Jon Snow (Book)

Jon looks solemn and guarded, and is considered sullen and quick to sense a slight. Due to having been raised in a castle and trained by a master-at-arms, Jon is seen by some lower-born members of the Night's Watch as arrogant at first, though this changes when they become more friendly towards one another, as Jon is reminded of his nonetheless privileged background and decides to pass on his knowledge to them. Jon is observant, a trait he developed on account of being a bastard. He is a capable horseback rider and is well practiced in fighting with a sword. Jon has resented his bastard status most of the time. He desires to be viewed as honorable, and wants to prove he can be as good and true as his half-brother, Robb. As a child, Jon dreamed he would one day lead men to glory, or even become a conqueror. He feels strongly about not fathering a bastard himself. George R. R. Martin has described Jon as "the brooding, Byronic, romantic hero whom all the girls love". While Lord Eddard openly acknowledged Jon as his son and allowed him to live at Winterfell with his half-siblings, Jon felt like an outsider nonetheless. While Jon has good relationships with his siblings, especially Robb, with whom he trained since they were children, and Arya, whom he sees as somewhat of an outsider as well, Eddard's wife Catelyn ensured that Jon was never truly one of them. Catelyn was especially annoyed when Jon bested Robb in martial training or their studies. Jon is not close to Theon Greyjoy, Eddard's ward. Lord Stark refuses to speak of Jon's mother, and the boy grew up unaware of her identity, something which has wounded and haunted him.

strong Stark features with a lean build, long face, dark brown hair, and dark grey eyes, and stands at 5'7. Jon has the surname "Snow" (customarily used for illegitimate noble children in the North) and is resented by Ned's wife Catelyn, who views him as a constant reminder of Ned's infidelity.