Same-sex relationships [ ]
Joffrey Baratheon: “Create I have to marry their unique?” Cersei Lannister: “Sure, she actually is most stunning, and younger. And when you never instance their, you just come across their unique for the formal occasions, while enough time will come, and come up with absolutely nothing princes and you will princesses – just in case you would like to screw decorated whores, possible bang decorated whores. If in case you’d rather sit with commendable virgins, therefore whether it is.” – Cersei Lannister to her young man Joffrey on their proposed relationships-alliance in order to Sansa Stark – pointing out that “marriage” in Westeros isn’t really named an enjoying union anywhere between husband and you can partner, a whole lot while the a breeding price away from sorts. [src]
Not one of your known countries regarding books have actually ever come named practicing some form of exact same-sex relationships – in the event little might have been told you throughout the societies outside of Westeros, and you can not many certain detail known in regards to the cultures eastern of one’s Bones Hills (eastern of the Dothraki and you can Qarth) and/or southern area aspects of Sothoryos. Marriage ceremonies is hardly made for love within the Westeros, yet not, however, in order to safe governmental associations – and it is basically know one to a good people’s closest family usually feel other guys, maybe not their partner. Hence while “homosexual marriage” cannot exist from inside the Westeros, “homosocial relationships” was definitely standard. Like, anyone you to definitely Robert Baratheon “loved” really global is their lifelong buddy and you can brother-in-hands Eddard Stark, if you are Robert’s create wedding to his partner King Cersei is actually filled having shared hatred and resentment. To help you Robert, Cersei was just specific woman one to lived-in their castle for reproduction objectives. A bit likewise, Robert’s youngest brother Renly Baratheon joined toward a married relationship with Margaery Tyrell simply to safer a political alliance along with her family, maybe not to possess like – when in truth he had been personally homosexual, together with experienced a long lasting sexual/connection having Margaery’s own cousin Loras Tyrell (and this Margaery was fully familiar with and didn’t notice). In public areas, since the exact characteristics from Renly and you may Loras’s dating is actually a beneficial magic, the truth that Renly openly appears to have a better dating with Loras than simply together with own spouse Margaery isn’t seen as such unusual.
Probably, new nearest procedure in order to “formally” approved exact same-sex relationship throughout the ours – however they are maybe not felt “married”, additionally the relationship confers zero rights anyway. When the good Dornish good dads/offers birth in order to pupils together with his/her publicly recognized paramour, the children remain noticed bastards. Nor are there most other legal rights and you will debt between paramours (like assets liberties, an such like.) as it’s purely a romance predicated on bonds out-of like. Certain Dornish nobles, however, one another men and women, was in fact recognized to in public places have exact same-sex paramours – and you will paramours can frequently getting such as (unofficial) personal regard that they are regarded as a beneficial noble’s spouse/spouse in every but title. No mention is made regarding an excellent Dornish good which have a same-sex paramour raising college students together, etcetera. For much more, see fundamental review of “Gender and sexuality”.
Incest [ ]
Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen may be the unit away from years of compound inbreeding, incestuously relationship sibling so you’re able to sister so you’re able to “hold the bloodlines natural”.
Most countries all over Westeros and you can Essos possess statutes facing incest – sexual contact ranging from lead household members (siblings, moms and dads, or college students), even though the particular laws may vary. Most major religions in Westeros and you may Essos think wedding between brothers and sisters to be incest.
The new dragonlords of your old Valyrian Freehold, however, who shortly after influenced much of Essos, preferred to marry sister to cousin “to store the fresh new bloodlines absolute”. Brand new Doom out-of Valyria, 400 many years before the Conflict of your Four Leaders, damaged its culture. You to definitely Valyrian commendable friends, not, lasted the brand new Doom having traditions dragons: Household Targaryen, which a hundred many years later defeated and you will good the Seven Kingdoms, and you can continued in order to laws all of them for another around three many years.