The Magnar

The Magnar is the title of the absolute ruler of the Thenns, a unique and ancient people among the free folk north of the Wall. Unlike the more egalitarian free folk, the Thenns have lords, laws, and a rigid hierarchy, and the Magnar's word is law. The title is hereditary, passing from father to son, and its holders are both political and spiritual leaders, commanding absolute loyalty and obedience from their people. The Thenns are a proud and fierce people, known for their bronze armor and weapons, and their Magnars are formidable warriors who lead them in battle and in peace.

Identity and Authority

The Magnar is not merely a chieftain but a figure of near-divine authority. As Jon Snow explains to Queen Selyse, "Magnar means lord in the Old Tongue, I am told, but Styr was closer to a god to his people, and his son is cut from the same skin." This absolute authority is a key distinction between the Thenns and other free folk, who follow strength but do not kneel. The Magnar's power is rooted in tradition and fear, and his commands are not questioned. The Thenns are a people apart, living in a hidden vale in the Frostfangs, and their isolation has preserved their unique customs and social structure for thousands of years.

The Magnar in War

The Magnar is a warrior leader, expected to lead his people in battle. Styr, the old Magnar, led the Thenns in Mance Rayder's assault on the Wall, where he was crushed beneath a falling stair during the attack on Castle Black. His son, Sigorn, succeeded him and later knelt before Stannis Baratheon, becoming the first of the free folk to do so. Sigorn is described as a younger, shorter version of his father, clad in bronze greaves and a leather shirt sewn with bronze scales. He is a capable fighter, but his authority is tested by the defeat and the need to adapt to the new reality south of the Wall.

The Magnar and the Night's Watch

Jon Snow, as Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, recognizes the danger of the Thenns' rigid hierarchy. He notes that Sigorn "was bred and trained to give orders, not to take them" and that he cannot be trusted to obey commands. This makes the Magnar a potential threat, as his people will follow him without question. Jon decides to keep Sigorn and his Thenns close, assigning them to a garrison rather than allowing them to roam freely. The Magnar's marriage to Alys Karstark, arranged by Jon, is a political move to bind the Thenns to the Watch and the realm, but it also creates a potential flashpoint, as the Thenns' loyalty to their Magnar could override any oath to the Night's Watch.

The Magnar's Role in the Story

The Magnar serves as a symbol of the rigid, hierarchical society that the free folk reject. His absolute authority contrasts sharply with the more democratic and individualistic nature of other wildling groups. The Magnar's presence south of the Wall represents a challenge to the Night's Watch and the established order, as his people are disciplined and formidable fighters but also a potential source of conflict. The marriage of Sigorn and Alys Karstark is a fragile alliance, and the Magnar's future loyalty remains uncertain, a constant source of tension in the narrative.