Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)

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House Targaryen.svg Prince
Baelon Targaryen
The Brave
House Targaryen.svg
Baelon Targaryen by Riotarttherite.png
Baelon Targaryen, by Riotarttherite ©

Aliases
  • Baelon the Brave
  • The Spring Prince
  • The Silver Fool
Titles
Allegiance House Targaryen
Race Valyrian
Culture Crownlands
Born In 57 AC[2]
Died In 101 AC (aged 44)Tower of the Hand, King's Landing[3]
Father Jaehaerys I Targaryen
Mother Alysanne Targaryen
Spouse Princess Alyssa Targaryen
Issue
Books

Prince Baelon Targaryen, also known as the Spring Prince, for the season of his birth, and the Brave, was a member of House Targaryen and was the fourth born child of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen and Queen Alysanne Targaryen. He had three sons himself, Princes Viserys, Daemon and Aegon. Baelon was a dragonrider whose mount was Vhagar.[4][1]

Appearance and Character

At birth, Baelon was smaller than his older brother, Aemon. He was louder and lustier, however.[2]

History

Early life

Baelon was born in 57 AC, two days after the start of spring had been announced by the Citadel. As such, he was dubbed the Spring Prince. Baelon was named after Baelon Targaryen, who had ruled as Lord of Dragonstone before Aegon's Conquest. The year after his birth, Baelon was present at the tourney at King's Landing on the anniversary of Jaehaerys's coronation.[2]

Baelon admired his older brother Aemon growing up. As soon as Baelon could walk, he began following Aemon around everywhere he went. When Aemon began training at arms with a wooden sword, Baelon was deemed to be too young to join. Regardless, Baelon brought a stick to the yard, and began whacking at Aemon. Baelon and Aemon would become very close, training together at arms every day in spirited contests which drew large crowds of spectators.[2]

The first time Baelon visited the Dragonpit, he hit Balerion on the snout, causing Ser Samgood of the Kingsguard to remark that he was either brave or mad. Ever since, Baelon was also known as Baelon the Brave.[2]

In 72 AC Baelon took part in a squires melee during a tourney held to celebrate Lord Darklyn's wedding, in which he was defeated by Aemon.[2] Baelon won his spurs the following year, at the age of sixteen, taking part in a tourney at Old Oak, entering the lists as a mystery knight called the Silver Fool. Baelon unhorsed Lord Rowan, Ser Alyn Ashford, both Fossoway twins, and Lord Oakheart's heir, Ser Denys, before falling to Ser Rickard Redwyne. Ser Rickard helped him to his feet, unmasked him, and knighted him on the spot. Prince Baelon remained at Old Oak only for the feast. Afterwards, he returned to King's Landing, where he became a dragonrider by claiming the dragon Vhagar.[1]

That same year, at the request of his father, Baelon began training his younger brother Vaegon. They continued to train for a year, but Vaegon had no skill and no interest in his training. After Baelon made Vaegon fight against their sister Alyssa, resulting in Vaegon leaving the yard humiliated, their trainings were at an end.

Marriage

Baelon had always been close to his sister Alyssa, and married her in 75 AC. The sounds that came from their bedchamber during the bedding were a great amusement to the wedding guests. Their first child, a son who they named Viserys (possibly in honor of their late uncle), was born in 77 AC. Their second son, Daemon, was born in 81 AC.[1]

In 83 AC Baelon, together with his brother Aemon and father, King Jaehaerys I, ended the attempted invasion of the stormlands by Prince Morion Martell of Dorne. Mounted atop their dragons, they destroyed the Dornish fleet before it could even make landfall. Upon their return to King's Landing, Jaehaerys, Aemon, and Baelon received a riotous welcome as they had won a war without losing a single man, something not even Aegon I Targaryen had been able to boast.[1]

When Alyssa became pregnant for a third time, Baelon told his brother Aemon he was praying for a daughter. In 84 AC, Alyssa gave birth to a son, Aegon, after a difficult labor. Alyssa did not recover from Aegon's birth, however, and died within six months. Aegon died half a year later, just shy of his first nameday. Her death devastated Baelon, who always continued to honor her memory.

A few years after Alyssa's death, Baelon's young, ambitious sister Viserra tried to seduce him, hoping to end her betrothal to Lord Theomore Manderly. She sneaked into his bedchamber, and waited naked in his bed for him to arrive. When Baelon found her, he was unresponsive to her advances, and instead sent her away.[1]

Prince of Dragonstone

Baelon and his granddaughter Rhaenyra Targaryen, by chillyravenart ©

In 92 AC, Prince Aemon was slain on Tarth by one of the Myrish exiles who occupied the eastern part of the isle. Baelon flew on Vhagar to Tarth to avenge his brother, and fought against the exiles with Dark Sister. He was cheered by crowds when he returned to King's Landing.[1]

Baelon was named Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the throne by King Jaehaerys after Aemon's death, ahead of Aemon's daughter and heir, Princess Rhaenys.[4][1] In 100 AC, Baelon was named Hand of the King, replacing Ser Ryam Redwyne of the Kingsguard.[3]

In 101 AC, Baelon complained of a stitch in his side during a hunting trip. The pain worsened after he returned to King's Landing, and he eventually became bedridden in the Tower of the Hand. After five days of illness, Baelon died of a burst belly.[5] His funeral pyre was personally lit by his father, King Jaehaerys.[3][4]

Quotes by Baelon

I slew a thousand of them, but it will not bring him back.[1]

—Baelon weeps to his mother Alysanne after the burning of the Myrish ships on Tarth during the Myrish Bloodbath

They call me Baelon the Brave, but you are far braver than me. I would sooner fight a dozen battles than do what you've just done.[1]

—Baelon to Alyssa, after the birth of their son Aegon

Quotes about Baelon

Wherever Prince Aemon went, whatever Prince Aemon did, Prince Baelon would not be far behind.[1]

—writings of Gyldayn

He's either brave or mad, that one.[2]

You will be a great king, even greater than your father.[1]

Alysanne's last words to her son

Family

Baelon was married to his younger sister, Alyssa, and had three sons with her: Viserys, Daemon, and Aegon. Alyssa died in 84 AC, the same year Aegon was born, following a difficult labor. Aegon died the following year, just shy of his first nameday.[6][1] Baelon's granddaughter by Viserys, Rhaenyra Targaryen, was born in 97 AC.[1] Baelon would eventually have seven grandchildren (five who survived to adulthood), but Rhaenyra is the only one he has known in his lifetime.[6] His granddaughter, Baela Targaryen, was named after him.[3]

Ancestors

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aenys I
 
Alyssa
Velaryon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rhaena
 
Aegon
 
Viserys
 
Jaehaerys I
 
Alysanne
 
Vaella
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issue
 
Aegon
 
Daenerys
 
Aemon
 
 
Baelon
 
Alyssa
 
Maegelle
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vaegon
 
Daella
 
Saera
 
Viserra
 
Gaemon
 
Valerion
 
Gael
 


Descendants

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jocelyn
Baratheon
 
Aemon
 
Daella
 
Rodrik
Arryn
 
Baelon
 
Alyssa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corlys
Velaryon
 
Rhaenys
 
 
 
 
 
Aemma
Arryn
 
Viserys I
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alicent
Hightower
 
Daemon
[Note 1]
 
Rhea
Royce
 
Aegon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Laena
Velaryon
 
Daemon
[Note 1]
 
Laenor
Velaryon
 
Rhaenyra
 
Daemon
[Note 1]
 
Son
 
Baelon
 
Aegon II
 
Helaena
 
Aemond
 
Daeron
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rhaena
 
Baela
 
Stillborn
son
 
Jacaerys
Velaryon
 
Lucerys
Velaryon
 
Joffrey
Velaryon
 
Viserys II
 
Visenya
 
Aegon III
 
Jaehaera
 
Jaehaerys
 
Maelor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes:
  1. 1.0 1.1 Prince Daemon Targaryen was married to Lady Rhea Royce from 97 AC to 115 AC, to Lady Laena Velaryon from 115 AC to 120 AC, and to Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen from 120 AC to 130 AC.


References

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
  5. Penguin Random House: A Conversation with George R R Martin (at 17min56s)
  6. 6.0 6.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Targaryen Lineage.
Preceded by 3rd Prince of Dragonstone
92101 AC
Succeeded by
Preceded by Hand of the King
100101 AC
Served under: Jaehaerys I Targaryen
Succeeded by