Would Robert Baratheon Have Legitimized Gendry Had He Met Him?

In the world of A Song of Ice and Fire, Robert Baratheon, known for his tumultuous past and less honorable decisions, played a significant role in the story. The question arises: if he had met his bastard son Gendry directly by Ned Stark, would the situation have changed his stance and led to legitimization?

Robert Baratheon and His Bastards

It is imperative to consider Robert's past and actions when addressing the legitimacy of Gendry. Robert was not known for legitimizing his other illegitimate children. In fact, multiple cases demonstrate his reluctance to recognize them as his legitimate successors.

Known Bastards and Their Fate

Robert Baratheon had several acknowledged bastards, each with different fates and levels of care. His behavior towards these children reveals a consistently skewed decision-making process.

Maya Stone and Baby Barra

Maya Stone, one of Robert's bastards, had a notable connection. In fact, Jon Arynn, who was likely working under Varysrsquo;s directives, placed Maya's child, Baby Barra, with Tobo Mott. This act indicates that even within his own family, care was inadequate and often taken indirectly.

Edric Storm

Edric Storm, a more publicly acknowledged bastard of Robert's, provides another viewpoint. While Edric was nevertheless recognized and provided for, this acknowledgment came too late for Gendry, who was younger and less exposed.

It is evident that Robert did provide for his bastards, albeit inconsistently. Edric, for instance, received some recognition and support, whilst Gendry faced a situation where his acknowledgment appeared unlikely. This suggests that Robert's actions, although somewhat paternal, did not align with a pattern of full legitimization.

Uncertain Bastards

There is a scenario where Robert Baratheon did not have direct knowledge of certain bastards. Bella, for example, existed, but Robert was not aware of her. Similarly, much of the information regarding the fate of Robert's younger bastards is speculative, relying on unreliable sources and conjecture.

Implications of Knowing Gendry

The possibility that Robert might have met Gendry directly by Ned Stark, if it were to happen, could have influenced Robert's decision to legitimize him. However, his past behavior and reluctance to acknowledge and support his bastards suggest that this meeting might not have fundamentally altered his stance.

Context and Character Analysis

Royce Dontos, a member of the Kingsguard, held a role where he was privy to Robert's immediate knowledge of several bastards. This suggests a possibility where Robert might have had direct knowledge of Gendry. Regardless, the history of Robert's relationship with bastards remains overwhelming negative, which does not necessarily preclude a change in his mindset entirely.

Conclusion

Considering all the evidence, it seems unlikely that Robert Baratheon would have legitimized Gendry if he had had the chance to meet him, especially given his approach to his other bastards. The underlying issues and past behaviors do not lend themselves to a sudden change in attitude towards Gendry. Nevertheless, speculative scenarios remain interesting points of discussion for fans of the series.

Keywords: Robert Baratheon, Gendry, Legitimization, A Song of Ice and Fire