Tywin

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Tywin Lannister
Alias(es)	Lord Hand; Old Lion
Gender	Male
Affiliation	House Lannister; the Iron Throne
Occupation/Role	Hand of the King; royal adviser; commander and administrator
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Background / History

Tywin served as Hand of the King under Aerys II Targaryen, but their relationship was openly strained. When Tywin ruled that House Blackwood held the rightful claim in a Riverlands dispute, Aerys deliberately supported House Bracken to undermine him. 2

He accepted Prince Daeren as a private student after Daeren resolved the Riverlands matter to Tywin's satisfaction. Tywin initially sought to cultivate Daeren while keeping him dependent on Lannister support and close to King's Landing. 3 11 12

Tywin recognized the developing alliance among Houses Arryn, Baratheon, Stark, and Tully, but chose not to expose it. Instead, he attempted to bind House Lannister into the alliance through a proposed marriage between Jaime and Hoster Tully's second daughter. 25

During the rebellion, Tywin placed Aerys under house arrest in King's Landing while Rhaegar and Daeren were absent. 100 He later commanded royalist forces in the Riverlands, besieging Riverrun and ordering Westerlands trebuchets to bombard it every twelve hours. His campaign became bogged down by rebel guerrilla attacks, and he was eventually ordered back to King's Landing by Daeren. 146 151

After the rebellion, Tywin continued as Daeren's principal minister and supported Daeren as a preferable ruler to Aerys. He nevertheless prepared for the possibility that Daeren might turn against House Lannister. 155 156

Daeren sent Tywin to govern newly conquered Tyrosh while preserving his position as Hand. Tywin used mass executions and intimidation to eliminate Three Daughters' agents and stabilize the city-state; he later defended Tyrosh while it was besieged by Myr. 248 276

Tywin's refusal to treat Tyrion impartially during the Valeryon affair led Daeren to dismiss him as Hand. He was permitted to remain in King's Landing as a personal adviser, while Tyrion succeeded him. 322 323 By the later period, Cersei had married Daeren, making Tywin the king's father-in-law and giving House Lannister a granddaughter with dragon blood. 343 389

Appearance

Tywin maintains an exacting, imposing presentation suited to his authority as Lord Hand.

• Often dresses impeccably in black. 10
• Wears elaborate armor and a distinctive red cloak while commanding troops. 123 287
• Has a beard; he discarded his red cloak while fleeing Robert Baratheon, only to be identified by it afterward. 124
• Carries a severe, controlled demeanor even in formal or private settings. 11 287

Personality

Tywin is intensely conscious of House Lannister's honor. The weakness of his father, Tytos, and the humiliation House Lannister suffered under him shaped Tywin's determination that the family name would never again be mocked. 190

He is patient, calculating, and highly protective of Lannister influence. He repeatedly treats offices, marriages, military service, and financial support as tools to secure his house's long-term position. His greatest ambition is to unite Lannister and Targaryen blood through Cersei and obtain a grandson with dragon blood. 76 222 308

Tywin's family loyalty is selective and often harsh. He trusts Kevon, values Jaime's potential, and shows unusual affection toward his granddaughter Myrcella, but he consistently demeans Tyrion and refuses to recognize him as a suitable heir. 20 190 228 389

His ruthlessness extends to war and governance. He permitted three days of Lannister looting in Stone Town and remained unmoved by Gregor Clegane's atrocities; in Tyrosh, he dealt with internal threats through executions that extended to entire families. 123 276

Abilities & Skills

Statecraft and Administration

Tywin is an experienced administrator who managed the realm for more than a decade as Hand of the King.

• Processes financial and tax records rapidly, including the port-tax accounts of Lys. 295
• Assesses conquered territory through practical measures such as land area, fertility, and the number of enslaved workers. 256
• Directed the Iron Throne's Five-Year Plan, including the construction and stocking of granaries, fur stores, and medicine depots. 389
• Was trusted by Daeren to govern Tyrosh, whose factions required forceful consolidation after conquest. 248

Political Maneuvering

Tywin identifies alliances, weaknesses, and opportunities for House Lannister with unusual speed.

• Privately mentored Daeren while attempting to ensure the prince remained reliant on Lannister assistance. 3 11 12
• Intended to use Rhaegar's suspected usurpation attempt to challenge his legitimacy and considered which royal claimant House Lannister should support. 81
• Pressured Lady Olenna Tyrell into serving on Morfod Velaryon's jury by threatening to expose Tyrell and Redwyne scandals and elevate rival houses. 318
• Sought appointments for Lannisters across the royal administration, including Kevon as Hand of the Prince of Myr. 300

Military Command

Tywin is an effective organizer and defender, though his personal vendettas can compromise his strategy.

• Commanded the royalist suppression army during the rebellion and sought territorial gains for House Lannister in the Riverlands. 106
• Ordered the siege of Riverrun and continuous trebuchet bombardment to force the Tullys' surrender. 146
• Was ambushed at Stone Town and pursued by Robert Baratheon, forcing him to flee and relinquish command of the southern battlefield to Daeren. 123 124 127
• Held Tyrosh against a larger Myrish force until Daeren and the Royal Fleet lifted the siege. 276

Lionheart Knights

Tywin invested heavily in extraordinary military power as the political landscape changed.

• Purchased and hoarded Special Gems, then used the profits to recruit second sons and bastards from Westerlands vassal houses. 182
• Equipped the order's knights for cultivation with Special Crops and Special Gems. 182
• Formed a fifty-member Lionheart Knights, led by Kevon and described as surpassing the Lannister Crimson Guard. 182
• Intended to provide ten Lionheart Knights as part of Cersei's eventual dowry. 182

Equipment / Forces

• Red cloak and lion-head armor — Tywin's battlefield attire during the Stone Town campaign. 123
• Lannister army — His principal military force during the rebellion and Riverlands campaign. 100 146
• Westerlands trebuchets — Mobilized for the siege and bombardment of Riverrun. 146
• Lionheart Knights — Elite Lannister knightly order formed through cultivation resources. 182

Relationships

• Aerys II Targaryen — King and longtime political counterpart. Their relationship is marked by mutual humiliation, mistrust, and repeated struggles over authority. 2 11 21
• Daeren Targaryen — Former student, later king and political partner. Tywin supports Daeren's rise while continually seeking to bind him to House Lannister through marriage and shared interests. 3 156 308
• Cersei Lannister — Daughter. Tywin sees her marriage into the royal family as House Lannister's best route to dragon blood and lasting influence. 190 222 308
• Jaime Lannister — Eldest son and intended heir. Tywin is frustrated by Jaime's Kingsguard oath but still values his martial ability and expects him to gain experience before returning to Casterly Rock. 98 190
• Tyrion Lannister — Youngest son. Tywin relentlessly disparages him, denies his suitability as heir, and ultimately loses the Handship after attempting to control Tyrion's case. 228 248 322 323
• Kevon Lannister — Second brother and Tywin's most trusted sibling. Kevon leads the Lionheart Knights and frequently serves as Tywin's military and intelligence aide. 20 182 222
• Tygett Lannister — Third brother. Tywin considers him capable but too impulsive and later tries to force him to abandon brothels and settle down. 20 222
• Gillian Lannister — Fourth brother. Tywin views him as irresponsible, particularly over Gillian's expedition toward the Smoking Sea. 76 222
• Lady Olenna Tyrell — Political rival and occasional collaborator. They share concerns over Daeren's growing authority but pursue competing interests for their houses. 153 156 318
• Myrcella — Granddaughter. Tywin displays rare warmth toward her, provoking Cersei's jealousy. 389

Story Role / Major Arcs

Hand of Aerys II

Tywin administers the realm under an increasingly unstable Aerys, while privately cultivating Daeren as a potential counterweight to Rhaegar and the king. 2 3 11

The Rebellion and Riverlands Campaign

Tywin seizes control of King's Landing, commands royalist armies, and pursues House Tully with exceptional vindictiveness. His defeat at Stone Town and the stalled siege of Riverrun diminish his military standing. 100 123 146 151

Daeren's Ascendancy

Tywin supports Daeren's political rise after the rebellion but resists reforms that weaken noble autonomy or diminish Lannister influence. He repeatedly seeks a marriage between Cersei and Daeren. 133 156 190

Governor of Tyrosh

Tywin leaves the capital to pacify Tyrosh, employing severe reprisals against hostile factions and defending the city during Myr's siege. 248 269 276

Conflict with Tyrion and Dismissal

Tywin's effort to keep Tyrion imprisoned and use the Valeryon case for his own political ends causes Daeren to dismiss him as Hand. Tyrion's appointment in his place preserves House Lannister's place at court while displacing Tywin personally. 317 319 322 323

Notable Quotes

“The Lannisters will always stand on the winning side of the scales.” 100

“The best investment is for my grandson to carry dragon blood.” 222

“I would sooner throw Casterly Rock to a beggar than hand it to a malformed dwarf.” 248