Editing Iron Throne (section)

===The Mad King===
[[File:Eddard Jaime Aerys guillemhp.jpg|thumb|300px|Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] awaiting Lord [[Eddard Stark]] - by guillemhp ©]]
Jaehaerys was followed by his son, [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]]. Although his reign began promising, Aerys's madness slowly grew. By {{Date|280}}, he had become known as the “Mad King” and “King Scab”, for he had cut himself on the Iron Throne many times.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}

Following the abduction of [[Lyanna Stark]] by Aerys's son, Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], the Mad King executed her father and brother, Lord [[Rickard Stark]] and [[Brandon Stark]], in the throne room in {{Date|282}}. Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] of the [[Kingsguard]] stood at the foot of the Iron throne during the executions.{{Ref|ACOK|55}} Lord [[Jon Arryn]] refused Aerys's order to kill Rickard's heir, Lord [[Eddard Stark]], and Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] at the [[Eyrie]], however, beginning [[Robert's Rebellion]] against [[House Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}

The [[Vale of Arryn]], the [[north]], and parts of the [[stormlands]] and [[riverlands]] rose against Aerys, and the [[westerlands]] joined the rebels after Rhaegar's death in the [[Battle of the Trident]]. During the [[Sack of King's Landing]] by Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]'s host, the Mad King ordered his [[pyromancers]] to destroy the capital with the [[wildfire plot]]. Jaime, Tywin's eldest son, hauled Aerys off the steps of the Iron Throne and cut his throat, even though the Kingsguard was sworn to protect the king.{{Ref|ASOS|11}}{{Ref|ASOS|37}} Jaime climbed the steps and waited on the Iron Throne to see who would claim it,{{Ref|ASOS|11}} eventually climbing down after the arrival of Ned Stark to the throne room.{{Ref|AGOT|12}} Rhaegar's children, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]] and [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]], were murdered by Ser [[Amory Lorch]] and Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] during the Sack.{{Ref|ASOS|53}} Tywin had the children's bodies covered in crimson cloaks and placed before the Iron Throne to await the arrival of Robert,{{Ref|AGOT|45}}{{Ref|ASOS|66}} who claimed the throne as king.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}

Aerys's wife, [[Rhaella Targaryen]], died giving birth to Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] on [[Dragonstone]]. Aerys's surviving son, young [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]], fled with Daenerys in exile to the [[Free Cities]].{{Ref|AGOT|3}}