A Song of Ice and Fire, #3
A Storm of Swords
by George R. R. Martin
Contents
CHAPTER 19: TYRION
Overview
At a packed small council, Tywin consolidates power: he appoints Tyrion master of coin, dispatches Littlefinger to wed Lysa Arryn and win the Vale, and declines Balon Greyjoy’s alliance demands. With Joffrey’s wedding looming and Dornish envoys coming, Tywin privately thwarts a Tyrell plan for Sansa by ordering Cersei and Tyrion to marry—Tyrion to Sansa to secure Winterfell, revealing Robb Stark has wed Jeyne Westerling.
Summary
In a full small council led by Tywin Lannister, lords Tyrell, Redwyne, and Rowan join the royal advisors. Varys reports a hard-fought Crownlands victory over Robett Glover, while Tywin outlines plans to corner Robb Stark once he moves north. Discussion turns to Balon Greyjoy’s proposed alliance; Tywin refuses to concede the North, preferring to wait for a better option.
Tywin unveils a strategy for the Vale: Petyr Baelish will sail at once to woo and wed Lysa Arryn, leveraging his new title as Lord of Harrenhal. Despite doubts, the council assents. Tywin then names Tyrion master of coin to replace Littlefinger, over Tyrion’s protests. Preparations for Joffrey’s wedding proceed, and word arrives that Dornishmen are coming to claim long-denied justice and a council seat, which irks House Tyrell.
The council divides rebel lands among loyalists, richly rewarding the Tyrells. On security, Tywin orders brutal punishment for gold cloak deserters, dismissing Varys’s plea to send them to the Wall. Tyrion argues for sending some to the Watch, recalling its peril, but Tywin prioritizes deterrence.
After the others leave, Tywin confronts his children. He defends appointing Tyrion master of coin and reveals Littlefinger exposed a Tyrell plot to marry Sansa to Willas. To block that, Tywin commands Cersei to remarry—ideally to Willas—and insists Sansa must wed a Lannister.
Tyrion challenges the plan’s cruelty and utility; Tywin declares Sansa the key to the North. He orders Tyrion to marry Sansa and consummate the union, offering Winterfell’s claim as incentive. Tywin then reveals Robb Stark has broken faith with the Freys by marrying Jeyne Westerling, undercutting Robb’s alliances. The chapter ends with Tywin’s uncompromising decree: Tyrion will wed Sansa soon.
Who Appears
- Tywin LannisterPresides over the council; rejects Balon’s terms, sends Littlefinger to wed Lysa, appoints Tyrion master of coin, and orders Cersei and Tyrion to marry.
- Tyrion LannisterDemoted politically yet made master of coin; resists Tywin’s schemes; learns he must marry Sansa to claim the North.
- Cersei LannisterPlays court hostess; bristles at Dornish attendance; angrily resists Tywin’s command to remarry, potentially to Willas Tyrell.
- Ser Kevan LannisterSupports Tywin’s plans; relays Littlefinger’s warning about Sansa; confirms Robb’s marriage to Jeyne Westerling.
- Petyr Baelish (Littlefinger)Volunteers to woo and wed Lysa Arryn to deliver the Vale; yields master of coin to Tyrion; exposes Tyrell plot.
- VarysProvides intelligence reports; suggests sending deserters to the Night’s Watch; is overruled by Tywin.
- Mace TyrellPresses Reach interests; gains major grants; irked by Dornish arrival; part of a plan to wed Sansa to Willas.
- Paxter RedwyneSupports an alliance with Balon; seeks trade remissions; defers to Tyrell’s lead.
- Mathis RowanQuestions Stark movements; receives rewards; cautiously evaluates Littlefinger’s Vale plan.
- Grand Maester PycelleAnnounces Dornish envoys; weakened and marginalized at the table.
- High SeptonEndorses peaceable solutions; to be re-crowned before Joffrey’s wedding.