Margaery Tyrell

Margaery Tyrell
Name	Margaery Tyrell
Series	A Song of Ice and Fire / Game of Thrones
Creator	George R. R. Martin
First	A Game of Thrones
Portrayer	Natalie Dormer
Title	Queen of the Seven Kingdoms (briefly)
Family	House Tyrell

Margaery Tyrell is a fictional noblewoman in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire and its television adaptation Game of Thrones. She is a member of House Tyrell from Highgarden who becomes entwined with the dynastic conflicts of House Baratheon, House Lannister, and House Stark during the War of the Five Kings. Her rise to queenship and subsequent fall involve key figures and institutions across Westeros and beyond.

Early life and family

Born into House Tyrell of Highgarden, she is the daughter of Mace Tyrell and Alerie Hightower and sister to Loras Tyrell and Willas Tyrell. Her lineage ties her to the Reach and to prominent houses including House Hightower of Oldtown and the Citadel's city setting. Her familial alliances intersect with houses such as House Tarly, House Oakheart, House Redwyne, House Florent, and House Hightower kin networks that shape regional politics around the Mander and the Shield Islands. The Tyrell household maintains connections with the Faith of the Seven and with influential families present at the Small Council and at tournaments like those held at Harrenhal.

Personality and relationships

Described as politically astute and socially adept, she cultivates relationships with figures such as Tommen Baratheon, Joffrey Baratheon, Cersei Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen (indirectly through rivalry), Sansa Stark, and Petyr Baelish. Her close bond with Loras Tyrell intersects with Renly Baratheon's faction and the Kingsguard's reputation through associations with Barristan Selmy and Mace Tyrell's patronage networks. She navigates courts involving Tywin Lannister, Kevan Lannister, Randyll Tarly, and Olenna Tyrell (the Queen of Thorns), utilizing social graces learned in settings like King's Landing and Highgarden's great hall. Her demeanor contrasts with rivals such as Melisandre, Stannis Baratheon, and Cersei Lannister, while she leverages alliances with figures like Selyse Baratheon's enemies and sympathizers in the Faith Militant era.

Role in the War of the Five Kings

During the War of the Five Kings, her family backs claimants including Renly Baratheon and later maneuvers to secure the Iron Throne through matrimonial ties to House Baratheon and accommodation with House Lannister. The Tyrells fight rival claims alongside contingents from House Tarly and House Florent while negotiating with players such as Robb Stark, Roose Bolton, and Balon Greyjoy. Her projected marriages are instruments in treaties and alliances involving the Small Council, the Iron Throne, and power brokers like Tywin Lannister and Varys. The Tyrell military presence and diplomatic efforts interact with events such as the Battle of Blackwater aftermath, the coronation of Joffrey Baratheon, and the shifting loyalties following Renly's death.

Queen and political influence

As queen consort to different Baratheon kings, she influences court culture, patronage, and succession through proximity to Tommen Baratheon and ceremonial institutions like the Great Sept of Baelor. Her role engages with political figures including Cersei Lannister, Tywin Lannister, Kevan Lannister, Olenna Tyrell, and clerical leaders such as The High Sparrow. She participates in the social diplomacy of King's Landing, interacting with ambassadors from Dorne, The Vale, and The North as well as merchants tied to Braavos, Pentos, and Lannisport. Her patronage and salon influence connect to cultural figures and spaces represented by Maesters of the Citadel, septons, and nobles attending events in the Red Keep.

Conflicts with the Faith and downfall

Her conflict with the Faith of the Seven and the Faith Militant—led by The High Sparrow—brings her into collision with Cersei Lannister's downfall scheme and the legal-religious apparatus that prosecutes nobility. This struggle echoes wider power moves involving Cersei, Ser Mandon Moore, Qyburn, Gregor Clegane, and the institutional shift after actions like the Walk of Atonement and the trial sequences in the Great Sept of Baelor. The Tyrells' fortunes, including interventions by Olenna Tyrell and the military calculations of Mace Tyrell and Loras Tyrell, reflect the perilous interplay between crown, faith, and noble houses such as House Frey and House Bolton.

Portrayals in television and other media

Portrayed by Natalie Dormer in HBO's adaptation Game of Thrones, the character appears across multiple seasons interacting with portrayals of Emilia Clarke's Daenerys Targaryen, Lena Headey's Cersei Lannister, Jack Gleeson's Joffrey Baratheon, and Dean-Charles Chapman's Tommen Baratheon. The adaptation condenses and alters plotlines from George R. R. Martin's novels to fit episodic arcs and production elements developed by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. The role has inspired discussions in analyses alongside other adaptations like A Dance with Dragons commentary, companion guides, fan works, and appearances in games, graphic novels, and merchandising tied to HBO and licensed Dark Horse Comics editions.

Category:Characters in A Song of Ice and Fire Category:Game of Thrones characters