Robb

Biodata

Appearance

• Build: Tall and slender 5.
• Hair: Brown 5.
• Facial hair: Begins growing whiskers during Clay Manderly’s stay at Winterfell 9.

Personality

Robb is upright, sincere, and strongly influenced by his father. Clay describes Eddard as Robb’s childhood idol and considers the two similar in character, although Robb’s youth makes him more impulsive 13 18 33.

His dislike of House Lannister is difficult for him to conceal. Having learned from Eddard about the Lannisters’ actions in King’s Landing and Jaime’s kingslaying, Robb visibly resents their arrival at Winterfell. When Clay points out how openly he displays his feelings, Robb admits that his upbringing has not taught him to lie convincingly 9.

Despite his temper, Robb respects rank and guest right. He restrains himself when Joffrey mocks House Stark and threatens its weirwood, ultimately leaving the training yard rather than attacking the crown prince. Clay regards this restraint more highly than the response he himself would have managed 13.

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

Robb trains under Winterfell’s master-at-arms, Ser Rodrik. Jon reports that Rodrik considers him the family’s best swordsman, placing Robb below Jon in their training 4 5.

• Interposes his sword to end Clay and Jon’s sparring match once Jon is exhausted 5.
• Participates in the training-yard gathering intended to bring the Stark and royal children together 13.

Archery

• Teaches Bran archery in Winterfell’s training yard 6.

Equipment

• Sword: Visibly finer in workmanship than Jon’s shortsword; used to intervene in Jon’s bout with Clay 5.
• Wolfskin cloak: Worn when he leaves the training yard to help search for Bran 5.

History

Clay Manderly’s Visit

Robb first meets Clay during the latter’s sparring match with Jon. Recognizing that Jon is exhausted, he intervenes and acknowledges Clay’s victory. He then gently sends Jon away to change before Ser Rodrik directs him to help Catelyn find Bran, who has climbed an unidentified tower 5.

As Clay becomes acquainted with the Stark children, Robb helps him navigate Winterfell and shares news of a raven from White Harbor. At Eddard’s command, he gathers his younger brothers to accompany the party witnessing a Night’s Watch deserter’s execution. On the return journey, he and Jon discover the bodies of a direwolf and a stag, leading to the discovery of the surviving direwolf pups 6 7.

The Royal Visit

Robb watches the royal party’s approach from Winterfell’s walls with Clay, who warns him against revealing his hostility toward the Lannisters. His discomfort continues at the welcoming feast, where he sits opposite Queen Cersei at the high table 9 10.

Eddard and Robert hope their children will develop a friendship resembling their own. The training-yard meeting instead exposes Robb to Joffrey’s mockery of northern wooden practice weapons and threats to cut down the Starks’ sacred weirwood. Robb eventually throws down his sword and walks out 13.

Clay’s Imprisonment and Departure

After Clay is imprisoned for killing a Lannister, Robb, Jon, and Bran sneak into the dungeon to visit him. Robb reports that Eddard has forbidden further contact with the queen’s people, relieving him of his obligation to socialize with Joffrey. During their conversation, he remarks that Joffrey resembles the queen and the Kingslayer more than Robert, without recognizing the full significance of the resemblance 18.

The visitors share wine with Clay, only for Eddard to discover them with Robb still holding the bottle. Before leaving Winterfell, Clay embraces Robb and Jon in farewell 18 20.

Governing Winterfell

Once Eddard accompanies Robert south through the Neck as the new Hand, a letter announces that Robb will serve as Lord of Winterfell and exercise the Warden of the North’s authority. His new responsibilities prompt northern vassals, including House Manderly, to consider how to approach the young heir 33.

Original History Known to Clay

These events belong to the history Clay remembers, rather than developments shown occurring in the supplied chapters.

• Robb campaigns in the Riverlands and pins down Tywin Lannister 3.
• He breaks his marriage pact with House Frey 34.
• Remembered as the undefeated Young Wolf, he is killed at the Red Wedding through the Freys’ betrayal 7 34.

Relationships

• Eddard Stark — Father and role model. Eddard asks Clay to use his wisdom to help Robb and later entrusts Robb with authority in the North during his absence 17 33.
• Catelyn Stark — Mother. Robb takes her expectations seriously and helps search for Bran when she cannot find him 5.
• Jon Snow — Brother and training companion. Robb protects him from continuing an exhausted fight, despite Jon’s initial objection 5.
• Bran Stark — Younger brother. Robb teaches him archery and helps look for him after his tower-climbing excursions 5 6.
• Clay Manderly — Close friend. Their friendship develops through conversations at Winterfell, support during Clay’s imprisonment, and shared wine 9 18 20.
• Joffrey — An intended royal companion whose arrogance turns their meetings into a source of humiliation for Robb 13 18.
• Wylla Manderly — A possible match in Clay’s interpretation of Wyman’s plans. Wylla spends her visit with Sansa and Arya instead; no betrothal is established 3 9.

Notable Quotes

“They must be the highest-born sister and brothers in all the Seven Kingdoms. I might even have to kiss her hand. Besides, guest right cannot be violated.” 9

“Am I really that bad at hiding it?” 9