Difference between revisions of "Fosterage"

From A Wiki of Ice and Fire
Jump to: navigation, search
(18 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
'''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.
+
'''Fosterage''' is the practice of a noble raising the child of another noble.
  
==Background==  
+
==Background==
According to [[George R. R. Martin]] 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.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1202/ Numerous Questions (February 28, 2002)]</ref>
+
The [[custom]] of fosterage is common among the nobility of [[Westeros]]. It is seen as a way of establishing friendships and alliances.<ref name=ssm>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1202/ Numerous Questions (February 28, 2002)]</ref> For example, Lord [[Jon Arryn]] became a second father to his two foster children, [[Eddard Stark]] and [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], during the years they were fostered by Arryn at the [[Eyrie]].{{Ref|agot|2}} Additionally, fosterage is seen as a means of education.<ref name=ssm/> For example, boys can be fostered out as [[squire]]s, training for [[knight]]hood.{{Ref|acok|8}} Most commonly the fostered child is male,<ref name=ssm/> although it is not unheard of for females to be fostered. The fostered child can be trueborn or [[bastard]] born.{{Ref|AGOT|6}} [[Hostage]]s may be fostered; for example, [[Theon Greyjoy]].{{ref|adwd|37}} In the [[Free City]] of [[Norvos]], children are usually not fostered out.{{Ref|affc|21}}{{Ref|aFfC|40}}
  
In answer to a reader's question about [[Eddard Stark]]’s fostering Martin answered,
+
According to [[George R. R. Martin]], a child who is fostered by a lord or lady can make visits home during the years of his fosterage, although these visits would be minimal while the child is still young. After reaching the [[age of majority]], the fostered child is free to come and go as he or she likes.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Some_Questions Some Questions (March 16, 2000)]</ref>
{{Quote|He [Eddard] was fostered, not exiled. Yes, certainly he returned [[Winterfell|home]]. Less frequently the first few years, when he would have been performing the duties of a page and then a squire, more often and for longer periods later.  
 
During his "squire" years (he wasn't a squire in the strict sense, since he wasn't training for [[knight]]hood, but he was acting as one), he would also have accompanied [[Jon Arryn]] on many travels out of the [[Vale]]. And once he reached the age of sixteen he was a man grown, free to come to go as he liked... which would have included both time at home and in the Vale, since Jon Arryn had become a second father. The same was true of [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]], who divided his time between [[Storm's End]] and the Vale after reaching manhood, not to mention dropping in on [[tourney]]s and whatever choice fights he could find.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Some_Questions Some Questions (March 16, 2000)]</ref>}}
 
  
The custom of fostering can cause trouble as it did between Lady [[Mellario of Norvos]] and her husband, Prince [[Doran Martell]], when their son [[Quentyn Martell|Quentyn]] was fostered at [[Yronwood]]. Fosterage was not common in Norvoshi costum, and Quentyn was still very young. This was one of the strains on their marriage, and in the end, Lady Mellario returned to [[Norvos]].{{Ref|aFfC|40}} Years later Princess Arianne remembers,
+
==History==
 +
In his youth, King [[Harmund II Hoare]] was brought up at [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands: The Black Blood}}
  
{{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."<br>"Coin?" her mother had screamed. "He is your son. What sort of father uses his own flesh and blood to pay his debts?"<br>"The princely sort,"  Doran Martell had answered.{{ref|AFFC|21}}}}  
+
The [[King of the Rock|kings of the Rock]], [[Tyrion III Lannister|Tyrion III]] and [[Gerold II Lannister]], took the sons and daughters of newly ennobled [[Andal]] lords as wards and fosterlings.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands}}
Fostering also featured in one of Prince Doran's [[Secret marriage pact|plots in the game of thrones]]. He had planned to send his daughter, Princess [[Arianne Martell|Arianne]], to [[Tyrosh]] to serve as the [[Archon]]'s cupbearer, where she could meet [[Viserys Targaryen|her betrothed]] in secret. However, as his wife treathened to harm herself should Arianne be sent away as well, Doran did not follow through on this plan.{{Ref|AFFC|40}}
+
 
 +
The fourth [[King of Mountain and Vale]] from [[House Arryn]], [[Roland I Arryn]], was fostered as a boy by an Andal king in the [[riverlands]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Vale: The Eyrie}}
 +
 
 +
===Targaryen Era===
 +
During the [[War of Conquest]], the lords of the [[Three Sisters]] [[Sistermen's Rebellion|declared their independence]] from the [[Eyrie]], and installed [[Marla Sunderland]] as their queen. After the conquest, King [[Aegon I Targaryen]] sent an army under the command of Ser [[Warrick Manderly]] and Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] to put the rebellion down, and the frightened lords deposed Queen Marla in favor of her brother [[Steffon Sunderland]]. Lord Steffon renewed his fealty to [[House Arryn]], and gave his sons as hostages, one to be fostered with the [[House Manderly|Manderlys]], the other with the Arryns.{{ref|FAB|Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I}}
 +
 
 +
When a [[House Rowan|Rowan]] girl in Queen [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]'s service became pregnant by a scullion, Rhaenys found a [[knight]] in [[White Harbor]] to marry her, and another in [[Lannisport]] to foster her [[bastard]].{{ref|FAB|Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I}}
 +
 
 +
After King [[Aenys I Targaryen]] died in {{Date|42}} and his brother [[Maegor Targaryen|Maegor]] seized the [[Iron Throne]], Aenys's children Prince [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]] and Prince [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] were made wards of Maegor's mother, Dowager Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]], their great-aunt. Hostages in all but name, they spent their uncle's reign being transferred between [[Driftmark]], [[Dragonstone]], and [[King's Landing]], until Visenya's death in {{Date|44}} gave their mother Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]] the chance to escape from Dragonstone with them.{{ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}
 +
 
 +
In {{Date|44}}, after Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]]'s husband Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon Targaryen]] died fighting his uncle Maegor in the [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye]], she took her twin infant daughters [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]] and [[Rhaella Targaryen (daughter of Aegon)|Rhaella]], dyed their hair, changed their names, and sent them away to allies who would see them fostered in good homes by people who would be unaware of their true identities, where not even Rhaena would know where they had gone. However, Maegor's wife and spymaster, [[Tyanna of the Tower]], was able to discover the girls' locations.{{ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
 +
 
 +
In {{Date|47}}, King Maegor Targaryen married his [[Black Brides]], while holding their children as hostages to force the women to comply with his demands. Afterwards, he sent many of those children away to be fostered. Rhaena Targaryen's daughter Rhaella was sent to [[Oldtown]] to be raised as a [[septa]]. [[Jeyne Westerling (wife of Maegor I)|Jeyne Westerling]]'s son, the [[Lord Tarbeck (son of Alyn)|infant Lord Tarbeck]], was sent to [[Casterly Rock]] to be raised as a ward of [[Lyman Lannister]]. [[Elinor Costayne]]'s two elder boys were sent away, one to the [[Eyrie]] to be a ward of Lord Arryn, and the other to [[Highgarden]] as a ward of Lord Tyrell.{{ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
 +
 
 +
In {{Date|48}}, [[Coryanne Wylde]]'s [[bastard]] son by a stableboy was sent to [[Storm's End]] to be fostered by one of the castle stewards and his barren wife.{{ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}
 +
 
 +
A [[wildling]] girl, captured by [[Night's Watch]] [[rangers]] [[beyond the Wall]] and given to one of Lord [[Theomore Manderly]]'s household knights to foster, dueled with [[Jonquil Darke]] at a [[tourney]] in Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]]'s honor in {{Date|58}}.{{ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}
 +
 
 +
In {{Date|61}}, [[Rogar Baratheon]] brought his daughter [[Jocelyn Baratheon|Jocelyn]] to King's Landing, along with the two orphaned daughters of his late brother [[Ronnal Baratheon|Ronnal]]. Jocelyn's mother [[Alyssa Velaryon]] had died in childbirth, and the aunts who helped raise her had recently died of the [[Shivers]]. Rogar requested that Jocelyn and her cousins be made wards of the court of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys I]] and Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]], Jocelyn's half-siblings, and Alysanne was pleased to agree.{{ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
 +
 
 +
In {{Date|73}}, Ser [[Lucamore Strong]] of the [[Kingsguard]] was discovered to have broken his vows and married three wives. Lucamore was [[Eunuch|gelded]], and King Jaehaerys sent him to the [[Wall]]. Queen Alysanne judged each of the families: the first wife and her children were sent to be wards of Lord [[Bywin Strong]] of [[Harrenhal]]; the second and her children were sent to be wards of Lord [[Daemon Velaryon (son of Aethan)|Daemon Velaryon]] of [[Driftmark]], and the third wife and children were sent to be wards of Ser [[Garon Baratheon|Garon]] and Lord [[Boremund Baratheon]] of [[Storm's End]].{{ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
 +
 
 +
When Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron Targaryen]] was twelve in {{Date|126}}, he was sent to [[Oldtown]] to serve as a [[cupbearer]] and [[squire]] to Lord [[Ormund Hightower]], the cousin of his mother Queen [[Alicent Hightower]].{{ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} He remained Ormund's ward throughout the [[Dance of the Dragons]], until Ormund's death in {{Date|130}}.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
 +
 
 +
In {{Date|129}}, at the start of the Dance of the Dragons, Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]'s heir Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]] made the [[Pact of Ice and Fire]] with Lord [[Cregan Stark]]. They agreed that Jacaerys's firstborn daughter would be sent north at age seven to be fostered at [[Winterfell]], until she was old enough to marry Cregan's heir.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}} (However, Jacaerys died before he ever had children.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}})
 +
 
 +
Late in {{Date|129}}, Prince Jacaerys made arrangements for the safety of his step-sisters and half-brothers. [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]] was sent to be the ward of Lady [[Jeyne Arryn]] at the [[Eyrie]], taking with her three [[dragon egg]]s.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}} Jacaerys also arranged for the [[Prince of Pentos]] to foster his half-brothers, Prince [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]] and Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]], until Rhaenyra had secured the [[Iron Throne]]. However, their ship, the ''[[Gay Abandon]]'', was attacked by the [[Triarchy]] on route to [[Pentos]]. Aegon escaped back to [[Dragonstone]] with his [[dragon]] [[Stormcloud]], but Viserys was taken captive and assumed dead.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}
 +
 
 +
In {{Date|130}}, during the [[Riot of King's Landing (Dance of the Dragons)|Riot of King's Landing]], the [[whore]]s at the [[House of Kisses]] raised up the young [[Gaemon Palehair]] as king, claiming he was the bastard son of [[Aegon II Targaryen]] and the prostitute [[Essie]].{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} After the return of Aegon to the city, Essie was executed, but Gaemon was spared on account of his youth and made a ward of the Crown.{{ref|fab|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}} Gaemon later became young King [[Aegon III Targaryen]]'s companion, whipping boy, and food taster, until his death in {{Date|135}}.{{Ref|fab|Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows}}{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}
 +
 
 +
During the Dance of the Dragons, [[Garmund Hightower]] fostered at [[Highgarden]], as a companion of young Lord [[Lyonel Tyrell (lord)|Lyonel Tyrell]] and a [[cupbearer]] to his mother. In {{Date|131}}, Garmund's brother Lord [[Lyonel Hightower]] accepted the peace terms for the end of the war, despite initially resisting them. According to [[Grand Maester]] [[Munkun]]'s ''[[True Telling]]'', this is because the Tyrells forbade him to raise a host or go to war without their leave, with the implicit threat that Garmund would pay for Lyonel's disobedience with his life.{{Ref|FAB|Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf}}
 +
 
 +
Lord [[Unwin Peake]]'s second son fostered at the [[Arbor]], serving Lord [[House Redwyne|Redwyne]] as a page and squire, but at age twelve he drowned in a sailing accident.{{Ref|FAB|Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows}}
 +
 
 +
[[Daenaera Velaryon]] became a ward of Lord [[Alyn Velaryon]] and his wife Lady [[Baela Targaryen]], after she was orphaned when [[Hazel Harte|her mother]] died of the [[Winter Fever]] and [[Daeron Velaryon|her father]] died in the [[Daughters' War]]. In {{Date|133}}, her guardians presented her at the [[Maiden's Day Ball]], and she was selected by King [[Aegon III Targaryen]] to be his new queen.{{Ref|FAB|Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows}}
 +
 
 +
The [[Princess of Dorne (unnamed)|Princess of Dorne]] fostered her two sons; [[Doran Martell|Doran]] at [[Salt Shore]]{{Ref|AFFC|2}} and [[Oberyn Martell|Oberyn]] at [[Sandstone]].{{Ref|AFFC|21}}
 +
 
 +
===Baratheon Era===
 +
Doran Martell, the [[Prince of Dorne]], fostered out his eldest son [[Quentyn Martell|Quentyn]] with the [[House Yronwood|Yronwoods]] to create a peace between House Yronwood and [[House Martell]],{{Ref|affc|13}}{{Ref|affc|21}} as enmity between the two houses had arisen after the death of Lord [[Edgar Yronwood]] following a duel against Doran's younger brother, [[Oberyn Martell|Oberyn]].{{ref|ASOS|38}} When Doran decided to foster out his son [[Quentyn Martell|Quentyn]], this caused a severe strain on his relationship with his Norvoshi wife, Lady [[Mellario]].{{Ref|affc|21}}{{Ref|aFfC|40}} Doran later plotted to send his daughter, [[Arianne Martell|Arianne]], to serve as [[cupbearer]] of the [[Archon of Tyrosh]] so she could meet her betrothed [[Viserys Targaryen]] as part of the [[secret marriage pact]], but decided not to do so after his wife threatened to harm herself if their daughter was sent away.{{Ref|AFFC|40}}
 +
 
 +
Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] wished to have his eldest son and heir, [[Samwell Tarly|Samwell]], be fostered by Lord [[Paxter Redwyne]] at the [[Arbor]]. Randyll brought Samwell with him on a trip to the Arbor, but after Paxter's twins [[Horas Redwyne|Horas]] and [[Hobber Redwyne|Hobber]], bullied him, Lord Randyll brought him back home. Samwell's mother later revealed to him Samwell had supposed to remain at the Arbor to serve as Paxter's page and squire and, if he had pleased Paxter, would have been betrothed to his daughter, [[Desmera Redwyne|Desmera]].{{Ref|affc|15}}
 +
 
 +
Shortly before his death in early {{Date|298}}, Lord [[Jon Arryn]] planned to have his young son [[Robert Arryn|Robert]] foster with Lord [[Stannis Baratheon]] at [[Dragonstone]].{{ref|acok|0}}{{Ref|AGOT|40}} Following Jon's death, King [[Robert I Baratheon]] planned to foster Robert with Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] at [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|AGOT|4}} Robert's mother [[Lysa Arryn]] took her son back to the [[Eyrie]], preventing both plans from coming to fruition.{{Ref|AGOT|4}}
  
 
==Fostered characters==
 
==Fostered characters==
* [[Brandon Stark]] - fostered at [[Barrowton]] with old Lord Dustin{{Ref|ADWD|41}}
 
* [[Eddard Stark]] - fostered by [[Jon Arryn]]{{Ref|AGOT|2}}
 
* [[Robert Baratheon]] - fostered by [[Jon Arryn]]{{Ref|AGOT|2}}
 
* [[Jaime Lannister]] - fostered with [[House Crakehall]]{{Ref|ASOS|67}}
 
* Prince [[Doran Martell]] - fostered in [[Salt Shore]], the seat of [[House Gargalen]]{{Ref|AFFC|2}}
 
* Prince [[Oberyn Martell]] - fostered in [[Sandstone]], the seat of [[House Qorgyle]]{{Ref|AFFC|21}}
 
* Prince [[Quentyn Martell]] - fostered by Lord [[Anders Yronwood]], whom he served as a page and squire{{Ref|AFFC|13}}
 
* [[Petyr Baelish]] - fostered at [[Riverrun]] with Lord [[Hoster Tully]]'s children{{Ref|AGOT|18}}
 
* [[Theon Greyjoy]] - fostered by Lord [[Eddard Stark]]{{Ref|AGOT|4}}
 
* [[Samwell Tarly]] - was supposed to remain at the [[Arbor]] as a page, but it did not work out and he returned home instead{{Ref|AFFC|15}}
 
  
==References and Notes==
+
{| class=wikitable sortable plainrowheaders width=100%
 +
! width=150px|Fostered character
 +
! width=300px|Fostered by
 +
! Notes
 +
|- style="height:24px;"
 +
|[[Roland I Arryn]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Vale: The Eyrie}}
 +
|Unnamed Andal king from the [[riverlands]]
 +
|&nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
|[[Petyr Baelish]]
 +
|Lord [[Hoster Tully]] at [[Riverrun]]{{Ref|AGOT|18}}
 +
|Petyr's [[Baelish (lord)|father]] befriended Hoster Tully during the [[War of the Ninepenny Kings]], which led to Petyr being fostered at Riverrun.{{Ref|AWOIAF|Petyr Baelish}}<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/US_Signing_Tour_Half_Moon_Bay_CA/ US Signing Tour (Half Moon Bay, CA) (November 18, 2005)]</ref>
 +
|-
 +
|[[Jocelyn Baratheon]]
 +
|King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys I]] and Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]] at the [[Red Keep]]
 +
|Jocelyn's mother [[Alyssa Velaryon]] died in childbirth, and her aunts died from the [[Shivers]]. Her father [[Rogar Baratheon]] requested that Jocelyn's half-siblings foster her, along with her two orphaned cousins.{{ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
 +
|-
 +
|Princess [[Myrcella Baratheon]]
 +
|Prince [[Doran Martell]] at [[Sunspear]]{{Ref|ACOK|17}}{{Ref|AFFC|40}}
 +
|Myrcella left for Dorne as part of a betrothal to Doran's youngest son [[Trystane Martell]].
 +
|-
 +
|[[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]]
 +
|Lord [[Jon Arryn]] at the [[Eyrie]]{{Ref|AGOT|2}}
 +
|Fostered alongside [[Eddard Stark]].
 +
|-
 +
|rowspan="2"|[[Tristifer Botley]]
 +
|Lady [[Alannys Harlaw]] at [[Pyke]]
 +
|One of five boys brought to Pyke after the [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]], to comfort Lady Alannys as her elder sons had died and her youngest son, Theon, was taken away as a hostage. Sent away after being discovered sexually experimenting with [[Asha Greyjoy]], the daughter of Lady Alannys and Lord [[Balon Greyjoy]].
 +
|-
 +
|Lord [[Baelor Blacktyde]]{{Ref|AFFC|11}}
 +
|&nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
|Four [[ironborn]] boys
 +
|Lady [[Alannys Harlaw]] at [[Pyke]]{{Ref|AFFC|11}}
 +
|Fostered alongside [[Tristifer Botley]].
 +
|-
 +
|[[Bradamar Frey]]
 +
|[[Oro Tendyris]] at [[Braavos]]{{Ref|acok|appendix}}
 +
|Bradamar's mother is [[Betharios of Braavos]].
 +
|-
 +
|[[Cynthea Frey]]
 +
|Lady [[Anya Waynwood]] at [[Ironoaks]]{{Ref|asos|appendix}}
 +
|Cynthea's mother is [[Carolei Waynwood]].
 +
|-
 +
|[[Merrett Frey]]
 +
|Lord [[Sumner Crakehall]] at [[Crakehall]]{{Ref|ASOS|Epilogue}}{{Ref|affc|30}}
 +
|Merrett's mother was [[Amarei Crakehall]]. He was fostered at Crakehall at the same time as [[Jaime Lannister]].
 +
|-
 +
|[[Sandor Frey]]
 +
|Lady [[Anya Waynwood]] at [[Ironoaks]]{{Ref|asos|appendix}}
 +
|Sandor's mother is [[Carolei Waynwood]]. He serves as squire to Anya's son, Ser [[Donnel Waynwood]].
 +
|-
 +
|rowspan="2"|[[Walder Frey (son of Jammos)|"Big" Walder Frey]]<br>[[Walder Frey (son of Merrett)|"Little" Walder Frey]]
 +
|Lady [[Catelyn Stark]] at [[Winterfell]]{{Ref|AGOT|59}}{{Ref|ACOK|4}}
 +
|"Big" Walder and "Little" Walder are sent to Winterfell as part of the alliance pact between Lord [[Walder Frey]] and [[Robb Stark]].
 +
|-
 +
|[[Ramsay Bolton]] at the [[Dreadfort]] and [[Winterfell]]
 +
|Ramsay [[Sack of Winterfell|burns Winterfell]], but spares Big and Little Walder{{ref|ACOK|66}} and makes them his squires.{{ref|AFFC|Appendix}}
 +
|-
 +
|[[Gyles Grafton]]
 +
|Lord [[Petyr Baelish]] at the [[Eyrie]]{{Ref|AFFC|23}}
 +
|Gyles is a companion to young Lord [[Robert Arryn]].
 +
|-
 +
|[[Theon Greyjoy]]
 +
|Lord [[Eddard Stark]] at [[Winterfell]]
 +
|Theon was brought to Winterfell following the conclusion of [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]] in {{Date|289}} as a hostage, to ensure his father's loyalty to the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|AGOT|4}} Theon returned home to Pyke after an absence of ten years.{{Ref|Acok|11}}
 +
|-
 +
|[[Harrold Hardyng]]
 +
|Lady [[Anya Waynwood]] at [[Ironoaks]]{{Ref|AFFC|41}}
 +
|Harrold's mother was a Waynwood, and his father was a [[landed knight]] sworn to [[House Waynwood]].
 +
|-
 +
|[[Garmund Hightower]]
 +
|[[House Tyrell]] at [[Highgarden]]{{Ref|FAB|Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf}}
 +
|&nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
|King [[Harmund II Hoare]]
 +
|[[House Lannister]] at [[Casterly Rock]]{{ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: The Black Blood}}
 +
|&nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
|[[Jaime Lannister]]
 +
|Lord [[Sumner Crakehall]] at [[Crakehall]]{{Ref|ASOS|67}}
 +
|&nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
|[[Terrance Lynderly]]
 +
|Lord [[Petyr Baelish]] at the Eyrie{{Ref|AFFC|23}}
 +
|Terrance is a companion to young Lord [[Robert Arryn]].
 +
|-
 +
|Prince [[Doran Martell]]
 +
|Lord [[House Gargalen|Gargalen]] at [[Salt Shore]]{{Ref|Affc|2}}
 +
|&nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
|Prince [[Oberyn Martell]]
 +
|Lord [[House Qorgyle|Qorgyle]] at [[Sandstone]]{{Ref|affc|21}}
 +
|&nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
|Prince [[Quentyn Martell]]
 +
|Lord [[Anders Yronwood]] at [[Yronwood]]
 +
|Quentyn served Lord Anders as a page and squire,{{Ref|AFFC|13}}{{Ref|AFFC|21}} until receiving knighthood by his hand at the age of eighteen.{{ref|awoiaf| Quentyn Martell}}
 +
|-
 +
|[[Larence Snow]]
 +
|[[Galbart Glover]] at [[Deepwood Motte]]
 +
|After the death of Larence's father, Lord [[Halys Hornwood]], and his only trueborn brother, [[Daryn Hornwood|Daryn]], Larence is suggested as a possible heir to the Hornwood lands, which Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]] suspects will please [[House Glover]].{{Ref|ACOK|16}}
 +
|-
 +
|[[Brandon Stark]]
 +
|Lord [[House Dustin|Dustin]] at [[Barrowton]]{{Ref|ADWD|41}}
 +
|&nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
|[[Eddard Stark]]
 +
|Lord [[Jon Arryn]] at the [[Eyrie]]{{Ref|AGOT|2}}
 +
|Eddard was fostered by Jon Arryn at the same time as [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]].{{Ref|agot|2}}
 +
|-
 +
|rowspan="2"|[[Edric Storm]]
 +
|Lord [[Renly Baratheon]] at [[Storm's End]]{{Ref|AGOT|30}}
 +
|While Renly is at King's Landing serving in the king's [[small council]], Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]] takes care of Edric.
 +
|-
 +
|Lord [[Stannis Baratheon]] at [[Dragonstone]]{{ref|asos|10}}
 +
|After [[siege of Storm's End|the fall of Storm's End]], Stannis takes custody of Edric and brings him to Dragonstone.
 +
|-
 +
|Princess [[Alysanne Targaryen]]<br>Prince [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys Targaryen]]
 +
|Dowager Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] at [[Driftmark]], [[Dragonstone]], and [[King's Landing]]
 +
|Made wards of their great-aunt in {{Date|42}}. They were truly hostages of their uncle, King [[Maegor I Targaryen]], in all but name, until Visenya's death in {{Date|44}} gave their mother [[Alyssa Velaryon]] the chance to escape with them.{{ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}
 +
|-
 +
|Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron Targaryen]]
 +
|Lord [[Ormund Hightower]] at the [[Hightower]]
 +
|Sent at age 12 to be a cupbearer and squire for the cousin of his mother Queen [[Alicent Hightower]].{{ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
 +
|-
 +
|[[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]]
 +
|Lady [[Jeyne Arryn]] at [[the Eyrie]]{{Ref|fab|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
 +
|&nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==Quotes==
 +
{{quote|Every ward is also a [[hostage]], as a wise man once said.{{Ref|FAB|Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf}}|the writings of [[Archmaester]] [[Gyldayn]]}}
 +
 
 +
==References==
 
{{References|2}}
 
{{References|2}}
  
 +
[[Category:Culture|Fosterage]]
 
[[Category:Terms]]
 
[[Category:Terms]]
 
[[Category:Wards| ]]
 
[[Category:Wards| ]]
 +
 +
[[fr:Pupille]]

Revision as of 19:35, 7 July 2020

Fosterage is the practice of a noble raising the child of another noble.

Background

The custom of fosterage is common among the nobility of Westeros. It is seen as a way of establishing friendships and alliances.[1] For example, Lord Jon Arryn became a second father to his two foster children, Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon, during the years they were fostered by Arryn at the Eyrie.[2] Additionally, fosterage is seen as a means of education.[1] For example, boys can be fostered out as squires, training for knighthood.[3] Most commonly the fostered child is male,[1] although it is not unheard of for females to be fostered. The fostered child can be trueborn or bastard born.[4] Hostages may be fostered; for example, Theon Greyjoy.[5] In the Free City of Norvos, children are usually not fostered out.[6][7]

According to George R. R. Martin, a child who is fostered by a lord or lady can make visits home during the years of his fosterage, although these visits would be minimal while the child is still young. After reaching the age of majority, the fostered child is free to come and go as he or she likes.[8]

History

In his youth, King Harmund II Hoare was brought up at Casterly Rock.[9]

The kings of the Rock, Tyrion III and Gerold II Lannister, took the sons and daughters of newly ennobled Andal lords as wards and fosterlings.[10]

The fourth King of Mountain and Vale from House Arryn, Roland I Arryn, was fostered as a boy by an Andal king in the riverlands.[11]

Targaryen Era

During the War of Conquest, the lords of the Three Sisters declared their independence from the Eyrie, and installed Marla Sunderland as their queen. After the conquest, King Aegon I Targaryen sent an army under the command of Ser Warrick Manderly and Queen Visenya Targaryen to put the rebellion down, and the frightened lords deposed Queen Marla in favor of her brother Steffon Sunderland. Lord Steffon renewed his fealty to House Arryn, and gave his sons as hostages, one to be fostered with the Manderlys, the other with the Arryns.[12]

When a Rowan girl in Queen Rhaenys Targaryen's service became pregnant by a scullion, Rhaenys found a knight in White Harbor to marry her, and another in Lannisport to foster her bastard.[13]

After King Aenys I Targaryen died in 42 AC and his brother Maegor seized the Iron Throne, Aenys's children Prince Jaehaerys and Prince Alysanne were made wards of Maegor's mother, Dowager Queen Visenya Targaryen, their great-aunt. Hostages in all but name, they spent their uncle's reign being transferred between Driftmark, Dragonstone, and King's Landing, until Visenya's death in 44 AC gave their mother Queen Alyssa Velaryon the chance to escape from Dragonstone with them.[14]

In 44 AC, after Princess Rhaena Targaryen's husband Prince Aegon Targaryen died fighting his uncle Maegor in the Battle Beneath the Gods Eye, she took her twin infant daughters Aerea and Rhaella, dyed their hair, changed their names, and sent them away to allies who would see them fostered in good homes by people who would be unaware of their true identities, where not even Rhaena would know where they had gone. However, Maegor's wife and spymaster, Tyanna of the Tower, was able to discover the girls' locations.[15]

In 47 AC, King Maegor Targaryen married his Black Brides, while holding their children as hostages to force the women to comply with his demands. Afterwards, he sent many of those children away to be fostered. Rhaena Targaryen's daughter Rhaella was sent to Oldtown to be raised as a septa. Jeyne Westerling's son, the infant Lord Tarbeck, was sent to Casterly Rock to be raised as a ward of Lyman Lannister. Elinor Costayne's two elder boys were sent away, one to the Eyrie to be a ward of Lord Arryn, and the other to Highgarden as a ward of Lord Tyrell.[15]

In 48 AC, Coryanne Wylde's bastard son by a stableboy was sent to Storm's End to be fostered by one of the castle stewards and his barren wife.[14]

A wildling girl, captured by Night's Watch rangers beyond the Wall and given to one of Lord Theomore Manderly's household knights to foster, dueled with Jonquil Darke at a tourney in Queen Alysanne Targaryen's honor in 58 AC.[16]

In 61 AC, Rogar Baratheon brought his daughter Jocelyn to King's Landing, along with the two orphaned daughters of his late brother Ronnal. Jocelyn's mother Alyssa Velaryon had died in childbirth, and the aunts who helped raise her had recently died of the Shivers. Rogar requested that Jocelyn and her cousins be made wards of the court of King Jaehaerys I and Queen Alysanne Targaryen, Jocelyn's half-siblings, and Alysanne was pleased to agree.[17]

In 73 AC, Ser Lucamore Strong of the Kingsguard was discovered to have broken his vows and married three wives. Lucamore was gelded, and King Jaehaerys sent him to the Wall. Queen Alysanne judged each of the families: the first wife and her children were sent to be wards of Lord Bywin Strong of Harrenhal; the second and her children were sent to be wards of Lord Daemon Velaryon of Driftmark, and the third wife and children were sent to be wards of Ser Garon and Lord Boremund Baratheon of Storm's End.[17]

When Prince Daeron Targaryen was twelve in 126 AC, he was sent to Oldtown to serve as a cupbearer and squire to Lord Ormund Hightower, the cousin of his mother Queen Alicent Hightower.[18] He remained Ormund's ward throughout the Dance of the Dragons, until Ormund's death in 130 AC.[19]

In 129 AC, at the start of the Dance of the Dragons, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen's heir Prince Jacaerys Velaryon made the Pact of Ice and Fire with Lord Cregan Stark. They agreed that Jacaerys's firstborn daughter would be sent north at age seven to be fostered at Winterfell, until she was old enough to marry Cregan's heir.[20] (However, Jacaerys died before he ever had children.[21])

Late in 129 AC, Prince Jacaerys made arrangements for the safety of his step-sisters and half-brothers. Rhaena Targaryen was sent to be the ward of Lady Jeyne Arryn at the Eyrie, taking with her three dragon eggs.[21][19] Jacaerys also arranged for the Prince of Pentos to foster his half-brothers, Prince Aegon and Prince Viserys Targaryen, until Rhaenyra had secured the Iron Throne. However, their ship, the Gay Abandon, was attacked by the Triarchy on route to Pentos. Aegon escaped back to Dragonstone with his dragon Stormcloud, but Viserys was taken captive and assumed dead.[21]

In 130 AC, during the Riot of King's Landing, the whores at the House of Kisses raised up the young Gaemon Palehair as king, claiming he was the bastard son of Aegon II Targaryen and the prostitute Essie.[22] After the return of Aegon to the city, Essie was executed, but Gaemon was spared on account of his youth and made a ward of the Crown.[23] Gaemon later became young King Aegon III Targaryen's companion, whipping boy, and food taster, until his death in 135 AC.[24][25]

During the Dance of the Dragons, Garmund Hightower fostered at Highgarden, as a companion of young Lord Lyonel Tyrell and a cupbearer to his mother. In 131 AC, Garmund's brother Lord Lyonel Hightower accepted the peace terms for the end of the war, despite initially resisting them. According to Grand Maester Munkun's True Telling, this is because the Tyrells forbade him to raise a host or go to war without their leave, with the implicit threat that Garmund would pay for Lyonel's disobedience with his life.[26]

Lord Unwin Peake's second son fostered at the Arbor, serving Lord Redwyne as a page and squire, but at age twelve he drowned in a sailing accident.[24]

Daenaera Velaryon became a ward of Lord Alyn Velaryon and his wife Lady Baela Targaryen, after she was orphaned when her mother died of the Winter Fever and her father died in the Daughters' War. In 133 AC, her guardians presented her at the Maiden's Day Ball, and she was selected by King Aegon III Targaryen to be his new queen.[24]

The Princess of Dorne fostered her two sons; Doran at Salt Shore[27] and Oberyn at Sandstone.[6]

Baratheon Era

Doran Martell, the Prince of Dorne, fostered out his eldest son Quentyn with the Yronwoods to create a peace between House Yronwood and House Martell,[28][6] as enmity between the two houses had arisen after the death of Lord Edgar Yronwood following a duel against Doran's younger brother, Oberyn.[29] When Doran decided to foster out his son Quentyn, this caused a severe strain on his relationship with his Norvoshi wife, Lady Mellario.[6][7] Doran later plotted to send his daughter, Arianne, to serve as cupbearer of the Archon of Tyrosh so she could meet her betrothed Viserys Targaryen as part of the secret marriage pact, but decided not to do so after his wife threatened to harm herself if their daughter was sent away.[7]

Lord Randyll Tarly wished to have his eldest son and heir, Samwell, be fostered by Lord Paxter Redwyne at the Arbor. Randyll brought Samwell with him on a trip to the Arbor, but after Paxter's twins Horas and Hobber, bullied him, Lord Randyll brought him back home. Samwell's mother later revealed to him Samwell had supposed to remain at the Arbor to serve as Paxter's page and squire and, if he had pleased Paxter, would have been betrothed to his daughter, Desmera.[30]

Shortly before his death in early 298 AC, Lord Jon Arryn planned to have his young son Robert foster with Lord Stannis Baratheon at Dragonstone.[31][32] Following Jon's death, King Robert I Baratheon planned to foster Robert with Lord Tywin Lannister at Casterly Rock.[33] Robert's mother Lysa Arryn took her son back to the Eyrie, preventing both plans from coming to fruition.[33]

Fostered characters

Fostered character Fostered by Notes
Roland I Arryn[11] Unnamed Andal king from the riverlands  
Petyr Baelish Lord Hoster Tully at Riverrun[34] Petyr's father befriended Hoster Tully during the War of the Ninepenny Kings, which led to Petyr being fostered at Riverrun.[35][36]
Jocelyn Baratheon King Jaehaerys I and Queen Alysanne Targaryen at the Red Keep Jocelyn's mother Alyssa Velaryon died in childbirth, and her aunts died from the Shivers. Her father Rogar Baratheon requested that Jocelyn's half-siblings foster her, along with her two orphaned cousins.[17]
Princess Myrcella Baratheon Prince Doran Martell at Sunspear[37][7] Myrcella left for Dorne as part of a betrothal to Doran's youngest son Trystane Martell.
Robert Baratheon Lord Jon Arryn at the Eyrie[2] Fostered alongside Eddard Stark.
Tristifer Botley Lady Alannys Harlaw at Pyke One of five boys brought to Pyke after the Greyjoy's Rebellion, to comfort Lady Alannys as her elder sons had died and her youngest son, Theon, was taken away as a hostage. Sent away after being discovered sexually experimenting with Asha Greyjoy, the daughter of Lady Alannys and Lord Balon Greyjoy.
Lord Baelor Blacktyde[38]  
Four ironborn boys Lady Alannys Harlaw at Pyke[38] Fostered alongside Tristifer Botley.
Bradamar Frey Oro Tendyris at Braavos[39] Bradamar's mother is Betharios of Braavos.
Cynthea Frey Lady Anya Waynwood at Ironoaks[40] Cynthea's mother is Carolei Waynwood.
Merrett Frey Lord Sumner Crakehall at Crakehall[41][42] Merrett's mother was Amarei Crakehall. He was fostered at Crakehall at the same time as Jaime Lannister.
Sandor Frey Lady Anya Waynwood at Ironoaks[40] Sandor's mother is Carolei Waynwood. He serves as squire to Anya's son, Ser Donnel Waynwood.
"Big" Walder Frey
"Little" Walder Frey
Lady Catelyn Stark at Winterfell[43][44] "Big" Walder and "Little" Walder are sent to Winterfell as part of the alliance pact between Lord Walder Frey and Robb Stark.
Ramsay Bolton at the Dreadfort and Winterfell Ramsay burns Winterfell, but spares Big and Little Walder[45] and makes them his squires.[46]
Gyles Grafton Lord Petyr Baelish at the Eyrie[47] Gyles is a companion to young Lord Robert Arryn.
Theon Greyjoy Lord Eddard Stark at Winterfell Theon was brought to Winterfell following the conclusion of Greyjoy's Rebellion in 289 AC as a hostage, to ensure his father's loyalty to the Iron Throne.[33] Theon returned home to Pyke after an absence of ten years.[48]
Harrold Hardyng Lady Anya Waynwood at Ironoaks[49] Harrold's mother was a Waynwood, and his father was a landed knight sworn to House Waynwood.
Garmund Hightower House Tyrell at Highgarden[26]  
King Harmund II Hoare House Lannister at Casterly Rock[50]  
Jaime Lannister Lord Sumner Crakehall at Crakehall[51]  
Terrance Lynderly Lord Petyr Baelish at the Eyrie[47] Terrance is a companion to young Lord Robert Arryn.
Prince Doran Martell Lord Gargalen at Salt Shore[27]  
Prince Oberyn Martell Lord Qorgyle at Sandstone[6]  
Prince Quentyn Martell Lord Anders Yronwood at Yronwood Quentyn served Lord Anders as a page and squire,[28][6] until receiving knighthood by his hand at the age of eighteen.[52]
Larence Snow Galbart Glover at Deepwood Motte After the death of Larence's father, Lord Halys Hornwood, and his only trueborn brother, Daryn, Larence is suggested as a possible heir to the Hornwood lands, which Ser Rodrik Cassel suspects will please House Glover.[53]
Brandon Stark Lord Dustin at Barrowton[54]  
Eddard Stark Lord Jon Arryn at the Eyrie[2] Eddard was fostered by Jon Arryn at the same time as Robert Baratheon.[2]
Edric Storm Lord Renly Baratheon at Storm's End[55] While Renly is at King's Landing serving in the king's small council, Ser Cortnay Penrose takes care of Edric.
Lord Stannis Baratheon at Dragonstone[56] After the fall of Storm's End, Stannis takes custody of Edric and brings him to Dragonstone.
Princess Alysanne Targaryen
Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen
Dowager Queen Visenya Targaryen at Driftmark, Dragonstone, and King's Landing Made wards of their great-aunt in 42 AC. They were truly hostages of their uncle, King Maegor I Targaryen, in all but name, until Visenya's death in 44 AC gave their mother Alyssa Velaryon the chance to escape with them.[14]
Prince Daeron Targaryen Lord Ormund Hightower at the Hightower Sent at age 12 to be a cupbearer and squire for the cousin of his mother Queen Alicent Hightower.[18]
Rhaena Targaryen Lady Jeyne Arryn at the Eyrie[19]  

Quotes

Every ward is also a hostage, as a wise man once said.[26]

—the writings of Archmaester Gyldayn

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 So Spake Martin: Numerous Questions (February 28, 2002)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
  3. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 8, Tyrion II.
  4. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 6, Catelyn II.
  5. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 37, The Prince of Winterfell.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 21, The Queenmaker.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 40, Princess In The Tower.
  8. So Spake Martin: Some Questions (March 16, 2000)
  9. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: The Black Blood.
  10. The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands.
  11. 11.0 11.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Vale: The Eyrie.
  12. Fire & Blood, Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I.
  13. Fire & Blood, Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 Fire & Blood, A Surfeit of Rulers.
  15. 15.0 15.1 Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
  16. Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
  18. 18.0 18.1 Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant.
  20. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son.
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold.
  22. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown.
  23. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II.
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows.
  25. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III.
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 Fire & Blood, Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf.
  27. 27.0 27.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 2, The Captain Of Guards.
  28. 28.0 28.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 13, The Soiled Knight.
  29. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 38, Tyrion V.
  30. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 15, Samwell II.
  31. A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
  32. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 40, Catelyn VII.
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
  34. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 18, Catelyn IV.
  35. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Petyr Baelish.
  36. So Spake Martin: US Signing Tour (Half Moon Bay, CA) (November 18, 2005)
  37. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 17, Tyrion IV.
  38. 38.0 38.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 11, The Kraken's Daughter.
  39. A Clash of Kings, Appendix.
  40. 40.0 40.1 A Storm of Swords, Appendix.
  41. A Storm of Swords, Epilogue.
  42. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 30, Jaime IV.
  43. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 59, Catelyn IX.
  44. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 4, Bran I.
  45. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 66, Theon VI.
  46. A Feast for Crows, Appendix.
  47. 47.0 47.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 23, Alayne I.
  48. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 11, Theon I.
  49. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 41, Alayne II.
  50. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: The Black Blood.
  51. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 67, Jaime VIII.
  52. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Quentyn Martell.
  53. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 16, Bran II.
  54. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 41, The Turncloak.
  55. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 30, Eddard VII.
  56. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 10, Davos II.