Paramour

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A paramour - by Sedone Thongvilay. © Fantasy Flight Games
A Dornish paramour beckons - by Federico Piatti. © Fantasy Flight Games

A paramour is the unmarried lover of a noble.

About

Dorne gives a degree of social status to paramours, despite the "unchaste" nature of the relationship. Outside of Dorne, a paramour's status is less certain. They may be afforded the esteem granted in their homeland by the diplomatic minded, or they may receive a range of treatment from slight social disdain to moral condemnation. A paramour can be of the same sex and each partner in a marriage can have their own paramour, but it depends on the rank of the partners.[1]

The most notable paramour presented in the series to date was Ellaria Sand, to whom a degree of social deference was expected by virtue of her relationship with Prince Oberyn Martell. While esteemed as a high-ranking woman by the Dornish, in King's Landing her presence at the high table at the wedding of Joffrey Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell would have been taken as an insult by the noblewomen seated near her. Cersei Lannister and Olenna Redwyne referred to her as a "whore."

It was a closely held secret that Prince Lewyn Martell kept a paramour despite the Kingsguard oaths of chastity.[2] Ser Barristan Selmy and his other sworn brothers were aware of this but kept their sworn brother's secret.[3] Daario Naharis is considered to be Daenerys Targaryen's paramour.[citation needed]

Some known paramours

Quotes

And this is Ellaria Sand, mine own paramour.

- Prince Oberyn Martell


Prince Lewyn was my Sworn Brother. In those days there were few secrets amongst the Kingsguard. I know he kept a paramour. He did not feel there was any shame in that.

- Ser Barristan Selmy, to Prince Quentyn Martell

References and Notes