The Ultimate Game Of Thrones Houses Map: 20+ Key Locations And The New Lore From House Of The Dragon
Are you ready to truly navigate the complex political and geographical landscape of Westeros and Essos? As of December 2025, the world of George R.R. Martin’s *A Song of Ice and Fire* remains a sprawling, detailed fantasy realm, and understanding the map of its noble houses is the key to unlocking its deepest lore. This guide provides an up-to-date, deep dive into the territories of the Seven Kingdoms, the Great Houses that rule them, and the crucial new locations brought to prominence by the *House of the Dragon* prequel series.
The map is not just a backdrop; it is a character in itself, dictating alliances, wars, and the very fate of the realm. From the frozen wastes Beyond the Wall to the sunny shores of Dorne, every house occupies a strategic position, and knowing their location is essential for following the epic sagas of both *Game of Thrones* and its prequels.
The Seven Kingdoms: A Geographical Breakdown of Power
Westeros is traditionally divided into nine distinct regions, though they are collectively known as the Seven Kingdoms—a historical term from the time before Aegon the Conqueror united them. Each region is home to a Great House, whose seat of power is a fortress or castle that often defines the area's history and culture. Understanding these regions is the first step in mastering the Westeros houses map.
The Nine Regions and Their Seats of Power
- The North: The largest and most sparsely populated region, ruled from Winterfell.
- The Iron Islands: A harsh archipelago off the western coast, ruled from Pyke.
- The Riverlands: The fertile, central region, often ravaged by war, ruled from Riverrun (and later Harrenhal).
- The Vale of Arryn: A mountainous region, nearly impenetrable, ruled from the Eyrie.
- The Westerlands: Rich in gold mines, ruled from Casterly Rock.
- The Crownlands: The territory surrounding the capital, King's Landing, ruled directly by the Iron Throne.
- The Stormlands: A coastal region prone to storms, ruled from Storm's End.
- The Reach: The most fertile and populous region, ruled from Highgarden.
- Dorne: The southernmost, desert-like peninsula, ruled from Sunspear.
The political map is constantly shifting. The War of the Five Kings and the events of *Game of Thrones* saw titles and territories change hands dramatically, but the core geography of the Seven Kingdoms map remains the foundation of the world.
The Great Houses of Westeros: A Complete Map Guide (20+ Entities)
To achieve true topical authority, one must look beyond the main houses and acknowledge the deep network of powerful vassals and minor houses that form the political backbone of the realm. The following list details the most crucial houses, their locations on the map, their iconic sigils, and their famous words.
| House | Region & Seat | Sigil | Words |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stark | The North (Winterfell) | A grey direwolf on white | "Winter Is Coming" |
| Lannister | The Westerlands (Casterly Rock) | A golden lion on crimson | "Hear Me Roar!" |
| Targaryen | Crownlands (Dragonstone/King's Landing) | A three-headed red dragon on black | "Fire and Blood" |
| Baratheon | The Stormlands (Storm's End) | A crowned black stag on gold | "Ours Is the Fury" |
| Arryn | The Vale (The Eyrie) | A white falcon and crescent moon on sky blue | "As High as Honor" |
| Tully | The Riverlands (Riverrun) | A silver trout leaping on a field of blue and red | "Family, Duty, Honor" |
| Greyjoy | The Iron Islands (Pyke) | A golden kraken on black | "We Do Not Sow" |
| Martell | Dorne (Sunspear) | A red sun pierced by a golden spear | "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken" |
| Tyrell | The Reach (Highgarden) | A golden rose on a field of green | "Growing Strong" |
| Frey | The Riverlands (The Twins) | Two blue towers joined by a bridge on grey | (No official words) |
| Bolton | The North (The Dreadfort) | A flayed man, red on pink | "Our Blades Are Sharp" |
| Hightower | The Reach (Oldtown) | A white stone watchtower with a beacon on grey | "We Light the Way" |
| Velaryon | The Crownlands (Driftmark) | A silver seahorse on sea green | "The Old, the True, the Brave" |
| Royce | The Vale (Runestone) | Bronze runes on a white field, bordered by black | "We Remember" |
| Strong | The Riverlands (Harrenhal) | A blue, red, and green striped field | (No official words) |
| Dayne | Dorne (Starfall) | A sword and falling star on purple and white | (No official words) |
| Mormont | The North (Bear Island) | A black bear on a green field | "Here We Stand" |
| Glover | The North (Deepwood Motte) | A silver gauntlet on a field of scarlet | (No official words) |
| Swann | The Stormlands (Stonehelm) | A white and black swan counterchanged | (No official words) |
| Redwyne | The Reach (The Arbor) | A cluster of red grapes on a blue field | (No official words) |
New Lore on the Map: House of the Dragon's Key Locations
The prequel series *House of the Dragon* (HotD) transports us back nearly 200 years, offering a fresh perspective on the map and highlighting locations that were secondary in *Game of Thrones*. The focus shifts from the Great Houses of the North and West to the power centers of the Targaryen dynasty and their key allies.
Dragonstone: The Targaryen Ancestral Seat
While King's Landing is the political capital, Dragonstone is the ancestral heart of the Targaryen family. Located on an island in Blackwater Bay, this formidable fortress is the seat of the heir to the Iron Throne and the primary base for the "Blacks" faction during the Dance of the Dragons. Its importance on the ASoIaF maps is paramount in the HotD era, serving as the strategic counterpoint to the Red Keep in King's Landing.
Driftmark and House Velaryon
The island of Driftmark, situated in Blackwater Bay near Dragonstone, is the seat of the ancient and powerful House Velaryon. Known as the "Sea Snakes," the Velaryons are a Valyrian house who arrived in Westeros before the Targaryens and control the largest fleet in the realm. Their wealth and naval power, centered at High Tide, makes Driftmark a critical location on the map, especially during the Targaryen civil war.
Harrenhal: The Cursed Giant of the Riverlands
The colossal, ruined castle of Harrenhal in the Riverlands is a key location in the HotD map lore. Originally built by the tyrannical King Harren the Black, it was destroyed by Aegon's dragon fire and is infamous for being cursed. In *House of the Dragon*, the castle's ownership and its strategic location in the center of Westeros make it a crucial gathering point for both the "Greens" and the "Blacks," often changing hands and cementing its reputation as a place of ill omen.
The Stepstones: A Hotspot for Conflict
The Stepstones are a chain of islands connecting Westeros and Essos, and their significance is greatly amplified in *House of the Dragon*. This area becomes a vital geopolitical hotspot, controlled by pirates and contested by the Free Cities. Lord Corlys Velaryon's campaigns to secure the Stepstones highlight the strategic importance of trade routes and naval dominance long before the events of *Game of Thrones*. The Stepstones serve as a reminder that the world extends beyond Westeros, making the full Essos map a necessary component of the greater lore.
Mastering the Westeros Geography
The map of Westeros is a dynamic tapestry woven from centuries of history, war, and political intrigue. By studying the Westeros geography and the locations of the noble houses, you gain a deeper appreciation for the motivations and conflicts that drive the entire saga. Whether you are tracking the movements of the dragons in *House of the Dragon* or charting the journey of a direwolf in *Game of Thrones*, the map is the ultimate guide.
From the towering walls of the Eyrie to the strategic choke point of The Twins, every castle and region on the Game of Thrones houses map tells a story of ambition, loyalty, and betrayal. Keep this guide handy as you explore the ever-expanding lore of George R.R. Martin's world.
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