George Boyle
Catelyn Stark's suspicions were raised at the Red Wedding when she heard the Lannister song, The Rains of Castamere, begin to play. The song, which details the Lannister family's glory and the brutality of their leader, Tywin, was a warning to the Starks. Catelyn's recognition of the song signaled to her that they had been betrayed by Roose Bolton and Walder Frey, and the Stark forces were subsequently betrayed and assassinated during the marriage ceremony.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the song | The Rains of Castamere |
| Catelyn Stark's reaction | Realizes that they have been betrayed by Roose Bolton and Walder Frey |
| Song's association | The song is associated with the Lannister family and their power and ruthlessness |
| Song's spread | Wandering singers spread the song throughout the Kingdoms of Westeros |
| Catelyn's recognition | As a highborn lady, Catelyn would be expected to recognize the song after a few notes |
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What You'll Learn
Catelyn Stark's recognition of The Rains of Castamere
Catelyn Stark's recognition of "The Rains of Castamere" at the Red Wedding is a pivotal moment in the infamous massacre that takes place during the War of the Five Kings. As the song begins to play, Catelyn's expression changes, and she realizes the impending betrayal and slaughter that are about to unfold.
"The Rains of Castamere" is a Lannister song, and its lyrics and melody carry a significant message. The song was created over 30 years before the events of the Red Wedding and has become a well-known tune across the Kingdoms. It tells a tale of the Lannisters' glory and the ruthless nature of their lord, Tywin. The song serves as a warning to others not to challenge the power of the Lannister family.
Catelyn Stark, a highborn lady, would be expected to recognize popular songs, especially those with political undertones. As the music starts, Catelyn's worry and confusion turn to dawning horror as she understands the true nature of the song and the danger her family is in. Her recognition of "The Rains of Castamere" is a testament to her awareness of the political landscape and the underlying tensions between the houses.
While Catelyn may have been the only character in the narrative who we see recognize the song, it is unlikely that she was the only person present to do so. The song's popularity, as spread by wandering singers, suggests that others may have also known it but had no control over the tragic events that followed. The Red Wedding marked a significant turning point in the story, and Catelyn's realization, upon hearing "The Rains of Castamere," underscores the brutal nature of the betrayal and the power dynamics at play.
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The Lannister song's melody
The Lannisters are one of the most powerful houses in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Their song, "The Rains of Castamere", is a melody that carries a warning to all who hear it: do not cross House Lannister. The song tells the tale of the Lannisters' destruction of the Reynes of Castamere, a powerful family who once rivalled the Lannisters. The lyrics describe how Tywin Lannister, the current lord of the house, ruthlessly drowned the Reynes by flooding their underground network of mines, killing every member of the household.
At the infamous "Red Wedding", Catelyn Stark, a member of another powerful house, recognised the ominous melody of "The Rains of Castamere" being played by the musicians. In that moment, she realised the Lannisters had authorised the massacre about to unfold. Catelyn's recognition of the song is not unusual, as it is a well-known melody in Westeros, spread by wandering singers and passed from mouth to mouth.
The song's lyrics and melody are a stark reminder of the Lannisters' wealth, power, and willingness to use brutal force to maintain their dominance. The song is a tool to keep the other houses in line, a not-so-subtle threat that all who oppose the Lannisters will meet a similar fate to the Reynes of Castamere.
"The Rains of Castamere" is more than just a song; it is a symbol of the Lannisters' legacy of violence and a warning to their enemies. The melody, recognised across the Seven Kingdoms, strikes fear into the hearts of those who hear it, knowing that the Lannisters always pay their debts.
While the song is a testament to the Lannisters' might, it is also a reminder of the fragility of life in the world of Westeros. No matter one's status or power, the Lannisters will stop at nothing to protect their interests, as the Starks tragically discovered at the Red Wedding.
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The song's lyrics and their meaning
"The Rains of Castamere" is a song detailing the Reyne Rebellion against Lord Tytos Lannister and the subsequent extinction of their House. The song serves as a reminder of the threat posed by a Tywin-led House Lannister and is often played at Lannister events like weddings.
The song's lyrics allude to the destruction of House Reyne by the Lannisters. Tywin Lannister, son of Tytos Lannister, redirected a river to flood the underground tunnels of Castamere, drowning the entire family. This act of brutality resulted in the creation of "The Rains of Castamere" as a tribute to the event. The song is a warning to others not to challenge the power of House Lannister.
The song is known throughout Westeros, spread by wandering singers who travelled between the Kingdoms. Catelyn Stark, being highborn, would have been expected to recognize the melody and lyrics of such a well-known song.
The song's lyrics and melody would have immediately signalled to Catelyn Stark that something was wrong, as it was a Lannister song being played at a Stark event. This realization occurs just before the Red Wedding massacre, a betrayal arranged by Lord Walder Frey as revenge against Robb Stark for breaking a marriage pact between their houses.
The Red Wedding was a brutal event, and "The Rains of Castamere" playing in the background only added to the trauma of the situation, with the song's meaning of destruction and power serving as a fitting soundtrack to the carnage that unfolded.
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The musicians' identity
Catelyn Stark, wife of Lord Eddard Stark, was the first to realise that something was amiss at the Red Wedding. The Red Wedding was a massacre that took place during the War of the Five Kings, arranged by Lord Walder Frey as revenge against Robb Stark, the King in the North, for breaking a marriage pact between House Stark and House Frey.
As the musicians at the wedding began to play "The Rains of Castamere", a song about the Lannisters, Catelyn instantly recognised it and knew that something was wrong. In the books, the musicians are described as noticeably terrible, probably because they were actually crossbowmen in disguise. However, in the TV series, the musicians are shown to be talented, and the song is played loudly to signal to men outside the camps to begin the attack.
It is unclear who the musicians were, but it is likely that they were Frey soldiers or assassins, as they were the ones who began the attack on Robb Stark and the Northern guests by firing at them with crossbows.
Interestingly, the musician who played drums in the band at the Red Wedding was Coldplay member Will Champion, in a brief cameo appearance.
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The Red Wedding's plot
The Red Wedding was a pivotal plot point in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. It was a massacre that took place during the War of the Five Kings, orchestrated by Lord Walder Frey as revenge against Robb Stark, the King in the North, for breaking a marriage pact with House Frey. The massacre was authorised by House Lannister, who sought to end Robb's rebellion against the Iron Throne.
The event took place at the wedding feast of Edmure Tully, Lord of Riverrun, and Roslin Frey at the Twins. Robb's mother, Catelyn, and most of his 3,500 soldiers were also slaughtered. Robb's wife, Talisa, was killed by Lame Lothar, who planned the practical details of the betrayal. Catelyn, realising something was wrong when the musicians began playing "The Lannister song", The Rains of Castamere, grabbed Edwyn Frey, noticing he was wearing chainmail.
The Red Wedding was inspired by two events in Scottish history: the 15th-century "Black Dinner" and the Massacre of Glencoe in 1692. Martin has stated that it was the hardest thing he ever wrote, as he felt attached to the characters and even skipped writing the chapter, only forcing himself to return to it once the rest of the book was finished. The episode based on the event received critical acclaim and is considered one of the best in the series.
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Frequently asked questions
Catelyn Stark notices the Lannister song, "The Rains of Castamere", at the Red Wedding.
Catelyn Stark realises that they have been betrayed by Roose Bolton and Walder Frey when she hears the Lannister song playing.
"The Rains of Castamere" is a song that celebrates the glory of the Lannisters and the cruelty of their leader, Tywin. It was written about the time Tywin drowned the Reynes of Castamere.
Catelyn, being highborn, would have been expected to know the song. It is likely that she learned it from wandering singers who travelled around Westeros.
Catelyn was the only POV character inside the Lord of the Crossing's court, so we don't know if anyone else noticed the song. However, it is likely that the other Northerners realised something was wrong.
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