The Dark Secrets of House Frey: Unveiling the Game of Thrones' Most Cunning Family
Discover the riveting tale of House Frey, the cunning Lords of the Crossing who built their power by controlling a vital bridge Witness their downfall when winter finally arrives Game of Thrones unfolds the intriguing story of the Freys like never before
Highlights
House Frey has controlled the Crossing and exacted tolls for six hundred years, making them a powerful and wealthy family.
Lord Walder Frey, the leader of House Frey, is notorious for his rudeness, lack of manners, and cutting remarks. House Frey committed the treacherous act of orchestrating the Red Wedding, causing the downfall of House Stark, but justice was eventually served when Arya Stark sought her revenge.
In Game of Thrones season 1, episode 9 "Baelor," the Northern Lords label Lord Walder Frey of the Twins as untrustworthy. With Lord Eddard Stark imprisoned, his heir, Robb Stark, must gather his loyal Northern bannermen. They march south and reach the Trident River, where they realize they need House Frey's permission to cross the only accessible bridge over the Green Fork. Catelyn Stark suspects the Freys of informing the Lannisters about Robb's movements, but Robb argues that being his maternal grandfather's bannerman, they can anticipate his support. The Greatjon Umber reminds Robb: Do not expect anything from Walder Frey to avoid surprises.
Lord Of The Crossing
As the party deliberates on how to circumvent Walder Frey, Catelyn imparts her wisdom, reminding them of House Frey's six-century-long dominion over the Crossing. Throughout these six centuries, the Freys have consistently managed to exact their toll, leaving no room for failure. Eventually, Catelyn resolves to venture into the Twins alone, and in "Baelor" episode of Game of Thrones, viewers witness firsthand the discourtesy, ill-manners, and sharp-tongued nature that Walder Frey possesses, aligning perfectly with the lore surrounding him.
Contrary to Catelyn's belief in Walder Frey's benevolence towards her due to their long acquaintance since her childhood, she soon discovers her grave mistake. The infamous "Baelor" episode of Game of Thrones reveals that Walder Frey is a prolific father with a trail of legitimate and illegitimate children, while also surviving the passing of seven past wives. Currently married to his eighth wife, Joyeuse Frey, who endures his mistreatment in Catelyn's presence, it becomes evident that the elderly Lord of the Crossing possesses an excessive number of sons and daughters. Since Lord Tully refused to establish any marital ties with this dishonorable family, Walder Frey approaches Catelyn with a proposition. He openly prioritizes his House's well-being over any allegiance to the Starks, Baratheons, Tullys, or Lannisters. As a result, in exchange for granting the crossing to Catelyn's son and his bannermen, Walder Frey requests that Robb be betrothed to a Frey girl of his choosing. Furthermore, he proposes that his son, Olyvar, becomes Robb's personal squire, and that Arya marries his son, Waldron, once they both reach the appropriate age.
The House That Profited Off A Bridge
House Frey, a noble House in the Riverlands and vassal to the Tullys, is known for their words "We Stand Together" and their sigil of two grey towers connected by a bridge. The Twins, their seat, is comprised of two identical keeps connected by a bridge over the northern Green Fork of the Trident. This bridge is a crucial crossing point for travelers heading from the North to the western Riverlands, as alternative routes are dangerous. In Game of Thrones, Catelyn is forced to arrange a marriage alliance with House Frey in order to secure Walder Frey's support. The construction of the Trident bridge by the first Lord Frey and subsequent additions by Lord Walder Frey contributed to the family's rise in wealth and status. Walder Frey's eldest son, Ser Stevron Frey, and other sons such as Walder Rivers/Black Walder and Lothar Frey play significant roles in the series, including the killing of Robb's wife, Talisa. Seeking forgiveness for breaking a promised betrothal, Robb visits the Twins and offers Lord Edmure Tully's hand in marriage to one of Walder's daughters in an attempt to mend relations.
Winter Comes For House Frey
The Red Wedding, a notorious event from Game of Thrones, refers to a brutal massacre that took place during a wedding feast. This orchestrated act of violence was masterminded by Walder Frey in collaboration with Roose Bolton at the Twins. Tywin Lannister, in turn, commissioned and supported this bloodshed. Roose Bolton, a Northerner, solidified his alliance with the Freys by marrying Lady Walda, the granddaughter of Walder Frey. As a result of this union, Lord Walder Frey was bestowed the title of Lord of the Riverlands, and the Lannisters pledged to protect him in case of any retribution from the North.
Roslin, the daughter of Walder Frey, was married to Lord Edmure Tully, Catelyn's brother. As they were about to consummate their marriage, Black Walder closed the doors of the grand hall. The Freys, strategically positioned to surprise the intoxicated Starks and their allies, unleashed a barrage of arrows and deadly stabs upon their unsuspecting guests. With Robb falling lifeless, Catelyn retaliated by slitting Joyeuse's throat during the Redding Wedding, only to meet her own demise by the hands of Walder Rivers. The Freys not only violated the sacred Guest right but also betrayed their loyalty to the Tullys, their liege lords.
In the Game of Thrones episode "The Winds of Winter" (Season 6, Episode 10), Arya Stark exacts her revenge on Lord Walder Frey by serving him a pie made from the remains of Black Walder and Lothar. She then reveals her true face and proceeds to swiftly slit his throat, showing no remorse. In the following season (Season 7, Episode 1, "Dragonstone"), Arya gathers the rest of the Frey family for a feast but poisons their wine. Under the disguise of Walder Frey, Arya avenges House Stark by executing the guilty Frey men. She confidently walks out of the hall, satisfied with her act of justice.
