Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North in the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen, and the Stark who carried the votes of the north to the Great Council of 101 AC at Harrenhal. There, with the realm summoned to choose between Viserys Targaryen (son of the late Prince Baelon) and Laenor Velaryon (grandson of the king through Princess Rhaenys), Ellard cast Winterfell's lot for Laenor and joined the small Velaryon minority. Maester Yandel later wrote that the Starks of his generation still smarted at the Crown's compelling them to grant the New Gift, and that this old grievance set Ellard against Jaehaerys's preferred heir. The choice would, in time, draw Winterfell toward the Black faction of Rhaenyra when the Dance of the Dragons broke.
