Walder Frey's Polygamous Marriages and the Varieties of Religious Approvals for Polygamy

Walder Frey, a character from George R.R. Martin's fictional world of A Song of Ice and Fire, showcases a life entangled with multiple marriages, each bearing children. This article explores the details of his marriages and their offspring while also delving into the religious and cultural contexts where polygamy is permitted.

Walder Frey's Marriages and Children

Walder Frey has had eight wives in his lifetime, with Joyeuse Erenford being his current and only surviving wife, the Lady of the Crossing. His seven previous wives have all passed away, making him a widower seven times. Instead of practicing polygamy, which is strongly discouraged by the Faith of the Seven, he would marry progressively, ensuring no simultaneous marriages.

From his marriages with these seven women, Walder Frey has fathered a total of twenty-two sons and seven daughters. These children are recognized as trueborn Freys, as legitimized by their statuses as trueborn and not bastards. Notably, he has also had numerous bastard children from other unions, all named Rivers, who bear no Frey arms and have no claim to inheritance in the realm of Westeros.

Religions That Allow Polygamy

Despite the norm in Westeros, polygamy is practiced in various religions and cultures around the world. Here are some of the prominent religions that endorse polygamous practices:

Islam

In Islam, men are allowed to have up to four wives, provided they can treat them equally. This practice is grounded in the Quran and is recognized in many Islamic countries, though the number of men who practice this is decreasing.

Mormonism (Latter-day Saint Movement)

Historically, early followers of Mormonism practiced polygamy, a practice that was officially sanctioned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, following the 1890 Manifesto and the 1904 Resolution, the Church discontinued the practice. Some fundamentalist groups, however, still practice polygamy within their communities.

African Traditional Religions

In several African cultures and tribes, polygamy is a common practice, often seen as a sign of a man's wealth and status. The tradition varies widely across different regions but is generally accepted within these societies.

Hinduism

In the historical context, particularly among royalty, polygamy was common in Hinduism. However, in modern times, this practice has become much less frequent due to social and legal changes. The practice is less common among the general population but still exists in certain traditional communities.

Conclusion

Overall, Walder Frey's life story reflects the complexities of polygamous practices, both within the fictional world of Westeros and in real-life religious contexts. His numerous marriages and their offspring highlight the distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate children, while the examples of religions that permit polygamy illustrate the varied perspectives and practices surrounding this controversial topic.