Thane of Winterhold: how to earn the title
Thane of Winterhold is the simplest thane title in Skyrim. The town has a handful of residents, there is no house to buy, and quests you do for the College of Winterhold count toward the three people you need to help. The trade-off is that Winterhold is the only hold with no housecarl.
Here is what Jarl Korir (or Kraldar, after an Imperial victory) needs first, every favor and College quest that counts, and what the Blade of Winterhold actually is.
Favors that count toward Thane of Winterhold (three needed)
| Quest giver | Where to find them | Quest | What you do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haran | The Frozen Hearth | A Few Words with You | Persuade, bribe or intimidate Ranmir about his bar tab |
| Malur Seloth | Jarl's Longhouse | Some Light Theft | Steal the Staff of Arcane Authority from Nelacar's room in the inn |
| Thorgar | Whistling Mine | Mine Ore | Mine iron ore and sell it to him |
| Ranmir | Birna's Oddments | Quest all Drunks Have | Buy the drunk a drink at the Frozen Hearth |
| Birna | Birna's Oddments | Investment | Invest 500 gold with the Investor perk (Speech 70) |
| College mages | College of Winterhold | First Lessons, Brelyna's Practice, J'zargo's Experiment, Onmund's Request, Arniel's Endeavor, Out of Balance, Restocking Soul Gems, Fetch me that Book! (second time) | Any of these raises a mage's disposition and counts |
| Nelacar or Aranea | The Frozen Hearth | The Black Star | The Daedric quest for Azura's Star counts |
Step 1: help the Jarl
The Jarl lives in the Jarl's Longhouse in Winterhold, a small building beside the Frozen Hearth.
- Korir, the Stormcloak-aligned Jarl you meet by default, asks you to retrieve the Helm of Winterhold, once worn by Jarl Hanse in the First Era. It sits in the boss chest of a random dungeon: Driftshade Refuge, Fort Fellhammer, Hela's Folly, Hob's Fall Cave, Ironbind Barrow, the Pride of Tel Vos, Saarthal, Snow Veil Sanctum, Yngol Barrow or Yngvild. Bring it back for leveled gold. If Korir was ousted in Season Unending and restored by the Battle for Fort Kastav, that restoration counts instead.
- Kraldar takes over if the Empire gains Winterhold, either through Season Unending or Rescue from Fort Kastav. Installing him is enough; he asks for no errand at all.
Then ask about becoming thane and the Jarl tells you to assist the people of Winterhold.
Step 2: assist three people of Winterhold
Three favors are enough, and UESP confirms that College of Winterhold quests count, because the mages are citizens of the hold. If you are already a student, First Lessons plus the personal quests from Brelyna, J'zargo and Onmund get you there without leaving the College.
Quests that do not count: Drowned Sorrows for Dagur at the inn (it changes nobody's disposition), Enchanting Pick-Up and Shalidor's Insights. Do Ranmir's drink favor before starting Drowned Sorrows, because that quest removes him from the game.
One oddity: Harsh Master, the favor for Kjar on Windhelm's docks, wrongly counts for Winterhold in the unpatched game because Kjar is tagged as a Winterhold citizen.
Step 3: the reward
Return to the Jarl and you are named Thane of Winterhold. The reward is the Blade of Winterhold, a random leveled enchanted sword with a 50 percent chance of being one-handed and 50 percent of being a greatsword. Guards in the hold will let you off a minor crime once when you invoke the title.
No house, no housecarl
Winterhold is the only hold where you cannot buy a house, and Hearthfire adds no plot here either, even though three stone quarries appear around town. Because there is no property, there is also no housecarl: the Jarl does not assign one, not even as a bodyguard. If you want a home nearby, the Arch-Mage's Quarters at the College become yours at the end of the College questline. For purchasable homes see Skyrim houses.
On the map: 6 locations
Thane of Winterhold: how to earn the title: FAQ
How do you become Thane of Winterhold?
Retrieve the Helm of Winterhold for Jarl Korir (or install Kraldar through the civil war), then assist three people of Winterhold, including College mages, and return to the Jarl's Longhouse.
Do College of Winterhold quests count toward Thane of Winterhold?
Yes. First Lessons, Brelyna's Practice, J'zargo's Experiment, Onmund's Request, Arniel's Endeavor, Out of Balance, Restocking Soul Gems and a second Fetch me that Book! all count.
Is there a housecarl for the Thane of Winterhold?
No. Winterhold has no house to buy or build, so it is the only hold that never gives you a housecarl.
Where is the Helm of Winterhold?
In the boss chest of a random dungeon chosen from Driftshade Refuge, Fort Fellhammer, Hela's Folly, Hob's Fall Cave, Ironbind Barrow, the Pride of Tel Vos, Saarthal, Snow Veil Sanctum, Yngol Barrow or Yngvild. Follow the quest marker.
What is the Blade of Winterhold?
The thane reward: a leveled enchanted sword that is either one-handed or a greatsword, chosen at random.