Rhaegar Targaryen abducts Lyanna Stark. Lyanna's brother, Brandon, and father, Lord Rickard Stark, demand that Aerys discipline his son, but instead the Mad King kills them both. Aerys demands the heads of Lords Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark from their guardian, Jon Arryn. Instead, Houses Arryn, Stark, and Baratheon raise their banners in open rebellion, signifying the start of the war, which is also known as the War of the Usurper, which will last close to a year. Lord Hoster Tully agrees to join the rebellion as well. The Tyrells remain loyal to the king and besiege Robert's castle of Storm's End, held by his brother Stannis. The new Hand of the King, Lord Jon Connington, is defeated in the Battle of the Bells and is sent into exile in the Free Cities. The rebels are defeated at the Battle of the Trident, where Robert Baratheon is killed. The Lannisters apparently march to the aid of King Aerys, but instead turn against him with the Sack of King's Landing. Aerys is killed by Ser Jaime Lannister, one of his Kingsguard, to prevent the wildfire plot. Princess Elia Martell and her child, Aegon, are murdered by Lannister bannermen, Ser Gregor Clegane, and Ser Amory Lorch. Ser Jaime Lannister manages to rescue Rhaenys Targaryen by taking them both and jumping into the bay to escape wildfire.
