House Lannister

Lore & Background

However, it explicitly references the song "The Rains of Castamere," which details a specific event from roughly 40 years prior to the series' events. According to the novels adapted in the episode, this song commemorates Tywin Lannister's victory over vassals led by House Reyne of Castamere after they rebelled against Lannister authority. The stanza adapted for the show serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of challenging the family, a theme that echoes through the series.

In Their Own Story

During the Battle of Blackwater Bay, the Lannisters faced near-total defeat before a dramatic turnaround. Tyrion Lannister led defenders through tunnels beneath King's Landing to flank Stannis Baratheon's forces, but was slashed across the face by Ser Mandon Moore, who was subsequently killed by Podrick Payne. As Cersei prepared to poison Prince Tommen in fear of capture, she was startled by Tywin Lannister, who arrived with a surprise cavalry assault by the Tyrells that broke Stannis's lines. Meanwhile, within the Red Keep, Cersei drunkenly warned Sansa Stark that she would be raped if the city fell, while the Hound abandoned his post to offer Sansa escape, only for her to appear to refuse.

Reader's Guide

The family's role in this specific event highlights their distinct approaches to crisis. Tyrion served as Acting Hand, directing the defense and leading a risky tunnel attack that nearly cost him his life. Cersei, sheltering Maegor's Holdfast with the noble ladies, panicked at the prospect of defeat and sought to kill her son rather than let him fall into enemy hands. Tywin provided the salvation, arriving with fresh troops led by House Tyrell to rout Stannis's army just as victory seemed lost for the Lannisters. The episode also notes Cersei's relationship with her children through a story she told Tommen about "the mother lion and her little cub," referencing their bond amidst the chaos.

Did You Know?

• The episode 'Blackwater' is the first in the series to take place entirely in one location.
• The final product cost about $8 million to produce after HBO approved a $2 million budget increase for an extra week of filming.
• Tywin Lannister's victory over House Reyne occurred approximately 40 years before the events described in the source text.
• Ser Mandon Moore, who slashed Tyrion across the face, was killed by Tyrion's squire Podrick Payne.