Why Did Tywin Lannister Want Tyrion to Marry Sansa Stark?

The historic marriage between Tyrion Lannister and Sansa Stark was not merely about love or affection. Tywin Lannister, the responsible head of House Lannister, had several strategic reasons behind this union. These reasons ranged from political alliances to controlling a powerful legacy. This article delves deeper into these motivations and their implications.

Political Alliance

One of the primary reasons Tywin Lannister desired for Tyrion to marry Sansa Stark lies in the political alliance it would forge between the two families. Following the catastrophic War of the Five Kings, the Stark family, with its significant influence in the North, presented a valuable asset. Marrying Sansa Stark would strengthen the Lannisters' ties to House Stark and help stabilize the realm.

Legitimizing Tyrion

Tyrion Lannister, despite his immense intelligence and cunning, was often looked down upon due to his physical stature as a dwarf. Tywin aimed to elevate Tyrion's standing within the family and the political landscape. By marrying Sansa, a noblewoman from a prominent family, he would provide Tyrion with a more legitimate role, thereby enhancing his influence and status.

Control Over Sansa

Tywin saw Sansa as a strategic tool. By marrying her, he could exert control over her and by extension, control the Stark legacy. Sansa was one of the last surviving members of House Stark after the war, making her a crucial pawn in his political maneuvering. This control would be instrumental in aligning her interests with those of the Lannisters, ensuring her cooperation and compliance.

Tyrion's Loyalty

Tywin believed that a marriage with someone of significant political value would bind Tyrion more firmly to the Lannister cause. This union could also serve to keep Tyrion occupied and potentially out of trouble. By marrying Sansa, Tyrion would be bestowed with a castle, Winterfell, but not the powerful Casterly Rock, thus ensuring Lannister control over the North.

The Legacy of Gain

For Tywin, the marriage had a significant inheritance component. Eddard Stark had four children: Robb, Sansa, Bran, and Rickon. In his mind, Sansa was the only trueborn heir left after Robb's death at the Red Wedding, and he believed that Bran and Rickon were likely killed by Theon Greyjoy at Winterfell. Jon Snow, though he had taken the oath of the Night's Watch, was also considered illegitimate.

Sansa, with a better claim to the name Stark, would ensure that the most trusted name in the North remained in the hands of the Lannisters. Furthermore, Tywin believed that a grandchild born of Tyrion and Sansa would strengthen his claim on Winterfell, solidifying his family's legacy in the region.

Overall, Tywin Lannister's motivations for this marriage were deeply rooted in the pursuit of power, control, and the consolidation of the Lannisters' position within the Seven Kingdoms. The marriage was not just a personal choice but a calculated political move to ensure his family's dominance in the North and beyond.