Second son of Lord Rickard, fostered at the Eyrie as a ward of Jon Arryn alongside Robert Baratheon. Inherited Winterfell after his father and elder brother were murdered by Aerys II, and stood with Robert through the rebellion that followed, leading the Northern host south, lifting the siege of Storm's End, and breaking down the door of the Tower of Joy to find his sister dying. Wed Catelyn Tully, his brother's betrothed, in the same week his liege wed her sister.
Ruled Winterfell as Warden of the North for fifteen years until King Robert came north and named him Hand of the King in 298 AC. His investigation into the death of his predecessor Jon Arryn cost him first his post, then his life: he was executed on the steps of the Great Sept of Baelor on the orders of King Joffrey, after confessing to treason in a bargain meant to spare his daughters that he did not live to see broken.