House Stark remains one of the most beloved families inGame of Thrones. While most noble bloodlines are full of monsters and cruel despots, the Starks generally hold their honor in high regard. Eddard Stark is essentially the lone hero of the first season. He’s so upstanding and admirable that his tragic death pushes the realm into war. His younger brother gets considerably less screen time, but his decisions are also fascinating. Benjen Stark left Winterfell to join the Night’s Watch, but why would he take the black?
Game of Thronestells its story in several segments. The bookshave POV characters inmultiple regions, splitting the franchise’s focus across Westeros and beyond. The show simply divides its episodes into A-plots, B-plots, and C-plots. While various families vie for power in King’s Landing, Daenerys explores the old continent to strengthen her forces. Jon Snow is the primary perspective on and beyond the Wall, keeping his uncle Benjen in regular focus.
Benjen Stark Took the Black After Robert’s Rebellion
Benjen Stark is Eddard Stark’s younger brother. He was the youngest child of Lord Rickard Stark and Lady Lyarra Stark. As the Warden of the North’s third son, his path to the throne was long and unlikely. Subsequently, Benjen grew up charming and fun-loving. His earliest tales involve him attending tournaments, teasing his siblings, and supporting his father’s vassals. House Stark underwent an absurd shakeup during Benjen’s young life.Robert’s Rebellion turned the familyon its head. Aerys II Targaryen, the Mad King, allowed his son, Rhaegar, to kidnap Benjen’s sister, Lyanna. When Rickard and Brandon protested, Aerys II had them brutally executed. This absurd violation of basic decency compelled Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon to lead an uprising against the Targaryen dynasty. Eddard inherited Winterfell, while Benjen remained the Stark at the castle during the rebellion. The War of the Usurper lasted just under a year. Ned came back to the North, accepting the throne his father had left him. With the seat appropriately filled, Benjen left Winterfell and traveled beyond the Wall. He took his oaths in the haunted forest and became a celebratedbrother of the Night’s Watch.
Benjen Stark Loves the Night’s Watch
The most obvious explanation of Benjen Stark’s choice to take the black is that he has immense respect for the Night’s Watch. Benjen saw a wandering crow,a Night’s Watch recruiter, at a young age. The black brother pleaded with the audience to take the black and serve on the Wall. Benjen took his message to heart. That formative experience may have lived on in Benjen’s mind for the following decades. It could have become his dream from the moment he saw that man’s black cloak. This would certainly explain his distinct reverence for the Night’s Watch. By the time the show depicts him, Benjen is the Lord Ranger of the Night’s Watch. He occupiesone of the highest ranksin the order and fiercely advocates for his fellow brothers. He chides Tyrion for discounting the possibility of monsters beyond the Wall, asserting his experience over those who haven’t seen the frozen North. He frequently meets with his brother Ned to discuss policy decisions that might affect the Night’s Watch. He serves the black brotherhood with everything he has, expressing more commitment to the cause than most rangers. He describes the lifestyle like this:
The Night’s Watch is a sworn brotherhood. We have no families. None of us will ever father sons. Our wife is duty. Our mistress is honor.
Did Benjen Stark Know Who Jon Snow’s Parents Are?
Many fans believe that Benjen joined the Night’s Watch out of long-standing respect for the organization. That answer makes sense, especially given the North’s culture of appreciation for the brotherhood. Others believe that the loss of his sister, brother, and father led Benjen to flee the royal lifestyle. Anything would be preferableto his family’s fate, so a hard life on the Wall seemed ideal. Beyond that conjecture, a third theory emerged. Some fans think that Benjen Stark knew the truth behind Lyanna’s abduction and Jon Snow’s parentage. Lyanna willingly eloped with Rhaegar Targaryen, unbeknownst to everyone outside their union. If Benjen had known that she left willingly, his information could have radically changed Robert’s Rebellion. This leads some to assume that Eddard sent Benjen to the Wall as a punishment or to keep him quiet afterbringing young Jon home. While this remains conjecture, the idea of Benjen having additional information about his closest relative compels many fans to assume his fate was less intentional than it seemed.
Benjen may have left Winterfell to pursue a lifelong dream of serving on the Wall. His enthusiasm for the Night’s Watch seems genuine, and he’s a respected brother in great standing. However, the grimsecrets in his familymight have forced him away from his home. It’s fun to imagine what might have been if Benjen were still at Winterfell when Joffrey killed Ned. Fans may not have a straight answer, but Benjen still seems pretty happy taking the black.
