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The Baratheon's homeland, and their castle - Storm's End is a place of action in Game of Thrones as well as the prequel - House of the Dragon. King Robert I's youngest brother, Renly, is the Lord of Storm's End at the beginning of Thrones, while Boremund Baratheon rules from the castle in the prequel.
Storm's End has a fascinating history that goes far back to a mythic ancestor named Durran Godsgrief in Game of Thrones lore. The erstwhile Kingdom of the Stormlands was previously ruled by the Storm Kings of House Durrandon. Orys Baratheon took control of the region and the castle when Aegon the Conqueror established his rule in Westeros. House Baratheon was wiped out in the political conflict of Westeros and Daenerys revived it by legitimizing Gendry and giving him authority over Storm's End in Game of Thrones. The Durrandons and the Baratheons have a significant influence on the history of Storm's End, but who raised the castle?
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Who Is Durran Godsgrief?
"King Of A Thousand Years"
Game of Thrones lore says that members of House Durrandon trace their roots to the mythic figure and the first Storm King, namely Durran Godsgrief, who lived during the Age of Heroes. Durran caught the sea god and the wind goddess' daughter - Elenei's attention and won her affection. He wed her but faced the gods' wrath, beginning with the destruction of his keep, and the deaths of his family and wedding guests on the night of his marriage. Durran made it out alive and declared war on the gods, and they, in turn, responded by destroying every new castle he built.
Storm's End was the seventh castle that Durran Godsgrief built, and it went on to survive future storms. Unconfirmed accounts in Game of Thrones lore say that the castle withstood the storms of Shipbreaker Bay because the children of the forest aided in its construction, while others attribute its endurance to the advice of a young boy who went on to become Bran the Builder. Furthermore, Durran Godsgrief reigned from Storm's End for a thousand years, but according to Archmaester Glaive, the "King of a Thousand Years" is a misnomer, as the successive Storm Kings were all named Durran. Argilac the Arrogant was, of course, the last of his line.
The Kingdom Of The Stormlands During Aegon's Conquest
The last Storm King, Argilac Durrandon's exchange with Aegon is a precursor to the Targaryen Conquest. Argilac proposed a marriage alliance between House Durrandon and House Targaryen, to counter the threat of the King of the Isles and Rivers, Harren Hoare. He offered Argella's hand in marriage and lands east of the Gods Eye between the Trident and the Blackwater Rush as dowry for her daughter. Quite ironically, most of these lands were controlled by Harren the Black, who had risen in status as owner of the largest castle in all of Westeros - Harrenhal. Since Aegon wasn't free to marry, he sent a counteroffer and suggested his close friend (and rumored bastard brother), Orys Baratheon, be wed to Argella. Argilac responded by mutilating Aegon's envoy and sending hands with the message:
"These are the only hands your bastard shall have of me."
Argilac's dishonorable response ignited the War of Conquest. A few events later, Aegon dispatched his fiercest commander, Orys, and his younger sister-wife, Rhaenys, to secure the Stormlands. The Baratheon and Targaryen forces cut deep into the south to secure Storm's End for Aegon. The battle known as the Last Storm ensued in which Orys personally killed Argilac in single combat, after which a few Stormlanders yielded and others fled. Argella declared herself Storm Queen and took shelter inside Storm's End, believing in her ability to withstand the siege. She was betrayed by her soldiers, and taken to her enemy in chains. Orys sensitively dealt with the situation by marrying Argella and taking up House Durrandon's words, and their sigil for House Baratheon. Orys established the Baratheon-Durrandon line and ruled from Storm's End, which the legendary Durran Godsgrief had raised.
Storm's End in Game Of Thrones And House Of The Dragon
The Stormlands are ruled by House Baratheon in House of the Dragon. First, Lord Boremund Baratheon hosts Princess Rhaenyra while she receives an endless line of suitors at Storm's End. The haughty and temperamental, Lord Borros Baratheon becomes the new Lord of Storm's End after his father. He declares for the Greens and King Aegon II in the Dance and shows Lucerys the door in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 10 "The Black Queen."
In Game of Thrones, the dead Robert's younger brother, Stannis, takes Storm's End after committing Renly's proxy murder through a shadow assassin. However, the Stormlands descend into chaos following his defeat in the Battle of the Blackwater. With every Baratheon gone, Queen Daenerys Targaryen confers the title of Lord of Storm's End upon Robert's only trueborn son (and ironically a bastard), Gendry.
You are Lord Gendry Baratheon of Storm's End, the lawful son of Robert Baratheon because that is what I have made you.
House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon is HBO's prequel series to Game of Thrones. Set hundreds of years earlier, the show follows the inner machinations and rivalries of the Targaryen royal family. The show was created by Ryan Condal and George R.R. Martin, and stars Matt Smith, Emma D'Arcy, Rhys Ifans, and Olivia Cooke.
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