How Many Kingdoms Really Are in Westeros?

"The World of Westeros is a rich world full of its own religions, history, and superstitions, and therefore, it's no surprise that certain numbers are significant. In particular, the number seven pops up again and again in Westeros: there's the faith of The Seven, the popular curse "Seven hells," and there are, of course, Seven Kingdoms in Westeros. Or are there?"

"In the final scenes of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Ser Duncan is preparing to set off with his horses when young Egg runs after him, saying his father sent him to serve as Dunk's squire. (This turns out to be a lie, but Dunk doesn't know that.) Dunk tells Egg that Chestnut is his to ride, and they set off on a journey. "Where are we going, ser?" Egg asks. "Don't know," Dunk replies."

""I suppose we could go anywhere in the Seven Kingdoms, though I've never been to D-" "Nine," Egg interrupts. "There are nine kingdoms." Dunk doesn't believe him, but Egg actually rattles them off: Crownlands, Westerlands, Stormlands, Riverlands, The Iron Islands, The North, The Reach, The Vale of Arryn, and Dorne. As they ride off for whatever Westeros has in store for them, a title card reads Knight of the Nine Kingdoms."

A final gag in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms reveals that Westeros contains nine distinct kingdoms rather than seven. Young Egg corrects Ser Duncan and recites Crownlands, Westerlands, Stormlands, Riverlands, Iron Islands, the North, the Reach, the Vale of Arryn, and Dorne, and a title card reads Knight of the Nine Kingdoms. The terminology mismatch stems from historical consolidation and naming conventions that persisted over time, so a medieval-style naming habit can mask earlier political realities and create lasting but imprecise labels.

Read at Inverse