“Daeron II kept the Iron Throne entirely because his bannermen stepped up and held the line even when the Hand and the King himself (if we’re being honest) were completely ineffectual.” Is this meant to be Aerys (instead of Daeron II) and if not, can you please explain? – Thank You, RSAFan.

Well, Daeron didn’t do much during the First Rebellion, after sending the arrest order – partly, this is blamed on his decision to keep on Lord Butterwell, who was notably inactive in his policy, and waiting until the eve of the Redgrass Field to replace him with Lord Hayford, which is rather surprising given Daeron’s reputation as an administrative reformer. 

If you look at most of the First Rebellion, you see local loyalists acting without support or coordination from King’s Landing: the battle at the crossing of the Mander saw Penroses from the Stormlands fighting in the Reach in defense of the crown but no Kingsguard or princes to lead them; the entire western campaign was entirely fought by local loyalists like Lord Lefford and Damon Lannister, etc. etc. It’s not until Redgrass itself that you see a royal army with Wardens and Princes and Kingsguard, and by that point Daemon was only a few day’s march from the capitol.