Pater

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Star of the Faith.svgHigh SeptonStar of the Faith.svg
Alias Pater
Titles
Allegiance Faith of the Seven
Born 54 BC
Died 44 AC
Oldtown
Books

The High Septon, formerly known as Septon Pater, was the second High Septon of the Faith of the Seven during the reign of Maegor I Targaryen.[1]

Appearance and Character

By 43 AC, Septon Pater was ninety years old, blind, stooped, and feeble. He was known to be famously amiable, though he had grown forgetful in his late years.[1]

History

In 43 AC,[N 1] during the Faith Militant uprising, King Maegor and his mother, Dowager Queen Visenya Targaryen, after several victorious battles against the Faith Militant, turned towards Oldtown, threatening to incinerate the Starry Sept in response to the High Septon's condemnation of Maegor's polygamous marriages.[1][2]

The High Septon died suddenly before the Targaryens and their dragons arrived, allowing Lord Martyn Hightower to open his gates before Balerion and Vhagar could burn the city.[2] Rumors about the nature of the High Septon's death still persist today. As he had been in good health, some have suggested that he had committed suicide, either to save himself from Maegor's wroth or to spare Oldtown from dragonflame. Others believe that the gods themselves had struck him down. Most believe he had been murdered, although opinions differ about the murderer's identity. In any case, the Most Devout were roused from their beds and marched at spearpoint by House Hightower men-at-arms to the Starry Sept to elect a new High Septon. The frail and amiable Septon Pater was named the new High Septon by a single ballot, though he nearly collapsed under the weight of the crystal crown when it was placed on his head.[1]

The new High Septon was happy to welcome Maegor when he arrived at Oldtown, and blessed and anointed his head with holy oils, although he forgot the words of the blessing. He formally dissolved the Warrior's Sons and Poor Fellows, commanding the surviving members of the Faith Militant to lay down their arms in the name of the gods. He proclaimed that the Seven had no more need of warriors, and that henceforth the Iron Throne would protect and defend the Faith. King Maegor allowed the surviving members of the Faith Militant until year's end to surrender their weapons, but afterwards a bounty would be placed on those remaining defiant. Neither the new High Septon nor the Most Devout disagreed with the king.[1]

The High Septon died in 44 AC, most likely due to old age, and was replaced by another who spoke no word against King Maegor or his queens.[1]

Notes

  1. Earlier prints of The World of Ice & Fire erroneously state that this event and the death of the High Septon took place in 44 AC.[2] The Sons of the Dragon gives the correct date of 43 AC.

References

Preceded by High Septon
Father of the Faithful
His High Holiness
Shepherd of the Faithful
Voice of the Seven on Earth

4344 AC
Succeeded by