Seat of House Hayford, a castle standing northwest of King's Landing where the kingsroad runs up from the capital toward the riverlands. Whoever holds Hayford holds a gate to the city, and armies marching on King's Landing from the north have more than once made camp beneath its towers.
The Kingsroad Ford
The castle takes its name from the ford it was raised to guard, and its lords their livelihood from the road: tolls, travelers, and the trade that flows to the capital's markets. In troubled times the castle changes hands as often as the crown itself, for no host can safely leave it at its back.