The Red Wedding is one of the most shocking betrayals in the world of Game of Thrones. It was a bloody massacre in which many of the show’s beloved characters were killed, including Catelyn Stark, her son Robb Stark, and his wife Talisa. The event took place at the Twins, the seat of House Frey, and the question that still lingers in the minds of many Game of Thrones fans is: Who betrayed the Starks at the Red Wedding?
The Setup
The lead up to the Red Wedding began with Robb Stark’s decision to marry Talisa in defiance of his betrothal to one of Walder Frey’s daughters. This decision angered Lord Walder Frey, who saw it as a personal insult. Robb and his army needed to cross the twin bridges over the Green Fork of the Trident to continue their campaign, and Lord Walder Frey was the gatekeeper. In order to secure his passage, Robb agreed to apologize to Lord Walder Frey, promised to marry one of his daughters, and bestow his uncle Edmure Tully with one of the Frey daughters as well. In exchange, Lord Walder Frey would allow the Northern forces safe passage across the bridge.
The Betrayal
At the wedding feast, things took a dark turn. The doors to the hall were locked, and the musicians began playing “The Rains of Castamere,” a song that signified the power of House Lannister and the ruthless brutality they were willing to employ to maintain that power. Catelyn Stark, who had become wary of the Freys, immediately sensed a trap.
Suddenly, violence erupts. Robb, Talisa and Catelyn are all brutally attacked. Walder Frey’s men, along with some from House Bolton, descend upon the Stark forces. Robb is stabbed to death, and Catelyn has her throat slit. Talisa is also killed, along with many of the Northern lords and soldiers in attendance.
Soon it was revealed that Roose Bolton, who had been a Northern bannerman, had been working with the Lannisters the whole time. He betrayed Robb and made a deal with Tywin Lannister, who rewarded him with the title of Warden of the North.
The Motivation
The question remains, why did Roose Bolton betray the Starks at the Red Wedding? There were several factors at play. First, Roose saw the opportunity to gain more power and favor with the Lannisters. As a Northern lord, he knew that the Starks would never accept him as a true ally, and that he would always be viewed with suspicion by them. By betraying Robb Stark and aligning himself with the Lannisters, he was able to secure his place as one of the most powerful lords in the North.
Second, Roose was motivated by revenge. Before the events of the Red Wedding, Robb Stark had executed Roose’s son for betrayal. Roose saw the Red Wedding as his chance to get revenge on the Starks for what they did to his family.
Finally, the Red Wedding allowed the Lannisters to consolidate their power in the Seven Kingdoms. Robb Stark was the King in the North, the leader of the rebellion against the Lannisters. His death meant that the Lannisters were able to reassert their control over the North, and could continue consolidating their power over the rest of the Seven Kingdoms.
Conclusion
The Red Wedding was one of the most shocking and traumatic moments in Game of Thrones history. It was a bloody massacre that left fans reeling and mourning the loss of some of their favorite characters. And at the center of it all was the treacherous betrayal of the Starks by Roose Bolton, who saw an opportunity to gain more power, take revenge, and help the Lannisters consolidate their power over the Seven Kingdoms. It was a brutal and shocking reminder that in the world of Game of Thrones, no one is safe, and betrayal can come from the most unexpected places.
FAQ
Why did Walder Frey betray Robb Stark?
In Game of Thrones, the betrayal of Robb Stark by Walder Frey is one of the most shocking and memorable events of the series. Robb Stark had made a pact with House Frey, stating that he would marry one of Walder Frey’s daughters in exchange for their military support in the war against the Lannisters. However, on the infamous Red Wedding night, the Freys and their allies betrayed and murdered Robb, his pregnant wife Talisa, his mother Catelyn and many of his bannermen.
The reasons for Walder Frey’s betrayal are multiple and complex. First and foremost, it was a matter of revenge. Robb had broken his oath to Walder Frey by marrying Talisa instead of one of his daughters, which was seen as a major insult to House Frey and a breach of trust. Robb’s decision to marry for love instead of political advantage not only cost him the support of House Frey but also damaged his relationship with other Northern Houses, such as the Karstarks. As a result, Robb’s military campaign against the Lannisters weakened, and his chances of winning the war diminished.
Another reason for the betrayal was the political ambition of Walder Frey and his family. By allying themselves with the Lannisters, the Freys were granted greater status and power within the realm. This was a chance for House Frey to elevate themselves and secure their position in the South, at the expense of their loyalty to House Stark. Walder Frey’s decision to betray Robb was not just about revenge; it was a calculated move to secure his family’s legacy in a turbulent and uncertain world.
Moreover, it is worth noting that Walder Frey was not the only person involved in the decision to betray Robb Stark. Tywin Lannister played a significant role in orchestrating the Red Wedding, seeing it as a way to eliminate a major threat to his own power and effectively end the war in his favour. He encouraged the Freys to act against Robb, and promised to reward them with land, titles and marriage alliances. The Lannisters had the resources and the political influence to sway the Freys to their side, and they did so with devastating consequences for House Stark.
The betrayal of Robb Stark by Walder Frey was the result of a combination of factors, including revenge, political ambition, and external manipulation by Tywin Lannister. It was a shocking and tragic event that had a profound impact on the course of the war and the fate of many major characters in the series.
Why did the Boltons betray Stark?
In the story of A Song of Ice and Fire, the Boltons are a prominent Northern family who have long-standing animosity towards the Starks. The roots of this animosity date back to years ago when the Boltons were vassals of the Starks. It is rumored that Bolton ancestors used to flay Stark captives as a mark of their contempt for House Stark. In recent history, the Boltons have taken advantage of the chaos caused by the War of the Five Kings to seize power and betray the Starks.
The head of House Bolton, Roose Bolton, is a cunning and ruthless man who has patiently waited for the right moment to act against the Starks. He was one of Robb Stark’s bannermen in the War of the Five Kings, but his true loyalty was always questionable. He did not believe that Robb could win the war and was always looking for an opportunity to switch sides.
When Robb broke his promise to marry Walder Frey’s daughter and instead married Talisa Maegyr, it gave Roose Bolton the excuse he needed to betray the Starks. Walder Frey, who felt insulted by Robb’s broken promise, offered to ally with the Boltons if they joined him in betraying the Starks. Roose saw this as an opportunity to seize power in the North and take revenge on the Starks for their past transgressions.
Roose’s hatred and resentment towards the Starks were the driving forces behind his betrayal. He saw an opportunity to seize power and took it, using the support of the Freys and the Lannisters to eliminate his enemies and establish his family as the ruling house of the North. It is important to note too that Roose did not act alone in his betrayal – his bastard son, Ramsay Bolton, played a significant role in carrying out the treachery against the Starks.
The Boltons’ betrayal of the Starks was borne out of a long-standing animosity towards House Stark, as well as the opportunity presented by the chaos of the War of the Five Kings. Roose Bolton’s desire for power and revenge proved too strong to resist, and he ultimately saw the betrayal as his chance to take control of the North and establish his family as the dominant force.
Who did Arya feed to Walder Frey?
In the television series “Game of Thrones,” Arya Stark exacts her revenge on the Frey family for their role in the infamous Red Wedding. In the Season 6 finale, Arya, wearing the face of a servant girl, serves Walder Frey a pie made from his own sons before revealing herself to be Arya and slitting his throat.
However, in the books, the situation is different. The infamous “Frey pie” theory suggests that at the wedding feast of Ramsay Bolton and “Arya Stark,” some of the meat pies served to the guests were made from the flesh of Walder Frey’s sons, who had been killed and baked into the pies by Wyman Manderly as revenge for the Red Wedding. While the theory does not involve Arya, it showcases the extent of the animosity and vengeance felt towards the Frey family in both the show and the books.
In the books, Arya has her own list of people to kill for their crimes against her family. While Walder Frey is on this list, she has not had the opportunity to enact her revenge in the same way as she does in the show. However, it is clear that the Freys will face consequences for their role in the Red Wedding, whether it be through the actions of Arya or other characters seeking justice.
