In the laws of the Seven Kingdoms, treason is a serious crime against a sovereign or the realm or kingdom as a whole, including rebellion, regicide, oathbreaking, and espionage. One who commits treason is called a traitor.
Culture
[edit]Like oathbreaking, the nature of treason is not an absolute one, and is subject to political machinations. It can often depend on whether said treason is successful. While a defeated rebel will be condemned and executed as a traitor, a victorious one will be in power and will merely receive the epithet "usurper".[1][2]
The punishment for treason is death,[3][4] usually by public execution. Kings can pardon traitors and accept them back into the king's peace and into their service if desired.[5][6] If expedient, a traitor may instead be pardoned in exchange of hostages or by agreeing to take the black and join the Night's Watch.[7]
A queen consort who commits infidelity against the king is also considered a traitor.[4]
In the city of King's Landing, those accused of treason are confined to the black cells.[8]
History
[edit]Ser Duncan the Tall was charged with treason after striking Prince Aerion Targaryen for accosting a woman during the tourney at Ashford Meadow. Duncan demanded a trial by combat, which at Aerion's insistence became a trial of seven. Duncan's side was ultimately victorious, but during the combat Aerion's father, Prince Maekar Targaryen, fatally injured his own brother, Prince Baelor Breakspear.[9]
In 212 AC, a hunchbacked septon was executed for speaking treason against Lord Brynden Rivers, Hand of the King, and in favor of the Blackfyre Pretenders. His head was placed on an iron spike on the walls above the gate of Stoney Sept.[10]
Robert's Rebellion
[edit]Brandon Stark, eldest son and heir of Lord Rickard Stark, was arrested for treason by King Aerys II Targaryen after protesting the kidnapping of his sister Lyanna by Aerys's son Rhaegar, Prince of Dragonstone. When Rickard arrived at King's Landing to ransom his son, Aerys arrested him for treason as well. Aerys had both Starks executed in the throne room.[11]
The lords Robert Baratheon, Eddard Stark, Jon Arryn, Hoster Tully and later Tywin Lannister, as well as their bannermen, households, and followers, committed treason against King Aerys when they rebelled against him. However, as they were victorious in their rebellion, they have never been judged as such. Robert , however, has become known as the Usurper by those who secretly remain loyal to House Targaryen.[1]
Grand Maester Pycelle betrayed Aerys II when he counseled the Mad King to open the gates of King's Landing to Tywin Lannister when the latter presented himself before the city gates offering protection against the rebellion. Pycelle was aware Tywin did not intend to defend the city.[12][13] During the ensuing Sack of King's Landing, Ser Jaime Lannister violated his Kingsguard oath and murdered his king, Aerys. Jaime was subsequently pardoned by the new king, Robert.[11]
Recent Events
[edit]A Game of Thrones
[edit]
Lord Eddard Stark, acting in his authority as Hand of the King, decides to move against Prince Joffrey Baratheon and prevent his coronation by taking him prisoner, having discovered that Joffrey has no right to the Iron Throne after the death of King Robert I Baratheon. Lord Petyr Baelish reminds Eddard that such action will be considered treason only if they lose. Petyr and Janos Slynt betray Eddard, who is arrested[14] and later executed for treason against Joffrey, accused of seeking to install himself on the throne.[15]
Renly Baratheon commits treason when he tries to take the Iron Throne despite being fourth in the line of succession, ignoring the (false) rights of his nephew Joffrey, Robert's official heir, and the true rights of his older brother Stannis.[16]
The rebellion of the north and the riverlands to secede from the authority of the Iron Throne is regarded as treason by those who remain loyal to King Joffrey.[17]
A Clash of Kings
[edit]Theon Greyjoy betrays Robb Stark and joins his father, Balon Greyjoy, in his conquest of the north.[18]
For his refusal to fight for the protection of Prince Tommen Baratheon, Ser Boros Blount is stripped of his white cloak and kept in Rosby's dungeons on the grounds of treason and cowardice.[19]
While Daenerys Targaryen is in the House of the Undying in Qarth, the warlocks whisper of three treasons, once for blood and once for gold and once for love.[20][21]
A Storm of Swords
[edit]Melisandre and Selyse Florent burn Lord Guncer Sunglass and two Rambtons as traitors.[22] Lord Alester Florent is condemned as a traitor by Stannis for secretly trying to negotiate with Lord Tywin Lannister.[23][3]
Ollo Lophand, a brother of the Night's Watch, kills Lord Commander Jeor Mormont in a mutiny at Craster's Keep.[24]
Lord Rickard Karstark, furious over the death of his sons Torrhen and Eddard, killed by Jaime Lannister in the battle in the Whispering Wood, accuses Catelyn Stark of treason after she releases Jaime from Riverrun. Rickard himself is later executed for treason against Robb, the King in the North, for murdering two of Robb's hostages, Willem Lannister and Tion Frey.[25]
Lords Walder Frey and Roose Bolton commit treason in the Red Wedding by conspiring with Tywin Lannister to eliminate Robb Stark and his family.[26]
A Dance with Dragons
[edit]Bowen Marsh commits treason by organizing a mutiny at Castle Black against Jon Snow, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.[27]
Quotes
[edit]Treason ... is only a word. When two princes fight for a chair where only one may sit, great lords and common men alike must choose. And when the battle's done, the victors will be hailed as loyal men and true, whilst those who were defeated will be known forevermore as rebels and traitors. That was my fate.[2]
—Eustace Osgrey to Egg
Treason is no less vile because the traitor proves a craven.[10]
Eddard: Lord Baelish, what you suggest is treason.
Petyr: Only if we lose.[28]
Treason is a noxious weed. It must be torn up, root and stem and seed, lest new traitors sprout from every roadside.[29]
—Pycelle to Sansa Stark
Robb: This was your work. Your murder. Your treason.
Rickard: How can it be treason to kill Lannisters, when it is not treason to free them?[25]
Stannis: I ask you again—what is the penalty for treason under the law?
Davos: Death. The penalty is death, Your Grace.[3]
What we do is treason, make no mistake. Trust only your companions, and do your best to avoid attracting notice.[30]
References
[edit]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Sworn Sword.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 43, Cersei X.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 42, Davos II.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 65, Sansa VIII.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Dying of Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown.
- ↑ The Hedge Knight.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 The Mystery Knight.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 55, Catelyn VII.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 25, Tyrion VI.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 37, Jaime V.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 49, Eddard XIV.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 65, Arya V.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 69, Tyrion IX.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 71, Catelyn XI.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 37, Theon III.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 49, Tyrion XI.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 48, Daenerys IV.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 63, Daenerys V.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 10, Davos II.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 25, Davos III.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 33, Samwell II.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 20, Catelyn III.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 72, Jaime IX.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 69, Jon XIII.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 47, Eddard XIII.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 57, Sansa V.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 6, The Merchant's Man.