Game of Thrones: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jon’s Real Parents
Since the last episode of season 6 Game of Thrones fans have been very interested in the relationship between Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. Yes, it is true that R+L=J but what is the story behind it? What really happened in the tower of joy? The show Game of Thrones is yet to reveal the truth about these mysteries but the books have revealed a lot about Jon Snow’s parents already.
**SPOILER ALERT**
10. Lyanna Stark once saved Howland Reed:
At an event at Harrenhall Howland Reed was cursed and picked up on by some squires. Lyanna came to his defense and saved him from the squires and took him to the tent of her brothers. This is how Howland Reed met Ned and the other Starks. Two years later Howland saved Ned’s life at the tower of joy and became an important part of Robert’s rebellion.
9. Lyanna was the knight of the laughing tree:
In a tournament at Harrenhall Lyanna defeated three knights dressed as a knight and carrying a shield with a smiling tree on it. The mad king ordered Rhaegar to unmask the knight and he returned saying only the shield could be found. This is how the knight came to be known as the Knight of the laughing tree. It is believed that Rhaegar recognized Lyanna and that is when they fell in love.
8. Lyanna was known as the ‘she-wolf’:
Lyanna Stark was a fierce warrior and was known for her courage and honor. This is why she was known as the ‘she-wolf’ of Winterfell. Sansa and Arya are two stark ladies at Winterfell now and are very different from each other. Sansa takes from her Tully side and is a lady just like her mother Catelyn. Arya, however, is more like her aunt Lyanna and even looks a bit like her.
7. Robert’s love for Lyanna spoiled his marriage with Cersei:
This is no mystery as Cersei has talked about this on the show. After the rebellion, Robert sat on the Iron Throne and was married to Cersei Lannister because the Lannisters helped him win the throne and Jaime killed the mad king. Robert however never loved Cersei even though she did at some point. He could never forget Lyanna and his love for her. This poisoned his marriage with Cersei who eventually got him killed.
6. Lyanna was betrothed to Robert:
Robert Baratheon loved Lyanna Stark dearly and was about to get married to her. Whether Lyanna loved Robert or not has not been revealed but it does seem that Robert’s love was one-sided. Robert and Ned Stark were best of friends and his marriage to Ned’s sister would have strengthened their friendship but it never happened because Lyanna was kidnapped by Rhaegar much before that (that is what Robert believed anyway).
5. Rhaegar was married to Elia Martell:
Rhaegar Targaryen was married to Elia Martell, the princess of Dorne and sister of Doran and Oberyn Martell. Their marriage was the link between King’s Landing and Dorne. Rhaegar and Elia had two children Rhaenys and Aegon who were killed later by the mountain on the orders of Tywin Lannister and Elia was raped to death by the mountain.
4. Lyanna was never kidnapped:
According to Robert Baratheon and the rest of the world, Rhaegar Targaryen kidnapped Lyanna and took her hostage with the help of Arthur Dayne and Ser Oswell Whent. This led Rickard Stark and Brandon Stark to go to King’s Landing to confront the mad king and get her back. Instead, the mad king got them both killed mercilessly and demanded the heads of Ned Stark and Robert Baratheon too. Lyanna’s kidnapping caused the rebellion and from what we know now it can be believed that Lyanna was actually not kidnapped by Rhaegar and went with him willingly.
3. Jons’s true parentage is only known by a few:
Jon Snow is actually a Targaryen was known only by a few people and some of them might already be dead. The truth was known by Ned Stark, Howland Reed, two handmaidens who were present at the time of the birth. Ned is dead and Howland Reed is missing while nothing can be said about the handmaidens. Bran is the one right now who knows the truth and will hopefully tell Jon when he is not busy being creepy.
2. Lyanna’s death might have been prophesied:
It is believed that Jon’s birth and Lyanna’s death might have been part of the same prophecy and it might have meant that the mother would die of childbirth like Lyanna did. This has tied Jon to Dany and Tyrion too as their mothers also died while childbirth. This makes the prophecy more complicated and almost gives equal claim to the three as the prince/princess that was promised.
1. Jon is not a bastard:
One of the most frustrating moments of this season of Game of Thrones was the scene where Gilly made the biggest revelation about Rhaegar and Lyanna’s relationship and was interrupted by Sam’s outburst. This revelation has however confirmed the fact that Rhaegar and Lyanna were actually married in a secret ceremony in Dorne. This means that Jon is not just the son of Rhaegar and Lyanna. He is their LEGITIMATE SON and therefore not a bastard!
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