Yohn Royce
By WiC Staff
History
Yohn Royce is the lord of Runestone and the head of House Royce, which serves House Arryn. He is faithful and decent, if gruff. When Sansa told him the story of her time in King’s Landing in season 4, he was sympathetic, and emphasized that he was friendly with her father Ned Stark when Ned was fostered at the Eyrie.
Lord Royce commands the Knights of the Vale. In season 6, he led them in the Battle of Winterfell and defeated Ramsay Bolton’s forces. He was present inside Winterfell when Jon was declared King in the North. Lord Royce appeared to be cheering alongside the other lords, although he expressed some displeasure at having to work with “wildling invaders.”
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Status
With the Knights of the Vale under his command, Yohn Royce potentially holds a lot of power. It’s unclear, however, how he’ll act. He is loyal to House Arryn, but as young Robin Arryn has yet to grow into his leadership role, Yohn Royce takes most of his orders from Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish, about whom he is far more ambivalent. He seems to respect Jon Snow and Sansa Stark, so there may be some competition for his loyalty going forward.