The Tyrell's Befriending of Sansa: Ulterior Motives

[Arthur Dayne's Honor]

While Yes I believe they were trying to use her to he control of the North I can't help but think that in the back of their minds they were befriending her INCASE Robb won. While it was unlikely and ultimately never happened do think they were doing it so if Robb won an took KL that they could say " Hey, while didn't side with you, we took care of, protected, and were kind to your sister!"

[jons nissa]

absolutely. while the martells are known as the snakes, i think the tyrells really exhibit that in their dealings. they were definitely not supporting the lannisters but abandoned the baratheons when renly was slain. there's no reason why they wouldn't hedge their bets since the young wolf was having great success on the battlefield.

[BanzaiZ]

I'd be absolutely shocked if that wasn't at least some aspect of it.

[Mad Monkey]

Agreed. I actually think that the Tyrells were smart here. There's really no logic to the mindless and unthinking cruelty of so many other noblemen, who act as if they will never, ever be in a position where they need someone to cut them some slack or grant them a boon that they can't immediately reward. Why not treat Sansa kindly? It doesn't cost them anything politically or financially, and there's an off chance that it might come in handy even if the marriage plot fails. I get the impression that the Tyrells bank a lot of favors like this -- it might be from their history as stewards (essentially servants) who always had to be smiling and friendly because they couldn't always smash someone in the face with a mailed fist until they gave in.

[Arthur Dayne's Honor]

Agreed. I actually think that the Tyrells were smart here. There's really no logic to the mindless and unthinking cruelty of so many other noblemen, who act as if they will never, ever be in a position where they need someone to cut them some slack or grant them a boon that they can't immediately reward. Why not treat Sansa kindly? It doesn't cost them anything politically or financially, and there's an off chance that it might come in handy even if the marriage plot fails. I get the impression that the Tyrells bank a lot of favors like this -- it might be from their history as stewards (essentially servants) who always had to be smiling and friendly because they couldn't always smash someone in the face with a mailed fist until they gave in.

A good metaphor for this would The Tyrells got caught with their hands in the cookie jar, and when confronted by Robb saying " We were getting one for you to!" He will still be mad at then for siding with the Lannisters but his wrath won't be to terrible.

[BanzaiZ]

Agreed. I actually think that the Tyrells were smart here. There's really no logic to the mindless and unthinking cruelty of so many other noblemen, who act as if they will never, ever be in a position where they need someone to cut them some slack or grant them a boon that they can't immediately reward. Why not treat Sansa kindly? It doesn't cost them anything politically or financially, and there's an off chance that it might come in handy even if the marriage plot fails. I get the impression that the Tyrells bank a lot of favors like this -- it might be from their history as stewards (essentially servants) who always had to be smiling and friendly because they couldn't always smash someone in the face with a mailed fist until they gave in.

I'd have to think this is why they have so much favor and influence. Now they have the might to back themselves up, but I think they grew their might by not necessarily banking on "might makes right", and more in the realm of having a hand in every pie and playing 'let's make a deal'. It would have been very interesting to see how things might have worked out if they were able to marry Sansa to Willas, and then the ensuing fallout of the RW and the PW. Heck, I still think it'd be interesting if they found a way to bring Sansa in now. Olenna would be all over it, especially if she thought it would also bring them favor with the Vale (while deposing LF in the process).

[Dire-Lion]

I definitely agree with this, the Tyrells, or at Olenna and Margery, seem to be masters at having a finger in every pot so that they will always end up on the winning side. Befriending Sansa has too many benefits to not do it. They could marry her into their family and get power in the north, get info about the Lannisters, and have an insurance policy if Robb won.

[chicky]

While Yes I believe they were trying to use her to he control of the North I can't help but think that in the back of their minds they were befriending her INCASE Robb won. While it was unlikely and ultimately never happened do think they were doing it so if Robb won an took KL that they could say " Hey, while didn't side with you, we took care of, protected, and were kind to your sister!"

Oh, of course, the Tyrells play the game in all that they do. If they didn't see Sansa as having value, then they likely would have ignored her.

[Abyssalix]

House tyrell was built upon "surviving" and thats what i think they do, survive, thats all they do, and i feel that margery will be desperate after tommen dies and will want someone to fuck her so she could sustain the lineage of their house.

PS : 150th post :D

[the_one_who_was_promised]

While Yes I believe they were trying to use her to he control of the North I can't help but think that in the back of their minds they were befriending her INCASE Robb won. While it was unlikely and ultimately never happened do think they were doing it so if Robb won an took KL that they could say " Hey, while didn't side with you, we took care of, protected, and were kind to your sister!"

They're definitely ambitious, and their demeanour suggests to me that they have been watching the Lannisters for a long time, seeing how they have risen to power but being careful not to emulate the mistakes of their predecessors, which is why they are far subtler than the Lannisters, and actually seek out popular support from the masses, which is what Margaery effectively does when she undertakes charitable work with the poor. In this sense, I feel that they are far better politicians than the Lannisters (bar perhaps Tywin) and definitely more popular, even if that popularity may be somewhat misguided.

While I think it is possible that they would seek to gain Robb's favour if ever he won, we have to remember that his aim was to claim independence for the North and the Tyrrells effectively want King's Landing, so what can they glean from Robb? They could have tried to secure Margaery in marriage to Robb so they could have a stake in the North, but that could still leave either Cersei or Stannis in the South, who could still be warring with Robb, and thus leave the rest of the Tyrrells' position untenable.

My guess is that they would have tried to warm to Stannis had he have been successful, although Sansa would no doubt have been useful as a bargaining tool between Robb and Stannis.

[Winds of Winter blow cold]

Nice to have all your ducks in a row, sure!