Viserys II Targaryen
Viserys II | |
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Viserys II by Amok© | |
Monarch | |
Reign | 171 AC - 172 AC |
Full name | Viserys II Targaryen Second of His Name |
Titles |
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Predecessor | Baelor I Targaryen |
Heir | Aegon IV Targaryen |
Successor | Aegon IV Targaryen |
Personal Information | |
Born |
122 AC[1] Dragonstone[2] |
Died |
172 AC[3] King's Landing[2] |
Family | |
Dynasty | House Targaryen |
Issue |
Aegon IV Targaryen Aemon Targaryen Naerys Targaryen |
Father | Daemon Targaryen |
Mother | Rhaenyra Targaryen |
References | |
Books |
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Viserys II was the tenth member of House Targaryen to be the King on the Iron Throne. He was the brother of Aegon III Targaryen and was the son of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Daemon Targaryen, and the father of King Aegon IV Targaryen, Queen Naerys Targaryen, and Prince Aemon "the Dragonknight".
Contents
Appearance
According to a semi-canon source, Viserys II was clean-shaven with long hair. He had a prominent nose, bushy eyebrows and a shrewd, calculating look to him. He wore the simple crown of Aegon III.[4]
Viserys was frailer than his brother Aegon, but was more mature than him and his other Velaryon half brothers.[1]
History
Youth
Born in 122 AC, Viserys was the second born son of his father, Prince Daemon Targaryen, and the fifth born son of his mother, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. As per Targaryen tradition, a dragons egg was placed in his cradle.[5] Viserys was named after his grandfather, King Viserys I Targaryen.
Viserys had four older brothers. Three half-siblings, Jacaerys Velaryon, Lucerys Velaryon and Joffrey Velaryon, and one full-blood brother, Aegon Targaryen.[5].
Viserys lived with his mother, father and brothers on Dragonstone, his mothers seat as the Princess of Dragonstone. When his grandfather died in early 129 AC, Viserys and his family were thus away from the capitol, since Rhaenyra was pregnant for the sixth time. This pregnancy led to the birth of Viserys' only sister, named Visenya. The girl was still born, however.
The death of his grandfather sparked a war of succession between Viserys' mother, Rhaenyra, and his half-uncle, Prince Aegon, who was crowned King Aegon II Targaryen, despite Rhaenyra having been the heir to the throne.
The Dance of the Dragons
In late 129 AC, at the behest of their half-brother Jacaerys Velaryon, Viserys and his older brother Aegon were sent to Essos aboard the Gay Abandon to be fostered by a prince of Pentos until their mother, Rhaenyra, secured the Iron Throne. However, the fleet of the Kingdom of the Three Daughters, who were allied with the greens and Aegon II Targaryen, captured the Gay Abandon during the voyage. Aegon flew away atop his dragon, Stormcloud, but Viserys had only a dragon egg. Remaining behind, the clever Viserys hid his egg and disguised himself as a common ship's boy, but his identity was revealed by one of the crew. A Tyroshi captain brought Viserys to Sharako Lohar, the Triarchy's admiral. Viserys's fate through the remainder of the Dance of the Dragons is as yet unknown,[5] though it is known he survived the war.
Viserys later served as Hand of the King to his brother Aegon and his two nephews, Daeron and Baelor. He was instrumental in keeping the realm intact while King Daeron I warred and King Baelor I prayed. It was rumored that to spare the realm embarassment, Viserys used his position as Hand to order the poisoning of a stonemason whom Baelor had appointed as High Septon.[6]
Viserys had three children: Aegon, Aemon and Naerys. Whilst Aegon and Naerys were wed to one another, Aemon became a knight of the Kingsguard, serving under King Daeron I Targaryen, then under King Baelor I Targaryen, and later still when Viserys himself became king.
Reign
Viserys II ascended to throne later in life after the death of his nephew, Baelor I Targaryen, also known as Baelor the Blessed, in 171 AC. Viserys is not remembered fondly in Westeros, as some accuse him of poisoning Baelor to gain the throne and doing nothing once he gained it. Viserys reigned for only a year, but in his previous role as Hand of the King he had ruled and preserved the land for much longer.[7]
Viserys was succeeded by his eldest son, Aegon IV Targaryen, who had been married to Naerys Targaryen, Viserys' only daughter.
Family
During the Dance of the Dragons
Notes: |
References and Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Rogue Prince.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
- ↑ Targaryen Kings. (November 1, 2005) So Spake Martin
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 The Princess and the Queen.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 43, Cersei X.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 59, Sansa IV.
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