Difference between revisions of "Fosterage"

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{{Quote|Quentyn had been very young when he was sent to Yronwood; too young, according to their mother.  Norvoshi did not foster out their children, and Lady Mellario had never forgiven Prince Doran for taking her son away from her.  "I like it not more than you do,"  Arianne had overheard her father say, "but there is a blood debt, and Quentyn is the only coin Lord [[Ormond Yronwood|Ormond]] will accept."  
 
{{Quote|Quentyn had been very young when he was sent to Yronwood; too young, according to their mother.  Norvoshi did not foster out their children, and Lady Mellario had never forgiven Prince Doran for taking her son away from her.  "I like it not more than you do,"  Arianne had overheard her father say, "but there is a blood debt, and Quentyn is the only coin Lord [[Ormond Yronwood|Ormond]] will accept."  
"'''Coin?'''" her mother had screamed.  "He is your '''son'''.  What sort of father uses his own flesh and blood to pay his debts?" "The princely sort,"  Doran Martell had answered.}}  
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"'''Coin?'''" her mother had screamed.  "He is your '''son'''.  What sort of father uses his own flesh and blood to pay his debts?"  
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"The princely sort,"  Doran Martell had answered.}}  
 
Fostering also featured in one of Prince Doran's [[Secret marriage pact (made in Braavos)|plots in the game of thrones]].  He was to send his daughter Princess [[Arianne Martell|Arianne]] to [[Tyrosh]] to serve as the [[Archon]]'s cupbearer, where she could meet her betrothed in secret but [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 46|the gods smashed that plan awry]].  
 
Fostering also featured in one of Prince Doran's [[Secret marriage pact (made in Braavos)|plots in the game of thrones]].  He was to send his daughter Princess [[Arianne Martell|Arianne]] to [[Tyrosh]] to serve as the [[Archon]]'s cupbearer, where she could meet her betrothed in secret but [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 46|the gods smashed that plan awry]].  
  

Revision as of 01:47, 9 March 2014

Fosterage in Westeros is the practice of a lord raising the child of another lord. The child is usually male. Fosterage helps to establish loyalty and ties between Houses and has a similar effect that an arranged marriage has between Houses, also based on dynastic or alliance calculations. According to GRRM fostering was common among noble houses, both in Westeros and in the real middle ages. Especially for boys. It was considered both a means of education, and a way to cultivate friendships and alliances. [1]

The custom of fostering can cause trouble as it did between Lady Mellario of Norvos and her husband Prince Doran Martell. They had a falling out when he sent Quentyn to be fostered at Yronwood, and Lady Mellario returned to Norvos.[2] Years later Princess Arianne remembers,

Quentyn had been very young when he was sent to Yronwood; too young, according to their mother. Norvoshi did not foster out their children, and Lady Mellario had never forgiven Prince Doran for taking her son away from her. "I like it not more than you do," Arianne had overheard her father say, "but there is a blood debt, and Quentyn is the only coin Lord Ormond will accept."

"Coin?" her mother had screamed. "He is your son. What sort of father uses his own flesh and blood to pay his debts?"

"The princely sort," Doran Martell had answered.

Fostering also featured in one of Prince Doran's plots in the game of thrones. He was to send his daughter Princess Arianne to Tyrosh to serve as the Archon's cupbearer, where she could meet her betrothed in secret but the gods smashed that plan awry.

Fostered characters

Quotes

"there is a blood debt, and Quentyn is the only coin Lord Ormond will accept."

References and Notes

  1. Numerous Questions, February 28, 2002 So Spake Martin
  2. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 40, Princess In The Tower.