View source for Rickon Stark

{{Short description|Character in A Song of Ice and Fire}}
{{All plot|date=October 2022}}{{Infobox character
| name        = Rickon Stark
| series      = [[A Song of Ice and Fire]] ''character''<br>[[Game of Thrones]]
| portrayer   = [[Art Parkinson]]
| creator     = [[George R. R. Martin]]
| adapted_by = [[D.B. Weiss]] & [[David Benioff]] <br> (''[[Game of Thrones]]'')
| image       = Rickon Stark-Art Parkinson.jpg
| caption     = Art Parkinson as Rickon Stark
| first       = {{Plainlist|
* '''Novel''':
* ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (1996)
* '''Television''':
* "[[Winter Is Coming]]" (2011)
}}
| last        = {{Plainlist|
* '''Television''':
* "[[Battle of the Bastards]]" (2016)
}}
| occupation  =
| alias       = 
| gender      = Male
| title       = Prince of Winterfell
| family      = [[House Stark]]
| relatives   = {{Plainlist|
* [[Ned Stark]] (father)
* [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn Tully]] (mother)
* [[Robb Stark]] (brother)
* [[Sansa Stark]] (sister)
* [[Arya Stark]] (sister)
* [[Bran Stark]] (brother)
* [[Theon Greyjoy]] (foster brother)
* [[Rickard Stark]] (grandfather)
* Lyarra Stark (grandmother)
* Brandon Stark (uncle)
* [[Lyanna Stark]] (aunt)
* [[Benjen Stark]] (uncle)
* [[Hoster Tully]] (grandfather)
* Minisa Whent (grandmother)
* [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa Tully]] (aunt)
* [[Edmure Tully]] (uncle)
* [[Brynden Tully]] (granduncle)
* [[Robert Arryn]] (cousin)
* '''Novels''':
* [[Jon Snow (character)|Jon Snow]] (half-brother)
* '''Television''':
* Jon Snow (cousin/adoptive brother)
}}
| origin     = Winterfell, The North
}}
'''Rickon Stark''' is a fictional character in the ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' series of [[epic fantasy]] novels by American author [[George R. R. Martin]], and its television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' where he is portrayed by Irish actor [[Art Parkinson]].<ref name=HBOCast>{{cite web | url=http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/index.html#/game-of-thrones/cast-and-crew/rickon-stark/bio/rickon-stark.html|title=''Game of Thrones'' Cast and Crew: Rickon Stark played by Art Parkinson |publisher=[[HBO]] | access-date=November 15, 2014}}</ref> Introduced in 1996's ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', Rickon subsequently appears in Martin's ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (1998).

==Character description==
Rickon is the fifth and youngest child of [[Ned Stark|Eddard "Ned" Stark]] and his wife [[Catelyn Tully|Catelyn]], and has five siblings — [[Robb Stark|Robb]], [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]], [[Arya Stark|Arya]], [[Bran Stark|Bran]], and his illegitimate half-brother [[Jon Snow (character)|Jon Snow]]. Like his brothers and sisters, Rickon is constantly accompanied by his [[direwolf (Game of Thrones)|direwolf]], Shaggydog, with whom he shares a strong connection. Martin describes Rickon as favoring his mother in appearance.{{Sfn|''Game of Thrones''|loc=Chapter 19: Jon II}} He is naturally aggressive, bold, tough, strong-willed, and violent: traits reflected in his direwolf companion 'Shaggydog'.{{Sfn|''A Clash of Kings''|loc=Chapter 28: Bran IV}}

==Storylines==
[[File:Stark Coat of Arms.png|thumb|150px|alt=A coat of arms showing a gray wolf on a white field.|Coat of arms of House Stark]]

===Novels===
Rickon Stark is not a [[Narration#Third-person|point of view]] character in the novels and is mostly a background character.{{Sfn|''A Clash of Kings''|loc=Chapter 16: Bran II}}  His actions are witnessed and interpreted through the eyes of his older brother, [[Bran Stark|Bran]].

====''A Game of Thrones''====
In ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (1996), [[Ned Stark]] departs [[Winterfell]] with his daughters to serve King [[Robert Baratheon]] in [[King's Landing (A Song of Ice and Fire)|King's Landing]], while his wife [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] remains behind with their sons, grief-stricken over their comatose son [[Bran Stark|Bran]]. An overwhelmed young Rickon can only follow around his oldest brother [[Robb Stark|Robb]], crying.{{Sfn|''Game of Thrones''|loc=Chapter 14: Catelyn II}} Upset when Robb prepares to leave himself, Rickon hides in the crypts of Winterfell. Shortly after Ned's death in King's Landing, both Bran and Rickon share a vision of their father's spirit in the crypts.{{Sfn|''Game of Thrones''|loc=Chapter 19: Jon II}}

====''A Clash of Kings''====
Following Ned's death, Rickon is largely unsupervised as Robb and Catelyn leave for war and his sisters are held captive at King's Landing in 1998's ''[[A Clash of Kings]]''. Alone with his crippled brother Bran, Rickon develops an unruly, often violent temper. His fear and rage are reflected in Shaggydog, who turns largely feral and attacks several people before being restrained. Several times, Bran's direwolf Summer is forced to fight Shaggydog into submission. Bran and Rickon become [[Theon Greyjoy]]'s hostages when Theon takes Winterfell by force. He later manages to escape and hide in the crypts below the castle with Bran, [[Hodor (A Song of Ice and Fire)|Hodor]], the Reed siblings [[Meera Reed|Meera]] and [[Jojen Reed|Jojen]], and the [[wildling (character)|wildling]] woman [[Osha (A Song of Ice and Fire)|Osha]].{{Sfn|''A Clash of Kings''|loc=Chapter 46: Bran V}} After Winterfell is sacked and burned by [[Ramsay Bolton]], the group emerges to find Winterfell in ruins, and a mortally wounded Maester Luwin tells them that Bran and Rickon need to be separated and taken into hiding.{{Sfn|''A Clash of Kings''|loc=Chapter 69: Bran VI}} Osha flees with Rickon in her care, and the others accompany Bran.

====''A Dance with Dragons''====
In ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (2011), most of [[Westeros]] believes Rickon is dead, but Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] hears from a survivor of the sack of Winterfell that Rickon is allegedly alive and has fled with a woman to the island of Skagos. Skagos is a large, northern island in the mouth of the Bay of Seals and is subject to the rule of House Stark. In return for pledging his loyalty to Stannis Baratheon instead of the Lannisters, Manderly tasks Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] with retrieving Rickon from Skagos so that they may reveal him to the Northern lords and inspire them to rally against Roose Bolton, Ramsay Bolton, and Walder Frey for betraying the Starks.

====Family tree of House Stark====
{{Family tree of Rickard Stark}}

===TV adaptation===
Rickon Stark is played by [[Art Parkinson]] in the television adaption of the book series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/178461.html |title=News on the HBO Series |date=September 29, 2010 |website=livejournal.com|access-date=June 4, 2012 |author=Martin, George R. R. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203062220/http://grrm.livejournal.com/178461.html |archive-date=December 3, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/cast-and-crew#/ |title=Game of Thrones: Cast |website=[[HBO]] |access-date=August 31, 2016}}</ref> During an interview with Flicks and the City in 2014, Parkinson mentioned that he was not allowed by his parents to watch ''Game of Thrones'' due to its adult content, apart from a few scenes that were related to him.<ref name=WIC>{{cite web|website=winteriscoming.net|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160817123724/http://winteriscoming.net/2014/10/06/art-parkinson-confirms-rickon-osha-still-awol/ |archive-date=August 17, 2016|title=Art Parkinson Confirms Rickon, Osha Still AWOL|date= 6 October 2014 |url=http://winteriscoming.net/2014/10/06/art-parkinson-confirms-rickon-osha-still-awol/|access-date=17 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In a later interview published in the ''[[New Zealand Herald]]'' on 7 April 2015, Parkinson admitted that he was put off watching ''Game of Thrones'' after seeing a 3-year-old child getting his throat slit in one episode.<ref>{{cite news|title=Game of Thrones' too gory for Art Parkinson|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11428990|access-date=9 April 2014|agency=AAP|work=[[New Zealand Herald]]|date=7 April 2014}}</ref> In a later interview with [[IGN]], he admitted that he had begun watching the series.<ref name="IGN"/><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160817123724/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/game-of-thrones-art-parkinson_us_5730d3c3e4b016f378968aee |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/game-of-thrones-art-parkinson_us_5730d3c3e4b016f378968aee |title='Game Of Thrones' Star Art Parkinson Shoots Down Shaggydog Theory |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |access-date=October 6, 2016 |date=May 9, 2016 |author=Bradley, Bill|url-status=live}}</ref>

In an interview with IGN, Parkinson spoke about his return and death, saying: "Whenever I was told that I was coming back for Season 6, before they sent me through the scripts and stuff, they sent me through a ring just to say, 'Listen, so that you don't get a shock whenever you read the scripts, just know that you die this season.'"<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160817123724/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/21/game-of-thrones-art-parkinson-reflects-on-rickon-stark |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/21/game-of-thrones-art-parkinson-reflects-on-rickon-stark |title=Game of Thrones: Art Parkinson Reflects on Rickon Stark |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=September 18, 2016 |date=June 21, 2016 |author=Schwartz, Terri|url-status=live}}</ref> He continued, "Whenever I came back, I was excited to come back, and the scenes all seemed pretty amazing. I was so happy to re-embrace the character."<ref name="IGN"/>

Parkinson has said that his fellow castmember [[Natalia Tena]], who played Rickon's travelling companion [[Osha (character)|Osha]], helped him with his acting.<ref name="NME">{{cite web |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160817123724/http://www.nme.com/filmandtv/news/game-of-thrones-actor-art-parkinson-discusses-rick/406682 |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |url=http://www.nme.com/filmandtv/news/game-of-thrones-actor-art-parkinson-discusses-rick/406682 |title=Game of Thrones: Actor Art Parkinson discusses Rickon Stark's surprising return to our screens |website=[[NME]] |access-date=October 6, 2016 |date=May 10, 2016 |author=Mendelsohn, Tom|url-status=live}}</ref> He also shared what he believes Rickon went through after the death of his father [[Ned Stark]], saying "After the death of his father, I think he became very independent and very angry, I think Rickon is a little bit more mature now. He's been away for quite a long time at this point. I think he's a bit more independent and stronger-willed.<ref name="NME"/>

Remarking on the character's exit and death:

<blockquote>It was sad at first, but once I realized how I was going to die in it, then it was cool. It was a cool death, and it was always going to be a good death, so at the same time, I was pretty happy.<ref name="IGN"/></blockquote>

====Season 1–3====
Rickon Stark is Lord Eddard and Lady Catelyn's youngest child, naturally aggressive, and strong-willed. His black direwolf Shaggydog shares these qualities. When [[Theon Greyjoy]] captures Winterfell in Season 2, Rickon hides in the crypts with Bran, Hodor, and the Wildling woman Osha. After Theon can't seem to find where Rickon and Bran are, he has two farm boys killed and burned, to pass their charred bodies off as the Stark boys'. After Winterfell is sacked and burned, Rickon, Bran, Hodor, Osha, and the direwolves travel through the North.<ref>{{Cite web |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160817123724/http://hollywoodlife.com/2012/05/21/game-of-thrones-recap-season-2-episode-8-bran-rickon-alive/ |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |url=http://hollywoodlife.com/2012/05/21/game-of-thrones-recap-season-2-episode-8-bran-rickon-alive/ |title='Game Of Thrones' Recap: The Stark Boys' Fates Are Revealed |website=Hollywoodlife |access-date=October 6, 2016 |date=May 21, 2012 |author=Swift, Andy|url-status=live}}</ref> In Season 3 before they reach the Wall, Rickon, Osha, and Shaggydog split up from the rest of the group and head to Last Hearth, the seat house of the Umbers.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/game-of-thrones-recap-red-red-red-20130603|title='Game of Thrones' Recap: Red, Red, Red|last=Collins|first=Sean|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=June 3, 2013|access-date=October 6, 2016}}</ref>

====Season 6====
Following Lord Greatjon Umber's death, Rickon and Osha are betrayed by Greatjon's heir Smalljon and handed over to the new Warden of the North, [[Ramsay Bolton]], in order to secure an alliance with the Boltons against the wildlings [[Jon Snow (character)|Jon Snow]] has let through the Wall. To prove Rickon's identity, Smalljon kills Shaggydog and presents his head to Ramsay. Ramsay kills Osha, locks Rickon in the dungeons, and sends a letter to Jon at Castle Black demanding the return of [[Sansa Stark]] (his wife) and threatening to kill Rickon if Jon does not comply. In retaliation, Jon gathers an army of Stark loyalists and marches on Winterfell, now occupied by House Bolton.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160817123724/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-6-episode-3-rickon-stark-art-parkinson-shaggydog-dead-a7023796.html |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-6-episode-3-rickon-stark-art-parkinson-shaggydog-dead-a7023796.html |title=Game of Thrones season 6 episode 3: Rickon Stark actor confirms fate of Shaggydog |work=[[The Independent]] |access-date=October 6, 2016 |date=May 11, 2016 |author=Shepherd, Jack|url-status=live}}</ref>

As the armies prepare for battle outside Winterfell, Ramsay brings out Rickon and orders him to run to Jon in one of his sadistic "games", shooting arrows at Rickon in order to lure Jon into the open. Jon charges out to save Rickon, but Rickon is shot through the heart and dies almost instantly.<ref>{{Cite web |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160817123724/http://mashable.com/2016/06/21/art-parkinson-tweet-rickon-game-of-thrones/#.2GvEVU3aiq2 |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |url=http://mashable.com/2016/06/21/art-parkinson-tweet-rickon-game-of-thrones/#.2GvEVU3aiq2 |title='Game of Thrones' star sums up all our thoughts about his character in 1 simple tweet |website=[[Mashable]] |access-date=October 6, 2016 |date=June 21, 2016 |author=Haysom, Sam|url-status=live}}</ref> In the aftermath of the ensuing battle, Rickon's body is recovered, and Jon buries him in the crypt, alongside Ned's remains.<ref>{{Cite magazine|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160817123724/http://www.ew.com/recap/game-of-thrones-battle-bastards |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/recap/game-of-thrones-battle-bastards |title=Game of Thrones recap: 'Battle of the Bastards' |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=September 14, 2016 |date=June 19, 2016 |author=Hibberd, James|url-status=live}}</ref>

Because many Northern noble houses were plotting against the Boltons in the books, the show's decision to have them betray Rickon led to fan theories that the direwolf head Smalljon Umber showed to Ramsay was fake and the Umbers would turn on the Boltons. Parkinson dispelled the rumours, confirming the direwolf head was intended to be real.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-rickon-stark-spoilers-892031|title='Game of Thrones' Star on His Surprising Season 6 Comeback|last=Wigler|first=Josh|date=May 9, 2016|newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=October 8, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Rickon's death scene referenced his first appearance in the series pilot, where he laughs at Bran's poor archery shot before handing off arrows to the archer and running to stand by the target.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/the-game-of-thrones-season-6-moment-you-may-have-missed-that-makes-rickon-stark-s-death-even-more-a7113461.html|title=The Game of Thrones moment you missed that makes Rickon Stark's death even more cruel|last=Hooton|first=Christopher|date=July 1, 2016|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|language=en-GB|access-date=October 8, 2016}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last=Martin |first=George R. R. |title=Game of Thrones |date=1996 |edition=UK |publisher=Voyager Books |isbn=0-00-224584-1 |ref={{sfnref|Game of Thrones}} }}
*{{cite book |last=Martin |first=George R. R. |title=A Clash of Kings |date=1998 |edition=UK |publisher=Voyager Books |isbn=0-00-224585-X |ref={{sfnref|A Clash of Kings}} }}

{{ASOIAF}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stark, Rickon}}
[[Category:A Song of Ice and Fire characters]]
[[Category:Child characters in literature]]
[[Category:Child characters in television]]
[[Category:Fictional murdered children]]
[[Category:Fictional princes]]
[[Category:Literary characters introduced in 1996]]
[[Category:Male characters in literature]]
[[Category:Male characters in drama television series]]
[[Category:Orphan characters in literature]]
[[Category:Television characters introduced in 2011]]
[[Category:Orphan characters in television]]