Olenna Tyrell's Mastermind Behind The Purple Wedding

Olenna Tyrell, also known as the Queen of Thorns, was a key player in the Purple Wedding, an event in the War of the Five Kings that saw the death of King Joffrey Baratheon at his own wedding feast. The assassination was orchestrated by Petyr Baelish and Olenna Tyrell, with the poison being administered by Olenna herself. The motive behind Olenna's decision to kill Joffrey was to protect her granddaughter, Margaery Tyrell, who was set to marry Joffrey. Olenna's plan for the Purple Wedding was complex, involving multiple accomplices and a backup plan to frame Sansa Stark for the murder if needed. The Tyrells also stood to gain power by influencing Tommen, Joffrey's younger brother and successor, to their needs.

Olenna Tyrell's motive for killing Joffrey

Lady Olenna Tyrell, the elderly matriarch of House Tyrell and the last known head of the house, was the mastermind behind the murder of Joffrey Baratheon at the Purple Wedding. Known for her wit, sarcasm, and plotting, she was nicknamed the Queen of Thorns.

Olenna's motive for killing Joffrey was to protect Margaery, her granddaughter, from Joffrey's abuse. She did not want Margaery to be subjected to Joffrey's cruel treatment and wanted to prevent the possibility of him killing her on a whim in the future. Olenna also had a desire for vengeance against the Lannisters, who orchestrated the destruction of the Great Sept of Baelor, an event that killed most of her family. By killing Joffrey, she sought to weaken the Lannisters and pave the way for House Tyrell's rise to power.

Olenna conspired with Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish to carry out the assassination. Littlefinger smuggled poison into King's Landing through a hairnet he gifted to Sansa Stark. Olenna then used the hairnet to poison Joffrey's wine during the wedding feast. The plan was intricate, aiming to frame Tyrion Lannister for the murder and create chaos within the Lannister family. While Tyrion was initially blamed, Olenna's role in the assassination was eventually revealed, showcasing her cunning and determination to protect her family and seek revenge.

The Purple Wedding marked a significant turning point in the political landscape of Westeros, as it not only ended Joffrey's reign but also set in motion a series of events that further entangled the houses of Westeros in a complex web of alliances and rivalries. Olenna's actions demonstrated her willingness to take bold and calculated risks to secure the interests of House Tyrell and protect her family from harm.

Sansa's role in the plan

Sansa Stark was married to King Joffrey Baratheon before his death at his own wedding feast, also known as the Purple Wedding. While Sansa was not directly involved in the planning of Olenna Tyrell's plot, she played a crucial role in the assassination.

Firstly, Sansa was a key pawn in the plan's execution. Olenna Tyrell manipulated Sansa into wearing a hairnet or necklace with a hidden poison jewel, which Olenna discreetly removed during the wedding. This implicates Sansa in the murder, as she was the one carrying the poison that killed Joffrey. By involving Sansa, Olenna could shift the blame elsewhere if the plot was discovered, and it allowed Petyr Baelish, also known as Littlefinger, to convince Sansa that she needed his protection. Sansa's involvement also added an element of plausible deniability to the plan. If the poison was discovered but Tyrion was not suspected, the empty socket in Sansa's hairnet would arouse suspicion.

Secondly, Sansa's role as Joffrey's wife was significant. As the King's spouse, she provided a level of legitimacy to the plan, making it appear more like an accidental death by choking rather than an assassination. Sansa's presence also helped to create chaos and confusion, fueling Cersei's paranoia and potentially causing an implosion within House Lannister.

Finally, Sansa's disappearance after the wedding further complicated the plot. It is speculated that Olenna's original intention was to free Sansa from her marriage to Joffrey so that she could be married to Willas Tyrell, securing an alliance with House Stark and gaining influence over the North. However, Littlefinger's involvement complicated this aspect of the plan, as he arranged for Sansa to be smuggled away, potentially ruining Olenna's plan to secure Sansa for the Tyrells.

While Sansa's role in the Purple Wedding was not explicitly part of Olenna's plan, her involvement served multiple strategic purposes. Sansa's marriage to Joffrey, her carrying of the poison, and her subsequent disappearance all contributed to the successful assassination and the ensuing chaos.

Littlefinger's involvement

Littlefinger played a crucial role in conspiring with Olenna Tyrell, the matriarch of House Tyrell, to assassinate King Joffrey Baratheon during his wedding. This assassination served multiple purposes for Littlefinger. Firstly, it removed Joffrey, who was unpredictable and challenging to control. Secondly, it placed the young and impressionable Tommen on the throne, making it easier for Littlefinger to exert influence over the monarchy. Thirdly, it gained him favour with House Tyrell, who now held significant power through their various positions in the council, the Kingsguard, and the throne itself.

However, Littlefinger's involvement went beyond just the assassination. He also orchestrated the "rescue" of Sansa Stark, who was married to Joffrey and was present at the wedding. Littlefinger used Ser Dontos as a go-between to help Sansa escape, discrediting him as an untrustworthy hireling. By doing so, Littlefinger gained a valuable pawn in Sansa, who was considered the heir to the North. Littlefinger intended to marry Sansa to Harry the Heir, solidifying his control over the North and the Vale.

Littlefinger's actions during the Purple Wedding were also motivated by his personal grudges. He still harboured love for Cat, whose death he blamed on the Lannisters. By orchestrating Joffrey's assassination, Littlefinger struck a blow against the Lannisters and advanced his own position in the complex political landscape of Westeros.

It is worth noting that Littlefinger's involvement in the Purple Wedding was not without complications. Some sources suggest that he may have worked against Olenna Tyrell's plans for Sansa Stark. Littlefinger's primary motivation was always to advance his own power and influence, and he was willing to make moves that seemed to work against him to confuse his opponents.

The Tyrells' plan for Sansa

Lady Olenna Tyrell, the matriarch of House Tyrell, was a cunning and witty player in the game of thrones. While her exact intentions towards Sansa Stark may be debated, it is clear that the Tyrells saw Sansa as a valuable asset in their political schemes and power struggles.

The Tyrells initially planned to marry Sansa to their heir, Willas Tyrell, thereby uniting House Stark and House Tyrell and giving them influence over the North. This plan, however, was foiled by Petyr Baelish, also known as Littlefinger, who had his own designs on Sansa. Littlefinger manipulated Sansa into revealing the Tyrell plan to him, and subsequently used this information to his advantage. He informed Tywin and Cersei Lannister of the plot, which resulted in Sansa being hastily married off to Tyrion Lannister instead.

The Tyrells' interest in Sansa did not end there. During the Purple Wedding, where King Joffrey Baratheon was assassinated by Lady Olenna, Sansa's disappearance was orchestrated by Littlefinger, who whisked her away to the Vale. This was part of Littlefinger's scheme to have Sansa marry Harry the Heir and unite the Vale with the North. While it is unclear if the Tyrells were aware of Littlefinger's involvement in Sansa's disappearance, they may have seen it as an opportunity to further their own agenda.

Some speculate that Lady Olenna intended for Sansa to be a scapegoat in the Purple Wedding plot, wearing a hairnet with poison so that she could be blamed if Joffrey's death was not accepted as an accidental choking. However, it is unlikely that Olenna wanted Sansa to actually take the blame, as she still desired a marriage alliance with House Stark to gain influence in the North. Lady Olenna's primary goal was always the assassination of King Joffrey, and she may have considered Sansa's involvement as an acceptable risk to achieve this end.

Ultimately, the Tyrells' plans for Sansa were complicated and multifaceted. While they sought to use her as a pawn in their political schemes, they also offered her a potential escape from the Lannisters and a chance to gain power through marriage to their heir. The true extent of their intentions and the impact on Sansa's story remain a subject of discussion among fans of the series.

The Lannisters' reaction

The Purple Wedding was orchestrated by Petyr Baelish and Olenna Tyrell, resulting in the death of King Joffrey Baratheon at his own wedding feast. The Lannisters' reaction to the Purple Wedding was one of grief, rage, and a desire for vengeance.

Cersei Lannister, in particular, was consumed by grief and anger, immediately assuming that Joffrey's death was the result of foul play and accusing Tyrion Lannister, her brother, of poisoning him. This accusation drove a wedge between Cersei and Jaime Lannister, as Jaime was the only one who still liked Tyrion. Cersei's paranoia and suspicion towards Tyrion intensified, further fracturing the Lannister family.

The Lannisters' alliance with House Tyrell was also severely impacted by the Purple Wedding. The marriage between Joffrey and Margaery Tyrell was intended to secure the support of the powerful House Tyrell. However, with Joffrey's death, the alliance was broken, and the Lannisters lost their most important ally.

Furthermore, the Purple Wedding led to the disappearance of Sansa Stark, who was escorted away from King's Landing by Ser Dontos Hollard. This added to the chaos and confusion, providing Littlefinger with a useful pawn and further weakening the Lannisters' position.

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