Viserys I Targaryen

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Viserys I
House Targaryen crest.PNG
VISERYS I.jpg
Viserys I by Amok©
Monarch
Reign 103 AC129 AC
Full name Viserys Targaryen the First of His Name
Titles
Predecessor Jaehaerys I Targaryen
Heir Rhaenyra Targaryen
Successor Aegon II Targaryen
Personal Information
Alias The Young King
Born 77 AC[1]
King's Landing
Died 129 AC
King's Landing
Family
Dynasty House Targaryen
Queens
Issue Rhaenyra Targaryen
Unknown son
Baelon Targaryen
Aegon II Targaryen
Helaena Targaryen
Aemond Targaryen
Daeron Targaryen
Trystane Truefyre (allegedly)
Father Baelon Targaryen
Mother Alyssa Targaryen
References
Books

Viserys I Targaryen was the fifth Targaryen Lord of the Seven Kingdoms,[2] ruling from 103 AC to 129 AC. He succeeded his grandfather, the Old King Jaehaerys I. Viserys continued the prosperous peace and legacy of his grandsire,[3] but the seeds for the terrifying civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons that would much later engulf the realm were inadvertently sown in his reign.

Viserys was a dragonrider who rode Balerion until the dragon died of old age during the reign of Jaehaerys. Viserys never bonded with another dragon after Balerion's death.[4]

Appearance and Character

Viserys was plump and pleasant. He was described as amiable, open handed and eager to please. His generosity was legendary and the Red Keep became a place of song and splendor during his reign. King Viserys hosted countless balls, feast and tournaments and lavished gold and offices and honors among those he favored, he was well loved by lords and smallfolk alike. [3]

In his midlife his stoutness caused him numerous health problems: he suffered from gout, aching joints, back pain, and respiratory issues. Towards the end of his life his girth nearly kept him from ascending the steps to the Iron Throne.[3]

Viserys sported a bushy, silver-gold mustache and wore the crown of his grandfather, Jaehaerys I.[5]

History

Youth

Prince Baelon Targaryen, chosen by King Jaehaerys I as his heir in 92 AC,[6] died before the Old King, leading to questions about the succession. Baelon's eldest son, Viserys, was eventually chosen by the Great Council convened in 101 AC. He was twenty-six years old and had been married for a decade to Lady Aemma Arryn. In 104 AC, a tourney was held in Maidenpool, to celebrate his accession.[3]

Early Reign

King Viserys inherited a secure throne, a full treasury and a legacy of goodwill from his grandfather, Jaehaerys I. House Targaryen was at its most powerful during Viserys's time, having the most members and dragons since the Doom. Viserys was known as the Young King when he ascended the Throne, due to his amiable nature the commons were very optimistic about what his reign would be.[7][8][3] In his court he had a dwarf jester who was known as Mushroom.

King Viserys and Queen Aemma held a splendid court, the young King was determined to maintain the peace and goodwill of his grandfather Jaehaerys the Wise. He and his wife had a son who died early in infancy and another child, a daughter, Princess Rhaenyra who was six when her father became King. King Viserys doted on her and the Princess became his royal cupbearer at the age of eight and was always by her father's side at feasts, balls and tourneys. The young Princess was dubbed "the realm's delight".[3]

The issue of who would be the King's heir was not settled at this point. Viserys's younger brother, Prince Daemon Targaryen, considered himself his brother's heir and coveted the title Prince of Dragonstone. While Viserys loved his younger brother, despite his flaws, he had no wish for Daemon to succeed him. Viserys was hopeful that his wife would give him a son soon and settle the issue once and for all.[3]

He appointed his brother on the small council but the rivalry between Daemon and the Hand of the King, Ser Otto Hightower became so great that Viserys eventually in early 104 AC appointed Daemon to be Commander of the City Watch to remove Daemon from the small council. Ser Otto Hightower was fearful of Prince Daemon becoming King and began to try and convince the King to make Princess Rhaenyra his heir to avoid the possible reign of Prince Daemon. King Viserys still refused, as he was still confident he and his wife would one day have a son. Queen Aemma later became pregnant, to the King's delight.[3]

In 105 AC Viserys joy turned to sorrow when Queen Aemma died in labour birthing the King's son and heir who Viserys named Baelon after his father. Tragedy struck again when Baelon died a day later following his mother to the grave. While the King and court were bereaved, Daemon was observed in a brothel in the Street of Silk making drunken japes with his cronies about the "Heir for a day". When word of this reached the grieving King Viserys, his grief quickly turned to rage. After the mourning period was over King Viserys in 105 AC held a lavish ceremony and had Rhaenyra declared the heir and Princess of Dragonstone in response to his ungrateful brother's ambitions. Hundreds of lords and landed knights did obeisance to the princess and swore solemn oaths to defend her rights of succession. Daemon left the capital in a fury.[3]

Viserys began to groom Princess Rhaenyra to be the ruling queen, teaching her how to rule and made her part of his small council.[3]

Second Marriage

Since Viserys was not yet thirty, Grand Maester Runciter was the first to urge him to remarry, even suggesting a suitable choice, the maiden Laena Velaryon, daughter of the Sea Snake. Such a marriage would have healed the rift between the Iron Throne and Driftmark (since Viserys had been chosen as heir to the Iron Throne over Laenor Velaryon in the Great Council of 101).[3]

Viserys, though he often heeded his council's advice, in this instance he refused as he had his own notion of whom he wanted to marry and no amount of argument would sway him. He choose Alicent Hightower, the eighteen year old daughter of Otto Hightower his Hand of the King.[3]

Viserys and Alicent married in 106 AC. At the royal wedding, Princess Rhaenyra poured for her stepmother at the feast, and Alicent kissed her and named her "daughter". Princess Rhaenyra and Queen Alicent at first got on very well, but that would soon change. Prince Daemon, when he was told about his brother's marriage, reportedly whipped the messenger who brought the news nearly to death. When Daemon and House Velaryon fought a war for control of the Stepstones against the Kingdon of the three Daughters , King Viserys was unperturbed as he was a man of peace.[3]

Viserys's new wife proved fertile. She bore him a healthy son, who they named Aegon in 107 AC. A daughter, Helaena followed in 109 AC and another son named Aemond was born in 110 AC. The amity between Queen Alicent and Princess Rhaenyra soon ended as both desired to be first lady of the realm. Though Alicent had given Viserys male heirs, Viserys did nothing to change the order of succession as he considered the matter already settled, Rhaenyra was his heir, a decision he left in his will and it was not an issue Viserys would revisit. Otto Hightower repeatedly attempted to convince the king to change the succession, but in the end Ser Otto hectored the King so much that Viserys removed Otto as Hand sending him back to Oldtown, bestowing the handship on Lord Lyonel Strong.[3]

Daemon offers his crown to his brother at the tourney celebrating King Viserys and Queen Alicents five year anniversary, by Chase Stone, as depicted in The World of Ice and Fire.

Two parties began to form at court. The "Queens party" consisted of a group of powerful lords friendly to Queen Alicent and supportive of the rights of her sons. Against that was the "Party of the Princess", those who supported Princess Rhaenyra as the heir to the throne. The coolness between the King's wife and King's daughter was plain for all to see; envoys from the free cities made note of it, in letters sent back to Braavos, Pentos and Volantis. [3]

In 111 AC a tourney was held to celebrate the five year anniversary of Viserys and Alicent's wedding. The Queen wore a beautiful green gown, while Princess Rhaenyra wore traditional Targaryen colors of black and red. Note was taken, and thereafter it became the custom to refer to "greens" and the "blacks" when talking of the queen's party and the party of the princess, respectively. The tourney also saw the return of Prince Daemon to court who reconciled with his brother offering him the crown he claimed while fighting for the Stepstones.[3]

Daemons return would be short as six months later he was exiled. While Grand Maester Runciter claimed that the two brothers simply quarreled, another tale was told. It was rumored that Prince Daemon took Princess Rhaenyra's virginity and that Lord Lyonel Strong counseled the livid King Viserys that Daemon should be executed for treason. Septon Eustace, however, reminded the council about the taint of kinslaying, thus Daemon was exiled instead.[3]

Though Daemon had left King's Landing again, the friction at court between the Princess and the Queen remained. Viserys hated conflict and made repeated attempts to cease the hostilities between the greens and the blacks. His attempts met with much resistance, with many fights and false apologies issued on both sides. He loved his wife and daughter equally, but they only loved each other when he commanded. So long as Viserys lived and ruled and kept the balance, the feasts and tourneys continued as before and the peace prevailed in the realm.

In 113 AC Viserys decided it was time for his daughter to wed. Queen Alicent tried to persuade her husband to wed Rhaenyra to their eldest son, Aegon. Viserys would not hear of it as Aegon was ten years her junior and the two had never gotten on well anyway. Lord Strong knew the Queen's motivations was so her child would be king. The King and council in the end decided to choose Laenor Velaryon to wed Rhaenyra. The reasoned this marriage would regain the friendship between the Iron Throne and Driftmark, though one objection was raised. It was known that Laenor showed no interest in women and surrounded himself with young handsome squires of his own age. Grandmaester Mellos dismissed this out of hand to the council while remarking...

What of it? I am not fond of fish, but when fish is served, I eat it.[3]

Thus the match was agreed upon, though none of the council thought first to consult the Princess. Princess Rhaenyra when she heard of the match refused at first, stating Laenor would prefer her half brothers. It took the threat of changing the succession to begrudgingly get Rhaenyra to accept the match and in 114 AC Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Ser Laenor Velaryon were wed (many wonder if the marriage had ever been consummated), after the wedding celebrations ended, Princess Rhaenyra took residence on Dragonstone and her husband Laenor spent most of his time on Driftmark (he visited her infrequently). Later the same year Princess Rhaenyra gave birth to her first son. The boy was a large strapping lad, with brown hair, brown eyes and a pug nose (Laenor and Rhaenyra both had silver/gold hair and purple eyes and Laenor an aquiline nose). Rumor spread that the child's real father was Harwin Strong, Rhaenyra's sworn shield who resided with her on Dragonstone. [3]

Queen Alicent went into labour that same year giving Viserys a third son named Daeron. Viserys decreed that Jacaerys and Daeron were to share a wetnurse till weaned. It was said that the King hoped to prevent any enmity between the boys by raising them as milk brothers. Princess Rhaenyra gave her father two more grandsons years later, Lucerys Velaryon born in 115 AC and Joffrey Velaryon in 117 AC. Both lads had pug noses, brown hair and brown eyes, like their elder brother Jacaerys.

When the King's brother, Prince Daemon and his wife Laena Velaryon had twin daughters named Baela and Rhaena, Daemon wrote his brother begging leave to present his daughters to court to receive a royal blessing. While the small council advised his Grace to refuse, Viserys still loved his younger brother. King Viserys stated to Grandmaester Mellos that...

Daemon is a father now. He will have changed.[3]

Thus the sons of Baelon Targaryen reconciled for a second time and with the blessing of King Viserys, Princess Rhaenyra betrothed her two eldest sons (Jacaerys and Lucerys) to Daemon's twin daughters, Baela and Rhaena. Fatherhood however did not change Daemon's ways as the King had hoped.

Later Reign

In 120 AC, a year known as The Year of the Red Spring, because the year was marked by many deaths and accidents.[3][7]

Laena the wife of Prince Daemon Targaryen was the first to perish that year dying after a failed birth. At her funeral, a quarrel broke out between Aemond Targaryen and the sons of Rhaenyra. During the heated fight, Aemond insulted them be calling them "Strongs", tempers flared, a dagger was drawn and Aemond lost an eye. Both Princess Rhaenyra and Queen Alicent were incensed, each demanding the others child be punished severely, Alicent for Aemonds lost eye, Rhaenyra for Aemond calling her sons Strongs (implying they were bastards). Viserys in the end would not hear of it, he demanded both accept an apology from the other (the false apologies fooled no one but the King).

Viserys now aware of the rumors that Rhaenyra's sons were fathered by Lyonel's son, Ser Harwin Strong, and not her husband, Prince Laenor Velaryon issued an edict that commanded that anyone heard spreading the rumor would lose their tongue. He also (to his daughter Rhaenyra's fury) ordered Ser Harwin to depart from Dragonstone to Harrenhal to put an end to these rumors.[3]

That same year, a fire broke out in Harrenhal killing its ruling lord and the Hand of the King, Lyonel Strong and his son and heir, (Ser Harwin Strong). While some blame the fire on the curse of Harrenhal, others whisper that the fire was no accident, many suspects of the blaze included Prince Daemon Targaryen, Lord Corlys Velaryon, Larys Strong, and even King Viserys himself. King Viserys recalled Otto Hightower as the King's Hand after Lord Lyonels passing.[3][7]

The year also saw the death of Rhaenyra's husband, Laenor Velaryon killed in a fight between his companion (and rumored lover), Qarl Correy. Rhaenyra and Daemon both shocked the realm by wedding the same year (without King Viserys knowledge of consent). This caused a huge scandal as neither Daemon's wife nor Rhaenyra's husband had been dead for six months. The year ended with Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon Targaryen welcoming the birth of their first son, Prince Aegon. Another son would follow in 122 AC who was named Viserys after King Viserys.[3][7]

The rivalry and hatred between Queen Alicent and Princess Rhaenyra infected all of their children. King Viserys had his children and grandchildren attend all the same feasts, balls and tournaments. The factions were civil to each other while King Viserys was present, when the King was absent it was a different story. The King had his children by Queen Alicent and his grandchildren by Princess Rhaenyra's attend the same lessons and train in the yard at sword play together hoping to end the friction between the two sides. All the forced closeness only served to increase the animosity. All the royal children and grandchildren had become dragonriders and visitors who were oft at court noted and observed even the dragons of one faction snapping and spitting flames at the dragons of the other party whenever they chanced to pass near each other. [3]

In 127 AC several members of House Velaryon lost their tongues when Princess Rhaenyra argued her second oldest son should inherit Driftmark. The Velaryons protested to the Iron Throne that her sons were bastards fathered by Harwin Strong and had no claim to House Velaryon. King Viserys heard them in stony silence and after issuing the order to remove their tongues, slipped and cut his hand to the bone on the Iron Throne. He suffered a fever from an infection and only recovered after two of his fingers were removed by Maester Gerardys. He never sat on the throne again.[3]

Viserys died on the third day of third moon of 129 AC during a nap in the Red Keep of King's Landing.[6] The eldest son of his second wife was crowned Aegon II by Ser Criston Cole, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and his widow, Queen Alicent. This led to a civil war between Rhaenyra and Aegon II, the Dance of the Dragons.[6]

Small Council under Viserys I

During the reign of King Viserys his small council had the following known members:[3][6]

Office Duration Name
Hand of the King 103 AC - 109 AC Ser Otto Hightower
109 AC - 120 AC Lord Lyonel Strong
120 AC - 129 AC Ser Otto Hightower
Grand Maester 103 AC - 112 AC Runciter
112 AC - 127 AC or 128 AC Mellos
127 AC or 128 AC - 129 AC Orwyle
Master of coin 103 AC - 104 AC Prince Daemon Targaryen
Unknown - 129 AC Lord Lyman Beesbury
Master of laws 104 AC - 104 AC Prince Daemon Targaryen
105 AC - 109 AC Lord Lyonel Strong
Unknown - 129 AC Lord Jasper Wylde
Master of ships Unknown - 129 AC Ser Tyland Lannister
Master of whisperers Unknown - 129 AC Lord Larys Strong
Lord Commander of the Kingsguard 103 AC - 105 AC Ser Ryam Redwyne
105 AC - 112 AC Ser Harrold Westerling
112 AC - 129 AC Ser Criston Cole

Quotes about Viserys I

Viserys I Targaryen had a generous amiable nature and was well loved by his lords and smallfolk alike. The reign of the Young King, as the commons called him upon his ascent, would be peaceful and prosperous.[3]

- Archmaester Gyldayn


He had ruled for six-and-twenty years, reigning over the most prosperous era in the history of the Seven Kingdoms but seeding within it the disastrous decline of his house and the death of the last dragons.[7]

- Maester Yandel


Viserys I Targaryen was not the strongest-willed of kings, it must be said;always amiable and anxious to please, he relied greatly on the counsel of the men around him and did as they bid more oft than not.[3]

- Archmaester Gyldayn

Family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jocelyn
Baratheon
 
Aemon
 
Daella
 
Rodrik
Arryn
 
Baelon
 
Alyssa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corlys
Velaryon
 
Rhaenys
 
 
 
 
 
Aemma
Arryn
 
Viserys I
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alicent
Hightower
 
Daemon
[Note 1]
 
Rhea
Royce
 
Aegon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Laena
Velaryon
 
Daemon
[Note 1]
 
Laenor
Velaryon
 
Rhaenyra
 
Daemon
[Note 1]
 
Son
 
Baelon
 
Aegon II
 
Helaena
 
Aemond
 
Daeron
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rhaena
 
Baela
 
Stillborn
son
 
Jacaerys
Velaryon
 
Lucerys
Velaryon
 
Joffrey
Velaryon
 
Viserys II
 
Visenya
 
Aegon III
 
Jaehaera
 
Jaehaerys
 
Maelor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes:
  1. 1.0 1.1 Prince Daemon Targaryen was married to Lady Rhea Royce from 97 AC to 115 AC, to Lady Laena Velaryon from 115 AC to 120 AC, and to Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen from 120 AC to 130 AC.


References and Notes