Court trial of Tyrion Lannister

See also: First Trial of Tyrion Lannister

"I did not do it. I didn't kill Joffrey, but I wish that I had. Watching your vicious bastard die gave me more relief than a thousand lying whores. I wish I was the monster you think I am. I wish I had enough poison for the whole pack of you. I would gladly give my life to watch you all swallow it."

―Tyrion Lannister to Cersei Lannister and the royal court.

The Trial of Tyrion Lannister is an event during the late stages of the War of the Five Kings. Tyrion Lannister is put on trial for murdering King Joffrey at his wedding feast.

It is quickly apparent that the spectacle is a mere show trial. Tyrion observes that the presiding judge, his father Tywin, has wanted him dead for longer than anyone, and that another of the judges, Mace Tyrell, will vote the same way as Tywin.

All the witnesses against Tyrion are either his enemies, or have otherwise been bribed or cajoled by Cersei or Tywin into testifying. Most give circumstantial, exaggerated, and sometimes outright false evidence, and Tyrion is not permitted to cross-examine them.

It is apparent that Tyrion has no chance of acquittal. Ultimately, he snaps at the injustice, insults the entire court and decides to place his fate in the hands of the gods. He therefore demands a trial by combat instead.

The Trial

Part One

The court assembles, and Tyrion is brought forward in manacles. King Tommen recuses himself and appoints Hand of the King Tywin Lannister to oversee the trial in his place. The other presiding judges are Mace Tyrell and Oberyn Martell.

Tywin asks Tyrion to admit if he killed King Joffrey. Tyrion denies the charge, and also denies any knowledge of his wife Sansa's involvement. When asked for his opinion on the cause of Joffrey's death, he blames the pigeon pie.

One witness after another comes forward to give damning testimony, albeit mostly circumstantial and often exaggerated or outright fabricated.

Ser Meryn Trant

Ser Meryn Trant recounts the occasion when Tyrion slapped Joffrey and called him a "vicious idiot" (after Joffrey caused a riot), and when he called Joffrey a "halfwit" and warned him about the fate of the Mad King, who also believed he could do whatever he wished. Trant does not mention that, at that moment, he was beating and stripping Sansa in the throne room at Joffrey's behest. When Tyrion attempts to make this point, he is silenced by Tywin.

Pycelle

Grand Maester Pycelle claims Tyrion stole a large quantity of poisons from him after having him imprisoned. He confirms poisoning as the cause of Joffrey's death, specifically one known as "the strangler". He claims that Dontos' body was found, with the necklace Sansa wore at the wedding, and that the necklace contained traces of the poison. It is unknown if Pycelle indeed found Dontos' body, however if he did the necklace would have been with it; it landed in the boat Dontos used when Littlefinger threw it overboard. Pycelle concludes that Tyrion and his wife conspired to "strike down the most noble child the Gods ever put on this good earth."

Cersei

Cersei tells the court of Tyrion's threat to her after she discovered he was keeping a whore (although Cersei had not actually found his whore Shae, but mistakenly Ros): "I will hurt you for this. A day will come when you think you are safe and happy, and suddenly your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth. And you will know the debt is paid."

She also speaks of Tyrion's plans to place Joffrey at risk near the fighting during the Battle of Blackwater, although she says Joffrey bravely insisted on being at the front to inspire his troops. In reality, Cersei ordered Joffrey to be removed from the front line, and he readily acquiesced.

Varys

Tyrion questions Varys at his trial.

Lord Varys recalls Tyrion's confrontation with Joffrey at a small council meeting, when he warned Joffrey to be wary around monsters because "just now kings are dying like flies." Varys suggests that Tyrion's marriage to Sansa may have made him more sympathetic to the North.

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

Recess

At the recess Jaime meets with Tywin and calls the trial a farce, entirely manipulated by Cersei, and says Tywin is about to condemn his own son to death. Jaime therefore brokers a deal with his father: he will renounce his Kingsguard vows and be restored as Tywin's heir. He will take up his seat at Casterly Rock, marry a suitable wife, and have children. In return Tyrion will plead for mercy and be allowed to "take the black" with the Night's Watch at the Wall. Tywin accepts immediately.

Jaime visits Tyrion in his cell and informs him of their father's offer. Tyrion is not convinced, reminding Jaime that Ned Stark was offered the same deal, and was executed nevertheless. Tyrion later notes that this deal is what Tywin wanted all along anyway, Jaime restored as his heir and the unloved Tyrion finally out of the way.

Part Two

Shae

Shae testifies against Tyrion.

Cersei's final witness comes forward: to Tyrion's horror, it is Shae. In her vengeful testimony, she claims that Tyrion kidnapped her and forced her to become his whore, revealing intimate details of their sexual relationship. She adds that Tyrion and Sansa plotted together to murder Joffrey with poison stolen from Maester Pycelle. Tyrion complied because he was madly in love with Sansa, but she refused to let him consummate their marriage. Tyrion quietly asks her to stop. Shae coldly responds: "I am a whore, remember?"

Seeing Shae humiliate and lie about him is the final straw for Tyrion, and he calls out that he wants to confess. He hisses at the court: "I should have let Stannis kill you all!". He insists that his real crime is being a dwarf, for which he has been on trial his entire life. Turning to Cersei, he affirms that he did not kill Joffrey, but wishes he had, because watching her "vicious bastard" die gave him more joy than "a thousand lying whores". He declares "I will get no justice here", and demands a trial by combat.

In the books

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

Unlike in the show, Jaime does not visit Tyrion in his cell even once as long as the trial goes on. Tyrion is not aware that his brother is in the city, for he and Brienne returned after Joffrey's death. Jaime attends the hall where the trial is held, standing well to the back of the hall, but Tyrion either does not see him there or does not recognize him, which is no surprise since half the court no longer seems to recognize Jaime. He has no part in the offer that Kevan brings Tyrion.

No one tries to bribe Podrick Payne into giving testimony against Tyrion. Bronn is not investigated for any aspect of Joffrey's murder.

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

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

First day of the trial

The trial begins with a prayer of the High Septon, asking the Father Above to guide them to justice. Tywin asks: "Tyrion, did you kill King Joffrey?". Tyrion denies. Mace Tyrell demands if it was Sansa. Tyrion thinks "I would have, if I’d been her" but answers "The gods killed Joffrey. He choked on his pigeon pie". Tywin declares that first the witnesses against Tyrion will be heard, then he may present his own witnesses, and he may speak only with permission.

The witnesses who testify against Tyrion are:

• Ser Balon Swann. Unlike the rest of the witnesses, his testimony is wholly true, rather objective and in favor of Tyrion. He praises Tyrion's bravery at Battle of the Blackwater, and claims he does not believe Tyrion murdered Joffrey. He admits that Tyrion struck Joffrey after the Riot of King's Landing, but claims it was only a fit of wrath.
• Ser Meryn Trant expands on Ser Balon's account, claiming that following the riot Tyrion knocked Joffrey to the ground and began kicking him (that part is true), and shouted that it was unjust that Joffrey had escaped unharmed from the mobs - which is a lie. Only then Tyrion begins to grasp his sister's plan: she began with a man known to be honest, and milked him for all he would give. Every witness to follow will tell a worse tale. Ser Meryn goes on to tell how Tyrion had stopped Joffrey’s chastisement of Sansa Stark, claiming that Tyrion asked Joffrey if he knew what had happened to Aerys II Targaryen, and when Ser Boros spoke up in defense of the king, Tyrion threatened to have him killed. That part of Meryn's testimony is also true, but he "forgets" to mention what made Tyrion act that way - Joffrey's unprovoked cruelty toward Sansa.
• Ser Boros Blount comes next, repeating Ser Meryn's story. Whether he holds a grudge toward Cersei for dismissing him from the Kingsguard or not, he says the words she wants all the same.
• Osney and Osfryd Kettleblack tell of Tyrion's supper with Cersei before the Battle of the Blackwater, and of the threats he’d made - that he would wait for a day when she was happy, and make her joy turn to ashes in her mouth. They speak true, but "forget" to mention what made Tyrion issue those threats - the abduction and vicious beating of Alayaya (in the show she was replaced with Ros), whom Cersei mistook for Tyrion's mistress.
• Ser Osmund Kettleblack of the Kingsguard swears that Joffrey had long known that Tyrion meant to murder him. "It was the day they gave me the white cloak, my lords. That brave boy said to me, 'Good Ser Osmund, guard me well, for my uncle loves me not. He means to be king in my place'." Tyrion is so angry to hear those lies that he loses his temper and yells "Liar!" at Ser Osmund. Tywin warns Tyrion that he will be chained hand and foot. Tyrion is forced to apologize.

Second day of the trial

• Maesters Ballabar and Frenken testify that they had opened Joffrey's corpse, and found no morsel of pigeon pie nor any other food lodged in his throat. They claim it was poison that killed him - which is true.
• Pycelle tells about the various poisons he has in store, and that Tyrion stole them from his chambers, when he had Pycelle imprisoned - which is true. He claims the poison that killed Joffrey was the Strangler, but this rare poison was not found, because Tyrion used it all to kill "the noblest child the gods ever put on this good earth".

After Pycelle come many Lords and ladies and noble knights, highborn and humble alike, all have been present at the wedding feast, have all seen Joffrey choke, his face turning as black as a Dornish plum:

• Lord Redwyne, Lord Celtigar, and Ser Flement Brax testify that they had heard Tyrion threaten Joffrey.
• Two serving men, a juggler, Lord Gyles, Ser Hobber Redwyne and Ser Philip Foote testify they observed Tyrion fill the wedding chalice - which is true: unlike in show, Tyrion refilled the chalice twice at Joffrey's command.
• Lady Taena Merryweather swears that she had seen Tyrion drop something into the king’s wine while Joff and Margaery were cutting the pie.
• Old Estermont, young Peckledon, the singer Galyeon of Cuy, and the squires Morros and Jothos Slynt tell how Tyrion had picked up the chalice as Joffrey was dying and poured out the last of the poisoned wine onto the floor - which is true.

Watching the endless line of witnesses, Tyrion cannot help but wonder "When did I make so many enemies?". When Kevan comes to visit him that night, his manner is cold and distant. He does not believe Tyrion's denials. He offers Tyrion to admit guilt before the throne and repent of his crime, promising that Tywin will withhold the sword and he will be permitted to take the black. Tyrion laughs at his uncle, reminding him the same terms were offered Eddard Stark. Kevan assures Tyrion that Tywin had nothing to do with Eddard's death. He warns Tyrion that Mace Tyrell has already condemned him. Tyrion thinks about the offer all night. He does not like at all the idea of bearing the stigma of kinslayer for the rest of his life for a murder he did not commit.

Third day of the trial

In this day, Varys is the only to testify. He gives an account of how Tyrion had schemed to part Joffrey from the Hound's protection and spoken with Bronn of the benefits of having Tommen Baratheon as king. Tyrion muses "Half-truths are worth more than outright lies". Unlike the others witnesses, Varys presents documents: parchments painstakingly filled with notes, details, dates, whole conversations. So much material that its recitation takes all day, and so much of it damning. Varys confirms Tyrion’s midnight visit to Pycelle's chambers and the theft of his poisons and potions, confirms the threat he'd made to Cersei the night of their supper, confirms every thing but the poisoning itself. When Prince Oberyn asks him how he can possibly know all this, not having been present at any of these events, Varys only giggles and says "My little birds told me. Knowing is their purpose, and mine". Tyrion has no idea how to refute Varys' testimony, and he wishes that he had Varys beheaded the day he returned to King's Landing.

After Varys leaves, Tywin asks if there are more witnesses. Cersei asks to bring one final witness the next day, and is granted. Tyrion thinks "Oh, good. After this farce of a trial, execution will almost come as a relief."

At night, Oberyn comes to visit Tyrion. Oberyn tells that Cersei has tried to buy his vote in the judgment, mentioning marriage. But he has other ideas, and brings up the point that according to Dornish law, Myrcella Baratheon is the heir, and that his brother may well crown his ward. Oberyn relates the story Tywin had told him that it was Amory Lorch who killed Elia Targaryen and her children, but Tyrion tells him the truth - that Lorch killed Rhaenys Targaryen, and it was the Mountain who killed Aegon and raped and murdered Elia, with the baby's blood and brains still on his hands. The Red Viper speaks of saving Tyrion, not as his judge, but as his champion.

Last day of the trial

Tyrion has not made up his mind yet whether to admit guilt or demand a trial by battle. He thinks it will not be so bad to join the Night's Watch. He will not make much of a ranger, but the Night’s Watch needs clever men as well as strong ones. Lord Commander Mormont had said as much, when Tyrion had visited Castle Black. There are those inconvenient vows, which mean the end of his marriage and whatever claim he may ever have made for Casterly Rock, but he does not seem destined to enjoy either in any case. And he seems to recall that there was a brothel in a nearby village. He asks Pod "do you think I did it?". Unlike in the show, Pod hesitates. When he tries to speak, all he manages to produce is a weak sputter. That makes Tyrion think "I am doomed", but says "No need to answer. You've been a good squire to me. Better than I deserved. Whatever happens, I thank you for your leal service."

Tyrion is shocked to see the final witness against him is Shae. He wonders why Cersei bothered to bring her as witness, thinking "Shae knows nothing that can hurt me", but soon realizes that the purpose of her testimony is to humiliate him, not to strengthen the evidence against him. She lies brazenly that Tyrion and Sansa plotted it together after the Young Wolf died; Sansa wanted revenge for her brother and Tyrion meant to have the throne; He was going to kill his sister next, and then his own lord father, so he could be Hand for Prince Tommen; But after a year or so, before Tommen got too old, he would have killed him too, so as to take the crown for his own head. Oberyn asks Shae how could she know all this. She answers that she overheard them. Then Shae continues to relate she wasn't only Sansa's maid, but also his whore, and tells that Tyrion used to molest her. She starts sobbing, lying that she never meant to be a whore, she was to be married, but Tyrion got her fiancé killed and sent his wildlings Shagga and Timett to bring her to his tent, threatening that if she didn't pleasure him, he'd give her to them, so she did. Then he brought her to the city, so she'd be close when he wanted her, and made her do such "shameful things" with her mouth and other parts. When saying that, tears rolls slowly down Shae's pretty face, making every man in the hall want to take Shae in his arms and comfort her. Shae tells that Tyrion used her every way there was, and he made her call him "my giant of Lannister" (in the show it was changed to "my lion") - a nickname that she actually invented for him and used it often without any coercion. Nearly all the people at the hall, except Tywin and Tyrion, burst out laughing to hear that.

Hearing so many lies from the woman he loved, Tyrion explodes in rage and exclaims "Get this lying whore out of my sight and I will give you your confession". He hatefully gives a speech similarly to the show and demands a trial by combat. To everyone's surprise, Oberyn volunteers to be Tyrion's champion. Tywin says "Let the issue be decided on the morrow. I wash my hands of it". He gives Tyrion a cold angry look, then leaves.

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

At morning, Oberyn comes to visit Tyrion. They chat leisurely. Oberyn is confident that he will win, and invites Tyrion to return with him to Sunspear after the duel is over. Tyrion agrees, knowing that he should get away from his vengeful sister as far as possible in case Oberyn wins. Oberyn shows Tyrion the spear that he is going to fight with against the Mountain, warning him not to touch it. Tyrion notices the spearhead has a black glimmer. He wonders if it is oil or poison, but decides not to ask. Later that morning, the duel takes place.

References

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