Who Did Ned Kill Before He Found Out About Lyanna

Howard Cosell

2 min read

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03-12-2024

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This question delves into a crucial point in the narrative of A Song of Ice and Fire, exploring the complexities of Ned Stark's character and the events leading up to his fateful involvement in King Robert's rebellion. While the precise timeline isn't explicitly detailed in the books, we can piece together a likely sequence of events based on established facts.

The Timeline of Ned's Actions

The exact order of events surrounding Ned's actions prior to his discovery of Lyanna Stark's fate remains somewhat ambiguous. However, we can deduce a plausible chronology based on the information provided in the books and show:

The Rebellion and the Sack of King's Landing

Ned's involvement in Robert's Rebellion is well-documented. He was a key figure in the fighting, contributing significantly to the rebellion's success. During the sack of King's Landing, a period known for immense brutality and violence, Ned likely participated in battles and skirmishes. While the books don't specifically mention the number of lives he took during this chaotic period, it's highly probable that he killed several enemy soldiers in the heat of combat. This was a war, and Ned, as a skilled warrior, would have been directly involved in the fighting. It's important to note that this was the act of a soldier fighting in a war, not a deliberate act of murder.

Actions after the Sack

Following the rebellion's victory, the ensuing period saw a settling of accounts and the consolidation of power. While there are no specific instances described of Ned personally executing individuals, it's likely he was involved in maintaining order and carrying out the orders of Robert Baratheon. This period may have also involved the suppression of any lingering Targaryen loyalists, which could have included instances where Ned was forced to use lethal force. However, the details of such actions remain shrouded in the ambiguity of historical accounts.

The Importance of Context

It's crucial to understand the context surrounding Ned's actions. He was a man of honor bound by his oaths, but also a skilled warrior fighting in a brutal war. The killings he likely participated in during and after the rebellion were acts committed within the context of war and the consolidation of power. This is a crucial distinction from the later events surrounding Lyanna's secret and his own execution.

The Unknown Count

Ultimately, the precise number of people Ned killed before discovering Lyanna's fate remains unknown and deliberately left ambiguous by George R. R. Martin. The focus is not on a precise body count, but rather on the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by Ned Stark as a warrior, a nobleman, and a father, shaped by the events of the rebellion and the subsequent secrets he kept.