Princes in the Tower

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Princes in the Tower, War of the Roses July 13, 2014

The Lost Princes & Tyrion’s Escape from the Tower

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Tyrion’s flight from the tower faintly reinforces George RR Martin’s Princes in the Tower theme. Tyrion, as the son of the duke-like Tywin, could be considered a prince. When Tyrion escapes from the dungeon, it mirrors the hypothetical escape of the princes in the Tower of London. [This article is the latest installment of  the Princes in the Tower series. It picks up on a theme in an article Olga Hughes wrote that discusses how Martin plays with the idea…

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Princes in the Tower, Richard III, Theon, War of the Roses July 3, 2014

Richard III, Theon Greyjoy and The Lost Princes

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I often forget exactly why the people of the North loathe Theon Greyjoy. Theon Turncloak. Many Northerners still believe Theon Greyjoy murdered Bran and Rickon, the last sons and heirs of the beloved house of Stark. However we know that Theon did not murder Bran and Rickon. It is true he murdered two innocent children, a terrible crime of which he should not be absolved. But Bran and Rickon still live. And in A Song of Ice and Fire there…

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Princes in the Tower, War of the Roses May 3, 2014

The Princes in the Tower & the Murder of the Lannister Nephews

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When the vengeful Lord Rickard Karstark murders Robb Stark’s hostages (Tywin’s nephews Willem and Martyn Lannister) in their beds, once again we see the motif of the murdered Princes in the Tower – even though the hostages are the sons of lords and not kings.  Although the Lannister nephews aren’t particularly memorable, their murders are important.  They unleash a chain of events that ultimately leads to the Red Wedding. Although nobody knows if the Princes in the Tower were murdered, traditionally…

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Princes in the Tower, War of the Roses April 25, 2014

Princes in the Tower, Evil Princelings & Joffrey

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It’s possible that the beginning of Joffrey Baratheon’s reign is not unlike a counter-factual version of what would happen if the son of Edward IV survived to become a dark and evil king. [This article is continued from here. ]  Shortly after Bran, the first “prince in the tower” falls and Catelyn falsely accuses Tyrion of attempted murder, Robert Baratheon draws up a deathbed will. He asks Ned to serve as “Lord Regent and Protector of the Realm” and rule in Robert’s…

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Princes in the Tower, War of the Roses April 25, 2014

Tyrion, Bran, Joffrey, and the Princes in the Tower

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Joffrey, Bran, and the Lannister nephews — are these the “Princes in the Tower” of Westeros? Is Tyrion like a falsely accused Richard III? George RR Martin tends to repeat certain historic images almost like defining themes or motifs. One of these defining images is the Princes in the Tower – a catalyst for the events in Richard III’s reign. For people who love the history of Richard III , Martin’s treatment of these events raises an interesting question –…

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