Catelyn Stark

**Catelyn Stark**, née **Tully**, also known as **Cat** to her husband and close friends, is the wife of Lord Eddard Stark and the mother of Robb Stark, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Bran Stark and Rickon Stark. She is formerly of House Tully, and her father is Hoster Tully and her mother Minisa Tully. She has a brother, Edmure Tully, and a sister, Lysa Arryn. She was killed at the Twins along with Robb during the infamous Red Wedding.

## Appearance and Character

See also: *Images of Catelyn Stark*

Catelyn is a beautiful woman with thick auburn hair and blue eyes. She tends to dress simply, preferring the grey of House Stark or the blue and red of her father Hoster Tully’s house. She is seen as honourable and upright by acquaintances.

Following the words of her father's house, "Family. Duty. Honor," Catelyn is a woman devoted to her family and protects her children above all. When it comes to her family, Catelyn more often follows her heart rather than her head. She is proud, strong, and kind.

## History

Catelyn is the eldest daughter of Lady Minisa and Lord Hoster Tully. She has a younger brother, Edmure, and a younger sister, Lysa.

Catelyn spent her childhood in Riverrun, where she befriended her father's ward, Petyr Baelish. Although he fell in love with her and would have liked to marry her, Catelyn never shared his feelings because she could not see him as more than a younger brother. When she was twelve, Catelyn's betrothal to Brandon Stark, heir of Winterfell, was announced. This union was arranged in hopes that it would strengthen the ties of friendship between the great houses.

When Brandon came to Riverrun to meet with Catelyn, young Petyr challenged him to a duel for her hand, but Brandon easily defeated Petyr. Catelyn begged Brandon to spare Petyr's life and Petyr was banished from Riverrun back to his own home as soon as he was sufficiently recovered. Petyr later sent a single letter after Brandon's death, but Catelyn burned it without reading it. Catelyn's betrothal to Brandon ended abruptly when he, along with his father Rickard Stark, were killed by the Mad King. This prompted Robert's Rebellion, which was led by Brandon's younger brother Eddard Stark, and his childhood friend Robert Baratheon. During the Rebellion, Catelyn's father sought to continue the alliance and she ended up marrying Eddard. She moved to Winterfell, where she and Eddard formed a strong and loving marriage, and where they are well respected and loved by both nobles and smallfolk. Catelyn and Eddard have five children together: Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon. Along with their five children, Eddard raised his illegitimate son Jon Snow at Winterfell, the single act that created friction between her and her husband.

## Books

### A Game of Thrones

Catelyn visits the Winterfell Godswood to inform her husband Lord Eddard Stark of the death of Jon Arryn and the impending visit of King Robert Baratheon. She is later present for the arrival of the royal retinue. She escorts Robert Baratheon into the Great Hall of Winterfell ahead of the celebratory feast.

During the night, Catelyn welcomes her husband into her bed. She contemplates on the coldness of the Starks and how, as a Tully, she prefers the warmth. Catelyn receives a letter from her sister Lysa which tells her that Jon Arryn was murdered by Cersei. She pushes for her husband to take the title of Hand of the King. Ned agrees, but tells her that she must stay in the North with Robb and Rickon.

Catelyn prays in the Winterfell sept for Bran stay with her and not go south. When Bran falls from the First Keep, he goes into a coma. Catelyn stays by his side, feeding him herself and hardly sleeping. When Bran's half-brother Jon comes to see Bran, Catelyn initially refuses to let Jon in to see Bran. She cries afterward, thinking herself to blame because she had prayed for Bran to stay with her and her prayers were cruelly answered. She then tells Jon that it would have been better had he been the one to fall.