House Baratheon

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House Baratheon of Storm's End
House Baratheon.svg
Ours is the Fury
Coat of arms A crowned stag black on a golden field
(Or, a stag crowned sable)
Seat Storm's End
Head Lord Stannis Baratheon
Region Stormlands
Titles
Heir Shireen Baratheon
Overlords
Cadet branches
Founder Orys Baratheon
Founded 2 BC

House Baratheon of Storm's End is one of the Great Houses of Westeros, and is the principal house in the stormlands, which they rule as Lords Paramount of the Stormlands. Their seat, Storm's End, is an ancient castle raised by the Storm Kings from the now-extinct House Durrandon. The Baratheon sigil is a crowned black stag on a field of gold.[1] Their words are "Ours is the Fury".

After Robert's Rebellion, House Baratheon split into three branches: Lord Robert Baratheon was crowned king and took residence at King's Landing, thereby creating House Baratheon of King's Landing. Robert gave the seat of Dragonstone to his younger brother, Stannis, creating House Baratheon of Dragonstone. Robert's youngest brother, Renly, became the Lord of Storm's End, continuing House Baratheon of Storm's End.

Traits

Members of the family tend to be tall and powerfully built, with black hair and blue eyes, as well as strong, square jawlines. They are known for their mercurial tempers.

History

Targaryen Era

Argella Durrandon and Orys Baratheon by Rae Lavergne ©

House Baratheon is the youngest of the Great Houses of Westeros. It was created when Orys Baratheon, one of Aegon I Targaryen's generals, his closest companion, and his rumored bastard half-brother, took Argella Durrandon, the only daughter of Argilac Durrandon, the last Storm King, to wife. Orys took the sigil and words of House Durrandon for his own and became the first Lord of Storm's End.[2][3] Through the female line, House Baratheon descents from King Durran Godsgrief, who founded the kingdom of the Storm Kings during the Age of Heroes.[4]

Rogar Baratheon, the lord of Storm's End at the time of the reigns of kings Maegor I Targaryen and Jaehaerys I Targaryen, served as Hand of the King and Protector of the Realm during the minority of Jaehaerys I.[5] A grandson of Lord Orys, Rogar would marry Queen Dowager Alyssa Velaryon and father two children, Boremund and Jocelyn. Boremund would succeed his father, while Jocelyn married Prince Aemon Targaryen.[6]

During the Dance of the Dragons, Lord Borros Baratheon sided the House with Aegon II Targaryen and the greens, despite his late father, Lord Boremund's support of the blacks and relation to Rhaenys Targaryen (through his sister, Jocelyn Baratheon).[7][6][5] Prince Aemond Targaryen was sent to Storm's End, to get Lord Borros to side with Aegon II, by offering a betrothal between himself and one of Lord Borros' four daughters. It is unknown whether this marriage occurred prior to Aemond's death the next year. Lord Borros was reluctant to face the dragons during the war, but marched with his army towards the end of the war, seizing King's Landing for Aegon II during the Moon of the Three Kings, restoring the city to order. He was promised that his eldest daughter would marry King Aegon II, who had lost both his Queen, Helaena Targaryen, as well as both of his sons, during the war. Borros then marched against the approaching riverlander army, and fought in the Battle of the Kingsroad, where he was killed by young Lord Kermit Tully.[5][8][9]

Having been injured in Dorne, King Baelor I Targaryen stayed at Storm's End for more than half a year to regain his strength, before traveling on to King's Landing.[10]

In 200 AC, Lord Baratheon held a tourney to celebrate the birth of his grandson. In 209 AC, the heir to Storm's End, Ser Lyonel Baratheon, called the Laughing Storm, participated in the Ashford tourney and fought on the side of Ser Duncan the Tall during a trial of seven.[11]

A daughter of Lord Lyonel was betrothed to crown prince Duncan Targaryen in 237 AC. Duncan broke the betrothal when he married Jenny of Oldstones in 239 AC. This angered Lord Lyonel, causing him to declare independence, naming himself the new Storm King. His short, bloody rebellion ended when he was defeated by Ser Duncan the Tall in single combat, Duncan renounced his claim to the throne, and King Aegon promised that Princess Rhaelle Targaryen, his youngest daughter, would marry Lyonel's heir, Ormund Baratheon. Rhaelle was send to Storm's End to serve as cupbearer to Lord Lyonel, and as lady companion to Lord Lyonel's wife. The wedding took place in 245 AC, and a son, Steffon, was born the next year.[12][5]

Steffon served in his youth at the court of King's Landing, and became a close friend to his cousin, Prince Aerys Targaryen. He fought in the War of the Ninepenny Kings in 260 AC, where his father, Lord Ormund, died in his arms, slain by Maelys I Blackfyre.[13][5]

Lord Steffon's eldest son, Robert, was fostered by Lord Jon Arryn at the Eyrie, together with Eddard Stark from Winterfell.[14] Prince Rhaegar Targaryen defeated Lord Steffon Baratheon in a tourney at Storm's End that was eventually won by Ser Barristan Selmy.[15] After the Defiance of Duskendale, King Aerys II Targaryen summoned Lord Steffon to King's Landing and named him to the small council. In 278 AC, Steffon was sent to Volantis, to find a bride for Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. He was accompanied by his wife, Lady Cassana Estermont. They failed their mission, and died upon their return, when their ship Windproud sank in Shipbreaker Bay.[16][5][17]

Robert's Rebellion

King Robert I Baratheon by Joshua Cairós © Fantasy Flight Games

Steffon's eldest son, Robert, inherited Storm's End upon Steffon's death, and in the years that followed, was betrothed to Lyanna Stark of Winterfell.[18][19] In 282 AC, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, Robert's cousin, disappeared with Lyanna Stark, causing Lyanna's eldest brother Brandon to ride to King's Landing in anger. He was arrested, and killed together with his father, Lord Rickard Stark, on the command of King Aerys II. The king then demanded the heads of both Lord Robert, as well as Eddard Stark, from Lord Jon Arryn, as both men were in the Vale. Jon refused and raised his banners, marking the start of the war that would become known as Robert's Rebellion. Robert became a figure-head, and he personally killed Prince Rhaegar Targaryen during the Battle of the Trident in 283 AC. In the early parts of the war, the battles at Summerhall and the siege of Storm's End were fixtures of the stormlands theater.[20][5][1]

Baratheon Dynasty

Lord Robert was crowned King Robert I. House Baratheon was split into three branches: House Baratheon of King's Landing, under King Robert I, House Baratheon of Dragonstone, headed by Lord Stannis Baratheon, and House Baratheon of Storm's End, headed by Lord Renly Baratheon, Robert's youngest brother. During Greyjoy's Rebellion in 289 AC, the combined Baratheon fleet defeated the Iron Fleet in a sea battle off Fair Isle, commanded by Stannis, the master of ships. Stannis later subdued Great Wyk in his brother's name. Some time after he achieved manhood, Renly Baratheon was appointed to Robert's small council as master of laws.

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Renly Baratheon by Chris Dien © Fantasy Flight Games

Lord Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, dies suddenly in King's Landing. King Robert I Baratheon and his retinue travel to Winterfell to offer the position to Lord Eddard Stark, Robert's friend from his youth. Lord Renly Baratheon rides north to meet King Robert on his return trip after Eddard accepts the position, while Lord Stannis Baratheon returns to his seat at Dragonstone. Renly participates in the Hand's tourney, riding well before losing to Sandor Clegane.

Later, as Robert lies dying from a kingswood boar's tusk, Renly asks Eddard to support him in a bid for the throne. Lord Stark has discovered that Queen Cersei's children, Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen Baratheon, are not Robert's legitimate children, but they are instead bastards born of incest with Cersei's brother, Ser Jaime Lannister. Eddard insists that it is Lord Stannis who should be Robert's successor as king. After Eddard refuses to support Renly's bid for power, Renly, his thirty men-at-arms, and his former squire Ser Loras Tyrell ride south out of the capital. King Joffrey I names Lord Renly and Ser Loras among the nobles who must do him homage or be declared traitors, and soon thereafter has Eddard executed for treason.

A Clash of Kings

Despite Stannis's better claim to the Iron Throne, Renly is able to rally the stormlands to his cause, as well as House Tyrell and much of the Reach. Stannis has a significantly smaller force drawn mostly from the crownlands and the royal fleet. When Renly is assassinated beneath the walls of Storm's End as the brothers' hosts prepare to clash during the War of the Five Kings, he leaves no heirs. Most of the houses sworn to Storm's End, as well as some from the Reach, join Stannis, who unsuccessfully attacks King's Landing in the Battle of the Blackwater. Following their defeat, most houses sworn to Stannis kneel to King Joffrey and the Iron Throne.

A Storm of Swords

Tommen Baratheon by Joshua Cairós © Fantasy Flight Games

Stannis's garrison at Storm's End commanded by Ser Gilbert Farring remains loyal to his cause.

Edric Storm is smuggled out of Dragonstone by Lord Davos Seaworth to prevent him from being burned alive by Stannis's advisor, Melisandre.

Renly's widow, Margaery Tyrell, marries King Joffrey Baratheon. After Joffrey's death, the current head of the house is the young king Tommen I Baratheon - a title disputed by King Stannis.

Aside from a few garrisons, Stannis leads his remaining forces north to the Wall and saves the Night's Watch from wildlings in the battle beneath the Wall.

A Feast for Crows

Queen Cersei Lannister serves as regent for her son, King Tommen I. She sends Lord Mace Tyrell to take Storm's End from Stannis's garrison, although when Mace hears his daughter Margaery has been arrested he returns to the capital with most of his army,[21] leaving Lord Mathis Rowan to continue the siege with a token force.[22] Cersei is replaced as Tommen's regent by Ser Kevan Lannister[23] after she is also arrested by the Faith of the Seven. Ser Loras Tyrell is said to have taken Dragonstone from Stannis's garrison in a bloody assault.

A Dance with Dragons

After leaving Castle Black, Stannis remains in the north, liberates Deepwood Motte,[24] and marches on Winterfell.[25][26] His wife, Queen Selyse Florent, and heir, Princess Shireen Baratheon, travel to Castle Black from Eastwatch-by-the-Sea.[27]

The garrison at Storm's End is Stannis's last force in the south, but it is threatened by Mathis Rowan as well as Aegon Targaryen and the Golden Company.[28][22][29]

The regent of King Tommen I Baratheon, Ser Kevan Lannister, is murdered in King's Landing by Varys.[23]

House Baratheon at the end of the third century

Storm's End Freerider by Jorge Barrero © Fantasy Flight Games

The known Baratheons during the timespan of the events described in A Song of Ice and Fire are:

With unknown exact relations to the main branch:

  • Ser {Harbert}, possibly a Baratheon.[N 1] Great-uncle of Robert, Stannis, and Renly. Once castellan of Storm's End.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ormund
 
Rhaelle
Targaryen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Steffon
 
Cassana
Estermont
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Various
women
 
Robert I
 
Cersei
Lannister
 
Renly I
 
Margaery
Tyrell
[30]
 
Stannis I
 
Selyse
Florent
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Joffrey I
 
Margaery
Tyrell
[30]
 
Tommen I
 
Myrcella
 
 
 
Shireen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mya
Stone
 
Bella
 
Gendry
 
Edric
Storm
 
Barra
 
Unknown
twins
 
9 Others
 

Household

Historical Members

Sworn Houses

During the reign of Aegon IV Targaryen, the relationship of Ser Terrence Toyne of the Kingsguard with Bethany Bracken, the king's own mistress, led to the downfall of House Toyne,[41] who had been sworn to Storm's End. The outlaw Simon Toyne was killed in 281 AC.[42] Another member of House Toyne, Myles Toyne, is known to have lived in exile in Essos.[43]

Following the Battle of the Blackwater, Nightsong is taken from House Caron and granted to the newly-created House Foote of Nightsong.[44] Ser Rolland Storm, the Bastard of Nightsong, claims his late brother's seat for himself, however.[45] Despite being from the Reach, Lord Elwood Meadows of Grassy Vale remains loyal to Stannis Baratheon after his defeat at the Blackwater.[45]

Quotes

They are quite a pair, Stannis and Renly. The iron gauntlet and the silk glove.[46]

Notes

  1. Ser Harbert's last name is never mentioned. As the great-uncle of Stannis Baratheon and his siblings (A Clash of Kings, Davos I), he might have been an unmentioned brother of Lord Ormund Baratheon, or an uncle of Cassana Estermont, Stannis's mother.
  2. This Lord Baratheon ruled at the time of his third son's wedding, which occurred "some ninety years ago" from 298 AC (A Game of Thrones, Eddard XII).

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
  2. 2.0 2.1 A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
  3. The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  4. The World of Ice & Fire, The Stormlands: House Durrandon.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 The World of Ice & Fire, The Stormlands: House Baratheon.
  6. 6.0 6.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Targaryen Lineage.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 The Princess and the Queen.
  8. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II.
  9. The World of Ice & Fire, The Riverlands: House Tully.
  10. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 The Hedge Knight.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V.
  13. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II.
  14. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 6, Catelyn II.
  15. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 42, Daenerys IV.
  16. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
  17. A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
  18. The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring.
  19. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
  20. The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion.
  21. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 44, Jaime VII.
  22. 22.0 22.1 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Mathis Rowan.
  23. 23.0 23.1 A Dance with Dragons, Epilogue.
  24. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 26, The Wayward Bride.
  25. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 37, The Prince of Winterfell.
  26. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 42, The King's Prize.
  27. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 44, Jon IX.
  28. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.
  29. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 61, The Griffin Reborn.
  30. 30.0 30.1 Margaery Tyrell married 1st Renly, 2nd Joffrey, 3rd Tommen
  31. Westeros.org: Family trees and successions – Comment by Ran (December 20, 2018)
  32. 32.0 32.1 Fire & Blood, Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf.
  33. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II.
  34. Fire & Blood, The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency.
  35. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son.
  36. 36.0 36.1 36.2 Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand.
  37. 37.0 37.1 Fire & Blood, A Surfeit of Rulers.
  38. 38.0 38.1 Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
  39. 39.0 39.1 Fire & Blood, A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade.
  40. 40.0 40.1 40.2 40.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 45, Eddard XII.
  41. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV.
  42. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 76, Jon XI.
  43. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 24, The Lost Lord.
  44. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 65, Sansa VIII.
  45. 45.0 45.1 A Dance with Dragons, Appendix.
  46. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 58, Eddard XV.