How long did the War of Five Kings last?

Question

The Five Kings are:

• Robb Stark - The King of the North
• Stannis Baratheon - Robert's younger brother and legitimate heir
• Renly Baratheon - The youngest Baratheon who decided to proclaim himself king
• Joffrey Baratheon - Robert's "son" and apparent heir
• Balon Greyjoy - King of the Iron Islands

Based on book canon, the following fates have been met:

• Robb - Dead, betrayed at the Red Wedding

• Stannis - Alive, currently marching on Winterfell

• Renly - Dead, murdered by smoke monster/Stannis

• Joffery - Dead, murdered on his wedding day by a complex plot

• Balon - Dead, "blown" off a bridge near his castle

All of these events happen at a different time at undefined intervals. Many battles are fought and much travel is done between some of the fates. Is there any way to extrapolate in universe how long the war lasted?

OR, is the war still on going, since there is still a challenge (no matter now slim) for the Iron Throne?

And/or, if the war is over, which event decided that?

Answer 1

The War of The Five Kings is still in progress. As of 300AC.

The war started in 298AC (two years ago). Although it is considered that the war is ongoing, the main part of the war is considered to have ended in 300AC. There is no official ending of "Phase I", but it can be concluded that the first phase of the war ended with The Purple Wedding. The second phase however is ongoing.

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The O.G. Five

As you know, the original five belligerents were:

• Robb Stark:
  • Wanted freedom for The North, Riverlands and The Iron Islands
• Stannis Baratheon:
  • Felt the Throne was his by rights
• Joffrey Baratheon:
  • Felt the Throne was his by rights
• Balon Greyjoy:
  • Wanted freedom for the Iron Islands, so that they could rape, pillage and be total douche-bags in peace. Also wanted to annex The North, because, why not?
• Renly Baratheon:
  • For the lulz

The War of The Five Kings isn't necessarily defined by the number of kings, especially given that there were never actually exactly five kings at the same time¹; it's defined by their "cause".

Causes

Stannis hasn't given up, he very openly hasn't accepted defeat and hasn't made peace². He's currently working his magic against the Boltons in The North, believing that he must first save the Kingdom to win The Crown.

• Threat: ongoing.

The Greyjoys haven't abandoned their cause either. Even after the death of Balon Greyjoy a new king is elected in a Kingsmoot. In fact, after electing a new mental case as king, they increase their scope slightly and decide to take over all of Westeros.

• Threat: impending

Daenerys is still threatening to return with her dragons and stuff. She's taken a small break to go on holidays with Drogon and hang out with Khal Jhaqo.

• Threat... Umm, we'll see.

Because of the above, the Iron Throne has had to continue their campaigns against the pretenders.

Entering Phase II

No, really, we've entered Phase II. There are "new hostilities" which have re-ignited the War of the Five Kings. The new belligerents are:

• Tommen Baratheon:
  • The Boy King
  • Just wants everyone to get along and to play with his kittens
• Aegon VI Targaryen:
  • The-Boy-Who-Lived The-Boy-Who-Washed-His-Hair
  • Believes The Throne is his by rights
  • Threat: very real.
• Stannis Baratheon:
  • The King at The Wall
  • No, Stannis doesn't give up
• Euron Greyjoy:
  • King of the Isles and the North
  • Has it in his head that he can take Dany, her dragons, Westeros and whatever else he desires

Major events include:

• The Landing of The golden Company
  • Aegon VI Targaryen has decided to de-crumple his face and stake his claim to the Iron Throne, landing his newly acquired Golden Company in Westeros.
• Assassination of Grand Maester Pycelle and Regent Kevan Lannister
  • Varys decides to cause unrest and destabilise King Tommen and Queen Regent Cercei's rule by murdering Grand Maester Pycelle and Regent Kevan Lannister. Aftermath is yet to be released.

When will it end?
There are many factors playing upon this clash of kings (lol, get it?). The main one being that Winter is Coming, and it has been geared to be a long winter, most probably followed by a Long Night. The threat of the Others is real, and will cause all these idiots to wake up and face the threat! (hopefully)

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<sup>1. Renly died before Balon crowned himself.

2. He even jailed and later burned his Hand and brother-in-law (Alester Florent) for attempting to make peace behind his back.</sup>