The last Targaryen king, known as the Mad King, killed by Jaime Lannister during Robert's Rebellion.

First Ranger of the Night's Watch. Ned's younger brother who joined the Watch years ago.

Eddard's elder brother, killed by the Mad King along with their father. Was betrothed to Catelyn.

Reluctantly agrees to become Hand of the King after Jon Arryn's death. Concerned about the danger...

Master of horse at Winterfell. Manages the castle's stables and horses.

Eddard's sister, betrothed to Robert Baratheon but allegedly abducted by Rhaegar Targaryen.

Crown Prince and heir to the Mad King, killed by Robert Baratheon at the Battle of the Trident.

Eddard's father and former Lord of Winterfell, burned alive by the Mad King.

King of the Seven Kingdoms. Once a great warrior, now grown fat with drink. Black-haired and...

Lady of Winterfell, originally from House Tully. Auburn hair and blue eyes. Devoted mother of five.

A guard at Winterfell, loyal to House Stark.

Exiled princess with silver-gold hair and violet eyes. Sister to Viserys, last of the Targaryen...

Veteran ranger on the ranging with Waymar Royce. Tries to warn against pursuing wildlings.

Jon Snow's albino direwolf, the runt of the litter with red eyes and silent nature.

Robb Stark's direwolf, named for its speed and grey coloring.

A guard in service to House Stark at Winterfell.

A wealthy magister of Pentos who has sheltered Daenerys and Viserys. Arranges Dany's marriage to...

Exiled knight from Bear Island. Middle-aged, balding, and hairy. Sworn to serve Viserys.

Captain of Ned's household guard. Loyal and competent, son of the late Martyn Cassel.

Sansa Stark's direwolf, the most gentle and ladylike of the pack.

Maester of Winterfell. Grey-haired and intelligent, serves the Stark family faithfully.

Blacksmith of Winterfell. Skilled craftsman who maintains weapons and armor for the castle.

Arya Stark's direwolf, named after the warrior queen of the Rhoynar.

A guard at Winterfell in service to House Stark.

Youngest Stark child at three years old. Wild and difficult to control.

Master-at-arms of Winterfell, an old knight with white whiskers who trains the Stark children.

Master-at-arms of Winterfell. White-whiskered knight who trained the Stark children in combat.

Young lordling ranger killed by White Walkers in the prologue. Arrogant but brave.

A knight who served House Targaryen and raised Daenerys and Viserys in exile. Died when Dany was...

Rickon Stark's direwolf, black with green eyes and the most aggressive of the pack.

Bran Stark's direwolf, grey and black with yellow eyes.

Ward of Eddard Stark, taken as a boy after his father's rebellion. Cocky and ambitious.

Steward of Winterfell, serving Lord Eddard Stark faithfully.

Exiled prince with silver-gold hair and lilac eyes. Cruel and increasingly unstable. Obsessed with...

Deserted the Night's Watch after seeing White Walkers. Executed by Ned Stark for desertion.

A guard serving House Stark at Winterfell.