The Seven
The Faith of the Seven, often simply referred to as the Faith, is the dominant religion in the southern part of the Seven Kingdoms. Followers of the Faith are rare in the north and on the Iron Islands, where the religions of the old gods and the Drowned God, respectively, are still strong. The gods of the Faith are sometimes known as the new gods to differentiate them from the old gods of the First Men.
Members of the Faith worship the Seven Who Are One, a single deity with seven aspects or faces. For the less educated, however, this concept is often difficult to grasp, causing them to often believe that there are indeed seven different gods.
Depending on their need, worshippers pray to specific faces of the Seven. The seven faces are:
The Father, also referred to as the Father Above, is depicted as a bearded man, with a stern and strong face. Judgement is said to belong to the Father. Additionally, he protects “his children”.
He is often prayed to for justice, and the phrase “may the Father judge [him/her/them/you] justly” is often said among followers of the Seven. Additionally, one might pray to the Father asking him to defend someone in battle, the strength to seek justice, and the wisdom to recognize it.
The Mother, sometimes also called the Mother Above, is depicted as smiling with love, embodying the concept of mercy. She also embodies a loving and protective aspect of the Seven that represents motherhood and nurturing. It is said that the Mother could be fiercer than the Warrior when her children are in danger.
She is most often prayed to for fertility, but also asked for compassion, and to keep loved ones safe. Offerings can be made to the Mother when a woman becomes pregnant, to praise the Mother for giving the gift of life.
The Mother's Hymn
Gentle Mother, font of mercy,
save our sons from war, we pray,
stay the swords and stay the arrows,
let them know a better day.
Gentle Mother, strength of women,
help our daughters through this fray,
soothe the wrath and tame the fury,
teach us all a kinder way.
The Warrior by mustamirri
The Warrior represents strength in battle and is always depicted with his sword. He protects followers of the Seven from their foes.
The Warrior is often prayed to for courage, as the septons teach. Most men make offerings to the Warrior before battle, while others might say a prayer. Additionally, people might beseech the Warrior for a favourable condition during battle, to watch over soldiers, give them strength, keep them safe, both in battle and outside of battle, and help warriors to victory. He might also be asked to bring peace to the souls of the slain and give comfort to those who are left behind. A septon might ask the Warrior to lend his strength to the arm of the man whose cause is just during a trial by battle, The phrases “may the Warrior defend you” and “may the Warrior give strength to your sword arm” are frequently given.
The Smith, depicted with his hammer, represents crafts and labour. He is the mender of broken things who puts the world of men to right. According to
some septons, the Smith can also be referred to as the Farmer, the Fisherman, the Carpenter, or the Cobbler as they all represent workers. The Faith believes that the Smith gave the horse to man to aid him.
Septons teach to pray to the Smith for strength when there is work needs to be done, and sailors might make offerings to the Smith prior to launching a ship, as to keep their ships safe. Others might pray to the Warrior for protection. Followers of the Seven can show their devotion to the Smith by wearing a small iron hammer about their neck.
The Maiden, also called the Maid, is a beautiful young woman that represents innocence and chastity.
People might pray to the Maiden to keep young women safe. A mother can pray to the Maiden to lend courage to her daughters and guard them in their innocence, while a bride might light candles in thanks if a suitable marriage offer is made. A woman may ask the Maid for forgiveness when admitting to having used sex to convince men to do her bidding.
The Crone is an old, wizened and wise woman, whose statues often show her with a raised lamp in one hand. The Crone is said to have let the first raven into the world when she peered through the door of death.
People pray to the Crone for wisdom and guidance.
There is a constellation of stars called the Crone's Lantern. It is four bright stars that enclose a golden haze.
The Stranger is neither male nor female, yet both at the same time. The Stranger's face has been described as half-human, concealed beneath a hooded mantle. He is the outcast, the wanderer from far places, less and more than human, unknown and unknowable. His face is the face of death. He leads the newly deceased to the other world.
The Stranger is often viewed in a negative light, with worshippers rarely praying to or rarely seeking favour from him. Those who feel like outcasts however might occasionally light a candle for the Stranger.
History
The Faith of the Seven arose in Essos among the Andals who lived in the hills of Andalos. It is claimed that the Seven walked there in human form. According to The Seven-Pointed Star, the Father brought down seven stars from heaven and placed them on the brow of Hugor of the Hill, the first king of the Andals, to form his crown. The Maid brought forth a girl supple as a willow with eyes like deep blue pools that became Hugor's first wife. The Mother made her fertile, allowing the girl to bear Hugor forty-four mighty sons as foretold by the Crone. The Warrior gave each son strength of arms, and the Smith wrought each a suit of iron plate.
The Faith was brought to Westeros with the coming of the Andals thousands of years ago and largely supplanted the local worship of the old gods.
Some of the Andal warriors had the seven-pointed star of the Faith carved into their flesh to show their devotion.
Although the Andals came late to the Reach, the Hightowers were among the first Westerosi lords to welcome the Andals, considering war bad for trade. Lord Damon Hightower was the first to accept the Faith. To honour the Seven, he constructed the first sept in Oldtown, and six more elsewhere in his realm. Following his premature death, Septon Robeson became regent for Damon's newborn son, Triston. When Robeson eventually died, Triston had the Starry Sept raised in his honour. Oldtown eventually became the centre of the Faith, and the Starry Sept home to the High Septon.
When he learned that Aegon the Conqueror had landed in Westeros at the start of the Conquest, the High Septon locked himself in the Starry Sept for seven days and nights, seeking guidance from the gods. On the seventh day, the High Septon saw a vision given to him by the Crone, showing him that if Oldtown resisted Aegon, the Hightower, Citadel, and Starry Sept would burn. The High Septon warned Lord Manfred Hightower of what he had seen, after which the Lord of the Hightower decided to offer no resistance to House Targaryen. Aegon dated the start of his reign from the day the High Septon anointed him at the Starry Sept. Since then, it has been traditional for the High Septon to give their blessing to every new king.
The Targaryens had converted to the Faith on Dragonstone before Aegon's day, and Aegon always treaded lightly with the Faith. The High Septon protested when a marriage was proposed between Prince Maegor, Aegon's younger son, and Princess Rhaena Targaryen, the newborn daughter of Prince Aenys, Aegon's elder son. The High Septon suggested his own niece, Lady Ceryse Hightower, as a bride for the young prince. Maegor and Ceryse were subsequently wed in 25 AC at the Starry Sept, and matters calmed down.
Issues arose during the reign of Aegon I's successor, Aenys I Targaryen, when the new king's younger brother, Prince Maegor secretly took a second wife, Alys Harroway, in 39 AC. The polygamous marriage angered the Faith, and Aenys felt forced to exile his brother when Maegor refused to set Alys aside. Although Maegor left for Pentos, the High Septon was not satisfied. Aenys appointed Septon Murmison as his new Hand of the King, but even Murmison could not heal the rift between the Iron Throne and the Faith.
When Aenys wed his children, Princess Rhaena and Prince Aegon, to one another in 41 AC, the High Septon denounced him, calling him "King Abomination". This was the start of the
Faith Militant uprising, during which even the pious lords and smallfolk who had loved Aenys turned against the king.
The uprising lasted the remaining year of Aenys I's reign, as well as the reign of his brother and successor, Maegor I. Maegor the Cruel placed a bounty on the Faith Militant and put out a decree that prohibited the Faith from arming itself. During Maegor’s campaigns against the Faith, thousands died. Although Maegor’s death resulted in the end of the campaigns, conflicts between the Crown and the Faith lasted until about a decade into the reign of Maegor's successor, King Jaehaerys I. Jaehaerys the Conciliator eventually resolved the issues between the crown and the Faith by promising that the Crown would always protect and defend the Faith. In return, the last few Stars and Swords were to put down their weapons, and the Faith was to agree to accept justice from the Iron Throne from that moment onwards.
The septon-king Baelor I Targaryen assumed the Iron Throne in 161 AC. The most pious of all Targaryen kings, Baelor the Blessed's interests were the Seven. He convinced the High Septon to dissolve his marriage to his sister, Princess Daena Targaryen, arguing that the marriage had been contracted before he had become king, and in addition had never been consummated. Next, Baelor placed Daena and his other sisters, Rhaena and Elaena, in what would become known as the Maidenvault, where only maidens were allowed to join them. The king stated that he wished to preserve their innocence, but some wondered whether Baelor had done so because he feared the temptation of their beauty.
Baelor's edicts, increasingly concerned with spiritual matters, became more zealous and erratic as his reign continued. He took a septon's vows, preventing himself from marrying again. Meanwhile, the High Septon grew more and more influential. When he died, Baelor declared to the Most Devout that the Seven had revealed to him the identity of the new High Septon. The Most Devout elected Baelor's choice, a stonemason who carved his stonework so beautifully that Baelor was convinced he was the Smith in human form. However, the illiterate man was unable to recall even the simplest of prayers. He died of illness after a year, at which point Baelor declared that an eight-year-old boy, whom he claimed to have seen speaking to doves who answered him in the voices of the Seven, should become the new High Septon. The Most Devout once again did as Baelor desired.
Baelor also ordered the construction of a new sept atop Visenya's Hill. The Great Sept of Baelor is an impressive marble dome structure with seven crystal towers, each of which has bells. Only on momentous occasions, such as the death of a king, are all of them rung. The lofty dome is made of glass and gold and crystal. Around the doors leading into the building is a raised marble pulpit from which a septon can address a gathering crowd. Past the doors is the entrance hall of the sept, which is known as the Hall of Lamps. Those entering the hall walk beneath suspended globes of coloured leaded glass.
From the entrance hall, through the double-doors, is the sept-proper, with seven broad aisles which meet beneath the dome. It has seven large transepts. Its floors are made of marble, and great windows of leaded, coloured glass, and the seven altars are set about with candles. Different altars are used for different ceremonies, depending on their purpose. For example, marriages are always conducted at the altar between two towering gilded statues of the Father and the Mother. There are several sets of doors leading into the sept-proper; septons use the Father's Doors, septas the Mother's Doors, and silent sisters the Stranger's Steps. Below the sept are tombs where kings are laid to rest, cells for penitents, and vaults that hold costly vestments, rings, crystal crowns, and other treasures of the Faith. Thrice yearly septons from Baelor's Sept create heraldic drawings and illuminations for the White Book of the Kingsguard.
Completed many years after Baelor's death, the Great Sept of Baelor eventually became the new seat of the High Septon and the Most Devout, as well as a preeminent centre of religious education in the realm.
Clergy
The male and female godsworn of the Faith are called septons and septas, respectively. Upon taking their vows, they set aside their last names, even if they come from noble families.
High Septon and the Most Devout
The Most Devout are a council of the highest ranking clergy of the Faith of the Seven. Membership is limited to septons only. The Most Devout can be identified by their cloth-of-silver vestments and crystal coronals. Although the High Septon is usually elected from among the Most Devout, this is not a requirement. The High Septon and the Most Devout convene in the Great Sept of Baelor in King's Landing.
The High Septon is the head of the Faith of the Seven; they also hold several honorary titles such as Father of the Faithful, His High Holiness and Shepherd of the Faithful. A new High Septon extends the practice of septons giving up their family names by renouncing any kind of individual name. This is due to the belief that the individual becoming High Septon is no longer a man but an avatar of the gods. This leads to trouble distinguishing between various past holders of the office, as one can only refer to them by descriptions such as "the stonemason one" or "the fat one" or the "one before the fat one." Sometimes it is possible to winkle out the birth names of High Septons but they do not appreciate it if one uses them.
High Septons usually wear a great crown made of crystal and gold while performing their duties.
High Septons past and present
Unfortunately the Fat septon who had the honour to crown the Restored Monarchs died just months after that.
His most worthy successor, the Scarred One, unfortunately might as well had been called the Brief One as he reigned for only three months before the Stranger came for him.
The disaster that was the next one, the Apostate, is covered in The Burning of High Septon part of The Crownlands Chapter.
After him came the Knight who indeed was a knight before becoming a septon. Given his status the Queen deemed it appropriate to bestow upon him one of the unrecognised Valyrian swords recovered from North Valyria and the Lands of the Long Summer. The Knight (the septon, not the aspect of the Gods in person) blessed the blade and it is now considered another one of the traditional symbols of the seat.
After the Knight’s rather questionable demise the Scholarly One came into power, but despite his effort he could not find any solid leads in his predecessors’ death’s investigation.
The Scholar was followed by the Angry, Fire-and-Brimstone type of septon. Fortunately this zealot died just three years into his reign.
The current High Septon, the Shy One, is the twenty eighth man to occupy this holy seat. Meek and extremely temperate men in public, there are rumours that behind closed doors he behaves much differently towards his unfortunate subordinates, often chastising them for the smallest of perceived slights.
Septons
Septons often wear white robes, seven-stranded belts of different colours, and a seven-sided crystal about their necks to reflect light and depict the rainbow.
They lead worship with incense, censers, and songs. Septons can perform marriages, provide prayers of passage when someone is dying, and copy letters (although some who copy and illuminate texts for the Faith are known to alter or remove texts they deem unacceptable). Followers of the Faith can seek spiritual guidance and be forgiven for their sins by septons. Some septons tend to the wounded, but the healing skills of maesters are considered superior. When a man becomes a knight, it is customary to stand a vigil and be anointed by a septon before reciting the knightly vows.
In villages which are too small to support a septon, a septon from a neighbouring village might visit twice a year. Other times, a "wandering septon", a septon who travels from village to village without a specific sept at which he serves, might visit these small villages. These septons perform holy services, marriages, and forgive sins. While the septon is visiting the village, the people must provide him with food and a place to sleep.
Noteworthy septons
Much to the annoyance of the high religious authorities and possible dismay of more fame-seeking men and women of The Seven, the most well-known septon of our generation, without even a shadow of a doubt, is septon Trinket of Branstone. Trinket became a part of the household of the previous Lord of Branstone at the age of two months when he was found wounded and alone in the nearby woods. He grew up along with Lord’s children and eventually formed a very special bond with Ormond, the eldest son. When Ormond became the new Lord of Branstone, he made his childhood friend his personal septon, much to the amusement of everyone around him, but especially himself.
Most of septon Trinket’s fame of course stems from the simple fact that he is a literal bear in a robe and a pretty rainbow-coloured collar with a little cristal dangling from it. However his employer, Lord Ormond, is known to say that his bear is “probably much more in line with the Seven’s designs than the usual septon and definitely much more useful than any septon he ever knew.”
Now that the bear in a room has been addressed, let us shift our focus to more conventional people of the cloth. Septon Rhalaso Laennalys, for example, is the head of septons at the Red Keep and is seen as the second-most influential septon in the realm, right after the High Septon himself. Rhalaso hails from a prominent family in Port Vaedar, a harbour town on the island of Mhysa Faer in the Smoking Sea. Sadly his brother Aryos disapproved of Rhalaso’s choice to leave his family’s name behind and pursue the faith. This led to a bitter argument between the brothers that still remains unresolved.
Not everyone agrees that the septon of the Red Keep is the second-most important septon of the realm though, septons of the Starry Sept in Oldtown especially. The current septon of this second-most important sept of the Realm is septon Willas. Despite his unwavering belief in the powers of The Seven he is of a mind that the Gods save the man who saves himself. It would seem that he is quite concerned with the unexpectedly gruesome deaths of his predecessors and in his strive to avoid a similar fate he sometimes might be a bit overzealous with purges, especially the ones involving fire, often ordering the thorough sweeps of the streets to get rid of the city’s population of rats.
Septon Willas’ closest neighbour is the septon of the Lord’s Sept in the same city of Oldtown. The current one is septon Merrell who unexpectedly came into this post following the spectacular death of septon Orryn whose face literally exploded during a sermon (the Barftism, as some acolytes later came to call it).
Another huge and imposing sept is located at Highgarden, the capital castle of the Reach. Despite his rather unpleasant appearance and fickle self-importance, the current septon Horas is much more popular than his predecessor, septon Quentyn, who reportedly was an absolute menace to his congregation (some say that he actually saw the Stranger as the most important of The Seven; his sermons demanding the smallfolk to work themselves to a glorious death in service of their betters do not make for a good counterpoint to that either).
Speaking of menaces. Another prominent sept, this one in Lannisport, was not so long ago plagued by one of their. Septon Tyrek the Monstrous was the head of the Lannisport’s sept during the reign of Lord Tyrion who was notoriously indifferent to the matters of the faith and let the faithful govern themselves. Unfortunately that meant that the sept was mostly left to its own devices which led to some tragic events, such as the birth of Alyn, Tyrek’s son who some say was conceived against his mother’s will (given the fact that she was a septa and later a Mother in an adjacent motherhouse). The boy, Alyn, grew up into a good and promising man and later became a septon in his father’s own sept, but unfortunately died from a severe flu at the age of forty. Contrary to that sadness, there was an actual feast and a cheerful sermon soon after septon Tyrek was found in a pool of his own vomit, having fallen asleep so in his cups that he could not ever wake up again, much to the joy of his flock. The current septon, Erwin the Wicked, is fat less wicked than his predecessor and is mostly called as such for his interest in things usually frowned upon among the faithful. That and the fact that one of his subordinates, septon Adrian, died while imprisoned on his orders.
There are also a couple of interesting faithful beyond the borders of the Realm.
Two of them, septon Mathis and septa Sarya, belonged to the new Andal House of Hugor, both being the children of King Baelor the Careless.
Another septon, Myles, is the leader of the Weary Men - a group of people that fought with Baelor for their freedom and decided to stay and train together as professional defenders of their new realm.
Two other septons both hail from the Realm but found themselves very far from it.
Septon Tommard of Samyriana, initially from the Westerlands, came to Hyrkoon with the Patriarch Leino’s mysterious wife Erena (more about her can be found in The Stone Road part of The Bone Mountains Chapter).
Septon Davos, a stone dornish man who served with the group of hedgeknights, stayed in Faros after his leader’s death as a septon for the leader’s daughter, Lady Samantha, who became the wife for the Lord of Faros (more about her can be found in the “Blood and Wine” (House Redwyne) part of The Reach Chapter). After her exile, septon Davos was given mercy and allowed to stay due to his failing health.
Septas
Septas typically dress in white robes with woven seven-colour belts. They sometimes wear hoods, but not always, and their hair can be seen. Like septons, septas often wear a crystal pendant about their necks.
Women who wish to become septas train first as novices. Septas, like the septons, can receive confession from believers in the Seven. Septas often serve at motherhouses and in cloisters, but they also may serve as governesses in noble households. Apart from teaching girls needlework and other womanly arts, septas teach them how to read, write, and do sums, and they also educate about piety, deportment, and the mysteries of the Faith. Septas are supposed to serve as chaperones and guardians when their female charges keep company with men. Septas take a vow of chastity, but unlike the silent sisters, septas do not swear a vow of silence.
Noteworthy septas
Traditionally, women of the Faith do not hold any significant power outside of the Motherhouses. Naturally there always are exceptions to every rule. This one in particular is actively being broken by Lady Jonara who leads the congregation of the Maidenpool sept in her own right.
Another peculiar exception to the rule comes in a homely, but wise face of septa Helya, a very young orphan girl of just three-and-ten who was found wandering Dorne’s northern shore with her simple-minded brother Jonos. Lord Orrys of The Scourge was so fascinated by this girl who can recite all the holy books of The Seven just from her memory that he let her stay in a small tower near his castle. Soon it became known as Maidentower and people started coming there to look and speak to this “blessed girl”. Despite her young age she is now considered as one of the local smallfolk leaders of the Faith.
Silent Sisters
The silent sisters, also referred to as the Stranger's wives or death's handmaidens, are an order of women belonging to the Faith of the Seven, but they are not to be confused with septas.
The sisters are sworn to the service of the Stranger and have taken vows of chastity and silence. The belief that their tongues are removed is a myth; silent sisters are silent because of piety. They are shrouded in grey robes and keep their faces cowled except for their eyes.
Silent sisters cleanse the head of a diseased with fire, AI by me
The silent sisters' main function is the collection and handling of the bodies of noble dead, such as preparing them for funerals. Silent sisters can be skilled barbers, as they might need to trim beards and cut hair. The women can remove the bowels and organs and drain a body of blood, stuffing it with salts and fragrant herbs. Silent sisters often dress the deceased in their finest attire, such as tunics or armour. To allow for easier transport or burial, silent sisters can strip flesh from the deceased's bones through boiling or beetles.
The silent sisters are always glad to welcome new members, especially widows, but sometimes girls and women are sent to become silent sisters as a punishment. It is said that silent sisters have a serene life, a life of prayer, contemplation and good works. They bring solace to the living and peace to the dead. However, they also administer harsh discipline among their order. Novices shave their heads, take cold baths, eat meatless meals, are scrubbed with horsehair brushes, and wear roughspun robes. Disobedient novices can even be caned.
People of Westeros are often uneasy about and wary of the women; since the silent sisters prepare men for the grave, it is considered ill fortune to look on the face of death.
Noteworthy silent sisters
There are only two places entirely dedicated to the training and housing of the silent sisters, both are located in Dorne.
Halls of the Dead, the bigger one, located in the Ghost Hills, is nominally led by septa Ismerei, although due to her very progressed and utterly debilitating illness the sisters there are mostly left to their own devices.
The smaller place, called the Deadglade, is located not far from Plankytown. This one is led by septa Tasene, a renowned beauty in her prime years, who ended up as a silent sister after one too many of her sarcastic remarks she made in the presence of her employer.
Another interesting silent sister is the one responsible for the bodies of the deceased at the Westwatch-by-the-Bridge. Damina, or the Black Bard as the inmates mockingly call her for her silence, apparently comes from Lorath and even follows the Lorathi faith instead of The Seven. According to some, she was indeed a poetess once, but one of her poems did not go well with its intended audience and instead of coin Damina got herself a mouthrag, dead bodies and audience of condemned criminals.
There are also two high-born silent sisters that ended up silenced by their own families, and two kinslayeresses who for some reason were spared the rope.
Holy brothers and sisters
On the other side of the spectrum are the most humble members of the Faith, "holy brothers and sisters". Many of the holy brothers wear tonsures, cutting the hair on their scalps as an act of humility and to show the Father that they have nothing to hide. Holy brothers often wear robes of brown, dun, or green. Some holy brothers wear the iron hammer of the Smith about their neck.
Begging brothers travel from place to place, but are not to be confused with wandering septons, as the latter are one rank higher in the Faith's hierarchy. The begging brothers are often dressed in threadbare or roughspun robes of undyed wool belted with hempen rope, and some go about barefoot. Some wear a bowl on a leather thong around their necks. Wandering the realm as a begging brother might be done as a penance.
Septries
More sedentary brothers can serve at septries, communities of the Faithful where brothers live in penitence, quiet contemplation, and prayer, often taking a vow of silence. The leader of the community, the Elder Brother, is assisted by proctors. At septries where brothers take vows of silence, only the Elder Brother and his proctors may speak.
Notable Brothers
The septry at the Quiet Isle contains terraced fields, an apple grove, a stable, a windmill, cloisters, a common hall, and a wooden sept. Its current septon, Florian, is a rather unremarkable man, especially in contrast to three of the previous septons of the Isle who became High Septons (the Scarred One and the Shy One).
Forty-four brothers live at a prosperous Holy House in the Riverlands. They tend to a dozen milk cows and a bull, a hundred beehives, a vineyard, an apple arbour, a mill, and a brewhouse. The septry has wooden walls and a heavy slate roof. It is currently occupied by an absolutely insane septon Karyl who lost his mind to a brothel disease and now tries to find a magical cure in the teachings of the East. Despite that he immediately burned the pale-skinned man that came to the septry, accusing him of being a cultist of the Starry Wisdom all the way from Qarth.
Insapton Karyl also declared one of the brothers, a handsome dornish lover of poetry, to be an apostate and even branded the poor man with a white-hot cattle brand despite having no evidence to support his accusation.
Motherhouses
Motherhouses are corresponding communities for women. The leader of the community bears the title of Mother. Holy sisters can wear robes of white, blue, or grey.
Notable Mothers
Mother Ryella, a seemingly pious and kind-hearted woman who leads this holy motherhouse, apparently is not as pious and kind as she tries to be seen, given that she had condemned a young mother to a fiery death despite the fact that she herself has a bastard daughter with another faithful, septon Gilwood, who shamelessly resides in the same motherhouse.
In stark contrast to this situation, Mother Moranne of the Grand Motherhouse of Lannisport genuinely is pious and kind-hearted and is well-beloved for that, with even noble houses giving her their sons for tutelage.
All was not always so well in the Grand Motherhouse, however. Moranne’s predecessor, Mother Benera, had a son with septon Tyrek the Monstrous, who she claimed had brutally raped her. There were some who doubted this claim given Benera’s rather unpredictable character, but most believed her due to Tyrek’s abhorrent nature. Benera’s unstable personality however tragically cost two men their lives as she condemned her fellow brother and later our fellow maester to fiery deaths on the grounds of their alleged beliefs.
Customs
Although the laws of the Iron Throne and the gods are seen as separate, teachings of the Faith have a heavy influence on the law and justice of the realm. The Faith preaches against prostitution, gambling, and bastardy. It holds slavery to be an abomination, and considers polygamy and incest - except for Targaryens, under the Doctrine of Exceptionalism - as monstrous and vile sins. Followers of the Faith consider no man as accursed as the kinslayer, although the degree of kin and circumstance of killing one's kin (e.g., in war) hold significant influence.
In association with the seven aspects of their god, the number seven is considered holy. Septons speak of the seven aspects of grace during prayer, and the gods are said to have made seven wonders. In the night sky, seven "wanderers" can be seen, each sacred to one of the Seven. Seven oils are used during a child naming ceremony, as part of the knighting ceremony, and when anointing a king. The seventh day of the seventh moon is a day deemed sacred and each of the Seven has their own holy day.
Religious worship is done in seven-walled buildings called septs. The wealthier septs have statues and altars for each of the Seven, whereas poorer septs might use carved masks or crude charcoal drawings of the Seven. The altars are sometimes inlaid richly with mother-of-pearl, onyx, and lapis lazuli. Windows are made from leaded glass, depicting scenes and pictures, and a great crystal catches light, spreading it in a rainbow of colours, also sacred. Septs can be found across the Seven Kingdoms, although they are rare in the north and absent from the Iron Islands. Some lords might agree to have a sept built upon their lands. In such cases, the septs are the property of the lord in question.
Prayer in a sept is done to each of the seven faces of the god that one wishes to ask for aid. Holding hands and singing is often part of worship and prayer. Candles can be lit to honour the gods.
Crystals and light are important elements in the Faith. People may also wear signs of devotion to a particular god, such as a small iron hammer on a thong for the Smith. Hymns for a particular god can also be sung during prayer.
The Faith has a number of holy books. The most important one is
The Seven-Pointed Star. It is divided up into sections, based on the different aspects of the faith.
Septons who cannot read or write memorise prayers, rituals, and ceremonies, and are able to recite long passages from The Seven-Pointed Star. For more condensed material the septons also often use
The Book of Holy Prayer. There is also a children’s lullaby about the Seven which honours all the gods except for the Stranger, as no one ever sings of him.
The Song of the Seven
The Father's face is stern and strong,
He sits and judges right from wrong.
He weighs our lives, the short and long,
And loves the little children.
The Mother gives the gift of life,
And watches over every wife.
Her gentle smile ends all strife,
And she loves her little children.
The Warrior stands before the foe,
Protecting us where e'er we go.
With sword and shield and spear and bow,
He guards the little children.
The Smith, he labours day and night,
To put the world of men to right.
With hammer, plough, and fire bright,
He builds for little children.
The Maiden dances through the sky,
She lives in every lover's sigh.
Her smiles teach the birds to fly,
and gives dreams to little children.
The Crone is very wise and old,
And sees our fates as they unfold.
She lifts her lamp of shining gold
To lead the little children.
The Seven Gods who made us all,
Are listening if we should call.
So close your eyes, you shall not fall,
They see you, little children.
Just close your eyes, you shall not fall,
They see you, little children.
Marriage
A marriage ceremony takes place in a sept. The ceremony is presided over by a septon and involves prayers, vows, singing, and lighting of candles.
Usually the wedding gowns are made in shades of white, such as ivory samite and ivory silk. The bride also wears a cloak in the colours of her house, called the “maiden's cloak”. The bride's father, or the person standing in his place (usually kin or whoever else is closest to living kin), will escort the bride to the marriage altar, placed between the statues of the Mother and the Father, where the septon and groom await her.
Seven vows are made, seven blessings are invocated, and seven promises are exchanged, after which a wedding song is sung. Next, a challenge is made to speak against the marriage, and if the challenge goes unanswered, the wedding cloaks are exchanged. The bride's father, or the person standing in his place, removes the cloak from the bride's shoulders, so that her husband can place a cloak of his own house colours about her shoulders. This signifies the bride passing from her father's protection into her husband's protection. The bride and groom speak the words “With this kiss I pledge my love”, potentially followed with an additional “…and take you for my lord and husband” and “ …and take you for my lady and wife” by the bride and groom respectively, after which the septon will declare them to be man and wife, stating they are “one flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever”.
The wedding ceremony is followed by a feast. A wedding pie will be presented during the feast, which is filled with living birds (e.g., doves, songbirds, bluejays, skylarks, pigeons, doves, mockingbirds, nightingales, sparrows, parrots). The bride and groom cut open the pie, allowing the birds to fly away.
After the feast follows the bedding. The bride is escorted to her bedroom, usually by the men from the feast, who will undress her along the way while making rude jokes. The women at the feast will do the groom the same honours. Usually, once the bride and groom are in the bedchamber they are left alone, though wedding guests might stand on the other side of the door, shouting suggestions. Nonetheless, in some cases, witnesses might be present for the bedding, though it is unknown how far this witness duty goes.
A marriage that has not been consummated can be set aside by the High Septon or a Council of Faith. Neither bride nor groom needs to be present for an annulment. However, it must be requested by at least one of the wedded pair. Divorce in Westeros is not common. Nonetheless, a king is able to put his queen aside—even if she has given birth to his children—and marry another. Another way of ending a marriage is by having the bride join the silent sisters. Similarly, when a man takes the vows of the Night's Watch, his marriage is over.
Trials
Trials can be presided over by a septon. During a regular trial, the septon will begin with a prayer, beseeching the Father Above to guide them towards justice. During the trial the septon will swear a man to honesty before he is to give testimony. At the start of a trial by combat, the septon will raise a crystal sphere above his head, He might ask the gods to look down and bear witness upon the trial, and help them find truth in the soul of the accused, granting the accused life and freedom if innocent and death if guilty, or beseech the Father to aid in judgement, and the Warrior to lend strength to the person whose cause is just.
A special form of trial by combat, which is seldom used, is Trial of Seven.
The custom originates from the Andals who believed that the gods would be honoured to see seven champions fight on each side, and therefore be more likely to see that justice was done. The accused is declared innocent if his accuser or accusers are either defeated or yield, thereby withdrawing their accusations. If the accused is slain, it is believed the gods have judged him guilty, and the trial of seven ends. If the accused cannot find six men to stand with him, he is declared guilty as well.
Knighthood
A knight, referred to with the title "Ser", is a member of a warrior tradition that is unique to the Faith of the Seven and heavily interwoven in the culture of the Seven Kingdoms.
Knighthood likely has its roots in Andal culture due to its association with the Faith of the Seven, which was brought to Westeros with the coming of the Andals. Legends of the Reach claim chivalry was brought by the First Knight, John the Oak, however. The military success of mounted knights and their steel armament proved vital to the Andals' conquest of most of Westeros. Knighthood holds less cultural significance in areas of Westeros that are less assimilated to Andal culture, such as the north and the Iron Islands, though there are knights from these regions.
Knights display a coat-of-arms on their shield and surcoat to identify themselves. Those who are nobly born often wear the arms of their house. Many knights wear large crests on their helms that embellish the theme of their arms. Some might choose to use variations of their house's sigil, however, or a completely new coat-of-arms.
Although not an absolute requirement for becoming a knight, boys, often nobly born, can serve as pages and later squires. Boys can become pages at several different ages, but traditionally it is expected of them to become a page from the ages of six or seven onwards. After several years of serving as a page, a boy can become a squire. Boys are not required to serve as a page before becoming a squire, so the age of squiring can range widely. Formally the main duty of pages and squires is to train at arms. However they also run errands for their masters, tend to their master's animals, clean his mail, and help him into his armour whenever required. In times of war, they ride beside their masters, assisting them and fighting by their sides. During tourneys, squires will provide their masters with new lances, or with a sword. A boy who is being fostered but who is not training for knighthood (e.g., because he does not follow the Faith of the Seven), can perform the duties of a page and squire without strictly being one.
Any man can be knighted, no matter their birth. Social pressure keeps knighthood from being exploited by unscrupulous knights who might give the accolade for money. Knighthood is seen as primarily a martial position, so even the sons of powerful lords are not necessarily knighted if they are incapable of fulfilling the requirements. Doing otherwise would lose honour rather than gain it, and would make a lord and his family be held up to ridicule. Regardless, at times, a lord's son is knighted without fulfilling the requirements. Further, a young knight's repute partially derives from the honour of the man who conferred knighthood on him. Receiving your knighthood from a king, prince, Kingsguard knight, or legendary knight holds great prestige.
Knights occupy a social standing between that of lords and smallfolk. Although lords hold certain legal rights (e.g., the right of pit and gallows) which knights do not have, and outrank knights at tourney’s and feasts, certain landed knights can be lord in all but name. It is mostly the title which sets the two apart, as the title of lord is generally considered to be more prestigious than the title “ser”. However, the title of a knight has its own prestige, as it cannot be inherited. And although knights are often ranked below lords, certain landed knights might actually be more powerful than lesser lords. It is certainly possible that a landed knight has more lands and wealth than a small lord. Especially landed knights who come from ancient houses, and who have extensive lands and a large, strong castle may actually be more powerful than many smaller lordlings. Such a peculiar status is often reflected by taking a style that incorporates the name of their castle, such as the Knight of Ninestars.
Lordly houses can be reduced to landed knights as punishment from the crown. The Conningtons, originally a lordly house, were reduced to landed knights by the Usurper Robert Baratheon as a punishment for Lord Jon Connington's participation in Robert's Rebellion on the side of House Targaryen. Instead of being the Lord of Griffin's Roost, the head of House Connington became known as the Knight of Griffin's Roost (their lordly status was reinstated following the Restoration). Knighthood can also be stripped from individuals, through attainder or royal decree.
Death
The bodies of the deceased are given over to the silent sisters for ritual cleansing. They remove the bowels and organs, and drain the blood from the corpses in their care. They may also stuff the body with fragrant herbs and salts to preserve it and hide the smell of decomposition. The body of the deceased, especially if it concerns a nobility of high importance, might be placed on a bier. During funerals for such dignitaries, which can last several days, prayers are held on three occasions. While the morning services are open only to nobility, the afternoon prayers are open to the smallfolk and the evening prayers are available for all. People of lesser importance or status might be placed upon a bier elsewhere. A family member, friend, or even a concerned stranger stands last vigil.
When a man is laid in his grave, a septon usually says some prayers for him. The prayer always begins with "Father Above, judge [person] justly". A crystal might be placed upon the grave.
When the deceased dies far from home, his body will usually be escorted back to his or her family. At least one, and often more, silent sisters will accompany the body.
According to The Seven-Pointed Star, lives are like candle flames, easily snuffed out by errant winds. The septons teach that afterlife is a sweet surcease, and sing of voyaging to a far sweet land where men and women may laugh and love and feast until the end of days in the Father's golden hall. The Faith holds that there are seven heavens and seven hells. Each of the seven hells is deeper than the next. Sinners who do not repent their sins go to the seven hells; although The Seven-Pointed Star states that all sins may be forgiven, crimes must still be punished. The Lord of the Seven Hells is said to command demons and practise black arts.
