#baratheons

Hi there!

I think it actually makes sense. Hear me out:

The Baratheons are a new dynasty. While an old dynasty would name their children after famous kings and queens (just look at the British Royal family for that), a new dynasty cannot just do that, especially the Baratheons.

Let's look at historical examples. Frederick Barbarossa was a king from the comparatively new dynasty of the Staufen and of his five surviving sons three had royal names (Heinrich, Konrad, Otto) that were a call back to the dynasties before the Staufen, the people Frederick wanted a connection to. Only one son got a "Staufen name" being called Frederick. Another son got the name of a close friend and two sons who didn't survive got names from the mother's side. William the Conqueror gave his youngest son a king's name (Henry), the son who was born after he had become King of England. The other sons before had names that were taken from the line of the Norman dukes. It was two centuries before the English kings took on English names (the three Edwards). So, your puzzlement is justified at a first glance.

On the other hand King Robert, first of his name, probably did not want to use any names of his Targ ancestors. He had ousted the last Targ and it would have been bad taste to go back to these ancestors (it is interesting, that although the Baratheons married some Targ princesses, Targ names really did not creep down into this family). The Baratheon ancestors' name were also not a good choice because the Baratheons had been loyal servants of the Targs for centuries - No the best association.

So, what was there to do? Robert's children needed royal names, Steffon, Ormund or Orys would not do.

The solution was to go far back in history and look for legendary kings. Now, Robert could have used names of the Ancient Storm kings, but that was a female line as well and since Robert wanted nothing more than have his peace, the choice to name his children after legendary Lannisters who had been kings was a good solution for the predicament he was in - and it probably had the additional advantage that it was one less thing he could fight about with Cersei.

That is my explanation anyway. Robert was also o.k. with Joffrey using the lion of Lannister alongside the Baratheon stag for his armour.

That is an in-world explanation that fits, I think, with naming customs that we know of and with Robert's general attitude.

Another reason is of course that there is also a Doylist reason: The hint at the true parentage of Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen.

Stannis Baratheon was pardoned and given his ancestral seat of Storms End. His brother, Robert, died from an unknown desease linked back to the now Disgraced Cersei Lannister, three out of her four children denounced as bastards.

Lord Stannis Baratheon

Stannis is currently lord of stormsend, and has one daughter,Shireen Baratheon

It is rumor that Stannis might legitimize Robert’s only surviving son, Gendry Waters, as his heir.

Married to Selyse Florent

( portrayed by Stephen Dillane )

Lady Selyse Baratheon ( Nee Florent )

Wife of Stannis Baratheon, mother of Shireen Baratheon

( portrayed by Tara Fitzgerald )

Lady Shireen Baratheon

Daughter of Stannis and Selyse Baratheon

13 years old

Best friends with her 15 year old cousin, Lady Floris Baratheon

( portrayed by Kerry Ingram )

Lady Floris Baratheon

Daughter of Robert Baratheon and Cersei Lannister

Her brothers ( Tommen and Joffrey ) took the black and her sister mycellra became a septa

Her mother’s tongue was cut out and then her mother was sent to casterly rock, almost starting a war between Robert and Tywin, until both died suddenly.

Betrothed to King Aegon VI

Some doubt she is the true daughter of Robert, but the seed is strong and she looks like him.

( Portrayed by Jenna coleman )

Gendry Waters

Bastard of King Robert

Possibly will be the next lord of storms end, pending the decisions of Queen Regent Elia Martell and Lord Stannis Baratheon

Fosterling of Davos Seaworth

( Portrayed by Joe Dempsie )

primrose; what book does everyone right now need to read?

well, my all time favorite book is the secret history by donna tartt, so I’d say everyone who hasn’t read it definitely should. I don’t think a book has taken me on a such a great emotional rollercoaster before. when I finished it, I had the biggest book hangover of my life. I didn’t want to read anything for months because it felt it would be pointless; it’d never be half as good anyway. I’ve never felt like that about a book before so, yeah. when I read it for the second time my emotions weren’t as strong but it’s still my absolute fave. I just love everything about it; the plot, the writing, the characters. not that the characters are particularly likable, but they’re just so interesting. I just... yeah. sorry, this became way longer than I intended. I just love this book, okay?

bird of paradise; what was the best thing that happened to you this month?

hmmm. it actually hasn’t been a very good month for me so far. I think the best thing that’s happened is that I’ve realized that I care more about the guy I’m dating than I thought I did, and that this might actually turn into my first real relationship. he’s in new zealand right now on a vacation and I realized this when I saw him for the last time before he left. it just hit me really hard that I’d miss him.

apricot drift; how do you feel right now?

kinda down. this bitchy coworker of mine managed to make me feel like shit and I’m so pissed that I can’t just not care and move on with my life. I have today off, though, and I’m meeting a friend later today so hopefully she’ll be able to cheer me up

peony; share a small random book passage that means something to you.

“who said 'please' that made you hate the word so much?”

andrew gazed at him in silence for a minute. "I did.”

it’s a passage from the king’s men, the third book in the all for the game series. for some reason this was the first thing that came to mind. this scene just hits me so fucking hard every damn time. it’s absolutely heartbreaking.

thank you so much for sending me these! 💚