Frey Pies/Theories

Theories may be removed if ...

Stated as questions or possibilities. More appropriate for another article. Illogical or previously disproven. Proven by canon source, and moved to main page. Speculative and lacking any evidence to support arguments. Responding to another theory (use discussion page instead). This does not include responses that are also standalone theories. Usage of an indented bullet does not imply the statement is a response.

The Frey Pies Theory suggests that Wyman Manderly orders the killing of three Freys (Rhaegar, Symond, and Jared) who disappear on the way from White Harbor to Barrowton. According to the theory, Lord Manderly then has the men baked into the three huge pork pies he brings for the wedding of Ramsay Bolton and Arya Stark at Winterfell. The pies are described as "three great wedding pies, as wide across as wagon wheels, their flaky crusts stuffed to bursting with carrots, onions, turnips, parsnips, mushrooms, and chunks of seasoned pork swimming in a savory brown gravy."

Supporting Evidence

• Lord Wyman Manderly tells Davos Seaworth that he does not believe the lies the Freys have been saying about the Red Wedding, and he knows his son Wendel was murdered by them in violation of guest right. He says that he had to appease the three Freys at White Harbor while his son Wylis was held hostage by the Lannisters, but now his son is home.
• Wyman tells Davos he must travel to Winterfell for a wedding, along with the Freys. Wyman plans to give the three Freys guest gifts, a tradition that marks a guest's departure and the end of the obligations of a host to follow guest right.
• Rhaegar, Symond, and Jared Frey, riding on the fine horses that Wyman has gifted them, disappear while on the road from White Harbor to Barrowton. According to Roose Bolton, Wyman insists the Freys traveled ahead of his column out of impatience over Wyman's slow pace, and he is distraught at their disappearance.
• Ramsay Bolton searches for them, along with his squires Big Walder and Little Walder Frey, but they cannot be found. Big Walder tells Theon Greyjoy he never expected to find his cousins. He believes that Wyman had them killed, saying that's what he would do if he were Wyman.

  

  Lord Wyman Manderly and his three pies, by Jake Murray © Fantasy Flight Games

• Lord Wyman presents three huge pork pies at the wedding in Winterfell, three matching the three missing Freys. Wyman serves portions to Roose, Walda Bolton, Hosteen Frey, and Aenys Frey, urging them to eat and praising the flavor. He serves them with great (drunken) exuberance. Wyman himself eats two portions from each pie.
• As he leaves the wedding feast, Lord Wyman drunkenly tells the bard Abel to sing about the Rat Cook, a legendary Night's Watch cook who killed an Andal king's son and baked him into a pie he then served to his father. (Shortly after Bran Stark dreamed Robb Stark's death at the Red Wedding, he reflected on the legend of the Rat Cook: he was transformed into a giant white rat by the gods, not because of his deeds, but specifically because he dishonored guest right.) A song about that subject would typically be considered too gruesome for a wedding.
• Hosteen and Aenys Frey later confront Lord Wyman about their missing relatives. In their argument, Hosteen says he will serve Wyman "all the bloody bits you can stomach", and Wyman laughs.

Quotes

My son Wendel came to the Twins a guest. He ate Lord Walder's bread and salt, and hung his sword upon the wall to feast with friends. And they murdered him. Murdered, I say, and may the Freys choke upon their fables. I drink with Jared, jape with Symond, promise Rhaegar the hand of my own beloved granddaughter ... but never think that means I have forgotten. The north remembers, Lord Davos. The north remembers, and the mummer's farce is almost done. My son is home.

—Wyman Manderly, to Davos Seaworth

Wyman: The Freys came here by sea. They have no horses with them, so I shall present each of them with a palfrey as a guest gift. Do hosts still give guest gifts in the south?

Davos: Some do, my lord. On the day their guest departs.

Wyman: Perhaps you understand, then.

—Wyman Manderly and Davos Seaworth

Theon: Did you find your cousins, my lord?
Walder: No. I never thought we would. They're dead. Lord Wyman had them killed. That's what I would have done if I was him.

—Theon Greyjoy and Big Walder Frey

The three wedding pies, by Jaydeewis ©

The best pie you have ever tasted, my lords. Wash it down with Arbor gold and savor every bite. I know I shall.

—Wyman Manderly, during the wedding feast of "Arya Stark" and Ramsay Bolton

No taste for pork pie, my lord? The best pork pie we ever tasted, our fat friend would have us believe. Have you ever seen a fat man so happy? He is almost dancing. Serving with his own hands.

—Barbrey Dustin, to Theon Greyjoy

Hosteen: Where are my kin, Manderly? Tell me that. Your guests, who brought your son back to you."

Wyman: His bones, you mean. I recall them well. Rhaegar of the round shoulders, with his glib tongue. Bold Ser Jared, so swift to draw his steel. Symond the spymaster, always clinking coins. They brought home Wendel's bones. It was Tywin Lannister who returned Wylis to me, safe and whole, as he had promised. A man of his word, Lord Tywin, Seven save his soul. The road has many dangers, ser. I gave your brothers guest gifts when we took our leave of White Harbor. We swore we would meet again at the wedding. Many and more bore witness to our parting.
Aenys: Many and more? Or you and yours?
Wyman: What are you suggesting, Frey? I do not like your tone, ser. No, not one bloody bit.

Hosteen: Step out into the yard, you sack of suet, and I'll serve you all the bloody bits that you can stomach.

—Hosteen Frey, Wyman Manderly, and Aenys Frey

Behind the scenes

• Human flesh reportedly tastes much like pork; see also the term "long pig".
• See also William Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus, where a man avenges his family by serving someone their relatives baked into a pie.