House Baratheon
The black stag claims the throne, yet the crown brings only war to its kin.
House Baratheon is a noble family from Westeros central to the power struggles chronicled in Game of Thrones. The series begins when House Stark is drawn into schemes surrounding King Robert Baratheon, who sits on the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms. Following Robert's death, his eldest son Joffrey is crowned, though it is revealed that he and his siblings are not his rightful heirs but the children of Cersei and Jaime Lannister. The legacy of House Baratheon drives much of the early conflict as the realm fractures over the succession.
- Key Figures (Robert Era)
- Robert Baratheon
Lore & Background
The source details that King Robert Baratheon was married to Cersei Lannister, and following his death, their eldest child Joffrey ascended as king. However, Ned Stark discovered that these children were actually Jaime's offspring, stripping them of their right to the throne. This revelation set the stage for a brutal conflict involving Robert's brothers.
In Their Own Story
In the wake of King Robert Baratheon's death, the Seven Kingdoms plunged into chaos. Joffrey, Cersei's eldest son, was crowned king despite Ned Stark's refusal to recognize him as a true heir, leading to Ned's execution. The source mentions Stannis Baratheon preparing an attack on the capital, which occurred but ended in failure for Stannis. While the text does not describe specific battles or dialogues involving Robert's brothers in detail beyond this failed assault, it highlights how the revelation of Joffrey's true parentage fractured the kingdom. The conflict was further complicated by the actions of Ned Stark's children and the rise of other claimants, but the core narrative remains centered on the struggle for the Iron Throne following the death of Robert Baratheon.
Reader's Guide
House Baratheon's influence in Game of Thrones is defined by King Robert's reign and the subsequent succession crisis. Key figures include King Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy), his wife Cersei Lannister, and their children Joffrey, Tommen, and Myrcella, whose true parentage was uncovered by Ned Stark. The source also references Stannis Baratheon, who led an attack on King's Landing that failed. The house's story is one of rapid rise and tragic fall, as the revelation of illegitimacy destroyed the stability Robert established. Viewers should note that all eight seasons aired between April 17, 2011, and May 19, 2019, with this specific storyline occurring in Season 1.
Did You Know?
- King Robert Baratheon was married to Cersei Lannister, but their children were actually fathered by her twin brother Jaime.
- Stannis Baratheon launched an attack on King's Landing which ultimately failed despite his best efforts.
- The series premiered on April 17, 2011, and concluded with its eighth season on May 19, 2019.
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