One of the most notable aspects of House of the Dragon is how well it manages to both capture the essential feel of its predecessor, Game of Thrones, while also charting its own course. One notable absence in its story, so far at least, is the threat of the wildlings.
In Thrones, by contrast, they were a major part of the narrative as a potent threat to the Night’s Watch and then, under Jon Snow’s leadership, as allies of the southerners against the existential threat posed by the Night King and his minions. There are, moreover, a number of key quotes uttered by various wildling characters which nicely encapsulate their identity and beliefs.
“We Do Not Kneel”
Season 4, Episode 10, “The Children”
Game of Thrones regularly features very brave characters. In large part, this stems from his resolute independence. Like all of his people, he will never bend the knee to another man, even when his own life might hang in the balance.
This refusal to obey authority is, in fact, a key part of the wildling identity. They are people who will follow their own path, regardless of how dangerous it might be. Mance is, in that sense, the perfect person to lead them, as he embodies their fundamental attitudes.
“The Freedom To Make My Own Mistakes Was All I Ever Wanted.”
Season 5, Episode 1, “The Wars To Come”
Mance Rayder is one of the best Game of Thrones characters. Though he is a relatively minor character in the broader scheme of the story, Mance still deserves to be seen among their number. With this quote, he not only expresses an attitude that is very much in keeping with the wildling point of view–freedom above all else–he also admits that he is not afraid to make mistakes.
Given just how much rides on his decisions, this is a very brave thing to do. And if there is one thing that characterizes the wildings, it is their bravery.
“Do You Know What It Takes To Unite Ninety Clans?”
Season 3, Episode 2, “Dark Wings, Dark Words”
To those living south of the Wall, the wildlings are notorious for their inability to unite, which is what makes Mance Rayder’s rise to power all the more surprising. In this quote, he reveals just how much of a challenge it has been for him to bring this to pass.
Because the wildlings are so independent-minded, it takes a formidable will to forge them into any sort of collective. It’s to Mance’s credit that he was able to do so even if, as this quote makes clear, he knew it was a very fragile sort of alliance.
“If We Die We'll Die, But First We'll Live."
Season 3, Episode 7, “The Bear And The Maiden Fair”
For the wildlings, it is often enough to be able to live free. This is precisely what keeps many of them going, even when they are faced with the many challenges and dangers north of the Wall. As such, Mance Rayder is the perfect person to take up the mantle of leadership for them.
He is capable of being something of an avatar for their beliefs, and he will lead them in such a way that they can attain the freedom that they so desperately crave. They might perish, but at least they will do so as free people rather than as slaves.
“Hard To Lead When You’re In Chains.”
Season 5, Episode 5, “Kill The Boy”
Tormund is one of Game of Thrones’ best side characters. He is both very likable and yet also hard as nails, and in that regard, he is very much the epitome of the wildling point of view. With this quote, he articulates quite nicely the point of view of many wildlings when it comes to their leaders.
Like so many of his people, he recognizes the need for a strong person at the helm, even as he also makes it clear that, from his point of view at least, a leader has to make sure that they are not, themselves, chained (either literally or metaphorically).
“The Day I Ask My People To Fight With The Crows Is The Day My People Cut My Guts From My Belly And Make Me Eat Them.”
Season 5, Episode 5, “Kill The Boy”
The enmity that the wildlings feel for the Night’s Watch is a fundamental part of who they are. Tormund, with his usual way with words, makes this very clear with this particular quote.
It’s clear from the moment that Jon Snow comes into contact with them that it will be very difficult indeed to get the Free Folk to see any advantage to allying themselves with their age-old enemies. As Tormund’s words make clear, many would sooner take their own lives rather than sacrifice the freedom that is such a key part of their identity and sense of self.
"We're Here To Hide Behind Your Wall, Just Like You.”
Season 4, Episode 10, “The Children”
There’s no question that Mance is one of the most intelligent characters in Game of Thrones. He is both of the wildlings and yet also different from them, which is what allows him to sum them up so well in his analysis. As he points out here, the truth is that they are just like those in the south.
They want to find safety from the darkness behind the Wall. Unlike so many of their southern neighbors, they know the true threat that looms from the North, and it has become a key part of their identity and the way they look at the world.
“I've Got Wildling Blood In My Veins. These Are My People.”
Season 3, Episode 2, “Dark Wings, Dark Words”
Mance Rayder is one of Ciaran Hinds’ best roles. It’s easy to see why, when he speaks such profound quotes as this one. This particular line not only reveals a lot about how Mance looks at himself, but it also sums up the wildlings as a people.
For them, and for Mance, ties of blood are more important than almost anything else. One’s entire way of being in the world is shaped by one’s blood ties, which is why it’s so important that Mance will always stand up for his kin against those that oppose them.
"Walking's Good, Fighting's Better, F*cking's Best."
Season 7, Episode 6, “Beyond The Wall.”
This is one of those quotes that does a very good job of summing up Tormund’s personality. However, it also sums up the wildlings more generally. They are a people who have learned how to take as much pleasure as they can from the simple things in life.
After all, life is very difficult, and often deadly, north of the Wall, which is why they have developed their own strategies for coping. Tormund, like other members of his people, recognizes the brutal reality of the world he lives in and does the best he can to survive.
“It's You And Me That Matters To Me And You. Don't Ever Betray Me.”
Season 3, Episode 6, “The Climb”
The Jon/Ygritte romance is one of the best relationships in Game of Thrones. Ygritte, in her own way, embodies all of the traits of the wildlings, and she makes that very clear in this quote. Like so many other members of her people, she prides herself on her independence.
What’s more, loyalty and honor are crucial to her, as they are to all wildlings. And, like so many other members of her people, she will seek vengeance on anyone who betrays her, even if it’s someone that she loves as much as she loves Jon Snow.