Wife of Eddard Stark, born of House Tully of Riverrun. A fiercely protective mother and shrewd political mind, Catelyn's instincts about the dangers threatening her family prove sharper than her husband's trust in old friendships.

The eldest son of Eddard and Catelyn Stark. A young man raised on his father's principles, Robb is thrust into a leadership role far sooner than anyone expected.

The elder Stark daughter, raised on songs of chivalry and dreams of courtly life. Sansa's romantic ideals carry her eagerly toward King's Landing, where reality proves far crueller than any story.

The younger Stark daughter, wild and wilful where her sister is proper. More interested in swordplay than needlework, Arya chafes against the expectations placed on highborn girls.

The middle Stark son, a boy of seven who loves to climb the walls and towers of Winterfell. Bran dreams of becoming a knight of the Kingsguard.

The youngest Stark child, only three years old at the start of events. Too young to understand the forces tearing his family apart.

Eddard Stark's illegitimate son, raised alongside his trueborn siblings at Winterfell but never allowed to forget his bastardy. Jon chooses to join the Night's Watch, seeking purpose and belonging at the edge of the known world.

The master-at-arms of Winterfell, a loyal old knight with impressive whiskers who has served House Stark for decades.

The maester of Winterfell, advisor to the Stark family. Wise, gentle, and devoted to the household he serves, Luwin provides counsel grounded in learning and pragmatism.

A simple-minded but gentle giant who serves House Stark at Winterfell. Hodor can say only one word – his own name – but his loyalty and strength make him indispensable.

Daughter of Howland Reed, Lord of Greywater Watch and one of Eddard Stark's closest friends from the rebellion. Meera is a skilled hunter and fiercely protective companion who joins Bran Stark on his journey north.

Meera's younger brother, a solemn boy gifted with the greensight – prophetic green dreams that show him fragments of past and future. Jojen guides Bran toward understanding his own strange abilities.

Eddard Stark's younger sister, dead before the events of the series but present in every chapter through memory and consequence. Her disappearance with Rhaegar Targaryen sparked Robert's Rebellion and reshaped the known world. The truth of what happened between her and Rhaegar is the central mystery of the entire series.

Eddard Stark's younger brother and First Ranger of the Night's Watch. Disappears beyond the Wall early in the first book and becomes an absence around which much of Jon Snow's story is organised.