Brandon Stark
Brandon Stark | |
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250px Brandon Stark - by acazigot © | |
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Alias | The Wild Wolf |
Allegiance | House Stark |
Culture | Northmen |
Born |
261 AC Winterfell |
Died |
282 AC King's Landing |
Books |
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Brandon Stark, older brother to Eddard Stark, Lyanna Stark and Benjen Stark, was the original heir to Winterfell prior to Robert's Rebellion.
Appearance and Character
Brandon was in appearance and character very different from Eddard.[1] He was rather hot-blooded, something his younger brother described as coming from the wolfblood. He shared this trait with his sister.[2] Brandon was tall and handsome, and was an excellent swordsman and jouster.
History
Brandon was fostered at Barrowton with Lord Dustin, father of Willam Dustin, but he spent most his time riding the Rills. In his youth, he took the maidenhead of Barbrey Ryswell, who was infatuated with him.
Brandon was betrothed to Catelyn Tully of Riverrun, but Petyr Baelish, a ward of Catelyn's father, also loved Catelyn and challenged Brandon to a duel for her hand. Brandon won their duel, but did not kill Petyr, in concession to Catelyn's pleas.[3][4]
At the Tourney at Harrenhal, Brandon was unhorsed by Prince Rhaegar Targaryen.[5] It was implied that in the tournament of Harrenhal, he asked Ashara Dayne to dance with his younger brother Eddard (who was too shy to ask her himself). It is also implied (but not confirmed) that Brandon later bedded Ashara Dayne and got her with child.
Brandon was on his way to Riverrun to wed Catelyn when word reached him of his sister Lyanna's supposed abduction by Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. Brandon, along with his squire Ethan Glover, Kyle Royce, Elbert Arryn, and Jeffory Mallister, rode to King's Landing and threatened Rhaegar's life. They were arrested by King Aerys and charged with plotting Rhaegar's murder. Their fathers were called to court to answer the charges. Brandon was forced to watch as his father was cooked alive in his own armor. He was bound with a leather cord around his neck and a longsword just out of reach, and he strangled himself trying to get to the sword to save his father.[6][7]
Family
References and Notes
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 45, Catelyn V.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 22, Arya II.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 18, Catelyn IV.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 40, Catelyn VII.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 58, Eddard XV.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 55, Catelyn VII.