Incest

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King Aegon I Targaryen married both of his sisters, Visenya and Rhaenys. Artwork by Amok©

Incest is defined as a relationship between two persons commonly regarded as too closely related to marry. [1]

Incest in Essos

In the Valyrian Freehold, it was custom among the dragonlords to marry brother to sister, or, if that was not possible, an uncle to a niece, or an aunt to a nephew.[2] However, this was not often practiced by those who were not from dragonrider families.[3]

Incest in Westeros

Incest in the Seven Kingdoms

Tywin and Joanna Lannister were wedded first cousins, which is not considered to be incest in Westeros. Art by Bella Bergolts ©

The two main religions practiced in the Seven Kingdoms, the Faith of the Seven and the old gods, consider incest to be a vile sin.[4][2] In Westeros, incest is only defined if father lays with daughter, mother lays with son, or brother with sister. The children of such unions are considered abominations.[5] However, in marriage customs, it is acceptable and in fact quite common among the nobility for first cousins to wed. Examples include Tywin and Joanna Lannister (first cousins),[6] Paxter Redwyne and Mina Tyrell (first cousins),[7] Viserys I Targaryen and Aemma Arryn (first cousins),[8] and Rickard and Lyarra Stark (first cousins once removed).[9] The exact degree of relations are unknown in the marriages of Jon and Rowena Arryn, Shella and Walter Whent,[10] Benfrey and Jyanna Frey,[11] and Alys and Jared Frey.[11] Further, a marriage has been proposed between Robert Arryn and Sansa Stark (first cousins),[12] to which the degree of common ancestry was not an objection.

Incest is also disliked in the Iron Islands, where worship of the Drowned God is common. The women of House Codd are looked down upon for allegedly sleeping with their brothers and fathers.[13]

The views regarding marriages between an uncle and a niece (or an aunt to a nephew) might differ between the Faith and the old gods. Although the High Septon protested against a possible marriage between Prince Maegor Targaryen and his niece Rhaena,[2][14] in the north, Serena Stark had been wed to her half-uncle, Edric, while her sister Sansa Stark had been wed to her half-uncle Jonnel Stark.[9][N 1]

The marriage of step-relations is a contentious issue in Westeros. When Lyonel Hightower announced his intention to marry his stepmother, Samantha Hightower, the High Septon forbade the union and deemed it a form of incest.[15] However, Lord Hightower kept Lady Sam as his paramour for thirteen years, fathering six children on her, until the subsequent High Septon reversed his predecessor's decision and allowed the couple to marry.[15]

The only exception to condemnation of incest in Westeros is when it occurs in House Targaryen.[4] The Westerosi accepted the rule of Aegon I Targaryen following his Conquest, despite the fact that he was in an incestuous, polygamous marriage with both his sisters, Visenya and Rhaenys. The High Septon personally anointed the new king,[16] and Aegon remained closely allied with the Faith during his reign, but the Faith neither denounced nor endorsed Aegon's marriages.[5] When his son Aenys was wed in 22 AC to his cousin Alyssa Velaryon, no objections were raised. However, when a marriage was proposed between Aenys's brother, Maegor, and Aenys's daughter, Rhaena, the High Septon protested, preventing the marriage from taking place.[2][14]

Jaehaerys and Alysanne Targaryen were a brother-sister marriage allowed under the Doctrine of Exceptionalism. Art by Magali Villeneuve for The World of Ice & Fire

In 41 AC, when Aenys had his daughter Rhaena and son Aegon marry, the Faith Militant uprising began. The High Septon sent Aenys a denunciation, addressing him as "King Abomination"; pious lords and smallfolk, who had once loved Aenys, turned against him.[2] The uprising lasted the remainder of Aenys's reign[2] and continued throughout the reign of King Maegor I Targaryen.[14] Peace between the Faith and the Crown was eventually reached during the reign of Jaehaerys I Targaryen with the Doctrine of Exceptionalism, which permitted incestuous marriages for Targaryens, as the Gods had made Valyrians differently from the Andals. It was made an official tenet of the faith by High Septon Alfyn and his successor.[17][18][19]

The Targaryens continued their incestuous marriages from the reign of King Jaehaerys I onwards. King Jaehaerys I married his younger sister Alysanne, although both their mother and stepfather tried to stop the relationship, as they feared the reaction of the pious of the realm.[20] Jaehaerys planned to marry his eldest son Aemon to his daughter Daenerys,[21] but after Daenerys died at a young age, Aemon was married to his half-aunt Jocelyn Baratheon instead. Jaehaerys further married his children Baelon and Alyssa to one another, and considered marrying his children Vaegon and Daella to one another. Once it became clear that Vaegon and Daella were far from an ideal match, Jaehaerys briefly considered his younger daughters Saera and Viserra as a bride for Vaegon.[22] King Aegon II Targaryen was wed to his sister Helaena Targaryen, King Baelor I Targaryen had been wed to his sister Daena (although the marriage was never consummated and Baelor had the marriage annulled upon ascending the throne), King Aegon IV was wed to his sister Naerys, Prince Aelor to his twin-sister Aelora, King Jaehaerys II Targaryen to his sister Shaera, and their son Aerys II Targaryen to his sister Rhaella.[8]

King Aegon V Targaryen, once betrothed to his own sister Daella,[23] became convinced that the incestuous marriage customs of House Targaryen were harmful. As such, Aegon and Queen Betha Blackwood betrothed four of their five children in 237 AC to sons and daughters of some of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms. When his son Jaehaerys and daughter Shaera married in secret, Aegon was forced to accept the marriage.[24] Years later, based on the prophecy made by a woods witch, Jaehaerys commanded his son Aerys and daughter Rhaella to marry one another.[25] Whilst King Aegon V was frustrated by Jaehaerys's decision, he let his son have his way.[24]

Westerosi society tolerated incest only among the Targaryens. When the Targaryens were overthrown during Robert's Rebellion, their incest did not play a role. However, people would not have criticized King Robert I Baratheon executing his wife, Cersei Lannister, had he known that Cersei's brother Jaime Lannister was the father of Cersei's three children, not Robert.[4] During the War of the Five Kings Jaime considered that he could publicly marry Cersei, and Joffrey could marry his sister and Jaime's daughter Myrcella. He believed that, using military force, House Lannister could retain the Iron Throne despite the incest and prove to the realm that Lannisters were, like Targaryens, different from other people.[26]

Incest Beyond the Wall

The free folk, who live north of the Wall, believe that marriage between brothers and sisters or parents and children offend the gods, who curse the children of such unions with being weak and sickly.[27] In notable contrast with lands south of the Wall, where first cousin marriage is relatively common, Ygritte says that the wildlings avoid marrying "clan kin". Instead, they will travel to find brides in lands as far away from their own as possible, believing that new blood will strengthen them and avoid inbreeding.[28]

The isolated wildling homesteader Craster has nineteen wives, many of whom are his own daughters. Other wildlings do not consider this normal or acceptable.[29]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Jaime and Cersei Lannister are incestuous siblings. Art by Mathia Arkoniel ©

Lord Stannis Baratheon, brother of King Robert I Baratheon, becomes suspicious about the paternity of Queen Cersei Lannister’s three children, Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen, believing they had not been fathered by her husband, King Robert I, but instead by her brother, Ser Jaime Lannister of the Kingsguard. He investigates the matter with the Hand of the King, Lord Jon Arryn, who discovers proof for Cersei's infidelity.[30] Before Jon can reveal the secret to the king, he dies.[31][32]

When the king visits Winterfell with half his court, Bran Stark accidentally witnesses Queen Cersei and Ser Jaime having sex in the First Keep. In an attempt to keep their secret, Jaime throws Bran from the window of the tower.[33]

In King's Landing, Lord Eddard Stark discovers Queen Cersei's secret. He informs Lord Petyr Baelish of the fact, but Baelish's reaction suggests he had been aware for some time already.[34] Eddard goes to confront Cersei, who confirms her relationship with Jaime.[30] When King Robert I dies, Eddard attempts to prevent Joffrey from taking the throne, but is betrayed, arrested, and subsequently executed.[35][36]

During his captivity, Eddard is visited by Varys, who reveals he was aware of the relationship between Cersei and Jaime.[37]

Before being presented to the Dothraki khal Drogo, Daenerys Targaryen recalls how she had always assumed that she would marry her brother Viserys once she came of age.[38]

A Clash of Kings

Stannis Baratheon proclaims himself to be King on Dragonstone, and thereby lays claim to the Iron Throne.[39] He has his maester, Pylos, write numerous copies of a letter in which he proclaims Cersei's three children to be the products of her incestuous relationship with her brother, Jaime.[40] These letters are sent to the lords of the Seven Kingdoms, including the Red Keep in King’s Landing.[41]

While in captivity at Riverrun, Jaime Lannister confirms to Catelyn Stark that Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen are his biological children.[42]

A Storm of Swords

Craster and his wives, some of which are also his daughters. Art by Victor Manuel Leza Moreno © FFG

At Craster's Keep, Gilly gives birth to her father's son.[43] She flees her father's keep with Samwell Tarly,[44] and eventually reaches Castle Black with the child.[45]

A Feast for Crows

Ser Kevan Lannister makes it clear to both Cersei[46] and Jaime[7] that he is aware of their relationship and the paternity of Cersei's children.

As part of her plot to discredit Queen Margaery Tyrell, Dowager Queen Cersei Lannister has disgraced former maester Qyburn torture the Blue Bard into confessing how he witnessed Margaery having affairs with lovers. The names he speaks include Ser Loras Tyrell, Margaery’s brother. However, Cersei knows that the lie will not be believed, on account of Loras's sexual preferences, nor be taken kindly, following his recent military success at Dragonstone, and insists the Blue Bard changes his confession.[47]

A Dance with Dragons

When Stannis Baratheon discovers Gilly was not only Craster's daughter, but also his wife who gave birth to his son, he agrees to Jon Snow's plan to send Gilly south, stating he will not suffer "such abominations" at the Wall.[48]

Having been taken captive by the Faith, Dowager Queen Cersei Lannister is charged with multiple crimes, including incest. She denies to the High Septon that her children were fathered by her brother instead of her husband.[49] During her walk of atonement, the smallfolk call Cersei names, including "brotherfucker".[50]

Quotes

Bastards were common enough, but incest was a monstrous sin to both old gods and the new, and the children of such wickedness were named abominations in sept and godswood alike. The dragonkings had wed brother to sister, but they were the blood of old Valyria where such practices had been common, and like their dragons the Targaryens answered to neither gods nor men.[4]

—thoughts of Catelyn Stark

Notes

  1. According to ancient Greek historians, in Sparta marriage between a full uncle and niece was considered to be incest, but marriage between a half-uncle and niece was explicitly defined to not be incest. It is possible that the same distinction is made in Westeros, or at least in the North. Further, a half-uncle is genetically equivalent to a first cousin (with about 12.5% shared DNA), and Westeros doesn't consider first cousin marriage to be incest.

References

  1. Wikipedia: Incest
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I.
  3. George RR Martin in Conversation: HOW Interviews GRRM!
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 33, Catelyn IV.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
  6. The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Lannister Lineage.
  7. 7.0 7.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.
  8. 8.0 8.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Targaryen Lineage.
  9. 9.0 9.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Stark Lineage.
  10. The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring.
  11. 11.0 11.1 A Clash of Kings, Appendix.
  12. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 68, Sansa VI.
  13. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 20, Reek II.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
  15. 15.0 15.1 Fire & Blood, Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf.
  16. The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  17. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
  18. Fire & Blood, A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade.
  19. Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I.
  20. Fire & Blood, The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC.
  21. Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne – Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
  22. Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
  23. The Sworn Sword.
  24. 24.0 24.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V.
  25. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 23, Daenerys IV.
  26. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 21, Jaime III.
  27. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 10, Jon III.
  28. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 26, Jon III.
  29. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 23, Jon III.
  30. 30.0 30.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 45, Eddard XII.
  31. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
  32. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 25, Eddard V.
  33. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 8, Bran II.
  34. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 47, Eddard XIII.
  35. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 49, Eddard XIV.
  36. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 65, Arya V.
  37. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 58, Eddard XV.
  38. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
  39. A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
  40. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 10, Davos I.
  41. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 15, Tyrion III.
  42. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 55, Catelyn VII.
  43. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 33, Samwell II.
  44. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 46, Samwell III.
  45. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 75, Samwell IV.
  46. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 7, Cersei II.
  47. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 39, Cersei IX.
  48. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 3, Jon I.
  49. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 54, Cersei I.
  50. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 65, Cersei II.