Eddard Stark

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House Stark.svg Lord
Eddard Stark
House Stark.svg
Eddard Amoka.jpg
Eddard Stark by Amok ©

Aliases
Titles
Allegiance House Stark
Culture Northmen
Born In 263 AC[5]Winterfell[6]
Died In 299 AC (aged 36)[7]Great Sept of Baelor, King's Landing[8]
Father Lord Rickard Stark
Mother Lady Lyarra Stark
Spouse Lady Catelyn Tully
Lovers
Issue
Books

Played by Sean Bean
Sebastian Croft (child)
Robert Aramayo (young)
TV series Game of Thrones: Season 1 | 6 | 7

Eddard Stark, also called "Ned", is the head of House Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and Warden of the North. He is a close friend to King Robert I Baratheon, with whom he was raised. Eddard is one of the major POV characters in A Song of Ice and Fire.

In the television adaptation Game of Thrones, Eddard is played by Sean Bean, Sebastian Croft (Eddard as a child), and Robert Aramayo (Eddard as a young man).[9]

Appearance and Character

See also: Images of Eddard Stark

Eddard has a long face[10] and long brown hair.[11] His closely-trimmed beard is beginning to grey, making him look older than his thirty-five years.[11] His dark grey eyes[11] reflect his moods, turning soft as fog or hard as stone.[12] Eddard is shorter and less handsome than his older brother Brandon had been, according to Catelyn Stark; however, she also states that Ned has a "good sweet heart beneath his solemn face".[13] He keeps faith with the old gods.[1] He is fiercely protective of his wife and children, whom he loves deeply.

Eddard is known for his unwavering sense of honor[14][15] and justice and his family finds him kind, although some consider his reserved personality a sign of coldness and disdain.[16] Among his enemies, Eddard has the reputation of having cold, judgmental eyes[17] thought to reflect his frozen heart.[18]

While riding his great warhorse in the north, Ned wears furs and leathers.[11] Ned also wears silk[19] and linen[20] tunics and a belt of heavy silver links.[20] His surcoat is fine white velvet with a direwolf badge over the heart.[12] Ned's cloaks are grey with white,[21] as well as black wool.[22]

Lord Stark wields sword[23] and dagger,[24] although he uses Ice, a Valyrian steel greatsword, for ceremonial purposes.[11]

History

Youth

Eddard was born at Winterfell[6] as the second son of Lord Rickard Stark and Lady Lyarra Stark. He had one older brother, Brandon, and two younger siblings, Lyanna and Benjen.[25][26]

Eddard was fostered by Lord Jon Arryn at the Eyrie from the age of eight.[1][10] There, Eddard befriended his fellow ward, Robert Baratheon, while Lord Jon became like a second father to him.[1] When he reached the age of sixteen, Eddard was a man grown, and divided his time between Winterfell and the Eyrie.[27] During one of his visits to Winterfell, Eddard carried a wedding proposal from Robert to his father, Lord Rickard, who agreed to betroth his daughter Lyanna to Eddard's friend.[6][23] When Lyanna later expressed that her belief that Robert would never keep to one bed, having heard about Mya Stone, Robert's bastard daughter in the Vale of Arryn, Eddard recalled having seen the child, and was unable to deny her existence.[23] Lord Rodrik Ryswell hoped to wed his daughter Barbrey to Brandon or Eddard.[28]

Tourney at Harrenhal

Rhaegar Targaryen, Eddard, and Lyanna, by M. Luisa Giliberti ©

In 281 AC, at the age of eighteen, Eddard came down from the Eyrie to attend the tourney at Harrenhal.[15] Also present were Eddard's foster brother Robert, his foster father Jon, and his three siblings, Brandon, Lyanna, and Benjen.[2] It was during this tourney that Eddard met Howland Reed, one of his father's bannermen. Howland and Eddard remained friends for the rest of their lives. During the opening feast, Eddard saw Ashara Dayne, a lady-in-waiting to Princess Elia Martell. He danced with her later that night, but only after his older brother Brandon had spoken to her on his behalf, since he himself was too shy.[2] Eddard was present during the final jousts, where Prince Rhaegar Targaryen passed over his own wife, Elia, to crown Lyanna the queen of love and beauty. Eddard would remember this moment as "the moment when all smiles died" years later.[15]

The following year, Eddard's sister Lyanna was abducted by Prince Rhaegar.[29] Brandon rode to King's Landing in anger, but he was arrested when he threatened the crown prince. Lord Rickard Stark was summoned to King's Landing to answer for the crimes of his son, and rode to the capital with two hundred men. When he demanded a trial by combat, both he and Brandon were executed at the command of King Aerys II Targaryen.[30] Aerys's next step was to demand that Jon Arryn send him the heads of his former wards, Eddard and Robert. Jon refused and instead called his banners.[1]

Robert's Rebellion

Robert Baratheon and Eddard, by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games

With his father and brother dead, Eddard was now the Lord of Winterfell. He wanted to raise his banners to join Robert's Rebellion, but getting from the Vale of Arryn to the north was complicated by the loyalty to the Iron Throne of Gulltown, the Vale's chief port.[31][32] Eddard crossed the Mountains of the Moon to the Fingers and hired a fisherman to bring him to White Harbor with a boat. They were caught by a storm on the Bite and the fisherman drowned. However, his daughter brought Eddard to the Three Sisters. When he arrived at Sisterton, House Borrell's maester urged Lord Borrell to deliver Eddard's head to King Aerys II Targaryen, but Lord Borrell, knowing that Jon Arryn and Robert Baratheon had taken Gulltown in the meantime, was unsure who would prevail in the conflict. Thus he let Ned leave for White Harbor, telling him to remain silent about his stay in Sisterton in case the rebellion failed.[32]

Eddard called his banners, and marched south to join Robert, arriving with Lord Hoster Tully in time to turn the tide at the Battle of the Bells.[33] Afterward, he went to Riverrun to marry Hoster's elder daughter, Catelyn, who had been betrothed to his brother Brandon before his death.[10] Jon Arryn married Hoster's younger daughter, Lysa, in the same ceremony. The double wedding bound House Tully to the rebels' cause.[1]

The rebels won their decisive victory in the Battle of the Trident, in which Robert killed Prince Rhaegar Targaryen in single combat at the ruby ford. Because Robert had been wounded by Rhaegar, it fell on Eddard to pursue the remnants of Aerys's armies to King's Landing.[14]

Eddard, Jaime, and Aerys in the Iron Throne room - by Amok ©

When Eddard arrived at the capital, Lord Tywin Lannister's force had already sacked the city. Eddard had developed contempt for House Lannister during the rebellion, as Tywin had remained neutral in an apparent attempt to join the winning side in the end. Eddard's contempt increased when he learned that Tywin had conquered the city by treachery and that his men had brutally killed Rhaegar's wife, Elia Martell, and children, Rhaenys and Aegon. In addition, Lannister flags were flying over the Red Keep when Eddard arrived and, as he rode into the throne room to claim the crown for Robert, he found King Aerys's body at the steps leading to the Iron Throne, on which the king's killer, Ser Jaime Lannister, was sitting.[14]

Eddard felt the Sack of King's Landing dishonored Robert's cause. He was disappointed that Robert, upon arriving in the city, did not share his moral outrage and in particular defended the murder of Rhaegar's children. He also ignored Eddard's counsel that Jaime should be made to join the Night's Watch for breaking his oath as a knight of the Kingsguard by not protecting the king. Their disagreements created a rift between Eddard and Robert that not even Jon Arryn was able to breach.[1][14][34]

Eddard left Robert in King's Landing and went to Storm's End, where he lifted the siege of the castle. Lord Mace Tyrell and his armies yielded to Eddard without a fight.[35] Afterwards, Eddard traveled to the Red Mountains of Dorne to liberate his sister Lyanna, who apparently was held at the tower of joy. When Eddard arrived along with six companions, he found the tower guarded by three members of the Kingsguard, Arthur Dayne, Oswell Whent, and Lord Commander Gerold Hightower. The resulting skirmish saw the deaths of all but Eddard and one companion, Howland Reed.[36] Eddard is said to have killed Arthur, the Sword of the Morning, in single combat.[37]

Eddard makes a promise to Lyanna before her death - by Amok ©

Unfortunately, when Eddard found Lyanna, she was already dying.[38] Before her death, she made Eddard promise her something;[38] what he promised her has not yet been revealed. The experience haunts Eddard and he recalls her "promise me" on multiple occasions.[14][20][15] However, the shared grief over Lyanna led to his reconciliation with his friend, now King Robert I.[14]

When Eddard returned home to Winterfell, he brought with him his bastard son, Jon Snow. This strained the relationship with his wife Catelyn, who had given birth to their son Robb at Riverrun during the war. Eddard refused to speak to her about Jon's mother. However, stories concerning her identity circulated nonetheless. When Catelyn heard rumors that the boy's mother was the Dornish noblewoman Ashara Dayne, she confronted Eddard about it, but he told her in a brusque manner that the child was his blood and that was all she needed to know. He subsequently silenced the rumors about Ashara.[10] Sansa Stark recalls hearing whispers that Jon's mother was common born.[39] Lord Edric Dayne believes that, rather than his aunt Ashara, Jon Snow's mother was a woman called Wylla, who worked for House Dayne and at one point served as Edric's wet-nurse.[40] When asked about the mother of his bastard son by King Robert I Baratheon, Eddard also mentions the name Wylla.[14] However, Lord Godric Borrell claims that the daughter of the fisherman who sneaked Eddard away from the Fingers gave birth to Jon Snow.[32]

Eddard buried the bones of his deceased kin in the crypt of Winterfell. Breaking the tradition of only Stark kings and lords having statues, Ned had them carved for Brandon and Lyanna next to that of Lord Rickard.[29] Barbrey Dustin, now Lady of Barrowton, resented that Eddard returned the horse but not the bones of her husband, Lord Willam, who had died fighting alongside Ned in Dorne.[28] Ned's younger brother, Benjen, joined the Night's Watch.[41]

Lord of Winterfell

As a second son, Eddard had never expected to become the Lord of Winterfell, and as such did not always feel equal to the task, determined it had all been meant for his elder brother Brandon.[10] Lord Stark has taken little interest in affairs south of the Neck.[14]

In 289 AC, Eddard traveled south to help Robert suppress Greyjoy's Rebellion. After the decisive siege of Pyke and Lord Balon Greyjoy's surrender, Eddard took Balon's only surviving son, Theon, to Winterfell as a ward and hostage.[38] While Eddard tried to be like a father to Theon from time to time,[42] the boy still found Lord Stark to be cold.[42]

When Lord Jorah Mormont tried to sell poachers he had caught on his lands into slavery in 293 AC, Eddard traveled to Bear Island to bring him to justice for his crime. Upon arrival, Ned found that Jorah and Lynesse Hightower had fled into exile, however.[14]

During his marriage to Catelyn, Eddard had five children with her: Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon.[26] Eddard has taught Robb and Jon Snow, his bastard son, about command in battle.[43]

Arya has visited White Harbor twice with her father,[44] and Theon Greyjoy accompanied Lord Stark during a visit to Ser Helman Tallhart at Torrhen's Square[45] and several visits to the Glovers at Deepwood Motte.[46] The hill clans have always treated Lord Stark generously when he visited the northern mountains,[47] calling him "the Ned".[48] Eddard hosted Lord Rickard Karstark and his daughter, Alys, when the girl was six.[49] Mance Rayder was part of Lord Commander Qorgyle's expedition to Winterfell to see Lord Stark.[50] Eddard is wary of Roose Bolton, Lord of the Dreadfort.[51]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Eddard with Ice in the godswood of Winterfell - by Michael Komarck ©

Lord Eddard executes Gared, a deserter of the Night's Watch who claims to have been attacked by Others. On the return to Winterfell, the party discovers a direwolf dead on the roadside, her throat pierced by a stag she had slain. Swayed by his bastard son, Jon Snow, Eddard decides not to slay her newborn pups, and instead allow his children to raise them.[11]

That same day, a raven arrives bearing word of the death of Lord Jon Arryn, who fostered Eddard as well as Robert Baratheon, and who had long served Robert as Hand of the King.[1] Soon Robert arrives with half the court, and Eddard grudgingly accepts his offer to replace Lord Arryn as Hand, as well as a betrothal of Prince Joffrey to his daughter Sansa.[38][10] Another message arrives, this one from Lysa Arryn, Jon's widow and the sister of Eddard's wife Catelyn, sent to Winterfell in secret. Lysa warns the Starks that the Lannisters were involved in her husband's death.[10] When Eddard's son Bran falls and slips into a coma, Eddard and the royal court remain at Winterfell for almost another fortnight,[52] though they eventually decide to leave.

During the journey south, Eddard and Robert are at odds whether or not to be concerned about the wedding of the exiled Princess Daenerys Targaryen to Khal Drogo of the Dothraki.[14] Eddard's youngest daughter Arya is involved in an incident in which crown prince Joffrey Baratheon is injured by Arya's direwolf, Nymeria.[39] When Nymeria cannot be found, Queen Cersei Lannister demands the death of Sansa's direwolf, Lady, and Eddard executes the wolf himself at Darry. In order to prevent Queen Cersei from acquiring the pelt, he has her body sent north to be buried at Winterfell.[53]

Upon arriving at King's Landing, Eddard is summoned to a small council meeting. Afterwards, Lord Petyr Baelish takes Eddard to one of his brothels, where he has been hiding Eddard's wife, Catelyn. She reveals how a catspaw tried to kill their son Bran with a Valyrian steel dagger. Petyr, known as Littlefinger, claims that the dagger used to be his, but was won in a bet by Tyrion Lannister. Littlefinger promises to aid Eddard.[24] After receiving Maester Luwin's message that Bran is awake, Lord Stark and his daughters stay overnight in the godswood of the Red Keep.[19]

Eddard in the Red Keep, by Jake Murray © Fantasy Flight Games

Eddard is shocked to learn that the crown is heavily indebted due to Robert's extravagance, and Jon Arryn and the small council had been unable to restrain him. Robert decrees a great tournament is to be held in honor of Eddard's appointment as Hand of the King, despite Eddard's protests of the cost.[24] The Hand's tourney, featuring a joust, melee, and archery contest, attracts knights and freeriders from all over the Seven Kingdoms.[24][54][21] Ned and Ser Barristan Selmy, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, convince Robert not to participate in the melee.[55]

Eddard discovers that his daughter Arya is in the possession of a sword, Needle, but decides to have her trained in how to use it, instead of taking her sword away. He hires Syrio Forel, a former First Sword of Braavos.[54] While Ned later wonders whether Syrio is a proper teacher for Arya, he allows the lessons to continue,[56] and is eventually willing to ask Syrio to continue his work at Winterfell.[57]

Eddard investigates Jon Arryn's activities before his death, and he discovers that Jon spent a great deal of time with Lord Stannis Baratheon and had been visiting several of Robert's bastard children in the city.[21][23] Grand Maester Pycelle provides the Hand with The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms, which Jon had been reading.[21]

When news reaches King's Landing that Daenerys is pregnant, Robert holds a council meeting demanding she be put to death. Eddard and Barristan are the only ones to speak out against the move, but Robert, driven by his hatred of the Targaryens, insists on the assassination. Eddard, unwilling to cooperate, resigns his office in protest.[16]

Before his planned departure from King's Landing to return to Winterfell, Eddard visits another of Robert's bastard children, a girl named Barra, found by Lord Baelish. Returning from this meeting he is ambushed by Ser Jaime Lannister, who wants revenge for the seizure of his brother Tyrion by Catelyn at the crossroads inn,[23] a fact Eddard had learned the day before from Yoren, a wandering crow.[58][16] Eight men[36] die from the ensuing melee, including Jory Cassel, Heward, Wyl, and Tregar, and Ned's leg is broken when his horse falls upon him.[23] Pycelle treats Ned, who has a fever dream of the tower of joy. While recovering, Robert visits his friend, pardoning him and returning him to office as Hand of the King.[36]

Eddard sits on the Iron Throne and hears petitions while Robert is out on a hunt. Ser Raymun Darry, Ser Marq Piper, and Ser Karyl Vance bring the news that several villages near the border of the westerlands have been ravaged by Ser Gregor Clegane. Eddard sends Lord Beric Dondarrion, Thoros of Myr, and a number of knights, and members of his own household guard to bring the Mountain to justice for his crimes against the riverlands.[22]

While investigating Jon Arryn's interest in Robert's bastard children, Eddard discovers to his horror that Robert's three legitimate children are the product of incest between Queen Cersei and her brother, Jaime.[57] Eddard decides to confront Cersei, giving her a chance to flee with her children while she still can.[59] However, Cersei has orchestrated Robert's assassination. As Robert lays on his deathbed, Eddard rebuffs both the suggestion of Robert's youngest brother, Lord Renly Baratheon, that they seize control of the royal children, and Petyr Baelish's urgings to rule as regent while Cersei and Jaime's thirteen-year-old son, Prince Joffrey, accedes to the Iron Throne, instead planning to deliver it to the elder of Robert's younger brothers, Lord Stannis.[20] Littlefinger promises Eddard the support of the City Watch of King's Landing. Vayon Poole arranges for Sansa and Arya to return north on the Wind Witch,[59] and Ned orders Tomard to deliver a letter to Stannis at Dragonstone.[20]

Eddard's execution by Ilyn Payne, by Magali Villeneuve © Penguin Random House

Not wanting to have her betrothal to Joffrey broken, Sansa informs Queen Cersei of her father's plan to leave King's Landing.[60] When Ned confronts Cersei in the throne room, he is betrayed by Littlefinger. Red cloaks and Janos Slynt's gold cloaks kill Eddard's remaining men, and Littlefinger takes the Valyrian dagger from Lord Stark.[61] Syrio allows Arya to escape Ser Meryn Trant,[62] but Sansa is captured by the Lannisters.[63]

In response to his father's imprisonment for treason by Cersei, Robb Stark calls the northern banners to Winterfell and marches south.[64] For his part in Ned's downfall, Janos Slynt is named Lord of Harrenhal by King Joffrey.[65]

Varys visits Eddard Stark in the dungeons, informing him that if he confesses to treason his life will be spared and he will be given the opportunity to join the Night's Watch. Eddard initially refuses but agrees to swallow his honor to save the life of his daughter Sansa, who is in Lannister custody.[15] He is taken to the steps of the Great Sept of Baelor where, unbeknownst to him, Yoren, his daughter Arya, and the disguised Barristan are amongst the crowd.[8][66] Eddard makes a false public confession but the plan goes awry when King Joffrey declares that Eddard must be executed, to the evident shock of Cersei, Varys, and the High Septon. Ser Ilyn Payne beheads Eddard with his own greatsword, Ice.[8] Joffrey has Eddard's head placed on a spike and forces Sansa to view it.[67]

Bran and Rickon Stark dream of their father's death before a raven arrives at Winterfell.[29] After the Battle of the Camps, Robb is proclaimed King in the North by northmen and rivermen at Riverrun.[68]

A Clash of Kings

Eddard's impaled head at the Red Keep, illustrated by Daarken © Fantasy Flight Games

A stonemason creates a granite statue in Ned's image within the crypt of Winterfell.[69]

Tyrion Lannister orders the heads of Eddard and other victims to be removed from the spikes of the Red Keep.[70] He then sends Eddard's bones to Riverrun.[71][12] Catelyn Stark tasks Hallis Mollen to take the bones north so Eddard can be buried in the crypt of Winterfell beside his father, brother and sister.[13] The ironborn take Moat Cailin soon after, however, and it is unknown if Eddard's bones made it past the Moat before its fall to House Greyjoy.[72][73][13]

Eddard's execution at the Great Sept of Baelor has caused a serious deterioration in relations between the crown and the Faith of the Seven, as the High Septon claims that Stark's beheading there profaned the sept with blood.[70]

A Storm of Swords

Sansa Stark would like to name a son Eddard if she were to wed Willas Tyrell, but Lord Tywin Lannister instead arranges for her to wed his son, Tyrion.[74] Jeyne Westerling, Robb's queen, would like to name her children Eddard and Brandon if they have twins.[75] Robb is slain in the Red Wedding, however.[60]

After the battle beneath the Wall, Stannis Baratheon offers to name Jon Snow as Lord of Winterfell, so that a son of Eddard can help Stannis win the north.[76] Jon refuses the offer, however, and is instead chosen Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.[77]

A Dance with Dragons

Recalling that Janos Slynt had helped kill his father, Jon beheads Janos at Castle Black for insubordination.[78]

In White Harbor, Wylla Manderly recalls Eddard's death when declaring her support for Stannis Baratheon instead of Tommen I Baratheon.[79]

Bran Stark, while training to become a greenseer, sees a vision of his father in the past through the eyes of the heart tree in the godswood of Winterfell. Through the weirwood, Bran hears his father's prayers that his wife will forgive him and that Jon and Robb will grow together as brothers.[80]

Theon Greyjoy leads Lady Barbrey Dustin into the crypts of Winterfell, where they see Eddard's statue. Barbrey blames Eddard for the death of her husband, Lord Willam Dustin. She tells Theon that if she ever discovers the location of Eddard's bones, she will never allow them to be buried in the crypts along with his ancestors, in revenge for Eddard's failure to return her husband's bones to her.[28] Many other northern houses remember Eddard fondly, however, and are willing to march to war against House Bolton to rescue the Bolton-controlled "Arya Stark" (actually Jeyne Poole, the daughter of "The Ned".[48][4]

During the walk of atonement by Cersei Lannister through King's Landing, the face of one of the smallfolk reminds her of Eddard.[81]

Quotes by Eddard

Sean Bean as Eddard in Game of Thrones

Bran: Can a man still be brave if he’s afraid?
Eddard: That is the only time a man can be brave.[11]

Bran Stark and Eddard

The blood of the First Men still flows in the veins of the Starks, and we hold to the belief that the man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. If you would take a man's life, you owe it to him to look into his eyes and hear his final words. And if you cannot bear to do that, then perhaps the man does not deserve to die.[11]

—Eddard to Bran Stark

A ruler who hides behind paid executioners soon forgets what death is.[11]

—Eddard to Bran Stark

Eddard: We are not the boys we were.
Robert: You were never the boy you were.[14]

Robert I Baratheon and Eddard

When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives.[54]

—Eddard to Arya Stark

Know the men who follow you and let them know you. Don't ask your men to die for a stranger.[54]

—Eddard to Robb Stark

Some secrets are safer kept hidden. Some secrets are too dangerous to share, even with those you love and trust.[16]

—Eddard's thoughts

Black and white and grey, all the shades of truth.[22]

—Eddard's thoughts

"If it came to that, the life of some child I did not know, against Robb and Sansa and Arya and Bran and Rickon, what would I do? Even more so, what would Catelyn do, if it were Jon's life, against the children of her body?" He did not know. He prayed he never would.[59]

—Eddard's thoughts

Cersei: You should have taken the realm for yourself. It was there for the taking. Jaime told me how you found him on the Iron Throne the day King's Landing fell, and made him yield it up. That was your moment. All you needed to do was climb those steps, and sit. Such a sad mistake.
Eddard: I have made more mistakes than you can possibly imagine, but that was not one of them.[59]

Cersei Lannister and Eddard

In this world only winter is certain. We may lose our heads, it's true ... but what if we prevail?[32]

—Eddard to the Borrells

Quotes about Eddard

Eddard, by Mark Evans © Fantasy Flight Games

You are too hard on yourself, Ned. You always were. Damn it, no woman wants Baelor the Blessed in her bed.[14]

Robert I Baratheon to Eddard

Damn you, Ned Stark. You and Jon Arryn, I loved you both. What have you done to me? You were the one should have been king, you or Jon.[56]

Robert I Baratheon to Eddard

You never could lie for love nor honor, Ned Stark.[56]

Robert I Baratheon to Eddard

No, my lord, when the swords come out in earnest, you will be the only true friend Robert Baratheon will have.[56]

Varys to Eddard

You wear your honor like a suit of armor, Stark. You think it keeps you safe, but all it does is weigh you down and make it hard for you to move.[20]

Petyr Baelish to Eddard

You are an honest and honorable man, Lord Eddard. Ofttimes I forget that. I have met so few of them in my life ... When I see what honesty and honor have won you, I understand why.[15]

Varys to Eddard

Ned Stark a traitor? Not bloody likely. The Long Summer will come again before that one would besmirch his precious honor.[18]

As for your Ned, he should have kissed the hand that killed Aerys, but he preferred to scorn the arse he found sitting on Robert's throne.[30]

I knew Ned Stark as well. Your father was no friend of mine, but only a fool would doubt his honor or his honesty.[82]

A long time ago, she remembered her father saying that when the cold wind blows the lone wolf dies but the pack survives. He had it all backwards. Arya, the lone wolf, still lived, but the wolves of the pack had been taken and slain and skinned.[83]

—thoughts of Arya Stark

Your father was a stubborn man as well. Honor, he called it. Well, honor has its costs, as Lord Eddard learned to his sorrow.[47]

Family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beron
 
Lorra
Royce
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Donnor
 
Lyanne
Glover
 
 
Willam
 
Melantha
Blackwood
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Artos
 
Lysara
Karstark
 
Berena
 
Alysanne
 
Errold
 
Rodrik
 
Arya
Flint
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brandon
 
Edwyle
 
Marna
Locke
 
Jocelyn
 
Benedict
Royce
 
Brandon
 
Benjen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Harrold
Rogers
 
Branda
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issue
 
 
 
Issue
 
Issue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rickard
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lyarra
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brandon
 
Catelyn
Tully
 
Eddard
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unknown
woman
 
Lyanna
 
Benjen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jeyne
Westerling
 
Robb
 
Sansa
 
Tyrion
Lannister
 
Arya
 
Brandon
 
Rickon
 
Jon
Snow
 
 
 


Patrilineal descent

  1. Lord Benjen Stark, Lord of Winterfell
  2. Lord Rickon Stark, Lord of Winterfell
  3. Lord Cregan Stark, Lord of Winterfell
  4. Lord Brandon Stark, Lord of Winterfell
  5. Lord Beron Stark, Lord of Winterfell
  6. Lord Willam Stark, Lord of Winterfell
  7. Lord Edwyle Stark, Lord of Winterfell
  8. Lord Rickard Stark, Lord of Winterfell

Behind the Scenes

According to George R. R. Martin, Eddard has similarities with Lord Hastings.[84]

In an early draft of A Game of Thrones, Catelyn takes Tyrion prisoner at Ned's behest.[85]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 24, Bran II.
  3. "The Citadel: FAQ, entry 6.2.6- Who were the different people in Meera's story?" (2007
  4. 4.0 4.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 62, The Sacrifice.
  5. See the Eddard Stark calculation.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Eddard Stark.
  7. See the Main Series calculations, 298AC to 299AC.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 65, Arya V.
  9. Cast of Game of Thrones on IMDB
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 6, Catelyn II.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 1, Bran I.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 39, Catelyn V.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 45, Catelyn V.
  14. 14.00 14.01 14.02 14.03 14.04 14.05 14.06 14.07 14.08 14.09 14.10 14.11 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 12, Eddard II.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 58, Eddard XV.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 33, Eddard VIII.
  17. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 44, Jaime VI.
  18. 18.0 18.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 27, Daenerys II.
  19. 19.0 19.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 25, Eddard V.
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 47, Eddard XIII.
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 27, Eddard VI.
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 43, Eddard XI.
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 35, Eddard IX.
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 20, Eddard IV.
  25. The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Stark Lineage.
  26. 26.0 26.1 A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
  27. So Spake Martin: Some Questions (March 16, 2000)
  28. 28.0 28.1 28.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 41, The Turncloak.
  29. 29.0 29.1 29.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 66, Bran VII.
  30. 30.0 30.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 55, Catelyn VII.
  31. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 23, Alayne I.
  32. 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 9, Davos I.
  33. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 29, Arya V.
  34. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
  35. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
  36. 36.0 36.1 36.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 39, Eddard X.
  37. The World of Ice & Fire, Dorne: The Andals Arrive.
  38. 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
  39. 39.0 39.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 15, Sansa I.
  40. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 43, Arya VIII.
  41. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Benjen Stark.
  42. 42.0 42.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 11, Theon I.
  43. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 55, Jon VII.
  44. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 22, Arya II.
  45. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 37, Theon III.
  46. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 24, Theon II.
  47. 47.0 47.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 17, Jon IV.
  48. 48.0 48.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 42, The King's Prize.
  49. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 44, Jon IX.
  50. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 7, Jon I.
  51. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 35, Jon VII.
  52. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 10, Jon II.
  53. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 16, Eddard III.
  54. 54.0 54.1 54.2 54.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 22, Arya II.
  55. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 30, Daenerys V.
  56. 56.0 56.1 56.2 56.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 30, Eddard VII.
  57. 57.0 57.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 44, Sansa III.
  58. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 32, Arya III.
  59. 59.0 59.1 59.2 59.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 45, Eddard XII.
  60. 60.0 60.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 51, Catelyn VII.
  61. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 49, Eddard XIV.
  62. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 50, Arya IV.
  63. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 51, Sansa IV.
  64. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 53, Bran VI.
  65. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 57, Sansa V.
  66. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 11, Daenerys II.
  67. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 67, Sansa VI.
  68. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 71, Catelyn XI.
  69. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 4, Bran I.
  70. 70.0 70.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 3, Tyrion I.
  71. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 25, Tyrion VI.
  72. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 46, Bran VI.
  73. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 50, Theon IV.
  74. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 28, Sansa III.
  75. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 20, Catelyn III.
  76. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 73, Jon X.
  77. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 79, Jon XII.
  78. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 7, Jon II.
  79. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 19, Davos III.
  80. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 34, Bran III.
  81. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 65, Cersei II.
  82. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 76, Jon XI.
  83. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 6, Arya I.
  84. So Spake Martin: Boskone (Boston, MA; February 17-19), February 17, 2006
  85. Secrets of the Cushing Library: A Game of Thrones - gsteff on Reddit

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282299 AC
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Preceded by Warden of the North
283299 AC
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298299 AC
Served under: Robert I Baratheon
Joffrey I Baratheon
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