Difference between revisions of "Doctrine of Exceptionalism"

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The '''Doctrine of Exceptionalism''' is the precept that King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] worked out with the [[Faith of the Seven]] in order for them to tolerate the continued practice of [[Incest|incestuous]] [[marriage]]s by [[House Targaryen]]. It was developed by King Jaehaerys, with help from [[Septon]] [[Oswyck]] and Septon [[Barth]]. It is called '''Exceptionalism''' for short, and its supporters '''Exceptionalists'''.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
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The '''Doctrine of Exceptionalism''', or '''Exceptionalism''' for short, is the precept that King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] worked out with the [[Faith of the Seven]] in order for them to tolerate the continued practice of [[Incest|incestuous]] [[marriage]]s by [[House Targaryen]]. It was developed by King Jaehaerys, with help from [[Septon]] [[Oswyck]] and Septon [[Barth]]. The supporters of this doctrine are called '''Exceptionalists'''.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
  
 
==Doctrine==
 
==Doctrine==
The Doctrine of Exceptionalism's basic tenet was simple: the [[Faith of the Seven]] had been born in [[Andalos]] of old, where the laws laid down by the Seven in the holy texts decreed that incest was an abomination. The Doctrine of Exceptionalism confirmed this, but with one caveat: the Targaryens were not like other men as they rode [[dragons]] and were the only ones in the world since the [[Doom of Valyria]]. In addition, they did not have their roots in Andalos, but in [[Valyria]], where different laws and traditions held sway. The Targaryens wed brother to sister as the Valyrians had always done, and as the gods had made them this way, it was not for men to judge. The [[Seven Speakers]] preached the doctrine throughout Westeros.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
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The Doctrine of Exceptionalism's basic tenet was simple: the [[Faith of the Seven]] had been born in [[Andalos]] of old, where the [[Laws and justice of the Seven Kingdoms|laws]] laid down by the Seven in the holy texts decreed that incest was an abomination. The Doctrine of Exceptionalism confirmed this, but with one caveat: the Targaryens were not like other men as they rode [[dragons]] and were the only ones in the world since the [[Doom of Valyria]]. In addition, they did not have their roots in Andalos, but in [[Valyria]], where different laws and traditions held sway. The Targaryens wed brother to sister as the Valyrians had always done, and as the gods had made them this way, it was not for men to judge.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
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Apart from incest, one of the key beliefs of Exceptionalism was that the Targaryens were immune to common [[illness]]es that could kill other men.{{Ref|TROTD|6|2}}<ref group="N">This belief has been proven wrong as several Targaryens died of different diseases, such as the [[Shivers]] for [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys]], [[greyscale]] for [[Maegelle Targaryen|Maegelle]], a burst belly for [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]], infection and gout for [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I]], consumption for [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]], the [[Great Spring Sickness]] for [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron II]], [[Valarr Targaryen|Valarr]], and [[Matarys Targaryen|Matarys]], and a short illness for [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys II]].</ref>
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The [[Seven Speakers]] preached the doctrine throughout Westeros.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
  
 
==Consequences==
 
==Consequences==
From the time the Doctrine was accepted till the fall of its dynasty, House Targaryen had ten incestuous marriages:{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}<ref group="N" name=Cousins>A marriage between cousins is not considered incestuous by Westerosi standards. Therefore the unions of [[Laenor Velaryon]] and [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] (2<sup>nd</sup> cousins); [[Viserys I Targaryen]] and [[Aemma Arryn]] (1<sup>st</sup> cousins); [[Daemon Targaryen]] and [[Laena Velaryon]] (1<sup>st</sup> cousins once removed); [[Alyn Velaryon]] and [[Baela Targaryen]] (1<sup>st</sup> cousins); [[Aerys I Targaryen]] and [[Aelinor Penrose]] (cousins of an unknown degree); and [[Aerion Targaryen]] and [[Daenora Targaryen]] (1<sup>st</sup> cousins) do not hinge on the Doctrine of Exceptionalism.</ref>
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From the time the Doctrine was accepted till the fall of its dynasty, House Targaryen had nine incestuous marriages:{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}<ref group="N" name=Cousins>Marriages between cousins are not considered incestuous by Westerosi standards. Therefore the following unions do not hinge on the Doctrine of Exceptionalism:
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* [[Viserys I Targaryen]] and [[Aemma Arryn]] (1<sup>st</sup> cousins)
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* [[Laenor Velaryon]] and [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] (2<sup>nd</sup> cousins)
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* [[Daemon Targaryen]] and [[Laena Velaryon]] (1<sup>st</sup> cousins once removed)
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* [[Aegon III Targaryen]] and [[Jaehaera Targaryen]] (1<sup>st</sup> cousins)
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* [[Alyn Velaryon]] and [[Baela Targaryen]] (1<sup>st</sup> cousins)
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* [[Aerys I Targaryen]] and [[Aelinor Penrose]] (cousins of an unknown degree)
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* [[Aerion Targaryen]] and [[Daenora Targaryen]] (1<sup>st</sup> cousins)</ref>
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* Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon Targaryen]] wed his half-aunt Lady [[Jocelyn Baratheon]].
 
* Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon Targaryen]] wed his half-aunt Lady [[Jocelyn Baratheon]].
 
* Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] wed his sister Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]].
 
* Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] wed his sister Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]].
 
* Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] wed his niece Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]].
 
* Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] wed his niece Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]].
 
* King [[Aegon II Targaryen]] wed his sister Queen [[Helaena Targaryen]].
 
* King [[Aegon II Targaryen]] wed his sister Queen [[Helaena Targaryen]].
* King [[Aegon III Targaryen]] wed his first cousin Queen [[Jaehaera Targaryen]].
 
 
* King [[Baelor I Targaryen]] wed his sister Queen [[Daena Targaryen]] (marriage dissolved).
 
* King [[Baelor I Targaryen]] wed his sister Queen [[Daena Targaryen]] (marriage dissolved).
 
* King [[Aegon IV Targaryen]] wed his sister Queen [[Naerys Targaryen]].
 
* King [[Aegon IV Targaryen]] wed his sister Queen [[Naerys Targaryen]].
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[[Category:Faith of the Seven]]
 
[[Category:Faith of the Seven]]
 
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
 
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
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[[Category:Seven Speakers]]
  
 
[[es:Doctrina del Excepcionalismo]]
 
[[es:Doctrina del Excepcionalismo]]
 
[[fr:Exceptionnalisme]]
 
[[fr:Exceptionnalisme]]

Revision as of 17:07, 12 November 2022

The Doctrine of Exceptionalism, or Exceptionalism for short, is the precept that King Jaehaerys I Targaryen worked out with the Faith of the Seven in order for them to tolerate the continued practice of incestuous marriages by House Targaryen. It was developed by King Jaehaerys, with help from Septon Oswyck and Septon Barth. The supporters of this doctrine are called Exceptionalists.[1]

Doctrine

The Doctrine of Exceptionalism's basic tenet was simple: the Faith of the Seven had been born in Andalos of old, where the laws laid down by the Seven in the holy texts decreed that incest was an abomination. The Doctrine of Exceptionalism confirmed this, but with one caveat: the Targaryens were not like other men as they rode dragons and were the only ones in the world since the Doom of Valyria. In addition, they did not have their roots in Andalos, but in Valyria, where different laws and traditions held sway. The Targaryens wed brother to sister as the Valyrians had always done, and as the gods had made them this way, it was not for men to judge.[1]

Apart from incest, one of the key beliefs of Exceptionalism was that the Targaryens were immune to common illnesses that could kill other men.[2][N 1]

The Seven Speakers preached the doctrine throughout Westeros.[1]

Consequences

From the time the Doctrine was accepted till the fall of its dynasty, House Targaryen had nine incestuous marriages:[3][N 2]

Incestuous betrothals also occurred:

Notes

  1. This belief has been proven wrong as several Targaryens died of different diseases, such as the Shivers for Daenerys, greyscale for Maegelle, a burst belly for Baelon, infection and gout for Viserys I, consumption for Aegon III, the Great Spring Sickness for Daeron II, Valarr, and Matarys, and a short illness for Jaehaerys II.
  2. Marriages between cousins are not considered incestuous by Westerosi standards. Therefore the following unions do not hinge on the Doctrine of Exceptionalism:

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Fire & Blood, A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade.
  2. The Rise of the Dragon, The Reign of Jaehaerys I: The Early Reign.
  3. The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Targaryen Lineage.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.