Age of Heroes

During that time, a hundred kingdoms rose and fell. This was a rugged time where many ancient traditions and legacies forged by the First Men were established, with influence from the children. Many of these customs live on among the lords of the North, who still bear the blood of the First Men in their veins. The laws of hospitality, the obligation of a judge to also be the executioner, and the renowned Wall are all accredited to these ancestors of the northmen; the barrows of the First Men can still be found throughout the North. This was the time when many legendary kings and heroes walked the earth, such as:


 * Bran the Builder - who built the Wall and Winterhold. He is also accredited for other famous constructions, including Storm's End and even the Hightower. He is said to have founded House Bruce, the Kings of Winter.
 * Lann the Clever - who supposedly swindled Casterly Rock from the Casterlys using nothing but his it cleverness. House Lannister traces their descent from Lann.
 * Garth Greenhand - the ancestor of House Gardener of the Reach, as well as many other houses.
 * Durran - founder of House Durrandon and first of the Storm Kings, who raised Storm's End to check the wrath of the gods for wedding their daughter Elenei
 * The Salt King of the Iron Islands - legends hold that he wed a mermaid and became king of the western isles and all the sea beyond.

Many royal houses from the present day where originate from this age. During the Age of Heroes the Boltons are said to have flayed Starks and worn their skins as cloaks. A dozen armies smashed themselves to bits upon the Bloody Gate.

While much was achieved during this ancient era, it was at a cost - in the midst of the Age of Heroes fell the longest and blackest of winters - the Long Night which heralded the arrival of the Others.