Red Wedding

Walder Frey's massacre of Robb Stark's host at the Twins.

The Red Wedding was a massacre that took place during the War of the Five Kings, arranged by Lord Walder Frey as revenge against Robb Stark, ruling King in the North, for breaking the marriage pact between House Stark and House Frey. The massacre was authorized by House Lannister, who sought to put an end to Robb's rebellion against the Iron Throne.

Quick Facts

Type: Massacre
Location: The Twins
Arranged by: Lord Walder Frey
Authorized by: House Lannister
Signal: "The Rains of Castamere"
Tv episode: "The Rains of Castamere" (season 3, episode 9)

Facts from the source article.

Background

After the execution of Rickard Karstark, half of Robb's army at Riverrun abandons him. In order to replace his losses, Robb tries to regain the support of Walder Frey, who withdrew his support for the North's cause when Robb reneged on his promise to marry one of Walder's daughters. As compensation, Lord Frey demands that Edmure Tully wed one of his daughters. Edmure agrees, and the wedding is held at the Twins.

The events of the Red Wedding effectively end the conflict between House Stark and House Lannister in a decisive victory for the Lannisters and King Joffrey Baratheon. For his part in the betrayal, Lord Frey was granted the castle of Riverrun and promised Lannister protection from any northern retaliation.

Did You Know?

The signal for the massacre to begin was an instrumental version of "The Rains of Castamere."
Roose Bolton and his men sat behind the Stark bannermen and refrained from drinking any alcohol, so as to keep their inhibitions intact.