The north remembers: is there a Grand Northern Conspiracy?

Item: The north remembers: is there a Grand Northern Conspiracy?
Rating: 5
Author: PostSingularity Institute

by Alt Shift X

Humanities, Social Sciences & Thought Society & Culture JBGPopular beliefs JBGXConspiracy theories

🎙 Alt Shift X 👥 2.0M 📅 February 26, 2017 ⏱ 22 min 👁 5.2M 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-08-26

Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

Grand Northern ConspiracyStark restorationWyman ManderlyRobb's willLady Stoneheart

Summary

The video explores the political situation in the North of Westeros at the end of A Dance with Dragons, focusing on the theory of a ‘Grand Northern Conspiracy’ to restore the Stark family to power. It begins by establishing the historical loyalty of the North to the Starks and the crimes of the Boltons, which motivate various houses to plot against them. The analysis then details the evidence for a conspiracy centered on Wyman Manderly, who plans to bring Rickon Stark back from Skagos, and a separate plot involving the witnesses to Robb Stark’s will, who may seek to crown Jon Snow. The video also examines the movements of Lady Stoneheart, the Brotherhood Without Banners, and the escape of Edmure Tully, suggesting possible connections to the conspiracy. It considers the loyalties of the mountain clans and other houses, such as the Karstarks and Hornwoods, and their potential roles. The creator ultimately argues that while there are multiple individual conspiracies, they are likely not coordinated into a single grand plan due to communication difficulties and the risk of exposure. The video concludes that the North remembers and that the Starks will likely return to power through one of these plots.

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Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The video provides a high-value analysis by synthesizing a vast amount of textual evidence from the books, including subtle clues and character motivations. The argumentation is solid: the creator presents a clear thesis, systematically examines evidence for and against the conspiracy, and acknowledges the speculative nature of many connections. The reasoning is logical and well-structured, moving from the general context to specific plot points and then to a balanced conclusion. The creator also engages with counterarguments, such as the difficulty of secret communication in Westeros, which strengthens the overall credibility of the analysis.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The video demonstrates high scientific rigor within the context of literary analysis. It relies on direct quotes and references from the ASOIAF books and preview chapters, and cites numerous fan analyses and community discussions from sources like Westeros.org, Reddit, and dedicated blogs. The creator is transparent about the speculative nature of some claims and clearly distinguishes between confirmed facts and theories. The title accurately reflects the content, and the video’s structure follows a logical progression. The description provides a comprehensive list of references, which enhances the video’s credibility.

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Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content: the video investigates the existence of a coordinated conspiracy among Northern houses to restore the Starks, and concludes with a nuanced answer.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

The video provides a thorough, well-structured analysis of the Grand Northern Conspiracy theory, drawing on extensive textual evidence from the ASOIAF books and preview chapters. The creator clearly distinguishes between confirmed plot elements and speculative connections, and cites numerous fan analyses and community discussions. While the content is interpretive and not peer-reviewed, it is rigorous within the fandom context and transparent about its sources.

Chapters

Cited Sources

Westeros.org forum thread on the Grand Northern Conspiracy — Primary source for the theory and its evidence.
Radio Westeros podcast episode on the GNC — In-depth discussion of the conspiracy.
Lady Gwynhyfvar's blog post on the GNC — Detailed analysis of the conspiracy.
Nina Friel's blog post on the Merman's ambitions — Analysis of Wyman Manderly's motivations.
Reddit thread by Cantuse on the Grand Northern Conspiracy — Fan theory post.
Reddit thread by BryndenBFish on the heirs of Winterfell — Analysis of potential Stark heirs.
Preston Jacobs video on the GNC — Alternative perspective on the conspiracy.
Bran Vras's website — Additional analysis of the series.
Yeade's Tumblr meta on the North remembers — Collection of meta essays.
Art by Ertaç Altınöz — Artwork used in the video.
Art by Zippo514 — Artwork used in the video.
Nina Friel's Tumblr — Source for additional analysis.

Concurring Sources

Radio Westeros podcast episode on the GNC — Supports the existence of multiple conspiracies.
Lady Gwynhyfvar's blog post on the GNC — Provides evidence for the Manderly conspiracy.
Reddit thread by Cantuse — Argues for a coordinated conspiracy.

Dissenting Sources

Preston Jacobs video on the GNC — Presents a different interpretation of the conspiracy, possibly emphasizing a more coordinated plot.

Contribution & Novelties

The video’s original contribution lies in its comprehensive synthesis of the Grand Northern Conspiracy theory, bringing together evidence from multiple plotlines and fan analyses into a coherent narrative. It clearly distinguishes between the Manderly plot to restore Rickon and the potential plot to crown Jon Snow, and critically evaluates the plausibility of a single coordinated conspiracy. The video also highlights the importance of Robb’s will and the movements of Lady Stoneheart, which are often overlooked in simpler discussions.

Pour aller plus loin :

A Song of Ice and Fire — Provides background on the book series and its themes.
Game of Thrones — Context for the TV adaptation and its differences from the books.
Robb Stark — Details on Robb’s reign and his will.
Lady Stoneheart — Information on Catelyn’s resurrection and her role in the Riverlands.

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Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores in quantity and quality of information, reflecting the video's thorough and well-researched content. The technical level is moderate, suitable for a general audience familiar with the series, while the overall reliability is strong due to the transparent use of sources and logical reasoning.

Reliability 8/10

💬 Fervor: The comments overwhelmingly praise the video for its depth and accuracy, with many expressing admiration for the book's intricate plotting and criticizing the TV show's simplification. The sentiment is highly positive, with viewers appreciating the analysis and sharing their own theories.