Author: stevenattewell

Oberyn was going to launch his own rebellion? what did I miss?

“His father ignored the sally. “Prince Oberyn’s presence here is unfortunate. His brother is a cautious man, a reasoned man, subtle, deliberate, even indolent to a degree. He is a man who weighs the consequences of every word and every action. But Oberyn has always been half-mad.”
“Is it true he tried to raise Dorne for Viserys?”
“No one speaks of it, but yes. Ravens flew and riders rode, with what secret messages I never knew. Jon Arryn sailed to Sunspear to return Prince Lewyn’s bones, sat down with Prince Doran, and ended all the talk of war. But Robert never went to Dorne thereafter, and Prince Oberyn seldom left it.” (Tyrion VI, ASOS)

What other good or industries would benefit from the VenetianBravosi arsenal style system? I can’t envision an effective way for a production line to each make just one part of a sword of piece of armor

Any industry where you have items made of different parts. Based on the history of technology, I would point to texiles and associated trades as an early adopter, fine machine goods (all those Myrish crossbows and telescopes and the like), pottery (the Zhou dynasty, for example, had assembly lines with division of labor and centralized inspection for quality, which allowed for the mass production of pottery), etc.

If the Tyrells want to control Tommen, why is Margaery pushing him to learn statecraft and how to rule?

opinions-about-tiaras:

hedrigal:

racefortheironthrone:

To quote Voltaire: “

Give me the child for the first seven years and I will give you the man.”

Yeah, Tommen being loyal to the Tyrells but capable of ruling and acting in his own capacity is very much the best case scenario for the Tyrells.

There’s also the fact that the Tyrells aren’t just pure, naked power politics actors. They probably feel a certain level of responsibility towards the boy they’ve pledged their house to, especially given his mothers manifest unfitness. They’re capable of expressing genuine concern for his education and having affection and empathy towards him, while at the same time seeking to secure their own political advantage and future.

It’s the very definition of enlightened self-interest: the boy in question is Margaery’s husband and (if they get their way) the father of her children. Moreover, the Tyrells had to assassinate the last boy king that they hitched their wagon to because he was unstable and a threat to Margaery. 

Putting some basic effort into educating and loving a child who is neglected and despised by his mother is the very definition of a win-win: it raises the chances of a capable monarch and loving husband, it advances the Tyrells’ influence vs. his mother, and so forth. 

Given that the Lannisters and the Tyrells were allies, why would the Lannisters object to Sansa marrying into House Tyrell? Could this be seen as an early sign that the supposed grand alliance was very much a marriage of convenience that both parties hoped to rid themselves of as soon as possible?

It was always a marriage of convenience. Tywin’s entire strategy hinges on giving them just as much as is needed to keep them on-side and hungry for more, without giving them too much and make them independent of the Lannisters.

The North is not only a huge asset in and of itself, but a marriage alliance between House Tyrell and House Stark possibly reorients the political cast of the war:

Bloody fool, thought Tyrion. “Sweet sister,” he explained patiently, “offend Tyrell and you offend Redwyne, Tarly, Rowan, and Hightower as well, and perhaps start them wondering whether Robb Stark might not be more accommodating of their desires.”

“I will not have the rose and the direwolf in bed together,” declared Lord Tywin. (ASOS Tyrion III)

Regarding Sansa’s marriage, wasn’t it a bit premature? Whatever schemes Tywin had cooking, Robb was still in the field with an army and as yet undefeated. What if the Red Wedding failed, and he mauled the Lannisters some more, to the point where Tywin has to sue for peace? They can’t trade her back for concessions, esp if Tyrion had consummated per orders. What would Robb be able to do about it and what would society view as a reasonable position on his part?

The reason why Tywin moved so hastily is that the threat was less about what would happen with Robb but that Sansa would marry Willas Tyrell. 

Renly didn’t know anything about incest. Idk why people seem to think so, but why would he hide it? He’s not that stupid. Robert would marry Margery if he needs Tyrells – and he would need them, their money and their army, if he’s going against Tywin. Renly could’ve gotten what he wanted without doing anything. Hell, it was easier to quietly kill Stannis (Tyrell style) if Robert refused to marry rather than bother fighting a war. No one will fight to put Shireen over Renly on the Iron throne.

I’m not sure how much to put into this response, because I’ve written about this here here here here here, here and here. 

But to answer your questions:

  1. Renly hid it, because until Robert signs on the dotted line with Margaery and the Tyrells, revealing the truth would have made Stannis the heir to the Iron Throne. Renly doesn’t want that, nor do the Tyrells.
  2. If you think about it, it’s the exact same reason why Littlefinger and Varys withheld the same information, despite ultimately intending to bring down the Lannister regime. 
  3. Rather difficult to do that when Stannis has withdrawn to Dragonstone and started raising an army and navy to protect himself.