The 25 Best Power Players on Game of Thrones, Ranked

23. Walder Frey

Walder Frey may not be someone you’d hold up as an example of clean politics, but he knows how to protect his interests, petty as they are.

Walder Frey is best known for his involvement in the infamous Red Wedding. Before this massacre, Frey negotiated with the Starks when they were at their most desperate, ensuring that one of his daughters would get to marry a king in exchange for letting that king’s army cross a bridge; Walder definitely came out ahead in that deal.

Later, after King Robb Stark didn’t hold up his end of the bargain, Walder accepted Edmure Tully in his place, and the stage was set for the Red Wedding. At the Twins, the Freys and Starks dined together in celebration of the happy event. But although he had extended guest right to the Starks, Lord Frey then had Robb and all of his people brutally murdered, all because Robb had broken his deal. And behind it all was Tywin Lannister, who assured Walder Frey that he would help shield him from any revenge. Walder chose the coward’s path, but it still worked out for him…for a while.

And this wasn’t the only time the Lord of the Crossing used cowardice to his advantage. Walder is famously known as “the late Lord Frey” on account of him purposefully turning up late to aid Hoster Tully during Robert’s Rebellion. He dragged his feet because he wanted to be sure he would fight for the winning side, which he did, but only barely. To Lord Frey, oaths and pledges are only good for how they can help him. It’s not a noble strategy, but it served him well throughout his long life.

It’s also what killed him. Eventually, Arya Stark came calling to avenge her family, and slit Walder Frey’s throat. The lesson here? You can only screw over so many people before you get screwed back.