In the world of Westeros, few stories hit as hard as the rise and fall of Robb Stark. The eldest son of Eddard Stark, he was proclaimed King in the North at just 15 years old in George R.R. Martin’s novels, a boy thrust into war who won battle after battle before a single catastrophic betrayal ended everything.
Age at death: 15 years old (novels) / 17 years old (TV series) ·
Epithet: The Young Wolf ·
King in the North: Declared after execution of Eddard Stark ·
Marriage: Jeyne Westerling (novels) / Talisa Maegyr (TV series) ·
Death event: Red Wedding (299 AC in novels, Season 3 in TV) ·
Killed by: Roose Bolton and Walder Frey (conspiracy)
Quick snapshot
- Robb Stark was murdered at the Red Wedding (A Wiki of Ice and Fire – Westeros encyclopedia)
- He broke the betrothal to a Frey daughter (A Wiki of Ice and Fire – Westeros encyclopedia)
- Roose Bolton stabbed him at the Twins (Fandom – Game of Thrones wiki)
- Whether he knew about the conspiracy in advance (A Wiki of Ice and Fire – Westeros encyclopedia)
- The exact nature of his relationship with Jeyne Westerling in the novels (A Wiki of Ice and Fire – Westeros encyclopedia)
- The Red Wedding occurred in 299 AC in the book timeline (A Wiki of Ice and Fire – Westeros encyclopedia)
- The HBO episode “The Rains of Castamere” aired on 2013-06-02 (IMDb – film database)
- After the Red Wedding, the North was ruled by House Bolton (Wikipedia – encyclopedia)
- Jon Snow eventually reclaims Winterfell in the Battle of the Bastards (Wikipedia – encyclopedia)
Nine key facts about Robb Stark, one pattern: his life was defined by titles he earned and a death that broke every rule.
The table below lays out the essential biographical data.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Robb Stark |
| Also known as | The Young Wolf, King in the North |
| House | Stark |
| Titles | King in the North, Lord of Winterfell |
| Born | 283 AC (novels) / ~281 AC (TV) |
| Died | 299 AC (novels) / 303 AC (TV) |
| Cause of death | Stabbed at the Red Wedding |
| Spouse | Jeyne Westerling (novels) / Talisa Maegyr (TV) |
| Actor | Richard Madden |
What happened to Robb Stark?
The lead-up to the Red Wedding
- Robb became King in the North after his father’s execution and gathered northern bannermen to fight southward (Reddit – ASOIAF community discussion).
- He divided his army, sending infantry under Roose Bolton against Tywin Lannister while he led cavalry against Jaime Lannister (Reddit – ASOIAF community discussion).
- Robb won several battles in the Westerlands but was wounded at the Crag, where he met Jeyne Westerling (A Wiki of Ice and Fire – Westeros encyclopedia).
Robb’s battlefield brilliance earned him the loyalty of his men, but his decision to marry Jeyne instead of a Frey cost him the alliance that could have won the war.
The betrayal at the Twins
- Walder Frey arranged the Red Wedding in revenge for Robb’s broken promise (Fandom – Game of Thrones wiki).
- At the wedding of Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey, the Freys and Boltons turned on the Stark guests, violating guest right (A Wiki of Ice and Fire – Westeros encyclopedia).
- Robb was stabbed by Roose Bolton, who said, “The Lannisters send their regards” (Wikipedia – encyclopedia).
The pattern: a king who trusted the bonds of guest right and kinship was murdered by the men who swore fealty to him.
Why did they betray Robb Stark?
Breaking the marriage pact with House Frey
- Robb had promised to marry one of Walder Frey’s daughters in exchange for the Twins crossing (A Wiki of Ice and Fire – Westeros encyclopedia).
- After being wounded, he slept with and married Jeyne Westerling, breaking the pact (A Wiki of Ice and Fire – Westeros encyclopedia).
- Walder Frey felt publicly humiliated and sought revenge (Fandom – Game of Thrones wiki).
Military losses and strategic desperation
- After the Battle of the Blackwater, the Lannisters looked unbeatable, making a Stark alliance less attractive (Fandom – Game of Thrones wiki).
- Robb had lost the support of Lord Karstark by executing him for killing Lannister prisoners (Wikipedia – encyclopedia).
- Roose Bolton saw an opportunity to seize power for himself by siding with the Lannisters (Wikipedia – encyclopedia).
Robb’s betrayal was not a single act of malice but a convergence of broken oaths, military pressure, and personal ambition among his own bannermen.
The implication: each ally’s defection multiplied the cost of Robb’s single broken promise.
What did Robb Stark say before he died?
His final words in the novel
- In George R.R. Martin’s A Storm of Swords, Robb’s last word is “Grey Wind” (A Wiki of Ice and Fire – Westeros encyclopedia).
His final words in the TV series
- In the HBO adaptation, Robb calls out “Mother…” as Talisa is stabbed before he is killed (Fandom – Game of Thrones wiki).
“Mother…”
— Robb Stark (TV series), last words at the Red Wedding (IMDb – film database)
The implication: in both versions, Robb’s final thought is of those he loved, not of his crown or his enemies.
How old is Robb when he dies?
Age in George R.R. Martin’s novels
- Robb Stark is 15 years old at the time of his death in 299 AC (Wikipedia – encyclopedia).
Age in the HBO series
- In the television series, Robb is 17 years old when he dies in Season 3 (Fandom – Game of Thrones wiki).
The catch: both ages underscore how young he was to bear the weight of a kingdom and a war.
Is Robb Stark good or bad?
His honorable actions
- Robb is portrayed as a just leader who inspires fierce loyalty from many of his men (Wikipedia – encyclopedia).
- He executed Lord Karstark for murdering prisoners, upholding the rule of law even at a strategic cost (Wikipedia – encyclopedia).
His strategic mistakes
- He broke a critical oath to Walder Frey by marrying Jeyne Westerling (or Talisa in the TV series) (A Wiki of Ice and Fire – Westeros encyclopedia).
- He failed to secure his own northern base, allowing the Ironborn to take Winterfell (Wikipedia – encyclopedia).
“The Lannisters send their regards.”
— Roose Bolton (TV series), before stabbing Robb (Wikipedia – encyclopedia)
The pattern: Robb’s rigid honor won him the love of his men but blinded him to the pragmatism needed to survive in Westeros.
Timeline of Robb Stark’s final campaign
- 298 AC: Robb becomes Lord of Winterfell after his father’s arrest (A Wiki of Ice and Fire – Westeros encyclopedia).
- 298–299 AC: Campaign against the Lannisters; wins several battles (Wikipedia – encyclopedia).
- 299 AC: Marries Jeyne Westerling (novels) or Talisa Maegyr (TV) (A Wiki of Ice and Fire – Westeros encyclopedia).
- 299 AC: The Red Wedding — Robb is murdered by Roose Bolton and Walder Frey (Wikipedia – encyclopedia).
Clarity check: confirmed vs. unclear
Confirmed facts
- Robb Stark dies at the Red Wedding (A Wiki of Ice and Fire – Westeros encyclopedia)
- He breaks the betrothal to a Frey daughter (A Wiki of Ice and Fire – Westeros encyclopedia)
- Roose Bolton stabs him (Fandom – Game of Thrones wiki)
What remains unclear
- Whether he knew about the conspiracy in advance
- The exact nature of his relationship with Jeyne Westerling in the novels
What this means: the core facts are settled, but the deeper motivations and awareness of those involved remain subject to interpretation.
Related reading
- Brienne of Tarth: Character Guide & Ending Explained – another key figure in the Stark story
Related reading: **Brienne of Tarth: Character Guide & Ending Explained** · **Brienne of Tarth: Character Guide & Ending Explained**
en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, instagram.com, winteriscoming.net, youtube.com, facebook.com, screenrant.com, popculturereviews.com
Robb Stark’s military successes were ultimately undone by the betrayal at the Red Wedding, a key event explored in further detail online.
Frequently asked questions
Is Robb Stark alive in the books?
No. Robb Stark dies in A Storm of Swords (the third book) at the Red Wedding.
Why did Robb Stark marry Jeyne Westerling?
In the novels, Robb slept with Jeyne after being wounded and felt honor-bound to marry her, breaking his Frey betrothal.
Who killed Robb Stark in Game of Thrones?
Roose Bolton stabbed him at the Red Wedding. The conspiracy was orchestrated by Walder Frey, Roose Bolton, and Tywin Lannister.
What was Robb Stark’s wolf named?
His direwolf was named Grey Wind.
Did Robb Stark have any children?
In the novels, Jeyne Westerling is rumored to be pregnant, but it is unconfirmed. In the TV series, Talisa is stabbed and her unborn child dies.
Was Robb Stark a good king?
He was seen as a just and honorable leader by his supporters, but his tactical mistakes and broken oath led to disaster.
How did the Red Wedding happen?
During Edmure Tully’s wedding at the Twins, the Freys and Boltons turned on the Stark party, violating guest right and killing Robb, Catelyn, and their bannermen.
What happened to Robb Stark’s body?
After the Red Wedding, Robb’s body was desecrated: his head was removed and Grey Wind’s head was sewn onto it as a mockery. The Freys displayed it as a trophy.
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Jonathan MacDonald is Editor-in-Chief at Civic Maple, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.