What Is The Red Wedding Based On -
The infamous Red Wedding from Game of Thrones —characterized by the brutal betrayal and murder of Robb Stark, Catelyn Stark, and their army—is famously based on two dark events from : the Black Dinner of 1440 and the Massacre of Glencoe in 1692 .
, to eliminate them. The Betrayal: Approximately 120 soldiers led by Captain Robert Campbell sought "hospitality" from the MacDonalds and stayed with them for 12 days. The Massacre: In the early morning of February 13, the soldiers turned on their hosts, butchering at least 38 men in their beds and burning their homes. Many women and children who escaped the initial attack died of exposure in the winter blizzard. The Week +4 Additional Historical Parallels While the Scottish events are the primary sources, the Red Wedding also mirrors other historical betrayals: The Kojiki (Japan): An ancient Japanese tale where Emperor Jimmu eliminates his political rivals at a feast by signaling his men with a song. The Wars of the Roses: The broader conflict between the
George R.R. Martin has often stated that no matter how much horror he invents, actual history frequently contains events that are just as bad, if not worse. 1. The Black Dinner (1440) what is the red wedding based on
"The Red Wedding is based on two events from Scottish history: The Black Dinner and the Massacre of Glencoe. Both involved the breaking of the sacred laws of hospitality."
: The 16-year-old Earl of Douglas and his younger brother were invited to dine with the 10-year-old King. Despite a promise of safe passage, the evening took a dark turn. The infamous Red Wedding from Game of Thrones
While the Black Dinner provided the "dinner" setting, the Massacre of Glencoe provided the theme of violating sacred hospitality.
: The powerful Douglas clan, known as the "Black Douglases," was seen as a threat to the young King James II of Scotland. The Massacre: In the early morning of February
However, unbeknownst to the Starks, the Freys have secretly allied with the Boltons, another powerful house, and have been planning a treacherous betrayal. During the wedding feast, the Freys and their allies, the Boltons, attack the Starks and their guests.
