Difference between revisions of "Kinslaying"

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'''Kinslaying''' is a great taboo in [[Westeros]]. When a member of family kills a relation he/she is dubbed a '''kinslayer'''. Any individual who slays a member of their own family is believed to be cursed forever in the sight of gods and men.{{Ref|aCoK|44}} Many Lords and [[smallfolk]] believe this and thus those who slay their own blood are usually looked down upon or shunned. There is a saying, in the religions of both the old gods or new gods, stating that "no man is so accursed as the kinslayer".
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[[File:Season5Dance of Dragons3.png|thumb|400px|[[Aemond Targaryen]] killed his nephew [[Lucerys Velaryon]] during the [[Dance of the Dragons]]. Art from the ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' Season 5 Blu-ray, supplemental content.]]
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'''Kinslaying''' is a great taboo in [[Westeros]]. Any individual who kills a member of their own family is dubbed a '''kinslayer''', and believed to be cursed forever.{{Ref|aCoK|44}} Many nobles and [[smallfolk]] believe this, and thus those who slay their own blood are usually looked down upon or shunned. Across [[Westeros]], in the religions of the [[old gods]], the [[Faith of the Seven]], and even of the [[Drowned God]], men state that "no man is so accursed as the kinslayer" and that "the kinslayer is accursed in the eyes of gods and men".{{Ref|aCoK|44}}{{ref|affc|18}}{{ref|adwd|27}}{{ref|tmk}}
  
Victarion Greyjoy hates his brother Euron and thinks about killing him, but the stigma and curse associated with kinslaying is what restrains him from doing so.{{ref|affc|18}}{{ref|affc|29}} When [[Tristifer Botley]], thinking [[Aeron Greyjoy]] was killed by their brother Euron, says Euron is afraid of being seen as a kinslayer, Asha says if he was told this he would murder one of his sons to prove them wrong.{{ref|adwd|26}}
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The stigma and notoriety of kinslaying can go both ways. For example, [[Victarion Greyjoy]] hates his brother [[Euron Greyjoy|Euron]] and thinks about killing him, but the stigma and curse associated with kinslaying is what restrains him from doing so.{{ref|affc|18}}{{ref|affc|29}} However, when [[Tristifer Botley]], who believes [[Aeron Greyjoy]] was killed by his brother Euron, says Euron is afraid of being seen as a kinslayer, [[Asha Greyjoy]] responds that if Euron heard this, he would murder one of his sons to prove them wrong.{{ref|adwd|26}}
  
==People accused of kinslaying==
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According to [[George R.R. Martin]]:
*'''[[Stannis Baratheon]]''' – conceived a [[shadow assassin]] with [[Melisandre]] that went on to slay his brother King [[Renly Baratheon]], though Renly intended to kill Stannis and it is unknown if Stannis was aware of this.
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{{quote|There are degrees in kinslaying, as in anything else. Fighting a battle in which a brother dies might be frowned upon, but killing him with your own hand would be considered far worse.<ref name="grrm">[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Kinslaying_in_Westeros Kinslaying in Westeros (May 22, 2001)]</ref>}}
  
* '''[[Tyrion Lannister]]''': accused of the murder of his nephew, King [[Joffrey I]], of which he's actually innocent.{{ref|aSoS|70}} Also held responsible for the murder of his own father, [[Tywin Lannister]], of which he is actually guilty.{{ref|aDwD|27}}
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==Kinslayers and people suspected of kinslaying==
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*[[Robert Baratheon]]: Killed his second cousin [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] during the [[Battle of the Trident]].
  
* '''[[Ramsay Bolton]]''': his own father, [[Roose Bolton]], suspects he poisoned his half-brother [[Domeric Bolton|Domeric]], Roose's trueborn son.{{ref|aDwD|32}}
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*[[Stannis Baratheon]]: Conceived a [[shadow assassin]] with [[Melisandre]] that went on to slay his younger brother King [[Renly Baratheon]]. Note, Renly intended that Stannis would die in battle (by his hand or by one of his men's),{{ref|acok|33}} and it is unclear if Stannis pre-approved of Melisandre's [[sorcery]].{{ref|acok|42}}
  
* '''[[Craster]]''': for sacrificing his male children to the [[Others]].
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* [[Tyrion Lannister]]: Accused of the murder of his nephew, King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]], of which he is actually innocent.{{ref|aSoS|70}} Also held responsible for the murder of his own father, [[Tywin Lannister]], of which he is actually guilty.{{ref|aDwD|27}}
  
*'''[[Euron Greyjoy]]''': is suspected of being involved in the death of his older brother [[Balon Greyjoy]].{{ref|aFfC|18}}
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* [[Ramsay Snow]]: His own father, Lord [[Roose Bolton]], suspects he poisoned his half-brother [[Domeric Bolton|Domeric]], Roose's trueborn son.{{ref|aDwD|32}}
  
* '''[[Robb Stark]]''': when preparing to execute [[Rickard Karstark]], per [[Eddard Stark]]'s custom that the man who passes the sentence should also swing the sword, Karstark calls Robb a kinslayer due to the (distant) blood ties between [[House Stark|Starks]] and [[House Karstark|Karstarks]], though Robb's great-great-great grandmother [[Alys Karstark (wife of Brandon)|Alys Karstark]] was a Karstark.{{ref|aSoS|20}}
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* [[Craster]]: For sacrificing his male children to the [[Others]].
  
* '''[[Theon Greyjoy]]''': named a kinslayer by some for his supposed murder of [[Bran Stark|Bran]] and [[Rickon Stark]], as he was their father's ward, although they are not his blood kin and are not actually dead.{{ref|aDwD|46}}
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*[[Euron Greyjoy]]: Is suspected of being involved in the death of his older brother [[Balon Greyjoy|Balon]].{{ref|aFfC|18}} Because of the disappearence of his younger brother [[Aeron Greyjoy|Aeron]] after the [[Kingsmoot]], some [[ironborn]] think that he murdered him as well.{{ref|adwd|26}} Euron confesses to Aeron, whom he had seized and captured, that he killed Balon, though his was not the hand that did so, and two of his half-brothers, [[Harlon Greyjoy|Harlon]] and [[Robin Greyjoy|Robin]].<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[The Forsaken (The Winds of Winter)|The Forsaken]]</ref>
  
* '''[[Gregor Clegane]]''': It is rumored that he murdered his father and his sister.
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* [[Robb Stark]]: When preparing to execute [[Rickard Karstark]], per [[Eddard Stark]]'s custom that the man who passes the sentence should also swing the sword, Karstark calls Robb a kinslayer due to the blood ties between [[House Stark]] and [[House Karstark]].{{ref|aSoS|20}} However, Rickard was stretching the concept of kinslaying in hopes of saving his head,<ref name="grrm"/> as House Karstark split from House Stark over a thousand years before, and Robb was only a distant cousin through his great-great-great grandmother [[Alys Karstark (wife of Brandon)|Alys Karstark]].{{ref|twoiaf| Appendix: Stark Lineage}}
  
==Historical Kinslayers or suspected of Kinslaying==
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* [[Theon Greyjoy]]: Named a kinslayer by some for his supposed murder of [[Bran Stark|Bran]] and [[Rickon Stark]]; although they are not his blood kin, he was their father's ward and was raised with them.{{ref|aDwD|46}}
{{COA|Arryn|small}}'''[[Jonos Arryn]]''': was called Jonos the Kinslayer when he killed his own brother, [[Ronnel Arryn (king)|Ronnel]], and their family during the reign of [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]].<br>
 
{{COA|Targaryen|small}}Queen '''[[Visenya Targaryen]]''': She was suspected of poisoning her nephew and stepson [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]] so her son [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] could succeed.<br>
 
{{COA|Targaryen|small}}King '''[[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor I the Cruel]]''': For slaying his nephew [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon Targaryen]] and later having another nephew [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys Targaryen]] tortured to death.<br>
 
[[File:Mini_aegonii.png|30px]]King '''[[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]]''': For feeding his half-sister [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] to his [[Dragon|dragon]] [[Sunfyre]] during the [[Dance of the Dragons]].<br>
 
{{COA|Targaryen|small}}'''[[Aemond Targaryen]]''': For killing his nephew [[Lucerys Velaryon]] during the [[Dance of the Dragons]].<br>
 
{{COA|Targaryen|small}}King '''[[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys II]]''': Was alleged to have poisoned his nephew [[Baelor I Targaryen]], though many people think Baelor fasted himself to death. <br>
 
{{COA|Targaryen|small}}King '''[[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon IV the Unworthy]]''': Was alleged to have poisoned his father [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys II]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Viserys II}}<br>
 
[[File:32x32 Maekar Targaryen.png]]King '''[[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar I]]''': Was called a kinslayer when he slew his own brother [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor "Breakspear" Targaryen]] (although it was an accident).<br>
 
[[File:32x32 Brynden Rivers.png]]'''[[Brynden Rivers]]''': Was called a Kinslayer when he killed his half-brother [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Blackfyre]] and Daemon's sons [[Aegon Blackfyre]] and [[Aemon Blackfyre]] during the [[Battle of the Redgrass Field]]. Later Brynden executed another of Daemon's sons, [[Aenys Blackfyre]].<br>
 
{{COA|Blackfyre|small}}'''[[Maelys Blackfyre]]''': Was called a kinslayer because he supposedly consumed his own twin in the womb. Later in life he killed his own [[Daemon Blackfyre (cousin of Maelys I)|cousin]], Daemon. <br>
 
[[File:32x32 Kingsguard.png]] Ser''' [[Erryk Cargyll]]''': For slaying his twin brother Ser '''[[Arryk Cargyll]]''' during the [[Dance of the Dragons]]; each died by the other's sword.<br>
 
[[File:32x32 Kingsguard.png]] Ser''' [[Arryk Cargyll]]''': For slaying his twin brother Ser '''[[Erryk Cargyll]]''' during the [[Dance of the Dragons]]; each died by the other's sword.<br>
 
{{COA|Stark|small}} '''Lord Stark''' (grandson of [[Brandon Stark (the daughterless)|Brandon the Daughterless]]): Slew [[Bael]] the Bard, the [[King-Beyond-the-Wall]], ignorant that he was his actual father.{{ref|aCoK|51}}<br>
 
'''[[Erich Durrandon (Kin-Killer)|Erich Durrandon]]''': known as Erich Kin-Killer when he slew his brother King Durran, who was possibly [[Durran Durrandon (the Young)|Durran the Young]].
 
  
==Quotes==
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* [[Gregor Clegane]]: It is rumored that he murdered his father and his sister.{{ref|agot|30}}
  
{{Quote|Fratricide ... my lord, this is evil, unthinkable.{{ref|acok|prologue}}}} – Maester [[Cressen]], considers the thought of Stannis killing his younger brother, Renly
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* [[Gilwood Hunter]]: Was accused by his two younger brothers Eustace and Harlan of killing their father [[Eon Hunter]].{{ref|asos|80}}
  
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* [[Harlan Hunter]]: According to [[Petyr Baelish]], Harlan murdered his father [[Eon Hunter]].{{ref|affc|23}}
  
{{Quote|[[Old gods]] or [[Faith of the Seven|new]], it makes no matter, no man is so accursed as the kinslayer.{{Ref|aSoS|20}}}} [[Rickard Karstark]]
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==Historical kinslayers and people suspected of kinslaying==
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*[[Bloodstone Emperor|The Bloodstone Emperor]] killed his own sister.
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*[[Harwyn Hoare]]: He was suspected of murdering his middle brother [[Harlan Hoare]], who died from falling of a horse shortly before their father died.
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*[[Erich Durrandon (Kin-Killer)|Erich Durrandon]]: Known as Erich Kin-Killer when he slew his brother King Durran, who was possibly [[Durran Durrandon (the Young)|Durran the Young]].
 +
*[[Jonos Arryn]]: Was called Jonos the Kinslayer when he killed his own brother, [[Ronnel Arryn (king)|Ronnel]], and their family during the reign of [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]].
 +
*Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]]: She was suspected of poisoning her nephew and stepson [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]] so her son [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] could succeed.
 +
*King [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor I the Cruel]]: For slaying his nephew [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon Targaryen]] and later having another nephew [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys Targaryen]] tortured to death.
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*Lord Stark (grandson of [[Brandon Stark (the daughterless)|Brandon the Daughterless]]): For slaying [[Bael the Bard]], the [[King-Beyond-the-Wall]], ignorant that Bael was his actual father.{{ref|aCoK|51}}
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*Lord [[Larys Strong]]: Is suspected of beginning the fire at Harrenhal in which his father, Lord [[Lyonel Strong]], and elder brother Ser [[Harwin Strong]], died.
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*King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]]: For feeding his half-sister [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] to his [[Dragon|dragon]] [[Sunfyre]] during the [[Dance of the Dragons]].
 +
*[[Aemond Targaryen]]: For killing his nephew [[Lucerys Velaryon]] during the [[Dance of the Dragons]].
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*[[Daemon Targaryen]]: For killing his nephew [[Aemond Targaryen]] during the [[Dance of the Dragons]], and sending the assassins who murdered his great-nephew [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys Targaryen]].
 +
*Ser [[Erryk Cargyll]]: For slaying his twin brother Ser [[Arryk Cargyll]] during the [[Dance of the Dragons]]; each died by the other's sword.
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*Ser [[Arryk Cargyll]]: For slaying his twin brother Ser [[Erryk Cargyll]] during the [[Dance of the Dragons]]; each died by the other's sword.
 +
*King [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys II]]: Was alleged to have poisoned his nephew [[Baelor I Targaryen]], though many people think Baelor fasted himself to death.
 +
*King [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon IV the Unworthy]]: Was alleged to have poisoned his father [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys II]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Viserys II}}
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*King [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar I]]: Was called a kinslayer when he accidentally slew his own brother [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor "Breakspear" Targaryen]] in a [[trial of seven]].
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*[[Brynden Rivers]]: Was called a kinslayer when he killed his half-brother [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Blackfyre]] and Daemon's sons [[Aegon Blackfyre]] and [[Aemon Blackfyre]] during the [[Battle of the Redgrass Field]]. Later Brynden executed another of Daemon's sons, [[Aenys Blackfyre]].
 +
*[[Maelys Blackfyre]]: Was called a kinslayer because he supposedly consumed his own twin in the womb. Later in life he killed his own [[Daemon Blackfyre (cousin of Maelys I)|cousin]], Daemon.
 +
*[[Gerold Lannister]]: He was suspected of murdering his older brother [[Tybolt Lannister]] and Tybolt's daughter [[Cerelle Lannister (daughter of Tybolt)|Cerelle Lannister]].
  
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==Quotes==
  
{{Quote|Jaime had not wanted to believe it. Kinslaying was worse than [[kingslaying]], in the eyes of gods and men. He knew [[Joffrey Baratheon|the boy]] was mine. I loved [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]]. I was good to him. Well, but for that one time ... but the imp did not know the truth of that.{{Ref|aSoS|62}}}} – [[Jaime Lannister]]'s thoughts
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{{Quote|Fratricide ... my lord, this is evil, unthinkable.{{ref|acok|prologue}}|Maester [[Cressen]], considers the thought of Stannis killing his younger brother, Renly}}
 
 
 
 
{{Quote|The gods hate kinslayers, even when they kill unknowing.{{Ref|acok|51|p 545}}}} – [[Ygritte]]
 
 
 
  
{{Quote|Kinslaying is dry work.  It gives a man a thirst.{{Ref|aDwD|1}}}} – [[Tyrion Lannister]], to [[Illyrio Mopatis]], on his drinking too much [[wine]].
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{{Quote|[[Old gods]] or [[Faith of the Seven|new]], it makes no matter, no man is so accursed as the kinslayer.{{Ref|aSoS|20}}|[[Rickard Karstark]]}}
  
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{{Quote|Jaime had not wanted to believe it. Kinslaying was worse than [[kingslaying]], in the eyes of gods and men. He knew [[Joffrey Baratheon|the boy]] was mine. I loved [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]]. I was good to him. Well, but for that one time ... but the imp did not know the truth of that.{{Ref|aSoS|62}}|[[Jaime Lannister]]'s thoughts}}
  
{{Quote|Kinslayer or no, I am [[House Lannister|a lion]] still.{{Ref|aDwD|1}}}} – [[Tyrion Lannister]], to [[Illyrio Mopatis]]
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{{Quote|The gods hate kinslayers, even when they kill unknowing.{{Ref|acok|51}}|[[Ygritte]]}}
  
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{{Quote|Kinslaying is dry work.  It gives a man a thirst.{{Ref|aDwD|1}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]], to [[Illyrio Mopatis]], on his drinking too much [[wine]]}}
  
{{Quote|Tell me, my lord ... if the kinslayer is accursed, what is a father to do when [[Ramsay Snow|one son]] slays [[Domeric Bolton|another]]?{{Ref|ADWD|32}}}} – [[Roose Bolton]], to [[Theon Greyjoy]]
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{{Quote|Kinslayer or no, I am [[House Lannister|a lion]] still.{{Ref|aDwD|1}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]], to [[Illyrio Mopatis]]}}
  
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{{Quote|Tell me, my lord ... if the kinslayer is accursed, what is a father to do when [[Ramsay Snow|one son]] slays [[Domeric Bolton|another]]?{{Ref|ADWD|32}}|[[Roose Bolton]], to [[Theon Greyjoy]]}}
  
{{Quote|The gods hate kinslayers.{{Ref|aDwD|56}}}} – [[Victarion Greyjoy]], brooding [[Euron Greyjoy|on his brother]].
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{{Quote|The gods hate kinslayers.{{Ref|aDwD|56}}|[[Victarion Greyjoy]], brooding [[Euron Greyjoy|on his brother]]}}
  
 
==See also==  
 
==See also==  
:[[Customs]] for additional information on customs and traditions of Westeros.
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:[[Customs]], for additional information on customs and traditions of Westeros.
  
==References and Notes==
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==References==
{{references|3}}
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{{references}}
  
 
[[Category:Terms]]
 
[[Category:Terms]]
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[[Category:Culture]]
 
[[Category:Kinslayers| ]]
 
[[Category:Kinslayers| ]]
  
 
[[es:Matasangre]]
 
[[es:Matasangre]]
 
[[zh:弑亲]]
 
[[zh:弑亲]]

Revision as of 19:48, 2 April 2019

Aemond Targaryen killed his nephew Lucerys Velaryon during the Dance of the Dragons. Art from the Game of Thrones Season 5 Blu-ray, supplemental content.

Kinslaying is a great taboo in Westeros. Any individual who kills a member of their own family is dubbed a kinslayer, and believed to be cursed forever.[1] Many nobles and smallfolk believe this, and thus those who slay their own blood are usually looked down upon or shunned. Across Westeros, in the religions of the old gods, the Faith of the Seven, and even of the Drowned God, men state that "no man is so accursed as the kinslayer" and that "the kinslayer is accursed in the eyes of gods and men".[1][2][3][4]

The stigma and notoriety of kinslaying can go both ways. For example, Victarion Greyjoy hates his brother Euron and thinks about killing him, but the stigma and curse associated with kinslaying is what restrains him from doing so.[2][5] However, when Tristifer Botley, who believes Aeron Greyjoy was killed by his brother Euron, says Euron is afraid of being seen as a kinslayer, Asha Greyjoy responds that if Euron heard this, he would murder one of his sons to prove them wrong.[6]

According to George R.R. Martin:

There are degrees in kinslaying, as in anything else. Fighting a battle in which a brother dies might be frowned upon, but killing him with your own hand would be considered far worse.[7]

Kinslayers and people suspected of kinslaying

  • Euron Greyjoy: Is suspected of being involved in the death of his older brother Balon.[2] Because of the disappearence of his younger brother Aeron after the Kingsmoot, some ironborn think that he murdered him as well.[6] Euron confesses to Aeron, whom he had seized and captured, that he killed Balon, though his was not the hand that did so, and two of his half-brothers, Harlon and Robin.[12]
  • Robb Stark: When preparing to execute Rickard Karstark, per Eddard Stark's custom that the man who passes the sentence should also swing the sword, Karstark calls Robb a kinslayer due to the blood ties between House Stark and House Karstark.[13] However, Rickard was stretching the concept of kinslaying in hopes of saving his head,[7] as House Karstark split from House Stark over a thousand years before, and Robb was only a distant cousin through his great-great-great grandmother Alys Karstark.[14]
  • Theon Greyjoy: Named a kinslayer by some for his supposed murder of Bran and Rickon Stark; although they are not his blood kin, he was their father's ward and was raised with them.[15]

Historical kinslayers and people suspected of kinslaying

Quotes

Fratricide ... my lord, this is evil, unthinkable.[21]

—Maester Cressen, considers the thought of Stannis killing his younger brother, Renly

Old gods or new, it makes no matter, no man is so accursed as the kinslayer.[13]

Jaime had not wanted to believe it. Kinslaying was worse than kingslaying, in the eyes of gods and men. He knew the boy was mine. I loved Tyrion. I was good to him. Well, but for that one time ... but the imp did not know the truth of that.[22]

Jaime Lannister's thoughts

The gods hate kinslayers, even when they kill unknowing.[19]

Kinslaying is dry work. It gives a man a thirst.[23]

Tyrion Lannister, to Illyrio Mopatis, on his drinking too much wine

Kinslayer or no, I am a lion still.[23]

Tell me, my lord ... if the kinslayer is accursed, what is a father to do when one son slays another?[11]

The gods hate kinslayers.[24]

See also

Customs, for additional information on customs and traditions of Westeros.

References