Court of Law v. 6 (Renly Baratheon)

[snowtarg]

This court call upon the defendant Renly Baratheon, Lord of Storm’s End, Master of Laws and charge him with:

Count 1. Usurping- Lord Renly unlawfully disregarded the line of succession and ignored his elder brother Stannis Baratheon’s rightful claim to the Iron Throne.

Not guilty. Stannis has no legal claim to the throne since he has not proven that Jofffrey is not Robert's son.

Count 2. Rebellion- Lord Renly called his banners with the intent to participate in open war with against The King Joffrey Baratheon and legal claimant to the throne Stannis Baratheon.

Guilty with regard to rebellion against his nephew Joffrey. Fighting against his brother's unlawful claim is not rebellion.

Count 3. Abuse of power- Lord Renly used his position and title as Lord of Storm’s End to illegally gain support of the lesser lords of Storm’s End to assist in his illegal endeavor.

Not guilty. As Lord of Storm's End it is his right to call on their support.

Count 4. High Treason- Lord Renly knowing he was not the rightful claimant to the throne indulged in acts that push the realm to the brink of chaos. When given the opportunity to stand down lord Renly insisted on war.

Guilty. Claiming the throne for himself against the legal heir, King Joffrey, is treason.

Count 5. Murder- Because of his illegal acts Lord Renly is charged with the deaths of the men and lords that followed him and died as a result. Those men would still be alive had it not been for Renly’s selfish acts.

Dismissed. Renly died before any battle was fought.

Count 6. Harrassment/Intimidation- Lord Renly sort sought to use acts of war to intimidate Lady Catelyn Stark of Winterfell and her son King in the North Robb Stark. At an agreed parlay by both parties, Lord Renly sort sought to used his impending battle against his brother Stannis Baratheon as an example of “what happens to traitors.” His remarks are testament to his illegal and malicious intent.

Dismissed. Intimididation is not a crime.

On counts 2 and 4, guilty. Punishment - death by beheading.

P.S. As readers we know things that would not be admissable as evidence in court. Any court in Westeros would consider Joffrey to be Robert's rightful heir unless contrary proof could be presented. Stannis' allegations do not constitute proof of Joffrey's illegitimacy.

[The Red Maester]

The Robert Doctrine: Power resides with whomever wields the biggest warhammer.

Having mustered all the chivalry of the reach and the storm lords, Renly's warhammer was indeed the biggest (and, may I add, the most fabulous).

Were it not for the machinations of the war criminal and heretic Stannis Baratheon and his shadowbinder from Asshai, we would now be living under King Renly's peace.

I move to dismiss all charges and immediately issue warrants for the death of the heretic traitor Stannis Baratheon and his sorceress.

[Tommen]

Count 1. Usurping- Guilty. Although, I'd like to point out that Stannis is only the rightful king in Stannis' court. If Renly's being tried in the court of King's Landing, it's Joffrey he's answerable to.

Count 2. Rebellion- Guilty. Duh.

Count 3. Abuse of power- Not guilty. The Lords of Storm's End could refuse to support Renly if they wished. They need to be tried separately.

Count 4. High Treson- Guilty. Even before his open rebellion, Renly tried to conspire with Eddard Stark to take the Queen and the Baratheon children hostage.

Count 5. Murder- Not guilty. Renly has never murdered anyone, his vassals followed him freely into war.

Count 6. Harrassment/Intimidation- Not guilty. Aww, did he hurt wittle Cat's wittle bitty feelings? This is war, for goodness sake. Intimidation is necessary for avoiding actual conflict.

Guilty on three counts. I like Renly and all, but in all fairness it's got to be death by sword.

[Starfell]

Count 1. Usurping- Lord Renly unlawfully disregarded the line of succession and ignored his elder brother Stannis Baratheon’s rightful claim to the Iron Throne.

Verdict: Guilty Renly admitted that Stannis was ahead of him in the line of succession; if he'd won and been recognised as the King of the Iron Throne I'd have considered his claim legitimised enough to dismiss the charge, but he didn't

Count 2. Rebellion- Lord Renly called his banners with the intent to participate in open war with against The King Joffrey Baratheon and legal claimant to the throne Stannis Baratheon.

Verdict: Guilty See #1

Count 3. Abuse of power- Lord Renly used his position and title as Lord of Storm’s End to illegally gain support of the lesser lords of Storm’s End to assist in his illegal endeavor.

Verdict: Not Guilty I consider each Lord justified in choosing themselves who to follow in the event of a rebellion, many owed their allegiance or formed an alliance with Renly and thus sided with him, that's their responsibility

Count 4. High Treason- Lord Renly knowing he was not the rightful claimant to the throne indulged in acts that push the realm to the brink of chaos. When given the opportunity to stand down lord Renly insisted on war.

Verdict: Guilty I'm not blaming Renly for the war but I do think that his acts were indulgent and constitute crimes against the State without adequate justification

Count 5. Murder- Because of his illegal acts Lord Renly is charged with the deaths of the men and lords that followed him and died as a result. Those men would still be alive had it not been for Renly’s selfish acts.

Verdict: Not Guilty Regardless of the justifiability or otherwise of the war, I'm not willing to assign blame for each individual death onto a single person

Count 6. Harrassment/Intimidation- Lord Renly sought to use acts of war to intimidate Lady Catelyn Stark of Winterfell and her son King in the North Robb Stark. At an agreed parlay by both parties, Lord Renly sought to used his impending battle against his brother Stannis Baratheon as an example of “what happens to traitors.” His remarks are testament to his illegal and malicious intent.

Verdict: Not Guilty It's certainly malicious but Renly considered Robb an enemy who was warring on his Realm

Sentence: The Wall I'm feeling lenient and the Wall always needs men. I also feel that Renly's crimes were born out of stupidity and narcissism rather than malevolence

[Erudain]

ohh boy this is gonna be a fast one....we are all gonna be home for dinner

[Starfell]

1. Robert threw succession laws out the window. If Robert is acknowledged as rightful ruler as opposed to Dany (or later Young Griff), then the throne is held by conquest. Innocent.

6. At least Renly adhered to the theory of the supremacy of the Iron Throne. The Starks denied even that, rendering them even more guilty (especially given they were operating independently, without even the legal protection of an alternative claimant to the Iron Throne). And Stannis had attacked Renly. Threats of retaliation were justified, unless Stannis had the right to the throne via primogeniture, which no party in the War of the Five Kings could claim with justification, given none of them were fighting in Dany's name. Innocent

The "theory of the supremacy of the Iron Throne" is a myth though. The Iron Throne hasn't been able to back up its supposed supremacy materially since the dragons died and now only remains at the sufference of its vassals.The Iron Throne's position of power used to be a reality, yes, but now it's more of a social construct that remains because nobody powerful enough wants an alternative hard enough to make it happen.

And if Robert's taking the throne erases the tradition of inherited succession, then why should anybody feel the need to be bound by the tradition of being ruled from the Iron Throne? Titles passed based on primogeniture before the Targaryens arrived, but nobody was ever ruled from the IT until they did.See, this is where the veneer of legitimacy from Robert's blood claim to the throne is important, because once you've declared it a free for all, you can't close that door again

[The Mountain That Posts]

1. Robert threw succession laws out the window. If Robert is acknowledged as rightful ruler as opposed to Dany (or later Young Griff), then the throne is held by conquest. Innocent.

2. See 1. Innocent.

3. Renly was Lord of Storm's End. He had a right to their loyalty. That right is contentious only if it is contested against the rightful ruler of the Iron Throne, so, given 1 & 2: Innocent.

4. See above. Innocent

5. See above. Faulty logic. They were more likely to die under Stannis (see Blackwater, Battle of), than as part of an alliance with the Tyrels, themselves crucial to the destruction of their former allies at the Blackwater. Innocent.

6. At least Renly adhered to the theory of the supremacy of the Iron Throne. The Starks denied even that, rendering them even more guilty (especially given they were operating independently, without even the legal protection of an alternative claimant to the Iron Throne). And Stannis had attacked Renly. Threats of retaliation were justified, unless Stannis had the right to the throne via primogeniture, which no party in the War of the Five Kings could claim with justification, given none of them were fighting in Dany's name. Innocent

This. So much this.

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Guilty on all counts.

Sentence: Death by impalement. Punishment to be carried out by Ser Loras Tyrell. (nyuk nyuk)

[Dragon of the North]

1. Guilty as charged. Renly clearly was a usurper, ignoring the line of succession and naming himself king, despite the fact that Renly was not first in the line of succession, and the rightful king was Stannis, although to many loyalists, Joffrey and his siblings were the trueborn children of Robert Baratheon and thus first in the line of succession.

2. Guilty as charged. Renly Baratheon called banners for war, obviously intent on destroying King Joffrey and King Stannis and taking the throne for himself. Obviously rebellion.

3. Not Guilty. Renly was the Lord of Storm's End and was legally named that by Robert Baratheon. Being the liege lords of the minor Stormlands houses, they ultimately either would've joined him or joined Stannis, and Renly had much better chances at the time, also being much more charismatic. He did not abuse being the Lord of Storm's End to gather banners illegally. In fact, the bulk of his forces joined him willingly, and they weren't even a minor house of the Stormlands (House Tyrell).

4. Guilty as charged. He knew that Stannis had a better claim than him and since he did not believe Stannis in regards to Cersei's children being bastards, he was also usurping the rightful king. Very simple.

5. Not Guilty. Renly Baratheon himself was not directly involved with the deaths of his bannermen. They willingly followed him into battle, and their deaths would not be on his hands. Are you perhaps suggesting that Daemon Blackfyre murdered himself, because he was the one who (with little reason other than his sword) rebelled against Daeron (the Good) Targaryen, and ultimately killed himself in the process?

6. Not Guilty. Robb Stark's actions were technically illegal. Renly had every right to show what would happen to people who opposed him in battle in an attempt to get Robb Stark to join his side. After all, this is not the only time this happened in history - Torrhen Stark knelt to Aegon the Conquerer most likely because of the dragons and the Fields of Fire, a great battle that demolished the forces that opposed Aegon. Are you saying that if Aegon had brought up the Fields of Fire in negotiations with Torrhen Stark, he would be charged with harassment and intimidation? And do we even know whether or not that actually happened, as we don't know what went on that caused Torrhen to kneel?

Ultimately, Renly Baratheon is accued Guilty on the charges of Usurping, Rebellion, and High Treason. He is Not Guilty of Abuse of Power, Murder, and Harassment/Indimidation. Renly is guilty of treason against the crown, and as such, is sentenced to death by sword.

[danm_999]

Oh boy this is one of the more one sided ones.

[TheButcherCrow]

Count 1. Usurping- Lord Renly unlawfully disregarded the line of succession and ignored his elder brother Stannis Baratheon’s rightful claim to the Iron Throne.

Not Guilty - The charge states that Lord Renly "ignored his elder brother Stannis Baratheon's rightful claim to the Iron Throne". Tommen Baratheon is the lawful king of Westeros & before him, his elder brother Joffrey. There is no evidence to the contrary, or at least none I would consider anything more than hearsay, and we do not accept hearsay as evidence in this court.

Count 2. Rebellion- Lord Renly called his banners with the intent to participate in open war with against The King Joffrey Baratheon and legal claimant to the throne Stannis Baratheon.

Guilty to the first part, Rebellion against King Joffrey. Not Guilty to the second for the reasons given in my first judgement.

Sentence - Death by sword

Count 3. Abuse of power- Lord Renly used his position and title as Lord of Storm’s End to illegally gain support of the lesser lords of Storm’s End to assist in his illegal endeavor.

Not Guilty - Renly Was given Storm's End by his Brother, King Robert. As the liege lord he was well within his rights to call his banners.

Count 4. High Treson- Lord Renly knowing he was not the rightful claimant to the throne indulged in acts that push the realm to the brink of chaos. When given the opportunity to stand down lord Renly insisted on war.

Guilty - Overwhelming evidence, including in the defendants own hand.

Sentence - Death by sword

Count 5. Murder- Because of his illegal acts Lord Renly is charged with the deaths of the men and lords that followed him and died as a result. Those men would still be alive had it not been for Renly’s selfish acts.

Not Guilty - Lord Renly sent his men to fight, not to die. The Mens Rea for murder is not present.

Count 6. Harrassment/Intimidation- Lord Renly sort to use acts of war to intimidate Lady Catelyn Stark of Winterfell and her son King in the North Robb Stark. At an agreed parlay by both parties, Lord Renly sort to used his impending battle against his brother Stannis Baratheon as an example of “what happens to traitors.” His remarks are testament to his illegal and malicious intent.

Guilty - Can't really argue with the charge. There is enough testimony to suggest this did take place. However, the charge seems a tad superflous considering the whole "treason" thing. As a result...

Sentence - Prison sentence of 1 day.

[DraculaAD1972]

Innocent of all charges. He was trying to remove Joff like we removed Saddam Hussein, for the good of the realm, and gain the throne on a wave of presidential popularity with the smallfolk. He would have been westeros first democratically electable leader. And also isn't the first amendment of westeros all about right to conquer and usurp the iron throne --- if you have the might you have the right?

[Bugjuice]

Not Guilty to all charges because:

1.) This is Westeros. Might makes right. An well-armed, well-fed army trumps bloodline.

2.) He's dead. You can't try a corpse. Criminal charges are vacated upon death.

[TheGreyKraken]

Count 1- Guilty- Put his own claim on the throne unlawfully when his brother is truly supposed to be king in terms of succession

Count 2 - Not Guilty - Renly has the right to start open rebellion with Joffrey since he is a Lannister bastard not fit to be king in terms of succession.

Count 3 - Not Guilty - Stormlanders have the right to choose who they want to support in the war and they chose Renly.

Count 4 - Dismissed - basically same count as #1 and has the right to start open war.

Count 5 - Not Guilty - The men followed Renly by choice and faced the danger of death by following a rebelling Lord crowning himself.

Count 6 - Not Guilty - This is just speech from Renly, it has not harmed Cat or Robb in any way and it is only normal for threats to occur in heated parlay.

I find the Defendant Renly Baratheon Guilty of Count 1, he will be stripped of all his lands and titles.

[Winds of Winter blow cold]

Count 1-Guitly with the addendum that since Renly did not know that Joffery was not a Robert's son at the time of his calling arms, he was guilty before the facts of Joffery's birth were exposed.

Count 2-Guilty

Count 3-Guilty

Count 4-Guilty

Count 5-Dismissed/Not guilty, you can not charge a criminal with murder of his accessories because they died in the commission of the crime. Only if the criminal killed them himself, could he be charged that way.

Count 5- Guilty.

Verdict-Death by flames commuted to death by sword.

[Lion of Judah]

The Robert Doctrine: Power resides with whomever wields the biggest warhammer.

Having mustered all the chivalry of the reach and the storm lords, Renly's warhammer was indeed the biggest (and, may I add, the most fabulous).

Were it not for the machinations of the war criminal and heretic Stannis Baratheon and his shadowbinder from Asshai, we would now be living under King Renly's peace.

I move to dismiss all charges and immediately issue warrants for the death of the heretic traitor Stannis Baratheon and his sorceress.

Motion dismissed. The court does not recognize or acknowledge Robert's or Renly's war hammer.

[Lion of Judah]

1. Not guilty. Joffery Baratheon was declared illegitimate. As the Baratheon claim to the Iron Throne was in itself obtained through open rebelllion and the overthrow of a 300 year old dynasty, the claim of usurpation of Stannis's claim is rendered null and void. Stannis cannot justifiably demand that Renly follow a line of succession for the Iron Throne when he himself participated in a previous rebellion.

2. Not guilty. Joffery Baratheon was declared illegitimate, and Stannis has set precendent through rebellion for laying aside royal seccession.

3.Not guilty. Bannermen of Storm's End were free to follow any other of the Iron Throne claimants.

4. Not guilty. See #1.

5. Not guilty. Killed before any battle began.

6. Not guilty. A show of power during a parlay is an accepted form of diplomacy. Indeed, should threats or hints of threats be disallowed in diplomatic negotiations, the leverage of an ambassador or envoy would be severely compromised. Or, in accepted legal parlance, "He talked some shit and ate a peach. So what?"

Charges dismissed. Full acquittal.

But Jofferey was never declared illegitimate.

Guitly by admission. Death by the sword.

Guilty by admission. Death by the sword.

Guilty, but only for the reasons outlined in the first two charges. Sent to the Wall.

Guilty. Death by the sword.

Not guilty. He and Courtnay Penrose committed crimes of their own choosing. His responsibility for the loss on the Blackwater is covered under the first two charges.

Guilty. Sentence commuted for the hilarious irony of his death occurring right after this.

Final sentence: Death by the sword.

LOL, I'm actually surprised you found him Not Guilty on one of the charges.

[Three eyed wolf]

1. Guilty- stannis was the rightfull king

2. Guilty- stannis was the rightfull king

3. Vote of dissmisial- it is within rights for a great lord to call forth the lesser lords and their vassels when engaging in acts of war or at any time.

4. Guilty- Renly agnolaged Joffrey as rightful king and stannis as also before him in the line of succession

5. Vote of dissmisial- any deaths in wars are not counted as murrder

6. Vote of dissmisial- intimidation is not a crime and Renly offered terms before threatening lady catlyn stark as part of his attempt to persuade her and her sons army to join forces against Joffrey barathion/Lanister

Sentenced to serve his remaining years protecting the realm as a sworn brother of the nights watch

[paytheironicprice]

1. Robert threw succession laws out the window. If Robert is acknowledged as rightful ruler as opposed to Dany (or later Young Griff), then the throne is held by conquest. Innocent.

2. See 1. Innocent.

3. Renly was Lord of Storm's End. He had a right to their loyalty. That right is contentious only if it is contested against the rightful ruler of the Iron Throne, so, given 1 & 2: Innocent.

4. See above. Innocent

5. See above. Faulty logic. They were more likely to die under Stannis (see Blackwater, Battle of), than as part of an alliance with the Tyrels, themselves crucial to the destruction of their former allies at the Blackwater. Innocent.

6. At least Renly adhered to the theory of the supremacy of the Iron Throne. The Starks denied even that, rendering them even more guilty (especially given they were operating independently, without even the legal protection of an alternative claimant to the Iron Throne). And Stannis had attacked Renly. Threats of retaliation were justified, unless Stannis had the right to the throne via primogeniture, which no party in the War of the Five Kings could claim with justification, given none of them were fighting in Dany's name. Innocent

Excellent job! I agree with this as well.

[GallowsKnight]

1. Usurping - Guilty, Stannis is the true King. Or if his allegations were false Joffrey was

2. Rebellion - Guilty, same as above

3. Abuse of power - Not guilty, those Lords were bound to him, he was the Lord of Storm's End thanks to Robert Baratheon, not matter how much that annoyed Stannis. They made the choice between King and Lord-Paramount or to cover all bases (Swanns).

4. Treason - Guilty

5. Murder - Not guilty, it was a war and no one had died under his command yet.

6. Harassment/Intimidation - Not guilty

Sentence:

-Choice between being sent to the Wall or death by the flames (drugged or throat slit beforehand to lessen the suffering).

And if Loras Tyrell just so happens to take the black as well so what?