The Red Wedding, the decisions that led to it, and the fallout from it, will continue to be important inThe Winds of Winter. In both George R.R. Martin’sA Song of Ice and Firenovels and the TV showGame of Thrones, thedeaths at the Red Weddingare a defining moment that shaped so much of what comes next, and that’s going to be the case again in Martin’s sixth and penultimate book.
WhenThe Winds of Winterreleases, it can correct a mistake Martin made back in 2005’sA Feast for Crows, relating to one character who was key to the Red Wedding, even if they didn’t go: Jeyne Westerling.Robb Stark married Talisa Maegyr inGame of Thrones, and she was killed at the Twins while pregnant. But in the books, he married a girl named Jeyne, who notably didn’t attend, and thus is still alive heading intoThe Winds of Winter. Jeyne’s role has sparked a lot of debate and speculation, which Martin could shut down in the next installment.
The “Two Jeyne Westerlings” Theory Explained
There Are Differing Descriptions In A Song Of Ice & Fire
The issues with Jeyne Westerling, whichGame of Thronesavoided, come with her return after the Red Wedding, inA Feast for Crows. Following Jaime Lannister successfully laying siege to Riverun, he encounters Jeyne in the castle, and his point-of-view gives us the following comments upon her appearance:
“Jeyne was a willowy girl, no more than fifteen or sixteen, more awkward than graceful.She had narrow hips, breasts the size of apples, a mop of chestnut curls, and the soft brown eyes of a doe. Pretty enough for a child, Jaime decided, but not a girl to lose a kingdom for.”
On its own, that doesn’t seem all that remarkable, but it’s a contradiction of how the character was previously described inA Storm of Swords. There, via Catelyn Stark’s POV, the description of Jeyne reads:
“She was pretty, undeniably, with her chestnut curls and heart-shaped face, and that shy smile. Slender, butwith good hips, Catelyn noted. She should have no trouble bearing children, at least.”
The discrepancy, specifically in the description of Jeyne’s hips, didn’t go unnoticed (because nothing does inA Song of Ice and Fire). But was this a deliberate hint by Martin? Certainly,this led to speculation that the person Jaime met at Riverrun was not the same girl Robb had married, and that they had been switched at some point, with the real Jeyne in hiding away from the Lannisters and Freys.
This then extended further, into the idea that Jeyne may have been pregnant with Robb’s childwhen the Red Wedding happened. If that were the case, then it’d be understandable why the character had been secretly switched with another. Her child would be the heir to the North; those who remain loyal to Robb would rally around his and Jeyne’s child, especially if she had a son, and the Lannisters would have a new Stark threat to deal with (especially as it’s believed Bran and Rickon are dead). However, rather than a tease from Martin, this was… simply a mistake.
GRRM Admitted His Mistake & Can Fully Fix It In The Winds Of Winter
Jeyne Is Confirmed To Return
While the speculation around Jeyne is fun, it’s believed that the differences in descriptions of her hips were simply a mistake. It’s an oversight on Martin’s part that is, perhaps, somewhat inevitable when dealing with so many varied, detailed characters across a span of several years.
It seems pretty clear it was indeed a mistake, but nothing is concrete - nor as canon - as Martin putting it firmly in one of his books from the get-go, rather than a revised edition that many people won’t have access to. And that’s where the next book comes in.The Winds of Winterwill bring back Jeyne Westerlingin the prologue, according to Martin himself (as revealed back at San Diego Comic-Con in 2014, unless plans have since changed, which is possible).
Jeyne’s very presence could, at least, shut down the idea of Robb’s heir, but if she isn’t the POV character, then we could get another direct description of her.
Jeyne’s very presence could, at least, shut down the idea of Robb’s heir, but if she isn’t the POV character, then we could get another direct description of her. One that firmly places her at Riverrun, and clarifies beyond doubt that this is the same girl Robb married. Jeyne and her mother, Sybell, could still have important roles to play (the former was distraught at Robb’s death, the latter conspired with the Lannisters).
What would also be interesting here is thatThe Winds of Wintercould have a second Red Wedding, with Lady Stoneheart and the brotherhood without banners killing people at upcoming Lannister/Frey nuptials. It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that, after missing the first Red Wedding, Jeyne is present for the second, and potentially even reunites with Catelyn, now in her undead form. That, too, could shed more light on things, but either way, there’s a great chance to correct the mistake once and for all whenThe Winds of Wintereventually releases.
The Winds of Winter
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones is a multimedia franchise created by George R.R. Martin. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is the basis for the award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones, which lasted for eight seasons. After the incredibly divisive final season of Game of Thrones, the series was followed up by the prequel series House of the Dragon, which also received critical acclaim.
