10 Shocking Deaths That Changed Game Of Thrones

8. Robert Baratheon

HBO

If it was Jon Arryn's death that served as the catalyst for Game of Thrones, it was Robert Baratheon's whose demise brought the already shaky foundations upon which order in Westeros was built crashing down. Fatally wounded by a boar off-screen, orchestrated by Cersei Lannister, it was a shock to have Robert - the King - killed off only a few episodes into the first season.

He used his dying moments to name Ned Stark as Lord Regent and Protector of the Realm, but when he passes away all that happens is Ned is thrown in a cell, and Joffrey is made King.

Yes, Robert's death led to the rule of King Joffrey, giving Westeros the worst ruler imaginable and us viewers one of the most outright despicable characters in recent memory. If that's not enough, it also meant that there was no one with the power to prevent poor Ned from having his head chopped off at the end of Season 1.

Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.