Catelyn Stark

Her devotion to kin was both her shield and her shackle.

Catelyn Stark, born Catelyn Tully, is a central point-of-view character in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels and the HBO adaptation Game of Thrones. Initially betrothed to Brandon Stark, she married his brother Eddard shortly after Brandon's execution by King Aerys II to secure an alliance between the Riverlands and the North. Though initially disappointed by Ned's shorter stature compared to her fiancé, she fell in love with him over time. Portrayed by Michelle Fairley, Catelyn is celebrated for her performance in "The Rains of Castamere," though her resurrection as Lady Stoneheart was omitted from the show despite Martin's objections.

Quick Facts

Series

A Song of Ice and Fire character; Game of Thrones

First

Literature:
A Game of Thrones (1996)
Television:
"Winter Is Coming" (2011)

Last

Television:; "Blood of My Blood" (2016)

Creator

George R. R. Martin

Adapted by

D. B. Weiss & David Benioff (Game of Thrones)

Portrayed by

Michelle Fairley

Also known as

Cat
Stoneheart
Lady Stoneheart
The Silent Sister
Mother Merciless
The Hangwoman

Spouse

Eddard Stark

Lore & Background

Catelyn Stark is described as beautiful, with fair skin, long auburn hair, blue eyes, high cheekbones, full breasts, and long fingers. She typically wears the grey of House Stark or the blue and red of House Tully. Proud and kind, she possesses a strong grasp of politics but is often governed by her desire to protect her children. While usually in accord with Eddard, she resents his admission of their extramarital son, Jon Snow.

Her story shifts dramatically after the Red Wedding, where Walder Frey and his men slaughter Robb Stark's host. Catelyn takes Aegon Frey hostage and kills him when Roose Bolton murders Robb, but Raymund Frey slashes her throat. Mutilated and stripped naked, her corpse is thrown into the Green Fork. Three days later, she washes ashore, drawn to by Nymeria, Arya's stray direwolf, while Arya skinchanges into the wolf.

Resurrected by Lord Beric Dondarrion, who sacrifices his life force in repayment for Eddard's honor, Catelyn returns as Lady Stoneheart.

Reader's Guide

Catelyn's arc is defined by her transformation from a political matriarch into a vengeful phantom. In A Game of Thrones, she travels to King's Landing after receiving Lysa Arryn's letter about Jon Arryn's death and warns Eddard before being wounded by an assassin sent to kill Bran. She captures Tyrion Lannister, taking him to the Eyrie where he demands trial by combat. After Ned's execution, she argues for peace but is overruled by her son Robb.

In A Clash of Kings, she advises against sending Theon Greyjoy to forge an alliance with Balon and witnesses Renly Baratheon's murder by a shadow creature while accompanying Brienne to Storm's End. Her decision to free Jaime Lannister to exchange him for Sansa and Arya costs Robb the support of House Karstark. In A Storm of Swords, she attends the wedding at the Twins, where her attempt to save Robb ends in her own death. The television showrunners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss decided against bringing her back as Stoneheart, a move Martin called "the first major diversion of the show from the books."

Did You Know?

Michelle Fairley's portrayal of Catelyn in "The Rains of Castamere" received such critical acclaim that many fans were disappointed she did not appear again despite her resurrection in the novels.
Lady Stoneheart is unable to speak properly due to her throat being slashed and must cover the wound with her hand to give commands.
The word Brienne shouted to save herself from hanging was "sword," leading Lady Stoneheart to spare her life.