Joanna Lannister
Joanna Lannister | |
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Allegiance | House Lannister |
Born | Casterly Rock |
Died | +/- 274 AC |
Spouse | Tywin Lannister |
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Joanna Lannister was the wife of Tywin Lannister and the mother of Cersei, Jaime and Tyrion. She died giving birth to Tyrion before the beginning of the series.[1]
Life
Joanna was born in to a cadet branch of House Lannister. She had at least one sibling; Stafford.[2] Later she married her cousin Tywin. On the wedding day Tywin smiled, a very rare occurrence.[3] Their marriage was a very happy one; Joanna became Tywin's trusted counselor and companion. Her influence on her husband was such that people would say,
"Tywin ruled the Seven Kingdoms" (as Hand of the King) but "was ruled at home by his lady wife."[1][4]
Her servant once caught Jaime and Cersei as children in flagrante delicto. When she learned of this, she moved Jaime's chamber to the other side of the castle.[5][6]
Joanna was a friend of the then ruling Princess of Dorne, whom she knew from her time at court when they were companions to Princess Rhaella Targaryen.[4] Her friend had two children, Oberyn and Elia, who were not yet promised in marriage, so they planned to have their children wed each other. Before this could happen, Joanna died giving birth to her third child Tyrion and the marriages did not take place.
Recollections about Joanna
Tywin seldom spoke of his wife but was much saddened by her death. He never remarried. According to his brother Gerion Lannister "the best part of Tywin died with her."[1] Kevan later took over Joanna's role as Tywin's most trusted counselor.[7]
According to Barristan Selmy, Aerys lusted for Joanna Lannister, something that caused further friction between the King and his Hand. At the wedding of Tywin to Joanna, Aerys drunkenly japed about how it was a pity the First Night tradition was banned and took certain liberties in the bedding ritual when the men at the feast had to disrobe the bride.[8]
During the Siege of Riverrun Jaime dreams and sees a woman he barely recognizes. She asks if he will forget his father like he has forgotten her. She talks about the future Tywin wanted for his children: his son a knight and his daughter a queen and cries when Jaime replies that they have indeed become that.[9]
Family
References and Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 38, Tyrion V.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Appendix.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 32, Cersei VII.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 70, Tyrion X.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 3, Cersei I.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 21, Jaime III.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 7, Cersei II.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Daenerys chapter
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 43, Cersei X.