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, in the religions of both the old gods or new gods, stating that "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 is what restrains him from doing so.[2][3]

People accused of kinslaying

  • Theon Greyjoy: named a kinslayer by some for his supposed murder of Bran and Rickon Stark, as he was their father's ward, although they are not his blood kin.[8]
  • Gregor Clegane: It is rumored that he murdered his father and his sister.

Historical Kinslayers or suspected of Kinslaying

32pxJonos Arryn: was called Jonos the Kinslayer when he killed his own brother, Ronnel during the reign of King Aenys.
32pxKing Maegor I the Cruel: For slaying his nephew Aegon Targaryen and later having his other nephew Viserys Targaryen tortured to death.
Mini aegonii.pngKing Aegon II: For feeding his half-sister Rhaenyra Targaryen to his dragon Sunfyre during the Dance of the Dragons.
32pxAemond Targaryen: For killing his nephew Lucerys Velaryon during the Dance of the Dragons.
32pxKing Viserys II: Was alleged to have poisoned his nephew Baelor the Blessed.
32pxKing Aegon IV the Unworthy: Was alleged to have poisoned his father Viserys II.[9]
32x32 Maekar Targaryen.pngKing Maekar I: Was called a kinslayer when he slew his own brother Baelor "Breakspear" Targaryen (although it was an accident).
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. Later in life he killed his own cousin, Daemon.
32x32 Kingsguard.png Ser Erryk Cargyll: For slaying his twin brother Ser Arryk Cargyll during the Dance of the Dragons; each died by the other's sword.
32x32 Kingsguard.png Ser Arryk Cargyll: For slaying his twin brother Ser Erryk Cargyll during the Dance of the Dragons; each died by the other's sword.
32px Lord Stark (grandson of Brandon the Daughterless): Slew Bael the Bard, the King-Beyond-the-Wall, ignorant that he was his actual father.[10]

See also

Customs for additional information on customs and traditions of Westeros.

Quotes

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

[11]

- Maester Cressen, considers the thought of Stannis killing his younger brother, Renly


Old gods or new, it makes no matter, no man is so accursed as the kinslayer. [7]

- 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. [12]

- Jaime's thoughts


The gods hate kinslayers, even when they kill unknowing. [13]

- Ygritte


Kinslaying is dry work. It gives a man a thirst. [14]

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


Kinslayer or no, I am a lion still. [14]

- Tyrion to Illyrio


Tell me, my lord . . . if the kinslayer is accursed, what is a father to do when one son slays another? [6]

- Roose Bolton to Reek


The gods hate kinslayers. [15]

- Victarion Greyjoy brooding on his brother.

References and Notes