Wolf blood

Wolf blood is a term used by Lord Rickard Stark for members of House Stark with wilder personality traits;^[1] the family's sigil is a racing direwolf.^[2]

History

The strong-willed^[3] Lyanna Stark had a touch of wildness^[4] and enjoyed horse riding^[5]^[6]^[7] and tilting at rings.^[8] The girl defended Howland Reed at the tourney of Harrenhal, protecting the small crannogman from three squires.^[3]

Lyanna's eldest brother, Brandon Stark, had wild rages.^[9] After hearing that Lyanna had been abducted by Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, Brandon rode to the Red Keep and demanded that the prince come out and die.^[10]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Lord Eddard Stark tells his tomboy daughter Arya about his more impetuous siblings, Brandon and Lyanna.^[1]

A Clash of Kings

Old Nan tells Bran Stark that House Stark has wolf blood, warning it is stronger in some than others.^[11]

Arya recalls her late father's words when preparing to escape from Harrenhal.^[12]

A Dance with Dragons

At the House of Black and White in Braavos, plague face disbelieves Arya's denial that she kills for her own pleasure.^[13]

Quotes

You have a wildness in you, child. 'The wolf blood,' my father used to call it. Lyanna had a touch of it, and my brother Brandon more than a touch. It brought them both to an early grave.^[1]
—Eddard Stark to Arya Stark

Brandon was different from his brother, wasn't he? He had blood in his veins instead of cold water. More like me.^[10]
—Jaime Lannister to Catelyn Stark

The wolf blood. I'll be as strong as Robb. I said I would.^[12]
—Arya Stark to herself

She remembered her own childish disappointment, the first time she had laid eyes on Eddard Stark. She had pictured him as a younger version of his brother Brandon, but that was wrong. Ned was shorter and plainer of face, and so somber. He spoke courteously enough, but beneath the words she sensed a coolness that was all at odds with Brandon, whose mirths had been as wild as his rages.^[9]
—thoughts of Catelyn Stark

You lie. I can see the truth in your eyes. You have the eyes of a wolf and a taste for blood.^[13]
—Plague face to Arya Stark

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 22, Arya II.
↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 1, Bran I.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 24, Bran II.
↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 24, Bran IV.
↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 17, Arya III.
↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 32, Reek III.
↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 41, The Turncloak.
↑ George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Lyanna Stark.
↑ ^9.0 ^9.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 45, Catelyn V.
↑ ^10.0 ^10.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 55, Catelyn VII.
↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 4, Bran I.
↑ ^12.0 ^12.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 64, Arya X.
↑ ^13.0 ^13.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 64, The Ugly Little Girl.

[Ragot22{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 22, Arya II.

[Ragot1{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-2] A Game of Thrones, Chapter 1, Bran I.

[Rasos24{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-3] 3.0 ^3.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 24, Bran II.

[Ragot24{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-4] A Game of Thrones, Chapter 24, Bran IV.

[Rasos17{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-5] A Storm of Swords, Chapter 17, Arya III.

[Radwd32{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-6] A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 32, Reek III.

[Radwd41{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-7] A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 41, The Turncloak.

[Rawoiaflyanna_stark{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-8] George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Lyanna Stark.

[Rasos45{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-9] 9.0 ^9.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 45, Catelyn V.

[Racok55{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-10] 10.0 ^10.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 55, Catelyn VII.

[Racok4{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-11] A Clash of Kings, Chapter 4, Bran I.

[Racok64{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-12] 12.0 ^12.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 64, Arya X.

[Radwd64{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-13] 13.0 ^13.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 64, The Ugly Little Girl.

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