Highlights
- Robert's Rebellion brought House Baratheon to power, overthrowing House Targaryen and placing Robert Baratheon on the Iron Throne.
- Characters like Stannis Baratheon and Ser Gerold Hightower played significant roles in the rebellion, with Stannis conquering Dragonstone and Ser Gerold guarding Lyanna Stark.
- Gregor Clegane, known as the Mountain, was infamous for his violence and led the Sack of King's Landing, while Rhaegar Targaryen, a skilled fighter, fell in battle against Robert Baratheon at the Trident.
Robert's Rebellion is considered a game-changing event in Game of Thrones, as it ushered in House Baratheon as the ruling family of the Seven Kingdoms. The end of it saw a regime change that overthrew House Targaryen from the Iron Throne and placed Robert I Baratheon on the seat. The Great Houses of Westeros: Arryn, Stark, and Baratheon, rose against the Mad King's tyranny, and the executions of the Lord of Winterfell, Rickard, and his heir, Brandon Stark were catalytic.
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The realm was split between the royalist army and the rebel forces, and formidable men fought on both sides. They came from Great and Noble Houses, and while few survived, many died fighting. Per Game of Thrones lore and the show, these characters played significant roles in Robert's Rebellion.
9 Stannis Baratheon
Conquered Dragonstone
As seen in Game of Thrones, Stannis was a veteran who survived the Siege of Storm's End. Davos, who remained loyal to him in the first couple of seasons, smuggled onions and salt fish, and thus Stannis' garrison was able to hold out.
Stannis decided to side with his brother in the war and remained at Storm's End while Robert fought battles. Robert gave his brother the responsibility of building a royal fleet to take the Targaryen ancestral seat of Dragonstone. A storm raged and destroyed the Targaryen fleet guarding the island and Dragonstone fell to Stannis.
8 Ser Gerold Hightower
Guarded Lyanna Stark Outside The Tower Of Joy
Lord Commander of Aerys II's Kingsguard, Ser Gerold came from the ancient and proud House Hightower of Oldtown. He was seen in Game of Thrones season 6, episode 3 "Oathbreaker," part of the Three-Eyed Raven and Bran Stark's journey into the past, which took viewers outside the Tower of Joy.
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Ned Stark was arguably the noblest man in Game of Thrones. Unfortunately, his honor is what ultimately got him killed.
Rhaegar Targaryen commissioned Ser Gerold Hightower and Ser Arthur Dayne to guard Lyanna, while he led the crown's armies against the rebels. The Combat at the Tower of Joy shows Ser Gerold was a fine swordsman. He killed a Northman but couldn't hold a candle to Ned, who drove a sword through his neck. Ser Gerold was the first of the two Kingsguards to fall outside the tower.
7 Gregor Clegane
Infamous For The Sack Of King's Landing
Gregor Clegane was muscular, but also the most dishonorable; he killed the very person's family (Rhaegar) who knighted him. Gregor, aka the Mountain, was ruthless to his enemies, often bashing skulls and throwing people against surfaces. He inspired fear and commanded several tortures later in the show. He is charged with the murders of Prince Aegon, Princess Rhaenys, and Elia Martell in the Sack of King's Landing.
6 Lord Randyll Tarly
Led The Battle Of Ashford
Randyll Tarly of Horn Hill had stereotypical masculine traits, and because he despised his son, Samwell, for burying his nose in books, he forcibly sent him to the Wall. Randyll fought for the Targaryens and led the vanguard of House Tyrell against the usurper in the Battle of Ashford in the Reach. In the show, Stannis spoke to Samwell about his father:
"Your father is Randyll Tarly. He defeated my brother at the Battle of Ashford. Only battle Robert ever lost."
Randyll was a fierce fighter and an able commander. He lost to Daenerys and her Dothraki at Goldroad, and she sentenced him to death by dragonfire for refusing to bend the knee.
5 Rhaegar Targaryen
Skilled In Combat But Fell On The Trident
The Prince of Dragonstone, Rhaegar, was a man of many talents. He knew swordplay, jousting, and the art of combat. He played the harp and sang to smallfolk.
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Though a skilled fighter, Rhaegar died at Robert Baratheon's hands in the climactic battle of the rebellion known as the Battle of the Trident. He was a formidable opponent, and he injured the usurper.
4 Robert Baratheon
Killed Rhaegar Targaryen At The Trident
Robert Baratheon and his warhammer were a deadly duo, but by the time of Thrones, he was committed to dining and spending time with the ladies. The young Robert used to be strong and muscular. He was powerful enough to join forces with Jon Arryn after the Mad King killed the Starks and his betrothed, Lyanna Stark, was allegedly kidnapped by Rhaegar.
In truth, Lyanna and Rhaegar stole away, and Robert fought Rhaegar on horseback in the Battle of the Trident, dealt a deadly warhammer blow to the Prince's chest, and claimed the Iron Throne.
3 Ser Barristan Selmy
Considered Among The Best Swordsmen
Ser Barristan Selmy, also known as Barristan the Bold, served two kings (briefly Joffrey) and Queen Daenerys in his lifetime. He was in the Kingsguard of the Mad King and was wounded at the Battle of the Trident. Robert named him Lord Commander and Ned described him as a "good" and "loyal man."
"Even now, I could cut through the five of you like carving a cake!"
Cersei Lannister publicly dismissed Ser Barristan in favor of Jaime Lannister when Joffrey was installed on the throne. He took off his white cloak, drew his sword, and threatened Joffrey's Kingsguard:
2 Ned Stark
Followed Robert To War And Fought Ser Arthur Dayne
Ned Stark was a soldier at heart but was forced into political life following the execution of his elder brother, Brandon. He wielded House Stark's ancestral greatsword, Ice with dexterity while others struggled to hold it.
Ned joined forces with Lord Hoster Tully and played a key role in the Battle of the Bells. He married Catelyn Tully and was present at the Trident. Because Rhaegar had wounded Robert, Ned took command and marched onto King's Landing. He found the city sacked by Tywin Lannister's men and Jaime sitting on the Iron Throne with the Mad King's corpse on the steps. He claimed the throne for Robert and is remembered for his honor, loyalty, and fighting abilities.
1 Ser Arthur Dayne
The Greatest Knight Who Ever Lived
In Game of Thrones' "Oathbreaker," Bran Stark takes notice of Ser Arthur Dayne outside the tower and tells the Three-Eyed Raven:
"Father said he was the best swordsman he ever saw."
A knight in the Kingsguard of Aerys II Targaryen, and Prince Rhaegar's friend, Arthur Dayne, fought with two swords at the same time. He had the honor of wielding his ancestral sword - Dawn, which, unlike the rest, went only to a knight worthy of it. Since he carried Dawn, he also bore the honorary title of the Sword of the Morning. While Bran and the rest continued to believe Ned defeated and killed Ser Arthur outside the tower, the vision revealed that that was made possible because of Howland Reed. Ser Arthur almost had Ned, prompting the Three-Eyed Raven to remark that he was "far better" than his opponent.
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