Why Stannis Baratheon Married a Woman Who Worshiped the Lord of Light in 'A Song of Ice and Fire'

In George R.R. Martin's acclaimed series, 'A Song of Ice and Fire,' the character Stannis Baratheon marries a woman who worships the Lord of Light. This marriage is often viewed as an anomaly, but it is more complex than it might initially appear.

The True Identity of Sylese Baratheon

It is a common misconception that Sylese Baratheon was a follower of the Lord of Light from the moment she entered Stannis' life. However, Sylese was born into the Florent family, a House from the Reach that adhered to the traditional Seven God religion. The Florents and the Tyrells, of which the Florents are considered distant cousins, shared the same religious beliefs.

Stannis as the Second Son

Stannis himself was not of age or position to choose his own wife. As the second son of Robert Baratheon, Stannis was not destined for kingship. Instead, Robert, by that point the king, or one of his advisors, likely arranged the marriage as a strategic move to consolidate power.

The marriage between Stannis and Sylese served as a political tool to tie the Reach to the Baratheon banner without directly rewarding the Tyrells, who had sieged Castlerock before capturing Storm's End.

The Conversion to the Lord of Light

Sylese's allegiance to the Lord of Light did not take place immediately after their marriage. In fact, Sylese remained a devoted follower of the Seven until the arrival of Melisandre, the Red Women who worshiped the Lord of Light.

Mellisandre's influence began to take hold during a critical period in the series, when Jon Arryn, a powerful figure and Stannis' political ally, was on his deathbed. Sylese's association with the Lord of Light likely originated from this time, possibly even before, allowing her to become a devoted follower.

The Widely Believed Religion in Westeros

Before the rise of Melisandre and the Lord of Light, the inhabitants of Westeros primarily followed the Seven, the Old Gods, or no gods at all. Despite this belief, Stannis Baratheon himself did not wholeheartedly follow any god during most of his life. Although he was raised as a follower of the Seven, he did not actively practice or believe strongly in their teachings.

When Melisandre entered Stannis' life, the conversion to her religion was not immediate or widespread. The Lord of Light was a new and uneasy entity in Westeros, and most people were skeptical. Stannis, while intrigued by Melisandre's power and insight, was not entirely convinced until later.

The conversion to the Lord of Light required a deep sense of faith and resistance against the established religions. It was rare for a person to abandon one set of beliefs for another, and when it occurred, it was often met with resistance and fear. This is why the public burning of the effigies of the Seven by Melisandre was so shocking and why the Northerners fiercely protected their Weirwood trees, symbols of the Old Gods.

Many who nominally converted to the Lord of Light were simply terrified of the consequence of being burned at the stake and pretended to convert while secretly maintaining their original beliefs. The political and religious landscape of Westeros was heavily influenced by this fear and superstition.

Thus, Sylese Baratheon's conversion to worship the Lord of Light is better understood as a strategic alliance and a personal choice rather than a sudden and immutable change in her religious beliefs. Stannis' own religious journey in the series also adds to the complexity of this marriage and the broader political and religious context of Westeros.