Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)

	Baelor Targaryen, by Amok © Roaring Studios
Aliases	Baelor Breakspear; The Hammer;
Titles	Prince; Ser; Prince of Dragonstone; Protector of the Realm; Hand of the King;
Allegiance	House Targaryen
Culture	Crownlands
Born	170 AC
Died	209 AC; Ashford
Father	Daeron II Targaryen
Mother	Myriah Martell
Spouse	Jena Dondarrion
Issue	Valarr Targaryen; Matarys Targaryen;
Books	The World of Ice & Fire (mentioned); The Hedge Knight (appears); The Sworn Sword (mentioned); The Mystery Knight (mentioned); A Clash of Kings (mentioned); A Storm of Swords (mentioned); A Feast for Crows (mentioned); The Winds of Winter (mentioned);
Played by	Bertie Carvel
TV series	A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Season 1

Prince Baelor Targaryen, known as Baelor Breakspear, was a member of House Targaryen and the Prince of Dragonstone. He was the eldest son and heir of King Daeron II Targaryen and Queen Myriah Martell. Named after his grandfather's cousin, King Baelor I,^[2] Prince Baelor served as his father's Hand of the King^[1] after the Battle of the Redgrass Field until his death in 209 AC.^[5]

In the television adaptation A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Baelor is portrayed by Bertie Carvel.

Appearance and Character

Prince Baelor had the dark hair of his mother, Myriah Martell, a Dornish princess.^[1] It was a light brown color shared by his son, Valarr.^[2] He kept it cut short, and by his late thirties, his hair was peppered with grey. He had a strong jaw which was clean-shaven. His nose had been broken twice. He was a tall,^[1] lean, and broad-shouldered^[7] man with long, straight legs and stood about a head taller than his youngest brother, Maekar. Although Baelor dressed simply, he had a weight about him that evoked a sense of power and certainty.^[1]

A warrior, Baelor seemed to be all that could be wished in a knight, lord, or heir. He was a man who could win respect with ease, and he was as open-handed and just as his father, King Daeron II Targaryen.^[5] He was one of the most powerful warriors in the Seven Kingdoms, rivalling the Kingsguard, and was famed for his prowess with sword and lance.^[1] Baelor treated honorable foes with clemency.^[2]

Many men looked upon Baelor's dark hair and eyes and muttered that he was more Martell than Targaryen.^[5] Also, some Blackfyre sympathizers were bothered by his namesake, Baelor the Blessed, "the feeblest king who ever sat the Iron Throne".^[2]

History

Early life

Prince Baelor was born in 170 AC,^[4] the first child of King Daeron II Targaryen and Myriah Martell.^[6] After the death of his grandfather, King Aegon IV Targaryen, in 184 AC,^[8] Prince Baelor became the heir to the Iron Throne and was later given the title of Prince of Dragonstone by his father.^[1]

Baelor learned how to fight under the Red Keep's master-at-arms, Ser Quentyn Ball, alongside his brothers and the Great Bastards.^[9] In 187 AC, the seventeen-year-old Baelor won the name "Breakspear", following his famous victory at his aunt Daenerys's wedding tourney, where he defeated Ser Daemon Blackfyre, Daeron's bastard-born half-brother, in the final tilt.^[5]

First Blackfyre Rebellion

Baelor's dark hair and eyes led to wariness from those who disliked House Martell. Nobles from the Dornish Marches especially distrusted King Daeron and his heir, as the marcher lords were historical foes of Dornishmen and disliked their presence at court.^[5]

Baelor distinguished himself in the First Blackfyre Rebellion by leading the Dornish and stormlands force which attacked the rearguard of Daemon's rebel army during the Battle of the Redgrass Field in 196 AC. Baelor's forces smashed the rebels against the shield-wall of his brother, Prince Maekar, inspiring a song about the hammer and the anvil.^[2]^[9]

Hand of the King

Baelor was named Hand of the King and Protector of the Realm.^[1] Ser Arlan of Pennytree had a high regard for Baelor, who was considered chivalrous and wise.^[1]^[5]

When Prince Aegon Targaryen served at meetings of the small council, he observed that Baelor recommended clemency for honorable foes to prevent them from fighting to the death. In contrast, Brynden Rivers believed that pardoning rebels would only lead to future rebellions.^[2]

Tourney at Ashford Meadow

In 209 AC, at the tourney at Ashford Meadow, Prince Baelor vouched for Ser Duncan the Tall because he remembered Duncan's old master, Ser Arlan of Pennytree. Baelor had jousted with Arlan in a tourney at Storm's End and had unhorsed him after breaking four lances. Due to Baelor's intervention, Duncan was allowed to enter the lists.^[1]

When Duncan attacked Prince Aerion Brightfire to defend Tanselle, an innocent puppeteer, Baelor had a private word with Duncan and advised him. The next day Baelor sat together with Prince Maekar, Lord Leo Tyrell, and Lord Ashford in judgment of Duncan. Prince Aerion demanded a trial of seven, which was granted.^[1]

With the help of his squire, Prince Aegon Targaryen, and Ser Raymun Fossoway, Duncan was able to recruit five men to fight for him. They needed one more, and because Baelor believed Duncan, he fought for him even though his nephew was the accuser.^[1]

Before the melee began, Baelor advised Dunk's champions to use tourney lances, which would strike before their opponents' shorter war lances in the opening tilt. He also noted that the three knights of the Kingsguard on the opposing side would be sworn not to harm him, allowing him to safely engage them. Dunk's defending party won the trial, but Baelor had received a mortal blow to his head from the mace of his brother, Maekar, and the prince died in Dunk's arms. Baelor was cremated at Ashford, per House Targaryen funeral traditions.^[1]

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Jeor Mormont, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, briefly mentions Baelor's passing in a tourney mishap when explaining Maester Aemon's history to Jon Snow. Mormont tells Jon that Baelor left two sons,^[10] Valarr and Matarys.^[1]

A Storm of Swords

Maester Pylos includes Baelor when discussing historical Hands of the King with Lord Davos Seaworth, who has recently been chosen by Stannis Baratheon to serve as Hand. He tells Davos that the tenures of Hands of the King who were close kin to Targaryen kings were as varied as Baelor,^[11] who was known to be a great Hand,^[1] and Maegor Targaryen,^[11] who was infamous.^[12]

A Feast for Crows

While discussing their fathers' objections to their becoming maesters,^[13] Baelor's nephew,^[6] Maester Aemon, tells Samwell Tarly that his grandfather sent him to the Citadel because too many dragons were as dangerous as too few. He explains that King Daeron had four sons, three of whom had sons of their own.^[13] Baelor was the oldest of the four sons^[6] alluded to by Aemon.^[13]

Aemon tells Sam that his father never thought the throne would pass to him and often said it was punishment for the blow that killed his brother.^[14]

The Winds of Winter

Warning
This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for The Winds of Winter, and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.

During the second siege of Meereen, when House Greyjoy's ironborn fleet comes ashore and begins to attack his Yunkish adversaries, Ser Barristan Selmy celebrates. He likens the arrival of a second force on their side to Baelor Breakspear and Prince Maekar, the hammer and the anvil.^[15]

Quotes by Baelor

Duncan Ser Arlan, he told me you were the soul of chivalry, and that one day the Seven Kingdoms would be safe in your hands.
Baelor: Not for many a year still, I pray.^[1]
—Duncan the Tall and Baelor

Maekar: Brother, have you taken leave of your senses? This man attacked my son.
Baelor: This man protected the weak, as every true knight must. Let the gods determine if he was right or wrong.^[1]
—Maekar Targaryen and Baelor

Duncan: Your Grace, I am your man. Please. Your man.
Baelor: My man. I need good men, Ser Duncan. The realm ...^[1]
—Duncan the Tall and Baelor

Quotes about Baelor

Few could doubt that Baelor Breakspear would be a great king, for he was the heart of chivalry and the soul of wisdom, and came to serve his father most ably as Hand. But no man can know the will of the gods. Baelor Breakspear was cut down in his prime by his own brother Maekar at the tourney at Ashford in the year 209 AC.^[5]
—writings of Yandel

The world made no sense when a great prince died so a hedge knight might live.^[1]
—thoughts of Duncan the Tall

Uncle Baelor said that clemency was best when dealing with an honorable foe. If a defeated man believes he will be pardoned, he may lay down his sword and bend the knee. Elsewise he will fight on to the death, and slay more loyal men and innocents.^[2]
—Aegon Targaryen to Duncan the Tall

Daeron bore the same name as the Young Dragon, but when his Dornish wife gave him a son he named the child Baelor, after the feeblest king who ever sat the Iron Throne.^[2]
—Eustace Osgrey to Duncan the Tall

Aemon was at his books when the eldest of his uncles, the heir apparent, was slain in a tourney mishap. He left two sons, but they followed him to the grave not long after, during the Great Spring Sickness.^[10]
—Jeor Mormont to Jon Snow

As for birth, the dragonkings oft chose Hands from amongst their own blood, with results as various as Baelor Breakspear and Maegor the Cruel.^[11]
—Pylos to Davos Seaworth

Family

Baelor married Jena Dondarrion, with whom he had two sons, Valarr and Matarys,^[6] both of whom died in the Great Spring Sickness, no more than a year after their father's death.^[2] Baelor's eldest brother, Aerys I Targaryen, succeeded their father Daeron, and was later succeeded by their youngest brother, Maekar I, who had dealt the blow that had killed Baelor.^[16]^[17]^[2] According to the chronicles, Prince Maekar always bitterly regretted Baelor's death, and marked its anniversary every year.^[5]

Baelor's son Valarr married Kiera of Tyrosh.^[6] She gave birth twice, but both sons were stillborn.^[9]

Kiera of
Tyrosh
^{[Note 1]}

Kiera of
Tyrosh
^{[Note 1]}

Stillborn sons

Unknown
descendants

Notes:

↑ Kiera of Tyrosh was widowed when Valarr Targaryen died from the Great Spring Sickness; some time later she married his cousin Daeron.

References

↑ ^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 ^1.14 ^1.15 ^1.16 ^1.17 ^1.18 ^1.19 ^1.20 ^1.21 ^1.22 ^1.23 ^1.24 The Hedge Knight.
↑ ^2.00 ^2.01 ^2.02 ^2.03 ^2.04 ^2.05 ^2.06 ^2.07 ^2.08 ^2.09 ^2.10 The Sworn Sword.
↑ The Hedge Knight, Graphic Novel.
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 See the Baelor Targaryen calculation.
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 ^5.2 ^5.3 ^5.4 ^5.5 ^5.6 ^5.7 ^5.8 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II.
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 ^6.3 ^6.4 ^6.5 The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Targaryen Lineage.
↑ George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Baelor Targaryen.
↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV.
↑ ^9.0 ^9.1 ^9.2 The Mystery Knight.
↑ ^10.0 ^10.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 6, Jon I.
↑ ^11.0 ^11.1 ^11.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 54, Davos V.
↑ Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
↑ ^13.0 ^13.1 ^13.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 5, Samwell I.
↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 26, Samwell III.
↑ The Winds of Winter, Chapter , Barristan II.
↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I.
↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I.

Preceded by Daeron Targaryen	12th Prince of Dragonstone 184–209 AC	Succeeded by Valarr Targaryen
Preceded by Lord Hayford	Hand of the King ?–209 AC Served under: Daeron II Targaryen	Unknown Next known title holder: Brynden Rivers
Preceded by Daeron II Targaryen	17th Protector of the Realm ?–209 AC Served under: Daeron II Targaryen	Succeeded by Aerys I Targaryen

[18] Kiera of Tyrosh was widowed when Valarr Targaryen died from the Great Spring Sickness; some time later she married his cousin Daeron.

[Rthk{{{2}}}{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-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 ^1.14 ^1.15 ^1.16 ^1.17 ^1.18 ^1.19 ^1.20 ^1.21 ^1.22 ^1.23 ^1.24 The Hedge Knight.

[Rtss{{{2}}}{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-2] 2.00 ^2.01 ^2.02 ^2.03 ^2.04 ^2.05 ^2.06 ^2.07 ^2.08 ^2.09 ^2.10 The Sworn Sword.

[Rthk[[the_hedge_knight_(comics)|graphic_novel]]{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-3] The Hedge Knight, Graphic Novel.

[ages-4] 4.0 ^4.1 See the Baelor Targaryen calculation.

[Rtwoiafthe_targaryen_kings:_daeron_ii{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-5] 5.0 ^5.1 ^5.2 ^5.3 ^5.4 ^5.5 ^5.6 ^5.7 ^5.8 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II.

[Rtwoiafappendix:_targaryen_lineage{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-6] 6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 ^6.3 ^6.4 ^6.5 The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Targaryen Lineage.

[Rawoiafbaelor_targaryen{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-7] George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Baelor Targaryen.

[Rtwoiafthe_targaryen_kings:_aegon_iv{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-8] The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV.

[Rtmk{{{2}}}{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-9] 9.0 ^9.1 ^9.2 The Mystery Knight.

[Racok6{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-10] 10.0 ^10.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 6, Jon I.

[Rasos54{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-11] 11.0 ^11.1 ^11.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 54, Davos V.

[Rfabthe_sons_of_the_dragon{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-12] Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.

[Raffc5{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-13] 13.0 ^13.1 ^13.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 5, Samwell I.

[Raffc26{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-14] A Feast for Crows, Chapter 26, Samwell III.

[Rtwow[[barristan_ii_(the_winds_of_winter)|barristan_ii]]{{{4}}}-15] The Winds of Winter, Chapter , Barristan II.

[Rtwoiafthe_targaryen_kings:_aerys_i{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-16] The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I.

[Rtwoiafthe_targaryen_kings:_maekar_i{{{3}}}{{{4}}}-17] The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I.

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[Note 1]

v t e The small council under Daeron II Targaryen
Hand of the King	Lord Ambrose Butterwell Lord Hayford Prince Baelor Targaryen¹ Prince Valarr Targaryen²
Master of coin	Lord Ronnel Penrose³
Advisor	Ser Brynden Rivers⁴
¹ Held the title of Protector of the Realm ² Possibly ³ Duties actually performed by his wife ⁴ Served as spymaster (it is unknown if he was appointed master of whisperers as well)