The question of Jon Snow's legitimization in A Song of Ice & Fire books depict Ned and Jon having a decent relationship, so it's curious why he was never legitimized.
The legitimization process would have seen Jon Snow renamed as Jon Stark, befitting him to similar possibilities as Bran. In House Stark's family tree, Robb is still older than Jon, so he would have been the one to inherit Winterfell. However, as shown by second-born sons like Daemon Targaryen and Stannis Baratheon, animosity often forms regarding the firstborn's birthright. All it takes, after all, is one bad slip down the stairs for the firstborn to perish and the second-born to inherit all that was theirs, meaning the difference between Jon being Stark and Snow bears important meaning.
Legitimization Of Bastards Is Very Uncommon In Westeros - And Requires A Monarch To Do It
Ned Stark Wouldn't Be Able To Legitimize Jon Without Robert Baratheon's Permission
The first matter to break down regarding the process of legitimizing a bastard is the logistics of doing so. Ned Stark has immense power as Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, but legitimizing a bastard is something only the monarch of the Seven Kingdoms can do. This is why Stannis Baratheon, a self-proclaimed king, offered Jon legitimization in Game of Thrones season 5. Though Tommen and Cersei would have disputed the legitimacy of his legitimization, it would have held true if Stannis somehow won the War of the Five Kings.
Prior to Ned Stark's death and the events of Game of Thrones, it would have been up to Robert Baratheon to legitimize Jon. Given Ned and Robert's close bond, he might have been willing to do so. There's not really any process required for a bastard to be legitimized; it's just up to the king to decide. Roose Bolton received permission from the crown to legitimize Ramsay Snow in Game of Thrones season 4, and that was essentially a gift for Roose's involvement in the Red Wedding.
Ned Asking Robert To Legitimize Jon Would've Been A Big Risk
Ned Doesn't Want Any Attention On Jon's Parentage, Especially From Robert
Knowing what the Game of Thrones season 6 finale reveals about Jon Snow's parentage, any connections between Robert Baratheon and Jon are an enormous risk to his safety. Ned's primary purpose in raising Jon is to protect his nephew, after swearing a promise to his beloved sister, so he doesn't want to create any unnecessary risk of Robert discovering who his mother was. Knowing how much Robert detests Rhaegar Targaryen, he would undoubtedly demand to kill Jon if he realized who he actually was.
Asking Robert to legitimize Jon would likely ignite this conversation, and Ned could easily slip up and get caught in a lie.
Robert inquires about Jon's mother in Game of Thrones season 1, episode 2, though he believes the mother was Wylla, a prostitute they met in the south during the war. Ned is able to deflect and steer the conversation away from the topic, as he doesn't want to continuously lie about a woman who possibly never existed. Asking Robert to legitimize Jon would likely ignite this conversation, and Ned could easily slip up and get caught in a lie.
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Drawing Robert's gaze toward Jon Snow is precisely what Lyanna wanted to avoid. Luckily, no one really pays any mind to bastards in Westerosi high society, so Jon is essentially able to hide in plain sight, just outside of Robert's attention. It may mean bullying and ostracizing for the boy, but at least he's still alive and growing up in a place where Ned can look after him. Jon ing the Night's Watch is just another step further away from Robert's potential wrath.
The scene where Ned promises Jon to talk about his mother the next time they see each other is an original addition to the TV series.
Ned Legitimizing Jon Snow Could've Caused Problems For House Stark
"Jon Stark" Would Create Potential Succession Conflicts
Aside from putting Jon's safety at risk, legitimizing him creates potential problems within House Stark. First, Catelyn despises Jon as a reminder of Ned's infidelity, believing him to be a stain on her honor. Though she comes to regret her hatred for him, seeing Jon legitimized wouldn't be helpful. To have Jon then potentially competing with Robb for claims to Winterfell and other lands and titles would be an enormous insult to her. It's hard to say whether he'd have more claim than Bran, but it'd certainly create a controversy she'd much rather avoid altogether.
Westerosi society has rules for succession, but they can be called into question. For example, Ramsay Bolton is legitimized in season 4, but when Roose Bolton and Walda Frey announce their new child as a boy, it poses an instant threat to him. Despite being older and legitimized, Ramsay was still born a bastard. Regardless of what's considered right by the law, these situations create conflict. Jon isn't power-hungry by nature, but he might have become that way if he was legitimized and believed himself worthy of inheriting more.
"Jon Stark" Wouldn't Have Fit With Ned Stark's Honor
Ned Stark Wouldn't Want To Perpetuate A Lie
Ned Stark regards very few things above his own honor, almost putting his daughters' lives at risk in season 1 before finally agreeing to proclaim Joffrey as king. With that in mind, having a bastard is a stain on his honor, but it's not entirely uncommon. So many lords of Westeros have bastards that it's scarcely reflected poorly on the father. Ned takes matters a step further, though, as he's lying about Jon being a bastard. Technically, Jon isn't even a Stark. He'd be considered a Targaryen by Westerosi law.
For Ned to then have Jon legitimized would contribute even further to this facade, something Ned probably wouldn't want to do. He's not a man who enjoys lying or spinning webs of misconception. To pretend that Jon is somehow a legitimate son, at least in of the law, would likely be a step too far for what he's willing to do. His actions with Jon before Game of Thrones are to fulfill a promise to his sister, but he's not going to do anything more than he has to if it means being deceitful.
Based on George R. R. Martin's ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
- Cast
- Richard Madden, Hannah Murray, Sibel Kekilli, Julian Glover, Brenock O'Connor, Rose Leslie, Michael McElhatton
- Franchise(s)
- Game of Thrones
- Seasons
- 8
- Streaming Service(s)
- MAX
