Game of Thrones’ 8 Biggest Betrayals Ranked

Summary

Game of Thrones is full of unforgettable betrayals by friends, family, and allies, leading to devastating consequences.
Characters like Littlefinger, Ramsay Bolton, and Walder Frey betray for power, revenge, or self-interest.
Betrayals like Littlefinger selling Sansa to the Boltons or the Red Wedding have lasting and tragic impacts.

In the realm of Game of Thrones, the treacherous nature of its medieval setting, where words are as fragile as whispers and promises as brittle as ice, makes it ripe for deceit and betrayal. The world is a cesspool of ruthless individuals, each vying for power amidst a tempest of chaos. Trust in the alliances formed by the main characters often leads to catastrophe rather than success.

Characters from Game of Thrones were deceived by everyone – friends, kinfolk, and old and new confidants. Some acts of deceit resulted in catastrophic setbacks and fatal repercussions; others shattered hearts. Despite the fact that betrayal was an ever-present theme in Westeros, these particular instances are particularly indelible.

1. Jorah Mormont Betrayed Daenerys Targaryen

He Spied On Her

From the start, Ser Jorah Mormont stood by Daenerys’ side, not as a fellow traveler but initially undercover, serving Lord Varys. Yet to her, he was always more than just a spy; she affectionately referred to him as Ser Jorah. As a gracious man, he guided her through the unique customs of the Dothraki people following her marriage to Khal Drogo. Sharing exile status from Westeros, they both found understanding in their shared past experiences.

Gradually, Jorah developed deep admiration for Daenerys and found himself with emotions she didn’t reciprocate. In the end, he chose to stop spying on her and even risked his life to protect her during an assassination attempt. However, he kept his betrayal a secret from Daenerys, but when it was discovered, it caused her great pain. Despite being dismissed, Daenerys eventually forgave him after he bravely rescued her from the Sons of the Harpy and Dothraki.

2. Theon Greyjoy Betrayed The Starks

He Turned His Back On The House That Raised Him

The character Theon Greyjoy, who was under the protection of Eddard Stark (Ned) and is also Balon Greyjoy’s son, finds himself in a challenging situation as he wrestles with his allegiance to both the Stark and Greyjoy families. After the Greyjoy Rebellion, Ned takes him to Winterfell rather than keeping him as a hostage, treating him more like a son instead. Growing up alongside Ned’s children Robb and Sansa, Theon experiences a sense of camaraderie with them. However, there remains an underlying feeling of not truly belonging anywhere within him.

Despite pledging allegiance to Ned’s eldest son, Robb, Theon chooses to deceive him in a twisted display of loyalty towards his father. He usurps Winterfell from the young Bran Stark, but ultimately finds himself betrayed by his own followers and captured by House Bolton. This act of treachery leaves a deep wound in Robb’s heart, as his once trusted friend has stolen his castle. Theon’s journey towards redemption is significant, yet it arrives too late, when Robb has already disappeared from the scene.

3. Littlefinger Betrayed Ned Stark

He Broke Catelyn And Ned’s Trust

In Season 1 of “Game of Thrones,” Petyr Baelish, also known as Littlefinger, threatened Ned Stark by putting a dagger to his throat. This was a reminder of the warning he had given Ned not to trust him. His deceitful actions ultimately resulted in Ned’s imprisonment and ignited the uprising in the North against the Lannisters. Despite his professed lifelong affection for Catelyn, he harbored resentment towards her marriage with Ned.

Initially, he stirred up conflict between the Lannisters and the Starks by fraudulently suggesting that a dagger known as the catspaw dagger was Tyrion Lannister’s. This deception prompted Catelyn to imprison Tyrion. Later, he misled Ned into believing the City Watch was under his control, while in truth, he had covertly allied with the Lannisters to undermine Ned. Petyr Baelish exploited the tumultuous final years of Robert’s rule and didn’t hesitate to continue manipulating events.

4. Littlefinger Betrayed Lysa Arryn

He Pushed Her Through The Moon Door

Petyr Baelish, or Littlefinger as he is known, wedded Catelyn’s sister and the volatile widow of Jon Arryn, Lysa, in order to seize power over the Vale. Following Sansa’s escape from the Lannisters, he delivered her to the Eyrie, which fueled Lysa’s resentment. In a tense altercation, Lysa attempted to hurl Sansa through the Moon Door. Littlefinger managed to calm her down, but ultimately pushed her himself, declaring: “Not today.

I have only loved one woman… only one, my entire life. Your sister.

Littlefinger’s treachery struck hard because by then he had carried out numerous unkind acts. He managed to persuade Lysa to poison Jon Arryn’s drink with the Tears of Lys and write a letter accusing the Lannisters. He manipulated situations all along, and following Lysa’s demise, he assumed the role of Lord Protector of the Vale.

5. Olly Betrayed Jon Snow

He Joined The Mutiny Against His Lord Commander

In the story, it is mentioned that Jon Snow’s loyal aide, Olly, and some members of the Castle Black Mutineers disagreed with Jon’s decision to allow the Wildlings/Free Folk into their fortress. This was because Olly bore deep resentment towards the Wildlings, as they were responsible for the deaths of his people during a previous encounter at Hardhome.

Upon reaching the Wall’s southern side, Olly collaborated with Alliser Thorne and others to assassinate Jon Snow. He tricked Jon into stepping outside by suggesting a Wildling possessed information about his uncle, Benjen. Unprotected, Jon was fatally stabbed by the mutineers; Olly delivered the fatal blow directly to Jon’s heart. “For the Watch,” they shouted as they cold-bloodedly murdered their Lord Commander. The betrayal stung particularly for Jon, as he had intended to prepare Olly for command, much like Jeor Mormont did for him.

6. Littlefinger Betrayed Sansa Stark

He Sold Her To The Boltons

Among all of Petyr Baelish’s deceits, his cruelest and most damaging act was undoubtedly against Sansa Stark. He manipulated her into marrying the Boltons, who had cruelly seized power from the Starks in the North. Baelish persuaded Sansa to wed Ramsay Bolton, a known sadist, under false promises of revenge for her family, fully aware of the horrific destiny he was sending her towards.

To further his own advantage, Littlefinger employed Sansa as a decoy, an act that deeply wounded her spirit. He failed to protect her, yet she managed to orchestrate her escape with Theon’s assistance. Self-love was the only emotion Littlefinger ever felt, and in time, Sansa came to recognize his true nature.

7. Ramsay Bolton Betrayed Roose Bolton

He Killed His Father

Ramsay Bolton, known for his cruel nature, didn’t show loyalty towards his own father, Roose, who had generously provided him with everything. When Lady Walda Frey, Roose’s wife, gave birth to a legitimate heir, Ramsay became anxious because the newborn could potentially become the Warden of the North and Lord of Winterfell, replacing Ramsay in these positions.

In a treacherous act, Ramsay cruelly murdered Lady Walda and her infant child, and stabbed his own father. This act served as poetic justice—Roose, who had previously plunged a knife into Robb’s heart at the Red Wedding, met a similar fate through deceit. Ramsay proclaimed himself Warden of the North and Lord of Winterfell, but his rule was swiftly cut short, ending during the Battle of the Bastards.

8. Walder Frey Betrayed Robb Stark

He Slaughtered The Starks And The Tullys In His Home

In the world of “Game of Thrones,” the Red Wedding stands as the most heart-wrenching act of treachery. This event unfolded in Season 3, Episode 9, titled “The Rains of Castamere,” at the Twins, the residence of Walder Frey. Under the false pretense of a reconciliation and a wedding between Edmure Tully and his daughter Roslin, Lord Walder invited the Starks, the Tullys, and their allies to his home. He led them to believe that Robb’s breach of oath, bypassing one of his daughters to marry a foreign woman, was forgiven. However, in an appalling violation of hospitality and the sacred Guest right, Walder orchestrated a massacre, slaying the guests within the wedding hall.

The brutal massacre known as the Red Wedding was masterminded by Lord Walder Frey and Roose Bolton, and it was commanded by Tywin Lannister. This event marked a decisive conclusion to the Northern Rebellion, almost wiped out House Stark, and satisfied Lord Walder’s desire for revenge. The most chilling instant occurred when Roose fatally stabbed Robb, nonchalantly stating, “The Lannisters extend their greetings.

2025-05-27 14:24