Flowering is a euphemism for a girl’s first menstrual period. The blood is the seal of womanhood. It means that she is now fit to be wedded and bedded.[1]
Culture
A girl who has had her first flowering is considered to be fit for both marriage and its consummation.[1] Most highborn girls have their first flowering at the age of twelve or thirteen,[2] bringing them into a somewhat ambiguous position. They are considered to be "part child, part woman", and can be referred to as a "maid".[3]
In the "general Westerosi view," girls may well be wed before their first flowerings, for political reasons, but it would be considered perverse to bed them. And such early weddings, even without sexual intercourse, remain rare. Generally, weddings are postponed until the bride has passed from girlhood to maidenhood.[4]
Fair maidens and girls near their first flowering are most often taken captive on raids by the ironborn, becoming serving girls, whores, or household drudges upon the Iron Islands.[5]
History
It is said that Garth Greenhand brought fertility to the women, as maidens ripened in his presence, mothers brought forth twins or even triplets when he blessed them, and young girls flowered at his smile.[6]
After her flowering, Princess Saera Targaryen took to the men at the royal court, and at the age of fourteen years old, she told her father that she wanted to become a queen like her mother, by marrying the Prince of Dorne or the King-Beyond-the-Wall.[7]
In 93 AC, at the age of eleven, Aemma Arryn married her cousin Prince Viserys Targaryen, but the marriage was not consummated until Aemma flowered, two years later.[8]
King Aegon III Targaryen married Daenaera Velaryon when he was thirteen and she only six years old, but the marriage was not consummated until long after Daenaera had flowered.[9]
Asha Greyjoy had her first flowering during the Greyjoy's Rebellion in 289 AC.[10]
Had Brienne of Tarth's first betrothal not died, she would have been wed to him within the year of her first flowering.[11] While Prince Quentyn Martell was fostered at Yronwood, Gwyneth Yronwood became fond of him and hoped to marry him after she had flowered.[12]
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
Even after Lord Eddard Stark's execution, Cersei Lannister declares that King Joffrey I Baratheon should still be married to Sansa Stark upon her flowering, a prospect that horrifies her.[2]
A Clash of Kings
After a dream in which the mob from the riots in King's Landing stabs her in the belly, Sansa wakes up to discover that she has experienced her first flowering, making her officially a woman. Sansa burns the bloody sheets in fear that Joffrey will find out and want to bed her, and tries to burn the mattress as well, but the smoke attracts the attention of the servants, who bring her to Cersei.[1]
A Storm of Swords
Alla and Megga Tyrell, who have not yet flowered, follow their cousin Elinor, who has already done so.[13]
Alayne Stone, the bastard daughter of Lord Petyr Baelish, was entrusted to the Faith of the Seven when her mother died in childbirth, but at her flowering decided she did not wish to be a septa, so she contacted Petyr.[14]
A Feast for Crows
Early in 300 AC, Rosey is fifteen years old and freshly flowered.[15]
According to Hotho Humpback, his daughter is a fair girl, newly flowered.[10]
When Ser Daven Lannister talks with his cousin, Ser Jaime Lannister, about Daven's upcoming wedding to a Frey girl, he comments that he has learned from Edwyn Frey that he should pick one not yet flowered, or else Black Walder will have had her first.[16]
The Merling Queen, a courtesan in Braavos, has four attendants known as Mermaids, who are young maidens who have just flowered.[17]
A Dance with Dragons
Having been betrothed to Daryn Hornwood, heir to the Hornwood, Alys Karstark was waiting for her to flower before they married when Daryn died at the battle in the Whispering Wood. Having now flowered at Karhold, her uncle Arnolf Karstark, the castellan of Karhold, hopes to wed her to his son, Cregan, but she runs away to Castle Black.[18]
Quotes
—Alayne Stone, to Lady Waynwood
In the Summer Isles, those who are skilled at giving pleasure are greatly esteemed. Many highborn youths and maidens serve for a few years after their flowerings, to honor the gods.[21]
—Chataya, to Tyrion Lannister
For girls, the first flowering is also very significant... and in older traditions, a girl who has flowered is a woman, fit for both wedding and bedding. A girl who has flowered, but not yet attained her sixteenth name day, is in a somewhat ambigious position: part child, part woman. A "maid," in other words. Fertile but innocent, beloved of the singers.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 52, Sansa IV.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 67, Sansa VI.
- ↑ So Spake Martin: Age of Sexual Relations, October 5, 1999
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 So Spake Martin: Age of Sexual Relations in Westeros (October 05, 1999)
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 11, The Kraken's Daughter.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 4, Brienne I.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 6, The Merchant's Man.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 16, Sansa II.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 68, Sansa VI.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Prologue.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 33, Jaime V.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 34, Cat Of The Canals.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 44, Jon IX.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 23, Alayne I.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 15, Tyrion III.