A paramour, [1] mistress,[2] or concubine[3][4] is the unmarried lover of a noble.
Culture
[edit]
In Dorne, it is common for lords and ladies to have paramours, chosen out of love and lust rather than political alliances. Dornishmen are not greatly concerned if a bastard is born to a paramour.[5] Dorne gives a degree of social status to paramours, despite the "unchaste" nature of the relationship. Outside of Dorne, a Dornish paramour's status is less certain. They may be afforded the esteem granted in their homeland by the diplomatic-minded, or they may receive treatment ranging from slight social disdain to moral condemnation.[1]
That same varying treatment also applies to paramours of non-Dornish nobles, even the mistresses of kings.[6] A paramour can be of the same sex as their lover.[7] Each partner in a marriage can have their own paramour, though it depends on the rank of the partners.[8]
The Citadel does not allow its novices to keep wives or paramours, at least not openly.[9]
History
[edit]When Lord Lyonel Hightower was forbidden by the High Septon from marrying his widowed step-mother, Samantha Tarly, he kept her as a paramour and fathered six children on her, before the election of a new High Septon allowed their marriage. The relationship was deemed highly scandalous.[10]
Ser Terrence Toyne was found abed with King Aegon the Unworthy's mistress, Lady Bethany Bracken.[11] Even though they proclaimed their love, Aegon had them executed.[12][13]
It was a closely held secret that Prince Lewyn Martell kept a paramour despite the Kingsguard oaths of chastity.[13] Ser Barristan Selmy and his other sworn brothers were aware of this, but kept his secret.[14]
After Lord Selwyn Tarth's wife died, he kept a new "lady" every year.[15]
Lynesse Hightower abandoned Ser Jorah Mormont in Lys, becoming instead the chief concubine of Tregar Ormollen.[3]
Recent Events
[edit]A Clash of Kings
[edit]Against the order of his father, Lord Tywin Lannister, Tyrion Lannister keeps Shae as his concubine in King's Landing.[4]
A Storm of Swords
[edit]
A degree of social deference is given to Ellaria Sand by virtue of her relationship with Prince Oberyn Martell.[1] While esteemed as a high-ranking woman by the Dornishmen, in King's Landing her presence at the high table at the royal wedding of King Joffrey I Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell would be taken as an insult by the noblewomen seated near her. Ellaria is instead placed at a place of honor near the dais.[1] Olenna Redwyne refers to her as "the serpent's whore",[16] in reference to Prince Oberyn's nickname of "the Red Viper".
Known paramours
[edit]- Tyanna of the Tower, to King Maegor I Targaryen[7] (eventually married)
- Alys Harroway, to King Maegor I Targaryen[7] (already married)
- Tyanna of the Tower, to Alys Harroway[7] (rumored)
- Mysaria, to Prince Daemon Targaryen[17]
- Ser Harwin Strong, to Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen[17] (rumored)
- Unnamed paramour, to King Aegon II Targaryen[18]
- Unnamed lowborn paramour, to Lord Humfrey Bracken[19]
- Unnamed favorite mistress, to Lord Jason Lannister[19]
- Sylvenna Sand, to Essie[5]
- Samantha Tarly, to Lord Lyonel Hightower[10] (eventually married)
- Lord Alyn Velaryon, to Princess Aliandra Martell[20] (rumored)
- Rue, to Lord Alyn Velaryon[20] (rumored)
- Unnamed mistress, to Lord Leowyn Corbray[10]
- The nine mistresses of King Aegon IV Targaryen:[6]
- Lady Falena Stokeworth
- Megette
- Lady Cassella Vaith
- Bellegere Otherys
- Lady Barba Bracken
- Lady Melissa Blackwood
- Lady Bethany Bracken
- Lady Jeyne Lothston
- Lady Serenei of Lys
- Shiera Seastar, to Lord Brynden Rivers[21][22]
- First unnamed mistress, to Lord Tytos Lannister[23]
- Second unnamed mistress, to Lord Tytos Lannister[23]
- Several unnamed paramours, to King Aerys II Targaryen[24]
- Unnamed paramour, to Prince Lewyn Martell[13]
- Lynesse Hightower, to Tregar Ormollen[3]
- Unnamed draper's wife in King's Landing, to Ser Preston Greenfield[13]
- Unnamed paramour, to Lord Edgar Yronwood[1]
- Ellaria Sand, to Prince Oberyn Martell[1]
- Shae, to Tyrion Lannister[4]
- Daario Naharis, to Queen Daenerys Targaryen[14]
Quotes
[edit]It was not as though he was the first man ever to keep a concubine.[4]
—thoughts of Tyrion Lannister
And this is Ellaria Sand, mine own paramour.[1]
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.[14]
References
[edit]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 38, Tyrion V.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 24, Bran II.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 12, Daenerys I.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 29, Tyrion VII.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Seven Kingdoms: Dorne (Queer Customs of the South).
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
- ↑ So Spake Martin: ConJose (San Jose, CA; August 29-September 2) (August 29, 2002).
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 45, Samwell V.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 16, Sansa II.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 13, The Soiled Knight.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 59, The Discarded Knight.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 45, Catelyn VI.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 53, Tyrion VI.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Voyage of Alyn Oakenfist.
- ↑ The Sworn Sword.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Seven Kingdoms: The Westerlands (House Lannister Under the Dragons).
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.