Has Game Of Thrones Just Confirmed The Book Readers’ Biggest Theory?

4. Wylla

The name of Jon Snow€™s mother, or at least who is said to be her, is actually confirmed in the books. In A Game Of Thrones, Ned has a conversation with Robert Baratheon in which they discuss the topic of Jon€™s mother:
€œYou told me once. Was it Merryl? You know the one I mean, your bastard€™s mother?€ €œHer name was Wylla,€ Ned replied with cool courtesy, €œand I would sooner not speak of her.€
There, in the very first book (and the conversation is repeated in just the second episode of the show), it€™s stated that a woman named Wylla is the mother of Jon Snow, and the person who somehow managed to make Eddard Stark beseech his famous honour. So who is Wylla? We learn more about her in A Storm Of Swords, and receive further confirmation that she is indeed the one who gave birth to Jon. In a conversation with Arya, Edric Dayne - Lord of Starfall - states that he and Jon are €œmilk brothers€ as the latter€™s mother was his wetnurse. He gives her name as Wylla. In the TV show, however, we don€™t see this conversation take place. So, two separate sources in the book seemingly confirm that Wylla is the mother of Jon Snow, and that€™s that right? Er, not exactly€
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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.