Robert, a great warrior and charismatic man in his youth, took the throne through conquest in the war known as Robert's Rebellion , which began when the Prince of Dragonstone , Rhaegar Targaryen , allegedly abducted Robert's betrothed, Lyanna Stark. Killing Rhaegar at the Battle of the Trident , his climactic duel turned the tides of the war in his favor.
After the war and following Lyanna's death, Robert married Cersei Lannister to cement an alliance with House Lannister to hold the kingdoms together, but he mistreated her and the marriage was loveless.
Robert also had two younger brothers, Stannis and Renly. He and Cersei had three children: Joffrey , Myrcella , and Tommen. However, unbeknownst to Robert and most of the realm, all three were actually fathered by Cersei's twin brother, Jaime Lannister. On the other hand, Robert had many bastards from other women, including Gendry and Barra. Robert was the first son of Steffon Baratheon and Cassana Baratheon , and had two younger brothers, Renly and Stannis.
His parents died in his youth when their ship was caught in a storm; Robert, standing on the walls of Storm's End with Stannis, witnessed his parents' ship that was returning from Essos break up on the rocks. Robert was betrothed to Lyanna Stark , Eddard's sister.
At the time of their betrothal, Robert beat Richard Lonmouth during the tourney at Harrenhal. However, Lyanna was allegedly kidnapped by Rhaegar Targaryen. Lyanna and Aerys died during the civil war that followed. Robert claimed the Iron Throne because he started the war and killed Prince Rhaegar personally. However, due to Tywin Lannister brutally sacking King's Landing and Gregor Clegane murdering Elia Martell and her two children with Rhaegar in cold blood, Robert and Eddard briefly fell out over the former's refusal to make Tywin and Gregor answer for their war crimes.
