George Boyle
In Season 7 of *Game of Thrones*, Gilly makes a startling discovery about Rhaegar Targaryen's marriages while reading through old records at the Citadel with Sam. She learns that Rhaegar annulled his marriage to Elia Martell and, on the same day, secretly wed Lyanna Stark. This information was recorded in High Septon Maynard's diary, which detailed how he performed the annulment and subsequent remarriage in a secret ceremony in Dorne. Sam initially overlooks this information, but later connects it to Bran's revelation that Jon Snow's real parents are Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, making Jon the heir to the Iron Throne.
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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, she comes across 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. This information was recorded by an older Maester, who noted that Prince Rhaegar was remarried in a secret ceremony in Dorne.
Gilly's discovery is significant because it proves that Jon Snow, the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, is not a bastard but the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. This gives him a stronger claim to the throne than Daenerys Targaryen, Rhaegar's sister, who is also seeking the throne. Additionally, as the son of both a Targaryen and a Stark, he will have a rightful claim from both the South and the North of Westeros.
Gilly's discovery also sheds light on the true nature of the relationship between Rhaegar and Lyanna. Previously, it was believed that Rhaegar had kidnapped and raped Lyanna, which sparked Robert's Rebellion and led to the downfall of the Targaryen dynasty. However, Gilly's findings suggest that the two ran away together and were legally married, challenging the long-held beliefs about their relationship.
While Sam initially overlooks the discovery, he later brings it up when Bran reveals to him Jon Snow's true parentage. Despite the importance of Gilly's revelation, the show glosses over the moment, with Sam appearing uninterested at the time. However, Gilly's discovery could have significant implications for the future of Westeros and the characters' claims to power.
Overall, Gilly's discovery of Rhaegar's annulment and secret marriage to Lyanna Stark is a pivotal moment in the series, providing key information about Jon Snow's true identity and rightful claim to the Iron Throne.
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Rhaegar Targaryen's first marriage
Rhaegar's first marriage ended in annulment, with some sources suggesting that he had fallen in love with Lyanna Stark, the sister of Eddard Stark. At the great tourney at Harrenhal, Rhaegar passed over Elia in favour of Lyanna, placing the crown for the queen of love and beauty in her lap. This act, seen as a declaration of interest, caused a stir, with Eddard later recalling that "all the smiles died" in that moment.
Soon after, Rhaegar allegedly abducted Lyanna, an act that triggered Robert's Rebellion and the downfall of the Targaryen dynasty. However, it is speculated that Lyanna went with Rhaegar willingly, and they fled together to the Red Mountains of Dorne, where they stayed in a small castle Rhaegar named the Tower of Joy.
To marry Lyanna, Rhaegar arranged for an annulment from Elia, which would have been a highly controversial move at the time. The annulment could have retroactively made his children with Elia illegitimate, angering House Martell and potentially causing them to rise in open revolt against House Targaryen. Nevertheless, Rhaegar went through with the annulment and married Lyanna in a secret ceremony, making her his second wife and Jon Snow's legal mother.
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Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark's secret wedding
In the world of Game of Thrones, Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark's secret wedding was a pivotal moment in the history of Westeros. It was only discovered much later by Gilly, who was reading through old records at the Citadel with Sam. She stumbled upon a diary entry by High Septon Maynard, which revealed that Rhaegar had annulled his marriage to Elia Martell and, on the same day, secretly wed Lyanna Stark. This information was crucial as it proved that Jon Snow, believed to be the bastard son of Ned Stark, was actually the legitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, making him the heir to the Iron Throne.
The story of Rhaegar and Lyanna's relationship had long been shrouded in mystery and tragedy. The accepted narrative in Westeros was that Rhaegar, the eldest son and heir to King Aerys II Targaryen, had kidnapped and raped Lyanna, who was betrothed to Robert Baratheon. This perceived slight had sparked Robert's Rebellion. However, the truth was that Lyanna had willingly left with Rhaegar, and they had fled to the Red Mountains of Dorne, where they stayed in a small castle named the Tower of Joy.
Rhaegar arranged for the High Septon to grant him an annulment from his marriage to Elia Martell, which was unusual given that they had already had two children together. This annulment allowed Rhaegar to marry Lyanna in a secret ceremony in Dorne. The couple kept their marriage a secret, even as Lyanna's family demanded her return, leading to the tragic execution of her father and eldest brother by King Aerys.
The revelation of Rhaegar and Lyanna's secret wedding was made even more significant by Bran Stark, who, as the Three-Eyed Raven, had the power to see the past. Through his visions, Bran confirmed that Jon Snow was not his brother, but his cousin and the son of Rhaegar and Lyanna. This dual nature of Jon Snow, being both a Targaryen (dragon) and a Stark (wolf), was reflected in the title of the season 7 finale, "The Dragon & the Wolf".
While Gilly initially discovered the information about the annulment and secret wedding, Sam later brought it up when Bran revealed Jon Snow's true parentage. Together, these discoveries changed the course of the story and the claims to the Iron Throne.
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Jon Snow's parentage
In the Game of Thrones universe, Jon Snow's true parentage is a closely guarded secret, even from Jon himself. Initially, Jon Snow is presented as the bastard son of Eddard Stark, growing up alongside Eddard's lawful children at Winterfell. However, this is a ruse orchestrated by Eddard to protect Jon from those seeking to annihilate House Targaryen.
In Season 7 of the TV series, Gilly makes a crucial discovery while reading through old records at the Citadel with Sam. She uncovers a diary entry by High Septon Maynard, revealing that Rhaegar Targaryen, Daenerys' older brother, annulled his marriage to Elia Martell and, on the same day, secretly wed Lyanna Stark, Eddard's sister. This information confirms that Jon Snow, born Aegon Targaryen, is the legitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, making him the heir to the Iron Throne.
The secrecy surrounding Jon's parentage is maintained by Eddard to protect him from potential dangers. Eddard keeps the identity of Jon's mother a secret, even from his wife, Catelyn, to safeguard her and their children from any treasonous implications. Eddard's deceit strains his marriage, as Catelyn is unaware of the potential threat Jon's true parentage could pose to her own family.
Despite the efforts to keep his parentage hidden, Bran Stark, the Three-Eyed Raven, eventually reveals the truth to Sam Tarly. Bran's vision dispels the notion that Lyanna was abducted or raped, indicating that she and Rhaegar were in love. This revelation is further supported by Jon's own assertion to Daenerys Targaryen, where he confirms that Rhaegar did not rape Lyanna.
Upon learning the truth, Daenerys expresses concern that Jon's claim to the Iron Throne could challenge her own. However, Jon refuses to pursue his claim, declaring his loyalty to Daenerys as his queen. Despite his reluctance to seek the throne, Jon's true parentage remains a significant aspect of his identity, impacting his relationships and his role in the ongoing conflicts within the Game of Thrones narrative.
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Gilly's reading of High Septon Maynard's diary
> "Due to unforeseen events and … I have to … from setting down my records for… I have granted an annulment to Prince Rhaegar for his … marriage to Elia Martell and … his marriage to Lyanna Stark in Dorne. He forbid me to tell anyone of the ceremony so I shall never…1 bowel movement, post ceremony."
Gilly's discovery, made while reading old records at the Citadel with Sam, has major implications for Jon Snow's heritage and claim to the Iron Throne. Despite its significance, Sam initially overlooks the information, only later connecting it to Bran's revelation that Jon Snow is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark.
The diary entry also reveals some trivial information about the High Septon's daily life, including the number of steps in the Citadel, the number of windows in the Great Sept of Baelor, and his bowel movements. While this information may seem mundane, it adds a layer of realism to the text and showcases the High Septon's meticulous record-keeping.
The release of High Septon Maynard's diary entry by HBO and the Making Game of Thrones website allows fans to relive this pivotal moment in the series and appreciate the attention to detail that went into creating this hidden bombshell.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Sam and Gilly will find the annulment information in the journals of a Maester.
In the private journal of High Septon Maynard, Gilly reads that an annulment was issued to Prince Rhaegar and Princess Elia.
Rhaegar may have wanted to take another wife as Elia could not give birth to another child. He may have wanted to marry Lyanna to legitimise Jon.
Rhaegar could have argued that he did not consent to the marriage. He would also have needed the permission of the king and High Septon, and Elia would have had to agree.
The annulment means that Aegon, Rhaegar's son with Elia, is no longer the heir. This creates a succession crisis, with Jon, the son of Rhaegar and Lyanna, having a better claim than Dany.
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