Food in "A Song of Ice and Fire" Quiz

Answer: Meat and mead

Sharing meat and mead implies a bond. In "A Clash of Kings", Theon tells his father how close he has become to King Robb Stark in the following terms: "I have hunted with him, trained with him, shared meat and mead with him, warred at his side. I have earned his trust." In the dedication to "A Clash of Kings", George R.R. Martin even thanks some of his own friends "for all the meat and mead we've shared."

Answer: A peach

Afterwards, Stannis recalls with annoyance how Renly let the juice trickle down from the corner of his mouth. The act of eating the peach epitomizes the difference between the two brothers: the popular and attractive Renly indulges himself in the physical pleasures, while Stannis is much more dour and puritanical.

Answer: Bread and salt

Robb's first reaction is "I have an army to protect me, Mother, I don't need to trust in bread and salt." However, he agrees that it is appropriate to defer to Lord Frey, since the purpose of the visit is to repair relations between Starks and Freys. Lord Frey does command bread to be brought out, along with wine, cheese and butter.

This is not enough to protect the Starks, as it turns out later.

Answer: Lemon cakes

Sansa's little pleasure is repeatedly alluded to throughout the first four books. Even the scheming Varys ("the Spider") has noted it, and mentions it to the Tyrells as a way to win her trust and favour. In "A Feast for Crows" Sansa wishes there were lemons at the Eyrie so she could make some herself.

Answer: Onions

Davos also brought salt fish during the siege, when "within Storm's End, the horses had long since been eaten, the dogs and cats were gone, and the garrison was down to roots and rats." ("A Clash of Kings") However, it was the onions that were chiefly remembered afterwards; for this reason, he is nicknamed "the Onion Knight", which is not exactly a compliment; it reminds people of his low birth even though he has been made a knight.

Answer: Sansa: she believes her betrothal has been cancelled.

Sansa has just discovered that she will not have to marry someone she dislikes. (For the sake of those who have not yet read the book, I won't reveal the name of her erstwhile fiancé). In our contemporary understanding of psychology, it is understood that clinical depression can cause people to lose the pleasure they would normally take in everyday things like food. One might therefore interpret this incident as meaning that Sansa is emerging from true depression.

Answer: Pigeon pie with lemon cream

All these dishes are set out for the feast, a complicated meal of 77 dishes described in some detail. The fatal pigeon pie was not served directly to the king, but taken from a plate set for another guest. However, it seems to have been the accompanying red wine that did the damage. (I won't mention which king succumbs, for the sake of readers who haven't yet read the book.)

Answer: For her unborn child's sake

"The Dothraki believe it will make her son swift and fearless." (It is known!) The pregnant Daenarys manages to eat the whole heart successfully, even though the terms of the proposition require that it be eaten raw, without choking or retching. Her achievement may partly be due to her good preparation, which included drinking bowls of clotted horse's blood, chewing dried strips of horse meat and starving herself ahead of time.

Answer: They've just been named to the Night's Watch.

The Lord Commander's own table provides much of this fare for Jon Snow and his fellow "graduates". It seems they eat fairly well at the Wall: pork pie is among the other foods mentioned, as well as bacon and eggs, cheese, sausages, and mutton stew with ale and onions. Lord Commander Mormant is even particular that his wine should be spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, honey, nuts and raisins.

Answer: A bowl of brown

For a little while Arya Stark is among those who subsist on this cheap and basic nourishment for impoverished city dwellers at King's Landing. Sometimes she is able to barter for it with the pigeons she catches. It is strongly hinted that occasionally the body of someone who becomes inconvenient at court may end up in the pot along with the vegetables.