What Was | The Red Wedding Based On [portable]
While the Black Dinner provided the theatrical "signal" for the murder, the Massacre of Glencoe provided the thematic weight of violated guest right. In 1692, members of the Campbell clan sought shelter with the MacDonald clan in Glencoe. The MacDonalds, following the ancient laws of hospitality, provided food and beds for their guests for nearly two weeks.
However, the Campbells were acting under government orders to punish the MacDonalds for a delayed oath of allegiance to King William III. In the early morning hours, the guests turned on their hosts, killing 38 men in their beds and leaving dozens of women and children to perish in the winter snow. what was the red wedding based on
In medieval Scotland and Westeros, a host was morally and legally obligated to protect those eating at their table. While the Black Dinner provided the theatrical "signal"
Martin draws heavily from classical and medieval literature where breaking guest right is the ultimate moral crime. However, the Campbells were acting under government orders