When it comes to being an illegitimate child in Westeros, it is not a good thing. Legitimate children are given more privileges, and they come first when it comes to inheritance. Basically bastards cannot inherit anything.
Sometimes the relationship between a bastard and legitimate children are not always friendly, as exemplified by Daemon Blackfyre and his half-brother, Daeron Targaryen. The same could be said about the current generation of Freys. However, there are some very good relationships between bastards and their legitimate half-siblings:
- Jon Snow and Robb Stark (in this particular case, cousins)
- Aegon, The Conqueror, and his half-brother, Orys Baratheon
- Torrhen Stark and Brandon Snow
- Daeron Targaryen and Brynden Rivers (Bloodraven)
In the books there is a tendency to classify all bastards as dark, mean and untrustworthy. Here are the Blackfish’s comments to Jamie about Jon Snow.
“I will permit you to take the black. Ned Stark’s bastard is the Lord Commander on the Wall.”
The Blackfish narrowed his eyes. “Did your father arranged for that as well? Catelyn never trusted the boy, as I recall, no more than she ever trusted Theon Greyjoy. It would seem she was right about them both. ” (Martin, “Feast” 803)
It is very likely that Catelyn might have provided the Blackfish with biased information. Jon was always a reminder of her husband being unfaithful to her. She was never able to accept Jon. However, her sentiments against Jon never affected the strong bond that most of her kids developed with him. At the beginning, Sansa was the only one that used to refer to him as her half-brother. As Sansa starts opening her eyes and becoming more mature, she longs to see him again; she starts behaving a little more like him too. Here is an extensive essay establishing parallels between Jon and Sansa:
Parallels / Connections between Jon and Sansa
Concerning the Blackfish’s comment about Jon, some readers argue that the Blackfish is aware of Robb Stark’s will. It is assumed that Robb legitimized Jon, and likely named him as his successor. Robb thought at that time both Bran and Rickon were dead. Some readers have speculated that the Blackfish’s comment might be a way to mislead Jamie Lannister into believing that there are no heirs to the Kingdom of the North. It is a way to keep Jon safe and to act when the time is ripe. There are threads at Westeros.org that discuss this issue substantially. They are known as The Northern Conspiracy threads.
“The evil is in his blood,” said Robett Glover. “He is a bastard born of rape. A Snow, no matter what the boy king says.”
“Was ever snow so black?” asked Lord Wyman. (Martin, “Dance” 391)
Robett Glover and Wyman Manderly are actually referring to Ramsay Snow. They are right about their assessment since Ramsay likes his dogs to pursue and attack girls. He eventually flays them too.
Being a bastard does not stop people in advancing in terms of getting prestige and good positions. Ser Addison Hill, a bastard from House Swyft, became a member of the Kingsguard under Aegon, The Conqueror. Aurane Waters, a bastard from House Velaryon, was able to get a position at Cersei’s council. Orys Baratheon held the position of Hand of the King while his brother ruled. Bloodraven also served as Hand of the King.
The World of Ice and Fire revealed an interesting detail concerning Benedict Rivers, a bastard from House Blackwood and House Bracken. He was initially “despised by all” probably due to his bastard condition, but he became a great warrior. He became known as Benedict the Bold, and he gained support from both of his parents’ houses. He defeated all the petty kingdoms that were in the Trident area / Riverlands, and became King. He was called Benedict the Just and founded House Justman, which ruled the Riverlands and the Crownlands for 300 years. After the fall of House Justman, the Riverlands went into chaos.
Would it be possible for Jon to be king? There are many allusions and clues that hint that Jon will be the king at the end of the series. The only visible difference between Benedict Justman and him is that Jon is legitimate. As a result, he might not have the need to found a new house.
Benedict the Just was a son of two ancient and powerful houses from the Riverlands. Jon is the son of two former Royal Houses, Targaryen and Stark. By fighting the Others and protecting Westeros from them, Jon will earn respect and a good reputation as a warrior and military commander. He has also done some good political moves such as arranging the marriage of Alys Karstark to the Magnar of Thenn, and acquiring wards from the Wildlings after allowing them safe passage / entrance to the Seven Kingdoms (regardless of what some incompetent members of the Night’s Watch might think). Overall his heritage might play a small part in him becoming a king. It will be mainly his actions and decisions that will define his destiny as the ruler of Westeros.
Excerpts from
Martin, George R. R. A Feast for Crows. New York: Bantam Books, 2005. Print.
Martin, George R. R. A Dance with Dragons. New York: Bantam Books, 2011. Print.