re: Crackpot ASOIAF Theories SPOILERS

I think that the knights (Im sure you meant King's Guard) you mentioned can be likened to Ali, Foreman, Max Baer, etc. Glory-driven to an extent, but extremely skilled in hand to hand combat, trained by the best, excellent swordsmen and deserving of the popularity/ regard. Some, if not all, are born with God-given talent like Barristan, but their name and House's political status played a big part in their selection- the opportunistic rich boys, if you will, with a few exceptions.

The Northmen are more your blue collar no-names that can clear out a barroom brawl without cracking a nail. Physical presence of the members of the ancient houses (Mormont, Stark, Umber)due to evolution in action(those with increased body mass for insulation/vs. the cold more likely to survive and reproduce)plus experience (growing up fighting each other, sparring with bigger and stronger partners) An example - Brandon Stark was said to be a pretty big dude, as was Lord Rickard before him...yet LF referred to Ned as "an even more impressive specimen" Probably little in the way of technique as a whole, but more fierce and tougher than your average legend. Can take absorb a whole lot of punishment and still deliver death blows.