Summary
Game of Thrones' Joffrey Baratheon was an incompetent king who unlawfully occupied the Iron Throne after King Robert I. He himself was assassinated at his own wedding feast, paving the way for his younger brother, Tommen’s rule. Joffrey was a babbling oaf, a cruel boy-king, unworthy and undeserving of the throne that he assumed after his mother, Cersei Lannister orchestrated King Robert I Baratheon’s assassination. Joffrey’s adversaries negated his claim on the basis that the late king, and his supposed father, Robert had no trueborn children. Queen Regent Cersei Lannister stamped out the opposition at court and elsewhere and saw to it that power remained within House Lannister.
Joffrey was a pompous fellow, an arrogant boy who maintained he was well-versed in warfare and statecraft. In reality, his grandfather, mother, and uncle Tyrion helped him keep the Iron Throne. While Joffrey liked to pretend he knew a lot about armament, particularly swords, the truth is, he could barely lift one of the Valyrian steel swords reforged from House Stark’s ancestral blade - Ice. He also liked to give garish names to his swords, and Hearteater which he carried tothe Battle of the BlackwaterinGame of Thronesis an excellent example.
Joffrey Is Ready For Battle
InGame of Thronesseason 2, the de facto rulers, i.e., the Lannisters, led by Lord Tywin of Casterly Rock are busy fighting on three sides. Robert’s brothers,Stannis Baratheon and Renly Baratheonhave waged their wars against the Lannisters, and the North has risen up as Joffrey took Ned Stark’s head in King’s Landing. As Stannis' threat looms, Tywin decides to send his youngest, Tyrion to serve as Hand of the King in his stead. The capital city of King’s Landing is virtually undefended as the real soldiers are busy fighting at Riverlands. Joffrey spends time refurbishing the throne room and acquiring swords that frankly he has no need of.
As the days pass, Tyrion knows Stannis is coming for all of them, and all Joffrey can do is use his crossbow to execute defenseless women. As seen inGame of Thronesseason 2, episode 6 “The Old Gods and the New,” the boy king can barely protect himself when an angry mob attacks him. While Cersei claims her son is overseeing siege preparations, Tyrion plans the defense of King’s Landing and commissionsWisdom Hallyne to make Wildfirefor him to be launched from the city walls into Stannis' fleet and at his armies.
Joffrey Unveils Hearteater
Shortly before the battle, Cersei informs Tyrion that Joffrey won’t be sent to the battlefield as he’s only a boy:
And now you want to send my eldest son to the battlefield to die.
Joffrey wants to be out there, he wears the finest armor, and he has his Kingsguard protecting him. His purpose as king is to raise the morale of his men. InGame of Thronesseason 2, episode 9 “Blackwater,” right before the battle, Joffrey unveils his sword - Hearteater to his promised - Sansa of House Stark:
Your king rides forth to battle. You should see him off with a kiss.Mynew blade. Hearteater, I’ve namedit.Kiss it.
As Joffrey draws his new castle-forged steel sword, he tells Sansa he’s named it Hearteater. He tells Sansa that she is to kiss his sword once again upon his return to taste Uncle Stannis' blood. Sansa casually mocks him by asking where on the battlefield he plans on wielding Hearteater knowing very well that the boy cannot swing the sword, let alone save the city. Joffrey replies:
A king doesn’t discuss battle plans with stupid girls.
At the battle’s start, Joffrey witnesses Tyrion’s trick with Wildfire and at the same time is perturbed to see Stannis' men coming to shore. In the later stages of the battle, when the Baratheon troops are likely to breach the city walls,Joffrey retreats to the Red Keepat Cersei’s orders. He asks Ser Boros and Ser Mandon to represent him on the battlefield and takes off.
Joffrey Receives A Valyrian Steel Sword As A Wedding Present
Joffrey carries Hearteater from the Battle of the Blackwater until his wedding. At the breakfast held in honor of his wedding inGame of Thronesseason 4, episode 2 “The Lion and the Rose,” he receives a freshly reforged Valyrian steel sword as a present from his grandfather, Tywin. He asks the attendees for a name and some suggest “Stormbringer” and “Wolfsbane,” but he decides to go with Widow’s Wail:
Widow’s Wail, I like that. Hah…
“Every time I use it, it will be like cutting off Ned Stark’s head all over again,” Joffrey says as he sheaths his new sword. He replacesHearteater with Widow’s Wailuntil he breathes his last inGame of Thrones. Joffrey’s Hearteater is never seen again, and its fate remains obscure.
MORE:Game of Thrones: How Did House Lannister Lose Its Valyrian Steel Sword Brightroar?
