Rhaella Targaryen
Rhaella Targaryen | |
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Title | Queen |
Allegiance | House Targaryen |
Died |
284 AC Dragonstone |
Spouse | Aerys II Targaryen |
Books |
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Rhaella Targaryen was the sister, wife, and queen of Aerys II and the daughter of Jaehaerys II. Her grandfather was Aegon V. Rhaella died in labor, giving birth to princess Daenerys.[1]
History
Ser Barristan Selmy claimed that in her youth she was in love with Ser Bonifer Hasty, who wore her favor and won a tournament where he named Rhaella Queen of Love and Beauty. The pair had a passionate but ultimately doomed relationship, as Ser Bonifer was of too low birth to be seriously considered as a suitor for a Targaryen princess.
Later in her life, at the command of her grandfather Aegon V, Rhaella married her brother Aerys at some time before 259 AC. Aegon was influenced by a woods witch brought to court by Jenny of Oldstones, who prophesied that the Prince that was Promised would be born from their line. According to Ser Barristan, there was no fondness between Aerys and Rhaella on the day of their wedding.[2]
On the same day her grandfather and his eldest son perished in the Tragedy at Summerhall, Aerys became Crown Prince and Rhaella gave birth to their first child, Rhaegar.[3]
In later years, as Aerys' 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 the queen was sent to Dragonstone to escape the coming siege of King's Landing by the rebels, Jaime Lannister of the Kingsguard recalls listening to Rhaella cry as the king raped her. In the morning, the queen's maids reported seeing scratches, bruises and bite marks all over her body.[4]
When the city fell two weeks later, she and her younger son Viserys became the last known surviving members of House Targaryen. Rhaella spent the duration of her pregnancy on Dragonstone, where she delivered her third child, Daenerys. She died shortly thereafter from the stress of giving birth.[5]
When she was a princess, her ladies-in-waiting included Lady Joanna Lannister and the mother of Prince Doran Martell.[6]
Family
References and Notes
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Daenerys IV
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 34, Samwell
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 70, Jon
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