Roose Bolton

Roose Bolton
A Song of Ice and Fire character
Game of Thrones
character
Michael McElhatton as Roose Bolton
First appearance
Last appearance
  • Television:
  • "Home" (2016)
Created byGeorge R. R. Martin
Portrayed byMichael McElhatton
In-universe information
Aliases
  • Novels:
  • The Leech Lord
  • Lord Leech
GenderMale
Title
  • Lord of the Dreadfort
  • Warden of the North
  • Lord Paramount of the North
  • Television:
  • Lord of Winterfell
FamilyHouse Bolton
Spouses
  • Unnamed first wife
  • "Fat" Walda Frey
  • Novels:
  • Bethany Ryswell
Children
  • Domeric Bolton
  • Ramsay Bolton
  • Television:
  • Unnamed newborn (with Walda)

Roose Bolton is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin, and its HBO television adaptation Game of Thrones, where he is depicted by actor Michael McElhatton.

Introduced in 1996's A Game of Thrones, Roose is lord of House Bolton, the second most powerful Northern house behind the Starks. The Boltons are notorious for their cruelty and custom of flaying their enemies. He also appears in A Clash of Kings (1998), A Storm of Swords (2000), and A Dance with Dragons (2011).

Roose joins Robb Stark's rebellion as one of his chief lieutenants. However, he secretly orchestrates the Red Wedding alongside Lord Tywin Lannister and Lord Walder Frey, receiving the title of Warden of the North and dominion over the Northern kingdom after personally murdering Robb. His rule is punctuated by unrest and several forces conspire to unseat him.