who becomes king after the previous one dies in the hereditary ruler system
Hereditary monarchy Theoretically, when the king or queen of a hereditary monarchy dies or abdicates, the crown typically passes to the next generation of the family. If no qualified child exists, the crown may pass to a brother, sister, nephew, niece, cousin, or other relative, in accordance with a predefined order of succession, often enshrined in legislation. Such a process establishes who will be the next monarch beforehand and avoids disputes among members of the royal family. In practice, there is an almost irresistible drive amongst the claimants to the throne. Few if any monarchies have not acquired and defended their hold on power through deceit, murder, war and oppression.[citation needed] Usurpers may resort to inventing semi-mythical genealogies to bolster their respectability.[2]
Robert Baratheon At the beginning of A Game of Thrones Robert, then king, has just come to Winterfell to appoint Eddard Stark the Hand of The King.[6] He was unaware that Cersei's three children were therefore fathered by her brother Jaime. More interested in food, drink, and tourneys than in governance, Robert has squandered the royal treasury, leaving the crown heavily in debt. After he dies in a hunting accident orchestrated by Cersei, the kingdoms plunge into civil war. His death incites the war that encompasses the entirety of the following two books, the War of the Five Kings, in which his two brothers, Lords Renly and Stannis Baratheon, declare themselves the rightful kings. Robb Stark is also declared King in the North and King of the Trident, and Lord Balon Greyjoy declares himself King of the Iron Islands.[7]