Historical Echoes: How the Glencoe Massacre May Have Inspired ‘The Red Wedding

The Glencoe Massacre may have inspired George RR Martin’s “Red Wedding”.

Another event that might have inspired George RR Martin when writing” The Red Wedding” for” Game of Thrones” was the Glencoe Massacre, a real event that was itself horrific. In the Glencoe Massacre, Scottish MacDonald clan members were killed by soldiers who accepted their hospitality. This is like how the Starks were betrayed by their supposed allies at The Red Wedding. During what should have been a time of peace and trust, both events resulted in the brutal slaughter of innocent victims. The betrayal and bloodshed in both instances left a lasting impact on those who survived and on the collective memory of their respective cultures.

This image was created with the assistance of DALL·E

The Glencoe Massacre

Let’s return to the Glencoe Massacre and tell this ugly story. In 1691, William III of England announced that he intended to pardon all Scottish clans who participated in the Jacobite rebellion. The only condition was to give up King James VII and swear an oath of allegiance. Consequently, each clan chief had to present a signed oath of allegiance to the king by January 1, 1692. One of the Highlander clans, MacDonald, rushed to swear allegiance to King James VII, so its members had to wait for royal release from the oath. Winter weather…