House Baratheon is the youngest of the great houses of Westeros, ruling over the Stormlands from their ancient seat of Storm’s End. House Baratheon shares a bloodline with the Targaryens, as Orys Baratheon, founder of House Baratheon, was half-brother of Aegon Targaryen. It was during Aegon’s Conquest that House Baratheon gained its power, land and titles. Their sigil is a crowned stag upon a field of yellow. Their words are “Ours if the Fury.”

Sigil of House Baratheon

THE HISTORY

Prior to Aegon’s Conquest, the Kingdom of the Stormlands was ruled for thousands of years by House Durrendon, otherwise known as Storm Kings. Argilac Durrendon, King of the Stormlands during Aegon’s Conquest, challenged Aegon to battle, earning himself the nickname of Argilac the Arrogant. Aegon sent his bastard half-brother, Orys Baratheon, who conquered Storm’s End and slayed Argilac in battle. As reward, Aegon appointed his half-brother the title of overlord of the Stormlands and the ancient castle of Storm’s End. As such, House Baratheon is only about 300 years old, whereas most other great houses of Westeros date back thousands of years.

Orys Baratheon, leading the fight against Argilac the Arrogant

More recently, House Baratheon played a major role during Robert’s Rebellion. After the rebels houses of Baratheon, Stark, Arryn and Tully raised their banners against the Mad King, they decided that Robert had strongest claim to the throne, due to his shared bloodline with the ruling Targaryens. Robert Baratheon, along with Ned Stark, led the rebellion as the two won battle after battle, marching south on King’s Landing. Meanwhile, Robert’s brother, Stannis, protected their seat, Storm’s End, while it was surrounded by the forces of House Tyrell, who had sided with the Targaryens during the Rebellion. Stannis’ family and men were trapped in Storm’s End for months without food, until Ser Davos Seaworth, eventually smuggled in a load of onions, earning himself the nickname of the Onion Knight. When the war was won, Robert took the Iron Throne, and awarded their seat of Storm’s End to their youngest brother, Renly, rather than the deserving Stannis.

During the War of the Five Kings, House Baratheon once again played a central role. After King Robert was poisoned by Cercei Lannister, Renly fled to the Reach to marry Margaery Tyrell and acquire the strength of the Reach’s bannermen. At the same time, Stannis, the rightful heir to the the throne, joined Melisandre, the Red Priestess, and raised an army of his own. After Renly was killed by the black shadow, the majority of his bannermen joined the armies of Stannis.

SIGNIFICANT BARATHEON CHARACTERS

Orys Baratheon was the half-brother of Aegon the Conqueror and founder of House Baratheon. After defeating Argilac the Arrogant, Orys was rewarded with the seat of Storm’s End and dominion over the Stormlands.

Robert Baratheon was the head of House Baratheon and Lord of the Stormlands. After overthrowing the Mad King, Robert claimed the Iron Throne, until he was poisoned by Cercei Lannister.

Stannis Baratheon is younger brother of Robert and rightful heir to the throne. He served Robert loyally during Robert’s Rebellion, yet did not receive Storm’s End upon completion of the war.

Renly Baratheon was the youngest brother of Robert. He was awarded Storm’s End once Robert siezed the Iron Throne. During the War of the Five Kings, he married Margaery Tyrell and raised an army of 100,000 men, but was killed by a black shadow before truly entering the war.

Joffrey Baratheon is the alleged son of the late King Robert Baratheon and Cercei Lannister. However, the truth is that he is born of incest and his true father is Jaime Lannister. It was this discovery that got Jon Arryn and Ned Stark killed.

Tommen Baratheon is the younger brother of Joffrey and claimed to be son of Robert Baratheon. In reality, like Joffrey, Tommen was born of incest and his parents are Cercei and Jaime Lannister. After the death of Joffrey, Tommen is named the next king.

Myrcella Baratheon is the younger sister of Joffrey and Tommen and the youngest child of Cercei. Tyrion, in a strategic move to form an alliance with the Martells of Dorne, ships Myrcella to Dorne to marry a Dornish prince. She has been there ever since.

Selyse Baratheon is the wife of Stannis and mother of Shereen. Unable to provide Stannis with a male heir to carry on his name, Selyse has been of little interest to Stannis. She appears under the total control of Lady Melisandre and the Lord of Light.

Shereen Baratheon is the daughter of Stannis and Selyse. Infected with the disease of Gray Scale, Shereen is generally kept out of site. She loves to read and teaches Ser Davos.