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  == Character description ==
  In public, Joffrey is allegedly the oldest son and heir of King Robert Baratheon and Queen Cersei Lannister, both of whom entered into a political marriage alliance after Robert took the throne by force from the "Mad King" Aerys II Targaryen.  In reality, his biological father is his mother's twin brother, Jaime Lannister.  He has a younger sister, Myrcella, and a younger brother, Tommen, both of whom are also products of Jaime and Cersei's incestuous relationship.  Their sole biological grandparents, Tywin and Joanna Lannister, were also first cousins.
  Joffrey is an amoral sadist who disguises his cruelty with a thin veneer of charm.  This is best epitomized by his response when his (then) betrothed offends him: Joffrey pronounces that his mother had taught him never to strike a woman, and so commissions a knight of the Kingsguard to hit her instead.  He enjoys forcing people to fight to the death, and enforces cruel punishments for lesser crimes.  He has no sense of personal responsibility, blaming failures on others.  He lacks self-control and often insults his allies and family members.
  Joffrey is 12 years old at the beginning of ''A Game of Thrones'' (1996).