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Who Killed Robert Baratheon?

Published in Westeros Royalty 3 mins read

Robert Baratheon was mortally wounded by a wild boar during a hunting accident. This accident was deliberately orchestrated by Cersei Lannister, making her indirectly responsible for his death.

The Circumstances of Robert Baratheon's Demise

King Robert Baratheon met his end not by the hand of an assassin, but through a tragic hunting accident that was no accident at all. While the direct cause of his demise was the mortal wound inflicted by a wild boar, the events leading to this fatal encounter were carefully manipulated.

  • The Hunting Trip: Robert, known for his love of drink and revelry, embarked on a hunting trip where he consumed a significant amount of strong wine provided by his squires.
  • The Wild Boar: In his inebriated state, Robert was unable to effectively defend himself when confronted by a charging wild boar, which gored him, causing a severe, ultimately fatal wound.
  • Cersei's Orchestration: Queen Cersei Lannister, desiring to remove Robert from the throne and solidify her family's power, arranged for his squires to ply him with strong wine during the hunt. This ensured his impaired state, making him vulnerable to such an accident and leading to his death.

Therefore, while the boar delivered the physical blow, Cersei's calculated manipulation created the conditions for the king's death.

Key Players and Their Roles

Role Individual/Entity Contribution to Robert's Death
Direct Cause Wild Boar Inflicted the mortal wound during the hunt.
Orchestrator Cersei Lannister Deliberately arranged for Robert to be inebriated, making him vulnerable to the boar's attack.
Indirect Aid Robert's Squires Unknowingly (or knowingly, depending on interpretation) provided the strong wine that incapacitated the King.

The Aftermath and Political Fallout

Robert Baratheon's death plunged the Seven Kingdoms into chaos, triggering a succession crisis that ignited the War of the Five Kings.

  • Eddard Stark's Regency: Before his death, Robert appointed Eddard Stark as the regent for his son, Joffrey Baratheon, and protector of the realm.
  • Lannister Power Grab: Following Robert's demise, Eddard found himself embroiled in a political struggle against the cunning and ruthless Lannister family.
  • Eddard's Execution: Ultimately, Eddard Stark lost this struggle and was publicly executed by beheading, an event that further destabilized the realm and set the stage for widespread conflict.

Robert's death was a pivotal moment in the history of Westeros, directly leading to a prolonged period of warfare and political upheaval.

For more detailed information on Robert Baratheon and the context of his death, you can refer to his profile on Wikipedia.

[[Westeros Royal Deaths]]