Difference between revisions of "Rhaella Targaryen"

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{{Character  
 
{{Character  
| Character_name= [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]] '''Rhaella Targaryen''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]]
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| Character_name = [[File:House Targaryen.svg|50px|left]] Rhaella Targaryen [[File:House Targaryen.svg|50px|right]]
| image         = [[File:Rhaella Targaryen.jpg|250px]]
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| image = [[File:Rhaella targaryen by berghots.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption =  
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| image_caption = Rhaella Targaryen, by Bella Bergolts ©.
| Alias =
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| Alias =
| Title = Princess<br>Queen<br>Dowager Queen
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| Title = Princess<br>Queen<br>Dowager Queen
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
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| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
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| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture =  
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| Culture = [[Crownlands]]
| Spouse = King [[Aerys II Targaryen]]
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| Spouse = King [[Aerys II Targaryen]]
| Place_of_Birth= [[King's Landing]]{{Ref|AWOIAF| Rhaella Targaryen}}
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| Place_of_Birth = [[King's Landing]]{{Ref|AWOIAF| Rhaella Targaryen}}
 
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|245}} or {{Date|246}}<ref name=Calculation>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella Targaryen]] calculation.''</ref>
 
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|245}} or {{Date|246}}<ref name=Calculation>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella Targaryen]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Death= [[Dragonstone]]{{Ref|AGOT|3}}
+
| Place_of_Death = [[Dragonstone]]{{Ref|AGOT|3}}
 
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|284}}<ref name=Calculation>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella Targaryen]] calculation.''</ref>
 
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|284}}<ref name=Calculation>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella Targaryen]] calculation.''</ref>
| Books = ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (Mentioned)<br>''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (Mentioned)<br>''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (Mentioned)<br>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (Mentioned)<br>''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (Mentioned)
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| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned)
 
}}
 
}}
  
Queen '''Rhaella Targaryen''' was the sister, wife, and queen of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] and the only daughter of King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]]. Her grandfather was King [[Aegon V Targaryen]]. Rhaella was the mother of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]], Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]], and Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]]. She died shortly after Daenerys' birth.{{ref|AGOT|3}}
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Queen '''Rhaella Targaryen''' was the sister, wife, and queen of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] and the only daughter of King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]] and his sister-wife, Queen [[Shaera Targaryen]]. Her grandfather was King [[Aegon V Targaryen]]. Rhaella was the mother of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]], Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]], and Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]]. She died shortly after Daenerys's birth.{{ref|AGOT|3}}
  
[[File:Aerys_wedding.jpg|thumb|350px|Rhaella and [[Aerys II|Aerys]]' unhappy wedding]]
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==Character==
 +
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Rhaella Targaryen|Images of Rhaella Targaryen]]''
 +
Rhaella was said to have always been mindful of her duty.{{Ref|ADWD|43}}
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
===Early Life===
+
===Early life===
Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] claimed that in her youth Rhaella was in love with Ser Bonifer Hasty, a young landed knight{{Ref|AWOIAF| Bonifer Hasty}} from the [[Stormlands]], who had once namer her [[Queen of Love and Beauty]]. It had been a brief thing, as Ser Bonifer was of too lowe birth to ever be seriously considered as a suitor for a Princess.{{Ref|ADWD|43}}
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Rhaella was born in either {{Date|245}} or {{Date|246}}<ref name=Calculation/> to Prince [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys]] and Princess [[Shaera Targaryen]]. She had an older brother, [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}
  
Rhaella was married to her older brother,{{Ref|TWOAIF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}} [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]], on the command of her father, Prince [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys]].{{Ref|ADWD|43}}{{Ref|ADWD|23}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon V}} According to [[Barristan Selmy]], there was no fondness between Aerys and Rhaella on the day of their wedding.{{ref|ADWD|23}} In {{Date|259}}, whilst present at [[Summerhall]], Rhaella gave birth to the first of her children, Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], whilst the [[Tragedy of Summerhall]] raged.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aegon V}}{{Ref|AWOIAF| Rhaegar Targaryen}}
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According to Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], Rhaella had been in love with Ser [[Bonifer Hasty]], a young [[landed knight]]{{Ref|AWOIAF| Bonifer Hasty}} from the [[stormlands]], during her youth. Bonifer once named her his [[queen of love and beauty]]. Their affair was a short one, however, as Bonifer was of too low birth to ever be seriously considered a suitor for Rhaella.{{Ref|ADWD|43}}
  
As a princess, and eventual queen, Rhaella had multiple ladies in waiting. At some point, this included the mother of Prince [[Doran Martell]], and, from {{Date|259}} to {{Date|263}}, Lady [[Joanna Lannister]].{{ref|ASOS|70}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aerys II}}
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[[File:Aerys wedding.jpg|thumb|370px|left|Rhaella and [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys's]] unhappy [[Customs#Marriage|wedding]].]]
  
===Married life===
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Rhaella was married at a young age to her older brother,{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}} [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]], on the command of their father, Prince [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys]].{{Ref|ADWD|43}}{{Ref|ADWD|23}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} Jaehaerys had been influenced by a [[Ghost of High Heart|woods witch]] brought to court by [[Jenny of Oldstones]]. The [[woods witch]] prophesied that [[the prince that was promised]] would be born from Aerys's and Rhaella's line,{{Ref|ADWD|23}} making Jaehaerys determined to marry his daughter to his son. King [[Aegon V Targaryen]], whilst frustrated with his son's decision, allowed Jaehaerys to do as he wished.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} According to Barristan, there was no fondness between Aerys and Rhaella on the day of their [[Customs#Marriage|wedding]].{{ref|ADWD|23}}
Rhaella's marriage to Aerys was arranged at the command of their father, King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys II]]. He had been influenced by a [[Ghost of High Heart|woods witch]], who had been brought to court by [[Jenny of Oldstones]]. The woods witch prophesied that [[the prince that was promised]] would be born from Aerys' and Rhaella's line.{{Ref|ADWD|23}}
 
  
On the same day her [[Aegon V Targaryen|grandfather]] and his [[Duncan Targaryen|eldest son]] perished in the [[Tragedy at Summerhall]], Aerys became crown prince and Rhaella gave birth to their first child, [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]].{{ref|AFFC|34}}
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As a princess, and eventual queen, Rhaella had multiple ladies in waiting. At some point, they included the mother of Prince [[Doran Martell]], and, from {{Date|259}} to {{Date|263}}, Lady [[Joanna Lannister]] from [[Casterly Rock]].{{ref|ASOS|70}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
  
 
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===Married life===
After Rhaegar's birth, Rhaella and Aerys had more trouble where their children were concerned. In the seventeen years following Rhaegar's birth, Rhaella went through multiple pregnancies, stillbirths and miscarriages:
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In {{Date|259}}, whilst present at [[Summerhall]], Rhaella gave birth to the first of her children, Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], whilst the [[tragedy of Summerhall]] raged.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}{{Ref|AWOIAF| Rhaegar Targaryen}}{{Ref|AFFC|35}} During the tragedy, Rhaella's grandfather, King [[Aegon V Targaryen]], died, leading to her own father, ascending the throne as [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} Following Jaehaerys's own death, in {{Date|262}}, Rhaella's brother and husband ascended the throne as King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], and Rhaella became queen.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
 +
[[File:Marc Simonetti The fire at the summer palace.jpg|thumb|350px|Rhaella giving birth to Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]] as [[Summerhall]] [[Tragedy at Summerhall|burns down]].]]
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Following Rhaegar's birth, Rhaella and Aerys had multiple trouble where childbirth was concerned. In the seventeen years following Rhaegar's birth, Rhaella went through multiple pregnancies, stillbirths and miscarriages:{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
 
* miscarriage in {{Date|263}}
 
* miscarriage in {{Date|263}}
 
* miscarriage in {{Date|264}}
 
* miscarriage in {{Date|264}}
 
* Princess [[Shaena Targaryen]], born in {{Date|267}}, stillborn  
 
* Princess [[Shaena Targaryen]], born in {{Date|267}}, stillborn  
 
* Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Aerys II)|Daeron Targaryen]], born in {{Date|269}}, lived only half a year
 
* Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Aerys II)|Daeron Targaryen]], born in {{Date|269}}, lived only half a year
* stillbirth in {{Date|270}}, gender and name of child unnown
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* stillbirth in {{Date|270}}, gender and name of child unknown
 
* miscarriage in {{Date|271}}
 
* miscarriage in {{Date|271}}
 
* Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aerys II)|Aegon Targaryen]], born in {{Date|272}}, born two months premature, died in {{Date|273}}
 
* Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aerys II)|Aegon Targaryen]], born in {{Date|272}}, born two months premature, died in {{Date|273}}
 
* Prince [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aerys II)|Jaehaerys Targaryen]], born in {{Date|274}}, died later that same year
 
* Prince [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aerys II)|Jaehaerys Targaryen]], born in {{Date|274}}, died later that same year
  
While at first, her brother comforted Rhaella in her grief, the multiple stillbirths, miscarriages and dead children eventually caused Aerys to become suspicious of Rhaella. He accused her of being unfaithful, and that the dead children had been bastards. Rhaella was confined to Maegor's Holdfast (roughly around 270AC), and Aerys decreed that two septas would sleep in Rhaella's bed every night, to ensure she would remain faithful.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aerys II}}
+
While at first, her brother comforted Rhaella in her grief, the multiple stillbirths, miscarriages and dead children eventually caused Aerys to become suspicious. He accused her of having been unfaithful, and claimed that the dead children had been bastards. Rhaella was confined to [[Maegor's Holdfast]] (roughly around {{date|270}}), and Aerys decreed that two [[septas]] would sleep in Rhaella's bed every night, to ensure she would remain faithful.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
  
The death of Prince Jaehaerys in {{Date|264}} shifted Aerys' suspicions to others. He first blamed Jaehaerys' wetnurse first, in black rage, and had her beheaded. It did not take Aerys long to decide Jaehaerys had been poisoned, and that the poisoner had been his own mistress, the young daughter of a household knight. The girl and her family were tortured to death, and all confessed to the murder (though the details of their confessions differed greatly).{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aerys II}}
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The death of Prince Jaehaerys in {{Date|274}} shifted Aerys' suspicions to others. He first blamed Jaehaerys's [[wet nurse]], and had her beheaded in a black rage. He later became convinced that Jaehaerys had been [[poison]]ed by his mistress, and had the girl and her family tortured to death.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
  
Afterwards, Aerys decided that he himself had been to blame. He fasted for a fornight, made a walk of repentance across the city to the Great Sept, and prayed with the High Septon. When he returned, he declared that he would only sleep with Rhaella from that day forth. If the chronicles can be believed, Aerys remained true to this vow, thereby ceasing to have mistresses from {{Date|275}} forth.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aerys II}
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Aerys then fasted for a fortnight, made a walk of repentance across the city to the [[Great Sept of Baelor]], and prayed with the [[High Septon]]. Upon his return, he declared that he would only sleep with Rhaella, his wife, from that day forth. As far as is known, Aerys remained true to this vow, no longer taking any mistress from {{Date|275}} forth.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
  
In {{Date|276}}, Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] was born, small and robust, and most of all, healthy. However, Viserys' birth terrified Aerys, who feared Viserys would suffer the fate of his brothers. No one was allowed to touch the child, Rhaella included. She was even forbidden to be alone with Viserys. And when Rhaella's milk dried up, Aerys insisted that his own food taster would suckle at the breasts of the wet nurse, to be certain that there was no poison on her nipples.
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In {{Date|276}}, Rhaella gave birth to Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]]. While he was small and robust, he was healthy. However, Aerys feared that Viserys would die like his brothers, and so tasked the [[Kingsguard]] to watch over the infant. Even Rhaella was forbidden to be alone with her son. Aerys insisted that his food taster suckle at the breasts of the wet nurse, to be certain that there was no poison on her nipples.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
  
When Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], [[Hand of the King]], held a tourney at [[Lannisport]] to celebrate Viserys' birth in {{Date|276}}, Rhaella was ordered to remain at [[King's Landing]] with Viserys. In {{Date|281}}, during the Tourney at Harrenhal, the same occured.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aerys II}}{{Ref|ASOS|44}}
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When Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], [[Hand of the King]], held a [[tournament in honor of Viserys's birth]] at [[Lannisport]] in {{Date|276}}, Rhaella was ordered to remain at [[King's Landing]] with Viserys.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} In {{Date|281}}, during the [[tourney at Harrenhal]], Rhaella again remained in the capital with Viserys.{{Ref|ASOS|44}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}
  
In the later years of the marriage of Aerys and Rhaella, as Aerys's [[Targaryen madness|insanity]] began to set in, he grew sexually abusive toward Rhaella.  He developed a sexual fetish for fire and death, only sleeping with Rhaella after he had executed someone by burning. The final time, just before the queen was sent to [[Dragonstone]] to escape the coming siege of [[King's Landing]] by rebels during the [[Robert's Rebellion]], Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] of the [[Kingsguard]] recalls listening to Rhaella cry as the king raped her; when Jaime protested that the Kingsguard were sworn to defend the queen as well, Ser [[Jon Darry]] replied, ''"We are, but not from him"''. In the morning, the queen's maids reported seeing scratches, bruises and bite marks all over her body.{{ref|AFFC|16}}
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In the later years of the marriage of Aerys and Rhaella, the Mad King's [[Targaryen madness|insanity]] set in. According to Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], Rhaella did her best to protect Viserys from the worst of Aerys's excesses, keeping her child oblivious to the fact his father was sliding deeper into madness.{{ref|ASOS|71}} According to Ser [[Jaime Lannister]], Rhaella's eyes had been closed for years by the time Aerys ordered caches of [[wildfire]] be placed all over King's Landing.{{Ref|ASOS|37}}
  
According to Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], Rhaella did her best to protect her younger son, [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]], from the worst of Aerys's excesses, keeping her child oblivious to the fact his father was sliding deeper into madness.{{ref|ASOS|71}} In [[Harrenhal]] Jaime tells [[Brienne]] that by the time King Aerys was ordering that caches of [[wildfire]] be placed all over King's Landing Rhaella's eyes had been closed for years.
+
Aerys grew sexually abusive toward Rhaella, developing a sexual fetish for fire and death and only sleeping with Rhaella after he had executed someone by burning. The last time was during [[Robert's Rebellion]] after Aerys burned his then-Hand, Lord [[Qarlton Chelsted]], for opposing the Mad King's [[wildfire plot]]. Jaime recalls listening outside Rhaella's bedchamber as she cried as the king raped her; when Jaime protested that the Kingsguard were sworn to defend the queen as well, his sworn brother Ser [[Jonothor Darry]] replied, "We are, but not from him". The queen's maids reported seeing scratches, bruises and bite marks all over her body.{{ref|AFFC|16}}
  
 
===Evacuation to Dragonstone===
 
===Evacuation to Dragonstone===
After the royalist defeat at the [[Battle of the Trident]], Queen Rhaella, who was in the early stages of pregnancy, and Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] were evacuated, sailing to [[Dragonstone]] with the Red Keep's master-at-arms Ser [[Willem Darry]], before King's Landing [[Sack of King's Landing|fell]] to the rebels. During the first months of exile Rhaella crowned her son Viserys Targaryen on [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|awoiaf}} As [[Robert's Rebellion]] wound down, Dragonstone became the last haven of the remaining Targaryens.  
+
Soon after the burning of Lord Chelsted,{{ref|AWOIAF| Aerys II Targaryen}} [[King's Landing]] was informed of the death of Rhaegar at the hands of Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] during the [[battle of the Trident]]. Aerys evacuated Queen Rhaella, who was in the early stages of pregnancy, and Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] to [[Dragonstone]]{{ref|ASOS|37}} along with the Red Keep's master-at-arms, Ser [[Willem Darry]].{{ref|AGOT|39}} Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] remembers Rhaella traveling to her ship in the morning,{{ref|AFFC|16}} while Viserys speaks of a midnight flight to Dragonstone.{{ref|AGOT|3}}
 +
 
 +
Remaining in the capital, Aerys and Rhaegar's family were killed during the [[sack of King's Landing]]. Dragonstone became the last haven of the remaining Targaryens.{{ref|AGOT|3}}
 +
 
 +
===Pregnancy and Death===
 +
With Aerys, Rhaegar, and Rhaegar's son [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]] dead, Rhaella crowned Viserys at Dragonstone,{{ref|AWOIAF| Rhaella Targaryen}} although the [[Great Houses]] instead recognized [[Robert I Baratheon]] as the new [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]].
 +
 
 +
Rhaella spent the duration of her pregnancy on Dragonstone. Nine moons after sailing from King's Landing Rhaella gave birth to her only daughter, whom she named [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]],<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1202/ Numerous Questions (February 28, 2002)]</ref> while a raging summer storm threatened to rip the island fastness apart. Rhaella died shortly thereafter from complications of childbirth.{{ref|AGOT|3}}
  
===Death===
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Prior to [[Stannis Baratheon]]'s [[assault on Dragonstone]], Willem Darry fled from Dragonstone with Rhaella's surviving children, Viserys and Daenerys Stormborn, for the [[Free Cities]].{{ref|AGOT|3}} Later, with the exiled siblings living in poverty, Viserys sold Rhaella's [[crown]] to survive.{{ref|ACOK|40}}
Rhaella spent the duration of her pregnancy on Dragonstone.  Nine moons after their midnight flight from King's Landing Rhaella gave birth to her third child and only daughter Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] while a raging summer storm threatened to rip the island fastness apart.  Rhaella died shortly thereafter from complications of giving birth. {{ref|AGOT|3}} Rhaella's surviving children inherited her crown.  Later, in poverty in exile, they sell their mother’s crown in order to survive.{{Ref|aSoS|27}}
 
  
 
==Quotes about Rhaella==
 
==Quotes about Rhaella==
{{Quote|Whenever Aerys gave a man to the flames, Queen Rhaella would have a visitor in the night.}} – [[Jaime Lannister]]’s thoughts
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{{Quote|When [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] sold their mother's [[crown]], the last joy had gone from him, leaving only rage.{{ref|ASOS|27}}}} – [[Daenerys Targaryen]]'s thoughts
  
  
{{Quote|'''Jaime:''' [[Kingsguard|We]] are sworn to protect her as well.
+
{{Quote|Whenever [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] gave a man to the flames, Queen Rhaella would have a visitor in the night.{{ref|AFFC|16}}}} – [[Jaime Lannister]]'s thoughts
  
'''Jonothor:''' We are, but not from [[Aerys II Targaryen|him]].{{Ref|affc|16}}}}
 
– [[Jaime Lannister]] and [[Jonothor Darry]]
 
  
 
+
{{Quote|The queen your mother was always mindful of her duty.{{ref|ADWD|43}}}} – [[Barristan Selmy]], to [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
{{Quote|The queen your mother was always mindful of her duty.}} – [[Barristan Selmy]], to [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
 
  
 
==Family==
 
==Family==
 
{{Targaryen_tree_now}}
 
{{Targaryen_tree_now}}
  
==See also==
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==References==
:*[[:Category:Images of Rhaella Targaryen|Images of Rhaella Targaryen]]
+
{{References|2}}
  
==References and Notes==
+
{{Royal consorts of Westeros}}
{{references|3}}
 
 
 
{{Template:Royal consorts of Westeros}}
 
  
 +
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
 
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Targaryen, Rhaella]]
 
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Targaryen, Rhaella]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
+
[[Category:Members of Aegon V Targaryen's court|Targaryen, Rhaella]]
 +
[[Category:Members of Jaehaerys II Targaryen's court|Targaryen, Rhaella]]
 +
[[Category:Members of Aerys II Targaryen's court|Targaryen, Rhaella]]
 
[[Category:Noblewomen|Targaryen, Rhaella]]
 
[[Category:Noblewomen|Targaryen, Rhaella]]
 +
[[Category:Royal consorts|Targaryen, Rhaella]]
  
 
[[es:Rhaella Targaryen]]
 
[[es:Rhaella Targaryen]]

Revision as of 18:19, 11 May 2018

House Targaryen.svg
Rhaella Targaryen
House Targaryen.svg
Rhaella targaryen by berghots.jpg
Rhaella Targaryen, by Bella Bergolts ©.

Titles
  • Princess
  • Queen
  • Dowager Queen
Allegiance House Targaryen
Race Valyrian
Culture Crownlands
Born 245 AC or 246 AC[1]
King's Landing[2]
Died 284 AC[1]
Dragonstone[3]
Spouse King Aerys II Targaryen
Books

Queen Rhaella Targaryen was the sister, wife, and queen of King Aerys II Targaryen and the only daughter of King Jaehaerys II Targaryen and his sister-wife, Queen Shaera Targaryen. Her grandfather was King Aegon V Targaryen. Rhaella was the mother of Prince Rhaegar, Prince Viserys, and Princess Daenerys. She died shortly after Daenerys's birth.[3]

Character

See also: Images of Rhaella Targaryen

Rhaella was said to have always been mindful of her duty.[4]

History

Early life

Rhaella was born in either 245 AC or 246 AC[1] to Prince Jaehaerys and Princess Shaera Targaryen. She had an older brother, Aerys.[5]

According to Ser Barristan Selmy, Rhaella had been in love with Ser Bonifer Hasty, a young landed knight[6] from the stormlands, during her youth. Bonifer once named her his queen of love and beauty. Their affair was a short one, however, as Bonifer was of too low birth to ever be seriously considered a suitor for Rhaella.[4]

Rhaella and Aerys's unhappy wedding.

Rhaella was married at a young age to her older brother,[5] Aerys, on the command of their father, Prince Jaehaerys.[4][7][8] Jaehaerys had been influenced by a woods witch brought to court by Jenny of Oldstones. The woods witch prophesied that the prince that was promised would be born from Aerys's and Rhaella's line,[7] making Jaehaerys determined to marry his daughter to his son. King Aegon V Targaryen, whilst frustrated with his son's decision, allowed Jaehaerys to do as he wished.[8] According to Barristan, there was no fondness between Aerys and Rhaella on the day of their wedding.[7]

As a princess, and eventual queen, Rhaella had multiple ladies in waiting. At some point, they included the mother of Prince Doran Martell, and, from 259 AC to 263 AC, Lady Joanna Lannister from Casterly Rock.[9][10]

Married life

In 259 AC, whilst present at Summerhall, Rhaella gave birth to the first of her children, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, whilst the tragedy of Summerhall raged.[8][11][12] During the tragedy, Rhaella's grandfather, King Aegon V Targaryen, died, leading to her own father, ascending the throne as Jaehaerys II Targaryen.[13] Following Jaehaerys's own death, in 262 AC, Rhaella's brother and husband ascended the throne as King Aerys II Targaryen, and Rhaella became queen.[10]

Rhaella giving birth to Prince Rhaegar as Summerhall burns down.

Following Rhaegar's birth, Rhaella and Aerys had multiple trouble where childbirth was concerned. In the seventeen years following Rhaegar's birth, Rhaella went through multiple pregnancies, stillbirths and miscarriages:[10]

While at first, her brother comforted Rhaella in her grief, the multiple stillbirths, miscarriages and dead children eventually caused Aerys to become suspicious. He accused her of having been unfaithful, and claimed that the dead children had been bastards. Rhaella was confined to Maegor's Holdfast (roughly around 270 AC), and Aerys decreed that two septas would sleep in Rhaella's bed every night, to ensure she would remain faithful.[10]

The death of Prince Jaehaerys in 274 AC shifted Aerys' suspicions to others. He first blamed Jaehaerys's wet nurse, and had her beheaded in a black rage. He later became convinced that Jaehaerys had been poisoned by his mistress, and had the girl and her family tortured to death.[10]

Aerys then fasted for a fortnight, made a walk of repentance across the city to the Great Sept of Baelor, and prayed with the High Septon. Upon his return, he declared that he would only sleep with Rhaella, his wife, from that day forth. As far as is known, Aerys remained true to this vow, no longer taking any mistress from 275 AC forth.[10]

In 276 AC, Rhaella gave birth to Prince Viserys. While he was small and robust, he was healthy. However, Aerys feared that Viserys would die like his brothers, and so tasked the Kingsguard to watch over the infant. Even Rhaella was forbidden to be alone with her son. Aerys insisted that his food taster suckle at the breasts of the wet nurse, to be certain that there was no poison on her nipples.[10]

When Lord Tywin Lannister, Hand of the King, held a tournament in honor of Viserys's birth at Lannisport in 276 AC, Rhaella was ordered to remain at King's Landing with Viserys.[10] In 281 AC, during the tourney at Harrenhal, Rhaella again remained in the capital with Viserys.[14][15]

In the later years of the marriage of Aerys and Rhaella, the Mad King's insanity set in. According to Ser Barristan Selmy, Rhaella did her best to protect Viserys from the worst of Aerys's excesses, keeping her child oblivious to the fact his father was sliding deeper into madness.[16] According to Ser Jaime Lannister, Rhaella's eyes had been closed for years by the time Aerys ordered caches of wildfire be placed all over King's Landing.[17]

Aerys grew sexually abusive toward Rhaella, developing a sexual fetish for fire and death and only sleeping with Rhaella after he had executed someone by burning. The last time was during Robert's Rebellion after Aerys burned his then-Hand, Lord Qarlton Chelsted, for opposing the Mad King's wildfire plot. Jaime recalls listening outside Rhaella's bedchamber as she cried as the king raped her; when Jaime protested that the Kingsguard were sworn to defend the queen as well, his sworn brother Ser Jonothor Darry replied, "We are, but not from him". The queen's maids reported seeing scratches, bruises and bite marks all over her body.[18]

Evacuation to Dragonstone

Soon after the burning of Lord Chelsted,[19] King's Landing was informed of the death of Rhaegar at the hands of Lord Robert Baratheon during the battle of the Trident. Aerys evacuated Queen Rhaella, who was in the early stages of pregnancy, and Prince Viserys to Dragonstone[17] along with the Red Keep's master-at-arms, Ser Willem Darry.[20] Ser Jaime Lannister remembers Rhaella traveling to her ship in the morning,[18] while Viserys speaks of a midnight flight to Dragonstone.[3]

Remaining in the capital, Aerys and Rhaegar's family were killed during the sack of King's Landing. Dragonstone became the last haven of the remaining Targaryens.[3]

Pregnancy and Death

With Aerys, Rhaegar, and Rhaegar's son Aegon dead, Rhaella crowned Viserys at Dragonstone,[2] although the Great Houses instead recognized Robert I Baratheon as the new Lord of the Seven Kingdoms.

Rhaella spent the duration of her pregnancy on Dragonstone. Nine moons after sailing from King's Landing Rhaella gave birth to her only daughter, whom she named Daenerys,[21] while a raging summer storm threatened to rip the island fastness apart. Rhaella died shortly thereafter from complications of childbirth.[3]

Prior to Stannis Baratheon's assault on Dragonstone, Willem Darry fled from Dragonstone with Rhaella's surviving children, Viserys and Daenerys Stormborn, for the Free Cities.[3] Later, with the exiled siblings living in poverty, Viserys sold Rhaella's crown to survive.[22]

Quotes about Rhaella

When Viserys sold their mother's crown, the last joy had gone from him, leaving only rage.[23]

Daenerys Targaryen's thoughts


Whenever Aerys gave a man to the flames, Queen Rhaella would have a visitor in the night.[18]

Jaime Lannister's thoughts


The queen your mother was always mindful of her duty.[4]

Barristan Selmy, to Daenerys Targaryen

Family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aegon V
 
Betha
Blackwood
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Duncan
 
Jenny
of Oldstones
 
Jaehaerys II
 
Shaera
 
Daeron
 
Rhaelle
 
Ormund
Baratheon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aerys II
 
Rhaella
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
House Baratheon.svg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rhaegar
 
Elia
Martell
 
Shaena
 
 
Stillborn
child
 
 
Jaehaerys
 
 
Drogo
 
Daenerys
 
Hizdahr
zo Loraq
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rhaenys
 
Aegon
 
 
 
Daeron
 
Aegon
 
Viserys
 
Rhaego
 

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 See the Rhaella Targaryen calculation.
  2. 2.0 2.1 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Rhaella Targaryen.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 43, Daenerys VII.
  5. 5.0 5.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Targaryen Lineage.
  6. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Bonifer Hasty.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 23, Daenerys IV.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V.
  9. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 70, Tyrion X.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
  11. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Rhaegar Targaryen.
  12. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 35, Samwell IV.
  13. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II.
  14. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 44, Jaime VI.
  15. The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring.
  16. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 71, Daenerys VI.
  17. 17.0 17.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 37, Jaime V.
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.
  19. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Aerys II Targaryen.
  20. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 39, Eddard X.
  21. So Spake Martin: Numerous Questions (February 28, 2002)
  22. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 40, Daenerys III.
  23. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 27, Daenerys III.