Catelyn Stark

Born Catelyn Tully of Riverrun, she was betrothed to Brandon Stark and married his brother Eddard in his place, and ruled Winterfell while he warred and while he served. She loved her children fiercely and Jon Snow not at all — the one grudge that shaped the house she married into.

She set the war in motion herself: seizing Tyrion Lannister on the road on suspicion of the attempt on Bran's life, demanding her daughters back, and holding the captive lord as a hostage. She negotiated the Frey crossing for Robb, counselled him through every victory, and was at his side at the Twins when the canopy came down with knives.

Stabbed and thrown into the Green Fork, she did not stay dead. The Brotherhood Without Banners returned her to a half-life as Lady Stoneheart, hanging Freys and their friends without trial — the mother's love that survived its own murder, and the war's last ghost.