Purple Wedding

A royal feast turned funeral: the day a king choked on wine and the realm lost its heir.

The fourth season of Game of Thrones premiered on April 6, 2014, and concluded on June 15, 2014, running for ten episodes. This installment adapts the second half of A Storm of Swords alongside elements from A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons. The narrative captures a pivotal turning point in Westeros following the Red Wedding, where King Joffrey Baratheon is killed by poison during his own wedding celebration. This event leaves his uncle Tyrion Lannister blamed for the regicide, while young Tommen Baratheon ascends to the Iron Throne.

Quick Facts

Location

King's Landing (Great Sept of Baelor & Red Keep)

Key figures

Joffrey Baratheon
Margaery Tyrell
Tyrion Lannister

Outcome

Death of King Joffrey Baratheon

Primary suspect (public)

Tyrion Lannister

Lore & Background

The story takes place primarily in Westeros, with a parallel storyline unfolding in Essos. After Robb Stark's death at The Red Wedding, three kings claim the throne until Joffrey is poisoned at his wedding to Margaery Tyrell. His death triggers immediate chaos: Tyrion Lannister is accused of the murder, and Tommen Baratheon is crowned king instead. Meanwhile, Sansa Stark manages to escape King's Landing amidst the turmoil. The season also details the grim struggle at the Wall against 100,000 Wildlings, Daenerys Targaryen's difficult rule in Meereen where she chains her dragons, and Arya Stark's journey across Westeros with the Hound before sailing alone to Braavos.

Reader's Guide

1. The Wedding: The season covers the marriage of Joffrey Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell, which serves as the catalyst for the main political shift. 2. The Poisoning: King Joffrey is killed by poison during the celebration, an event that dominates the early episodes. 3. 4. The Succession: Following Joffrey's death, his younger brother Tommen Baratheon is crowned king of Westeros. 5. The Escape: Amidst the chaos of the wedding and its aftermath, Sansa Stark successfully escapes King's Landing.

Did You Know?

The season consists of 10 episodes, each running approximately 50–60 minutes.
Filming for the fourth season began on July 8, 2013, and was completed on November 21, 2013.
Parts of Joffrey's death scene were filmed in California, while other scenes took place in locations like Iceland, Northern Ireland, and Croatia.
The Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós performed 'The Rains of Castamere' at the wedding reception in episode 2.