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Philip Foote

2023-08-06T14:24:07Z

Benethon Stark:

{{Character
| Character_name = [[File:House Foote.svg|50px|link=House Foote|left]] Philip Foote [[File:House Foote.svg|50px|link=House Foote|right]]
| image =
| image_caption =
| Alias =
| Title = [[Knight|Ser]] [[Lord of Nightsong]] [[Lord of the Marches]]
| Allegiance = [[House Foote]] [[House Foote of Nightsong]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Westermen]]
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (appears) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (appears) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned)
| Coat-of-arms =
}}

Ser '''Philip Foote''' is a one-eyed [[knight]] of little note from [[House Foote]] in the [[westerlands]].{{Ref|AWOIAF| Nightsong}}{{Ref|ACOK|65}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Clash of Kings''===
During the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], where Ser Philip fights for the combined [[House Lannister|Lannister]]-[[House Tyrell|Tyrell]] army, he kills Lord [[Bryce Caron]], the Lord of [[Nightsong]], in single combat. After the battle the [[Iron Throne]] names Philip the new Lord of Nightsong and gives him all the lands, rights and incomes of [[House Caron]], forming [[House Foote of Nightsong]].{{Ref|ACOK|65}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
Philip, the new [[Lord of the Marches]],{{ref|ASOS|Appendix}} attends the wedding of [[Sansa Stark]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]]. He is among the gathered [[nobility]] that welcomes the [[Dorne|Dornish]] party headed by Prince [[Oberyn Martell]] to [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|ASOS|38}}

Philip attends the [[Purple Wedding|royal wedding]] of [[Margaery Tyrell]] and King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]]. He is called as a witness for the prosecution in the trial of Tyrion for the death of Joffrey. He tells of how he saw Tyrion fill the [[wedding chalice]].{{Ref|ASOS|66}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
Philip's right to Nightsong is challenged by Ser [[Rolland Storm]], the [[bastard]] half-brother of the late Lord Bryce Caron.{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}

==References==
{{References|2}}

[[Category:House Foote]]
[[Category:Characters from the Westerlands|Foote, Philip]]
[[Category:House founders|Foote, Philip]]
[[Category:Knights|Foote, Philip]]
[[Category:Lords of the Marches]]
[[Category:Members of Joffrey I Baratheon's court|Foote, Philip]]
[[Category:Members of Tommen I Baratheon's court|Foote, Philip]]
[[Category:Nobles|Foote, Philip]]
[[Category:One-eyed characters|Foote, Philip]]
[[Category:Supporters of Joffrey Baratheon in the War of the Five Kings|Foote, Philip]]
[[Category:Supporters of Tommen Baratheon in the War of the Five Kings|Foote, Philip]]

[[es:Philip Foote]]
[[fr:Philip Pièdre]]
[[nl:Filips Voeth]]
[[pt:Philip Foote]]
[[ru:Филип Фyт]]
[[zh:菲利普·福特]]

Renly Baratheon

2023-06-08T21:46:45Z

Benethon Stark:

{{Redirect|Renly}}
{{Infobox character
| title = King
| firstname = Renly
| lastname = Baratheon
| arms = Baratheon
| image = [[File:Renly Baratheon.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = Renly by Amok
| Alias = The King in [[Highgarden]] The King in the South
| Title = [[Lord of Storm's End]] [[Lord Paramount of the Stormlands]] [[Master of laws]] (formerly) [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]] (claimant)
| Allegiance = [[House Baratheon]]
| Predecessor = [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] (Lord of Storm's End)
| Successor = [[Stannis Baratheon]] (Lord of Storm's End) [[Kevan Lannister]] (master of laws)
| Race =
| Culture = [[Stormlander]]
| Father = Lord [[Steffon Baratheon]]
| Mother = Lady [[Cassana Estermont]]
| Spouse = Lady [[Margaery Tyrell]]
| Lover = Ser [[Loras Tyrell]]<ref name="unionsquare">[https://asoiafuniversity.tumblr.com/post/55280523592/here-is-the-transcript-i-took-down-myself-at-the Union Square Signing transcript]</ref>
| Place_of_Birth = [[Storm's End]]{{Ref|AWOIAF|Renly Baratheon}}
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|277}}<ref name=Cal>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Renly Baratheon|Renly Baratheon]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Death = [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|Storm's End]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|299}} (aged 21)
| coat-of-arms =
| Books = ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (appears) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (appears) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' (mentioned)
| Played_by = [[List of actors of the televised series#Gethin Anthony, Renly Baratheon|Gethin Anthony]]
| TV_series = [[Game of Thrones - Season 1|Season 1]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 2|Season 2]]
}}
'''Renly Baratheon''' is the Lord of [[Storm's End]] and [[Lord Paramount of the Stormlands]]. The younger brother of King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert I]] and Lord [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]], Renly serves as [[master of laws]] on Robert's [[small council]].{{ref|agot|appendix}} In the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' Renly is played by [[List of actors of the televised series#Gethin Anthony, Renly Baratheon|Gethin Anthony]].<ref name=HBO />

==Appearance and Character==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Renly Baratheon|l1=Images of Renly Baratheon}}
Renly is described as a powerful man{{ref|AGOT|15}} who is lean and lithe.{{ref|AFFC|37}} He has a handsome, clean-shaven face.{{ref|AGOT|15}} Renly greatly resembles a young King [[Robert I Baratheon]],{{ref|AGOT|27}} being near as tall as his eldest brother had been.{{ref|ACOK|22}} Like Robert, Renly has an easy smile.{{ref|AGOT|27}}{{ref|ACOK|22}} He is taller and broader in the chest than Ser [[Loras Tyrell]].{{ref|ASOS|67}}

Renly's thick{{ref|AFFC|41}} hair is described as black as jet{{ref|AGOT|15}} and coal.{{ref|ACOK|22}}{{ref|AFFC|37}} His fine and straight{{ref|ACOK|22}} hair currently falls to his shoulders,{{ref|AGOT|15}} although Renly has sometimes kept it short or tied it behind his head with a golden ribbon.{{ref|AFFC|37}} He always keeps his hair clean and combed.{{ref|AFFC|37}}

Renly has been described as having laughing green eyes which match his armor,{{ref|AGOT|15}} as well as deep blue eyes{{ref|AFFC|37}} which resemble those of Robert.{{ref|ACOK|22}}{{ref|ASOS|54}} According to a semi-canon source, [[George R. R. Martin]] reconciled the difference by suggesting Renly has blue-green eyes which change color depending on what he wears.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/US_Signing_Tour_Albuquerque_NM US Signing Tour (Albuquerque, NM) (November 29, 2005)]</ref>

Renly is a charismatic man, winning friends easily, but he also strikes some people as frivolous.{{Ref|aCoK|22}} Renly enjoys [[tourney]]s and hunting but is not driven by the passion for food, drink, or wenching as King Robert came to be. He is quite popular with [[smallfolk]] due to his good looks, friendly ways, and charisma.{{Ref|aGoT|29}} According to Maester [[Cressen]], Renly is a bold man who acts from impulse.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Queen [[Cersei Lannister]] dislikes her brother-in-law because of his mockery.{{ref|AFFC|24}}

Renly wears expensive attire, such as a dark green velvet doublet embroidered with golden stags. He drapes a cloth-of-gold half cape over the doublet with an [[emerald]] brooch.{{ref|AGOT|20}} Renly has a suit of enameled green armor with a helm adorned with a pair of golden antlers,{{Ref|aCoK|22}} which was made by [[Tobho Mott]].{{ref|AGOT|27}} He wields [[longsword]] and dagger.{{Ref|ACOK|33}}

Unbeknownst to the realm at large, and despite the many women who are attracted to him, Renly is homosexual.<ref name=SSM>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/To_Be_Continued_Chicago_IL_May_6_8/ To Be Continued (Chicago, IL; May 6-8) (May 06, 2005)]</ref>{{Ref|AWOIAF|Renly Baratheon}} According to his lover, Loras, Renly disdains book learning, believing that books should only be read by [[maesters]]. Despite this, he owns books with "drawings that would turn a [[septon]] blind", implying some kind of pornography.{{Ref|aFfC|16}}

==History==
[[File:Renly Baratheon 2 by henning.jpg|thumb|Renly by Henning Ludvigsen © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Born in {{Date|277}},<ref name=Cal /> Renly was the youngest of the three sons of Lord [[Steffon Baratheon]] and Lady [[Cassana Estermont]].{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}} Renly's parent's died when their ship ''[[Windproud]]'', returning from the [[Free Cities]], sank in a storm in [[Shipbreaker Bay]].{{ref|acok|Prologue}}

Renly grew up at [[Storm's End]]. Only a young boy at the time of [[Robert's Rebellion]], he spent the war [[Siege of Storm's End|under siege in Storm's End]], together with his older brother, [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]], where he was witness to the desperation of the starving garrison.{{Ref|ACOK|33}}{{Ref|AWOIAF|Renly Baratheon}}

As a boy, Renly loved bright colors and fabrics. He loved games as well, and would run laughing through the halls of Storm's End.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

By his older brother, King [[Robert I Baratheon]], Renly was eventually granted the seat of Storm's End and named [[Lord Paramount of the Stormlands]], upsetting Stannis, who felt that, as the elder of the two, Storm's End was his by right.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

When Renly turned sixteen, he made a [[lord's progress]] across the [[stormlands]] to mark his coming of age. During this progress, he also visited the isle of [[Tarth]], where Renly courteously danced with [[Brienne of Tarth]].{{Ref|AFFC|4}} Princess [[Arianne Martell]] recalls that Renly also visited [[Sunspear]] once. She had tried her best to seduce Renly, but remembers that he had seemed more bemused than inflamed by her attempts.{{Ref|AFFC|40}}

During his time as Lord of Storm's End, Renly took [[Loras Tyrell]] as his squire.{{Ref|AFFC|24}} Eventually, Renly and Loras became lovers. Although not widely known, various others at court are aware of their forbidden relationship.<ref name=SSM/>{{Ref|AWOIAF|Renly Baratheon}}

Renly was eventually named to the [[small council]], where he occupied the position of [[master of laws]].{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}} While he is at court, his [[castellan]] at [[Storm's End]] is Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]], who raises King Robert's bastard son, [[Edric Storm]], for them.{{Ref|AGOT|30}} [[Brella]] runs Renly's household in [[King's Landing]] for him.{{Ref|ASOS|58}} Renly has thirty men in his personal guard at the capital.{{ref|AGOT|47}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
[[File:Alexandre Dainche Renly Baratheon.jpg|thumb|300px|Renly by Alexandre Dainche © Fantasy Flight Games]]
While King [[Robert I Baratheon]]'s procession is returning from [[Winterfell]], Renly meets up with them, accompanied by Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]], and the [[King's Justice]], Ser [[Ilyn Payne]].{{ref|agot|15}} Deeply amused by Prince [[Joffrey Baratheon]]'s accusations against [[Arya Stark]]'s direwolf [[Nymeria (direwolf)|Nymeria]], Renly is forced to leave the room at [[Darry]], laughing at the thought of Joffrey being disarmed and beaten by a girl smaller and younger than him.{{ref|agot|16}}

Renly performs well in the [[Hand's tourney]], losing to the [[Hound]], [[Sandor Clegane]].{{Ref|aGoT|29}} Renly shows Lord [[Eddard Stark]] a painted portrait of [[Margaery Tyrell]] and asks if she looks like [[Lyanna Stark]]; Eddard is puzzled by this but states the girl looks nothing like his late sister Lyanna.{{ref|Agot|27}} Renly and Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] want Robert to take Loras's sister, Margaery, as his new queen and they think if Margaery looks like Lyanna it would make the plan easier.{{ref|agot|32}} When the [[small council]] learns that [[Daenerys Targaryen]] is pregnant, Renly advises Robert to have the exiled girl assassinated.{{ref|AGOT|33}}

Renly joins Robert when the king goes hunting in the [[kingswood]] for a white hart.{{ref|AGOT|43}} While Robert lies dying after being gored by a [[boar]], Renly approaches Eddard and suggests they seize control of the royal children before Queen [[Cersei Lannister]] can strike.{{ref|AGOT|47}} Eddard refuses the offer, however, and Renly flees [[King's Landing]] along with Loras.{{ref|AGOT|49}}

After Robert's death, Renly is among the nobles ordered to swear fealty to King Joffrey I, Renly's nephew.{{ref|AGOT|57}} Rumors spread that Eddard had murdered Robert and that Renly then avenged his brother, or that Renly had killed Robert in a drunken quarrel.{{ref|AGOT|65}}

Renly manages to win the support of powerful [[House Tyrell]] and many of their bannermen through a secret love affair with Loras and a marriage to his sister Margaery. Renly is crowned [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]] at [[Highgarden]].{{Ref|aGoT|69}}{{ref|AGOT|71}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
[[File:David Griffith Crown of Golden Roses.png|thumb|Renly's crown, by David Griffith © Fantasy Flight Games]]
[[File:Renly Margaery.jpg|400px|thumb|Renly with his wife, [[Margaery Tyrell]], by Amok © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Renly's [[crown]] of soft gold depicts a ring of roses. On its front is a stag's head made of dark green [[jade]], with golden eyes and antlers.{{ref|ACOK|22}}

Through his charisma with and ties to [[House Tyrell]] and familiarity with his [[stormlands]] bannermen, Renly's claim to the [[Iron Throne]] is backed by the largest army in the [[War of the Five Kings]], despite his elder brother [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] having the better claim. Renly takes to wearing the stag of Baratheon but in the colors of House Tyrell.{{Ref|aCoK|22}} Lord [[Mace Tyrell]], the father of [[Margaery Tyrell]], serves as Renly's [[Hand of the King]].{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} Because the [[Kingsguard]] is already serving Joffrey, Renly creates the [[Rainbow Guard]] in honor of the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]].<ref name=SSM/> Renly appoints his lover, Ser [[Loras Tyrell]], as their [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard|Lord Commander]].{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

Renly spends a great deal of time moving through the [[Reach]], gaining support and men at castles such as [[Horn Hill]] while waiting for the right moment to strike.{{ref|ACOK|31}} He hosts [[tourney]]s for his men, including a great [[melee at Bitterbridge]], and blocks the supply of food on the [[roseroad]] to [[King's Landing]], causing the capital to suffer starvation. All the while he waits for the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] and [[House Stark|Starks]] to wear each other down. [[Brienne of Tarth]], who is infatuated with Renly, joins the Rainbow Guard to be close to him.{{ref|ACOK|22}}

[[Robb Stark]], the young [[King in the North]], sends his mother [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] to [[Bitterbridge]] to negotiate an alliance with Renly against Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], who is fortified at [[Harrenhal]].{{ref|ACOK|7}} Renly states he might allow Robb to keep his title, but he refuses to allow the [[north]] to secede from the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{ref|ACOK|22}}

Renly's plan goes awry, however, when Stannis unexpectedly [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|besieges Storm's End]], forcing Renly to respond.{{Ref|aCoK|22}} Catelyn convinces the brothers to parley outside [[Storm's End]], but Renly makes light of the situation, refusing to back down from his claim and advising his older brother to give up and eat [[Renly's peach|a peach]]. Renly also denies Catelyn leave to return to [[Riverrun]], so she may witness the fate of "rebels".{{Ref|aCoK|31}} While preparing for battle with Stannis's forces the next dawn, however, Renly is slain by an [[shadow assassin|animated shadow]] conjured by his brother's sorceress adviser, [[Melisandre]].{{Ref|aCoK|33}}

After learning of Renly's death, an enraged Loras slays three of the king's guards, including Ser [[Emmon Cuy]] and Ser [[Robar Royce]] of the Rainbow Guard.{{ref|ACOK|36}} Stannis is troubled by terrible nightmares.{{ref|ACOK|42}} Rumors spread that Renly was killed by a knight of his Rainbow Guard, Stannis, Brienne, Catelyn, or a spurned lover.{{ref|ACOK|36}} Most of Renly's lords join Stannis's host,{{ref|ACOK|36}} although prominent nobles like Loras, [[Arwyn Oakheart]], [[Mathis Rowan]], and [[Randyll Tarly]] refuse and instead return to Bitterbridge.{{ref|ADWD|42}} Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]], the castellan of Storm's End, disbelieves that Renly has died, but his body goes missing before it can be presented as proof.{{ref|ACOK|36}} Cortnay refuses to surrender Storm's End and his charge, [[Edric Storm]], but the castellan is also assassinated by a shadow.{{ref|ACOK|42}}{{ref|ACOK|42}}

During the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], Renly's famous green armor is seen leading the van for Lords Mace Tyrell and [[Tywin Lannister]]. Renly kills Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]] and a dozen other knights,{{Ref|aCoK|62}} causing many of the men in Stannis's host who had once been Renly's to again change sides.{{ref|ASOS|4}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
Following King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]]'s wedding to Renly's widow, Margaery, [[Hamish the Harper]] performs "[[Lord Renly's Ride]]" during the [[Purple Wedding|wedding feast]]. Hamish sings of Renly's ghost repenting from his attempt to usurp his nephew, returning to this world to defend the realm from Stannis and then returning to Highgarden to see his true love's face one last time, which brings tears to Margaery's eyes.{{ref|ASOS|60}}

Ser Loras tells Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] that he buried Renly in a place they knew from when he was a squire at [[Storm's End]], where no one else could ever find and disturb his remains. Loras reveals that his brother, Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]], wore Renly's armor at the Blackwater to make it appear that Renly's ghost had returned for vengeance against the [[kinslaying]] Stannis. Jaime advises Loras to speak with Brienne and be assured that she had not assassinated Renly.{{ref|ASOS|67}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
[[Taena of Myr]] tells Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]] that she was in attendance for Renly's wedding to [[Margaery Tyrell]] at [[Highgarden]], and she questions Margaery's claim that the marriage was never consummated.{{ref|AFFC|28}}

King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]] names ''[[Lord Renly]]'', one of [[Cersei's dromonds]], after his late uncle.{{ref|AFFC|28}}

==Sexuality==
Although this is never explicitly stated, there are a number of oblique references that imply those who are close to him are aware of Renly's orientation and, more, that he and [[Loras Tyrell]] are involved.

[[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] notices that Renly pays much more attention to [[Loras Tyrell|Loras]] than his new bride, [[Margaery Tyrell|Margaery]].{{ref|ACOK|22}}

When [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] and Renly are trading barbs in anticipation of battle at [[Storm's End]], Stannis calls Renly's wedding to Margaery a "mummer's farce" and in response to Renly's comment, "You'll be pleased to know she came to me a maid," Stannis replies, "In your bed she's like to die that way."{{Ref|aCoK|31}}

Renly while making battle plans gives Loras command of the vanguard, passing over several others clamoring for the honor, and calls him "the greatest knight". After dismissing the others from his tent Renly tells Loras to stay behind and help him "pray".{{Ref|aCoK|31}} Loras later recalls the moment and pauses noticeably while telling [[Jaime|Jaime Lannister]] that he and Renly prayed together.{{ref|ASOS|67}}

[[Oberyn Martell|Oberyn]] calls Loras "Renly's little rose" while in conversation with [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]]. {{Ref|aSoS|38}}

Tyrion hires a woman, Brella, because she was adept at being "blind, deaf and mute" as she had run Renly's household in the city.{{Ref|aSoS|58}}

When Jaime stops Loras from confronting [[Brienne Tarth|Brienne]], he threatens Loras: "Now sheathe your bloody sword, or I'll take it from you and shove it up some place even Renly never found."{{Ref|aSoS|62}}

While contemplating Margaery's [[maiden]]hood, [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] reflects on Margaery's marriage to Renly: "A man may prefer the taste of hippocras, yet if you set a tankard of ale before him, he will quaff it quick enough;"{{Ref|aFfC|3}} the implication being that although Renly prefers the company of men, he may nonetheless have bedded Margaery because she was available.

==Quotes by Renly==
[[File:Renly Baratheon.png|300px|thumb|right|Gethin Anthony as Renly in ''[[Game of Thrones]]'']]
{{Quote|'''Eddard''': You must forgive me, but sometimes you look the very image of your brother [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]]. 
'''Renly''': A poor copy. 
'''Petyr''': Though much better dressed. Lord Renly spends more on clothing than half the ladies of the court. 
'''Renly''': There are worse crimes. The way you dress, for one.{{Ref|AGOT|20}}|[[Eddard Stark]], Renly, and [[Petyr Baelish]]}}

{{Quote|Strike! Now, while [[Red Keep|the castle]] sleeps. We must get [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] away from [[Cersei Lannister|his mother]] and take him in hand. [[Protector of the Realm]] or no, he who holds the king holds the kingdom.{{Ref|AGOT|47}}|Renly to [[Eddard Stark]]}}

{{Quote|'''Stannis''': [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] was my elder brother. You are the younger. 
'''Renly''': Younger, bolder, and far more comely ... 
'''Stannis''': ... and a thief and a [[usurper]] besides. 
'''Renly''': The [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]] called Robert usurper. He seemed to be able to bear the shame. So shall I.{{Ref|ACOK|31}}|[[Stannis Baratheon]] and Renly}}

{{Quote|'''Stannis''': Do you think a few bolts of cloth will make you king? 
'''Renly''': [[House Tyrell|Tyrell]] swords will make me king. [[House Rowan|Rowan]] and [[House Tarly|Tarly]] and [[House Caron|Caron]] will make me king, with axe and mace and warhammer. [[House Tarth|Tarth]] arrows and [[House Penrose|Penrose]] lances, [[House Fossoway|Fossoway]], [[House Cuy|Cuy]], [[House Mullendore|Mullendore]], [[House Estermont|Estermont]], [[House Selmy|Selmy]], [[House Hightower|Hightower]], [[House Oakheart|Oakheart]], [[House Crane|Crane]], [[House Caswell|Caswell]], [[House Blackbar|Blackbar]], [[House Morrigen|Morrigen]], [[House Beesbury|Beesbury]], [[House Shermer|Shermer]], [[House Dunn|Dunn]], [[House Footly|Footly]] ... even [[House Florent]], [[Selyse Florent|your own wife's]] brothers and uncles, they will make me king. All the chivalry of the south rides with me, and that is the least part of my power. My foot is coming behind, a hundred thousand swords and spears and pikes. And you will destroy me? With what, pray? That paltry rabble I see there huddled under the castle walls? I'll call them five thousand and be generous, codfish lords and [[Davos Seaworth|onion knights]] and [[sellswords]]. Half of them are like to come over to me before the battle starts. You have fewer than four hundred horse, my scouts tell me-freeriders in boiled leather who will not stand an instant against armored lances. I do not care how seasoned a warrior you think you are, Stannis, that host of yours won't survive the first charge of my vanguard.{{Ref|ACOK|31}}|Renly and [[Stannis Baratheon]]}}

{{Quote|Why the oldest son, and not the best-fitted? The crown will suit me, as it never suited [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] and would not suit [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]].{{Ref|ACOK|31}}|Renly to [[Catelyn Stark]]}}

{{Quote|Tell me, my lady, do [[direwolves]] vote on who should lead the pack?{{Ref|ACOK|31}}|Renly to [[Catelyn Stark]]}}

==Quotes about Renly==
{{Quote|Renly had been a boy of eight when [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] won [[Iron Throne|the throne]], but he had grown into a man so like his brother that Ned found it disconcerting. Whenever he saw him, it was as if the years had slipped away and Robert stood before him, fresh from his victory on the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]].{{Ref|AGOT|20}}|[[Eddard Stark]]'s thoughts}}

{{Quote|They are quite a pair, [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] and Renly. The iron gauntlet and the silk glove.{{Ref|AGOT|58}}|[[Varys]] to [[Eddard Stark]]}}

{{Quote|The bold little boy with wild black hair and laughing eyes was a man grown now, one-and-twenty, and still he played his games. Look at me, I'm a king, Cressen thought sadly. Oh, Renly, Renly, dear sweet child, do you know what you are doing? And would you care if you did? Is there anyone who cares for him but me?{{Ref|ACOK|0}}|[[Cressen]]'s thoughts}}

{{Quote|What has Renly ever done to earn a throne? He sits in council and jests with [[Petyr Baelish|Littlefinger]], and at tourneys he dons his splendid suit of armor and allows himself to be knocked off his horse by a better man. That is the sum of my brother Renly, who thinks he ought to be king.{{Ref|ACOK|0}}|[[Stannis Baratheon]] to [[Cressen]]}}

{{Quote|Small wonder the lords gather around him with such fervor, she thought, he is [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] come again. Renly was handsome as Robert had been handsome; long of limb and broad of shoulder, with the same coal-black hair, fine and straight, the same deep blue eyes, the same easy smile.{{ref|ACOK|22}}|[[Catelyn Stark]]'s thoughts}}

{{Quote|[[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] was the true [[steel]]. [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] is pure [[iron]], black and hard and strong, yes, but brittle, the way iron gets. He'll break before he bends. And Renly, that one, he's [[copper]], bright and shiny, pretty to look at but not worth all that much at the end of the day.{{Ref|ACOK|6}}|[[Donal Noye]] to [[Jon Snow]]}}

{{Quote|He knew how to dress and he knew how to smile and he knew how to bathe, and somehow he got the notion that this made him fit to be king.{{Ref|ASOS|6}}|[[Olenna Redwyne]] to [[Margaery Tyrell]]}}

{{Quote|When the sun has set, no candle can replace it.{{Ref|ASOS|12}}|[[Loras Tyrell]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

{{Quote|I will defend King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]] with all my strength, I swear it. I will give my life for his if need be. But I will never betray Renly, by word or deed. He was the king that should have been. He was the best of [[War of the Five Kings|them]].{{Ref|ASOS|67}}|[[Loras Tyrell]] to [[Jaime Lannister]]}}

{{Quote|I would have given my life for King Renly, and died happy.{{Ref|AFFC|4}}|[[Brienne Tarth]] to [[Illifer]] and [[Creighton Longbough]]}}

==Family==
{{Baratheon tree}}

==References==
{{References|2|refs=
<ref name=HBO>[http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/index.html#/game-of-thrones/cast-and-crew.html/eNrjcmbOYC5kzlfPz0lxzEvMqSzJTA5ITE-1S8xN1SzLTEnNh4k65+eVpFaUsEknlpbkF+QkVtqWFJWmcjIysgEhAGCyFzg= HBO: Game of Thrones: cast and crew]</ref>
}}

{{Kings of Westeros}}
{{Lords of Storm's End}}
{{Master of laws}}
{{Robert I small council}}

[[Category:House Baratheon]]
[[Category:Casualties of the War of the Five Kings|Baratheon, Renly]]
[[Category:Characters from the Stormlands|Baratheon, Renly]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Melisandre|Baratheon, Renly]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Stannis Baratheon|Baratheon, Renly]]
[[Category:Claimants to the Iron Throne|Baratheon, Renly]]
[[Category:LGBT+ characters‎|Baratheon, Renly]]
[[Category:Lords of Storm's End]]
[[Category:Lords Paramount of the Stormlands]]
[[Category:Masters of laws|Baratheon, Renly]]
[[Category:Members of Robert I Baratheon's court|Baratheon, Renly]]
[[Category:Nobles|Baratheon, Renly]]

[[es:Renly Baratheon]]
[[fa:رنلی براتیون]]
[[fr:Renly Baratheon]]
[[it:Renly Baratheon]]
[[nl:Renling Baratheon]]
[[pt:Renly Baratheon]]
[[ru:Ренли Баратеон]]
[[zh:蓝礼·拜拉席恩]]

Stannis Baratheon

2023-06-08T21:45:58Z

Benethon Stark:

{{Redirect|Stannis|the son of [[Davos Seaworth]]|Stannis Seaworth}}
{{Infobox monarch
| title = King
| firstname = Stannis
| lastname = Baratheon
| arms = Baratheon
| arms2 = Baratheon of Dragonstone
| image = [[File:Stannis Baratheon.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = Stannis Baratheon by Amok.
| reign =
| coronation =
| othertitles = [[Knight|Ser]]<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Comic_Con_San_Diego_CA_July_20_232/ Comic-Con (San Diego, CA; July 20-23) (July 23, 2006)]</ref> [[Lord of Dragonstone]] [[Master of ships]] (formerly) [[King of Westeros]] (self-styled) [[Lord of Storm's End]] [[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]] (claimant){{ref|ADWD|35}} [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]] (claimant){{ref|ADWD|35}} [[Protector of the Realm]] (claimant){{ref|ADWD|35}} [[Commander (Night's Watch)|Commander]] of the [[Nightfort]]{{ref|ADWD|3}}
| alias = The King in the Narrow Sea{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} The King of the [[Painted Table]]{{ref|ASOS|54}} The dark lord{{ref|ASOS|60}} The King of Dragonstone{{ref|ASOS|72}} The King at the Wall{{ref|ADWD|Appendix}} [[Azor Ahai]] reborn/come again{{ref|ACOK|10}}{{ref|ASOS|78}} [[The prince that was promised]]{{ref|aSoS|36}}
| fullname = Stannis Baratheon the First of His Name
| predecessor = [[Robert I Baratheon]]
| successor =
| suc-type =
| heir = [[Shireen Baratheon]]
| queen = Lady [[Selyse Florent]]
| consort =
| spouse1 =
| issue = [[Shireen Baratheon]]
| royalhouse = [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]
| dynasty =
| royalanthem = A crowned stag enclosed within a red heart surrounded by a blaze of orange fire on a field of sun yellow{{ref|ACOK|31}}
| father = Lord [[Steffon Baratheon]]
| mother = Lady [[Cassana Estermont]]
| dateofbirth = {{Date|264}}<ref name=Cal>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Stannis Baratheon|Stannis Baratheon]] calculation.''</ref>
| placeofbirth = [[Storm's End]]{{Ref|AWOIAF| Stannis Baratheon}}
| dateofdeath =
| placeofdeath =
| dateofburial =
| placeofburial =
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (appears) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (appears) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (appears) ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' (appears)
| Played_by = [[List of actors of the televised series#Stephen Dillane, Stannis Baratheon|Stephen Dillane]]
| TV_series = [[Game of Thrones - Season 2|Season 2]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 3|Season 3]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 4|Season 4]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 5|Season 5]]
}}

'''Stannis Baratheon''' is the head of [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]] and the [[Lord of Dragonstone]]. He is the secondborn son of [[Steffon Baratheon]], [[Lord of Storm's End]], and Lady [[Cassana Estermont]].{{ref|agot|appendix}} He has an older brother, King [[Robert I Baratheon]], and a younger brother, Lord [[Renly Baratheon]]. Stannis serves on Robert's [[small council]] as the [[master of ships]]. In the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' Stannis is played by [[List of actors of the televised series#Stephen Dillane, Stannis Baratheon|Stephen Dillane]].

==Appearance and Character==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Stannis Baratheon|l1=Images of Stannis Baratheon}}
Like his brothers, [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] and [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], Stannis is a large man - tall, broad-shouldered, and sinewy.{{Ref|acok|prologue}} [[Jon Snow]] notes that Stannis towers over him.{{Ref|ASOS|76}} Stannis has dark blue eyes and a heavy brow. His head has only a fringe of black hair "like the shadow of a crown", and he has a close-cropped beard across his large jaw.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} His face has a tightness to it like cured leather, and he has hollow cheeks, and thin, pale lips.{{Ref|ACOK|prologue}} He grinds his teeth regularly.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}{{Ref|acok|10}}{{Ref|ACOK|25}}

Stannis is a serious, stubborn, rarely-forgiving, hard man with a strong sense of duty and justice.{{Ref|AGOT|27}}{{Ref|AGOT|58}}{{Ref|AGOT|47}}{{Ref|ACOK|42}}{{Ref|ASOS|36}}{{Ref|ACOK|10}}{{Ref|ASOS|72}} He is proud and protective of his honor.{{ref|AGOT|30}}{{ref|ACOK|10}}{{ref|ACOK|15}}{{ref|ADWD|31}} Stannis is an accomplished commander, sailor, and warrior{{ref|AGOT|58}} with no thirst for battle, instead commanding from the rear.{{Ref|ACOK|59}} He has never had the affection of nobles or [[smallfolk]].{{ref|acok|prologue}}{{Ref|ACOK|10}}{{Ref|ACOK|22}}{{Ref|ACOK|36}} In his adult life, Stannis is increasingly embittered by the lack of affection he receives from Robert, even though he serves the king as well as he can.{{Ref|ACOK|prologue}}{{Ref|AWOIAF|Stannis Baratheon}}

Stannis is not a man for easy courtesies,{{Ref|ACOK|31}} and has always been uncomfortable around women, even his own wife, Lady [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]] of [[House Florent]]. During the years he served on the [[small council]] in [[King's Landing]], he left his wife on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]]. He wrote to her, but only occasionally. His visits were even fewer, and he did his duty in the marriage bed only once or twice a year, and took no joy in it.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Though he once hoped for sons, he has only had a daughter, [[Shireen Baratheon|Shireen]].{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

Influenced by [[Melisandre]], Stannis adopts a new sigil which depicts the [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]] stag enclosed within a red heart surrounded by orange flame.{{ref|ACOK|31}} Unlike many of his noble peers, Stannis dresses plainly.{{ref|ACOK|31}} He sometimes wears a grey wool tunic, a dark red mantle, and a plain black leather belt from which hang his sword and dagger.{{ref|ASOS|36}} On campaign he wears a studded leather jerkin over quilted doublet, worn boots, breeches of brown roughspun, and a belt studded with garnets and yellow topaz.{{ref|ACOK|31}} Other armor includes wool and boiled leather{{ref|ACOK|42}} or grey plate inlaid with a flaming heart.{{ref|ADWD|10}} Stannis's squires are [[Devan Seaworth]] and [[Bryen Farring]],{{ref|ACOK|10}} and Ser [[Andrew Estermont]] served as his squire years ago.{{ref|ASOS|54}}

==History==
===Early life===
[[File:Cressen Stannis by Lu.png|thumb|right|Young Stannis and Maester [[Cressen]], art by [https://lupotterdraws.tumblr.com/ Lupotterdraws] ]]
Born in {{Date|264}},<ref name=Cal /> Stannis was the second son of Lady [[Cassana Estermont]] and [[Steffon Baratheon]], Lord of [[Storm's End]] and head of [[House Baratheon]]. He had an older brother, [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]], and a younger brother, [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]].{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}

When Stannis was no more than four years old, his father took him and his brother Robert to court. There, Stannis believed he saw King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] on the [[Iron Throne]], holding court. Stannis was impressed, and he and Robert agreed that the king had been as noble as the [[dragon]]s were fearsome. It was years later that Steffon told him that it had been the [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], whom they had seen, as King Aerys had cut himself on the throne earlier that day and Tywin had taken over for him.{{Ref|ASOS|54}}

As a lad, Stannis found an injured goshawk, and nursed it back to health. He named the bird [[Proudwing]], but his brother Robert called it Weakwing, as it would never fly higher than the treetops, and never soared. (Robert himself owned a gyrfalcon named [[Thunderclap]], who never missed a strike). Eventually, Stannis's great-uncle, [[Harbert]], convinced him to abandon the bird, stating that Stannis was making a fool of himself with it.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}

Growing up, Stannis always stood in the shadow of his older brother. Whatever Stannis did, Robert had done first and better.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} These feelings remained until adulthood.{{Ref|ADWD|42}} [[Cressen]], the maester at [[Storm's End]], came to care deeply for Stannis, moreso than for his brothers, as he felt Stannis was the one who needed him the most, as the most unloved of the three.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Even in his youth, Stannis had been an introverted child, who was mature beyond his years, solemn and joyless.{{Ref|AWOIAF| Stannis Baratheon}}

In {{Date|278}}, Stannis's parents were sent on a mission by King Aerys II to [[Volantis]] to find a bride for [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], Stannis's cousin and the crown prince, but they were unsuccessful.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Maester Cressen remembers how Lord Steffon had written to him a fortnight before his return, stating that he had found a [[Patchface|splendid fool]] in Volantis who would delight Robert and who might even teach Stannis how to laugh, in time.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Stannis and Robert were both present at [[Storm's End]] when Steffon and Cassana were expected to return from their voyage, looking on from the parapets of the castle. When the ''[[Windproud]]'' came in sight of Storm's End, the two brothers witnessed how the ship was smashed against the rocks in [[Shipbreaker Bay]] and swallowed by the sea, with Steffon and Cassana drowning.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} According to Stannis, he lost his faith in the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]] that day.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}

===Robert's Rebellion===
When King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] demanded the heads of [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] and [[Eddard Stark]] after the executions of [[Rickard Stark|Rickard]] and [[Brandon Stark]], Lord [[Jon Arryn]] instead raised his banners in revolt, and both Eddard and Robert returned home to call their own banners. The resulting decision that Stannis faced—whether to be loyal to his older brother and liege, Robert, or to his king, Aerys—was a difficult one.{{Ref|ASOS|36}} Stannis was at [[Storm's End]] when Robert returned from the [[battles at Summerhall]] with his prisoners, whom he kept at Storm's End, and eventually befriended. Stannis warned his brother that the men he had befriended were men who had wanted to deliver him to Aerys to be burned; while Stannis would have thrown them in a dungeon, Robert made them his allies.{{Ref|ACOK|36}}

Stannis remained behind at Storm's End when Robert marched again. After Robert was defeated at [[Battle of Ashford|Ashford]], forces from the [[Reach]] besieged the Baratheon castle. Stannis successfully held against the [[siege of Storm's End]] by Lords [[Mace Tyrell]] and [[Paxter Redwyne]],{{Ref|aGoT|27}} which lasted a major part of the war. His garrison held under desperate conditions, only avoiding starvation by the timely intervention of a notorious smuggler, [[Davos Seaworth|Davos]]. His cargo of onions and salt fish allowed them to hold the fortress. After the siege was lifted by Lord [[Eddard Stark]], Stannis [[knight]]ed Davos and, taking him into his service, allowed the new [[landed knight]] to choose the name Seaworth for [[House Seaworth|his new house]].{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} True to Stannis's sense of justice, he also punished Davos for his crimes as a smuggler by removing the first joint from each finger of Davos's left hand, as payment for his past crimes. Davos accepted the punishment on the condition that Stannis carry out the sentence himself, which Stannis did, using a cleaver for a cleaner cut.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

===Lord of Dragonstone===
Following the [[Sack of King's Landing]] and the surrender of the [[House Tyrell|Tyrells]] at [[Storm's End]], the new king, [[Robert I Baratheon]], charged his brother Stannis with building a new [[royal fleet]] to seize the [[Dragonstone (island)|island of Dragonstone]], the last stronghold in the possession of [[House Targaryen]]. A fierce storm destroyed the Targaryen fleet which had been protecting the island, while Dowager Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen]] died in labor at the [[Dragonstone|castle of Dragonstone]]. Targaryen loyalists smuggled the two Targaryen children, [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] and [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]], from the island before Stannis's [[assault on Dragonstone]]. Robert blamed Stannis for letting the Targaryen heirs escape, although the two children had been spirited to safety by Targaryen loyalists shortly before Stannis had set sail.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}{{Ref|AGOT|3}}{{ref|ACOK|25}}

Stannis was displeased to discover that King Robert had named him [[Lord of Dragonstone]], instead of the wealthier Storm's End, which was given to their younger brother [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], who was only a young child at the time. Stannis resented this and believed it to be an intentional slight,{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} which Queen [[Cersei Lannister]] agrees with.{{ref|ACOK|25}} According to [[George R. R. Martin]], however, Robert had not necessarily meant it as such.<ref name=Baratheonbrothers>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Baratheon_Brothers/ The Baratheon Brothers (September 11, 1999)]</ref> The castle had traditionally been the seat of the heir to the Iron Throne, the [[Prince of Dragonstone]], during most of the Targaryen dynasty, so the then-childless Robert was granting it to his heir at that time, Stannis.<ref name=Baratheonbrothers /> Now the [[Lord of Dragonstone]], Stannis became the head of [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]].

[[File:Stannis Baratheon Greyjoy Rebellion.png|450px|thumb|Stannis Baratheon leading the attack on [[Great Wyk]] during [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]], from ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' Blu-ray]]

Stannis was appointed to Robert's [[small council]] as the [[master of ships]].{{Ref|aGoT|27}}{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} A few years later, he wed Lady [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]] of [[House Florent]]. During the wedding, King Robert deflowered [[Delena Florent]], a cousin of Selyse, on the wedding bed. This coupling led to the birth of [[Edric Storm]], the only officially acknowledged [[bastard]] of the king. Stannis insisted that the boy was a slight upon the honor of his wife's house and promptly shipped him off to his brother Renly at Storm's End.{{Ref|aGoT|35}}

In {{Date|289}}, during [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]], Stannis commanded the royal fleet and trapped and destroyed much of the [[Iron Fleet]] in a [[sea battle off Fair Isle]]. Afterwards, he subdued [[Great Wyk]] in his brother's name.{{ref|ADWD|26}} He also once led a fleet to [[Sisterton]] to suppress smuggling from the [[Three Sisters]].{{ref|ADWD|9}} Ser [[Axell Florent]] served as Stannis's castellan of Dragonstone for ten years, while Stannis was away at [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|ACOK|10}}

Despite his loyalty and service to his brother Robert, Stannis always felt underappreciated by Robert. Instead of thanking Stannis for holding Storm's End against the Tyrells during [[Robert's Rebellion|the rebellion]], Robert thanked Lord [[Eddard Stark]] for lifting the siege. Instead of thanking Stannis for capturing Dragonstone for him, Robert blamed Stannis for the escape of the Targaryen children, even though they left Dragonstone before Stannis had set sail.{{Ref|aCoK|Prologue}} Stannis helped Lord [[Jon Arryn]], Robert's [[Hand of the King]], in ruling the kingdom but received little or no acknowledgment or thanks from his elder brother, who spent his time hunting, drinking, and whoring.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Stannis felt that Storm's End, the ancestral seat of House Baratheon, was his by rights after Robert took the throne, and told Robert so on multiple occasions. In due time, Storm's End was given to Renly instead.{{Ref|ACOK|25}}

King Robert once rejected Stannis's proposal to outlaw brothels.{{Ref|AGOT|27}} Stannis has outlawed [[prostitution]] on his island of Dragonstone.{{ref|ACOK|10}}

Eventually, Stannis began to suspect that the children of Queen Cersei Lannister—Prince [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], Princess [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]], and Prince [[Tommen Baratheon]]—were not actually Robert's. [[Varys]], the [[master of whisperers]], suggests the idea had been mentioned to Stannis by an unnamed individual.{{ref|ACOK|15}} Convinced that Robert would not believe him, Stannis confided his suspicions to Lord Jon Arryn.{{Ref|ACOK|31}} Together, they investigated the matter, visiting several of Robert's [[Bastardy|baseborn]] children in the capital.{{Ref|AGOT|28}}{{Ref|AGOT|30}} Jon had begun to gather proof when he suddenly died,{{Ref|ACOK|31}} and Stannis believed Cersei had Jon killed.{{Ref|ACOK|31}}{{Ref|ASOS|36}} Stannis expected to be named the Hand of the King,{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}{{ref|ACOK|31}} but Robert instead left for the [[north]] to offer the position to his old friend, Eddard Stark.{{ref|ACOK|2}} A resentful Stannis left for Dragonstone{{Ref|AGOT|18}}{{Ref|AGOT|20}}{{Ref|AGOT|27}} with much of the royal fleet.{{ref|ACOK|41}} As his maester, [[Cressen]], was old and ailing, Stannis sent to the [[Citadel]] for a new maester, and [[Pylos]] arrived mere days before Stannis closed Dragonstone off.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

During their investigations, Jon Arryn had agreed with Stannis that his young son, [[Robert Arryn]], would be fostered with Stannis on Dragonstone.{{Ref|AGOT|27}}{{Ref|AGOT|40}}{{Ref|AGOT|59}}{{Ref|ACOK|25}}{{Ref|ASOS|60}} However, this did not come to pass, as Jon's wife [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa]] fled back to the [[Vale of Arryn|Vale]] with her son after Jon's death.{{Ref|AGOT|4}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
After the death of [[Jon Arryn]], Stannis flees to [[Dragonstone]] to gather his strength, including most of the [[royal fleet]],{{ref|ACOK|41}} and plan his next move,{{Ref|aGoT|20}} believing Cersei poisoned Jon.{{Ref|aCoK|Prologue}} Lord [[Eddard Stark]] wonders why Stannis left, believing it was due to the discovery of whatever secret Jon was allegedly murdered for, although not realizing that Stannis was also slighted by King [[Robert I Baratheon]]'s selection of Eddard as his new [[Hand of the King]]. Ned, via Grand Maester [[Pycelle]], sends a raven with a polite letter requesting Lord Stannis to return to his seat on the [[small council]].{{ref|AGOT|33}} During Eddard's investigation of Jon's death, he discovers that Stannis and Jon had spent a great deal of time together. When he is told Stannis and Jon visited a brothel, when Stannis is normally so righteous to the point of prudish, he gets closer to the truth.{{Ref|aGoT|27}}

Robert dies after a [[boar]] hunt in the [[kingswood]] and is succeeded by his son, [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]].{{ref|AGOT|49}} Eddard has been selected by Robert to rule as [[regent]], though he plans to bring Stannis to the [[Iron Throne]]. However, he is outmaneuvered by Robert's widow, Queen [[Cersei Lannister]], and betrayed by Lord [[Petyr Baelish]].{{ref|AGOT|49}} Lord Stark had tasked [[Tomard]] with personally delivering a letter to Stannis when the ''[[Wind Witch]]'' sails north,{{ref|AGOT|47}} but Tom is slain beforehand by [[City Watch of King's Landing|gold cloaks]] and the galley remains in the capital.{{ref|AGOT|65}} The boy king Joffrey subsequently has Eddard executed.{{ref|AGOT|64}}

Lord [[Varys]] reports to the [[small council]] that Stannis is said to be building ships, hiring sellswords, and bringing a [[shadowbinder]] from [[Asshai]] to Dragonstone.{{ref|AGOT|69}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
[[File:Stannis Melisandre Lightbringer Dragonstone.jpg|300px|thumb|Stannis holding [[Lightbringer]] with [[Melisandre]] at [[Dragonstone]], by Amok ©]]

Stannis declares himself king on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]]. He sends Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] to gather support for him among the stormlords, but none are willing to join him. His [[maester]], [[Cressen]], suggests to Stannis that he makes an alliance against the Lannisters with [[Robb Stark]], who has been declared [[King in the North]], but Stannis objects to ruling only half a kingdom. Cressen then proposes that Stannis sends [[Shireen Baratheon|Shireen]], his only child and heir, to the [[Eyrie]], to make an alliance with Lady [[Lysa Arryn]], but Stannis's wife, [[Selyse Florent]], objects, stating that Stannis should not have to beg for help, and Stannis sides with her.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

Selyse has converted to the faith of [[R'hllor]], the Lord of Light, giving the priestess [[Melisandre]] a base of power on Dragonstone. Selyse tells Stannis that the [[red comet]] is a sign that Stannis's time has come, and that he must sail from Dragonstone now to conquer.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Selyse claims that Renly's men will join Stannis once Renly dies, and that Melisandre has seen Renly dead in her flames. Cressen is horrified by the thought of fratricide and objects, but Stannis dismisses him.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Though Stannis is not a follower of [[R'hllor]],{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} he denounces the [[Faith of the Seven]] for the Lord of Light, burning the carvings of the seven gods from the Faith as a sacrifice. During this sacrifice, Melisandre proclaims that Stannis is [[Azor Ahai]] reborn, and has him pull a sword out of the burning carvings: [[Lightbringer]]. With [[Davos Seaworth]]'s help, Stannis has recruited [[Salladhor Saan]] for his cause. In private, Sallador tells Davos that the sword is not the real Lightbringer.{{Ref|ACOK|10}} Stannis writes a letter announcing his claim to the throne and the [[bastardy]] of [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrecella]] and [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]], which he plans to send to the lords of the Seven Kingdoms by raven, and to the ports of Westeros and the Free Cities by ship.{{Ref|ACOK|10}} Davos tells Stannis that he has no proof of the incest, but Stannis claims that at [[Storm's End]] there is [[Edric Storm|proof]], though he does not have access. Davos further informs Stannis that it would be unwise to declare for the Lord of Light, if he wishes to win over the followers of the [[Faith of the Seven]], but Stannis rejects the notion, as he believes Melisandre has power.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}

While his brother Renly is slowly marching from [[Highgarden]] to [[King's Landing]] by the [[Roseroad]],{{Ref|ACOK|10}}{{Ref|ACOK|17}} Stannis sails for [[Storm's End]] and [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|besieges the castle]].{{Ref|ACOK|22}} Renly rushes to Storm's End with ten thousand{{Ref|ACOK|33}} of his host to meet Stannis, claiming that he has another hundred thousand on their way.{{Ref|ACOK|31}} Stannis and Renly parley, and Renly offers Stannis a chance to swear him his fealty, which Stannis angrily rejects. He calls Renly a traitor, as well as threatens [[Robb Stark]] to Lady [[Catelyn Stark]]. When it becomes clear that Renly, who does not care about Stannis's letter and is confident in his own strength, will not swear to Stannis, Stannis leaves, promising a battle at dawn.{{Ref|ACOK|31}} Catelyn informs Renly about the murder attempt on her son [[Bran Stark|Bran]]'s life, which she blames on the Lannisters. She now believes that Bran saw Cersei and Jaime having sex, and asks leave to go to Stannis to tell him of her suspicions, suggesting that Stannis, Renly and Robb all cast aside their crowns to call a [[Great Council]]. Renly refuses, and is about to continue preparing for battle when [[shadow assassin|a shadow]] kills him. Stannis's shadow, according to Catelyn Stark.{{Ref|ACOK|33}} Most of the forces Renly had brought with him to Storm's End join Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|36}}

Following Renly's death, Stannis is troubled by terrible nightmares, and only Melisandre, who now shares his pavillon, can soothe him to sleep.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} He confides in Davos that he sometimes dreams of Renly's death, but that he is innocent, as he had been in his bed when Renly was slain, and that his [[squire]], [[Devan Seaworth]], had been unable to wake him.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} Stannis has surrounded Storm's End by land and sea, and promises that the garrison might go free unharmed is the castle is yielded up to him in a fortnight.{{Ref|ACOK|39}} Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]] continues to refuse, however, even during the last parley a fortnight later, as yielding require giving Stannis Robert's bastard son, [[Edric Storm]]. Cortnay challenges Stannis to single combat to decide the matter, but Stannis refuses. Unwilling to leave Storm's End untaken out of fear that it will be viewed as a defeat, and determined to get a hold of Robert's bastard to proof the incest, Stannis orders Davos to land a small boat beneath the castle, unseen in the black of the night, without anyone else knowing about it, taking Melisandre with him.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} Davos brings Melisandre beneath the castle, where she gives birth to a [[shadow assassin|Stannis's shadow]] which enters the castle.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} That same night, Cortnay falls off a tower of the castle to his death, and the castle yields to Stannis,{{Ref|ACOK|44}} who subsequently burns the [[godswood]] of Storm's End.{{Ref|acok|49}} It is said that Cortnay threw himself off the tower, and his guards could not find anyone else in the room, nor had they seen anyone else enter. However, Lord [[Varys]] believes Cortnay to have been killed with magic.{{Ref|ACOK|44}}

[[File:Stannis Baratheon with Lightbrighter at Blackwater by WillHarrisArt.jpg|380px|thumb|Stannis at the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], by Will Harris ©]]

With Storm's End fallen, Stannis is free to march for King's Landing, which has been preparing for his arrival.{{Ref|ACOK|49}} [[Tyrion Lannister]] has the [[High Septon (Tyrion's)|High Septon]] spread the news that Stannis means to burn to [[Great Sept of Baelor]], to prevent people in the city from joining Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|49}} Tyrion Lannister has ordered his men from the [[Vale mountain clans]] to light fires to burn the grass, while killing his scouts and raiding his baggage train. In response, Stannis's vanguard sets the [[kingswood]] afire, to smoke the clansmen out.{{Ref|ACOK|52}}

Stannis attacks King's Landing during the [[Battle of the Blackwater]]. Most of Stannis's ships enter the harbor, but the Lannisters light [[wildfire]], and when a chain prevents the ships from sailing out of the harbor again, most of them are destroyed. Stannis's forces are close to victory, when Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] and the forces of [[House Tyrell]] arrive, led by the "ghost" of Renly Baratheon, who is later revealed to have been [[Garlan Tyrell]], dressed in Renly's armor.{{Ref|acok|62}} Ser [[Richard Horpe]] and Ser [[Justin Massey]] convince Stannis to retreat.<ref name="theon1">''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

===''A Storm of Swords''===
Defeated during the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], Stannis returns to Dragonstone on the ships of the [[Lys]]eni [[Salladhor Saan]]{{Ref|asos|4}} with the few men that remain to him, most of them the [[queen's men]].{{Ref|ASOS|10}} He names Lord [[Alester Florent]] as his [[Hand of the King]], but refuses to see anyone but Melisandre, brooding in the [[Stone Drum]] instead. He does not eat, and tales are told claiming that Stannis and Melisandre go down into the [[Dragonmont]] to watch the fires inside.{{Ref|ASOS|10}} After [[Davos Seaworth]] is arrested for his plan to kill Melisandre{{Ref|ASOS|10}} Melisandre visits him, and informs him that she dare not make another shadow son with Stannis as his "fires burn so low" that doing to might kill him.{{Ref|ASOS|25}} Stannis's Hand, Alester, loses faith in Stannis's chances for success, and prepares to offer peace to [[House Lannister]], to be sealed with the promise that Stannis gives up his claim to the Iron Throne and retracts all he said regarding the [[bastardy]] of [[Cersei Lannister]]'s children in exchange for being accepted back into the King's peace and being allowed to rule as [[Lord of Dragonstone]] and [[Lord of Storm's End]]. Alester wishes to seal the bargain by offering [[Shireen Baratheon|Shireen]] in marriage to [[Tommen Baratheon]]. However, before he can send his letter to King's Landing, he is arrested for treason.{{Ref|ASOS|25}}

Stannis has Davos brought before him. While escorting Davos to Stannis in the [[Chamber of the Painted Table]], Ser [[Axell Florent]] tries to make Davos tell Stannis that Axell should be named the King's Hand. Stannis informs Davos that Axell wishes to resume the war, and has Axell put his plans to sack [[Claw Isle]] to Davos. Stannis wishes to know Davos's opinion on the plans, and sends Axell away when the conversation turns badly, while asking for Melisandre. Davos shares his suspicions about Melisandre with Stannis, but Stannis states he does not believe Renly's death was Melisandre's doing. He shares Davos's opinion on Axell's plans, however, and raises Davos up to be the [[Lord of the Rainwood]], [[Admiral of the Narrow Sea]], and his Hand of the King. Stannis reveals that he has seen [[Fist of the First Men|a high hill in a forest]], where [[Night's Watch|men in black]] had made a ring of torches, and where [[Others|shapes]] were [[Fight at the Fist|moving through the snow]]. Though Melisandre has been trying to convince him to sacrifice [[Edric Storm]], Robert's acknowledged [[bastardy|bastard]], Stannis refuses, ordering her to use leeches instead. Stannis throws the three leeches into the fire one by one, stating the names of the other three kings ([[Joffrey Baratheon]], [[Balon Greyjoy]], and [[Robb Stark]]).{{Ref|ASOS|36}}

Both Balon and Robb die not long after, leading to a discussion among Stannis's counselors whether Edric should be sacrificed to wake a dragon from stone, as Melisandre claims will happen. Davos attempts to convince Stannis not to sacrifice Edric once they are alone, but Stannis admits that, should Joffrey die as well, he is willing to consider doing it.{{ref|ASOS|54}} Upon hearing the news of [[Purple Wedding|Joffrey's death]], Stannis is willing to sacrifice Edric, though he still does not like the idea.{{Ref|ASOS|63}} However, [[king's men|several of the men still loyal to him]] have forsaken R'hllor and returned to the Faith again,{{Ref|ASOS|54}} and Davos has found several of them willing to help him smuggle the boy to safety under the care of Ser [[Andrew Estermont]].{{Ref|ASOS|63}} Stannis is furious, but Davos urges Stannis to sail for the [[Wall]], claiming that "a king protects his people, or he is no king at all", and presents his king with [[Maester]] [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]]'s letter asking for aid.{{Ref|ASOS|63}}

[[File:Stannis at dragonstone.jpg|thumb|500px|Stannis and [[Melisandre]] sail from [[Dragonstone]] to the [[Wall]], by Tomasz Jedruszek ©]]

Melisandre sacrifices a man to R'hllor to gain favorable winds and sails north. He leaves Selyse and Shireen at [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]] while marching west with all his forces.{{Ref|ASOS|75}} They arrive in time to defeat [[Mance Rayder]]'s [[free folk|wildling]] army during the [[battle beneath the Wall]].{{Ref|aSoS|73}} Stannis occupies the [[King's Tower]] at [[Castle Black]].{{Ref|ASOS|75}} Though he plans to burn Mance Rayder, he is willing to allow the other free folk through the Wall if they swear to R'hllor, settling them in the [[Gift]]. He has [[Jon Snow]] brought to him, and offers to legitimize him and name him [[Lord of Winterfell]] in exchange for Jon's help in winning the [[north]] to his side. He allows Jon time to think about the offfer.{{Ref|ASOS|76}} As Stannis needs to negotiate with the [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], he is displeased that after ten days of voting, the black brothers still have not yet chosen a new commander, and calls several of the higher ranking men to him to inform them that he will choose a Lord Commander for them, if they do not come to a decision that same day.{{Ref|ASOS|78}} Stannis informs maester Aemon and [[Samwell Tarly]] that he has sent word to his castellan to begin mining [[dragonglass]] at Dragonstone to fight the [[Others]], and confirms that he is aware of Aemon's ancestry. Aemon requests to see Lightbringer, and Stannis grants the request.{{Ref|ASOS|78}} Thanks to Samwell's involvement,{{Ref|ASOS|78}} Jon Snow is elected as Lord Commander,{{Ref|aSoS|79}} preventing him from accepting Stannis's offer.

===''A Feast for Crows''===
Stannis, the self-styled [[King of Westeros]],{{ref|AFFC|Appendix}} remains at the [[King's Tower]] of [[Castle Black]]. He plans to use [[Val]], whom his men call the "wildling princess", to seal the peace between the northmen and the free folk.{{Ref|AFFC|5}} Lord Commander Jon Snow has given Stannis food, shelter, the [[Nightfort]], and leave to settle some free folk in the Gift. Stannis has sent out ravens to the northern lords, demanding their fealty, but thus far only [[House Karstark]] has replied, swearing Stannis their allegiance.{{Ref|AFFC|5}}

Before blaming [[Tyrion Lannister]] for [[Tywin Lannister]]'s death, [[Cersei Lannister]] suspects Stannis's involvement.{{Ref|AFFC|3}} She is giddy as a maiden when she learns that Stannis has left Dragonstone, and believes that Stannis has finally admitted defeat and gone into exile. When news reaches King's Landing that he is now in the north, Cersei is furious.{{Ref|AFFC|16}} She sends two thousand Lannister soldiers to [[Dragonstone]] to defeat the small garrison Stannis had left behind and take the castle.{{Ref|AFFC|16}} Meanwhile, Lord [[Roose Bolton]], now [[Warden of the North]], and two thousand soldiers from [[House Frey]] are to deal with Stannis and his few thousand soldiers.{{Ref|AFFC|16}}

Cersei wishes to deal with the [[House Greyjoy|Greyjoys]] only after Stannis has been defeated.{{Ref|AFFC|17}} News reaches King's Landing that the [[Golden Company]] has broken its contract with [[Myr]], and it is being said that they have been hired by Stannis instead.{{Ref|AFFC|17}} The [[small council]] receives reports that Stannis's [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Davos Seaworth]], has traveled to [[White Harbor]] and that he had been arrested by Lord [[Wyman Manderly]]. Cersei orders him to execute Davos.{{Ref|AFFC|17}}

In [[Braavos]], Maester Aemon becomes convinced that Melisandre has misread the signs that had convinced her that Stannis is [[Azor Ahai]] reborn.{{Ref|AFFC|35}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[File:Stannis and his sword.jpg|350px|thumb|King Stannis with [[Lightbringer]], by Ming1918 ©]]

Stannis keeps his wildling prisoners [[beyond the Wall]]. He rides down the [[kingsroad]] almost as far as [[Queenscrown]], prowles through the empty hovels of [[Mole's Town]], inspects the ruins at [[Queensgate]] and [[Oakenshield]], and walks atop the [[Wall]] each night with Melisandre, while selecting prisoners for questioning during the day.{{Ref|ADWD|3}} [[House Mormont]] has refused to join Stannis, whereas [[House Manderly]]'s reply to Stannis's letter only made excuses. Jon Snow refuses to give Stannis ownership of the sixteen castles at the Wall that are unoccupied by the black brothers, and asks Stannis for men instead to serve under the command of his own commanders.{{Ref|ADWD|3}}

Stannis sends [[Davos Seaworth]] to [[White Harbor]] to treat with Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] on his behalf,{{Ref|ADWD|7}}{{Ref|aDwD|15}} as well sends [[Richard Horpe]] and [[Justin Massey]] as envoys south.{{ref|ADWD|7}} Stannis approves of the execution of [[Janos Slynt]],{{Ref|ADWD|7}} and has [[Mance Rayder]] burned in sacrifice to R'hllor as punishment for having deserted the Watch.{{Ref|aDwD|10}} In reality, however, Stannis has unknowingly burned [[Rattleshirt]], who had secretly been glamoured by Melisandre to look like Mance.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} He offers the remaining [[free folk]] the choice between bending the knee or returning beyond the Wall to die. Most of the free folk bend the knee and are allowed south of the Wall.{{Ref|aDwD|10}}

Stannis wins the support of half of the forces of [[House Umber]], commanded by [[Mors Umber]]. The remainder of the Umber forces have marched for House Bolton, under the command of [[Hother Umber]], as the [[Jon Umber|Greatjon]] remains a captive of the Lannisters.{{ref|ADWD|17}} Stannis plans to march with the wildlings on the [[Dreadfort]], as [[Ramsay Bolton]] has marched south to [[siege of Moat Cailin|Moat Cailin]]. Jon Snow tells him his plan will never succeed. The Dreadfort will learn of his approach long before he can ever reach the castle, and [[Moat Cailin]] will fall quickly, which means that Ramsay and [[Roose Bolton]] are free to march against Stannis with their entire force. Additionally, marching with the wildlings will only serve to turn the northmen against Stannis. Instead, Jon proposes that Stannis visit the [[northern mountain clans|mountain clans]], including the [[House Flint of the mountains|Flints]], [[House Wull|Wulls]], [[House Norrey|Norreys]] and [[House Liddle|Liddles]]. Instead of the Dreadfort, Jon suggests marching against [[Deepwood Motte]] to fight the [[ironborn]]. In exchange, the wildlings remain at the Wall.{{Ref|aDwD|17}}

At [[White Harbor]], Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] arrests Stannis's envoy and Hand, Davos Seaworth, and fakes his execution. In secret, he promises to swear loyalty to Stannis if Davos can bring him [[Rickon Stark]].{{Ref|ADWD|29}}

Stannis follows the advice of Jon Snow and marches west to the [[northern mountains]], although one of his squires, Davos's son [[Devan Seaworth|Devan]], remains at Castle Black with Melisandre.{{ref|ADWD|31}} The king wins over several of the mountain clans, gathering an additional three thousand men for his army. Stannis then [[fight by Deepwood Motte|takes Deepwood Motte]] from the [[ironborn]],{{Ref|aDwD|26}} returning the castle to [[House Glover]].{{Ref|ADWD|29}} The [[House Mormont|Mormonts]], as well as [[smallfolk]] fleeing from the ironborn and survivors from the [[battle at Winterfell|battle outside of Winterfell]], once sworn to [[House Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart]], join Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|35}} [[Asha Greyjoy]] and [[Ragged nine|several ironborn]] are taken captive at Deepwood Motte.{{Ref|ADWD|26}} Stannis and his army [[march on Winterfell]], taking Asha with them, but they are slowed by heavy snows, and Stannis is forced to encamp at a small [[crofters' village]] three days west of [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|ADWD|37}}{{Ref|ADWD|41}}{{Ref|ADWD|42}} [[Arnolf Karstark]] and [[Mors Umber]] have begun to march as well, and plan to join Stannis near Winterfell.{{Ref|ADWD|35}}{{Ref|ADWD|37}} Arnolf eventually finds Stannis at the crofters' village.{{Ref|ADWD|62}} Many of Stannis's men succumb to the blizzard, including his remaining squire, [[Bryen Farring]].{{ref|ADWD|62}}

At the [[Wall]], [[Tycho Nestoris]], an emissary from the [[Iron Bank of Braavos]], arrives. As the [[Iron Throne]] has ceased payments of the loans, the Iron Bank wishes to broach the subject to Stannis. Jon Snow receives Tycho and realises that if Stannis gives in to the demands of the Iron Bank, the Braavosi will give him their support, which might win him the Iron Throne.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} [[Alys Karstark]] arrives at [[Castle Black]], and warns Jon that her uncle, Arnolf, is only feigning loyalty to Stannis. In truth he sides with the Boltons, and is planning to betray Stannis at the oppertune moment. Jon sends a message to Deepwood Motte in an attempt to warn Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} Tycho travels to Deepwood Motte in search of Stannis, and from there continues to the crofters' village as well. Near Winterfell, Tycho finds Mors Umber with a captive [[Theon Greyjoy]] and "[[Jeyne Poole|Arya Stark]]", who he brings with him to Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

Jon Snow receives a [[Bastard Letter|taunting letter]] at Castle Black from Ramsay, stating that Stannis was killed along with most of his army in seven days of battle.{{ref|ADWD|69}}

===''The Winds of Winter''===
{{Warning/twow}}
Stannis is actively and efficiently preparing for the looming battle against the [[House Bolton|Boltons]]. He signs a contract with the [[Braavos]]i [[Iron Bank of Braavos|banker]] [[Tycho Nestoris]], and plans to send Tycho back to the Wall for safety. Tycho brought a message from Jon Snow informing Stannis of [[Arnolf Karstark]]'s planned treachery, after which Stannis arrests Arnolf, his son [[Arthor Karstark|Arthor]], and his three grandsons arrested and plans to execute them. He sends Ser [[Justin Massey]] to escort "[[Jeyne Poole|Arya Stark]]" back to Castle Black to reunite her with Jon Snow, in gratitude for Jon's counsel of gathering the [[northern mountain clans]]. Massey is to then travel to Braavos and use money from the Iron Bank to hire twenty thousand sellswords for Stannis. Stannis tells Massey that he may hear of Stannis' death in Braavos, but even if that news is true, Massey is to follow the orders as to seat Shireen on the Iron Throne. Stannis next receives Asha Greyjoy, and informs her that her brother Theon must be executed, as showing him mercy would mean losing all of the northmen.<ref name="theon1"/>

==Quotes by Stannis==
{{Quote|Kings have no friends, only subjects and enemies.{{ref|aCoK|31}}|Stannis to [[Catelyn Stark]]}}

{{Quote|These pardoned lords would do well to reflect on that. Good men and true will fight for [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], wrongly believing him the true king. A [[north]]man might even say the same of [[Robb Stark]]. But these lords who flocked to [[Renly Baratheon|my brother's]] banners knew him for a usurper. They turned their backs on their rightful king for no better reason than dreams of power and glory, and I have marked them for what they are. Pardoned them, yes. Forgiven. But not forgotten.{{ref|aCoK|42}}|Stannis, to [[Davos Seaworth]]}}

{{Quote|It is not a question of wanting. The throne is mine, as [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert's]] heir. That is law. After me, it must pass to my daughter, unless [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]] should finally give me a son. I am king. Wants do not enter into it. I have a duty to my daughter. To the realm. Even to Robert. He loved me but little, I know, yet he was my brother. The [[Cersei Lannister|Lannister woman]] gave him horns and made a motley fool of him. She may have murdered him as well, as she murdered [[Jon Arryn]] and [[Eddard Stark|Ned Stark]]. For such crimes there must be justice. Starting with Cersei and her abominations. But only starting. I mean to scour that court clean. As Robert should have done after the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]].{{ref|aSoS|36}}|Stannis to [[Davos Seaworth]]}}

{{Quote|I never asked for this, no more than I asked to be king. Yet dare I disregard [[Melisandre|her]]? We do not choose our destinies. Yet we must ... we must do our duty, no? Great or small, we must do our duty.{{ref|aSoS|54}}|Stannis to [[Davos Seaworth]]}}

{{Quote|I know the cost! Last night, gazing into that hearth, I saw things in the flames as well. I saw a king, a crown of fire on his brows, burning… burning, Davos. His own crown consumed his flesh and turned him into ash. Do you think I need [[Melisandre]] to tell me what that means? Or you?{{ref|aSoS|54}}|Stannis to [[Davos Seaworth]]}}

{{Quote|I never asked for this crown. Gold is cold and heavy on the head, but so long as I am the king, I have a duty... If I must sacrifice [[Edric Storm|one child]] to the flames to save a million from the dark... Sacrifice... is never easy, Davos. Or it is no true sacrifice.{{ref|aSoS|63}}|Stannis to [[Davos Seaworth]]}}

{{Quote|Lord [[Davos Seaworth|Seaworth]] is a man of [[Smallfolk|humble birth]], but he reminded me of my duty, when all I could think of was my rights. I had the [[cart]] before the [[horse]], Davos said. I was trying to win the throne to save the kingdom, when I should have been trying to save the kingdom to win the throne.{{ref|aSoS|76}}|Stannis to [[Jon Snow]]}}

{{Quote|[[Others|Demons made of snow and ice and cold]]. The ancient enemy. The only enemy that matters.{{ref|aSoS|78}}|Stannis to [[Samwell Tarly]], [[Melisandre]], and [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]]}}

{{Quote|'''Stannis''': I thought the wet nurse was this man [[Craster]]'s daughter? 
'''Melisandre''': Wife and daughter both, Your Grace. Craster married all his daughters. [[Gilly]]'s boy was the fruit of their union. 
'''Stannis''': Her own father got this child on her? We are well rid of her, then. I will not suffer such abominations here. This is not [[King's Landing]].{{ref|aDwD|3}}|Stannis and [[Melisandre]]}}

==Quotes about Stannis==
{{Quote|Ned found it hard to imagine what could frighten Stannis Baratheon, who had once held [[Storm's End]] through a [[Siege of Storm's End|year of siege]], surviving on rats and boot leather while the Lords [[Mace Tyrell|Tyrell]] and [[Paxter Redwyne|Redwyne]] sat outside with their hosts, banqueting in sight of his walls.{{ref|aGoT|58}}|thoughts of [[Eddard Stark]]}}

{{Quote|His claim is the true one, he is known for his prowess as a battle commander, and he is utterly without mercy. There is no creature on earth half so terrifying as a truly just man.{{ref|aGoT|58}}|[[Varys]] to [[Eddard Stark]]}}

{{Quote|I have felt from the beginning that Stannis was a greater danger than [[War of the Five Kings|all the others combined]].{{ref|agot|69}}|[[Tywin Lannister]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

{{Quote|[[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] was the true [[steel]]. Stannis is pure [[iron]], black and hard and strong, yes, but brittle, the way iron gets. He'll break before he bends. And [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], that one, he's [[copper]], bright and shiny, pretty to look at but not worth all that much at the end of the day.{{ref|ACOK|6}}|[[Donal Noye]] to [[Jon Snow]]}}

{{Quote|And Stannis has always felt he was cheated of [[Storm's End]]. The ancestral seat of [[House Baratheon]], his by rights... if you knew how many times he came to [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] singing that same dull song in that gloomy aggrieved tone he has. When Robert gave the place to [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], Stannis clenched his jaw so tight I thought his teeth would shatter.{{ref|ACOK|25}}|[[Cersei Lannister]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

{{Quote|Were it anyone else outside the gates, I might hope to beguile him. But this is Stannis Baratheon. I'd have a better chance of seducing his horse.{{ref|acok|60}}|[[Cersei Lannister]] to [[Sansa Stark]]}}

{{Quote|This is Stannis Baratheon. The man will fight to the bitter end and then some.{{ref|aSoS|72}}|[[Tywin Lannister]] to [[Pycelle]]}}

{{Quote|Stannis Baratheon with a grievance was like a mastiff with a [[bone]]; he gnawed it down to splinters.{{ref|ADWD|3}}|thoughts of [[Jon Snow]]}}

{{Quote|What does Stannis offer you? Vengeance. Vengeance for my sons and yours, for your husbands and your fathers and your brothers. Vengeance for your murdered lord, your murdered king, your butchered princes. Vengeance!{{ref|ADwD|19}}|[[Davos Seaworth]], to the [[Merman's Court]]}}

{{Quote|His eyes were sunk in deep pits, his close-cropped beard no more than a shadow across his hollow cheeks and bony jawbone. Yet there was power in his stare, an iron ferocity that told Asha this man would never, ever turn back from his course.{{ref|ADwD|42}}|thoughts of [[Asha Greyjoy]]}}

==Family==
{{Baratheon tree}}

==Behind the Scenes==
According to [[George R. R. Martin]], Stannis is partially inspired by [[w:Tiberius|Tiberius Caesar]], particularly the portrayal by [[w:George Baker (actor)|George Baker]] in ''[[w:I, Claudius (TV series)|I, Claudius]]''.<ref>[[w:92nd Street Y|92nd Street Y]]: [http://92yondemand.org/george-r-r-martin-world-ice-fire Game of Thrones Mastermind George R. R. Martin: The World of Ice and Fire], Oct 26, 2014</ref><ref>[[Not A Blog]]: [http://grrm.livejournal.com/310379.html?thread=17203563 It's the Pits (Jan. 21st, 2013)]</ref>

==References==
{{References|2}}

{{Kings of Westeros}}
{{Lords of Storm's End}}
{{Master of ships}}
{{Robert I small council}}


[[Category:House Baratheon]]
[[Category:House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]
[[Category:Characters from the Stormlands|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Claimants to the Iron Throne|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Night's Watch|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:House founders|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Kinslayers|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Knights|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Lords of Dragonstone]]
[[Category:Lords of Storm's End]]
[[Category:Masters of ships|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Members of Robert I Baratheon's court|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Nobles|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Rebels of Robert's Rebellion|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Veterans of Greyjoy's Rebellion|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Veterans of Robert's Rebellion|Baratheon, Stannis]]


[[es:Stannis Baratheon]]
[[fa:استنیس براتیون]]
[[fr:Stannis Baratheon]]
[[ru:Станнис Баратеон]]
[[tr:Stannis Baratheon]]
[[zh:史坦尼斯·拜拉席恩]]

Fight at Torrhen's Square

2022-11-28T01:53:13Z

Benethon Stark: There's no source for 200 men, and given that 200-250 is the estimate for Theon's entire force with 8 longships, it's unlikely to be that high.

{{Template:Battlebox
| image =
| caption =
| battle_name = Fight at Torrhen's Square
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{date|299}}
| place = [[Torrhen's Square]]
| result = [[House Stark|Stark]] victory
| colour_scheme =
| combatant2 = [[File:House Greyjoy.svg|30px]] '''[[King of the Isles and the North|Kingdom of the Isles and the North]]'''/ [[House Greyjoy]]
*[[House Drumm]]
*[[House Stonehouse]]
| combatant1 = [[File:House_Stark.svg|30px]] '''[[King in the North|Kingdom of the North]] and [[King of the Trident|the Trident]]'''/ [[House Stark]]: 

The [[North]]
*[[House Cerwyn]]
*[[House Tallhart]]
| commander2 = [[Dagmer|Dagmer Cleftjaw]]
| commander1 = [[File:House Cassel.svg|20px]] Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]] [[File:House Cerwyn.svg|20px]] Lord [[Cley Cerwyn]] [[File:House Tallhart.svg|20px]] [[Leobald Tallhart]]
| strength2 = unknown, but few
| strength1 = Over 900 total:
*600 from [[Winterfell]]
*300 from [[Castle Cerwyn|Cerwyn]]
*Garrison of [[Torrhen's Square]]
| casualties2 = Significant
| casualties1 = Unknown
}}

The '''fight at Torrhen's Square'''{{ref|ACOK|56}} occurs during the [[War of the Five Kings]]. Forces of [[House Greyjoy]] led by [[Dagmer|Dagmer Cleftjaw]] are defeated at [[Torrhen's Square]] by a [[north]]ern army led by Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]].

==Prelude==
[[Theon Greyjoy]] and [[Dagmer|Dagmer Cleftjaw]] plot to take [[Winterfell]]. They plan to besiege Torrhen's Square, the seat of [[House Tallhart]], as a diversion, drawing away Winterfell's garrison and leaving it defenceless. Theon sends Dagmer with most of their [[ironmen]] to Torrhen's Square,{{Ref|aCoK|37}} whose castellan is [[Leobald Tallhart]].

In response Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]] raises Winterfell's levies and marches with six hundred [[House Stark|Stark]] men to relieve Torrhen's Square, where he is joined by three hundred [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyns]] led by Lord [[Cley Cerwyn]]. Dagmer is still besieging Torrhen's Square when the northmen arrive.{{Ref|aCoK|56}}

==Battle==
Rodrik knows the land intimately, while Dagmer does not. Rodrik leads the gathered northmen to victory. The ironborn are not disciplined enough to stand a charge by mounted horsemen and their shield wall breaks. Dagmer leads the remnants of his force back to the [[Stony Shore]].{{Ref|aCoK|56}}

==Aftermath==
With Winterfell's levies away at Torrhen's Square, Theon Greyjoy is able to [[Capture of Winterfell|capture the undefended Winterfell]].{{Ref|aCoK|46}} After defeating Dagmer's attack on Torrhen's Square, Rodrik redirects his levies to retake Winterfell from Theon and his ironborn.{{Ref|aCoK|56}} However, [[Ramsay Snow]] and the [[House Bolton|Boltons]] betray Rodrik's army in a [[battle at Winterfell]], during which Leobald, Rodrik, and Cley are slain.{{ref|ACOK|66}} Dagmer then returns to Torrhen's Square and is able to [[capture of Torrhen's Square|capture the lightly-defended castle]].{{ref|AFFC|19}}

==References==
{{references}}

{{Template:War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Torrhen's Square]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Torrhen's Square]]
[[Category:The North]]
[[Category:House Cerwyn battles|Torrhen's Square]]
[[Category:House Greyjoy battles|Torrhen's Square]]
[[Category:House Stark battles|Torrhen's Square]]
[[Category:House Tallhart battles|Torrhen's Square]]

[[ru:Бой у Торхеннова Удела]]
[[zh:托伦方城之战]]

Dreamfyre

2022-10-14T14:11:24Z

Benethon Stark:

{{Infobox animal character
| Character_name= Dreamfyre
| image = [[File:Kyidyl-Dreamfyre.jpg|400px]]
| image_caption = Dreamfyre, by Kyidyl ©
| Alias =
| Title =
| Owner = [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]] [[Helaena Targaryen]]
| Species = [[Dragon]]
| Spouse =
| Issue = [[Drogon]] (unconfirmed) [[Rhaegal]] (unconfirmed) [[Viserion]] (unconfirmed)
| Place_of_Birth=
| Date_of_Birth = or shortly before {{date|32}}
| Place_of_Death= the [[Dragonpit]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|130}}
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Sons of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (mentioned)
| TV_series = ''[[House of the Dragon]]'': [[House of the Dragon - Season 1|Season 1]]
}}

'''Dreamfyre''' was a she-[[dragon]], ridden by Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]] and later by Queen [[Helaena Targaryen]].{{Ref|tpatq}}

==Appearance==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Dreamfyre|l1=Images of Dreamfyre}}

Dreamfyre was a slender she-dragon. Her coloration was primarily pale blue, with silver markings.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} She had silver crests and pale blue wings.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}} By {{Date|35}}, Dreamfyre was large enough for the twelve-year-old Rhaena Targaryen to mount her.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

==History==
===Rhaena Targaryen===
[[File:Rhaena and Dreamfyre by Samantha Altarozzi.jpg|400px|thumb|Dreamfyre and [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]], by Samantha Altarozzi ©]]
Dreamfyre was hatched during the reign of King [[Aegon I Targaryen]]. As a hatchling, she bonded with nine-year old Princess Rhaena Targaryen, Aegon I's first grandchild, in {{date|32}}.{{ref|FIB|The Sons of the Dragon}} Three years later, she became Dreamfyre's [[dragonrider|rider]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}{{ref|tsotd}} In {{date|41}} Rhaena was wed to her brother, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]], and sent on a [[royal progress]] by their father King [[Aenys I Targaryen]]. Rhaena wished to take Dreamfyre with her, but her father forbade it, as Aegon had not yet claimed a dragon, and the king did not want his son to be seen riding a horse, while his wife rode a dragon. Dreamfyre remained in [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

Rhaena's father, King Aenys, died in {{Date|42}} and the crown was usurped by their uncle, [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]]. Rhaena and her husband smuggled themselves into [[King's Landing]] in {{Date|43}}, while Maegor was at [[Oldtown]]. Rhaena was reunited with Dreamfyre and Aegon finally claimed a dragon of his own, his father's dragon [[Quicksilver]]. Knowing they could not hold the [[Iron Throne]], they left King's Landing on their dragons to raise an army. When Aegon went to war against their uncle, Rhaena's and Dreamfyre did not accompany them. Aegon, along with Quicksilver, was killed in the [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye]] by Maegor mounted on [[Balerion|Balerion the Black Dread]]. Since Dreamfyre was younger and smaller than [[Quicksilver]], many historians believe that Dreamfyre would not have been much of a threat to the Black Dread.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

Princess Rhaena sent her twin daughters [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]] and [[Rhaella Targaryen (daughter of Aegon)|Rhaella]] into hiding. However, she felt that she could not hide herself, as she had Dreamfyre with her, who was not easily hidden. Therefore she flew Dreamfyre to [[Fair Isle]] off the coast in the [[Sunset Sea]], where they stayed at [[Faircastle]]. There they remained until {{date|47}}, when Maegor commanded Rhaena to return to [[King's Landing]]. Not wanting to bring Maegor's wrath and Balerion's fires down on Fair Isle, Rhaena flew on Dreamfyre to the [[Red Keep]], only to find out that Maegor wished to make Rhaena his bride and that his [[Master of Whisperers|mistress of whisperers]], [[Tyanna of the Tower]], had found her daughters and used them as hostages.{{Ref|tsotd}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

The next year, Rhaena fled the Red Keep upon Dreamfyre, together with her elder daughter [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]], and Maegor's [[Valyrian steel]] sword [[Blackfyre]], to join her only surviving brother, [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]].{{Ref|tsotd}}

By {{Date|43}}, Dreamfyre had already produced two clutches of [[dragon eggs]].{{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}} During Rhaena's second residence at [[Fair Isle]] in {{Date|49|50}}, Dreamfyre laid another clutch of eggs. Dreamfyre's presence on the island made some of the residents anxious, and the eggs caused a [[begging brother]] to start preaching that Fair Isle "would soon be overrun by dragons" who would eat both sheep and men, and called for a [[dragonslayer]] to kill the [[dragon]]s to prevent it. The man was arrested, but nonetheless his words inspired fear wherever they were spread. Rhaena chose to depart Fair Isle, taking Dreamfyre and the eggs with her. After some time at [[Casterly Rock]], where Dreamfyre had been granted an entire stable, Lord [[Lyman Lannister]] expressed his interest in the three eggs and asked how they would hatch, and when that could be expected. Lady [[Jocasta Lannister]] suggested to Rhaena that gifting the Lannisters one or more of the three eggs would be a good way to demonstrate her gratitude. After Rhaena refused, Lord Lyman offered to buy the eggs.{{Ref|fab|A Surfeit of Rulers}}

Rhaena left Casterly Rock and toured the [[westerlands]], but many Western lords desired a dragon of their own, and she grew uncomfortable with how they looked at Dreamfyre or her eggs. In {{date|51}} Rhaena visited King's Landing upon Dreamfyre to attend the second wedding of her siblings King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]] and Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], and explained her difficulties. Rhaena was eventually granted [[Dragonstone]] as her own seat.{{Ref|fab|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}} Dreamfyre made her lair in the dragon yards at Dragonstone, and the clutch of eggs laid at Fair Isle soon hatched. Rhaena introduced her daughter, Princess [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]], to Dreamfyre's hatchlings, and urged her to choose one and fly.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}

In {{Date|54}}, Rhaena discovered her former close friend and companion, [[Elissa Farman]], had stolen three dragon eggs from the Dragonstone hatcheries and fled to [[Pentos]], and flew Dreamfyre to King's Landing to inform her brother King Jaehaerys of the theft. Jaehaerys made plans with Rhaena to make war with their dragons [[Vermithor]] and Dreamfyre should hatchling dragons appear anywhere in the world, though this turned out to be unnecessary. Later that year, Rhaena flew Dreamfyre to [[Storm's End]] to reconcile with her mother, Dowager Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]], but arrived too late for Alyssa's death in childbirth. Still within that year, Rhaena's female companions were all murdered by her husband, [[Androw Farman]], using the [[tears of Lys]]. When his crime was discovered, Androw committed suicide by leaping from the window of the [[Chamber of the Painted Table]]; Rhaena had his body hacked to pieces and fed to Dreamfyre and the other dragons of Dragonstone.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}

Near the end of {{Date|54}}, Rhaena discovered that her daughter Aerea had mounted Balerion and fled Dragonstone. Rhaena flew Dreamfyre to the [[Red Keep]], convinced that Aerea had gone there. Rhaena remained at court while Jaehaerys sent forth [[raven]]s across the realm, but after seven days, she declared that she was going to look for Aerea herself and left on Dreamfyre in search of her daughter.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}} For more than a year, Rhaena flew Dreamfyre all over [[Westeros]], from [[Oldtown]] to [[Highgarden]] to [[Crakehall]], [[Casterly Rock]] and [[Fair Isle]], to the [[barrowlands]] and the banks of the [[Fever River]], and as far south as the [[Red Mountains]] of [[Dorne]] and the canyons of the [[Torrentine]]. Rhaena and Dreamfyre were seen flying over the [[Fingers]] and the [[Mountains of the Moon]], the [[rainwood]] on [[Cape Wrath]], the [[Shield Islands]], and the [[Arbor]]; however, her search was in vain. In {{Date|56}}, while residing at [[Greenstone]], Rhaena received a message that Princess Aerea had returned to King's Landing on Balerion. She had been infected with an insidious disease that killed her that same day. By the time the raven carrying the news had reached Rhaena, Aerea had already been cremated. Rhaena returned to King's Landing and took possession of her daughter's ashes. Refusing Jaehaerys's offer to have Aerea's ashes interred on Dragonstone as Aerea had hated living there, Rhaena instead took the ashes into the sky upon Dreamfyre and released them into the wind, claiming that Aerea had "''wanted to fly''".{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

Rhaena went into self-imposed isolation at [[Harrenhal]] after her daughter's death. Although she still frequently rode Dreamfyre, she wished to be left alone. Dreamfyre remained at Harrenhal with Rhaena until her death in {{Date|73}}, after which Dreamfyre made her lair in the [[Dragonpit]] at [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

===Helaena Targaryen===
[[File:Helaena and Dreamfyre by Samantha Altarozzi.jpg|thumb|400px|Dreamfyre and [[Helaena Targaryen]], by Samantha Altarozzi ©]]

During the reign of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], Dreamfyre bonded with Princess [[Helaena Targaryen]]. Helaena was riding Dreamfyre by age eleven,{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} and the dragon was beloved to her.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}

During the [[Dance of the Dragons]], after Helaena's [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|six-year old son]] was slain during the civil war, Helaena spent her days in darkness, weeping, and was not capable of riding Dreamfyre anymore. Dreamfyre resided in the [[Dragonpit]], and it is said that when Helaena threw herself to her death from her window in [[Maegor's Holdfast]], Dreamfyre rose suddenly with a roar that shook the Dragonpit and snapped two of the chains that bound her.{{Ref|tpatq}}

[[File:Storming of the Dragonpit by Douglas Wheatley.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Dreamfyre cracks the dome of the [[Dragonpit]] during the [[Storming of the Dragonpit]], as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in ''[[Fire & Blood]]''.]]
Dreamfyre remained chained in the Dragonpit when the people of King's Landing [[Storming of the Dragonpit|stormed the pit]]. Out of the four dragons present, Dreamfyre was the only dragon able to break free of her chains when the mob broke in. She took wing, circled the cavernous interior of the dome and swooped down to attack the men below. She slew more men than the other three dragons combined. Archers and crossbowmen loosed arrows and quarrels at the her, and whenever she landed men swarmed her to attack, driving her back into the air. Eventually one of her eyes was nicked by a crossbow bolt. Half-blind and maddened, Dreamfyre flew into the Dragonpit's great dome above, which cracked on impact. Half of it came tumbling down, crushing her and the [[dragonslayer]]s under tons of broken stone and rubble.{{Ref|tpatq}}

==Known dragonriders of Dreamfyre==
* Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]]{{ref|tpatq}}{{Ref|tsotd}}
* Queen [[Helaena Targaryen]]{{Ref|tpatq}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|[[Westermen|They]] are all warm at first, but it does not last. Either I am unwelcome or too welcome. They murmur of the cost of keeping me and mine, but it is Dreamfyre who excites them. Some fear her, more want her, and it is those who trouble me most. They lust for [[dragon]]s of their own.{{Ref|fab|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}|[[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]], to [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]}}

{{Quote|It may well be that dragons somehow sense, and echo, the moods of their riders, for Dreamfyre came down out of the clouds like a raging storm that day...{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}|writings of [[Barth]]}}

{{Quote|[[Tyraxes]], [[Shrykos]], and [[Morghul]] [[Storming of the Dragonpit|killed scores]], there can be little doubt, but Dreamfyre slew more than all three of them combined.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}|writings of [[Gyldayn]]}}

==References==
{{references}}

{{Dragons}}
[[Category:Dragons]]
[[Category:Casualties of the Dance of the Dragons]]
[[es:Dreamfyre]]
[[fa:دریم فایر]]
[[fr:Songefeu]]
[[ru:Пламенная Мечта]]

Iron Throne

2022-09-26T10:51:23Z

Benethon Stark: He was named the true king by most of Westeros's lords and upheld by Rhaenyra's sons, so "usurpation" doesn't quite fit what happened

[[File:Marc Simonetti Bran theironthroneJoff.jpg|300|thumb|According to [[George R. R. Martin]], this painting by Marc Simonetti © is the closest to how he envisions the Iron Throne.<ref name="realthrone"/>]]
The '''Iron Throne''' is the seat of the [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], and is often used as a [[w:metonymy|metonymic]] device to refer to the authority of the [[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]] or to the polity born after [[Aegon's Conquest]]. The king often holds audiences and dispenses [[Law and justice|justice]] from atop it in the [[Red Keep]]'s throne room, the Great Hall.{{ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} The chair is cold and hard, with many jagged edges.{{Ref|ACOK|25}}

==Customs==
In the king's absence, only his [[Hand of the King|Hand]] may sit on the throne. Such privilege does not extend to royal [[regent]]s.{{Ref|AFFC|24}} However, three exceptions exist: Queen [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys Targaryen]] and Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]], who were King [[Aegon I Targaryen]]'s partners in power;{{Ref|FAB|Three Heads had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I}} and Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], who sat the throne when [[Fall of King's Landing|she took]] [[King's Landing]] during the [[Dance of the Dragons]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}

==Appearance==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of the Iron Throne|Images of the Iron Throne]]''
[[File:GT01 11093 TheIronThrone JacobMurray.jpg|thumb|300px|The Iron Throne - by Jake Murray © Fantasy Flight Games]]
The Iron Throne is an asymmetric monstrosity of spikes and jagged edges and twisted metal.{{Ref|AGOT|43}} The throne was constructed by [[Aegon I Targaryen]] from the melted, twisted, beaten, and broken blades surrendered by his enemies,{{Ref|FAB|Aegon's Conquest}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} or wrenched from the hands of the dying.<ref name="realthrone"/> According to the songs, it took a thousand blades to make.{{Ref|AGOT|43}} [[George R. R. Martin]] has described the Iron Throne as "massive", "ugly", and "asymmetric".<ref name="realthrone">[[Not a Blog]]: [https://grrm.livejournal.com/327569.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter The Real Iron Throne (Jul. 8th, 2013)]</ref> The throne is a symbol of conquest.<ref name="realthrone"/>

The Iron Throne is located on a high platform in the throne room within the [[Red Keep]].{{Ref|AGOT|43}} It can be reached by climbing steep iron steps{{Ref|AGOT|43}} in the Great Hall,{{ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} and the [[small council]] has a table at the base of the throne.{{ref|AGOT|43}}

Because of the fanged steel behind, it is impossible to lean back on the iron seat of the Iron Throne. Aegon I intended for it to be uncomfortable, believing that "a king should never sit easy".{{Ref|AGOT|43}} The points of the twisted blades fan out like talons from arms of the throne. Even after three hundred years, some of the blades are still sharp enough to cut.{{Ref|AGOT|43}}

The Iron Throne is known for being dangerous to its occupants. King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] cut his left hand to the bone after stumbling, and Maester [[Gerardys]] had to remove two fingers to save his life.{{ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} According to Septon [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]], an armor-clad Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] was seen with cuts on her legs and left hand after sitting the throne for the first time, which led some to believe she had been rejected by it.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] was cut so many times that he became known as "King Scab".{{ref|ASOS|36}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}

According to the stories, the Iron Throne is capable of killing a person, and has done so before.{{Ref|AGOT|43}} King [[Maegor I Targaryen]], for instance, was found dead on the Iron Throne, his arms slashed open from wrist to elbow on jagged barbs, and with a blade through his neck, emerging beneath his chin. Although various culprits have been considered as having possibly murdered Maegor the Cruel, many still believe the king had been killed by the throne itself.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

==History==
===Aegon the Conqueror===
[[File:Balerion by Earthenblood Iron Throne is forged II.png|thumb|300px|[[Balerion]] helps forge the Iron Throne - by Lindsey Burcar ©]]
Following [[Aegon's Conquest|his conquest]] of six of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] in [[Westeros]], [[Aegon I Targaryen]] proclaimed himself their king, and was crowned by the [[High Septon (Aegon's Conquest)|High Septon]] at [[Oldtown]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} From the swords of his enemies, Aegon created the Iron Throne, and the dynasty he began would rule for nearly three hundred years.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}{{Ref|AGOT|43}} According to the songs, the throne was constructed with a thousand blades, heated by the [[dragonflame]] of [[Balerion]], Aegon's [[dragon]].{{Ref|AGOT|43}} According to history, however, the throne was forged by armorers.{{Ref|AGOT|43}}

The Iron Throne stood at Aegon's wooden castle, the [[Aegonfort]], which was located at the place where he had first come to shore. The town that grew around it became [[King's Landing]], the kingdom's new capital.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} Aegon reconciled the [[Iron Islands]] under his rule in {{Date|2}}, and continued his wars in {{Date|4}} with the [[First Dornish War]], in an attempt to subdue the seventh of the Westerosi kingdoms.{{Ref|FAB|Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I}}

The Iron Throne kept out of war following the conclusion of the First Dornish War in {{Date|13}}.{{Ref|FAB|Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I}} Other wars with Dorne would follow under Aegon's successors: the [[Second Dornish War]] in {{Date|37}} at the start of [[Aenys I Targaryen]]'s reign, the [[Third Dornish War|Third]] and [[Fourth Dornish War]] during the reign of [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]],{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} and the [[Conquest of Dorne]] during the reign of [[Daeron I Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}}

During Aegon's reign, one of his queens [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]] and [[Visenya Targaryen]] would sit on the Iron Throne while Aegon and his other sister were away from the capital for one of his [[Royal progress|progresses]].{{ref|FAB|Three Heads had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I}} In {{Date|35}}, Aegon had the Aegonfort where the Iron Throne stood torn down.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings - Aegon I}} As construction of the [[Red Keep]] began, the Iron Throne remained where it had stood.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

===Aenys I and Maegor I===
[[File:Forging the iron throne.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Workers help [[Balerion]] forge the Iron Throne - by Donato Giancola ©]]
Aegon's immediate successor, his eldest son [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys I]], faced several rebellions at the start of his reign in {{Date|37}}, which were resolved by his bannermen and brother, Prince [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]], during the course of the year. Aenys later faced problems with the [[Faith of the Seven]], first following his brother's [[polygamy|polygamous]] marriage in {{Date|39}}, and next after he married his son and daughter, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] and [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], to one another in {{Date|40}}. The Faith rose [[Faith Militant uprising|in rebellion]] against the Iron Throne, eventually forcing Aenys and his family to flee King's Landing for [[Dragonstone]]. Aenys died the following year of illness.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

Aenys's brother Maegor returned from his exile and claimed the throne over the late king's eldest son, Prince Aegon, who was unable to travel to King's Landing. While Maegor took the throne, Dowager Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]] proclaimed Aegon king on [[Driftmark]], but few came forth to support him. Called "the pretender" and "Aegon the Uncrowned", Aegon took up arms against Maegor in {{Date|43}} after he slipped into the capital to claim the dragon [[Quicksilver]]. Aegon fell to Maegor during the [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye]] later that year, however.

During his six-year rule, Maegor continued to fight the Faith and did so harshly, causing the deaths of thousands. Notably, he ordered the construction of [[Maegor's Holdfast]] within the [[Red Keep]] in {{Date|43}}. The Red Keep was completed in {{Date|45}}, after which Maegor had all the workers killed to prevent the castle's secrets being spread.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} Aenys I's youngest son, Prince [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]], announced his claim to the throne at [[Storm's End]] early on in {{Date|48}}. Maegor's main supporters flocked to Jaehaerys's side, leaving him with insufficient men to defend himself. Maegor was found dead seated on the Iron Throne by Queen [[Elinor Costayne]] hours after his last war council. The cause of Maegor's death is still debated; several potential murderers have been put forth, with some suggesting that Maegor had been killed by the throne, and others that Maegor had taken his own life.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}{{ref|ASOS|36}}{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}

===Jaehaerys I and Viserys I===
Following his death, [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor I]] was succeeded by his brother's youngest son, [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]. Jaehaerys reigned for fifty-five years.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} He recognized first his sister's eldest daughter [[Aerea Targaryen]] as his heir,{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49}}{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}} followed by his own daughter [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys]]{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}} and later his son [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]].{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} Aemon's death in {{Date|92}} resulted in a crisis in the line of succession, forcing Jaehaerys to choose between Aemon's daughter and only child, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys]], and his own second son, [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]]. When Baelon was named, the pregnant Rhaenys proclaimed that the king had not only passed over her, but also her "unborn son". Upon Baelon's death in {{Date|101}}, Jaehaerys called the first [[Great Council]] at [[Harrenhal]], to appoint his new heir. For thirteen days, the fourteen claims were discussed by the lords of the realm. The lords assembled eventually chose between Rhaenys's son [[Laenor Velaryon]] and Baelon's eldest son [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]]. The elder Viserys was chosen with the great majority of the votes.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Viserys's reign gave peace and plenty to the realm. In {{Date|126}}, after passing judgement seated on the Iron Throne, Viserys injured himself severely on the barbs. Maester [[Gerardys]] managed to save the king's life. The amputation of two of Viserys's fingers, {{Ref|FAB|The Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} Following the death of his second son, Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Baelon]], Viserys officially proclaimed his daughter, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], as his heir. Viserys remarried after the death of [[Aemma Arryn|his first wife]], but despite having three sons during his second marriage, he continued to view Rhaenyra as his heir.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

===The Dance and Regency===
[[File:Daviddemaret Heir to the Iron Throne.jpg|thumb|400px|Iron Throne - by David Demaret © Fantasy Flight Games]]
At [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I's]] death in early {{Date|129}}, [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon the Elder]], his eldest son, claimed the throne, making use of [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]'s presence at [[Dragonstone]] during her pregnancy. Brother and sister fought over the throne during the two and a half years that followed, a struggle called the [[Dance of the Dragons]]. In {{Date|130}}, Rhaenyra [[fall of King's Landing|took King's Landing]] and sat the first night on the Iron Throne to accept fealty from those present at the Red Keep. Even though Rhaenyra wore armor at that time, Septon [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]], one of the supporters of Aegon II, claims that Rhaenyra had cuts on her legs and the palm of her left hand once she got up from the throne. Eustace claimed this was an indication that "the Iron Throne had spurned her".{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}

Once Rhaenyra fled King's Landing half a year later after the [[Storming of the Dragonpit]], two new "kings" declared themselves during the [[Moon of the Three Kings]]: [[Trystane Truefyre]], a young squire who took possession of the Red Keep and sat on the Iron Throne, and [[Gaemon Palehair]], a small child.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} Aegon II fed Rhaenyra to his dragon, [[Sunfyre]], after the [[fall of Dragonstone]]. Trystane and Gaemon were eventually arrested by Lord [[Borros Baratheon]]. Since Aegon was away at [[Dragonstone]], the Dowager Queen [[Alicent Hightower]] received the submission of Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] from the lower steps of the Iron Throne.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}

The crippled Aegon was unable to climb the steps of the Iron Throne when he returned to the capital, so he instead used a carved and cushioned wooden seat below.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}} Aegon was killed with [[poison]] half a year later after the [[Battle of the Kingsroad]],{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}} and his body was laid upon a bier by the Iron Throne when the [[Lads]] arrived at the [[Red Keep]].{{ref|Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf}} Rhaenyra's eleven year-old son, [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], was crowned king, and married to Aegon II's daughter and only remaining child, [[Jaehaera Targaryen]], uniting the claims.{{Ref|FAB|Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand}} Lord [[Cregan Stark]] briefly served as [[Hand of the King]] during the so-called [[Hour of the Wolf]]. Although Cregan might have sat the Iron Throne as Hand, he instead used a simple wooden bench beneath it.{{ref|Aftermath - The Hour of the Wolf}}

When Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] died in {{Date|132}} during the [[regency of Aegon III]], his body was placed beneath the Iron Throne for seven days.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}} Unlike Cregan Stark, Lord [[Unwin Peake]] used the Iron Throne while serving as Aegon's Hand.{{ref|FAB|Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows}} Aegon sat on the throne during the [[Maiden's Day Ball]].{{ref|FAB|Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows}}

===Daeron I, Baelor I, and Viserys II===
[[Aegon III Targaryen]] was succeeded in {{Date|157}} by his fourteen-year old son, [[Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron]], who led the [[conquest of Dorne]]. The Young Dragon was slain by [[Dornishmen]] four years later, however, and then succeeded by his brother [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I]]. When Baelor the Blessed died in {{Date|171}} after a forty-day fast,{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}} the succession of the Iron Throne was again unclear. The claims of Baelor's three sisters were discussed, but dismissed, after which Baelor's uncle, [[Viserys II Targaryen]], was crowned. Viserys reigned for only a year, but it said he truly ruled and preserved the land for much longer, as he had been [[Hand of the King]] during the time of his brother Aegon III's reign, as well as the reigns of his nephews Daeron and Baelor. Despite the shortness of his reign, Viserys implemented several new reforms.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}}

===Daeron II and Daemon Blackfyre===
After [[Viserys II Targaryen]] died of a sudden illness, his eldest son ascended the Iron Throne as [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon IV]], who is remembered in history as "the Unworthy". On his deathbed, Aegon legitimized all of his [[bastard]]s, including [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Blackfyre]], his bastard son by his cousin [[Daena Targaryen]]. , in which Daemon Blackfyre fought King [[Daeron II Targaryen]] for the Iron Throne.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}

Aegon's heir, King [[Daeron II Targaryen]], brought [[Dorne]] peacefully into the realm early on in his reign, by wedding his younger sister [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Aegon IV)|Daenerys]] to his good-brother [[Maron Martell]], the [[Prince of Dorne]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}} Aegon IV had previously gifted Daemon Blackfyre with the Targaryen sword [[Blackfyre]], typically considered the "sword of kings".{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} This, combined with the growing Dornish influence at court, brought resentment against Daeron II.

In {{Date|196}}, Daemon announced his claim to the Iron Throne, beginning the [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]]. When he died during the [[Battle of the Redgrass Field]] later that year with his two eldest sons, his remaining children fled to [[Essos]]. [[Blackfyre Pretenders|Four other rebellions]] would follow in the decades that followed. The [[Second Blackfyre Rebellion|second]] and [[Third Blackfyre Rebellion|third]] rebellions took place during the reign of [[Aerys I Targaryen]],{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}} the fourth during the reign of [[Aegon V Targaryen]], {{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} and the fifth and final rebellion as part of the [[War of the Ninepenny Kings]] during the reign of [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]]. {{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}

===Later Kings===
Following the death of [[Daeron II Targaryen]]'s eldest son, [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor]], and Baelor's two sons [[Valarr Targaryen|Valarr]] and [[Matarys Targaryen|Matarys]], Daeron was succeeded by his second son, [[Aerys I Targaryen]]. The new king's first heir was his brother, [[Rhaegel Targaryen|Rhaegel]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}} After Rhaegel's death, Aerys acknowledged Rhaegel's only son [[Aelor Targaryen|Aelor]] as his heir, but Aelor died in {{Date|217}} during a mishap caused by his twin sister and wife, [[Aelora Targaryen|Aelora]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}} Aerys's third heir was Aelora.<ref>asoiaf.westeros.org: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/146027-rlj-v164/&do=findComment&comment=8092607 R+L=J v. 164 – Comment by Ran (December 12, 2017)]</ref> However, she was mad with grief and committed suicide sometime later, leaving Aerys to recognize his fourth and last heir to the throne, his youngest brother [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar]]. When Aerys died in {{Date|221}}, Maekar succeeded him.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}

Maekar I's reign lasted until {{Date|233}}, when the king fell in battle fighting a rebellious lord on the [[Dornish Marches]]{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}} during the [[Peake Uprising]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}

A [[Great Council]] was convened after Maekar's death, and his fourth son was chosen as King [[Aegon V Targaryen]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}} Aegon the Unlikely perished in {{Date|259}} in the [[tragedy of Summerhall]],{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} however, and was succeeded by his second son, [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys II]], who died three years later of illness.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys V}}

===The Mad King===
[[File:Eddard Jaime Aerys guillemhp.jpg|thumb|300px|Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] awaiting Lord [[Eddard Stark]] - by guillemhp ©]]
Jaehaerys was followed by his son, [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]]. Although his reign began promising, Aerys's madness slowly grew. By {{Date|280}}, he had become known as the “Mad King” and “King Scab”, for he had cut himself on the Iron Throne many times.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}

Following the abduction of [[Lyanna Stark]] by Aerys's son, Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], the Mad King executed her father and brother, Lord [[Rickard Stark]] and [[Brandon Stark]], in the throne room in {{Date|282}}. Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] of the [[Kingsguard]] stood at the foot of the Iron throne during the executions.{{ref|ACOK|55}} Lord [[Jon Arryn]] refused Aerys's order to kill Rickard's heir, Lord [[Eddard Stark]], and Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] at the [[Eyrie]], however, beginning [[Robert's Rebellion]] against [[House Targaryen]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}

The [[Vale of Arryn]], the [[north]], and parts of the [[stormlands]] and [[riverlands]] rose against Aerys, and the [[westerlands]] joined the rebels after Rhaegar's death in the [[Battle of the Trident]]. During the [[Sack of King's Landing]] by Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]'s host, the Mad King ordered his [[pyromancers]] to destroy the capital with the [[wildfire plot]]. Jaime, Tywin's eldest son, hauled Aerys off the steps of the Iron Throne and cut his throat, even though the Kingsguard was sworn to protect the king.{{ref|ASOS|11}}{{ref|ASOS|37}} Jaime climbed the steps and waited on the Iron Throne to see who would claim it,{{ref|ASOS|11}} eventually climbing down after the arrival of Ned Stark to the throne room.{{ref|AGOT|12}} Rhaegar's children, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]] and [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]], were murdered by Ser [[Amory Lorch]] and Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] during the Sack.{{ref|ASOS|53}} Tywin had the children's bodies covered in crimson cloaks and placed before the Iron Throne to await the arrival of Robert,{{ref|AGOT|45}}{{ref|ASOS|66}} who claimed the throne as king.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}

Aerys's wife, [[Rhaella Targaryen]], died giving birth to Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] on [[Dragonstone]]. Aerys's surviving son, young [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]], fled with Daenerys in exile to the [[Free Cities]].{{ref|AGOT|3}}

===Robert Baratheon===
King [[Robert I Baratheon]] ascended to the Iron Throne in {{Date|283}}. Robert came to strongly dislike his kingship;{{ref|AGOT|4}}{{ref|AGOT|33}} according to [[Donal Noye]], becoming king changed Robert, and not for the better.{{ref|ACOK|6}} Finding ruling his realm tedious,{{ref|AGOT|20}} Robert refers to the Iron Throne as "that damnable"{{Ref|AGOT|4}} and "monstrous uncomfortable" chair.{{Ref|AGOT|12}} Meanwhile, his love for [[tourney]]s and feasts beggared the realm,{{ref|AGOT|20}} and despite the fact that [[Aerys II Targaryen]] had left treasure vaults overflowing with gold, Robert's spending has left the crown in debt of over six million [[Currency|golden dragons]].{{ref|AGOT|20}}

In {{Date|289}}, [[Balon Greyjoy]], [[Lord of the Iron Islands]], proclaimed the independence of the [[Iron Islands]] and led [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]] against the Iron Throne. The rebellion was put down within a year, and Robert pardoned Balon after the [[siege of Pyke]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands: The Old Way and the New}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
[[File:MagaliVilleneuve_JoffIronThrone.jpg‎‎|thumb|300px|King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]] upon the Iron Throne - by Magali Villeneuve © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Lord [[Eddard Stark]], the [[Hand of the King]] to [[Robert I Baratheon]], sits the Iron Throne while the king is hunting in the [[kingswood]].{{ref|AGOT|43}} Robert's reign comes to end after his wife, Queen [[Cersei Lannister]], arranges his death. Her eldest son, [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]], takes the throne.{{ref|AGOT|51}} Robert had acknowledged Joffrey as a trueborn son, but the father of Cersei's children is actually her twin, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] of the [[Kingsguard]].{{ref|AGOT|45}} The hunting tapestries which had replaced the dragon skulls are taken down from the throne room's walls.{{ref|AGOT|57}}

During Joffrey's first court session in the throne room, the young king has Grand Maester [[Pycelle]] read his royal decrees. Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]], is dismissed from his duties.{{ref|AGOT|57}}

Robert's youngest brother, [[Renly Baratheon]], puts forward his own claim to the Iron Throne.{{ref|AGOT|69}} After Joffrey capriciously orders the beheading of Lord Stark outside the [[Great Sept of Baelor]], the [[House Stark|Stark]] and [[House Tully|Tully]] bannermen gathered at [[Riverrun]] declare Ned's heir, [[Robb Stark]], as [[King in the North]]. The [[north]] and the [[riverlands]] secede from the Iron Throne.{{ref|AGOT|71}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
Renly's older brother, [[Stannis Baratheon]], announces his own claim to the Iron Throne,{{ref|ACOK|10}} and the [[Seven Kingdoms]] are thrown into greater turmoil.{{ref|ACOK|2}}{{ref|ACOK|20}} [[Tyrion Lannister]], the acting King's Hand to Joffrey, holds audience from the throne.{{ref|ACOK|25}}

In [[Essos]], the exiled [[Daenerys Targaryen]] intends to claim the Iron Throne and [[Westeros]].{{ref|ACOK|40}}

Renly is [[shadow assassin|assassinated]] during the [[siege of Storm's End (299)|siege of Storm's End]],{{ref|ACOK|33}} and [[Balon Greyjoy]] enters the [[War of the Five Kings]] out of opportunism to re-establish independence for the [[Iron Islands]].{{ref|ACOK|37}} Following Stannis's defeat in the [[Battle of the Blackwater]],{{ref|ACOK|62}} Joffrey hosts a great audience in the Great Hall but cuts his arm on the Iron Throne.{{ref|ACOK|65}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
At [[Dragonstone]], Ser [[Axell Florent]] claims to have seen a vision in flames of Stannis sitting on the Iron Throne.{{ref|ASOS|36}}

[[Balon Greyjoy]] dies at [[Pyke]]{{ref|ASOS|45}} and [[Robb Stark]], [[King in the North]] and [[King of the Trident]], is slain at the [[Twins]] in the [[Red Wedding]].{{ref|ASOS|51}}

The [[War of the Five Kings]] is believed to have largely ended, and the Iron Throne is draped in long silk streamers for the royal wedding of King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]] to [[Margaery Tyrell]]. The young king is poisoned at [[Purple Wedding|his own wedding feast]] in the throne room,{{ref|ASOS|60}} however, and his younger brother [[Tommen Baratheon]] is crowned in his place. Tommen I is controlled by his advisors: his mother, Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]], and his grandfather, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], who serves as [[Hand of the King]]. The trial of [[Tyrion Lannister]], who is accused of having murdered Joffrey, is held before the Iron Throne.{{ref|ASOS|70}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
[[File:Tommen_iron_throne.jpg|thumb|thumb|300px|King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]] and his kittens by the Iron Throne - by Magali Villeneuve ©]]
Following the murder of Tywin by Tyrion, Cersei holds the Iron Throne as [[regent]] on behalf of her son, the young Tommen. Cersei has a dream of herself sitting the Iron Throne which turns into a nightmare.{{ref|AFFC|3}} Cersei refuses to allow Tommen to sit on the sharp throne.{{ref|AFFC|25}} As she is not the monarch or the [[Hand of the King]], Cersei rules from a gold-and-crimson high seat beneath the Iron Throne.{{ref|AFFC|32}}

Princess [[Arianne Martell]] plots to crown Princess [[Myrcella Baratheon]], Tommen's older sister, on the Iron Throne as queen. The plot falters at the [[Greenblood]], however.{{ref|AFFC|21}} [[Euron Greyjoy]], chosen as Balon's successor as [[King of the Isles and the North]] at the [[kingsmoot]], plans to conquer all of Westeros and claim the Iron Throne.{{ref|AFFC|29}}

After Cersei re-establishes the [[Faith Militant]], she is arrested by the [[Faith of the Seven]] for various crimes. Her uncle [[Kevan Lannister]] becomes regent in her place.{{ref|AFFC|43}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
Tommen continues to hold the Iron Throne under the regency of his grand-uncle, Ser [[Kevan Lannister]],{{ref|ADWD|54}} but Stannis still maintains his claim even while in the north.{{ref|ADWD|17}}

The exiled Lord [[Jon Connington]] leads the [[landing of the Golden Company]] in the [[stormlands]]. The [[sellswords]] plot to place [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon VI Targaryen]] on the throne.{{ref|ADWD|61}} Kevan and Grand Maester [[Pycelle]] are murdered by [[Varys]], a supporter of Aegon, at the [[Red Keep]].{{ref|ADWD|Appendix}}


==Monarchy==
===Succession===
[[File:Iron_throne_HBO.jpg|thumb|300px|The Iron Throne from ''[[Game of Thrones]]'']]
Inheritance customs for the Iron Throne differ from the inheritance customs in the rest of the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. Generally, like elsewhere in the kingdom, male-preference [[w:primogeniture|primogeniture]] is customary. [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]], the eldest son of King [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon I]], the first king on the Iron Throne, was considered Aegon's clear successor. The birth of Aenys's first child, [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], brought forth the question as to who should stand next in line following Aenys: his daughter Rhaena, or his younger brother [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]]? The birth of Aenys's son [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] settled the discussion of who should succeed Aenys, although it was not concluded whether Rhaena or Maegor stood earlier in the line of succession.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

After Aenys died, his brother Maegor took the throne by force, ignoring the claim of Aenys's son Aegon. Following Aegon's death, his wife Rhaena feared for the safety of their eldest daughter, [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]], who stood Aegon's heir by the laws of the Seven Kingdoms. Aerea was eventually appointed as Maegor I's heir, until he would have a son of his own.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} However, Maegor the Cruel died childless, and several claims were discussed. As the only surviving son of the late King Aenys I, [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys Targaryen's]] claim was strong. However, his elder brother Aegon had claimed the throne before him, and if he were to be considered to have been the true king, the throne should pass to his eldest child, Aerea. Some even suggested that the claim of Princess Rhaena, as Aenys I's eldest child, was the strongest of them all. However, Aerea and her younger twin were discounted on account of their sex and young age, and Rhaena on account of her sex alone. As a result, Jaehaerys ascended the Iron Throne.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King – The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}

Jaehaerys I named his niece Aerea as his heir as well,{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49}}{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}} a position she held for five years (with the exception of three days during {{Date|52}}), until the birth of Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys]] in {{Date|53}}.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}} The title of heir apparent was given to Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]] following his birth two years later,{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} upsetting Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]].

Aemon remained heir to the throne until his own death in battle in {{Date|92}}. Aemon's death caused a crisis in the succession, as his only issue was a daughter, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys]]. Rhaenys was pregnant upon the death of her father, and when Jaehaerys appointed Aemon's brother [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]] over Rhaenys, Rhaenys proclaimed that the king had not only passed over her, but also her "unborn son". Upon Baelon's death in {{Date|101}}, Jaehaerys followed the advice of his only surviving son [[Vaegon Targaryen|Vaegon]] and called the first [[Great Council]]. There, fourteen claims were considered. Nine lesser claims were dismissed, including those of a man claiming descent from Lord [[Gaemon Targaryen (son of Aenar)|Gaemon Targaryen]] through a daughter; three [[bastard]] grandsons of King Jaehaerys through his daughter [[Saera Targaryen|Saera]]; a man claiming to be a bastard son of Maegor I; a hedge knight claiming to be a bastard son of King Jaehaerys; Archmaester Vaegon, Jaehaerys's only remaining son; Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, Jaehaerys's grandchild through his eldest son, Aemon; and [[Laena Velaryon]], Rhaenys's eldest child. The two claims that remained belonged to [[Laenor Velaryon]], Rhaenys's son, and [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]], the eldest son of Prince Baelon. As Laenor descended from the king through the king’s eldest son, primogeniture favored him, but proximity favored Viserys, as Viserys was the king’s grandson, while Laenor was his great-grandson. Laenor's young age spoke against him, however, and the lords present voted for Viserys over Laenor twenty to one. Many felt that a male line was preferred over a female line, and believed that the decision of the Great Council set a precedent stating that the Iron Throne could not pass to a woman, or to the male descendants of a woman.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Ironically, it was Prince Viserys, by then crowned king, who disregarded these precedents in {{Date|105}} by naming his daughter and only remaining child at the time, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], as his heir. Despite the birth of three healthy sons during his second marriage in the years that followed, Viserys remained intent that Rhaenyra should succeed him.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} Viserys's decision would eventually lead to the civil war known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]], where his eldest son [[Aegon II Targaryen]] claimed the throne, ignoring Rhaenyra’s status as heir. During the war, Aegon II's sons, [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys]] and [[Maelor Targaryen|Maelor]], died, as did Rhaenyra's eldest three sons ([[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]], [[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys]], and [[Joffrey Velaryon]]), while her youngest son, Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]], was presumed dead.{{Ref|tpatq}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}} In an attempt to end the war, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] ensured that Aegon II's only remaining heir, his daughter [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]], was betrothed to Rhaenyra's son, [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], and that both were named Aegon II's heirs.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}} Following Aegon II’s death, Aegon III was crowned.

The agnatic principle laid down in the Great Council of 101 AC was slightly modified after the Dance of the Dragons. Thereafter, according to a semi-canon source, ''women came after all men in the Targaryen succession,''<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Comic_Con_San_Diego_CA_July_20_232/ Comic Con San Diego (July 23, 2006)]</ref> i.e., women could only succeed if the entire male line of House Targaryen became extinct. Nonetheless, several females claims have since been considered. In {{Date|171}}, following the deaths of Aegon III's sons [[Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron I]] and [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I]], both childless, the claims of Aegon's three daughters were considered. However, with the Dance of the Dragons still fresh in their minds, the claims of the three women were passed over and Aegon's brother [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys II]] ascended the throne.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}} Another few decades later, King [[Maekar I Targaryen]] died without a clearly established heir. His simple-minded granddaughter [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Daeron)|Vaella Targaryen]], the only child of Maekar's [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|eldest son]], was seen as a possible claimant. However, her claim was quickly dismissed.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}{{Ref|ACOK|6}}

In {{Date|283}}, the [[Sack of King's Landing]] during [[Robert's Rebellion]] led to the death of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]]. His sister-wife, Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen]], pregnant with Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]], was at [[Dragonstone]] with Aerys's surviving son, Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]], who was declared king on the island fortress.{{ref|AWOIAF|Rhaella Targaryen}} [[Robert I Baratheon]], however, acceded the Iron Throne by right of conquest,{{Ref|ACOK|22}} chosen as claimant by the rebels due to his Targaryen descent,{{Ref|AGOT|30}} as he was the grandson of Princess [[Rhaelle Targaryen]], the youngest daughter of King [[Aegon V Targaryen]],{{ref|AFFC|35}} which gave him the better claim among the rebels. Nonetheless, the exiled Viserys declared his sister Daenerys his heir, naming her [[Princess of Dragonstone]],{{Ref|AGOT|3}} and following Viserys's death, Daenerys has declared her own claim for the Iron Throne.{{Ref|ACOK|40}}

===List of Kings===
The following kings have ruled the [[Seven Kingdoms]] with the Iron Throne as their seat:
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
!Order !! Monarch !! Epithet !! Spouse(s) !! Mode of Accession !! Reign !! Royal Lineage !! Heir
|-
|1 || [[Aegon I Targaryen]] || the Conqueror the Dragon the Dragonlord || [[Visenya Targaryen]] [[Rhaenys Targaryen]] || Conquest || {{Date|1}}-{{Date|37}} || Founder of the Line || [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys Targaryen]]
|-
|2 || [[Aenys I Targaryen]] || || [[Alyssa Velaryon]] || Succession || {{Date|37}}-{{Date|42}} || Son of Aegon I || [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon Targaryen]]
|-
|3 || [[Maegor I Targaryen]] || the Cruel || [[Ceryse Hightower]] [[Alys Harroway]] [[Tyanna of the Tower]] [[Elinor Costayne]] [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]] [[Jeyne Westerling (wife of Maegor I)|Jeyne Westerling]] || Usurpation || {{Date|42}}-{{Date|48}} || Son of Aegon I || [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys Targaryen]] (disinherited) [[Aerea Targaryen]] (heiress presumptive)
|-
|4 || [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] || the Conciliator the Wise the Old King || [[Alysanne Targaryen]] || Rebellion || {{Date|48}}-{{Date|103}} || Son of Aenys I ||[[Aerea Targaryen]] (heiress presumptive) [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon Targaryen]] [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys Targaryen]] [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon Targaryen]] [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]]
|-
|5 || [[Viserys I Targaryen]] || the Young King || [[Aemma Arryn]] [[Alicent Hightower]] || Election || {{Date|103}}-{{Date|129}} || Grandson of Jaehaerys I || [[Daemon Targaryen]] (heir presumptive) [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
|-
|6 || [[Aegon II Targaryen]] || the Usurper || [[Helaena Targaryen]] || Succession (disputed) || {{Date|129}}-{{Date|131}} || Son of Viserys I || [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys Targaryen]] [[Maelor Targaryen]] [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]] (heir presumptive)
|-
|7 || [[Aegon III Targaryen]] || the Dragonbane the Unhappy the Unlucky the Broken King the Uncrowned King || [[Jaehaera Targaryen]] [[Daenaera Velaryon]] || Succession || {{Date|131}}-{{Date|157}} || Grandson of Viserys I || [[Baela Targaryen]] (heiress presumptive) [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]] (heir presumptive) [[Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron Targaryen]]
|-
|8 || [[Daeron I Targaryen]] || the Young Dragon the Boy King || || Succession || {{Date|157}}-{{Date|161}} || Son of Aegon III || [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor Targaryen]] (heir presumptive)
|-
|9 || [[Baelor I Targaryen]] || the Blessed the Beloved || [[Daena Targaryen]] || Succession || {{Date|161}}-{{Date|171}} || Son of Aegon III || [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]] (heir presumptive)
|-
|10 || [[Viserys II Targaryen]] || || [[Larra Rogare]] (pre-reign) || Succession || {{Date|171}}-{{Date|172}} || Grandson of Viserys I || [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]]
|-
|11 || [[Aegon IV Targaryen]] || the Unworthy || [[Naerys Targaryen]] || Succession || {{Date|172}}-{{Date|184}} || Son of Viserys II || [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron Targaryen]]
|-
|12 || [[Daeron II Targaryen]] || the Good || [[Myriah Martell]] || Succession || {{Date|184}}-{{Date|209}} || Son of Aegon IV || [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor Targaryen]] [[Valarr Targaryen]]
|-
|13 || [[Aerys I Targaryen]] || || [[Aelinor Penrose]] || Succession || {{Date|209}}-{{Date|221}} || Son of Daeron II || [[Rhaegel Targaryen]] [[Aelor Targaryen]] [[Aelora Targaryen]] [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar Targaryen]]
|-
|14 || [[Maekar I Targaryen]] || || [[Dyanna Dayne]] (pre-reign) || Succession || {{Date|221}}-{{Date|233}} || Son of Daeron II || [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron Targaryen]] [[Aerion Targaryen]]
|-
|15 || [[Aegon V Targaryen]] || the Unlikely the Fortunate || [[Betha Blackwood]] || Election || {{Date|233}}-{{Date|259}} || Son of Maekar I || [[Duncan Targaryen]] [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys Targaryen]]
|-
|16 || [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]] || || [[Shaera Targaryen]] || Succession || {{Date|259}}-{{Date|262}} || Son of Aegon V || [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys Targaryen]]
|-
|17 || [[Aerys II Targaryen]] || the Mad King King Scab || [[Rhaella Targaryen]] || Succession || {{Date|262}}-{{Date|283}} || Son of Jaehaerys II || [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] [[Viserys Targaryen]]
|-
|18 || [[Robert I Baratheon]] || the Usurper || [[Cersei Lannister]] || Rebellion || {{Date|283}}-{{Date|298}} || Great-grandson of Aegon V || [[Stannis Baratheon]] (heir presumptive) [[Joffrey Baratheon]]
|-
|19 || [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]] || the Illborn || [[Margaery Tyrell]] || Succession || {{Date|298}}-{{Date|300}} || Son of Robert I || [[Tommen Baratheon]] (heir presumptive)
|-
|20 || [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]] || the Boy King || [[Margaery Tyrell]] || Succession || {{Date|300}}-Present || Son of Robert I || [[Myrcella Baratheon]] (heiress presumptive)
|}

===Gallery===
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;"
|-
! colspan="5" | Gallery: Kings on the Iron Throne
|-
|| [[File:AEGON I.jpg|225px|center|thumb|'''[[Aegon I Targaryen]]''']] || [[File:AENYS I.jpg|225px|center|thumb|'''[[Aenys I Targaryen]]''']] || [[File:MAEGOR I.jpg|225px|center|thumb|'''[[Maegor I Targaryen]]''']] || [[File:JAEHAERYS I.jpg|225px|center|thumb|'''[[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]''']] || [[File:VISERYS I.jpg|225px|center|thumb|'''[[Viserys I Targaryen]]''']]
|-
|| [[File:AEGON II.jpg|225px|center|thumb|'''[[Aegon II Targaryen]]''']] || [[File:AEGON III.jpg|225px|center|thumb|'''[[Aegon III Targaryen]]''']] || [[File:DAERON I.jpg|225px|center|thumb|'''[[Daeron I Targaryen]]''']] || [[File:BAELOR I.jpg|225px|center|thumb|'''[[Baelor I Targaryen]]''']] || [[File:VISERYS II.jpg|225px|center|thumb|'''[[Viserys II Targaryen]]''']]
|-
|| [[File:AEGON IV.jpg|225px|center|thumb|'''[[Aegon IV Targaryen]]''']] || [[File:DAERON II.jpg|225px|center|thumb|'''[[Daeron II Targaryen]]''']] || [[File:AERYS I.jpg|225px|center|thumb|'''[[Aerys I Targaryen]]''']] || [[File:MAEKAR I.jpg|225px|center|thumb|'''[[Maekar I Targaryen]]''']] || [[File:AEGON V.jpg|225px|center|thumb|'''[[Aegon V Targaryen]]''']]
|-
|| [[File:JAEHAERYS II.jpg|225px|center|thumb|'''[[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]]''']] || [[File:AERYS II.jpg|225px|center|thumb|'''[[Aerys II Targaryen]]''']] || [[File:Robert Baratheon.jpg|205px|center|thumb|'''[[Robert I Baratheon]]''']] || [[File:Joffrey Baratheon.jpg|205px|center|thumb|'''[[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]]''']] || [[File:King Tommen.jpg|205px|center|thumb|'''[[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]]''']]
|-
|}

===Rival Kings and Claimants to the Iron Throne===
* {{Date|42}}-{{Date|43}}: [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon Targaryen]], eldest son of [[Aenys I Targaryen]] and his rightful heir, laid claim to the throne after his uncle [[Maegor I Targaryen]] took it. He was killed by his uncle in the [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye]].
* {{Date|129}}-{{Date|130}}: [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], also known as "the Realm's Delight", [[Prince of Dragonstone|Princess of Dragonstone]], the named heir to [[Viserys I Targaryen]]; her succession was challenged by her half-brother, [[Aegon II Targaryen]]. This led to the civil war known as the [[Dance of the Dragons‎]].
* {{Date|130}}: [[Trystane Truefyre]], alleged bastard son of [[Viserys I Targaryen]], during the [[Moon of the Three Kings]].
* {{Date|130}}: [[Gaemon Palehair]], alleged bastard son of [[Aegon II Targaryen]] and a [[Essie|whore]], during the [[Moon of the Three Kings]].
* {{Date|130}}: [[Hugh Hammer]], a [[dragonseed]], openly declared to the [[Greens]] his intention to sit the Iron Throne and started to wear a crown. However, he was killed by Ser [[Jon Roxton]] while he was preparing for the [[Second Battle of Tumbleton]].
* {{Date|196}}-{{Date|196}}: [[Daemon I Blackfyre]], the first of the [[Blackfyre Pretenders]], trying to claim the throne during the [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]].
* {{Date|212}}: [[Daemon II Blackfyre]], plotting to claim the throne during the [[Second Blackfyre Rebellion]]. The second of the Blackfyre Pretenders.
* {{Date|219}}: [[Haegon I Blackfyre]], trying to claim the throne during the [[Third Blackfyre Rebellion]]. The third of the Blackfyre Pretenders.
* {{Date|236}}: [[Daemon III Blackfyre]], trying to claim the throne during the [[Fourth Blackfyre Rebellion]]. The fourth of the Blackfyre Pretenders.
* {{Date|260}}: [[Maelys I Blackfyre]], trying to claim the throne during the [[War of the Ninepenny Kings]]. The fifth and last of the Blackfyre Pretenders.
* {{Date|283}}-{{Date|298}}: [[Viserys Targaryen]], the Beggar King, styling himself as Viserys III Targaryen; killed by the [[Dothraki]] for violating the laws of [[Vaes Dothrak]].
* {{Date|298}}-Present: [[Daenerys Targaryen]], the Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, Queen of Meereen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea.
* {{Date|298}}-{{Date|299}}: [[Renly Baratheon|Renly I Baratheon]], Lord of Storm's End; killed by a [[Shadow assassin|shadow]].
* {{Date|299}}-Present: [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis I Baratheon]], Lord of Dragonstone.
* {{Date|300}}: [[Myrcella Baratheon]] was taken by [[Arianne Martell]] as part of a plan to crown her queen of the Seven Kingdoms. This plan was quickly foiled by Arianne's father, [[Doran Martell|Prince Doran]].
* {{Date|300}}-Present: [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]], the allegedly living son of the late Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]].

==Quotes about the Iron Throne==
[[File:Marc Simonetti ARIS mashup.jpg|thumb|300px|Marc Simonetti ©]]
{{Quote|Have no fear, Stark. I was only keeping it warm for our friend [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]]. It's not a very comfortable seat, I'm afraid.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}|[[Jaime Lannister]] to [[Eddard Stark]]}}

{{Quote|[[Jaime Lannister|He]] spoke truly, it is a monstrous uncomfortable chair. In more ways than one.{{Ref|AGOT|12}}|[[Robert I Baratheon]] to [[Eddard Stark]]}}

{{Quote|I swear to you, sitting a throne is a thousand times harder than winning one.{{Ref|AGOT|4}}|[[Robert I Baratheon]] to [[Eddard Stark]]}}

{{Quote|Seat [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] on the Iron Throne and I promise you, [[Seven Kingdoms|the realm]] will bleed.{{Ref|AGOT|47}}|[[Petyr Baelish]] to [[Eddard Stark]]}}

{{Quote|When [[Wights|dead men]] come hunting in the night, do you think it matters who sits on the Iron Throne?{{Ref|AGOT|70}}|[[Jeor Mormont]] to [[Jon Snow]]}}

{{Quote|They can keep their [[Red Keep|red castle]] and their iron chair as well.{{Ref|AGOT|71}}|[[Rickard Karstark]] to [[Jon Umber]]}}

{{Quote|Tell me, what right did my brother [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] ever have to the Iron Throne? Oh, there was talk of the blood ties between [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]] and [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]], of weddings a hundred years past, of second sons and elder daughters. No one but the [[maesters]] care about any of it. Robert [[Robert's Rebellion|won the throne]] with his warhammer.{{ref|ACOK|22}}|[[Renly Baratheon]] to [[Catelyn Stark]]}}

{{Quote|This Iron Throne you speak of sounds monstrous cold and hard. I cannot bear the thought of jagged barbs cutting your sweet skin.{{ref|ACOK|40}}|[[Xaro Xhoan Daxos]] to [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}

{{quote|'''Jorah''': When [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Dragon]] stepped ashore in [[Westeros]], the kings of [[King of Mountain and Vale|Vale]] and [[King of the Rock|Rock]] and [[King of the Reach|Reach]] did not rush to hand him their crowns. If you mean to sit his Iron Throne, you must win it as he did, with steel and [[dragonfire]]. And that will mean blood on your hands before the thing is done. 
'''Daenerys''': The blood of my enemies I will shed gladly. The blood of innocents is another matter.{{ref|ASOS|23}}|[[Jorah Mormont]] and [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}

{{Quote|'''Stannis''': Have you ever seen the Iron Throne? The barbs along the back, the ribbons of twisted steel, the jagged ends of swords and knives all tangled up and melted? It is not a comfortable seat, ser. [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] cut himself so often men took to calling him King Scab, and [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor the Cruel]] was murdered in that chair. By that chair, to hear some tell it. It is not a seat where a man can rest at ease. Ofttimes I wonder why my brothers wanted it so desperately. 
'''Davos''': Why would you want it, then? 
'''Stannis''': It is not a question of wanting. The throne is mine, as [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert's]] heir. That is law.{{Ref|ASOS|36}}|[[Stannis Baratheon]] to [[Davos Seaworth]]}}

{{Quote|By the end the [[Aerys II Targaryen|Mad King]] had become so fearful that he would allow no blade in his presence, save for the swords his [[Kingsguard]] wore. His beard was matted and unwashed, his hair a silver-gold tangle that reached his waist, his fingernails cracked yellow claws nine inches long. Yet still the blades tormented him, the ones he could never escape, the blades of the Iron Throne. His arms and legs were always covered with scabs and half-healed cuts.{{ref|AFFC|16}}|[[Jaime Lannister]]'s thoughts}}

{{Quote|If [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] is no more than a sweet young girl, the Iron Throne will cut her into sweet young pieces.{{Ref|ADWD|5}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Illyrio Mopatis]]}}

{{Quote|I will claim the Iron Throne by myself, with your swords and your allegiance.{{Ref|ADWD|24}}|[[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]] to the [[Golden Company]]}}

==Behind the Scenes==
[[George R. R. Martin]] intends the Iron Throne to be intimidating. In an interview, he referenced [[w:Percy Bysshe Shelley|Percy Bysshe Shelley]]'s poem "[[w:Ozymandias|Ozymandias]]": 'Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!'<ref>[[w:92nd Street Y|92nd Street Y]]: [http://92yondemand.org/george-r-r-martin-world-ice-fire Game of Thrones Mastermind George R. R. Martin: The World of Ice and Fire], Oct 26, 2014</ref>

==References==
{{references}}

{{Kings of Westeros}}

[[Category:Objects]]
[[Category:Red Keep]]
[[Category:Thrones]]
[[Category:Westeros]]

[[es:Trono_de_Hierro]]
[[fa:تخت آهنین]]
[[fr:trône de Fer]]
[[pt:Trono_de_Ferro]]
[[ru:Железный Трон]]
[[zh:铁王座]]

Crackclaw Point

2022-09-16T00:31:00Z

Benethon Stark: uncited claim

{|
{{Location map| Crownlands
| label = '''Crackclaw Point'''
| label_size = 100
| lat = 57
| long = 88
| position = left
| marksize = 10
| width = 400
| float = right
| caption = The [[crownlands]] and the location of Crackclaw Point
| alt = The crownlands and the location of Crackclaw Point
}}
|}

'''Crackclaw Point''', or simply the '''Point''',{{Ref|AFFC|20}} is a peninsula in the [[crownlands]] jutting out into the [[narrow sea]]. To the north lies the [[Bay of Crabs]], to the south [[Blackwater Bay]].<ref>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Map of the South|Map of the South]]</ref> [[Maidenpool]] and [[Rook's Rest]] are west of the forested peninsula, while [[Dragonstone]] and [[Claw Isle]] are to the south and east, respectively.{{ref|TLOIAF| Westeros}}

Noble houses from the peninsula include [[House Boggs]], [[House Brune of Brownhollow|House Brune]] of [[Brownhollow]], [[House Brune of the Dyre Den|House Brune]] of the [[Dyre Den]], [[House Cave]], [[House Crabb]] (formerly of the [[Whispers]]), [[House Hardy]], and [[House Pyne]].{{ref|AFFC|20}}{{ref|AFFC|41}}

==Landscape==
The land is full of cavernous hills and bogs and pine barrens,{{ref|AFFC|9}} thick with deciduous trees and evergreens like [[sentinel]]s and [[soldier pine]]s.{{ref|AFFC|20}} Moss covers ancient ruined strongholds throughout the region. Settlement is denser along the coastal road near [[Maidenpool]].{{ref|AFFC|20}}

==Folklore==
Crackclaws are sometimes considered half wild by other peoples of the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} [[Squisher]]s are mythical creatures from Crackclaw's folklore.{{ref|AFFC|20}}

==History==
Every valley has a lord and all of them distrust outsiders. [[Andals]] tried to conquer the peninsula, but they were defeated by their lack of knowledge of the area. The [[House Darklyn|Darklyn]] kings of [[Duskendale]] tried to impose themselves on the houses of the Point, as did [[Maidenpool]] and the [[House Celtigar|Celtigars]] of [[Claw Isle]], but all were repelled. Eventually, the Andals learned that what they could not conquer with swords they could through marriage.{{ref|AFFC|20}}

When not fighting would-be conquerors, internecine fighting between the houses was commonplace. Champions rising from local noble families, such as Ser [[Clarence Crabb]], [[Crackbones]], the [[Brothers Brune]], and Ser [[Lucifer Hardy]], imposed peace on Crackclaw but it never survived their lifetimes.{{ref|AFFC|20}}

Having heard of the destruction of [[House Hoare]] in the [[burning of Harrenhal]]{{ref|AFFC|20}}, the lords of Crackclaw quickly swore allegiance to Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] during [[Aegon's Conquest]].{{ref|FAB|Aegon's Conquest}} Because they surrendered peacefully, they were sworn directly to the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]] of [[King's Landing]]. The region has since been known as Targaryen loyalists.{{ref|AFFC|20}}

During the [[Dance of the Dragons]], the [[House Crabb|Crabbs]] and [[House Brune of the Dyre Den|Brunes]] joined the [[blacks]] and assisted [[Walys Mooton]], [[Lord of Maidenpool]], in retaking [[Rook's Rest]].{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} The inhabitants of the peninsula say that following Lord Mooton's failed attempt to kill [[Sunfyre]], the dragon sheltered amongst their dark and piney woods and caves for some time before traveling to [[Dragonstone]].{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons; - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} Some thought that [[Nettles]] and [[Sheepstealer]] sought refuge in Crackclaw Point or the [[Mountains of the Moon]] after disappearing from Maidenpool.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}

Ser [[Mortimer Boggs]] was a well-regarded hero from Crackclaw who attended the [[wedding tourney at Whitewalls]].{{ref|TMK}}

Many of Crackclaw Point's lords and champions fought beside [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], [[Prince of Dragonstone]], in the [[Battle of the Trident]]. The Celtigars sometimes send men to collect taxes, but they have limited success.{{ref|AFFC|20}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Clash of Kings''===
Transporting Princess [[Myrcella Baratheon]], ''[[Seaswift]]'' and its escorts follow the coast from [[King's Landing]] to Crackclaw, avoiding [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]]. After reaching the peninsula, the ships sail for [[Braavos]].{{ref|ACOK|41}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
In [[Saltpans]], [[Ternesio Terys]] tells [[Arya Stark]] that his crew saw a dozen [[pirate]] ships heading north as his ''[[Titan's Daughter]]'' rounded Crackclaw Point.{{ref|ASOS|74}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
[[Podrick Payne]], [[Brienne of Tarth]], and [[Dick Crabb]] pass through Crackclaw Point to get to the [[Whispers]]. Dick regales them with the history and folklore of the peninsula.{{ref|AFFC|20}}

==Quotes==
{{quote|We're all good [[House Targaryen|dragon men]], up Crackclaw way.{{ref|AFFC|20}}|[[Dick Crabb]] to [[Brienne of Tarth]]}}

{{quote|They rode through pines and bogs, under dark skies and intermittent rain, past sinkholes and caves and the ruins of ancient strongholds whose stones were blanketed in moss. Every heap of stones had a story, and [[Dick Crabb|Nimble Dick]] told them all. To hear him tell it, the men of Crackclaw Point had watered their pine trees with blood.{{ref|AFFC|20}}|thoughts of [[Brienne of Tarth]]}}

==Chapters that take place in Crackclaw Point==
*[[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 20|''A Feast for Crows'': 20. Brienne IV]]

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{region Crownlands}}

[[Category:Peninsulas]]
[[Category:Places in the Crownlands]]

[[es:Punta Zarpa Rota]]
[[fr:Presqu'île de Claquepince]]
[[ru:Раздвоенный Коготь]]
[[zh:蟹爪半岛]]

Battle on the Green Fork

2022-08-25T23:44:26Z

Benethon Stark: touch up

{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[File:Tomasz JedruszekBattle of the Green Fork.jpg|325px]]
| caption = Battle on the Green Fork by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games
| battle_name = Battle on the Green Fork
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#The War of the Five Kings|War of the Five Kings]] calculations.''</ref>
| place = Eastern bank of the [[Green Fork]], between the [[Twins]] and the [[inn at the crossroads]]
| result = [[House Lannister|Lannister]] victory
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = [[File:House Baratheon (King's Landing).svg|33px]] '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/ [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 

[[File:House Lannister.svg|30px]] [[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Leaving Harrenhal|The banners of Houses [[Banefort|Banefort]], [[House Bettley|Bettley]], [[House Falwell|Falwell]], [[House Ferren|Ferren]], [[House Foote|Foote]], [[House Kenning of Kayce|Kenning of Kayce]], [[House Myatt|Myatt]], [[House Peckledon|Peckledon]], [[House Prester|Prester]], [[House Sarsfield|Sarsfield]], and [[House Stackspear|Stackspear]] are spotted by [[Arya Stark]] as [[Tywin Lannister]]'s host leaves [[Harrenhal]] in ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 38|Arya VIII]].{{ref|ACOK|38}} Men from these Houses may have been in battles involving Tywin's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}{{refn|group="N"|name=Corpse|The banners of Houses [[House Hamell|Hamell]], [[House Moreland|Moreland]], [[House Turnberry|Turnberry]], and [[House Yarwyck|Yarwyck]] are present during the escorting of the corpse of [[Tywin Lannister]] from [[King's Landing]] back to [[Casterly Rock]] in ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 16|Jaime II]].{{ref|AFFC|16}} Men from these Houses may have been in battles involving Tywin's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}{{refn|group="N"|name=Lorch|[[Tywin Lannister]] gives orders for [[Amory Lorch]] to participate in the burning of the [[riverlands]] in ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 69|Tyrion IX]]{{ref|AGOT|69}} so [[House Lorch]] may have recently fought on the Green Fork.}}{{refn|group=N|name=FindingJaime|In ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 62|Jaime VII]], the brothers Plumm are mentioned as having been sent by [[Tywin Lannister]] to find [[Jaime Lannister]] following his release from [[Riverrun]],{{ref|ASOS|62}} so [[House Plumm]] may have fought on the Green Fork.}}
*[[House Brax]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Clegane]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Crakehall]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Lannister of Lannisport]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Lefford]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Lydden]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Marbrand]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Serrett]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Swyft]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}

[[Vale mountain clans]]
*[[Black Ears]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[Burned Men]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[Moon Brothers]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[Stone Crows]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
| combatant2 = '''Roose Bolton's host:''' 

[[File:House Stark.svg|30px]] [[North]], led by [[House Stark]]{{refn|group=N|name=Burley, Norrey|Houses [[House Burley|Burley]] and [[House Norrey|Norrey]] are mentioned in ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|Catelyn VI]], as being part of [[Roose Bolton]]'s host that is attacked by the [[Mountain's men]] while [[Fighting at the fords of the Trident|crossing the Trident]].{{ref|ASOS|49}} Men from these clans may have been in earlier battles involving Rooses's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}{{refn|group=N|name=Dustin|In ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 46|A Ghost in Winterfell]], [[Barbrey Dustin]] mentions that [[House Dustin]] had men die in the [[Red Wedding]].{{ref|ADWD|46}} Dustins may have been in earlier battles involving Rooses's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}{{refn|group=N|name=Condon, Ryswell, Stout|[[House Condon|Condon]], [[House Ryswell|Ryswell]], and [[House Stout|Stout]] men are mentioned in ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|Catelyn VI]], as being left behind by [[Roose Bolton]] to defend against incursions by the [[Mountain's men]], following the [[Fighting at the fords of the Trident|crossing of the Trident]] by the northmen.{{ref|ASOS|49}} Men from these Houses may have been in earlier battles involving Rooses's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}
*[[House Bolton]]{{ref|AGOT|59}}
*[[House Cerwyn]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Glover]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Hornwood]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Karstark]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Locke]]{{ref|ACOK|25}}
*[[House Manderly]]{{ref|AGOT|55}}

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
| commander1 = [[File:House Lannister.svg|20px]] Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
* [[File:House Clegane.svg|20px]] Ser [[Gregor Clegane]]
* [[File:House Lannister.svg|20px]] Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]
* [[File:House Marbrand.svg|20px]] Ser [[Addam Marbrand]]
| commander2 = [[File:House Bolton.svg|20px]] Lord [[Roose Bolton]]
* [[File:House Cerwyn.svg|20px]] Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] (POW)
* [[File:House Hornwood.svg|20px]] Lord [[Halys Hornwood]]†
* [[File:House Karstark.svg|20px]] [[Harrion Karstark]]
* [[File:House Manderly.svg|20px]] Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (POW)

| strength1 = ~20,000
* ~7,500 horse, including ~300 mounted [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]
* ~12,500 foot
| strength2 = ~17,800<ref group="N">[[Robb Stark]]'s initial northern force consists of 20,000 men (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]), with slightly more than 1/4 being heavy cavalry (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]] gives the figures of 3,300-3,400 heavy cavalry out of an initial muster of 12,000). This would suggest ~15,000 infantry and ~5,000 heavy cavalry in his northern host. He is joined by 4,000 men of House Frey (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]), whose forces have a heavy cavalry-to-infantry ratio of 1-to-4 (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 14|Catelyn II]]). His total force after this therefore consists of 24,000 soldiers (18,000 infantry, 6,000 heavy cavalry). He leaves 400 Frey infantry and 400 northern infantry at the Twins with a mix of swordsmen/spearmen and archers (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]), and orders a small garrison, mostly archers, to be left at [[Moat Cailin]] (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]). Earlier, [[Eddard Stark]] had stated that "two hundred determined archers [at Moat Cailin] can hold the Neck against an army" (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 20|Eddard IV]]), however we do not know the actual number left behind and so this estimate is non-applicable. By leaving the known 800 infantry behind at the Twins, this brings Robb's army to 23,200 men (17,200 infantry, 6,000 heavy cavalry). Robb then splits his army, leaving all of the infantry and one-tenth of the heavy cavalry (~600) under the command of [[Roose Bolton]], and taking the rest of the heavy cavalry (~5,400) under his personal command to the [[Whispering Wood]] (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]). Thus, Roose's host is about 17,800 troops in total (17,200 infantry, 600 heavy cavalry).</ref>
* 17.200 foot
* 600 horse
| casualties1 = Unknown casualties in the right, center, and reserve
*~500 in the vanguard, including ~150 [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*Vale clansmen [[Conn]] and [[Ulf son of Umar|Ulf]]
*Several hundred die of their wounds during the subsequent march south{{ref|AGOT|69}}
| casualties2 =
~5,000<Ref group="N">The casualties [[Roose Bolton]]'s forces take on the Green Fork can be calculated by going backwards from what he ends with at the [[Red Wedding]]. There, he claims to have 3,500 men with him (mostly [[House Bolton|Bolton]] men with some [[House Karstark|Karstarks]]) and another 600 guarding a ford, with 200 Bolton riders having previously been sent to escort [[Jaime Lannister]] to King's Landing under [[Walton]] (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 44|Jaime VI]]), for a total of 4,300 remaining soldiers (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|Catelyn VI]]). In chronological order from after the Green Fork, his host suffered the following major changes to its strength: 400 men [[Robb Stark]] originally left at the Twins joined it under [[Edmure Tully]]'s orders (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 39|Catelyn V]]). ~1,000 Karstark troops deserted him and took to the countryside following Robb's execution of [[Rickard Karstark]] according to Roose (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 37|Jaime V]]). The 1,500 Frey soldiers (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 64|Arya X]]) who were with [[Aenys Frey]] by the time Roose took Harrenhal pulled out like the rest of the Frey men due to the Stark-Frey marriage pact being broken. ~3,000 soldiers (said to be 1/3 of Roose's remaining infantry at the time) were sent to [[Battle at Duskendale|Duskendale]] (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 35|Catelyn IV]]) where they were smashed. Finally, ~2,050 soldiers were left to die at the [[Fighting at the fords of the Trident|ruby ford]] (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|Catelyn VI]]). This would mean Roose's host underwent a net loss of ~7,200 troops between the aftermath of the Green Fork and the [[Red Wedding]], where he had 4,300 troops left. Therefore Roose's host had ~11,500 troops before any of these events, meaning losses on the Green Fork could not have exceeded ~5,600 men. Note that this is an upper ceiling rather than a concrete figure for this losses in the battle, as possible losses to Roose's from various small skirmishes and sieges in the [[riverlands]] must also be considered.</ref>
* [[Medger Cerwyn]] (POW)
* [[Halys Hornwood]]†
* [[Harrion Karstark]] (POW)
* Ser [[Donnel Locke]] (POW)
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (POW)
}}

The '''battle on the Green Fork'''{{ref|ACOK|7}}{{ref|ASOS|58}} is an early battle in the [[War of the Five Kings]] and is the first to involve forces of [[House Stark]]. The battle occurs along the [[Green Fork]] of the [[Trident]] in the [[riverlands]].

==Prelude==
War breaks out after the death of King [[Robert I Baratheon]] and the arrest of Lord [[Eddard Stark]] in [[King's Landing]].{{ref|AGOT|49}}{{ref|AGOT|55}} [[House Lannister]] invades the [[riverlands]], scattering the riverlords and placing [[Riverrun]] under siege. Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] occupies the [[crossroads]] near the [[ruby ford]] and waits to see how Houses [[House Arryn|Arryn]] and [[House Stark|Stark]] will respond. Tywin expects [[House Frey]], who control the crossing over the [[Green Fork]], to remain neutral.{{ref|AGOT|56}}

[[Robb Stark]] calls the [[north]]ern banners and marches south from [[Winterfell]] to rescue his father.{{ref|AGOT|53}} When Ser [[Addam Marbrand]]'s outriders report that Robb is on the [[causeway]], Tywin orders for Addam to draw the northmen further south while Tywin leads his own host north on the [[kingsroad]] east of the Green Fork to meet them.{{ref|AGOT|56}}

Once south of the [[Neck]], Robb's mother, [[Catelyn Stark]], persuades Lord [[Walder Frey]] to ally with Robb, opening the way over the Green Fork at the [[Twins]]. Robb, who does not wish to stake everything on one battle with Tywin, splits his host in two. The foot and one-tenth of the horse under Lord [[Roose Bolton]] continue marching south on the kingsroad to engage Tywin, while Robb himself commands the rest of the cavalry and crosses west of the river, in the hope of lifting the siege of Riverrun by taking Tywin's son, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]], unawares.{{ref|AGOT|55}}{{ref|AGOT|59}}

Addam's outriders inform Tywin that the Freys have joined the Starks and their combined host is marching south on the kingsroad.{{ref|AGOT|62}} Ser [[Brynden Tully]]'s men kill some of Addam's scouts, however, preventing the Lannisters from knowing that Robb's host split at the Twins.{{ref|AGOT|59}}

==Battle==
When the [[westerlands|westermen]] think the [[north]]men are still a day's march away, the [[House Stark|Stark]] army, commanded by Lord [[Roose Bolton]], marches throughout the night in an effort to take the [[House Lannister|Lannister]] army by surprise, arriving before dawn.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

However, the Lannister army arrays itself in time to meet the northmen. The westermen's order of battle includes:
* Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] commands ten thousand men in the center, with Lords [[Leo Lefford|Lefford]], [[Lewys Lydden|Lydden]] and [[House Serrett|Serrett]] at his side with three hundred heavy horse. His foot archers are arranged in three long lines east and west of the [[kingsroad]]. Between the archers are squares of pikemen, and behind them are ranks of [[men-at-arms]] wielding axes, swords, and spears.{{ref|AGOT|62}}
* On the right, Ser [[Addam Marbrand]] commands four thousand knights and other heavy lancers, among them Ser [[Flement Brax]] and members of Houses [[House Crakehall|Crakehall]], [[House Swyft|Swyft]], and other families.{{ref|AGOT|62}}
* Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] commands the vanguard on the left. At one thousand men, the van is entirely mounted, but consists of freeriders, [[sellswords]], and raw fieldhands and smallfolk from [[Lannisport]]. The van also includes [[Tyrion Lannister]], his sellsword [[Bronn]], and his three hundred [[Vale mountain clans]]men,{{ref|AGOT|62}} who are considered savages by the nobles.{{ref|AGOT|56}}
* From the high ground of a hilltop, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] commands the reserve of five thousand men, half mounted, half afoot.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

Unbeknownst to Tyrion, Tywin has placed his undisciplined men on the left to tempt the Stark commander, whom Tywin believes is the untested [[Robb Stark]], to overcommit there. Tywin hopes the Lannister van will rout and the Starks will plunge into the gap, eager to flank him. Tywin then intends for Kevan and the center to wheel to the left and take the northerners in the flank, driving them into the Green Fork.{{ref|AGOT|62}} Before the fighting begins, Gregor orders Tyrion to hold the van's left, along the riverfront.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

Kevan's archers fire volleys of arrows from the kingsroad as the northmen march forward; Tyrion observes the banners of Houses [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Frey|Frey]], [[House Glover|Glover]], [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Karstark|Karstark]], and Stark. The armored veterans with Gregor break a shield wall of Karstark spearmen, and Tyrion's clansmen follow through the breach. Tyrion notices a volley of arrows land amongst the northmen and Lannister van, although he does not know from where they were fired. Tyrion kills a northern swordsman who attacks him, and then forces a northern knight to yield after the man becomes trapped beneath his horse.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

Meanwhile, Kevan sends in his pikemen to push the Stark lines against the hills behind them, and Kevan's archers fire against the northmen behind shield walls. Tywin leads his reserve behind the van, along the river, to break the remnants of the Stark line.{{ref|AGOT|62}} Tywin feels the northmen were led cautiously during the battle, which he did not expect from young Robb.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

==Aftermath==
[[Roose Bolton]]'s host loses several thousand men in the battle, including Lord [[Halys Hornwood]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} Captives taken include Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]], [[Harrion Karstark]], Ser [[Wylis Manderly]], Ser [[Donnel Locke]], Ser [[Jared Frey]], Ser [[Hosteen Frey]], Ser [[Danwell Frey]], and [[Ronel Rivers]].{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}}

[[Tyrion Lannister]] leaves the northern knight he captured in the care of [[Bronn]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} About half of Tyrion's [[Vale mountain clans|clansmen]] are killed in the fighting, with [[Conn]] of the [[Stone Crows]] and [[Ulf son of Umar|Ulf]] of the [[Moon Brothers]] among the slain.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

The Lannisters learn from their captives that the northern host had split at the [[Twins]], and that [[Robb Stark]] is rushing toward [[Riverrun]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} Instead of pursuing Roose's host as it retreats northward, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] leads his own host on a forced march south to aid his son, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]].{{ref|AGOT|69}} Robb captures the Kingslayer at the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]],{{ref|AGOT|63}} however, and he then saves Riverrun with the [[Battle of the Camps]].{{ref|AGOT|69}}{{ref|AGOT|71}}

After learning of Jaime's defeat while at the [[crossroads inn]], Tywin decides to march to [[Harrenhal]].{{ref|AGOT|69}} Three dozen captives from the Green Fork are housed in the [[Tower of Dread]], and Lord Cerwyn dies at Harrenhal from a wound taken on the Green Fork.{{ref|ACOK|30}}

Roose reforms his host at the mouth of the [[causeway]]{{ref|AGOT|71}} and returns to the [[Twins]].{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} The deaths of Lord Hornwood at the Green Fork and his son [[Daryn Hornwood|Daryn]] in the Whispering Wood cause a [[Fighting in the Hornwood|succession crisis to Hornwood]] back in the north.{{ref|ACOK|16}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|The [[north]]erners would be exhausted after their long sleepless march. Tyrion wondered what [[Robb Stark|the boy]] had been thinking. Did he think to take them unawares while they slept? Small chance of that; whatever else might be said of him, [[Tywin Lannister]] was no man's fool.{{ref|AGOT|62}}|thoughts of [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

{{Quote|Tyrion watched [[Tywin Lannister|his father]] fly past, the crimson-and-gold banner of [[House Lannister|Lannister]] rippling over his head as he thundered across the field. Five hundred [[knight]]s surrounded him, sunlight flashing off the points of their lances. The remnants of the [[House Stark|Stark]] lines shattered like glass beneath the hammer of their charge.{{ref|AGOT|62}}|thoughts of [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

{{quote|A fine victory. Your [[Vale mountain clans|wild men]] fought well.{{ref|AGOT|62}}|[[Kevan Lannister]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

{{Quote|[[Roose Bolton|Bolton]] does not concern me. He is a wary man, and we made him warier on the [[Green Fork]].{{ref|AGOT|69}}|[[Tywin Lannister]] to [[Kevan Lannister]]}}

{{Quote|We fought between [[Green Fork|a river]] and [[kingsroad|a road]]. When I saw [[Tywin Lannister|my father's]] host deploy, I remember thinking how beautiful it was. Like a flower opening its petals to the sun. A crimson rose with iron thorns. And my father, ah, he had never looked so resplendent. He wore crimson armor, with this huge greatcloak made of cloth-of-gold. A pair of golden lions on his shoulders, another on his helm. His stallion was magnificent. His lordship watched the whole battle from atop that horse and never got within a hundred yards of any foe. He never moved, never smiled, never broke a sweat, whilst thousands died below him.{{ref|twow||[[Tyrion II (The Winds of Winter)|Tyrion]]}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Penny]]}}

{{quote|Take the Battle of Green Fork. Had his night march taken Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] unawares and won the battle, he would have smashed the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] and become the hero of the hour. While if it failed... well, you see what happened. The only way he could lose there would be if were captured or slain himself, and he did his best to minimize the chances of that.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Roose_Bolton Roose Bolton], February 02, 2001</ref>|[[George R. R. Martin]] regarding [[Roose Bolton]]}}

==''Game of Thrones''==
The Battle of the Green Fork in the "[[Baelor (TV)|Baelor]]" episode of the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' is altered, with [[Robb Stark]] sending a diversionary force of two thousand bannermen—instead of the larger host commanded by [[Roose Bolton]] (who is absent)—against the much larger Lannister army of 30,000. The battle is not explicitly shown, though it is a complete massacre of the northern army. No Stark leaders or nobles are present in the army either. Later in the same episode, Robb laments his decision to sacrifice two thousand of his men to capture [[Jaime Lannister]] at the [[battle in the Whispering Wood|Whispering Wood]].

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Cerwyn battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Clegane battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Frey battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Glover battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Hornwood battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Karstark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lefford battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Locke battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lydden battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Marbrand battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Serrett battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Swyft battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:Riverlands]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Green Fork]]

[[es:Batalla del Forca Verde]]
[[fr:Bataille de la Verfurque]]
[[ru:Битва на Зелёном Зубце]]
[[zh:绿叉河之战]]

Battle on the Green Fork

2022-08-25T00:57:24Z

Benethon Stark:

{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[File:Tomasz JedruszekBattle of the Green Fork.jpg|325px]]
| caption = Battle on the Green Fork by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games
| battle_name = Battle on the Green Fork
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#The War of the Five Kings|War of the Five Kings]] calculations.''</ref>
| place = Eastern bank of the [[Green Fork]], between the [[Twins]] and the [[inn at the crossroads]]
| result = [[House Lannister|Lannister]] victory
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = [[File:House Baratheon (King's Landing).svg|33px]] '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/ [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 

[[File:House Lannister.svg|30px]] [[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Leaving Harrenhal|The banners of Houses [[Banefort|Banefort]], [[House Bettley|Bettley]], [[House Falwell|Falwell]], [[House Ferren|Ferren]], [[House Foote|Foote]], [[House Kenning of Kayce|Kenning of Kayce]], [[House Myatt|Myatt]], [[House Peckledon|Peckledon]], [[House Prester|Prester]], [[House Sarsfield|Sarsfield]], and [[House Stackspear|Stackspear]] are spotted by [[Arya Stark]] as [[Tywin Lannister]]'s host leaves [[Harrenhal]] in ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 38|Arya VIII]].{{ref|ACOK|38}} Men from these Houses may have been in battles involving Tywin's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}{{refn|group="N"|name=Corpse|The banners of Houses [[House Hamell|Hamell]], [[House Moreland|Moreland]], [[House Turnberry|Turnberry]], and [[House Yarwyck|Yarwyck]] are present during the escorting of the corpse of [[Tywin Lannister]] from [[King's Landing]] back to [[Casterly Rock]] in ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 16|Jaime II]].{{ref|AFFC|16}} Men from these Houses may have been in battles involving Tywin's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}{{refn|group="N"|name=Lorch|[[Tywin Lannister]] gives orders for [[Amory Lorch]] to participate in the burning of the [[riverlands]] in ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 69|Tyrion IX]]{{ref|AGOT|69}} so [[House Lorch]] may have recently fought on the Green Fork.}}{{refn|group=N|name=FindingJaime|In ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 62|Jaime VII]], the brothers Plumm are mentioned as having been sent by [[Tywin Lannister]] to find [[Jaime Lannister]] following his release from [[Riverrun]],{{ref|ASOS|62}} so [[House Plumm]] may have fought on the Green Fork.}}
*[[House Brax]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Clegane]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Crakehall]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Lannister of Lannisport]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Lefford]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Lydden]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Marbrand]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Serrett]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Swyft]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}

[[Vale mountain clans]]
*[[Black Ears]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[Burned Men]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[Moon Brothers]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[Stone Crows]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
| combatant2 = '''Roose Bolton's host:''' 

[[File:House Stark.svg|30px]] [[North]], led by [[House Stark]]{{refn|group=N|name=Burley, Norrey|Houses [[House Burley|Burley]] and [[House Norrey|Norrey]] are mentioned in ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|Catelyn VI]], as being part of [[Roose Bolton]]'s host that is attacked by the [[Mountain's men]] while [[Fighting at the fords of the Trident|crossing the Trident]].{{ref|ASOS|49}} Men from these clans may have been in earlier battles involving Rooses's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}{{refn|group=N|name=Dustin|In ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 46|A Ghost in Winterfell]], [[Barbrey Dustin]] mentions that [[House Dustin]] had men die in the [[Red Wedding]].{{ref|ADWD|46}} Dustins may have been in earlier battles involving Rooses's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}{{refn|group=N|name=Condon, Ryswell, Stout|[[House Condon|Condon]], [[House Ryswell|Ryswell]], and [[House Stout|Stout]] men are mentioned in ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|Catelyn VI]], as being left behind by [[Roose Bolton]] to defend against incursions by the [[Mountain's men]], following the [[Fighting at the fords of the Trident|crossing of the Trident]] by the northmen.{{ref|ASOS|49}} Men from these Houses may have been in earlier battles involving Rooses's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}
*[[House Bolton]]{{ref|AGOT|59}}
*[[House Cerwyn]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Glover]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Hornwood]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Karstark]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Locke]]{{ref|ACOK|25}}
*[[House Manderly]]{{ref|AGOT|55}}

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
| commander1 = [[File:House Lannister.svg|20px]] Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
* [[File:House Clegane.svg|20px]] Ser [[Gregor Clegane]]
* [[File:House Lannister.svg|20px]] Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]
* [[File:House Marbrand.svg|20px]] Ser [[Addam Marbrand]]
| commander2 = [[File:House Bolton.svg|20px]] Lord [[Roose Bolton]]
* [[File:House Cerwyn.svg|20px]] Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] (POW)
* [[File:House Hornwood.svg|20px]] Lord [[Halys Hornwood]]†
* [[File:House Karstark.svg|20px]] [[Harrion Karstark]]
* [[File:House Manderly.svg|20px]] Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (POW)

| strength1 = ~20,000
* ~7,500 horse, including ~300 mounted [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]
* ~12,500 foot
| strength2 = ~17,800<ref group="N">[[Robb Stark]]'s initial northern force consists of 20,000 men (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]), with slightly more than 1/4 being heavy cavalry (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]] gives the figures of 3,300-3,400 heavy cavalry out of an initial muster of 12,000). This would suggest ~15,000 infantry and ~5,000 heavy cavalry in his northern host. He is joined by 4,000 men of House Frey (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]), whose forces have a heavy cavalry-to-infantry ratio of 1-to-4 (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 14|Catelyn II]]). His total force after this therefore consists of 24,000 soldiers (18,000 infantry, 6,000 heavy cavalry). He leaves 400 Frey infantry and 400 northern infantry at the Twins with a mix of swordsmen/spearmen and archers (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]), and orders a small garrison, mostly archers, to be left at [[Moat Cailin]] (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]). Earlier, [[Eddard Stark]] had stated that "two hundred determined archers [at Moat Cailin] can hold the Neck against an army" (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 20|Eddard IV]]), however we do not know the actual number left behind and so this estimate is non-applicable. By leaving the known 800 infantry behind at the Twins, this brings Robb's army to 23,200 men (17,200 infantry, 6,000 heavy cavalry). Robb then splits his army, leaving all of the infantry and one-tenth of the heavy cavalry (~600) under the command of [[Roose Bolton]], and taking the rest of the heavy cavalry (~5,400) under his personal command to the [[Whispering Wood]] (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]). Thus, Roose's host is about 17,800 troops in total (17,200 infantry, 600 heavy cavalry).</ref>
* 17.200 infantry
* 600 heavy cavalry
| casualties1 = Unknown casualties in the right, center, and reserve
*~500 in the vanguard, including ~150 [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*Vale clansmen [[Conn]] and [[Ulf son of Umar|Ulf]]
*Several hundred die of their wounds during the subsequent march south{{ref|AGOT|69}}
| casualties2 =
~5,000<Ref group="N">The casualties [[Roose Bolton]]'s forces take on the Green Fork can be calculated by going backwards from what he ends with at the [[Red Wedding]]. There, he claims to have 3,500 men with him (mostly [[House Bolton|Bolton]] men with some [[House Karstark|Karstarks]]) and another 600 guarding a ford, with 200 Bolton riders having previously been sent to escort [[Jaime Lannister]] to King's Landing under [[Walton]] (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 44|Jaime VI]]), for a total of 4,300 remaining soldiers (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|Catelyn VI]]). In chronological order from after the Green Fork, his host suffered the following major changes to its strength: 400 men [[Robb Stark]] originally left at the Twins joined it under [[Edmure Tully]]'s orders (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 39|Catelyn V]]). ~1,000 Karstark troops deserted him and took to the countryside following Robb's execution of [[Rickard Karstark]] according to Roose (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 37|Jaime V]]). The 1,500 Frey soldiers (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 64|Arya X]]) who were with [[Aenys Frey]] by the time Roose took Harrenhal pulled out like the rest of the Frey men due to the Stark-Frey marriage pact being broken. ~3,000 soldiers (said to be 1/3 of Roose's remaining infantry at the time) were sent to [[Battle at Duskendale|Duskendale]] (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 35|Catelyn IV]]) where they were smashed. Finally, ~2,050 soldiers were left to die at the [[Fighting at the fords of the Trident|ruby ford]] (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|Catelyn VI]]). This would mean Roose's host underwent a net loss of ~7,200 troops between the aftermath of the Green Fork and the [[Red Wedding]], where he had 4,300 troops left. Therefore Roose's host had ~11,500 troops before any of these events, meaning losses on the Green Fork could not have exceeded ~5,600 men. Note that this is an upper ceiling rather than a concrete figure for this losses in the battle, as possible losses to Roose's from various small skirmishes and sieges in the [[riverlands]] must also be considered.</ref>
* [[Medger Cerwyn]] (POW)
* [[Halys Hornwood]]†
* [[Harrion Karstark]] (POW)
* Ser [[Donnel Locke]] (POW)
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (POW)
}}

The '''battle on the Green Fork'''{{ref|ACOK|7}}{{ref|ASOS|58}} is an early battle in the [[War of the Five Kings]] and is the first to involve forces of [[House Stark]]. The battle occurs along the [[Green Fork]] of the [[Trident]] in the [[riverlands]].

==Prelude==
War breaks out after the death of King [[Robert I Baratheon]] and the arrest of Lord [[Eddard Stark]] in [[King's Landing]].{{ref|AGOT|49}}{{ref|AGOT|55}} [[House Lannister]] invades the [[riverlands]], scattering the riverlords and placing [[Riverrun]] under siege. Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] occupies the [[crossroads]] near the [[ruby ford]] and waits to see how Houses [[House Arryn|Arryn]] and [[House Stark|Stark]] will respond. Tywin expects [[House Frey]], who control the crossing over the [[Green Fork]], to remain neutral.{{ref|AGOT|56}}

[[Robb Stark]] calls the [[north]]ern banners and marches south from [[Winterfell]] to rescue his father.{{ref|AGOT|53}} When Ser [[Addam Marbrand]]'s outriders report that Robb is on the [[causeway]], Tywin orders for Addam to draw the northmen further south while Tywin leads his own host north on the [[kingsroad]] east of the Green Fork to meet them.{{ref|AGOT|56}}

Once south of the [[Neck]], Robb's mother, [[Catelyn Stark]], persuades Lord [[Walder Frey]] to ally with Robb, opening the way over the Green Fork at the [[Twins]]. Robb, who does not wish to stake everything on one battle with Tywin, splits his host in two. The foot and one-tenth of the horse under Lord [[Roose Bolton]] continue marching south on the kingsroad to engage Tywin, while Robb himself commands the rest of the cavalry and crosses west of the river, in the hope of lifting the siege of Riverrun by taking Tywin's son, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]], unawares.{{ref|AGOT|55}}{{ref|AGOT|59}}

Addam's outriders inform Tywin that the Freys have joined the Starks and their combined host is marching south on the kingsroad.{{ref|AGOT|62}} Ser [[Brynden Tully]]'s men kill some of Addam's scouts, however, preventing the Lannisters from knowing that Robb's host split at the Twins.{{ref|AGOT|59}}

==Battle==
When the [[westerlands|westermen]] think the [[north]]men are still a day's march away, the [[House Stark|Stark]] army, commanded by Lord [[Roose Bolton]], marches throughout the night in an effort to take the [[House Lannister|Lannister]] army by surprise, arriving before dawn.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

However, the Lannister army arrays itself in time to meet the northmen. The westermen's order of battle includes:
* Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] commands ten thousand men in the center, with Lords [[Leo Lefford|Lefford]], [[Lewys Lydden|Lydden]] and [[House Serrett|Serrett]] at his side with three hundred heavy horse. His foot archers are arranged in three long lines east and west of the [[kingsroad]]. Between the archers are squares of pikemen, and behind them are ranks of [[men-at-arms]] wielding axes, swords, and spears.{{ref|AGOT|62}}
* On the right, Ser [[Addam Marbrand]] commands four thousand knights and other heavy lancers, among them Ser [[Flement Brax]] and members of Houses [[House Crakehall|Crakehall]], [[House Swyft|Swyft]], and other families.{{ref|AGOT|62}}
* Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] commands the vanguard on the left. At one thousand men, the van is entirely mounted, but consists of freeriders, [[sellswords]], and raw fieldhands and smallfolk from [[Lannisport]]. The van also includes [[Tyrion Lannister]], his sellsword [[Bronn]], and his three hundred [[Vale mountain clans]]men,{{ref|AGOT|62}} who are considered savages by the nobles.{{ref|AGOT|56}}
* From the high ground of a hilltop, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] commands the reserve of five thousand men, half mounted, half afoot.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

Unbeknownst to Tyrion, Tywin has placed his undisciplined men on the left to tempt the Stark commander, whom Tywin believes is the untested [[Robb Stark]], to overcommit there. Tywin hopes the Lannister van will rout and the Starks will plunge into the gap, eager to flank him. Tywin then intends for Kevan and the center to wheel to the left and take the northerners in the flank, driving them into the Green Fork.{{ref|AGOT|62}} Before the fighting begins, Gregor orders Tyrion to hold the van's left, along the riverfront.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

Kevan's archers fire volleys of arrows from the kingsroad as the northmen march forward; Tyrion observes the banners of Houses [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Frey|Frey]], [[House Glover|Glover]], [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Karstark|Karstark]], and Stark. The armored veterans with Gregor break a shield wall of Karstark spearmen, and Tyrion's clansmen follow through the breach. Tyrion notices a volley of arrows land amongst the northmen and Lannister van, although he does not know from where they were fired. Tyrion kills a northern swordsman who attacks him, and then forces a northern knight to yield after the man becomes trapped beneath his horse.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

Meanwhile, Kevan sends in his pikemen to push the Stark lines against the hills behind them, and Kevan's archers fire against the northmen behind shield walls. Tywin leads his reserve behind the van, along the river, to break the remnants of the Stark line.{{ref|AGOT|62}} Tywin feels the northmen were led cautiously during the battle, which he did not expect from young Robb.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

==Aftermath==
[[Roose Bolton]]'s host loses several thousand men in the battle, including Lord [[Halys Hornwood]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} Captives taken include Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]], [[Harrion Karstark]], Ser [[Wylis Manderly]], Ser [[Donnel Locke]], Ser [[Jared Frey]], Ser [[Hosteen Frey]], Ser [[Danwell Frey]], and [[Ronel Rivers]].{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}}

[[Tyrion Lannister]] leaves the northern knight he captured in the care of [[Bronn]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} About half of Tyrion's [[Vale mountain clans|clansmen]] are killed in the fighting, with [[Conn]] of the [[Stone Crows]] and [[Ulf son of Umar|Ulf]] of the [[Moon Brothers]] among the slain.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

The Lannisters learn from their captives that the northern host had split at the [[Twins]], and that [[Robb Stark]] is rushing toward [[Riverrun]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} Instead of pursuing Roose's host as it retreats northward, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] leads his own host on a forced march south to aid his son, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]].{{ref|AGOT|69}} Robb captures the Kingslayer at the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]],{{ref|AGOT|63}} however, and he then saves Riverrun with the [[Battle of the Camps]].{{ref|AGOT|69}}{{ref|AGOT|71}}

After learning of Jaime's defeat while at the [[crossroads inn]], Tywin decides to march to [[Harrenhal]].{{ref|AGOT|69}} Three dozen captives from the Green Fork are housed in the [[Tower of Dread]], and Lord Cerwyn dies at Harrenhal from a wound taken on the Green Fork.{{ref|ACOK|30}}

Roose reforms his host at the mouth of the [[causeway]]{{ref|AGOT|71}} and returns to the [[Twins]].{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} The deaths of Lord Hornwood at the Green Fork and his son [[Daryn Hornwood|Daryn]] in the Whispering Wood cause a [[Fighting in the Hornwood|succession crisis to Hornwood]] back in the north.{{ref|ACOK|16}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|The [[north]]erners would be exhausted after their long sleepless march. Tyrion wondered what [[Robb Stark|the boy]] had been thinking. Did he think to take them unawares while they slept? Small chance of that; whatever else might be said of him, [[Tywin Lannister]] was no man's fool.{{ref|AGOT|62}}|thoughts of [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

{{Quote|Tyrion watched [[Tywin Lannister|his father]] fly past, the crimson-and-gold banner of [[House Lannister|Lannister]] rippling over his head as he thundered across the field. Five hundred [[knight]]s surrounded him, sunlight flashing off the points of their lances. The remnants of the [[House Stark|Stark]] lines shattered like glass beneath the hammer of their charge.{{ref|AGOT|62}}|thoughts of [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

{{quote|A fine victory. Your [[Vale mountain clans|wild men]] fought well.{{ref|AGOT|62}}|[[Kevan Lannister]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

{{Quote|[[Roose Bolton|Bolton]] does not concern me. He is a wary man, and we made him warier on the [[Green Fork]].{{ref|AGOT|69}}|[[Tywin Lannister]] to [[Kevan Lannister]]}}

{{Quote|We fought between [[Green Fork|a river]] and [[kingsroad|a road]]. When I saw [[Tywin Lannister|my father's]] host deploy, I remember thinking how beautiful it was. Like a flower opening its petals to the sun. A crimson rose with iron thorns. And my father, ah, he had never looked so resplendent. He wore crimson armor, with this huge greatcloak made of cloth-of-gold. A pair of golden lions on his shoulders, another on his helm. His stallion was magnificent. His lordship watched the whole battle from atop that horse and never got within a hundred yards of any foe. He never moved, never smiled, never broke a sweat, whilst thousands died below him.{{ref|twow||[[Tyrion II (The Winds of Winter)|Tyrion]]}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Penny]]}}

{{quote|Take the Battle of Green Fork. Had his night march taken Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] unawares and won the battle, he would have smashed the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] and become the hero of the hour. While if it failed... well, you see what happened. The only way he could lose there would be if were captured or slain himself, and he did his best to minimize the chances of that.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Roose_Bolton Roose Bolton], February 02, 2001</ref>|[[George R. R. Martin]] regarding [[Roose Bolton]]}}

==''Game of Thrones''==
The Battle of the Green Fork in the "[[Baelor (TV)|Baelor]]" episode of the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' is altered, with [[Robb Stark]] sending a diversionary force of two thousand bannermen—instead of the larger host commanded by [[Roose Bolton]] (who is absent)—against the much larger Lannister army of 30,000. The battle is not explicitly shown, though it is a complete massacre of the northern army. No Stark leaders or nobles are present in the army either. Later in the same episode, Robb laments his decision to sacrifice two thousand of his men to capture [[Jaime Lannister]] at the [[battle in the Whispering Wood|Whispering Wood]].

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Cerwyn battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Clegane battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Frey battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Glover battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Hornwood battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Karstark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lefford battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Locke battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lydden battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Marbrand battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Serrett battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Swyft battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:Riverlands]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Green Fork]]

[[es:Batalla del Forca Verde]]
[[fr:Bataille de la Verfurque]]
[[ru:Битва на Зелёном Зубце]]
[[zh:绿叉河之战]]

Battle on the Green Fork

2022-08-25T00:56:48Z

Benethon Stark: Corrected numbers based on Catelyn's observations

{{Template:Battlebox
| image = [[File:Tomasz JedruszekBattle of the Green Fork.jpg|325px]]
| caption = Battle on the Green Fork by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games
| battle_name = Battle on the Green Fork
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Events#The War of the Five Kings|War of the Five Kings]] calculations.''</ref>
| place = Eastern bank of the [[Green Fork]], between the [[Twins]] and the [[inn at the crossroads]]
| result = [[House Lannister|Lannister]] victory
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = [[File:House Baratheon (King's Landing).svg|33px]] '''[[Iron Throne]]'''/ [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]: 

[[File:House Lannister.svg|30px]] [[Westerlands]], led by [[House Lannister]]{{refn|group="N"|name=Leaving Harrenhal|The banners of Houses [[Banefort|Banefort]], [[House Bettley|Bettley]], [[House Falwell|Falwell]], [[House Ferren|Ferren]], [[House Foote|Foote]], [[House Kenning of Kayce|Kenning of Kayce]], [[House Myatt|Myatt]], [[House Peckledon|Peckledon]], [[House Prester|Prester]], [[House Sarsfield|Sarsfield]], and [[House Stackspear|Stackspear]] are spotted by [[Arya Stark]] as [[Tywin Lannister]]'s host leaves [[Harrenhal]] in ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 38|Arya VIII]].{{ref|ACOK|38}} Men from these Houses may have been in battles involving Tywin's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}{{refn|group="N"|name=Corpse|The banners of Houses [[House Hamell|Hamell]], [[House Moreland|Moreland]], [[House Turnberry|Turnberry]], and [[House Yarwyck|Yarwyck]] are present during the escorting of the corpse of [[Tywin Lannister]] from [[King's Landing]] back to [[Casterly Rock]] in ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 16|Jaime II]].{{ref|AFFC|16}} Men from these Houses may have been in battles involving Tywin's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}{{refn|group="N"|name=Lorch|[[Tywin Lannister]] gives orders for [[Amory Lorch]] to participate in the burning of the [[riverlands]] in ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 69|Tyrion IX]]{{ref|AGOT|69}} so [[House Lorch]] may have recently fought on the Green Fork.}}{{refn|group=N|name=FindingJaime|In ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 62|Jaime VII]], the brothers Plumm are mentioned as having been sent by [[Tywin Lannister]] to find [[Jaime Lannister]] following his release from [[Riverrun]],{{ref|ASOS|62}} so [[House Plumm]] may have fought on the Green Fork.}}
*[[House Brax]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Clegane]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Crakehall]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Lannister of Lannisport]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Lefford]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Lydden]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Marbrand]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Serrett]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Swyft]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}

[[Vale mountain clans]]
*[[Black Ears]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[Burned Men]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[Moon Brothers]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[Stone Crows]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
| combatant2 = '''Roose Bolton's host:''' 

[[File:House Stark.svg|30px]] [[North]], led by [[House Stark]]{{refn|group=N|name=Burley, Norrey|Houses [[House Burley|Burley]] and [[House Norrey|Norrey]] are mentioned in ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|Catelyn VI]], as being part of [[Roose Bolton]]'s host that is attacked by the [[Mountain's men]] while [[Fighting at the fords of the Trident|crossing the Trident]].{{ref|ASOS|49}} Men from these clans may have been in earlier battles involving Rooses's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}{{refn|group=N|name=Dustin|In ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 46|A Ghost in Winterfell]], [[Barbrey Dustin]] mentions that [[House Dustin]] had men die in the [[Red Wedding]].{{ref|ADWD|46}} Dustins may have been in earlier battles involving Rooses's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}{{refn|group=N|name=Condon, Ryswell, Stout|[[House Condon|Condon]], [[House Ryswell|Ryswell]], and [[House Stout|Stout]] men are mentioned in ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|Catelyn VI]], as being left behind by [[Roose Bolton]] to defend against incursions by the [[Mountain's men]], following the [[Fighting at the fords of the Trident|crossing of the Trident]] by the northmen.{{ref|ASOS|49}} Men from these Houses may have been in earlier battles involving Rooses's host, such as on the Green Fork, but their participation has not been confirmed.}}
*[[House Bolton]]{{ref|AGOT|59}}
*[[House Cerwyn]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Glover]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Hornwood]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Karstark]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*[[House Locke]]{{ref|ACOK|25}}
*[[House Manderly]]{{ref|AGOT|55}}

[[Riverlands]]
*[[House Frey]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
| commander1 = [[File:House Lannister.svg|20px]] Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
* [[File:House Clegane.svg|20px]] Ser [[Gregor Clegane]]
* [[File:House Lannister.svg|20px]] Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]
* [[File:House Marbrand.svg|20px]] Ser [[Addam Marbrand]]
| commander2 = [[File:House Bolton.svg|20px]] Lord [[Roose Bolton]]
* [[File:House Cerwyn.svg|20px]] Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]] (POW)
* [[File:House Hornwood.svg|20px]] Lord [[Halys Hornwood]]†
* [[File:House Karstark.svg|20px]] [[Harrion Karstark]]
* [[File:House Manderly.svg|20px]] Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (POW)

| strength1 = ~20,000
* ~7,500 horse, including ~300 mounted [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]
* ~12,500 foot
| strength2 = ~17,000<ref group="N">[[Robb Stark]]'s initial northern force consists of 20,000 men (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]), with slightly more than 1/4 being heavy cavalry (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]] gives the figures of 3,300-3,400 heavy cavalry out of an initial muster of 12,000). This would suggest ~15,000 infantry and ~5,000 heavy cavalry in his northern host. He is joined by 4,000 men of House Frey (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]), whose forces have a heavy cavalry-to-infantry ratio of 1-to-4 (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 14|Catelyn II]]). His total force after this therefore consists of 24,000 soldiers (18,000 infantry, 6,000 heavy cavalry). He leaves 400 Frey infantry and 400 northern infantry at the Twins with a mix of swordsmen/spearmen and archers (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]), and orders a small garrison, mostly archers, to be left at [[Moat Cailin]] (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VII]]). Earlier, [[Eddard Stark]] had stated that "two hundred determined archers [at Moat Cailin] can hold the Neck against an army" (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 20|Eddard IV]]), however we do not know the actual number left behind and so this estimate is non-applicable. By leaving the known 800 infantry behind at the Twins, this brings Robb's army to 23,200 men (17,200 infantry, 6,000 heavy cavalry). Robb then splits his army, leaving all of the infantry and one-tenth of the heavy cavalry (~600) under the command of [[Roose Bolton]], and taking the rest of the heavy cavalry (~5,400) under his personal command to the [[Whispering Wood]] (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 59|Catelyn IX]]). Thus, Roose's host is about 17,800 troops in total (17,200 infantry, 600 heavy cavalry).</ref>
* 17.200 infantry
* 600 heavy cavalry
| casualties1 = Unknown casualties in the right, center, and reserve
*~500 in the vanguard, including ~150 [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clansmen]]{{ref|AGOT|62}}
*Vale clansmen [[Conn]] and [[Ulf son of Umar|Ulf]]
*Several hundred die of their wounds during the subsequent march south{{ref|AGOT|69}}
| casualties2 =
~5,000<Ref group="N">The casualties [[Roose Bolton]]'s forces take on the Green Fork can be calculated by going backwards from what he ends with at the [[Red Wedding]]. There, he claims to have 3,500 men with him (mostly [[House Bolton|Bolton]] men with some [[House Karstark|Karstarks]]) and another 600 guarding a ford, with 200 Bolton riders having previously been sent to escort [[Jaime Lannister]] to King's Landing under [[Walton]] (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 44|Jaime VI]]), for a total of 4,300 remaining soldiers (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|Catelyn VI]]). In chronological order from after the Green Fork, his host suffered the following major changes to its strength: 400 men [[Robb Stark]] originally left at the Twins joined it under [[Edmure Tully]]'s orders (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 39|Catelyn V]]). ~1,000 Karstark troops deserted him and took to the countryside following Robb's execution of [[Rickard Karstark]] according to Roose (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 37|Jaime V]]). The 1,500 Frey soldiers (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 64|Arya X]]) who were with [[Aenys Frey]] by the time Roose took Harrenhal pulled out like the rest of the Frey men due to the Stark-Frey marriage pact being broken. ~3,000 soldiers (said to be 1/3 of Roose's remaining infantry at the time) were sent to [[Battle at Duskendale|Duskendale]] (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 35|Catelyn IV]]) where they were smashed. Finally, ~2,050 soldiers were left to die at the [[Fighting at the fords of the Trident|ruby ford]] (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|Catelyn VI]]). This would mean Roose's host underwent a net loss of ~7,200 troops between the aftermath of the Green Fork and the [[Red Wedding]], where he had 4,300 troops left. Therefore Roose's host had ~11,500 troops before any of these events, meaning losses on the Green Fork could not have exceeded ~5,600 men. Note that this is an upper ceiling rather than a concrete figure for this losses in the battle, as possible losses to Roose's from various small skirmishes and sieges in the [[riverlands]] must also be considered.</ref>
* [[Medger Cerwyn]] (POW)
* [[Halys Hornwood]]†
* [[Harrion Karstark]] (POW)
* Ser [[Donnel Locke]] (POW)
* Ser [[Wylis Manderly]] (POW)
}}

The '''battle on the Green Fork'''{{ref|ACOK|7}}{{ref|ASOS|58}} is an early battle in the [[War of the Five Kings]] and is the first to involve forces of [[House Stark]]. The battle occurs along the [[Green Fork]] of the [[Trident]] in the [[riverlands]].

==Prelude==
War breaks out after the death of King [[Robert I Baratheon]] and the arrest of Lord [[Eddard Stark]] in [[King's Landing]].{{ref|AGOT|49}}{{ref|AGOT|55}} [[House Lannister]] invades the [[riverlands]], scattering the riverlords and placing [[Riverrun]] under siege. Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] occupies the [[crossroads]] near the [[ruby ford]] and waits to see how Houses [[House Arryn|Arryn]] and [[House Stark|Stark]] will respond. Tywin expects [[House Frey]], who control the crossing over the [[Green Fork]], to remain neutral.{{ref|AGOT|56}}

[[Robb Stark]] calls the [[north]]ern banners and marches south from [[Winterfell]] to rescue his father.{{ref|AGOT|53}} When Ser [[Addam Marbrand]]'s outriders report that Robb is on the [[causeway]], Tywin orders for Addam to draw the northmen further south while Tywin leads his own host north on the [[kingsroad]] east of the Green Fork to meet them.{{ref|AGOT|56}}

Once south of the [[Neck]], Robb's mother, [[Catelyn Stark]], persuades Lord [[Walder Frey]] to ally with Robb, opening the way over the Green Fork at the [[Twins]]. Robb, who does not wish to stake everything on one battle with Tywin, splits his host in two. The foot and one-tenth of the horse under Lord [[Roose Bolton]] continue marching south on the kingsroad to engage Tywin, while Robb himself commands the rest of the cavalry and crosses west of the river, in the hope of lifting the siege of Riverrun by taking Tywin's son, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]], unawares.{{ref|AGOT|55}}{{ref|AGOT|59}}

Addam's outriders inform Tywin that the Freys have joined the Starks and their combined host is marching south on the kingsroad.{{ref|AGOT|62}} Ser [[Brynden Tully]]'s men kill some of Addam's scouts, however, preventing the Lannisters from knowing that Robb's host split at the Twins.{{ref|AGOT|59}}

==Battle==
When the [[westerlands|westermen]] think the [[north]]men are still a day's march away, the [[House Stark|Stark]] army, commanded by Lord [[Roose Bolton]], marches throughout the night in an effort to take the [[House Lannister|Lannister]] army by surprise, arriving before dawn.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

However, the Lannister army arrays itself in time to meet the northmen. The westermen's order of battle includes:
* Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] commands ten thousand men in the center, with Lords [[Leo Lefford|Lefford]], [[Lewys Lydden|Lydden]] and [[House Serrett|Serrett]] at his side with three hundred heavy horse. His foot archers are arranged in three long lines east and west of the [[kingsroad]]. Between the archers are squares of pikemen, and behind them are ranks of [[men-at-arms]] wielding axes, swords, and spears.{{ref|AGOT|62}}
* On the right, Ser [[Addam Marbrand]] commands four thousand knights and other heavy lancers, among them Ser [[Flement Brax]] and members of Houses [[House Crakehall|Crakehall]], [[House Swyft|Swyft]], and other families.{{ref|AGOT|62}}
* Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] commands the vanguard on the left. At one thousand men, the van is entirely mounted, but consists of freeriders, [[sellswords]], and raw fieldhands and smallfolk from [[Lannisport]]. The van also includes [[Tyrion Lannister]], his sellsword [[Bronn]], and his three hundred [[Vale mountain clans]]men,{{ref|AGOT|62}} who are considered savages by the nobles.{{ref|AGOT|56}}
* From the high ground of a hilltop, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] commands the reserve of five thousand men, half mounted, half afoot.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

Unbeknownst to Tyrion, Tywin has placed his undisciplined men on the left to tempt the Stark commander, whom Tywin believes is the untested [[Robb Stark]], to overcommit there. Tywin hopes the Lannister van will rout and the Starks will plunge into the gap, eager to flank him. Tywin then intends for Kevan and the center to wheel to the left and take the northerners in the flank, driving them into the Green Fork.{{ref|AGOT|62}} Before the fighting begins, Gregor orders Tyrion to hold the van's left, along the riverfront.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

Kevan's archers fire volleys of arrows from the kingsroad as the northmen march forward; Tyrion observes the banners of Houses [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], [[House Frey|Frey]], [[House Glover|Glover]], [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], [[House Karstark|Karstark]], and Stark. The armored veterans with Gregor break a shield wall of Karstark spearmen, and Tyrion's clansmen follow through the breach. Tyrion notices a volley of arrows land amongst the northmen and Lannister van, although he does not know from where they were fired. Tyrion kills a northern swordsman who attacks him, and then forces a northern knight to yield after the man becomes trapped beneath his horse.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

Meanwhile, Kevan sends in his pikemen to push the Stark lines against the hills behind them, and Kevan's archers fire against the northmen behind shield walls. Tywin leads his reserve behind the van, along the river, to break the remnants of the Stark line.{{ref|AGOT|62}} Tywin feels the northmen were led cautiously during the battle, which he did not expect from young Robb.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

==Aftermath==
[[Roose Bolton]]'s host loses several thousand men in the battle, including Lord [[Halys Hornwood]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} Captives taken include Lord [[Medger Cerwyn]], [[Harrion Karstark]], Ser [[Wylis Manderly]], Ser [[Donnel Locke]], Ser [[Jared Frey]], Ser [[Hosteen Frey]], Ser [[Danwell Frey]], and [[Ronel Rivers]].{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}}

[[Tyrion Lannister]] leaves the northern knight he captured in the care of [[Bronn]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} About half of Tyrion's [[Vale mountain clans|clansmen]] are killed in the fighting, with [[Conn]] of the [[Stone Crows]] and [[Ulf son of Umar|Ulf]] of the [[Moon Brothers]] among the slain.{{ref|AGOT|62}}

The Lannisters learn from their captives that the northern host had split at the [[Twins]], and that [[Robb Stark]] is rushing toward [[Riverrun]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} Instead of pursuing Roose's host as it retreats northward, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] leads his own host on a forced march south to aid his son, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]].{{ref|AGOT|69}} Robb captures the Kingslayer at the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]],{{ref|AGOT|63}} however, and he then saves Riverrun with the [[Battle of the Camps]].{{ref|AGOT|69}}{{ref|AGOT|71}}

After learning of Jaime's defeat while at the [[crossroads inn]], Tywin decides to march to [[Harrenhal]].{{ref|AGOT|69}} Three dozen captives from the Green Fork are housed in the [[Tower of Dread]], and Lord Cerwyn dies at Harrenhal from a wound taken on the Green Fork.{{ref|ACOK|30}}

Roose reforms his host at the mouth of the [[causeway]]{{ref|AGOT|71}} and returns to the [[Twins]].{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} The deaths of Lord Hornwood at the Green Fork and his son [[Daryn Hornwood|Daryn]] in the Whispering Wood cause a [[Fighting in the Hornwood|succession crisis to Hornwood]] back in the north.{{ref|ACOK|16}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|The [[north]]erners would be exhausted after their long sleepless march. Tyrion wondered what [[Robb Stark|the boy]] had been thinking. Did he think to take them unawares while they slept? Small chance of that; whatever else might be said of him, [[Tywin Lannister]] was no man's fool.{{ref|AGOT|62}}|thoughts of [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

{{Quote|Tyrion watched [[Tywin Lannister|his father]] fly past, the crimson-and-gold banner of [[House Lannister|Lannister]] rippling over his head as he thundered across the field. Five hundred [[knight]]s surrounded him, sunlight flashing off the points of their lances. The remnants of the [[House Stark|Stark]] lines shattered like glass beneath the hammer of their charge.{{ref|AGOT|62}}|thoughts of [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

{{quote|A fine victory. Your [[Vale mountain clans|wild men]] fought well.{{ref|AGOT|62}}|[[Kevan Lannister]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

{{Quote|[[Roose Bolton|Bolton]] does not concern me. He is a wary man, and we made him warier on the [[Green Fork]].{{ref|AGOT|69}}|[[Tywin Lannister]] to [[Kevan Lannister]]}}

{{Quote|We fought between [[Green Fork|a river]] and [[kingsroad|a road]]. When I saw [[Tywin Lannister|my father's]] host deploy, I remember thinking how beautiful it was. Like a flower opening its petals to the sun. A crimson rose with iron thorns. And my father, ah, he had never looked so resplendent. He wore crimson armor, with this huge greatcloak made of cloth-of-gold. A pair of golden lions on his shoulders, another on his helm. His stallion was magnificent. His lordship watched the whole battle from atop that horse and never got within a hundred yards of any foe. He never moved, never smiled, never broke a sweat, whilst thousands died below him.{{ref|twow||[[Tyrion II (The Winds of Winter)|Tyrion]]}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] to [[Penny]]}}

{{quote|Take the Battle of Green Fork. Had his night march taken Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] unawares and won the battle, he would have smashed the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] and become the hero of the hour. While if it failed... well, you see what happened. The only way he could lose there would be if were captured or slain himself, and he did his best to minimize the chances of that.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Roose_Bolton Roose Bolton], February 02, 2001</ref>|[[George R. R. Martin]] regarding [[Roose Bolton]]}}

==''Game of Thrones''==
The Battle of the Green Fork in the "[[Baelor (TV)|Baelor]]" episode of the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' is altered, with [[Robb Stark]] sending a diversionary force of two thousand bannermen—instead of the larger host commanded by [[Roose Bolton]] (who is absent)—against the much larger Lannister army of 30,000. The battle is not explicitly shown, though it is a complete massacre of the northern army. No Stark leaders or nobles are present in the army either. Later in the same episode, Robb laments his decision to sacrifice two thousand of his men to capture [[Jaime Lannister]] at the [[battle in the Whispering Wood|Whispering Wood]].

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Bolton battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Cerwyn battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Clegane battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Crakehall battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Frey battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Glover battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Hornwood battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Karstark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lannister battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lefford battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Locke battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Lydden battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Manderly battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Marbrand battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Serrett battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Stark battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:House Swyft battles|Green Fork]]
[[Category:Riverlands]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Green Fork]]

[[es:Batalla del Forca Verde]]
[[fr:Bataille de la Verfurque]]
[[ru:Битва на Зелёном Зубце]]
[[zh:绿叉河之战]]

Military strength

2022-08-25T00:52:16Z

Benethon Stark: Fixed number errors, particularly the error that had Robb ending with more cavalry than he started

[[File:T Jedruszek starfall knights.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Knights from [[Starfall]], by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games]]
'''Military strength''' is the aggregate power of fighting forces under the command of a leader, which includes armies and fleets of [[ships]].

During times of war, a [[feudalism|liege]] can "call his banners", thereby raising his army. His [[bannermen]], then, respond by raising their own respective forces, which differ in size, depending on the amount of lands and vassals a [[lord]] or [[landed knight]] possesses. In addition to this land force, there are some lords or powers who have their own fleets (e.g. [[Redwyne fleet|House Redwyne]], the [[royal fleet|Iron Throne]], [[Braavos]]). Others might include creatures to their forces, like dragons, as used by the [[dragonlords]] of the [[Valyrian Freehold]] of old and by [[House Targaryen]] as recently as the [[Dance of the Dragons]], and [[elephants]], as used by the [[Golden Company]].

Armies can be made up out of several social classes. Nobly-born lords, [[knight]]s, [[men-at-arms]], and [[smallfolk]] can be called to arms. Additionally, [[sellswords]] and sellsword companies are also, at times, hired.

Multiple factors influence the size of an army. [[George R.R. Martin]] has mentioned that the size of the region (influencing the time it takes an army to gather), the harshness of life, the population, wealth and fertility of the region, the amount of leadership, and the terrain are factors.<ref name=strength/>

While for most regions of the [[known world]] no exact total numbers have been given, nor can be given, this page reflects the known numbers that are described to have been used in battles, or have been mentioned elsewhere.

==Westeros==
===Beyond the Wall===
[[File:Ryan Barger The Wildling Horde.png|thumb|350px|The Wildling Horde, by Ryan Barger © Fantasy Flight Games]]
[[Mance Rayder]]'s horde of [[free folk]] in {{Date|299}} is estimated by [[Jon Snow]] to be thirty to forty thousand strong while he is traveling with them,{{Ref|ASOS|73}} including elderly, women and children. Satin, with a full view of the horde from the top of the Wall, estimates it at a hundred thousand.{{Ref|ASOS|64}}

The free folk are defeated by [[Stannis Baratheon]] and the [[Night's Watch]] in the [[battle beneath the Wall]].{{ref|ASOS|73}} According to Stannis, the free folk combatants outnumbered his soldiers twenty to one,<ref name=Theon>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref> putting the total number of free folk warriors at around sixteen thousand (as Stannis defeated them solely with cavalry, and his troops possessed eight hundred horses).{{Ref|ADWD|62}} Free folk military forces include hundreds of [[giants]]{{Ref|ASOS|15}} many [[Skinchanger]]s, and over a hundred war mammoths.{{Ref|ASOS|64}}

Later, [[Tormund]] leads three thousand one hundred and nineteen free folk through the gates of the [[Wall]] at [[Castle Black]].{{ref|ADWD|58}} Many of the free folk follow [[Mother Mole]] to [[Hardhome]]; [[Varamyr Sixskins]] believes the number to have been hundreds,{{Ref|ADWD|Prologue}} but [[Bowen Marsh]] later reports that more than six thousand wildlings are at Hardhome with Mother Mole.{{Ref|adwd|53}}

The [[Thenns]] have at least 300 soldiers, all equipped with bronze weapons and armor. 96 are killed assaulting Castle Black,{{ref|ASOS|30}} an unknown number are killed in the [[battle beneath the Wall]], and 200 are still sworn to [[Sigorn]] in the aftermath.{{ref|ADWD|49}}

===Night's Watch===
The numbers of the [[Night's Watch]] have long been dwindling.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}} During [[Aegon's Conquest]], the Night's Watch numbered ten thousand strong.{{ref|AGOT|60}} However, by {{Date|298}}, their strength has dwindled to less than a thousand.{{ref|AGOT|21}} Of these thousand, six hundred are stationed at [[Castle Black]], two hundred at the [[Shadow Tower]], and fewer at [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]].{{ref|AGOT|21}} In {{Date|299}}, [[Jeor Mormont]], [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], organizes the [[great ranging]], leading two hundred men from Castle Black, to be joined by a hundred men from the Shadow Tower.{{Ref|ACOK|6}}{{Ref|ASOS|15}} Of these three hundred men, only fourteen survive and return to the Wall.{{Ref|ASOS|48}} When the new Lord Commander is being chosen, five hundred eighty-eight token are cast, with only one brother not voting,{{Ref|ASOS|75}} indicating that the strength of the Night's Watch, as a result from the Attack on the Fist of the First Men, and the attacks made by the free folk on numerous locations along the Wall, numbers less than six hundred men.

In late {{Date|233}}, when Ser [[Brynden Rivers]] was sent to the Wall, two hundred men went with him. Many of them were archers from his personal guard, the [[Raven's Teeth]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

===North===
[[File:Tiziano Baracchi banner of the north.jpg|thumb|350px|Banner of the North, by Tiziano Baracchi © Fantasy Flight Games]]
A semi-canon source from 2005 states that the [[north]] has perhaps forty-five thousand soldiers, though gathering them all takes a lot of time, due to the size of the land and the low density of the population.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} According to [[George R.R. Martin]], the north's military strength is about equal to that of the [[Vale]], and [[Dorne]].<ref name=strength/> Since [[Brandon the Burner]] burned his father's fleet, the north has had no strength at sea,{{Ref|ACOK|16}} In more recent times, however, [[House Manderly]] has begun the construction of a new fleet,{{Ref|ACOK|16}} which counts about forty-six ships by the first half of {{Date|300}}.{{Ref|ADWD|15}}{{Ref|ADWD|29}}<ref group="N">Davos sees twenty-three ships in the harbor (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 16|Davos II]]), but according to Lord Wyman, there are "as many more" hidden up the White Knife (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 29|Davos IV]])</ref>

Possibly, the effort of gathering an army in the north is reflected in the size of the armies gathered by the Starks of Winterfell. During [[Aegon's Conquest]] ([[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 2 Before the Conquest|2 BC]]-[[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 1 Before the Conquest|1 BC]]), the [[north]] marched to war with an army of thirty thousand.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} Roughly a century later, during the [[Dance of the Dragons]], Lord [[Roderick Dustin]] led a group of northmen called the [[Winter Wolves]], numbering two thousand strong, south to take part in the war.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}} Lord [[Cregan Stark]] followed much later, but brought a much larger army.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}

More recently, during the [[War of the Five Kings]], Robb Stark gathered an army of twelve thousand at [[Winterfell]]. These twelve thousand include two thousand three hundred men from [[Karhold]] under the command of [[House Karstark]] (two thousand foot, three hundred horse).{{Ref|AGOT|53}} In total, the host of twelve thousand counts three to four hundred [[knight]]s, and three thousand northern cavalry.{{Ref|AGOT|53}} When the Stark host marches, others join them along the [[kingsroad]],{{Ref|AGOT|53}} and by the time the host reaches Moat Cailin, it is about eighteen thousand large.{{Ref|AGOT|55}} [[House Manderly]] adds another fifteen hundred men,{{Ref|AGOT|55}} bringing the total to nineteen thousand five hundred men. By the time they get to the [[Twins]], Robb's host consists of twenty thousand northern soldiers;{{ref|AGOT|59}} considering their placement on the map, the additional five hundred likely came from [[House Flint of Flint's Finger]] ([[Flint's Finger]] is south of the Neck).

An unknown number of men have been left at [[Moat Cailin]], and an additional four hundred have been left at the [[Twins]]. Joined by four thousand men from [[House Frey]] from the [[riverlands]], Robb Stark splits the northern host and takes nine/tenth of his cavalry<ref group="N">At least four thousand men, based on the estimated three thousand three hundred fifty (three thousand armored lances and three to four hundred knights; ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]], and the thousand cavalry from House Frey (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 14|Catelyn II]]), in addition to heavy cavalry from the 8,000 other northern soldiers who join the host by the time it reaches the Twins (as the Manderly banners do). If the ratios are the same, it would be approximately 5,000 cavalry and 15,000 foot.</ref> to [[Riverrun]].{{Ref|AGOT|59}} He is joined on the road there, by forces from [[House Mallister]] and others, which swells the host to some six thousand men.{{Ref|AGOT|63}} With these men, Robb Stark fights in the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]] and later the [[Battle of the Camps]].

Meanwhile, the other tenth of the northern cavalry marches with the northern foot south under the leadership of Lord [[Roose Bolton]],<ref group="N">Based on Robb's complete number of forces (20,000 men{{ref|AGOT|59}} from the north and 4,000 men from House Frey), and the number of northmen he takes with him to Riverrun (~4,500), Roose Bolton should have around ~17,800 men with him</ref> where he fights the [[battle on the Green Fork]] against [[House Lannister]].{{Ref|AGOT|59}}{{Ref|AGOT|62}} Bolton retreats, and later during the war is known to have ten thousand soldiers under his command.{{Ref|ACOK|39}} A large number of these ten thousand, equaling one-third of Robb's infantry, are lost after the [[battle at Duskendale]].{{Ref|ASOS|35}}

In the meantime, after Winterfell has fallen to [[Theon Greyjoy]], Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]] raises an army of near two thousand northmen to retake the castle. However, he is betrayed by six hundred [[House Bolton|Boltons]] in the [[battle at Winterfell]].{{ref|ACOK|66}}

[[Robb Stark]] leads thirty-five hundred veterans from the Whispering Wood<ref group="N">Roughly aligning losses that would have been sustained at the Whispering Wood, the Camps, Oxcross and other battles (''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 53|Bran VI]]).</ref> north from Riverrun to the Twins.{{ref|ASOS|45}} Roose Bolton marches with some sixty-one hundred men towards the Twins,<ref group="N" name=ruby>Roose and his men had been crossing the Trident when they came under attack by Gregor Clegane; At the time of the attack, two-thirds of Roose's men had been across of the river. These two-thirds are comprised of the six hundred men he later leaves at the ruby ford and the three thousand five hundred men he brings with him to the Twins (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 49|Catelyn VI]]), meaning that these forty-one hundred men make up two-thirds of Roose's initial force, indicating that Roose initially had some sixty-one hundred (~6150) men in total, and that some two thousand (~2050) men had been lost during the attack.</ref> but comes under attack by [[Gregor Clegane]] on the southern side when crossing the [[Trident]] at the [[ruby ford]], after two-thirds of his men had already made the crossing.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} Some two thousand men<ref group="N" name=ruby/> are either drowned or slain, taken captive, or flee.{{Ref|ASOS|49}} Roose leaves another six hundred men behind at the ruby ford under the command of Ser [[Kyle Condon]] and [[Ronnel Stout]] to defend the crossing, and brings the remaining three thousand foot and five hundred horse, a force consisting mostly of men sworn to [[House Bolton]], with some sworn to [[House Karstark]], with him to the Twins.{{ref|ASOS|49}} According to Robb, when he joins his thirty-five hundred with the men Roose Bolton brings (another thirty-five hundred) and the men of [[House Frey]], their numbers should equal more than twelve thousand,{{Ref|ASOS|45}} a count that presumably includes the [[crannogmen]], the two thousand men Roose lost at the Trident, and the six hundred he left behind. When [[House Bolton]] and [[House Frey]] betray [[House Stark]] during the [[Red Wedding]], however, a large number of men are killed.

From the roughly twenty thousand northmen who marched south with Robb Stark at the start of the War of the Five Kings, only one in five returns north, most of them men from [[House Bolton]].{{Ref|ADWD|20}} According to [[Theon Greyjoy]], Roose later has six thousand men or more [[Siege of Winterfell|at Winterfell]].<ref name=Theon/>

In {{Date|300}}, the [[northern mountain clans]] march to battle, and [[Jon Snow]], Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, believes two or three thousand men might take the field.{{ref|ADWD|17}} Following the [[fight by Deepwood Motte]], after the mountain clans, [[House Mormont]], men once sworn to [[House Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]] who had survived the [[battle outside the gates of Winterfell]], and [[smallfolk]] who had fled from the [[ironborn]] join Stannis' army as well, his army is five thousand strong.{{ref|ADWD|35}} The northmen have an easier time during the march than the fifteen hundred southrons. However, the army dwindles as it becomes snowbound at a [[crofter's village]] in the [[wolfswood]] during their [[march on Winterfell]].{{ref|ADWD|42}}{{ref|ADWD|62}}

===Iron Islands===
[[File:Thomas Gianni Sea Raiders.JPG|thumb|350px|[[Ironborn]] sea raiders, by Thomas Gianni © Fantasy Flight Games]]
According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the [[Iron Islands]] can raise approximately twenty thousand men.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} [[George R. R. Martin]] has indicated that the major lords of the [[ironborn]] can each float around one hundred ships.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Re_Greyjoy_Fleet Re: Greyjoy Fleet (February 9, 1999)]</ref> A longship such as ''[[Sea Bitch]]'' has fifty oars, while ''[[Great Kraken]]'' and ''[[Iron Victory]]'' are larger.{{ref|ACOK|24}} The [[Iron Fleet]] alone consists of one hundred ships which are three times larger than the standard longship.{{ref|ADWD|56}} The only fleets comparable to those of the Iron Islands are the [[royal fleet]] in the crownlands and the [[Redwyne fleet]] from the [[Reach]].<ref name=SSMLF>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Lannister_Fleet The Lannister Fleet (September 26, 1999)]</ref>

In {{Date|300}}, King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]]'s [[small council]] hears reports that the ironborn have attacked the [[Shield Islands]] with a thousand ships, though several council members believe the number of five hundred ships to be closer to the truth.{{Ref|AFFC|32}} This count includes the Iron Fleet. After the [[taking of the Shields]], [[Victarion Greyjoy]] leads the ninety-three ships from the Iron Fleet toward [[Slaver's Bay]],{{Ref|ADWD|56}} the other seven having been lost in the months before (one sank during a storm,{{Ref|AFFC|14}} the other six were lost in battle{{Ref|AFFC|29}}). Victarion splits the fleet of ninety-three ships in three squadrons, to reunite at the [[Isle of Cedars]]. The fleet, however, suffers three large storms, and only forty-three ships from the Iron Fleet make it to the rendezvous point.{{Ref|ADWD|56}} The fleet is strengthened with nine ships captured along the way, bringing the total to fifty-four. Of these, fifty-three continue the journey to Slaver's Bay.{{Ref|ADWD|56}} More ships are captured along the way, bringing the Iron Fleet's total to sixty-one.{{Ref|ADWD|63}}

===Riverlands===
A semi-canon source from 2005 states that the [[riverlands]] can field roughly forty-five thousand men.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

During Aegon's Conquest, [[Aegon I Targaryen]] besieged [[Harrenhal]] with a host of eight thousand, which included men from the [[riverlands]]. After the [[burning of Harrenhal]], he marched against the Reach with a host of eleven thousand, most riverlanders.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} During the Dance of the Dragons, the Lords of the Trident raised six thousand six hundred men to battle Ser [[Criston Cole]] en route from Harrenhal to the [[Blackwater Rush|Blackwater]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}} Ser [[Addam Velaryon]] later gathered near four thousand men from the riverlands.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}

[[House Frey]] raised four thousand soldiers at the start of the [[War of the Five Kings]],{{Ref|AGOT|59}} with one thousand of them knights and near three thousand foot.{{ref|ASOS|14}} They later supply the northern host commanded by Roose Bolton at [[Harrenhal]] with one thousand five hundred soldiers, commanded by Ser [[Aenys Frey]].{{ref|ACOK|64}} The other riverlords combined can raise at least an additional eleven thousand, including eight thousand foot and three thousand horse.{{ref|ACOK|39}} After the [[Red Wedding]], [[Ryman Frey]] leads two thousand soldiers of [[House Frey]] against Riverrun.{{Ref|ASOS|60}} When the [[House Bolton|Bolton host]] marches back north after the Red Wedding, two thousand [[House Frey|Frey]] troops accompany them.{{ref|AFFC|16}} These two thousand consist of five hundred mounted knights, "at least a thousand, possibly more" foot soldiers, and some number of freeriders and mounted bowmen.{{ref|ADWD|20}}

[[Renly Baratheon]] believes that a host of twenty thousand riverlanders has joined Robb Stark and his nearly twenty thousand northerners. According to [[Catelyn Stark]], however, the actual number is much less, due to Edmure deeming their terms of service fulfilled and a great many men going home to help bring in their harvests.{{Ref|ACOK|22}}

While the riverlands are rich, fertile and populous, the region lacks natural borders, and suffers from divided leadership, affecting the number of soldiers [[House Tully]] of [[Riverrun]] can call to battle.<ref name=strength />

===Vale of Arryn===
Not much is known about the numbers of the [[Vale of Arryn]], either about the [[knights of the Vale]] or the common [[men-at-arms]]. According to a semi-canon sources from 2005, the Vale can raise perhaps as many as forty-five thousand men.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} [[George R. R. Martin]] has previously stated that the Vale is roughly equal in military strength to the [[north]] and [[Dorne]].<ref name=strength /> The Vale has not yet participated in the [[War of the Five Kings]], and thus, has not yet suffered any losses due to the war. In the present story, the six [[Lords Declarant]] are able to raise a host of twenty thousand.{{Ref|AFFC|10}} Of these twenty thousand, they bring six thousand to the [[Gates of the Moon]], which is held by Lord [[Nestor Royce]]'s garrison of less than three hundred.{{Ref|AFFC|23}} The exact numbers the remainder of the lords of the Vale can field, are currently unknown.

The [[Vale]] also has a fleet.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The [[King of Mountain and Vale|Kings of Mountain and Vale]] did not neglect their fleets when they still reigned, which might have counted hundreds of ships at [[Gulltown]] alone.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Vale}} The Arryn fleet has fought in several more recent battles; however, it’s current size is unknown.

The [[Vale mountain clans]] also participate in the War of the Five Kings. Three hundred clansmen join [[Tyrion Lannister]] at the start of the war on the side of [[House Lannister]], fighting with him in the [[battle on the Green Fork]], in which half of them die.{{ref|AGOT|56}}

===Westerlands===
[[File:T Jedruszek Tywins host.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Tywin Lannister]]'s Host, by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games]]
A semi-canon source from 2005 states that the [[westerlands]] can field fifty thousand men, though this includes green boys as well, and depleted many castle garrisons.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

During [[Aegon's Conquest]], the [[King of the Rock]], [[Loren I Lannister]], marched with a host of twenty-two thousand from the westerlands, which he joined with the host of the Reach.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

The Lannister fleet at [[Lannisport]] consists of twenty or thirty cogs, carracks, galleys, and dromonds, while lesser lords have two or three ships for patrolling. In total, the westerman float fifty or sixty larger ships, while longships are used for coastal defense.<ref name=SSMLF/>

In {{Date|260}}, a thousand knights and ten thousand men-at-arms from the westerlands marched to battle in the [[Stepstones]], during the [[War of the Ninepenny Kings]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} Upon return after the war, five hundred knights formed a company commanded by Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]. In late {{Date|261}}, Ser [[Tywin Lannister]] rode forth to face the [[Reyne-Tarbeck revolt]] with five hundred knights and three thousand men-at-arms, as well as three thousand crossbowmen.<ref group="N">Tywin Lannister "rode forth himself with five hundred knights and three thousand men-at-arms and crossbowmen behind him", and compared to the two thousand men of Roger Reyne, was said to have "three times his strength", according to most accounts (''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'', The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons), thereby demonstrating that Tywin had three thousand men-at-arms ''and'' three thousand crossbowmen, bringing his total to sixty-five hundred men, roughly three times as many as Lord Roger's two thousand.</ref> With this force, [[Tarbeck Hall]] was destroyed.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} According to semi-canon sources, Houses [[House Westerling|Westerling]], [[House Banefort|Banefort]], [[House Plumm|Plumm]], and [[House Stackspear|Stackspear]] together were able to gather roughly sixty-five hundred more men, doubling the Lannister host in size.<ref name=westerlands/> Lord [[Roger Reyne]], who had hastily gathered his forces to give aid to [[House Tarbeck]], was only able to gather two thousand men in such a short time.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragon}} According to semi-canon sources, this was only a quarter of his available strength.<ref name=westerlands>[http://www.georgerrmartin.com/world-of-ice-and-fire-sample/ "The World of Ice and Fire", The Westerlands, unabridged version]</ref> A surprise attack from the Reyne's left half of Lord Roger's forces dead.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}

In {{Date|283}}, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] commanded twelve thousand [[House Lannister|Lannister]] men during the [[Sack of King's Landing]].{{ref|ACOK|12}} More recently, at the start of the [[War of the Five Kings]], the [[westerlands]] gathered two armies: one of twenty thousand strong under the command of Lord Tywin Lannister,{{ref|AGOT|56}} and another of fourteen or fifteen thousand strong, commanded by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]].{{ref|AGOT|63}} Meanwhile, [[Stafford Lannister]] is raising a third Lannister army, with an unknown amount of men.{{ref|acok|7}}{{Ref|acok|20}} The army is later attacked, and thousands are slain.{{Ref|ACOK|32}} It is currently unknown how many men of this army still remain. Meanwhile, Lord Tywin has retreated with his twenty thousand men to Harrenhal,{{ref|ACOK|69}} fights with them in the [[Battle of the Fords]] in the [[riverlands]],{{ref|ACOK|39}} and next marches them to King's Landing.{{Ref|ASOS|38}} All but some three thousand later return to the westerlands.{{Ref|AFFC|16}} Of the soldiers remaining, two thousand sail for the [[siege of Dragonstone]], while less than a thousand accompany Jaime Lannister into the riverlands to aid with the [[siege of Riverrun]].{{Ref|AFFC|27}}

[[House Lannister]] can also field a fleet. The Lannister fleet at [[Lannisport]] consists of twenty or thirty cogs, carracks, galleys, and dromonds, while lesser lords have two or three ships for patrolling.<ref name=SSMLF/> A semi-canon sources from 2005 estimates the total naval power of the westerlands to be “probably closer to fifty or sixty large ships”.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}} Though the Lannister fleet has been burned as recently as {{Date|289}},{{Ref|ACOK|24}} the ships who have been lost have been rebuild.<ref name=SSMLF/>

===Crownlands===
====Mainland====
[[File:Fury.jpg|thumb|350px|''[[Fury]]'', by Ignacio Bazán Lazcano © Fantasy Flight Games]]
According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the mainland lords of the [[crownlands]] can raise ten to fifteen thousand men.{{Ref|RPG|guardiansorder}}

During [[Aegon's Conquest]], Houses [[House Darklyn|Darklyn]] and [[House Mooton|Mooton]] combined raised an army of three thousand men.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The [[royal fleet]] of [[House Targaryen]] was then based at [[King's Landing]] and [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]]. During the [[Dance of the Dragons]] ({{Date|129}}-{{Date|131}}), Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]] gathered an army from King's Landing of four thousand men, within a fortnight.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}

The main defense of King's Landing are the [[gold cloaks]]. In {{Date|298}}, they number two thousand.{{Ref|AGOT|47}} Ser [[Jacelyn Bywater]] augments the City Watch to six thousand in early {{Date|299}}.{{ref|ACOK|8}} Following the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], due to deaths and desertions, only some forty-four hundred men remain.{{Ref|ASOS|4}} Later that year, numbers have increased to nearly five thousand.{{ref|ASOS|38}}

[[Mace Tyrell]] later adds a hundred men from [[Highgarden]] to the gold cloaks.{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}

In the crownlands, the [[Faith Militant]] played a larger role during the reign of King [[Maegor I Targaryen]], until they were disbanded by his successor, King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]. Of old, the [[Faith of the Seven|Faith's]] military orders consisted out of the [[Poor Fellows]] and the [[Warrior's Sons]]. The Poor Fellows were far more numerous.{{ref|AFFC|28}} During the [[battle at the Great Fork]] of the [[Blackwater Rush|Blackwater]], thirteen thousand Poor Fellows and two hundred knights of the [[Warrior's Sons]] from the chapter at the [[Stoney Sept]] were joined by thousands led by rebel lords from the [[riverlands]] and [[westerlands]] in battle against King Maegor I, who was victorious.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} More recently, in {{Date|300}}, more than two thousand [[sparrows]] have gathered in King's Landing.{{ref|AFFC|17}}

The crownlands is also home to the [[royal fleet]], which is one of the main three forces at sea in Westeros.<ref name="SSMLF"/> The exact number of ships of the royal fleet are unknown. The royal fleet as it had been under [[House Targaryen]] was mostly destroyed in {{Date|284}} during a summer storm,{{Ref|AGOT|3}} though some ships from the fleet might have survived.<ref group="N">For example the ships ''[[Prince Aemon]]'', ''[[Princess Rhaenys]]'', and ''[[Queen Alysanne]]''</ref> A new fleet has since been build. In {{Date|298}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]], then [[master of ships]], sails most of the royal fleet to Dragonstone,{{Ref|ACOK|41}} leaving only some fifty ships behind in King’s Landing.{{Ref|ACOK|41}} While Stannis later sets sail with some two hundred ships,{{Ref|ACOK|58}} it is unknown how many of these originally belonged to the royal fleet. The largest war galley of the royal fleet is [[King Robert's Hammer]], which has four hundred oars.{{Ref|ACOK|41}}{{Ref|ACOK|58}}

====Dragonstone====
[[Dragonstone]] can field the fewest number of soldiers.<ref name=strength /> When the [[Dance of the Dragons]] began, its garrison was made up out of thirty knights, a hundred crossbowmen, and three hundred men-at-arms.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}} When [[Aegon I Targaryen]] in [[Years Before the Conquest|2 BC]] first prepared to sail to [[Westeros]] to begin his [[Aegon's Conquest|conquest]], he summoned his friends, bannermen, and allies. His bannermen included [[House Velaryon]] of [[Driftmark]], [[House Celtigar]] of [[Claw Isle]], [[House Bar Emmon]] of [[Sharp Point]], and [[House Massey]] of [[Stonedance]] (the latter two actually sworn to [[Storm's End]] at the time). Their numbers were small, and it is unknown how many men set sail from Dragonstone with Aegon, as accounts differ, suggesting both a force of three thousand, as well as a force of several hundreds.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

In {{Date|299}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]]'s host includes three thousand men along the shore of [[Dragonstone (island)|the isle]].{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} During the [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|siege of Storm's End]], Stannis's forces number five thousand, with less than four hundred horse.{{ref|ACOK|31}} Forces from the [[stormlands]] join Stannis after Renly Baratheon's death. Ser [[Guyard Morrigen]] leads Stannis's vanguard of near five thousand prior to the [[Battle of the Blackwater]].{{ref|ACOK|52}} Stannis's host numbers near twenty thousand knights, light horse, and freeriders,{{ref|ACOK|58}} though this includes men from the [[stormlands]].

After Stannis has arrived at the [[Wall]], [[Samwell Tarly]] observes more than a thousand [[southron]] soldiers at Castle Black.{{ref|ASOS|75}} According to Davos, Stannis arrived north with "no more than fifteen hundred men".{{Ref|adwd|19}}

===Stormlands===
According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the [[stormlands]] can field perhaps thirty-thousand men.{{Ref|rpg|guardiansorder}}

In {{Date|206}}, [[House Dondarrion]] was able to gather nearly four thousand infantry and eight hundred cavalry.{{Ref|THK}}

In {{Date|299}}, supported by [[Highgarden]] and [[Storm's End]], the host of [[Renly Baratheon]] is said to number a hundred thousand.{{ref|ACOK|17}} Renly himself claims to have eighty thousand with him at Bitterbridge, while another ten thousand are with Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] at Highgarden.{{ref|ACOK|22}} During the [[siege of Storm's End (299)|siege of Storm's End]], Renly brings his cavalry of twenty thousand, at least ten thousand of whom are heavy lancers, and claims they will soon be reinforced with a hundred thousand swords and spears.{{ref|ACOK|31}}{{ref|ACOK|33}} Stannis later tells Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]] that he now has twenty thousand men. Renly's foot, near sixty thousand, remains at Bitterbridge, however, and some—especially those of [[House Florent]] from the Reach—are [[fighting at Bitterbridge|put to death]] by Lord [[Randyll Tarly]].{{ref|ACOK|42}}{{ref|ACOK|44}} Exactly how many men from Renly's host were from the Reach, and how many from the stormlands, is unknown.

During the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], Stannis's host numbers near twenty thousand knights, light horse, and freeriders.{{ref|ACOK|58}} As he previously had five thousand soldiers,{{Ref|ACOK|31}} fifteen thousand men have joined him since Renly's death. Renly's force at Storm's End only was ten thousand men strong,{{Ref|acok|31}} made up out of both forces from the stormlands and the reach, and a fifth of his men are said to have left with Ser [[Loras Tyrell]].{{ref|ACOK|36}} It is unknown whether the additional seven thousand come solely from the stormlands or from both the stormlands and the Reach.

===Reach===
[[File:T Jedruszek BrightwaterCavalrywing.jpg|thumb|350px|Cavalry from [[Brightwater Keep]], by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games]]
According to a semi-canon source from 2005, the [[Reach]] can field eighty to a hundred thousand men, of which a third to a quarter will be cavalry.{{Ref|rpg|guardiansorder}}

During [[Aegon's Conquest]], thirty thousand men from the Reach marched against Aegon I Targaryen, joining their forces with the [[westerlands]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} [[House Hightower]] is known to have been able to field much more than nine thousand men during the reign of [[Aegon II Targaryen]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

Supported by [[Highgarden]] and [[Storm's End]], the host of [[Renly Baratheon]] is said to number a hundred thousand.{{ref|ACOK|17}} Renly himself claims to have eighty thousand with him at Bitterbridge, while another ten thousand are with Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] at Highgarden.{{ref|ACOK|22}} During the [[siege of Storm's End (299)|siege of Storm's End]], Renly brings his cavalry of twenty thousand,{{ref|acok|33}} and claims they will soon be reinforced with a hundred thousand swords and spears.{{ref|ACOK|31}} After Renly's assassination, Catelyn thinks that Renly's horse, of which at least ten thousand are lancers, will go over to Stannis.{{ref|ACOK|33}} Stannis later tells Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]] that he now has twenty thousand men. Renly's foot, near sixty thousand, remains at Bitterbridge, however, and some —especially those of [[House Florent]]— are put to death by Lord [[Randyll Tarly]].{{ref|ACOK|42}}{{ref|ACOK|44}} Exactly how many men from Renly's host were from the Reach, and how many from the stormlands, is unknown.

[[Petyr Baelish]] tells [[Joffrey Baratheon]]'s [[small council]] that a marriage with Renly's widow, [[Margaery Tyrell]], would bring her father Mace's fifty thousand swords.{{ref|ACOK|36}} According to Tyrion Lannister, some fifty to seventy thousand [[House Tyrell|Tyrell soldiers]] are in the city's vicinity once House Tyrell and House Lannister form an alliance.{{ref|ASOS|38}} Half of the Reach's strength returns home later on, whereas the other half goes to besiege Storm's End.{{ref|affc|12}}{{ref|affc|16}} When the Reach is under attack, Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] claims that Highgarden can raise ten thousand men in a fortnight, and twenty thousand in a month.{{ref|AFFC|32}}

The naval strength of the Reach is made up mostly out of the [[Redwyne fleet]] of the [[Arbor]], which contains two hundred warships.{{ref|AFFC|32}} Further naval strength can be found at the [[Shield Islands]],{{Ref|AFFC|29}} and likely the coastal lords. According to a semi-canon source from 2005, these warships dip a hundred oars or more.{{Ref|rpg|guardiansorder}}

===Dorne===
[[File:Tomasz Jedruszek Army of Scorpions II.jpg|350px|thumb|right|An army of [[House Qorgyle]] on the march, by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games]]
In the time before [[coming of the Andals]] to [[Dorne]], [[Ferris Fowler]], [[King of Stone and Sky]], led ten thousand men against King [[Garth VII Gardener]], [[King of the Reach]], during the Golden Reign.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reach: The Gardener Kings}} At the time, [[House Fowler]] ruled one of the three most powerful kingdoms in Dorne (the other two being [[House Dayne]] of [[Starfall]] and [[House Yronwood]] of [[Yronwood]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Dorne: Kingsdoms of the First Men}}

During [[Aegon's Conquest]], the [[Dornishmen]] did not give battle. However, in {{Date|37}}, at the start of the reign of King [[Aenys I Targaryen]], a rebel known as the [[Vulture King (Aenys I)|Vulture King]] rose. He was said to have a following of thirty thousand, to resist [[House Targaryen]] with.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}

More recently, [[House Martell]] sent ten thousand soldiers to fight under the Targaryen banner at the [[Battle of the Trident]], in {{Date|283}}, led by Prince [[Lewyn Martell]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}{{ref|ASOS|37}}

Currently, the Martells are believed to be able to raise fifty thousand soldiers.{{Ref|ACOK|17}}{{Ref|ADWD|43}} However, when, following his [[conquest of Dorne]], King [[Daeron I Targaryen]] wrote his book called ''[[The Conquest of Dorne]]'', he exaggerated the quantity of his opponents to enhance his victory. House Martell has never corrected this claim, in order to make Dorne appear stronger.{{ref|AFFC|40}} Dorne's true military numbers have not yet been revealed, though [[George R. R. Martin]] has previously stated that Dorne is roughly equal in military strength to the [[north]] and [[Vale]].<ref name=strength>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Strength_of_the_Regions Strength of the Regions (February 18, 2002)]</ref>

Dorne has had no strength at sea since the [[Rhoynar|Rhoynish]] warrior queen [[Nymeria]] burned her ten thousand ships a thousand years ago.{{Ref|adwd|50}}

===Miscellaneous===
During [[Robert's Rebellion]], Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] led an army of forty thousand soldiers to the Trident. About a tenth of these forty thousand were knights.{{Ref|AGOT|30}} Of these forty thousand, ten thousand were [[Dornishmen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}{{ref|ASOS|37}} The rebels, consisting of the north, Vale, riverlands, and stormlands, had fewer men.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Siege_of_Storms_End The Siege of Storm's End (July 18, 1999)]</ref>

==Essos==
===The Free Cities===
[[File:T Jedruszek GreyWormsElite.jpg|thumb|350px|The [[Unsullied]] in battle, by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games]]
*[[Braavos]] is together with Volantis, the most powerful of the [[Free Cities]]. Their main power is at sea,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Volantis}} as the Braavosi fleet of warships is second to none, in addition to a mercantile fleet.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Braavos}} Braavos also has a city watch.{{Ref|ADWD|64}} In {{Date|300}}, [[Stannis Baratheon]] sends Ser [[Justin Massey]] to recruit twenty thousand sellswords in Braavos.<ref name=Theon/>
*The least populous of the [[Free Cities]], [[Lorath]] has little military power. They build only few warships. Not many Lorathi leave the islands.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Lorath}}
*The [[Lys]]eni prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*The [[Myr]]ish prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*The [[bearded priests]] of [[Norvos]] keep a guard of slave soldiers.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Norvos}}
*Due to the agreements with Braavos, [[Pentos]] is allowed only twenty warships. They are not allowed to keep an army, nor are they allowed to hire sellswords or free companies. Pentos only has a small city watch.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Pentos}}
*Ever since [[Qohor]] was successfully defended by [[three Thousand of Qohor|three thousand Unsullied]],{{ref|ASOS|8}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Qohor}} the city has relied on the Unsullied slave soldiers for the defense of the city, further keeping only a small city watch.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Qohor}} Occasionally, Qohor also hires sellsword companies. Overall, the city is not considered to be martial.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Qohor}}
*The [[Tyrosh]]i prefer to hire sellswords to do their fighting, seldom risking the lives of their own citizens.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'[[Volantis]] is together with Braavos, the most powerful of the Free Cities. Though Volantis has a fleet,{{Ref|ADWD|24}}{{Ref|ADWD|27}}{{Ref|ADWD|55}} the city's main power is on land.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Volantis}} In {{Date|300}}, Triarch [[Malaquo]] cuts off the [[Golden Company]] from the delta road near [[Volantis]] with five thousand foot and one thousand horse.{{ref|ADWD|24}}

===Ghiscari cities===
*The [[Unsullied]] of [[Astapor]] are sold by the century or the thousand.{{ref|ASOS|23}}
*[[Meereen]] has a city guard.{{ref|ASOS|57}} In {{Date|300}}, when Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] takes over the rule of Meereen, a city watch called the [[Brazen Beasts]] is created,{{Ref|ADWD|16}} a force consisting out of equal numbers of freedmen and shavepate Meereenese.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}{{Ref|ADWD|16}} Further, the freedmen of fighting age have been organized into companies,{{Ref|ADWD|16}} called the [[Mother's Men]], [[Stalwart Shields]], and the [[Free Brothers]].{{Ref|ADWD|11}}
*[[New Ghis]] has its army divided into [[Ghiscari legions|legions]], armed and organized as the [[Unsullied]]. However, in contrast to the Unsullied, the Ghiscari armies are made up of freemen, who serve three-year terms.{{Ref|ADWD|57}} The Ghiscari legions are reportedly six thousand soldiers strong each.<ref>asoiaf.westeros.org: Boskone 2013, reading of Barristan I and [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/81338-twow-spoilers-barristan/&do=findComment&comment=4122024 Barristan II]</ref> They bring two of these legions to [[Astapor]], when they take part in the [[siege of Astapor|siege]].{{Ref|ADWD|16}} Four Ghiscari legions join [[Yunkai]] in their march to Meereen, while two more legions from New Ghis took ship at Astapor, heading for Meereen as well.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}
*[[Yunkai]] has a host of four thousand men, all slaves, strengthened by two sellsword companies (the [[Stormcrows]] and the [[Second Sons]]) in {{Date|299}}. The sellsword companies abandon Yunkai during the [[Battle near Yunkai]], while the slave army breaks.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} In {{Date|300}}, the Yunkish host consists out of several sellsword companies ([[Company of the Cat]], [[Long Lances]], [[Second Sons]], and the [[Windblown]]).{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}

===Targaryen host===
Through the [[fall of Astapor]], [[battle near Yunkai]], and [[siege of Meereen]], Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] acquires eight thousand six hundred [[Unsullied]], five thousand uncut boys in training, one thousand sellswords (the [[Second Sons]] and [[Stormcrows]]), and a vast horde of freedmen.{{Ref|ASOS|23}}{{Ref|ASOS|27}}{{ref|ADWD|16}} Upon arrival at [[Meereen]], Daenerys has a host of more than eighty thousand people strong, though less than a quarter are warriors.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} The Second Sons later abandon Daenerys.{{Ref|ADWD|36}}

===The Free Companies===
[[File:Marc Simonetti Bittersteel golden company.jpg|thumb|350px|Ser [[Aegor Rivers]] and his [[Golden Company]], by Marc Simonetti ©]]
The [[Free Cities]] of [[Essos]] hire numerous [[sellsword]] companies, such as the [[Company of the Cat]], the [[Second Sons]], the [[Stormcrows]], and the [[Windblown]].
*The [[Company of the Cat]] numbers three thousand soldiers, currently sworn to [[Yunkai]].{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Golden Company]] numbers ten thousand, many of whom are Westerosi exiles.{{ref|ADWD|5}} When Lord [[Jon Connington]] and Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]] set sail for [[Westeros]] with the company to [[landing of the Golden Company|invade the stormlands]], about half of the men become scattered along the southron [[narrow sea]].{{ref|ADWD|61}}{{ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Long Lances]] number eight hundred cavalry, who are currently sworn to [[Yunkai]].{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Second Sons]] number five hundred fourteen{{ref|ADWD|66}} cavalry.{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}} They have gone back and forth between [[Yunkai]] and Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] of [[Meereen]]. They are about to change their alliance from Yunkai to Daenerys, again.<ref name=WindsTyrion/>
*The [[Stormcrows]] number about five hundred cavalry, who are currently sworn to Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] of [[Meereen]].{{Ref|ASOS|42}}{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
*The [[Windblown]] number two thousand cavalry and infantry, sworn to [[Yunkai]],{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}} but about to change alliance.<ref name=WindsTyrion>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', Tyrion II</ref>

===Dothraki===
''[[Khalasar]]s'' in the [[Dothraki sea]] have been known to reach fifty thousand{{ref|ASOS|8}} or even one hundred thousand{{ref|ASOS|27}} in size, although not all are warriors. The [[Field of Crows]] is said to have had a hundred thousand casualties after the great battle between the [[Dothraki]] and the [[Sarnor]]i.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Grasslands}}

In more recent times, Khal [[Drogo]]'s ''khalasar'', which is said to be one hundred thousand strong,{{ref|AGOT|3}} includes forty thousand mounted warriors.{{ref|AGOT|36}} It splinters into smaller groups after his death, however.{{ref|AGOT|72}} Khal [[Pono]] claims ten thousand of Drogo's ''khalasar'',{{Ref|ACOK|12}} while Khal [[Jhaqo]] claims twenty thousand riders{{Ref|AGOT|68}} About a year later, Pono's ''khalasar'' is reported to be thirty thousand strong, located near [[Selhorys]].{{ref|ADWD|8}}

===Further east===
[[Bayasabhad]], [[Samyriana]], and [[Kayakayanaya]] are guarded by tens of thousands of female defenders.{{ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: The Grasslands}}

The [[Five Forts]] can hold fifty thousand men in total, although it is unknown if they are at capacity.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Bones and Beyond: Yi Ti}}

Emperor [[Lo Bu]] of [[Yi Ti]] allegedly led three hundred thousand against the [[Jogos Nhai]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Bones and Beyond: The Plains of the Jogos Nhai}}

===Miscellaneous===
During the [[Second Spice War]], the [[Rhoynar]] are said to have had an army of a quarter million, while the [[Valyrian Freehold]] had over one hundred thousand men, one hundred war [[elephant]]s, and three hundred [[dragon]]s.{{ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: Ten Thousand Ships}} Following the [[Doom of Valyria]], the thirty thousand of [[Aurion]] disappeared when they marched to the [[Valyrian peninsula]].{{ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

[[Category:Society]]

House Targaryen

2017-09-08T01:25:16Z

Benethon Stark: /* Young Gryff's/Aegon's supporters */

{{Noble House
| House_name = House Targaryen of [[King's Landing]]
| image = [[File:House Targaryen.svg|250px]]
| Coat_of_arms = Sable, a dragon thrice-headed gules
| Words = ''Fire and Blood''
| Seat = [[Aegonfort]] (formerly) [[Red Keep]] (formerly) [[Dragonstone]] (formerly) [[Summerhall]] (formerly)
| Current_Lord = [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
| Region = [[Crownlands]] [[Valyria]] (formerly)
| Title = [[Iron Throne|King]] of the [[Andals]], the [[Rhoynar]], and the [[First Men]] [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]] [[Prince of Dragonstone]] (heir apparent) [[Prince of Summerhall]]
| Overlord = None
| Ancestral_weapon= [[Blackfyre]] [[Dark Sister]]
| Cadet_branch = [[House Blackfyre]]
| Founded_in = House Targaryen: >[[Years before Aegon's Conquest|126 BC]] House Targaryen of King's Landing:{{Date|1}}
}}

'''House Targaryen''' is a noble family of [[Valyrian Freehold|Valyrian]] descent, and is the only family of [[dragonlords]] who survived the [[Doom of Valyria]]. They left Valyria twelve years before the Doom occurred and resided for more than a century on the [[Dragonstone (island)|island of Dragonstone]], until [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]] and his sister-wives began their [[Aegon's Conquest|conquest]] in [[2 BC]]. House Targaryen ruled as the kings on the [[Iron Throne]] and as the [[Great House]] of the [[crownlands]] for nearly three hundred years. A total of thirteen Targaryens kings sat on the Iron Throne, until the reign of [[Aerys II Targaryen]] ended with [[Robert's Rebellion]], in which the Targaryens were overthrown. The two surviving children of Aerys II, [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] and [[Daenerys Targaryen]], fled into exile, and have resided in [[Essos]] ever since.

House Targaryen took possession of the castle [[Dragonstone]] upon leaving Valyria. Following the [[Aegon's Conquest|Conquest]], they built the [[Aegonfort]] in the capital city of [[King's Landing]]. The Aegonfort was later torn down and replaced by the [[Red Keep]], which remained their main seat for the duration of their dynasty, and which housed the [[Iron Throne]]. Dragonstone almost always given to the heir to the throne. The Targaryens eventually built the summer residence [[Summerhall]], which has been given to several younger sons of the family over time.

The Targaryen sigil is a three-headed [[dragon]] breathing flames, red on black.{{Ref|aGoT|4}}{{Ref|aGoT|18}}{{ref|aCoK|63}} The Targaryen's words are ''"Fire and Blood"''.{{Ref|aSoS|23}}

==Culture==
===Traits===
The phrase "blood of the dragon" refers to the Valyrian descent of the Targaryens, and more specifically to the fact that they were one of forty dragonlord families of [[Valyria]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The typical Targaryen features remind strongly of the typical Valyrian features: pale skin, silver, platinum, or gold hair and eyes in a [[purple eyes|variety of shades of purple]], or light blue.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}

The Targaryens can tolerate a bit more heat than most ordinary people; However, they are not immune to fire.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20051103091500/nrctc.edu/fhq/vol1iss3/00103009.htm/ "Interview with the Dragon" Copyright © 2003 Robert Shaw.]</ref><ref name=egg>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Egg_and_the_Targaryens Egg and the Targaryens (November 05, 1998)]</ref>

Another trait typical to Targaryens is the ability to have [[dragon dreams|premonition-like dreams]].{{Ref|TMK}} The trait has been in the Targaryen family since before they relocated from [[Valyria]] to Dragonstone in [[126 BC]] (and in fact, is what caused them to relocate).{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} This trait was passed on to the cadet branch, [[House Blackfyre]], as well.{{Ref|TMK}}

The Targaryens are seen as [[Targaryen madness|prone to madness]], presumably caused by their [[incest|inbreeding]].<ref name=egg/> According to King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys II]], ''"madness and greatness are two sides of the same coin. Every time a new Targaryen is born [...] the gods toss the coin in the air and the world holds its breath to see how it will land"''.{{ref|ASOS|71}}

===Customs===
House Targaryen's words are "Fire and Blood."{{Ref|aSoS|23}} Their sigil is a three-headed [[dragon]] breathing flames, red on black.{{Ref|aGoT|4}}{{Ref|aGoT|18}}{{ref|aCoK|63}} The three-headed dragon represents [[Aegon I Targaryen|the Conqueror]] and his two sisters, [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]] and [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]].{{ref|aCoK|63}} Some younger sons of the house used variations of the standard sigil. Before his own reign, [[Maekar I Targaryen]] used the three-headed dragon, quartered,{{Ref|TSS}} while his son, Prince [[Aerion Targaryen]], changed the colors of the three heads - one orange, one yellow, one red - while the flames they breathed had a sheen of gold leaf.{{Ref|THK}} King [[Aegon II Targaryen]] used a golden dragon as his personal banner.{{Ref|tpatq}} In line with the sigil colors, most Targaryens used armor black of color (e.g., [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], who had the three-headed dragon wrought in rubies on his breast plate,{{ref|agot|4}}{{Ref|agot|39}}{{Ref|agot|58}} [[Valarr Targaryen]],{{Ref|thk}} and [[Aemond Targaryen]], whose night-black armor was chased with gold{{Ref|tpatq}}).

Although the Targaryen [[Iron Throne|kings]] took their seat at [[King's Landing]], the place where Aegon and his army [[Aegon's Landing|first landed]] in Westeros and made [[Aegonfort|their first fort]], replaced by the [[Red Keep]] later on, their earlier seat of [[Dragonstone]] remained in their possession as well.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} It eventually became the traditional seat of the heir-apparent to the throne, who was known as the [[Prince of Dragonstone]] (or Princess of Dragonstone, in a few occasions). The Targaryens eventually build a third seat, [[Summerhall]], in {{Date|188}}, which was granted to several younger sons of House Targaryen,{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}} who were granted the title "[[Prince of Summerhall]]".{{Ref|thk}}{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}

House Targaryen historically followed the gods of [[Valyrian Freehold|Valyria]]. Sometime before [[Aegon's Conquest]], the Targaryens abandoned the Valyrian gods and converted to the [[Faith of the Seven]], the predominant religion in Westeros.<ref>[http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/119534-twoiaf-spoilers-inconsistency-or-intentional/&do=findComment&comment=6539881 Clarification] of [[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Asshai.com_Forum_Chat Asshai.com Forum Chat (July 27, 2008)]</ref> However, they continued to follow the Valyrian practice of [[incest|incestuous]] marriage, wedding brother to sister, cousin to cousin, uncle to niece and aunt to nephew, holding themselves apart from and above the noble Westerosi families.

Deceased Targaryens are traditionally cremated.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Asshai.com_Forum_Chat Asshai.com Forum Chat (July 27, 2008)]</ref> The ashes of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] and his sister-wife, Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]], were interred and placed beneath the [[Red Keep]].{{Ref|TRP}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}

===Dragons===
:{{See also|Dragons|Dragon egg}}

As one of the forty [[dragonlord]] families of Valyria, the Targaryens were closer to [[dragon]]s than other men. [[Aenar Targaryen]] brought five dragons with him when he moved from Valyria to Dragonstone, and [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and his sister-wives, [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]] and [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]] rode them to battle during the [[Aegon's Conquest|Conquest]] of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] in [[2 BC]] - [[1 BC]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The Targaryens rode their dragons during the first century and a half following Aegon's Conquest. Deaths in battle, especially during the [[Dance of the Dragons]], and a growing infirmity in each following generation caused the family's stable to dwindle. The [[last dragon]] was a deformed and sterile creature, who died young in {{Date|153}}, during the reign of [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]], the Dragonbane.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}

The Targaryens housed their dragons in an immense domed structure in [[King's Landing]], the [[Dragonpit]], which was constructed during the reign of [[Maegor I Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} Not all dragons which hatched were ridden, however. On the island of [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]], several dragons, both wild and previously ridden, resided at least during the reigns of [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I]] and [[Aegon II Targaryen]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

At some point, it became tradition to gift a newborn child with a [[dragon's egg]] in the cradle.{{Ref|TRP}} This practise continued even after the death of the last dragon, with the last Targaryens confirmed to have been given an egg having been the sons of Prince [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar]] during the reign of [[Daeron II Targaryen]].{{Ref|TMK}} Whether the tradition was continued beyond this point is unknown; However, the Targaryens still possessed eggs as recent as the reign of [[Aerys II Targaryen]], the last king of the Targaryen Dynasty.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Several attempts have been made, since the death of the last dragon, to hatch these eggs by members of House Targaryen. This list includes [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]] and his younger brother and [[Hand of the King]], [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]],{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{ref|aSoS|54}} [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I]],{{Ref|aFfC|5}} [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon V]],{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} and [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} In early {{Date|299}}, [[Daenerys Targaryen]] finally succeeded in hatching three dragon eggs.{{Ref|AGOT|72}}

==History==
[[File:Aegon on Balerion.jpg|450px|right|thumb|[[Aegon the Conqueror]], the greatest of the Targaryens, upon Balerion, the Black Dread by [http://jordigart.blogspot.com/ Jordi Gonzalez] ©.]]
A complete history of House Targaryen is planned for ''[[Fire and Blood]]'',<ref>[[Not A Blog]]: [http://grrm.livejournal.com/360936.html The Rogues Are Coming...]</ref> to be published several years after the completion of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''.<ref>[[Not A Blog]]: [http://grrm.livejournal.com/347757.html?thread=18471789#t18471789 The Dangerous Women Are Coming]</ref>

===Origins and relocation===
House Targaryen was one of the forty ancient noble houses known as [[dragonlords]] who ruled the [[Valyrian Freehold]], a great empire spanning much of [[Essos]]. The Targaryens were not one of the most powerful houses, however. The family resided in Valyria until [[Daenys Targaryen]], also known as Daenys the Dreamer, the daughter of Lord [[Aenar Targaryen]], had visions of a cataclysm that would come over Valyria. Aenar sold his estates in Valyria and moved his wives, children, other relatives, slaves, wealth, and five dragons (including [[Balerion]]) to [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]], an island at the entrance of [[Blackwater Bay]] and the westernmost outpost of Valyrian influence, where he took possession of a [[Dragonstone|castle of the same name]], in [[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 126 Before the Conquest|126 BC]]. Twelve years later the [[Doom of Valyria|Doom]] descended on the city of [[Valyria]], leading to the collapse of the Freehold. The Targaryens were the only dragonriders of Valyria to survive. In the century that followed, four of the five dragons of House Targaryen died, with only Balerion surviving. Two more dragons, [[Vhagar]] and [[Meraxes]], were hatched from eggs on Dragonstone, however.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

During the century after the Doom, which became known as the [[Century of Blood]] due to the violent struggles for power in Essos, [[Volantis]] attempted to seize power over Valyria's colonies. Most of the other [[Free Cities]] rebelled against against Volantis, and towards the end of the Century of Blood, the young Lord [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], rider of the dragon Balerion, was approached by [[Pentos]] and [[Tyrosh]] to form an alliance. Aegon, mounted on his dragon Balerion, flew first to Pentos to meet its [[Prince of Pentos|prince]], and then to [[Lys]], where he set the Volantene fleet aflame. With Volantis's rule at an end, he returned to Dragonstone, and focussed his attention to the lands west, which had always been of interest to him.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

===Aegon I's Wars of Conquest===
:{{Main|Aegon's Conquest|First Dornish War}}
[[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], Lord of Dragonstone, aspired to unite the [[Seven Kingdoms]] of [[Westeros]] under one ruler. Slightly more than a hundred years after the Doom of Valyria, in [[2 BC]], he began his [[Aegon's Conquest|conquest]], in which he was aided by his two sister-wives, [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]] and [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]]. All three were dragonriders, and used their dragons, [[Balerion]], [[Meraxes]], and [[Vhagar]] in battle. [[Aegon's Conquest]] lasted for two years. It began with Aegon's landing at the mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]] with a small force, and ended when Aegon was anointed king by the [[High Septon (Aegon's Conquest)|High Septon]] in [[Oldtown]]. In total, he had managed to conquer six of the seven kingdoms, with only [[Dorne]] remaining defiant. During the war [[House Gardener]], which had ruled the [[Reach]], and [[House Hoare]], which had ruled the [[Iron Islands]] and the [[riverlands]], were extinguished, while [[House Durrandon]], which had reigned over the [[Stormlands]], was continued [[House Baratheon|through the female line]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} From the swords of his enemies, Aegon created the [[Iron Throne]], and the dynasty he began would rule for nearly three hundred years.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}{{Ref|AGOT|43}} Aegon had constructed a wooden castle, the [[Aegonfort]], at the place where he had first come to shore, and the town that grew around it became [[King's Landing]], the kingdom's new capital.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} Dragonstone remained in the possession of the Targaryens as well, and was one of Aegon's favorite places.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} The region around King's Landing became known as the [[crownlands]].
[[File:Death of Meraxes.jpg|thumb|350px|Death of [[Meraxes]] at [[Hellholt]].]]

In {{date|4}}, Aegon's wars of conquest continued with the [[First Dornish War]], during which he and Rhaenys attempted to bring the dornish under Targaryen rule as well.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}} A bloody war, during which Queen [[Rhaenys Targaryen]] was killed with her dragon, [[Meraxes]], at [[Hellholt]] in {{Date|10}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}} An assasination attempt on Aegon that same year led to the creation of the [[Kingsguard]], who would guard the kings of the realm for centuries to come.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} The [[First Dornish War]] eventually ended in {{Date|13}}, after Prince [[Nymor Martell]], the [[Prince of Dorne]], had sent his daughter [[Deria Martell|Deria]] to King's Landing with a letter and the skull of Meraxes. Though the contents of the letter have never been revealed, Aegon agreed to an end of the war the next day.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}}

===The Sons and Grandsons of the Dragon===
:{{Main|Faith Militant uprising}}
[[Aegon I Targaryen]] died in {{Date|37}}, and was succeeded by his eldest son, [[Aenys I Targaryen]]. Almost immediately, Aenys faced four rebellions which had grown out of dissent, dreams of the old days or of vengeance, and of the fact that Aenys and his younger brother, [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]], had both been born from incestuous marriages. A bandit named [[Harren the Red]], claiming to be a grandson of [[Harren Hoare|Harren the Black]], took [[Harrenhal]] and killed Lord [[Gargon Qoherys]]. In the Vale, Lord [[Ronnel Arryn]] and his family were taken hostage by his younger brother, [[Jonos Arryn]]. On the [[Iron Islands]], a man claimed to be the priest-king [[Lodos (II)|Lodos]], finally returned from visiting [[Drowned God|his father]] after more than three centuries. And in Dorne, the [[Vulture King]] raised thirty thousand followers against the Targaryens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} The rebels were swiftly defeated by the actions of Aenys's subjects and Maegor. Lord [[Goren Greyjoy]] killed the so-called priest-king, and sent his head to King Aenys. [[House Royce|Lord Royce]] of [[Runestone]] defeated the supporters of Jonos Arryn, though this caused the death of Lord Ronnel and his family when Jonos threw them out of the [[Moon Door]] in the [[Eyrie]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} Prince [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]], who had claimed the dragon [[Balerion]] after his father's death, eventually flew up to the Eyrie and had Jonos and his followers executed.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}<ref name=Sons>[http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/115696-spoilers-sons-of-the-dragon-reading-at-loncon-today/&do=findComment&comment=6134038 Sons of the Dragon (reading at LonCon 2014)]</ref> The Vulture King had made the mistake of splitting his large army, and was defeated during the [[Vulture Hunt]], in which Lord [[Orys Baratheon]] and several other [[Marcher lords]], including Lord [[House Dondarrion|Dondarrion]], Lady [[House Caron|Caron]], and Lord [[Samwell Tarly (Savage)|Sam Tarly]], marched against him.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}<ref name=Sons/> And the last rebel, [[Harren the Red]], was eventually caught by Aenys's [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Alyn Stokeworth]]. Though Stokeworth was killed by Harren in the fighting that ensued, Harren himself was slain shortly after. As Stokeworth's replacement, Aenys named Maegor as his Hand.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}

The next challenges Aenys faced came from the [[Faith of the Seven]]. Even though the Targaryens had been followers of the [[Faith of the Seven]] since before the [[Aegon's Conquest|Conquest]], the Targaryens held themselves apart from the laws of gods and men. By marrying both his sisters, Aegon I had continued both the Valyrian practice of incestuous [[marriage]], which was considered a sin in the eyes of the Seven, as well as the more rarely practised custom of [[polygamy]], even though the Faith of the Seven considered marriage only possible between one man and one wife.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} Even though Aegon I had always been careful regarding the Faith, the High Septons had never declared his marriages lawful, though they had not spoken up against Aegon's polygamous and incestuous marriages either.<ref name=Sons/> However, when Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] had suggested, in {{Date|23}}, that her son Maegor should be married to Aenys's infant daughter, Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], the High Septon had protested, and Maegor had been married to the High Septon's niece, [[Ceryse Hightower]], instead.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} After sixteen years of marriage, however, Maegor remained childless. Following the birth of Aenys I's sixth child in {{Date|39}},<ref name=Sons/> Maegor took a second wife, [[Alys Harroway]]. This greatly angered the Faith, and Aenys gave his brother the choice between abandoning Alys, or going in exile. Maegor chose the latter option, after which he left for [[Pentos]].{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}

[[File:Sept of Remembrance.jpg|thumb|400px|Maegor I Targaryen and Balerion burn down the [[Sept of Remembrance]].]]
The Faith remained discontent. Though they had not objected to Aenys's own marriage in {{Date|22}}, to his cousin [[Alyssa Velaryon]], new troubles arose in {{Date|41}} when Aenys married his eldest daughter, Rhaena, to his eldest son and heir, Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]]. The uproar this marriage caused led to the start of the [[Faith Militant uprising]].{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} Aenys fled to Dragonstone, but fell sick and died in {{Date|42}}. Dowager Queen [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]] immediately called Maegor back from his exile, allowing him to claim the throne. Maegor took King's Landing back from the Faith Militant, though he would spent his entire reign fighting against them. In addition, he fought against Aenys's heir, Aegon, and killed both him and his dragon [[Quicksilver]] in {{Date|43}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}

Maegor's reign was a cruel one. He finished the construction of the [[Red Keep]], which had begun in {{Date|35}}, during his reign,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} though he honored his moniker "the Cruel" when he killed all the construction workers after work was completed. He had come back from his exile with a third wife, [[Tyanna]], but was still without an heir towards the end of his reign. Denouncing the claims of Aenys's only surviving son, [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]], Maegor married his three [[Black Brides]], one of whom was Jaehaerys's sister, Rhaena, and named Rhaena's [[Aerea Targaryen|daughter]] as his heir until he had a child of his own. While support for Jaehaerys grew, support for Maegor dwindled. When Maegor died mysteriously in {{date|48}}, Jaehaerys succeeded him.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} A wise ruler known as [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys the Conciliator]], Jaehaerys ruled wisely for fifty-five years, during which time he made peace with the Faith. He faced a difficult decision in {{Date|92}} following the death of his heir, Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]], when he had to name either Aemon's daughter, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys]], or Aemon's brother, [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]], as his heir. Jaehaerys chose Baelon, but Baelon died in {{Date|101}}, which caused Jaehaerys to become the first king to call a [[Great Council]], where Baelon's son was chosen as Jaehaerys's heir. Jaehaerys died two years later, in {{Date|103}}, and was succeeded by his grandson, [[Viserys I Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}

===Death of the Dragons===
:{{See also|Dance of the Dragons}}

King [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I's]] reign had troubles of its own. By his first wife, Lady [[Aemma Arryn]], to whom he had been married since {{Date|93}}, he had one surviving daughter, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]]. Aemma died in {{Date|105}} in childbed, as did her son, [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Baelon]], after which Viserys officially declared Rhaenyra to be his heir, having the lords of the realm swear fealthy to her. Though Viserys remarried in {{Date|106}}, and had three sons, [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]], [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]], and [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]], and one daughter, [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]], by his new wife, Queen [[Alicent Hightower]], he insisted that Rhaenyra remained his heir. Rivalry between Rhaenyra and Alicent resulted in two fractions being formed at court, called the [[blacks]] and the [[greens]]. Alicent's three sons loathed Rhaenyra's three eldest sons, [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]], [[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys]] and [[Joffrey Velaryon]], all three rumored to have been bastards fathered by Ser [[Harwin Strong]], as they considered themselves to have been robbed of their birthright: the Iron Throne.{{Ref|TRP}}

Both Rhaenyra and her uncle, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], the younger brother of Viserys I, had been married into [[House Velaryon]], and both had children by their respective spouses. When both Rhaenyra's husband [[Laenor Velaryon|Laenor]] and Daemon's wife [[Laena Velaryon|Laena]] died in {{Date|120}}, they married each other, and had three more children ([[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]], and the stillborn [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Rhaenyra)|Visenya]]). Meanwhile, King Viserys's son [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]] and daughter [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]] had been married as well, with three children resulting from their marriage ([[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys]], [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]], and [[Maelor Targaryen|Maelor]]).{{Ref|TRP}}

When Viserys died in {{Date|129}}, his widow, Dowager Queen [[Alicent Hightower]], and the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard|Lord Commander]] of his [[Kingsguard#Kingsguard during the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen (103 AC-129 AC)|his Kingsguard]], Ser [[Criston Cole]], defied Viserys's last will, and crowned Viserys's son [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] while Rhaenyra, unaware of her father's death, resided on [[Dragonstone]]. Unwilling to submit to her brother, Rhaenyra declared war, and the resulting conflict over the succession, called the [[Dance of the Dragons]] ({{date|129}}-{{Date|131}}), divided the kingdom. During this bloody war, thousands died, as did most of the Targaryen [[dragon]]s. Rhaenyra herself was devoured by [[Sunfyre]], Aegon II's dragon, in late {{Date|130}} while her son [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]] looked on.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}{{Ref|tpatq}} Despite her death and Aegon the Younger's capture, the war raged on for another half year.{{Ref|TPATQ}} Aegon II was forced into betrothing his daughter and only remaining child, [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]], to Rhaenyra's eldest surviving son, [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], and name them his heirs,<ref>asoiaf.westeros.org: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/139166-aegon-ii-and-aegon-iii/&do=findComment&comment=7552930 Aegon II and Aegon III (April 23) - post 1]</ref><ref>asoiaf.westeros.org [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/139166-aegon-ii-and-aegon-iii/&do=findComment&comment=7552965 Aegon II and Aegon III (April 23) - post 2]</ref> though he planned to remarry.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}} The was lasted until mid-{{Date|131}}, when Aegon II was poisoned by his own councillors.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}

With the war at an end, the eleven-year old Aegon the Younger ascended the throne as [[Aegon III Targaryen]]. Until Aegon reached the [[age of majority|age of sixteen]], the realm was ruled by a [[regency of Aegon III|regency]]. Aegon's younger brother [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]], formerly thought to have died during the Dance, returned to [[Westeros]], married to Lady [[Larra Rogare]]. Viserys served as his brother's [[Hand of the King]] towards the end of his reign. The Targaryen dragons had been greatly diminished in numbers because of the war, and when the [[last dragon]] died in {{Date|153}}, Viserys convinced Aegon to sent for nine mages from [[Essos]], to allow them to use their arts to hatch a clutch of [[dragon egg]]s. Sadly, their attempt failed.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}

===War on Dorne===
:{{Main|Conquest of Dorne}}
When [[Aegon III Targaryen]] died in {{Date|157}} from consumption, he was succeeded by his eldest son, [[Daeron I Targaryen]], born to him by his second wife, Queen [[Daenaera Velaryon]] (his first marriage having ended both quickly and childless with the death of Queen [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]] in {{Date|133}}).{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}} Though Daeron was only fourteen years of age, his uncle, Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]], decided not to insist on a regency, and continued to serve his new king as [[Hand of the King|Hand]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}} Daeron I had great ambition, and wished to "complete the conquest" which his ancestor [[Aegon I Targaryen]] had begun a century and a half before.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}} During Aegon's Conquest, [[Dorne]] had been the only kingdom to resist the Targaryen forces,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} and following the conclusion of the [[First Dornish War]] in {{Date|13}}, a peace had been agreed upon by the Targaryens and Martells which had long lasted.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}} Daeron I managed to convince his councillors of his plans, and managed to [[Conquest of Dorne|conquer Dorne]] within a year. In {{Date|258}}, the [[Prince of Dorne]] and several other dornish lords bent their knees at the [[Submission of Sunspear]]. The hinterlands were pacified by {{Date|159}}, and Daeron returned to King's Landing with fourteen highborn dornish hostages, leaving Lord [[Harlan Tyrell]] behind to keep the peace.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}}

However, Daeron's conquest did not last. The [[smallfolk]] rebelled, and though Lord Tyrell attempted to fight back, travelling from holdfast to holdfast, the rebels always struck back.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}} After he was murdered in his bed at [[Sandstone]], all of [[Dorne]] rose in open rebellion, and they managed to liberate themselves within a fortnight.{{ref|asos|66}} Daeron returned to Dorne in {{Date|160}}, and when the dornish requested to discuss peace terms the next year, they betrayed Daeron by attacking him and his retinue beneath the peace banner. One of Daeron's [[Kingsguard]] knights surrendered, while another, his cousin [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon the Dragonknight]], was captured. Three other Kingsguard knights were slain, as was Daeron I himself.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}} Though his reign had lasted only four years, it had been a bloody one. It is said that ten thousand men died conquering Dorne, and another forty or fifty thousand died trying to keep it.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}}{{Ref|AGOT|5}} Only eighteen years old at the time of his death, Daeron I had never been married<ref group="N">Though Martin has stated in 2008 that Daeron I had been married at the time of his death ([[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Targaryen_History Targaryen History (April 20, 2008)], ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' states that Daeron had never been married during his lifetime (''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'', The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I).</ref> and left no issue. He was succeeded by his younger brother, [[Baelor I Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}}

Though in [[King's Landing]] Prince Viserys argued for the execution of the dornish hostages, the new King Baelor I decided to free them instead. He walked barefoot from King's Landing to Sunspear, escorting the hostages home, and met with the [[Prince of Dorne]]. They forged a peace, and Baelor agreed to betroth his cousin, Prince [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron]] (his uncle Viserys's grandson), to the eldest child of the Prince of Dorne, Princess [[Mariah Martell]]. During his journey back home, Baelor passed by [[Wyl]], where he freed his cousin [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon]], though he was bitten by veneomous snakes in the process. When he finally returned to King's Landing, Baelor convinced the High Septon to dissolve his marriage to his sister, [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]], whom he had wed in {{Date|160}}, as it had never been consummated. He then locked Daena and her sisters [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aegon III)|Rhaena]] and [[Elaena Targaryen|Elaena]] in the [[Maidenvault]], to "preserve their innocence". Baelor I was focussed mostly on the [[Faith of the Seven]], and even took a [[septon]]'s vows, ensuring he would never father heirs. His edicts became more focussed on spiritual matters as his reign continued, causing unease among the highborn. Baelor began the construction of [[Great Sept of Baelor|a new sept]], though it would not be completed until after his death. Baelor also began to fast more frequently and for longer periods of time towards the end of his reign. And when his sister and former wife [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]], who had escaped the Maidenvault on several occassions during Baelor's reign, gave birth to a bastard son she named [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Waters]] in late {{Date|170}}, Baelor began a forty-day fast (even though another lengthy fast several years before had nearly killed him). Baelor was found collapsed on the forty-first day, and died soon after, in {{Date|171}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}}

As the next male in line, Prince Viserys, who had served as Hand of the King for [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]], [[Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron I]], and [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I]], ascended the throne after Baelor's sisters were passed over.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}} Though he ruled for only a year, [[Viserys II Targaryen]] made several reforms in the royal household, established a new royal mint, attempted to increase trade across the [[narrow sea]], and revised the code of laws established by Jaehaerys I years before.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}}

===The Blackfyre Pretenders===
:{{See also|Blackfyre Pretenders}}
[[File:Redgrass Field.png|thumb|350px|Daemon I Blackfyre fighting in the Battle of the Redgrass Field]]
Viserys II was succeeded by his eldest son, [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon IV]], who was rumored to have had a hand in his father's death.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} Aegon's reign was filled with corruption, and he gave and took from noble houses as he wished, whenever he wanted to.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} He had been married to his sister [[Naerys Targaryen|Naerys]] in {{Date|153}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}} They differed greatly in personalities,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}} and childbirth was hard on her. When their son [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron]] was born in {{Date|153}}, the [[Grand Maester]] warned that another childbirth could kill Naerys. However, Aegon took no heed, and impregnated Naerys three more times. Only one child, however, survived: Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Aegon IV)|Daenerys]], born in {{Date|172}}. Naerys died in childbirth several years later.{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}

Aegon was very promiscuous, both before and during his reign. He had [[bastard]] children by several women, though he only acknowledged those fathered upon his nine official mistresses, with one exception: his cousin Daena's son, [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Waters]]. In {{Date|182}}, Aegon openly recognized the boy as his own son<ref name=greatbastards>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Great_Bastards/ The Great Bastards (December 26, 2005)]</ref> and gifted him the [[Valyrian steel]] sword [[Blackfyre]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} There were some who felt that the sword symbolized the monarchy,<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/SF_Targaryens_Valyria_Sansa_Martells_and_More SF, Targaryens, Valyria, Sansa, Martells, and More (June 26, 2001)]</ref> as the sword had been passed on from king to king since Aegon the Conqueror (with one exception<ref name=Aenys group="N">Aenys I Targaryen gifted the sword to his brother, Prince Maegor, after their father's cremation</ref>). Aegon's public gift of the sword to his bastard son was one of the seeds from which the [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]] would eventually grow. Following the acquisition of the sword, Daemon took the surname "Blackfyre" for himself.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}

Aegon IV's relationship with his trueborn heir was more troublesome. Once he was old enough to voice his own opinions, Prince [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron]] and Aegon IV quarreled more often, and towards the end of Aegon's reign, Daeron became his chief obstacle. When Aegon attempted to invade [[Dorne]] with wooden dragons and a fleet in {{Date|174}}, the homeland of Daeron's wife, [[Mariah Martell]], rumors were heard for the first time that Daeron had been fathered by Aegon's brother [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon]] instead of Aegon. Though Aemon defeated Ser [[Morgil Hastwyck]] in a trial by combat when he accused Naerys of adultery, the rumors remained, and it was believed that they had originated with King Aegon himself, though he denied it. Following the death of both Aemon and Naerys, Aegon began more openly to refer to Daeron's illegitimacy, though he never disowned him. Finally, on his death bed in {{Date|184}}, Aegon IV legitimized all of his [[bastards]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} Though his successor, his son [[Daeron II Targaryen]], could not undo this, he made attempts to keep his half-sibilings close.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}

Daeron II began his reign by negotiating with his brother-in-law, [[Maron Martell]], who had [[Prince of Dorne|inherited the rule]] of Dorne. He arranged a marriage between Maron and his sister, [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Aegon IV)|Daenerys]], which occurred in {{Date|187}}. Following the wedding, Dorne officially joined the realm, and did fealthy to the [[Iron Throne]]. However, while the Seven Kingdoms were now finally united, dissatisfaction grew with the concessions that Dorne had won, as well as the growing Dornish influence at Daeron's court. Daeron II's heir, Prince [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor]], favored his dornish mother in his physical appearance, and more and more lords began to wish for "the old days", when the dornish had been the enemy in battle, and not rivals for power at court.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}

These lords looked at Daemon Blackfyre, and saw in him a warrior, tall and powerful, with the hallmarks of Old [[Valyria]] (deep purple eyes, silver-gold hair down to his shoulders), who was described as having had an "almost inhumane beauty", being "half a god among mortal men".{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}<ref name=greatbastards/> Though it took many years, talk eventually turned into treason when Daemon planned to make his claim for the [[Iron Throne]]. The [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]] began in early {{Date|196}} and lasted nigh on a year, ending late in the year with the [[Battle of the Redgrass Field]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}} Daemon and his two eldest sons, [[Aegon Blackfyre|Aegon]] and [[Aemon Blackfyre]], were killed,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}{{Ref|TSS}} whereas [[Aegor Rivers]], another one of Daeron II's half-brothers, fled into exile with Daemon's remaining children and the sword Blackfyre. For a while, Rivers resided in [[Tyrosh]] with Daemon's family,{{Ref|TMK}} until he formed the [[Golden Company]] in {{Date|212}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}}

===The Great Spring Sickness===
The remainder of Daeron II's reign was peaceful. However, in its final year, {{Date|209}}, problems began when Daeron's heir and [[Hand of the King]], Prince [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor]], died when defending a hedge knight called [[Duncan]] in a [[trial of seven]] at the [[tourney at Ashford Meadow]].{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}{{Ref|THK}} It is believed that Baelor's youngest brother [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar]], who had fought on the side of the two accusers, his own eldest two sons [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron]] and [[Aerion Targaryen|Aerion]], had been the one to fatally his Baelor's head.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}{{Ref|THK}} Following Baelor's cremation, Maekar sent Aerion into exile, while he allowed his youngest son, nicknamed "[[Aegon V Targaryen|Egg]]", to squire for Duncan, so he could be taught humility and honor.{{Ref|THK}}

Not long after the death of Baelor, the [[Great Spring Sickness]] began. Thousands died as a result, and among the victims were Daeron II and his two most immediate heirs, Baelor's two sons [[Valarr Targaryen|Valarr]] and [[Matarys Targaryen|Matarys]].{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}{{Ref|TSS}} As such, Daeron II was succeeded by his second son, [[Aerys I Targaryen]], in {{Date|209}}, whose reign began with a two-year drought.{{Ref|TSS}} The Spring Sickness had hit the cities of the Seven Kingdoms most, especially King's Landing, and most of the hostages King Daeron II had once taken after the First Blackfyre Rebellion had died, leaving their relatives feeling secure enough about attempting a new rebellion.{{ref|TMK}} Lord [[Gormon Peake]] convinced [[Daemon II Blackfyre]] to cross the [[narrow sea]] to claim the throne.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}} However, the [[Second Blackfyre Rebellion]] was far less successful than the first, as Daemon II was arrested at [[Whitewalls]] before he could even gather an army.{{Ref|TMK}} He was kept alive as a hostage at King's Landing, but died within years, allowing [[Aegor Rivers]] to crown [[Haegon I Blackfyre]] the new [[Blackfyre Pretenders|Blackfyre pretender]]. Haegon attempted [[Third Blackfyre Rebellion|his invasion]] in {{Date|219}}, when he crossed the [[narrow sea]] with the [[Golden Company]], led by Aegor Rivers. Haegon was slain after he had surrendered his sword, while Aegor was arrested, and sentenced to join the [[Night's Watch]]. He managed to escape, and returned to [[Tyrosh]], where he crowned Haegon's son, [[Daemon III Blackfyre]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}}

===Succession problems===
In addition to the two Blackfyre Rebellions, Aerys's reign knew multiple other troubles, including the [[Great Spring Sickness|plague]] and drought, dwindling trade, rising banditry, and the reaving of [[Dagon Greyjoy]].{{Ref|TSS}}{{Ref|TMK}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}} Additionally, Aerys had difficulties with his heirs. Though he had been married to Lady [[Aelinor Penrose]] before his reign began, his marriage remained unconsummated. He additionally refused to take another to wife. As he had no issue of his own, he firstly acknowledged his younger brother [[Rhaegel Targaryen|Rhaegel]] as his heir. Following Rhaegel's death in {{Date|215}}, Rhaegel's son [[Aelor Targaryen|Aelor]] was named [[Prince of Dragonstone]]. Aelor died in {{Date|217}}, after which Aerys I's youngest brother, [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar]] was named heir.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}}

Maekar succeeded Aerys I in {{Date|221}}, and reigned for twelve years.{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}} However, when Maekar himself died while leading an attack on [[Starpike]] in the [[Peake Uprising]]<ref>[http://www.georgerrmartin.com/world-of-ice-and-fire-sample/ The World of Ice and Fire sample]</ref> in {{Date|233}}, the succession once more became a problem. Maekar I's eldest son, Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron]], had predeceased his father, and left behind only one child: a single-minded daughter, [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Daeron)|Vaella]]. Maekar's second son, [[Aerion Targaryen|Aerion]], had died in {{Date|232}} when drinking a cup of wildfire. Aerion's only issue was an infant son named [[Maegor Targaryen|Maegor]], born the same year Aerion had died. Maekar's third son, [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]], had been sent to the [[Citadel]] at [[Oldtown]] by King Daeron II at a young age,{{Ref|ACOK|6}} where he had completed his [[maester]]'s chain at the age of nineteen,{{Ref|AWOIAF| Aemon}} and his youngest son, [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon]] (also known as "Egg"), was disliked by several lords, as he had often meddled in their affairs.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}{{Ref|ACOK|6}}

A [[Great Council]] was called by [[Brynden Rivers]], who had served as Maekar's Hand of the King. The council passed over [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron's]] daughter and [[Aerion Targaryen|Aerion's]] infant son, and because of the dislike some had for Maekar's youngest son, the crown was quietly offered to Aemon first. Following Aemon's refusal, they crowned Maekar I's youngest son as [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon V]]. Aegon V became known as "The Unlikely", as he had been the fourth son of a fourth son.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}{{Ref|ACOK|6}}

===The Unlikely Reign===
The reign of Aegon V began troubled. He felt forced to arrest [[Brynden Rivers]], who had served both Maekar I and Aerys I as Hand, after Brynden, who had offered safe passage to [[Aenys Blackfyre]], the fifth son of the late [[Daemon I Blackfyre]], from Tyrosh to King's Landing, so Aenys could present his own claim during the Great Council, betrayed Aenys by arresting and executing him upon arrival. Rivers was sent to the [[Wall]] and joined the [[Night's Watch]]. Aegon V's brother Aemon accompanied Rivers, intent on joining the [[Night's Watch]] as well so his claim to the throne could not be used against the king.{{Ref|affc|15}}

Aegon spend much of his reign in battle. When winter ended in {{Date|236}}, [[Daemon III Blackfyre]] and [[Aegor Rivers]] crossed the narrow sea to begin the [[Fourth Blackfyre Rebellion]]. They were supported by few, however, and Daemon III was eventually slain by a knigth of Aegon V's [[Kingsguard]], Ser [[Duncan]] the Tall.{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

Further opposition came from the lords of Aegon V's realm, as many disagreed with his policies, or distrusted and hated him, as they felt that his wanderings with the [[hedge knight]] [[Duncan]] had left him "half a peasant".{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}} Aegon's reign had begun in the middle of a cruel six-year long winter, which had led to starvation and suffering in the north. Concerned for the welfare of the poor and weak, Aegon V made attempts to increase the flow of food to the north. However, some disagreed, as they felt Aegon did too much in this regard.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} Aegon further wanted to diminish the powers of the lords, and enacted numerous reforms while giving new rights and protections to the [[smallfolk]]. For this, he faced fierce opposition and at times even open defiance. One lord even went as far as to denounce Aegon V as a "bloody-handed tyrant intent on depriving us of our gods-given rights and liberties."{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

A major rebellion in {{Date|239}} was caused by Aegon's eldest son. Aegon V had five children, [[Duncan Targaryen|Duncan]], [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys]], [[Shaera Targaryen|Shaera]], [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Aegon V)|Daeron]], and [[Rhaelle Targaryen|Rhaelle]], and for the eldest four betrothals had been arranged to several great Houses ([[House Baratheon]], [[House Tully|Tully]], [[House Tyrell|Tyrell]] and [[House Redwyne|Redwyne]] respectively). When Duncan, in {{Date|239}}, broke his betrothal to a daughter of Lord [[Lyonel Baratheon]] to marry [[Jenny of Oldstones]], going as far as to renounce his rights to the throne for her, Lord Lyonel declared the independence of the [[Stormlands]] in response. Only after his defeat in a [[trial by combat]] against the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard|Lord Commander]] of Aegon's [[Kingsguard]], Ser [[Duncan]] the Tall, and the promise of the hand of Aegon V's daughter Rhaelle in marriage to Lyonel's heir, [[Ormund Baratheon]], did Lyonel join the King's peace again.{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} Aegon's other children (except Rhaelle) all broke their own betrothals as well. While Jaehaerys and Shaera secretly married each other in {{Date|240}}, Daeron chose to remain unwed.{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

Towards the end of his reign, Aegon V began to dream of dragons with whom he could bend the lords of Westeros to his will. As several Targaryen kings had tried before him, seems to have attempted to hatch dragon eggs at [[Summerhall]], where he had gathered those closest to him to celebrate the upcomming birth of his first great-grandchild in {{Date|259}}. However, in a [[Tragedy of Summerhall|great tragedy]] occurred, causing the death of Aegon V, Prince Duncan, and many more. Though the survivors would not speak of what had happened, the histories of [[Archmaester]] [[Gyldayn]], the last maester to serve as the castle, speaks of seven eggs and [[pyromancers]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} As Summerhall was burning down, Princess [[Rhaella Targaryen]], the only daughter of Prince Jaehaerys and Princess Shaera, gave birth to a healthy son named [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]].{{Ref|AFFC|35}}

===War of the Ninepenny Kings===
Aegon V's second son [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]] ascended the throne in {{Date|259}} following the [[Tragedy of Summerhall]], and was immediately faced with a threat from the east when the [[Band of Nine]] conquered first [[Tyrosh]] and then the [[Stepstones]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} The Band of Nine had formed in the [[Disputed Lands]] in {{Date|258}} from nine outlaws, exiles, pirates, and sellsword captains. They swore to aid one another in conquering a kingdom for each member. One of these members was [[Maelys I Blackfyre]], known as "the Monstrous", who held command over the Golden Company.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

To face the "Ninepenny Kings", as Prince [[Duncan Targaryen]] had named them before his death,{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} King Jaehaerys II sent an army, including his own heir Prince [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] and his Hand, Lord [[Ormund Baratheon]], which landed on the shores of the Stepstones in {{Date|260}}. For most of the year, the war continued, but ended when a young knight called [[Barristan Selmy]] killed Maelys, thereby ending the male line of the Blackfyres after five generations.{{ref|ASOS|67}}{{Ref|ADWD|5}}{{Ref|ADWD|67}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} As the remainders of the Band of Nine had little interest in Westeros, this victory ended the war.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}

In total, Jaehaerys II only reigned for three years, and died after a short sickbed in {{Date|262}}. He was succeeded by his only son, [[Aerys II Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}

===Fall of the Dragons===
:{{See also|Defiance of Duskendale|Tourney at Harrenhal|Robert's Rebellion}}

While the reign of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] began with much promise, his would become the reign which ended the Targaryen Dynasty. Upon ascending the throne, he replaced all of his father's elderly councillors with younger men, and appointed a friend from his youth, the twenty-year old [[Tywin Lannister]], as his [[Hand of the King]]. While Aerys had great plans for his realm, his attention span was short and most plans were quickly forgotten. While Tywin would be Aerys II's Hand for nineteen years, tensions between the two friends began early in Aerys's reign. Aerys grew increasingly jealous of Tywin and over time began to insult him, while the deaths of several of his children contributed further to his madness. When in {{Date|276}}, after three miscarriages, two stillbirths, and three deaths in the cradle, Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] was born, Tywin hosted a [[tournament in honor of Viserys's birth]] at [[Lannisport]], which Aerys II and Rhaegar attended.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} There, Tywin suggested his ten-year old daughter [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] as a bride for Rhaegar, and her twin [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] as Rhaegar's [[squire]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{Ref|AFFC|24}} Aerys refused him, stating he would not wed his son to the daughter of his servant.{{Ref|AFFC|24}}

Aerys's jealousy for Tywin increased further when he learned of the saying that Tywin was the true ruler of the kingdom, making his suspicious of his subjects at court. His jealousy and desire to show himself as a leader led to his rash action of accepting the invitation of Lord [[House Darklyn|Darklyn]] to travel to [[Duskendale]], as to discuss Darklyn's petition. Aerys went to Duskendale with only a small escort, and was captured upon arrival. This revolt, known as the [[Defiance of Duskendale]], lasted for half a year, during which time Aerys II was kept in the dungeons, while Lord Tywin besieged the city. Though he was eventually freed, the last of Aerys's sanity had died during his captivity. He became increasingly suspicious everyone, including his own heir, [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]], and refused to leave the [[Red Keep]] for four years. Tensions between Aerys and Rhaegar grew, moreso after Rhaegar and his new bride [[Elia Martell]] moved to his seat of [[Dragonstone]] in {{Date|280}}. In {{Date|281}}, Aerys appointed Tywin's heir, Ser Jaime Lannister, to his Kingsguard, leaving Tywin with a [[Tyrion Lannister|dwarf]] for an heir. Tywin resigned as Hand and left King's Landing. Convinced that his son Rhaegar planned to gather as much lords as possible to dispose Aerys at the [[Tourney of Harrenhal]] held later that same year, Aerys personally attended the tourney. When the victorious Prince Rhaegar passed by his own wife, Elia, and named [[Lyanna Stark]], the betrothed of his cousin [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], as his [[queen of love and beauty]], it caused fury and tensions among those present, and inflammed Aerys's council against Rhaegar further.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}

The next year, Rhaegar left his wife and newborn son [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]] on [[Dragonstone]] and went on a journey. Ultimately, he ended up in the [[riverlands]] where he disappeared with Lyanna Stark. Lyanna's brother [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]] went to [[King's Landing]], threatening Prince Rhaegar's life. Though Rhaegar was not present, King Aerys had Brandon arrested, and summoned his father, Lord [[Rickard Stark|Rickard]], for a trial. At the "trial", Aerys had both men killed, after which he demanded the heads of Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], Lyanna's betrothed, and [[Eddard Stark]], Lyanna's younger brother. Their foster father, Lord [[Jon Arryn]], refused Aerys's commands and raised his banners, thereby starting a [[Robert's Rebellion|civil war]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}

Towards the end of the war, Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] proclaimed his intend to claim the [[Iron Throne]].<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/US_Signing_Tour_Huntington_Beach_CA US Signing Tour (Huntington Beach, CA) (November 19, 2005)]</ref> Out of the three leaders of the rebellion, Robert had the better claim,{{ref|agot|30}} due to the fact that his grandmother had been Princess [[Rhaelle Targaryen]], the youngest daughter of King [[Aegon V Targaryen]].{{ref|affc|35}} Prince Rhaegar eventually returned from the south and took command of the royal troops, leading them during the [[Battle of the Trident]], where he was killed by Robert.{{Ref|ASOS|37}} Aerys sent his new heir, Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]], and the pregnant Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella]] to Dragonstone, while keeping Rhaegar's wife and two children as hostages at King's Landing.{{ref|asos|37}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The End}} Though he had ignored calls to arms from both the loyalists and the rebels, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] appeared with an army at the gates of King's Landing hours before the arrival of a rebel army. Feigning loyalty to House Targaryen, the Lannister forces [[Sack of King's Landing|sacked King's Landing]] once allowed into the city,{{ref|AGOT|12}}{{Ref|ASOS|37}} slaying Princess [[Elia Martell|Elia]], [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]], and the infant Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]],{{Ref|ASOS|70}}{{Ref|ASOS|53}} while Aerys's only Kingsguard knight in the city, [[Jaime Lannister]], killed the king in the throne room.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The End}}{{Ref|ASOS|37}}

The war was at an end, and on the mainland the final opposition to the reign of Robert I Baratheon was resolved. On Dragonstone, however, the last Targaryens held their last stronghold. Dowager Queen Rhaella crowned her son Viserys,{{Ref|awoiaf| Rhaella Targaryen}} but died some nine months after her flight from King's Landing when she gave birth to Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] in {{Date|284}} during a great storm that destroyed the Targaryen fleet which had been protecting the island. With the enemy approaching the island and the garrison willing to surrender, Ser [[Willem Darry]] spirited young Viserys and Daenerys to the [[Free City]] of [[Braavos]], where they remained until his death near {{Date|289}}.{{Ref|AGOT|3}} Afterwards, Viserys and Daenerys travelled from city to city for years,{{Ref|AGOT|3}}{{Ref|ASOS|8}} forced to sell the last of their belongings, until they were taken in by [[Magister]] [[Illyrio Mopatis]] in {{Date|297}}.{{Ref|AGOT|3}}

And so, following two hundred and eighty-three years of rule, the Targaryen Dynasty ended in {{Date|283}} with the death of Aerys II and the exile of his young son Viserys.

==Recent Events==
[[File:John Picacio Daenerys Targaryen.jpg‎|[[Daenerys Targaryen]] and her three fledgling [[dragons]]‎ - © 2012 John Picacio|thumb|300px|right]]

===''A Game of Thrones''===
Across the [[narrow sea]], the [[Aerys II Targaryen]]'s surviving son is claiming legitimacy as "[[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys III]]". He and his sister, [[Daenerys Targaryen]], having wandered the [[Free Cities]] for years seeking aid from various merchant princes to restore House Targaryen to the throne, have been taken in by [[Magister]] [[Illyrio Mopatis]] in [[Pentos]].{{Ref|AGOT|3}} With Illyrio's help, Viserys betroths his thirteen year old sister Daenerys to the [[Dothraki]] ''[[Khal]]'' [[Drogo]], in exchange for the promise of warriors to reclaim his throne.{{Ref|AGOT|11}} Daenerys marries Drogo,{{ref|agot|11}} and the two accompany the [[khalasar]] in the journey to [[Vaes Dothrak]].{{Ref|AGOT|36}} During this time, Daenerys begins to learn to stand up to her brother, while Viserys's behavior leads to him being mocked by the other Dothraki.{{Ref|AGOT|23}} Viserys is killed by Drogo after threatening the lives of Daenerys and her unborn child with a sword, despite weapons being forbidden in the sacred city.{{Ref|AGOT|46}}

King [[Robert I Baratheon]] promises a lordship to whoever manages to kill Daenerys, her unborn child, or Viserys.{{Ref|AGOT|33}} After Daenerys escapes an assasination attempt by poison, Drogo vows to invade the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{Ref|agot|54}} When Drogo is injured in battle against another khalasar, Daenerys has one of her newly acquired slaves, [[Mirri Maz Duur]], see to his wounds,{{Ref|agot|61}} but Drogo's wound infects nonetheless.{{Ref|AGOT|64}} Daenerys attempts to save his life by having Mirri perform [[blood magic]], but this causes disagreement among the warriors in Drogo's khalasar, and ensues in fighting. Daenerys goes into labor{{Ref|agot|64}} and eventually wakes to find her child was stillborn and misformed, Drogo's khalasar broken up, and Drogo himself an empty shell of the man he once was.{{Ref|AGOT|64}} Daenerys has Mirri arrested and smothers Drogo with a pillow to end his suffering.{{Ref|AGOT|64}} She places her three [[dragon egg]]s on Drogo's funeral pyre, as well as Mirri. When the fire is burning, Daenerys enters the pyre herself, and when the flames have died out the next morning is found unharmed, with three newly hatched [[dragons]] in her arms; The first dragons in the world in a century and a half.{{Ref|AGOT|72}}

At the [[Wall]] in [[Westeros]], the hundred year old [[maester]] [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]], brother to the late King [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon V]], still resides at [[Castle Black]]. Aemon intervenes when new recruit [[Jon Snow]] asks for his help with fellow recruit [[Samwell Tarly]], naming Tarly his personal servant to prevent him from remaining in training, which would have meant his death.{{ref|aGoT|41}}{{ref|aGoT|48}} He later advises Jon regarding the conflict of loyalty between family and duty to the [[Night's Watch]], revealing he had felt such conflicting feelings himself trice, most recently when he was informed of the [[Robert's Rebellion|deaths of the last of his house]].{{Ref|AGOT|60}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
Daenerys has named her three dragons [[Drogon]], [[Rhaegal]], and [[Viserion]], after her late husband and brothers.{{Ref|ACOK|12}} She leads the few remaining people of her khalasar through the [[Red Waste]],{{Ref|ACOK|12}} and is given entrance to [[Qarth]].{{Ref|ACOK|27}} There, she resides with merchant prince [[Xaro Xhoan Daxos]].{{Ref|ACOK|27}} Once in Qarth, Daenerys learns of the death of King Robert I Baratheon in Westeros and the [[War of the Five Kings|war]] that erupted as a result.{{Ref|ACOK|27}}

After having been denied help by the [[Pureborn]] of Qarth, Daenerys decides to request aid from the [[warlocks]].{{Ref|ACOK|40}} She drinks [[shade-of-the-evening]] and enters the [[House of the Undying]], where she meets the [[Undying Ones]] after seeing many visions. The Undying Ones give her cryptic information before attempting to consume her. Drogon rescues her, setting the House of the Undying on fire.{{Ref|ACOK|48}} Unwelcome in Qarth following the destruction of the home of the warlocks, Daenerys begins to seek passage on a ship. She is rescued from an assasination attempt by a [[Sorrowful Man]] by [[Barristan Selmy|Arstan Whitebeard]] and [[Belwas]], who inform her that they have been sent by Magister Illyrio with three ships to escort Daenerys and her people to Pentos.{{Ref|ACOK|63}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
On route to Pentos, Daenerys is convinced by [[Jorah Mormont]] to change course towards [[Astapor]], one of the three slaver cities in [[Slaver's Bay]].{{Ref|ASOS|8}} There, she acquires eight thousand six hundred [[Unsullied]] and five thousand boys in training.{{Ref|ACOK|27}} She uses her new army to conquer and sack [[Astapor]],{{Ref|ASOS|27}} beginning her [[Targaryen campaign in Slaver's Bay|campaign to abolish slavery in Slaver's Bay]], after which she frees the slaves, inviting them to join her.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} Daenerys marches on [[Yunkai]], where she faces the slave soldiers of Yunkai, and two sellsword companies, the [[Second Sons]] and the [[Stormcrows]]. Daenerys defeats the Yunkish soldiers, while the Stormcrows join her cause.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} With their leader gone, the Second Sons also join Daenerys and elect a new commander.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} Daenerys frees the slaves of Yunkai and marches on [[Meereen]], the last of the slaver cities. She conquers Meereen with the help of Meereen's slaves, whom she frees. After she learns how the council she had created to rule Astapor had been replaced by a butcher, who now rules Astapor as its king and has enslaved all the nobility in the city, Daenerys decides to prevent Meereen from the same faith. Believing she needs to learn how to rule before conquering Westeros, Daenerys decides to remain in Meereen and rule as its Queen.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} Having discovered that Jorah Mormont had been spying on her for months for the Iront Throne and that his information had led to the poisoning attempt, and that Arstan is actually Barristan Selmy, a former [[Kingsguard]] knight who had accepted pardons from Robert Baratheon, Daenerys furiously gives them one chance to redeem themselves.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} While she is later able to forgive Barristan, and takes him into her service, she finds herself unable to forgive Jorah, and sends him into exile.{{Ref|ASOS|71}}

[[Ben Plumm]], who is chosen as the leader of the [[Second Sons]] following the disappearance of [[Mero]] at the [[battle near Yunkai]], claims to have Targaryen ancestry, as [[Ossifer Plumm|one of his ancestors]] had been married to [[Elaena Targaryen|a Targaryen princess]].{{Ref|ASOS|57}}

At [[Castle Black]], maester Aemon believes [[Jon Snow]] when he claims he was ordered to join the [[free folk|wildlings]] by [[Qhorin Halfhand]].{{Ref|ASOS|48}} Following the death of [[Donal Noye]], Aemon tells Jon to take command of Castle Black during the [[Battle of Castle Black|attack by wildlings]].{{Ref|ASOS|64}} When Jon is arrested on suspicious of treason, only Aemon's intervention prevents Jon from being executed.{{Ref|ASOS|73}} When ordered before King [[Stannis Baratheon]], Aemon requests to see Stannis's sword [[Lightbringer]], and orders [[Samwell Tarly]] to describe the sword to him, as he cannot see for himself.{{Ref|ASOS|78}} Aemon is in charge of the choosing of a new Lord Commander, but as a maester is not allowed to influence the choosing. Instead, he subtly suggests that Samwell could,{{Ref|ASOS|78}} leading to the election of Jon Snow as [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]].{{Ref|ASOS|79}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
Lord Commander Jon Snow, fearing that the priestess [[Melisandre]] will wish to sacrifice Aemon to [[R'hllor]] for his kingsblood, orders Aemon to travel to [[Oldtown]], accompanied by [[Samwell Tarly]], singer [[Dareon]], wildling [[Gilly]], and [[Mance Rayder]]'s [[Aemon Battleborn|son]].{{Ref|AFFC|5}} Aemon's health detoriates during the first part of the journey,{{Ref|AFFC|15}} and becomes worse once they are in [[Braavos]].{{Ref|AFFC|26}} After Dareon abandons them, Samwell manages to arrange passage to Oldtown on the ''[[Cinnamon Wind]]''.{{Ref|AFFC|26}} Though talk of dragons and Daenerys Targaryen temporarily increases Aemon's health, it worsens again during the journey, and he eventually dies at the age of a hundred and two off the coast of [[Dorne]].{{Ref|AFFC|35}} His body is preserved in a cask of rum, so he can be cremated once the ship makes port.{{Ref|AFFC|35}} Upon arrival in Oldtown, Samwell informs [[Archmaester]] [[Marwyn]] of Aemon's passing, and his desire to join Daenerys, causing Marwyn to travel to Slaver's Bay in Aemon's stead.{{Ref|AFFC|45}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
Daenerys rules Meereen, but meets with resistance from several parties. A resistance group of [[Ghiscar]]i noblemen, the [[Sons of the Harpy]], engage in a shadow war against her,{{Ref|ADWD|2}} while Yunkai resumes its slavery and starts to make alliances against her. Daenerys forms a city watch,{{Ref|ADWD|11}} the [[Brazen Beasts]],{{Ref|ADWD|16}} to combat the Harpy's Sons, killings continue. Daenerys promises to web [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]] if he can stop the murders for ninety days.{{Ref|ADWD|23}} Meanwhile, the Yunkai'i forces defeat the [[Astapor]]i in [[Battle at the Horns of Hazzat|battle]]{{Ref|ADWD|16}} and [[Siege of Astapor|besiege and later sack]] the city,{{Ref|ADWD|23}}{{Ref|ADWD|25}} leaving them free to march against Daenerys. The Yunkai'i besiege Meereen,{{Ref|ADWD|43}} and the Second Sons desert Daenerys{{Ref|ADWD|43}} after she is unwilling to use her dragons in battle following the death of the young girl [[Hazzea]],{{Ref|ADWD|30}} who was killed by Drogon.{{Ref|ADWD|2}} Daenerys had [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]] locked up after learning about Hazzea, though [[Drogon]] escaped capture and left Meereen.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}

Hizdahr aids Daenerys by negotiating a peace with Yunkai, in which their marriage plays a large role.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Seven leaders of Yunkai come to Meereen to sign the peace and celebrate the opening of [[Daznak's Pit]], the largest of the fighting pits in Meereen.{{ref|adwd|50}} Daenerys is sickened by the battles, and after [[Barsena|a female warrior]] is slain by a boar decides to leave. At the same time, [[Belwas]] falls ill due to eating poisoned locusts which had been meant for Daenerys. Just as Belwas falls to his feat, Drogon returns to the city and lands in the Pit. While the public panicks and attempts to flee, Daenerys rushes to Drogon's side and flies away from Meereen on his back.{{Ref|ADWD|52}} Drogon flies her to the [[Dothraki Sea]], where she eventually encounters the khalasar of [[Khal]] [[Jhaqo]].{{Ref|ADWD|71}}

Meanwhile, Prince [[Doran Martell]] of [[Dorne]] has sent his son [[Quentyn Martell|Quentyn]] to [[Essos]] to find Daenerys.{{Ref|ADWD|6}} Having secretly made a wedding pact years before, promising the hand of his daughter [[Arianne Martell|Arianne]] in marriage to [[Viserys Targaryen]] in exchange for supporting Viserys's claim, Doran now wishes for Daenerys to fullfill the pact by marrying Quentyn.{{Ref|ADWD|43}} Quentyn eventually reaches Meereen, but is introduced to Daenerys only a day before her wedding to Hizdahr.{{Ref|ADWD|43}} After Daenerys has left Meereen on Drogon's back, Quentyn plans to steal one or two of Daenerys's dragons to proof himself and enlists the help of the [[Tattered Prince] and his [[Windblown]] to accomplish his goal.{{Ref|ADWD|60}} Though her dragons are freed,{{Ref|ADWD|67}}{{Ref|ADWD|68}} Quentyn dies in his attempt.{{Ref|ADWD|70}}

On the [[Rhoyne]], [[Jon Connington]], a friend of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] who had faked his death in exile, has secretly been raising Rhaegar's son [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]], who is believed to have died during the [[Sack of King's Landing]]. Instead, it is revealed that [[Varys]] had switched Aegon with another child, who had died in his place.{{Ref|ADWD|22}} Connington and Aegon plan to meet Daenerys in [[Volantis]],{{Ref|ADWD|5}} but in [[Selhorys]] learn that Daenerys has remained in [[Meereen]], and that several cities, including Volantis, are either already at war against her, or are about to join the war on the side of Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|22}} Connington presents Aegon to the [[Golden Company]], who had been enlisted by Magister Illyrio to aid them in conquering Westeros. As Daenerys is still in the east, Prince Aegon proposes travelling west to start conquering Westeros without her,{{Ref|ADWD|24}} a plan previously suggested to him by the exiled [[Tyrion Lannister]].{{Ref|ADWD|22}} reasoning that Daenerys will come west once she learns about his purpose.{{Ref|ADWD|24}} The Golden Company agrees, and they travel to Westeros, where Aegon, after [[Landing of the Golden Company|the first few victories in the Stormlands]], decides to personally lead an attack on [[Storm's End]].{{Ref|ADWD|61}}

[[Beyond the Wall]], the [[three-eyed crow]] who has been appearing to [[Bran Stark]] in his dreams is revealed to be none other than Bloodraven, [[Brynden Rivers]], kept alive by sorcery and living in a [[cave of the three-eyed crow|cave]].{{ref|ADWD|34}}{{ref|AWOIAF| Brynden Rivers}}

==House Targaryen at the end of the third century==

The known Targaryens during the timespan of the events described in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' are:
*King {[[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys III]]}, called "the Beggar King", ''Khal Rhae Mhar'' (the Sorefoot King), and ''Khal Rhaggat'' (the Cart King). Self-proclaimed King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, and [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], in exile. Fatally "crowned" in [[Vaes Dothrak]].
*Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys I]], called Daenerys Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, sister of Viserys and last known Targaryen heir. Self-proclaimed Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], ''Khaleesi'' of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Shackles/Chains, Queen of Meereen.
**her dragons, [[Drogon]], [[Viserion]], [[Rhaegal]],
**Khal {[[Drogo]]}, her first husband. Euthanized after disabling wounds.
***{[[Rhaego]]}, her son by Drogo. Died at birth.
**King [[Hizdahr zo Loraq|Hizdahr zo Loraq XIV]], her second husband, King of Meereen, Scion of Ghis, Octarch of the Old Empire, Master of the Skahazadhan, Consort to Dragons, Blood of the Harpy. A Ghiscari noble of Meereen.
*Maester {[[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]]}, sworn to the Night's Watch. Great-granduncle to the Mad King. Died of a chill at sea, at the age of one hundred and two.

*Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]], Rhaegar's son. Believed to have died at Gregor Clegane's hand in the Sack of King's Landing, but is purported by some to be alive under the identity of Young Griff and with the [[Golden Company]].

===Daenerys's Household===

====The Queen's protectors====
*Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], called Barristan the Bold. Lord Commander of the [[Queensguard]] and [[Hand of the Queen]].
**his two known knights:
***Ser [[Tumco Lho]], of the [[Basilisk Isles]], a newly-made knight.
***"[[The Red Lamb]]", a [[Lhazar]]ene freedman and newly-made knight.
**his lads, squires training for knighthood:
***[[Larraq]], called 'The Lash', of Meereen.
***the Boys, three Ghiscari brothers and freedmen.
*[[Belwas]], called Strong Belwas, eunuch and former pit fighter.
*her [[Dothraki]] bloodriders:
**[[Jhogo]], the whip, blood of her blood and ''ko''. Currently a hostage of the Yunkish
**[[Aggo]], the bow, blood of her blood and ''ko''. Away from Meereen seeking Daenerys.
**[[Rakharo]], the arakh, blood of her blood and ''ko''. Away from Meereen seeking Daenerys.
* Ser [[Jorah Mormont]], called 'Jorah the Andal', former Lord Commander. Banished. Currently with the [[Second Sons]].

====The Queen's captains and commanders====
*[[Grey Worm]], a eunuch, commander of the [[Unsullied]], a company of eunuch infantry.
**[[Hero]], an Unsullied captain, second-in-command.
**{[[Stalwart Shield]]}, an Unsullied spearman, murdered by the [[Sons of the Harpy]].
*{[[Mollono Yos Dob]]}, commander of the [[Stalwart Shields]], a company of freedmen named for the martyred Unsullied. Died of the [[pale mare]].
**[[Tal Toraq]], new commander of the Stalwart Shields.
*[[Symon Stripeback]], commander of [[Free Brothers]], a company of freedmen.
*[[Marselen]], commander of the [[Mother's Men]], a company of freedman, a eunuch, brother to Missandei.
*{[[Groleo]]} of Pentos, formerly captain of the great cog ''[[Saduleon]]'', made an admiral without a fleet. Executed by the Yunkai'i.
*[[Rommo]], a ''jaqqa rhan'' of the Dothraki. He represents Daenerys's ''khalasar'' at council.
*[[Daario Naharis]], a [[Tyrosh]]i sellsword, captain of the [[Stormcrows]], a free company.
**[[Widower|The Widower]], second in command and acting joint-commander of the Stormcrows.
**[[Jokin]], commander of the archers and acting joint-commander of the Stormcrows.
*[[Ben Plumm]], called Brown Ben, a mongrel sellsword, captain of the [[Second Sons]], a free company. Defected to Yunkai.

====The Queen's Meereenese court====
*[[Reznak mo Reznak]], her seneschal, bald and unctuous.
*[[Skahaz mo Kandaq]], called 'The Shavepate', shaven-headed commander of the [[Brazen Beasts]], Meereen's city watch.

====The Queen's handmaids and servants====
*[[Irri]] and [[Jhiqui]], young women of the Dothraki, handmaidens.
*[[Missandei]], a [[Naath]]i scribe and translator.
*[[Grazdar]], [[Qezza]], [[Mezzara]], [[Kezmya]], [[Azzak]], [[Bhakaz]], [[Miklaz]], [[Dhazzar]], [[Draqaz]], [[Jhezane]], children of the pyramids of Meereen, her cupbearers and pages.
*{[[Doreah]]}, a Lysene handmaiden and former bedslave. Perished to sickness in the [[red waste]].

===Young Griff's/Aegon's supporters===
* Lord [[Jon Connington]], a sellsword late of the [[Golden Company]], exiled Lord of [[Griffin's Roost]] and former [[Hand of the King]] to [[Aerys II Targaryen]]. Masqueraded as a man called "Griff" and raised the boy purported to be Aegon.
* Ser [[Rolly Duckfield]], called Duck, a [[knight]]. Pronounced the first of Aegon's [[Kingsguard]].
* Septa [[Lemore]], called Lady Lemore, a woman of the [[Faith of the Seven]].
* [[Haldon]], called the Halfmaester, Aegon's tutor.
* [[Yandry]], master and captain of the ''[[Shy Maid]]''
** [[Ysilla]], his wife.
* The [[Golden Company]], a famous sellsword company founded by the [[Blackfyre Pretenders]] to the [[Iron Throne]].
* [[Varys]], formerly of [[Lys]], the previous [[master of whisperers]] in [[King's Landing]] under Aerys II Targaryen and [[Robert I Baratheon]]. Alleges to have switched Aegon with another babe prior to the Sack of King's Landing, and smuggled Aegon to Essos afterwards.
* Magister [[Illyrio Mopatis]], of the [[Free City]] of [[Pentos]]

==Historical Members==
===On [[Dragonstone]]===
* [[Aenar Targaryen]], known as Aenar the Exile. First Lord of Dragonstone.
** [[Gaemon Targaryen (son of Aenar)|Gaemon Targaryen]], Aenar's son. Known as Gaemon the Glorious. Second Lord of Dragonstone.
** [[Daenys Targaryen]], Aenar's daughter. Known as Daenys the Dreamer. Sister-wife to Gaemon.
*** [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Gaemon)|Aegon Targaryen]], Gaemon's son by Daenys. Third Lord of Dragonstone.
*** [[Elaena Targaryen (daughter of Gaemon)|Elaena Targaryen]], Gaemon's daughter by Daenys. Sister-wife to Aegon.
**** [[Maegon Targaryen]], Aegon's son by Elaena.
**** [[Aerys Targaryen (son of Aegon)|Aerys Targaryen]], Aegon's son by Elaena.
***** [[Aelyx Targaryen]], Aerys's son.
***** [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Aerys)|Baelon Targaryen]], Aerys's son.
***** [[Daemion Targaryen]], Aerys's son. Fifth Lord of Dragonstone.
****** [[Aerion Targaryen (son of Daemion)|Aerion Targaryen]], Daemion's son. Married to Lady [[Valaena Velaryon]].
******* [[Visenya Targaryen]], sister-wife to Aegon.
******* [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], who would become known as King Aegon I Targaryen, Aegon the Conquerer, and Aegon the Dragon. Last Lord of Dragonstone.
******* [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], sister-wife to Aegon.

===Targaryen Dynasty===
'''The Sons of the Dragon'''
* King [[Aegon I Targaryen]], known as Aegon the Conqueror and Aegon the Dragon. First [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]].
* Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]], sister-wife to Aegon.
** Prince [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor Targaryen]], also known as Maegor the Cruel. The younger son of Aegon I by his elder sister-wife Visenya. Third [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Maegor I Targaryen]]. Married to [[Ceryse Hightower]], [[Alys Harroway]], [[Tyanna]] of the Tower, and the "Black Brides", [[Elinor Costayne]], [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]], and [[Jeyne Westerling (wife of Maegor I)|Jeyne Westerling]]
* Queen [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], sister-wife to Aegon.
** [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys Targaryen]], the elder son of Aegon I by his younger sister-wife Rhaenys. Married to Lady [[Alyssa Velaryon]]. Second [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Aenys I Targaryen]].
*** Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]], sister-wife to Aegon and later niece-wife to Maegor.
*** Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon Targaryen]], brother-husband to Rhaena.
****Princess [[Aerea Targaryen]], Aegon and Rhaena's daughter twin to Rhalla.
****Princess [[Rhalla Targaryen]], twin to Aerea.
*** Prince [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys Targaryen]].
*** Prince [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys Targaryen]], also known as Jaehaerys the Conciliator, the Old King, and Jaehaerys the Wise. Fourth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]].
*** Princess [[Alysanne Targaryen]], sister-wife of Jaehaerys I. Queen of the [[Seven Kingdoms]].
*** Princess [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Vaella Targaryen]].

'''Era of the Old King'''
* King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]], also known as Jaehaerys the Conciliator, the Old King, and Jaehaerys the Wise. Fourth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]. Married to his sister-wife, Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]], known as Good Queen Alysanne.
** Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon Targaryen]], died young.
** Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]], sister-wife to her brother Baelon, and the mother of his children.
** Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon Targaryen]]. Married to Lady [[Jocelyn Baratheon]].
*** Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys Targaryen]], also known as the Queen who Never Was. Married to Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], the Sea Snake. Rhaenys and Corlys had two children: [[Laena Velaryon|Laena]] and [[Laenor Velaryon]].
** Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]].
*** Prince [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]]. Fifth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]. Viserys was married twice: his first marriage was to his cousin, Lady [[Aemma Arryn]] (the daughter of Princess Daella), his second marriage to Lady [[Alicent Hightower]].
*** Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], known as the Prince of the City and Lord Flea Bottom, briefly [[King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]]. Married trice: first to Lady [[Rhea Royce]], second to his cousin, Lady [[Laena Velaryon]], third to his niece, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]].
**** Lady [[Baela Targaryen]], Daemon's daughter by [[Laena Velaryon]]. Twin to Rhaena. Formerly betrothed to Prince Jacaerys Velaryon. Married to Lord [[Alyn Velaryon]].
***** Unknown offspring, [[House Velaryon]].
**** Lady [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]], Daemon's daughter by [[Laena Velaryon]]. Twin to Baela. Once betrothed to Prince Lucerys Velaryon. Married to Ser [[Corwyn Corbray]] (no issue) until his death, married next to [[Garmund Hightower]].
***** Six unknown daughters by Garmund Hightower.
**** Unnamed son, died shortly after birth.
*** Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Baelon)|Aegon Targaryen]].
** Princess [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daella Targaryen]]. Married to Lord [[Rodrik Arryn]].
***Lady [[Aemma Arryn]], their daughter, married to her cousin, Prince Viserys, who later became King Viserys I.
** Prince [[Aeryn Targaryen]], died young.
** Prince [[Vaegon Targaryen]], later Archmaester Vaegon, called the Dragonless.
** Princess [[Maegelle Targaryen]], later Septa Maegelle.
** Prince [[Valerion Targaryen]], died young.
** Princess [[Viserra Targaryen]]
** Prince [[Gaemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Gaemon Targaryen]], died young.
** Princess [[Saera Targaryen]].
** Princess [[Gael Targaryen]], called the Winter Child.

'''Descendants of King Viserys I Targaryen'''
* Viserys's children by his first wife, Lady [[Aemma Arryn]];
** An unknown son, died in infancy.
** Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Baelon Targaryen]], also known as the heir for a day. Died a day after birth.
** Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], also known as the Realm's Delight, Maegor with Teats, Maegor's Teats, the Whore of Dragonstone, and the Half-Year Queen.
*** Rhaenyra's children by her first husband, Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]]; rumored to have been fathered by Ser [[Harwin Strong]]:
**** Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]], also known as Jace, Rhaenyra's eldest son by Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]]. Betrothed to his cousin, Lady [[Baela Targaryen]].
**** Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]], also known as Luke, Rhaenyra's second son by Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]]. Betrothed to his cousin, Lady [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]].
**** Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon]], Rhaenyra's youngest son by Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]].
*** Rhaenyra's children by her second husband, her uncle Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]];
**** Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], known as Aegon the Younger. Later ruled as King [[Aegon III Targaryen]].
**** Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]]. Later ruled as King [[Viserys II Targaryen]].
**** Princess [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Rhaenyra)|Visenya Targaryen]]. Stillborn.
* Viserys's children by his second wife, Lady [[Alicent Hightower]];
** Prince [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], also known as Aegon the Elder, and later as Aegon the Usurper. Sixth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Aegon II Targaryen]].
** Princess [[Helaena Targaryen]], sister-wife to Aegon II. Queen of the [[Seven Kingdoms]].
*** Prince [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys Targaryen]], twin to Jaehaera.
*** Princess [[Jaehaera Targaryen]], twin to Jaehaerys. Later Queen of the [[Seven Kingdoms]], as the wife to King [[Aegon III Targaryen]].
*** Prince [[Maelor Targaryen]].
*** Unknown bastard, a son, by a whore on the [[Street of Silk]].
*** Unknown bastard, a girl, by a maidservant of [[Alicent Hightower]]
** Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]], also known as Aemond One-Eye and Aemond the Kinslayer.
*** An unknown bastard by [[Alys Rivers]].
** Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron Targaryen]], also known as Daeron the Daring.

'''After the Dragons Danced'''
* King [[Aegon III Targaryen]], also known as Aegon the Younger, Aegon the Dragonbane, and the Broken King, seventh [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]. First married to his cousin, Princess [[Jaehaera Targaryen]]. That marriage ended childless. Married to Lady [[Daenaera Velaryon]] after Jaehaera's death.
** Prince [[Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron Targaryen]], also known as the Young Dragon. Aegon III's son by Daenaera Velaryon. Eighth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Daeron I Targaryen]].
** Prince [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor Targaryen]], also known as Baelor the Blessed and Baelor the Beloved. Aegon III's son by Daenaera Velaryon. Ninth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Baelor I Targaryen]].
** Princess [[Daena Targaryen]], also known as Daena the Defiant. Aegon III's daughter by Daenaera Velaryon. Sister-wife to King Baelor I.
** Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aegon III)|Rhaena Targaryen]]. Aegon III's daughter by Daenaera Velaryon.
** Princess [[Elaena Targaryen]]. Aegon III's daughter by Daenaera Velaryon.
*** [[Jon Waters]], Elaena's bastard by Lord [[Alyn Velaryon]].
*** [[Jeyne Waters]], Elaena's bastard by Lord [[Alyn Velaryon]].
*** [[Viserys Plumm]], Elaena's son by her first husband, [[Ossifer Plumm]]
*** [[Robin Penrose]], Elaena's son by her second husband, [[Ronnel Penrose]]
*** [[Laena Penrose]], Elaena's daughter by her second husband, Ronnel Penrose
*** [[Jocelyn Penrose]], Elaena's daughter by her second husband, Ronnel Penrose
*** [[Joy Penrose]], Elaena's daughter by her second husband, Ronnel Penrose
* King [[Viserys II Targaryen]], tenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]].
** Prince [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], also known as Aegon the Unworthy, eleventh [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Aegon IV Targaryen]].
*** Prince [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron Targaryen]], also known as Daeron the Good. Twelfth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Daeron II Targaryen]]. Aegon's son by his sister-wife, Princess [[Naerys Targaryen]].
*** Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Aegon IV)|Daenerys Targaryen]]. Aegon's daughter by his sister-wife, Princess [[Naerys Targaryen]]. The current ruling line of [[House Martell]] descents from Daenerys, through her son by her husband, Prince [[Maron Martell]].
*** Aegon's numerous bastards by multiple women:
**** [[Alysanne (daughter of Aegon IV)|Alysanne]], [[Lily]], [[Willow (daughter of Aegon IV)|Willow]] and [[Rosey (daughter of Aegon IV)|Rosey]], Aegon's bastard daughters by his second official mistress, [[Megette]].
**** [[Bellenora Otherys|Bellenora]], [[Narha Otherys|Narha]] and [[Balerion Otherys]], Aegon's bastards by his fourth official mistress, [[Bellegere Otherys]]
**** [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Waters]], later legitimized as Daemon Blackfyre, also known as Daemon I Blackfyre, the Black Dragon, and the Pretender, Aegon's bastard son by his cousin, Princess [[Daena Targaryen]]; founder of [[House Blackfyre]]
**** [[Aegor Rivers]], also known as Bittersteel, Aegon's bastard son by his fifth official mistress, [[Barba Bracken]].
**** [[Mya Rivers|Mya]] and [[Gwenys Rivers]], Aegon's bastard daughters, and [[Brynden Rivers]], also known as Bloodraven, Aegon's bastard son, by his sixth official mistress, [[Melissa Blackwood]].
**** [[Shiera Seastar]], Aegon's bastard daughter by his ninth official mistress, [[Serenei of Lys]].
** Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon Targaryen]], also known as Aemon the Dragonknight, joined the Kingsguard.
** Princess [[Naerys Targaryen]]. Sister-wife to King Aegon IV. Queen of the [[Seven Kingdoms]].

'''The Good'''
* King [[Daeron II Targaryen]], also known as Daeron the Good and Daeron the Falseborn. Twelfth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]. Married to Princess [[Mariah Martell]].
** Prince [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor Targaryen]], also known as Baelor Breakspear.
*** Prince [[Valarr Targaryen]], also known as the Young Prince. Married to [[Kiera of Tyrosh]].
**** Stillborn son.
**** Stillborn son.
*** Prince [[Matarys Targaryen]], also known as The Even Younger Prince.
** Prince [[Aerys I Targaryen|Aerys Targaryen]]. Thirteenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Aerys I Targaryen]]. Married to a cousin, [[Aelinor Penrose]].
** Prince [[Rhaegel Targaryen]]
*** Prince [[Aelor Targaryen]], twin and broher-husband to Princess Aelora.
*** Princess [[Aelora Targaryen]], twin and sister-wife to Prince Aelor.
*** Princess [[Daenora Targaryen]], married to her cousin, Prince Aerion. Mother to Prince [[Maegor Targaryen]].
** Prince [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar Targaryen]]. Fourteenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Maekar I Targaryen]]. Married to Lady [[Dyanna Dayne]].
*** Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron Targaryen]], also known as Daeron the Drunken.
**** Princess [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Daeron)|Vaella Targaryen]]
*** Prince [[Aerion Targaryen]], also known as Aerion Brightflame, the Bright Prince, and Aerion the Monstrous. Married to his cousin, Princess Daenora.
**** Prince [[Maegor Targaryen (son of Aerion)|Maegor Targaryen]], their son.
*** Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon Targaryen]], known as Maester Aemon. A maester of the Citadel.
*** Princess [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Maekar I)|Daella Targaryen]].
*** Prince [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], also known as Aegon the Unlikely, Aegon the Fortunate, and Egg. Fifteenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Aegon V Targaryen]].
*** Princess [[Rhae Targaryen]].

'''Descendants of King Aegon V Targaryen'''
* King [[Aegon V Targaryen]], also known as Aegon the Unlikely, Aegon the Fortunate, and Egg. Fifteenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]. Married to [[Betha Blackwood]], also known as Black Betha.
** Prince [[Duncan Targaryen]], also known as Duncan the Small and the Prince of Dragonflies. Married to [[Jenny of Oldstones]].
** Prince [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys Targaryen]]. Sixteenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]].
** Princess [[Shaera Targaryen]], sister-wife, to Jaehaerys.
*** Prince [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys Targaryen]], also known as the Mad King. Seventeenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Aerys II Targaryen]].
*** Princess [[Rhaella Targaryen]], sister-wife to Prince Aerys. Queen of the [[Seven Kingdoms]].
** Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Aegon V)|Daeron Targaryen]].
** Princess [[Rhaelle Targaryen]]. Married to Lord Baratheon. Mother of [[Steffon Baratheon]], grandmother of [[Robert Baratheon]], [[Stannis Baratheon]], and [[Renly Baratheon]].

'''The Last Dragons'''
* King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], also known as the Mad King, Mad King Aerys, Aerys the Mad, and King Scab. Seventeenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]].
** Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen]], sister-wife to King Aerys II.
*** Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], also known as the Last Dragon. Married to Princess [[Elia Martell]]. Eldest son of Aerys II by Rhaella.
**** Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys Targaryen]], Rhaegar's daughter by [[Elia Martell]].
**** Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]], Rhaegar's son by [[Elia Martell]].
*** Princess [[Shaena Targaryen]], stillborn
*** Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Aerys II)|Daeron Targaryen]], died in infancy
*** Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aerys II)|Aegon Targaryen]], premature, died in infancy
*** Prince [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aerys II)|Jaehaerys Targaryen]], died in infancy
*** Prince [[Viserys Targaryen]], mocked as the Beggar King, Khal Rhae Mhar ("the Sorefoot King"), and Khal Rhaggat ("the Cart King"). Crowned as King [[Viserys III Targaryen]] by his mother, Dowager Queen Rhaella, on [[Dragonstone]]. Youngest son of Aerys II by Rhaella.
*** Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen]], also known as Daenerys Stormborn. Daughter of Aerys II by Rhaella.

===Targaryen Family Tree===
{{Targaryen tree|state=hidden|title=Complete Targaryen Family Tree (click show to Expand)}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|Treachery was a coin the Targaryens knew well.{{Ref|aGoT|12}}}}
- [[Robert I Baratheon]]

{{Quote|I will kill every [[Targaryen]] I can get my hands on, until they are as dead as their dragons, and then I will piss on their graves.{{Ref|aGoT|12}}}}
- [[Robert I Baratheon]]

{{Quote|What did any Targaryen ever know of honor? Go down into your crypt and ask [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]] about the dragon’s honor!{{Ref|AGOT|12}}}}
- [[Robert Baratheon]] to [[Eddard Stark]]

{{Quote|Like their [[dragon]]s the Targaryens answered to neither gods nor men.{{Ref|aCoK|33}}}}
- [[Catelyn Stark]]'s thoughts

{{Quote|Every child knows that the Targaryens have always danced too close to madness.{{Ref|ASOS|71}}}}
- [[Barristan Selmy]]

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}
{{HousesCrownlands}}
{{Houses of Slaver's Bay}}

[[Category:House Targaryen| ]]
[[Category:Houses from the Crownlands|Targaryen]]
[[Category:Noble houses|Targaryen]]
[[Category:Valyrians|Targaryen]]

[[es:Casa Targaryen]]
[[fa:خاندان تارگرین]]
[[tr:Targaryen Hanesi]]
[[fr:Maison Targaryen]]
[[pt:Casa Targaryen]]
[[ru:Таргариены]]
[[zh:坦格利安家族]]

House Targaryen

2017-09-08T01:22:31Z

Benethon Stark: /* Young Gryff's/Aegon's supporters */

{{Noble House
| House_name = House Targaryen of [[King's Landing]]
| image = [[File:House Targaryen.svg|250px]]
| Coat_of_arms = Sable, a dragon thrice-headed gules
| Words = ''Fire and Blood''
| Seat = [[Aegonfort]] (formerly) [[Red Keep]] (formerly) [[Dragonstone]] (formerly) [[Summerhall]] (formerly)
| Current_Lord = [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
| Region = [[Crownlands]] [[Valyria]] (formerly)
| Title = [[Iron Throne|King]] of the [[Andals]], the [[Rhoynar]], and the [[First Men]] [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]] [[Prince of Dragonstone]] (heir apparent) [[Prince of Summerhall]]
| Overlord = None
| Ancestral_weapon= [[Blackfyre]] [[Dark Sister]]
| Cadet_branch = [[House Blackfyre]]
| Founded_in = House Targaryen: >[[Years before Aegon's Conquest|126 BC]] House Targaryen of King's Landing:{{Date|1}}
}}

'''House Targaryen''' is a noble family of [[Valyrian Freehold|Valyrian]] descent, and is the only family of [[dragonlords]] who survived the [[Doom of Valyria]]. They left Valyria twelve years before the Doom occurred and resided for more than a century on the [[Dragonstone (island)|island of Dragonstone]], until [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]] and his sister-wives began their [[Aegon's Conquest|conquest]] in [[2 BC]]. House Targaryen ruled as the kings on the [[Iron Throne]] and as the [[Great House]] of the [[crownlands]] for nearly three hundred years. A total of thirteen Targaryens kings sat on the Iron Throne, until the reign of [[Aerys II Targaryen]] ended with [[Robert's Rebellion]], in which the Targaryens were overthrown. The two surviving children of Aerys II, [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] and [[Daenerys Targaryen]], fled into exile, and have resided in [[Essos]] ever since.

House Targaryen took possession of the castle [[Dragonstone]] upon leaving Valyria. Following the [[Aegon's Conquest|Conquest]], they built the [[Aegonfort]] in the capital city of [[King's Landing]]. The Aegonfort was later torn down and replaced by the [[Red Keep]], which remained their main seat for the duration of their dynasty, and which housed the [[Iron Throne]]. Dragonstone almost always given to the heir to the throne. The Targaryens eventually built the summer residence [[Summerhall]], which has been given to several younger sons of the family over time.

The Targaryen sigil is a three-headed [[dragon]] breathing flames, red on black.{{Ref|aGoT|4}}{{Ref|aGoT|18}}{{ref|aCoK|63}} The Targaryen's words are ''"Fire and Blood"''.{{Ref|aSoS|23}}

==Culture==
===Traits===
The phrase "blood of the dragon" refers to the Valyrian descent of the Targaryens, and more specifically to the fact that they were one of forty dragonlord families of [[Valyria]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The typical Targaryen features remind strongly of the typical Valyrian features: pale skin, silver, platinum, or gold hair and eyes in a [[purple eyes|variety of shades of purple]], or light blue.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}

The Targaryens can tolerate a bit more heat than most ordinary people; However, they are not immune to fire.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20051103091500/nrctc.edu/fhq/vol1iss3/00103009.htm/ "Interview with the Dragon" Copyright © 2003 Robert Shaw.]</ref><ref name=egg>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Egg_and_the_Targaryens Egg and the Targaryens (November 05, 1998)]</ref>

Another trait typical to Targaryens is the ability to have [[dragon dreams|premonition-like dreams]].{{Ref|TMK}} The trait has been in the Targaryen family since before they relocated from [[Valyria]] to Dragonstone in [[126 BC]] (and in fact, is what caused them to relocate).{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} This trait was passed on to the cadet branch, [[House Blackfyre]], as well.{{Ref|TMK}}

The Targaryens are seen as [[Targaryen madness|prone to madness]], presumably caused by their [[incest|inbreeding]].<ref name=egg/> According to King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys II]], ''"madness and greatness are two sides of the same coin. Every time a new Targaryen is born [...] the gods toss the coin in the air and the world holds its breath to see how it will land"''.{{ref|ASOS|71}}

===Customs===
House Targaryen's words are "Fire and Blood."{{Ref|aSoS|23}} Their sigil is a three-headed [[dragon]] breathing flames, red on black.{{Ref|aGoT|4}}{{Ref|aGoT|18}}{{ref|aCoK|63}} The three-headed dragon represents [[Aegon I Targaryen|the Conqueror]] and his two sisters, [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]] and [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]].{{ref|aCoK|63}} Some younger sons of the house used variations of the standard sigil. Before his own reign, [[Maekar I Targaryen]] used the three-headed dragon, quartered,{{Ref|TSS}} while his son, Prince [[Aerion Targaryen]], changed the colors of the three heads - one orange, one yellow, one red - while the flames they breathed had a sheen of gold leaf.{{Ref|THK}} King [[Aegon II Targaryen]] used a golden dragon as his personal banner.{{Ref|tpatq}} In line with the sigil colors, most Targaryens used armor black of color (e.g., [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], who had the three-headed dragon wrought in rubies on his breast plate,{{ref|agot|4}}{{Ref|agot|39}}{{Ref|agot|58}} [[Valarr Targaryen]],{{Ref|thk}} and [[Aemond Targaryen]], whose night-black armor was chased with gold{{Ref|tpatq}}).

Although the Targaryen [[Iron Throne|kings]] took their seat at [[King's Landing]], the place where Aegon and his army [[Aegon's Landing|first landed]] in Westeros and made [[Aegonfort|their first fort]], replaced by the [[Red Keep]] later on, their earlier seat of [[Dragonstone]] remained in their possession as well.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} It eventually became the traditional seat of the heir-apparent to the throne, who was known as the [[Prince of Dragonstone]] (or Princess of Dragonstone, in a few occasions). The Targaryens eventually build a third seat, [[Summerhall]], in {{Date|188}}, which was granted to several younger sons of House Targaryen,{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}} who were granted the title "[[Prince of Summerhall]]".{{Ref|thk}}{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}

House Targaryen historically followed the gods of [[Valyrian Freehold|Valyria]]. Sometime before [[Aegon's Conquest]], the Targaryens abandoned the Valyrian gods and converted to the [[Faith of the Seven]], the predominant religion in Westeros.<ref>[http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/119534-twoiaf-spoilers-inconsistency-or-intentional/&do=findComment&comment=6539881 Clarification] of [[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Asshai.com_Forum_Chat Asshai.com Forum Chat (July 27, 2008)]</ref> However, they continued to follow the Valyrian practice of [[incest|incestuous]] marriage, wedding brother to sister, cousin to cousin, uncle to niece and aunt to nephew, holding themselves apart from and above the noble Westerosi families.

Deceased Targaryens are traditionally cremated.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Asshai.com_Forum_Chat Asshai.com Forum Chat (July 27, 2008)]</ref> The ashes of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] and his sister-wife, Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]], were interred and placed beneath the [[Red Keep]].{{Ref|TRP}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}

===Dragons===
:{{See also|Dragons|Dragon egg}}

As one of the forty [[dragonlord]] families of Valyria, the Targaryens were closer to [[dragon]]s than other men. [[Aenar Targaryen]] brought five dragons with him when he moved from Valyria to Dragonstone, and [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and his sister-wives, [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]] and [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]] rode them to battle during the [[Aegon's Conquest|Conquest]] of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] in [[2 BC]] - [[1 BC]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The Targaryens rode their dragons during the first century and a half following Aegon's Conquest. Deaths in battle, especially during the [[Dance of the Dragons]], and a growing infirmity in each following generation caused the family's stable to dwindle. The [[last dragon]] was a deformed and sterile creature, who died young in {{Date|153}}, during the reign of [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]], the Dragonbane.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}

The Targaryens housed their dragons in an immense domed structure in [[King's Landing]], the [[Dragonpit]], which was constructed during the reign of [[Maegor I Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} Not all dragons which hatched were ridden, however. On the island of [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]], several dragons, both wild and previously ridden, resided at least during the reigns of [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I]] and [[Aegon II Targaryen]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

At some point, it became tradition to gift a newborn child with a [[dragon's egg]] in the cradle.{{Ref|TRP}} This practise continued even after the death of the last dragon, with the last Targaryens confirmed to have been given an egg having been the sons of Prince [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar]] during the reign of [[Daeron II Targaryen]].{{Ref|TMK}} Whether the tradition was continued beyond this point is unknown; However, the Targaryens still possessed eggs as recent as the reign of [[Aerys II Targaryen]], the last king of the Targaryen Dynasty.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Several attempts have been made, since the death of the last dragon, to hatch these eggs by members of House Targaryen. This list includes [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]] and his younger brother and [[Hand of the King]], [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]],{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{ref|aSoS|54}} [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I]],{{Ref|aFfC|5}} [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon V]],{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} and [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} In early {{Date|299}}, [[Daenerys Targaryen]] finally succeeded in hatching three dragon eggs.{{Ref|AGOT|72}}

==History==
[[File:Aegon on Balerion.jpg|450px|right|thumb|[[Aegon the Conqueror]], the greatest of the Targaryens, upon Balerion, the Black Dread by [http://jordigart.blogspot.com/ Jordi Gonzalez] ©.]]
A complete history of House Targaryen is planned for ''[[Fire and Blood]]'',<ref>[[Not A Blog]]: [http://grrm.livejournal.com/360936.html The Rogues Are Coming...]</ref> to be published several years after the completion of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''.<ref>[[Not A Blog]]: [http://grrm.livejournal.com/347757.html?thread=18471789#t18471789 The Dangerous Women Are Coming]</ref>

===Origins and relocation===
House Targaryen was one of the forty ancient noble houses known as [[dragonlords]] who ruled the [[Valyrian Freehold]], a great empire spanning much of [[Essos]]. The Targaryens were not one of the most powerful houses, however. The family resided in Valyria until [[Daenys Targaryen]], also known as Daenys the Dreamer, the daughter of Lord [[Aenar Targaryen]], had visions of a cataclysm that would come over Valyria. Aenar sold his estates in Valyria and moved his wives, children, other relatives, slaves, wealth, and five dragons (including [[Balerion]]) to [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]], an island at the entrance of [[Blackwater Bay]] and the westernmost outpost of Valyrian influence, where he took possession of a [[Dragonstone|castle of the same name]], in [[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 126 Before the Conquest|126 BC]]. Twelve years later the [[Doom of Valyria|Doom]] descended on the city of [[Valyria]], leading to the collapse of the Freehold. The Targaryens were the only dragonriders of Valyria to survive. In the century that followed, four of the five dragons of House Targaryen died, with only Balerion surviving. Two more dragons, [[Vhagar]] and [[Meraxes]], were hatched from eggs on Dragonstone, however.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

During the century after the Doom, which became known as the [[Century of Blood]] due to the violent struggles for power in Essos, [[Volantis]] attempted to seize power over Valyria's colonies. Most of the other [[Free Cities]] rebelled against against Volantis, and towards the end of the Century of Blood, the young Lord [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], rider of the dragon Balerion, was approached by [[Pentos]] and [[Tyrosh]] to form an alliance. Aegon, mounted on his dragon Balerion, flew first to Pentos to meet its [[Prince of Pentos|prince]], and then to [[Lys]], where he set the Volantene fleet aflame. With Volantis's rule at an end, he returned to Dragonstone, and focussed his attention to the lands west, which had always been of interest to him.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

===Aegon I's Wars of Conquest===
:{{Main|Aegon's Conquest|First Dornish War}}
[[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], Lord of Dragonstone, aspired to unite the [[Seven Kingdoms]] of [[Westeros]] under one ruler. Slightly more than a hundred years after the Doom of Valyria, in [[2 BC]], he began his [[Aegon's Conquest|conquest]], in which he was aided by his two sister-wives, [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]] and [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]]. All three were dragonriders, and used their dragons, [[Balerion]], [[Meraxes]], and [[Vhagar]] in battle. [[Aegon's Conquest]] lasted for two years. It began with Aegon's landing at the mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]] with a small force, and ended when Aegon was anointed king by the [[High Septon (Aegon's Conquest)|High Septon]] in [[Oldtown]]. In total, he had managed to conquer six of the seven kingdoms, with only [[Dorne]] remaining defiant. During the war [[House Gardener]], which had ruled the [[Reach]], and [[House Hoare]], which had ruled the [[Iron Islands]] and the [[riverlands]], were extinguished, while [[House Durrandon]], which had reigned over the [[Stormlands]], was continued [[House Baratheon|through the female line]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} From the swords of his enemies, Aegon created the [[Iron Throne]], and the dynasty he began would rule for nearly three hundred years.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}{{Ref|AGOT|43}} Aegon had constructed a wooden castle, the [[Aegonfort]], at the place where he had first come to shore, and the town that grew around it became [[King's Landing]], the kingdom's new capital.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} Dragonstone remained in the possession of the Targaryens as well, and was one of Aegon's favorite places.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} The region around King's Landing became known as the [[crownlands]].
[[File:Death of Meraxes.jpg|thumb|350px|Death of [[Meraxes]] at [[Hellholt]].]]

In {{date|4}}, Aegon's wars of conquest continued with the [[First Dornish War]], during which he and Rhaenys attempted to bring the dornish under Targaryen rule as well.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}} A bloody war, during which Queen [[Rhaenys Targaryen]] was killed with her dragon, [[Meraxes]], at [[Hellholt]] in {{Date|10}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}} An assasination attempt on Aegon that same year led to the creation of the [[Kingsguard]], who would guard the kings of the realm for centuries to come.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} The [[First Dornish War]] eventually ended in {{Date|13}}, after Prince [[Nymor Martell]], the [[Prince of Dorne]], had sent his daughter [[Deria Martell|Deria]] to King's Landing with a letter and the skull of Meraxes. Though the contents of the letter have never been revealed, Aegon agreed to an end of the war the next day.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}}

===The Sons and Grandsons of the Dragon===
:{{Main|Faith Militant uprising}}
[[Aegon I Targaryen]] died in {{Date|37}}, and was succeeded by his eldest son, [[Aenys I Targaryen]]. Almost immediately, Aenys faced four rebellions which had grown out of dissent, dreams of the old days or of vengeance, and of the fact that Aenys and his younger brother, [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]], had both been born from incestuous marriages. A bandit named [[Harren the Red]], claiming to be a grandson of [[Harren Hoare|Harren the Black]], took [[Harrenhal]] and killed Lord [[Gargon Qoherys]]. In the Vale, Lord [[Ronnel Arryn]] and his family were taken hostage by his younger brother, [[Jonos Arryn]]. On the [[Iron Islands]], a man claimed to be the priest-king [[Lodos (II)|Lodos]], finally returned from visiting [[Drowned God|his father]] after more than three centuries. And in Dorne, the [[Vulture King]] raised thirty thousand followers against the Targaryens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} The rebels were swiftly defeated by the actions of Aenys's subjects and Maegor. Lord [[Goren Greyjoy]] killed the so-called priest-king, and sent his head to King Aenys. [[House Royce|Lord Royce]] of [[Runestone]] defeated the supporters of Jonos Arryn, though this caused the death of Lord Ronnel and his family when Jonos threw them out of the [[Moon Door]] in the [[Eyrie]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} Prince [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]], who had claimed the dragon [[Balerion]] after his father's death, eventually flew up to the Eyrie and had Jonos and his followers executed.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}<ref name=Sons>[http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/115696-spoilers-sons-of-the-dragon-reading-at-loncon-today/&do=findComment&comment=6134038 Sons of the Dragon (reading at LonCon 2014)]</ref> The Vulture King had made the mistake of splitting his large army, and was defeated during the [[Vulture Hunt]], in which Lord [[Orys Baratheon]] and several other [[Marcher lords]], including Lord [[House Dondarrion|Dondarrion]], Lady [[House Caron|Caron]], and Lord [[Samwell Tarly (Savage)|Sam Tarly]], marched against him.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}<ref name=Sons/> And the last rebel, [[Harren the Red]], was eventually caught by Aenys's [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Alyn Stokeworth]]. Though Stokeworth was killed by Harren in the fighting that ensued, Harren himself was slain shortly after. As Stokeworth's replacement, Aenys named Maegor as his Hand.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}

The next challenges Aenys faced came from the [[Faith of the Seven]]. Even though the Targaryens had been followers of the [[Faith of the Seven]] since before the [[Aegon's Conquest|Conquest]], the Targaryens held themselves apart from the laws of gods and men. By marrying both his sisters, Aegon I had continued both the Valyrian practice of incestuous [[marriage]], which was considered a sin in the eyes of the Seven, as well as the more rarely practised custom of [[polygamy]], even though the Faith of the Seven considered marriage only possible between one man and one wife.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} Even though Aegon I had always been careful regarding the Faith, the High Septons had never declared his marriages lawful, though they had not spoken up against Aegon's polygamous and incestuous marriages either.<ref name=Sons/> However, when Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] had suggested, in {{Date|23}}, that her son Maegor should be married to Aenys's infant daughter, Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], the High Septon had protested, and Maegor had been married to the High Septon's niece, [[Ceryse Hightower]], instead.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} After sixteen years of marriage, however, Maegor remained childless. Following the birth of Aenys I's sixth child in {{Date|39}},<ref name=Sons/> Maegor took a second wife, [[Alys Harroway]]. This greatly angered the Faith, and Aenys gave his brother the choice between abandoning Alys, or going in exile. Maegor chose the latter option, after which he left for [[Pentos]].{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}

[[File:Sept of Remembrance.jpg|thumb|400px|Maegor I Targaryen and Balerion burn down the [[Sept of Remembrance]].]]
The Faith remained discontent. Though they had not objected to Aenys's own marriage in {{Date|22}}, to his cousin [[Alyssa Velaryon]], new troubles arose in {{Date|41}} when Aenys married his eldest daughter, Rhaena, to his eldest son and heir, Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]]. The uproar this marriage caused led to the start of the [[Faith Militant uprising]].{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} Aenys fled to Dragonstone, but fell sick and died in {{Date|42}}. Dowager Queen [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]] immediately called Maegor back from his exile, allowing him to claim the throne. Maegor took King's Landing back from the Faith Militant, though he would spent his entire reign fighting against them. In addition, he fought against Aenys's heir, Aegon, and killed both him and his dragon [[Quicksilver]] in {{Date|43}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}

Maegor's reign was a cruel one. He finished the construction of the [[Red Keep]], which had begun in {{Date|35}}, during his reign,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} though he honored his moniker "the Cruel" when he killed all the construction workers after work was completed. He had come back from his exile with a third wife, [[Tyanna]], but was still without an heir towards the end of his reign. Denouncing the claims of Aenys's only surviving son, [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]], Maegor married his three [[Black Brides]], one of whom was Jaehaerys's sister, Rhaena, and named Rhaena's [[Aerea Targaryen|daughter]] as his heir until he had a child of his own. While support for Jaehaerys grew, support for Maegor dwindled. When Maegor died mysteriously in {{date|48}}, Jaehaerys succeeded him.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} A wise ruler known as [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys the Conciliator]], Jaehaerys ruled wisely for fifty-five years, during which time he made peace with the Faith. He faced a difficult decision in {{Date|92}} following the death of his heir, Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]], when he had to name either Aemon's daughter, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys]], or Aemon's brother, [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]], as his heir. Jaehaerys chose Baelon, but Baelon died in {{Date|101}}, which caused Jaehaerys to become the first king to call a [[Great Council]], where Baelon's son was chosen as Jaehaerys's heir. Jaehaerys died two years later, in {{Date|103}}, and was succeeded by his grandson, [[Viserys I Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}

===Death of the Dragons===
:{{See also|Dance of the Dragons}}

King [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I's]] reign had troubles of its own. By his first wife, Lady [[Aemma Arryn]], to whom he had been married since {{Date|93}}, he had one surviving daughter, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]]. Aemma died in {{Date|105}} in childbed, as did her son, [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Baelon]], after which Viserys officially declared Rhaenyra to be his heir, having the lords of the realm swear fealthy to her. Though Viserys remarried in {{Date|106}}, and had three sons, [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]], [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]], and [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]], and one daughter, [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]], by his new wife, Queen [[Alicent Hightower]], he insisted that Rhaenyra remained his heir. Rivalry between Rhaenyra and Alicent resulted in two fractions being formed at court, called the [[blacks]] and the [[greens]]. Alicent's three sons loathed Rhaenyra's three eldest sons, [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]], [[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys]] and [[Joffrey Velaryon]], all three rumored to have been bastards fathered by Ser [[Harwin Strong]], as they considered themselves to have been robbed of their birthright: the Iron Throne.{{Ref|TRP}}

Both Rhaenyra and her uncle, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], the younger brother of Viserys I, had been married into [[House Velaryon]], and both had children by their respective spouses. When both Rhaenyra's husband [[Laenor Velaryon|Laenor]] and Daemon's wife [[Laena Velaryon|Laena]] died in {{Date|120}}, they married each other, and had three more children ([[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]], and the stillborn [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Rhaenyra)|Visenya]]). Meanwhile, King Viserys's son [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]] and daughter [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]] had been married as well, with three children resulting from their marriage ([[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys]], [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]], and [[Maelor Targaryen|Maelor]]).{{Ref|TRP}}

When Viserys died in {{Date|129}}, his widow, Dowager Queen [[Alicent Hightower]], and the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard|Lord Commander]] of his [[Kingsguard#Kingsguard during the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen (103 AC-129 AC)|his Kingsguard]], Ser [[Criston Cole]], defied Viserys's last will, and crowned Viserys's son [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] while Rhaenyra, unaware of her father's death, resided on [[Dragonstone]]. Unwilling to submit to her brother, Rhaenyra declared war, and the resulting conflict over the succession, called the [[Dance of the Dragons]] ({{date|129}}-{{Date|131}}), divided the kingdom. During this bloody war, thousands died, as did most of the Targaryen [[dragon]]s. Rhaenyra herself was devoured by [[Sunfyre]], Aegon II's dragon, in late {{Date|130}} while her son [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]] looked on.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}{{Ref|tpatq}} Despite her death and Aegon the Younger's capture, the war raged on for another half year.{{Ref|TPATQ}} Aegon II was forced into betrothing his daughter and only remaining child, [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]], to Rhaenyra's eldest surviving son, [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], and name them his heirs,<ref>asoiaf.westeros.org: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/139166-aegon-ii-and-aegon-iii/&do=findComment&comment=7552930 Aegon II and Aegon III (April 23) - post 1]</ref><ref>asoiaf.westeros.org [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/139166-aegon-ii-and-aegon-iii/&do=findComment&comment=7552965 Aegon II and Aegon III (April 23) - post 2]</ref> though he planned to remarry.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}} The was lasted until mid-{{Date|131}}, when Aegon II was poisoned by his own councillors.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}

With the war at an end, the eleven-year old Aegon the Younger ascended the throne as [[Aegon III Targaryen]]. Until Aegon reached the [[age of majority|age of sixteen]], the realm was ruled by a [[regency of Aegon III|regency]]. Aegon's younger brother [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]], formerly thought to have died during the Dance, returned to [[Westeros]], married to Lady [[Larra Rogare]]. Viserys served as his brother's [[Hand of the King]] towards the end of his reign. The Targaryen dragons had been greatly diminished in numbers because of the war, and when the [[last dragon]] died in {{Date|153}}, Viserys convinced Aegon to sent for nine mages from [[Essos]], to allow them to use their arts to hatch a clutch of [[dragon egg]]s. Sadly, their attempt failed.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}

===War on Dorne===
:{{Main|Conquest of Dorne}}
When [[Aegon III Targaryen]] died in {{Date|157}} from consumption, he was succeeded by his eldest son, [[Daeron I Targaryen]], born to him by his second wife, Queen [[Daenaera Velaryon]] (his first marriage having ended both quickly and childless with the death of Queen [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]] in {{Date|133}}).{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}} Though Daeron was only fourteen years of age, his uncle, Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]], decided not to insist on a regency, and continued to serve his new king as [[Hand of the King|Hand]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}} Daeron I had great ambition, and wished to "complete the conquest" which his ancestor [[Aegon I Targaryen]] had begun a century and a half before.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}} During Aegon's Conquest, [[Dorne]] had been the only kingdom to resist the Targaryen forces,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} and following the conclusion of the [[First Dornish War]] in {{Date|13}}, a peace had been agreed upon by the Targaryens and Martells which had long lasted.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}} Daeron I managed to convince his councillors of his plans, and managed to [[Conquest of Dorne|conquer Dorne]] within a year. In {{Date|258}}, the [[Prince of Dorne]] and several other dornish lords bent their knees at the [[Submission of Sunspear]]. The hinterlands were pacified by {{Date|159}}, and Daeron returned to King's Landing with fourteen highborn dornish hostages, leaving Lord [[Harlan Tyrell]] behind to keep the peace.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}}

However, Daeron's conquest did not last. The [[smallfolk]] rebelled, and though Lord Tyrell attempted to fight back, travelling from holdfast to holdfast, the rebels always struck back.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}} After he was murdered in his bed at [[Sandstone]], all of [[Dorne]] rose in open rebellion, and they managed to liberate themselves within a fortnight.{{ref|asos|66}} Daeron returned to Dorne in {{Date|160}}, and when the dornish requested to discuss peace terms the next year, they betrayed Daeron by attacking him and his retinue beneath the peace banner. One of Daeron's [[Kingsguard]] knights surrendered, while another, his cousin [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon the Dragonknight]], was captured. Three other Kingsguard knights were slain, as was Daeron I himself.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}} Though his reign had lasted only four years, it had been a bloody one. It is said that ten thousand men died conquering Dorne, and another forty or fifty thousand died trying to keep it.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}}{{Ref|AGOT|5}} Only eighteen years old at the time of his death, Daeron I had never been married<ref group="N">Though Martin has stated in 2008 that Daeron I had been married at the time of his death ([[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Targaryen_History Targaryen History (April 20, 2008)], ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' states that Daeron had never been married during his lifetime (''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'', The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I).</ref> and left no issue. He was succeeded by his younger brother, [[Baelor I Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}}

Though in [[King's Landing]] Prince Viserys argued for the execution of the dornish hostages, the new King Baelor I decided to free them instead. He walked barefoot from King's Landing to Sunspear, escorting the hostages home, and met with the [[Prince of Dorne]]. They forged a peace, and Baelor agreed to betroth his cousin, Prince [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron]] (his uncle Viserys's grandson), to the eldest child of the Prince of Dorne, Princess [[Mariah Martell]]. During his journey back home, Baelor passed by [[Wyl]], where he freed his cousin [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon]], though he was bitten by veneomous snakes in the process. When he finally returned to King's Landing, Baelor convinced the High Septon to dissolve his marriage to his sister, [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]], whom he had wed in {{Date|160}}, as it had never been consummated. He then locked Daena and her sisters [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aegon III)|Rhaena]] and [[Elaena Targaryen|Elaena]] in the [[Maidenvault]], to "preserve their innocence". Baelor I was focussed mostly on the [[Faith of the Seven]], and even took a [[septon]]'s vows, ensuring he would never father heirs. His edicts became more focussed on spiritual matters as his reign continued, causing unease among the highborn. Baelor began the construction of [[Great Sept of Baelor|a new sept]], though it would not be completed until after his death. Baelor also began to fast more frequently and for longer periods of time towards the end of his reign. And when his sister and former wife [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]], who had escaped the Maidenvault on several occassions during Baelor's reign, gave birth to a bastard son she named [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Waters]] in late {{Date|170}}, Baelor began a forty-day fast (even though another lengthy fast several years before had nearly killed him). Baelor was found collapsed on the forty-first day, and died soon after, in {{Date|171}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}}

As the next male in line, Prince Viserys, who had served as Hand of the King for [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]], [[Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron I]], and [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I]], ascended the throne after Baelor's sisters were passed over.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}} Though he ruled for only a year, [[Viserys II Targaryen]] made several reforms in the royal household, established a new royal mint, attempted to increase trade across the [[narrow sea]], and revised the code of laws established by Jaehaerys I years before.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}}

===The Blackfyre Pretenders===
:{{See also|Blackfyre Pretenders}}
[[File:Redgrass Field.png|thumb|350px|Daemon I Blackfyre fighting in the Battle of the Redgrass Field]]
Viserys II was succeeded by his eldest son, [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon IV]], who was rumored to have had a hand in his father's death.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} Aegon's reign was filled with corruption, and he gave and took from noble houses as he wished, whenever he wanted to.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} He had been married to his sister [[Naerys Targaryen|Naerys]] in {{Date|153}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}} They differed greatly in personalities,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}} and childbirth was hard on her. When their son [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron]] was born in {{Date|153}}, the [[Grand Maester]] warned that another childbirth could kill Naerys. However, Aegon took no heed, and impregnated Naerys three more times. Only one child, however, survived: Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Aegon IV)|Daenerys]], born in {{Date|172}}. Naerys died in childbirth several years later.{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}

Aegon was very promiscuous, both before and during his reign. He had [[bastard]] children by several women, though he only acknowledged those fathered upon his nine official mistresses, with one exception: his cousin Daena's son, [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Waters]]. In {{Date|182}}, Aegon openly recognized the boy as his own son<ref name=greatbastards>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Great_Bastards/ The Great Bastards (December 26, 2005)]</ref> and gifted him the [[Valyrian steel]] sword [[Blackfyre]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} There were some who felt that the sword symbolized the monarchy,<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/SF_Targaryens_Valyria_Sansa_Martells_and_More SF, Targaryens, Valyria, Sansa, Martells, and More (June 26, 2001)]</ref> as the sword had been passed on from king to king since Aegon the Conqueror (with one exception<ref name=Aenys group="N">Aenys I Targaryen gifted the sword to his brother, Prince Maegor, after their father's cremation</ref>). Aegon's public gift of the sword to his bastard son was one of the seeds from which the [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]] would eventually grow. Following the acquisition of the sword, Daemon took the surname "Blackfyre" for himself.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}

Aegon IV's relationship with his trueborn heir was more troublesome. Once he was old enough to voice his own opinions, Prince [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron]] and Aegon IV quarreled more often, and towards the end of Aegon's reign, Daeron became his chief obstacle. When Aegon attempted to invade [[Dorne]] with wooden dragons and a fleet in {{Date|174}}, the homeland of Daeron's wife, [[Mariah Martell]], rumors were heard for the first time that Daeron had been fathered by Aegon's brother [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon]] instead of Aegon. Though Aemon defeated Ser [[Morgil Hastwyck]] in a trial by combat when he accused Naerys of adultery, the rumors remained, and it was believed that they had originated with King Aegon himself, though he denied it. Following the death of both Aemon and Naerys, Aegon began more openly to refer to Daeron's illegitimacy, though he never disowned him. Finally, on his death bed in {{Date|184}}, Aegon IV legitimized all of his [[bastards]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} Though his successor, his son [[Daeron II Targaryen]], could not undo this, he made attempts to keep his half-sibilings close.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}

Daeron II began his reign by negotiating with his brother-in-law, [[Maron Martell]], who had [[Prince of Dorne|inherited the rule]] of Dorne. He arranged a marriage between Maron and his sister, [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Aegon IV)|Daenerys]], which occurred in {{Date|187}}. Following the wedding, Dorne officially joined the realm, and did fealthy to the [[Iron Throne]]. However, while the Seven Kingdoms were now finally united, dissatisfaction grew with the concessions that Dorne had won, as well as the growing Dornish influence at Daeron's court. Daeron II's heir, Prince [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor]], favored his dornish mother in his physical appearance, and more and more lords began to wish for "the old days", when the dornish had been the enemy in battle, and not rivals for power at court.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}

These lords looked at Daemon Blackfyre, and saw in him a warrior, tall and powerful, with the hallmarks of Old [[Valyria]] (deep purple eyes, silver-gold hair down to his shoulders), who was described as having had an "almost inhumane beauty", being "half a god among mortal men".{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}<ref name=greatbastards/> Though it took many years, talk eventually turned into treason when Daemon planned to make his claim for the [[Iron Throne]]. The [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]] began in early {{Date|196}} and lasted nigh on a year, ending late in the year with the [[Battle of the Redgrass Field]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}} Daemon and his two eldest sons, [[Aegon Blackfyre|Aegon]] and [[Aemon Blackfyre]], were killed,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}{{Ref|TSS}} whereas [[Aegor Rivers]], another one of Daeron II's half-brothers, fled into exile with Daemon's remaining children and the sword Blackfyre. For a while, Rivers resided in [[Tyrosh]] with Daemon's family,{{Ref|TMK}} until he formed the [[Golden Company]] in {{Date|212}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}}

===The Great Spring Sickness===
The remainder of Daeron II's reign was peaceful. However, in its final year, {{Date|209}}, problems began when Daeron's heir and [[Hand of the King]], Prince [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor]], died when defending a hedge knight called [[Duncan]] in a [[trial of seven]] at the [[tourney at Ashford Meadow]].{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}{{Ref|THK}} It is believed that Baelor's youngest brother [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar]], who had fought on the side of the two accusers, his own eldest two sons [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron]] and [[Aerion Targaryen|Aerion]], had been the one to fatally his Baelor's head.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}{{Ref|THK}} Following Baelor's cremation, Maekar sent Aerion into exile, while he allowed his youngest son, nicknamed "[[Aegon V Targaryen|Egg]]", to squire for Duncan, so he could be taught humility and honor.{{Ref|THK}}

Not long after the death of Baelor, the [[Great Spring Sickness]] began. Thousands died as a result, and among the victims were Daeron II and his two most immediate heirs, Baelor's two sons [[Valarr Targaryen|Valarr]] and [[Matarys Targaryen|Matarys]].{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}{{Ref|TSS}} As such, Daeron II was succeeded by his second son, [[Aerys I Targaryen]], in {{Date|209}}, whose reign began with a two-year drought.{{Ref|TSS}} The Spring Sickness had hit the cities of the Seven Kingdoms most, especially King's Landing, and most of the hostages King Daeron II had once taken after the First Blackfyre Rebellion had died, leaving their relatives feeling secure enough about attempting a new rebellion.{{ref|TMK}} Lord [[Gormon Peake]] convinced [[Daemon II Blackfyre]] to cross the [[narrow sea]] to claim the throne.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}} However, the [[Second Blackfyre Rebellion]] was far less successful than the first, as Daemon II was arrested at [[Whitewalls]] before he could even gather an army.{{Ref|TMK}} He was kept alive as a hostage at King's Landing, but died within years, allowing [[Aegor Rivers]] to crown [[Haegon I Blackfyre]] the new [[Blackfyre Pretenders|Blackfyre pretender]]. Haegon attempted [[Third Blackfyre Rebellion|his invasion]] in {{Date|219}}, when he crossed the [[narrow sea]] with the [[Golden Company]], led by Aegor Rivers. Haegon was slain after he had surrendered his sword, while Aegor was arrested, and sentenced to join the [[Night's Watch]]. He managed to escape, and returned to [[Tyrosh]], where he crowned Haegon's son, [[Daemon III Blackfyre]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}}

===Succession problems===
In addition to the two Blackfyre Rebellions, Aerys's reign knew multiple other troubles, including the [[Great Spring Sickness|plague]] and drought, dwindling trade, rising banditry, and the reaving of [[Dagon Greyjoy]].{{Ref|TSS}}{{Ref|TMK}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}} Additionally, Aerys had difficulties with his heirs. Though he had been married to Lady [[Aelinor Penrose]] before his reign began, his marriage remained unconsummated. He additionally refused to take another to wife. As he had no issue of his own, he firstly acknowledged his younger brother [[Rhaegel Targaryen|Rhaegel]] as his heir. Following Rhaegel's death in {{Date|215}}, Rhaegel's son [[Aelor Targaryen|Aelor]] was named [[Prince of Dragonstone]]. Aelor died in {{Date|217}}, after which Aerys I's youngest brother, [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar]] was named heir.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}}

Maekar succeeded Aerys I in {{Date|221}}, and reigned for twelve years.{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}} However, when Maekar himself died while leading an attack on [[Starpike]] in the [[Peake Uprising]]<ref>[http://www.georgerrmartin.com/world-of-ice-and-fire-sample/ The World of Ice and Fire sample]</ref> in {{Date|233}}, the succession once more became a problem. Maekar I's eldest son, Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron]], had predeceased his father, and left behind only one child: a single-minded daughter, [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Daeron)|Vaella]]. Maekar's second son, [[Aerion Targaryen|Aerion]], had died in {{Date|232}} when drinking a cup of wildfire. Aerion's only issue was an infant son named [[Maegor Targaryen|Maegor]], born the same year Aerion had died. Maekar's third son, [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]], had been sent to the [[Citadel]] at [[Oldtown]] by King Daeron II at a young age,{{Ref|ACOK|6}} where he had completed his [[maester]]'s chain at the age of nineteen,{{Ref|AWOIAF| Aemon}} and his youngest son, [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon]] (also known as "Egg"), was disliked by several lords, as he had often meddled in their affairs.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}{{Ref|ACOK|6}}

A [[Great Council]] was called by [[Brynden Rivers]], who had served as Maekar's Hand of the King. The council passed over [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron's]] daughter and [[Aerion Targaryen|Aerion's]] infant son, and because of the dislike some had for Maekar's youngest son, the crown was quietly offered to Aemon first. Following Aemon's refusal, they crowned Maekar I's youngest son as [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon V]]. Aegon V became known as "The Unlikely", as he had been the fourth son of a fourth son.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}{{Ref|ACOK|6}}

===The Unlikely Reign===
The reign of Aegon V began troubled. He felt forced to arrest [[Brynden Rivers]], who had served both Maekar I and Aerys I as Hand, after Brynden, who had offered safe passage to [[Aenys Blackfyre]], the fifth son of the late [[Daemon I Blackfyre]], from Tyrosh to King's Landing, so Aenys could present his own claim during the Great Council, betrayed Aenys by arresting and executing him upon arrival. Rivers was sent to the [[Wall]] and joined the [[Night's Watch]]. Aegon V's brother Aemon accompanied Rivers, intent on joining the [[Night's Watch]] as well so his claim to the throne could not be used against the king.{{Ref|affc|15}}

Aegon spend much of his reign in battle. When winter ended in {{Date|236}}, [[Daemon III Blackfyre]] and [[Aegor Rivers]] crossed the narrow sea to begin the [[Fourth Blackfyre Rebellion]]. They were supported by few, however, and Daemon III was eventually slain by a knigth of Aegon V's [[Kingsguard]], Ser [[Duncan]] the Tall.{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

Further opposition came from the lords of Aegon V's realm, as many disagreed with his policies, or distrusted and hated him, as they felt that his wanderings with the [[hedge knight]] [[Duncan]] had left him "half a peasant".{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}} Aegon's reign had begun in the middle of a cruel six-year long winter, which had led to starvation and suffering in the north. Concerned for the welfare of the poor and weak, Aegon V made attempts to increase the flow of food to the north. However, some disagreed, as they felt Aegon did too much in this regard.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} Aegon further wanted to diminish the powers of the lords, and enacted numerous reforms while giving new rights and protections to the [[smallfolk]]. For this, he faced fierce opposition and at times even open defiance. One lord even went as far as to denounce Aegon V as a "bloody-handed tyrant intent on depriving us of our gods-given rights and liberties."{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

A major rebellion in {{Date|239}} was caused by Aegon's eldest son. Aegon V had five children, [[Duncan Targaryen|Duncan]], [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys]], [[Shaera Targaryen|Shaera]], [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Aegon V)|Daeron]], and [[Rhaelle Targaryen|Rhaelle]], and for the eldest four betrothals had been arranged to several great Houses ([[House Baratheon]], [[House Tully|Tully]], [[House Tyrell|Tyrell]] and [[House Redwyne|Redwyne]] respectively). When Duncan, in {{Date|239}}, broke his betrothal to a daughter of Lord [[Lyonel Baratheon]] to marry [[Jenny of Oldstones]], going as far as to renounce his rights to the throne for her, Lord Lyonel declared the independence of the [[Stormlands]] in response. Only after his defeat in a [[trial by combat]] against the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard|Lord Commander]] of Aegon's [[Kingsguard]], Ser [[Duncan]] the Tall, and the promise of the hand of Aegon V's daughter Rhaelle in marriage to Lyonel's heir, [[Ormund Baratheon]], did Lyonel join the King's peace again.{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} Aegon's other children (except Rhaelle) all broke their own betrothals as well. While Jaehaerys and Shaera secretly married each other in {{Date|240}}, Daeron chose to remain unwed.{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

Towards the end of his reign, Aegon V began to dream of dragons with whom he could bend the lords of Westeros to his will. As several Targaryen kings had tried before him, seems to have attempted to hatch dragon eggs at [[Summerhall]], where he had gathered those closest to him to celebrate the upcomming birth of his first great-grandchild in {{Date|259}}. However, in a [[Tragedy of Summerhall|great tragedy]] occurred, causing the death of Aegon V, Prince Duncan, and many more. Though the survivors would not speak of what had happened, the histories of [[Archmaester]] [[Gyldayn]], the last maester to serve as the castle, speaks of seven eggs and [[pyromancers]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} As Summerhall was burning down, Princess [[Rhaella Targaryen]], the only daughter of Prince Jaehaerys and Princess Shaera, gave birth to a healthy son named [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]].{{Ref|AFFC|35}}

===War of the Ninepenny Kings===
Aegon V's second son [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]] ascended the throne in {{Date|259}} following the [[Tragedy of Summerhall]], and was immediately faced with a threat from the east when the [[Band of Nine]] conquered first [[Tyrosh]] and then the [[Stepstones]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} The Band of Nine had formed in the [[Disputed Lands]] in {{Date|258}} from nine outlaws, exiles, pirates, and sellsword captains. They swore to aid one another in conquering a kingdom for each member. One of these members was [[Maelys I Blackfyre]], known as "the Monstrous", who held command over the Golden Company.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

To face the "Ninepenny Kings", as Prince [[Duncan Targaryen]] had named them before his death,{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} King Jaehaerys II sent an army, including his own heir Prince [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] and his Hand, Lord [[Ormund Baratheon]], which landed on the shores of the Stepstones in {{Date|260}}. For most of the year, the war continued, but ended when a young knight called [[Barristan Selmy]] killed Maelys, thereby ending the male line of the Blackfyres after five generations.{{ref|ASOS|67}}{{Ref|ADWD|5}}{{Ref|ADWD|67}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} As the remainders of the Band of Nine had little interest in Westeros, this victory ended the war.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}

In total, Jaehaerys II only reigned for three years, and died after a short sickbed in {{Date|262}}. He was succeeded by his only son, [[Aerys II Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}

===Fall of the Dragons===
:{{See also|Defiance of Duskendale|Tourney at Harrenhal|Robert's Rebellion}}

While the reign of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] began with much promise, his would become the reign which ended the Targaryen Dynasty. Upon ascending the throne, he replaced all of his father's elderly councillors with younger men, and appointed a friend from his youth, the twenty-year old [[Tywin Lannister]], as his [[Hand of the King]]. While Aerys had great plans for his realm, his attention span was short and most plans were quickly forgotten. While Tywin would be Aerys II's Hand for nineteen years, tensions between the two friends began early in Aerys's reign. Aerys grew increasingly jealous of Tywin and over time began to insult him, while the deaths of several of his children contributed further to his madness. When in {{Date|276}}, after three miscarriages, two stillbirths, and three deaths in the cradle, Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] was born, Tywin hosted a [[tournament in honor of Viserys's birth]] at [[Lannisport]], which Aerys II and Rhaegar attended.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} There, Tywin suggested his ten-year old daughter [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] as a bride for Rhaegar, and her twin [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] as Rhaegar's [[squire]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{Ref|AFFC|24}} Aerys refused him, stating he would not wed his son to the daughter of his servant.{{Ref|AFFC|24}}

Aerys's jealousy for Tywin increased further when he learned of the saying that Tywin was the true ruler of the kingdom, making his suspicious of his subjects at court. His jealousy and desire to show himself as a leader led to his rash action of accepting the invitation of Lord [[House Darklyn|Darklyn]] to travel to [[Duskendale]], as to discuss Darklyn's petition. Aerys went to Duskendale with only a small escort, and was captured upon arrival. This revolt, known as the [[Defiance of Duskendale]], lasted for half a year, during which time Aerys II was kept in the dungeons, while Lord Tywin besieged the city. Though he was eventually freed, the last of Aerys's sanity had died during his captivity. He became increasingly suspicious everyone, including his own heir, [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]], and refused to leave the [[Red Keep]] for four years. Tensions between Aerys and Rhaegar grew, moreso after Rhaegar and his new bride [[Elia Martell]] moved to his seat of [[Dragonstone]] in {{Date|280}}. In {{Date|281}}, Aerys appointed Tywin's heir, Ser Jaime Lannister, to his Kingsguard, leaving Tywin with a [[Tyrion Lannister|dwarf]] for an heir. Tywin resigned as Hand and left King's Landing. Convinced that his son Rhaegar planned to gather as much lords as possible to dispose Aerys at the [[Tourney of Harrenhal]] held later that same year, Aerys personally attended the tourney. When the victorious Prince Rhaegar passed by his own wife, Elia, and named [[Lyanna Stark]], the betrothed of his cousin [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], as his [[queen of love and beauty]], it caused fury and tensions among those present, and inflammed Aerys's council against Rhaegar further.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}

The next year, Rhaegar left his wife and newborn son [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]] on [[Dragonstone]] and went on a journey. Ultimately, he ended up in the [[riverlands]] where he disappeared with Lyanna Stark. Lyanna's brother [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]] went to [[King's Landing]], threatening Prince Rhaegar's life. Though Rhaegar was not present, King Aerys had Brandon arrested, and summoned his father, Lord [[Rickard Stark|Rickard]], for a trial. At the "trial", Aerys had both men killed, after which he demanded the heads of Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], Lyanna's betrothed, and [[Eddard Stark]], Lyanna's younger brother. Their foster father, Lord [[Jon Arryn]], refused Aerys's commands and raised his banners, thereby starting a [[Robert's Rebellion|civil war]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}

Towards the end of the war, Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] proclaimed his intend to claim the [[Iron Throne]].<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/US_Signing_Tour_Huntington_Beach_CA US Signing Tour (Huntington Beach, CA) (November 19, 2005)]</ref> Out of the three leaders of the rebellion, Robert had the better claim,{{ref|agot|30}} due to the fact that his grandmother had been Princess [[Rhaelle Targaryen]], the youngest daughter of King [[Aegon V Targaryen]].{{ref|affc|35}} Prince Rhaegar eventually returned from the south and took command of the royal troops, leading them during the [[Battle of the Trident]], where he was killed by Robert.{{Ref|ASOS|37}} Aerys sent his new heir, Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]], and the pregnant Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella]] to Dragonstone, while keeping Rhaegar's wife and two children as hostages at King's Landing.{{ref|asos|37}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The End}} Though he had ignored calls to arms from both the loyalists and the rebels, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] appeared with an army at the gates of King's Landing hours before the arrival of a rebel army. Feigning loyalty to House Targaryen, the Lannister forces [[Sack of King's Landing|sacked King's Landing]] once allowed into the city,{{ref|AGOT|12}}{{Ref|ASOS|37}} slaying Princess [[Elia Martell|Elia]], [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]], and the infant Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]],{{Ref|ASOS|70}}{{Ref|ASOS|53}} while Aerys's only Kingsguard knight in the city, [[Jaime Lannister]], killed the king in the throne room.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The End}}{{Ref|ASOS|37}}

The war was at an end, and on the mainland the final opposition to the reign of Robert I Baratheon was resolved. On Dragonstone, however, the last Targaryens held their last stronghold. Dowager Queen Rhaella crowned her son Viserys,{{Ref|awoiaf| Rhaella Targaryen}} but died some nine months after her flight from King's Landing when she gave birth to Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] in {{Date|284}} during a great storm that destroyed the Targaryen fleet which had been protecting the island. With the enemy approaching the island and the garrison willing to surrender, Ser [[Willem Darry]] spirited young Viserys and Daenerys to the [[Free City]] of [[Braavos]], where they remained until his death near {{Date|289}}.{{Ref|AGOT|3}} Afterwards, Viserys and Daenerys travelled from city to city for years,{{Ref|AGOT|3}}{{Ref|ASOS|8}} forced to sell the last of their belongings, until they were taken in by [[Magister]] [[Illyrio Mopatis]] in {{Date|297}}.{{Ref|AGOT|3}}

And so, following two hundred and eighty-three years of rule, the Targaryen Dynasty ended in {{Date|283}} with the death of Aerys II and the exile of his young son Viserys.

==Recent Events==
[[File:John Picacio Daenerys Targaryen.jpg‎|[[Daenerys Targaryen]] and her three fledgling [[dragons]]‎ - © 2012 John Picacio|thumb|300px|right]]

===''A Game of Thrones''===
Across the [[narrow sea]], the [[Aerys II Targaryen]]'s surviving son is claiming legitimacy as "[[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys III]]". He and his sister, [[Daenerys Targaryen]], having wandered the [[Free Cities]] for years seeking aid from various merchant princes to restore House Targaryen to the throne, have been taken in by [[Magister]] [[Illyrio Mopatis]] in [[Pentos]].{{Ref|AGOT|3}} With Illyrio's help, Viserys betroths his thirteen year old sister Daenerys to the [[Dothraki]] ''[[Khal]]'' [[Drogo]], in exchange for the promise of warriors to reclaim his throne.{{Ref|AGOT|11}} Daenerys marries Drogo,{{ref|agot|11}} and the two accompany the [[khalasar]] in the journey to [[Vaes Dothrak]].{{Ref|AGOT|36}} During this time, Daenerys begins to learn to stand up to her brother, while Viserys's behavior leads to him being mocked by the other Dothraki.{{Ref|AGOT|23}} Viserys is killed by Drogo after threatening the lives of Daenerys and her unborn child with a sword, despite weapons being forbidden in the sacred city.{{Ref|AGOT|46}}

King [[Robert I Baratheon]] promises a lordship to whoever manages to kill Daenerys, her unborn child, or Viserys.{{Ref|AGOT|33}} After Daenerys escapes an assasination attempt by poison, Drogo vows to invade the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{Ref|agot|54}} When Drogo is injured in battle against another khalasar, Daenerys has one of her newly acquired slaves, [[Mirri Maz Duur]], see to his wounds,{{Ref|agot|61}} but Drogo's wound infects nonetheless.{{Ref|AGOT|64}} Daenerys attempts to save his life by having Mirri perform [[blood magic]], but this causes disagreement among the warriors in Drogo's khalasar, and ensues in fighting. Daenerys goes into labor{{Ref|agot|64}} and eventually wakes to find her child was stillborn and misformed, Drogo's khalasar broken up, and Drogo himself an empty shell of the man he once was.{{Ref|AGOT|64}} Daenerys has Mirri arrested and smothers Drogo with a pillow to end his suffering.{{Ref|AGOT|64}} She places her three [[dragon egg]]s on Drogo's funeral pyre, as well as Mirri. When the fire is burning, Daenerys enters the pyre herself, and when the flames have died out the next morning is found unharmed, with three newly hatched [[dragons]] in her arms; The first dragons in the world in a century and a half.{{Ref|AGOT|72}}

At the [[Wall]] in [[Westeros]], the hundred year old [[maester]] [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]], brother to the late King [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon V]], still resides at [[Castle Black]]. Aemon intervenes when new recruit [[Jon Snow]] asks for his help with fellow recruit [[Samwell Tarly]], naming Tarly his personal servant to prevent him from remaining in training, which would have meant his death.{{ref|aGoT|41}}{{ref|aGoT|48}} He later advises Jon regarding the conflict of loyalty between family and duty to the [[Night's Watch]], revealing he had felt such conflicting feelings himself trice, most recently when he was informed of the [[Robert's Rebellion|deaths of the last of his house]].{{Ref|AGOT|60}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
Daenerys has named her three dragons [[Drogon]], [[Rhaegal]], and [[Viserion]], after her late husband and brothers.{{Ref|ACOK|12}} She leads the few remaining people of her khalasar through the [[Red Waste]],{{Ref|ACOK|12}} and is given entrance to [[Qarth]].{{Ref|ACOK|27}} There, she resides with merchant prince [[Xaro Xhoan Daxos]].{{Ref|ACOK|27}} Once in Qarth, Daenerys learns of the death of King Robert I Baratheon in Westeros and the [[War of the Five Kings|war]] that erupted as a result.{{Ref|ACOK|27}}

After having been denied help by the [[Pureborn]] of Qarth, Daenerys decides to request aid from the [[warlocks]].{{Ref|ACOK|40}} She drinks [[shade-of-the-evening]] and enters the [[House of the Undying]], where she meets the [[Undying Ones]] after seeing many visions. The Undying Ones give her cryptic information before attempting to consume her. Drogon rescues her, setting the House of the Undying on fire.{{Ref|ACOK|48}} Unwelcome in Qarth following the destruction of the home of the warlocks, Daenerys begins to seek passage on a ship. She is rescued from an assasination attempt by a [[Sorrowful Man]] by [[Barristan Selmy|Arstan Whitebeard]] and [[Belwas]], who inform her that they have been sent by Magister Illyrio with three ships to escort Daenerys and her people to Pentos.{{Ref|ACOK|63}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
On route to Pentos, Daenerys is convinced by [[Jorah Mormont]] to change course towards [[Astapor]], one of the three slaver cities in [[Slaver's Bay]].{{Ref|ASOS|8}} There, she acquires eight thousand six hundred [[Unsullied]] and five thousand boys in training.{{Ref|ACOK|27}} She uses her new army to conquer and sack [[Astapor]],{{Ref|ASOS|27}} beginning her [[Targaryen campaign in Slaver's Bay|campaign to abolish slavery in Slaver's Bay]], after which she frees the slaves, inviting them to join her.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} Daenerys marches on [[Yunkai]], where she faces the slave soldiers of Yunkai, and two sellsword companies, the [[Second Sons]] and the [[Stormcrows]]. Daenerys defeats the Yunkish soldiers, while the Stormcrows join her cause.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} With their leader gone, the Second Sons also join Daenerys and elect a new commander.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} Daenerys frees the slaves of Yunkai and marches on [[Meereen]], the last of the slaver cities. She conquers Meereen with the help of Meereen's slaves, whom she frees. After she learns how the council she had created to rule Astapor had been replaced by a butcher, who now rules Astapor as its king and has enslaved all the nobility in the city, Daenerys decides to prevent Meereen from the same faith. Believing she needs to learn how to rule before conquering Westeros, Daenerys decides to remain in Meereen and rule as its Queen.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} Having discovered that Jorah Mormont had been spying on her for months for the Iront Throne and that his information had led to the poisoning attempt, and that Arstan is actually Barristan Selmy, a former [[Kingsguard]] knight who had accepted pardons from Robert Baratheon, Daenerys furiously gives them one chance to redeem themselves.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} While she is later able to forgive Barristan, and takes him into her service, she finds herself unable to forgive Jorah, and sends him into exile.{{Ref|ASOS|71}}

[[Ben Plumm]], who is chosen as the leader of the [[Second Sons]] following the disappearance of [[Mero]] at the [[battle near Yunkai]], claims to have Targaryen ancestry, as [[Ossifer Plumm|one of his ancestors]] had been married to [[Elaena Targaryen|a Targaryen princess]].{{Ref|ASOS|57}}

At [[Castle Black]], maester Aemon believes [[Jon Snow]] when he claims he was ordered to join the [[free folk|wildlings]] by [[Qhorin Halfhand]].{{Ref|ASOS|48}} Following the death of [[Donal Noye]], Aemon tells Jon to take command of Castle Black during the [[Battle of Castle Black|attack by wildlings]].{{Ref|ASOS|64}} When Jon is arrested on suspicious of treason, only Aemon's intervention prevents Jon from being executed.{{Ref|ASOS|73}} When ordered before King [[Stannis Baratheon]], Aemon requests to see Stannis's sword [[Lightbringer]], and orders [[Samwell Tarly]] to describe the sword to him, as he cannot see for himself.{{Ref|ASOS|78}} Aemon is in charge of the choosing of a new Lord Commander, but as a maester is not allowed to influence the choosing. Instead, he subtly suggests that Samwell could,{{Ref|ASOS|78}} leading to the election of Jon Snow as [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]].{{Ref|ASOS|79}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
Lord Commander Jon Snow, fearing that the priestess [[Melisandre]] will wish to sacrifice Aemon to [[R'hllor]] for his kingsblood, orders Aemon to travel to [[Oldtown]], accompanied by [[Samwell Tarly]], singer [[Dareon]], wildling [[Gilly]], and [[Mance Rayder]]'s [[Aemon Battleborn|son]].{{Ref|AFFC|5}} Aemon's health detoriates during the first part of the journey,{{Ref|AFFC|15}} and becomes worse once they are in [[Braavos]].{{Ref|AFFC|26}} After Dareon abandons them, Samwell manages to arrange passage to Oldtown on the ''[[Cinnamon Wind]]''.{{Ref|AFFC|26}} Though talk of dragons and Daenerys Targaryen temporarily increases Aemon's health, it worsens again during the journey, and he eventually dies at the age of a hundred and two off the coast of [[Dorne]].{{Ref|AFFC|35}} His body is preserved in a cask of rum, so he can be cremated once the ship makes port.{{Ref|AFFC|35}} Upon arrival in Oldtown, Samwell informs [[Archmaester]] [[Marwyn]] of Aemon's passing, and his desire to join Daenerys, causing Marwyn to travel to Slaver's Bay in Aemon's stead.{{Ref|AFFC|45}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
Daenerys rules Meereen, but meets with resistance from several parties. A resistance group of [[Ghiscar]]i noblemen, the [[Sons of the Harpy]], engage in a shadow war against her,{{Ref|ADWD|2}} while Yunkai resumes its slavery and starts to make alliances against her. Daenerys forms a city watch,{{Ref|ADWD|11}} the [[Brazen Beasts]],{{Ref|ADWD|16}} to combat the Harpy's Sons, killings continue. Daenerys promises to web [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]] if he can stop the murders for ninety days.{{Ref|ADWD|23}} Meanwhile, the Yunkai'i forces defeat the [[Astapor]]i in [[Battle at the Horns of Hazzat|battle]]{{Ref|ADWD|16}} and [[Siege of Astapor|besiege and later sack]] the city,{{Ref|ADWD|23}}{{Ref|ADWD|25}} leaving them free to march against Daenerys. The Yunkai'i besiege Meereen,{{Ref|ADWD|43}} and the Second Sons desert Daenerys{{Ref|ADWD|43}} after she is unwilling to use her dragons in battle following the death of the young girl [[Hazzea]],{{Ref|ADWD|30}} who was killed by Drogon.{{Ref|ADWD|2}} Daenerys had [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]] locked up after learning about Hazzea, though [[Drogon]] escaped capture and left Meereen.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}

Hizdahr aids Daenerys by negotiating a peace with Yunkai, in which their marriage plays a large role.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Seven leaders of Yunkai come to Meereen to sign the peace and celebrate the opening of [[Daznak's Pit]], the largest of the fighting pits in Meereen.{{ref|adwd|50}} Daenerys is sickened by the battles, and after [[Barsena|a female warrior]] is slain by a boar decides to leave. At the same time, [[Belwas]] falls ill due to eating poisoned locusts which had been meant for Daenerys. Just as Belwas falls to his feat, Drogon returns to the city and lands in the Pit. While the public panicks and attempts to flee, Daenerys rushes to Drogon's side and flies away from Meereen on his back.{{Ref|ADWD|52}} Drogon flies her to the [[Dothraki Sea]], where she eventually encounters the khalasar of [[Khal]] [[Jhaqo]].{{Ref|ADWD|71}}

Meanwhile, Prince [[Doran Martell]] of [[Dorne]] has sent his son [[Quentyn Martell|Quentyn]] to [[Essos]] to find Daenerys.{{Ref|ADWD|6}} Having secretly made a wedding pact years before, promising the hand of his daughter [[Arianne Martell|Arianne]] in marriage to [[Viserys Targaryen]] in exchange for supporting Viserys's claim, Doran now wishes for Daenerys to fullfill the pact by marrying Quentyn.{{Ref|ADWD|43}} Quentyn eventually reaches Meereen, but is introduced to Daenerys only a day before her wedding to Hizdahr.{{Ref|ADWD|43}} After Daenerys has left Meereen on Drogon's back, Quentyn plans to steal one or two of Daenerys's dragons to proof himself and enlists the help of the [[Tattered Prince] and his [[Windblown]] to accomplish his goal.{{Ref|ADWD|60}} Though her dragons are freed,{{Ref|ADWD|67}}{{Ref|ADWD|68}} Quentyn dies in his attempt.{{Ref|ADWD|70}}

On the [[Rhoyne]], [[Jon Connington]], a friend of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] who had faked his death in exile, has secretly been raising Rhaegar's son [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]], who is believed to have died during the [[Sack of King's Landing]]. Instead, it is revealed that [[Varys]] had switched Aegon with another child, who had died in his place.{{Ref|ADWD|22}} Connington and Aegon plan to meet Daenerys in [[Volantis]],{{Ref|ADWD|5}} but in [[Selhorys]] learn that Daenerys has remained in [[Meereen]], and that several cities, including Volantis, are either already at war against her, or are about to join the war on the side of Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|22}} Connington presents Aegon to the [[Golden Company]], who had been enlisted by Magister Illyrio to aid them in conquering Westeros. As Daenerys is still in the east, Prince Aegon proposes travelling west to start conquering Westeros without her,{{Ref|ADWD|24}} a plan previously suggested to him by the exiled [[Tyrion Lannister]].{{Ref|ADWD|22}} reasoning that Daenerys will come west once she learns about his purpose.{{Ref|ADWD|24}} The Golden Company agrees, and they travel to Westeros, where Aegon, after [[Landing of the Golden Company|the first few victories in the Stormlands]], decides to personally lead an attack on [[Storm's End]].{{Ref|ADWD|61}}

[[Beyond the Wall]], the [[three-eyed crow]] who has been appearing to [[Bran Stark]] in his dreams is revealed to be none other than Bloodraven, [[Brynden Rivers]], kept alive by sorcery and living in a [[cave of the three-eyed crow|cave]].{{ref|ADWD|34}}{{ref|AWOIAF| Brynden Rivers}}

==House Targaryen at the end of the third century==

The known Targaryens during the timespan of the events described in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' are:
*King {[[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys III]]}, called "the Beggar King", ''Khal Rhae Mhar'' (the Sorefoot King), and ''Khal Rhaggat'' (the Cart King). Self-proclaimed King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, and [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], in exile. Fatally "crowned" in [[Vaes Dothrak]].
*Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys I]], called Daenerys Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, sister of Viserys and last known Targaryen heir. Self-proclaimed Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], ''Khaleesi'' of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Shackles/Chains, Queen of Meereen.
**her dragons, [[Drogon]], [[Viserion]], [[Rhaegal]],
**Khal {[[Drogo]]}, her first husband. Euthanized after disabling wounds.
***{[[Rhaego]]}, her son by Drogo. Died at birth.
**King [[Hizdahr zo Loraq|Hizdahr zo Loraq XIV]], her second husband, King of Meereen, Scion of Ghis, Octarch of the Old Empire, Master of the Skahazadhan, Consort to Dragons, Blood of the Harpy. A Ghiscari noble of Meereen.
*Maester {[[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]]}, sworn to the Night's Watch. Great-granduncle to the Mad King. Died of a chill at sea, at the age of one hundred and two.

*Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]], Rhaegar's son. Believed to have died at Gregor Clegane's hand in the Sack of King's Landing, but is purported by some to be alive under the identity of Young Griff and with the [[Golden Company]].

===Daenerys's Household===

====The Queen's protectors====
*Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], called Barristan the Bold. Lord Commander of the [[Queensguard]] and [[Hand of the Queen]].
**his two known knights:
***Ser [[Tumco Lho]], of the [[Basilisk Isles]], a newly-made knight.
***"[[The Red Lamb]]", a [[Lhazar]]ene freedman and newly-made knight.
**his lads, squires training for knighthood:
***[[Larraq]], called 'The Lash', of Meereen.
***the Boys, three Ghiscari brothers and freedmen.
*[[Belwas]], called Strong Belwas, eunuch and former pit fighter.
*her [[Dothraki]] bloodriders:
**[[Jhogo]], the whip, blood of her blood and ''ko''. Currently a hostage of the Yunkish
**[[Aggo]], the bow, blood of her blood and ''ko''. Away from Meereen seeking Daenerys.
**[[Rakharo]], the arakh, blood of her blood and ''ko''. Away from Meereen seeking Daenerys.
* Ser [[Jorah Mormont]], called 'Jorah the Andal', former Lord Commander. Banished. Currently with the [[Second Sons]].

====The Queen's captains and commanders====
*[[Grey Worm]], a eunuch, commander of the [[Unsullied]], a company of eunuch infantry.
**[[Hero]], an Unsullied captain, second-in-command.
**{[[Stalwart Shield]]}, an Unsullied spearman, murdered by the [[Sons of the Harpy]].
*{[[Mollono Yos Dob]]}, commander of the [[Stalwart Shields]], a company of freedmen named for the martyred Unsullied. Died of the [[pale mare]].
**[[Tal Toraq]], new commander of the Stalwart Shields.
*[[Symon Stripeback]], commander of [[Free Brothers]], a company of freedmen.
*[[Marselen]], commander of the [[Mother's Men]], a company of freedman, a eunuch, brother to Missandei.
*{[[Groleo]]} of Pentos, formerly captain of the great cog ''[[Saduleon]]'', made an admiral without a fleet. Executed by the Yunkai'i.
*[[Rommo]], a ''jaqqa rhan'' of the Dothraki. He represents Daenerys's ''khalasar'' at council.
*[[Daario Naharis]], a [[Tyrosh]]i sellsword, captain of the [[Stormcrows]], a free company.
**[[Widower|The Widower]], second in command and acting joint-commander of the Stormcrows.
**[[Jokin]], commander of the archers and acting joint-commander of the Stormcrows.
*[[Ben Plumm]], called Brown Ben, a mongrel sellsword, captain of the [[Second Sons]], a free company. Defected to Yunkai.

====The Queen's Meereenese court====
*[[Reznak mo Reznak]], her seneschal, bald and unctuous.
*[[Skahaz mo Kandaq]], called 'The Shavepate', shaven-headed commander of the [[Brazen Beasts]], Meereen's city watch.

====The Queen's handmaids and servants====
*[[Irri]] and [[Jhiqui]], young women of the Dothraki, handmaidens.
*[[Missandei]], a [[Naath]]i scribe and translator.
*[[Grazdar]], [[Qezza]], [[Mezzara]], [[Kezmya]], [[Azzak]], [[Bhakaz]], [[Miklaz]], [[Dhazzar]], [[Draqaz]], [[Jhezane]], children of the pyramids of Meereen, her cupbearers and pages.
*{[[Doreah]]}, a Lysene handmaiden and former bedslave. Perished to sickness in the [[red waste]].

===Young Gryff's/Aegon's supporters===
* Lord [[Jon Connington]], a sellsword late of the [[Golden Company]], exiled Lord of [[Griffin's Roost]] and former [[Hand of the King]] to [[Aerys II Targaryen]]. Masqueraded as a man called "Gryff" and raised the boy purported to be Aegon.
* Ser [[Rolly Duckfield]], called Duck, a [[knight]]. Pronounced the first of Aegon's [[Kingsguard]].
* Septa [[Lemore]], called Lady Lemore, a woman of the [[Faith of the Seven]].
* [[Haldon]], called the Halfmaester, Aegon's tutor.
* [[Yandry]], master and captain of the ''[[Shy Maid]]''
** [[Ysilla]], his wife.
* The [[Golden Company]], a famous sellsword company founded by the [[Blackfyre Pretenders]] to the [[Iron Throne]].
* [[Varys]], formerly of [[Lys]], the previous [[master of whisperers]] in [[King's Landing]] under Aerys II Targaryen and [[Robert I Baratheon]]. Alleges to have switched Aegon with another babe prior to the Sack of King's Landing, and smuggled Aegon to Essos afterwards.
* Magister [[Illyrio Mopatis]], of the [[Free City]] of [[Pentos]]

==Historical Members==
===On [[Dragonstone]]===
* [[Aenar Targaryen]], known as Aenar the Exile. First Lord of Dragonstone.
** [[Gaemon Targaryen (son of Aenar)|Gaemon Targaryen]], Aenar's son. Known as Gaemon the Glorious. Second Lord of Dragonstone.
** [[Daenys Targaryen]], Aenar's daughter. Known as Daenys the Dreamer. Sister-wife to Gaemon.
*** [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Gaemon)|Aegon Targaryen]], Gaemon's son by Daenys. Third Lord of Dragonstone.
*** [[Elaena Targaryen (daughter of Gaemon)|Elaena Targaryen]], Gaemon's daughter by Daenys. Sister-wife to Aegon.
**** [[Maegon Targaryen]], Aegon's son by Elaena.
**** [[Aerys Targaryen (son of Aegon)|Aerys Targaryen]], Aegon's son by Elaena.
***** [[Aelyx Targaryen]], Aerys's son.
***** [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Aerys)|Baelon Targaryen]], Aerys's son.
***** [[Daemion Targaryen]], Aerys's son. Fifth Lord of Dragonstone.
****** [[Aerion Targaryen (son of Daemion)|Aerion Targaryen]], Daemion's son. Married to Lady [[Valaena Velaryon]].
******* [[Visenya Targaryen]], sister-wife to Aegon.
******* [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], who would become known as King Aegon I Targaryen, Aegon the Conquerer, and Aegon the Dragon. Last Lord of Dragonstone.
******* [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], sister-wife to Aegon.

===Targaryen Dynasty===
'''The Sons of the Dragon'''
* King [[Aegon I Targaryen]], known as Aegon the Conqueror and Aegon the Dragon. First [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]].
* Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]], sister-wife to Aegon.
** Prince [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor Targaryen]], also known as Maegor the Cruel. The younger son of Aegon I by his elder sister-wife Visenya. Third [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Maegor I Targaryen]]. Married to [[Ceryse Hightower]], [[Alys Harroway]], [[Tyanna]] of the Tower, and the "Black Brides", [[Elinor Costayne]], [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]], and [[Jeyne Westerling (wife of Maegor I)|Jeyne Westerling]]
* Queen [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], sister-wife to Aegon.
** [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys Targaryen]], the elder son of Aegon I by his younger sister-wife Rhaenys. Married to Lady [[Alyssa Velaryon]]. Second [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Aenys I Targaryen]].
*** Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]], sister-wife to Aegon and later niece-wife to Maegor.
*** Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon Targaryen]], brother-husband to Rhaena.
****Princess [[Aerea Targaryen]], Aegon and Rhaena's daughter twin to Rhalla.
****Princess [[Rhalla Targaryen]], twin to Aerea.
*** Prince [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys Targaryen]].
*** Prince [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys Targaryen]], also known as Jaehaerys the Conciliator, the Old King, and Jaehaerys the Wise. Fourth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]].
*** Princess [[Alysanne Targaryen]], sister-wife of Jaehaerys I. Queen of the [[Seven Kingdoms]].
*** Princess [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Vaella Targaryen]].

'''Era of the Old King'''
* King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]], also known as Jaehaerys the Conciliator, the Old King, and Jaehaerys the Wise. Fourth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]. Married to his sister-wife, Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]], known as Good Queen Alysanne.
** Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon Targaryen]], died young.
** Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]], sister-wife to her brother Baelon, and the mother of his children.
** Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon Targaryen]]. Married to Lady [[Jocelyn Baratheon]].
*** Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys Targaryen]], also known as the Queen who Never Was. Married to Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], the Sea Snake. Rhaenys and Corlys had two children: [[Laena Velaryon|Laena]] and [[Laenor Velaryon]].
** Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]].
*** Prince [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]]. Fifth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]. Viserys was married twice: his first marriage was to his cousin, Lady [[Aemma Arryn]] (the daughter of Princess Daella), his second marriage to Lady [[Alicent Hightower]].
*** Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], known as the Prince of the City and Lord Flea Bottom, briefly [[King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]]. Married trice: first to Lady [[Rhea Royce]], second to his cousin, Lady [[Laena Velaryon]], third to his niece, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]].
**** Lady [[Baela Targaryen]], Daemon's daughter by [[Laena Velaryon]]. Twin to Rhaena. Formerly betrothed to Prince Jacaerys Velaryon. Married to Lord [[Alyn Velaryon]].
***** Unknown offspring, [[House Velaryon]].
**** Lady [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]], Daemon's daughter by [[Laena Velaryon]]. Twin to Baela. Once betrothed to Prince Lucerys Velaryon. Married to Ser [[Corwyn Corbray]] (no issue) until his death, married next to [[Garmund Hightower]].
***** Six unknown daughters by Garmund Hightower.
**** Unnamed son, died shortly after birth.
*** Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Baelon)|Aegon Targaryen]].
** Princess [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daella Targaryen]]. Married to Lord [[Rodrik Arryn]].
***Lady [[Aemma Arryn]], their daughter, married to her cousin, Prince Viserys, who later became King Viserys I.
** Prince [[Aeryn Targaryen]], died young.
** Prince [[Vaegon Targaryen]], later Archmaester Vaegon, called the Dragonless.
** Princess [[Maegelle Targaryen]], later Septa Maegelle.
** Prince [[Valerion Targaryen]], died young.
** Princess [[Viserra Targaryen]]
** Prince [[Gaemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Gaemon Targaryen]], died young.
** Princess [[Saera Targaryen]].
** Princess [[Gael Targaryen]], called the Winter Child.

'''Descendants of King Viserys I Targaryen'''
* Viserys's children by his first wife, Lady [[Aemma Arryn]];
** An unknown son, died in infancy.
** Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Baelon Targaryen]], also known as the heir for a day. Died a day after birth.
** Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], also known as the Realm's Delight, Maegor with Teats, Maegor's Teats, the Whore of Dragonstone, and the Half-Year Queen.
*** Rhaenyra's children by her first husband, Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]]; rumored to have been fathered by Ser [[Harwin Strong]]:
**** Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]], also known as Jace, Rhaenyra's eldest son by Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]]. Betrothed to his cousin, Lady [[Baela Targaryen]].
**** Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]], also known as Luke, Rhaenyra's second son by Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]]. Betrothed to his cousin, Lady [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]].
**** Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon]], Rhaenyra's youngest son by Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]].
*** Rhaenyra's children by her second husband, her uncle Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]];
**** Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], known as Aegon the Younger. Later ruled as King [[Aegon III Targaryen]].
**** Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]]. Later ruled as King [[Viserys II Targaryen]].
**** Princess [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Rhaenyra)|Visenya Targaryen]]. Stillborn.
* Viserys's children by his second wife, Lady [[Alicent Hightower]];
** Prince [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], also known as Aegon the Elder, and later as Aegon the Usurper. Sixth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Aegon II Targaryen]].
** Princess [[Helaena Targaryen]], sister-wife to Aegon II. Queen of the [[Seven Kingdoms]].
*** Prince [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys Targaryen]], twin to Jaehaera.
*** Princess [[Jaehaera Targaryen]], twin to Jaehaerys. Later Queen of the [[Seven Kingdoms]], as the wife to King [[Aegon III Targaryen]].
*** Prince [[Maelor Targaryen]].
*** Unknown bastard, a son, by a whore on the [[Street of Silk]].
*** Unknown bastard, a girl, by a maidservant of [[Alicent Hightower]]
** Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]], also known as Aemond One-Eye and Aemond the Kinslayer.
*** An unknown bastard by [[Alys Rivers]].
** Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron Targaryen]], also known as Daeron the Daring.

'''After the Dragons Danced'''
* King [[Aegon III Targaryen]], also known as Aegon the Younger, Aegon the Dragonbane, and the Broken King, seventh [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]. First married to his cousin, Princess [[Jaehaera Targaryen]]. That marriage ended childless. Married to Lady [[Daenaera Velaryon]] after Jaehaera's death.
** Prince [[Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron Targaryen]], also known as the Young Dragon. Aegon III's son by Daenaera Velaryon. Eighth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Daeron I Targaryen]].
** Prince [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor Targaryen]], also known as Baelor the Blessed and Baelor the Beloved. Aegon III's son by Daenaera Velaryon. Ninth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Baelor I Targaryen]].
** Princess [[Daena Targaryen]], also known as Daena the Defiant. Aegon III's daughter by Daenaera Velaryon. Sister-wife to King Baelor I.
** Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aegon III)|Rhaena Targaryen]]. Aegon III's daughter by Daenaera Velaryon.
** Princess [[Elaena Targaryen]]. Aegon III's daughter by Daenaera Velaryon.
*** [[Jon Waters]], Elaena's bastard by Lord [[Alyn Velaryon]].
*** [[Jeyne Waters]], Elaena's bastard by Lord [[Alyn Velaryon]].
*** [[Viserys Plumm]], Elaena's son by her first husband, [[Ossifer Plumm]]
*** [[Robin Penrose]], Elaena's son by her second husband, [[Ronnel Penrose]]
*** [[Laena Penrose]], Elaena's daughter by her second husband, Ronnel Penrose
*** [[Jocelyn Penrose]], Elaena's daughter by her second husband, Ronnel Penrose
*** [[Joy Penrose]], Elaena's daughter by her second husband, Ronnel Penrose
* King [[Viserys II Targaryen]], tenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]].
** Prince [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], also known as Aegon the Unworthy, eleventh [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Aegon IV Targaryen]].
*** Prince [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron Targaryen]], also known as Daeron the Good. Twelfth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Daeron II Targaryen]]. Aegon's son by his sister-wife, Princess [[Naerys Targaryen]].
*** Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Aegon IV)|Daenerys Targaryen]]. Aegon's daughter by his sister-wife, Princess [[Naerys Targaryen]]. The current ruling line of [[House Martell]] descents from Daenerys, through her son by her husband, Prince [[Maron Martell]].
*** Aegon's numerous bastards by multiple women:
**** [[Alysanne (daughter of Aegon IV)|Alysanne]], [[Lily]], [[Willow (daughter of Aegon IV)|Willow]] and [[Rosey (daughter of Aegon IV)|Rosey]], Aegon's bastard daughters by his second official mistress, [[Megette]].
**** [[Bellenora Otherys|Bellenora]], [[Narha Otherys|Narha]] and [[Balerion Otherys]], Aegon's bastards by his fourth official mistress, [[Bellegere Otherys]]
**** [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Waters]], later legitimized as Daemon Blackfyre, also known as Daemon I Blackfyre, the Black Dragon, and the Pretender, Aegon's bastard son by his cousin, Princess [[Daena Targaryen]]; founder of [[House Blackfyre]]
**** [[Aegor Rivers]], also known as Bittersteel, Aegon's bastard son by his fifth official mistress, [[Barba Bracken]].
**** [[Mya Rivers|Mya]] and [[Gwenys Rivers]], Aegon's bastard daughters, and [[Brynden Rivers]], also known as Bloodraven, Aegon's bastard son, by his sixth official mistress, [[Melissa Blackwood]].
**** [[Shiera Seastar]], Aegon's bastard daughter by his ninth official mistress, [[Serenei of Lys]].
** Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon Targaryen]], also known as Aemon the Dragonknight, joined the Kingsguard.
** Princess [[Naerys Targaryen]]. Sister-wife to King Aegon IV. Queen of the [[Seven Kingdoms]].

'''The Good'''
* King [[Daeron II Targaryen]], also known as Daeron the Good and Daeron the Falseborn. Twelfth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]. Married to Princess [[Mariah Martell]].
** Prince [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor Targaryen]], also known as Baelor Breakspear.
*** Prince [[Valarr Targaryen]], also known as the Young Prince. Married to [[Kiera of Tyrosh]].
**** Stillborn son.
**** Stillborn son.
*** Prince [[Matarys Targaryen]], also known as The Even Younger Prince.
** Prince [[Aerys I Targaryen|Aerys Targaryen]]. Thirteenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Aerys I Targaryen]]. Married to a cousin, [[Aelinor Penrose]].
** Prince [[Rhaegel Targaryen]]
*** Prince [[Aelor Targaryen]], twin and broher-husband to Princess Aelora.
*** Princess [[Aelora Targaryen]], twin and sister-wife to Prince Aelor.
*** Princess [[Daenora Targaryen]], married to her cousin, Prince Aerion. Mother to Prince [[Maegor Targaryen]].
** Prince [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar Targaryen]]. Fourteenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Maekar I Targaryen]]. Married to Lady [[Dyanna Dayne]].
*** Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron Targaryen]], also known as Daeron the Drunken.
**** Princess [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Daeron)|Vaella Targaryen]]
*** Prince [[Aerion Targaryen]], also known as Aerion Brightflame, the Bright Prince, and Aerion the Monstrous. Married to his cousin, Princess Daenora.
**** Prince [[Maegor Targaryen (son of Aerion)|Maegor Targaryen]], their son.
*** Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon Targaryen]], known as Maester Aemon. A maester of the Citadel.
*** Princess [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Maekar I)|Daella Targaryen]].
*** Prince [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], also known as Aegon the Unlikely, Aegon the Fortunate, and Egg. Fifteenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Aegon V Targaryen]].
*** Princess [[Rhae Targaryen]].

'''Descendants of King Aegon V Targaryen'''
* King [[Aegon V Targaryen]], also known as Aegon the Unlikely, Aegon the Fortunate, and Egg. Fifteenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]. Married to [[Betha Blackwood]], also known as Black Betha.
** Prince [[Duncan Targaryen]], also known as Duncan the Small and the Prince of Dragonflies. Married to [[Jenny of Oldstones]].
** Prince [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys Targaryen]]. Sixteenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]].
** Princess [[Shaera Targaryen]], sister-wife, to Jaehaerys.
*** Prince [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys Targaryen]], also known as the Mad King. Seventeenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Aerys II Targaryen]].
*** Princess [[Rhaella Targaryen]], sister-wife to Prince Aerys. Queen of the [[Seven Kingdoms]].
** Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Aegon V)|Daeron Targaryen]].
** Princess [[Rhaelle Targaryen]]. Married to Lord Baratheon. Mother of [[Steffon Baratheon]], grandmother of [[Robert Baratheon]], [[Stannis Baratheon]], and [[Renly Baratheon]].

'''The Last Dragons'''
* King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], also known as the Mad King, Mad King Aerys, Aerys the Mad, and King Scab. Seventeenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]].
** Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen]], sister-wife to King Aerys II.
*** Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], also known as the Last Dragon. Married to Princess [[Elia Martell]]. Eldest son of Aerys II by Rhaella.
**** Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys Targaryen]], Rhaegar's daughter by [[Elia Martell]].
**** Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]], Rhaegar's son by [[Elia Martell]].
*** Princess [[Shaena Targaryen]], stillborn
*** Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Aerys II)|Daeron Targaryen]], died in infancy
*** Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aerys II)|Aegon Targaryen]], premature, died in infancy
*** Prince [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aerys II)|Jaehaerys Targaryen]], died in infancy
*** Prince [[Viserys Targaryen]], mocked as the Beggar King, Khal Rhae Mhar ("the Sorefoot King"), and Khal Rhaggat ("the Cart King"). Crowned as King [[Viserys III Targaryen]] by his mother, Dowager Queen Rhaella, on [[Dragonstone]]. Youngest son of Aerys II by Rhaella.
*** Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen]], also known as Daenerys Stormborn. Daughter of Aerys II by Rhaella.

===Targaryen Family Tree===
{{Targaryen tree|state=hidden|title=Complete Targaryen Family Tree (click show to Expand)}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|Treachery was a coin the Targaryens knew well.{{Ref|aGoT|12}}}}
- [[Robert I Baratheon]]

{{Quote|I will kill every [[Targaryen]] I can get my hands on, until they are as dead as their dragons, and then I will piss on their graves.{{Ref|aGoT|12}}}}
- [[Robert I Baratheon]]

{{Quote|What did any Targaryen ever know of honor? Go down into your crypt and ask [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]] about the dragon’s honor!{{Ref|AGOT|12}}}}
- [[Robert Baratheon]] to [[Eddard Stark]]

{{Quote|Like their [[dragon]]s the Targaryens answered to neither gods nor men.{{Ref|aCoK|33}}}}
- [[Catelyn Stark]]'s thoughts

{{Quote|Every child knows that the Targaryens have always danced too close to madness.{{Ref|ASOS|71}}}}
- [[Barristan Selmy]]

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}
{{HousesCrownlands}}
{{Houses of Slaver's Bay}}

[[Category:House Targaryen| ]]
[[Category:Houses from the Crownlands|Targaryen]]
[[Category:Noble houses|Targaryen]]
[[Category:Valyrians|Targaryen]]

[[es:Casa Targaryen]]
[[fa:خاندان تارگرین]]
[[tr:Targaryen Hanesi]]
[[fr:Maison Targaryen]]
[[pt:Casa Targaryen]]
[[ru:Таргариены]]
[[zh:坦格利安家族]]

House Targaryen

2017-09-08T01:20:17Z

Benethon Stark: /* Aegon's supporters */

{{Noble House
| House_name = House Targaryen of [[King's Landing]]
| image = [[File:House Targaryen.svg|250px]]
| Coat_of_arms = Sable, a dragon thrice-headed gules
| Words = ''Fire and Blood''
| Seat = [[Aegonfort]] (formerly) [[Red Keep]] (formerly) [[Dragonstone]] (formerly) [[Summerhall]] (formerly)
| Current_Lord = [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
| Region = [[Crownlands]] [[Valyria]] (formerly)
| Title = [[Iron Throne|King]] of the [[Andals]], the [[Rhoynar]], and the [[First Men]] [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]] [[Prince of Dragonstone]] (heir apparent) [[Prince of Summerhall]]
| Overlord = None
| Ancestral_weapon= [[Blackfyre]] [[Dark Sister]]
| Cadet_branch = [[House Blackfyre]]
| Founded_in = House Targaryen: >[[Years before Aegon's Conquest|126 BC]] House Targaryen of King's Landing:{{Date|1}}
}}

'''House Targaryen''' is a noble family of [[Valyrian Freehold|Valyrian]] descent, and is the only family of [[dragonlords]] who survived the [[Doom of Valyria]]. They left Valyria twelve years before the Doom occurred and resided for more than a century on the [[Dragonstone (island)|island of Dragonstone]], until [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]] and his sister-wives began their [[Aegon's Conquest|conquest]] in [[2 BC]]. House Targaryen ruled as the kings on the [[Iron Throne]] and as the [[Great House]] of the [[crownlands]] for nearly three hundred years. A total of thirteen Targaryens kings sat on the Iron Throne, until the reign of [[Aerys II Targaryen]] ended with [[Robert's Rebellion]], in which the Targaryens were overthrown. The two surviving children of Aerys II, [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] and [[Daenerys Targaryen]], fled into exile, and have resided in [[Essos]] ever since.

House Targaryen took possession of the castle [[Dragonstone]] upon leaving Valyria. Following the [[Aegon's Conquest|Conquest]], they built the [[Aegonfort]] in the capital city of [[King's Landing]]. The Aegonfort was later torn down and replaced by the [[Red Keep]], which remained their main seat for the duration of their dynasty, and which housed the [[Iron Throne]]. Dragonstone almost always given to the heir to the throne. The Targaryens eventually built the summer residence [[Summerhall]], which has been given to several younger sons of the family over time.

The Targaryen sigil is a three-headed [[dragon]] breathing flames, red on black.{{Ref|aGoT|4}}{{Ref|aGoT|18}}{{ref|aCoK|63}} The Targaryen's words are ''"Fire and Blood"''.{{Ref|aSoS|23}}

==Culture==
===Traits===
The phrase "blood of the dragon" refers to the Valyrian descent of the Targaryens, and more specifically to the fact that they were one of forty dragonlord families of [[Valyria]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The typical Targaryen features remind strongly of the typical Valyrian features: pale skin, silver, platinum, or gold hair and eyes in a [[purple eyes|variety of shades of purple]], or light blue.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}

The Targaryens can tolerate a bit more heat than most ordinary people; However, they are not immune to fire.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20051103091500/nrctc.edu/fhq/vol1iss3/00103009.htm/ "Interview with the Dragon" Copyright © 2003 Robert Shaw.]</ref><ref name=egg>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Egg_and_the_Targaryens Egg and the Targaryens (November 05, 1998)]</ref>

Another trait typical to Targaryens is the ability to have [[dragon dreams|premonition-like dreams]].{{Ref|TMK}} The trait has been in the Targaryen family since before they relocated from [[Valyria]] to Dragonstone in [[126 BC]] (and in fact, is what caused them to relocate).{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} This trait was passed on to the cadet branch, [[House Blackfyre]], as well.{{Ref|TMK}}

The Targaryens are seen as [[Targaryen madness|prone to madness]], presumably caused by their [[incest|inbreeding]].<ref name=egg/> According to King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys II]], ''"madness and greatness are two sides of the same coin. Every time a new Targaryen is born [...] the gods toss the coin in the air and the world holds its breath to see how it will land"''.{{ref|ASOS|71}}

===Customs===
House Targaryen's words are "Fire and Blood."{{Ref|aSoS|23}} Their sigil is a three-headed [[dragon]] breathing flames, red on black.{{Ref|aGoT|4}}{{Ref|aGoT|18}}{{ref|aCoK|63}} The three-headed dragon represents [[Aegon I Targaryen|the Conqueror]] and his two sisters, [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]] and [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]].{{ref|aCoK|63}} Some younger sons of the house used variations of the standard sigil. Before his own reign, [[Maekar I Targaryen]] used the three-headed dragon, quartered,{{Ref|TSS}} while his son, Prince [[Aerion Targaryen]], changed the colors of the three heads - one orange, one yellow, one red - while the flames they breathed had a sheen of gold leaf.{{Ref|THK}} King [[Aegon II Targaryen]] used a golden dragon as his personal banner.{{Ref|tpatq}} In line with the sigil colors, most Targaryens used armor black of color (e.g., [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], who had the three-headed dragon wrought in rubies on his breast plate,{{ref|agot|4}}{{Ref|agot|39}}{{Ref|agot|58}} [[Valarr Targaryen]],{{Ref|thk}} and [[Aemond Targaryen]], whose night-black armor was chased with gold{{Ref|tpatq}}).

Although the Targaryen [[Iron Throne|kings]] took their seat at [[King's Landing]], the place where Aegon and his army [[Aegon's Landing|first landed]] in Westeros and made [[Aegonfort|their first fort]], replaced by the [[Red Keep]] later on, their earlier seat of [[Dragonstone]] remained in their possession as well.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} It eventually became the traditional seat of the heir-apparent to the throne, who was known as the [[Prince of Dragonstone]] (or Princess of Dragonstone, in a few occasions). The Targaryens eventually build a third seat, [[Summerhall]], in {{Date|188}}, which was granted to several younger sons of House Targaryen,{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}} who were granted the title "[[Prince of Summerhall]]".{{Ref|thk}}{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}

House Targaryen historically followed the gods of [[Valyrian Freehold|Valyria]]. Sometime before [[Aegon's Conquest]], the Targaryens abandoned the Valyrian gods and converted to the [[Faith of the Seven]], the predominant religion in Westeros.<ref>[http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/119534-twoiaf-spoilers-inconsistency-or-intentional/&do=findComment&comment=6539881 Clarification] of [[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Asshai.com_Forum_Chat Asshai.com Forum Chat (July 27, 2008)]</ref> However, they continued to follow the Valyrian practice of [[incest|incestuous]] marriage, wedding brother to sister, cousin to cousin, uncle to niece and aunt to nephew, holding themselves apart from and above the noble Westerosi families.

Deceased Targaryens are traditionally cremated.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Asshai.com_Forum_Chat Asshai.com Forum Chat (July 27, 2008)]</ref> The ashes of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] and his sister-wife, Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]], were interred and placed beneath the [[Red Keep]].{{Ref|TRP}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}

===Dragons===
:{{See also|Dragons|Dragon egg}}

As one of the forty [[dragonlord]] families of Valyria, the Targaryens were closer to [[dragon]]s than other men. [[Aenar Targaryen]] brought five dragons with him when he moved from Valyria to Dragonstone, and [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and his sister-wives, [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]] and [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]] rode them to battle during the [[Aegon's Conquest|Conquest]] of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] in [[2 BC]] - [[1 BC]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} The Targaryens rode their dragons during the first century and a half following Aegon's Conquest. Deaths in battle, especially during the [[Dance of the Dragons]], and a growing infirmity in each following generation caused the family's stable to dwindle. The [[last dragon]] was a deformed and sterile creature, who died young in {{Date|153}}, during the reign of [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]], the Dragonbane.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}

The Targaryens housed their dragons in an immense domed structure in [[King's Landing]], the [[Dragonpit]], which was constructed during the reign of [[Maegor I Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} Not all dragons which hatched were ridden, however. On the island of [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]], several dragons, both wild and previously ridden, resided at least during the reigns of [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I]] and [[Aegon II Targaryen]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

At some point, it became tradition to gift a newborn child with a [[dragon's egg]] in the cradle.{{Ref|TRP}} This practise continued even after the death of the last dragon, with the last Targaryens confirmed to have been given an egg having been the sons of Prince [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar]] during the reign of [[Daeron II Targaryen]].{{Ref|TMK}} Whether the tradition was continued beyond this point is unknown; However, the Targaryens still possessed eggs as recent as the reign of [[Aerys II Targaryen]], the last king of the Targaryen Dynasty.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Several attempts have been made, since the death of the last dragon, to hatch these eggs by members of House Targaryen. This list includes [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]] and his younger brother and [[Hand of the King]], [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]],{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{ref|aSoS|54}} [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I]],{{Ref|aFfC|5}} [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon V]],{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} and [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} In early {{Date|299}}, [[Daenerys Targaryen]] finally succeeded in hatching three dragon eggs.{{Ref|AGOT|72}}

==History==
[[File:Aegon on Balerion.jpg|450px|right|thumb|[[Aegon the Conqueror]], the greatest of the Targaryens, upon Balerion, the Black Dread by [http://jordigart.blogspot.com/ Jordi Gonzalez] ©.]]
A complete history of House Targaryen is planned for ''[[Fire and Blood]]'',<ref>[[Not A Blog]]: [http://grrm.livejournal.com/360936.html The Rogues Are Coming...]</ref> to be published several years after the completion of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''.<ref>[[Not A Blog]]: [http://grrm.livejournal.com/347757.html?thread=18471789#t18471789 The Dangerous Women Are Coming]</ref>

===Origins and relocation===
House Targaryen was one of the forty ancient noble houses known as [[dragonlords]] who ruled the [[Valyrian Freehold]], a great empire spanning much of [[Essos]]. The Targaryens were not one of the most powerful houses, however. The family resided in Valyria until [[Daenys Targaryen]], also known as Daenys the Dreamer, the daughter of Lord [[Aenar Targaryen]], had visions of a cataclysm that would come over Valyria. Aenar sold his estates in Valyria and moved his wives, children, other relatives, slaves, wealth, and five dragons (including [[Balerion]]) to [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]], an island at the entrance of [[Blackwater Bay]] and the westernmost outpost of Valyrian influence, where he took possession of a [[Dragonstone|castle of the same name]], in [[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 126 Before the Conquest|126 BC]]. Twelve years later the [[Doom of Valyria|Doom]] descended on the city of [[Valyria]], leading to the collapse of the Freehold. The Targaryens were the only dragonriders of Valyria to survive. In the century that followed, four of the five dragons of House Targaryen died, with only Balerion surviving. Two more dragons, [[Vhagar]] and [[Meraxes]], were hatched from eggs on Dragonstone, however.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

During the century after the Doom, which became known as the [[Century of Blood]] due to the violent struggles for power in Essos, [[Volantis]] attempted to seize power over Valyria's colonies. Most of the other [[Free Cities]] rebelled against against Volantis, and towards the end of the Century of Blood, the young Lord [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], rider of the dragon Balerion, was approached by [[Pentos]] and [[Tyrosh]] to form an alliance. Aegon, mounted on his dragon Balerion, flew first to Pentos to meet its [[Prince of Pentos|prince]], and then to [[Lys]], where he set the Volantene fleet aflame. With Volantis's rule at an end, he returned to Dragonstone, and focussed his attention to the lands west, which had always been of interest to him.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

===Aegon I's Wars of Conquest===
:{{Main|Aegon's Conquest|First Dornish War}}
[[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], Lord of Dragonstone, aspired to unite the [[Seven Kingdoms]] of [[Westeros]] under one ruler. Slightly more than a hundred years after the Doom of Valyria, in [[2 BC]], he began his [[Aegon's Conquest|conquest]], in which he was aided by his two sister-wives, [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]] and [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]]. All three were dragonriders, and used their dragons, [[Balerion]], [[Meraxes]], and [[Vhagar]] in battle. [[Aegon's Conquest]] lasted for two years. It began with Aegon's landing at the mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]] with a small force, and ended when Aegon was anointed king by the [[High Septon (Aegon's Conquest)|High Septon]] in [[Oldtown]]. In total, he had managed to conquer six of the seven kingdoms, with only [[Dorne]] remaining defiant. During the war [[House Gardener]], which had ruled the [[Reach]], and [[House Hoare]], which had ruled the [[Iron Islands]] and the [[riverlands]], were extinguished, while [[House Durrandon]], which had reigned over the [[Stormlands]], was continued [[House Baratheon|through the female line]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} From the swords of his enemies, Aegon created the [[Iron Throne]], and the dynasty he began would rule for nearly three hundred years.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}{{Ref|AGOT|43}} Aegon had constructed a wooden castle, the [[Aegonfort]], at the place where he had first come to shore, and the town that grew around it became [[King's Landing]], the kingdom's new capital.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} Dragonstone remained in the possession of the Targaryens as well, and was one of Aegon's favorite places.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} The region around King's Landing became known as the [[crownlands]].
[[File:Death of Meraxes.jpg|thumb|350px|Death of [[Meraxes]] at [[Hellholt]].]]

In {{date|4}}, Aegon's wars of conquest continued with the [[First Dornish War]], during which he and Rhaenys attempted to bring the dornish under Targaryen rule as well.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}} A bloody war, during which Queen [[Rhaenys Targaryen]] was killed with her dragon, [[Meraxes]], at [[Hellholt]] in {{Date|10}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}} An assasination attempt on Aegon that same year led to the creation of the [[Kingsguard]], who would guard the kings of the realm for centuries to come.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} The [[First Dornish War]] eventually ended in {{Date|13}}, after Prince [[Nymor Martell]], the [[Prince of Dorne]], had sent his daughter [[Deria Martell|Deria]] to King's Landing with a letter and the skull of Meraxes. Though the contents of the letter have never been revealed, Aegon agreed to an end of the war the next day.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}}

===The Sons and Grandsons of the Dragon===
:{{Main|Faith Militant uprising}}
[[Aegon I Targaryen]] died in {{Date|37}}, and was succeeded by his eldest son, [[Aenys I Targaryen]]. Almost immediately, Aenys faced four rebellions which had grown out of dissent, dreams of the old days or of vengeance, and of the fact that Aenys and his younger brother, [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]], had both been born from incestuous marriages. A bandit named [[Harren the Red]], claiming to be a grandson of [[Harren Hoare|Harren the Black]], took [[Harrenhal]] and killed Lord [[Gargon Qoherys]]. In the Vale, Lord [[Ronnel Arryn]] and his family were taken hostage by his younger brother, [[Jonos Arryn]]. On the [[Iron Islands]], a man claimed to be the priest-king [[Lodos (II)|Lodos]], finally returned from visiting [[Drowned God|his father]] after more than three centuries. And in Dorne, the [[Vulture King]] raised thirty thousand followers against the Targaryens.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} The rebels were swiftly defeated by the actions of Aenys's subjects and Maegor. Lord [[Goren Greyjoy]] killed the so-called priest-king, and sent his head to King Aenys. [[House Royce|Lord Royce]] of [[Runestone]] defeated the supporters of Jonos Arryn, though this caused the death of Lord Ronnel and his family when Jonos threw them out of the [[Moon Door]] in the [[Eyrie]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} Prince [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]], who had claimed the dragon [[Balerion]] after his father's death, eventually flew up to the Eyrie and had Jonos and his followers executed.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}<ref name=Sons>[http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/115696-spoilers-sons-of-the-dragon-reading-at-loncon-today/&do=findComment&comment=6134038 Sons of the Dragon (reading at LonCon 2014)]</ref> The Vulture King had made the mistake of splitting his large army, and was defeated during the [[Vulture Hunt]], in which Lord [[Orys Baratheon]] and several other [[Marcher lords]], including Lord [[House Dondarrion|Dondarrion]], Lady [[House Caron|Caron]], and Lord [[Samwell Tarly (Savage)|Sam Tarly]], marched against him.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}<ref name=Sons/> And the last rebel, [[Harren the Red]], was eventually caught by Aenys's [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Alyn Stokeworth]]. Though Stokeworth was killed by Harren in the fighting that ensued, Harren himself was slain shortly after. As Stokeworth's replacement, Aenys named Maegor as his Hand.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}

The next challenges Aenys faced came from the [[Faith of the Seven]]. Even though the Targaryens had been followers of the [[Faith of the Seven]] since before the [[Aegon's Conquest|Conquest]], the Targaryens held themselves apart from the laws of gods and men. By marrying both his sisters, Aegon I had continued both the Valyrian practice of incestuous [[marriage]], which was considered a sin in the eyes of the Seven, as well as the more rarely practised custom of [[polygamy]], even though the Faith of the Seven considered marriage only possible between one man and one wife.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} Even though Aegon I had always been careful regarding the Faith, the High Septons had never declared his marriages lawful, though they had not spoken up against Aegon's polygamous and incestuous marriages either.<ref name=Sons/> However, when Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] had suggested, in {{Date|23}}, that her son Maegor should be married to Aenys's infant daughter, Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], the High Septon had protested, and Maegor had been married to the High Septon's niece, [[Ceryse Hightower]], instead.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} After sixteen years of marriage, however, Maegor remained childless. Following the birth of Aenys I's sixth child in {{Date|39}},<ref name=Sons/> Maegor took a second wife, [[Alys Harroway]]. This greatly angered the Faith, and Aenys gave his brother the choice between abandoning Alys, or going in exile. Maegor chose the latter option, after which he left for [[Pentos]].{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}

[[File:Sept of Remembrance.jpg|thumb|400px|Maegor I Targaryen and Balerion burn down the [[Sept of Remembrance]].]]
The Faith remained discontent. Though they had not objected to Aenys's own marriage in {{Date|22}}, to his cousin [[Alyssa Velaryon]], new troubles arose in {{Date|41}} when Aenys married his eldest daughter, Rhaena, to his eldest son and heir, Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]]. The uproar this marriage caused led to the start of the [[Faith Militant uprising]].{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} Aenys fled to Dragonstone, but fell sick and died in {{Date|42}}. Dowager Queen [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]] immediately called Maegor back from his exile, allowing him to claim the throne. Maegor took King's Landing back from the Faith Militant, though he would spent his entire reign fighting against them. In addition, he fought against Aenys's heir, Aegon, and killed both him and his dragon [[Quicksilver]] in {{Date|43}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}

Maegor's reign was a cruel one. He finished the construction of the [[Red Keep]], which had begun in {{Date|35}}, during his reign,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} though he honored his moniker "the Cruel" when he killed all the construction workers after work was completed. He had come back from his exile with a third wife, [[Tyanna]], but was still without an heir towards the end of his reign. Denouncing the claims of Aenys's only surviving son, [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]], Maegor married his three [[Black Brides]], one of whom was Jaehaerys's sister, Rhaena, and named Rhaena's [[Aerea Targaryen|daughter]] as his heir until he had a child of his own. While support for Jaehaerys grew, support for Maegor dwindled. When Maegor died mysteriously in {{date|48}}, Jaehaerys succeeded him.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} A wise ruler known as [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys the Conciliator]], Jaehaerys ruled wisely for fifty-five years, during which time he made peace with the Faith. He faced a difficult decision in {{Date|92}} following the death of his heir, Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]], when he had to name either Aemon's daughter, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys]], or Aemon's brother, [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]], as his heir. Jaehaerys chose Baelon, but Baelon died in {{Date|101}}, which caused Jaehaerys to become the first king to call a [[Great Council]], where Baelon's son was chosen as Jaehaerys's heir. Jaehaerys died two years later, in {{Date|103}}, and was succeeded by his grandson, [[Viserys I Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}

===Death of the Dragons===
:{{See also|Dance of the Dragons}}

King [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I's]] reign had troubles of its own. By his first wife, Lady [[Aemma Arryn]], to whom he had been married since {{Date|93}}, he had one surviving daughter, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]]. Aemma died in {{Date|105}} in childbed, as did her son, [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Baelon]], after which Viserys officially declared Rhaenyra to be his heir, having the lords of the realm swear fealthy to her. Though Viserys remarried in {{Date|106}}, and had three sons, [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]], [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]], and [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]], and one daughter, [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]], by his new wife, Queen [[Alicent Hightower]], he insisted that Rhaenyra remained his heir. Rivalry between Rhaenyra and Alicent resulted in two fractions being formed at court, called the [[blacks]] and the [[greens]]. Alicent's three sons loathed Rhaenyra's three eldest sons, [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]], [[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys]] and [[Joffrey Velaryon]], all three rumored to have been bastards fathered by Ser [[Harwin Strong]], as they considered themselves to have been robbed of their birthright: the Iron Throne.{{Ref|TRP}}

Both Rhaenyra and her uncle, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], the younger brother of Viserys I, had been married into [[House Velaryon]], and both had children by their respective spouses. When both Rhaenyra's husband [[Laenor Velaryon|Laenor]] and Daemon's wife [[Laena Velaryon|Laena]] died in {{Date|120}}, they married each other, and had three more children ([[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]], and the stillborn [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Rhaenyra)|Visenya]]). Meanwhile, King Viserys's son [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]] and daughter [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]] had been married as well, with three children resulting from their marriage ([[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys]], [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]], and [[Maelor Targaryen|Maelor]]).{{Ref|TRP}}

When Viserys died in {{Date|129}}, his widow, Dowager Queen [[Alicent Hightower]], and the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard|Lord Commander]] of his [[Kingsguard#Kingsguard during the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen (103 AC-129 AC)|his Kingsguard]], Ser [[Criston Cole]], defied Viserys's last will, and crowned Viserys's son [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] while Rhaenyra, unaware of her father's death, resided on [[Dragonstone]]. Unwilling to submit to her brother, Rhaenyra declared war, and the resulting conflict over the succession, called the [[Dance of the Dragons]] ({{date|129}}-{{Date|131}}), divided the kingdom. During this bloody war, thousands died, as did most of the Targaryen [[dragon]]s. Rhaenyra herself was devoured by [[Sunfyre]], Aegon II's dragon, in late {{Date|130}} while her son [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]] looked on.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}{{Ref|tpatq}} Despite her death and Aegon the Younger's capture, the war raged on for another half year.{{Ref|TPATQ}} Aegon II was forced into betrothing his daughter and only remaining child, [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]], to Rhaenyra's eldest surviving son, [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], and name them his heirs,<ref>asoiaf.westeros.org: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/139166-aegon-ii-and-aegon-iii/&do=findComment&comment=7552930 Aegon II and Aegon III (April 23) - post 1]</ref><ref>asoiaf.westeros.org [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/139166-aegon-ii-and-aegon-iii/&do=findComment&comment=7552965 Aegon II and Aegon III (April 23) - post 2]</ref> though he planned to remarry.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}} The was lasted until mid-{{Date|131}}, when Aegon II was poisoned by his own councillors.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}

With the war at an end, the eleven-year old Aegon the Younger ascended the throne as [[Aegon III Targaryen]]. Until Aegon reached the [[age of majority|age of sixteen]], the realm was ruled by a [[regency of Aegon III|regency]]. Aegon's younger brother [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]], formerly thought to have died during the Dance, returned to [[Westeros]], married to Lady [[Larra Rogare]]. Viserys served as his brother's [[Hand of the King]] towards the end of his reign. The Targaryen dragons had been greatly diminished in numbers because of the war, and when the [[last dragon]] died in {{Date|153}}, Viserys convinced Aegon to sent for nine mages from [[Essos]], to allow them to use their arts to hatch a clutch of [[dragon egg]]s. Sadly, their attempt failed.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}

===War on Dorne===
:{{Main|Conquest of Dorne}}
When [[Aegon III Targaryen]] died in {{Date|157}} from consumption, he was succeeded by his eldest son, [[Daeron I Targaryen]], born to him by his second wife, Queen [[Daenaera Velaryon]] (his first marriage having ended both quickly and childless with the death of Queen [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]] in {{Date|133}}).{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}} Though Daeron was only fourteen years of age, his uncle, Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]], decided not to insist on a regency, and continued to serve his new king as [[Hand of the King|Hand]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}} Daeron I had great ambition, and wished to "complete the conquest" which his ancestor [[Aegon I Targaryen]] had begun a century and a half before.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}} During Aegon's Conquest, [[Dorne]] had been the only kingdom to resist the Targaryen forces,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} and following the conclusion of the [[First Dornish War]] in {{Date|13}}, a peace had been agreed upon by the Targaryens and Martells which had long lasted.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}} Daeron I managed to convince his councillors of his plans, and managed to [[Conquest of Dorne|conquer Dorne]] within a year. In {{Date|258}}, the [[Prince of Dorne]] and several other dornish lords bent their knees at the [[Submission of Sunspear]]. The hinterlands were pacified by {{Date|159}}, and Daeron returned to King's Landing with fourteen highborn dornish hostages, leaving Lord [[Harlan Tyrell]] behind to keep the peace.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}}

However, Daeron's conquest did not last. The [[smallfolk]] rebelled, and though Lord Tyrell attempted to fight back, travelling from holdfast to holdfast, the rebels always struck back.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}} After he was murdered in his bed at [[Sandstone]], all of [[Dorne]] rose in open rebellion, and they managed to liberate themselves within a fortnight.{{ref|asos|66}} Daeron returned to Dorne in {{Date|160}}, and when the dornish requested to discuss peace terms the next year, they betrayed Daeron by attacking him and his retinue beneath the peace banner. One of Daeron's [[Kingsguard]] knights surrendered, while another, his cousin [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon the Dragonknight]], was captured. Three other Kingsguard knights were slain, as was Daeron I himself.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}} Though his reign had lasted only four years, it had been a bloody one. It is said that ten thousand men died conquering Dorne, and another forty or fifty thousand died trying to keep it.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}}{{Ref|AGOT|5}} Only eighteen years old at the time of his death, Daeron I had never been married<ref group="N">Though Martin has stated in 2008 that Daeron I had been married at the time of his death ([[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Targaryen_History Targaryen History (April 20, 2008)], ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' states that Daeron had never been married during his lifetime (''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'', The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I).</ref> and left no issue. He was succeeded by his younger brother, [[Baelor I Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron I}}

Though in [[King's Landing]] Prince Viserys argued for the execution of the dornish hostages, the new King Baelor I decided to free them instead. He walked barefoot from King's Landing to Sunspear, escorting the hostages home, and met with the [[Prince of Dorne]]. They forged a peace, and Baelor agreed to betroth his cousin, Prince [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron]] (his uncle Viserys's grandson), to the eldest child of the Prince of Dorne, Princess [[Mariah Martell]]. During his journey back home, Baelor passed by [[Wyl]], where he freed his cousin [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon]], though he was bitten by veneomous snakes in the process. When he finally returned to King's Landing, Baelor convinced the High Septon to dissolve his marriage to his sister, [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]], whom he had wed in {{Date|160}}, as it had never been consummated. He then locked Daena and her sisters [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aegon III)|Rhaena]] and [[Elaena Targaryen|Elaena]] in the [[Maidenvault]], to "preserve their innocence". Baelor I was focussed mostly on the [[Faith of the Seven]], and even took a [[septon]]'s vows, ensuring he would never father heirs. His edicts became more focussed on spiritual matters as his reign continued, causing unease among the highborn. Baelor began the construction of [[Great Sept of Baelor|a new sept]], though it would not be completed until after his death. Baelor also began to fast more frequently and for longer periods of time towards the end of his reign. And when his sister and former wife [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]], who had escaped the Maidenvault on several occassions during Baelor's reign, gave birth to a bastard son she named [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Waters]] in late {{Date|170}}, Baelor began a forty-day fast (even though another lengthy fast several years before had nearly killed him). Baelor was found collapsed on the forty-first day, and died soon after, in {{Date|171}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}}

As the next male in line, Prince Viserys, who had served as Hand of the King for [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]], [[Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron I]], and [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I]], ascended the throne after Baelor's sisters were passed over.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}} Though he ruled for only a year, [[Viserys II Targaryen]] made several reforms in the royal household, established a new royal mint, attempted to increase trade across the [[narrow sea]], and revised the code of laws established by Jaehaerys I years before.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}}

===The Blackfyre Pretenders===
:{{See also|Blackfyre Pretenders}}
[[File:Redgrass Field.png|thumb|350px|Daemon I Blackfyre fighting in the Battle of the Redgrass Field]]
Viserys II was succeeded by his eldest son, [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon IV]], who was rumored to have had a hand in his father's death.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} Aegon's reign was filled with corruption, and he gave and took from noble houses as he wished, whenever he wanted to.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} He had been married to his sister [[Naerys Targaryen|Naerys]] in {{Date|153}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}} They differed greatly in personalities,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}} and childbirth was hard on her. When their son [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron]] was born in {{Date|153}}, the [[Grand Maester]] warned that another childbirth could kill Naerys. However, Aegon took no heed, and impregnated Naerys three more times. Only one child, however, survived: Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Aegon IV)|Daenerys]], born in {{Date|172}}. Naerys died in childbirth several years later.{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}

Aegon was very promiscuous, both before and during his reign. He had [[bastard]] children by several women, though he only acknowledged those fathered upon his nine official mistresses, with one exception: his cousin Daena's son, [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Waters]]. In {{Date|182}}, Aegon openly recognized the boy as his own son<ref name=greatbastards>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Great_Bastards/ The Great Bastards (December 26, 2005)]</ref> and gifted him the [[Valyrian steel]] sword [[Blackfyre]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} There were some who felt that the sword symbolized the monarchy,<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/SF_Targaryens_Valyria_Sansa_Martells_and_More SF, Targaryens, Valyria, Sansa, Martells, and More (June 26, 2001)]</ref> as the sword had been passed on from king to king since Aegon the Conqueror (with one exception<ref name=Aenys group="N">Aenys I Targaryen gifted the sword to his brother, Prince Maegor, after their father's cremation</ref>). Aegon's public gift of the sword to his bastard son was one of the seeds from which the [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]] would eventually grow. Following the acquisition of the sword, Daemon took the surname "Blackfyre" for himself.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}

Aegon IV's relationship with his trueborn heir was more troublesome. Once he was old enough to voice his own opinions, Prince [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron]] and Aegon IV quarreled more often, and towards the end of Aegon's reign, Daeron became his chief obstacle. When Aegon attempted to invade [[Dorne]] with wooden dragons and a fleet in {{Date|174}}, the homeland of Daeron's wife, [[Mariah Martell]], rumors were heard for the first time that Daeron had been fathered by Aegon's brother [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon]] instead of Aegon. Though Aemon defeated Ser [[Morgil Hastwyck]] in a trial by combat when he accused Naerys of adultery, the rumors remained, and it was believed that they had originated with King Aegon himself, though he denied it. Following the death of both Aemon and Naerys, Aegon began more openly to refer to Daeron's illegitimacy, though he never disowned him. Finally, on his death bed in {{Date|184}}, Aegon IV legitimized all of his [[bastards]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} Though his successor, his son [[Daeron II Targaryen]], could not undo this, he made attempts to keep his half-sibilings close.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}

Daeron II began his reign by negotiating with his brother-in-law, [[Maron Martell]], who had [[Prince of Dorne|inherited the rule]] of Dorne. He arranged a marriage between Maron and his sister, [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Aegon IV)|Daenerys]], which occurred in {{Date|187}}. Following the wedding, Dorne officially joined the realm, and did fealthy to the [[Iron Throne]]. However, while the Seven Kingdoms were now finally united, dissatisfaction grew with the concessions that Dorne had won, as well as the growing Dornish influence at Daeron's court. Daeron II's heir, Prince [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor]], favored his dornish mother in his physical appearance, and more and more lords began to wish for "the old days", when the dornish had been the enemy in battle, and not rivals for power at court.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}

These lords looked at Daemon Blackfyre, and saw in him a warrior, tall and powerful, with the hallmarks of Old [[Valyria]] (deep purple eyes, silver-gold hair down to his shoulders), who was described as having had an "almost inhumane beauty", being "half a god among mortal men".{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}<ref name=greatbastards/> Though it took many years, talk eventually turned into treason when Daemon planned to make his claim for the [[Iron Throne]]. The [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]] began in early {{Date|196}} and lasted nigh on a year, ending late in the year with the [[Battle of the Redgrass Field]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}} Daemon and his two eldest sons, [[Aegon Blackfyre|Aegon]] and [[Aemon Blackfyre]], were killed,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}{{Ref|TSS}} whereas [[Aegor Rivers]], another one of Daeron II's half-brothers, fled into exile with Daemon's remaining children and the sword Blackfyre. For a while, Rivers resided in [[Tyrosh]] with Daemon's family,{{Ref|TMK}} until he formed the [[Golden Company]] in {{Date|212}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}}

===The Great Spring Sickness===
The remainder of Daeron II's reign was peaceful. However, in its final year, {{Date|209}}, problems began when Daeron's heir and [[Hand of the King]], Prince [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor]], died when defending a hedge knight called [[Duncan]] in a [[trial of seven]] at the [[tourney at Ashford Meadow]].{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}{{Ref|THK}} It is believed that Baelor's youngest brother [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar]], who had fought on the side of the two accusers, his own eldest two sons [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron]] and [[Aerion Targaryen|Aerion]], had been the one to fatally his Baelor's head.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}{{Ref|THK}} Following Baelor's cremation, Maekar sent Aerion into exile, while he allowed his youngest son, nicknamed "[[Aegon V Targaryen|Egg]]", to squire for Duncan, so he could be taught humility and honor.{{Ref|THK}}

Not long after the death of Baelor, the [[Great Spring Sickness]] began. Thousands died as a result, and among the victims were Daeron II and his two most immediate heirs, Baelor's two sons [[Valarr Targaryen|Valarr]] and [[Matarys Targaryen|Matarys]].{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}{{Ref|TSS}} As such, Daeron II was succeeded by his second son, [[Aerys I Targaryen]], in {{Date|209}}, whose reign began with a two-year drought.{{Ref|TSS}} The Spring Sickness had hit the cities of the Seven Kingdoms most, especially King's Landing, and most of the hostages King Daeron II had once taken after the First Blackfyre Rebellion had died, leaving their relatives feeling secure enough about attempting a new rebellion.{{ref|TMK}} Lord [[Gormon Peake]] convinced [[Daemon II Blackfyre]] to cross the [[narrow sea]] to claim the throne.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}} However, the [[Second Blackfyre Rebellion]] was far less successful than the first, as Daemon II was arrested at [[Whitewalls]] before he could even gather an army.{{Ref|TMK}} He was kept alive as a hostage at King's Landing, but died within years, allowing [[Aegor Rivers]] to crown [[Haegon I Blackfyre]] the new [[Blackfyre Pretenders|Blackfyre pretender]]. Haegon attempted [[Third Blackfyre Rebellion|his invasion]] in {{Date|219}}, when he crossed the [[narrow sea]] with the [[Golden Company]], led by Aegor Rivers. Haegon was slain after he had surrendered his sword, while Aegor was arrested, and sentenced to join the [[Night's Watch]]. He managed to escape, and returned to [[Tyrosh]], where he crowned Haegon's son, [[Daemon III Blackfyre]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}}

===Succession problems===
In addition to the two Blackfyre Rebellions, Aerys's reign knew multiple other troubles, including the [[Great Spring Sickness|plague]] and drought, dwindling trade, rising banditry, and the reaving of [[Dagon Greyjoy]].{{Ref|TSS}}{{Ref|TMK}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}} Additionally, Aerys had difficulties with his heirs. Though he had been married to Lady [[Aelinor Penrose]] before his reign began, his marriage remained unconsummated. He additionally refused to take another to wife. As he had no issue of his own, he firstly acknowledged his younger brother [[Rhaegel Targaryen|Rhaegel]] as his heir. Following Rhaegel's death in {{Date|215}}, Rhaegel's son [[Aelor Targaryen|Aelor]] was named [[Prince of Dragonstone]]. Aelor died in {{Date|217}}, after which Aerys I's youngest brother, [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar]] was named heir.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I}}

Maekar succeeded Aerys I in {{Date|221}}, and reigned for twelve years.{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}} However, when Maekar himself died while leading an attack on [[Starpike]] in the [[Peake Uprising]]<ref>[http://www.georgerrmartin.com/world-of-ice-and-fire-sample/ The World of Ice and Fire sample]</ref> in {{Date|233}}, the succession once more became a problem. Maekar I's eldest son, Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron]], had predeceased his father, and left behind only one child: a single-minded daughter, [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Daeron)|Vaella]]. Maekar's second son, [[Aerion Targaryen|Aerion]], had died in {{Date|232}} when drinking a cup of wildfire. Aerion's only issue was an infant son named [[Maegor Targaryen|Maegor]], born the same year Aerion had died. Maekar's third son, [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]], had been sent to the [[Citadel]] at [[Oldtown]] by King Daeron II at a young age,{{Ref|ACOK|6}} where he had completed his [[maester]]'s chain at the age of nineteen,{{Ref|AWOIAF| Aemon}} and his youngest son, [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon]] (also known as "Egg"), was disliked by several lords, as he had often meddled in their affairs.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}{{Ref|ACOK|6}}

A [[Great Council]] was called by [[Brynden Rivers]], who had served as Maekar's Hand of the King. The council passed over [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron's]] daughter and [[Aerion Targaryen|Aerion's]] infant son, and because of the dislike some had for Maekar's youngest son, the crown was quietly offered to Aemon first. Following Aemon's refusal, they crowned Maekar I's youngest son as [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon V]]. Aegon V became known as "The Unlikely", as he had been the fourth son of a fourth son.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}{{Ref|ACOK|6}}

===The Unlikely Reign===
The reign of Aegon V began troubled. He felt forced to arrest [[Brynden Rivers]], who had served both Maekar I and Aerys I as Hand, after Brynden, who had offered safe passage to [[Aenys Blackfyre]], the fifth son of the late [[Daemon I Blackfyre]], from Tyrosh to King's Landing, so Aenys could present his own claim during the Great Council, betrayed Aenys by arresting and executing him upon arrival. Rivers was sent to the [[Wall]] and joined the [[Night's Watch]]. Aegon V's brother Aemon accompanied Rivers, intent on joining the [[Night's Watch]] as well so his claim to the throne could not be used against the king.{{Ref|affc|15}}

Aegon spend much of his reign in battle. When winter ended in {{Date|236}}, [[Daemon III Blackfyre]] and [[Aegor Rivers]] crossed the narrow sea to begin the [[Fourth Blackfyre Rebellion]]. They were supported by few, however, and Daemon III was eventually slain by a knigth of Aegon V's [[Kingsguard]], Ser [[Duncan]] the Tall.{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

Further opposition came from the lords of Aegon V's realm, as many disagreed with his policies, or distrusted and hated him, as they felt that his wanderings with the [[hedge knight]] [[Duncan]] had left him "half a peasant".{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}} Aegon's reign had begun in the middle of a cruel six-year long winter, which had led to starvation and suffering in the north. Concerned for the welfare of the poor and weak, Aegon V made attempts to increase the flow of food to the north. However, some disagreed, as they felt Aegon did too much in this regard.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} Aegon further wanted to diminish the powers of the lords, and enacted numerous reforms while giving new rights and protections to the [[smallfolk]]. For this, he faced fierce opposition and at times even open defiance. One lord even went as far as to denounce Aegon V as a "bloody-handed tyrant intent on depriving us of our gods-given rights and liberties."{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

A major rebellion in {{Date|239}} was caused by Aegon's eldest son. Aegon V had five children, [[Duncan Targaryen|Duncan]], [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys]], [[Shaera Targaryen|Shaera]], [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Aegon V)|Daeron]], and [[Rhaelle Targaryen|Rhaelle]], and for the eldest four betrothals had been arranged to several great Houses ([[House Baratheon]], [[House Tully|Tully]], [[House Tyrell|Tyrell]] and [[House Redwyne|Redwyne]] respectively). When Duncan, in {{Date|239}}, broke his betrothal to a daughter of Lord [[Lyonel Baratheon]] to marry [[Jenny of Oldstones]], going as far as to renounce his rights to the throne for her, Lord Lyonel declared the independence of the [[Stormlands]] in response. Only after his defeat in a [[trial by combat]] against the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard|Lord Commander]] of Aegon's [[Kingsguard]], Ser [[Duncan]] the Tall, and the promise of the hand of Aegon V's daughter Rhaelle in marriage to Lyonel's heir, [[Ormund Baratheon]], did Lyonel join the King's peace again.{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} Aegon's other children (except Rhaelle) all broke their own betrothals as well. While Jaehaerys and Shaera secretly married each other in {{Date|240}}, Daeron chose to remain unwed.{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

Towards the end of his reign, Aegon V began to dream of dragons with whom he could bend the lords of Westeros to his will. As several Targaryen kings had tried before him, seems to have attempted to hatch dragon eggs at [[Summerhall]], where he had gathered those closest to him to celebrate the upcomming birth of his first great-grandchild in {{Date|259}}. However, in a [[Tragedy of Summerhall|great tragedy]] occurred, causing the death of Aegon V, Prince Duncan, and many more. Though the survivors would not speak of what had happened, the histories of [[Archmaester]] [[Gyldayn]], the last maester to serve as the castle, speaks of seven eggs and [[pyromancers]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} As Summerhall was burning down, Princess [[Rhaella Targaryen]], the only daughter of Prince Jaehaerys and Princess Shaera, gave birth to a healthy son named [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]].{{Ref|AFFC|35}}

===War of the Ninepenny Kings===
Aegon V's second son [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]] ascended the throne in {{Date|259}} following the [[Tragedy of Summerhall]], and was immediately faced with a threat from the east when the [[Band of Nine]] conquered first [[Tyrosh]] and then the [[Stepstones]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} The Band of Nine had formed in the [[Disputed Lands]] in {{Date|258}} from nine outlaws, exiles, pirates, and sellsword captains. They swore to aid one another in conquering a kingdom for each member. One of these members was [[Maelys I Blackfyre]], known as "the Monstrous", who held command over the Golden Company.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}

To face the "Ninepenny Kings", as Prince [[Duncan Targaryen]] had named them before his death,{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} King Jaehaerys II sent an army, including his own heir Prince [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] and his Hand, Lord [[Ormund Baratheon]], which landed on the shores of the Stepstones in {{Date|260}}. For most of the year, the war continued, but ended when a young knight called [[Barristan Selmy]] killed Maelys, thereby ending the male line of the Blackfyres after five generations.{{ref|ASOS|67}}{{Ref|ADWD|5}}{{Ref|ADWD|67}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}} As the remainders of the Band of Nine had little interest in Westeros, this victory ended the war.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}

In total, Jaehaerys II only reigned for three years, and died after a short sickbed in {{Date|262}}. He was succeeded by his only son, [[Aerys II Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II}}

===Fall of the Dragons===
:{{See also|Defiance of Duskendale|Tourney at Harrenhal|Robert's Rebellion}}

While the reign of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] began with much promise, his would become the reign which ended the Targaryen Dynasty. Upon ascending the throne, he replaced all of his father's elderly councillors with younger men, and appointed a friend from his youth, the twenty-year old [[Tywin Lannister]], as his [[Hand of the King]]. While Aerys had great plans for his realm, his attention span was short and most plans were quickly forgotten. While Tywin would be Aerys II's Hand for nineteen years, tensions between the two friends began early in Aerys's reign. Aerys grew increasingly jealous of Tywin and over time began to insult him, while the deaths of several of his children contributed further to his madness. When in {{Date|276}}, after three miscarriages, two stillbirths, and three deaths in the cradle, Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] was born, Tywin hosted a [[tournament in honor of Viserys's birth]] at [[Lannisport]], which Aerys II and Rhaegar attended.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} There, Tywin suggested his ten-year old daughter [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] as a bride for Rhaegar, and her twin [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] as Rhaegar's [[squire]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{Ref|AFFC|24}} Aerys refused him, stating he would not wed his son to the daughter of his servant.{{Ref|AFFC|24}}

Aerys's jealousy for Tywin increased further when he learned of the saying that Tywin was the true ruler of the kingdom, making his suspicious of his subjects at court. His jealousy and desire to show himself as a leader led to his rash action of accepting the invitation of Lord [[House Darklyn|Darklyn]] to travel to [[Duskendale]], as to discuss Darklyn's petition. Aerys went to Duskendale with only a small escort, and was captured upon arrival. This revolt, known as the [[Defiance of Duskendale]], lasted for half a year, during which time Aerys II was kept in the dungeons, while Lord Tywin besieged the city. Though he was eventually freed, the last of Aerys's sanity had died during his captivity. He became increasingly suspicious everyone, including his own heir, [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]], and refused to leave the [[Red Keep]] for four years. Tensions between Aerys and Rhaegar grew, moreso after Rhaegar and his new bride [[Elia Martell]] moved to his seat of [[Dragonstone]] in {{Date|280}}. In {{Date|281}}, Aerys appointed Tywin's heir, Ser Jaime Lannister, to his Kingsguard, leaving Tywin with a [[Tyrion Lannister|dwarf]] for an heir. Tywin resigned as Hand and left King's Landing. Convinced that his son Rhaegar planned to gather as much lords as possible to dispose Aerys at the [[Tourney of Harrenhal]] held later that same year, Aerys personally attended the tourney. When the victorious Prince Rhaegar passed by his own wife, Elia, and named [[Lyanna Stark]], the betrothed of his cousin [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], as his [[queen of love and beauty]], it caused fury and tensions among those present, and inflammed Aerys's council against Rhaegar further.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}

The next year, Rhaegar left his wife and newborn son [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]] on [[Dragonstone]] and went on a journey. Ultimately, he ended up in the [[riverlands]] where he disappeared with Lyanna Stark. Lyanna's brother [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]] went to [[King's Landing]], threatening Prince Rhaegar's life. Though Rhaegar was not present, King Aerys had Brandon arrested, and summoned his father, Lord [[Rickard Stark|Rickard]], for a trial. At the "trial", Aerys had both men killed, after which he demanded the heads of Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], Lyanna's betrothed, and [[Eddard Stark]], Lyanna's younger brother. Their foster father, Lord [[Jon Arryn]], refused Aerys's commands and raised his banners, thereby starting a [[Robert's Rebellion|civil war]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}

Towards the end of the war, Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] proclaimed his intend to claim the [[Iron Throne]].<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/US_Signing_Tour_Huntington_Beach_CA US Signing Tour (Huntington Beach, CA) (November 19, 2005)]</ref> Out of the three leaders of the rebellion, Robert had the better claim,{{ref|agot|30}} due to the fact that his grandmother had been Princess [[Rhaelle Targaryen]], the youngest daughter of King [[Aegon V Targaryen]].{{ref|affc|35}} Prince Rhaegar eventually returned from the south and took command of the royal troops, leading them during the [[Battle of the Trident]], where he was killed by Robert.{{Ref|ASOS|37}} Aerys sent his new heir, Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]], and the pregnant Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella]] to Dragonstone, while keeping Rhaegar's wife and two children as hostages at King's Landing.{{ref|asos|37}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The End}} Though he had ignored calls to arms from both the loyalists and the rebels, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] appeared with an army at the gates of King's Landing hours before the arrival of a rebel army. Feigning loyalty to House Targaryen, the Lannister forces [[Sack of King's Landing|sacked King's Landing]] once allowed into the city,{{ref|AGOT|12}}{{Ref|ASOS|37}} slaying Princess [[Elia Martell|Elia]], [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]], and the infant Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]],{{Ref|ASOS|70}}{{Ref|ASOS|53}} while Aerys's only Kingsguard knight in the city, [[Jaime Lannister]], killed the king in the throne room.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The End}}{{Ref|ASOS|37}}

The war was at an end, and on the mainland the final opposition to the reign of Robert I Baratheon was resolved. On Dragonstone, however, the last Targaryens held their last stronghold. Dowager Queen Rhaella crowned her son Viserys,{{Ref|awoiaf| Rhaella Targaryen}} but died some nine months after her flight from King's Landing when she gave birth to Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] in {{Date|284}} during a great storm that destroyed the Targaryen fleet which had been protecting the island. With the enemy approaching the island and the garrison willing to surrender, Ser [[Willem Darry]] spirited young Viserys and Daenerys to the [[Free City]] of [[Braavos]], where they remained until his death near {{Date|289}}.{{Ref|AGOT|3}} Afterwards, Viserys and Daenerys travelled from city to city for years,{{Ref|AGOT|3}}{{Ref|ASOS|8}} forced to sell the last of their belongings, until they were taken in by [[Magister]] [[Illyrio Mopatis]] in {{Date|297}}.{{Ref|AGOT|3}}

And so, following two hundred and eighty-three years of rule, the Targaryen Dynasty ended in {{Date|283}} with the death of Aerys II and the exile of his young son Viserys.

==Recent Events==
[[File:John Picacio Daenerys Targaryen.jpg‎|[[Daenerys Targaryen]] and her three fledgling [[dragons]]‎ - © 2012 John Picacio|thumb|300px|right]]

===''A Game of Thrones''===
Across the [[narrow sea]], the [[Aerys II Targaryen]]'s surviving son is claiming legitimacy as "[[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys III]]". He and his sister, [[Daenerys Targaryen]], having wandered the [[Free Cities]] for years seeking aid from various merchant princes to restore House Targaryen to the throne, have been taken in by [[Magister]] [[Illyrio Mopatis]] in [[Pentos]].{{Ref|AGOT|3}} With Illyrio's help, Viserys betroths his thirteen year old sister Daenerys to the [[Dothraki]] ''[[Khal]]'' [[Drogo]], in exchange for the promise of warriors to reclaim his throne.{{Ref|AGOT|11}} Daenerys marries Drogo,{{ref|agot|11}} and the two accompany the [[khalasar]] in the journey to [[Vaes Dothrak]].{{Ref|AGOT|36}} During this time, Daenerys begins to learn to stand up to her brother, while Viserys's behavior leads to him being mocked by the other Dothraki.{{Ref|AGOT|23}} Viserys is killed by Drogo after threatening the lives of Daenerys and her unborn child with a sword, despite weapons being forbidden in the sacred city.{{Ref|AGOT|46}}

King [[Robert I Baratheon]] promises a lordship to whoever manages to kill Daenerys, her unborn child, or Viserys.{{Ref|AGOT|33}} After Daenerys escapes an assasination attempt by poison, Drogo vows to invade the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{Ref|agot|54}} When Drogo is injured in battle against another khalasar, Daenerys has one of her newly acquired slaves, [[Mirri Maz Duur]], see to his wounds,{{Ref|agot|61}} but Drogo's wound infects nonetheless.{{Ref|AGOT|64}} Daenerys attempts to save his life by having Mirri perform [[blood magic]], but this causes disagreement among the warriors in Drogo's khalasar, and ensues in fighting. Daenerys goes into labor{{Ref|agot|64}} and eventually wakes to find her child was stillborn and misformed, Drogo's khalasar broken up, and Drogo himself an empty shell of the man he once was.{{Ref|AGOT|64}} Daenerys has Mirri arrested and smothers Drogo with a pillow to end his suffering.{{Ref|AGOT|64}} She places her three [[dragon egg]]s on Drogo's funeral pyre, as well as Mirri. When the fire is burning, Daenerys enters the pyre herself, and when the flames have died out the next morning is found unharmed, with three newly hatched [[dragons]] in her arms; The first dragons in the world in a century and a half.{{Ref|AGOT|72}}

At the [[Wall]] in [[Westeros]], the hundred year old [[maester]] [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]], brother to the late King [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon V]], still resides at [[Castle Black]]. Aemon intervenes when new recruit [[Jon Snow]] asks for his help with fellow recruit [[Samwell Tarly]], naming Tarly his personal servant to prevent him from remaining in training, which would have meant his death.{{ref|aGoT|41}}{{ref|aGoT|48}} He later advises Jon regarding the conflict of loyalty between family and duty to the [[Night's Watch]], revealing he had felt such conflicting feelings himself trice, most recently when he was informed of the [[Robert's Rebellion|deaths of the last of his house]].{{Ref|AGOT|60}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
Daenerys has named her three dragons [[Drogon]], [[Rhaegal]], and [[Viserion]], after her late husband and brothers.{{Ref|ACOK|12}} She leads the few remaining people of her khalasar through the [[Red Waste]],{{Ref|ACOK|12}} and is given entrance to [[Qarth]].{{Ref|ACOK|27}} There, she resides with merchant prince [[Xaro Xhoan Daxos]].{{Ref|ACOK|27}} Once in Qarth, Daenerys learns of the death of King Robert I Baratheon in Westeros and the [[War of the Five Kings|war]] that erupted as a result.{{Ref|ACOK|27}}

After having been denied help by the [[Pureborn]] of Qarth, Daenerys decides to request aid from the [[warlocks]].{{Ref|ACOK|40}} She drinks [[shade-of-the-evening]] and enters the [[House of the Undying]], where she meets the [[Undying Ones]] after seeing many visions. The Undying Ones give her cryptic information before attempting to consume her. Drogon rescues her, setting the House of the Undying on fire.{{Ref|ACOK|48}} Unwelcome in Qarth following the destruction of the home of the warlocks, Daenerys begins to seek passage on a ship. She is rescued from an assasination attempt by a [[Sorrowful Man]] by [[Barristan Selmy|Arstan Whitebeard]] and [[Belwas]], who inform her that they have been sent by Magister Illyrio with three ships to escort Daenerys and her people to Pentos.{{Ref|ACOK|63}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
On route to Pentos, Daenerys is convinced by [[Jorah Mormont]] to change course towards [[Astapor]], one of the three slaver cities in [[Slaver's Bay]].{{Ref|ASOS|8}} There, she acquires eight thousand six hundred [[Unsullied]] and five thousand boys in training.{{Ref|ACOK|27}} She uses her new army to conquer and sack [[Astapor]],{{Ref|ASOS|27}} beginning her [[Targaryen campaign in Slaver's Bay|campaign to abolish slavery in Slaver's Bay]], after which she frees the slaves, inviting them to join her.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} Daenerys marches on [[Yunkai]], where she faces the slave soldiers of Yunkai, and two sellsword companies, the [[Second Sons]] and the [[Stormcrows]]. Daenerys defeats the Yunkish soldiers, while the Stormcrows join her cause.{{Ref|ASOS|42}} With their leader gone, the Second Sons also join Daenerys and elect a new commander.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} Daenerys frees the slaves of Yunkai and marches on [[Meereen]], the last of the slaver cities. She conquers Meereen with the help of Meereen's slaves, whom she frees. After she learns how the council she had created to rule Astapor had been replaced by a butcher, who now rules Astapor as its king and has enslaved all the nobility in the city, Daenerys decides to prevent Meereen from the same faith. Believing she needs to learn how to rule before conquering Westeros, Daenerys decides to remain in Meereen and rule as its Queen.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} Having discovered that Jorah Mormont had been spying on her for months for the Iront Throne and that his information had led to the poisoning attempt, and that Arstan is actually Barristan Selmy, a former [[Kingsguard]] knight who had accepted pardons from Robert Baratheon, Daenerys furiously gives them one chance to redeem themselves.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} While she is later able to forgive Barristan, and takes him into her service, she finds herself unable to forgive Jorah, and sends him into exile.{{Ref|ASOS|71}}

[[Ben Plumm]], who is chosen as the leader of the [[Second Sons]] following the disappearance of [[Mero]] at the [[battle near Yunkai]], claims to have Targaryen ancestry, as [[Ossifer Plumm|one of his ancestors]] had been married to [[Elaena Targaryen|a Targaryen princess]].{{Ref|ASOS|57}}

At [[Castle Black]], maester Aemon believes [[Jon Snow]] when he claims he was ordered to join the [[free folk|wildlings]] by [[Qhorin Halfhand]].{{Ref|ASOS|48}} Following the death of [[Donal Noye]], Aemon tells Jon to take command of Castle Black during the [[Battle of Castle Black|attack by wildlings]].{{Ref|ASOS|64}} When Jon is arrested on suspicious of treason, only Aemon's intervention prevents Jon from being executed.{{Ref|ASOS|73}} When ordered before King [[Stannis Baratheon]], Aemon requests to see Stannis's sword [[Lightbringer]], and orders [[Samwell Tarly]] to describe the sword to him, as he cannot see for himself.{{Ref|ASOS|78}} Aemon is in charge of the choosing of a new Lord Commander, but as a maester is not allowed to influence the choosing. Instead, he subtly suggests that Samwell could,{{Ref|ASOS|78}} leading to the election of Jon Snow as [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]].{{Ref|ASOS|79}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
Lord Commander Jon Snow, fearing that the priestess [[Melisandre]] will wish to sacrifice Aemon to [[R'hllor]] for his kingsblood, orders Aemon to travel to [[Oldtown]], accompanied by [[Samwell Tarly]], singer [[Dareon]], wildling [[Gilly]], and [[Mance Rayder]]'s [[Aemon Battleborn|son]].{{Ref|AFFC|5}} Aemon's health detoriates during the first part of the journey,{{Ref|AFFC|15}} and becomes worse once they are in [[Braavos]].{{Ref|AFFC|26}} After Dareon abandons them, Samwell manages to arrange passage to Oldtown on the ''[[Cinnamon Wind]]''.{{Ref|AFFC|26}} Though talk of dragons and Daenerys Targaryen temporarily increases Aemon's health, it worsens again during the journey, and he eventually dies at the age of a hundred and two off the coast of [[Dorne]].{{Ref|AFFC|35}} His body is preserved in a cask of rum, so he can be cremated once the ship makes port.{{Ref|AFFC|35}} Upon arrival in Oldtown, Samwell informs [[Archmaester]] [[Marwyn]] of Aemon's passing, and his desire to join Daenerys, causing Marwyn to travel to Slaver's Bay in Aemon's stead.{{Ref|AFFC|45}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
Daenerys rules Meereen, but meets with resistance from several parties. A resistance group of [[Ghiscar]]i noblemen, the [[Sons of the Harpy]], engage in a shadow war against her,{{Ref|ADWD|2}} while Yunkai resumes its slavery and starts to make alliances against her. Daenerys forms a city watch,{{Ref|ADWD|11}} the [[Brazen Beasts]],{{Ref|ADWD|16}} to combat the Harpy's Sons, killings continue. Daenerys promises to web [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]] if he can stop the murders for ninety days.{{Ref|ADWD|23}} Meanwhile, the Yunkai'i forces defeat the [[Astapor]]i in [[Battle at the Horns of Hazzat|battle]]{{Ref|ADWD|16}} and [[Siege of Astapor|besiege and later sack]] the city,{{Ref|ADWD|23}}{{Ref|ADWD|25}} leaving them free to march against Daenerys. The Yunkai'i besiege Meereen,{{Ref|ADWD|43}} and the Second Sons desert Daenerys{{Ref|ADWD|43}} after she is unwilling to use her dragons in battle following the death of the young girl [[Hazzea]],{{Ref|ADWD|30}} who was killed by Drogon.{{Ref|ADWD|2}} Daenerys had [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]] locked up after learning about Hazzea, though [[Drogon]] escaped capture and left Meereen.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}

Hizdahr aids Daenerys by negotiating a peace with Yunkai, in which their marriage plays a large role.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Seven leaders of Yunkai come to Meereen to sign the peace and celebrate the opening of [[Daznak's Pit]], the largest of the fighting pits in Meereen.{{ref|adwd|50}} Daenerys is sickened by the battles, and after [[Barsena|a female warrior]] is slain by a boar decides to leave. At the same time, [[Belwas]] falls ill due to eating poisoned locusts which had been meant for Daenerys. Just as Belwas falls to his feat, Drogon returns to the city and lands in the Pit. While the public panicks and attempts to flee, Daenerys rushes to Drogon's side and flies away from Meereen on his back.{{Ref|ADWD|52}} Drogon flies her to the [[Dothraki Sea]], where she eventually encounters the khalasar of [[Khal]] [[Jhaqo]].{{Ref|ADWD|71}}

Meanwhile, Prince [[Doran Martell]] of [[Dorne]] has sent his son [[Quentyn Martell|Quentyn]] to [[Essos]] to find Daenerys.{{Ref|ADWD|6}} Having secretly made a wedding pact years before, promising the hand of his daughter [[Arianne Martell|Arianne]] in marriage to [[Viserys Targaryen]] in exchange for supporting Viserys's claim, Doran now wishes for Daenerys to fullfill the pact by marrying Quentyn.{{Ref|ADWD|43}} Quentyn eventually reaches Meereen, but is introduced to Daenerys only a day before her wedding to Hizdahr.{{Ref|ADWD|43}} After Daenerys has left Meereen on Drogon's back, Quentyn plans to steal one or two of Daenerys's dragons to proof himself and enlists the help of the [[Tattered Prince] and his [[Windblown]] to accomplish his goal.{{Ref|ADWD|60}} Though her dragons are freed,{{Ref|ADWD|67}}{{Ref|ADWD|68}} Quentyn dies in his attempt.{{Ref|ADWD|70}}

On the [[Rhoyne]], [[Jon Connington]], a friend of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] who had faked his death in exile, has secretly been raising Rhaegar's son [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]], who is believed to have died during the [[Sack of King's Landing]]. Instead, it is revealed that [[Varys]] had switched Aegon with another child, who had died in his place.{{Ref|ADWD|22}} Connington and Aegon plan to meet Daenerys in [[Volantis]],{{Ref|ADWD|5}} but in [[Selhorys]] learn that Daenerys has remained in [[Meereen]], and that several cities, including Volantis, are either already at war against her, or are about to join the war on the side of Yunkai.{{Ref|ADWD|22}} Connington presents Aegon to the [[Golden Company]], who had been enlisted by Magister Illyrio to aid them in conquering Westeros. As Daenerys is still in the east, Prince Aegon proposes travelling west to start conquering Westeros without her,{{Ref|ADWD|24}} a plan previously suggested to him by the exiled [[Tyrion Lannister]].{{Ref|ADWD|22}} reasoning that Daenerys will come west once she learns about his purpose.{{Ref|ADWD|24}} The Golden Company agrees, and they travel to Westeros, where Aegon, after [[Landing of the Golden Company|the first few victories in the Stormlands]], decides to personally lead an attack on [[Storm's End]].{{Ref|ADWD|61}}

[[Beyond the Wall]], the [[three-eyed crow]] who has been appearing to [[Bran Stark]] in his dreams is revealed to be none other than Bloodraven, [[Brynden Rivers]], kept alive by sorcery and living in a [[cave of the three-eyed crow|cave]].{{ref|ADWD|34}}{{ref|AWOIAF| Brynden Rivers}}

==House Targaryen at the end of the third century==

The known Targaryens during the timespan of the events described in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' are:
*King {[[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys III]]}, called "the Beggar King", ''Khal Rhae Mhar'' (the Sorefoot King), and ''Khal Rhaggat'' (the Cart King). Self-proclaimed King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, and [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], in exile. Fatally "crowned" in [[Vaes Dothrak]].
*Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys I]], called Daenerys Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, sister of Viserys and last known Targaryen heir. Self-proclaimed Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], ''Khaleesi'' of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Shackles/Chains, Queen of Meereen.
**her dragons, [[Drogon]], [[Viserion]], [[Rhaegal]],
**Khal {[[Drogo]]}, her first husband. Euthanized after disabling wounds.
***{[[Rhaego]]}, her son by Drogo. Died at birth.
**King [[Hizdahr zo Loraq|Hizdahr zo Loraq XIV]], her second husband, King of Meereen, Scion of Ghis, Octarch of the Old Empire, Master of the Skahazadhan, Consort to Dragons, Blood of the Harpy. A Ghiscari noble of Meereen.
*Maester {[[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]]}, sworn to the Night's Watch. Great-granduncle to the Mad King. Died of a chill at sea, at the age of one hundred and two.

*Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]], Rhaegar's son. Believed to have died at Gregor Clegane's hand in the Sack of King's Landing, but is purported by some to be alive under the identity of Young Griff and with the [[Golden Company]].

===Daenerys's Household===

====The Queen's protectors====
*Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], called Barristan the Bold. Lord Commander of the [[Queensguard]] and [[Hand of the Queen]].
**his two known knights:
***Ser [[Tumco Lho]], of the [[Basilisk Isles]], a newly-made knight.
***"[[The Red Lamb]]", a [[Lhazar]]ene freedman and newly-made knight.
**his lads, squires training for knighthood:
***[[Larraq]], called 'The Lash', of Meereen.
***the Boys, three Ghiscari brothers and freedmen.
*[[Belwas]], called Strong Belwas, eunuch and former pit fighter.
*her [[Dothraki]] bloodriders:
**[[Jhogo]], the whip, blood of her blood and ''ko''. Currently a hostage of the Yunkish
**[[Aggo]], the bow, blood of her blood and ''ko''. Away from Meereen seeking Daenerys.
**[[Rakharo]], the arakh, blood of her blood and ''ko''. Away from Meereen seeking Daenerys.
* Ser [[Jorah Mormont]], called 'Jorah the Andal', former Lord Commander. Banished. Currently with the [[Second Sons]].

====The Queen's captains and commanders====
*[[Grey Worm]], a eunuch, commander of the [[Unsullied]], a company of eunuch infantry.
**[[Hero]], an Unsullied captain, second-in-command.
**{[[Stalwart Shield]]}, an Unsullied spearman, murdered by the [[Sons of the Harpy]].
*{[[Mollono Yos Dob]]}, commander of the [[Stalwart Shields]], a company of freedmen named for the martyred Unsullied. Died of the [[pale mare]].
**[[Tal Toraq]], new commander of the Stalwart Shields.
*[[Symon Stripeback]], commander of [[Free Brothers]], a company of freedmen.
*[[Marselen]], commander of the [[Mother's Men]], a company of freedman, a eunuch, brother to Missandei.
*{[[Groleo]]} of Pentos, formerly captain of the great cog ''[[Saduleon]]'', made an admiral without a fleet. Executed by the Yunkai'i.
*[[Rommo]], a ''jaqqa rhan'' of the Dothraki. He represents Daenerys's ''khalasar'' at council.
*[[Daario Naharis]], a [[Tyrosh]]i sellsword, captain of the [[Stormcrows]], a free company.
**[[Widower|The Widower]], second in command and acting joint-commander of the Stormcrows.
**[[Jokin]], commander of the archers and acting joint-commander of the Stormcrows.
*[[Ben Plumm]], called Brown Ben, a mongrel sellsword, captain of the [[Second Sons]], a free company. Defected to Yunkai.

====The Queen's Meereenese court====
*[[Reznak mo Reznak]], her seneschal, bald and unctuous.
*[[Skahaz mo Kandaq]], called 'The Shavepate', shaven-headed commander of the [[Brazen Beasts]], Meereen's city watch.

====The Queen's handmaids and servants====
*[[Irri]] and [[Jhiqui]], young women of the Dothraki, handmaidens.
*[[Missandei]], a [[Naath]]i scribe and translator.
*[[Grazdar]], [[Qezza]], [[Mezzara]], [[Kezmya]], [[Azzak]], [[Bhakaz]], [[Miklaz]], [[Dhazzar]], [[Draqaz]], [[Jhezane]], children of the pyramids of Meereen, her cupbearers and pages.
*{[[Doreah]]}, a Lysene handmaiden and former bedslave. Perished to sickness in the [[red waste]].

===Young Gryff's/Aegon's supporters===
* Lord [[Jon Connington]], a sellsword late of the [[Golden Company]], exiled Lord of [[Griffin's Roost]] and former [[Hand of the King]] to [[Aerys II Targaryen]].
* Ser [[Rolly Duckfield]], called Duck, a [[knight]]. Pronounced the first of Aegon's [[Kingsguard]].
* Septa [[Lemore]], called Lady Lemore, a woman of the [[Faith of the Seven]].
* [[Haldon]], called the Halfmaester, Aegon's tutor.
* [[Yandry]], master and captain of the ''[[Shy Maid]]''
** [[Ysilla]], his wife.
* The [[Golden Company]], a famous sellsword company founded by the [[Blackfyre Pretenders]] to the [[Iron Throne]].
* [[Varys]], formerly of [[Lys]], the previous [[master of whisperers]] in [[King's Landing]] under Aerys II Targaryen and [[Robert I Baratheon]]. Switched Aegon with another babe prior to the Sack of King's Landing, and smuggled Aegon to Essos afterwards.
* Magister [[Illyrio Mopatis]], of the [[Free City]] of [[Pentos]]

==Historical Members==
===On [[Dragonstone]]===
* [[Aenar Targaryen]], known as Aenar the Exile. First Lord of Dragonstone.
** [[Gaemon Targaryen (son of Aenar)|Gaemon Targaryen]], Aenar's son. Known as Gaemon the Glorious. Second Lord of Dragonstone.
** [[Daenys Targaryen]], Aenar's daughter. Known as Daenys the Dreamer. Sister-wife to Gaemon.
*** [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Gaemon)|Aegon Targaryen]], Gaemon's son by Daenys. Third Lord of Dragonstone.
*** [[Elaena Targaryen (daughter of Gaemon)|Elaena Targaryen]], Gaemon's daughter by Daenys. Sister-wife to Aegon.
**** [[Maegon Targaryen]], Aegon's son by Elaena.
**** [[Aerys Targaryen (son of Aegon)|Aerys Targaryen]], Aegon's son by Elaena.
***** [[Aelyx Targaryen]], Aerys's son.
***** [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Aerys)|Baelon Targaryen]], Aerys's son.
***** [[Daemion Targaryen]], Aerys's son. Fifth Lord of Dragonstone.
****** [[Aerion Targaryen (son of Daemion)|Aerion Targaryen]], Daemion's son. Married to Lady [[Valaena Velaryon]].
******* [[Visenya Targaryen]], sister-wife to Aegon.
******* [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], who would become known as King Aegon I Targaryen, Aegon the Conquerer, and Aegon the Dragon. Last Lord of Dragonstone.
******* [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], sister-wife to Aegon.

===Targaryen Dynasty===
'''The Sons of the Dragon'''
* King [[Aegon I Targaryen]], known as Aegon the Conqueror and Aegon the Dragon. First [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]].
* Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]], sister-wife to Aegon.
** Prince [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor Targaryen]], also known as Maegor the Cruel. The younger son of Aegon I by his elder sister-wife Visenya. Third [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Maegor I Targaryen]]. Married to [[Ceryse Hightower]], [[Alys Harroway]], [[Tyanna]] of the Tower, and the "Black Brides", [[Elinor Costayne]], [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]], and [[Jeyne Westerling (wife of Maegor I)|Jeyne Westerling]]
* Queen [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], sister-wife to Aegon.
** [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys Targaryen]], the elder son of Aegon I by his younger sister-wife Rhaenys. Married to Lady [[Alyssa Velaryon]]. Second [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Aenys I Targaryen]].
*** Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]], sister-wife to Aegon and later niece-wife to Maegor.
*** Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon Targaryen]], brother-husband to Rhaena.
****Princess [[Aerea Targaryen]], Aegon and Rhaena's daughter twin to Rhalla.
****Princess [[Rhalla Targaryen]], twin to Aerea.
*** Prince [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys Targaryen]].
*** Prince [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys Targaryen]], also known as Jaehaerys the Conciliator, the Old King, and Jaehaerys the Wise. Fourth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]].
*** Princess [[Alysanne Targaryen]], sister-wife of Jaehaerys I. Queen of the [[Seven Kingdoms]].
*** Princess [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Vaella Targaryen]].

'''Era of the Old King'''
* King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]], also known as Jaehaerys the Conciliator, the Old King, and Jaehaerys the Wise. Fourth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]. Married to his sister-wife, Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]], known as Good Queen Alysanne.
** Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon Targaryen]], died young.
** Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]], sister-wife to her brother Baelon, and the mother of his children.
** Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon Targaryen]]. Married to Lady [[Jocelyn Baratheon]].
*** Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys Targaryen]], also known as the Queen who Never Was. Married to Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], the Sea Snake. Rhaenys and Corlys had two children: [[Laena Velaryon|Laena]] and [[Laenor Velaryon]].
** Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]].
*** Prince [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]]. Fifth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]. Viserys was married twice: his first marriage was to his cousin, Lady [[Aemma Arryn]] (the daughter of Princess Daella), his second marriage to Lady [[Alicent Hightower]].
*** Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], known as the Prince of the City and Lord Flea Bottom, briefly [[King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]]. Married trice: first to Lady [[Rhea Royce]], second to his cousin, Lady [[Laena Velaryon]], third to his niece, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]].
**** Lady [[Baela Targaryen]], Daemon's daughter by [[Laena Velaryon]]. Twin to Rhaena. Formerly betrothed to Prince Jacaerys Velaryon. Married to Lord [[Alyn Velaryon]].
***** Unknown offspring, [[House Velaryon]].
**** Lady [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]], Daemon's daughter by [[Laena Velaryon]]. Twin to Baela. Once betrothed to Prince Lucerys Velaryon. Married to Ser [[Corwyn Corbray]] (no issue) until his death, married next to [[Garmund Hightower]].
***** Six unknown daughters by Garmund Hightower.
**** Unnamed son, died shortly after birth.
*** Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Baelon)|Aegon Targaryen]].
** Princess [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daella Targaryen]]. Married to Lord [[Rodrik Arryn]].
***Lady [[Aemma Arryn]], their daughter, married to her cousin, Prince Viserys, who later became King Viserys I.
** Prince [[Aeryn Targaryen]], died young.
** Prince [[Vaegon Targaryen]], later Archmaester Vaegon, called the Dragonless.
** Princess [[Maegelle Targaryen]], later Septa Maegelle.
** Prince [[Valerion Targaryen]], died young.
** Princess [[Viserra Targaryen]]
** Prince [[Gaemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Gaemon Targaryen]], died young.
** Princess [[Saera Targaryen]].
** Princess [[Gael Targaryen]], called the Winter Child.

'''Descendants of King Viserys I Targaryen'''
* Viserys's children by his first wife, Lady [[Aemma Arryn]];
** An unknown son, died in infancy.
** Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Baelon Targaryen]], also known as the heir for a day. Died a day after birth.
** Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], also known as the Realm's Delight, Maegor with Teats, Maegor's Teats, the Whore of Dragonstone, and the Half-Year Queen.
*** Rhaenyra's children by her first husband, Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]]; rumored to have been fathered by Ser [[Harwin Strong]]:
**** Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]], also known as Jace, Rhaenyra's eldest son by Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]]. Betrothed to his cousin, Lady [[Baela Targaryen]].
**** Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]], also known as Luke, Rhaenyra's second son by Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]]. Betrothed to his cousin, Lady [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]].
**** Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon]], Rhaenyra's youngest son by Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]].
*** Rhaenyra's children by her second husband, her uncle Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]];
**** Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], known as Aegon the Younger. Later ruled as King [[Aegon III Targaryen]].
**** Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]]. Later ruled as King [[Viserys II Targaryen]].
**** Princess [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Rhaenyra)|Visenya Targaryen]]. Stillborn.
* Viserys's children by his second wife, Lady [[Alicent Hightower]];
** Prince [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], also known as Aegon the Elder, and later as Aegon the Usurper. Sixth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Aegon II Targaryen]].
** Princess [[Helaena Targaryen]], sister-wife to Aegon II. Queen of the [[Seven Kingdoms]].
*** Prince [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys Targaryen]], twin to Jaehaera.
*** Princess [[Jaehaera Targaryen]], twin to Jaehaerys. Later Queen of the [[Seven Kingdoms]], as the wife to King [[Aegon III Targaryen]].
*** Prince [[Maelor Targaryen]].
*** Unknown bastard, a son, by a whore on the [[Street of Silk]].
*** Unknown bastard, a girl, by a maidservant of [[Alicent Hightower]]
** Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]], also known as Aemond One-Eye and Aemond the Kinslayer.
*** An unknown bastard by [[Alys Rivers]].
** Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron Targaryen]], also known as Daeron the Daring.

'''After the Dragons Danced'''
* King [[Aegon III Targaryen]], also known as Aegon the Younger, Aegon the Dragonbane, and the Broken King, seventh [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]. First married to his cousin, Princess [[Jaehaera Targaryen]]. That marriage ended childless. Married to Lady [[Daenaera Velaryon]] after Jaehaera's death.
** Prince [[Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron Targaryen]], also known as the Young Dragon. Aegon III's son by Daenaera Velaryon. Eighth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Daeron I Targaryen]].
** Prince [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor Targaryen]], also known as Baelor the Blessed and Baelor the Beloved. Aegon III's son by Daenaera Velaryon. Ninth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Baelor I Targaryen]].
** Princess [[Daena Targaryen]], also known as Daena the Defiant. Aegon III's daughter by Daenaera Velaryon. Sister-wife to King Baelor I.
** Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aegon III)|Rhaena Targaryen]]. Aegon III's daughter by Daenaera Velaryon.
** Princess [[Elaena Targaryen]]. Aegon III's daughter by Daenaera Velaryon.
*** [[Jon Waters]], Elaena's bastard by Lord [[Alyn Velaryon]].
*** [[Jeyne Waters]], Elaena's bastard by Lord [[Alyn Velaryon]].
*** [[Viserys Plumm]], Elaena's son by her first husband, [[Ossifer Plumm]]
*** [[Robin Penrose]], Elaena's son by her second husband, [[Ronnel Penrose]]
*** [[Laena Penrose]], Elaena's daughter by her second husband, Ronnel Penrose
*** [[Jocelyn Penrose]], Elaena's daughter by her second husband, Ronnel Penrose
*** [[Joy Penrose]], Elaena's daughter by her second husband, Ronnel Penrose
* King [[Viserys II Targaryen]], tenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]].
** Prince [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], also known as Aegon the Unworthy, eleventh [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Aegon IV Targaryen]].
*** Prince [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron Targaryen]], also known as Daeron the Good. Twelfth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Daeron II Targaryen]]. Aegon's son by his sister-wife, Princess [[Naerys Targaryen]].
*** Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Aegon IV)|Daenerys Targaryen]]. Aegon's daughter by his sister-wife, Princess [[Naerys Targaryen]]. The current ruling line of [[House Martell]] descents from Daenerys, through her son by her husband, Prince [[Maron Martell]].
*** Aegon's numerous bastards by multiple women:
**** [[Alysanne (daughter of Aegon IV)|Alysanne]], [[Lily]], [[Willow (daughter of Aegon IV)|Willow]] and [[Rosey (daughter of Aegon IV)|Rosey]], Aegon's bastard daughters by his second official mistress, [[Megette]].
**** [[Bellenora Otherys|Bellenora]], [[Narha Otherys|Narha]] and [[Balerion Otherys]], Aegon's bastards by his fourth official mistress, [[Bellegere Otherys]]
**** [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Waters]], later legitimized as Daemon Blackfyre, also known as Daemon I Blackfyre, the Black Dragon, and the Pretender, Aegon's bastard son by his cousin, Princess [[Daena Targaryen]]; founder of [[House Blackfyre]]
**** [[Aegor Rivers]], also known as Bittersteel, Aegon's bastard son by his fifth official mistress, [[Barba Bracken]].
**** [[Mya Rivers|Mya]] and [[Gwenys Rivers]], Aegon's bastard daughters, and [[Brynden Rivers]], also known as Bloodraven, Aegon's bastard son, by his sixth official mistress, [[Melissa Blackwood]].
**** [[Shiera Seastar]], Aegon's bastard daughter by his ninth official mistress, [[Serenei of Lys]].
** Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon Targaryen]], also known as Aemon the Dragonknight, joined the Kingsguard.
** Princess [[Naerys Targaryen]]. Sister-wife to King Aegon IV. Queen of the [[Seven Kingdoms]].

'''The Good'''
* King [[Daeron II Targaryen]], also known as Daeron the Good and Daeron the Falseborn. Twelfth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]. Married to Princess [[Mariah Martell]].
** Prince [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor Targaryen]], also known as Baelor Breakspear.
*** Prince [[Valarr Targaryen]], also known as the Young Prince. Married to [[Kiera of Tyrosh]].
**** Stillborn son.
**** Stillborn son.
*** Prince [[Matarys Targaryen]], also known as The Even Younger Prince.
** Prince [[Aerys I Targaryen|Aerys Targaryen]]. Thirteenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Aerys I Targaryen]]. Married to a cousin, [[Aelinor Penrose]].
** Prince [[Rhaegel Targaryen]]
*** Prince [[Aelor Targaryen]], twin and broher-husband to Princess Aelora.
*** Princess [[Aelora Targaryen]], twin and sister-wife to Prince Aelor.
*** Princess [[Daenora Targaryen]], married to her cousin, Prince Aerion. Mother to Prince [[Maegor Targaryen]].
** Prince [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar Targaryen]]. Fourteenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Maekar I Targaryen]]. Married to Lady [[Dyanna Dayne]].
*** Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron Targaryen]], also known as Daeron the Drunken.
**** Princess [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Daeron)|Vaella Targaryen]]
*** Prince [[Aerion Targaryen]], also known as Aerion Brightflame, the Bright Prince, and Aerion the Monstrous. Married to his cousin, Princess Daenora.
**** Prince [[Maegor Targaryen (son of Aerion)|Maegor Targaryen]], their son.
*** Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon Targaryen]], known as Maester Aemon. A maester of the Citadel.
*** Princess [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Maekar I)|Daella Targaryen]].
*** Prince [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], also known as Aegon the Unlikely, Aegon the Fortunate, and Egg. Fifteenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Aegon V Targaryen]].
*** Princess [[Rhae Targaryen]].

'''Descendants of King Aegon V Targaryen'''
* King [[Aegon V Targaryen]], also known as Aegon the Unlikely, Aegon the Fortunate, and Egg. Fifteenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]. Married to [[Betha Blackwood]], also known as Black Betha.
** Prince [[Duncan Targaryen]], also known as Duncan the Small and the Prince of Dragonflies. Married to [[Jenny of Oldstones]].
** Prince [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys Targaryen]]. Sixteenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]].
** Princess [[Shaera Targaryen]], sister-wife, to Jaehaerys.
*** Prince [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys Targaryen]], also known as the Mad King. Seventeenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], as King [[Aerys II Targaryen]].
*** Princess [[Rhaella Targaryen]], sister-wife to Prince Aerys. Queen of the [[Seven Kingdoms]].
** Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Aegon V)|Daeron Targaryen]].
** Princess [[Rhaelle Targaryen]]. Married to Lord Baratheon. Mother of [[Steffon Baratheon]], grandmother of [[Robert Baratheon]], [[Stannis Baratheon]], and [[Renly Baratheon]].

'''The Last Dragons'''
* King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], also known as the Mad King, Mad King Aerys, Aerys the Mad, and King Scab. Seventeenth [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]].
** Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen]], sister-wife to King Aerys II.
*** Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], also known as the Last Dragon. Married to Princess [[Elia Martell]]. Eldest son of Aerys II by Rhaella.
**** Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys Targaryen]], Rhaegar's daughter by [[Elia Martell]].
**** Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]], Rhaegar's son by [[Elia Martell]].
*** Princess [[Shaena Targaryen]], stillborn
*** Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Aerys II)|Daeron Targaryen]], died in infancy
*** Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aerys II)|Aegon Targaryen]], premature, died in infancy
*** Prince [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aerys II)|Jaehaerys Targaryen]], died in infancy
*** Prince [[Viserys Targaryen]], mocked as the Beggar King, Khal Rhae Mhar ("the Sorefoot King"), and Khal Rhaggat ("the Cart King"). Crowned as King [[Viserys III Targaryen]] by his mother, Dowager Queen Rhaella, on [[Dragonstone]]. Youngest son of Aerys II by Rhaella.
*** Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen]], also known as Daenerys Stormborn. Daughter of Aerys II by Rhaella.

===Targaryen Family Tree===
{{Targaryen tree|state=hidden|title=Complete Targaryen Family Tree (click show to Expand)}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|Treachery was a coin the Targaryens knew well.{{Ref|aGoT|12}}}}
- [[Robert I Baratheon]]

{{Quote|I will kill every [[Targaryen]] I can get my hands on, until they are as dead as their dragons, and then I will piss on their graves.{{Ref|aGoT|12}}}}
- [[Robert I Baratheon]]

{{Quote|What did any Targaryen ever know of honor? Go down into your crypt and ask [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]] about the dragon’s honor!{{Ref|AGOT|12}}}}
- [[Robert Baratheon]] to [[Eddard Stark]]

{{Quote|Like their [[dragon]]s the Targaryens answered to neither gods nor men.{{Ref|aCoK|33}}}}
- [[Catelyn Stark]]'s thoughts

{{Quote|Every child knows that the Targaryens have always danced too close to madness.{{Ref|ASOS|71}}}}
- [[Barristan Selmy]]

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}
{{HousesCrownlands}}
{{Houses of Slaver's Bay}}

[[Category:House Targaryen| ]]
[[Category:Houses from the Crownlands|Targaryen]]
[[Category:Noble houses|Targaryen]]
[[Category:Valyrians|Targaryen]]

[[es:Casa Targaryen]]
[[fa:خاندان تارگرین]]
[[tr:Targaryen Hanesi]]
[[fr:Maison Targaryen]]
[[pt:Casa Targaryen]]
[[ru:Таргариены]]
[[zh:坦格利安家族]]

Stannis Baratheon

2017-09-08T01:01:51Z

Benethon Stark: /* A Storm of Swords */

{{Hatnote|"Stannis" redirects here. See also [[Stannis Seaworth]]}}
{{Infobox monarch
| name = '''Stannis Baratheon''' [[File:House_Baratheon.svg‎|50px|left]][[File:Stannis_sigil_coat.png‎|60px|right]]
| image = [[File:Joshua Cairosstannisbaratheon.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = Stannis Baratheon by Joshua Cairos©
| reign =
| coronation =
| othertitles = [[Master of ships]] (formerly) [[Lord of Dragonstone]] [[Lord of Storm's End]] [[Lord Paramount of the Stormlands]] [[King of Westeros]] King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men (claimant){{ref|ADWD|35}} Lord of the Seven Kingdoms (claimant){{ref|ADWD|35}} Protector of the Realm (claimant){{ref|ADWD|35}}
| alias = The King in the Narrow Sea{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} The King of the [[Painted Table]]{{ref|ASOS|54}} The King of Dragonstone{{ref|ASOS|72}} The King at the Wall{{ref|ADWD|Appendix}} Azor Ahai reborn/come again{{ref|ACOK|10}}{{ref|ASOS|78}}
| fullname = Stannis Baratheon the First of His Name
| predecessor = [[Robert I Baratheon]]
| successor =
| suc-type =
| heir = [[Shireen Baratheon]]
| queen = [[Selyse Florent]]
| consort =
| spouse1 =
| issue = [[Shireen Baratheon]]
| royalhouse = [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]
| dynasty =
| royalanthem = A crowned stag enclosed within a red heart surrounded by a blaze of orange fire on a field of sun yellow{{ref|ACOK|31}}
| father = [[Steffon Baratheon]]
| mother = [[Cassana Estermont]]
| dateofbirth = {{Date|264}}<ref name=Cal>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Stannis Baratheon|Stannis Baratheon]] calculation.''</ref>
| placeofbirth = [[Storm's End]]{{Ref|AWOIAF| Stannis Baratheon}}
| dateofdeath =
| placeofdeath =
| dateofburial =
| placeofburial =
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (appears) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (appears) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (appears) ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' (appears)
| Played_by = [[List of actors of the televised series#Stephen Dillane, Stannis Baratheon|Stephen Dillane]]
| TV_series = [[Game of Thrones - Season 2|Season 2]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 3|Season 3]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 4|Season 4]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 5|Season 5]]
}}

'''Stannis Baratheon''' is the head of [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]] and the [[Lord of Dragonstone]]. He is the secondborn son of [[Steffon Baratheon]], [[Lord of Storm's End]], and Lady [[Cassana Estermont]].{{ref|agot|appendix}} He has an older brother, King [[Robert I Baratheon]], and a younger brother, Lord [[Renly Baratheon]]. Stannis serves on Robert's [[small council]] as the [[master of ships]]. In the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' Stannis is played by [[List of actors of the televised series#Stephen Dillane, Stannis Baratheon|Stephen Dillane]].

==Appearance and Character==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Stannis Baratheon|Images of Stannis Baratheon]]''
Like his brothers, [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] and [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], Stannis is a large man - tall, broad shouldered and sinewy.{{Ref|acok|prologue}} [[Jon Snow]] notes that Stannis towers over him.{{Ref|ASOS|76}} Stannis has dark blue eyes and a heavy brow. His head has only a fringe of black hair "like the shadow of a crown," and he has a close-cropped beard across his large jaw.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} His face has a tightness to it like cured leather, and he has hollow cheeks, and thin, pale lips.{{Ref|ACOK|prologue}}

Stannis is a serious, stubborn, rarely-forgiving, hard man with a strong sense of duty and justice.{{Ref|AGOT|27}}{{Ref|AGOT|58}}{{Ref|AGOT|47}}{{Ref|ACOK|42}}{{Ref|ASOS|36}}{{Ref|ACOK|10}}{{Ref|ASOS|72}} He grinds his teeth regularly.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}{{Ref|acok|10}}{{Ref|ACOK|25}} He is an accomplished commander, sailor, and warrior,{{ref|AGOT|58}} with no thirst for battle, commanding from the rear.{{Ref|ACOK|59}} He has never had the affection of nobles or smallfolk alike.{{ref|acok|prologue}}{{Ref|ACOK|10}}{{Ref|ACOK|22}}{{Ref|ACOK|36}} In his adult life, he is increasingly embittered by the lack of affection he receives from Robert, even though he serves Robert as well as he can.{{Ref|ACOK|prologue}}{{Ref|AWOIAF| Stannis Baratheon}}

Stannis is not a man for easy courtesies,{{Ref|ACOK|31}} and has always been uncomfortable around women, even his own wife, Lady [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]] of [[House Florent]]. During the years he served on the [[small council]] in [[King's Landing]], he left his wife on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]]. He wrote to her, but only occasionally. His visits were even fewer, and he did his duty in the marriage bed only once or twice a year, and took no joy in it.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Though he once hoped for sons, he would only have one daughter, [[Shireen Baratheon|Shireen]].{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

Influenced by [[Melisandre]], Stannis adopts a new sigil which depicts the [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]] stag enclosed within a red heart surrounded by orange flame.{{ref|ACOK|31}} Unlike many of his noble peers, Stannis dresses plainly.{{ref|ACOK|31}} He sometimes wears a grey wool tunic, a dark red mantle, and a plain black leather belt from which hang his sword and dagger.{{ref|ASOS|36}} On campaign he wears a studded leather jerkin over quilted doublet, worn boots, breeches of brown roughspun, and a belt studded with garnets and yellow topaz.{{ref|ACOK|31}} Other armor includes wool and boiled leather{{ref|ACOK|42}} or grey plate inlaid with a flaming heart.{{ref|ADWD|10}}

==History==
===Early Life===
Born in {{Date|264}},<ref name=Cal></ref> Stannis was the second son of Lady [[Cassana Estermont]] and Lord [[Steffon Baratheon]] of [[Storm's End]]. He had an older brother, [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]], and a younger brother, [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]].{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}

When Stannis was no more than four years old, his father took him and his brother Robert to court. There, Stannis believed he saw King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] on the [[Iron Throne]], holding court. Stannis was impressed, and he and Robert agreed that the king had been as noble as the [[dragon]]s were fearsome. It was years later that Steffon told him that it had been [[Hand of the King]] [[Tywin Lannister]] whom they had seen, as King Aerys had cut himself on the throne earlier that day and Tywin had taken over for him.{{Ref|ASOS|54}}

As a lad, Stannis found an injured goshawk, and nursed it back to health. He named the bird [[Proudwing]], but his brother Robert called it Weakwing, as it would never fly higher than the treetops, and never soared. (Robert himself owned a gyrfalcon named [[Thunderclap]], who never missed a strike). Eventually, Stannis's great-uncle, [[Harbert]], convinced him to abandon the bird, stating that Stannis was making a fool of himself with it.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}

Growing up, Stannis always stood in the shadow of his older brother. Whatever Stannis did, Robert had done first and better.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} These feelings remained until adulthood.{{Ref|ADWD|42}} [[Maester]] [[Cressen]], the maester at [[Storm's End]], came to care deeply for Stannis, moreso than for his brothers, as he felt Stannis was the one who needed him the most, as the most unloved of the three.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Even in his youth, Stannis had been an introverted child, who was mature beyond his years, solemn and joyless.{{Ref|AWOIAF| Stannis Baratheon}}

In {{Date|278}}, Stannis's parents were sent on a mission by King Aerys II to [[Volantis]] to find a bride for Stannis's cousin, Crown Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]]. They were unsuccessful.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Maester Cressen remembers how Lord Steffon had written to him a fortnight before his return, stating that he had found a [[Patchface|splendid fool]] in Volantis who would delight Robert and who might even teach Stannis how to laugh, in time.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Stannis and Robert were both present at [[Storm's End]] when Steffon and Cassana were expected to return from their voyage, looking on from the parapets of the castle. When the ''[[Windproud]]'' came in sight of Storm's End, the two brothers witnessed how the ship was smashed against the rocks in [[Shipbreaker Bay]] and swallowed by the sea. Both Steffon and Cassana drowned.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} According to Stannis, he lost his faith in the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]] that day.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}

===Robert's Rebellion===
When King Aerys II Targaryen demanded the heads of Robert and [[Eddard Stark]] after the executions of [[Rickard Stark|Rickard]] and [[Brandon Stark]], Lord [[Jon Arryn]] raised his banners in revolt, and both Eddard and Robert returned home to call their own banners. The resulting decision that Stannis faced — whether to be loyal to his older brother and liege, Robert, or to his king, Aerys II Targaryen — was a difficult one.{{Ref|ASOS|36}} Stannis was at [[Storm's End]] when Robert returned from the [[Battle of Summerhall]] with his prisoners, whom he kept at Storm's End, and eventually befriended. Stannis warned his brother that the men he had befriended were men who had wanted to deliver him to Aerys to be burned; while Stannis would have thrown them in a dungeon, Robert made them his allies.{{Ref|ACOK|36}}

Stannis remained behind at Storm's End when Robert marched again. After Robert was defeated at [[Ashford]], forces from the [[Reach]] besieged the Baratheon castle. Stannis successfully held against the [[siege of Storm's End]] by Lords [[Mace Tyrell]] and [[Paxter Redwyne]],{{Ref|aGoT|27}} which lasted a major part of the war. His garrison held under desperate conditions, only avoiding starvation by the timely intervention of a notorious smuggler, [[Davos Seaworth|Davos]]. His cargo of onions and salt fish allowed them to hold the fortress. After the siege was lifted by Lord [[Eddard Stark]], Stannis [[knight]]ed Davos and, taking him into his service, allowed the [[landed knight]] to choose the name Seaworth for his new house.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} True to Stannis's sense of justice, he also punished Davos for his crimes as a smuggler by removing the first joint from each finger of Davos's left hand, as payment for his past crimes. Davos accepted the punishment on the condition that Stannis carry out the sentence himself, which Stannis did, using a cleaver for a cleaner cut.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

===Lord of Dragonstone===
Following the [[Sack of King's Landing]] and the surrender of the [[House Tyrell|Tyrells]] at [[Storm's End]], the new king, [[Robert I Baratheon]], charged his brother Stannis with building a new fleet to seize the [[Dragonstone (island)|island of Dragonstone]], the last stronghold in the possession of [[House Targaryen]]. A fierce storm destroyed the Targaryen fleet which had been protecting the island, while Dowager Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen]] died in labor at the [[Dragonstone|castle of Dragonstone]]. Targaryen loyalists smuggled the two Targaryen children, [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] and [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] from the island before Stannis's [[assault on Dragonstone]]. Robert blamed Stannis for letting the Targaryen heirs escape, although the two children had been spirited to safety by Targaryen loyalists shortly before Stannis had even set sail.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}{{Ref|AGOT|3}}{{ref|ACOK|25}}

Stannis was displeased to discover that King Robert had named him Lord of Dragonstone, instead of the wealthier Storm's End, which was given to their younger brother [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], who was only a young child at the time. Stannis resented this and believed it to be an intentional slight,{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} which Queen [[Cersei Lannister]] agrees with.{{ref|ACOK|25}} According to [[George R. R. Martin]], however, Robert had not necessarily meant it as such.<ref name=Baratheonbrothers>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Baratheon_Brothers/ The Baratheon Brothers (September 11, 1999)]</ref> The castle had traditionally been the seat of the heir to the Iron Throne, the [[Prince of Dragonstone]], during most of the Targaryen Dynasty, so the then-childless Robert was granting it to his heir at that time, Stannis.<ref name=Baratheonbrothers></ref> Now the [[Lord of Dragonstone]], Stannis became the head of [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]].
[[File:Stannis Baratheon Greyjoy Rebellion.png|450px|thumb|Stannis Baratheon leading the attack on [[Great Wyk]] during [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]]]]

Stannis was appointed to Robert's [[small council]] as the [[master of ships]].{{Ref|aGoT|27}}{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} A few years later, he wed Lady [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]] of [[House Florent]]. During the wedding, King Robert deflowered [[Delena Florent]], a cousin of Selyse, on the wedding bed. This coupling led to the birth of [[Edric Storm]], the only officially acknowledged [[bastard]] of the king. Stannis insisted that the boy was a slight upon the honor of his wife's house and promptly shipped him off to his brother Renly at Storm's End.{{Ref|aGoT|35}}

In {{Date|289}}, during [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]], Stannis commanded the [[royal fleet]] and trapped and destroyed much of the [[Iron Fleet]] in a [[sea battle off Fair Isle]]. Afterwards, he subdued [[Great Wyk]] in his brother's name.{{ref|ADWD|26}} He also once led a fleet to [[Sisterton]], to suppress smuggling from the [[Three Sisters]].{{ref|ADWD|9}} Ser [[Axell Florent]] served as Stannis's castellan of Dragonstone for ten years, while Stannis was away at [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|ACOK|10}}

Despite his loyalty and service to his brother Robert, Stannis always felt underappreciated by Robert. Instead of thanking Stannis for holding Storm's End against the Tyrells during [[Robert's Rebellion |the rebellion]], Robert thanked [[Eddard Stark]] for lifting the siege. Instead of thanking Stannis for capturing Dragonstone for him, Robert blamed Stannis for the escape of the Targaryen children, even though they left Dragonstone before Stannis had set sail.{{Ref|aCoK|Prologue}} Stannis helped [[Jon Arryn]], Robert's [[Hand of the King]], in ruling the kingdom but received little or no acknowledgement or thanks from his elder brother, who spent his time hunting, drinking, and whoring. And when Arryn died, Robert turned for help to his friend Eddard instead of Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Stannis felt that Storm's End, the ancestral seat of House Baratheon, was his by rights after Robert took the throne, and told Robert so on multiple occasions. In due time, Storm's End was given to Renly instead.{{Ref|ACOK|25}}

King Robert once rejected Stannis's proposal to outlaw brothels.{{Ref|AGOT|27}} Stannis has outlawed [[prostitution]] on his island of Dragonstone.{{ref|ACOK|10}}

Eventually, Stannis began to suspect that the children of Queen Cersei Lannister were not actually Robert's. Convinced that Robert would not believe him, he confided his suspicions to Lord [[Jon Arryn]].{{Ref|ACOK|31}} Together, they investigated the matter, visiting several of Robert's [[Bastardy|baseborn]] children in the city.{{Ref|AGOT|28}}{{Ref|AGOT|30}} Jon had begun to gather proof when he suddenly died.{{Ref|ACOK|31}} Stannis believed Cersei had Jon killed,{{Ref|ACOK|31}}{{Ref|ASOS|36}} and when Robert left for the [[north]] to name Eddard Stark as his new Hand of the King, Stannis left for Dragonstone.{{Ref|AGOT|18}}{{Ref|AGOT|20}}{{Ref|AGOT|27}} As his maester, [[Cressen]] was old and ailing, Stannis sent to the [[Citadel]] for a new maester, and [[Pylos]] arrived mere days before Stannis closed Dragonstone off.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

During their investigations, Jon Arryn had agreed with Stannis that his young son, [[Robert Arryn]], would be fostered with Stannis on Dragonstone.{{Ref|AGOT|27}}{{Ref|AGOT|40}}{{Ref|AGOT|59}}{{Ref|ACOK|25}}{{Ref|ASOS|60}} However, this did not come to pass, as Jon's wife [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa]] fled back to the [[Vale]] with her son after Jon's death.{{Ref|AGOT|4}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
After the death of [[Jon Arryn]], Stannis flees to [[Dragonstone]] to gather his strength, including most of the [[royal fleet]],{{ref|ACOK|41}} and plan his next move,{{Ref|aGoT|20}} believing Cersei poisoned Jon.{{Ref|aCoK|Prologue}} Lord [[Eddard Stark]] wonders why Stannis left, believing it was due to the discovery of whatever secret Jon Arryn was allegedly murdered for, although not realizing that Stannis was also slighted by King [[Robert I Baratheon]]'s selection of Eddard as his new [[Hand of the King]]. Ned, via Grand Maester [[Pycelle]], sends a raven with a polite letter requesting Lord Stannis to return to his seat on the [[small council]].{{ref|AGOT|33}} During Eddard's investigation of Jon's death, he discovers that Stannis and Jon had spent a great deal of time together. When he is told Stannis and Jon visited a brothel, when Stannis is normally so righteous to the point of prudish, he gets closer to the truth.{{Ref|aGoT|27}}

Robert dies after a boar hunt and is succeeded by his son, [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]].{{ref|AGOT|49}} Eddard has been selected by Robert to rule as regent, though plans to bring Stannis to the throne. However, he is outmaneuvered by Robert's widow, Queen [[Cersei Lannister]]. The boy king Joffrey subsequently has Eddard executed.{{ref|AGOT|64}}

Lord [[Varys]] reports to the [[small council]] that Stannis is said to be building ships, hiring sellswords, and bringing a [[shadowbinder]] from [[Asshai]] to Dragonstone.{{ref|AGOT|69}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
[[File:Stannis Melisandre Lightbringer Dragonstone.jpg|300px|thumb|Stannis Baratheon holding [[Lightbringer]] with Melisandre at Dragonstone - by Amok ©]]
Stannis declares himself king on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]]. He sends Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] to gather support for him among the stormlords, but none are willing to join him. His [[maester]], [[Cressen]], suggests to Stannis that he makes an alliance against the Lannisters with [[Robb Stark]], who has been declared [[King in the North]], but Stannis objects to ruling only half a kingdom. Cressen then proposes that Stannis sends [[Shireen Baratheon|Shireen]], his only child and heir, to the [[Eyrie]], to make an alliance with Lady [[Lysa Arryn]], but Stannis's wife, [[Selyse Florent]], objects, stating that Stannis should not have to beg for help, and Stannis sides with her.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

Selyse has converted to the faith of [[R'hllor]], the Lord of Light, giving the priestess [[Melisandre]] a base of power on Dragonstone. Selyse tells Stannis that the [[red comet]] is a sign that Stannis's time has come, and that he must sail from Dragonstone now to conquer.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Selyse claims that Renly's men will join Stannis once Renly dies, and that Melisandre has seen Renly dead in her flames. Cressen is horrified by the thought of fratricide and objects, but Stannis dismisses him.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Though Stannis is not a follower of [[R'hllor]],{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} he denounces the [[Faith of the Seven]] for the Lord of Light, burning the carvings of the seven gods from the Faith as a sacrifice. During this sacrifice, Melisandre proclaims that Stannis is [[Azor Ahai]] reborn, and has him pull a sword out of the burning carvings: [[Lightbringer]]. With [[Davos Seaworth]]'s help, Stannis has recruited [[Salladhor Saan]] for his cause. In private, Sallador tells Davos that the sword is not the real Lightbringer.{{Ref|ACOK|10}} Stannis writes a letter announcing his claim to the throne and the [[bastardy]] of [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrecella]] and [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]], which he plans to send to the lords of the Seven Kingdoms by raven, and to the ports of Westeros and the Free Cities by ship.{{Ref|ACOK|10}} Davos tells Stannis that he has no proof of the incest, but Stannis claims that at [[Storm's End]] there is [[Edric Storm|proof]], though he does not have access. Davos further informs Stannis that it would be unwise to declare for the Lord of Light, if he wishes to win over the followers of the [[Faith of the Seven]], but Stannis rejects the notion, as he believes Melisandre has power.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}

While his brother Renly is slowly marching from [[Highgarden]] to [[King's Landing]] by the [[Roseroad]],{{Ref|ACOK|10}}{{Ref|ACOK|17}} Stannis sails for [[Storm's End]] and [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|besieges the castle]].{{Ref|ACOK|22}} Renly rushes to Storm's End with ten thousand{{Ref|ACOK|33}} of his host to meet Stannis, claiming that he has another hundred thousand on their way.{{Ref|ACOK|31}} Stannis and Renly parley, and Renly offers Stannis a chance to swear him his fealthy, which Stannis angrily rejects. He calls Renly a traitor, as well as threatens [[Robb Stark]] to Lady [[Catelyn Stark]]. When it becomes clear that Renly, who does not care about Stannis's letter and is confident in his own strength, will not swear to Stannis, Stannis leaves, promising a battle at dawn.{{Ref|ACOK|31}} Catelyn informs Renly about the murder attempt on her son [[Bran Stark|Bran]]'s life, which she blames on the Lannisters. She now believes that Bran saw Cersei and Jaime having sex, and asks leave to go to Stannis to tell him of her suspicions, suggesting that Stannis, Renly and Robb all cast aside their crowns to call a [[Great Council]]. Renly refuses, and is about to continue preparing for battle when [[shadow assassin|a shadow]] kills him. Stannis's shadow, according to Catelyn Stark.{{Ref|ACOK|33}} Most of the forces Renly had brought with him to Storm's End join Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|36}}

Following Renly's death, Stannis is troubled by terrible nightmares, and only Melisandre, who now shares his pavillon, can soothe him to sleep.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} He confides in Davos that he sometimes dreams of Renly's death, but that he is innocent, as he had been in his bed when Renly was slain, and that his [[squire]], [[Devan Seaworth]], had been unable to wake him.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} Stannis has surrounded Storm's End by land and sea, and promises that the garrison might go free unharmed is the castle is yielded up to him in a fortnight.{{Ref|ACOK|39}} Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]] continues to refuse, however, even during the last parley a fortnight later, as yielding require giving Stannis Robert's bastard son, [[Edric Storm]]. Cortnay challenges Stannis to single combat to decide the matter, but Stannis refuses. Unwilling to leave Storm's End untaken out of fear that it will be viewed as a defeat, and determined to get a hold of Robert's bastard to proof the incest, Stannis orders Davos to land a small boat beneath the castle, unseen in the black of the night, without anyone else knowing about it, taking Melisandre with him.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} Davos brings Melisandre beneath the castle, where she gives birth to a [[shadow assassin|Stannis's shadow]] which enters the castle.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} That same night, Cortnay falls off a tower of the castle to his death, and the castle yields to Stannis,{{Ref|ACOK|44}} who subsequently burns the [[godswood]] of Storm's End.{{Ref|acok|49}} It is said that Cortnay threw himself off of the tower, and his guards could not find anyone else in the room, nor had they seen anyone else enter. However, Lord [[Varys]] believes Cortnay to have been killed with magic.{{Ref|ACOK|44}}
[[File:Stannis Baratheon with Lightbrighter at Blackwater by WillHarrisArt.jpg|380px|thumb|Stannis Baratheon at the [[Battle of the Blackwater]] - by Will Harris ©]]
With Storm's End fallen, Stannis is free to march for King's Landing, which has been preparing for his arrival.{{Ref|ACOK|49}} [[Tyrion Lannister]] has the [[High Septon (Tyrion's)|High Septon]] spread the news that Stannis means to burn to [[Great Sept of Baelor]], to prevent people in the city from joining Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|49}} Tyrion Lannister has ordered his men from the [[Vale mountain clans]] to light fires to burn the grass, while killing his scouts and raiding his baggage train. In response, Stannis's vanguard sets the [[kingswood]] afire, to smoke the clansmen out.{{Ref|ACOK|52}}

Stannis attacks King's Landing during the [[Battle of the Blackwater]]. Most of Stannis's ships enter the harbor, but the Lannisters light [[wildfire]], and when a chain prevents the ships from sailing out of the harbor again, most of them are destroyed. Stannis's forces are close to victory, when Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] and the forces of [[House Tyrell]] arrive, led by the "ghost" of Renly Baratheon, who is later revealed to have been [[Garlan Tyrell]], dressed in Renly's armor.{{Ref|acok|62}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
Defeated during the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], Stannis returns to Dragonstone on the ships of the [[Lys]]eni [[Salladhor Saan]]{{Ref|asos|4}} with the few men that remain to him, most of them the [[queen's men]].{{Ref|ASOS|10}} He names Lord [[Alester Florent]] as his [[Hand of the King]], but refuses to see anyone but Melisandre, brooding in the [[Stone Drum]] instead. He does not eat, and tales are told claiming that Stannis and Melisandre go down into the [[Dragonmont]] to watch the fires inside.{{Ref|ASOS|10}} After [[Davos Seaworth]] is arrested for his plan to kill Melisandre{{Ref|ASOS|10}} Melisandre visits him, and informs him that she dare not make another shadow son with Stannis as his "fires burn so low" that doing to might kill him.{{Ref|ASOS|25}} Stannis's Hand, Alester, loses faith in Stannis's chances for succes, and prepares to offer peace to [[House Lannister]], to be sealed with the promise that Stannis gives up his claim to the Iron Throne and retracts all he said regarding the [[bastardy]] of [[Cersei Lannister]]'s children in exchange for being accepted back into the King's peace and being allowed to rule as [[Lord of Dragonstone]] and [[Lord of Storm's End]]. Alester wishes to seal the bargain by offering [[Shireen Baratheon|Shireen]] in marriage to [[Tommen Baratheon]]. However, before he can send his letter to King's Landing, he is arrested for treason.{{Ref|ASOS|25}}

Stannis has Davos brought before him. While escorting Davos to Stannis in the [[Chamber of the Painted Table]], Ser [[Axell Florent]] tries to make Davos tell Stannis that Axell should be named the King's Hand. Stannis informs Davos that Axell wishes to resume the war, and has Axell put his plans to sack [[Claw Isle]] to Davos. Stannis wishes to know Davos's opinion on the plans, and sends Axell away when the conversation turns badly, while asking for Melisandre. Davos shares his suspicions about Melisandre with Stannis, but Stannis states he does not believe Renly's death was Melisandre's doing. He shares Davos's opinion on Axell's plans, however, and raises Davos up to be the [[Lord of the Rainwood]], [[Admiral of the Narrow Sea]], and his Hand of the King. Stannis reveals that he has seen [[Fist of the First Men|a high hill in a forest]], where [[Night's Watch|men in black]] had made a ring of torches, and where [[Others|shapes]] were [[Fight at the Fist|moving through the snow]]. Though Melisandre has been trying to convince him to sacrifice [[Edric Storm]], Robert's acknowledged [[bastardy|bastard]], Stannis refuses, ordering her to use leeches instead. Stannis throws the three leeches into the fire one by one, stating the names of the other three kings ([[Joffrey Baratheon]], [[Balon Greyjoy]], and [[Robb Stark]]).{{Ref|ASOS|36}}

Both Balon and Robb die not long after, leading to a discussion among Stannis's counselors whether Edric should be sacrificed to wake a dragon from stone, as Melisandre claims will happen. Davos attempts to convince Stannis not to sacrifice Edric once they are alone, but Stannis admits that, should Joffrey die as well, he is willing to consider doing it.{{ref|ASOS|54}} Upon hearing the news of [[Purple Wedding|Joffrey's death]], Stannis is willing to sacrifice Edric, though he still does not like the idea.{{Ref|ASOS|63}} However, [[king's men|several of the men still loyal to him]] have forsaken R'hllor and returned to the Faith again,{{Ref|ASOS|54}} and Davos has found several of them willing to help him smuggle the boy to safety under the care of Ser [[Andrew Estermont]].{{Ref|ASOS|63}} Stannis is furious, but Davos urges Stannis to sail for the [[Wall]], claiming that "a king protects his people, or he is no king at all", and presents his king with [[Maester]] [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]]'s letter asking for aid.{{Ref|ASOS|63}}

[[File:Stannis at dragonstone.jpg|thumb|500px|Stannis and Melisandre sail from Dragonstone to the Wall - by Tomasz Jedruszek ©]]
Melisandre sacrifices a man to R'hllor to gain favorable winds and sails north. He leaves Selyse and Shireen at [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]] while marching west with all his forces.{{Ref|ASOS|75}} They arrive in time to defeat [[Mance Rayder]]'s [[free folk|wildling]] army during the [[Battle of Castle Black]].{{Ref|aSoS|73}} Stannis occupies the [[King's Tower]] at [[Castle Black]].{{Ref|ASOS|75}} Though he plans to burn Mance Rayder, he is willing to allow the other free folk through the Wall if they swear to R'hllor, settling them in the [[Gift]]. He has [[Jon Snow]] brought to him, and offers to legitimize him and name him [[Lord of Winterfell]] in exchange for Jon's help in winning the [[north]] to his side. He allows Jon time to think about the offfer.{{Ref|ASOS|76}} As Stannis needs to negotiate with the [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], he is displeased that after ten days of voting, the black brothers still have not yet chosen a new commander, and calls several of the higher ranking men to him to inform them that he will chose a Lord Commander for them, if they do not come to a decision that same day.{{Ref|ASOS|78}} Stannis informs maester Aemon and [[Samwell Tarly]] that he has send word to his castellan to begin mining [[dragonglass]] at Dragonstone to fight the [[Others]], and confirms that he is aware of Aemon's ancestry. Aemon requests to see Lightbringer, and Stannis grants the request.{{Ref|ASOS|78}} Thanks to Samwell's involvement,{{Ref|ASOS|78}} Jon Snow is elected as Lord Commander,{{Ref|aSoS|79}} preventing him from accepting Stannis's offer.

===''A Feast for Crows''===
Stannis, the self-styled [[King of Westeros]],{{ref|AFFC|Appendix}} remains at the [[King's Tower]] of [[Castle Black]]. He plans to use [[Val]], whom his men call the "wildling princess", to seal the peace between the northmen and the free folk.{{Ref|AFFC|5}} Lord Commander Jon Snow has given Stannis food, shelter, the [[Nightfort]], and leave to settle some free folk in the Gift. Stannis has send out ravens to the northern lords, demanding their fealthy, but thusfar only [[House Karstark]] has replied, swearing Stannis their allegiance.{{Ref|AFFC|5}}

Before blaming [[Tyrion Lannister]] for [[Tywin Lannister]]'s death, [[Cersei Lannister]] suspects Stannis's involvement.{{Ref|AFFC|3}} She is giddy as a maiden when she learns that Stannis has left Dragonstone, and believes that Stannis has finally admitted defeat and gone into exile. When news reaches King's Landing that he is now in the north, Cersei is furious.{{Ref|AFFC|16}} She sends two thousand Lannister soldiers to [[Dragonstone]] to defeat the small garrison Stannis had left behind and take the castle.{{Ref|AFFC|16}} Meanwhile, Lord [[Roose Bolton]], now [[Warden of the North]], and two thousand soldiers from [[House Frey]] are to deal with Stannis and his few thousand soldiers.{{Ref|AFFC|16}}

Cersei wishes to deal with the [[House Greyjoy|Greyjoys]] only after Stannis has been defeated.{{Ref|AFFC|17}} News reaches King's Landing that the [[Golden Company]] has broken its contract with [[Myr]], and it is being said that they have been hired by Stannis instead.{{Ref|AFFC|17}} The [[small council]] receives reports that Stannis's [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Davos Seaworth]], has travelled to [[White Harbor]] and that he had been arrested by Lord [[Wyman Manderly]]. Cersei orders him to execute Davos.{{Ref|AFFC|17}}

In [[Braavos]], Maester Aemon becomes convinced that Melisandre has misread the signs that had convinced her that Stannis is [[Azor Ahai]] reborn.{{Ref|AFFC|35}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[File:Stannis and his sword.jpg|350px|thumb|left|King Stannis with Lightbringer - by Ming1918 ©]]
Stannis keeps his wildling prisoners [[beyond the Wall]]. He rides down the [[kingsroad]] almost as far as [[Queenscrown]], prowles through the empty hovels of [[Mole's Town]], inspects the ruins at [[Queensgate]] and [[Oakenshield]], and walks atop the [[Wall]] each night with Melisandre, while selecting prisoners for questioning during the day.{{Ref|ADWD|3}} [[House Mormont]] has refused to join Stannis, whereas [[House Manderly]]'s reply to Stannis's letter only made excuses. Jon Snow refuses to give Stannis ownership of the sixteen castles at the Wall that are unoccupied by the black brothers, and asks Stannis for men instead to serve under the command of his own commanders.{{Ref|ADWD|3}}

Stannis sends [[Davos Seaworth]] to [[White Harbor]] to treat with Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] on his behalf,{{Ref|ADWD|7}}{{Ref|aDwD|15}} as well sends [[Richard Horpe]] and [[Justin Massey]] as envoys south.{{ref|ADWD|7}} Stannis approves of the execution of [[Janos Slynt]],{{Ref|ADWD|7}} and has [[Mance Rayder]] burned in sacrifice to R'hllor as punishment for having deserted the Watch.{{Ref|aDwD|10}} In reality, however, Stannis has unknowingly burned [[Rattleshirt]], who had secretly been glamoured by Melisandre to look like Mance.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} He offers the remaining [[free folk]] the choice between bending the knee or returning beyond the Wall to die. Most of the free folk bend the knee and are allowed south of the Wall.{{Ref|aDwD|10}}

Stannis wins the support of half of the forces of [[House Umber]], commanded by [[Mors Umber]]. The remainder of the Umber forces have marched for House Bolton, under the command of [[Hother Umber]], as the [[Jon Umber|Greatjon]] remains a captive of the Lannisters.{{ref|ADWD|17}} Stannis plans to march with the wildlings on the [[Dreadfort]], as [[Ramsay Bolton]] has marched south to [[siege of Moat Cailin|Moat Cailin]]. Jon Snow tells him his plan will never succeed. The Dreadfort will learn of his approach long before he can ever reach the castle, and [[Moat Cailin]] will fall quickly, which means that Ramsay and [[Roose Bolton]] are free to march against Stannis with their entire force. Additionally, marching with the wildlings will only serve to turn the northmen against Stannis. Instead, Jon proposes that Stannis visit the [[northern mountain clans|mountain clans]], including the [[House Flint of the mountains|Flints]], [[House Wull|Wulls]], [[House Norrey|Norreys]] and [[House Liddle|Liddles]]. Instead of the Dreadfort, Jon suggests marching against [[Deepwood Motte]] to fight the [[ironborn]]. In exchange, the wildlings remain at the Wall.{{Ref|aDwD|17}}

At [[White Harbor]], Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] arrests Stannis's envoy and Hand, Davos Seaworth, and fakes his execution. In secret, he promises to swear loyalty to Stannis if Davos can bring him [[Rickon Stark]].{{Ref|ADWD|29}}

Stannis follows the advice of Jon Snow and wins over several of the moutain clans, gathering an additional three thousand men for his army. Stannis then [[fight by Deepwood Motte|takes Deepwood Motte]] from the [[ironborn]],{{Ref|aDwD|26}} returning the castle to [[House Glover]].{{Ref|ADWD|29}} The [[House Mormont|Mormonts]], as well as [[smallfolk]] fleeing from the ironborn and survivors from the battle outside of Winterfell, once sworn to [[House Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart]], join Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|35}} [[Asha Greyjoy]] and several ironborn are taken captive at Deepwood Motte.{{Ref|ADWD|26}} Stannis and his army [[march on Winterfell]], taking Asha with them, but they are slowed by heavy snows, and Stannis is forced to encamp at a small [[crofters' village]] three days west of [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|ADWD|37}}{{Ref|ADWD|41}}{{Ref|ADWD|42}} [[Arnolf Karstark]] and [[Mors Umber]] have begun to march as well, and plan to join Stannis near Winterfell.{{Ref|ADWD|35}}{{Ref|ADWD|37}} Arnolf eventually finds Stannis at the crofters' village.{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

At the [[Wall]], [[Tycho Nestoris]], an emissary from the [[Iron Bank of Braavos]], arrives. As the [[Iron Throne]] has ceased payments of the loans, the Iron Bank wishes to broach the subject to Stannis. Jon Snow receives Tycho and realises that if Stannis gives in to the demands of the Iron Bank, the Braavosi will give him their support, which might win him the Iron Throne.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} [[Alys Karstark]] arrives at [[Castle Black]], and warns Jon that her uncle, [[Arnolf Karstark]], is only feigning loyalty to Stannis. In truth he sides with the Boltons, and is planning to betray Stannis at the oppertune moment. Jon sends a message to Deepwood Motte in an attempt to warn Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} Tycho travels to Deepwood Motte in search of Stannis, and from there continues to the crofters' village as well. Near Winterfell, Tycho finds Mors Umber with a captive [[Theon Greyjoy]] and "[[Jeyne Poole|Arya Stark]]", who he brings with him to Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

Jon Snow receives a [[Bastard Letter|taunting letter]] at Castle Black from Ramsay, stating that Stannis was killed along with most of his army in seven days of battle.{{ref|ADWD|69}}

===''The Winds of Winter''===
{{Warning|This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.}}
Stannis is actively and efficiently preparing for the looming battle against the [[House Bolton|Boltons]]. He signs a contract with the [[Braavos]]i [[Iron Bank of Braavos|banker]] [[Tycho Nestoris]], and plans to send Tycho back to the Wall for safety. Tycho brought a message from Jon Snow informing Stannis of [[Arnolf Karstark]]'s planned treachery, after which Stannis arrests Arnolf, his son [[Arthor Karstark|Arthor]], and his three grandsons arrested and plans to execute them. He sends Ser [[Justin Massey]] to escort "[[Jeyne Poole|Arya Stark]]" back to Castle Black to reunite her with Jon Snow, in gratitude for Jon's counsel of gathering the [[northern mountain clans]]. Massey is to then travel to Braavos and use money from the Iron Bank to hire twenty thousand sellswords for Stannis. Stannis tells Massey that he may hear of Stannis' death in Braavos, but even if that news is true, Massey is to follow the orders as to seat Shireen on the Iron Throne. Stannis next receives Asha Greyjoy, and informs her that her brother Theon must be executed, as showing him mercy would mean losing all of the northmen.<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

==Quotes by Stannis==
{{Quote|Kings have no friends, only subjects and enemies.{{Ref|aCoK|31}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Catelyn Stark]]

{{Quote|These pardoned lords would do well to reflect on that. Good men and true will fight for [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], wrongly believing him the true king. A [[north]]man might even say the same of [[Robb Stark]]. But these lords who flocked to [[Renly Baratheon|my brother's]] banners knew him for a usurper. They turned their backs on their rightful king for no better reason than dreams of power and glory, and I have marked them for what they are. Pardoned them, yes. Forgiven. But not forgotten.{{Ref|aCoK|42}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Davos Seaworth]]

{{Quote|It is not a question of wanting. The throne is mine, as [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert's]] heir. That is law. After me, it must pass to my daughter, unless [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]] should finally give me a son. I am king. Wants do not enter into it. I have a duty to my daughter. To the realm. Even to Robert. He loved me but little, I know, yet he was my brother. The [[Cersei Lannister|Lannister woman]] gave him horns and made a motley fool of him. She may have murdered him as well, as she murdered [[Jon Arryn]] and [[Eddard Stark|Ned Stark]]. For such crimes there must be justice. Starting with Cersei and her abominations. But only starting. I mean to scour that court clean. As Robert should have done after the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]].{{Ref|aSoS|36}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Davos Seaworth]]

{{Quote|I never asked for this, no more than I asked to be king. Yet dare I disregard [[Melisandre|her]]? We do not choose our destinies. Yet we must ... we must do our duty, no? Great or small, we must do our duty.{{Ref|aSoS|54}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Davos Seaworth]]

{{Quote|I know the cost! Last night, gazing into that hearth, I saw things in the flames as well. I saw a king, a crown of fire on his brows, burning… burning, Davos. His own crown consumed his flesh and turned him into ash. Do you think I need [[Melisandre]] to tell me what that means? Or you?{{Ref|aSoS|54}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Davos Seaworth]]

{{Quote|I never asked for this crown. Gold is cold and heavy on the head, but so long as I am the king, I have a duty … If I must sacrifice [[Edric Storm|one child]] to the flames to save a million from the dark... Sacrifice... is never easy, Davos. Or it is no true sacrifice.{{Ref|aSoS|63}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Davos Seaworth]]

{{Quote|Lord [[Davos Seaworth|Seaworth]] is a man of humble birth, but he reminded me of my duty, when all I could think of was my rights. I had the cart before the horse, Davos said. I was trying to win the throne to save the kingdom, when I should have been trying to save the kingdom to win the throne.{{Ref|aSoS|76}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Jon Snow]]

{{Quote|[[Others|Demons made of snow and ice and cold]]. The ancient enemy. The only enemy that matters.{{Ref|aSoS|78}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Samwell Tarly]], [[Melisandre]], and [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]]

{{Quote|'''Stannis:''' I thought the wet nurse was this man [[Craster]]'s daughter? 
'''Melisandre:''' Wife and daughter both, Your Grace. Craster married all his daughters. [[Gilly]]'s boy was the fruit of their union. 
'''Stannis:''' Her own father got this child on her? We are well rid of her, then. I will not suffer such abominations here. This is not [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|aDwD|3}}}}
– Stannis and [[Melisandre]]

==Quotes about Stannis==
{{Quote|I have felt from the beginning that Stannis was a greater danger than [[War of the Five Kings|all the others combined]].{{Ref|agot|69}}}}
– [[Tywin Lannister]], to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|Ned found it hard to imagine what could frighten Stannis Baratheon, who had once held [[Storm's End]] through a [[Siege of Storm's End|year of siege]], surviving on rats and boot leather while the Lords [[Mace Tyrell|Tyrell]] and [[Paxter Redwyne|Redwyne]] sat outside with their hosts, banqueting in sight of his walls.{{Ref|aGoT|58}}}} – thoughts of [[Eddard Stark]]

{{Quote|His claim is the true one, he is known for his prowess as a battle commander, and he is utterly without mercy. There is no creature on earth half so terrifying as a truly just man.{{Ref|aGoT|58}}}} – [[Varys]], to [[Eddard Stark]]

{{Quote|[[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] was the true steel. Stannis is pure iron, black and hard and strong, yes, but brittle, the way iron gets. He'll break before he bends. And [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], that one, he’s copper, bright and shiny, pretty to look at but not worth all that much at the end of the day.{{ref|ACOK|6}}}} – [[Donal Noye]], to [[Jon Snow]]

{{Quote|And Stannis has always felt he was cheated of [[Storm's End]]. The ancestral seat of [[House Baratheon]], his by rights... if you knew how many times he came to [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] singing that same dull song in that gloomy aggrieved tone he has. When Robert gave the place to [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], Stannis clenched his jaw so tight I thought his teeth would shatter.{{ref|ACOK|25}}}} – [[Cersei Lannister]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|This is Stannis Baratheon. The man will fight to the bitter end and then some.{{Ref|aSoS|72}}}} – [[Tywin Lannister]], to [[Pycelle]]

{{quote|Stannis Baratheon with a grievance was like a mastiff with a bone; he gnawed it down to splinters.{{ref|ADWD|3}}}} - thoughts of [[Jon Snow]]

{{Quote|What does Stannis offer you? Vengeance. Vengeance for my sons and yours, for your husbands and your fathers and your brothers. Vengeance for your murdered lord, your murdered king, your butchered princes. Vengeance!{{Ref|ADwD|19}}}} – [[Davos Seaworth]], to the [[Merman's Court]]

{{Quote|His eyes were sunk in deep pits, his close-cropped beard no more than a shadow across his hollow cheeks and bony jawbone. Yet there was power in his stare, an iron ferocity that told Asha this man would never, ever turn back from his course.{{Ref|ADwD|42}}}} – [[Asha Greyjoy]]

==Family==
{{Baratheon tree}}

==Behind the Scenes==
According to [[George R. R. Martin]], Stannis is partially inspired by [[w:Tiberius|Tiberius Caesar]], particularly the portrayal by [[w:George Baker (actor)|George Baker]] in ''[[w:I, Claudius (TV series)|I, Claudius]]''.<ref>[[w:92nd Street Y|92nd Street Y]]: [http://92yondemand.org/george-r-r-martin-world-ice-fire Game of Thrones Mastermind George R. R. Martin: The World of Ice and Fire], Oct 26, 2014</ref>

==References and Notes==
{{References|2}}

{{Kings of Westeros}}
{{Small council}}


[[Category:House Baratheon]]
[[Category:House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]
[[Category:Characters from the Stormlands|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Claimants to the Iron Throne|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Kinslayers|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Knights|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Lords of Dragonstone|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Masters of ships|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Members of Robert Baratheon's court|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Monarchs|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Nobles|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Rebels of Robert's Rebellion|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Veterans of Greyjoy's Rebellion|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Veterans of Robert's Rebellion|Baratheon, Stannis]]


[[tr:Stannis Baratheon]]
[[es:Stannis Baratheon]]
[[fa:استنیس براتیون]]
[[fr:Stannis Baratheon]]
[[ru:Станнис Баратеон]]
[[zh:史坦尼斯·拜拉席恩]]

Template:Kings of Westeros

2017-08-13T02:50:07Z

Benethon Stark: Rhaenyra held the Iron Throne

{{Navbox
| name = Kings of Westeros
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| title = Kings in [[Westeros]] since [[Aegon's Conquest]]
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| group1 = [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]]: [[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men|Kings of the Andals,the Rhoynar, and the First Men]]
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{{Navbox|child
| group1 = Holders of the [[Iron Throne]]
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*[[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon I ]] (1–37)
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*[[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor I]] (42–48)
*[[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys I]] (48–103)
*[[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I]] (103–129)
*[[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra I]] (129–130)
*[[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]] (129–131)
*[[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]] (131–157)
*[[Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron I]] (157–161)
*[[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I]] (161–171)
*[[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys II]] (171–172)
*[[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon IV]] (172–184)
*[[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron II]] (184–209)
*[[Aerys I Targaryen|Aerys I]] (209–221)
*[[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar I]] (221–233)
*[[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon V]] (233–259)
*[[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys II]] (259–262)
*[[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]] (262–283)
| group2 = Rival kings and claimants
| list2 =
*[[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] (42–43)
*[[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys III]] (283–298)
*[[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys I]] (298–Present)
*[[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]] (300–Present)
| group3 = [[Blackfyre Pretenders]]
| list3 =
*[[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon I]] (196)
*[[Daemon II Blackfyre|Daemon II]] (196–Unknown)
*[[Haegon I Blackfyre|Haegon I]] (Unknown–219)
*[[Daemon III Blackfyre|Daemon III]] (219–236)
*[[Maelys I Blackfyre|Maelys I]] (Unknown–260)
| group4 = Alleged bastard pretenders
| list4 =
*[[Gaemon Palehair]] (130)
*[[Trystane Truefyre]] (130)
}}
| group2 = [[House Baratheon of King's Landing|Baratheons]]: [[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men|Kings of the Andals,the Rhoynar, and the First Men]]
| list2 =
{{Navbox|child
| group1 = Holders of the [[Iron Throne]]
| list1 =
*[[Robert Baratheon|Robert I]] (283–298)
*[[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I]] (298–300)
*[[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I]] (300–Present)
| group2 = Rival kings and claimants
| list2 =
*[[Renly Baratheon|Renly I]] (298–299)
*[[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis I]] (299–Present)
}}
| group3 = Independence movements
| list3 =
{{Navbox|child
| group1 = [[House Baratheon|Baratheons]], [[Storm King|Storm Kings]]
| list1 =
*[[Lyonel Baratheon|Lyonel]] (unknown, between 239 AC and 245 AC)
| group2 = [[House Greyjoy|Greyjoys]], [[King of the Iron Islands|Kings of the Iron Islands]]
| list2 =
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| group3 = [[House Greyjoy|Greyjoys]], [[King of the Isles and the North|Kings of the Isles and the North]]
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}}
<noinclude>[[Category:Navigational templates]]</noinclude>

Stannis Baratheon

2017-07-30T23:21:20Z

Benethon Stark: Stannis uses the original Baratheon sigil as well.

{{Hatnote|"Stannis" redirects here. See also [[Stannis Seaworth]]}}
{{Infobox monarch
| name = '''Stannis Baratheon''' [[File:House_Baratheon.svg‎|60px|left]][[File:Stannis_sigil_coat.png‎|60px|right]]
| image = [[File:Joshua Cairosstannisbaratheon.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = Stannis Baratheon by Joshua Cairos©
| reign =
| coronation =
| othertitles = [[Master of ships]] (formerly) [[Lord of Dragonstone]] [[Lord of Storm's End]] [[Lord Paramount of the Stormlands]] [[King of Westeros]] King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men (claimant){{ref|ADWD|35}} Lord of the Seven Kingdoms (claimant){{ref|ADWD|35}} Protector of the Realm (claimant){{ref|ADWD|35}}
| alias = The King in the Narrow Sea{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}} The King of the [[Painted Table]]{{ref|ASOS|54}} The King of Dragonstone{{ref|ASOS|72}} The King at the Wall{{ref|ADWD|Appendix}} Azor Ahai reborn/come again{{ref|ACOK|10}}{{ref|ASOS|78}}
| fullname = Stannis Baratheon the First of His Name
| predecessor = [[Robert I Baratheon]]
| successor =
| suc-type =
| heir = [[Shireen Baratheon]]
| queen = [[Selyse Florent]]
| consort =
| spouse1 =
| issue = [[Shireen Baratheon]]
| royalhouse = [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]
| dynasty =
| royalanthem = A crowned stag enclosed within a red heart surrounded by a blaze of orange fire on a field of sun yellow{{ref|ACOK|31}}
| father = [[Steffon Baratheon]]
| mother = [[Cassana Estermont]]
| dateofbirth = {{Date|264}}<ref name=Cal>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Stannis Baratheon|Stannis Baratheon]] calculation.''</ref>
| placeofbirth = [[Storm's End]]{{Ref|AWOIAF| Stannis Baratheon}}
| dateofdeath =
| placeofdeath =
| dateofburial =
| placeofburial =
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (appears) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (appears) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (appears) ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' (appears)
| Played_by = [[List of actors of the televised series#Stephen Dillane, Stannis Baratheon|Stephen Dillane]]
| TV_series = [[Game of Thrones - Season 2|Season 2]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 3|Season 3]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 4|Season 4]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 5|Season 5]]
}}

'''Stannis Baratheon''' is the head of [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]] and the [[Lord of Dragonstone]]. He is the secondborn son of [[Steffon Baratheon]], [[Lord of Storm's End]], and Lady [[Cassana Estermont]].{{ref|agot|appendix}} He has an older brother, King [[Robert I Baratheon]], and a younger brother, Lord [[Renly Baratheon]]. Stannis serves on Robert's [[small council]] as the [[master of ships]]. In the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' Stannis is played by [[List of actors of the televised series#Stephen Dillane, Stannis Baratheon|Stephen Dillane]].

==Appearance and Character==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Stannis Baratheon|Images of Stannis Baratheon]]''
Like his brothers, [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] and [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], Stannis is a large man - tall, broad shouldered and sinewy.{{Ref|acok|prologue}} [[Jon Snow]] notes that Stannis towers over him.{{Ref|ASOS|76}} Stannis has dark blue eyes and a heavy brow. His head has only a fringe of black hair "like the shadow of a crown," and he has a close-cropped beard across his large jaw.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} His face has a tightness to it like cured leather, and he has hollow cheeks, and thin, pale lips.{{Ref|ACOK|prologue}}

Stannis is a serious, stubborn, rarely-forgiving, hard man with a strong sense of duty and justice.{{Ref|AGOT|27}}{{Ref|AGOT|58}}{{Ref|AGOT|47}}{{Ref|ACOK|42}}{{Ref|ASOS|36}}{{Ref|ACOK|10}}{{Ref|ASOS|72}} He grinds his teeth regularly.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}{{Ref|acok|10}}{{Ref|ACOK|25}} He is an accomplished commander, sailor, and warrior,{{ref|AGOT|58}} with no thirst for battle, commanding from the rear.{{Ref|ACOK|59}} He has never had the affection of nobles or smallfolk alike.{{ref|acok|prologue}}{{Ref|ACOK|10}}{{Ref|ACOK|22}}{{Ref|ACOK|36}} In his adult life, he is increasingly embittered by the lack of affection he receives from Robert, even though he serves Robert as well as he can.{{Ref|ACOK|prologue}}{{Ref|AWOIAF| Stannis Baratheon}}

Stannis is not a man for easy courtesies,{{Ref|ACOK|31}} and has always been uncomfortable around women, even his own wife, Lady [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]] of [[House Florent]]. During the years he served on the [[small council]] in [[King's Landing]], he left his wife on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]]. He wrote to her, but only occasionally. His visits were even fewer, and he did his duty in the marriage bed only once or twice a year, and took no joy in it.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Though he once hoped for sons, he would only have one daughter, [[Shireen Baratheon|Shireen]].{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

Influenced by [[Melisandre]], Stannis adopts a new sigil which depicts the [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]] stag enclosed within a red heart surrounded by orange flame.{{ref|ACOK|31}} Unlike many of his noble peers, Stannis dresses plainly.{{ref|ACOK|31}} He sometimes wears a grey wool tunic, a dark red mantle, and a plain black leather belt from which hang his sword and dagger.{{ref|ASOS|36}} On campaign he wears a studded leather jerkin over quilted doublet, worn boots, breeches of brown roughspun, and a belt studded with garnets and yellow topaz.{{ref|ACOK|31}} Other armor includes wool and boiled leather{{ref|ACOK|42}} or grey plate inlaid with a flaming heart.{{ref|ADWD|10}}

==History==
===Early Life===
Born in {{Date|264}},<ref name=Cal></ref> Stannis was the second son of Lady [[Cassana Estermont]] and Lord [[Steffon Baratheon]] of [[Storm's End]]. He had an older brother, [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]], and a younger brother, [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]].{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}

When Stannis was no more than four years old, his father took him and his brother Robert to court. There, Stannis believed he saw King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] on the [[Iron Throne]], holding court. Stannis was impressed, and he and Robert agreed that the king had been as noble as the [[dragon]]s were fearsome. It was years later that Steffon told him that it had been [[Hand of the King]] [[Tywin Lannister]] whom they had seen, as King Aerys had cut himself on the throne earlier that day and Tywin had taken over for him.{{Ref|ASOS|54}}

As a lad, Stannis found an injured goshawk, and nursed it back to health. He named the bird [[Proudwing]], but his brother Robert called it Weakwing, as it would never fly higher than the treetops, and never soared. (Robert himself owned a gyrfalcon named [[Thunderclap]], who never missed a strike). Eventually, Stannis's great-uncle, [[Harbert]], convinced him to abandon the bird, stating that Stannis was making a fool of himself with it.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}

Growing up, Stannis always stood in the shadow of his older brother. Whatever Stannis did, Robert had done first and better.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} These feelings remained until adulthood.{{Ref|ADWD|42}} [[Maester]] [[Cressen]], the maester at [[Storm's End]], came to care deeply for Stannis, moreso than for his brothers, as he felt Stannis was the one who needed him the most, as the most unloved of the three.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Even in his youth, Stannis had been an introverted child, who was mature beyond his years, solemn and joyless.{{Ref|AWOIAF| Stannis Baratheon}}

In {{Date|278}}, Stannis's parents were sent on a mission by King Aerys II to [[Volantis]] to find a bride for Stannis's cousin, Crown Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]]. They were unsuccessful.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Maester Cressen remembers how Lord Steffon had written to him a fortnight before his return, stating that he had found a [[Patchface|splendid fool]] in Volantis who would delight Robert and who might even teach Stannis how to laugh, in time.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Stannis and Robert were both present at [[Storm's End]] when Steffon and Cassana were expected to return from their voyage, looking on from the parapets of the castle. When the ''[[Windproud]]'' came in sight of Storm's End, the two brothers witnessed how the ship was smashed against the rocks in [[Shipbreaker Bay]] and swallowed by the sea. Both Steffon and Cassana drowned.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} According to Stannis, he lost his faith in the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]] that day.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}

===Robert's Rebellion===
When King Aerys II Targaryen demanded the heads of Robert and [[Eddard Stark]] after the executions of [[Rickard Stark|Rickard]] and [[Brandon Stark]], Lord [[Jon Arryn]] raised his banners in revolt, and both Eddard and Robert returned home to call their own banners. The resulting decision that Stannis faced — whether to be loyal to his older brother and liege, Robert, or to his king, Aerys II Targaryen — was a difficult one.{{Ref|ASOS|36}} Stannis was at [[Storm's End]] when Robert returned from the [[Battle of Summerhall]] with his prisoners, whom he kept at Storm's End, and eventually befriended. Stannis warned his brother that the men he had befriended were men who had wanted to deliver him to Aerys to be burned; while Stannis would have thrown them in a dungeon, Robert made them his allies.{{Ref|ACOK|36}}

Stannis remained behind at Storm's End when Robert marched again. After Robert was defeated at [[Ashford]], forces from the [[Reach]] besieged the Baratheon castle. Stannis successfully held against the [[siege of Storm's End]] by Lords [[Mace Tyrell]] and [[Paxter Redwyne]],{{Ref|aGoT|27}} which lasted a major part of the war. His garrison held under desperate conditions, only avoiding starvation by the timely intervention of a notorious smuggler, [[Davos Seaworth|Davos]]. His cargo of onions and salt fish allowed them to hold the fortress. After the siege was lifted by Lord [[Eddard Stark]], Stannis [[knight]]ed Davos and, taking him into his service, allowed the [[landed knight]] to choose the name Seaworth for his new house.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} True to Stannis's sense of justice, he also punished Davos for his crimes as a smuggler by removing the first joint from each finger of Davos's left hand, as payment for his past crimes. Davos accepted the punishment on the condition that Stannis carry out the sentence himself, which Stannis did, using a cleaver for a cleaner cut.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

===Lord of Dragonstone===
Following the [[Sack of King's Landing]] and the surrender of the [[House Tyrell|Tyrells]] at [[Storm's End]], the new king, [[Robert I Baratheon]], charged his brother Stannis with building a new fleet to seize the [[Dragonstone (island)|island of Dragonstone]], the last stronghold in the possession of [[House Targaryen]]. A fierce storm destroyed the Targaryen fleet which had been protecting the island, while Dowager Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen]] died in labor at the [[Dragonstone|castle of Dragonstone]]. Targaryen loyalists smuggled the two Targaryen children, [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] and [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] from the island before Stannis's [[assault on Dragonstone]]. Robert blamed Stannis for letting the Targaryen heirs escape, although the two children had been spirited to safety by Targaryen loyalists shortly before Stannis had even set sail.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}{{Ref|AGOT|3}}{{ref|ACOK|25}}

Stannis was displeased to discover that King Robert had named him Lord of Dragonstone, instead of the wealthier Storm's End, which was given to their younger brother [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], who was only a young child at the time. Stannis resented this and believed it to be an intentional slight,{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} which Queen [[Cersei Lannister]] agrees with.{{ref|ACOK|25}} According to [[George R. R. Martin]], however, Robert had not necessarily meant it as such.<ref name=Baratheonbrothers>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Baratheon_Brothers/ The Baratheon Brothers (September 11, 1999)]</ref> The castle had traditionally been the seat of the heir to the Iron Throne, the [[Prince of Dragonstone]], during most of the Targaryen Dynasty, so the then-childless Robert was granting it to his heir at that time, Stannis.<ref name=Baratheonbrothers></ref> Now the [[Lord of Dragonstone]], Stannis became the head of [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]].
[[File:Stannis Baratheon Greyjoy Rebellion.png|450px|thumb|Stannis Baratheon leading the attack on [[Great Wyk]] during [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]]]]

Stannis was appointed to Robert's [[small council]] as the [[master of ships]].{{Ref|aGoT|27}}{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} A few years later, he wed Lady [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]] of [[House Florent]]. During the wedding, King Robert deflowered [[Delena Florent]], a cousin of Selyse, on the wedding bed. This coupling led to the birth of [[Edric Storm]], the only officially acknowledged [[bastard]] of the king. Stannis insisted that the boy was a slight upon the honor of his wife's house and promptly shipped him off to his brother Renly at Storm's End.{{Ref|aGoT|35}}

In {{Date|289}}, during [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]], Stannis commanded the [[royal fleet]] and trapped and destroyed much of the [[Iron Fleet]] in a [[sea battle off Fair Isle]]. Afterwards, he subdued [[Great Wyk]] in his brother's name.{{ref|ADWD|26}} He also once led a fleet to [[Sisterton]], to suppress smuggling from the [[Three Sisters]].{{ref|ADWD|9}} Ser [[Axell Florent]] served as Stannis's castellan of Dragonstone for ten years, while Stannis was away at [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|ACOK|10}}

Despite his loyalty and service to his brother Robert, Stannis always felt underappreciated by Robert. Instead of thanking Stannis for holding Storm's End against the Tyrells during [[Robert's Rebellion |the rebellion]], Robert thanked [[Eddard Stark]] for lifting the siege. Instead of thanking Stannis for capturing Dragonstone for him, Robert blamed Stannis for the escape of the Targaryen children, even though they left Dragonstone before Stannis had set sail.{{Ref|aCoK|Prologue}} Stannis helped [[Jon Arryn]], Robert's [[Hand of the King]], in ruling the kingdom but received little or no acknowledgement or thanks from his elder brother, who spent his time hunting, drinking, and whoring. And when Arryn died, Robert turned for help to his friend Eddard instead of Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Stannis felt that Storm's End, the ancestral seat of House Baratheon, was his by rights after Robert took the throne, and told Robert so on multiple occasions. In due time, Storm's End was given to Renly instead.{{Ref|ACOK|25}}

King Robert once rejected Stannis's proposal to outlaw brothels.{{Ref|AGOT|27}} Stannis has outlawed [[prostitution]] on his island of Dragonstone.{{ref|ACOK|10}}

Eventually, Stannis began to suspect that the children of Queen Cersei Lannister were not actually Robert's. Convinced that Robert would not believe him, he confided his suspicions to Lord [[Jon Arryn]].{{Ref|ACOK|31}} Together, they investigated the matter, visiting several of Robert's [[Bastardy|baseborn]] children in the city.{{Ref|AGOT|28}}{{Ref|AGOT|30}} Jon had begun to gather proof when he suddenly died.{{Ref|ACOK|31}} Stannis believed Cersei had Jon killed,{{Ref|ACOK|31}}{{Ref|ASOS|36}} and when Robert left for the [[north]] to name Eddard Stark as his new Hand of the King, Stannis left for Dragonstone.{{Ref|AGOT|18}}{{Ref|AGOT|20}}{{Ref|AGOT|27}} As his maester, [[Cressen]] was old and ailing, Stannis sent to the [[Citadel]] for a new maester, and [[Pylos]] arrived mere days before Stannis closed Dragonstone off.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

During their investigations, Jon Arryn had agreed with Stannis that his young son, [[Robert Arryn]], would be fostered with Stannis on Dragonstone.{{Ref|AGOT|27}}{{Ref|AGOT|40}}{{Ref|AGOT|59}}{{Ref|ACOK|25}}{{Ref|ASOS|60}} However, this did not come to pass, as Jon's wife [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa]] fled back to the [[Vale]] with her son after Jon's death.{{Ref|AGOT|4}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
After the death of [[Jon Arryn]], Stannis flees to [[Dragonstone]] to gather his strength, including most of the [[royal fleet]],{{ref|ACOK|41}} and plan his next move,{{Ref|aGoT|20}} believing Cersei poisoned Jon.{{Ref|aCoK|Prologue}} Lord [[Eddard Stark]] wonders why Stannis left, believing it was due to the discovery of whatever secret Jon Arryn was allegedly murdered for, although not realizing that Stannis was also slighted by King [[Robert I Baratheon]]'s selection of Eddard as his new [[Hand of the King]]. Ned, via Grand Maester [[Pycelle]], sends a raven with a polite letter requesting Lord Stannis to return to his seat on the [[small council]].{{ref|AGOT|33}} During Eddard's investigation of Jon's death, he discovers that Stannis and Jon had spent a great deal of time together. When he is told Stannis and Jon visited a brothel, when Stannis is normally so righteous to the point of prudish, he gets closer to the truth.{{Ref|aGoT|27}}

Robert dies after a boar hunt and is succeeded by his son, [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]].{{ref|AGOT|49}} Eddard has been selected by Robert to rule as regent, though plans to bring Stannis to the throne. However, he is outmaneuvered by Robert's widow, Queen [[Cersei Lannister]]. The boy king Joffrey subsequently has Eddard executed.{{ref|AGOT|64}}

Lord [[Varys]] reports to the [[small council]] that Stannis is said to be building ships, hiring sellswords, and bringing a [[shadowbinder]] from [[Asshai]] to Dragonstone.{{ref|AGOT|69}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
[[File:Stannis Melisandre Lightbringer Dragonstone.jpg|300px|thumb|Stannis Baratheon holding [[Lightbringer]] with Melisandre at Dragonstone - by Amok ©]]
Stannis declares himself king on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]]. He sends Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] to gather support for him among the stormlords, but none are willing to join him. His [[maester]], [[Cressen]], suggests to Stannis that he makes an alliance against the Lannisters with [[Robb Stark]], who has been declared [[King in the North]], but Stannis objects to ruling only half a kingdom. Cressen then proposes that Stannis sends [[Shireen Baratheon|Shireen]], his only child and heir, to the [[Eyrie]], to make an alliance with Lady [[Lysa Arryn]], but Stannis's wife, [[Selyse Florent]], objects, stating that Stannis should not have to beg for help, and Stannis sides with her.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

Selyse has converted to the faith of [[R'hllor]], the Lord of Light, giving the priestess [[Melisandre]] a base of power on Dragonstone. Selyse tells Stannis that the [[red comet]] is a sign that Stannis's time has come, and that he must sail from Dragonstone now to conquer.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Selyse claims that Renly's men will join Stannis once Renly dies, and that Melisandre has seen Renly dead in her flames. Cressen is horrified by the thought of fratricide and objects, but Stannis dismisses him.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Though Stannis is not a follower of [[R'hllor]],{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} he denounces the [[Faith of the Seven]] for the Lord of Light, burning the carvings of the seven gods from the Faith as a sacrifice. During this sacrifice, Melisandre proclaims that Stannis is [[Azor Ahai]] reborn, and has him pull a sword out of the burning carvings: [[Lightbringer]]. With [[Davos Seaworth]]'s help, Stannis has recruited [[Salladhor Saan]] for his cause. In private, Sallador tells Davos that the sword is not the real Lightbringer.{{Ref|ACOK|10}} Stannis writes a letter announcing his claim to the throne and the [[bastardy]] of [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrecella]] and [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]], which he plans to send to the lords of the Seven Kingdoms by raven, and to the ports of Westeros and the Free Cities by ship.{{Ref|ACOK|10}} Davos tells Stannis that he has no proof of the incest, but Stannis claims that at [[Storm's End]] there is [[Edric Storm|proof]], though he does not have access. Davos further informs Stannis that it would be unwise to declare for the Lord of Light, if he wishes to win over the followers of the [[Faith of the Seven]], but Stannis rejects the notion, as he believes Melisandre has power.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}

While his brother Renly is slowly marching from [[Highgarden]] to [[King's Landing]] by the [[Roseroad]],{{Ref|ACOK|10}}{{Ref|ACOK|17}} Stannis sails for [[Storm's End]] and [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|besieges the castle]].{{Ref|ACOK|22}} Renly rushes to Storm's End with ten thousand{{Ref|ACOK|33}} of his host to meet Stannis, claiming that he has another hundred thousand on their way.{{Ref|ACOK|31}} Stannis and Renly parley, and Renly offers Stannis a chance to swear him his fealthy, which Stannis angrily rejects. He calls Renly a traitor, as well as threatens [[Robb Stark]] to Lady [[Catelyn Stark]]. When it becomes clear that Renly, who does not care about Stannis's letter and is confident in his own strength, will not swear to Stannis, Stannis leaves, promising a battle at dawn.{{Ref|ACOK|31}} Catelyn informs Renly about the murder attempt on her son [[Bran Stark|Bran]]'s life, which she blames on the Lannisters. She now believes that Bran saw Cersei and Jaime having sex, and asks leave to go to Stannis to tell him of her suspicions, suggesting that Stannis, Renly and Robb all cast aside their crowns to call a [[Great Council]]. Renly refuses, and is about to continue preparing for battle when [[shadow assassin|a shadow]] kills him. Stannis's shadow, according to Catelyn Stark.{{Ref|ACOK|33}} Most of the forces Renly had brought with him to Storm's End join Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|36}}

Following Renly's death, Stannis is troubled by terrible nightmares, and only Melisandre, who now shares his pavillon, can soothe him to sleep.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} He confides in Davos that he sometimes dreams of Renly's death, but that he is innocent, as he had been in his bed when Renly was slain, and that his [[squire]], [[Devan Seaworth]], had been unable to wake him.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} Stannis has surrounded Storm's End by land and sea, and promises that the garrison might go free unharmed is the castle is yielded up to him in a fortnight.{{Ref|ACOK|39}} Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]] continues to refuse, however, even during the last parley a fortnight later, as yielding require giving Stannis Robert's bastard son, [[Edric Storm]]. Cortnay challenges Stannis to single combat to decide the matter, but Stannis refuses. Unwilling to leave Storm's End untaken out of fear that it will be viewed as a defeat, and determined to get a hold of Robert's bastard to proof the incest, Stannis orders Davos to land a small boat beneath the castle, unseen in the black of the night, without anyone else knowing about it, taking Melisandre with him.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} Davos brings Melisandre beneath the castle, where she gives birth to a [[shadow assassin|Stannis's shadow]] which enters the castle.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} That same night, Cortnay falls off a tower of the castle to his death, and the castle yields to Stannis,{{Ref|ACOK|44}} who subsequently burns the [[godswood]] of Storm's End.{{Ref|acok|49}} It is said that Cortnay threw himself off of the tower, and his guards could not find anyone else in the room, nor had they seen anyone else enter. However, Lord [[Varys]] believes Cortnay to have been killed with magic.{{Ref|ACOK|44}}
[[File:Stannis Baratheon with Lightbrighter at Blackwater by WillHarrisArt.jpg|380px|thumb|Stannis Baratheon at the [[Battle of the Blackwater]] - by Will Harris ©]]
With Storm's End fallen, Stannis is free to march for King's Landing, which has been preparing for his arrival.{{Ref|ACOK|49}} [[Tyrion Lannister]] has the [[High Septon (Tyrion's)|High Septon]] spread the news that Stannis means to burn to [[Great Sept of Baelor]], to prevent people in the city from joining Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|49}} Tyrion Lannister has ordered his men from the [[Vale mountain clans]] to light fires to burn the grass, while killing his scouts and raiding his baggage train. In response, Stannis's vanguard sets the [[kingswood]] afire, to smoke the clansmen out.{{Ref|ACOK|52}}

Stannis attacks King's Landing during the [[Battle of the Blackwater]]. Most of Stannis's ships enter the harbor, but the Lannisters light [[wildfire]], and when a chain prevents the ships from sailing out of the harbor again, most of them are destroyed. Stannis's forces are close to victory, when Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] and the forces of [[House Tyrell]] arrive, led by the "ghost" of Renly Baratheon, who is later revealed to have been [[Garlan Tyrell]], dressed in Renly's armor.{{Ref|acok|62}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
Defeated during the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], Stannis returns to Dragonstone on the ships of the [[Lys]]eni [[Salladhor Saan]]{{Ref|asos|4}} with the few men that remain to him, most of them the [[queen's men]].{{Ref|ASOS|10}} He names Lord [[Alester Florent]] as his [[Hand of the King]], but refuses to see anyone but Melisandre, brooding in the [[Stone Drum]] instead. He does not eat, and tales are told claiming that Stannis and Melisandre go down into the [[Dragonmont]] to watch the fires inside.{{Ref|ASOS|10}} After [[Davos Seaworth]] is arrested for his plan to kill Melisandre{{Ref|ASOS|10}} Melisandre visits him, and informs him that she dare not make another shadow son with Stannis as his "fires burn so low" that doing to might kill him.{{Ref|ASOS|25}} Stannis's Hand, Alester, loses faith in Stannis's chances for succes, and prepares to offer peace to [[House Lannister]], to be sealed with the promise that Stannis gives up his claim to the Iron Throne and retracts all he said regarding the [[bastardy]] of [[Cersei Lannister]]'s children in exchange for being accepted back into the King's peace and being allowed to rule as [[Lord of Dragonstone]] and [[Lord of Storm's End]]. Alester wishes to seal the bargain by offering [[Shireen Baratheon|Shireen]] in marriage to [[Tommen Baratheon]]. However, before he can send his letter to King's Landing, he is arrested for treason.{{Ref|ASOS|25}}

Stannis has Davos brought before him. While escorting Davos to Stannis in the [[Chamber of the Painted Table]], Ser [[Axell Florent]] tries to make Davos tell Stannis that Axell should be named the King's Hand. Stannis informs Davos that Axell wishes to resume the war, and has Axell put his plans to sack [[Claw Isle]] to Davos. Stannis wishes to know Davos's opinion on the plans, and sends Axell away when the conversation turns badly, while asking for Melisandre. Davos shares his suspicions about Melisandre with Stannis, but Stannis states he does not believe Renly's death was Melisandre's doing. He shares Davos's opinion on Axell's plans, however, and raises Davos up to be the [[Lord of the Rainwood]], [[Admiral of the Narrow Sea]], and his Hand of the King. Stannis reveals that he has seen [[Fist of the First Men|a high hill in a forest]], where [[Night's Watch|men in black]] had made a ring of torches, and where [[Others|shapes]] were [[Fight at the Fist|moving through the snow]]. Though Melisandre has been trying to convince him to sacrifice [[Edric Storm]], Robert's acknowledged [[bastardy|bastard]], Stannis refuses, ordering her to use leeches instead. Stannis throws the three leeches into the fire one by one, stating the names of the other three kings ([[Joffrey Baratheon]], [[Balon Greyjoy]], and [[Robb Stark]]).{{Ref|ASOS|36}}

Both Balon and Robb die not long after, leading to a discussion among Stannis's counselors whether Edric should be sacrificed to wake a dragon from stone, as Melisandre claims will happen. Davos attempts to convince Stannis not to sacrifice Edric once they are alone, but Stannis admits that, should Joffrey die as well, he is willing to consider doing it.{{ref|ASOS|54}} Upon hearing the news of [[Purple Wedding|Joffrey's death]], Stannis is willing to sacrifice Edric, though he still does not like the idea.{{Ref|ASOS|63}} However, [[king's men|several of the men still loyal to him]] have forsaken R'hllor and returned to the Faith again,{{Ref|ASOS|54}} and Davos has found several of them willing to help him smuggle the boy to safety under the care of Ser [[Andrew Estermont]].{{Ref|ASOS|63}} Stannis is furious, but Davos urges Stannis to sail for the [[Wall]], claiming that "a king protects his people, or he is no king at all", and presents his king with [[Maester]] [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]]'s letter asking for aid.{{Ref|ASOS|63}}

[[File:Stannis at dragonstone.jpg|thumb|500px|Stannis and Melisandre sail from Dragonstone to the Wall - by Tomasz Jedruszek ©]]
Stannis sacrifices a man to R'hllor to gain favorable winds and sails north. He leaves Selyse and Shireen at [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]] while marching west with all his forces.{{Ref|ASOS|75}} They arrive in time to defeat [[Mance Rayder]]'s [[free folk|wildling]] army during the [[Battle of Castle Black]].{{Ref|aSoS|73}} Stannis occupies the [[King's Tower]] at [[Castle Black]].{{Ref|ASOS|75}} Though he plans to burn Mance Rayder, he is willing to allow the other free folk through the Wall if they swear to R'hllor, settling them in the [[Gift]]. He has [[Jon Snow]] brought to him, and offers to legitimize him and name him [[Lord of Winterfell]] in exchange for Jon's help in winning the [[north]] to his side. He allows Jon time to think about the offfer.{{Ref|ASOS|76}} As Stannis needs to negotiate with the [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], he is displeased that after ten days of voting, the black brothers still have not yet chosen a new commander, and calls several of the higher ranking men to him to inform them that he will chose a Lord Commander for them, if they do not come to a decision that same day.{{Ref|ASOS|78}} Stannis informs maester Aemon and [[Samwell Tarly]] that he has send word to his castellan to begin mining [[dragonglass]] at Dragonstone to fight the [[Others]], and confirms that he is aware of Aemon's ancestry. Aemon requests to see Lightbringer, and Stannis grants the request.{{Ref|ASOS|78}} Thanks to Samwell's involvement,{{Ref|ASOS|78}} Jon Snow is elected as Lord Commander,{{Ref|aSoS|79}} preventing him from accepting Stannis's offer.

===''A Feast for Crows''===
Stannis, the self-styled [[King of Westeros]],{{ref|AFFC|Appendix}} remains at the [[King's Tower]] of [[Castle Black]]. He plans to use [[Val]], whom his men call the "wildling princess", to seal the peace between the northmen and the free folk.{{Ref|AFFC|5}} Lord Commander Jon Snow has given Stannis food, shelter, the [[Nightfort]], and leave to settle some free folk in the Gift. Stannis has send out ravens to the northern lords, demanding their fealthy, but thusfar only [[House Karstark]] has replied, swearing Stannis their allegiance.{{Ref|AFFC|5}}

Before blaming [[Tyrion Lannister]] for [[Tywin Lannister]]'s death, [[Cersei Lannister]] suspects Stannis's involvement.{{Ref|AFFC|3}} She is giddy as a maiden when she learns that Stannis has left Dragonstone, and believes that Stannis has finally admitted defeat and gone into exile. When news reaches King's Landing that he is now in the north, Cersei is furious.{{Ref|AFFC|16}} She sends two thousand Lannister soldiers to [[Dragonstone]] to defeat the small garrison Stannis had left behind and take the castle.{{Ref|AFFC|16}} Meanwhile, Lord [[Roose Bolton]], now [[Warden of the North]], and two thousand soldiers from [[House Frey]] are to deal with Stannis and his few thousand soldiers.{{Ref|AFFC|16}}

Cersei wishes to deal with the [[House Greyjoy|Greyjoys]] only after Stannis has been defeated.{{Ref|AFFC|17}} News reaches King's Landing that the [[Golden Company]] has broken its contract with [[Myr]], and it is being said that they have been hired by Stannis instead.{{Ref|AFFC|17}} The [[small council]] receives reports that Stannis's [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Davos Seaworth]], has travelled to [[White Harbor]] and that he had been arrested by Lord [[Wyman Manderly]]. Cersei orders him to execute Davos.{{Ref|AFFC|17}}

In [[Braavos]], Maester Aemon becomes convinced that Melisandre has misread the signs that had convinced her that Stannis is [[Azor Ahai]] reborn.{{Ref|AFFC|35}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[File:Stannis and his sword.jpg|350px|thumb|left|King Stannis with Lightbringer - by Ming1918 ©]]
Stannis keeps his wildling prisoners [[beyond the Wall]]. He rides down the [[kingsroad]] almost as far as [[Queenscrown]], prowles through the empty hovels of [[Mole's Town]], inspects the ruins at [[Queensgate]] and [[Oakenshield]], and walks atop the [[Wall]] each night with Melisandre, while selecting prisoners for questioning during the day.{{Ref|ADWD|3}} [[House Mormont]] has refused to join Stannis, whereas [[House Manderly]]'s reply to Stannis's letter only made excuses. Jon Snow refuses to give Stannis ownership of the sixteen castles at the Wall that are unoccupied by the black brothers, and asks Stannis for men instead to serve under the command of his own commanders.{{Ref|ADWD|3}}

Stannis sends [[Davos Seaworth]] to [[White Harbor]] to treat with Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] on his behalf,{{Ref|ADWD|7}}{{Ref|aDwD|15}} as well sends [[Richard Horpe]] and [[Justin Massey]] as envoys south.{{ref|ADWD|7}} Stannis approves of the execution of [[Janos Slynt]],{{Ref|ADWD|7}} and has [[Mance Rayder]] burned in sacrifice to R'hllor as punishment for having deserted the Watch.{{Ref|aDwD|10}} In reality, however, Stannis has unknowingly burned [[Rattleshirt]], who had secretly been glamoured by Melisandre to look like Mance.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} He offers the remaining [[free folk]] the choice between bending the knee or returning beyond the Wall to die. Most of the free folk bend the knee and are allowed south of the Wall.{{Ref|aDwD|10}}

Stannis wins the support of half of the forces of [[House Umber]], commanded by [[Mors Umber]]. The remainder of the Umber forces have marched for House Bolton, under the command of [[Hother Umber]], as the [[Jon Umber|Greatjon]] remains a captive of the Lannisters.{{ref|ADWD|17}} Stannis plans to march with the wildlings on the [[Dreadfort]], as [[Ramsay Bolton]] has marched south to [[siege of Moat Cailin|Moat Cailin]]. Jon Snow tells him his plan will never succeed. The Dreadfort will learn of his approach long before he can ever reach the castle, and [[Moat Cailin]] will fall quickly, which means that Ramsay and [[Roose Bolton]] are free to march against Stannis with their entire force. Additionally, marching with the wildlings will only serve to turn the northmen against Stannis. Instead, Jon proposes that Stannis visit the [[northern mountain clans|mountain clans]], including the [[House Flint of the mountains|Flints]], [[House Wull|Wulls]], [[House Norrey|Norreys]] and [[House Liddle|Liddles]]. Instead of the Dreadfort, Jon suggests marching against [[Deepwood Motte]] to fight the [[ironborn]]. In exchange, the wildlings remain at the Wall.{{Ref|aDwD|17}}

At [[White Harbor]], Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] arrests Stannis's envoy and Hand, Davos Seaworth, and fakes his execution. In secret, he promises to swear loyalty to Stannis if Davos can bring him [[Rickon Stark]].{{Ref|ADWD|29}}

Stannis follows the advice of Jon Snow and wins over several of the moutain clans, gathering an additional three thousand men for his army. Stannis then [[fight by Deepwood Motte|takes Deepwood Motte]] from the [[ironborn]],{{Ref|aDwD|26}} returning the castle to [[House Glover]].{{Ref|ADWD|29}} The [[House Mormont|Mormonts]], as well as [[smallfolk]] fleeing from the ironborn and survivors from the battle outside of Winterfell, once sworn to [[House Hornwood]], [[House Cerwyn]], and [[House Tallhart]], join Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|35}} [[Asha Greyjoy]] and several ironborn are taken captive at Deepwood Motte.{{Ref|ADWD|26}} Stannis and his army [[march on Winterfell]], taking Asha with them, but they are slowed by heavy snows, and Stannis is forced to encamp at a small [[crofters' village]] three days west of [[Winterfell]].{{Ref|ADWD|37}}{{Ref|ADWD|41}}{{Ref|ADWD|42}} [[Arnolf Karstark]] and [[Mors Umber]] have begun to march as well, and plan to join Stannis near Winterfell.{{Ref|ADWD|35}}{{Ref|ADWD|37}} Arnolf eventually finds Stannis at the crofters' village.{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

At the [[Wall]], [[Tycho Nestoris]], an emissary from the [[Iron Bank of Braavos]], arrives. As the [[Iron Throne]] has ceased payments of the loans, the Iron Bank wishes to broach the subject to Stannis. Jon Snow receives Tycho and realises that if Stannis gives in to the demands of the Iron Bank, the Braavosi will give him their support, which might win him the Iron Throne.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} [[Alys Karstark]] arrives at [[Castle Black]], and warns Jon that her uncle, [[Arnolf Karstark]], is only feigning loyalty to Stannis. In truth he sides with the Boltons, and is planning to betray Stannis at the oppertune moment. Jon sends a message to Deepwood Motte in an attempt to warn Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} Tycho travels to Deepwood Motte in search of Stannis, and from there continues to the crofters' village as well. Near Winterfell, Tycho finds Mors Umber with a captive [[Theon Greyjoy]] and "[[Jeyne Poole|Arya Stark]]", who he brings with him to Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|62}}

Jon Snow receives a [[Bastard Letter|taunting letter]] at Castle Black from Ramsay, stating that Stannis was killed along with most of his army in seven days of battle.{{ref|ADWD|69}}

===''The Winds of Winter''===
{{Warning|This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.}}
Stannis is actively and efficiently preparing for the looming battle against the [[House Bolton|Boltons]]. He signs a contract with the [[Braavos]]i [[Iron Bank of Braavos|banker]] [[Tycho Nestoris]], and plans to send Tycho back to the Wall for safety. Tycho brought a message from Jon Snow informing Stannis of [[Arnolf Karstark]]'s planned treachery, after which Stannis arrests Arnolf, his son [[Arthor Karstark|Arthor]], and his three grandsons arrested and plans to execute them. He sends Ser [[Justin Massey]] to escort "[[Jeyne Poole|Arya Stark]]" back to Castle Black to reunite her with Jon Snow, in gratitude for Jon's counsel of gathering the [[northern mountain clans]]. Massey is to then travel to Braavos and use money from the Iron Bank to hire twenty thousand sellswords for Stannis. Stannis tells Massey that he may hear of Stannis' death in Braavos, but even if that news is true, Massey is to follow the orders as to seat Shireen on the Iron Throne. Stannis next receives Asha Greyjoy, and informs her that her brother Theon must be executed, as showing him mercy would mean losing all of the northmen.<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>

==Quotes by Stannis==
{{Quote|Kings have no friends, only subjects and enemies.{{Ref|aCoK|31}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Catelyn Stark]]

{{Quote|These pardoned lords would do well to reflect on that. Good men and true will fight for [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], wrongly believing him the true king. A [[north]]man might even say the same of [[Robb Stark]]. But these lords who flocked to [[Renly Baratheon|my brother's]] banners knew him for a usurper. They turned their backs on their rightful king for no better reason than dreams of power and glory, and I have marked them for what they are. Pardoned them, yes. Forgiven. But not forgotten.{{Ref|aCoK|42}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Davos Seaworth]]

{{Quote|It is not a question of wanting. The throne is mine, as [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert's]] heir. That is law. After me, it must pass to my daughter, unless [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]] should finally give me a son. I am king. Wants do not enter into it. I have a duty to my daughter. To the realm. Even to Robert. He loved me but little, I know, yet he was my brother. The [[Cersei Lannister|Lannister woman]] gave him horns and made a motley fool of him. She may have murdered him as well, as she murdered [[Jon Arryn]] and [[Eddard Stark|Ned Stark]]. For such crimes there must be justice. Starting with Cersei and her abominations. But only starting. I mean to scour that court clean. As Robert should have done after the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]].{{Ref|aSoS|36}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Davos Seaworth]]

{{Quote|I never asked for this, no more than I asked to be king. Yet dare I disregard [[Melisandre|her]]? We do not choose our destinies. Yet we must ... we must do our duty, no? Great or small, we must do our duty.{{Ref|aSoS|54}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Davos Seaworth]]

{{Quote|I know the cost! Last night, gazing into that hearth, I saw things in the flames as well. I saw a king, a crown of fire on his brows, burning… burning, Davos. His own crown consumed his flesh and turned him into ash. Do you think I need [[Melisandre]] to tell me what that means? Or you?{{Ref|aSoS|54}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Davos Seaworth]]

{{Quote|I never asked for this crown. Gold is cold and heavy on the head, but so long as I am the king, I have a duty … If I must sacrifice [[Edric Storm|one child]] to the flames to save a million from the dark... Sacrifice... is never easy, Davos. Or it is no true sacrifice.{{Ref|aSoS|63}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Davos Seaworth]]

{{Quote|Lord [[Davos Seaworth|Seaworth]] is a man of humble birth, but he reminded me of my duty, when all I could think of was my rights. I had the cart before the horse, Davos said. I was trying to win the throne to save the kingdom, when I should have been trying to save the kingdom to win the throne.{{Ref|aSoS|76}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Jon Snow]]

{{Quote|[[Others|Demons made of snow and ice and cold]]. The ancient enemy. The only enemy that matters.{{Ref|aSoS|78}}}}
– Stannis, to [[Samwell Tarly]], [[Melisandre]], and [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]]

{{Quote|'''Stannis:''' I thought the wet nurse was this man [[Craster]]'s daughter? 
'''Melisandre:''' Wife and daughter both, Your Grace. Craster married all his daughters. [[Gilly]]'s boy was the fruit of their union. 
'''Stannis:''' Her own father got this child on her? We are well rid of her, then. I will not suffer such abominations here. This is not [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|aDwD|3}}}}
– Stannis and [[Melisandre]]

==Quotes about Stannis==
{{Quote|I have felt from the beginning that Stannis was a greater danger than [[War of the Five Kings|all the others combined]].{{Ref|agot|69}}}}
– [[Tywin Lannister]], to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|Ned found it hard to imagine what could frighten Stannis Baratheon, who had once held [[Storm's End]] through a [[Siege of Storm's End|year of siege]], surviving on rats and boot leather while the Lords [[Mace Tyrell|Tyrell]] and [[Paxter Redwyne|Redwyne]] sat outside with their hosts, banqueting in sight of his walls.{{Ref|aGoT|58}}}} – thoughts of [[Eddard Stark]]

{{Quote|His claim is the true one, he is known for his prowess as a battle commander, and he is utterly without mercy. There is no creature on earth half so terrifying as a truly just man.{{Ref|aGoT|58}}}} – [[Varys]], to [[Eddard Stark]]

{{Quote|[[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] was the true steel. Stannis is pure iron, black and hard and strong, yes, but brittle, the way iron gets. He'll break before he bends. And [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], that one, he’s copper, bright and shiny, pretty to look at but not worth all that much at the end of the day.{{ref|ACOK|6}}}} – [[Donal Noye]], to [[Jon Snow]]

{{Quote|And Stannis has always felt he was cheated of [[Storm's End]]. The ancestral seat of [[House Baratheon]], his by rights... if you knew how many times he came to [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] singing that same dull song in that gloomy aggrieved tone he has. When Robert gave the place to [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], Stannis clenched his jaw so tight I thought his teeth would shatter.{{ref|ACOK|25}}}} – [[Cersei Lannister]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|This is Stannis Baratheon. The man will fight to the bitter end and then some.{{Ref|aSoS|72}}}} – [[Tywin Lannister]], to [[Pycelle]]

{{quote|Stannis Baratheon with a grievance was like a mastiff with a bone; he gnawed it down to splinters.{{ref|ADWD|3}}}} - thoughts of [[Jon Snow]]

{{Quote|What does Stannis offer you? Vengeance. Vengeance for my sons and yours, for your husbands and your fathers and your brothers. Vengeance for your murdered lord, your murdered king, your butchered princes. Vengeance!{{Ref|ADwD|19}}}} – [[Davos Seaworth]], to the [[Merman's Court]]

{{Quote|His eyes were sunk in deep pits, his close-cropped beard no more than a shadow across his hollow cheeks and bony jawbone. Yet there was power in his stare, an iron ferocity that told Asha this man would never, ever turn back from his course.{{Ref|ADwD|42}}}} – [[Asha Greyjoy]]

==Family==
{{Baratheon tree}}

==Behind the Scenes==
According to [[George R. R. Martin]], Stannis is partially inspired by [[w:Tiberius|Tiberius Caesar]], particularly the portrayal by [[w:George Baker (actor)|George Baker]] in ''[[w:I, Claudius (TV series)|I, Claudius]]''.<ref>[[w:92nd Street Y|92nd Street Y]]: [http://92yondemand.org/george-r-r-martin-world-ice-fire Game of Thrones Mastermind George R. R. Martin: The World of Ice and Fire], Oct 26, 2014</ref>

==References and Notes==
{{References|2}}

{{Kings of Westeros}}
{{Small council}}


[[Category:House Baratheon]]
[[Category:House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]
[[Category:Characters from the Stormlands|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Claimants to the Iron Throne|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Kinslayers|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Knights|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Lords of Dragonstone|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Masters of ships|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Members of Robert Baratheon's court|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Monarchs|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Nobles|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Rebels of Robert's Rebellion|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Veterans of Greyjoy's Rebellion|Baratheon, Stannis]]
[[Category:Veterans of Robert's Rebellion|Baratheon, Stannis]]


[[tr:Stannis Baratheon]]
[[es:Stannis Baratheon]]
[[fa:استنیس براتیون]]
[[fr:Stannis Baratheon]]
[[ru:Станнис Баратеон]]
[[zh:史坦尼斯·拜拉席恩]]

File:Baratheon DS.png

2017-06-23T23:25:55Z

Benethon Stark: Benethon Stark uploaded a new version of File:Baratheon DS.png

House Baratheon of Dragonstone Coat of Arms
[[Category:Coat of arms images]]

First Dornish War

2017-06-20T13:11:36Z

Benethon Stark:

{{Infobox Military Conflict
| conflict_name = First Dornish War
| part_of = [[Wars of Conquest]]
| image =[[File:Dragon's Wroth.png|350px]]
| caption =Dragon's Wroth, as depicted by Michael Komarck in ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]''
| date = {{Date|4}}–{{Date|13}}
| battles =
| location = [[Dorne]]
| result = [[House Targaryen]] withdrawal from Dorne

| combatant1 = [[House Targaryen]]
| commander1 = King [[Aegon I Targaryen]] Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] Queen [[Rhaenys Targaryen]] Lord [[Orys Baratheon]] Lord [[Harlen Tyrell]]
| strength1 = Forces of the [[Iron Throne]].
| losses1 =Queen [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]† [[Meraxes]]† Lord [[Harlen Tyrell]]† [[Lord Rosby (Warden of the Sands)|Lord Rosby]]†

| combatant2 = [[House Martell]]
| commander2 =Princess [[Meria Martell]] Prince [[Nymor Martell]] Princess [[Deria Martell]]
| strength2 = [[Dorne|Dornish Houses]]
| losses2 = Massive losses in manpower Every castle save Sunspear burnt Every holdfast, village and town burnt
}}
The '''First Dornish War''' was [[House Targaryen]]'s attempt to conquer [[Dorne]], the only one of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] that successfully resisted [[Aegon's Conquest]].{{ref|twoiaf| Dorne Against the Dragons}} It was part of the [[Wars of Conquest]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}}

==History==
===Initial Invasion===
[[Rhaenys Targaryen]] flew on [[Meraxes]] to [[Dorne]] during [[Aegon's Conquest]], but the [[Dornishmen]] vacated their castles and Princess [[Meria Martell]] warned Rhaenys that Dorne would not submit to [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]]. Aegon was crowned in [[Oldtown]] and ruled on the [[Iron Throne]] in [[King's Landing]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Conquest}}

Since Dorne was the only one of the Seven Kingdoms not to have fallen to the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]], Aegon launched an invasion hoping to complete the conquest of [[Westeros]] in {{date|4}}. According to the writings of the [[maesters]], great was the Dornish valor against the forces of the [[Iron Throne]] and great was their loss and grief, for the price of freedom is steep.

The Dornishmen fought no great battles against the Targaryens nor did they shelters in their castles, as they remembered the lessons of the [[Field of Fire]] and [[Harrenhal]]. The Dornish simply vanished before the [[dragon]]s rather than give battle.

Queen Rhaenys led the assault, burning the [[Planky Town]] with Meraxes on her way to [[Sunspear]] while King Aegon and Lord [[Harlen Tyrell]] led an army down the [[Prince's Pass]] against the lords of the [[Red Mountains]]. The Dornish defenders harried the Targaryen forces, performing hit and run raids and vanishing when they caught sight of the dragons. Many of the invading armies died from the sun and thirst as they marched on the [[Hellholt]]. Those who survived arrived to find the castle deserted, the [[House Uller|Ullers]] all fled.

Aegon had more success, winning the castle of [[Yronwood]] after a brief siege, but the castle was only defended by old men, boys and women, so he took little glory from that siege. [[Skyreach]], the stronghold of [[House Fowler]], was abandoned. At [[Ghost Hill]], [[House Toland]] sent a champion who challenged Aegon to single combat. The Conquerer easily slew the armored knight with [[Blackfyre]], though after he removed the helm from the corpse Aegon realized it was Lord Toland's mad [[fool]] and the Tolands were gone from the castle. In later days House Toland changed its sigil to a a dragon biting its own tail and changed their house colors to gold and green in memory of the motley colors of their brave fool.

Lord [[Orys Baratheon]]'s assault on the [[Boneway]] proved a disaster. The cunning Dornishmen launched a night raid, raining rocks, arrows and spears from above. The bodies of the invading army blocked the Boneway from both ends and Orys, along with many of his bannermen and knights were captured, by the [[Wyl of Wyl]], the Lord Wyl also known as the Widow-lover.

===Rebellion===
[[File:Death of Meraxes.jpg|thumb|left|[[Meraxes]] and [[Rhaenys Targaryen]] are killed during the First Dornish War, as depicted by Chase Stone in ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]''.]]
Still save for the assault on the Boneway, the Targaryens mainly came across abandoned castles and those that were not they found with only a small force who swiftly yielded rather then see their castles burned by [[dragonfire]]. [[Sunspear]] was found nearly abandoned, with the ruling [[House Martell|Martells]] gone. Aegon and his sisters gathered what courtiers remained and declared themselves the victors, leaving [[Lord Rosby (Warden of the Sands)|Lord Rosby]] in charge of [[Sunspear]] and an army under command of Harlen Tyrell to put down rebellions.

No sooner had the Targaryens and their dragons returned to [[King's Landing]] then revolt broke out in Dorne with shocking speed, for this had been the Dornish plan the whole time. Garrisons of knights and soldiers were put to the sword. Lord Tyrell and his entire army vanished in the sands between the Hellholt and [[Vaith]], while Lord Rosby was killed in the [[Defenestration of Sunspear]].

The Targaryens received a ransom offer for Lord Orys along with all his knights and bannermen. Aegon eventually agreed to the demands and Orys and his men were ransomed in {{date|7}} for each man's weight in gold. Once the ransom was paid each man was freed, though only after having his sword hand chopped off so he would not use them again against Dorne. This was not part of the agreement of the terms and enraged Aegon, who was intent on revenge.

The Targaryens' dragons burned several castles, whereupon the Dornishmen retaliated by attacking the [[rainwood]] on [[Cape Wrath]]. The dragons struck again, which led Lord [[House Fowler|Fowler]] to attack [[Nightsong]] and Ser [[Joffrey Dayne]] to threaten [[Oldtown]]. The castles of [[Starfall]], Skyreach, and Hellholt were then consumed by dragonfire. A lucky shot from a scorpion at the Hellholt sent a bolt through the eye of [[Meraxes]] in {{date|10}}, however, killing the dragon and causing her to crash from the sky along with her rider, [[Rhaenys Targaryen]].

===The Dragon's Wroth===
Aegon's grief at the passing of Rhaenys was great; the following two years were known as the Dragon's Wroth. The Targaryens burned every Dornish stronghold at least once, with the exception of Sunspear. In Dorne it was said that the Targaryens feared that Princess Meria had cunning means of slaying dragons purchased from [[Lys]], but Archmaester [[Timotty]] in his ''[[Conjectures]]'' suggests that Aegon hoped that the Dornish would turn against the Martells. However, the Dornish lords and smallfolk remained loyal, despite the letters dispatched from the [[Dornish Marches]] to the Dornish houses claiming the Martells had buyed their safety from the dragons.

Aegon and his remaining sister-queen, [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]], placed bounties on the heads of Dornish lords and in turn the Dornish put bounties on the price of the Targaryens and their allies. Aegon and Visenya were assaulted on the streets of [[King's Landing]] and, if not for Visenya and [[Dark Sister]], they would have been killed. This attack led to the forming of the elite royal bodyguard known as the [[Kingsguard]] in {{Date|10}}. Visenya personally chose the men herself.{{ref|twoiaf| Aegon I}} Lord [[House Fell|Fell]] was murdered and the [[Wyl of Wyl]] committed atrocities, particularly in [[Fawnton]] and [[Old Oak]].

===Peace===
When Princess [[Meria Martell]] passed away in {{date|13}}, her elderly son, [[Nymor Martell|Nymor]], became ruling Prince of [[Sunspear]]. Having enough of war he sent his daughter, Princess [[Deria Martell]], to [[King's Landing]] with an escort as an peace envoy. She carried the skull of Rhaenys's dragon [[Meraxes]] as well as a letter. The delegation's arrival with the sight of the skull angered several in the court, such as Orys and Visenya. Deria delivered her father's terms, stating Dorne wanted peace, but the peace of two sovereign kingdoms. Aegon was about to refuse this offer until Deria placed her father's letter in the Conqueror's hand.

Atop the Iron Throne, Aegon read a message delivered from a Prince of Dorne. No one knows what was in that letter, as Aegon never spoke of it thereafter. Some say he rose from the throne clutching the letter, blood trickling from his hand. Some maesters and historians speculated that the Dornish held Rhaeneys as an injured hostage and the Dornish would agree to end her suffering if Aegon ended the war. Whatever was in that letter moved the Conqueror to agree to peace terms and withdraw his forces from Dorne.

The attempted conquest of Dorne ended in {{date|13}}. It was followed by other Dornish wars and, generations later, [[Daeron I Targaryen]]'s [[conquest of Dorne]].{{ref|twoiaf| Dorne against the Dragons}}

==References and Notes==
{{References}}
{{Wars in Westeros}}

[[category:First Dornish War| ]]
[[category:Dorne]]
[[category:House Martell wars|Dorne]]
[[category:House Targaryen wars|Dorne]]
[[category:Wars]]
[[category:Wars of Conquest]]

[[es:Primera guerra dorniense]]
[[fr:Guerres_Dorniennes#La_premi.C3.A8re_guerre_Dornienne_.28_ans_4_.C3.A0_13_.29]]

Antler Men

2017-06-20T01:28:31Z

Benethon Stark: /* A Clash of Kings */

The '''Antler Men''' are a group of rich traders and merchants of [[King's Landing]].

==Recent Events==
===''A Clash of Kings''===
The Antler Men plot betrayal against King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]] and intended to abet the fall of the city to [[Stannis Baratheon]]. They name themselves after the crowned stag of [[House Baratheon]]. They arm several hundred men and plan, once fighting between Joffrey's loyalists and Stannis's forces has begun, to seize the [[Old Gate]] and let the enemy into the city. Master armorer [[Salloreon]] is a member of the group.{{Ref|aCoK|49}}

During the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], captured Antler Men have antlers nailed to their heads and are flung over the walls of King's Landing by the three great trebuchets called the [[Three Whores]].{{Ref|aCoK|59}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
[[Tyrion Lannister]] finds out that some of the Antler Men owed considerable sums of money to the crown.{{Ref|aSoS|53}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
[[Jaime Lannister]] discovers that another of the Antler Men was a cloth merchant who had purchased the position of [[Chief Gaoler]] of the [[Red Keep]]'s dungeons from [[Petyr Baelish]].{{ref|affc|27}}

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:King's Landing]]
[[Category:Merchants]]
[[Category:Supporters of Stannis Baratheon in the War of the Five Kings]]

[[es:Hombres Astados]]
[[fa:مردان شاخدار]]
[[fr:Épois]]
[[ru:Заговор Оленьих Людей]]
[[zh:鹿角民]]

Siege of Storm's End (299)

2017-06-16T23:52:40Z

Benethon Stark:

{{Battlebox collapsible combatants
| image = [[File:Renly the traitor.jpg|350px]]
| caption = [[Stannis Baratheon]] and [[Renly Baratheon]], holding [[Renly's peach|his peach]], during their parlay
| battle_name = Siege of Storm's End
| conflict = [[War of the Five Kings]]
| date = {{Date|299}}
| place = [[Storm's End]], the [[stormlands]]
| result = [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]] victory
| colour_scheme =
| combatant1 = '''[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]:''' [[Crownlands]]
*[[House Bar Emmon]]
*[[House Celtigar]]
*[[House Chyttering]]
*[[House Farring]]
*[[House Follard]]
*[[House Massey]]
*[[House Velaryon]]
[[Stormlands]] (all switched to Stannis after Renly's death, except House Tarth)
*[[House Bolling]]
*[[House Buckler]]
*[[House Caron]]
*[[House Connington]]
*[[House Errol]]
*[[House Estermont]]
*[[House Fell]]
*[[House Gower]]
*[[House Grandison]]
*[[House Hasty]]
*[[House Horpe]]
*[[House Mertyns]]
*[[House Morrigen]]
*[[House Peasebury]]
*[[House Penrose]]
*[[House Selmy]]
*[[House Staedmon]]
*[[House Wensington]]
*[[House Wylde]]
[[Reach|The Reach]] (switched after Renly's death)
*[[House Crane]]
*[[House Florent]]
*[[House Fossoway of Cider Hall]]
*[[House Fossoway of New Barrel]]
*[[House Meadows]]
*[[House Mullendore]]
*[[House Varner]]
*[[House Willum]]
| combatant2 = '''[[House Baratheon]] of [[Storm's End]]:''' 
[[Reach|The Reach]], led by [[House Tyrell]]
*[[House Ambrose]]
*[[House Beesbury]]
*[[House Blackbar]]
*[[House Bulwer]]
*[[House Bushy]]
*[[House Caswell]]
*[[House Costayne]]
*[[House Cuy]]
*[[House Dunn]]
*[[House Footly]]
*[[House Graceford]]
*[[House Hightower]]
*[[House Hunt]]
*[[House Inchfield]]
*[[House Leygood]]
*[[House Merryweather]]
*[[House Norcross]]
*[[House Oakheart]]
*[[House Osgrey]]
*[[House Peake]]
*[[House Redwyne]]
*[[House Rowan]]
*[[House Shermer]]
*[[House Tarly]]
*[[House Webber]]
*[[House Wythers]]
[[Stormlands]]
*[[House Tarth]]
| commander1 = King [[Stannis Baratheon]] Ser [[Davos Seaworth]]
| commander2 = King [[Renly Baratheon]]† Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]]† Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] Lord [[Mathis Rowan]]
| strength1 = 5,000{{ref|acok|31}} (At the start of the siege) Two [[shadow assassin]]s ~15,000 cavalry<ref group="N">Stannis originally has five thousand men (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 31|Catelyn III]]), but describes his host as numbering twenty thousand men shortly after Renly's death (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 42|Davos II]]), while Davos Seaworth describes the host as “nearly twenty thousand” men strong shortly before the start of the [[Battle of the Blackwater]] (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 58|Davos III]])</ref> (Joined after Renly's death)

| strength2 = ~18,750<ref group="N">The host of [[Renly Baratheon]] is said to number a hundred thousand (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 17|Tyrion IV]]). Renly himself claims to have eighty thousand with him at Bitterbridge, while another ten thousand are with Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] at Highgarden (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 22|Catelyn II]]). The forces of House Tyrell make up the majority of Renly's forces. Renly's cavalry, said by Catelyn Stark to number ten thousand (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 33|Catelyn IV]]), accompanies him to Storm's End to lift the siege, while his foot, according to Stannis near sixty thousand strong (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 42|Davos II]]), remains at Bitterbridge when Renly goes to lift the siege of Storm’s End. As Renly previously stated that the total of his men numbered eighty thousand, either Catelyn was incorrect in her statement and Renly's cavalry actually numbered ~twenty thousand, or Stannis was wrong and Renly's foot actually numbered ~seventy thousand, or Renly had been exaggerating by stating eighty thousand while he actually had only seventy thousand men. The first option seems most likely, as Stannis, who originally had five thousand men (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 31|Catelyn III]]), has twenty thousand men shortly after Renly's death (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 42|Davos II]]), indicating that ~15.000 men from Renly's army have joined him. As only one fifth of Renly's knights did not join Stannis (''[[A Clash of Kings]]'', [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 36|Tyrion IX]]), the total of Renly's cavalry numbered ~18.750 men, nearing twenty thousand.</ref>
 Storm's End's garrison
| casualties1 = none
| casualties2 = Lord [[Renly Baratheon]] Ser [[Robar Royce]] Ser [[Emmon Cuy]] Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]]
}}
{{See homonyms | Siege of Storm's End (disambiguation)}}
The '''siege of Storm's End''' is a short engagement during the [[War of the Five Kings]]. After both [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] and [[Renly Baratheon]] proclaim themselves king, Stannis lays siege to Renly's seat, [[Storm's End]], forcing Renly to ride for Storm's End to confront him. The conflict ends in victory for Stannis, and he gains a large part of Renly's cavalry following Renly's death. Having significantly increased his strength, this victory enables Stannis to march on [[King's Landing]] for the largest battle of the conflict, the [[Battle of the Blackwater]].

==Prelude==
Following the death of King [[Robert I Baratheon]], his heir, Prince [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]], is crowned.{{Ref|agot|57}} However, Robert's two brothers also express their claim to the throne. Robert's youngest brother, [[Renly Baratheon]], is the first to present his claim. Having fled [[King's Landing]] with Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] shortly before Robert's death, Renly rode to [[Highgarden]], married [[Margaery Tyrell]], the daughter of [[Mace Tyrell]], the [[Lord of Highgarden]], and claimed the [[Iron Throne]] a fortnight later.{{Ref|agot|69}} Renly's strength comes from both the [[Reach]] and the [[stormlands]].{{Ref|agot|71}}

Renly's elder brother, [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]], who had fled to [[Dragonstone|his seat]] on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]], later proclaims his own claim for the throne, on account of his belief that Joffrey and his siblings had not been fathered by Robert, but instead by Queen [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei's]] twin brother, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]].{{Ref|acok|Prologue}} Although Stannis has been gathering his strength for half a year, he still lacks the strength to attack King's Landing, as few [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone#Sworn to Dragonstone|Houses are sworn to Dragonstone]] and the rocky, volcanic islands surrounding Dragonstone have a sparse population. Additionally, Stannis considers his brother's proclamation as a treasonous act, and is angered that the men of the stormlands have given their support to Renly, the [[Lord of Storm's End]].{{Ref|acok|Prologue}}

With his huge host, Renly begins his march from Highgarden on the [[Roseroad]] towards King's Landing, accompanied by his young bride,{{Ref|acok|10}}{{Ref|acok|17}} but his host moves slow.{{Ref|acok|22}}

Stannis receives counsel from a red priestess, [[Melisandre]], who tells him of two futures she has seen in her flames; One in which Stannis is defeated in King's Landing by his brother Renly, and one in which he sails to Storm's End, where his brother shall die, and his men will flock to Stannis.{{Ref|ACOK|42}} With the strength he has gathered thus far, Stannis sets sail for the stormlands.{{Ref|acok|22}}

==Siege==
[[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] arrives in the [[stormlands]] with five thousand men{{Ref|acok|31}} and lays siege to the coastal fortress [[Storm's End]], [[Renly Baratheon|Renly's]] seat.{{ref|ACOK|22}}{{Ref|ACOK|25}} Renly is at [[Bitterbridge]] with his army when the news reaches his camp. He splits his forces and rides with some twenty thousand cavalry to Storm's End to break the siege.{{ref|ACOK|31}} He confronts Stannis during a parlay, with Lady [[Catelyn Stark]] in attendance, during which he offers Stannis [[Renly's peach|a peach]], but the two brothers are unable to set aside their differences. Neither will yield; Instead, they agree that a battle is set to start at dawn the next day.{{ref|ACOK|31}} However, shortly before the battle is to start, while being armored for battle by [[Brienne Tarth|Brienne of Tarth]], Renly is killed by a [[shadow assassin]] summoned by [[Melisandre]].{{Ref|ACOK|33}} Ser [[Emmon Cuy]] and Ser [[Robar Royce]], who had been guarding the king's tent, accuse Brienne of the murder when they see Renly dead in Brienne's arms. Catelyn Stark, who had witnessed Renly's death, convinces Ser Robar that Brienne is innocent. Escaping Ser Emmon, Catelyn and Brienne flee the camp and head for the [[riverlands]].{{Ref|acok|33}} A raging Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] later kills Ser Emmon Cuy and Ser Robar Royce for failing to protect their king.{{ref|ACOK|36}}
[[File:Shadow baby birth.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Melisandre]] of [[Asshai]] births a [[Shadow assassin|shadow baby]].]]
With Renly dead, the majority of the host that had accompanied him to Storm's End swears their allegiance to Stannis.{{ref|ACOK|36}} [[House Florent]] and both branches of [[House Fossoway]] also defect to Stannis, but a fifth of Renly's knights returns to Bitterbridge with Ser [[Loras Tyrell]].{{ref|ACOK|36}} First to join Stannis is Lord [[Alester Florent]], the uncle of Stannis's queen, [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]].{{Ref|acok|36}}

The siege continues as Storm's End's castellan, Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]], refuses to yield the castle to Stannis{{ref|ACOK|36}} because he fears for the safety of King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert I]]'s [[bastard]] son [[Edric Storm]].{{Ref|ACOK|42}} During a parley beneath the walls, Cortnay offers single combat with a champion of Stannis's choosing, but is rebuffed by the king.{{ref|ACOK|42}}

In order to coerce Ser Cortnay, several ideas are proposed, among them storming the castle, leaving a force to mount a protracted siege, or threatening to kill Cortnay's father, Lord [[House Penrose|Penrose]]. Stannis refuses all of these suggestions. Instead, he turns to [[Davos Seaworth]]. To end the siege quickly, Davos smuggles Melisandre under the castle by boat, where he witnesses her giving birth to another shadow, who assassinates Cortnay.{{ref|ACOK|42}}{{Ref|acok|44}} Although it is said that Cortnay threw himself from a tower, [[Varys]], the [[master of whisperers]] from Joffrey's [[small council]], correctly points out that Cortnay had not seemed lost to despair.{{Ref|acok|44}}

Lord [[Elwood Meadows]], who becomes castellan after Cortnay, surrenders the castle to Stannis.{{ref|ACOK|45}}

==Aftermath==
Sixty thousand men from Renly's army remain encamped at [[Bitterbridge]], but when news of Renly's death reaches them,{{Ref|ACOK|42}} fighting breaks out between those who whish to support Stannis and those who follow [[House Tyrell]]'s decision not to do so. Stannis sends Ser [[Parmen Crane]] and Ser [[Erren Florent]] to retrieve Renly's former army for him,{{Ref|ACOK|42}} but they are taken prisoner.{{Ref|ASOS|Appendix}} Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] seizes the supplies and puts many men, mostly [[House Florent|Florents]], to death.{{ref|acok|44}} In [[King's Landing]], the [[small council]] of King Joffrey decides to attempt to make an alliance with [[House Tyrell]] by offering to marry Joffrey to Margaery. [[Petyr Baelish]], representing King Joffrey I,{{ref|ACOK|36}} travels to Bitterbridge and wins the allegiance of [[House Tyrell]]. Riders are sent north to warn Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] of Stannis's threat to the capital.{{ref|ASOS|14}}

Stannis names Ser [[Gilbert Farring]] as his own castellan of Storm's End,{{Ref|asos|36}} with [[Elwood Meadows]] as his second in command.{{Ref|asos|Appendix}} He leaves two hundred men to hold Storm's End,{{Ref|asos|36}} and, after burning the [[godswood]] as an offering to [[R'hllor]],{{Ref|acok|41}} begins his march north towards [[King's Landing]] while his fleet sets sail towards the city as well. The forces of Houses [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]], [[House Lannister|Lannister]], and [[House Tyrell|Tyrell]] meet in battle during the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], one of the largest battles of the war.

==Quotes==
{{quote|Your Grace, I see no need for battle here. The castle is strongly garrisoned and well provisioned, Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]] is a seasoned commander, and the trebuchet has not been built that could breach the walls of [[Storm's End]]. Let Lord [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] have his siege. He will find no joy in it, and whilst he sits cold and hungry and profitless, we will take [[King's Landing]].{{ref|ACOK|31}}}} - [[Mathis Rowan]] to [[Renly Baratheon]]

{{quote|Bring on your storm, my lord, and recall, if you do, the name of this castle.{{ref|ACOK|42}}}} – [[Cortnay Penrose]] to [[Stannis Baratheon]]

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

{{Template:War of the Five Kings}}

[[Category:Battles|Storm's End]]
[[Category:War of the Five Kings|Storm's End]]
[[Category:Storm's End]]
[[Category:House Baratheon battles|Storm's End]]
[[Category:House Caron battles|Storm's End]]
[[Category:House Errol battles|Storm's End]]
[[Category:House Estermont battles|Storm's End]]
[[Category:House Florent battles|Storm's End]]
[[Category:House Fossoway of Cider Hall battles|Storm's End]]
[[Category:House Fossoway of New Barrel battles|Storm's End]]
[[Category:House Morrigen battles|Storm's End]]
[[Category:House Rowan battles|Storm's End]]
[[Category:House Tarly battles|Storm's End]]
[[Category:House Tyrell battles|Storm's End]]
[[Category:House Varner battles|Storm's End]]
[[Category:House Velaryon battles|Storm's End]]

House Yronwood

2017-06-13T18:05:59Z

Benethon Stark: Yronwoods are stony Dornish and judging from Cletus being listed as heir, do not follow the Rhoynish custom of women inheriting before men.

{{Noble House
| House_name = House Yronwood of Yronwood
| image = [[File:YronwoodCoA.png |250px]]
| image_caption =
| Coat_of_arms = Or, a portcullis sable
| Words = ''We Guard the Way''
| Seat = [[Yronwood]]
| Current_Lord = [[Anders Yronwood]]
| Region = [[Dorne]]
| Title = [[Lord of Yronwood]] [[The Bloodroyal]] [[Warden of the Stone Way]] [[Master of the Green Hills]](formerly) [[Lord of the Stone Way]] (formerly) [[High King of Dorne]] (formerly)
| Heir = [[Gwyneth Yronwood]]
| Overlord = [[House Martell]]
| Ancestral_weapon =
| Cadet_branch =
| Founded_in =
| Founder =
| Died_out =
}}
[[File:T Jedruszek Lord Anders guard.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Lord [[Anders Yronwood]]'s Honor Guard – by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games]]
[[File:T Jedruszek LordIronwoodSpears.jpg|350px|thumb|Lord Yronwood's Spears – by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games]]

'''House Yronwood of Yronwood''' is the most powerful house in [[Dorne]] after the [[House Martell|Martells]].{{Ref|aFfC|40}} [[Yronwood|Yronwood Castle]] is the last fortress defending the [[Boneway]]; this is reflected in their title [[Warden of the Stone Way]].{{Ref|aFfC|40}} The Yronwoods were [[High King of Dorne|kings]] in Dorne before the [[Rhoynar migration|arrival of the Rhoynar]]; the head of the house continues to hold the title ''The Bloodroyal''.

According to semi-canon sources, their motto is ''We Guard the Way''.<ref>The Citadel. [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/Mottoes/ House Mottoes]</ref> Their blazon is a black portcullis grill over sand.<ref>The Citadel. Heraldry: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/Houses/9/ Houses from Dorne]</ref> The Yronwoods often have blond hair and blue eyes.{{ref|ADWD|6}}

==History==
House Yronwood is an ancient family who once ruled half of Dorne as the Kings of Yronwood, with domains significantly greater than [[House Martell]] of [[Sunspear]], a fact the Yronwoods let no one forget.{{ref|twow||[[Arianne I (The Winds of Winter)|Arianne]]}} House Yronwood established [[Yronwood]] in the high valleys and green foothills below the peaks and seized control of the [[Stone Way]], the second of the two great passes into Dorne. Well protected and comparably fertile, their lands were also well timbered and possessed of valuable deposits of iron, tin, and silver, making them the richest and most powerful of the Dornish kings. The Yronwood domain reached from [[Wyl (castle)|Wyl]] to the headwaters of the [[Greenblood]],{{ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Kingdoms of the First Men}} and, at times, even the [[Sandship]] of [[House Martell]].{{ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: The Andals Arrive}}

The ancient Yronwood kings oft fought with the [[Storm King]]s, as seen when [[Yoren Yronwood]] was turned back by King [[Durran Durrandon (the Young)|Durran the Young]] at the [[Battle by the Bloody Pool]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Stormlands: House Durrandon}} King [[Olyvar Yronwood]] also invaded King [[Erich VII Durrandon]]'s domain.{{ref|twoiaf| The Stormlands: Andals in the Stormlands}}

When the [[Rhoynar]] came to Dorne with [[Nymeria]] aboard her [[ten thousand ships]], they joined House Martell, increasing the size of Lord [[Mors Martell]]'s host tenfold.{{ref|twoiaf| Ancient History: Ten Thousand Ships}}. Nymeria married Mors and named herself and her husband the [[Prince of Dorne|Prince and Princess of Dorne]], asserting their dominion over all of Dorne in the ensuing [[Nymeria's War]]. King [[Yorick V Yronwood]] was supported by his bannermen, Houses [[House Jordayne|Jordayne]], [[House Wyl|Wyl]], [[House Blackmont|Blackmont]], [[House Qorgyle|Qorgyle]], amongst many others. In the ninth year of warfare Mors died at Yorick's sword in the [[Third Battle of the Boneway]]. Nymeria took control of the Martell armies, however, and it took another two years of fighting before Yorick bent the knee and was sent to the [[Wall]].{{ref|twoiaf| Ancient History: Ten Thousand Ships}} The Yronwoods became the most powerful bannermen of House Nymeros Martell, though their relationship is uneasy at best.{{ref|twoiaf| Dorne: The Coming of the Rhoynar}} The Yronwoods also have a rivalry with [[House Fowler]], who supported the Martells in the war.{{ref|AFFC|40}}

The Yronwoods joined [[Aegor Rivers|Bittersteel]] against the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]] and Martells in three of the five [[Blackfyre Pretenders|Blackfyre Rebellions]], even though one of the original goals of the rebels was to remove the Dornish influence at court.{{Ref|aFfC|13}}

When [[Oberyn Martell]] was sixteen years old, he was found abed with old Lord [[Edgar Yronwood]]'s paramour and they fought a duel. Although it was only to first blood, Edgar's wounds festered and he died shortly afterwards, originating rumors that the Red Viper's blade had been poisoned. Oberyn fled to the [[Free Cities]] in exile. To "repay a blood debt", Prince [[Doran Martell]] later sent his second child, [[Quentyn Martell]], to foster with Edgar's grandson, Lord [[Anders Yronwood]].{{ref|twow||[[Arianne I (The Winds of Winter)|Arianne]]}} Quentyn was sent more than 10 years after the incident. Quentyn served at Yronwood as page and squire. He chose to be knighted by Anders himself instead of his uncle, Oberyn.{{Ref|aFfC|13}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Feast for Crows''===
Following Doran's instructions, Lord Anders musters and maintains an army in the [[Boneway]] during the [[War of the Five Kings]].{{ref|AFFC|2}} Anders delays Ser [[Balon Swann]] at [[Yronwood]] by feasting him for a fortnight.{{ref|AFFC|40}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
Ser [[Cletus Yronwood]] and Ser [[Archibald Yronwood]] accompany [[Quentyn Martell]] in his mission to find [[Daenerys Targaryen]] in [[Essos]]. Since his son and his cousin are traveling with Quentyn to [[Essos]], with all probability Lord Anders has been entrusted by [[Doran Martell]] with the critical secret of his support for the [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] restoration. Cletus is killed by corsairs, but Archibald arrives in [[Meereen]].

==House Yronwood at the end of the third century==
The known Yronwoods during the timespan of the events described in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' are:
* Lord [[Anders Yronwood]], Lord of [[Yronwood]], [[The Bloodroyal]], and [[Warden of the Stone Way]]. Son of Lord Ormond.
** [[Ynys Yronwood]], his eldest daughter. Married to Ser [[Ryon Allyrion]].
*** She has at least two children.
** Ser {[[Cletus Yronwood]]}, his eldest son and heir. Known for a lazy eye. Slain by corsairs aboard the ship ''[[Meadowlark]]''.
** [[Gwyneth Yronwood]], his youngest daughter.
** Ser [[Archibald Yronwood]], his cousin. Called the ''Big Man'' and known among the [[Windblown]] as ''Greenguts''.

{{Yronwood tree}}

==Historical Yronwoods==
* [[Yoren Yronwood]], who was defeated in the [[Battle by the Bloody Pool]] by King [[Durran the Young]].{{ref|twoiaf| The Stormlands: House Durrandon}}
* King [[Olyvar Yronwood]], the Bloodroyal, Lord of Yronwood, [[Lord of the Stone Way]], [[Master of the Green Hills]], and [[High King of Dorne]].{{ref|twoiaf| The Stormlands: Andals in the Stormlands}}
* King [[Yorick V Yronwood]], the Bloodroyal, Fifth of His Name, Lord of Yronwood, [[Warden of the Stone Way]], [[Knight of the Wells]], [[King of Redmarch]], [[King of the Greenbelt]], [[King of the Dornish]]. The last of the Yronwood kings.{{ref|twoiaf| Ancient History: Ten Thousand Ships}}{{ref|twoiaf| Dorne: The Coming of the Rhoynar}}
* Lord [[Edgar Yronwood]], who died from poison after a duel with the [[Oberyn Martell|Red Viper]].
** Lord [[Ormond Yronwood]], former Lord of Yronwood. The son of Lord Edgar. His son Anders, now rules Yronwood.

==Houses Sworn to House Yronwood==

{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Drinkwater]]'''. 

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Template:HousesDorne}}

[[Category:House Yronwood| ]]
[[Category:Noble houses|Yronwood]]
[[Category:Houses from Dorne|Yronwood]]
[[Category:Houses of First Men origin|Yronwood]]

[[es:Casa Yronwood]]
[[fr:maison Ferboys]]
[[ru:Айронвуды]]
[[zh:伊伦伍德家族]]

Reach

2017-06-13T17:08:41Z

Benethon Stark: /* Military strength */

[[File:The Reach.png|300px|thumb|The Reach with the major strongholds]]

The '''Reach''' is one of the constituent regions of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] on the continent of [[Westeros]]. It was formerly a sovereign nation ruled by the [[Kings of the Reach]] before the [[War of Conquest]]. It is the second-largest of the kingdoms behind the [[north]] and is considered the most fertile and heavily-populated part of Westeros.

The Reach is considered the home of [[knight|chivalry]] in Westeros. It is the place where knighthood is looked upon with the greatest reverence and esteemed the most. It is also the place where the rules to [[Tourney|tournaments]] are the most stringent and managed.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P240/ Tourney Rules] (April 29, 1999)</ref>

The Reach is ruled from the castle of [[Highgarden]] by [[House Tyrell]]. Notable houses have included [[House Ashford|Ashford]], [[House Caswell|Caswell]], [[House Crane|Crane]], [[House Florent|Florent]], [[House Fossoway|Fossoway]], [[House Gardener|Gardener]], [[House Hightower|Hightower]], [[House Merryweather|Merryweather]], [[House Mullendore|Mullendore]], [[House Oakheart|Oakheart]], [[House Redwyne|Redwyne]], [[House Rowan|Rowan]], [[House Tarly|Tarly]], and [[House Vyrwel|Vyrwel]].{{ref|AGOT|Appendix}}{{ref|TWOIAF| House Tyrell}} Noble [[Bastardy|bastards]] born in the Reach are given the surname Flowers.

==Geography==
The Reach is the most fertile part of Westeros and has numerous and well-populated villages and towns. The [[Sunset Sea]] is found to the west, while the hills of the [[westerlands]] are to the northwest and the [[Blackwater Rush]] of the [[riverlands]] is to the north. The Reach borders the [[crownlands]] to the northeast, while to the east and southeast are the [[stormlands]] and their [[Dornish Marches]]. South of the Reach are the [[Red Mountains]] of [[Dorne]] and the [[Summer Sea]]. The [[Roseroad]] links [[Oldtown]] with [[King's Landing]] by way of Highgarden, while the [[Ocean Road]] links Highgarden with [[Lannisport]].{{ref|TLOIAF}}

The Reach is watered by the immense river [[Mander]] and its tributaries, including the [[Blueburn]] and the [[Cockleswhent]]. The [[Reach proper]] is centered around the Mander.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reach}} Oldtown is located at the mouth of the [[Honeywine]]. The region also includes several islands, including the [[Shield Islands]] near the mouth of the Mander and the [[Arbor]] south of the [[Whispering Sound]] and the [[Redwyne Straits]].

==People and Economy==
{{see also|:Category:Places in the Reach}}
[[File:Oldtown.jpg|thumb|350px|right| [[Oldtown]], th oldest city in Westeros and center of commerce - FFG ©]]

The Reach is the second wealthiest region in the [[Seven Kingdoms]] behind the [[westerlands]], but it is the most fertile region. Among the products it produces are melons, fireplums, peaches, apples, and grapes. The Arbor is said to make the finest of [[wine]]s, from dry fruity reds to a rich golden vintage. Woodharps made in Oldtown are highly sought after.

Before the [[War of Conquest]], the golden [[Currency|coins]] of the Reach were known as hands. They still exist in some number, with each hand coin roughly half the value of a dragon coin.{{Ref|aFfC|15}}

Notable locations include:
* '''[[Highgarden]]''', the castle and seat of [[House Tyrell]], the [[Lords Paramount of the Mander]].
* '''[[Oldtown]]''', the most prominent city in the Reach. It is the oldest city in Westeros, home to the [[Hightower]] and the [[maesters]]' [[Citadel]], and its [[Starry Sept]] was the previous seat of the [[Faith of the Seven]].
* '''[[Ashford]]''', a market town.
* '''[[Tumbleton]]''', a market town.
* '''[[Cuy]]''', a town.

==Military strength==
While [[Petyr Baelish]] describes the [[military strength]] of the Reach to be fifty thousand swords,{{ref|ACOK|36}} the Tyrells can field at least some seventy thousand soldiers.{{ref|ASOS|38}} Of their bannermen, [[House Florent]] can field two thousand men at best,{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} while [[House Hightower]], at least during {{Date|129}}-{{Date|131}}, was able to field much more than nine thousand men.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

Plate armor is commonly used in the Reach.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Yet_More_Questions Yet More Questions (July 22, 2001)]</ref>

The naval strength of the Reach is made up mostly out of the [[Redwyne fleet]] of the [[Arbor]], which contains two hundred warships.{{ref|AFFC|32}} Further naval strength can be found at the [[Shield Islands]],{{Ref|AFFC|29}} and likely the coastal lords.

==History==
===House Gardener===
[[File:Zippo514 Highgarden.jpg|350px|thumb|Castle [[Highgarden]] - by Zippo514©.]]

The beginnings of the Reach can be traced back to [[Garth Greenhand]], the legendary High King of the [[First Men]] who lived in the [[Age of Heroes]].{{ref|TWOIAF| Garth Greenhand}} The royal line of [[House Gardener]] of [[Highgarden]] claimed descent from Garth as do many current houses in the region.{{Ref|aGoT|62}}{{Ref|aSoS|67}} What is now the [[Ravenry]] of the [[Citadel]] is said to have been a pirate stronghold during the [[Age of Heroes]].{{ref|AFFC|44}}

The Reach is the home of mythical warriors and knights such as [[Serwyn]] of the Mirror Shield, [[Davos the Dragonslayer]], [[Roland of the Horn]] and the [[Knight Without Armor]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Gardener Kings}}

The Reach is the heart of the chivalric tradition in the Seven Kingdoms, the place where knighthood is most universally esteemed. [[Tourney]]s here have the most elaborate and varied rules, and are the most likely to be held for [[knight]]s only. The greatest champions of the Reach became knights in the [[Order of the Green Hand]].{{ref|TWOIAF| Highgarden}}

[[Dornishmen]] have warred against the Reach for thousands of years; rivalries include the feud between [[House Oakheart]] and [[House Dayne]].{{ref|AFFC|21}} The [[Kings of the Reach]] also warred with the [[Storm Kings]] of [[House Durrandon]], gradually conquering land from the western [[stormlands]]. However, King [[Garse VII Gardener]] was slain by King [[Argilac Durrandon]] in the [[Battle of Summerfield]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Conquest}} The [[Dornish Marches]], the lands just north of the [[Red Mountains]] of [[Dorne]], have long been disputed. The lords of Highgarden count [[Defender of the Marches]] amongst their titles,{{ref|ADWD|Appendix}} although most of the [[marcher lords]] now owe allegiance to [[House Baratheon]] of the stormlands.

===House Tyrell===
[[File:T Jedruszek wardensofthereach.jpg|350px|thumb|A large Tyrell ranging party rides across the Reach in a wide formation – by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games]]

During the [[War of Conquest]], King [[Mern IX Gardener]] led the army of the Reach against the invading [[House Targaryen]], but he was killed at the [[Field of Fire]] and his line was ended. [[House Tyrell]], the stewards of the Gardeners, surrendered Highgarden to [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]]. They were rewarded with both the castle and the position of overlords of the Reach. The [[High Septon (War of Conquest)|High Septon]] and Lord [[Banfred Hightower]] did not oppose Aegon when he approached [[Oldtown]], increasing the new king's legitimacy.{{ref|AFFC|28}} Rather than being independent, the Reach was part of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] ruled by the [[Iron Throne]].

During the [[Dance of the Dragons]], the Reach was split between the [[greens]] and the [[blacks]], with the [[House Hightower|Hightowers]] providing much of the support for the greens (along with the [[House Redwyne|Redwynes]]), but with the [[House Rowan|Rowans]], [[House Tarly|Tarlys]], [[House Costayne|Costaynes]], [[House Mullendore|Mullendores]], and [[House Grimm|Grimms]] supporting the blacks. The [[Battle on the Honeywine]] and the [[First Battle of Tumbleton|First]] and [[Second Battle of Tumbleton|Second]] Battles of [[Tumbleton]] were fought in the Reach.

In the [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]], several of [[Daemon I Blackfyre]]'s greatest supporters were men of the Reach, including Ser [[Quentyn Ball]] and Lord [[Gormon Peake]], while others supported [[Daeron II Targaryen]].

[[Robert's Rebellion]] saw the Reach provide much of the pro-Targaryen strength. Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] led the van of Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] to victory against Lord [[Robert Baratheon]] in the [[Battle of Ashford]]. After Ashford, Mace led the unsuccessful [[siege of Storm's End]].

==Recent Events==
===''A Clash of Kings''===
After King [[Robert I Baratheon]]'s death, most lords of the Reach join the [[House Tyrell|Tyrells]] in declaring for [[Renly Baratheon]]. Some join [[Stannis Baratheon]] after Renly's murder, but most are idle for a time before marching with [[Tywin Lannister]] to defeat Stannis in the [[Battle of the Blackwater]].

===''A Storm of Swords''===
The lords of the Reach provide much of the [[Iron Throne]]'s manpower, under the uneasy alliance between Houses [[House Lannister|Lannister]] and Tyrell.

===''A Feast for Crows''===
The Reach itself remains untouched by the war until the [[taking of the Shields]], which marks the beginning of King [[Euron Greyjoy]]'s campaigns in the south. Since then [[Oldtown]] and the [[Arbor]] have been threatened by [[ironborn]] raiders.

==Quotes==
{{Quote|In [[Highgarden]] there are fields of golden roses that stretch away as far as the eye can see. The fruits are so ripe they explode in your mouth-melons, peaches, fireplums, you've never tasted such sweetness.{{Ref|aGoT|4}}}}
- [[Robert I Baratheon]] to [[Eddard Stark]]

==Houses==
{{Columns|3|
[[File:Ambrose.png|30px]] '''[[House Ambrose]]'''. 
[[File:House Appleton.png|30px]] '''[[House Appleton]]''' of [[Appleton]]. 
[[File:House Ashford.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Ashford]]''' of [[Ashford]]. 
[[File:Ball.png|30px]] '''[[House Ball]]'''. 
[[File:House Beesbury.png|30px]] '''[[House Beesbury]]''' of [[Honeyholt]]. 
[[File:House Blackbar.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Blackbar]]''' of [[Bandallon]]. 
[[File:Bridges.png|30px]] '''[[House Bridges]]'''. 
[[File:House Bulwer.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Bulwer]]''' of [[Blackcrown]]. 
[[File:Bushy.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Bushy]]'''. 
[[File:House Caswell.png|30px]] '''[[House Caswell]]''' of [[Bitterbridge]]. 
[[File:Chester.png|30px]] '''[[House Chester]]''' of [[Greenshield]]. 
[[File:Cockshaw.png|30px]] '''[[House Cockshaw]]'''. 
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Conklyn]]'''. 
[[File:Cordwayner.png|30px]] '''[[House Cordwayner]]''' of [[Hammerhal]]. 
[[File:House Costayne.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Costayne]]''' of the [[Three Towers]]. 
[[File:House Crane.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Crane]]''' of [[Red Lake]]. 
[[File:House Cuy.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Cuy]]''' of [[Sunhouse]]. 
[[File:Dunn.png|30px]] '''[[House Dunn]]'''. 
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Durwell]]'''. 
[[File:House Florent.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Florent]]''' of [[Brightwater Keep]]. 
[[File:Footly.png|30px]] '''[[House Footly]]''' of [[Tumbleton]]. 
[[File:House Fossoway red.png|30px]] '''[[House Fossoway of Cider Hall|House Fossoway]]''' of [[Cider Hall]]. 
[[File:House Fossoway green.png|30px]] '''[[House Fossoway of New Barrel|House Fossoway]]''' of [[New Barrel]]. 
[[File:House Gardner.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Gardener]]''' of [[Highgarden]]. 
[[File:Graceford.png|30px]] '''[[House Graceford]]''' of [[Holyhall]]. 
[[File:Graves.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Graves]]'''. 
[[File:Grimm.png|30px]] '''[[House Grimm]]''' of [[Greyshield]]. 
[[File:House Hastwyck.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Hastwyck]]'''. 
[[File:Hewett.png|30px]] '''[[House Hewett]]''' of [[Oakenshield]]. 
[[File:House Hightower.png|30px]] '''[[House Hightower]]''' of the [[Hightower]]. 
[[File:Hunt.png|30px]] '''[[House Hunt]]'''. 
[[File:Hutcheson.png|30px]] '''[[House Hutcheson]]'''. 
[[File:Inchfield.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Inchfield]]'''. 
[[File:Kidwell.png|30px]] '''[[House Kidwell]]'''. 
[[File:Leygood.png|30px]] '''[[House Leygood]]'''. 
[[File:House Lowther.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Lowther]]'''. 
[[File:Lyberr.png|30px]] '''[[House Lyberr]]'''. 
[[File:House Manderly.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Manderly]]''' of [[Dunstonbury]]. 
[[File:Meadows.png|30px]] '''[[House Meadows]]''' of [[Grassy Vale]]. 
[[File:House Merryweather.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Merryweather]]''' of [[Longtable]]. 
[[File:Middlebury.png|30px]] '''[[House Middlebury]]'''. 
[[File:Mullendore.png|30px]] '''[[House Mullendore]]''' of [[Uplands]]. 
[[File:House Norcross.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Norcross]]'''. 
[[File:Norridge.png|30px]] '''[[House Norridge]]'''. 
[[File:House Oakheart.png|30px]] '''[[House Oakheart]]''' of [[Old Oak]]. 
[[File:House Oldflowers.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Oldflowers]]'''. 
[[File:Orme.png|30px]] '''[[House Orme]]'''. 
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Osgrey of Leafy Lake|House Osgrey]]''' of [[Leafy Lake]]. 
[[File:House Osgrey.svg|30px]] '''[[House Osgrey]]''' of [[Standfast]]. 
[[File:House Peake.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Peake]]''' of [[Starpike]]. 
[[File:Pommingham.png|30px]] '''[[House Pommingham]]'''. 
[[File:Redding.png|30px]] '''[[House Redding]]'''. 
[[File:House Redwyne2.png|30px]] '''[[House Redwyne]]''' of the [[Arbor]]. 
[[File:Rhysling.png|30px]] '''[[House Rhysling]]'''. 
[[File:House Risley.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Risley]]'''. 
[[File:House Rowan.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Rowan]]''' of [[Goldengrove]]. 
[[File:Roxton.png|30px]] '''[[House Roxton]]''' of the [[Ring]]. 
[[File:House Serry.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Serry]]''' of [[Southshield]]. 
[[File:Shermer.png|30px]] '''[[House Shermer]]''' of [[Smithyton]]. 
[[File:Sloane.png|30px]] '''[[House Sloane]]'''. 
{{COA|Unknown|small}} '''[[House Stackhouse]]'''. 
[[File:Tarly.png|30px]] '''[[House Tarly]]''' of [[Horn Hill]]. 
[[File:House Tyrell.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Tyrell]]''' of [[Highgarden]]. 
[[File:Garlan Tyrell COA.png|30px]] '''[[House Tyrell of Brightwater Keep|House Tyrell]]''' of [[Brightwater Keep]]. 
[[File:House Uffering.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Uffering]]'''. 
[[File:House Varner.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Varner]]'''. 
[[File:House Vyrwel.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Vyrwel]]''' of [[Darkdell]]. 
[[File:House Webber.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Webber]]''' of [[Coldmoat]]. 
[[File:House Westbrook.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Westbrook]]'''. 
[[File:Willum.png|30px]] '''[[House Willum]]'''. 
[[File:House Wythers.PNG|30px]] '''[[House Wythers]]'''. 
[[File:Yelshire.png|30px]] '''[[House Yelshire]]'''. 
}}

==References and Notes==
{{References|2}}

{{Regions}}
{{HousesReach|state=uncollsapsed}}
{{Region Reach|state=uncollsapsed}}

[[Category:The Reach| ]]
[[Category:Places in Westeros]]

[[es:El Dominio]]
[[fa:ریچ]]
[[fr:Bief]]
[[ru:Простор]]
[[zh:河湾地]]

List of Houses

2017-06-09T21:22:34Z

Benethon Stark: /* Houses of Westeros */

==Great houses==
{{Columns|3|
[[File:House Targaryen.svg|30px]] '''[[#targaryen|Targaryen of King's Landing]]''' 
[[File:House Stark.svg|30px]] '''[[#stark|Stark of Winterfell]]''' 
[[File:House Lannister.svg|30px]] '''[[#lannister|Lannister of Casterly Rock]]''' 
[[File:House Arryn.svg|30px]] '''[[#arryn|Arryn of the Eyrie]]''' 
[[File:House Tully.svg|30px]] '''[[#tully|Tully of Riverrun]]''' 
[[File:House Greyjoy.svg|30px]] '''[[#greyjoy|Greyjoy of Pyke]]''' 
[[File:House Baratheon.svg|30px]] '''[[#baratheon|Baratheon of Storm's End]]''' 
[[File:House Tyrell.svg|30px]] '''[[#tyrell|Tyrell of Highgarden]]''' 
[[File:House Martell.svg|30px]] '''[[#martell|Martell of Sunspear]]'''
}}

==Houses of Westeros==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Region !! House !! Sigil !! scope="col" style="width: 20%;" |Blazon !! Seat !! Words !! Origin !! Notes !! Ancestral weapon
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Algood|Algood]] || [[File:House Algood.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A golden wreath on blue, a gold border || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Allyrion|Allyrion]] of Godsgrace || [[File:House Allyrion.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A golden hand on gyronny red and black || [[Godsgrace]] || No Foe May Pass || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Amber|Amber]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || extinct before the [[Andal invasion]] ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Ambrose|Ambrose]] || [[File:House Ambrose.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A yellow field strewn with red ants || || Never Resting || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands (Shield Islands) || [[Andrik|Andrik of Southshield]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Southshield]] || || [[Andrik]] the Unsmiling || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Appleton|Appleton]] of Appleton || [[File:House Appleton.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Quarterly: An apple tree on yellow, a grey gatehouse on white || [[Appleton]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Arryn of Gulltown|Arryn of Gulltown]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Gulltown]] || || Cadet of [[House Arryn|Arryn]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Arryn|Arryn of the Eyrie]] || [[File:House Arryn.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A sky-blue falcon soaring against a white moon, on sky-blue || [[Eyrie]] || As High as Honor || Ser [[Artys I Arryn|Artys Arryn]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Ashford|Ashford]] of Ashford || [[File:House Ashford.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white sun-and-chevron on orange || [[Ashford]] || Our Sun Shines Bright || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Ashwood|Ashwood]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Baelish of Harrenhal|Baelish of Harrenhal]] || [[File:House Baelish (Harrenhal).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A field of silver mockingbirds on green || [[Harrenhal]] || || [[Petyr Baelish]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Baelish|Baelish]] of the Fingers || [[File:OldBaelish.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A grey stone head with fiery eyes, upon a light green field || [[Drearfort]] || || [[Baelish (sellsword)|Baelish]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Ball|Ball]] || [[File:House Ball.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three white plates upon a chevron red on a white field || || || [[Florys the Fox]]<ref name="garth">One of the children of [[Garth Greenhand]].</ref> || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Banefort|Banefort]] of Banefort || [[File:Banefort.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A hooded man, black on grey, within a fiery tressure || [[Banefort]] || || [[Hooded Man]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands (Dragonstone) || [[House Bar Emmon|Bar Emmon]] of Sharp Point || [[File:House Bar Emmon.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A leaping blue swordfish on fretty silver on white || [[Sharp Point]] || || [[Togarion Bar Emmon]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands (Dragonstone) || [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone|Baratheon of Dragonstone]] || [[File:House Baratheon (Dragonstone).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | On sun-yellow, a black crowned stag within a red heart surrounded by a blaze of orange fire || [[Dragonstone]] || || [[Stannis Baratheon]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Baratheon of King's Landing|Baratheon of King's Landing]] || [[File:House Baratheon (King's Landing).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per pale Baratheon and Lannister || [[Red Keep]] || || [[Robert I Baratheon]] || || [[Widow's Wail]] (new, extant)
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]] of Storm's End || [[File:House Baratheon.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A crowned stag black on a golden field || [[Storm's End]] || Ours is the Fury || [[Orys Baratheon]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Beesbury|Beesbury]] of Honeyholt || [[File:House Beesbury.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three yellow beehives on a black pale on a field paly black and yellow || [[Honeyholt]] || Beware Our Sting || [[Ellyn Ever Sweet]]<ref name="garth" /> || ||
|-
| | Unknown || [[House Belgrave|Belgrave]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Belmore|Belmore]] of Strongsong || [[File:House Belmore.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Six silver bells on purple, 3-2-1 || [[Strongsong]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Bettley|Bettley]] || [[File:House Bettley.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three blue beetles on gold || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Bigglestone|Bigglestone]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Blackbar|Blackbar]] of Bandallon || [[File:House Blackbar.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black fess on silver || [[Bandallon]] || || || ||
|-
| | Unknown || [[House Blackberry|Blackberry]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Blackfyre|Blackfyre]] || [[File:House Blackfyre.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black three-headed dragon, breathing black fire on red || || || [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Blackfyre]] || extinct 260 AC || [[Blackfyre]] (lost)
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Blackmont|Blackmont]] of Blackmont || [[File:House Blackmont.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black vulture with a pink infant in its claws on yellow || [[Blackmont]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Crannogmen) || [[House Blackmyre|Blackmyre]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Blacktyde|Blacktyde]] of Blacktyde || [[File:House Blacktyde.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Vairy green and black || [[Blacktyde Castle]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands; North (formerly) || [[House Blackwood|Blackwood]] of Raventree Hall || [[File:House Blackwood.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A flock of ravens on scarlet surrounding a dead weirwood upon a black escutcheon || [[Raventree Hall]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Blanetree|Blanetree]] || [[File:House Blanetree.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Maple leaves, green and brown, strewn on a field of yellow || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Blount|Blount]] || [[File:House Blount.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A red bend sinister between two black porcupines on green || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands (Crackclaw Point) || [[House Boggs|Boggs]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Crannogmen) || [[House Boggs (north)|Boggs]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Wolfswood Clans) || [[House Bole|Bole]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Bolling|Bolling]] || [[File:House Bolling.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Vairy orange and blue; upon a black canton, a golden stag beneath an orange bend sinister || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Bolton|Bolton]] of the Dreadfort || [[File:House Bolton.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A red flayed man on pink de sang || [[Dreadfort]] || Our Blades Are Sharp || [[Red King]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Bolton of Winterfell|Bolton of Winterfell]] || [[File:House Bolton.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | .A red flayed man on pink de sang || [[Winterfell]] || || [[Ramsay Snow]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn (Sistermen) || [[House Borrell|Borrell]] of Sweetsister || [[File:Borell.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white spider crab on grey-green || [[Breakwater]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Botley|Botley]] of Lordsport || [[File:House Botley.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A shoal of silver fish on pale green || [[Lordsport]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Bracken|Bracken]] of Stone Hedge || [[File:House Bracken.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A red stallion upon a golden escutcheon on brown || [[Stone Hedge]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Wolfswood Clans) || [[House Branch|Branch]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Brax|Brax]] of Hornvale || [[File:House Brax.svg‎|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A purple unicorn on silver || [[Hornvale]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Breakstone|Breakstone]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Briar|Briar]] || [[File:None (Dorne).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || probably extinct{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Kingdoms of the First Men. Member of the elective [[High King of Dorne|High Kingship of Dorne]]}} ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Bridges|Bridges]] || [[File:House Bridges.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black stone bridge with three arches upon a golden chief above three blue pallets on white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Brightstone|Brightstone]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || extinct after [[Andal invasion]] ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Brook|Brook]] || [[File:None (Dorne).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || probably extinct{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Kingdoms of the First Men. Member of the elective [[High King of Dorne|High Kingship of Dorne]]}} ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Broom|Broom]] || [[File:House Broom.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A silver helm crested with a sprig of broom on black and green checks || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Brownhill|Brownhill]] || [[File:None (Dorne).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || probably extinct{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Kingdoms of the First Men. Member of the elective [[High King of Dorne|High Kingship of Dorne]]}} ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands (Crackclaw Point) || [[House Brune of Brownhollow|Brune of Brownhollow]] || [[File:House Brune (Brownhollow).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A bear paw, brown on white, within a double tressure brown || [[Brownhollow]] || || Presumably cadet of [[House Brune of the Dyre Den|Brune of the Dyre Den]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands (Crackclaw Point) || [[House Brune of the Dyre Den|Brune of the Dyre Den]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Dyre Den]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Buckler|Buckler]] of Bronzegate || [[File:House Buckler.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three brass buckles on blue || [[Bronzegate]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Buckwell|Buckwell]] of the Antlers || [[File:House Buckwell.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A rack of golden antlers on vair || [[Antlers]] || Pride and Purpose || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Bulwer|Bulwer]] of Blackcrown || [[File:House Bulwer.PNG|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A bull's skull, bone on blood || [[Blackcrown]] || Death Before Disgrace || [[Bors the Breaker]]<ref name="garth" /> || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Mountain Clans) || [[House Burley|Burley]] || [[File:House Burley.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white knife in a blue pile on white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Bushy|Bushy]] || [[File:House Bushy.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A green fess embattled on white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Butterwell|Butterwell]] of Whitewalls || [[File:House Butterwell.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Undy green, white, and yellow || [[Whitewalls]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Byrch|Byrch]] || [[File:House Byrch.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Quarterly, gyronny white and black, a silver axe on green || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Bywater|Bywater]] || [[File:House Bywater.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Fretty blue on white, three silver fish on a blue chief || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Cafferen|Cafferen]] of Fawnton || [[File:House Cafferen.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Two white fawns counter salient on green || [[Fawnton]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Cargyll|Cargyll]] || [[File:House Cargyll.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A golden goose on bendy sinister black and red || || || || extinct after 209 AC ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands (Marcher Lords) || [[House Caron|Caron]] of Nightsong || [[File:House Caron.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A field of black nightingales on yellow || [[Nightsong]] || No Song So Sweet || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Cassel|Cassel]] || [[File:House Cassel.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Ten white wolf heads, 4-3-2-1, on grey with a black border || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Casterly|Casterly]] of Casterly Rock || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Casterly Rock]] || || [[Corlos]] || extinct sometime during [[Age of Heroes]] ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Caswell|Caswell]] of Bitterbridge || [[File:House Caswell.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A yellow centaur with bow on white || [[Bitterbridge]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands (Crackclaw Point) || [[House Cave|Cave]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands (Dragonstone) || [[House Celtigar|Celtigar]] of Claw Isle || [[File:House Celtigar.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Red crabs strewn on white || [[Claw Isle]] || || || || Valyrian steel axe (reputed)
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]] of Cerwyn Castle || [[File:House Cerwyn.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black battle-axe on silver || [[Castle Cerwyn]] || Honed and Ready || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Chambers|Chambers]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Charlton|Charlton]] || [[File:House Charlton.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three sprigs of mistletoe, green and red, on gold within a green border || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Chelsted|Chelsted]] || [[File:House Chelsted.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per bend green and white, a crossed spiked mace and a silver dagger || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach (Shield Islands) || [[House Chester|Chester]] of Greenshield || [[File:House Chester.svg‎|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A green hand on a gold escutcheon on a green field, a border of red rayonne || [[Greenshield]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Chyttering|Chyttering]] || [[File:House Chyttering.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three golden bendlets enhanced on white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Clegane|Clegane]] of Clegane's Keep || [[File:House Clegane.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three black dogs running on yellow || [[Clegane's Keep]] || || [[Clegane (founder)|Clegane]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Clifton|Clifton]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Cockshaw|Cockshaw]] || [[File:House Cockshaw.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three feathers, red, white and gold, on black || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Codd|Codd]] || [[File:House Codd.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | ... a silver codfish || || Though All Men Do Despise Us || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Coldwater|Coldwater]] of Coldwater Burn || [[File:House Coldwater.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A blue pall with white borders on red || [[Coldwater Burn]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Cole|Cole]] || [[File:House Cole.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Ten black pellets on scarlet || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Condon|Condon]] || [[File:House Condon.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | An eagle's head between crossed tridents, red on white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Conklyn|Conklyn]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Connington|Connington]] of Griffin's Roost || [[File:House Connington.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Two griffins combatent countercharged on red and white || [[Griffin's Roost]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Corbray|Corbray]] of Heart's Home || [[File:House Corbray.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three black ravens in flight holding three red hearts, on white || [[Heart's Home]] || || Ser [[Corwyn Corbray (lord)|Corwyn Cobray]] || || [[Lady Forlorn]] (extant)
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Cordwayner|Cordwayner]] of Hammerhal || [[File:House Cordwayner.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Black boots on field of green and gold diamonds || [[Hammerhal]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Costayne|Costayne]] of the Three Towers || [[File:House Costayne.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Quartered: a silver chalice on black, a black rose on yellow || [[Three Towers]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Cox|Cox]] of Saltpans || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Saltpans]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands (Crackclaw Point) || [[House Crabb|Crabb]] of the Whispers || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Whispers]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Crakehall|Crakehall]] of Crakehall || [[File:House Crakehall.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black and white brindled boar on brown || [[Crakehall]] || None so Fierce || [[Crake the Boarkiller]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Crane|Crane]] of Red Lake || [[File:House Crane.svg‎|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A vee of golden cranes on pale blue || [[Red Lake]] || || [[Rose of Red Lake]]<ref name="garth" /> || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Crannogmen) || [[House Cray|Cray]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Cressey|Cressey]] || [[File:House Cressey.svg‎|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Seven silver coins upon a red bend sinister, between two helmets, silver on blue || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Skagosi Clans) || [[House Crowl|Crowl]] of Deepdown || [[File:House Crowl.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Pily flame and black || [[Deepdown]] || || || ||
|-
| | Unknown || [[House Cupps|Cupps]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Cuy|Cuy]] of Sunhouse || [[File:House Cuy.svg‎|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Six yellow flowers on blue || [[Sunhouse]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Dalt|Dalt]] of Lemonwood || [[File:House Dalt.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Lemons strewn on purple || [[Lemonwood]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Dargood|Dargood]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || Kin of [[House Darklyn|Darklyn]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Darke|Darke]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || Kin of [[House Darklyn|Darklyn]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Darklyn|Darklyn]] of Duskendale || [[File:House Darklyn.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Fusily black and gold, 7 white escutcheons upon a red tierce || [[Dun Fort]] || || Petty kings of Duskendale || extinct 277 AC ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Darkwood|Darkwood]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || Kin of [[House Darklyn|Darklyn]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Darry|Darry]] of Darry || [[File:House Darry.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black plowman on brown || [[Darry]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Dayne of High Hermitage|Dayne of High Hermitage]] || [[File:None (Dorne).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[High Hermitage]] || || Cadet of [[House Dayne|Dayne]] of Starfall || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Dayne|Dayne of Starfall]] || [[File:House Dayne.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white sword and falling star crossed on lilac || [[Starfall]] || || [[King of the Torrentine]] || || [[Dawn]]<ref>A unique ancestral weapon, it was not made of [[Valyrian steel]].</ref> (extant)
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Deddings|Deddings]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Doggett|Doggett]] || [[File:House Doggett.svg‎|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per bend a white unicorn on green, a black raven on white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands (Marcher Lords) || [[House Dondarrion|Dondarrion]] of Blackhaven || [[File:House Dondarrion.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Forked purple lightning on black field speckled with 4-pointed stars || [[Blackhaven]] || || A messenger of the Storm King || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Donniger|Donniger]] || [[File:House Donniger.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A red sun rising from a grey-green sea against a yellow sky || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Drinkwater|Drinkwater]] || [[File:None (Dorne).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Drox|Drox]] || [[File:House Drox.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | 3 black crossbows, on gold, a black border || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Drumm|Drumm]] of Old Wyk || [[File:House Drumm.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A bone hand, white on red || [[Old Wyk]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || || [[Red Rain]] (extant)
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Dryland|Dryland]] of Hellgate Hall || [[File:None (Dorne).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Hellgate Hall]] || || [[King of the Brimstone]] || extinct after [[Rhoynar migration]] ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Dunn|Dunn]] || [[File:Dunn.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per pale black and pink, a countercharged two-headed pelican || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Durrandon|Durrandon]] || [[File:House Baratheon.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A crowned stag black on a golden field || [[Storm's End]] || Ours is the Fury || [[Durran]] Godsgrief || extinct 1 AC ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Durwell|Durwell]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Dustin|Dustin]] of Barrowton || [[File:House Dustin.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Two rusted longaxes with black shafts crossed, a black crown between their points, on yellow || [[Barrow Hall]] || || [[First King]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Edgerton|Edgerton]] || [[File:House Edgerton.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Quartered: black and white half-fusily, a wheel of flame on indigo || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Egen|Egen]] || [[File:House Egen.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Yellow sun, white crescent moon, and silver star on blue chief above white || || By Day or Night || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Elesham|Elesham]] of the Paps || [[File:House Elesham.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A double pile inverted, stone on pink, a black mullet between || [[Paps]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Erenford|Erenford]] || [[File:House Erenford.svg‎|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A golden heron, beaked and gammed black, standing with a silver fish in its beak, on pink || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Errol|Errol]] of Haystack Hall || [[File:Errol.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A yellow haystack on orange || [[Haystack Hall]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Estermont|Estermont]] of Greenstone || [[File:House Estermont.svg‎|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A dark green sea turtle on pale green || [[Greenstone]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Estren|Estren]] of Wyndhall || [[File:House Estren.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A green saltire between four red double-headed eagles on white || [[Wyndhall]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Falwell|Falwell]] || [[File:Falwell.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A fool in red and gold motley juggling five suns on black || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Farman|Farman]] of Faircastle || [[File:House Farman.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three silver ships on blue, a border of crimson and gold || [[Faircastle]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Farring|Farring]] || [[File:House Farring.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per pale purple and white, two knights combatant with swords, counter-changed || || || || ||
|-
| | Unknown || [[House Farrow|Farrow]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Farwynd|Farwynd of Sealskin Point]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Sealskin Point]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Farwynd of the Lonely Light|Farwynd of the Lonely Light]] || [[File:House Farwynd (Lonely Light).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per fess: below a black sea with crested line, a black longship, outlined against the setting sun, dark red on orange || [[Lonely Light]] || || Cadet of [[House Farwynd|Farwynd]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Fell|Fell]] of Felwood || [[File:House Fell.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per fess, a white crescent moon in the first on black above a green field, a sprucetree line between || [[Felwood]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Crannogmen) || [[House Fenn|Fenn]] || [[File:House Fenn.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | 3 black water lilies, on pale violet || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Ferren|Ferren]] || [[File:Ferren.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per saltire, red and gold checks, a silver and black ferret on green || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Fisher|Fisher]] of the Misty Isle || [[File:Fisher.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A crowned catfish, spotted grey, on blue || [[Misty Isle]] || || || extinct ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Fisher of the Stony Shore|Fisher of the Stony Shore]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Stony Shore]] || || || possibly extinct ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Flint of Breakstone Hill|Flint of Breakstone Hill]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Breakstone Hill]] || || || possibly extinct ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Flint of Flint's Finger|Flint of Flint's Finger]] || [[File:House Flint (Flint's Finger).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A grey stone hand upon a white inverted pall on paly black and grey || [[Flint's Finger]] || || Cadet of [[House Flint of the mountains|Flint of the mountains]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Mountain Clans) || [[House Flint of the mountains|Flint of the mountains]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || in the [[Northern mountains]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Flint of Widow's Watch|Flint of Widow's Watch]] || [[File:House Flint (Widow's Watch).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A blue field strewn with whitecaps, on a yellow chief with crested line a pair of blue eyes || [[Widow's Watch]] || Ever Vigilant || Cadet of [[House Flint of the mountains|Flint of the mountains]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Florent|Florent]] of Brightwater Keep || [[File:House Florent.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A red-gold fox's head encircled by lapis lazuli flowers (on ermine) || [[Brightwater Keep]] || || [[Florys the Fox]]<ref name="garth" /> || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Follard|Follard]] || [[File:Follard.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Gyronny of twelve red and white; in a gold canton, a two-peaked fool's cap of red and white with silver bells || || None so Wise || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Foote|Foote]] || [[File:House Foote.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A copper dagger across a black chevron on white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands (Marcher Lords) || [[House Foote of Nightsong|Foote of Nightsong]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Nightsong]] || || [[Philip Foote]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Footly|Footly]] of Tumbleton || [[File:House Footly.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A field of silver caltrops on black || [[Tumbleton]] || Tread Lightly Here || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Wolfswood Clans) || [[House Forrester|Forrester]] || [[File:House Forrester.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | An ironwood tree outline with a sword outline drawn inside it, pointing down || [[Ironrath]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Fossoway of Cider Hall|Fossoway of Cider Hall]] || [[File:House Fossoway.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A red apple on gold || [[Cider Hall]] || A Taste of Glory || [[Foss the Archer]]<ref name="garth" /> || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Fossoway of New Barrel|Fossoway of New Barrel]] || [[File:House Fossoway (New Barrel).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A green apple on gold || [[New Barrel]] || || Ser [[Raymun Fossoway]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Fowler|Fowler]] of Skyreach || [[File:House Fowler.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A hooded blue hawk on silver || [[Skyreach]] || Let Me Soar || [[King of Stone and Sky]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Frey of Riverrun|Frey of Riverrun]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Riverrun]] || || [[Emmon Frey]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Frey|Frey]] of the Crossing || [[File:House Frey.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Two blue towers on silver-grey || [[Twins]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Frost|Frost]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || extinct before the [[Andal invasion]] ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Gardener|Gardener]] of Highgarden || [[File:House Gardener.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A green hand on white || [[Highgarden]] || || [[Garth the Gardener]]<ref name="garth" /> || extinct 1 AC ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Gargalen|Gargalen]] of Salt Shore || [[File:GargalenCoA.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A red cockatrice with black snake in beak on gold || [[Salt Shore]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Garner|Garner]] || [[File:House Garner.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three grey owls upon white plates on green || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Gaunt|Gaunt]] || [[File:House Gaunt.svg‎|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three black lances upright on pink, between black flaunches || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Glover|Glover]] of Deepwood Motte || [[File:House Glover.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A silver fist on scarlet || [[Deepwood Motte]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Goodbrook|Goodbrook]] || [[File:House Goodbrook.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A blue wavy bend on gold || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Goodbrother of Corpse Lake|Goodbrother of Corpse Lake]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Corpse Lake]] || || Cadet of [[House Goodbrother|Goodbrother]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Goodbrother of Crow Spike Keep|Goodbrother of Crow Spike Keep]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Crow Spike Keep]] || || Cadet of [[House Goodbrother|Goodbrother]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Goodbrother of Downdelving|Goodbrother of Downdelving]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Downdelving]] || || Cadet of [[House Goodbrother|Goodbrother]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Goodbrother of Orkmont|Goodbrother of Orkmont]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Orkmont]] || || Cadet of [[House Goodbrother|Goodbrother]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Goodbrother of Shatterstone|Goodbrother of Shatterstone]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Shatterstone]] || || Cadet of [[House Goodbrother|Goodbrother]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Goodbrother|Goodbrother of Hammerhorn]] || [[File:House Goodbrother.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A gold-banded black warhorn on red || [[Hammerhorn]] || || [[Grey King]]'s brother || ||
|-
| | Unknown || [[House Goode|Goode]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Gower|Gower]] || [[File:House Gower.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Nine yellow trefoils on a black cross on ermine || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Graceford|Graceford]] of Holyhall || [[File:House Graceford.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | The Mother's face upon white pale wavy dividing a brown field || [[Holyhall]] || Work Her Will || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Grafton|Grafton]] of Gulltown || [[File:House Grafton.svg‎|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A burning tower in yellow, within a black pile, upon flaming red || [[Gulltown]] || || Ser [[Gerold Grafton (Andal invader)|Gerold Grafton]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Grandison|Grandison]] of Grandview || [[File:House Grandison.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black sleeping lion on yellow || [[Grandview]] || Rouse Me Not || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Graves|Graves]] || [[File:House Graves.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Green and white gyronny, a double-headed eagle counter-charged, gold beak and talons || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Greenfield|Greenfield]] of Greenfield || [[File:House Greenfield.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A double tressure white on green || [[Greenfield]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Crannogmen) || [[House Greengood|Greengood]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| | Unknown || [[House Greenhill|Greenhill]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Greenwood|Greenwood]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || extinct before the [[Andal invasion]] ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Grell|Grell]] || [[File:House Grell.svg‎|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three red martlets on white bend, on blue || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Grey|Grey]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Greyiron|Greyiron]] of Orkmont || [[File:Greyiron.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | The sea king's head, white with dark green seaweed beard and hair, a black crown on a grey field || [[Orkmont]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || extinct after [[Andal invasion]] ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Greyjoy|Greyjoy]] of Pyke || [[File:House Greyjoy.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A golden kraken on black || [[Pyke]] || We Do Not Sow || [[Grey King]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Greystark|Greystark]] of the Wolf's Den || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Wolf's Den]] || || Cadet of [[House Stark|Stark]] || extinct ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach (Shield Islands) || [[House Grimm|Grimm]] of Greyshield || [[File:House Grimm.svg‎|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | An iron escutcheon with silver studs on a grey-green field strewn with longships proper || [[Grimston]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Haigh|Haigh]] || [[File:House Haigh.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black pitchfork on a golden bar sinister on russet || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Hamell|Hamell]] || [[File:House Hamell.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | An erminois maunch on pink, an erminois border || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Mountain Clans) || [[House Harclay|Harclay]] || [[File:House Harclay.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | 3 blue moons, waxing, full, waning, on a white bend, on blue || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands (Crackclaw Point) || [[House Hardy|Hardy]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Hardyng|Hardyng]] || [[File:House Hardyng.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A field of red and white diamonds || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands (Shield Islands) || [[House Harlaw of Grey Garden|Harlaw of Grey Garden]] || [[File:House Harlaw (Grey Garden).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Quartered: a silver scythe on black, a peacock on cream || [[Grey Garden]]; [[Greyshield]] || || Cadet of [[House Harlaw|Harlaw]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Harlaw of Harlaw Hall|Harlaw of Harlaw Hall]] || [[File:House Harlaw (Harlaw Hall).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per bend black and silver, two scythes countercharged || [[Harlaw Hall]] || || Cadet of [[House Harlaw|Harlaw]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Harlaw of Harridan Hill|Harlaw of Harridan Hill]] || [[File:House Harlaw (Harridan Hill).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A silver scythe on pale blue || [[Harridan Hill]] || || Cadet of [[House Harlaw|Harlaw]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Harlaw|Harlaw of Harlaw]] || [[File:House Harlaw.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A silver scythe on black || [[Ten Towers]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || || [[Nightfall]] (extant)
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Harlaw of the Tower of Glimmering|Harlaw of the Tower of Glimmering]] || [[File:House Harlaw (Tower of Glimmering).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A silver scythe on black within an embattled silver border || [[Tower of Glimmering]] || || Cadet of [[House Harlaw|Harlaw]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Harroway|Harroway]] of Harrenhal || [[File:House Harroway.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per bend sinister orange and black rayonne, a castle countercharged || [[Harrenhal]] || || || extinct 44 AC ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Harte|Harte]] || [[File:House Harte.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three red hart's heads caboshed on a white bend on vair || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Hastwyck|Hastwyck]] || [[File:House Hastwyck.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Barry olive and ivory || || None So Dutiful || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Hasty|Hasty]] || [[File:House Hasty.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white bend cotised on purple || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Hawick|Hawick]] of Saltpans || [[File:Hawick.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | White sea birds strewn on a blue field || [[Saltpans]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Hawthorne|Hawthorne]] || [[File:Hawthorne.jpg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A ring of black thorns and a ring of pink flowers, interlocked, on green || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Hayford|Hayford]] of Hayford || [[File:House Hayford.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Green fretty over gold, a green pale wavy || [[Hayford]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Heddle|Heddle]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Herston|Herston]] || [[File:House Herston.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A yellow rooster's head with red comb, within a white escutcheon, on red || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Hersy|Hersy]] of Newkeep || [[File:House Hersy.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white winged chalice on pink || [[Newkeep]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Hetherspoon|Hetherspoon]] || [[File:House Hetherspoon.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | An oak spoon within a white cartouche on orange and black lozengy || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach (Shield Islands) || [[House Hewett|Hewett]] of Oakenshield || [[File:House Hewett.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | An oaken escutcheon studded with iron, a field bendy of undulating blue and white || [[Oakenshield Castle]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Hightower|Hightower]] of the Hightower || [[File:House Hightower.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white tower crowned with flames on smoke grey || [[Hightower]] || We Light the Way || [[Uthor of the High Tower]] || || [[Vigilance]] (lost)
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands (origin); Riverlands || [[House Hoare|Hoare]] of Orkmont || [[File:House Hoare.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per saltire: two heavy silver chains crossing between (clockwise) a gold longship on black , a dark green pine on white, a cluster of red grapes on gold, and a black raven flying in a blue sky || [[Orkmont]]; [[Hoare Castle]]; [[Fairmarket]]; [[Harrenhal]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || extinct 2 BC ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Hogg|Hogg]] of Sow's Horn || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Sow's Horn]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Hollard|Hollard]] || [[File:House Hollard.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Barry red and pink, three golden crowns on a blue chief || || || || extinct 300 AC ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Holt (north)|Holt]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Holt (Dorne)|Holt]] || [[File:None (Dorne).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || probably extinct{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Kingdoms of the First Men. Member of the elective [[High King of Dorne|High Kingship of Dorne]]}} ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Hook|Hook]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || extinct ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]] of Hornwood || [[File:House Hornwood.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A brown bullmoose with black antlers on orange || [[Hornwood]] || Righteous in Wrath || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Horpe|Horpe]] || [[File:Horpe.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per chevron engrailed grey and bone, 3 deaths head moths countercharged || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Hull|Hull]] || [[File:None (Dorne).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || probably extinct{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Kingdoms of the First Men. Member of the elective [[High King of Dorne|High Kingship of Dorne]]}} ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Humble|Humble]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Hunt|Hunt]] || [[File:Hunt.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A brown deer, bound and slung on a pole, on white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Hunter|Hunter]] of Longbow Hall || [[File:House Hunter.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Five silver arrows, fanned, on brown || [[Longbow Hall]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Hutcheson|Hutcheson]] || [[File:House Hutcheson.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Two red bendlets on gold, a red hand below pointing to a red sun above || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Inchfield|Inchfield]] || [[File:House Inchfield.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A bend sinister, checked black and white, on pale grey || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Ironmaker|Ironmaker]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Ironsmith|Ironsmith]] || [[File:House Ironsmith.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black sword upright between four black horseshoes on gold, a grey-green border || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Jast|Jast]] || [[File:House Jast.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | An inverted pall between 3 lion's heads, yellow on black || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Jordayne|Jordayne]] of the Tor || [[File:House Jordayne.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A golden quill on checkered dark and light green || [[Tor]] || Let It Be Written || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Justman|Justman]] || [[File:House Justman.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Golden scales on white, a double tressure blue || || || [[Benedict I Justman]] || extinct some 300 years after [[Andal Invasion]] ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Karstark|Karstark]] of Karhold || [[File:House Karstark.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white sunburst on black || [[Karhold]] || The Sun of Winter || [[Karlon Stark]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Keath|Keath]] || [[File:House Keath.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Quarterly of nine: a white fish on grey, a golden fish hook on white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Kellington|Kellington]] || [[File:House Kellington.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black book bound in bronze, locked, upon a pale blue field || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Kenning of Harlaw|Kenning of Harlaw]] || [[File:House Kenning (Harlaw).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | The storm god's cloudly hand, pale grey, yellow lightning flashing from the fingertips, on black || [[Harlaw]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Kenning of Kayce|Kenning of Kayce]] || [[File:House Kenning (Kayce).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Four sunbursts countercharged on quartered orange and black || [[Kayce]] || || [[Herrock Kenning]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Kettleblack|Kettleblack]] || [[File:House Kettleblack.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black kettle on red, within a black orle || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Kidwell|Kidwell]] of Ivy Hall || [[File:House Kidwell.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Pale green ivy bendy on black masonry || [[Ivy Hall]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Mountain Clans) || [[House Knott|Knott]] || [[File:House Knott.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A brown fret on white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Kyndall|Kyndall]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Ladybright|Ladybright]] || [[File:None (Dorne).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Lake (Dorne)|Lake]] || [[File:None (Dorne).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || probably extinct{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Kingdoms of the First Men. Member of the elective [[High King of Dorne|High Kingship of Dorne]]}} ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Lake (north)|Lake]] || [[File:House Lake (North).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | 7 pommes, 2-2-2-1, green on brown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Langward|Langward]] || [[File:House Langward.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per fess undy: A crown of white stars on burgundy above black || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Lannett|Lannett]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || Kin of [[House Lannister|Lannister]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Lannister|Lannister of Casterly Rock]] || [[File:House Lannister.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A roaring lion, gold on crimson || [[Casterly Rock]] || Hear Me Roar! || [[Lann the Clever]] || || [[Brightroar]] (lost)
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Lannister of Darry|Lannister of Darry]] || [[File:House Lannister (Darry).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Quartered: the lion of Lannister with the Darry plowman || [[Darry]] || || [[Lancel Lannister]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Lannister of Lannisport|Lannister of Lannisport]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Lannisport]] || || Cadet of [[House Lannister|Lannister]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Lanny|Lanny]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || Kin of [[House Lannister|Lannister]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Lantell|Lantell]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || Kin of [[House Lannister|Lannister]] || ||
|-
| | Unknown || [[House Leek|Leek]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Lefford|Lefford]] of the Golden Tooth || [[File:House Lefford.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A golden inverted pile on sky-blue, a yellow sun in the first || [[Golden Tooth]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Leygood|Leygood]] || [[File:House Leygood.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three black thunderbolts on orange || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Mountain Clans) || [[House Liddle|Liddle]] || [[File:House Liddle.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per pale white and green, a fir tree line between, three brown pinecones on the white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Lightfoot|Lightfoot]] || [[File:House Lightfoot.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A line of white footprints in bend sinister, on dark brown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Lipps|Lipps]] || [[File:House Lipps.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Two large pink lips on a dark blue field || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Locke|Locke]] of Oldcastle || [[File:House Locke.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Bronze crossed keys on a white pale on purple || [[Oldcastle]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Lolliston|Lolliston]] || [[File:House Lolliston.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three oaken barrels on white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Long|Long]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn (Sistermen) || [[House Longthorpe|Longthorpe]] of Longsister || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Longsister]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Longwaters|Longwaters]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || Ser [[Longwaters]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Lonmouth|Lonmouth]] || [[File:House Lonmouth.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Quartered of six: red lips strewn on yellow, yellow skulls strewn on black || || The Choice Is Yours || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Lorch|Lorch]] || [[File:House Lorch.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black manticore on white, beneath a crimson chief with three gold coins || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Lothston|Lothston]] of Harrenhal || [[File:House Lothston.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black bat on per bend silver and gold || [[Harrenhal]] || || [[Lucas Lothston (husband of Falena)|Lucas Lothston]] || extinct after 211 AC ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Lowther|Lowther]] || [[File:House Lowther.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A silver dolphin on a blue-green field || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Lyberr|Lyberr]] || [[File:House Lyberr.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per bend sinister: a grey cat's face on black, a brown jug on white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Lychester|Lychester]] || [[File:House Lychester.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Orange and white gyronny, a black talon || [[Castle Lychester]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Lydden|Lydden]] of Deep Den || [[File:House Lydden.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white badger on per pale green and brown || [[Deep Den]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Lynderly|Lynderly]] of Snakewood || [[File:House Lynderly.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black field strewn with wriggling green serpents || [[Snakewood]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Skagosi Clans) || [[House Magnar|Magnar]] of Kingshouse || [[File:House Magnar.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A green lobster on white, its claws holding a black harpoon || [[Kingshouse]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Mallery|Mallery]] || [[File:House Mallery.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Six white mullets 3-2-1 on violet || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Mallister|Mallister]] of Seagard || [[File:House Mallister.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A silver eagle displayed on indigo || [[Seagard]] || Above the Rest || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North; Reach (formerly) || [[House Manderly|Manderly]] of White Harbor || [[File:House Manderly.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white merman with dark green hair, beard and tail, carrying a black trident, on a blue-green field || [[New Castle]] || || || ||
|-
| | Unknown || [[House Mandrake|Mandrake]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Manning|Manning]] || [[File:House Manning.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A red sea lion between two black pallets on white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Manwoody|Manwoody]] of Kingsgrave || [[File:House Manwoody.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white skull crowned with gold on black || [[Kingsgrave]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Marbrand|Marbrand]] of Ashemark || [[File:House Marbrand.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A burning tree, orange on smoke || [[Ashemark]] || Burning Bright || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Marsh|Marsh]] || [[File:House Marsh.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | 10 frogs, 4-3-2-1, green on yellow || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Martell|Martell]] of Sunspear || [[File:House Martell.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A red sun pierced by a golden spear on orange || [[Sandship]]; [[Sunspear]] || Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken || [[Morgan Martell]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Massey|Massey]] of Stonedance || [[File:House Massey.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A triple spiral; red, green and blue, on white || [[Stonedance]] || || [[Maldon Massey]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Meadows|Meadows]] of Grassy Vale || [[File:Meadows.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A border of flowers of many colours and varieties on green || [[Grassfield Keep]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Melcolm|Melcolm]] of Old Anchor || [[File:House Melcolm.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A rusty anchor on turquoise beneath yellow chief with three blue plates || [[Old Anchor]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Merlyn|Merlyn]] of Pebbleton || [[File:Merlyn.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Twining waterspouts, green on white || [[Pebbleton Tower]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Merryweather|Merryweather]] of Longtable || [[File:House Merryweather.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A golden horn of plenty spilling out apples, carrots, plums, onions, leeks, turnips, and fruits of many colors on a white field bordered in gold || [[Longtable]] || Behold Our Bounty || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Mertyns|Mertyns]] of Mistwood || [[File:House Mertyns.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white great horned owl on grey || [[Mistwood]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Middlebury|Middlebury]] || [[File:House Middlebury.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Quarterly, a black saltire on yellow, green and white diamonds || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Mollen|Mollen]] || [[File:House Mollen.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A pine tree covered with snow in a pale green pile, on white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Moore|Moore]] || [[File:House Moore.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three bronze spearheads on white, a bronze border embattled || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Mooton|Mooton]] of Maidenpool || [[File:House Mooton.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A red salmon on white, a gold tressure || [[Maidenpool]] || Wisdom and Strength || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Moreland|Moreland]] || [[File:House Moreland.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per pale barry: russet and green || || || [[Pate the Plowman]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Mormont|Mormont]] of Bear Island || [[File:House Mormont.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black bear in a green wood || [[Mormont Keep]] || Here We Stand || || || [[Longclaw]] (extant)
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Morrigen|Morrigen]] of Crow's Nest || [[File:House Morrigen.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black crow in flight on storm-green || [[Crow's Nest]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Moss|Moss]] || [[File:House Moss.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A bend orange on vairy grey and green || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Mudd|Mudd]] of Oldstones || [[File:House Mudd.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A golden crown studded with emeralds on a red-brown field || [[Oldstones]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Mullendore|Mullendore]] of Uplands || [[File:House Mullendore.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Black-and-orange butterflies on white || [[Uplands]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Musgood|Musgood]] || [[File:House Musgood.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Quarterly: A golden pavillion on blue, a green laurel crown on white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Myatt|Myatt]] || [[File:House Myatt.PNG|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A spotted tree cat, yellow and black, on mud brown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Myre|Myre]] of Harlaw || [[File:Myre.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | 10 nooses, 4-3-2-1, black on white with a border of blood || [[Harlaw]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Nayland|Nayland]] of Hag's Mire || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Hag's Mire]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Netley|Netley]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Norcross|Norcross]] || [[File:House Norcross.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A cross embattled, black on white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Mountain Clans) || [[House Norrey|Norrey]] || [[File:House Norrey.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Six green thistles, 3-2-1, on yellow || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Norridge|Norridge]] || [[File:House Norridge.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A flight of flaming arrows rising bendwise on a blue field || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands (Shield Islands) || [[Nute|Nute of Oakenshield]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Oakenshield]] || || [[Nute]] the Barber || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Nutt|Nutt]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Oakheart|Oakheart]] of Old Oak || [[File:House Oakheart.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three green oak leaves on gold || [[Old Oak]] || Our Roots Go Deep || [[John the Oak]]<ref name="garth" /> || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Oldflowers|Oldflowers]] || [[File:House Oldflowers.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Ten white hands on green, 4-3-2-1, beneath a red bend sinister || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Orkwood|Orkwood]] of Orkmont || [[File:House Orkwood.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Dark green pines strewn closely together on yellow || [[Orkmont]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Orme|Orme]] || [[File:House Orme.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per fess: three golden harps on black, gold and silver bendy sinister || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Osgrey of Leafy Lake|Osgrey of Leafy Lake]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Leafy Lake]] || || Cadet of [[House Osgrey|Osgrey]] of Standfast || extinct before 210 AC ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Osgrey|Osgrey of Standfast]] || [[File:House Osgrey.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A lion, checkered green and gold, on white || [[Standfast]] || || [[Marshall of the Northmarch]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Overton|Overton]] || [[File:House Overton.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A checked silver and gold fess on black || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Paege|Paege]] || [[File:House Paege.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Twining red-and-white snakes on black || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Parren|Parren]] || [[File:House Parren.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per saltire: burgundy and white stripes, a black lion's head on gold || || || || extinct after 209 AC ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Payne|Payne]] || [[File:House Payne.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Checkered purple and white, within each square a golden coin || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Peake|Peake]] of Starpike || [[File:House Peake.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three black castles on orange || [[Starpike]] || || [[Florys the Fox]]<ref name="garth" /> || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Peasebury|Peasebury]] of Poddingfield || [[File:Peasebury.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A pea pod burst open, green on white, bordered by three rows of green peas || [[Poddingfield]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Crannogmen) || [[House Peat|Peat]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Peckledon|Peckledon]] || [[File:House Peckledon.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Ten mullets, 4-3-2-1, purple on yellow || || Unflinching || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Pemford|Pemford]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| | Unknown || [[House Penny|Penny]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Penrose|Penrose]] of Parchments || [[File:House Penrose.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | White crossed quills on russet || [[Parchments]] || Set Down Our Deeds || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Perryn|Perryn]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Piper|Piper]] of Pinkmaiden || [[File:House Piper.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A dancing maiden pink in a swirl of white silk, on blue || [[Pinkmaiden Castle]] || Brave and Beautiful || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Plumm|Plumm]] || [[File:House Plumm.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three purple rondels on gold || || Come Try Me || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Pommingham|Pommingham]] || [[File:House Pommingham.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A red pomegranate on white, a double tressure red || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Poole|Poole]] || [[File:House Poole.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A blue plate on white, with a grey tressure || || || || ||
|-
| | Unknown || [[House Potter|Potter]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Prester|Prester]] of Feastfires || [[File:House Prester.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A red ox on ermine || [[Feastfires]] || Tireless || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Pryor|Pryor]] of Pebble || [[File:House Pryor.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A partial eclipse, black moon over yellow sun, on dusty pink || [[Pebble]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Pyle|Pyle]] || [[File:House Pyle.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A grey iron greathelm on white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands (Crackclaw Point) || [[House Pyne|Pyne]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Qoherys|Qoherys]] of Harrenhal || [[File:House Qoherys.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A flaming saltire, red and yellow, between 4 white skulls, on black || [[Harrenhal]] || || [[Quenton Qoherys]] || extinct circa 37 AC ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Qorgyle|Qorgyle]] of Sandstone || [[File:House Qorgyle.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three black scorpions on red || [[Sandstone]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Crannogmen) || [[House Quagg|Quagg]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Rambton|Rambton]] || [[File:House Rambton.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white ram's head with golden horns on red || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Redbeard|Redbeard]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || [[Gerrick]] Kingsblood || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Redding|Redding]] || [[File:House Redding.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A golden flagon on burgundy, a border of gold and white checks || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Redfort|Redfort]] of Redfort || [[File:House Redfort.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A red castle on a white field within a red embattled border || [[Redfort]] || As Strong as Stone || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Redwyne|Redwyne]] of the Arbor || [[File:House Redwyne.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A burgundy grape cluster on blue || [[Arbor]] || || [[Gilbert of the Vines]]<ref name="garth" /> || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Crannogmen) || [[House Reed|Reed]] of Greywater Watch || [[File:House Reed.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black lizard-lion on grey-green || [[Greywater Watch]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Reyne|Reyne]] of Castamere || [[File:House Reyne.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A red lion rampant regardant with a forked tail, armed and langued gold, on silver || [[Castamere]] || || || extinct 261 AC ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Rhysling|Rhysling]] || [[File:Rhysling.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | An oaken door banded with iron, in a grey stone doorway, on black masonry || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Risley|Risley]] || [[File:House Risley.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black knight on a black rearing horse on white, bearing a golden lance and a white shield, upon which is seen the above in miniature || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Rogers|Rogers]] of Amberly || [[File:House Rogers.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Nine unicorns around a maze, silver on black || [[Amberly]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Rollingford|Rollingford]] || [[File:House Rollingford.svg‎|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Six roundels fountain, 3-2-1, on grey || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Roote|Roote]] of Lord Harroway's Town || [[File:House Roote.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A two-headed horse, brown, on a field of wavy green and green || [[Harroway Tower]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Rosby|Rosby]] of Rosby || [[File:House Rosby.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three red chevronels on ermine || [[Rosby]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Rowan|Rowan]] of Goldengrove || [[File:House Rowan.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A golden tree on silver || [[Goldengrove]] || || [[Rowan Gold-Tree]]<ref name="garth" /> || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Roxton|Roxton]] of the Ring || [[File:House Roxton.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A saltire of interlocked golden rings, upon a sky blue field || [[Ring]] || || || || [[Orphan-Maker]] (lost)
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Royce|Royce of Runestone]] || [[File:House Royce.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Black iron studs on bronze, bordered with rune || [[Runestone]] || We Remember || [[Bronze King]] || || [[Lamentation (sword)|Lamentation]] (lost)
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Royce of the Gates of the Moon|Royce of the Gates of the Moon]] || [[File:House Royce (Moon).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black portcullis over a white crescent moon on purple bordered with runes on bronze || [[Gates of the Moon]] || || [[Nestor Royce]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Ruthermont|Ruthermont]] || [[File:House Ruthermont.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Five black starfish on a gold pale, on pean || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Ruttiger|Ruttiger]] || [[File:House Ruttiger.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | An orange bend engrailed on black || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Ryder|Ryder]] of the Rills || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Rills]] || || || possibly extinct ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Ryger|Ryger]] of Willow Wood || [[File:House Ryger.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A weeping willow, green on white || [[Willow Wood]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Rykker|Rykker]] of Duskendale || [[File:House Rykker.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Two black warhammers crossed on a white saltire on blue || [[Dun Fort]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Ryswell|Ryswell]] of the Rills || [[File:House Ryswell.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black horse's head, eyes and mane red, on bronze within a black engrailed border || [[Rills]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Saltcliffe|Saltcliffe]] of Saltcliffe || [[File:Saltcliffe.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A nine-headed serpent, black on silver || [[Saltcliffe]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Santagar|Santagar]] of Spottswood || [[File:House Santagar.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per bend sinister blue and white, a spotted leopard with golden axe || [[Spottswood]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Sarsfield|Sarsfield]] of Sarsfield || [[File:House Sarsfield.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A green arrow on white bend on green || [[Sarsfield]] || True to the Mark || || ||
|-
| | Unknown || [[House Sawyer|Sawyer]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Seaworth|Seaworth]] of Cape Wrath || [[File:House Seaworth.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black ship, an onion proper on its sail, on pale grey || [[Cape Wrath]] || || [[Davos Seaworth]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands (Marcher Lords) || [[House Selmy|Selmy]] of Harvest Hall || [[File:House Selmy.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three stalks of yellow wheat on brown || [[Harvest Hall]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Serrett|Serrett]] of Silverhill || [[File:House Serrett.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A peacock in his pride on cream || [[Silverhill]] || I Have No Rival || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach (Shield Islands) || [[House Serry|Serry]] of Southshield || [[File:House Serry.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white rose upon a red escutcheon upon white, a red embattled border || [[Southshield]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Sharp|Sharp]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Shawney|Shawney]] || [[File:House Shawney.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per fess: blue red green above, a white catfish on black below || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Shell (Vale)|Shell]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || extinct after [[Andal invasion]] ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Shell (Dorne)|Shell]] || [[File:None (Dorne).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || probably extinct{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Kingdoms of the First Men. Member of the elective [[High King of Dorne|High Kingship of Dorne]]}} ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Shepherd|Shepherd]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Shermer|Shermer]] of Smithyton || [[File:House Shermer.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A field of copper nails on blue, a copper border rayonne || [[Smithyton]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Shett of Gull Tower|Shett of Gull Tower]] || [[File:House Shett (Gull Tower).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three golden wings, bendwise, on checkered white and black || [[Gull Tower]] || || [[King of the True Men]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Shett of Gulltown|Shett of Gulltown]] || [[File:House Shett (Gulltown).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Nine white seagulls on a field of brown || [[Gulltown]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Slate|Slate]] of Blackpool || [[File:House Slate.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Pale grey, a double tressure white || [[Blackpool]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Sloane|Sloane]] || [[File:House Sloane.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per pale, white stars strewn on indigo, an orange sun on yellow || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands (origin); Riverlands (deposed) || [[House Slynt|Slynt]] of Harrenhal || [[File:House Slynt.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A bloody spear, gold on a night-black field || [[Harrenhal]] || || [[Janos Slynt]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Smallwood|Smallwood]] of Acorn Hall || [[File:House Smallwood.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Six brown acorns, 3-2-1, on yellow || [[Acorn Hall]] || From These Beginnings || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Sparr|Sparr]] of Great Wyk || [[File:House Sparr.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Oak saltire on blue || [[Great Wyk]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Spicer|Spicer]] of Castamere || [[File:House Spicer.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | 3 pepperpots on a saffron bend, upon green and silver stripes || [[Castamere]] || || A spice trader || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Stackhouse|Stackhouse]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Stackspear|Stackspear]] || [[File:House Stackspear.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Crossed black spears on checkered silver and gold || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Staedmon|Staedmon]] of Broad Arch || [[File:House Staedmon.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black dagger piercing a red heart on white de sang within an undulating red border || [[Broad Arch]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Skagosi Clans) || [[House Stane|Stane]] of Driftwood Hall || [[File:Stane.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A driftwood tree, bare and brown, on pale green || [[Driftwood Hall]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Stark|Stark]] of Winterfell || [[File:House Stark.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A running grey direwolf, on an ice-white field || [[Winterfell]] || Winter is Coming || [[Bran the Builder]] || || [[Ice]] (split)
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Staunton|Staunton]] of Rook's Rest || [[File:House Staunton.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Two black wings upon a white fess on checkered black and grey || [[Rook's Rest]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Stokeworth|Stokeworth]] of Stokeworth || [[File:House Stokeworth.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white lamb holding a golden goblet on green || [[Stokeworth]] || Proud to Be Faithful || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Stonehouse|Stonehouse]] of Old Wyk || [[File:Stonehouse.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black brazier on a grey masonry field || [[Old Wyk]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Stonetree|Stonetree]] of Harlaw || [[File:Stonetree.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A bare stone tree, grey on black || [[Harlaw]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Stout|Stout]] of Goldgrass || [[File:House Stout.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Chevrony russet and gold || [[Goldgrass]] || || || ||
|-
| | Unknown || [[House Strickland|Strickland]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Strong|Strong]] of Harrenhal || [[File:House Strong.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A tripartite pale blue, red, and green on white || [[Harrenhal]] || || || extinct after 131 AC ||
|-
| | Unknown || [[House Suggs|Suggs]] || [[File:Suggs.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A flying pig, colors unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn (Sistermen) || [[House Sunderland|Sunderland]] of the Three Sisters || [[File:House Sunderland.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three women's heads, white with black hair, on blue and green undy || [[Three Sisters]] || || [[King of the Three Sisters]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Sunderly|Sunderly]] of Saltcliffe || [[File:House Sunderly.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A drowned man, pink and pale, floating upright in a blue-green sea, his hair streaming upwards, as fish nibble at his limbs || [[Saltcliffe]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands (Dragonstone) || [[House Sunglass|Sunglass]] of Sweetport Sound || [[File:House Sunglass.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Seven golden seven-pointed stars in a ring on white || [[Sweetport Sound]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands (Marcher Lords) || [[House Swann|Swann]] of Stonehelm || [[File:House Swann.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Battling swans black and white, beaks and feet golden, on per pale white and black || [[Stonehelm]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Swyft|Swyft]] of Cornfield || [[File:House Swyft.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A blue bantam rooster on yellow || [[Cornfield]] || Awake! Awake! || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Swygert|Swygert]] || [[File:House Swygert.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white scroll with gold knobs on purple, a white tressure || || Truth Conquers || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Tallhart|Tallhart]] of Torrhen's Square || [[File:House Tallhart.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three sentinel trees (pines), green on brown || [[Torrhen's Square]] || Proud and Free || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Tarbeck|Tarbeck]] of Tarbeck Hall || [[File:House Tarbeck.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A 7-pointed star, countercharged, on gyronny silver and blue || [[Tarbeck Hall]] || || || extinct 261 AC ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] of King's Landing || [[File:House Targaryen.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A red three-headed dragon, breathing flame on black || [[Dragonstone]]; [[Red Keep]]; [[Summerhall]] || Fire and Blood || Valyrian [[dragonlord]]s; [[Aenar Targaryen]] || || [[Blackfyre]] (lost) [[Dark Sister]] (lost)
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Tarly|Tarly]] of Horn Hill || [[File:House Tarly.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A striding red huntsman on green || [[Horn Hill]] || First in Battle || [[Harlon the Hunter]] and [[Herndon of the Horn]]<ref name="garth" /> || || [[Heartsbane]] (extant)
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Tarth|Tarth]] of Evenfall Hall || [[File:House Tarth.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Quartered: yellow suns and white crescents on rose and azure || [[Evenfall Hall]] || || || || [[Oathkeeper]] (new, extant)
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Tawney|Tawney]] of Orkmont || [[File:Tawney.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A scourge of nettles, red and black, on white || [[Orkmont]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Teague|Teague]] || [[File:House Teague.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A golden trident upright on black between two golden flanches || || || [[Torrence Teague]] || extinct circa 350 BC ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Templeton|Templeton]] of Ninestars || [[File:House Templeton.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Nine stars, one of 7 points and the rest of 6 points, upon a gold saltire on black || [[Ninestars]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Terrick|Terrick]] || [[File:House Terrick.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per saltire purple and gold, four hawks' heads countercharged || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Thenn|Thenn]] || [[File:House Thenn.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A bronze disk on a field of white, surrounded by flames made with wisps of crimson || || || [[Sigorn]] Thenn || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Thorne|Thorne]] || [[File:House Thorne.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A silver flail on red within a black border rayonne || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Toland|Toland]] of Ghost Hill || [[File:TolandCoA.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A green dragon biting its tail on gold || [[Ghost Hill]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Tollett|Tollett]] of the Grey Glen || [[File:House Tollett.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Pily grey and black || [[Grey Glen]] || When All is Darkest || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn (Sistermen) || [[House Torrent|Torrent]] of Littlesister || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Littlesister]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Towers (north)|Towers]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || extinct before the [[Andal invasion]] ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Towers of Harrenhal|Towers of Harrenhal]] || [[File:House Towers (Harrenhal).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Five black towers on white, a double tressure red and black || [[Harrenhal]] || || [[Walton Towers]] || extinct between 48 AC to 103 AC ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Toyne|Toyne]] || [[File:House Toyne.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A winged heart, black on gold, within a black bordure embattled || || Fly High, Fly Far || || extinct 296 AC ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Trant|Trant]] of Gallowsgrey || [[File:House Trant.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A hanged man, black on blue || [[Gallowsgrey]] || So End Our Foes || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Tudbury|Tudbury]] || [[File:House Tudbury.svg‎|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A brown tortoise within a yellow lozenge on green || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Tully|Tully]] of Riverrun || [[File:House Tully.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | a leaping trout, silver, against a rippling blue-and-red field || [[Riverrun]] || Family, Duty, Honor || [[Edmure Tully (father of Axel)|Edmure Tully]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Turnberry|Turnberry]] || [[File:House Turnberry.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | 9 strawberries on a white saltire, on green and red vairy in point || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Tyrell of Brightwater Keep|Tyrell of Brightwater Keep]] || [[File:House Tyrell (Garlan).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Two golden roses on green || [[Brightwater Keep]] || || [[Garlan Tyrell]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Tyrell|Tyrell]] of Highgarden || [[File:House Tyrell.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A golden rose on green || [[Highgarden]] || Growing Strong || Ser [[Alester Tyrell]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Uffering|Uffering]] || [[File:House Uffering.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Oak and iron paly, beneath a white chief with seven green hands || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Uller|Uller]] of the Hellholt || [[File:House Uller.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Rayonne yellow over crimson || [[Hellholt]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Umber|Umber]] of the Last Hearth || [[File:Umbercrest.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A roaring giant, brown-haired and wearing a skin, with broken silver chains, on flame-red || [[Last Hearth]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Upcliff|Upcliff]] of the Witch Isle || [[File:House Upcliff.svg‎|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A cresting wave, sea green on black || [[Witch Isle]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Vaith|Vaith]] of the Red Dunes || [[File:House Vaith.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three black leopards standing on a yellow pile on orange || [[Vaith]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Vance of Atranta|Vance of Atranta]] || [[File:House Vance (Atranta).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Quartered: a green dragon on white, a white tower on black || [[Atranta]] || || [[Armistead Vance]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Vance of Wayfarer's Rest|Vance of Wayfarer's Rest]] || [[File:House Vance (Wayfarer's Rest).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Quartered: a black dragon on white, two golden eyes in a golden ring on black || [[Wayfarer's Rest]] || || [[Armistead Vance]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Varner|Varner]] || [[File:House Varner.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white weasel on ermines || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands (Dragonstone) || [[House Velaryon|Velaryon]] of Driftmark || [[File:House Velaryon.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A silver seahorse on sea green || [[Driftmark (castle)|Driftmark]]; [[High Tide]] || The Old, the True, the Brave || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Vikary|Vikary]] || [[File:House Vikary.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Quarterly: A red boar's head on white, beneath a gold bend sinister a silver lion rampant regardant with a forked tail, armed and langued gold, on red || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands (Shield Islands) || [[House Volmark|Volmark]] of Volmark || [[File:House Volmark.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black leviathan on a grey sea || [[Volmark]]; [[Greenshield]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Vypren|Vypren]] || [[File:House Vypren.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black toad on white lily pad, on green || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Vyrwel|Vyrwel]] of Darkdell || [[File:House Vyrwel.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A silver wyvern within a red double tressure on sable || [[Darkdell]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Wade|Wade]] || [[File:None (Dorne).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || probably extinct{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Kingdoms of the First Men. Member of the elective [[High King of Dorne|High Kingship of Dorne]]}} ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Wagstaff|Wagstaff]] || [[File:House Wagstaff.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Five yellow mascles on green || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Waterman|Waterman]] || [[File:House Waterman.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Brown crossed oars on white, between a pair of blue flaunches || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Waxley|Waxley]] of Wickenden || [[File:House Waxley.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Six<ref>Six candles in the partial blazon in A Feast for Crows, but only three candles according to the complete blazon in [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/Houses/5/ the Citadel].</ref> candles, white with red flames, within silver candle holders on a grey field bordered in black || [[Wickenden]] || Light in Darkness || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Wayn|Wayn]] || [[File:House Wayn.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Four wheels countercharged on quartered field blue and white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Waynwood|Waynwood]] of Ironoaks || [[File:House Waynwood.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black broken wheel on green || [[Ironoaks]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Weaver|Weaver]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Webber|Webber]] of Coldmoat || [[File:House Webber.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white and red spider upon a silver web over black || [[Coldmoat]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Wells (Dorne)|Wells]] || [[File:None (Dorne).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Wells (north)|Wells]] || [[File:House Wells (North).svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Per fess: five black roundels on grey over green and white lozengy || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #E6CDFF;" | Crownlands || [[House Wendwater|Wendwater]] || [[File:House Wendwater.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A green engrailed pall, inverted on white, dividing three trees, green, red and bare || || For All Seasons || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Wensington|Wensington]] || [[File:House Wensington.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Two golden trumpets crossed on blue, a gold chief with three black stags || || Sound the Charge || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Westbrook|Westbrook]] || [[File:House Westbrook.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Two green bars gemmel on gold || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Westerling|Westerling]] of the Crag || [[File:House Westerling.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Six white seashells on sand || [[Crag]] || Honor, not Honors || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Whent|Whent]] of Harrenhal || [[File:House Whent.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Nine black bats, 4-3-2, on yellow || [[Harrenhal]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Whitehead|Whitehead]] of the Weeping Town || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Weeping Town]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Whitehill|Whitehill]] of Highpoint || [[File:House Whitehill.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white pile inverted on indigo, an arch of 4-pointed stars above || [[Highpoint]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Willum|Willum]] || [[File:House Willum.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | 3 silver longswords crossed on black beneath a dragonbone skeleton on a white chief || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Wode|Wode]] || [[File:House Wode.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three white hedgehogs on yellow || || Touch Me Not || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Woodfoot|Woodfoot]] of Bear Island || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Bear Island]] || || || extinct during ironborn conquest of Bear Island ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Wolfswood Clans) || [[House Woods|Woods]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Woodwright|Woodwright]] || [[File:House Woodwright.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A red pall on a field of oak || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Woolfield|Woolfield]] || [[File:House Woolfield.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three woolsacks, white on purple, a white border || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Mountain Clans) || [[House Wull|Wull]] || [[File:House Wull.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Three wooden buckets, brown on blue, with a border of grey and white checks || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #AFE1FF;" | Vale of Arryn || [[House Wydman|Wydman]] || [[File:Wydman.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | 5 splintered lances, 3-2, striped blue and white with blue pennons, on yellow, beneath a white chief bearing a red castle, a green viper, a black broken wheel, a purple unicorn and a golden lion || || Right Conquers Might || A tourney champion || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Wyl|Wyl]] of the Boneway || [[File:WylCoA.png|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black adder biting a heel on yellow || [[Wyl (castle)|Wyl]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFFFCD;" | Stormlands || [[House Wylde|Wylde]] of Rain House || [[File:House Wylde.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A blue-green maelstrom on gold || [[Rain House]] || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #EBEBEB;" | Iron Islands || [[House Wynch|Wynch]] of Iron Holt || [[File:House Wynch.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | bloody moon on purple || [[Iron Holt]] || || [[Grey King]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns. All the great houses of the ironborn claim descent from the Grey King}} || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Wythers|Wythers]] || [[File:House Wythers.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A grey squirrel on white with red border || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Yarwyck|Yarwyck]] || [[File:House Yarwyck.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | 2 bronze halberds crossed between 4 red diamonds, on white || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #CDFFCD;" | Reach || [[House Yelshire|Yelshire]] || [[File:House Yelshire.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Barry green and gold, a black battering ram with a gold head on a black chief || || || || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Yew|Yew]] || [[File:House Yew.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A golden longbow on white between two crimson flaunches || || || [[Alan o' the Oak]] || ||
|-
| style="background: #FFEBAF;" | Dorne || [[House Yronwood|Yronwood]] of Yronwood || [[File:House Yronwood.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black portcullis grill over sand || [[Yronwood]] || We Guard the Way || [[High King of Dorne]] || ||
|}

==Houses based on games==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Region !! House !! Sigil !! scope="col" style="width: 20%;" |Blazon !! Seat !! Words !! Game
|-
| Unknown || [[House Branfield (Telltale)|Branfield]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || Game of Thrones - A Telltale Games Series
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North (Wolfswood Clans) || [[House Forrester (Telltale)|Forrester]] of Ironrath || [[File:House Forrester.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | An ironwood tree outline with a sword outline drawn inside it, pointing down || [[Ironrath]] || Iron From Ice || Game of Thrones - A Telltale Games Series
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Glenmore (Telltale)|Glenmore]] of Rillwater Crossing || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || [[Rillwater Crossing]] || || Game of Thrones - A Telltale Games Series
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Tuttle (Telltale)|Tuttle]] || [[File:None.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | Unknown || || || Game of Thrones - A Telltale Games Series
|-
| style="background: #FFFFFF;" | North || [[House Whitehill (Telltale)|Whitehill]] || [[File:House Whitehill.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A white pile inverted on indigo, an arch of 4-pointed stars above || [[Highpoint]] || Ever Higher || Game of Thrones - A Telltale Games Series
|-
| style="background: #CDE6FF;" | Riverlands || [[House Harlton|Harlton]] of Castlewood || [[File:House Harlton.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A silver tree on green || [[Castlewood]] || || Game of Thrones (video game)
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Sarwyck|Sarwyck]] of Riverspring || [[File:House Sarwyck.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A broken silver sword on red || [[Riverspring]] || Family is Hope, Protect it Always || Game of Thrones (video game)
|-
| style="background: #FFC8CD;" | Westerlands || [[House Westford|Westford]] || [[File:House Westford.svg|50px|center]] || style="font-style: italic; font-size:85%" | A black dog on blue || || Death Over Dishonor || Game of Thrones (video game)
|}

==See also==
*[[Houses of Westeros]], for status changes between books
*[[Names of houses in other languages]]

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

[[Category: Houses| Houses]]
[[Category:Noble houses|*]]
[[fr:Liste des maisons nobles de Westeros]]

Template:HousesCrownlands

2017-05-30T13:31:53Z

Benethon Stark: There is no evidence the Kettleblacks were landed knights at the start of AGOT.

{{Navbox
| name = HousesCrownlands
| state = {{{state|uncollapsed}}}
| title = Houses of the [[Crownlands]]
| bodyclass = hlist

| list1 = {{Navbox|child
| state = {{{state|uncollapsed}}}
| title = At the start of ''[[A Game of Thrones]]''
| image = [[File:House Baratheon.svg|100px]]
| group1 = Royal House
| list1 =
*[[House Baratheon of King's Landing|Baratheon of King's Landing]]

| group2 = Noble Houses
| list2 =
*[[House Blount|Blount]]
*[[House Buckwell|Buckwell]]
*[[House Byrch|Byrch]]
*[[House Bywater|Bywater]]
*[[House Chelsted|Chelsted]]
*[[House Chyttering|Chyttering]]
*[[House Cressey|Cressey]]
*[[House Darke|Darke]]
*[[House Edgerton|Edgerton]]
*[[House Farring|Farring]]
*[[House Follard|Follard]]
*[[House Gaunt|Gaunt]]
*[[House Harte|Harte]]
*[[House Hayford|Hayford]]
*[[House Langward|Langward]]
*[[House Mallery|Mallery]]
*[[House Manning|Manning]]
*[[House Massey|Massey]]
*[[House Pyle|Pyle]]
*[[House Rambton|Rambton]]
*[[House Rollingford|Rollingford]]
*[[House Rosby|Rosby]]
*[[House Rykker|Rykker]]
*[[House Staunton|Staunton]]
*[[House Stokeworth|Stokeworth]]
*[[House Thorne|Thorne]]
*[[House Wendwater|Wendwater]]

| group3 = Landed Knights
| list3 =
*[[House Brune of Brownhollow|Brune of Brownhollow]]
*[[House Hogg|Hogg]]
*[[House Longwaters|Longwaters]]

| group4 = [[Narrow sea|Narrow Sea]] Houses
| list4 =
*[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone|Baratheon of Dragonstone]]
*[[House Bar Emmon|Bar Emmon]]
*[[House Celtigar|Celtigar]]
*[[House Sunglass|Sunglass]]
*[[House Velaryon|Velaryon]]

| group5 = [[Crackclaw Point]] Houses
| list5 =
*[[House Boggs|Boggs]]
*[[House Brune of Brownhollow|Brune of Brownhollow]]
*[[House Brune of the Dyre Den|Brune of the Dyre Den]]
*[[House Cave|Cave]]
*[[House Crabb|Crabb]]
*[[House Hardy|Hardy]]
*[[House Pyne|Pyne]]

| group6 = Other Houses
| list6 =
*[[House Dargood|Dargood]]
*[[House Darkwood|Darkwood]]
*[[House Hollard|Hollard]]

| group7 = Exiled Houses
| list7 =
*[[House Targaryen|Targaryen]]

| group8 = Extinct Houses
| list8 =
*[[House Blackfyre|Blackfyre]]
*[[House Cargyll|Cargyll]]
*[[House Darklyn|Darklyn]]
}}
| list2 = {{Navbox|child
| state = {{{state|collapsed}}}
| title = At the end of ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]''
| image = [[Image:Joffrey sigil coat.png|100px]]

| group1 = Royal House
| list1 =
*[[House Baratheon of King's Landing|Baratheon of King's Landing]]

| group2 = Noble Houses
| list2 =
*[[House Blount|Blount]]
*[[House Buckwell|Buckwell]]
*[[House Byrch|Byrch]]
*[[House Bywater|Bywater]]
*[[House Chelsted|Chelsted]]
*[[House Chyttering|Chyttering]]
*[[House Cressey|Cressey]]
*[[House Darke|Darke]]
*[[House Edgerton|Edgerton]]
*[[House Farring|Farring]]
*[[House Follard|Follard]]
*[[House Gaunt|Gaunt]]
*[[House Harte|Harte]]
*[[House Hayford|Hayford]]
*[[House Langward|Langward]]
*[[House Mallery|Mallery]]
*[[House Manning|Manning]]
*[[House Massey|Massey]]
*[[House Pyle|Pyle]]
*[[House Rambton|Rambton]]
*[[House Rollingford|Rollingford]]
*[[House Rosby|Rosby]]
*[[House Rykker|Rykker]]
*[[House Slynt|Slynt]]
*[[House Staunton|Staunton]]
*[[House Stokeworth|Stokeworth]]
*[[House Thorne|Thorne]]
*[[House Wendwater|Wendwater]]

| group3 = Landed Knights
| list3 =
*[[House Brune of Brownhollow|Brune of Brownhollow]]
*[[House Hogg|Hogg]]
*[[House Kettleblack|Kettleblack]]
*[[House Longwaters|Longwaters]]

| group4 = [[Narrow sea|Narrow Sea]] Houses
| list4 =
*[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone|Baratheon of Dragonstone]]
*[[House Bar Emmon|Bar Emmon]]
*[[House Celtigar|Celtigar]]
*[[House Sunglass|Sunglass]]
*[[House Velaryon|Velaryon]]

| group5 = [[Crackclaw Point]] Houses
| list5 =
*[[House Boggs|Boggs]]
*[[House Brune of Brownhollow|Brune of Brownhollow]]
*[[House Brune of the Dyre Den|Brune of the Dyre Den]]
*[[House Cave|Cave]]
*[[House Crabb|Crabb]]
*[[House Hardy|Hardy]]
*[[House Pyne|Pyne]]

| group6 = Other Houses
| list6 =
*[[House Dargood|Dargood]]
*[[House Darkwood|Darkwood]]

| group7 = Exiled Houses
| list7 =
*[[House Targaryen|Targaryen]]

| group8 = Extinct Houses
| list8 =
*[[House Blackfyre|Blackfyre]]
*[[House Cargyll|Cargyll]]
*[[House Darklyn|Darklyn]]
*[[House Hollard|Hollard]]
}}
}}<noinclude>

==Usage==
Add <code>{{tl|HousesCrownlands}}</code> to region pages for easier navigation between them.
Note: you can also make it half the size similar to before by adding ''style = width:50%;''

[[Category:Houses by region templates|Crownlands]]</noinclude>

Template talk:HousesReach

2017-05-30T13:25:53Z

Benethon Stark: Created page with "== Noble and Other Houses == I apologize if this has been discussed elsewhere, but what precisely is the cutoff for a house in the Reach template to be under the noble or othe..."

== Noble and Other Houses ==
I apologize if this has been discussed elsewhere, but what precisely is the cutoff for a house in the Reach template to be under the noble or other category? I was presuming it to be principal houses sworn to Highgarden, and if so wonder if we should restructure other templates in the same fashion. [[User:Benethon Stark|Benethon Stark]] ([[User talk:Benethon Stark|talk]]) 13:25, 30 May 2017 (UTC)

Template:HousesNorth

2017-05-25T16:05:46Z

Benethon Stark:

{{Navbox
| name = HousesNorth
| state = {{{state|uncollapsed}}}
| title = Houses of the [[North]]
| bodyclass = hlist

| list1 = {{Navbox|child
| state = {{{state|uncollapsed}}}
| title = At the start of ''[[A Game of Thrones]]''
| image = [[File:House Stark.svg|100px]]
| group1 = Great House
| list1 =
*[[House Stark|Stark]]

| group2 = Noble Houses
| list2 =
*[[House Ashwood|Ashwood]]
*[[House Bole|Bole]]
*[[House Bolton|Bolton]]
*[[House Branch|Branch]]
*[[House Cassel|Cassel]]
*[[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]]
*[[House Condon|Condon]]
*[[House Dustin|Dustin]]
*[[House Flint of Flint's Finger|Flint of Flint's Finger]]
*[[House Flint of Widow's Watch|Flint of Widow's Watch]]
*[[House Forrester|Forrester]]
*[[House Glenmore|Glenmore]]
*[[House Holt (north)|Holt]]
*[[House Hornwood|Hornwood]]
*[[House Ironsmith|Ironsmith]]
*[[House Karstark|Karstark]]
*[[House Lake (north)|Lake]]
*[[House Lightfoot|Lightfoot]]
*[[House Locke|Locke]]
*[[House Long|Long]]
*[[House Manderly|Manderly]]
*[[House Marsh|Marsh]]
*[[House Mollen|Mollen]]
*[[House Mormont|Mormont]]
*[[House Moss|Moss]]
*[[House Overton|Overton]]
*[[House Poole|Poole]]
*[[House Reed|Reed]]
*[[House Ryswell|Ryswell]]
*[[House Slate|Slate]]
*[[House Stout|Stout]]
*[[House Umber|Umber]]
*[[House Waterman|Waterman]]
*[[House Wells (north)|Wells]]
*[[House Whitehill|Whitehill]]
*[[House Woods|Woods]]
*[[House Woolfield|Woolfield]]

| group3 = Masterly Houses
| list3 =
*[[House Glover|Glover]]
*[[House Tallhart|Tallhart]]

| group4 = [[Crannogmen]]
| list4 =
*[[House Blackmyre|Blackmyre]]
*[[House Boggs (north)|Boggs]]
*[[House Cray|Cray]]
*[[House Fenn|Fenn]]
*[[House Greengood|Greengood]]
*[[House Peat|Peat]]
*[[House Quagg|Quagg]]
*[[House Reed|Reed]]

| group5 = [[Northern mountain clans|Mountain Clans]]
| list5 =
*[[House Burley|Burley]]
*[[House Flint of the mountains|Flint of the mountains]]
*[[House Harclay|Harclay]]
*[[House Knott|Knott]]
*[[House Liddle|Liddle]]
*[[House Norrey|Norrey]]
*[[House Wull|Wull]]

| group6 = [[Skagos]]i Clans
| list6 =
*[[House Crowl|Crowl]]
*[[House Magnar|Magnar]]
*[[House Stane|Stane]]

| group7 = Exiled Houses
| list7 =
*[[House Blackwood|Blackwood]]

| group8 = Extinct Houses
| list8 =
*[[House Amber|Amber]]
*[[House Greenwood|Greenwood]]
*[[House Fisher of the Stony Shore|Fisher of the Stony Shore]]
*[[House Flint of Breakstone Hill|Flint of Breakstone Hill]]
*[[House Frost|Frost]]
*[[House Greystark|Greystark]]
*[[House Ryder|Ryder]]
*[[House Towers (north)|Towers]]
*[[House Woodfoot|Woodfoot]]
}}

| list2 = {{Navbox|child
| state = {{{state|collapsed}}}
| title = At the end of ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]''
| image = [[File:Bolton.png|100px]]
| group1 = Great House
| list1 =
*[[House Bolton|Bolton]]

| group2 = Noble Houses
| list2 =
*[[House Ashwood|Ashwood]]
*[[House Bole|Bole]]
*[[House Bolton of Winterfell|Bolton of Winterfell]]
*[[House Branch|Branch]]
*[[House Cassel|Cassel]]
*[[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]]
*[[House Condon|Condon]]
*[[House Dustin|Dustin]]
*[[House Flint of Flint's Finger|Flint of Flint's Finger]]
*[[House Flint of Widow's Watch|Flint of Widow's Watch]]
*[[House Forrester|Forrester]]
*[[House Glenmore|Glenmore]]
*[[House Glover|Glover]]
*[[House Holt (north)|Holt]]
*[[House Hornwood|Hornwood]]
*[[House Ironsmith|Ironsmith]]
*[[House Karstark|Karstark]]
*[[House Lake (north)|Lake]]
*[[House Lightfoot|Lightfoot]]
*[[House Locke|Locke]]
*[[House Long|Long]]
*[[House Manderly|Manderly]]
*[[House Marsh|Marsh]]
*[[House Mollen|Mollen]]
*[[House Mormont|Mormont]]
*[[House Moss|Moss]]
*[[House Overton|Overton]]
*[[House Poole|Poole]]
*[[House Redbeard|Redbeard]]
*[[House Reed|Reed]]
*[[House Ryswell|Ryswell]]
*[[House Slate|Slate]]
*[[House Stark|Stark]]
*[[House Stout|Stout]]
*[[House Tallhart|Tallhart]]
*[[House Thenn|Thenn]]
*[[House Umber|Umber]]
*[[House Waterman|Waterman]]
*[[House Wells (north)|Wells]]
*[[House Whitehill|Whitehill]]
*[[House Woods|Woods]]
*[[House Woolfield|Woolfield]]

| group3 = Masterly Houses
| list3 =
*[[House Glover|Glover]]
*[[House Tallhart|Tallhart]]

| group4 = [[Crannogmen]]
| list4 =
*[[House Blackmyre|Blackmyre]]
*[[House Boggs (north)|Boggs]]
*[[House Cray|Cray]]
*[[House Fenn|Fenn]]
*[[House Greengood|Greengood]]
*[[House Peat|Peat]]
*[[House Quagg|Quagg]]
*[[House Reed|Reed]]

| group5 = [[Northern mountain clans|Mountain Clans]]
| list5 =
*[[House Burley|Burley]]
*[[House Flint of the mountains|Flint of the mountains]]
*[[House Harclay|Harclay]]
*[[House Knott|Knott]]
*[[House Liddle|Liddle]]
*[[House Norrey|Norrey]]
*[[House Wull|Wull]]

| group6 = [[Skagos]]i Clans
| list6 =
*[[House Crowl|Crowl]]
*[[House Magnar|Magnar]]
*[[House Stane|Stane]]

| group7 = Exiled Houses
| list7 =
*[[House Blackwood|Blackwood]]

| group8 = Extinct Houses
| list8 =
*[[House Amber|Amber]]
*[[House Greenwood|Greenwood]]
*[[House Fisher of the Stony Shore|Fisher of the Stony Shore]]
*[[House Flint of Breakstone Hill|Flint of Breakstone Hill]]
*[[House Frost|Frost]]
*[[House Greystark|Greystark]]
*[[House Ryder|Ryder]]
*[[House Towers (north)|Towers]]
*[[House Woodfoot|Woodfoot]]
}}
}}<noinclude>

==Usage==
Add <code>{{tl|HousesNorth}}</code> to region pages foe easier navigation between them.
Note: you can also make it half the size similar to before by adding ''style = width:50%;''

[[Category:Houses by region templates|North]]</noinclude>

House Tallhart

2017-05-25T16:05:31Z

Benethon Stark:

{{Noble House
| House_name = House Tallhart of [[Torrhen's Square]]
| image = [[File:House_Tallhart.PNG|250px]]
| image_caption =
| Coat_of_arms = Three sentinel trees, green on brown ''(Brunâtre, three sentinel trees vert)''
| Words = ''Proud and Free''
| Seat = [[Torrhen's Square]]
| Current_Lord = [[Eddara Tallhart]]
| Region = [[North]]
| Title = Master of Torrhen's Square
| Heir = [[Brandon Tallhart]]
| Overlord = [[House Stark]] (AGOT) [[House Bolton]] (ADWD)
| Ancestral_weapon =
| Cadet_branch =
| Founded_in =
| Founder =
| Died_out =
}}

'''House Tallhart of Torrhen's Square''' is a masterly house from the [[north]] and is among the principal houses sworn to [[House Stark]].{{ref|agot|Appendix}} Ser [[Helman Tallhart]] is the Master of [[Torrhen's Square]],{{ref|AFFC|Appendix}}<ref>[[North]]ern "masters" are similar to [[southron]] [[landed knight]]s. [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/34958-the-asoiaf-wiki-thread/&do=findComment&comment=7590729 A Forum of Ice and Fire]</ref> which is located southwest of [[Winterfell]].<ref>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Map of the North|Map of the North]]</ref>

Their arms show three green [[sentinel]] trees, over a brown field.{{ref|AGOT|53}}<ref>The Citadel. Heraldry: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/Houses/2/#In the North]</ref> The words of the house do not appear in the books, but according to a semi-canon source they are «Proud and Free».<ref>The Citadel. [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/Mottoes/ House Mottoes]</ref>

==History==
According to a semi-canon source, the Tallharts descend from the [[First Men]].<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Event_Horizon_Chat Event Horizon Chat], March 18, 1999</ref>

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
After getting indications that the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] were involved in the [[catspaw|murder attempt]] on [[Bran Stark]], Lord [[Eddard Stark]] tells his wife [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] to send word to Ser [[Helman Tallhart]] and [[Galbart Glover]] to raise a hundred bowmen and fortify [[Moat Cailin]].{{ref|agot|20}}

The banners of House Tallhart are seen by Bran at [[Winterfell]] when [[Robb Stark]] calls the [[north]]ern banners.{{ref|AGOT|53}} Helman is the first to pay his respects to Catelyn when she joins Robb's army at Moat Cailin.{{ref|AGOT|55}} Helman is chosen by Robb to captain a garrison of four hundred archers and swordsmen left at the [[Twins]] to reinforce its defenses and monitor Lord [[Walder Frey]].{{ref|AGOT|59}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
[[Leobald Tallhart]] is one of the contenders for the [[Hornwood]] inheritance, being married to a sister of the late Lord [[Halys Hornwood]]. [[Benfred Tallhart]] raises a company of young men who call themselves the [[Wild Hares]] and ride through the northern countryside with rabbit skins trying to emulate the Young Wolf, King [[Robb Stark]].{{ref|ACOK|16}}

Leobald sends his nephew Benfred to deal with the raiders pillaging the [[Stony Shore]], who turn out to be [[ironborn]] led by [[Theon Greyjoy]]. Benfred is captured during the [[harrying of the Stony Shore]], however, and is drowned at sea under the supervision of [[Aeron Greyjoy]].{{ref|ACOK|37}}

Ser [[Edmure Tully]] orders Helman to leave the Twins and assist Lord [[Roose Bolton]] in taking [[fall of Harrenhal|Harrenhal]].{{ref|ACOK|39}} Lord Bolton later receives notice from Helman that he has captured [[siege of Darry|Darry]] after the Lannister garrison surrendered. Roose replies that by order of King Robb the prisoners are to be executed and the castle burned. Helman is instructed to then join [[Robett Glover]] and attack [[Duskendale]].{{ref|ACOK|64}}

After defeating the ironborn in the [[fight at Torrhen's Square]], Leobald joins Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]] to take back [[Winterfell]] from Theon's ironborn.{{ref|ACOK|56}} However, Leobald is slain in the [[battle at Winterfell]] by the [[Dreadfort]]'s garrison, his body presented to Theon as a gift by [[Ramsay Snow]].{{ref|ACOK|66}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
Helman is slain during the [[battle at Duskendale]].{{ref|ASOS|19}} Torrhen's Square is [[capture of Torrhen's Square|captured]] by [[Dagmer|Dagmer Cleftjaw]].{{ref|ASOS|76}}

Tallhart troops are slain in the [[Red Wedding]].{{ref|ADWD|46}}

Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]] sends a raven to Torrhen's Square in a plea for help to defend [[Battle of Castle Black|Castle Black]] from [[wildlings]].{{ref|ASOS|55}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
Dagmer keeps the surviving Tallhart family hostage at Torrhen's Square.{{ref|AFFC|Appendix}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
While the ironborn at [[siege of Moat Cailin|Moat Cailin]]{{ref|ADWD|20}} and [[fight by Deepwood Motte|Deepwood Motte]]{{ref|ADWD|26}} are defeated, Torrhen's Square remains held by Dagmer Cleftjaw.{{ref|ADWD|Appendix}}

Tallhart men join Roose Bolton, the new [[Warden of the North]], at [[Barrowton]] and [[Winterfell]]. However, Roose does not believe he can rely on their loyalty.{{ref|ADWD|32}}

Tallhart survivors from the [[sack of Winterfell]] rally to the side of King [[Stannis Baratheon]].{{ref|ADWD|35}}

==House Tallhart at the end of the third century==
The known Tallharts during the timespan of the events described in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' are:

* Ser {[[Helman Tallhart]]}, Master of [[Torrhen's Square]]. He is slain in the [[battle at Duskendale]].
** {[[Benfred Tallhart]]}, his son. He is slain by the [[ironmen]] on the [[harrying of the Stony Shore|Stony Shore]].
** [[Eddara Tallhart]], his daughter, a young maid. The new Lady of Torrhen's Square.
* {[[Leobald Tallhart]]}, his brother. Castellan of Torrhen's Square. Slain at [[Sack of Winterfell|Winterfell]].
** [[Brandon Tallhart]], Leobald's eldest son.
** [[Beren Tallhart]], Leobald's second son.

{{Tallhart tree}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{HousesNorth}}

[[Category:House Tallhart| ]]
[[Category:Houses from the North|Tallhart]]
[[Category:Houses of First Men origin|Tallhart]]
[[Category:Noble houses|Tallhart]]

[[es:Casa Tallhart]]
[[fr:maison Tallhart]]
[[ru:Толхарты]]
[[zh:陶哈家族]]

House Glover

2017-05-25T16:01:53Z

Benethon Stark:

{{Noble House
| House_name = House Glover of [[Deepwood Motte]]
| image = [[File:House_Glover.PNG|250px]]
| image_caption =
| Coat_of_arms = A silver fist on scarlet ''(Gules, a gauntlet argent)''
| Words =
| Seat = [[Deepwood Motte]]
| Current_Lord = [[Galbart Glover]]
| Region = [[North]]
| Title = Master of [[Deepwood Motte]]
| Heir = [[Robett Glover]]
| Overlord = [[House Stark]] (AGOT) [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]] (ADWD)
| Ancestral_weapon =
| Cadet_branch =
| Founded_in =
| Founder =
| Died_out =
}}

'''House Glover of Deepwood Motte''' is a masterly house from the [[north]] and is among the principal houses sworn to [[Winterfell]].{{ref|agot|Appendix}} [[Galbart Glover]] is the Master of [[Deepwood Motte]],{{ref|AFFC|Appendix}}<ref>[[North]]ern "masters" are similar to [[southron]] [[landed knight]]s. [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/34958-the-asoiaf-wiki-thread/&do=findComment&comment=7590729 A Forum of Ice and Fire]</ref> which is located in the northwestern [[wolfswood]].<ref>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Map of the North|Map of the North]]</ref> Houses [[House Bole|Bole]], [[House Branch|Branch]], [[House Forrester|Forrester]], and [[House Woods|Woods]] of the wolfswood are sworn to the Glovers.{{ref|aDwD|42}}

Their blazon is silver mailed fist on scarlet.{{ref|aGoT|53}}<ref>The Citadel. Heraldry: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/Houses/2/#In the North]</ref> Their words are not mentioned in the books.

==History==
The Glovers ruled as [[First Men]] kings after the [[Long Night]], but they were eventually reduced to vassals by the [[Kings of Winter]] from [[House Stark]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: The Kings of Winter}}

[[Jorah Mormont]]'s first wife, chosen by his father [[Jeor Mormont|Jeor]], was a Glover of [[Deepwood Motte]]. They were married ten years, and she died after her third miscarriage.{{ref|ACOK|12}} [[Ethan Glover]], who was [[Brandon Stark]]'s squire and went to [[King's Landing]] with him to challenge Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], was the only one of the group to survive. Ethan later [[Raid on the Tower of Joy|died]] at the [[Tower of Joy]].{{ref|AGOT|39}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
After getting indications involving the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] in the murder attempt on [[Bran Stark]], Lord [[Eddard Stark]] tells [[Catelyn Stark]] to send word to Ser [[Helman Tallhart]] and [[Galbart Glover]] to raise a hundred bowmen and fortify [[Moat Cailin]].{{ref|AGOT|20}}

Bran recognizes the mailed fist of the Glovers, silver on scarlet, among the northern banners that answer [[Robb Stark]]'s call to [[Winterfell]]. Galbart's brother, [[Robett Glover|Robett]], demands the honor of battle command with a smile and a jest.{{ref|AGOT|53}} The brothers greet Catelyn when she joins Robb's army at Moat Cailin.{{ref|AGOT|55}} When Robb split his forces at the [[Twins]], Galbart stays with him{{ref|AGOT|63}} while Robett is assigned to the army commanded by Lord [[Roose Bolton]].{{ref|ACOK|47}}

[[Tyrion Lannister]] sees the mailed fist of the Glovers on the northern army he faces in the [[battle on the Green Fork]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} Catelyn notices Galbart praying with Robb at the godswood of [[Riverrun]] after the victory at [[Battle of the Camps|the Camps]].{{ref|AGOT|71}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
The Glovers play a part of the succession of the [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]] lands, as they are fostering [[Larence Snow]], the bastard of Lord [[Halys Hornwood]]. When Robett and Galbart went south with [[Robb Stark]], they left Robett's wife, [[Sybelle Glover]], in charge of Deepwood Motte. When the castle's steward comes to Winterfell for the [[harvest feast]], Bran realizes it is the steward, not Lady Glover, who is making the decisions at Deepwood.{{ref|ACOK|16}} Glover men play [[:w:bladder pipe|bladder]] and [[:w:harp|woodharp]] during the feast.{{ref|ACOK|21}}

During Robb's campaign in the [[westerlands]], Galbart and Lord [[Rickard Karstark]] raid along the coast of the [[Sunset Sea]] after the [[Battle of Oxcross]].{{ref|ACOK|39}} Robett is held prisoner at [[Harrenhal]], reportedly having been made prisoner of the [[Brave Companions]]. In fact, the northmen and sellswords [[fall of Harrenhal|conspire to take]] the massive castle.{{ref|ACOK|47}} Robett is one of the northern commanders told to strike [[Duskendale]] by [[Roose Bolton]], reporting supposed orders from Robb, [[King in the North]].{{ref|ACOK|64}}

During the [[ironborn]] invasion of the north, [[Asha Greyjoy]] [[taking of Deepwood Motte|takes Deepwood Motte]] with her forces and holds Sybelle and her children as hostages.{{ref|ACOK|56}} [[Theon Greyjoy]] notices that no Glovers are part of the army commanded by Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]] that gathers at Winterfell to expel the ironborn, due to the fact that their castle is occupied by his sister, Asha.{{ref|ACOK|66}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
Robett Glover survives the [[battle at Duskendale]] and leads the survivors in retreat, only to meet Ser [[Gregor Clegane]], who is waiting for them on the [[kingsroad]].{{ref|ASOS|19}} He is taken prisoner. King Robb arranges an agreement with Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] to exchange young [[Martyn Lannister]] for Robett, who is put on a ship at Duskendale.{{ref|ASOS|35}}

During Robb's trip to the Twins for [[Edmure Tully]]'s marriage to [[Roslin Frey]], Galbart Glover takes Ser [[Brynden Tully]]'s place as the commander of scouts and outriders. He is regarded by Catelyn Stark as a good man, loyal and steady, but without her uncle Brynden's brilliance. In preparation for his campaign against the ironborn-held [[Moat Cailin]], Robb commands Lady [[Maege Mormont]] and Galbart to sail on [[House Mallister|Mallister]] longships through the marshes of the [[Neck]] to seek out Lord [[Howland Reed]].{{ref|ASOS|45}} Robb is later murdered in the [[Red Wedding]] at the Twins, however.{{ref|ASOS|51}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
Asha treats Sybelle well while she is held at Deepwood Motte. Sybelle tells Asha that Galbart would talk with her, and that the northmen would agree to exchange Deepwood Motte, [[Torrhen's Square]], and Moat Cailin for [[Sea Dragon Point]] and the [[Stony Shore]].{{Ref|aFfC|18}} Asha takes Lady Glover and her children with her to [[Harlaw]]. During the voyage, Sybelle's milk dries up and they have to feed little [[Erena Glover|Erena]] with milk from a goat found ashore. Erena is sick when they arrive at Harlaw.{{ref|AFFC|11}}

[[Brienne of Tarth]] spots the badge of House Glover among those that have been collected from the dead around Duskendale.{{Ref|aFfC|9}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[Stannis Baratheon]] [[fight by Deepwood Motte|retakes Deepwood Motte]] from the [[ironborn]] and captures Asha.{{ref|ADWD|26}} Lady Sybelle Glover declares for Stannis and sends clansmen sworn to Deepwood Motte with Stannis during his [[march on Winterfell]], which is held by Lord [[Roose Bolton]], the new [[Warden of the North]].{{ref|ADWD|42}}

Robett tries to gather men at [[White Harbor]] without much success.{{ref|ADWD|15}} He and Lord [[Wyman Manderly]] ask Lord [[Davos Seaworth]] to use his smuggler skills to retrieve [[Rickon Stark]].{{ref|ADWD|29}}

==House Glover at the end of the third century==
The known Glovers during the timespan of the events described in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' are:

* [[Galbart Glover]], Master of [[Deepwood Motte]].
* [[Robett Glover]], his brother and heir.{{ref|AFFC|Appendix}}{{ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
** [[Sybelle Glover]], Robett's wife from [[House Locke]].
*** [[Gawen Glover]], Robett's son, a young boy and an heir to Deepwood Motte.{{ref|ACOK|Appendix}}{{ref|ASOS|Appendix}}
*** [[Erena Glover]], Robett's newborn daughter.

With unspecified familiar relationship to the main branch there were also:

* {[[Ethan Glover]]}, who had been [[Brandon Stark]]'s squire. He [[Raid on the Tower of Joy|died]] at the end of [[Robert's Rebellion]] fighting alongside [[Eddard Stark]] at the [[Tower of Joy]].
* The first wife of [[Jorah Mormont]]; died after her third miscarriage.

{{Glover tree}}

===Household===
* [[Larence Snow]], the bastard of [[House Hornwood|Hornwood]], is fostered at Deepwood Motte.

==Historical Members==
* Lady [[Gilliane Glover]], married Lord [[Rickon Stark (son of Benjen)|Rickon Stark]], Lord of [[Winterfell]], and mother of Lord [[Cregan Stark]].{{ref|twoiaf| Appendix: Stark Lineage}}
* Lady [[Lyanne Glover]], married to Lord [[Willam Stark]], Lord of [[Winterfell]], and mother of [[Brandon Stark (son of Willam)|Brandon Stark]].{{ref|twoiaf| Appendix: Stark Lineage}}

==Sworn Houses==
*[[House Bole]]{{ref|aDwD|26}}
*[[House Branch]]{{ref|aDwD|26}}
*[[House Forrester]]{{ref|aDwD|26}}
*[[House Woods]]{{ref|aDwD|26}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|3}}

{{HousesNorth}}

[[Category:House Glover| ]]
[[Category:Houses from the North|Glover]]
[[Category:Houses of First Men origin|Glover]]
[[Category:Noble houses|Glover]]

[[fr:maison Glover]]
[[es:Casa Glover]]
[[pt:Casa Glover]]
[[ru:Гловеры]]
[[zh:葛洛佛家族]]

Template:HousesNorth

2017-05-25T15:53:45Z

Benethon Stark: GRRM and Ran confirmed Masterly houses exist, "wolfswood clans" are speculation.

{{Navbox
| name = HousesNorth
| state = {{{state|uncollapsed}}}
| title = Houses of the [[North]]
| bodyclass = hlist

| list1 = {{Navbox|child
| state = {{{state|uncollapsed}}}
| title = At the start of ''[[A Game of Thrones]]''
| image = [[File:House Stark.svg|100px]]
| group1 = Great House
| list1 =
*[[House Stark|Stark]]

| group2 = Noble Houses
| list2 =
*[[House Ashwood|Ashwood]]
*[[House Bole|Bole]]
*[[House Bolton|Bolton]]
*[[House Branch|Branch]]
*[[House Cassel|Cassel]]
*[[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]]
*[[House Condon|Condon]]
*[[House Dustin|Dustin]]
*[[House Flint of Flint's Finger|Flint of Flint's Finger]]
*[[House Flint of Widow's Watch|Flint of Widow's Watch]]
*[[House Forrester|Forrester]]
*[[House Glenmore|Glenmore]]
*[[House Holt (north)|Holt]]
*[[House Hornwood|Hornwood]]
*[[House Ironsmith|Ironsmith]]
*[[House Karstark|Karstark]]
*[[House Lake (north)|Lake]]
*[[House Lightfoot|Lightfoot]]
*[[House Locke|Locke]]
*[[House Long|Long]]
*[[House Manderly|Manderly]]
*[[House Marsh|Marsh]]
*[[House Mollen|Mollen]]
*[[House Mormont|Mormont]]
*[[House Moss|Moss]]
*[[House Overton|Overton]]
*[[House Poole|Poole]]
*[[House Reed|Reed]]
*[[House Ryswell|Ryswell]]
*[[House Slate|Slate]]
*[[House Stout|Stout]]
*[[House Umber|Umber]]
*[[House Waterman|Waterman]]
*[[House Wells (north)|Wells]]
*[[House Whitehill|Whitehill]]
*[[House Woods|Woods]]
*[[House Woolfield|Woolfield]]

| group3 = Masterly Houses
| list3 =
*[[House Glover|Glover]]
*[[House Tallhart|Tallhart]]

| group4 = [[Crannogmen]]
| list4 =
*[[House Blackmyre|Blackmyre]]
*[[House Boggs (north)|Boggs]]
*[[House Cray|Cray]]
*[[House Fenn|Fenn]]
*[[House Greengood|Greengood]]
*[[House Peat|Peat]]
*[[House Quagg|Quagg]]
*[[House Reed|Reed]]

| group5 = [[Northern mountain clans|Mountain Clans]]
| list5 =
*[[House Burley|Burley]]
*[[House Flint of the mountains|Flint of the mountains]]
*[[House Harclay|Harclay]]
*[[House Knott|Knott]]
*[[House Liddle|Liddle]]
*[[House Norrey|Norrey]]
*[[House Wull|Wull]]

| group6 = [[Skagos]]i Clans
| list6 =
*[[House Crowl|Crowl]]
*[[House Magnar|Magnar]]
*[[House Stane|Stane]]

| group7 = Exiled Houses
| list7 =
*[[House Blackwood|Blackwood]]

| group8 = Extinct Houses
| list8 =
*[[House Amber|Amber]]
*[[House Greenwood|Greenwood]]
*[[House Fisher of the Stony Shore|Fisher of the Stony Shore]]
*[[House Flint of Breakstone Hill|Flint of Breakstone Hill]]
*[[House Frost|Frost]]
*[[House Greystark|Greystark]]
*[[House Ryder|Ryder]]
*[[House Towers (north)|Towers]]
*[[House Woodfoot|Woodfoot]]
}}

| list2 = {{Navbox|child
| state = {{{state|collapsed}}}
| title = At the end of ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]''
| image = [[File:Bolton.png|100px]]
| group1 = Great House
| list1 =
*[[House Bolton|Bolton]]

| group2 = Noble Houses
| list2 =
*[[House Ashwood|Ashwood]]
*[[House Bolton of Winterfell|Bolton of Winterfell]]
*[[House Cassel|Cassel]]
*[[House Cerwyn|Cerwyn]]
*[[House Condon|Condon]]
*[[House Dustin|Dustin]]
*[[House Flint of Flint's Finger|Flint of Flint's Finger]]
*[[House Flint of Widow's Watch|Flint of Widow's Watch]]
*[[House Glenmore|Glenmore]]
*[[House Glover|Glover]]
*[[House Holt (north)|Holt]]
*[[House Hornwood|Hornwood]]
*[[House Ironsmith|Ironsmith]]
*[[House Karstark|Karstark]]
*[[House Lake (north)|Lake]]
*[[House Lightfoot|Lightfoot]]
*[[House Locke|Locke]]
*[[House Long|Long]]
*[[House Manderly|Manderly]]
*[[House Marsh|Marsh]]
*[[House Mollen|Mollen]]
*[[House Mormont|Mormont]]
*[[House Moss|Moss]]
*[[House Overton|Overton]]
*[[House Poole|Poole]]
*[[House Redbeard|Redbeard]]
*[[House Reed|Reed]]
*[[House Ryswell|Ryswell]]
*[[House Slate|Slate]]
*[[House Stark|Stark]]
*[[House Stout|Stout]]
*[[House Tallhart|Tallhart]]
*[[House Thenn|Thenn]]
*[[House Umber|Umber]]
*[[House Waterman|Waterman]]
*[[House Wells (north)|Wells]]
*[[House Whitehill|Whitehill]]
*[[House Woolfield|Woolfield]]

| group3 = [[Crannogmen]]
| list3 =
*[[House Blackmyre|Blackmyre]]
*[[House Boggs (north)|Boggs]]
*[[House Cray|Cray]]
*[[House Fenn|Fenn]]
*[[House Greengood|Greengood]]
*[[House Peat|Peat]]
*[[House Quagg|Quagg]]
*[[House Reed|Reed]]

| group4 = [[Northern mountain clans|Mountain Clans]]
| list4 =
*[[House Burley|Burley]]
*[[House Flint of the mountains|Flint of the mountains]]
*[[House Harclay|Harclay]]
*[[House Knott|Knott]]
*[[House Liddle|Liddle]]
*[[House Norrey|Norrey]]
*[[House Wull|Wull]]

| group5 = [[Wolfswood]] Clans
| list5 =
*[[House Bole|Bole]]
*[[House Branch|Branch]]
*[[House Forrester|Forrester]]
*[[House Woods|Woods]]

| group6 = [[Skagos]]i Clans
| list6 =
*[[House Crowl|Crowl]]
*[[House Magnar|Magnar]]
*[[House Stane|Stane]]

| group7 = Exiled Houses
| list7 =
*[[House Blackwood|Blackwood]]

| group8 = Extinct Houses
| list8 =
*[[House Amber|Amber]]
*[[House Greenwood|Greenwood]]
*[[House Fisher of the Stony Shore|Fisher of the Stony Shore]]
*[[House Flint of Breakstone Hill|Flint of Breakstone Hill]]
*[[House Frost|Frost]]
*[[House Greystark|Greystark]]
*[[House Ryder|Ryder]]
*[[House Towers (north)|Towers]]
*[[House Woodfoot|Woodfoot]]
}}
}}<noinclude>

==Usage==
Add <code>{{tl|HousesNorth}}</code> to region pages foe easier navigation between them.
Note: you can also make it half the size similar to before by adding ''style = width:50%;''

[[Category:Houses by region templates|North]]</noinclude>

Template talk:HousesNorth

2017-05-25T15:23:11Z

Benethon Stark: /* House types */

I was wonder if a new section should be added with the Info Reek II, gives us of several (minor houses) peoples in The Neck, "Fenn and Reed, Peat and Boggs, Cray and Quagg, Greengood and Blackmyre.

== House Stark ==

'House Stark' an Exiled house? If it was an exiled house the Boltons wouldnt try to marry into it, no? Even though the Iron throne put the boltons as the wardens of the North, maybe we should put them with stark as the ruling houses, with a little (contested) label? --[[User:Mordin999|Mor]] 15:30, 3 May 2012 (UTC)

==House Hornwood's status==
As no legitimate members of House Hornwood exists anymore, House Hornwood is extinct (in the male line). Though Larence Snow, a Hornwood bastard, is still alive, he won't count as a member of House Hornwood until he is legitimised. Should that never happen, House Hornwood will remain extinct.
Does everybody agree with that? Or are there reasons as to why House Hornwood cannot be considered extinct?--[[User:Rhaenys_Targaryen|Rhaenys_Targaryen]] 10:51, 6 September 2014 (UTC)

I disagree, though he does not bare the name, he has the male blood whereas the male line is still alive. Don't you think that, in order to win the support of the north, Tommen will legitimize Larence?--[[User:DavosSeaworth3101|DavosSeaworth3101]] 16:27, 6 September 2014 (UTC)

:I can't say what Tommen will do. Personally, I doubt that Larence will be legitimized by the Baratheon/Lannister rule, as legitimizing without giving him a seat (no matter which seat), is useless, and giving a legitimized Larence Hornwood would mean that the Lannisters will need to take Hornwood from House Bolton. Don't forget that Ramsay can count Lord of Hornwood amongst his titles.
:Until Larence is legitimized, House Hornwood no longer exists. And when a house doesn't exist, it is extinc.
:Also wondering, why you placed an example file in the subtitle of the discussion? As it disrupted the layout of the page, I deleted it.--[[User:Rhaenys_Targaryen|Rhaenys_Targaryen]] 17:29, 6 September 2014 (UTC)

Roose will move into Winterfell to rule the North do you think Ramsay, is going to let up ALL of House Hornwoods lands? And what would Ramsay care about one houses' land when one day he'll rule the entire north? Plus giving to the fact House Bolton's lands are bigger than Hornwood's which do you think Ramsay would rather have?--[[User:DavosSeaworth3101|DavosSeaworth3101]] 19:14, 6 September 2014 (UTC)

:It's not about "what do I think", it's about "what is written". An example: we learn that House Blackfyre is extinct in the male line. That means, that even though there might be people around with some Blackfyre blood in them, the '''House''' is extinct. The same currently goes for House Hornwood.
:Currently, House Bolton has control over the lands around the Dreadfort, the lands around Winterfell, and the Hornwood lands. Once Roose or Ramsay have sons, those sons can inherit those lands, keeping all three firlmy in control of House Bolton.
:Look at it another way. Why would anyone legitimize Larence and give him the Hornwood lands? That will have no political advantage. In fact, it will mean giving the lands to someone who was raised in another castle, and thus has a loyalty to another house (in this case, House Glover). As the Glovers cannot be trusted upon completely, why entrust lands to their friend?
:In any case, what might happen in the future is not the issue here. The issue is the current state, and that is that there is no House Hornwood anymore.--[[User:Rhaenys_Targaryen|Rhaenys_Targaryen]] 20:32, 6 September 2014 (UTC)

::I agree on the house being extinct. Fact is there are no known living male members of the house (not counting the bastard Larence Snow). There is no one to carry the name. That means the house is extinct in the male line. It is however extant in the female line as Lady Berena Tallhart néé Hornwoord still lives. [[User:Dade|Dade]] 19:04, 7 September 2014 (UTC)

:::My statements were based on the statement that there were no people named Hornwood left alive. With the statement made yesterday by another user that Berena Hornwood is still alive, I'd say that until Berena's death, the house still exists. After she has died, the house is indeed extinct (as no one alive is called "Hornwood"). Larence can only continue the house if he is legitimized, but should Berena die in, for example, chapter 2 of Winds, and Larence is still a bastard, the house, as of that moment, will be extinct.--[[User:Rhaenys_Targaryen|Rhaenys_Targaryen]] 20:04, 7 September 2014 (UTC)

== House types ==

I've noticed the previous "masterly" house category was dropped, yet the houses sworn to Glover are now listed as clans purely off the opinion of Asha (who isn't even a northerner).

I wonder if we're going to go with the latter why we should eliminate the former when it is of note that two houses are led by masters instead of lords.
[http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/34958-the-asoiaf-wiki-thread/&do=findComment&comment=7590729]
I did check the wiki thread on the forum, which the editor mentioned, and can't find any consensus about wolfswood clans or dropping the masterly houses GRRM so pointedly created, so the current edit strikes me as original research not appropriate for the wiki. Having reviewed the Asha chapter in question, it's literally just her making an observation on the surnames of the trackers and hunters provided. Nothing definite on their culture or bearing. I'll leave up Asha's opinions of them on their respective house pages, but I'm questioning the use of "wolfswood clans" entirely now.

[[User:Benethon Stark|Benethon Stark]] ([[User talk:Benethon Stark|talk]]) 14:56, 25 May 2017 (UTC)

Template talk:HousesNorth

2017-05-25T14:56:23Z

Benethon Stark: /* House types */ new section

I was wonder if a new section should be added with the Info Reek II, gives us of several (minor houses) peoples in The Neck, "Fenn and Reed, Peat and Boggs, Cray and Quagg, Greengood and Blackmyre.

== House Stark ==

'House Stark' an Exiled house? If it was an exiled house the Boltons wouldnt try to marry into it, no? Even though the Iron throne put the boltons as the wardens of the North, maybe we should put them with stark as the ruling houses, with a little (contested) label? --[[User:Mordin999|Mor]] 15:30, 3 May 2012 (UTC)

==House Hornwood's status==
As no legitimate members of House Hornwood exists anymore, House Hornwood is extinct (in the male line). Though Larence Snow, a Hornwood bastard, is still alive, he won't count as a member of House Hornwood until he is legitimised. Should that never happen, House Hornwood will remain extinct.
Does everybody agree with that? Or are there reasons as to why House Hornwood cannot be considered extinct?--[[User:Rhaenys_Targaryen|Rhaenys_Targaryen]] 10:51, 6 September 2014 (UTC)

I disagree, though he does not bare the name, he has the male blood whereas the male line is still alive. Don't you think that, in order to win the support of the north, Tommen will legitimize Larence?--[[User:DavosSeaworth3101|DavosSeaworth3101]] 16:27, 6 September 2014 (UTC)

:I can't say what Tommen will do. Personally, I doubt that Larence will be legitimized by the Baratheon/Lannister rule, as legitimizing without giving him a seat (no matter which seat), is useless, and giving a legitimized Larence Hornwood would mean that the Lannisters will need to take Hornwood from House Bolton. Don't forget that Ramsay can count Lord of Hornwood amongst his titles.
:Until Larence is legitimized, House Hornwood no longer exists. And when a house doesn't exist, it is extinc.
:Also wondering, why you placed an example file in the subtitle of the discussion? As it disrupted the layout of the page, I deleted it.--[[User:Rhaenys_Targaryen|Rhaenys_Targaryen]] 17:29, 6 September 2014 (UTC)

Roose will move into Winterfell to rule the North do you think Ramsay, is going to let up ALL of House Hornwoods lands? And what would Ramsay care about one houses' land when one day he'll rule the entire north? Plus giving to the fact House Bolton's lands are bigger than Hornwood's which do you think Ramsay would rather have?--[[User:DavosSeaworth3101|DavosSeaworth3101]] 19:14, 6 September 2014 (UTC)

:It's not about "what do I think", it's about "what is written". An example: we learn that House Blackfyre is extinct in the male line. That means, that even though there might be people around with some Blackfyre blood in them, the '''House''' is extinct. The same currently goes for House Hornwood.
:Currently, House Bolton has control over the lands around the Dreadfort, the lands around Winterfell, and the Hornwood lands. Once Roose or Ramsay have sons, those sons can inherit those lands, keeping all three firlmy in control of House Bolton.
:Look at it another way. Why would anyone legitimize Larence and give him the Hornwood lands? That will have no political advantage. In fact, it will mean giving the lands to someone who was raised in another castle, and thus has a loyalty to another house (in this case, House Glover). As the Glovers cannot be trusted upon completely, why entrust lands to their friend?
:In any case, what might happen in the future is not the issue here. The issue is the current state, and that is that there is no House Hornwood anymore.--[[User:Rhaenys_Targaryen|Rhaenys_Targaryen]] 20:32, 6 September 2014 (UTC)

::I agree on the house being extinct. Fact is there are no known living male members of the house (not counting the bastard Larence Snow). There is no one to carry the name. That means the house is extinct in the male line. It is however extant in the female line as Lady Berena Tallhart néé Hornwoord still lives. [[User:Dade|Dade]] 19:04, 7 September 2014 (UTC)

:::My statements were based on the statement that there were no people named Hornwood left alive. With the statement made yesterday by another user that Berena Hornwood is still alive, I'd say that until Berena's death, the house still exists. After she has died, the house is indeed extinct (as no one alive is called "Hornwood"). Larence can only continue the house if he is legitimized, but should Berena die in, for example, chapter 2 of Winds, and Larence is still a bastard, the house, as of that moment, will be extinct.--[[User:Rhaenys_Targaryen|Rhaenys_Targaryen]] 20:04, 7 September 2014 (UTC)

== House types ==

I've noticed the previous "masterly" house category was dropped, yet the houses sworn to Glover are now listed as clans purely off the opinion of Asha (who isn't even a northerner).

I wonder if we're going to go with the latter why we should eliminate the former when it is of note that two houses are led by masters instead of lords.
[http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/34958-the-asoiaf-wiki-thread/&do=findComment&comment=7590729]
I did check the wiki thread on the forum, which the editor mentioned, and can't find any consensus about wolfswood clans or dropping the masterly houses GRRM so pointedly created, so the current edit strikes me as original research not appropriate for the wiki. I'll refrain from editing it for now because I'd at least like to open a discussion.

[[User:Benethon Stark|Benethon Stark]] ([[User talk:Benethon Stark|talk]]) 14:56, 25 May 2017 (UTC)

Talk:Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)

2013-03-10T23:14:23Z

Benethon Stark: /* Fact vs Unconfirmed */

i tried to flesh out the article, as we have references to Aegon from many different characters across five books. The hard part is to determine who claims what. If I have missed something important, please point it out. --[[User:Dimadick|Dimadick]] 17:09, 31 July 2012 (UTC)

Yikes, this article has spiraled way out of control. I'm not sure it's necessary to include every minute reference to or conjecture about the character. The grammar and syntax need some clean up too. I'd be happy to help but I think a lot of trimming needs to be done. --[[User:Citizen_snips|Citizen_snips]] 02:41, 5 August 2012 (UTC)

The articles are supposed to include the known information about characters. The forum already includes several discussions were readers were unable to recall the necessary information on the character, and I think it was about time the article helped out with that.

What conjecture? Currently the article consists of information from the novels, and excludes theories on this character. Someone else can cover these theories.

I will see what I can I do about correcting my own grammar. --[[User:Dimadick|Dimadick]] 08:04, 5 August 2012 (UTC)

==Fact vs Unconfirmed==

I feel the article should continue to demonstrate that Aegon's current status is an unconfirmed situation. Namely that no proof has been provided that Young Griff is actually Aegon, an undoubtedly his origin and fate will be further expanded on. Thus, until it is resolved, the article should reflect that ambiguous situation (which is already does technically, but Roxy insists on editing just one aspect of it for some unknown reason). For example, the alias, the main picture used, etc, was challenged before and have remained. Roxy has not bothered to edit those.

Roxy, if you disagree please provide adequate reason before editing. Let's hash out why it is 100% confirmed this is Aegon and the article should reflect that and only that. If you do not possess 100% proof that Varys and Illyrio and their pet Blackfyre army are not part of some game of thrones, perhaps you should drop this and stop vandalizing the article every few weeks. [[User:Benethon Stark|Benethon Stark]] 22:00, 10 March 2013 (UTC)
:Let's start with assuming that all edits are made in [[w:Wikipedia:Assume good faith|good faith]]: the wish to improve the wiki. Difference of opinion are just that and should not be seen as malice. But it is clear that in discussions we need to come up with arguments.[[User:Scafloc|Scafloc]] 22:33, 10 March 2013 (UTC)
::Fair enough. My argument is stated though: there is not enough data to conclusively state either way, and therefore the article should reflect that.
If the previous edits had been made to improve the wiki, they would have been consistent with the stance taken and involved other edits. [[User:Benethon Stark|Benethon Stark]] 23:14, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

Asha Greyjoy

2013-03-10T23:11:42Z

Benethon Stark: Switched pictures to fit with other Greyjoy character articles, and added a picture from the TV series

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[file:Greyjoy coat sigil.png|50px|left]] '''Asha Greyjoy''' [[file:Greyjoy coat sigil.png|50px|right]]
| image = [[File:Asha Greyjoy.jpg|thumb|250px|Asha Greyjoy by Amoka©]]
| image_caption = Illustration by Amoka©
| Alias = Esgred 
The Kraken's Daughter
| Title = Captain of the ''Black Wind''
Conqueror of Deepwood Motte
| Allegiance = [[House Greyjoy]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Ironborn]]
| Spouse = [[Erik|Erik Anvilbreaker]]
| Place_of_Birth = [[Pyke]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|276}}<ref>Theon claims she is three years older than him.</ref>
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = [[A Clash of Kings]] (Appears) [[A Feast for Crows]] (POV) [[A Dance with Dragons]] (POV) [[The Winds of Winter]] (Appears)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played_by = [[w:Gemma Whelan|Gemma Whelan]]
| TV_series = second season
}}

'''Asha Greyjoy''' is the daughter of [[Balon Greyjoy]] and his wife, [[Alannys Harlaw|Alannys]]. She is fierce and proud, and defies traditional [[ironborn]] gender roles by commanding her own ship, the ''[[Black Wind]]'', and leading men into battle. In the TV series she is named Yara Greyjoy to avoid confusion with the [[wildling]] [[Osha]] and is played by [[w:Gemma Whelan|Gemma Whelan]].

==Appearance and Character==
‎[[File:Asha greyjoy by daenerys mod.jpg |Asha Greyjoy - Illustration by Elia Fernandez© |thumb|250px|left]]
Asha is lean and long-legged, with short black hair and a sharp nose in a thin face.{{Ref|aCoK|24}}

==History==
Asha was fairly unattractive in her youth. After [[Theon Greyjoy|Theon]]'s departure for [[Winterfell]] to be [[Eddard Stark]]'s hostage and ward, Asha became Balon's only remaining child in [[Pyke]]. Asha grew into an attractive and bold young woman, and Balon effectively raised her as his heir. She lost her virtue at age 16 to a sailor from [[Lys]].{{Ref|aFfC|11}}

==Recent Events==
===A Clash of Kings===
Upon [[Theon Greyjoy|Theon]]'s return, Asha is reported to be on [[Great Wyk]] taking messages for her father. Asha passes herself off as Esgred, a shipwright's wife, and flirts with Theon to learn his nature. Theon's naive arrogance amuses her, but Theon grows angry at Asha's deception and her position. At a feast that night, Asha takes the place of honor beside [[Balon Greyjoy|Balon]], making Theon feel cheated. When he confronts her again about her deception, she claims that she did in fact have a husband, hefting an axe, as well as a suckling babe, retrieving a dagger from between her breasts.{{Ref|aCoK|24}}

For her part in Balon's invasion of the [[North]], Asha commands thirty longships and conquers [[Deepwood Motte]].{{Ref|aCoK|24}} She visits Theon after he takes [[Winterfell]], but refuses to stay and help him defend the castle.{{Ref|aCoK|56}}

===A Feast for Crows===
She returns to the isles after Balon's death to claim the [[Seastone Chair]].{{Ref|aFfC|11}}{{Ref|aFfC|18}} With the proposal to make peace with the mainland in exchange for land, she achieves a surprising amount of support at the [[Kingsmoot]], but the crowd ultimately favors [[Euron Greyjoy|Euron]]. She departs again shortly thereafter, her plans unclear.{{Ref|aFfC|19}}

===A Dance with Dragons===
[[File:Yara.jpg|thumb|350px|Gemma Whelan as Yara, the TV series adaption of Asha]]

Asha returns to [[Deepwood Motte]] following the [[Kingsmoot]]. She learns that her uncle [[Euron Greyjoy|Euron]] has married her to [[Erik|Erik Anvilbreaker]] while she fled using a seal to represent her at the wedding. Asha curses this but admires Eurons cunning, this move prevents Asha from offering a marriage to another Lord and winning his support. There the [[ironmen]] dwindle and begin to starve before being overtaken by King [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]]’s army in an attempt to flee back to their ships.<ref>[[A Dance with Dragons]], [[The Wayward Bride (A Dance with Dragons)|Chapter 26 - The Wayward Bride]]</ref> Asha is taken captive and continues with Stannis’s host toward [[Winterfell]]. A snow storm sets in during their march, however, and the army slows to a halt approximately three days ride from Winterfell, with few provisions left.<ref>[[A Dance with Dragons]], [[The King's Prize (A Dance with Dragons)|Chapter 42 - The King’s Prize]]</ref> Many of Stannis’s men call for Asha to be sacrificed to [[R'hllor]] in an attempt to thwart the snows. It is there, freezing and starving, that they are met by [[Tycho Nestoris]] of the [[Iron Bank of Braavos]] and [[Theon Greyjoy|Theon]], escaped from Winterfell. With this meeting, the siblings roles are reversed, with Theon recognizing Asha and Asha not recognizing Theon.<ref>[[A Dance with Dragons]], [[The Sacrifice (A Dance with Dragons)|Chapter 62 - The Sacrifice]]</ref>

===The Winds of Winter===
Asha is distressed when she sees what [[Ramsay Bolton]] did to her brother. She is later brought before Stannis while Theon is chained nearby in the room. She tries to offer a ransom for him but Stannis refuses, stating Theon must die for what he did to [[Eddard Stark]]'s sons or Stannis's Northern allies would abandon him. Asha, seeing Stannis won't relent, urges him then to kill Theon by beheading him personally as Eddard Stark would have done before a heart tree (the old way in the North).

Asha probably made this suggestion to at least spare her brother the pain of being burned alive when beheading is cleaner and quicker.<ref>[http://georgerrmartin.com/if-sample.html ''The Winds of Winter'', Theon's sample chapter], made available on GRRM's website as of Dec 28th, 2011</ref>

==Asha's crew of [[Black Wind]]==
* [[Grimtongue]]
* [[Rogon Rustbeard]]
* [[Rolfe The Dwarf]]
* [[Lorren Longaxe]]
* [[Rook]]
* [[Fingers (Ironman)|Fingers]]
* [[Harl|Six-toed Harl]]
* [[Droopeye Dale]]
* [[Eerl Harlaw]]
* [[Cromm]]
* [[Hagen|Hagen the horn]]
* Hagens beautiful red-haired daughter

==Family==
{{Greyjoy tree|3}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}
{{EnWP|House Greyjoy|small=yes}}

{{Template:POV Characters}}
[[Category:Noblewomen|Greyjoy, Asha]]
[[Category:Characters from the Iron Islands|Greyjoy, Asha]]
[[Category:House Greyjoy]]
[[Category:POV characters|Greyjoy, Asha]]
[[fr:Asha Greyjoy]][[es:Asha Greyjoy]][[ru:Аша Грейджой]]
[[Zh:阿莎·葛雷乔伊]][[zh:阿莎·葛雷乔伊]]

File:Yara.jpg

2013-03-10T23:05:24Z

Benethon Stark: Gemma Whelan as Yara Greyjoy

== Summary ==
Gemma Whelan as Yara Greyjoy
== Licensing ==
{{artist PD}}

Talk:Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)

2013-03-10T22:00:44Z

Benethon Stark:

User talk:Benethon Stark

2013-03-10T21:53:02Z

Benethon Stark: /* Aegon Targaryen edits */

{{Welcome|MyUserName=LuisDantas}}
i noticed you deleted the template "Consorts of Westeros" with no explanation offered. Could you point out why? --[[User:Dimadick|Dimadick]] 16:43, 20 August 2012 (UTC)

* Oh, I must've mislaid the explanation. It is an irrelevant template. The necessary articles offer up details such as consorts, pets, ships, personal weapons, etc. We needn't a template for every minute detail. -- [[User:Benethon Stark|Benethon Stark]] 16:55, 20 August 2012 (UTC)

*How is it irrelevant? These are major characters and I don't see any "necessary article" covering them. --[[User:Dimadick|Dimadick]] 17:12, 20 August 2012 (UTC)

** We don't need a template for every person a royal has fucked. The necessary articles are the ones for the characters themselves. Can you explain why we need a royal consort template at all? -- [[User:Benethon Stark|Benethon Stark]] 17:14, 20 August 2012 (UTC)

***First, this isn't a list of list of sexual history. This is a list of wives and royal mistresses who actually had a position at court or a child acknowledged by a monarch. With as many discussions of Targaryens and/or royalty in the forums, I was surprised at the lack of a relevant article. Second, navigation templates are supposed to help people locate the relevant articles. They do not replace the individual pages.

And I can easily explain that we need a way to easily locate and navigate between the relevant articles. Or else we would not have templates such as 'Houses North" or 'Houses Dorne".

Third, note how the relevant list in "A Song of Ice and fire wiki" helps readers locate kings and consorts in a single page: http://iceandfire.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_Kings_of_Westeros

I hardly thinks this a matter of trivia. --[[User:Dimadick|Dimadick]] 17:35, 20 August 2012 (UTC)

** The list isn't important enough to be separate from the characters themselves. I scarcely think consorts are as researched here as Houses or Kings. Just create a Category and tag them consorts in it. A template is unnecessary. --[[User:Benethon Stark|Benethon Stark]] 18:19, 21 August 2012 (UTC)
:::If I may interfere, I would like to add my thoughts to the discussion. First of all it is against our customs to delete a page without discussion. The only cases where this does not matter are typos in name of uploads gone wrong and deleted by the same person. This is an important thing to stress. As the wiki is made by all of us is not strange that differences of opionion occur. These are best handled by discussion. Therefore if you think an article, list or template is irrelevant, suggest this on the talk page and wait for possible reaction before doeting it. Of course you can also start a forum discussion about it. This may help to force a decision.
:::On the subject of the template: there are two things to consider:
::::Is the the information relevant? We can be short on that. If each person that is mentioned in the books is relevant enough for a separate page (this is our current policy) then who the consort of a king or queen is, is certainly relevant.
::::Is the form in which this information is put the best one? For this we have to think how the readers would like to navigate through the wiki. For our POV characters it is clear that readers when reading the article about a POV will like to switch to another POV. For kings it is easy to imagine that readers would like to navigate through them. Especially between the kings that fought the [[War of the Five Kings]]. For their consorts if the are not rulers is their own right it is less clear. Would a reader want to navigate, say from [[Jeyne Westerling]] to [[Alannys Harlaw]]? I do not think so. However it does not bother my very much provided that we do not go from consorts to mistresses, children and so on. Also there is the precedent that on Wikipedia booth lists and template are used. See [[w:Template:British consort]] and [[w:List_of_British_consorts]]. So I am ok with it. However if more opinions are needed By all means start a discussion on the forum. [[User:Scafloc|Scafloc]] 22:51, 21 August 2012 (UTC)
** Good points, I hope you'll forgive my breach of guest right- err, customs.
The consort template as it stood leaned more to your latter example of what we want to steer clear of, mistresses and the like. Perhaps if Wiki does something, we should imitate. But it strikes me more as an item more minor to the information researched and so should be a Category.
I mean it simply lists every known person a king laid with, not just actual Royal Consorts. --[[User:Benethon Stark|Benethon Stark]] 23:01, 21 August 2012 (UTC)

== [[Aegon Targaryen]] edits ==

You and [[User talk:Roxy|Roxy]] seem to have an ongoing edit war about [[Aegon Targaryen]]. Can you take the dispute to the [[Talk:Aegon Targaryen|Talk page]] or to the [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/forum/29-wiki-of-ice-and-fire/ forum]? [[User:Scafloc|Scafloc]] 21:40, 10 March 2013 (UTC)
::Will do. I'd characterize it more as vandalism on Roxy's part since that individual insists on only editing ONE part of the controversy and ignores the rest (ex. aliases). [[User:Benethon Stark|Benethon Stark]] 21:53, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)

2013-03-10T21:07:22Z

Benethon Stark: /* Survival speculation */

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Aegon Targaryen''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = [[File:Elias_last_moments.jpg|250px|right]]
| image_caption = Princess [[Elia Martell]]'s last moments - by Achen089 ©. She holds an infant who dies with her. Either Aegon Targaryen or the [[Pisswater prince]]
| Alias = Young Griff (possible)
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Valyrian]]
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|282}}
| Place_of_Death = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|283}} (Put into question by the appearance of a youth claimed to be the survived prince and leading a host of former [[Blackfyre]]-created sellswords.)
| Books = [[A Game of Thrones]] (Mentioned) [[A Clash of Kings]] (Mentioned) [[A Storm of Swords]] (Mentioned) [[A Feast for Crows]] (Mentioned) [[A Dance with Dragons]] (Appears)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played by =
| TV_series =
}}
{{See homonyms | Aegon Targaryen (disambiguation)}}

'''Aegon Targaryen''' was the second child and only son of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] and [[Elia Martell]]. Had he ascended to the throne he would have ruled as '''Aegon VI'''.

==Character and Appearance==
According to semi-canon sources Aegon looks like a [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]].<ref>Westeros. "A Number of Questions." (August 26, 2000). [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/A_Number_of_Questions/ So Spake Martin]</ref> As an infant, Aegon had "fair hair". {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

The older Aegon is described as a lithe and well-made youth, with a lanky build. [[Tyrion Lannister]] initially estimated him to be "fifteen" or "sixteen" years-old. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} According to [[Haldon]], Aegon is as tall as [[Jon Connington]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} Aegon has a lanky build that suggests that he has yet to reach his full growth. Tyrion noted that his eyes seem to be dark blue. But look black by lamplight, and [[purple eyes|purple]] in the light of dusk. His eyelashes are long, seemingly feminine. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He is exceptionally handsome and has the Targaryen traits of silver hair and purple eyes, both features which are also present in his aunt [[Daenerys]]. Jon Connington notes that Aegon's eyes were a lighter shade of purple to those of Rhaegar. He dyes his hair blue to conceal his identity.{{ref|aDwD|18}} {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Aegon is well educated and intelligent, speaking several languages and well versed in history. He speaks the [[Common Tongue]] as a native speaker. He is fluent in [[High Valyrian]], in the Bastard Valyrian dialects of [[Pentos]], [[Tyrosh]], [[Myr]], and [[Lys]], and in [[Trade Talk]]. He is a novice at speaking the dialect of [[Volantis]], only familiar with a few of its words. The dialect of [[Meereen]], whose terms derive from both Valyrian and [[Ghiscari Empire|Ghiscari]], gives him trouble. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He has some training in mathematics. He has a decent knowledge of [[w:Summation|sums]] and a limited understanding of [[w:Geometry|geometry]]. He also has been trained in songs. Tyrion notes that Aegon is more learned than "half the lords in [[Westeros]]". {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

==History==
===Birth===
[[File: ReneAigner_Dragonguard.jpg‎ ‎| A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived - art by Rene Aigner ©|thumb|450px|right]]
A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived, which led his father [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] to believe that he was the ''[[prince that was promised]]''. The comet was seen as "the bleeding star" of the prophecy. [[Maester Aemon]] was aware of Rhaegar's beliefs, though it is unclear if he shared them. Aemon later came to doubt the wisdom of looking for a prince, rather than a princess. He realized there was a translation error, the term translated was fluid in terms of gender. Connected to the term for [[dragon]]s, who are neither male nor female. {{ref|aFfC|35}}

According to the recollections of [[Jon Connington]], [[Elia Martell]] was always frail and sickly. Giving birth to her daughter [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] had left her bedridden for half a year. Giving birth to Aegon had almost killed her. The [[maesters]] had told Rhaegar that Elia would bear no more children. {{Ref|aDwD|61}}

===Sack of King's Landing===

Aegon was just an infant during [[Robert's Rebellion]].{{ref|aGoT|20}} {{Ref|aGoT|30}} Following the [[Battle of the Trident]], [[Aerys II Targaryen]] decided to send [[Rhaella Targaryen|Queen Rhaella]] and [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] to [[Dragonstone]]. The original plan was for Elia to join them. But Aerys II instead thought of using her as a hostage against [[Dorne]]. He blamed the lost battle of the Trident on the supposed treason of [[Lewyn Martell]]. He chose to keep Elia and Aegon by his side, in his view ensuring the continued loyalty of Dorne. {{Ref|aSoS|37}} After the death of Rhaegar, [[Pycelle]] was convinced that the war was effectively over. In his view, [[House Targaryen]] could no longer offer a proper king to the realm. Aerys II was "mad", Viserys "too young", and Aegon still "a babe at the breast". Pycelle worked to convince Aerys II to open the gates of [[King's Landing]] to the Lannister forces. Pycelle secretly prayed and hope that his actions would help [[Tywin Lannister]] rise to the throne. {{Ref|aCoK|25}}

During the [[Sack of King's Landing]], [[Jaime Lannister]] killed Aerys in the throne room of the [[Red Keep]]. [[Elys Westerling]], [[Roland Crakehall (Lord)|Roland Crakehall]], and other Lannister knights then burst in the room. At approximately the same, other Lannister soldiers fought Targaryen loyalists in the steps and armory of the Red Keep, [[Gregor Clegane]] and [[Amory Lorch]] were scaling the walls of Maegor's Holdfast, and [[Eddard Stark]] was leading the men of [[the North]] through the city gates. Lord Crakehall asked Jaime if they should proclaim a new king. Left unsaid was a clear implication, he was asking whether Jaime would proclaim Tywin Lannister, [[Robert Baratheon]], or a member of [[House Targaryen]]. Jaime remembered that Aegon and his mother were in Maegor's Holdfast, while Viserys was in [[Dragonstone]]. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Jaime briefly toyed with the idea of proclaiming a new Targaryen King. Tywin would gain control, as [[Hand of the King]], the "wolves" of the North would howl in frustration, Robert would choke with rage. Jaime found this option tempting. Until he glanced at the corpse of Aerys II. Recalling that both Aegon and Viserys had inherited the blood of Aerys, Jaime decided against supporting either one of them. He told Crakehall to proclaim whoever the man wanted. Jaime seated himself on the [[Iron Throne]], simply waiting to see who would arrive to claim the throne and the kingdom. He was still sitting there when Eddard entered the throne room. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Viserys often told stories to his sister Daenerys. One of these stories involved the [[Sack of King's Landing]] by the "Usurper's dogs", [[Tywin Lannister]] and [[Eddard Stark]]. In this story, Elia Martell was pleading for mercy as Aegon was ripped from her breast and murdered before her eyes. Aegon was "Rhaegar's heir". {{Ref|aGoT|3}} Daenerys later recalled an additional detail, men had dashed the head of Aegon against a wall. {{Ref|aGoT|64}} Eddard Stark recalls that "Lord Tywin's soldiers" had torn Aegon from his mother's breast and dashed his head against a wall. They were also said to have dragged [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] from beneath her bed, putting her to the sword.{{ref|aGoT|12}} Eddard Stark had heard rumors that it was Gregor Clegane who dashed the skull of infant Aegon against a wall. It was whispered that afterward Gregor had raped [[Elia Martell]], and then put her to the sword. At the time Gregor was only "seventeen". Nobody dared to repeat these rumors when Gregor himself could be listening. {{Ref|aGoT|30}} According to [[Tyrion Lannister]], the responsibility of Gregor for the murders of Elia and Aegon was "common knowledge" in [[Casterly Rock]]. The tale went that for the duration of Gregor's rape of Elia, his hands were still covered in the blood and brains of Aegon. {{Ref|aCoK|17}} A wounded Gregor later narrated a brief account of the events to [[Oberyn Martell]], while killing him. He had first killed Aegon, the "screaming whelp". Then came the rape of Elia; Clegane claimed to have smashed her head with his bare hands, the same method Gregor used to finish off Oberyn. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Tywin Lannister later narrated his view of the events to his son Tyrion. Rhaenys was hiding under Rhaegar's bed, while Elia and Aegon were in the nursery, just a floor below the location of Rhaenys. Tywin was aware that he had kept [[the Westerlands]] from joining Robert's cause for most of the Rebellion. They had only joined said cause at the last stage of the war, and their loyalty would be suspected. He needed a way to demonstrate loyalty to Robert, a way to convince people that the Lannisters had severed all ties to House Targaryen. In addition, Eddard Stark was also heading toward's King's Landing, leading the remnants of Robert's army south from the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]]. Instead of the Lannister and Stark forces meeting as allies, there was still a chance for the two armies to clash. Tywin also feared that his elder son [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] might do something stupid or that Aerys would kill Jaime for no more reason than sheer spite {{Ref|aSoS|53}}.

Tywin decided to have his troops eliminate Rhaegar's children. In a single move, the Lannisters would have proven their commitment to the Rebellion and secured the throne for Robert by eliminating rival claimants for the throne. Tywin himself was somewhat surprised by the result of his commands. The murders were performed "too brutally" for his needs; he insisted that Elia didn't have to die, it happened because he didn't specify she should be spared. He had not grasped yet that Gregor is bestial, not just "terrible in battle". Gregor chose himself the manner of Aegon's death. He had not received any instructions concerning Elia. He was improvising when he raped and killed her. Amory Lorch was the man who located Rhaenys, dragging her from under the bed. The girl kicked him and would not stop screaming. Lorch killed her with about fifty sword thrusts. Tywin himself, after the fact, pointed out a more logical way to perform the deed. A few sweet words to calm the girl, a soft pillow to suffocate her. The blood was unnecessary in his view. {{Ref|aSoS|53}} [[Oberyn Martell]] had another view on Tywin's motives. Elia was once supposed to marry Jaime Lannister, based on an agreement between her mother and [[Joanna Lannister]]. Following the death of Joanna, Tywin broke the agreement, though he offered Tyrion as a a prospective bridegroom instead of Jaime, taunting the Martells. He had also informed them that [[Cersei Lannister]] was meant for Rhaegar, not for Oberyn. When Elia married Rhaegar, the Martells had ruined Tywin's plans. Tywin was "not a man to forget such slights". Oberyn believed that the murder of Elia was decided by Tywin, to teach Elia the same lesson that Houses [[House Reyne|Reyne]] and [[House Tarbeck|Tarbeck]] had learned. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Eddard Stark recalled how Tywin Lannister presented [[Robert Baratheon]] with the corpses of Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. His "token of fealty". {{ref|aGoT|12}} Tywin had laid the bodies beneath the [[Iron Throne]], wrapped in the crimson cloaks of his house guard. A clever choice, as the blood was less obvious against the red cloth. Rhaenys had been barefoot, dressed in a bed gown. The condition of the boy horrified Eddard. {{ref|aGoT|45}} The skull was a "red ruin", even Robert could not stand its sight. Robert had turned away from the sight. {{ref|aGoT|20}} [[Kevan Lannister]] was also present during this scene. He was able to recognize Rhaenys. But recalls that nobody could recognize Aegon. All that remained of the boy was a faceless horror of bone, brain, and gore. A few hanks of fair hair. Nobody could stand looking at the body for long. Tywin stated that this was Aegon and everyone else took him at his word. Seventeen years later, Kevan was no longer certain of Tywin's word on the matter.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

===Reactions to the death===
*[[Robert Baratheon]] was actually relieved and glad that the royal children were killed. Robert viewed himself as a hero, and was reluctant to kill children, but he knew Rhaegar's children had to die if his throne was ever to be secure. Tywin painted himself as the villain, allowing Robert to keep his hands clean, the reason Robert refused to punish any of the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] for the brutal act.{{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Tywin Lannister]] knew this act would prove to Robert that [[House Lannister]] had forsaken the [[House Targaryen|dragon]] forever. Years later, Tyrion came to question the wisdom of the act. Robert Baratheon would have bloodied his own hands, soiling his own reputation. Instead the Lannisters had damaged their own reputation, gaining long-term enemies in the process. {{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Eddard Stark]] called the act murder, Robert just called it war. Eddard protested that Aegon and Rhaenys were "no more than babes". Robert replied that they were not babes, only dragonspawn. The two men quarreled over the matter, [[Jon Arryn]] unable to calm them. Eddard had ridden out of King's Landing in a cold rage, heading south to fight the last battles of the war on his own. They would only be reconciled by their shared grief over the death of [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]].{{ref|aGoT|12}}

*[[Thoros of Myr]] claims to have personally seen the corpses of Aegon and Rhaenys, as they were placed before the Iron Throne. In his view, [[House Clegane]] was "built upon dead children" and their arms should display "two bloody infants". {{Ref|aSoS|34}}

*[[Arianne Martell]] recalled Robert as a monster who climbed onto his throne over the corpses of children, directly connecting his rise to the murders of Aegon and Rhaenys. Robert is not held in high regard in [[Dorne]].{{ref|aFfC|13}}

*[[Viserys Targaryen]] was convinced that the [[Dornishmen]] were determined to avenge Elia and her children. {{Ref|aGoT|3}}

*Years following the murders, [[Doran Martell]] still mourns for the victims. According to [[Varys]], the consequent hatred of Doran for [[House Lannister]] is well known.{{Ref|aCoK|17}} Doran himself claims to have worked at the downfall of Tywin Lannister for all these years. Ever since he learned what had happended to Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. {{ref|aFfC|40}}

*[[Oberyn Martell]], in his words, hungered for justice for sixteen years. Justice for Elia and her children. Certain that Gregor was only following orders. {{Ref|aCoK|38}} [[Oberyn Martell]] wanted vengeance on the man who gave the orders, not just the man who performed the deed. {{Ref|aCoK|66}}

*[[Nymeria Sand]] believes that the only fitting payment for the death of Elia's children, would be the death of "Lord Tywin's golden twins". [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] would pay with their lives for the old murders. {{ref|aFfC|2}}

*[[Jacelyn Bywater]] stated to [[Tyrion Lannister]] there were still whispers in King's Landings that "the butchery of Rhaegar's children" was one of the sins of [[House Lannister]]. And that the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]] would punish the entire city for the sins of this House. {{Ref|aCoK|41}}

*[[Daenerys Targaryen]] can't see a difference between Houses [[House Lannister|Lannister]] and [[House Stark|Stark]]. She considers Eddard Stark also responsible for the murders of Rhaenys and Aegon, arguing that "the Usurper's dogs" acted as a pack of hounds, hunting children. Which individual hound kills a child doesn't matter, all the dogs are equally guilty. [[Barristan Selmy]] disagrees with her, and has tried to explain the distinction between Eddard and Tywin. Daenerys notices a "flicker of disapproval" in his face when she insists on her original opinion. {{Ref|aDwD|11}}

*[[Barristan Selmy]] himself has been haunted by the idea of the ''"bloody bodies"'' of Aegon and Rhaenys. His serious injuries following the [[Battle of the Trident]] prevented him from personally examining the corpses. But he wondered for years about the reaction of Robert to the bodies and whether Robert smiled at the bodies. Selmy contemplates that such a smile would motivate him to personally kill Robert and that no army could save him. {{Ref|aDwD|67}}

===Reported survival===
[[Image:Aegon6.jpg|Young Griff, who claims to be Prince Aegon|thumb|300px|left]]
A young man considering himself to be Aegon, explains his apparent survival to [[Tyrion Lannister]]. According to his account, the boy killed during the Sack of King's Landing was a [[Pisswater prince]]. He had been born at the Pisswater Bend, a street of King's Landing. His father was a tanner, and his mother had died at birth. The tanner sold his boy to [[Varys]] for a jug of [[Arbor]] gold [[wine]]. The man had other sons, but wanted to experience the taste of Arbor gold for once in his life. Varys then arranged the swap between the two infants boys. Elia received the Pisswater prince, Varys took custody of the real Aegon. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} Tyrion Lannister deduces the rest of the story. When the Pisswater prince was "safely dead", Varys smuggled Aegon across the [[narrow sea]]. Varys entrusted the boy to [[Illyrio Mopatis]], who in turn found an adoptive father for Aegon in the person of exiled Lord [[Jon Connington]]. Aegon does not comment on Tyrion's deductions. {{Ref|aDwD|22}}

According to the recollection of Jon Connington, he had to fake his own death "twelve years" before the present. In [[288 AL]], five years following the [[Battle of the Bells]], Varys had convinced him that the lie would be necessary for the safety of Aegon. Connington had spend the "five years" of his exile as a member of the [[Golden Company]], and had become the right-hand man to [[Myles Toyne]]. To fulfill Varys' plan, Connington first had to be discharged from the Company in disgrace. The crafted story went that he been stealing from its war chest. Then rumors reported that Connington drunk himself to death in [[Lys]]. In Varys' words, as a gallant exile Connington would be remembered. But few tend to remember thieves, drunks, and cowards. Reputed to be one of the latter, Connington too would be forgotten. {{Ref|aDwD|24}} Aegon spend most of his life hiding aboard the poleboat [[Shy Maid]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|22}} He shared a cabin with his adoptive father. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

Aegon has been trained in matters of military tactics by [[Jon Connington]] {{Ref|aDwD|24}}, arms by [[Rolly Duckfield]], in the [[Faith of the Seven]] by [[Lemore|Septa Lemore]], and history and languages by [[Haldon|Haldon Halfmaester]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|18}} He was taught to read and write. To study history, law, and poetry. He lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers, and mended nets. He learned practical things such as washing his own clothes, fishing, cooking, binding up wounds. He was familiarized with hunger, and the fear of being hunted. His education was intended to teach him that kingship was a duty, not a right. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

His claim to the [[Iron Throne]] is stronger than that of his aunt Daenerys. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} {{Ref|aDwD|24}} According to the relevant succession laws,

{{Quote|"the sons of the first son come before the second son".'' {{Ref|aCoK|35}}}}

Aegon is a son of Rhaegar, who was himself the first son of [[Aerys II]]. Placing Aegon higher in the Targaryen succession line than both [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] (Aerys second son) and [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] (the daughter of Aerys). {{Ref|aCoK|35}} According to Daenerys, Five Kings named "Aegon" have ruled in [[Westeros]]. Her nephew would have been the sixth, had he survived infancy. {{Ref|aSoS|57}} {{Ref|aDwD|2}}

As yet there is no indication as to whether he has inherited the [[Targaryen]] propensity for [[dragon dreams]] as [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] has. He might have the potential for it, like all those with Targaryen blood, but only some members of this bloodline actually displayed this ability. <ref name="Forum1">Conversation topic: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/58262-adwd-spoilers-dragon-dreams-of-ice-and-fire/ Dragon Dreams of Ice and Fire] on [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/ Westeros Forum] </ref>

==Recent Events==
===A Clash of Kings===
One of the visions [[Daenerys Targaryen]] sees in the [[House of the Undying]] involves Rhaegar, Elia, and Aegon. In this vision, a newborn Aegon nurses from the breast of Elia. The woman is seated in a great wooden bed. Rhaegar decides on the name "Aegon" for his newborn son, as he thinks the name fit for a king. Elia asks whether Rhaegar will make a song for their son. He replies that Aegon already has a song, "[[the song of ice and fire]]". Part of his role as "the prince that was promised".

However, Rhaegar then claims that there must be "one more", since "the dragon has three heads". Rhaegar moves to a seat near the window, and picks up a harp. Daenerys listens to the "sweet sadness" of his music as the vision fades away. {{Ref|aCoK|48}}

Daenerys later describes this vision to [[Jorah Mormont]]. Jorah helps her confirm the identities of the people in this vision but points out that if Aegon was the promised prince, the promise was broken with his death. {{Ref|aCoK|63}} Daenerys notices a pattern in the names Rhaegar chose for his children. They were named after [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and his sisters. There was a daughter named after the original [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], but none named after [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]]. She wonders if that was the missing third head of the dragon. Neither Daenerys nor Jorah have heard of the term "song of ice and fire". They are unable to determine its meaning. {{Ref|aCoK|63}}

===A Dance with Dragons===
[[File: Pojypojy_Griff&YoungGriff.jpg‎|[[Griff]] and Young Griff - by Pojypojy ©|thumb|300px|right]]
While in [[Meereen]], [[Daenerys]] has mused about Aegon who would have been the sixth to sit on the [[Iron Throne]]. She is yet unaware that he is alive. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} She thought to herself:

{{Quote|''"If he had lived, I might have married him. Aegon would have been closer to my age than Viserys"''. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} }}

To better conceal his identity Aegon dyes his silver hair blue, which also serves to makes his [[violet eyes]] appear blue. He uses the false story that his mother was a [[Tyrosh|Tyroshi]] who dyed her hair blue, and that he dyes his own hair to honor her memory. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|14}} {{ref|aDwD|18}}

In {{Date|300}}, [[Illyrio Mopatis]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]] jointly depart [[Pentos]], heading towards the river Rhoyne. On the journey Illyrio explains the purpose of Tyrion's mission. He and "Griff" ([[Jon Connington]]) are to head towards [[Volantis]]. Waiting for the expected arrival of [[Daenerys Targaryen]] in that city, with fresh forces and more ships for her cause. Based on Illyrio's information, Daenerys has conquered [[Astapor]], made [[Yunkai]] bend the knee and sacked [[Meereen]]. He estimates that Daenerys is heading westwards, either by land to [[Mantarys]] or by sea to Volantis. {{Ref|aDwD|5}} Tyrion wants more information on Griff, who Illyrio supposedly trusts as a brother. Illyrio simply points that unlike most [[Mercenary|sellswords]], Griff is a dotting father. He also mentions that his boy, "Young Griff" (Aegon) is a noble lad. {{Ref|aDwD|5}}

During their journey down the Rhoyne, Tyrion and Aegon routinely play cyvasse. During one such game, Tyrion fishes for information as to Connington and Illyrio's plan, namely that Aegon will be married to his aunt Daenerys. Tyrion warns the prince that Daenerys might not be accomodating, shocking Aegon. Tyrion points out that Daenerys is a proud, strong, and fierce young woman who will not appreciate a relative coming to her with a begging bowl, certainly not one with a stronger claim to the [[Iron Throne]] than her own. Aegon angrily denies being a beggar, pointing at his own army: the [[Golden Company]]. Tyrion points out that Daenerys has a larger army than his own and owes nothing to Aegon. Aegon protests, trusting in Lord Connington to win her over. Tyrion calls him a fool, warning him {{ref|aDwD|22}}: {{Quote|Trust no one, my prince. {{ref|aDwD|22}} }}

Tyrion plants the seeds of doubt on the young prince, pointing that Haldon, Jon Connington, Rolly Duckfield, Lemore and every one of the friends who raised him could also betray him, and that Illyrio Mopatis, Varys, and Daenerys are even less trustworthy. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

He then suggests a different course of action to Aegon. Heading to [[Westeros]] instead of going east, taking advantage of all the problems caused by the [[War of the Five Kings]]. He points that [[the North]] is in a chaotic condition, the [[Riverlands]] are devastated, while [[Stannis Baratheon]] holds [[Storm's End]] and [[Dragonstone]]. The coming winter will starve out the realm. He then paints the opposition as particularly weak. He points that King [[Tommen Baratheon]] is just a boy, and all his potential regents come with their own problems. [[Cersei Lannister]] will alienate her own allies, [[Jaime Lannister]] actively avoids the responsibility of ruling, and [[Kevan Lannister]] is a born follower. [[Mace Tyrell]] will have to fight the Lannisters to become regent, and Stannis' unpopularity makes him an unlikely choice. Only a victorious Aegon can hope to meet Daenerys as her equal. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

The game of cyvasse ends with a loss for Aegon. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

Their journey brings them to [[Volon Therys]], Jon Connington and Aegon depart the ship, heading towards the camp of the [[Golden Company]]. Connington introduces "Young Griff" as Aegon VI, King of the [[Andal]]s, [[Rhoynar]], and the [[First Men]]. This introduction is met with silence by the officers. Connington realizes that all of them were aware of Aegon's identity for sometime. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Connington and the the officers briefly discuss about Daenerys' lingering presence in Meereen and the ongoing conflict in [[Slaver's Bay]]. Wondering whether they should head east and join the conflict. Several of them are already disillusioned with Daenerys. Aegon sees the opportunity to introduce his own plan of going to Westeros and claiming the throne in his own name. Strickland tries to point out the risk of this plan. But most of the officers are eager to support this course of action. Aegon further explains that his aunt is welcome to keep Meereen. His plan is to move fast and strike hard, gaining a foothold before the Lannisters can react. This would certainly gain them some new allies. Connington is impressed, thinking that this is a new side of Aegon. All officers swear allegiance to Aegon. They agree, however, to keep his identity secret from the soldiers. At least until they actually land in Westeros. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Ten ships of the Golden Company departed Volantis. Six of them made it to Westeros, landing at [[Cape Wrath]]. Connington leads 1/4 of the forces in seizing [[Griffin's Roost]]. Simultaneously [[Tristan Rivers]] besieges [[Crows Nest]], and [[Laswell Peake]] besieges [[Rain House]]. Aegon remains in their camp, guarded by the remaining 1/4 of the Company under [[Gorys Edoryen]]. Haldon collects information about the military and diplomatic situation across Westeros. He already considers marital alliances for King Aegon and his [[Hand of the King]], Jon Connington. The latter is against both such plans. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington receives news that part of the missing four ships landed in [[Estermont]]. [[Marq Mandrake]] has led the men there in capturing [[Greenstone]]. The rest of the ships are still missing. Franklyn Flowers suggests that the missing men are scattered across the [[Stepstones]]. Connington decides to bring Aegon to Griffin's Roost for increased safety. Franklyn points,however, that Aegon would like to be in the thick of things. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington has a plan to capture [[Storm's End]], last foothold of Stannis in the [[Stormlands]]. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Four days later, Aegon arrives at Griffin's Roost. He rides at the head of a column including a hundred [[horse]]s with their riders, and three [[elephant]]s. He is accompanied by Lemore and Rolly Duckfield, the first person in his version of the Kingsguard. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington remembers arguing with Aegon over the appointment of Rolly. Connington had pointed out that seats in the Kingsguard should be reserved for warriors of great renown and/or sons of great lords. Aegon pointed out that [[Jaime Lannister]] fit that description perfectly, and was currently known as the Kingslayer. He would rather have men personally loyal to himself, ready to die for his safety. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington asks to have the Prince escorted to his solar. But soon realizes that Prince Aegon is less biddable (obedient) than Young Griff. Aegon leaves him waiting for "the better half of a hour". Bringing Duck with him instead of coming alone. Connington tries to dismiss the bodyguard, but Aegon insists on having Rolly by his side. Aegon mentions discussing the plan to take Storm's End with Strickland and Flowers. Strickland even tried to persuade him to delay the plan. Aegon,however, feels Strickland is a bit of "an old maid" and is in favor of the plan. With one significant change. He intends to personally lead the attack. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

===The Winds of Winter===
[[Arianne Martell]] has departed [[Sunspear]] on a mission from her [[Doran Martell|father]] to discover the truth about the supposed Aegon Targaryen.
==Quotes about Aegon==
{{Quote|''"Aegon has been shaped for rule before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. [[Tommen I|Tommen]] has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them".'' {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}}} [[Varys]] to the dying [[Kevan Lannister]]

{{Quote|''"His silvery hair was blowing in the wind, and his eyes were a deep purple, darker than this boy's".'' {{Ref|aDwD|61}}}} [[Jon Connington]] reminisces about prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] as he addressed Aegon following the capture of Griffin's Roost by the [[Golden Company]].

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree now}}

==Survival speculation==
{{main|Aegon Targaryen/Theories}}
Even before ''A Dance With Dragons'' was released, there was speculation regarding whether or not Aegon Targaryen survived. Martin did not confirm that the character died, though he did confirm that his sister was slain.<ref>Westeros. "Elia’s Children." (August 6, 2000). [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Elias_Children So Spake Martin]</ref> Fans debated who might be the real Aegon suggesting [[Edric Dayne]], [[Samwell Tarly]], [[Daario Naharis]], among others. The question of the character's survival continued even after ''A Dance With Dragons'' introduced a youth living under the assumed name of Young Griff that claims to be Aegon VI.

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Template:Kings of Westeros}}

[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[es:Aegon Targaryen]][[fr:Aegon Targaryen]][[ru:Эйгон Таргариен (сын Рэйгара)]][[zh:伊耿·坦格利安]]
[[pt:Aegon Targaryen]]

Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)

2013-03-10T21:05:16Z

Benethon Stark: Trimmed down the article somewhat, since it doesn't need to be a complete retelling of Dance.

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Aegon Targaryen''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = [[File:Elias_last_moments.jpg|250px|right]]
| image_caption = Princess [[Elia Martell]]'s last moments - by Achen089 ©. She holds an infant who dies with her. Either Aegon Targaryen or the [[Pisswater prince]]
| Alias = Young Griff (possible)
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Valyrian]]
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|282}}
| Place_of_Death = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|283}} (Put into question by the appearance of a youth claimed to be the survived prince and leading a host of former [[Blackfyre]]-created sellswords.)
| Books = [[A Game of Thrones]] (Mentioned) [[A Clash of Kings]] (Mentioned) [[A Storm of Swords]] (Mentioned) [[A Feast for Crows]] (Mentioned) [[A Dance with Dragons]] (Appears)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played by =
| TV_series =
}}
{{See homonyms | Aegon Targaryen (disambiguation)}}

'''Aegon Targaryen''' was the second child and only son of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] and [[Elia Martell]]. Had he ascended to the throne he would have ruled as '''Aegon VI'''.

==Character and Appearance==
According to semi-canon sources Aegon looks like a [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]].<ref>Westeros. "A Number of Questions." (August 26, 2000). [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/A_Number_of_Questions/ So Spake Martin]</ref> As an infant, Aegon had "fair hair". {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

The older Aegon is described as a lithe and well-made youth, with a lanky build. [[Tyrion Lannister]] initially estimated him to be "fifteen" or "sixteen" years-old. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} According to [[Haldon]], Aegon is as tall as [[Jon Connington]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} Aegon has a lanky build that suggests that he has yet to reach his full growth. Tyrion noted that his eyes seem to be dark blue. But look black by lamplight, and [[purple eyes|purple]] in the light of dusk. His eyelashes are long, seemingly feminine. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He is exceptionally handsome and has the Targaryen traits of silver hair and purple eyes, both features which are also present in his aunt [[Daenerys]]. Jon Connington notes that Aegon's eyes were a lighter shade of purple to those of Rhaegar. He dyes his hair blue to conceal his identity.{{ref|aDwD|18}} {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Aegon is well educated and intelligent, speaking several languages and well versed in history. He speaks the [[Common Tongue]] as a native speaker. He is fluent in [[High Valyrian]], in the Bastard Valyrian dialects of [[Pentos]], [[Tyrosh]], [[Myr]], and [[Lys]], and in [[Trade Talk]]. He is a novice at speaking the dialect of [[Volantis]], only familiar with a few of its words. The dialect of [[Meereen]], whose terms derive from both Valyrian and [[Ghiscari Empire|Ghiscari]], gives him trouble. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He has some training in mathematics. He has a decent knowledge of [[w:Summation|sums]] and a limited understanding of [[w:Geometry|geometry]]. He also has been trained in songs. Tyrion notes that Aegon is more learned than "half the lords in [[Westeros]]". {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

==History==
===Birth===
[[File: ReneAigner_Dragonguard.jpg‎ ‎| A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived - art by Rene Aigner ©|thumb|450px|right]]
A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived, which led his father [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] to believe that he was the ''[[prince that was promised]]''. The comet was seen as "the bleeding star" of the prophecy. [[Maester Aemon]] was aware of Rhaegar's beliefs, though it is unclear if he shared them. Aemon later came to doubt the wisdom of looking for a prince, rather than a princess. He realized there was a translation error, the term translated was fluid in terms of gender. Connected to the term for [[dragon]]s, who are neither male nor female. {{ref|aFfC|35}}

According to the recollections of [[Jon Connington]], [[Elia Martell]] was always frail and sickly. Giving birth to her daughter [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] had left her bedridden for half a year. Giving birth to Aegon had almost killed her. The [[maesters]] had told Rhaegar that Elia would bear no more children. {{Ref|aDwD|61}}

===Sack of King's Landing===

Aegon was just an infant during [[Robert's Rebellion]].{{ref|aGoT|20}} {{Ref|aGoT|30}} Following the [[Battle of the Trident]], [[Aerys II Targaryen]] decided to send [[Rhaella Targaryen|Queen Rhaella]] and [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] to [[Dragonstone]]. The original plan was for Elia to join them. But Aerys II instead thought of using her as a hostage against [[Dorne]]. He blamed the lost battle of the Trident on the supposed treason of [[Lewyn Martell]]. He chose to keep Elia and Aegon by his side, in his view ensuring the continued loyalty of Dorne. {{Ref|aSoS|37}} After the death of Rhaegar, [[Pycelle]] was convinced that the war was effectively over. In his view, [[House Targaryen]] could no longer offer a proper king to the realm. Aerys II was "mad", Viserys "too young", and Aegon still "a babe at the breast". Pycelle worked to convince Aerys II to open the gates of [[King's Landing]] to the Lannister forces. Pycelle secretly prayed and hope that his actions would help [[Tywin Lannister]] rise to the throne. {{Ref|aCoK|25}}

During the [[Sack of King's Landing]], [[Jaime Lannister]] killed Aerys in the throne room of the [[Red Keep]]. [[Elys Westerling]], [[Roland Crakehall (Lord)|Roland Crakehall]], and other Lannister knights then burst in the room. At approximately the same, other Lannister soldiers fought Targaryen loyalists in the steps and armory of the Red Keep, [[Gregor Clegane]] and [[Amory Lorch]] were scaling the walls of Maegor's Holdfast, and [[Eddard Stark]] was leading the men of [[the North]] through the city gates. Lord Crakehall asked Jaime if they should proclaim a new king. Left unsaid was a clear implication, he was asking whether Jaime would proclaim Tywin Lannister, [[Robert Baratheon]], or a member of [[House Targaryen]]. Jaime remembered that Aegon and his mother were in Maegor's Holdfast, while Viserys was in [[Dragonstone]]. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Jaime briefly toyed with the idea of proclaiming a new Targaryen King. Tywin would gain control, as [[Hand of the King]], the "wolves" of the North would howl in frustration, Robert would choke with rage. Jaime found this option tempting. Until he glanced at the corpse of Aerys II. Recalling that both Aegon and Viserys had inherited the blood of Aerys, Jaime decided against supporting either one of them. He told Crakehall to proclaim whoever the man wanted. Jaime seated himself on the [[Iron Throne]], simply waiting to see who would arrive to claim the throne and the kingdom. He was still sitting there when Eddard entered the throne room. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Viserys often told stories to his sister Daenerys. One of these stories involved the [[Sack of King's Landing]] by the "Usurper's dogs", [[Tywin Lannister]] and [[Eddard Stark]]. In this story, Elia Martell was pleading for mercy as Aegon was ripped from her breast and murdered before her eyes. Aegon was "Rhaegar's heir". {{Ref|aGoT|3}} Daenerys later recalled an additional detail, men had dashed the head of Aegon against a wall. {{Ref|aGoT|64}} Eddard Stark recalls that "Lord Tywin's soldiers" had torn Aegon from his mother's breast and dashed his head against a wall. They were also said to have dragged [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] from beneath her bed, putting her to the sword.{{ref|aGoT|12}} Eddard Stark had heard rumors that it was Gregor Clegane who dashed the skull of infant Aegon against a wall. It was whispered that afterward Gregor had raped [[Elia Martell]], and then put her to the sword. At the time Gregor was only "seventeen". Nobody dared to repeat these rumors when Gregor himself could be listening. {{Ref|aGoT|30}} According to [[Tyrion Lannister]], the responsibility of Gregor for the murders of Elia and Aegon was "common knowledge" in [[Casterly Rock]]. The tale went that for the duration of Gregor's rape of Elia, his hands were still covered in the blood and brains of Aegon. {{Ref|aCoK|17}} A wounded Gregor later narrated a brief account of the events to [[Oberyn Martell]], while killing him. He had first killed Aegon, the "screaming whelp". Then came the rape of Elia; Clegane claimed to have smashed her head with his bare hands, the same method Gregor used to finish off Oberyn. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Tywin Lannister later narrated his view of the events to his son Tyrion. Rhaenys was hiding under Rhaegar's bed, while Elia and Aegon were in the nursery, just a floor below the location of Rhaenys. Tywin was aware that he had kept [[the Westerlands]] from joining Robert's cause for most of the Rebellion. They had only joined said cause at the last stage of the war, and their loyalty would be suspected. He needed a way to demonstrate loyalty to Robert, a way to convince people that the Lannisters had severed all ties to House Targaryen. In addition, Eddard Stark was also heading toward's King's Landing, leading the remnants of Robert's army south from the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]]. Instead of the Lannister and Stark forces meeting as allies, there was still a chance for the two armies to clash. Tywin also feared that his elder son [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] might do something stupid or that Aerys would kill Jaime for no more reason than sheer spite {{Ref|aSoS|53}}.

Tywin decided to have his troops eliminate Rhaegar's children. In a single move, the Lannisters would have proven their commitment to the Rebellion and secured the throne for Robert by eliminating rival claimants for the throne. Tywin himself was somewhat surprised by the result of his commands. The murders were performed "too brutally" for his needs; he insisted that Elia didn't have to die, it happened because he didn't specify she should be spared. He had not grasped yet that Gregor is bestial, not just "terrible in battle". Gregor chose himself the manner of Aegon's death. He had not received any instructions concerning Elia. He was improvising when he raped and killed her. Amory Lorch was the man who located Rhaenys, dragging her from under the bed. The girl kicked him and would not stop screaming. Lorch killed her with about fifty sword thrusts. Tywin himself, after the fact, pointed out a more logical way to perform the deed. A few sweet words to calm the girl, a soft pillow to suffocate her. The blood was unnecessary in his view. {{Ref|aSoS|53}} [[Oberyn Martell]] had another view on Tywin's motives. Elia was once supposed to marry Jaime Lannister, based on an agreement between her mother and [[Joanna Lannister]]. Following the death of Joanna, Tywin broke the agreement, though he offered Tyrion as a a prospective bridegroom instead of Jaime, taunting the Martells. He had also informed them that [[Cersei Lannister]] was meant for Rhaegar, not for Oberyn. When Elia married Rhaegar, the Martells had ruined Tywin's plans. Tywin was "not a man to forget such slights". Oberyn believed that the murder of Elia was decided by Tywin, to teach Elia the same lesson that Houses [[House Reyne|Reyne]] and [[House Tarbeck|Tarbeck]] had learned. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Eddard Stark recalled how Tywin Lannister presented [[Robert Baratheon]] with the corpses of Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. His "token of fealty". {{ref|aGoT|12}} Tywin had laid the bodies beneath the [[Iron Throne]], wrapped in the crimson cloaks of his house guard. A clever choice, as the blood was less obvious against the red cloth. Rhaenys had been barefoot, dressed in a bed gown. The condition of the boy horrified Eddard. {{ref|aGoT|45}} The skull was a "red ruin", even Robert could not stand its sight. Robert had turned away from the sight. {{ref|aGoT|20}} [[Kevan Lannister]] was also present during this scene. He was able to recognize Rhaenys. But recalls that nobody could recognize Aegon. All that remained of the boy was a faceless horror of bone, brain, and gore. A few hanks of fair hair. Nobody could stand looking at the body for long. Tywin stated that this was Aegon and everyone else took him at his word. Seventeen years later, Kevan was no longer certain of Tywin's word on the matter.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

===Reactions to the death===
*[[Robert Baratheon]] was actually relieved and glad that the royal children were killed. Robert viewed himself as a hero, and was reluctant to kill children, but he knew Rhaegar's children had to die if his throne was ever to be secure. Tywin painted himself as the villain, allowing Robert to keep his hands clean, the reason Robert refused to punish any of the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] for the brutal act.{{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Tywin Lannister]] knew this act would prove to Robert that [[House Lannister]] had forsaken the [[House Targaryen|dragon]] forever. Years later, Tyrion came to question the wisdom of the act. Robert Baratheon would have bloodied his own hands, soiling his own reputation. Instead the Lannisters had damaged their own reputation, gaining long-term enemies in the process. {{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Eddard Stark]] called the act murder, Robert just called it war. Eddard protested that Aegon and Rhaenys were "no more than babes". Robert replied that they were not babes, only dragonspawn. The two men quarreled over the matter, [[Jon Arryn]] unable to calm them. Eddard had ridden out of King's Landing in a cold rage, heading south to fight the last battles of the war on his own. They would only be reconciled by their shared grief over the death of [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]].{{ref|aGoT|12}}

*[[Thoros of Myr]] claims to have personally seen the corpses of Aegon and Rhaenys, as they were placed before the Iron Throne. In his view, [[House Clegane]] was "built upon dead children" and their arms should display "two bloody infants". {{Ref|aSoS|34}}

*[[Arianne Martell]] recalled Robert as a monster who climbed onto his throne over the corpses of children, directly connecting his rise to the murders of Aegon and Rhaenys. Robert is not held in high regard in [[Dorne]].{{ref|aFfC|13}}

*[[Viserys Targaryen]] was convinced that the [[Dornishmen]] were determined to avenge Elia and her children. {{Ref|aGoT|3}}

*Years following the murders, [[Doran Martell]] still mourns for the victims. According to [[Varys]], the consequent hatred of Doran for [[House Lannister]] is well known.{{Ref|aCoK|17}} Doran himself claims to have worked at the downfall of Tywin Lannister for all these years. Ever since he learned what had happended to Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. {{ref|aFfC|40}}

*[[Oberyn Martell]], in his words, hungered for justice for sixteen years. Justice for Elia and her children. Certain that Gregor was only following orders. {{Ref|aCoK|38}} [[Oberyn Martell]] wanted vengeance on the man who gave the orders, not just the man who performed the deed. {{Ref|aCoK|66}}

*[[Nymeria Sand]] believes that the only fitting payment for the death of Elia's children, would be the death of "Lord Tywin's golden twins". [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] would pay with their lives for the old murders. {{ref|aFfC|2}}

*[[Jacelyn Bywater]] stated to [[Tyrion Lannister]] there were still whispers in King's Landings that "the butchery of Rhaegar's children" was one of the sins of [[House Lannister]]. And that the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]] would punish the entire city for the sins of this House. {{Ref|aCoK|41}}

*[[Daenerys Targaryen]] can't see a difference between Houses [[House Lannister|Lannister]] and [[House Stark|Stark]]. She considers Eddard Stark also responsible for the murders of Rhaenys and Aegon, arguing that "the Usurper's dogs" acted as a pack of hounds, hunting children. Which individual hound kills a child doesn't matter, all the dogs are equally guilty. [[Barristan Selmy]] disagrees with her, and has tried to explain the distinction between Eddard and Tywin. Daenerys notices a "flicker of disapproval" in his face when she insists on her original opinion. {{Ref|aDwD|11}}

*[[Barristan Selmy]] himself has been haunted by the idea of the ''"bloody bodies"'' of Aegon and Rhaenys. His serious injuries following the [[Battle of the Trident]] prevented him from personally examining the corpses. But he wondered for years about the reaction of Robert to the bodies and whether Robert smiled at the bodies. Selmy contemplates that such a smile would motivate him to personally kill Robert and that no army could save him. {{Ref|aDwD|67}}

===Reported survival===
[[Image:Aegon6.jpg|Young Griff, who claims to be Prince Aegon|thumb|300px|left]]
A young man considering himself to be Aegon, explains his apparent survival to [[Tyrion Lannister]]. According to his account, the boy killed during the Sack of King's Landing was a [[Pisswater prince]]. He had been born at the Pisswater Bend, a street of King's Landing. His father was a tanner, and his mother had died at birth. The tanner sold his boy to [[Varys]] for a jug of [[Arbor]] gold [[wine]]. The man had other sons, but wanted to experience the taste of Arbor gold for once in his life. Varys then arranged the swap between the two infants boys. Elia received the Pisswater prince, Varys took custody of the real Aegon. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} Tyrion Lannister deduces the rest of the story. When the Pisswater prince was "safely dead", Varys smuggled Aegon across the [[narrow sea]]. Varys entrusted the boy to [[Illyrio Mopatis]], who in turn found an adoptive father for Aegon in the person of exiled Lord [[Jon Connington]]. Aegon does not comment on Tyrion's deductions. {{Ref|aDwD|22}}

According to the recollection of Jon Connington, he had to fake his own death "twelve years" before the present. In [[288 AL]], five years following the [[Battle of the Bells]], Varys had convinced him that the lie would be necessary for the safety of Aegon. Connington had spend the "five years" of his exile as a member of the [[Golden Company]], and had become the right-hand man to [[Myles Toyne]]. To fulfill Varys' plan, Connington first had to be discharged from the Company in disgrace. The crafted story went that he been stealing from its war chest. Then rumors reported that Connington drunk himself to death in [[Lys]]. In Varys' words, as a gallant exile Connington would be remembered. But few tend to remember thieves, drunks, and cowards. Reputed to be one of the latter, Connington too would be forgotten. {{Ref|aDwD|24}} Aegon spend most of his life hiding aboard the poleboat [[Shy Maid]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|22}} He shared a cabin with his adoptive father. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

Aegon has been trained in matters of military tactics by [[Jon Connington]] {{Ref|aDwD|24}}, arms by [[Rolly Duckfield]], in the [[Faith of the Seven]] by [[Lemore|Septa Lemore]], and history and languages by [[Haldon|Haldon Halfmaester]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|18}} He was taught to read and write. To study history, law, and poetry. He lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers, and mended nets. He learned practical things such as washing his own clothes, fishing, cooking, binding up wounds. He was familiarized with hunger, and the fear of being hunted. His education was intended to teach him that kingship was a duty, not a right. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

His claim to the [[Iron Throne]] is stronger than that of his aunt Daenerys. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} {{Ref|aDwD|24}} According to the relevant succession laws,

{{Quote|"the sons of the first son come before the second son".'' {{Ref|aCoK|35}}}}

Aegon is a son of Rhaegar, who was himself the first son of [[Aerys II]]. Placing Aegon higher in the Targaryen succession line than both [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] (Aerys second son) and [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] (the daughter of Aerys). {{Ref|aCoK|35}} According to Daenerys, Five Kings named "Aegon" have ruled in [[Westeros]]. Her nephew would have been the sixth, had he survived infancy. {{Ref|aSoS|57}} {{Ref|aDwD|2}}

As yet there is no indication as to whether he has inherited the [[Targaryen]] propensity for [[dragon dreams]] as [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] has. He might have the potential for it, like all those with Targaryen blood, but only some members of this bloodline actually displayed this ability. <ref name="Forum1">Conversation topic: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/58262-adwd-spoilers-dragon-dreams-of-ice-and-fire/ Dragon Dreams of Ice and Fire] on [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/ Westeros Forum] </ref>

==Recent Events==
===A Clash of Kings===
One of the visions [[Daenerys Targaryen]] sees in the [[House of the Undying]] involves Rhaegar, Elia, and Aegon. In this vision, a newborn Aegon nurses from the breast of Elia. The woman is seated in a great wooden bed. Rhaegar decides on the name "Aegon" for his newborn son, as he thinks the name fit for a king. Elia asks whether Rhaegar will make a song for their son. He replies that Aegon already has a song, "[[the song of ice and fire]]". Part of his role as "the prince that was promised".

However, Rhaegar then claims that there must be "one more", since "the dragon has three heads". Rhaegar moves to a seat near the window, and picks up a harp. Daenerys listens to the "sweet sadness" of his music as the vision fades away. {{Ref|aCoK|48}}

Daenerys later describes this vision to [[Jorah Mormont]]. Jorah helps her confirm the identities of the people in this vision but points out that if Aegon was the promised prince, the promise was broken with his death. {{Ref|aCoK|63}} Daenerys notices a pattern in the names Rhaegar chose for his children. They were named after [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and his sisters. There was a daughter named after the original [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], but none named after [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]]. She wonders if that was the missing third head of the dragon. Neither Daenerys nor Jorah have heard of the term "song of ice and fire". They are unable to determine its meaning. {{Ref|aCoK|63}}

===A Dance with Dragons===
[[File: Pojypojy_Griff&YoungGriff.jpg‎|[[Griff]] and Young Griff - by Pojypojy ©|thumb|300px|right]]
While in [[Meereen]], [[Daenerys]] has mused about Aegon who would have been the sixth to sit on the [[Iron Throne]]. She is yet unaware that he is alive. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} She thought to herself:

{{Quote|''"If he had lived, I might have married him. Aegon would have been closer to my age than Viserys"''. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} }}

To better conceal his identity Aegon dyes his silver hair blue, which also serves to makes his [[violet eyes]] appear blue. He uses the false story that his mother was a [[Tyrosh|Tyroshi]] who dyed her hair blue, and that he dyes his own hair to honor her memory. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|14}} {{ref|aDwD|18}}

In {{Date|300}}, [[Illyrio Mopatis]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]] jointly depart [[Pentos]], heading towards the river Rhoyne. On the journey Illyrio explains the purpose of Tyrion's mission. He and "Griff" ([[Jon Connington]]) are to head towards [[Volantis]]. Waiting for the expected arrival of [[Daenerys Targaryen]] in that city, with fresh forces and more ships for her cause. Based on Illyrio's information, Daenerys has conquered [[Astapor]], made [[Yunkai]] bend the knee and sacked [[Meereen]]. He estimates that Daenerys is heading westwards, either by land to [[Mantarys]] or by sea to Volantis. {{Ref|aDwD|5}} Tyrion wants more information on Griff, who Illyrio supposedly trusts as a brother. Illyrio simply points that unlike most [[Mercenary|sellswords]], Griff is a dotting father. He also mentions that his boy, "Young Griff" (Aegon) is a noble lad. {{Ref|aDwD|5}}

During their journey down the Rhoyne, Tyrion and Aegon routinely play cyvasse. During one such game, Tyrion fishes for information as to Connington and Illyrio's plan, namely that Aegon will be married to his aunt Daenerys. Tyrion warns the prince that Daenerys might not be accomodating, shocking Aegon. Tyrion points out that Daenerys is a proud, strong, and fierce young woman who will not appreciate a relative coming to her with a begging bowl, certainly not one with a stronger claim to the [[Iron Throne]] than her own. Aegon angrily denies being a beggar, pointing at his own army: the [[Golden Company]]. Tyrion points out that Daenerys has a larger army than his own and owes nothing to Aegon. Aegon protests, trusting in Lord Connington to win her over. Tyrion calls him a fool, warning him {{ref|aDwD|22}}: {{Quote|Trust no one, my prince. {{ref|aDwD|22}} }}

Tyrion plants the seeds of doubt on the young prince, pointing that Haldon, Jon Connington, Rolly Duckfield, Lemore and every one of the friends who raised him could also betray him, and that Illyrio Mopatis, Varys, and Daenerys are even less trustworthy. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

He then suggests a different course of action to Aegon. Heading to [[Westeros]] instead of going east, taking advantage of all the problems caused by the [[War of the Five Kings]]. He points that [[the North]] is in a chaotic condition, the [[Riverlands]] are devastated, while [[Stannis Baratheon]] holds [[Storm's End]] and [[Dragonstone]]. The coming winter will starve out the realm. He then paints the opposition as particularly weak. He points that King [[Tommen Baratheon]] is just a boy, and all his potential regents come with their own problems. [[Cersei Lannister]] will alienate her own allies, [[Jaime Lannister]] actively avoids the responsibility of ruling, and [[Kevan Lannister]] is a born follower. [[Mace Tyrell]] will have to fight the Lannisters to become regent, and Stannis' unpopularity makes him an unlikely choice. Only a victorious Aegon can hope to meet Daenerys as her equal. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

The game of cyvasse ends with a loss for Aegon. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

Their journey brings them to [[Volon Therys]], Jon Connington and Aegon depart the ship, heading towards the camp of the [[Golden Company]]. Connington introduces "Young Griff" as Aegon VI, King of the [[Andal]]s, [[Rhoynar]], and the [[First Men]]. This introduction is met with silence by the officers. Connington realizes that all of them were aware of Aegon's identity for sometime. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Connington and the the officers briefly discuss about Daenerys' lingering presence in Meereen and the ongoing conflict in [[Slaver's Bay]]. Wondering whether they should head east and join the conflict. Several of them are already disillusioned with Daenerys. Aegon sees the opportunity to introduce his own plan of going to Westeros and claiming the throne in his own name. Strickland tries to point out the risk of this plan. But most of the officers are eager to support this course of action. Aegon further explains that his aunt is welcome to keep Meereen. His plan is to move fast and strike hard, gaining a foothold before the Lannisters can react. This would certainly gain them some new allies. Connington is impressed, thinking that this is a new side of Aegon. All officers swear allegiance to Aegon. They agree, however, to keep his identity secret from the soldiers. At least until they actually land in Westeros. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Ten ships of the Golden Company departed Volantis. Six of them made it to Westeros, landing at [[Cape Wrath]]. Connington leads 1/4 of the forces in seizing [[Griffin's Roost]]. Simultaneously [[Tristan Rivers]] besieges [[Crows Nest]], and [[Laswell Peake]] besieges [[Rain House]]. Aegon remains in their camp, guarded by the remaining 1/4 of the Company under [[Gorys Edoryen]]. Haldon collects information about the military and diplomatic situation across Westeros. He already considers marital alliances for King Aegon and his [[Hand of the King]], Jon Connington. The latter is against both such plans. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington receives news that part of the missing four ships landed in [[Estermont]]. [[Marq Mandrake]] has led the men there in capturing [[Greenstone]]. The rest of the ships are still missing. Franklyn Flowers suggests that the missing men are scattered across the [[Stepstones]]. Connington decides to bring Aegon to Griffin's Roost for increased safety. Franklyn points,however, that Aegon would like to be in the thick of things. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington has a plan to capture [[Storm's End]], last foothold of Stannis in the [[Stormlands]]. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Four days later, Aegon arrives at Griffin's Roost. He rides at the head of a column including a hundred [[horse]]s with their riders, and three [[elephant]]s. He is accompanied by Lemore and Rolly Duckfield, the first person in his version of the Kingsguard. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington remembers arguing with Aegon over the appointment of Rolly. Connington had pointed out that seats in the Kingsguard should be reserved for warriors of great renown and/or sons of great lords. Aegon pointed out that [[Jaime Lannister]] fit that description perfectly, and was currently known as the Kingslayer. He would rather have men personally loyal to himself, ready to die for his safety. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington asks to have the Prince escorted to his solar. But soon realizes that Prince Aegon is less biddable (obedient) than Young Griff. Aegon leaves him waiting for "the better half of a hour". Bringing Duck with him instead of coming alone. Connington tries to dismiss the bodyguard, but Aegon insists on having Rolly by his side. Aegon mentions discussing the plan to take Storm's End with Strickland and Flowers. Strickland even tried to persuade him to delay the plan. Aegon,however, feels Strickland is a bit of "an old maid" and is in favor of the plan. With one significant change. He intends to personally lead the attack. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

===The Winds of Winter===
[[Arianne Martell]] has departed [[Sunspear]] on a mission from her [[Doran Martell|father]] to discover the truth about the supposed Aegon Targaryen.
==Quotes about Aegon==
{{Quote|''"Aegon has been shaped for rule before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. [[Tommen I|Tommen]] has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them".'' {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}}} [[Varys]] to the dying [[Kevan Lannister]]

{{Quote|''"His silvery hair was blowing in the wind, and his eyes were a deep purple, darker than this boy's".'' {{Ref|aDwD|61}}}} [[Jon Connington]] reminisces about prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] as he addressed Aegon following the capture of Griffin's Roost by the [[Golden Company]].

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree now}}

==Survival speculation==
{{main|Aegon Targaryen/Theories}}
Even before ''A Dance With Dragons'' was released, there was speculation regarding whether or not Aegon Targaryen survived. Martin did not confirm that the character died, though he did confirm that his sister was slain.<ref>Westeros. "Elia’s Children." (August 6, 2000). [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Elias_Children So Spake Martin]</ref> Fans debated who might be the real Aegon suggesting [[Edric Dayne]], [[Samwell Tarly]], [[Daario Naharis]], among others. The question of the character's survival continued even after ''A Dance With Dragons'' introduced Aegon as a youth living under the assumed name of Young Griff to hide his identity. A number of fans speculate that he is not the real Aegon.

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Template:Kings of Westeros}}

[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[es:Aegon Targaryen]][[fr:Aegon Targaryen]][[ru:Эйгон Таргариен (сын Рэйгара)]][[zh:伊耿·坦格利安]]
[[pt:Aegon Targaryen]]

Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)

2013-03-10T20:52:40Z

Benethon Stark:

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Aegon Targaryen''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = [[File:Elias_last_moments.jpg|250px|right]]
| image_caption = Princess [[Elia Martell]]'s last moments - by Achen089 ©. She holds an infant who dies with her. Either Aegon Targaryen or the [[Pisswater prince]]
| Alias = Young Griff (possible)
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Valyrian]]
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|282}}
| Place_of_Death = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|283}} (Put into question by the appearance of a youth claimed to be the survived prince and leading a host of former [[Blackfyre]]-created sellswords.)
| Books = [[A Game of Thrones]] (Mentioned) [[A Clash of Kings]] (Mentioned) [[A Storm of Swords]] (Mentioned) [[A Feast for Crows]] (Mentioned) [[A Dance with Dragons]] (Appears)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played by =
| TV_series =
}}
{{See homonyms | Aegon Targaryen (disambiguation)}}

'''Aegon Targaryen''' was the second child and only son of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] and [[Elia Martell]]. Had he ascended to the throne he would have ruled as '''Aegon VI'''.

==Character and Appearance==
According to semi-canon sources Aegon looks like a [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]].<ref>Westeros. "A Number of Questions." (August 26, 2000). [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/A_Number_of_Questions/ So Spake Martin]</ref> As an infant, Aegon had "fair hair". {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

The older Aegon is described as a lithe and well-made youth, with a lanky build. [[Tyrion Lannister]] initially estimated him to be "fifteen" or "sixteen" years-old. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} According to [[Haldon]], Aegon is as tall as [[Jon Connington]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} Aegon has a lanky build that suggests that he has yet to reach his full growth. Tyrion noted that his eyes seem to be dark blue. But look black by lamplight, and [[purple eyes|purple]] in the light of dusk. His eyelashes are long, seemingly feminine. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He is exceptionally handsome and has the Targaryen traits of silver hair and purple eyes, both features which are also present in his aunt [[Daenerys]]. Jon Connington notes that Aegon's eyes were a lighter shade of purple to those of Rhaegar. He dyes his hair blue to conceal his identity.{{ref|aDwD|18}} {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Aegon is well educated and intelligent, speaking several languages and well versed in history. He speaks the [[Common Tongue]] as a native speaker. He is fluent in [[High Valyrian]], in the Bastard Valyrian dialects of [[Pentos]], [[Tyrosh]], [[Myr]], and [[Lys]], and in [[Trade Talk]]. He is a novice at speaking the dialect of [[Volantis]], only familiar with a few of its words. The dialect of [[Meereen]], whose terms derive from both Valyrian and [[Ghiscari Empire|Ghiscari]], gives him trouble. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He has some training in mathematics. He has a decent knowledge of [[w:Summation|sums]] and a limited understanding of [[w:Geometry|geometry]]. He also has been trained in songs. Tyrion notes that Aegon is more learned than "half the lords in [[Westeros]]". {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

==History==
===Birth===
[[File: ReneAigner_Dragonguard.jpg‎ ‎| A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived - art by Rene Aigner ©|thumb|450px|right]]
A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived, which led his father [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] to believe that he was the ''[[prince that was promised]]''. The comet was seen as "the bleeding star" of the prophecy. [[Maester Aemon]] was aware of Rhaegar's beliefs, though it is unclear if he shared them. Aemon later came to doubt the wisdom of looking for a prince, rather than a princess. He realized there was a translation error, the term translated was fluid in terms of gender. Connected to the term for [[dragon]]s, who are neither male nor female. {{ref|aFfC|35}}

According to the recollections of [[Jon Connington]], [[Elia Martell]] was always frail and sickly. Giving birth to her daughter [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] had left her bedridden for half a year. Giving birth to Aegon had almost killed her. The [[maesters]] had told Rhaegar that Elia would bear no more children. {{Ref|aDwD|61}}

===Sack of King's Landing===

Aegon was just an infant during [[Robert's Rebellion]].{{ref|aGoT|20}} {{Ref|aGoT|30}} Following the [[Battle of the Trident]], [[Aerys II Targaryen]] decided to send [[Rhaella Targaryen|Queen Rhaella]] and [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] to [[Dragonstone]]. The original plan was for Elia to join them. But Aerys II instead thought of using her as a hostage against [[Dorne]]. He blamed the lost battle of the Trident on the supposed treason of [[Lewyn Martell]]. He chose to keep Elia and Aegon by his side, in his view ensuring the continued loyalty of Dorne. {{Ref|aSoS|37}} After the death of Rhaegar, [[Pycelle]] was convinced that the war was effectively over. In his view, [[House Targaryen]] could no longer offer a proper king to the realm. Aerys II was "mad", Viserys "too young", and Aegon still "a babe at the breast". Pycelle worked to convince Aerys II to open the gates of [[King's Landing]] to the Lannister forces. Pycelle secretly prayed and hope that his actions would help [[Tywin Lannister]] rise to the throne. {{Ref|aCoK|25}}

During the [[Sack of King's Landing]], [[Jaime Lannister]] killed Aerys in the throne room of the [[Red Keep]]. [[Elys Westerling]], [[Roland Crakehall (Lord)|Roland Crakehall]], and other Lannister knights then burst in the room. At approximately the same, other Lannister soldiers fought Targaryen loyalists in the steps and armory of the Red Keep, [[Gregor Clegane]] and [[Amory Lorch]] were scaling the walls of Maegor's Holdfast, and [[Eddard Stark]] was leading the men of [[the North]] through the city gates. Lord Crakehall asked Jaime if they should proclaim a new king. Left unsaid was a clear implication, he was asking whether Jaime would proclaim Tywin Lannister, [[Robert Baratheon]], or a member of [[House Targaryen]]. Jaime remembered that Aegon and his mother were in Maegor's Holdfast, while Viserys was in [[Dragonstone]]. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Jaime briefly toyed with the idea of proclaiming a new Targaryen King. Tywin would gain control, as [[Hand of the King]], the "wolves" of the North would howl in frustration, Robert would choke with rage. Jaime found this option tempting. Until he glanced at the corpse of Aerys II. Recalling that both Aegon and Viserys had inherited the blood of Aerys, Jaime decided against supporting either one of them. He told Crakehall to proclaim whoever the man wanted. Jaime seated himself on the [[Iron Throne]], simply waiting to see who would arrive to claim the throne and the kingdom. He was still sitting there when Eddard entered the throne room. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Viserys often told stories to his sister Daenerys. One of these stories involved the [[Sack of King's Landing]] by the "Usurper's dogs", [[Tywin Lannister]] and [[Eddard Stark]]. In this story, Elia Martell was pleading for mercy as Aegon was ripped from her breast and murdered before her eyes. Aegon was "Rhaegar's heir". {{Ref|aGoT|3}} Daenerys later recalled an additional detail, men had dashed the head of Aegon against a wall. {{Ref|aGoT|64}} Eddard Stark recalls that "Lord Tywin's soldiers" had torn Aegon from his mother's breast and dashed his head against a wall. They were also said to have dragged [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] from beneath her bed, putting her to the sword.{{ref|aGoT|12}} Eddard Stark had heard rumors that it was Gregor Clegane who dashed the skull of infant Aegon against a wall. It was whispered that afterward Gregor had raped [[Elia Martell]], and then put her to the sword. At the time Gregor was only "seventeen". Nobody dared to repeat these rumors when Gregor himself could be listening. {{Ref|aGoT|30}} According to [[Tyrion Lannister]], the responsibility of Gregor for the murders of Elia and Aegon was "common knowledge" in [[Casterly Rock]]. The tale went that for the duration of Gregor's rape of Elia, his hands were still covered in the blood and brains of Aegon. {{Ref|aCoK|17}} A wounded Gregor later narrated a brief account of the events to [[Oberyn Martell]], while killing him. He had first killed Aegon, the "screaming whelp". Then came the rape of Elia; Clegane claimed to have smashed her head with his bare hands, the same method Gregor used to finish off Oberyn. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Tywin Lannister later narrated his view of the events to his son Tyrion. Rhaenys was hiding under Rhaegar's bed, while Elia and Aegon were in the nursery, just a floor below the location of Rhaenys. Tywin was aware that he had kept [[the Westerlands]] from joining Robert's cause for most of the Rebellion. They had only joined said cause at the last stage of the war, and their loyalty would be suspected. He needed a way to demonstrate loyalty to Robert, a way to convince people that the Lannisters had severed all ties to House Targaryen. In addition, Eddard Stark was also heading toward's King's Landing, leading the remnants of Robert's army south from the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]]. Instead of the Lannister and Stark forces meeting as allies, there was still a chance for the two armies to clash. Tywin also feared that his elder son [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] might do something stupid or that Aerys would kill Jaime for no more reason than sheer spite {{Ref|aSoS|53}}.

Tywin decided to have his troops eliminate Rhaegar's children. In a single move, the Lannisters would have proven their commitment to the Rebellion and secured the throne for Robert by eliminating rival claimants for the throne. Tywin himself was somewhat surprised by the result of his commands. The murders were performed "too brutally" for his needs; he insisted that Elia didn't have to die, it happened because he didn't specify she should be spared. He had not grasped yet that Gregor is bestial, not just "terrible in battle". Gregor chose himself the manner of Aegon's death. He had not received any instructions concerning Elia. He was improvising when he raped and killed her. Amory Lorch was the man who located Rhaenys, dragging her from under the bed. The girl kicked him and would not stop screaming. Lorch killed her with about fifty sword thrusts. Tywin himself, after the fact, pointed out a more logical way to perform the deed. A few sweet words to calm the girl, a soft pillow to suffocate her. The blood was unnecessary in his view. {{Ref|aSoS|53}} [[Oberyn Martell]] had another view on Tywin's motives. Elia was once supposed to marry Jaime Lannister, based on an agreement between her mother and [[Joanna Lannister]]. Following the death of Joanna, Tywin broke the agreement, though he offered Tyrion as a a prospective bridegroom instead of Jaime, taunting the Martells. He had also informed them that [[Cersei Lannister]] was meant for Rhaegar, not for Oberyn. When Elia married Rhaegar, the Martells had ruined Tywin's plans. Tywin was "not a man to forget such slights". Oberyn believed that the murder of Elia was decided by Tywin, to teach Elia the same lesson that Houses [[House Reyne|Reyne]] and [[House Tarbeck|Tarbeck]] had learned. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Eddard Stark recalled how Tywin Lannister presented [[Robert Baratheon]] with the corpses of Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. His "token of fealty". {{ref|aGoT|12}} Tywin had laid the bodies beneath the [[Iron Throne]], wrapped in the crimson cloaks of his house guard. A clever choice, as the blood was less obvious against the red cloth. Rhaenys had been barefoot, dressed in a bed gown. The condition of the boy horrified Eddard. {{ref|aGoT|45}} The skull was a "red ruin", even Robert could not stand its sight. Robert had turned away from the sight. {{ref|aGoT|20}} [[Kevan Lannister]] was also present during this scene. He was able to recognize Rhaenys. But recalls that nobody could recognize Aegon. All that remained of the boy was a faceless horror of bone, brain, and gore. A few hanks of fair hair. Nobody could stand looking at the body for long. Tywin stated that this was Aegon and everyone else took him at his word. Seventeen years later, Kevan was no longer certain of Tywin's word on the matter.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

===Reactions to the death===
*[[Robert Baratheon]] was actually relieved and glad that the royal children were killed. Robert viewed himself as a hero, and was reluctant to kill children, but he knew Rhaegar's children had to die if his throne was ever to be secure. Tywin painted himself as the villain, allowing Robert to keep his hands clean, the reason Robert refused to punish any of the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] for the brutal act.{{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Tywin Lannister]] knew this act would prove to Robert that [[House Lannister]] had forsaken the [[House Targaryen|dragon]] forever. Years later, Tyrion came to question the wisdom of the act. Robert Baratheon would have bloodied his own hands, soiling his own reputation. Instead the Lannisters had damaged their own reputation, gaining long-term enemies in the process. {{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Eddard Stark]] called the act murder, Robert just called it war. Eddard protested that Aegon and Rhaenys were "no more than babes". Robert replied that they were not babes, only dragonspawn. The two men quarreled over the matter, [[Jon Arryn]] unable to calm them. Eddard had ridden out of King's Landing in a cold rage, heading south to fight the last battles of the war on his own. They would only be reconciled by their shared grief over the death of [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]].{{ref|aGoT|12}}

*[[Thoros of Myr]] claims to have personally seen the corpses of Aegon and Rhaenys, as they were placed before the Iron Throne. In his view, [[House Clegane]] was "built upon dead children" and their arms should display "two bloody infants". {{Ref|aSoS|34}}

*[[Arianne Martell]] recalled Robert as a monster who climbed onto his throne over the corpses of children, directly connecting his rise to the murders of Aegon and Rhaenys. Robert is not held in high regard in [[Dorne]].{{ref|aFfC|13}}

*[[Viserys Targaryen]] was convinced that the [[Dornishmen]] were determined to avenge Elia and her children. {{Ref|aGoT|3}}

*Years following the murders, [[Doran Martell]] still mourns for the victims. According to [[Varys]], the consequent hatred of Doran for [[House Lannister]] is well known.{{Ref|aCoK|17}} Doran himself claims to have worked at the downfall of Tywin Lannister for all these years. Ever since he learned what had happended to Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. {{ref|aFfC|40}}

*[[Oberyn Martell]], in his words, hungered for justice for sixteen years. Justice for Elia and her children. Certain that Gregor was only following orders. {{Ref|aCoK|38}} [[Oberyn Martell]] wanted vengeance on the man who gave the orders, not just the man who performed the deed. {{Ref|aCoK|66}}

*[[Nymeria Sand]] believes that the only fitting payment for the death of Elia's children, would be the death of "Lord Tywin's golden twins". [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] would pay with their lives for the old murders. {{ref|aFfC|2}}

*[[Jacelyn Bywater]] stated to [[Tyrion Lannister]] there were still whispers in King's Landings that "the butchery of Rhaegar's children" was one of the sins of [[House Lannister]]. And that the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]] would punish the entire city for the sins of this House. {{Ref|aCoK|41}}

*[[Daenerys Targaryen]] can't see a difference between Houses [[House Lannister|Lannister]] and [[House Stark|Stark]]. She considers Eddard Stark also responsible for the murders of Rhaenys and Aegon, arguing that "the Usurper's dogs" acted as a pack of hounds, hunting children. Which individual hound kills a child doesn't matter, all the dogs are equally guilty. [[Barristan Selmy]] disagrees with her, and has tried to explain the distinction between Eddard and Tywin. Daenerys notices a "flicker of disapproval" in his face when she insists on her original opinion. {{Ref|aDwD|11}}

*[[Barristan Selmy]] himself has been haunted by the idea of the ''"bloody bodies"'' of Aegon and Rhaenys. His serious injuries following the [[Battle of the Trident]] prevented him from personally examining the corpses. But he wondered for years about the reaction of Robert to the bodies and whether Robert smiled at the bodies. Selmy contemplates that such a smile would motivate him to personally kill Robert and that no army could save him. {{Ref|aDwD|67}}

===Reported survival===
[[Image:Aegon6.jpg|Young Griff, who claims to be Prince Aegon|thumb|300px|left]]
A young man considering himself to be Aegon, explains his apparent survival to [[Tyrion Lannister]]. According to his account, the boy killed during the Sack of King's Landing was a [[Pisswater prince]]. He had been born at the Pisswater Bend, a street of King's Landing. His father was a tanner, and his mother had died at birth. The tanner sold his boy to [[Varys]] for a jug of [[Arbor]] gold [[wine]]. The man had other sons, but wanted to experience the taste of Arbor gold for once in his life. Varys then arranged the swap between the two infants boys. Elia received the Pisswater prince, Varys took custody of the real Aegon. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} Tyrion Lannister deduces the rest of the story. When the Pisswater prince was "safely dead", Varys smuggled Aegon across the [[narrow sea]]. Varys entrusted the boy to [[Illyrio Mopatis]], who in turn found an adoptive father for Aegon in the person of exiled Lord [[Jon Connington]]. Aegon does not comment on Tyrion's deductions. {{Ref|aDwD|22}}

According to the recollection of Jon Connington, he had to fake his own death "twelve years" before the present. In [[288 AL]], five years following the [[Battle of the Bells]], Varys had convinced him that the lie would be necessary for the safety of Aegon. Connington had spend the "five years" of his exile as a member of the [[Golden Company]], and had become the right-hand man to [[Myles Toyne]]. To fulfill Varys' plan, Connington first had to be discharged from the Company in disgrace. The crafted story went that he been stealing from its war chest. Then rumors reported that Connington drunk himself to death in [[Lys]]. In Varys' words, as a gallant exile Connington would be remembered. But few tend to remember thieves, drunks, and cowards. Reputed to be one of the latter, Connington too would be forgotten. {{Ref|aDwD|24}} Aegon spend most of his life hiding aboard the poleboat [[Shy Maid]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|22}} He shared a cabin with his adoptive father. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

Aegon has been trained in matters of military tactics by [[Jon Connington]] {{Ref|aDwD|24}}, arms by [[Rolly Duckfield]], in the [[Faith of the Seven]] by [[Lemore|Septa Lemore]], and history and languages by [[Haldon|Haldon Halfmaester]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|18}} He was taught to read and write. To study history, law, and poetry. He lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers, and mended nets. He learned practical things such as washing his own clothes, fishing, cooking, binding up wounds. He was familiarized with hunger, and the fear of being hunted. His education was intended to teach him that kingship was a duty, not a right. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

His claim to the [[Iron Throne]] is stronger than that of his aunt Daenerys. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} {{Ref|aDwD|24}} According to the relevant succession laws,

{{Quote|"the sons of the first son come before the second son".'' {{Ref|aCoK|35}}}}

Aegon is a son of Rhaegar, who was himself the first son of [[Aerys II]]. Placing Aegon higher in the Targaryen succession line than both [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] (Aerys second son) and [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] (the daughter of Aerys). {{Ref|aCoK|35}} According to Daenerys, Five Kings named "Aegon" have ruled in [[Westeros]]. Her nephew would have been the sixth, had he survived infancy. {{Ref|aSoS|57}} {{Ref|aDwD|2}}

As yet there is no indication as to whether he has inherited the [[Targaryen]] propensity for [[dragon dreams]] as [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] has. He might have the potential for it, like all those with Targaryen blood, but only some members of this bloodline actually displayed this ability. <ref name="Forum1">Conversation topic: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/58262-adwd-spoilers-dragon-dreams-of-ice-and-fire/ Dragon Dreams of Ice and Fire] on [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/ Westeros Forum] </ref>

==Recent Events==
===A Clash of Kings===
One of the visions [[Daenerys Targaryen]] sees in the [[House of the Undying]] involves Rhaegar, Elia, and Aegon. In this vision, a newborn Aegon nurses from the breast of Elia. The woman is seated in a great wooden bed. Rhaegar decides on the name "Aegon" for his newborn son, as he thinks the name fit for a king. Elia asks whether Rhaegar will make a song for their son. He replies that Aegon already has a song, "[[the song of ice and fire]]". Part of his role as "the prince that was promised".

However, Rhaegar then claims that there must be "one more", since "the dragon has three heads". Rhaegar moves to a seat near the window, and picks up a harp. Daenerys listens to the "sweet sadness" of his music as the vision fades away. {{Ref|aCoK|48}}

Daenerys later describes this vision to [[Jorah Mormont]]. Jorah helps her confirm the identities of the people in this vision but points out that if Aegon was the promised prince, the promise was broken with his death. {{Ref|aCoK|63}} Daenerys notices a pattern in the names Rhaegar chose for his children. They were named after [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and his sisters. There was a daughter named after the original [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], but none named after [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]]. She wonders if that was the missing third head of the dragon. Neither Daenerys nor Jorah have heard of the term "song of ice and fire". They are unable to determine its meaning. {{Ref|aCoK|63}}

===A Dance with Dragons===
[[File: Pojypojy_Griff&YoungGriff.jpg‎|[[Griff]] and Young Griff - by Pojypojy ©|thumb|300px|right]]
While in [[Meereen]], [[Daenerys]] has mused about Aegon who would have been the sixth to sit on the [[Iron Throne]]. She is yet unaware that he is alive. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} She thought to herself:

{{Quote|''"If he had lived, I might have married him. Aegon would have been closer to my age than Viserys"''. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} }}

To better conceal his identity Aegon dyes his silver [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] hair blue, which also serves to makes his [[violet eyes]] appear blue. He uses the false story that his mother was a [[Tyrosh|Tyroshi]] who dyed her hair blue, and that he dyes his own hair to honor her memory. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|14}} {{ref|aDwD|18}}

In {{Date|300}}, [[Illyrio Mopatis]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]] jointly depart [[Pentos]], heading towards the river Rhoyne. On the journey Illyrio explains the purpose of Tyrion's mission. He and "Griff" ([[Jon Connington]]) are to head towards [[Volantis]]. Waiting for the expected arrival of [[Daenerys Targaryen]] in that city, with fresh forces and more ships for her cause. Based on Illyrio's information, Daenerys has conquered [[Astapor]], made [[Yunkai]] bend the knee and sacked [[Meereen]]. He estimates that Daenerys is heading westwards, either by land to [[Mantarys]] or by sea to Volantis. {{Ref|aDwD|5}} Tyrion wants more information on Griff, who Illyrio supposedly trusts as a brother. Illyrio simply points that unlike most [[Mercenary|sellswords]], Griff is a dotting father. He also mentions that his boy, "Young Griff" (Aegon) is a noble lad. {{Ref|aDwD|5}}

In arms practice with [[Rolly Duckfield]], the student surpasses the master. Aegon manages to knock Rolly into a horse trough. An embarrassed Rolly claims that he fell on purpose to make Aegon laugh. Haldon laughs at him.{{Ref|aDwD|8}} Three days following this incident, Illyrio and Tyrion end their joined journey when they meet [[Haldon]] and Rolly. Illyrio specifically asks them for information on Young Griff. Haldon replies that Young Griff is now taller, as tall as the elder Griff. He then narrates about the incident during arms practice. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Illyrio has brought a gift for Young Griff, candied ginger. Pointing that the boy was always fond of it. An "oddly sad" Illyrio wants to prepare a farewell feast for the lad and offers to join them as far as [[Ghoyan Drohe]]. Haldon points out that there is no time for feasts. [[Griff]] is in a hurry to move downriver. There is information that the [[Dothraki]] [[khalasar]]s of [[Motho]] and [[Zekko]] are crossing the [[Forest of Qohor]], heading towards the Rhoyne. Both khals are fleeing from the much larger khalasar of [[Pono]], who might also be heading for the Rhoyne. Griff wants to avoid any encounter with the Dothraki. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Tyrion joins Haldon and Rolly for the trip back to their boat. Illyrio leaves a message for Young Griff. Expressing his regret that he won't be present for the boy's wedding. But swears to rejoin the boy in [[Westeros]]. His shoulders were slumped, again indicating sadness. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Traveling by horse for a couple of days, the trio of travelers encounter the [[Shy Maid]] in the vicinity of [[Ghoyan Drohe]]. Young Griff greets "Duck" and Haldon with shouts, while standing on the cabin of the poleboat. Trying to open a conversation, Tyrion points out to Young Griff that blue hair will get him ridiculed in Westeros. Young Griff is taken aback. He claims to dye his hair in memory of his deceased mother, a lady of [[Tyrosh]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

The Shy Maid continues traveling down the Rhoyne towards [[Volantis]]. Tyrion watches Young Griff enjoying his breakfast, bacon. All the while contemplating the overall appearance of the boy. Following breakfast, Duck invites Young Griff for arms practice. The two practice with swords for this morning, evenly matched. Young Griff lands more blows, Duck fewer but harder ones. Duck tires first, allowing Young Griff the opportunity to start a furious attack. Duck retreats towards the stern. Young Griff uses a shoulder slam to throw his opponent into the river. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

A wet Duckfield does not appreciate being teased by Tyrion, throwing the dwarf into the river. Young Griff extends a pole to Tyrion, helping him return aboard the boat. Tyrion uses a cartwheel to spray everyone around him with water. Young Griff is amused and asks where Tyrion learned this trick. Tyrion offers him a false origin story. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} With arms practice over, Young Griff joins [[Lemore]] for a lesson on the mysteries of the [[Faith of the Seven]]. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} During the evening, Young Griff joins Haldon for lessons in languages, geometry, and history. Tyrion joins them in this day's lessons. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

With the lesson over, Young Griff helps [[Yandry]] with the sails and poles of the boat. Tyrion discusses Young Griff's education with Haldon. He points that such as an extensive education is unusual for "some [[sellsword]]'s son". Haldon fails to understand what Tyrion is implying about the boy. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} Hours later, Young Griff hoots in joy when their boat encounters the [[Old Man of the River]], a huge horned turtle. Most members of the crew take this for a good sign, Tyrion privately considers this a wonder. One of the wonders which mark the birth of kings. Already hinting at the real identity of Young Griff. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

The Shy Maid continues its way down the Rhoyne, traveling through fog in the vicinity of the Sorrows. Young Griff takes position at the prow of the poleboat, holding a pole. He is ready to use it to push the boat away from potential hazards. Young Griff speculates about the presence of fish in this area of the river, [[Ysilla]] warns him against eating any fish taken from these waters. {{Ref|aDwD|18}}
[[File:Young Griff by Cloudninja9.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Young Griff by [http://cloudninja9.deviantart.com/ Cloudninja9]©]]
When discussion turns to "Garin's Curse", another term for [[greyscale]], Ysilla tells a brief story concerning [[Garin (Prince)|Garin]]. The men of Volantis and [[Valyria]] had hung him in a golden cage, mocking his calls to [[Mother Rhoyne]]. Mocking his prayers for their destruction. The river rose and drowned his captors. But the story speaks of restless "lords of fire" who still live beneath the water, their flesh now as stony as their hearts. After listening to the story, Young Griff is not particularly disturbed. Certain that they could face these restless Valyrians and any other [[Stone men]]. Lemore warns him that pride is a grievous sin. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

When the Shy Maid makes its way through the Sorrows, Young Griff uses his pole to push the boat away from a broken tower. {{ref|aDwD|18}} Some time, later, the boy warns of a light ahead of them. His father recognizes the light as coming from the Bridge of Dream. Griff instructs his son to escort Lemore to her cabin and then stay with her. Young Griff stubbornly refuses, denying a need for protection. Claiming that his training to become a [[knight]] should be sufficient to protect himself. Griff commands him to back down. The youth curses under his breath. Pointing out angrily that Haldon, Ysilla, and "Hugor" (Tyrion) are not running for cover. When Tyrion joins in trying to convince Young Griff to back down, the youth replies with a scornful "You're a dwarf". Tyrion tries to explain that Young Griff is everything for their mission. His words are interrupted when the Shy Maid seemingly passes below the Bridge of Dream. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

With the danger posed by the stone men seemingly over, Young Griff turns his attention back to Tyrion. He grabs the dwarf's arm and demands answers. "Why am I everything?" Tyrion points out that the death of anyone else on board would be mourned. But the death of Young Griff would abort their mission. Young Griff realized that Tyrion has found out about his true identity. Tyrion lists the clues that led him to the deduction that Young Griff is Aegon Targaryen, the boy [[Tywin Lannister]] had wrapped in a crimson cloak. A confused Aegon finally learns that "Hugor" is Tyrion Lannister. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

Before the encounter between its crew members ends, the Shy Maid approaches the Bridge of Dream for a second time. An unexplained return as they were heading for the opposite direction. Griff commands Haldon to escort Aegon below. Haldon has no time to fulfill his mission. During the second passing of the ship, three stone men from the Bridge boarded the ship. (Tyrion initially sees only two, failing to see the one behind his back). The third stone man lurches forward and reaches for Aegon. The boy freezes in shock with his hand still on the sword hilt, failing to defend himself. Tyrion kicks one of Aegon's legs, making the prince loose his balance and fall. Tyrion then leaps over the fallen body and attacks the stone man with a torch. While the rest of the crew attempts to shield Aegon, the two struggling figures fall into the Rhoyne. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

The Shy Maid has reached [[Selhorys]] by the time Tyrion regains consciousness. Aegon is in a sullen mood, forced to remain on board for his own safety. The town is under the control of the city of Volantis. Dothraki riders had been located in the vicinity of Selhorys. The triarchs of Volantis had feared an attack and had warships, river galleys, and slave soldiers transferred to the town. The crew members wanted to prevent Aegon from having dangerous encounters in the area. Despite his insistance that he knows how to use a sword. Lemore points out that even the bravest Targaryens did not trust their fate on their swords alone. They kept the [[Kingsguard]] by their side. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

Lemore herself had changed from septa's robes to secular garb. Pointing to Aegon that he was not alone in having to hide. The prince still seems frustrated. Tyrion challenges him to a game of [[cyvasse]]. Tyrion privately assesses the game strategy of Aegon. He feels it is "a young man's formation", bold and foolish. Aegon risks everything for a quick kill. Tyrion starts a conversation, actually fishing Aegon for information. Aegon innocently offers background information on Jon Connington, and then narrates his own origin story. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

Tyrion switches the conversation towards the real purpose of their journey. The plan to have Aegon married to his aunt Daenerys. He warns the prince that Daenerys might not be the willing bride that everyone seems to expect. Aegon is shocked, having never considered the idea that she might turn down his marriage offer. Tyrion points out that Daenerys is a proud, strong, and fierce young woman who will not appreciate a relative coming to her with a begging bowl, certainly not one with a stronger claim to the [[Iron Throne]] than her own. Aegon angrily denies being a beggar, pointing at his own army: the [[Golden Company]]. Tyrion points out that Daenerys has a larger army than his own and owes nothing to Aegon. Aegon protests, trusting in Lord Connington to win her over. Tyrion calls him a fool, warning him {{ref|aDwD|22}}: {{Quote|Trust no one, my prince. {{ref|aDwD|22}} }}

Tyrion plants the seeds of doubt on the young prince, pointing that Haldon, Jon Connington, Rolly Duckfield, Lemore and every one of the friends who raised him could also betray him, and that Illyrio Mopatis, Varys, and Daenerys are even less trustworthy. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

He then suggests a different course of action to Aegon. Heading to [[Westeros]] instead of going east, taking advantage of all the problems caused by the [[War of the Five Kings]]. He points that [[the North]] is in a chaotic condition, the [[Riverlands]] are devastated, while [[Stannis Baratheon]] holds [[Storm's End]] and [[Dragonstone]]. The coming winter will starve out the realm. He then paints the opposition as particularly weak. He points that King [[Tommen Baratheon]] is just a boy, and all his potential regents come with their own problems. [[Cersei Lannister]] will alienate her own allies, [[Jaime Lannister]] actively avoids the responsibility of ruling, and [[Kevan Lannister]] is a born follower. [[Mace Tyrell]] will have to fight the Lannisters to become regent, and Stannis' unpopularity makes him an unlikely choice. Only a victorious Aegon can hope to meet Daenerys as her equal. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

The game of cyvasse ends with a loss for Aegon. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

During the game, the Prince had taken an advise on strategy from his opponent. An advice which intentionally manipulated him towards defeat. Tyrion once again warns, trust no one, proving that even advisors can not be trusted. A frustrated Aegon kicks over the board, discarding the cyvasse pieces across the deck of the poleboat. He then commands Tyrion to pick up the pieces. Tyrion recognizes a Targaryen in this behavior. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

The Shy Maid is stationed at the riverfront of [[Volon Therys]]. Jon Connington and Aegon depart the ship, heading towards the camp of the [[Golden Company]]. The mercenaries have situated themselves 3 miles (4,83 kilometers) south of the town. The travelers have already learned that Daenerys is still in Meereen, and that Illyrio had miscalculated. Aegon complains of being sick of the blue dye in his hair, eager to wash it out. He smiles at the idea of having his own army. But then expresses concerns over the loyalty of sellswords. Connington tries to explain that men should be allowed to earn trust through loyal service. Both trusting and mistrusting everyone without reason should be avoided. Privately, Connington worries that Aegon could take Tyrion's advise to heart and become as paranoid as Aerys II. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Arriving at the camp, Connington introduces the boy as his squire to [[Franklyn Flowers]]. Flowers escorts them to the tent of [[Harry Strickland]], for their initial meeting with the officers of the Company. Strickland initially sees the boy as a son to Connington. Connington instead introduces him as Aegon VI, King of the [[Andal]]s, [[Rhoynar]], and the [[First Men]]. This introduction is met with silence by the officers. Connington realizes that all of them were aware of Aegon's identity for sometime. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Connington and the the officers briefly discuss about Daenerys' lingering presence in Meereen and the ongoing conflict in [[Slaver's Bay]]. Wondering whether they should head east and join the conflict. Several of them are already disillusioned with Daenerys. Aegon sees the opportunity to introduce his own plan of going to Westeros and claiming the throne in his own name. Strickland tries to point out the risk of this plan. But most of the officers are eager to support this course of action. Aegon further explains that his aunt is welcome to keep Meereen. His plan is to move fast and strike hard, gaining a foothold before the Lannisters can react. This would certainly gain them some new allies. Connington is impressed, thinking that this is a new side of Aegon. All officers swear allegiance to Aegon. They agree, however, to keep his identity secret from the soldiers. At least until they actually land in Westeros. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Ten ships of the Golden Company departed Volantis. Six of them made it to Westeros, landing at [[Cape Wrath]]. Connington leads 1/4 of the forces in seizing [[Griffin's Roost]]. Simultaneously [[Tristan Rivers]] besieges [[Crows Nest]], and [[Laswell Peake]] besieges [[Rain House]]. Each with their own 1/4 of the Company. Aegon remains in their camp, guarded by the remaining 1/4 of the Company under [[Gorys Edoryen]]. Haldon collects information about the military and diplomatic situation across Westeros. He already considers marital alliances for King Aegon and his [[Hand of the King]], Jon Connington. The latter is against both such plans. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington receives news that part of the missing four ships landed in [[Estermont]]. [[Marq Mandrake]] has led the men there in capturing [[Greenstone]]. The rest of the ships are still missing. Franklyn Flowers suggests that the missing men are scattered across the [[Stepstones]]. Connington decides to bring Aegon to Griffin's Roost for increased safety. Franklyn points,however, that Aegon would like to be in the thick of things. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington has a plan to capture [[Storm's End]], last foothold of Stannis in the [[Stormlands]]. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Four days later, Aegon arrives at Griffin's Roost. He rides at the head of a column including a hundred [[horse]]s with their riders, and three [[elephant]]s. He is accompanied by Lemore and Rolly Duckfield, the first person in his version of the Kingsguard. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington remembers arguing with Aegon over the appointment of Rolly. Connington had pointed out that seats in the Kingsguard should be reserved for warriors of great renown and/or sons of great lords. Aegon pointed out that [[Jaime Lannister]] fit that description perfectly, and was currently known as the Kingslayer. He would rather have men personally loyal to himself, ready to die for his safety. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington asks to have the Prince escorted to his solar. But soon realizes that Prince Aegon is less biddable (obedient) than Young Griff. Aegon leaves him waiting for "the better half of a hour". Bringing Duck with him instead of coming alone. Connington tries to dismiss the bodyguard, but Aegon insists on having Rolly by his side. Aegon mentions discussing the plan to take Storm's End with Strickland and Flowers. Strickland even tried to persuade him to delay the plan. Aegon,however, feels Strickland is a bit of "an old maid" and is in favor of the plan. With one significant change. He intends to personally lead the attack. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

The [[Small Council]] in [[King's Landing]] discusses the matter of the [[Golden Company]]. [[Qyburn]] and [[Pycelle]] have received reports about mercenaries landing in [[Tarth]], the Stepstones, and Estermont. There are also reports about Jon Connington heading against Storm's End. [[Kevan Lannister]] points out that now they have opponents to their south. A third ongoing threat along with Stannis in the North and the [[Ironborn]] in the west. Kevan already has information about a new Targaryen pretender having Joined Connington, though [[Randyll Tarly]] dismisses Aegon as an impostor. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}} Pycelle suggests that they could use gold to purchase the loyalty of the Golden company. Then the sellswords would hand over Lord Connington and the pretender. [[Harys Swyft]] points out that the Iron Throne is heavily in debt and has no gold to offer. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

Varys informs the dying Kevan that Aegon will raise his banner above [[Storm's End]]. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}
===The Winds of Winter===
[[Arianne Martell]] has departed [[Sunspear]] on a mission from her [[Doran Martell|father]] to discover the truth about the supposed Aegon Targaryen.
==Quotes about Aegon==
{{Quote|''"Aegon has been shaped for rule before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. [[Tommen I|Tommen]] has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them".'' {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}}} [[Varys]] to the dying [[Kevan Lannister]]

{{Quote|''"His silvery hair was blowing in the wind, and his eyes were a deep purple, darker than this boy's".'' {{Ref|aDwD|61}}}} [[Jon Connington]] reminisces about prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] as he addressed Aegon following the capture of Griffin's Roost by the [[Golden Company]].

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree now}}

==Survival speculation==
{{main|Aegon Targaryen/Theories}}
Even before ''A Dance With Dragons'' was released, there was speculation regarding whether or not Aegon Targaryen survived. Martin did not confirm that the character died, though he did confirm that his sister was slain.<ref>Westeros. "Elia’s Children." (August 6, 2000). [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Elias_Children So Spake Martin]</ref> Fans debated who might be the real Aegon suggesting [[Edric Dayne]], [[Samwell Tarly]], [[Daario Naharis]], among others. The question of the character's survival continued even after ''A Dance With Dragons'' introduced Aegon as a youth living under the assumed name of Young Griff to hide his identity. A number of fans speculate that he is not the real Aegon.

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Template:Kings of Westeros}}

[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[es:Aegon Targaryen]][[fr:Aegon Targaryen]][[ru:Эйгон Таргариен (сын Рэйгара)]][[zh:伊耿·坦格利安]]
[[pt:Aegon Targaryen]]

Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)

2013-03-10T20:50:29Z

Benethon Stark: Claiming your personal theory to be fact does not make it so. You have no proof, making it a fan theory.

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Aegon Targaryen''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = [[File:Elias_last_moments.jpg|250px|right]]
| image_caption = Princess [[Elia Martell]]'s last moments - by Achen089 ©. She holds an infant who dies with her. Either Aegon Targaryen or the [[Pisswater prince]]
| Alias = Young Griff (possible)
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Valyrian]]
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|282}}
| Place_of_Death = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Death = Assumed to be in {{Date|283}} but put into question by the appearance of a youth claimed to be the survived prince.
| Books = [[A Game of Thrones]] (Mentioned) [[A Clash of Kings]] (Mentioned) [[A Storm of Swords]] (Mentioned) [[A Feast for Crows]] (Mentioned) [[A Dance with Dragons]] (Appears)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played by =
| TV_series =
}}
{{See homonyms | Aegon Targaryen (disambiguation)}}

'''Aegon Targaryen''' was the second child and only son of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] and [[Elia Martell]]. Had he ascended to the throne he would have ruled as '''Aegon VI'''.

==Character and Appearance==
According to semi-canon sources Aegon looks like a [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]].<ref>Westeros. "A Number of Questions." (August 26, 2000). [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/A_Number_of_Questions/ So Spake Martin]</ref> As an infant, Aegon had "fair hair". {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

The older Aegon is described as a lithe and well-made youth, with a lanky build. [[Tyrion Lannister]] initially estimated him to be "fifteen" or "sixteen" years-old. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} According to [[Haldon]], Aegon is as tall as [[Jon Connington]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} Aegon has a lanky build that suggests that he has yet to reach his full growth. Tyrion noted that his eyes seem to be dark blue. But look black by lamplight, and [[purple eyes|purple]] in the light of dusk. His eyelashes are long, seemingly feminine. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He is exceptionally handsome and has the Targaryen traits of silver hair and purple eyes, both features which are also present in his aunt [[Daenerys]]. Jon Connington notes that Aegon's eyes were a lighter shade of purple to those of Rhaegar. He dyes his hair blue to conceal his identity.{{ref|aDwD|18}} {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Aegon is well educated and intelligent, speaking several languages and well versed in history. He speaks the [[Common Tongue]] as a native speaker. He is fluent in [[High Valyrian]], in the Bastard Valyrian dialects of [[Pentos]], [[Tyrosh]], [[Myr]], and [[Lys]], and in [[Trade Talk]]. He is a novice at speaking the dialect of [[Volantis]], only familiar with a few of its words. The dialect of [[Meereen]], whose terms derive from both Valyrian and [[Ghiscari Empire|Ghiscari]], gives him trouble. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He has some training in mathematics. He has a decent knowledge of [[w:Summation|sums]] and a limited understanding of [[w:Geometry|geometry]]. He also has been trained in songs. Tyrion notes that Aegon is more learned than "half the lords in [[Westeros]]". {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

==History==
===Birth===
[[File: ReneAigner_Dragonguard.jpg‎ ‎| A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived - art by Rene Aigner ©|thumb|450px|right]]
A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived, which led his father [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] to believe that he was the ''[[prince that was promised]]''. The comet was seen as "the bleeding star" of the prophecy. [[Maester Aemon]] was aware of Rhaegar's beliefs, though it is unclear if he shared them. Aemon later came to doubt the wisdom of looking for a prince, rather than a princess. He realized there was a translation error, the term translated was fluid in terms of gender. Connected to the term for [[dragon]]s, who are neither male nor female. {{ref|aFfC|35}}

According to the recollections of [[Jon Connington]], [[Elia Martell]] was always frail and sickly. Giving birth to her daughter [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] had left her bedridden for half a year. Giving birth to Aegon had almost killed her. The [[maesters]] had told Rhaegar that Elia would bear no more children. {{Ref|aDwD|61}}

===Sack of King's Landing===

Aegon was just an infant during [[Robert's Rebellion]].{{ref|aGoT|20}} {{Ref|aGoT|30}} Following the [[Battle of the Trident]], [[Aerys II Targaryen]] decided to send [[Rhaella Targaryen|Queen Rhaella]] and [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] to [[Dragonstone]]. The original plan was for Elia to join them. But Aerys II instead thought of using her as a hostage against [[Dorne]]. He blamed the lost battle of the Trident on the supposed treason of [[Lewyn Martell]]. He chose to keep Elia and Aegon by his side, in his view ensuring the continued loyalty of Dorne. {{Ref|aSoS|37}} After the death of Rhaegar, [[Pycelle]] was convinced that the war was effectively over. In his view, [[House Targaryen]] could no longer offer a proper king to the realm. Aerys II was "mad", Viserys "too young", and Aegon still "a babe at the breast". Pycelle worked to convince Aerys II to open the gates of [[King's Landing]] to the Lannister forces. Pycelle secretly prayed and hope that his actions would help [[Tywin Lannister]] rise to the throne. {{Ref|aCoK|25}}

During the [[Sack of King's Landing]], [[Jaime Lannister]] killed Aerys in the throne room of the [[Red Keep]]. [[Elys Westerling]], [[Roland Crakehall (Lord)|Roland Crakehall]], and other Lannister knights then burst in the room. At approximately the same, other Lannister soldiers fought Targaryen loyalists in the steps and armory of the Red Keep, [[Gregor Clegane]] and [[Amory Lorch]] were scaling the walls of Maegor's Holdfast, and [[Eddard Stark]] was leading the men of [[the North]] through the city gates. Lord Crakehall asked Jaime if they should proclaim a new king. Left unsaid was a clear implication, he was asking whether Jaime would proclaim Tywin Lannister, [[Robert Baratheon]], or a member of [[House Targaryen]]. Jaime remembered that Aegon and his mother were in Maegor's Holdfast, while Viserys was in [[Dragonstone]]. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Jaime briefly toyed with the idea of proclaiming a new Targaryen King. Tywin would gain control, as [[Hand of the King]], the "wolves" of the North would howl in frustration, Robert would choke with rage. Jaime found this option tempting. Until he glanced at the corpse of Aerys II. Recalling that both Aegon and Viserys had inherited the blood of Aerys, Jaime decided against supporting either one of them. He told Crakehall to proclaim whoever the man wanted. Jaime seated himself on the [[Iron Throne]], simply waiting to see who would arrive to claim the throne and the kingdom. He was still sitting there when Eddard entered the throne room. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Viserys often told stories to his sister Daenerys. One of these stories involved the [[Sack of King's Landing]] by the "Usurper's dogs", [[Tywin Lannister]] and [[Eddard Stark]]. In this story, Elia Martell was pleading for mercy as Aegon was ripped from her breast and murdered before her eyes. Aegon was "Rhaegar's heir". {{Ref|aGoT|3}} Daenerys later recalled an additional detail, men had dashed the head of Aegon against a wall. {{Ref|aGoT|64}} Eddard Stark recalls that "Lord Tywin's soldiers" had torn Aegon from his mother's breast and dashed his head against a wall. They were also said to have dragged [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] from beneath her bed, putting her to the sword.{{ref|aGoT|12}} Eddard Stark had heard rumors that it was Gregor Clegane who dashed the skull of infant Aegon against a wall. It was whispered that afterward Gregor had raped [[Elia Martell]], and then put her to the sword. At the time Gregor was only "seventeen". Nobody dared to repeat these rumors when Gregor himself could be listening. {{Ref|aGoT|30}} According to [[Tyrion Lannister]], the responsibility of Gregor for the murders of Elia and Aegon was "common knowledge" in [[Casterly Rock]]. The tale went that for the duration of Gregor's rape of Elia, his hands were still covered in the blood and brains of Aegon. {{Ref|aCoK|17}} A wounded Gregor later narrated a brief account of the events to [[Oberyn Martell]], while killing him. He had first killed Aegon, the "screaming whelp". Then came the rape of Elia; Clegane claimed to have smashed her head with his bare hands, the same method Gregor used to finish off Oberyn. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Tywin Lannister later narrated his view of the events to his son Tyrion. Rhaenys was hiding under Rhaegar's bed, while Elia and Aegon were in the nursery, just a floor below the location of Rhaenys. Tywin was aware that he had kept [[the Westerlands]] from joining Robert's cause for most of the Rebellion. They had only joined said cause at the last stage of the war, and their loyalty would be suspected. He needed a way to demonstrate loyalty to Robert, a way to convince people that the Lannisters had severed all ties to House Targaryen. In addition, Eddard Stark was also heading toward's King's Landing, leading the remnants of Robert's army south from the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]]. Instead of the Lannister and Stark forces meeting as allies, there was still a chance for the two armies to clash. Tywin also feared that his elder son [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] might do something stupid or that Aerys would kill Jaime for no more reason than sheer spite {{Ref|aSoS|53}}.

Tywin decided to have his troops eliminate Rhaegar's children. In a single move, the Lannisters would have proven their commitment to the Rebellion and secured the throne for Robert by eliminating rival claimants for the throne. Tywin himself was somewhat surprised by the result of his commands. The murders were performed "too brutally" for his needs; he insisted that Elia didn't have to die, it happened because he didn't specify she should be spared. He had not grasped yet that Gregor is bestial, not just "terrible in battle". Gregor chose himself the manner of Aegon's death. He had not received any instructions concerning Elia. He was improvising when he raped and killed her. Amory Lorch was the man who located Rhaenys, dragging her from under the bed. The girl kicked him and would not stop screaming. Lorch killed her with about fifty sword thrusts. Tywin himself, after the fact, pointed out a more logical way to perform the deed. A few sweet words to calm the girl, a soft pillow to suffocate her. The blood was unnecessary in his view. {{Ref|aSoS|53}} [[Oberyn Martell]] had another view on Tywin's motives. Elia was once supposed to marry Jaime Lannister, based on an agreement between her mother and [[Joanna Lannister]]. Following the death of Joanna, Tywin broke the agreement, though he offered Tyrion as a a prospective bridegroom instead of Jaime, taunting the Martells. He had also informed them that [[Cersei Lannister]] was meant for Rhaegar, not for Oberyn. When Elia married Rhaegar, the Martells had ruined Tywin's plans. Tywin was "not a man to forget such slights". Oberyn believed that the murder of Elia was decided by Tywin, to teach Elia the same lesson that Houses [[House Reyne|Reyne]] and [[House Tarbeck|Tarbeck]] had learned. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Eddard Stark recalled how Tywin Lannister presented [[Robert Baratheon]] with the corpses of Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. His "token of fealty". {{ref|aGoT|12}} Tywin had laid the bodies beneath the [[Iron Throne]], wrapped in the crimson cloaks of his house guard. A clever choice, as the blood was less obvious against the red cloth. Rhaenys had been barefoot, dressed in a bed gown. The condition of the boy horrified Eddard. {{ref|aGoT|45}} The skull was a "red ruin", even Robert could not stand its sight. Robert had turned away from the sight. {{ref|aGoT|20}} [[Kevan Lannister]] was also present during this scene. He was able to recognize Rhaenys. But recalls that nobody could recognize Aegon. All that remained of the boy was a faceless horror of bone, brain, and gore. A few hanks of fair hair. Nobody could stand looking at the body for long. Tywin stated that this was Aegon and everyone else took him at his word. Seventeen years later, Kevan was no longer certain of Tywin's word on the matter.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

===Reactions to the death===
*[[Robert Baratheon]] was actually relieved and glad that the royal children were killed. Robert viewed himself as a hero, and was reluctant to kill children, but he knew Rhaegar's children had to die if his throne was ever to be secure. Tywin painted himself as the villain, allowing Robert to keep his hands clean, the reason Robert refused to punish any of the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] for the brutal act.{{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Tywin Lannister]] knew this act would prove to Robert that [[House Lannister]] had forsaken the [[House Targaryen|dragon]] forever. Years later, Tyrion came to question the wisdom of the act. Robert Baratheon would have bloodied his own hands, soiling his own reputation. Instead the Lannisters had damaged their own reputation, gaining long-term enemies in the process. {{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Eddard Stark]] called the act murder, Robert just called it war. Eddard protested that Aegon and Rhaenys were "no more than babes". Robert replied that they were not babes, only dragonspawn. The two men quarreled over the matter, [[Jon Arryn]] unable to calm them. Eddard had ridden out of King's Landing in a cold rage, heading south to fight the last battles of the war on his own. They would only be reconciled by their shared grief over the death of [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]].{{ref|aGoT|12}}

*[[Thoros of Myr]] claims to have personally seen the corpses of Aegon and Rhaenys, as they were placed before the Iron Throne. In his view, [[House Clegane]] was "built upon dead children" and their arms should display "two bloody infants". {{Ref|aSoS|34}}

*[[Arianne Martell]] recalled Robert as a monster who climbed onto his throne over the corpses of children, directly connecting his rise to the murders of Aegon and Rhaenys. Robert is not held in high regard in [[Dorne]].{{ref|aFfC|13}}

*[[Viserys Targaryen]] was convinced that the [[Dornishmen]] were determined to avenge Elia and her children. {{Ref|aGoT|3}}

*Years following the murders, [[Doran Martell]] still mourns for the victims. According to [[Varys]], the consequent hatred of Doran for [[House Lannister]] is well known.{{Ref|aCoK|17}} Doran himself claims to have worked at the downfall of Tywin Lannister for all these years. Ever since he learned what had happended to Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. {{ref|aFfC|40}}

*[[Oberyn Martell]], in his words, hungered for justice for sixteen years. Justice for Elia and her children. Certain that Gregor was only following orders. {{Ref|aCoK|38}} [[Oberyn Martell]] wanted vengeance on the man who gave the orders, not just the man who performed the deed. {{Ref|aCoK|66}}

*[[Nymeria Sand]] believes that the only fitting payment for the death of Elia's children, would be the death of "Lord Tywin's golden twins". [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] would pay with their lives for the old murders. {{ref|aFfC|2}}

*[[Jacelyn Bywater]] stated to [[Tyrion Lannister]] there were still whispers in King's Landings that "the butchery of Rhaegar's children" was one of the sins of [[House Lannister]]. And that the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]] would punish the entire city for the sins of this House. {{Ref|aCoK|41}}

*[[Daenerys Targaryen]] can't see a difference between Houses [[House Lannister|Lannister]] and [[House Stark|Stark]]. She considers Eddard Stark also responsible for the murders of Rhaenys and Aegon, arguing that "the Usurper's dogs" acted as a pack of hounds, hunting children. Which individual hound kills a child doesn't matter, all the dogs are equally guilty. [[Barristan Selmy]] disagrees with her, and has tried to explain the distinction between Eddard and Tywin. Daenerys notices a "flicker of disapproval" in his face when she insists on her original opinion. {{Ref|aDwD|11}}

*[[Barristan Selmy]] himself has been haunted by the idea of the ''"bloody bodies"'' of Aegon and Rhaenys. His serious injuries following the [[Battle of the Trident]] prevented him from personally examining the corpses. But he wondered for years about the reaction of Robert to the bodies and whether Robert smiled at the bodies. Selmy contemplates that such a smile would motivate him to personally kill Robert and that no army could save him. {{Ref|aDwD|67}}

===Reported survival===
[[Image:Aegon6.jpg|Young Griff, who claims to be Prince Aegon|thumb|300px|left]]
A young man considering himself to be Aegon, explains his apparent survival to [[Tyrion Lannister]]. According to his account, the boy killed during the Sack of King's Landing was a [[Pisswater prince]]. He had been born at the Pisswater Bend, a street of King's Landing. His father was a tanner, and his mother had died at birth. The tanner sold his boy to [[Varys]] for a jug of [[Arbor]] gold [[wine]]. The man had other sons, but wanted to experience the taste of Arbor gold for once in his life. Varys then arranged the swap between the two infants boys. Elia received the Pisswater prince, Varys took custody of the real Aegon. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} Tyrion Lannister deduces the rest of the story. When the Pisswater prince was "safely dead", Varys smuggled Aegon across the [[narrow sea]]. Varys entrusted the boy to [[Illyrio Mopatis]], who in turn found an adoptive father for Aegon in the person of exiled Lord [[Jon Connington]]. Aegon does not comment on Tyrion's deductions. {{Ref|aDwD|22}}

According to the recollection of Jon Connington, he had to fake his own death "twelve years" before the present. In [[288 AL]], five years following the [[Battle of the Bells]], Varys had convinced him that the lie would be necessary for the safety of Aegon. Connington had spend the "five years" of his exile as a member of the [[Golden Company]], and had become the right-hand man to [[Myles Toyne]]. To fulfill Varys' plan, Connington first had to be discharged from the Company in disgrace. The crafted story went that he been stealing from its war chest. Then rumors reported that Connington drunk himself to death in [[Lys]]. In Varys' words, as a gallant exile Connington would be remembered. But few tend to remember thieves, drunks, and cowards. Reputed to be one of the latter, Connington too would be forgotten. {{Ref|aDwD|24}} Aegon spend most of his life hiding aboard the poleboat [[Shy Maid]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|22}} He shared a cabin with his adoptive father. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

Aegon has been trained in matters of military tactics by [[Jon Connington]] {{Ref|aDwD|24}}, arms by [[Rolly Duckfield]], in the [[Faith of the Seven]] by [[Lemore|Septa Lemore]], and history and languages by [[Haldon|Haldon Halfmaester]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|18}} He was taught to read and write. To study history, law, and poetry. He lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers, and mended nets. He learned practical things such as washing his own clothes, fishing, cooking, binding up wounds. He was familiarized with hunger, and the fear of being hunted. His education was intended to teach him that kingship was a duty, not a right. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

His claim to the [[Iron Throne]] is stronger than that of his aunt Daenerys. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} {{Ref|aDwD|24}} According to the relevant succession laws,

{{Quote|"the sons of the first son come before the second son".'' {{Ref|aCoK|35}}}}

Aegon is a son of Rhaegar, who was himself the first son of [[Aerys II]]. Placing Aegon higher in the Targaryen succession line than both [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] (Aerys second son) and [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] (the daughter of Aerys). {{Ref|aCoK|35}} According to Daenerys, Five Kings named "Aegon" have ruled in [[Westeros]]. Her nephew would have been the sixth, had he survived infancy. {{Ref|aSoS|57}} {{Ref|aDwD|2}}

As yet there is no indication as to whether he has inherited the [[Targaryen]] propensity for [[dragon dreams]] as [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] has. He might have the potential for it, like all those with Targaryen blood, but only some members of this bloodline actually displayed this ability. <ref name="Forum1">Conversation topic: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/58262-adwd-spoilers-dragon-dreams-of-ice-and-fire/ Dragon Dreams of Ice and Fire] on [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/ Westeros Forum] </ref>

==Recent Events==
===A Clash of Kings===
One of the visions [[Daenerys Targaryen]] sees in the [[House of the Undying]] involves Rhaegar, Elia, and Aegon. In this vision, a newborn Aegon nurses from the breast of Elia. The woman is seated in a great wooden bed. Rhaegar decides on the name "Aegon" for his newborn son, as he thinks the name fit for a king. Elia asks whether Rhaegar will make a song for their son. He replies that Aegon already has a song, "[[the song of ice and fire]]". Part of his role as "the prince that was promised".

However, Rhaegar then claims that there must be "one more", since "the dragon has three heads". Rhaegar moves to a seat near the window, and picks up a harp. Daenerys listens to the "sweet sadness" of his music as the vision fades away. {{Ref|aCoK|48}}

Daenerys later describes this vision to [[Jorah Mormont]]. Jorah helps her confirm the identities of the people in this vision but points out that if Aegon was the promised prince, the promise was broken with his death. {{Ref|aCoK|63}} Daenerys notices a pattern in the names Rhaegar chose for his children. They were named after [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and his sisters. There was a daughter named after the original [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], but none named after [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]]. She wonders if that was the missing third head of the dragon. Neither Daenerys nor Jorah have heard of the term "song of ice and fire". They are unable to determine its meaning. {{Ref|aCoK|63}}

===A Dance with Dragons===
[[File: Pojypojy_Griff&YoungGriff.jpg‎|[[Griff]] and Young Griff - by Pojypojy ©|thumb|300px|right]]
While in [[Meereen]], [[Daenerys]] has mused about Aegon who would have been the sixth to sit on the [[Iron Throne]]. She is yet unaware that he is alive. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} She thought to herself:

{{Quote|''"If he had lived, I might have married him. Aegon would have been closer to my age than Viserys"''. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} }}

To better conceal his identity Aegon dyes his silver [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] hair blue, which also serves to makes his [[violet eyes]] appear blue. He uses the false story that his mother was a [[Tyrosh|Tyroshi]] who dyed her hair blue, and that he dyes his own hair to honor her memory. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|14}} {{ref|aDwD|18}}

In {{Date|300}}, [[Illyrio Mopatis]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]] jointly depart [[Pentos]], heading towards the river Rhoyne. On the journey Illyrio explains the purpose of Tyrion's mission. He and "Griff" ([[Jon Connington]]) are to head towards [[Volantis]]. Waiting for the expected arrival of [[Daenerys Targaryen]] in that city, with fresh forces and more ships for her cause. Based on Illyrio's information, Daenerys has conquered [[Astapor]], made [[Yunkai]] bend the knee and sacked [[Meereen]]. He estimates that Daenerys is heading westwards, either by land to [[Mantarys]] or by sea to Volantis. {{Ref|aDwD|5}} Tyrion wants more information on Griff, who Illyrio supposedly trusts as a brother. Illyrio simply points that unlike most [[Mercenary|sellswords]], Griff is a dotting father. He also mentions that his boy, "Young Griff" (Aegon) is a noble lad. {{Ref|aDwD|5}}

In arms practice with [[Rolly Duckfield]], the student surpasses the master. Aegon manages to knock Rolly into a horse trough. An embarrassed Rolly claims that he fell on purpose to make Aegon laugh. Haldon laughs at him.{{Ref|aDwD|8}} Three days following this incident, Illyrio and Tyrion end their joined journey when they meet [[Haldon]] and Rolly. Illyrio specifically asks them for information on Young Griff. Haldon replies that Young Griff is now taller, as tall as the elder Griff. He then narrates about the incident during arms practice. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Illyrio has brought a gift for Young Griff, candied ginger. Pointing that the boy was always fond of it. An "oddly sad" Illyrio wants to prepare a farewell feast for the lad and offers to join them as far as [[Ghoyan Drohe]]. Haldon points out that there is no time for feasts. [[Griff]] is in a hurry to move downriver. There is information that the [[Dothraki]] [[khalasar]]s of [[Motho]] and [[Zekko]] are crossing the [[Forest of Qohor]], heading towards the Rhoyne. Both khals are fleeing from the much larger khalasar of [[Pono]], who might also be heading for the Rhoyne. Griff wants to avoid any encounter with the Dothraki. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Tyrion joins Haldon and Rolly for the trip back to their boat. Illyrio leaves a message for Young Griff. Expressing his regret that he won't be present for the boy's wedding. But swears to rejoin the boy in [[Westeros]]. His shoulders were slumped, again indicating sadness. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Traveling by horse for a couple of days, the trio of travelers encounter the [[Shy Maid]] in the vicinity of [[Ghoyan Drohe]]. Young Griff greets "Duck" and Haldon with shouts, while standing on the cabin of the poleboat. Trying to open a conversation, Tyrion points out to Young Griff that blue hair will get him ridiculed in Westeros. Young Griff is taken aback. He claims to dye his hair in memory of his deceased mother, a lady of [[Tyrosh]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

The Shy Maid continues traveling down the Rhoyne towards [[Volantis]]. Tyrion watches Young Griff enjoying his breakfast, bacon. All the while contemplating the overall appearance of the boy. Following breakfast, Duck invites Young Griff for arms practice. The two practice with swords for this morning, evenly matched. Young Griff lands more blows, Duck fewer but harder ones. Duck tires first, allowing Young Griff the opportunity to start a furious attack. Duck retreats towards the stern. Young Griff uses a shoulder slam to throw his opponent into the river. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

A wet Duckfield does not appreciate being teased by Tyrion, throwing the dwarf into the river. Young Griff extends a pole to Tyrion, helping him return aboard the boat. Tyrion uses a cartwheel to spray everyone around him with water. Young Griff is amused and asks where Tyrion learned this trick. Tyrion offers him a false origin story. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} With arms practice over, Young Griff joins [[Lemore]] for a lesson on the mysteries of the [[Faith of the Seven]]. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} During the evening, Young Griff joins Haldon for lessons in languages, geometry, and history. Tyrion joins them in this day's lessons. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

With the lesson over, Young Griff helps [[Yandry]] with the sails and poles of the boat. Tyrion discusses Young Griff's education with Haldon. He points that such as an extensive education is unusual for "some [[sellsword]]'s son". Haldon fails to understand what Tyrion is implying about the boy. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} Hours later, Young Griff hoots in joy when their boat encounters the [[Old Man of the River]], a huge horned turtle. Most members of the crew take this for a good sign, Tyrion privately considers this a wonder. One of the wonders which mark the birth of kings. Already hinting at the real identity of Young Griff. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

The Shy Maid continues its way down the Rhoyne, traveling through fog in the vicinity of the Sorrows. Young Griff takes position at the prow of the poleboat, holding a pole. He is ready to use it to push the boat away from potential hazards. Young Griff speculates about the presence of fish in this area of the river, [[Ysilla]] warns him against eating any fish taken from these waters. {{Ref|aDwD|18}}
[[File:Young Griff by Cloudninja9.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Young Griff by [http://cloudninja9.deviantart.com/ Cloudninja9]©]]
When discussion turns to "Garin's Curse", another term for [[greyscale]], Ysilla tells a brief story concerning [[Garin (Prince)|Garin]]. The men of Volantis and [[Valyria]] had hung him in a golden cage, mocking his calls to [[Mother Rhoyne]]. Mocking his prayers for their destruction. The river rose and drowned his captors. But the story speaks of restless "lords of fire" who still live beneath the water, their flesh now as stony as their hearts. After listening to the story, Young Griff is not particularly disturbed. Certain that they could face these restless Valyrians and any other [[Stone men]]. Lemore warns him that pride is a grievous sin. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

When the Shy Maid makes its way through the Sorrows, Young Griff uses his pole to push the boat away from a broken tower. {{ref|aDwD|18}} Some time, later, the boy warns of a light ahead of them. His father recognizes the light as coming from the Bridge of Dream. Griff instructs his son to escort Lemore to her cabin and then stay with her. Young Griff stubbornly refuses, denying a need for protection. Claiming that his training to become a [[knight]] should be sufficient to protect himself. Griff commands him to back down. The youth curses under his breath. Pointing out angrily that Haldon, Ysilla, and "Hugor" (Tyrion) are not running for cover. When Tyrion joins in trying to convince Young Griff to back down, the youth replies with a scornful "You're a dwarf". Tyrion tries to explain that Young Griff is everything for their mission. His words are interrupted when the Shy Maid seemingly passes below the Bridge of Dream. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

With the danger posed by the stone men seemingly over, Young Griff turns his attention back to Tyrion. He grabs the dwarf's arm and demands answers. "Why am I everything?" Tyrion points out that the death of anyone else on board would be mourned. But the death of Young Griff would abort their mission. Young Griff realized that Tyrion has found out about his true identity. Tyrion lists the clues that led him to the deduction that Young Griff is Aegon Targaryen, the boy [[Tywin Lannister]] had wrapped in a crimson cloak. A confused Aegon finally learns that "Hugor" is Tyrion Lannister. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

Before the encounter between its crew members ends, the Shy Maid approaches the Bridge of Dream for a second time. An unexplained return as they were heading for the opposite direction. Griff commands Haldon to escort Aegon below. Haldon has no time to fulfill his mission. During the second passing of the ship, three stone men from the Bridge boarded the ship. (Tyrion initially sees only two, failing to see the one behind his back). The third stone man lurches forward and reaches for Aegon. The boy freezes in shock with his hand still on the sword hilt, failing to defend himself. Tyrion kicks one of Aegon's legs, making the prince loose his balance and fall. Tyrion then leaps over the fallen body and attacks the stone man with a torch. While the rest of the crew attempts to shield Aegon, the two struggling figures fall into the Rhoyne. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

The Shy Maid has reached [[Selhorys]] by the time Tyrion regains consciousness. Aegon is in a sullen mood, forced to remain on board for his own safety. The town is under the control of the city of Volantis. Dothraki riders had been located in the vicinity of Selhorys. The triarchs of Volantis had feared an attack and had warships, river galleys, and slave soldiers transferred to the town. The crew members wanted to prevent Aegon from having dangerous encounters in the area. Despite his insistance that he knows how to use a sword. Lemore points out that even the bravest Targaryens did not trust their fate on their swords alone. They kept the [[Kingsguard]] by their side. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

Lemore herself had changed from septa's robes to secular garb. Pointing to Aegon that he was not alone in having to hide. The prince still seems frustrated. Tyrion challenges him to a game of [[cyvasse]]. Tyrion privately assesses the game strategy of Aegon. He feels it is "a young man's formation", bold and foolish. Aegon risks everything for a quick kill. Tyrion starts a conversation, actually fishing Aegon for information. Aegon innocently offers background information on Jon Connington, and then narrates his own origin story. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

Tyrion switches the conversation towards the real purpose of their journey. The plan to have Aegon married to his aunt Daenerys. He warns the prince that Daenerys might not be the willing bride that everyone seems to expect. Aegon is shocked, having never considered the idea that she might turn down his marriage offer. Tyrion points out that Daenerys is a proud, strong, and fierce young woman who will not appreciate a relative coming to her with a begging bowl, certainly not one with a stronger claim to the [[Iron Throne]] than her own. Aegon angrily denies being a beggar, pointing at his own army: the [[Golden Company]]. Tyrion points out that Daenerys has a larger army than his own and owes nothing to Aegon. Aegon protests, trusting in Lord Connington to win her over. Tyrion calls him a fool, warning him {{ref|aDwD|22}}: {{Quote|Trust no one, my prince. {{ref|aDwD|22}} }}

Tyrion plants the seeds of doubt on the young prince, pointing that Haldon, Jon Connington, Rolly Duckfield, Lemore and every one of the friends who raised him could also betray him, and that Illyrio Mopatis, Varys, and Daenerys are even less trustworthy. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

He then suggests a different course of action to Aegon. Heading to [[Westeros]] instead of going east, taking advantage of all the problems caused by the [[War of the Five Kings]]. He points that [[the North]] is in a chaotic condition, the [[Riverlands]] are devastated, while [[Stannis Baratheon]] holds [[Storm's End]] and [[Dragonstone]]. The coming winter will starve out the realm. He then paints the opposition as particularly weak. He points that King [[Tommen Baratheon]] is just a boy, and all his potential regents come with their own problems. [[Cersei Lannister]] will alienate her own allies, [[Jaime Lannister]] actively avoids the responsibility of ruling, and [[Kevan Lannister]] is a born follower. [[Mace Tyrell]] will have to fight the Lannisters to become regent, and Stannis' unpopularity makes him an unlikely choice. Only a victorious Aegon can hope to meet Daenerys as her equal. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

The game of cyvasse ends with a loss for Aegon. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

During the game, the Prince had taken an advise on strategy from his opponent. An advice which intentionally manipulated him towards defeat. Tyrion once again warns, trust no one, proving that even advisors can not be trusted. A frustrated Aegon kicks over the board, discarding the cyvasse pieces across the deck of the poleboat. He then commands Tyrion to pick up the pieces. Tyrion recognizes a Targaryen in this behavior. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

The Shy Maid is stationed at the riverfront of [[Volon Therys]]. Jon Connington and Aegon depart the ship, heading towards the camp of the [[Golden Company]]. The mercenaries have situated themselves 3 miles (4,83 kilometers) south of the town. The travelers have already learned that Daenerys is still in Meereen, and that Illyrio had miscalculated. Aegon complains of being sick of the blue dye in his hair, eager to wash it out. He smiles at the idea of having his own army. But then expresses concerns over the loyalty of sellswords. Connington tries to explain that men should be allowed to earn trust through loyal service. Both trusting and mistrusting everyone without reason should be avoided. Privately, Connington worries that Aegon could take Tyrion's advise to heart and become as paranoid as Aerys II. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Arriving at the camp, Connington introduces the boy as his squire to [[Franklyn Flowers]]. Flowers escorts them to the tent of [[Harry Strickland]], for their initial meeting with the officers of the Company. Strickland initially sees the boy as a son to Connington. Connington instead introduces him as Aegon VI, King of the [[Andal]]s, [[Rhoynar]], and the [[First Men]]. This introduction is met with silence by the officers. Connington realizes that all of them were aware of Aegon's identity for sometime. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Connington and the the officers briefly discuss about Daenerys' lingering presence in Meereen and the ongoing conflict in [[Slaver's Bay]]. Wondering whether they should head east and join the conflict. Several of them are already disillusioned with Daenerys. Aegon sees the opportunity to introduce his own plan of going to Westeros and claiming the throne in his own name. Strickland tries to point out the risk of this plan. But most of the officers are eager to support this course of action. Aegon further explains that his aunt is welcome to keep Meereen. His plan is to move fast and strike hard, gaining a foothold before the Lannisters can react. This would certainly gain them some new allies. Connington is impressed, thinking that this is a new side of Aegon. All officers swear allegiance to Aegon. They agree, however, to keep his identity secret from the soldiers. At least until they actually land in Westeros. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Ten ships of the Golden Company departed Volantis. Six of them made it to Westeros, landing at [[Cape Wrath]]. Connington leads 1/4 of the forces in seizing [[Griffin's Roost]]. Simultaneously [[Tristan Rivers]] besieges [[Crows Nest]], and [[Laswell Peake]] besieges [[Rain House]]. Each with their own 1/4 of the Company. Aegon remains in their camp, guarded by the remaining 1/4 of the Company under [[Gorys Edoryen]]. Haldon collects information about the military and diplomatic situation across Westeros. He already considers marital alliances for King Aegon and his [[Hand of the King]], Jon Connington. The latter is against both such plans. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington receives news that part of the missing four ships landed in [[Estermont]]. [[Marq Mandrake]] has led the men there in capturing [[Greenstone]]. The rest of the ships are still missing. Franklyn Flowers suggests that the missing men are scattered across the [[Stepstones]]. Connington decides to bring Aegon to Griffin's Roost for increased safety. Franklyn points,however, that Aegon would like to be in the thick of things. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington has a plan to capture [[Storm's End]], last foothold of Stannis in the [[Stormlands]]. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Four days later, Aegon arrives at Griffin's Roost. He rides at the head of a column including a hundred [[horse]]s with their riders, and three [[elephant]]s. He is accompanied by Lemore and Rolly Duckfield, the first person in his version of the Kingsguard. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington remembers arguing with Aegon over the appointment of Rolly. Connington had pointed out that seats in the Kingsguard should be reserved for warriors of great renown and/or sons of great lords. Aegon pointed out that [[Jaime Lannister]] fit that description perfectly, and was currently known as the Kingslayer. He would rather have men personally loyal to himself, ready to die for his safety. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington asks to have the Prince escorted to his solar. But soon realizes that Prince Aegon is less biddable (obedient) than Young Griff. Aegon leaves him waiting for "the better half of a hour". Bringing Duck with him instead of coming alone. Connington tries to dismiss the bodyguard, but Aegon insists on having Rolly by his side. Aegon mentions discussing the plan to take Storm's End with Strickland and Flowers. Strickland even tried to persuade him to delay the plan. Aegon,however, feels Strickland is a bit of "an old maid" and is in favor of the plan. With one significant change. He intends to personally lead the attack. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

The [[Small Council]] in [[King's Landing]] discusses the matter of the [[Golden Company]]. [[Qyburn]] and [[Pycelle]] have received reports about mercenaries landing in [[Tarth]], the Stepstones, and Estermont. There are also reports about Jon Connington heading against Storm's End. [[Kevan Lannister]] points out that now they have opponents to their south. A third ongoing threat along with Stannis in the North and the [[Ironborn]] in the west. Kevan already has information about a new Targaryen pretender having Joined Connington, though [[Randyll Tarly]] dismisses Aegon as an impostor. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}} Pycelle suggests that they could use gold to purchase the loyalty of the Golden company. Then the sellswords would hand over Lord Connington and the pretender. [[Harys Swyft]] points out that the Iron Throne is heavily in debt and has no gold to offer. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

Varys informs the dying Kevan that Aegon will raise his banner above [[Storm's End]]. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}
===The Winds of Winter===
[[Arianne Martell]] has departed [[Sunspear]] on a mission from her [[Doran Martell|father]] to discover the truth about the supposed Aegon Targaryen.
==Quotes about Aegon==
{{Quote|''"Aegon has been shaped for rule before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. [[Tommen I|Tommen]] has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them".'' {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}}} [[Varys]] to the dying [[Kevan Lannister]]

{{Quote|''"His silvery hair was blowing in the wind, and his eyes were a deep purple, darker than this boy's".'' {{Ref|aDwD|61}}}} [[Jon Connington]] reminisces about prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] as he addressed Aegon following the capture of Griffin's Roost by the [[Golden Company]].

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree now}}

==Survival speculation==
{{main|Aegon Targaryen/Theories}}
Even before ''A Dance With Dragons'' was released, there was speculation regarding whether or not Aegon Targaryen survived. Martin did not confirm that the character died, though he did confirm that his sister was slain.<ref>Westeros. "Elia’s Children." (August 6, 2000). [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Elias_Children So Spake Martin]</ref> Fans debated who might be the real Aegon suggesting [[Edric Dayne]], [[Samwell Tarly]], [[Daario Naharis]], among others. The question of the character's survival continued even after ''A Dance With Dragons'' introduced Aegon as a youth living under the assumed name of Young Griff to hide his identity. A number of fans speculate that he is not the real Aegon.

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Template:Kings of Westeros}}

[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[es:Aegon Targaryen]][[fr:Aegon Targaryen]][[ru:Эйгон Таргариен (сын Рэйгара)]][[zh:伊耿·坦格利安]]
[[pt:Aegon Targaryen]]

Aegon Targaryen/Theories

2013-01-09T20:05:33Z

Benethon Stark: /* Theory of why Young Griff is fake */

{{Theory_Policy}}
A source of speculation that has existed for years within the fandom is whether or not Aegon Targaryen survived. ''A Dance With Dragons'' reveals that the character is alive and living under the false name of Young Griff in order to hide his true identity. A number of fans believe the character to be fake.

==Did Aegon survive?==
Fans have wondered for years whether or not Aegon survived which was spurred on by George Martin not confirming that the character died in one of his communications. He did conform that there was no doubt that Aegon's sister died.<ref>Westeros. "Elia’s Children." (August 6, 2000). [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Elias_Children So Spake Martin]</ref>

==Possible identities==
Pre-''A Dance With Dragons'', some fans suggested that [[Edric Dayne]], [[Samwell Tarly]], or [[Daario Naharis]].

Edric fits the description of what Aegon would look like with his purple eyes and pale blond hair. Yet, he is 12 years old in ''A Storm of Swords,'' which is too young.

The evidence for Sam includes being that his bookishness and intelligence which might have been inherited from [[Rhaegar Targaryen]]. Also, Sam is described as having ‘pale eyes,’ which may or may not be pale violet like other Targaryens. However, there is no mention of Sam having silver hair, which is such a rare trait that it would have been noted.

===Aegon Targaryen/Young Griff===
In ''A Dance With Dragons,'' [[Tyrion Lannister]] discovers that a youth going by the name of Young Griff is truly Aegon Targaryen in disguise. A story is given of how Aegon was switched with another baby and spirited away to be raised in secret until he could claim the Iron Throne. He fits the description of Aegon with purple eyes and silver blond hair that he dyes blue.

Not all fans believe he is the true Aegon however.

==Theory of why Young Griff is fake==
A prominent theory is that Varys is presenting a false Aegon in order to put an imposter on the Iron Throne.

Reasoning against this theory would be Varys' speech to [[Kevan Lannister]] where he stated:

{{Quote|''"Aegon has been shaped for rule before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. [[Tommen I|Tommen]] has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them".'' {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}}} [[Varys]] to the dying [[Kevan Lannister]]

Since Kevan was dying, some speculate that there was no reason for Varys to lie. But then, this speech does not imply Aegon is a Targaryen at all, but instead that he is simply qualified for the throne.

==References and Notes==
{{references}}

[[Category:Theories]]

Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)

2013-01-09T20:01:00Z

Benethon Stark: The term "Aegon pretender" means he is a person pretending to a throne he does not have power over. Look up "pretender", stop falling for what appears to be character bias in writing articles.

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Aegon Targaryen''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = [[File:Elias_last_moments.jpg|300px|right]]
| image_caption = Princess [[Elia Martell]]'s last moments - by Achen089 ©. She holds an infant who dies with her. Either Aegon Targaryen or the [[Pisswater prince]]
| Alias = Young Griff (possible)
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Valyrian]]
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|282}}
| Place_of_Death = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|283}} (Contested by Aegon pretender)
| Books = [[A Game of Thrones]] (Mentioned) [[A Clash of Kings]] (Mentioned) [[A Storm of Swords]] (Mentioned) [[A Feast for Crows]] (Mentioned) [[A Dance with Dragons]] (Appears)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played by =
| TV_series =
}}
{{See homonyms | Aegon Targaryen (disambiguation)}}

'''Aegon Targaryen''' was the second child and only son of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] and [[Elia Martell]]. Had he ascended to the throne he would have ruled as '''Aegon VI'''.

==Character and Appearance==
According to semi-canon sources Aegon looks like a [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]].<ref>Westeros. "A Number of Questions." (August 26, 2000). [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/A_Number_of_Questions/ So Spake Martin]</ref> As an infant, Aegon had "fair hair". {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

The older Aegon is described as a lithe and well-made youth, with a lanky build. [[Tyrion Lannister]] initially estimated him to be "fifteen" or "sixteen" years-old. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} According to [[Haldon]], Aegon is as tall as [[Jon Connington]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} Aegon has a lanky build that suggests that he has yet to reach his full growth. Tyrion noted that his eyes seem to be dark blue. But look black by lamplight, and [[purple eyes|purple]] in the light of dusk. His eyelashes are long, seemingly feminine. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He is exceptionally handsome and has the Targaryen traits of silver hair and purple eyes, both features which are also present in his aunt [[Daenerys]]. Jon Connington notes that Aegon's eyes were a lighter shade of purple to those of Rhaegar. He dyes his hair blue to conceal his identity.{{ref|aDwD|18}} {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Aegon is well educated and intelligent, speaking several languages and well versed in history. He speaks the [[Common Tongue]] as a native speaker. He is fluent in [[High Valyrian]], in the Bastard Valyrian dialects of [[Pentos]], [[Tyrosh]], [[Myr]], and [[Lys]], and in [[Trade Talk]]. He is a novice at speaking the dialect of [[Volantis]], only familiar with a few of its words. The dialect of [[Meereen]], whose terms derive from both Valyrian and [[Ghiscari Empire|Ghiscari]], gives him trouble. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He has some training in mathematics. He has a decent knowledge of [[w:Summation|sums]] and a limited understanding of [[w:Geometry|geometry]]. He also has been trained in songs. Tyrion notes that Aegon is more learned than "half the lords in [[Westeros]]". {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

==History==
===Birth===
[[File: ReneAigner_Dragonguard.jpg‎ ‎| A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived - art by Rene Aigner ©|thumb|450px|right]]
A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived, which led his father [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] to believe that he was the ''[[Azor Ahai|Prince that was Promised]]''. The comet was seen as "the bleeding star" of the prophecy. [[Maester Aemon]] was aware of Rhaegar's beliefs, though it is unclear if he shared them. Aemon later came to doubt the wisdom of looking for a prince, rather than a princess. He realized there was a translation error, the term translated was fluid in terms of gender. Connected to the term for [[dragon]]s, who are neither male nor female. {{ref|aFfC|35}}

According to the recollections of [[Jon Connington]], [[Elia Martell]] was always frail and sickly. Giving birth to her daughter [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] had left her bedridden for half a year. Giving birth to Aegon had almost killed her. The [[maesters]] had told Rhaegar that Elia would bear no more children. {{Ref|aDwD|61}}

===Sack of King's Landing===

Aegon was just an infant during [[Robert's Rebellion]].{{ref|aGoT|20}} {{Ref|aGoT|30}} Following the [[Battle of the Trident]], [[Aerys II Targaryen]] decided to send [[Rhaella Targaryen|Queen Rhaella]] and [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] to [[Dragonstone]]. The original plan was for Elia to join them. But Aerys II instead thought of using her as a hostage against [[Dorne]]. He blamed the lost battle of the Trident on the supposed treason of [[Lewyn Martell]]. He chose to keep Elia and Aegon by his side, in his view ensuring the continued loyalty of Dorne. {{Ref|aSoS|37}} After the death of Rhaegar, [[Pycelle]] was convinced that the war was effectively over. In his view, [[House Targaryen]] could no longer offer a proper king to the realm. Aerys II was "mad", Viserys "too young", and Aegon still "a babe at the breast". Pycelle worked to convince Aerys II to open the gates of [[King's Landing]] to the Lannister forces. Pycelle secretly prayed and hope that his actions would help [[Tywin Lannister]] rise to the throne. {{Ref|aCoK|25}}

During the [[Sack of King's Landing]], [[Jaime Lannister]] killed Aerys in the throne room of the [[Red Keep]]. [[Elys Westerling]], [[Roland Crakehall (Lord)|Roland Crakehall]], and other Lannister knights then burst in the room. At approximately the same, other Lannister soldiers fought Targaryen loyalists in the steps and armory of the Red Keep, [[Gregor Clegane]] and [[Amory Lorch]] were scaling the walls of Maegor's Holdfast, and [[Eddard Stark]] was leading the men of [[the North]] through the city gates. Lord Crakehall asked Jaime if they should proclaim a new king. Left unsaid was a clear implication, he was asking whether Jaime would proclaim Tywin Lannister, [[Robert Baratheon]], or a member of [[House Targaryen]]. Jaime remembered that Aegon and his mother were in Maegor's Holdfast, while Viserys was in [[Dragonstone]]. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Jaime briefly toyed with the idea of proclaiming a new Targaryen King. Tywin would gain control, as [[Hand of the King]], the "wolves" of the North would howl in frustration, Robert would choke with rage. Jaime found this option tempting. Until he glanced at the corpse of Aerys II. Recalling that both Aegon and Viserys had inherited the blood of Aerys, Jaime decided against supporting either one of them. He told Crakehall to proclaim whoever the man wanted. Jaime seated himself on the [[Iron Throne]], simply waiting to see who would arrive to claim the throne and the kingdom. He was still sitting there when Eddard entered the throne room. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Viserys often told stories to his sister Daenerys. One of these stories involved the [[Sack of King's Landing]] by the "Usurper's dogs", [[Tywin Lannister]] and [[Eddard Stark]]. In this story, Elia Martell was pleading for mercy as Aegon was ripped from her breast and murdered before her eyes. Aegon was "Rhaegar's heir". {{Ref|aGoT|3}} Daenerys later recalled an additional detail, men had dashed the head of Aegon against a wall. {{Ref|aGoT|64}} Eddard Stark recalls that "Lord Tywin's soldiers" had torn Aegon from his mother's breast and dashed his head against a wall. They were also said to have dragged [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] from beneath her bed, putting her to the sword.{{ref|aGoT|12}} Eddard Stark had heard rumors that it was Gregor Clegane who dashed the skull of infant Aegon against a wall. It was whispered that afterward Gregor had raped [[Elia Martell]], and then put her to the sword. At the time Gregor was only "seventeen". Nobody dared to repeat these rumors when Gregor himself could be listening. {{Ref|aGoT|30}} According to [[Tyrion Lannister]], the responsibility of Gregor for the murders of Elia and Aegon was "common knowledge" in [[Casterly Rock]]. The tale went that for the duration of Gregor's rape of Elia, his hands were still covered in the blood and brains of Aegon. {{Ref|aCoK|17}} A wounded Gregor later narrated a brief account of the events to [[Oberyn Martell]], while killing him. He had first killed Aegon, the "screaming whelp". Then came the rape of Elia; Clegane claimed to have smashed her head with his bare hands, the same method Gregor used to finish off Oberyn. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Tywin Lannister later narrated his view of the events to his son Tyrion. Rhaenys was hiding under Rhaegar's bed, while Elia and Aegon were in the nursery, just a floor below the location of Rhaenys. Tywin was aware that he had kept [[the Westerlands]] from joining Robert's cause for most of the Rebellion. They had only joined said cause at the last stage of the war, and their loyalty would be suspected. He needed a way to demonstrate loyalty to Robert, a way to convince people that the Lannisters had severed all ties to House Targaryen. In addition, Eddard Stark was also heading toward's King's Landing, leading the remnants of Robert's army south from the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]]. Instead of the Lannister and Stark forces meeting as allies, there was still a chance for the two armies to clash. Tywin also feared that his elder son [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] might do something stupid or that Aerys would kill Jaime for no more reason than sheer spite {{Ref|aSoS|53}}.

Tywin decided to have his troops eliminate Rhaegar's children. In a single move, the Lannisters would have proven their commitment to the Rebellion and secured the throne for Robert by eliminating rival claimants for the throne. Tywin himself was somewhat surprised by the result of his commands. The murders were performed "too brutally" for his needs; he insisted that Elia didn't have to die, it happened because he didn't specify she should be spared. He had not grasped yet that Gregor is bestial, not just "terrible in battle". Gregor chose himself the manner of Aegon's death. He had not received any instructions concerning Elia. He was improvising when he raped and killed her. Amory Lorch was the man who located Rhaenys, dragging her from under the bed. The girl kicked him and would not stop screaming. Lorch killed her with about fifty sword thrusts. Tywin himself, after the fact, pointed out a more logical way to perform the deed. A few sweet words to calm the girl, a soft pillow to suffocate her. The blood was unnecessary in his view. {{Ref|aSoS|53}} [[Oberyn Martell]] had another view on Tywin's motives. Elia was once supposed to marry Jaime Lannister, based on an agreement between her mother and [[Joanna Lannister]]. Following the death of Joanna, Tywin broke the agreement, though he offered Tyrion as a a prospective bridegroom instead of Jaime, taunting the Martells. He had also informed them that [[Cersei Lannister]] was meant for Rhaegar, not for Oberyn. When Elia married Rhaegar, the Martells had ruined Tywin's plans. Tywin was "not a man to forget such slights". Oberyn believed that the murder of Elia was decided by Tywin, to teach Elia the same lesson that Houses [[House Reyne|Reyne]] and [[House Tarbeck|Tarbeck]] had learned. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Eddard Stark recalled how Tywin Lannister presented [[Robert Baratheon]] with the corpses of Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. His "token of fealty". {{ref|aGoT|12}} Tywin had laid the bodies beneath the [[Iron Throne]], wrapped in the crimson cloaks of his house guard. A clever choice, as the blood was less obvious against the red cloth. Rhaenys had been barefoot, dressed in a bed gown. The condition of the boy horrified Eddard. {{ref|aGoT|45}} The skull was a "red ruin", even Robert could not stand its sight. Robert had turned away from the sight. {{ref|aGoT|20}} [[Kevan Lannister]] was also present during this scene. He was able to recognize Rhaenys. But recalls that nobody could recognize Aegon. All that remained of the boy was a faceless horror of bone, brain, and gore. A few hanks of fair hair. Nobody could stand looking at the body for long. Tywin stated that this was Aegon and everyone else took him at his word. Seventeen years later, Kevan was no longer certain of Tywin's word on the matter.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

===Reactions to the death===
*[[Robert Baratheon]] was actually relieved and glad that the royal children were killed. Robert viewed himself as a hero, and was reluctant to kill children, but he knew Rhaegar's children had to die if his throne was ever to be secure. Tywin painted himself as the villain, allowing Robert to keep his hands clean, the reason Robert refused to punish any of the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] for the brutal act.{{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Tywin Lannister]] knew this act would prove to Robert that [[House Lannister]] had forsaken the [[House Targaryen|dragon]] forever. Years later, Tyrion came to question the wisdom of the act. Robert Baratheon would have bloodied his own hands, soiling his own reputation. Instead the Lannisters had damaged their own reputation, gaining long-term enemies in the process. {{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Eddard Stark]] called the act murder, Robert just called it war. Eddard protested that Aegon and Rhaenys were "no more than babes". Robert replied that they were not babes, only dragonspawn. The two men quarreled over the matter, [[Jon Arryn]] unable to calm them. Eddard had ridden out of King's Landing in a cold rage, heading south to fight the last battles of the war on his own. They would only be reconciled by their shared grief over the death of [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]].{{ref|aGoT|12}}

*[[Thoros of Myr]] claims to have personally seen the corpses of Aegon and Rhaenys, as they were placed before the Iron Throne. In his view, [[House Clegane]] was "built upon dead children" and their arms should display "two bloody infants". {{Ref|aSoS|34}}

*[[Arianne Martell]] recalled Robert as a monster who climbed onto his throne over the corpses of children, directly connecting his rise to the murders of Aegon and Rhaenys. Robert is not held in high regard in [[Dorne]].{{ref|aFfC|13}}

*[[Viserys Targaryen]] was convinced that the [[Dornishmen]] were determined to avenge Elia and her children. {{Ref|aGoT|3}}

*Years following the murders, [[Doran Martell]] still mourns for the victims. According to [[Varys]], the consequent hatred of Doran for [[House Lannister]] is well known.{{Ref|aCoK|17}} Doran himself claims to have worked at the downfall of Tywin Lannister for all these years. Ever since he learned what had happended to Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. {{ref|aFfC|40}}

*[[Oberyn Martell]], in his words, hungered for justice for sixteen years. Justice for Elia and her children. Certain that Gregor was only following orders. {{Ref|aCoK|38}} [[Oberyn Martell]] wanted vengeance on the man who gave the orders, not just the man who performed the deed. {{Ref|aCoK|66}}

*[[Nymeria Sand]] believes that the only fitting payment for the death of Elia's children, would be the death of "Lord Tywin's golden twins". [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] would pay with their lives for the old murders. {{ref|aFfC|2}}

*[[Jacelyn Bywater]] stated to [[Tyrion Lannister]] there were still whispers in King's Landings that "the butchery of Rhaegar's children" was one of the sins of [[House Lannister]]. And that the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]] would punish the entire city for the sins of this House. {{Ref|aCoK|41}}

*[[Daenerys Targaryen]] can't see a difference between Houses [[House Lannister|Lannister]] and [[House Stark|Stark]]. She considers Eddard Stark also responsible for the murders of Rhaenys and Aegon, arguing that "the Usurper's dogs" acted as a pack of hounds, hunting children. Which individual hound kills a child doesn't matter, all the dogs are equally guilty. [[Barristan Selmy]] disagrees with her, and has tried to explain the distinction between Eddard and Tywin. Daenerys notices a "flicker of disapproval" in his face when she insists on her original opinion. {{Ref|aDwD|11}}

*[[Barristan Selmy]] himself has been haunted by the idea of the ''"bloody bodies"'' of Aegon and Rhaenys. His serious injuries following the [[Battle of the Trident]] prevented him from personally examining the corpses. But he wondered for years about the reaction of Robert to the bodies and whether Robert smiled at the bodies. Selmy contemplates that such a smile would motivate him to personally kill Robert and that no army could save him. {{Ref|aDwD|67}}

===Reported survival===
[[Image:Aegon6.jpg|Young Griff, who claims to be Prince Aegon|thumb|300px|left]]
A young man considering himself to be Aegon, explains his apparent survival to [[Tyrion Lannister]]. According to his account, the boy killed during the Sack of King's Landing was a [[Pisswater prince]]. He had been born at the Pisswater Bend, a street of King's Landing. His father was a tanner, and his mother had died at birth. The tanner sold his boy to [[Varys]] for a jug of [[Arbor]] gold [[wine]]. The man had other sons, but wanted to experience the taste of Arbor gold for once in his life. Varys then arranged the swap between the two infants boys. Elia received the Pisswater prince, Varys took custody of the real Aegon. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} Tyrion Lannister deduces the rest of the story. When the Pisswater prince was "safely dead", Varys smuggled Aegon across the [[narrow sea]]. Varys entrusted the boy to [[Illyrio Mopatis]], who in turn found an adoptive father for Aegon in the person of exiled Lord [[Jon Connington]]. Aegon does not comment on Tyrion's deductions. {{Ref|aDwD|22}}

According to the recollection of Jon Connington, he had to fake his own death "twelve years" before the present. In [[288 AL]], five years following the [[Battle of the Bells]], Varys had convinced him that the lie would be necessary for the safety of Aegon. Connington had spend the "five years" of his exile as a member of the [[Golden Company]], and had become the right-hand man to [[Myles Toyne]]. To fulfill Varys' plan, Connington first had to be discharged from the Company in disgrace. The crafted story went that he been stealing from its war chest. Then rumors reported that Connington drunk himself to death in [[Lys]]. In Varys' words, as a gallant exile Connington would be remembered. But few tend to remember thieves, drunks, and cowards. Reputed to be one of the latter, Connington too would be forgotten. {{Ref|aDwD|24}} Aegon spend most of his life hiding aboard the poleboat [[Shy Maid]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|22}} He shared a cabin with his adoptive father. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

Aegon has been trained in matters of military tactics by [[Jon Connington]] {{Ref|aDwD|24}}, arms by [[Rolly Duckfield]], in the [[Faith of the Seven]] by [[Lemore|Septa Lemore]], and history and languages by [[Haldon|Haldon Halfmaester]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|18}} He was taught to read and write. To study history, law, and poetry. He lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers, and mended nets. He learned practical things such as washing his own clothes, fishing, cooking, binding up wounds. He was familiarized with hunger, and the fear of being hunted. His education was intended to teach him that kingship was a duty, not a right. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

His claim to the [[Iron Throne]] is stronger than that of his aunt Daenerys. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} {{Ref|aDwD|24}} According to the relevant succession laws,

{{Quote|"the sons of the first son come before the second son".'' {{Ref|aCoK|35}}}}

Aegon is a son of Rhaegar, who was himself the first son of [[Aerys II]]. Placing Aegon higher in the Targaryen succession line than both [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] (Aerys second son) and [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] (the daughter of Aerys). {{Ref|aCoK|35}} According to Daenerys, Five Kings named "Aegon" have ruled in [[Westeros]]. Her nephew would have been the sixth, had he survived infancy. {{Ref|aSoS|57}} {{Ref|aDwD|2}}

As yet there is no indication as to whether he has inherited the [[Targaryen]] propensity for [[dragon dreams]] as [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] has. He might have the potential for it, like all those with Targaryen blood, but only some members of this bloodline actually displayed this ability. <ref name="Forum1">Conversation topic: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/58262-adwd-spoilers-dragon-dreams-of-ice-and-fire/ Dragon Dreams of Ice and Fire] on [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/ Westeros Forum] </ref>

==Recent Events==
===A Clash of Kings===
One of the visions [[Daenerys Targaryen]] sees in the [[House of the Undying]] involves Rhaegar, Elia, and Aegon. In this vision, a newborn Aegon nurses from the breast of Elia. The woman is seated in a great wooden bed. Rhaegar decides on the name "Aegon" for his newborn son, as he thinks the name fit for a king. Elia asks whether Rhaegar will make a song for their son. He replies that Aegon already has a song, "the song of ice and fire". Part of his role as "the prince that was promised".

However, Rhaegar then claims that there must be "one more", since "the dragon has three heads". Rhaegar moves to a seat near the window, and picks up a harp. Daenerys listens to the "sweet sadness" of his music as the vision fades away. {{Ref|aCoK|48}} Daenerys later describes this vision to [[Jorah Mormont]]. Jorah helps her confirm the identities of the people in this vision. But points out that if Aegon was the promised prince, the promise was broken with his death. {{Ref|aCoK|63}} Daenerys notices a pattern in the names Rhaegar chose for his children. They were named after [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and his sisters. There was a daughter named after the original [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], but none named after [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]]. She wonders if that was the missing third head of the dragon. Neither Daenerys, nor Jorah have heard of the term "song of ice and fire". They are unable to determine its meaning. {{Ref|aCoK|63}}

===A Dance with Dragons===
[[File: Pojypojy_Griff&YoungGriff.jpg‎|[[Griff]] and Young Griff - by Pojypojy ©|thumb|300px|right]]
While in [[Meereen]], [[Daenerys]] has mused about Aegon who would have been the sixth to sit on the [[Iron Throne]]. She is yet unaware that he is alive. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} She thought to herself:

{{Quote|''"If he had lived, I might have married him. Aegon would have been closer to my age than Viserys"''. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} }}

Aegon to better conceal his identity Aegon dyes his silver [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] hair blue, which also makes his violet eyes appear blue. He uses the false story that his mother was a [[Tyrosh|Tyroshi]] who dyed her hair blue, and he does it to honor her memory. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|14}} {{ref|aDwD|18}}

In {{Date|300}}, [[Illyrio Mopatis]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]] jointly depart [[Pentos]], heading towards the river Rhoyne. On the journey Illyrio explains the purpose of Tyrion's mission. He and "Griff" ([[Jon Connington]]) are to head towards [[Volantis]]. Waiting for the expected arrival of [[Daenerys Targaryen]] in that city, with fresh forces and more ships for her cause. Based on Illyrio's information, Daenerys has conquered [[Astapor]], made [[Yunkai]] bend the knee, and sacked [[Meereen]]. He estimates that Daenerys is heading westwards. Either by land to [[Mantarys]] or by sea to Volantis. {{Ref|aDwD|5}} Tyrion wants more information on Griff, who Illyrio supposedly trusts as a brother. Illyrio simply points that unlike most [[Mercenary|sellswords]], Griff is a dotting father. He also mentions that his boy, "Young Griff" (Aegon) is a noble lad. {{Ref|aDwD|5}}

In arms practice with [[Rolly Duckfield]], the student surpasses the master. Aegon manages to knock Rolly into a horse trough. An embarrassed Rolly claims that he fell on purpose to make Aegon laugh. Haldon laughs at him.{{Ref|aDwD|8}} Three days following this incident, Illyrio and Tyrion end their joined journey when they meet [[Haldon]] and Rolly. Illyrio specifically asks them for information on Young Griff. Haldon replies that Young Griff is now taller, as tall as the elder Griff. He then narrates about the incident during arms practice. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Illyrio has brought a gift for Young Grief, candied ginger. Pointing that the boy was always fond of it. An "oddly sad" Illyrio wants to prepare a farewell feast for the lad and offers to join them as far as [[Ghoyan Drohe]]. Haldon points out that there is no time for feasts. [[Griff]] is in a hurry to move downriver. There is information that the [[Dothraki]] [[khalasar]]s of [[Motho]] and [[Zekko]] are crossing the [[Forest of Qohor]], heading towards the Rhoyne. Both khals are fleeing from the much larger khalasar of [[Pono]], who might also be heading for the Rhoyne. Griff wants to avoid any encounter with the Dothraki. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Tyrion joins Haldon and Rolly for the trip back to their boat. Illyrio leaves a message for Young Griff. Expressing his regret that he won't be present for the boy's wedding. But swears to rejoin the boy in [[Westeros]]. His shoulders were slumped, again indicating sadness. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Traveling by horse for a couple of days, the trio of travelers encounter the [[Shy Maid]] in the vicinity of [[Ghoyan Drohe]]. Young Griff greets "Duck" and Haldon with shouts, while standing on the cabin of the poleboat. Trying to open a conversation, Tyrion points out to Young Griff that blue hair will get him ridiculed in Westeros. Young Griff is taken aback. He claims to dye his hair in memory of his deceased mother, a lady of [[Tyrosh]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

The Shy Maid continues traveling down the Rhoyne towards Volantis. Tyrion watches Young Griff enjoying his breakfast, bacon. All the while contemplating the overall appearance of the boy. Following breakfast, Duck invites Young Griff for arms practice. The two practice with swords for this morning, evenly matched. Young Griff lands more blows, Duck fewer but harder ones. Duck tires first, allowing Young Griff the opportunity to start a furious attack. Duck retreats towards the stern. Young Griff uses a shoulder slam to throw his opponent into the river. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

A wet Duckfield does not appreciate being teased by Tyrion, throwing the dwarf into the river. Young Griff extends a pole to Tyrion, helping him return aboard the boat. Tyrion uses a cartwheel to spray everyone around him with water. Young Griff is amused and asks where Tyrion learned this trick. Tyrion offers him a false origin story. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} With arms practice over, Young Griff joins [[Lemore]] for a lesson on the mysteries of the [[Faith of the Seven]]. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} During the evening, Young Griff joins Haldon for lessons in languages, geometry, and history. Tyrion joins them in this day's lessons. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

With the lesson over, Young Griff helps [[Yandry]] with the sails and poles of the boat. Tyrion discusses Young Griff's education with Haldon. He points that such as an extensive education is unusual for "some [[sellsword]]'s son". Haldon fails to understand what Tyrion is implying about the boy. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} Hours later, Young Griff hoots in joy when their boat encounters the [[Old Man of the River]], a huge horned turtle. Most members of the crew take this for a good sign, Tyrion privately considers this a wonder. One of the wonders which mark the birth of kings. Already hinting at the real identity of Young Griff. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

The Shy Maid continues its way down the Rhoyne, traveling through fog in the vicinity of the Sorrows. Young Griff takes position at the prow of the poleboat, holding a pole. He is ready to use it to push the boat away from potential hazards. Young Griff speculates about the presence of fish in this area of the river, [[Ysilla]] warns him against eating any fish taken from these waters. {{Ref|aDwD|18}}

When discussion turns to "Garin's Curse", another term for [[greyscale]], Ysilla tells a brief story concerning [[Garin (Prince)|Garin]]. The men of Volantis and [[Valyria]] had hung him in a golden cage, mocking his calls to [[Mother Rhoyne]]. Mocking his prayers for their destruction. The river rose and drowned his captors. But the story speaks of restless "lords of fire" who still live beneath the water, their flesh now as stony as their hearts. After listening to the story, Young Griff is not particularly disturbed. Certain that they could face these restless Valyrians and any other [[Stone men]]. Lemore warns him that pride is a grievous sin. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

When the Shy Maid makes its way through the Sorrows, Young Griff uses his pole to push the boat away from a broken tower. {{ref|aDwD|18}} Some time, later, the boy warns of a light ahead of them. His father recognizes the light as coming from the Bridge of Dream. Griff instructs his son to escort Lemore to her cabin and then stay with her. Young Griff stubbornly refuses, denying a need for protection. Claiming that his training to become a [[knight]] should be sufficient to protect himself. Griff commands him to back down. The youth curses under his breath. Pointing out angrily that Haldon, Ysilla, and "Hugor" (Tyrion) are not running for cover. When Tyrion joins in trying to convince Young Griff to back down, the youth replies with a scornful "You're a dwarf". Tyrion tries to explain that Young Griff is everything for their mission. His words are interrupted when the Shy Maid seemingly passes below the Bridge of Dream. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

With the danger posed by the stone men seemingly over, Young Griff turns his attention back to Tyrion. He grabs the dwarf's arm and demands answers. "Why am I everything?" Tyrion points out that the death of anyone else on board would be mourned. But the death of Young Griff would abort their mission. Young Griff realized that Tyrion has found out about his true identity. Tyrion lists the clues that led him to the deduction that Young Griff is Aegon Targaryen, the boy [[Tywin Lannister]] had wrapped in a crimson cloak. A confused Aegon finally learns that "Hugor" is Tyrion Lannister. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

Before the encounter between its crew members ends, the Shy Maid approaches the Bridge of Dream for a second time. An unexplained return as they were heading for the opposite direction. Griff commands Haldon to escort Aegon below. Haldon has no time to fulfill his mission. During the second passing of the ship, three stone men from the Bridge boarded the ship. (Tyrion initially sees only two, failing to see the one behind his back). The third stone man lurches forward and reaches for Aegon. The boy freezes in shock with his hand still on the sword hilt, failing to defend himself. Tyrion kicks one of Aegon's legs, making the prince loose his balance and fall. Tyrion then leaps over the fallen body and attacks the stone man with a torch. While the rest of the crew attempts to shield Aegon, the two struggling figures fall into the Rhoyne. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

The Shy Maid has reached [[Selhorys]] by the time Tyrion regains consciousness. Aegon is in a sullen mood, forced to remain on board for his own safety. The town is under the control of the city of Volantis. Dothraki riders had been located in the vicinity of Selhorys. The triarchs of Volantis had feared an attack and had warships, river galleys, and slave soldiers transferred to the town. The crew members wanted to prevent Aegon from having dangerous encounters in the area. Despite his insistance that he knows how to use a sword. Lemore points out that even the bravest Targaryens did not trust their fate on their swords alone. They kept the [[Kingsguard]] by their side. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

Lemore herself had changed from septa's robes to secular garb. Pointing to Aegon that he was not alone in having to hide. The prince still seems frustrated. Tyrion challenges him to a game of [[cyvasse]]. Tyrion privately assesses the game strategy of Aegon. He feels it is "a young man's formation", bold and foolish. Aegon risks everything for a quick kill. Tyrion starts a conversation, actually fishing Aegon for information. Aegon innocently offers background information on Jon Connington, and then narrates his own origin story. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

Tyrion switches the conversation towards the real purpose of their journey. The plan to have Aegon married to his aunt Daenerys. He warns the prince that Daenerys might not be the willing bride that everyone seems to expect. Aegon is shocked, having never considered the idea that she might turn down his marriage offer. Tyrion points out that Daenerys is a proud, strong, and fierce young woman who will not appreciate a relative coming to her with a begging bowl, certainly not one with a stronger claim to the [[Iron Throne]] than her own. Aegon angrily denies being a beggar, pointing at his own army: the [[Golden Company]]. Tyrion points out that Daenerys has a larger army than his own and owes nothing to Aegon. Aegon protests, trusting in Lord Connington to win her over. Tyrion calls him a fool, warning him {{ref|aDwD|22}}: {{Quote|Trust no one, my prince. {{ref|aDwD|22}} }}

Tyrion plants the seeds of doubt on the young prince, pointing that Haldon, Jon Connington, Rolly Duckfield, Lemore and every one of the friends who raised him could also betray him, and that Illyrio Mopatis, Varys, and Daenerys are even less trustworthy. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

He then suggests a different course of action to Aegon. Heading to [[Westeros]] instead of going east, taking advantage of all the problems caused by the [[War of the Five Kings]]. He points that [[the North]] is in a chaotic condition, the [[Riverlands]] are devastated, while [[Stannis Baratheon]] holds [[Storm's End]] and [[Dragonstone]]. The coming winter will starve out the realm. He then paints the opposition as particularly weak. He points that King [[Tommen Baratheon]] is just a boy, and all his potential regents come with their own problems. [[Cersei Lannister]] will alienate her own allies, [[Jaime Lannister]] actively avoids the responsibility of ruling, and [[Kevan Lannister]] is a born follower. [[Mace Tyrell]] will have to fight the Lannisters to become regent, and Stannis' unpopularity makes him an unlikely choice. Only a victorious Aegon can hope to meet Daenerys as her equal. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

The game of cyvasse ends with a loss for Aegon. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

During the game, the Prince had taken an advise on strategy from his opponent. An advice which intentionally manipulated him towards defeat. Tyrion once again warns, trust no one, proving that even advisors can not be trusted. A frustrated Aegon kicks over the board, discarding the cyvasse pieces across the deck of the poleboat. He then commands Tyrion to pick up the pieces. Tyrion recognizes a Targaryen in this behavior. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

The Shy Maid is stationed at the riverfront of [[Volon Therys]]. Jon Connington and Aegon depart the ship, heading towards the camp of the [[Golden Company]]. The mercenaries have situated themselves 3 miles (4,83 kilometers) south of the town. The travelers have already learned that Daenerys is still in Meereen, and that Illyrio had miscalculated. Aegon complains of being sick of the blue dye in his hair, eager to wash it out. He smiles at the idea of having his own army. But then expresses concerns over the loyalty of sellswords. Connington tries to explain that men should be allowed to earn trust through loyal service. Both trusting and mistrusting everyone without reason should be avoided. Privately, Connington worries that Aegon could take Tyrion's advise to heart and become as paranoid as Aerys II. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Arriving at the camp, Connington introduces the boy as his squire to [[Franklyn Flowers]]. Flowers escorts them to the tent of [[Harry Strickland]], for their initial meeting with the officers of the Company. Strickland initially sees the boy as a son to Connington. Connington instead introduces him as Aegon VI, King of the [[Andal]]s, [[Rhoynar]], and the [[First Men]]. This introduction is met with silence by the officers. Connington realizes that all of them were aware of Aegon's identity for sometime. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Connington and the the officers briefly discuss about Daenerys' lingering presence in Meereen and the ongoing conflict in [[Slaver's Bay]]. Wondering whether they should head east and join the conflict. Several of them are already disillusioned with Daenerys. Aegon sees the opportunity to introduce his own plan of going to Westeros and claiming the throne in his own name. Strickland tries to point out the risk of this plan. But most of the officers are eager to support this course of action. Aegon further explains that his aunt is welcome to keep Meereen. His plan is to move fast and strike hard, gaining a foothold before the Lannisters can react. This would certainly gain them some new allies. Connington is impressed, thinking that this is a new side of Aegon. All officers swear allegiance to Aegon. They agree, however, to keep his identity secret from the soldiers. At least until they actually land in Westeros. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Ten ships of the Golden Company departed Volantis. Six of them made it to Westeros, landing at [[Cape Wrath]]. Connington leads 1/4 of the forces in seizing [[Griffin's Roost]]. Simultaneously [[Tristan Rivers]] besieges [[Crows Nest]], and [[Laswell Peake]] besieges [[Rain House]]. Each with their own 1/4 of the Company. Aegon remains in their camp, guarded by the remaining 1/4 of the Company under [[Gorys Edoryen]]. Haldon collects information about the military and diplomatic situation across Westeros. He already considers marital alliances for King Aegon and his [[Hand of the King]], Jon Connington. The latter is against both such plans. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington receives news that part of the missing four ships landed in [[Estermont]]. [[Marq Mandrake]] has led the men there in capturing [[Greenstone]]. The rest of the ships are still missing. Franklyn Flowers suggests that the missing men are scattered across the [[Stepstones]]. Connington decides to bring Aegon to Griffin's Roost for increased safety. Franklyn points,however, that Aegon would like to be in the thick of things. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington has a plan to capture [[Storm's End]], last foothold of Stannis in the [[Stormlands]]. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Four days later, Aegon arrives at Griffin's Roost. He rides at the head of a column including a hundred [[horse]]s with their riders, and three [[elephant]]s. He is accompanied by Lemore and Rolly Duckfield, the first person in his version of the Kingsguard. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington remembers arguing with Aegon over the appointment of Rolly. Connington had pointed out that seats in the Kingsguard should be reserved for warriors of great renown and/or sons of great lords. Aegon pointed out that [[Jaime Lannister]] fit that description perfectly, and was currently known as the Kingslayer. He would rather have men personally loyal to himself, ready to die for his safety. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington asks to have the Prince escorted to his solar. But soon realizes that Prince Aegon is less biddable (obedient) than Young Griff. Aegon leaves him waiting for "the better half of a hour". Bringing Duck with him instead of coming alone. Connington tries to dismiss the bodyguard, but Aegon insists on having Rolly by his side. Aegon mentions discussing the plan to take Storm's End with Strickland and Flowers. Strickland even tried to persuade him to delay the plan. Aegon,however, feels Strickland is a bit of "an old maid" and is in favor of the plan. With one significant change. He intends to personally lead the attack. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

The [[Small Council]] in [[King's Landing]] discusses the matter of the [[Golden Company]]. [[Qyburn]] and [[Pycelle]] have received reports about mercenaries landing in [[Tarth]], the Stepstones, and Estermont. There are also reports about Jon Connington heading against Storm's End. [[Kevan Lannister]] points out that now they have opponents to their south. A third ongoing threat along with Stannis in the North and the [[Ironborn]] in the west. Kevan already has information about a new Targaryen pretender having Joined Connington, though [[Randyll Tarly]] dismisses Aegon as an impostor. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}} Pycelle suggests that they could use gold to purchase the loyalty of the Golden company. Then the sellswords would hand over Lord Connington and the pretender. [[Harys Swyft]] points out that the Iron Throne is heavily in debt and has no gold to offer. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

Varys informs the dying Kevan that Aegon will raise his banner above [[Storm's End]]. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

==Quotes about Aegon==
{{Quote|''"Aegon has been shaped for rule before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. [[Tommen I|Tommen]] has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them".'' {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}}} [[Varys]] to the dying [[Kevan Lannister]]

{{Quote|''"His silvery hair was blowing in the wind, and his eyes were a deep purple, darker than this boy's".'' {{Ref|aDwD|61}}}} [[Jon Connington]] reminisces about prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] as he addressed Aegon following the capture of Griffin's Roost by the [[Golden Company]].

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree now}}

==Survival speculation==
{{main|Aegon Targaryen/Theories}}
Even before ''A Dance With Dragons'' was released, there was speculation regarding whether or not Aegon Targaryen survived. Martin did not confirm that the character died, though he did confirm that his sister was slain.<ref>Westeros. "Elia’s Children." (August 6, 2000). [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Elias_Children So Spake Martin]</ref> Fans debated who might be the real Aegon suggesting [[Edric Dayne]], [[Samwell Tarly]], [[Daario Naharis]], among others. The question of the character's survival continued even after ''A Dance With Dragons'' introduced Aegon as a youth living under the assumed name of Young Griff to hide his identity. A number of fans speculate that he is not the real Aegon.

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Template:Kings of Westeros}}

[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[es:Aegon Targaryen]][[fr:Aegon Targaryen]][[ru:Эйгон Таргариен (сын Рэйгара)]][[zh:伊耿·坦格利安]]
[[pt:Aegon Targaryen]]

Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)

2012-12-09T22:03:00Z

Benethon Stark: Reverting because it isn't a fan theory, Aegon is literally a pretender since only Varys knows the truth either way.

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Aegon Targaryen''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = [[File:Elias_last_moments.jpg|300px|right]]
| image_caption = Princess [[Elia Martell]]'s last moments - by Achen089 ©. She holds an infant who dies with her. Either Aegon Targaryen or the [[Pisswater prince]]
| Alias = Young Griff (possible)
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Valyrian]]
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|282}}
| Place_of_Death = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|283}} (Contested by Aegon pretender)
| Books = [[A Game of Thrones]] (Mentioned) [[A Clash of Kings]] (Mentioned) [[A Storm of Swords]] (Mentioned) [[A Feast for Crows]] (Mentioned) [[A Dance with Dragons]] (Appears)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played by =
| TV_series =
}}
{{See homonyms | Aegon Targaryen (disambiguation)}}

'''Aegon Targaryen''' was the second child and only son of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] and [[Elia Martell]]. Had he ascended to the throne he would have ruled as '''Aegon VI'''.

==Character and Appearance==
According to semi-canon sources Aegon looks like a [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]].<ref>Westeros. "A Number of Questions." (August 26, 2000). [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/A_Number_of_Questions/ So Spake Martin]</ref> As an infant, Aegon had "fair hair". {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

The older Aegon is described as a lithe and well-made youth, with a lanky build. [[Tyrion Lannister]] initially estimated him to be "fifteen" or "sixteen" years-old. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} According to [[Haldon]], Aegon is as tall as [[Jon Connington]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} Aegon has a lanky build that suggests that he has yet to reach his full growth. Tyrion noted that his eyes seem to be dark blue. But look black by lamplight, and [[purple eyes|purple]] in the light of dusk. His eyelashes are long, seemingly feminine. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He is exceptionally handsome and has the Targaryen traits of silver hair and purple eyes, both features which are also present in his aunt [[Daenerys]]. Jon Connington notes that Aegon's eyes were a lighter shade of purple to those of Rhaegar. He dyes his hair blue to conceal his identity.{{ref|aDwD|18}} {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Aegon is well educated and intelligent, speaking several languages and well versed in history. He speaks the [[Common Tongue]] as a native speaker. He is fluent in [[High Valyrian]], in the Bastard Valyrian dialects of [[Pentos]], [[Tyrosh]], [[Myr]], and [[Lys]], and in [[Trade Talk]]. He is a novice at speaking the dialect of [[Volantis]], only familiar with a few of its words. The dialect of [[Meereen]], whose terms derive from both Valyrian and [[Ghiscari Empire|Ghiscari]], gives him trouble. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He has some training in mathematics. He has a decent knowledge of [[w:Summation|sums]] and a limited understanding of [[w:Geometry|geometry]]. He also has been trained in songs. Tyrion notes that Aegon is more learned than "half the lords in [[Westeros]]". {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

==History==
===Birth===
[[File: ReneAigner_Dragonguard.jpg‎ ‎| A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived - art by Rene Aigner ©|thumb|450px|right]]
A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived, which led his father [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] to believe that he was the ''[[Azor Ahai|Prince that was Promised]]''. The comet was seen as "the bleeding star" of the prophecy. [[Maester Aemon]] was aware of Rhaegar's beliefs, though it is unclear if he shared them. Aemon later came to doubt the wisdom of looking for a prince, rather than a princess. He realized there was a translation error, the term translated was fluid in terms of gender. Connected to the term for [[dragon]]s, who are neither male nor female. {{ref|aFfC|35}}

According to the recollections of [[Jon Connington]], [[Elia Martell]] was always frail and sickly. Giving birth to her daughter [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] had left her bedridden for half a year. Giving birth to Aegon had almost killed her. The [[maesters]] had told Rhaegar that Elia would bear no more children. {{Ref|aDwD|61}}

===Sack of King's Landing===

Aegon was just an infant during [[Robert's Rebellion]].{{ref|aGoT|20}} {{Ref|aGoT|30}} Following the [[Battle of the Trident]], [[Aerys II Targaryen]] decided to send [[Rhaella Targaryen|Queen Rhaella]] and [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] to [[Dragonstone]]. The original plan was for Elia to join them. But Aerys II instead thought of using her as a hostage against [[Dorne]]. He blamed the lost battle of the Trident on the supposed treason of [[Lewyn Martell]]. He chose to keep Elia and Aegon by his side, in his view ensuring the continued loyalty of Dorne. {{Ref|aSoS|37}} After the death of Rhaegar, [[Pycelle]] was convinced that the war was effectively over. In his view, [[House Targaryen]] could no longer offer a proper king to the realm. Aerys II was "mad", Viserys "too young", and Aegon still "a babe at the breast". Pycelle worked to convince Aerys II to open the gates of [[King's Landing]] to the Lannister forces. Pycelle secretly prayed and hope that his actions would help [[Tywin Lannister]] rise to the throne. {{Ref|aCoK|25}}

During the [[Sack of King's Landing]], [[Jaime Lannister]] killed Aerys in the throne room of the [[Red Keep]]. [[Elys Westerling]], [[Roland Crakehall (Lord)|Roland Crakehall]], and other Lannister knights then burst in the room. At approximately the same, other Lannister soldiers fought Targaryen loyalists in the steps and armory of the Red Keep, [[Gregor Clegane]] and [[Amory Lorch]] were scaling the walls of Maegor's Holdfast, and [[Eddard Stark]] was leading the men of [[the North]] through the city gates. Lord Crakehall asked Jaime if they should proclaim a new king. Left unsaid was a clear implication, he was asking whether Jaime would proclaim Tywin Lannister, [[Robert Baratheon]], or a member of [[House Targaryen]]. Jaime remembered that Aegon and his mother were in Maegor's Holdfast, while Viserys was in [[Dragonstone]]. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Jaime briefly toyed with the idea of proclaiming a new Targaryen King. Tywin would gain control, as [[Hand of the King]], the "wolves" of the North would howl in frustration, Robert would choke with rage. Jaime found this option tempting. Until he glanced at the corpse of Aerys II. Recalling that both Aegon and Viserys had inherited the blood of Aerys, Jaime decided against supporting either one of them. He told Crakehall to proclaim whoever the man wanted. Jaime seated himself on the [[Iron Throne]], simply waiting to see who would arrive to claim the throne and the kingdom. He was still sitting there when Eddard entered the throne room. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Viserys often told stories to his sister Daenerys. One of these stories involved the [[Sack of King's Landing]] by the "Usurper's dogs", [[Tywin Lannister]] and [[Eddard Stark]]. In this story, Elia Martell was pleading for mercy as Aegon was ripped from her breast and murdered before her eyes. Aegon was "Rhaegar's heir". {{Ref|aGoT|3}} Daenerys later recalled an additional detail, men had dashed the head of Aegon against a wall. {{Ref|aGoT|64}} Eddard Stark recalls that "Lord Tywin's soldiers" had torn Aegon from his mother's breast and dashed his head against a wall. They were also said to have dragged [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] from beneath her bed, putting her to the sword.{{ref|aGoT|12}} Eddard Stark had heard rumors that it was Gregor Clegane who dashed the skull of infant Aegon against a wall. It was whispered that afterward Gregor had raped [[Elia Martell]], and then put her to the sword. At the time Gregor was only "seventeen". Nobody dared to repeat these rumors when Gregor himself could be listening. {{Ref|aGoT|30}} According to [[Tyrion Lannister]], the responsibility of Gregor for the murders of Elia and Aegon was "common knowledge" in [[Casterly Rock]]. The tale went that for the duration of Gregor's rape of Elia, his hands were still covered in the blood and brains of Aegon. {{Ref|aCoK|17}} A wounded Gregor later narrated a brief account of the events to [[Oberyn Martell]], while killing him. He had first killed Aegon, the "screaming whelp". Then came the rape of Elia; Clegane claimed to have smashed her head with his bare hands, the same method Gregor used to finish off Oberyn. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Tywin Lannister later narrated his view of the events to his son Tyrion. Rhaenys was hiding under Rhaegar's bed, while Elia and Aegon were in the nursery, just a floor below the location of Rhaenys. Tywin was aware that he had kept [[the Westerlands]] from joining Robert's cause for most of the Rebellion. They had only joined said cause at the last stage of the war, and their loyalty would be suspected. He needed a way to demonstrate loyalty to Robert, a way to convince people that the Lannisters had severed all ties to House Targaryen. In addition, Eddard Stark was also heading toward's King's Landing, leading the remnants of Robert's army south from the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]]. Instead of the Lannister and Stark forces meeting as allies, there was still a chance for the two armies to clash. Tywin also feared that his elder son [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] might do something stupid or that Aerys would kill Jaime for no more reason than sheer spite {{Ref|aSoS|53}}.

Tywin decided to have his troops eliminate Rhaegar's children. In a single move, the Lannisters would have proven their commitment to the Rebellion and secured the throne for Robert by eliminating rival claimants for the throne. Tywin himself was somewhat surprised by the result of his commands. The murders were performed "too brutally" for his needs; he insisted that Elia didn't have to die, it happened because he didn't specify she should be spared. He had not grasped yet that Gregor is bestial, not just "terrible in battle". Gregor chose himself the manner of Aegon's death. He had not received any instructions concerning Elia. He was improvising when he raped and killed her. Amory Lorch was the man who located Rhaenys, dragging her from under the bed. The girl kicked him and would not stop screaming. Lorch killed her with about fifty sword thrusts. Tywin himself, after the fact, pointed out a more logical way to perform the deed. A few sweet words to calm the girl, a soft pillow to suffocate her. The blood was unnecessary in his view. {{Ref|aSoS|53}} [[Oberyn Martell]] had another view on Tywin's motives. Elia was once supposed to marry Jaime Lannister, based on an agreement between her mother and [[Joanna Lannister]]. Following the death of Joanna, Tywin broke the agreement, though he offered Tyrion as a a prospective bridegroom instead of Jaime, taunting the Martells. He had also informed them that [[Cersei Lannister]] was meant for Rhaegar, not for Oberyn. When Elia married Rhaegar, the Martells had ruined Tywin's plans. Tywin was "not a man to forget such slights". Oberyn believed that the murder of Elia was decided by Tywin, to teach Elia the same lesson that Houses [[House Reyne|Reyne]] and [[House Tarbeck|Tarbeck]] had learned. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Eddard Stark recalled how Tywin Lannister presented [[Robert Baratheon]] with the corpses of Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. His "token of fealty". {{ref|aGoT|12}} Tywin had laid the bodies beneath the [[Iron Throne]], wrapped in the crimson cloaks of his house guard. A clever choice, as the blood was less obvious against the red cloth. Rhaenys had been barefoot, dressed in a bed gown. The condition of the boy horrified Eddard. {{ref|aGoT|45}} The skull was a "red ruin", even Robert could not stand its sight. Robert had turned away from the sight. {{ref|aGoT|20}} [[Kevan Lannister]] was also present during this scene. He was able to recognize Rhaenys. But recalls that nobody could recognize Aegon. All that remained of the boy was a faceless horror of bone, brain, and gore. A few hanks of fair hair. Nobody could stand looking at the body for long. Tywin stated that this was Aegon and everyone else took him at his word. Seventeen years later, Kevan was no longer certain of Tywin's word on the matter.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

===Reactions to the death===
*[[Robert Baratheon]] was actually relieved and glad that the royal children were killed. Robert viewed himself as a hero, and was reluctant to kill children, but he knew Rhaegar's children had to die if his throne was ever to be secure. Tywin painted himself as the villain, allowing Robert to keep his hands clean, the reason Robert refused to punish any of the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] for the brutal act.{{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Tywin Lannister]] knew this act would prove to Robert that [[House Lannister]] had forsaken the [[House Targaryen|dragon]] forever. Years later, Tyrion came to question the wisdom of the act. Robert Baratheon would have bloodied his own hands, soiling his own reputation. Instead the Lannisters had damaged their own reputation, gaining long-term enemies in the process. {{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Eddard Stark]] called the act murder, Robert just called it war. Eddard protested that Aegon and Rhaenys were "no more than babes". Robert replied that they were not babes, only dragonspawn. The two men quarreled over the matter, [[Jon Arryn]] unable to calm them. Eddard had ridden out of King's Landing in a cold rage, heading south to fight the last battles of the war on his own. They would only be reconciled by their shared grief over the death of [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]].{{ref|aGoT|12}}

*[[Thoros of Myr]] claims to have personally seen the corpses of Aegon and Rhaenys, as they were placed before the Iron Throne. In his view, [[House Clegane]] was "built upon dead children" and their arms should display "two bloody infants". {{Ref|aSoS|34}}

*[[Arianne Martell]] recalled Robert as a monster who climbed onto his throne over the corpses of children, directly connecting his rise to the murders of Aegon and Rhaenys. Robert is not held in high regard in [[Dorne]].{{ref|aFfC|13}}

*[[Viserys Targaryen]] was convinced that the [[Dornishmen]] were determined to avenge Elia and her children. {{Ref|aGoT|3}}

*Years following the murders, [[Doran Martell]] still mourns for the victims. According to [[Varys]], the consequent hatred of Doran for [[House Lannister]] is well known.{{Ref|aCoK|17}} Doran himself claims to have worked at the downfall of Tywin Lannister for all these years. Ever since he learned what had happended to Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. {{ref|aFfC|40}}

*[[Oberyn Martell]], in his words, hungered for justice for sixteen years. Justice for Elia and her children. Certain that Gregor was only following orders. {{Ref|aCoK|38}} [[Oberyn Martell]] wanted vengeance on the man who gave the orders, not just the man who performed the deed. {{Ref|aCoK|66}}

*[[Nymeria Sand]] believes that the only fitting payment for the death of Elia's children, would be the death of "Lord Tywin's golden twins". [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] would pay with their lives for the old murders. {{ref|aFfC|2}}

*[[Jacelyn Bywater]] stated to [[Tyrion Lannister]] there were still whispers in King's Landings that "the butchery of Rhaegar's children" was one of the sins of [[House Lannister]]. And that the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]] would punish the entire city for the sins of this House. {{Ref|aCoK|41}}

*[[Daenerys Targaryen]] can't see a difference between Houses [[House Lannister|Lannister]] and [[House Stark|Stark]]. She considers Eddard Stark also responsible for the murders of Rhaenys and Aegon, arguing that "the Usurper's dogs" acted as a pack of hounds, hunting children. Which individual hound kills a child doesn't matter, all the dogs are equally guilty. [[Barristan Selmy]] disagrees with her, and has tried to explain the distinction between Eddard and Tywin. Daenerys notices a "flicker of disapproval" in his face when she insists on her original opinion. {{Ref|aDwD|11}}

*[[Barristan Selmy]] himself has been haunted by the idea of the ''"bloody bodies"'' of Aegon and Rhaenys. His serious injuries following the [[Battle of the Trident]] prevented him from personally examining the corpses. But he wondered for years about the reaction of Robert to the bodies and whether Robert smiled at the bodies. Selmy contemplates that such a smile would motivate him to personally kill Robert and that no army could save him. {{Ref|aDwD|67}}

===Reported survival===
[[Image:Aegon6.jpg|Young Griff, who claims to be Prince Aegon|thumb|300px|left]]
A young man considering himself to be Aegon, explains his apparent survival to [[Tyrion Lannister]]. According to his account, the boy killed during the Sack of King's Landing was a [[Pisswater prince]]. He had been born at the Pisswater Bend, a street of King's Landing. His father was a tanner, and his mother had died at birth. The tanner sold his boy to [[Varys]] for a jug of [[Arbor]] gold [[wine]]. The man had other sons, but wanted to experience the taste of Arbor gold for once in his life. Varys then arranged the swap between the two infants boys. Elia received the Pisswater prince, Varys took custody of the real Aegon. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} Tyrion Lannister deduces the rest of the story. When the Pisswater prince was "safely dead", Varys smuggled Aegon across the [[narrow sea]]. Varys entrusted the boy to [[Illyrio Mopatis]], who in turn found an adoptive father for Aegon in the person of exiled Lord [[Jon Connington]]. Aegon does not comment on Tyrion's deductions. {{Ref|aDwD|22}}

According to the recollection of Jon Connington, he had to fake his own death "twelve years" before the present. In [[288 AL]], five years following the [[Battle of the Bells]], Varys had convinced him that the lie would be necessary for the safety of Aegon. Connington had spend the "five years" of his exile as a member of the [[Golden Company]], and had become the right-hand man to [[Myles Toyne]]. To fulfill Varys' plan, Connington first had to be discharged from the Company in disgrace. The crafted story went that he been stealing from its war chest. Then rumors reported that Connington drunk himself to death in [[Lys]]. In Varys' words, as a gallant exile Connington would be remembered. But few tend to remember thieves, drunks, and cowards. Reputed to be one of the latter, Connington too would be forgotten. {{Ref|aDwD|24}} Aegon spend most of his life hiding aboard the poleboat [[Shy Maid]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|22}} He shared a cabin with his adoptive father. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

Aegon has been trained in matters of military tactics by [[Jon Connington]] {{Ref|aDwD|24}}, arms by [[Rolly Duckfield]], in the [[Faith of the Seven]] by [[Lemore|Septa Lemore]], and history and languages by [[Haldon|Haldon Halfmaester]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|18}} He was taught to read and write. To study history, law, and poetry. He lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers, and mended nets. He learned practical things such as washing his own clothes, fishing, cooking, binding up wounds. He was familiarized with hunger, and the fear of being hunted. His education was intended to teach him that kingship was a duty, not a right. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

His claim to the [[Iron Throne]] is stronger than that of his aunt Daenerys. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} {{Ref|aDwD|24}} According to the relevant succession laws,

{{Quote|"the sons of the first son come before the second son".'' {{Ref|aCoK|35}}}}

Aegon is a son of Rhaegar, who was himself the first son of [[Aerys II]]. Placing Aegon higher in the Targaryen succession line than both [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] (Aerys second son) and [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] (the daughter of Aerys). {{Ref|aCoK|35}} According to Daenerys, Five Kings named "Aegon" have ruled in [[Westeros]]. Her nephew would have been the sixth, had he survived infancy. {{Ref|aSoS|57}} {{Ref|aDwD|2}}

As yet there is no indication as to whether he has inherited the [[Targaryen]] propensity for [[dragon dreams]] as [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] has. He might have the potential for it, like all those with Targaryen blood, but only some members of this bloodline actually displayed this ability. <ref name="Forum1">Conversation topic: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/58262-adwd-spoilers-dragon-dreams-of-ice-and-fire/ Dragon Dreams of Ice and Fire] on [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/ Westeros Forum] </ref>

==Recent Events==
===A Clash of Kings===
One of the visions [[Daenerys Targaryen]] sees in the [[House of the Undying]] involves Rhaegar, Elia, and Aegon. In this vision, a newborn Aegon nurses from the breast of Elia. The woman is seated in a great wooden bed. Rhaegar decides on the name "Aegon" for his newborn son, as he thinks the name fit for a king. Elia asks whether Rhaegar will make a song for their son. He replies that Aegon already has a song, "the song of ice and fire". Part of his role as "the prince that was promised".

However, Rhaegar then claims that there must be "one more", since "the dragon has three heads". Rhaegar moves to a seat near the window, and picks up a harp. Daenerys listens to the "sweet sadness" of his music as the vision fades away. {{Ref|aCoK|48}} Daenerys later describes this vision to [[Jorah Mormont]]. Jorah helps her confirm the identities of the people in this vision. But points out that if Aegon was the promised prince, the promise was broken with his death. {{Ref|aCoK|63}} Daenerys notices a pattern in the names Rhaegar chose for his children. They were named after [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and his sisters. There was a daughter named after the original [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], but none named after [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]]. She wonders if that was the missing third head of the dragon. Neither Daenerys, nor Jorah have heard of the term "song of ice and fire". They are unable to determine its meaning. {{Ref|aCoK|63}}

===A Dance with Dragons===
[[File: Pojypojy_Griff&YoungGriff.jpg‎|[[Griff]] and Young Griff - by Pojypojy ©|thumb|300px|right]]
While in [[Meereen]], [[Daenerys]] has mused about Aegon who would have been the sixth to sit on the [[Iron Throne]]. She is yet unaware that he is alive. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} She thought to herself:

{{Quote|''"If he had lived, I might have married him. Aegon would have been closer to my age than Viserys"''. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} }}

Aegon to better conceal his identity Aegon dyes his silver [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] hair blue, which also makes his violet eyes appear blue. He uses the false story that his mother was a [[Tyrosh|Tyroshi]] who dyed her hair blue, and he does it to honor her memory. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|14}} {{ref|aDwD|18}}

In {{Date|300}}, [[Illyrio Mopatis]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]] jointly depart [[Pentos]], heading towards the river Rhoyne. On the journey Illyrio explains the purpose of Tyrion's mission. He and "Griff" ([[Jon Connington]]) are to head towards [[Volantis]]. Waiting for the expected arrival of [[Daenerys Targaryen]] in that city, with fresh forces and more ships for her cause. Based on Illyrio's information, Daenerys has conquered [[Astapor]], made [[Yunkai]] bend the knee, and sacked [[Meereen]]. He estimates that Daenerys is heading westwards. Either by land to [[Mantarys]] or by sea to Volantis. {{Ref|aDwD|5}} Tyrion wants more information on Griff, who Illyrio supposedly trusts as a brother. Illyrio simply points that unlike most [[Mercenary|sellswords]], Griff is a dotting father. He also mentions that his boy, "Young Griff" (Aegon) is a noble lad. {{Ref|aDwD|5}}

In arms practice with [[Rolly Duckfield]], the student surpasses the master. Aegon manages to knock Rolly into a horse trough. An embarrassed Rolly claims that he fell on purpose to make Aegon laugh. Haldon laughs at him.{{Ref|aDwD|8}} Three days following this incident, Illyrio and Tyrion end their joined journey when they meet [[Haldon]] and Rolly. Illyrio specifically asks them for information on Young Griff. Haldon replies that Young Griff is now taller, as tall as the elder Griff. He then narrates about the incident during arms practice. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Illyrio has brought a gift for Young Grief, candied ginger. Pointing that the boy was always fond of it. An "oddly sad" Illyrio wants to prepare a farewell feast for the lad and offers to join them as far as [[Ghoyan Drohe]]. Haldon points out that there is no time for feasts. [[Griff]] is in a hurry to move downriver. There is information that the [[Dothraki]] [[khalasar]]s of [[Motho]] and [[Zekko]] are crossing the [[Forest of Qohor]], heading towards the Rhoyne. Both khals are fleeing from the much larger khalasar of [[Pono]], who might also be heading for the Rhoyne. Griff wants to avoid any encounter with the Dothraki. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Tyrion joins Haldon and Rolly for the trip back to their boat. Illyrio leaves a message for Young Griff. Expressing his regret that he won't be present for the boy's wedding. But swears to rejoin the boy in [[Westeros]]. His shoulders were slumped, again indicating sadness. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Traveling by horse for a couple of days, the trio of travelers encounter the [[Shy Maid]] in the vicinity of [[Ghoyan Drohe]]. Young Griff greets "Duck" and Haldon with shouts, while standing on the cabin of the poleboat. Trying to open a conversation, Tyrion points out to Young Griff that blue hair will get him ridiculed in Westeros. Young Griff is taken aback. He claims to dye his hair in memory of his deceased mother, a lady of [[Tyrosh]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

The Shy Maid continues traveling down the Rhoyne towards Volantis. Tyrion watches Young Griff enjoying his breakfast, bacon. All the while contemplating the overall appearance of the boy. Following breakfast, Duck invites Young Griff for arms practice. The two practice with swords for this morning, evenly matched. Young Griff lands more blows, Duck fewer but harder ones. Duck tires first, allowing Young Griff the opportunity to start a furious attack. Duck retreats towards the stern. Young Griff uses a shoulder slam to throw his opponent into the river. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

A wet Duckfield does not appreciate being teased by Tyrion, throwing the dwarf into the river. Young Griff extends a pole to Tyrion, helping him return aboard the boat. Tyrion uses a cartwheel to spray everyone around him with water. Young Griff is amused and asks where Tyrion learned this trick. Tyrion offers him a false origin story. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} With arms practice over, Young Griff joins [[Lemore]] for a lesson on the mysteries of the [[Faith of the Seven]]. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} During the evening, Young Griff joins Haldon for lessons in languages, geometry, and history. Tyrion joins them in this day's lessons. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

With the lesson over, Young Griff helps [[Yandry]] with the sails and poles of the boat. Tyrion discusses Young Griff's education with Haldon. He points that such as an extensive education is unusual for "some [[sellsword]]'s son". Haldon fails to understand what Tyrion is implying about the boy. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} Hours later, Young Griff hoots in joy when their boat encounters the [[Old Man of the River]], a huge horned turtle. Most members of the crew take this for a good sign, Tyrion privately considers this a wonder. One of the wonders which mark the birth of kings. Already hinting at the real identity of Young Griff. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

The Shy Maid continues its way down the Rhoyne, traveling through fog in the vicinity of the Sorrows. Young Griff takes position at the prow of the poleboat, holding a pole. He is ready to use it to push the boat away from potential hazards. Young Griff speculates about the presence of fish in this area of the river, [[Ysilla]] warns him against eating any fish taken from these waters. {{Ref|aDwD|18}}

When discussion turns to "Garin's Curse", another term for [[greyscale]], Ysilla tells a brief story concerning [[Garin (Prince)|Garin]]. The men of Volantis and [[Valyria]] had hung him in a golden cage, mocking his calls to [[Mother Rhoyne]]. Mocking his prayers for their destruction. The river rose and drowned his captors. But the story speaks of restless "lords of fire" who still live beneath the water, their flesh now as stony as their hearts. After listening to the story, Young Griff is not particularly disturbed. Certain that they could face these restless Valyrians and any other [[Stone men]]. Lemore warns him that pride is a grievous sin. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

When the Shy Maid makes its way through the Sorrows, Young Griff uses his pole to push the boat away from a broken tower. {{ref|aDwD|18}} Some time, later, the boy warns of a light ahead of them. His father recognizes the light as coming from the Bridge of Dream. Griff instructs his son to escort Lemore to her cabin and then stay with her. Young Griff stubbornly refuses, denying a need for protection. Claiming that his training to become a [[knight]] should be sufficient to protect himself. Griff commands him to back down. The youth curses under his breath. Pointing out angrily that Haldon, Ysilla, and "Hugor" (Tyrion) are not running for cover. When Tyrion joins in trying to convince Young Griff to back down, the youth replies with a scornful "You're a dwarf". Tyrion tries to explain that Young Griff is everything for their mission. His words are interrupted when the Shy Maid seemingly passes below the Bridge of Dream. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

With the danger posed by the stone men seemingly over, Young Griff turns his attention back to Tyrion. He grabs the dwarf's arm and demands answers. "Why am I everything?" Tyrion points out that the death of anyone else on board would be mourned. But the death of Young Griff would abort their mission. Young Griff realized that Tyrion has found out about his true identity. Tyrion lists the clues that led him to the deduction that Young Griff is Aegon Targaryen, the boy [[Tywin Lannister]] had wrapped in a crimson cloak. A confused Aegon finally learns that "Hugor" is Tyrion Lannister. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

Before the encounter between its crew members ends, the Shy Maid approaches the Bridge of Dream for a second time. An unexplained return as they were heading for the opposite direction. Griff commands Haldon to escort Aegon below. Haldon has no time to fulfill his mission. During the second passing of the ship, three stone men from the Bridge boarded the ship. (Tyrion initially sees only two, failing to see the one behind his back). The third stone man lurches forward and reaches for Aegon. The boy freezes in shock with his hand still on the sword hilt, failing to defend himself. Tyrion kicks one of Aegon's legs, making the prince loose his balance and fall. Tyrion then leaps over the fallen body and attacks the stone man with a torch. While the rest of the crew attempts to shield Aegon, the two struggling figures fall into the Rhoyne. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

The Shy Maid has reached [[Selhorys]] by the time Tyrion regains consciousness. Aegon is in a sullen mood, forced to remain on board for his own safety. The town is under the control of the city of Volantis. Dothraki riders had been located in the vicinity of Selhorys. The triarchs of Volantis had feared an attack and had warships, river galleys, and slave soldiers transferred to the town. The crew members wanted to prevent Aegon from having dangerous encounters in the area. Despite his insistance that he knows how to use a sword. Lemore points out that even the bravest Targaryens did not trust their fate on their swords alone. They kept the [[Kingsguard]] by their side. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

Lemore herself had changed from septa's robes to secular garb. Pointing to Aegon that he was not alone in having to hide. The prince still seems frustrated. Tyrion challenges him to a game of [[cyvasse]]. Tyrion privately assesses the game strategy of Aegon. He feels it is "a young man's formation", bold and foolish. Aegon risks everything for a quick kill. Tyrion starts a conversation, actually fishing Aegon for information. Aegon innocently offers background information on Jon Connington, and then narrates his own origin story. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

Tyrion switches the conversation towards the real purpose of their journey. The plan to have Aegon married to his aunt Daenerys. He warns the prince that Daenerys might not be the willing bride that everyone seems to expect. Aegon is shocked, having never considered the idea that she might turn down his marriage offer. Tyrion points out that Daenerys is a proud, strong, and fierce young woman who will not appreciate a relative coming to her with a begging bowl, certainly not one with a stronger claim to the [[Iron Throne]] than her own. Aegon angrily denies being a beggar, pointing at his own army: the [[Golden Company]]. Tyrion points out that Daenerys has a larger army than his own and owes nothing to Aegon. Aegon protests, trusting in Lord Connington to win her over. Tyrion calls him a fool, warning him {{ref|aDwD|22}}: {{Quote|Trust no one, my prince. {{ref|aDwD|22}} }}

Tyrion plants the seeds of doubt on the young prince, pointing that Haldon, Jon Connington, Rolly Duckfield, Lemore and every one of the friends who raised him could also betray him, and that Illyrio Mopatis, Varys, and Daenerys are even less trustworthy. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

He then suggests a different course of action to Aegon. Heading to [[Westeros]] instead of going east, taking advantage of all the problems caused by the [[War of the Five Kings]]. He points that [[the North]] is in a chaotic condition, the [[Riverlands]] are devastated, while [[Stannis Baratheon]] holds [[Storm's End]] and [[Dragonstone]]. The coming winter will starve out the realm. He then paints the opposition as particularly weak. He points that King [[Tommen Baratheon]] is just a boy, and all his potential regents come with their own problems. [[Cersei Lannister]] will alienate her own allies, [[Jaime Lannister]] actively avoids the responsibility of ruling, and [[Kevan Lannister]] is a born follower. [[Mace Tyrell]] will have to fight the Lannisters to become regent, and Stannis' unpopularity makes him an unlikely choice. Only a victorious Aegon can hope to meet Daenerys as her equal. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

The game of cyvasse ends with a loss for Aegon. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

During the game, the Prince had taken an advise on strategy from his opponent. An advice which intentionally manipulated him towards defeat. Tyrion once again warns, trust no one, proving that even advisors can not be trusted. A frustrated Aegon kicks over the board, discarding the cyvasse pieces across the deck of the poleboat. He then commands Tyrion to pick up the pieces. Tyrion recognizes a Targaryen in this behavior. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

The Shy Maid is stationed at the riverfront of [[Volon Therys]]. Jon Connington and Aegon depart the ship, heading towards the camp of the [[Golden Company]]. The mercenaries have situated themselves 3 miles (4,83 kilometers) south of the town. The travelers have already learned that Daenerys is still in Meereen, and that Illyrio had miscalculated. Aegon complains of being sick of the blue dye in his hair, eager to wash it out. He smiles at the idea of having his own army. But then expresses concerns over the loyalty of sellswords. Connington tries to explain that men should be allowed to earn trust through loyal service. Both trusting and mistrusting everyone without reason should be avoided. Privately, Connington worries that Aegon could take Tyrion's advise to heart and become as paranoid as Aerys II. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Arriving at the camp, Connington introduces the boy as his squire to [[Franklyn Flowers]]. Flowers escorts them to the tent of [[Harry Strickland]], for their initial meeting with the officers of the Company. Strickland initially sees the boy as a son to Connington. Connington instead introduces him as Aegon VI, King of the [[Andal]]s, [[Rhoynar]], and the [[First Men]]. This introduction is met with silence by the officers. Connington realizes that all of them were aware of Aegon's identity for sometime. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Connington and the the officers briefly discuss about Daenerys' lingering presence in Meereen and the ongoing conflict in [[Slaver's Bay]]. Wondering whether they should head east and join the conflict. Several of them are already disillusioned with Daenerys. Aegon sees the opportunity to introduce his own plan of going to Westeros and claiming the throne in his own name. Strickland tries to point out the risk of this plan. But most of the officers are eager to support this course of action. Aegon further explains that his aunt is welcome to keep Meereen. His plan is to move fast and strike hard, gaining a foothold before the Lannisters can react. This would certainly gain them some new allies. Connington is impressed, thinking that this is a new side of Aegon. All officers swear allegiance to Aegon. They agree, however, to keep his identity secret from the soldiers. At least until they actually land in Westeros. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Ten ships of the Golden Company departed Volantis. Six of them made it to Westeros, landing at [[Cape Wrath]]. Connington leads 1/4 of the forces in seizing [[Griffin's Roost]]. Simultaneously [[Tristan Rivers]] besieges [[Crows Nest]], and [[Laswell Peake]] besieges [[Rain House]]. Each with their own 1/4 of the Company. Aegon remains in their camp, guarded by the remaining 1/4 of the Company under [[Gorys Edoryen]]. Haldon collects information about the military and diplomatic situation across Westeros. He already considers marital alliances for King Aegon and his [[Hand of the King]], Jon Connington. The latter is against both such plans. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington receives news that part of the missing four ships landed in [[Estermont]]. [[Marq Mandrake]] has led the men there in capturing [[Greenstone]]. The rest of the ships are still missing. Franklyn Flowers suggests that the missing men are scattered across the [[Stepstones]]. Connington decides to bring Aegon to Griffin's Roost for increased safety. Franklyn points,however, that Aegon would like to be in the thick of things. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington has a plan to capture [[Storm's End]], last foothold of Stannis in the [[Stormlands]]. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Four days later, Aegon arrives at Griffin's Roost. He rides at the head of a column including a hundred [[horse]]s with their riders, and three [[elephant]]s. He is accompanied by Lemore and Rolly Duckfield, the first person in his version of the Kingsguard. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington remembers arguing with Aegon over the appointment of Rolly. Connington had pointed out that seats in the Kingsguard should be reserved for warriors of great renown and/or sons of great lords. Aegon pointed out that [[Jaime Lannister]] fit that description perfectly, and was currently known as the Kingslayer. He would rather have men personally loyal to himself, ready to die for his safety. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington asks to have the Prince escorted to his solar. But soon realizes that Prince Aegon is less biddable (obedient) than Young Griff. Aegon leaves him waiting for "the better half of a hour". Bringing Duck with him instead of coming alone. Connington tries to dismiss the bodyguard, but Aegon insists on having Rolly by his side. Aegon mentions discussing the plan to take Storm's End with Strickland and Flowers. Strickland even tried to persuade him to delay the plan. Aegon,however, feels Strickland is a bit of "an old maid" and is in favor of the plan. With one significant change. He intends to personally lead the attack. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

The [[Small Council]] in [[King's Landing]] discusses the matter of the [[Golden Company]]. [[Qyburn]] and [[Pycelle]] have received reports about mercenaries landing in [[Tarth]], the Stepstones, and Estermont. There are also reports about Jon Connington heading against Storm's End. [[Kevan Lannister]] points out that now they have opponents to their south. A third ongoing threat along with Stannis in the North and the [[Ironborn]] in the west. Kevan already has information about a new Targaryen pretender having Joined Connington, though [[Randyll Tarly]] dismisses Aegon as an impostor. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}} Pycelle suggests that they could use gold to purchase the loyalty of the Golden company. Then the sellswords would hand over Lord Connington and the pretender. [[Harys Swyft]] points out that the Iron Throne is heavily in debt and has no gold to offer. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

Varys informs the dying Kevan that Aegon will raise his banner above [[Storm's End]]. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

==Quotes about Aegon==
{{Quote|''"Aegon has been shaped for rule before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. [[Tommen I|Tommen]] has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them".'' {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}}} [[Varys]] to the dying [[Kevan Lannister]]

{{Quote|''"His silvery hair was blowing in the wind, and his eyes were a deep purple, darker than this boy's".'' {{Ref|aDwD|61}}}} [[Jon Connington]] reminisces about prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] as he addressed Aegon following the capture of Griffin's Roost by the [[Golden Company]].

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree now}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Template:Kings of Westeros}}

[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[es:Aegon Targaryen]][[fr:Aegon Targaryen]][[ru:Эйгон Таргариен (сын Рэйгара)]][[zh:伊耿·坦格利安]]
[[pt:Aegon Targaryen]]

House Targaryen

2012-11-04T03:44:30Z

Benethon Stark: /* The Queen's captains and commanders: */

{{Noble House
| House_name = House Targaryen of King's Landing
| image = [[File:House_Targaryen.PNG|300px]]
| Coat_of_arms = Black, a red three headed dragon
| Words = ''Fire and Blood''
| Seat = [[Red Keep]] [[Dragonstone]]
| Current_Lord = Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
| Region = [[King's Landing]] [[Dragonstone]] [[Valyria]]
| Title = [[Iron Throne|King]] of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] Lord of the [[Andals]], the [[Rhoynar]] and the [[First Men]] Prince of Dragonstone (heir apparent)
| Overlord = none; [[w:sovereign|sovereign]]
| Ancestral_weapon= [[Blackfyre]] [[Dark Sister]]
| Cadet_branch = [[House Blackfyre]] [[House Baratheon]]
| Founded_in = {{Date|0}} (~300 years ago)
}}
[[File:House_Targaryen_Family_tree.jpg|thumb|300px|House Targaryen Family tree]]

'''House Targaryen''' is a noble family of Valyrian descent that escaped the [[Doom of Valyria|Doom]]. They lived for centuries on the island of Dragonstone until [[Aegon I|Aegon Targaryen]] and his sisters rode their dragons to the conquest of the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. House Targaryen ruled as the Kings of [[Westeros]] for nearly 300 years, until ousted in the [[War of the Usurper]]. Their seats were the capitol city of [[King's Landing]] and the island castle of [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|aGoT|23}}

==Customs and Traits==
House Targaryen sigil is a three-headed dragon breathing flames, red on black. The three-headed dragon represents [[Aegon the Conqueror]] and his two sisters, [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]] and [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]],{{Ref|aGoT|3}}{{Ref|aGoT|62}} Their house words are "Fire and Blood."{{Ref|aSoS|23}} Although the Targaryen [[Iron Throne|kings]] took their seat at [[King's Landing]], the place where Aegon and his army first landed in Westeros and made their first fort, [[Dragonstone]] remained the traditional seat of the heir-apparent to the throne.

House Targaryen historically followed the gods of [[Valyrian Freehold|Valyria]]. Sometime before the conquest of the Seven Kingdoms, the Targaryens abandoned the Valyrian gods and converted to the [[Faith of the Seven]], the predominant religion in Westeros. However, they continued to follow the Valyrian practice of incestuous marriage, wedding brother to sister, cousin to cousin, and uncle to niece, holding themselves apart from and above the noble Westerosi families.

The phrase "blood of the dragon" refers to what are considered typical Targaryen features: silvery-gold (or platinum) hair and violet eyes. Some Targaryens also have a high tolerance of heat, though they are by no means immune to fire. Another trait typical to Targaryens, and one that was passed on to the cadet house, [[House Blackfyre]], was the ability to have premonition-like dreams.{{Ref|TMK}} [[Aenar Targaryen]] was a noble in Valyria before the Doom, whose maiden daughter had his visions written down and published in a book called ''[[Signs and Portents]]''.

Probably due to their incestuous practices, the Targaryens are [[Targaryen madness|prone to madness]]; King Jaehaerys II said that with the birth of a new Targaryen the gods tossed a coin to decide whether the child would be great or mad.

===Dragons===
:{{See also|Dragons}}

The Targaryens are known as [[dragonlords]], and seem to be closer to dragons than other men are. Aegon I introduced dragons to Westeros when he conquered it, and dragons were kept and ridden by the Targaryens until t
he last one perished in the reign of Aegon III Dragonbane.

The Targaryens kept [[dragon]]s for much of their reign in Seven Kingdoms. To house them they built an immense domed structure in King's Landing called the Dragonpit. New dragons were bred from Aegon's original three: [[Vhagar]], [[Meraxes]], and the dreaded [[Balerion]]. However, violent deaths in battle and a growing infirmity in each following generation caused the family's stable to dwindle. The last Targaryen dragon was a deformed and sterile creature that died very young. It is not clearly understood what caused the last dragons to die out. A legend holds that [[Aegon III]] poisoned them, but Archmaester [[Marwyn]] suggested that the [[Maesters]] were somehow responsible. Others have also claimed that raising dragons in enclosed spaces, even the Dragonpit, was unnatural and stunted their growth.

==History==

===Origins and Conquests===
House Targaryen is one of the forty ancient noble houses of the [[Valyrian Freehold]], a great empire spanning most of the [[Essos|eastern continent]], known as [[Dragonlords]] who actually ruled the empire. It was not one of the most important of these families.The Targaryens were one of the few families to survive the [[Doom of Valyria|Doom of their home]], which they escaped because [[Aenar Targaryen]] by departing for the westernmost outpost of Valyrian influence, the island of [[Dragonstone]], off the east coast of [[Westeros]] because of visions of his daughter [[Daenys Targaryen |Daenys the Dreamer]] with five Dragons. Twelve years after the Aenar Targaryen settled on Dragonstone, the Doom descended on [[Valyria]], leading to the collapse of the Freehold. The Targaryens were the only dragonriders of Valyria to survive the Doom. Thereafter four of the dragons died but two more were born from eggs.

Following the Doom, there was pressure for the Targaryens to go east and ally themselves with [[Volantis]], who attempted to restore the Freehold by conquering the rest of the Valyrian colonies to survive the Doom, now known as the [[Free Cities]]. However, the Targaryens remained on Dragonstone for another century until the young [[Aegon I|Aegon the Conqueror]] developed his ambitions toward Westeros, but not before Aegon flew to the [[Disputed Lands]] and joined an alliance to crush Volantene aspirations.

Aegon aspired to unite the seven Westerosi kingdoms under one ruler, and he was determined to be that ruler. A hundred years after the Doom, Aegon set forth from Dragonstone with his sister/wives [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]] and [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]], their dragons, and a small force, landing at the mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush]] and beginning the [[Wars of Conquest]]. During his campaigns, Aegon was anointed king by the [[High Septon]] in [[Oldtown]], leading to the unification of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] under Tlargaryen rule from the [[Iron Throne]], starting a dynasty that lasted nearly 300 years. The area where the Targaryens had begun their conquest became the site of their new capitol, [[King's Landing]]. Dragonstone was used as the seat of the heir to the throne. The region around these strongholds became known as the [[Crownlands]], and several houses of the area (such as the [[House Velaryon|Velaryons]], [[House Darklyn|Darklyns]], and the lords of [[Crackclaw Point]]) were among the staunchest Targaryen loyalists. Another close ally was [[House Baratheon]]; Aegon had installed his bastard brother [[Orys Baratheon]] to rule the [[Stormlands]].

{{Template:Targaryen tree Aegon|state=hidden|title=Targaryen Family Tree (click show to Expand)}}

===Early Dynasty and the Faith Militant Uprising===
Despite converting to the Faith, the Targaryens held themselves apart from the laws of gods and men, and continued to follow the Valyrian practice of incestuous marriage, which was a sin in the eyes of the Seven. Indeed, Aegon married both of his sisters. When Aegon died 37 years after his landing and was succeeded by his incest-born son and heir, [[Aenys I]], local populations revolted in what is know as the [[Faith Militant uprising]]. Early Targaryen kings often appointed those of the blood royal to act as their [[Hand of the King|Hand]]. Such was the case with with Aenys, who was served by his brutal half-brother and cousin, [[Maegor I|Prince Maegor]]. Maegor conducted the suppression of these revolts, and seized the throne for himself after Aenys's death, going on to earn the moniker "the Cruel" in his attempts to crush the rebellion. Construction of the [[Red Keep]] was finished during Maegor's reign. After his mysterious death in 48 AL he was succeeded by Aenys's son [[Jaehaerys I|Jaehaerys the Conciliator]], who disbanded the Faith Militant. His rule was long and wise.

===Death of the Dragons===
:{{See also|The Dance of the Dragons}}

After his death in 103 AL, Jaehaerys was succeeded by his grandson [[Viserys I]], who ruled well except in marriage. Viserys raised his daughter [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] as his heir, but his wishes were defied by the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard|Lord Commander]] of his [[Kingsguard]], [[Criston Cole|Ser Criston the Kingmaker]], who earned his epithet by crowning [[Aegon II]], a son of a second marriage. In the resulting war of succession, called [[the Dance of the Dragons]] (129-131 AL), both of the monarchs perished, as did many lesser branches of House Targaryen, and most of their dragons. During the reign of [[Aegon III]], the son of Rhaenyra who held the Iron Throne at the war's conclusion, the last dragon died, earning him the nickname "Dragonbane." The loss of their signature war mounts and the deaths of so many family members severely weakened the Targaryens' grip on the Seven Kingdoms.

{{Template:Targaryen tree Viserys‎|state=hidden|title=Targaryen Family Tree, during the Dance of Dragons (click show to Expand)}}

Since the Dance, House Targaryen has practiced a highly modified version of agnatic primogeniture, placing female claimants in the line of succession behind all possible male ones, even collateral relations.

===Incorporating Dorne===
Since resisting the conquest of Aegon, the [[House Martell|Martell]] princes of [[Dorne]] had ruled their land as a sovereign realm. Upon assuming the throne in 157 AL, Aegon III's fourteen-year old son [[Daeron I]] decided to end that. Despite his youth and lack of dragons, Daeron [[Conquest of Dorne|defeated the Dornishmen]] in a successful invasion. His rule of Dorne did not last, however, and he and 40,000 men died trying to defeat an uprising. Dead at eighteen without issue, the Young Dragon was succeeded by his brother [[Baelor I|Baelor the Blessed]], who was in training to become a septon. One of Baelor's first acts was to make peace with Dorne by marrying his cousin [[Daeron II|Prince Daeron]] to [[Myriah Martell]]. Baelor is well-remembered by the smallfolk, but maesters and others learned in history recall his piety as his undoing. As his Hand, Baelor retained his uncle [[Viserys II|Viserys]], who had also served Daeron. Viserys held the realm together while Daeron warred and Baelor prayed. During his reign, Baelor locked his three sisters in the "Maidenvault" of the Red Keep to avoid carnal thoughts. One, [[Daena Targaryen|Daena the Defiant]], carried on an affair with their cousin [[Aegon IV|Aegon]]. When Baelor died childless as well in 171, his uncle took the throne as Viserys II. After a brief reign, Viserys was succeeded by his son Aegon, who reigned as Aegon IV and was called "the Unworthy". It was during the reign of Aegon's son Daeron II that Dorne finally joined the Targaryen empire, after Daeron's sister [[Daenerys, daughter of Aegon IV]] wed Prince [[Maron Martell]].

===The Blackfyre Pretenders===
:{{See also|House Blackfyre|Blackfyre Pretenders|Blackfyre Rebellion|Second Blackfyre Rebellion|War of the Ninepenny Kings}}

Aegon IV kept many mistresses and sired several bastards by them. The oldest of them, by Princess Daena, had strong Targaryen features; he grew up to be a promising young knight and was granted [[Blackfyre]], the [[Valyrian steel]] blade of The Conqueror. He became known as [[Daemon Blackfyre]]. Before his death in 184, Aegon IV legitimized all of his natural children, placing them in the succession, albeit behind his trueborn son, [[Daeron II]]. Nobles such as [[Aegor Rivers|Aegor "Bittersteel" Rivers]] (one of Aegon IV's Great Bastards) did not care for Daeron's bookish nature or the Dornish flavor of his court, and whispered that Daeron was not the son of Aegon IV, but of his brother Prince [[Aemon the Dragonknight]], casting doubts over Daeron's right to rule. Finally, Daemon Blackfyre was bitter over the loss of [[Daenerys, daughter of Aegon IV|Princess Daenerys]], Daeron's sister whom he had promised to Prince Maron. For these reasons, Daemon and his supporters launched the First [[Blackfyre Rebellion]] against Daeron's rule. This was crushed by Daeron's sons [[Baelor Breakspear]] and [[Maekar I|Maekar]] and his bastard brother [[Brynden Rivers|Brynden "Bloodraven" Rivers]], Bittersteel's rival for the affections of their half-sister [[Shiera Seastar]]. Daemon was killed by Bloodraven in the [[Battle of the Redgrass Field]], and Bittersteel driven into exile across the [[narrow sea]], where he founded the [[Golden Company]], a sellsword army bent on naming a Blackfyre son as King of Westeros. Prince Baelor was named his father's Hand as well as heir, but died in 209 in a Trial of Seven at the [[Ashford Tourney]] fighting opposite his brother Maekar for the honor of a hedge knight called [[Dunk]]. Maekar's son [[Aerion Brightflame]] was sent into exile after the trial, and Maekar allowed his son "[[Aegon V|Egg]]" to continue squiring for Dunk in order to teach him humility and honor. During Daeron's reign, the third major Targaryen palace was built at [[Summerhall]], in the [[Dornish Marches]].

{{Template:Blackfyre_tree|state=hidden|title=Targaryen Family Tree and the Blackfyre Pretenders (click show to Expand)}}

===Mounting Problems===

[[The Great Spring Sickness]] of 209 AL killed King Daeron and several of his grandchildren. His equally bookish son [[Aerys I]] took the throne, appointing his uncle Bloodraven as Hand. Aerys ignored the realm's problems (including plague, drought, dwindling trade, rising banditry, and the reaving of [[Dagon Greyjoy]]) as Bloodraven focused on dealing with minor Blackfyre rebellions instigated by Bittersteel. Prince Maekar, who had expected to be named Aerys's Hand, succeeded his brother on the throne in 221 and had Bloodraven thrown into the Red Keep's dungeons. Across the Narrow Sea, House Blackfyre continued to be a distant threat to the main Targaryen line. In 233 King Maekar fell in battle against a rebel lord, presumably a Blackfyre supporter.

A series of misfortunes and deaths over the years culminated in a [[Great Council]] being held upon Maekar's demise in 233 AL. The council bypassed the mad [[Daeron Targaryen|Prince Daeron]]'s lackwit daughter and the dead [[Aerion Brightflame]]'s infant son, leading to the crowning of Maekar's son "Egg" as [[Aegon V]], called “The Unlikely” for being the fourth son of a fourth son. His elder brother [[Maester Aemon|Aemon]] had been quietly offered the throne before he, but Aemon refused the crown since he had taken a [[maester]]'s vows, forswearing his inheritance and going on to join the [[Night's Watch]] lest he be used in plots against Aegon. Aegon emptied the dungeons to accompany him to [[the Wall]], including their great-uncle Bloodraven, who went on to become [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|Lord Commander]]. As Lord Commander of his Kingsguard, Aegon V appointed [[Dunk|Ser Duncan the Tall]], the hedge knight for whom he had squired in his youth.

{{Template:Targaryen_tree_Daeron_II|state=hidden|title=Targaryen Family Tree, during the Great Council (click show to Expand)}}

In the latter part of Aegon's reign, he sent a host to the [[Stepstones]] to defeat [[Maelys Blackfyre|Maelys the Monstrous]], the last Blackfyre. He and his supporters were defeated in the [[War of the Ninepenny Kings]], and Maelys slain. Hearing a prophecy from a [[Ghost of High Heart|woods witch]] that their line would bear the [[Azor Ahai|Prince That Was Promised]] to defeat the [[Others]], Egg arranged the marriage of his grandchildren [[Aerys II|Aerys]] and [[Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella]]. Since he had done so, Aegon allowed his children to marry for love, earning him bitter enemies instead of friends. His daughter [[Rhaelle Targaryen|Rhaelle]] married into [[House Baratheon]]. His son [[Duncan Targaryen|Duncan the Small]], Prince of Dragonflies, "cast aside a crown" for [[Jenny of Oldstones]], leading in some way led to the [[Tragedy of Summerhall]], where Aegon V and both Duncans lost their lives in 259. Aegon's sickly son [[Jaehaerys II]] reigned for a few years before dying in 262. Amiable, clever, and able, he nonetheless was seen as weak by those martial lords prejudiced against his frail constitution. He was succeeded by his eldest son [[Aerys II]].

===Downfall===
:{{See also|Robert's Rebellion}}

Aerys II began his reign with promise, and with the help of his able [[Hand of the King|Hand]] [[Tywin Lannister]], but became paranoid and increasingly mad after being abducted during a [[Defiance of Duskendale|failed revolt]] of the longtime Targaryen loyalists of [[House Darklyn]] and Tywin's cautious response. His heir, Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]], resolved to be a better monarch and set forth to prove himself, and to fulfill the prophecy of the [[Azor Ahai|Prince That Was Promised]]. Aerys chose Tywin's heir [[Jaime Lannister|Ser Jaime]] for his Kingsguard, robbing Tywin of his heir and provoking him to resignation. Also during the [[Tourney at Harrenhal]], Rhaegar offended [[Robert Baratheon]] by naming his betrothed, [[Lyanna Stark]], as Queen of Love and Beauty rather than his own wife, [[Elia Martell]].

{{Targaryen tree now|state=hidden|title=Targaryen Family Tree, during the Downfall (click show to Expand)}}

Shortly after the tourney, Prince Rhaegar ran off with Lyanna. When Lyanna's [[Brandon Stark|brother]] and [[Rickard Stark|father]] protested, Aerys had them killed. This started a civil war. Rhaegar took command of the royal troops, leading them to defeat in the [[Battle of the Trident]], where he was killed by Robert Baratheon. Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] and the pregnant Queen Rhaella fled to Dragonstone. Perfidious Lannisters killed Aerys, Elia, [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]], and the infant [[Aegon Targaryen|Aegon]] in King's Landing. On Dragonstone, Rhaella died giving birth to Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]], who was spirited to the [[Free Cities]] along with Viserys. Robert Baratheon was crowned king, partially due to his having a Targaryen [[Rhaelle Targaryen|grandmother]].

King Aerys II Targaryen was the last king in a dynasty which had held for nearly 300 years of unbroken rule. Where the Targaryens had begun as untouchable demigods atop fire-breathing dragons, their power had fallen noticeably since the time of those beasts, with many more large-scale civil wars featuring pitched battles. In the short term, Aerys's madness had provoked the nobles to action, but such open defiance would not have occurred if his family's prestige had not been in decline for some time. This loss of influence is perhaps shown by the fact that Aegon V was invited to rule by a council rather than claiming a divine right. The [[Defiance of Duskendale]] by [[House Darklyn]], one of the staunchest traditional royal allies, is another sign of the decline of the House's loss of influence.

==A Song of Ice and Fire==
Across the Narrow Sea, the Mad King's surviving son claims legitimacy as "Viserys III." He and Daenerys wander the Free Cities, seeking aid from various merchant princes to restore House Targaryen. Few take his claim seriously, calling him the Beggar King. In 288 AL, Viserys betroths his sister to [[Drogo]], a mighty ''[[khal]]'' of the [[Dothraki]], hoping to use his horde to retake the Seven Kingdoms. Viserys alienates the horselord with his arrogance and is eventually killed. After the death of Khal Drogo, Daenerys takes command of the ''[[khalasar]]'''s ragged remnants, and is able to hatch three dragon eggs, the first in a century and a half. She nurtures her dragons and her people, bringing them through the [[Red Waste]] to the strange city of [[Qarth]]. Traveling to the cities of [[Slaver's Bay]], she embarks on a campaign of liberation that seems to cause more conflict than it solves. Recently Daenerys refused a marriage proposal from [[Quentyn Martell]], whose [[Doran Martell|father]] was attempting to honor a secret pact made to wed Viserys to [[Arianne Martell]]. As she hones her skills of leadership, Dany must learn to tell good counsel from bad and how to make decisions of dubious morality. Currently she is in the wilderness near [[Meereen]] as her enemies and supporters alike await her in the city. Soon she must make sail for Westeros to retake the homeland she has never known.

On [[the Wall]], the century-old [[Maester Aemon]], brother to [[Aegon V]], imparts wisdom to the new recruit [[Jon Snow]] regarding the conflict of loyalty between family and duty. Later Aemon pushes Snow to take command of Castle Black during [[Battle of Castle Black|crisis]]. When Snow is elected Lord Commander, he orders Maester Aemon to [[Oldtown]] to avoid the red sorceress [[Melisandre]], who might wish to sacrifice him to [[R'hllor]] for his kingsblood. Unfortunately Aemon does not survive the voyage, leaving the lore of the Night's Watch in the hands of [[Samwell Tarly]]. [[Beyond the Wall]], the [[three-eyed crow]] who has been appearing to [[Bran Stark]] in his dreams is strongly implied to be none other than Bloodraven, kept alive by sorcery.

It is claimed that, unbeknownst to the [[Lannister]]s, Rhaegar's son [[Aegon Targaryen]] survived the [[Sack of King's Landing]] thanks to [[Varys]], who had a peasant baby killed in his place. The purported Aegon was raised in secret across the Narrow Sea by Rhaegar's friend [[Jon Connington]], and has now landed in the [[Stormlands]] with the [[Golden Company]] at his back, calling himself Aegon VI.

==Timeline==
{{See also|Timeline of major events}}
{| class="wikitable" ALIGN="right"
|+Targaryen kings
|-
| [[Aegon I]] || [[1 AL]] – [[37 AL]]
|-
| [[Aenys I]] || [[37 AL]] – [[42 AL]]
|-
| [[Maegor I]] || [[42 AL]] – [[48 AL]]
|-
| [[Jaehaerys I]] || [[48 AL]] – [[103 AL]]
|-
| [[Viserys I]] || [[103 AL]] – [[129 AL]]
|-
| [[Aegon II]] || [[129 AL]] – [[131 AL]]
|-
| [[Aegon III]] || [[131 AL]] - [[157 AL]]
|-
| [[Daeron I]] || [[157 AL]] -[[161 AL]]
|-
| [[Baelor I]] || [[161 AL]] - [[171 AL]]
|-
| [[Viserys II]] || [[171 AL]] - [[172 AL]]
|-
| [[Aegon IV]] || [[172 AL]] - [[184 AL]]
|-
| [[Daeron II]] || [[184 AL]] - [[209 AL]]
|-
| [[Aerys I]] || [[209 AL]] - [[221 AL]]
|-
| [[Maekar I]] || [[221 AL]] - [[233 AL]]
|-
| [[Aegon V]] || [[233 AL]] - [[259 AL]]
|-
| [[Jaehaerys II]] || [[259 AL]] - [[262 AL]]
|-
| [[Aerys II]] || [[262 AL]] - [[283 AL]]
|}
All dates are given relative to Aegon's Landing (AL).

;before ca. -200 AL: House Targaryen relocates to the island of [[Dragonstone]], off the coast of [[Westeros]].
;The [[Doom of Valyria]] (ca. -100 AL): The Doom destroys the freehold of Valyria.
;[[War of Conquest|The Wars of Conquest]] (ca. 1 AL): Aided by his two sisters and their dragons Vhagar, Meraxes, and Balerion, the armies of Aegon the Conqueror invade the seven kingdoms of Westeros, sparking the Wars of Conquest. In the battle known as the "[[Field of Fire]]," Aegon's army conquers the combined forces of the [[Kingdom of the Rock|Rock]] and of the [[Reach]]; the three dragons kill nearly four thousand men. Many other kings bend the knee to Aegon, and in the end, only Dorne remains unconquered.
; [[Faith Militant uprising]] (37-48 AL)
: The two armed wings of the church rise against Aegon's incest-born son [[Aenys I]]. Aenys's half-brother and Hand, [[Maegor I]] seizes the throne after his death and fails to crush the rebels. Aenys's son [[Jaehaerys I]] succeeds and outlaws both military orders.
;[[The Dance of the Dragons]] (129-131 AL), the Targaryen civil war.
: [[Aegon II]]'s claim to the throne is disputed by his elder sister [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]]; both perish in the resulting war. Several dragons and lesser branches of the house are extinguished.
;[[Conquest of Dorne]] (ca. 157 AL)
:Aged 14, [[Daeron I]] conquers [[Dorne]], but is unable to hold it. He dies along with tens of thousands.
;The [[Battle of the Redgrass Field]] (196 AL): The first Blackfyre Rebellion ends when the rebel Daemon Blackfyre's forces are defeated in the Battle of the Redgrass Field. These events are recounted in ''[[The Sworn Sword]]''.
;[[Ashford Tourney|Tourney at Ashford]] (208 AL)
: [[Baelor Breakspear]] dies from wounds sustained in trial by combat. These events are recounted in ''[[The Hedge Knight]]''.
;[[The Great Spring Sickness]] (209 AL)
:A plague engulfs large parts of Westeros, killing King [[Daeron II]] and his grandsons [[Valarr Targaryen|Valarr]] and [[Matarys Targaryen|Matarys]].
;[[Great Council]] (233 AL)
:A great council passes over the infant bastard son of [[Aerion Targaryen|Aerion Brightflame]] and the idiot daughter of Prince [[Daeron Targaryen|Daeron]], crowning [[Aegon V]], the Unlikely.
;[[War of the Usurper]] (282-283 AL)
:The Targaryen reign ends when Lord [[Robert Baratheon]] takes the [[Iron Throne]] and King [[Aerys II]] is killed by his sworn knight Ser [[Jaime Lannister]].

==The Targaryen House at the end of the third century==

The known Targaryens during the timespan of the events described on [[A Song of Ice and Fire]] are:
*{[[Viserys Targaryen|King Viserys III]]}, the Beggar King and self-proclaimed King of Westeros in exile. Fatally crowned in [[Vaes Dothrak]].
*[[Daenerys Targaryen|Queen Daenerys I Stormborn]], sister of Viserys and last known Targaryen heir, Queen in Meereen, Khaleesi, Mother of Dragons.
**her dragons, [[Drogon|Drogon]], [[Viserion|Viserion]], [[Rhaegal|Rhaegal]],
**{[[Khal Drogo]]}, her first husband. Euthanized after disabling wounds.
***{[[Rhaego]]}, her son by Drogo. Died at birth.
**[[Hizdahr zo Loraq]], her second husband. A Ghiscari noble of Meereen.
*{[[Maester Aemon|Maester Aemon]]}, sworn to the Night's Watch. Great-granduncle to the Mad King. Died of a chill at sea, at the age of one hundred and two.

*[[Aegon Targaryen|Prince Aegon]], Rhaegar's son. Believed to have died at Gregor Clegane's hand in the Sack of King's Landing, but is purported by some to be alive and with the [[Golden Company]]. If true his claim supersedes his aunt Daenerys', and he is Aegon VI.

{{Targaryen tree|state=hidden|title=Complete Targaryen Family Tree (click show to Expand)}}

===Household===

====The Queen's protectors:====
*Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], called Barristan the Bold, Lord Commander of the [[Queensguard]].
**his two known knights:
***Ser [[Tumco Lho]], of the [[Basilisk Isles]], a knewly-made knight.
***"[[The Red Lamb]]", a [[Lhazar]]ene freedman and newly-made knight.
**his lads, squires training for knighthood:
***[[Larraq]], called 'The Lash', of Meereen.
***the Boys, three Ghiscari brothers and freedmen.
*[[Belwas]], called Strong Belwas, eunuch and former pit fighter.
*her [[Dothraki]] bloodriders:
**[[Jhogo]], the whip, blood of her blood and ''ko''.
**[[Aggo]], the bow, blood of her blood and ''ko''.
**[[Rakharo]], the arakh, blood of her blood and ''ko''.
* Ser [[Jorah Mormont]], called 'Jorah the Andal', former Lord Commander. Banished.

====The Queen's captains and commanders:====
*[[Grey Worm]], a eunuch, commander of the [[Unsullied]], a company of eunuch infantry.
**[[Hero]], an Unsullied captain, second-in-command.
**{[[Stalwart Shield]]}, an Unsullied spearman, murdered by the [[Sons of the Harpy]].
*{[[Mollono Yos Dob]]}, commander of the [[Stalwart Shields]], a company of freedmen named for the martyred Unsullied. Died of the Pale Mare.
**[[Tal Toraq]], new commander of the Stalwart Shields.
*[[Symon Stripeback]], commander of [[Free Brothers]], a company of freedmen.
*[[Marselen]], commander of the [[Mother's Men]], a company of freedman, a eunuch, brother to Missandei.
*{[[Groleo]]} of Pentos, formerly captain of the great cog ''Saduleon'', made an admiral without a fleet. Executed by the Yunkai'i.
*[[Rommo]], a ''jaqqa rhan'' of the Dothraki, he represents Daenerys' khalasar at council.
*[[Daario Naharis]], a [[Tyrosh]]i sellsword, captain of the [[Stormcrows]], a free company.
**[[Widower|The Widower]], second in command and acting joint-commander of the Stormcrows.
**[[Jokin]], commander of the archers and acting joint-commander of the Stormcrows.
*[[Ben Plumm]], called 'Brown Ben', a mongrel sellsword, captain of the [[Second Sons]], a free company. Defected to Yunkai.

====The Queen's Meereenese court:====
*[[Reznak mo Reznak|Reznak mo Reznak]], her seneschal, bald and unctuous.
*[[Skahaz mo Kandaq|Shahaz mo Kandaq]], called 'The Shavepate', shaven-headed commander of the [[Brazen Beasts]], Meereen's city watch.

====The Queen's handmaids and servants:====
*[[Irri|Irri]] and [[Jhiqui|Jhiqui]], young women of the Dothraki, handmaidens.
*[[Missandei|Missandei]], a [[Naath]]i scribe and translator.
*[[Grazdar|Grazdar]], [[Qezza|Qezza]], [[Mezzara|Mezzara]], [[Kezmya|Kezmya]], [[Azzak|Azzak]], [[Bhakaz|Bhakaz]], [[Miklaz|Miklaz]], [[Dhazzar|Dhazzar]], [[Draqaz|Draqaz]], [[Jhezane|Jhezane]], children of the pyramids of Meereen, her cupbearers and pages.
*{[[Doreah]]}, a Lysene handmaiden and former bedslave. Perished to sickness in the [[Red Waste]].

===Young Griff/Prince Aegon's followers===
* '[[Jon Connington|Griff]]', a sellsword late of the [[Golden Company]]. Actually [[Jon Connington]], exiled Lord of [[Griffin's Roost]] and [[Hand of the King]] to [[Aerys II]].
* Ser [[Rolly Duckfield]], called 'Duck', a [[knight]]. Pronounced the first of Aegon's [[Kingsguard]].
* Septa [[Lemore]], called 'Lady Lemore', a woman of the [[Faith of the Seven]].
* [[Haldon]], called 'the Halfmaester', Aegon's tutor.
* [[Yandry]], master and captain of the ''[[Shy Maid]]''
** [[Ysilla]], his wife.
* The [[Golden Company]], a famous sellsword company founded by the [[Blackfyre Pretenders]] to the [[Iron Throne]].

{{Template:HousesCrownlands|}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}
{{EnWP|House Targaryen|small=yes}}

[[Category:Noble houses|Targaryen]]
[[Category:Houses from the Crownlands|Targaryen]]
[[Category:House Targaryen| ]]
[[fr:Maison_Targaryen]]
[[ru:Таргариены]]
[[es:Casa Targaryen]]
[[zh:坦格利安家族]]
[[pt:Casa Targaryen]]

Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)

2012-11-03T22:09:42Z

Benethon Stark: Undo revision 80486 by Roxy (talk)

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Aegon Targaryen''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image = [[File:Elias_last_moments.jpg|thumb|300px|right]]
| image_caption = Princess [[Elia Martell]]'s last moments - by Achen089 ©. She holds an infant who dies with her. Either Aegon Targaryen or the [[Pisswater prince]]
| Alias = Young Griff (possible)
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Valyrian]]
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|282}}
| Place_of_Death = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|283}} (Contested by Aegon pretender)
| Books = [[A Game of Thrones]] (Mentioned) [[A Clash of Kings]] (Mentioned) [[A Storm of Swords]] (Mentioned) [[A Feast for Crows]] (Mentioned) [[A Dance with Dragons]] (Appears)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played by =
| TV_series =
}}
{{See homonyms | Aegon Targaryen (disambiguation)}}

'''Aegon Targaryen''' was the second child and only son of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] and [[Elia Martell]]. Had he ascended to the throne he would have ruled as '''Aegon VI'''.

==Character and Appearance==
According to semi-canon sources Aegon looks like a [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]].<ref>Westeros. "A Number of Questions." (August 26, 2000). [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/A_Number_of_Questions/ So Spake Martin]</ref> As an infant, Aegon had "fair hair". {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

The older Aegon is described as a lithe and well-made youth, with a lanky build. [[Tyrion Lannister]] initially estimated him to be "fifteen" or "sixteen" years-old. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} According to [[Haldon]], Aegon is as tall as [[Jon Connington]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} Aegon has a lanky build that suggests that he has yet to reach his full growth. Tyrion noted that his eyes seem to be dark blue. But look black by lamplight, and [[purple eyes|purple]] in the light of dusk. His eyelashes are long, seemingly feminine. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He is exceptionally handsome and has the Targaryen traits of silver hair and purple eyes, both features which are also present in his aunt [[Daenerys]]. Jon Connington notes that Aegon's eyes were a lighter shade of purple to those of Rhaegar. He dyes his hair blue to conceal his identity.{{ref|aDwD|18}} {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Aegon is well educated and intelligent, speaking several languages and well versed in history. He speaks the [[Common Tongue]] as a native speaker. He is fluent in [[High Valyrian]], in the Bastard Valyrian dialects of [[Pentos]], [[Tyrosh]], [[Myr]], and [[Lys]], and in [[Trade Talk]]. He is a novice at speaking the dialect of [[Volantis]], only familiar with a few of its words. The dialect of [[Meereen]], whose terms derive from both Valyrian and [[Ghiscari Empire|Ghiscari]], gives him trouble. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He has some training in mathematics. He has a decent knowledge of [[w:Summation|sums]] and a limited understanding of [[w:Geometry|geometry]]. He also has been trained in songs. Tyrion notes that Aegon is more learned than "half the lords in [[Westeros]]". {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

==History==
===Birth===
[[File: ReneAigner_Dragonguard.jpg‎ ‎| A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived - art by Rene Aigner ©|thumb|450px|right]]
A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived, which led his father [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] to believe that he was the ''[[Azor Ahai|Prince that was Promised]]''. The comet was seen as "the bleeding star" of the prophecy. [[Maester Aemon]] was aware of Rhaegar's beliefs, though it is unclear if he shared them. Aemon later came to doubt the wisdom of looking for a prince, rather than a princess. He realized there was a translation error, the term translated was fluid in terms of gender. Connected to the term for [[dragon]]s, who are neither male nor female. {{ref|aFfC|35}}

According to the recollections of [[Jon Connington]], [[Elia Martell]] was always frail and sickly. Giving birth to her daughter [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] had left her bedridden for half a year. Giving birth to Aegon had almost killed her. The [[maesters]] had told Rhaegar that Elia would bear no more children. {{Ref|aDwD|61}}

===Sack of King's Landing===

Aegon was just an infant during [[Robert's Rebellion]].{{ref|aGoT|20}} {{Ref|aGoT|30}} Following the [[Battle of the Trident]], [[Aerys II Targaryen]] decided to send [[Rhaella Targaryen|Queen Rhaella]] and [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] to [[Dragonstone]]. The original plan was for Elia to join them. But Aerys II instead thought of using her as a hostage against [[Dorne]]. He blamed the lost battle of the Trident on the supposed treason of [[Lewyn Martell]]. He chose to keep Elia and Aegon by his side, in his view ensuring the continued loyalty of Dorne. {{Ref|aSoS|37}} After the death of Rhaegar, [[Pycelle]] was convinced that the war was effectively over. In his view, [[House Targaryen]] could no longer offer a proper king to the realm. Aerys II was "mad", Viserys "too young", and Aegon still "a babe at the breast". Pycelle worked to convince Aerys II to open the gates of [[King's Landing]] to the Lannister forces. Pycelle secretly prayed and hope that his actions would help [[Tywin Lannister]] rise to the throne. {{Ref|aCoK|25}}

During the [[Sack of King's Landing]], [[Jaime Lannister]] killed Aerys in the throne room of the [[Red Keep]]. [[Elys Westerling]], [[Roland Crakehall (Lord)|Roland Crakehall]], and other Lannister knights then burst in the room. At approximately the same, other Lannister soldiers fought Targaryen loyalists in the steps and armory of the Red Keep, [[Gregor Clegane]] and [[Amory Lorch]] were scaling the walls of Maegor's Holdfast, and [[Eddard Stark]] was leading the men of [[the North]] through the city gates. Lord Crakehall asked Jaime if they should proclaim a new king. Left unsaid was a clear implication, he was asking whether Jaime would proclaim Tywin Lannister, [[Robert Baratheon]], or a member of [[House Targaryen]]. Jaime remembered that Aegon and his mother were in Maegor's Holdfast, while Viserys was in [[Dragonstone]]. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Jaime briefly toyed with the idea of proclaiming a new Targaryen King. Tywin would gain control, as [[Hand of the King]], the "wolves" of the North would howl in frustration, Robert would choke with rage. Jaime found this option tempting. Until he glanced at the corpse of Aerys II. Recalling that both Aegon and Viserys had inherited the blood of Aerys, Jaime decided against supporting either one of them. He told Crakehall to proclaim whoever the man wanted. Jaime seated himself on the [[Iron Throne]], simply waiting to see who would arrive to claim the throne and the kingdom. He was still sitting there when Eddard entered the throne room. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Viserys often told stories to his sister Daenerys. One of these stories involved the [[Sack of King's Landing]] by the "Usurper's dogs", [[Tywin Lannister]] and [[Eddard Stark]]. In this story, Elia Martell was pleading for mercy as Aegon was ripped from her breast and murdered before her eyes. Aegon was "Rhaegar's heir". {{Ref|aGoT|3}} Daenerys later recalled an additional detail, men had dashed the head of Aegon against a wall. {{Ref|aGoT|64}} Eddard Stark recalls that "Lord Tywin's soldiers" had torn Aegon from his mother's breast and dashed his head against a wall. They were also said to have dragged [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] from beneath her bed, putting her to the sword.{{ref|aGoT|12}} Eddard Stark had heard rumors that it was Gregor Clegane who dashed the skull of infant Aegon against a wall. It was whispered that afterward Gregor had raped [[Elia Martell]], and then put her to the sword. At the time Gregor was only "seventeen". Nobody dared to repeat these rumors when Gregor himself could be listening. {{Ref|aGoT|30}} According to [[Tyrion Lannister]], the responsibility of Gregor for the murders of Elia and Aegon was "common knowledge" in [[Casterly Rock]]. The tale went that for the duration of Gregor's rape of Elia, his hands were still covered in the blood and brains of Aegon. {{Ref|aCoK|17}} A wounded Gregor later narrated a brief account of the events to [[Oberyn Martell]], while killing him. He had first killed Aegon, the "screaming whelp". Then came the rape of Elia; Clegane claimed to have smashed her head with his bare hands, the same method Gregor used to finish off Oberyn. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Tywin Lannister later narrated his view of the events to his son Tyrion. Rhaenys was hiding under Rhaegar's bed, while Elia and Aegon were in the nursery, just a floor below the location of Rhaenys. Tywin was aware that he had kept [[the Westerlands]] from joining Robert's cause for most of the Rebellion. They had only joined said cause at the last stage of the war, and their loyalty would be suspected. He needed a way to demonstrate loyalty to Robert, a way to convince people that the Lannisters had severed all ties to House Targaryen. In addition, Eddard Stark was also heading toward's King's Landing, leading the remnants of Robert's army south from the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]]. Instead of the Lannister and Stark forces meeting as allies, there was still a chance for the two armies to clash. Tywin also feared that his elder son [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] might do something stupid or that Aerys would kill Jaime for no more reason than sheer spite {{Ref|aSoS|53}}.

Tywin decided to have his troops eliminate Rhaegar's children. In a single move, the Lannisters would have proven their commitment to the Rebellion and secured the throne for Robert by eliminating rival claimants for the throne. Tywin himself was somewhat surprised by the result of his commands. The murders were performed "too brutally" for his needs; he insisted that Elia didn't have to die, it happened because he didn't specify she should be spared. He had not grasped yet that Gregor is bestial, not just "terrible in battle". Gregor chose himself the manner of Aegon's death. He had not received any instructions concerning Elia. He was improvising when he raped and killed her. Amory Lorch was the man who located Rhaenys, dragging her from under the bed. The girl kicked him and would not stop screaming. Lorch killed her with about fifty sword thrusts. Tywin himself, after the fact, pointed out a more logical way to perform the deed. A few sweet words to calm the girl, a soft pillow to suffocate her. The blood was unnecessary in his view. {{Ref|aSoS|53}} [[Oberyn Martell]] had another view on Tywin's motives. Elia was once supposed to marry Jaime Lannister, based on an agreement between her mother and [[Joanna Lannister]]. Following the death of Joanna, Tywin broke the agreement, though he offered Tyrion as a a prospective bridegroom instead of Jaime, taunting the Martells. He had also informed them that [[Cersei Lannister]] was meant for Rhaegar, not for Oberyn. When Elia married Rhaegar, the Martells had ruined Tywin's plans. Tywin was "not a man to forget such slights". Oberyn believed that the murder of Elia was decided by Tywin, to teach Elia the same lesson that Houses [[House Reyne|Reyne]] and [[House Tarbeck|Tarbeck]] had learned. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Eddard Stark recalled how Tywin Lannister presented [[Robert Baratheon]] with the corpses of Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. His "token of fealty". {{ref|aGoT|12}} Tywin had laid the bodies beneath the [[Iron Throne]], wrapped in the crimson cloaks of his house guard. A clever choice, as the blood was less obvious against the red cloth. Rhaenys had been barefoot, dressed in a bed gown. The condition of the boy horrified Eddard. {{ref|aGoT|45}} The skull was a "red ruin", even Robert could not stand its sight. Robert had turned away from the sight. {{ref|aGoT|20}} [[Kevan Lannister]] was also present during this scene. He was able to recognize Rhaenys. But recalls that nobody could recognize Aegon. All that remained of the boy was a faceless horror of bone, brain, and gore. A few hanks of fair hair. Nobody could stand looking at the body for long. Tywin stated that this was Aegon and everyone else took him at his word. Seventeen years later, Kevan was no longer certain of Tywin's word on the matter.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

===Reactions to the death===
*[[Robert Baratheon]] was actually relieved and glad that the royal children were killed. Robert viewed himself as a hero, and was reluctant to kill children, but he knew Rhaegar's children had to die if his throne was ever to be secure. Tywin painted himself as the villain, allowing Robert to keep his hands clean, the reason Robert refused to punish any of the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] for the brutal act.{{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Tywin Lannister]] knew this act would prove to Robert that [[House Lannister]] had forsaken the [[House Targaryen|dragon]] forever. Years later, Tyrion came to question the wisdom of the act. Robert Baratheon would have bloodied his own hands, soiling his own reputation. Instead the Lannisters had damaged their own reputation, gaining long-term enemies in the process. {{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Eddard Stark]] called the act murder, Robert just called it war. Eddard protested that Aegon and Rhaenys were "no more than babes". Robert replied that they were not babes, only dragonspawn. The two men quarreled over the matter, [[Jon Arryn]] unable to calm them. Eddard had ridden out of King's Landing in a cold rage, heading south to fight the last battles of the war on his own. They would only be reconciled by their shared grief over the death of [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]].{{ref|aGoT|12}}

*[[Thoros of Myr]] claims to have personally seen the corpses of Aegon and Rhaenys, as they were placed before the Iron Throne. In his view, [[House Clegane]] was "built upon dead children" and their arms should display "two bloody infants". {{Ref|aSoS|34}}

*[[Arianne Martell]] recalled Robert as a monster who climbed onto his throne over the corpses of children, directly connecting his rise to the murders of Aegon and Rhaenys. Robert is not held in high regard in [[Dorne]].{{ref|aFfC|13}}

*[[Viserys Targaryen]] was convinced that the [[Dornishmen]] were determined to avenge Elia and her children. {{Ref|aGoT|3}}

*Years following the murders, [[Doran Martell]] still mourns for the victims. According to [[Varys]], the consequent hatred of Doran for [[House Lannister]] is well known.{{Ref|aCoK|17}} Doran himself claims to have worked at the downfall of Tywin Lannister for all these years. Ever since he learned what had happended to Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. {{ref|aFfC|40}}

*[[Oberyn Martell]], in his words, hungered for justice for sixteen years. Justice for Elia and her children. Certain that Gregor was only following orders. {{Ref|aCoK|38}} [[Oberyn Martell]] wanted vengeance on the man who gave the orders, not just the man who performed the deed. {{Ref|aCoK|66}}

*[[Nymeria Sand]] believes that the only fitting payment for the death of Elia's children, would be the death of "Lord Tywin's golden twins". [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] would pay with their lives for the old murders. {{ref|aFfC|2}}

*[[Jacelyn Bywater]] stated to [[Tyrion Lannister]] there were still whispers in King's Landings that "the butchery of Rhaegar's children" was one of the sins of [[House Lannister]]. And that the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]] would punish the entire city for the sins of this House. {{Ref|aCoK|41}}

*[[Daenerys Targaryen]] can't see a difference between Houses [[House Lannister|Lannister]] and [[House Stark|Stark]]. She considers Eddard Stark also responsible for the murders of Rhaenys and Aegon, arguing that "the Usurper's dogs" acted as a pack of hounds, hunting children. Which individual hound kills a child doesn't matter, all the dogs are equally guilty. [[Barristan Selmy]] disagrees with her, and has tried to explain the distinction between Eddard and Tywin. Daenerys notices a "flicker of disapproval" in his face when she insists on her original opinion. {{Ref|aDwD|11}}

*[[Barristan Selmy]] himself has been haunted by the idea of the ''"bloody bodies"'' of Aegon and Rhaenys. His serious injuries following the [[Battle of the Trident]] prevented him from personally examining the corpses. But he wondered for years about the reaction of Robert to the bodies and whether Robert smiled at the bodies. Selmy contemplates that such a smile would motivate him to personally kill Robert and that no army could save him. {{Ref|aDwD|67}}

===Reported survival===
[[Image:Aegon6.jpg|Young Griff, who claims to be Prince Aegon|thumb|300px|left]]
A young man considering himself to be Aegon, explains his apparent survival to [[Tyrion Lannister]]. According to his account, the boy killed during the Sack of King's Landing was a [[Pisswater prince]]. He had been born at the Pisswater Bend, a street of King's Landing. His father was a tanner, and his mother had died at birth. The tanner sold his boy to [[Varys]] for a jug of [[Arbor]] gold [[wine]]. The man had other sons, but wanted to experience the taste of Arbor gold for once in his life. Varys then arranged the swap between the two infants boys. Elia received the Pisswater prince, Varys took custody of the real Aegon. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} Tyrion Lannister deduces the rest of the story. When the Pisswater prince was "safely dead", Varys smuggled Aegon across the [[narrow sea]]. Varys entrusted the boy to [[Illyrio Mopatis]], who in turn found an adoptive father for Aegon in the person of exiled Lord [[Jon Connington]]. Aegon does not comment on Tyrion's deductions. {{Ref|aDwD|22}}

According to the recollection of Jon Connington, he had to fake his own death "twelve years" before the present. In [[288 AL]], five years following the [[Battle of the Bells]], Varys had convinced him that the lie would be necessary for the safety of Aegon. Connington had spend the "five years" of his exile as a member of the [[Golden Company]], and had become the right-hand man to [[Myles Toyne]]. To fulfill Varys' plan, Connington first had to be discharged from the Company in disgrace. The crafted story went that he been stealing from its war chest. Then rumors reported that Connington drunk himself to death in [[Lys]]. In Varys' words, as a gallant exile Connington would be remembered. But few tend to remember thieves, drunks, and cowards. Reputed to be one of the latter, Connington too would be forgotten. {{Ref|aDwD|24}} Aegon spend most of his life hiding aboard the poleboat [[Shy Maid]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|22}} He shared a cabin with his adoptive father. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

Aegon has been trained in matters of military tactics by [[Jon Connington]] {{Ref|aDwD|24}}, arms by [[Rolly Duckfield]], in the [[Faith of the Seven]] by [[Lemore|Septa Lemore]], and history and languages by [[Haldon|Haldon Halfmaester]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|18}} He was taught to read and write. To study history, law, and poetry. He lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers, and mended nets. He learned practical things such as washing his own clothes, fishing, cooking, binding up wounds. He was familiarized with hunger, and the fear of being hunted. His education was intended to teach him that kingship was a duty, not a right. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

His claim to the [[Iron Throne]] is stronger than that of his aunt Daenerys. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} {{Ref|aDwD|24}} According to the relevant succession laws,{{Quote|"the sons of the first son come before the second son".'' {{Ref|aCoK|35}}}} Aegon is a son of Rhaegar, who was himself the first son of [[Aerys II]]. Placing Aegon higher in the Targaryen succession line than both [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] (Aerys second son) and [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] (the daughter of Aerys). {{Ref|aCoK|35}} According to Daenerys, Five Kings named "Aegon" have ruled in [[Westeros]]. Her nephew would have been the sixth, had he survived infancy. {{Ref|aSoS|57}} {{Ref|aDwD|2}} As yet there is no indication as to whether he has inherited the [[Targaryen]] propensity for [[dragon dreams]] as [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] has. He might have the potential for it, like all those with Targaryen blood, but only some members of this bloodline actually displayed this ability. <ref name="Forum1">Conversation topic: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/58262-adwd-spoilers-dragon-dreams-of-ice-and-fire/ Dragon Dreams of Ice and Fire] on [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/ Westeros Forum] </ref>

==Recent Events==
===A Clash of Kings===
One of the visions [[Daenerys Targaryen]] sees in the [[House of the Undying]] involves Rhaegar, Elia, and Aegon. In this vision, a newborn Aegon nurses from the breast of Elia. The woman is seated in a great wooden bed. Rhaegar decides on the name "Aegon" for his newborn son, as he thinks the name fit for a king. Elia asks whether Rhaegar will make a song for their son. He replies that Aegon already has a song, "the song of ice and fire". Part of his role as "the prince that was promised".

However, Rhaegar then claims that there must be "one more", since "the dragon has three heads". Rhaegar moves to a seat near the window, and picks up a harp. Daenerys listens to the "sweet sadness" of his music as the vision fades away. {{Ref|aCoK|48}} Daenerys later describes this vision to [[Jorah Mormont]]. Jorah helps her confirm the identities of the people in this vision. But points out that if Aegon was the promised prince, the promise was broken with his death. {{Ref|aCoK|63}} Daenerys notices a pattern in the names Rhaegar chose for his children. They were named after [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and his sisters. There was a daughter named after the original [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], but none named after [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]]. She wonders if that was the missing third head of the dragon. Neither Daenerys, nor Jorah have heard of the term "song of ice and fire". They are unable to determine its meaning. {{Ref|aCoK|63}}

===A Dance with Dragons===
While in [[Meereen]], [[Daenerys]] has mused about Aegon who would have been the sixth to sit on the [[Iron Throne]]. She is yet unaware that he is alive. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} She thought to herself:

{{Quote|''"If he had lived, I might have married him. Aegon would have been closer to my age than Viserys"''. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} }}

Aegon to better conceal his identity Aegon dyes his silver [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] hair blue, which also makes his violet eyes appear blue. He uses the false story that his mother was a [[Tyrosh|Tyroshi]] who dyed her hair blue, and he does it to honor her memory. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|14}} {{ref|aDwD|18}}

In {{Date|300}}, [[Illyrio Mopatis]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]] jointly depart [[Pentos]], heading towards the river Rhoyne. On the journey Illyrio explains the purpose of Tyrion's mission. He and "Griff" ([[Jon Connington]]) are to head towards [[Volantis]]. Waiting for the expected arrival of [[Daenerys Targaryen]] in that city, with fresh forces and more ships for her cause. Based on Illyrio's information, Daenerys has conquered [[Astapor]], made [[Yunkai]] bend the knee, and sacked [[Meereen]]. He estimates that Daenerys is heading westwards. Either by land to [[Mantarys]] or by sea to Volantis. {{Ref|aDwD|5}} Tyrion wants more information on Griff, who Illyrio supposedly trusts as a brother. Illyrio simply points that unlike most [[Mercenary|sellswords]], Griff is a dotting father. He also mentions that his boy, "Young Griff" (Aegon) is a noble lad. {{Ref|aDwD|5}}

In arms practice with [[Rolly Duckfield]], the student surpasses the master. Aegon manages to knock Rolly into a horse trough. An embarrassed Rolly claims that he fell on purpose to make Aegon laugh. Haldon laughs at him.{{Ref|aDwD|8}} Three days following this incident, Illyrio and Tyrion end their joined journey when they meet [[Haldon]] and Rolly. Illyrio specifically asks them for information on Young Griff. Haldon replies that Young Griff is now taller, as tall as the elder Griff. He then narrates about the incident during arms practice. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Illyrio has brought a gift for Young Grief, candied ginger. Pointing that the boy was always fond of it. An "oddly sad" Illyrio wants to prepare a farewell feast for the lad and offers to join them as far as [[Ghoyan Drohe]]. Haldon points out that there is no time for feasts. Griff is in a hurry to move downriver. There is information that the [[Dothraki]] [[khalasar]]s of [[Motho]] and [[Zekko]] are crossing the [[Forest of Qohor]], heading towards the Rhoyne. Both khals are fleeing from the much larger khalasar of [[Pono]], who might also be heading for the Rhoyne. Griff wants to avoid any encounter with the Dothraki. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Tyrion joins Haldon and Rolly for the trip back to their boat. Illyrio leaves a message for Young Griff. Expressing his regret that he won't be present for the boy's wedding. But swears to rejoin the boy in [[Westeros]]. His shoulders were slumped, again indicating sadness. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} Traveling by horse for a couple of days, the trio of travelers encounter the [[Shy Maid]] in the vicinity of [[Ghoyan Drohe]]. Young Griff greets "Duck" and Haldon with shouts, while standing on the cabin of the poleboat. Trying to open a conversation, Tyrion points out to Young Griff that blue hair will get him ridiculed in Westeros. Young Griff is taken aback. He claims to dye hair in memory of his deceased mother, a lady of [[Tyrosh]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

The Shy Maid continues traveling down the Rhoyne towards Volantis. Tyrion watches Young Griff enjoying his breakfast, bacon. All the while contemplating the overall appearance of the boy. Following breakfast, Duck invites Young Griff for arms practice. The two practice with swords for this morning, evenly matched. Young Griff lands more blows, Duck fewer but harder ones. Duck tires first, allowing Young Griff the opportunity to start a furious attack. Duck retreats towards the stern. Young Griff uses a shoulder slam to throw his opponent into the river. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

A wet Duckfield does not appreciate being teased by Tyrion, throwing the dwarf into the river. Young Griff extends a pole to Tyrion, helping him return aboard the boat. Tyrion uses a cartwheel to spray everyone around him with water. Young Griff is amused and asks where Tyrion learned this trick. Tyrion offers him a false origin story. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} With arms practice over, Young Griff joins [[Lemore]] for a lesson on the mysteries of the [[Faith of the Seven]]. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} During the evening, Young Griff joins Haldon for lessons in languages, geometry, and history. Tyrion joins them in this day's lessons. With the lesson over, Young Griff helps [[Yandry]] with the sails and poles of the boat. Tyrion discusses Young Griff's education with Haldon. He points that such as an extensive education is unusual for "some sellsword's son". Haldon fails to understand what Tyrion is implying about the boy. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} Hours later, Young Griff hoots the joy when their boat encounters the [[Old Man of the River]], a huge horned turtle. Most members of the crew take this for a good sign, Tyrion privately considers this a wonder. One of the wonders which mark the birth of kings. Already hinting at the real identity of Young Griff. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

The Shy Maid continues its way down the Rhoyne, traveling through fog in the vicinity of the Sorrows. Young Griff takes position at the prow of the poleboat, holding a pole. He is ready to use it to push the boat away from potential hazards. Young Griff speculates about the presence of fish in this area of the river, [[Ysilla]] warns him against eating any fish taken from these waters. {{Ref|aDwD|18}} When discussion turns to "Garin's Curse", another term for [[greyscale]], Ysilla tells a brief story concerning [[Garin (Prince)|Garin]]. The men of Volantis and [[Valyria]] had hung him in a golden cage, mocking his calls to [[Mother Rhoyne]]. Mocking his prayers for their destruction. The river rose and drowned his captors. But the story speaks of restless "lords of fire" who still live beneath the water, their flesh now as stony as their hearts. After listening to the story, Young Griff is not particularly disturbed. Certain that they could face these restless Valyrians and any other [[Stone men]]. Lemore warns him that pride is a grievous sin. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

When the Shy Maid makes its way through the Sorrows, Young Griff uses his pole to push the boat away from a broken tower. {{ref|aDwD|18}} Some time, later, the boy warns of a light ahead of them. His father recognizes the light as coming from the Bridge of Dream. Griff instructs his son to escort Lemore to her cabin and then stay with her. Young Griff stubbornly refuses, denying a need for protection. Claiming that his training to become a [[knight]] should be sufficient to protect himself. Griff commands him to back down. The youth curses under his breath. Pointing out angrily that Haldon, Ysilla, and "Hugor" (Tyrion) are not running for cover. When Tyrion joins in trying to convince Young Griff to back down, the youth replies with a scornful "You're a dwarf". Tyrion tries to explain that Young Griff is everything for their mission. His words are interrupted when the Shy Maid seemingly passes below the Bridge of Dream. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

With the danger posed by the stone men seemingly over, Young Griff turns his attention back to Tyrion. He grabs the dwarf's arm and demands answers. "Why am I everything?" Tyrion points out that the death of anyone else on board would be mourned. But the death of Young Griff would abort their mission. Young Griff realized that Tyrion has found out about his true identity. Tyrion lists the clues that led him to the deduction that Young Griff is Aegon Targaryen, the boy [[Tywin Lannister]] had wrapped in a crimson cloak. A confused Aegon finally learns that "Hugor" is Tyrion Lannister. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

Before the encounter between its crew members ends, the Shy Maid approaches the Bridge of Dream for a second time. An unexplained return as they were heading for the opposite direction. Griff commands Haldon to escort Aegon below. Haldon has no time to fulfill his mission. During the second passing of the ship, three stone men from the Bridge boarded the ship. (Tyrion initially sees only two, failing to see the one behind his back). The third stone man lurches forward and reaches for Aegon. The boy freezes in shock with his hand still on the sword hilt, failing to defend himself. Tyrion kicks one of Aegon's legs, making the prince loose his balance and fall. Tyrion then leaps over the fallen body and attacks the stone man with a torch. While the rest of the crew attempts to shield Aegon, the two struggling figures fall into the Rhoyne. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

The Shy Maid has reached [[Selhorys]] by the time Tyrion regains consciousness. Aegon is in a sullen mood, forced to remain on board for his own safety. The town is under the control of the city of Volantis. Dothraki riders had been located in the vicinity of Selhorys. The triarchs of Volantis had feared an attack and had warships, river galleys, and slave soldiers transferred to the town. The crew members wanted to prevent Aegon from having dangerous encounters in the area. Despite his insistance that he knows how to use a sword. Lemore points out that even the bravest Targaryens did not trust their fate on their swords alone. They kept the [[Kingsguard]] by their side. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

Lemore herself had changed from septa's robes to secular garb. Pointing to Aegon that he was not alone in having to hide. The prince still seems frustrated. Tyrion challenges him to a game of [[cyvasse]]. Tyrion privately assesses the game strategy of Aegon. He feels it is "a young man's formation", bold and foolish. Aegon risks everything for a quick kill. Tyrion starts a conversation, actually fishing Aegon for information. Aegon innocently offers background information on Jon Connington, and then narrates his own origin story. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

Tyrion switches the conversation towards the real purpose of their journey. The plan to have Aegon married to his aunt Daenerys. He warns the prince that Daenerys might not be the willing bride that everyone seems to expect. Aegon is shocked, having never considered the idea that she might turn down his marriage offer. Tyrion points out that Daenerys is a proud, strong, and fierce young woman who will not appreciate a relative coming to her with a begging bowl, certainly not one with a stronger claim to the [[Iron Throne]] than her own. Aegon angrily denies being a beggar, pointing at his own army: the [[Golden Company]]. Tyrion points out that Daenerys has a larger army than his own and owes nothing to Aegon. Aegon protests, trusting in Lord Connington to win her over. Tyrion calls him a fool, warning him {{ref|aDwD|22}}: {{Quote|Trust no one, my prince. {{ref|aDwD|22}} }}

Tyrion plants the seeds of doubt on the young prince, pointing that Haldon, Jon Connington, Rolly Duckfield, Lemore and every one of the friends who raised him could also betray him, and that Illyrio Mopatis, Varys, and Daenerys are even less trustworthy. He then suggests a different course of action to Aegon. Heading to [[Westeros]] instead of going east, taking advantage of all the problems caused by the [[War of the Five Kings]]. He points that [[the North]] is in a chaotic condition, the [[Riverlands]] are devastated, while [[Stannis Baratheon]] holds [[Storm's End]] and [[Dragonstone]]. The coming winter will starve out the realm. He then paints the opposition as particularly weak. He points that King [[Tommen Baratheon]] is just a boy, and all his potential regents come with their own problems. [[Cersei Lannister]] will alienate her own allies, [[Jaime Lannister]] actively avoids the responsibility of ruling, and [[Kevan Lannister]] is a born follower. [[Mace Tyrell]] will have to fight the Lannisters to become regent, and Stannis' unpopularity makes him an unlikely choice. Only a victorious Aegon can hope to meet Daenerys as her equal. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

The game of cyvasse ends with a loss for Aegon. During the game, the Prince had taken an advise on strategy from his opponent. An advice which intentionally manipulated him towards defeat. Tyrion once again warns, trust no one, proving that even advisors can not be trusted. A frustrated Aegon kicks over the board, discarding the cyvasse pieces across the deck of the poleboat. He then commands Tyrion to pick up the pieces. Tyrion recognizes a Targaryen in this behavior. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

The Shy Maid is stationed at the riverfront of [[Volon Therys]]. Jon Connington and Aegon depart the ship, heading towards the camp of the [[Golden Company]]. The mercenaries have situated themselves 3 miles (4,83 kilometers) south of the town. The travelers have already learned that Daenerys is still in Meereen, and that Illyrio had miscalculated. Aegon complains of being sick of the blue dye in his hair, eager to wash it out. He smiles at the idea of having his own army. But then expresses concerns over the loyalty of sellswords. Connington tries to explain that men should be allowed to earn trust through loyal service. Both trusting and mistrusting everyone without reason should be avoided. Privately, Connington worries that Aegon could take Tyrion's advise to heart and become as paranoid as Aerys II. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Arriving at the camp, Connington introduces the boy as his squire to [[Franklyn Flowers]]. Flowers escorts them to the tent of [[Harry Strickland]], for their initial meeting with the officers of the Company. Strickland initially sees the boy as a son to Connington. Connington instead introduces him as Aegon VI, King of the [[Andal]]s, [[Rhoynar]], and the [[First Men]]. This introduction is met with silence by the officers. Connington realizes that all of them were aware of Aegon's identity for sometime. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Connington and the the officers briefly discuss about Daenerys' lingering presence in Meereen and the ongoing conflict in [[Slaver's Bay]]. Wondering whether they should head east and join the conflict. Several of them are already disillusioned with Daenerys. Aegon sees the opportunity to introduce his own plan of going to Westeros and claiming the throne in his own name. Strickland tries to point out the risk of this plan. But most of the officers are eager to support this course of action. Aegon further explains that his aunt is welcome to keep Meereen. His plan is to move fast and strike hard, gaining a foothold before the Lannisters can react. This would certainly gain them some new allies. Connington is impressed, thinking that this is a new side of Aegon. All officers swear allegiance to Aegon. They agree, however, to keep his identity secret from the soldiers. At least until they actually land in Westeros. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Ten ships of the Golden Company departed Volantis. Six of them made it to Westeros, landing at [[Cape Wrath]]. Connington leads 1/4 of the forces in seizing [[Griffin's Roost]]. Simultaneously [[Tristan Rivers]] besieges [[Crows Nest]], and [[Laswell Peake]] besieges [[Rain House]]. Each with their own 1/4 of the Company. Aegon remains in their camp, guarded by the remaining 1/4 of the Company under [[Gorys Edoryen]]. Haldon collects information about the military and diplomatic situation across Westeros. He already considers marital alliances for King Aegon and his [[Hand of the King]], Jon Connington. The latter is against both such plans. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington receives news that part of the missing four ships landed in [[Estermont]]. [[Marq Mandrake]] has led the men there in capturing [[Greenstone]]. The rest of the ships are still missing. Franklyn Flowers suggests that the missing men are scattered across the [[Stepstones]]. Connington decides to bring Aegon to Griffin's Roost for increased safety. Franklyn points,however, that Aegon would like to be in the thick of things. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington has a plan to capture [[Storm's End]], last foothold of Stannis in the [[Stormlands]]. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Four days later, Aegon arrives at Griffin's Roost. He rides at the head of a column including a hundred [[horse]]s with their riders, and three [[elephant]]s. He is accompanied by Lemore and Rolly Duckfield, the first person in his version of the Kingsguard. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington remembers arguing with Aegon over the appointment of Rolly. Connington had pointed out that seats in the Kingsguard should be reserved for warriors of great renown and/or sons of great lords. Aegon pointed out that [[Jaime Lannister]] fit that description perfectly, and was currently known as the Kingslayer. He would rather have men personally loyal to himself, ready to die for his safety. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington asks to have the Prince escorted to his solar. But soon realizes that Prince Aegon is less biddable (obedient) than Young Griff. Aegon leaves him waiting for "the better half of a hour". Bringing Duck with him instead of coming alone. Connington tries to dismiss the bodyguard, but Aegon insists on having Rolly by his side. Aegon mentions discussing the plan to take Storm's End with Strickland and Flowers. Strickland even tried to persuade him to delay the plan. Aegon,however, feels Strickland is a bit of "an old maid" and is in favor of the plan. With one significant change. He intends to personally lead the attack. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

The [[Small Council]] in [[King's Landing]] discusses the matter of the [[Golden Company]]. [[Qyburn]] and [[Pycelle]] have received reports about mercenaries landing in [[Tarth]], the Stepstones, and Estermont. There are also reports about Jon Connington heading against Storm's End. [[Kevan Lannister]] points out that now they have opponents to their south. A third ongoing threat along with Stannis in the North and the [[Ironborn]] in the west. Kevan already has information about a new Targaryen pretender having Coined connington, though [[Randyll Tarly]] dismisses Aegon as an impostor. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}} Pycelle suggests that they could use gold to purchase the loyalty of the Golden company. Then the sellswords would hand over Lord Connington and the pretender. [[Harys Swyft]] points out that the Iron Throne is heavily in debt and has no gold to offer. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

Varys informs the dying Kevan that Aegon will raise his banner above Storm's End. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

==Quotes about Aegon==
{{Quote|''"Aegon has been shaped for rule before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. [[Tommen I|Tommen]] has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them".'' {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}}} [[Varys]] to the dying [[Kevan Lannister]]

{{Quote|''"His silvery hair was blowing in the wind, and his eyes were a deep purple, darker than this boy's".'' {{Ref|aDwD|61}}}} [[Jon Connington]] reminisces about prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] as he addressed Aegon following the capture of Griffin's Roost by the [[Golden Company]].

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree now}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Template:Kings of Westeros}}

[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[es:Aegon Targaryen]][[fr:Aegon Targaryen]][[ru:Эйгон Таргариен (сын Рэйгара)]][[zh:伊耿·坦格利安]]
[[pt:Aegon Targaryen]]

Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)

2012-11-01T04:00:16Z

Benethon Stark: Image policy indicates the primary image shouldn't deviate from how the character is described. Aegon is described as a baby, and Young Griff a teenager.

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Aegon Targaryen''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image =
| image_caption =
| Alias = Young Griff (possible)
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Valyrian]]
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|282}}
| Place_of_Death = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|283}} (Contested by Aegon pretender)
| Books = [[A Game of Thrones]] (Mentioned) [[A Clash of Kings]] (Mentioned) [[A Storm of Swords]] (Mentioned) [[A Feast for Crows]] (Mentioned) [[A Dance with Dragons]] (Appears)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played by =
| TV_series =
}}
{{See homonyms | Aegon Targaryen (disambiguation)}}

'''Aegon Targaryen''' was the second child and only son of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] and [[Elia Martell]]. Had he ascended to the throne he would have ruled as '''Aegon VI'''.

==Character and Appearance==
According to semi-canon sources Aegon looks like a [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]].<ref>Westeros. "A Number of Questions." (August 26, 2000). [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/A_Number_of_Questions/ So Spake Martin]</ref> As an infant, Aegon had "fair hair". {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

The older Aegon is described as a lithe and well-made youth, with a lanky build. [[Tyrion Lannister]] initially estimated him to be "fifteen" or "sixteen" years-old. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} According to [[Haldon]], Aegon is as tall as [[Jon Connington]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} Aegon has a lanky build that suggests that he has yet to reach his full growth. Tyrion noted that his eyes seem to be dark blue. But look black by lamplight, and [[purple eyes|purple]] in the light of dusk. His eyelashes are long, seemingly feminine. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He is exceptionally handsome and has the Targaryen traits of silver hair and purple eyes, both features which are also present in his aunt [[Daenerys]]. Jon Connington notes that Aegon's eyes were a lighter shade of purple to those of Rhaegar. He dyes his hair blue to conceal his identity.{{ref|aDwD|18}} {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Aegon is well educated and intelligent, speaking several languages and well versed in history. He speaks the [[Common Tongue]] as a native speaker. He is fluent in [[High Valyrian]], in the Bastard Valyrian dialects of [[Pentos]], [[Tyrosh]], [[Myr]], and [[Lys]], and in [[Trade Talk]]. He is a novice at speaking the dialect of [[Volantis]], only familiar with a few of its words. The dialect of [[Meereen]], whose terms derive from both Valyrian and [[Ghiscari Empire|Ghiscari]], gives him trouble. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He has some training in mathematics. He has a decent knowledge of [[w:Summation|sums]] and a limited understanding of [[w:Geometry|geometry]]. He also has been trained in songs. Tyrion notes that Aegon is more learned than "half the lords in [[Westeros]]". {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

==History==
===Birth===
[[File: ReneAigner_Dragonguard.jpg‎ ‎| A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived - art by Rene Aigner ©|thumb|450px|right]]
A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived, which led his father [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] to believe that he was the ''[[Azor Ahai|Prince that was Promised]]''. The comet was seen as "the bleeding star" of the prophecy. [[Maester Aemon]] was aware of Rhaegar's beliefs, though it is unclear if he shared them. Aemon later came to doubt the wisdom of looking for a prince, rather than a princess. He realized there was a translation error, the term translated was fluid in terms of gender. Connected to the term for [[dragon]]s, who are neither male nor female. {{ref|aFfC|35}}

According to the recollections of [[Jon Connington]], [[Elia Martell]] was always frail and sickly. Giving birth to her daughter [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] had left her bedridden for half a year. Giving birth to Aegon had almost killed her. The [[maesters]] had told Rhaegar that Elia would bear no more children. {{Ref|aDwD|61}}

===Sack of King's Landing===

Aegon was just an infant during [[Robert's Rebellion]].{{ref|aGoT|20}} {{Ref|aGoT|30}} Following the [[Battle of the Trident]], [[Aerys II Targaryen]] decided to send [[Rhaella Targaryen|Queen Rhaella]] and [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] to [[Dragonstone]]. The original plan was for Elia to join them. But Aerys II instead thought of using her as a hostage against [[Dorne]]. He blamed the lost battle of the Trident on the supposed treason of [[Lewyn Martell]]. He chose to keep Elia and Aegon by his side, in his view ensuring the continued loyalty of Dorne. {{Ref|aSoS|37}} After the death of Rhaegar, [[Pycelle]] was convinced that the war was effectively over. In his view, [[House Targaryen]] could no longer offer a proper king to the realm. Aerys II was "mad", Viserys "too young", and Aegon still "a babe at the breast". Pycelle worked to convince Aerys II to open the gates of [[King's Landing]] to the Lannister forces. Pycelle secretly prayed and hope that his actions would help [[Tywin Lannister]] rise to the throne. {{Ref|aCoK|25}}

During the [[Sack of King's Landing]], [[Jaime Lannister]] killed Aerys in the throne room of the [[Red Keep]]. [[Elys Westerling]], [[Roland Crakehall (Lord)|Roland Crakehall]], and other Lannister knights then burst in the room. At approximately the same, other Lannister soldiers fought Targaryen loyalists in the steps and armory of the Red Keep, [[Gregor Clegane]] and [[Amory Lorch]] were scaling the walls of Maegor's Holdfast, and [[Eddard Stark]] was leading the men of [[the North]] through the city gates. Lord Crakehall asked Jaime if they should proclaim a new king. Left unsaid was a clear implication, he was asking whether Jaime would proclaim Tywin Lannister, [[Robert Baratheon]], or a member of [[House Targaryen]]. Jaime remembered that Aegon and his mother were in Maegor's Holdfast, while Viserys was in [[Dragonstone]]. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Jaime briefly toyed with the idea of proclaiming a new Targaryen King. Tywin would gain control, as [[Hand of the King]], the "wolves" of the North would howl in frustration, Robert would choke with rage. Jaime found this option tempting. Until he glanced at the corpse of Aerys II. Recalling that both Aegon and Viserys had inherited the blood of Aerys, Jaime decided against supporting either one of them. He told Crakehall to proclaim whoever the man wanted. Jaime seated himself on the [[Iron Throne]], simply waiting to see who would arrive to claim the throne and the kingdom. He was still sitting there when Eddard entered the throne room. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Viserys often told stories to his sister Daenerys. One of these stories involved the [[Sack of King's Landing]] by the "Usurper's dogs", [[Tywin Lannister]] and [[Eddard Stark]]. In this story, Elia Martell was pleading for mercy as Aegon was ripped from her breast and murdered before her eyes. Aegon was "Rhaegar's heir". {{Ref|aGoT|3}} Daenerys later recalled an additional detail, men had dashed the head of Aegon against a wall. {{Ref|aGoT|64}} Eddard Stark recalls that "Lord Tywin's soldiers" had torn Aegon from his mother's breast and dashed his head against a wall. They were also said to have dragged [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] from beneath her bed, putting her to the sword.{{ref|aGoT|12}} Eddard Stark had heard rumors that it was Gregor Clegane who dashed the skull of infant Aegon against a wall. It was whispered that afterward Gregor had raped [[Elia Martell]], and then put her to the sword. At the time Gregor was only "seventeen". Nobody dared to repeat these rumors when Gregor himself could be listening. {{Ref|aGoT|30}} According to [[Tyrion Lannister]], the responsibility of Gregor for the murders of Elia and Aegon was "common knowledge" in [[Casterly Rock]]. The tale went that for the duration of Gregor's rape of Elia, his hands were still covered in the blood and brains of Aegon. {{Ref|aCoK|17}} A wounded Gregor later narrated a brief account of the events to [[Oberyn Martell]], while killing him. He had first killed Aegon, the "screaming whelp". Then came the rape of Elia; Clegane claimed to have smashed her head with his bare hands, the same method Gregor used to finish off Oberyn. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Tywin Lannister later narrated his view of the events to his son Tyrion. Rhaenys was hiding under Rhaegar's bed, while Elia and Aegon were in the nursery, just a floor below the location of Rhaenys. Tywin was aware that he had kept [[the Westerlands]] from joining Robert's cause for most of the Rebellion. They had only joined said cause at the last stage of the war, and their loyalty would be suspected. He needed a way to demonstrate loyalty to Robert, a way to convince people that the Lannisters had severed all ties to House Targaryen. In addition, Eddard Stark was also heading toward's King's Landing, leading the remnants of Robert's army south from the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]]. Instead of the Lannister and Stark forces meeting as allies, there was still a chance for the two armies to clash. Tywin also feared that his elder son [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] might do something stupid or that Aerys would kill Jaime for no more reason than sheer spite {{Ref|aSoS|53}}.

Tywin decided to have his troops eliminate Rhaegar's children. In a single move, the Lannisters would have proven their commitment to the Rebellion and secured the throne for Robert by eliminating rival claimants for the throne. Tywin himself was somewhat surprised by the result of his commands. The murders were performed "too brutally" for his needs; he insisted that Elia didn't have to die, it happened because he didn't specify she should be spared. He had not grasped yet that Gregor is bestial, not just "terrible in battle". Gregor chose himself the manner of Aegon's death. He had not received any instructions concerning Elia. He was improvising when he raped and killed her. Amory Lorch was the man who located Rhaenys, dragging her from under the bed. The girl kicked him and would not stop screaming. Lorch killed her with about fifty sword thrusts. Tywin himself, after the fact, pointed out a more logical way to perform the deed. A few sweet words to calm the girl, a soft pillow to suffocate her. The blood was unnecessary in his view. {{Ref|aSoS|53}} [[Oberyn Martell]] had another view on Tywin's motives. Elia was once supposed to marry Jaime Lannister, based on an agreement between her mother and [[Joanna Lannister]]. Following the death of Joanna, Tywin broke the agreement, though he offered Tyrion as a a prospective bridegroom instead of Jaime, taunting the Martells. He had also informed them that [[Cersei Lannister]] was meant for Rhaegar, not for Oberyn. When Elia married Rhaegar, the Martells had ruined Tywin's plans. Tywin was "not a man to forget such slights". Oberyn believed that the murder of Elia was decided by Tywin, to teach Elia the same lesson that Houses [[House Reyne|Reyne]] and [[House Tarbeck|Tarbeck]] had learned. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Eddard Stark recalled how Tywin Lannister presented [[Robert Baratheon]] with the corpses of Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. His "token of fealty". {{ref|aGoT|12}} Tywin had laid the bodies beneath the [[Iron Throne]], wrapped in the crimson cloaks of his house guard. A clever choice, as the blood was less obvious against the red cloth. Rhaenys had been barefoot, dressed in a bed gown. The condition of the boy horrified Eddard. {{ref|aGoT|45}} The skull was a "red ruin", even Robert could not stand its sight. Robert had turned away from the sight. {{ref|aGoT|20}} [[Kevan Lannister]] was also present during this scene. He was able to recognize Rhaenys. But recalls that nobody could recognize Aegon. All that remained of the boy was a faceless horror of bone, brain, and gore. A few hanks of fair hair. Nobody could stand looking at the body for long. Tywin stated that this was Aegon and everyone else took him at his word. Seventeen years later, Kevan was no longer certain of Tywin's word on the matter.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

===Reactions to the death===
*[[Robert Baratheon]] was actually relieved and glad that the royal children were killed. Robert viewed himself as a hero, and was reluctant to kill children, but he knew Rhaegar's children had to die if his throne was ever to be secure. Tywin painted himself as the villain, allowing Robert to keep his hands clean, the reason Robert refused to punish any of the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] for the brutal act.{{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Tywin Lannister]] knew this act would prove to Robert that [[House Lannister]] had forsaken the [[House Targaryen|dragon]] forever. Years later, Tyrion came to question the wisdom of the act. Robert Baratheon would have bloodied his own hands, soiling his own reputation. Instead the Lannisters had damaged their own reputation, gaining long-term enemies in the process. {{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Eddard Stark]] called the act murder, Robert just called it war. Eddard protested that Aegon and Rhaenys were "no more than babes". Robert replied that they were not babes, only dragonspawn. The two men quarreled over the matter, [[Jon Arryn]] unable to calm them. Eddard had ridden out of King's Landing in a cold rage, heading south to fight the last battles of the war on his own. They would only be reconciled by their shared grief over the death of [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]].{{ref|aGoT|12}}

*[[Thoros of Myr]] claims to have personally seen the corpses of Aegon and Rhaenys, as they were placed before the Iron Throne. In his view, [[House Clegane]] was "built upon dead children" and their arms should display "two bloody infants". {{Ref|aSoS|34}}

*[[Arianne Martell]] recalled Robert as a monster who climbed onto his throne over the corpses of children, directly connecting his rise to the murders of Aegon and Rhaenys. Robert is not held in high regard in [[Dorne]].{{ref|aFfC|13}}

*[[Viserys Targaryen]] was convinced that the [[Dornishmen]] were determined to avenge Elia and her children. {{Ref|aGoT|3}}

*Years following the murders, [[Doran Martell]] still mourns for the victims. According to [[Varys]], the consequent hatred of Doran for [[House Lannister]] is well known.{{Ref|aCoK|17}} Doran himself claims to have worked at the downfall of Tywin Lannister for all these years. Ever since he learned what had happended to Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. {{ref|aFfC|40}}

*[[Oberyn Martell]], in his words, hungered for justice for sixteen years. Justice for Elia and her children. Certain that Gregor was only following orders. {{Ref|aCoK|38}} [[Oberyn Martell]] wanted vengeance on the man who gave the orders, not just the man who performed the deed. {{Ref|aCoK|66}}

*[[Nymeria Sand]] believes that the only fitting payment for the death of Elia's children, would be the death of "Lord Tywin's golden twins". [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] would pay with their lives for the old murders. {{ref|aFfC|2}}

*[[Jacelyn Bywater]] stated to [[Tyrion Lannister]] there were still whispers in King's Landings that "the butchery of Rhaegar's children" was one of the sins of [[House Lannister]]. And that the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]] would punish the entire city for the sins of this House. {{Ref|aCoK|41}}

*[[Daenerys Targaryen]] can't see a difference between Houses [[House Lannister|Lannister]] and [[House Stark|Stark]]. She considers Eddard Stark also responsible for the murders of Rhaenys and Aegon, arguing that "the Usurper's dogs" acted as a pack of hounds, hunting children. Which individual hound kills a child doesn't matter, all the dogs are equally guilty. [[Barristan Selmy]] disagrees with her, and has tried to explain the distinction between Eddard and Tywin. Daenerys notices a "flicker of disapproval" in his face when she insists on her original opinion. {{Ref|aDwD|11}}

*[[Barristan Selmy]] himself has been haunted by the idea of the ''"bloody bodies"'' of Aegon and Rhaenys. His serious injuries following the [[Battle of the Trident]] prevented him from personally examining the corpses. But he wondered for years about the reaction of Robert to the bodies and whether Robert smiled at the bodies. Selmy contemplates that such a smile would motivate him to personally kill Robert and that no army could save him. {{Ref|aDwD|67}}

===Reported survival===
[[Image:Aegon6.jpg|Young Griff, who claims to be Prince Aegon|thumb|300px|left]]
A young man considering himself to be Aegon, explains his apparent survival to [[Tyrion Lannister]]. According to his account, the boy killed during the Sack of King's Landing was a [[Pisswater prince]]. He had been born at the Pisswater Bend, a street of King's Landing. His father was a tanner, and his mother had died at birth. The tanner sold his boy to [[Varys]] for a jug of [[Arbor]] gold [[wine]]. The man had other sons, but wanted to experience the taste of Arbor gold for once in his life. Varys then arranged the swap between the two infants boys. Elia received the Pisswater prince, Varys took custody of the real Aegon. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} Tyrion Lannister deduces the rest of the story. When the Pisswater prince was "safely dead", Varys smuggled Aegon across the [[narrow sea]]. Varys entrusted the boy to [[Illyrio Mopatis]], who in turn found an adoptive father for Aegon in the person of exiled Lord [[Jon Connington]]. Aegon does not comment on Tyrion's deductions. {{Ref|aDwD|22}}

According to the recollection of Jon Connington, he had to fake his own death "twelve years" before the present. In [[288 AL]], five years following the [[Battle of the Bells]], Varys had convinced him that the lie would be necessary for the safety of Aegon. Connington had spend the "five years" of his exile as a member of the [[Golden Company]], and had become the right-hand man to [[Myles Toyne]]. To fulfill Varys' plan, Connington first had to be discharged from the Company in disgrace. The crafted story went that he been stealing from its war chest. Then rumors reported that Connington drunk himself to death in [[Lys]]. In Varys' words, as a gallant exile Connington would be remembered. But few tend to remember thieves, drunks, and cowards. Reputed to be one of the latter, Connington too would be forgotten. {{Ref|aDwD|24}} Aegon spend most of his life hiding aboard the poleboat [[Shy Maid]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|22}} He shared a cabin with his adoptive father. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

Aegon has been trained in matters of military tactics by [[Jon Connington]] {{Ref|aDwD|24}}, arms by [[Rolly Duckfield]], in the [[Faith of the Seven]] by [[Lemore|Septa Lemore]], and history and languages by [[Haldon|Haldon Halfmaester]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|18}} He was taught to read and write. To study history, law, and poetry. He lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers, and mended nets. He learned practical things such as washing his own clothes, fishing, cooking, binding up wounds. He was familiarized with hunger, and the fear of being hunted. His education was intended to teach him that kingship was a duty, not a right. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

His claim to the [[Iron Throne]] is stronger than that of his aunt Daenerys. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} {{Ref|aDwD|24}} According to the relevant succession laws,{{Quote|"the sons of the first son come before the second son".'' {{Ref|aCoK|35}}}} Aegon is a son of Rhaegar, who was himself the first son of [[Aerys II]]. Placing Aegon higher in the Targaryen succession line than both [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] (Aerys second son) and [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] (the daughter of Aerys). {{Ref|aCoK|35}} According to Daenerys, Five Kings named "Aegon" have ruled in [[Westeros]]. Her nephew would have been the sixth, had he survived infancy. {{Ref|aSoS|57}} {{Ref|aDwD|2}} As yet there is no indication as to whether he has inherited the [[Targaryen]] propensity for [[dragon dreams]] as [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] has. He might have the potential for it, like all those with Targaryen blood, but only some members of this bloodline actually displayed this ability. <ref name="Forum1">Conversation topic: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/58262-adwd-spoilers-dragon-dreams-of-ice-and-fire/ Dragon Dreams of Ice and Fire] on [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/ Westeros Forum] </ref>

==Recent Events==
===A Clash of Kings===
One of the visions [[Daenerys Targaryen]] sees in the [[House of the Undying]] involves Rhaegar, Elia, and Aegon. In this vision, a newborn Aegon nurses from the breast of Elia. The woman is seated in a great wooden bed. Rhaegar decides on the name "Aegon" for his newborn son, as he thinks the name fit for a king. Elia asks whether Rhaegar will make a song for their son. He replies that Aegon already has a song, "the song of ice and fire". Part of his role as "the prince that was promised".

However, Rhaegar then claims that there must be "one more", since "the dragon has three heads". Rhaegar moves to a seat near the window, and picks up a harp. Daenerys listens to the "sweet sadness" of his music as the vision fades away. {{Ref|aCoK|48}} Daenerys later describes this vision to [[Jorah Mormont]]. Jorah helps her confirm the identities of the people in this vision. But points out that if Aegon was the promised prince, the promise was broken with his death. {{Ref|aCoK|63}} Daenerys notices a pattern in the names Rhaegar chose for his children. They were named after [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and his sisters. There was a daughter named after the original [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], but none named after [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]]. She wonders if that was the missing third head of the dragon. Neither Daenerys, nor Jorah have heard of the term "song of ice and fire". They are unable to determine its meaning. {{Ref|aCoK|63}}

===A Dance with Dragons===
While in [[Meereen]], [[Daenerys]] has mused about Aegon who would have been the sixth to sit on the [[Iron Throne]]. She is yet unaware that he is alive. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} She thought to herself:

{{Quote|''"If he had lived, I might have married him. Aegon would have been closer to my age than Viserys"''. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} }}

Aegon to better conceal his identity Aegon dyes his silver [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] hair blue, which also makes his violet eyes appear blue. He uses the false story that his mother was a [[Tyrosh|Tyroshi]] who dyed her hair blue, and he does it to honor her memory. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|14}} {{ref|aDwD|18}}

In {{Date|300}}, [[Illyrio Mopatis]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]] jointly depart [[Pentos]], heading towards the river Rhoyne. On the journey Illyrio explains the purpose of Tyrion's mission. He and "Griff" ([[Jon Connington]]) are to head towards [[Volantis]]. Waiting for the expected arrival of [[Daenerys Targaryen]] in that city, with fresh forces and more ships for her cause. Based on Illyrio's information, Daenerys has conquered [[Astapor]], made [[Yunkai]] bend the knee, and sacked [[Meereen]]. He estimates that Daenerys is heading westwards. Either by land to [[Mantarys]] or by sea to Volantis. {{Ref|aDwD|5}} Tyrion wants more information on Griff, who Illyrio supposedly trusts as a brother. Illyrio simply points that unlike most [[Mercenary|sellswords]], Griff is a dotting father. He also mentions that his boy, "Young Griff" (Aegon) is a noble lad. {{Ref|aDwD|5}}

In arms practice with [[Rolly Duckfield]], the student surpasses the master. Aegon manages to knock Rolly into a horse trough. An embarrassed Rolly claims that he fell on purpose to make Aegon laugh. Haldon laughs at him.{{Ref|aDwD|8}} Three days following this incident, Illyrio and Tyrion end their joined journey when they meet [[Haldon]] and Rolly. Illyrio specifically asks them for information on Young Griff. Haldon replies that Young Griff is now taller, as tall as the elder Griff. He then narrates about the incident during arms practice. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Illyrio has brought a gift for Young Grief, candied ginger. Pointing that the boy was always fond of it. An "oddly sad" Illyrio wants to prepare a farewell feast for the lad and offers to join them as far as [[Ghoyan Drohe]]. Haldon points out that there is no time for feasts. Griff is in a hurry to move downriver. There is information that the [[Dothraki]] [[khalasar]]s of [[Motho]] and [[Zekko]] are crossing the [[Forest of Qohor]], heading towards the Rhoyne. Both khals are fleeing from the much larger khalasar of [[Pono]], who might also be heading for the Rhoyne. Griff wants to avoid any encounter with the Dothraki. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Tyrion joins Haldon and Rolly for the trip back to their boat. Illyrio leaves a message for Young Griff. Expressing his regret that he won't be present for the boy's wedding. But swears to rejoin the boy in [[Westeros]]. His shoulders were slumped, again indicating sadness. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} Traveling by horse for a couple of days, the trio of travelers encounter the [[Shy Maid]] in the vicinity of [[Ghoyan Drohe]]. Young Griff greets "Duck" and Haldon with shouts, while standing on the cabin of the poleboat. Trying to open a conversation, Tyrion points out to Young Griff that blue hair will get him ridiculed in Westeros. Young Griff is taken aback. He claims to dye hair in memory of his deceased mother, a lady of [[Tyrosh]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

The Shy Maid continues traveling down the Rhoyne towards Volantis. Tyrion watches Young Griff enjoying his breakfast, bacon. All the while contemplating the overall appearance of the boy. Following breakfast, Duck invites Young Griff for arms practice. The two practice with swords for this morning, evenly matched. Young Griff lands more blows, Duck fewer but harder ones. Duck tires first, allowing Young Griff the opportunity to start a furious attack. Duck retreats towards the stern. Young Griff uses a shoulder slam to throw his opponent into the river. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

A wet Duckfield does not appreciate being teased by Tyrion, throwing the dwarf into the river. Young Griff extends a pole to Tyrion, helping him return aboard the boat. Tyrion uses a cartwheel to spray everyone around him with water. Young Griff is amused and asks where Tyrion learned this trick. Tyrion offers him a false origin story. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} With arms practice over, Young Griff joins [[Lemore]] for a lesson on the mysteries of the [[Faith of the Seven]]. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} During the evening, Young Griff joins Haldon for lessons in languages, geometry, and history. Tyrion joins them in this day's lessons. With the lesson over, Young Griff helps [[Yandry]] with the sails and poles of the boat. Tyrion discusses Young Griff's education with Haldon. He points that such as an extensive education is unusual for "some sellsword's son". Haldon fails to understand what Tyrion is implying about the boy. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} Hours later, Young Griff hoots the joy when their boat encounters the [[Old Man of the River]], a huge horned turtle. Most members of the crew take this for a good sign, Tyrion privately considers this a wonder. One of the wonders which mark the birth of kings. Already hinting at the real identity of Young Griff. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

The Shy Maid continues its way down the Rhoyne, traveling through fog in the vicinity of the Sorrows. Young Griff takes position at the prow of the poleboat, holding a pole. He is ready to use it to push the boat away from potential hazards. Young Griff speculates about the presence of fish in this area of the river, [[Ysilla]] warns him against eating any fish taken from these waters. {{Ref|aDwD|18}} When discussion turns to "Garin's Curse", another term for [[greyscale]], Ysilla tells a brief story concerning [[Garin (Prince)|Garin]]. The men of Volantis and [[Valyria]] had hung him in a golden cage, mocking his calls to [[Mother Rhoyne]]. Mocking his prayers for their destruction. The river rose and drowned his captors. But the story speaks of restless "lords of fire" who still live beneath the water, their flesh now as stony as their hearts. After listening to the story, Young Griff is not particularly disturbed. Certain that they could face these restless Valyrians and any other [[Stone men]]. Lemore warns him that pride is a grievous sin. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

When the Shy Maid makes its way through the Sorrows, Young Griff uses his pole to push the boat away from a broken tower. {{ref|aDwD|18}} Some time, later, the boy warns of a light ahead of them. His father recognizes the light as coming from the Bridge of Dream. Griff instructs his son to escort Lemore to her cabin and then stay with her. Young Griff stubbornly refuses, denying a need for protection. Claiming that his training to become a [[knight]] should be sufficient to protect himself. Griff commands him to back down. The youth curses under his breath. Pointing out angrily that Haldon, Ysilla, and "Hugor" (Tyrion) are not running for cover. When Tyrion joins in trying to convince Young Griff to back down, the youth replies with a scornful "You're a dwarf". Tyrion tries to explain that Young Griff is everything for their mission. His words are interrupted when the Shy Maid seemingly passes below the Bridge of Dream. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

With the danger posed by the stone men seemingly over, Young Griff turns his attention back to Tyrion. He grabs the dwarf's arm and demands answers. "Why am I everything?" Tyrion points out that the death of anyone else on board would be mourned. But the death of Young Griff would abort their mission. Young Griff realized that Tyrion has found out about his true identity. Tyrion lists the clues that led him to the deduction that Young Griff is Aegon Targaryen, the boy [[Tywin Lannister]] had wrapped in a crimson cloak. A confused Aegon finally learns that "Hugor" is Tyrion Lannister. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

Before the encounter between its crew members ends, the Shy Maid approaches the Bridge of Dream for a second time. An unexplained return as they were heading for the opposite direction. Griff commands Haldon to escort Aegon below. Haldon has no time to fulfill his mission. During the second passing of the ship, three stone men from the Bridge boarded the ship. (Tyrion initially sees only two, failing to see the one behind his back). The third stone man lurches forward and reaches for Aegon. The boy freezes in shock with his hand still on the sword hilt, failing to defend himself. Tyrion kicks one of Aegon's legs, making the prince loose his balance and fall. Tyrion then leaps over the fallen body and attacks the stone man with a torch. While the rest of the crew attempts to shield Aegon, the two struggling figures fall into the Rhoyne. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

The Shy Maid has reached [[Selhorys]] by the time Tyrion regains consciousness. Aegon is in a sullen mood, forced to remain on board for his own safety. The town is under the control of the city of Volantis. Dothraki riders had been located in the vicinity of Selhorys. The triarchs of Volantis had feared an attack and had warships, river galleys, and slave soldiers transferred to the town. The crew members wanted to prevent Aegon from having dangerous encounters in the area. Despite his insistance that he knows how to use a sword. Lemore points out that even the bravest Targaryens did not trust their fate on their swords alone. They kept the [[Kingsguard]] by their side. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

Lemore herself had changed from septa's robes to secular garb. Pointing to Aegon that he was not alone in having to hide. The prince still seems frustrated. Tyrion challenges him to a game of [[cyvasse]]. Tyrion privately assesses the game strategy of Aegon. He feels it is "a young man's formation", bold and foolish. Aegon risks everything for a quick kill. Tyrion starts a conversation, actually fishing Aegon for information. Aegon innocently offers background information on Jon Connington, and then narrates his own origin story. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

Tyrion switches the conversation towards the real purpose of their journey. The plan to have Aegon married to his aunt Daenerys. He warns the prince that Daenerys might not be the willing bride that everyone seems to expect. Aegon is shocked, having never considered the idea that she might turn down his marriage offer. Tyrion points out that Daenerys is a proud, strong, and fierce young woman who will not appreciate a relative coming to her with a begging bowl, certainly not one with a stronger claim to the [[Iron Throne]] than her own. Aegon angrily denies being a beggar, pointing at his own army: the [[Golden Company]]. Tyrion points out that Daenerys has a larger army than his own and owes nothing to Aegon. Aegon protests, trusting in Lord Connington to win her over. Tyrion calls him a fool, warning him {{ref|aDwD|22}}: {{Quote|Trust no one, my prince. {{ref|aDwD|22}} }}

Tyrion plants the seeds of doubt on the young prince, pointing that Haldon, Jon Connington, Rolly Duckfield, Lemore and every one of the friends who raised him could also betray him, and that Illyrio Mopatis, Varys, and Daenerys are even less trustworthy. He then suggests a different course of action to Aegon. Heading to [[Westeros]] instead of going east, taking advantage of all the problems caused by the [[War of the Five Kings]]. He points that [[the North]] is in a chaotic condition, the [[Riverlands]] are devastated, while [[Stannis Baratheon]] holds [[Storm's End]] and [[Dragonstone]]. The coming winter will starve out the realm. He then paints the opposition as particularly weak. He points that King [[Tommen Baratheon]] is just a boy, and all his potential regents come with their own problems. [[Cersei Lannister]] will alienate her own allies, [[Jaime Lannister]] actively avoids the responsibility of ruling, and [[Kevan Lannister]] is a born follower. [[Mace Tyrell]] will have to fight the Lannisters to become regent, and Stannis' unpopularity makes him an unlikely choice. Only a victorious Aegon can hope to meet Daenerys as her equal. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

The game of cyvasse ends with a loss for Aegon. During the game, the Prince had taken an advise on strategy from his opponent. An advice which intentionally manipulated him towards defeat. Tyrion once again warns, trust no one, proving that even advisors can not be trusted. A frustrated Aegon kicks over the board, discarding the cyvasse pieces across the deck of the poleboat. He then commands Tyrion to pick up the pieces. Tyrion recognizes a Targaryen in this behavior. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

The Shy Maid is stationed at the riverfront of [[Volon Therys]]. Jon Connington and Aegon depart the ship, heading towards the camp of the [[Golden Company]]. The mercenaries have situated themselves 3 miles (4,83 kilometers) south of the town. The travelers have already learned that Daenerys is still in Meereen, and that Illyrio had miscalculated. Aegon complains of being sick of the blue dye in his hair, eager to wash it out. He smiles at the idea of having his own army. But then expresses concerns over the loyalty of sellswords. Connington tries to explain that men should be allowed to earn trust through loyal service. Both trusting and mistrusting everyone without reason should be avoided. Privately, Connington worries that Aegon could take Tyrion's advise to heart and become as paranoid as Aerys II. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Arriving at the camp, Connington introduces the boy as his squire to [[Franklyn Flowers]]. Flowers escorts them to the tent of [[Harry Strickland]], for their initial meeting with the officers of the Company. Strickland initially sees the boy as a son to Connington. Connington instead introduces him as Aegon VI, King of the [[Andal]]s, [[Rhoynar]], and the [[First Men]]. This introduction is met with silence by the officers. Connington realizes that all of them were aware of Aegon's identity for sometime. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Connington and the the officers briefly discuss about Daenerys' lingering presence in Meereen and the ongoing conflict in [[Slaver's Bay]]. Wondering whether they should head east and join the conflict. Several of them are already disillusioned with Daenerys. Aegon sees the opportunity to introduce his own plan of going to Westeros and claiming the throne in his own name. Strickland tries to point out the risk of this plan. But most of the officers are eager to support this course of action. Aegon further explains that his aunt is welcome to keep Meereen. His plan is to move fast and strike hard, gaining a foothold before the Lannisters can react. This would certainly gain them some new allies. Connington is impressed, thinking that this is a new side of Aegon. All officers swear allegiance to Aegon. They agree, however, to keep his identity secret from the soldiers. At least until they actually land in Westeros. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Ten ships of the Golden Company departed Volantis. Six of them made it to Westeros, landing at [[Cape Wrath]]. Connington leads 1/4 of the forces in seizing [[Griffin's Roost]]. Simultaneously [[Tristan Rivers]] besieges [[Crows Nest]], and [[Laswell Peake]] besieges [[Rain House]]. Each with their own 1/4 of the Company. Aegon remains in their camp, guarded by the remaining 1/4 of the Company under [[Gorys Edoryen]]. Haldon collects information about the military and diplomatic situation across Westeros. He already considers marital alliances for King Aegon and his [[Hand of the King]], Jon Connington. The latter is against both such plans. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington receives news that part of the missing four ships landed in [[Estermont]]. [[Marq Mandrake]] has led the men there in capturing [[Greenstone]]. The rest of the ships are still missing. Franklyn Flowers suggests that the missing men are scattered across the [[Stepstones]]. Connington decides to bring Aegon to Griffin's Roost for increased safety. Franklyn points,however, that Aegon would like to be in the thick of things. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington has a plan to capture [[Storm's End]], last foothold of Stannis in the [[Stormlands]]. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Four days later, Aegon arrives at Griffin's Roost. He rides at the head of a column including a hundred [[horse]]s with their riders, and three [[elephant]]s. He is accompanied by Lemore and Rolly Duckfield, the first person in his version of the Kingsguard. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington remembers arguing with Aegon over the appointment of Rolly. Connington had pointed out that seats in the Kingsguard should be reserved for warriors of great renown and/or sons of great lords. Aegon pointed out that [[Jaime Lannister]] fit that description perfectly, and was currently known as the Kingslayer. He would rather have men personally loyal to himself, ready to die for his safety. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington asks to have the Prince escorted to his solar. But soon realizes that Prince Aegon is less biddable (obedient) than Young Griff. Aegon leaves him waiting for "the better half of a hour". Bringing Duck with him instead of coming alone. Connington tries to dismiss the bodyguard, but Aegon insists on having Rolly by his side. Aegon mentions discussing the plan to take Storm's End with Strickland and Flowers. Strickland even tried to persuade him to delay the plan. Aegon,however, feels Strickland is a bit of "an old maid" and is in favor of the plan. With one significant change. He intends to personally lead the attack. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

The [[Small Council]] in [[King's Landing]] discusses the matter of the [[Golden Company]]. [[Qyburn]] and [[Pycelle]] have received reports about mercenaries landing in [[Tarth]], the Stepstones, and Estermont. There are also reports about Jon Connington heading against Storm's End. [[Kevan Lannister]] points out that now they have opponents to their south. A third ongoing threat along with Stannis in the North and the [[Ironborn]] in the west. Kevan already has information about a new Targaryen pretender having Coined connington, though [[Randyll Tarly]] dismisses Aegon as an impostor. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}} Pycelle suggests that they could use gold to purchase the loyalty of the Golden company. Then the sellswords would hand over Lord Connington and the pretender. [[Harys Swyft]] points out that the Iron Throne is heavily in debt and has no gold to offer. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

Varys informs the dying Kevan that Aegon will raise his banner above Storm's End. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

==Quotes about Aegon==
{{Quote|''"Aegon has been shaped for rule before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. [[Tommen I|Tommen]] has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them".'' {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}}} [[Varys]] to the dying [[Kevan Lannister]]

{{Quote|''"His silvery hair was blowing in the wind, and his eyes were a deep purple, darker than this boy's".'' {{Ref|aDwD|61}}}} [[Jon Connington]] reminisces about prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] as he addressed Aegon following the capture of Griffin's Roost by the [[Golden Company]].

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree now}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Template:Kings of Westeros}}

[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[es:Aegon Targaryen]][[fr:Aegon Targaryen]][[ru:Эйгон Таргариен (сын Рэйгара)]][[zh:伊耿·坦格利安]]
[[pt:Aegon Targaryen]]

Template talk:HousesCrownlands

2012-10-29T01:13:21Z

Benethon Stark: /* Two points */ new section

== Narrow Sea houses ==

Currently the narrow sea houses are listed simply as Dragonstone and those houses sworn to it, less [[House Farring|Farring]], which may or may not be an island house. [[House Bar Emmon]], though, is sworn to Dragonstone but is a mainland house. They are listed as a "Narrow Sea house", but the nearby [[House Massey|Masseys]] are not. What to do? --[[User:Ser_Aeron_Connel|Ser_Aeron_Connel]] 20:06, 29 April 2012 (UTC)

== Two points ==

The Slynts were ennobled and landed in the Riverlands. Though they lost Harrenhal, they were promised replacement lands along the Trident after the war.
Should we move them to the Riverlands box?

And two, the duplication of houses by pointing out the Crackclaw Point houses ''and'' the knightly houses. Anyone have a problem with getting rid of the Crackclaw Point distinction? Viewers can read as much in the house's descriptions. -[[User:Benethon Stark|Benethon Stark]] 01:13, 29 October 2012 (UTC)

Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)

2012-10-28T17:12:46Z

Benethon Stark:

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Aegon Targaryen''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image =
| image_caption =
| Alias = Young Griff (possible)
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Valyrian]]
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|282}}
| Place_of_Death = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|283}} (Contested by Aegon pretender)
| Books = [[A Game of Thrones]] (Mentioned) [[A Clash of Kings]] (Mentioned) [[A Storm of Swords]] (Mentioned) [[A Feast for Crows]] (Mentioned) [[A Dance with Dragons]] (Appears)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played by =
| TV_series =
}}
{{See homonyms | Aegon Targaryen (disambiguation)}}

'''Aegon Targaryen''' was the second child and only son of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] and [[Elia Martell]]. Had he ascended to the throne he would have ruled as '''Aegon VI'''.

==Character and Appearance==
According to semi-canon sources Aegon looks like a [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]].<ref>Westeros. "A Number of Questions." (August 26, 2000). [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/A_Number_of_Questions/ So Spake Martin]</ref> As an infant, Aegon had "fair hair". {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

The older Aegon is described as a lithe and well-made youth, with a lanky build. [[Tyrion Lannister]] initially estimated him to be "fifteen" or "sixteen" years-old. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} According to [[Haldon]], Aegon is as tall as [[Jon Connington]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} Aegon has a lanky build that suggests that he has yet to reach his full growth. Tyrion noted that his eyes seem to be dark blue. But look black by lamplight, and [[purple eyes|purple]] in the light of dusk. His eyelashes are long, seemingly feminine. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He is exceptionally handsome and has the Targaryen traits of silver hair and purple eyes, both features which are also present in his aunt [[Daenerys]]. Jon Connington notes that Aegon's eyes were a lighter shade of purple to those of Rhaegar. He dyes his hair blue to conceal his identity.{{ref|aDwD|18}} {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Aegon is well educated and intelligent, speaking several languages and well versed in history. He speaks the [[Common Tongue]] as a native speaker. He is fluent in [[High Valyrian]], in the Bastard Valyrian dialects of [[Pentos]], [[Tyrosh]], [[Myr]], and [[Lys]], and in [[Trade Talk]]. He is a novice at speaking the dialect of [[Volantis]], only familiar with a few of its words. The dialect of [[Meereen]], whose terms derive from both Valyrian and [[Ghiscari Empire|Ghiscari]], gives him trouble. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He has some training in mathematics. He has a decent knowledge of [[w:Summation|sums]] and a limited understanding of [[w:Geometry|geometry]]. He also has been trained in songs. Tyrion notes that Aegon is more learned than "half the lords in [[Westeros]]". {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

==History==
===Birth===
[[File: ReneAigner_Dragonguard.jpg‎ ‎| A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived - art by Rene Aigner ©|thumb|450px|right]]
A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived, which led his father [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] to believe that he was the ''[[Azor Ahai|Prince that was Promised]]''. The comet was seen as "the bleeding star" of the prophecy. [[Maester Aemon]] was aware of Rhaegar's beliefs, though it is unclear if he shared them. Aemon later came to doubt the wisdom of looking for a prince, rather than a princess. He realized there was a translation error, the term translated was fluid in terms of gender. Connected to the term for [[dragon]]s, who are neither male nor female. {{ref|aFfC|35}}

According to the recollections of [[Jon Connington]], [[Elia Martell]] was always frail and sickly. Giving birth to her daughter [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] had left her bedridden for half a year. Giving birth to Aegon had almost killed her. The [[maesters]] had told Rhaegar that Elia would bear no more children. {{Ref|aDwD|61}}

===Sack of King's Landing===

Aegon was just an infant during [[Robert's Rebellion]].{{ref|aGoT|20}} {{Ref|aGoT|30}} Following the [[Battle of the Trident]], [[Aerys II Targaryen]] decided to send [[Rhaella Targaryen|Queen Rhaella]] and [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] to [[Dragonstone]]. The original plan was for Elia to join them. But Aerys II instead thought of using her as a hostage against [[Dorne]]. He blamed the lost battle of the Trident on the supposed treason of [[Lewyn Martell]]. He chose to keep Elia and Aegon by his side, in his view ensuring the continued loyalty of Dorne. {{Ref|aSoS|37}} After the death of Rhaegar, [[Pycelle]] was convinced that the war was effectively over. In his view, [[House Targaryen]] could no longer offer a proper king to the realm. Aerys II was "mad", Viserys "too young", and Aegon still "a babe at the breast". Pycelle worked to convince Aerys II to open the gates of [[King's Landing]] to the Lannister forces. Pycelle secretly prayed and hope that his actions would help [[Tywin Lannister]] rise to the throne. {{Ref|aCoK|25}}

During the [[Sack of King's Landing]], [[Jaime Lannister]] killed Aerys in the throne room of the [[Red Keep]]. [[Elys Westerling]], [[Roland Crakehall (Lord)|Roland Crakehall]], and other Lannister knights then burst in the room. At approximately the same, other Lannister soldiers fought Targaryen loyalists in the steps and armory of the Red Keep, [[Gregor Clegane]] and [[Amory Lorch]] were scaling the walls of Maegor's Holdfast, and [[Eddard Stark]] was leading the men of [[the North]] through the city gates. Lord Crakehall asked Jaime if they should proclaim a new king. Left unsaid was a clear implication, he was asking whether Jaime would proclaim Tywin Lannister, [[Robert Baratheon]], or a member of [[House Targaryen]]. Jaime remembered that Aegon and his mother were in Maegor's Holdfast, while Viserys was in [[Dragonstone]]. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Jaime briefly toyed with the idea of proclaiming a new Targaryen King. Tywin would gain control, as [[Hand of the King]], the "wolves" of the North would howl in frustration, Robert would choke with rage. Jaime found this option tempting. Until he glanced at the corpse of Aerys II. Recalling that both Aegon and Viserys had inherited the blood of Aerys, Jaime decided against supporting either one of them. He told Crakehall to proclaim whoever the man wanted. Jaime seated himself on the [[Iron Throne]], simply waiting to see who would arrive to claim the throne and the kingdom. He was still sitting there when Eddard entered the throne room. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Viserys often told stories to his sister Daenerys. One of these stories involved the [[Sack of King's Landing]] by the "Usurper's dogs", [[Tywin Lannister]] and [[Eddard Stark]]. In this story, Elia Martell was pleading for mercy as Aegon was ripped from her breast and murdered before her eyes. Aegon was "Rhaegar's heir". {{Ref|aGoT|3}} Daenerys later recalled an additional detail, men had dashed the head of Aegon against a wall. {{Ref|aGoT|64}} Eddard Stark recalls that "Lord Tywin's soldiers" had torn Aegon from his mother's breast and dashed his head against a wall. They were also said to have dragged [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] from beneath her bed, putting her to the sword.{{ref|aGoT|12}} Eddard Stark had heard rumors that it was Gregor Clegane who dashed the skull of infant Aegon against a wall. It was whispered that afterward Gregor had raped [[Elia Martell]], and then put her to the sword. At the time Gregor was only "seventeen". Nobody dared to repeat these rumors when Gregor himself could be listening. {{Ref|aGoT|30}} According to [[Tyrion Lannister]], the responsibility of Gregor for the murders of Elia and Aegon was "common knowledge" in [[Casterly Rock]]. The tale went that for the duration of Gregor's rape of Elia, his hands were still covered in the blood and brains of Aegon. {{Ref|aCoK|17}} A wounded Gregor later narrated a brief account of the events to [[Oberyn Martell]], while killing him. He had first killed Aegon, the "screaming whelp". Then came the rape of Elia; Clegane claimed to have smashed her head with his bare hands, the same method Gregor used to finish off Oberyn. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Tywin Lannister later narrated his view of the events to his son Tyrion. Rhaenys was hiding under Rhaegar's bed, while Elia and Aegon were in the nursery, just a floor below the location of Rhaenys. Tywin was aware that he had kept [[the Westerlands]] from joining Robert's cause for most of the Rebellion. They had only joined said cause at the last stage of the war, and their loyalty would be suspected. He needed a way to demonstrate loyalty to Robert, a way to convince people that the Lannisters had severed all ties to House Targaryen. In addition, Eddard Stark was also heading toward's King's Landing, leading the remnants of Robert's army south from the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]]. Instead of the Lannister and Stark forces meeting as allies, there was still a chance for the two armies to clash. Tywin also feared that his elder son [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] might do something stupid or that Aerys would kill Jaime for no more reason than sheer spite {{Ref|aSoS|53}}.

Tywin decided to have his troops eliminate Rhaegar's children. In a single move, the Lannisters would have proven their commitment to the Rebellion and secured the throne for Robert by eliminating rival claimants for the throne. Tywin himself was somewhat surprised by the result of his commands. The murders were performed "too brutally" for his needs; he insisted that Elia didn't have to die, it happened because he didn't specify she should be spared. He had not grasped yet that Gregor is bestial, not just "terrible in battle". Gregor chose himself the manner of Aegon's death. He had not received any instructions concerning Elia. He was improvising when he raped and killed her. Amory Lorch was the man who located Rhaenys, dragging her from under the bed. The girl kicked him and would not stop screaming. Lorch killed her with about fifty sword thrusts. Tywin himself, after the fact, pointed out a more logical way to perform the deed. A few sweet words to calm the girl, a soft pillow to suffocate her. The blood was unnecessary in his view. {{Ref|aSoS|53}} [[Oberyn Martell]] had another view on Tywin's motives. Elia was once supposed to marry Jaime Lannister, based on an agreement between her mother and [[Joanna Lannister]]. Following the death of Joanna, Tywin broke the agreement, though he offered Tyrion as a a prospective bridegroom instead of Jaime, taunting the Martells. He had also informed them that [[Cersei Lannister]] was meant for Rhaegar, not for Oberyn. When Elia married Rhaegar, the Martells had ruined Tywin's plans. Tywin was "not a man to forget such slights". Oberyn believed that the murder of Elia was decided by Tywin, to teach Elia the same lesson that Houses [[House Reyne|Reyne]] and [[House Tarbeck|Tarbeck]] had learned. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Eddard Stark recalled how Tywin Lannister presented [[Robert Baratheon]] with the corpses of Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. His "token of fealty". {{ref|aGoT|12}} Tywin had laid the bodies beneath the [[Iron Throne]], wrapped in the crimson cloaks of his house guard. A clever choice, as the blood was less obvious against the red cloth. Rhaenys had been barefoot, dressed in a bed gown. The condition of the boy horrified Eddard. {{ref|aGoT|45}} The skull was a "red ruin", even Robert could not stand its sight. Robert had turned away from the sight. {{ref|aGoT|20}} [[Kevan Lannister]] was also present during this scene. He was able to recognize Rhaenys. But recalls that nobody could recognize Aegon. All that remained of the boy was a faceless horror of bone, brain, and gore. A few hanks of fair hair. Nobody could stand looking at the body for long. Tywin stated that this was Aegon and everyone else took him at his word. Seventeen years later, Kevan was no longer certain of Tywin's word on the matter.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

===Reactions to the death===
*[[Robert Baratheon]] was actually relieved and glad that the royal children were killed. Robert viewed himself as a hero, and was reluctant to kill children, but he knew Rhaegar's children had to die if his throne was ever to be secure. Tywin painted himself as the villain, allowing Robert to keep his hands clean, the reason Robert refused to punish any of the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] for the brutal act.{{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Tywin Lannister]] knew this act would prove to Robert that [[House Lannister]] had forsaken the [[House Targaryen|dragon]] forever. Years later, Tyrion came to question the wisdom of the act. Robert Baratheon would have bloodied his own hands, soiling his own reputation. Instead the Lannisters had damaged their own reputation, gaining long-term enemies in the process. {{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Eddard Stark]] called the act murder, Robert just called it war. Eddard protested that Aegon and Rhaenys were "no more than babes". Robert replied that they were not babes, only dragonspawn. The two men quarreled over the matter, [[Jon Arryn]] unable to calm them. Eddard had ridden out of King's Landing in a cold rage, heading south to fight the last battles of the war on his own. They would only be reconciled by their shared grief over the death of [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]].{{ref|aGoT|12}}

*[[Thoros of Myr]] claims to have personally seen the corpses of Aegon and Rhaenys, as they were placed before the Iron Throne. In his view, [[House Clegane]] was "built upon dead children" and their arms should display "two bloody infants". {{Ref|aSoS|34}}

*[[Arianne Martell]] recalled Robert as a monster who climbed onto his throne over the corpses of children, directly connecting his rise to the murders of Aegon and Rhaenys. Robert is not held in high regard in [[Dorne]].{{ref|aFfC|13}}

*[[Viserys Targaryen]] was convinced that the [[Dornishmen]] were determined to avenge Elia and her children. {{Ref|aGoT|3}}

*Years following the murders, [[Doran Martell]] still mourns for the victims. According to [[Varys]], the consequent hatred of Doran for [[House Lannister]] is well known.{{Ref|aCoK|17}} Doran himself claims to have worked at the downfall of Tywin Lannister for all these years. Ever since he learned what had happended to Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. {{ref|aFfC|40}}

*[[Oberyn Martell]], in his words, hungered for justice for sixteen years. Justice for Elia and her children. Certain that Gregor was only following orders. {{Ref|aCoK|38}} [[Oberyn Martell]] wanted vengeance on the man who gave the orders, not just the man who performed the deed. {{Ref|aCoK|66}}

*[[Nymeria Sand]] believes that the only fitting payment for the death of Elia's children, would be the death of "Lord Tywin's golden twins". [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] would pay with their lives for the old murders. {{ref|aFfC|2}}

*[[Jacelyn Bywater]] stated to [[Tyrion Lannister]] there were still whispers in King's Landings that "the butchery of Rhaegar's children" was one of the sins of [[House Lannister]]. And that the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]] would punish the entire city for the sins of this House. {{Ref|aCoK|41}}

*[[Daenerys Targaryen]] can't see a difference between Houses [[House Lannister|Lannister]] and [[House Stark|Stark]]. She considers Eddard Stark also responsible for the murders of Rhaenys and Aegon, arguing that "the Usurper's dogs" acted as a pack of hounds, hunting children. Which individual hound kills a child doesn't matter, all the dogs are equally guilty. [[Barristan Selmy]] disagrees with her, and has tried to explain the distinction between Eddard and Tywin. Daenerys notices a "flicker of disapproval" in his face when she insists on her original opinion. {{Ref|aDwD|11}}

*[[Barristan Selmy]] himself has been haunted by the idea of the ''"bloody bodies"'' of Aegon and Rhaenys. His serious injuries following the [[Battle of the Trident]] prevented him from personally examining the corpses. But he wondered for years about the reaction of Robert to the bodies and whether Robert smiled at the bodies. Selmy contemplates that such a smile would motivate him to personally kill Robert and that no army could save him. {{Ref|aDwD|67}}

===Reported survival===
[[Image:Aegon6.jpg|Young Griff, who claims to be Prince Aegon|thumb|300px|left]]
A young man considering himself to be Aegon, explains his apparent survival to [[Tyrion Lannister]]. According to his account, the boy killed during the Sack of King's Landing was a [[Pisswater prince]]. He had been born at the Pisswater Bend, a street of King's Landing. His father was a tanner, and his mother had died at birth. The tanner sold his boy to [[Varys]] for a jug of [[Arbor]] gold [[wine]]. The man had other sons, but wanted to experience the taste of Arbor gold for once in his life. Varys then arranged the swap between the two infants boys. Elia received the Pisswater prince, Varys took custody of the real Aegon. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} Tyrion Lannister deduces the rest of the story. When the Pisswater prince was "safely dead", Varys smuggled Aegon across the [[narrow sea]]. Varys entrusted the boy to [[Illyrio Mopatis]], who in turn found an adoptive father for Aegon in the person of exiled Lord [[Jon Connington]]. Aegon does not comment on Tyrion's deductions. {{Ref|aDwD|22}}

According to the recollection of Jon Connington, he had to fake his own death "twelve years" before the present. In [[288 AL]], five years following the [[Battle of the Bells]], Varys had convinced him that the lie would be necessary for the safety of Aegon. Connington had spend the "five years" of his exile as a member of the [[Golden Company]], and had become the right-hand man to [[Myles Toyne]]. To fulfill Varys' plan, Connington first had to be discharged from the Company in disgrace. The crafted story went that he been stealing from its war chest. Then rumors reported that Connington drunk himself to death in [[Lys]]. In Varys' words, as a gallant exile Connington would be remembered. But few tend to remember thieves, drunks, and cowards. Reputed to be one of the latter, Connington too would be forgotten. {{Ref|aDwD|24}} Aegon spend most of his life hiding aboard the poleboat [[Shy Maid]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|22}} He shared a cabin with his adoptive father. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

Aegon has been trained in matters of military tactics by [[Jon Connington]] {{Ref|aDwD|24}}, arms by [[Rolly Duckfield]], in the [[Faith of the Seven]] by [[Lemore|Septa Lemore]], and history and languages by [[Haldon|Haldon Halfmaester]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|18}} He was taught to read and write. To study history, law, and poetry. He lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers, and mended nets. He learned practical things such as washing his own clothes, fishing, cooking, binding up wounds. He was familiarized with hunger, and the fear of being hunted. His education was intended to teach him that kingship was a duty, not a right. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

His claim to the [[Iron Throne]] is stronger than that of his aunt Daenerys. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} {{Ref|aDwD|24}} According to the relevant succession laws,{{Quote|"the sons of the first son come before the second son".'' {{Ref|aCoK|35}}}} Aegon is a son of Rhaegar, who was himself the first son of [[Aerys II]]. Placing Aegon higher in the Targaryen succession line than both [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] (Aerys second son) and [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] (the daughter of Aerys). {{Ref|aCoK|35}} According to Daenerys, Five Kings named "Aegon" have ruled in [[Westeros]]. Her nephew would have been the sixth, had he survived infancy. {{Ref|aSoS|57}} {{Ref|aDwD|2}} As yet there is no indication as to whether he has inherited the [[Targaryen]] propensity for [[dragon dreams]] as [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] has. He might have the potential for it, like all those with Targaryen blood, but only some members of this bloodline actually displayed this ability. <ref name="Forum1">Conversation topic: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/58262-adwd-spoilers-dragon-dreams-of-ice-and-fire/ Dragon Dreams of Ice and Fire] on [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/ Westeros Forum] </ref>

==Recent Events==
===A Clash of Kings===
One of the visions [[Daenerys Targaryen]] sees in the [[House of the Undying]] involves Rhaegar, Elia, and Aegon. In this vision, a newborn Aegon nurses from the breast of Elia. The woman is seated in a great wooden bed. Rhaegar decides on the name "Aegon" for his newborn son, as he thinks the name fit for a king. Elia asks whether Rhaegar will make a song for their son. He replies that Aegon already has a song, "the song of ice and fire". Part of his role as "the prince that was promised".

However, Rhaegar then claims that there must be "one more", since "the dragon has three heads". Rhaegar moves to a seat near the window, and picks up a harp. Daenerys listens to the "sweet sadness" of his music as the vision fades away. {{Ref|aCoK|48}} Daenerys later describes this vision to [[Jorah Mormont]]. Jorah helps her confirm the identities of the people in this vision. But points out that if Aegon was the promised prince, the promise was broken with his death. {{Ref|aCoK|63}} Daenerys notices a pattern in the names Rhaegar chose for his children. They were named after [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and his sisters. There was a daughter named after the original [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], but none named after [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]]. She wonders if that was the missing third head of the dragon. Neither Daenerys, nor Jorah have heard of the term "song of ice and fire". They are unable to determine its meaning. {{Ref|aCoK|63}}

===A Dance with Dragons===
While in [[Meereen]], [[Daenerys]] has mused about Aegon who would have been the sixth to sit on the [[Iron Throne]]. She is yet unaware that he is alive. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} She thought to herself:

{{Quote|''"If he had lived, I might have married him. Aegon would have been closer to my age than Viserys"''. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} }}

Aegon to better conceal his identity Aegon dyes his silver [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] hair blue, which also makes his violet eyes appear blue. He uses the false story that his mother was a [[Tyrosh|Tyroshi]] who dyed her hair blue, and he does it to honor her memory. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|14}} {{ref|aDwD|18}}

In {{Date|300}}, [[Illyrio Mopatis]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]] jointly depart [[Pentos]], heading towards the river Rhoyne. On the journey Illyrio explains the purpose of Tyrion's mission. He and "Griff" ([[Jon Connington]]) are to head towards [[Volantis]]. Waiting for the expected arrival of [[Daenerys Targaryen]] in that city, with fresh forces and more ships for her cause. Based on Illyrio's information, Daenerys has conquered [[Astapor]], made [[Yunkai]] bend the knee, and sacked [[Meereen]]. He estimates that Daenerys is heading westwards. Either by land to [[Mantarys]] or by sea to Volantis. {{Ref|aDwD|5}} Tyrion wants more information on Griff, who Illyrio supposedly trusts as a brother. Illyrio simply points that unlike most [[Mercenary|sellswords]], Griff is a dotting father. He also mentions that his boy, "Young Griff" (Aegon) is a noble lad. {{Ref|aDwD|5}}

In arms practice with [[Rolly Duckfield]], the student surpasses the master. Aegon manages to knock Rolly into a horse trough. An embarrassed Rolly claims that he fell on purpose to make Aegon laugh. Haldon laughs at him.{{Ref|aDwD|8}} Three days following this incident, Illyrio and Tyrion end their joined journey when they meet [[Haldon]] and Rolly. Illyrio specifically asks them for information on Young Griff. Haldon replies that Young Griff is now taller, as tall as the elder Griff. He then narrates about the incident during arms practice. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Illyrio has brought a gift for Young Grief, candied ginger. Pointing that the boy was always fond of it. An "oddly sad" Illyrio wants to prepare a farewell feast for the lad and offers to join them as far as [[Ghoyan Drohe]]. Haldon points out that there is no time for feasts. Griff is in a hurry to move downriver. There is information that the [[Dothraki]] [[khalasar]]s of [[Motho]] and [[Zekko]] are crossing the [[Forest of Qohor]], heading towards the Rhoyne. Both khals are fleeing from the much larger khalasar of [[Pono]], who might also be heading for the Rhoyne. Griff wants to avoid any encounter with the Dothraki. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Tyrion joins Haldon and Rolly for the trip back to their boat. Illyrio leaves a message for Young Griff. Expressing his regret that he won't be present for the boy's wedding. But swears to rejoin the boy in [[Westeros]]. His shoulders were slumped, again indicating sadness. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} Traveling by horse for a couple of days, the trio of travelers encounter the [[Shy Maid]] in the vicinity of [[Ghoyan Drohe]]. Young Griff greets "Duck" and Haldon with shouts, while standing on the cabin of the poleboat. Trying to open a conversation, Tyrion points out to Young Griff that blue hair will get him ridiculed in Westeros. Young Griff is taken aback. He claims to dye hair in memory of his deceased mother, a lady of [[Tyrosh]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

The Shy Maid continues traveling down the Rhoyne towards Volantis. Tyrion watches Young Griff enjoying his breakfast, bacon. All the while contemplating the overall appearance of the boy. Following breakfast, Duck invites Young Griff for arms practice. The two practice with swords for this morning, evenly matched. Young Griff lands more blows, Duck fewer but harder ones. Duck tires first, allowing Young Griff the opportunity to start a furious attack. Duck retreats towards the stern. Young Griff uses a shoulder slam to throw his opponent into the river. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

A wet Duckfield does not appreciate being teased by Tyrion, throwing the dwarf into the river. Young Griff extends a pole to Tyrion, helping him return aboard the boat. Tyrion uses a cartwheel to spray everyone around him with water. Young Griff is amused and asks where Tyrion learned this trick. Tyrion offers him a false origin story. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} With arms practice over, Young Griff joins [[Lemore]] for a lesson on the mysteries of the [[Faith of the Seven]]. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} During the evening, Young Griff joins Haldon for lessons in languages, geometry, and history. Tyrion joins them in this day's lessons. With the lesson over, Young Griff helps [[Yandry]] with the sails and poles of the boat. Tyrion discusses Young Griff's education with Haldon. He points that such as an extensive education is unusual for "some sellsword's son". Haldon fails to understand what Tyrion is implying about the boy. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} Hours later, Young Griff hoots the joy when their boat encounters the [[Old Man of the River]], a huge horned turtle. Most members of the crew take this for a good sign, Tyrion privately considers this a wonder. One of the wonders which mark the birth of kings. Already hinting at the real identity of Young Griff. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

The Shy Maid continues its way down the Rhoyne, traveling through fog in the vicinity of the Sorrows. Young Griff takes position at the prow of the poleboat, holding a pole. He is ready to use it to push the boat away from potential hazards. Young Griff speculates about the presence of fish in this area of the river, [[Ysilla]] warns him against eating any fish taken from these waters. {{Ref|aDwD|18}} When discussion turns to "Garin's Curse", another term for [[greyscale]], Ysilla tells a brief story concerning [[Garin (Prince)|Garin]]. The men of Volantis and [[Valyria]] had hung him in a golden cage, mocking his calls to [[Mother Rhoyne]]. Mocking his prayers for their destruction. The river rose and drowned his captors. But the story speaks of restless "lords of fire" who still live beneath the water, their flesh now as stony as their hearts. After listening to the story, Young Griff is not particularly disturbed. Certain that they could face these restless Valyrians and any other [[Stone men]]. Lemore warns him that pride is a grievous sin. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

When the Shy Maid makes its way through the Sorrows, Young Griff uses his pole to push the boat away from a broken tower. {{ref|aDwD|18}} Some time, later, the boy warns of a light ahead of them. His father recognizes the light as coming from the Bridge of Dream. Griff instructs his son to escort Lemore to her cabin and then stay with her. Young Griff stubbornly refuses, denying a need for protection. Claiming that his training to become a [[knight]] should be sufficient to protect himself. Griff commands him to back down. The youth curses under his breath. Pointing out angrily that Haldon, Ysilla, and "Hugor" (Tyrion) are not running for cover. When Tyrion joins in trying to convince Young Griff to back down, the youth replies with a scornful "You're a dwarf". Tyrion tries to explain that Young Griff is everything for their mission. His words are interrupted when the Shy Maid seemingly passes below the Bridge of Dream. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

With the danger posed by the stone men seemingly over, Young Griff turns his attention back to Tyrion. He grabs the dwarf's arm and demands answers. "Why am I everything?" Tyrion points out that the death of anyone else on board would be mourned. But the death of Young Griff would abort their mission. Young Griff realized that Tyrion has found out about his true identity. Tyrion lists the clues that led him to the deduction that Young Griff is Aegon Targaryen, the boy [[Tywin Lannister]] had wrapped in a crimson cloak. A confused Aegon finally learns that "Hugor" is Tyrion Lannister. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

Before the encounter between its crew members ends, the Shy Maid approaches the Bridge of Dream for a second time. An unexplained return as they were heading for the opposite direction. Griff commands Haldon to escort Aegon below. Haldon has no time to fulfill his mission. During the second passing of the ship, three stone men from the Bridge boarded the ship. (Tyrion initially sees only two, failing to see the one behind his back). The third stone man lurches forward and reaches for Aegon. The boy freezes in shock with his hand still on the sword hilt, failing to defend himself. Tyrion kicks one of Aegon's legs, making the prince loose his balance and fall. Tyrion then leaps over the fallen body and attacks the stone man with a torch. While the rest of the crew attempts to shield Aegon, the two struggling figures fall into the Rhoyne. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

The Shy Maid has reached [[Selhorys]] by the time Tyrion regains consciousness. Aegon is in a sullen mood, forced to remain on board for his own safety. The town is under the control of the city of Volantis. Dothraki riders had been located in the vicinity of Selhorys. The triarchs of Volantis had feared an attack and had warships, river galleys, and slave soldiers transferred to the town. The crew members wanted to prevent Aegon from having dangerous encounters in the area. Despite his insistance that he knows how to use a sword. Lemore points out that even the bravest Targaryens did not trust their fate on their swords alone. They kept the [[Kingsguard]] by their side. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

Lemore herself had changed from septa's robes to secular garb. Pointing to Aegon that he was not alone in having to hide. The prince still seems frustrated. Tyrion challenges him to a game of [[cyvasse]]. Tyrion privately assesses the game strategy of Aegon. He feels it is "a young man's formation", bold and foolish. Aegon risks everything for a quick kill. Tyrion starts a conversation, actually fishing Aegon for information. Aegon innocently offers background information on Jon Connington, and then narrates his own origin story. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

Tyrion switches the conversation towards the real purpose of their journey. The plan to have Aegon married to his aunt Daenerys. He warns the prince that Daenerys might not be the willing bride that everyone seems to expect. Aegon is shocked, having never considered the idea that she might turn down his marriage offer. Tyrion points out that Daenerys is a proud, strong, and fierce young woman who will not appreciate a relative coming to her with a begging bowl, certainly not one with a stronger claim to the [[Iron Throne]] than her own. Aegon angrily denies being a beggar, pointing at his own army: the [[Golden Company]]. Tyrion points out that Daenerys has a larger army than his own and owes nothing to Aegon. Aegon protests, trusting in Lord Connington to win her over. Tyrion calls him a fool, warning him {{ref|aDwD|22}}: {{Quote|Trust no one, my prince. {{ref|aDwD|22}} }}

Tyrion plants the seeds of doubt on the young prince, pointing that Haldon, Jon Connington, Rolly Duckfield, Lemore and every one of the friends who raised him could also betray him, and that Illyrio Mopatis, Varys, and Daenerys are even less trustworthy. He then suggests a different course of action to Aegon. Heading to [[Westeros]] instead of going east, taking advantage of all the problems caused by the [[War of the Five Kings]]. He points that [[the North]] is in a chaotic condition, the [[Riverlands]] are devastated, while [[Stannis Baratheon]] holds [[Storm's End]] and [[Dragonstone]]. The coming winter will starve out the realm. He then paints the opposition as particularly weak. He points that King [[Tommen Baratheon]] is just a boy, and all his potential regents come with their own problems. [[Cersei Lannister]] will alienate her own allies, [[Jaime Lannister]] actively avoids the responsibility of ruling, and [[Kevan Lannister]] is a born follower. [[Mace Tyrell]] will have to fight the Lannisters to become regent, and Stannis' unpopularity makes him an unlikely choice. Only a victorious Aegon can hope to meet Daenerys as her equal. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

The game of cyvasse ends with a loss for Aegon. During the game, the Prince had taken an advise on strategy from his opponent. An advice which intentionally manipulated him towards defeat. Tyrion once again warns, trust no one, proving that even advisors can not be trusted. A frustrated Aegon kicks over the board, discarding the cyvasse pieces across the deck of the poleboat. He then commands Tyrion to pick up the pieces. Tyrion recognizes a Targaryen in this behavior. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

The Shy Maid is stationed at the riverfront of [[Volon Therys]]. Jon Connington and Aegon depart the ship, heading towards the camp of the [[Golden Company]]. The mercenaries have situated themselves 3 miles (4,83 kilometers) south of the town. The travelers have already learned that Daenerys is still in Meereen, and that Illyrio had miscalculated. Aegon complains of being sick of the blue dye in his hair, eager to wash it out. He smiles at the idea of having his own army. But then expresses concerns over the loyalty of sellswords. Connington tries to explain that men should be allowed to earn trust through loyal service. Both trusting and mistrusting everyone without reason should be avoided. Privately, Connington worries that Aegon could take Tyrion's advise to heart and become as paranoid as Aerys II. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Arriving at the camp, Connington introduces the boy as his squire to [[Franklyn Flowers]]. Flowers escorts them to the tent of [[Harry Strickland]], for their initial meeting with the officers of the Company. Strickland initially sees the boy as a son to Connington. Connington instead introduces him as Aegon VI, King of the [[Andal]]s, [[Rhoynar]], and the [[First Men]]. This introduction is met with silence by the officers. Connington realizes that all of them were aware of Aegon's identity for sometime. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Connington and the the officers briefly discuss about Daenerys' lingering presence in Meereen and the ongoing conflict in [[Slaver's Bay]]. Wondering whether they should head east and join the conflict. Several of them are already disillusioned with Daenerys. Aegon sees the opportunity to introduce his own plan of going to Westeros and claiming the throne in his own name. Strickland tries to point out the risk of this plan. But most of the officers are eager to support this course of action. Aegon further explains that his aunt is welcome to keep Meereen. His plan is to move fast and strike hard, gaining a foothold before the Lannisters can react. This would certainly gain them some new allies. Connington is impressed, thinking that this is a new side of Aegon. All officers swear allegiance to Aegon. They agree, however, to keep his identity secret from the soldiers. At least until they actually land in Westeros. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Ten ships of the Golden Company departed Volantis. Six of them made it to Westeros, landing at [[Cape Wrath]]. Connington leads 1/4 of the forces in seizing [[Griffin's Roost]]. Simultaneously [[Tristan Rivers]] besieges [[Crows Nest]], and [[Laswell Peake]] besieges [[Rain House]]. Each with their own 1/4 of the Company. Aegon remains in their camp, guarded by the remaining 1/4 of the Company under [[Gorys Edoryen]]. Haldon collects information about the military and diplomatic situation across Westeros. He already considers marital alliances for King Aegon and his [[Hand of the King]], Jon Connington. The latter is against both such plans. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington receives news that part of the missing four ships landed in [[Estermont]]. [[Marq Mandrake]] has led the men there in capturing [[Greenstone]]. The rest of the ships are still missing. Franklyn Flowers suggests that the missing men are scattered across the [[Stepstones]]. Connington decides to bring Aegon to Griffin's Roost for increased safety. Franklyn points,however, that Aegon would like to be in the thick of things. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington has a plan to capture [[Storm's End]], last foothold of Stannis in the [[Stormlands]]. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Four days later, Aegon arrives at Griffin's Roost. He rides at the head of a column including a hundred [[horse]]s with their riders, and three [[elephant]]s. He is accompanied by Lemore and Rolly Duckfield, the first person in his version of the Kingsguard. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington remembers arguing with Aegon over the appointment of Rolly. Connington had pointed out that seats in the Kingsguard should be reserved for warriors of great renown and/or sons of great lords. Aegon pointed out that [[Jaime Lannister]] fit that description perfectly, and was currently known as the Kingslayer. He would rather have men personally loyal to himself, ready to die for his safety. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington asks to have the Prince escorted to his solar. But soon realizes that Prince Aegon is less biddable (obedient) than Young Griff. Aegon leaves him waiting for "the better half of a hour". Bringing Duck with him instead of coming alone. Connington tries to dismiss the bodyguard, but Aegon insists on having Rolly by his side. Aegon mentions discussing the plan to take Storm's End with Strickland and Flowers. Strickland even tried to persuade him to delay the plan. Aegon,however, feels Strickland is a bit of "an old maid" and is in favor of the plan. With one significant change. He intends to personally lead the attack. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

The [[Small Council]] in [[King's Landing]] discusses the matter of the [[Golden Company]]. [[Qyburn]] and [[Pycelle]] have received reports about mercenaries landing in [[Tarth]], the Stepstones, and Estermont. There are also reports about Jon Connington heading against Storm's End. [[Kevan Lannister]] points out that now they have opponents to their south. A third ongoing threat along with Stannis in the North and the [[Ironborn]] in the west. Kevan already has information about a new Targaryen pretender having Coined connington, though [[Randyll Tarly]] dismisses Aegon as an impostor. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}} Pycelle suggests that they could use gold to purchase the loyalty of the Golden company. Then the sellswords would hand over Lord Connington and the pretender. [[Harys Swyft]] points out that the Iron Throne is heavily in debt and has no gold to offer. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

Varys informs the dying Kevan that Aegon will raise his banner above Storm's End. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

==Quotes about Aegon==
{{Quote|''"Aegon has been shaped for rule before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. [[Tommen I|Tommen]] has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them".'' {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}}} [[Varys]] to the dying [[Kevan Lannister]]

{{Quote|''"His silvery hair was blowing in the wind, and his eyes were a deep purple, darker than this boy's".'' {{Ref|aDwD|61}}}} [[Jon Connington]] reminisces about prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] as he addressed Aegon following the capture of Griffin's Roost by the [[Golden Company]].

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree now}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Template:Kings of Westeros}}

[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[es:Aegon Targaryen]][[fr:Aegon Targaryen]][[ru:Эйгон Таргариен (сын Рэйгара)]][[zh:伊耿·坦格利安]]
[[pt:Aegon Targaryen]]

Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)

2012-10-28T17:07:39Z

Benethon Stark:

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Aegon Targaryen''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image =
| image_caption =
| Alias = Young Griff (possible)
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Valyrian]]
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth = [[King's Landing]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|282}}
| Place_of_Death = 
| Date_of_Death = 
| Books = [[A Game of Thrones]] (Mentioned) [[A Clash of Kings]] (Mentioned) [[A Storm of Swords]] (Mentioned) [[A Feast for Crows]] (Mentioned) [[A Dance with Dragons]] (Appears)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played by =
| TV_series =
}}
{{See homonyms | Aegon Targaryen (disambiguation)}}

'''Aegon Targaryen''' was the second child and only son of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] and [[Elia Martell]]. Had he ascended to the throne he would have ruled as '''Aegon VI'''.

==Character and Appearance==
According to semi-canon sources Aegon looks like a [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]].<ref>Westeros. "A Number of Questions." (August 26, 2000). [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/A_Number_of_Questions/ So Spake Martin]</ref> As an infant, Aegon had "fair hair". {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

The older Aegon is described as a lithe and well-made youth, with a lanky build. [[Tyrion Lannister]] initially estimated him to be "fifteen" or "sixteen" years-old. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} According to [[Haldon]], Aegon is as tall as [[Jon Connington]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} Aegon has a lanky build that suggests that he has yet to reach his full growth. Tyrion noted that his eyes seem to be dark blue. But look black by lamplight, and [[purple eyes|purple]] in the light of dusk. His eyelashes are long, seemingly feminine. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He is exceptionally handsome and has the Targaryen traits of silver hair and purple eyes, both features which are also present in his aunt [[Daenerys]]. Jon Connington notes that Aegon's eyes were a lighter shade of purple to those of Rhaegar. He dyes his hair blue to conceal his identity.{{ref|aDwD|18}} {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Aegon is well educated and intelligent, speaking several languages and well versed in history. He speaks the [[Common Tongue]] as a native speaker. He is fluent in [[High Valyrian]], in the Bastard Valyrian dialects of [[Pentos]], [[Tyrosh]], [[Myr]], and [[Lys]], and in [[Trade Talk]]. He is a novice at speaking the dialect of [[Volantis]], only familiar with a few of its words. The dialect of [[Meereen]], whose terms derive from both Valyrian and [[Ghiscari Empire|Ghiscari]], gives him trouble. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} He has some training in mathematics. He has a decent knowledge of [[w:Summation|sums]] and a limited understanding of [[w:Geometry|geometry]]. He also has been trained in songs. Tyrion notes that Aegon is more learned than "half the lords in [[Westeros]]". {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

==History==
===Birth===
[[File: ReneAigner_Dragonguard.jpg‎ ‎| A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived - art by Rene Aigner ©|thumb|450px|right]]
A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived, which led his father [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] to believe that he was the ''[[Azor Ahai|Prince that was Promised]]''. The comet was seen as "the bleeding star" of the prophecy. [[Maester Aemon]] was aware of Rhaegar's beliefs, though it is unclear if he shared them. Aemon later came to doubt the wisdom of looking for a prince, rather than a princess. He realized there was a translation error, the term translated was fluid in terms of gender. Connected to the term for [[dragon]]s, who are neither male nor female. {{ref|aFfC|35}}

According to the recollections of [[Jon Connington]], [[Elia Martell]] was always frail and sickly. Giving birth to her daughter [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] had left her bedridden for half a year. Giving birth to Aegon had almost killed her. The [[maesters]] had told Rhaegar that Elia would bear no more children. {{Ref|aDwD|61}}

===Sack of King's Landing===

Aegon was just an infant during [[Robert's Rebellion]].{{ref|aGoT|20}} {{Ref|aGoT|30}} Following the [[Battle of the Trident]], [[Aerys II Targaryen]] decided to send [[Rhaella Targaryen|Queen Rhaella]] and [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] to [[Dragonstone]]. The original plan was for Elia to join them. But Aerys II instead thought of using her as a hostage against [[Dorne]]. He blamed the lost battle of the Trident on the supposed treason of [[Lewyn Martell]]. He chose to keep Elia and Aegon by his side, in his view ensuring the continued loyalty of Dorne. {{Ref|aSoS|37}} After the death of Rhaegar, [[Pycelle]] was convinced that the war was effectively over. In his view, [[House Targaryen]] could no longer offer a proper king to the realm. Aerys II was "mad", Viserys "too young", and Aegon still "a babe at the breast". Pycelle worked to convince Aerys II to open the gates of [[King's Landing]] to the Lannister forces. Pycelle secretly prayed and hope that his actions would help [[Tywin Lannister]] rise to the throne. {{Ref|aCoK|25}}

During the [[Sack of King's Landing]], [[Jaime Lannister]] killed Aerys in the throne room of the [[Red Keep]]. [[Elys Westerling]], [[Roland Crakehall (Lord)|Roland Crakehall]], and other Lannister knights then burst in the room. At approximately the same, other Lannister soldiers fought Targaryen loyalists in the steps and armory of the Red Keep, [[Gregor Clegane]] and [[Amory Lorch]] were scaling the walls of Maegor's Holdfast, and [[Eddard Stark]] was leading the men of [[the North]] through the city gates. Lord Crakehall asked Jaime if they should proclaim a new king. Left unsaid was a clear implication, he was asking whether Jaime would proclaim Tywin Lannister, [[Robert Baratheon]], or a member of [[House Targaryen]]. Jaime remembered that Aegon and his mother were in Maegor's Holdfast, while Viserys was in [[Dragonstone]]. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Jaime briefly toyed with the idea of proclaiming a new Targaryen King. Tywin would gain control, as [[Hand of the King]], the "wolves" of the North would howl in frustration, Robert would choke with rage. Jaime found this option tempting. Until he glanced at the corpse of Aerys II. Recalling that both Aegon and Viserys had inherited the blood of Aerys, Jaime decided against supporting either one of them. He told Crakehall to proclaim whoever the man wanted. Jaime seated himself on the [[Iron Throne]], simply waiting to see who would arrive to claim the throne and the kingdom. He was still sitting there when Eddard entered the throne room. {{Ref|aSoS|11}}

Viserys often told stories to his sister Daenerys. One of these stories involved the [[Sack of King's Landing]] by the "Usurper's dogs", [[Tywin Lannister]] and [[Eddard Stark]]. In this story, Elia Martell was pleading for mercy as Aegon was ripped from her breast and murdered before her eyes. Aegon was "Rhaegar's heir". {{Ref|aGoT|3}} Daenerys later recalled an additional detail, men had dashed the head of Aegon against a wall. {{Ref|aGoT|64}} Eddard Stark recalls that "Lord Tywin's soldiers" had torn Aegon from his mother's breast and dashed his head against a wall. They were also said to have dragged [[Rhaenys daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaenys]] from beneath her bed, putting her to the sword.{{ref|aGoT|12}} Eddard Stark had heard rumors that it was Gregor Clegane who dashed the skull of infant Aegon against a wall. It was whispered that afterward Gregor had raped [[Elia Martell]], and then put her to the sword. At the time Gregor was only "seventeen". Nobody dared to repeat these rumors when Gregor himself could be listening. {{Ref|aGoT|30}} According to [[Tyrion Lannister]], the responsibility of Gregor for the murders of Elia and Aegon was "common knowledge" in [[Casterly Rock]]. The tale went that for the duration of Gregor's rape of Elia, his hands were still covered in the blood and brains of Aegon. {{Ref|aCoK|17}} A wounded Gregor later narrated a brief account of the events to [[Oberyn Martell]], while killing him. He had first killed Aegon, the "screaming whelp". Then came the rape of Elia; Clegane claimed to have smashed her head with his bare hands, the same method Gregor used to finish off Oberyn. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Tywin Lannister later narrated his view of the events to his son Tyrion. Rhaenys was hiding under Rhaegar's bed, while Elia and Aegon were in the nursery, just a floor below the location of Rhaenys. Tywin was aware that he had kept [[the Westerlands]] from joining Robert's cause for most of the Rebellion. They had only joined said cause at the last stage of the war, and their loyalty would be suspected. He needed a way to demonstrate loyalty to Robert, a way to convince people that the Lannisters had severed all ties to House Targaryen. In addition, Eddard Stark was also heading toward's King's Landing, leading the remnants of Robert's army south from the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]]. Instead of the Lannister and Stark forces meeting as allies, there was still a chance for the two armies to clash. Tywin also feared that his elder son [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] might do something stupid or that Aerys would kill Jaime for no more reason than sheer spite {{Ref|aSoS|53}}.

Tywin decided to have his troops eliminate Rhaegar's children. In a single move, the Lannisters would have proven their commitment to the Rebellion and secured the throne for Robert by eliminating rival claimants for the throne. Tywin himself was somewhat surprised by the result of his commands. The murders were performed "too brutally" for his needs; he insisted that Elia didn't have to die, it happened because he didn't specify she should be spared. He had not grasped yet that Gregor is bestial, not just "terrible in battle". Gregor chose himself the manner of Aegon's death. He had not received any instructions concerning Elia. He was improvising when he raped and killed her. Amory Lorch was the man who located Rhaenys, dragging her from under the bed. The girl kicked him and would not stop screaming. Lorch killed her with about fifty sword thrusts. Tywin himself, after the fact, pointed out a more logical way to perform the deed. A few sweet words to calm the girl, a soft pillow to suffocate her. The blood was unnecessary in his view. {{Ref|aSoS|53}} [[Oberyn Martell]] had another view on Tywin's motives. Elia was once supposed to marry Jaime Lannister, based on an agreement between her mother and [[Joanna Lannister]]. Following the death of Joanna, Tywin broke the agreement, though he offered Tyrion as a a prospective bridegroom instead of Jaime, taunting the Martells. He had also informed them that [[Cersei Lannister]] was meant for Rhaegar, not for Oberyn. When Elia married Rhaegar, the Martells had ruined Tywin's plans. Tywin was "not a man to forget such slights". Oberyn believed that the murder of Elia was decided by Tywin, to teach Elia the same lesson that Houses [[House Reyne|Reyne]] and [[House Tarbeck|Tarbeck]] had learned. {{Ref|aSoS|70}}

Eddard Stark recalled how Tywin Lannister presented [[Robert Baratheon]] with the corpses of Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. His "token of fealty". {{ref|aGoT|12}} Tywin had laid the bodies beneath the [[Iron Throne]], wrapped in the crimson cloaks of his house guard. A clever choice, as the blood was less obvious against the red cloth. Rhaenys had been barefoot, dressed in a bed gown. The condition of the boy horrified Eddard. {{ref|aGoT|45}} The skull was a "red ruin", even Robert could not stand its sight. Robert had turned away from the sight. {{ref|aGoT|20}} [[Kevan Lannister]] was also present during this scene. He was able to recognize Rhaenys. But recalls that nobody could recognize Aegon. All that remained of the boy was a faceless horror of bone, brain, and gore. A few hanks of fair hair. Nobody could stand looking at the body for long. Tywin stated that this was Aegon and everyone else took him at his word. Seventeen years later, Kevan was no longer certain of Tywin's word on the matter.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

===Reactions to the death===
*[[Robert Baratheon]] was actually relieved and glad that the royal children were killed. Robert viewed himself as a hero, and was reluctant to kill children, but he knew Rhaegar's children had to die if his throne was ever to be secure. Tywin painted himself as the villain, allowing Robert to keep his hands clean, the reason Robert refused to punish any of the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] for the brutal act.{{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Tywin Lannister]] knew this act would prove to Robert that [[House Lannister]] had forsaken the [[House Targaryen|dragon]] forever. Years later, Tyrion came to question the wisdom of the act. Robert Baratheon would have bloodied his own hands, soiling his own reputation. Instead the Lannisters had damaged their own reputation, gaining long-term enemies in the process. {{Ref|aSoS|53}}

*[[Eddard Stark]] called the act murder, Robert just called it war. Eddard protested that Aegon and Rhaenys were "no more than babes". Robert replied that they were not babes, only dragonspawn. The two men quarreled over the matter, [[Jon Arryn]] unable to calm them. Eddard had ridden out of King's Landing in a cold rage, heading south to fight the last battles of the war on his own. They would only be reconciled by their shared grief over the death of [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]].{{ref|aGoT|12}}

*[[Thoros of Myr]] claims to have personally seen the corpses of Aegon and Rhaenys, as they were placed before the Iron Throne. In his view, [[House Clegane]] was "built upon dead children" and their arms should display "two bloody infants". {{Ref|aSoS|34}}

*[[Arianne Martell]] recalled Robert as a monster who climbed onto his throne over the corpses of children, directly connecting his rise to the murders of Aegon and Rhaenys. Robert is not held in high regard in [[Dorne]].{{ref|aFfC|13}}

*[[Viserys Targaryen]] was convinced that the [[Dornishmen]] were determined to avenge Elia and her children. {{Ref|aGoT|3}}

*Years following the murders, [[Doran Martell]] still mourns for the victims. According to [[Varys]], the consequent hatred of Doran for [[House Lannister]] is well known.{{Ref|aCoK|17}} Doran himself claims to have worked at the downfall of Tywin Lannister for all these years. Ever since he learned what had happended to Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys. {{ref|aFfC|40}}

*[[Oberyn Martell]], in his words, hungered for justice for sixteen years. Justice for Elia and her children. Certain that Gregor was only following orders. {{Ref|aCoK|38}} [[Oberyn Martell]] wanted vengeance on the man who gave the orders, not just the man who performed the deed. {{Ref|aCoK|66}}

*[[Nymeria Sand]] believes that the only fitting payment for the death of Elia's children, would be the death of "Lord Tywin's golden twins". [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] would pay with their lives for the old murders. {{ref|aFfC|2}}

*[[Jacelyn Bywater]] stated to [[Tyrion Lannister]] there were still whispers in King's Landings that "the butchery of Rhaegar's children" was one of the sins of [[House Lannister]]. And that the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]] would punish the entire city for the sins of this House. {{Ref|aCoK|41}}

*[[Daenerys Targaryen]] can't see a difference between Houses [[House Lannister|Lannister]] and [[House Stark|Stark]]. She considers Eddard Stark also responsible for the murders of Rhaenys and Aegon, arguing that "the Usurper's dogs" acted as a pack of hounds, hunting children. Which individual hound kills a child doesn't matter, all the dogs are equally guilty. [[Barristan Selmy]] disagrees with her, and has tried to explain the distinction between Eddard and Tywin. Daenerys notices a "flicker of disapproval" in his face when she insists on her original opinion. {{Ref|aDwD|11}}

*[[Barristan Selmy]] himself has been haunted by the idea of the ''"bloody bodies"'' of Aegon and Rhaenys. His serious injuries following the [[Battle of the Trident]] prevented him from personally examining the corpses. But he wondered for years about the reaction of Robert to the bodies and whether Robert smiled at the bodies. Selmy contemplates that such a smile would motivate him to personally kill Robert and that no army could save him. {{Ref|aDwD|67}}

===Reported survival===
[[Image:Aegon6.jpg|Young Griff, who claims to be Prince Aegon|thumb|300px|left]]
A young man considering himself to be Aegon, explains his apparent survival to [[Tyrion Lannister]]. According to his account, the boy killed during the Sack of King's Landing was a [[Pisswater prince]]. He had been born at the Pisswater Bend, a street of King's Landing. His father was a tanner, and his mother had died at birth. The tanner sold his boy to [[Varys]] for a jug of [[Arbor]] gold [[wine]]. The man had other sons, but wanted to experience the taste of Arbor gold for once in his life. Varys then arranged the swap between the two infants boys. Elia received the Pisswater prince, Varys took custody of the real Aegon. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} Tyrion Lannister deduces the rest of the story. When the Pisswater prince was "safely dead", Varys smuggled Aegon across the [[narrow sea]]. Varys entrusted the boy to [[Illyrio Mopatis]], who in turn found an adoptive father for Aegon in the person of exiled Lord [[Jon Connington]]. Aegon does not comment on Tyrion's deductions. {{Ref|aDwD|22}}

According to the recollection of Jon Connington, he had to fake his own death "twelve years" before the present. In [[288 AL]], five years following the [[Battle of the Bells]], Varys had convinced him that the lie would be necessary for the safety of Aegon. Connington had spend the "five years" of his exile as a member of the [[Golden Company]], and had become the right-hand man to [[Myles Toyne]]. To fulfill Varys' plan, Connington first had to be discharged from the Company in disgrace. The crafted story went that he been stealing from its war chest. Then rumors reported that Connington drunk himself to death in [[Lys]]. In Varys' words, as a gallant exile Connington would be remembered. But few tend to remember thieves, drunks, and cowards. Reputed to be one of the latter, Connington too would be forgotten. {{Ref|aDwD|24}} Aegon spend most of his life hiding aboard the poleboat [[Shy Maid]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|22}} He shared a cabin with his adoptive father. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

Aegon has been trained in matters of military tactics by [[Jon Connington]] {{Ref|aDwD|24}}, arms by [[Rolly Duckfield]], in the [[Faith of the Seven]] by [[Lemore|Septa Lemore]], and history and languages by [[Haldon|Haldon Halfmaester]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|18}} He was taught to read and write. To study history, law, and poetry. He lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers, and mended nets. He learned practical things such as washing his own clothes, fishing, cooking, binding up wounds. He was familiarized with hunger, and the fear of being hunted. His education was intended to teach him that kingship was a duty, not a right. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

His claim to the [[Iron Throne]] is stronger than that of his aunt Daenerys. {{Ref|aDwD|22}} {{Ref|aDwD|24}} According to the relevant succession laws,{{Quote|"the sons of the first son come before the second son".'' {{Ref|aCoK|35}}}} Aegon is a son of Rhaegar, who was himself the first son of [[Aerys II]]. Placing Aegon higher in the Targaryen succession line than both [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] (Aerys second son) and [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] (the daughter of Aerys). {{Ref|aCoK|35}} According to Daenerys, Five Kings named "Aegon" have ruled in [[Westeros]]. Her nephew would have been the sixth, had he survived infancy. {{Ref|aSoS|57}} {{Ref|aDwD|2}} As yet there is no indication as to whether he has inherited the [[Targaryen]] propensity for [[dragon dreams]] as [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] has. He might have the potential for it, like all those with Targaryen blood, but only some members of this bloodline actually displayed this ability. <ref name="Forum1">Conversation topic: [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/58262-adwd-spoilers-dragon-dreams-of-ice-and-fire/ Dragon Dreams of Ice and Fire] on [http://asoiaf.westeros.org/ Westeros Forum] </ref>

==Recent Events==
===A Clash of Kings===
One of the visions [[Daenerys Targaryen]] sees in the [[House of the Undying]] involves Rhaegar, Elia, and Aegon. In this vision, a newborn Aegon nurses from the breast of Elia. The woman is seated in a great wooden bed. Rhaegar decides on the name "Aegon" for his newborn son, as he thinks the name fit for a king. Elia asks whether Rhaegar will make a song for their son. He replies that Aegon already has a song, "the song of ice and fire". Part of his role as "the prince that was promised".

However, Rhaegar then claims that there must be "one more", since "the dragon has three heads". Rhaegar moves to a seat near the window, and picks up a harp. Daenerys listens to the "sweet sadness" of his music as the vision fades away. {{Ref|aCoK|48}} Daenerys later describes this vision to [[Jorah Mormont]]. Jorah helps her confirm the identities of the people in this vision. But points out that if Aegon was the promised prince, the promise was broken with his death. {{Ref|aCoK|63}} Daenerys notices a pattern in the names Rhaegar chose for his children. They were named after [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and his sisters. There was a daughter named after the original [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], but none named after [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]]. She wonders if that was the missing third head of the dragon. Neither Daenerys, nor Jorah have heard of the term "song of ice and fire". They are unable to determine its meaning. {{Ref|aCoK|63}}

===A Dance with Dragons===
While in [[Meereen]], [[Daenerys]] has mused about Aegon who would have been the sixth to sit on the [[Iron Throne]]. She is yet unaware that he is alive. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} She thought to herself:

{{Quote|''"If he had lived, I might have married him. Aegon would have been closer to my age than Viserys"''. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} }}

Aegon to better conceal his identity Aegon dyes his silver [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] hair blue, which also makes his violet eyes appear blue. He uses the false story that his mother was a [[Tyrosh|Tyroshi]] who dyed her hair blue, and he does it to honor her memory. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} {{Ref|aDwD|14}} {{ref|aDwD|18}}

In {{Date|300}}, [[Illyrio Mopatis]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]] jointly depart [[Pentos]], heading towards the river Rhoyne. On the journey Illyrio explains the purpose of Tyrion's mission. He and "Griff" ([[Jon Connington]]) are to head towards [[Volantis]]. Waiting for the expected arrival of [[Daenerys Targaryen]] in that city, with fresh forces and more ships for her cause. Based on Illyrio's information, Daenerys has conquered [[Astapor]], made [[Yunkai]] bend the knee, and sacked [[Meereen]]. He estimates that Daenerys is heading westwards. Either by land to [[Mantarys]] or by sea to Volantis. {{Ref|aDwD|5}} Tyrion wants more information on Griff, who Illyrio supposedly trusts as a brother. Illyrio simply points that unlike most [[Mercenary|sellswords]], Griff is a dotting father. He also mentions that his boy, "Young Griff" (Aegon) is a noble lad. {{Ref|aDwD|5}}

In arms practice with [[Rolly Duckfield]], the student surpasses the master. Aegon manages to knock Rolly into a horse trough. An embarrassed Rolly claims that he fell on purpose to make Aegon laugh. Haldon laughs at him.{{Ref|aDwD|8}} Three days following this incident, Illyrio and Tyrion end their joined journey when they meet [[Haldon]] and Rolly. Illyrio specifically asks them for information on Young Griff. Haldon replies that Young Griff is now taller, as tall as the elder Griff. He then narrates about the incident during arms practice. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Illyrio has brought a gift for Young Grief, candied ginger. Pointing that the boy was always fond of it. An "oddly sad" Illyrio wants to prepare a farewell feast for the lad and offers to join them as far as [[Ghoyan Drohe]]. Haldon points out that there is no time for feasts. Griff is in a hurry to move downriver. There is information that the [[Dothraki]] [[khalasar]]s of [[Motho]] and [[Zekko]] are crossing the [[Forest of Qohor]], heading towards the Rhoyne. Both khals are fleeing from the much larger khalasar of [[Pono]], who might also be heading for the Rhoyne. Griff wants to avoid any encounter with the Dothraki. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

Tyrion joins Haldon and Rolly for the trip back to their boat. Illyrio leaves a message for Young Griff. Expressing his regret that he won't be present for the boy's wedding. But swears to rejoin the boy in [[Westeros]]. His shoulders were slumped, again indicating sadness. {{Ref|aDwD|8}} Traveling by horse for a couple of days, the trio of travelers encounter the [[Shy Maid]] in the vicinity of [[Ghoyan Drohe]]. Young Griff greets "Duck" and Haldon with shouts, while standing on the cabin of the poleboat. Trying to open a conversation, Tyrion points out to Young Griff that blue hair will get him ridiculed in Westeros. Young Griff is taken aback. He claims to dye hair in memory of his deceased mother, a lady of [[Tyrosh]]. {{Ref|aDwD|8}}

The Shy Maid continues traveling down the Rhoyne towards Volantis. Tyrion watches Young Griff enjoying his breakfast, bacon. All the while contemplating the overall appearance of the boy. Following breakfast, Duck invites Young Griff for arms practice. The two practice with swords for this morning, evenly matched. Young Griff lands more blows, Duck fewer but harder ones. Duck tires first, allowing Young Griff the opportunity to start a furious attack. Duck retreats towards the stern. Young Griff uses a shoulder slam to throw his opponent into the river. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

A wet Duckfield does not appreciate being teased by Tyrion, throwing the dwarf into the river. Young Griff extends a pole to Tyrion, helping him return aboard the boat. Tyrion uses a cartwheel to spray everyone around him with water. Young Griff is amused and asks where Tyrion learned this trick. Tyrion offers him a false origin story. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} With arms practice over, Young Griff joins [[Lemore]] for a lesson on the mysteries of the [[Faith of the Seven]]. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} During the evening, Young Griff joins Haldon for lessons in languages, geometry, and history. Tyrion joins them in this day's lessons. With the lesson over, Young Griff helps [[Yandry]] with the sails and poles of the boat. Tyrion discusses Young Griff's education with Haldon. He points that such as an extensive education is unusual for "some sellsword's son". Haldon fails to understand what Tyrion is implying about the boy. {{Ref|aDwD|14}} Hours later, Young Griff hoots the joy when their boat encounters the [[Old Man of the River]], a huge horned turtle. Most members of the crew take this for a good sign, Tyrion privately considers this a wonder. One of the wonders which mark the birth of kings. Already hinting at the real identity of Young Griff. {{Ref|aDwD|14}}

The Shy Maid continues its way down the Rhoyne, traveling through fog in the vicinity of the Sorrows. Young Griff takes position at the prow of the poleboat, holding a pole. He is ready to use it to push the boat away from potential hazards. Young Griff speculates about the presence of fish in this area of the river, [[Ysilla]] warns him against eating any fish taken from these waters. {{Ref|aDwD|18}} When discussion turns to "Garin's Curse", another term for [[greyscale]], Ysilla tells a brief story concerning [[Garin (Prince)|Garin]]. The men of Volantis and [[Valyria]] had hung him in a golden cage, mocking his calls to [[Mother Rhoyne]]. Mocking his prayers for their destruction. The river rose and drowned his captors. But the story speaks of restless "lords of fire" who still live beneath the water, their flesh now as stony as their hearts. After listening to the story, Young Griff is not particularly disturbed. Certain that they could face these restless Valyrians and any other [[Stone men]]. Lemore warns him that pride is a grievous sin. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

When the Shy Maid makes its way through the Sorrows, Young Griff uses his pole to push the boat away from a broken tower. {{ref|aDwD|18}} Some time, later, the boy warns of a light ahead of them. His father recognizes the light as coming from the Bridge of Dream. Griff instructs his son to escort Lemore to her cabin and then stay with her. Young Griff stubbornly refuses, denying a need for protection. Claiming that his training to become a [[knight]] should be sufficient to protect himself. Griff commands him to back down. The youth curses under his breath. Pointing out angrily that Haldon, Ysilla, and "Hugor" (Tyrion) are not running for cover. When Tyrion joins in trying to convince Young Griff to back down, the youth replies with a scornful "You're a dwarf". Tyrion tries to explain that Young Griff is everything for their mission. His words are interrupted when the Shy Maid seemingly passes below the Bridge of Dream. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

With the danger posed by the stone men seemingly over, Young Griff turns his attention back to Tyrion. He grabs the dwarf's arm and demands answers. "Why am I everything?" Tyrion points out that the death of anyone else on board would be mourned. But the death of Young Griff would abort their mission. Young Griff realized that Tyrion has found out about his true identity. Tyrion lists the clues that led him to the deduction that Young Griff is Aegon Targaryen, the boy [[Tywin Lannister]] had wrapped in a crimson cloak. A confused Aegon finally learns that "Hugor" is Tyrion Lannister. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

Before the encounter between its crew members ends, the Shy Maid approaches the Bridge of Dream for a second time. An unexplained return as they were heading for the opposite direction. Griff commands Haldon to escort Aegon below. Haldon has no time to fulfill his mission. During the second passing of the ship, three stone men from the Bridge boarded the ship. (Tyrion initially sees only two, failing to see the one behind his back). The third stone man lurches forward and reaches for Aegon. The boy freezes in shock with his hand still on the sword hilt, failing to defend himself. Tyrion kicks one of Aegon's legs, making the prince loose his balance and fall. Tyrion then leaps over the fallen body and attacks the stone man with a torch. While the rest of the crew attempts to shield Aegon, the two struggling figures fall into the Rhoyne. {{ref|aDwD|18}}

The Shy Maid has reached [[Selhorys]] by the time Tyrion regains consciousness. Aegon is in a sullen mood, forced to remain on board for his own safety. The town is under the control of the city of Volantis. Dothraki riders had been located in the vicinity of Selhorys. The triarchs of Volantis had feared an attack and had warships, river galleys, and slave soldiers transferred to the town. The crew members wanted to prevent Aegon from having dangerous encounters in the area. Despite his insistance that he knows how to use a sword. Lemore points out that even the bravest Targaryens did not trust their fate on their swords alone. They kept the [[Kingsguard]] by their side. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

Lemore herself had changed from septa's robes to secular garb. Pointing to Aegon that he was not alone in having to hide. The prince still seems frustrated. Tyrion challenges him to a game of [[cyvasse]]. Tyrion privately assesses the game strategy of Aegon. He feels it is "a young man's formation", bold and foolish. Aegon risks everything for a quick kill. Tyrion starts a conversation, actually fishing Aegon for information. Aegon innocently offers background information on Jon Connington, and then narrates his own origin story. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

Tyrion switches the conversation towards the real purpose of their journey. The plan to have Aegon married to his aunt Daenerys. He warns the prince that Daenerys might not be the willing bride that everyone seems to expect. Aegon is shocked, having never considered the idea that she might turn down his marriage offer. Tyrion points out that Daenerys is a proud, strong, and fierce young woman who will not appreciate a relative coming to her with a begging bowl, certainly not one with a stronger claim to the [[Iron Throne]] than her own. Aegon angrily denies being a beggar, pointing at his own army: the [[Golden Company]]. Tyrion points out that Daenerys has a larger army than his own and owes nothing to Aegon. Aegon protests, trusting in Lord Connington to win her over. Tyrion calls him a fool, warning him {{ref|aDwD|22}}: {{Quote|Trust no one, my prince. {{ref|aDwD|22}} }}

Tyrion plants the seeds of doubt on the young prince, pointing that Haldon, Jon Connington, Rolly Duckfield, Lemore and every one of the friends who raised him could also betray him, and that Illyrio Mopatis, Varys, and Daenerys are even less trustworthy. He then suggests a different course of action to Aegon. Heading to [[Westeros]] instead of going east, taking advantage of all the problems caused by the [[War of the Five Kings]]. He points that [[the North]] is in a chaotic condition, the [[Riverlands]] are devastated, while [[Stannis Baratheon]] holds [[Storm's End]] and [[Dragonstone]]. The coming winter will starve out the realm. He then paints the opposition as particularly weak. He points that King [[Tommen Baratheon]] is just a boy, and all his potential regents come with their own problems. [[Cersei Lannister]] will alienate her own allies, [[Jaime Lannister]] actively avoids the responsibility of ruling, and [[Kevan Lannister]] is a born follower. [[Mace Tyrell]] will have to fight the Lannisters to become regent, and Stannis' unpopularity makes him an unlikely choice. Only a victorious Aegon can hope to meet Daenerys as her equal. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

The game of cyvasse ends with a loss for Aegon. During the game, the Prince had taken an advise on strategy from his opponent. An advice which intentionally manipulated him towards defeat. Tyrion once again warns, trust no one, proving that even advisors can not be trusted. A frustrated Aegon kicks over the board, discarding the cyvasse pieces across the deck of the poleboat. He then commands Tyrion to pick up the pieces. Tyrion recognizes a Targaryen in this behavior. {{ref|aDwD|22}}

The Shy Maid is stationed at the riverfront of [[Volon Therys]]. Jon Connington and Aegon depart the ship, heading towards the camp of the [[Golden Company]]. The mercenaries have situated themselves 3 miles (4,83 kilometers) south of the town. The travelers have already learned that Daenerys is still in Meereen, and that Illyrio had miscalculated. Aegon complains of being sick of the blue dye in his hair, eager to wash it out. He smiles at the idea of having his own army. But then expresses concerns over the loyalty of sellswords. Connington tries to explain that men should be allowed to earn trust through loyal service. Both trusting and mistrusting everyone without reason should be avoided. Privately, Connington worries that Aegon could take Tyrion's advise to heart and become as paranoid as Aerys II. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Arriving at the camp, Connington introduces the boy as his squire to [[Franklyn Flowers]]. Flowers escorts them to the tent of [[Harry Strickland]], for their initial meeting with the officers of the Company. Strickland initially sees the boy as a son to Connington. Connington instead introduces him as Aegon VI, King of the [[Andal]]s, [[Rhoynar]], and the [[First Men]]. This introduction is met with silence by the officers. Connington realizes that all of them were aware of Aegon's identity for sometime. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Connington and the the officers briefly discuss about Daenerys' lingering presence in Meereen and the ongoing conflict in [[Slaver's Bay]]. Wondering whether they should head east and join the conflict. Several of them are already disillusioned with Daenerys. Aegon sees the opportunity to introduce his own plan of going to Westeros and claiming the throne in his own name. Strickland tries to point out the risk of this plan. But most of the officers are eager to support this course of action. Aegon further explains that his aunt is welcome to keep Meereen. His plan is to move fast and strike hard, gaining a foothold before the Lannisters can react. This would certainly gain them some new allies. Connington is impressed, thinking that this is a new side of Aegon. All officers swear allegiance to Aegon. They agree, however, to keep his identity secret from the soldiers. At least until they actually land in Westeros. {{ref|aDwD|24}}

Ten ships of the Golden Company departed Volantis. Six of them made it to Westeros, landing at [[Cape Wrath]]. Connington leads 1/4 of the forces in seizing [[Griffin's Roost]]. Simultaneously [[Tristan Rivers]] besieges [[Crows Nest]], and [[Laswell Peake]] besieges [[Rain House]]. Each with their own 1/4 of the Company. Aegon remains in their camp, guarded by the remaining 1/4 of the Company under [[Gorys Edoryen]]. Haldon collects information about the military and diplomatic situation across Westeros. He already considers marital alliances for King Aegon and his [[Hand of the King]], Jon Connington. The latter is against both such plans. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington receives news that part of the missing four ships landed in [[Estermont]]. [[Marq Mandrake]] has led the men there in capturing [[Greenstone]]. The rest of the ships are still missing. Franklyn Flowers suggests that the missing men are scattered across the [[Stepstones]]. Connington decides to bring Aegon to Griffin's Roost for increased safety. Franklyn points,however, that Aegon would like to be in the thick of things. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington has a plan to capture [[Storm's End]], last foothold of Stannis in the [[Stormlands]]. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Four days later, Aegon arrives at Griffin's Roost. He rides at the head of a column including a hundred [[horse]]s with their riders, and three [[elephant]]s. He is accompanied by Lemore and Rolly Duckfield, the first person in his version of the Kingsguard. {{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington remembers arguing with Aegon over the appointment of Rolly. Connington had pointed out that seats in the Kingsguard should be reserved for warriors of great renown and/or sons of great lords. Aegon pointed out that [[Jaime Lannister]] fit that description perfectly, and was currently known as the Kingslayer. He would rather have men personally loyal to himself, ready to die for his safety. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

Connington asks to have the Prince escorted to his solar. But soon realizes that Prince Aegon is less biddable (obedient) than Young Griff. Aegon leaves him waiting for "the better half of a hour". Bringing Duck with him instead of coming alone. Connington tries to dismiss the bodyguard, but Aegon insists on having Rolly by his side. Aegon mentions discussing the plan to take Storm's End with Strickland and Flowers. Strickland even tried to persuade him to delay the plan. Aegon,however, feels Strickland is a bit of "an old maid" and is in favor of the plan. With one significant change. He intends to personally lead the attack. {{ref|aDwD|61}}

The [[Small Council]] in [[King's Landing]] discusses the matter of the [[Golden Company]]. [[Qyburn]] and [[Pycelle]] have received reports about mercenaries landing in [[Tarth]], the Stepstones, and Estermont. There are also reports about Jon Connington heading against Storm's End. [[Kevan Lannister]] points out that now they have opponents to their south. A third ongoing threat along with Stannis in the North and the [[Ironborn]] in the west. Kevan already has information about a new Targaryen pretender having Coined connington, though [[Randyll Tarly]] dismisses Aegon as an impostor. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}} Pycelle suggests that they could use gold to purchase the loyalty of the Golden company. Then the sellswords would hand over Lord Connington and the pretender. [[Harys Swyft]] points out that the Iron Throne is heavily in debt and has no gold to offer. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

Varys informs the dying Kevan that Aegon will raise his banner above Storm's End. {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

==Quotes about Aegon==
{{Quote|''"Aegon has been shaped for rule before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. [[Tommen I|Tommen]] has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them".'' {{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}}} [[Varys]] to the dying [[Kevan Lannister]]

{{Quote|''"His silvery hair was blowing in the wind, and his eyes were a deep purple, darker than this boy's".'' {{Ref|aDwD|61}}}} [[Jon Connington]] reminisces about prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] as he addressed Aegon following the capture of Griffin's Roost by the [[Golden Company]].

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree now}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{Template:Kings of Westeros}}

[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Aegon]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[es:Aegon Targaryen]][[fr:Aegon Targaryen]][[ru:Эйгон Таргариен (сын Рэйгара)]][[zh:伊耿·坦格利安]]
[[pt:Aegon Targaryen]]