This is a listing of members of House Stark's non-noble household who appear in A Song of Ice and Fire.
For the main character index, see here
For the main Northern entry, see here
House Stark Household
The servants of House Stark of Winterfell are characterized by their fierce loyalty to their lords. Many of the Starks have developed close friendships with members of their households that other lords do not. open/close all folders
In General
- Forgotten Fallen Friend: Averted. While few of them ever had major roles, those who died or went missing are still remembered by the Starks and by Theon several books afterwards. The servants of other houses never get mentioned as often.
- Men Are the Expendable Gender: Winterfell has been destroyed, most of the men were killed, and the women were imprisoned by Ramsay Snow.
- The Mentor: Rodrik Cassel, Maester Luwin and Septa Mordane, who clearly wield more authority than their equivalents in the royal family or the Freys, taking on a surrogate parent role in the absence of the Starks' actual parents.
- The Purge: During and after Ned's arrest, most of his household is wiped out, be they guardsmen or harmless servants.
- Red Shirt Army: Almost all the guardsmen get killed by A Storm of Swords, and none do a very good job.
- Satellite Character: Most of them exist in relation to the Starks.
- Sole Survivor: Of the Stark Household in King's Landing, only two guards escape the purge: Alyn and Jacks. Alyn is later Killed Offscreen, leaving Jacks the last man standing.
- Undying Loyalty: To the Starks.
- We Used to Be Friends: After capturing Winterfell, Theon notes with horror that the people he grew up with now hate him.
- What Happened to the Mouse?:
- Several members of Ned's party remain unaccounted for after his arrest and execution.
- After the Sack of Winterfell, the castle is deserted and its unclear who survived and who died. Presumably, the survivors, mostly women, were taken to the Dreadfort.
- Hallis Mollen and several men under his command were sent to bring Eddard Stark's bones home. They haven't been seen since A Clash of Kings.
Wards
Theon Greyjoy*
Theon Greyjoy
Son of Lord Balon Greyjoy and ward of Lord Eddard Stark who he brought home to Winterfell to keep his father in line after his failed rebellion.- See the House Greyjoy page.
"Little" Walder Frey
Walder Frey
Son of Merret Frey and Mariya Darry, ward of Lady Catelyn taken to Winterfell as part of the Stark-Frey alliance.- See the House Frey page.
"Big" Walder Frey
Walder Frey
Son of Jammos Frey, ward of Lady Catelyn taken to Winterfell as part of the Stark-Frey alliance.- See the House Frey page.
Winterfell Staff
Maester Luwin
Maester Luwin
"The years pass in their hundreds and their thousands, and what does any man see of life but a few summers, a few winters?"
A maester in the service of House Stark at Winterfell. He serves as a teacher and advisor to all members of the family.
- For the Order of the Maesters character page, see here.
- Agent Scully: Even after Bran and Rickon have prophetic dreams, Luwin still denies that they dreamed about the future and the continued existence of magic. Could well be down to the very magic training he received having never, ever worked.
- Almost Dead Guy: The only person attacked by the Bolton forces who was not outright killed, remaining alive long enough to say goodbye to Bran and Rickon, tell them what happened, and advise Osha that Bran and Rickon should be split up.
- Character Tic: Tugging at his chain.
- The Conscience: Tries to act as this for Theon when he takes over Winterfell, but is unable to curb his excesses or get him to listen to any good advice.
- The Consigliere: He is the main adviser of the Stark household and always offers his honest, and sometimes unwelcome, opinions. Once Theon captures Winterfell, Luwin also serves as this to him but is far less successful in getting him to understand and follow good advice.
- Cool Old Guy: Oh, so much. All the Stark kids miss him from time to time for very good reasons.
- Flat-Earth Atheist: Doubts the existence of the Others and magic, and believes that the children of the forest are all dead. He's wrong on all three.
- The Good Chancellor: He is a trusted and loyal adviser to the Starks.
- Loyal to the Position: He has to serve Theon after the Ironborn take over Winterfell due to being sworn to serve the lord of Winterfell.
- The Medic: Has a lot of medical knowledge due to his training as a Maester.
- The Mentor: To all the Stark children, having been responsible for their education, but particularly to Bran.
- Mentor Occupational Hazard: He is mortally wounded by Ramsey Snow's men when they sack Winterfell.
- Mercy Kill: After giving some last advice to Bran and Rickon, he asks Osha to give him the gift of mercy, which she does.
- Mr. Exposition: He is the first character that reveals the Order of the Maesters' position on magic and he is the man that raised the Stark boys. Unlike the order, he is a skeptic because it was not apparent to him when he tried; considering Marwyn the Mage's opinion of his peers, Luwin was comparatively nowhere as big a denialist as other Maesters at the Citadel.
- Mysterious Past: Like all the Maesters, he abandoned his last name when he entered the order. He delivered all of the Stark children, including Robb, who was born at Riverrun; whether he was the Maester at Riverrun before Vyman and was brought to the North by Catelyn Tully, or he was the Maester at Winterfell after Walys died and went south to join the pregnant Catelyn at Riverrun and deliver the first Stark heir, is not clear.
- Nothing Up My Sleeve: Has pockets hidden in the baggy sleeves of his cloak for various items, including books, toys, and strange artifacts.
- Omnidisciplinary Scientist: He has knowledge of a great deal of subjects, including history and medicine. He also has a rare Valyrian steel ring in his maesters chain, signifying his study of the higher mysteries, including magic.
- Only Sane Man: When Theon takes over Winterfell and finds himself under siege, Maester Luwin advises him to join the Night's Watch, which would have been a reasonable, honorable way of avoiding death. He comes very close to convincing Theon to do it, but then Ramsay Snow breaks the siege the other Northerners had on Winterfell.
- Shoot the Shaggy Dog Story: Spends most of A Clash of Kings trying to moderate Theon's treatment of Winterfell's people and finding a peaceful way to free the castle from the Ironborn. Just when he finally manages to convince Theon to take the Black, Ramsay shows up and sacks Winterfell, killing Luwin and most of the people he had been trying to save while taking most of the women back to the Dreadfort as captives.
- The Smart Guy: For the Starks: his advice and knowledge are extremely useful to them and heavily influences their decisions.
- Undying Loyalty: Luwin goes well over his maester oaths to be loyal first and foremost to the Starks. He deeply loves them, weeping over Ned's death and acting as best he can to safeguard the children.
Old Nan
Nan
Old Nan
"Oh, my sweet summer child, what do you know of fear?"
A former wet nurse and current story teller for House Stark. Is possibly the oldest woman in Westeros, and is very knowledgeable about the supernatural history of Westeros, especially in The North.
- The Cassandra: Her supernatural tales are all true, but no one believes her.
- Cloudcuckoolander: Due to her age.
- The Cloudcuckoolander Was Right: She insists that the fiery red comet means that dragons have returned to the world. Also, every far-fetched fireside tale, be it rambling or short? Bang on the money in very important ways.
- Cool Old Lady: The Stark children grew up hearing her numerous tales about the wonders and monsters that inhabit the world. At least Bran and Arya greatly adore her.
- Foil: To Maester Luwin, due to her belief in magic.
- Long-Lived: The oldest person in Winterfell and possibly all of Westeros. She was already old when Eddard Stark was still young.
- Ms. Exposition: She is the reader's biggest source of information about Westeros' mythical past.
- Old Retainer: She may be the oldest person in the series and has served House Stark for generations.
- Outliving One's Offspring: Both her sons died fighting in Robert's Rebellion, her daughters moved away from Winterfell and died, and one of her grandsons died in the Greyjoy Rebellion. The only relative she has left is her great-grandson Hodor.
- The Storyteller: She's particularly fond of telling scary stories about the Others. Her stories, which she claims have been passed down since ancient times, have proven the most reliable source of ancient history and magic lore in the setting whenever they've been tested.
- Put on a Bus: She is among those captured by Ramsay Snow and taken to the Dreadfort during the sack of Winterfell, with her current status unknown.
- Uncertain Doom: The last we hear of Old Nan, she's been taken to the Dreadfort. Whatever's happened to her in there, it's definitely not pretty.
Hodor
Walder
Hodor
"Hodor!"
A lovable simpleton stableboy for the Starks and Old Nan's great grandson, he is tasked with carrying Bran around and continues to fulfill this role as Bran travels beyond the Wall.
- Butt-Monkey: He was rendered mentally handicapped in his youth, which everyone, including the people who actually care about him, makes light of. He is shamelessly used as a work mule due to his physical strength and lack of wits. He is casually (and sometimes maliciously) mocked for his disability throughout his life. Later on, he has to carry around a paralyzed child everywhere. Gets abused by the Ironborn when Theon takes Winterfell. Nearly strains himself to death lifting and moving all kinds of physical obstacles that impede Bran and co. Regularly has his mind controlled by Bran. And is forced to confront all kinds of monstrous horrors and other disturbing things when he can barely endure the sound of thunder.
- Charles Atlas Superpower: Despite being a Kindhearted Simpleton, Hodor is one of the strongest characters in the series, with physical strength and endurance at nearly the same level as the likes of Gregor Clegane or Victarion Greyjoy.
- Dumb Is Good: He appears to be both the kindest and least intelligent character in the series.
- Empowered Badass Normal: When being possessed by Bran he possesses the strength to cut through several of the undead like butter, whereas most warriors can barely manage to overcome a single wight.
- Fear of Thunder: He is terrified of thunder, which almost gets Bran's party discovered by wildlings, until in a moment of panic Bran discovers he can warg into people.
- Foil: Bran occasionally muses over the fact Hodor was denied the life of a knight much like himself. Given his size and strength Bran notes had he not been simpleminded he'd have been a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield, and would likely have had a beautiful wife and his own family by now. A life that Bran feels is out of reach for them both now.
- Gentle Giant: Hodor is one of the largest characters, towering above most people, but he's a kind simpleton who wouldn't hurt a fly.
- Half-Human Hybrid: Osha suggests he may be part giant given his size.
- I Coulda Been a Contender!: Bran believes that Hodor could have been a great and fearsome knight due to his strength, if he weren't simpleminded.
- Manchild: Hodor's lack of intelligence has him acting like a very naive child.
- Mind Rape: Bran warging into him is clearly a terrifying experience for Hodor, even if he does become somewhat used to it.
- Only Known By His Nickname: After Bran mentions Hodor can only say his name to which amuses Old Nan because his name is actually Walder. No-one knows where the word "hodor" came from or if it even means anything at all.
- Pokémon Speak: All he ever says is "Hodor", although Hodor isn't actually his name (it's Walder).
- Super Wheelchair: His job description is to carry Bran in a basket on his back.
- Undying Loyalty: Although he is simple-minded, he shows a great deal of loyalty towards House Stark, becoming extremely upset when Theon and his Ironborn take Winterfell.
- Willing Channeler: Sort of. He eventually lets Bran warg into him easier, although it clearly feels like Mind Rape from Hodor's perspective, and Hodor "retreats" further into his mind away from Bran when it happens.
Osha
Osha
"Who do you think sends the wind, if not the gods?"
A wildling woman who is taken captive after her group attempts to kidnap Bran. She becomes a servant of the Starks, eventually befriending Bran and teaching him about life north of the Wall.
- Action Girl: She is a skilled spearwife, having killed several people both in her past (including a ranger of the Night's Watch) and during the series.
- Agent Mulder: Given all that she has seen beyond the Wall, it is hard to blame her for believing in pretty much everything magic related.
- Badass and Child Duo: With Bran and Rickon. Turns into being with just Rickon when they split up for safety.
- The Cassandra: Everything she says about the growing power of the Others north of the Wall is ignored, except by Bran, who can't do anything about it.
- Character Development: Goes from being quite willing to kidnap Bran and turn him over to Mance Rayder to being extremely protective of him and Rickon.
- Covered in Scars: When Bran happens upon her bathing, one of the first things he notices is her scars, which he comments on. She tells him that all of them were hard earned from fighting men, both wildlings and Night's Watch.
- Defeat Means Friendship: At least towards Bran, whom she grows fond of. This loyalty extends towards some others in the Stark household as well.
- Fake Defector: When Theon takes over Winterfell, Osha pretends to join him, and then takes the opportunity to kill some of his men and smuggle Bran and Rickon to safety.
- Honey Trap: She seduces one of Theon's crew, and then kills him mid-coitus in order to escape with Bran and Rickon.
- Mama Bear: She grows to be quite protective of Bran and Rickon. When Theon took over Winterfell, she killed some of his men and escaped with both of them.
- Noble Savage: While viewed as a untrustworthy barbarian by the Northerners, Osha possesses a high degree of loyalty and is more religious than some Northerners, and is very knowledgeable about the lands and history of the Wildlings.
- Parental Substitute: To Rickon (and a little towards Bran, too), in an unconventional way, as she's a fierce Wildling spearwife.
- Put on a Bus: For now. She, Rickon and Shaggydog have gone to Skagos.
- Shameless Fanservice Girl: She's often exposed and bathing while around Bran in A Clash of Kings, and has no shame talking to him about sex.
- The Sneaky Gal: She moves very quietly, even when she has leg irons around her ankles after being captured.
- Sole Survivor: The only member of her group to survive Robb, Theon, and Grey Wind attacking them.
Septa Mordane
Septa Mordane
"A lady's armor is courtesy."
A Septa in service to House Stark. She serves as Sansa and Arya's tutor, although she is closer to Sansa.
- Maid and Maiden: She accompanies the far younger Sansa and advises her on ladylike matters.
- Mauve Shirt: Killed in the purge of the Stark household at King's Landing.
- The Mentor: To Sansa, teaching her the finer points of being a Proper Lady. She tries with Arya as well, but Arya isn't interested.
- Not So Above It All: At the feast on the first night of the Hand's Tourney in King's Landing, Septa Mordane has quite a bit to drink and laughs at Moon Boy's jokes about the High Septon.
- Offscreen Moment of Awesome: She actually got herself beheaded when she could have just stepped to one side, spilled her guts about anything they asked her about and then made like the stonework until they left. Yet, she faced the guards with a little ladylike defiance and nothing else, all simply to be a small hindrance when they went after the girls. This may not have helped poor Sansa or Jeyne much, but Mordane might well have knowingly contributed to the delay in the guards working out where Arya actually was with her "needlework" simply by staying silent or by denying them any knowledge she did have by sending them on a little goose chase, which, when combined with Syrio's sacrifice, helped the girl escape. The dragnet around the Keep had developed holes in it by the time Arya was truly moving.
- Off with Her Head!: She is decapitated and her head is put on display on spikes on the walls of the Red Keep.
- Stern Nun: She's rather strict with Arya, and doesn't approve of her wild and defiant nature.
- Stern Teacher: Moreso to Arya, whose tomboyishness is quite frustrating.
Septon Chayle
Septon Chayle
The keeper of the sept built for Lady Catelyn and librarian at Winterfell. He grew up on the shores of the White Knife and was killed by the Ironmen when they sacked Winterfell in Clash of Kings.
- Bookworm: He serves as Winterfell's librarian.
- Death by Irony: He's a strong swimmer who ended up drowning.
- Foreshadowing : Jojen Reed has a vision of him being drowned by a flood shortly before the Ironmen attack winterfell.
- Genre Blind: Despite being religious, Chayle disregards Jojen's prophetic dreams just like Rodrik Cassel and Maester Luwin.
- Hidden Depths: Is said to be a very strong swimmer.
- Human Sacrifice: Is drowned in a well as a sacrifice to the Drowned God.
- Mauve Shirt: Only makes brief appearances throughout the series, and dies in the second book.
- Nice Guy: He's kind and friendly to everyone.
Farlen
Farlen
Winterfell's kennelmaster.
- Face Death with Dignity: He makes Theon execute him himself, like Eddard Stark would have.
- Frame-Up: After Theon has "Reek" (Ramsay Snow in disguise) secretly murder the Ironborn who knew that he had not truly found and killed Bran and Rickon, he pins the blame on Farlen and executes him for their deaths.
- I Have Your Wife: Theon controls Farlen by threatening his daughter Palla.
- Off with His Head!: Farlen insists Theon execute himself but he botches it, hitting him between the shoulders on the first blow and then taking three more swings to actually take his head off. It's unrecorded how many of these blows Farlen lived through.
Hullen
Hullen, master of horse
"Direwolves loose in the realm, after so many years. I like it not."
The master of horse of Winterfell. His son Harwin is a member of the Stark household guard and, later, the brotherhood without banners. He accompanied Lord Eddard south to King's Landing.
- Any One Can Die: He is killed along with the rest of the Stark household who traveled with Ned to King's Landing.
- Mauve Shirt: Gets a bit of page time and interaction with the Starks before being killed.
- Mercy Kill: Tries to convince Robb, Jon, and Bran that the direwolf pups need to be killed since they would not last long without their mother, but is overruled by Ned.
Joseth
Joseth, master of horse
The new master of horse of Winterfell, after Hullen's departure.
- Replacement Goldfish: He's made the new master of horse after Hullen departs with Lord Eddard's retinue to King's Landing.
- What Happened to the Mouse?: He's last mentioned when he's forced to join Theon's search party after Bran and Rickon disappear from Winterfell. It is likely he was killed during the Sack of Winterfell
Mikken
Mikken
Winterfell's blacksmith.
- The Blacksmith: He forged Needle for Arya, at Jon's request.
- Character Death: He is killed by Styg when the Ironborn took Winterfell and he refused to kneel.
- Small Role, Big Impact: Mikken doesn't appear much before his death, but the sword he forges for Arya helps keep her alive during her travels through the Riverlands. It is the last of her personal possessions she secretly keeps while in training to become a Faceless Man (during which she is supposed to forsake her past and her identity), serving as a reminder of that which she cannot bear to give up.
Stark House Guard
Ser Rodrik Cassel
Ser Rodrik Cassel, master-at-arms, castellan of Winterfell
- See the House Cassel entry at the Northern houses page
Jory Cassel
Jory Cassel, captain of the guards
- See the House Cassel entry at the Northern houses page
Alyn
Alyn
A skilled warrior who accompanies Lord Eddard Stark south to King's Landing. He aspires to become a knight.
- The Captain: Of Lord Eddard's guard in King's Landing following Jory Cassel's death.
- Killed Offscreen: Harwin mentions that Alyn died sometime after Mummer's Ford, but the exact circumstances of his demise are still unknown.
- My Nayme Is: Alyn instead of Alan.
- Put on a Bus: Leaves King's Landing to command twenty guardsmen who ride with Lord Beric to execute Ser Gregor Clegane at Lord Eddard's order. He dies sometime after the Battle at the Mummer's Ford.
- Rank Up: Promoted to head of the Stark guards in King's Landing after Jory is killed.
Tomard
Tomard
Fat Tom
A large but friendly middle-aged guard who accompanies Lord Eddard south to King's Landing. His son Tom remains at Winterfell.
- Big Fun: Many of the Stark children have fond memories of playing with or teasing Fat Tom.
- Cavalry Betrayal: He is killed by the Goldcloaks in the throne room when they turn on Ned during his attempted arrest of Cersei Lannister and her children.
- In-Series Nickname: Fat Tom due to being fat and named Tom. Notably this does not inspire much confidence in Ned's guard among fans who noted that he sent his most capable guards on missions while keeping ones like Fat Tom around him, which ended pretty much how one would expect.
- Mauve Shirt: Gets a bit of personality before being killed in the purge of the Stark household at King's Landing. A few of the Stark children still think about or mention him after his death as well.
- Nice Guy: He is a friendly and jovial guy.
- The Nicknamer: Refers to Arya as Arya Underfoot because "that was where she always was".
Harwin
Harwin
- See the Brotherhood Without Banners page.
Independent
Syrio Forel
Syrio Forel
"Just so."
Former First Sword of Braavos, hired by Eddard Stark to train Arya in swordplay.
- Ambiguously Related: He may be related to Phario Forel, a playwright who is said to have the bloodiest quill in all of Braavos.
- Awesomeness by Analysis: Syrio prizes being able to read a situation and passes it to Arya. Notably, it likely saves Arya from becoming a Lannister hostage when he instantly notes something very strange about Lord Eddard Stark sending Lannister men and not Starks to collect his daughter...
- Badass Teacher: One of the best swordsmen in the world and a gifted teacher. Proven beyond a doubt in his final scene, where he holds off six men-at-arms and a knight of the Kingsguard with only a practice sword so that his pupil Arya can escape.
- Beware the Silly Ones: A skinny bald man with a prominent hook nose and a funny accent, whose training methods involve making his pupil chase cats and stand on one leg. He also happens to be capable of taking down 5 trained men-at-arms wearing full armor with a wooden training sword without breaking a sweat.
- Brutal Honesty: Got him the job of First Sword of Braavos. When he was invited to see the Sealord after the previous First Sword died, the Sealord asked him what he thought of his Right-Hand Cat, which was supposedly from some far-off exotic land. Syrio said that he'd seen a thousand cats just like it in the alleys of Braavos. The Sealord made him First Sword immediately, as he saw what the cat truly was (just a cat), spoke the truth and didn't try to win favor through flattery.
- Character Tic: Clicking his teeth.
- Cool Teacher: Arya adores him, and - notably for this setting - he doesn't look down on women fighting and respects Arya's eagerness to train, with no thought to her gender.
- Eccentric Mentor: He has some weird training methods, such as having Arya catch cats or practice while blindfolded, but they work.
- "Facing the Bullets" One-Liner:Syrio Forel: The First Sword of Braavos does not run.
- Hidden Depths: Syrio presents as rather silly and is ostensibly just a man hired by Ned to teach Arya swordplay as a distraction. He not only warns Arya as to the Lannisters' coming to kidnap her, he likely dies protecting her despite having no true ties to House Stark.
- Master Swordsman: Even with just a wooden practice sword, he kills or knocks out five Lannister guardsmen.
- Meaningful Name: "Forel" (with the second syllable stressed) is Russian for "trout", derived from the German "Forelle". He comes from a city of canals, and his pupil Arya is descended from a House whose sigil is a leaping trout.
- Mentor Archetype: To Arya, teaching her not only swordsmanship but general lessons on survival she'll take with her on the run. They also develop an affectionate relationship with Syrio growing genuinely fond of her and Arya being much closer to him than any of her more conventional, ladylike mentors like Septa Mordane.
- Never Found the Body: Assumed dead, but was still fighting when last seen and his head is not on display with the rest of the Stark servants'.
- Papa Wolf: Not a biological father, but doesn't take kindly to anyone attempting to harm a child under his protection.
- Pre Ass Kicking One Liner: When faced with several Lannister guards:Syrio Forel: I am Syrio Forel, and you will now be speaking to me with more respect.
- Private Tutor: Hired to teach the Braavosi style to Arya Stark.
- Royal Rapier: The weapon for a water dancer, his school of swordplay.
- Sixth Ranger: Ned considered hiring Syrio full time.
- Third-Person Person: Usually refers to himself as "Syrio Forel, the First Sword of Bravos."
- Undying Loyalty: To the Starks and his pupil Arya in particular as he sacrifices himself fighting off Lannister soldiers to give her time to escape Kings Landing.
- We Hardly Knew Ye: He only appears in the first book, and is implied to have been killed by the end of it, but in that time he made a big impression on the fandom.
- You Shall Not Pass!: Pulls one against Ser Meryn Trant and the Lannister guardsmen, to give Arya the chance to escape.
Historical Members of the Stark Household
Maester Walys
Walys Flowers
"Isn't it clever how the maesters go only by one name, even those who had two when they first arrived at the Citadel? That way we cannot know who they truly are or where they come from."
— Lady Barbrey Dustin about Maester Walys
The Maester who served at Winterfell before Maester Luwin. Counseled Lord Rickard to make alliances with the Riverlands, Stormlands and the Vale. Walys was purportedly a bastard of House Hightower.
- For the House Hightower character page see here.
- Bastard Bastard: To Lady Dustin he was Walys Flowers, a Hightower bastard from the Reach. As the only source of the information regarding him and considering his "slights" against her, she is not very fond of him and it shows on her accounts.
- Hidden Agenda Villain: To Lady Dustin, who says that he was pushing Lord Stark southbound, seemingly towards the faith of the Seven and mix with southern houses like the Tullys and Baratheons. His efforts were of mixed success, as the current Stark kids are raised in both the Faith of the Seven and the Old God's. Mixed, mind you: the guy probably didn't imagine that all the Stark children would develop magical abilities strongly tied with the Old Gods.
- The Man Behind the Man: According to Lady Dustin, he is the reason behind Lord Rickard's "southron ambitions".
- Walys himself was pushing an agenda from the Citadel and the Hightowers. His influence eventually led to the introduction of a sept into Winterfell for the first time years after by order of Ned Stark as a token of appreciation to his wife Catelyn Tully.
- The Matchmaker: For political marriages. He pushed for the betrothal of Brandon Stark and Catelyn Tully, scorning Barbrey Ryswell.
- Posthumous Character: Walys died ca. 283 AC. Most of the information known of him comes from Lady Barbrey Dustin.
