Which historical figure is Tywin Lannister based on?

Earl Godwin of Wessex

Most people assume Tywin is a mix of Edward I and Richard Neville, and he probably is to some degree.

The links here are Edward I, being a brutal, iron-fisted, but effective and good ruler. Edward was also disappointed with his son, similar to how Tywin was with his children. They also both crushed the North or Scotland. Both however were independent upon the death of Edward/Tywin.

For Richard Neville, the link here is that the War of 5 Kings is very loosely based on the War of the Roses. Neville was called ‘the Kingmaker’. The similarity to Tywin was that both were the most powerful man in the country, yet neither were Kings. The King that they served are also similar. Tywin served Robert, who is based on Edward IV, the King that Neville served. They also both betrayed the King they had served. Neville betrayed Edward IV for Henry VI. While Tywin betrayed Aerys II for Robert Baratheon.

However there is a figure that few talk amount, in relation to his similarities to Tywin Lannister, this is Godwin, Earl of Wessex.

Godwin was a Lord in England that rose to become the most powerful man in the country.

Historical Political Background

Westeros seems to be loosely based on Anglo-Saxon England.

Westeros is a Kingdom, with 7 former Kingdoms within it, each Kingdom formerly had a King, but now has a Lord.

England in the time of Godwin, was a Kingdom, with 4 former Kingdom’s within it, each Kingdom formerly had a King, but now has an Earl.

Tywin was the Lord Paramount of the Westerlands, the wealthiest former kingdom in Westeros.

Godwin was earl of Wessex, the wealthiest former kingdom in England.

Dynasty Building

The first person to come to mind when we think of the term ‘Dynasty Building’ in Westeros is Twyin, this is similar for Godwin in English History.

Tywin’s was obsessed with his dynasty and ensuring his family had prominent positions in Westeros, this was important in helping his family dominate Westeros after his death.

If things had gone to plan for Twyin he would have had:

His Children:

• Jaime, Lord of Casterly Rock, Lord Paramount the Westerlands
• Cersei, Lady of Highgarden (previously Queen)
• Tyrion, Lord of Winterfell, Lord Paramount of the North

His Grandchildren:

• Joffrey Baretheon, King of Westeros
• Myrcella, Princess of Dorne
• Tommen, Lord of Storm’s End, Lord Paramount of the Stormlands

(not including children from Jaime and his new wife, Cersei and Loras and Tyrion and Sansa)

This would mean they could have controlled 5/7 Kingdoms, with one of their own as King.

Godwin’s actually managed to install his children into l prominent positions in England.

His Children:

• Harold, Earl of Wessex, (later) King of England
• Tostig, Earl of Northumbria
• Edith, Queen of England
• Gyrth, Earl of East Anglia

This means they could had control over 3/4 Kingdoms, with either his daughter as Queen or son as King. When Harold became King, he also married the sister of the Earl of Mercia.

Gradual Rise to Power

Both were close advisors to a King.

Twyin to Aeryrs

Godwin to Cnut

After the death of this King and their heirs. They both rose to power under a new King, of a different dynasty and married their daughter to this new King

Twyin rose under Robert, marrying Cersei to him

Godwin rose under Edward the Confessor, marrying Edith (his daughter) to him.

Relations with the King

Robert never trusted or particularly liked Tywin, there is no direct or personal reason for this, but he’s very aware of Tywin’s ambition and power, and certainly despises the Lannister family in general.

Godwin and Edward seemed to have a prickly relationship, Godwin originally played a part in making Edward King, but in 1051, Edward exiled Godwin and his sons. Godwin returned a year later with an army, demanding his old position and rank to be returned, and it was returned.

There was clearly an uneasy relationship here, not only would Edward be weary of Godwin’s power, but previously, before Edward was King, his older brother, Alfred, attempted to invade England, which was under Danish rule. Godwin deceived Alfred and had him murdered, this could be a possible reason for their uneasy relationship, alongside the power struggle, there’s a sense of a Cold War between Godwin’s family and Edward.

However if Robert was to rule peacefully he needed Tywin on side, similar to how Edward needed Godwin on side.

While both Robert and Edward are very different in how they are viewed, they are both considered to be average Kings, both reigns were also fairly peaceful.

They both became King after the fall of a different dynasty, both ruled for about 20 years. Both were not actively involved in the state’s politics toward the end of their reign, both enjoyed hunting and didn’t like their wifes.

The main difference is the Robert is more of a alpha dominant male, who was a successful war leader, and was not particularly interested in being King, where as Edward seemed very insecure, short sighted, and likely had never fought a battle, or at least won one.

Succession Crisis

Edward is most famously known for his succession and the events of 1066.

Robert had similar problems

Edward’s legitimate successor was his nephew, Edgar, who didn’t succeed to the throne.

Robert’s legitimate successor was his brother, Stannis who didn’t succeed to the throne.

Edward promised the Kingdom to Harald Godwinson on his deathbed (his brother in law)

Robert promised the Kingdom to Ned Stark (as protector) on his deathbed (he would be his brother in law had Lyanna lived)

However

Edward had previously promised his Kingdom to William, Duke of Normandy.

Robert’s commonly accepted successor was Joffrey.

In both situations, the King overlooked their rightful successor, promised the Kingdom to someone else on their death, that person didn’t last long.

(Harold Godwinson, one of the only Kings of England, without a blood claim to the throne. Similar to Cersei, who was the only Ruler of Westeros without a Blood claim at the time)

Northern Problems

When Tywin’s grandson, Joffrey became King, he faced a rebellion from the North, under Rob Stark.

When Godwin’s son, Harold became King, he faced an invasion from the North, under Harald Hardrada

Both Northern Rebellions were crushed. At the same time they both faced Southern invasion, under Renly and under William of Normandy

The Disloyal Son

There are a few similarities between Tyrion Lannister (Tywin’s son) and Tostig Godwinson (Godwin’s son).

Tostig was Godwin’s third son and in the shadow of his older brother, Harold.

Tyrion was the second son, in the shadow of his older brother, Jaime.

Tostig was made Earl of Northumbria in 1055.

Tywin planned to make Tyrion Warden of the North.

Tostig betrayed his family and sided by Harald Hardrada, who invaded England to make himself King.

Tyrion betrayed his family, siding with Daenerys Targaryen, who invaded Westeros to make herself Queen.

The situation surrounding the North at the time was similar in both GOT And history

Tostig Godwinson became Earl after Siward, this is a man who disposed the old dynasty in the North and worked with the King in the south to have the last member of the dynasty murdered, he then married the daughter from that dynasty to consolidate his rule over the north. This is a similar story to the Bolton’s betrayal of the Starks.

Tostig eventually fell in battle against his brother, King Harold, at the Battle of Stamford Bridge 1066.

The Fate of their Family

After Tywin’s death his family stayed in power, but their influence quickly died out, with the Lannister’s dying out, apart from Tyrion.

After Godwin’s death, his family stayed in power, Harold seems to be worthy successor and ended up being King himself, but this didn’t last long. In 1066 at the Battle of Hastings, their families power was completely destroyed. Godwin’s sons and grandson were either all killed in battle, imprisoned or exiled.

Both families also fell at the hands of a foreign invader, Daenarys and William the Conquerer. Both of whom had tough upbringings, held power at a young age and were known for their cruelty and would both go on to have issues in the North.