A Song of Ice and Fire, #3
A Storm of Swords
by George R. R. Martin
Contents
CHAPTER 60: TYRION
Overview
Joffrey and Margaery are wed in a lavish ceremony and opulent feast where Joffrey publicly humiliates Tyrion. A staged dwarf joust provokes Tyrion’s sharp retort, escalating tensions. After the pigeon pie is cut, Joffrey drinks, chokes, and dies. Cersei declares it poison and orders Tyrion and Sansa seized, transforming celebration into crisis.
Summary
The realm gathers at the Great Sept as Joffrey and Margaery are wed amid splendor. Tyrion, exhausted and uneasy after his breakfast exchange with Joffrey, broods through the vows and the procession. He escorts Sansa to the Red Keep, attempts hollow small talk about Casterly Rock and Braavos, and receives only dutiful courtesy in return.
At the feast, nobles are presented and singers perform interminably while course after extravagant course arrives. Lady Olenna fusses with Sansa’s hairnet and pointedly needles Tyrion. Tyrion drinks heavily, notes the politics on display, and endures performances praising Joffrey. Sansa eats little and occasionally blurts truths that cut through the flattery.
A crude dwarf joust—stag versus wolf—delights the hall and targets Tyrion by design. When Joffrey demands Tyrion ride the pig, Tyrion counters that the king should ride the dog, winning a moment of laughter and Joffrey’s fury. Joffrey douses Tyrion with wine and forces him to serve as cupbearer, further humiliating him.
The great pigeon pie is wheeled in. Joffrey, using Ser Ilyn’s greatsword—its look recalling Ice to Sansa and troubling Tyrion—slashes the crust as doves burst forth. Afterward, Joffrey eats Tyrion’s pie with his fingers and drinks more wine. Suddenly he coughs, chokes, and collapses, turning purple as chaos erupts and futile aid is attempted.
As Joffrey dies, the hall panics; Margaery weeps, Tyrells and Kingsguard flail, and Cersei shrieks. Tyrion quietly pours out the remaining wine from the royal chalice. When Joffrey expires, Cersei proclaims poison and, in her grief and rage, orders the Kingsguard to arrest Tyrion and Sansa, ending the celebration in shock and accusation.
Who Appears
- Tyrion LannisterPOV; endures Joffrey’s humiliations, trades barbs, observes feast politics, and is accused of poisoning after Joffrey dies.
- King Joffrey BaratheonMarries Margaery, mocks Tyrion, revels in a dwarf joust, then chokes and dies after eating pie and drinking wine.
- Queen Margaery TyrellBride; manages optics, tries to calm Joffrey, dances, then grieves as he collapses and dies.
- Sansa StarkTyrion’s wife; dutiful, withdrawn; notices Ser Ilyn’s sword resembles Ice; is named as conspirator by Cersei.
- Cersei LannisterQueen Regent; enjoys Tyrion’s humiliation, then in grief declares poisoning and orders Tyrion and Sansa arrested.
- Tywin LannisterPatriarch; presides impassively, later declares Joffrey gone and tries to steady Cersei amid the chaos.
- Lady Olenna TyrellQueen of Thorns; tweaks Sansa’s hairnet, needles Tyrion, urges order as Joffrey chokes, comforts Margaery.
- Ser Garlan TyrellSupports Tyrion with praise, warns him of Joffrey’s approach, attempts to aid the choking king.
- Ser Loras TyrellKingsguard; stands by the royal couple, hesitates when Cersei orders Tyrion and Sansa seized.
- Ser Osmund KettleblackKingsguard; helps Joffrey down and later opens his collar during the choking.
- Ser Meryn TrantKingsguard; assists Joffrey, forces his mouth open with a spoon during the crisis.
- High SeptonConducts the wedding rites and later prays over Joffrey’s body.
- Ser Ilyn PayneKing’s Justice; provides the greatsword to slice the pie, its look recalling Ice to Sansa.
- Mace TyrellProud father of the bride; barks confused orders when Joffrey chokes.
- Lady Alerie TyrellMargaery’s mother; tries to reassure her daughter that Joffrey choked on pie.
- Prince Tommen BaratheonJoffrey’s younger brother; participates in ceremony, later screams and cries during the choking.
- Podrick PayneTyrion’s squire; prepares Tyrion’s clothing and assists before the feast.
- ShaeTyrion’s lover; helps dress Sansa, asks to serve at the feast but is refused.
- Grand Maester PycelleDozes during entertainments; calls for potions after Joffrey collapses.
- Ser Addam MarbrandGold Cloak commander; maintains order as panic erupts in the throne room.