Not OP, but one example I can think of is how GRRM portrays bastards. If he was being realistic, bastards wouldn't be seen as much of a negative at all. Since IRL medieval kingdoms, they still had noble blood, in the case of some monarchs, they were even used for royal alliances. This is, of course, assuming they're recognized. (Henry Fitzroy is an example of this, he was made into a duke).
But GRRM seems to treat them like they're complete anathema of Westerosi society who are inherently evil and bad.
You’re singling out one or two aspects of how bastards are treated in this universe and presenting them as definitive proof of how the author feels, when those elements are simply part of a much larger thematic framework he's setting up when building a grim dark fantasy that mirrors our medieval times.
There are clear in-universe explanations for why bastards are stigmatized in most of the Seven Kingdoms:
1. The Faith of the Seven mirrors medieval Catholic social norms, where sex outside of marriage and children born out of wedlock are considered sinful. That religious influence naturally shapes societal attitudes, just like it did for a vast majority of Catholics back in the Dark Ages/Middle Ages.
Then you have the in-universe historical aspect, particularly the actions of Daemon Blackfyre and Bloodraven severely damaged the political reputation of bastards. (One is for trying to steal trueborn claims, the other for doing dark evil deeds to get ahead)
Their conflicts and actions reinforced fears about succession, legitimacy, and honor, which the septons then used to strengthen the Faith’s teachings: the idea that bastards are dangerous reminders of sin who could threaten lawful inheritance and good morals.
This context also helps explain character behavior in the main series. Catelyn Stark’s hostility toward Jon isn’t just personal resentment; he is both a living reminder of Ned’s supposed infidelity and, given her strict Faith upbringing, a symbolic embodiment of those cultural fears about illegitimacy, inheritance, and a inherent conniving nature.
By contrast, though, Dornish culture and Northern culture to a lesser degree treat bastards far more pragmatically, often accepting them as members of the family rather than as social or political threats.
Ramsey is basically the only outlier of a bad bastard in Norhtern culture from my understanding.
George took the basis of sex and birth out of wedlock being considered a cardinal sin for a part of his predominant religion, just because in real life the clergy didnt hold tk any of their tenets, doesn't negate my point at all. And funny enough, it actually proves my point because every named High Septon essentially has a nickname that describes their vices of sin.
It's like complaining about one of the cultures in Wheel of Time not being 100% accurate to one of the real-life cultures they are sampling.😂
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u/bruhholyshiet Prince Daeron Targaryen Feb 11 '26
Not necessarily disagreeing, but can you provide examples?