Game of Thrones: The Free Folk/ Wildlings, Explained

Game of Thrones season 1, episode 1 “Winter Is Coming,” provides the first description of the Wildlings through a sworn brother of the Night’s Watch – Ser Waymar Royce who commands a ranging beyond the Wall. He describes them as “savages,” adding, “…one lot steals a goat from another lot, and before you know it they’re ripping each other to pieces.” Waymar Royce’s description doesn’t nearly cover the diversity among the Wildlings or their lifestyles. They call themselves the Free Folk and are composed of various rival clans who enjoy political autonomy in the lands beyond the Wall. In Game of Thrones season 2, Qhorin Halfhand, Jon Snow, and a small scouting party venture beyond the Fist of the First Men to gather intelligence on the Wildlings’ plans. Qhorin tells Jeor Mormont that the Wildling clans who do not recognize the hereditary political authority of the Seven Kingdoms have rallied themselves behind the former brother – Mance Rayder and are organizing a mutiny against the Night’s Watch.