Attainder

Attainder is a punishment upon individual nobles, as well as noble houses, that have broken the King's Peace or have been accused of treason. The decree involves the stripping of rank, titles, lands, holdings, and incomes, as well as kinship prerogatives, and inheritance.

Attainders may be undone by a king.

History

After learning that Prince Daemon Targaryen had gifted a dragon egg to his pregnant concubine, Mysaria, King Viserys I Targaryen commanded Daemon to return the egg and return to his wife, or else be attainted as a traitor. Daemon relented.

Aegon II Targaryen declared he wanted his sister Rhaenyra and his uncle Daemon attainted, arrested, and executed, after learning of Rhaenyra's coronation.

Following the Treasons of Tumbleton, Ser Ulf White declared that he desired to be named Lord of Highgarden, arguing that as House Tyrell had taken no side in the Dance of the Dragons, they should be attainted as traitors.

After Queen Rhaenyra commanded the execution of Nettles, Lord Manfryd Mooton expressed that the queen had forced him to ponder a foul choice: either violating guest right and cursing Maidenpool, or risking House Mooton being attainted and destroyed. After learning that Lord Mooton had defied her commands, Rhaenyra ordered a decree of attainder to be drawn up against the Mootons.

Following the suppression of the nascent Second Blackfyre Rebellion, Lord Brynden Rivers declares that the arrested lords that had previously been pardoned for fighting for Daemon Blackfyre during the Battle of the Redgrass Field would be condemned to either attainder or execution.

Due to their status as servants of House Darklyn and Ser Symon Hollard's involvement in the Defiance of Duskendale and the death of Ser Gwayne Gaunt, the entirety of House Hollard was attainted and executed under orders of King Aerys II Targaryen. Only the young Dontos Hollard was spared at the behest of Ser Barristan Selmy.

Recent events

A Game of Thrones

After decreeing that Ser Gregor Clegane has broken the king's peace for the attacks on the Riverlands, Lord Eddard Stark attaints Ser Gregor, stripping him of titles, lands, and holdings, and sentences him to death.

A Storm of Swords

In the aftermath of the Battle of the Blackwater, House Florent is attainted by the Iron Throne for their support of Stannis Baratheon. The small council of King Joffrey I Baratheon strips the Florents of their seat of Brightwater Keep, along with its lands and incomes. They are granted to Ser Garlan Tyrell, the second son of Lord Mace Tyrell of Highgarden, thus creating House Tyrell of Brightwater Keep. Brightwater, however, remains in the hands of a Florent garrison led by the castellan, Ser Colin Florent, following the flight to Oldtown of his nephew and the new head of House Florent, Alekyne.

With Robb Stark attainted for treason against the Iron Throne, Sansa Stark is considered a ward of the crown, with King Joffrey Baratheon standing in her father's place, giving him the right to arrange her marriage to Tyrion Lannister.

Following the coronation of Tommen Baratheon, the young king signs the bills of attainder against Edmure Tully, stripping him of Riverrun and all its attendant lands and incomes. Afterwards, he signs a similar bill against Brynden Tully.

A Feast for Crowns

When discussing the succession of Joffrey Baratheon, Princess Arianne Martell reminds Ser Arys Oakheart that, with Renly Baratheon dead and Stannis Baratheon attainted, Storm's End belongs to Tommen Baratheon.

During her imprisonment, Arianne Martell muses that, unless Prince Doran Martell has attainted her, she remains the lawful heir to Sunspear.

A Dance with Dragons

During his stay at the manse of Illyrio Mopatis, Tyrion Lannister reminds the Magister that, as an attainted traitor accused of regicide and kinslaying, he has lost his claim to Casterly Rock. Illyrio replies that what one king does, another may undo.