Robert Baratheon and Rhaegar Targaryen: Cousins in Struggle for Power

The Targaryen Family Tree

Robert Baratheon and Rhaegar Targaryen were not just rivals for the Iron Throne, but also distant cousins through their shared Targaryen heritage. To understand their relationship, we need to delve into the intricate family tree that predates their lives during the events of A Song of Ice and Fire. This family connection between Robert and Rhaegar was a product of their shared great-grandfather, King Aegon V Targaryen.

Family Connections

King Aegon V Targaryen was a significant figure, as he was the father of Duncan the Abdicated, Jae the Sickly, and Shaera the Naughty. His children are of particular interest:

Duncan the Abdicated and Jenny of Oldstones had no known children. Jae the Sickly was the father of Aerys the Mad. Shaera the Naughty had Rhaella the Victim, who in turn became the mother of: Rhaegar the Shortsighted, Ellia Martell (who gave birth to Aegon the Victim and Rhaenys the Holey), Viserys the Spoiled (who died childless), and Dany the Mad (who had a daughter named Rhaego who died shortly after birth). 4. Daeron the Gay 5. Rhaelle the Hostage, who married Ormund Baratheon. Together, they had three children: Robert the Drunken Stannis the Dour Renly the Gay

Robert and his family, specifically his grandmother Rhaelle the Hostage, were Targaryens, which made him a distant cousin to Rhaegar Targaryen.

The Rebellion and Relationship

Both Robert Baratheon and Rhaegar Targaryen were prominent figures in the power struggles that characterized the later years of the Targaryen reign and the establishment of the Baratheon dynasty.

Rhaegar Targaryen

Rhaegar was the eldest son of King Aerys II Targaryen, also known as the Mad King. He played a key role in the rebellion that ultimately led to the end of the Targaryen dynasty. Rhaegar was not only the heir but also a symbol of resistance against the crown's perceived tyranny and cruelty.

Robert Baratheon

Robert Baratheon, on the other hand, was the head of House Baratheon and became the first king of the newly established Baratheon dynasty after the rebellion. His claim to the throne was based on a betrothal to Lyanna Stark, who was reportedly kidnapped by Rhaegar, which sparked the conflict.

Family Connection and Complexity

Robert Baratheon's connection to the Targaryens was through his mother, Rhaelle Targaryen. This made him a distant cousin to Rhaegar. Interestingly, Robert's grandmother, Rhaelle, and Rhaegar's father's father, King Jaeharys I Targaryen, were siblings, making them first cousins and Robert and Rhaegar second cousins. Although this familial link might have been a point of contention, it was not directly influential in the rebellion. Instead, their relationship was primarily defined by their opposing roles in the power struggle for the Iron Throne.

Summary

In summary, Robert Baratheon and Rhaegar Targaryen were related through Robert's Targaryen ancestry, which made them distant cousins. However, their relationship was ultimately defined by their roles in the complex and violent events that characterized their era. The struggles for power in Westeros were not only about loyalty and ambition but also about family connections, making their cousinly relationship a significant aspect of the story.