Character Summary: Eddard Stark

Eddard Stark is a Northman in a Southern world. He is the Lord of Winterfell, the stronghold of the North, and his house words are "Winter is Coming" with the grey direwolf on an ice field as their banner. The Starks have the blood of the First Men. He is the son of Lord Rickard Stark, and his elder brother Brandon died in Robert's Rebellion, his sister Lyanna died of illness in the mountains of Dorne, and his youngest brother Benjen is a man of the Night Watch. He is married to Catelyn Tully, and has five children by her: Robb, Sansa, Arya, Brandon, and Rickon. He has one bastard named Jon Snow, whose mother remains a mystery.

Eddard Stark was the second son, and was raised to follow and not to lead. He was never meant to be Lord of Winterfell, but it was a responsibility forced on him with his brother Brandon's death. He bore Lordship with great honor and he earned respect and love from those he lead. Eddard's leadership is not one of proud pursuits, but on of protection. He never commands anything he would be unwilling to do himself, which is shown in the very beginning when he beheads a deserter of the Night's Watch. As he states: "'...the man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. If you would take a man's life, you owe it to him to look into his eyes and hear his final words.'" (Game of Thrones, 16). This also shows how much Eddard Stark values every life he encounters. He will not kill unless necessary. Eddard's way of leading is a stark contrast to that of King Robert's rule.

Eddard Stark believes in the old way of the First Men. He still worships the old gods of the trees. The Heart Tree, a great white tree with red leaves, upon which the children of the forest carved faces. These tree's watch the lives of men, and stand for centuries. The weirwood of Winterfell and the walls of Winterfell belong to the Starks. Winterfell is a Stark place. When Eddard goes South to King's Landing to serve as King Robert's Hand, he leaves the watchful eyes of the heart tree. The weirwoods in the South have all be cut down. Eddard Stark is isolated from his gods and he is isolated in his old ways when he goes South. This ultimately is his downfall.

Eddard Stark's character is simple: honor and family. It is these things that he cherishes above all else, but his end comes to a choice between the two.