Kinslaying

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Kinslaying is a great taboo in Westeros. When a member of family kills a relation he/she is dubbed a kinslayer. Any individual who slays a member of their own family is believed to be cursed forever in the sight of gods and men. [1] Many Lords and smallfolk believe this and thus those who slay their own blood are usually looked down upon or shunned. There is a saying... (old gods or new gods)


No man is so accursed as the kinslayer.


Victarion Greyjoy hates his brother Euron and thinks about killing him but the stigma and curse associated with kinslaying restrain him.[2][3]

People accused of, or suspected of, or have committed kinslaying

Fratricide . . . my lord, this is evil, unthinkable . .

[4]

  • Gregor Clegane: is rumored to have murdered his own father and sister.
  • Harlan Hunter: despite accusing his eldest brother of their father's murder, the true murderer of Lord Eon is none other than Ser Harlan himself.[10]

Historical Kinslayers or suspected of Kinslaying

32x32 Brynden Rivers.pngBrynden Rivers: Was called a Kinslayer when he killed his half-brother Daemon Blackfyre during the Battle of the Redgrass Field.
32pxMaelys Blackfyre: Was called a kinslayer because he supposedly consumed his own twin in the womb.
32x32 Maekar Targaryen.pngMaekar I Targaryen: Was called a kinslayer when he slew his own brother Baelor "Breakspear" Targaryen (although it was an accident).
32pxViserys II: Was suspected of poisoning his own nephew Baelor the Blessed. Though the evidence on this is dubious and it appears most likely that Viserys was innocent of this charge.
32pxAemond Targaryen: For killing his cousin Lucerys Velaryon during the Dance of the Dragons.
Mini aegonii.pngKing Aegon II: For feeding his half sister Rhaenyra Targaryen to his dragon during the Dance of the Dragons.
32x32 Kingsguard.png Ser Erryk: For slaying his twin brother Ser Arryk during the Dance of the Dragons, both died by each others swords.
32x32 Kingsguard.png Ser Arryk: For slaying his twin brother Ser Erryk during the Dance of the Dragons, both died by each others swords.
32px Lord Stark (grandson of Brandon the Daughterless): Slew Bael the Bard, the King-Beyond-the-Wall, ignorant that he was his actual father.[14]

See also

Customs for additional information on customs and traditions of Westeros.

Quotes

Old gods or new, it makes no matter, no man is so accursed as the kinslayer. [8]

- Rickard Karstark


Jaime had not wanted to believe it. Kinslaying was worse than kingslaying, in the eyes of gods and men. He knew the boy was mine. I loved Tyrion. I was good to him. Well, but for that one time ... but the imp did not know the truth of that. [15]

- Jaime's thoughts


The gods hate kinslayers, even when they kill unknowing. [16]

- Ygritte


Kinslaying is dry work. It gives a man a thirst. [17]

- Tyrion to Illyrio, on his drinking too much wine.


Kinslayer or no, I am a lion still. [17]

- Tyrion to Illyrio


Tell me, my lord . . . if the kinslayer is accursed, what is a father to do when one son slays another? [7]

- Roose Bolton to Reek


The gods hate kinslayers. [18]

- Victarion Greyjoy brooding on his brother.

References and Notes