A Wiki of Ice and Fire - User contributions [en]

File:Valar Morghulis by Tim Tsang.jpg

2026-09-22T16:13:03Z

Nittanian:

== Summary ==
Just before fleeing [[Harrenhal]] with [[Gendry]] and [[Hot Pie]] [[Arya Stark]] slit the throat of [[guard at Harrenhal|the guard]] at the postern gate, she whispered ''[[valar Morghulis]]'' as he died – art by Tim Tsang. The artist's website can be found at:
[http://www.timtsang.com]

== Licensing ==
{{Copyright tags|type=permission|
| owner = Tim TsangB
| permission = For non commercial use on this wiki. "Yes, its fine to use my image as long as you credit me. I'd prefer if you linked my website instead of DA www.timtsang.com " December 9th 2012.
| website = [http://www.timtsang.com]
}}

[[Category:Images of Harrenhal]]
[[Category:Images of Arya Stark]]
[[Category:Images of the guard at Harrenhal]]
[[Category:Images by Tim Tsang]]

Category:Images of the guard at Harrenhal

2026-09-22T16:11:35Z

Nittanian: Created page with "Guard at Harrenhal Guard Harrenhal Guard"

[[Guard at Harrenhal]]

[[Category:Character Images|Guard]]
[[Category:Images of guards|Harrenhal]]
[[Category:Images of House Bolton|Guard]]

File:Valar Morghulis by Tim Tsang II.jpg

2026-09-22T16:10:17Z

Nittanian:

== Summary ==
Just before fleeing [[Harrenhal]] with [[Gendry]] and [[Hot Pie]] [[Arya Stark]] slit the throat of the guard at the postern gate, she whispered [[Valar Morghulis]] as he died – art by Tim Tsang. The artist's website can be found on:
[http://www.timtsang.com]

== Licensing ==
{{Copyright tags|type=permission|
| owner = Tim Tsang
| permission = For non commercial use on this wiki. "Yes, its fine to use my image as long as you credit me. I'd prefer if you linked my website instead of DA www.timtsang.com " December 9th 2012.
| website = [http://www.timtsang.com]
}}

[[Category:Images of Harrenhal]]
[[Category:Images of Arya Stark]]
[[Category:Images of the guard at Harrenhal]]
[[Category:Images by Tim Tsang]]

Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)

2026-09-22T15:43:59Z

Nittanian: /* Birth */

{{For|other characters with the same name|Aegon Targaryen}}
{{hatnote|It is unconfirmed whether this character and [[Aegon Targaryen (Young Griff)]] are the same person.}}
{{Infobox character
| title = Prince
| firstname = Aegon
| lastname = Targaryen
| arms = Targaryen
| image = Elia Rhaenys Aegon by Rae Lavergne.jpg
| image_caption = [[Elia Martell]] holding Aegon and [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys Targaryen]], by Rae Lavergne ©
| Alias = [[The prince that was promised]]{{Ref|ACOK|48}}
| Title = [[Prince]]
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture = [[Crownlands]]
| Date_of_Birth = late {{Date|281}} or early {{Date|282}}<ref name=born>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages#Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Birth = [[Dragonstone]], the [[crownlands]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|283}} (aged 1) (supposedly)
| Place_of_Death = [[Maegor's Holdfast]], [[King's Landing]]<ref group="N">Put into question by the appearance of a [[Aegon Targaryen (Young Griff)|youth]] claimed to be the survived prince, backed up by Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]]'s former friend [[Jon Connington]].</ref>
| Father = [[Rhaegar Targaryen]]
| Mother = [[Elia Martell]]
| Spouse =
| coat-of-arms =
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned)
| Played by =
| TV_series =
}}

Prince '''Aegon Targaryen''' was the second child and only son of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] and Princess [[Elia Martell]].

==Appearance==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|l1=Images of Aegon Targaryen}}
According to semi-canonical sources, Aegon looked more like a [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]], taking after his father, [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]], while his sister, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]], looked more like their [[Dornishmen|Dornish]] mother, [[Elia Martell]].{{Ref|SSM|1120}}{{Ref|AWOIAF|Aegon Targaryen}}{{Ref|AWOIAF|Elia Martell}} The infant Aegon had fair hair.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

==History==
===Birth===
Rhaegar and Elia's second child, Prince Aegon, was born in [[Dragonstone]] in either late {{Date|281}} or early {{Date|282}}.<ref name=born/>{{Ref|TWOIAF|4|17}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|5|1}} A [[comet]] was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived, which led his father [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]], [[Prince of Dragonstone]], to believe that Aegon was the "[[prince that was promised]]". The comet was seen as "the bleeding star" of the prophecy. Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]] was aware of Rhaegar's beliefs, though it is unclear if he shared them.{{Ref|aFfC|35}}

Elia was bedridden for half a year after giving birth to [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]], and giving birth to Aegon nearly killed her. Following Aegon's birth, the [[maesters]] told Rhaegar that Elia would bear no more children.{{Ref|ADWD|61}} A few months into {{Date|282}}, Rhaegar left Elia and their newborn son Aegon on [[Dragonstone]], and took to the road with six companions, who helped him disappear with [[Lyanna Stark]],{{Ref|TWOIAF|5|1}} thus sparking [[Robert's Rebellion]].

===Sack of King's Landing===
[[File:Elias last moments.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Prince Aegon in the arms of his mother, Princess [[Elia Martell]], by Achen089 ©]]
Aegon was an infant during [[Robert's Rebellion]],{{Ref|aGoT|20}}{{Ref|aGoT|30}} having been born a few months before its onset. In preparation of the [[Battle of the Trident]], Aegon's grandfather, King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] used him, his mother [[Elia Martell|Elia]], and his sister [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]] as hostages, gracelessly reminding Aegon's great-uncle, Prince [[Lewyn Martell]] of the [[Kingsguard]], that the three were in Aerys's hands. Lewyn took command of ten thousand Dornishmen, but died in the battle, as did Aegon's father, [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]]. Aerys became convinced that the Dornishmen had betrayed him, and refused to allow Aegon and his family to flee to [[Dragonstone]] alongside Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen]] and Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]]. Aegon, his mother, and his sister were kept at King's Landing as hostages to ensure continued [[Dorne|Dornish]] loyalty.{{Ref|aSoS|37}}

With Rhaegar's death, Grand Maester [[Pycelle]] became convinced that the war was effectively over, and that [[House Targaryen]] could no longer offer a proper king to the realm. Pycelle worked to convince Aerys II to open the gates of [[King's Landing]] to the Lannister forces, secretly hoping Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] would rise to the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|aCoK|25}}

During the [[Sack of King's Landing]] a fortnight after the royal forces had left for the Trident, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] killed Aerys in the throne room of the [[Red Keep]]. Jaime, though the only Kingsguard member left in the city, did not think his father Tywin, whose troops were attacking the city, would harm little Aegon and his young sister, Rhaenys. While Jaime was standing over Aerys's corpse, Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] and Ser [[Amory Lorch]] scaled the walls of [[Maegor's Holdfast]] and then killed Aegon, Rhaenys, and Elia. The deaths of the children caused a dispute between Lord [[Eddard Stark]] and the new king, [[Robert I Baratheon]],{{Ref|aDwD|11}} and also began the feud between Houses [[House Martell|Martell]] and [[House Lannister|Lannister]].{{Ref|aSoS|66}}{{Ref|aDwD|38}}

===Death and Aftermath===
[[File:Aegon Death.png|thumb|Aegon is killed in front of his mother, [[Elia Martell]], screencap from ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' Blu-ray]]
According to Lord [[Eddard Stark]], Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]'s soldiers tore Aegon from his mother's breast and dashed his head against a wall.{{Ref|aGoT|12}} Prince [[Viserys Targaryen]] told his sister, Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]], that Princess [[Elia Martell]] pleaded for mercy as Aegon was dashed against a wall.{{Ref|AGOT|3}}{{Ref|AGOT|64}} Eddard had heard rumors that Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] was Aegon's murderer, and after the infant was killed Gregor had raped Elia and then put her to the sword.{{Ref|agot|30}} According to Eddard, these rumors were not repeated in Gregor's presence.{{Ref|aGoT|30}} According to [[Tyrion Lannister]], Gregor's role in the deaths of Aegon and his mother was common knowledge at [[Casterly Rock]]. He heard that Gregor's hands had still been covered with Aegon's blood when he raped Elia.{{Ref|ACOK|17}}

According to Tywin Lannister, he required a way to demonstrate his loyalty to the cause of [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], after having remained neutral for most of [[Robert's Rebellion]]. He claims that presenting the bodies of Aegon and his sister to the new king ensured that no one could doubt [[House Lannister]] had forsaken [[House Targaryen]]. Tywin claims to his son Tyrion that the murders had been done "too brutally", and that Elia's death had not been intended.{{Ref|ASOS|53}} Aegon's uncle, Prince [[Oberyn Martell]], however, believes that Tywin had Elia killed as revenge for her having married Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], thereby disrupting Tywin's plans for marrying his own daughter, [[Cersei Lannister]], to Rhaegar.{{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Tywin presented King Robert I with the corpses of Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys as his "token of fealty".{{ref|aGoT|12}} He laid the bodies beneath the [[Iron Throne]] wrapped in the crimson cloaks of [[House Lannister guards|his household guards]], which helped to hide the blood. Aegon's skull was a "red ruin", which horrified Eddard Stark,{{Ref|aGoT|45}} and was so terrible that not even Robert could not stand its sight.{{Ref|aGoT|20}} According to Ser [[Kevan Lannister]], Aegon had been unrecognizable, as all that remained of him was a faceless horror of bone, brain, and gore with a few hanks of fair hair.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

The deaths of Aegon, Rhaenys, and Elia were met with mixed responses. Robert Baratheon was relieved that Rhaegar's children were dead, and that he did not have to be the one to give the order.{{Ref|aSoS|53}} Upon the protest of his friend, Eddard Stark, that the two children had been no more than babes, Robert named Aegon and his sister "[[dragon]]spawn".{{Ref|aGoT|12}} Eddard called the act murder, and after a quarrel with Robert, Eddard rode out from [[King's Landing]] in a cold rage, heading south to fight the last battles of the war on his own.{{Ref|aGoT|12}} Although he had not personally seen the corpses, Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] has been haunted by the "bloody bodies" of Aegon and his sister.{{Ref|aDwD|67}} [[Thoros of Myr]], who saw the bodies of Aegon and Rhaenys, believes that [[House Clegane]] was "built upon dead children" and their arms should display "two bloody infants".{{Ref|aSoS|34}}

The exiled Viserys Targaryen is convinced that [[Dornishmen]] are determined to avenge Elia and her children, and would thus rise to his cause.{{Ref|aGoT|3}} Indeed, [[Doran Martell|Doran]] and Oberyn Martell, Elia's brothers, have plotted against House Lannister.{{Ref|AFFC|40}} According to [[Varys]], Doran's hatred for House Lannister is well known,{{Ref|aCoK|17}} and Oberyn, certain that Gregor had not acted on his own,{{Ref|aCoK|38}} wants vengeance both on Gregor and the man who gave the orders.{{Ref|ASOS|66}} [[Nymeria Sand]], one of [[Sand Snakes|Oberyn's daughters]], believes that the only fitting payment for the death of Elia's children would be the death of "Lord Tywin's golden twins", Cersei and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]].{{Ref|aFfC|2}} Doran's daughter [[Arianne Martell|Arianne]], connecting the murders of Aegon and his sister to Robert Baratheon's rise to the throne, calls Robert a monster who climbed onto his throne over the corpses of children.{{Ref|aFfC|13}}

The exiled Daenerys Targaryen holds "the [[Usurper]]'s dogs" responsible for the murders of Rhaenys and Aegon, and sees no difference between the responsibilities of Houses Lannister and [[House Stark|Stark]] in the events.{{Ref|aDwD|11}}

In his book ''[[The World of Ice & Fire (Yandel)|The World of Ice and Fire]]'', Maester [[Yandel]] describes the events of the Sack of King's Landing in a way that shifts the blame from Houses [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]] and Lannister, by then allied with Robert through marriage, to other candidates, and cites supposed rumors that person responsible was King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], or that it had been Elia, to spare her children from a worse fate.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Clash of Kings''===
According to [[Jacelyn Bywater]], there are still whispers in [[King's Landing]] that "the butchery of [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]]'s children" is one of the sins of [[House Lannister]] and that the [[Faith of the Seven|gods]] are punishing the entire city for the act.{{Ref|aCoK|41}}

In one of her visions within the [[House of the Undying]], [[Daenerys Targaryen]] sees a newborn Aegon nursing from the breast of [[Elia Martell]], who is seated in a great wooden bed. [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]] names the child "Aegon", stating the name is fit for a king. When Elia asks whether Rhaegar will make a song for their son, he replies that Aegon, [[the prince that was promised]], already has [[the song of ice and fire]]. Rhaegar then claims that there must be "one more", since "the dragon has three heads".{{Ref|aCoK|48}}{{Ref|AWOIAF|Daenerys Targaryen}} Afterwards, Ser [[Jorah Mormont]] confirms their identities but points out that if Aegon was the promised prince, the promise was broken with his death. Neither have heard of "the song of ice and fire".{{Ref|aCoK|63}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
During [[Tyrion Lannister]]'s [[trial by combat]], a wounded [[Gregor Clegane]] narrates a brief account of Aegon's death to [[Oberyn Martell]]. He first killed Aegon, the "screaming whelp", and then raped Elia. Gregor claims to have smashed her head with his bare hands, the same method the Mountain then uses to finish off Oberyn.{{Ref|aSoS|70}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[File:Pojypojy Griff&YoungGriff.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Jon Connington|Griff]] and Young Griff, by Pojypojy ©]]
While in [[Meereen]], [[Daenerys Targaryen]] muses about Aegon, who would have been the sixth of his name to sit on the [[Iron Throne]]. She believes that, had Aegon lived, she might have married him, as he would have been closer to her in age than [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]].{{Ref|aDwD|2}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[Tyrion Lannister]] meets "[[Aegon Targaryen (Young Griff)|Young Griff]]", a young man who is introduced to Tyrion as the son of the sellsword "Griff", aboard the ''[[Shy Maid]]''. The company is headed for [[Volantis]], to await the expected arrival of Daenerys together with the [[Golden Company]] and more ships for her cause.{{Ref|aDwD|5}}{{Ref|aDwD|8}} After some time on the ''Shy Maid'', Tyrion concludes that "Griff" is Lord [[Jon Connington]], and that "Young Griff" is not his son, but instead Aegon Targaryen. "Young Griff" explains his apparent survival to Tyrion while they play ''[[cyvasse]]''. According to his account, the infant killed during the [[Sack of King's Landing]] was a [[Pisswater prince|tanner's infant son]] born at [[Pisswater Bend]], a street of [[King's Landing]]. The child's mother had died at birth. The tanner sold his boy to [[Varys]] for a jug of [[wine]], since he already had other sons, but had never tasted Arbor gold. Varys arranged the swap between the two infants. Elia received the tanner's son, whom Tyrion dubs the [[pisswater prince]], while Varys took custody of the real Prince Aegon.{{Ref|aDwD|22}}

When news of Aegon's supposed survival reaches [[King's Landing]], the small council of King Tommen declare him to be a pretender. Ser [[Kevan Lannister]], however, recalls Jon from his time at [[Aerys II Targaryen]]'s court, and wonders whether Aegon could have survived, recalling how the babe killed by Gregor had been unrecognizable.{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}

==Quotes about Aegon==
{{Quote|It is tragic that the blood spilled in war may as readily be innocent as it is guilty, and those who ravished and murdered Princess [[Elia Martell|Elia]] escaped justice. It is not known who murdered Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]] in her bed, or smashed the infant Prince Aegon's head against a wall. Some whisper it was done at Aerys's own command when he learned [[Tywin Lannister|Lord Lannister]] had taken up Robert's cause, while others suggest that Elia did it herself for fear of what would happen to her children in the hands of her dead husband's enemies.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}|writings of [[Yandel]]}}

{{Quote|Kevan Lannister had been here, in this very hall when [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] had laid the bodies of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar's]] children at the foot of the [[Iron Throne]], wrapped up in [[House Lannister guards|crimson cloaks]]. The girl had been recognizably the Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]], but the boy ... a faceless horror of bone and brain and gore, a few hanks of fair hair. None of us looked long. Tywin said that it was Prince Aegon, and we took him at his word.{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}|[[Kevan Lannister]]'s thoughts}}

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree now}}

==Theories==
{{Main|Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)/Theories}}
Even before the release of ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', the fandom had speculated about whether or not Aegon had survived the [[Sack of King's Landing]]. With the revelation from ''A Dance With Dragons'' about Aegon's survival and his fake identity of "Young Griff", some members of the fandom have speculated about the character's true identity.

==Behind the Scenes==
In an early draft of ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', the newborn Aegon is said to have been present at [[Tourney at Harrenhal|Lord Whent's great tournament]], whereas in the published book it's unclear whether he was born by that point.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/comments/1bfeigu/spoilers_extended_secrets_of_the_cushing_library/ Secrets of the Cushing Library: the ACOK and ASOS drafts] - gsteff on Reddit</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References}}

[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[Category:280s AC births|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:283 AC deaths|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:Casualties of Robert's Rebellion|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Gregor Clegane|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Tywin Lannister|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:Characters with blond hair|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:Deaths in infancy|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:Members of Aerys II Targaryen's court|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Aegon]]

[[es:Aegon Targaryen]]
[[fa:اگان تارگرین (پسر ریگار)]]
[[fr:Aegon Targaryen]]
[[it:Aegon Targaryen (Principe)]]
[[pt:Aegon Targaryen (filho de Rhaegar)]]
[[ru:Эйгон Таргариен (сын Рейгара)]]
[[zh:伊耿·坦格利安(雷加之子)]]

Astronomy

2026-09-22T15:43:46Z

Nittanian:

[[File:Yoann Boissonnet Bronze LinkII.png|thumb|400px|A [[maester]] may use a [[Myrish eye]] to study astronomy. Art by Yoann Boissonnet © Fantasy Flight Games]]
'''Astronomy''' is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena.<ref>[[w:astronomy|Wikipedia: Astronomy]]</ref> In the [[known world]], astronomy plays a role in [[Measurement|keeping track of time]], as well as in [[religion]].

The [[bronze]] link of a [[maester]]'s chain{{Ref|AGOT|41}}{{Ref|AGOT|20}} likely symbolizes his expertise in either astronomy or astrology.{{Refn|group="N"|[[Archmaester]] [[Vaellyn]], whose mask, rod, and ring are [[bronze]],{{Ref|AFFC|Appendix}} judges those wishing to demonstrate knowledge of the heavens,{{Ref|AFFC|0}} and he is also described as "the stargazer".{{Ref|AFFC|Appendix}}}} Maester [[Nicol]] has studied the movement of the stars,{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Long Night}} and Maester [[Luwin]], in service at [[Winterfell]] during the rule of Lord [[Eddard Stark]], has a [[Myrish lens tube]] through which he looks at stars in the sky.{{Ref|AGOT|66}} Maester Luwin taught the [[House Stark|Stark]] children about the stars, including "the names of the twelve houses of heaven and the rulers of each", the [[seven wanderers]], and the [[constellations]].{{Ref|ASOS|26}}

==The Sun and Moon==
[[File:House Tarth.svg|right|thumb|350px|The [[sigil]] of [[House Tarth]] depicts the [[sun]] and [[moon]].]]
In the known world, a year is the length of a solar cycle, how long it takes the earth to make one complete revolution around the [[sun]].{{Ref|SSM|2997}}{{Ref|SSM|1034}} The world is also orbited by a [[moon]], in a similar fashion to Earth's, which revolves around the world twelve times a year.{{Ref|SSM|2997}} As on Earth, a year is measured by determining the position of the sun, moon, and stars.{{Ref|SSM|1034}}

The known world experiences extremely long [[seasons]] of varying length, usually lasting at least a couple of years each. It is known that the [[Measurement|daytime period]] is correlated with the seasons. Towards the end of [[Summer (season)|summer]], the days start to grow shorter,{{Ref|AGOT|21}} a trend which continues through [[autumn]].{{Ref|AFFC|20}}{{Ref|ADWD|21}} The end of a season is determined by the [[Conclave]] of the [[Citadel]], who base their conclusion on the measurements and reports of maesters all over the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{Ref|ACOK|0}}

In his ''[[The Measure of the Days]]'', Maester [[Nicol]] argues, based upon his studies on the movement of stars, that the seasons possibly were once of a regular length, determined by the way in which the globe faces the sun. According to Maester [[Yandel]], however, although the notion appears to be true, Nicol has not been able to find any evidence that regular seasons were once the case, beyond the most ancient of tales.{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Long Night}}

The [[Qartheen]] believe that there were once two moons in the sky. This second moon supposedly came too close to the sun and cracked like an egg hatching, releasing a million [[dragon]]s.{{Ref|AGOT|23}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}} The [[Dothraki]] believe that the moon is a goddess, wife to the sun.{{Ref|AGOT|23}} A Dothraki husband may refer to his wife as "moon of my life", to which she responds, calling him "my sun-and-stars".{{Ref|AGOT|46}}

In the faith of [[R'hllor]], the Lord of Light, the [[red priest]]s and other followers pray before a nightfire, thanking R'hllor for ending the day, while beseeching him to bring the dawn and banish the darkness.{{Ref|ASOS|63}} The nightfires are lit at sunset.{{Ref|ASOS|63}}{{Ref|AGOT|3}} Fires are also lit each morning at first light, where the red priests welcome the sun.{{Ref|AFFC|0}} Other red priests might attend to their fires during the entire night.{{Ref|ADWD|33}} A common phrase in this faith is "the night is dark and full of terrors".{{Ref|ACOK|0}}{{Ref|AFFC|0}} A typical prayer includes the sequence,
{{lyrics|
Yours is the sun that warms our days, yours the stars that guard us in the dark of night.
:(Lord of Light, defend us. The night is dark and full of terrors. Lord of Light, protect us.)
R'hllor who gave us breath, we thank you. R'hllor who gave us day, we thank you.
:(We thank you for the sun that warms us. We thank you for the stars that watch us.
:We thank you for our hearths and for our torches, that keep the savage dark at bay.){{Ref|ASOS|63}}<ref group="N">The sentences in parentheses are responses from worshippers present at the nightfire.</ref>}}

==Stars and Constellations==
[[File:House Langward.svg|right|thumb|350px|The sigil of [[House Langward]] depicts the [[King's Crown]] constellation.]]
[[Myrish eye]]s mounted on tripods can be used to observe the stars.{{ref|ASOS|69}} There are also dedicated observatories, including one kept at [[Winterfell]] by [[Luwin]].{{ref|AGOT|5}} The maesters of the Citadel compile star charts for their research and studies.{{Ref|AGOT|66}} Knowledge of the stars is useful in ocean navigation,{{ref|AGOT|66}} in particular the constellations of the [[Galley (constellation)|Galley]] and the [[Crone's Lantern]], and the star that is the eye of the [[Ice Dragon (constellation)|Ice Dragon]] constellation.{{Ref|ASOS|63}}

The [[Dothraki]] believe that the stars are the souls of the deceased, their brightness depending on their deeds during their lives.{{Ref|AGOT|72}}

Constellations are the names given to a group of stars linked close together. They usually represent some sort of picture, but what this picture depicts may vary between different cultures. The [[free folk]] have many of the same names for constellations as the people of the [[Seven Kingdoms]], although there are some differences. The [[King's Crown]] is named the Cradle by them, and the [[Stallion (constellation)|Stallion]] is named the Horned Lord.{{Ref|ASOS|26}}

===Known constellations===
Names for only eleven constellations have been mentioned so far. There may be as many as twelve, if the constellations and the "houses of heaven" correspond to each other. However, if the twelve "houses of heaven" are equivalent to the zodiac signs, the Ice Dragon might not be one of them as it includes the pole star.

* [[Crone's Lantern]]{{Ref|ASOS|63}}{{Ref|TSS}}
* [[Galley (constellation)|Galley]]{{Ref|ASOS|63}}{{Ref|TSS}}
* [[Ghost (constellation)|Ghost]]{{Ref|TSS}}
* [[Ice Dragon (constellation)|Ice Dragon]]{{Ref|ASOS|63}}{{Ref|TSS}}
* [[King's Crown]]{{Ref|TSS}} (also known as the Cradle among the [[free folk]]){{Ref|ASOS|26}}
* [[Moonmaid]]{{Ref|ASOS|26}}{{Ref|TSS}}
* [[Shadowcat (constellation)|Shadowcat]]{{Ref|ASOS|26}}
* [[Swan]]{{Ref|ASOS|31}}
* [[Sow]]{{Ref|TSS}}
* [[Stallion (constellation)|Stallion]]{{Ref|TSS}} (also known as the Horned Lord among the [[free folk]]){{Ref|ASOS|26}}
* [[Sword of the Morning (constellation)|Sword of the Morning]]{{Ref|ASOS|26}}

==Planets and Other Moving Objects==
[[File:Dunk.svg|right|thumb|350px|The sigil of [[Duncan the Tall]] depicts a shooting star.]]
There are [[seven wanderers]] in the sky over the known world, each of which are sacred to the [[Faith of the Seven]] and associated with one of [[the Seven|the seven gods]].{{Ref|ASOS|26}} Each wanderer may be a planet, as the word "planet" is derived from the [[w:Greek|Greek]] word [[wikt:πλανήτης|πλανῆται]] (''planētai'', which means "wanderers" or "wandering stars").<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/planet Definition of planet by Merriam-Webster] (retrieved on May 19, 2018)</ref><ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/planet Define Planet at Dictionary.com] (retrieved on May 19, 2018)</ref> On Earth, the seven planets of antiquity included the Sun and Moon.<ref>[[w:Classical planet|Wikipedia: Classical planet]]</ref>

One of the seven wanderers is the [[red wanderer]], considered by the Faith of the Seven to be sacred to [[Smith (the Seven)|the Smith]].{{Ref|ASOS|26}} Among the [[free folk]], the red wanderer is known as the Thief.{{Ref|ASOS|26}}{{Ref|AFFC|15}}{{Ref|ADWD|35}}

Beyond these seven wanderers, other "wandering stars" have also been known to appear, such as [[comet]]s and [[w:Meteoroid#Meteors|falling (or shooting) stars]].
* According to legend, over ten thousand years ago,{{ref|AFFC|21}} the founder of [[House Dayne]] tracked a falling star to an island at the mouth of the [[Torentine]], and discovered there a stone with magical powers. The castle of [[Starfall]] was constructed on that location,{{ref|TWOIAF|Dorne: Kingdoms of the First Men}} and the Dayne ancestral greatsword, [[Dawn]], was forged from the heart of this fallen star.{{ref|ACOK|21}}
* Ser [[Duncan the Tall]] spotted a green shooting star in the sky outside [[Ashford]] in {{Date|209}}, and made it part of his [[sigil]].{{Ref|THK}}
* A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] in {{Date|281}}.{{Ref|AFFC|35}}
* A [[red comet]] appears in the sky over [[Westeros]] and [[Essos]] in {{Date|299}}.{{Ref|ACOK|6}}{{Ref|AGOT|66}}{{Ref|AGOT|72}}

Seeing a falling star is considered to bring luck.{{Ref|THK}} The [[prince that was promised]] is [[prophecy|prophesied]] to be born beneath a "bleeding star",{{Ref|AFFC|45}} which some believe to be a comet.{{Ref|AFFC|35}} [[Azor Ahai]] is prophesied to be reborn when "the red star bleeds".{{Ref|ASOS|25}}

==Behind the Scenes==
There was some attempt during the writing of ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' to commission an artist's illustration of the major constellations and the houses of heaven known to the Maesters of the Citadel, but due to various complications the project was eventually dropped.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/comments/2kgg2o/spoilers_all_ama_with_authors_of_the_world_of_ice/ Reddit AMA, March 2015]</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References}}

[[Category:Astronomy| ]]
[[Category:Science and technology]]

[[es:Astronomía]]
[[fr:Astronomie]]
[[pt:Astronomia]]
[[ru:Астрономия]]

Red comet

2026-09-22T15:43:31Z

Nittanian:

{{distinguish|red wanderer}}
[[File:Red comet by dhadkan.jpg|thumb|350px|Red comet as seen over the [[red waste]], the [[north]], and [[Dragonstone]]]]
A '''red comet''' appears in the sky over [[Westeros]] and [[Essos]] in {{Date|299}}. It is believed by various characters and peoples to herald differing events, and thus, different people have given the [[comet]] a different name, including the '''Red Sword''',{{Ref|ACOK|1}} '''King Joffrey's Comet''',{{Ref|ACOK|2}} the '''Dragon's Tail''',{{Ref|ACOK|2}} the '''Red Messenger''',{{Ref|ACOK|3}} '''Mormont's Torch''',{{Ref|ACOK|6}} the '''Bleeding Star''',{{Ref|ACOK|12}} and the '''Harbinger'''.{{Ref|ACOK|20}}

==Appearance==
{{See also|:Category:Images of the red comet|l1=Images of the red comet}}
The [[comet]] is red, with a long tail that to some appears to cover half the sky. It is visible by day and outshines the moon at night.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}{{Ref|ACOK|3}} Some refer to its color as blood red.{{Ref|ACOK|7}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
[[File:Patrick McEvoy Jhogo red comet.JPG|thumb|350px|[[Jhogo]], the first of [[Daenerys Targaryen]]'s ''[[khalasar]]'' to spot the red comet, by Patrick McEvoy © Fantasy Flight Games]]
The morning of the day when a [[raven]] brings the news of [[Eddard Stark]]'s death in [[Winterfell]], Maester [[Luwin]] studies the comet through his [[Myr]]ish lens.{{Ref|AGOT|66}}

As [[Daenerys Targaryen]]'s ''[[khalasar]]'' waits for nightfall before [[Khal]] [[Drogo]]'s funeral pyre, [[Jhogo]] notices the red comet, the first star of the evening. It is said that the more fiercely a man burned in life, the brighter his star. Daenerys uses this as a sign to light the pyre, and [[dragon]]s hatch from her three [[dragon egg]]s.{{Ref|AGOT|72}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
The comet's name in the [[Dothraki language]] is ''shierak qiya'', meaning "Bleeding Star".{{Ref|ACOK|12}} To Daenerys it is a herald of her coming, a sign meant for her to follow, which she does through the [[red waste]].{{ref|ACOK|12}} In one vision within the [[House of the Undying]] at [[Qarth]], the [[Undying Ones]] claim to have sent the comet to guide Daenerys to them.{{Ref|ACOK|48}}

At [[Dragonstone]], the [[red priest]]ess [[Melisandre]] tells [[Selyse Florent]] the comet is [[dragonfire|dragonsbreath]]. Maester [[Cressen]] thinks it an omen of blood and murder.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

In [[King's Landing]] the [[smallfolk]] call it "King Joffrey's Comet" and servants refer to it as the "Dragon's Tail".{{ref|ACOK|2}} Ser [[Arys Oakheart]] thinks it honors the new king, [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]], and the crimson of [[House Lannister]]. [[Sansa Stark]] is skeptical, thinking it should be a golden comet for [[House Baratheon]].{{ref|ACOK|2}} [[Varys]] tells [[Tyrion Lannister]] that Kingslanders consider the Red Messenger to be a herald warning of war,{{ref|ACOK|3}} and the [[master of whisperers]] explains that priests, preachers, and prophets foretell of doom and destruction.{{ref|ACOK|8}} Referring to the comet as the "[[Father (the Seven)|Father's]] scourge" and the "Harbinger", [[prophet (begging brother)|a prophet]] warns that corruption will soon be purified.{{ref|ACOK|20}}

[[File:Franz Miklis dragontail.jpg|thumb|350px|Red Comet, by [http://www.franzmiklis.com/ Franz Miklis] © [http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ Fantasy Flight Games]]]
Men of [[Riverrun]] also call the comet the "Red Messenger". [[Jon Umber|Greatjon Umber]] thinks it represents vengeance for Ned Stark, while [[Edmure Tully]] thinks it resembles a fish in his family's colors and represents victory for [[House Tully]]. [[Catelyn Stark]] worries it represents the Lannisters, while [[Brynden Tully]] insists it means blood.{{Ref|aCoK|7}} Lord [[Jason Mallister]] and his son, [[Patrek Mallister|Patrek]], dispute the comet's meaning.{{ref|ACOK|11}}

Traveling with [[Yoren]], [[Arya Stark]] thinks the comet is both splendid and scary. [[Gendry]] names it the "Red Sword", since it looks like a blade still red-hot from the forge. Arya imagines the blood on [[Ice]], [[Eddard Stark]]'s greatsword, after the execution of her father.{{ref|ACOK|1}}

Septon [[Chayle]] of [[Winterfell]] thinks of the comet as the "sword that slays the season", and shortly afterward a [[white raven]] arrives to signal the change of [[Summer (season)|summer]] to [[autumn]].{{ref|ACOK|4}} Luwin thinks the [[direwolves]] [[Shaggydog]] and [[Summer]] howl at the comet because they think it is the [[moon]], while [[Osha]] warns [[Bran Stark]] that it means "blood and fire". Blind [[Old Nan]] says she can smell it, and insists it represents dragons.{{ref|ACOK|4}}

The men of the [[Night's Watch]] call it "Mormont's Torch", referring to their [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|Lord Commander]], [[Jeor Mormont]].{{ref|ACOK|6}}{{ref|ACOK|23}}

[[Theon Greyjoy]] thinks of it as his comet while sailing to [[Pyke (island)|Pyke]]. His uncle, [[Aeron Greyjoy|Aeron Damphair]], explains it is a message of war from the [[Drowned God]].{{ref|ACOK|11}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
Melisandre says "the bleeding star has come and gone", which suggests the comet is no longer visible.{{ref|ASOS|25}}

Selyse{{ref|ASOS|54}} and Melisandre{{ref|ASOS|78}} state that the red comet is a herald for [[Stannis Baratheon]], who is said to wield [[Lightbringer]] and be [[Azor Ahai]] reborn.

===''A Feast for Crows''===
Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]] tells [[Samwell Tarly]] that he dreams of seeing "a red star bleeding in the sky". He speaks to Sam about the prophecy of [[the prince that was promised]], who he once believed to be Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], but now believes to be Daenerys. Aemon tells Sam that Rhaegar believed his son Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]] was the promised prince, as a comet was seen above King's Landing on the night he was conceived, and Rhaegar believed the "bleeding star" of the prophecy was a comet.{{ref|AFFC|35}} Later, Archmaester [[Marwyn]] confirms to Sam that the prophecy states the prince is "born [...] beneath a bleeding star".{{ref|AFFC|45}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[Salladhor Saan]], when talking to [[Davos Seaworth]] about leaving the cause of [[Stannis Baratheon]] and receiving payment for his damaged ships, asks if this compensation will happen "when the red comet comes again", which seems to indicate that the comet is no longer visible in the Westerosi sky.{{ref|ADWD|9}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|The first star was a comet, burning red. Bloodred; fire red; the [[dragon]]'s tail.{{ref|AGOT|72}}|[[Daenerys Targaryen]]'s thoughts}}

{{Quote|The [[maester]] did not believe in omens. And yet ... old as he was, Cressen had never seen a comet half so bright, nor yet that color, that terrible color, the color of blood and flame and sunsets.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}|[[Cressen]]'s thoughts}}

{{Quote|The thing in the sky is a comet, sweet child. A star with a tail, lost in the heavens. It will be gone soon enough, never to be seen again in our lifetimes. Watch and see.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}|[[Cressen]] to [[Shireen Baratheon]]}}

{{Quote|This comet is sent to herald [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey's]] ascent to [[Iron Throne|the throne]], I have no doubt. It means that he will triumph over his enemies.{{Ref|ACOK|2}}|[[Arys Oakheart]] to [[Sansa Stark]]}}

{{Quote|In the streets, they call it the Red Messenger. They say it comes as a herald before a king, to warn of fire and blood to follow.{{ref|ACOK|3}}|[[Varys]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

{{quote|'''Catelyn''': The [[Jon Umber|Greatjon]] told [[Robb Stark|Robb]] that the [[old gods]] have unfurled a red flag of vengeance for [[Eddard Stark|Ned]]. [[Edmure Tully|Edmure]] thinks it's an omen of victory for [[Riverrun]]—he sees a fish with a long tail, in the [[House Tully|Tully]] colors, red against blue. I wish I had their faith. Crimson is a [[House Lannister|Lannister]] color. '''Brynden''': That thing's not crimson. Nor Tully red, the mud red of [[Red Fork|the river]]. That's blood up there, child, smeared across the sky.{{ref|ACOK|7}}|[[Catelyn Stark]] and [[Brynden Tully]]}}

{{Quote|'''Aeron''': Every morning brings a new day, much like the old. '''Theon''': In [[Riverrun]], they would tell you different. They say the red comet is a herald of a new age. A messenger from [[Faith of the Seven|the gods]]. '''Aeron''': A sign it is, but from our god, not theirs. A burning brand it is, such as [[ironborn|our people]] carried of old. It is the flame the [[Drowned God]] brought from the sea, and it proclaims a rising tide. It is time to hoist our sails and go forth into the world with [[Old Way|fire and sword]], as he did.{{Ref|ACOK|11}}|[[Aeron Greyjoy]] and [[Theon Greyjoy]]}}

{{Quote|It is the herald of my coming. The gods have sent it to show me the way.{{Ref|ACOK|12}}|[[Daenerys Targaryen]]'s thoughts}}

{{Quote|''Corruption!'' There is the warning! Behold the [[Father (the Seven)|Father's]] scourge! We have become swollen, bloated, foul. [[Jaime Lannister|Brother]] couples with [[Cersei Lannister|sister]] in the bed of kings, and the [[Joffrey Baratheon|fruit]] of their incest capers in his palace to the piping of a [[Tyrion Lannister|twisted little monkey demon]]. [[Selyse Florent|Highborn ladies]] [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 15|fornicate]] with [[Patchface|fools]] and give [[Shireen Baratheon|birth]] to [[Greyscale|monsters]]! Even the [[High Septon (fat one)|High Septon]] has forgotten [[Faith of the Seven|the gods]]! He bathes in scented waters and grows fat on lark and lamprey while his people starve! Pride comes before prayer, maggots rule our castles, and gold is all ... but ''no more''! The Rotten Summer is at an end, and the [[Robert I Baratheon|Whoremonger King]] is brought low! When the [[boar]] did open him, a great stench rose to heaven and a thousand [[snake]]s slid forth from his belly, hissing and biting! There comes the Harbinger! Cleanse yourselves, the gods cry out, lest ye be cleansed! Bathe in the wine of righteousness, or you shall be bathed in fire! ''Fire''!{{Ref|ACOK|20}}|[[Prophet (begging brother)|Prophet]] in [[King's Landing]]}}

{{Quote|You are he who must stand against [[Great Other|the Other]]. The one whose coming was prophesied five thousand years ago. The red comet was your herald. You are [[the prince that was promised]], and if you fail [[known World|the world]] fails with you.{{ref|ASOS|63}}|[[Melisandre]] to [[Stannis Baratheon]]}}

==Behind the Scenes==
The red comet is partially inspired by [[w:Caesar's Comet|Caesar's Comet]] from [[w:William Shakespeare|William Shakespeare's]] ''[[w:Julius Caesar (play)|Julius Caesar]]''.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1214 Eastern Cities and Peoples], June 12, 2002</ref>

==References==
{{references}}

[[Category:Astronomy]]
[[Category:Events]]

[[es:Cometa Rojo]]
[[fr:Comète rouge]]
[[pt:Cometa Vermelho]]
[[zh:红彗星]]

Comet

2026-09-22T15:40:29Z

Nittanian: comet

[[File:Franz Miklis dragontail.jpg|thumb|350px|The [[red comet]], by Franz Miklis © Fantasy Flight Games]]
'''Comets''' are [[astronomy|celestial objects]] of ice or dust which develop one or more long tails when near the [[sun]].

==History==
A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]] was conceived, which led his father [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]], [[Prince of Dragonstone]], to believe that Aegon was the "[[prince that was promised]]". The comet was seen as "the bleeding star" of the prophecy.{{Ref|aFfC|35}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
A [[red comet]] appears in the sky over [[Westeros]]{{Ref|AGOT|66}} and [[Essos]] in {{Date|299}}.{{Ref|AGOT|72}}

==References==
{{references}}

[[Category:Astronomy]]

Eddard Stark

2026-09-22T14:57:25Z

Nittanian:

{{redirect2|Ned|Eddard|other uses|Eddard Karstark||Ned (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox character
| title = Lord
| firstname = Eddard
| lastname = Stark
| arms = Stark
| image = [[File:Eddard Amoka.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = Eddard Stark by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/martin.html Amok] ©
| Alias = Ned{{Ref|AGOT|2}} The quiet wolf{{Ref|ASOS|24}}<ref name="Citadel">[http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/FAQ/Entry/Who_were_the_different_people_in_Meeras_story/ "The Citadel: FAQ, entry 6.2.6- Who were the different people in Meera's story?" (2007]</ref> The Ned{{Ref|ADWD|62}}
| Title = [[Lord of Winterfell]] [[Warden of the North]] [[Hand of the King]] [[Protector of the Realm]] (claimant) [[Regent|Lord Regent]] (claimant)
| Allegiance = [[House Stark]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Northmen]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|263}}<ref name=Calculation>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued)#Eddard Stark|Eddard Stark]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Birth = [[Winterfell]], the [[North]]{{Ref|AWOIAF|Eddard Stark}}
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|299}} (aged 35-36)<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#Main Series|Main Series calculations, 298AC to 299AC]].''</ref>
| Place_of_Death = [[Great Sept of Baelor]], [[King's Landing]]{{Ref|AGOT|65}}
| Father = Lord [[Rickard Stark]]
| Mother = Lady [[Lyarra Stark]]
| Spouse = Lady [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn Tully]]
| Lover = [[Wylla]] (supposedly) [[Ashara Dayne]] (rumored) Fisherman's daughter (rumored)
| Issue = [[Robb Stark]] [[Jon Snow]] [[Sansa Stark]] [[Arya Stark]] [[Bran Stark]] [[Rickon Stark]]
| coat-of-arms =
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (POV) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' (mentioned)
| Played_by = [[w:Sean Bean|Sean Bean]] Sebastian Croft (child) Robert Aramayo (young)
| TV_series = ''[[Game of Thrones]]'': [[Game of Thrones - Season 1|Season 1]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 6|6]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 7|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 character]]s in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''.

In the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'', Eddard is portrayed by [[w:Sean Bean|Sean Bean]], Sebastian Croft (as a child), and Robert Aramayo (as a young man).<ref name=IMDB />

==Appearance and Character==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Eddard Stark|l1=Images of Eddard Stark}}

Eddard has a long face{{Ref|AGOT|6}} and long brown hair.{{Ref|AGOT|1}} His closely-trimmed beard is beginning to grey, making him look older than his thirty-five years.{{Ref|AGOT|1}} His dark grey eyes{{Ref|AGOT|1}} reflect his moods, turning soft as fog or hard as stone.{{Ref|ACOK|39}} Eddard is shorter and less handsome than his older brother [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]] had been, according to [[Catelyn Stark]]; however, she also states that Ned has a "good sweet heart beneath his solemn face".{{Ref|ASOS|45}} He keeps faith with the [[old gods]].{{Ref|AGOT|2}} He is fiercely protective of his wife and children, whom he loves deeply.

Eddard is known for his unwavering sense of honor{{Ref|AGOT|12}}{{Ref|AGOT|58}} and [[Laws and justice of the Seven Kingdoms|justice]] and his family finds him kind, although some consider his reserved personality a sign of coldness and disdain.{{Ref|AGOT|33}} He has a reputation for always telling the truth.{{ref|ASOS|6}} Among his enemies, Eddard is seen as having cold, judgmental eyes{{Ref|ASOS|44}} thought to reflect his frozen heart.{{Ref|ACOK|27}}

While riding his [[Horse|great warhorse]] in the [[north]], Ned wears furs and leathers.{{Ref|AGOT|1}} Ned also wears silk{{Ref|AGOT|25}} and linen{{Ref|AGOT|47}} tunics and a belt of heavy silver links.{{Ref|AGOT|47}} His surcoat is fine white velvet with a [[direwolf]] badge over the heart.{{Ref|ACOK|39}} Ned's cloaks are grey with white,{{Ref|AGOT|27}} as well as black wool.{{Ref|AGOT|43}}

Lord Stark wields sword{{Ref|AGOT|35}} and dagger,{{Ref|AGOT|20}} although he uses [[Ice]], a [[Valyrian steel]] [[greatsword]], for ceremonial purposes.{{Ref|AGOT|1}}

==History==
===Youth===
Eddard was born at [[Winterfell]]{{Ref|AWOIAF|Eddard Stark}} as the second son of Lord [[Rickard Stark]] and Lady [[Lyarra Stark]]. He had one older brother, [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]], and two younger siblings, [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]] and [[Benjen Stark|Benjen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Stark Lineage}}{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}}

Eddard was [[fostering|fostered]] by Lord [[Jon Arryn]] at the [[Eyrie]] from the age of eight.{{Ref|AGOT|2}}{{Ref|aGoT|6}} There, Eddard befriended his fellow ward, [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], while Lord Jon became like a second father to him.{{Ref|AGOT|2}} When he reached the age of sixteen, Eddard was a man grown, and divided his time between Winterfell and the Eyrie.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Some_Questions Some Questions (March 16, 2000)]</ref> 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.{{Ref|AWOIAF|Eddard Stark}}{{Ref|AGOT|35}} When Lyanna later expressed 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.{{Ref|AGOT|35}} Lord [[Rodrik Ryswell]] hoped to wed his daughter [[Barbrey Dustin|Barbrey]] to Brandon or Eddard.{{ref|ADWD|41}}

===Tourney at Harrenhal===
[[File:Rhaeg lyanna-winterfelll.jpg|thumb|left|[[Rhaegar Targaryen]], Eddard, and [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]], by M.Luisa Giliberti ©]]
In {{Date|281}}, at the age of eighteen, Eddard came down from the Eyrie to attend the [[tourney at Harrenhal]].{{Ref|AGOT|58}} Also present were Eddard's foster brother Robert, his foster father Jon, and his three siblings, Brandon, Lyanna, and [[Benjen Stark|Benjen]].{{Ref|ASOS|24}} 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.{{Ref|ASOS|24}} 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.{{Ref|AGOT|58}}

The following year, Eddard's sister Lyanna was abducted by Prince Rhaegar.{{Ref|AGOT|66}} 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]].{{Ref|ACOK|55}} 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.{{Ref|AGOT|2}}

===Robert's Rebellion===
[[File:Tomasz Jedruszek Robert and Ned.jpg|thumb|[[Robert I Baratheon|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.{{Ref|AFFC|23}}{{Ref|ADWD|9}} 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 (father of Godric)|Lord Borrell]] to deliver Eddard's head to King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], but Lord Borrell, knowing that Jon Arryn and Robert Baratheon had [[taking of Gulltown|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.{{Ref|aDwD|9}}

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]].{{Ref|ASOS|29}} Afterward, he went to [[Riverrun]] to marry Hoster's elder daughter, [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]], who had been betrothed to his brother [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]] before his death.{{Ref|AGOT|6}} Jon Arryn married Hoster's younger daughter, [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa]], in the same ceremony. [[Weddings of Catelyn and Lysa Tully|The double wedding]] bound [[House Tully]] to the rebels' cause.{{Ref|AGOT|2}}

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]].{{Ref|AGOT|12}}

[[File:Eddard Jaime Aerys Iron Throne Room.jpg|thumb|Eddard, [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], and [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] in the [[Iron Throne]] room, by Amok © Fantasy Flight Games]]

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 Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]] and [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|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.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}

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.{{Ref|AGOT|2}}{{Ref|AGOT|12}}{{Ref|ASOS|36}}

Eddard left Robert in King's Landing and went to [[Storm's End]], where he lifted the [[Siege of Storm's End|siege of the castle]]. Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] and his armies yielded to Eddard without a fight.{{Ref|ASOS|19}} Afterwards, Eddard traveled to the [[Red Mountains]] of [[Dorne]] to liberate his sister [[Lyanna Stark|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 [[combat at the tower of joy|skirmish]] saw the deaths of all but Eddard and one companion, [[Howland Reed]].{{Ref|AGOT|39}} Eddard is said to have killed Arthur, the [[Sword of the Morning]], in single combat.{{Ref|TWOIAF|Dorne: The Andals Arrive}}

[[File:Ned Lyanna Death Promise.jpg|thumb|Eddard makes a promise to [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]] before her death, by Amok © Fantasy Flight Games]]

Unfortunately, when Eddard found Lyanna, she was already dying.{{Ref|AGOT|4}} Before her death, she made Eddard promise her something;{{Ref|AGOT|4}} what he promised her has not yet been revealed. The experience haunts Eddard and he recalls her ''"promise me"'' on multiple occasions.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}{{Ref|AGOT|47}}{{Ref|AGOT|58}} However, the shared grief over Lyanna led to his reconciliation with his friend, now King Robert I.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}

When Eddard returned home to [[Winterfell]], he brought with him his bastard son, [[Jon Snow]]. This strained the relationship with his wife [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]], who had given birth to their son [[Robb Stark|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 [[Dorne|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.{{Ref|AGOT|6}} [[Sansa Stark]] recalls hearing whispers that Jon's mother was common born.{{ref|AGOT|15}} 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.{{Ref|ASOS|43}} When asked about the mother of his bastard son by King [[Robert I Baratheon]], Eddard also mentions the name Wylla.{{Ref|AGOT|12}} However, Lord [[Godric Borrell]] claims that the daughter of the fisherman who sneaked Eddard away from the Fingers gave birth to Jon Snow.{{Ref|ADWD|9}}

Eddard buried the bones of his deceased kin in the [[crypts 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.{{Ref|AGOT|66}} [[Barbrey Dustin]], now Lady of [[Barrowton]], resented that Eddard returned the horse but not the bones of her husband, Lord [[Willam Dustin|Willam]], who had died fighting alongside Ned in Dorne.{{Ref|ADWD|41}} Ned's younger brother, [[Benjen Stark|Benjen]], joined the [[Night's Watch]].{{Ref|AWOIAF|Benjen Stark}}

===Lord of Winterfell===
[[File:Ned & Ice.jpg|thumb|Eddard with [[Ice]] in the [[godswood of Winterfell]], by Michael Komarck ©]]
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.{{Ref|AGOT|6}} Lord Stark has taken little interest in affairs south of the [[Neck]].{{Ref|AGOT|12}} Eddard had a [[Lady Catelyn's sept|small sept]] built at Winterfell so that his new wife [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] could pray to [[Faith of the Seven|the Seven]].{{ref|AGOT|2}}

In {{Date|289}}, Eddard traveled south to help Robert suppress [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]], and he participated in the decisive [[battle at Pyke]]. Greyjoy's Rebellion was the most recent time that Eddard saw Robert.{{ref|AGOT|4}} After Lord [[Balon Greyjoy]]'s surrender, Eddard took Balon's only surviving son, [[Theon Greyjoy|Theon]], to Winterfell as a ward and hostage.{{Ref|AGOT|4}} While Eddard tried to be like a father to Theon from time to time,{{Ref|ACOK|11}} the boy still found Lord Stark to be cold.{{Ref|ACOK|11}}

Eddard last saw Prince [[Tommen Baratheon]] when the boy was breastfeeding from his mother, Queen [[Cersei Lannister]].{{ref|AGOT|2}}

When Lord [[Jorah Mormont]] tried to sell poachers he had caught on his lands into [[slavery]] in {{date|293}}, 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.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}

During his marriage to Catelyn, Eddard had five children with her: [[Robb Stark|Robb]], [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]], [[Arya Stark|Arya]], [[Bran Stark|Bran]], and [[Rickon Stark|Rickon]].{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}} Eddard has taught Robb and [[Jon Snow]], his bastard son, about command in battle.{{Ref|ASOS|55}}

Arya has visited [[White Harbor]] twice with her father,{{Ref|AFFC|22}} and Theon Greyjoy accompanied Lord Stark during a visit to Ser [[Helman Tallhart]] at [[Torrhen's Square]]{{Ref|ACOK|37}} and several visits to the [[House Glover|Glovers]] at [[Deepwood Motte]].{{Ref|ACOK|24}} The [[northern mountain clans|hill clans]] have always treated Lord Stark generously when he visited the [[northern mountains]],{{Ref|ADWD|17}} calling him "the Ned".{{Ref|ADWD|42}} Eddard hosted Lord [[Rickard Karstark]] and his daughter, [[Alys Karstark|Alys]], when the girl was six.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} [[Mance Rayder]] was part of [[Lord Commander Qorgyle]]'s expedition to Winterfell to see Lord Stark.{{Ref|ASOS|7}} Eddard is wary of [[Roose Bolton]], Lord of the [[Dreadfort]].{{Ref|ADWD|35}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
[[File:B60f4c34cb78842db2ee648d90676a7a-d8ij096.jpg|thumb|Eddard in the [[Red Keep]], by Jake Murray © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Lord Eddard executes [[Gared]], a deserter of the [[Night's Watch]] who claims to have been attacked by [[Others]], at a [[holdfast in the hills]]. On the return to [[Winterfell]], the party discovers a [[direwolf]] dead near a bridge, 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.{{Ref|AGOT|1}}

That same day, a [[raven]] arrives bearing word of the death of Lord [[Jon Arryn]], who fostered Eddard as well as [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], and who had long served Robert as [[Hand of the King]].{{Ref|AGOT|2}} Soon Robert arrives with half the court, and the king insists that Eddard bring him to the [[crypts of Winterfell|crypts]] so he can pay his respects to Eddard's late sister, [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]].{{ref|AGOT|4}} The Starks hold a [[feast in honor of King Robert's visit to Winterfell]].{{Ref|AGOT|5}} Eddard grudgingly accepts Robert's offer to replace Lord Arryn as Hand, as well as a betrothal of Prince [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] to his daughter [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]].{{Ref|AGOT|6}}

Another message arrives, this one from [[Lysa Arryn]], Jon's widow and the sister of Eddard's wife [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]], sent to Winterfell in secret. Lysa warns the Starks that the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] were involved in her husband's death.{{Ref|AGOT|6}} When Eddard's son Bran falls and slips into a coma, Eddard and the royal court remain at Winterfell for almost another fortnight,{{Ref|AGOT|10}} 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]].{{Ref|AGOT|12}} Eddard's youngest daughter [[Arya Stark|Arya]] is involved in an incident in which crown prince [[Joffrey Baratheon]] is injured by Arya's direwolf, [[Nymeria]].{{Ref|AGOT|15}} When Nymeria cannot be found, Queen [[Cersei Lannister]] demands the death of Sansa's direwolf, [[Lady (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.{{Ref|AGOT|16}}

Upon arriving at [[King's Landing]], Eddard is summoned to a [[small council]] meeting. Afterwards, Lord [[Petyr Baelish]] takes Eddard to [[Petyr Baelish's brothel|one of his brothels]], where he has been hiding Eddard's wife, Catelyn. She reveals how a [[catspaw]] tried to kill their son [[Bran Stark|Bran]] with a [[Littlefinger's blade|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.{{Ref|AGOT|20}} After receiving Maester [[Luwin]]'s message that Bran is awake, Lord Stark and his daughters stay overnight in the godswood of the Red Keep.{{Ref|AGOT|25}}

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.{{Ref|AGOT|20}} The [[Hand's tourney]], featuring a joust, melee, and archery contest, attracts knights and freeriders from all over the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{Ref|AGOT|20}}{{Ref|AGOT|22}}{{Ref|AGOT|27}} Ned and Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]], convince Robert not to participate in the melee.{{Ref|ADWD|30}}

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]].{{Ref|AGOT|22}} While Ned later wonders whether Syrio is a proper teacher for Arya, he allows the lessons to continue,{{Ref|AGOT|30}} and is eventually willing to ask Syrio to continue his work at Winterfell.{{Ref|AGOT|44}}

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.{{Ref|AGOT|27}}{{Ref|AGOT|35}} Grand Maester [[Pycelle]] provides the Hand with ''[[The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms]]'', which Jon had been reading.{{Ref|AGOT|27}}

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.{{Ref|AGOT|33}}

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]],{{Ref|AGOT|35}} a fact Eddard had learned the day before from [[Yoren]], a [[wandering crow]].{{Ref|AGOT|32}}{{Ref|AGOT|33}} Eight men{{Ref|AGOT|39}} die from the ensuing melee, including [[Jory Cassel]], [[Heward]], [[Wyl (guard)|Wyl]], and [[Tregar]], and Ned's leg is broken when his horse falls upon him.{{Ref|AGOT|35}} Pycelle treats Ned, who has a fever dream of the [[combat at the tower of joy|tower of joy]]. While recovering, Robert visits his friend, pardoning him and returning him to office as Hand of the King.{{Ref|AGOT|39}}

[[File:Ned Stark's execution.jpg|thumb|Eddard's execution by [[Ilyn Payne]], by Magali Villeneuve © Penguin Random House]]

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 [[House Stark guards|own household guard]] to bring the Mountain to justice for his crimes against the [[riverlands]].{{Ref|AGOT|43}}

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.{{ref|AGOT|44}} Eddard decides to confront Cersei, giving her a chance to flee with her children while she still can.{{ref|AGOT|45}} 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 Baratheon|Stannis]].{{Ref|AGOT|47}} 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]]'',{{Ref|AGOT|45}} and Ned orders [[Tomard]] to deliver a letter to Stannis at [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|AGOT|47}}

Not wanting to have her betrothal to Joffrey broken, Sansa informs Queen Cersei of her father's plan to leave King's Landing.{{Ref|ASOS|51}} When Ned confronts Cersei in the throne room, he is betrayed by Littlefinger. [[House Lannister guards|Red cloaks]] and [[Janos Slynt]]'s gold cloaks kill Eddard's remaining men, and Littlefinger takes the Valyrian dagger from Lord Stark.{{Ref|AGOT|49}} Syrio allows Arya to escape Ser [[Meryn Trant]],{{Ref|AGOT|50}} but Sansa is captured by the Lannisters.{{Ref|AGOT|51}}

In response to [[arrest of Eddard Stark|his father's imprisonment for treason]] by Cersei, [[Robb Stark]] calls the northern banners to Winterfell and marches south.{{Ref|AGOT|53}} For his part in Ned's downfall, Janos Slynt is named [[Lord of Harrenhal]] by King Joffrey.{{Ref|AGOT|57}}

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.{{Ref|AGOT|58}} 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.{{Ref|AGOT|65}}{{Ref|ADWD|11}} 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 (fat one)|High Septon]]. Ser [[Ilyn Payne]] beheads Eddard with his own greatsword, [[Ice]].{{Ref|AGOT|65}} Joffrey has Eddard's head placed on a spike and forces Sansa to view it.{{Ref|AGOT|67}}

Bran and [[Rickon Stark]] dream of their father's death before a raven arrives at Winterfell.{{Ref|AGOT|66}} After the [[Battle of the Camps]], Robb is proclaimed [[King in the North]] by northmen and rivermen at [[Riverrun]].{{Ref|AGOT|71}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
[[File:Daarken Make an Example.JPG|thumb|Eddard's impaled head at the [[Red Keep]], by Daarken © Fantasy Flight Games]]
A stonemason creates a granite statue in Ned's image within the [[crypts of Winterfell]].{{Ref|ACOK|4}}

[[Tyrion Lannister]] orders the heads of Eddard and other victims to be removed from the spikes of the [[Red Keep]].{{Ref|ACOK|3}} He then sends Eddard's bones to [[Riverrun]].{{Ref|ACOK|25}}{{Ref|ACOK|39}} [[Catelyn Stark]] tasks [[Hallis Mollen]] to take the bones north so Eddard can be buried in the crypts beside his [[Rickard Stark|father]], [[Brandon Stark|brother]] and [[Lyanna Stark|sister]].{{Ref|ASOS|45}} The [[ironborn]] [[Fall of Moat Cailin|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]].{{Ref|ACOK|46}}{{Ref|ACOK|50}}{{Ref|ASOS|45}}

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.{{Ref|ACOK|3}}

===''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 [[wedding of Tyrion Lannister and Sansa Stark|to wed]] his son, [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]].{{Ref|ASOS|28}} [[Jeyne Westerling]], Robb's queen, would like to name her children Eddard and Brandon if they have twins.{{Ref|ASOS|20}} Robb is slain in the [[Red Wedding]], however.{{Ref|ASOS|51}}

Tywin has [[Tobho Mott]] reforge Ned's [[Valyrian steel]] greatsword, [[Ice]],{{ref|ASOS|32}} into two smaller longswords which become known as [[Widow's Wail]]{{ref|ASOS|59}} and [[Oathkeeper]].{{ref|ASOS|72}}

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]].{{Ref|ASOS|73}} Jon refuses the offer, however, and is instead chosen [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]].{{Ref|ASOS|79}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
[[Brienne Tarth|Brienne of Tarth]], given [[Oathkeeper]] by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] and tasked with finding the missing [[Sansa Stark]], recalls being told "You'll be defending Ned Stark's daughter with Ned Stark's own steel."{{ref|AFFC|4}} In actuality, Sansa is in hiding at the [[Eyrie]], where she is presented as "Alayne Stone", [[bastard]] daughter of Lord [[Petyr Baelish]].{{ref|AFFC|10}}

Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]] considers having [[Russell Merryweather]] brought to [[King's Landing]] to be a foster brother to her son, King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]], thinking the boys could grow as close as Ned Stark and [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] had.{{ref|AFFC|28}} Within the [[Great Sept of Baelor]], the new [[High Septon]], the so-called [[High Sparrow]], reminds Cersei that the plaza outside had been befouled by Eddard's execution.{{ref|AFFC|28}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[File:Lord Eddard Stark by SirAnk .jpg|thumb|300px|Lord Eddard Stark by SirAnk ©]]

Recalling that [[Janos Slynt]] had helped kill his father, Jon beheads Janos at [[Castle Black]] for insubordination.{{Ref|ADWD|7}}

In [[White Harbor]], [[Wylla Manderly]] recalls Eddard's death when declaring her support for [[Stannis Baratheon]] instead of [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]].{{Ref|ADWD|19}}

[[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 Snow|Jon]] and [[Robb Stark|Robb]] will grow together as brothers.{{Ref|ADWD|34}}

[[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]], during [[Robert's Rebellion]]. 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.{{Ref|ADWD|41}} 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".{{Ref|ADWD|42}}{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

During the [[walk of atonement]] by [[Cersei Lannister]] through [[King's Landing]], the face of one of the [[smallfolk]] in the crowd reminds her of Eddard.{{Ref|ADWD|65}}

==Quotes by Eddard==
[[File:Collage lb image page7 5 1.jpg|thumb|Eddard with [[Ice]], by Mark Evans © Fantasy Flight Games]]
{{Quote|'''Bran''': Can a man still be brave if he’s afraid? '''Eddard''': That is the only time a man can be brave.{{Ref|AGOT|1}}|[[Bran Stark]] and Eddard}}

{{Quote|The blood of the [[First Men]] still flows in the veins of the [[House Stark|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.{{Ref|AGOT|1}}|Eddard to [[Bran Stark]]}}

{{Quote|A ruler who hides behind paid executioners soon forgets what death is.{{Ref|AGOT|1}}|Eddard to [[Bran Stark]]}}

{{Quote|'''Eddard''': We are not the boys we were. '''Robert''': You were never the boy you were.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}|[[Robert I Baratheon]] and Eddard}}

{{Quote|When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone [[wolf]] dies, but the pack survives.{{Ref|AGOT|22}}|Eddard to [[Arya Stark]]}}

{{Quote|Know the men who follow you and let them know you. Don't ask your men to die for a stranger.{{Ref|AGOT|22}}|Eddard to [[Robb Stark]]}}

{{Quote|''Some secrets are safer kept hidden. Some secrets are too dangerous to share, even with those you love and trust''.{{Ref|AGOT|33}}|Eddard's thoughts}}

{{Quote|Black and white and grey, all the shades of truth.{{Ref|AGOT|43}}|Eddard's thoughts}}

{{Quote|Ned thought, ''If it came to that, the life of some child I did not know, against [[Robb Stark|Robb]] and [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] and [[Arya Stark|Arya]] and [[Bran Stark|Bran]] and [[Rickon Stark|Rickon]], what would I do? Even more so, what would [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] do, if it were [[Jon Snow|Jon]]'s life, against the children of her body?'' He did not know. He prayed he never would.{{Ref|AGOT|45}}|Eddard's thoughts}}

{{Quote|'''Cersei''': You should have taken [[Seven Kingdoms|the realm]] for yourself. It was there for the taking. [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] told me how you found him on the [[Iron Throne]] the day [[Sack of King's Landing|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. '''Cersei''': Oh, but it was, my lord. When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.{{Ref|AGOT|45}}|[[Cersei Lannister]] and Eddard}}

{{Quote|In [[known world|this world]] only winter is certain. We may lose our heads, it's true ... but what if we prevail?{{Ref|ADWD|9}}|Eddard to the [[House Borrell|Borrells]]}}

==Quotes about Eddard==
[[File:Sean Bean as Eddard Stark.png|thumb|Sean Bean as Eddard in ''[[Game of Thrones]]'']]
{{Quote|You are too hard on yourself, Ned. You always were. Damn it, no woman wants [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor the Blessed]] in her bed.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}|[[Robert I Baratheon]] to Eddard}}

{{Quote|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.{{Ref|AGOT|30}}|[[Robert I Baratheon]] to Eddard}}

{{Quote|You never could lie for love nor honor, Ned Stark.{{Ref|AGOT|30}}|[[Robert I Baratheon]] to Eddard}}

{{Quote|No, my lord, when the swords come out in earnest, you will be the only true friend [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] will have.{{Ref|AGOT|30}}|[[Varys]] to Eddard}}

{{Quote|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.{{Ref|AGOT|47}}|[[Petyr Baelish]] to Eddard}}

{{Quote|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.{{Ref|AGOT|58}}|[[Varys]] to Eddard}}

{{Quote|'''Quhuru''': And the [[Hand of the King|Hand]] has fallen, Lord Stark who was King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert's]] friend. He has been seized for [[treason]]. '''Jorah''': Ned Stark a traitor? Not bloody likely. The [[Long Summer]] will come again before that one would besmirch his precious honor. '''Daenerys''': What honor could he have? He was a traitor to his [[Aerys II Targaryen|true king]], as were these [[House Lannister|Lannisters]].{{Ref|ACOK|27}}|[[Quhuru Mo]], [[Jorah Mormont]], and [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}

{{Quote|As for your Ned, he should have kissed the hand that killed [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]], but he preferred to scorn the arse he found sitting on [[Iron Throne|Robert's throne]]. I think Ned Stark loved [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] better than he ever loved [[Brandon Stark|his brother]] or [[Rickard Stark|his father]] ... or even you, my lady. He was never unfaithful to Robert.{{Ref|ACOK|55}}|[[Jaime Lannister]] to [[Catelyn Stark]]}}

{{Quote|I knew Ned Stark as well. Your father was no friend of mine, but only a fool would doubt his honor or his honesty. You have his look.{{Ref|ASOS|76}}|[[Stannis Baratheon]] to [[Jon Snow]]}}

{{Quote|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.{{Ref|AFFC|6}}|thoughts of [[Arya Stark]]}}

{{Quote|Your father was a stubborn man as well. ''Honor'', he called it. Well, honor has its costs, as Lord Eddard learned to his sorrow.{{Ref|ADWD|17}}|[[Stannis Baratheon]] to [[Jon Snow]]}}

==Family==
{{Stark tree}}

===Patrilineal descent===
#Lord [[Benjen Stark (lord)|Benjen Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Rickon Stark (son of Benjen)|Rickon Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Cregan Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Brandon Stark (son of Cregan)|Brandon Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Beron Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Willam Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Edwyle Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Rickard Stark]], Lord of Winterfell

==Behind the Scenes==
According to [[George R. R. Martin]], Eddard has similarities with [[w:William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings|Lord Hastings]].<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1436 Boskone (Boston, MA; February 17-19)], February 17, 2006</ref>

In an early draft of ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] takes [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] prisoner at Ned's behest.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/comments/1belw08/spoilers_extended_secrets_of_the_cushing_library/ Secrets of the Cushing Library: A Game of Thrones] - gsteff on Reddit</ref>

==References==
{{References|2|refs=
<ref name=IMDB>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/fullcredits#cast Cast of Game of Thrones on IMDB]</ref>
}}

==External Links==
*{{WP|Ned Stark}}
*{{WoW}}

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{{S-bef|before=[[Rickard Stark]]|rows=2}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Lord of Winterfell]]|years={{Date|282|299}}}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Robb Stark]]}}
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{{S-ttl|title=[[Warden of the North]]|years={{Date|283|299}}}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Roose Bolton]]}}
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{{S-bef|before=[[Jon Arryn]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Hand of the King]]|years={{Date|298}}|under=[[Robert I Baratheon]]}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Tywin Lannister]]}}
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{{S-pre}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Robert I Baratheon|Robert I]]}}
{{S-tul|title=[[Protector of the Realm]]|years={{Date|298}}|reason=[[Arrest of Eddard Stark|arrested on the orders of Cersei Lannister]]}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I]]}}
{{S-end}}

{{POV Characters}}
{{Hands of the King}}
{{Lords of Winterfell}}
{{Robert I small council}}
{{Joffrey I small council}}


[[Category:House Stark]]
[[Category:263 AC births|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:299 AC deaths|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Casualties of the War of the Five Kings|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters from the North|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Ilyn Payne|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Joffrey Baratheon|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters killed with Ice|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters with brown hair|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters with grey eyes|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters with long face|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Deaths by beheading|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Executions for treason|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Hands of the King|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Hostages of House Lannister in the War of the Five Kings|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:House Arryn wards|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Lords of Winterfell]]
[[Category:Members of Robert I Baratheon's court|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Nobles|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:POV characters|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Protectors of the Realm|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Rebels of Robert's Rebellion|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Regents|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Statues|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Veterans of Greyjoy's Rebellion|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Veterans of Robert's Rebellion|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Wardens of the North|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Wielders of Ice|Stark, Eddard]]


[[es:Eddard Stark]]
[[fa:ادارد استارک]]
[[fr:Eddard Stark]]
[[nl:Eddard Stark]]
[[pt:Eddard Stark]]
[[ru:Эддард Старк]]
[[tr:Eddard Stark]]
[[zh:艾德·史塔克]]

Eddard Stark

2026-09-22T14:17:29Z

Nittanian:

{{redirect2|Ned|Eddard|other uses|Eddard Karstark||Ned (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox character
| title = Lord
| firstname = Eddard
| lastname = Stark
| arms = Stark
| image = [[File:Eddard Amoka.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = Eddard Stark by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/martin.html Amok] ©
| Alias = Ned{{Ref|AGOT|2}} The quiet wolf{{Ref|ASOS|24}}<ref name="Citadel">[http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/FAQ/Entry/Who_were_the_different_people_in_Meeras_story/ "The Citadel: FAQ, entry 6.2.6- Who were the different people in Meera's story?" (2007]</ref> The Ned{{Ref|ADWD|62}}
| Title = [[Lord of Winterfell]] [[Warden of the North]] [[Hand of the King]] [[Protector of the Realm]] (claimant) [[Regent|Lord Regent]] (claimant)
| Allegiance = [[House Stark]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Northmen]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|263}}<ref name=Calculation>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued)#Eddard Stark|Eddard Stark]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Birth = [[Winterfell]], the [[North]]{{Ref|AWOIAF|Eddard Stark}}
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|299}} (aged 35-36)<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#Main Series|Main Series calculations, 298AC to 299AC]].''</ref>
| Place_of_Death = [[Great Sept of Baelor]], [[King's Landing]]{{Ref|AGOT|65}}
| Father = Lord [[Rickard Stark]]
| Mother = Lady [[Lyarra Stark]]
| Spouse = Lady [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn Tully]]
| Lover = [[Wylla]] (supposedly) [[Ashara Dayne]] (rumored) Fisherman's daughter (rumored)
| Issue = [[Robb Stark]] [[Jon Snow]] [[Sansa Stark]] [[Arya Stark]] [[Bran Stark]] [[Rickon Stark]]
| coat-of-arms =
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (POV) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' (mentioned)
| Played_by = [[w:Sean Bean|Sean Bean]] Sebastian Croft (child) Robert Aramayo (young)
| TV_series = ''[[Game of Thrones]]'': [[Game of Thrones - Season 1|Season 1]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 6|6]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 7|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 character]]s in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''.

In the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'', Eddard is portrayed by [[w:Sean Bean|Sean Bean]], Sebastian Croft (as a child), and Robert Aramayo (as a young man).<ref name=IMDB />

==Appearance and Character==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Eddard Stark|l1=Images of Eddard Stark}}

Eddard has a long face{{Ref|AGOT|6}} and long brown hair.{{Ref|AGOT|1}} His closely-trimmed beard is beginning to grey, making him look older than his thirty-five years.{{Ref|AGOT|1}} His dark grey eyes{{Ref|AGOT|1}} reflect his moods, turning soft as fog or hard as stone.{{Ref|ACOK|39}} Eddard is shorter and less handsome than his older brother [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]] had been, according to [[Catelyn Stark]]; however, she also states that Ned has a "good sweet heart beneath his solemn face".{{Ref|ASOS|45}} He keeps faith with the [[old gods]].{{Ref|AGOT|2}} He is fiercely protective of his wife and children, whom he loves deeply.

Eddard is known for his unwavering sense of honor{{Ref|AGOT|12}}{{Ref|AGOT|58}} and [[Laws and justice of the Seven Kingdoms|justice]] and his family finds him kind, although some consider his reserved personality a sign of coldness and disdain.{{Ref|AGOT|33}} He has a reputation for always telling the truth.{{ref|ASOS|6}} Among his enemies, Eddard is seen as having cold, judgmental eyes{{Ref|ASOS|44}} thought to reflect his frozen heart.{{Ref|ACOK|27}}

While riding his [[Horse|great warhorse]] in the [[north]], Ned wears furs and leathers.{{Ref|AGOT|1}} Ned also wears silk{{Ref|AGOT|25}} and linen{{Ref|AGOT|47}} tunics and a belt of heavy silver links.{{Ref|AGOT|47}} His surcoat is fine white velvet with a [[direwolf]] badge over the heart.{{Ref|ACOK|39}} Ned's cloaks are grey with white,{{Ref|AGOT|27}} as well as black wool.{{Ref|AGOT|43}}

Lord Stark wields sword{{Ref|AGOT|35}} and dagger,{{Ref|AGOT|20}} although he uses [[Ice]], a [[Valyrian steel]] [[greatsword]], for ceremonial purposes.{{Ref|AGOT|1}}

==History==
===Youth===
Eddard was born at [[Winterfell]]{{Ref|AWOIAF|Eddard Stark}} as the second son of Lord [[Rickard Stark]] and Lady [[Lyarra Stark]]. He had one older brother, [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]], and two younger siblings, [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]] and [[Benjen Stark|Benjen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Stark Lineage}}{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}}

Eddard was [[fostering|fostered]] by Lord [[Jon Arryn]] at the [[Eyrie]] from the age of eight.{{Ref|AGOT|2}}{{Ref|aGoT|6}} There, Eddard befriended his fellow ward, [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], while Lord Jon became like a second father to him.{{Ref|AGOT|2}} When he reached the age of sixteen, Eddard was a man grown, and divided his time between Winterfell and the Eyrie.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Some_Questions Some Questions (March 16, 2000)]</ref> 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.{{Ref|AWOIAF|Eddard Stark}}{{Ref|AGOT|35}} When Lyanna later expressed 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.{{Ref|AGOT|35}} Lord [[Rodrik Ryswell]] hoped to wed his daughter [[Barbrey Dustin|Barbrey]] to Brandon or Eddard.{{ref|ADWD|41}}

===Tourney at Harrenhal===
[[File:Rhaeg lyanna-winterfelll.jpg|thumb|left|[[Rhaegar Targaryen]], Eddard, and [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]], by M.Luisa Giliberti ©]]
In {{Date|281}}, at the age of eighteen, Eddard came down from the Eyrie to attend the [[tourney at Harrenhal]].{{Ref|AGOT|58}} Also present were Eddard's foster brother Robert, his foster father Jon, and his three siblings, Brandon, Lyanna, and [[Benjen Stark|Benjen]].{{Ref|ASOS|24}} 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.{{Ref|ASOS|24}} 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.{{Ref|AGOT|58}}

The following year, Eddard's sister Lyanna was abducted by Prince Rhaegar.{{Ref|AGOT|66}} 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]].{{Ref|ACOK|55}} 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.{{Ref|AGOT|2}}

===Robert's Rebellion===
[[File:Tomasz Jedruszek Robert and Ned.jpg|thumb|[[Robert I Baratheon|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.{{Ref|AFFC|23}}{{Ref|ADWD|9}} 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 (father of Godric)|Lord Borrell]] to deliver Eddard's head to King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], but Lord Borrell, knowing that Jon Arryn and Robert Baratheon had [[taking of Gulltown|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.{{Ref|aDwD|9}}

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]].{{Ref|ASOS|29}} Afterward, he went to [[Riverrun]] to marry Hoster's elder daughter, [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]], who had been betrothed to his brother [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]] before his death.{{Ref|AGOT|6}} Jon Arryn married Hoster's younger daughter, [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa]], in the same ceremony. [[Weddings of Catelyn and Lysa Tully|The double wedding]] bound [[House Tully]] to the rebels' cause.{{Ref|AGOT|2}}

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]].{{Ref|AGOT|12}}

[[File:Eddard Jaime Aerys Iron Throne Room.jpg|thumb|Eddard, [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], and [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] in the [[Iron Throne]] room, by Amok © Fantasy Flight Games]]

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 Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]] and [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|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.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}

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.{{Ref|AGOT|2}}{{Ref|AGOT|12}}{{Ref|ASOS|36}}

Eddard left Robert in King's Landing and went to [[Storm's End]], where he lifted the [[Siege of Storm's End|siege of the castle]]. Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] and his armies yielded to Eddard without a fight.{{Ref|ASOS|19}} Afterwards, Eddard traveled to the [[Red Mountains]] of [[Dorne]] to liberate his sister [[Lyanna Stark|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 [[combat at the tower of joy|skirmish]] saw the deaths of all but Eddard and one companion, [[Howland Reed]].{{Ref|AGOT|39}} Eddard is said to have killed Arthur, the [[Sword of the Morning]], in single combat.{{Ref|TWOIAF|Dorne: The Andals Arrive}}

[[File:Ned Lyanna Death Promise.jpg|thumb|Eddard makes a promise to [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]] before her death, by Amok © Fantasy Flight Games]]

Unfortunately, when Eddard found Lyanna, she was already dying.{{Ref|AGOT|4}} Before her death, she made Eddard promise her something;{{Ref|AGOT|4}} what he promised her has not yet been revealed. The experience haunts Eddard and he recalls her ''"promise me"'' on multiple occasions.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}{{Ref|AGOT|47}}{{Ref|AGOT|58}} However, the shared grief over Lyanna led to his reconciliation with his friend, now King Robert I.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}

When Eddard returned home to [[Winterfell]], he brought with him his bastard son, [[Jon Snow]]. This strained the relationship with his wife [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]], who had given birth to their son [[Robb Stark|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 [[Dorne|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.{{Ref|AGOT|6}} [[Sansa Stark]] recalls hearing whispers that Jon's mother was common born.{{ref|AGOT|15}} 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.{{Ref|ASOS|43}} When asked about the mother of his bastard son by King [[Robert I Baratheon]], Eddard also mentions the name Wylla.{{Ref|AGOT|12}} However, Lord [[Godric Borrell]] claims that the daughter of the fisherman who sneaked Eddard away from the Fingers gave birth to Jon Snow.{{Ref|ADWD|9}}

Eddard buried the bones of his deceased kin in the [[crypts 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.{{Ref|AGOT|66}} [[Barbrey Dustin]], now Lady of [[Barrowton]], resented that Eddard returned the horse but not the bones of her husband, Lord [[Willam Dustin|Willam]], who had died fighting alongside Ned in Dorne.{{Ref|ADWD|41}} Ned's younger brother, [[Benjen Stark|Benjen]], joined the [[Night's Watch]].{{Ref|AWOIAF|Benjen Stark}}

===Lord of Winterfell===
[[File:Ned & Ice.jpg|thumb|Eddard with [[Ice]] in the [[godswood of Winterfell]], by Michael Komarck ©]]
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.{{Ref|AGOT|6}} Lord Stark has taken little interest in affairs south of the [[Neck]].{{Ref|AGOT|12}} Eddard had a [[Lady Catelyn's sept|small sept]] built at Winterfell so that his new wife [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] could pray to [[Faith of the Seven|the Seven]].{{ref|AGOT|2}}

In {{Date|289}}, Eddard traveled south to help Robert suppress [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]], and he participated in the decisive [[battle at Pyke]]. Greyjoy's Rebellion was the most recent time that Eddard saw Robert.{{ref|AGOT|4}} After Lord [[Balon Greyjoy]]'s surrender, Eddard took Balon's only surviving son, [[Theon Greyjoy|Theon]], to Winterfell as a ward and hostage.{{Ref|AGOT|4}} While Eddard tried to be like a father to Theon from time to time,{{Ref|ACOK|11}} the boy still found Lord Stark to be cold.{{Ref|ACOK|11}}

Eddard last saw Prince [[Tommen Baratheon]] when the boy was breastfeeding from his mother, Queen [[Cersei Lannister]].{{ref|AGOT|2}}

When Lord [[Jorah Mormont]] tried to sell poachers he had caught on his lands into [[slavery]] in {{date|293}}, 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.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}

During his marriage to Catelyn, Eddard had five children with her: [[Robb Stark|Robb]], [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]], [[Arya Stark|Arya]], [[Bran Stark|Bran]], and [[Rickon Stark|Rickon]].{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}} Eddard has taught Robb and [[Jon Snow]], his bastard son, about command in battle.{{Ref|ASOS|55}}

Arya has visited [[White Harbor]] twice with her father,{{Ref|AFFC|22}} and Theon Greyjoy accompanied Lord Stark during a visit to Ser [[Helman Tallhart]] at [[Torrhen's Square]]{{Ref|ACOK|37}} and several visits to the [[House Glover|Glovers]] at [[Deepwood Motte]].{{Ref|ACOK|24}} The [[northern mountain clans|hill clans]] have always treated Lord Stark generously when he visited the [[northern mountains]],{{Ref|ADWD|17}} calling him "the Ned".{{Ref|ADWD|42}} Eddard hosted Lord [[Rickard Karstark]] and his daughter, [[Alys Karstark|Alys]], when the girl was six.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} [[Mance Rayder]] was part of [[Lord Commander Qorgyle]]'s expedition to Winterfell to see Lord Stark.{{Ref|ASOS|7}} Eddard is wary of [[Roose Bolton]], Lord of the [[Dreadfort]].{{Ref|ADWD|35}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
[[File:B60f4c34cb78842db2ee648d90676a7a-d8ij096.jpg|thumb|Eddard in the [[Red Keep]], by Jake Murray © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Lord Eddard executes [[Gared]], a deserter of the [[Night's Watch]] who claims to have been attacked by [[Others]], at a [[holdfast in the hills]]. On the return to [[Winterfell]], the party discovers a [[direwolf]] dead near a bridge, 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.{{Ref|AGOT|1}}

That same day, a [[raven]] arrives bearing word of the death of Lord [[Jon Arryn]], who fostered Eddard as well as [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], and who had long served Robert as [[Hand of the King]].{{Ref|AGOT|2}} Soon Robert arrives with half the court, and the king insists that Eddard bring him to the [[crypts of Winterfell|crypts]] so he can pay his respects to Eddard's late sister, [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]].{{ref|AGOT|4}} The Starks hold a [[feast in honor of King Robert's visit to Winterfell]].{{Ref|AGOT|5}} Eddard grudgingly accepts Robert's offer to replace Lord Arryn as Hand, as well as a betrothal of Prince [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] to his daughter [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]].{{Ref|AGOT|6}}

Another message arrives, this one from [[Lysa Arryn]], Jon's widow and the sister of Eddard's wife [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]], sent to Winterfell in secret. Lysa warns the Starks that the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] were involved in her husband's death.{{Ref|AGOT|6}} When Eddard's son Bran falls and slips into a coma, Eddard and the royal court remain at Winterfell for almost another fortnight,{{Ref|AGOT|10}} 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]].{{Ref|AGOT|12}} Eddard's youngest daughter [[Arya Stark|Arya]] is involved in an incident in which crown prince [[Joffrey Baratheon]] is injured by Arya's direwolf, [[Nymeria]].{{Ref|AGOT|15}} When Nymeria cannot be found, Queen [[Cersei Lannister]] demands the death of Sansa's direwolf, [[Lady (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.{{Ref|AGOT|16}}

Upon arriving at [[King's Landing]], Eddard is summoned to a [[small council]] meeting. Afterwards, Lord [[Petyr Baelish]] takes Eddard to [[Petyr Baelish's brothel|one of his brothels]], where he has been hiding Eddard's wife, Catelyn. She reveals how a [[catspaw]] tried to kill their son [[Bran Stark|Bran]] with a [[Littlefinger's blade|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.{{Ref|AGOT|20}} After receiving Maester [[Luwin]]'s message that Bran is awake, Lord Stark and his daughters stay overnight in the godswood of the Red Keep.{{Ref|AGOT|25}}

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.{{Ref|AGOT|20}} The [[Hand's tourney]], featuring a joust, melee, and archery contest, attracts knights and freeriders from all over the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{Ref|AGOT|20}}{{Ref|AGOT|22}}{{Ref|AGOT|27}} Ned and Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]], convince Robert not to participate in the melee.{{Ref|ADWD|30}}

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]].{{Ref|AGOT|22}} While Ned later wonders whether Syrio is a proper teacher for Arya, he allows the lessons to continue,{{Ref|AGOT|30}} and is eventually willing to ask Syrio to continue his work at Winterfell.{{Ref|AGOT|44}}

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.{{Ref|AGOT|27}}{{Ref|AGOT|35}} Grand Maester [[Pycelle]] provides the Hand with ''[[The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms]]'', which Jon had been reading.{{Ref|AGOT|27}}

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.{{Ref|AGOT|33}}

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]],{{Ref|AGOT|35}} a fact Eddard had learned the day before from [[Yoren]], a [[wandering crow]].{{Ref|AGOT|32}}{{Ref|AGOT|33}} Eight men{{Ref|AGOT|39}} die from the ensuing melee, including [[Jory Cassel]], [[Heward]], [[Wyl (guard)|Wyl]], and [[Tregar]], and Ned's leg is broken when his horse falls upon him.{{Ref|AGOT|35}} Pycelle treats Ned, who has a fever dream of the [[combat at the tower of joy|tower of joy]]. While recovering, Robert visits his friend, pardoning him and returning him to office as Hand of the King.{{Ref|AGOT|39}}

[[File:Ned Stark's execution.jpg|thumb|Eddard's execution by [[Ilyn Payne]], by Magali Villeneuve © Penguin Random House]]

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 [[House Stark guards|own household guard]] to bring the Mountain to justice for his crimes against the [[riverlands]].{{Ref|AGOT|43}}

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.{{ref|AGOT|44}} Eddard decides to confront Cersei, giving her a chance to flee with her children while she still can.{{ref|AGOT|45}} 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 Baratheon|Stannis]].{{Ref|AGOT|47}} 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]]'',{{Ref|AGOT|45}} and Ned orders [[Tomard]] to deliver a letter to Stannis at [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|AGOT|47}}

Not wanting to have her betrothal to Joffrey broken, Sansa informs Queen Cersei of her father's plan to leave King's Landing.{{Ref|ASOS|51}} When Ned confronts Cersei in the throne room, he is betrayed by Littlefinger. [[House Lannister guards|Red cloaks]] and [[Janos Slynt]]'s gold cloaks kill Eddard's remaining men, and Littlefinger takes the Valyrian dagger from Lord Stark.{{Ref|AGOT|49}} Syrio allows Arya to escape Ser [[Meryn Trant]],{{Ref|AGOT|50}} but Sansa is captured by the Lannisters.{{Ref|AGOT|51}}

In response to [[arrest of Eddard Stark|his father's imprisonment for treason]] by Cersei, [[Robb Stark]] calls the northern banners to Winterfell and marches south.{{Ref|AGOT|53}} For his part in Ned's downfall, Janos Slynt is named [[Lord of Harrenhal]] by King Joffrey.{{Ref|AGOT|57}}

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.{{Ref|AGOT|58}} 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.{{Ref|AGOT|65}}{{Ref|ADWD|11}} 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 (fat one)|High Septon]]. Ser [[Ilyn Payne]] beheads Eddard with his own greatsword, [[Ice]].{{Ref|AGOT|65}} Joffrey has Eddard's head placed on a spike and forces Sansa to view it.{{Ref|AGOT|67}}

Bran and [[Rickon Stark]] dream of their father's death before a raven arrives at Winterfell.{{Ref|AGOT|66}} After the [[Battle of the Camps]], Robb is proclaimed [[King in the North]] by northmen and rivermen at [[Riverrun]].{{Ref|AGOT|71}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
[[File:Daarken Make an Example.JPG|thumb|Eddard's impaled head at the [[Red Keep]], by Daarken © Fantasy Flight Games]]
A stonemason creates a granite statue in Ned's image within the [[crypts of Winterfell]].{{Ref|ACOK|4}}

[[Tyrion Lannister]] orders the heads of Eddard and other victims to be removed from the spikes of the [[Red Keep]].{{Ref|ACOK|3}} He then sends Eddard's bones to [[Riverrun]].{{Ref|ACOK|25}}{{Ref|ACOK|39}} [[Catelyn Stark]] tasks [[Hallis Mollen]] to take the bones north so Eddard can be buried in the crypts beside his [[Rickard Stark|father]], [[Brandon Stark|brother]] and [[Lyanna Stark|sister]].{{Ref|ASOS|45}} The [[ironborn]] [[Fall of Moat Cailin|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]].{{Ref|ACOK|46}}{{Ref|ACOK|50}}{{Ref|ASOS|45}}

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.{{Ref|ACOK|3}}

===''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 [[wedding of Tyrion Lannister and Sansa Stark|to wed]] his son, [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]].{{Ref|ASOS|28}} [[Jeyne Westerling]], Robb's queen, would like to name her children Eddard and Brandon if they have twins.{{Ref|ASOS|20}} Robb is slain in the [[Red Wedding]], however.{{Ref|ASOS|51}}

Tywin has [[Tobho Mott]] reforge Ned's [[Valyrian steel]] greatsword, [[Ice]],{{ref|ASOS|32}} into two smaller longswords which become known as [[Widow's Wail]]{{ref|ASOS|59}} and [[Oathkeeper]].{{ref|ASOS|72}}

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]].{{Ref|ASOS|73}} Jon refuses the offer, however, and is instead chosen [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]].{{Ref|ASOS|79}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
[[Brienne Tarth|Brienne of Tarth]], given [[Oathkeeper]] by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] and tasked with finding the missing [[Sansa Stark]], recalls being told "You'll be defending Ned Stark's daughter with Ned Stark's own steel."{{ref|AFFC|4}} In actuality, Sansa is in hiding at the [[Eyrie]], where she is presented as "Alayne Stone", [[bastard]] daughter of Lord [[Petyr Baelish]].{{ref|AFFC|10}}

Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]] considers having [[Russell Merryweather]] brought to [[King's Landing]] to be a foster brother to her son, King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]], thinking the boys could grow as close as Ned Stark and [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] had.{{ref|AFFC|28}} Within the [[Great Sept of Baelor]], the new [[High Septon]], the so-called [[High Sparrow]], reminds Cersei that the plaza outside had been befouled by Eddard's execution.{{ref|AFFC|28}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[File:Lord Eddard Stark by SirAnk .jpg|thumb|300px|Lord Eddard Stark by SirAnk ©]]

Recalling that [[Janos Slynt]] had helped kill his father, Jon beheads Janos at [[Castle Black]] for insubordination.{{Ref|ADWD|7}}

In [[White Harbor]], [[Wylla Manderly]] recalls Eddard's death when declaring her support for [[Stannis Baratheon]] instead of [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]].{{Ref|ADWD|19}}

[[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 Snow|Jon]] and [[Robb Stark|Robb]] will grow together as brothers.{{Ref|ADWD|34}}

[[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]], during [[Robert's Rebellion]]. 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.{{Ref|ADWD|41}} 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".{{Ref|ADWD|42}}{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

During the [[walk of atonement]] by [[Cersei Lannister]] through [[King's Landing]], the face of one of the [[smallfolk]] in the crowd reminds her of Eddard.{{Ref|ADWD|65}}

==Quotes by Eddard==
[[File:Collage lb image page7 5 1.jpg|thumb|Eddard with [[Ice]], by Mark Evans © Fantasy Flight Games]]
{{Quote|'''Bran''': Can a man still be brave if he’s afraid? '''Eddard''': That is the only time a man can be brave.{{Ref|AGOT|1}}|[[Bran Stark]] and Eddard}}

{{Quote|The blood of the [[First Men]] still flows in the veins of the [[House Stark|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.{{Ref|AGOT|1}}|Eddard to [[Bran Stark]]}}

{{Quote|A ruler who hides behind paid executioners soon forgets what death is.{{Ref|AGOT|1}}|Eddard to [[Bran Stark]]}}

{{Quote|'''Eddard''': We are not the boys we were. '''Robert''': You were never the boy you were.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}|[[Robert I Baratheon]] and Eddard}}

{{Quote|When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone [[wolf]] dies, but the pack survives.{{Ref|AGOT|22}}|Eddard to [[Arya Stark]]}}

{{Quote|Know the men who follow you and let them know you. Don't ask your men to die for a stranger.{{Ref|AGOT|22}}|Eddard to [[Robb Stark]]}}

{{Quote|''Some secrets are safer kept hidden. Some secrets are too dangerous to share, even with those you love and trust''.{{Ref|AGOT|33}}|Eddard's thoughts}}

{{Quote|Black and white and grey, all the shades of truth.{{Ref|AGOT|43}}|Eddard's thoughts}}

{{Quote|Ned thought, ''If it came to that, the life of some child I did not know, against [[Robb Stark|Robb]] and [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] and [[Arya Stark|Arya]] and [[Bran Stark|Bran]] and [[Rickon Stark|Rickon]], what would I do? Even more so, what would [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] do, if it were [[Jon Snow|Jon]]'s life, against the children of her body?'' He did not know. He prayed he never would.{{Ref|AGOT|45}}|Eddard's thoughts}}

{{Quote|'''Cersei''': You should have taken [[Seven Kingdoms|the realm]] for yourself. It was there for the taking. [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] told me how you found him on the [[Iron Throne]] the day [[Sack of King's Landing|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. '''Cersei''': Oh, but it was, my lord. When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.{{Ref|AGOT|45}}|[[Cersei Lannister]] and Eddard}}

{{Quote|In [[known world|this world]] only winter is certain. We may lose our heads, it's true ... but what if we prevail?{{Ref|ADWD|9}}|Eddard to the [[House Borrell|Borrells]]}}

==Quotes about Eddard==
[[File:Sean Bean as Eddard Stark.png|thumb|Sean Bean as Eddard in ''[[Game of Thrones]]'']]
{{Quote|You are too hard on yourself, Ned. You always were. Damn it, no woman wants [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor the Blessed]] in her bed.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}|[[Robert I Baratheon]] to Eddard}}

{{Quote|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.{{Ref|AGOT|30}}|[[Robert I Baratheon]] to Eddard}}

{{Quote|You never could lie for love nor honor, Ned Stark.{{Ref|AGOT|30}}|[[Robert I Baratheon]] to Eddard}}

{{Quote|No, my lord, when the swords come out in earnest, you will be the only true friend [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] will have.{{Ref|AGOT|30}}|[[Varys]] to Eddard}}

{{Quote|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.{{Ref|AGOT|47}}|[[Petyr Baelish]] to Eddard}}

{{Quote|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.{{Ref|AGOT|58}}|[[Varys]] to Eddard}}

{{Quote|'''Quhuru''': And the [[Hand of the King|Hand]] has fallen, Lord Stark who was King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert's]] friend. He has been seized for [[treason]]. '''Jorah''': Ned Stark a traitor? Not bloody likely. The [[Long Summer]] will come again before that one would besmirch his precious honor. '''Daenerys''': What honor could he have? H was a traitor to his [[Aerys II Targaryen|true king]], as were these [[House Lannister|Lannisters]].{{Ref|ACOK|27}}|[[Quhuru Mo]], [[Jorah Mormont]], and [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}

{{Quote|As for your Ned, he should have kissed the hand that killed [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]], but he preferred to scorn the arse he found sitting on [[Iron Throne|Robert's throne]]. I think Ned Stark loved [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] better than he ever loved [[Brandon Stark|his brother]] or [[Rickard Stark|his father]] ... or even you, my lady. He was never unfaithful to Robert.{{Ref|ACOK|55}}|[[Jaime Lannister]] to [[Catelyn Stark]]}}

{{Quote|I knew Ned Stark as well. Your father was no friend of mine, but only a fool would doubt his honor or his honesty. You have his look.{{Ref|ASOS|76}}|[[Stannis Baratheon]] to [[Jon Snow]]}}

{{Quote|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.{{Ref|AFFC|6}}|thoughts of [[Arya Stark]]}}

{{Quote|Your father was a stubborn man as well. ''Honor'', he called it. Well, honor has its costs, as Lord Eddard learned to his sorrow.{{Ref|ADWD|17}}|[[Stannis Baratheon]] to [[Jon Snow]]}}

==Family==
{{Stark tree}}

===Patrilineal descent===
#Lord [[Benjen Stark (lord)|Benjen Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Rickon Stark (son of Benjen)|Rickon Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Cregan Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Brandon Stark (son of Cregan)|Brandon Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Beron Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Willam Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Edwyle Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Rickard Stark]], Lord of Winterfell

==Behind the Scenes==
According to [[George R. R. Martin]], Eddard has similarities with [[w:William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings|Lord Hastings]].<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1436 Boskone (Boston, MA; February 17-19)], February 17, 2006</ref>

In an early draft of ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] takes [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] prisoner at Ned's behest.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/comments/1belw08/spoilers_extended_secrets_of_the_cushing_library/ Secrets of the Cushing Library: A Game of Thrones] - gsteff on Reddit</ref>

==References==
{{References|2|refs=
<ref name=IMDB>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/fullcredits#cast Cast of Game of Thrones on IMDB]</ref>
}}

==External Links==
*{{WP|Ned Stark}}
*{{WoW}}

{{S-start}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Rickard Stark]]|rows=2}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Lord of Winterfell]]|years={{Date|282|299}}}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Robb Stark]]}}
{{S-break}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Warden of the North]]|years={{Date|283|299}}}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Roose Bolton]]}}
{{S-break}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Jon Arryn]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Hand of the King]]|years={{Date|298}}|under=[[Robert I Baratheon]]}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Tywin Lannister]]}}
{{S-break}}
{{S-pre}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Robert I Baratheon|Robert I]]}}
{{S-tul|title=[[Protector of the Realm]]|years={{Date|298}}|reason=[[Arrest of Eddard Stark|arrested on the orders of Cersei Lannister]]}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I]]}}
{{S-end}}

{{POV Characters}}
{{Hands of the King}}
{{Lords of Winterfell}}
{{Robert I small council}}
{{Joffrey I small council}}


[[Category:House Stark]]
[[Category:263 AC births|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:299 AC deaths|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Casualties of the War of the Five Kings|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters from the North|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Ilyn Payne|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Joffrey Baratheon|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters killed with Ice|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters with brown hair|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters with grey eyes|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters with long face|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Deaths by beheading|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Executions for treason|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Hands of the King|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Hostages of House Lannister in the War of the Five Kings|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:House Arryn wards|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Lords of Winterfell]]
[[Category:Members of Robert I Baratheon's court|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Nobles|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:POV characters|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Protectors of the Realm|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Rebels of Robert's Rebellion|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Regents|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Statues|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Veterans of Greyjoy's Rebellion|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Veterans of Robert's Rebellion|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Wardens of the North|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Wielders of Ice|Stark, Eddard]]


[[es:Eddard Stark]]
[[fa:ادارد استارک]]
[[fr:Eddard Stark]]
[[nl:Eddard Stark]]
[[pt:Eddard Stark]]
[[ru:Эддард Старк]]
[[tr:Eddard Stark]]
[[zh:艾德·史塔克]]

Eddard Stark

2026-09-22T13:58:20Z

Nittanian:

{{redirect2|Ned|Eddard|other uses|Eddard Karstark||Ned (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox character
| title = Lord
| firstname = Eddard
| lastname = Stark
| arms = Stark
| image = [[File:Eddard Amoka.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = Eddard Stark by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/martin.html Amok] ©
| Alias = Ned{{Ref|AGOT|2}} The quiet wolf{{Ref|ASOS|24}}<ref name="Citadel">[http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/FAQ/Entry/Who_were_the_different_people_in_Meeras_story/ "The Citadel: FAQ, entry 6.2.6- Who were the different people in Meera's story?" (2007]</ref> The Ned{{Ref|ADWD|62}}
| Title = [[Lord of Winterfell]] [[Warden of the North]] [[Hand of the King]] [[Protector of the Realm]] (claimant) [[Regent|Lord Regent]] (claimant)
| Allegiance = [[House Stark]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Northmen]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|263}}<ref name=Calculation>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued)#Eddard Stark|Eddard Stark]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Birth = [[Winterfell]], the [[North]]{{Ref|AWOIAF|Eddard Stark}}
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|299}} (aged 35-36)<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#Main Series|Main Series calculations, 298AC to 299AC]].''</ref>
| Place_of_Death = [[Great Sept of Baelor]], [[King's Landing]]{{Ref|AGOT|65}}
| Father = Lord [[Rickard Stark]]
| Mother = Lady [[Lyarra Stark]]
| Spouse = Lady [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn Tully]]
| Lover = [[Wylla]] (supposedly) [[Ashara Dayne]] (rumored) Fisherman's daughter (rumored)
| Issue = [[Robb Stark]] [[Jon Snow]] [[Sansa Stark]] [[Arya Stark]] [[Bran Stark]] [[Rickon Stark]]
| coat-of-arms =
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (POV) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' (mentioned)
| Played_by = [[w:Sean Bean|Sean Bean]] Sebastian Croft (child) Robert Aramayo (young)
| TV_series = ''[[Game of Thrones]]'': [[Game of Thrones - Season 1|Season 1]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 6|6]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 7|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 character]]s in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''.

In the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'', Eddard is portrayed by [[w:Sean Bean|Sean Bean]], Sebastian Croft (as a child), and Robert Aramayo (as a young man).<ref name=IMDB />

==Appearance and Character==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Eddard Stark|l1=Images of Eddard Stark}}

Eddard has a long face{{Ref|AGOT|6}} and long brown hair.{{Ref|AGOT|1}} His closely-trimmed beard is beginning to grey, making him look older than his thirty-five years.{{Ref|AGOT|1}} His dark grey eyes{{Ref|AGOT|1}} reflect his moods, turning soft as fog or hard as stone.{{Ref|ACOK|39}} Eddard is shorter and less handsome than his older brother [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]] had been, according to [[Catelyn Stark]]; however, she also states that Ned has a "good sweet heart beneath his solemn face".{{Ref|ASOS|45}} He keeps faith with the [[old gods]].{{Ref|AGOT|2}} He is fiercely protective of his wife and children, whom he loves deeply.

Eddard is known for his unwavering sense of honor{{Ref|AGOT|12}}{{Ref|AGOT|58}} and [[Laws and justice of the Seven Kingdoms|justice]] and his family finds him kind, although some consider his reserved personality a sign of coldness and disdain.{{Ref|AGOT|33}} He has a reputation for always telling the truth.{{ref|ASOS|6}} Among his enemies, Eddard is seen as having cold, judgmental eyes{{Ref|ASOS|44}} thought to reflect his frozen heart.{{Ref|ACOK|27}}

While riding his [[Horse|great warhorse]] in the [[north]], Ned wears furs and leathers.{{Ref|AGOT|1}} Ned also wears silk{{Ref|AGOT|25}} and linen{{Ref|AGOT|47}} tunics and a belt of heavy silver links.{{Ref|AGOT|47}} His surcoat is fine white velvet with a [[direwolf]] badge over the heart.{{Ref|ACOK|39}} Ned's cloaks are grey with white,{{Ref|AGOT|27}} as well as black wool.{{Ref|AGOT|43}}

Lord Stark wields sword{{Ref|AGOT|35}} and dagger,{{Ref|AGOT|20}} although he uses [[Ice]], a [[Valyrian steel]] [[greatsword]], for ceremonial purposes.{{Ref|AGOT|1}}

==History==
===Youth===
Eddard was born at [[Winterfell]]{{Ref|AWOIAF|Eddard Stark}} as the second son of Lord [[Rickard Stark]] and Lady [[Lyarra Stark]]. He had one older brother, [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]], and two younger siblings, [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]] and [[Benjen Stark|Benjen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Stark Lineage}}{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}}

Eddard was [[fostering|fostered]] by Lord [[Jon Arryn]] at the [[Eyrie]] from the age of eight.{{Ref|AGOT|2}}{{Ref|aGoT|6}} There, Eddard befriended his fellow ward, [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], while Lord Jon became like a second father to him.{{Ref|AGOT|2}} When he reached the age of sixteen, Eddard was a man grown, and divided his time between Winterfell and the Eyrie.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Some_Questions Some Questions (March 16, 2000)]</ref> 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.{{Ref|AWOIAF|Eddard Stark}}{{Ref|AGOT|35}} When Lyanna later expressed 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.{{Ref|AGOT|35}} Lord [[Rodrik Ryswell]] hoped to wed his daughter [[Barbrey Dustin|Barbrey]] to Brandon or Eddard.{{ref|ADWD|41}}

===Tourney at Harrenhal===
[[File:Rhaeg lyanna-winterfelll.jpg|thumb|left|[[Rhaegar Targaryen]], Eddard, and [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]], by M.Luisa Giliberti ©]]
In {{Date|281}}, at the age of eighteen, Eddard came down from the Eyrie to attend the [[tourney at Harrenhal]].{{Ref|AGOT|58}} Also present were Eddard's foster brother Robert, his foster father Jon, and his three siblings, Brandon, Lyanna, and [[Benjen Stark|Benjen]].{{Ref|ASOS|24}} 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.{{Ref|ASOS|24}} 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.{{Ref|AGOT|58}}

The following year, Eddard's sister Lyanna was abducted by Prince Rhaegar.{{Ref|AGOT|66}} 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]].{{Ref|ACOK|55}} 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.{{Ref|AGOT|2}}

===Robert's Rebellion===
[[File:Tomasz Jedruszek Robert and Ned.jpg|thumb|[[Robert I Baratheon|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.{{Ref|AFFC|23}}{{Ref|ADWD|9}} 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 (father of Godric)|Lord Borrell]] to deliver Eddard's head to King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], but Lord Borrell, knowing that Jon Arryn and Robert Baratheon had [[taking of Gulltown|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.{{Ref|aDwD|9}}

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]].{{Ref|ASOS|29}} Afterward, he went to [[Riverrun]] to marry Hoster's elder daughter, [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]], who had been betrothed to his brother [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]] before his death.{{Ref|AGOT|6}} Jon Arryn married Hoster's younger daughter, [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa]], in the same ceremony. [[Weddings of Catelyn and Lysa Tully|The double wedding]] bound [[House Tully]] to the rebels' cause.{{Ref|AGOT|2}}

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]].{{Ref|AGOT|12}}

[[File:Eddard Jaime Aerys Iron Throne Room.jpg|thumb|Eddard, [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], and [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] in the [[Iron Throne]] room, by Amok © Fantasy Flight Games]]

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 Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]] and [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|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.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}

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.{{Ref|AGOT|2}}{{Ref|AGOT|12}}{{Ref|ASOS|36}}

Eddard left Robert in King's Landing and went to [[Storm's End]], where he lifted the [[Siege of Storm's End|siege of the castle]]. Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] and his armies yielded to Eddard without a fight.{{Ref|ASOS|19}} Afterwards, Eddard traveled to the [[Red Mountains]] of [[Dorne]] to liberate his sister [[Lyanna Stark|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 [[combat at the tower of joy|skirmish]] saw the deaths of all but Eddard and one companion, [[Howland Reed]].{{Ref|AGOT|39}} Eddard is said to have killed Arthur, the [[Sword of the Morning]], in single combat.{{Ref|TWOIAF|Dorne: The Andals Arrive}}

[[File:Ned Lyanna Death Promise.jpg|thumb|Eddard makes a promise to [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]] before her death, by Amok © Fantasy Flight Games]]

Unfortunately, when Eddard found Lyanna, she was already dying.{{Ref|AGOT|4}} Before her death, she made Eddard promise her something;{{Ref|AGOT|4}} what he promised her has not yet been revealed. The experience haunts Eddard and he recalls her ''"promise me"'' on multiple occasions.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}{{Ref|AGOT|47}}{{Ref|AGOT|58}} However, the shared grief over Lyanna led to his reconciliation with his friend, now King Robert I.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}

When Eddard returned home to [[Winterfell]], he brought with him his bastard son, [[Jon Snow]]. This strained the relationship with his wife [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]], who had given birth to their son [[Robb Stark|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 [[Dorne|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.{{Ref|AGOT|6}} [[Sansa Stark]] recalls hearing whispers that Jon's mother was common born.{{ref|AGOT|15}} 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.{{Ref|ASOS|43}} When asked about the mother of his bastard son by King [[Robert I Baratheon]], Eddard also mentions the name Wylla.{{Ref|AGOT|12}} However, Lord [[Godric Borrell]] claims that the daughter of the fisherman who sneaked Eddard away from the Fingers gave birth to Jon Snow.{{Ref|ADWD|9}}

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.{{Ref|AGOT|66}} [[Barbrey Dustin]], now Lady of [[Barrowton]], resented that Eddard returned the horse but not the bones of her husband, Lord [[Willam Dustin|Willam]], who had died fighting alongside Ned in Dorne.{{Ref|ADWD|41}} Ned's younger brother, [[Benjen Stark|Benjen]], joined the [[Night's Watch]].{{Ref|AWOIAF|Benjen Stark}}

===Lord of Winterfell===
[[File:Ned & Ice.jpg|thumb|Eddard with [[Ice]] in the [[godswood of Winterfell]], by Michael Komarck ©]]
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.{{Ref|AGOT|6}} Lord Stark has taken little interest in affairs south of the [[Neck]].{{Ref|AGOT|12}} Eddard had a [[Lady Catelyn's sept|small sept]] built at Winterfell so that his new wife [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] could pray to [[Faith of the Seven|the Seven]].{{ref|AGOT|2}}

In {{Date|289}}, Eddard traveled south to help Robert suppress [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]], and he participated in the decisive [[battle at Pyke]]. Greyjoy's Rebellion was the most recent time that Eddard saw Robert.{{ref|AGOT|4}} After Lord [[Balon Greyjoy]]'s surrender, Eddard took Balon's only surviving son, [[Theon Greyjoy|Theon]], to Winterfell as a ward and hostage.{{Ref|AGOT|4}} While Eddard tried to be like a father to Theon from time to time,{{Ref|ACOK|11}} the boy still found Lord Stark to be cold.{{Ref|ACOK|11}}

Eddard last saw Prince [[Tommen Baratheon]] when the boy was breastfeeding from his mother, Queen [[Cersei Lannister]].{{ref|AGOT|2}}

When Lord [[Jorah Mormont]] tried to sell poachers he had caught on his lands into [[slavery]] in {{date|293}}, 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.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}

During his marriage to Catelyn, Eddard had five children with her: [[Robb Stark|Robb]], [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]], [[Arya Stark|Arya]], [[Bran Stark|Bran]], and [[Rickon Stark|Rickon]].{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}} Eddard has taught Robb and [[Jon Snow]], his bastard son, about command in battle.{{Ref|ASOS|55}}

Arya has visited [[White Harbor]] twice with her father,{{Ref|AFFC|22}} and Theon Greyjoy accompanied Lord Stark during a visit to Ser [[Helman Tallhart]] at [[Torrhen's Square]]{{Ref|ACOK|37}} and several visits to the [[House Glover|Glovers]] at [[Deepwood Motte]].{{Ref|ACOK|24}} The [[northern mountain clans|hill clans]] have always treated Lord Stark generously when he visited the [[northern mountains]],{{Ref|ADWD|17}} calling him "the Ned".{{Ref|ADWD|42}} Eddard hosted Lord [[Rickard Karstark]] and his daughter, [[Alys Karstark|Alys]], when the girl was six.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} [[Mance Rayder]] was part of [[Lord Commander Qorgyle]]'s expedition to Winterfell to see Lord Stark.{{Ref|ASOS|7}} Eddard is wary of [[Roose Bolton]], Lord of the [[Dreadfort]].{{Ref|ADWD|35}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
[[File:B60f4c34cb78842db2ee648d90676a7a-d8ij096.jpg|thumb|Eddard in the [[Red Keep]], by Jake Murray © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Lord Eddard executes [[Gared]], a deserter of the [[Night's Watch]] who claims to have been attacked by [[Others]], at a [[holdfast in the hills]]. On the return to [[Winterfell]], the party discovers a [[direwolf]] dead near a bridge, 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.{{Ref|AGOT|1}}

That same day, a [[raven]] arrives bearing word of the death of Lord [[Jon Arryn]], who fostered Eddard as well as [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], and who had long served Robert as [[Hand of the King]].{{Ref|AGOT|2}} Soon Robert arrives with half the court, and the king insists that Eddard bring him to the [[crypt of Winterfell|crypts]] so he can pay his respects to Eddard's late sister, [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]].{{ref|AGOT|4}} The Starks hold a [[feast in honor of King Robert's visit to Winterfell]].{{Ref|AGOT|5}} Eddard grudgingly accepts Robert's offer to replace Lord Arryn as Hand, as well as a betrothal of Prince [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] to his daughter [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]].{{Ref|AGOT|6}}

Another message arrives, this one from [[Lysa Arryn]], Jon's widow and the sister of Eddard's wife [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]], sent to Winterfell in secret. Lysa warns the Starks that the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] were involved in her husband's death.{{Ref|AGOT|6}} When Eddard's son Bran falls and slips into a coma, Eddard and the royal court remain at Winterfell for almost another fortnight,{{Ref|AGOT|10}} 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]].{{Ref|AGOT|12}} Eddard's youngest daughter [[Arya Stark|Arya]] is involved in an incident in which crown prince [[Joffrey Baratheon]] is injured by Arya's direwolf, [[Nymeria]].{{Ref|AGOT|15}} When Nymeria cannot be found, Queen [[Cersei Lannister]] demands the death of Sansa's direwolf, [[Lady (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.{{Ref|AGOT|16}}

Upon arriving at [[King's Landing]], Eddard is summoned to a [[small council]] meeting. Afterwards, Lord [[Petyr Baelish]] takes Eddard to [[Petyr Baelish's brothel|one of his brothels]], where he has been hiding Eddard's wife, Catelyn. She reveals how a [[catspaw]] tried to kill their son [[Bran Stark|Bran]] with a [[Littlefinger's blade|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.{{Ref|AGOT|20}} After receiving Maester [[Luwin]]'s message that Bran is awake, Lord Stark and his daughters stay overnight in the godswood of the Red Keep.{{Ref|AGOT|25}}

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.{{Ref|AGOT|20}} The [[Hand's tourney]], featuring a joust, melee, and archery contest, attracts knights and freeriders from all over the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{Ref|AGOT|20}}{{Ref|AGOT|22}}{{Ref|AGOT|27}} Ned and Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]], convince Robert not to participate in the melee.{{Ref|ADWD|30}}

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]].{{Ref|AGOT|22}} While Ned later wonders whether Syrio is a proper teacher for Arya, he allows the lessons to continue,{{Ref|AGOT|30}} and is eventually willing to ask Syrio to continue his work at Winterfell.{{Ref|AGOT|44}}

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.{{Ref|AGOT|27}}{{Ref|AGOT|35}} Grand Maester [[Pycelle]] provides the Hand with ''[[The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms]]'', which Jon had been reading.{{Ref|AGOT|27}}

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.{{Ref|AGOT|33}}

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]],{{Ref|AGOT|35}} a fact Eddard had learned the day before from [[Yoren]], a [[wandering crow]].{{Ref|AGOT|32}}{{Ref|AGOT|33}} Eight men{{Ref|AGOT|39}} die from the ensuing melee, including [[Jory Cassel]], [[Heward]], [[Wyl (guard)|Wyl]], and [[Tregar]], and Ned's leg is broken when his horse falls upon him.{{Ref|AGOT|35}} Pycelle treats Ned, who has a fever dream of the [[combat at the tower of joy|tower of joy]]. While recovering, Robert visits his friend, pardoning him and returning him to office as Hand of the King.{{Ref|AGOT|39}}

[[File:Ned Stark's execution.jpg|thumb|Eddard's execution by [[Ilyn Payne]], by Magali Villeneuve © Penguin Random House]]

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 [[House Stark guards|own household guard]] to bring the Mountain to justice for his crimes against the [[riverlands]].{{Ref|AGOT|43}}

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.{{ref|AGOT|44}} Eddard decides to confront Cersei, giving her a chance to flee with her children while she still can.{{ref|AGOT|45}} 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 Baratheon|Stannis]].{{Ref|AGOT|47}} 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]]'',{{Ref|AGOT|45}} and Ned orders [[Tomard]] to deliver a letter to Stannis at [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|AGOT|47}}

Not wanting to have her betrothal to Joffrey broken, Sansa informs Queen Cersei of her father's plan to leave King's Landing.{{Ref|ASOS|51}} When Ned confronts Cersei in the throne room, he is betrayed by Littlefinger. [[House Lannister guards|Red cloaks]] and [[Janos Slynt]]'s gold cloaks kill Eddard's remaining men, and Littlefinger takes the Valyrian dagger from Lord Stark.{{Ref|AGOT|49}} Syrio allows Arya to escape Ser [[Meryn Trant]],{{Ref|AGOT|50}} but Sansa is captured by the Lannisters.{{Ref|AGOT|51}}

In response to [[arrest of Eddard Stark|his father's imprisonment for treason]] by Cersei, [[Robb Stark]] calls the northern banners to Winterfell and marches south.{{Ref|AGOT|53}} For his part in Ned's downfall, Janos Slynt is named [[Lord of Harrenhal]] by King Joffrey.{{Ref|AGOT|57}}

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.{{Ref|AGOT|58}} 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.{{Ref|AGOT|65}}{{Ref|ADWD|11}} 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 (fat one)|High Septon]]. Ser [[Ilyn Payne]] beheads Eddard with his own greatsword, [[Ice]].{{Ref|AGOT|65}} Joffrey has Eddard's head placed on a spike and forces Sansa to view it.{{Ref|AGOT|67}}

Bran and [[Rickon Stark]] dream of their father's death before a raven arrives at Winterfell.{{Ref|AGOT|66}} After the [[Battle of the Camps]], Robb is proclaimed [[King in the North]] by northmen and rivermen at [[Riverrun]].{{Ref|AGOT|71}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
[[File:Daarken Make an Example.JPG|thumb|Eddard's impaled head at the [[Red Keep]], by Daarken © Fantasy Flight Games]]
A stonemason creates a granite statue in Ned's image within the [[crypt of Winterfell]].{{Ref|ACOK|4}}

[[Tyrion Lannister]] orders the heads of Eddard and other victims to be removed from the spikes of the [[Red Keep]].{{Ref|ACOK|3}} He then sends Eddard's bones to [[Riverrun]].{{Ref|ACOK|25}}{{Ref|ACOK|39}} [[Catelyn Stark]] tasks [[Hallis Mollen]] to take the bones north so Eddard can be buried in the [[crypt of Winterfell]] beside his [[Rickard Stark|father]], [[Brandon Stark|brother]] and [[Lyanna Stark|sister]].{{Ref|ASOS|45}} The [[ironborn]] [[Fall of Moat Cailin|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]].{{Ref|ACOK|46}}{{Ref|ACOK|50}}{{Ref|ASOS|45}}

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.{{Ref|ACOK|3}}

===''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 [[wedding of Tyrion Lannister and Sansa Stark|to wed]] his son, [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]].{{Ref|ASOS|28}} [[Jeyne Westerling]], Robb's queen, would like to name her children Eddard and Brandon if they have twins.{{Ref|ASOS|20}} Robb is slain in the [[Red Wedding]], however.{{Ref|ASOS|51}}

Tywin has [[Tobho Mott]] reforge Ned's [[Valyrian steel]] greatsword, [[Ice]],{{ref|ASOS|32}} into two smaller longswords which become known as [[Widow's Wail]]{{ref|ASOS|59}} and [[Oathkeeper]].{{ref|ASOS|72}}

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]].{{Ref|ASOS|73}} Jon refuses the offer, however, and is instead chosen [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]].{{Ref|ASOS|79}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
[[Brienne Tarth|Brienne of Tarth]], given [[Oathkeeper]] by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] and tasked with finding the missing [[Sansa Stark]], recalls being told "You'll be defending Ned Stark's daughter with Ned Stark's own steel."{{ref|AFFC|4}} In actuality, Sansa is in hiding at the [[Eyrie]], where she is presented as "Alayne Stone", [[bastard]] daughter of Lord [[Petyr Baelish]].{{ref|AFFC|10}}

Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]] considers having [[Russell Merryweather]] brought to [[King's Landing]] to be a foster brother to her son, King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]], thinking the boys could grow as close as Ned Stark and [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] had.{{ref|AFFC|28}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[File:Lord Eddard Stark by SirAnk .jpg|thumb|300px|Lord Eddard Stark by SirAnk ©]]

Recalling that [[Janos Slynt]] had helped kill his father, Jon beheads Janos at [[Castle Black]] for insubordination.{{Ref|ADWD|7}}

In [[White Harbor]], [[Wylla Manderly]] recalls Eddard's death when declaring her support for [[Stannis Baratheon]] instead of [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]].{{Ref|ADWD|19}}

[[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 Snow|Jon]] and [[Robb Stark|Robb]] will grow together as brothers.{{Ref|ADWD|34}}

[[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.{{Ref|ADWD|41}} 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".{{Ref|ADWD|42}}{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

During the [[walk of atonement]] by [[Cersei Lannister]] through [[King's Landing]], the face of one of the [[smallfolk]] reminds her of Eddard.{{Ref|ADWD|65}}

==Quotes by Eddard==
[[File:Collage lb image page7 5 1.jpg|thumb|Eddard with [[Ice]], by Mark Evans © Fantasy Flight Games]]
{{Quote|'''Bran''': Can a man still be brave if he’s afraid? '''Eddard''': That is the only time a man can be brave.{{Ref|AGOT|1}}|[[Bran Stark]] and Eddard}}

{{Quote|The blood of the [[First Men]] still flows in the veins of the [[House Stark|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.{{Ref|AGOT|1}}|Eddard to [[Bran Stark]]}}

{{Quote|A ruler who hides behind paid executioners soon forgets what death is.{{Ref|AGOT|1}}|Eddard to [[Bran Stark]]}}

{{Quote|'''Eddard''': We are not the boys we were. 
'''Robert''': You were never the boy you were.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}|[[Robert I Baratheon]] and Eddard}}

{{Quote|When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone [[wolf]] dies, but the pack survives.{{Ref|AGOT|22}}|Eddard to [[Arya Stark]]}}

{{Quote|Know the men who follow you and let them know you. Don't ask your men to die for a stranger.{{Ref|AGOT|22}}|Eddard to [[Robb Stark]]}}

{{Quote|''Some secrets are safer kept hidden. Some secrets are too dangerous to share, even with those you love and trust''.{{Ref|AGOT|33}}|Eddard's thoughts}}

{{Quote|Black and white and grey, all the shades of truth.{{Ref|AGOT|43}}|Eddard's thoughts}}

{{Quote|Ned thought, ''If it came to that, the life of some child I did not know, against [[Robb Stark|Robb]] and [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] and [[Arya Stark|Arya]] and [[Bran Stark|Bran]] and [[Rickon Stark|Rickon]], what would I do? Even more so, what would [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] do, if it were [[Jon Snow|Jon]]'s life, against the children of her body?'' He did not know. He prayed he never would.{{Ref|AGOT|45}}|Eddard's thoughts}}

{{Quote|'''Cersei''': You should have taken [[Seven Kingdoms|the realm]] for yourself. It was there for the taking. [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] told me how you found him on the [[Iron Throne]] the day [[Sack of King's Landing|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. '''Cersei''': Oh, but it was, my lord. When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.{{Ref|AGOT|45}}|[[Cersei Lannister]] and Eddard}}

{{Quote|In [[known world|this world]] only winter is certain. We may lose our heads, it's true ... but what if we prevail?{{Ref|ADWD|9}}|Eddard to the [[House Borrell|Borrells]]}}

==Quotes about Eddard==
[[File:Sean Bean as Eddard Stark.png|thumb|Sean Bean as Eddard in ''[[Game of Thrones]]'']]
{{Quote|You are too hard on yourself, Ned. You always were. Damn it, no woman wants [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor the Blessed]] in her bed.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}|[[Robert I Baratheon]] to Eddard}}

{{Quote|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.{{Ref|AGOT|30}}|[[Robert I Baratheon]] to Eddard}}

{{Quote|You never could lie for love nor honor, Ned Stark.{{Ref|AGOT|30}}|[[Robert I Baratheon]] to Eddard}}

{{Quote|No, my lord, when the swords come out in earnest, you will be the only true friend [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] will have.{{Ref|AGOT|30}}|[[Varys]] to Eddard}}

{{Quote|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.{{Ref|AGOT|47}}|[[Petyr Baelish]] to Eddard}}

{{Quote|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.{{Ref|AGOT|58}}|[[Varys]] to Eddard}}

{{Quote|'''Quhuru''': And the [[Hand of the King|Hand]] has fallen, Lord Stark who was King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert's]] friend. He has been seized for [[treason]]. '''Jorah''': Ned Stark a traitor? Not bloody likely. The [[Long Summer]] will come again before that one would besmirch his precious honor. '''Daenerys''': What honor could he have? H was a traitor to his [[Aerys II Targaryen|true king]], as were these [[House Lannister|Lannisters]].{{Ref|ACOK|27}}|[[Quhuru Mo]], [[Jorah Mormont]], and [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}

{{Quote|As for your Ned, he should have kissed the hand that killed [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]], but he preferred to scorn the arse he found sitting on [[Iron Throne|Robert's throne]]. I think Ned Stark loved [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] better than he ever loved [[Brandon Stark|his brother]] or [[Rickard Stark|his father]] ... or even you, my lady. He was never unfaithful to Robert.{{Ref|ACOK|55}}|[[Jaime Lannister]] to [[Catelyn Stark]]}}

{{Quote|I knew Ned Stark as well. Your father was no friend of mine, but only a fool would doubt his honor or his honesty. You have his look.{{Ref|ASOS|76}}|[[Stannis Baratheon]] to [[Jon Snow]]}}

{{Quote|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.{{Ref|AFFC|6}}|thoughts of [[Arya Stark]]}}

{{Quote|Your father was a stubborn man as well. ''Honor'', he called it. Well, honor has its costs, as Lord Eddard learned to his sorrow.{{Ref|ADWD|17}}|[[Stannis Baratheon]] to [[Jon Snow]]}}

==Family==
{{Stark tree}}

===Patrilineal descent===
#Lord [[Benjen Stark (lord)|Benjen Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Rickon Stark (son of Benjen)|Rickon Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Cregan Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Brandon Stark (son of Cregan)|Brandon Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Beron Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Willam Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Edwyle Stark]], Lord of Winterfell
#Lord [[Rickard Stark]], Lord of Winterfell

==Behind the Scenes==
According to [[George R. R. Martin]], Eddard has similarities with [[w:William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings|Lord Hastings]].<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1436 Boskone (Boston, MA; February 17-19)], February 17, 2006</ref>

In an early draft of ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] takes [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] prisoner at Ned's behest.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/comments/1belw08/spoilers_extended_secrets_of_the_cushing_library/ Secrets of the Cushing Library: A Game of Thrones] - gsteff on Reddit</ref>

==References==
{{References|2|refs=
<ref name=IMDB>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/fullcredits#cast Cast of Game of Thrones on IMDB]</ref>
}}

==External Links==
*{{WP|Ned Stark}}
*{{WoW}}

{{S-start}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Rickard Stark]]|rows=2}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Lord of Winterfell]]|years={{Date|282|299}}}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Robb Stark]]}}
{{S-break}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Warden of the North]]|years={{Date|283|299}}}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Roose Bolton]]}}
{{S-break}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Jon Arryn]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Hand of the King]]|years={{Date|298}}|under=[[Robert I Baratheon]]}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Tywin Lannister]]}}
{{S-break}}
{{S-pre}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Robert I Baratheon|Robert I]]}}
{{S-tul|title=[[Protector of the Realm]]|years={{Date|298}}|reason=[[Arrest of Eddard Stark|arrested on the orders of Cersei Lannister]]}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I]]}}
{{S-end}}

{{POV Characters}}
{{Hands of the King}}
{{Lords of Winterfell}}
{{Robert I small council}}
{{Joffrey I small council}}


[[Category:House Stark]]
[[Category:263 AC births|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:299 AC deaths|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Casualties of the War of the Five Kings|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters from the North|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Ilyn Payne|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Joffrey Baratheon|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters killed with Ice|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters with brown hair|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters with grey eyes|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Characters with long face|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Deaths by beheading|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Executions for treason|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Hands of the King|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Hostages of House Lannister in the War of the Five Kings|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:House Arryn wards|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Lords of Winterfell]]
[[Category:Members of Robert I Baratheon's court|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Nobles|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:POV characters|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Protectors of the Realm|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Rebels of Robert's Rebellion|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Regents|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Statues|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Veterans of Greyjoy's Rebellion|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Veterans of Robert's Rebellion|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Wardens of the North|Stark, Eddard]]
[[Category:Wielders of Ice|Stark, Eddard]]


[[es:Eddard Stark]]
[[fa:ادارد استارک]]
[[fr:Eddard Stark]]
[[nl:Eddard Stark]]
[[pt:Eddard Stark]]
[[ru:Эддард Старк]]
[[tr:Eddard Stark]]
[[zh:艾德·史塔克]]

Category:Images of Rookeries

2026-09-21T15:02:22Z

Nittanian:

Collection of Images of [[Rookeries]]

[[Category:Images of structures|Rookeries]]

Category:Images of Leo Tyrell (Longthorn)

2026-09-21T14:59:24Z

Nittanian:

Category:Images of Leo Tyrell (Longthorn)

2026-09-21T14:58:51Z

Nittanian:

Category:Images of Leo Tyrell (son of Moryn)

2026-09-21T14:57:23Z

Nittanian:

Collection of images of [[Leo Tyrell (son of Moryn)|Leo Tyrell]].

[[Category:Character Images|Tyrell, Leo (son of Morwyn)]]
[[Category:Images of House Tyrell|Leo (son of Morwyn)]]

Category:Images of Leo Tyrell (Longthorn)

2026-09-21T14:56:50Z

Nittanian:

Category:Images of Leo Tyrell (Longthorn)

2026-09-21T14:56:29Z

Nittanian:

Category:Images of Sweet Cersei

2026-09-21T14:53:54Z

Nittanian: Created page with "''Sweet Cersei'' Sweet Cersei"

''[[Sweet Cersei]]''

[[Category:Images of ships|Sweet Cersei]]

File:Sweet Cersei.jpg

2026-09-21T14:52:23Z

Nittanian:

== Summary ==
The ''[[Sweet Cersei (ship)|Sweet Cersei]]'' - illustrated by Ryan Barger. Copyrighted work by Fantasy Flight Games (FFG).

Cropped image of the [http://www.cardgamedb.com/index.php/GoTCards.html/_/kings-landing/a-time-of-trials/ Sweet Cersei ] card. Part of [[A Game of Thrones collectible card game]]. Posted in the "Card Guide Wiki" under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License.

== Licensing ==
{{Copyright tags|type=permission|permission=FFG stated that images can be used on wiki when have text that it's from their series. Also no images for the cards themselves.||owner=[http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ Fantasy Flight Games]
|website = [http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/]}}

[[Category:Images of Sweet Cersei]]
[[Category:Images by Ryan Barger]]

Category:Images of the Shy Maid

2026-09-21T14:50:32Z

Nittanian:

Collection of images of the ''[[Shy Maid]]''.

[[Category:Images of ships|Shy Maid]]

Category:Images of Keeps

2026-09-21T14:49:42Z

Nittanian:

Collection of Images of [[Keep]]s

[[Category:Images of structures|Keeps]]

Category:Images of Cynthea Frey

2026-09-21T14:46:54Z

Nittanian:

Collection of images of [[Cynthea Frey]]

[[Category:Character Images|Frey, Cynthea]]
[[Category:Images of House Frey|Cynthea]]

Category:Images of the Liddle

2026-09-21T14:45:38Z

Nittanian:

Collection of images of [[the Liddle]].

[[Category:Character Images|Liddle, The]]
[[Category:Images of House Liddle|Liddle, The]]

Sarra Frey

2026-09-21T14:44:38Z

Nittanian:

{{Infobox character
| arms = Frey
| title =
| firstname = Sarra
| lastname = Frey
| image = File:Sarra_Frey_by_Lopata_Four.jpg
| image_caption = Sarra by Lopata Four
| Alias =
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[House Frey]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Rivermen]]
| Father = [[Raymund Frey]]
| Mother = [[Beony Beesbury]]
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|285}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Sarra Frey|Sarra Frey]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (appears) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played_by = Unidentified
| TV_series = ''[[Game of Thrones]]'': [[Game of Thrones - Season 3|Season 3]]
}}

'''Sarra Frey''' is twin sister of [[Serra Frey]] and daughter of Ser [[Raymund Frey]] and [[Beony Beesbury]].{{Ref|ACOK|Appendix}}

==Appearance==
Sarra is pimply.{{Ref|ASOS|51}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Storm of Swords''===
Sarra is one of the [[House Frey|Frey]] women presented to [[Robb Stark]] when he comes to the [[Twins]] for Lord [[Edmure Tully]]'s wedding.{{Ref|ASOS|49}}

==Family==
{{Frey tree Crakehall}}

==References==
{{References}}

[[Category:House Frey]]
[[Category:285 AC births|Frey, Sarra]]
[[Category:Noblewomen|Frey, Sarra]]
[[Category:Characters from the Riverlands|Frey, Sarra]]
[[Category:Twins|Frey, Sarra]]

[[fr:Sarra Frey]]
[[pt:Sarra Frey]]
[[zh:撒拉·佛雷]]
[[ru:Сарра Фрей]]

Serra Frey

2026-09-21T14:44:07Z

Nittanian:

{{Infobox character
| arms = Frey
| title =
| firstname = Serra
| lastname = Frey
| image = File:Serra_Frey_by_Lopata_Four.jpg
| image_caption = Serra by Lopata Four
| Alias =
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[House Frey]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Rivermen]]
| Father = [[Raymund Frey]]
| Mother = [[Beony Beesbury]]
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|285}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Serra Frey|Serra Frey]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (appears) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (Mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played_by = Unidentified
| TV_series = ''[[Game of Thrones]]'': [[Game of Thrones - Season 3|Season 3]]
}}

'''Serra Frey''' is twin sister of [[Sarra Frey]] and daughter of Ser [[Raymund Frey]] and [[Beony Beesbury]].{{Ref|ACOK|Appendix}}

==Appearance==
Serra is pimply.{{Ref|ASOS|51}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Storm of Swords''===
Serra is one of the [[House Frey|Frey]] women presented to [[Robb Stark]] when he comes to the [[Twins]] for Lord [[Edmure Tully]]'s wedding.{{Ref|ASOS|49}}

==Family==
{{Frey tree Crakehall}}

==References==
{{References}}

[[Category:House Frey]]
[[Category:285 AC births|Frey, Serra]]
[[Category:Characters from the Riverlands|Frey, Serra]]
[[Category:Noblewomen|Frey, Serra]]
[[Category:Twins|Frey, Serra]]

[[es:Serra Frey]]
[[fr:Serra Frey]]
[[pt:Serra Frey]]
[[ru:Серра Фрей]]
[[zh:西拉·佛雷]]

Category:Images of Serra Frey

2026-09-21T14:42:59Z

Nittanian:

Collection of images of [[Serra Frey]]

[[Category:Character Images|Frey, Serra]]
[[Category:Images of House Frey|Serra]]

Category:Images of Sarra Frey

2026-09-21T14:41:55Z

Nittanian:

Collection of images of [[Sarra Frey]]

[[Category:Character Images|Frey, Sarra]]
[[Category:Images of House Frey|Sarra]]

Category:Images of Malwyn Frey

2026-09-21T14:41:10Z

Nittanian:

Collection of images of [[Malwyn Frey]]

[[Category:Character Images|Frey, Malwyn]]
[[Category:Images of House Frey|Malwyn]]

Category:Images of Erryk (guard)

2026-09-21T14:40:01Z

Nittanian:

Collection of Images of [[Erryk (guard)]]

[[Category:Character Images|Erryk (guard)]]
[[Category:Images of guards|Erryk (guard)]]
[[Category:Images of House Tyrell|Erryk (guard)]]

Category:Images of Arryk (guard)

2026-09-21T14:39:28Z

Nittanian:

Collection of Images of [[Arryk (guard)]]

[[Category:Character Images|Arryk (guard)]]
[[Category:Images of guards|Arryk (guard)]]
[[Category:Images of House Tyrell|Arryk (guard)]]

Category:Images of Arryk (guard)

2026-09-21T14:39:00Z

Nittanian:

Collection of Images of [[Arryk (guard)]]

[[Category:Character Images|Arryk (guard)]]
[[Category:Images of House Tyrell|Arryk (guard)]]

Category:Images of Horonno

2026-09-21T14:37:03Z

Nittanian:

Collection of Images of [[Horonno]]

[[Category:Character Images|Horonno]]

Category:Images of Alf of Runnymudd

2026-09-21T14:33:17Z

Nittanian: Created page with "Alf of Runnymudd Alf of Runnymudd Alf of Runnymudd"

[[Alf of Runnymudd]]

[[Category:Character Images|Alf of Runnymudd]]
[[Category:Images of the Night's Watch|Alf of Runnymudd]]

File:Alf by Lopata Four.jpg

2026-09-21T14:32:51Z

Nittanian:

== Summary ==
[[Alf of Runnymudd]] by [https://www.tumblr.com/lopata-four/ Lopata Four], used with permission.

== Licensing ==
{{artist permission
|owner = [https://www.tumblr.com/lopata-four/ © Lopata Four]
|text = Yes! (February 21st, 2026)
|original = [https://www.tumblr.com/lopata-four/808367883165024256/%D1%81rows-part-4?source=share]
}}

[[Category:Images by Lopata Four]]
[[Category:Images of Alf of Runnymudd]]

Category:Images of Meleys

2026-09-21T14:31:28Z

Nittanian:

Collection of Images of [[Meleys]]

[[Category:Character Images|Meleys]]
[[Category:Images of House Targaryen|Meleys]]
[[Category:Images of dragons|Meleys]]

Category:Images of Rose of Red Lake

2026-09-21T14:30:25Z

Nittanian:

Image depictions of [[Rose of Red Lake]].
[[Category:Character Images|Rose of Red Lake]]
[[Category:Images of House Crane|Rose of Red Lake]]

Category:Images of Garth Greyfeather

2026-09-21T14:28:44Z

Nittanian:

Collection of images of [[Garth Greyfeather]]

[[Category:Character Images|Garth Greyfeather]]
[[Category:Images of the Night's Watch|Garth Greyfeather]]

Category:Images of Purple Eyes

2026-09-21T14:27:40Z

Nittanian:

Collection of images of [[purple eyes]].
[[Category:Images by subject|purple]]

Category:Images of Trebuchets

2026-09-21T14:26:37Z

Nittanian:

Collection of Images of [[Trebuchet]]s

[[Category:Images of weapons|trebuchet]]

Category:Images of the Jogos Nhai

2026-09-21T14:25:47Z

Nittanian:

Collection of Images of the [[Jogos Nhai]]

[[Category:Images of cultures|Jogos]]
[[Category:Jogos Nhai|Images]]

Category:Images of Robert Frey (son of Rhaegar)

2026-09-21T14:20:17Z

Nittanian:

Collection of images of [[Robert Frey (son of Rhaegar)]]

[[Category:Character Images|Frey, Robert (son of Rhaegar)]]
[[Category:Images of House Frey|Robert (son of Rhaegar)]]

Category:Images of Robert Frey (son of Raymund)

2026-09-21T14:19:44Z

Nittanian: Created page with "Robert Frey (son of Raymund) Frey, Robert (son of Raymund) Robert (son of Raymund)"

[[Robert Frey (son of Raymund)]]

[[Category:Character Images|Frey, Robert (son of Raymund)]]
[[Category:Images of House Frey|Robert (son of Raymund)]]

File:Robert Frey by Lopata Four.jpg

2026-09-21T14:18:37Z

Nittanian:

== Summary ==
[[Robert Frey]] by [https://www.tumblr.com/lopata-four/ Lopata Four], used with permission.

== Licensing ==
{{artist permission
|owner = [https://www.tumblr.com/lopata-four/ © Lopata Four]
|text = Yes, of course (March 9th, 2026)
|original = [https://www.tumblr.com/lopata-four/810628595397640192/grandchildren-of-walder-frey-children-of-raymund?source=share]
}}

[[Category:Images by Lopata Four]]
[[Category:Images of Robert Frey (son of Raymund)]]

Category:Images of the Unsullied

2026-09-21T14:16:14Z

Nittanian:

Collection of images of the [[Unsullied]].

[[Category:Images of organizations|Unsullied]]
[[Category:Unsullied|Images]]

Garrett

2026-09-21T14:14:10Z

Nittanian:

The name '''Garrett''' is a common first name in [[Westeros]]. It can refer to the following characters:

*[[Garrett Flowers]], the bastard son of Garth Tyrell
*[[Garrett Paege]], a squire from House Paege
*[[Garrett Greenspear]], a ranger from the Night's Watch

===See also===
* [[Gared]], a ranger from the Night's Watch
* [[Gareth]], a disambiguation page for all characters named Gareth
* [[Garth]], a disambiguation page for all characters named Garth

[[Category:Disambiguation pages]]

Translations

2026-09-21T14:13:14Z

Nittanian:

==''A Song of Ice and Fire'' novels==

The main ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' novel series has been translated into 47 languages as of 2017.<ref>[https://grrm.livejournal.com/516673.html?thread=25640513#t25640513 Not A Blog], GRRM, January 2017</ref> Not all of these translations have been finished for all current books in the series, but this is a list of languages for which at least the first novel has received an official translation:

{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Language !! First translation published !! Publisher !! Translator !! Translated titles !! Notes
|-
| Albanian || 2015 || Shtepia Botuese Morava || Anxhela Çikopano || Gjueti Fronesh (A Game of Thrones) ||
|-
| Arabic || 2015 || Dar Al-Tanweer || Hisham Fahmy || (The Game of Thrones) لعبة العروش ||
 (The Clash of Kings) صدام الملوك
|-
| Azerbaijani || || Tea Press || || || Commissioned in 2017
|-
| Bulgarian || 2001 || Бард || Валерий Русинов || ''Игра на Тронове, Сблъсък на Крале, Вихър от Мечове, Пир за Врани, Танц с Дракони'' ||
|-
| Catalan || 2006 (first edition) 2011 (second edition) || Devir (first edition) Alfaguara (second edition) || Margarita Calpena i Ollé (first edition) Inma Estany (3, 4), Esther Roig (1, 2, 3, 4), Mercè Santaulària (1, 2), Anna Llisterri (1, 2, 3, 4) and Mar Albacar (5)|| ''Cançó de Foc i Glaç'' Joc de trons "Game of thrones", November 2011 Xoc de reis "Clash of kings", December 2011 Tempesta d'espases "Storm of swords", March 2012 Festí de corbs "Feast of crows", May 2012 Dansa amb dracs "Dance with dragons", May 2012.|| The first Catalan translation in 2006 split the first book into two parts, but only the first part was published, under the title ''La Mà del Rei'' (The King's Hand). A renewed attempt at a Catalan translation was restarted in 2011, continuing through all five novels. Joc de trons lacks the two original maps of Westeros, which don't appear until Xoc de reis. In the following books the maps aren't drawn in the new style we see in A Storm of Swords. All maps are translated.
|-
| Chinese (Simplified)|| 2005 || 重庆出版社 || 谭光磊 (Books 1 - 2) 屈畅 (Books 1 - 5) 胡绍晏 (Books 2-4) 赵琳 (Book 5)|| 权力的游戏 (Game of Power); 列王的纷争 (Quarrel between Kings); 冰雨的风暴 (Storm of Hail and Rain); 群鸦的盛宴 (Feast for Crows); 魔龙的狂舞 (Dance of Dragons);|| The third book is split into three volumes, while the fourth is split into two.
|-
| Chinese (Traditional) || 2001 || 高寶出版社 || 譚光磊 (Book 1&2)、王欣欣 (Book 2)、微光 (Book 3)、蔣鏡明 (Book 3)、廖素珊 (Book 4)、陳岳辰 (Book 5) || 《權力遊戲》《烽火危城》《劍刃風暴》《群鴉盛宴》《與龍共舞》 || The translation history of the Traditional Chinese version has seen two phases. The previous translation project ended in August 2006, with the publication of Book 4. Starting in 2011, the series either underwent editing or were altogether retranslated. Translators of the previous version: 譚光磊 (Book 1&2)、王欣欣 (Book 2)、鄭永生 (Book 3)、林以舜 (Book 3)、張倩茜 (Book 3)、楊立強 (Book 4) 
|-
| Croatian || 2003 || Algoritam || Tajana Pavičević || ''Igra prijestolja, Sraz kraljeva, Oluja mačeva, Gozba vrana, Ples zmajeva'' || The Croatian translation splits the fifth book in half, called Part 1 and Part 2, respectively. The appendix is added to the end of both of the books.
|-
| Czech || 2000 || Talpress || Hana Březáková || ''Hra o trůny'' (Game of Thrones); ''Střet králů'' (Clash of Kings); ''Bouře mečů'' (Storm of Swords); ''Hostina pro vrány'' (Feast for Crows) || The Czech translation originally split all books in halves, called 1 and 2, respectively. However, the 2011 edition of ''A Game of Thrones'' and ''A Clash of Kings'' have been released as single volumes.
|-
| Danish || 2011 || Gyldendal || Poul Bratbjerg Hansen Anders Juel Michelsen|| Kampen om tronen (The fight for the Throne), November 2011 Kongernes Kamp (The Battle of Kings), June 2012 En Storm af Sværd (A Storm of Swords), Nov/Dec 2012 Kragernes rige (Realm of the Crows), 2013 En dans med drager (A Dance with Dragons), 2013||
|-
| Dutch || 1997 || Luitingh-Sijthoff || Renée Vink || Het spel der tronen (The Game of the Thrones) De strijd der koningen (The Battle of the Kings) Een storm van zwaarden (A Storm of Swords) Een feestmaal voor kraaien (A Feast for Crows) Een dans met draken, Deel een: Oude vetes, nieuwe strijd (A Dance with Dragons, part one: Old feuds, new battle) Een dans met draken, Deel twee: Zwaarden tegen draken (A Dance with Dragons, part two: Swords against Dragons)|| The Dutch translation splits the third and fifth book into two parts, entitled Een storm van zwaarden Deel 1 and Deel 2 and Een dans met draken Deel 1 and Deel 2 respectively.
|-
| Estonian || 2006 || [[w:Varrak|Varrak]] || Mario Kivistik || ''Troonide mäng, esimene raamat'', ''Troonide mäng, teine raamat'', ''Kuningate heitlus, esimene raamat'', ''Kuningate heitlus, teine raamat'', ''Mõõkade maru, esimene osa: Teras ja lumi'', ''Mõõkade maru, teine osa: Veri ja kuld'', ''Vareste pidusöök, esimene raamat''|| All books published so far in this translation are split into two volumes with one new volume published each year.
|-
| Finnish || 2009 || Kirjava || Satu Hlinovsky || Tulen ja jään laulu: Valtaistuinpeli (A Game of Thrones) Kuninkaiden koitos (A Clash of Kings) Miekkamyrsky 1 & 2 (A Storm of Swords, parts 1 & 2) Korppien kestit (A Feast for Crows) Lohikäärmetanssi 1 & 2 (A Dance with Dragons, parts 1 & 2) Talven tuulet (The Winds of Winter) Osa 7: Unelma keväästä (A Dream of Spring) || The Finnish translation has cut the third and fifth book for two volumes. There are also illustrated versions of the first two books, with images by [[w:Petri Hiltunen|Petri Hiltunen]].
|-
| French || 1998 || Pygmalion (Hardcover)J'ai lu (Paperback) || Jean Sola (books 1–4)Patrick Marcel (book 5)<ref>Beiramar,Emmanuel [http://www.fantasy.fr/articles/view/17236/le-trone-de-fer-le-nom-du-nouveau-traducteur Le Trône de Fer : Le nom du nouveau traducteur,]accessed 10 July 2011, Fantasy.fr4 July 2011</ref> || ''Le Trône de fer, Le Donjon rouge, La Bataille des rois, L’Ombre maléfique, L’Invincible Forteresse, Les Brigands'' (hardcover) / ''Intrigues à Port-Réal'' (paperback), ''L’Épée de feu, Les Noces pourpres, La Loi du régicide, Le Chaos, Les Sables de Dorne, Un festin pour les corbeaux, Le bûcher d'un roi, Les dragons de Meereen, Une danse avec les dragons'' || The French translation splits the original books into two to four books each. Since 2008, they have been republished in a format that matches the structure of the original English versions.
|-
| Georgian || 2013 || Arete || || სატახტოთა თამაში (A Game of Thrones)|| Split into two books
|-
| German || 1997 || blanvalet (Paperback)[[w:FanPro|FanPro]] (Hardcover) || Jörn Ingwersen || Paperback edition (since 1997): ''Die Herren von Winterfell'' (The Lords of Winterfell), ''Das Erbe von Winterfell'' (The Legacy of Winterfell), ''Der Thron der Sieben Königreiche'' (The Throne of the Seven Kingdoms), ''Die Saat des goldenen Löwen'' (The Seed of the Golden Lion), ''Sturm der Schwerter'' (Storm of Swords), ''Die Königin der Drachen'' (Queen of the Dragons), ''Zeit der Krähen'' (Time of Crows), ''Die dunkle Königin'' (The Dark Queen)'' Hardcover edition (since 2004): ''Eisenthron'' (Iron Throne) ''Königsfehde'' (King-Feud) ''Schwertgewitter'' (Swordstorm) ''Krähenfest'' (Crowfeast) || Blanvalet's paperback edition splits each of the original books into halves. A limited hardcover edition retaining the books' original format and with a slightly modified translation has been published by FanPro since 2004.
|-
| Greek || 2011 || Anubis || Multiple || Παιχνίδι του Στέμματος (Game of the Crown), Σύγκρουση Βασιλέων (Clash of Kings), Θύελλα από Ατσάλι (Storm of Steel), Βορά Ορνίων (Pray of Vultures), Ο Χορός των Δράκων (The Dance of Dragons) ||
|-
| Hebrew || 1999 || Opus || Idit Sorer (1), Yael Sela-Shapiro (2,4), Dudu Hanoch (3), and Tzafrir Grossman (5).||
משחקי הכס (Games of the Throne), עימות המלכים (Confrontation of Kings), סופת החרבות (The Storm of Swords), משתה לעורבים (Feast for Crows), (Dance with Dragons) ריקוד עם דרקונים || Except for the first book, each of the translations was split into two. ||
|-
| Hungarian || 2003 || Alexandra Könyvkiadó || Tamás Pétersz (books 1–4) and Gábor Novák (book 5) || "Trónok harca" (Game of Thrones); "Királyok csatája" (Clash of Kings); "Kardok vihara” (Storm of Swords); "Varjak lakomája" (Feast for Crows); "Sárkányok tánca" (Dance with Dragons) || The Hungarian editions were first published in hardcover. Later on, paperback editions were released. ''Dance with Dragons'' was released in the autumn of 2011. The Hungarian editions are not split into multiple volumes.
|-
| Icelandic || 2012 || Ugla || Elín Guðmundsdóttir || Krúnuleikar Konungur Kljást Sverðagnýr 1: Stál og snjór Sverðagnýr 2: Blóð og gull||
|-
| Irish (Gaelic) || 2016 || Leabhar Breac || Oisín Ó Muirthile || Cluiche Na Corónach|| Paperback
|-
| Italian || 1999 || [[w:Mondadori|Mondadori]] || Sergio Altieri || Original edition: ''Il trono di spade, Il grande inverno, Il regno dei lupi, La regina dei draghi, Tempesta di spade, I fiumi della guerra, Il portale delle tenebre, Il dominio della regina, L'ombra della profezia'', ''I guerrieri del ghiaccio'', ''I fuochi di Valyria, La danza dei draghi''''Urania'' edition: ''Il gioco del trono, Lo scontro dei re, Tempesta di spade – Parte Prima, Tempesta di spade – Parte Seconda, Il banchetto dei corvi'' || The Italian translation splits the original books into two to three books each. Since 2007, these have been republished in a format that matches the structure of the originals (with ''A Storm of Swords'' split into two volumes) as part of the collection ''Urania – Le grandi saghe fantasy''.
|-
| Japanese || 2002 || Hayakawa (早川) || Hiroyuki Okabe (books 1–3) Akinobu Sakai (book 4-5)|| "七王国の玉座" (The Seven Kingdoms' Throne); "王狼たちの戦旗" (The Wolf-King's War Banner); "剣嵐の大地” (The Vast Land of the Sword-Storm); "乱鴉の饗宴" (The Crows' Feast) A Dance with Dragons (竜との舞踏 Ryū tono Butō|| The Japanese editions were first published in hardcover then in paperback. ''A Storm of Swords'' and ''A Dance with Dragons'' were published in three volumes. Other books were published in two volumes.
|-
| Korean || 2000 || Eun Haeng Namu Publishing Co. (도서출판 은행나무) || || "왕좌의 게임" (Game of Thrones); "왕들의 전쟁" (War of Kings); "성검의 폭풍” (Storm of Holy Swords); "까마귀의 향연" (Feast for Crows)||
|-
| Latvian || 2011 || Whitebook || Sabīne Ozola (only Book 1) Allens Pempers Ingus Josts || Troņu spēle (Game of Thrones); Karaļu cīņa (Battle of Kings); Zobenu vētra (Storm of Swords); Vārnu dzīres (Feast of Crows); Deja ar pūķiem (A Dance with Dragons) || Both Storm of Swords and Feast of Crows were split into two volumes.
|-
| Lithuanian || 2012 || Alma littera || Rasa Tapinienė (Book 1) Leonas Judelevičius (Book 2) Jovita Liutkutė (Books 3-4) || Sostų žaidimas (Game of Thrones), 2012; Karalių kova (Battle of Kings), 2013; Kardų audra (Storm of Swords), 2014; Varnų puota (Feast of Crows), 2014 Šokis su drakonais (A Dance with Dragons), 2015 || A Dance with Dragons was split into two parts, the first titled Dreams and Dust
|-
| Macedonian || 2014 || Tопер || Dимче Николовски / Анета Василевска || Игра на тронови (прв дел) - Game of Thrones(Part one) ||
|-
| Mongolian || || || || || An official Mongolian translation is known to exist.
|-
| Norwegian || 2011 || Vendetta forlag || Kjeld Hendrik Helland-Hansen and Thomas Ingebrigtsen Lem || "I vargens tid, Kampen om Jerntronen" (In the Time of the Wolf, The Fight for the Iron Throne) || The Norwegian translation splits ''A Game of Thrones'' into two volumes.
|-
| Polish || 1998 || Zysk i S-ka || Paweł Kruk (1st vol.), Michał Jakuszewski (2nd-5th vol., revision of 2nd ed. of 1st vol.) || ''Gra o tron'' (A Game for a Throne)''Starcie królów'' (A Clash of Kings)''Nawałnica mieczy: Stal i śnieg'' (A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow)''Nawałnica mieczy: Krew i złoto'' (A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold)''Uczta dla wron: Cienie śmierci'' (A Feast for Crows: Shadows of Death)''Uczta dla wron: Sieć spisków'' (A Feast for Crows: Network of Intrigues)''Taniec ze smokami: część I''(A Dance with Dragons: Part 1)''Taniec ze smokami: część II'' (A Dance with Dragons: Part 2)|| The Polish translation splits ''A Storm of Swords'', ''A Feast for Crows'', and ''A Dance with Dragons'' into two books each.
|-
| [[w:Brazilian Portuguese|Portuguese (Brazilian)]] || 2010 || [[w:Leya|Leya]] || Jorge Candeias Marcia Blasques (A Dança dos Dragões) || ''A Guerra dos Tronos'' (The War of the Thrones), ''A Fúria dos Reis'' (The Fury of the Kings), ''A Tormenta de Espadas'' (The Storm of Swords), ''O Festim dos Corvos'' (The Crows Feast), ''A Dança dos Dragões'' (The Dance of Dragons)||The first 2 books (A Guerra dos Tronos and A Fúria dos Reis) in Brazilian Portuguese were released a few months before the HBO series, all in one-volume books. After the release of the translated version of ''A Dance with Dragons'', it was noted that it lacked one chapter, The Windblown, in the first print. A second print was made, adding the missing chapter
|-
| [[w:European Portuguese|Portuguese (European)]] || 2007 || Saída de Emergência || Jorge Candeias || ''A Guerra dos Tronos, A Muralha de Gelo, A Fúria dos Reis, O Despertar da Magia, A Tormenta de Espadas, A Glória dos Traidores, O Festim de Corvos, O Mar de Ferro, A Dança dos Dragões, Os Reinos do Caos'' || The European Portuguese translation splits the original books into halves. The European Portuguese Editions also gave the book new titles, as the first book being divided in "Game Of Thrones" and "The Ice Wall", the 2nd "A Clash of Kings" and "The Magic Awakening", the 3rd "A Storm Of Swords" and "The Betrayer's Glory", the 4th "A Feast for Crows" and "The Iron Sea", the 5th "A Dance of Dragons" and "The Kingdon of Chaos".
|-
| Romanian || 2007 || Nemira || Silviu Genescu (book 1) Laura Bocancios (books 2, 3) Laura Bocancios, Silviu Genescu (book 4) Laura Bocancios, Ana Veronica-Mircea, Mihai Dan Pavelescu, Silviu Genescu (book 5) || ''Cântec de gheaţă şi foc, Urzeala tronurilor, Încleştarea regilor, Iureşul săbiilor, Festinul ciorilor'', ''Dansul dragonilor'' ||
|-
| Russian|| 1999 || AST || Yury Sokolov (book 1) Natalya Vilenskaya (books 2-4) || ''Игра престолов'' (Game of Thrones) ''Битва королей'' (Battle of Kings) ''Буря мечей'' (Storm of Swords) ''Пир стервятников'' (Feast of Carrion-Eaters) ''Танец с драконами'' (Dance with Dragons)|| Some editions split every book into 2 volumes, others do not. The fifth book is split into two, called Танец с драконами. Грёзы и пыль (Dance with Dragons. Dreams and Dust) and Танец с драконами. Искры над пеплом (Dance with Dragons. Sparks over the Ashes) respectively.
|-
| Serbian || 2003 || Лагуна || Nikola Pajvančić / Никола Пајванчић || ''Игра престола/Igra prestola'' (A Game of Thrones) ''Судар краљева/Sudar kraljeva'' (A Clash of Kings) ''Олуја мачева - Део први: Челик и снег/Oluja mačeva'' - Deo prvi: Čelik i sneg (A Storm of Stones - Part I: Steel and Snow) ''Олуја мачева - Део други: Крв и злато/Oluja mačeva'' - Deo drugi: Krv i zlato (A Storm of Stones - Part II: Blood and Gold) ''Гозба за вране - Део први/Gozba za vrane'' - Deo prvi (A Feast for Crows - Part I) ''Гозба за вране - Део други/Gozba za vrane'' - Deo drugi (A Feast for Crows - Part II) ''Плес са змајевима - Део први: Снови и прах/Ples sa zmajevima'' - Deo prvi: Snovi i prah (A Dance with Dragons - Part I: Dreams and Dust) ''Плес са змајевима - Део други: После гозбе/Ples sa zmajevima'' - Deo drugi: Posle gozbe (A Dance with Dragons - Part II: After the feast)||Third, fourth and fifth book are all split into two parts.
|-
| Sinhalese || 2019 || Ashirwada Prakashakayo || Sewwandi Rukmaldeniya || සිහසුන් සටන - Sihasun Satana - A Game of Thrones || Sinhalese is the majority language in Sri Lanka.
|-
| Slovak || 2014 || Tatran || Lucia Halová, Aňa Ostrihoňová || ''Hra o tróny'' (Game of Thrones); ''Súboj kráľov'' (Clash of Kings) || The first two books were released in hardcover. The other ones should be translated in 2015.
|-
| Slovene || 2007 || Mladinska Knjiga || Boštjan Gorenc || ''Igra prestolov, Spopad kraljev, Vihra mečev, Vranja gostija, Ples zmajev''||
|-
| Spanish || 2002 || Ediciones Gigamesh || Cristina Macía || ''Juego de tronos'' (Game of Thrones) ''Choque de reyes'' (Clash of Kings) ''Tormenta de espadas'' (Storm of Swords) ''Festín de cuervos'' (Feast of Crows) ''Danza de dragones'' (Dance of Dragons)||
|-
| Swedish || 1997 || Forum bokförlag || Louise Thulin || I vargens tid (In the wolf's time) Kampen om järntronen (The fight for the Iron Throne) Kungarnas krig (War of the Kings) Svärdets makt (The Power Of the Sword) ''Kråkornas fest'' (The Crows' Feast)) ''Drakarnas Dans (The Dragons' Dance)''|| The original release split the first book into two volumes. It was later released as one volume with the name ''Kampen om järntronen''.
|-
| Thai || 1996 || || || ''มหาศึกชิงบัลลังก์'' Series: A Song of Ice and Fire ''เกมล่าบัลลงก์'' (Games of the Throne) ''ราชันประจัญพล'' (The Clash of the Kings) ''ผจญพายุดาบ'' (The Storm of the Swords) ''กาดำสำราญเลือด'' (The Feast for Crows) ''มังกรร่อนระบำ'' (The Dance of Dragons) ||
|-
| Turkish || 2005 ||nArka Bahçe Yayıncılık (2005) Epsilon Yayınevi (2012) || Nazım Akman (2005) Sibel Alaş (2012)|| ''Buz ve Ateşin Şarkısı'' I: Taht Oyunları (Games of the Throne) ''Buz ve Ateşin Şarkısı'' II: Kralların Çarpışması (The Clash of the Kings) ''Buz ve Ateşin Şarkısı'' III: Kılıçların Fırtınası (The Storm of the Swords) ''Buz ve Ateşin Şarkısı'' IV: Kargaların Ziyafeti (The Feast for Crows) ''Buz ve Ateşin Şarkısı'' V: Ejderhaların Dansı (The Dance of Dragons)|| The Turkish translations split into two books except for the first novel
|-
| Ukrainian || 2013 || Країна мрій || Natalia Tysovska (2013) || Game of Thrones - ''Гра Престолів'' (2013) Clash of Kings - ''Битва Королів'' (2014) Storm of Swords - ''Буря Мечів'' (2015) Feast of Crows - ''Бенкет Стерв'ятників'' (not released yet) Dance with Dragons - ''Танець з Драконами'' (not released yet) ||
|-
| Vietnamese || 2012 || Văn học || Hà Ly (2012) Cẩm Chi (2013) || ''Trò chơi vương quyền'' 1A: Sói tuyết thành Winterfell (2012) (lit. Dire wolves of Winterfell) ''Trò chơi vương quyền'' 1B: Vua phương Bắc (2012) (lit. King of the North) ''Trò chơi vương quyền'' 2A: Hậu duệ của sư tử vàng (2012) (lit. Descendants of Golden Lion) ''Trò chơi vương quyền'' 2B: Bảy phụ quốc (2012) (lit. Seven Kingdoms) ''Trò chơi vương quyền'' 3A: Sự trở lại của ngoại nhân (2013) (lit. Comeback of the Others) ''Trò chơi vương quyền'' 3B (not released yet) ''Trò chơi vương quyền'' 3C (not released yet) ''Trò chơi vương quyền'' 4A (not released yet) ''Trò chơi vương quyền'' 4B (not released yet) ''Trò chơi vương quyền'' 5A (not released yet) ''Trò chơi vương quyền'' 5B (not released yet)|| All books published so far are split into two books each. (except third novels)
|}

==Languages not yet translated==
Major languages which do not yet have translations as of 2019 include but are not limited to:
*Languages of the Indian subcontinent: Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Nepali, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, etc. The only exception is Sinhalese, the majority language in Sri Lanka, which only recently received a translation in 2019. [[George R.R. Martin]] himself said in 2017 that "Hindi is probably the biggest language that ''Ice & Fire'' has not yet appeared in."<ref>[https://grrm.livejournal.com/516673.html?thread=25640513#t25640513 Not A Blog], GRRM, January 2017</ref>
*Languages of Southeast Asia: Indonesian & Malay, Filipino, Khmer/Cambodian (there are translations in Thai and Vietnamese)
*Languages of Central Asia: Persian (Farsi), Pashto, Kazakh, etc. (there is a Mongolian translation)
*Several local, sub-national, or classical languages: Afrikaans, Armenian, Basque, Belarusian, Swahili, etc.; Frisian, Galician, Occitan, Scots, Welsh, etc.; Ancient Greek or Classical Latin (there are translations in Catalan and Irish Gaelic, as well as distinct translations in European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese). Martin apparently considers the different editions for American English, British English, and Australian English to technically be different "translations", because they have different editors (including them as three distinct entries is the only way to reach his count of "47 translations").

==Prequel books==

The ''Tales of Dunk & Egg'' was the first prequel setting that George R.R. Martin wrote material for, beginning with the first novella in 1998, followed by a second in 2003 and a third in 2010. While only three novellas are currently finished, Martin intends for the series to eventually consist of twelve in all. The three currently published novellas were gathered together into a single hardcover collection, ''[[A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms]]'', published in 2015.

Martin later developed an in-universe history book in collaboration with Elio & Linda of Westeros.org, published as ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' in 2014. Each chapter in the book gives a broad overview for entire prequel eras.

Martin was asked to personally write several "sidebars" for ''The World of Ice & Fire'' on the history of the Targaryen dynasty, but he expanded it as he wrote it, until it no longer fit within the confines of the ''World'' book - written as in-universe excerpts from a different historian's writings. Ultimately only the first one was released in full with the ''World'' book, the chapter on Aegon the Conqueror. Samples of the other finished novellas, however, were released over the next few years: ''The Princess & The Queen'', about half of the content on the Targaryen Civil War known as the Dance of the Dragons, was released in 2013 (actually a year before the ''World'' book went to print). This was followed in 2014 with ''The Rogue Prince'' - released out of order, as it was actually the chapter immediately ''before'' the one on the Dance, explaining how the rival factions formed. Then in 2017 ''The Sons of the Dragon'' was released, about the Faith Militant uprising era. All of these sample novellas, as well as the unpublished ones, were gathered together, revised and expanded, and released as the massive hardcover book ''Fire & Blood'' - intended to be part one of a two part series, covering the first half of the 300 year reign of the Targaryens.

Thus as of 2018, there are three prequel "hardcover books" which fans can read on their own without needing to hunt down novellas in anthologies with other authors. Not all of them have yet been translated into as many languages as the main ''A Song of Ice & Fire'' novels - particularly because the last main sequence novel was the fifth book released in 2011, while the prequel hardcover collections were published later in 2014, 2015, and 2018.

This listing is therefore provisional and needs expansion:

*'''Catalan''' - ''Fire & Blood''
*'''Chinese (Traditional)''' - translations exist for ''The World of Ice & Fire'' and ''Fire & Blood''.
*'''German''' - ''A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms'', ''The World of Ice & Fire'', and ''Fire & Blood''.
*'''Hungarian''' - ''A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms'', ''The World of Ice & Fire'', and ''Fire & Blood''.
*'''Norwegian''' - ''Fire & Blood''
*'''Polish''' - all 3 prequel books were translated by Michał Jakuszewski: "The World of Ice and Fire" as "Świat Lodu i Ognia: Nieznana historia Westeros oraz Gry o tron" (publisher: Czwarta Strona; 2014); "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" as "Rycerz Siedmiu Królestw" (publisher: Zysk i S-ka Wydawnictwo; 2014, illustrated edition 2017); due to its length ''Fire & Blood'' was split into two volumes - "Fire and Blood vol. I" as "Ogień i Krew część I" (volume I, 2018, publisher: Zysk i S-ka Wydawnictwo) and "Ogień i Krew część II" (volume II, 2019, publisher: Zysk i S-ka Wydawnictwo).
*'''Portuguese (Brazilian)''' - ''The World of Ice & Fire''

==References==
{{References}}
{{EnWP|Translations of A Song of Ice and Fire|small=yes}}

[[Category:Products]]

Meereenese knot

2026-09-21T13:54:04Z

Nittanian:

The '''Meereenese knot''' refers to the plotline in [[Meereen]] in ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' which [[George R. R. Martin]] took some time to sort out, as several of the storylines and characters converge in Meereen. Martin attributed the delay mainly to his untangling "the Meereenese knot", which the interviewer understood as "making the chronology and characters mesh up as various threads converged on [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]]".<ref>TIME.com: [https://entertainment.time.com/2011/07/12/the-problems-of-power-george-r-r-martins-a-dance-with-dragons/ The Problems of Power: George R.R. Martin's A Dance With Dragons] (July 12, 2011)</ref>

According to Martin,
{{Quote|Now I can explain things. It was a confluence of many, many factors: lets start with the offer from [[Xaro Xhoan Daxos|Xaro]] to give [[Daenerys Targaryen|Dany]] ships, the refusal of which then leads to Qarth's declaration of war. Then there's [[Hizdahr zo Loraq|the marriage]] of Daenerys to pacify the city. Then there's the arrival of the [[Yunkish]] army at the gates of Meereen, there's the order of arrival of various people going her way ([[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]], [[Quentyn Martell|Quentyn]], [[Victarion Greyjoy|Victarion]], [[Young Griff|Aegon]], [[Marwyn]], etc.), and then there's [[Daario Naharis|Daario]], this dangerous sellsword and the question of whether Dany really wants him or not, there's [[pale mare|the plague]], there's [[Drogon]]'s return to Meereen... 
All of these things were balls I had thrown up into the air, and they're all linked and chronologically entwined. The [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 52|return of Drogon to the city]] was something I explored as happening at different times. For example, I wrote three different versions of [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 43|Quentyn's arrival at Meereen]]: one where he arrived long before Dany's marriage, one where he arrived much later, and one where he arrived just the day before the marriage (which is how it ended up being in the novel). And I had to write all three versions to be able to compare and see how these different arrival points affected the stories of the other characters. Including the story of a character who actually hasn't arrived yet.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Month/2012/07/ Asshai.com Interview in Barcelona] (July 28, 2012)</ref>}}

==''Game of Thrones''==
Kayla, a prostitute working in the brothel owned by [[Petyr Baelish]] in [[King's Landing]], can perform a sexual position called the "Meereenese knot".

==References==
{{References}}

[[Category:Meereen]]
[[Category:Terms]]

Meereen

2026-09-21T13:52:54Z

Nittanian: Meereenese knot

{{Infobox settlement
| name = Meereen
| image = [[File:Meereen city.png|400px]]
| image_caption = [[Daenerys Targaryen]] in Meereen, by lvlorf3us ©
| location = [[Slaver's Bay]], [[Essos]]
| settlement_type = [[Ghiscari]] city
| seat = [[King of Meereen|Absolute monarchy]] [[Great Masters]] (formerly)
| seat_type =
| religion = gods of Ghis
| population =
| founder = survivors of [[Old Ghis]]
| founded = thousands of years ago
| named_for =
| places = [[Great Pyramid]], [[Temple of the Graces]], [[Daznak's Pit]], [[Purple Lotus]]
| organizations = [[Great Masters]], [[Graces]], [[shavepates]], [[Sons of the Harpy]]
}}
{{Location map|Slavers Bay |long=129 |lat=57 |label=Meereen | caption = [[Slaver's Bay]] and the location of Meereen (red){{ref|ASOS|57}}}}
'''Meereen''' is the northernmost and the largest of the three great [[Slaver Cities]] of [[Slaver's Bay]]. It is ruled by the [[Great Masters]], the heads of Meereen's slaving families. Meereen is a rival of [[Astapor]] and [[Yunkai]], but the cities are not enemies.{{ref|ASOS|23}}

Like the other Slaver Cities, Meereen's emblem is the [[harpies|harpy]].{{Ref|ASOS|57}}

==City==
===Location===
Meereen, the northernmost of the [[slaver cities]] of [[Slaver's Bay]], is located on the northeast coast at the mouth of the [[Skahazadhan]].<ref>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[Map of Valyria (A Dance with Dragons)|Map of Valyria]]</ref> The [[Dothraki sea]] lies to the north, beyond the river. To reach [[Lhazar]] from Meereen one must pass through the [[Khyzai Pass]].{{Ref|ADWD|2}} By the old Ghiscari coastal road, [[Yunkai]] is somewhat more than fifty leagues to the south, and Astapor another hundred more; in total, the distance between Meereen and [[Astapor]] is between a hundred-and-fifty and two hundred leagues.{{Ref|ADWD|25}}{{Ref|ADWD|30}}<ref group="N">According to Quentyn Martell, "It was a hundred leagues from Astapor to Yunkai by the old Ghiscari coast road, and another fifty from Yunkai to Meereen." (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 25|The Windblown]]). According to Daenerys Targaryen, however, "two hundred leagues divided Meereen from Astapor" (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 30|Daenerys V]]), giving a count of fifty leagues more. There are at least a hundred and sixty-three miles between Yunkai and Meereen (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 57|Daenerys VII]]), which results in ~54 leagues (one league being three miles ([[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/2787 The Size of Westeros (April 17, 2008)])).</ref>

Meereen’s hinterlands consist of all the land west of Lhazar, which includes hills and a range of rounded sandstone mountains,{{Ref|ADWD|2}} as far south as the Yunkish hills.{{Ref|ADWD|16}}

===Layout===
{{See also|:Category:Images of Meereen|l1=Images of Meereen}}
[[File:Tom Garden Plaza of Pride IIIII.png|thumb|350px|The city of Meereen, by Tom Garden © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Meereen is the largest{{Ref|ASOS|57}} and most formidable of the cities along [[Slaver's Bay]],{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}} being as large as [[Astapor]] and [[Yunkai]] combined. Like them, the city is made of brick, but unlike Astapor and Yunkai, Meereen's bricks are of many different colors.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} Within the city there are narrow twisty alleys and wide brick streets, temples, granaries, hovels, palaces, brothels, baths, gardens, fountains, and fighting pits.{{Ref|ASOS|71}}

====Defenses====
Meereen's walls are higher than Yunkai's and Astapor's,{{Ref|ASOS|57}}{{Ref|ADWD|30}} thicker than Astapor's{{Ref|ADWD|30}} and better maintained than Yunkai's{{Ref|ASOS|57}}, studded with bastions and anchored by great defensive towers at every angle.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} The city's north wall runs along the bank of the [[Skahazadhan]], its west along the bay shore.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} The river wall is a few feet higher than the others.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} Upon the walls, rows of [[bronze]] harpy heads with open mouths are positioned, from which the Meereenese can squirt boiling oil out upon any attacker below.{{Ref|ASOS|57}}

The city's wastes are carried into the Skahazadhan by great brick sewers. These sewers are closed off with iron gates, although some have rusted through.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} The Meereenese do not drink the water from the river, drinking instead water gathered from wells.{{ref|ASOS|57}}

====Pyramids====
The nobility of Meereen lives in the stepped [[pyramid]]s. The greatest of them all is the [[Great Pyramid]], located on Meereen's central [[plaza]],{{Ref|ADWD|68}} which stands eight hundred feet tall.{{ref|ASOS|57}} There are a score of lesser pyramids in the city, but none stand even half as high.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} The Great Pyramid has a great bronze harpy on top of its apex.{{Ref|ASOS|57}}{{ref|ASOS|71}}

The pyramids are built in the colors of the noble house occupying them: the [[pyramid of Pahl]] is pink-and-white, the [[pyramid of Naqqan]] is green-and-black,{{Ref|ADWD|52}} and the great [[pyramid of Rhazdar]] is yellow-and-green.{{Ref|ADWD|60}} The [[pyramid of Kandaq]] is said to be modest.{{Ref|ADWD|55}} Poorer districts are located between the pyramids.{{ref|ADWD|2}}

====Fighting pits====
Meereen has multiple [[fighting pits of Meereen|fighting pits]] scattered across the city.{{Ref|ADWD|52}} These include [[Daznak's Pit]], the [[Pit of Ghrazz]], and the [[Golden Pit]].{{Ref|ADWD|70}} Daznak's Pit, the largest of all,{{Ref|ADWD|52}} is located west from the Great Pyramid.{{Ref|ADWD|52}}

====Markets====
Meereen has several markets,{{Ref|ADWD|55}} including a spice market where the [[Purple Lotus]] is located, near the pyramid of Rhazdar.{{Ref|ADWD|60}}

{{Warning/twow}}
A market square inside the great western gate houses Meereen's ancient Slave Exchange, the merchant's arcade that fronts on the southern side of the square, and the weathered bronze statue of the [[Chainmaker]]. Not far from the statue is the ghastly monument the Great Masters call the [[Spire of Skulls]].<ref name="Barristan">''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Barristan I (The Winds of Winter)|Barristan I]]</ref>

====Other locations====
The [[Temple of the Graces]], home to the priestesses of the city, is located west of the Great Pyramid. It is a huge structure topped with golden domes.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}

A great bronze harpy can be found in the [[Plaza of Purification]].{{Ref|ADWD|2}}

Another location in Meereen is [[Mazdhan's Maze]].{{ref|ADWD|11}}

===Nature===
Olives grow along the shores of [[Slaver's Bay]].{{ref|ADWD|16}} Tall [[cedar]]s once grew along the coast, but were either cut down the [[Old Empire of Ghis]] or burned by [[dragonfire]] during the wars against the [[Valyrian Freehold]].{{Ref|ADWD|16}} On the terraces of Meereen's pyramids grow night-blooming flowers, [[lemon]] trees, and persimmon trees.{{Ref|ASOS|71}}{{Ref|ADWD|50}}

Multiple farmer's fields and wells can be found near the city. Numerous plants, including [[waspwillow]], dusky [[rose]]s, wild mint, lady's lace, [[daggerleaf]], broom, [[prickly ben]], and [[harpy's gold]] can be found beside the coastal road leading from Yunkai to Meereen.{{Ref|ASOS|57}}

===People===
Meereen's population is a fraction of what it was at the height of the power of the [[Old Empire of Ghis]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}} The Meereenese are a sly and stubborn people, and [[Meereenese language|their language]] is a bastard form of [[High Valyrian]] blended with [[Old Ghiscari]].{{Ref|ADWD|2}}{{Ref|ADWD|14}}{{Ref|ADWD|60}} They use the styles of "Your Worship",{{Ref|ASOS|71}}{{Ref|ADWD|11}}{{Ref|ADWD|16}} "Magnificence",{{Ref|ADWD|16}} and "His Radiance"{{Ref|ADWD|55}} to address their royalty.

====Nobility====
[[File:Martina PilcerovadaMeereenPyramids.jpg|thumb|350px|Pyramids of Meereen, by Martina Pilcerova © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Meereen is ruled by the [[Great Masters]], members of the old slaving families{{ref|ASOS|57}}{{Ref|ASOS|71}} who reside in formidable pyramids.{{ref|ADWD|23}} These families include the Houses of [[House of Dhazak|Dhazak]], [[House of Galare|Galare]], [[House of Ghazeen|Ghazeen]], [[House of Hazkar|Hazkar]], [[House of Kandaq|Kandaq]], [[House of Loraq|Loraq]], [[House of Merreq|Merreq]], [[House of Naqqan|Naqqan]], [[House of Pahl|Pahl]], [[House of Quazzar|Quazzar]], [[House of Reznak|Reznak]], [[House of Rhazdar|Rhazdar]], [[House of Uhlez|Uhlez]], [[House of Yherizan|Yherizan]], and [[House of Zhak|Zhak]].{{Ref|ADWD|2}}{{Ref|ADWD|36}}{{Ref|ADWD|52}}{{ref|ADWD|67}} The richest man of Meereen is from the House of Pahl, and another Pahl commands Meereen's city guard.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} Some nobles, like Zhak and Merreq, have estates in the hills.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}

Meereenese nobility wear the Ghiscari ''[[tokar]]'', a sign of wealth and power.{{Ref|ADWD|2}} Some old lines might prefer ''tokars'' of a specific color. For example, family members of the ancient line of Loraq favor ''tokars'' of purple, indigo, and lilac, and family members of the ancient line of [[House of Pahl|Pahl]] ''tokars'' of pink and white, the latter similar to the color of their pyramid.{{Ref|ADWD|52}} Women might [[Cosmetics|paint their nails]],{{Ref|ADWD|52}} while the men, like other Ghiscari men, tease their hair into horns, spikes, and wings using combs, [[wax]] and [[iron]]s.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}{{ref|ADWD|43}} Meereenese seldom ride within the city, preferring to use [[palanquin]]s, litters, and sedan chairs instead, carried by their slaves.{{ref|ADWD|43}} Ghiscari inter their honored dead in crypts below their manses.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} The bones of the deceased might otherwise be laid to rest in the Temple of the Graces, where men might light candles in their memory.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}

====Graces====
The priestesses of Meereen are known as [[Graces]]. The color of their robes indicates role they fulfill. There are green, white, pink, red, blue, gold, and purple graces.{{Ref|ADWD|43}} [[White Graces]] are girls of noble birth who are still too young to serve in the temple's pleasure gardens.{{Ref|ADWD|23}} The [[Red Graces]] serve in the gardens, where they wait every night until a man chooses them; should they not be chosen, they must remain until the sun comes up.{{Ref|ADWD|68}} The [[Blue Graces]] take care of the sick.{{Ref|ADWD|30}}{{Ref|ADWD|55}}

===Customs===
The Ghiscari love a course of [[dog]], and have multiple different ways to prepare it.{{ref|ADWD|36}}{{Ref|ADWD|50}}

====Fighting pits====
[[File:Meereenese Fighting Pit IL.png|thumb|350px|[[Fighting pits of Meereen]], by Ignacio Lazcano © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Combat which is profoundly religious in nature takes place in the [[fighting pits of Meereen]]. They are seen as a blood sacrifice to the gods of Ghis, as well as a display of courage, skill, and strength most pleasing to the gods. Victorious fighters are pampered and acclaimed, and the slain are honored and remembered, their names graven on the Gates of Fate amongst the other valiant fallen.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}{{Ref|ADWD|11}} Additionally, criminals can be condemned to die in the pits.{{Ref|ADWD|52}} For them, the pits represent a [[trial by battle|judgment by battle]], which gives them a last chance to prove their innocence.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}

Within the fighting pits, contests are held between men, women, children, and wild animals. These are alternated by follies. All animals killed during the contests and follies in the pits are made into a healthful stew for the hungry, and a bowl is given to every man who presents himself at the Gates of Fate.{{Ref|ADWD|52}}

====Weddings====
[[Ghiscari]] wedding [[custom]]s are still practiced in Meereen. The female relatives of the groom examine the bride's womb and female parts, to ensure her fertility. Three [[Graces]] witness this ancient ritual, reciting prayers. The bride is to be stripped completely naked for this purpose. After the examinations are done, the women eat a cake baked specially for betrothals, which men are forbidden to taste.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Usually, the bride is to wash the groom's feet, signifying that she will be her husband's [[handmaid]].{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Under special circumstances, it might be the groom who washes the feet of the bride.{{Ref|ADWD|43}}

When [[Daenerys Targaryen]] marries [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]], she sits in an [[ivory]] chair whilst he washes her feet with water from a golden bowl, while fifty eunuchs sing to them.{{Ref|ADWD|43}} The bride traditionally wears a ''tokar'' of white silk, with dark red veils. The ''tokar'' is fringed with baby pearls, which symbolize fertility.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Weddings of the highest nobility in Meereen takes place at the [[Temple of the Graces]]. The ceremony might last up to four hours, and when husband and wife emerge from the temple, they are bound together wrist and ankle with chains of yellow gold.{{Ref|ADWD|43}}

===Economy===
Meereen is a wealthy city,{{Ref|ASOS|71}} deeply involved in the [[slave]] trade.{{Ref|ADWD|16}} As in Yunkai, slave swordsmen in Meereen are cheaper than their swords.{{Ref|ASOS|23}} Warriors are bred and trained in the fighting pits,{{ref|ASOS|8}}{{Ref|ASOS|71}} and young boys and girls are trained in the brothels.{{ref|AGOT|61}} In Meereen, as in Yunkai, eunuchs are often made by removing only the testicles, leaving the penis.{{Ref|ASOS|23}}

The [[fighting pits of Meereen]] are far-famed across the world, drawing trade to the city.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}{{Ref|ADWD|50}} Meereen claims one-tenth of all the profits from the fighting pits, after expenses, as a tax, through which way the pits help to fill the city's coffers.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}

A Meereenese coin is called an "honor".{{Ref|ADWD|2}}

[[Copper]] is plentiful in the Ghiscari hills, and was valuable "when bronze ruled the world".{{Ref|ADWD|16}} The small pale yellow grapes native to the region produce a notably inferior [[wine]].{{Ref|ADWD|2}}{{Ref|ADWD|6}} Some nobles have estates in the Ghiscari hills, where slaves grow wheat and olives, herd sheep and goats, and mine salt and copper.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}

==History==
According to Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], it has been "a thousand years" since Meereen last had [[King of Meereen|a king]].{{ref|ADWD|55}}{{refn|group=N|name=date|It is unknown if this means one thousand years ago (seven hundred years before [[Aegon's Conquest]]) or if [[George R. R. Martin]] is being figurative.}}

Meereen was a colony of the [[Old Empire of Ghis]]. [[Cedar]]s once grew tall along the coast but grow no more; they were felled by the axes of the Old Empire or consumed by [[dragonfire]] when Ghis made war against [[Valyria]]. Once the trees had gone, the soil baked beneath the hot sun and blew away in thick red clouds. According to [[Galazza Galare]], it was these calamities that transformed her people into slavers.{{Ref|ADWD|16}} Meereen survived the destruction of [[Old Ghis]] at the hands of the [[Valyrian Freehold]] and was subsequently was conquered by the Valyrians, who learned [[slavery]] from the conquered [[Ghiscari]] and used slaves to expand their empire.{{ref|TWOIAF|Anocient History: Valyria's Children}}

The modern Ghiscari in Meereen now speak [[Meereenese language|a blend]] of the [[High Valyrian]] of their conquerors and [[Old Ghiscari]].{{Ref|ADWD|2}}{{Ref|ADWD|14}}{{Ref|ADWD|60}} Following the fall of the Freehold during the [[Doom of Valyria]], the Ghiscari of [[Slaver's Bay]] took control of the slave trade.{{ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}}

The slave [[Belwas]] was bred and trained in the fighting pits of Meereen.{{Ref|ASOS|8}} From Meereen, he was eventually sold to [[Qohor]].{{Ref|ACOK|63}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
Ser [[Jorah Mormont]] advises Khal [[Drogo]] to drive his slaves to Meereen since it has suffered from a plague last year.{{Ref|AGOT|61}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
Khal [[Pono]]'s ''[[khalasar]]'' rides to the [[Slaver Cities]] to sell thousands of slaves.{{ref|ACOK|12}} In [[Qarth]], [[Daenerys Targaryen]] meets [[Belwas]], a veteran of the [[fighting pits of Meereen]].{{ref|ACOK|63}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
[[File:Ignacio Lazcano Second Sons.png|thumb|The [[Second Sons]] encamped outside Meereen, by Ignacio Lazcano © Fantasy Flight Games]]
The [[Great Masters]] prepare for Daenerys's arrival by scorching the earth around their city{{ref|ASOS|57}} and having the Meereenese fleet set sails.{{ref|ADWD|16}} The masters also nail a hundred and sixty-three slave children on mileposts along the coastal road.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} Once Daenerys's forces have arrived, Meereen sends out their champion [[Oznak zo Pahl]]. Oznak is slain in single combat by Strong Belwas.{{Ref|ASOS|57}}

Daenerys's [[siege of Meereen]] eventually comes to an end after she sends men through the sewers to strike the chains of the slaves within the city, while having her own forces battering down the eastern gate. The Meereenese slaves rise up, and Daenerys and her army gain access to the city, resulting in its sack.{{ref|ASOS|71}}

Daenerys takes up residence in the [[Great Pyramid]] of Meereen, and she orders a hundred and sixty-three of the Great Masters to be nailed on posts upon the city's central plaza to avenge the slave children.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} King [[Cleon]] of [[Astapor]] sends Lord [[Ghael]] to Meereen as an envoy, offering an alliance between Astapor and Meereen. Since Astapor has not fared well since [[fall of Astapor|its earlier capture]], Daenerys decides to remain and learn to rule in Meereen instead of spreading her rule elsewhere.{{Ref|ASOS|71}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
Ruling as the [[Queen of Meereen]], Daenerys abolishes slavery within the city, although the practice is continued in the hills where slaves still work on the estates of the wealthy. Instead of having slaves, former slavers hire freed slaves at meager wages.{{Ref|ADWD|2}} Because Daenerys has abolished the slave trade and closed the fighting pits, merchant ships rarely travel to Meereen anymore.{{ref|ADWD|6}} [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]] and his followers, the [[shavepates]], are strong supporters of the queen, who is also advised by the seneschal [[Reznak mo Reznak]].{{ref|ADWD|2}}

While several Great Masters accept the rule of Daenerys, a group of [[Ghiscari]] noblemen, known as the [[Sons of the Harpy]] and the Harpy's Sons, engage in a [[shadow war]] against Daenerys. They slay [[freedmen]], [[Unsullied]] and shavepates during the night, and leave a mark over the body of their victim: a harpy, drawn in blood.{{Ref|ADWD|2}} To combat this movement, Daenerys orders the creation of a new city watch, made up from the Meereenese themselves:{{Ref|ADWD|11}} the [[Brazen Beasts]].{{Ref|ADWD|16}} Additionally, Daenerys takes children from Meereen's old slaving families hostage, having them serve as [[Cupbearers of Daenerys Targaryen|her cupbearers]].{{ref|ADWD|11}}

[[File:Borja Pindado hizdahrzoloraq.jpg|thumb|[[Hizdahr zo Loraq]], [[King of Meereen]], by Borja Pindado © Fantasy Flight Games]]

[[Lhazar]] allies with Meereen, but [[Yunkai]] gathers a coalition of slaving cities against Daenerys.{{ref|ADWD|16}} The [[Dothraki]] serving Daenerys free the slaves in the hills near Meereen.{{ref|ADWD|30}} After the [[siege of Astapor]], the Yunkish host marches on Meereen{{ref|ADWD|25}} and the city is blockaded by sea.{{ref|ADWD|24}}{{ref|ADWD|30}} Astapori refugees outside of Meereen's walls suffer from the [[bloody flux]].{{ref|ADWD|36}}

[[Quentyn Martell]] arrives in Meereen as part of the [[secret marriage pact]] arranged by his father, Prince [[Doran Martell]], but Daenerys rejects the [[Dorne|Dornish]] offer. The queen instead [[Wedding of Hizdahr zo Loraq and Daenerys Targaryen|weds Hizdahr]] in an attempt to bring peace to Meereen,{{ref|ADWD|43}} and a truce is made between Meereen and Yunkai.{{ref|ADWD|60}}

Daenerys flees from [[Daznak's Pit]] on [[Drogon]]'s back when the [[fighting pits]] are reopened, and the Yunkish leader [[Yurkhaz zo Yunzak]] is killed in the chaos.{{ref|ADWD|52}}

Quentyn is mortally burned by [[dragonfire]] while trying to tame [[Rhaegal]] and [[Viserion]],{{ref|ADWD|68}} and the [[dragon]]s escape from the Great Pyramid.{{ref|ADWD|67}} Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], the [[Hand of the King|Queen's Hand]], deposes King Hizdahr with the aid of Skahaz Shavepate, and the [[ruling council of Meereen]] assumes command of the overseeing of city affairs.{{ref|ADWD|68}} Headed by Barristan, they meet to discuss how to best deal with the Yunkish army.{{ref|ADWD|70}}

[[Victarion Greyjoy]] leads the [[Iron Fleet]] toward Meereen on a mission to bring back Daenerys for his brother [[Euron Greyjoy|Euron]], [[King of the Isles and the North]].{{ref|ADWD|63}} [[Tyrion Lannister]] joins the [[Second Sons]], who are part of the Yunkish coalition.{{ref|ADWD|66}} The Yunkishmen resume the [[second siege of Meereen]], using trebuchets to launch corpses into the city.{{ref|ADWD|70}}

===''The Winds of Winter''===
[[File:A city besieged by neisbeis-d5paski.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Meereen under siege, by Ignacio Lazcano © Fantasy Flight Games]]
{{Warning/twow}}
Barristan rallies Meereen's defenses against the Yunkish host.<ref name="Barristan"/> The Meereenese attack the [[six sisters]] which bombard the city, and the [[Windblown]] turn their cloaks. The Second Sons decide to join Daenerys's force as well, while Victarion's [[ironborn]] attack the Yunkish ships in Slaver's Bay.<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Tyrion II (The Winds of Winter)|Tyrion II]]</ref>

==Quotes==
[[File:Game-of-thrones-season-4-city-of-meereen.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Meereen in ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' © HBO]]
{{quote|Meereen was as large as [[Astapor]] and [[Yunkai]] combined. Like her sister cities she was built of brick, but where Astapor had been red and Yunkai yellow, Meereen was made with bricks of many colors. Her walls were higher than Yunkai's and in better repair, studded with bastions and anchored by great defensive towers at every angle. Behind them, huge against the sky, could be seen the top of the [[Great Pyramid]], a monstrous thing eight hundred feet tall with a towering [[bronze]] [[harpies|harpy]] at its top.{{ref|ASOS|57}}|thoughts of [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}

{{quote|The [[Great Masters]], what a ripe lot o' maggots. The women weren't so bad, though it was worth your life to look at the wrong one the wrong way.{{ref|ASOS|57}}|[[Ben Plumm]] to [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}

{{quote|Meereen had been rich beyond imagining.{{ref|ASOS|71}}|thoughts of [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}

{{Quote|A child departed [[Qarth]], as lost as she was lovely. I feared she was sailing to her doom, yet now I find her here enthroned, mistress of an ancient city, surrounded by a mighty host that she raised up out of dreams.{{Ref|ADWD|16}}|[[Xaro Xhoan Daxos]] to [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}

{{quote|'''Daenerys''': Meereen is a free city of [[freedmen|free men]]. '''Xaro''': A poor city that once was rich. A hungry city that once was fat. A bloody city that once was peaceful.{{ref|ADWD|16}}|[[Daenerys Targaryen]] and [[Xaro Xhoan Daxos]]}}

{{Quote|You will not make Meereen rich and fat and peaceful. You will only bring it to destruction, as you did [[fall of Astapor|Astapor]].{{Ref|ADWD|16}}|[[Xaro Xhoan Daxos]] to [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}

{{Quote|Before you came Meereen was dying. Our rulers were old men with withered cocks and crones whose puckered cunts were dry as dust. They sat atop their [[pyramid]]s sipping apricot [[wine]] and talking of the glories of the [[Old Empire of Ghis|Old Empire]] whilst the centuries slipped by and the very bricks of the city crumbled all around them. Custom and caution had an iron grip upon us till you awakened us with fire and blood. A new time has come, and new things are possible.{{Ref|ADWD|23}}|[[Hizdahr zo Loraq]] to [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}

{{quote|Meereen was not her home, and never would be. It was a city of strange men with strange gods and stranger hair, of [[slavers]] wrapped in fringed [[tokar]]s, where grace was earned through [[prostitution|whoring]], butchery was art, and [[dog]] was a delicacy. Meereen would always be the [[Harpy]]'s city, and Daenerys could not be a [[harpies|harpy]].{{ref|ADWD|71}}|thoughts of [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}

==Chapters that take place at Meereen==
{{columns|3|
*[[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 57|''A Storm of Swords'': 57. Daenerys V]]
*[[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 71|''A Storm of Swords'': 71. Daenerys VI]]
*[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 2|''A Dance with Dragons'': 2. Daenerys I]]
*[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 11|''A Dance with Dragons'': 11. Daenerys II]]
*[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 16|''A Dance with Dragons'': 16. Daenerys III]]
*[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 23|''A Dance with Dragons'': 23. Daenerys IV]]
*[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 30|''A Dance with Dragons'': 30. Daenerys V]]
*[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 36|''A Dance with Dragons'': 36. Daenerys VI]]
*[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 43|''A Dance with Dragons'': 43. Daenerys VII]]
*[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 57|''A Dance with Dragons'': 47. Tyrion X]]
*[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 50|''A Dance with Dragons'': 50. Daenerys VIII]]
*[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 52|''A Dance with Dragons'': 52. Daenerys IX]]
*[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 52|''A Dance with Dragons'': 55. The Queensguard]]
*[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 57|''A Dance with Dragons'': 57. Tyrion XI]]
*[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 59|''A Dance with Dragons'': 59. The Discarded Knight]]
*[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 59|''A Dance with Dragons'': 60. The Spurned Suitor]]
*[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 66|''A Dance with Dragons'': 66. Tyrion XII]]
*[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 67|''A Dance with Dragons'': 67. The Kingbreaker]]
*[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 68|''A Dance with Dragons'': 68. The Dragontamer]]
*[[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 70|''A Dance with Dragons'': 70. The Queen's Hand]]
}}

==Behind the Scenes==
The "[[Meereenese knot]]" is how [[George R. R. Martin]] referred to difficulties in writing Meereenese plotlines for ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]''.

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{Cities}}


[[Category:Meereen| ]]
[[Category:Cities]]
[[Category:Ghiscari cities]]
[[Category:Harbors]]
[[Category:Places in Essos]]
[[Category:Valyrian successor states]]


[[es:Meereen]]
[[fr:Meereen]]
[[pt:Meereen]]
[[ru:Миэрин]]
[[zh:弥林]]

Standfast

2026-09-18T16:26:39Z

Nittanian:

{{Infobox settlement
| name = Standfast
| image = STA.png
| image_caption = Standfast, by Mike S. Miller
| settlement_type= Stronghold
| location = The [[Reach]]
| seat = [[House Osgrey]]
| seat_type = [[Landed knight]]
| religion = [[Faith of the Seven]]
| population =
| size =
| founded =
| named_for =
| places =
| organizations =
}}

'''Standfast''' is the stronghold of [[House Osgrey]] in the [[Reach]]. It is called a castle by courtesy, but more closely resembles a [[towerhouse]]. Its exact location has not yet been published, but it is located a few leagues east of [[Coldmoat]] in the north-west of the Reach; the Osgreys were once [[Marshal of the Northmarch|Marshals of the Northmarch]]. Standfast is sworn to [[House Rowan]] of [[Goldengrove]].{{ref|TSS}}{{ref|AWOIAF|Chequy Water}}

==Layout==
Standfast stands upon a hill and can be seen for leagues around. A single path leads to the tower, which can only be ridden single file. A daub-and-wattle stable sits at the base of the tower.{{ref|TSS}} Standfast has one entrance, an [[oak]] and [[iron]] door twenty feet above the ground, the stairs leading up to it consist of bottom steps made of blocks of smooth black stone, so worn that they are bowl-shaped in the middle. Higher up, they give way to a steep wooden stair that can be swung up like a drawbridge in times of trouble.{{ref|TSS}}

Standfast's size is deceptive. It is only four stories tall above ground, with the two upper floors having windows and balconies and the two lower floors having only arrow slits. The rebuilt north and west faces of the building are of pale grey stone above and old black stone below. Turrets were added during the rebuild, and two ancient [[grotesque]]s whose shape had been lost long ago stand on the other two corners. Its pinewood roof is flat, though warped and leaky from time. Underground, however, there is a complex of deep vaults and cellars cut into the hill that Standfast sits upon. The castle has its own well in the undercellar.{{ref|TSS}}

There is a blackberry thicket around back of Standfast's hill. The [[west way]] runs between Standfast and [[Coldmoat]].{{ref|TSS}}

During the rule of Ser [[Eustace Osgrey]], three small villages fell within the dominion of Standfast, with the largest of them having a one-room [[sept]]. A [[septon without a sept|septon]] would visit twice a year to forgive sins in the name of the [[Mother (the Seven)|Mother]].{{ref|TSS}}

==History==
Prior to [[Aegon's Conquest]], the [[House Osgrey|Osgreys]] controlled four castles, the greatest of them [[Coldmoat]], and watchtowers on hills. The house's fortunes declined after the [[Field of Fire]], however, and the Osgreys were eventually reduced to [[landed knight]]s controlling only Standfast and its vicinity.{{ref|TSS}}

Standfast was originally built of black stone. A few centuries before the reign of King [[Aerys I Targaryen]], the castle suffered a partial collapse. The Osgreys rebuilt the north and west faces in pale grey stone above the windows, and they also added turrets above the roofline on the rebuilt sides. At the time of Ser [[Eustace Osgrey]], [[grotesque]]s decorated the rooftop corners which had not been rebuilt.{{ref|TSS}}

Eustace supported the pretender king [[Daemon I Blackfyre]] during the [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]], but the rebellion failed and Eustace's three sons were killed in the [[Battle of the Redgrass Field]]. Afterwards, King [[Daeron II Targaryen]] pardoned Eustace, although much of his remaining lands were taken by the crown and his daughter [[Alysanne Osgrey|Alysanne]] was sent to [[King's Landing]] as a [[hostage]]. Eustace was allowed to keep Standfast, though it would revert to the crown if he died without a male heir of his body.{{ref|TSS}}

After Eustace brought home the bones of his sons and allowed Alysanne to be taken away, his wife committed suicide by throwing herself from the top of Standfast tower. Eustace buried his wife and sons among the blackberries they had loved to pick.{{ref|TSS}}

Eustace's servants included [[Sam Stoops]] and [[Sam Stoops' wife|his wife]].{{ref|TSS}} Because of a conflict with [[Rohanne Webber]], [[Lady of Coldmoat]], Eustace hired the [[sworn sword]]s Ser [[Bennis of the Brown Shield]] and Ser [[Duncan the Tall]], and Duncan's [[squire]], [[Aegon V Targaryen|Egg]].{{ref|TSS}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|Standfast was a [[castle]] only by courtesy. Though it stood bravely atop a rocky hill and could be seen for leagues around, it was no more than a [[towerhouse]]. A partial collapse a few centuries ago had required some rebuilding, so the north and west faces were pale gray stone above the windows, and the old black stone below. Turrets had been added to the roofline during the repair, but only on the sides that were rebuilt; at the other two corners crouched ancient stone [[grotesques]], so badly abraded by wind and weather that it was hard to say what they had been. The [[pine]]wood roof was flat, but badly warped and prone to leaks.{{ref|TSS}}|thoughts of [[Duncan the Tall]]}}

{{Quote|Run back to your chicken tower and tell Ser [[Eustace Osgrey|Eustace]] to deliver up Ser [[Bennis of the Brown Shield|Bennis Brownstench]]. If he spares us the trouble of winkling him out of Standfast, [[Rohanne Webber|her ladyship]] may be more inclined to clemency.{{ref|TSS}}|[[Lucas Inchfield]] to [[Duncan the Tall]]}}

{{Quote|'''Aegon''': The paper said that if Ser [[Eustace Osgrey|Eustace]] were to die without a male heir of his body, Standfast would revert to the crown, and [[Wyman Webber|Lord Webber's]] privileges would end. '''Duncan''': All they left the old man was a tower to die in. '''Aegon''': And his head. [[Daeron II Targaryen|His Grace]] did leave him his head, ser. Even though he was [[First Blackfyre Rebellion|a rebel]].{{ref|TSS}}|[[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]] and [[Duncan the Tall]]}}

==References==
{{References}}

{{Region Reach}}

[[Category:House Osgrey]]
[[Category:Black castles]]
[[Category:Castles]]
[[Category:Grey castles]]
[[Category:Places in the Reach]]
[[Category:Towerhouses]]

[[es:Tiesa]]
[[fr:Piéferme]]
[[pt:Pousoveloz]]
[[ru:Стэндфаст]]
[[zh:坚定塔]]

Grotesques

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Nittanian: Redirected page to Gargoyle

#REDIRECT [[Gargoyle]]
[[Category:Redirect]]

Septon

2026-09-18T16:07:48Z

Nittanian:

[[File:Tully Septon.jpg|thumb|A septon serving [[House Tully]], by Nacho Molina © Fantasy Flight Games]]
'''Septons''' are an order of men who serve as priests for the [[Faith of the Seven]]. The leader of the Faith is known as the [[High Septon]].{{ref|FAB|Aegon's Conquest}}

==Culture==
[[File:Aleksander-karcz-tithe-collector.jpg|thumb|A tithe collector, by Aleksander Karcz © Fantasy Flight Games]]

Septons can study at great centers of religious training, such as the [[Great Sept of Baelor]], but not all local septons are well educated.<ref name=Various>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Various_ASoIaF_Questions/ Various ASOIAF Questions], April 21, 2000</ref> Upon taking his vows, a septon sets aside his last name, even if he come from a noble family.{{Ref|AFFC|28}} Although septons take a vow of chastity,{{ref|ASOS|23}} some of the priests have fathered children.{{ref|AGOT|19}}

Septons hang a crystal about their necks on a thong,{{ref|AGOT|9}}{{ref|ACOK|44}} and well-to-do septons wear white robes and woven seven-color belts.{{ref|AFFC|8}} Members of the [[Most Devout]], the most esteemed septons who choose new [[High Septon]]s,{{ref|AFFC|28}} wear cloth-of-silver vestments and crystal coronals.{{ref|AFFC|8}}

Septons use a censer and incense during service.{{ref|AGOT|2}}{{ref|AGOT|48}} To reflect light and depict the rainbow, they wield a seven-sided crystal{{ref|AGOT|2}} or a faceted crystal sphere.{{ref|AGOT|40}} The High Septon wears a crystal crown.{{ref|AGOT|65}}

Septons can perform marriages,{{ref|AGOT|42}}{{ref|ASOS|28}}{{ref|ASOS|51}} provide prayers of passage when someone is dying,{{ref|AFFC|35}} and copy letters.{{ref|ACOK|10}} Septas who copy and illuminate texts for the Faith are known to alter or remove texts they deem unacceptable.{{ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} Followers of the Faith can seek spiritual guidance{{ref|AGOT|70}} and be forgiven for their sins by septons.{{ref|TSS}} Some septons tend to the wounded, but the healing skills of [[maesters]] are considered superior.{{ref|AGOT|34}} When a man becomes a [[knight]], it is customary to stand a vigil and be anointed by a septon before reciting the knightly vows.{{ref|THK}} Three times a year, the Great Sept has septons provide heraldic drawings and illuminations for the [[White Book]] of the [[Kingsguard]].{{ref|ASOS|67}}

While many septons serve at a single sept in villages, towns, cities, or castles, there are hundreds of [[septon without a sept|traveling septons]] who provide services for poor villages.{{ref|AFFC|25}}{{ref|AFFC|28}}

==History==
[[File:High Septon-Faith Militant uprising.jpg|thumb|The [[High Septon (Aenys I)|High Septon]] by Douglas Wheatley]]
The [[First Men]] of antiquity only wrote with runes on rocks, so stories about the [[Dawn Age]], [[Age of Heroes]], and and the [[Long Night]] were written down thousands of years later by septons{{ref|AFFC|5}} and [[maesters]],{{ref|TWOIAF|The Age of Heroes}} with septons choosing to include or alter details as they saw fit.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Age of Heroes}}

Seven septons are said to have been with the victorious [[Andals]] in the [[Battle of Bitter River]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands}} During the [[coming of the Andals]] to the [[Reach]], King [[Garth IX Gardener]] made a septon part of his council and built the first [[sept]] at [[Highgarden]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Reach: Andals in the Reach}} Septon [[Robeson]] served as regent for Lord [[Triston Hightower]] and became the first [[High Septon]], and Triston built the [[Starry Sept]] in his honor.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Reach: Oldtown}} Septons stopped the [[Sistermen]] from casting [[dwarfs]] into the [[Bite]] as offerings to their gods of old.{{ref|ADWD|9}}

Septons and [[septa]]s were expelled from the [[Iron Islands]] by King [[Hagon Hoare]],{{ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands: The Black Blood}} and again by Lord [[Goren Greyjoy]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands: The Greyjoys of Pyke}}

During [[Aegon's Conquest]], the [[High Septon (Aegon's Conquest)|High Septon]] advised against opposing [[House Targaryen]] after praying in the Starry Sept for seven days and seven nights.{{ref|FAB|Aegon's Conquest}} Septons accompanied King [[Aegon I Targaryen]] during his [[royal progress]]es throughout the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} Aegon affirmed that accused septons could only be tried in the courts run by the Faith.{{ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

The [[High Septon (Aenys I)|High Septon]] during the reign of [[Aenys I Targaryen]] opposed the incestual marriage of the king's children, Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] and Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], having his objections spread throughout the realm by ten thousand septons.{{ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} Septon [[Murmison]], Aenys's [[Hand of the King]], was expelled from the Faith for performing the marriage, and he was soon assassinated by [[Poor Fellows]].{{ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} King [[Maegor I Targaryen]] allegedly killed a dozen septons before finding one willing to officiate his marriage with [[Tyanna of the Tower]].{{ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} Septon [[Moon (septon)|Moon]] was one of the leaders of the [[Faith Militant uprising]]..{{ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

Septons [[Barth]] and [[Oswyck]] helped King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] develop the [[Doctrine of Exceptionalism]],{{ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}} and
the brilliant Barth later became King's Hand.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} [[Casper Straw]] led thirty armed septons in protecting [[Rhaella Targaryen (daughter of Aegon)|Rhaella Targaryen]] from Ser [[Orryn Baratheon]].{{ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}

The writings of Septon [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]] are one of the main sources for scholars writing about the [[Dance of the Dragons]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}

When Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon the Dragonknight]] was carrying the snake-bitten King [[Baelor I Targaryen]] back from [[Dorne]], a village septon in the [[Red Mountains]] gave Aemon clothing and a donkey.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}} Baelor the Blessed convinced the [[High Septon (Baelor I)|High Septon]] to dissolve his marriage with [[Daena Targaryen]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}} Baelor eventually took the vows of a septon himself,{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}} and he is thus remembered as the septon king.{{ref|AGOT|65}}

King [[Daeron II Targaryen]] filled his court with septons, [[maesters]], singers, and [[Dornishmen]], which upset more militant members of society.{{ref|TSS}} During the reign of King [[Aerys I Targaryen]], a [[hunchbacked septon]] was executed at [[Stoney Sept]] for preaching against Lord [[Brynden Rivers]], [[Hand of the King]].{{ref|TMK}}

During the [[Battle of the Bells]], septons rang all of [[Stoney Sept]]'s bells to alert [[smallfolk]] of danger.{{ref|ASOS|29}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
[[File:Aleksander Karcz scheming septon.jpg|thumb|A scheming septon, by Aleksander Karcz © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Septon [[Chayle]] is the keeper of both [[Lady Catelyn's sept]] and the [[Library Tower]] in [[Winterfell]].{{ref|AGOT|9}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
Septon [[Barre]] is imprisoned at [[Dragonstone]] for trying to prevent the destruction of the castle's [[sept]] by [[queen's men]].{{ref|ACOK|10}}

The [[High Septon (fat one)|High Septon]] is killed during the [[riots in King's Landing]].{{ref|ACOK|41}} The [[High Septon (Tyrion's)|new High Septon]] is chosen by [[Tyrion Lannister]], the acting [[Hand of the King]].{{ref|ACOK|49}}

[[Theon Greyjoy]] has Chayle drowned in a well after the [[capture of Winterfell]] by his [[ironborn]].{{ref|ACOK|50}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
Septons are killed by [[House Lannister|Lannister]] soldiers at [[Sludgy Pond]].{{ref|ASOS|34}} Two septons have joined the [[brotherhood without banners]],{{ref|ASOS|17}} and the outlaw brotherhood hangs Septon [[Utt]], one of the hated [[Brave Companions]], after the [[battle at the burning septry]].{{ref|ASOS|39}}

Lord [[Varys]] wears a brown septon's robe while helping Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] free his brother Tyrion from the [[black cells]].{{ref|ASOS|77}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
[[File:Borja Pindado highsparrow.jpg|thumb|The [[High Sparrow]] by Borja Pindado © Fantasy Flight Games]]
During the wake for Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] in the [[Great Sept of Baelor]], seven septons in the silver robes pray to the [[Father (the Seven)|Father]].{{ref|AFFC|7}} At midnight during Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]'s vigil for his father, several hundred septons emerge through the Father's Doors to give devotions.{{ref|AFFC|8}} The newly-pious Ser [[Lancel Lannister]] is accompanied by two septons when he departs for [[Darry]].{{ref|AFFC|16}}

Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]] has Ser [[Osney Kettleblack]] assassinate{{ref|AFFC|43}} the High Septon in his sleep.{{ref|AFFC|17}} [[Sparrows]] force the [[Most Devout]] to choose one of their own, a man dubbed the [[High Sparrow]] by [[Moon Boy]], as the successor.{{ref|AFFC|28}}

[[Brienne Tarth|Brienne of Tarth]] and her companions join with [[Meribald]], a [[septon without a sept]], as he makes his circuit of villages in the [[riverlands]].{{ref|AFFC|25}}

Dressed as the [[Hound]],{{ref|AFFC|37}} [[Rorge]] kills an aged septon during the [[raid on Saltpans]].{{ref|AFFC|28}}

[[Arya Stark]] meets [[Eustace (Braavos)|Eustace]], who was once a septon at the [[Sept-Beyond-the-Sea]] in [[Braavos]].{{ref|AFFC|34}}

During the [[taking of the Shields]], Lord [[Guthor Grimm]]'s septon surrenders [[Grimston]] after Ser [[Harras Harlaw]] defeats seven champions in a row.{{ref|AFFC|29}}

==Quotes==
{{quote|We are as [[Faith of the Seven|the gods]] made us, strong and weak, good and bad, cruel and kind, heroic and selfish. Know that if you would rule over the kingdoms of man.{{ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}|writings of [[Barth]]}}

{{quote|[[Sefton Staunton|Our septon]] is a godly man.{{ref|TSS}}|[[Lucas Inchfield]] to [[Duncan the Tall]]}}

{{quote|The septons preach about the [[seven hells]]. What do they know? Only a man who's been burned knows what hell is truly like.{{ref|AGOT|29}}|[[Sandor Clegane]] to [[Sansa Stark]]}}

{{quote|Catelyn had more faith in a [[maester]]'s learning than a septon's prayers.{{ref|AGOT|34}}|thoughts of [[Catelyn Stark]]}}

{{quote|'''Alester''': There is but [[Stannis Baratheon|one true king]], and [[R'hllor|one true god]]. 
'''Cortnay''': Are we here to dispute [[religion|theology]], my lord? Had I known, I would have brought a septon.{{ref|ACOK|42}}|[[Alester Florent]] and [[Cortnay Penrose]]}}

{{quote|Even septons born of noble blood go only by their given names once they have taken their vows. When one of them is elevated to [[High Septon]], he puts aside that name as well.{{ref|AFFC|28}}|[[Cersei Lannister]] to [[Taena Merryweather]]}}

{{Quote|Give me priests who are fat and corrupt and cynical, the sort who like to sit on soft [[satin (fabric)|satin]] cushions, nibble sweetmeats, and diddle little boys. It's the ones who believe in gods who make the trouble.{{Ref|ADWD|27}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Haldon]]}}

==References==
{{references}}

[[Category:Septons| ]]
[[Category:Faith of the Seven]]
[[Category:Occupations]]