Weddings, Bed Ceremonies, and Lost Princes in GoT
George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series captivates readers and viewers with its rich network of characters, intricate plots, and historical parallels. Many subtle and overt details are woven into the narrative, drawing inspiration from historical events. As fans investigate the world of Westeros, it becomes clear that understanding these historical parallels enhances the appreciation of Martin’s work. Let’s explore some fascinating historical aspects that recall the events in “Game of Thrones,” focusing mainly on weddings, bed ceremonies, and the enigmatic character of Tyrion Lannister.
I overlooked many details when reading George R.R. Martin’s books or watching “Game of Thrones.” I am absolutely sure that the same has happened to you.
I decided to write on Medium for those who are curious, as I am, about the historical events (but not only) from which George R.R. Martin drew inspiration or could have drawn inspiration. These historical events, such as weddings, bed ceremonies, and lost princes, could often be found in “Game of Thrones.” Sometimes, the events, of whatever nature, are, in fact, the same. Still, the conjuncture may differ, or the people participating in the events may vary. The situation itself can be repeated ad infinitum because, it is true, people rarely learn their lessons.
Today, I will refer to two aspects: a sequence that we all remember, I’m sure, Tyrion Lannister’s wedding to Sansa Stark. Secondly, I wanted to let you know who inspired little Tyrion Lannister. Let’s take it one at a time.
Tyrion and Sansa’s Wedding
I invite you to draw a parallel between Tyrion’s behavior at the wedding feast (despite Joffrey’s behavior) and the character of those who laughed at him when Tyrion barely managed to put the wedding mantle on Sansa’s shoulders. Tyrion, the drunken and womanizing dwarf, steadfastly refused two things:
- the public nuptial ceremony, as King Joffrey had commanded;
- consummation of marriage, as Tywin Lannister had commanded.
For Tywin, the great lord of House Lannister, it was not the feelings between the husband and wife that mattered but a child from Tyrion’s marriage to Sansa, which would give him greater security in his rule of the North. However, Tyrion refused to take advantage of his prerogatives as husband and lord of Sansa. Not many expected such behavior from Tyrion. Do you?
But Still, Who Inspired the Character of Tyrion Lannister?
Anthony Woodville, Elizabeth Woodville’s brother, is a credible source for the character of Tyrion Lannister. It would make sense, considering the similarities that can be drawn between Cersei Lannister and Elizabeth Woodville.
Anthony is known today to have been a good swordsman (as is Jaime Lannister) and a scholar. Contemporaries describe him as a personality of his time, a scholar, a religious person, an excellent courtier, and an outstanding soldier.
Anthony Woodville may even have been handsome despite the image preserved for posterity. However, he is not explicitly said to have been handsome or ugly. But considering that his sister, Elizabeth Woodville, was considered a beauty of her time, he was probably no less so. Let’s not forget that their father (Richard Woodville) was considered a very handsome man in his youth.
Anthony met England’s first printer, William Caxton, who published for Anthony while they were in exile (in Bruges), Cordyale, or Four Last Thingses, the English translation of Jean Mielot’s Les quattres choses derrenieres, itself a translation of Cordiale quattuor novissimorum. Caxton also published a translation from the French, entitled Dictes and Saying of the Philosophers (1477), to Anthony Woodville after their return to England.
And you probably say yes, but Tyrion can be anything but handsome! And you are right, of course; Tyrion cannot be considered a male beauty. However, George R.R. Martin did a great job giving him brains, noble character, and erudition.
There are, without any doubt, differences between Anthony Woodville and Tyrion Lannister. Unlike the fictional Tyrion and even his real-world Woodville brothers, Anthony was not known to have numerous relationships with women. Instead, he was known as a religious person. He wore rough clothes and went on pilgrimages. There is little information about Anthony’s relationships with his wives, but interestingly, he had no children. There is, however, talk of an illegitimate daughter, Margaret, whom he had with a mistress. It is hard to say whether this discretion in his personal life is linked to extreme piety.
And there is another difference between Anthony and Tyrion: Anthony was not forced to marry the historical equivalent of Sansa (Elizabeth of York, mother of Henry VIII).
King Edward IV held Anthony Woodville in such high regard that he entrusted him with the care and education of one of the ‘Princes in the Tower,’ the heir to the throne. And, unlike the story of intrigue and suspense between Tyrion and Joffrey, Anthony’s relationship with the two boys is perfect. Unfortunately, Anthony failed to protect them much. After the death of Edward IV, Anthony was caught, arrested, and eventually beheaded. I’ll return to this episode at some point, as analyzing Richard III’s role in this event is fascinating.
After Anthony was removed from the game, the two princes were no longer defended by any military power. It was easy for Richard III (if the story is true) to lock them up in the Tower of London, never to be heard from again. The story is a tragic one, a dark chapter in English history that evokes a sense of empathy and sorrow.
The Consummation of Marriage in the Middle Ages
In the Middle Ages, people often witnessed the consummation of essential marriages. The tradition, however brutal it may seem today, made sense. If the marriage was consummated in the presence of witnesses, there would be no grounds for annulling it. This practice, while shocking to modern sensibilities, was a crucial part of validating a marriage in the Middle Ages, and it often played a role in historical events and literature.
After the European wedding banquet, the couple would be ushered into the bedroom, accompanied by numerous guests. Naturally, there were many dirty jokes. A priest blessed the bed where the bride and groom were to sleep (well, among other things). In some European countries, such as France, someone stays in the room waiting for the bride and groom to make love. Such was the case with Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Prominent guests filled the couple’s bedroom and retired when the bed curtains were drawn.
In England, this ritual needed to be more formal. In some cases, only important people were present, sometimes even the father of one of the couple, listening to the noises through the door. Even so, the ritual shocks our modern ears. And that’s because, in the Middle Ages, privacy was a luxury few could afford. Dormitories were rare in castles. Most people slept where they worked. Even kings slept in the room with their valets, directly on the floor or in makeshift beds. So it wasn’t at all unusual for people to attend other people’s sex parties.
I want to give you an example: the bed ceremony is the reason behind Catherine of Aragon’s divorce from Henry VIII. As you may know, Catherine had previously been married to Henry’s brother Arthur, who was 15 at the time. Shortly after the wedding (about six months), Arthur died after becoming ill with ‘sweats.’ Catherine eventually married Harry (the future King Henry VIII).
When Henry VIII wanted a divorce because he could not have a son with Catherine, the Pope asked the English king: Was the marriage between Catherine and Arthur consummated or not? Henry said yes. His argument was that his brother had married Catherine. Catherine said no. The Queen offered two arguments: the groom’s age and the lack of a child.
The truth is hard to establish. On the wedding night, Arthur and Caterina were taken to the bedchamber. Still, there was no witness to what happened afterward. A few years later, a 12-year-old boy, who turned out to have spent the wedding night in the royal antechamber, testified that he heard Catherine’s ladies-in-waiting the next day saying that nothing had happened that night between the prince and Catherine.
Henry VIII, however, had a different version. A court chronicler is said to have testified that the day after the wedding night, Prince Arthur was overheard saying he wanted a drink because he had been “in the middle of Spain the previous night.”
As a curiosity, Henry VIII refused the bed ceremony at his weddings — and there were many, as history tells us.
Conclusion
The rich and intricate history that George R.R. Martin draws upon for “Game of Thrones” adds depth and realism to his fantastical world. By examining parallels between the characters and events of Westeros and historical figures and traditions, we gain a deeper understanding of the influences that shaped this beloved series. The stories of weddings, bed ceremonies, and lost princes remind us that history often repeats itself, and the lessons of the past continue to resonate in the stories we tell today. Exploring these connections enriches our appreciation of Martin’s work. It also provides a fascinating glimpse into the complex network of human history.