Extreme Crackpot: Is Steelshanks Walton Domeric Bolton?

[Dead Wolf]

This theory is based entirely on speculation. Steelshanks Walton has appeared numerous times throughout the books, but we know almost nothing about him. Domeric, Roose's heir before Ramsay, died mysteriously when he sought out Ramsay. Roose blamed Ramsay for Domeric's murder, but doesn't seem that concerned about it. My theory is that Roose tried to kill Domeric, but Domeric survived and faked his own death. In the years that followed, Domeric took service at the Dreadfort, to try and learn what he could about the attempt on his life. Steelshanks is currently at Winterfell with both Roose and Ramsay, if Domeric thought Ramsay had tried to murder him, he could have gone to Roose, and had Ramsay killed, but one does not accuse the Lord of the Dreadfort of attempted murder. Steelshanks' choice of peace banner in ASOS is also interesting, the seven colors of the Faith, why make that his peace banner instead of a white one? The Vale, where Domeric lived for three years, most of the lords have pure Andal blood and worship the Seven. Jaime gave Walton and his men gold before they left KL, what have they done with it? Steelshanks doesn't seem to have bought anything with his Lannister gold, like Mord did. What did he do with it? If he's Domeric the simple answer would be that he is buying the alliegence of Roose's men and hiring sellswords. Roose could have ordered Domeric killed because he didn't want someone he couldn't cow into obeying him, he might even have seen himself (before he started leeching himself) in his wild bastard. Roose is a dead man walking because he held Harrenhal, I don't believe Ramsay could kill Roose, but of Roose is unaware of Domeric's continued existence, he is the perfect one to bleed Lord Leech. Littlefinger, the master of the game, knows the hidden dagger is more dangerous than the brandished dagger. Thoughts?

[Ser Render]

I like it!

[Fat Mac]

Domeric Bolton died circa 297, only a year before the series began. And nothing implies he was 16. In fact, he may have been much older, given he used to ride horses with Lyanna (who would have been around 30 in 297).

[Usrnmhsnomning]

I wish GRRM had of fleshed Steelshanks out a bit more. Walton is my family name so I'm a bit predisposed to him.

[juanml82]

Might very well be, but wouldn't it have some sort of Scooby Doo feel? I mean, there is nothing indicating Domeric might have survived or Steelshanks being something else. So it would need a bit of a build up, IMHO.

[Tywin Manderly]

That would quite awesome!

[Athanasius Pernath]

lol.

love you guys. the only reason i like Martin 'slow working' is that i can read crazy piece of theory like this one. of course there's no possibility 1% of this is believable, but i still love that :D

[Dead Wolf]

Might very well be, but wouldn't it have some sort of Scooby Doo feel? I mean, there is nothing indicating Domeric might have survived or Steelshanks being something else. So it would need a bit of a build up, IMHO.

Not if he shoves a spear through Roose's throat

[houseHB]

I could buy this Steelshanks Walton is my crackpot pick for the hooded man of Winterfell. It could fit because this could be why he got so mad when he was alone with Theon and called him Kinslayer. Because Ramsay Domeric's own blood tried to kill him and Domeric would know of Ramsay's games so that is why he laughed at Theon's misery. My next thought is that if this turns out to be true perhaps Domeric aka Steelshanks authored the pink letter to Jon and why there seemed so much contempt behind the word Bastard. Steelshanks = Jon getting shanked by his sworn brothers.

[assjfjgjsgjljljglgjfjsduar]

Domeric Bolton died circa 297, only a year before the series began. And nothing implies he was 16. In fact, he may have been much older, given he used to ride horses with Lyanna (who would have been around 30 in 297).

What he said.

[Raining Blood Magic]

Nope not remotely possible. Age is far off among other things.

[Dr. Pepper]

Let's point out the obvious. Roose probably would recognize his son, even if it had been many years since Domeric died. It's not like Steelshanks Walton was some nameless man in Roose's employ. He often spent time alone with him. One of the first times we see him in the story is when he, Qyburn and Arya are alone in Roose's company.

It's not clear how old Domeric was when he died. In ADWD, it's somewhat implied that he was around Lyanna's age. However, we know it's only been about two years since Domeric died.

“[Ramsay] lived with his mother until two years past, when young Domeric died and left Bolton without an heir."

Without a doubt, Roose would recognize his son, especially if his son had been tall as Steelshanks. Domeric likely would have been known for also being tall if they were the same person.

On the ride from Harrenhall, Jaime notes that Steelshanks is basically Roose's Gregor. One who obeys without question and would rape and plunder when the blood of battle is upon him.

[Dead Wolf]

Nope not remotely possible. Age is far off among other things.

Is it ever stated how old Steelshanks is?

Let's point out the obvious. Roose probably would recognize his son, even if it had been many years since Domeric died. It's not like Steelshanks Walton was some nameless man in Roose's employ. He often spent time alone with him. One of the first times we see him in the story is when he, Qyburn and Arya are alone in Roose's company.

It's not clear how old Domeric was when he died. In ADWD, it's somewhat implied that he was around Lyanna's age. However, we know it's only been about two years since Domeric died.

“[Ramsay] lived with his mother until two years past, when young Domeric died and left Bolton without an heir."

Without a doubt, Roose would recognize his son, especially if his son had been tall as Steelshanks. Domeric likely would have been known for also being tall if they were the same person.

On the ride from Harrenhall, Jaime notes that Steelshanks is basically Roose's Gregor. One who obeys without question and would rape and plunder when the blood of battle is upon him.

Domeric spent seven years away from the Dreadfort. A person's physical can change a lot in that time. If Domeric did fake his own death, he would have taken pains to change his appearence, especially if he wanted to get into the Dreadfort without being recognized. Arya and Jon were very close, but Jon wouldn't recognize Arya if she shaved her head and covered her face with fake pox scars.

[Mrs.Grumpy]

No.

[juanml82]

Let's point out the obvious. Roose probably would recognize his son, even if it had been many years since Domeric died. It's not like Steelshanks Walton was some nameless man in Roose's employ. He often spent time alone with him. One of the first times we see him in the story is when he, Qyburn and Arya are alone in Roose's company.

It's not clear how old Domeric was when he died. In ADWD, it's somewhat implied that he was around Lyanna's age. However, we know it's only been about two years since Domeric died.

“[Ramsay] lived with his mother until two years past, when young Domeric died and left Bolton without an heir."

Without a doubt, Roose would recognize his son, especially if his son had been tall as Steelshanks. Domeric likely would have been known for also being tall if they were the same person.

On the ride from Harrenhall, Jaime notes that Steelshanks is basically Roose's Gregor. One who obeys without question and would rape and plunder when the blood of battle is upon him.

More crackpottery: Roose knows Domeric is Steelshanks. It's all a mummer's show to take revenge on Ramsay. When the time is right, Domeric "Steelshanks" Bolton will stab Ramsay in the back and reclaim his place as the heir to the Dreadfort.

It also makes Roose do the things he does to actually improve the standing of his dynasty, instead of being one final act of cruelty before the Bolton line fades away due Ramsay' stupidity.

[Jon Flowers]

Even if such a thing were possible, which I doubt in the extreme, wouldn't he have had a better chance of a positive outcome if he'd simply gone to Lord Rickard for protection? None of it makes sense in my opinion.

[Dead Wolf]

Even if such a thing were possible, which I doubt in the extreme, wouldn't he have had a better chance of a positive outcome if he'd simply gone to Lord Rickard for protection? None of it makes sense in my opinion.

Roose is incredibly cunning, Domeric does not sound like the type to let Roose know where he was if his father had tried to murder him. It wouldn't be hard to send a guy to get taken into Lord Rickard's service, and kill Domeric.

[Arya kiddin']

This theory actually abuses the word crackpot, at so many levels. :(

[Dead Wolf]

This theory actually abuses the word crackpot, at so many levels. :(

How so?

[assjfjgjsgjljljglgjfjsduar]

I can't believe this is still even being argued.