Mad King Aerys - House Baratheon

"Mad King Aerys - House Baratheon" is the eleventh short of the first season of Histories & Lore. It is the eleventh short of the series overall. It was released on March 6, 2012 in Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season. It was narrated by Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon and written by Bryan Cogman.
==Premise==
==Narration==
Robert Baratheon: Aerys Targaryen was the last of his name to sit on the Iron Throne. Known far and wide as "the Mad King," his was a reign of instability and terror. The Seven Kingdoms are well-rid of him and his kind.
Oh, he may have appeared to be a capable ruler at first, but that was due in no small part to his councilors led by the Hand of the King, Tywin Lannister. There may have been years of peace and prosperity during Aerys's reign, but it was Tywin who was really running the country as Aerys spiraled further and further into insanity.
The dragonspawn were famous for losing their minds. It was the price they paid for centuries of keeping the bloodlines pure. And Aerys more than happily continued the noble sister-fucking tradition of his forefathers.
As the years passed, Aerys's behavior became increasingly erratic. He cut himself so often on his Iron Throne, many referred to him as "King Scab," though never to his face.
It was rumored he had developed an obsession with wildfire, and was known to inflict horrific punishments on those he considered enemies, including burning them alive.
As his paranoia and bloodlust grew, he had a bitter falling out with Lord Tywin, who had served the Crown faithfully for twenty years.
At least Tywin was able to leave the job with his life and fortunes intact. Subsequent Hands of King Aerys weren't so fortunate.
Then the Targaryens went too far. The Crown Prince, Rhaegar, abducted Lyanna Stark, daughter of Rickard Stark, the Lord of Winterfell.
She was my betrothed. She was my beloved — beautiful and spirited woman.
And I loved her more than life itself.
Rhaegar went south with Lyanna, hiding her away in Dorne. What harm he inflicted on the poor girl, the gods only know. Brandon Stark, Lyanna's eldest brother, was outraged.
He rode to King's Landing to confront the king and demand his sister's safe return. Instead, Aerys had him executed. His father, Rickard Stark, as well. There wasn't much left to discuss after that.
Aerys feared their loved ones would seek revenge for what he did. He was right to be afraid.
Aerys wasted no time in calling for the heads of Brandon's younger brother, my friend Eddard Stark, and my head, too, of course. I'm sorry he didn't come looking for it himself.
Alongside Jon Arryn of the Vale (the man who fostered Ned and I as children), Baratheons, Starks, and Tullys all called their banners. Once our rebellion began, the Mad King's days were numbered.
==Appearances==
===Individuals===
*King Aerys II Targaryen, "the Mad King"/"King Scab"
*Lord Tywin Lannister
*Queen Rhaella Targaryen
*Lord Qarlton Chelsted
*Prince Rhaegar Targaryen
*Lyanna Stark
*Lord Rickard Stark
*Brandon Stark
*Ethan Glover
*Kyle Royce
*Elbert Arryn
*Jeffory Mallister
*Lord Robert Baratheon
*Lord Eddard Stark
*Lord Jon Arryn
===Houses===
*House Targaryen
*House Lannister
*House Stark
*House Baratheon
*House Arryn
*House Tully
===Locations===
*King's Landing
**Red Keep
***Throne room
**Great Sept of Baelor
===Events===
*Robert's Rebellion
**Abduction of Lyanna Stark
**Execution of Rickard and Brandon Stark
===Titles===
*Hand of the King
*Lord of Winterfell
===Miscellaneous===
*Wildfire
==Cast==
*Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon
==Behind the scenes==
*This is the first of three shorts on Mad King Aerys.
==References==
Category:Shorts narrated by Robert Baratheon
 11
Baratheon, House
3.06K
Category:Shorts written by Bryan Cogman
de:Der Irre König Aerys (Gesamtführer durch Westeros)
fr:Aerys le Roi Fou (Histoires & Traditions)
pt-br:Rei Louco Aerys (Guia Completo para Westeros)