Game of Thrones Season 8: Who Died in the Battle of Winterfell?

Because Game of Thrones' largest battle ever was a bloodbath, here's a quick guide to who died in the Battle of Winterfell.

As you probably guessed from the title, this article consists of nothing but massive spoilers for Game of Thrones season 8 episode 3 and the events of the Battle of Winterfell.

Game of Thrones has trained us to deal with massive heartbreak. Ned Stark’s beheading, the Red Wedding, the mutiny against Jon Snow, and plenty of other triggering blows courtesy of villains like Cersei, Joffrey, and Ramsay have prepared us to expect the worst and handle losses with dignity.

But the Battle of Winterfell is a different beast entirely, a brutal, bloody affair that finds many of our favorite characters slain unmercifully. The Army of the Dead takes no prisoners, unfortunately, so that means we have to say teary eyed, final goodbyes to those that fought bravely. However, you know what they say “What is dead may never die,” which I guess is a more formal way of saying “We’ll always have rewatches.”

Find out who we lost in “The Battle of Winterfell” below…

Ad – content continues below

Jorah Mormont 

We all saw this one coming. Jorah Mormont laid down his life to protect his queen, and his love, Daenerys Targaryen. Jorah sustains many stab wounds, but fights admirably to protect Dany in front of the burning trenches. Had Arya taken a moment longer to kill the Night King, Jorah’s sacrifice would have only been delaying the inevitable, but thankfully Jorah’s last stand serves a great purpose for Dany’s conquest.

read more: Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 3 Review – The Long Night

Game of Thrones - The Night King

The Night King

Full of smug smirks and showoff-y struts, the Night King perhaps took his eye off of the ball at the last minute. He was able to stop Arya Stark’s surprise attack, but underestimates his opponent and allows her to stick him in the ribs with her Valyrian Steel dagger, the same dagger that was once used in an attempt on Bran’s life. 

read more – Game of Thrones: The History of the Night King

Game of Thrones - Theon Greyjoy

Theon Greyjoy

Finally at peace with the Stark part of his identity, Theon dies at the hands of the Night King himself, attempting to protect Bran at the Godswood. For a polarizing character, it was a redemption of sorts and a fitting conclusion to the Ironborn’s character arc.

read more: Game of Thrones Changes That Improved on the Book

Ad – content continues below

Game of Thrones - Beric Dondarrion

Beric Dondarrion

Within the inner walls of Winterfell, Beric dies succumbing to injuries sustained protecting Arya Stark. On hand, Melissandre comments that Beric had finally served the Lord of Light’s purpose, and seeing what Arya would go on to accomplish later in the fight, Beric’s sacrifice perhaps was the most meaningful death of them all.

read more: Game of Thrones Season 8 Predictions and Theories

Game of Thrones - Dolorous Edd

Dolorous Edd

Edd Tollett is the first main cast member to be killed in the battle, protecting Samwell Tarly after the Army of the Dead begins making it over Winterfell’s walls. 

read more: Game of Thrones Season 8 – News, Reviews, and Episode Guide

Lyanna Mormont on Game of Thrones Season 8

Lyanna Mormont

With arguably the most badass death, the diminutive warrior pulls a David and Goliath in her last moments and kills a Giant wight, sticking it in the eye with dragon glass.

read more: Who Lives and Who Dies in Game of Thrones Season 8?

Ad – content continues below

Game of Thrones Season 8 Melisandre

Melisandre

Melisandre died right after the Battle of Winterfell because…Melisandre just kind of wanted to die. As a red priestess of R’hllor, Melisandre’s only purpose in life was to see the defeat of “The Great Other.” Now that the Night King has been defeated and her Lord of Light is victorious, Melisandre feels content to remove her bewitched necklace and succumb to her old, old, old age. We wrote more about Melisandre’s dramatic return and exit right here.

Also, don’t worry, Ghost survived!

Nick Harley is a tortured Cleveland sports fan, thinks Douglas Sirk would have made a killer Batman movie, Spider-Man should be a big-budget HBO series, and Wes Anderson and Paul Thomas Anderson should direct a script written by one another. For more thoughts like these, read Nick’s work here at Den of Geek or follow him on Twitter.

read more: What’s Next for Sansa and Tyrion on Game of Thrones Season 8?