Last updated: July 27, 2026
Cregan Stark, known as the Old Man of the North, the Wolf of Winterfell, and briefly Hand of the King during the Hour of the Wolf, stands as one of the most formidable figures in Stark history. Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North during the Dance of the Dragons, he lived a long life marked by war, justice, and duty. Yet behind the stern northern lord stood three wives whose stories reveal the personal side of this legendary figure. Understanding Cregan Stark’s wife—or more accurately, his three wives—offers a clearer picture of how House Stark endured and eventually produced the line that led to Ned Stark centuries later.
Table of Contents
Arra Norrey: The Childhood Love Lost Too Soon
Cregan’s first marriage was rooted in genuine affection. He wed Lady Arra Norrey, a friend from childhood, shortly after seizing full control of Winterfell from his uncle Bennard around 126 AC. Their union was short-lived. In 128 AC, Arra died giving birth to their only child, a son named Rickon in honor of Cregan’s own father.
Rickon became Cregan’s heir and later fought and died in the Conquest of Dorne under King Daeron I. Arra’s brief role as Lady of Winterfell left a lasting mark: she gave Cregan his first son and the emotional foundation of a young lord still finding his footing. Her death left him a widower just as the realm descended into the chaos of the Dance of the Dragons.
Alysanne Blackwood: Black Aly, the Warrior Who Won the Wolf
The second and most celebrated of Cregan Stark’s wives was Alysanne Blackwood, better known as Black Aly. A tall, skilled archer and fierce supporter of the Blacks during the Dance, she fought alongside her nephew Lord Benjicot Blackwood. After the war, during Cregan’s brief and ruthless tenure as Hand in King’s Landing, Alysanne negotiated the pardon of Lord Corlys Velaryon. In return, Cregan asked for her hand—and she accepted.
They married in the godswood of Winterfell in 132 AC, in the midst of a northern winter. Despite the snow, Benjicot led a retinue north for the ceremony. At the feast, young Rickon even sang for his new stepmother. Alysanne and Cregan had four daughters: Sarra, Alys, Raya, and Myriah. She also helped organize the Widow Fairs in the Riverlands, matching northern soldiers with war widows and strengthening ties between the North and the south.
Black Aly remains the most vivid of Cregan’s wives in popular memory, especially with her upcoming appearance in House of the Dragon Season 3 (portrayed by Annie Shapero). Her blend of martial skill, political savvy, and loyalty made her a true match for the Wolf of the North.
Lynara Stark: The Cousin Who Secured the Main Line
After Alysanne’s death at an unspecified later date, Cregan married a third time. His final wife was Lynara Stark, a distant cousin descended from a younger son of Lord Brandon “the Boisterous” Stark. Quiet compared to Black Aly’s wartime fame, Lynara proved crucial to the family’s future.
Together they had five children: sons Jonnel, Edric, Barthogan, and Brandon, plus a daughter named Lyanna. When Rickon died without male heirs, the lordship eventually passed through Lynara’s sons. Brandon’s line continued down the centuries to Lord Rickard Stark and his children—Ned, Brandon, Lyanna, and Benjen. In short, the main Stark bloodline that fans know from Game of Thrones descends from Cregan and Lynara.
Quick Comparison of Cregan Stark’s Wives
| Wife | House / Origin | Marriage Year (approx.) | Children | Notable Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arra Norrey | House Norrey | ~126 AC | Rickon Stark | Childhood companion, first heir’s mother |
| Alysanne Blackwood | House Blackwood | 132 AC | Four daughters (Sarra, Alys, Raya, Myriah) | Warrior, political negotiator, Black Aly |
| Lynara Stark | House Stark (cousin) | After Alysanne’s death | Five children (Jonnel, Edric, Lyanna, Barthogan, Brandon) | Mother of the continuing Stark main line |
Conclusion
Cregan Stark’s wives each played a distinct part in his long life and in the survival of House Stark. Arra Norrey gave him his first heir and a personal loss that hardened him early. Alysanne Blackwood brought southern courage, northern loyalty, and four daughters during the fragile years after the Dance. Lynara Stark quietly ensured the family’s continuity through sons whose descendants still matter in the histories of Westeros.
In a world of dragons, civil wars, and shifting allegiances, Cregan’s marriages remind us that even the most iron-willed lords of Winterfell depended on the women beside them. Whether you come to the story through Fire & Blood, The World of Ice & Fire, or the ongoing House of the Dragon series, knowing the full picture of Cregan Stark’s wife—or wives—adds depth to one of the North’s greatest legends. The Old Man of the North may have ruled with the sword, but his legacy was shaped just as much by the women who shared his hearth.