10 Things Everyone Gets Wrong About Game Of Thrones

9. Prince Rhaegar 'Kidnapping' Lyanna Stark Started Robert's Rebellion

If you'll recall the chats between Eddard Stark and King Robert in the first season, Rhaegar Targaryan allegedly kidnapped Lyanna Stark, Robert's betrothed and Eddard's sister. This occurred before Robert's Rebellion, the war that led to Robert Baratheon overthrowing the Targaryens and taking the throne. A common misinterpretation of these events by both show watchers and book readers is that it was Rhaegar's kidnapping of Lyanna that started Robert's Rebellion in the first place. Despite being an important catalyst, Robert didn't simply declare war on the Targaryens due to the kidnapping of his beloved. Following the news that Lyanna had been kidnapped, Brandon Stark (Eddard and Lyanna's older brother) rode into King's Landing, demanding Prince Rhaegar's blood. The 'Mad King' Aerys II arrested Brandon and his companions, which included the heir to the Eyrie, Elbert Arryn. After the capture, King Aerys II demanded the fathers of each prisoner to come to Kings Landing and answer their son's charges. When Rickard Stark arrived to fight as his son's champion in a trial by combat, the Mad King said his champion was fire and cooked the Lord Of Winterfell in his armour. At the same time, Brandon had a noose tied around his neck and a sword just placed out of reach, so he strangled himself trying to get the weapon to free himself and save his father. Still paranoid, the Mad King went on to demand that Jon Arryn (the dead guy from the very start of the series) hand over Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark, who had been under his protection in the Eyrie. Instead, Jon Arryn chose to revolt against the King, thus beginning what was later known as Robert's Rebellion.