House Of The Dragon: What Was The Bedding Ceremony In Westeros? Explained

by

As a devoted fan of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series and the captivating adaptations of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, I find myself in awe of the intricate and often bizarre traditions that permeate the fictional continent of Westeros. Among these unusual customs is the bedding ceremony, an absurd yet fascinating practice that has left me utterly captivated.

In the fictional world of George R. R. Martin’s creation, Westeros, found in his series “A Song of Ice and Fire,” we encounter numerous strange and ancient customs. These traditions came to life on our screens through popular TV shows such as House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones.

An intriguing yet irrational practice was the bedding ceremony, which while bearing resemblance to genuine customs, was entirely fabricated.

What was the bedding ceremony in Westeros?

In the world of Game of Throns, it’s a common practice across the lands of Westeros for the bedding ceremony to take place, where people gather to verify that the newlywed couple, the Lord and Lady, have consummated their marriage.

In my role as a devoted follower of House Stark, I’ve come to understand that according to our noble traditions, the bedding ceremony is an essential part of a lord and lady’s marriage. As I’ve learned from Queen Talisa Stark in the show, without this ritual, there is no concrete evidence that the union has been consummated.

Amongst the noble families, it was a traditional practice after the wedding banquet for the guests to assist the newlyweds to their bedrooms. The men helped the bride while removing her garments en route, and the women did the same for the groom. This act served as witnesses to the couple’s consummation of marriage.

An unfastened rule was that this action was frequently taken for amusement or to embarrass the bride or groom.

In the depicted books, the bedding ceremony follows a consistent pattern: Guests gather outside the bridal chamber and make lewd comments towards the newlyweds. This tradition appears widespread among noble families in Westeros, including the Tullys, Freys, Dornishmen, and First Men.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9vEYcqvS7Y/embed

Instances when bedding ceremonies took place in Westeros

In contrast to House of the Dragon, Game of Thrones featured numerous scenes involving the unusual custom of bedding ceremonies.

In the world of Game of Thrones, Lord Edmund Tully’s wedding night with Roslin Frey is preceded by a traditional custom. Instigated by Lord Walder Frey, the guests, who are all men, carry Roslin to her bedchamber while making lewd comments. Simultaneously, the women guide Edmund to the same chamber. This unique ceremony then unfolds.

Sadly, the joy didn’t last long as Lord Walder Frey took vengeance against Robb Stark for violating their marriage agreement, resulting in the Red Wedding massacre.

At Ned Stark and Catelyn Tully’s wedding, there was almost a bedding ceremony, but Ned objected and playfully warned that someone would end up with a broken jaw instead.

Sansa Stark and Tyrion Lannister both witness a similar occurrence when King Joffrey Baratheon proposes starting the bedding ceremony. Tyrion refuses, but Joffrey insists on his power and commands it to go ahead. However, the tradition is halted once Tyrion brandishes a dagger and warns Joffrey of his intent to kill him at the table.

In the heart of Middle Age Europe, as I’ve come to learn from a report in The Cut, there was an intriguing tradition that newlywed royals were expected to uphold: bedding ceremonies. These weren’t just reenactments for our modern entertainment, like we see on TV shows, but genuine events in people’s lives. It’s a fascinating glimpse into history, isn’t it?

In the 1770s, Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI were allegedly accompanied by the King of France and the French nobility to their bedrooms. A crowd gathered to observe the customary ritual and stood guard around their beds.

Read More

2024-07-26 19:10