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On extremely rare occasions, the lords of the kingdom may be gathered together to decide some great matter. The last time a [[Great Council]] was convened, it chose the next king of the [[Seven Kingdoms]], overriding the proper lines of inheritance to give the crown to the youngest son of [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar]], [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon V]], ahead of his elder brothers.{{Ref|aCoK|8}} | On extremely rare occasions, the lords of the kingdom may be gathered together to decide some great matter. The last time a [[Great Council]] was convened, it chose the next king of the [[Seven Kingdoms]], overriding the proper lines of inheritance to give the crown to the youngest son of [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar]], [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon V]], ahead of his elder brothers.{{Ref|aCoK|8}} | ||
== Inheritance == | == Inheritance == | ||
Inheritance laws in Seven Kingdoms are not clear-cut. According to [[George R. R. Martin]], | Inheritance laws in Seven Kingdoms are not clear-cut. According to [[George R. R. Martin]], | ||
{{Quote|The short answer is that the laws of inheritance in the Seven Kingdoms are modelled on those in real medieval history... which is to say, they were vague, uncodified, subject to varying interpretations, and often contradictory.<ref>The Hornwood Inheritance and the Whents, November 02, 1999 [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P210/ So Spake Martin]</ref>}} | {{Quote|The short answer is that the laws of inheritance in the Seven Kingdoms are modelled on those in real medieval history... which is to say, they were vague, uncodified, subject to varying interpretations, and often contradictory.<ref name=HW>The Hornwood Inheritance and the Whents, November 02, 1999 [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P210/ So Spake Martin]</ref>}} | ||
Most nobles of [[Seven Kingdoms]], influenced by the [[Andal]] traditions, practice male-preference [[w:primogeniture|primogeniture]], while customs of [[Dorne]] and possibly the [[Iron Islands]] are different from the other kingdoms. In Dorne, no distinction is made between sons and daughters, with children inheriting in order of birth regardless of gender.{{Ref|aGoT|62}} It is unclear whether women can inherit in their own right in the Iron Islands. | Most nobles of the [[Seven Kingdoms]], influenced by the [[Andal]] traditions, practice male-preference [[w:primogeniture|primogeniture]], while customs of [[Dorne]] and possibly the [[Iron Islands]] are different from the other kingdoms. In Dorne, no distinction is made between sons and daughters, with children inheriting in order of birth regardless of gender.{{Ref|aGoT|62}} It is unclear whether women can inherit in their own right in the Iron Islands. | ||
In the rest of the Seven | In the rest of the Seven Kingdoms, a man's eldest son is his heir, followed by his second son, then his third son, and so on. In theory, the youngest son is followed in the line of succession by the eldest daughter, after whom come her sisters in birth order.{{Ref|aGoT|62}} In practice it is usually sons, then whoever can manage to convince the local overlord that he ought to inherit. The sword can be all the hereditary justification that is needed, as in the case of [[Robert Baratheon]]. Still, there are examples of ladies who rule in their own right, including: [[Delonne Allyrion]], [[Larra Blackmont]], [[Alysanne Bulwer]], [[Barbrey Dustin]], [[Shyra Errol]], [[Lyessa Flint]], [[Mary Mertyns]], [[Maege Mormont]], [[Arwyn Oakheart]], [[Tanda Stokeworth]], [[Nymella Toland]], [[Anya Waynwood]], and [[Shella Whent]]. | ||
Noble titles (e.g. Lord of a certain place) and lands are passed on within families; [[Knight|knighthood]] is not inherited but is conferred on individuals independently due to merit, not birth. In the Great Houses, where elder siblings inherit a significant title and lands, small holdings and keeps may be granted to their younger brothers, who hold their lands as bannermen.{{Ref|aGoT|5}} Variations may arise, particularly in relation to the place of daughters: though by law a daughter should inherit before her uncle or cousin,{{Ref|aDwD|44}} a male relative may stake a claim and be judged a better choice to be heir.{{Ref|aCoK|16}} | Noble titles (e.g. Lord of a certain place) and lands are passed on within families; [[Knight|knighthood]] is not inherited but is conferred on individuals independently due to merit, not birth. In the Great Houses, where elder siblings inherit a significant title and lands, small holdings and keeps may be granted to their younger brothers, who hold their lands as bannermen.{{Ref|aGoT|5}} Variations may arise, particularly in relation to the place of daughters: though by law a daughter should inherit before her uncle or cousin,{{Ref|aDwD|44}} a male relative may stake a claim and be judged a better choice to be heir.{{Ref|aCoK|16}} | ||
A lord may lay out specific terms for inheritance or pass over their offspring in his will | A lord may lay out specific terms for inheritance or pass over their offspring in his will, which may invite legal wrangling after their death, and potentially violence during it. For instance, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] wants his elder son, Ser [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], to be his heir to [[Casterly Rock]] and refuses to acknowledge the claim of his younger son, [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]], despite custom disqualifying Jaime as a member of the [[Kingsguard]]. If a lord's heir is a daughter without a husband, he might specify that she must wed by a certain time or the inheritance will pass to a cousin.<Ref>[[The Sworn Sword]], p123</Ref> | ||
The role of legitimised [[Bastardy|bastards]] throughout the Seven Kingdoms is also unclear i.e. whether they follow trueborn children, or join the line of succession in order of birth as if they had been trueborn all along.<ref name=HW/> Unlegitimised bastards have no legal claim. | |||
Heirs born into a different house drop their birth surname when they come into their inheritance, adopting the name of the inherited house as their own. An example is [[Beren Tallhart]] possibly adopting the [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]] name.{{Ref|aCoK|16}} | |||
Heirs born into a different house drop their birth surname when they come into their inheritance, adopting the name of the inherited house as their own.{{Ref|aCoK|16}} | |||
== Marriage == | == Marriage == | ||
Marriage customs vary considerably between the lands and major faiths, i.e. followers of the [[old gods]], the [[Faith of the Seven]], [[R | Marriage customs vary considerably between the lands and major faiths, i.e. followers of the [[old gods]], the [[Faith of the Seven]], [[R'hllor]], and the [[Drowned God]]. All appear to be religious ceremonies between one man and one woman (who should not be more closely related than first cousins), involving the exchange of vows in the presence of particular sacred witnesses e.g. a [[septon]], a [[heart tree]],{{Ref|aCoK|34}} or a priest/ess. It is followed by the feast, where the bride and groom eat and drink with everyone and finally, there is the bedding. | ||
The [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]] of [[Valyrian Freehold|Old Valyria]] allow marriage between brother and sister, which they brought to the Seven Kingdoms. This practice was never accepted or practiced by the population they ruled, however, to the extent that such unions are deemed ungodly and even accursed. | |||
===Marriage Contracts=== | ===Marriage Contracts=== | ||
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:{{Main|Bedding|First Night}} | :{{Main|Bedding|First Night}} | ||
Women are generally expected to be virgins on their wedding night, more so for | Women are generally expected to be virgins on their wedding night, more so for noble women. Witnesses may be called upon to witness the [[bedding]] of a newly wedded couple, the ceremony usually takes place following the feast.{{Ref|aSoS|28}} However, it is known that horse riding can break a girl’s maidenhead, so few families are insistent on physical proof.{{Ref|aFfC|28}} | ||
Lords in Westeros once had the right to the first night | Lords in Westeros once had the right to the [[first night]], the custom of bedding newly-wed common women before their husbands. Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] convinced King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys I]] to abolish it,<Ref>[[The Sworn Sword]], p94</Ref>{{Ref|aDwD|43}} but it is still practiced illegally in some parts of [[the North]].{{Ref|aDwD|32}} | ||
==Age of majority== | ==Age of majority== | ||
Revision as of 21:13, 26 February 2014
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Monarchy and Nobility
- See also Laws & Justice.
Authority derives from the king. Nobles receive their status either from birth or from the largesse of a king or lord. Lords are not bound by law or custom to support their relatives; some do, by giving their kin posts and positions or by granting them vassal holdfasts. A lord is expected to arrange matches for his children and any unwed younger siblings.[1]
It is possible for the king to redistribute lands and titles as he sees fit; he may also sign bills of attainder to strip lords of their lands and incomes.[2] Though a lord could conceivably hold more than one title, it is unusual for noble holdings to be divided or combined.[3] Territorial disputes between landowners are adjudicated by the king or his Hand[4] or by their liege-lord.[5]
On extremely rare occasions, the lords of the kingdom may be gathered together to decide some great matter. The last time a Great Council was convened, it chose the next king of the Seven Kingdoms, overriding the proper lines of inheritance to give the crown to the youngest son of Maekar, Aegon V, ahead of his elder brothers.[6]
Inheritance
Inheritance laws in Seven Kingdoms are not clear-cut. According to George R. R. Martin,
The short answer is that the laws of inheritance in the Seven Kingdoms are modelled on those in real medieval history... which is to say, they were vague, uncodified, subject to varying interpretations, and often contradictory.[7]
Most nobles of the Seven Kingdoms, influenced by the Andal traditions, practice male-preference primogeniture, while customs of Dorne and possibly the Iron Islands are different from the other kingdoms. In Dorne, no distinction is made between sons and daughters, with children inheriting in order of birth regardless of gender.[8] It is unclear whether women can inherit in their own right in the Iron Islands.
In the rest of the Seven Kingdoms, a man's eldest son is his heir, followed by his second son, then his third son, and so on. In theory, the youngest son is followed in the line of succession by the eldest daughter, after whom come her sisters in birth order.[8] In practice it is usually sons, then whoever can manage to convince the local overlord that he ought to inherit. The sword can be all the hereditary justification that is needed, as in the case of Robert Baratheon. Still, there are examples of ladies who rule in their own right, including: Delonne Allyrion, Larra Blackmont, Alysanne Bulwer, Barbrey Dustin, Shyra Errol, Lyessa Flint, Mary Mertyns, Maege Mormont, Arwyn Oakheart, Tanda Stokeworth, Nymella Toland, Anya Waynwood, and Shella Whent.
Noble titles (e.g. Lord of a certain place) and lands are passed on within families; knighthood is not inherited but is conferred on individuals independently due to merit, not birth. In the Great Houses, where elder siblings inherit a significant title and lands, small holdings and keeps may be granted to their younger brothers, who hold their lands as bannermen.[9] Variations may arise, particularly in relation to the place of daughters: though by law a daughter should inherit before her uncle or cousin,[10] a male relative may stake a claim and be judged a better choice to be heir.[11]
A lord may lay out specific terms for inheritance or pass over their offspring in his will, which may invite legal wrangling after their death, and potentially violence during it. For instance, Lord Tywin Lannister wants his elder son, Ser Jaime, to be his heir to Casterly Rock and refuses to acknowledge the claim of his younger son, Tyrion, despite custom disqualifying Jaime as a member of the Kingsguard. If a lord's heir is a daughter without a husband, he might specify that she must wed by a certain time or the inheritance will pass to a cousin.[12]
The role of legitimised bastards throughout the Seven Kingdoms is also unclear i.e. whether they follow trueborn children, or join the line of succession in order of birth as if they had been trueborn all along.[7] Unlegitimised bastards have no legal claim.
Heirs born into a different house drop their birth surname when they come into their inheritance, adopting the name of the inherited house as their own. An example is Beren Tallhart possibly adopting the Hornwood name.[11]
Marriage
Marriage customs vary considerably between the lands and major faiths, i.e. followers of the old gods, the Faith of the Seven, R'hllor, and the Drowned God. All appear to be religious ceremonies between one man and one woman (who should not be more closely related than first cousins), involving the exchange of vows in the presence of particular sacred witnesses e.g. a septon, a heart tree,[13] or a priest/ess. It is followed by the feast, where the bride and groom eat and drink with everyone and finally, there is the bedding.
The Targaryens of Old Valyria allow marriage between brother and sister, which they brought to the Seven Kingdoms. This practice was never accepted or practiced by the population they ruled, however, to the extent that such unions are deemed ungodly and even accursed.
Marriage Contracts
While marriages to women who have not reached their majority or even their first flowering have happened, they are rare. Moreover, bedding these girls before they are at the least flowered is seen as perverse. Generally, weddings are postponed until the girl has passed into maidenhood with her flowering, although betrothals may happen earlier.[14]
Marriage contracts are often arranged between noble houses, but they can be broken later.[15] Contracts are most often arranged on behalf of offspring or unmarried younger siblings. Although a lord cannot force the marriage if their dependent refuses to say the vows, this would carry serious consequences.[1] It is not uncommon for a noble maiden, betrothed early, to wed within the year following her first flowering.[16] Most women outside of Dorne take the names of their husbands, although not in all cases. If a woman is of higher birth or station than her husband, for example, she may use his name little, if at all.
Lords do not necessarily arrange marriages for their vassals or household knights, but they would be wise to consult him and respect his feelings when arranging their own matches.[1]
Legality and Annulment
Vows said at swordpoint are not held to be valid,[17] and in theory, a person cannot be declared to be married if they refuse to say the vows.[18] However, there are still issues of consent. Marriages may be conducted between children or even babies; this is unusual and tends to occur when inheritances are the chief concern.[19]
In the cult of the Drowned God, it is possible for someone to be married by proxy without their consent and without saying the vows for oneself.[20]
In the Faith of the Seven, a marriage that has not been consummated can be set aside by the High Septon or a Council of Faith.[13] An annulment granted by the High Septon requires no witnesses and must be requested by at least one of the wedded pair.[21] The role and procedure of a Council of Faith is unclear.
Consummation
Women are generally expected to be virgins on their wedding night, more so for noble women. Witnesses may be called upon to witness the bedding of a newly wedded couple, the ceremony usually takes place following the feast.[22] However, it is known that horse riding can break a girl’s maidenhead, so few families are insistent on physical proof.[23]
Lords in Westeros once had the right to the first night, the custom of bedding newly-wed common women before their husbands. Queen Alysanne convinced King Jaehaerys I to abolish it,[24][25] but it is still practiced illegally in some parts of the North.[26]
Age of majority
For boys, fifteen is considered almost a man grown (sixteen is age of majority).[27] A girl is not considered a woman until her first menstruation, or flowering, as the folk of the Seven Kingdom say. More precisely, she is a maiden who is both still a child and a woman at the same time.[28] Eleven is seen as old enough for a girl to be betrothed, but marriage tends to wait a few years.
It is not uncommon for a noble maiden, betrothed early, to wed within the year following her first flowering and normally expect to be married by twenty (smallfolk tend to marry a bit later). Noble boys of about seven or eight are often sent to other noble houses to be raised until they reach the age of majority. The boys serve as pages and squires, acquiring training in arms, law, and courtesy.
Hospitality
The obligations of hospitality are taken very seriously in Westeros. After hospitality has been offered and accepted, the guest is afforded the guest right by the host, which protects the guest, at least for the length of the stay. It is a sacred rule as old as the First Men. The most proper way of receiving the guest right is by the "bread and salt," which means to share food with your host.
See Also
- Bastards, children who are born to parents who are not properly wed.
- Kinslaying, the practice of killing a member of your family.
- Tourneys
- Laws & Justice
Refernces
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 SSM
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 72, Jaime IX.
- ↑ SSM Land_Ownership and Marriage in Westeros
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 45, Eddard XII.
- ↑ The Sworn Sword, p127
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 8, Tyrion II.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 The Hornwood Inheritance and the Whents, November 02, 1999 So Spake Martin
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 62, Tyrion VIII.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 5, Jon I.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 44, Jon IX.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 16, Bran II.
- ↑ The Sworn Sword, p123
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 34, Jon IV.
- ↑ SSM: Age of Sexual Relations in Westeros, October 05, 1999
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 67, Tyrion XV.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 12, Cersei III.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 36, Tyrion VIII.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 80, Sansa VII.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 26, Arya VI.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 26, The Wayward Bride.
- ↑ SSM
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 28, Sansa III.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 28, Cersei VI.
- ↑ The Sworn Sword, p94
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 43, Daenerys VII.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 32, Reek III.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 19, Jon III.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 31, Catelyn III.