A GoT Family Tree: Character Relationships Explained

House Stark: The North and Family Bonds

The Starks of Winterfell are central to the story and exemplify duty and honor. Key members include Eddard Stark, his wife Catelyn, and their children Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon. Benjen Stark, Eddard’s brother, is an off-once member of the Night’s Watch. Jon Snow, Eddard’s bastard son, becomes a central figure beyond the North. These relationships anchor many early plotlines and decisions in the series.

Eddard Stark: Lord of Winterfell, Warden of the North, Hand of the King. Upheld honor even at great personal risk, leading to his downfall in King’s Landing. Executed on the orders of King Joffrey after refusing to acknowledge Joffrey’s legitimacy. His death reshapes the politics of the Seven Kingdoms and fuels subsequent Stark family objectives. His legacy persists through his children and the North’s loyalty.

Catelyn Stark: Daughter of Hoster Tully, wife of Eddard. Fiercely protective of her family, often placing House Stark’s interests above her husband’s political considerations. Captured by Jaime Lannister, held at Harrenhal, later freed during the Battle of the Blackwater. Murdered by the Freys during the Red Wedding as retaliation for Robb’s broken marriage alliance. Her death marks a turning point in Stark fortunes and northern vengeance.

The Stark Children and Their Paths

Each Stark child follows a distinct trajectory shaped by loss, identity, and responsibility. Robb rises as King in the North before his tragic end at the Red Wedding. Sansa survives abuse in King’s Landing and grows into a pragmatic leader. Arya embraces the Faceless Men before choosing her own path. Bran becomes the Three-Eyed Raven, wielding powers beyond ordinary comprehension. Rickon’s fate is sealed early, while Jon’s parentage and choices redefine the war of thrones. Outside forces, including Melisandre’s shadow magic, contribute heavily to pivotal moments for the family. The Red Wedding remains a key event with lasting repercussions for the Starks and their allies.

House Lannister: Power, Wealth, and Intrigue

House Lannister represents wealth, influence, and political manipulation in King’s Landing. The family motto, "Hear me roar," reflects their ambition and capacity for destruction. Key figures include Tywin, Cersei, Jaime, and Tyrion, whose relationships drive much of the show’s conflict. Court politics, marriages of convenience, and schemes for control define their legacy. Their actions have widespread consequences, from wars to shifts in regional loyalty, making them a durable centerpiece in the series’ narrative.

Tywin Lannister: Lord of Casterly Rock, Hand of the King, patriarch of House Lannister. Ruthless, calculating, and devoted to family legacy. Ordered the massacre of the Targaryen royal family as a child. Orchestrated marriages to extend influence, including Cersei to Robert and Tyrion to Sansa. Assassinated by Tyrion in the season 4 finale after being named Hand, destabilizing the realm further. His posthumous influence guides Lannister decisions long after his death. Bronn notably served as his mercenary enforcer before Tyrion’s trial by combat.

Cersei Lannister: Queen consort to Robert Baratheon, mother of Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen. Driven by fear of prophecy and a desire to protect her children. Walked the wildfire path under King’s Landing in season 5. Later ruled as Queen Regent and then Queen Mother. Eclipsed by the rise of Daenerys and the fall of the Great Sept. Drowned in the collapse of the Red Keep during the series finale, alongside Tommen and Jaime, marking the end of the Lannister line. Jaime attempted to thwart her plans, leading to tensions that reshaped their alliance.

Jaime Lannister: The Kingslayer, member of Kingsguard, twin to Cersei. Initially perceived as arrogant and entitled, evolves into a complex figure. Broke his Kingsguard oath to save King’s Landing from destruction. His relationship with Brienne of Tarth influences his redemption arc. Killed by Ser Gregor Clegane during an escape attempt in season 5, later revived and ultimately dies defending the innocents at King’s Landing from Euron’s forces. Brienne writes his history, cementing a nuanced legacy beyond the Kingslayer label. Bronn survives through pragmatic alliances and continues to play roles in King’s Landing politics.

Tyrion Lannister: The youngest Lannister, often underestimated due to his stature. Served as Hand of the King, negotiated with Daenerys, and killed his father Tywin. Fled to Essos and returned as a valued advisor. Instrumental in battles and diplomacy. His relationship with Shae and later Sansa informs key emotional arcs. Continued to influence events in King’s Landing and beyond, maintaining relevance across multiple seasons and storylines. Bronn’s blunt pragmatism often contrasts Tyrion’s wit in council scenes.

House Tully: Lords of the Riverlands

House Tully, with their seat at Riverrun, are defined by the words "Family, Duty, Honor." Hoster Tully and his children—Catelyn, Lysa, and Edmure—shape much of the early political landscape. Their alliances with the Starks through Ned and Catelyn’s marriage anchor the war’s personal stakes. Lysa’s instability and eventual death at the Moon Door remove a volatile element. Edmure’s missteps contrast with Catelyn’s competence, highlighting the family’s varied strengths and vulnerabilities. Lord Hoster’s death shortly after Catelyn’s passing weakens their presence in the Riverlands.

Hoster Tully: Lord of Riverrun, patriarch of House Tully. Fathered Catelyn, Lysa, and Edmure. Died after a prolonged illness, shortly after Catelyn’s death. His health influenced Riverlands stability and succession. Brynden Tully, known as the Blackfish, was his brother and a key military figure. The Tully forces played decisive roles in multiple battles, particularly alongside the Starks.

Lysa Arryn: Daughter of Hoster, sister to Catelyn and Edmure. Married to Jon Arryn, then to Petyr Baelish. Her instability led to her death by murder, thrown from the Moon Door by Petyr. This event concludes the Vale storyline and exposes Petyr’s long game. Her son Robin Arryn inherits the Vale under Petyr’s regency until the finale. Robin’s fragile health and the political vacuum shape the region’s fate. Littlefinger’s manipulation of Lysa paved the way for his control of the Vale.

House Baratheon: The Iron Throne’s Front

Robert Baratheon’s rebellion established his rule, but his family’s influence wanes over time. Key figures include Stannis, Renly, and their respective supporters. Robert’s death early in the series triggers a succession crisis. Stannis’s claim is rooted in law and honor, while Renly’s popularity offers an alternative path. Their fates and the remnants of Baratheon loyalties influence the broader struggle. The extinction of the main line simplifies regional claims but leaves room for maneuvering among survivors and legitimized heirs.

Robert Baratheon: King after overthrowing Aerys II, husband to Cersei. His love of feasting and hunting masked governance struggles. Death from a boar attack leaves the realm fragmented and undermines Baratheon legitimacy. His legacy includes troubled heirs and a destabilized throne. Ned Stark and Robert were close, and Ned’s discovery of the truth about Joffrey’s parentage sets the rebellion in motion. Loras and Renly continue to embody aspects of Baratheon influence in the Reach.

Stannis Baratheon: Claimant based on law and lineage, supported by Melisandre and Davos Seaworth. Viewed as dour but lawful, Stannis challenges both Lannisters and Starks. His reliance on Melisandre’s shadow magic and sacrifices, including Shireen, mark his moral descent. He allies with the Boltons temporarily before his death. His claim remains legally grounded but politically weakened after Robb’s death and the Red Wedding closes off Northern support. Melisandre’s shifting loyalties reflect the volatile nature of faith-based power in the series.

Renly Baratheon: Charismatic claimant with a large following, initially part of Robert’s Kingsguard. His campaign in the Stormlands positions him against both Lannisters and Stannis. Assassinated by a shadow creature conjured by Melisandre under orders from Cersei, his death removes a moderate alternative. Margaery Tyrell later aligns with Joffrey, continuing Baratheon-Tyrell connections. Renly’s popularity highlights how personality and alliances matter as much as legal claims in the struggle for the throne.

House Tyrell: Masters of the Reach

House Tyrell’s power comes from agriculture, wealth, and strategic marriages. Mace Tyrell and his family—Margaery, Loras, and Olenna—play pivotal roles in King’s Landing and beyond. Their alliance with Joffrey through Margaery’s marriage reshapes court dynamics. Olenna’s sharp wit contrasts with Mace’s blunt rule. The destruction of the Great Sept marks a catastrophic end to their influence in King’s Landing, though their regional power remains significant for some time.

Mace Tyrell: Lord of Highgarden, head of House Tyrell. Wealthy and politically connected, he supports Joffrey and later Tommen. His influence peaks when Margaery becomes queen. Killed in the explosion of the Great Sept during the Sparrows’ uprising. His death strips the Reach of immediate representation at the highest level, though Olenna and Loras continue to act decisively in the family’s interest. His approach emphasizes marriage alliances over conquest.

Margaery Tyrell: Cunning and charismatic, marries Joffrey, then Tommen. Positions herself as queen and attempts to influence the Faith of the Seven. Her imprisonment and death in the Great Sept mark the end of Tyrell power in King’s Landing. She navigates court intrigue carefully, forming bonds with the Sparrows to secure safety and leverage. Her pragmatism contrasts with Cersei’s more openly destructive methods. After her death, her legacy influences how the realm views noble ambition.

Loras Tyrell: Knight of the Rose, Margaery’s brother, and heir to Highgarden. Openly gay, he faces imprisonment after Margaery’s death due to his sexuality. Brienne of Tarth spares him during the chaos in King’s Landing. His survival past the events at the Great Sept distinguishes him from many other Tyrells. Eventually, he departs for the Reach to rebuild and protect their lands. His arc emphasizes identity, resilience, and adapting to political change. Bronn’s claim on a debt plays a role in his release.

Other Key Figures and Connections

Beyond the great houses, figures such as Petyr Baelish, Varys, and Daenerys Targaryen shape the game of thrones in lasting ways. Baelish moves pieces across the board from the Eyrie, while Varys works in the shadows across Westeros and Essos. Daenerys’s dragons and her claim to the Iron Throne redefine the battlefield in later seasons. Her interactions with Jon Snow, Tyrion, and Cersei drive much of the final arc. The convergence of these actors, houses, and ideologies produces the intricate family tree at the heart of the series.

Petyr Baelish: Master manipulator whose rise from minor lord to Lord Protector of the Vale defines much of the early plot. Exploits Lysa Arryn’s weakness and frames Tyrion, igniting conflict. Manipulates multiple players to increase his own power and control of the Vale. Ultimately killed by Arya Stark in the season 6 finale, ending his long-game strategy. His death destabilizes the Vale’s politics and exposes the cost of his schemes. His relationship with Littlefinger and his roots in Riverrun connect him to the broader Tully web.

Varys: The Spider, operates across continents with information and influence. Supports various claimants based on his vision of the realm. Works closely with Tyrion and Daenerys in King’s Landing. Remains enigmatic through multiple seasons, balancing risk and long-term goals. His network of informants, including children across the Narrow Sea, shapes outcomes without holding obvious power. His role in advising Daenerys and his eventual fate in King’s Landing underscore the tension between espionage and governance.

Daenerys Targaryen: The Mother of Dragons and last known Targaryen, seeks the Iron Throne. Her arc shifts from liberation in Essos to conquest decisions in Westeros. Her relationship with Jon Snow and alliance with Tyrion frame many of her key choices. The transformation from breaker of chains to a ruler wielding fire shapes the endgame. Her decisions ultimately lead to her death at the hands of Jon Snow, marking the conclusion of her lineage’s direct rule. Dragons and fire remain central symbols of Targaryen legacy and fear.

Family Relationships at a Glance

Understanding who is related to whom clarifies motivations and conflicts throughout the series. The following table summarizes key family ties and their significance across the story.

Major House Relationships and Key Figures

House Overview Summary

How to Use This Family Tree

Use this guide to trace major bloodlines, marriages, and rivalries across the series. Start with a house or character to understand motivations, then follow the connections—marriages, alliances, and conflicts—to map how decisions cascade through the story. For deeper exploration, cross-reference characters with their houses and key events, and note how lineage and loyalty intersect at pivotal moments. This structure is designed to support long-term recall and help you navigate the intertwined relationships of Westeros.

Sources and Notes

Relationships and events described here are drawn from canonical information presented across the published books and the televised series. Significant turning points such as the Red Wedding, deaths at the Great Sept, and the fates of major houses reflect outcomes shown onscreen through season 8. When available, connections involving the books are noted alongside their televised counterparts.

Tags: Game of Thrones, family tree, house stark, house lannister, house tully, house baratheon, house tyrell, house targaryen, petyr baelysh, daenerys targaryen, jon snow, catelyn stark, tywin lannister, margaery tyrell, lineage, westeros