After the arrival of the Andals in Westeros, the construction of a Sept of Faith began to pay homage to the seven deities of the Andals; these buildings grew in size and complexity over the ages, with many becoming landmarks. From rural septs to motherhouses and septries, the buildings for worshippers of the Seven are limited only in imagination. The most prominent Sept of Faith in Westeros is the Great Sept of Baelor and Stoney Sept.
Building
Septs are Byzantine buildings with seven walls. Wealthy ones are magnificent and adorned with crystals, precious metals, and leaded windows, while rural ones have simple charcoal drawings. The buildings feature seven-pointed stars and have altars for each deity of the Faith. Worshippers light candles before the altars, and seven rainbow-colored crystals spread out.
The highest-ranking male member of the clergy officiates ceremonies, and hymns get sung during the events. In naming an infant, seven oils get used. Other events like weddings get held at the altars of the Father and Mother. During special occasions held by the wealthy, embellishments like choirs of seventy-seven septas get featured.
Because knighthood relates to the Faith of the Seven, knights stand vigil and get consecrated with seven oils in septs. Brothers of the Night’s Watch who worship the Seven also state their vows in a small sept at Castle Black. There is a massive building in Braavos for followers of the Seven called the Sept-Beyond-the-Sea.
History
When the Andals arrived in Westeros, they began a conquest, resulting in many First Men Kings’ defeats. The new Kings like Merle I Gardener, the Arryns, and Humfrey I Teague began building septries throughout Westeros. They tried reaching the North, but King Theon Stark stopped their advancement, and in retaliation, he raided Andalos. The Andals also built septs in the Iron Islands, but they were destroyed by the Ironborn who served the Drowned God.
Before beginning the Conquest of Westeros, Aegon prayed in a Sept of Faith in Westeros. He then led the Burning of Harrenhal and the Field of Fire. Though the Starry Sept in Oldtown was the seat of the High Septon for a thousand years, everything changed after Aegon the Conqueror. The first King built the Sept of Remembrance, but it was destroyed by Maegor the Cruel. Eventually, the Great Sept of Baelor was constructed, and the High Septon moved to King’s Landing.
In Winterfell, Lord Eddard Stark built a small Sept of Faith for his wife, Catelyn Tully, who was of Andal origin.
Relevance in A Song of Ice and Fire
A Game of Thrones
After Lord Eddard Stark got arrested for treason, King Joffrey Baratheon ordered he get executed at the steps of the Great Sept of Baelor. The act angers the septons.
A Clash of Kings
Before leaving on the Great Ranging to find Benjen Stark, some of the brothers of the Night’s Watch pray at the small sept of Castle Black. In Dragonstone, Stannis Baratheon’s wife orders the destruction of the Sept of Faith as she had accepted the Faith of Melisandre of Asshai, the religion of Rh’llor. Many people fill in the Red Keep and Great Sept during the Battle of Blackwater. The Lannisters eventually win the fight.
A Storm of Swords
Arya Stark and the Brotherhood without Banners visit Stoney Sept. Meanwhile, Vargo Hoat and the Brave Companions pillage the Riverlands, sacking many septs; this makes the Faith angry. Meanwhile, in King’s Landing, Joffrey’s wedding to Margaery Tyrell is held in the Great Sept of Baelor. However, he later gets killed by Olenna Tyrell.
A Feast for Crows
After Tywin Lannister’s funeral, Lancel Lannister sleeps at a sept as he fervently prays and tries to repent of all he did. After Joffrey’s death, King Tommen marries Margaery at the Red Keep’s Sept.
Queen Regent Cersei Lannister governs King’s Landing terribly, and to pay some debt owed to the Faith, she agrees for the High Sparrow to revive the Faith Militant, an order that got outlawed by King Maegor Targaryen. After sending her brother Jaime Lannister to the Riverlands, Cersei tries framing Margaery Tyrell for adultery, but she gets arrested when Lancel comes forward as a witness. The Queen Regent is forced to make a walk of atonement.
Relevance in Adaptation
In HBO’s Game of Thrones, septs were places where crucial events occurred. Some of them included the execution of Lord Eddard Stark, Cersei’s walk of shame, and the killing of Loras Tyrell and his family in a wildfire explosion.
Sept of Faith: A House of Religion
Though they were supposed to be the most sacred places in the Seven Kingdoms, septs became a spot for some of the greatest crimes in Westeros’s history. The houses of religion became the homes of murder and destruction.
FAQs
What is the biggest sept in Westeros?
The Great Sept of Baelor, in King’s Landing, is the biggest in Westeros. Located on top of Visenya’s Hill, it is one of the wonders of the Seven Kingdoms.
What is a sept?
A sept is a religious building where the Faith of the Seven gets practiced. There are statues of the seven deities of the Faith, and many rituals, ceremonies, and events are held.
Who is in charge of septs?
The activities of septs are governed by clergies called Septons. The highest authority is the High Septon.
What happened to the Great Sept of Baelor in Game of Thrones?
After the High Sparrow forces Cersei Lannister to take the Walk of Shame, a date gets set for her trial. However, on the trial day, she stops her son, King Tommen, from going to the Great Sept of Baelor. She then proceeds with her plan to destroy the sept with wildfire; this ends the lives of the Tyrells, the High Sparrow, and many nobles.
