Bastardy

A **Bastard** is a person whose biological parents were unmarried at the time of their birth. All religions in the Seven Kingdoms attach a negative social stigma to bastards.

It is considered offensive to question the nature and origins of a man's children.

Depending on the sex of the individual, a bastard may be referred to as a **natural son** or **natural daughter**.

## Status

Bastards are looked down upon by nearly the entire population of Westeros - considered a product of lies and weakness, and are thought to inherit these traits from their parents.

Bastard-born children may be acknowledged by their fathers - meaning they are brought into the core family and household as a member of the family. The life of an acknowledged bastard, especially a noble one, is tough - they are higher than the smallfolk, but treated poorly by trueborn members of their family. Due to this, some Lords send their bastards to foster at other households or serve another Lord - this can sometimes alleviate a scorned wife.

Despite starting off in a low place, bastards can rise higher in society. Male bastards may choose to study at the Citadel and serve the realm as Maesters, or become Septons for the Faith of the Seven, while female bastards can join the faith as a Septa. Bastards can also be knighted, while others choose to join the Night's Watch. Bastards can even end up founding houses of their own if they rise high enough and luck is on their side.

Besides acknowledging bastards, they can also be legitimised - given their father's surname. This power is reserved to monarchs alone. Once a bastard is legitimised, this cannot be undone. This allows them to inherit titles and lands, but all trueborn children still take priority over them.

### Coat of Arms

Bastards have no right to use their parents' coat of arms, instead many choose to invert the colours and/or add another symbol or combine multiple sigils. Some even design their own, usually after being knighted.

## Surnames

Each of the nine regions of Westeros have a commonly used surname assigned to bastards, though this is not law and some choose to name their bastards something else. Bastards of peasants are not given a surname. Regional surnames are given based on where the bastard is born, not raised, though this standard can be altered.

Trueborn children of bastards often keep their father's name, though some immediate or later generations may alter the name to remove the taint of bastardy. Examples of this include Lord Wyllam Riverstone, the founder of House Riverstone and the son of Riverlands and Vale bastards and Varen Parge, the son of a Hill and a Waters.

## Known Bastards

### Beyond the Wall

Elsera Snow, bastard daughter of Gregor Forrester and Yrelsa.Josera Snow, bastard son of Gregor Forrester and Yrelsa.
### The North

Alanna Snow, bastard daughter of Astor Greyson and Sybil Greyson.Roslin Snow, bastard daughter of Torrhen Whitehill and Taena WarrickMyles Thornton, bastard son of Karl Whitehill and Isabel Thornton, passed off as Isabel's trueborn son with Eddard Thornton.Urrigon, bastard of unknown origin."Great" Rickon Snow, bastard son of Lothor Ashwood.Walder Snow, bastard son of Lothor Ashwood.Arnolf Snow, bastard son of Lothor Ashwood."Young" Rickon Snow, bastard son of Delena Ashwood."Young" Rickon Snow, bastard son of Delena Ashwood.Rodrik Snow, bastard son of Lothor Ashwood.Walder Snow, bastard daughter of Lothor Ashwood.Annell Snow, a Warrick bastard whom Yoren Forrester was tricked into marrying.Osric Snow, bastard son of Marlin Brownbarrow and a barmaid.Ramsay Bolton, legitimised bastard son of Roose Bolton.
### The Riverlands

Thorren Rivers, bastard son of Gorden Forrester.Ulwyck Rivers, bastard son of Gorden Forrester.Xandor Rivers, bastard son of Gorden Forrester.
### The Reach

Sera Tarwick a bastard daughter of a handmaiden, passed herself off as a Durwell with aid from the Tyrells.
### The Westerlands

Kit Hill bastard daughter of Medwyn Hawthorne.
### The Stormlands

Rodrik Storm, Master-at-Arms of Rolland's Bluff, allegedly Lord Hardcastle's bastard.
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