This glossary serves as a quick reference to all of the people and places referenced in our Game of Thrones coverage. We’ll be updating the glossary with each episode of HBO’s show.
People
Eddard (Ned) Stark – Lord of Winterfell and old friend of King Robert Baratheon, he becomes the Hand of the King
Catelyn (Cat) Stark – Eddard’s wife
Bran Stark – Eddard and Catelyn’s second son, climber
Robb Stark – oldest son of Eddard and Catelyn
Arya Stark – Eddard and Catelyn’s tomboy daughter
Sansa Stark – Eddard and Catelyn’s girly daughter, she hopes to marry Prince Joffrey
Jon Snow – bastard son of Ned Stark
Benjen Stark – Ned’s younger brother, Ranger of the Night’s Watch
Theon Greyjoy – teenaged ward of Ned Stark, heir to Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands
Roz – prostitute at Winterfell
Cersei Lannister – Queen and twin sister to Jaime
Jaime Lannister – the beautiful golden knight and twin brother to Cersei
Tyrion Lannister (aka The Imp) – Cersei’s “clever” dwarf brother
Joffrey Baratheon – the young Prince, son of Cersei Lannister and Robert Baratheon
Jon Arryn – Robert’s Hand of the King, deceased
Khal Drogo – leader of the Dothraki
Jorah Mormont – Exiled knight who used to serve Daenerys’ father
Daenerys Targaryen – sister to Viserys, wife to Khal Drogo
Viserys Targaryen – brother to Daenerys, desperate to reclaim the throne
Sandor (Dog) Clegane – Joffrey’s bodyguard and retainer for House Lannister
Maester Luwin – the Advisor for House Stark, currently at Winterfell
Doreah – One of Daenerys’ handmaidens, a slave and former whore.
Ilyn Payne – the mute King’s Justice, executioner.
Grand Maester Pycelle – the highest ranking member of the order of the Maesters.
Petyr Baelish – also called Littlefinger. He serves the realm as Master of Coin(treasurer). He has feelings for Catelyn.
Varys – the spymaster for the kingdom who sits on the Small Council.
Renly Baratheon – younger brother of Robert Baratheon.
Syrio Forel – instructs Arya in the Braavosi water dancing style, similar to fencing.
Alliser Thorne – serves as the master-at-arms at Castle Black.
Jeor Mormont – the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. He is also known as The Old Bear.
Barristan Selmy – aka Barristan the bold and the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
Lancel Lannister – squire to Robert Baratheon.
Yoren – Night’s Watch recruiter.
Hodor – the massive stableboy who serves House Stark.
Samwell Tarly – also often simply Sam. The fat and cowardly boy is forced by his father to join the Night’s Watch.
Jory Cassel – Captain of the guard for House Stark.
Ser Rodrik Cassel – Master-at-arms in Winterfell, companion to Lady Stark on her journeys
Septa Mordane – nanny helping Ned Stark look after Arya and Sansa
Gendry – Robert’s bastard child who works as a blacksmith.
Ser Gregor (The Mountain) Clegane – the older brother of the Hound and one of the most fearsome knights in Westeros.
Ser Loras Tyrell, Knight of the Flowers – fabulous young knight, heir of the second richest House in Westeros, linked to Renly Baratheon
Bronn – common fighter, champion of Tyrion Lannister
Ser Vardis Egen – captain of the guard in the Eyrie
Ser Beric Dondarrion – charged with bringing Ser Gregor Clegane to justice
Lysa Arryn – Regent of the Vale and House Arryen, sister to Catelyn Stark, widow of Jon Arryn
Janos Slynt – commander of the Gold cloaks
Tywin Lannister – patriarch of House Lannister, former Hand of the King under Mad King Aerys
Osha – Wilding from north of the Wall
Mirri Maz Durr – Godswife to the lamb people, witch to the Dothraki.
Meryn Trant – a knight of the Kingsguard.
Robin – Robert Arryn, son of Lysa and Jon Arryn.
Grey Wind – direwolf of Robb Stark.
Jon “Greatjon” Umber – head of House Umber and sworn to House Stark.
Ghost – white direwolf of Jon Snow.
Places & Things
Westeros – the main continent where the Seven Kingdoms are
Winterfell – the home of the Stark family
The Wall – Separating the Seven Kingdoms from the uncivilized north
Night’s Watch – Men who’ve sworn to protect the Wall, always wear black
White Walkers (aka The Others) – legendary enemies from beyond the Wall
Wildlings – the uncivilized people who live beyond the Wall
King’s Landing – the home of King Robert Baratheon
Pentos – a free city “across the narrow sea” from Westeros
Dothraki – the horse warriors of the West, led by Khal Drogo
Iron Throne – a rather cold and hard throne constructed from surrendered swords.
Vaes Dothrak – the only permanent settlement of the Dothraki.
Small Council – akin to a cabinet of advisors.
Needle – Arya’s sword. “Stick em with the pointy end.”
First Ranger – leader of the rangers of the Night’s Watch. The rangers are the members of the Night’s Watch that actually defend the wall.
Gold Cloaks – the city watch of King’s Landing.
Bloodriders – men who serve the Khal, swearing that if he should die they only live long enough to avenge him.
Maester – the learned scholars from the Citadel that frequently advice,teach and heal throughout the kingdom.
