Bear Island

Bear Island is a remote island in the North of Westeros, and the ancestral home of House Mormont, vassals of House Stark of Winterfell. It lies within the Bay of Ice on the western coast of the North. The island remains relatively poor. It is densely forested with a large bear population which earned the island its name.

People who hail from this island are strong, hardy, loyal and no-nonsense. This is best exemplified by its liege lords House Mormont.

Background
During the Age of Heroes, Rodrik Stark was said to have won control of the island in a wrestling match with an Ironborn. Rodrik gave Bear Island to the Mormonts who have been loyal supporters of the Starks ever since.

Lord Commander Jeor Mormont of the Night's Watch was born on Bear Island, as was his son, Jorah. Jorah and his wife were forced from his land and fled into exile after he sold poachers he had caught on Bear Island, an inexcusable crime. Following Jorah's disgrace, Jeor's younger sister Maege Mormont became Lady of Bear Island.

Season One
When Daenerys Targaryen first meets Ser Jorah, he states he is from Bear Island. Later Jorah relates to Daenerys about how Eddard Stark forced him from his lands. When asked by Daenerys what he longs for, Jorah simply replies, "Home."

When Jon Snow receives Longclaw, the ancestral Valyrian steel sword of House Mormont, Lord Commander Jeor Mormont recalls how when Jorah brought dishonor on their house, he had the grace to leave their sword at Bear Island before fleeing. Lady Maege Mormont and her eldest daughter Alysane leave Bear Island for Winterfell when Robb Stark calls his banners, leaving the young Lyanna Mormont as acting Lady of Bear Island.

Season Four
With Lady Maege now dead, her eldest daughter Alysane is now Lady of Bear Island.

Season Five
Stannis Baratheon comes to Castle Black and sends ravens to all Northern Lords to ask them to join his cause. Lyanna Mormont, acting Lady of Bear Island, sends back a rebuff that reads: "Bear Island knows no king but the King in the North, whose name is Stark."

In the books
According to legend, in ancient times, Bear Island was ruled by House Woodfoot, who were wiped out when the ironborn conquered the island. Bear Island is home mostly to woodsmen, crofters and fisherfolk, as well as the bears that give the island its name.

There is a warrior woman tradition on Bear Island, because with all of the husbands and fathers away for long periods of time on fishing boats or working in the fields, the local women of the island had to be prepared to defend their homes and children from raids at a moment's notice (raids from both the ironborn further south, and from wildlings who avoided the Wall entirely by using boats to cross the bay from the Frozen Shore on the other side).