Editing Eddard Stark (section)

==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 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}}