Difference between revisions of "Cersei Lannister"

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{{Infobox character
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{{Redirect|Cersei}}
| Character_name = [[File:House Lannister.png|50px|left]][[File:House Baratheon.PNG|50px|right]] '''Cersei Lannister'''
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{{Infobox character
| image         = [[File:Cersei.jpg|300px]]
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| title = Queen
| image_caption = by Amok©
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| nickname =
| Alias         = Light of the West<br>Brotherfucker
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| firstname = Cersei
| Title          = Queen Dowager<br>Protector of the Realm<br>Lady of Casterly Rock<br>[[Regent|Queen Regent]]
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| particle =
| Allegiance     = [[House Lannister]]
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| lastname = Lannister
| Race           =
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| epithet =
| Culture       = [[Westerlands]]
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| arms = Lannister
| Spouse         = [[Robert Baratheon]] (deceased)
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| arms2 = Baratheon of King's Landing 1
| Place_of_Birth = [[Casterly Rock]]
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| image = Cersei Lannister by Magali Villeneueve (cropped).jpg
| Date_of_Birth  = {{Date|266}}
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| image_caption = Cersei Lannister, by Magali Villeneuve © FFG
| Place_of_Death =
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| Alias =
| Date_of_Death  =
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| Title = Queen<br>[[Light of the West]] <small>(self-styled and briefly used)</small><br>Queen Dowager<br>[[Regent|Queen Regent]]<br>[[Protector of the Realm]]<br>[[Lady of Casterly Rock]]<br>[[Shield of Lannisport]]
| Books         = [[A Game of Thrones]] (Appears)<br>[[A Clash of Kings]] (Appears)<br>[[A Storm of Swords]] (Appears)<br>[[A Feast for Crows]] (POV)<br>[[A Dance with Dragons]] (POV)
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| Allegiance = [[House Lannister]]<br>[[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]
| coat-of-arms  =
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| Race =  
| Played_by     = [[List of actors of the televised series#Lena Heady,Cersei Lannister|Lena Headey]]<ref name=HBO/>
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| Culture = [[Westermen]]
| TV_series     = [[Game of Thrones - Season 1|Season 1]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 2|Season 2]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 3|Season 3]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 4|Season 4]]
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| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|266}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}
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| Place_of_Birth = [[Casterly Rock]], the [[westerlands]]
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| Date_of_Death =
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| Place_of_Death =
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| Date_of_Burial =
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| Place_of_Burial =
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| Father = Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
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| Mother = Lady [[Joanna Lannister]]
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| Spouse = King [[Robert I Baratheon]]
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| Lover = Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]<br>Ser [[Lancel Lannister]]<br>Ser [[Osmund Kettleblack]]<br>Ser [[Osfryd Kettleblack]]<br>Ser [[Osney Kettleblack]]<br>Lady [[Taena of Myr|Taena Merryweather]]
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| Issue = Prince [[Joffrey Baratheon]]<br>Princess [[Myrcella Baratheon]]<br>Prince [[Tommen Baratheon]]
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| coat-of-arms =  
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| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (appears)<br>''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (appears)<br>''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (appears)<br>''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (POV)<br>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (POV)<br>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' (POV)
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| Played_by = [[w:Lena Headey|Lena Headey]]<br>[[w:Nell Williams|Nell Williams]] (young)
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| TV_series = ''[[Game of Thrones]]'': [[Game of Thrones - Season 1|Season 1]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 2|2]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 3|3]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 4|4]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 5|5]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 6|6]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 7|7]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 8|8]]
 
}}
 
}}
[[File:Cersei-Lannister.png|right|thumb|250px|Cersei Lannister as depicted in the [[Game of Thrones|TV series]]]]
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'''Cersei Lannister''' is the eldest child of [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] and [[Joanna Lannister]] by mere moments, and the twin sister of [[Jaime Lannister]]. After [[Robert's Rebellion]] she married the new king, [[Robert Baratheon]], and became Queen of the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. She is the mother of [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]], and [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]] of [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]. Cersei becomes a [[POV Character]] in ''[[A Feast for Crows]]''. In the [[Game of Thrones|TV series]] she is played by Lena Headey.<ref name=HBO/>
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Queen '''Cersei Lannister''' is the only daughter and eldest child of Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] of [[Casterly Rock]] and his wife, Lady [[Joanna Lannister]]. She is the twin of her younger brother, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]. In the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' Cersei is played by [[w:Lena Headey|Lena Headey]], and is portrayed when she is a child by [[w:Nell Williams|Nell Williams]] in a [[Game of Thrones - Season 5|Season 5]] flashback.
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After [[Robert's Rebellion]], Cersei married King  [[Robert I Baratheon]] and became Queen of the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. She is the mother of Prince [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], Princess [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]], and Prince [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]] of [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]. Cersei becomes a [[POV character]] in ''[[A Feast for Crows]]''.
  
 
==Appearance and Character==
 
==Appearance and Character==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Cersei Lannister|Images of Cersei Lannister]]''
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{{See also|:Category:Images of Cersei Lannister|l1=Images of Cersei Lannister}}
[[File:Cersei lannister by teiiku.jpg|thumb|300px|Young beautiful queen Cersei, in her chambers. Art by TeiIku©]]
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[[File:Cersei Lannister by Hylora.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Cersei Lannister, by Hylora ©]]
Cersei is willful, ambitious and has a certain low cunning. She is, in her opinion, politically astute and likes to think of herself as her father's daughter, and feels slighted when people do not jump to her erratic commands. She resents the customs and conventions put on her because of her gender, but never realizes that people do not come to her or respect her commands because she is an ineffectual leader.{{Ref|aGoT|67}}  
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Cersei is a strikingly beautiful woman,{{Ref|ACOK|25}} with curly{{Ref|ACOK|57}}{{Ref|ASOS|72}}{{ref|AFFC|8}} golden hair,{{ref|ACOK|20}}{{Ref|ACOK|54}} emerald green eyes,{{Ref|AGOT|5}}{{Ref|AFFC|7}}{{ref|ACOK|15}}{{Ref|ACOK|17}}{{Ref|ACOK|20}}{{ref|ACOK|41}}{{Ref|AFFC|16}} fair skin,{{ref|AFFC|7}} and a slender, graceful figure.{{ref|ACOK|20}} When they were children, Cersei and her twin brother, [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], looked so alike not even their father, [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]], could tell them apart.{{ref|ACOK|60}} As adults, they still significantly resemble each other.{{Ref|ACOK|3}}{{Ref|ASOS|1}}
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Cersei is willful, ambitious, and according to her brother [[Tyrion Lannister]], has a certain low cunning.{{Ref|AGOT|38}} She is hungry and greedy for power.{{Ref|AGOT|34}}{{Ref|ADWD|22}} Cersei believes herself to be subtle{{Ref|ACOK|3}} and politically astute. She hates being excluded from power on account of her gender,{{Ref|ASOS|66}}  and resents the customs and conventions put on her because she is female.{{ref|ACOK|20}}{{Ref|ACOK|60}} She thinks of herself as a female version of her father,{{ref|AFFC|3}}{{ref|AFFC|7}}{{Ref|AFFC|36}}{{Ref|AFFC|43}} and feels slighted when people do not obey her commands as they would have done for Lord Tywin, but instead give her their counsel, or disagree with her, which she faults on her gender.{{ref|AFFC|24}}
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Cersei is impatient,{{Ref|ACOK|20}} and never forgets a slight, whether real or imagined. She considers caution to be cowardice and disagreement for defiance.{{Ref|ADWD|22}} Her quick temper and her easily wounded pride frequently lead her to make rash decisions, and she rarely considers what unintended consequences her actions might have.{{ref|ACOK|3}} She does not shy away from using sex as a weapon.{{ref|ACOK|60}}
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The queen's fine gowns include one of sea-green silk trimmed with pale [[Myr]]ish lace;{{ref|AGOT|49}} one of black silk with red rubies sown into the bodice;{{ref|AGOT|51}} a low-cut gown of deep green velvet;{{ref|ACOK|54}} a snowy white linen gown with sleeves lined with gold satin;{{ref|ACOK|57}} a cloth-of-gold gown slashed in burgundy velvet;{{ref|ACOK|65}} a gown with stripes of green satin and black velvet with black Myrish lace above the bodice;{{ref|AFFC|25}} a jade-green gown with sleeves of silver Myrish lace;{{ref|AFFC|27}} and a white gown slashed with cloth-of-gold.{{ref|AFFC|28}} When Cersei wants to be discreet, however, she dresses in hunting green with leather boots and a brown cloak.{{ref|AGOT|45}}
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Cersei's [[jewelry]] includes a [[gold]]en ring with a large [[emerald]],{{ref|AGOT|49}} a necklace of [[diamond]]s and emeralds,{{ref|AGOT|57}} and a golden necklace with a large emerald.{{ref|AFFC|27}} Her jeweled tiara is also decorated with emeralds.{{ref|AGOT|5}}{{ref|AGOT|49}} Cersei's huge royal [[wheelhouse]] is a double-decked carriage of oiled [[oak]] and gilded metal,{{ref|AGOT|4}} and the queen has an ornate barge located at the harbor of [[King's Landing]].{{ref|AGOT|18}}
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==History==
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===Early life===
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[[File:Joanna-Cersei-Jaime-by-naomi-makes-art73.png|thumb|350px|[[Joanna Lannister]], with her children Cersei and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], by Naomimakesart ©]]
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Cersei was born in {{Date|266}} as the first-born child and only daughter to Ser [[Tywin Lannister]], heir to [[Casterly Rock]] and [[Hand of the King]], and his wife, Lady [[Joanna Lannister|Joanna]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} Cersei was born shortly before her twin brother [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], who was holding her foot.{{Ref|AGOT|45}}{{Ref|ASOS|66}} King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] sent the twins their weights in gold as a [[name day]] gift, and commanded Tywin to bring the children to court when they were old enough to travel.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} It is currently unknown whether this visit to King's Landing actually occurred, as the royal court came to Casterly Rock following the death of Lord [[Tytos Lannister]] in {{Date|267}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Cersei and Jaime did visit King's Landing in {{Date|272}}, when their mother brought them from Casterly Rock for the [[Anniversary Tourney]] held to celebrate the tenth year of King Aerys's reign.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
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During their early childhood, Cersei and Jaime were inseparable.{{Ref|AFFC|32}} They looked so similar as children that not even their father was able to keep them apart.{{ref|ACOK|60}} Sometimes they would dress in each other's clothes, and spend a whole day as each other.{{ref|ACOK|60}} Occasionally when Cersei wore Jaime's clothes, she took lessons from the [[master-at-arms]] in his stead, without anyone realizing.{{ref|AWOIAF|Cersei Lannister}} The twins played in the bowels of Casterly Rock, where the caged [[lion]]s of Cersei's late grandfather, Tytos, were kept. Cersei and Jaime would dare each other to climb into the cage. Cersei once dared to go as far as touch one of the lions, until her brother pulled her away.{{Ref|AFFC|7}} Cersei and Jaime slept together in the same bed when they were very young,{{Ref|AFFC|32}} and [[incest|experimented sexually]] at a young age.{{Ref|AGOT|45}} During one of these encounters, they were caught by a servant, who informed their mother. A guard was placed outside Cersei's bedchamber, while Jaime's bedchamber was moved to the other side of the castle. The twins were told never to do anything like that ever again, as Joanna would otherwise be forced to tell their father.{{Ref|ASOS|21}}
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Cersei's mother died not long thereafter,{{Ref|ASOS|21}} in {{Date|273}},{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} when giving birth to Cersei's younger brother, [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]].{{Ref|AGOT|5}} Cersei, then seven years old, despised her youngest sibling for killing her mother.{{Ref|ASOS|38}} Shortly after Joanna's death, while the family was still in mourning, the [[Princess of Dorne (mother of Doran)|Princess of Dorne]] arrived at Casterly Rock with her two youngest children, [[Elia Martell|Elia]] and [[Oberyn Martell]]. Though Tyrion was kept out of sight during the visit of the [[House Martell|Martells]], Cersei promised to show him to Elia. On the last day of their visit, Cersei threatened her brother's [[wet nurse]] and sent her away, then undid Tyrion's swaddling clothes to better display his [[dwarf]]ism to the siblings. When Oberyn remarked that Tyrion was not much of a monster, Cersei replied that he had killed her mother, and then attacked the baby, twisting his penis while he screamed, until Jaime stopped her.{{Ref|ASOS|38}}
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After being separated from Jaime following their mother's discovery of their sexual experimenting, Cersei had numerous [[bedmaid]]s and companions, girls her age who were daughters of Tywin's [[bannermen]] and [[household knight]]s. While Cersei occasionally appreciated the company of these girls in keeping her bed warm at night in the cold Rock, she did not like any of them. She felt they were dull, weepy, sneakily telling tales about her, and was convinced they were trying to come between her and Jaime. Few lasted very long.{{Ref|AFFC|32}}
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===Attempted betrothal to Rhaegar Targaryen===
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[[File:Pojypojy Cersei drawing.jpg|thumb|350px|Young Cersei drawing herself with [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], by Pojypojy ©]]
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During the Martells' visit to Casterly Rock, the Princess of Dorne proposed a betrothal between Cersei and Oberyn, as had been previously discussed by her and her friend Joanna. However, [[Tywin Lannister]] refused her, and informed her that Cersei was meant as a bride for the crown prince, [[Rhaegar Targaryen]].{{Ref|ASOS|70}}
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Lord Tywin first informed Cersei of his wish to betroth her to Prince Rhaegar when she was no older than six or seven, though he told her never to speak of it until a betrothal was officially announced.{{Ref|AFFC|24}} Cersei once drew a picture of Rhaegar and herself, riding a [[dragon]], though she claimed it depicted King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] and his sister-wife, [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], when Jaime discovered it. In {{Date|276}}, at the age of ten, Cersei became infatuated with Rhaegar after meeting him for the first time during the [[tournament in honor of Viserys's birth]] at [[Lannisport]].{{Ref|AFFC|24}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Before the tourney began, Cersei's aunt, Lady [[Genna Lannister|Genna]], informed Cersei that her betrothal to Rhaegar would be announced during the final feast of the tourney.{{Ref|AFFC|24}}
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[[File: Blood and prophecies by crisurdiales.jpg|thumb|350px|Cersei and [[Melara Hetherspoon]] in the tent of [[Maggy the Frog]], by Cris Urdiales ©]]
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On the tourney grounds, Cersei brought her bedmaids, [[Melara Hetherspoon]] and [[Jeyne Farman]], to the tent of a [[woods witch]], [[Maggy the Frog]], so that she could [[prophecy|tell their futures]]. After Maggy awoke, causing Jeyne to flee in fear, she required a [[bloodmagic|taste of a drop of their blood]], which Cersei bravely gave her. Cersei then inquired when she and Rhaegar would wed, and Maggy correctly predicted Cersei would not marry "the prince", but rather "the king" ([[Robert Baratheon]]). When Cersei asked whether she would still be queen, Maggy answered that she would, until another queen, "younger and more beautiful", would cast Cersei down and take all she held dear. Cersei then asked if she and the king would have children, and Maggy predicted that he would have sixteen children, and Cersei three. She went on to prophesy that Cersei would outlive her children, who would die crowned, and that afterwards the ''[[valonqar]]'' would come to "choke the life from [her]." Melara then asked if she would marry Jaime, but Maggy prophesied that she would not marry anyone and would die a [[maiden]], and that her death was was very close. Cersei followed this by throwing a potion into Maggy's face, and the girls fled the tent.{{ref|AFFC|36}} Afterwards, Melara suggested that if they never spoke about the prophecies, they would be forgotten and would not come true.{{ref|AFFC|17}}{{ref|AFFC|39}}
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However, Melara died shortly after their visit to Maggy, drowned in a well, and it is implied that Cersei killed the girl to prevent her from speaking of the prophecies, and out of jealousy over Jaime. After Melara's death, Cersei inquired with her [[septa]], [[Saranella]], about the meaning of ''valonqar'', who informed her it was [[High Valyrian]] for "little brother".{{ref|AFFC|39}} Cersei eventually became convinced that [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] was the ''valonqar'' Maggy spoke of, resulting in her despising and mistrusting him even more than she had before. The prophecy of the ''valonqar'' has continued to haunt Cersei.{{ref|AFFC|3}}
  
Early in the series, Cersei displays some real cunning in handling the political turmoil and intrigues surrounding the death of King Robert and the outbreak of the [[War of the Five Kings]]. As the series progresses, however, the more power Cersei obtains, the more she proves herself to be incompetent at handling it; although she has spent most of her life scheming to gain power, she seems to have little idea of what to do with it once she has it.  
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After the guests of the tourney left the [[westerlands]], Cersei learned from her aunt that Tywin had proposed the betrothal to King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], but Aerys refused, saying that a man did not marry his heir to his servant's daughter.{{ref|AFFC|24}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
  
Her quick temper and her easily wounded pride frequently lead her to make rash decisions, and she rarely considers what unintended consequences her actions might have. She lacks the patience for dealing with the tedious yet vital details of administration, and increasingly tends to avoid facing unpleasant facts, surrounding herself with sycophants rather than honest and competent advisers; ironically, despite her contempt for Robert's hedonistic lifestyle and physical deterioration, she is unconsciously coming to mimic his habit of overindulging in food, alcohol and sex as distractions from the pressures of leadership. Although she shares [[Tywin Lannister|her father]]'s philosophy of ruling through fear rather than love, she lacks his ability to temper ruthlessness with caution, pragmatism, and sound, objective judgment.
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[[File: Lannister twins by arkoniel.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Jaime Lannister]] and Cersei, by [http://mathiaarkoniel.com/ Mathia Arkoniel] ©]]
  
Cersei's feelings toward her father are complex; she resents him for marrying her off to Robert Baratheon and for never granting her as much power and respect as she craved, but also admires and seeks to emulate his brutal effectiveness as a politician. She has loathed her younger brother [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] ever since his birth killed [[Joanna Lannister|their mother]]. Although once optimistic about her royal marriage to Robert Baratheon, she quickly grew to despise him as a drunken fool who remained too infatuated with the memory of [[Lyanna Stark]] to give her a second glance.  
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===Living at court===
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At the age of twelve, Cersei was taken to [[King's Landing]] by her father, who still served as [[Hand of the King]], after the failure of Lord [[Steffon Baratheon]]'s mission to find Prince Rhaegar a suitable bride in [[Essos]]. In the following years, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] refused every offer of marriage for Cersei. According to [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], Tywin still had his sights set on a Targaryen match, either hoping to betroth Cersei to young Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]], or hoping for Rhaegar's new bride, Princess [[Elia Martell]], to die in childbirth.{{Ref|ASOS|11}}
  
The only people she can truly be said to love are her twin brother [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], with whom she has carried on an incestuous relationship since their adolescence, and her children (all of whom carry the surname Baratheon, but were in fact fathered by Jaime). However, she seems to love Jaime and the children more as extensions of herself than anything else, and can turn on them suddenly: while she protects her children fiercely from any others who would harm them, she provides them with little in the way of sound guidance or consistent discipline, and can react abusively when they defy or disappoint her.
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In {{Date|281}}, when Cersei was fifteen, Jaime visited King's Landing after receiving his [[knight]]hood. Cersei informed him that their father had been discussing betrothing Jaime to [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa Tully]]. Cersei seduced Jaime and persuaded him to join the [[Kingsguard]], which would require him to remain unmarried and live near her in the [[Red Keep]]. Cersei knew that Tywin would be opposed to the idea, but that he could not openly object if it was the king's order, and offered to make the arrangements herself. After a night of passionate sex, Jaime consented to her plan.{{Ref|ASOS|11}} However, Cersei had no idea how much the relationship between her father and the king had deteriorated, and although Aerys did award Jaime a place in the Kingsguard, Tywin furiously perceived Jaime's appointment to the Kingsguard as a slight by King Aerys intended to rob him of his heir. He resigned as Hand, pleading illness, and moved back to Casterly Rock with Cersei, separating the twins once more.{{Ref|ASOS|11}}
  
Cersei is a strikingly beautiful woman with classic [[House Lannister|Lannister]] looks: blonde hair, brilliant green eyes, fair skin, and a slender, graceful figure. [[:Category:Images of Cersei Lannister|this collection of images]]. However, time and motherhood are beginning to take their toll on her body, and as of ''A Feast for Crows'' she has begun to gain weight as a result of alcohol abuse. Like many other characters in the series, she occasionally has dreams that seem to be prophetic.
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===Marriage===
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[[File:Robert Baratheon Cersei Lannister Wedding.jpg|thumb|450px|[[Customs#Wedding ceremony|Wedding]] of Cersei and King [[Robert I Baratheon]], from ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' Histories & Lore, © HBO]]
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After the conclusion of [[Robert's Rebellion]], a marriage was arranged between Cersei and the new king, [[Robert I Baratheon]], in order to seal the [[House Baratheon of King's Landing|new royal house's]] alliance with [[House Lannister]]. Cersei and Robert were wed in {{Date|284}}.<ref>''See the calculation for [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#Cersei Lannister's wedding to Robert I Baratheon|Cersei Lannister's wedding to Robert I Baratheon]].''</ref> She and Jaime had sex the morning of her wedding.{{Ref|ADWD|54}} Nonetheless, Cersei was at first enthralled by the happy crowds at the royal wedding. However, her enthusiasm for the match ended when the drunken Robert called her "[[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]]", the name of his late betrothed, while having sex with her on their wedding night.{{ref|AGOT|45}}
  
==History==
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The marriage rapidly deteriorated, and Cersei resumed her incestuous relationship with Jaime. During the early years of their marriage, Cersei declined Robert's invitations to hunt with him, as Robert's trips allowed her more time with Jaime.{{ref|AFFC|28}} Because two of Robert's [[House Estermont|Estermont uncles]] from [[Greenstone]] had remained at court for half a year following the wedding, Robert insisted on repaying the visit, and Cersei and Jaime accompanied him for a two-week stay at [[Estermont]]. While there, Cersei suspected that Robert was sleeping with a [[Estermont (cousin of Robert)|cousin of his]], and had Jaime follow Robert to confirms her suspicions. Cersei and Jaime slept together on Greenstone, and Cersei likes to believe that was the night their eldest son [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] was conceived.{{ref|AFFC|24}}
Cersei is technically her parents' oldest child, although her twin [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] was born mere moments later, clutching her heel. The twins were eight years old when their brother [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] was born, killing [[Joanna Lannister|their mother]] and causing [[Tywin Lannister|their father]] to become cold and bitter.  
 
  
Cersei has been haunted since childhood by a prophecy made by a wise woman, [[Maggy the Frog]], who was reputed to have magical powers. The woman correctly predicted Cersei's marriage and mutual infidelity with a king. She went on to prophesy that Cersei would outlive all her children, who would die as kings and queens, and that after everything she had was taken away by a younger and more beautiful queen, the ''valonqar'' ([[High Valyrian]] for “little brother”) would come to end her life. Cersei is frightened by this prophecy. Her friend, [[Melara Hetherspoon]], who had been present, suggested that if they never spoke about it, the prophecies (which included Melara's death) would not come true. Cersei, later in life, recalls how Melara died shortly after their visit to Maggy, and it is heavily implied, though never confirmed, that Cersei killed [[Melara Hetherspoon|Melara]], to prevent the girl from speaking of the prophecy. Cersie has always identified the ''valonqar'' as Tyrion, and eventually comes to worry that [[Margaery Tyrell]] might be the younger and more beautiful queen.{{Ref|aFfC|24}}
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Cersei bore Jaime three children, [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], born in {{date|286}}, [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]], born in {{date|290}}, and [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]], born in {{date|291}}. Cersei successfully deceived Robert and the entire kingdom, presenting the children as Robert's trueborn heirs. Although the king was away during the births of the children, hunting in the [[kingswood]], Jaime was present for at least Joffrey's birth, defying the [[maester]]s and midwives who would have kept him out of the birthing room.{{ref|ACOK|36}} However, Cersei refused to let her brother ever hold Joffrey, fearing people might start to suspect his true parentage.{{Ref|ASOS|62}}  
  
When Cersei was a girl, her father promised her that she would marry [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Prince Rhaegar]] and would one day become queen. She was delighted by this news and became infatuated with Rhaegar upon their first meeting at the [[tourney for King Aerys II]]. However, King [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] rebuffed Tywin's offer, later marrying Rhaegar to [[Elia Martell]].  
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[[File:David Sourwine drunk.jpg|thumb|350px|Cersei with a drunken [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]], by David Sourwine © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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While Robert "claimed his rights" frequently during the early years of their marriage, his drinking led to him hurting Cersei during their sexual intercourse, leaving her sex and breasts sore and painful. Once, during their first year of marriage, when Cersei confronted Robert the morning afterwards, telling him that he had hurt her, he claimed it was because of the drink, and he was not to blame. When he tried to take another horn of ale, Cersei smashed her own horn in his face, chipping his tooth. Robert claimed not to remember anything of those nights, but Cersei believes otherwise, and is certain that Robert did recall what he did to her, but felt that pretending to forget was easier than facing the truth. Cersei, in turn, tried to pretend that Robert was Rhaegar during their sexual encounters, as she could not imagine him as Jaime.{{ref|AFFC|32}} On one occasion, early in her marriage, Cersei became pregnant by Robert. Unwilling to give birth to Robert's child, she sent Jaime out to find a woman to cleanse her.{{Ref|AGOT|45}} Having grown to resent Robert over the years, Cersei took further care to ensure he did not impregnate her, and used other means to bring him to completion. Over time, Robert came to Cersei's bed less frequently, not even once a year, preferring to lay with [[whore]]s.{{Ref|AGOT|45}}{{ref|AFFC|32}}
  
Cersei and Jaime experimented sexually with one another during childhood. At one point they were discovered by a servant, and their mother moved their rooms to separate sides of the castle in an attempt to prevent such behavior.{{Ref|aSoS|21}} At the age of twelve, Cersei was taken to [[King's Landing]] with her father, then [[Hand of the King]]. In the following years, Lord Tywin refused every offer of marriage for Cersei he received, probably still hoping for a match with one of the [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] princes. She missed Jaime and was jealous when Lord Tywin eventually proposed to marry him to [[Lysa Tully]]. Jaime was [[Knighthood|knighted]] at the age of fifteen during the campaign against the [[Kingswood Brotherhood]] and, on his way home to [[Casterly Rock]], he visited [[King's Landing]], mainly to see his sister. Cersei seduced him during the visit and persuaded him to join the [[Kingsguard]], which would require him to remain unmarried and live near her in King's Landing. She expected that Lord Tywin would be strictly opposed to the idea, but that he would not dare to openly object to it in order not to offend [[Aerys II Targaryen|King Aerys]].{{Ref|aSoS|11}}
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After young Joffrey killed a pregnant cat, Robert suggested bringing [[Mya Stone|a bastard daughter of his]] to court. However, Cersei made unsubtle threats, claiming [[King's Landing]] was a dangerous place for a growing girl. Though Robert hit Cersei for that, the girl was not brought to court, and all of Robert's [[bastard]]s were kept out of sight.{{Ref|AFFC|17}} According to [[Petyr Baelish]], however, there are rumors that Robert fathered twins on a serving woman at [[Casterly Rock]] in {{Date|295}}, and that Cersei had the babes killed and the mother sold to a [[slavery|slaver]].{{Ref|AGOT|35}}
  
Cersei orchestrated the arrangements behind the scenes over the course of the next month, but, although she was successful in securing Jaime's place in the Kingsguard, her plan backfired. Unbeknownst to her, tensions had been growing in her father's relationship with the king, and Lord Tywin perceived Jaime's appointment to the Kingsguard as a slight intended to rob him of his heir. Furious, he used a pretext to resign as Hand and moved back to Casterly Rock with Cersei, separating the twins once more.{{Ref|aSoS|11}}
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Eventually [[Stannis Baratheon]], [[Lord of Dragonstone]], familiar with the appearance of his brother Robert's black-haired, blue-eyed bastard offspring, grew suspicious of the royal children's lack of resemblance to their supposed father.{{ref|ACOK|15}} He confided in Lord [[Jon Arryn]], the [[Hand of the King]], and the two investigated the matter together.{{Ref|AGOT|27}}{{Ref|ACOK|31}}  After the [[tourney on Prince Joffrey's name day]], Cersei and her children travelled with Lord Tywin to [[Casterly Rock]]. During the fortnight following the tourney, Jon was [[Tears of Lys|poisoned]] and fell ill, eventually dying before he could act.{{Ref|AGOT|25}} Stannis was convinced that Cersei was responsible for Jon's death, and he fled to [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|ACOK|0}}{{Ref|ACOK|31}}
[[File:Robert Baratheon Cersei Lannister Wedding.jpg|thumb|375px|Wedding of Cersei and her husband [[Robert Baratheon|King Robert]]]]
 
Shortly after the conclusion of [[Robert's Rebellion]], a marriage was arranged between Cersei and [[Robert Baratheon]] in order to seal [[House Baratheon|the royal house]]'s alliance with [[House Lannister]], to be taking place in {{Date|284}}. Cersei was at first enthralled by the happy crowds at the royal wedding, but her enthusiasm for the match ended abruptly when Robert called her “[[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]]” during their first night together. The marriage rapidly deteriorated, and Cersei resumed her incestuous relationship with Jaime. She bore him three children ([[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]] and [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]]), all of whom she successfully passed off as the king's trueborn heirs. Having grown to hate Robert, she took care to ensure he did not impregnate her, and would later reveal to [[Eddard Stark]] that she [[moon tea|aborted]] a pregnancy fathered by him early in their marriage.{{Ref|aGoT|45}}
 
[[File:Henning Ludvigsen JaimeCersei.jpg|thumb|375px|Cersei and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime's]] relationship - by Henning Ludvigsen ©]]
 
The true parentage of Cersei's children remained a closely guarded secret until [[Stannis Baratheon]], who was familiar with the appearance of his brother's black haired, blue eyed bastard offspring, grew suspicious of the royal children's lack of resemblance to their supposed father. He confided in then-Hand of the King [[Jon Arryn]], and the two investigated the matter together. Arryn was killed by [[Tears of Lys|poison]] before he could act on their discoveries, prompting Stannis to flee King's Landing. However, their activities would leave behind a trail of clues for others to follow.
 
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
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[[File: Pojypojy thingsIdoforlove.jpg|thumb|350px|Jaime and Cersei watch as [[Bran Stark]] falls from the window, by pojypojy ©]]
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
After the death of [[Jon Arryn]], Cersei accompanies her husband, King [[Robert Baratheon]], to [[Winterfell]]. When [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] and most of the castle go on a hunting trip, Cersei remains behind, as does her brother Ser [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]]. The two are caught having sex by [[Bran Stark]], and when Cersei insists that they must do something to prevent the boy from telling anyone, Jaime immediately pushes him off a tower.{{Ref|aGoT|8}} She later berates Jaime for his impulsiveness, arguing that attempting to kill the boy was foolish when they could have simply intimidated him into silence.
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After the death of the [[Hand of the King]], [[Jon Arryn]], Cersei and her children accompany her husband, King [[Robert I Baratheon]], to [[Winterfell]], traveling in a huge, lumbering [[wheelhouse]].{{Ref|AGOT|2}}{{Ref|AGOT|4}} At Winterfell, the king offers the position of Hand to Lord [[Eddard Stark]], and betrothes Joffrey to Eddard's oldest daughter, [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]].{{ref|AGOT|12}} Jon's widow, Lady [[Lysa Arryn]], sends a coded message to her sister, Eddard's wife [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]], alleging that the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] murdered Jon.{{ref|AGOT|6}} When Robert and most of the castle go on a hunting trip, Cersei remains behind with her brother, Ser [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]]. [[Bran Stark]] sees the two having sex in Winterfell's [[First Keep]], and when Cersei insists that they must do something to prevent the boy from telling anyone, Jaime pushes him out of the tower window.{{Ref|AGOT|8}} Cersei later berates Jaime for his impulsiveness, arguing that attempting to kill the boy was foolish, when they could have simply intimidated him into silence.{{Ref|ASOS|1}}
  
While the royal procession travels back to [[King's Landing]], [[Joffrey Baratheon|Prince Joffrey]] bullies a common boy, [[Mycah]], prompting [[Arya Stark]] and [[Nymeria (direwolf)|her direwolf]] to attack and disarm him. Joffrey tells his parents that Arya and her wolf attacked him without provocation. Cersei takes his side and argues that the girl should lose a hand in accordance with the ancient penalty for striking a prince of royal blood. When Robert refuses this, she talks her brother Jaime into maiming or killing Arya for her, using sex as bribe. Jaime secretly searches for the girl to do his sister's bidding, but Arya is found by [[House Stark|Stark]] guards first. Robert again resists Cersei's call for severely punishing Arya, but Cersei successfully pressures him into ordering the execution of [[Lady (direwolf)|another direwolf]] as a proxy.{{Ref|aGoT|16}}{{Ref|aFfC|30}}
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[[File:Thomas Denmark wheelhouse.jpg|thumb|350px|Cersei's [[wheelhouse]], by Thomas Denmark © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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While the royal procession travels back to [[King's Landing]], Cersei's eldest son, Prince [[Joffrey Baratheon]], bullies a common boy, [[Mycah]], prompting [[Arya Stark]] and her direwolf, [[Nymeria (direwolf)|Nymeria]], to attack and disarm him.{{Ref|AGOT|15}} Joffrey tells his parents that Arya and her wolf attacked him without provocation, and Cersei takes her son's side,{{Ref|AGOT|16}} arguing to Robert that the girl should lose a hand in accordance with the ancient penalty for striking a prince of royal blood.{{ref|AFFC|30}} When Robert refuses to do so, she proclaims her desire regarding maiming or killing Arya to Jaime, using sex as bribe. Jaime searches for the girl, and would later imply that he would have been willing to do his sister's bidding had he found her.{{Ref|AFFC|30}} Instead, Arya is found by [[House Stark guards]]. At [[Darry]], while Robert again resists Cersei's call for severely punishing Arya, the queen successfully pressures him into ordering the execution of Sansa's direwolf, [[Lady (direwolf)|Lady]], as a proxy.{{Ref|AGOT|16}}
  
Having appointed [[Eddard Stark]] Jon Arryn's replacement as [[Hand of the King]], Robert orders [[Tourney of the Hand|a great tourney]] held in honor of the new Hand. Cersei forbids Robert from fighting in the melee, inciting a public argument between king and queen. Robert intends to fight anyway, but Eddard and [[Barristan Selmy|Ser Barristan]] succeed in dissuading him. Later, [[Varys]] claims that Cersei had known publicly forbidding Robert from participating in the melee was the most effective way of convincing him to do so, and had been planning to have him "accidentally" killed in the melee. He also suggests that Ser [[Hugh]] of the Vale, who had been killed by Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] earlier in the tournament, could have poisoned Jon Arryn at the Lannisters' instigation, only to have them arrange his death in order to ensure his silence afterward.{{Ref|aGoT|30}}
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Having appointed Eddard Stark as Jon Arryn's replacement, Robert orders the [[Hand's tourney]] be held in honor of Eddard.{{ref|AGOT|20}} Cersei forbids Robert from fighting in the melee, inciting a public argument between king and queen.{{ref|AGOT|29}} Robert intends to fight anyway, but Eddard and Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] succeed in dissuading him. Later, [[Varys]] claims that Cersei had known publicly forbidding Robert from participating in the melee was the most effective way of convincing him to do so, and had been planning to have him "accidentally" killed in the melee. He also suggests that Ser [[Hugh|Hugh of the Vale]], who had been killed by Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] earlier in the tournament, could have poisoned Jon Arryn at the Lannisters' instigation, only to have them arrange his death in order to ensure his silence afterward.{{Ref|AGOT|30}}
[[File:MagaliVilleneuve CLannister.jpg|thumb|400px|Queen Regent Cersei Lannister - by Magali Villeneuve ©]]
 
When [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] is abducted by [[Catelyn Stark]], Cersei argues with Robert, insulting his manhood for his failure to immediately avenge the insult to her family. The king strikes her in response, but Cersei tells him she intends to wear the bruise "as a badge of honor." Eddard Stark, who is present, does not approve of his friend's action; Robert admits that it was "not kingly," but blames Cersei for provoking him. Eddard, who has been appointed the [[Hand of the King]], investigates Jon Arryn's death and discovers the truth about the royal children's parentage. He confronts Cersei, and she admits that his accusation is true. She promises to make it worth his while if Eddard allies with her and keeps her secret, but he refuses. Not wanting to see the children harmed, Eddard warns her that he intends to tell Robert the truth and urges her to flee with the princes and princess. {{Ref|aGoT|45}}
 
  
She instead uses the time to arrange a hunting "accident" for Robert. She provides his squire [[Lancel Lannister|Lancel]], one of her lovers, with fortified strongwine, telling him it is Robert's favorite vintage. Lancel serves it to the king during the hunt, and as the wine is far stronger than Robert expects, he becomes drunk and is fatally injured by a boar. On his deathbed Robert names Eddard Stark regent until his 13-year-old heir Joffrey comes of age, but the morning after Robert's death, Cersei seizes power, denouncing Lord Eddard as a traitor who conspired against King Joffrey. She has Eddard imprisoned and is named Queen Regent, heading Joffrey's [[small council]].{{Ref|aGoT|49}}
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When Cersei's brother [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] is abducted by [[Catelyn Stark]], Cersei argues with Robert, insulting his manhood for his failure to immediately avenge the insult to her family. The king strikes her in response, but Cersei tells him she intends to wear the bruise "as a badge of honor." Eddard does not approve and Robert admits that it was "not kingly," but blames Cersei for provoking him.{{ref|AGOT|39}}
  
Cersei intends to have Eddard convicted of treason but allowed to [[Night's Watch#Recruitment|take the black]], thus discrediting him and removing him as a factor in the political arena without antagonizing [[the North]]. She arranges a public confession for him on the steps of the [[Great Sept of Baelor]], assuring the [[High Septon]] that he will be offered forgiveness and the holy ground will not be profaned with blood. However, she underestimates Joffrey's willfulness and taste for cruelty. He foolishly ignores her advice and instead orders Lord Stark's immediate execution. [[Janos Slynt]] and Ser [[Ilyn Payne]] carry out the king's imprudent command before Cersei can intervene, deeply offending [[Faith of the Seven|the Faith]] and rendering peace between [[House Stark|Stark]] and [[House Lannister|Lannister]] impossible.{{Ref|aGoT|65}} Cersei keeps the news of [[Renly Baratheon]]'s coronation from Joffrey for a time, fearing he might take the field at the head of a force of [[Gold Cloaks]]. She commands her father Lord Tywin to come to the defense of the capital against Renly and the [[House Tyrell|Tyrells]].{{Ref|aGoT|69}}
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[[File:Tommy Arnold NedCerseiGodswood.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Eddard Stark]] and Cersei in the godswood of the [[Red Keep]], by Tommy Arnold © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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Eddard, who has been investigating Jon Arryn's death, discovers the truth about the royal children's parentage. While the king is hunting in the [[kingswood]], Eddard confronts Cersei, who admits the accusation is true. She attempts to seduce him in the [[godswood]] of the Red Keep, but Ned refuses. Not wanting to see the children harmed, Eddard warns her that he intends to tell Robert the truth and urges her to flee with the princes and princess.{{Ref|AGOT|45}} Eddard plans to have his daughters, [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] and [[Arya Stark|Arya]], sail from King's Landing on the ''[[Wind Witch]]''.{{Ref|AGOT|44}} Sansa, not understanding the danger and desiring to marry Joffrey, informs Cersei of her father's plan.{{ref|AGOT|51}}
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A drunken Robert is fatally injured by a [[boar]] during his hunt,{{ref|AGOT|47}} having been given strongwine by his squire, [[Lancel Lannister]].{{ref|AGOT|58}} On his deathbed Robert names Eddard regent until his thirteen-year-old heir Joffrey comes of age, though Eddard secretly changes “my son Joffrey” into “my heir”.{{Ref|AGOT|47}} The morning of Robert's death, Cersei seizes power, denouncing Eddard as a traitor who conspired against King Joffrey. She has Eddard imprisoned and is named Queen Regent, heading Joffrey's [[small council]].{{Ref|AGOT|49}}{{Ref|AGOT|57}}
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Cersei intends to have Eddard convicted of treason but allowed to [[Night's Watch#Recruitment|take the black]], thus discrediting him and removing him as a factor in the political arena without antagonizing the [[north]]. She arranges a public confession for him on the steps of the [[Great Sept of Baelor]], assuring the [[High Septon (fat one)|High Septon]] that he will be offered forgiveness and the holy ground will not be profaned with blood. However, Joffrey ignores her advice and instead orders Lord Stark's immediate execution. [[Janos Slynt]] and Ser [[Ilyn Payne]] carry out the king's imprudent command before Cersei can intervene, deeply offending [[Faith of the Seven|the Faith]] and rendering peace between [[House Stark|Stark]] and [[House Lannister|Lannister]] impossible.{{ref|AGOT|58}}{{Ref|AGOT|65}}{{ref|ACOK|3}}
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Cersei weeps when she hears that Jaime has been captured by [[Robb Stark]] in the [[battle in the Whispering Wood|Whispering Wood]].{{ref|AGOT|67}} She keeps the news of [[Renly Baratheon]]'s coronation from Joffrey for a time, fearing he might take the field at the head of a force of [[gold cloaks]]. She commands her father to come to the defense of the capital against Renly and the [[House Tyrell|Tyrells]], but Tywin instead marches for [[Harrenhal]] and sends Tyrion to the capital in his stead.{{Ref|AGOT|69}}
  
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
[[File:Roman V. Papsuev Double Bluff.jpg|© Fantasy Flight Games|thumb|350px|right]]
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[[File:Katherine Dinger CLannister.jpg|thumb|350px|Cersei Lannister, by Katherine Dinger ©]]
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Having escaped [[King's Landing]], [[Arya Stark]] adds Cersei's name to the list of those she desires dead.{{ref|ACOK|26}}
  
To end the foolish edicts made by [[Joffrey Baratheon|King Joffrey]] and Cersei, [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] promptly puts [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] in the position of [[Hand of the King]] until he can claim the seat himself. When Tyrion arrives in King's Landing, bearing a letter from their father naming him Hand of the King, Cersei nearly has him thrown in the dungeon before he placates her by saying he could rescue Jaime.{{Ref|aCoK|3}} As Hand, Tyrion struggles to wrest control from her, finally resorting to poisoning her to ger her out of the way for a few days. He nullifies most of Cersei's decisions, recalling the Gold Cloaks who are killing off Robert's bastards at her behest.
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When Tyrion arrives in King's Landing, bearing a letter from their father, Cersei threatens to have him thrown in the dungeon, but he placates her by saying he could rescue Jaime.{{Ref|ACOK|3}} As Hand, Tyrion struggles to wrest control from her, finally resorting to [[poison]] to incapacitate her for a few days.{{ref|ACOK|25}}{{Ref|ACOK|29}}
  
In Jaime's absence, Cersei begins taking other lovers into her bed.{{Ref|aCoK|29}} After Tyrion sends away her [[Vylarr|personal guard]], she tries to employ three sellswords to replace them - [[Osney Kettleblack|Osney]], [[Osmund Kettleblack|Osmund]] and [[Osfryd Kettleblack]] - but Tyrion finds out and buys their loyalty.{{Ref|aCoK|41}} The Kettleblacks are actually loyal to Petyr Baelish, but neither Cersei nor Tyrion figure this out.
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In Jaime's absence, Cersei begins sleeping with her cousin, the knighted [[Lancel Lannister|Lancel]], which is discerned by Tyrion.{{Ref|ACOK|29}} She also reveals to Tyrion that she had given Lancel fortified wine for Robert's hunt, stronger than Robert usually drank.{{ref|ACOK|3}} After Tyrion sends away [[Vylarr]] and Cersei's [[House Lannister guards|personal guard]],{{ref|ACOK|25}} she employs three sellswords to replace them—[[Osney Kettleblack|Osney]], [[Osmund Kettleblack|Osmund]] and [[Osfryd Kettleblack]]—but Tyrion finds out and buys their loyalty.{{Ref|ACOK|41}}
  
Tyrion sends off Princess Myrcella to [[Sunspear]] in an effort to win over the [[House Martell|Martells]]. Before doing so, his counter intelligence methods mean that Cersei's agent, Grand Maester [[Pycelle]], is no longer a useful source against him. After Myrcella is sent off, Cersei is among those who is caught up in the [[Riot of King's Landing]] provoked by a thoughtless comment she makes to King Joffrey about a dead baby. Jaime later wonders if [[Varys]] had advance knowledge of the riot, since he wasn't there for it.
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Tyrion deceives small council members and determines that [[Pycelle]] is Cersei's agent. When Tyrion arrests Pycelle, the Grand Maester tells him that Jon Arryn had been recovering from his poisoning, and that he had sent Jon's maester away in order to prevent Jon's recovery, assuming that Cersei wanted Jon dead.{{ref|ACOK|25}} Tyrion gets Cersei to agree with sending Myrcella to [[Dorne]] to win over [[House Martell]].{{ref|ACOK|20}} The day Princess Myrcella takes ship for [[Sunspear]], Cersei is among those caught up in the [[riot of King's Landing]], provoked in part by a thoughtless comment she makes to King Joffrey about a dead baby.{{ref|ACOK|41}}
  
As King [[Stannis Baratheon]] moves on [[King's Landing]], Cersei decided to get her son Tommen out of the city for safety, but Tyrion's men intercept the party and take Tommen into his custody. Fed up with Tyrion's efforts to rule, Cersei had [[Alayaya]], a whore she believed Tyrion was sleeping with, arrested and beaten, and used her as a hostage in return for Tommen's safe return. She also removes Ser [[Boros Blount]] from the [[Kingsguard]] for his failure to resist Tyrion's men, although removing the cowardly Blount from the [[Kingsguard]] was considered one of her few wiser decision she replaces him with [[Osmund Kettleblack]] a man just as hollow {{Ref|aCoK|54}}.
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As King [[Stannis Baratheon]] moves on King's Landing, Cersei sends Tommen to [[Rosby]] for safety, but Tyrion's men intercept the party and take the boy into Tyrion's custody.{{ref|ACOK|44}}{{ref|ACOK|49}} Fed up with Tyrion's efforts to rule, Cersei arrests [[Alayaya]], a whore she believes Tyrion is sleeping with, and has the girl beaten. She uses Alayaya as a hostage to ensure Tommen's safe return; Tyrion, however, promises her that whatever happens to Alayaya, happens to Tommen as well, rapings and beatings included, frightening Cersei.{{ref|ACOK|54}} Cersei removes Ser [[Boros Blount]] from the [[Kingsguard]] for his failure to resist Tyrion's men, and she replaces him with Osmund Kettleblack, a man just as hollow.{{Ref|ACOK|54}}
  
As the [[Battle of the Blackwater|battle for King's Landing]] begins, Cersei hosts a banquet for all the noblewomen in the [[Red Keep]] in an effort to keep their minds off the fighting, she says, but she invites Ser Ilyn the headman to be on hand to kill them off if the city is taken, to prevent them from becoming hostages. When she hears that the [[River Gate|Mud Gate]] is under attack, she has Joffrey summoned back to the Red Keep.{{Ref|aCoK|60}} Seeing the king flee back to the castle damaged morale and caused the men to rout, nearly costing her the city. This outrages [[Lancel Lannister]], who feels they could have held the gates if Cersei hadn't recalled the King.{{Ref|aCoK|62}} If not for the timely arrival and attack on [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]]'s flank by the army of Tywin Lannister and [[Mace Tyrell]], the battle would have been lost for the Lannisters.{{Ref|aCoK|65}} Due to Tyrion's wounds, she is able to lie to her father and turn her father's prejudice against Tyrion to her advantage, all but completely stripping Tyrion's power from him by the time her brother's convalescence is over.
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As the [[Battle of the Blackwater]] begins, Cersei hosts a banquet for noblewomen in the [[Red Keep]]. She claims it is in an effort to keep their minds off the fighting, but has invited Ser [[Ilyn Payne]], the [[King's Justice]], to be on hand to kill them if the city is taken, to prevent them from becoming hostages. When she hears that the [[River Gate]] is under attack, she summons Joffrey back to the Red Keep.{{Ref|ACOK|60}} Seeing the king flee back to the castle damages morale and causes the men to rout, nearly costing her the city. This outrages Lancel, who feels they could have held the gates if Cersei had not recalled the king.{{Ref|ACOK|62}}
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If not for the timely arrival and attack on Stannis's flank by the army of Lords Tywin Lannister and [[Mace Tyrell]], the battle would be lost for the Lannisters.{{Ref|ACOK|65}} Because Tyrion lies wounded and unconscious, Cersei is able to lie to Tywin and turn her father's prejudice against Tyrion to her advantage, stripping Tyrion's power by the time his convalescence is over.{{ref|ACOK|67}}
  
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
[[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] bends Cersei to his will and later makes it clear she is no longer wanted on the [[small council|council]] and plans to marry her off again, either to  [[Willas Tyrell]], [[Balon Greyjoy]] (whose wife was elderly and had failing health) or [[Oberyn Martell]]. After Joffrey offends Tywin through his ungracious behaviour, Tywin is furious and asks where the boy could have learnt such amoral sentiments. Cersei tries to place the blame on Robert but it is clear to all in the room, including Kevan, that it is Cersei's belief system too {{Ref|aSoS|19}}.
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[[File:Cersei and Jaime Lannister.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Jaime Lannister]] and Cersei, by Magali Villeneuve]]
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[[Tyrion Lannister]] believes that Cersei is to blame for Ser [[Mandon Moore]]'s assassination attempt at the [[Blackwater Rush|Blackwater]].{{ref|ASOS|4}}
  
Joff is killed at his own wedding feast and Cersei accuses her brother [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] and his wife, [[Sansa Stark]], falsely believing them responsible {{Ref|aSoS|60}}. Cersei names Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] champion if there is to be a trial by combat. This move, however, leads [[Oberyn Martell]], whose sister was murdered by Gregor over a dozen years ago, to champion Tyrion {{Ref|aSoS|66}}. Oberyn is killed in the duel, and Ser Gregor is fatally wounded {{Ref|aSoS|70}}.
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Cersei plans the upcoming wedding of her son, King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]], to [[Margaery Tyrell]].{{ref|ASOS|4}}{{ref|ASOS|19}} [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] bends Cersei to his will and makes it clear his daughter is no longer wanted on the [[small council]]. Against her wishes, he plans for her to marry her again, considering [[Balon Greyjoy]] (whose elderly wife [[Alannys Harlaw|Alannys]] has failing health), [[Oberyn Martell]], [[Horas Redwyne|Horas]] or [[Hobber Redwyne]], [[Theon Greyjoy]], [[Quentyn Martell]], and [[Willas Tyrell]] as potential matches.{{ref|ASOS|19}} While Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] is initially receptive to Cersei marrying Willas, the offer is rejected after Mace speaks with his mother [[Olenna Tyrell|Olenna]], the Queen of Thorns.{{ref|ASOS|32}}
  
===''A Feast for Crows''===
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Cersei intends to keep [[Sansa Stark]] as her hostage,{{ref|ASOS|19}} but Tywin forces the girl to marry Tyrion.{{ref|ASOS|28}} During the wedding feast, Cersei dances with [[Paxter Redwyne]], [[Mathis Rowan]], and her father.{{ref|ASOS|28}} She also flirts with [[Osmund Kettleblack]] of the [[Kingsguard]].{{ref|ASOS|12}}
[[File:Komarck C Lannister FFG.jpg|''"[[Maggy|Queen you shall be... until there comes another, younger and more beautiful, to cast you down and take all that you hold dear.]]"'' - by Michael Komarck.©FFG|thumb|400px|right]]
 
[[File:Skirts and dignity by cabepfir.jpg|thumb|300px|Cersei framed [[Margaery Tyrell]] leading to her arrest]]
 
  
When her father [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] is murdered, the checks on her claim to power are cleared. She resumes her position as [[Regent]] over her son, the eight-year-old King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]], who is entirely obedient to her will. As the eldest child of Tywin, she is also acknowledged as the Lady of [[Casterly Rock]] by her uncle [[Kevan Lannister|Kevan]]. Thus empowered and unrestricted, Cersei feels she has the opportunity to prove herself an even better ruler than her father. She begins her new regime by filling all of the positions on Tommen's [[small council]] with her own supporters and agents, disregarding the previous arrangements made by Tywin and the well-meant, if blunt, advice from Kevan. She becomes a restless sleeper, troubled by nightmares of the Imp and the Iron Throne consuming her.{{Ref|aFfC|3}}
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After Joffrey offends Tywin through his ungracious behavior, Tywin is furious and asks where the boy could have learnt such amoral sentiments. Cersei blames Robert but it is clear to all in the room, including Tywin's brother [[Kevan Lannister|Kevan]], that Cersei is responsible.{{Ref|ASOS|53}}
 
Cersei grows to suspect that her powerful [[House Tyrell|Tyrell]] allies, now relatives through Tommen's marriage to [[Margaery Tyrell|Margaery]], are trying to seize control of the kingdom. This suspicion grows from a Tyrell coin found by Maester [[Qyburn]] in the dungeon where Tyrion was being held before his escape{{Ref|aFfC|7}}.
 
  
Since the reader knows the Tyrells had nothing to do with Tyrion's escape, the coin was likely planted by someone else - i.e., [[Varys]] - in the hopes of spreading discord in the Tyrell/Lannister alliance. If so, the plot seems to have worked, as Cersei commences a campaign of intrigue to remove all the Tyrells in [[King's Landing]] from positions of influence and authority, including her son's wife, [[Margaery Tyrell|Margaery]], and Ser [[Loras Tyrell|Loras]], a member of the [[Kingsguard]].{{Ref|aFfC|24}}
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Joffrey is killed at [[Purple Wedding|his own wedding feast]], and Cersei accuses Tyrion and Sansa, falsely believing them responsible.{{Ref|ASOS|60}} Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] returns to [[King's Landing]] with the assistance of [[Brienne of Tarth]], and the Lannister twins have sex in a sept where Joffrey's body rests. Cersei rejects Jaime's suggestion of announcing their incest, like the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]] had done.{{ref|ASOS|62}}
She befriends [[Taena Merryweather]] who informs Cersei that her maid [[Senelle]] is spying on her for Margaery. This leads Senelle to be given over to Qyburn for his twisted experiments. Taena becomes her bedwarmer and confidant.
 
  
Cersei's paranoia alienates [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], who abandons her to her political machinations.{{Ref|aFfC|8}} She refuses to honor the debts owed by the Crown, angering powerful institutions such as the [[Iron Bank of Braavos]] and the [[Faith of the Seven]].{{Ref|aFfC|17}} This results in the Faith refusing to bless King Tommen, and the Iron Bank calling in all their debts throughout [[Westeros]] and refusing all new loans.{{Ref|aFfC|28}} This causes economic chaos throughout the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. With the monies owed, Cersei constructs a [[Cersei's dromonds|new royal fleet]] of warships and gives command to [[Aurane Waters]], the Bastard of [[Driftmark]] and a sellsail of questionable expertise and loyalty.{{Ref|aFfC|17}}  
+
Having escaped King's Landing with the aid of [[Petyr Baelish]], Sansa learns that the [[House Kettleblack|Kettleblacks]] are actually loyal to Petyr, not Cersei or Tyrion.{{ref|ASOS|68}}
  
Yet another of her ill-conceived schemes is a secret mission which she gives Ser [[Balon Swann]] of the [[Kingsguard]], who is headed for [[Dorne]] to deliver the head of Ser [[Gregor Clegane]].{{Ref|aFfC|17}} Ser Balon carries a letter in which Cersei asks Prince Doran to give leave to her daughter [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]] to return to King's Landing for what is decribed as a short visit, and to invite Prince Doran to take the Dornish seat on the small council that has been left vacant with the death of [[Oberyn Martell|Prince Oberyn]]. The secret part of Ser Balon's mission, of which Prince Doran soon learns from informers at the royal court, is to invite [[Trystane Martell|Prince Trystane]] to accompany his betrothed, then kill him along the way somewhere in the [[Kingswood]] in a staged assault, for which Tyrion is supposed to be blamed, with Prince Doran preferably bearing witness to the fact that the attack is not the fault of the queen's men.{{Ref|aDwD|38}}
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Cersei finds numerous witnesses to testify against Tyrion,{{ref|ASOS|66}} including his lover [[Shae]],{{ref|ASOS|70}} and Cersei names Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] champion if there is to be a [[trial by combat]]. This leads Prince Oberyn, whose sister [[Elia Martell|Elia]] was murdered by Gregor over a dozen years ago in the [[Sack of King's Landing]], to champion Tyrion.{{Ref|ASOS|66}} Oberyn is killed and Gregor is severely wounded in the duel.{{Ref|ASOS|70}}
  
In an attempt to alleviate the crown's debts, gain the Faith's blessing, and gain more protection from her purported enemies, she allows the new [[High Septon]] (known as the [[High Sparrow]]) to revive the Faith Militant, ignorant of its history of [[Faith Militant uprising|causing trouble]] for monarchs.{{Ref|aFfC|28}}  
+
Oberyn's death condemns Tyrion, but he is freed from his cell by Jaime and [[Varys]]. Tyrion tells Jaime that Cersei has been sleeping with [[Lancel Lannister]] and Osmund Kettleblack. Before escaping the [[Red Keep]], Tyrion kills Shae and his father, Tywin.{{ref|ASOS|77}}
  
She also takes the disgraced former [[maester]] Qyburn into her service, using him as a torturer, and allowing him to conduct immoral experiments on human subjects.{{Ref|aFfC|7}} She tries to manipulate [[Falyse Stokeworth]] and her husband into killing Tyrion's friend, the sellsword Bronn, who was knighted and married off to simple [[Lollys Stokeworth]] to pry him away from Tyrion. The plan goes horribly wrong however when Falyse's husband foolishly challenges Bronn to single combat; Falyse flees to [[King's Landing]] to report that [[Bronn]] has killed her husband in a duel, though not before Bronn extracted a confession from the seriously injured Balman that Cersei was behind the attempt to kill him. Cersei responds by sending Falyse to Qyburn so nothing is found out about her machinations. Cersei's difficulty coping with the pressure of ruling lead to her beginning to drink heavily (something she often loathed her late husband [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] for) and begins to gain weight due to this but instead of realizing this, she blames the washer women for shrinking her gowns.
+
At the [[Eyrie]], [[Lysa Arryn]] reveals in Sansa's presence that she had killed [[Jon Arryn]] and then informed her sister Catelyn that the Lannisters were to blame.{{ref|ASOS|80}}
  
Cersei plans a plot to frame [[Margaery Tyrell]] for adultery and treason,and after seducing [[Osney Kettleblack]] has him falsely confess to the new High Septon that he had intercourse with Margaery and two of her three cousins. The High Septon acts on the information and has Margaery arrested when she visits the Sept. Cersei feigns concern publicly and visits the Sept of Baelor in order to appear to the population that she wishes Margaery released where in actual fact she does everything in her power to make sure Margaery will be found guilty.
+
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 +
[[File: GT01 11608 CerseiLannister CassandreBolan.jpg|thumb|350px|Cersei, by Cassandre Bolan © Fantasy Flight Games]]
 +
Cersei's tendencies to paranoia, rash judgement and hysteria increase following the deaths of her son, King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], and her father, Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]]. She resumes her position as [[regent]] over her surviving son, the eight-year-old King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]], who is obedient to her will. As the eldest child of Tywin, she is also acknowledged as the Lady of [[Casterly Rock]] by her uncle, Ser [[Kevan Lannister|Kevan]].{{ref|AFFC|7}}
  
However all of Cersei plans to remove the Tyrell influence at court backfire when the High Sparrow arrests her for several crimes, including the murder of the previous High Septon. The High Septon was suspicious of the confession of [[Osney Kettleblack]] and had him tortured till Osney revealed the actual truth.  
+
Cersei orders Ser [[Osney Kettleblack|Osney]] and Ser [[Osfryd Kettleblack]] to hide Shae's corpse,{{ref|AFFC|3}} and commands Ser [[Boros Blount]] and Ser [[Osmund Kettleblack]] to murder the two guards who had been guarding Tyrion's cell when she hears that they had been found asleep on duty (unknown to Cersei, Varys had drugged them).{{ref|AFFC|8}} After her fathers funeral she has Ser Osney murder the [[High Septon (Tyrion's)|High Septon]], bedding him as a reward.{{ref|AFFC|43}} Since Tyrion has vanished, Cersei burns with [[wildfire]] the [[Tower of the Hand]], the site of Tywin's death, which her twin [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] considers a folly.{{ref|AFFC|12}} Word spreads throughout the [[Seven Kingdoms]] and the [[Free Cities]] that Cersei has promised a [[lord]]ship to whomever brings her Tyrion's head,{{ref|AFFC|7}} but innocents are killed instead.{{ref|AFFC|17}} Cersei's paranoia alienates Jaime,{{Ref|AFFC|8}} who departs to secure the [[riverlands]] and resolve the [[siege of Riverrun]].{{ref|AFFC|27}}
  
Her own ministers seize control of the government while she awaits trial in the [[Great Sept of Baelor]]. They recall her uncle Kevan to fill her position as [[Regent]], while her new [[Master of Ships|Lord Admiral]], [[Aurane Waters]], absconds with the costly new fleet. Accused of capital crimes, her only hope lies in a [[Kingsguard]] champion to stand for her in a trial by combat. She sends an emotional summons to Jaime, which he burns and does not reply to.{{Ref|aFfC|43}}
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Cersei surrounds herself with sycophants rather than honest and competent advisers,{{ref|AFFC|17}} and she fills Tommen's [[small council]] with her own supporters and agents, disregarding the previous arrangements made by Tywin and the well-meant, if blunt, advice from Kevan. She becomes a restless sleeper, troubled by nightmares of Tyrion, who murdered Tywin, and the [[Iron Throne]] consuming her.{{Ref|AFFC|3}} Cersei also recalls the prophecy of the ''[[valonqar]]'', whom she considers Tyrion.{{ref|AFFC|3}}{{ref|AFFC|36}} Numerous people, including several family members, consider her to be an ineffectual leader.{{ref|AFFC|3}}{{Ref|ADWD|22}} Cersei's growing dependency on alcohol increases her weight, but she blames the washerwomen for shrinking her gowns.{{ref|AFFC|24}}
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 +
Cersei suspects her powerful [[House Tyrell|Tyrell]] allies, now relatives through Tommen's marriage to [[Margaery Tyrell|Margaery]], are trying to seize control of the kingdom. This suspicion grows from a [[House Gardener|Gardener]] coin found by [[Qyburn]] in the dungeon where Tyrion was being held before his escape{{Ref|AFFC|7}} – a coin similar to the ones Lady [[Olenna Tyrell]] carries with her when traveling, causing Cersei to wrongfully suspect a Tyrell involvement in Tyrion's escape.{{ref|AFFC|16}} Cersei commences a campaign of intrigue to remove Tyrells in [[King's Landing]] from positions of influence and authority, including Margaery and her brother [[Loras Tyrell|Loras]], a knight of the [[Kingsguard]].{{Ref|AFFC|24}}
  
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
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Cersei refuses to honor the debts owed by the crown, angering powerful institutions such as the [[Iron Bank of Braavos]] and the [[Faith of the Seven]].{{Ref|AFFC|17}} This results in the Faith refusing to bless King Tommen, and the Iron Bank calling in all their debts throughout [[Westeros]] and refusing all new loans.{{Ref|AFFC|28}} This causes economic chaos throughout the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. With the monies owed, Cersei constructs a [[Cersei's dromonds|new royal fleet]] of warships and gives command to [[Aurane Waters]], the Bastard of [[Driftmark]] and a sellsail of questionable expertise and loyalty.{{Ref|AFFC|17}} Two of the dromonds, ''[[Lioness]]'' and ''[[Sweet Cersei]]'', are named in the Queen Regent's honor.{{ref|AFFC|28}}{{ref|AFFC|32}}
[[File: MarcSimonetti_Atonement.jpg‎|Cersei's [[Walk of Shame|penance walk]] from the [[Great Sept of Baelor]] to the [[Red Keep]] - by Marc Simonetti ©|thumb|350px]]
 
Cersei still remains a prisoner of the Faith. To try and gain access to visitors, Cersei decides to confess to the High Septon that she did have relations with her cousin [[Lancel Lannister]] and all three of the [[House Kettleblack|Kettleblack]] brothers, knowing that such sins would not earn her an execution.  
 
  
She continues to deny having ordered [[Osney Kettleblack]] to kill the previous High Septon, or that she was involved in King [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]]'s death. The High Septon agrees to allow her one visitor a day. Cersei then learns about [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]]'s injury and of [[Arys Oakheart]]'s death, which leaves a vacancy in the Kingsguard. Cersei then sends word to [[Qyburn|Lord Qyburn]] that the time has come.{{Ref|ADWD|54}}
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[[File:Skirts and dignity by cabepfir.jpg|thumb|350px|Cersei frames [[Margaery Tyrell]], by cabepfir ©]]
  
Before her trial, the Faith requires Cersei to submit to a [[Walk of Shame|penance walk]] from the Great Sept of Baelor to the [[Red Keep]]. Cersei is shaved of hair from her entire body, then stripped naked. Just prior to the walk, at the Great Sept of Baelor she realizes that no Lannisters are there to support her, and this ordeal is hers alone. She bolsters herself by reminding herself,
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In an attempt to alleviate the crown's debts, gain the Faith's blessing, and gain more protection from her purported enemies, Cersei allows the new High Septon, the so-called [[High Sparrow]], to revive the [[Faith Militant]], ignorant of its history of [[Faith Militant uprising|causing trouble]] for monarchs.{{Ref|AFFC|28}}  
{{Quote|Tommen is waiting for me.  My little king.  I can do this.  I must. {{Ref|aDwD|65}}}}
 
An escort of [[Warrior's Sons]], [[Poor Fellows]], and several septas protect her from the leering and jeering crowds that have flocked to see her shame.
 
Cersei tries to hang on to her pride during the walk in spite of the crowds projecting filth at her and bawdy insults.  At one point she thinks, {{Quote| [[Kevan Lannister|He]] wanted this.  Him and the [[High Sparrow]].  And the [[Margaery Tyrell |little rose]] as well, I do not doubt.  I have sinned and must atone, must parade my shame before the eyes of every beggar in the city.  They think that this will break my pride, that it will make an end to me, but they are wrong. {{Ref|aDwD|65}}}}
 
Cersei eventually breaks down in tears just before finishing and entering the Keep. Upon her entrance, [[Jocelyn Swyft]] has her body covered. Cersei is then carried into the castle by a silent eight-foot-tall knight covered head to heel in thick enamelled white plate, with a great helm concealing his face. [[Qyburn]] then appears and introduces Cersei to the newest member of the [[Kingsguard]], "Ser [[Robert Strong]]," her champion.{{Ref|ADWD|65}}
 
  
Cersei dines with her uncle, [[Kevan Lannister|Ser Kevan]], on the night of his death. She requests that Lady [[Taena Merryweather]] attend again her once her innocence is proved.  When Kevan has no news of Jaime, Cersei seems certain of his safety.  She believes that if he were dead, she would know it.{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}
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Cersei sends Ser [[Balon Swann]] of the Kingsguard to [[Dorne]] to deliver the head of Ser [[Gregor Clegane]].{{Ref|AFFC|17}}
  
==Quotes by Cersei==
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Cersei takes the disgraced former [[maester]] Qyburn into her service as [[master of whisperers]], using him as a torturer, and allowing him to conduct immoral experiments on human subjects.{{Ref|AFFC|7}} She befriends [[Taena Merryweather]], who informs Cersei that her maid [[Senelle]] is spying on her for Margaery. This leads Senelle to be given over to Qyburn for his twisted experiments. Taena becomes her bedwarmer and confidante.{{ref|AFFC|32}}
{{Quote|When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground. {{Ref|aGoT|45}}}}
 
Cersei, to [[Eddard Stark]]
 
  
 +
The queen is reluctant to aid the Tyrells after [[Euron Greyjoy]]'s [[taking of the Shields]]. Cersei instead gives command of the [[siege of Dragonstone]] to Loras, as the [[Redwyne fleet]] could return to the [[Reach]] when the island castle falls.{{ref|AFFC|32}} Aurane Waters reports that Loras was gravely injured during the assault.{{ref|AFFC|36}}
  
{{Quote|Jaime and I are more than brother and sister. We are one person in two bodies. We shared a womb together. He came into this world holding my foot, our old maester said. When he is in me, I feel... whole. {{Ref|aGoT|45}}}}
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Cersei manipulates [[Falyse Stokeworth]] and her husband, Ser [[Balman Byrch]], into attacking Tyrion's friend, the sellsword [[Bronn]], who was knighted and married to simple [[Lollys Stokeworth]] to pry him away from Tyrion. Falyse flees to [[King's Landing]] to report that Bronn killed Balman in a duel, though not before Bronn extracted a confession that Cersei was behind the attempt to kill him. Cersei responds by sending Falyse to Qyburn so nothing is found out about her machinations.{{ref|AFFC|32}}
– Cersei, to [[Eddard Stark]]
 
  
 +
The queen wears a new crown of pale spun [[gold]] set with sparkling [[emerald]]s.{{ref|AFFC|36}} Cersei plots to frame Margaery for adultery and treason. Having seduced Osney Kettleblack, she has him falsely confess to the High Sparrow that he had intercourse with Margaery and two of her three cousins, [[Megga Tyrell|Megga]] and [[Elinor Tyrell|Elinor]].{{ref|AFFC|39}} The High Sparrow acts on the information and has Margaery arrested when she visits the [[Great Sept of Baelor]]. Cersei feigns concern publicly and visits the Great Sept in order to appear to the population that she wishes Margaery released. However, the High Sparrow arrests the Queen Regent for several crimes, including the murder of the previous High Septon. The High Sparrow was suspicious of Osney's confession and had him tortured till Osney revealed the truth.{{ref|AFFC|43}}
  
{{Quote|A true man does what he will, not what he must. {{Ref|aGoT|45}}}}
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Cersei's ministers seize control of the government while she awaits trial in the Great Sept, and they recall her uncle Kevan from Casterly Rock to fill her position as [[regent]]. Aurane absconds with the costly new fleet, while Taena flees for [[Longtable]]. Accused of capital crimes, Cersei's only hope lies in a Kingsguard champion to stand for her in a [[trial by combat]].{{ref|AFFC|43}} She sends an emotional summons to Jaime, which he burns at Riverrun without reply.{{Ref|AFFC|43}}
– Cersei, to [[Eddard Stark]]
 
  
 +
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 +
[[File:Marc Simonetti CL walk of shame.jpg|thumb|350px|Cersei's [[walk of atonement]] from the [[Great Sept of Baelor]] to the [[Red Keep]], by Marc Simonetti ©]]
 +
Ser [[Balon Swann]] arrives at [[Sunspear]] with a letter in which Cersei asks [[Doran Martell]], [[Prince of Dorne]], to give leave to her daughter [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]] to return to [[King's Landing]] for a short visit, and to invite Doran to take the Dornish seat on the [[small council]] that has been left vacant with the death of Prince [[Oberyn Martell|Oberyn]]. Doran learns from informers at the royal court, however, that Balon is to invite Prince [[Trystane Martell]] to accompany Myrcella but then be killed by outlaws in the [[kingswood]], for which Tyrion is supposed to be blamed, with Balon as a witness.{{Ref|ADWD|38}}
  
{{Quote|A woman's life is nine parts mess to one part magic, you'll learn that soon enough... and the parts that look like magic often turn out to be messiest of all. {{ref|acok|52}}}}
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Cersei remains a prisoner of the [[Faith of the Seven]] in a tower of the [[Great Sept of Baelor]], under the care of Septas [[Unella]], [[Moelle]], and [[Scolera]]. To gain access to visitors, Cersei confesses to the [[High Sparrow]] that she had relations with her cousin, [[Lancel Lannister]], and all three of the [[House Kettleblack|Kettleblack]] brothers, knowing that such sins would not earn her an execution. She continues to deny having ordered [[Osney Kettleblack]] to kill the [[High Septon (Tyrion's)|previous High Septon]], or that she was involved in King [[Robert I Baratheon]]'s death. The High Septon agrees to allow her one visitor a day. Cersei learns from her uncle, Ser [[Kevan Lannister|Kevan]], that [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] disappeared in the riverlands with a woman, possibly [[Brienne of Tarth]]. Kevan also tells his niece about [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]]'s injury and of [[Arys Oakheart]]'s death at the [[Greenblood]], which leaves a vacancy in the Kingsguard. Cersei sends word to Lord [[Qyburn]] that the time has come.{{Ref|ADWD|54}}
– Cersei to [[Sansa Stark]]
 
  
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Before her trial, the Faith requires Cersei to submit to a [[walk of atonement]] from the Great Sept to the [[Red Keep]]. Cersei is shaved of hair from her entire body, then stripped naked. An escort of [[Warrior's Sons]], [[Poor Fellows]], and septas protect her from the leering and jeering crowds that have flocked to see her, with Septa Scolera ringing a bell and singing the word "shame". Cersei tries to hang on to her pride during the barefoot walk in spite of the crowds projecting filth at her and bawdy insults. Faces in the crowd remind her of [[Tywin Lannister]], [[Melara Hetherspoon]], [[Eddard Stark]], [[Tyrion Lannister]], and [[Joffrey Baratheon]]. She eventually breaks down in tears, however, just before finishing and entering the Red Keep. Upon her entrance, [[Jocelyn Swyft]] has her body covered. Cersei is carried into the castle by a giant knight, whom [[Qyburn]] introduces as the newest member of the [[Kingsguard]] and her champion, "Ser [[Robert Strong]]".{{Ref|ADWD|65}}
  
{{Quote|Love is poison. A sweet poison, yes, but it will kill you all the same. {{ref|acok|52}}}}
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After her walk of atonement, [[Lord Regent]] Kevan Lannister places Cersei within house arrest in the Red Keep, awaiting her trial. Her guards are dismissed and replaced with Kevan's own men. As part of Kevan's attempts to repair the damage Cersei has done to the Lannister-Tyrell alliance, he tells Mace Tyrell that Cersei will no longer have any voice in the governing of the Seven Kingdoms, nor in Tommen's education. Kevan also intends to send Cersei to Casterly Rock after her trial, and make sure she stays there. Kevan feels that Cersei has been subdued and submissive since her walk, and that he has "pulled her claws".{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}
– Cersei to [[Sansa Stark]]
 
  
 +
While awaiting trial, Cersei is attended by a septa and three novices selected by the High Septon, rather than her usual [[ladies-in-waiting]]. The High Septon insists that no girl spend more than seven days with Cersei, lest she be corrupted. The novices serve as Cersei's [[handmaid]]s, with one sharing her bed every night to make sure she has no other company. The novices report that of the hours Cersei is awake, she spends a third of that time with Tommen, another third praying, and the rest in her tub, bathing four or five times a day, scrubbing herself with [[horse]]hair brushes and lye soap.{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}
  
{{Quote|The only way to keep your people loyal is to make certain they fear you more than they do the enemy. {{ref|acok|60}}}}
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After a meeting with the small council, Kevan dines with Cersei and Tommen. Cersei dresses extremely modestly, in a dark brown gown that buttons up to her throat, and a hooded green mantle to cover her shaved head. Cersei requests that once her innocence is proved, that Lady [[Taena Merryweather]] attend her again, and Kevan agrees, thinking Taena could accompany Cersei on her return to Casterly Rock. Although Kevan has no news of Jaime, Cersei seems certain of his safety, believing she would know if he were dead. Kevan begins to chide Cersei about her misjudgment regarding the Kettleblack brothers, but the meal is interrupted when a boy arrives, summoning Kevan to Grand Maester Pycelle's chambers.{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}  
– Cersei to [[Sansa Stark]]
 
  
 +
In actuality, the boy is one of [[Varys]]'s [[little birds]], and Kevan arrives in the maester's chambers to find Pycelle murdered. Varys then assassinates Kevan, since his attempts to unify the Seven Kingdoms under Tommen were "threatening to undo all the queen's good work", and Varys wants the realm in chaos until [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]] arrives. Varys shoots Kevan in the chest with a crossbow so that Cersei will believe he was murdered by the Tyrells with Tyrion's help, and then has the little birds end Kevan's suffering with their daggers.{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}
  
{{Quote|I waited, and so can [[Tommen Baratheon|he]].  I waited half my life.  She had played the dutiful daughter, the blushing bride, the pliant wife.  She had suffered [[Robert Baratheon|Robert’s]] drunken groping, [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]]’s jealousy, [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]]’s mockery, [[Varys]] with his titters, [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] endlessly grinding his teeth. She had contended with [[Jon Arryn]], [[Eddard Stark|Ned Stark]], and her vile, treacherous, murderous [[Tyrion Lannister|dwarf brother]], all the while promising herself that one day it would be her turn.  If [[Margaery Tyrell]] thinks to cheat me of my hour in the sun, she had bloody well think again. {{Ref|aFfC|24}}}}  – Cersei's thoughts, on ruling as Queen [[Regent]] until [[Tommen]] comes of age
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===''The Winds of Winter''===
 +
{{Warning/twow}}
 +
The [[mummer]]s of [[the Gate]] in [[Braavos]] perform ''[[The Bloody Hand]]'', a play based on recent events in Westeros. The mummer [[Lady Stork]] plays the role of the Queen, based on Cersei.<ref name="mercy">''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Mercy (The Winds of Winter)|Mercy]]</ref>
  
 +
[[Harys Swyft]] attends the first performance of the play. The young mummer [[Mercy]] overhears one of his guards saying that if Harys returns to Westeros without the gold (from the [[Iron Bank]]), the queen will have his head.<ref name="mercy" />
  
{{Quote|Come at once. Help me. Save me. I need you as I have never needed you before. I love you, I love you, I love you. Come at once. {{Ref|affc|43}}}}
+
In the [[Vale]], Petyr Baelish reports to Sansa Stark that Cersei has collected the heads of a dozen dwarfs, but none of them Tyrion's.<ref name="sansatwow">''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Alayne I (The Winds of Winter)|Alayne I]]</ref>
– Cersei's letter to [[Jaime]]
 
  
 +
==Quotes by Cersei==
 +
[[File:Komarck C Lannister FFG.jpg|thumb|350px|Cersei by Michael Komarck © Fantasy Flight Games]]
 +
{{Quote|When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.{{ref|AGOT|45}}|Cersei to [[Eddard Stark]]}}
  
{{Quote|I am a [[Lannister|lioness]]. I will not cringe for them. {{Ref|aDwD|65}}}}
+
{{Quote|[[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] and I are more than brother and sister. We are one person in two bodies. We shared a womb together. He came into this world holding my foot, our old maester said. When he is in me, I feel ... whole.{{ref|AGOT|45}}|Cersei to [[Eddard Stark]]}}
Cersei, before she shrugs off her robe to stand naked and shorn at the [[Great Sept of Baelor]]
 
  
==Quotes about Cersei==
+
{{Quote|A true man does what he will, not what he must.{{ref|AGOT|45}}|Cersei to [[Eddard Stark]]}}
  
{{Quote|And Cersei . . . I have [[Jon Arryn]] to thank for her. I had no wish to marry after [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]] was taken from me, but Jon said the realm needed an heir. Cersei Lannister would be a good match, he told me, she would bind Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] to me should [[Viserys Targaryen]] ever try to win back his father’s throne. I loved that old man, I swear it, but now I think he was a bigger fool than [[Moon Boy]]. Oh, Cersei is lovely to look at, truly, but cold . . . the way she guards her cunt, you’d think she had all the gold of [[Casterly Rock]] between her legs. {{ref|agot|30}}}}
+
{{Quote|A woman's life is nine parts mess to one part [[magic]], you'll learn that soon enough... and the parts that look like magic often turn out to be messiest of all.{{ref|ACOK|52}}|Cersei to [[Sansa Stark]]}}
[[Robert Baratheon]]
 
  
 +
{{Quote|Love is [[poison]]. A sweet poison, yes, but it will kill you all the same.{{ref|ACOK|52}}|Cersei to [[Sansa Stark]]}}
  
{{Quote|The longer Cersei waits, the angrier she'll become, and anger makes her stupid. I much prefer angry and stupid to composed and cunning. {{ref|acok|20}}}}
+
{{Quote|The only way to keep your people loyal is to make certain they fear you more than they do the enemy.{{ref|ACOK|60}}|Cersei to [[Sansa Stark]]}}
– [[Tyrion]], explaining to [[Bronn]] why he will delay responding to Cersei's summons
 
  
 +
{{Quote|I waited, and so can [[Tommen Baratheon|he]]. I waited half my life. She had played the dutiful daughter, the blushing bride, the pliant wife. She had suffered [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert's]] drunken groping, [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime's]] jealousy, [[Renly Baratheon|Renly's]] mockery, [[Varys]] with his titters, [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] endlessly grinding his teeth. She had contended with [[Jon Arryn]], [[Eddard Stark|Ned Stark]], and her vile, treacherous, murderous [[Tyrion Lannister|dwarf brother]], all the while promising herself that one day it would be her turn. If [[Margaery Tyrell]] thinks to cheat me of my hour in the sun, she had bloody well think again.{{ref|AFFC|24}}|Cersei's thoughts on ruling as [[Regent|Queen Regent]] until [[Tommen Baratheon]] comes of age}}
  
{{Quote|Cersei is as gentle as [[Maegor I|King Maegor]], as selfless as [[Aegon IV|Aegon the Unworthy]], as wise as [[Aerys II|Mad Aerys]].  She never forgets a slight, real or imagined. She takes caution for cowardice and dissent for defiance. And she is greedy. Greedy for power, for honour, for love. {{Ref|aDwD|22}}}}
+
{{Quote|Come at once. Help me. Save me. I need you now as I have never needed you before. I love you. I love you. I love you. Come at once.{{ref|AFFC|44}}|Cersei writing to [[Jaime Lannister]]}}
– [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]], on his sister, to [[Young Griff]]
 
  
 +
{{Quote|I am a [[House Lannister|lioness]]. I will not cringe for them.{{ref|ADWD|65}}|Cersei's thoughts before her [[walk of atonement]]}}
  
{{Quote|His Sister liked to think of herself as Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] with teats, but she was wrong. Their father had been as relentless and implacable as a glacier, where Cersei was all wildfire, especially when thwarted. . .She does not lack for wits but she has no judgement, and no patience. {{ref|aFfC|16}}}}
+
==Quotes about Cersei==
[[Jaime Lannister]], on his sisters leadership skills.
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[[File:Cersei Lannister.png|thumb|350px|[[w:Lena Headey|Lena Headey]] as Cersei in ''[[Game of Thrones]]'']]
 +
{{quote|She was as beautiful as men said. A jeweled tiara gleamed amidst her long golden hair, its [[emerald]]s a perfect match for the green of her eyes.{{ref|AGOT|5}}|[[Jon Snow]]'s thoughts}}
  
 +
{{Quote|And Cersei ... I have [[Jon Arryn]] to thank for her. I had no wish to marry after [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]] was taken from me, but Jon said the realm needed an heir. Cersei Lannister would be a good match, he told me, she would bind Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] to me should [[Viserys Targaryen]] ever try to win back [[Aerys II Targaryen|his father's]] [[Iron Throne|throne]]. I loved that old man, I swear it, but now I think he was a bigger [[fool]] than [[Moon Boy]]. Oh, Cersei is lovely to look at, truly, but cold ... the way she guards her cunt, you’d think she had all the [[gold]] of [[Casterly Rock]] between her legs.{{ref|AGOT|30}}|[[Robert I Baratheon]] to [[Eddard Stark]]}}
  
{{Quote|Cersei has put some [[Aurane Waters|bastard]] on the [[small council|council]] too, and a [[Osmund Kettleblack|kettle]] in the [[Kingsguard]]. She has the [[Faith of the Seven|faith]] arming and the [[Iron Bank of Braavos|Braavosi]] calling in loans all over [[Westeros]]. None of which would be happening if she'd had the simple sense to make your [[Kevan Lannister|uncle]] the [[Hand of the King|King's Hand]].{{ref|AFFC|33}}}} - [[Genna Lannister]] to [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]]  
+
{{Quote|The longer Cersei waits, the angrier she'll become, and anger makes her stupid. I much prefer angry and stupid to composed and cunning.{{ref|ACOK|20}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Bronn]]}}
  
 +
{{Quote|I have never liked you, Cersei, but you were my own sister, so I never did you harm. You've ended that. I will hurt you [[Alayaya|for this]]. I don't know how yet, but give me time. A day will come when you think yourself safe and happy, and suddenly your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth, and you'll know the debt is paid.{{ref|ACOK|54}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] to Cersei}}
  
{{Quote|Every man's a piece to start with, and every maid as well. Even some who think they are players. Cersei, for one. She thinks herself sly, but in truth she is utterly predictable. Her strength rests on her beauty, birth, and riches. Only the first of those is truly her own, and it will soon desert her. I pity her then. She wants power, but has no notion what to do with it when she gets it. {{Ref|aSoS|68}}}}
+
{{Quote|They are [[knight]]s now, [[House Kettleblack|all three]], and your sister has promised them further advancement. And the eldest, Ser [[Osmund Kettleblack|Osmund]] of the [[Kingsguard]], dreams of certain other ... favors ... as well. You can match the queen [[Currency|coin]] for coin, I have no doubt, but she has a second purse that is quite inexhaustible.{{ref|ASOS|12}}|[[Varys]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}
[[Petyr Baelish|Littlefinger]] on Cersei and the Game of Thrones
 
  
 +
{{Quote|Every man's a piece to start with, and every [[Maiden|maid]] as well. Even some who think they are players. Cersei, for one. She thinks herself sly, but in truth she is utterly predictable. Her strength rests on her beauty, [[House Lannister|birth]], and [[Casterly Rock|riches]]. Only the first of those is truly her own, and it will soon desert her. I pity her then. She wants power, but has no notion what to do with it when she gets it.{{ref|ASOS|68}}|[[Petyr Baelish]] to [[Sansa Stark]]}}
  
{{Quote|Cersei is a lying whore, she's been fucking [[Lancel Lannister|Lancel]] and [[Osmund Kettleblack]] and probably [[Moon Boy]] for all I know. {{ref|aFfC|8}}}}
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{{Quote|Cersei is a lying whore, she's been fucking [[Lancel Lannister|Lancel]] and [[Osmund Kettleblack]] and probably [[Moon Boy]] for all I know.{{ref|ASOS|77}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Jaime Lannister]]}}
Tyrion to Jaime
 
  
 +
{{Quote|His sister liked to think of herself as Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] with teats, but she was wrong. Their father had been as relentless and implacable as a glacier, where Cersei was all [[wildfire]], especially when thwarted. She had been giddy as a maiden when she learned that [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] had abandoned [[Dragonstone]], certain that he had finally given up the fight and sailed away to exile. When word came down from the [[north]] that he had turned up again at the [[Wall]], her fury had been fearful to behold. She does not lack for wits, but she has no judgment, and no patience.{{ref|AFFC|16}}|[[Jaime Lannister]]'s thoughts|}}
  
{{Quote|This head of mine is worth a lordship... back in [[Westeros]], half a world away. By the time you get it there, only bone and maggots will remain. My sweet sister will deny the head is mine and cheat you of the promised reward. You know how it is with queens. Fickle cunts, the lot of them, and Cersei is the worst. {{Ref|aDwD|57}}}}
+
{{Quote|Cersei is as gentle as King [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]], as selfless as [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon the Unworthy]], as wise as [[Aerys II Targaryen|Mad Aerys]].  She never forgets a slight, real or imagined. She takes caution for cowardice and dissent for defiance. And she is greedy. Greedy for power, for honor, for love.{{ref|ADWD|22}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Young Griff]]}}
Tyrion to [[Brown Ben Plumm]]
+
 
 +
{{Quote|This head of mine is worth a [[lord]]ship... back in [[Westeros]], half a world away. By the time you get it there, only [[bone]] and maggots will remain. My sweet sister will deny the head is mine and cheat you of the promised reward. You know how it is with queens. Fickle cunts, the lot of them, and Cersei is the worst.{{ref|ADWD|57}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Ben Plumm]]}}
  
 
==Family==
 
==Family==
 
{{Lannister tree}}
 
{{Lannister tree}}
  
==References and Notes==
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==Behind the Scenes==
{{references|3|refs=
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Cersei may have been inspired by [[w:Isabella of France|Isabella of France]] and [[w:Margaret of Anjou|Margaret of Anjou]], both queens of English kings.<ref>''Time'': [https://www.salon.com/2012/04/04/the_real_life_inspirations_for_game_of_thrones/ The Real Life Inspirations for "Game of Thrones"], April 4, 2012</ref>
  <ref name=HBO>[http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/index.html#/game-of-thrones/cast-and-crew.html/eNrjcmbOYC5kzlfPz0lxzEvMqSzJTA5ITE-1S8xN1SzLTEnNh4k65+eVpFaUsEknlpbkF+QkVtqWFJWmcjIysgEhAGCyFzg= HBO: Game of Thrones: cast and crew]</ref>  
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}}
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==References==
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{{References|3}}
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==External Links==
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*{{WoW}}
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Latest revision as of 07:18, 21 March 2024

House Lannister.svg Queen
Cersei Lannister
House Baratheon.svg
Cersei Lannister by Magali Villeneueve (cropped).jpg
Cersei Lannister, by Magali Villeneuve © FFG

Titles
Allegiances
Culture Westermen
Born 266 AC[1][2]
Casterly Rock, the westerlands
Father Lord Tywin Lannister
Mother Lady Joanna Lannister
Spouse King Robert I Baratheon
Lovers
Issue
Books

Played by Lena Headey
Nell Williams (young)
TV series Game of Thrones: Season 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Queen Cersei Lannister is the only daughter and eldest child of Lord Tywin Lannister of Casterly Rock and his wife, Lady Joanna Lannister. She is the twin of her younger brother, Ser Jaime Lannister. In the television adaptation Game of Thrones Cersei is played by Lena Headey, and is portrayed when she is a child by Nell Williams in a Season 5 flashback.

After Robert's Rebellion, Cersei married King Robert I Baratheon and became Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. She is the mother of Prince Joffrey, Princess Myrcella, and Prince Tommen of House Baratheon of King's Landing. Cersei becomes a POV character in A Feast for Crows.

Appearance and Character

Cersei Lannister, by Hylora ©

Cersei is a strikingly beautiful woman,[3] with curly[4][5][6] golden hair,[7][8] emerald green eyes,[9][10][11][12][7][13][14] fair skin,[10] and a slender, graceful figure.[7] When they were children, Cersei and her twin brother, Jaime, looked so alike not even their father, Tywin, could tell them apart.[15] As adults, they still significantly resemble each other.[16][17]

Cersei is willful, ambitious, and according to her brother Tyrion Lannister, has a certain low cunning.[18] She is hungry and greedy for power.[19][20] Cersei believes herself to be subtle[16] and politically astute. She hates being excluded from power on account of her gender,[21] and resents the customs and conventions put on her because she is female.[7][15] She thinks of herself as a female version of her father,[22][10][23][24] and feels slighted when people do not obey her commands as they would have done for Lord Tywin, but instead give her their counsel, or disagree with her, which she faults on her gender.[25]

Cersei is impatient,[7] and never forgets a slight, whether real or imagined. She considers caution to be cowardice and disagreement for defiance.[20] Her quick temper and her easily wounded pride frequently lead her to make rash decisions, and she rarely considers what unintended consequences her actions might have.[16] She does not shy away from using sex as a weapon.[15]

The queen's fine gowns include one of sea-green silk trimmed with pale Myrish lace;[26] one of black silk with red rubies sown into the bodice;[27] a low-cut gown of deep green velvet;[8] a snowy white linen gown with sleeves lined with gold satin;[4] a cloth-of-gold gown slashed in burgundy velvet;[28] a gown with stripes of green satin and black velvet with black Myrish lace above the bodice;[29] a jade-green gown with sleeves of silver Myrish lace;[30] and a white gown slashed with cloth-of-gold.[31] When Cersei wants to be discreet, however, she dresses in hunting green with leather boots and a brown cloak.[32]

Cersei's jewelry includes a golden ring with a large emerald,[26] a necklace of diamonds and emeralds,[33] and a golden necklace with a large emerald.[30] Her jeweled tiara is also decorated with emeralds.[9][26] Cersei's huge royal wheelhouse is a double-decked carriage of oiled oak and gilded metal,[34] and the queen has an ornate barge located at the harbor of King's Landing.[35]

History

Early life

Joanna Lannister, with her children Cersei and Jaime, by Naomimakesart ©

Cersei was born in 266 AC as the first-born child and only daughter to Ser Tywin Lannister, heir to Casterly Rock and Hand of the King, and his wife, Lady Joanna.[1][2] Cersei was born shortly before her twin brother Jaime, who was holding her foot.[32][21] King Aerys II Targaryen sent the twins their weights in gold as a name day gift, and commanded Tywin to bring the children to court when they were old enough to travel.[1] It is currently unknown whether this visit to King's Landing actually occurred, as the royal court came to Casterly Rock following the death of Lord Tytos Lannister in 267 AC.[1] Cersei and Jaime did visit King's Landing in 272 AC, when their mother brought them from Casterly Rock for the Anniversary Tourney held to celebrate the tenth year of King Aerys's reign.[1]

During their early childhood, Cersei and Jaime were inseparable.[36] They looked so similar as children that not even their father was able to keep them apart.[15] Sometimes they would dress in each other's clothes, and spend a whole day as each other.[15] Occasionally when Cersei wore Jaime's clothes, she took lessons from the master-at-arms in his stead, without anyone realizing.[37] The twins played in the bowels of Casterly Rock, where the caged lions of Cersei's late grandfather, Tytos, were kept. Cersei and Jaime would dare each other to climb into the cage. Cersei once dared to go as far as touch one of the lions, until her brother pulled her away.[10] Cersei and Jaime slept together in the same bed when they were very young,[36] and experimented sexually at a young age.[32] During one of these encounters, they were caught by a servant, who informed their mother. A guard was placed outside Cersei's bedchamber, while Jaime's bedchamber was moved to the other side of the castle. The twins were told never to do anything like that ever again, as Joanna would otherwise be forced to tell their father.[38]

Cersei's mother died not long thereafter,[38] in 273 AC,[1][2] when giving birth to Cersei's younger brother, Tyrion.[9] Cersei, then seven years old, despised her youngest sibling for killing her mother.[39] Shortly after Joanna's death, while the family was still in mourning, the Princess of Dorne arrived at Casterly Rock with her two youngest children, Elia and Oberyn Martell. Though Tyrion was kept out of sight during the visit of the Martells, Cersei promised to show him to Elia. On the last day of their visit, Cersei threatened her brother's wet nurse and sent her away, then undid Tyrion's swaddling clothes to better display his dwarfism to the siblings. When Oberyn remarked that Tyrion was not much of a monster, Cersei replied that he had killed her mother, and then attacked the baby, twisting his penis while he screamed, until Jaime stopped her.[39]

After being separated from Jaime following their mother's discovery of their sexual experimenting, Cersei had numerous bedmaids and companions, girls her age who were daughters of Tywin's bannermen and household knights. While Cersei occasionally appreciated the company of these girls in keeping her bed warm at night in the cold Rock, she did not like any of them. She felt they were dull, weepy, sneakily telling tales about her, and was convinced they were trying to come between her and Jaime. Few lasted very long.[36]

Attempted betrothal to Rhaegar Targaryen

Young Cersei drawing herself with Rhaegar Targaryen, by Pojypojy ©

During the Martells' visit to Casterly Rock, the Princess of Dorne proposed a betrothal between Cersei and Oberyn, as had been previously discussed by her and her friend Joanna. However, Tywin Lannister refused her, and informed her that Cersei was meant as a bride for the crown prince, Rhaegar Targaryen.[40]

Lord Tywin first informed Cersei of his wish to betroth her to Prince Rhaegar when she was no older than six or seven, though he told her never to speak of it until a betrothal was officially announced.[25] Cersei once drew a picture of Rhaegar and herself, riding a dragon, though she claimed it depicted King Jaehaerys I Targaryen and his sister-wife, Alysanne, when Jaime discovered it. In 276 AC, at the age of ten, Cersei became infatuated with Rhaegar after meeting him for the first time during the tournament in honor of Viserys's birth at Lannisport.[25][1] Before the tourney began, Cersei's aunt, Lady Genna, informed Cersei that her betrothal to Rhaegar would be announced during the final feast of the tourney.[25]

Cersei and Melara Hetherspoon in the tent of Maggy the Frog, by Cris Urdiales ©

On the tourney grounds, Cersei brought her bedmaids, Melara Hetherspoon and Jeyne Farman, to the tent of a woods witch, Maggy the Frog, so that she could tell their futures. After Maggy awoke, causing Jeyne to flee in fear, she required a taste of a drop of their blood, which Cersei bravely gave her. Cersei then inquired when she and Rhaegar would wed, and Maggy correctly predicted Cersei would not marry "the prince", but rather "the king" (Robert Baratheon). When Cersei asked whether she would still be queen, Maggy answered that she would, until another queen, "younger and more beautiful", would cast Cersei down and take all she held dear. Cersei then asked if she and the king would have children, and Maggy predicted that he would have sixteen children, and Cersei three. She went on to prophesy that Cersei would outlive her children, who would die crowned, and that afterwards the valonqar would come to "choke the life from [her]." Melara then asked if she would marry Jaime, but Maggy prophesied that she would not marry anyone and would die a maiden, and that her death was was very close. Cersei followed this by throwing a potion into Maggy's face, and the girls fled the tent.[23] Afterwards, Melara suggested that if they never spoke about the prophecies, they would be forgotten and would not come true.[41][42]

However, Melara died shortly after their visit to Maggy, drowned in a well, and it is implied that Cersei killed the girl to prevent her from speaking of the prophecies, and out of jealousy over Jaime. After Melara's death, Cersei inquired with her septa, Saranella, about the meaning of valonqar, who informed her it was High Valyrian for "little brother".[42] Cersei eventually became convinced that Tyrion was the valonqar Maggy spoke of, resulting in her despising and mistrusting him even more than she had before. The prophecy of the valonqar has continued to haunt Cersei.[22]

After the guests of the tourney left the westerlands, Cersei learned from her aunt that Tywin had proposed the betrothal to King Aerys II Targaryen, but Aerys refused, saying that a man did not marry his heir to his servant's daughter.[25][1]

Living at court

At the age of twelve, Cersei was taken to King's Landing by her father, who still served as Hand of the King, after the failure of Lord Steffon Baratheon's mission to find Prince Rhaegar a suitable bride in Essos. In the following years, Lord Tywin Lannister refused every offer of marriage for Cersei. According to Jaime, Tywin still had his sights set on a Targaryen match, either hoping to betroth Cersei to young Prince Viserys, or hoping for Rhaegar's new bride, Princess Elia Martell, to die in childbirth.[43]

In 281 AC, when Cersei was fifteen, Jaime visited King's Landing after receiving his knighthood. Cersei informed him that their father had been discussing betrothing Jaime to Lysa Tully. Cersei seduced Jaime and persuaded him to join the Kingsguard, which would require him to remain unmarried and live near her in the Red Keep. Cersei knew that Tywin would be opposed to the idea, but that he could not openly object if it was the king's order, and offered to make the arrangements herself. After a night of passionate sex, Jaime consented to her plan.[43] However, Cersei had no idea how much the relationship between her father and the king had deteriorated, and although Aerys did award Jaime a place in the Kingsguard, Tywin furiously perceived Jaime's appointment to the Kingsguard as a slight by King Aerys intended to rob him of his heir. He resigned as Hand, pleading illness, and moved back to Casterly Rock with Cersei, separating the twins once more.[43]

Marriage

Wedding of Cersei and King Robert I Baratheon, from Game of Thrones Histories & Lore, © HBO

After the conclusion of Robert's Rebellion, a marriage was arranged between Cersei and the new king, Robert I Baratheon, in order to seal the new royal house's alliance with House Lannister. Cersei and Robert were wed in 284 AC.[44] She and Jaime had sex the morning of her wedding.[45] Nonetheless, Cersei was at first enthralled by the happy crowds at the royal wedding. However, her enthusiasm for the match ended when the drunken Robert called her "Lyanna", the name of his late betrothed, while having sex with her on their wedding night.[32]

The marriage rapidly deteriorated, and Cersei resumed her incestuous relationship with Jaime. During the early years of their marriage, Cersei declined Robert's invitations to hunt with him, as Robert's trips allowed her more time with Jaime.[31] Because two of Robert's Estermont uncles from Greenstone had remained at court for half a year following the wedding, Robert insisted on repaying the visit, and Cersei and Jaime accompanied him for a two-week stay at Estermont. While there, Cersei suspected that Robert was sleeping with a cousin of his, and had Jaime follow Robert to confirms her suspicions. Cersei and Jaime slept together on Greenstone, and Cersei likes to believe that was the night their eldest son Joffrey was conceived.[25]

Cersei bore Jaime three children, Joffrey, born in 286 AC, Myrcella, born in 290 AC, and Tommen, born in 291 AC. Cersei successfully deceived Robert and the entire kingdom, presenting the children as Robert's trueborn heirs. Although the king was away during the births of the children, hunting in the kingswood, Jaime was present for at least Joffrey's birth, defying the maesters and midwives who would have kept him out of the birthing room.[46] However, Cersei refused to let her brother ever hold Joffrey, fearing people might start to suspect his true parentage.[47]

Cersei with a drunken Robert, by David Sourwine © Fantasy Flight Games

While Robert "claimed his rights" frequently during the early years of their marriage, his drinking led to him hurting Cersei during their sexual intercourse, leaving her sex and breasts sore and painful. Once, during their first year of marriage, when Cersei confronted Robert the morning afterwards, telling him that he had hurt her, he claimed it was because of the drink, and he was not to blame. When he tried to take another horn of ale, Cersei smashed her own horn in his face, chipping his tooth. Robert claimed not to remember anything of those nights, but Cersei believes otherwise, and is certain that Robert did recall what he did to her, but felt that pretending to forget was easier than facing the truth. Cersei, in turn, tried to pretend that Robert was Rhaegar during their sexual encounters, as she could not imagine him as Jaime.[36] On one occasion, early in her marriage, Cersei became pregnant by Robert. Unwilling to give birth to Robert's child, she sent Jaime out to find a woman to cleanse her.[32] Having grown to resent Robert over the years, Cersei took further care to ensure he did not impregnate her, and used other means to bring him to completion. Over time, Robert came to Cersei's bed less frequently, not even once a year, preferring to lay with whores.[32][36]

After young Joffrey killed a pregnant cat, Robert suggested bringing a bastard daughter of his to court. However, Cersei made unsubtle threats, claiming King's Landing was a dangerous place for a growing girl. Though Robert hit Cersei for that, the girl was not brought to court, and all of Robert's bastards were kept out of sight.[41] According to Petyr Baelish, however, there are rumors that Robert fathered twins on a serving woman at Casterly Rock in 295 AC, and that Cersei had the babes killed and the mother sold to a slaver.[48]

Eventually Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Dragonstone, familiar with the appearance of his brother Robert's black-haired, blue-eyed bastard offspring, grew suspicious of the royal children's lack of resemblance to their supposed father.[11] He confided in Lord Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, and the two investigated the matter together.[49][50] After the tourney on Prince Joffrey's name day, Cersei and her children travelled with Lord Tywin to Casterly Rock. During the fortnight following the tourney, Jon was poisoned and fell ill, eventually dying before he could act.[51] Stannis was convinced that Cersei was responsible for Jon's death, and he fled to Dragonstone.[52][50]

Recent Events

Jaime and Cersei watch as Bran Stark falls from the window, by pojypojy ©

A Game of Thrones

After the death of the Hand of the King, Jon Arryn, Cersei and her children accompany her husband, King Robert I Baratheon, to Winterfell, traveling in a huge, lumbering wheelhouse.[53][34] At Winterfell, the king offers the position of Hand to Lord Eddard Stark, and betrothes Joffrey to Eddard's oldest daughter, Sansa.[54] Jon's widow, Lady Lysa Arryn, sends a coded message to her sister, Eddard's wife Catelyn, alleging that the Lannisters murdered Jon.[55] When Robert and most of the castle go on a hunting trip, Cersei remains behind with her brother, Ser Jaime. Bran Stark sees the two having sex in Winterfell's First Keep, and when Cersei insists that they must do something to prevent the boy from telling anyone, Jaime pushes him out of the tower window.[56] Cersei later berates Jaime for his impulsiveness, arguing that attempting to kill the boy was foolish, when they could have simply intimidated him into silence.[17]

Cersei's wheelhouse, by Thomas Denmark © Fantasy Flight Games

While the royal procession travels back to King's Landing, Cersei's eldest son, Prince Joffrey Baratheon, bullies a common boy, Mycah, prompting Arya Stark and her direwolf, Nymeria, to attack and disarm him.[57] Joffrey tells his parents that Arya and her wolf attacked him without provocation, and Cersei takes her son's side,[58] arguing to Robert that the girl should lose a hand in accordance with the ancient penalty for striking a prince of royal blood.[59] When Robert refuses to do so, she proclaims her desire regarding maiming or killing Arya to Jaime, using sex as bribe. Jaime searches for the girl, and would later imply that he would have been willing to do his sister's bidding had he found her.[59] Instead, Arya is found by House Stark guards. At Darry, while Robert again resists Cersei's call for severely punishing Arya, the queen successfully pressures him into ordering the execution of Sansa's direwolf, Lady, as a proxy.[58]

Having appointed Eddard Stark as Jon Arryn's replacement, Robert orders the Hand's tourney be held in honor of Eddard.[60] Cersei forbids Robert from fighting in the melee, inciting a public argument between king and queen.[61] Robert intends to fight anyway, but Eddard and Ser Barristan Selmy succeed in dissuading him. Later, Varys claims that Cersei had known publicly forbidding Robert from participating in the melee was the most effective way of convincing him to do so, and had been planning to have him "accidentally" killed in the melee. He also suggests that Ser Hugh of the Vale, who had been killed by Ser Gregor Clegane earlier in the tournament, could have poisoned Jon Arryn at the Lannisters' instigation, only to have them arrange his death in order to ensure his silence afterward.[62]

When Cersei's brother Tyrion is abducted by Catelyn Stark, Cersei argues with Robert, insulting his manhood for his failure to immediately avenge the insult to her family. The king strikes her in response, but Cersei tells him she intends to wear the bruise "as a badge of honor." Eddard does not approve and Robert admits that it was "not kingly," but blames Cersei for provoking him.[63]

Eddard Stark and Cersei in the godswood of the Red Keep, by Tommy Arnold © Fantasy Flight Games

Eddard, who has been investigating Jon Arryn's death, discovers the truth about the royal children's parentage. While the king is hunting in the kingswood, Eddard confronts Cersei, who admits the accusation is true. She attempts to seduce him in the godswood of the Red Keep, but Ned refuses. Not wanting to see the children harmed, Eddard warns her that he intends to tell Robert the truth and urges her to flee with the princes and princess.[32] Eddard plans to have his daughters, Sansa and Arya, sail from King's Landing on the Wind Witch.[64] Sansa, not understanding the danger and desiring to marry Joffrey, informs Cersei of her father's plan.[27]

A drunken Robert is fatally injured by a boar during his hunt,[65] having been given strongwine by his squire, Lancel Lannister.[66] On his deathbed Robert names Eddard regent until his thirteen-year-old heir Joffrey comes of age, though Eddard secretly changes “my son Joffrey” into “my heir”.[65] The morning of Robert's death, Cersei seizes power, denouncing Eddard as a traitor who conspired against King Joffrey. She has Eddard imprisoned and is named Queen Regent, heading Joffrey's small council.[26][33]

Cersei intends to have Eddard convicted of treason but allowed to take the black, thus discrediting him and removing him as a factor in the political arena without antagonizing the north. She arranges a public confession for him on the steps of the Great Sept of Baelor, assuring the High Septon that he will be offered forgiveness and the holy ground will not be profaned with blood. However, Joffrey ignores her advice and instead orders Lord Stark's immediate execution. Janos Slynt and Ser Ilyn Payne carry out the king's imprudent command before Cersei can intervene, deeply offending the Faith and rendering peace between Stark and Lannister impossible.[66][67][16]

Cersei weeps when she hears that Jaime has been captured by Robb Stark in the Whispering Wood.[68] She keeps the news of Renly Baratheon's coronation from Joffrey for a time, fearing he might take the field at the head of a force of gold cloaks. She commands her father to come to the defense of the capital against Renly and the Tyrells, but Tywin instead marches for Harrenhal and sends Tyrion to the capital in his stead.[69]

A Clash of Kings

Cersei Lannister, by Katherine Dinger ©

Having escaped King's Landing, Arya Stark adds Cersei's name to the list of those she desires dead.[70]

When Tyrion arrives in King's Landing, bearing a letter from their father, Cersei threatens to have him thrown in the dungeon, but he placates her by saying he could rescue Jaime.[16] As Hand, Tyrion struggles to wrest control from her, finally resorting to poison to incapacitate her for a few days.[3][71]

In Jaime's absence, Cersei begins sleeping with her cousin, the knighted Lancel, which is discerned by Tyrion.[71] She also reveals to Tyrion that she had given Lancel fortified wine for Robert's hunt, stronger than Robert usually drank.[16] After Tyrion sends away Vylarr and Cersei's personal guard,[3] she employs three sellswords to replace them—Osney, Osmund and Osfryd Kettleblack—but Tyrion finds out and buys their loyalty.[13]

Tyrion deceives small council members and determines that Pycelle is Cersei's agent. When Tyrion arrests Pycelle, the Grand Maester tells him that Jon Arryn had been recovering from his poisoning, and that he had sent Jon's maester away in order to prevent Jon's recovery, assuming that Cersei wanted Jon dead.[3] Tyrion gets Cersei to agree with sending Myrcella to Dorne to win over House Martell.[7] The day Princess Myrcella takes ship for Sunspear, Cersei is among those caught up in the riot of King's Landing, provoked in part by a thoughtless comment she makes to King Joffrey about a dead baby.[13]

As King Stannis Baratheon moves on King's Landing, Cersei sends Tommen to Rosby for safety, but Tyrion's men intercept the party and take the boy into Tyrion's custody.[72][73] Fed up with Tyrion's efforts to rule, Cersei arrests Alayaya, a whore she believes Tyrion is sleeping with, and has the girl beaten. She uses Alayaya as a hostage to ensure Tommen's safe return; Tyrion, however, promises her that whatever happens to Alayaya, happens to Tommen as well, rapings and beatings included, frightening Cersei.[8] Cersei removes Ser Boros Blount from the Kingsguard for his failure to resist Tyrion's men, and she replaces him with Osmund Kettleblack, a man just as hollow.[8]

As the Battle of the Blackwater begins, Cersei hosts a banquet for noblewomen in the Red Keep. She claims it is in an effort to keep their minds off the fighting, but has invited Ser Ilyn Payne, the King's Justice, to be on hand to kill them if the city is taken, to prevent them from becoming hostages. When she hears that the River Gate is under attack, she summons Joffrey back to the Red Keep.[15] Seeing the king flee back to the castle damages morale and causes the men to rout, nearly costing her the city. This outrages Lancel, who feels they could have held the gates if Cersei had not recalled the king.[74]

If not for the timely arrival and attack on Stannis's flank by the army of Lords Tywin Lannister and Mace Tyrell, the battle would be lost for the Lannisters.[28] Because Tyrion lies wounded and unconscious, Cersei is able to lie to Tywin and turn her father's prejudice against Tyrion to her advantage, stripping Tyrion's power by the time his convalescence is over.[75]

A Storm of Swords

Jaime Lannister and Cersei, by Magali Villeneuve

Tyrion Lannister believes that Cersei is to blame for Ser Mandon Moore's assassination attempt at the Blackwater.[76]

Cersei plans the upcoming wedding of her son, King Joffrey I Baratheon, to Margaery Tyrell.[76][77] Tywin bends Cersei to his will and makes it clear his daughter is no longer wanted on the small council. Against her wishes, he plans for her to marry her again, considering Balon Greyjoy (whose elderly wife Alannys has failing health), Oberyn Martell, Horas or Hobber Redwyne, Theon Greyjoy, Quentyn Martell, and Willas Tyrell as potential matches.[77] While Lord Mace Tyrell is initially receptive to Cersei marrying Willas, the offer is rejected after Mace speaks with his mother Olenna, the Queen of Thorns.[78]

Cersei intends to keep Sansa Stark as her hostage,[77] but Tywin forces the girl to marry Tyrion.[79] During the wedding feast, Cersei dances with Paxter Redwyne, Mathis Rowan, and her father.[79] She also flirts with Osmund Kettleblack of the Kingsguard.[80]

After Joffrey offends Tywin through his ungracious behavior, Tywin is furious and asks where the boy could have learnt such amoral sentiments. Cersei blames Robert but it is clear to all in the room, including Tywin's brother Kevan, that Cersei is responsible.[81]

Joffrey is killed at his own wedding feast, and Cersei accuses Tyrion and Sansa, falsely believing them responsible.[82] Ser Jaime Lannister returns to King's Landing with the assistance of Brienne of Tarth, and the Lannister twins have sex in a sept where Joffrey's body rests. Cersei rejects Jaime's suggestion of announcing their incest, like the Targaryens had done.[47]

Having escaped King's Landing with the aid of Petyr Baelish, Sansa learns that the Kettleblacks are actually loyal to Petyr, not Cersei or Tyrion.[83]

Cersei finds numerous witnesses to testify against Tyrion,[21] including his lover Shae,[40] and Cersei names Ser Gregor Clegane champion if there is to be a trial by combat. This leads Prince Oberyn, whose sister Elia was murdered by Gregor over a dozen years ago in the Sack of King's Landing, to champion Tyrion.[21] Oberyn is killed and Gregor is severely wounded in the duel.[40]

Oberyn's death condemns Tyrion, but he is freed from his cell by Jaime and Varys. Tyrion tells Jaime that Cersei has been sleeping with Lancel Lannister and Osmund Kettleblack. Before escaping the Red Keep, Tyrion kills Shae and his father, Tywin.[84]

At the Eyrie, Lysa Arryn reveals in Sansa's presence that she had killed Jon Arryn and then informed her sister Catelyn that the Lannisters were to blame.[85]

A Feast for Crows

Cersei, by Cassandre Bolan © Fantasy Flight Games

Cersei's tendencies to paranoia, rash judgement and hysteria increase following the deaths of her son, King Joffrey, and her father, Lord Tywin. She resumes her position as regent over her surviving son, the eight-year-old King Tommen, who is obedient to her will. As the eldest child of Tywin, she is also acknowledged as the Lady of Casterly Rock by her uncle, Ser Kevan.[10]

Cersei orders Ser Osney and Ser Osfryd Kettleblack to hide Shae's corpse,[22] and commands Ser Boros Blount and Ser Osmund Kettleblack to murder the two guards who had been guarding Tyrion's cell when she hears that they had been found asleep on duty (unknown to Cersei, Varys had drugged them).[6] After her fathers funeral she has Ser Osney murder the High Septon, bedding him as a reward.[24] Since Tyrion has vanished, Cersei burns with wildfire the Tower of the Hand, the site of Tywin's death, which her twin Jaime considers a folly.[86] Word spreads throughout the Seven Kingdoms and the Free Cities that Cersei has promised a lordship to whomever brings her Tyrion's head,[10] but innocents are killed instead.[41] Cersei's paranoia alienates Jaime,[6] who departs to secure the riverlands and resolve the siege of Riverrun.[30]

Cersei surrounds herself with sycophants rather than honest and competent advisers,[41] and she fills Tommen's small council with her own supporters and agents, disregarding the previous arrangements made by Tywin and the well-meant, if blunt, advice from Kevan. She becomes a restless sleeper, troubled by nightmares of Tyrion, who murdered Tywin, and the Iron Throne consuming her.[22] Cersei also recalls the prophecy of the valonqar, whom she considers Tyrion.[22][23] Numerous people, including several family members, consider her to be an ineffectual leader.[22][20] Cersei's growing dependency on alcohol increases her weight, but she blames the washerwomen for shrinking her gowns.[25]

Cersei suspects her powerful Tyrell allies, now relatives through Tommen's marriage to Margaery, are trying to seize control of the kingdom. This suspicion grows from a Gardener coin found by Qyburn in the dungeon where Tyrion was being held before his escape[10] – a coin similar to the ones Lady Olenna Tyrell carries with her when traveling, causing Cersei to wrongfully suspect a Tyrell involvement in Tyrion's escape.[14] Cersei commences a campaign of intrigue to remove Tyrells in King's Landing from positions of influence and authority, including Margaery and her brother Loras, a knight of the Kingsguard.[25]

Cersei refuses to honor the debts owed by the crown, angering powerful institutions such as the Iron Bank of Braavos and the Faith of the Seven.[41] This results in the Faith refusing to bless King Tommen, and the Iron Bank calling in all their debts throughout Westeros and refusing all new loans.[31] This causes economic chaos throughout the Seven Kingdoms. With the monies owed, Cersei constructs a new royal fleet of warships and gives command to Aurane Waters, the Bastard of Driftmark and a sellsail of questionable expertise and loyalty.[41] Two of the dromonds, Lioness and Sweet Cersei, are named in the Queen Regent's honor.[31][36]

Cersei frames Margaery Tyrell, by cabepfir ©

In an attempt to alleviate the crown's debts, gain the Faith's blessing, and gain more protection from her purported enemies, Cersei allows the new High Septon, the so-called High Sparrow, to revive the Faith Militant, ignorant of its history of causing trouble for monarchs.[31]

Cersei sends Ser Balon Swann of the Kingsguard to Dorne to deliver the head of Ser Gregor Clegane.[41]

Cersei takes the disgraced former maester Qyburn into her service as master of whisperers, using him as a torturer, and allowing him to conduct immoral experiments on human subjects.[10] She befriends Taena Merryweather, who informs Cersei that her maid Senelle is spying on her for Margaery. This leads Senelle to be given over to Qyburn for his twisted experiments. Taena becomes her bedwarmer and confidante.[36]

The queen is reluctant to aid the Tyrells after Euron Greyjoy's taking of the Shields. Cersei instead gives command of the siege of Dragonstone to Loras, as the Redwyne fleet could return to the Reach when the island castle falls.[36] Aurane Waters reports that Loras was gravely injured during the assault.[23]

Cersei manipulates Falyse Stokeworth and her husband, Ser Balman Byrch, into attacking Tyrion's friend, the sellsword Bronn, who was knighted and married to simple Lollys Stokeworth to pry him away from Tyrion. Falyse flees to King's Landing to report that Bronn killed Balman in a duel, though not before Bronn extracted a confession that Cersei was behind the attempt to kill him. Cersei responds by sending Falyse to Qyburn so nothing is found out about her machinations.[36]

The queen wears a new crown of pale spun gold set with sparkling emeralds.[23] Cersei plots to frame Margaery for adultery and treason. Having seduced Osney Kettleblack, she has him falsely confess to the High Sparrow that he had intercourse with Margaery and two of her three cousins, Megga and Elinor.[42] The High Sparrow acts on the information and has Margaery arrested when she visits the Great Sept of Baelor. Cersei feigns concern publicly and visits the Great Sept in order to appear to the population that she wishes Margaery released. However, the High Sparrow arrests the Queen Regent for several crimes, including the murder of the previous High Septon. The High Sparrow was suspicious of Osney's confession and had him tortured till Osney revealed the truth.[24]

Cersei's ministers seize control of the government while she awaits trial in the Great Sept, and they recall her uncle Kevan from Casterly Rock to fill her position as regent. Aurane absconds with the costly new fleet, while Taena flees for Longtable. Accused of capital crimes, Cersei's only hope lies in a Kingsguard champion to stand for her in a trial by combat.[24] She sends an emotional summons to Jaime, which he burns at Riverrun without reply.[24]

A Dance with Dragons

Cersei's walk of atonement from the Great Sept of Baelor to the Red Keep, by Marc Simonetti ©

Ser Balon Swann arrives at Sunspear with a letter in which Cersei asks Doran Martell, Prince of Dorne, to give leave to her daughter Myrcella to return to King's Landing for a short visit, and to invite Doran to take the Dornish seat on the small council that has been left vacant with the death of Prince Oberyn. Doran learns from informers at the royal court, however, that Balon is to invite Prince Trystane Martell to accompany Myrcella but then be killed by outlaws in the kingswood, for which Tyrion is supposed to be blamed, with Balon as a witness.[87]

Cersei remains a prisoner of the Faith of the Seven in a tower of the Great Sept of Baelor, under the care of Septas Unella, Moelle, and Scolera. To gain access to visitors, Cersei confesses to the High Sparrow that she had relations with her cousin, Lancel Lannister, and all three of the Kettleblack brothers, knowing that such sins would not earn her an execution. She continues to deny having ordered Osney Kettleblack to kill the previous High Septon, or that she was involved in King Robert I Baratheon's death. The High Septon agrees to allow her one visitor a day. Cersei learns from her uncle, Ser Kevan, that Jaime disappeared in the riverlands with a woman, possibly Brienne of Tarth. Kevan also tells his niece about Myrcella's injury and of Arys Oakheart's death at the Greenblood, which leaves a vacancy in the Kingsguard. Cersei sends word to Lord Qyburn that the time has come.[45]

Before her trial, the Faith requires Cersei to submit to a walk of atonement from the Great Sept to the Red Keep. Cersei is shaved of hair from her entire body, then stripped naked. An escort of Warrior's Sons, Poor Fellows, and septas protect her from the leering and jeering crowds that have flocked to see her, with Septa Scolera ringing a bell and singing the word "shame". Cersei tries to hang on to her pride during the barefoot walk in spite of the crowds projecting filth at her and bawdy insults. Faces in the crowd remind her of Tywin Lannister, Melara Hetherspoon, Eddard Stark, Tyrion Lannister, and Joffrey Baratheon. She eventually breaks down in tears, however, just before finishing and entering the Red Keep. Upon her entrance, Jocelyn Swyft has her body covered. Cersei is carried into the castle by a giant knight, whom Qyburn introduces as the newest member of the Kingsguard and her champion, "Ser Robert Strong".[88]

After her walk of atonement, Lord Regent Kevan Lannister places Cersei within house arrest in the Red Keep, awaiting her trial. Her guards are dismissed and replaced with Kevan's own men. As part of Kevan's attempts to repair the damage Cersei has done to the Lannister-Tyrell alliance, he tells Mace Tyrell that Cersei will no longer have any voice in the governing of the Seven Kingdoms, nor in Tommen's education. Kevan also intends to send Cersei to Casterly Rock after her trial, and make sure she stays there. Kevan feels that Cersei has been subdued and submissive since her walk, and that he has "pulled her claws".[89]

While awaiting trial, Cersei is attended by a septa and three novices selected by the High Septon, rather than her usual ladies-in-waiting. The High Septon insists that no girl spend more than seven days with Cersei, lest she be corrupted. The novices serve as Cersei's handmaids, with one sharing her bed every night to make sure she has no other company. The novices report that of the hours Cersei is awake, she spends a third of that time with Tommen, another third praying, and the rest in her tub, bathing four or five times a day, scrubbing herself with horsehair brushes and lye soap.[89]

After a meeting with the small council, Kevan dines with Cersei and Tommen. Cersei dresses extremely modestly, in a dark brown gown that buttons up to her throat, and a hooded green mantle to cover her shaved head. Cersei requests that once her innocence is proved, that Lady Taena Merryweather attend her again, and Kevan agrees, thinking Taena could accompany Cersei on her return to Casterly Rock. Although Kevan has no news of Jaime, Cersei seems certain of his safety, believing she would know if he were dead. Kevan begins to chide Cersei about her misjudgment regarding the Kettleblack brothers, but the meal is interrupted when a boy arrives, summoning Kevan to Grand Maester Pycelle's chambers.[89]

In actuality, the boy is one of Varys's little birds, and Kevan arrives in the maester's chambers to find Pycelle murdered. Varys then assassinates Kevan, since his attempts to unify the Seven Kingdoms under Tommen were "threatening to undo all the queen's good work", and Varys wants the realm in chaos until Aegon Targaryen arrives. Varys shoots Kevan in the chest with a crossbow so that Cersei will believe he was murdered by the Tyrells with Tyrion's help, and then has the little birds end Kevan's suffering with their daggers.[89]

The Winds of Winter

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Warning
This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for The Winds of Winter, and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.

The mummers of the Gate in Braavos perform The Bloody Hand, a play based on recent events in Westeros. The mummer Lady Stork plays the role of the Queen, based on Cersei.[90]

Harys Swyft attends the first performance of the play. The young mummer Mercy overhears one of his guards saying that if Harys returns to Westeros without the gold (from the Iron Bank), the queen will have his head.[90]

In the Vale, Petyr Baelish reports to Sansa Stark that Cersei has collected the heads of a dozen dwarfs, but none of them Tyrion's.[91]

Quotes by Cersei

Cersei by Michael Komarck © Fantasy Flight Games

When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.[32]

—Cersei to Eddard Stark

Jaime and I are more than brother and sister. We are one person in two bodies. We shared a womb together. He came into this world holding my foot, our old maester said. When he is in me, I feel ... whole.[32]

—Cersei to Eddard Stark

A true man does what he will, not what he must.[32]

—Cersei to Eddard Stark

A woman's life is nine parts mess to one part magic, you'll learn that soon enough... and the parts that look like magic often turn out to be messiest of all.[92]

—Cersei to Sansa Stark

Love is poison. A sweet poison, yes, but it will kill you all the same.[92]

—Cersei to Sansa Stark

The only way to keep your people loyal is to make certain they fear you more than they do the enemy.[15]

—Cersei to Sansa Stark

I waited, and so can he. I waited half my life. She had played the dutiful daughter, the blushing bride, the pliant wife. She had suffered Robert's drunken groping, Jaime's jealousy, Renly's mockery, Varys with his titters, Stannis endlessly grinding his teeth. She had contended with Jon Arryn, Ned Stark, and her vile, treacherous, murderous dwarf brother, all the while promising herself that one day it would be her turn. If Margaery Tyrell thinks to cheat me of my hour in the sun, she had bloody well think again.[25]

—Cersei's thoughts on ruling as Queen Regent until Tommen Baratheon comes of age

Come at once. Help me. Save me. I need you now as I have never needed you before. I love you. I love you. I love you. Come at once.[93]

—Cersei writing to Jaime Lannister

I am a lioness. I will not cringe for them.[88]

—Cersei's thoughts before her walk of atonement

Quotes about Cersei

She was as beautiful as men said. A jeweled tiara gleamed amidst her long golden hair, its emeralds a perfect match for the green of her eyes.[9]

Jon Snow's thoughts

And Cersei ... I have Jon Arryn to thank for her. I had no wish to marry after Lyanna was taken from me, but Jon said the realm needed an heir. Cersei Lannister would be a good match, he told me, she would bind Lord Tywin to me should Viserys Targaryen ever try to win back his father's throne. I loved that old man, I swear it, but now I think he was a bigger fool than Moon Boy. Oh, Cersei is lovely to look at, truly, but cold ... the way she guards her cunt, you’d think she had all the gold of Casterly Rock between her legs.[62]

The longer Cersei waits, the angrier she'll become, and anger makes her stupid. I much prefer angry and stupid to composed and cunning.[7]

I have never liked you, Cersei, but you were my own sister, so I never did you harm. You've ended that. I will hurt you for this. I don't know how yet, but give me time. A day will come when you think yourself safe and happy, and suddenly your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth, and you'll know the debt is paid.[8]

Tyrion Lannister to Cersei

They are knights now, all three, and your sister has promised them further advancement. And the eldest, Ser Osmund of the Kingsguard, dreams of certain other ... favors ... as well. You can match the queen coin for coin, I have no doubt, but she has a second purse that is quite inexhaustible.[80]

Every man's a piece to start with, and every maid as well. Even some who think they are players. Cersei, for one. She thinks herself sly, but in truth she is utterly predictable. Her strength rests on her beauty, birth, and riches. Only the first of those is truly her own, and it will soon desert her. I pity her then. She wants power, but has no notion what to do with it when she gets it.[83]

Cersei is a lying whore, she's been fucking Lancel and Osmund Kettleblack and probably Moon Boy for all I know.[84]

His sister liked to think of herself as Lord Tywin with teats, but she was wrong. Their father had been as relentless and implacable as a glacier, where Cersei was all wildfire, especially when thwarted. She had been giddy as a maiden when she learned that Stannis had abandoned Dragonstone, certain that he had finally given up the fight and sailed away to exile. When word came down from the north that he had turned up again at the Wall, her fury had been fearful to behold. She does not lack for wits, but she has no judgment, and no patience.[14]

Jaime Lannister's thoughts

Cersei is as gentle as King Maegor, as selfless as Aegon the Unworthy, as wise as Mad Aerys. She never forgets a slight, real or imagined. She takes caution for cowardice and dissent for defiance. And she is greedy. Greedy for power, for honor, for love.[20]

This head of mine is worth a lordship... back in Westeros, half a world away. By the time you get it there, only bone and maggots will remain. My sweet sister will deny the head is mine and cheat you of the promised reward. You know how it is with queens. Fickle cunts, the lot of them, and Cersei is the worst.[94]

Family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tytos
 
Jeyne
Marbrand
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tywin
 
Joanna
Lannister
 
Kevan
 
Dorna
Swyft
 
Emmon
Frey
 
Genna
 
Tygett
 
Darlessa
Marbrand
 
Gerion
 
Briony
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Robert
Baratheon
 
Cersei
 
Jaime
 
Tyrion
 
Sansa
Stark
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issue
 
 
 
 
 
Tyrek
 
Ermesande
Hayford
 
Joy
Hill
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Joffrey
Baratheon
 
Myrcella
Baratheon
 
Tommen
Baratheon
 
Amerei
Frey
 
Lancel
 
Willem
 
Martyn
 
Janei
 
 
 

Behind the Scenes

Cersei may have been inspired by Isabella of France and Margaret of Anjou, both queens of English kings.[95]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 25, Tyrion VI.
  4. 4.0 4.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 57, Sansa V.
  5. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 72, Jaime IX.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 8, Jaime I.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 20, Tyrion V.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 54, Tyrion XII.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 5, Jon I.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 7, Cersei II.
  11. 11.0 11.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 15, Tyrion III.
  12. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 17, Tyrion IV.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 41, Tyrion IX.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 60, Sansa VI.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 3, Tyrion I.
  17. 17.0 17.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 1, Jaime I.
  18. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 38, Tyrion V.
  19. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 34, Catelyn VI.
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 22, Tyrion VI.
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 66, Tyrion IX.
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 3, Cersei I.
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 36, Cersei VIII.
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 43, Cersei X.
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 25.6 25.7 25.8 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 24, Cersei V.
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 49, Eddard XIV.
  27. 27.0 27.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 51, Sansa IV.
  28. 28.0 28.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 65, Sansa VIII.
  29. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 25, Brienne V.
  30. 30.0 30.1 30.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 27, Jaime III.
  31. 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 31.4 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 28, Cersei VI.
  32. 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 32.4 32.5 32.6 32.7 32.8 32.9 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 45, Eddard XII.
  33. 33.0 33.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 57, Sansa V.
  34. 34.0 34.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
  35. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 18, Catelyn IV.
  36. 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 36.4 36.5 36.6 36.7 36.8 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 32, Cersei VII.
  37. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Cersei Lannister.
  38. 38.0 38.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 21, Jaime III.
  39. 39.0 39.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 38, Tyrion V.
  40. 40.0 40.1 40.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 70, Tyrion X.
  41. 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 41.4 41.5 41.6 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 17, Cersei IV.
  42. 42.0 42.1 42.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 39, Cersei IX.
  43. 43.0 43.1 43.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 11, Jaime II.
  44. See the calculation for Cersei Lannister's wedding to Robert I Baratheon.
  45. 45.0 45.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 54, Cersei I.
  46. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 36, Tyrion VIII.
  47. 47.0 47.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 62, Jaime VII.
  48. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 35, Eddard IX.
  49. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 27, Eddard VI.
  50. 50.0 50.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 31, Catelyn III.
  51. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 25, Eddard V.
  52. A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
  53. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
  54. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 12, Eddard II.
  55. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 6, Catelyn II.
  56. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 8, Bran II.
  57. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 15, Sansa I.
  58. 58.0 58.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 16, Eddard III.
  59. 59.0 59.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 30, Jaime IV.
  60. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 20, Eddard IV.
  61. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 29, Sansa II.
  62. 62.0 62.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 30, Eddard VII.
  63. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 39, Eddard X.
  64. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 44, Sansa III.
  65. 65.0 65.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 47, Eddard XIII.
  66. 66.0 66.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 58, Eddard XV.
  67. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 65, Arya V.
  68. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 67, Sansa VI.
  69. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 69, Tyrion IX.
  70. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 26, Arya VI.
  71. 71.0 71.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 29, Tyrion VII.
  72. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 44, Tyrion X.
  73. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 49, Tyrion XI.
  74. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 62, Sansa VII.
  75. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 67, Tyrion XV.
  76. 76.0 76.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 4, Tyrion I.
  77. 77.0 77.1 77.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
  78. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 32, Tyrion IV.
  79. 79.0 79.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 28, Sansa III.
  80. 80.0 80.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 12, Tyrion II.
  81. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 53, Tyrion VI.
  82. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 60, Tyrion VIII.
  83. 83.0 83.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 68, Sansa VI.
  84. 84.0 84.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 77, Tyrion XI.
  85. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 80, Sansa VII.
  86. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 12, Cersei III.
  87. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 38, The Watcher.
  88. 88.0 88.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 65, Cersei II.
  89. 89.0 89.1 89.2 89.3 A Dance with Dragons, Epilogue.
  90. 90.0 90.1 The Winds of Winter, Mercy
  91. The Winds of Winter, Alayne I
  92. 92.0 92.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 52, Sansa IV.
  93. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 44, Jaime VII.
  94. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 57, Tyrion XI.
  95. Time: The Real Life Inspirations for "Game of Thrones", April 4, 2012

External Links

Preceded by Queen consort of the Seven Kingdoms
283298 AC
Succeeded by
Preceded by 26th Protector of the Realm
298300 AC
Served under: Joffrey I Baratheon
Tommen I Baratheon
Succeeded by
Preceded by Lady of Casterly Rock
Shield of Lannisport

300 AC–present
Incumbent