Lyanna Stark

Lyanna Stark is a character who is deceased when the events of Game of Thrones begins. It is unknown if she will appear in flashbacks in the series, or only in dialogue.

Lyanna Stark was the younger sister of Eddard and Benjen Stark and was betrothed to be married to Lord Robert Baratheon. She was kidnapped for reasons unknown by Prince Rhaegar Targaryen of the ruling royal house. This sparked the uprising known as Robert's Rebellion which saw House Targaryen almost completely destroyed and Robert installed as king. During the war she died from causes unknown, and was buried by her brother Eddard.

In the books
In the Song of Ice and Fire novels Lyanna only appears in flashbacks. She is described as intelligent, tomboyish and wilful, but also beautiful. She met Rhaegar Targaryen at a great tourney and he became enamoured of her, crowning her the Queen of Love and Beauty after he won the tournament. During the war she was hidden at a remote location and defended by three members of the elite Kingsguard, whom Eddard and his retainers had to kill. However, she died from unknown causes before they could successfully rescue her.

Lyanna's death instilled in Robert a great hatred of the Targaryens, and he vowed not to rest until every last scion of the house was killed.