Editing Brandon Stark (section)

===Early Life===
[[File:Brandon Stark by Chillyravenart.png|thumb|right|350px|Brandon Stark, by Chillyravenart ©]]
Born in {{Date|262}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} at [[Winterfell]],{{Ref|AWOIAF|Brandon Stark}} Brandon was the eldest son and heir of Lord [[Rickard Stark|Rickard]] and Lady [[Lyarra Stark]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Stark lineage}}

Brandon was [[fostered]] at [[Barrowton]] with Lord [[House Dustin|Dustin]], father of [[Willam Dustin]], and he spent most his time riding in the [[Rills]].{{ref|ADWD|41}} He took the [[maiden]]head of [[Barbrey Dustin|Barbrey Ryswell]], who was infatuated with him, and her father [[Rodrik Ryswell|Rodrik]], [[Lord of the Rills]], desired to wed her to the heir of Winterfell.{{Ref|ADWD|41}} However, Lord Stark eventually [[betrothed]] Brandon to [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn Tully]] of [[Riverrun]].{{Ref|ADWD|41}}{{Ref|AGOT|6}} Brandon swore to Barbrey he did not want to marry Catelyn, but Rickard's ambitions did not allow him to marry the daughter of a northern [[bannerman]].{{Ref|ADWD|41}}

In {{Date|281}}, Brandon attended the [[tourney at Harrenhal]], where he was introduced by his sister, [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]], to [[Howland Reed]], a [[crannogman]] from the [[Neck]].{{ref|ASOS|24}} Brandon laughed during the festivities.{{ref|AGOT|58}} At the opening feast of the tourney, Brandon asked [[Ashara Dayne]] to dance with his younger brother [[Eddard Stark|Eddard]], who was too shy to ask her himself.{{Ref|ASOS|24}} Brandon entered the lists, but he was unhorsed by [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], [[Prince of Dragonstone]].{{Ref|AGOT|58}}{{Ref|ASOS|24}} After Rhaegar won the tournament, he crowned Lyanna as his [[queen of love and beauty]], passing over his own wife, Princess [[Elia Martell]].{{Ref|AGOT|58}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}} Brandon had to be restrained from confronting Rhaegar, as he took the prince's action as a slight upon Lyanna's honor, since Lyanna was already betrothed to Eddard's friend, Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}

In {{Date|282}},<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#The Riverlands|Petyr Baelish's duel against Brandon Stark]]'' calculation.</ref> Brandon was present at Riverrun when the date for his wedding to Catelyn was announced.{{Ref|AWOIAF|Petyr Baelish}} [[Petyr Baelish]], the [[ward]] of Catelyn's father, Lord [[Hoster Tully]], challenged Brandon to [[duel between Brandon Stark and Petyr Baelish|a duel for her hand]]. Catelyn begged Brandon to spare Petyr's life, and Brandon promised her to do so.{{Ref|AGOT|18}} Catelyn gave Brandon her favor to wear during the duel.{{ref|ACOK|45}} Brandon [[armor]]ed himself for battle, aided by Catelyn's young brother, [[Edmure Tully]], who served as Brandon's [[squire]]. When Brandon saw that the smaller Petyr wore only a helm, a breastplate, and mail, he took off most of his own armor. Brandon was more than a match for the much younger Petyr. He offered the boy several chances to yield during their duel in the castle's lower bailey, but when Petyr kept refusing, Brandon ended the duel by injuring Petyr severely.{{Ref|AGOT|40}} Afterwards he departed Riverrun, promising Catelyn to return soon so they could wed.{{Ref|AGOT|63}}