See also: First Trial by Combat of Tyrion Lannister

Tyrion Lannister.[src]

The Court trial of Tyrion Lannister was a major turning point during the War of the Five Kings, in which Tyrion Lannister was tried for the assassination of King Joffrey Baratheon at his wedding feast.

It quickly becomes apparent that the spectacle is nothing more than a mere show trial. Tyrion observes that the presiding judge, his father, and his main accuser, Cersei, have wanted him dead for longer than anyone and that another of the judges, Mace Tyrell, will go along with whatever Tywin says.

All the witnesses against Tyrion are either his enemies or have otherwise been bribed or cajoled by his sister or father into testifying. Most give circumstantial, exaggerated, and sometimes outright false evidence, and Tyrion is not permitted to cross-examine them. It is also pretty apparent that Tyrion has no chance of acquittal.

Ultimately, Tyrion snaps at the injustice, insulting the entire court in the process. With his loyalty to his father (and to a lesser extent House Lannister) shattered, Tyrion decides to place his fate in the hands of the Seven, demanding a trial by combat, a decision that would have dire consequences.


"He did this! He poisoned my son, your King! Take him! TAKE HIM! TAKE HIM! TAKE HIM!"
―Cersei Lannister, ordering the arrest of Tyrion immediately after Joffrey's death.[src]
Following the Red Wedding, with the successful elimination of Robb Stark and most of his allies, the War of The Five Kings was effectively over, and peace gradually returned to Westeros. Although fighting continued in the northern territories since Stannis Baratheon headed north to aid the Nights Watch against the Wildlings, Balon Greyjoy's forces remained confined to the North and Daenerys Targaryen was still campaigning in Essos, campaigns in the southern territories were few and far between. This meant that the majority of the Southern, Eastern and Western Realms were now firmly under the control of House Lannister and their allies, serving under the capable leadership of Tywin Lannister, who despite being Hand of the King effectively ruled through his grandson, the vile King Joffrey Baratheon.

Although the southern kingdoms now had a chance at peace, one person that did not benefit from the ensuing Lannister prosperity, was Tywin's youngest son, Tyrion Lannister. Although he served as Acting Hand, during Tywins absence, and helped to prepare for the Siege of Kings Landing by Stannis Baratheon, following the Battle of the Blackwater, Tyrion received no appreciation or gratitude. On the contrary, he was stripped of all authority, with Cersei and Joffrey taking much of the credit for his schemes in stabilising the realms, whilst shifting the blame for any misgivings on Tyrion. Lord Tywin Lannister and the Tyrells claimed all the glory for saving Kings Landing, at the Blackwater, ignoring Tyrion's own accomplishments. Over the course of the next few months, Tyrion was forced into a loveless marriage with Sansa Stark, demoted to the rank of Master of Coin, and was constantly looked down upon by the citizens of Kings Landing whilst also being frequently chastised by Tywin, Joffrey and Cersei (all of whom hated Tyrion). As a result, the youngest Lannisters bitterness towards his family and the citizens of Kings Landing gradually festered.

With the War of the Five Kings now behind them and Lannister power its zenith, Tywin moved to strengthen the Lannister position and arranged the marriage of his grandson to the maiden of High Garden, Margaery Tyrell. The marriage had little to do with love and was part of Tywins desire to stabilise the realm following a chaotic war, as well as strengthen the Lannister position by establishing a powerful dynasty. Even so, the idea was not well received by Joffrey's mother, Cersei, who feared the level of influence Margaery and the other Tyrells might exert of Joffrey if given time. Unknown to most, Margaery's grandmother, Olenna Tyrell, was also concerned, but for very different reasons. Word had reached her about Joffrey's behaviour, and when she spoke to Sansa Stark about it in confidence, the Lady of the North confirmed Olenna's worst fears.

At the ceremony itself, an extravagant banquet was held for all the guests, followed by a mocking play re-enacting the War of the Five Kings, with dwarf actors culminating in Joffrey's victory. Tyrion was far from satisfied by this and after he verbally insults Joffrey, was forced to serve as his nephew's cupbearer. Shortly after cutting the pie, Joffrey drank deeply from his goblet, then started choking. As he collapses, struggling to breathe, Joffrey's biological parents Jaime and Cersei rush to his side just as Joffrey's face starts turning purple. With his last ounce of strength, the Baratheon King raises his hand towards Tyrion (whether in accusation or repentance is unknown, though the former seems more likely), before expiring in his mother's arms.

Though there is not a shred of proof, an enraged and grieving Cersei immediately accuses Tyrion of murdering her son and orders him to be arrested, to which the Kingsguard promptly obliges. In the confusion, Sansa Stark is spirited away by Dontos Hollard and taken to the Vale. Joffrey is subsequently laid to rest in the Great Sept of Baelor, and his younger brother Tommen succeeds him as King.

Tyrion is subsequently charged with regicide, and confined to the dungeons awaiting trial. Cersei starts preparing a strong case against her brother, confident that he is guilty of the crime and determine to seek justice for her murdered son. When questioned by Jaime, Tyrion declares he is innocent, and though he admits he hated Joffrey, the boy was still his family and so Tyrion would have never actually harmed him.

What really happened

Unknown to the majority of the court, it was Olenna Tyrell who conspired with Petyr Baelish to have Joffrey murdered. Both secretly admitted it in confidence, Olenna to her granddaughter Margaery and Baelish to Sansa Stark. The motive for Olenna was to protect her beloved granddaughter from the beastly Joffrey's sadism, whereas Littlefinger wished to keep the great houses divided in order to take advantage of the ensuing chaos. As noted by Tyrion before his court trial, however, even if this detail was known, Cersei and Tywin had been looking for an excuse to get rid of him for a long time by that point anyway, so it wouldn't have made any real difference.

The Trial

Part One




Ser Meryn Trant




Pycelle 4x06







Tyrion questions Varys

Tyrion questions Varys at his trial.


Tyrion is permitted to ask one question. He reminds Varys of their conversation after the Battle of Blackwater. Varys told him that he had saved the city, and though it would go unrecorded in the history books, he would not forget him. Tyrion asks Varys if he has indeed forgotten. Varys sighs that "Sadly, I never forget a thing."[1]


At the recess, Jaime confronts Tywin, calling the trial a farce entirely manipulated by Cersei, and says that Tywin is about to condemn his own son to death. Tywin denies any involvement in manipulating the trial in Cersei's favour but is blasted by Jaime, who claims that even if Tyrion did kill Joffrey, he himself did the same to the Mad King, which ironically saved Tywin's life. Jaime therefore, brokers a deal with his father: if Tywin agrees to let Tyrion live, Jaime will renounce his Kingsguard vows, reclaim his place as Tywin's heir, take up his seat at Casterly Rock, marry a suitable wife, and have children, all to continue Tywin's legacy as Tywin had initially intended. Tywin immediately accepts and once again accepts Jaime as his son, but on the condition that Tyrion plead for mercy once 'proven' guilty, upon which Tywin will allow Tyrion to leave Kings Landing and join the Night's Watch.

Jaime speaks with Tyrion just before the trial resumes and informs him of their father's offer. Tyrion is understandably not convinced, reminding Jaime that Ned Stark was offered the same deal and was executed nevertheless, but Jaime promises that Tywin will not commit such a treasonous act like Joffrey did. He pleads with Tyrion just to stay calm and refrain from getting angry again in order for the deal to stand. As he leaves Tyrion does appear to consider this option.[1]

Part Two


Shae on Stand s4 Laws of Gods



As Shae's testimony ends, the court appears utterly convinced that Tyrion is a bad character who is guilty of the crime he is accused of. Cersei shoots a savage smile at Tyrion, whilst Tywin looks on dismissively. Shae herself is humiliated and cannot bring herself to look at Tyrion.

Tyrion's Outburst

What nobody realizes, however, is that they have just overstepped the mark. By getting Shae to testify, Cersei has set events in motion that would have disastrous consequences. At this point, Tyrion's grief has been replaced by seething, white-hot fury. He is incandescent with rage that his own family is trying to condemn him for a crime that he did not commit and that they were prepared to manipulate the woman he loves into testifying against him in such a humiliating
Tyrion 4x07

"I demand a trial by combat!"

manner. This, coupled with the lack of gratitude he received following the events at Blackwater Bay and the fact that the realm would betray him for a King that they all hated and despised, proves to be too much.

After enduring a lifetime of cruelty, abuse and verbal ridicule, Tyrion finally reaches his breaking point. Following Shae's testimony, an incensed Tyrion silences the court under the pretext of offering a confession. When Tywin tries to clarify this, however, Tyrion turns to face the witnesses and attendants. He reminds everybody present -- the Lords, Ladies, Maesters and other high-born citizens -- that it was he who saved them from Stannis Baratheon at the Battle of Blackwater Bay (not Tywin or the Tyrells, and certainly not Joffrey). He openly expresses his regret for saving such an ungrateful citizenry and growls venomously, "I should have let Stannis kill you all!" thus indicating the severance of his allegiance to House Lannister, whilst also further alienating himself from the court.

Tywin has to shout over the enraged audience in order to try and obtain Tyrion's confession. When the room falls silent again Tyrion is questioned, but instead of confessing denies any involvement in Joffrey's murder and pleads guilty to being a dwarf, stating mockingly that the trial is merely another way for his father and sister to try and get rid of him. Tywin brushes this aside (indicating it is true), and tries to stick to the matter at hand. He asks earnestly if Tyrion has anything to say in his defense, to which Tyrion once again professes his innocence, though fully aware that by this point nobody will believe him.

Tyrion then directs his fury towards Cersei, shouting directly to his sister's face; "I did not kill Joffrey, but I wish that I had! Watching your vicious bastard die gave me more relief than a thousand lying whores!"

With this statement, Tyrion makes several things clear:

  • Firstly, he denies any involvement in Joffrey's murder, whilst expressing his regret at not doing it.
  • Simultaneously, and much to Cersei's anger, Tyrion states that contrary to what everybody is saying, Joffrey was not the sweet, generous monarch they have made him out to be. He was a vicious monster, and in Tyrion's opinion, Joffrey fully deserved what he got.
  • Tyrion's declaration also publicly confirms that the rumours circulating about the nature of his elder siblings' relationship are in fact true. This means that the so-called Baratheon siblings (Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen) are not Robert's heirs, but bastards born of incest, which means that the Lannisters are traitors and usurpers to the throne.
  • As a final insult, Tyrion denounces Shae's testimony, calling his treacherous lover "a lying whore" before the whole of King's Landing nobility.

As his sister looks on angrily, and Shae is hurt, Tyrion turns back to the court. He makes it clear that he is well aware of the accusations and whispers they have made behind his back, the ones about him being a monster. Tyrion now expresses his regret that he is not that person, declaring that if he was, he would then be free of conscience and willing to die in order to exact retribution by poisoning the "whole pack of you" for treating him like this. The court explodes at this, and Tywin desperately tries to restore order, ordering Ser Meryn Trent to have Tyrion removed before he can stir up any more trouble.

Sick of his father's manipulation, however, Tyrion does not give Meryn that chance. Before anyone can react, Tyrion shouts that he will not allow himself to be executed for the sake of Joffrey, and states that he knows he will not be served true justice at such a farcical show-trial. Well aware that he now has nothing to lose, Tyrion declares that he will leave his fate in the hands of the Gods.

Tyrion puts an end to the all of the legal proceedings and demands a trial by combat.[1]

As the court bursts into an angry protest, the reactions of several main characters are shown in sequence;

  • Joffrey's widow Margaery (the only person in the courtroom that knows the truth) is stunned by this development, and alongside her ignorant brother Loras, they look up at the judges.
  • A worried looking Shae glances up at the judges then looks away nervously (though whether she is concerned about herself or Tyrion remains unclear).
  • Oberyn leans forward, looking genuinely interested at this turn of events.
  • In contrast, Jaime sighs sadly, thinking that any hope of saving Tyrion is lost.
  • Cersei manages to keep her emotions in check but clenches her fingers together angrily, enraged that the man she perceives as Joffrey's killer has successfully outmaneuvered her.
  • As for Tyrion, he locks eyes with his father Tywin, who is glaring down at him. The youngest Lannister smirks triumphantly up at him, knowing full well that he has just turned his father's manipulation on its head.

Aftermath & Consequences

The Court trial of Tyrion Lannister would have serious consequences for the entirety of Westeros and Essos. These effects were both far-reaching and long-lasting. In the short term, two of the presiding judges soon lost their lives. In the long term, great suffering was wrought upon the innocent civilians of Westeros, two of the Great Houses became extinct, and many of the people in attendance lost their lives.

The verdict itself was rendered shortly afterwards in Tyrion's second trial by combat when Ser Gregor Clegane (acting on as Cersei's champion), despite suffering serious injuries, bested and killed Tyrion's champion, Oberyn Martell, who volunteered in order to avenge his sister Elia and her children (who were all murdered by Clegane). With the battle over, Tywin immediately sentenced Tyrion to death, much to Cersei's delight.

Although the disgraced Maestar Qyburn was ultimately able to reanimate Ser Gregor via his horrific experiments, Oberyn's death further widened the rift between the Lannisters and Dorne, which was ultimately never repaired. Whilst Doran Martell worked to ensure peace with the Lannisters this was not what his people wanted, and following the coup by Ellaria Sand and the Sand Snakes (which saw the extinction of House Martell), Dorne openly rebelled against the Iron Throne. Ellaria signified this by murdering Myrcella Lannister in cold blood and later sided with Daenerys Targaryen during her invasion of Westeros. Whilst Ellaria was eventually captured by Euron Greyjoy, and her daughters killed, Dorne presumably remained in an open state of defiance.

Unwilling to let his brother die, Jaime secretly rescued Tyrion the night before his execution, and arranged for his safe transportation out of the Kings Landing. However, an emotionally distraught Tyrion decided to confront his father one final time before leaving. Upon entering his father's bedchamber in the Tower of the Hand, Tyrion found Shae lying naked in his father's bed and following a short scuffle ended up killing her in self-defence, an act he profoundly regretted. Tyrion subsequently armed himself with Joffrey's crossbow and confronted his father in the privy chamber. Following a brief exchange, in which an unrepentant Tywin called Shae a whore one too many times for his own good, Tyrion murdered his father with two crossbow bolts to the chest. Having avenged himself upon the father who'd condemned, continuously tormented, and never loved him, Tyrion successfully escaped from the city, along with Varys who opted to come with him. Following a series of misadventures, both ultimately joined Daenerys Targaryen pledging to help her take back Westeros, with Tyrion eventually rising to the position of Daenerys' Hand of the Queen.

Back in Westeros, Tywin Lannister's death brought an end to his stabilizing influence, plunging the Kingdom and House Lannister into total disarray. With Tommen still too young to rule on his own, Cersei took command as Queen Regent, a fact which disgusted Tywin's younger brother Kevan Lannister, since this effectively put Cersei in charge of the Seven Kingdoms. Although she claimed to have learnt a great many things from her father, Cersei's paranoia and short-sightedness caused her to make several bad decisions, which jeopardized the alliances that her father had worked so hard to establish, whilst alienating herself from the other noble families, and pushing the realm towards the brink of another civil war.

This ultimately backfires on her and she was subsequently stripped of all authority following her walk of atonement. With Cersei apparently subdued, Kevan Lannister took control of the small council, serving as Tommen Baratheon's Hand of the King, and working together with the Tyrells, did his best to restore order in Kings Landing, proving to be almost as capable as his brother. However, Cersei continued plotting behind the scenes and ultimately took back her power, following the destruction of the Sept of Baelor. In this one fell swoop, she wiped out all of her political rivals, whilst simultaneously destroying all other branches of the Lannister line, which caused her last surviving child Tommen Baratheon to commit suicide. With no one left in Kings Landing to oppose her, Cersei took the throne for herself, obtaining the crown she had always wanted.

Throughout the early part of her reign, Cersei proved to be reasonably competent, securing an alliance with Euron Greyjoy and winning a string of early victories against Daenerys Targaryen during her invasion of Westeros. Following the devastating defeat at the Battle of the Goldroad however, Cersei's claim to the throne was left in extreme jeopardy. Although she continued to vehemently believe that the Lannisters would one day come to rule the Seven Kingdoms, by the time of the Parley at the Dragon Pit, Cersei remained the ruler of a divided continent. By now the majority of the other Houses have either pledged themselves to Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow or were too badly crippled to make effective allies. As the Great War finally begins, the only place truly under Cersei's control was Kings Landing.

The Truth Revealed

Cersei continued to vehemently believe that Tyrion and his wife Sansa had murdered Joffrey for many years. Following their escape, she put out a bounty on Tyrion's head, offering a lordship to anyone who could capture him, leading to the death of many innocent dwarves. When she learnt that Roose Bolton was sheltering Sansa Stark and that he planned to marry her off to his son Ramsay, in order to legitimize his claim to the North, Cersei threatened to eradicate them, ignoring the fact that the Boltons were 'allied' to the crown at this point in time.

Although the citizens of Westeros hated Tyrion, they did not seem particularly concerned nor sorry about what happened to Joffrey. Indeed, when Randyll Tarly met with Tyrion following the Battle of the Goldroad, he proclaimed that Tyrion was a traitor that had murdered Tywin, whilst completely ignoring his alleged regiced. This suggests that Randyll (and many other people) either believed Tyrion was innocent of that crime, or simply didn't care about Joffrey.

It would not be until Jaime's return from the Battle of the Goldroad that Cersei would finally learn the truth. At the conclusion of the Fall of Highgarden, Jaime confronted Olenna Tyrell, in which the pair spoke about many things, including Cersei and the late King Joffrey. After ingesting poison provided to her by Jaime, as a means to spare her from any of the crueler fates suggested by Cersei, Olenna calmly confessed that she was the one that had murdered Joffrey. She then asked a shocked Jaime to relay this information to Cersei, shortly before her own passing, so as to spite the vile Queen one last time.

Jaime complied with Olenna's wishes following his return to Kings Landing, after Cersei made a sarcastic remark about Tyrion. Whilst Cersei was initially dismissive of this claim, Jaime was ultimately able to convince her - asking her rhetorically if Olenna would prefer Margaery to marry the strong-willed and sadistic Joffrey or the emotionally pliable and good-natured Tommen. Effectively, Olenna would have become the true ruler of the Seven Kingdoms behind the scenes - in the same way that their father Tywin became the true ruler of Westeros through his grandsons. (though in truth Olenna only did it to protect her grandaughter). Confronted with the truth, Cersei, who had been clinging to the hatred of her youngest brother for all this time, showed no regard about how her own stupidity and rashful decision destroyed/divided her house and brought devastation to Westeros. All she could think about was that Olenna Tyrell had managed to cheat her one final time.

Tyrion's earlier prediction was also proven true, because despite knowing that he played no role in Joffrey's murder, Cersei continued to hate him anyway. When the pair spoke confidentially, during the Parley in King's Landing Cersei declared that while he may not have murdered Joffrey she held him responsible for the deaths of their father, and her other two children, as well as the ensuing chaos that followed Tywin's death.

Whilst there was undeniably some credence to this claim, since Tyrion did murder Tywin (for which he is now branded a kinslayer) and that Myrcella would not have become such an easy target if Tyrion had not shipped her off to Dorne in the first place, the truth of the matter is much more simple. Cersei's own actions brought about all these consequences. If she hadn't accused Tyrion in the first place and launched a proper investigation; Tywin and Oberyn Martell would more than likely still be alive, Tyrion would probably not be in a position of power as he is now, the Sand Snakes would have felt no need to go after Myrcella, and most of the ensuing conflicts in Westeros would not have happened.

In the books

In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Tyrion's trial is longer, taking the span of several days. A number of witnesses are brought by the crown, some of whom even consider Tyrion to be innocent, but nevertheless, do lend credence to Cersei's case. Others, however, seeking the Queen's favour, state outright lies, going as far as claiming they saw Tyrion put something in Joffrey's cup. Cersei herself does not testify, only bringing the witnesses.



Before the trial begins, Kevan visits Tyrion at the prison, informing him that Tywin, Mace Tyrell and Oberyn Martell will stand in judgment of him. When Tyrion claims he may demand a trial by combat, his uncle replies that Cersei will name Gregor Clegane as her champion. Tyrion thinks how his sister checks his moves before he makes them. Kevan asks Tyrion if he has any witnesses, and promises to do all in his power to produce them. Before Kevan leaves, Tyrion says "I did not do this". Kevan answers "I wish I could believe that". Tyrion wonders if his wife is the murderer. The next day, Kevan frowns to see that Tyrion's witness list has only one name - Sansa. He tells Tyrion that there is a large reward on her head, and Addam Marbrand looks for her.

Tyrion sends Podrick Payne to bring Bronn but finds that he is soon to marry Lollys Stokeworth, and now being paid well by the Queen. Although Bronn likes Tyrion, he is not going to risk his life for him.

The first day of the trial


The witnesses who testify against Tyrion are:


Second day of the trial






Tyrion thinks about the offer all night. He does not like at all the idea of bearing the stigma of kinslayer or Kingslayer for the rest of his life for a murder he did not commit.

Third day of the trial




Last day of the trial




Hearing so many lies from the woman he loved, and enraged at the betrayal and mockery he is receiving from the citizens of King's Landing, Tyrion explodes in rage and exclaims "Get this lying whore out of my sight and I will give you your confession". Once Shae is gone, he hatefully gives a speech similar to the show, expressing his disgust and hatred for the treacherous citizens of Kings Landing (making it very clear he regrets saving them) before demanding a trial by combat. Cersei urges the judges to accept, annoucing Gregor Clegane as her champion. Tywin is so angry that he cannot speak, so Mace Tyrell asks on his behalf if Tyrion has a champion. 

Much to everyone's surprise, Oberyn immediately stands up and volunteers to be Tyrion's champion. The uproar is deafening, and Tyrion takes special pleasure in the sudden doubt he glimpses in Cersei's eyes. It takes a hundred gold cloaks to quiet the throne room again. Tywin who has been silent until this point quickly declares "Let the issue be decided on the morrow. I wash my hands of it". He gives Tyrion a cold angry look, then leaves.

That night, Tyrion feels strangely calm: no matter what will happen, he has the satisfaction of knowing that he'd kicked his father's plans to splinters: if Prince Oberyn wins, it will further inflame Highgarden against Dorne; Mace Tyrell will see the man who crippled his son helping the dwarf, who (allegedly) almost poisoned his daughter, to escape his rightful punishment. On the other hand, if the Mountain wins, Doran Martell may well demand to know why his brother had been served with death instead of the justice Tywin had promised him; Dorne may crown Myrcella after all. He sleeps long and deep.
