From Count to King?

[penquin11]

My fellow plebs, Ser's, and Lords alike, I wanted to know what strategies can be used to secure a throne when starting as a count. This is much more of a story thread than a "this is the right way to do it" thread, as I am sure that there are a million ways to do it. I would love to here how it is that you rose to the challenge and either by conquest or diplomacy gained a throne. This is meant for the main kingdoms of Westeros, however I am intrigued to hear any and all stories if you wish to share!

 

[Aerrae]

Get into a position of power (direct vassal of the throne) and always stay loyal to the crown.

Some people would call the Freys upstarts, this is the story of king Bronn:

Spoiler

Bronn stays loyal to Tommen
Stannis takes over in war, Bronn stays loyal to Stannis
Young Griff takes over in war, Bronn stays loyal to Young Griff
Young Griff dies, Dany inherits the throne and goes on a liberation rampage across the narrow sea, Bronn stays loyal to Dany
Littlefinger's faction forces Dany to give the Iron Throne to a lysene cripple, Bronn stays loyal to lysene cripple
Lysene cripple names Bronn hand of the king, Bronn becomes lysene cripple's heir, lysene cripple dies in a balcony related accident

 

[zonkie]

Save alot of money, be good in intrigue. Marry a lords daughter who is in line of succession. Assassinate the other successors. Your child and heir with this woman will inherit.

 

[Rubidium]

Fabricate claims to grab enough land to become Duke, then launch de jure wars for the rest of your duchy. Wait for idiot liege to borrow money from Iron Bank and not repay it. Iron bank offers to make you king if you swear to honor the debt. Take them up on the offer. Crush idiot former liege (being sure to sack his capital and execute all his kinsmen during the war, to minimize future claimants). Profit!

 

[Dragula]

Fabricate claims to grab enough land to become Duke, then launch de jure wars for the rest of your duchy. Wait for idiot liege to borrow money from Iron Bank and not repay it. Iron bank offers to make you king if you swear to honor the debt. Take them up on the offer. Crush idiot former liege (being sure to sack his capital and execute all his kinsmen during the war, to minimize future claimants). Profit!

And thus house Bolton ruled the north. (My way was cooler than in the books)