Lyla Dejesus
In Season 7 of *Game of Thrones*, Gilly discovers that Rhaegar Targaryen annulled his marriage to Elia Martell and secretly wed Lyanna Stark on the same day. Gilly makes this discovery while reading through old records at the Citadel with Sam, who overlooks the detail at the time. It is only later, when Bran reveals Jon Snow's real parents, that Sam realises the significance of the information and brings it up. Thus, while Sam does not find Rhaegar's wedding annulment himself, he is made aware of it by Gilly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who found the annulment? | Gilly |
| Who helped Gilly find the annulment? | Sam |
| Who was the annulment about? | Rhaegar Targaryen |
| Who did Rhaegar Targaryen annul his marriage with? | Elia Martell |
| Who did Rhaegar Targaryen marry after the annulment? | Lyanna Stark |
| Who is the child of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark? | Jon Snow |
| What does annulment mean? | Terminating one marriage so you can wed another person |
| Who issued the annulment? | High Septon Maynard |
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What You'll Learn
Gilly's discovery of Rhaegar's annulment
In Season 7, Episode 6 ("Eastwatch") of “Game of Thrones”, Gilly makes a discovery that could have major repercussions for who takes over the Iron Throne. While reading through old records at the Citadel with Sam, Gilly comes across the High Septon Maynard's personal diary entry. In it, she discovers that Prince Rhaegar Targaryen had annulled his marriage to Elia Martell and secretly wed Lyanna Stark on the same day in a ceremony in Dorne. Gilly asks Sam what "annulment" means, to which he replies that it means terminating one marriage so you can wed another person. Neither Gilly nor Sam understands the significance of this discovery at the time.
Gilly's discovery reveals that Rhaegar and Lyanna were legally married, which means that their son, Jon Snow, was born as the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. This gives Jon a strong claim to the throne, possibly stronger than that of Daenerys Targaryen, Rhaegar's sister, who is also seeking to claim the throne. Gilly's finding also sheds light on the true nature of the relationship between Rhaegar and Lyanna, who were believed to have been kidnapped by Rhaegar, leading to Robert's Rebellion.
Sam initially overlooks the discovery, but later brings it up when Bran Stark reveals to him that Jon Snow's real parents are Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. Bran realizes that Jon's name is not "Snow" but "Sand", the special surname used for highborn bastards born in Dorne. However, Samwell corrects him, stating that Rhaegar and Lyanna were married, thus making Jon a legitimate heir.
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Sam's realisation of the discovery's significance
Gilly, while reading through old records at the Citadel with Sam, discovers a high septon's personal diary entry. The entry reveals that Rhaegar Targaryen annulled his marriage to Elia Martell and secretly wed Lyanna Stark on the same day. At first, Sam does not realise the significance of this information, but later, when Bran reveals Jon Snow's true parents, Sam makes the connection.
Sam understands that if Rhaegar and Lyanna were married, as Gilly's findings suggest, then Jon Snow is the legitimate heir to the Iron Throne. This realisation changes the entire power dynamic in Westeros and has far-reaching implications for the characters' relationships and claims to the throne.
The discovery also sheds a new light on the events leading up to Robert's Rebellion. It was commonly believed that Rhaegar had kidnapped and raped Lyanna, but the diary entry suggests that Lyanna willingly left with Rhaegar, and they were secretly married. This revelation calls into question the very foundation of the rebellion and the subsequent war.
Furthermore, Sam's realisation of the discovery's significance also highlights the importance of knowledge and historical records in the Game of Thrones universe. It demonstrates how information can be used to challenge long-held beliefs and shape the political landscape. Sam's understanding of the annulment and its implications showcases the power of knowledge and its potential to alter the course of history.
Overall, Sam's realisation of the discovery's significance serves as a turning point in the narrative, not only revealing Jon Snow's true parentage and legitimate claim to the throne but also challenging long-held beliefs and shedding new light on pivotal events in Westerosi history.
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Jon Snow's parentage
In the Game of Thrones universe, the mystery of Jon Snow's parentage is one of the earliest introduced plot points. While initially believed to be the bastard son of Eddard Stark, it is later revealed that Jon Snow is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark.
Rhaegar Targaryen, the eldest son and heir to King Aerys II Targaryen, was married to Elia Martell, with whom he had two children, Rhaenys and Aegon. However, Rhaegar allegedly abducted Lyanna Stark, and they fled to the Red Mountains of Dorne, where they stayed at a small castle called the Tower of Joy. Rhaegar arranged for an annulment of his marriage to Elia and married Lyanna in a secret ceremony on the same day. Lyanna's father and brother went to King's Landing to demand her return, but they were executed by King Aerys. This incident led to Robert's Rebellion, built on the lie that Rhaegar had kidnapped Lyanna.
Gilly, reading through old records at the Citadel with Sam, discovered the truth about Rhaegar's marriages. She found a page from the High Septon's personal diary, revealing that Rhaegar annulled his marriage to Elia Martell and secretly wed Lyanna Stark. Sam initially overlooked the discovery but later realized its significance when Bran Stark informed him that Jon Snow was the son of Rhaegar and Lyanna. Bran also mentions that Jon's name should be "'Sand,' the special surname for highborn bastards born in Dorne". However, Sam refutes this, realizing that Rhaegar and Lyanna were married, making Jon a legitimate heir.
Jon Snow, born Aegon Targaryen, was presented as the bastard son of Eddard Stark, Lyanna's brother, to protect him from those seeking to annihilate House Targaryen. Ned gave Jon the name "Jon" after his friend and mentor, Jon Arryn, to conceal his true parentage. Eddard kept Jon's mother's identity a secret, even from his wife, Catelyn, to protect Jon and his family from danger.
Later, when Jon meets Daenerys Targaryen, he reveals his true parentage to her. Daenerys is skeptical at first, but Jon assures her that he does not want the throne, declaring that she will always be his queen.
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Rhaegar's first marriage to Elia Martell
In the Game of Thrones universe, Rhaegar Targaryen was first married to Elia Martell, with whom he had two children: Rhaenys and Aegon. Elia was the sister of Oberyn Martell, and her marriage to Rhaegar was arranged. Although the couple was not in love, they were comfortable with each other.
Elia's health was very frail, and her first two pregnancies nearly killed her. Maesters advised the couple not to have any more children, as another pregnancy could be fatal for Elia. However, Rhaegar believed that he needed a third child to fulfil a prophecy involving three dragon riders. This prophecy, which Daenerys Targaryen sees in a vision, includes the line: "There must be one more. The dragon has three heads". It is also implied that the prince that was promised had to be sired by a Targaryen and a Stark, as indicated by the phrase "ice and fire".
Rhaegar allegedly abducted Lyanna Stark, but it was later revealed that Lyanna had desired to leave with him. They stayed at a small castle in the Red Mountains of Dorne, which Rhaegar named the Tower of Joy. Rhaegar arranged for the High Septon to grant him an annulment from his marriage to Elia Martell and then married him to Lyanna in a secret ceremony on the same day.
Elia Martell's brother, Doran Martell, was slow to lend aid to House Targaryen during Robert's Rebellion due to his anger over Rhaegar's treatment of his sister. Elia and her children were later killed by Tywin Lannister, who claims that their deaths were necessary to prove the loyalty of House Lannister to Robert's cause.
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Rhaegar's second marriage to Lyanna Stark
In the Game of Thrones universe, Rhaegar Targaryen, the last Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Mad King, Aerys II Targaryen, was married to Elia Martell, with whom he had two children, Rhaenys and Aegon. However, Rhaegar allegedly abducted Lyanna Stark, and they eloped to the Red Mountains of Dorne, where they stayed in a small castle called the Tower of Joy. In reality, Lyanna had desired to leave with Rhaegar, and they were in love. Rhaegar arranged for the High Septon to annul his marriage to Elia and then married him to Lyanna in a secret ceremony in Dorne on the same day.
Lyanna's father and eldest brother went to King's Landing, demanding her return, but they were executed by King Aerys. Lyanna's brother, Brandon, rode to King's Landing to demand her return and Rhaegar's death, but he was imprisoned and killed by the king, along with their father, Rickard. This incident sparked the uprising known as Robert's Rebellion, built on the lie that Rhaegar had kidnapped and raped Lyanna.
Lyanna gave birth to Rhaegar's son, whom she named Aegon Targaryen, and who was the real legitimate heir to the Iron Throne. With her last breath, Lyanna told her brother, Eddard "Ned" Stark, about her secret marriage to Rhaegar and made him promise to keep their son safe. Ned took the child back to Winterfell and passed him off as his own bastard, Jon Snow, to protect him from Robert, who would surely have had him killed if he knew he was the true heir.
Gilly, reading through old records at the Citadel with Sam, discovered the High Septon's diary entry revealing Rhaegar's annulment of his marriage to Elia and his secret marriage to Lyanna. Sam initially overlooked the discovery but later realised its significance when Bran Stark informed him that Jon Snow's real parents were Rhaegar and Lyanna. Bran, using his powers, confirmed that the secret wedding had taken place and that Lyanna and Rhaegar were in love.
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Frequently asked questions
Samwell Tarly, also known as Sam, is a character in Game of Thrones.
Rhaegar Targaryen, the eldest son of Aerys Targaryen the Second, also known as the Mad King, was the heir to the throne.
Rhaegar Targaryen was married to Elia Martell, with whom he had two children, Rhaenys and Aegon.
Sam, along with Gilly, found Rhaegar's wedding annulment with Elia Martell and his subsequent secret marriage to Lyanna Stark.
Rhaegar's annulment of his marriage with Elia Martell and his subsequent secret marriage to Lyanna Stark proved that Lyanna Stark was not kidnapped by Rhaegar. It also proved that Lyanna and Rhaegar's son, Jon Snow, was not a bastard but a legitimate heir to the Iron Throne.
