Lord Eddard Stark, also known as Ned, is the Lord of Winterfell, head of House Stark and Warden of the North. He is the second son of Rickard Stark and Lyarra Stark. He had an older brother, Brandon Stark, and a younger brother, Benjen Stark, as well as a younger sister, Lyanna Stark. He is the husband of Catelyn Tully and the father of Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran and Rickon Stark, as well as to the bastard Jon Snow. He was executed for treason on the orders of King Joffrey I Baratheon.
History
Eddard became Lord after the deaths of his father and elder brother. They were executed by Mad King Aerys II Targaryen, for demanding justice in the kidnapping of Lyanna by Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. Eddard had been fostered at the Eyrie by Jon Arryn along with Robert Baratheon. Robert's Rebellion began when Jon Arryn was told to seize his two wards for the King's justice. Instead he called up his bannermen for war.
Eddard fought in many battles during the war, including the Battle of the Bells and the Battle of the Trident. He was joined in the fighting by Lord Howland Reed. He arrived too late to stop the Sack of King's Landing, and instead rode south to lift the Siege of Storm's End.
Books
A Game of Thrones
In A Game of Thrones, Catelyn approaches Ned at the Winterfell Godswood and informs him of the death of Jon Arryn. King Robert Baratheon rides to Winterfell at the death of his previous Hand, Jon Arryn , to ask him to take up the position. It is an honour Ned does not want, but is obliged to accept. He also takes the position so he might investigate Jon Arryn's death when it is said he has been murdered.
Ned is woken one morning on the journey south and is told he must rid with the king. Robert talks to Ned about assassinating Daenerys Targaryen, and Ned pushes for Robert Arryn or Stannis Baratheon to be named Warden of the East.