Trial of seven

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The trial of seven is a form of trial by combat an offended party can demand during trial. It is linked to the Faith of the Seven and Andal tradition. The Andals believed that if seven champions fought on each side, the gods thus honored would be more likely to see justice done.[1]

The accused is declared innocent if his accuser or accusers are either defeated or yield, thereby withdrawing their accusations. If the accused is slain, it is believed the gods have judged him guilty, and the trial of seven ends. If the accused cannot find six men to stand with him, he is declared guilty as well.[1]

History

Maegor Targaryen's trial of seven

In 42 AC during the Faith Militant uprising, Ser Damon Morrigen of the Warrior's Sons challenged King Maegor I Targaryen to a trial of seven, believing the right to rule the Seven Kingdoms did not belong to Maegor. Maegor accepted the challenge, and faced Ser Damon and six other Warrior Sons. After no highborn volunteered to fight with Maegor, Dick Bean agreed to do so, claiming to have always been a supporter of the king; shamed by the commoner's bravery, the King was joined by Ser Bernarr Brune, the hedge knight Ser Bramm of Blackhull, Ser Rayford Rosby, Ser Guy Lothston and Lord Lucifer Massey. While the tales about the trial are often contradictory, they all agree that Maegor was the last one standing. However, Maegor was severely injured by the last of the Warrior's Sons, fell to the ground shortly after killing his last opponent, and was unconscious for several weeks.[2][3]

Ser Duncan the Tall's trial of seven

The next trial of seven in Westeros occurred during the tourney at Ashford Meadow in 209 AC. After a hedge knight named Duncan the Tall attacked Prince Aerion Targaryen in defense of a dornish puppeteer, he was challenged to a trial by seven by both Aerion and his older brother, Prince Daeron Targaryen, who had falsely accused Duncan of having kidnapped Prince Aegon Targaryen. The princes Aerion and Daeron were aided by their father, Prince Maekar Targaryen, three knights of the Kingsguard, Ser Roland Crakehall, Ser Donnel of Duskendale and Ser Willem Wylde, and Ser Steffon Fossoway. On Duncan's side fought Prince Baelor Targaryen, Ser Lyonel Baratheon, Ser Robyn Rhysling, Ser Humfrey Hardyng, Ser Humfrey Beesbury, and Ser Raymun Fossoway.[1] After Daeron was defeated and Aerion withdrew his accusation during the trial, Duncan was declared innocent. However, Prince Baelor had been severely injured during the trial, and died shortly after.[1] Humfrey Hardyng and Humfrey Beesbury died as a result of the trial as well.[1]

See Also

References and Sources