Unraveling the Iron Throne: A Comprehensive Game of Thrones Succession Chart

Hello, fellow Westeros enthusiasts! Buckle up as we dive into the intricate web of power, intrigue, and family drama that is the Game of Thrones succession chart. If you've ever wondered who's in line for the Iron Throne, or how the hell we ended up with Bran Stark as ruler, you've come to the right place. We're going to break it down in a way that's easy to understand, yet still packed with all the juicy details that make GoT the phenomenon it is. Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and game of thrones succession chart.

The Basics: How Succession Works in Westeros

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the Game of Thrones succession chart, let's quickly recap how succession works in the Seven Kingdoms. In Westeros, the line of succession is matrilineal, meaning it follows the female line. This means that daughters come before sons in the line of succession, and a younger daughter could potentially come before an older son. Confusing, right? Don't worry, we'll clear it all up.

The Targaryen Dynasty: A Brief History

To understand the Game of Thrones succession chart, we need to start at the beginning. The Targaryens ruled Westeros for nearly three hundred years, from Aegon the Conqueror's arrival in 1 AC until the death of the Mad King Aerys II in 283 AC. The Targaryens' line of succession was relatively straightforward, following the male line with occasional exceptions for daughters when there were no living sons.

Aegon the Conqueror's Landing and the First Five Kings

Aegon the Conqueror, along with his sisters-wives Visenya and Rhaenys, united the Seven Kingdoms under Targaryen rule. Aegon's line of succession is as follows:

1. Aegon the Conqueror (reigned 1-37 AC)
2. Aenys I (reigned 37-42 AC)
3. Maegor the Cruel (reigned 42-48 AC)
4. Jaehaerys the Conciliator (reigned 48-103 AC)
5. Viserys I (reigned 103-129 AC)

The Dance of the Dragons: A Civil War and Its Impact on Succession

The Dance of the Dragons, a civil war fought between 129-131 AC, had a significant impact on the Targaryen line of succession. The war began when King Viserys I died, and his daughter Rhaenyra was passed over for the throne in favor of her younger brother Aegon II. The war ended with both Rhaenyra and Aegon II dead, and the throne passing to Aegon II's son, Aegon III.

The Remaining Targaryen Kings

The line of succession after Aegon III is as follows:

6. Aegon III (reigned 131-157 AC)
7. Daeron I (reigned 157-161 AC)
8. Baelor I (reigned 161-171 AC)
9. Viserys II (reigned 171-184 AC)
10. Aegon IV (reigned 184-198 AC)
11. Daeron II (reigned 198-209 AC)
12. Baelor II (reigned 209-221 AC)
13. Maekar I (reigned 221-233 AC)
14. Aegon V (reigned 233-259 AC)
15. Jaehaerys II (reigned 259-262 AC)
16. Aerys II (reigned 262-283 AC)

The Rebellion: The End of the Targaryen Dynasty

The Game of Thrones succession chart takes a dramatic turn with the death of Aerys II, also known as the Mad King. Aerys' death at the hands of Jaime Lannister in 283 AC marked the end of the Targaryen dynasty and the beginning of Robert's Rebellion. The rebellion resulted in the coronation of Robert Baratheon as king, and the Targaryen line of succession was effectively ended.

The Baratheon Dynasty: A New Line of Succession

With Robert Baratheon's coronation, a new line of succession began. The Baratheon line of succession follows the male line, with no provisions for daughters to inherit the throne. The Baratheon line of succession is as follows:

1. Robert Baratheon (reigned 283-298 AC)
2. Joffrey Baratheon (reigned 298-300 AC)
3. Tommen Baratheon (reigned 300-304 AC)

The War of the Five Kings: Chaos in the Line of Succession

The Game of Thrones succession chart becomes increasingly complex during the War of the Five Kings, which took place from 298-300 AC. The war began when Robert Baratheon was killed, and his brother Stannis declared himself king. The war ended with the deaths of all five kings, and the Iron Throne passing to Tommen Baratheon.

The Claimants to the Throne During the War of the Five Kings

During the War of the Five Kings, there were five main claimants to the Iron Throne:

1. Joffrey Baratheon - The eldest son of Robert Baratheon, Joffrey was crowned king following his father's death. However, his claim was later called into question due to the revelation that he was the product of incest between Cersei Lannister and her brother Jaime.
2. Stannis Baratheon - Robert's younger brother, Stannis believed that he was the rightful heir to the throne due to his older brother's bastardy. He was supported by a number of lords and the red priestess Melisandre.
3. Renly Baratheon - The youngest brother of Robert, Renly also claimed the throne, supported by a number of powerful lords and the Tyrells. He was killed by a shadow creature created by Melisandre.
4. Robb Stark - The King in the North, Robb Stark declared himself king following the death of his father Ned Stark. He was killed at the Red Wedding, along with his mother and bannermen.
5. Balon Greyjoy - The King of the Iron Islands, Balon Greyjoy declared himself king following the start of the war. He was killed by his brother Euron, who then took the Salt Throne for himself.

The Aftermath of the War of the Five Kings: The Lannisters and the Tyrells

Following the end of the War of the Five Kings, the Iron Throne passed to Tommen Baratheon, the younger son of Cersei Lannister and Robert Baratheon. However, Tommen's reign was short-lived, and he was eventually killed by his wife Margaery Tyrell during the explosion of the Great Sept of Baelor.

With Tommen's death, the Baratheon line of succession ended, and the Iron Throne passed to Cersei Lannister. Cersei's reign was marked by instability and chaos, and she was eventually killed by her brother Jaime during the Battle of King's Landing.

The Final Season: The Iron Throne's End and the Council of Six

The final season of Game of Thrones saw the end of the Iron Throne and the beginning of a new system of governance in Westeros. Following the destruction of King's Landing and the death of Cersei, a council of six lords and ladies was formed to rule the Seven Kingdoms:

1. Bran Stark - The Three-Eyed Raven, Bran was chosen as the new ruler of Westeros by the council. He was not crowned king, but rather chosen as the "Protector of the Realm."
2. Sansa Stark - The Queen in the North, Sansa was chosen as the ruler of the North, which was granted independence from the rest of the Seven Kingdoms.
3. Arya Stark - Arya set sail for what's west of Westeros, leaving her claim to the Iron Throne behind.
4. Jon Snow - Jon was chosen as the ruler of the Free Folk and the Night's Watch, who were granted land in the North.
5. Davos Seaworth - Davos was chosen as the ruler of the Stormlands.
6. Yara Greyjoy - Yara was chosen as the ruler of the Iron Islands and the Riverlands.

The Game of Thrones Succession Chart: A Summary

And there you have it, folks! The Game of Thrones succession chart is a complex and ever-changing beast, but we hope this breakdown has helped to shed some light on how the line of succession has evolved over the course of the series. From the Targaryens' matrilineal line of succession to the chaos of the War of the Five Kings, the Game of Thrones succession chart is a fascinating reflection of the political and familial dynamics of Westeros.

So, what do you think of the final season's shake-up of the Game of Thrones succession chart? Do you think Bran was the right choice for ruler, or would you have preferred someone else? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

And if you're looking for more Game of Thrones goodness, be sure to check out our other articles on the series. Until next time, keep your eyes on the prize, and your friends close! Valar morghulis!