The question of who gets the Iron Throne drives the entire narrative of George R.R. Martin’s "A Song of Ice and Fire" and its television adaptation, "Game of Thrones." It is a prize sought through conquest, inheritance, and manipulation, representing the ultimate symbol of power in the Seven Kingdoms. The path to claiming the throne is paved with blood, betrayal, and complex political maneuvering, with different claimants rising and falling based on a volatile mix of lineage, military strength, and popular support.
The Claimants of Westeros
At the start of the series, the throne sits vacant after the death of King Robert Baratheon. His supposed heirs, his children Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen, are revealed to be products of incest between Cersei Lannister and her brother Jaime. This revelation strips them of any legitimate claim, opening the door for other factions. The primary claimants emerge from House Stark through the surviving sons of Ned Stark, Robb and Bran, and through Arya’s potential descendants, while Daenerys Targaryen presents the last remaining bloodline from the dynasty that ruled for centuries before Robert’s Rebellion.
Robert’s Heirs and the Question of Legitimacy
Robert Baratheon’s lineage provided a stable, albeit flawed, succession until the incestuous truth behind his children was exposed. Joffrey’s cruelty and instability made him a hated ruler, while his younger siblings were mere puppets in the game of thrones. Their claim was entirely dependent on the lie that they were Robert’s sons. Once this lie was proven, their position crumbled, leaving the realm without a clear, undisputed heir and creating a power vacuum that ignited the War of the Five Kings.
Stark Claims and the North
Robb Stark declares himself King in the North, a pragmatic move to solidify his bannermen and pursue independence rather than the entire throne. His claim is based on his status as Ned Stark’s eldest son and the rightful Lord of Winterfell. Bran Stark’s claim is more mystical and spiritual, tied to his union with the Children of the Forest and his role as the Three-Eyed Raven, suggesting a claim based on destiny and ancient magic rather than traditional inheritance. Arya Stark, as a surviving daughter, represents a more distant and uncertain line of succession that could theoretically continue through her future children.
Daenerys Targaryen and the Last Bloodline
Daenerys Targaryen enters the game as the exiled daughter of the Mad King, carrying the blood of Aegon the Conqueror. Her claim is the most direct and historically legitimate, built on her family’s legacy of ruling Westeros for three hundred years. She leverages this heritage, along with her dragons, to position herself as the rightful ruler who can restore the Targaryen dynasty. Her journey from a pawn in Essos to a formidable military force makes her a constant and evolving threat to anyone sitting on the Iron Throne.
The Role of Dragons and Force
In the world of Westeros, legitimacy is often trumped by raw power. Daenerys’s dragons give her an insurmountable military advantage, allowing her to conquer cities and challenge established rulers with terrifying ease. The Iron Throne itself is a symbol of conquest, and historically, the person who sits on it is the one who can wield the most force. This reality shifts the focus from legalistic claims to the practical application of military dominance, culminating in moments where fire and blood prove to be more decisive than any birthright.
