Rank 4: Robar Baratheon
Lord Robar was a Baratheon as stereotypical as one could be: black hair, big beard, very muscular, and always carrying his massive battle axe. He was an intimidating warrior who did not shy away from a fight. He liked to claim that his beloved axe was even large enough to crush a dragon’s skull.
As Lord of Storm’s End and head of his house, Robar was a powerful man. Unfortunately, he had the misfortune of living in a quite turbulent time in Westeros. After the death of King Aenys I. Targaryen, the succession was disputed. The rightful heir was actually his firstborn son, Prince Aegon (not to be confused with the numerous other Aegons). But Aenys’ cruel brother Maegor declared himself king instead.
After six years of terror, Robar Baratheon was one of the first to have the courage to openly oppose Maegor. He had young Prince Jaehaerys (Aegon had since fallen in battle) proclaimed as the rightful king. In return, he was appointed “Protector of the Realm” and “Hand of the King”. The endeavor was successful, and Maegor was dethroned.
Robar then married the mother of Jaehaerys. Since the king was still too young to rule, the two jointly governed the land. In a way, Robar Baratheon was therefore – at least for a time – the acting king of Westeros.
Rank 3: Lyonel Baratheon
Ser Lyonel Baratheon, better known as the Laughing Storm, was a legendary knight from House Baratheon. He was especially known for going into battle with loud laughter, which earned him his nickname.
The charismatic and slightly crazy heir of Storm’s End can currently be followed in “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”. All further information comes with a strong spoiler warning, as it reveals the course of the series:
Warning: Spoilers!
Several years after the tournament in Ashford, Aegon V. Targaryen became king through various circumstances. One of his staunchest supporters was Lyonel, who had since become Lord of Storm’s End. A wedding was planned between Lyonel’s daughter and the heir to the throne, Prince Duncan (not the Duncan from the series). But the prince fell in love elsewhere, and the marriage fell apart.
Humiliated in his pride, Lyonel swore bloody vengeance and crowned himself the Storm King. He was now regarded as one of the greatest warriors of his time, and thus posed a significant threat. The situation was only resolved when Lyonel was defeated in a judicial duel, Prince Duncan renounced his claim, and another marriage between Baratheon and Targaryen was agreed upon.
