Difference between revisions of "Lyanna Stark"

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{{Infobox character  
 
{{Infobox character  
| Character_name = '''Lyanna Stark''' [[File:House_Stark.PNG|50px|left]] [[File:House_Stark.PNG|50px|right]]
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| Character_name = [[File:House_Stark.svg|50px|left]] Lyanna Stark [[File:House_Stark.svg|50px|right]]
 
| image          = [[File:Hallmarccus_Lyanna.jpg|300px]]
 
| image          = [[File:Hallmarccus_Lyanna.jpg|300px]]
 
| image_caption  = Lyanna Stark by Marcos Feittosa  ©
 
| image_caption  = Lyanna Stark by Marcos Feittosa  ©
| Alias          = The She-Wolf<br>The Wolf Maid<br>Lya  
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| Alias          = The She-Wolf<br>The Wolf Maid<br>Lya<br>Wolf girl
 
| Title          =
 
| Title          =
 
| Allegiance    = [[House Stark]]
 
| Allegiance    = [[House Stark]]
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| Culture        = [[Northmen]]
 
| Culture        = [[Northmen]]
 
| Spouse        =
 
| Spouse        =
| Place_of_Birth =
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| Place_of_Birth = [[Winterfell]]{{Ref|AWOIAF| Lyanna Stark}}
 
| Date_of_Birth  = {{Date|266}} or {{Date|267}}<ref name=Calculation>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued2)#Lyanna Stark|Lyanna Stark]] calculation.''</ref>
 
| Date_of_Birth  = {{Date|266}} or {{Date|267}}<ref name=Calculation>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued2)#Lyanna Stark|Lyanna Stark]] calculation.''</ref>
 
| Place_of_Death = [[Tower of Joy]]{{Ref|awoiaf| Lyanna Stark}}
 
| Place_of_Death = [[Tower of Joy]]{{Ref|awoiaf| Lyanna Stark}}
 
| Date_of_Death  = {{Date|283}}<ref name=Calculation>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued2)#Lyanna Stark|Lyanna Stark]] calculation.''</ref>
 
| Date_of_Death  = {{Date|283}}<ref name=Calculation>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued2)#Lyanna Stark|Lyanna Stark]] calculation.''</ref>
| Books          = ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned)
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| Books          = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned)
 
| coat-of-arms  =
 
| coat-of-arms  =
| Played_by      = Cordelia Hill
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| Played_by      = Aisling Franciosi<br>Cordelia Hill (young Lyanna)
| TV_series      = [[Game of Thrones - Season 6|Season 6]]
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| TV_series      = [[Game of Thrones - Season 6|Season 6]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 7|Season 7]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
'''Lyanna Stark''' was the younger sister of Lord [[Eddard Stark]] and was betrothed to Ned's childhood friend, [[Robert Baratheon]]. Her abduction by [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] was the event that ultimately triggered [[Robert's Rebellion]] and led to the downfall of the [[House Targaryen|Targaryen dynasty]]. She is portrayed by Cordelia Hill during a [[Game of Thrones - Season 6|Season 6]] flashback in the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]''.
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'''Lyanna Stark''' was the only daughter of Lord [[Rickard Stark]] and his wife, Lady [[Lyarra Stark]]. She had two older brothers, [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]] and [[Eddard Stark|Eddard]], and one younger brother, [[Benjen Stark|Benjen]]. Her abduction by Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] was the event that ultimately triggered [[Robert's Rebellion]] and led to the downfall of the [[House Targaryen|Targaryen dynasty]]. She is portrayed by both [[w:Cordelia Hill|Cordelia Hill]] (as a child) in [[Game of Thrones - Season 6|Season 6]] and [[w:Aisling Franciosi|Aisling Franciosi]] (as a young adult) during [[Game of Thrones - Season 6|Season 6]] and [[Game of Thrones - Season 7|Season 7]] flashbacks in the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]''.
  
 
==Appearance and Character==
 
==Appearance and Character==
 
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Lyanna Stark|Images of Lyanna Stark]]''
 
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Lyanna Stark|Images of Lyanna Stark]]''
  
Lyanna is described by all as beautiful.{{Ref|AGOT|4}}{{Ref|aGoT|22}} Her brother [[Eddard Stark]] refers to her, like their older brother [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]], as "wolf-blooded" - headstrong, willful, courageous and hot-tempered. He goes on to compare her to his tomboyish daughter [[Arya Stark|Arya]] in both appearance and personality, adding that Lyanna probably would have carried a sword if [[Rickard Stark|their father]] had allowed it.{{Ref|aGoT|22}} She is noted to have been a skilled rider.{{Ref|ASOS|17}} Lyanna loved the scent of winter roses.{{Ref|aGoT|58}}
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Lyanna is described by most people as beautiful.{{Ref|AGOT|4}}{{Ref|aGoT|22}} Though [[maester]] [[Yandel]] describes her as "a wild and boyish young thing with none of the Princess [[Elia Martell|Elia's]] delicate beauty",{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}} [[Kevan Lannister]] recalls Lyanna having a "wild beauty" about her.{{Ref|aDwD|72}} According to her brother Eddard, Lyanna had been a child-woman of surpasing loveliness.{{Ref|AGOT|4}} She was slim of frame.{{Ref|ACOK|56}} [[Arya Stark]], with her brown hair, long face and grey eyes,{{Ref|AGOT|7}}{{Ref|ADWD|20}} resembles Lyanna in appearance, according to Eddard Stark.{{Ref|aGoT|22}} [[Margaery Tyrell]], also brown of hair,{{Ref|AGOT|27}} is believed by some to resemble Lyanna, though Eddard disagrees.{{Ref|aGoT|27}}
  
Lyanna rode horses like a northman. [[Harwin]] compares her riding skills to those of Arya Stark, who he claims rides "like a northman".{{Ref|aSoS|17}} [[Barbrey Dustin]] reports that both Brandon and Lyanna loved to ride. She compares them to a "pair of centaurs".{{Ref|aDwD|41}} [[Roose Bolton]] claims that Lyanna was "half a horse herself", however, he also claims that his son, [[Domeric Bolton]], could out-race her.{{Ref|aDwD|32}}
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According to Eddard Lyanna had a touch of wildness to her, which was described as "the wolf blood" by her father, [[Rickard Stark]]. Eddard compares her to his tomboyish daughter [[Arya Stark|Arya]] in personality, adding that Lyanna probably would have carried a sword if their father had allowed it.{{Ref|aGoT|22}} Lyanna was strong of will.{{Ref|ASOS|24}}  
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While [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], who had been deeply infatuated with Lyanna and remains very much in love with her memory over fifteen years after her death to the point of causing major strain in his marriage to [[Cersei Lannister]],{{Ref|aGoT|4}}{{Ref|aGoT|8}} believes Lyanna would never have publicly opposed him the way Cersei does. However, according to Eddard, Robert never really knew Lyanna. He says that Robert saw only Lyanna's beauty, and never "the iron underneath".{{Ref|aGoT|30}} Lyanna may have been considerably less enthusiastic about the marriage than Robert was, as she commented to Ned that Robert's love for her would not prevent him from being unfaithful after their marriage.{{Ref|aGoT|35}}
  
Robert was deeply infatuated with Lyanna and remains very much in love with her memory over a decade after her death, to the point of causing major strain in his marriage to [[Cersei Lannister]].{{Ref|aGoT|4}}{{Ref|aGoT|8}} Ned, however, points out that Robert never really knew Lyanna very well, that he didn´t know "the iron underneath". While Robert believes Lyanna would never have publicly opposed him the way Cersei does, Ned says that Robert saw only Lyanna's beauty, and never recognized her boldness and strength of will.{{Ref|aGoT|30}} Lyanna may have been considerably less enthusiastic about the marriage than Robert was, as she commented to Ned that Robert's love for her would not prevent him from being unfaithful after their marriage.{{Ref|aGoT|35}}
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Lyanna is noted to have been a skilled rider who loved to ride.{{Ref|ASOS|17}}{{Ref|ADWD|41}} According to [[Harwin]] of [[Winterfell]], Lyanna rode "like a northman",{{Ref|ASOS|17}} while [[Barbrey Dustin]] describes her as a centaur,{{Ref|ADWD|41}} and [[Roose Bolton]] states that Lyanna was "half a horse herself".{{Ref|aDwD|32}}
  
[[Arya Stark]] resembles Lyanna in appearance, according to Eddard Stark.{{Ref|aGoT|22}} [[Margaery Tyrell]] is also said by some to resemble Lyanna, though Eddard Stark himself disagrees.{{Ref|aGoT|27}} [[Kevan Lannister]] recalls Lyanna having a "wild beauty" about her, though he believes that her looks paled in comparison to a young [[Cersei Lannister]]: "however bright a torch might burn it could never match the rising sun."{{Ref|aDwD|72}}
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Lyanna had been fond of flowers,{{Ref|AGOT|4}} and loved the scent of winter roses.{{Ref|aGoT|58}}
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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[[File: ‎Enife_Lyanna_Stark.png‎ |Lyanna, wearing a crown of [[blue winter rose]]s – by Enife ©|thumb|300px|right]]
 
[[File: ‎Enife_Lyanna_Stark.png‎ |Lyanna, wearing a crown of [[blue winter rose]]s – by Enife ©|thumb|300px|right]]
 
===Early life===
 
===Early life===
When [[Bran Stark]] has visions through the heart tree of Winterfell, a scene seems to involve a girl looking like Arya. Two children are seen duelling with broken branches, using them as swords. The girl is older and taller than the boy. She defeats the boy, slashing him across the thigh. The boy loses his balance and falls into the pool. He starts splashing and shouting. The girl warns him to be quiet, or [[Nan|Old Nan]] will hear him and notify their father. She then kneels and pulls her younger brother from the pool. The scene shifts to another vision before Bran has a chance to see more of the two children.{{Ref|aDwD|34}}
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Born at [[Winterfell]],{{Ref|awoiaf| Lyanna Stark}} Lyanna was the only daughter of Lord [[Rickard Stark]] and Lady [[Lyarra Stark]]. She had two older brothers, [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]] and [[Eddard Stark|Eddard]], and one younger brother, [[Benjen Stark|Benjen]].{{Ref|twoiaf| Appendix: Stark lineage}}{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}}
  
Lyanna was at Winterfell when her father promised her hand to Robert Baratheon. That same night she confided to Eddard concerning her opinion of Robert: that the man will never keep to one bed. She had heard that Robert had an illegitimate daughter in the [[Vale of Arryn]], apparently [[Mya Stone]]. Eddard attempted to persuade her that what Robert did before the betrothal was insignificant and that Robert would change. She was not convinced.{{Ref|aGoT|35}}
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Lyanna's brother Eddard was fostered at the [[Eyrie]] by Lord [[Jon Arryn]] since the age of eight, where he befriended his fellow ward [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]].{{Ref|AGOT|6}} Eddard brought Robert's suit to Winterfell,{{Ref|AWOIAF| Lyanna Stark}} and Rickard agreed to betroth his daughter to the young Lord of [[Storm's End]].{{Ref|AGOT|35}} However, that night Lyanna confided to Eddard that she believed Robert would never be able to keep to one bed. She had heard that Robert had [[Mya Stone|an illegitimate daughter]] in the [[Vale]], which Eddard could not deny. He attempted to persuade her that what Robert had done before their betrothal was insignificant and that he would love her, but Lyanna informed him that love could not change a man's nature.{{Ref|aGoT|35}}
  
===Harrenhal===
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===The Year of the False Spring===
Lyanna was present at the [[tourney at Harrenhal]]. There she found [[Howland Reed]] being bullied by three young squires, none older than fifteen-years-old. She roared "That's my father's man you're kicking" and attacked them with a tourney sword. The bullies scattered and Lyanna "the she-wolf" took the injured man back to her "lair," probably a tent. She cleaned his wounds and bound them with linen. Then she introduced the guest to her brothers [[Brandon Stark]] ("the wild wolf"), [[Eddard Stark]] ("the quiet wolf"), and [[Benjen Stark]] ("the pup").
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Lyanna was present at the [[tourney at Harrenhal]] in {{Date|281}}. She happened upon [[Howland Reed]], who was being bullied by three young squires, none older than fifteen. She roared "That's my father's man you're kicking" and attacked them with a tourney sword. The bullies scattered and Lyanna took Howland back to her tent, where she cleaned his wounds and bound them with linen. Then she introduced him to her brothers [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]], [[Eddard Stark|Eddard]], and [[Benjen Stark|Benjen]]. That evening, a feast was held to celebrate the start of the tourney. Lyanna persuaded Howland to attend the feast, as he was highborn and had as much right to attend as anyone. During the feast Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], a noted musician, performed a sad and beautiful song that made Lyanna weep. However, when Benjen teased her for crying, she poured wine over his head.{{Ref|aSoS|24}} During the feast, Lyanna recognized the three squires who had bullied Howland and pointed them out to her brothers.{{Ref|aSoS|24}} A [[mystery knight]] known as the [[Knight of the Laughing Tree]] defeated the knights the three bullies served, and demanded them to be chastised as ransom payment.{{Ref|ASOS|24}} Some fans [[Knight of the Laughing Tree/Theories|have suggested Lyanna for the identity]] of the mystery knight.
  
That evening, Lyanna persuaded Reed to attend the feast marking the start of the tournament. She insisted that he was highborn and had as much right to attend as anyone. The "wolf maid" was not easy to refuse. Benjen found a suitable garb for Reed. Within [[Harrenhal]], Reed ate and drank with the Starks. During the feast [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Prince Rhaegar Targaryen]], a noted musician, performed a sad and beautiful song that made Lyanna weep; when Benjen teased her for crying, she poured wine over his head.{{Ref|aSoS|24}}
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Prince Rhaegar won the tournament, but instead of crowning his own wife, Princess [[Elia Martell]], as the [[queen of love and beauty]], Rhaegar shocked those present by presenting the laurel of [[blue winter rose]]s to Lyanna, placing it in her lap with the tip of his lance.{{Ref|AGOT|58}}{{Ref|twoiaf| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}
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At that moment "all the smiles died".{{Ref|aGoT|58}} Brandon Stark believed Rhaegar's action to have been a slight upon Lyanna's honor. Some people say that Robert, Lyanna's betrothed, laughed at Rhaegar's action, claiming that Rhaegar had only paid Lyanna her due; however, those closer to Robert claim that Robert brooded over the insult, and grew resentful of Rhaegar hence forth.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}
  
During the feast, Lyanna recognized the three bullying squires. One serving a pitchfork knight ([[House Haigh]]), one serving a porcupine ([[House Blount]]), and the last boy serving a knight of two towers ([[House Frey]]). She pointed them out to her brothers. Benjen volunteered to find armor for Reed, in case the crannogman wished to challenge them. Reed slept in the tent of Eddard that night. During the first two days of the tournament, the porcupine knight, pitchfork knight, and the knight of the two towers each won a place among the champions. But then the [[Knight of the Laughing Tree]] challenged and defeated all three of them, winning custody over their horses and armor. When the defeated trio sought to ransom back their former property, the Knight declared his terms: that they ought to teach their squires honor. The trio proceeded to chastise their squires sharply.{{Ref|aSoS|24}}
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===Robert's Rebellion===
 
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[[File:Lyanna stark by daenerys mod.jpg|300px|thumb|Lyanna by eliafernandez©]]
The Knight attracted unwanted attention. Robert Baratheon and [[Richard Lonmouth]] were determined to unmask him, while [[Aerys II Targaryen]] was certain that the man was his enemy. By the next morning, the Knight disappeared. An angry Aerys sent Rhaegar to search for the vanished Knight, but only the shield of the Knight could be found.{{Ref|aSoS|24}} Rhaegar went on to win the tournament and shocked all present by passing over [[Elia Martell|his wife]] to crown Lyanna, then already betrothed to Robert Baratheon, as [[queen of love and beauty]]. According to the recollections of Eddard Stark, that day Rhaegar managed to unseat [[Brandon Stark]], [[Yohn Royce]], [[Arthur Dayne]], and [[Barristan Selmy]]. Robert Baratheon was among the spectators, jesting with [[Jon Arryn]] and [[Eon Hunter]]. Then the victorious Rhaegar urged his horse past [[Elia Martell]], laying the [[blue winter rose]] laurel of the queen of beauty in Lyanna's lap. At that moment "all the smiles died".{{Ref|aGoT|58}} Selmy blames himself for failing to defeat Rhaegar that day, for then he would have had a chance to crown his own lady love: [[Ashara Dayne]].{{Ref|aDwD|67}}
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The next year, Lyanna came face to face with Rhaegar ten leagues from [[Harrenhal]],{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}} and was taken by him with the help of Ser [[Arthur Dayne]] and Ser [[Oswell Whent]].{{Ref|awoiaf| Rhaegar Targaryen}} When her brother Brandon, on his way to [[Riverrun]] for his wedding, learned about Lyanna's disappearance, he changed course towards [[King's Landing]], accompanied by several companions ([[Ethan Glover]], [[Jeffory Mallister]], [[Kyle Royce]] and [[Elbert Arryn]]). At the [[Red Keep]], he roared for Rhaegar "to come out and die". Though Rhaegar was not present, King [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]] had Brandon and his companions arrested and charged them with treason, accusing them of plotting the murder of the crown prince. Aerys summoned their fathers to court, supposedly to answer the charge against their sons. Lord [[Rickard Stark]] demanded a [[trial by combat]], and though the king granted him the request, he chose "fire" as his champion. Lord Rickard was suspended from rafters over a blazing fire whilst dressed in his armor, while Brandon, attached to a device which tightened a cord around his neck whenever he moved, was forced to watch as his father was slowly cooked inside his armor. Brandon strangled himself in an attempt to reach a longsword. When King Aerys next demanded the heads of [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] and [[Eddard Stark]], Lord [[Jon Arryn]] responded by raising his banners in revolt, starting [[Robert's Rebellion]].{{Ref|aCoK|55}}{{Ref|aGoT|2}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}
  
===Disappearance and consequences===
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Opinions on Rhaegar's motivation in taking Lyanna differ. According to Robert Baratheon, Rhaegar raped Lyanna "hundreds of times".{{Ref|agot|4}} This is repeated by Eddard's young son [[Bran Stark]].{{Ref|aGoT|66}} However, [[Barristan Selmy]] is convinced that "Prince Rhaegar loved his Lady Lyanna".{{Ref|aDwD|67}} [[Daenerys Targaryen]] believes that Rhaegar had stolen Lyanna away from her betrothed,{{Ref|ASOS|42}} and when she is about to marry, she thinks to herself that if [[Daario Naharis|her paramour]] loved her, he would "come and carry you off at swordpoint, as Rhaegar carried off his northern girl".{{Ref|ADWD|43}} According to [[Viserys Targaryen]], Rhaegar had fought and died for "the woman he loved",{{Ref|aGoT|3}} something which his sister Daenerys also believes.{{Ref|aGoT|64}} Additionally, one of the visions Daenerys sees in the [[House of the Undying]] depicts Rhaegar's death, where he whispers Lyanna's name with his last breath.{{Ref|ACOK|48}}{{ref|awoiaf| Rhaegar Targaryen}} However, Viserys also believes that Rhaegar had simply not been happy with his marriage to Elia, which had led to him taking Lyanna.{{Ref|aSoS|42}} [[Cersei Lannister]], who was infatuated with Rhaegar, has similar believes, as she is convinced that Rhaegar would never have looked twice at the "wolf girl" if he had been satisfied in his wife.{{ref|affc|24}} Cersei's uncle [[Kevan Lannister]] believes that, if Aerys had accepted the proposal from [[Tywin Lannister]] to marry Cersei to Rhaegar, the war might have been avoided, as Cersei had been much more beautiful than Lyanna, and would have been able to give Rhaegar the sons he had wanted,{{ref|adwd|epilogue}} something which Princess [[Elia Martell]] could not.{{Ref|adwd|61}}
[[File:Lyanna stark by daenerys mod.jpg|300px|thumb|Lyanna by eliafernandez©]]
 
At some time after the tournament, Lyanna was kidnapped by Rhaegar with the help of [[Arthur Dayne]] and [[Oswell Whent]].<ref name="aSoIaF App">"Rhaegar Targaryen" entry in ''[[A World of Ice and Fire]]''</ref> The story (as told by [[Robert Baratheon]]) goes that Rhaegar carried her off and raped her.{{Ref|aGoT|66}} Barristan Selmy is convinced that "Prince Rhaegar loved his Lady Lyanna," though that love sent thousands to their respective deaths.{{Ref|aDwD|67}} According to [[Viserys Targaryen]], Rhaegar was simply not happy with his marriage. If Rhaegar was happy with Elia, he would not have needed Lyanna. He once blamed their sister [[Daenerys Targaryen]] for being born too late to marry Rhaegar. A happily married Rhaegar would need neither Elia nor Lyanna. Daenerys countered that, by the same logic, it was the fault of Viserys that he was not a girl, because then he would be the sister destined for Rhaegar. Viserys beat her cruelly for her insolence.{{Ref|aSoS|42}} [[Cersei Lannister]], who was infatuated with Rhaegar, believes that the [[Targaryen madness|madness]] led King Aerys to deny Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]'s proposal of marriage between her and the crown prince; Cersei thinks that if she herself had only married Rhaegar as [[faith of the Seven|the gods]] had intended, he would have been satisfied in his queen and never have looked twice at the "wolf girl".{{ref|affc|24}}
 
 
[[File:Lyanna stark by dreambeing.jpg|250px|left|thumb|Lyanna Stark by Dreambieng ©]]
 
[[File:Lyanna stark by dreambeing.jpg|250px|left|thumb|Lyanna Stark by Dreambieng ©]]
Her eldest brother [[Brandon Stark]] was on his way to [[Riverrun]] when the news of his sister's disappearance reached him, and instead he went straight to [[King's Landing]]. Entering the [[Red Keep]] with a few companions ([[Ethan Glover]], [[Jeffory Mallister]], [[Kyle Royce]] and [[Elbert Arryn]]), he roared for Rhaegar "to come out and die." But Rhaegar wasn't there. King [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] had Brandon and his companions arrested, accusing them of plotting murder and charged them with treason. Aerys summoned their fathers to court, supposedly to answer the charge against their sons. When they presented themselves, Aerys decided to kill them all, fathers and sons together, save only [[Ethan Glover]]. Brandon and Lyanna's father, Lord [[Rickard Stark]], demanded a [[trial by combat]], and the king granted him the request. Lord Stark was allowed to armor himself for battle but was then suspended from the rafters over a blazing fire, Aerys choosing "fire" as his champion. He had Brandon watch as Rickard slowly roasted, the young son attached to a device which tightened a cord around his neck whenever he moved. Trying to reach for his longsword and rescue his father, Brandon strangled himself. They died with no real trial. This was a primary impetus for [[Robert's Rebellion]]. Aerys next demanded the heads of Robert and Eddard. They were both wards of Jon Arryn, the Lord of the Eyrie having pledged to protect them. Arryn responded to Aerys by raising his banners in revolt.{{Ref|aCoK|55}}{{Ref|aGoT|2}}
 
 
 
 
 
During the war, Lyanna's fiancé Robert and brother Eddard were important leaders, together with [[Jon Arryn]], who had been their foster father. Her exact whereabouts during the war are unknown. Robert and Eddard faced Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]] and the royal army at [[Battle of the Trident|the Trident]], where Robert slew Rhaegar in single combat and the rebels defeated the royal army.{{Ref|aGoT|4}} According to the stories of [[Viserys Targaryen]], Rhaegar had fought and died for "the woman he loved."{{Ref|aGoT|3}} [[Daenerys Targaryen]] believes in that version of the story.{{Ref|aGoT|64}} One of the visions Daenerys sees in the [[House of the Undying]], seems to depict the last moments of Rhaegar. Rubies are flying from his chest like drops of blood. Then his knees sink into the water. He whispers Lyanna's name with his last breath.{{Ref|aCoK|48}}<ref name="aSoIaF App"/>
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The war, led by Lyanna's fiancé Robert, her brother Eddard, and their foster father [[Jon Arryn]], lasted "close to a year".{{ref|agot|12}} Lyanna's exact whereabouts during this time are unknown. Rhaegar himself could not be found, either, for a large part of the war,{{ref|awoiaf| Rhaegar Targaryen}} though he finally returned "from the south"{{ref|asos|37}} after King Aerys II had dispatched Ser [[Gerold Hightower]], Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, to find him.{{ref|awoiaf| Rhaegar Targaryen}} Robert and Eddard faced Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]] and the royal army at [[Battle of the Trident|the Trident]], where Robert slew Rhaegar in single combat and the rebels defeated the royal army.{{Ref|aGoT|4}} A fortnight later, the [[Sack of King's Landing]] officially ended the war,{{Ref|twoiaf| The Fall of the Dragons: The End}} though Lyanna still remained missing and the last opposition still had to be dealt with. From King's Landing, Eddard Stark rode south to the [[Stormlands]] to lift the [[siege of Storm's End]]. From there he rode to the a place Rhaegar was said to have named the [[Tower of Joy]], located in the [[Red Mountains]] of [[Dorne]].{{ref|agot|39}}
  
===Death and burial===
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===Death===
 
[[File: Asiulus_Promise_Me_Ned.png‎|‎Promise me [[Eddard Stark|Ned]] - by Asiulus ©|thumb|right|300px]]
 
[[File: Asiulus_Promise_Me_Ned.png‎|‎Promise me [[Eddard Stark|Ned]] - by Asiulus ©|thumb|right|300px]]
Following the [[Sack of King's Landing]], Eddard Stark rode south to the [[Stormlands]] to lift the [[siege of Storm's End]]. The Lords [[Mace Tyrell|Tyrell]] and [[Paxter Redwyne|Redwyne]] bent the knee, and swore fealty to Robert. Eddard then rode to the [[Tower of Joy]] in the [[Red Mountains]] of [[Dorne]] with his six companions ([[Martyn Cassel]], [[Theo Wull]], [[Ethan Glover]], [[Mark Ryswell]], [[Howland Reed]] and [[Willam Dustin]]), and found the three remaining loyalist members of the [[Kingsguard]] (Ser [[Arthur Dayne]], Ser [[Oswell Whent]], and Ser [[Gerold Hightower]]) guarding it. Only Ned and his bannerman [[Howland Reed]] survived the ensuing battle. Inside the tower, Ned found Lyanna in a "bed of blood", dying.{{Ref|aGoT|39}}{{Ref|awoiaf| Lyanna Stark}} When Eddard recalls the conflict in a dream, there is an additional detail. While the combatants clash, Lyanna screams. The dream then switches to a storm of blue rose petals, blowing across a blood-streaked sky.{{Ref|aGoT|39}} It is uncertain if these details are accurate memories.
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Eddard brought only six companions with him: [[Martyn Cassel]], [[Theo Wull]], [[Ethan Glover]], [[Mark Ryswell]], [[Howland Reed]] and [[Willam Dustin]]. At the tower of joy, they found the three remaining loyalist members of Aerys II Targaryen's [[Kingsguard]], Ser [[Arthur Dayne]], Ser [[Oswell Whent]], and Ser [[Gerold Hightower]]. The men [[combat at the tower of joy|met in battle]], and only Eddard and Howland Reed survived.{{ref|agot|39}} Inside the tower, Eddard found Lyanna in a "bed of blood", dying.{{Ref|aGoT|39}}{{Ref|awoiaf| Lyanna Stark}} Lyanna died in a room that smelled of "blood and roses".{{ref|agot|4}} A fever had taken her strength, and her voice had been faint as a whisper. There was fear in her eyes, while she called for "Ned" to promise her something. When her brother gave his word, the fear left her. She smiled, and her fingers clutched his own in a tight grip.{{Ref|AGOT|4}} Lyanna died shortly thereafter.{{ref|agot|35}} Eddard was still holding her as she "gave up her hold on life" and rose petals slipped from her palm, dead and black. Later, [[Howland Reed]] found Eddard still holding the corpse. Howland managed to separate the hands of the living man and the dead girl, though Eddard had no recollection of what happened after Lyanna died.{{Ref|aGoT|4}}  
 +
 
 +
It is currently unknown what promise Lyanna extracted from Eddard, and what had caused her fear. Lyanna's last words, "Promise me, Ned", would haunt Eddard, who had to pay a price in order to keep his promises to her,{{ref|agot|35}} for the rest of his life.{{Ref|agot|47}}{{ref|AGOT|58}} When his daughter [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] pleads for the life of her direwolf, [[Lady]], it reminds him of Lyanna's pleading.{{Ref|AGOT|20}}
  
Lyanna died in a room that smelled of "blood and roses". A fever had taken her strength. Her voice had been faint as a whisper. There was fear in her eyes, while she called for "Ned" to promise her something. When her brother gave his word, the fear left her. She smiled, and her fingers clutched his own in a tight grip. They were still holding each other as she "gave up her hold on life". Rose petals slipped from her palm, dead and black. Later, [[Howland Reed]] found Eddard still holding the corpse. Howland managed to separate the hands of the living man and the dying girl, though Eddard had no recollection of what happened after Lyanna died.{{Ref|aGoT|4}} Shortly before her death, Lyanna extracted a promise from Ned.{{Ref|aGoT|35}} Neither the content of the promise nor the cause of her death are currently known. Her final words were a phrase that would haunt her brother for the rest of his life:
+
[[File:Ned_and_Robert_at_tomb.jpg|Ned and Robert visiting Lyanna's tomb  - by Pojypojy ©|thumb|300px|right]]
 +
At the time of her death, Lyanna had only been sixteen years old.{{Ref|aGoT|4}} Though Eddard burried the bodies of his deceased companions and the three slain Kingsguard knights in cairns he created out of the stones from the tower,{{ref|AGOT|39}} he transported Lyanna's bones from [[Dorne]] back to [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|ADWD|41}} According to him, Lyanna had wanted to be burried beside her father and brother.{{Ref|AGOT|4}} Her tomb lies in the [[crypts of Winterfell]], beside that of Rickard and Brandon Stark.{{Ref|AGOT|66}} A statue of Lyanna has been carved in the stone of her tomb, though Robert Baratheon feels the stonemason failed to capture her beauty.{{Ref|aGoT|4}} While only the [[King of Winter|kings]] and lords of Winterfell are supposed to have statues in their likeness, not their family members, both Lyanna and Brandon were given a statue by Eddard because he wished to honor his beloved siblings.{{Ref|aGoT|66}} Eddard brought flowers to Lyanna's tomb whenever possible, as she had been fond of flowers.{{Ref|AGOT|4}}
  
{{Quote|Promise me, Ned.{{Ref|agot|4}}}}
+
===Legacy===
[[File:Ned_and_Robert_at_tomb.jpg|Ned and Robert visiting Lyanna’s tomb  - by Pojypojy ©|thumb|300px|right]]
+
King [[Robert I Baratheon]], Lyanna's betrothed, and Eddard, her brother, had had a falling out after Robert was accepting of the manner at which Rhaegar's wife and two young children had been slain during the Sack of King's Landing.{{ref|agot|12}} Lyanna's death and the grief they shared over her passing eventually reconcilled them. Though Robert had no desire to marry after Lyanna's death, he was eventualy convinced by Jon Arryn that the realm needed an heir. As such, Robert was married to [[Cersei Lannister]].{{ref|agot|30}} However, during their wedding night, a drunken Robert called Cersei "Lyanna",{{Ref|AGOT|45}} which began the strains in their marriage. Robert remained in love with Lyanna,{{ref|agot|8}} and named the war galley ''[[Lady Lyanna]]'' in her honor.{{Ref|aCoK|58}}
  
Lyanna was only sixteen years old at the time of her death.{{Ref|aGoT|8}} Her tomb lies in the [[crypts of Winterfell]], beside that of Rickard Stark. At the other side of Rickard's tomb stands the tomb of Brandon Stark. A statue of Lyanna has been carved in the stone of her tomb, though Robert Baratheon claimed that the stonemason failed to capture her beauty. Eddard claims that Lyanna herself asked him to return her to Winterfell. He reports bringing flowers to her tomb whenever he can, as his sister was fond of flowers.{{Ref|aGoT|4}} [[Bran Stark]] notes that only the kings and lords of Winterfell are supposed to have statues in their likeness, not their family members. But Eddard wished to honor his beloved siblings.{{Ref|aGoT|66}} [[Barbrey Dustin]] informs [[Theon Greyjoy|Theon]] that the tomb is not a cenotaph or empty tomb; Eddard transported the bones of Lyanna from [[Dorne]].{{Ref|aDwD|41}}
+
At [[Bear Island]], Lady [[Maege Mormont]] named her youngest daughter [[Lyanna Mormont|Lyanna]], after Lyanna Stark, which according to [[Stannis Baratheon]] was an attempt to win the favor of Lord Eddard Stark.{{Ref|aDwD|3}}
  
===Named after Lyanna===
+
==Recent Events==
The war galley ''[[Lady Lyanna]]'' has been named in honor of Lyanna Stark. King Robert named the galley in honor of the maid he had loved and lost. [[Davos Seaworth]] considers it a beautiful ship, likely its "beauty" inspiring the name.{{Ref|aCoK|41}}{{Ref|aCoK|58}}
+
===''A Game of Thrones''===
 +
Under the influence of [[milk of the poppy]], [[Eddard Stark]] dreams about the [[combat at the tower of joy]]. While Eddard and his six companions battle the three [[Kingsguard]] knights in front of the tower, Lyanna is screaming inside the tower.{{Ref|AGOT|39}}
  
[[Lyanna Mormont]], youngest daughter of [[Maege Mormont]], is named after Lyanna Stark. [[Stannis Baratheon]] feels this was a transparent attempt to win the favor of Eddard Stark.{{Ref|aDwD|3}}
+
Eddard Stark has a nightmare involving Lyanna and the statue of her placed at her tomb. In the dream, Eddard walks through the crypts of Winterfell. He can hear the statue of Lyanna whispering: "Promise me, Ned". He notices the statue wearing a garland of pale blue roses, while her eyes weep blood. Eddard immediately wakes with his heart racing.{{Ref|aGoT|47}}
  
===Appearance in nightmares===
+
===''A Clash of Kings''===
Eddard Stark has a nightmare involving Lyanna and her statue. In the dream, Eddard walks through the crypts of Winterfell. He can hear the statue of Lyanna whispering: "Promise me, Ned". He notices the statue wearing a garland of pale blue roses, while her eyes weep blood. Eddard immediately wakes with his heart racing.{{Ref|aGoT|47}}
+
[[Theon Greyjoy]] has a nightmare involving a feast of the dead at Winterfell. Many of the dead men and women attending are people that Theon knew personally or were slain by his own hand or command. But he also notices faces that he had never known in life. Among them is Lyanna: a slim, sad girl wearing a crown of pale blue roses and a white gown splattered with blood. Brandon Stark stands beside her, their father Rickard just behind them.{{Ref|aCoK|56}}
  
[[Theon Greyjoy]] has a nightmare involving a feast of the dead at Winterfell. Many of the dead men and women attending are people that Theon knew personally or were slain by his own hand and/or command. But he also notices faces that he had never known in life. Among them is Lyanna: a slim, sad girl wearing a crown of pale blue roses and a white gown splattered with blood. Brandon Stark stood beside her, their father Rickard just behind them. Theon wakes up screaming when [[Robb Stark]] and [[Grey Wind]], both bleeding, join the feast.{{Ref|aCoK|56}}
+
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 +
[[Bran Stark]] witnesses a vision from the past in which he sees a boy and a girl playing with wooden branches in the [[godswood]] of [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|ADWD|34}} Several fans believe this to have been Benjen and his older sister, Lyanna, as Bran describes the girl as being the eldest of the two, and states that she looks like his sister [[Arya Stark|Arya]],{{Ref|ADWD|43}} who is said to look like Lyanna had.{{Ref|AGOT|22}} Additionally, the girl refers to [[Old Nan]],{{Ref|adwd|34}} placing the event Bran witnesses as having taken place in more recent generations.
  
 
==Quotes by Lyanna==
 
==Quotes by Lyanna==
Line 83: Line 87:
 
==Quotes about Lyanna==
 
==Quotes about Lyanna==
 
[[File:Lyanna_Stark.jpg|Ned remembering Lyanna - by Voyagehour ©|thumb|300px|right]]
 
[[File:Lyanna_Stark.jpg|Ned remembering Lyanna - by Voyagehour ©|thumb|300px|right]]
{{Quote|She was more beautiful than that. Ah, damn it, Ned, did you have to bury her in [[crypt of Winterfell|a place like this]]? She deserved more than darkness ...{{Ref|agot|4}}}} – [[Robert Baratheon]], to [[Eddard Stark]]
+
{{Quote|She was more beautiful than that. Ah, damn it, Ned, did you have to bury her in [[crypt of Winterfell|a place like this]]? She deserved more than darkness ...{{Ref|agot|4}}}} – [[Robert I Baratheon]], to [[Eddard Stark]]
  
  
Line 91: Line 95:
  
 
{{Quote|You never knew Lyanna as I did, Robert. You saw her beauty, but not the iron underneath.{{Ref|aGoT|30}}}}  
 
{{Quote|You never knew Lyanna as I did, Robert. You saw her beauty, but not the iron underneath.{{Ref|aGoT|30}}}}  
– [[Eddard Stark]], to [[Robert Baratheon]]
+
– [[Eddard Stark]], to [[Robert I Baratheon]]
  
  
{{Quote|'''Eddard:''' A thousand other women might have loved him with all their hearts. What did [[Robert Baratheon|he]] do to make you hate him so?<br>
+
{{Quote|'''Eddard:''' A thousand other women might have loved him with all their hearts. What did [[Robert I Baratheon|he]] do to make you hate him so?<br>
 
'''Cersei:''' The night of our wedding feast, the first time we shared a bed, he called me by your sister’s name. He was on top of me, in me, stinking of wine, and he whispered Lyanna.{{Ref|agot|45}}}}
 
'''Cersei:''' The night of our wedding feast, the first time we shared a bed, he called me by your sister’s name. He was on top of me, in me, stinking of wine, and he whispered Lyanna.{{Ref|agot|45}}}}
 
– [[Eddard Stark]] and [[Cersei Lannister]]
 
– [[Eddard Stark]] and [[Cersei Lannister]]
Line 103: Line 107:
  
 
==Family==
 
==Family==
{{Template:Stark_tree}}
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{{Stark tree}}
  
==References and Notes==
+
==References==
{{references|3}}
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{{references|2}}
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
Line 115: Line 119:
 
[[Category:Characters from the North|Stark, Lyanna]]
 
[[Category:Characters from the North|Stark, Lyanna]]
 
[[Category:Noblewomen|Stark, Lyanna]]
 
[[Category:Noblewomen|Stark, Lyanna]]
[[Category:Statues|Whent, Oswell]]
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[[Category:Statues|Stark, Lyanna]]
  
 
[[es:Lyanna Stark]]
 
[[es:Lyanna Stark]]

Revision as of 06:21, 26 June 2018

House Stark.svg
Lyanna Stark
House Stark.svg
Hallmarccus Lyanna.jpg
Lyanna Stark by Marcos Feittosa ©

Aliases
  • The She-Wolf
  • The Wolf Maid
  • Lya
  • Wolf girl
Allegiance House Stark
Culture Northmen
Born 266 AC or 267 AC[1]
Winterfell[2]
Died 283 AC[1]
Tower of Joy[2]
Books

Played by Aisling Franciosi
Cordelia Hill (young Lyanna)
TV series Season 6 | Season 7

Lyanna Stark was the only daughter of Lord Rickard Stark and his wife, Lady Lyarra Stark. She had two older brothers, Brandon and Eddard, and one younger brother, Benjen. Her abduction by Prince Rhaegar Targaryen was the event that ultimately triggered Robert's Rebellion and led to the downfall of the Targaryen dynasty. She is portrayed by both Cordelia Hill (as a child) in Season 6 and Aisling Franciosi (as a young adult) during Season 6 and Season 7 flashbacks in the television adaptation Game of Thrones.

Appearance and Character

See also: Images of Lyanna Stark

Lyanna is described by most people as beautiful.[3][4] Though maester Yandel describes her as "a wild and boyish young thing with none of the Princess Elia's delicate beauty",[5] Kevan Lannister recalls Lyanna having a "wild beauty" about her.[6] According to her brother Eddard, Lyanna had been a child-woman of surpasing loveliness.[3] She was slim of frame.[7] Arya Stark, with her brown hair, long face and grey eyes,[8][9] resembles Lyanna in appearance, according to Eddard Stark.[4] Margaery Tyrell, also brown of hair,[10] is believed by some to resemble Lyanna, though Eddard disagrees.[10]

According to Eddard Lyanna had a touch of wildness to her, which was described as "the wolf blood" by her father, Rickard Stark. Eddard compares her to his tomboyish daughter Arya in personality, adding that Lyanna probably would have carried a sword if their father had allowed it.[4] Lyanna was strong of will.[11] While Robert Baratheon, who had been deeply infatuated with Lyanna and remains very much in love with her memory over fifteen years after her death to the point of causing major strain in his marriage to Cersei Lannister,[3][12] believes Lyanna would never have publicly opposed him the way Cersei does. However, according to Eddard, Robert never really knew Lyanna. He says that Robert saw only Lyanna's beauty, and never "the iron underneath".[13] Lyanna may have been considerably less enthusiastic about the marriage than Robert was, as she commented to Ned that Robert's love for her would not prevent him from being unfaithful after their marriage.[14]

Lyanna is noted to have been a skilled rider who loved to ride.[15][16] According to Harwin of Winterfell, Lyanna rode "like a northman",[15] while Barbrey Dustin describes her as a centaur,[16] and Roose Bolton states that Lyanna was "half a horse herself".[17]

Lyanna had been fond of flowers,[3] and loved the scent of winter roses.[18]

History

Lyanna, her brother, and Rhaegar by M.Luisa Giliberti ©
Lyanna, wearing a crown of blue winter roses – by Enife ©

Early life

Born at Winterfell,[2] Lyanna was the only daughter of Lord Rickard Stark and Lady Lyarra Stark. She had two older brothers, Brandon and Eddard, and one younger brother, Benjen.[19][20]

Lyanna's brother Eddard was fostered at the Eyrie by Lord Jon Arryn since the age of eight, where he befriended his fellow ward Robert Baratheon.[21] Eddard brought Robert's suit to Winterfell,[2] and Rickard agreed to betroth his daughter to the young Lord of Storm's End.[14] However, that night Lyanna confided to Eddard that she believed Robert would never be able to keep to one bed. She had heard that Robert had an illegitimate daughter in the Vale, which Eddard could not deny. He attempted to persuade her that what Robert had done before their betrothal was insignificant and that he would love her, but Lyanna informed him that love could not change a man's nature.[14]

The Year of the False Spring

Lyanna was present at the tourney at Harrenhal in 281 AC. She happened upon Howland Reed, who was being bullied by three young squires, none older than fifteen. She roared "That's my father's man you're kicking" and attacked them with a tourney sword. The bullies scattered and Lyanna took Howland back to her tent, where she cleaned his wounds and bound them with linen. Then she introduced him to her brothers Brandon, Eddard, and Benjen. That evening, a feast was held to celebrate the start of the tourney. Lyanna persuaded Howland to attend the feast, as he was highborn and had as much right to attend as anyone. During the feast Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, a noted musician, performed a sad and beautiful song that made Lyanna weep. However, when Benjen teased her for crying, she poured wine over his head.[11] During the feast, Lyanna recognized the three squires who had bullied Howland and pointed them out to her brothers.[11] A mystery knight known as the Knight of the Laughing Tree defeated the knights the three bullies served, and demanded them to be chastised as ransom payment.[11] Some fans have suggested Lyanna for the identity of the mystery knight.

Prince Rhaegar won the tournament, but instead of crowning his own wife, Princess Elia Martell, as the queen of love and beauty, Rhaegar shocked those present by presenting the laurel of blue winter roses to Lyanna, placing it in her lap with the tip of his lance.[18][5] At that moment "all the smiles died".[18] Brandon Stark believed Rhaegar's action to have been a slight upon Lyanna's honor. Some people say that Robert, Lyanna's betrothed, laughed at Rhaegar's action, claiming that Rhaegar had only paid Lyanna her due; however, those closer to Robert claim that Robert brooded over the insult, and grew resentful of Rhaegar hence forth.[5]

Robert's Rebellion

Lyanna by eliafernandez©

The next year, Lyanna came face to face with Rhaegar ten leagues from Harrenhal,[5] and was taken by him with the help of Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Oswell Whent.[22] When her brother Brandon, on his way to Riverrun for his wedding, learned about Lyanna's disappearance, he changed course towards King's Landing, accompanied by several companions (Ethan Glover, Jeffory Mallister, Kyle Royce and Elbert Arryn). At the Red Keep, he roared for Rhaegar "to come out and die". Though Rhaegar was not present, King Aerys II had Brandon and his companions arrested and charged them with treason, accusing them of plotting the murder of the crown prince. Aerys summoned their fathers to court, supposedly to answer the charge against their sons. Lord Rickard Stark demanded a trial by combat, and though the king granted him the request, he chose "fire" as his champion. Lord Rickard was suspended from rafters over a blazing fire whilst dressed in his armor, while Brandon, attached to a device which tightened a cord around his neck whenever he moved, was forced to watch as his father was slowly cooked inside his armor. Brandon strangled himself in an attempt to reach a longsword. When King Aerys next demanded the heads of Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark, Lord Jon Arryn responded by raising his banners in revolt, starting Robert's Rebellion.[23][24][25]

Opinions on Rhaegar's motivation in taking Lyanna differ. According to Robert Baratheon, Rhaegar raped Lyanna "hundreds of times".[3] This is repeated by Eddard's young son Bran Stark.[26] However, Barristan Selmy is convinced that "Prince Rhaegar loved his Lady Lyanna".[27] Daenerys Targaryen believes that Rhaegar had stolen Lyanna away from her betrothed,[28] and when she is about to marry, she thinks to herself that if her paramour loved her, he would "come and carry you off at swordpoint, as Rhaegar carried off his northern girl".[29] According to Viserys Targaryen, Rhaegar had fought and died for "the woman he loved",[30] something which his sister Daenerys also believes.[31] Additionally, one of the visions Daenerys sees in the House of the Undying depicts Rhaegar's death, where he whispers Lyanna's name with his last breath.[32][22] However, Viserys also believes that Rhaegar had simply not been happy with his marriage to Elia, which had led to him taking Lyanna.[28] Cersei Lannister, who was infatuated with Rhaegar, has similar believes, as she is convinced that Rhaegar would never have looked twice at the "wolf girl" if he had been satisfied in his wife.[33] Cersei's uncle Kevan Lannister believes that, if Aerys had accepted the proposal from Tywin Lannister to marry Cersei to Rhaegar, the war might have been avoided, as Cersei had been much more beautiful than Lyanna, and would have been able to give Rhaegar the sons he had wanted,[34] something which Princess Elia Martell could not.[35]

Lyanna Stark by Dreambieng ©

The war, led by Lyanna's fiancé Robert, her brother Eddard, and their foster father Jon Arryn, lasted "close to a year".[36] Lyanna's exact whereabouts during this time are unknown. Rhaegar himself could not be found, either, for a large part of the war,[22] though he finally returned "from the south"[37] after King Aerys II had dispatched Ser Gerold Hightower, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, to find him.[22] Robert and Eddard faced Prince Rhaegar and the royal army at the Trident, where Robert slew Rhaegar in single combat and the rebels defeated the royal army.[3] A fortnight later, the Sack of King's Landing officially ended the war,[38] though Lyanna still remained missing and the last opposition still had to be dealt with. From King's Landing, Eddard Stark rode south to the Stormlands to lift the siege of Storm's End. From there he rode to the a place Rhaegar was said to have named the Tower of Joy, located in the Red Mountains of Dorne.[39]

Death

‎Promise me Ned - by Asiulus ©

Eddard brought only six companions with him: Martyn Cassel, Theo Wull, Ethan Glover, Mark Ryswell, Howland Reed and Willam Dustin. At the tower of joy, they found the three remaining loyalist members of Aerys II Targaryen's Kingsguard, Ser Arthur Dayne, Ser Oswell Whent, and Ser Gerold Hightower. The men met in battle, and only Eddard and Howland Reed survived.[39] Inside the tower, Eddard found Lyanna in a "bed of blood", dying.[39][2] Lyanna died in a room that smelled of "blood and roses".[3] A fever had taken her strength, and her voice had been faint as a whisper. There was fear in her eyes, while she called for "Ned" to promise her something. When her brother gave his word, the fear left her. She smiled, and her fingers clutched his own in a tight grip.[3] Lyanna died shortly thereafter.[14] Eddard was still holding her as she "gave up her hold on life" and rose petals slipped from her palm, dead and black. Later, Howland Reed found Eddard still holding the corpse. Howland managed to separate the hands of the living man and the dead girl, though Eddard had no recollection of what happened after Lyanna died.[3]

It is currently unknown what promise Lyanna extracted from Eddard, and what had caused her fear. Lyanna's last words, "Promise me, Ned", would haunt Eddard, who had to pay a price in order to keep his promises to her,[14] for the rest of his life.[40][18] When his daughter Sansa pleads for the life of her direwolf, Lady, it reminds him of Lyanna's pleading.[41]

Ned and Robert visiting Lyanna's tomb - by Pojypojy ©

At the time of her death, Lyanna had only been sixteen years old.[3] Though Eddard burried the bodies of his deceased companions and the three slain Kingsguard knights in cairns he created out of the stones from the tower,[39] he transported Lyanna's bones from Dorne back to Winterfell.[16] According to him, Lyanna had wanted to be burried beside her father and brother.[3] Her tomb lies in the crypts of Winterfell, beside that of Rickard and Brandon Stark.[26] A statue of Lyanna has been carved in the stone of her tomb, though Robert Baratheon feels the stonemason failed to capture her beauty.[3] While only the kings and lords of Winterfell are supposed to have statues in their likeness, not their family members, both Lyanna and Brandon were given a statue by Eddard because he wished to honor his beloved siblings.[26] Eddard brought flowers to Lyanna's tomb whenever possible, as she had been fond of flowers.[3]

Legacy

King Robert I Baratheon, Lyanna's betrothed, and Eddard, her brother, had had a falling out after Robert was accepting of the manner at which Rhaegar's wife and two young children had been slain during the Sack of King's Landing.[36] Lyanna's death and the grief they shared over her passing eventually reconcilled them. Though Robert had no desire to marry after Lyanna's death, he was eventualy convinced by Jon Arryn that the realm needed an heir. As such, Robert was married to Cersei Lannister.[13] However, during their wedding night, a drunken Robert called Cersei "Lyanna",[42] which began the strains in their marriage. Robert remained in love with Lyanna,[12] and named the war galley Lady Lyanna in her honor.[43]

At Bear Island, Lady Maege Mormont named her youngest daughter Lyanna, after Lyanna Stark, which according to Stannis Baratheon was an attempt to win the favor of Lord Eddard Stark.[44]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Under the influence of milk of the poppy, Eddard Stark dreams about the combat at the tower of joy. While Eddard and his six companions battle the three Kingsguard knights in front of the tower, Lyanna is screaming inside the tower.[39]

Eddard Stark has a nightmare involving Lyanna and the statue of her placed at her tomb. In the dream, Eddard walks through the crypts of Winterfell. He can hear the statue of Lyanna whispering: "Promise me, Ned". He notices the statue wearing a garland of pale blue roses, while her eyes weep blood. Eddard immediately wakes with his heart racing.[40]

A Clash of Kings

Theon Greyjoy has a nightmare involving a feast of the dead at Winterfell. Many of the dead men and women attending are people that Theon knew personally or were slain by his own hand or command. But he also notices faces that he had never known in life. Among them is Lyanna: a slim, sad girl wearing a crown of pale blue roses and a white gown splattered with blood. Brandon Stark stands beside her, their father Rickard just behind them.[7]

A Dance with Dragons

Bran Stark witnesses a vision from the past in which he sees a boy and a girl playing with wooden branches in the godswood of Winterfell.[45] Several fans believe this to have been Benjen and his older sister, Lyanna, as Bran describes the girl as being the eldest of the two, and states that she looks like his sister Arya,[29] who is said to look like Lyanna had.[4] Additionally, the girl refers to Old Nan,[45] placing the event Bran witnesses as having taken place in more recent generations.

Quotes by Lyanna

Love is sweet, dearest Ned, but it cannot change a man's nature.[14]

– Lyanna, to Eddard Stark

Quotes about Lyanna

Ned remembering Lyanna - by Voyagehour ©

She was more beautiful than that. Ah, damn it, Ned, did you have to bury her in a place like this? She deserved more than darkness ...[3]

Robert I Baratheon, to Eddard Stark


Beautiful, and willful, and dead before her time.[4]

Eddard Stark, to Arya Stark


You never knew Lyanna as I did, Robert. You saw her beauty, but not the iron underneath.[13]

Eddard Stark, to Robert I Baratheon


Eddard: A thousand other women might have loved him with all their hearts. What did he do to make you hate him so?
Cersei: The night of our wedding feast, the first time we shared a bed, he called me by your sister’s name. He was on top of me, in me, stinking of wine, and he whispered Lyanna.[42]

Eddard Stark and Cersei Lannister


You ride like a northman, milady. Your aunt was the same.[15]

Harwin, to Arya Stark


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
 
 
 


References

  1. 1.0 1.1 See the Lyanna Stark calculation.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Lyanna Stark.
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 22, Arya II.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring.
  6. A Dance with Dragons, Epilogue.
  7. 7.0 7.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 56, Theon V.
  8. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 7, Arya I.
  9. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 20, Reek II.
  10. 10.0 10.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 27, Eddard VI.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 24, Bran II.
  12. 12.0 12.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 8, Bran II.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 30, Eddard VII.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 35, Eddard IX.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 17, Arya III.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 41, The Turncloak.
  17. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 32, Reek III.
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 58, Eddard XV.
  19. The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Stark lineage.
  20. A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
  21. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 6, Catelyn II.
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Rhaegar Targaryen.
  23. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 55, Catelyn VII.
  24. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
  25. The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion.
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 66, Bran VII.
  27. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 67, The Kingbreaker.
  28. 28.0 28.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 42, Daenerys IV.
  29. 29.0 29.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 43, Daenerys VII.
  30. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
  31. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 64, Daenerys VIII.
  32. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 48, Daenerys IV.
  33. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 24, Cersei V.
  34. A Dance with Dragons, Epilogue.
  35. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 61, The Griffin Reborn.
  36. 36.0 36.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 12, Eddard II.
  37. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 37, Jaime V.
  38. The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: The End.
  39. 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 39.4 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 39, Eddard X.
  40. 40.0 40.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 47, Eddard XIII.
  41. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 20, Eddard IV.
  42. 42.0 42.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 45, Eddard XII.
  43. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 58, Davos III.
  44. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 3, Jon I.
  45. 45.0 45.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 34, Bran III.

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