Joffrey Baratheon was publicly known as a member of House Baratheon, the royal house of Westeros through his mother's marriage to King Robert Baratheon. However, his true parentage, a closely guarded secret, revealed him to be of House Lannister.
Joffrey's Family Lineage
While crowned King Joffrey Baratheon, his actual biological father was Jaime Lannister, his mother's twin brother. This fact meant that he had no Baratheon blood, making him a true-born Lannister by lineage. This revelation played a pivotal role in the political landscape and conflicts within the Seven Kingdoms.
For clarity, here's a breakdown of his family affiliations:
| Affiliation Type | House(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Publicly Known | House Baratheon | Through his mother's marriage to King Robert Baratheon, he was presented as Robert's heir. |
| True Biological | House Lannister | His actual father was Jaime Lannister, making him a true Lannister. |
The Significance of His Dual House Affiliation
The question of Joffrey's true house is central to the narrative of Westeros. The revelation that he was not a legitimate Baratheon heir undermined the legitimacy of his claim to the Iron Throne and fueled the War of the Five Kings. This hidden truth was a secret initially uncovered by Lord Eddard Stark, leading to his downfall and setting off a chain of catastrophic events.
For more details on Joffrey Baratheon and his complex family background, you can refer to his profile on Wikipedia.
