John Stark and: “Live Free or Die.”
So, this is a meta (I thought it was gonna be small, but it ran away from me- oops) on why I do not believe Jon Snow has actually bent the knee.
We all know that the Northerners in Game of Thrones- and A Song of Ice and Fire, have fought long and hard for their independence. We know that it was out of character for Jon to bend the knee to a foreign ruler he hardly knew. Thereby sacrificing the North’s hard won independence and his own power. Power he didn’t want, and definitely did not want for his own sake. But power that gave him a greater ability to defend his beloved home, the North, and his family. The same family that he has canonically, in both the show and the books, been shown to abandon honor and duty for in the past.
We know that A Song of Ice and Fire draws a great deal from history. The weapons, from Valyrian steel to wildfire are based on ancient weapons we have been unable to recreate in the modern day. The struggle for Westeros is specifically meant to mirror The War of the Roses. The First Men = The Celts, The Andals = The Angles and Saxons. A big issue in the series is the conflict between the nobles and the small folk, and a glacially paced transition to a more democratic system.
So, when I was reading up on the source of my state motto: “Live Free or Die (This is New Hampshire’s motto, for those who don’t know) I was struck by the similarities between General John Stark’s story and Jon Snow’s own story line. And I think it will be hugely ironic if George I’m a Huge History Nerd RR Martin, didn’t base Jon off this guy, at least partially.
John Stark was born in Londonderry, New Hampshire. When he was a teenager he was captured by a group of Abenaki Native Americans and brought all the way to Quebec, Canada. While there he and another captive were forced to “run the gamut,” as in charge a line of armed warriors. He surprised one of the men, stole his spear and attacked. The Abenaki were reportedly impressed by his bravery and quick thinking and adopted Stark into the tribe. John Stark was ransomed later that year and sent home to his family.
Later, John Stark fought in the French and Indian War as a member of Roger’s Rangers. He was second in command to Robert Roger and gained a lot of experience fighting in the war. However, when the Rangers were ordered to attack St. Francis, Canada, Stark, refused to join the attack as his Native American foster parents resided in St. Francis. He instead, returned home to his wife.
John Stark later fought at Bunker Hill and reached the rank of Brigadier General in the Continental Army. He later resigned his post because he was disgusted that a less experienced general got a promotion over him. Then he accepted a post here in New Hampshire as Brigadier General, but only on the condition of, wait for it:
Not having to ever answer to Continental Army authorities. (Gosh, I really like this guy) He served with distinction in the battle of Saratoga and became a war hero for his work and famous rallying cry: "There are your enemies, the Red Coats and the Tories. They are ours, or this night Molly Stark sleeps a widow!"
Our motto comes from a letter he wrote to his comrades after his retirement saying, “Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils.”
In short: this guy was a badass.
But, can you see now where I’m going with this? They both grew up in a northern state. They both were captured by and adopted by a people living in what could easily be called the far north. They both learned to respect those people and then later fought against those same people. However, when push came to shove both Jon Snow and John Stark could not forget their love and respect for their foster family. They both served as member of a rangers group and were disgusted by the politics that plagued their society.
Also, JOHN STARK.
So, for Jon Snow to bend the knee to someone who does not truly know his people- regardless of whether they help with an overwhelming threat, have a technical right to rule, or the best of intentions, it would be a huge departure from his characterization. Whether he has any affection, like many non-Tory colonists did for Great Britain, for this aforesaid foreign power it would be enormously strange for him to bend the knee.
But- it would not be out of character for Jon to act the fool. To lie. To gain the trust of his current enemy. Like he did with the Wildlings. Like he did with Stannis.
For him to bend the knee, it would take either a horrific and deliberate character assignation by the writers, a bout of canonical insanity, or shrewd calculation on Jon’s part that a lie is necessary in order for him to get what he wants. If Jon Snow has really bent the knee I can guarantee you, it won’t be for long.
(Also, sudden, idea. Ghost is supposed to be a metaphor for Jon. And Ghost not only has weirwood coloring (in other words he is Northern to the bone), but additionally, a white coat on a wolf also kinda reminds you of the phrase “A wolf in sheep’s clothing.” doesn’t it?)
"If we die, we'll die, but first, we'll live."―Ygritte to Jon Snow.[src]
There is no way in all the the Seven Hells that Jon has bent the knee.
He might die, but, first, he’ll live free.