Laws, Customs and Marriage
Authority runs from the king, who is believed to be empowered by the gods, whether old or new
Nobility have more rights and responsibilities than the smallfolk. Nobility are born to their status.
Higher-ranked individuals have more rights and powers than those of lower status
Men have more rights than women
The children of nobility inherit the same rights as their parents, unless they are born out of wedlock
Inheritance law is a key issue among the nobility. First born sons are the legitimate heirs, followed by their brothers. Sisters, no matter their rank in birth order only inherit if no sons exist to do so.
Bastards, natural born sons and daughters, may be acknowledged by their parents and they may even be given rights of inheritance in unusual situations but normally they lose out to legitimate siblings in all cases.
The lord of a region is the chief authority and can administer the Kings Justice. It is a lords duty to keep the peace, hear petitions and mete out justice and punishments. All in the name of his lord and ultimately in the name of the King.
Punishments for criminals can include maiming, death and stripping of lands, wealth and titles. An alternate punishment is to be forced to "take the black" on the Wall. By joining the Nights Watch all crimes and sins are forgiven, but one must give up all lands and rights, including the right to wed. And be forever sworn to the Brotherhood of the Nights Watch. Women are not allowed to take the black.
Lords have the right of "pit and gallows" which means they have the kings authority to imprison subjects or have them executed if the crime warrants it.
In the tradition of the First Men, the man who passes sentence should look into the subjects eyes and hear his final words. He should be the one to swing the sword. The people of the North still cling to this belief but in the South lords often keep a headsman.
Landed Knights may also carry out justice but they do not have the right of "pit and gallows." They cannot, therefore execute someone or imprison someone on their own initiative.
A thief may lose a hand, a rapist may be castrated and floggings are doled out for many minor offenses.
Most executions are done by the gallows or the headsmans axe or sword, but cruel lords may use the "crow cage." A wrought iron cage barely big enough for a man in which the victim is imprisoned without food or water until death. It's name comes from the throng of crows who often descend upon the poor soul, pecking at his or her flesh through the bars.
The King can pardon any criminal.
A lord who is accused of a crime may request a trial by combat or trial by lord.
Another tradition of the First Men still held throughout Westeros to this day is that of the "guest right." Any visitor who eats at his or her hosts board is protected from harm for the duration of their stay. By custom a guest may request bread and salt. A guest who does not trust his or her host may do so upon arrival. It is said that to break "guest right" is to earn the displeasure of the gods.
The age of majority is 16. Before that he is "almost a man grown."
A girls menstruation, getting her moonblood, is a major milestone in her life. This time often comes at a younger age for noble girls.
Marriage vows are normally not said until adulthood, though there is no law prohibiting it. Nobles often betroth children at a very early age and sometimes it is politically crucial to marry children younger than 16 such as when an inheritance is at risk. Regardless no one would bed a girl before her first moonblood. To do so is see as perverse and profane.
Those who follow the Seven are wed by septon, while those who follow the Old Gods may say their vows before a weirwood.
No one can be forced to marry if they refuse to say the vows. Though familial pressures and even threats of force are not unheard of.
Marriage contracts can be broken especially if the marriage has not been consummated.
Family allegiances are often made by fostering sons of another lord from the age of 8 or 9 until they reach the age of majority. These lads serve as pages and squires and they will often become fast friends with the family they serve.
Wards are similar to fostered boys, but in this case the youths are kept as political hostages. While they may be treated well, a shadow of the true meaning of their extended stay always remains.
Bastards or natural children are often looked down upon and with suspicion and distrust. Born of "lust and lies," a common belief is that they will grow up to do no good. Each region has a distinctive surname for noble bastards
Nobility have more rights and responsibilities than the smallfolk. Nobility are born to their status.
Higher-ranked individuals have more rights and powers than those of lower status
Men have more rights than women
The children of nobility inherit the same rights as their parents, unless they are born out of wedlock
Inheritance law is a key issue among the nobility. First born sons are the legitimate heirs, followed by their brothers. Sisters, no matter their rank in birth order only inherit if no sons exist to do so.
Bastards, natural born sons and daughters, may be acknowledged by their parents and they may even be given rights of inheritance in unusual situations but normally they lose out to legitimate siblings in all cases.
The lord of a region is the chief authority and can administer the Kings Justice. It is a lords duty to keep the peace, hear petitions and mete out justice and punishments. All in the name of his lord and ultimately in the name of the King.
Punishments for criminals can include maiming, death and stripping of lands, wealth and titles. An alternate punishment is to be forced to "take the black" on the Wall. By joining the Nights Watch all crimes and sins are forgiven, but one must give up all lands and rights, including the right to wed. And be forever sworn to the Brotherhood of the Nights Watch. Women are not allowed to take the black.
Lords have the right of "pit and gallows" which means they have the kings authority to imprison subjects or have them executed if the crime warrants it.
In the tradition of the First Men, the man who passes sentence should look into the subjects eyes and hear his final words. He should be the one to swing the sword. The people of the North still cling to this belief but in the South lords often keep a headsman.
Landed Knights may also carry out justice but they do not have the right of "pit and gallows." They cannot, therefore execute someone or imprison someone on their own initiative.
A thief may lose a hand, a rapist may be castrated and floggings are doled out for many minor offenses.
Most executions are done by the gallows or the headsmans axe or sword, but cruel lords may use the "crow cage." A wrought iron cage barely big enough for a man in which the victim is imprisoned without food or water until death. It's name comes from the throng of crows who often descend upon the poor soul, pecking at his or her flesh through the bars.
The King can pardon any criminal.
A lord who is accused of a crime may request a trial by combat or trial by lord.
Another tradition of the First Men still held throughout Westeros to this day is that of the "guest right." Any visitor who eats at his or her hosts board is protected from harm for the duration of their stay. By custom a guest may request bread and salt. A guest who does not trust his or her host may do so upon arrival. It is said that to break "guest right" is to earn the displeasure of the gods.
The age of majority is 16. Before that he is "almost a man grown."
A girls menstruation, getting her moonblood, is a major milestone in her life. This time often comes at a younger age for noble girls.
Marriage vows are normally not said until adulthood, though there is no law prohibiting it. Nobles often betroth children at a very early age and sometimes it is politically crucial to marry children younger than 16 such as when an inheritance is at risk. Regardless no one would bed a girl before her first moonblood. To do so is see as perverse and profane.
Those who follow the Seven are wed by septon, while those who follow the Old Gods may say their vows before a weirwood.
No one can be forced to marry if they refuse to say the vows. Though familial pressures and even threats of force are not unheard of.
Marriage contracts can be broken especially if the marriage has not been consummated.
Family allegiances are often made by fostering sons of another lord from the age of 8 or 9 until they reach the age of majority. These lads serve as pages and squires and they will often become fast friends with the family they serve.
Wards are similar to fostered boys, but in this case the youths are kept as political hostages. While they may be treated well, a shadow of the true meaning of their extended stay always remains.
Bastards or natural children are often looked down upon and with suspicion and distrust. Born of "lust and lies," a common belief is that they will grow up to do no good. Each region has a distinctive surname for noble bastards
Dorne: Sand
The Iron Islands: Pyke The Crownlands: Waters The North: Snow The Stormlands: Storm |
The Reach: Flowers
The Riverlands: Rivers The Vale of Arryn: Stone The Westerlands: Hill The Crescent: Winds |
If you have read this far pleas write "Growing Strong" in your application