Robert's Rebellion

A war born of stolen love and tyranny that ended an age of dragons.

Robert's Rebellion was a brutal civil war that dismantled the Targaryen dynasty and reshaped the political landscape of Westeros. Sparked by Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen taking Lyanna Stark, the conflict escalated when King Aerys II burned Lyanna’s father, Rickard, and brother, Brandon, alive. This act forced Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon to unite their forces against the Iron Throne. The war concluded with the Sack of King's Landing, where Jaime Lannister killed the Mad King, ending Targaryen rule. Robert Baratheon ascended the throne, though his reign would be marked by debt, political stagnation, and a tragic lack of legitimate heirs.

Quick Facts

Primary conflict

Rebellion vs. Targaryen Loyalists

Key leaders

Robert Baratheon
Eddard Stark
Hoster Tully vs. Aerys II Targaryen

Catalyst event

Rhaegar Targaryen taking Lyanna Stark

Lore & Background

The rebellion saw the North, Stormlands, Riverlands, and Vale unite against Aerys II. A pivotal moment occurred at the Battle of the Trident, where Robert Baratheon slew Rhaegar Targaryen in single combat, shattering the royal army's resolve. While Stannis Baratheon held the besieged Storm's End, kept from starvation by the smuggler Davos Seaworth, Tywin Lannister arrived at King's Landing under the guise of loyalty before sacking the city. Jaime Lannister struck down his king in the throne room to prevent Aerys from burning the populace with wildfire. Eddard Stark later found Lyanna dying in a tower of Dorne after she gave birth to Rhaegar's son.

Reader's Guide

Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon raised their banners in vengeance. The Riverlands joined the cause under Hoster Tully, who arranged marriages for his daughters: Catelyn wed Eddard, and Lysa married Jon Arryn. The war turned at the Battle of the Trident when Robert killed Rhaegar. Eddard found Lyanna in the Tower of Joy in Dorne, where she died after giving birth to Rhaegar’s son.

The Rise of Robert Baratheon

Robert Baratheon claimed the Iron Throne due to his family's closer ties to the former royal line. However, he grew fat and miserable, trapped in a political marriage with Cersei Lannister whom he never loved. He remained unaware that none of his three children were his own but were fathered by Jaime. Under his reign, the realm was bankrupted and deeply in debt to House Lannister. Mortally wounded while hunting, Robert left no rightful heir behind, as none of the three children was his, setting the stage for future succession crises.

The Kingslayer's Motivation

Jaime Lannister killed Aerys II, earning the nickname "Kingslayer." He later revealed he did so to save King's Landing from wildfire, which the Mad King planned to use to massacre the population. Jaime carried on an incestuous affair with his twin sister Cersei throughout his life, fathering her children while serving as their protector. His complex history includes being captured by Robb Stark's army, losing his sword hand, and eventually returning to King's Landing to rescue Cersei from Daenerys Targaryen's forces.

Ned Stark's Honor and Downfall

Eddard "Ned" Stark became Hand of the King after Jon Arryn's death. He discovered that Queen Cersei's children were fathered by Jaime Lannister. When he confronted Cersei, she had him imprisoned for treason. Ned confessed to plotting against the crown to save his daughters from execution, hoping to join the Night's Watch. Instead, Joffrey ordered his beheading. Ned's death set in motion the War of Five Kings after he notified Stannis Baratheon of the truth regarding the royal children's parentage.