Difference between revisions of "Iron Throne"
(added section) |
(→History: touch up) |
||
Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
Since the construction of the [[Red Keep]] in [[King's Landing]], the Iron Throne has been located on a high platform in the throne room within the castle. Usually, the members of the [[Kingsguard]] stand guard below. When the king is presiding, only he, his family, and his council may sit; all others must stand or kneel.{{Ref|aGoT|43}} During the rule of the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]], the throne room was decorated with the [[Dragon skulls (Targaryen)|skulls of their dragon]]s.{{Ref|aGoT|43}} | Since the construction of the [[Red Keep]] in [[King's Landing]], the Iron Throne has been located on a high platform in the throne room within the castle. Usually, the members of the [[Kingsguard]] stand guard below. When the king is presiding, only he, his family, and his council may sit; all others must stand or kneel.{{Ref|aGoT|43}} During the rule of the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]], the throne room was decorated with the [[Dragon skulls (Targaryen)|skulls of their dragon]]s.{{Ref|aGoT|43}} | ||
− | |||
===Targaryen Dynasty=== | ===Targaryen Dynasty=== | ||
− | :{{ | + | Following [[Aegon's Conquest|his conquest]] of six of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] in [[Westeros]], [[Aegon I Targaryen]] proclaimed himself their king, and was crowned by the [[High Septon (Aegon's Conquest)|High Septon]] at [[Oldtown]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} From the swords of his enemies, Aegon created the Iron Throne, and the dynasty he began would rule for nearly three hundred years.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}{{Ref|AGOT|43}} The Iron Throne stood at Aegon's wooden castle, the [[Aegonfort]], which was located at the place where he had first come to shore. The town that grew around it became [[King's Landing]], the kingdom's new capital.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} Aegon reconciled the [[Iron Islands]] under his rule in {{Date|2}}, and continued his wars in {{Date|4}} with the [[First Dornish War]], in an attempt to subdue the seventh of the Westerosi kingdoms.{{Ref|fab|Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I}} |
− | + | The Iron Throne kept out of war following the conclusion of the First Dornish War in {{Date|13}}.{{Ref|fab|Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I}} Other wars with Dorne would follow under Aegon's successors: the [[Second Dornish War]] in {{Date|37}} at the start of [[Aenys I Targaryen]]'s reign, the [[Third Dornish War|Third]] and [[Fourth Dornish War]] during the reign of [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]],{{Ref|fab|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} and the [[Conquest of Dorne]] during the reign of [[Daeron I Targaryen]].{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}} | |
− | + | During Aegon's reign, one of his queens [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]] and [[Visenya Targaryen]] would sit on the Iron Throne while Aegon and his other sister were away from the capital for one of his progresses.{{Ref|fab|Three Heads had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I}} In {{Date|35}}, Aegon had the [[Aegonfort]] where the Iron Throne stood torn down.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings - Aegon I}} As construction of the [[Red Keep]] began, the Iron Throne remained where it had stood.{{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}} | |
− | + | Aegon's immediate successor, his eldest son [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys I]], faced several rebellions at the start of his reign in {{Date|37}}, which were resolved by his bannermen and brother [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] during the course of the year. Aenys later faced problems with the [[Faith of the Seven]], first following his brother's [[polygamy|polygamous]] [[marriage]] in {{Date|39}}, and next after he married his own [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|son]] and [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|daughter]] to one another in {{Date|40}}. The Faith rose [[Faith Militant uprising|in rebellion]] against the Iron Throne, eventually forcing Aenys and his family to flee King's Landing for [[Dragonstone]]. Aenys died the following year of illness.{{ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}} Upon his death, his brother Maegor returned from his exile and claimed the throne over Aenys I's eldest son, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]], who was unable to travel to King's Landing. While Maegor took the throne, Dowager Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]] proclaimed Prince Aegon king on [[Driftmark]], but few came forth to support him. Called "the pretender" and "Aegon the Uncrowned", Aegon took up arms against Maegor in {{Date|43}} after he slipped into the capital to claim the dragon [[Quicksilver]]. Aegon fell to Maegor during the [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye]] later that year. During his six-year rule, Maegor continued to fight the Faith and did so harshly, causing the deaths of thousands. Notably, he ordered the construction of [[Maegor's Holdfast]] within the [[Red Keep]] in {{Date|43}}. The Red Keep was completed in {{Date|45}}, after which Maegor had all the workers killed to prevent the castle's secrets being spread.{{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}}{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} Aenys I's youngest son [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]] announced his claim to the throne at [[Storm's End]] early on in {{Date|48}}. Maegor's main supporters flocked to Jaehaerys's side, leaving him with insufficient men to defend himself. Maegor was found dead seated on the Iron Throne by Queen [[Elinor Costayne]] hours after his last war council. The cause of Maegor's death is still debated; several potential murderers have been put forth, with some suggesting that Maegor had been killed by the throne, and others that Maegor had taken his own life.{{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}}{{ref|ASOS|36}}{{ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} | |
− | + | Following his death, Maegor was succeeded by his brother's youngest son, [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]. Jaehaerys reigned for fifty-five years.{{Ref|fab|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} He appointed his sister's eldest daughter [[Aerea Targaryen]] as his heir,{{Ref|fab|The Year of the Brides - 49 A}}{{Ref|fab|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}} a position she held for five years (with the exception of three days during {{Date|52}}), until the birth of Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys]].{{Ref|fab|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}} The title of heir apparent was given to Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]] following his birth two years later,{{Ref|fab|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumps and Tragedies}} which he held until his own death in battle in {{Date|92}}. Aemon's death caused a crisis in the succession, as his only issue was a daughter, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys]]. Rhaenys was pregnant upon the death of her father, and when Jaehaerys appointed Aemon's brother [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]] over Rhaenys, Rhaenys proclaimed that the king had not only passed over her, but also her "unborn son". Upon Baelon's death in {{Date|101}}, Jaehaerys called the first [[Great Council]] at [[Harrenhal]], to appoint his new heir. For thirteen days, the fourteen claims were discussed by the lords of the realm. The lords assembled eventually chose between Rhaenys's son [[Laenor Velaryon]] and Baelon's eldest son [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]]. The elder Viserys was chosing with the great majority of the votes.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} | |
− | + | Viserys's reign gave peace and plenty to the realm. In {{Date|126}}, after passing judgement seated on the Iron Throne, Viserys injured himself severely on the barbs. The amputation of two of Viserys's fingers, Maester [[Gerardys]] managed to save the knig's life.{{Ref|fab|The Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} Following the death of [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|his second son]], Viserys officially proclaimed his daughter [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] as his heir. Viserys remarried after the death of [[Aemma Arryn|his first wife]], but despite having three sons during his second marriage, he continued to view Rhaenyra as his heir.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} At Viserys's death in early {{Date|129}}, [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]], his eldest son, claimed the throne, making use of Rhaenyra's presence at Dragonstone during her pregnancy. Brother and sister fought over the throne during the two and a half years that followed, in a struggle called the [[Dance of the Dragons]]. In {{Date|130}}, Rhaenyra [[fall of King's Landing|took King's Landing]] and sat the first night on the Iron Throne to accept fealty from those present at the Red Keep, wearing her armor. Regardless, [[Septon]] [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]], one of the supporters of Aegon II, claims that Rhaenyra had cuts on her legs and the palm of her left hand once she got up from the throne, and claimed this was an indication that "the Iron Throne had spurned her".{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} Rhaenyra fled King's Landing half a year later following [[riot of King's Landing|riots]], at which point two new "kings" declared themselves during the [[Moon of the Three Kings]]: [[Trystane Truefyre]], a young squire who took possession of the Red Keep and sat on the Iron Throne, and [[Gaemon Palehair]], a small child.{{Ref|Fab|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} Both were eventually arrested by Lord [[Borros Baratheon]], and [[Aegon II Targaryen]], who had by then executed Rhaenyra, retook the Iron Throne, which he held until he was killed with poison half a year later.{{Ref|fab|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}} Rhaenyra's eleven year-old son [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]] was crowned king, and married to Aegon II's daughter and only remaining child, [[Jaehaera Targaryen]], uniting the claims.{{Ref|fab|Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand}} When Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] died in {{Date|132}}, his body was placed beneath the Iron Throne for seven days.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}} | |
− | + | Aegon III was succeeded in {{Date|157}} by his fourteen-year old son, [[Daeron I Targaryen]], who was succeeded by his brother [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I]] four years later. When Baelor died in {{Date|171}} after a forty-day fast,{{ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}} the succession of the Iron Throne was again unclear. The claims of Baelor's three sisters were discussed, but dismissed, after which Baelor's uncle, [[Viserys II Targaryen]], was crowned. Viserys reigned for only a year, but it said he truly ruled and preserved the land for much longer, as he had been [[Hand of the King]] during the time of his brother Aegon III's reign, as well as the reigns of his nephews Daeron and Baelor. Despite the shortness of his reign, Viserys implemented several new reforms.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}} | |
− | After his | + | After Viserys II died of a sudden illness, his eldest son [[Aegon IV Targaryen]] ascended the throne, who is remembered in history as "the Unworthy". On his deathbed, Aegon IV legitimized all of his [[bastard]]s, including [[Daemon I Blackfyre]], his bastard son by his cousin [[Daena Targaryen]]. Aegon IV had previously gifted Daemon with the Targaryen sword [[Blackfyre]], typically considered the "sword of kings".{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} This, combined with the growing Dornish influence during the reign of Aegon IV's son [[Daeron II Targaryen]], ultimately brought forth the [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]], in which Daemon Blackfyre fought King [[Daeron II Targaryen]] for the Iron Throne.{{Ref|Twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}} |
− | [[Dorne]] | + | King [[Daeron II Targaryen]] brought Dorne peacefully into the realm early on in his reign, by wedding his younger sister [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Aegon IV)|Daenerys]] to his good-brother [[Maron Martell]], the [[Prince of Dorne]].{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}} In {{Date|196}}, Daemon I Blackfyre announced his claim to the throne. When he died during the [[Battle of the Redgrass Field]] later that year with his two eldest sons, his remaining children fled to [[Essos]]. [[Blackfyre Pretenders|Four other rebellions]] would follow in the decades that followed. The [[Second Blackfyre Rebellion|second]] and [[Third Blackfyre Rebellion|third]] rebellion took place during the reign of [[Aerys I Targaryen]],{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}} the fourth during the reign of [[Aegon V Targaryen]], {{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} and the fifth and final rebellion as part of the [[War of the Ninepenny Kings]] during the reign of [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]]. {{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} |
− | Daeron | + | Following the death of his eldest son [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor]] and Baelor's two sons [[Valarr Targaryen|Valarr]] and [[Matarys Targaryen|Matarys]], Daeron II was succeeded by his second son, [[Aerys I Targaryen ]]. Throughout his reign, Aerys acknowledged four different heirs: first came his brother [[Rhaegel Targaryen|Rhaegel]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}} After Rhaegel's death, Aerys acknowledged Rhaegel's only son [[Aelor Targaryen|Aelor]] as his heir, but Aelor died in {{Date|217}} during a mishap caused by his twin sister and wife, [[Aelora Targaryen|Aelora]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}} Aerys's third heir was Aelora.<ref>asoiaf.westeros.org: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/146027-rlj-v164/&do=findComment&comment=8092607 R+L=J v. 164 – Comment by Ran (December 12, 2017)]</ref> However, she was mad with grief and committed suicide sometime later, leaving Aerys to recognize his fourth and last heir to the throne, his youngest brother [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar]]. When Aerys died in {{Date|221}}, Maekar succeeded him.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}} |
− | + | Maekar's reign lasted until {{Date|233}}, when the king fell in battle fighting a rebellious lord on the [[Dornish Marches]]{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}} during the [[Peake Uprising]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} A [[Great Council]] was convened after Maekar's death, and his fourth son, [[Aegon V Targaryen]], was elected as king.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}} King Aegon V perished in {{Date|259}} in the [[tragedy of Summerhall]],{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} and was succeeded by his second son, [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys II]], who died three years later of illness. | |
− | + | Jaehaerys was followed by his son, [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]]. Although his reign began promising, Aerys's madness slowly grew. By {{Date|280}}, he had become nown as the “Mad King” and “King Scab”, for he had cut himself on the Iron Throne many times.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} In {{Date|282}}, the [[Vale]], [[North]], and parts of the [[Stormlands]] and [[riverlands]] rose in [[Robert's Rebellion|rebellion]] against Aerys following the executions of [[Rickard Stark|Rickard]] and [[Brandon Stark]]. During the [[Sack of King's Landing]], Aerys was cut down by one of his own [[Kingsguard]], Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]. Following the deaths of Aerys, his heir [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]], and Rhaegar's young children, and the exile of Aerys's pregnant wife [[Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella]] and young son [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]], [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] was crowned king, ending the Targaryen dynasty. | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | Jaehaerys was followed by his son, [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]], | ||
===Baratheon Dynasty=== | ===Baratheon Dynasty=== | ||
− | + | King [[Robert I Baratheon]] ascended to the Iron Throne in {{Date|283}}, following the death of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] during the [[Sack of King's Landing]]. Robert sat the Iron Throne, although he came to strongly dislike his kingship;{{ref|agot|33}} according to [[Donal Noye]], becoming king changed Robert, and not for the better.{{ref|aCoK|6}} Finding ruling his realm tedious,{{ref|AGOT|20}} Robert refers to the Iron Throne as "that damnable"{{Ref|agot|4}} and "monstrous uncomfortable" chair.{{Ref|agot|12}} Meanwhile, his love for tournaments and feasts beggared the realm,{{ref|AGOT|20}} and despite the fact that Aerys II had left treasure vaults overflowing with gold, Robert's spending has left the crown in debt of over six million [[Currency|golden dragons]].{{ref|AGOT|20}} | |
− | |||
− | + | In {{Date|289}}, Lord [[Balon Greyjoy]] of the [[Iron Islands]], proclaimed the independence of the Iron Islands and led a [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]] against the Iron Throne. The rebellion was put down within a year, after which Robert pardoned Greyjoy.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Glorious Reign}} | |
==Recent Events== | ==Recent Events== |
Revision as of 13:35, 6 July 2019
The Iron Throne is the seat of the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and is often used as a metonymic device to refer to the king's authority or to the polity born after Aegon's Conquest. The king often holds audiences and dispenses justice from atop it in the Red Keep's throne room. The chair itself is cold and hard, with many jagged edges.[2]
Only the Hand of the King may sit on the throne in the king's absence. Such privilege does not extend to regents.[3]
Contents
Appearance
- See also: Images of the Iron Throne
The Iron Throne was constructed by Aegon I Targaryen, the first king of the Seven Kingdoms. Aegon the Conqueror had the throne made from the swords surrendered by his enemies. It is supposed to have taken a thousand blades to make, heated in the breath of Balerion the Black Dread. The hammering took fifty-nine days.[4]
The Iron Throne is an asymmetric monstrosity of spikes and jagged edges and twisted metal. It is uncomfortable, and the back is fanged with steel which makes leaning back impossible. Aegon I had it made this way deliberately, saying that a king should never sit easy. King Aerys II Targaryen, the "Mad King," was always cutting himself upon it, and it is said that the throne itself has caused the deaths of several people.[4]
Since the construction of the Red Keep in King's Landing, the Iron Throne has been located on a high platform in the throne room within the castle. Usually, the members of the Kingsguard stand guard below. When the king is presiding, only he, his family, and his council may sit; all others must stand or kneel.[4] During the rule of the Targaryens, the throne room was decorated with the skulls of their dragons.[4]
Targaryen Dynasty
Following his conquest of six of the Seven Kingdoms in Westeros, Aegon I Targaryen proclaimed himself their king, and was crowned by the High Septon at Oldtown.[5] From the swords of his enemies, Aegon created the Iron Throne, and the dynasty he began would rule for nearly three hundred years.[5][4] The Iron Throne stood at Aegon's wooden castle, the Aegonfort, which was located at the place where he had first come to shore. The town that grew around it became King's Landing, the kingdom's new capital.[5][6] Aegon reconciled the Iron Islands under his rule in 2 AC, and continued his wars in 4 AC with the First Dornish War, in an attempt to subdue the seventh of the Westerosi kingdoms.[7]
The Iron Throne kept out of war following the conclusion of the First Dornish War in 13 AC.[7] Other wars with Dorne would follow under Aegon's successors: the Second Dornish War in 37 AC at the start of Aenys I Targaryen's reign, the Third and Fourth Dornish War during the reign of Jaehaerys I Targaryen,[8] and the Conquest of Dorne during the reign of Daeron I Targaryen.[9]
During Aegon's reign, one of his queens Rhaenys and Visenya Targaryen would sit on the Iron Throne while Aegon and his other sister were away from the capital for one of his progresses.[10] In 35 AC, Aegon had the Aegonfort where the Iron Throne stood torn down.[11] As construction of the Red Keep began, the Iron Throne remained where it had stood.[12]
Aegon's immediate successor, his eldest son Aenys I, faced several rebellions at the start of his reign in 37 AC, which were resolved by his bannermen and brother Maegor during the course of the year. Aenys later faced problems with the Faith of the Seven, first following his brother's polygamous marriage in 39 AC, and next after he married his own son and daughter to one another in 40 AC. The Faith rose in rebellion against the Iron Throne, eventually forcing Aenys and his family to flee King's Landing for Dragonstone. Aenys died the following year of illness.[13][12] Upon his death, his brother Maegor returned from his exile and claimed the throne over Aenys I's eldest son, Aegon, who was unable to travel to King's Landing. While Maegor took the throne, Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon proclaimed Prince Aegon king on Driftmark, but few came forth to support him. Called "the pretender" and "Aegon the Uncrowned", Aegon took up arms against Maegor in 43 AC after he slipped into the capital to claim the dragon Quicksilver. Aegon fell to Maegor during the Battle Beneath the Gods Eye later that year. During his six-year rule, Maegor continued to fight the Faith and did so harshly, causing the deaths of thousands. Notably, he ordered the construction of Maegor's Holdfast within the Red Keep in 43 AC. The Red Keep was completed in 45 AC, after which Maegor had all the workers killed to prevent the castle's secrets being spread.[12][14] Aenys I's youngest son Jaehaerys announced his claim to the throne at Storm's End early on in 48 AC. Maegor's main supporters flocked to Jaehaerys's side, leaving him with insufficient men to defend himself. Maegor was found dead seated on the Iron Throne by Queen Elinor Costayne hours after his last war council. The cause of Maegor's death is still debated; several potential murderers have been put forth, with some suggesting that Maegor had been killed by the throne, and others that Maegor had taken his own life.[12][15][14]
Following his death, Maegor was succeeded by his brother's youngest son, Jaehaerys I Targaryen. Jaehaerys reigned for fifty-five years.[16] He appointed his sister's eldest daughter Aerea Targaryen as his heir,[17][18] a position she held for five years (with the exception of three days during 52 AC), until the birth of Princess Daenerys.[19] The title of heir apparent was given to Prince Aemon following his birth two years later,[20] which he held until his own death in battle in 92 AC. Aemon's death caused a crisis in the succession, as his only issue was a daughter, Rhaenys. Rhaenys was pregnant upon the death of her father, and when Jaehaerys appointed Aemon's brother Baelon over Rhaenys, Rhaenys proclaimed that the king had not only passed over her, but also her "unborn son". Upon Baelon's death in 101 AC, Jaehaerys called the first Great Council at Harrenhal, to appoint his new heir. For thirteen days, the fourteen claims were discussed by the lords of the realm. The lords assembled eventually chose between Rhaenys's son Laenor Velaryon and Baelon's eldest son Viserys. The elder Viserys was chosing with the great majority of the votes.[21]
Viserys's reign gave peace and plenty to the realm. In 126 AC, after passing judgement seated on the Iron Throne, Viserys injured himself severely on the barbs. The amputation of two of Viserys's fingers, Maester Gerardys managed to save the knig's life.[22] Following the death of his second son, Viserys officially proclaimed his daughter Rhaenyra as his heir. Viserys remarried after the death of his first wife, but despite having three sons during his second marriage, he continued to view Rhaenyra as his heir.[21] At Viserys's death in early 129 AC, Aegon, his eldest son, claimed the throne, making use of Rhaenyra's presence at Dragonstone during her pregnancy. Brother and sister fought over the throne during the two and a half years that followed, in a struggle called the Dance of the Dragons. In 130 AC, Rhaenyra took King's Landing and sat the first night on the Iron Throne to accept fealty from those present at the Red Keep, wearing her armor. Regardless, Septon Eustace, one of the supporters of Aegon II, claims that Rhaenyra had cuts on her legs and the palm of her left hand once she got up from the throne, and claimed this was an indication that "the Iron Throne had spurned her".[23] Rhaenyra fled King's Landing half a year later following riots, at which point two new "kings" declared themselves during the Moon of the Three Kings: Trystane Truefyre, a young squire who took possession of the Red Keep and sat on the Iron Throne, and Gaemon Palehair, a small child.[24] Both were eventually arrested by Lord Borros Baratheon, and Aegon II Targaryen, who had by then executed Rhaenyra, retook the Iron Throne, which he held until he was killed with poison half a year later.[25] Rhaenyra's eleven year-old son Aegon III was crowned king, and married to Aegon II's daughter and only remaining child, Jaehaera Targaryen, uniting the claims.[26] When Lord Corlys Velaryon died in 132 AC, his body was placed beneath the Iron Throne for seven days.[27]
Aegon III was succeeded in 157 AC by his fourteen-year old son, Daeron I Targaryen, who was succeeded by his brother Baelor I four years later. When Baelor died in 171 AC after a forty-day fast,[28] the succession of the Iron Throne was again unclear. The claims of Baelor's three sisters were discussed, but dismissed, after which Baelor's uncle, Viserys II Targaryen, was crowned. Viserys reigned for only a year, but it said he truly ruled and preserved the land for much longer, as he had been Hand of the King during the time of his brother Aegon III's reign, as well as the reigns of his nephews Daeron and Baelor. Despite the shortness of his reign, Viserys implemented several new reforms.[29]
After Viserys II died of a sudden illness, his eldest son Aegon IV Targaryen ascended the throne, who is remembered in history as "the Unworthy". On his deathbed, Aegon IV legitimized all of his bastards, including Daemon I Blackfyre, his bastard son by his cousin Daena Targaryen. Aegon IV had previously gifted Daemon with the Targaryen sword Blackfyre, typically considered the "sword of kings".[30] This, combined with the growing Dornish influence during the reign of Aegon IV's son Daeron II Targaryen, ultimately brought forth the First Blackfyre Rebellion, in which Daemon Blackfyre fought King Daeron II Targaryen for the Iron Throne.[31]
King Daeron II Targaryen brought Dorne peacefully into the realm early on in his reign, by wedding his younger sister Daenerys to his good-brother Maron Martell, the Prince of Dorne.[31] In 196 AC, Daemon I Blackfyre announced his claim to the throne. When he died during the Battle of the Redgrass Field later that year with his two eldest sons, his remaining children fled to Essos. Four other rebellions would follow in the decades that followed. The second and third rebellion took place during the reign of Aerys I Targaryen,[32] the fourth during the reign of Aegon V Targaryen, [33] and the fifth and final rebellion as part of the War of the Ninepenny Kings during the reign of Jaehaerys II Targaryen. [34]
Following the death of his eldest son Baelor and Baelor's two sons Valarr and Matarys, Daeron II was succeeded by his second son, Aerys I Targaryen . Throughout his reign, Aerys acknowledged four different heirs: first came his brother Rhaegel.[35] After Rhaegel's death, Aerys acknowledged Rhaegel's only son Aelor as his heir, but Aelor died in 217 AC during a mishap caused by his twin sister and wife, Aelora.[35] Aerys's third heir was Aelora.[36] However, she was mad with grief and committed suicide sometime later, leaving Aerys to recognize his fourth and last heir to the throne, his youngest brother Maekar. When Aerys died in 221 AC, Maekar succeeded him.[35][37]
Maekar's reign lasted until 233 AC, when the king fell in battle fighting a rebellious lord on the Dornish Marches[37] during the Peake Uprising.[38] A Great Council was convened after Maekar's death, and his fourth son, Aegon V Targaryen, was elected as king.[37] King Aegon V perished in 259 AC in the tragedy of Summerhall,[33] and was succeeded by his second son, Jaehaerys II, who died three years later of illness. Jaehaerys was followed by his son, Aerys II. Although his reign began promising, Aerys's madness slowly grew. By 280 AC, he had become nown as the “Mad King” and “King Scab”, for he had cut himself on the Iron Throne many times.[39] In 282 AC, the Vale, North, and parts of the Stormlands and riverlands rose in rebellion against Aerys following the executions of Rickard and Brandon Stark. During the Sack of King's Landing, Aerys was cut down by one of his own Kingsguard, Ser Jaime Lannister. Following the deaths of Aerys, his heir Rhaegar, and Rhaegar's young children, and the exile of Aerys's pregnant wife Rhaella and young son Viserys, Robert Baratheon was crowned king, ending the Targaryen dynasty.
Baratheon Dynasty
King Robert I Baratheon ascended to the Iron Throne in 283 AC, following the death of King Aerys II Targaryen during the Sack of King's Landing. Robert sat the Iron Throne, although he came to strongly dislike his kingship;[40] according to Donal Noye, becoming king changed Robert, and not for the better.[41] Finding ruling his realm tedious,[42] Robert refers to the Iron Throne as "that damnable"[43] and "monstrous uncomfortable" chair.[44] Meanwhile, his love for tournaments and feasts beggared the realm,[42] and despite the fact that Aerys II had left treasure vaults overflowing with gold, Robert's spending has left the crown in debt of over six million golden dragons.[42]
In 289 AC, Lord Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands, proclaimed the independence of the Iron Islands and led a Greyjoy's Rebellion against the Iron Throne. The rebellion was put down within a year, after which Robert pardoned Greyjoy.[45]
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
King Robert Baratheon's reign comes to end after his wife, Queen Cersei Lannister, arranges his death. The eldest son of Cersei, Joffrey I Baratheon, takes the throne. Robert had acknowledged him as a trueborn son, but the father of Cersei's children is actually her twin, Jaime Lannister. The hunting tapestries which had replaced the dragon skulls are taken down from the throne room.
After Joffrey capriciously orders the beheading of Lord Eddard Stark, the North claims independence and secedes from the Iron Throne. Joffrey's bastardy leads Robert's younger brothers, Stannis and Renly Baratheon, to put forward their own claims to the Iron Throne.
A Clash of Kings
The Seven Kingdoms are thrown into turmoil during the War of the Five Kings. Renly is assassinated and Stannis is defeated at the Blackwater. The Greyjoys enter the war out of opportunism to re-establish independence for the Iron Islands.
A Storm of Swords
After two years of bitter fighting and the death of King of the North Robb Stark in the Red Wedding, the war is believed to have largely ended. Despite Joffrey's victory, he is poisoned at his own wedding feast in the throne room and his younger brother Tommen Baratheon is crowned in his place. Tommen is controlled by his advisors: his mother, Queen Regent Cersei, and his grandfather, Tywin Lannister, who serves as Tommen's Hand of the King.
A Feast for Crows
Following the death of Tywin, Cersei holds the Iron Throne as regent on behalf of her son, the young Tommen. However, after she re-establishes the Faith Militant, she is arrested by the Faith of the Seven for various crimes. Her uncle Kevan Lannister becomes regent in her place. King of the Iron Islands Euron Greyjoy tells the ironborn they can conquer all of Westeros.
A Dance with Dragons
Tommen continues to hold the Iron Throne under the regency of his grand-uncle, Kevin Lannister, but Stannis still maintains his claim even while in the North. The Golden Company begins their campaign to place Aegon VI Targaryen on the throne. In King's Landing, the regent is murdered by Varys.
Monarchy
Succession Law
The succession to the Iron Throne is appointive. The king may designate any person as heir to the throne, though they generally select members of the dynasty. In default of such designation, the throne passes by primogeniture. Another alternative is to summon a Great Council to decide upon the succession.
In the Great Council of 101 AC, the great lords chose a male heir through a junior male-line descent (Prince Viserys) over a male heir through a senior female-line descent (Laenor Velaryon). According to Archmaester Gyldayn, this established an iron precedent on matters of succession: that the Iron Throne could not pass to a woman, or to a male descendant of a woman (agnatic primogeniture).
Despite this, the kings still retained the right to select their heirs, and some even chose to ignore the agnatic principle. Ironically, it was also Prince Viserys, as King Viserys I, who first set aside the rule by choosing as heir his daughter by his first marriage (Princess Rhaenyra), over his son by his second marriage (Prince Aegon). This would eventually lead to the great civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, which drove both the royal family and their dragons to the brink of extinction.
List of Kings
The following kings have ruled the Seven Kingdoms with the Iron Throne as their seat:
Gallery
Gallery: Kings on the Iron Throne | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Rival Kings and Claimants to the Iron Throne
- 42 AC-43 AC: Aegon Targaryen, eldest son of Aenys I Targaryen and his rightful heir, laid claim to the throne after his uncle Maegor I Targaryen took it. He was killed by his uncle in the Battle Beneath the Gods Eye.
- 129 AC-130 AC: Rhaenyra Targaryen, also known as "the Realm's Delight", Princess of Dragonstone, the named heir to Viserys I Targaryen; her succession was challenged by her half-brother, Aegon II Targaryen. This led to the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.
- 130 AC: Trystane Truefyre, alleged bastard son of Viserys I Targaryen, during the Moon of the Three Kings.
- 130 AC: Gaemon Palehair, alleged bastard son of Aegon II Targaryen and a whore, during the Moon of the Three Kings.
- 196 AC-196 AC: Daemon I Blackfyre, the first of the Blackfyre Pretenders, trying to claim the throne during the First Blackfyre Rebellion.
- 212 AC: Daemon II Blackfyre, plotting to claim the throne during the Second Blackfyre Rebellion. The second of the Blackfyre Pretenders.
- 219 AC: Haegon I Blackfyre, trying to claim the throne during the Third Blackfyre Rebellion. The third of the Blackfyre Pretenders.
- 236 AC: Daemon III Blackfyre, trying to claim the throne during the Fourth Blackfyre Rebellion. The fourth of the Blackfyre Pretenders.
- 260 AC: Maelys I Blackfyre, trying to claim the throne during the War of the Ninepenny Kings. The fifth and last of the Blackfyre Pretenders.
- 283 AC-298 AC: Viserys Targaryen, the Beggar King, styling himself as Viserys III Targaryen; killed by the Dothraki for violating the laws of Vaes Dothrak.
- 298 AC-Present: Daenerys Targaryen, the Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, Queen of Meereen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea.
- 298 AC-299 AC: Renly I Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End; killed by a shadow.
- 299 AC-Present: Stannis I Baratheon, Lord of Dragonstone.
- 300 AC-Present: Aegon Targaryen, the allegedly still alive son of the late Prince Rhaegar Targaryen.
Quotes about the Iron Throne
I swear to you, sitting a throne is a thousand times harder than winning one.[43]
This is war, this is what it looks like, this is the price of the Iron Throne.[47]
—Daenerys Targaryen's thoughts
They can keep their red castle and their iron chair as well.[48]
Have you ever seen the Iron Throne? The barbs along the back, the ribbons of twisted steel, the jagged ends of swords and knives all tangled up and melted? It is not a comfortable seat, ser. Aerys cut himself so often men took to calling him King Scab, and Maegor the Cruel was murdered in that chair. By that chair, to hear some tell it. It is not a seat where a man can rest at ease. Ofttimes I wonder why my brothers wanted it so desperately.[15]
By the end the Mad King had become so fearful that he would allow no blade in his presence, save for the swords his Kingsguard wore. His beard was matted and unwashed, his hair a silver-gold tangle that reached his waist, his fingernails cracked yellow claws nine inches long. Yet still the blades tormented him, the ones he could never escape, the blades of the Iron Throne. His arms and legs were always covered with scabs and half-healed cuts.[49]
—Jaime Lannister's thoughts
I will claim the Iron Throne by myself, with your swords and your allegiance.[51]
—Aegon Targaryen to the Golden Company
—Jeor Mormont to Jon Snow
Behind the Scenes
George R. R. Martin intends the Iron Throne to be intimidating. In an interview, he referenced Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "Ozymandias": 'Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!'[53]
References
- ↑ George R.R. Martin: This is what the Iron Throne REALLY looks like
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 25, Tyrion VI.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 24, Cersei V.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 43, Eddard XI.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Fire & Blood, Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Three Heads had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings - Aegon I.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Year of the Brides - 49 A.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumps and Tragedies.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV.
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I.
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II.
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I.
- ↑ asoiaf.westeros.org: R+L=J v. 164 – Comment by Ran (December 12, 2017)
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 33, Eddard VIII.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 6, Jon I.
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 20, Eddard IV.
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 12, Eddard II.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Glorious Reign.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 47, Eddard XIII.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 61, Daenerys VII.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 71, Catelyn XI.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 5, Tyrion II.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 24, The Lost Lord.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 70, Jon IX.
- ↑ 92nd Street Y: Game of Thrones Mastermind George R. R. Martin: The World of Ice and Fire, Oct 26, 2014