also learned that her brothers had not been killed but may still be alive. After being repeatedly raped and beaten by Ramsay Snow Sansa and Theon become allies. They jumped off the castle walls into the snow and made their escape.

Daenerys was facing armed conflict with the Sons of the Harpy, an alliance of ex slave masters. Ser Barriston Selmy was killed defending Grey Worm, leader of the Unsullied. In order to restore peace Daenerys agreed to marry Hizdahr zo Loraq and re-open the fighting pits in Meereen. During a fight the Sons of Harpy began killing those present. Daenerys was rescued by her dragon, Drogon.

Having reached Braavos, Arya began her training by entering the House of Black and White.

At the Wall, Stannis demanded that Mance Raydor bend the knee and when he refused Stannis allowed Melisandre to burn him alive. Unable to watch his suffering Jon Snow shot him through the heart with an arrow. Stannis decided to march on to take Winterfell. The weather turned bad and after Ramsay Bolton made a night raid and set their provisions on fire, they had insufficient food for their army. Melisandre convinced Stannis that his daughter, Shireen should be burned alive to please the Lord of Light who would then help them to victory.

Jon Snow had declined Stannis’s offer of being made Lord of Winterfell and remained with the Night’s Watch. Jon won the election for Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. Jon was concerned about the fate of the Wildlings and wanted to allow them to pass through the Wall and live in the strip of land known as the Gift. Jon questioned Tormund, a wildling that was held captive at Castle Black, who told Jon he believed the surviving wildlings would have gone to Hardhome. Jon borrowed some of Stannis’s ships and sailed to Hardhome to rescue the wildlings.

While Jon was at Hardhome, Maester Aemon fell ill and died.

At Hardhome Jon Snow managed to persuade several of the wildling elders that evacuation was the right move. The evacuation began but before everyone could leave, Hardhome was attacked by White Walkers and their army of the dead and many were killed. Those that survived were allowed to pass through the Wall. Sam asked Jon to allow him to go to Oldtown and study to become a Maester. Jon reluctantly agreed to Sam’s request.

Once back at Castle Black Jon Snow faced the enmity of most of the Night’s Watch who believed his actions were wrong. After being called outside by Olly, Jon was stabbed by Alliser Thorne, Othell Yarwick, Bowen Marsh and Olly.

Jon Snow was brought back to life by Melisandre and hanged those who had killed him. After learning that Stannis had failed to take Winterfell Jon decided to leave the Night’s Watch and make his own attack.

In Winterfell Ramsay Bolton was angered when his father’s wife, Walda Frey gave birth to a son. Ramsay killed his father, Walda and her child. He learned that Jon Snow was going to attack and raised his own army.

Jon Snow set out to Battle Ramsay Bolton for control of Winterfell. Sansa was not convinced that his army was strong enough and secretly wrote to Petyr Baelish. The Battle of the Bastards began with Ramsay releasing Rickon Stark and then killing him just before he reached safety. Jon’s army of loyal bannermen, wildlings and the giant Wun Wun fought bravely but Ramsay quickly gained the upperhand and surrounded Jon’s army then closed in. The day was saved for Jon with the arrival of Petyr Baelish and an army of soldiers from the Vale. Sansa killed Ramsay by setting his own dogs on him. Jon was proclaimed King in the North.

Arya continued to train as a Faceless Man. She endured a period of blindness and numerous beatings and was given her first mission but she did not believe her target deserved to die and let her live. Jaqen H’ghar allowed the Waif to kill Arya but Arya defeated her and added her face to the Hall of Faces. She told Jaqen that she was going home to Westeros. Back in Westeros she assumed the role of a serving girl and served Walder Frey a pie cooked from his dead sons before revealing her identity and slitting his throat.

Bran was touched by the Night King while in one of his flashbacks. This enabled the Night King to learn of the location of the Cave of the Three Eyed Raven. The White Walkers and their army of wights attacked and Bran, Hodor and Meera fled. The Children of the Forest were killed holding back the attack. Meera and Bran managed to escape after Hodor held the door shut so they could escape. Bran and Meera were rescued by Benjen Stark who was dead but had been saved by the Children. He left them by a Weirwood tree. Bran touched the tree and travelled back in time and saw that Jon Snow was the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen.

Euron Greyjoy murdered Balon Greyjoy, his brother. Despite arguments by Yara and Theon, who had returned to the Iron Islands, that Yara should be Queen, Euron was elected King. Yara, Theon and their supporters took ships and sailed to offer their support to Daenerys Targaryen.

After fleeing the massacre by the Sons of Harpy on Drogon’s back, Daenerys was stranded in the Dothraki Sea because Drogon refused to fly. She set off in search of food but was captured by the Dothraki and taken to Vaes Dothrak. As the widow of a Khal she was told to join other widows in the Dosh Khaleen. However, Daenerys burned the tent and all those inside. After seeing her untouched by the flames the remaining Dothraki decided to follow her.

Tyrion, Missandei and Grey Worm struggled to keep control in Meereen and decided to make an alliance with the slavers in order to buy some time. When Daenerys arrived back in Meereen she defeated the slavers and stole many of their ships. She agreed an alliance with Yara and Theon Greyjoy and began the journey back to Westeros.

Fed up with being opposed, Cersei arranged for the Great Sept of Baelor to be destroyed by wildfire when most of her opponents were there for the trial of Loras Tyrell. Those killed included: Margaery and Loras Tyrell, the High Sparrow, the Faith Militant, Kevan Lannister. Tommen committed suicide after seeing the destruction caused by his mother.

Following the destruction of the Sept of Baelor, Olenna Tyrell and Elaria Sand both made alliances with Daenerys.

Arya took on the persona of Walder Frey and poisoned all the Frey army. She then decided to head south and kill Cersei Lannister. Along the way she stopped at an inn and was told by her old friend Hot Pie that Winterfell had been retaken by Jon Snow. She decided to go north to Winterfell. By the time she reached Winterfell Jon had left to meet Daenerys at Dragonstone. She was reunited with Sansa but the two were very wary of each other.

Petyr Baelish schemed to drive a wedge between Arya and Sansa. He instigated a scenario where Arya found a note written to Robb Stark before Ned Stark was executed. Arya found it difficult to understand why Sansa had written it even if it were at knife point. Sansa received an invitation to go to meet Cersei at King’s Landing but Petyr Baelish persuaded her to send Brienne of Tarth instead.

Sam began his training at the Citadel but found the work slow and tedious. He spent a lot of time reading trying to find a solution to the problem of the White Walkers and wights. After discovering that Jorah Mormont was in the Citadel suffering from greyscale he decided to find a cure. The Maesters refused Sam permission to treat Mormont but he went ahead anyway. Mormont was cured and released. He returned to Daenerys in Westeros. Sam continued his research. Gilly read a passage to him that stated that Rhaegar Targaryen’s marriage had been annulled and that he had made another secret marriage. Sam was so intent on finding a solution to the White Walker problem that he did not realise the significance of what she had said.

After being present in a room where the Maesters were discussing a message sent by Bran Stark warning them about the wight army and realising that many of them did not believe the army existed Sam took a number of books from the forbidden library and left the Citadel bound for Westeros.

Tyrion hatched a plan for their Greyjoy and Dornish allies to lay siege to King’s Landing and then while the Lannisters were kept busy, for the Unsullied to capture Casterly Rock. However, the navy of Euron Greyjoy broke the siege and Yara Greyjoy and Elaria Sand were captured. The Unsullied were easily able to take Casterly Rock and learned that it had been abandoned.

While the Unsullied were busy taking Casterly Rock, the Lannister army had marched to Highgarden and taken the home of the Tyrells. They had then laden wagons with food from Highgarden to take back to King’s Landing. Lady Olenna Tyrell was made to commit suicide by drinking poison. She revealed to Jaime Lannister that she had poisoned Joffrey.

Annoyed that the Lannisters had defeated her allies, Daenerys, on the back of Drogon, and her army of Dothraki, attacked the Lannister army killing thousands and destroying all the food wagons. The Lannister army was defeated.

Against the advice of Sansa and his bannermen, Jon Snow had travelled to Dragonstone to meet Daenerys Targaryen. However, he refused to bend the knee and so was held on the island. Jon managed to persuade Daenerys to let him mine the dragonglass that was on the island. He also managed to persuade her that the problem of the White Walkers and their army of the dead was more pressing than conquering King’s Landing. She agreed to release Jon Snow so that he could go north of the Wall and capture a wight to prove their existence to Cersei.

Jon Snow, accompanied by Beric Dondarrion, Sandor Clegane, Gendry, Tormund, Jorah Mormont went north of the Wall to capture a wight. After fighting off a wight polar bear they eventually captured a wight. However they were soon surrounded by a number of White Walkers and thousands of wights. Jon told Gendry to run back to the Wall and send a raven to Daenerys, before he and his party were stranded on a rock surrounded by ice. After a number of wights drowned when the ice broke they stayed beyond the ice. Sandor Clegane threw a rock at a wight and hit it. A second rock skidded on the ice revealing it to be safe to walk on. The wights then approached and attacked. Jon and his party managed to hold them off despite the loss of one of their party. Daenerys then arrived with her dragons. Drogon killed a large number of wights with fire and landed enabling all except Jon who was separated, to climb on his back. A White Walker then threw an ice spear which hit and killed the dragon Viserion. Daenerys was very upset and flew off leaving Jon surrounded by wights. Jon was saved by Benjen Stark who arrived on a horse. He gave his horse to Jon so that he could escape.

The White Walkers recovered the body of the dragon Viserion from the frozen lake and turned him into a wight.

Daenerys was clearly happy to see Jon Snow and visited him in his sickroom. She told him that she would support him in his war against the White Walkers. Jon then swore his allegiance to her.

Sandor Clegane, Gendry and Davos Seaworth took the captured wight to King’s Landing.

Jon, Daenerys, Tyrion, Brienne and their allies met with Cersei, Jaime and Euron Greyjoy. Sandor Clegane opened the box containing the wight and the dead corpse ran towards Cersei. Jon then demonstrated that it could be killed with fire or dragonglass. Cersei agreed to a truce to fight the army of the dead, but Jon could not swear fealty to Cersei and talks broke down. After intervention from Tyrion the talks resumed and Cersei agreed to help them defeat the white walkers and wights.

Jon persuaded Daenerys to sail to the North with the rest of the party rather than fly on Drogon. While on the journey Jon and Daenerys spent the night together.

Petyr Baelish tried to drive a wedge between Sansa and Arya but they saw through his plans and, after trying him for murder and treason, Arya killed him by stabbing him in the throat.

Bran seemed pleased to see Sam Tarly arrive in Winterfell. He told Sam that Jon Snow was really Aegon Sand, Rhaegar and Lyanna’s bastard son. Sam then told Bran that he had read the Maester’s diary at the Citadel and that Rhaegar’s marriage to Elia of Dorne had been annulled and Rhaegar had married Lyanna. John Snow was therefore Aegon Targaryen and rightful heir to the throne.

Cersei came upon Jaime drawing up a plan for the Lannister army to march north. Cersei told Jaime that she had lied and that the army were not going to be sent north. Jaime was very annoyed and said that he was going to go regardless.

Bran sat under a weirwood tree and went into a trance. He saw the white walkers and their army of wights advance on the Wall. He then saw the Night King riding the dragon Viserion. Viserion burnt a huge hole in the Wall allowing the army of the dead to pass through.

Jon, Daenerys, Tyrion, Brienne, Ser Jorah, Sandor Clegane and those that had met with Cersei in the South returned to Winterfell.

Euron Greyjoy returned to Kings Landing with the Golden Company of sellswords.

Theon freed his sister, Yara who had been imprisoned by Euron Greyjoy. Yara then returned to the Iron Islands while Theon returned to Winterfell to be a part of the battle against the dead.

Prompted by Bran, Sam told Jon that he was really Aegon Targaryen and the real heir to the Iron Throne.

Jaime Lannister reached Winterfell. Full of remorse he set about apologising to those he had wronged in the past. Brienne spoke for him and it was agreed that he could join their ranks. Jaime asked if he could serve under Brienne in the coming battle. Jaime found Bran under the Weirwood tree and apologised for pushing him from the tower. Bran was nonchalant and told Jaime that there may not be a future anyway.

Arya gave Gendry a blueprint for a weapon that she wanted made for the upcoming battle. It resembled the weapon she had trained with in Braavos. On the eve of the battle, Arya sought out Gendry and seduced him.

Beric Dondarrion, Tormund, Dolorous Edd and the party that had been left on the wall, reached Winterfell. After a joyous reunion with Jon, the parties met to discuss tactics for the upcoming battle. Bran stated that the Night King would come for him and determined to position himself in the Godswood. Theon, who had returned to Winterfell, offered to go with him and defend him.

As the dead approached Winterfell, Jon told Daenerys his true identity. She was not pleased to hear that Jon was the true heir to the Iron Throne. She insisted that he keep the information secret.

The Dothraki and Unsullied formed ranks outside Winterfell. Melisandre arrived on horseback. She dismounted and instructed the Dothraki to raise their swords. She then ignited them making a massive row of flame. The Battle of Winterfell began with the Dothraki charging forward but those that had not been cut down soon retreated, terrified.

Jon and Daenerys rode the two dragons and cut down swathes of dead with dragon fire. However, the temperature plummeted amid a violent snowstorm making it impossible for the two to see the battle below. The freezing temperature also put out the fires that had been lit. Dolores Edd, Jon’s long-time friend from the Night’s Watch, died saving Sam Tarly.

Grey Worm called for the dragons to light the trench around Winterfell but due to the snowstorm they could not see the signal. Melisandre walked up to the trench and used magic to ignite the ring of fire. The Night King summoned the dead into the flames and the dead bodies put out the flames allowing the dead into Winterfell.

Arya fought impressively with her new weapon but ended up isolated in the library. Using the skills learnt in Braavos she managed to escape only to be seen and pursued by a group of the dead. She was saved by Sandor Clegane who picked her up and ran and Beric Dondarrion who was killed.

Daenerys spotted the Night King standing alone. She ordered her dragon to engulf him in fire but the fire had no effect and he walked away. Jon then rushed at him with his sword but the Night King simply raised the dead. Luckily for Jon, Daenerys had spotted his situation and turned her dragon to burn the dead, allowing Jon to escape. However, he became trapped by the Night King’s dead dragon. Rather than flying off, Daenerys hesitated for a moment. Her dragon was attacked by the dead and flew off leaving her on the ground alone. Ser Jorah arrived to protect her. Although he managed to keep her alive, he was mortally wounded.

Theon managed to protect Bran from the army of the dead. The Night King approached Bran and Theon charged at him. The Night King stabbed Theon through the heart. The Night King then approached Bran and raised his spear. From nowhere Arya rushed the Night King from behind and stabbed him with her valerian steel dagger. He fell to the ground, dead. As he was eliminated the army of the dead disintegrated.

With the battle won, Melisandre left Winterfell. She removed her neck jewel which caused her to rapidly age and she died in the snow.

Those that had died in the battle were ceremoniously cremated en masse. Afterwards a celebration for the defeat of the Night King was held in Winterfell Hall. During the celebration Daenerys made Gendry Lord of Storm’s End. Gendry went to look for Arya and eventually found her practising with her bow. He asked her to marry him but she refused saying that she would never be a Lady. Meanwhile, Jaime and Brienne finally got together, had sex and spent the night together.

Jon met with Bran, Sansa and Arya under the Weirwood tree and he revealed his true identity after swearing the two girls to secrecy. Sansa told Tyrion shortly afterwards, after a discussion regarding the best person to rule the Kingdom.

Tactics were discussed on how to defeat Cersei. Sansa requested that any attack be delayed so that the men have time to rest and march to battle refreshed. Daenerys angrily explained that she had lost her dragon and much of her army for helping in the defeat of the Night King and is not prepared to wait. Jon Snow backed her plan.

Jaime and Tyrion were in a room talking when Bronn appeared with a crossbow. He explained that Cersei had offered him the Riverlands if he killed them both. Tyrion told Bronn that when the war was won he would give him the far greater prize of The Reach. Bronn left.

Sandor Clegane decided to leave Winterfell and ride south. He was soon joined by Arya Stark.

Daenerys, Tyrion, Varys and the remnants of Daenerys’ army sailed South to Dragonstone to prepare an attack on King’s Landing. Jon Snow was to lead the army south. Before he left he asked Tormund, who was returning north of the wall, to take care of his direwolf, Ghost. He said farewell to Sam and Gilly who revealed she was pregnant with Sam’s child.

As Daenerys’ fleet sailed south, Euron Greyjoy attacked using huge ballista scorpions. Her dragon, Rhaegal was hit three times and fell from the sky, dead. The fleet was destroyed and those onboard had to swim to shore. When Grey Worm reached the shore he called for Missandei but she was not on the shore. It was revealed that Cersei had captured Missandei.

Tyrion, Varys, Daenerys and her army positioned themselves outside Kings Landing. Cersei, Euron, the Mountain and Missandei were on the battlements. Tyrion tried to convince Cersei to find a peaceful solution but she refused and ordered the Mountain to behead Missandei. Before she died Missandei shouted ‘Dracarys’, the word used by Daenerys to make her dragons breathe fire. Grey Worm was grief stricken at Missandei’s death.

News reached Winterfell of the conflict in Kings Landing. Jaime torn by his love for Brienne and his loyalty to Cersei left Winterfell to ride south. Brienne was left in tears.

After Daenerys announcement that she intended to burn Kings Landing, Varys and Tyrion discussed the situation. Varys asked Tyrion how many people knew of Jon’s identity. He said of the answer, eight, that it was no longer a secret.

Varys believed that Jon would be a better ruler than Daenerys and wrote a message revealing Jon’s true identity. Varys then met Jon Snow as he arrived by boat to Dragonstone and told him that Daenerys had isolated herself and was refusing to eat. He then told Jon Snow that he would make a better ruler than Daenerys but Jon refused the role.

Varys was arrested by Grey Worm and brought to the beach before Daenerys, Tyrion and Jon. Tyrion admitted to betraying Varys before Daenerys ordered his death by dragonfire.

Jon Snow tried to persuade Daenerys that he was not interested in the throne. He told her that he was loyal to her and loved her. Tyrion tried to persuade Daenerys not to destroy King’s Landing and kill thousands of innocent people. He told her that the people would ring the city bells if the city surrendered.

Daenerys told Tyrion that his brother, Jaime, had been captured and imprisoned. Tyrion freed Jaime and persuaded him to go and ring the city bells and open the city gates to allow the people to escape. He told Jaime that there would be a boat waiting for him on the shore. Before the battle started Tyrion asked Davos to smuggle Jaime out of King’s Landing.

Arya and Sandor Clegane managed to enter the city just before the gates were closed but Jaime did not get through and had to take a long secret route to get to through.

The two sides lined up for battle and Euron Greyjoy and the Iron fleet were in Blackwater Bay armed with ballista scorpions to bring down the remaining dragon, Drogon.

The battle began when Daenerys, riding on the back of Drogon, destroyed the Iron Fleet. She then burnt a hole in the walls of King’s Landing and set the Golden Company on fire. Next she destroyed all ballista scorpions on the ramparts.

Cersei believed that her soldiers would win the battle but Qyburn told her that it was unlikely. She was persuaded to leave the Red Keep for safety.

Daenerys’ army led by Jon Snow, Grey Worm and Davos fought inside the city and came face to face with the main Lannister army. After a pause the Lannister army laid down their weapons. The city bells began to ring and Tyrion and Jon Snow looked very relieved. However Daenerys then flew off on Drogon and began destroying the city. Following Daenerys’ lead, Grey Worm began killing the Lannister soldiers that had surrendered. Jon tried to get his men to retreat but they had followed Grey Worm.

Jaime found the boat that had been left for him on the beach. However, Euron Greyjoy then came out of the sea and after taunting Jaime the two began to fight. Euron stabbed Jaime in the side but Jaime rallied and killed Euron.

Arya and Sandor reached the Red Keep. It was obvious that Cersei had lost and Sandor told Arya that Cersei would die in the battle and that she should not sacrifice herself. Arya thanked him and walked away.

Sandor Clegane continued into the Red Keep and found Cersei, Qyburn and his brother, The Mountain. The Mountain killed Qyburn and the two brothers began to fight. After a long and bloody fight where it appeared that the Mountain would finally win, Sandor tackled The Mountain and the two fell out of the tower to their deaths.

Cersei fled the two fighting brothers and met Jaime who had come to look for her. Jaime led Cersei into the tunnels but all the exits were blocked. The two died together as the building fell on top of them.

Arya had left the Red Keep and urged people to follow her and leave the city. She fell to the ground many times as she was hit by falling rubble but managed to survive. She came across the white horse of the commander of the Golden Company which had survived. Arya then rode the horse out of King’s Landing.

Tyrion was arrested by Daenerys and imprisoned. Daenerys declared that the war was not over and that the fight would continue. This caused Tyrion and Jon Snow concern.

Jon visited Tyrion in prison and they spoke about the future. Jon Snow repeated Maester Aemon’s words that ‘Love is the death of duty’.

Jon spoke to Daenerys and tried to convince her that the war was over. She told Jon that she had to free everyone and build a new world. Realising she would never change Jon stabbed her in the heart and she died.

Drogon arrived and tried to wake Daenerys then burnt the iron throne in anger at her death. He then picked up her body and carried it off into the distance. Jon Snow was arrested and imprisoned for her murder.

Weeks later, the leaders of the surviving great houses met to decide who would rule the Seven Kingdoms. Tyrion suggested that Bran should take over as King and that henceforth the ruler should be voted for by the great houses. Sansa requested that the North should be free and she would be the Lady of the North. Bran chose Tyrion to be Hand of the King. Bronn was Master of Coin and Davos Master of Ships.

Jon was released from prison and sent to lead the Night’s Watch. Arya declared her intention to sail West of Westeros to discover what was there.