Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)
Rhaena Targaryen | |
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Rhaena Targaryen, by Magali Villeneuve, as depicted in The World of Ice and Fire | |
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Alias | Black Bride |
Titles |
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Allegiance | House Targaryen |
Race | Valyrian |
Culture | Crownlands |
Born | 23 AC[1] |
Spouses |
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Books |
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Princess Rhaena Targaryen, one of the Black Brides[2][3] of King Maegor I Targaryen, was the eldest of the six children of King Aenys I Targaryen and Queen Alyssa Velaryon.[4][5] She was a dragonrider and rode the dragon Dreamfyre.[6]
History
Early life
Rhaena was born in 23 AC to Prince Aenys Targaryen and Lady Alyssa Velaryon. Following Rhaena's birth, people suggested that her uncle Maegor would fall behind her in the line of succession, as she was the eldest (and at the time only) child of Aenys, the heir to the throne. Within a year of her birth,[N 1] Queen Visenya suggested a betrothal between Maegor, her son, and Rhaena in order to settle the succession issue.[7] However, the High Septon protested and suggested his own niece as a bride for Maegor instead.[4][3]
Rhaena's father inherited the Iron Throne in 37 AC. In 41 AC, King Aenys I arranged the marriage of Rhaena to her eldest brother, Prince Aegon. The Faith of the Seven did not accept this incestuous match, and began an uprising against the throne.[4] The marriage of Rhaena and her brother would last only a few years, during which time she gave birth to twin daughters, Princess Aerea and Princess Rhaella.[5]
Reign of Maegor I
In 42 AC Rhaena and Aegon found themselves besieged at Crakehall by members of the Faith. Upon learning of this news, Rhaena's father, King Aenys I, collapsed, and died soon after on Dragonstone. Dowager Queen Visenya brought Prince Maegor back from his exile in Essos. With Aegon and Rhaena away from Dragonstone, Maegor seized the crown.[3]
Prince Aegon and Princess Rhaena sought refuge from their uncle. At one point, Lord Lyman Lannister protected them by extending guest right and refusing all the king's demands to turn them over. However, Lord Lyman refused to pledge his swords to Aegon and Rhaena.[8] Aegon fought Maegor for the throne, but died in battle against Maegor during the Battle Beneath the Gods Eye in 43 AC.[3] Rhaena and her daughters took refuge on Fair Isle, where they were under the protection of Lord Farman. Tyanna, one of Maegor's three queens, eventually found them. As Rhaena had proven to be fertile by giving birth, she was forced to wed Maegor in 47 AC, in the king's attempt to father an heir.[3] In the same ceremony, Maegor married Jeyne Westerling and Elinor Costayne, women who had given birth earlier as well. Together, they became known as Maegor's "Black Brides".[2][3]
When Rhaena learned that her youngest brother, Prince Jaehaerys, had announced his claim to the Iron Throne, she fled King's Landing on her dragon Dreamfyre to join Jaehaerys's cause. During her flight, Rhaena stole the Valyrian steel sword Blackfyre away from Maegor while he slept.[3]
Family
Notes
- ↑ The World of Ice and Fire states that "[Ceryse Hightower] was advanced by her uncle, the High Septon, after he protested the betrothal of the thirteen-year-old Prince Maegor to Maegor's newborn niece, Princess Rhaena. Ceryse and Maegor were married in 25 AC." (The World of Ice and Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I); However, it has since been stated that Maegor was eleven at the suggestion of betrothing him to the newborn Rhaena. Notes taken from a reading of The Sons of the Dragon state that Maegor had just turned twelve when the betrothal to Rhaena was suggested, placing the attempt in 24 AC the latest.
References
- ↑ "The Sons of the Dragon", Read at LonCon, Aug 15 2014
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Rogue Prince.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Targaryen Lineage.
- ↑ The Princess and the Queen.
- ↑ The Sons of the Dragon: Notes from the reading at LonCon 2014 - Additional info (April 19, 2017)
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons.
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