Tywin Lannister is a fictional character in the fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire by American novelist George R. R. Martin and its television adaptation, Game of Thrones.

[2][3] Tywin is the ruthless patriarch of House Lannister of Casterly Rock and father to twins Cersei and Jaime, and Tyrion.

He is the Warden of the West and the Lord Paramount of the Westerlands and was twice the Hand of the King, making him one of the most powerful political figures in Westerosi history.

Born heir apparent to Lord Tytos Lannister, who was perceived as a weak and ineffectual leader, often ridiculed by his bannermen, and was known as "the toothless lion", Tywin developed an early distrust of mockery and laughter.

Instead, Jaime murdered Aerys, betraying his vow to protect the king and earning the hatred of Westeros, despite saving the city's population.

Following the war, Tywin agreed to a marriage between his daughter Cersei and the new King Robert Baratheon, who pardoned Jaime and allowed him to continue his service as a member of the Kingsguard.

[5] Tywin Lannister's background remains largely the same in the television adaptation of the book series, with some minor changes.

Despite his contempt for Tyrion, Tywin views his kidnapping as a slight against his family and sends Gregor Clegane to raid Catelyn's homeland, the Riverlands.

The three conspire to have Robb and his army slaughtered while camped at The Twins for Edmure Tully's wedding, and the War of Five Kings results in victory for House Lannister.

When Tywin repeatedly and scornfully dismisses Tysha as a "whore," Tyrion fatally shoots him with the crossbow and leaves him dead.

Ned's execution by Joffrey on the other hand has prevented Tywin from what would have been the best option of suing for peace with the Northern Lord and Riverrun.

Realizing this Tywin sends Tyrion to King's Landing as acting Hand, while he decides to regroup at Harrenhal with all his forces and continue the campaign in the Riverlands against Robb who now holds his son captive.

On Petyr Baelish's suggestion, Tywin establishes an alliance with House Tyrell as they have the required army and the largest supply of grain and livestock.

Tywin overrules his council members, stating that Joffrey needs to hold his ground as no one will respect a king who runs away.

After the battle, Tywin is once again named Hand of the King in his own right, as well as given the honorific "Savior of the City", but not before his horse visibly defecates on the floor before the throne room.

Tywin confirms this and shrewdly observes that this means the Freys will get all the credit but also all the blame — since the Northerners will never forget nor forgive such a terrible crime.

He is forced to contend with an increasingly belligerent Joffrey, who insists that his father Robert (refusing to believe the claim regarding his parentage) won the war by his sword, while chiding his grandfather as a coward who "hid under Casterly Rock".

Tywin sends his grandson to bed and promises to teach him the realities of ruling, before reminding Tyrion of Joffrey's limited power and of his husbandly duty to impregnate Sansa and again insists that a man who puts family first will always triumph.

Tywin's body lies in state in the Great Sept of Baelor before his burial, with Jaime and Cersei the first to pay their respects.

Charles Dance, who played Tywin Lannister in the first four seasons of the television adaptation, received widespread acclaim for his performance.