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| “ | The Starks lost my house the day King Robb cut off my father's head. It's time for new blood in the North. | „ |
| ~ Harald Karstark to Roose Bolton. |
Harald Karstark is a minor antagonist in Game of Thrones, the television adaptation of the A Song of Ice and Fire novel series. He is a composite character created specifically for the show, serving as a combination of Arnolf Karstark and Harrion Karstark. He is Rickard Karstark's last surviving son and the Lord of Karhold. He is the younger brother of Harrion and Torrhen Karstark. A widower, Harald, has one daughter, Alys.
In the novels, Harrion is Lord Rickard's last surviving son. Since Harrion is the oldest child, Harald might be the TV series version of Eddard Karstark, although he is the youngest son in this version. He's described as ruthless and calculative.
He is played by the British actor Paul Rattray.
Biography[]
Harald is the son of Rickard Karstark and the younger brother of Harrion and Torrhen Karstark. Following the deaths of his two brothers earlier in the war and then his father's execution at the hands of Robb Stark for treason, Harald becomes the new head of House Karstark and forsakes his allegiance to Robb, leading the Karstarks back to Karhold. He has since allied himself with Roose and Ramsay Bolton. He might have had a part in the Battle in the Ice against Stannis Baratheon and his forces, defeating them with Winterfell's mounted host.
Harald first appears in the episode "Oathbreaker" before both Roose and Ramsay at Winterfell, reporting that his men had found the remains of the Bolton hunting party that was sent to track down Sansa Stark and Theon Greyjoy. Harald counsels Roose that, despite being a bastard, Jon Snow, as Ned Stark's last surviving son, presents a threat to the Boltons' rule of The North. He affirms his house's loyalty to House Bolton, saying that he will never follow a Stark after King Robb's execution of his father.
When Maester Wolkan arrives to announce that Walda Bolton has given birth to a boy, Harald congratulates Roose. However, despite the fact that Roose avenged his father by killing Robb, Harald shows no surprise and makes no attempt to intervene when Ramsay kills Roose shortly afterward. He even chastises Wolkan for failing to address Ramsay as "Lord." He also makes no effort to dissuade Ramsay from murdering Walda and her baby, even though their deaths will most likely spark a conflict with House Frey, the current Great House of the Riverlands.
He fought the Battle of the Bastards, commanding the cavalry, and he lost alongside the whole Bolton forces. It is revealed that he was killed in action alongside his ally, Smalljon Umber. Harald's titles, lands, and castle are given to his daughter, Alys Karstark, as House Karstark is forgiven for its treason by Jon Snow, the King in the North, and allowed to keep its power. Sadly, Alys Karstark is one of the many casualties who perish defending Winterfell from the Army of the Dead, the White Walkers, and the Night King during the Long Night, and with her death, House Karstark officially becomes extinct.
Trivia[]
- In the television series, Harald is Rickard Karstark's youngest child. In the novels, Rickard's youngest child is Torrhen Karstark, while there is no character named Harald Karstark.
- While in the show, Harald is the father of Alys Karstark, the book counterpart of Alys is the daughter and youngest child of Rickard Karstark.
External Link[]
- Harald Karstark on the Game of Thrones Wiki.
