- "Now and always."
- ―Ned renews House Umber's pledge of fealty to House Stark
Lord Ned Umber was the son of Smalljon Umber and the head of House Umber after the death of his father at the Battle of the Bastards, who fought for House Bolton. He pledged his house to House Stark once more after called upon by Jon Snow. He was killed and raised as a Wight before being destroyed by Beric Dondarrion.
Biography
Background
Ned Umber is the son of Smalljon Umber and grandson of Greatjon Umber. He seems to be named after Eddard Stark, who was also known as Ned Stark. After the death of his father at the Battle of the Bastards, Ned becomes the new lord of House Umber and their castle despite being only ten years old.
Season 7
Alys and Ned swear fealty to Jon.
Ned is at the council of Northern and Vale lords in Winterfell's main hall held by the new King in the North Jon Snow. Sansa Stark suggests giving the Last Hearth to an ally of Jon Snow, but Jon dismisses this idea, as Ned wasn't to blame for Smalljon Umber's actions. Jon speaks his name and Ned stands up from amongst the other lords, a full head shorter than them and wearing an expression of fear and uncertainty. Jon then motions for him and Alys Karstark to walk forward and stand before him; fearing that he will have them executed, Ned and Alys obey. However, Jon does not show any desire to punish them for their fathers' actions and instead asks them to once more swear fealty to House Stark. Visibly relieved, Alys and Ned draw their swords, kneel before Jon and declare they will serve House Stark "now and always", retaining his position as Lord of Last Hearth.[2]
Ned is also present when Jon announces his plans to leave for Dragonstone, to make an alliance with Daenerys Targaryen in order to defeat the Night King, and leave Sansa in control of the North.[3]
Season 8
Beric Dondarrion burns a reanimated Ned.
Ned is in the Great Hall of Winterfell with the assembled lords discussing the breaching of the Wall at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea. Since Last Hearth is the closest castle to the breach, Lady Sansa Stark tells Ned to return to Last Hearth to gather his bannermen and return to Winterfell. He promptly leaves the Great Hall.[4]
Later, at Last Hearth, he is found dead by a group led by Tormund, Beric Dondarrion, Eddison Tollett, pinned to a wall in the castle’s great hall, at the center of a spiral of severed limbs. Beric states that the spiral symbol is a message from the Night King. Ned, who has been reanimated as a wight, wakes up to the sound of the three conversing and lets out an unholy scream and brandishes a knife while Tormund has his back to him. Beric quickly finishes the wight Ned with his flaming sword, immolating Ned and the spiral in the process.[4]
Appearances
Template:Season Seven Appearances Template:Season Eight Appearances
Family tree
Template:House Umber family tree
In the books
In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, there is no member of House Umber whose first name is Ned. There is also no mentioning whether Smalljon had any children, but it is known that the Greatjon had other sons and daughters in addition to Smalljon, so perhaps he has grandchildren.
References
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