Death of the Mad King
A single sword strike ended a dynasty and saved a city from fire.
The death of Aerys II Targaryen, known as the Mad King, stands as the pivotal turning point in Westerosi history. Occurring during the final days of Robert's Rebellion, this event marked the violent end of nearly three centuries of Targaryen rule over the Seven Kingdoms. It is remembered not only for the assassination itself but for the desperate measures taken to prevent the destruction of King's Landing.
- Event
- Assassination of Aerys II Targaryen
- Perpetrator
- Ser Jaime Lannister
- Location
- The Red Keep, King's Landing
- Conflict
- Robert's Rebellion
- Outcome
- Fall of House Targaryen
- Era
- Late Third Century After Aegon
- Status
- Historical Event
Lore & Background
Ser Jaime Lannister, sworn as a member of the Kingsguard, was present in the King's private chambers when the decision was made final. Bound by an oath to protect the realm rather than just the monarch, Jaime recognized that Aerys's madness posed a greater threat than any rebel army. The act of regicide shattered his vows but preserved the capital from annihilation, altering the course of history forever.
In Their Own Story
The air inside the throne room was thick with heat and smoke, smelling faintly of sulfur. Jaime stepped forward, the golden lion on his chest gleaming under the torchlight. The King sat upon the Iron Throne, eyes wild and darting, clutching a dagger that trembled in his grip. There was no speech, only silence broken by the crackle of unseen fires below. Jaime drew his sword, the metal singing against its sheath, and moved before the madness could consume them all.
Reader's Guide
The siege of King's Landing reached its breaking point when Tywin Lannister breached the outer walls. Inside the Red Keep, Aerys II refused to surrender and instead prepared a catastrophic end for his capital. He had hidden caches of wildfire beneath the city streets, intending to burn both his enemies and his own subjects in a final act of madness. Jaime Lannister, serving as Kingsguard, intercepted the King's orders. Upon learning that Aerys planned to ignite the pyres regardless of the outcome, Jaime made a fateful choice. He entered the throne room where the Mad King awaited him with a dagger drawn for his own guard. The confrontation was brief and decisive, ending centuries of Targaryen rule in a single blow. This act secured Jaime the epithet Kingslayer but also saved thousands from destruction. With Aerys dead and the city spared, Robert Baratheon entered King's Landing as the victor. The event shifted power to House Stark and House Lannister, setting the stage for the political landscape of the Seven Kingdoms for generations to follow.
Did You Know?
- Jaime earned his infamous nickname Kingslayer directly from this specific act of regicide.
- Aerys intended to burn King's Landing with wildfire rather than let it fall to rebels.
- Tywin Lannister marched on the city and was admitted by Janos Slynt without a siege, entering the Red Keep personally during the event.
- The assassination allowed Robert Baratheon to claim the Iron Throne without total destruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who assassinated King Aerys II Targaryen?
Ser Jaime Lannister delivered the fatal blow while serving as his sworn protector in the Kingsguard. This betrayal earned him the enduring nickname of Kingslayer throughout Westeros.
Why did Jaime kill the Mad King despite his vows?
Aerys intended to burn his own city down rather than surrender it to the rebel forces. Jaime intervened to save King's Landing and its citizens from total annihilation by the Targaryen monarch.
Where did the assassination take place within the capital?
The event unfolded inside the Red Keep while rebel armies surrounded the city during Robert’s Rebellion. Jaime struck him down before Aerys could ignite the caches of wildfire hidden beneath the capital.
What was the immediate political outcome of this death?
Aerys's murder effectively removed the head of House Targaryen from power without a legitimate heir present to succeed him immediately. This allowed Robert Baratheon to claim the Iron Throne and establish his new dynasty over the Seven Kingdoms.
How is this event remembered in Westerosi history?
It stands as the pivotal turning point that ended nearly three centuries of Targaryen rule over the realm. The act saved King's Landing from fire but permanently stained Jaime’s honor among many nobles.