A new order, the Royal Guard, was formed - thirteen of the North's finest sworn to protect House Stark. It was said that the king himself handpicked the first members. Similar to the Kingsguard - they vowed to serve for life, but the king allowed them the option of marriage after twenty-five years of leal service- provided the woman in question was approved by the King and would live in Winterfell as part of House Stark's retinue.