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Stannis Baratheon
A Song of Ice and Fire character Game of Thrones character
Stephen Dillane as Stannis Baratheon
First appearance	Novel: A Clash of Kings (1998) Television: "The North Remembers" (2012)
Last appearance	Television: "Mother's Mercy" (2015)
Created by	George R. R. Martin
Portrayed by	Stephen Dillane (Game of Thrones)
Information
Aliases	The King in the Narrow Sea The King of the Painted Table The King of Dragonstone The King at the Wall
Gender	Male
Title	Lord of Dragonstone Lord Paramount of the Stormlands Master of Ships Lord of Storm's End King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men (claimant) Lord of the Seven Kingdoms (claimant) Protector of the Realm (claimant)
Family	House Baratheon
Spouse(s)	Selyse Florent
Significant other(s)	Melisandre
Children	Shireen Baratheon Television: Three stillborn sons
Relatives	Steffon Baratheon (father) Cassana Estermont (mother) Robert Baratheon (brother) Renly Baratheon (brother) Mya Stone (niece) Bella (niece) Gendry (nephew) Edric Storm (nephew) Barra (niece) Other nephews and nieces
Kingdom	The Stormlands The Crownlands

Stannis Baratheon is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of epic fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin, and its television adaptation Game of Thrones.^[1] He is the second son of Steffon Baratheon, the lord of Storm's End, and his wife Lady Cassana Estermont, and brother to King Robert and Renly.

Though first mentioned in 1996's A Game of Thrones, Stannis formally appeared in A Clash of Kings (1998), A Storm of Swords (2000) and A Dance with Dragons (2011). In December 2011, Martin posted a sample chapter from the yet-unfinished The Winds of Winter, told from Theon Greyjoy's viewpoint, which confirmed Stannis' return in the sixth book.

Stannis is portrayed by English actor Stephen Dillane in the HBO television adaptation of the series.^[2][3][4]

Character description

Stannis Baratheon is the younger brother of King Robert and older brother of Renly.^[5] He is portrayed as a brooding and humorless man with a harsh but fair sense of duty and justice and an obsession with slights both real and imagined. He is regarded as a skilled but overcautious military commander.

Stannis was born as the second of Steffon Baratheon and Cassana Estermont's three sons, and in his youth he was constantly overshadowed by his older brother Robert. When Stannis was fourteen he witnessed his parents' death in a shipwreck off the coast of House Baratheon's castle Storm's End, and subsequently lost his faith in the Seven.

During Robert's Rebellion, Stannis holds Storm's End in Robert's absence, but is besieged by Mace Tyrell and Paxter Redwyne for the best part of the year. Stannis' garrison only avoids starvation thanks to the smuggler Davos Seaworth, who evades the blockade by the Redwyne fleet to bring the Baratheon soldiers a cargo of onions and fish. When Eddard Stark arrives to lift the siege, Stannis knights Davos as reward for his aid, but also insists that Davos have four fingers removed as punishment for his years of illegal smuggling; Davos agrees, on the condition that Stannis removes the fingers himself. Stannis is subsequently sent to Dragonstone to capture the island, but arrives to find that Aerys II Targaryen's children Viserys and the newborn Daenerys had fled. Robert names Stannis Lord of Dragonstone - Stannis feels slighted, as their younger brother Renly is named Lord of Storm's End, though it is suggested that this was because Robert was following the custom of granting Dragonstone to the king's heir, and needed Stannis to win over the nobility of Dragonstone still loyal to the Targaryens.

Several years later, Stannis is married to Lady Selyse Florent, but Robert soiled their wedding bed by deflowering Selyse's cousin Delena, further insulting Stannis. Stannis and Selyse have a daughter together, Shireen, who nearly dies in infancy after contracting greyscale and is left disfigured.^[5] Stannis, who is named Robert's Master of Ships, destroys the Iron Fleet at Fair Isle during the Greyjoy Rebellion and helps subdue Great Wyk.

At the beginning of the first novel A Game of Thrones, Stannis comes to suspect that Robert's children with Cersei Lannister are not actually his, and reveals his suspicions to Robert's Hand of the King, Lord Jon Arryn. The two discover several of Robert's bastard children in King's Landing, and begin to gather proof, before Jon's sudden, untimely death.

Storylines

Personal coat of arms of Stannis Baratheon

Books

Stannis is not a point of view character in the novels, so his actions are witnessed and interpreted through the eyes of other people, predominantly Davos Seaworth and Jon Snow^[6] and later Asha Greyjoy and Theon Greyjoy.

A Game of Thrones

When Robert travels to Winterfell to name Eddard as his new Hand, Stannis flees to Dragonstone with his forces, including most of the royal navy. Stannis suspects Cersei's involvement in Jon's death; he is unaware that the true culprit was Jon's wife Lysa, who was persuaded to poison her husband by Petyr Baelish in order to prevent her son Robert Arryn being sent to Dragonstone as a ward. Eddard continues Stannis' and Jon's investigations and discovers that Cersei's children are the products of her incestuous affair with her brother Jaime Lannister. When Robert dies Eddard names Stannis as the rightful heir, despite the ascension of Robert's presumed heir Joffrey Baratheon. Eddard later lost the political struggle against the Lannisters and Joffrey has him publicly executed.

A Clash of Kings

Stannis comes under the influence of the red priestess Melisandre, who believes that Stannis is the reincarnation of Azor Ahai, a messianic figure in her faith. Stannis declares himself King; however, most of the Baratheon bannermen, support the claim of his younger and much more charismatic brother, Renly, along with the powerful House Tyrell due to Renly marrying Margaery Tyrell. Stannis tries to negotiate with Renly, offering him the chance to become his heir, which Renly rejects, planning to have Stannis killed the next day. Renly is subsequently assassinated by a shadow conjured by Melisandre using Stannis' life force, and many of Renly's bannermen immediately swear allegiance to Stannis, although the Tyrells side with the Lannisters due to an offer to have Margaery marry Joffrey.

Stannis assaults King's Landing by sea, but many of his men are killed when Tyrion Lannister detonates wildfire in the River Blackwater. Stannis' forces still nearly claim victory, but Lannister and Tyrell reinforcements arrive in time to drive Stannis' men away from King's Landing. However Rolland Storm, the Bastard of Nightsong, commands his forces well enough that Stannis is able to escape.

A Storm of Swords

Stannis retreats to Dragonstone with what is left of his army. He imprisons his Hand Lord Alester Florent, one of his wife's uncles, for trying to offer terms of surrender to the Lannisters. Another of Selyses' uncles, Ser Axell Florent, castellan of Dragonstone, aims to become Hand of the King and suggests a plan to attack Claw Isle in retaliation for Lord Celtigar bending the knee to Joffrey. However, Stannis wishes to hear Davos' view, though Axell threatens Davos if he doesn't agree with Axells' plan. Davos tells Stannis the plan is evil, as the people of Claw Isle are weakly-defended due to so many of their men dying in his service. For this honest counsel Stannis names Davos as his new Hand, also giving him the titles Lord of the Rainwood and Admiral of the Narrow Sea. Melisandre tells Stannis to burn Edric Storm, Robert's bastard from the tryst with Delena, as a sacrifice to raise dragons from Dragonstone. Stannis is conflicted on burning his nephew, but uses Edric's blood in three leeches to curse the rival kings, Balon Greyjoy, Joffrey Baratheon and Robb Stark. After Joffrey's, Balon's and Robb's deaths seem to prove the power of king's blood, Stannis begins to consider sacrificing Edric if Joffrey dies. On hearing of Joffrey's death Davos conspires with Stannis' cousin Ser Andrew Estermont to smuggle Edric off Dragonstone to the Free Cities. Davos then persuades Stannis to instead sail to the North and save the Night's Watch from the wildling army. After Melisandre burns Alester Florent as a sacrifice to R'hllor to ensure favorable winds, Stannis takes most of his remaining army and sails north to crush the wildling assault, managing to rout the whole host with few casualties. He remains at the Night's Watch's headquarters of Castle Black to negotiate a settlement with the wildlings, and offers to legitimise Eddard's bastard Jon Snow in return for his support. Jon ultimately declines and is elected as the Night's Watch's Lord Commander.

A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons

Stannis sends ravens to the Northern houses naming himself as king and asking for their support, but only House Karstark and a faction of House Umber swear allegiance. Stannis has the King-beyond-the-Wall Mance Rayder burned at the stake and most of the wildlings bend the knee to Stannis, though Stannis is unaware that Melisandre had used glamours to switch Rayder and his lieutenant the Lord of Bones. To rally the North, Stannis intends to attack House's Bolton's castle The Dreadfort with the help of Arnolf Karstark, castellan of Karhold. In reality Arnolf is working with the Boltons, hoping to entrap Stannis and have his hostage great-nephew Harrion Karstark executed so his branch of the family can take Karhold. On Jon's advice, Stannis instead rallies the northern mountain clans and attacks Deepwood Motte, ousting the Ironborn holding the castle and taking Asha Greyjoy captive. He restores the castle to House Glover, thus winning their support and that of House Mormont. He marches on Winterfell to confront the Boltons, joined by the men of Arnolf Karstark and Mors Umber (one of the castellans of the Last Hearth), but his host is waylaid by heavy snows and forced to stop at a crofter's village three days away from Winterfell. A letter is later sent to Jon Snow by Ramsay Bolton claiming that Stannis has been defeated and killed, though it is unknown how much of the letter is true. George R. R. Martin confirmed to a fan in 2015 that Stannis is still alive in the books.^[7]

The Winds of Winter

In December 2011, Martin posted a sample chapter from the yet-unfinished sixth book The Winds of Winter, told from Theon Greyjoy's viewpoint,^[8][9] where Stannis is actively and efficiently preparing for the looming battle against the Bolton-Frey alliance. He secures a loan by signing a blood contract with the Braavosi banker Tycho Nestoris, whose convoy managed to find Stannis' army, and plans to immediately send Tycho back to the Wall for safety. Tycho also brought a message from Jon Snow informing Stannis of Arnolf Karstark's planned treachery, after which Stannis arrested Arnolf, his son Arthor and his three grandsons and plans to execute them. In the process he also subdued Tybald, the Dreadfort maester, who out of fear confesses to already send a raven carrying map of Stannis' position to the Boltons in Winterfell.

Stannis then sends Ser Justin Massey to escort Tycho and the escaped "Arya Stark" back to Castle Black to reunite her with Jon Snow, in gratitude for Jon's counsel of gathering the northern mountain clans. Massey is to then travel to Braavos and use loan from the Iron Bank to hire twenty thousand sellswords for Stannis. Stannis tells Massey that he may hear of Stannis' death in Braavos, but even if that news is true, Massey is to follow the orders as to seat his daughter Shireen on the Iron Throne.

Stannis then interrogates Theon for information regarding the Boltons' military strength. When Theon taunts Stannis for not taking Ramsay seriously, Stannis confidently reveals that he already has a battle plan to utilize the terrain against the incoming Frey army. Stannis next receives Asha Greyjoy, and informs her that her brother Theon must be executed, as showing him mercy would mean losing all of the northmen. To spare Theon the agony of death by burning, Asha pleas Stannis to personally execute Theon by beheading in the tradition of the northmen.

Family tree of House Baratheon

TV adaptation

Stephen Dillane plays the role of Stannis Baratheon in the television series.

Stannis Baratheon is played by Stephen Dillane in the television adaption of the series of books.^[10]

Season 2

Stannis' personal banner in the TV series.

Stannis falls under the influence of Melisandre, a priestess of R'hllor who believes Stannis is the reincarnation of a legendary hero from her religion. After Robert's death, Stannis claims himself the true heir to the Iron Throne as Cersei's children are bastards born of incest. However, most of the Baratheon bannermen support the claim of the younger but far more charismatic Renly. Stannis confronts Renly and offers to make him his heir if he supports him, but Renly refuses, only using the negotiations as an opportunity to mock his brother, and intending to kill Stannis in battle the next day. Melisandre, who had seduced Stannis, gives birth to a shadow baby bearing Stannis' face that kills Renly, and many of Renly's bannermen immediately swear allegiance to Stannis. He then attacks King's Landing by sailing up Blackwater Bay. Stannis' force breaches the walls, but due to Tyrion Lannister's use of wildfire and the arrival of last-minute Lannister and Tyrell reinforcements, he is defeated. Nonetheless, he is convinced to continue fighting by Melisandre, and is further convinced by her magic as she shows him see a vision of a battle in the flames.

Season 3

Stannis acquires one of Robert's bastards, Gendry, from the Brotherhood Without Banners and plans to sacrifice him to further his quest for the Iron Throne. After Davos Seaworth questions his course of action, Stannis has three leeches drawn with Gendry's blood and throws them into a fire, calling for the death of Robb Stark, Balon Greyjoy and Joffrey Baratheon. Upon the news of Robb's death, Davos releases Gendry to prevent him from being sacrificed. Stannis subsequently sentences Davos to death but is swayed by Melisandre, who encourages him to travel North to aid the Night's Watch against the White Walkers emerging from beyond the Wall.

Season 4

Stannis hears of Joffrey's death and chastises Davos again for releasing Gendry and not finding him a suitable army, prompting Davos to write to the Iron Bank of Braavos in Stannis' name to help pay for an army. The Iron Bank nearly refuses Stannis' request, but Davos manages to convince them that Stannis is the only one they can turn to since Tywin Lannister is nearing old age. Stannis and his army arrive at the Wall shortly after the Battle of Castle Black, interrupting a parley between Jon Snow and Mance Rayder and crushing the wildling force. Stannis learns that Jon is Ned Stark's son, and on Jon's advice, he places Mance and his men under arrest. He is later present at the funeral of the Night's Watch brothers who died during the Battle for Castle Black.

Season 5

Stannis begins plans to retake the North from Roose Bolton, hoping to recruit Mance's wildling army, if Mance will bend the knee to him. Mance refuses, and Stannis orders him burned at the stake. Stannis offers to legitimise Jon as a Stark to win the loyalty of the Northerners who refuse to recognise Stannis as their king, but Jon decides to remain loyal to his vows to the Night's Watch. Stannis marches on Winterfell, but his army is delayed by a large snowstorm, and in the chaos Ramsay Bolton and his men sabotage his supplies by infiltrating his camp and burning them. Melisandre persuades a reluctant Stannis to have Shireen burned alive to ensure victory. Although the snowstorm lifts, half of Stannis' army deserts him, Selyse commits suicide out of guilt, and Melisandre flees to Castle Black. Stannis decides to complete the march on foot, but as his army arrives at Winterfell the army is attacked by a cavalry charge led by Ramsay Bolton and swiftly defeated. Stannis survives the battle, but in the aftermath is confronted by Brienne of Tarth, a former member of Renly's Kingsguard. Stannis confesses to killing Renly with blood magic, and Brienne beheads him, telling Stannis she is killing him in the name of the rightful King Renly. As the only remaining member of the Baratheon bloodline is Robert's bastard Gendry, Stannis's death publicly marks the end of House Baratheon.

Reception

The English actor Stephen Dillane has received positive reviews for his performance as Stannis Baratheon, especially in the fifth season. On her review for "Sons of the Harpy", Sarah Hughes of The Guardian wrote "Stephen Dillane has always been wonderful at showing us the core of this rigid, complex man."^[11] His performance on the same episode also received positive reviews from www.vulture.com.
^[12]
Harri Sargeant of www.hypable.com wrote "Stephen Dillane has always been one of the classiest actors on the show, and his last moments as the King Who Almost Was saw as commanding a performance as ever."
^[13]
On her review for Mother's Mercy, Meghan O'Keefe of decider.com wrote "Whether you like Stannis or not, you have to admit that Stephen Dillane delivered a monumental performance this season."
^[14]
Cindy Davis of www.pajiba.com wrote "After Shireen’s seemingly pointless death, it’s a testament to Stephen Dillane’s phenomenal skills that we could feel anything at all for a man who watched his daughter burned alive."^[15]
Nick Steinberg of www.goliath.com wrote, "Credit has to go to Stephen Dillane for his performance, especially in these last few episodes where he’s had to convey a form of grim tragedy that’s effectively conveyed the character’s downfall.^[16]''' For his part, Dillane expressed misgivings about his performance, telling The Times newspaper "I didn’t know what I was doing until we’d finished filming and it was too late. The damage had been done. I thought no one would believe in me and I was rather disheartened by the end. I felt I’d built the castle on non-existent foundations.”^[17]

References

Sources

• 
  Martin, George R. R. (September 1996). A Game of Thrones. A Song of Ice and Fire (US hardcover ed.). Bantam Spectra. ISBN 978-0-553-10354-0.