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Helaena Targaryen

2024-02-04T08:24:34Z

GreenWalderFrey: Said to be 21 at her death in f&b

{{Infobox character
| title = Queen
| firstname = Helaena
| lastname = Targaryen
| arms = Targaryen
| image = Helaena Targaryen by Hylora.png
| image_caption = Helaena Targaryen, by Hylora ©
| Alias =
| Title = [[Prince]]ss Queen
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]] [[Greens]]
| Predecessor = [[Alicent Hightower]]
| Successor = [[Jaehaera Targaryen]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|109}}
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|130}} {{s|aged 21}}
| Place_of_Death = [[Maegor's Holdfast]], the [[Red Keep]], [[King's Landing]]
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture = [[Crownlands]]
| Father = [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
| Mother = [[Alicent Hightower]]
| Spouse = King [[Aegon II Targaryen]]
| Issue = [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys Targaryen]] [[Jaehaera Targaryen]] [[Maelor Targaryen]]
| coat-of-arms =
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rise of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (mentioned)
| Played_by = Phia Saban Evie Allen (young)
| TV_series = ''[[House of the Dragon]]'': [[House of the Dragon - Season 1|Season 1]] {{!}} [[House of the Dragon - Season 2|2]]
}}

Queen '''Helaena Targaryen''' was the sister-wife to King [[Aegon II Targaryen]]. She was the only daughter of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] by his second wife, Queen [[Alicent Hightower]], and his second daughter overall. Helaena and Aegon had three children: the twins [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys]] and [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]], and [[Maelor Targaryen|Maelor]]. Like her siblings, Helaena was a [[dragonrider]], who rode the dragon [[Dreamfyre]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

In the television adaptation ''[[House of the Dragon]]'', Helaena is portrayed by Phia Saban and Evie Allen (young).<ref>HBO.com: [https://www.hbo.com/house-of-the-dragon/cast-and-characters House of the Dragon Cast & Characters]</ref><ref>WarnerMedia Pressroom: [https://pressroom.warnermedia.com/na/bio/house-dragon-character-descriptions House of the Dragon | Character Descriptions]</ref>

==Appearance and Character==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Helaena Targaryen|l1=Images of Helaena Targaryen}}
At the age of thirteen, Helaena was plumper than most [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]], and less striking as well. Nonetheless, she was a pleasant and happy girl, and all agreed she would be an excellent mother.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} As queen, Helaena was loved by the [[smallfolk]].{{Ref|tpatq}} Following the murder of her eldest son, however, Helaena became depressed and descended into [[Targaryen madness|madness]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}}

==History==
===Early life===
[[File:Helaena and Dreamfyre by Samantha Altarozzi.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Helaena and her dragon [[Dreamfyre]], by Samantha Altarozzi ©]]
In {{Date|109}}, Helaena was born to King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] and his second wife, Queen [[Alicent Hightower]]. She had an older half-sister, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], and an older brother, Prince [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]], and would have two younger brothers, Prince [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] and Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}

By the age of twelve, Helaena had become a dragonrider, and rode the [[dragon]] [[Dreamfyre]]. In {{Date|122}}, at the age of thirteen, Helaena was married to her older brother Prince Aegon, following the ancient tradition of [[House Targaryen]]. Barely a year after her [[wedding]], Helaena gave birth to twins: [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys]] and [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

On the first day of {{Date|127}}, Helaena's father, King Viserys I, held a feast to celebrate the recovery of his health. According to the [[court fool]] [[Mushroom]], after the king had left the feast, Helaena's nephew, Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]], asked her for a dance, which her husband and brother, Aegon, took offense to. Later that same year, Helaena gave birth to a third child, a boy named [[Maelor Targaryen|Maelor]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

On the third day of the third month of {{Date|129}}, Helaena brought her three children to her father's chambers, where the king, the night before his death, entertained her children with a fictional tale{{Refn|group="N"|Elio García has stated that George R. R. Martin confirmed to him that this story was made up by Viserys to entertain his grandchildren.<ref>A Forum of Ice and Fire: [https://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/148940-inconsistencies-plot-holes-and-missing-details-in-tsotd-trp-and-tpatq/&page=7#comment-8138013 Inconsistencies, plot holes, and missing details in TSOTD, TRP, and TPATQ] (February 28, 2018)</ref>}} about their great-great-grandsire, King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

===The Dance of the Dragons===
With the death of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], a [[Dance of the Dragons|war for succession]] began. Helaena was informed of her father's passing a day after his death was discovered. When the decision was made to [[crown]] her husband, Prince [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]], instead of Viserys's appointed heir, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], Helaena became a queen. On the day of the coronation, it was Helaena's mother [[Alicent Hightower]] who placed the crown upon Helaena's head and addressed her as "my queen".{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}

Unwilling to accept Aegon as her king, Helaena's half-sister Rhaenyra was also crowned as [[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men|Queen of the Seven Kingdoms]] on [[Dragonstone]]. While Rhaenyra declared Dowager Queen Alicent and Helaena's grandfather, Ser [[Otto Hightower]], to be [[traitor]]s, she expressed willingness to forgive Helaena and her siblings, as long as they came to Dragonstone and swore fealty to her. When [[Grand Maester]] [[Orwyle]] suggested traveling to Dragonstone to make Rhaenyra give up her claim, Helaena spoke in favor of his plan, together with her mother, after which King Aegon reluctantly agreed to send the Grand Maester under a peace banner.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}

[[File:Season5Dance of DragonsRoyalApartmentsentered.png|thumb|400px|Helaena and her three young children, [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]] (left), [[Maelor Targaryen|Maelor]] (middle) and [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys]] (right), are surprised by [[Blood (butcher)|Blood]] and [[Cheese (ratcatcher)|Cheese]]. From ''[[Game of Thrones]]'': Histories & Lore © HBO]]
After Prince Aemond [[Fight above Shipbreaker Bay|caused the death]] of Rhaenyra's son, Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]], her husband [[Daemon Targaryen]] hired two men to murder one of Aegon and Helaena's sons as revenge. The [[assassin]]s were aware that Helaena was accustomed to bring her children to her mother's chambers in the [[Tower of the Hand]] every night before they were put to bed. Thus these two men, known as [[Blood (butcher)|Blood]] and [[Cheese (ratcatcher)|Cheese]], hid in Alicent's chambers, bound and gagged Alicent, and murdered her [[bedmaid]]. There, they awaited Helaena's arrival. After killing her guardsmen and barring the door, they took Helaena and her children hostage, and forced Helaena to choose which one of her sons would die. Helaena offered herself, but was refused. The two men forced Helaena to make a decision when they threatened to have Blood rape Jaehaera, and to kill all three of her children should she refuse to choose. In the end, Helaena reluctantly named her youngest child, Prince [[Maelor Targaryen|Maelor]], who she deemed to be too young to understand what was happening. In response, the two men killed Prince [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys]] instead, cutting off his head with a single swing of a sword, and fled with it while Helaena screamed.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}

[[File:Helaena's madness by jaydeewis.png|thumb|350px|Queen [[Alicent Hightower]] takes care of her grandchildren [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]] and [[Maelor Targaryen]], while Helaena sinks into madness. Art by Jaydeewis ©]]
After Jaehaerys's death, Helaena became deeply depressed and slowly sank into madness, and refused to eat, bathe, or leave her chambers. Nor would she look at her younger son, Maelor, knowing that she had chosen him to die.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}} Aegon and Helaena slept apart from one another from then on, and after Aegon was severely injured at the [[Battle at Rook's Rest]], Helaena did not even make an attempt to visit him. She became unreliable as a [[dragonrider]], incapable to fly in battle. When [[Fall of King's Landing|King's Landing fell]] to Rhaenyra in early {{Date|130}}, Helaena was taken captive.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}

After the death of Helaena's son [[Maelor Targaryen]] at [[Bitterbridge]], his head was sent to Queen Rhaenyra in King's Landing. [[Mushroom]] says that Rhaenyra cried when presented with Maelor's head, whereas [[Septon]] [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]] says she smiled, and ordered that the head be cremated per [[House Targaryen#Customs|Targaryen funeral customs]]. However, false rumors spread through King's Landing that Rhaenyra had Maelor's head delivered to Queen Helaena in a chamberpot.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}

At sunset of the day Ser [[Thoron True]] and Ser [[Denys Woodwright]] were hanged from the walls of the [[Red Keep]], Helaena jumped from the window of her room in [[Maegor's Holdfast]]. She died on the spikes below, with her throat impaled, only twenty-one years old. At the moment of Helaena's death, her dragon Dreamfyre suddenly rose and snapped two of her chains, and roared loud enough to shake the [[Dragonpit]]. When Dowager Queen Alicent was informed of her daughter's death, she tore her clothes and cursed Rhaenyra.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}

The reasons Helaena committed suicide, after half a year of captivity, remain the subject of speculation. [[Court fool]] Mushroom asserted that Helaena had been impregnated after being sold into [[prostitution]] by Rhaenyra and [[Mysaria]], but Archmaester [[Gyldayn]] dismisses the tale of the "[[Brothel Queens]]". Grand Maester [[Munkun]] proposes the horror of seeing Ser Thoron and Ser Denys hanged drove her to the act, but Gyldayn also dismisses this notion as there is no evidence she witnessed their hanging, knowing the two men as gaolers at best. For his part, Septon Eustace suggests that Lady Mysaria had chosen that night to tell her of the death of her son Maelor and the manner it had happened.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}

By the nightfall of Helaena's death, rumors were flying in King's Landing that she had been murdered. It was believed it had been done by Ser [[Luthor Largent]] of the [[gold cloaks]], at the behest of Rhaenyra,{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}} for Prince Daeron would soon be at the gates of the city with his dragons. Munkun proposes these calumnies were begotten by the [[Shepherd]], who decried both crime and the queen. Mushroom, for his part, indicates this slander was concocted by Lord [[Larys Strong]], the Clubfoot, who had never left the capital. That same night, [[Riot of King's Landing (Dance of the Dragons)|King's Landing rose in a riot]], with men and women of the [[Smallfolk|common folk]] shouting for justice for the beloved Helaena and her dead sons.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree Dance}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References}}

{{Royal consorts of Westeros}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Targaryen, Helaena}}
[[Category:House Targaryen|Helaena Targaryen]]
[[Category:Casualties of the Dance of the Dragons]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands]]
[[Category:Deaths by defenestration]]
[[Category:Deaths by impalement]]
[[Category:Deaths by suicide]]
[[Category:Dragonriders]]
[[Category:Greens]]
[[Category:Members of Viserys I Targaryen's court]]
[[Category:Members of Aegon II Targaryen's court]]
[[Category:Noblewomen]]
[[Category:Royal consorts]]

[[es:Helaena Targaryen]]
[[fr:Helaena Targaryen]]
[[nl:Helaena Targaryen]]
[[pt:Helaena Targaryen]]
[[ru:Хелейна Таргариен]]
[[zh:海伦娜·坦格利安]]

Daemon Targaryen

2024-02-03T19:35:58Z

GreenWalderFrey: daemon is stated to be 49 in fire&blood when he was hunting for aemond

{{Infobox character
| firstname = Daemon
| lastname = Targaryen
| arms = Targaryen
| arms2 = City Watch
| title = Prince
| image = [[File:Marc Simonetti Damon Prince-VillainII.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = Prince Daemon as commander of the [[gold cloaks]], by Marc Simonetti ©
| Alias = [[King's Landing|Prince of the City]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} Lord [[Flea Bottom]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} The rogue prince{{Ref|TRP}}
| Title = [[Prince]] [[Knight|Ser]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} [[City Watch of King's Landing#Known Commanders of the City Watch|Commander of the City Watch]] [[Master of coin]] [[Master of laws]] [[King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]] [[Lord of Runestone]] (claimant; briefly){{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} [[Protector of the Realm]]
| Predecessor = [[Lyman Beesbury]] (master of coin)
| Successor = [[Lyonel Strong]] (master of laws) [[Racallio Ryndoon]] (King of the Narrow Sea)
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]] [[Blacks]]
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture = [[Crownlands]]
| Father = [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]]
| Mother = [[Alyssa Targaryen]]
| Spouse = 1st: Lady [[Rhea Royce]] 2nd: Lady [[Laena Velaryon]] 3rd: Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
| Lover = [[Mysaria]] [[Nettles]] (debated)
| Issue = [[Baela Targaryen]] [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]] Stillborn son [[Aegon III Targaryen]] [[Viserys II Targaryen]] [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Visenya Targaryen]]
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|81}}{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
| Place_of_Death = the [[Battle Above the Gods Eye|Gods Eye]]
| Date_of_Death = 22nd day of the 5th moon of {{Date|130}} (aged 49)
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rise of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (mentioned)
| Played_by = [[w:Matt Smith (actor)|Matt Smith]]
| TV_series = ''[[House of the Dragon]]'': [[House of the Dragon - Season 1|Season 1]] {{!}} [[House of the Dragon - Season 2|2]]
}}

Prince '''Daemon Targaryen''' was a member of [[House Targaryen]], being a younger son of Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] and a brother of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]. Daemon was the second husband of [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], [[Princess of Dragonstone]], following Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Daemon was the most experienced warrior of his time and wielded the [[Valyrian steel]] blade [[Dark Sister]]. A dragonrider whose [[dragon]] was [[Caraxes]], Daemon declared himself the [[King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} During the [[Dance of the Dragons]], he was a prominent supporter of his wife, Rhaenyra.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}

Much of Daemon's life was written about by Archmaester [[Gyldayn]] in ''[[The Rogue Prince, or, A King's Brother]]''.<ref name="ssm">[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://grrm.livejournal.com/360936.html The Rogues Are Coming...] (March 12, 2014)</ref>{{Ref|TRP}}

In the television adaptation ''[[House of the Dragon]]'', Daemon is portrayed by [[w:Matt Smith (actor)|Matt Smith]].<ref>HBO.com: [https://www.hbo.com/house-of-the-dragon/cast-and-characters House of the Dragon Cast & Characters]</ref>

==Appearance and Character==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Daemon Targaryen|l1=Images of Daemon Targaryen}}
Daemon was described by Maester [[Yandel]] as dashing, daring, and dangerous, but mercurial and quick to take offense.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} Archmaester [[Gyldayn]] wrote that Daemon was ambitious, impetuous, and moody, as charming as he was hot-tempered.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Daemon was a renowned warrior skilled in the joust, hunting, and swordplay.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} He was unfaithful to his third wife, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], taking [[Mysaria]] and possibly [[Nettles]] as his lovers.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}

Daemon made many friends in [[King's Landing]], especially in [[Flea Bottom]],{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} and among the [[gold cloaks]],{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} as well as in [[Pentos]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} However, he was intensely disliked by Ser [[Otto Hightower]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

While Commander of the [[City Watch of King's Landing]], he wore a gold cloak.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} He wielded [[Dark Sister]], a [[Valyrian steel]] sword, and rode [[Caraxes]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

==History==
===Early life===
Daemon was born as the second son of Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] and his sister-wife, Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]], in {{Date|81}}, during the reign of his grandfather, King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]. He had one older brother, [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]], as well as one younger brother, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Baelon)|Aegon]], who died in infancy.{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} Within a fortnight of Daemon's birth, Alyssa took the child flying on [[Meleys]].{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} Daemon was free spirited and adventurous in his youth.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Daemon was [[knight]]ed at sixteen, and at some point King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] gave him [[Dark Sister]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}{{refn|group="N"|''[[Fire & Blood]]'' does not explicitly state when [[Dark Sister]] was given to Daemon Targaryen by [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|King Jaehaerys]]. It is plausible that happened between {{Date|101}}, after the previous wielder of Dark Sister, [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Prince Baelon]], died, and {{Date|103}}, before Jaehaerys's death.}}

In {{Date|97}}, Daemon married Lady [[Rhea Royce]], the heir to [[Runestone]], but he disliked both her and the [[Vale of Arryn]]; Daemon referred to his wife as his "[[bronze]] bitch".{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} During the [[Great Council of 101 AC]], Daemon supported the claim of Prince Viserys, as it would make Daemon the heir after his brother. Daemon gathered a small army of [[sworn sword]]s and [[men-at-arms]] when it was rumored that Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] was readying a [[Velaryon fleet|fleet]] to defend the rights of his son, [[Laenor Velaryon]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}

===Early reign of Viserys I===
Ser [[Criston Cole]] twice defeated Daemon in the [[tourney for King Viserys I's accession]] in {{Date|104}}, besting him in first the melee and then the joust.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} Daemon asked his brother to set aside his marriage to [[Rhea Royce]], but was refused.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} Daemon served briefly as [[master of coin]] from {{Date|103}} until {{Date|104}} and [[master of laws]] for six months after that.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} Governance bored Daemon, however, and the prince's demeanor made him a rival of the [[Hand of the King]], Ser [[Otto Hightower]], who could not stand Daemon's presence and had begged King Viserys to remove him from the [[small council]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Daemon was appointed Commander of the [[City Watch of King's Landing]], a position he thrived in and maintained for about a year to Otto's regret, as, with two thousand men at his command, he waxed more powerful than ever.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Daemon inspired loyalty with many of the rank-and-file men of the City Watch, improving their armaments and equipment. He gave every man a golden cloak, which led to the guards becoming known as the gold cloaks. Crime fell sharply under Daemon's command, likely due to his love of inflicting harsh punishments on thieves and cutpurses.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Daemon developed a dark reputation in the stews and brothels in [[Flea Bottom]], becoming familiar to every cutpurse, [[whore]], and gambler.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}} He became acquainted with a prostitute named [[Mysaria]], known to her enemies as Misery. While Daemon called himself the "Prince of the City", he became known as "Lord Flea Bottom" among the residents of [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Daemon considered himself his brother's heir as Viserys had no living sons, and he coveted the title [[Prince of Dragonstone]], which the king refused to grant. Otto Hightower equally did not want Daemon to follow Viserys and proposed the idea that Viserys's daughter, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], should be named heir. Viserys did not address the issue of inheritance, hoping a future son would settle the issue.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Viserys's first wife, [[Aemma Arryn]], died birthing [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Baelon Targaryen]], Viserys' second son, the first having died in the cradle. Baelon died a day after his birth, however. Daemon was observed in a brothel in the [[Street of Silk]] making drunken japes about the "heir for a day". When word of this reached the grieving Viserys, the enraged king had Rhaenyra declared heir and Princess of Dragonstone in response to his ungrateful brother's apathy. The furious Daemon resigned from the gold cloaks and flew with Mysaria on [[Caraxes]] to [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]], and so was not present for Rhaenyra's ceremony in the [[Red Keep]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Living on Dragonstone, Daemon impregnated his lover, Mysaria. He wanted to present her with a [[dragon egg]], but the angry Viserys demanded that Daemon return the egg and return to Rhea in the Vale. Daemon sent Mysaria to [[Lys]], but Mysaria's ship sailed through a storm in the [[narrow sea]] and Mysaria lost the child. This hardened Daemon against his brother.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

===Conquest of the Stepstones===
In {{Date|106}}, Daemon and [[Corlys Velaryon]], [[Lord of the Tides]], allied together for a private [[war for the Stepstones]], with Daemon desiring his own kingdom and Corlys wanting to rid the [[Stepstones]] of rule by the [[Triarchy]]. While Corlys provided the [[Velaryon fleet]], Daemon flew on his [[dragon]], [[Caraxes]], and led an army of adventurers and second sons.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Daemon made many enemies from [[Lys]], [[Myr]], and [[Tyrosh]], and he slew [[Craghas Drahar]] in {{date|108}}. After conquering all but two of the islands, Daemon declared himself [[King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]] in {{Date|109}}, being crowned by Corlys the Sea Snake. The Triarchy launched a massive fleet under [[Racallio Ryndoon]] to retake the isles, and [[Dorne]] joined the alliance against Daemon.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

===Return to Court===
[[File:Daemon's crown.jpg|thumb|400px|Daemon offers his crown to his brother, King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], by Chase Stone, as depicted in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''.]]
Bored with ruling his meager kingdom, Daemon returned to the capital of [[King's Landing]] in {{Date|111}} during the [[tourney]] that gave the [[greens]] and the [[blacks]] their names. He reconciled with [[Viserys I Targaryen]] by offering him his [[Stepstones]] crown. [[Viserys I Targaryen]] welcomed his brother's return and Daemon was given a seat on the [[small council]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Neither age or exile had changed Daemon's nature, however. He took up again with old companions in the [[City Watch of King's Landing|City Watch]] and returned to the brothels on the [[Street of Silk]]. Daemon was cold with Viserys' second wife, Queen [[Alicent Hightower]], and her children, who had pushed him further down in the line of succession. Daemon spent hours in the company of his niece, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], praising her beauty, enthralling her with tales of his adventures, taking her [[hawk]]ing, and mocking her stepmother Alicent and her greens. Daemon gave her books, [[pearl]]s, [[silk]]s, and a [[jade]] tiara once owned by the [[Empress of Leng]]. Daemon and Rhaenyra often flew to [[Dragonstone]] on their dragons, [[Caraxes]] and [[Syrax]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Six months after Daemon's return, the brothers fell out again, with Grand Maester [[Runciter]] referring to an unspecified quarrel and others claiming that Alicent wanted Daemon gone. Septon [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]] alleged that Daemon had seduced Rhaenyra, taking her [[maiden]]hood prior to her sixteenth [[name day]], and that the two had been found by Ser [[Arryk Cargyll]] of the [[Kingsguard]]. Eustace's tale has Rhaenyra expressing her love for Daemon. The notorious [[Mushroom]] instead claimed that Daemon had been providing explicit lessons to the girl in how to seduce her champion, Ser [[Criston Cole]] of the Kingsguard, whom the girl was supposedly in love with. When Rhaenyra approached Criston, however, he spurned her. [[Lyonel Strong]], [[Lord of Harrenhal]], counseled the livid Viserys that Daemon should be executed for treason. Eustace, however, reminded the council about the taint of [[kinslaying]], and Daemon was exiled instead. Daemon returned to [[Bloodstone]] in the Stepstones and resumed his struggle over his barren kingdom.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

===Second marriage===
[[File:Daemon Laena Chillyravenart.png|thumb|250px|Daemon and [[Laena Velaryon]], by chillyravenart ©]]
Daemon's wife, [[Rhea Royce]], died from falling from a horse in {{Date|115}}. Daemon abandoned the [[Stepstones]] and flew to the [[Vale of Arryn]] to claim [[Runestone]], which had been Rhea's seat, but he was refused by [[House Royce]]. Sent away from the Vale by Lady [[Jeyne Arryn]], Daemon turned to [[Driftmark]], where he laid eyes upon the enchanting [[Laena Velaryon]], the daughter of his friend, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon|Corlys]], and he asked the Sea Snake for her hand in marriage. Laena was already betrothed to the son of a late [[Sealord of Braavos]], but Daemon killed the Braavosi with [[Dark Sister]] in a duel. While singers say Daemon fell in love with Laena at first sight, others state Daemon married into mighty [[House Velaryon]] to check his own descent from power, as he had been pushed far down the line of succession and made many enemies in his adventures.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Because the marriage had been without consent of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], Daemon and Laena left [[Westeros]] for [[Essos]]. [[Mushroom]] claims the pair went to the ruins of [[Valyria]], but more reliable sources indicate they toured the [[Free Cities]], visiting [[Pentos]], [[Volantis]], [[Qohor]], and [[Norvos]]. They returned for some time to [[Pentos]], where they learned that Laena was pregnant, causing their daughters [[Baela Targaryen|Baela]] and [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena]] to be born there in {{Date|116}}.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

When the twins were half a year old, the family returned to Driftmark. Daemon wrote his brother begging leave to present his daughters to court to receive a royal blessing. The [[small council]] advised the king to refuse, but Viserys told Grand Maester [[Mellos]], "Daemon is a father now. He will have changed."{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Viserys' daughter, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], was wed to Laena's brother, Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]]. While Rhaenyra disliked her stepmother, Queen [[Alicent Hightower]], she became fond of Laena, and the two often flew together on their dragons. With the blessing of King Viserys, Rhaenyra betrothed her two eldest sons, [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]] and [[Lucerys Velaryon]], to Baela and Rhaena.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Laena died in {{Date|120}}, the Year of the Red Spring, trying to birth a son who died as well. Later that year, Laenor was killed in [[Spicetown]] by his companion, Ser [[Qarl Correy]]. According to [[Mushroom]], it was Daemon who arranged the death of Laenor by paying Qarl to kill him.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} [[Lyonel Strong]], [[Lord of Harrenhal]], and his heir, Ser [[Harwin Strong|Harwin]], died in a fire at [[Harrenhal]] in {{Date|120}}. Since Harwin Breakbones was believed by some to have been the actual father of Rhaenyra's children with Laenor (Jacaerys, Lucerys, and [[Joffrey Velaryon]]), Septon [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]] counted Daemon as one of the possible suspects for the mysterious fire.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

===Third marriage===
[[File:Daemon Rhaenyra Chillyravenart.png|thumb|250px|Daemon and [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], by chillyravenart ©]]
In {{Date|120}} at the age of thirty-nine, Daemon married again, this time to his niece, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], the twenty-three-year-old [[Princess of Dragonstone]]. This marriage was performed suddenly without the knowledge of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], and was scandalous since neither [[Laena Velaryon|Laena]] nor [[Laenor Velaryon]], Rhaenyra's previous husband, had been dead for six months.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Daemon and Rhaenyra had two sons together, Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], born in {{Date|120}}, and Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]], born in {{Date|122}}.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

In {{Date|126}}, Rhaenyra urged the ill Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] to name as his heir her second son, [[Lucerys Velaryon]]. When Corlys's nephew, Ser [[Vaemond Velaryon]], objected and claimed that Rhaenyra's first three children had been fathered by Ser [[Harwin Strong]], Rhaenyra had Vaemond seized by Daemon, beheaded, and then fed to [[Syrax]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

===The Dance of the Dragons===
King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] died in {{Date|129}}, leading to the outbreak of the civil war called The [[Dance of the Dragons]]. While Viserys had previously decreed Daemon's wife, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], [[Princess of Dragonstone]], to be his heir, the [[greens]] kept the king's death a secret from [[Dragonstone]]. Ser [[Otto Hightower]], the father of Queen [[Alicent Hightower]], objected to the idea of Daemon as king consort, and Ser [[Criston Cole]] claimed that Rhaenyra and Daemon would turn the [[Red Keep]] into a brothel. Criston crowned Alicent's son, Aegon the Elder, as King [[Aegon II Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}

Meanwhile on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]], Rhaenyra gave birth to a stillborn daughter, Princess [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Visenya]]; Rhaenyra blamed the child's deathon the [[greens]]. During the meeting of the [[black council]], Daemon advised that the [[blacks]] should court the [[Great Houses]] who had not yet announced their support for Aegon II. During Rhaenyra's rival coronation on Dragonstone, Daemon placed the crown of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]], which had been smuggled from the capital by Ser [[Steffon Darklyn]], on the head of his wife, proclaiming her queen and claiming himself [[Protector of the Realm]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}

The experienced Daemon led the [[assault on Harrenhal]], capturing [[Harrenhal|the ruined castle]] from its castellan, Ser [[Simon Strong]], without conflict by landing [[Caraxes]] on top of [[Kingspyre Tower]]. Daemon's victory allowed the [[riverlands]] to rise up in support of Rhaenyra.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}} Daemon later led the [[taking of Stone Hedge]] from the greens.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}

After hearing of the death of his stepson, Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]], at the hands of his nephew, Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]], at [[Storm's End]], Daemon, through his former mistress [[Mysaria]], hired [[Blood (the butcher)|Blood]] and [[Cheese (the rat-catcher)|Cheese]] to infiltrate the [[Red Keep]], and the two murdered Prince [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys]], a son of Aegon II.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}}

[[File:Daemon vs Aemond.jpg|thumb|The [[Battle Above the Gods Eye]], by Douglas Wheatley, as depicted in [[Fire & Blood]].]]

The enemies made by Daemon during his earlier adventures came back to haunt the blacks when Ser [[Otto Hightower]], now the [[Hand of the King]] of Aegon II, recruited the [[Triarchy]] to send a fleet against them. The [[Battle of the Gullet]] broke the [[House Velaryon|Velaryon]] blockade of [[Blackwater Bay]] and killed Daemon's stepson, [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}

Daemon abandoned Harrenhal when Aemond and Criston began marching on the great castle with a host of [[greens]]. Instead, Daemon flew Caraxes back to the capital and assisted Rhaenyra with the [[fall of King's Landing]] to the blacks.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} Daemon's lover, Mysaria, became [[mistress of whisperers]] in all but name. While Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] suggested peace with their enemies and pardons for the greens, Rhaenyra and Daemon were more bellicose and vengeful.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}

Rhaenyra sent Daemon and [[Nettles]] on their dragons, Caraxes and [[Sheepstealer]], to search the [[Trident]] for Aemond and [[Vhagar]], who were burning the riverlands. Making [[Maidenpool]] their base, Daemon kept Nettles, a seventeen-year-old [[dragonseed]], by his side at all times. Despite the fact that the lowborn Nettles was an unlikely paramour for a prince, according to [[Mushroom]]'s ''[[The Testimony of Mushroom|Testimony]]'', Daemon came to love the girl and took her as his bedmate. Though Mushroom's veracity is often questionable, Gyldayn considers this to be far more likely than most of his tales. Gyldayn further references Maester [[Norren (House Mooton)|Norren]]'s ''[[Chronicles of Maidenpool]]'', which recorded that "the prince and his [[bastard]] girl" slept in adjoining bedrooms, but that they ate together each night and morning. Norren wrote that Daemon doted upon Nettles "as a man might dote upon his daughter", and described Daemon teaching her common courtesies and giving her fine gifts such as an ivory hairbrush, a silvered looking glass, a velvet and satin cloak, and leather riding boots. Norren further wrote that Daemon showed Nettles how to wash herself properly, and recorded that maidservants reported they often shared a single tub, washing each other.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}

After the betrayals of two dragonseeds, Ser [[Hugh Hammer]] and Ser [[Ulf White]], at the [[First Battle of Tumbleton]], Queen Rhaenyra's court at the Red Keep was outraged. Lady Mysaria fed Rhaenyra's growing distrust of the dragonseeds, informing her that Nettles was sharing Daemon's bed and saying that she would soon be pregnant with Daemon's bastard. Rhaenyra raged, declaring that Nettles used [[magic|spells]] to bond with Sheepstealer and to seduce her husband, and that Daemon could not be relied upon while in the girl's thrall. The queen sent a [[raven]] to [[Manfryd Mooton]], Lord of Maidenpool, ordering him to deliver Nettles's head but not to do Daemon any harm, only to tell him to return to the capital. However, according to Maester Norren, Manfryd and his advisors, fearful of how Daemon slept beside Nettles, unwilling to [[guest right|kill a guest]] or a young girl (or two guests, to prevent Daemon from becoming enraged at the death of the girl he was "more than fond of" and taking out his wrath on Maidenpool), disobeyed the queen and followed the maester's advice to pretend that they had never received the letter. When Maester Norren informed Daemon that Rhaenyra had declared Nettles a traitor, Daemon sadly replied, "A queen's words, a whore's work," recognizing Mysaria's hand in Rhaenyra's words, and thanked the maester for the warning. It is unknown how they spent their last night together, but at dawn Daemon helped Nettles saddle Sheepstealer one last time, before she escaped into the morning mists of the [[Bay of Crabs]]. According to Norren, no word of farewell was spoken between Daemon and Nettles, but as Sheepstealer flew away, Caraxes let out a scream that shattered all the windows of [[Jonquil's Tower]]. On the same day, Daemon publicly announced his departure for Harrenhal.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}

The arrival of Daemon on Caraxes sent squatters fleeing from Harrenhal, so the prince waited for Aemond in solitude. Each evening at dusk he slashed the castle's [[heart tree]], a [[weirwood]] in the [[godswood]]. On the fourteenth day of Daemon's waiting, Aemond arrived on Vhagar with his paramour, [[Alys Rivers]]. While the two dragons grappled in the [[Battle Above the Gods Eye]], Daemon leapt from his saddle and drove [[Dark Sister]] into Aemond's blind eye. Both dragons crashed into the [[Gods Eye]], with Caraxes crawling to the shore before dying. The bodies of Aemond and Vhagar were discovered in the lake years later. Daemon's body was not found, but historians are convinced he died there as well.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}

==Legacy==
Since Daemon's body was never recovered from the Gods Eye, singers say that he lived to spend the rest of his days in secret with [[Nettles]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}

Daemon never achieved his ambition to sit on the [[Iron Throne]], though his sons [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]] and [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys II]] eventually did. In {{Date|170}}, Princess [[Daena Targaryen]] named her bastard son [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Waters]] after her grandfather.{{ref|twoiaf|4|11}}

The thirteen slashes made by Daemon on the [[weirwood]] of [[Harrenhal]] are said to bleed each spring.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}

==Quotes by Daemon==
[[File:Rogues cover.jpg|thumb|Daemon and [[Caraxes]], by Ken Laager ©]]
{{Quote|[[Dark Sister]] was made for nobler tasks than slaughtering sheep. She has a thirst for blood.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}|Daemon to [[Corlys Velaryon]]}}

{{Quote|[[Dance of the Dragons|The war]] will end when the heads of [[greens|the traitors]] are mounted on spikes above the [[King's Gate]], and not before.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}|Daemon to [[Corlys Velaryon]]}}

{{Quote|'''Aemond''': You were a fool to come alone. 
'''Daemon''': Were I not alone, you would not have come. 
'''Aemond''': Yet you are, and here I am. You have lived too long, nuncle. 
'''Daemon''': On that much we agree.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}|[[Aemond Targaryen]] and Daemon}}

==Quotes about Daemon==
{{Quote|Over the centuries, [[House Targaryen]] has produced both great men and monsters. Prince Daemon was both. In his day there was not a man so admired, so beloved, and so reviled in all Westeros. He was made of light and darkness in equal parts. To some he was a hero, to others the blackest of villains.{{Ref|trp}}|writings of [[Gyldayn]]}}

{{Quote|On no account can Prince Daemon be allowed to ascend to the [[Iron Throne]]. He would be a second [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor the Cruel]], or worse. Better the [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Realm's Delight]] than Lord Flea Bottom.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}|[[Otto Hightower]] writing to [[Lord Hightower|his brother]]}}

{{Quote|Make no mistake, should [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] ever sit the [[Iron Throne]], it will be Lord Flea Bottom who rules us, a king consort as cruel and unforgiving as [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] ever was. My own head will be the first cut off, I do not doubt, but [[Alicent Hightower|your queen]], my daughter, will soon follow.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}|[[Otto Hightower]] to the [[small council]] of [[Viserys I Targaryen]]}}

{{Quote|[[Rhaenyra Targaryen|The whore]] on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]] is not the threat. No more than [[Thaddeus Rowan|Rowan]] and these traitors in the [[Reach]]. The danger is my uncle. Once Daemon is dead, [[blacks|all these fools]] flying our sister's banners will run back to their castles and trouble us no more.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}|[[Aemond Targaryen]] to [[Criston Cole]]}}

{{Quote|'''Manfryd Mooton's captain of the guard''': This thing is easily done. The prince sleeps beside [[Nettles|her]], but he has grown old. Three men should be enough to subdue him should he try to interfere, but I will take six to be certain. Does my lord wish this done tonight? 
'''Manfryd Mooton's brother''': Six men or sixty, he is still Daemon Targaryen.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}|[[Manfryd Mooton]]'s captain of the guard and brother}}

{{Quote|Prince Daemon had been the wonder and the terror of his age.{{ref|twoiaf|4|11}}|writings of [[Yandel]]}}

{{Quote|Prince Daemon, a rogue if there ever was one.<ref name="ssm"/>|[[George R. R. Martin]]}}

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree Dance}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References}}

{{Royal consorts of Westeros}}
{{Master of coin}}
{{Master of laws}}
{{Commander of the City Watch}}
{{Viserys I small council}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Targaryen, Daemon}}
[[Category:House Targaryen|Daemon Targaryen]]
[[Category:Blacks]]
[[Category:Casualties of the Dance of the Dragons]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Aemond Targaryen]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Vhagar]]
[[Category:Commanders of the City Watch (King's Landing)]]
[[Category:Dragonriders]]
[[Category:Kings of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]]
[[Category:Kinslayers]]
[[Category:Knights]]
[[Category:Masters of coin]]
[[Category:Masters of laws]]
[[Category:Members of Jaehaerys I Targaryen's court]]
[[Category:Members of Viserys I Targaryen's court]]
[[Category:Members of Rhaenyra Targaryen's court]]
[[Category:Members of the City Watch (King's Landing)]]
[[Category:Monarchs]]
[[Category:Nobles]]
[[Category:Protectors of the Realm]]
[[Category:Royal consorts]]
[[Category:Wielders of Dark Sister]]

[[es:Daemon Targaryen]]
[[fa:دیمون تارگرین]]
[[fr:Daemon Targaryen]]
[[nl:Daemon Targaryen]]
[[pt:Daemon Targaryen]]
[[ru:Деймон Таргариен]]
[[zh:戴蒙·坦格利安]]

Vhagar

2024-01-30T14:24:02Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox animal character
| firstname = Vhagar
| arms = Targaryen
| image = [[File:Burning Arryn fleet.jpg|400px]]
| image_caption = [[Visenya Targaryen]] riding Vhagar into [[Battle in the waters off Gulltown|battle]], illustrated by John McCambridge.
| Alias =
| Title =
| Owner = [[Visenya Targaryen]] [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] [[Laena Velaryon]] [[Aemond Targaryen]]
| Species = [[Dragon]]
| Place_of_Birth = [[Dragonstone]]
| Date_of_Birth = [[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 52 Before the Conquest|52 BC]]<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Vhagar|Vhagar]] calculation''</ref>
| Place_of_Death = the [[Battle Above the Gods Eye|Gods Eye]]
| Date_of_Death = 22nd day of the 5th moon of {{Date|130}} (aged 181)
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rise of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Sons of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' (mentioned)
| TV_series = ''[[House of the Dragon]]'': [[House of the Dragon - Season 1|Season 1]]
}}

{{Hatnote|For other uses, see [[Vhagar (disambiguation)]].}}

'''Vhagar''' was a she-[[dragon]] of [[House Targaryen]]. She was [[dragonrider|ridden]] by Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] during [[Aegon's Conquest]], alongside [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]]'s [[Balerion]] and their sister [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]]'s [[Meraxes]].{{Ref|ACOK|12}} Other known riders of Vhagar are Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]], Lady [[Laena Velaryon]] and Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys & Alysanne:Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}{{Ref|TRP}}

Vhagar was [[Named after|named]] for [[Vhagar (god)|one of the gods]] of Old [[Valyria]].{{Ref|ACOK|12}}{{Ref|ASOS|57}}

==Appearance==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Vhagar|Images of Vhagar]]''
The color of Vhagar's scales, horns, wings, wing bones, and spinal crest, as well as the color of her [[Dragonflame|flame]] are not mentioned in the books. However, the artist commissioned for the 2021 [[A Song of Ice and Fire Calendar]], [https://www.artstation.com/samhogg Sam Hogg], asked for clarification from [[George R. R. Martin]]'s team and was told Vhagar was "[[bronze]] with greenish blue highlights and bright green eyes".<ref>Twitter: [https://twitter.com/Zephyri/status/1350400252914884608 @Zephyri: Vhagar color], January 16, 2021</ref>

According to [[Tyrion Lannister]], Vhagar was large enough that one could ride a [[horse]] down her gullet.{{Ref|AGOT|13}} It is said that Vhagar's breath was so hot that it could melt a knight's armor and cook him inside.{{Ref|ACOK|12}}

By the time of the [[Dance of the Dragons]], Vhagar was the hardened survivor of a hundred battles, had grown almost as large as [[Balerion]], and was the oldest and largest of the dragons in [[Westeros]]. Her roar was so powerful that it could shake the very foundations of [[Storm's End]]. No living dragon could match her for size or ferocity.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

==History==
Vhagar hatched from a [[dragon egg]] on [[Dragonstone]] during the [[Century of Blood]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} She was named after [[Vhagar (god)|a god]] of the [[Valyrian Freehold]].{{Ref|ACOK|11}}

At some point, Vhagar was claimed by [[Visenya Targaryen]]. Visenya first rode Vhagar, demonstrating she was a [[dragonrider]], some time before she married her brother, [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

===Aegon's Conquest===
[[File:The queen and vhagar by silvaticus-d94j1f8.jpg|thumb|400px|Vhagar and her rider, Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]]. By [http://silvaticus.deviantart.com Silvaticus].]]
After Aegon [[Aegon's Landing|landed]] on [[Westeros]] and began his [[Aegon's Conquest|conquest]], Visenya flew Vhagar to [[Stokeworth]], where crossbowmen loosed bolts until the dragon set the roofs of the castle keep ablaze.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} Following Aegon's first coronation, Visenya, upon Vhagar, accompanied the Targaryen fleet, commanded by [[Daemon Velaryon]], to take [[Gulltown]]. In the [[battle in the waters off Gulltown]], the [[House Arryn|Arryn]] fleet defeated the [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] fleet, sinking one-third of the ships and capturing near as many. Then, Visenya descended, and burned the ships of the Arryn fleet.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

Visenya then flew to [[Crackclaw Point]] with Vhagar, to accept many pledges of fealty from the local lords. She then flew Vhagar to [[Stoney Sept]] to link up with her siblings, their dragons, and Aegon's army. They advanced south, where all three dragons took part in the decisive [[Field of Fire]] – the only battle in which all three of the Targaryen dragons took to the sky at the same time during Aegon's Conquest. Together, Vhagar, Meraxes, and Balerion killed four thousand men, burning them alive. King [[Mern IX Gardener]] died, and with him [[House Gardener]]. The army was broken, and House Targaryen was victorious.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}{{Ref|AGOT|13}}

Visenya next flew Vhagar to the [[Trident]] in the [[riverlands]], where she met with her brother and sister and their dragons, to face [[King in the North]] [[Torrhen Stark]]. [[Brandon Snow]], the [[bastard]] brother of Torrhen, offered to sneak into the Targaryen camp at night to slay the dragons, but the northern king refused the attempt, and instead sent his brother as an envoy, eventually bending the knee to the Targaryens.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

Afterwards, Visenya flew Vhagar back to the Vale, where she landed with her dragon in the inner courtyard of the [[Eyrie]]. When Dowager Queen [[Sharra Arryn]] reached the courtyard she found her young son, King [[Ronnel Arryn (king)|Ronnel Arryn]], sitting on Visenya's knee, staring with wonder at Vhagar. The young king begged his mother for a ride on Vhagar's back. Sharra bent her knee and surrendered, and Ronnel rode on Vhagar thrice about the summit of the [[Giant's Lance]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}

===First Dornish War===
Following the deaths of Rhaenys and Meraxes in {{Date|10}} at [[Hellholt]] in [[Dorne]], Visenya and Aegon burned every Dornish stronghold at least once (except [[Sunspear]] and its [[shadow city]]) during a two-year period known as the [[Dragon's Wroth]]. The Dornish tell a tale that the Targaryens refused to attack Sunspear because they were afraid that Princess [[Meria Martell]] had purchased a device from [[Lys]] to slay Vhagar and Balerion, but Archmaester [[Timotty]] suggests the Targaryens intended to turn the other Dornish houses against the Martells.{{Ref|TWOIAF|Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}}

===Aenys I and Maegor I===
When King Aegon I died in {{Date|37}}, Vhagar supplied the flames to light the fire of his funeral pyre.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} In {{Date|41}}, when King [[Aenys I Targaryen]] named his eldest son and heir, Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]], the [[Prince of Dragonstone]] at his wedding, Visenya angrily left for [[Dragonstone]]. It was said that the moon turned as red as blood when Vhagar passed it.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

Later that year, when King Aenys arrived at Dragonstone, fleeing the first rebels in the [[Faith Militant uprising]], Visenya asked him to grant her leave to take Vhagar and burn the [[Starry Sept]] in [[Oldtown]]. Aenys refused. When the king died early in {{Date|42}}, Visenya left Dragonstone within an hour of his death, and flew to [[Pentos]], where her son [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] lived in exile. After Maegor had claimed the crown on Dragonstone, Visenya accompanied him upon Vhagar and crossed [[Blackwater Bay]] to [[King's Landing]]. The return of both Vhagar and Balerion to King's Landing set off riots in the city.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

Prior to Maegor's wedding to [[Tyanna of the Tower]], Visenya flew upon Vhagar to [[Driftmark]] to convince [[Alyssa Velaryon]] to appear at the wedding.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} When the [[Faith Militant]] continued to resist Maegor's reign, even after the losses they suffered at the [[Battle of Stonebridge]] and the [[Battle at the Great Fork]] of the [[Blackwater Rush|Blackwater]], Visenya mounted Vhagar and burned the seats of [[House Blanetree]], [[House Terrick]], [[House Deddings]], [[House Lychester]], and [[House Wayn]] in the [[Riverlands]] within a single night. Maegor flew Balerion to the [[westerlands]], burning the seats of [[House Broom]], [[House Doggett]], [[House Falwell]], [[House Lorch]], [[House Myatt]], and other "pious lords" who had defied his royal summons.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

In {{Date|43}},{{refn|group="N"|Earlier prints of ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' erroneously state that this event and the death of the [[High Septon (Maegor I)|High Septon]] took place in {{Date|44}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reach: Oldtown}} ''[[The Sons of the Dragon]]'' gives the correct date of {{Date|43}}. [[Septon]] [[Pater]], the High Septon elected as a replacement, died a year later.}} Maegor and Visenya turned towards [[Oldtown]], threatening to incinerate the [[Starry Sept]] in response to the [[High Septon (Maegor I)|High Septon]]'s condemnation of his [[polygamy|polygamous marriages]]. Only the mysterious death of the High Septon, which allowed Lord [[Martyn Hightower]] to open his gates before Balerion and Vhagar, saved the city from dragonflame.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reach: Oldtown}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

Visenya died on Dragonstone in {{Date|44}}, leaving Vhagar without a rider.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

===Reign of Jaehaerys I===
Vhagar remained unridden for twenty-nine years after Visenya's death, spending much of that time on [[Dragonstone]] and later taking residence in the [[Dragonpit]] in [[King's Landing]]. It was in {{Date|73}} that Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon the Brave]] after achieving knighthood, set out to follow his brother Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]] and become a [[dragonrider]] claiming Vhagar. Vhagar along with [[Caraxes]] and [[Vermithor]] burned the [[Dorne|Dornish]] fleet that attempted to invade the [[Stormlands]] during the [[Fourth Dornish War]] in {{Date|83}}. After the death of Balerion of old age in {{Date|94}},{{Ref|TRP}} Vhagar became the last of the three Targaryen dragons who had fought in the Conquest.
Vhagar became riderless again, when Prince Baelon passed away in {{Date|101}}.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys & Alysanne:Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

===Reign of Viserys I===
Vhagar's next known rider was Lady [[Laena Velaryon]], who had become a dragonrider before the age of twelve. According to the [[maester]] at [[Driftmark]], the seat of [[House Velaryon]], Laena loved to fly. When Laena wed Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] in {{Date|115}}, they flew upon their dragons across the [[narrow sea]] to [[Pentos]], [[Volantis]], [[Qohor]], and [[Norvos]]. Everywhere they went, huge crowds came to catch a glimpse of Vhagar and [[Caraxes]], Daemon's dragon. After Laena gave birth in {{Date|116}}, Daemon brought both his own dragon and Vhagar back to Westeros. Laena and Daemon grew close with Daemon's niece, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], and the three often flew together upon their dragons, Vhagar, Caraxes, and [[Syrax]].{{Ref|TRP}}

Laena died early in {{Date|120}}. It is said that Laena attempted to reach Vhagar in her final hour as to fly one last time, but she did not have the strength. Following Laena's funeral on Driftmark, the ten-year old prince [[Aemond Targaryen]] claimed Vhagar as his own dragon.{{Ref|TRP}}

===Dance of the Dragons===
:{{main|Dance of the Dragons}}
[[File:Deaths of Lucerys and Arrax.jpg|thumb|400px|Aemond and Vhagar kill [[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys]] and [[Arrax]], illustrated by Chase Stone.]]
By {{Date|129}}, Vhagar had grown nearly as big as Balerion had been during [[Aegon's Conquest]], and had become the largest living dragon of her time.{{Ref|ADWD|8}} Prince Aemond flew on Vhagar to [[Storm's End]], so they could win the support of Lord [[Borros Baratheon]] for King [[Aegon II Targaryen]]. There Aemond met with Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]], at Storm's End hoping to gain support for his mother Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]. Aemond was forbidden from attacking Lucerys while both were in Borros's castle, but was allowed to follow him outside. After Lucerys rose into the sky on his dragon [[Arrax]], Aemond mounted Vhagar and followed the young prince. The two dragons fought during a great storm over [[Shipbreaker Bay]], and Vhagar quickly overcame Arrax, whose severed head would wash ashore days later, along with the corpse of Lucerys.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

Aemond would continue to fly Vhagar in battle during the civil war between King Aegon II and Queen Rhaenyra. During the [[battle at Rook's Rest]], Vhagar and Aemond, and King Aegon and [[Sunfyre]], ambushed the dragon [[Meleys]] and her rider Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys Targaryen]]. Meleys was an old and large dragon, and might have stood a chance against Vhagar alone, but died from the combined assault. Vhagar was the only dragon who left the battle reasonably unharmed.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

The battle against Meleys left Aegon II severely injured, leaving him incapable of rule, and Prince Aemond was appointed [[regent]]. Aemond decided that the main threat in the war was Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], who was massing armies at [[Harrenhal]]. Aemond took Vhagar and most of the green forces from [[King's Landing]] north to attack Harrenhal, leaving King's Landing with very little defense. When Aemond and Vhagar arrived at Harrenhal, they found the castle undefended and empty, as Daemon had left some time before to attack King's Landing, after having lured Aemond and Vhagar away from the capital.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

After the [[Fall of King's Landing]], Prince Aemond and [[Hand of the King]] [[Criston Cole]] no longer agreed on how to proceed during the war. Aemond took Vhagar on a one-man war of revenge. They burned much of the [[riverlands]], starting with every wooden structure in Harrenhal. Vhagar caused more destruction than an entire army, and severely harmed Rhaenyra's supporters in the riverlands - though Aemond's decision to abandon the army under Criston proved to a strategic blunder. Without Vhagar to protect them, Cole's army in the east was later surrounded and destroyed in the [[Butcher's Ball]], leaving the east wide open to Rhaenyra's forces.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

About the same time of the [[Butcher's Ball]], Ser [[Byron Swann]] and his [[squire]] set out to slay a dragon. According to [[Grand Maester]] [[Munkun]], Byron was killed in an attempt to slay Vhagar, in an effort to end Aemond's raids across the [[riverlands]]. However, this claim is disputed, being instead more probable that Byron tried to kill [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]'s dragon [[Syrax]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}{{Ref|ADWD|8}}

Aemond and Vhagar continued the destruction of the riverlands and they became the terror of the [[Trident]]. Daemon Targaryen, on his dragon [[Caraxes]], and the [[dragonseed]] [[Nettles]], on the dragon [[Sheepstealer]], were sent to hunt Aemond. They were allowed to use [[Maidenpool]] as their base, as Lord [[Manfryd Mooton]] feared an attack from Vhagar, and found himself safer this way. Daemon and Nettles unsuccessfully searched together for Vhagar, who continued to terrorize the riverlands.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

After the [[First Battle of Tumbleton]], Daemon had word sent out that he and Caraxes would await Aemond and Vhagar at Harrenhal. On the fourteenth day of Daemon's vigil at Harrenhal, Vhagar appeared in the sky, carrying Aemond and his lover [[Alys Rivers]]. Aemond left Alys in the castle's yard, and both dragons and their riders launched into the air. All four were killed in the ensuing [[Battle Above the Gods Eye]], when the dragons locked together, Caraxes's jaws closed around Vhagar's neck, Daemon leapt from his dragon to Vhagar to put [[Dark Sister]] through Aemond's eye, and the dragons crashed into [[Gods Eye|the lake]]. Some years after the end of the Dance, Vhagar's body was recovered, with Aemond's armored bones still chained to the saddle. Vhagar was one hundred and eighty-one years old when she died, on the twenty-second day of the fifth moon of {{Date|130}}.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

===Legacy===
Along with eighteen{{Ref|AGOT|13}} other Targaryen [[Dragon skulls (Targaryen)|dragon skulls]], Vhagar's skull hung on a wall in the [[Red Keep]]'s throne room.{{Ref|AGOT|3}}{{Ref|AGOT|12}} After [[Robert's Rebellion]], King [[Robert I Baratheon]] had the skulls removed from the throne room, and stored them in a dank cellar. In {{Date|284}}, when [[Tyrion Lannister]] visited the capital for the wedding of his sister [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] to Robert, he observed the skulls in the cellar, including Vhagar's.{{Ref|AGOT|13}} In {{Date|298}}, [[Arya Stark]] encountered the dragon skulls while passing through the Red Keep cellars.{{Ref|AGOT|32}}{{Ref|AGOT|50}}

In {{Date|299}}, [[Daenerys Targaryen]] had the three [[ships]] sent to her by [[Illyrio Mopatis]] renamed [[Vhagar (ship)|Vhagar]], [[Meraxes (ship)|Meraxes]], and [[Balerion (ship)|Balerion]], to tell the world that the [[dragons]] had returned.{{Ref|ACOK|63}}

==Known dragonriders of Vhagar==
* Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]]
* Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]]
* Lady [[Laena Velaryon]]
* Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]]

King [[Ronnel Arryn (king)|Ronnel Arryn]] flew three circles around the summit of the [[Giant's Lance]] during [[Aegon's Conquest]] with Visenya on Vhagar's back.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} During the [[Dance of the Dragons]], [[Alys Rivers]] flew on Vhagar's back along with Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

==Quotes about Vhagar==
{{Quote|Vhagar grows old, but her fires still burn hot.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}|[[Visenya Targaryen]] to [[Aenys I Targaryen]]}}
{{Quote|The peril posed by Queen [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya's]] mount could not be gainsaid.{{Ref|TPATQ}}|[[Gyldayn]]}}
{{Quote|That hoary old bitch.{{Ref|TPATQ}}|[[Jacaerys Velaryon]]}}
{{Quote|[[Aemond Targaryen|Prince Aemond]]'s mighty dragon Vhagar sensed [[Lucerys Velaryon|his]] coming first. Guardsman walking the battlements of the castle's mighty curtain walls clutched their spears in sudden terror when she woke, with a roar that shook the very foundations of [[Durran's Defiance]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}}}
{{Quote|On the fourteenth day of [[Daemon Targaryen|the prince's]] vigil, a shadow swept over [[Harrenhal|the castle]], blacker than any passing cloud. All the birds of the godswood took to the air in fright, and a hot wind whipped the fallen leaves across the yard. Vhagar had come at last, and on her back rode the one-eyed prince [[Aemond Targaryen]], clad in night-black armor chased with gold.{{Ref|TPATQ}}}}
{{Quote|Vhagar's carcass plunged to [[Gods Eye|the lake]] floor, the hot blood from the gaping wound in her neck bringing the water to a boil over her last resting place.{{Ref|TPATQ}}}}
{{Quote|Vhagar, the greatest of the Targaryen dragons since the passing of [[Balerion]] the Black Dread, had counted one hundred eighty-one years upon the earth. Thus passed the last living creature from the days of [[Aegon's Conquest]], as dusk and darkness swallowed [[Harren Hoare|Black Harren]]'s [[Harrenhal|accursed seat]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References}}

{{Dragons}}

[[Category:Centenarians]]
[[Category:Casualties of the Dance of the Dragons]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Daemon Targaryen]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Caraxes]]
[[Category:Characters with green eyes]]
[[Category:Dragons]]

[[es:Vhagar]]
[[fa:ویگار]]
[[fr:Vhagar]]
[[ru:Вхагар]]
[[pt:Vhagar]]
[[zh:瓦格哈尔]]

Tytos Lannister

2024-01-30T14:21:53Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox character
| arms = Lannister
| title = Lord
| firstname = Tytos
| lastname = Lannister
| image = File:Tytos Lannister TheMico.jpg
| image_caption =
| Alias = The Laughing Lion{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}} The Toothless Lion{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}} The Lord of Misrule<ref name=sample>''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'': The Westerlands (unabridged). [http://www.georgerrmartin.com/world-of-ice-and-fire-sample/ georgerrmartin.com]</ref>
| Title = [[Lord of Casterly Rock]] [[Shield of Lannisport]] [[Warden of the West]]
| Allegiance = [[House Lannister]]
| Predecessor = [[Gerold Lannister]]
| Successor = [[Tywin Lannister]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Westermen]]
| Father = [[Gerold Lannister]]
| Mother = [[Rohanne Webber]]
| Spouse = Lady [[Jeyne Marbrand]]
| Lover = [[Tytos Lannister's first mistress|First mistress]] [[Tytos Lannister's second mistress|Second mistress]]
| Issue = [[Tywin Lannister]] [[Kevan Lannister]] [[Genna Lannister]] [[Tygett Lannister]] [[Gerion Lannister]]
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|220}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Tytos Lannister|Tytos Lannister]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Death = [[Casterly Rock]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|267}} (aged 46){{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}}
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played_by =
| TV_series =
}}

'''Tytos Lannister''' was the Lord of [[Casterly Rock]] and the head of [[House Lannister]] during the reigns of kings [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon V]], [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys II]], and [[Aerys II Targaryen]]. He is the grandfather of [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] and [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] by his eldest son, [[Tywin Lannister]].

==Appearance and Character==
An amiable and jovial gentleman, Tytos was called the Laughing Lion prior to the death of his beloved wife, [[Jeyne Marbrand]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}} However, he was also weak willed, eager to please, slow to anger, quick to forgive, and too trusting by half. He saw the good in everyone, great and small, but this trust blinded him to threats to [[House Lannister]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}}

Tytos was a fat man,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} he loved eating cheese and cakes, and drinking [[beer]].<ref name=sample/> While Lord of [[Casterly Rock]], Tytos loaned money to [[lord]]s who never bothered to repay him, and his [[bannermen]] openly ignored his orders.{{Ref|ASOS|66}} Guests at his court were allowed to mock him to his face, called "twisting the lion's tail".{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}}

==Early life==
According to semi-canon sources, Tytos was a squire in his youth but was never knighted. He loved watching tourneys, but never participated in one.<ref name=sample/>

Tytos was the third-born son of Lord [[Gerold Lannister]] and Lady [[Rohanne Webber]]. His elder twin brothers were [[Tywald Lannister|Tywald]] and [[Tion Lannister|Tion]]; Tywald was slain in the [[Peake Uprising]] in {{Date|233}}. Tytos married [[Jeyne Marbrand]] at [[Casterly Rock]] in {{Date|235}} and had five children with her.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}} Tytos became the heir of [[Casterly Rock]] in {{Date|236}}, after the death of Tion at the [[Battle of Wendwater Bridge]] during the [[Fourth Blackfyre Rebellion]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}}

According to Maester [[Beldon]], [[Ellyn Reyne]], widowed after the death of Tion, tried to seduce the new heir, Tytos, so he would set aside Jeyne for Ellyn. Tytos apparently was so intimidated by Ellyn that he failed to perform and in shame confessed to Jeyne, who forgave him but not her good-sister, Ellyn. Jeyne informed her good-father, Lord Gerold, who hastily wed Ellyn to his elderly bannerman, Lord [[Walderan Tarbeck]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}}

Gerold took firm control of the [[westerlands]] and was determined to do everything he could to prepare his unpromising new heir for lordship. Gerold was not blind to his son's flaws though and knew Tytos would be unsuitable for the positions of [[Lord of Casterly Rock]] and [[Warden of the West]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}}

==Lord of Casterly Rock==
[[File:Young-Tywin.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Tytos Lannister in his prime along with a young [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] as depicted by Magali Villeneuve in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'']]

Tytos became Lord of Casterly Rock in {{date|244}} after the death of his father, [[Gerold Lannister|Gerold]]. Bannermen and merchants took advantage of the weak-willed Tytos, who was eager to please.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}} The power of [[House Lannister]] waned and many other neighboring Houses grew in strength. Many said that the Lion of Lannister was no longer a beast to fear and japed about toothless lions.{{Ref|ASOS|66}}

According to semi-canon sources, Tytos' weakness led to defiance from his lords bannermen. Lord [[House Farman|Farman]] of [[Fair Isle]] began to build warships to defend his coasts from [[ironborn]] raiders despite Tytos' opposition, as the Warden of the West feared offending [[House Greyjoy]] of [[Pyke]]. Three [[landed knight]]s and a petty lord whose lands bordered [[The Reach]] renounced their allegiance to Casterly Rock and swore fealty to [[Highgarden]] arguing that [[House Tyrell]] guaranteed more protection than House Lannister. Meanwhile, Lords [[House Jast|Jast]] and [[House Falwell|Falwell]], instead of seeking a ruling from their overlord, chose to settle a private quarrel with a melee that led to the deaths of nine men and twenty-seven being maimed or wounded but didn't settle the quarrel. For his part, Lord [[House Stackspear|Stackspear]] doubled the taxes on his [[smallfolk]], despite that Lord Tytos had forbidden it, and even hired a company of [[Volantis|Volantene]] sellsword to enforce his edict.<ref name=sample/>

According to his daughter [[Genna Lannister|Genna]], Tytos agreed to marry her to [[Emmon Frey]], the second son of Lord [[Walder Frey]], just to please the [[Lord of the Crossing]]. The betrothal was announced at a feast in {{date|252}}, with most of the lords of the west in attendance. Upon the announcement, Lord [[Roger Reyne]], the Red Lion of [[Castamere]], left the hall in anger and Lady [[Ellyn Reyne|Ellyn Tarbeck]] laughed aloud. The rest of Tytos's vassals sat on their tongues, and only Tytos's eldest son, [[Tywin Lannister]], spoke out against the wedding because he thought it an uneven match.{{Ref|aFfC|32}} Tytos later sent Tywin to [[King's Landing]] to serve as a royal cupbearer at King [[Aegon V Targaryen]]'s court.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}}. According to a semi-canon source, Tytos and Tywin had quarreled at Tytos' solar, shouting at each other, with some swearing that Tywin had even slapped his father, though this was never proven.<ref name=sample/>

[[House Reyne]] power grew under Tytos's poor leadership, as did their close allies in [[House Tarbeck]], as Ellyn was Roger's sister. Lady Tarbeck was not slow to take advantage of Tytos's willingness to part with large sums of gold, borrowing heavily and using the money to restore the crumbling [[Tarbeck Hall]], strengthening the curtain walls, rebuilding its keep and furnishing its keep with a splendor to rival any castle in the west.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}}

Normally jovial, Tytos became sorrowful after his wife, Jeyne, died within a moon of giving birth to a son, [[Gerion Lannister|Gerion]], in {{Date|255}}. Conditions in the [[westerlands]] became dismal in the following years; bandits and outlaws prowled the roads, while bannermen ignored Tytos's orders and saw to their own affairs. Thrice in his reign, King [[Aegon V Targaryen]] sent the forces of the [[Iron Throne]] to intervene and restore order to the west, but conflict resumed after the king's knights departed.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}}

During the [[War of the Ninepenny Kings]], Lord Tytos answered the call of the new king, [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]], sending eleven thousand westermen under the leadership of his younger brother, Ser [[Jason Lannister (son of Gerold)|Jason Lannister]]. Tytos also sent his three eldest sons—Tywin, [[Kevan Lannister|Kevan]], and [[Tygett Lannister]]—to fight in the conflict. Tytos remained at Casterly Rock, taking [[Tytos Lannister's first mistress|Gerion's wet nurse]] as his mistress. Roger Reyne took command of the westermen on campaign after the death of Jason at [[Bloodstone]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}}

Battle hardened from the war, Tytos's sons were determined to restore the power of House Lannister. Lord Tytos protested feebly before returning to the comfort and embrace of his mistress. Tywin began by demanding the repayment of the gold his father lent out; those who could not repay immediately had to send a hostage to [[Casterly Rock]] until their debt was settled. He charged his brother, Ser Kevan, with command of five hundred veterans knights to rid the westerlands of robber knights and bandit outlaws. Some hastened to obey, and Ser [[Harys Swyft]] is said to have stated, "The lion has awoken."{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}} Unable to pay his loan at the time, Harys agreed to surrender his daughter [[Dorna Swyft|Dorna]] into Kevan's custody, and elsewhere collectors were met with sullen resistance and open defiance. Lord Reyne reportedly laughed when he read Tywin's edicts and counseled his friends and vassals to do nothing.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}}

Lord [[Walderan Tarbeck]] rode to Casterly Rock to confront Lord Tytos, confident he could easily cow Tytos to rescind his son's edicts. Tytos was not present when Walderan arrived at court, however, and the young Tywin ordered Lord Walderan imprisoned for disloyalty. In return, Ellyn Tarbeck seized three Lannisters—two [[House Lannister of Lannisport|Lannisters]] of [[Lannisport]], as well as [[Stafford Lannister]], whose sister [[Joanna Lannister|Joanna]] was betrothed to Tywin—and threatened them harm unless Walderan was returned. This awoke Lord Tytos, who ignored Tywin's suggestion that Walderan should be sent back to his wife in three pieces, one for every Lannister taken. Tytos returned Walderan unharmed and forgave the Tarbeck debt to House Lannister.{{Ref|AFFC|44}}

Less than a year later in {{date|261}}, Walderan and Roger renounced Tytos in the [[Reyne-Tarbeck revolt]]. Acting without his father's leave, Tywin destroyed Tarbeck Hall and [[Castamere]] and extinguished Houses Reyne and Tarbeck.{{Ref|ASOS|19}}

===Later life===
While his son and heir, Ser [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]], was named [[Hand of the King]] by the newly-crowned King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] in {{date|262}}, Tytos remained at [[Casterly Rock]], though after the destruction of the [[House Reyne|Reynes]] and [[House Tarbeck|Tarbecks]] by his heir, none of his remaining vassals caused further trouble.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}}

One [[autumn]], Tytos came between a [[lion]]ess and her prey. The lioness tore into Tytos's horse and was about to attack him as well, when the kennelmaster of Casterly Rock came to his rescue with his dogs, losing his leg and three dogs in the process. Out of gratitude, Tytos gave the kennelmaster lands and a towerhouse and took his son as a squire, thereby creating [[House Clegane]].{{Ref|ACOK|18}}

In his last few years, Tytos became very fat{{Ref|AFFC|3}} and took [[Tytos Lannister's second mistress|a new mistress]], a commonborn daughter of a candlemaker. She helped herself to the late [[Jeyne Marbrand]]'s jewels and clothes and also began ordering about household knights, dismissed servants, and sat in attendance when Tytos was absent. While Tywin was in [[King's Landing]] In {{Date|267}}, Tytos died of a heart attack while climbing stairs to see her.{{Ref|AFFC|3}} Tywin, the new Lord of Casterly Rock, ordered a [[walk of atonement]] through [[Lannisport]] for his father's mistress.{{Ref|ADWD|65}}

The only influence Tytos had on his son was that Tywin mistrusted laughter and that he became a hard man.{{Ref|ASOS|66}}<ref>''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 32|Chapter 32]], Jaime: Genna Lannister, to Jaime Lannnister "He heard too many people laughing at your grandsire."</ref> Tytos did not forget his children when he died, and left behind a generous inheritance for Tywin, [[Kevan Lannister|Kevan]], [[Genna Lannister|Genna]], [[Tygett Lannister|Tygett]], and [[Gerion Lannister|Gerion]].{{Ref|AFFC|7}}

==Quotes about Tytos==
{{Quote|Lord Tytos was an altogether different character [to [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]]], amiable but ineffectual, and he allowed himself to be pushed around a good deal, by a number of people.. including Lord [[Walder Frey]] (ever wonder how [[Genna Lannister|Genna]] came to marry [[Emmon Frey|so poorly]]?) and the [[Roger Reyne|Red Lion of Castamere]], the richest and most powerful [[House Lannister|Lannister]] bannerman, and a formidable soldier/warrior in his own right...<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Tywin_and_the_Reynes Tywin and the Reynes], November 15, 1999.</ref>|[[George R. R. Martin]]}}

{{Quote|His lordship wants only to be loved. So he laughs, and takes no offense, and forgives, and bestows honors and offices and lavish gifts on those who mock him and defy him, thinking thereby to win their loyalty. Yet the more he laughs and gives, the more they despise him.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}}|[[Beldon]] in a letter to the [[Citadel]]}}

{{Quote|Our own father was gentle and amiable, but so weak his bannerman mocked him in their cups. Some saw fit to defy him openly. Other lords borrowed our gold and never troubled to repay it. At court they japed of toothless lions. Even his [[Tytos Lannister's second mistress|mistress]] stole from him. A woman scarcely one step above a whore, and she helped herself to [[Jeyne Marbrand|my mother's]] jewels!{{Ref|ASOS|66}}|[[Kevan Lannister]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

==Family==
Tytos was the third-born son of his father, [[Gerold Lannister]], and mother, [[Rohanne Webber]]. He had two older twin brothers, [[Tywald Lannister|Tywald]] and [[Tion Lannister|Tion]], and a younger brother, [[Jason Lannister (son of Gerold)|Jason Lannister]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister under the Dragons}}

===Ancestry===
{{Lannister tree Damon}}

===Descendants===
{{Lannister tree}}

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

{{Lords of Casterly Rock}}

[[Category:House Lannister]]
[[Category:Characters from the Westerlands|Lannister, Tytos]]
[[Category:Lords of Casterly Rock]]
[[Category:Nobles|Lannister, Tytos]]
[[Category:Squires|Lannister, Tytos]]
[[Category:Wardens of the West|Lannister, Tytos]]

[[es:Tytos Lannister]]
[[fa:تایتوس لنیستر]]
[[fr:Tytos Lannister]]
[[pt:Tytos Lannister]]
[[ru:Титос Ланнистер]]
[[zh:泰陀斯·兰尼斯特]]

Rhaenyra Targaryen

2024-01-25T11:34:54Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox monarch
| arms1 = Targaryen
| arms2 = Rhaenyra Targaryen
| arms3 =
| title = Queen{{refn|group="N"|While not listed in the Targaryen succession except for disputing the claim of [[Aegon II Targaryen]],{{ref|AGOT|Appendix}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}{{Ref|FAB|The Targaryen Succession}} Rhaenyra was crowned and acclaimed by the [[blacks]] faction, who fought in her name as queen.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}} }}
| firstname = Rhaenyra
| lastname = Targaryen
| image = Rhaenyra.jpg
| image_caption = Rhaenyra Targaryen, by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/ Amok] ©
| reign = {{Date|129|130}}
| coronation = {{Date|129}}, at [[Dragonstone]]{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}
| fullname = Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, the First of Her Name
| othertitles = [[Prince]]ss [[Princess of Dragonstone]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} [[Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]]{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}} (claimant)
| allegiance = [[Blacks]]
| predecessor = King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
| successor = King [[Aegon II Targaryen]]
| heir = Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]] Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon]] Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]]
| alias = The Realm's Delight{{Ref|TPATQ}} The whore of Dragonstone{{Ref|TPATQ}} King Maegor with teats{{Ref|TPATQ}} The Half-Year Queen{{Ref|TPATQ}} Rhaenyra the Pretender{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}} Queen Rhaenyra{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}} The dragon queen{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}} The bitch queen{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
| dateofbirth = {{Date|97}}
| placeofbirth =
| dateofdeath = 22th day of the 10th moon of {{Date|130}} {{S|aged 33}}
| placeofdeath = [[Dragonstone]]
| dateofburial =
| placeofburial =
| race = [[Valyrians|Valyrian]]
| culture = [[Crownlands#People and Economy|Crownlander]]
| royalhouse = [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]]
| consort = Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], [[Protector of the Realm]]
| spouse = 1st: Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]] 2nd: Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]]
| lover = Ser [[Criston Cole]] (rumored){{Ref|TRP}} Ser [[Harwin Strong]] (rumored){{Ref|tpatq}}
| issue = With Laenor: Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]] Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]] Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon]]
----
With Daemon: King [[Aegon III Targaryen]] King [[Viserys II Targaryen]] Princess [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Visenya Targaryen]]
| father = King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
| mother = Queen [[Aemma Arryn]]
| coat-of-arms = The Targaryen three-headed red dragon on black, quartered with the moon-and-falcon sigil of House Arryn and the silver seahorse on sea green of House Velaryon ''(Quarterly 1st and 4th Sable a dragon thrice-headed gules flammant of the last; 2nd Bleu celeste upon a plate a falcon volant of the field; 3rd Aquamarine a seahorse argent)''
| Books= ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rise of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Hedge Knight]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned)
| Played_by = [[w:Emma D'Arcy|Emma D'Arcy]] [[w:Milly Alcock|Milly Alcock]] (young)
| TV_series = ''[[House of the Dragon]]'': [[House of the Dragon - Season 1|Season 1]] {{!}} [[House of the Dragon - Season 2|2]]
}}

'''Rhaenyra Targaryen''', cheered as '''the Realm's Delight''' when she was young, and later called '''the Half-Year Queen''',{{Ref|TPATQ}} was the first-born child of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]. Rhaenyra was King Viserys I's only living child by his first wife, Queen [[Aemma Arryn|Aemma]] of [[House Arryn]]. At the age of eight, she was made her father's heir, and grew up expecting to become the first ruling Queen of [[Westeros]]. Rhaenyra was a [[dragonrider]] whose mount was [[Syrax]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|TRP}}

Her claim to the [[Iron Throne]] was challenged by her younger half-brother, [[Aegon II Targaryen]], sparking the civil war known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]]. She was the mother of two kings,{{Ref|ASOS|36}} [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]] and [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys II]].

Rhaenyra's personal sigil was the standard Targaryen heraldry (a three-headed red dragon on a black field), quartered with the moon-and-falcon sigil of House Arryn (for her mother Aemma Arryn), and the silver seahorse on sea green of [[House Velaryon]] (for her first husband [[Laenor Velaryon]], as well as for the Velaryons in general, who were among her major supporters). During the Dance, her faction used her personal heraldry as their battle-flag.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}

In the television adaptation ''[[House of the Dragon]]'', Rhaenyra is portrayed by [[w:Emma D'Arcy|Emma D'Arcy]] and [[w:Milly Alcock|Milly Alcock]] (young).<ref>HBO.com: [https://www.hbo.com/house-of-the-dragon/cast-and-characters House of the Dragon Cast & Characters]</ref>

==Appearance and Character==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Rhaenyra Targaryen|l1=Images of Rhaenyra Targaryen}}

Rhaenyra had her family's [[Valyria]]n looks, wearing her silver-gold hair in a long braid in the manner of Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]].<ref name=SSM1>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Good_Queen_Alysanne_and_Rhaenyra Good Queen Alysanne and Rhaenyra] (June 18, 2006)</ref> Rhaenyra was a precocious child, bright and bold and beautiful.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} At the age of fourteen, Rhaenyra was declared by her uncle, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], to be the most beautiful [[maiden]] in all the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} Rhaenyra had a large bosom,<ref name=SSM1/> but never lost the weight she gained from pregnancies, and she had grown stout and thick of waist at the age of twenty after her third pregnancy.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Rhaenyra was proud and stubborn, and there was a certain petulance to her small mouth. Though she could be charming, Rhaenyra was quick to anger and never forgot a slight.<ref name=SSM1/> She resented her stepmother, Queen [[Alicent Hightower]],{{Ref|TPATQ}} but was fond of Lady [[Laena Velaryon]].{{Ref|TRP}}

Rhaenyra always dressed richly, favoring purple and maroon velvets and golden [[Myr]]ish lace in intricate patterns. Her bodice often glittered with pearls and diamonds, and there were always rings on her fingers. Whenever she was anxious, she would turn them compulsively around her fingers.<ref name=SSM1/> During the Dance of the Dragons, she wore the [[crown]] of her father, [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I]],<ref name=SSM1/> which had first been worn by King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

==History==
===Early life===
[[File:Baelon the Brave meets Rhaenyra by Jota Saraiva.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Newborn Rhaenyra is presented to her family (from left to right: [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]], [[Aemma Arryn|Aemma]], Rhaenyra, [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]] and [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]]), by [https://www.instagram.com/jota.saraiva.art/ Jota Saraiva] ]]
Born in {{Date|97}}, Rhaenyra was the only living child of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] by his first wife, Lady [[Aemma Arryn|Aemma]] of [[House Arryn]]. Rhaenyra had two brothers, both of whom died in the cradle.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Rhaenyra became a [[dragonrider]] at the age of seven, when she flew into the sky on the back of a young dragon, whom she named [[Syrax]]. A year later, when she was eight, Rhaenyra became a cupbearer for her father, serving him at the table, at tourneys, and at court. From that point onward, King Viserys was seldom seen without Rhaenyra.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

At a young age, Rhaenyra became enamored with her uncle, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]]. The roguish prince often brought her exotic gifts from his trips across the [[narrow sea]]. During the [[tourney for King Viserys I's accession]], Ser [[Criston Cole]] won the melee by disarming Daemon. The knight granted the victor's laurel to Rhaenyra and asked the seven-year-old girl for her favor in the lists. Rhaenyra became smitten with Criston when he joined the [[Kingsguard]] in {{Date|105}}, calling him her white knight, and Viserys allowed the charming knight to become Rhaenyra's personal shield and protector. From that moment on, Cole always wore Rhaenyra's favor in the lists and protected the girl during public events.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Late in {{Date|105}}, Rhaenyra's mother, Aemma, died birthing Rhaenyra's second brother, Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Baelon]], who died a day later. King Viserys then proclaimed Rhaenyra his heir, having all the lords of the Seven Kingdoms swear fealty to her, promising to honor and defend her rights of succession. In addition, Rhaenyra was named [[Prince of Dragonstone|Princess of Dragonstone]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

King Viserys remarried in {{Date|106}}, to Lady [[Alicent Hightower]], and stepmother and stepdaughter initially got along well. That changed when Alicent birthed the king two sons, [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]] in {{Date|107}} and [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] in {{Date|110}}, yet Viserys did not proclaim either boy his heir. People continued to ask Viserys about the succession, though Viserys was unwilling to discuss it. Ser [[Otto Hightower]], Alicent's father and Viserys's [[Hand of the King|Hand]], was sent away from court for pushing the issue too much. But even after he left, clearly two parties formed at court: the party of the Queen, and the party of the Princess.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

In {{Date|111}}, a great tourney was held at [[King's Landing]] on the fifth anniversary of King Viserys's marriage to Queen Alicent. At the opening feast, the queen wore a green gown, whilst Princess Rhaenyra dressed dramatically in [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] red and black. Note was taken, and thereafter it became the custom to refer to “[[greens]]” and “[[blacks]]” when talking of the queen's party and the party of the princess, respectively. The blacks had greater success in the tourney as Criston, wearing Rhaenyra's favor, unhorsed all of the queen's champions, including two of her cousins and her youngest brother, Ser [[Gwayne Hightower]].{{Ref|tpatq}}

According to the accounts of Septon [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]], prior to her turning sixteen, Rhaenyra lost her [[maidenhead|virginity]] to her uncle, Prince Daemon, after he seduced her. The account of the fool [[Mushroom]] is more scandalous, however, claiming that Daemon gave Rhaenyra lessons on how to seduce and please a man, lessons in which Mushroom insists he took part as well. Mushroon further claimed that Daemon secretly smuggled Rhaenyra from her rooms dressed as a page boy, and took her to [[brothel]]s on the [[Street of Silk]], where she could observe the act of love and learn the "womanly arts" from [[prostitute]]s. Mushroom's account differs from Eustace's account, in that Mushroom claims Rhaenyra remained a virgin during these lessons. According to Mushroom, Rhaenyra received those lessons from Daemon because she was in love with Criston Cole, and she wanted him to see her as a woman. Whichever account is true, (Grand Maester [[Runciter]] simply claims that the two brothers quarreled), King Viserys sent his brother into exile.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

===Ruling Princess of Dragonstone===
[[File:Young rhaenyra targaryen.jpg|thumb|350px|Princess Rhaenyra at the age of sixteen, as depicted by Magali Villeneuve in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'']]
At the age of sixteen, in {{Date|113}}, Rhaenyra took possession of [[Dragonstone]]. She had been courted by many lords and nobles who sought her hand and her favor. The sons of Lords [[House Blackwood|Blackwood]] and [[House Bracken|Bracken]] had dueled over the [[Princess of Dragonstone]] when she visited the [[Trident]] in {{Date|112}}, and the so-called [[Forrest Frey|Fool Frey]] asked for her hand in marriage. The twin knights [[Jason Lannister|Jason]] and [[Tyland Lannister]] wooed her at [[Casterly Rock]], and she was also courted by the sons of Lords [[House Oakheart|Oakheart]], [[House Tarly|Tarly]], [[House Tully|Tully]], and [[House Tyrell|Tyrell]]. Ser [[Harwin Strong]], the son of Lord [[Lyonel Strong]], also courted the princess. King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] considered wedding his daughter to [[Prince of Dorne|Prince]] [[Qoren Martell]] to bring [[Dorne]] into the [[Seven Kingdoms]], while Queen [[Alicent Hightower]] pondered a marriage between Rhaenyra and her eldest son, Prince [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Rhaenyra instead married Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]] in {{Date|114}}, though it took Viserys's threat of removing her status as heir to the [[Iron Throne]] to convince her to accept the marriage, as Rhaenyra did not feel the need to marry a man with interests like Laenor's. The princess was reported to have stated that "My half brothers would be more to his taste", to her father. Laenor's closest friend, Ser [[Joffrey Lonmouth]], was mortally wounded by Ser [[Criston Cole]] during the wedding tourney. Laenor chose to spend most of his time at [[High Tide]], while his wife preferred to remain at court. Rhaenyra was fond of Laenor's sister, Lady [[Laena Velaryon]], who had wed Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] after the death of his first wife, Lady [[Rhea Royce]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Laenor and Rhaenyra had three sons together: Princes [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys 'Jace']], [[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys 'Luke']], and [[Joffrey Velaryon|Joffrey 'Joff' Velaryon]]. It was rumored that those sons of Rhaenyra's were actually fathered by her lover, Harwin Strong, called "Breakbones". All three were born with brown hair, brown eyes, and features considered "common" such as a [[wikt:pug nose|pug nose]]. However, Laenor and Rhaenyra both had the silver-gold hair and [[purple eyes]] of [[Valyria]], and Laenor had an [[w:aquiline nose|aquiline nose]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}{{Ref|tpatq}} The true parentage of Rhaenyra's three eldest children is still unclear.<ref group="N">As Rhaenyra had an [[House Arryn|Arryn]] mother, and Laenor a [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]] grandmother, there is a possibility Jace, Luke, and Joff inherited their looks from more distant relatives, instead of their parents.</ref> Despite these rumors, there was no doubt that King Viserys meant for Rhaenyra to succeed him as heir, and for her sons to follow her. By royal decree, each of Rhaenyra's Velaryon sons was given a [[dragon egg]] in the cradle. Those who doubted their paternity claimed the eggs would never hatch; nevertheless, each one did, and in time the three boys all became dragonriders. Septon Eustace stated that King Viserys sat Jace on his knee while he was holding court on the Iron Throne, and said, "One day this will be your seat, lad."{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

[[File:The Rogue Prince and the Realm's Delight by Fkaluis.jpg|thumb|350px|The Rogue Prince and the Realm's Delight, by Fkaluis]]
In {{Date|120}}, [[Laena Velaryon]], the wife of Prince Daemon Targaryen, died after a failed birth. At her funeral, a quarrel broke out between Alicent's son [[Aemond Targaryen]] and the sons of Rhaenyra, who he accused of being [[bastard]]s from [[House Strong]]. In the children's fight, Aemond lost an eye when Lucerys defended Jacaerys with a knife. Though Alicent demanded Luke have an eye removed in recompense, and Rhaenyra demanded that Aemond be questioned "sharply" to learn where he had heard such rumors, King Viserys declared that apologies between the children was all that was needed for peace. The king further issued an edict that anyone spreading the Strong rumor would [[tongue mutilation| lose their tongue]], and ordered Harwin Strong to depart from Dragonstone to [[Harrenhal]]. Afterward, a massive fire at Harrenhal killed Harwin and his father Lyonel, the [[Hand of the King]]. While some blamed the inferno on the [[curse of Harrenhal]], other rumors blamed Daemon, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], Harwin's younger brother [[Larys Strong]], or even Viserys for the blaze. That year also saw the death of Rhaenyra's husband, Ser Laenor Velaryon, killed in a fight with his companion and rumored lover, Ser [[Qarl Correy]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Less than six months after the deaths of Laena, Laenor, and Harwin, Rhaenyra secretly married her uncle, Prince Daemon, the most experienced warrior of his time, at Dragonstone. Septon Eustace claimed the two had wed in secret to prevent Viserys from prohibiting the marriage, while Mushroom suggested that Daemon, aged thirty-nine, had already impregnated the princess, who was then twenty-three. The news of their wedding caused a great scandal at the court of [[King's Landing]], and made Rhaenyra's father livid. King Viserys angrily declared that a wedding so soon after the deaths of Daemon's wife and Rhaenyra's husband was an insult to their memories, and it took some time before Viserys and Daemon reconciled. The year ended with Rhaenyra and Daemon welcoming the birth of their first son, Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], who was born with purple eyes and pale silvery hair. Another son, born in {{Date|122}}, was given the name [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]] after Rhaenyra's father.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

In {{Date|126}}, Rhaenyra argued her second oldest son, Lucerys, should officially be named heir to [[Driftmark]]. Several lesser cousins of [[House Velaryon]], however, unsuccessfully protested to the Iron Throne that her sons were bastards fathered by Harwin Strong and had no claim to Driftmark. King Viserys heard them in stony silence, and after issuing the order to remove their tongues, slipped and cut his hand to the [[bone]] on the Iron Throne. Grand Maester [[Mellos]] was ineffective at trying to heal the king, who suffered a fever from an infection and it was feared he would die. Viserys only recovered after Rhaenyra sent her own maester, [[Gerardys]], to treat her father's wounds.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}

===Dance of the Dragons===
:{{Main|Dance of the Dragons}}
[[File:The Blacks by naomimakesart.jpg|thumb|400px|The Blacks, by Naomimakesart ©]]

Rhaenyra was the designated heir of her father, King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], who desired that she succeed him. Viserys's intent had been confirmed by a proclamation of his will.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} When Viserys died in {{Date|129}}, however, Ser [[Otto Hightower]], the [[Hand of the King]], and Ser [[Criston Cole]], [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]] and possibly the former lover of Rhaenyra, defied the king's will and instead crowned Rhaenyra's half-brother, Queen [[Alicent Hightower]]'s son [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]], who was ten years younger.{{Ref|TPATQ}} This brought about the Targaryen civil war, known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]], in which [[dragonriders]] fought each other.{{Ref|aFfC|13}} During the war, Rhaenyra rode her [[dragon]], [[Syrax]].{{Ref|aDwD|8}}{{Ref|TPATQ}}

At the time of her father's death, Rhaenyra was on [[Dragonstone]] awaiting the birth of her sixth child. The [[greens]] in [[King's Landing]] ensured that the news of the Viserys's death did not reach her until her own supporters in the [[Red Keep]] were dead or imprisoned and Aegon II's coronation had already occurred. When news reached Rhaenyra, she went into a black fury and went into early labor, producing a deformed, stillborn daughter, [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Visenya]]. Rhaenyra blamed this tragedy on the enemies who had stolen her crown. Rhaenyra had a hastily-arranged coronation of her own. The arrival of Ser [[Steffon Darklyn]] of the [[Kingsguard]] on Dragonstone, accompanied by some other supporters, was therefore celebrated, as they brought with them the crown worn by [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys I]] and Viserys. Rhaenyra was crowned with her father's crown by her husband and uncle, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]]. When news of her coronation reached King's Landing, she was offered terms that would let Rhaenyra and her descendants remain rulers of Dragonstone if she renounced her claims, but she refused, knowing that war was inevitable.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}

To gain more support to take the [[Iron Throne|throne]] from her brother, Rhaenyra sent her son Jace on his dragon to treat with the [[House Arryn|Arryns]], [[House Manderly|Manderlys]], and [[House Stark|Starks]], and her son Luke to treat with Lord [[Borros Baratheon]] at [[Storm's End]]. Luke's mission was thought to be the safer journey, but he arrived at Storm's End to find Queen Alicent's younger son [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] already there. Aemond, riding [[Vhagar]], killed Luke over [[Shipbreaker Bay]] as he attempted to leave after failing to gain Lord Borros' allegiance. The news of Luke's death devastated his mother.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}}

[[File:Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne.jpg|thumb|left|350px|Queen Rhaenyra during the Dance of the Dragons, as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in ''[[Fire & Blood]]'']]

Rhaenyra [[Fall of King's Landing|took the capital]] and sat in the throne for roughly half a year. Upon taking the city, Rhaenyra insisted on claiming her father's seat, and so she climbed the Iron Throne and accepted pleas of forgiveness and loyalty from those in the Red Keep all throughout the night. Although Rhaenyra was dressed in armor, Septon [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]]<ref>asoiaf.westeros.org: [Spoilers] The Princess and the Queen, complete spoilers discussion - [https://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/100284-spoilers-the-princess-and-the-queen-complete-spoilers-discussion/page-6#entry5178064 Ran discussing Eustace (November 28, 2013)]</ref> claimed that those present witnessed the throne leaving several cuts on her legs and left hand. The dripping blood was taken as a sign that the throne had rejected her; her days as ruler would be few.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} Eustace further claims that Rhaenyra would continuously cut herself more frequently when she sat on the [[Iron Throne]] and became more stout from gluttony during her time in King's Landing.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}

Those living in King's Landing initially welcomed Rhaenyra's return as a ruler, for they had always had little love for [[Aegon II Targaryen]] and his brother [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]]. Rhaenyra once in power sent [[knights inquisitor]] to pursue those who had helped Aegon escape the capital, the spikes of the gates started to be filled with more and more heads each day and although the late king [[Viserys I Targaryen]] had left the treasure vaults full of [[Currency|gold]] upon his death, the treasury was completely empty by the time Rhaenyra had taken the city, for the [[greens]] had sent three quarters of the gold away for safekeeping and spent the rest prior to the fall of the capital. Rhaenyra was in desperate need of coin, Lord [[Bartimos Celtigar]], her new [[master of coin]] placed new taxes on the populace that increased day by day. The [[smallfolk]] slowly started to turn against her, and eventually named her "King [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] with teats." The term Maegor's Teats became a common curse in King's Landing for a hundred years thereafter.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}

After hearing of the [[Two Betrayers]], Rhaenyra grew paranoid and declared the two remaining dragonseeds, Ser [[Addam Velaryon]] and the girl [[Nettles]] both traitors, a decision with disastrous consequences. Rhaenyra's Hand, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], who had named Addam his heir, alerted Addam in time for the knight to flee upon the back of the dragon [[Seasmoke]]. This led to the arrest of Corlys, which caused the fleet of [[House Velaryon]] to abandon Rhaenyra's cause.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}

In order to have the girl Nettles killed, Queen Rhaenyra had sent a letter to Lord [[Manfryd Mooton]], commanding him to kill the girl. Lord Mooton refused, as Nettles was under the protection of [[guest right]]. He feared Prince Daemon would kill them if they followed Rhaenyra's orders, but saw there was no winning option, since refusing to obey Rhaenyra's order would make him a traitor to the crown. Insisting that kings Viserys I and Jaehaerys I would never have asked such a thing, Manfryd decided to change his allegiance to Aegon II, after Nettles and Daemon had left his roof.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}

A massive [[Riot of King's Landing (Dance of the Dragons)|riot]] soon sprang up in King's Landing, after the suicide of [[Helaena Targaryen]] who was beloved of the small folk. Many said, she was killed on Rhaenyra's orders. The fact that this story was so easily believed, showed how much the city had turned against Rhaenyra. The riots soon escalated to the [[storming of the Dragonpit]], and the death of her son [[Joffrey Velaryon]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}

After this, Rhaenyra [[Flight to Dragonstone|fled]] King's Landing, in the aftermath of the deaths of all her other children she refused to let [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon]] out of her sight. Terrorized and despairing, she grew grey and haggard as she traveled past [[Rosby]], [[Stokeworth]], and [[Duskendale]]. Rhaenyra was forced to sell her [[crown]] to raise the coin to buy passage on a [[Braavos]]i merchant ship, the ''[[Violande]]''. Once she reached Dragonstone, Rhaenyra [[Fall of Dragonstone|was betrayed]] by Ser [[Alfred Broome]], whose men slew the remainder of her [[Queensguard]]. Her half-brother Aegon II then had her fed to his own dragon, [[Sunfyre]], at Dragonstone.{{Ref|TPATQ}}<ref group="N">According to ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'', King Aegon II decreed that Rhaenyra was never a queen, and that she be referred to only as "princess" in all chronicles and court records. No such decree is mentioned in ''[[Fire & Blood]]'', though.</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:Rhaenyra Targaryen TV Series.jpg|thumb|300px|[[w:Emma D'Arcy|Emma D'Arcy]] as Rhaenyra in ''[[House of the Dragon]]'']]
Rhaenyra's three eldest sons all died fighting during the [[Dance of the Dragons]], but her two youngest sons, the sons by her second husband, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], survived the civil war. The war ended when Aegon II died in {{Date|131}} with no male issue, and was succeeded by Rhaenyra's and Daemon's elder son, the boy [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]], who had seen his mother's death by dragon.{{Ref|THK}} Rhaenyra's second son with Prince Daemon would also later rule as King [[Viserys II Targaryen]], as both sons of his brother Aegon III, [[Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron I]] and [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I]], later died without issue.{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}}

The memory of Rhaenyra's life is controversial: to some she was a traitor who tried to usurp her brother's crown,{{Ref|ASOS|36}} while to others she was the rightful heir of King Viserys I.{{Ref|AFFC|13}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Storm of Swords''===
[[Stannis Baratheon]] mentions Rhaenyra to [[Davos Seaworth]] while listing historical figures killed for treason.{{Ref|ASOS|36}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
[[Arianne Martell]] cites Rhaenyra as justification for her plan to crown [[Myrcella Baratheon]].{{Ref|AFfC|13}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[Daenerys Targaryen]] recalls the Dance of the Dragons, and how Aegon III had seen his mother devoured by his uncle's dragon.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}

==Quotes by Rhaenyra==
{{Quote|'''Rhaenyra''': Dear brother. I had hoped that you were dead. 
'''Aegon''': After you. You are the elder.{{Ref|TPATQ}}|Rhaenyra and [[Aegon II Targaryen]] in the writings of [[Gyldayn]]}}

==Quotes about Rhaenyra==
{{Quote|I offered her an honorable peace, and the whore spat in my face. [[Dance of the Dragons|What happens now]] is on her own head.{{Ref|TPATQ}}|[[Aegon II Targaryen]] in the writings of [[Gyldayn]]}}

{{Quote|[[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Blackfyre]], the brothers [[House Toyne|Toyne]], the [[Vulture King]], [[Grand Maester]] [[Hareth (Maester)|Hareth]]... traitors have always paid with their lives... even Rhaenyra Targaryen. She was daughter to [[Viserys I Targaryen|one king]] and mother to [[Aegon III Targaryen|two]] [[Viserys II Targaryen|more]], yet she died a traitor's death for trying to usurp [[Aegon II Targaryen|her brother's]] [[crown]].{{Ref|ASOS|36}}|[[Stannis Baratheon]], to [[Davos Seaworth]]}}

{{Quote|The [[Viserys I Targaryen|first Viserys]] intended his daughter Rhaenyra to follow him, do you deny it? But as the king lay dying the [[Criston Cole|Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]] decided that it should be otherwise.{{Ref|AFFC|13}}|[[Arianne Martell]], to [[Arys Oakheart]]}}

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree Dance}}

==Behind the Scenes==
In earlier drafts of the family tree [[George R. R. Martin]] created for [[House Targaryen]], Rhaenyra had several different husbands. The first draft had her married to a [[House Lannister|Lannister]], with whom she had no children.<ref>asoiaf.westeros.org: [https://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/147116-fire-and-blood-volume-1/&page=19&tab=comments#comment-8210344 FIRE AND BLOOD Volume 1 (July 21, 2018)]</ref> A new draft, with details given in the ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying]]'' game produced by [[w:Green Ronin Publishing|Green Ronin Publishing]], stated her husband was Lyonel Strong, [[Lord of Harrenhal]] and [[Hand of the King]], by whom she had three unnamed sons. The RPG further states that House Strong was among Rhaenyra's greatest supporters during the Dance, and her three sons all died in the war.{{Ref|rpg|greenronin}}<ref>asoiaf.westeros.org: [https://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/34958-the-asoiaf-wiki-thread/&do=findComment&comment=8453392 Comment by Ran regarding the canonicity of the Green Ronin RPG (November 23, 2019)]</ref> The final draft, as featured in ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'',''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'', and ''[[Fire & Blood]]'', has Rhaenyra married first to [[Laenor Velaryon]], by whom she had three sons, ([[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]], [[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys]], and [[Joffrey Velaryon]]) who were all rumored to have been fathered by Ser [[Harwin Strong]].{{Ref|trp}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}} In that same final version, Harwin's father is called Lord [[Lyonel Strong]], who is Lord of Harrenhal and Hand of the King.{{Ref|trp}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} Additionally, after the deaths of Laenor and Harwin, both in {{Date|120}}, Rhaenyra married her uncle, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], by whom she had three more children (two sons and a [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|stillborn daughter]]).{{Ref|trp}}{{Ref|tpatq}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References}}

{{Kings of Westeros}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Targaryen, Rhaenyra}}
[[Category:House Targaryen|Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
[[Category:House Velaryon|Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
[[Category:Blacks]]
[[Category:Casualties of the Dance of the Dragons]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Aegon II Targaryen]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Sunfyre]]
[[Category:Characters with silver hair]]
[[Category:Claimants to the Iron Throne]]
[[Category:Crossdressers]]
[[Category:Cupbearers]]
[[Category:Deaths by fire]]
[[Category:Dragonriders]]
[[Category:Executions for treason]]
[[Category:Monarchs]]
[[Category:Noblewomen]]
[[Category:Princes of Dragonstone]]
[[Category:Ruling ladies]]

[[es:Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
[[fa:رینیرا تارگرین]]
[[fr:Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
[[nl:Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
[[pt:Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
[[ru:Рейнира Таргариен]]
[[zh:雷妮拉·坦格利安]]

Rhaenyra Targaryen

2024-01-25T11:34:28Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox monarch
| arms1 = Targaryen
| arms2 = Rhaenyra Targaryen
| arms3 =
| title = Queen{{refn|group="N"|While not listed in the Targaryen succession except for disputing the claim of [[Aegon II Targaryen]],{{ref|AGOT|Appendix}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}{{Ref|FAB|The Targaryen Succession}} Rhaenyra was crowned and acclaimed by the [[blacks]] faction, who fought in her name as queen.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}} }}
| firstname = Rhaenyra
| lastname = Targaryen
| image = Rhaenyra.jpg
| image_caption = Rhaenyra Targaryen, by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/ Amok] ©
| reign = {{Date|129|130}}
| coronation = {{Date|129}}, at [[Dragonstone]]{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}
| fullname = Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, the First of Her Name
| othertitles = [[Prince]]ss [[Princess of Dragonstone]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} [[Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]]{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}} (claimant)
| allegiance = [[Blacks]]
| predecessor = King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
| successor = King [[Aegon II Targaryen]]
| heir = Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]] Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon]] Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]]
| alias = The Realm's Delight{{Ref|TPATQ}} The whore of Dragonstone{{Ref|TPATQ}} King Maegor with teats{{Ref|TPATQ}} The Half-Year Queen{{Ref|TPATQ}} Rhaenyra the Pretender{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}} Queen Rhaenyra{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}} The dragon queen{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}} The bitch queen{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
| dateofbirth = {{Date|97}} {{S|aged 33}}
| placeofbirth =
| dateofdeath = 22th day of the 10th moon of {{Date|130}}
| placeofdeath = [[Dragonstone]]
| dateofburial =
| placeofburial =
| race = [[Valyrians|Valyrian]]
| culture = [[Crownlands#People and Economy|Crownlander]]
| royalhouse = [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]]
| consort = Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], [[Protector of the Realm]]
| spouse = 1st: Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]] 2nd: Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]]
| lover = Ser [[Criston Cole]] (rumored){{Ref|TRP}} Ser [[Harwin Strong]] (rumored){{Ref|tpatq}}
| issue = With Laenor: Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]] Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]] Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon]]
----
With Daemon: King [[Aegon III Targaryen]] King [[Viserys II Targaryen]] Princess [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Visenya Targaryen]]
| father = King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
| mother = Queen [[Aemma Arryn]]
| coat-of-arms = The Targaryen three-headed red dragon on black, quartered with the moon-and-falcon sigil of House Arryn and the silver seahorse on sea green of House Velaryon ''(Quarterly 1st and 4th Sable a dragon thrice-headed gules flammant of the last; 2nd Bleu celeste upon a plate a falcon volant of the field; 3rd Aquamarine a seahorse argent)''
| Books= ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rise of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Hedge Knight]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned)
| Played_by = [[w:Emma D'Arcy|Emma D'Arcy]] [[w:Milly Alcock|Milly Alcock]] (young)
| TV_series = ''[[House of the Dragon]]'': [[House of the Dragon - Season 1|Season 1]] {{!}} [[House of the Dragon - Season 2|2]]
}}

'''Rhaenyra Targaryen''', cheered as '''the Realm's Delight''' when she was young, and later called '''the Half-Year Queen''',{{Ref|TPATQ}} was the first-born child of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]. Rhaenyra was King Viserys I's only living child by his first wife, Queen [[Aemma Arryn|Aemma]] of [[House Arryn]]. At the age of eight, she was made her father's heir, and grew up expecting to become the first ruling Queen of [[Westeros]]. Rhaenyra was a [[dragonrider]] whose mount was [[Syrax]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|TRP}}

Her claim to the [[Iron Throne]] was challenged by her younger half-brother, [[Aegon II Targaryen]], sparking the civil war known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]]. She was the mother of two kings,{{Ref|ASOS|36}} [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]] and [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys II]].

Rhaenyra's personal sigil was the standard Targaryen heraldry (a three-headed red dragon on a black field), quartered with the moon-and-falcon sigil of House Arryn (for her mother Aemma Arryn), and the silver seahorse on sea green of [[House Velaryon]] (for her first husband [[Laenor Velaryon]], as well as for the Velaryons in general, who were among her major supporters). During the Dance, her faction used her personal heraldry as their battle-flag.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}

In the television adaptation ''[[House of the Dragon]]'', Rhaenyra is portrayed by [[w:Emma D'Arcy|Emma D'Arcy]] and [[w:Milly Alcock|Milly Alcock]] (young).<ref>HBO.com: [https://www.hbo.com/house-of-the-dragon/cast-and-characters House of the Dragon Cast & Characters]</ref>

==Appearance and Character==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Rhaenyra Targaryen|l1=Images of Rhaenyra Targaryen}}

Rhaenyra had her family's [[Valyria]]n looks, wearing her silver-gold hair in a long braid in the manner of Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]].<ref name=SSM1>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Good_Queen_Alysanne_and_Rhaenyra Good Queen Alysanne and Rhaenyra] (June 18, 2006)</ref> Rhaenyra was a precocious child, bright and bold and beautiful.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} At the age of fourteen, Rhaenyra was declared by her uncle, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], to be the most beautiful [[maiden]] in all the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} Rhaenyra had a large bosom,<ref name=SSM1/> but never lost the weight she gained from pregnancies, and she had grown stout and thick of waist at the age of twenty after her third pregnancy.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Rhaenyra was proud and stubborn, and there was a certain petulance to her small mouth. Though she could be charming, Rhaenyra was quick to anger and never forgot a slight.<ref name=SSM1/> She resented her stepmother, Queen [[Alicent Hightower]],{{Ref|TPATQ}} but was fond of Lady [[Laena Velaryon]].{{Ref|TRP}}

Rhaenyra always dressed richly, favoring purple and maroon velvets and golden [[Myr]]ish lace in intricate patterns. Her bodice often glittered with pearls and diamonds, and there were always rings on her fingers. Whenever she was anxious, she would turn them compulsively around her fingers.<ref name=SSM1/> During the Dance of the Dragons, she wore the [[crown]] of her father, [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I]],<ref name=SSM1/> which had first been worn by King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}

==History==
===Early life===
[[File:Baelon the Brave meets Rhaenyra by Jota Saraiva.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Newborn Rhaenyra is presented to her family (from left to right: [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]], [[Aemma Arryn|Aemma]], Rhaenyra, [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]] and [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]]), by [https://www.instagram.com/jota.saraiva.art/ Jota Saraiva] ]]
Born in {{Date|97}}, Rhaenyra was the only living child of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] by his first wife, Lady [[Aemma Arryn|Aemma]] of [[House Arryn]]. Rhaenyra had two brothers, both of whom died in the cradle.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Rhaenyra became a [[dragonrider]] at the age of seven, when she flew into the sky on the back of a young dragon, whom she named [[Syrax]]. A year later, when she was eight, Rhaenyra became a cupbearer for her father, serving him at the table, at tourneys, and at court. From that point onward, King Viserys was seldom seen without Rhaenyra.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

At a young age, Rhaenyra became enamored with her uncle, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]]. The roguish prince often brought her exotic gifts from his trips across the [[narrow sea]]. During the [[tourney for King Viserys I's accession]], Ser [[Criston Cole]] won the melee by disarming Daemon. The knight granted the victor's laurel to Rhaenyra and asked the seven-year-old girl for her favor in the lists. Rhaenyra became smitten with Criston when he joined the [[Kingsguard]] in {{Date|105}}, calling him her white knight, and Viserys allowed the charming knight to become Rhaenyra's personal shield and protector. From that moment on, Cole always wore Rhaenyra's favor in the lists and protected the girl during public events.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Late in {{Date|105}}, Rhaenyra's mother, Aemma, died birthing Rhaenyra's second brother, Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Baelon]], who died a day later. King Viserys then proclaimed Rhaenyra his heir, having all the lords of the Seven Kingdoms swear fealty to her, promising to honor and defend her rights of succession. In addition, Rhaenyra was named [[Prince of Dragonstone|Princess of Dragonstone]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

King Viserys remarried in {{Date|106}}, to Lady [[Alicent Hightower]], and stepmother and stepdaughter initially got along well. That changed when Alicent birthed the king two sons, [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]] in {{Date|107}} and [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] in {{Date|110}}, yet Viserys did not proclaim either boy his heir. People continued to ask Viserys about the succession, though Viserys was unwilling to discuss it. Ser [[Otto Hightower]], Alicent's father and Viserys's [[Hand of the King|Hand]], was sent away from court for pushing the issue too much. But even after he left, clearly two parties formed at court: the party of the Queen, and the party of the Princess.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

In {{Date|111}}, a great tourney was held at [[King's Landing]] on the fifth anniversary of King Viserys's marriage to Queen Alicent. At the opening feast, the queen wore a green gown, whilst Princess Rhaenyra dressed dramatically in [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] red and black. Note was taken, and thereafter it became the custom to refer to “[[greens]]” and “[[blacks]]” when talking of the queen's party and the party of the princess, respectively. The blacks had greater success in the tourney as Criston, wearing Rhaenyra's favor, unhorsed all of the queen's champions, including two of her cousins and her youngest brother, Ser [[Gwayne Hightower]].{{Ref|tpatq}}

According to the accounts of Septon [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]], prior to her turning sixteen, Rhaenyra lost her [[maidenhead|virginity]] to her uncle, Prince Daemon, after he seduced her. The account of the fool [[Mushroom]] is more scandalous, however, claiming that Daemon gave Rhaenyra lessons on how to seduce and please a man, lessons in which Mushroom insists he took part as well. Mushroon further claimed that Daemon secretly smuggled Rhaenyra from her rooms dressed as a page boy, and took her to [[brothel]]s on the [[Street of Silk]], where she could observe the act of love and learn the "womanly arts" from [[prostitute]]s. Mushroom's account differs from Eustace's account, in that Mushroom claims Rhaenyra remained a virgin during these lessons. According to Mushroom, Rhaenyra received those lessons from Daemon because she was in love with Criston Cole, and she wanted him to see her as a woman. Whichever account is true, (Grand Maester [[Runciter]] simply claims that the two brothers quarreled), King Viserys sent his brother into exile.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

===Ruling Princess of Dragonstone===
[[File:Young rhaenyra targaryen.jpg|thumb|350px|Princess Rhaenyra at the age of sixteen, as depicted by Magali Villeneuve in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'']]
At the age of sixteen, in {{Date|113}}, Rhaenyra took possession of [[Dragonstone]]. She had been courted by many lords and nobles who sought her hand and her favor. The sons of Lords [[House Blackwood|Blackwood]] and [[House Bracken|Bracken]] had dueled over the [[Princess of Dragonstone]] when she visited the [[Trident]] in {{Date|112}}, and the so-called [[Forrest Frey|Fool Frey]] asked for her hand in marriage. The twin knights [[Jason Lannister|Jason]] and [[Tyland Lannister]] wooed her at [[Casterly Rock]], and she was also courted by the sons of Lords [[House Oakheart|Oakheart]], [[House Tarly|Tarly]], [[House Tully|Tully]], and [[House Tyrell|Tyrell]]. Ser [[Harwin Strong]], the son of Lord [[Lyonel Strong]], also courted the princess. King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] considered wedding his daughter to [[Prince of Dorne|Prince]] [[Qoren Martell]] to bring [[Dorne]] into the [[Seven Kingdoms]], while Queen [[Alicent Hightower]] pondered a marriage between Rhaenyra and her eldest son, Prince [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Rhaenyra instead married Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]] in {{Date|114}}, though it took Viserys's threat of removing her status as heir to the [[Iron Throne]] to convince her to accept the marriage, as Rhaenyra did not feel the need to marry a man with interests like Laenor's. The princess was reported to have stated that "My half brothers would be more to his taste", to her father. Laenor's closest friend, Ser [[Joffrey Lonmouth]], was mortally wounded by Ser [[Criston Cole]] during the wedding tourney. Laenor chose to spend most of his time at [[High Tide]], while his wife preferred to remain at court. Rhaenyra was fond of Laenor's sister, Lady [[Laena Velaryon]], who had wed Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] after the death of his first wife, Lady [[Rhea Royce]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Laenor and Rhaenyra had three sons together: Princes [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys 'Jace']], [[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys 'Luke']], and [[Joffrey Velaryon|Joffrey 'Joff' Velaryon]]. It was rumored that those sons of Rhaenyra's were actually fathered by her lover, Harwin Strong, called "Breakbones". All three were born with brown hair, brown eyes, and features considered "common" such as a [[wikt:pug nose|pug nose]]. However, Laenor and Rhaenyra both had the silver-gold hair and [[purple eyes]] of [[Valyria]], and Laenor had an [[w:aquiline nose|aquiline nose]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}{{Ref|tpatq}} The true parentage of Rhaenyra's three eldest children is still unclear.<ref group="N">As Rhaenyra had an [[House Arryn|Arryn]] mother, and Laenor a [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]] grandmother, there is a possibility Jace, Luke, and Joff inherited their looks from more distant relatives, instead of their parents.</ref> Despite these rumors, there was no doubt that King Viserys meant for Rhaenyra to succeed him as heir, and for her sons to follow her. By royal decree, each of Rhaenyra's Velaryon sons was given a [[dragon egg]] in the cradle. Those who doubted their paternity claimed the eggs would never hatch; nevertheless, each one did, and in time the three boys all became dragonriders. Septon Eustace stated that King Viserys sat Jace on his knee while he was holding court on the Iron Throne, and said, "One day this will be your seat, lad."{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

[[File:The Rogue Prince and the Realm's Delight by Fkaluis.jpg|thumb|350px|The Rogue Prince and the Realm's Delight, by Fkaluis]]
In {{Date|120}}, [[Laena Velaryon]], the wife of Prince Daemon Targaryen, died after a failed birth. At her funeral, a quarrel broke out between Alicent's son [[Aemond Targaryen]] and the sons of Rhaenyra, who he accused of being [[bastard]]s from [[House Strong]]. In the children's fight, Aemond lost an eye when Lucerys defended Jacaerys with a knife. Though Alicent demanded Luke have an eye removed in recompense, and Rhaenyra demanded that Aemond be questioned "sharply" to learn where he had heard such rumors, King Viserys declared that apologies between the children was all that was needed for peace. The king further issued an edict that anyone spreading the Strong rumor would [[tongue mutilation| lose their tongue]], and ordered Harwin Strong to depart from Dragonstone to [[Harrenhal]]. Afterward, a massive fire at Harrenhal killed Harwin and his father Lyonel, the [[Hand of the King]]. While some blamed the inferno on the [[curse of Harrenhal]], other rumors blamed Daemon, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], Harwin's younger brother [[Larys Strong]], or even Viserys for the blaze. That year also saw the death of Rhaenyra's husband, Ser Laenor Velaryon, killed in a fight with his companion and rumored lover, Ser [[Qarl Correy]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Less than six months after the deaths of Laena, Laenor, and Harwin, Rhaenyra secretly married her uncle, Prince Daemon, the most experienced warrior of his time, at Dragonstone. Septon Eustace claimed the two had wed in secret to prevent Viserys from prohibiting the marriage, while Mushroom suggested that Daemon, aged thirty-nine, had already impregnated the princess, who was then twenty-three. The news of their wedding caused a great scandal at the court of [[King's Landing]], and made Rhaenyra's father livid. King Viserys angrily declared that a wedding so soon after the deaths of Daemon's wife and Rhaenyra's husband was an insult to their memories, and it took some time before Viserys and Daemon reconciled. The year ended with Rhaenyra and Daemon welcoming the birth of their first son, Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], who was born with purple eyes and pale silvery hair. Another son, born in {{Date|122}}, was given the name [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]] after Rhaenyra's father.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

In {{Date|126}}, Rhaenyra argued her second oldest son, Lucerys, should officially be named heir to [[Driftmark]]. Several lesser cousins of [[House Velaryon]], however, unsuccessfully protested to the Iron Throne that her sons were bastards fathered by Harwin Strong and had no claim to Driftmark. King Viserys heard them in stony silence, and after issuing the order to remove their tongues, slipped and cut his hand to the [[bone]] on the Iron Throne. Grand Maester [[Mellos]] was ineffective at trying to heal the king, who suffered a fever from an infection and it was feared he would die. Viserys only recovered after Rhaenyra sent her own maester, [[Gerardys]], to treat her father's wounds.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}

===Dance of the Dragons===
:{{Main|Dance of the Dragons}}
[[File:The Blacks by naomimakesart.jpg|thumb|400px|The Blacks, by Naomimakesart ©]]

Rhaenyra was the designated heir of her father, King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], who desired that she succeed him. Viserys's intent had been confirmed by a proclamation of his will.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} When Viserys died in {{Date|129}}, however, Ser [[Otto Hightower]], the [[Hand of the King]], and Ser [[Criston Cole]], [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]] and possibly the former lover of Rhaenyra, defied the king's will and instead crowned Rhaenyra's half-brother, Queen [[Alicent Hightower]]'s son [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]], who was ten years younger.{{Ref|TPATQ}} This brought about the Targaryen civil war, known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]], in which [[dragonriders]] fought each other.{{Ref|aFfC|13}} During the war, Rhaenyra rode her [[dragon]], [[Syrax]].{{Ref|aDwD|8}}{{Ref|TPATQ}}

At the time of her father's death, Rhaenyra was on [[Dragonstone]] awaiting the birth of her sixth child. The [[greens]] in [[King's Landing]] ensured that the news of the Viserys's death did not reach her until her own supporters in the [[Red Keep]] were dead or imprisoned and Aegon II's coronation had already occurred. When news reached Rhaenyra, she went into a black fury and went into early labor, producing a deformed, stillborn daughter, [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Visenya]]. Rhaenyra blamed this tragedy on the enemies who had stolen her crown. Rhaenyra had a hastily-arranged coronation of her own. The arrival of Ser [[Steffon Darklyn]] of the [[Kingsguard]] on Dragonstone, accompanied by some other supporters, was therefore celebrated, as they brought with them the crown worn by [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys I]] and Viserys. Rhaenyra was crowned with her father's crown by her husband and uncle, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]]. When news of her coronation reached King's Landing, she was offered terms that would let Rhaenyra and her descendants remain rulers of Dragonstone if she renounced her claims, but she refused, knowing that war was inevitable.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}

To gain more support to take the [[Iron Throne|throne]] from her brother, Rhaenyra sent her son Jace on his dragon to treat with the [[House Arryn|Arryns]], [[House Manderly|Manderlys]], and [[House Stark|Starks]], and her son Luke to treat with Lord [[Borros Baratheon]] at [[Storm's End]]. Luke's mission was thought to be the safer journey, but he arrived at Storm's End to find Queen Alicent's younger son [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] already there. Aemond, riding [[Vhagar]], killed Luke over [[Shipbreaker Bay]] as he attempted to leave after failing to gain Lord Borros' allegiance. The news of Luke's death devastated his mother.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}}

[[File:Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne.jpg|thumb|left|350px|Queen Rhaenyra during the Dance of the Dragons, as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in ''[[Fire & Blood]]'']]

Rhaenyra [[Fall of King's Landing|took the capital]] and sat in the throne for roughly half a year. Upon taking the city, Rhaenyra insisted on claiming her father's seat, and so she climbed the Iron Throne and accepted pleas of forgiveness and loyalty from those in the Red Keep all throughout the night. Although Rhaenyra was dressed in armor, Septon [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]]<ref>asoiaf.westeros.org: [Spoilers] The Princess and the Queen, complete spoilers discussion - [https://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/100284-spoilers-the-princess-and-the-queen-complete-spoilers-discussion/page-6#entry5178064 Ran discussing Eustace (November 28, 2013)]</ref> claimed that those present witnessed the throne leaving several cuts on her legs and left hand. The dripping blood was taken as a sign that the throne had rejected her; her days as ruler would be few.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} Eustace further claims that Rhaenyra would continuously cut herself more frequently when she sat on the [[Iron Throne]] and became more stout from gluttony during her time in King's Landing.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}

Those living in King's Landing initially welcomed Rhaenyra's return as a ruler, for they had always had little love for [[Aegon II Targaryen]] and his brother [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]]. Rhaenyra once in power sent [[knights inquisitor]] to pursue those who had helped Aegon escape the capital, the spikes of the gates started to be filled with more and more heads each day and although the late king [[Viserys I Targaryen]] had left the treasure vaults full of [[Currency|gold]] upon his death, the treasury was completely empty by the time Rhaenyra had taken the city, for the [[greens]] had sent three quarters of the gold away for safekeeping and spent the rest prior to the fall of the capital. Rhaenyra was in desperate need of coin, Lord [[Bartimos Celtigar]], her new [[master of coin]] placed new taxes on the populace that increased day by day. The [[smallfolk]] slowly started to turn against her, and eventually named her "King [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] with teats." The term Maegor's Teats became a common curse in King's Landing for a hundred years thereafter.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}

After hearing of the [[Two Betrayers]], Rhaenyra grew paranoid and declared the two remaining dragonseeds, Ser [[Addam Velaryon]] and the girl [[Nettles]] both traitors, a decision with disastrous consequences. Rhaenyra's Hand, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], who had named Addam his heir, alerted Addam in time for the knight to flee upon the back of the dragon [[Seasmoke]]. This led to the arrest of Corlys, which caused the fleet of [[House Velaryon]] to abandon Rhaenyra's cause.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}

In order to have the girl Nettles killed, Queen Rhaenyra had sent a letter to Lord [[Manfryd Mooton]], commanding him to kill the girl. Lord Mooton refused, as Nettles was under the protection of [[guest right]]. He feared Prince Daemon would kill them if they followed Rhaenyra's orders, but saw there was no winning option, since refusing to obey Rhaenyra's order would make him a traitor to the crown. Insisting that kings Viserys I and Jaehaerys I would never have asked such a thing, Manfryd decided to change his allegiance to Aegon II, after Nettles and Daemon had left his roof.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}

A massive [[Riot of King's Landing (Dance of the Dragons)|riot]] soon sprang up in King's Landing, after the suicide of [[Helaena Targaryen]] who was beloved of the small folk. Many said, she was killed on Rhaenyra's orders. The fact that this story was so easily believed, showed how much the city had turned against Rhaenyra. The riots soon escalated to the [[storming of the Dragonpit]], and the death of her son [[Joffrey Velaryon]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}

After this, Rhaenyra [[Flight to Dragonstone|fled]] King's Landing, in the aftermath of the deaths of all her other children she refused to let [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon]] out of her sight. Terrorized and despairing, she grew grey and haggard as she traveled past [[Rosby]], [[Stokeworth]], and [[Duskendale]]. Rhaenyra was forced to sell her [[crown]] to raise the coin to buy passage on a [[Braavos]]i merchant ship, the ''[[Violande]]''. Once she reached Dragonstone, Rhaenyra [[Fall of Dragonstone|was betrayed]] by Ser [[Alfred Broome]], whose men slew the remainder of her [[Queensguard]]. Her half-brother Aegon II then had her fed to his own dragon, [[Sunfyre]], at Dragonstone.{{Ref|TPATQ}}<ref group="N">According to ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'', King Aegon II decreed that Rhaenyra was never a queen, and that she be referred to only as "princess" in all chronicles and court records. No such decree is mentioned in ''[[Fire & Blood]]'', though.</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:Rhaenyra Targaryen TV Series.jpg|thumb|300px|[[w:Emma D'Arcy|Emma D'Arcy]] as Rhaenyra in ''[[House of the Dragon]]'']]
Rhaenyra's three eldest sons all died fighting during the [[Dance of the Dragons]], but her two youngest sons, the sons by her second husband, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], survived the civil war. The war ended when Aegon II died in {{Date|131}} with no male issue, and was succeeded by Rhaenyra's and Daemon's elder son, the boy [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]], who had seen his mother's death by dragon.{{Ref|THK}} Rhaenyra's second son with Prince Daemon would also later rule as King [[Viserys II Targaryen]], as both sons of his brother Aegon III, [[Daeron I Targaryen|Daeron I]] and [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I]], later died without issue.{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}}

The memory of Rhaenyra's life is controversial: to some she was a traitor who tried to usurp her brother's crown,{{Ref|ASOS|36}} while to others she was the rightful heir of King Viserys I.{{Ref|AFFC|13}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Storm of Swords''===
[[Stannis Baratheon]] mentions Rhaenyra to [[Davos Seaworth]] while listing historical figures killed for treason.{{Ref|ASOS|36}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
[[Arianne Martell]] cites Rhaenyra as justification for her plan to crown [[Myrcella Baratheon]].{{Ref|AFfC|13}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[Daenerys Targaryen]] recalls the Dance of the Dragons, and how Aegon III had seen his mother devoured by his uncle's dragon.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}

==Quotes by Rhaenyra==
{{Quote|'''Rhaenyra''': Dear brother. I had hoped that you were dead. 
'''Aegon''': After you. You are the elder.{{Ref|TPATQ}}|Rhaenyra and [[Aegon II Targaryen]] in the writings of [[Gyldayn]]}}

==Quotes about Rhaenyra==
{{Quote|I offered her an honorable peace, and the whore spat in my face. [[Dance of the Dragons|What happens now]] is on her own head.{{Ref|TPATQ}}|[[Aegon II Targaryen]] in the writings of [[Gyldayn]]}}

{{Quote|[[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Blackfyre]], the brothers [[House Toyne|Toyne]], the [[Vulture King]], [[Grand Maester]] [[Hareth (Maester)|Hareth]]... traitors have always paid with their lives... even Rhaenyra Targaryen. She was daughter to [[Viserys I Targaryen|one king]] and mother to [[Aegon III Targaryen|two]] [[Viserys II Targaryen|more]], yet she died a traitor's death for trying to usurp [[Aegon II Targaryen|her brother's]] [[crown]].{{Ref|ASOS|36}}|[[Stannis Baratheon]], to [[Davos Seaworth]]}}

{{Quote|The [[Viserys I Targaryen|first Viserys]] intended his daughter Rhaenyra to follow him, do you deny it? But as the king lay dying the [[Criston Cole|Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]] decided that it should be otherwise.{{Ref|AFFC|13}}|[[Arianne Martell]], to [[Arys Oakheart]]}}

==Family==
{{Targaryen tree Dance}}

==Behind the Scenes==
In earlier drafts of the family tree [[George R. R. Martin]] created for [[House Targaryen]], Rhaenyra had several different husbands. The first draft had her married to a [[House Lannister|Lannister]], with whom she had no children.<ref>asoiaf.westeros.org: [https://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/147116-fire-and-blood-volume-1/&page=19&tab=comments#comment-8210344 FIRE AND BLOOD Volume 1 (July 21, 2018)]</ref> A new draft, with details given in the ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying]]'' game produced by [[w:Green Ronin Publishing|Green Ronin Publishing]], stated her husband was Lyonel Strong, [[Lord of Harrenhal]] and [[Hand of the King]], by whom she had three unnamed sons. The RPG further states that House Strong was among Rhaenyra's greatest supporters during the Dance, and her three sons all died in the war.{{Ref|rpg|greenronin}}<ref>asoiaf.westeros.org: [https://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/34958-the-asoiaf-wiki-thread/&do=findComment&comment=8453392 Comment by Ran regarding the canonicity of the Green Ronin RPG (November 23, 2019)]</ref> The final draft, as featured in ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'',''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'', and ''[[Fire & Blood]]'', has Rhaenyra married first to [[Laenor Velaryon]], by whom she had three sons, ([[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]], [[Lucerys Velaryon|Lucerys]], and [[Joffrey Velaryon]]) who were all rumored to have been fathered by Ser [[Harwin Strong]].{{Ref|trp}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}} In that same final version, Harwin's father is called Lord [[Lyonel Strong]], who is Lord of Harrenhal and Hand of the King.{{Ref|trp}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} Additionally, after the deaths of Laenor and Harwin, both in {{Date|120}}, Rhaenyra married her uncle, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], by whom she had three more children (two sons and a [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|stillborn daughter]]).{{Ref|trp}}{{Ref|tpatq}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References}}

{{Kings of Westeros}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Targaryen, Rhaenyra}}
[[Category:House Targaryen|Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
[[Category:House Velaryon|Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
[[Category:Blacks]]
[[Category:Casualties of the Dance of the Dragons]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Aegon II Targaryen]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Sunfyre]]
[[Category:Characters with silver hair]]
[[Category:Claimants to the Iron Throne]]
[[Category:Crossdressers]]
[[Category:Cupbearers]]
[[Category:Deaths by fire]]
[[Category:Dragonriders]]
[[Category:Executions for treason]]
[[Category:Monarchs]]
[[Category:Noblewomen]]
[[Category:Princes of Dragonstone]]
[[Category:Ruling ladies]]

[[es:Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
[[fa:رینیرا تارگرین]]
[[fr:Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
[[nl:Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
[[pt:Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
[[ru:Рейнира Таргариен]]
[[zh:雷妮拉·坦格利安]]

Aegon II Targaryen

2024-01-25T11:32:08Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{For|other characters with the same name|Aegon Targaryen}}
{{Infobox monarch
| title = King
| firstname = Aegon
| regnalnumber = 2
| lastname = Targaryen
| arms = Targaryen
| arms2 = Aegon II Targaryen
| image = AEGON II.jpg
| image_caption = Aegon II, by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/ Amok] ©
| reign = {{Date|129}} - {{Date|131}}{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}}
| coronation = {{Date|129}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}
| fullname = Aegon Targaryen the Second of His Name
| othertitles = [[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]]{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}} [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}} [[Protector of the Realm]]{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}}
| predecessor = [[Viserys I Targaryen]]{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}}
| heir = 1st: [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys Targaryen]] ({{Date|129}}){{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}} 2nd: [[Maelor Targaryen]] ({{Date|129|130}}){{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}} 3rd: [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]] ({{Date|130|131}}){{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}
| successor = [[Aegon III Targaryen]]{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}}
| alias = Aegon the Elder Aegon the Usurper{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}
| dateofbirth = {{Date|107}}
| placeofbirth = [[King's Landing]]{{Ref|AWOIAF|Aegon II Targaryen}}
| dateofdeath = {{Date|131}} {{S|aged 24}}
| placeofdeath= King's Landing{{Ref|AWOIAF|Aegon II Targaryen}}
| dateofburial =
| placeofburial =
| culture = [[Crownlands]]
| royalhouse = [[House Targaryen]]
| queen = [[Helaena Targaryen]]
| consort =
| spouse =
| issue = [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys Targaryen]] [[Jaehaera Targaryen]] [[Maelor Targaryen]] Bastard son (allegedly, b. {{Date|123}}) Bastard daughter (allegedly, b. {{Date|123}}) [[Gaemon Palehair]] (allegedly){{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}
| father = [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
| mother = [[Alicent Hightower]]
| coat-of-arms = A golden three-headed dragon breathing golden flames on black{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} ''(Sable, a dragon thrice-headed or flammant of the last)''
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rise of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned)
| Played_by = [[w:Tom Glynn-Carney|Tom Glynn-Carney]] Ty Tennant (young)
| TV_series = ''[[House of the Dragon]]'': [[House of the Dragon - Season 1|Season 1]] {{!}} [[House of the Dragon - Season 2|2]]
}}

'''Aegon II Targaryen''', also known as '''Aegon the Elder''',{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} was the sixth [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] king to sit the [[Iron Throne]], succeeding his father, [[Viserys I Targaryen]], as [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]. His ascent was disputed by his older half-sister, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], who had been their father's designated heir. Aegon and Rhaenyra fought for the throne in the civil war the singers called the [[Dance of the Dragons]], in which both siblings perished.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}

Aegon was married to his younger sister, [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]], and had three children by her, though none reached adulthood. His [[dragon]] was [[Sunfyre]], also known as "the Golden". During the Dance, Aegon took a three-headed golden dragon for his personal sigil instead of the red three-headed Targaryen dragon,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}} indicating his mount.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} Aegon's supporters used his personal heraldry as their battle-flag.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}

In the television adaptation ''[[House of the Dragon]]'', Aegon is portrayed by [[w:Tom Glynn-Carney|Tom Glynn-Carney]],<ref>WarnerMedia Pressroom: [https://pressroom.warnermedia.com/na/bio/house-dragon-character-descriptions House of the Dragon | Character Descriptions]</ref> Ty Tennant (young), and an uncredited child actor (infant).

==Appearance and Character==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Aegon II Targaryen|l1=Images of Aegon II Targaryen}}
According to a semi-canon source, Aegon resembled his father, [[Viserys I Targaryen]], in appearance.<ref name="targaryenkings">[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Targaryen_Kings Targaryen Kings] (November 1, 2005)</ref> He was a handsome young man,{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} though he had a sullen look to his eyes and a pouty mouth. Aegon had a wispy mustache instead of a beard. Overall, he did not look like a warrior.<ref name="targaryenkings"/> He wore the iron-and-ruby [[crown]] of [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and carried [[Blackfyre]], his namesake's [[Valyrian steel]] sword.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}

Aegon was severely injured during the [[Dance of the Dragons]], which left him bent and twisted.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} At [[Battle at Rook's Rest|Rook's Rest]], Aegon broke his ribs and hip, and was burned on half his body, most severely on his left arm.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} His burns turned to scars, and his subsequent use of [[milk of the poppy]] gave him a puffy face.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} Later at [[Dragonstone]], Aegon broke both his legs. Grand Maester [[Orwyle]] noted that the right leg healed well but not the left to the point where he suggested an amputation but Aegon refused. At first he was not able to walk again and had to be carried in a [[litter]] or by others but at the end of his life he regained the strength to walk with the aid of a crutch, dragging his left leg behind him.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}

Aegon II was quick to anger and slow to forgive.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}} At the age of fifteen, he was known to be a lazy and somewhat sulky boy, inclined to gluttony at the table and given to swilling [[ale]] and [[strongwine]], traits he carried to adulthood.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} A sweet [[Arbor]] red was Aegon's favorite vintage.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}} During the Dance, after a series of defeats and setbacks, Aegon's drinking grew more frequent, as he used strongwine to drown his fears.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} He would later use wine to dull his pain from the injuries and burns he had suffered.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} Grand Maester [[Kaeth]] described him as grasping.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} Through his reign, Aegon never knew joy nor peace.{{Ref|TPATQ}}

It was widely known that the promiscuous Aegon had fathered several [[bastards]]. Even at a young age, he was known to pinch or fondle any serving girl who strayed within his reach.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} After his injuries left him incapable of sexual congress, the court fool [[Mushroom]] claims Aegon would watch as one of his favorites coupled with a serving girl or lady of the court, though he would later weep and summon Septon [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]] to grant him absolution.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}

==History==
===Youth===
Aegon was born in {{Date|106}} to King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] and his second wife, Queen [[Alicent Hightower]]. Aegon had three older half-siblings: two brothers who had died in infancy, and a sister, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], who had officially been appointed as Viserys's heir in late {{Date|105}}, with hundreds of [[lord]]s and [[landed knight]]s having done obeisance to her and having sworn sworn solemn oaths to defend her rights.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Aegon was named by his mother after [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} He would have three younger siblings: two brothers, [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] and [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]], and a sister, [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]]. Although King Viserys now had three sons, he refused to alter the succession and kept Rhaenyra as his heir, a decision he left in his will.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}} Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], the king's younger brother, was notably cool towards Aegon and Aemond, as their births had pushed Daemon further down the line of succession.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Aegon's mother, Queen Alicent, did not agree with her husband's decision to name Rhaenyra heir to the [[Iron Throne]] over Aegon. When her father, Ser [[Otto Hightower]], continually encouraged Viserys to name Aegon his heir, he was stripped of his office as [[Hand of the King]]. When attempts to persuade the king to do otherwise failed, Alicent attempted to convince her husband to have Rhaenyra and Aegon marry. Viserys did not agree, as the two siblings were ten years apart in age, and had never gotten along. King Viserys knew that Alicent only proposed the match to get Aegon on the throne, and thus married Rhaenyra to Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]], heir to [[Driftmark]], instead.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

===Tensions at court===
Relations at court began to escalate as lords began to side with either [[Alicent Hightower|Alicent]] or [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], with many favoring the laws established at the [[Great Council]] of {{Date|101}}, declaring that the [[Iron Throne]] could not pass to a woman. The two parties soon became known as the "[[greens]]" and the "[[blacks]]", the former consisting of those in favor of Aegon inheriting the Iron Throne, while the latter favored Rhaenyra.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

The enmity between Queen Alicent and Princess Rhaenyra was passed on to their children; Aegon and his brothers did not get along with their [[House Velaryon|Velaryon]] nephews, and resented the three boys for having stolen their "birthright", the Iron Throne itself. Prince Aegon was convinced that Rhaenyra's three Velaryon sons were fathered by Ser [[Harwin Strong]], and stated such to his brother [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]]. The six boys attended the same feasts, balls, and revels, and sometimes trained together under the same [[master-at-arms]] and studied under the same [[maesters]]. Archmaester [[Gyldayn]] believed that forcing Aegon and his siblings to be close to Rhaenyra's sons only caused their mutual dislike to grow.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

By the time he was thirteen years old, Prince Aegon had become a [[dragonrider]], having successfully bonded with the young [[Sunfyre]]. After the deaths of their spouses, Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon married. In {{Date|120}}, Rhaenyra bore a son she named [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon]], intended to be a slight towards Prince Aegon, much to the wroth of Queen Alicent. In {{Date|122}}, in accordance with the ancient tradition of [[House Targaryen]], Prince Aegon the Elder married his sister, Princess [[Helaena Targaryen]], in [[King's Landing]]. Their first children, the twins Prince [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys]] and Princess [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]], were born a year later, as were two [[bastards]], a boy Aegon had fathered on a girl whose maidenhead he had won at an auction in the [[Street of Silk]] and a girl he had fathered on one of his mother's servants. In {{Date|127}}, Helaena gave birth to Aegon's youngest son, Prince [[Maelor Targaryen|Maelor]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Despite the various attempts of King Viserys to get Aegon, his siblings, and their Velaryon nephews on friendlier terms, Aegon remained resentful of Rhaenyra's children. When at a feast on the first day of {{Date|127}}, Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]] asked Princess Helaena for a dance, Aegon took offense. They argued, and might even have fought, had the [[Kingsguard]] not intervened.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

===The Dance of the Dragons===
====Early rule====
[[File:Aegon II crowned.jpg|thumb|Aegon II is crowned by Ser [[Criston Cole]], as depicted by Douglas Wheatley]]
When King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] died in {{Date|129}}, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] was still the heir to the [[Iron Throne]]. Since she was pregnant at [[Dragonstone]] when her father died, the greens in [[King's Landing]] hid the news of Viserys's death, keeping the king's body in his room for seven days, until their preparations for Aegon's coronation were complete. With the exception of Lord [[Lyman Beesbury]], the [[small council]] agreed to crown Aegon. When Alicent finally summoned Aegon to the Green council, the Kingsguard did not find him in the rooms he shared with his wife Helaena. Grand Maester [[Munkun]]'s ''[[True Telling]]'' says Aegon was found "at his revels". According to [[Mushroom]]'s scandalous account, these revels were at a [[Flea Bottom]] [[rat pit]], where feral children fought each other for the amusement of watchers, while Aegon, drunk and naked, was pleasured by a young girl. The account of Septon [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]], a Green supporter who was biased to portay Aegon in a positive light, claimed Aegon was found abed with a well-kept [[paramour]], the daughter of a wealthy trader. According to Eustace, Aegon at first refused to be a part of his mother's plans to crown him, insisting Rhaenyra was heir. However, Ser [[Criston Cole]], [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]], convinced him that should Rhaenyra take the throne, Aegon and his brothers would be executed. Eustace insists that only this persuaded him to take the crown.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}

While the council made plans to win the [[Great Houses]] over to Aegon, the prince grew tired of the secrecy and demanded to be crowned. On the tenth day of the third moon of 129 AC, the death of King Viserys I was finally announced to the [[Seven Kingdoms]] and Aegon was declared king. Preparations were made to have the coronation at the [[Dragonpit]]. On the appointed day, Ser Criston the Kingmaker placed the crown of Aegon the Conqueror upon the prince's head, proclaiming him [[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]]. With the aged [[High Septon (Dance of the Dragons)|High Septon]] in [[Oldtown]], it fell to Septon Eustace to anoint and bless King Aegon II.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}

However, Ser [[Steffon Darklyn]] of the [[Kingsguard]] fled to Rhaenyra at Dragonstone with the crown of Viserys I. Rhaenyra refused to be denied her crown, disputing Aegon's ascension. Aegon enjoyed the wealth of King's Landing, Oldtown, and [[Lannisport]], as well as the support of Houses [[House Hightower|Hightower]], [[House Lannister|Lannister]], and [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]]. He also maintained the appearance of legitimacy, with the Conqueror's crown, the [[Valyrian steel]] sword [[Blackfyre]], and the Iron Throne. Upon hearing of Rhaenyra's coronation, Aegon demanded the heads of her and Prince Daemon, though Grand Maester [[Orwyle]] convinced Aegon to allow him to give peace terms to Rhaenyra. However, Rhaenyra refused the terms, much to the anger of Aegon. The realm was split into two as the greens and the blacks battled for the Iron Throne, and the civil war known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]] began.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}

Early in the war, Prince Aemond slew Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]] over [[Storm's End]], while Lucerys was attempting to win [[Borros Baratheon]], [[Lord of Storm's End]], over to his mother's side. Upon Aemond's return, having ensured Storm's End's support, Aegon welcomed his brother with a great feast, though Queen Alicent and her father, Ser [[Otto Hightower]], the [[Hand of the King]], were concerned about the extent of Aemond's actions.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}} Seeking revenge against Aegon, Prince Daemon took action. Aegon's heir, Prince [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys]], was murdered in the [[Red Keep]] by [[Blood (the butcher)|Blood]] and [[Cheese (the rat-catcher)|Cheese]], agents of [[Mysaria]], Daemon's spymaster. His sister-wife, Queen [[Helaena Targaryen]], quickly began to sink into depression and madness, due to [[Dance of the Dragons#Blood and Cheese|the role she had played]] in the events leading to Jaehaerys' death.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}} While Blood was captured and tortured to death, Cheese was not found. In his fury, Aegon ordered every ratcatcher in the city to be hanged. Aegon and his wife slept separately thereafter, with the king drinking in anger.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}}

[[File:Sunfyre rook's rest.png|thumb|400px|King Aegon II upon [[Sunfyre]], as depicted by Jordi González Escamilla in [[The World of Ice & Fire]]]]

While the greens suffered a series of defeats in the [[riverlands]], Ser Otto attempted to win allies with letters and buying sellswords. Aegon mistook his efforts for inaction, and his caution for cowardice. With [[House Velaryon]], [[House Stark]], [[House Arryn]], and much of the riverlords firmly behind his sister, Aegon drowned his growing fears in strongwine. With [[Corlys Velaryon]], [[Lord of the Tides]], blockading King's Landing, Otto reached out to the [[Triarchy]] and [[Dalton Greyjoy]], [[Lord of the Iron Islands]], for aid. Because of his grandfather's delays in waging war, Aegon stripped Otto of the Handship and awarded it to Criston Cole. Under Criston the Kingmaker's advice, those nobles who were imprisoned for their loyalties to Rhaenyra were brought before the [[King's Justice]] and executed if they did not bend the knee to Aegon. The king also desired to attack Dragonstone, though he was dissuaded by his council.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}

Ser Criston soon took to the offensive. Aegon himself took the field in a trap set by the Kingmaker at [[Battle of Rook's Rest|Rook's Rest]], where he and Aemond fought and killed Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys Targaryen]], the Queen Who Never Was, and her dragon, [[Meleys]]. However, Sunfyre was badly maimed by Rhaenys and Meleys, and Aegon suffered from burns that covered half his body, a broken hip, and numerous broken ribs. His armor had melted into his left arm, and it would take him a year to recover, his mind clouded by [[milk of the poppy]], causing him to sleep nine hours out of every ten. He did not rise from his bed for the rest of the year, and some say he prayed for his death. Only his mother, Queen Alicent, and his Hand, Ser Criston, were allowed to disturb his rest. Prince Aemond took over the rule in his stead as [[Regent|Prince Regent]] and [[Protector of the Realm]]. Aegon remained bent and twisted for the rest of his life, half his body covered in burn scars.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}

====Dragonstone====
Rhaenyra [[Fall of King's Landing|took King's Landing]] and the Iron Throne in {{Date|130}}, [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] and [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] slew each other in the [[Battle Above the Gods Eye]], and Criston perished in the [[Butcher's Ball]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}} Before they could be captured by Rhaenyra, however, [[Larys Strong]], [[Lord of Harrenhal]], secretly smuggled Aegon and his children out of the city. While Maelor and Jaehaera were spirited away to safety, Aegon disguised himself as one of the [[smallfolk]] and escaped on a fishing boat, later arriving on Dragonstone where he convinced several blacks to defect and help him take the island. During the [[fall of Dragonstone]], he fought Princess [[Baela Targaryen]], both of them mounted on dragons. When Sunfyre and [[Moondancer]] fell to the earth during the fight, Aegon tried to jump off his dragon's back, shattering his legs. He carried great pain with him for the rest of his life, but refused milk of the poppy when offered by Grand Maester [[Gerardys]], due to his experience with it from his recovery from Rook's Rest. Aegon had no trust for Gerardys and ordered him fed to his dragon, although the upper torso was kept and hanged on the battlements to welcome his sister.{{Ref|ASOS|12}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} Having been protected by Ser [[Marston Waters]] on his journey to Dragonstone, Aegon named the bastard knight to his Kingsguard. Meanwhile, Aegon's wife Helaena had ended her grief by suicide in the capital, and his son, Prince Maelor, was killed by a mob in [[Bitterbridge]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}

Following the [[Storming of the Dragonpit]], Rhaenyra [[Flight to Dragonstone|fled to Dragonstone]] in {{Date|130}}. Unaware of Aegon's coup, she was captured on arrival, judged a traitor, and fed by Aegon to Sunfyre, as Rhaenyra's surviving son, Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], watched.{{Ref|THK}} Ser [[Alfred Broome]] argued for killing Prince Aegon as well, though the king forbade it.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} The war continued, however, as Rhaenyra's supporters continued her cause supporting Aegon the Younger, despite the boy being Aegon the Elder's prisoner.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}} However, King Aegon's return to King's Landing was prevented by the [[Velaryon fleet]] surrounding Dragonstone.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}

====Restoration====
[[File:King Aegon II FAB.PNG|thumb|Aegon II Targaryen, as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in [[Fire & Blood]]]]
Though [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] was dead, the [[Dance of the Dragons]] was not yet over. Aegon II offered [[House Velaryon]] a pardon if [[Alyn Velaryon]], the heir of Lord [[Corlys Velaryon|Corlys]], swore fealty to him and allowed him to cross [[Blackwater Bay]]. While on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]], Sunfyre died from his wounds and Aegon wept. Although Aegon at first ordered Princess [[Baela Targaryen]]'s execution, he instead threatened to execute her if Alyn did not present himself before the king. When Lord [[Borros Baratheon]] finally arrived at King's Landing, Dowager Queen [[Alicent Hightower]] arranged a marriage between Aegon II and Lady [[Cassandra Baratheon]], Borros's eldest daughter. Meanwhile, Corlys agreed to swear fealty to Aegon and was named [[master of ships]]. As Aegon was preparing to behead Baela again while Alyn prepared an attack on Dragonstone, news of House Velaryon's accord with the Iron Throne reached both sides. Aegon returned to King's Landing aboard ''[[Mouse]]'', a battered cog captained by Alyn's mother, [[Marilda of Hull]]. According to [[Mushroom]], the selection of that ship was intended by Alyn to be an insult to the king.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}

Unable to climb the steps of the [[Iron Throne]], Aegon II held court from a wooden, cushioned seat, with a blanket covering his twisted legs. Though in great pain, he refused to return to the use of [[dreamwine]] or [[milk of the poppy]], but instead turned his attention to the three pretender kings in King's Landing. Aegon allowed [[Trystane Truefyre]] to receive [[knight]]hood before being executed. The king spared [[Gaemon Palehair]] on account of his youth, though his followers were hanged. After arresting the [[Shepherd]], Aegon had his tongue ripped out, then had him burned to death [[Shepherd's Way|alongside his followers]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}

While Lord Velaryon urged Aegon to pardon those lords that supported Rhaenyra, the king had said lords of the [[crownlands]] brought to him in chains to swear fealty, pay a heavy ransom, and provide hostages to the Crown, hardening them against him. Meanwhile, the riverlords marched towards King's Landing, while a large host from the [[Vale of Arryn]] was hiring ships to bring them down on the capital. Aegon made efforts to hatch [[dragon egg]]s from Dragonstone, but to no success. Corlys implored the king to wed his daughter, [[Jaehaera Targaryen]], to the captive [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], though Aegon II desired for his sister's line to end; Aegon decreed that the prince would either join the [[Night's Watch]] or serve him as a [[eunuch]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}

====Death====
With armies closing in on the capital and his lords plotting and arguing, Aegon II remained oblivious, only taking pleasure from contemplating his marriage to Lady [[Cassandra Baratheon]]. The king commanded for the [[Dragonpit]] to be rebuilt and two statues commissioned of his late brothers, [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron the Daring]] and [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond One-Eye]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}

However, [[Kermit Tully]], [[Lord of Riverrun]], and his army had defeated Lord [[Borros Baratheon]] in the [[Battle of the Kingsroad]]. With no green armies remaining, the [[Lads]] marching on the capital, and with the additional approach of the [[Vale]]men and the [[north]]ern army of [[Cregan Stark]], [[Lord of Winterfell]], Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] knew defeat was imminent in {{date|131}}. He counseled King Aegon to abdicate and join the [[Night's Watch]], though Queen [[Alicent Hightower]] reminded her son of their hostages and the king refused. He instead gave orders to have the ear of his nephew, Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], cut off and sent to Lord Tully as a warning.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}

[[File:Aegon II dead.PNG|thumb|Aegon II dead within his litter, as depicted by Douglas Wheatley]]

After his meeting with the [[small council]], the fatigued Aegon climbed into his litter and asked to be carried to the [[royal sept]]. The king had his customary flagon of sweet [[wine|Arbor red]] along the way to ease his pain. When his escort arrived and Ser [[Gyles Belgrave]] of the Kingsguard lifted the litter's curtains, Aegon II was found dead with blood on his lips.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}

With Aegon II dead, Lord Corlys and an unharmed Aegon the Younger rode out to meet the vanguard of Kermit Tully's host, proclaiming the king was dead. Meanwhile, Lord [[Leowyn Corbray]], commander of the [[House Arryn|Arryn]] host, witnessed the [[Velaryon fleet]] remove the banner of Aegon II. The late king had no male heirs left, which led to his nephew Aegon the Younger ascending to the [[Iron Throne]] and marrying Aegon II's daughter, Princess [[Jaehaera Targaryen]], thus uniting the two branches of [[House Targaryen]]. As per Targaryen traditions, Aegon II was consigned to the flames, with some hoping that the ills and hatreds of his reign would be burned away with his remains.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}

Who exactly [[poison]]ed the king remains unknown, though those judged responsible were arrested for the crime during the [[Hour of the Wolf]]. The main conspirators in Aegon II's death were Lord Velaryon, Lord [[Larys Strong]], and Ser [[Perkin the Flea]], who feared that Aegon II remaining on the Iron Throne would lead to continued war. When Lord Stark arrived in King's Landing, he had them arrested. Grand Maester [[Orwyle]] was sentenced to death for providing the poison, Ser Gyles was executed for "allowing his king's death", and twenty-two lesser personages were also judged complicit, most of those under Perkin's command. While Corlys confessed to his involvement, Cregan was eventually convinced to spare him by [[Alysanne Blackwood]]. Larys was executed while Perkin was sent to the [[Wall]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}} Construction of the statues of Aegon II's brothers was halted as the Dragonpit was repaired.{{Ref|FAB|Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand}}

===Legacy===
Despite being considered as part of the Targaryen dynasty, history would not be kind on Aegon II, though it is equally unkind to his half-sister, Rhaenyra. In the tome ''[[Lives of Four Kings]]'', Grand Maester [[Kaeth]] describes Aegon as "grasping", and compares him to some of the worst Targaryen kings: the weakling [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]] and the tyrannical [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor the Cruel]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}

==Small council under Aegon II Targaryen==
During the reign of King Aegon II Targaryen, the small council (called the "[[green council]]" in opposition to [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]'s "[[black council]]") held the following members:

{| class=wikitable width=80%i
!width=25% | Office
!width=15% | Duration
!width=20% | Name
!Notes
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Hand of the King]]
| {{Date|129}}
| Ser [[Otto Hightower]]{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}
| 
|-
|{{Date|129|130}}
| Ser [[Criston Cole]]{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}
| Criston also served as [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]] at the same time.
|-
| [[Grand Maester]]
| {{Date|129}}–Unknown
| [[Orwyle]]{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}
| Orwyle was arrested by [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]'s forces when she [[fall of King's Landing|took King's Landing]] in {{Date|130}} and placed in the [[black cells]]. He was later freed when Rhaenyra fled the capital.
|-
| [[Master of coin]]
|{{Date|129|131}}
| Ser [[Tyland Lannister]]{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}
| 
|-
| [[Master of laws]]
| {{Date|129|130}}
| Lord [[Jasper Wylde]]{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}
| 
|-
| [[Lord Confessor]] and [[master of whisperers]]
| {{Date|129|131}}
| Lord [[Larys Strong]]{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}
| 
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Master of ships]]
| 
| 
| At the start of Aegon's reign, the newly-vacant position was offered to Lord [[Dalton Greyjoy]] in the hopes of winning the [[Iron Islands]] as allies. Dalton never accepted the position and instead later attacked the [[westerlands]]. The position remained vacant for much of the war.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}
|-
| {{Date|131}}
| Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| After the death of Rhaenyra, Corlys was released from imprisonment, pardoned, and appointed to the small council.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}
|-
| [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]]
| {{Date|129|130}}
| Ser [[Criston Cole]]{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}
| 
|}

==Family==
Aegon II Targaryen was the firstborn son of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] and Queen [[Alicent Hightower]], the daughter of Ser [[Otto Hightower]]. Aegon II had two younger brothers, Prince [[Aemond Targaryen|Aemond]] and Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron]], as well as a sister, Princess [[Helaena Targaryen|Helaena]]. As per the traditions of [[House Targaryen]], Aegon would marry his sister Helaena in {{Date|122}}. Together, Aegon and Helaena would have three children. The twins Prince [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys]] and Princess [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]] were born in {{Date|123}}, and Prince [[Maelor Targaryen|Maelor]] was born in {{Date|127}}. None of his children lived to adulthood, and his line ended with Jaehaera's death in {{Date|133}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}

Though he was Viserys' eldest son, Viserys had named his eldest child and daughter his heir, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], Aegon's half-sister. Rhaenyra and her children by Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]] and Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] were to come before Aegon's own, conflicting with precedents set by the [[Great Council]] of {{Date|101}}. The ensuring debate and struggle over the succession gave birth to the [[Dance of the Dragons]] when Viserys died in {{Date|129}}. Ultimately, Aegon II reigned as king, though he would be succeeded by Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], his nephew by Rhaenyra and Daemon.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}

[[Mushroom]] claimed that Aegon fathered a [[bastard]] son on a girl from the [[Street of Silk]] and a bastard daughter on one of his mother's servants.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} The prostitute [[Essie]] claimed that [[Gaemon Palehair]] had been fathered by Aegon II, but under torture she stated the boy's father was actually a [[Lys]]eni sailor. After Helaena's death, Aegon II was betrothed to Lady [[Cassandra Baratheon|Cassandra]], daughter of Lord [[Borros Baratheon]], though the king died before he was wed.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}

{{Targaryen tree Dance}}

==Quotes by Aegon==
{{Quote|'''Rhaenyra''': Dear brother. I had hoped you were dead. 
'''Aegon''': After you. You are the elder. 
'''Rhaenyra''': I am pleased to know that you remember that. It would seem we are your prisoners ... but do not think that you will hold us long. [[Blacks|My leal lords]] will find me. 
'''Aegon''': If they search the seven hells, mayhaps.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}|[[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] and Aegon}}

{{Quote|Let the [[raven]]s fly that [[Seven Kingdoms|the realm]] may know [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|the pretender]] is dead, and their true king is coming [[Red Keep|home]] to reclaim [[Viserys I Targaryen|his father’s]] [[Iron Throne|throne]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}|Aegon after the death of [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]}}

==References==
{{References}}

{{Kings of Westeros}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Targaryen, Aegon II}}
[[Category:House Targaryen|Aegon II Targaryen]]
[[Category:Casualties of the Dance of the Dragons]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands]]
[[Category:Cripples]]
[[Category:Deaths by poison]]
[[Category:Dragonriders]]
[[Category:Greens]]
[[Category:Kings of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men|Aegon II Targaryen]]
[[Category:Kinslayers]]
[[Category:Nobles]]
[[Category:Protectors of the Realm]]

[[es:Aegon II Targaryen]]
[[fa:اگان تارگرین دوم]]
[[fr:Aegon II Targaryen]]
[[it:Aegon Targaryen (Aegon II)]]
[[nl:Aegon II Targaryen]]
[[pt:Aegon II Targaryen]]
[[ru:Эйгон II Таргариен]]
[[zh:伊耿·坦格利安二世]]

Jaehaerys I Targaryen

2024-01-23T06:30:30Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{See homonyms|Jaehaerys Targaryen}}
{{Infobox monarch
| title = King
| nickname =
| firstname = Jaehaerys
| regnalnumber = 1
| particle =
| lastname = Targaryen
| epithet = the Conciliator
| arms = Targaryen
| arms2 =
| image = JAEHAERYS I.jpg
| image_caption = Jaehaerys I, by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/ Amok] ©.
| reign = {{Date|48|103}}
| coronation = {{Date|48}} [[Starry Sept]], [[Oldtown]]
| fullname = Jaehaerys of House Targaryen, the First of His Name
| othertitles = [[Prince]] [[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]] [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]] [[Protector of the Realm]]
| allegiance =
| predecessor = King [[Maegor I Targaryen]]
| heir = Princess [[Aerea Targaryen]] ({{Date|48|52}}, {{Date|52|53}}) Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon Targaryen]] ({{Date|52}}) Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys Targaryen]] ({{Date|53|55}}) Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon Targaryen]] ({{Date|55|92}}) Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] ({{Date|92|101}}) Prince [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]] ({{Date|101|103}})
| successor = King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
| alias = Jaehaerys the Conciliator{{Ref|ASOS|8}} The Old King{{Ref|ASOS|40}} Jaehaerys the Wise{{Ref|ADWD|23}} Old King Jaehaerys{{Ref|TPATQ}}
| dateofbirth = the 20th day of the 9th moon of {{Date|34}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
| placeofbirth = [[King's Landing]]
| dateofdeath = {{Date|103}} (aged 69){{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}
| placeofdeath = King's Landing
| dateofburial = {{Date|103}}
| placeofburial = [[Dragonstone]]{{ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}<ref group="N" name="ashes">''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' and ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' stated that King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne's ashes were interred beneath the [[Red Keep]], but this was corrected to [[Dragonstone]] in ''[[Fire & Blood]]''.</ref>
| race = [[Valyrians|Valyrian]]
| culture = [[Crownlands#People and Economy|Crownlander]]
| royalhouse = [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]]
| queen = [[Alysanne Targaryen]]
| consort =
| spouse =
| lover =
| issue = Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon Targaryen]] Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys Targaryen]] Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon Targaryen]] Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]] Septa [[Maegelle Targaryen|Maegelle]] Archmaester [[Vaegon Targaryen|Vaegon]] Princess [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daella Targaryen]] Princess [[Saera Targaryen]] Princess [[Viserra Targaryen]] Prince [[Gaemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Gaemon Targaryen]] Prince [[Valerion Targaryen]] Princess [[Gael Targaryen]]
| father = King [[Aenys I Targaryen]]
| mother = Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]]
| coat-of-arms =
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rise of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Sons of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Sworn Sword]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned)
| Played_by = [[w:Michael Carter (actor)|Michael Carter]]
| TV_series = ''[[House of the Dragon]]'': [[House of the Dragon - Season 1|Season 1]]
}}
'''Jaehaerys I Targaryen''', also known as '''the Conciliator''', '''the Wise''', or later in life as '''the Old King''', was the fourth [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] king to sit the [[Iron Throne]]. He ascended the throne in {{Date|48}} following the death of his uncle, [[Maegor I Targaryen]]. Jaehaerys was the longest reigning Targaryen monarch, sitting on the throne for fifty-five years. He was a [[dragonrider]], riding [[Vermithor]], the largest [[dragon]] after [[Balerion]] and [[Vhagar]].

In the television adaptation ''[[House of the Dragon]]'', Jaehaerys is portrayed by [[w:Michael Carter (actor)|Michael Carter]].{{Ref|HBOHotD|s01e01}}

==Appearance and Character==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Jaehaerys I Targaryen|l1=Images of Jaehaerys Targaryen}}
According to a semi-canon source, Jaehaerys had the [[purple eyes]] of [[House Targaryen]].<ref name=ssm>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Targaryen_Kings Targaryen Kings] (November 1, 2005)</ref> At the age of sixteen, he wore his hair loose, flowing about his shoulders.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}} Early in his reign he grew a wispy beard and mustache.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} By the time he had turned twenty-four, Jaehaerys looked “every inch a king”. He was a tall and handsome man who wore his hair in a thick braid that fell almost to his waist and his facial hair had grown out into a handsome full golden beard, shot through with silver.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} By {{Date|84}}, at the age of fifty, Jaehaerys had grown thinner, almost gaunt, and his beard and hair had become more grey than gold.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} At an older age, his beard had turned white, and had grown to reach his waist but he still stood unstooped and still looked wise and dignified.<ref name=ssm/>

Jaehaerys moved with an easy grace. It is said that his smile could warm the heart of any [[maiden]], and his frown could make a man's blood run cold.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} He wore as a [[crown]] a simple band of yellow gold ornamented with seven gems of different colors.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}

Jaehaerys was wise beyond his years.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} He was fair-spoken, open-handed, and as chivalrous as he was courageous.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} According to [[Grand Maester]] [[Benifer]] Jaehaerys was "learned as a maester and pious as a septon". Although Benifer might have attempted to flatter Jaehaerys with such a statement, according to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]] there was some truth to it as well.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} Queen Alyssa, Jaehaerys's mother, is reported to have called Jaehaerys "the best of my three sons".{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}

Jaehaerys was decisive in both thought and deed, and always sought the most peaceable ends.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} In times of trouble, instead of brooding on the issues, Jaehaerys would shrug off his sorrows and plunge himself into his work.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} He never acted without thinking,{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} and did not trust in chance.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}} Nor did Jaehaerys like to make outright threats, but had other ways of making his disapproval felt. According to the [[Sealord of Braavos]], Jaehaerys was very skillful in making veiled threats.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

Even by the age of fourteen, Jaehaerys refused to allow his council to rule the realm in his name during his regency, and would involve himself in many of the issues the small council faced.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} He was never shy about letting his voice being heard.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} Nor was he a man who wasted time with reproaches, recriminations, or appeals.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

Jaehaerys was a gifted rider.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} By the time he was fourteen years old, Jaehaerys was already skilled with lance and longbow.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} Following a rigorous training regime during his time on [[Dragonstone]], he became skilled at arms as well, to the point where Ser [[Elyas Scales]], Jaehaerys's [[master-at-arms]] claimed that Jaehaerys would never be skilled enough to join the [[Kingsguard]], but that he had enough skill to beat his uncle [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] in combat, had Maegor still lived.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}

Jaehaerys was known for his love of travel,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} and made many [[royal progress]]es. He and Alysanne were known to stay at the [[inn at the crossroads]] during their journeys so much so, that afterwards it was renamed the Two Crowns.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|AFFC|37}}

When he was younger, Jaehaerys had been fascinated by the ponderous tomes and [[Old Valyria]]n scrolls found in Dragonstone's library.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}} Jaehaerys had always been close to his sister-wife Alysanne, even as a child, and had always had a strong affection and regard for her.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

Near the end of his life, after outliving his wife and most of his children, Jaehaerys's strength and wits began to fail, leaving him often confined to his bed.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

==History==
===Early life===
Jaehaerys was the third son and fourth child of Prince [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys Targaryen]] and his wife, Lady [[Alyssa Velaryon]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}} He was born on the twentieth day of the ninth moon{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} of {{Date|34}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} in [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|AWOIAF|Jaehaerys I Targaryen}} He had two older brothers, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] and [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys]], an older sister, [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], and two younger sisters, [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] and [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Vaella]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}} His sister Rhaena placed a [[dragon egg]] in his cradle after his birth, from which Jaehaerys's [[dragon]], [[Vermithor]], would eventually hatch.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} When his grandfather, King [[Aegon I Targaryen]], died on [[Dragonstone]] in {{Date|37}},{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} his father, Aenys, ascended the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}

Followers of the [[Faith of the Seven]] began an [[Faith Militant uprising|uprising]] after King [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys I]] married Jaehaerys's two eldest siblings, Rhaena and Aegon, to one another in {{Date|41}}. After [[Poor Fellows]] scaled the walls of the [[Red Keep]] in an attempt to murder the royal family, Jaehaerys fled with his parents and siblings to [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} By the end of the year most of the realm had joined the side of the Faith, and King Aenys, unable to decide how to deal with the rebels, fell ill. In {{Date|42}}, he collapsed upon learning that [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]] and [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] were besieged at [[Crakehall]], and died three days later.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

===Reign of Maegor===
Jaehaerys was on [[Dragonstone]] for his father's cremation. Within hours, Dowager Queen Alyssa fled to [[Driftmark]], her [[Aethan Velaryon|father's]] seat, with Jaehaerys and Alysanne.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} Meanwhile, Dowager Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] flew to [[Pentos]] to retrieve her son [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] from his exile. Once back at Dragonstone, Maegor claimed the [[Iron Throne]] for his own, ignoring the claim of Jaehaerys's eldest brother Aegon.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

Later that year, following a visit from Visenya on [[Vhagar]], Alyssa brought Jaehaerys, his sister Alysanne, and his brother [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys]] to [[King's Landing]], where they witnessed the wedding of King Maegor to [[Tyanna of the Tower]]. By {{Date|44}}, Jaehaerys, Alysanne, and their mother resided on Dragonstone as the hostages of Dowager Queen Visenya. In the chaos following Visenya's death of natural causes that year, Jaehaerys, his sister Alysanne, and his mother Alyssa fled the island, along with Jaehaerys's dragon [[Vermithor]] and Alysanne's dragon [[Silverwing]]. In retaliation, King Maegor had Jaehaerys's brother Viserys, who resided at King's Landing, tortured to death. As Jaehaerys's eldest brother, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon]], had been killed by Maegor in [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye|battle]] the previous year, Jaehaerys became the eldest living son of the late King Aenys I as a result.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

In {{Date|47}}, Maegor forced three widows of proven fertility to marry him in one ceremony. One of these [[Black Brides]] was Jaehaerys's eldest sister, Rhaena. Still without a child of his own, Maegor officially disinherited Jaehaerys and proclaimed Rhaena's daughter [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]] as his heir.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} However, the realm slowly turned against Maegor, and when Jaehaerys put forward his claim for the throne he unified the factions that opposed Maegor.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} The first great lord to openly proclaim for Jaehaerys was his second cousin, Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]] of [[Storm's End]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Stormlands: House Baratheon}} Other great houses followed, including [[House Lannister]], [[House Tyrell]], [[House Arryn]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} and, although they had originally joined Maegor against Prince Aegon, [[House Tully]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands: House Tully}} Rhaena, Jaehaerys's sister, fled from Maegor on her dragon after learning about Jaehaerys's claim, stealing the [[Valyrian steel]] sword [[Blackfyre]] from him in the process. Two of Maegor's [[Kingsguard]] knights, Ser [[Olyver Bracken]] and Ser [[Raymund Mallery]] joined Jaehaerys too.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

===The Ascension of Jaehaerys===
[[File:Young Jaehaerys.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Jaehaerys at the age of fourteen, as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in ''[[Fire & Blood]]''.]]

In {{Date|48}}, following Maegor's mysterious death, Jaehaerys arrived in [[King's Landing]] upon [[Vermithor]], ahead of Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]]'s army.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}

Most of Maegor's supporters had fled, and Jaehaerys imprisoned the few who still remained. As Jaehaerys was only fourteen years of age, Jaehaerys's mother, Dowager Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]] would serve as [[Regent|Queen Regent]] during the first two years of Jaehaerys's reign and Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]], whom Jaehaerys had named [[Protector of the Realm|Lord Protector of the Realm]] and [[Hand of the King]], would further provided guidance.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}

Jaehaerys decided to pardon the lords and knights who had served Maegor, restoring their lands and titles to them, although he required a son or daughter as a hostage from each, or the payment of a sum of gold to the crown.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} An exception was made for some: the gaolers and confessors who had assisted in the torture and death of Prince [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys]] were all executed. Of Maegor's [[Kingsguard]], Ser [[Maladon Moore]] was executed for his involvement in the murder of Queen [[Tyanna of the Tower|Tyanna]], whilst the remaining five (including Ser [[Olyver Bracken]] and Ser [[Raymund Mallery]], who had abandoned Maegor for Jaehaerys but whose service was refused by the young king, as he did not want oathbreakers serving him) were given a choice between execution or [[Night's Watch|taking the black]]. All but Ser [[Harrold Langward]] choose to take the black. When Ser Harrold demanded a [[trial by combat]], Jaehaerys wished to face the knight himself. In this he was overruled by his mother, the Queen Regent. Harrold Langward was slain by the Crown's champion, Ser [[Gyles Morrigen]], who was made [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard|Lord Commander]] of Jaehaerys's Kingsguard soon after.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}

[[File:Jaehaerys highsepton.jpg|thumb|left|200px|King Jaehaerys is crowned by the [[High Lickspittle|High Septon]], as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in ''[[Fire & Blood]]''.]]

As the realm learned about Jaehaerys's willingness for granting pardons, the remainder of Maegor's adherents dismissed their armies and journeyed to [[King's Landing]] to swear fealty to the new king. After the sudden death of [[Moon (septon)|Septon Moon]], the [[Poor Fellows]] besieging [[Oldtown]] fled, and Jaehaerys was free to make his way to Oldtown, where he was blessed and crowned by the [[High Lickspittle|High Septon]] with his late father's crown in the [[Starry Sept]]. Although it was requested by Lady [[Lucinda Broome|Lucinda Tully]] and Ser [[Joffrey Doggett]], Jaehaerys refused to reinstate the Swords and Stars of the Faith, insisting that the Crown would protect the Faith going forward.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} Jaehaerys removed the bounties that King Maegor I had placed on the heads of the [[Warrior's Sons]] and [[Poor Fellows]],{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} and to pardon all those of the Faith who would set aside their swords,{{Ref|AFFC|33}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} while the Faith agreed to set aside their traditional right of judging their own, accept justice from the throne from that moment forth.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|AFFC|43}} Jaehaerys swore to the Faith that the crown would always protect and defend the Faith.{{Ref|AFFC|28}} In addition, Jaehaerys offered a white cloak to Ser Joffrey Doggett, a former Warrior's Son, which the knight accepted. As such, Jaehaerys reconciled the Iron Throne and the Faith.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}

On the journey back to [[King's Landing]], many former members of the [[Faith Militant]] begged the young king to ask for the clemency he had promised, which Jaehaerys granted to all on the condition that they would go north to join the [[Night's Watch]], which the majority did.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} 
===Marriage===
In {{Date|49}} Jaehaerys's mother, Queen Regent [[Alyssa Velaryon]], and Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]], Jaehaerys's Hand, were married in the [[Golden Wedding]].{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} Although Jaehaerys liked and respected Rogar, he felt slighted, as Rogar had not asked Jaehaerys's leave for the wedding. Nor did Jaehaerys approve of the marriage,{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} confessing to Septon [[Barth]] (some time after the latter's arrival in King's Landing the following year) that he did not need a second father, and that he felt his own intelligence, judgment, and temperament to be greater than Rogar's.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} According to Barth's accounts Jaehaerys believed that Rogar's motivation for the marriage was a desire for power, not affection for Alyssa, and felt that Rogar was overreaching himself. But, as he had not opposed the marriage of his sister [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]] on [[Fair Isle]] earlier that year, Jaehaerys felt he could not object his mother's choice either.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

Jaehaerys granted audience to any lord or knight who wished a private word with him, agreeing to speak with them in his [[solar]]. The six score who accepted the offer were all impressed by Jaehaerys. Furthermore during the wedding celebration, the remaining five slots of Jaehaerys's Kingsguard were filled by the victors of a test of arms that became known as the [[War for the White Cloaks]].{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

Following their [[wedding]], the Queen Regent and King's Hand began to debate with the [[small council]] about a bride for Jaehaerys, for the realm needed an heir. Jaehaerys was not present for these discussions, as Queen Regent Alyssa knew that he would choose his younger sister [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] if the choice was his. Still recalling the [[Faith Militant uprising|uprising]] of the [[Faith of the Seven|Faith]] that followed the wedding of King [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]]'s eldest [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|daughter]] and [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|son]], the councillors agreed that another [[Incest|incestuous]] [[marriage]] was out of the question. Despite numerous suggestions, no suitable candidate could be agreed upon. However, the council did agree quickly on a husband for Princess Alysanne: Ser [[Orryn Baratheon]].{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

[[File:Dragonstone wedding.jpg|thumb|right|400px|The [[wedding]] of King Jaehaerys and Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] on [[Dragonstone]], as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in ''[[Fire & Blood]]''.]]
As soon as Alysanne discovered her betrothal, she informed Jaehaerys, who acted immediately. He ordered his [[Kingsguard]] to discreetly travel to [[Dragonstone]] under the cover of darkness, while he and Alysanne flew together to the Targaryen stronghold upon their [[dragon]]s. On Dragonstone, Jaehaerys and Alysanne married in secret with Septon [[Oswyck]] performing the ceremony. Jaehaerys refused to consummate the marriage, as he believed Alysanne to still be too young. Rogar and Alyssa arrived soon after the wedding and, upon learning that the marriage had not yet been consummated, Rogar declared they were not married, and ordered his men to secure the royal children. The Kingsguard defied the King's Hand by forming a wall in front of their king and queen, informing Rogar that he would be the first to die if Rogar's men would attack then. Alyssa convinced her husband to return to [[King's Landing]], while Jaehaerys and Alysanne remained behind. They would spend the rest of the king's minority at Dragonstone. No announcement about the king's marriage was made to the realm. Lord Rogar ordered everyone who had accompanied him to Dragonstone to keep silent about the king's marriage, while Grand Maester [[Benifer]] burned the letter Septon [[Mattheus]] attempted to send to the High Septon and the Most Devout, on orders of Rogar.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} Neither did Jaehaerys announce his marriage to the realm, although he easily could have done so.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

===Minority on Dragonstone===
Jaehaerys and Alysanne were seldom apart from each other during their time on Dragonstone. Those lords and council members who came to Dragonstone for a consult with their king would be received by their king with his queen beside him.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} While on Dragonstone, Jaehaerys intended to rectify his own shortcomings before he came of age and took the rule in his own hands. He had already shown to the realm that he was not cruel as his uncle Maegor had been, but he was equally determined to not be considered weak like his father, King [[Aenys I Targaryen]], had been either. As such, Jaehaerys began an intense regimen: He spent every morning until midday in the castle yard training with sword, shield and any other weapon, sparring with Ser [[Merrell Bullock]], commander of the castle garrison, and his sons, Ser [[Alyn Bullock|Alyn]] and Ser [[Howard Bullock|Howard]], Ser [[Elyas Scales]], the castles [[master-at-arms]], and with his seven Kingsguard knights. It was a brutal training regime, but Jaehaerys's skill increased greatly within the year.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}

While Jaehaerys and his new wife remained on Dragonstone, Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]] and Queen Regent [[Alyssa Velaryon]] at King's Landing plotted to undo the marriage, while the realm began to notice Jaehaerys's absence from court, after Jaehaerys and Alysanne did not return to King's Landing for the celebrations of the start of {{Date|50}}.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} Alyssa and Rogar eventually agreed to sent [[w:Lady-in-waiting|ladies-in-waiting]] to Dragonstone to serve Alysanne. Their true purpose, however, was to try and persuade her to rescind the marriage. Rogar wanted eyes and ears on Dragonstone, and saw these ladies as an opportunity to learn all Jaehaerys was doing. The book titled ''[[A Caution for Young Girls]]'' offers a second reason for Rogar's consent to Alyssa's plan. In the book, the alleged author, Lady [[Coryanne Wylde]], claims that she had been instructed by Lord Rogar to seduce Jaehaerys, and so drive the king and queen apart. Despite her youth, however, Queen Alysanne charmed all her ladies-in-waiting, who soon became completely loyal to her. And so, Rogar's plan failed.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}

Meanwhile, more and more lords began to visit Jaehaerys on Dragonstone. At the same time, news of the marriage of Jaehaerys and Alysanne began to make its way through the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. The lords visiting Jaehaerys could not fail to notice Alysanne ever being by his side, and whispers spread through the realm and beyond. When Queen Regent Alyssa told the council they had to accept the marriage, Lord Rogar furiously suggested putting Jaehaerys aside and crowning in his stead Princess [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]], Queen [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]]'s daughter by the deceased [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]]. For this suggestion, Rogar was dismissed as the King's Hand by his own wife, his two subsequent plots to crown another foiled.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}

===Coming of Age===
On the twentieth day of the ninth moon in {{Date|50}} Jaehaerys reached the [[age of majority]] and turned sixteen.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} He sent five knights of his [[Kingsguard]] to [[King's Landing]] to make certain that all was ready for his arrival. Three days later, Jaehaerys departed from [[Dragonstone]] on [[Vermithor]] and flew to the capital. After arriving at the [[Red Keep]] he reconciled with his mother and began to work on the [[small council]], dismissing several members, confirming the positions of some, and appointing others. Most difficult to replace was Lord [[Edwell Celtigar]], the ineffectual [[master of coin]]. Eventually, Jaehaerys appointed [[Rego Draz]] from [[Pentos]] to the position. Jaehaerys next replaced many men who held lesser offices as well, and emptied the dungeons of King's Landing. Once that was done, the king summoned Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]], who he received seated on the [[Iron Throne]] in the presence of his council. Though Rogar feared harsh reprimands, Jaehaerys informed him that he had not forgotten how Rogar had protected him and his family from [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] and pardoned the [[Lord of Storm's End]], on the condition that Rogar would never again speak another word against him or his queen, and that he would be an honorable husband to Queen Alyssa. To this, Lord Rogar agreed. Jaehaerys further proclaimed that Rogar's brother [[Orryn Baratheon|Orryn]], who had attempted to take the novice [[Rhaella Targaryen]] from the motherhouse in [[Oldtown]] in a plot against Jaehaerys's crown on Rogar's orders, would be exiled for the next ten years. When asked by Rogar if hostages from House Baratheon were required, the king led him to Vermithor, using the veiled threat of not needing any hostages, as long as he rode a dragon.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

While Jaehaerys's new master of coin, Lord Rego, proved able to halt the Crown's debts enough for work on the [[Dragonpit]] to resume, it was not enough. So Jaehaerys had taxes placed on luxury and exotic goods, which would not impact the [[smallfolk]] and would not be oppressive to the high lords. Jaehaerys predicted correctly that any lord who wished to flaunt his wealth and power to the outside world, would still desire to purchase these goods, and thus pay the taxes placed on them. And so the crown's revenue slowly increased. An additional tax, with a dual purpose, was also proclaimed: henceforth, any lord who wished to repair or expand his castle, or raise a new one, would pay a heavy tax based on the number of crenelations, which Jaehaerys hoped would discourage them from building.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

In {{Date|51}}, nigh on half a year after Jaehaerys's arrival at King's Landing, Alysanne departed from Dragonstone to join her king. A month later, the two were wed in a public ceremony, with the newly arrived Septon [[Barth]] performing the marriage rites before the [[Iron Throne]]; because of the Crown's lack of money, only a thousand guests attended a ceremony much smaller than Rogar and Alyssa's Golden Wedding. This time, the marriage was consummated. Next, Jaehaerys took precautions to assure that his marriage would be accepted by his subjects. He reasoned that his marriage to Alysanne would not cause another [[Faith Militant uprising]] as the marriage of his eldest [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|brother]] and [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|sister]] had done before, for a number of reasons: the current [[High Lickspittle|High Septon]] was a passive man, the smallfolk knew Jaehaerys better, and the [[Faith Militant]] was largely dispersed. Most importantly, however, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] and [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]] had gone on a royal progress following their wedding without taking a [[dragon]], as Aegon had not yet been a [[dragonrider]] at the time, and King [[Aenys I Targaryen]] had forbidden Rhaena from bringing [[Dreamfyre]]. Jaehaerys and Alysanne intended to travel everywhere on [[Vermithor]] and [[Silverwing]], which would discourage any thought of an assault and would act as an unspoken reminder to the realm of the power of the dragons.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

In addition, Jaehaerys sent out [[Seven Speakers]] throughout the realm to preach the new [[Doctrine of Exceptionalism]], telling all of Jaehaerys's wisdom and Alysanne's kindness. The realm did not rise up against Jaehaerys and his queen as they had against their siblings before, although according to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]] the reasons are not entirely clear. Gyldayn cites the silence of the High Septon on the matter and the wariness of the smallfolk as important reasons... but believes that, "if words have power", the Seven Speakers played an important role as well.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

Although married, Jaehaerys had no children of his own body, and as such had named his niece [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]] as his heir when coming to the throne two years before. Jaehaerys's eldest sister and Aerea's mother, Queen [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], traveled to King's Landing to join the celebrations of Jaehaerys's second wedding. Afterwards, she confronted her brother about her own troubles, and made two requests from him, which he granted: [[Dragonstone]] as her own seat, and her daughter [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]], the king's heir, returned to her care.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

Several months later, Queen Alysanne announced that she was pregnant with Jaehaerys's first child.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

===Early Reign (50 to 61 AC)===
In {{Date|51}} Jaehaerys and Alysanne began the first of their many [[royal progress]]es. Starting in the [[crownlands]], Jaehaerys visited lords great and small, determined to be seen in as many places as possible. To this end, he traveled in the company of less than a hundred men, including twenty knights. The royal progress continued until they arrived at [[Maidenpool]], where the pregnant Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] was attacked by three holy sisters who served at [[Jonquil's Pool]]. Following this incident, Jaehaerys postponed the remainder of his progress and returned Alysanne to the [[Red Keep]], where she remained until the birth of their child. In {{Date|52}}, Alysanne went into premature labor and the child, a boy named [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon]], died three days after his birth.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}} A while later, Jaehaerys finished his progress by visiting the [[Vale of Arryn]]. The next year, he went on a progress to the [[riverlands]]. Although Alysanne had originally planned to join him, she chose to stay behind as she was once again with child, and refused to allow Jaehaerys to cancel the progress to remain by her side. Jaehaerys was at [[Stoney Sept]] when news arrived that Alysanne had given birth to a daughter, but flew back on Vermithor immediately. Although he had hoped for another son, he was delighted in his daughter, Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys]]. With her birth, Jaehaerys finally had an heir of his own.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}

In {{Date|54}} Lady [[Elissa Farman]] left [[Dragonstone]], stealing three of the [[dragon eggs]] Queen [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]] held. Once the trail of Elissa had grown cold, Rhaena informed Jaehaerys in King's Landing. Jaehaerys was alarmed by the news; if the eggs were to hatch, there would be a [[dragonlord]] in the world that was not a Targaryen. Rewards were offered and gold was paid, but the rumors they resulted in did not lead to the eggs. Later that same year, the [[High Lickspittle|High Septon]] died in [[Oldtown]]. Jaehaerys decided he and Alysanne would travel to Oldtown immediately on their dragons, intend on preventing the [[Most Devout]] from electing Septon [[Mattheus]] as the new [[High Septon]]. At Oldtown, Jaehaerys spoke with Lord [[Donnel Hightower]] and made certain promises, thereby securing the outcome of the [[choosing]], according to the account of Septon [[Barth]]. The Most Devout elected Septon [[Alfyn]], a supporter of the [[Doctrine of Exceptionalism]], and the Faith added the doctrine to its preachings.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}

While traveling back to King's Landing by the way of [[Horn Hill]], [[Nightsong]], and [[Blackhaven]], Jaehaerys received the news that their pregnant mother [[Alyssa Velaryon|Alyssa]] was on her deathbed. Jaehaerys and Alysanne flew to [[Storm's End]] at once, where they were informed that, although Alyssa's death was certain, her child could live if delivered by [[w:Caesarean section|cutting her open]]. Jaehaerys and Alysanne remained at Storm's End until after Alyssa's death, after which they returned home. Tragedy struck the realm later when several ladies were murdered via [[Tears of Lys|poison]] on [[Dragonstone]] by [[Androw Farman]].{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}

The Hand of the King, Lord [[Daemon Velaryon (son of Aethan)|Daemon Velaryon]], resigned his office later that year wishing to spend time with his family after the death of his sister, [[Alyssa Velaryon|Alyssa]] at [[Storm's End]] and the murder of his niece, [[Lianna Velaryon|Lianna]] on [[Dragonstone]]. Jaehaerys, after much deliberating, appointed Lord [[Myles Smallwood]] to the office. As the year was ending, the king and court prepared for a tourney to be held at King's Landing, but their preparations were halted by the arrival of Queen Rhaena from Dragonstone, who informed Jaehaerys of the disappearance of Princess [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]] from Dragonstone upon [[Balerion]]. Jaehaerys sent forth ravens, attempting to discover the whereabouts of the young girl and the eldest of the Targaryen dragons, but to no avail.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}

In {{Date|55}}, Jaehaerys, assisted by Septon [[Barth]], Grand Maester [[Benifer]], Lord [[Albin Massey]], and Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]], began work to create the first unified [[Books of Law|code of law]], codifying, organizing, and reforming all the laws of the kingdom. These reforms would take decades. That same year, Jaehaerys began a royal progress through the [[westerlands]] without Alysanne, who was pregnant again and had left for Dragonstone. Jaehaerys returned from the westerlands one month before the child, who they named [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]], was born. At Alysanne's suggestion, Jaehaerys placed a [[dragon's egg]] in Aemon's cradle.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

[[File:Jaehaerys&Alysanne.jpg|thumb|right|350px|A young King Jaehaerys and a pregnant Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], with their son Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]], as depicted by Magali Villeneuve in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''.]]
In {{Date|56}}, Jaehaerys was having breakfast with an envoy of the [[Iron Bank of Braavos]] on the morning Princess [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]] returned to [[King's Landing]] on [[Balerion]]. Jaehaerys and his wife stood vigil by Grand Maester [[Benifer]]'s chamber door as the Grand Maester did what he could for the child. Jaehaerys ordered Ser [[Lucamore Strong]], who had brought the girl to Benifer, from speaking about the "things" that moved inside her. Following Aerea's death, Jaehaerys issued a royal edict: any ship suspected of having been at the [[Valyria]]n islands, where Septon [[Barth]] believed Aerea had contracted her disease, or sailed the [[Smoking Sea]] nearby, was from that day forth forbidden from docking at any port or harbor in the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. In addition, the people of [[Westeros]] were forbidden from visiting Valyria, and doing so would be punishable by death.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

In {{Date|57}} Jaehaerys became a father again when Alysanne gave birth to Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]]. That same year, Jaehaerys dismissed [[Myles Smallwood]] from the office of [[Hand of the King]] and elevated his good friend, Septon [[Barth]] to the office. After Barth's visit to [[Braavos]], which resulted in a greatly reduced debt the Crown owed, Jaehaerys was free to continue development of King's Landing, and began with the construction of drains, sewers, sinking wells and fountains, to carry the waste from the city and to provide clean drinking water for the smallfolk. Jaehaerys and his [[master of coin]], [[Rego Draz]] at first protested the proposition of the fountains and sinking wells due to the cost, until Alysanne presented them each with a tankard of river water at the next council meeting, daring them to drink it. Neither one of them was willing to do it, and the construction was approved.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

By {{Date|58}}, Jaehaerys had not made any royal progress for several years. He had yet to visit the [[north]] and so he and Queen Alysanne planned a great royal progress to [[Winterfell]]. Jaehaerys had grown tired of having to wait for his baggage train to arrive when he made a royal progress on dragonback, and thus decided that this time the royal retinue traveled ahead and took ship to [[White Harbor]]. However, after the retinue had left [[King's Landing]], Jaehaerys was detained at King's Landing by matters of state: the Free Cities of [[Pentos]] and [[Tyrosh]], which had been engaged in a disruptive trade war for the past three years, asked him to mediate negotiations. Not wanting to insult the [[House Stark|Starks]] by canceling the progress, Alysanne suggested she could go on the progress as planned, and Jaehaerys would catch up as soon as negotiations ended. Negotiations unfortunately ran long, so Alysanne arrived at White Harbor and then Winterfell without him. At Winterfell, Alysanne was received coldly at first by Lord [[Alaric Stark]], but her charm and wit eventually won him over.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

Half a year after Alysanne had first left for the progress, Jaehaerys arrived at [[Winterfell]], where he too received a cold welcome by Alaric. Alaric showed Jaehaerys the tomb of his older brother, [[Walton Stark (son of Brandon)|Walton]], in the [[crypt of Winterfell]]. According to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]], upon her return to Winterfell, Queen Alysanne suggested granting the [[New Gift]] to the Night's Watch, which meant that several northern lords would have to give up parts of their lands.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} Following their return to King's Landing, Alysanne brought to Jaehaerys's attention the stories she had heard on her [[women's courts]] during the progress, concerning the right to the [[first night]]. As a result, Jaehaerys abolished the lord's right to the first night.{{Ref|TSS}}{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

In {{Date|59}}, a harsh winter struck the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. This winter resulted in a famine, followed by the plague known as the [[Shivers]]. The disease was devastating, with cities being hit the hardest. King Jaehaerys I Targaryen lost half of his [[small council]] to the disease, along with two of his [[Kingsguard]] [[knight]]s and Lord [[Qarl Corbray]], the Commander of the [[City Watch of King's Landing]]. At the same time, many men of the City Watch fell ill, resulting in King's Landing becoming a lawless place. After Lord [[Rego Draz]], the [[master of coin]], was murdered by a hungry and partially drunk crowd on the streets who became enraged by the sight of the [[Pentos]]hi, a furious King Jaehaerys rode forth himself to claim the body and punish the men responsible for his death. The disease claimed its last victims in {{Date|60}}, including the six-year-old daughter of Jaehaerys, Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys]], who complained of a cold and died a day and a half later.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

After the disease ran its course, Jaehaerys lost himself in his work as a way to handle his grief, naming new men to the offices and positions of those lost to the Shivers. Some joy came though in {{Date|60}} with the birth of his fifth child, Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

In {{Date|61}}, Jaehaerys joined Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]] in ending the scourge of the [[Vulture King (Jaehaerys I)|Vulture King]] who continued to raid the [[Dornish Marches]]. In the struggle, called the [[Third Dornish War]], a new Vulture King and his bandits were defeated. Jaehaerys said afterward that the short conflict restored his confidence in himself as king, because he couldn't point a sword at a disease like the Shivers, but this was a tangible fight. Moreover, Jaehaerys fought the Dornish raiders head-on in combat, in a way his weakling father never did, increasing the respect and support of many lords for him.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

===The Long Reign & An Abundance of Heirs (61 to 92 AC)===
The 60s and 70s AC were peaceful and prosperous times for Westeros politically, and for the royal family personally: Jaehaerys's [[marriage]] to his sister, [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], was happy and fruitful. Alysanne would give birth to thirteen children in total. Besides [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon]], born in {{Date|51}} but dead three days later, [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys]], born in {{Date|53}}, [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]], born in {{Date|55}}, [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]], born in {{Date|57}}, and [[Alyssa Targaryen|Alyssa]], born in {{Date|60}}, eight other children would follow. In {{Date|62}}, Alysanne gave birth to another daughter, [[Maegelle Targaryen|Maegelle]]. The next year Jaehaerys became the father of another son, [[Vaegon Targaryen|Vaegon]], and the year after to another daughter, [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daella]]. Princess [[Saera Targaryen|Saera]] was born in {{Date|67}}, and Princess [[Viserra Targaryen|Viserra]] in {{Date|71}}. Jaehaerys's eleventh child, a son named [[Gaemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Gaemon]], in honor of [[Gaemon Targaryen (son of Aenar)|Gaemon the Glorious]], was born in {{Date|73}}. However, the child was born too early and the labor was difficult. Gaemon died three months after his birth. Four years later, Jaehaerys became father to another son, [[Valerion Targaryen|Valerion]], who died the next year, just shy of his first [[nameday]]. Alysanne gave birth to Jaehaerys's thirteenth and final child, [[Gael Targaryen|Gael]], in the winter of {{Date|80}}. Although born frail, the child survived. {{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} Of his thirteen children, only nine lived to adulthood,{{Ref|AWOIAF|Jaehaerys I Targaryen}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} and almost none would outlive their father.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

In {{Date|62}}, Jaehaerys came to realize that there were no true roads in his realm and ordered the construction of a massive road system to unite the realms together: the greatest of these was the [[kingsroad]]. These large scale public works projects would continue throughout the remaining decades of his reign.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

[[File:Aemon-and-Jocelyn-by-chillyravenart.png|thumb|350px|right|Aemon and his wife [[Jocelyn Baratheon]], by chillyravenart ©]]
Jaehaerys's eldest son [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]] was named [[Prince of Dragonstone]] and official heir to the throne in {{Date|62}}. Aemon announced his betrothal to Lady [[Jocelyn Baratheon]] of [[Storm's End]] in {{Date|68}}, and in {{date|70}} they were wed in a lavish royal ceremony that rivaled the [[Golden Wedding]] in splendor. Before long, in {{Date|74}} Jaehaerys became a grandfather for the first time when Jocelyn gave birth to Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys]]. The following year, Jaehaerys's second son [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]] wed his eldest living daughter, [[Alyssa Targaryen|Alyssa]]. All three children claimed dragons as mounts: Aemon rode [[Caraxes]], Baelon rode [[Vhagar]], and Alyssa rode [[Meleys]]. This union soon produced two more royal grandchildren: [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]], named in honor of Jaehaerys's deceased [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|brother]], in {{Date|77}}, and [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] in {{Date|81}}.

Though the realm was quiet during these years, they were not without incident: in {{Date|73}}, it was discovered that Ser [[Lucamore Strong]] of the [[Kingsguard]] has broken his vows and had secretly married three times, and had sixteen children in total. Lucamore was brought before Jaehaerys and confessed his guilt, begging for mercy. According to [[Septon]] [[Barth]], Jaehaerys might have granted the mercy had Lucamore not added ''"for the sake of my wives and children"'' to the end of his plea, as this was tantamount to throwing his crimes in the king's face.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} Jaehaerys declared he would have no oathbreakers serving him and ordered Lucamore to be [[eunuch|gelded]], after which he was sent to the [[Wall]] to join the [[Night's Watch]]. Lucamore's betrayal came as a shock to Jaehaerys and his wife, as they had been especially fond of him.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

That same year in 73 AC, Maegelle eagerly joined the Faith of the Seven at the age of ten as a novice and eventually became a septa. Queen Alysanne announced that this was in thanks for the Mother blessing her with many children. The royal family faced two deaths that year: not only the infant Gaemon, but Jaehaerys's sister [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]] died at the age of 50, after retiring to relative isolation at [[Harrenhal]] for several years.

In the late 70s and early 80s AC, Jaehaerys and Alysanne faced increasing concerns from their younger children, which were addressed with varying success. Jaehaerys's third son [[Vaegon Targaryen]], while dutiful, was taciturn and bookish and showed no interest in martial training or marriage. After some effort, both father and son were pleased when in {{Date|78}}, on his fifteenth nameday, Vaegon was sent to study at the [[Citadel]], where he eventually became an Archmaester. Historians dubbed him "Vaegon the Dragonless" because he was the only one of Jaehaerys's sons who never claimed a dragon.

His departure raised another issue, however, as Jaehaerys originally intended Vaegon to wed his younger sister [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daella]]. They had quickly proved utterly incompatible, nor was this solely due to Vaegon's brusque nature: Daella was a sweet girl but also extremely delicate, terrified by almost everything, and unintelligent (so much so that she could never hope to join the Faith and become a septa). Several potential suitors were tried and rejected, until at the beginning of {{Date|80}} Jaehaerys declared in frustration that the sixteen year old princess must marry by the end of the year, no matter who the groom was. A happy match was finally found with the older but kind-hearted Lord [[Rodrik Arryn]], who had been Jaehaerys' [[Master of Laws]] for twenty years. He resigned his post to return with Daella to the [[Eyrie]], and Jaehaerys appointed his son and heir Aemon to fill his now vacant position on the [[small council]] the next year.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

[[File:4th Dornish war.jpg|thumb|350px|The [[Fourth Dornish War]] lasted only a single day, when Jaehaerys and his sons burned the Dornish fleet, as depicted by Douglas Wheatley.]]
In {{Date|83}} Jaehaerys together with Aemon and [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]] ended the attempted [[Fourth Dornish War|invasion]] of the [[stormlands]] by Prince [[Morion Martell]] of [[Dorne]]. Mounted atop their [[dragon]]s, they destroyed the Dornish fleet before it could even make landfall. The war was fought and won in a day, and upon their return to [[King's Landing]], Jaehaerys, Aemon, and Baelon received a riotous welcome as they had won a war without losing a single man, something not even [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]] had been able to boast.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

In some ways the Fourth Dornish War marked the height of Jaehaerys's reign, which in the years after 83 AC was increasingly marked by personal tragedy. Years earlier he had lost his first son Aegon in the cradle and young Daenerys from the Shivers; in 73 AC Gaemon died in the cradle, as did little Valerion in 77 AC. Yet cradle deaths were not uncommon even among the nobility in Westeros, and Jaehaerys also welcomed new progeny: Gaemon's death was soon followed by the birth of granddaughter Rhaenys in 74 AC, and the same year that Valerion died, his grandson Viserys was also born. {{Date|80}} saw the birth of Viserys's younger brother Daemon, and even the birth of Jaehaerys's thirteenth and final child [[Gael Targaryen]] - called "the Winter Child" for the season of her birth and because Alysanne was in the winter of her child-bearing years, she was a great comfort to Alysanne's previous losses.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

Yet in {{Date|82}}, Daella was with child only a year and a half into her marriage. She was a frail girl, perhaps too young for pregnancy, and Alysanne came to watch over her during her difficult final months. Within a day of giving birth, Daella died of childbed fever, though her daughter [[Aemma Arryn]] survived (and later wed Viserys in {{Date|93}}). Alysanne blamed herself, the maesters, and Jaehaerys for pushing the girl to marry too young.

Though they were polite in public, a rift started to grow between Jaehaerys and Alysanne after Daella's death in 82 AC that was drastically widened by the twin tragedies of {{Date|84}}. Now it was Daella's older sister Alyssa who died from childbirth, despite delivering Baelon two healthy sons already. After a difficult labor she died within the year, and her infant son [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Baelon)|Aegon]] not half a year later, before the end of 84 AC. Alyssa's death shattered Baelon and he never remarried, though he continued to fulfill his duties. Yet the greatest crisis which occurred that year concerned a younger daughter, and came very close to destroying Jaehaerys and Alysanne's marriage.

In {{Date|84}}, Jaehaerys learned that his daughter [[Saera Targaryen|Saera]] had bedded three young knights. He confronted her and had her confined to her bedchambers after she suggested she could wed all three of them, comparing herself to King [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor the Cruel]] and his many wives. Furious and ashamed, Jaehaerys is said to have stated more than once that "''she is no longer my daughter''". Alysanne attempted to change his mind, but after Saera attempted to flee to the [[Dragonpit]] to steal a [[dragon]], Jaehaerys confined her to a tower cell, dealt with the three knights in question, personally killing one (Ser [[Braxton Beesbury]]) in a [[trial by combat]] that the knight demanded. As punishment for Saera she was sent to [[Oldtown]] to serve the [[Faith of the Seven]] as a novice for a time, where her older sister [[Maegelle Targaryen|Maegelle]] could watch over her. The king's advisors believed that even then, he only intended to punish Saera and would have eventually relented. In {{Date|85}}, however, Saera escaped her confinement and fled Westeros. It was not until the next year in {{Date|85}} that it was learned Sara had escape to [[Lys]] where she became a whore in a pleasure garden. When Alysanne proclaimed that the Lyseni had turned their daughter into a whore, Jaehaerys replied: "''She always was''". The king refused any effort to retrieve or contact her.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

Those closest to Jaehaerys claim that Saera's betrayal and abandonment took a heavy toll on him. He grew thinner, almost gaunt, and his beard became more grey than silver. That same year, {{Date|84}}, was also the year of his fiftieth nameday: around this time men started calling him "the Old King" instead of "the Conciliator". Alysanne, shaken by all their losses, seldom came to small council meetings anymore, but his sons did.

A year after the truth came out about Saera's fate, her younger sister Princess [[Viserra Targaryen]] was betrothed to Lord [[Theomore Manderly]] in {{Date|86}} - a trusted friend of the crown for over thirty years and an honorable man, who nonetheless had outlived four previous wives, and while still a capable fighter had grown somewhat stout. Viserra was horrified by the match, but was sly and cunning in ways Saera was not: rather than try to flee, she tried to seduce her older brother Baelon, though he was 14 years her elder, as he had been widowed for two years since Alyssa had died. The grieving Baelon would have none of it, however, and dismissed her when she appeared in his chambers drunk and naked. Still having more sense than Saera, in {{Date|87}} Viserra indeed resigned herself that the marriage was unavoidable - but snuck out of confinement for what she remarked would be "one last night of laughter before heading north". She and her cronies engaged in a night of revels throughout King's Landing, culminating in a drunken horse race that ended with her being thrown from her mount and snapping her neck.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

Devastated by the death of a third daughter in a span of only five years, Alysanne begged Jaehaerys to reach out to Saera again and bring their daughter home. Jaehaerys steadfastly refused. The disagreement nearly ended their marriage and lasted nearly two years, from 87 to 89 AC, in what historians later called the [[First Quarrel]]. Jaehaerys had been preparing a new royal progress for some time, but Alysanne removed to Dragonstone, so he went alone. First he completed his planned progress to [[Casterly Rock]] and the seats of greater lords of the [[westerlands]], even stopping on [[Fair Isle]]. He inspected the roadworks and made unplanned stops at smaller towns and castles. All together, the king was gone from the [[Red Keep]] far longer than originally intended, and neither Aemon nor Baelon, who joined him for some of these visits, could convince him to return home. After the westerlands, Jaehaerys traveled to the [[Reach]], beginning a second progress before the first had ended. His visits included [[Crakehall]], [[Old Oak]], [[Highgarden]], and [[Greenfield]]. He ended his journey in [[Oldtown]], where Maegelle convinced him to reunite with Alysanne in {{Date|89}}.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

A major factor urging Jaehaerys towards reconciliation was also that his first grandchild announced that she planned to marry. In {{Date|90}} Aemon's daughter Rhaenys wed Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], [[Master of Ships]] on the [[small council]], brave seafaring explorer, and wealthiest man currently living in Westeros. Jaehaerys greatly approved of the match and their wedding was well attended. In her closing years, Alysanne would look back on the wedding in 90 AC as one of the last good days where their remaining family was all gathered together.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

===Late Reign (92 to 103 AC)===
[[File:Marc Simonetti Tournament.jpg|thumb|right|350px|The [[List of tourneys in Westeros#Tourney to celebrate the fiftieth year of King Jaehaerys's reign|great tourney]] of {{Date|98}}, as depicted by Marc Simonetti in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''.]]

In {{Date|92}}, Prince Aemon suddenly died from a crossbow bolt to the neck while fighting Myrish pirates in a minor skirmish on [[Tarth]]. Jaehaerys then named Aemon's brother Baelon as the new [[Prince of Dragonstone]] and heir to the throne, passing over Aemon's only child, Princess Rhaenys, who was then with child (though it later turned out to be a girl, [[Laena Velaryon|Laena]], Rhaenys would go on to produce a son as well, [[Laenor Velaryon|Laenor]]). Although Baelon was much loved, some did not approve. The most prominent of these was Queen Alysanne, who was furious that Rhaenys was being passed over on account of her sex alone. Thus began the [[Second Quarrel]] between Jaehaerys and his sister-wife. Alysanne once again left for Dragonstone, telling Jaehaerys that if he felt a woman was of less use than a man, he would have no further need her anymore. They were reconciled again in {{Date|94}}, once more by their daughter Maegelle. The Velaryons, meanwhile, were not amused, nor was Rhaenys's maternal uncle [[Boremund Baratheon]]. [[Corlys Velaryon]] himself resigned his position on the small council in protest and returned to Driftmark.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

In {{Date|98}}, a great tourney was held in [[King's Landing]] to celebrate King Jaehaerys's fiftieth year on the [[Iron Throne]]. Most<ref group="N">Although Maester [[Yandel]] in his work ''[[The World of Ice and Fire (Yandel)|The World of Ice and Fire]]'' claims that all of Jaehaerys's living children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were present for the tourney, this is in error. Princess Saera, still alive, remained across the [[narrow sea]], with children of her own.</ref> of Jaehaerys's living children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were present. In the final tilt, Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]] and Ser [[Clement Crabb]] broke thirty lances against each other before King Jaehaerys proclaimed them co-champions, in what is often called the finest display of jousting in [[Westeros]]i history.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Tragedy struck a fortnight after the tourney when Jaehaerys's close friend and [[Hand of the King]], Septon [[Barth]], died in his sleep. Jaehaerys replaced him as Hand by Ser Ryam Redwyne, the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]], but when Ser Ryam proved most unsuited for the office subsequently replaced him with his son Baelon. Further tragedy came later with the death of Princess Gael in {{Date|99}}, although officially it was said she died from a summer fever, she had actually committed suicide by drowning herself in the [[Blackwater Rush]]. After this heartbreak, [[King's Landing]] became unbearable to Alysanne.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} Grieving for her most beloved daughter, Queen Alysanne died less than a year later.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}

Prince Baelon himself later died before his father did, of a burst appendix, in {{Date|101}}. Fearing a civil war between Rhaenys and Viserys, Jaehaerys sent for his last remaining son for advice - Archmaester [[Vaegon Targaryen|Vaegon]] - who suggested that Jaehaerys call a [[Great Council]] of all the lords in Westeros to decide the line of succession. The [[Great Council of 101 AC]] sorted through no less than fourteen claimants great and small, but soon focused down on Rhaenys's son Laenor versus Baelon's son [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]]. In the final vote, Viserys won by a factor of twenty to one. Always Jaehaerys's favored candidate, he then formally named his grandson Prince of Dragonstone.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

[[File:Jaehaerys bedridden.png|thumb|left|350px| Lady [[Alicent Hightower]] reads to a bedridden King Jaehaerys, as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in ''[[Fire & Blood]]''.]]
The deaths of Alysanne and Baelon reduced Jaehaerys to a shell of the man he had once been.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} By 101 AC, he had outlived not only his beloved sister-wife, but essentially all of his children: out of nine who lived to adulthood only two were left, but he had disowned Saera and Vaegon (whom he had never been close with) had removed to the Citadel in Oldtown. Moreover he had outlived trusted friends and administrators on his small council who had each served him for roughly four decades each: Septon Barth, Grand Maester Elysar, and Manfryd Redwyne. All that was left to Jaehaerys by 101 AC were his four living grandchildren: Aemon's daughter Rhaenys, Baelon's sons Viserys and Daemon, and Daella's daughter Aemma (who married Viserys).

After 101 AC his strength and wits began to fail him, and towards the end Jaehaerys was confined to his bed. Following the death of Baelon, who had been both heir and [[Hand of the King]], Jaehaerys appointed Ser [[Otto Hightower]] to the office, who would serve for the remainder of his life. The last two years of Jaehaerys's reign were uneventful: Otto ruled the realm while his young daughter, Lady [[Alicent Hightower]], took over his care. She read to the old king, fetched his meals, helped bathe and dress him. At times, Jaehaerys confused her for one of his daughters, and towards the end, he believed she was Princess [[Saera Targaryen|Saera]], who had fled across the narrow sea many years before. Nevertheless [[Mushroom]], the [[court fool]] serving during the reign of [[Viserys I Targaryen]], mischievously suggested that Alicent was more than an aide to the old king.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

In {{Date|103}}, at the age of sixty-nine, Jaehaerys died in his bed as Alicent read to him from Septon [[Barth]]'s ''[[Unnatural History]]''. His body was cremated in the [[Dragonpit]] and his ashes were interred with Alysanne's ashes on [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}<ref group="N" name="ashes" /> His realm mourned, and even reportedly [[Dorne]]. Jaehaerys had ruled for 55 years, the longest serving monarch on the Iron Throne before or since, and had reigned over an unprecedented era of peace and prosperity for Westeros.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

==Legacy==
Jaehaerys was the longest-ruling Targaryen monarch, having ruled for fifty-five years. Because of this, he is referred to as the "Old King". His reign is remembered as the most prosperous period in the history of the Targaryen monarchy. His rule brought peace, stability, and justice to the Seven Kingdoms. According to the archmaesters, the population of Westeros north of [[Dorne]] doubled during Jaehaerys's reign, with the population of [[King's Landing]] becoming four times as large.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} Jaehaerys even managed to forge a peace between [[House Bracken]] and [[House Blackwood]] in the [[riverlands]], which would endure for fifty years, but did not long outlast his reign.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands: House Tully}}{{Ref|ADWD|48}} Jaehaerys is regarded as the best of the Targaryen kings by many historians and laymen.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}

There is a plinth of the Old King that stands at the [[Citadel]] in [[Oldtown]], on which is inscribed, ''"He bound the land together, and made of seven kingdoms, one."''{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

Jaehaerys's grandson and successor, [[Viserys I Targaryen]], wore Jaehaerys's crown.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}} In {{Date|129}}, Viserys entertained his grandchildren with a fictional tale{{#tag:ref|Elio García has stated that George R. R. Martin confirmed to him that this story was made up by Viserys to entertain his grandchildren.<ref>A Forum of Ice and Fire: [https://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/148940-inconsistencies-plot-holes-and-missing-details-in-tsotd-trp-and-tpatq/&page=7#comment-8138013 Inconsistencies, plot holes, and missing details in TSOTD, TRP, and TPATQ] (February 28, 2018)</ref>|group=N}} of Jaehaerys and his dragon defeating a vast host of [[wildling]]s, [[giant]]s, and [[warg]]s at the Wall.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} When Viserys died that same year, his eldest son, [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]], ascended the throne instead of Viserys' proclaimed heir, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], which was the start of the war known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]]. Ser [[Steffon Darklyn]] of the [[Kingsguard]] and his retainers defected to Rhaenyra's [[Blacks|faction]] at [[Dragonstone]]. With them, they brought the crown Jaehaerys I and Viserys I had worn. Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], Rhaenyra's husband and uncle, used this crown during Rhaenyra's coronation.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}

==Small Council under Jaehaerys I==
During the long reign of King Jaehaerys, his [[small council]] had the following known members:

{| class=wikitable width=80%i
!width=25% | Office
!width=15% | Duration
!width=20% | Name
!Notes
|-
| [[Regent]]
| {{Date|48|50}}
| Dowager Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Stormlands: House Baratheon}}
| 
|-
| rowspan="7"| [[Hand of the King]]
| {{Date|48|50}}
| Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Stormlands: House Baratheon}}{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|50|54}}
| Lord [[Daemon Velaryon (son of Aethan)|Daemon Velaryon]]{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|54|57}}
| Lord [[Myles Smallwood]]{{Ref|ASOS|54}}{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|58|98}}
| Septon [[Barth]]{{Ref|ASOS|54}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|98|99}}
| Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|99|101}}
| Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|101|103}}
| Ser [[Otto Hightower]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}
| 
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[Grand Maester]]
| {{Date|48|59}}
| [[Benifer]]{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}
| Reinstated from exile.
|-
| {{Date|60|97}}
| [[Elysar]]{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|97|101}}
| [[Allar]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|101|103}}
| [[Runciter]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|-
| rowspan="3"|[[Master of ships]]
| {{Date|48|50}}
| Lord [[Daemon Velaryon (son of Aethan)|Daemon Velaryon]]{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}
| Later raised to Hand of the King.
|-
| {{Date|50}}–{{Date|89}}
| Lord [[Manfryd Redwyne]]{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|89}}–{{Date|92}}
| Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| Served near the end of King Jaehaerys' reign. Lord Corlys angerly resigned from the office when his wife Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys]] was passed over as heir to the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[Master of laws]]
| {{Date|49|50}}
| Lord [[Prentys Tully]]{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|50|59}}
| Lord [[Albin Massey]]{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|59|80}}
| Lord [[Rodrik Arryn]]{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|80|92}}
| Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon Targaryen]]{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
| 
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[Master of coin]]
| {{Date|48|50}}
| Lord [[Edwell Celtigar]]{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|50|59}}
| Lord [[Rego Draz]]{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|59}}–Unknown
| Lord [[Martyn Tyrell]]{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
| In truth the duties were performed by his wife, Lady [[Florence Fossoway]].
|-
| Unknown–{{Date|103}}
| Lord [[Lyman Beesbury]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]]
| {{Date|48}}–Unknown
| Ser [[Gyles Morrigen]]{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}
| Was known to be still Lord Commander in {{Date|84}}.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}
|-
| Unknown–{{Date|103}}
| Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|}

==Recent Events==
===''A Storm of Swords''===
On Dragonstone [[Maester]] [[Pylos]] mentions to [[Davos Seaworth]] that dragonkings oft chose [[Hand of the King|Hands]] from [[House Targaryen|their own blood]], with results as various as [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor Breakspear]] and [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor the Cruel]]. In comparison there is Jaehaerys I Targaryen's choice of [[Septon]] [[Barth]], a [[Smallfolk|common-born]] blacksmith's son Jaehaerys plucked from the [[Red Keep]]'s library, who gave the realm forty years of peace and plenty.{{Ref|ASOS|54}}

[[Jon Snow]] recalls a story told to him by [[Old Nan]], on how Jaehaerys and Alysanne traveled to Winterfell together in a great royal progress that contained six dragons.{{Ref|ASOS|41}} It is unknown if this was a second progress made by the King and Queen, or if it was just a fable.

===''A Feast for Crows''===
At the [[Wall]], [[Samwell Tarly]] recalls that there were dragons there two hundred years ago; Queen Alysanne had visited [[Castle Black]] on [[Silverwing|her dragon]], and Jaehaerys, her king, had come after her on [[Vermithor|his own]].{{Ref|AFFC|5}}

[[Cersei Lannister]] recalls that when she was a child, she once drew a picture of herself and Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] flying on the back of a [[dragon]], but when her brother [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] found it, she told him it was a picture of Alysanne and Jaehaerys.{{Ref|AFFC|24}}

When talking to Queen Regent Cersei about having King [[Tommen Baratheon]] rearm [[the Faith]], the new [[High Sparrow|High Septon]] asks her if Jaehaerys the Conciliator had once sworn upon the Iron Throne itself that the crown would always protect and defend [[the Faith]]. Cersei thinks to herself that she has no idea what Jaehaerys might have sworn.{{Ref|AFFC|28}} Later, the High Sparrow notes that Jaehaerys took away the right of the Faith to hold trials.{{Ref|AFFC|43}}

Outside [[Riverrun]], Lady [[Genna Lannister]] makes it known to [[Jaime Lannister]] how she feels about Queen Cersei rearming the Faith, she reminds Jaime that King Jaehaerys agreed to pardon all those who would set aside their swords.{{Ref|AFFC|33}}

During their travels in the [[riverlands]] Septon Meribald tells [[Brienne of Tarth]] and her companions some of the history of the [[inn at the crossroads]]. He tells them the inn was raised during the reign of the first Jaehaerys, and that Jaehaerys and his queen slept there during their journeys, and for a time, the inn was known as the Two Crowns in their honor.{{Ref|AFFC|37}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[Roose Bolton]] tells [[Theon Greyjoy]] that King Jaehaerys abolished the lord's right to the [[first night]] to appease his "shrewish" queen, but where the [[old gods]] rule, old customs linger.{{Ref|ADWD|32}}

==Quotes about Jaehaerys I==
{{Quote|He was nine-and-sixty at his death, and had ruled wisely and well for five-and-fifty years. [[Westeros]] mourned, and it was claimed that even in [[Dorne]] men wept and women tore their garments in lament for a king who had been so just and good. His ashes were interred with that of his beloved, the Good Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], beneath the [[Red Keep]]. And the [[Seven Kingdoms|realm]] never saw their like again.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}|writings of [[Yandel]]}}

{{Quote|[[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Dragon]] and [[Visenya Targaryen|his]] [[Rhaenys Targaryen|sisters]] conquered the [[Seven Kingdoms]] (six of them, at least), but it was Jaehaerys the Conciliator who truly made them one.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}|writings of [[Umbert]]}}

{{Quote|It is a poor king who wages battle against his own lords and leaves his own kingdom burned, bloody, and strewn with corpses. His Grace was a wiser man than that.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}|writings of [[Barth]]}}

==Family==
===Ancestors===
{{Targaryen tree Aegon}}

===Children===
{{Targaryen tree Jaehaerys I}}

===Descendants===
{{Targaryen tree Jaehaerys I descendants}}

==Behind the Scenes==
Jaehaerys shares the same nameday as [[George R. R. Martin]]: Jaehaerys was born on the twentieth day of the ninth moon,{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} which corresponds in the real world to September 20th, George's birthday.<ref>Wikipedia: [[w:George R. R. Martin|George R. R. Martin]].</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References}}

{{Kings of Westeros}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Targaryen, Jaehaerys I}}
[[Category:House Targaryen|Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
[[Category:Builders]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands]]
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[[Category:Deaths by natural causes]]
[[Category:Dragonriders]]
[[Category:Kings of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men|Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
[[Category:Monarchs]]
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[[Category:Members of Aenys I Targaryen's court]]
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[[Category:Wielders of Blackfyre]]
[[Category:Wielders of Dark Sister]]

[[es:Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
[[fa:جیهیریس تارگرین اول]]
[[fr:Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
[[nl:Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
[[pt:Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
[[ru:Джейехерис I Миротворец]]
[[zh:杰赫里斯·坦格利安一世]]

Jaehaerys I Targaryen

2024-01-23T06:27:53Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{See homonyms|Jaehaerys Targaryen}}
{{Infobox monarch
| title = King
| nickname =
| firstname = Jaehaerys
| regnalnumber = 1
| particle =
| lastname = Targaryen
| epithet = the Conciliator
| arms = Targaryen
| arms2 =
| image = JAEHAERYS I.jpg
| image_caption = Jaehaerys I, by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/ Amok] ©.
| reign = {{Date|48|103}}
| coronation = {{Date|48}} [[Starry Sept]], [[Oldtown]]
| fullname = Jaehaerys of House Targaryen, the First of His Name
| othertitles = [[Prince]] [[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]] [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]] [[Protector of the Realm]]
| allegiance =
| predecessor = King [[Maegor I Targaryen]]
| heir = Princess [[Aerea Targaryen]] ({{Date|48|52}}, {{Date|52|53}}) Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon Targaryen]] ({{Date|52}}) Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys Targaryen]] ({{Date|53|55}}) Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon Targaryen]] ({{Date|55|92}}) Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] ({{Date|92|101}}) Prince [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]] ({{Date|101|103}})
| successor = King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
| alias = Jaehaerys the Conciliator{{Ref|ASOS|8}} The Old King{{Ref|ASOS|40}} Jaehaerys the Wise{{Ref|ADWD|23}} Old King Jaehaerys{{Ref|TPATQ}}
| dateofbirth = the 20th day of the 9th moon of {{Date|34}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
| placeofbirth = [[King's Landing]]
| dateofdeath = {{Date|103}} (aged 69){{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}
| placeofdeath = King's Landing
| dateofburial = {{Date|103}}
| placeofburial = [[Dragonstone]]{{ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}<ref group="N" name="ashes">''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' and ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' stated that King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne's ashes were interred beneath the [[Red Keep]], but this was corrected to [[Dragonstone]] in ''[[Fire & Blood]]''.</ref>
| race = [[Valyrians|Valyrian]]
| culture = [[Crownlands#People and Economy|Crownlander]]
| royalhouse = [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]]
| queen = [[Alysanne Targaryen]]
| consort =
| spouse =
| lover =
| issue = Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon Targaryen]] Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys Targaryen]] Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon Targaryen]] Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]] Septa [[Maegelle Targaryen|Maegelle]] Archmaester [[Vaegon Targaryen|Vaegon]] Princess [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daella Targaryen]] Princess [[Saera Targaryen]] Princess [[Viserra Targaryen]] Prince [[Gaemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Gaemon Targaryen]] Prince [[Valerion Targaryen]] Princess [[Gael Targaryen]]
| father = King [[Aenys I Targaryen]]
| mother = Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]]
| coat-of-arms =
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rise of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Sons of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Sworn Sword]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned)
| Played_by = [[w:Michael Carter (actor)|Michael Carter]]
| TV_series = ''[[House of the Dragon]]'': [[House of the Dragon - Season 1|Season 1]]
}}
'''Jaehaerys I Targaryen''', also known as '''the Conciliator''', '''the Wise''', or later in life as '''the Old King''', was the fourth [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] king to sit the [[Iron Throne]]. He ascended the throne in {{Date|48}} following the death of his uncle, [[Maegor I Targaryen]]. Jaehaerys was the longest reigning Targaryen monarch, sitting on the throne for fifty-five years. He was a [[dragonrider]], riding [[Vermithor]], the largest [[dragon]] after [[Balerion]] and [[Vhagar]].

In the television adaptation ''[[House of the Dragon]]'', Jaehaerys is portrayed by [[w:Michael Carter (actor)|Michael Carter]].{{Ref|HBOHotD|s01e01}}

==Appearance and Character==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Jaehaerys I Targaryen|l1=Images of Jaehaerys Targaryen}}
According to a semi-canon source, Jaehaerys had the [[purple eyes]] of [[House Targaryen]].<ref name=ssm>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Targaryen_Kings Targaryen Kings] (November 1, 2005)</ref> At the age of sixteen, he wore his hair loose, flowing about his shoulders.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}} Early in his reign he grew a wispy beard and mustache.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} By the time he had turned twenty-four, Jaehaerys looked “every inch a king”. He was a tall and handsome man who wore his hair in a thick braid that fell almost to his waist and his facial hair had grown out into a handsome full golden beard, shot through with silver.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} By {{Date|84}}, at the age of fifty, Jaehaerys had grown thinner, almost gaunt, and his beard and hair had become more grey than gold.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} At an older age, his beard had turned white, and had grown to reach his waist but he still stood unstooped and still looked wise and dignified.<ref name=ssm/>

Jaehaerys moved with an easy grace. It is said that his smile could warm the heart of any [[maiden]], and his frown could make a man's blood run cold.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} He wore as a [[crown]] a simple band of yellow gold ornamented with seven gems of different colors.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}

Jaehaerys was wise beyond his years.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} He was fair-spoken, open-handed, and as chivalrous as he was courageous.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} According to [[Grand Maester]] [[Benifer]] Jaehaerys was "learned as a maester and pious as a septon". Although Benifer might have attempted to flatter Jaehaerys with such a statement, according to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]] there was some truth to it as well.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} Queen Alyssa, Jaehaerys's mother, is reported to have called Jaehaerys "the best of my three sons".{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}

Jaehaerys was decisive in both thought and deed, and always sought the most peaceable ends.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} In times of trouble, instead of brooding on the issues, Jaehaerys would shrug off his sorrows and plunge himself into his work.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} He never acted without thinking,{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} and did not trust in chance.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}} Nor did Jaehaerys like to make outright threats, but had other ways of making his disapproval felt. According to the [[Sealord of Braavos]], Jaehaerys was very skillful in making veiled threats.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

Even by the age of fourteen, Jaehaerys refused to allow his council to rule the realm in his name during his regency, and would involve himself in many of the issues the small council faced.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} He was never shy about letting his voice being heard.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} Nor was he a man who wasted time with reproaches, recriminations, or appeals.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

Jaehaerys was a gifted rider.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} By the time he was fourteen years old, Jaehaerys was already skilled with lance and longbow.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} Following a rigorous training regime during his time on [[Dragonstone]], he became skilled at arms as well, to the point where Ser [[Elyas Scales]], Jaehaerys's [[master-at-arms]] claimed that Jaehaerys would never be skilled enough to join the [[Kingsguard]], but that he had enough skill to beat his uncle [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] in combat, had Maegor still lived.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}

Jaehaerys was known for his love of travel,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} and made many [[royal progress]]es. He and Alysanne were known to stay at the [[inn at the crossroads]] during their journeys so much so, that afterwards it was renamed the Two Crowns.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|AFFC|37}}

When he was younger, Jaehaerys had been fascinated by the ponderous tomes and [[Old Valyria]]n scrolls found in Dragonstone's library.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}} Jaehaerys had always been close to his sister-wife Alysanne, even as a child, and had always had a strong affection and regard for her.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

Near the end of his life, after outliving his wife and most of his children, Jaehaerys's strength and wits began to fail, leaving him often confined to his bed.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

==History==
===Early life===
Jaehaerys was the third son and fourth child of Prince [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys Targaryen]] and his wife, Lady [[Alyssa Velaryon]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}} He was born on the twentieth day of the ninth moon{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} of {{Date|34}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} in [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|AWOIAF|Jaehaerys I Targaryen}} He had two older brothers, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] and [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys]], an older sister, [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], and two younger sisters, [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] and [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Vaella]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}} His sister Rhaena placed a [[dragon egg]] in his cradle after his birth, from which Jaehaerys's [[dragon]], [[Vermithor]], would eventually hatch.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} When his grandfather, King [[Aegon I Targaryen]], died on [[Dragonstone]] in {{Date|37}},{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} his father, Aenys, ascended the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}

Followers of the [[Faith of the Seven]] began an [[Faith Militant uprising|uprising]] after King [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys I]] married Jaehaerys's two eldest siblings, Rhaena and Aegon, to one another in {{Date|41}}. After [[Poor Fellows]] scaled the walls of the [[Red Keep]] in an attempt to murder the royal family, Jaehaerys fled with his parents and siblings to [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} By the end of the year most of the realm had joined the side of the Faith, and King Aenys, unable to decide how to deal with the rebels, fell ill. In {{Date|42}}, he collapsed upon learning that [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]] and [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] were besieged at [[Crakehall]], and died three days later.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

===Reign of Maegor===
Jaehaerys was on [[Dragonstone]] for his father's cremation. Within hours, Dowager Queen Alyssa fled to [[Driftmark]], her [[Aethan Velaryon|father's]] seat, with Jaehaerys and Alysanne.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} Meanwhile, Dowager Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] flew to [[Pentos]] to retrieve her son [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] from his exile. Once back at Dragonstone, Maegor claimed the [[Iron Throne]] for his own, ignoring the claim of Jaehaerys's eldest brother Aegon.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

Later that year, following a visit from Visenya on [[Vhagar]], Alyssa brought Jaehaerys, his sister Alysanne, and his brother [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys]] to [[King's Landing]], where they witnessed the wedding of King Maegor to [[Tyanna of the Tower]]. By {{Date|44}}, Jaehaerys, Alysanne, and their mother resided on Dragonstone as the hostages of Dowager Queen Visenya. In the chaos following Visenya's death of natural causes that year, Jaehaerys, his sister Alysanne, and his mother Alyssa fled the island, along with Jaehaerys's dragon [[Vermithor]] and Alysanne's dragon [[Silverwing]]. In retaliation, King Maegor had Jaehaerys's brother Viserys, who resided at King's Landing, tortured to death. As Jaehaerys's eldest brother, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon]], had been killed by Maegor in [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye|battle]] the previous year, Jaehaerys became the eldest living son of the late King Aenys I as a result.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

In {{Date|47}}, Maegor forced three widows of proven fertility to marry him in one ceremony. One of these [[Black Brides]] was Jaehaerys's eldest sister, Rhaena. Still without a child of his own, Maegor officially disinherited Jaehaerys and proclaimed Rhaena's daughter [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]] as his heir.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} However, the realm slowly turned against Maegor, and when Jaehaerys put forward his claim for the throne he unified the factions that opposed Maegor.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} The first great lord to openly proclaim for Jaehaerys was his second cousin, Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]] of [[Storm's End]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Stormlands: House Baratheon}} Other great houses followed, including [[House Lannister]], [[House Tyrell]], [[House Arryn]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} and, although they had originally joined Maegor against Prince Aegon, [[House Tully]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands: House Tully}} Rhaena, Jaehaerys's sister, fled from Maegor on her dragon after learning about Jaehaerys's claim, stealing the [[Valyrian steel]] sword [[Blackfyre]] from him in the process. Two of Maegor's [[Kingsguard]] knights, Ser [[Olyver Bracken]] and Ser [[Raymund Mallery]] joined Jaehaerys too.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

===The Ascension of Jaehaerys===
[[File:Young Jaehaerys.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Jaehaerys at the age of fourteen, as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in ''[[Fire & Blood]]''.]]

In {{Date|48}}, following Maegor's mysterious death, Jaehaerys arrived in [[King's Landing]] upon [[Vermithor]], ahead of Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]]'s army.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}

Most of Maegor's supporters had fled, and Jaehaerys imprisoned the few who still remained. As Jaehaerys was only fourteen years of age, Jaehaerys's mother, Dowager Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]] would serve as [[Regent|Queen Regent]] during the first two years of Jaehaerys's reign and Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]], whom Jaehaerys had named [[Protector of the Realm|Lord Protector of the Realm]] and [[Hand of the King]], would further provided guidance.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}

Jaehaerys decided to pardon the lords and knights who had served Maegor, restoring their lands and titles to them, although he required a son or daughter as a hostage from each, or the payment of a sum of gold to the crown.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} An exception was made for some: the gaolers and confessors who had assisted in the torture and death of Prince [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys]] were all executed. Of Maegor's [[Kingsguard]], Ser [[Maladon Moore]] was executed for his involvement in the murder of Queen [[Tyanna of the Tower|Tyanna]], whilst the remaining five (including Ser [[Olyver Bracken]] and Ser [[Raymund Mallery]], who had abandoned Maegor for Jaehaerys but whose service was refused by the young king, as he did not want oathbreakers serving him) were given a choice between execution or [[Night's Watch|taking the black]]. All but Ser [[Harrold Langward]] choose to take the black. When Ser Harrold demanded a [[trial by combat]], Jaehaerys wished to face the knight himself. In this he was overruled by his mother, the Queen Regent. Harrold Langward was slain by the Crown's champion, Ser [[Gyles Morrigen]], who was made [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard|Lord Commander]] of Jaehaerys's Kingsguard soon after.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}

[[File:Jaehaerys highsepton.jpg|thumb|left|200px|King Jaehaerys is crowned by the [[High Lickspittle|High Septon]], as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in ''[[Fire & Blood]]''.]]

As the realm learned about Jaehaerys's willingness for granting pardons, the remainder of Maegor's adherents dismissed their armies and journeyed to [[King's Landing]] to swear fealty to the new king. After the sudden death of [[Moon (septon)|Septon Moon]], the [[Poor Fellows]] besieging [[Oldtown]] fled, and Jaehaerys was free to make his way to Oldtown, where he was blessed and crowned by the [[High Lickspittle|High Septon]] with his late father's crown in the [[Starry Sept]]. Although it was requested by Lady [[Lucinda Broome|Lucinda Tully]] and Ser [[Joffrey Doggett]], Jaehaerys refused to reinstate the Swords and Stars of the Faith, insisting that the Crown would protect the Faith going forward.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} Jaehaerys removed the bounties that King Maegor I had placed on the heads of the [[Warrior's Sons]] and [[Poor Fellows]],{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} and to pardon all those of the Faith who would set aside their swords,{{Ref|AFFC|33}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} while the Faith agreed to set aside their traditional right of judging their own, accept justice from the throne from that moment forth.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|AFFC|43}} Jaehaerys swore to the Faith that the crown would always protect and defend the Faith.{{Ref|AFFC|28}} In addition, Jaehaerys offered a white cloak to Ser Joffrey Doggett, a former Warrior's Son, which the knight accepted. As such, Jaehaerys reconciled the Iron Throne and the Faith.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}

On the journey back to [[King's Landing]], many former members of the [[Faith Militant]] begged the young king to ask for the clemency he had promised, which Jaehaerys granted to all on the condition that they would go north to join the [[Night's Watch]], which the majority did.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} 
===Marriage===
In {{Date|49}} Jaehaerys's mother, Queen Regent [[Alyssa Velaryon]], and Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]], Jaehaerys's Hand, were married in the [[Golden Wedding]].{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} Although Jaehaerys liked and respected Rogar, he felt slighted, as Rogar had not asked Jaehaerys's leave for the wedding. Nor did Jaehaerys approve of the marriage,{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} confessing to Septon [[Barth]] (some time after the latter's arrival in King's Landing the following year) that he did not need a second father, and that he felt his own intelligence, judgment, and temperament to be greater than Rogar's.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} According to Barth's accounts Jaehaerys believed that Rogar's motivation for the marriage was a desire for power, not affection for Alyssa, and felt that Rogar was overreaching himself. But, as he had not opposed the marriage of his sister [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]] on [[Fair Isle]] earlier that year, Jaehaerys felt he could not object his mother's choice either.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

Jaehaerys granted audience to any lord or knight who wished a private word with him, agreeing to speak with them in his [[solar]]. The six score who accepted the offer were all impressed by Jaehaerys. Furthermore during the wedding celebration, the remaining five slots of Jaehaerys's Kingsguard were filled by the victors of a test of arms that became known as the [[War for the White Cloaks]].{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

Following their [[wedding]], the Queen Regent and King's Hand began to debate with the [[small council]] about a bride for Jaehaerys, for the realm needed an heir. Jaehaerys was not present for these discussions, as Queen Regent Alyssa knew that he would choose his younger sister [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] if the choice was his. Still recalling the [[Faith Militant uprising|uprising]] of the [[Faith of the Seven|Faith]] that followed the wedding of King [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]]'s eldest [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|daughter]] and [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|son]], the councillors agreed that another [[Incest|incestuous]] [[marriage]] was out of the question. Despite numerous suggestions, no suitable candidate could be agreed upon. However, the council did agree quickly on a husband for Princess Alysanne: Ser [[Orryn Baratheon]].{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

[[File:Dragonstone wedding.jpg|thumb|right|400px|The [[wedding]] of King Jaehaerys and Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] on [[Dragonstone]], as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in ''[[Fire & Blood]]''.]]
As soon as Alysanne discovered her betrothal, she informed Jaehaerys, who acted immediately. He ordered his [[Kingsguard]] to discreetly travel to [[Dragonstone]] under the cover of darkness, while he and Alysanne flew together to the Targaryen stronghold upon their [[dragon]]s. On Dragonstone, Jaehaerys and Alysanne married in secret with Septon [[Oswyck]] performing the ceremony. Jaehaerys refused to consummate the marriage, as he believed Alysanne to still be too young. Rogar and Alyssa arrived soon after the wedding and, upon learning that the marriage had not yet been consummated, Rogar declared they were not married, and ordered his men to secure the royal children. The Kingsguard defied the King's Hand by forming a wall in front of their king and queen, informing Rogar that he would be the first to die if Rogar's men would attack then. Alyssa convinced her husband to return to [[King's Landing]], while Jaehaerys and Alysanne remained behind. They would spend the rest of the king's minority at Dragonstone. No announcement about the king's marriage was made to the realm. Lord Rogar ordered everyone who had accompanied him to Dragonstone to keep silent about the king's marriage, while Grand Maester [[Benifer]] burned the letter Septon [[Mattheus]] attempted to send to the High Septon and the Most Devout, on orders of Rogar.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} Neither did Jaehaerys announce his marriage to the realm, although he easily could have done so.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

===Minority on Dragonstone===
Jaehaerys and Alysanne were seldom apart from each other during their time on Dragonstone. Those lords and council members who came to Dragonstone for a consult with their king would be received by their king with his queen beside him.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} While on Dragonstone, Jaehaerys intended to rectify his own shortcomings before he came of age and took the rule in his own hands. He had already shown to the realm that he was not cruel as his uncle Maegor had been, but he was equally determined to not be considered weak like his father, King [[Aenys I Targaryen]], had been either. As such, Jaehaerys began an intense regimen: He spent every morning until midday in the castle yard training with sword, shield and any other weapon, sparring with Ser [[Merrell Bullock]], commander of the castle garrison, and his sons, Ser [[Alyn Bullock|Alyn]] and Ser [[Howard Bullock|Howard]], Ser [[Elyas Scales]], the castles [[master-at-arms]], and with his seven Kingsguard knights. It was a brutal training regime, but Jaehaerys's skill increased greatly within the year.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}

While Jaehaerys and his new wife remained on Dragonstone, Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]] and Queen Regent [[Alyssa Velaryon]] at King's Landing plotted to undo the marriage, while the realm began to notice Jaehaerys's absence from court, after Jaehaerys and Alysanne did not return to King's Landing for the celebrations of the start of {{Date|50}}.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} Alyssa and Rogar eventually agreed to sent [[w:Lady-in-waiting|ladies-in-waiting]] to Dragonstone to serve Alysanne. Their true purpose, however, was to try and persuade her to rescind the marriage. Rogar wanted eyes and ears on Dragonstone, and saw these ladies as an opportunity to learn all Jaehaerys was doing. The book titled ''[[A Caution for Young Girls]]'' offers a second reason for Rogar's consent to Alyssa's plan. In the book, the alleged author, Lady [[Coryanne Wylde]], claims that she had been instructed by Lord Rogar to seduce Jaehaerys, and so drive the king and queen apart. Despite her youth, however, Queen Alysanne charmed all her ladies-in-waiting, who soon became completely loyal to her. And so, Rogar's plan failed.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}

Meanwhile, more and more lords began to visit Jaehaerys on Dragonstone. At the same time, news of the marriage of Jaehaerys and Alysanne began to make its way through the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. The lords visiting Jaehaerys could not fail to notice Alysanne ever being by his side, and whispers spread through the realm and beyond. When Queen Regent Alyssa told the council they had to accept the marriage, Lord Rogar furiously suggested putting Jaehaerys aside and crowning in his stead Princess [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]], Queen [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]]'s daughter by the deceased [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]]. For this suggestion, Rogar was dismissed as the King's Hand by his own wife, his two subsequent plots to crown another foiled.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}

===Coming of Age===
On the twentieth day of the ninth moon in {{Date|50}} Jaehaerys reached the [[age of majority]] and turned sixteen.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} He sent five knights of his [[Kingsguard]] to [[King's Landing]] to make certain that all was ready for his arrival. Three days later, Jaehaerys departed from [[Dragonstone]] on [[Vermithor]] and flew to the capital. After arriving at the [[Red Keep]] he reconciled with his mother and began to work on the [[small council]], dismissing several members, confirming the positions of some, and appointing others. Most difficult to replace was Lord [[Edwell Celtigar]], the ineffectual [[master of coin]]. Eventually, Jaehaerys appointed [[Rego Draz]] from [[Pentos]] to the position. Jaehaerys next replaced many men who held lesser offices as well, and emptied the dungeons of King's Landing. Once that was done, the king summoned Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]], who he received seated on the [[Iron Throne]] in the presence of his council. Though Rogar feared harsh reprimands, Jaehaerys informed him that he had not forgotten how Rogar had protected him and his family from [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] and pardoned the [[Lord of Storm's End]], on the condition that Rogar would never again speak another word against him or his queen, and that he would be an honorable husband to Queen Alyssa. To this, Lord Rogar agreed. Jaehaerys further proclaimed that Rogar's brother [[Orryn Baratheon|Orryn]], who had attempted to take the novice [[Rhaella Targaryen]] from the motherhouse in [[Oldtown]] in a plot against Jaehaerys's crown on Rogar's orders, would be exiled for the next ten years. When asked by Rogar if hostages from House Baratheon were required, the king led him to Vermithor, using the veiled threat of not needing any hostages, as long as he rode a dragon.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

While Jaehaerys's new master of coin, Lord Rego, proved able to halt the Crown's debts enough for work on the [[Dragonpit]] to resume, it was not enough. So Jaehaerys had taxes placed on luxury and exotic goods, which would not impact the [[smallfolk]] and would not be oppressive to the high lords. Jaehaerys predicted correctly that any lord who wished to flaunt his wealth and power to the outside world, would still desire to purchase these goods, and thus pay the taxes placed on them. And so the crown's revenue slowly increased. An additional tax, with a dual purpose, was also proclaimed: henceforth, any lord who wished to repair or expand his castle, or raise a new one, would pay a heavy tax based on the number of crenelations, which Jaehaerys hoped would discourage them from building.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

In {{Date|51}}, nigh on half a year after Jaehaerys's arrival at King's Landing, Alysanne departed from Dragonstone to join her king. A month later, the two were wed in a public ceremony, with the newly arrived Septon [[Barth]] performing the marriage rites before the [[Iron Throne]]; because of the Crown's lack of money, only a thousand guests attended a ceremony much smaller than Rogar and Alyssa's Golden Wedding. This time, the marriage was consummated. Next, Jaehaerys took precautions to assure that his marriage would be accepted by his subjects. He reasoned that his marriage to Alysanne would not cause another [[Faith Militant uprising]] as the marriage of his eldest [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|brother]] and [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|sister]] had done before, for a number of reasons: the current [[High Lickspittle|High Septon]] was a passive man, the smallfolk knew Jaehaerys better, and the [[Faith Militant]] was largely dispersed. Most importantly, however, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] and [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]] had gone on a royal progress following their wedding without taking a [[dragon]], as Aegon had not yet been a [[dragonrider]] at the time, and King [[Aenys I Targaryen]] had forbidden Rhaena from bringing [[Dreamfyre]]. Jaehaerys and Alysanne intended to travel everywhere on [[Vermithor]] and [[Silverwing]], which would discourage any thought of an assault and would act as an unspoken reminder to the realm of the power of the dragons.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

In addition, Jaehaerys sent out [[Seven Speakers]] throughout the realm to preach the new [[Doctrine of Exceptionalism]], telling all of Jaehaerys's wisdom and Alysanne's kindness. The realm did not rise up against Jaehaerys and his queen as they had against their siblings before, although according to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]] the reasons are not entirely clear. Gyldayn cites the silence of the High Septon on the matter and the wariness of the smallfolk as important reasons... but believes that, "if words have power", the Seven Speakers played an important role as well.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

Although married, Jaehaerys had no children of his own body, and as such had named his niece [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]] as his heir when coming to the throne two years before. Jaehaerys's eldest sister and Aerea's mother, Queen [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], traveled to King's Landing to join the celebrations of Jaehaerys's second wedding. Afterwards, she confronted her brother about her own troubles, and made two requests from him, which he granted: [[Dragonstone]] as her own seat, and her daughter [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]], the king's heir, returned to her care.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

Several months later, Queen Alysanne announced that she was pregnant with Jaehaerys's first child.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

===Early Reign (50 to 61 AC)===
In {{Date|51}} Jaehaerys and Alysanne began the first of their many [[royal progress]]es. Starting in the [[crownlands]], Jaehaerys visited lords great and small, determined to be seen in as many places as possible. To this end, he traveled in the company of less than a hundred men, including twenty knights. The royal progress continued until they arrived at [[Maidenpool]], where the pregnant Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] was attacked by three holy sisters who served at [[Jonquil's Pool]]. Following this incident, Jaehaerys postponed the remainder of his progress and returned Alysanne to the [[Red Keep]], where she remained until the birth of their child. In {{Date|52}}, Alysanne went into premature labor and the child, a boy named [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon]], died three days after his birth.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}} A while later, Jaehaerys finished his progress by visiting the [[Vale of Arryn]]. The next year, he went on a progress to the [[riverlands]]. Although Alysanne had originally planned to join him, she chose to stay behind as she was once again with child, and refused to allow Jaehaerys to cancel the progress to remain by her side. Jaehaerys was at [[Stoney Sept]] when news arrived that Alysanne had given birth to a daughter, but flew back on Vermithor immediately. Although he had hoped for another son, he was delighted in his daughter, Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys]]. With her birth, Jaehaerys finally had an heir of his own.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}

In {{Date|54}} Lady [[Elissa Farman]] left [[Dragonstone]], stealing three of the [[dragon eggs]] Queen [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]] held. Once the trail of Elissa had grown cold, Rhaena informed Jaehaerys in King's Landing. Jaehaerys was alarmed by the news; if the eggs were to hatch, there would be a [[dragonlord]] in the world that was not a Targaryen. Rewards were offered and gold was paid, but the rumors they resulted in did not lead to the eggs. Later that same year, the [[High Lickspittle|High Septon]] died in [[Oldtown]]. Jaehaerys decided he and Alysanne would travel to Oldtown immediately on their dragons, intend on preventing the [[Most Devout]] from electing Septon [[Mattheus]] as the new [[High Septon]]. At Oldtown, Jaehaerys spoke with Lord [[Donnel Hightower]] and made certain promises, thereby securing the outcome of the [[choosing]], according to the account of Septon [[Barth]]. The Most Devout elected Septon [[Alfyn]], a supporter of the [[Doctrine of Exceptionalism]], and the Faith added the doctrine to its preachings.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}

While traveling back to King's Landing by the way of [[Horn Hill]], [[Nightsong]], and [[Blackhaven]], Jaehaerys received the news that their pregnant mother [[Alyssa Velaryon|Alyssa]] was on her deathbed. Jaehaerys and Alysanne flew to [[Storm's End]] at once, where they were informed that, although Alyssa's death was certain, her child could live if delivered by [[w:Caesarean section|cutting her open]]. Jaehaerys and Alysanne remained at Storm's End until after Alyssa's death, after which they returned home. Tragedy struck the realm later when several ladies were murdered via [[Tears of Lys|poison]] on [[Dragonstone]] by [[Androw Farman]].{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}

The Hand of the King, Lord [[Daemon Velaryon (son of Aethan)|Daemon Velaryon]], resigned his office later that year wishing to spend time with his family after the death of his sister, [[Alyssa Velaryon|Alyssa]] at [[Storm's End]] and the murder of his niece, [[Lianna Velaryon|Lianna]] on [[Dragonstone]]. Jaehaerys, after much deliberating, appointed Lord [[Myles Smallwood]] to the office. As the year was ending, the king and court prepared for a tourney to be held at King's Landing, but their preparations were halted by the arrival of Queen Rhaena from Dragonstone, who informed Jaehaerys of the disappearance of Princess [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]] from Dragonstone upon [[Balerion]]. Jaehaerys sent forth ravens, attempting to discover the whereabouts of the young girl and the eldest of the Targaryen dragons, but to no avail.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}

In {{Date|55}}, Jaehaerys, assisted by Septon [[Barth]], Grand Maester [[Benifer]], Lord [[Albin Massey]], and Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]], began work to create the first unified [[Books of Law|code of law]], codifying, organizing, and reforming all the laws of the kingdom. These reforms would take decades. That same year, Jaehaerys began a royal progress through the [[westerlands]] without Alysanne, who was pregnant again and had left for Dragonstone. Jaehaerys returned from the westerlands one month before the child, who they named [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]], was born. At Alysanne's suggestion, Jaehaerys placed a [[dragon's egg]] in Aemon's cradle.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

[[File:Jaehaerys&Alysanne.jpg|thumb|right|350px|A young King Jaehaerys and a pregnant Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], with their son Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]], as depicted by Magali Villeneuve in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''.]]
In {{Date|56}}, Jaehaerys was having breakfast with an envoy of the [[Iron Bank of Braavos]] on the morning Princess [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]] returned to [[King's Landing]] on [[Balerion]]. Jaehaerys and his wife stood vigil by Grand Maester [[Benifer]]'s chamber door as the Grand Maester did what he could for the child. Jaehaerys ordered Ser [[Lucamore Strong]], who had brought the girl to Benifer, from speaking about the "things" that moved inside her. Following Aerea's death, Jaehaerys issued a royal edict: any ship suspected of having been at the [[Valyria]]n islands, where Septon [[Barth]] believed Aerea had contracted her disease, or sailed the [[Smoking Sea]] nearby, was from that day forth forbidden from docking at any port or harbor in the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. In addition, the people of [[Westeros]] were forbidden from visiting Valyria, and doing so would be punishable by death.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

In {{Date|57}} Jaehaerys became a father again when Alysanne gave birth to Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]]. That same year, Jaehaerys dismissed [[Myles Smallwood]] from the office of [[Hand of the King]] and elevated his good friend, Septon [[Barth]] to the office. After Barth's visit to [[Braavos]], which resulted in a greatly reduced debt the Crown owed, Jaehaerys was free to continue development of King's Landing, and began with the construction of drains, sewers, sinking wells and fountains, to carry the waste from the city and to provide clean drinking water for the smallfolk. Jaehaerys and his [[master of coin]], [[Rego Draz]] at first protested the proposition of the fountains and sinking wells due to the cost, until Alysanne presented them each with a tankard of river water at the next council meeting, daring them to drink it. Neither one of them was willing to do it, and the construction was approved.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

By {{Date|58}}, Jaehaerys had not made any royal progress for several years. He had yet to visit the [[north]] and so he and Queen Alysanne planned a great royal progress to [[Winterfell]]. Jaehaerys had grown tired of having to wait for his baggage train to arrive when he made a royal progress on dragonback, and thus decided that this time the royal retinue traveled ahead and took ship to [[White Harbor]]. However, after the retinue had left [[King's Landing]], Jaehaerys was detained at King's Landing by matters of state: the Free Cities of [[Pentos]] and [[Tyrosh]], which had been engaged in a disruptive trade war for the past three years, asked him to mediate negotiations. Not wanting to insult the [[House Stark|Starks]] by canceling the progress, Alysanne suggested she could go on the progress as planned, and Jaehaerys would catch up as soon as negotiations ended. Negotiations unfortunately ran long, so Alysanne arrived at White Harbor and then Winterfell without him. At Winterfell, Alysanne was received coldly at first by Lord [[Alaric Stark]], but her charm and wit eventually won him over.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

Half a year after Alysanne had first left for the progress, Jaehaerys arrived at [[Winterfell]], where he too received a cold welcome by Alaric. Alaric showed Jaehaerys the tomb of his older brother, [[Walton Stark (son of Brandon)|Walton]], in the [[crypt of Winterfell]]. According to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]], upon her return to Winterfell, Queen Alysanne suggested granting the [[New Gift]] to the Night's Watch, which meant that several northern lords would have to give up parts of their lands.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} Following their return to King's Landing, Alysanne brought to Jaehaerys's attention the stories she had heard on her [[women's courts]] during the progress, concerning the right to the [[first night]]. As a result, Jaehaerys abolished the lord's right to the first night.{{Ref|TSS}}{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

In {{Date|59}}, a harsh winter struck the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. This winter resulted in a famine, followed by the plague known as the [[Shivers]]. The disease was devastating, with cities being hit the hardest. King Jaehaerys I Targaryen lost half of his [[small council]] to the disease, along with two of his [[Kingsguard]] [[knight]]s and Lord [[Qarl Corbray]], the Commander of the [[City Watch of King's Landing]]. At the same time, many men of the City Watch fell ill, resulting in King's Landing becoming a lawless place. After Lord [[Rego Draz]], the [[master of coin]], was murdered by a hungry and partially drunk crowd on the streets who became enraged by the sight of the [[Pentos]]hi, a furious King Jaehaerys rode forth himself to claim the body and punish the men responsible for his death. The disease claimed its last victims in {{Date|60}}, including the six-year-old daughter of Jaehaerys, Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys]], who complained of a cold and died a day and a half later.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

After the disease ran its course, Jaehaerys lost himself in his work as a way to handle his grief, naming new men to the offices and positions of those lost to the Shivers. Some joy came though in {{Date|60}} with the birth of his fifth child, Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

In {{Date|61}}, Jaehaerys joined Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]] in ending the scourge of the [[Vulture King (Jaehaerys I)|Vulture King]] who continued to raid the [[Dornish Marches]]. In the struggle, called the [[Third Dornish War]], a new Vulture King and his bandits were defeated. Jaehaerys said afterward that the short conflict restored his confidence in himself as king, because he couldn't point a sword at a disease like the Shivers, but this was a tangible fight. Moreover, Jaehaerys fought the Dornish raiders head-on in combat, in a way his weakling father never did, increasing the respect and support of many lords for him.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

===The Long Reign & An Abundance of Heirs (61 to 92 AC)===
The 60s and 70s AC were peaceful and prosperous times for Westeros politically, and for the royal family personally: Jaehaerys's [[marriage]] to his sister, [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], was happy and fruitful. Alysanne would give birth to thirteen children in total. Besides [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon]], born in {{Date|51}} but dead three days later, [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys]], born in {{Date|53}}, [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]], born in {{Date|55}}, [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]], born in {{Date|57}}, and [[Alyssa Targaryen|Alyssa]], born in {{Date|60}}, eight other children would follow. In {{Date|62}}, Alysanne gave birth to another daughter, [[Maegelle Targaryen|Maegelle]]. The next year Jaehaerys became the father of another son, [[Vaegon Targaryen|Vaegon]], and the year after to another daughter, [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daella]]. Princess [[Saera Targaryen|Saera]] was born in {{Date|67}}, and Princess [[Viserra Targaryen|Viserra]] in {{Date|71}}. Jaehaerys's eleventh child, a son named [[Gaemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Gaemon]], in honor of [[Gaemon Targaryen (son of Aenar)|Gaemon the Glorious]], was born in {{Date|73}}. However, the child was born too early and the labor was difficult. Gaemon died three months after his birth. Four years later, Jaehaerys became father to another son, [[Valerion Targaryen|Valerion]], who died the next year, just shy of his first [[nameday]]. Alysanne gave birth to Jaehaerys's thirteenth and final child, [[Gael Targaryen|Gael]], in the winter of {{Date|80}}. Although born frail, the child survived. {{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} Of his thirteen children, only nine lived to adulthood,{{Ref|AWOIAF|Jaehaerys I Targaryen}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} and almost none would outlive their father.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

In {{Date|62}}, Jaehaerys came to realize that there were no true roads in his realm and ordered the construction of a massive road system to unite the realms together: the greatest of these was the [[kingsroad]]. These large scale public works projects would continue throughout the remaining decades of his reign.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

[[File:Aemon-and-Jocelyn-by-chillyravenart.png|thumb|350px|right|Aemon and his wife [[Jocelyn Baratheon]], by chillyravenart ©]]
Jaehaerys's eldest son [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]] was named [[Prince of Dragonstone]] and official heir to the throne in {{Date|62}}. Aemon announced his betrothal to Lady [[Jocelyn Baratheon]] of [[Storm's End]] in {{Date|68}}, and in {{date|70}} they were wed in a lavish royal ceremony that rivaled the [[Golden Wedding]] in splendor. Before long, in {{Date|74}} Jaehaerys became a grandfather for the first time when Jocelyn gave birth to Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys]]. The following year, Jaehaerys's second son [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]] wed his eldest living daughter, [[Alyssa Targaryen|Alyssa]]. All three children claimed dragons as mounts: Aemon rode [[Caraxes]], Baelon rode [[Vhagar]], and Alyssa rode [[Meleys]]. This union soon produced two more royal grandchildren: [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]], named in honor of Jaehaerys's deceased [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|brother]], in {{Date|77}}, and [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] in {{Date|81}}.

Though the realm was quiet during these years, they were not without incident: in {{Date|73}}, it was discovered that Ser [[Lucamore Strong]] of the [[Kingsguard]] has broken his vows and had secretly married three times, and had sixteen children in total. Lucamore was brought before Jaehaerys and confessed his guilt, begging for mercy. According to [[Septon]] [[Barth]], Jaehaerys might have granted the mercy had Lucamore not added ''"for the sake of my wives and children"'' to the end of his plea, as this was tantamount to throwing his crimes in the king's face.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} Jaehaerys declared he would have no oathbreakers serving him and ordered Lucamore to be [[eunuch|gelded]], after which he was sent to the [[Wall]] to join the [[Night's Watch]]. Lucamore's betrayal came as a shock to Jaehaerys and his wife, as they had been especially fond of him.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

That same year in 73 AC, Maegelle eagerly joined the Faith of the Seven at the age of ten as a novice and eventually became a septa. Queen Alysanne announced that this was in thanks for the Mother blessing her with many children. The royal family faced two deaths that year: not only the infant Gaemon, but Jaehaerys's sister [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]] died at the age of 50, after retiring to relative isolation at [[Harrenhal]] for several years.

In the late 70s and early 80s AC, Jaehaerys and Alysanne faced increasing concerns from their younger children, which were addressed with varying success. Jaehaerys's third son [[Vaegon Targaryen]], while dutiful, was taciturn and bookish and showed no interest in martial training or marriage. After some effort, both father and son were pleased when in {{Date|78}}, on his fifteenth nameday, Vaegon was sent to study at the [[Citadel]], where he eventually became an Archmaester. Historians dubbed him "Vaegon the Dragonless" because he was the only one of Jaehaerys's sons who never claimed a dragon.

His departure raised another issue, however, as Jaehaerys originally intended Vaegon to wed his younger sister [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daella]]. They had quickly proved utterly incompatible, nor was this solely due to Vaegon's brusque nature: Daella was a sweet girl but also extremely delicate, terrified by almost everything, and unintelligent (so much so that she could never hope to join the Faith and become a septa). Several potential suitors were tried and rejected, until at the beginning of {{Date|80}} Jaehaerys declared in frustration that the sixteen year old princess must marry by the end of the year, no matter who the groom was. A happy match was finally found with the older but kind-hearted Lord [[Rodrik Arryn]], who had been Jaehaerys' [[Master of Laws]] for twenty years. He resigned his post to return with Daella to the [[Eyrie]], and Jaehaerys appointed his son and heir Aemon to fill his now vacant position on the [[small council]] the next year.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

[[File:4th Dornish war.jpg|thumb|350px|The [[Fourth Dornish War]] lasted only a single day, when Jaehaerys and his sons burned the Dornish fleet, as depicted by Douglas Wheatley.]]
In {{Date|83}} Jaehaerys together with Aemon and [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]] ended the attempted [[Fourth Dornish War|invasion]] of the [[stormlands]] by Prince [[Morion Martell]] of [[Dorne]]. Mounted atop their [[dragon]]s, they destroyed the Dornish fleet before it could even make landfall. The war was fought and won in a day, and upon their return to [[King's Landing]], Jaehaerys, Aemon, and Baelon received a riotous welcome as they had won a war without losing a single man, something not even [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]] had been able to boast.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

In some ways the Fourth Dornish War marked the height of Jaehaerys's reign, which in the years after 83 AC was increasingly marked by personal tragedy. Years earlier he had lost his first son Aegon in the cradle and young Daenerys from the Shivers; in 73 AC Gaemon died in the cradle, as did little Valerion in 77 AC. Yet cradle deaths were not uncommon even among the nobility in Westeros, and Jaehaerys also welcomed new progeny: Gaemon's death was soon followed by the birth of granddaughter Rhaenys in 74 AC, and the same year that Valerion died, his grandson Viserys was also born. {{Date|80}} saw the birth of Viserys's younger brother Daemon, and even the birth of Jaehaerys's thirteenth and final child [[Gael Targaryen]] - called "the Winter Child" for the season of her birth and because Alysanne was in the winter of her child-bearing years, she was a great comfort to Alysanne's previous losses.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

Yet in {{Date|82}}, Daella was with child only a year and a half into her marriage. She was a frail girl, perhaps too young for pregnancy, and Alysanne came to watch over her during her difficult final months. Within a day of giving birth, Daella died of childbed fever, though her daughter [[Aemma Arryn]] survived (and later wed Viserys in {{Date|93}}). Alysanne blamed herself, the maesters, and Jaehaerys for pushing the girl to marry too young.

Though they were polite in public, a rift started to grow between Jaehaerys and Alysanne after Daella's death in 82 AC that was drastically widened by the twin tragedies of {{Date|84}}. Now it was Daella's older sister Alyssa who died from childbirth, despite delivering Baelon two healthy sons already. After a difficult labor she died within the year, and her infant son [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Baelon)|Aegon]] not half a year later, before the end of 84 AC. Alyssa's death shattered Baelon and he never remarried, though he continued to fulfill his duties. Yet the greatest crisis which occurred that year concerned a younger daughter, and came very close to destroying Jaehaerys and Alysanne's marriage.

In {{Date|84}}, Jaehaerys learned that his daughter [[Saera Targaryen|Saera]] had bedded three young knights. He confronted her and had her confined to her bedchambers after she suggested she could wed all three of them, comparing herself to King [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor the Cruel]] and his many wives. Furious and ashamed, Jaehaerys is said to have stated more than once that "''she is no longer my daughter''". Alysanne attempted to change his mind, but after Saera attempted to flee to the [[Dragonpit]] to steal a [[dragon]], Jaehaerys confined her to a tower cell, dealt with the three knights in question, personally killing one (Ser [[Braxton Beesbury]]) in a [[trial by combat]] that the knight demanded. As punishment for Saera she was sent to [[Oldtown]] to serve the [[Faith of the Seven]] as a novice for a time, where her older sister [[Maegelle Targaryen|Maegelle]] could watch over her. The king's advisors believed that even then, he only intended to punish Saera and would have eventually relented. In {{Date|85}}, however, Saera escaped her confinement and fled Westeros. It was not until the next year in {{Date|85}} that it was learned Sara had escape to [[Lys]] where she became a whore in a pleasure garden. When Alysanne proclaimed that the Lyseni had turned their daughter into a whore, Jaehaerys replied: "''She always was''". The king refused any effort to retrieve or contact her.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

Those closest to Jaehaerys claim that Saera's betrayal and abandonment took a heavy toll on him. He grew thinner, almost gaunt, and his beard became more grey than silver. That same year, {{Date|84}}, was also the year of his fiftieth nameday: around this time men started calling him "the Old King" instead of "the Conciliator". Alysanne, shaken by all their losses, seldom came to small council meetings anymore, but his sons did.

A year after the truth came out about Saera's fate, her younger sister Princess [[Viserra Targaryen]] was betrothed to Lord [[Theomore Manderly]] in {{Date|86}} - a trusted friend of the crown for over thirty years and an honorable man, who nonetheless had outlived four previous wives, and while still a capable fighter had grown somewhat stout. Viserra was horrified by the match, but was sly and cunning in ways Saera was not: rather than try to flee, she tried to seduce her older brother Baelon, though he was 14 years her elder, as he had been widowed for two years since Alyssa had died. The grieving Baelon would have none of it, however, and dismissed her when she appeared in his chambers drunk and naked. Still having more sense than Saera, in {{Date|87}} Viserra indeed resigned herself that the marriage was unavoidable - but snuck out of confinement for what she remarked would be "one last night of laughter before heading north". She and her cronies engaged in a night of revels throughout King's Landing, culminating in a drunken horse race that ended with her being thrown from her mount and snapping her neck.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

Devastated by the death of a third daughter in a span of only five years, Alysanne begged Jaehaerys to reach out to Saera again and bring their daughter home. Jaehaerys steadfastly refused. The disagreement nearly ended their marriage and lasted nearly two years, from 87 to 89 AC, in what historians later called the [[First Quarrel]]. Jaehaerys had been preparing a new royal progress for some time, but Alysanne removed to Dragonstone, so he went alone. First he completed his planned progress to [[Casterly Rock]] and the seats of greater lords of the [[westerlands]], even stopping on [[Fair Isle]]. He inspected the roadworks and made unplanned stops at smaller towns and castles. All together, the king was gone from the [[Red Keep]] far longer than originally intended, and neither Aemon nor Baelon, who joined him for some of these visits, could convince him to return home. After the westerlands, Jaehaerys traveled to the [[Reach]], beginning a second progress before the first had ended. His visits included [[Crakehall]], [[Old Oak]], [[Highgarden]], and [[Greenfield]]. He ended his journey in [[Oldtown]], where Maegelle convinced him to reunite with Alysanne in {{Date|89}}.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

A major factor urging Jaehaerys towards reconciliation was also that his first grandchild announced that she planned to marry. In {{Date|90}} Aemon's daughter Rhaenys wed Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], [[Master of Ships]] on the [[small council]], brave seafaring explorer, and wealthiest man currently living in Westeros. Jaehaerys greatly approved of the match and their wedding was well attended. In her closing years, Alysanne would look back on the wedding in 90 AC as one of the last good days where their remaining family was all gathered together.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

===Late Reign (92 to 103 AC)===
[[File:Marc Simonetti Tournament.jpg|thumb|right|350px|The [[List of tourneys in Westeros#Tourney to celebrate the fiftieth year of King Jaehaerys's reign|great tourney]] of {{Date|98}}, as depicted by Marc Simonetti in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''.]]

In {{Date|92}}, Prince Aemon suddenly died from a crossbow bolt to the neck while fighting Myrish pirates in a minor skirmish on [[Tarth]]. Jaehaerys then named Aemon's brother Baelon as the new [[Prince of Dragonstone]] and heir to the throne, passing over Aemon's only child, Princess Rhaenys, who was then with child (though it later turned out to be a girl, [[Laena Velaryon|Laena]], Rhaenys would go on to produce a son as well, [[Laenor Velaryon|Laenor]]). Although Baelon was much loved, some did not approve. The most prominent of these was Queen Alysanne, who was furious that Rhaenys was being passed over on account of her sex alone. Thus began the [[Second Quarrel]] between Jaehaerys and his sister-wife. Alysanne once again left for Dragonstone, telling Jaehaerys that if he felt a woman was of less use than a man, he would have no further need her anymore. They were reconciled again in {{Date|94}}, once more by their daughter Maegelle. The Velaryons, meanwhile, were not amused, nor was Rhaenys's maternal uncle [[Boremund Baratheon]]. [[Corlys Velaryon]] himself resigned his position on the small council in protest and returned to Driftmark.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

In {{Date|98}}, a great tourney was held in [[King's Landing]] to celebrate King Jaehaerys's fiftieth year on the [[Iron Throne]]. Most<ref group="N">Although Maester [[Yandel]] in his work ''[[The World of Ice and Fire (Yandel)|The World of Ice and Fire]]'' claims that all of Jaehaerys's living children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were present for the tourney, this is in error. Princess Saera, still alive, remained across the [[narrow sea]], with children of her own.</ref> of Jaehaerys's living children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were present. In the final tilt, Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]] and Ser [[Clement Crabb]] broke thirty lances against each other before King Jaehaerys proclaimed them co-champions, in what is often called the finest display of jousting in [[Westeros]]i history.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Tragedy struck a fortnight after the tourney when Jaehaerys's close friend and [[Hand of the King]], Septon [[Barth]], died in his sleep. Jaehaerys replaced him as Hand by Ser Ryam Redwyne, the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]], but when Ser Ryam proved most unsuited for the office subsequently replaced him with his son Baelon. Further tragedy came later with the death of Princess Gael in {{Date|99}}, although officially it was said she died from a summer fever, she had actually committed suicide by drowning herself in the [[Blackwater Rush]]. After this heartbreak, [[King's Landing]] became unbearable to Alysanne.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} Grieving for her most beloved daughter, Queen Alysanne died less than a year later.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}

Prince Baelon himself later died before his father did, of a burst appendix, in {{Date|101}}. Fearing a civil war between Rhaenys and Viserys, Jaehaerys sent for his last remaining son for advice - Archmaester [[Vaegon Targaryen|Vaegon]] - who suggested that Jaehaerys call a [[Great Council]] of all the lords in Westeros to decide the line of succession. The [[Great Council of 101 AC]] sorted through no less than fourteen claimants great and small, but soon focused down on Rhaenys's son Laenor versus Baelon's son [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]]. In the final vote, Viserys won by a factor of twenty to one. Always Jaehaerys's favored candidate, he then formally named his grandson Prince of Dragonstone.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

[[File:Jaehaerys bedridden.png|thumb|left|350px| Lady [[Alicent Hightower]] reads to a bedridden King Jaehaerys, as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in ''[[Fire & Blood]]''.]]
The deaths of Alysanne and Baelon reduced Jaehaerys to a shell of the man he had once been.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} By 101 AC, he had outlived not only his beloved sister-wife, but essentially all of his children: out of nine who lived to adulthood only two were left, but he had disowned Saera and Vaegon (whom he had never been close with) had removed to the Citadel in Oldtown. Moreover he had outlived trusted friends and administrators on his small council who had each served him for roughly four decades each: Septon Barth, Grand Maester Elysar, and Manfryd Redwyne. All that was left to Jaehaerys by 101 AC were his four living grandchildren: Aemon's daughter Rhaenys, Baelon's sons Viserys and Daemon, and Daella's daughter Aemma (who married Viserys).

After 101 AC his strength and wits began to fail him, and towards the end Jaehaerys was confined to his bed. Following the death of Baelon, who had been both heir and [[Hand of the King]], Jaehaerys appointed Ser [[Otto Hightower]] to the office, who would serve for the remainder of his life. The last two years of Jaehaerys's reign were uneventful: Otto ruled the realm while his young daughter, Lady [[Alicent Hightower]], took over his care. She read to the old king, fetched his meals, helped bathe and dress him. At times, Jaehaerys confused her for one of his daughters, and towards the end, he believed she was Princess [[Saera Targaryen|Saera]], who had fled across the narrow sea many years before. Nevertheless [[Mushroom]], the [[court fool]] serving during the reign of [[Viserys I Targaryen]], mischievously suggested that Alicent was more than an aide to the old king.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

In {{Date|103}}, at the age of sixty-nine, Jaehaerys died in his bed as Alicent read to him from Septon [[Barth]]'s ''[[Unnatural History]]''. His body was cremated in the [[Dragonpit]] and his ashes were interred with Alysanne's ashes on [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}<ref group="N" name="ashes" /> His realm mourned, and even reportedly [[Dorne]]. Jaehaerys had ruled for 55 years, the longest serving monarch on the Iron Throne before or since, and had reigned over an unprecedented era of peace and prosperity for Westeros.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

==Legacy==
Jaehaerys was the longest-ruling Targaryen monarch, having ruled for fifty-five years. Because of this, he is referred to as the "Old King". His reign is remembered as the most prosperous period in the history of the Targaryen monarchy. His rule brought peace, stability, and justice to the Seven Kingdoms. According to the archmaesters, the population of Westeros north of [[Dorne]] doubled during Jaehaerys's reign, with the population of [[King's Landing]] becoming four times as large.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} Jaehaerys even managed to forge a peace between [[House Bracken]] and [[House Blackwood]] in the [[riverlands]], which would endure for fifty years, but did not long outlast his reign.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands: House Tully}}{{Ref|ADWD|48}} Jaehaerys is regarded as the best of the Targaryen kings by many historians and laymen.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}

There is a plinth of the Old King that stands at the [[Citadel]] in [[Oldtown]], on which is inscribed, ''"He bound the land together, and made of seven kingdoms, one."''{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

Jaehaerys's grandson and successor, [[Viserys I Targaryen]], wore Jaehaerys's crown.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}} In {{Date|129}}, Viserys entertained his grandchildren with a fictional tale{{#tag:ref|Elio García has stated that George R. R. Martin confirmed to him that this story was made up by Viserys to entertain his grandchildren.<ref>A Forum of Ice and Fire: [https://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/148940-inconsistencies-plot-holes-and-missing-details-in-tsotd-trp-and-tpatq/&page=7#comment-8138013 Inconsistencies, plot holes, and missing details in TSOTD, TRP, and TPATQ] (February 28, 2018)</ref>|group=N}} of Jaehaerys and his dragon defeating a vast host of [[wildling]]s, [[giant]]s, and [[warg]]s at the Wall.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} When Viserys died that same year, his eldest son, [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]], ascended the throne instead of Viserys' proclaimed heir, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], which was the start of the war known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]]. Ser [[Steffon Darklyn]] of the [[Kingsguard]] and his retainers defected to Rhaenyra's [[Blacks|faction]] at [[Dragonstone]]. With them, they brought the crown Jaehaerys I and Viserys I had worn. Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], Rhaenyra's husband and uncle, used this crown during Rhaenyra's coronation.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}

==Small Council under Jaehaerys I==
During the long reign of King Jaehaerys, his [[small council]] had the following known members:

{| class=wikitable width=80%i
!width=25% | Office
!width=15% | Duration
!width=20% | Name
!Notes
|-
| [[Regent]]
| {{Date|48|50}}
| Dowager Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Stormlands: House Baratheon}}
| 
|-
| rowspan="7"| [[Hand of the King]]
| {{Date|48|50}}
| Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Stormlands: House Baratheon}}{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|50|54}}
| Lord [[Daemon Velaryon (son of Aethan)|Daemon Velaryon]]{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|54|57}}
| Lord [[Myles Smallwood]]{{Ref|ASOS|54}}{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|58|98}}
| Septon [[Barth]]{{Ref|ASOS|54}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|98|99}}
| Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|99|101}}
| Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|101|103}}
| Ser [[Otto Hightower]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}
| 
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[Grand Maester]]
| {{Date|48|59}}
| [[Benifer]]{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}
| Reinstated from exile.
|-
| {{Date|60|97}}
| [[Elysar]]{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|97|101}}
| [[Allar]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|101|103}}
| [[Runciter]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|-
| rowspan="3"|[[Master of ships]]
| {{Date|48|50}}
| Lord [[Daemon Velaryon (son of Aethan)|Daemon Velaryon]]{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}
| Later raised to Hand of the King.
|-
| {{Date|50}}–{{Date|89}}
| Lord [[Manfryd Redwyne]]{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|89}}–{{Date|92}}
| Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| Served near the end of King Jaehaerys' reign. Lord Corlys angerly resigned from the office when his wife Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys]] was passed over as heir to the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[Master of laws]]
| {{Date|49|50}}
| Lord [[Prentys Tully]]{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|50|59}}
| Lord [[Albin Massey]]{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|59|80}}
| Lord [[Rodrik Arryn]]{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|80|92}}
| Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon Targaryen]]{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
| 
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[Master of coin]]
| {{Date|48|50}}
| Lord [[Edwell Celtigar]]{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|50|59}}
| Lord [[Rego Draz]]{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|59}}–Unknown
| Lord [[Martyn Tyrell]]{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
| In truth the duties were performed by his wife, Lady [[Florence Fossoway]].
|-
| Unknown–{{Date|103}}
| Lord [[Lyman Beesbury]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]]
| {{Date|48}}–Unknown
| Ser [[Gyles Morrigen]]{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}
| Was known to be still Lord Commander in {{Date|84}}.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}
|-
| Unknown–{{Date|103}}
| Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|}

==Recent Events==
===''A Storm of Swords''===
On Dragonstone [[Maester]] [[Pylos]] mentions to [[Davos Seaworth]] that dragonkings oft chose [[Hand of the King|Hands]] from [[House Targaryen|their own blood]], with results as various as [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor Breakspear]] and [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor the Cruel]]. In comparison there is Jaehaerys I Targaryen's choice of [[Septon]] [[Barth]], a [[Smallfolk|common-born]] blacksmith's son Jaehaerys plucked from the [[Red Keep]]'s library, who gave the realm forty years of peace and plenty.{{Ref|ASOS|54}}

[[Jon Snow]] recalls a story told to him by [[Old Nan]], on how Jaehaerys and Alysanne traveled to Winterfell together in a great royal progress that contained six dragons.{{Ref|ASOS|41}} It is unknown if this was a second progress made by the King and Queen, or if it was just a fable.

===''A Feast for Crows''===
At the [[Wall]], [[Samwell Tarly]] recalls that there were dragons there two hundred years ago; Queen Alysanne had visited [[Castle Black]] on [[Silverwing|her dragon]], and Jaehaerys, her king, had come after her on [[Vermithor|his own]].{{Ref|AFFC|5}}

[[Cersei Lannister]] recalls that when she was a child, she once drew a picture of herself and Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] flying on the back of a [[dragon]], but when her brother [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] found it, she told him it was a picture of Alysanne and Jaehaerys.{{Ref|AFFC|24}}

When talking to Queen Regent Cersei about having King [[Tommen Baratheon]] rearm [[the Faith]], the new [[High Sparrow|High Septon]] asks her if Jaehaerys the Conciliator had once sworn upon the Iron Throne itself that the crown would always protect and defend [[the Faith]]. Cersei thinks to herself that she has no idea what Jaehaerys might have sworn.{{Ref|AFFC|28}} Later, the High Sparrow notes that Jaehaerys took away the right of the Faith to hold trials.{{Ref|AFFC|43}}

Outside [[Riverrun]], Lady [[Genna Lannister]] makes it known to [[Jaime Lannister]] how she feels about Queen Cersei rearming the Faith, she reminds Jaime that King Jaehaerys agreed to pardon all those who would set aside their swords.{{Ref|AFFC|33}}

During their travels in the [[riverlands]] Septon Meribald tells [[Brienne of Tarth]] and her companions some of the history of the [[inn at the crossroads]]. He tells them the inn was raised during the reign of the first Jaehaerys, and that Jaehaerys and his queen slept there during their journeys, and for a time, the inn was known as the Two Crowns in their honor.{{Ref|AFFC|37}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[Roose Bolton]] tells [[Theon Greyjoy]] that King Jaehaerys abolished the lord's right to the [[first night]] to appease his "shrewish" queen, but where the [[old gods]] rule, old customs linger.{{Ref|ADWD|32}}

==Quotes about Jaehaerys I==
{{Quote|He was nine-and-sixty at his death, and had ruled wisely and well for five-and-fifty years. [[Westeros]] mourned, and it was claimed that even in [[Dorne]] men wept and women tore their garments in lament for a king who had been so just and good. His ashes were interred with that of his beloved, the Good Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], beneath the [[Red Keep]]. And the [[Seven Kingdoms|realm]] never saw their like again.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}|writings of [[Yandel]]}}

{{Quote|[[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Dragon]] and [[Visenya Targaryen|his]] [[Rhaenys Targaryen|sisters]] conquered the [[Seven Kingdoms]] (six of them, at least), but it was Jaehaerys the Conciliator who truly made them one.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}|writings of [[Umbert]]}}

{{Quote|It is a poor king who wages battle against his own lords and leaves his own kingdom burned, bloody, and strewn with corpses. His Grace was a wiser man than that.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}|writings of [[Barth]]}}

==Family==
===Ancestors===
{{Targaryen tree Aegon}}

===Children===
{{Targaryen tree Jaehaerys I}}

===Descendants===
{{Targaryen tree Jaehaerys I descendants}}

==Behind the Scenes==
Jaehaerys shares the same nameday as [[George R. R. Martin]]: Jaehaerys was born on the twentieth day of the ninth moon,{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} which corresponds in the real world to September 20th, George's birthday.<ref>Wikipedia: [[w:George R. R. Martin|George R. R. Martin]].</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References}}

{{Kings of Westeros}}

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[[fr:Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
[[nl:Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
[[pt:Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
[[ru:Джейехерис I Миротворец]]
[[zh:杰赫里斯·坦格利安一世]]

Jaehaerys I Targaryen

2024-01-23T06:26:28Z

GreenWalderFrey: Age of death stated as 69 in fire and blood

{{See homonyms|Jaehaerys Targaryen}}
{{Infobox monarch
| title = King
| nickname =
| firstname = Jaehaerys
| regnalnumber = 1
| particle =
| lastname = Targaryen
| epithet = the Conciliator
| arms = Targaryen
| arms2 =
| image = JAEHAERYS I.jpg
| image_caption = Jaehaerys I, by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/ Amok] ©.
| reign = {{Date|48|103}}
| coronation = {{Date|48}} [[Starry Sept]], [[Oldtown]]
| fullname = Jaehaerys of House Targaryen, the First of His Name
| othertitles = [[Prince]] [[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]] [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]] [[Protector of the Realm]]
| allegiance =
| predecessor = King [[Maegor I Targaryen]]
| heir = Princess [[Aerea Targaryen]] ({{Date|48|52}}, {{Date|52|53}}) Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon Targaryen]] ({{Date|52}}) Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys Targaryen]] ({{Date|53|55}}) Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon Targaryen]] ({{Date|55|92}}) Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] ({{Date|92|101}}) Prince [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]] ({{Date|101|103}})
| successor = King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]
| alias = Jaehaerys the Conciliator{{Ref|ASOS|8}} The Old King{{Ref|ASOS|40}} Jaehaerys the Wise{{Ref|ADWD|23}} Old King Jaehaerys{{Ref|TPATQ}}
| dateofbirth = the 20th day of the 9th moon of {{Date|34}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
| placeofbirth = [[King's Landing]]
| dateofdeath = {{Date|103}} (aged 69)
{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}
| placeofdeath = King's Landing
| dateofburial = {{Date|103}}
| placeofburial = [[Dragonstone]]{{ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}<ref group="N" name="ashes">''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' and ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' stated that King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne's ashes were interred beneath the [[Red Keep]], but this was corrected to [[Dragonstone]] in ''[[Fire & Blood]]''.</ref>
| race = [[Valyrians|Valyrian]]
| culture = [[Crownlands#People and Economy|Crownlander]]
| royalhouse = [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]]
| queen = [[Alysanne Targaryen]]
| consort =
| spouse =
| lover =
| issue = Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon Targaryen]] Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys Targaryen]] Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon Targaryen]] Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]] Septa [[Maegelle Targaryen|Maegelle]] Archmaester [[Vaegon Targaryen|Vaegon]] Princess [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daella Targaryen]] Princess [[Saera Targaryen]] Princess [[Viserra Targaryen]] Prince [[Gaemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Gaemon Targaryen]] Prince [[Valerion Targaryen]] Princess [[Gael Targaryen]]
| father = King [[Aenys I Targaryen]]
| mother = Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]]
| coat-of-arms =
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rise of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Sons of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Sworn Sword]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned)
| Played_by = [[w:Michael Carter (actor)|Michael Carter]]
| TV_series = ''[[House of the Dragon]]'': [[House of the Dragon - Season 1|Season 1]]
}}
'''Jaehaerys I Targaryen''', also known as '''the Conciliator''', '''the Wise''', or later in life as '''the Old King''', was the fourth [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] king to sit the [[Iron Throne]]. He ascended the throne in {{Date|48}} following the death of his uncle, [[Maegor I Targaryen]]. Jaehaerys was the longest reigning Targaryen monarch, sitting on the throne for fifty-five years. He was a [[dragonrider]], riding [[Vermithor]], the largest [[dragon]] after [[Balerion]] and [[Vhagar]].

In the television adaptation ''[[House of the Dragon]]'', Jaehaerys is portrayed by [[w:Michael Carter (actor)|Michael Carter]].{{Ref|HBOHotD|s01e01}}

==Appearance and Character==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Jaehaerys I Targaryen|l1=Images of Jaehaerys Targaryen}}
According to a semi-canon source, Jaehaerys had the [[purple eyes]] of [[House Targaryen]].<ref name=ssm>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Targaryen_Kings Targaryen Kings] (November 1, 2005)</ref> At the age of sixteen, he wore his hair loose, flowing about his shoulders.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}} Early in his reign he grew a wispy beard and mustache.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} By the time he had turned twenty-four, Jaehaerys looked “every inch a king”. He was a tall and handsome man who wore his hair in a thick braid that fell almost to his waist and his facial hair had grown out into a handsome full golden beard, shot through with silver.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} By {{Date|84}}, at the age of fifty, Jaehaerys had grown thinner, almost gaunt, and his beard and hair had become more grey than gold.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} At an older age, his beard had turned white, and had grown to reach his waist but he still stood unstooped and still looked wise and dignified.<ref name=ssm/>

Jaehaerys moved with an easy grace. It is said that his smile could warm the heart of any [[maiden]], and his frown could make a man's blood run cold.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} He wore as a [[crown]] a simple band of yellow gold ornamented with seven gems of different colors.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}

Jaehaerys was wise beyond his years.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} He was fair-spoken, open-handed, and as chivalrous as he was courageous.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} According to [[Grand Maester]] [[Benifer]] Jaehaerys was "learned as a maester and pious as a septon". Although Benifer might have attempted to flatter Jaehaerys with such a statement, according to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]] there was some truth to it as well.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} Queen Alyssa, Jaehaerys's mother, is reported to have called Jaehaerys "the best of my three sons".{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}

Jaehaerys was decisive in both thought and deed, and always sought the most peaceable ends.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} In times of trouble, instead of brooding on the issues, Jaehaerys would shrug off his sorrows and plunge himself into his work.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} He never acted without thinking,{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} and did not trust in chance.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}} Nor did Jaehaerys like to make outright threats, but had other ways of making his disapproval felt. According to the [[Sealord of Braavos]], Jaehaerys was very skillful in making veiled threats.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

Even by the age of fourteen, Jaehaerys refused to allow his council to rule the realm in his name during his regency, and would involve himself in many of the issues the small council faced.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} He was never shy about letting his voice being heard.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} Nor was he a man who wasted time with reproaches, recriminations, or appeals.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

Jaehaerys was a gifted rider.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} By the time he was fourteen years old, Jaehaerys was already skilled with lance and longbow.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} Following a rigorous training regime during his time on [[Dragonstone]], he became skilled at arms as well, to the point where Ser [[Elyas Scales]], Jaehaerys's [[master-at-arms]] claimed that Jaehaerys would never be skilled enough to join the [[Kingsguard]], but that he had enough skill to beat his uncle [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] in combat, had Maegor still lived.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}

Jaehaerys was known for his love of travel,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} and made many [[royal progress]]es. He and Alysanne were known to stay at the [[inn at the crossroads]] during their journeys so much so, that afterwards it was renamed the Two Crowns.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|AFFC|37}}

When he was younger, Jaehaerys had been fascinated by the ponderous tomes and [[Old Valyria]]n scrolls found in Dragonstone's library.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}} Jaehaerys had always been close to his sister-wife Alysanne, even as a child, and had always had a strong affection and regard for her.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

Near the end of his life, after outliving his wife and most of his children, Jaehaerys's strength and wits began to fail, leaving him often confined to his bed.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

==History==
===Early life===
Jaehaerys was the third son and fourth child of Prince [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys Targaryen]] and his wife, Lady [[Alyssa Velaryon]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}} He was born on the twentieth day of the ninth moon{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} of {{Date|34}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} in [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|AWOIAF|Jaehaerys I Targaryen}} He had two older brothers, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] and [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys]], an older sister, [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], and two younger sisters, [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] and [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Vaella]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}} His sister Rhaena placed a [[dragon egg]] in his cradle after his birth, from which Jaehaerys's [[dragon]], [[Vermithor]], would eventually hatch.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} When his grandfather, King [[Aegon I Targaryen]], died on [[Dragonstone]] in {{Date|37}},{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} his father, Aenys, ascended the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}

Followers of the [[Faith of the Seven]] began an [[Faith Militant uprising|uprising]] after King [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys I]] married Jaehaerys's two eldest siblings, Rhaena and Aegon, to one another in {{Date|41}}. After [[Poor Fellows]] scaled the walls of the [[Red Keep]] in an attempt to murder the royal family, Jaehaerys fled with his parents and siblings to [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} By the end of the year most of the realm had joined the side of the Faith, and King Aenys, unable to decide how to deal with the rebels, fell ill. In {{Date|42}}, he collapsed upon learning that [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]] and [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] were besieged at [[Crakehall]], and died three days later.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

===Reign of Maegor===
Jaehaerys was on [[Dragonstone]] for his father's cremation. Within hours, Dowager Queen Alyssa fled to [[Driftmark]], her [[Aethan Velaryon|father's]] seat, with Jaehaerys and Alysanne.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} Meanwhile, Dowager Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] flew to [[Pentos]] to retrieve her son [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] from his exile. Once back at Dragonstone, Maegor claimed the [[Iron Throne]] for his own, ignoring the claim of Jaehaerys's eldest brother Aegon.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

Later that year, following a visit from Visenya on [[Vhagar]], Alyssa brought Jaehaerys, his sister Alysanne, and his brother [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys]] to [[King's Landing]], where they witnessed the wedding of King Maegor to [[Tyanna of the Tower]]. By {{Date|44}}, Jaehaerys, Alysanne, and their mother resided on Dragonstone as the hostages of Dowager Queen Visenya. In the chaos following Visenya's death of natural causes that year, Jaehaerys, his sister Alysanne, and his mother Alyssa fled the island, along with Jaehaerys's dragon [[Vermithor]] and Alysanne's dragon [[Silverwing]]. In retaliation, King Maegor had Jaehaerys's brother Viserys, who resided at King's Landing, tortured to death. As Jaehaerys's eldest brother, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon]], had been killed by Maegor in [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye|battle]] the previous year, Jaehaerys became the eldest living son of the late King Aenys I as a result.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

In {{Date|47}}, Maegor forced three widows of proven fertility to marry him in one ceremony. One of these [[Black Brides]] was Jaehaerys's eldest sister, Rhaena. Still without a child of his own, Maegor officially disinherited Jaehaerys and proclaimed Rhaena's daughter [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]] as his heir.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} However, the realm slowly turned against Maegor, and when Jaehaerys put forward his claim for the throne he unified the factions that opposed Maegor.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} The first great lord to openly proclaim for Jaehaerys was his second cousin, Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]] of [[Storm's End]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Stormlands: House Baratheon}} Other great houses followed, including [[House Lannister]], [[House Tyrell]], [[House Arryn]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} and, although they had originally joined Maegor against Prince Aegon, [[House Tully]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands: House Tully}} Rhaena, Jaehaerys's sister, fled from Maegor on her dragon after learning about Jaehaerys's claim, stealing the [[Valyrian steel]] sword [[Blackfyre]] from him in the process. Two of Maegor's [[Kingsguard]] knights, Ser [[Olyver Bracken]] and Ser [[Raymund Mallery]] joined Jaehaerys too.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

===The Ascension of Jaehaerys===
[[File:Young Jaehaerys.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Jaehaerys at the age of fourteen, as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in ''[[Fire & Blood]]''.]]

In {{Date|48}}, following Maegor's mysterious death, Jaehaerys arrived in [[King's Landing]] upon [[Vermithor]], ahead of Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]]'s army.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}

Most of Maegor's supporters had fled, and Jaehaerys imprisoned the few who still remained. As Jaehaerys was only fourteen years of age, Jaehaerys's mother, Dowager Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]] would serve as [[Regent|Queen Regent]] during the first two years of Jaehaerys's reign and Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]], whom Jaehaerys had named [[Protector of the Realm|Lord Protector of the Realm]] and [[Hand of the King]], would further provided guidance.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}

Jaehaerys decided to pardon the lords and knights who had served Maegor, restoring their lands and titles to them, although he required a son or daughter as a hostage from each, or the payment of a sum of gold to the crown.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} An exception was made for some: the gaolers and confessors who had assisted in the torture and death of Prince [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys]] were all executed. Of Maegor's [[Kingsguard]], Ser [[Maladon Moore]] was executed for his involvement in the murder of Queen [[Tyanna of the Tower|Tyanna]], whilst the remaining five (including Ser [[Olyver Bracken]] and Ser [[Raymund Mallery]], who had abandoned Maegor for Jaehaerys but whose service was refused by the young king, as he did not want oathbreakers serving him) were given a choice between execution or [[Night's Watch|taking the black]]. All but Ser [[Harrold Langward]] choose to take the black. When Ser Harrold demanded a [[trial by combat]], Jaehaerys wished to face the knight himself. In this he was overruled by his mother, the Queen Regent. Harrold Langward was slain by the Crown's champion, Ser [[Gyles Morrigen]], who was made [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard|Lord Commander]] of Jaehaerys's Kingsguard soon after.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}

[[File:Jaehaerys highsepton.jpg|thumb|left|200px|King Jaehaerys is crowned by the [[High Lickspittle|High Septon]], as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in ''[[Fire & Blood]]''.]]

As the realm learned about Jaehaerys's willingness for granting pardons, the remainder of Maegor's adherents dismissed their armies and journeyed to [[King's Landing]] to swear fealty to the new king. After the sudden death of [[Moon (septon)|Septon Moon]], the [[Poor Fellows]] besieging [[Oldtown]] fled, and Jaehaerys was free to make his way to Oldtown, where he was blessed and crowned by the [[High Lickspittle|High Septon]] with his late father's crown in the [[Starry Sept]]. Although it was requested by Lady [[Lucinda Broome|Lucinda Tully]] and Ser [[Joffrey Doggett]], Jaehaerys refused to reinstate the Swords and Stars of the Faith, insisting that the Crown would protect the Faith going forward.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} Jaehaerys removed the bounties that King Maegor I had placed on the heads of the [[Warrior's Sons]] and [[Poor Fellows]],{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}} and to pardon all those of the Faith who would set aside their swords,{{Ref|AFFC|33}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} while the Faith agreed to set aside their traditional right of judging their own, accept justice from the throne from that moment forth.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|AFFC|43}} Jaehaerys swore to the Faith that the crown would always protect and defend the Faith.{{Ref|AFFC|28}} In addition, Jaehaerys offered a white cloak to Ser Joffrey Doggett, a former Warrior's Son, which the knight accepted. As such, Jaehaerys reconciled the Iron Throne and the Faith.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}

On the journey back to [[King's Landing]], many former members of the [[Faith Militant]] begged the young king to ask for the clemency he had promised, which Jaehaerys granted to all on the condition that they would go north to join the [[Night's Watch]], which the majority did.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} 
===Marriage===
In {{Date|49}} Jaehaerys's mother, Queen Regent [[Alyssa Velaryon]], and Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]], Jaehaerys's Hand, were married in the [[Golden Wedding]].{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} Although Jaehaerys liked and respected Rogar, he felt slighted, as Rogar had not asked Jaehaerys's leave for the wedding. Nor did Jaehaerys approve of the marriage,{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} confessing to Septon [[Barth]] (some time after the latter's arrival in King's Landing the following year) that he did not need a second father, and that he felt his own intelligence, judgment, and temperament to be greater than Rogar's.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} According to Barth's accounts Jaehaerys believed that Rogar's motivation for the marriage was a desire for power, not affection for Alyssa, and felt that Rogar was overreaching himself. But, as he had not opposed the marriage of his sister [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]] on [[Fair Isle]] earlier that year, Jaehaerys felt he could not object his mother's choice either.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

Jaehaerys granted audience to any lord or knight who wished a private word with him, agreeing to speak with them in his [[solar]]. The six score who accepted the offer were all impressed by Jaehaerys. Furthermore during the wedding celebration, the remaining five slots of Jaehaerys's Kingsguard were filled by the victors of a test of arms that became known as the [[War for the White Cloaks]].{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

Following their [[wedding]], the Queen Regent and King's Hand began to debate with the [[small council]] about a bride for Jaehaerys, for the realm needed an heir. Jaehaerys was not present for these discussions, as Queen Regent Alyssa knew that he would choose his younger sister [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] if the choice was his. Still recalling the [[Faith Militant uprising|uprising]] of the [[Faith of the Seven|Faith]] that followed the wedding of King [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]]'s eldest [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|daughter]] and [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|son]], the councillors agreed that another [[Incest|incestuous]] [[marriage]] was out of the question. Despite numerous suggestions, no suitable candidate could be agreed upon. However, the council did agree quickly on a husband for Princess Alysanne: Ser [[Orryn Baratheon]].{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

[[File:Dragonstone wedding.jpg|thumb|right|400px|The [[wedding]] of King Jaehaerys and Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] on [[Dragonstone]], as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in ''[[Fire & Blood]]''.]]
As soon as Alysanne discovered her betrothal, she informed Jaehaerys, who acted immediately. He ordered his [[Kingsguard]] to discreetly travel to [[Dragonstone]] under the cover of darkness, while he and Alysanne flew together to the Targaryen stronghold upon their [[dragon]]s. On Dragonstone, Jaehaerys and Alysanne married in secret with Septon [[Oswyck]] performing the ceremony. Jaehaerys refused to consummate the marriage, as he believed Alysanne to still be too young. Rogar and Alyssa arrived soon after the wedding and, upon learning that the marriage had not yet been consummated, Rogar declared they were not married, and ordered his men to secure the royal children. The Kingsguard defied the King's Hand by forming a wall in front of their king and queen, informing Rogar that he would be the first to die if Rogar's men would attack then. Alyssa convinced her husband to return to [[King's Landing]], while Jaehaerys and Alysanne remained behind. They would spend the rest of the king's minority at Dragonstone. No announcement about the king's marriage was made to the realm. Lord Rogar ordered everyone who had accompanied him to Dragonstone to keep silent about the king's marriage, while Grand Maester [[Benifer]] burned the letter Septon [[Mattheus]] attempted to send to the High Septon and the Most Devout, on orders of Rogar.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} Neither did Jaehaerys announce his marriage to the realm, although he easily could have done so.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

===Minority on Dragonstone===
Jaehaerys and Alysanne were seldom apart from each other during their time on Dragonstone. Those lords and council members who came to Dragonstone for a consult with their king would be received by their king with his queen beside him.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} While on Dragonstone, Jaehaerys intended to rectify his own shortcomings before he came of age and took the rule in his own hands. He had already shown to the realm that he was not cruel as his uncle Maegor had been, but he was equally determined to not be considered weak like his father, King [[Aenys I Targaryen]], had been either. As such, Jaehaerys began an intense regimen: He spent every morning until midday in the castle yard training with sword, shield and any other weapon, sparring with Ser [[Merrell Bullock]], commander of the castle garrison, and his sons, Ser [[Alyn Bullock|Alyn]] and Ser [[Howard Bullock|Howard]], Ser [[Elyas Scales]], the castles [[master-at-arms]], and with his seven Kingsguard knights. It was a brutal training regime, but Jaehaerys's skill increased greatly within the year.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}

While Jaehaerys and his new wife remained on Dragonstone, Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]] and Queen Regent [[Alyssa Velaryon]] at King's Landing plotted to undo the marriage, while the realm began to notice Jaehaerys's absence from court, after Jaehaerys and Alysanne did not return to King's Landing for the celebrations of the start of {{Date|50}}.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} Alyssa and Rogar eventually agreed to sent [[w:Lady-in-waiting|ladies-in-waiting]] to Dragonstone to serve Alysanne. Their true purpose, however, was to try and persuade her to rescind the marriage. Rogar wanted eyes and ears on Dragonstone, and saw these ladies as an opportunity to learn all Jaehaerys was doing. The book titled ''[[A Caution for Young Girls]]'' offers a second reason for Rogar's consent to Alyssa's plan. In the book, the alleged author, Lady [[Coryanne Wylde]], claims that she had been instructed by Lord Rogar to seduce Jaehaerys, and so drive the king and queen apart. Despite her youth, however, Queen Alysanne charmed all her ladies-in-waiting, who soon became completely loyal to her. And so, Rogar's plan failed.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}

Meanwhile, more and more lords began to visit Jaehaerys on Dragonstone. At the same time, news of the marriage of Jaehaerys and Alysanne began to make its way through the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. The lords visiting Jaehaerys could not fail to notice Alysanne ever being by his side, and whispers spread through the realm and beyond. When Queen Regent Alyssa told the council they had to accept the marriage, Lord Rogar furiously suggested putting Jaehaerys aside and crowning in his stead Princess [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]], Queen [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]]'s daughter by the deceased [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]]. For this suggestion, Rogar was dismissed as the King's Hand by his own wife, his two subsequent plots to crown another foiled.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}

===Coming of Age===
On the twentieth day of the ninth moon in {{Date|50}} Jaehaerys reached the [[age of majority]] and turned sixteen.{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} He sent five knights of his [[Kingsguard]] to [[King's Landing]] to make certain that all was ready for his arrival. Three days later, Jaehaerys departed from [[Dragonstone]] on [[Vermithor]] and flew to the capital. After arriving at the [[Red Keep]] he reconciled with his mother and began to work on the [[small council]], dismissing several members, confirming the positions of some, and appointing others. Most difficult to replace was Lord [[Edwell Celtigar]], the ineffectual [[master of coin]]. Eventually, Jaehaerys appointed [[Rego Draz]] from [[Pentos]] to the position. Jaehaerys next replaced many men who held lesser offices as well, and emptied the dungeons of King's Landing. Once that was done, the king summoned Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]], who he received seated on the [[Iron Throne]] in the presence of his council. Though Rogar feared harsh reprimands, Jaehaerys informed him that he had not forgotten how Rogar had protected him and his family from [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] and pardoned the [[Lord of Storm's End]], on the condition that Rogar would never again speak another word against him or his queen, and that he would be an honorable husband to Queen Alyssa. To this, Lord Rogar agreed. Jaehaerys further proclaimed that Rogar's brother [[Orryn Baratheon|Orryn]], who had attempted to take the novice [[Rhaella Targaryen]] from the motherhouse in [[Oldtown]] in a plot against Jaehaerys's crown on Rogar's orders, would be exiled for the next ten years. When asked by Rogar if hostages from House Baratheon were required, the king led him to Vermithor, using the veiled threat of not needing any hostages, as long as he rode a dragon.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

While Jaehaerys's new master of coin, Lord Rego, proved able to halt the Crown's debts enough for work on the [[Dragonpit]] to resume, it was not enough. So Jaehaerys had taxes placed on luxury and exotic goods, which would not impact the [[smallfolk]] and would not be oppressive to the high lords. Jaehaerys predicted correctly that any lord who wished to flaunt his wealth and power to the outside world, would still desire to purchase these goods, and thus pay the taxes placed on them. And so the crown's revenue slowly increased. An additional tax, with a dual purpose, was also proclaimed: henceforth, any lord who wished to repair or expand his castle, or raise a new one, would pay a heavy tax based on the number of crenelations, which Jaehaerys hoped would discourage them from building.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

In {{Date|51}}, nigh on half a year after Jaehaerys's arrival at King's Landing, Alysanne departed from Dragonstone to join her king. A month later, the two were wed in a public ceremony, with the newly arrived Septon [[Barth]] performing the marriage rites before the [[Iron Throne]]; because of the Crown's lack of money, only a thousand guests attended a ceremony much smaller than Rogar and Alyssa's Golden Wedding. This time, the marriage was consummated. Next, Jaehaerys took precautions to assure that his marriage would be accepted by his subjects. He reasoned that his marriage to Alysanne would not cause another [[Faith Militant uprising]] as the marriage of his eldest [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|brother]] and [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|sister]] had done before, for a number of reasons: the current [[High Lickspittle|High Septon]] was a passive man, the smallfolk knew Jaehaerys better, and the [[Faith Militant]] was largely dispersed. Most importantly, however, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] and [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]] had gone on a royal progress following their wedding without taking a [[dragon]], as Aegon had not yet been a [[dragonrider]] at the time, and King [[Aenys I Targaryen]] had forbidden Rhaena from bringing [[Dreamfyre]]. Jaehaerys and Alysanne intended to travel everywhere on [[Vermithor]] and [[Silverwing]], which would discourage any thought of an assault and would act as an unspoken reminder to the realm of the power of the dragons.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

In addition, Jaehaerys sent out [[Seven Speakers]] throughout the realm to preach the new [[Doctrine of Exceptionalism]], telling all of Jaehaerys's wisdom and Alysanne's kindness. The realm did not rise up against Jaehaerys and his queen as they had against their siblings before, although according to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]] the reasons are not entirely clear. Gyldayn cites the silence of the High Septon on the matter and the wariness of the smallfolk as important reasons... but believes that, "if words have power", the Seven Speakers played an important role as well.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

Although married, Jaehaerys had no children of his own body, and as such had named his niece [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]] as his heir when coming to the throne two years before. Jaehaerys's eldest sister and Aerea's mother, Queen [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], traveled to King's Landing to join the celebrations of Jaehaerys's second wedding. Afterwards, she confronted her brother about her own troubles, and made two requests from him, which he granted: [[Dragonstone]] as her own seat, and her daughter [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]], the king's heir, returned to her care.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

Several months later, Queen Alysanne announced that she was pregnant with Jaehaerys's first child.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

===Early Reign (50 to 61 AC)===
In {{Date|51}} Jaehaerys and Alysanne began the first of their many [[royal progress]]es. Starting in the [[crownlands]], Jaehaerys visited lords great and small, determined to be seen in as many places as possible. To this end, he traveled in the company of less than a hundred men, including twenty knights. The royal progress continued until they arrived at [[Maidenpool]], where the pregnant Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] was attacked by three holy sisters who served at [[Jonquil's Pool]]. Following this incident, Jaehaerys postponed the remainder of his progress and returned Alysanne to the [[Red Keep]], where she remained until the birth of their child. In {{Date|52}}, Alysanne went into premature labor and the child, a boy named [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon]], died three days after his birth.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}} A while later, Jaehaerys finished his progress by visiting the [[Vale of Arryn]]. The next year, he went on a progress to the [[riverlands]]. Although Alysanne had originally planned to join him, she chose to stay behind as she was once again with child, and refused to allow Jaehaerys to cancel the progress to remain by her side. Jaehaerys was at [[Stoney Sept]] when news arrived that Alysanne had given birth to a daughter, but flew back on Vermithor immediately. Although he had hoped for another son, he was delighted in his daughter, Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys]]. With her birth, Jaehaerys finally had an heir of his own.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}

In {{Date|54}} Lady [[Elissa Farman]] left [[Dragonstone]], stealing three of the [[dragon eggs]] Queen [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]] held. Once the trail of Elissa had grown cold, Rhaena informed Jaehaerys in King's Landing. Jaehaerys was alarmed by the news; if the eggs were to hatch, there would be a [[dragonlord]] in the world that was not a Targaryen. Rewards were offered and gold was paid, but the rumors they resulted in did not lead to the eggs. Later that same year, the [[High Lickspittle|High Septon]] died in [[Oldtown]]. Jaehaerys decided he and Alysanne would travel to Oldtown immediately on their dragons, intend on preventing the [[Most Devout]] from electing Septon [[Mattheus]] as the new [[High Septon]]. At Oldtown, Jaehaerys spoke with Lord [[Donnel Hightower]] and made certain promises, thereby securing the outcome of the [[choosing]], according to the account of Septon [[Barth]]. The Most Devout elected Septon [[Alfyn]], a supporter of the [[Doctrine of Exceptionalism]], and the Faith added the doctrine to its preachings.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}

While traveling back to King's Landing by the way of [[Horn Hill]], [[Nightsong]], and [[Blackhaven]], Jaehaerys received the news that their pregnant mother [[Alyssa Velaryon|Alyssa]] was on her deathbed. Jaehaerys and Alysanne flew to [[Storm's End]] at once, where they were informed that, although Alyssa's death was certain, her child could live if delivered by [[w:Caesarean section|cutting her open]]. Jaehaerys and Alysanne remained at Storm's End until after Alyssa's death, after which they returned home. Tragedy struck the realm later when several ladies were murdered via [[Tears of Lys|poison]] on [[Dragonstone]] by [[Androw Farman]].{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}

The Hand of the King, Lord [[Daemon Velaryon (son of Aethan)|Daemon Velaryon]], resigned his office later that year wishing to spend time with his family after the death of his sister, [[Alyssa Velaryon|Alyssa]] at [[Storm's End]] and the murder of his niece, [[Lianna Velaryon|Lianna]] on [[Dragonstone]]. Jaehaerys, after much deliberating, appointed Lord [[Myles Smallwood]] to the office. As the year was ending, the king and court prepared for a tourney to be held at King's Landing, but their preparations were halted by the arrival of Queen Rhaena from Dragonstone, who informed Jaehaerys of the disappearance of Princess [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]] from Dragonstone upon [[Balerion]]. Jaehaerys sent forth ravens, attempting to discover the whereabouts of the young girl and the eldest of the Targaryen dragons, but to no avail.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}

In {{Date|55}}, Jaehaerys, assisted by Septon [[Barth]], Grand Maester [[Benifer]], Lord [[Albin Massey]], and Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]], began work to create the first unified [[Books of Law|code of law]], codifying, organizing, and reforming all the laws of the kingdom. These reforms would take decades. That same year, Jaehaerys began a royal progress through the [[westerlands]] without Alysanne, who was pregnant again and had left for Dragonstone. Jaehaerys returned from the westerlands one month before the child, who they named [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]], was born. At Alysanne's suggestion, Jaehaerys placed a [[dragon's egg]] in Aemon's cradle.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

[[File:Jaehaerys&Alysanne.jpg|thumb|right|350px|A young King Jaehaerys and a pregnant Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], with their son Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]], as depicted by Magali Villeneuve in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''.]]
In {{Date|56}}, Jaehaerys was having breakfast with an envoy of the [[Iron Bank of Braavos]] on the morning Princess [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]] returned to [[King's Landing]] on [[Balerion]]. Jaehaerys and his wife stood vigil by Grand Maester [[Benifer]]'s chamber door as the Grand Maester did what he could for the child. Jaehaerys ordered Ser [[Lucamore Strong]], who had brought the girl to Benifer, from speaking about the "things" that moved inside her. Following Aerea's death, Jaehaerys issued a royal edict: any ship suspected of having been at the [[Valyria]]n islands, where Septon [[Barth]] believed Aerea had contracted her disease, or sailed the [[Smoking Sea]] nearby, was from that day forth forbidden from docking at any port or harbor in the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. In addition, the people of [[Westeros]] were forbidden from visiting Valyria, and doing so would be punishable by death.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

In {{Date|57}} Jaehaerys became a father again when Alysanne gave birth to Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]]. That same year, Jaehaerys dismissed [[Myles Smallwood]] from the office of [[Hand of the King]] and elevated his good friend, Septon [[Barth]] to the office. After Barth's visit to [[Braavos]], which resulted in a greatly reduced debt the Crown owed, Jaehaerys was free to continue development of King's Landing, and began with the construction of drains, sewers, sinking wells and fountains, to carry the waste from the city and to provide clean drinking water for the smallfolk. Jaehaerys and his [[master of coin]], [[Rego Draz]] at first protested the proposition of the fountains and sinking wells due to the cost, until Alysanne presented them each with a tankard of river water at the next council meeting, daring them to drink it. Neither one of them was willing to do it, and the construction was approved.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

By {{Date|58}}, Jaehaerys had not made any royal progress for several years. He had yet to visit the [[north]] and so he and Queen Alysanne planned a great royal progress to [[Winterfell]]. Jaehaerys had grown tired of having to wait for his baggage train to arrive when he made a royal progress on dragonback, and thus decided that this time the royal retinue traveled ahead and took ship to [[White Harbor]]. However, after the retinue had left [[King's Landing]], Jaehaerys was detained at King's Landing by matters of state: the Free Cities of [[Pentos]] and [[Tyrosh]], which had been engaged in a disruptive trade war for the past three years, asked him to mediate negotiations. Not wanting to insult the [[House Stark|Starks]] by canceling the progress, Alysanne suggested she could go on the progress as planned, and Jaehaerys would catch up as soon as negotiations ended. Negotiations unfortunately ran long, so Alysanne arrived at White Harbor and then Winterfell without him. At Winterfell, Alysanne was received coldly at first by Lord [[Alaric Stark]], but her charm and wit eventually won him over.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

Half a year after Alysanne had first left for the progress, Jaehaerys arrived at [[Winterfell]], where he too received a cold welcome by Alaric. Alaric showed Jaehaerys the tomb of his older brother, [[Walton Stark (son of Brandon)|Walton]], in the [[crypt of Winterfell]]. According to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]], upon her return to Winterfell, Queen Alysanne suggested granting the [[New Gift]] to the Night's Watch, which meant that several northern lords would have to give up parts of their lands.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} Following their return to King's Landing, Alysanne brought to Jaehaerys's attention the stories she had heard on her [[women's courts]] during the progress, concerning the right to the [[first night]]. As a result, Jaehaerys abolished the lord's right to the first night.{{Ref|TSS}}{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

In {{Date|59}}, a harsh winter struck the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. This winter resulted in a famine, followed by the plague known as the [[Shivers]]. The disease was devastating, with cities being hit the hardest. King Jaehaerys I Targaryen lost half of his [[small council]] to the disease, along with two of his [[Kingsguard]] [[knight]]s and Lord [[Qarl Corbray]], the Commander of the [[City Watch of King's Landing]]. At the same time, many men of the City Watch fell ill, resulting in King's Landing becoming a lawless place. After Lord [[Rego Draz]], the [[master of coin]], was murdered by a hungry and partially drunk crowd on the streets who became enraged by the sight of the [[Pentos]]hi, a furious King Jaehaerys rode forth himself to claim the body and punish the men responsible for his death. The disease claimed its last victims in {{Date|60}}, including the six-year-old daughter of Jaehaerys, Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys]], who complained of a cold and died a day and a half later.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

After the disease ran its course, Jaehaerys lost himself in his work as a way to handle his grief, naming new men to the offices and positions of those lost to the Shivers. Some joy came though in {{Date|60}} with the birth of his fifth child, Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

In {{Date|61}}, Jaehaerys joined Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]] in ending the scourge of the [[Vulture King (Jaehaerys I)|Vulture King]] who continued to raid the [[Dornish Marches]]. In the struggle, called the [[Third Dornish War]], a new Vulture King and his bandits were defeated. Jaehaerys said afterward that the short conflict restored his confidence in himself as king, because he couldn't point a sword at a disease like the Shivers, but this was a tangible fight. Moreover, Jaehaerys fought the Dornish raiders head-on in combat, in a way his weakling father never did, increasing the respect and support of many lords for him.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

===The Long Reign & An Abundance of Heirs (61 to 92 AC)===
The 60s and 70s AC were peaceful and prosperous times for Westeros politically, and for the royal family personally: Jaehaerys's [[marriage]] to his sister, [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], was happy and fruitful. Alysanne would give birth to thirteen children in total. Besides [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aegon]], born in {{Date|51}} but dead three days later, [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys]], born in {{Date|53}}, [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]], born in {{Date|55}}, [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]], born in {{Date|57}}, and [[Alyssa Targaryen|Alyssa]], born in {{Date|60}}, eight other children would follow. In {{Date|62}}, Alysanne gave birth to another daughter, [[Maegelle Targaryen|Maegelle]]. The next year Jaehaerys became the father of another son, [[Vaegon Targaryen|Vaegon]], and the year after to another daughter, [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daella]]. Princess [[Saera Targaryen|Saera]] was born in {{Date|67}}, and Princess [[Viserra Targaryen|Viserra]] in {{Date|71}}. Jaehaerys's eleventh child, a son named [[Gaemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Gaemon]], in honor of [[Gaemon Targaryen (son of Aenar)|Gaemon the Glorious]], was born in {{Date|73}}. However, the child was born too early and the labor was difficult. Gaemon died three months after his birth. Four years later, Jaehaerys became father to another son, [[Valerion Targaryen|Valerion]], who died the next year, just shy of his first [[nameday]]. Alysanne gave birth to Jaehaerys's thirteenth and final child, [[Gael Targaryen|Gael]], in the winter of {{Date|80}}. Although born frail, the child survived. {{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} Of his thirteen children, only nine lived to adulthood,{{Ref|AWOIAF|Jaehaerys I Targaryen}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} and almost none would outlive their father.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

In {{Date|62}}, Jaehaerys came to realize that there were no true roads in his realm and ordered the construction of a massive road system to unite the realms together: the greatest of these was the [[kingsroad]]. These large scale public works projects would continue throughout the remaining decades of his reign.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

[[File:Aemon-and-Jocelyn-by-chillyravenart.png|thumb|350px|right|Aemon and his wife [[Jocelyn Baratheon]], by chillyravenart ©]]
Jaehaerys's eldest son [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]] was named [[Prince of Dragonstone]] and official heir to the throne in {{Date|62}}. Aemon announced his betrothal to Lady [[Jocelyn Baratheon]] of [[Storm's End]] in {{Date|68}}, and in {{date|70}} they were wed in a lavish royal ceremony that rivaled the [[Golden Wedding]] in splendor. Before long, in {{Date|74}} Jaehaerys became a grandfather for the first time when Jocelyn gave birth to Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys]]. The following year, Jaehaerys's second son [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]] wed his eldest living daughter, [[Alyssa Targaryen|Alyssa]]. All three children claimed dragons as mounts: Aemon rode [[Caraxes]], Baelon rode [[Vhagar]], and Alyssa rode [[Meleys]]. This union soon produced two more royal grandchildren: [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]], named in honor of Jaehaerys's deceased [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|brother]], in {{Date|77}}, and [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] in {{Date|81}}.

Though the realm was quiet during these years, they were not without incident: in {{Date|73}}, it was discovered that Ser [[Lucamore Strong]] of the [[Kingsguard]] has broken his vows and had secretly married three times, and had sixteen children in total. Lucamore was brought before Jaehaerys and confessed his guilt, begging for mercy. According to [[Septon]] [[Barth]], Jaehaerys might have granted the mercy had Lucamore not added ''"for the sake of my wives and children"'' to the end of his plea, as this was tantamount to throwing his crimes in the king's face.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} Jaehaerys declared he would have no oathbreakers serving him and ordered Lucamore to be [[eunuch|gelded]], after which he was sent to the [[Wall]] to join the [[Night's Watch]]. Lucamore's betrayal came as a shock to Jaehaerys and his wife, as they had been especially fond of him.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

That same year in 73 AC, Maegelle eagerly joined the Faith of the Seven at the age of ten as a novice and eventually became a septa. Queen Alysanne announced that this was in thanks for the Mother blessing her with many children. The royal family faced two deaths that year: not only the infant Gaemon, but Jaehaerys's sister [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]] died at the age of 50, after retiring to relative isolation at [[Harrenhal]] for several years.

In the late 70s and early 80s AC, Jaehaerys and Alysanne faced increasing concerns from their younger children, which were addressed with varying success. Jaehaerys's third son [[Vaegon Targaryen]], while dutiful, was taciturn and bookish and showed no interest in martial training or marriage. After some effort, both father and son were pleased when in {{Date|78}}, on his fifteenth nameday, Vaegon was sent to study at the [[Citadel]], where he eventually became an Archmaester. Historians dubbed him "Vaegon the Dragonless" because he was the only one of Jaehaerys's sons who never claimed a dragon.

His departure raised another issue, however, as Jaehaerys originally intended Vaegon to wed his younger sister [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daella]]. They had quickly proved utterly incompatible, nor was this solely due to Vaegon's brusque nature: Daella was a sweet girl but also extremely delicate, terrified by almost everything, and unintelligent (so much so that she could never hope to join the Faith and become a septa). Several potential suitors were tried and rejected, until at the beginning of {{Date|80}} Jaehaerys declared in frustration that the sixteen year old princess must marry by the end of the year, no matter who the groom was. A happy match was finally found with the older but kind-hearted Lord [[Rodrik Arryn]], who had been Jaehaerys' [[Master of Laws]] for twenty years. He resigned his post to return with Daella to the [[Eyrie]], and Jaehaerys appointed his son and heir Aemon to fill his now vacant position on the [[small council]] the next year.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

[[File:4th Dornish war.jpg|thumb|350px|The [[Fourth Dornish War]] lasted only a single day, when Jaehaerys and his sons burned the Dornish fleet, as depicted by Douglas Wheatley.]]
In {{Date|83}} Jaehaerys together with Aemon and [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]] ended the attempted [[Fourth Dornish War|invasion]] of the [[stormlands]] by Prince [[Morion Martell]] of [[Dorne]]. Mounted atop their [[dragon]]s, they destroyed the Dornish fleet before it could even make landfall. The war was fought and won in a day, and upon their return to [[King's Landing]], Jaehaerys, Aemon, and Baelon received a riotous welcome as they had won a war without losing a single man, something not even [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]] had been able to boast.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

In some ways the Fourth Dornish War marked the height of Jaehaerys's reign, which in the years after 83 AC was increasingly marked by personal tragedy. Years earlier he had lost his first son Aegon in the cradle and young Daenerys from the Shivers; in 73 AC Gaemon died in the cradle, as did little Valerion in 77 AC. Yet cradle deaths were not uncommon even among the nobility in Westeros, and Jaehaerys also welcomed new progeny: Gaemon's death was soon followed by the birth of granddaughter Rhaenys in 74 AC, and the same year that Valerion died, his grandson Viserys was also born. {{Date|80}} saw the birth of Viserys's younger brother Daemon, and even the birth of Jaehaerys's thirteenth and final child [[Gael Targaryen]] - called "the Winter Child" for the season of her birth and because Alysanne was in the winter of her child-bearing years, she was a great comfort to Alysanne's previous losses.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

Yet in {{Date|82}}, Daella was with child only a year and a half into her marriage. She was a frail girl, perhaps too young for pregnancy, and Alysanne came to watch over her during her difficult final months. Within a day of giving birth, Daella died of childbed fever, though her daughter [[Aemma Arryn]] survived (and later wed Viserys in {{Date|93}}). Alysanne blamed herself, the maesters, and Jaehaerys for pushing the girl to marry too young.

Though they were polite in public, a rift started to grow between Jaehaerys and Alysanne after Daella's death in 82 AC that was drastically widened by the twin tragedies of {{Date|84}}. Now it was Daella's older sister Alyssa who died from childbirth, despite delivering Baelon two healthy sons already. After a difficult labor she died within the year, and her infant son [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Baelon)|Aegon]] not half a year later, before the end of 84 AC. Alyssa's death shattered Baelon and he never remarried, though he continued to fulfill his duties. Yet the greatest crisis which occurred that year concerned a younger daughter, and came very close to destroying Jaehaerys and Alysanne's marriage.

In {{Date|84}}, Jaehaerys learned that his daughter [[Saera Targaryen|Saera]] had bedded three young knights. He confronted her and had her confined to her bedchambers after she suggested she could wed all three of them, comparing herself to King [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor the Cruel]] and his many wives. Furious and ashamed, Jaehaerys is said to have stated more than once that "''she is no longer my daughter''". Alysanne attempted to change his mind, but after Saera attempted to flee to the [[Dragonpit]] to steal a [[dragon]], Jaehaerys confined her to a tower cell, dealt with the three knights in question, personally killing one (Ser [[Braxton Beesbury]]) in a [[trial by combat]] that the knight demanded. As punishment for Saera she was sent to [[Oldtown]] to serve the [[Faith of the Seven]] as a novice for a time, where her older sister [[Maegelle Targaryen|Maegelle]] could watch over her. The king's advisors believed that even then, he only intended to punish Saera and would have eventually relented. In {{Date|85}}, however, Saera escaped her confinement and fled Westeros. It was not until the next year in {{Date|85}} that it was learned Sara had escape to [[Lys]] where she became a whore in a pleasure garden. When Alysanne proclaimed that the Lyseni had turned their daughter into a whore, Jaehaerys replied: "''She always was''". The king refused any effort to retrieve or contact her.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

Those closest to Jaehaerys claim that Saera's betrayal and abandonment took a heavy toll on him. He grew thinner, almost gaunt, and his beard became more grey than silver. That same year, {{Date|84}}, was also the year of his fiftieth nameday: around this time men started calling him "the Old King" instead of "the Conciliator". Alysanne, shaken by all their losses, seldom came to small council meetings anymore, but his sons did.

A year after the truth came out about Saera's fate, her younger sister Princess [[Viserra Targaryen]] was betrothed to Lord [[Theomore Manderly]] in {{Date|86}} - a trusted friend of the crown for over thirty years and an honorable man, who nonetheless had outlived four previous wives, and while still a capable fighter had grown somewhat stout. Viserra was horrified by the match, but was sly and cunning in ways Saera was not: rather than try to flee, she tried to seduce her older brother Baelon, though he was 14 years her elder, as he had been widowed for two years since Alyssa had died. The grieving Baelon would have none of it, however, and dismissed her when she appeared in his chambers drunk and naked. Still having more sense than Saera, in {{Date|87}} Viserra indeed resigned herself that the marriage was unavoidable - but snuck out of confinement for what she remarked would be "one last night of laughter before heading north". She and her cronies engaged in a night of revels throughout King's Landing, culminating in a drunken horse race that ended with her being thrown from her mount and snapping her neck.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

Devastated by the death of a third daughter in a span of only five years, Alysanne begged Jaehaerys to reach out to Saera again and bring their daughter home. Jaehaerys steadfastly refused. The disagreement nearly ended their marriage and lasted nearly two years, from 87 to 89 AC, in what historians later called the [[First Quarrel]]. Jaehaerys had been preparing a new royal progress for some time, but Alysanne removed to Dragonstone, so he went alone. First he completed his planned progress to [[Casterly Rock]] and the seats of greater lords of the [[westerlands]], even stopping on [[Fair Isle]]. He inspected the roadworks and made unplanned stops at smaller towns and castles. All together, the king was gone from the [[Red Keep]] far longer than originally intended, and neither Aemon nor Baelon, who joined him for some of these visits, could convince him to return home. After the westerlands, Jaehaerys traveled to the [[Reach]], beginning a second progress before the first had ended. His visits included [[Crakehall]], [[Old Oak]], [[Highgarden]], and [[Greenfield]]. He ended his journey in [[Oldtown]], where Maegelle convinced him to reunite with Alysanne in {{Date|89}}.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

A major factor urging Jaehaerys towards reconciliation was also that his first grandchild announced that she planned to marry. In {{Date|90}} Aemon's daughter Rhaenys wed Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], [[Master of Ships]] on the [[small council]], brave seafaring explorer, and wealthiest man currently living in Westeros. Jaehaerys greatly approved of the match and their wedding was well attended. In her closing years, Alysanne would look back on the wedding in 90 AC as one of the last good days where their remaining family was all gathered together.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

===Late Reign (92 to 103 AC)===
[[File:Marc Simonetti Tournament.jpg|thumb|right|350px|The [[List of tourneys in Westeros#Tourney to celebrate the fiftieth year of King Jaehaerys's reign|great tourney]] of {{Date|98}}, as depicted by Marc Simonetti in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''.]]

In {{Date|92}}, Prince Aemon suddenly died from a crossbow bolt to the neck while fighting Myrish pirates in a minor skirmish on [[Tarth]]. Jaehaerys then named Aemon's brother Baelon as the new [[Prince of Dragonstone]] and heir to the throne, passing over Aemon's only child, Princess Rhaenys, who was then with child (though it later turned out to be a girl, [[Laena Velaryon|Laena]], Rhaenys would go on to produce a son as well, [[Laenor Velaryon|Laenor]]). Although Baelon was much loved, some did not approve. The most prominent of these was Queen Alysanne, who was furious that Rhaenys was being passed over on account of her sex alone. Thus began the [[Second Quarrel]] between Jaehaerys and his sister-wife. Alysanne once again left for Dragonstone, telling Jaehaerys that if he felt a woman was of less use than a man, he would have no further need her anymore. They were reconciled again in {{Date|94}}, once more by their daughter Maegelle. The Velaryons, meanwhile, were not amused, nor was Rhaenys's maternal uncle [[Boremund Baratheon]]. [[Corlys Velaryon]] himself resigned his position on the small council in protest and returned to Driftmark.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

In {{Date|98}}, a great tourney was held in [[King's Landing]] to celebrate King Jaehaerys's fiftieth year on the [[Iron Throne]]. Most<ref group="N">Although Maester [[Yandel]] in his work ''[[The World of Ice and Fire (Yandel)|The World of Ice and Fire]]'' claims that all of Jaehaerys's living children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were present for the tourney, this is in error. Princess Saera, still alive, remained across the [[narrow sea]], with children of her own.</ref> of Jaehaerys's living children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were present. In the final tilt, Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]] and Ser [[Clement Crabb]] broke thirty lances against each other before King Jaehaerys proclaimed them co-champions, in what is often called the finest display of jousting in [[Westeros]]i history.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Tragedy struck a fortnight after the tourney when Jaehaerys's close friend and [[Hand of the King]], Septon [[Barth]], died in his sleep. Jaehaerys replaced him as Hand by Ser Ryam Redwyne, the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]], but when Ser Ryam proved most unsuited for the office subsequently replaced him with his son Baelon. Further tragedy came later with the death of Princess Gael in {{Date|99}}, although officially it was said she died from a summer fever, she had actually committed suicide by drowning herself in the [[Blackwater Rush]]. After this heartbreak, [[King's Landing]] became unbearable to Alysanne.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} Grieving for her most beloved daughter, Queen Alysanne died less than a year later.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}

Prince Baelon himself later died before his father did, of a burst appendix, in {{Date|101}}. Fearing a civil war between Rhaenys and Viserys, Jaehaerys sent for his last remaining son for advice - Archmaester [[Vaegon Targaryen|Vaegon]] - who suggested that Jaehaerys call a [[Great Council]] of all the lords in Westeros to decide the line of succession. The [[Great Council of 101 AC]] sorted through no less than fourteen claimants great and small, but soon focused down on Rhaenys's son Laenor versus Baelon's son [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]]. In the final vote, Viserys won by a factor of twenty to one. Always Jaehaerys's favored candidate, he then formally named his grandson Prince of Dragonstone.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

[[File:Jaehaerys bedridden.png|thumb|left|350px| Lady [[Alicent Hightower]] reads to a bedridden King Jaehaerys, as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in ''[[Fire & Blood]]''.]]
The deaths of Alysanne and Baelon reduced Jaehaerys to a shell of the man he had once been.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} By 101 AC, he had outlived not only his beloved sister-wife, but essentially all of his children: out of nine who lived to adulthood only two were left, but he had disowned Saera and Vaegon (whom he had never been close with) had removed to the Citadel in Oldtown. Moreover he had outlived trusted friends and administrators on his small council who had each served him for roughly four decades each: Septon Barth, Grand Maester Elysar, and Manfryd Redwyne. All that was left to Jaehaerys by 101 AC were his four living grandchildren: Aemon's daughter Rhaenys, Baelon's sons Viserys and Daemon, and Daella's daughter Aemma (who married Viserys).

After 101 AC his strength and wits began to fail him, and towards the end Jaehaerys was confined to his bed. Following the death of Baelon, who had been both heir and [[Hand of the King]], Jaehaerys appointed Ser [[Otto Hightower]] to the office, who would serve for the remainder of his life. The last two years of Jaehaerys's reign were uneventful: Otto ruled the realm while his young daughter, Lady [[Alicent Hightower]], took over his care. She read to the old king, fetched his meals, helped bathe and dress him. At times, Jaehaerys confused her for one of his daughters, and towards the end, he believed she was Princess [[Saera Targaryen|Saera]], who had fled across the narrow sea many years before. Nevertheless [[Mushroom]], the [[court fool]] serving during the reign of [[Viserys I Targaryen]], mischievously suggested that Alicent was more than an aide to the old king.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

In {{Date|103}}, at the age of sixty-nine, Jaehaerys died in his bed as Alicent read to him from Septon [[Barth]]'s ''[[Unnatural History]]''. His body was cremated in the [[Dragonpit]] and his ashes were interred with Alysanne's ashes on [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}<ref group="N" name="ashes" /> His realm mourned, and even reportedly [[Dorne]]. Jaehaerys had ruled for 55 years, the longest serving monarch on the Iron Throne before or since, and had reigned over an unprecedented era of peace and prosperity for Westeros.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

==Legacy==
Jaehaerys was the longest-ruling Targaryen monarch, having ruled for fifty-five years. Because of this, he is referred to as the "Old King". His reign is remembered as the most prosperous period in the history of the Targaryen monarchy. His rule brought peace, stability, and justice to the Seven Kingdoms. According to the archmaesters, the population of Westeros north of [[Dorne]] doubled during Jaehaerys's reign, with the population of [[King's Landing]] becoming four times as large.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} Jaehaerys even managed to forge a peace between [[House Bracken]] and [[House Blackwood]] in the [[riverlands]], which would endure for fifty years, but did not long outlast his reign.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands: House Tully}}{{Ref|ADWD|48}} Jaehaerys is regarded as the best of the Targaryen kings by many historians and laymen.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}

There is a plinth of the Old King that stands at the [[Citadel]] in [[Oldtown]], on which is inscribed, ''"He bound the land together, and made of seven kingdoms, one."''{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

Jaehaerys's grandson and successor, [[Viserys I Targaryen]], wore Jaehaerys's crown.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}} In {{Date|129}}, Viserys entertained his grandchildren with a fictional tale{{#tag:ref|Elio García has stated that George R. R. Martin confirmed to him that this story was made up by Viserys to entertain his grandchildren.<ref>A Forum of Ice and Fire: [https://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/148940-inconsistencies-plot-holes-and-missing-details-in-tsotd-trp-and-tpatq/&page=7#comment-8138013 Inconsistencies, plot holes, and missing details in TSOTD, TRP, and TPATQ] (February 28, 2018)</ref>|group=N}} of Jaehaerys and his dragon defeating a vast host of [[wildling]]s, [[giant]]s, and [[warg]]s at the Wall.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} When Viserys died that same year, his eldest son, [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon]], ascended the throne instead of Viserys' proclaimed heir, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], which was the start of the war known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]]. Ser [[Steffon Darklyn]] of the [[Kingsguard]] and his retainers defected to Rhaenyra's [[Blacks|faction]] at [[Dragonstone]]. With them, they brought the crown Jaehaerys I and Viserys I had worn. Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], Rhaenyra's husband and uncle, used this crown during Rhaenyra's coronation.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}

==Small Council under Jaehaerys I==
During the long reign of King Jaehaerys, his [[small council]] had the following known members:

{| class=wikitable width=80%i
!width=25% | Office
!width=15% | Duration
!width=20% | Name
!Notes
|-
| [[Regent]]
| {{Date|48|50}}
| Dowager Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Stormlands: House Baratheon}}
| 
|-
| rowspan="7"| [[Hand of the King]]
| {{Date|48|50}}
| Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Stormlands: House Baratheon}}{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|50|54}}
| Lord [[Daemon Velaryon (son of Aethan)|Daemon Velaryon]]{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|54|57}}
| Lord [[Myles Smallwood]]{{Ref|ASOS|54}}{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|58|98}}
| Septon [[Barth]]{{Ref|ASOS|54}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|98|99}}
| Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|99|101}}
| Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|101|103}}
| Ser [[Otto Hightower]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}
| 
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[Grand Maester]]
| {{Date|48|59}}
| [[Benifer]]{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}
| Reinstated from exile.
|-
| {{Date|60|97}}
| [[Elysar]]{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|97|101}}
| [[Allar]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|101|103}}
| [[Runciter]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|-
| rowspan="3"|[[Master of ships]]
| {{Date|48|50}}
| Lord [[Daemon Velaryon (son of Aethan)|Daemon Velaryon]]{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}
| Later raised to Hand of the King.
|-
| {{Date|50}}–{{Date|89}}
| Lord [[Manfryd Redwyne]]{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|89}}–{{Date|92}}
| Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| Served near the end of King Jaehaerys' reign. Lord Corlys angerly resigned from the office when his wife Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys]] was passed over as heir to the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[Master of laws]]
| {{Date|49|50}}
| Lord [[Prentys Tully]]{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|50|59}}
| Lord [[Albin Massey]]{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|59|80}}
| Lord [[Rodrik Arryn]]{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|80|92}}
| Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon Targaryen]]{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
| 
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[Master of coin]]
| {{Date|48|50}}
| Lord [[Edwell Celtigar]]{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|50|59}}
| Lord [[Rego Draz]]{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
| 
|-
| {{Date|59}}–Unknown
| Lord [[Martyn Tyrell]]{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
| In truth the duties were performed by his wife, Lady [[Florence Fossoway]].
|-
| Unknown–{{Date|103}}
| Lord [[Lyman Beesbury]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]]
| {{Date|48}}–Unknown
| Ser [[Gyles Morrigen]]{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}
| Was known to be still Lord Commander in {{Date|84}}.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}
|-
| Unknown–{{Date|103}}
| Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| 
|}

==Recent Events==
===''A Storm of Swords''===
On Dragonstone [[Maester]] [[Pylos]] mentions to [[Davos Seaworth]] that dragonkings oft chose [[Hand of the King|Hands]] from [[House Targaryen|their own blood]], with results as various as [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor Breakspear]] and [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor the Cruel]]. In comparison there is Jaehaerys I Targaryen's choice of [[Septon]] [[Barth]], a [[Smallfolk|common-born]] blacksmith's son Jaehaerys plucked from the [[Red Keep]]'s library, who gave the realm forty years of peace and plenty.{{Ref|ASOS|54}}

[[Jon Snow]] recalls a story told to him by [[Old Nan]], on how Jaehaerys and Alysanne traveled to Winterfell together in a great royal progress that contained six dragons.{{Ref|ASOS|41}} It is unknown if this was a second progress made by the King and Queen, or if it was just a fable.

===''A Feast for Crows''===
At the [[Wall]], [[Samwell Tarly]] recalls that there were dragons there two hundred years ago; Queen Alysanne had visited [[Castle Black]] on [[Silverwing|her dragon]], and Jaehaerys, her king, had come after her on [[Vermithor|his own]].{{Ref|AFFC|5}}

[[Cersei Lannister]] recalls that when she was a child, she once drew a picture of herself and Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] flying on the back of a [[dragon]], but when her brother [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] found it, she told him it was a picture of Alysanne and Jaehaerys.{{Ref|AFFC|24}}

When talking to Queen Regent Cersei about having King [[Tommen Baratheon]] rearm [[the Faith]], the new [[High Sparrow|High Septon]] asks her if Jaehaerys the Conciliator had once sworn upon the Iron Throne itself that the crown would always protect and defend [[the Faith]]. Cersei thinks to herself that she has no idea what Jaehaerys might have sworn.{{Ref|AFFC|28}} Later, the High Sparrow notes that Jaehaerys took away the right of the Faith to hold trials.{{Ref|AFFC|43}}

Outside [[Riverrun]], Lady [[Genna Lannister]] makes it known to [[Jaime Lannister]] how she feels about Queen Cersei rearming the Faith, she reminds Jaime that King Jaehaerys agreed to pardon all those who would set aside their swords.{{Ref|AFFC|33}}

During their travels in the [[riverlands]] Septon Meribald tells [[Brienne of Tarth]] and her companions some of the history of the [[inn at the crossroads]]. He tells them the inn was raised during the reign of the first Jaehaerys, and that Jaehaerys and his queen slept there during their journeys, and for a time, the inn was known as the Two Crowns in their honor.{{Ref|AFFC|37}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[Roose Bolton]] tells [[Theon Greyjoy]] that King Jaehaerys abolished the lord's right to the [[first night]] to appease his "shrewish" queen, but where the [[old gods]] rule, old customs linger.{{Ref|ADWD|32}}

==Quotes about Jaehaerys I==
{{Quote|He was nine-and-sixty at his death, and had ruled wisely and well for five-and-fifty years. [[Westeros]] mourned, and it was claimed that even in [[Dorne]] men wept and women tore their garments in lament for a king who had been so just and good. His ashes were interred with that of his beloved, the Good Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], beneath the [[Red Keep]]. And the [[Seven Kingdoms|realm]] never saw their like again.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}|writings of [[Yandel]]}}

{{Quote|[[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Dragon]] and [[Visenya Targaryen|his]] [[Rhaenys Targaryen|sisters]] conquered the [[Seven Kingdoms]] (six of them, at least), but it was Jaehaerys the Conciliator who truly made them one.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}|writings of [[Umbert]]}}

{{Quote|It is a poor king who wages battle against his own lords and leaves his own kingdom burned, bloody, and strewn with corpses. His Grace was a wiser man than that.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}|writings of [[Barth]]}}

==Family==
===Ancestors===
{{Targaryen tree Aegon}}

===Children===
{{Targaryen tree Jaehaerys I}}

===Descendants===
{{Targaryen tree Jaehaerys I descendants}}

==Behind the Scenes==
Jaehaerys shares the same nameday as [[George R. R. Martin]]: Jaehaerys was born on the twentieth day of the ninth moon,{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}} which corresponds in the real world to September 20th, George's birthday.<ref>Wikipedia: [[w:George R. R. Martin|George R. R. Martin]].</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References}}

{{Kings of Westeros}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Targaryen, Jaehaerys I}}
[[Category:House Targaryen|Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
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[[Category:Characters with white hair]]
[[Category:Deaths by natural causes]]
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[[Category:Kings of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men|Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
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[[Category:Members of Aegon I Targaryen's court]]
[[Category:Members of Aenys I Targaryen's court]]
[[Category:Members of Maegor I Targaryen's court]]
[[Category:Nobles]]
[[Category:Protectors of the Realm]]
[[Category:Wielders of Blackfyre]]
[[Category:Wielders of Dark Sister]]

[[es:Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
[[fa:جیهیریس تارگرین اول]]
[[fr:Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
[[nl:Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
[[pt:Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
[[ru:Джейехерис I Миротворец]]
[[zh:杰赫里斯·坦格利安一世]]

Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)

2024-01-23T05:52:58Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{For|other characters with the same name|Baelon Targaryen}}
{{Infobox character
| title = Prince
| firstname = Baelon
| lastname = Targaryen
| epithet = The Brave
| arms = Targaryen
| image = Baelon Targaryen by Riotarttherite.png
| image_caption = Baelon Targaryen, by Riotarttherite ©
| Alias = Baelon the Brave The Spring Prince The Silver Fool
| Title = [[Knight|Ser]]{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} [[Prince of Dragonstone]] [[Hand of the King]]
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture = [[Crownlands]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|57}}{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|101}} (aged 44)
| Place_of_Death = [[Tower of the Hand]], [[King's Landing]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| Father = [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
| Mother = [[Alysanne Targaryen]]
| Spouse = Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]]
| Issue = [[Viserys I Targaryen]] [[Daemon Targaryen]] [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Baelon)|Aegon Targaryen]]
| coat-of-arms =
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rise of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (mentioned)
}}

Prince '''Baelon Targaryen''', also known as '''the Spring Prince''', for the season of his birth, and '''the Brave''', was a member of [[House Targaryen]] and was the fourth born child of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] and Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]]. He had three sons himself, Princes [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]], [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]] and [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Baelon)|Aegon]]. Baelon was a [[dragonrider]] whose mount was [[Vhagar]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

==Appearance and Character==
At birth, Baelon was smaller than his older brother, [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]]. He was louder and lustier, however.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

==History==
===Early life===
{{See also|:Category:Images of Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|l1=Images of Baelon Targaryen}}
[[File:Aemon and Baelon Targaryen by Paparinka Art.png|thumb|350px|Aemon and [[Baelon Targaryen]], by [https://www.instagram.com/paparinka_art/ Paparinka Art] ©]]
Baelon was born in {{Date|57}}, two days after the start of spring had been announced by the [[Citadel]]. As such, he was dubbed the ''Spring Prince''. Baelon was [[named after]] [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Aerys)|Baelon Targaryen]], who had ruled as [[Lord of Dragonstone]] before [[Aegon's Conquest]]. The year after his birth, Baelon was present at the [[Tourney at King's Landing on the anniversary of the king's coronation|tourney at King's Landing on the anniversary of Jaehaerys's coronation]].{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

Baelon admired his older brother [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]] growing up. As soon as Baelon could walk, he began following Aemon around everywhere he went. When Aemon began training at arms with a wooden sword, Baelon was deemed to be too young to join. Regardless, Baelon brought a stick to the yard, and began whacking at Aemon. Baelon and Aemon would become very close, training together at arms every day in spirited contests which drew large crowds of spectators.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

The first time Baelon visited the [[Dragonpit]], he hit [[Balerion]] on the snout, causing Ser [[Samgood of Sour Hill|Samgood]] of the [[Kingsguard]] to remark that he was either brave or [[Targaryen madness|mad]]. Ever since, Baelon was also known as ''Baelon the Brave''.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

In {{Date|72}} Baelon took part in a squires melee during a [[Tourney at Duskendale in honor of Lord Darklyn's wedding|tourney held to celebrate Lord Darklyn's wedding]], in which he was defeated by Aemon.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} Baelon won his spurs the following year, at the age of sixteen, taking part in a [[tourney at Old Oak]], entering the lists as a [[mystery knight]] called the ''Silver Fool''. Baelon unhorsed Lord [[House Rowan|Rowan]], Ser [[Alyn Ashford]], both [[Fossoway twins]], and Lord Oakheart's heir, Ser [[Denys Oakheart|Denys]], before falling to Ser [[Rickard Redwyne]]. Ser Rickard helped him to his feet, unmasked him, and knighted him on the spot. Prince Baelon remained at Old Oak only for the feast. Afterwards, he returned to [[King's Landing]], where he became a [[dragonrider]] by claiming the [[dragon]] [[Vhagar]].{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

That same year, at the request of his father, Baelon began training his younger brother [[Vaegon Targaryen|Vaegon]]. They continued to train for a year, but Vaegon had no skill and no interest in his training. After Baelon made Vaegon fight against their sister [[Alyssa Targaryen|Alyssa]], resulting in Vaegon leaving the yard humiliated, their trainings were at an end.

===Marriage===
Baelon had always been close to his sister Alyssa, and married her in {{Date|75}}. The sounds that came from their bedchamber during the bedding were a great amusement to the wedding guests. Their first child, a son who they named [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]] (possibly in honor of [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|their late uncle]]), was born in {{Date|77}}. Their second son, [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], was born in {{Date|81}}.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

In {{Date|83}} Baelon, together with his brother Aemon and father, King Jaehaerys I, ended the attempted [[Fourth Dornish War|invasion]] of the [[stormlands]] by Prince [[Morion Martell]] of [[Dorne]]. Mounted atop their [[dragon]]s, they destroyed the Dornish fleet before it could even make landfall. Upon their return to [[King's Landing]], Jaehaerys, Aemon, and Baelon received a riotous welcome as they had won a war without losing a single man, something not even [[Aegon I Targaryen]] had been able to boast.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

When Alyssa became pregnant for a third time, Baelon told his brother Aemon he was praying for a daughter. In {{Date|84}}, Alyssa gave birth to a son, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Baelon)|Aegon]], after a difficult labor. Alyssa did not recover from Aegon's birth, however, and died within six months. Aegon died half a year later, just shy of his first [[nameday]]. Her death devastated Baelon, who always continued to honor her memory.

A few years after Alyssa's death, Baelon's young, ambitious sister [[Viserra Targaryen|Viserra]] tried to seduce him, hoping to end her betrothal to Lord [[Theomore Manderly]]. She sneaked into his bedchamber, and waited naked in his bed for him to arrive. When Baelon found her, he was unresponsive to her advances, and instead sent her away.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

===Prince of Dragonstone===
[[File:Baelon and Rhaenyra Targaryen by chillyravenart.jpg|thumb|350px|Baelon and his granddaughter [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], by chillyravenart ©]]

In {{Date|92}}, Prince Aemon was slain on [[Tarth]] by one of the [[Myr]]ish exiles who occupied the eastern part of the isle. Baelon flew on [[Vhagar]] to Tarth to avenge his brother, and fought against the exiles with [[Dark Sister]]. He was cheered by crowds when he returned to [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

Baelon was named [[Prince of Dragonstone]] and heir to the throne by King Jaehaerys after Aemon's death, ahead of Aemon's daughter and heir, Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} In {{Date|100}}, Baelon was named [[Hand of the King]], replacing Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]] of the [[Kingsguard]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

In {{Date|101}}, Baelon complained of a stitch in his side during a hunting trip. The pain worsened after he returned to King's Landing, and he eventually became bedridden in the [[Tower of the Hand]]. After five days of [[illness]], Baelon died of a [[w:Appendicitis|burst belly]].<ref>Penguin Random House: [https://youtu.be/EXZE_KQnat4 A Conversation with George R R Martin] (at 17min56s)</ref> His funeral pyre was personally lit by his father, King Jaehaerys.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}

==Quotes by Baelon==
{{Quote|I slew a thousand of them, but it will not bring [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|him]] back.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}|Baelon weeps to his mother [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] after the burning of the [[Myr]]ish ships on [[Tarth]] during the [[Myrish Bloodbath]]}}

{{Quote|They call me Baelon the Brave, but you are far braver than me. I would sooner fight a dozen battles than do what you've just done.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}|Baelon to [[Alyssa Targaryen|Alyssa]], after the birth of their son [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Baelon)|Aegon]]}}

==Quotes about Baelon==
{{Quote|Wherever Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]] went, whatever Prince Aemon did, Prince Baelon would not be far behind.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}|writings of [[Gyldayn]]}}

{{Quote|He's either brave or mad, that one.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}|[[Samgood of Sour Hill]] in the [[Dragonpit]]}}

{{Quote|You will be a great [[king]], even greater than [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|your father]].{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}|[[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]]'s last words to her son}}

==Family==
Baelon was married to his younger sister, [[Alyssa Targaryen|Alyssa]], and had three sons with her: [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]], [[Daemon Targaryen|Daemon]], and [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Baelon)|Aegon]]. Alyssa died in {{Date|84}}, the same year Aegon was born, following a difficult labor. Aegon died the following year, just shy of his first [[nameday]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} Baelon's granddaughter by Viserys, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], was born in {{Date|97}}.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} Baelon would eventually have seven grandchildren (five who survived to adulthood), but Rhaenyra is the only one he has known in his lifetime.{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}} His granddaughter, [[Baela Targaryen]], was [[named after]] him.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

===Ancestors===
{{Targaryen tree Jaehaerys I}}

===Descendants===
{{Targaryen tree Dance}}

==References==
{{References}}

{{Hands of the King}}
{{Jaehaerys I small council}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Targaryen, Baelon}}
[[Category:House Targaryen|Baelon Targaryen]]
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands]]
[[Category:Deaths by natural causes]]
[[Category:Dragonriders]]
[[Category:Hands of the King]]
[[Category:Knights]]
[[Category:Members of Jaehaerys I Targaryen's court]]
[[Category:Mystery knights]]
[[Category:Nobles]]
[[Category:Princes of Dragonstone|Baelon Targaryen]]
[[Category:Wielders of Dark Sister]]

[[es:Baelon Targaryen, hijo de Jaehaerys I]]
[[fr:Baelon Targaryen]]
[[nl:Baelon Targaryen (Boude)]]
[[pt:Baelon Targaryen (Filho de Jaehaerys I)]]
[[ru:Бейлон Таргариен]]
[[zh:贝尔隆·坦格利安(杰赫里斯一世之子)]]

Mycah

2024-01-22T16:04:33Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox character
| Character_name = Mycah
| image = [[File:Mycah.png|250px]]
| image_caption = art by Flibertyjibbeth
| Alias =
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[House Baratheon of King's Landing]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Westeros]]
| Father = A butcher
| Mother =
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|285}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued2)#Mycah|Mycah]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Death = the [[riverlands]], near the [[ruby ford]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|298}} (aged 13)
| Books = ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (appears) ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (mentioned) ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played_by = Rhodri Hosking
| TV_series = ''[[Game of Thrones]]'': [[Game of Thrones - Season 1|Season 1]]
}}

'''Mycah''' is the son of a butcher who befriends [[Arya Stark]].{{Ref|aGoT|15}}

==Appearance==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Mycah|Images of Mycah]]''
[[File:Mycah.PNG|250px|thumb|Rhodri Hosking as Mycah in the HBO adaptation]]
He is an ugly boy, with a rough face, freckles, and red hair.{{Ref|aGoT|15}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
Mycah is a butcher's boy who [[Arya Stark]] befriends on the ride south from [[Winterfell]] to [[King's Landing]]. He sleeps in the meat [[wagon]] and smells accordingly. Just seeing him makes [[Sansa Stark]] sick. Arya and Mycah start exploring together the lands through which the track passes. Mycah shows Arya a [[lizard lion]] when they come through the [[Neck]] and, when they reach the [[ruby ford]], they intend to search the [[Trident]] for rubies from the armor of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]].{{Ref|aGoT|15}}

He and Arya are practicing sword-fighting on the banks of the Trident. Mycah lands a hit on Arya's hand with his stick, just as Prince [[Joffrey Baratheon]] and Sansa come upon them. Joffrey, slightly drunk on [[wine]], is amused about the scene and only Sansa shouting at Arya makes him aware that this is her sister. Joffrey asks the boy who he is, but Mycah is too afraid to answer the prince. Sansa says that he's the butcher's boy, but Arya corrects her, introducing Mycah as her friend. Joffrey mocks that a butcher boy wants to be a [[knight]], then suggests to fight Mycah himself, but with his [[sword]] [[Lion's Tooth]] rather than with a stick, asking Mycah whether he only dares to fight girls. Mycah insists that Arya asked him to fight her and Sansa realizes that he's telling the truth. However, Joffrey intimidates Mycah by asking him whether he knew he hurt his betrothed's sister. He lays the point of his sword on Mycah's cheek, drawing some blood. While Mycah is frozen in fear, Arya shouts that Joffrey should stop it, grabs her stick, and too late for Sansa to interfere, hits Joffrey on the head, causing a laceration. While Mycah flees the scene, Joffrey whirls around at Arya in anger and manages to defend himself against a second attack, splintering Arya's stick. Arya hurls a rock at Joffrey, but misses him. Joffrey goes after her, cursing. Before he can reach Arya, he is attacked by her [[direwolf]] [[Nymeria]] who mangles his sword arm, causing him to drop his sword and to whimper in pain. Arya picks up Lion's Tooth and throws it into the river, then runs away.{{Ref|aGoT|15}}

Arya is found after four days and brought before King [[Robert I Baratheon]] and Queen [[Cersei Lannister]], who have taken Ser [[Raymun Darry]]'s [[Castle Darry]] as their temporary residence while both banks of the Trident were searched for Arya and Mycah. Cersei accuses the two of having attacked Joffrey together, a version of events that is confirmed by Joffrey. Arya calls Joffrey a liar. They both present their very different stories. Then Sansa is called as witness. Afraid that contradicting Joffrey would put an end to their betrothal, Sansa claims she can't remember as everything went down so fast, arousing Arya's anger. King Robert decides that both Arya and Joffrey should be disciplined, but Queen Cersei insists that Sansa's direwolf [[Lady (direwolf)|Lady]] should be killed, in place for Nymeria who has vanished. As Lord [[Eddard Stark]] returns after he has put down the direwolf, he comes across [[Sandor Clegane]], who has returned with a search party, carrying the body of Mycah in a cloak. The blow of the Hound's sword has almost cut the boy in half from shoulder to waist, as Eddard notices in horror.{{Ref|aGoT|16}}

The events cause deep resentment in Arya against Cersei, Joffrey, and the Hound. She believes in [[Jeyne Poole]]'s elaborated version of the story, where Mycah's body was cut in so many pieces that, when the sack containing the remains was given to Mycah's father, the butcher believed he was handed a slaughtered pig. Arya is also angry with Sansa for not telling the truth about what happened and with her father and his men for allowing Mycah to be killed. She also feels guilt over his death, assuming that nothing would have happened to the butcher's boy if she hadn't talked him into practicing sword fighting. When she tells her father about this, Lord Eddard consoles her, explaining that this is solely the guilt of the Hound and of the cruel woman he serves.{{Ref|aGoT|22}}

Following the attack on Lord Eddard by [[House Lannister guards|Lannister men]] led by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]], in which several [[House Stark guards|Stark guards]] are killed, Arya says to Sansa that Jaime should be beheaded for this, as should the Hound for killing Mycah. When Sansa insists that the Hound is Joffrey's [[sworn shield]] and that Arya and Mycah attacked Joffrey, Arya calls her a liar.{{Ref|aGoT|44}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
When [[Sandor Clegane]] is captured by Lord [[Beric Dondarrion]] and the [[brotherhood without banners]], he is put on trial for the offenses of the [[House Lannister|Lannister]] army in the [[riverlands]]. After he denies the charges, [[Arya Stark]] informs them that Sandor is guilty of killing Mycah. While he does not deny killing Mycah, Sandor defends himself, saying that he was told the boy attacked Prince [[Joffrey Baratheon]] and as his [[sworn shield]] he had a right to kill anyone who would harm the prince. Since no one knows the truth of the charge, the Hound is forced to participate in a [[trial by combat]]. The Hound wins and is set free.{{Ref|aSoS|34}} However, later when he is trying to provoke Arya Stark to kill him, he states that he cut Mycah -- calling him "Michael" -- near in half and laughed about it.{{Ref|aSoS|74}}

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

[[Category:Characters from Westeros]]
[[Category:Characters killed by Sandor Clegane]]
[[Category:Characters with red hair]]
[[Category:Friends and companions of Arya Stark]]
[[Category:House Baratheon retainers]]
[[Category:Smallfolk]]

[[es:Mycah]]
[[fr:Mycah]]
[[nl:Myca]]
[[pt:Mycah]]
[[ru:Мика]]

A Game of Thrones-Chapter 28

2024-01-21T17:02:18Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter AGoT
| pov = [[Catelyn Tully]]
| place = [[Crossroads Inn]]
| title = Catelyn V
| page = 238 (US bantam HC)
| previous = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 27|Eddard VI]]
| current = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 28|Catelyn V]]
| next = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 29|Sansa II]]
| arc previous = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 18|Catelyn IV]]
| arc next = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 34|Catelyn VI]]
}} __NOTOC__

[[Catelyn Tully|Catelyn]] and Ser [[Rodrik Cassel|Rodrik]] take shelter from the rain at the [[inn at the crossroads]]. Soon after, [[Tyrion Lannister]] and his party arrive. Tyrion recognizes Catelyn, who had hoped to remain anonymous, and Catelyn takes this opportunity to convince the men in the room to take Tyrion captive so he can face the king’s justice in [[Winterfell]].

==Synopsis==
[[Catelyn Tully|Catelyn]] and Ser [[Rodrik Cassel|Rodrik]] are on the [[kingsroad]], headed north to [[Winterfell]]. It is raining and Ser Rodrik suggests Catelyn should cover her head to keep from taking a chill. Catelyn, however, enjoys the feel of the rain on her face and replies that it is only water. The warm southern rain reminds Catelyn of her childhood with [[Edmure Tully|Edmure]], [[Lysa Tully|Lysa]], and [[Petyr Baelish|Littlefinger]] at [[Riverrun]]. Rains are much less pleasant in [[the North]].

Rodrik states it would be good to have a fire and a warm meal. Catelyn tells him that there is an [[inn at the crossroads]] only a short way ahead. Catelyn remembers sleeping there many times when traveling with her [[Hoster Tully|father]] when she was young, when it was run by a fat woman named [[Masha Heddle]]. Ser Rodrik reminds her that an inn is too public and that it might be best to find a small holdfast if they do not want to be recognized. However, when they pass unrecognized by a party of soldiers led by Lord [[Jason Mallister]], a bannerman to her father, Catelyn decides they will not be recognized at the inn.

[[File:Inn at the Crossroads.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The inn at the crossroads by Marc Simonetti © Fantasy Flight Games]]

At the inn, they are met by Masha Heddle, who gives them only a cursory look and tells them there are only two rooms available; she gives them none of the smiles or mention of sweet cakes that Catelyn remembers from her girlhood. After changing into dry clothes, Catelyn thinks that from the crossroads they could go west to [[Riverrun]] where she could get advice from her father who has been unwell lately. To the east is the [[Eyrie]] and her sister; Lysa might be able to provide some answers, but the road across the mountains is too dangerous. Eventually, Catelyn decides that it is best to continue north to [[Winterfell]]. Once past [[the Neck]] they can get aid from one of the bannermen of [[House Stark]]. Then she can tell the bannerman to send riders north to [[Robb Stark|Robb]] with orders to place a watch on the kingsroad.

Catelyn turns her thoughts to the reliability of Riverrun’s banners. If it comes to war, Catelyn is sure her father will call his banners, but she is not sure they will all come. [[Robert's Rebellion]] showed how unreliable the river lords can be, particularly the [[House Frey|Freys]], who arrived to aid their Tully overlords only after the [[Battle of the Trident]] had been won, leaving doubts as to which army they had come to join. Ever since, Catelyn's father has called Lord [[Walder Frey]] the “Late Lord Frey". Other banners—such as the [[House Darry|Darrys]], [[House Ryger|Rygers]], and [[House Mooton|Mootons]]—fought for King [[Aerys II Targaryen]]. Catelyn decides she must not let a war erupt.

Ser Rodrik comes to escort her to dinner, suggesting they must hurry if they are to eat and calling her the customary “my lady.” Catelyn decides it might be safer to pretend they are father and daughter. Rodrik agrees, but in the process he calls her “my lady” again, and comments on how old ways die hard when he realizes his mistake.

In the long and drafty common room the benches are crowded with a wide variety of people, but Catelyn doesn't see anyone who might recognize her. Ser Rodrik finds them a place by the kitchen where they are accosted by the singer [[Marillion]], who asks about where they come from and where they are going. Catelyn answers the safest of the questions, saying they come from [[King's Landing]]. The singer tells them that is his destination for the [[Tourney of the Hand]]. The singer is disappointed when Catelyn has not heard about him, and proceeds to attempt to get paid silver for a song. Ser Rodrik, believing that any healthy boy would prefer a sword to a harp, tells him he might have a couple of coppers but would prefer tossing them down a well to hearing the boy’s howling. The singer then tells how he was made to sing for kings and high lords. Catelyn asks if Marillion has ever played for Lord Tully. The singer boasts that a chamber is kept for him at Riverrun and that the young Lord Tully is like a brother. This amuses Catelyn, who knows her brother has hated singers ever since one bedded a girl he liked.

It is then that the door bangs open and the arrival of [[Tyrion Lannister]] is announced, with a demand for room and a bath for Tyrion. When Tyrion is told that there are no rooms, he announces that his servants can sleep in the stable, and quips that he needs only a small room. When Masha Heddle repeats that there are no rooms, Tyrion takes a gold coin and flips it into the air. A free rider tells Tyrion he is welcome to take his room, and Tyrion flips the coin to the man.

[[File:Tyrion arrested by Catelyn.png|thumb|370px|right|I call upon you to seize him — ([[Game of Thrones|TV series]]) © HBO]]

Tyrion declares that he wants some sort of roast fowl and the best wine sent up to his room, and asks the [[Night’s Watch|black brother]] [[Yoren]] to join him. Marillion the singer stands and offers to sing to Tyrion of his father’s [[Sack of King’s Landing|victory]] at King's Landing while he dines. Tyrion replies that such a song would surely ruin his supper. He is about to turn away when his eyes find Catelyn, and he comments that he was sorry to have missed her at Winterfell. Everyone in the inn is astonished, and every eye is turned to Catelyn as she stands.

Catelyn decides to play her hand. She asks some of the men-at-arms in the room directly if their lords are true to her father, Lord Hoster Tully. The [[House Bracken|Brackens]], [[House Frey|Freys]], and [[House Whent|Whents]] are all represented in the room, and all answer with polite agreement. Tyrion is confused and asks what Catelyn is doing, even sniggering at one of the comments. Catelyn then tells the bannermen that Tyrion, while a [[Guest right|guest]] in her home, sent an assassin to murder [[Bran Stark|her son]] in his bed. In the name of King [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] and the lords they serve, Catelyn calls upon them to seize Tyrion and return him to Winterfell to await the king’s justice.

Catelyn cannot decide which is more satisfying: the sound of a dozen men drawing their swords or the look on Tyrion Lannister’s face.

==Character List==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:25;" |
'''Appearing:'''
*[[Catelyn Stark]]
*[[Rodrik Cassel]]
*[[Masha Heddle]]
*[[Jason Mallister]]
*[[Patrek Mallister]]
*[[Marillion]]
*[[Tyrion Lannister]]
*[[Yoren]]
| style="width:25;" |
'''Mentioned:'''
{{Columns|2|
*[[Edmure Tully]]
*[[Lysa Tully]]
*[[Petyr Baelish]]
*[[Hoster Tully]]
*[[Brynden Tully]]
*[[Eddard Stark]]
*[[Shella Whent]]
*[[Walder Frey]]
*[[Rhaegar Targaryen]]
*[[Jaime Lannister]]
*[[Loras Tyrell]]
*[[Alia of Braavos]]
*[[Bran Stark]]
*[[Jonos Bracken]]
*[[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]]
*[[Rhaegar Targaryen]]
*[[Jon Arryn]]
}}
|}
==Terms and places mentioned==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:25;" |
'''Places:'''
{{Columns|3|
*[[Kingsroad]]
*[[Riverrun]]
*[[Godswood]]
*[[Casterly Rock]]
*[[Winterfell]]
*[[Mountains of the Moon]]
*[[Vale of Arryn]]
*The [[Fingers]]
*[[The Eyrie]]
*[[King's Landing]]
*[[Harrenhal]]
*[[The Eyrie]]
*[[The Neck]]
*[[Green Fork]]
*[[The Trident]]
*[[The Wall]]
*[[Crossroads Inn]]
}}
| style="width:25;" |
'''Terms:'''
{{Columns|2|
*[[Shadowcat]]
*[[Hand's Tourney]]
*[[House Mallister]]
*[[House Blackwood]]
*[[House Bracken]]
*[[Mountain Clans]]
*[[House Darry]]
*[[House Ryger]]
*[[House Mooton]]
}}
|}
==External links==
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2011/07/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-game-of-thrones-part-14 Summary and analyses of the chapter] by Leigh Butler.
*[http://towerofthehand.com/books/101/029/index.html Summary of the chapter] on Tower of the Hand.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Game of Thrones: Chapter 28]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Catelyn Tully]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Crossroads Inn]]
[[es:Juego de Tronos-Capítulo 28]]
[[fr:A Game of Thrones, Chapitre 29, Catelyn]]
[[ru:Игра престолов, Кейтилин V]]
[[pt:A Guerra dos Tronos - Capítulo 28]]

A Game of Thrones-Chapter 32

2024-01-21T17:00:24Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter AGoT
| pov = [[Arya Stark]]
| title = Arya III
| place = [[King's Landing]]
| page = 284 (US bantam HC)
| previous = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 31|Tyrion IV]]
| current = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 32|Arya III]]
| next = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 33|Eddard VIII]]
| arc previous = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 22|Arya II]]
| arc next = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 50|Arya IV]]
}} __NOTOC__

[[Arya Stark|Arya]] is chasing a cat when [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]] and [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]] discover her. She escapes unidentified, but finds herself in the dungeons. There she overhears two men talking about killing [[Eddard Stark|her father]]. After eventually finding her way out she tries to tell her father what she heard but he does not believe her.

==Synopsis==
[[File:MKomarck AryaDragonSkulls.jpg|thumb|right|[[Arya Stark]] and the [[skulls of the Targaryen dragons]], by Michael Komarck ©]]
[[Arya Stark|Arya]] is chasing a one-eared [[Balerion (cat)|black tomcat]] as part of her training with [[Syrio Forel]]. Arya has found that catching cats is hard; half-healed scratches cover her hands and her knees are scabbed from tumbles. At first, even the fat kitchen cat could avoid her. As she stalks the black tom, Arya recalls when she originally went to Syrio with her hand bleeding. He told her she was too slow and that her enemies would give her more than scratches. The castle is full of cats, all of which she has caught and brought to Syrio, except for this one, which a [[City Watch of King's Landing|gold cloak]] claimed was older than sin and twice as mean; it had even snatched a quail from Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]]’s fingers once. Arya has chased the cat all over the castle and she does not know where she is, but she has finally cornered the cat in a narrow alley.

The tomcat tries to dart between her legs, but Arya catches it. As she excitedly hugs the cat to her chest and gives it a kiss, she is interrupted. Princess [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]], at the end of the alley, asks what “that boy” is doing with that cat. With her are a couple of the Lannister household guards, a septa, and Prince [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]]. She asks again, and calls Arya a ragged boy, which Tommen agrees with. Arya pauses a moment to look at her ragged clothing (you don’t wear silks and skirts when catching cats). To avoid being recognized, Arya falls to one knee. The septa tells her that she does not belong in this part of the castle. Arya is sure that as soon as she speaks the children will recognize her. The septa tells the guards to bring Arya to her. Arya panics and escapes the grasp of the guard, runs over the prince, and avoids the other guard. After a short chase, Arya sees a window above her, not much more that an arrow slit wide. She leaps up, grabs the sill, and pulls herself through, holding her breath to get through.

Arya continues her rush, ending up lost in a dark cellar and thinking of the trouble she will be in if she was recognized. After listening for a long time, she hears no pursuit. She remembers her nightmares of getting lost in the [[Red Keep]], even though her father had told her it was smaller than [[Winterfell]]. Arya plans to count to 10,000; by then it will be safe to come out.

By the time she reaches 87, Arya can make out the large shapes of monsters all around her. Initially she is afraid, but she soon overcomes her fear and makes her way over to touch one of the monsters. She can tell it is bone and that it is dead, but has a feeling that it knows she is there and that it does not love her. She backs into a larger one and whirls around, causing a tooth to rip her leather jerkin. She runs, avoiding a larger monster, and dashes through the jaws of another to find a door. She opens it enough to slip through into the even darker hall beyond. She remembers that a [[Water Dancer]] can see without eyes. As she proceeds down the hall by feeling the walls, Arya remembers that all hallways lead somewhere. Then she hears noises and sees a dim flickering light, which allows her to see that she is above a well with steps leading down.

[[File:Red Keep Dragon Cellar by Kim Pope.jpg|300 px|left|thumb|The dragon cellar of the Red Keep.]]

Arya can see two men coming up the well and hears the echo of their voices, one of which is thick with the accent of the [[Free Cities]]. She quickly discovers that the men are talking about [[Eddard Stark|her father]] when one explains to the other that the [[Hand of the King|Hand]] will soon learn the truth. When the second man asks what the Hand will do with the truth, the first replies that only the gods know, because the Hand is not a man to put aside the attempt on [[Bran Stark|his son]]’s life and that soon [[House Stark|the wolf]] and [[House Lannister|the lion]] will be at each other’s throats. The other man insists that a war now would do no good because they are not ready.

As the men get nearer, Arya can see more of them. The one bearing the torch is fat with a scarred face and a stubble beard who moves quietly despite wearing heavy boots and a steel cap. Arya finds him [[Varys|oddly familiar]] but cannot recognize him. She is sure that she has never met the man with the accent. [[Illyrio|He]] has a forked beard and is grossly fat, yet moves lightly like a Water Dancer.

When the torchbearer asks what he might possibly do to prevent a war, the fork-bearded man asks, “If [[Jon Arryn|one Hand]] can die, why not a second?” The torchbearer insists that times have changed and that the current Hand is not like the other. The fork-bearded man insists that they need more time: [[Daenerys Targaryen|the princess]] is with child and the ''[[Drogo|khal]]'' will not bestir himself until his son is born.

The torchbearer insists that if the ''khal'' does not bestir himself soon it may be too late, because there are new players in the game. [[Stannis Baratheon]] and [[Lysa Arryn]] are rumored to be marshalling their strength, Lord [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]] and the [[Loras Tyrell|Knight of Flowers]] plan to make [[Margaery Tyrell]] King [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]]’s new queen, and no one knows what [[Petyr Baelish|Littlefinger]] is playing at. Yet the torchbearer insists that Eddard Stark worries him the most; he now has [[The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms|the book]] and [[Gendry|the bastard]] and soon the truth. [[Catelyn Stark|His wife]] has also taken [[Tyrion Lannister|the Imp]] prisoner and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] and Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] will take this for an outrage.

The torchbearer claims that, even with his skill, he cannot keep control much longer, but does agree to do what he can, saying he requires more gold and 50 more “birds.” The forked beard responds that 50 is a lot, given that they are so young to know their letters. He suggests that if they could keep their tongues it would be easier, but the torchbearer replies that the risk is too great.

Arya follows the two men for a long time, going deeper and deeper down the hall until dirt and timbers replace the dressed stone. After miles of following, the men are gone and Arya, blind and lost, can see no way to go but forward. At the end she is knee deep in stinking water, and eventually, she finds herself at the mouth of a sewer that empties into the river. She is so dirty and stinky that she removes her clothes and swims until she feels clean. When she looks around, Arya can see the Red Keep on its hill, miles away.

When she finally reaches the gate to the Red Keep and asks to be let in, the two gold cloaks on guard sneer at her because she looks like a beggar. She tells them she is not a beggar, she lives there, and she wants to see her father. One of the guards jokes that he wants to fuck the queen for all the good it does him. When Arya insists her father is the Hand of the King, one of the guards tries to strike her, but she jumps away and insists she is Arya Stark and that if they lay a hand on her their heads will end up on spikes. She offers that if they need proof of who she is [[Jory Cassel]] or [[Vayon Poole]] can vouch for her. She finishes by asking the startled guardsmen if they will open the gate or need a clap on the head to improve their hearing.

[[File:Yoren.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Yoren of the Night's Watch]]

Arya is brought to her father in his solar by [[Tomard]] and [[Harwin]]. He is bent over the biggest book Arya has ever seen. As he hears the report, his face is stern. He then tells her that he had half his guard searching for her, and that she is not supposed to go beyond the gates without his leave. She replies that she was in the dungeons, and they turned into tunnels, she did not have a light, and she could not go back the way she came because of the monsters. She then continues to say that two men were talking about killing him. They said that he had a book and a bastard, and if one Hand could die, why not another. Ned is confused. Arya describes the two men, and that they said that the wolf and lion would eat each other. Everything mixes up in Arya’s head. She tells her father that she thinks one was a wizard. She decides not to mention knocking over the prince, and how she went into a window and found monsters. Ned confirms that the men were talking about juggling and mummers, and tells her that they must be mummers and that there must be a dozen troupes in [[King's Landing]] now. Arya tries to tell him that they were not mummers, but he interrupts her, saying she should not be spying on people. Then he states he does not want his daughter crawling through strange windows going after stray cats and notes all the scratches on her arms. He continues by stating this has gone on long enough and that he wants a word with Syrio. The announcement of an arrival from the [[Night's Watch]] interrupts their conversation.

[[Yoren]] is ushered in and Ned greets him pleasantly despite his being stooped, ugly, smelly, and in unwashed clothes. Yoren apologizes for the hour, and states that Ayra has the look of Ned’s son. Arya replies that she is a girl, and then asks about her brothers since she assumes Yoren must have come by way of [[Winterfell]], and if he can deliver a letter to Jon, thinking Jon will believe her story of the men in the dungeon. Yoren explains to Ned that he is there to find men for [[the Wall]], but he has other news, news that should be told in private. Ned tells [[Desmond]] to show Arya to her room. She tries to confirm that nothing bad has happened to [[Jon Snow|Jon]] or [[Benjen Stark|her uncle]], and Yoren tells her that Jon is fine.

As Desmond takes her to her room, Arya asks him how many guards her father has. He answers 50. Then Arya wants assurance that they will not let anybody kill her father, so Desmond tells her that they guard him day and night. Arya mentions that the Lannisters have many more men, and he answers that a northerner is worth 10 southerners. When she asks about wizards, he says a wizard dies the same as anyone else when you cut his head off.

==Character List==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:50%;" |
'''Appearing:'''
{{Columns|3|
*[[Arya Stark]]
*[[Myrcella Baratheon]]
*[[Tommen Baratheon]]
*[[Godwyn]]
*[[Illyrio Mopatis]]
*[[Varys]]
*[[Ned Stark]]
*[[Harwin]]
*[[Fat Tom]]
*[[Yoren]]
}}
| style="width:50%;" |
'''Mentioned:'''
{{Columns|3|
*[[Syrio Forel]]
*Septa [[Mordane]]
*[[Sansa Stark]]
*[[Bran Stark]]
*[[Jon Arryn]]
*[[Khal Drogo]]
*[[Stannis Baratheon]]
*[[Lysa Arryn]]
*[[Renly Baratheon]]
*[[Loras Tyrell]]
*[[Mace Tyrell]]
*[[Margaery Tyrell]]
*[[Robert Baratheon]]
*[[Petyr Baelish]]
*[[Catelyn Stark]]
*[[Tyrion Lannister]]
*[[Tywin Lannister]]
*[[Jaime Lannister]]
*[[Jory Cassel]]
*[[Vayon Poole]]
*[[Jon Snow]]
*[[Desmond]]
*[[Jeor Mormont]]
*[[Robb Stark]]
*[[Benjen Stark]]
}}
|}

==Places and Terms==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:50%;" |
'''Places:'''
{{Columns|2|
*[[The Red Keep]]
*[[Tower of the Hand]]
*[[Free Cities]]
*[[Highgarden]]
*[[King's Landing]]
*[[Aegon's Hill]]
*[[The Wall]]
*[[Winterfell]]
*[[Casterly Rock]]
}}
| style="width:50%;" |
'''Terms:'''
{{Columns|2|
*[[dragon skulls]]
*[[khal]]
*[[little birds]]
*[[Gold Cloaks]]
*[[Hand of the King]]
*[[Night's Watch]]
*[[ranger]]
*[[sellswords]]
*[[freeriders]]
}}
|}

==External links==
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2011/07/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-game-of-thrones-part-16 Summary and analyses of the chapter] by Leigh Butler.
*[http://towerofthehand.com/books/101/033/index.html Summary of the chapter] on Tower of the Hand.

==References and Notes==

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Game of Thrones: Chapter 32]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Arya Stark]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in King's Landing]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Red Keep]]

[[fr:A Game of Thrones, Chapitre 33, Arya]]
[[pt:A Guerra dos Tronos - Capítulo 32]]

A Game of Thrones-Chapter 38

2024-01-21T16:57:17Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter AGoT
| pov = [[Tyrion Lannister]]
| place = The [[Eyrie]]
| title = Tyrion V
| page = 341
| previous = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 37|Bran V]]
| current = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 38|Tyrion V]]
| next = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 39|Eddard X]]
| arc previous = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 31|Tyrion IV]]
| arc next = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 42|Tyrion VI]]
}} __NOTOC__

[[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] is held captive in one of the [[Eyrie]]'s [[sky cells]]. Eventually he bribes the [[Mord|gaoler]] to take a message that he is ready to confess. When brought into the [[High Hall]], Tyrion manages to convince Lady [[Lysa Arryn]] to give him a trial by combat and the sellsword [[Bronn]] declares he will be Tyrion’s champion.

==Synopsis==
[[File:MKomarck TyrionSkyCells.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Tyrion in the [[Eyrie|Eyrie's]] [[Sky Cells]]]]

The ugly and sadistic gaoler [[Mord]] brings beans for [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]], who is in one of the [[sky cells]]. As always, when Tyrion reaches for the plate, the oaf pulls it away and holds it over the edge of the cell, telling Tyrion to come get it. Tyrion is unwilling to step that close to the edge and Mord lets the plate fall. Tyrion curses Mord, who gives him a kick before he leaves.

Tyrion crawls to the corner to huddle under a thin blanket that has replaced the [[shadowcat|shadowskin]] cloak stolen by Mord. Tyrion reflects that he would gladly trade the cold and open sky cell for the dankest pit in [[Casterly Rock]]. When Mord placed Tyrion in the cell he promised that, sooner or later, Tyrion would fly. To make things worse, the floor slants towards the opening, making Tyrion afraid to sleep, lest he slip towards the edge.

Tyrion remembers when [[Lysa Arryn]] announced to her court in the [[High Hall]] that Tyrion had slain [[Jon Arryn]], the [[Hand of the King]]. That was when Tyrion put his foot in it, remarking “Oh, did I kill him too.” He went on to wonder aloud when he would have had enough time to do all this killing. He should have been silent but he had been in a foul mood, having been humiliated by having to be carried the last leg of the climb to the Eyrie by [[Bronn]]. Lysa warned him about where he was but he threatened them with the wrath of [[Jaime Lannister]] all the same. He even declared his threat a promise and drove sickly young Lord [[Robert Arryn]] into a frenzy. It was only the intervention of [[Catelyn Stark]] that saved him from being made to fly when she insisted that Tyrion was her prisoner. Then he was sent to the sky cells.

Tyrion thought that they would not dare kill him out of hand, but now he is not so sure. He is getting weaker every day and it is only a matter of time before Mord’s kicks do him serious harm. He is sure that [[Tywin Lannister|his father]] will have sent riders out by now and Jaime might already be leading an army to rescue him. [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] might get King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] to sit in judgment himself, which even [[Eddard Stark|Ned Stark]] could not object to. Tyrion is sure he can win a trial since the [[House Stark|Starks]] have no proof.

Tyrion wonders which of his siblings sent the footpad to kill [[Bran Stark]] and if they also conspired in the death of [[Jon Arryn]]. If Arryn was murdered it was subtly done, whereas sending a footpad to kill Bran was unbelievably clumsy. This leads Tyrion to wonder if there is some other force involved that has made him a pawn; Tyrion hates being a pawn.

Tyrion decides that he must free himself, and soon. He has no chance of overpowering Mord, so he must talk himself out. Tyrion hammers on the door, yelling for Mord. Mord is furious that Tyrion is making noise. Tyrion, remembering not to show fear, asks if Mord would like to be rich. Mord only strikes him with a leather strap. It takes a great deal of talking about [[House Lannister|Lannister]] gold while getting slapped before Mord finally starts to listen. Tyrion explains that, although she relieved him of his purse, Catelyn would never rob him; therefore the gold is still his. Tyrion promises all of his gold to Mord in exchange for Mord telling Lysa Arryn that he wishes to confess his crimes. Tyrion even goes so far as to lie that his brother [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] wears solid gold plate armor (it is actually gilded steel, but Mord would never know the difference}. When Tyrion senses Mord’s suspicion, he offers to write down the deal and Mord brings him a pen and paper.

Tyrion is shivering in his sleep when Ser [[Vardis Egen]] arrives to bring him to Lysa. Before he leaves, Tyrion asks Mord for his shadowskin cloak and Ser Vardis orders the unhappy gaoler to hand it over. The High Hall is filled with knights and retainers to hear his confessions. Tyrion is happy to see that young Lord Robert is missing from the high throne. Tyrion is also pleased to see [[Bronn]] and [[Marillion]] among the witnesses; with a singer present, whatever happens will not remain a secret.

Lysa comments to her sister that the sky cells always break prisoners, but Catelyn only says that Tyrion does not appear broken to her. Tyrion declares to himself that the time has come to roll the [[dice]]. He starts by declaring himself a vile little man and that his crimes and sins are beyond counting: whoring, gambling, wishing his own father and sister dead, and speaking ill of the royal court. Soon he is interrupted by a furious Lysa and Catelyn tells him pointedly that he is there to confess to the attempted murder of Bran and the murder of Jon Arryn. Tyrion merely replies that he cannot confess to those crimes because he is innocent.

Lysa orders Tyrion taken back to a smaller sky cell with a steeper floor. Before he can be taken, Tyrion asks loudly if this is how justice is done in the [[Vale of Arryn|Vale]]: he is accused of crimes, he denies them, and so he is thrown into a cell. He makes sure to show his bruised face to the crowd. Tyrion demands a trial where he can defend himself and be judged by gods and men. Lysa states that if Tyrion is found guilty, he will go through the “moon door”, which leads only to a fatal plunge to the mountainside below. Catelyn tells Lysa that this is unwise. Lysa states that her son will hear and judge Tyrion’s trial. Tyrion remembers Lord Robert stating that he wanted to see him fly.

Tyrion demands a trial-by-combat, which the fills the hall with derisive laughter. There are shouts throughout the hall, with most men asking to be given the honor of championing Lysa Arryn’s cause. Lysa declares that Ser Vardis, the only silent man, will be her champion. Vardis sinks to one knee, but declines the honor, insisting that to slaughter such a defenseless man would be shameful. Tyrion is quick to agree, demanding a champion the same as Lysa and naming his brother Jaime. When Lysa refuses Tyrion’s choice on the grounds that Jaime is hundreds of leagues away, Tyrion turns to Marillion to insist that when he makes a ballad of these proceedings he be sure to mention that Tyrion was denied a champion and sent bruised and hobbling against Lysa's finest knight. Lysa tells him to name another champion. For a moment no one moves and Tyrion wonders if he has made a terrible mistake. Then there is a stirring in the back of the chamber, and Bronn calls out that he will stand as champion for Tyrion.

==Character List==
{| class="wikitable" width="80%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:50%;" |
'''Appearing:'''
{{Columns|2|
*[[Mord]]
*[[Robert Arryn]]
*[[Lysa Arryn]]
*[[Catelyn Stark]]
*[[Vardis Egen]]
*[[Brynden Tully]]
*[[Nestor Royce]]
*[[Albar Royce]]
*[[Lyn Corbray]]
*[[Eon Hunter]]
*[[Anya Waynwood]]
*[[Rodrik Cassel]]
*[[Willis Wode]]
*[[Marillion]]
*[[Bronn]]
}}
| style="width:25%;" |
'''Mentioned:'''
{{Columns|1|
*[[Tywin Lannister]]
*[[Cersei Lannister]]
*[[Robert I Baratheon]]
*[[Eddard Stark]]
*[[Jaime Lannister]]
*[[Jon Arryn]]
*[[Catspaw|footpad]]
*[[Bran Stark]]
}}
|}

==Places and Terms Mentioned==
{| class="wikitable" width="80%"
| style="width:50%;" valign="top" |
'''Places:'''
{{Columns|2|
*[[Sky]]
*[[Eyrie]]
*[[Casterly Rock]]
*[[sky cells]]
*[[Vale of Arryn]]
*[[Mountains of the Moon]]
*[[Winterfell]]
*[[high road]]
*[[Bloody Gate]]
}}
| style="width:50%;" |
'''Terms:'''
{{Columns|1|
*[[bloody flux]]
*[[Iron Throne]]
*[[Moon Door]]
}}
|}

==External links==
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2011/08/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-game-of-thrones-part-19 Summary and analyses of the chapter] by Leigh Butler.
*[http://towerofthehand.com/books/101/039/index.html Summary of the chapter] on Tower of the Hand.

==References and Notes==
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Game of Thrones: Chapter 38]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Tyrion Lannister]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in the Eyrie]]
[[es:Juego de Tronos-Capítulo 38]]
[[fr:A Game of Thrones, Chapitre 39, Tyrion]]
[[pt:A Guerra dos Tronos - Capítulo 38]]
[[ru:Игра престолов, Тирион V]]

A Game of Thrones-Chapter 56

2024-01-21T16:53:41Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter AGoT
| pov = [[Tyrion Lannister]]
| place = [[inn at the crossroads]]
| title = Tyrion VII
| page = 507
| previous = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VIII]]
| current = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 56|Tyrion VII]]
| next = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 57|Sansa V]]
| arc previous = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 42|Tyrion VI]]
| arc next = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 62|Tyrion VIII]]
}} __NOTOC__

[[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] meets [[Tywin Lannister|his father’s]] army at the [[inn at the crossroads]], escorted by 300 [[Vale mountain clans]]men. Tyrion and Lord Tywin are discussing their war plans when Tyrion’s clansmen burst in, but Tywin handles them coolly. When news arrives that [[Robb Stark]]’s host is advancing, Tywin offers rich rewards to the clansmen if they fight for him.

==Synopsis==
[[File:Sidharth Chaturvedi Tywin's FavorII.png|thumb|[[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] presents himself to [[Kevan Lannister|Kevan]] and [[Tywin Lannister]], by Sidharth Chaturvedi © Fantasy Flight Games]]
[[Chella]] of the [[Black Ears]] is the one who locates [[Tywin Lannister|Lord Tywin]]’s army, which she deduces to be 20,000 men. [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] has gathered a force of over 300 [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clans]]men and [[Gunthor]] is collecting more. He wonders what his father will make of his little army, since he is not sure what to make of them himself.

Tyrion wants to meet his father without the clansmen, but [[Ulf]] expresses distrust and [[Shagga]] insists that he will go with the “boyman,” and if he lies Tyrion will lose his manhood. Tyrion is forced to quickly give in to the demands of his captor-followers (he’s still not sure which they are) and selects representatives from each clan to accompany him. As a parting jibe, he asks the remaining clansmen to try not to kill each other while he is gone. Tyrion dislikes having to work with the clans because they think everyone’s voice should be heard in council, which causes them to argue endlessly.

When they come to the first strongpoint, which Tyrion approaches alone, the captain recognizes Tyrion and gives them an escort. They travel past burned land and buildings. There are many carrion birds, although there are no bodies. When they arrive at the guarded camp containing hundreds of campfires, they are met by a party led by Ser [[Flement Brax]], who is surprised to see Tyrion. He tells Tyrion that his father has taken the [[inn at the crossroads]] as his headquarters, which Tyrion finds a fitting full-circle to his [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 28|unpleasant abduction]].

As they pass the many banners, Tyrion guesses that Chella’s count cannnot be far wrong. He also notes that his clansmen are awed, which pleases him; the more impressed they are by the power of [[House Lannister]] the easier they will be to control. When they arrive at the inn, Tyrion is pleased to see the body of the innkeepter [[Masha Heddle]] rotting in a gibbet. When the stableboys emerge hesitantly to take their horses, Shagga is suspicious but Tyrion is able to convince him. House guards at the door direct Tyrion to his father in the common room.

Lord Tywin Lannister is sharing ale with his brother, Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]. Kevan sees Tyrion first and expresses surprise, but Tywin only remarks that the rumors of his demise were unfounded. Tyrion tells his father that he is sorry to disappoint him, feeling uncomfortable with his deformities under his father’s gaze. He quickly covers his discomfort with a quip that he is thankful they started a war for his sake. His father takes the opportunity to chastise Tyrion for going meekly with [[Catelyn Stark|a woman]]; his brother [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] would not have gone without a fight. Tyrion replies that Jaime is also taller.

[[File:MagaliVilleneuve TywinLannister.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Lord Tywin Lannister of Casterly Rock]]

Lord Tywin then explains that Lannister honor demanded they go to war after Tyrion was captured. Tyrion asks them how that [[War of the Five Kings#War in the Riverlands|war]] is going. His father explains that Jaime has been covering himself in glory, [[battle in the hills below the Golden Tooth|smashing]] the forces of Lords [[Clement Piper|Piper]] and [[House Vance of Wayfarer's Rest|Vance]] at the [[Golden Tooth]] and pushing on to [[battle under the walls of Riverrun|defeat]] the main [[House Tully|Tully]] forces outside [[Riverrun]] and capture [[Edmure Tully]]. Lord [[Tytos Blackwood|Blackwood]] has fallen back to hold Riverrun against Jaime, but the other [[riverlands|river lords]] have dispersed to their own lands. Many of these lords have now fallen one by one to Lord Tywin’s army, leaving only the [[House Frey|Freys]] and [[House Mallister|Mallisters]] to oppose them. Lord Tywin in not concerned; he knows that [[Walder Frey]] will not bestir himself until the winner is clear and [[Jason Mallister]] lacks the strength to stand alone. The only real threat is that the [[House Stark|Starks]] or [[House Arryn|Arryns]] will interfere.

Tyrion tells them they need not worry about the Arryns, but the Starks are another matter. He is informed of [[Eddard Stark]]’s arrest and that [[Robb Stark]] has called the Stark banners. Tywin remains unperturbed, declaring that Robb is only a child. When Tyrion questions how [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] has convinced King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] to imprison his dear friend Ned, he learns that the king is dead and [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] now reigns. Tyrion immediately understands that his sister is the true ruler and knows that things will be very different.

Tyrion is then offered a command in the army: he is to handle [[Marq Piper]] and [[Karyl Vance]], who have been raiding Jaime’s supply trains across the [[Red Fork]], and [[Beric Dondarrion]], who has been harassing Tywin’s forging parties. Tyrion is not impressed with this command of perhaps 20 men, so he reveals to his father he has a promise to keep: weapons and armor for 3,000 clansmen and wagons to carry them.

Then the door opens with a crash as the Captain of the Guard flies across the room. Shagga stamps in, followed by the other clansmen. Lord Tywin coolly asks who they are and Tyrion explains that they followed him and he wants to keep them. The clansmen insist that free men have the right to sit on war councils. Once Tyrion has introduced the clansmen, he introduces his father, complete with all his titles. Lord Tywin claims that even in the [[westerlands]] they have heard of the prowess of the mountain clans, and asks what brings them here. The reply is horses, silk, and steel.

It is then that news arrives that Robb Stark’s host is coming down the [[kingsroad]]. Lord Tywin is pleased that he will be given such an easy chance to defeat House Stark so he can turn his attention towards [[Stannis Baratheon]]. He gives orders that Ser [[Addam Marbrand]] fall back to draw the northerners further south, harassing them along the way. After ordering the army assembled, Tywin compliments the clansmen’s fearless reputation and promises that if they fight for him he will provide them with all that Tyrion promised them and more. The clansmen insist that they are being promised what is already owed. Tywin quickly covers by claiming that his words were a courtesy and that his boldest knights fear to face the northerners. [[Timett]] takes the bait and declares that the [[Burned Men]] fear nothing. With the Burned Men agreeing, all the other clans agree, but only if Tyrion accompanies them into battle until the promises he made them are honored.

==External links==
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2011/10/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-game-of-thrones-part-27 Summary and analyses of the chapter] by Leigh Butler.
*[http://towerofthehand.com/books/101/057/index.html Summary of the chapter] on Tower of the Hand.

==References and Notes==
{{References|2}}
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Game of Thrones: Chapter 56]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Tyrion Lannister]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place by the Trident]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Crossroads Inn]]

[[fr:A Game of Thrones, Chapitre 57, Tyrion]]
[[pt:A Guerra dos Tronos - Capítulo 56]]
[[ru:Игра престолов, Тирион VII]]

A Game of Thrones-Chapter 56

2024-01-21T16:52:04Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter AGoT
| pov = [[Tyrion Lannister]]
| place = [[inn at the crossroads]]
| title = Tyrion VII
| page = 507
| previous = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VIII]]
| current = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 56|Tyrion VII]]
| next = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 57|Sansa V]]
| arc previous = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 42|Tyrion VI]]
| arc next = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 62|Tyrion VIII]]
}} __NOTOC__

[[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] meets [[Tywin Lannister|his father’s]] army at the [[inn at the crossroads]], escorted by 300 [[Vale mountain clans]]men. Tyrion and Lord Tywin are discussing their war plans when Tyrion’s clansmen burst in, but Tywin handles them coolly. When news arrives that [[Robb Stark]]’s host is advancing, Tywin offers rich rewards to the clansmen if they fight for him.

==Synopsis==
[[File:Sidharth Chaturvedi Tywin's FavorII.png|thumb|[[Tyrion Lannister]] presents himself to [[Kevan Lannister|Kevan]] and [[Tywin Lannister]], by Sidharth Chaturvedi © Fantasy Flight Games]]
[[Chella]] of the [[Black Ears]] is the one who locates [[Tywin Lannister|Lord Tywin]]’s army, which she deduces to be 20,000 men. [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] has gathered a force of over 300 [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clans]]men and [[Gunthor]] is collecting more. He wonders what his father will make of his little army, since he is not sure what to make of them himself.

Tyrion wants to meet his father without the clansmen, but [[Ulf]] expresses distrust and [[Shagga]] insists that he will go with the “boyman,” and if he lies Tyrion will lose his manhood. Tyrion is forced to quickly give in to the demands of his captor-followers (he’s still not sure which they are) and selects representatives from each clan to accompany him. As a parting jibe, he asks the remaining clansmen to try not to kill each other while he is gone. Tyrion dislikes having to work with the clans because they think everyone’s voice should be heard in council, which causes them to argue endlessly.

When they come to the first strongpoint, which Tyrion approaches alone, the captain recognizes Tyrion and gives them an escort. They travel past burned land and buildings. There are many carrion birds, although there are no bodies. When they arrive at the guarded camp containing hundreds of campfires, they are met by a party led by Ser [[Flement Brax]], who is surprised to see Tyrion. He tells Tyrion that his father has taken the [[inn at the crossroads]] as his headquarters, which Tyrion finds a fitting full-circle to his [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 28|unpleasant abduction]].

As they pass the many banners, Tyrion guesses that Chella’s count cannnot be far wrong. He also notes that his clansmen are awed, which pleases him; the more impressed they are by the power of [[House Lannister]] the easier they will be to control. When they arrive at the inn, Tyrion is pleased to see the body of the innkeepter [[Masha Heddle]] rotting in a gibbet. When the stableboys emerge hesitantly to take their horses, Shagga is suspicious but Tyrion is able to convince him. House guards at the door direct Tyrion to his father in the common room.

Lord Tywin Lannister is sharing ale with his brother, Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]. Kevan sees Tyrion first and expresses surprise, but Tywin only remarks that the rumors of his demise were unfounded. Tyrion tells his father that he is sorry to disappoint him, feeling uncomfortable with his deformities under his father’s gaze. He quickly covers his discomfort with a quip that he is thankful they started a war for his sake. His father takes the opportunity to chastise Tyrion for going meekly with [[Catelyn Stark|a woman]]; his brother [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] would not have gone without a fight. Tyrion replies that Jaime is also taller.

[[File:MagaliVilleneuve TywinLannister.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Lord Tywin Lannister of Casterly Rock]]

Lord Tywin then explains that Lannister honor demanded they go to war after Tyrion was captured. Tyrion asks them how that [[War of the Five Kings#War in the Riverlands|war]] is going. His father explains that Jaime has been covering himself in glory, [[battle in the hills below the Golden Tooth|smashing]] the forces of Lords [[Clement Piper|Piper]] and [[House Vance of Wayfarer's Rest|Vance]] at the [[Golden Tooth]] and pushing on to [[battle under the walls of Riverrun|defeat]] the main [[House Tully|Tully]] forces outside [[Riverrun]] and capture [[Edmure Tully]]. Lord [[Tytos Blackwood|Blackwood]] has fallen back to hold Riverrun against Jaime, but the other [[riverlands|river lords]] have dispersed to their own lands. Many of these lords have now fallen one by one to Lord Tywin’s army, leaving only the [[House Frey|Freys]] and [[House Mallister|Mallisters]] to oppose them. Lord Tywin in not concerned; he knows that [[Walder Frey]] will not bestir himself until the winner is clear and [[Jason Mallister]] lacks the strength to stand alone. The only real threat is that the [[House Stark|Starks]] or [[House Arryn|Arryns]] will interfere.

Tyrion tells them they need not worry about the Arryns, but the Starks are another matter. He is informed of [[Eddard Stark]]’s arrest and that [[Robb Stark]] has called the Stark banners. Tywin remains unperturbed, declaring that Robb is only a child. When Tyrion questions how [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] has convinced King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] to imprison his dear friend Ned, he learns that the king is dead and [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] now reigns. Tyrion immediately understands that his sister is the true ruler and knows that things will be very different.

Tyrion is then offered a command in the army: he is to handle [[Marq Piper]] and [[Karyl Vance]], who have been raiding Jaime’s supply trains across the [[Red Fork]], and [[Beric Dondarrion]], who has been harassing Tywin’s forging parties. Tyrion is not impressed with this command of perhaps 20 men, so he reveals to his father he has a promise to keep: weapons and armor for 3,000 clansmen and wagons to carry them.

Then the door opens with a crash as the Captain of the Guard flies across the room. Shagga stamps in, followed by the other clansmen. Lord Tywin coolly asks who they are and Tyrion explains that they followed him and he wants to keep them. The clansmen insist that free men have the right to sit on war councils. Once Tyrion has introduced the clansmen, he introduces his father, complete with all his titles. Lord Tywin claims that even in the [[westerlands]] they have heard of the prowess of the mountain clans, and asks what brings them here. The reply is horses, silk, and steel.

It is then that news arrives that Robb Stark’s host is coming down the [[kingsroad]]. Lord Tywin is pleased that he will be given such an easy chance to defeat House Stark so he can turn his attention towards [[Stannis Baratheon]]. He gives orders that Ser [[Addam Marbrand]] fall back to draw the northerners further south, harassing them along the way. After ordering the army assembled, Tywin compliments the clansmen’s fearless reputation and promises that if they fight for him he will provide them with all that Tyrion promised them and more. The clansmen insist that they are being promised what is already owed. Tywin quickly covers by claiming that his words were a courtesy and that his boldest knights fear to face the northerners. [[Timett]] takes the bait and declares that the [[Burned Men]] fear nothing. With the Burned Men agreeing, all the other clans agree, but only if Tyrion accompanies them into battle until the promises he made them are honored.

==External links==
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2011/10/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-game-of-thrones-part-27 Summary and analyses of the chapter] by Leigh Butler.
*[http://towerofthehand.com/books/101/057/index.html Summary of the chapter] on Tower of the Hand.

==References and Notes==
{{References|2}}
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Game of Thrones: Chapter 56]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Tyrion Lannister]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place by the Trident]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Crossroads Inn]]

[[fr:A Game of Thrones, Chapitre 57, Tyrion]]
[[pt:A Guerra dos Tronos - Capítulo 56]]
[[ru:Игра престолов, Тирион VII]]

A Game of Thrones-Chapter 56

2024-01-21T16:51:31Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter AGoT
| pov = [[Tyrion Lannister]]
| place = [[inn at the crossroads]]
| title = Tyrion VII
| page = 507
| previous = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 55|Catelyn VIII]]
| current = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 56|Tyrion VII]]
| next = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 57|Sansa V]]
| arc previous = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 42|Tyrion VI]]
| arc next = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 62|Tyrion VIII]]
}} __NOTOC__

[[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] meets [[Tywin Lannister|his father’s]] army at the [[inn at the crossroads]], escorted by 300 [[Vale mountain clans]]men. Tyrion and Lord Tywin are discussing their war plans when Tyrion’s clansmen burst in, but Tywin handles them coolly. When news arrives that [[Robb Stark]]’s host is advancing, Tywin offers rich rewards to the clansmen if they fight for him.

==Synopsis==
[[File:Sidharth Chaturvedi Tywin's FavorII.png|thumb|[[Tyrion Lannister]] with [[Kevan Lannister|Kevan]] and [[Tywin Lannister]], by Sidharth Chaturvedi © Fantasy Flight Games]]
[[Chella]] of the [[Black Ears]] is the one who locates [[Tywin Lannister|Lord Tywin]]’s army, which she deduces to be 20,000 men. [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] has gathered a force of over 300 [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clans]]men and [[Gunthor]] is collecting more. He wonders what his father will make of his little army, since he is not sure what to make of them himself.

Tyrion wants to meet his father without the clansmen, but [[Ulf]] expresses distrust and [[Shagga]] insists that he will go with the “boyman,” and if he lies Tyrion will lose his manhood. Tyrion is forced to quickly give in to the demands of his captor-followers (he’s still not sure which they are) and selects representatives from each clan to accompany him. As a parting jibe, he asks the remaining clansmen to try not to kill each other while he is gone. Tyrion dislikes having to work with the clans because they think everyone’s voice should be heard in council, which causes them to argue endlessly.

When they come to the first strongpoint, which Tyrion approaches alone, the captain recognizes Tyrion and gives them an escort. They travel past burned land and buildings. There are many carrion birds, although there are no bodies. When they arrive at the guarded camp containing hundreds of campfires, they are met by a party led by Ser [[Flement Brax]], who is surprised to see Tyrion. He tells Tyrion that his father has taken the [[inn at the crossroads]] as his headquarters, which Tyrion finds a fitting full-circle to his [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 28|unpleasant abduction]].

As they pass the many banners, Tyrion guesses that Chella’s count cannnot be far wrong. He also notes that his clansmen are awed, which pleases him; the more impressed they are by the power of [[House Lannister]] the easier they will be to control. When they arrive at the inn, Tyrion is pleased to see the body of the innkeepter [[Masha Heddle]] rotting in a gibbet. When the stableboys emerge hesitantly to take their horses, Shagga is suspicious but Tyrion is able to convince him. House guards at the door direct Tyrion to his father in the common room.

Lord Tywin Lannister is sharing ale with his brother, Ser [[Kevan Lannister]]. Kevan sees Tyrion first and expresses surprise, but Tywin only remarks that the rumors of his demise were unfounded. Tyrion tells his father that he is sorry to disappoint him, feeling uncomfortable with his deformities under his father’s gaze. He quickly covers his discomfort with a quip that he is thankful they started a war for his sake. His father takes the opportunity to chastise Tyrion for going meekly with [[Catelyn Stark|a woman]]; his brother [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] would not have gone without a fight. Tyrion replies that Jaime is also taller.

[[File:MagaliVilleneuve TywinLannister.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Lord Tywin Lannister of Casterly Rock]]

Lord Tywin then explains that Lannister honor demanded they go to war after Tyrion was captured. Tyrion asks them how that [[War of the Five Kings#War in the Riverlands|war]] is going. His father explains that Jaime has been covering himself in glory, [[battle in the hills below the Golden Tooth|smashing]] the forces of Lords [[Clement Piper|Piper]] and [[House Vance of Wayfarer's Rest|Vance]] at the [[Golden Tooth]] and pushing on to [[battle under the walls of Riverrun|defeat]] the main [[House Tully|Tully]] forces outside [[Riverrun]] and capture [[Edmure Tully]]. Lord [[Tytos Blackwood|Blackwood]] has fallen back to hold Riverrun against Jaime, but the other [[riverlands|river lords]] have dispersed to their own lands. Many of these lords have now fallen one by one to Lord Tywin’s army, leaving only the [[House Frey|Freys]] and [[House Mallister|Mallisters]] to oppose them. Lord Tywin in not concerned; he knows that [[Walder Frey]] will not bestir himself until the winner is clear and [[Jason Mallister]] lacks the strength to stand alone. The only real threat is that the [[House Stark|Starks]] or [[House Arryn|Arryns]] will interfere.

Tyrion tells them they need not worry about the Arryns, but the Starks are another matter. He is informed of [[Eddard Stark]]’s arrest and that [[Robb Stark]] has called the Stark banners. Tywin remains unperturbed, declaring that Robb is only a child. When Tyrion questions how [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] has convinced King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] to imprison his dear friend Ned, he learns that the king is dead and [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] now reigns. Tyrion immediately understands that his sister is the true ruler and knows that things will be very different.

Tyrion is then offered a command in the army: he is to handle [[Marq Piper]] and [[Karyl Vance]], who have been raiding Jaime’s supply trains across the [[Red Fork]], and [[Beric Dondarrion]], who has been harassing Tywin’s forging parties. Tyrion is not impressed with this command of perhaps 20 men, so he reveals to his father he has a promise to keep: weapons and armor for 3,000 clansmen and wagons to carry them.

Then the door opens with a crash as the Captain of the Guard flies across the room. Shagga stamps in, followed by the other clansmen. Lord Tywin coolly asks who they are and Tyrion explains that they followed him and he wants to keep them. The clansmen insist that free men have the right to sit on war councils. Once Tyrion has introduced the clansmen, he introduces his father, complete with all his titles. Lord Tywin claims that even in the [[westerlands]] they have heard of the prowess of the mountain clans, and asks what brings them here. The reply is horses, silk, and steel.

It is then that news arrives that Robb Stark’s host is coming down the [[kingsroad]]. Lord Tywin is pleased that he will be given such an easy chance to defeat House Stark so he can turn his attention towards [[Stannis Baratheon]]. He gives orders that Ser [[Addam Marbrand]] fall back to draw the northerners further south, harassing them along the way. After ordering the army assembled, Tywin compliments the clansmen’s fearless reputation and promises that if they fight for him he will provide them with all that Tyrion promised them and more. The clansmen insist that they are being promised what is already owed. Tywin quickly covers by claiming that his words were a courtesy and that his boldest knights fear to face the northerners. [[Timett]] takes the bait and declares that the [[Burned Men]] fear nothing. With the Burned Men agreeing, all the other clans agree, but only if Tyrion accompanies them into battle until the promises he made them are honored.

==External links==
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2011/10/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-game-of-thrones-part-27 Summary and analyses of the chapter] by Leigh Butler.
*[http://towerofthehand.com/books/101/057/index.html Summary of the chapter] on Tower of the Hand.

==References and Notes==
{{References|2}}
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Game of Thrones: Chapter 56]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Tyrion Lannister]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place by the Trident]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Crossroads Inn]]

[[fr:A Game of Thrones, Chapitre 57, Tyrion]]
[[pt:A Guerra dos Tronos - Capítulo 56]]
[[ru:Игра престолов, Тирион VII]]

A Game of Thrones-Chapter 67

2024-01-21T16:48:36Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter AGoT
| pov = [[Sansa Stark]]
| place = [[King's Landing]]
| title = Sansa VI
| page = 620
| previous = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 66|Bran VII]]
| current = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 67|Sansa VI]]
| next = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 68|Daenerys IX]]
| arc previous = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 57|Sansa VI]]
| arc next =''A Clash of Kings'' [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 2|Sansa I]]
}} __NOTOC__

[[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] is in a depression after the execution of [[Eddard Stark|her father]]. [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] arrives to browbeat her into attending him in court. After court, Joffrey takes her to the ramparts to see the heads of her father and household. For a fleeting moment, Sansa has the opportunity to push Joffrey off the wall, but it disappears too soon.

==Synopsis==
[[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] stays in her room in [[Red Keep#Maegor’s Holdfast|Maegor’s Holdfast]], sleeping, sobbing, and sleeping again. She does not eat the food the servants bring. When she dreams, she relives [[Eddard Stark|her father’s]] beheading. She remembers wanting to look away, but not being able to. She remembers that all the people were screaming and she remembers [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] smiling and feeling safe until he said those words.

Sansa believes she will be executed and the thought does not bother her; she knows songs will be sung about her. She even considers throwing herself from her window, but cannot summon the courage and runs back to her bed sobbing. She dreams of footsteps that belong to Ser [[Ilyn Payne]] coming for her with [[Ice]]. In the dreams, when Ser Ilyn is at her door she realizes she is naked, and covers herself and screams out that she will be good.

Finally, Joffrey arrives with [[Sandor Clegane|the Hound]] and two others of the [[Kingsguard]]. Joffrey throws the curtains of the bed open and tells her that she will attend him in court that afternoon. Sansa begs him to leave her be, but Joffrey threatens to have his Hound force her. When she does not move, he orders the Hound to get her out of bed. She struggles as her blankets fall away to show that she only wears a thin bed gown. The Hound then tells her “Do as you are bid, child; dress.” He pushes her to the wardrobe almost gently.

She tells Joffrey that she did as she was asked and now only wants to go [[Winterfell|home]]. Joffrey tells her that he is still to marry her, so she will stay here. She responds that she does not want to marry him because he killed her father despite promising mercy. Joffrey insists he was merciful: he gave her father a clean death. Sansa now truly sees Joffrey for the first time, and cannot believe she ever found him handsome. Sansa whispers that she hates him. Joffrey tells her that his mother has said he should not strike his wife, so he orders Ser [[Meryn Trant]] to strike her with the back of his gloved fist. Sansa sprawls to the floor, her ear bloody. She agrees to attend court and everyone but the Hound leaves. The Hound tells her that she should save herself some pain and give Joffrey what he wants: she is to smile, smell sweet, and be his lady love.

Two maids creep timidly into the chamber. Sansa instructs them to prepare a bath and to get powder to hide the bruise on her face. She is amazed at how dirty her bathwater becomes, not having washed since her father’s execution. She chooses the green silk gown she wore at the [[Tourney of the Hand]] when Joffrey was sweet to her—maybe he will remember and be gentle.

Ser Meryn escorts her to the throne room. From her observation of Ser Meryn, Sansa realizes that he feels nothing towards her; she is only an object. Sansa tells Ser Meryn that he is no true knight, which she thinks the Hound would find amusing, but she gets no reaction.

She is alone on the balcony as Joffrey dispenses what he considers justice. Mostly he lets his [[small council]] make the decisions, but when he intervenes he will not be dissuaded. She sees the ugly face of [[Janos Slynt]] at the council table and remembers how he threw down her father for Ser Ilyn to behead. She also notices how he nods approvingly at each of Joffrey’s brutal judgements. She wishes some hero would cut off his head but knows there are no heroes, remembering [[Petyr Baelish]] telling her that life is not a song. Sansa thinks “In life, the monsters win.” The last case is a singer accused of singing a song ridiculing King [[Robert Baratheon]]. He is made to sing the song before the court and Sansa thinks it is funny; in some verses it seems like he is singing about the queen. Joffrey gives the man the option of keeping his fingers or his tongue.

When the court is dismissed, Sansa flees the balcony only to be met by Joffrey, Ser Meryn, and the Hound. Joffrey examines her and tells her she looks much better. Sansa thanks him with hollow words. Joffrey then tells her to walk with him—the touch of his hand now makes her skin crawl. He asks her what she will get him for his coming name day, but Sansa admits that she was unaware it was near. Joffrey tells her that she is truly a stupid girl, and that his mother has said so and is worried their children will be stupid as well. Despite her expectations, the words still hurt Sansa and she realizes that the Hound was right: she is “only a little bird, repeating the words they taught her.” Joffrey then tells her that he will get her with child as soon as possible, and if the child is stupid, she will lose her head and he will find a smarter wife. He asks when she can have children and she tells him, not being able to look at him, that Septa [[Mordane]] told her twelve or thirteen.

[[File:Daarken Make an Example.JPG|thumb|Eddard's impaled head at the Red Keep, illustrated by Daarken © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Sansa now realizes they are going up onto the battlements and begs not to go there. Joffrey insists that he wants to show her how traitors are punished. He also threatens to have Ser Meryn drag her if she refuses. The Hound encourages her to go and Sansa realizes that one way or the other she must go up, so she goes willingly. It seems like she climbs a thousand steps to the top. Sansa looks out across the city to the countryside beyond and lets her imagination cross the hundreds of leagues north to her home in Winterfell. Joffrey demands to know what she is looking at and instructs her to look at the heads of her father, her septa, and a dozen more. Her father’s head does not look recognizable or even real. Sansa decides that they can make her look, but they cannot make her see. Joffrey is disappointed by Sansa’s hollow and stoic reaction.

Sansa cannot understand why they would kill Septa Mordane, but Joffrey insists she was a traitor as well. He asks again what Sansa will give him for his name day as a preamble to declaring that instead he will bring Sansa the head of her traitor brother [[Robb Stark|Robb]]. Joffrey explains that Robb used treachery and deceit to defeat his [[Jaime Lannister|Uncle Jaime]]. Sansa suggests that Robb may give her Joffrey’s head. This mistake results in two harder blows by Ser Meryn. Joffrey commands her to clean off the blood.

For a fleeting moment, Sansa realizes that it would only take a shove to send Joffrey over the parapet to splatter far below. Just as suddenly, the moment is gone when the Hound comes between her and Joffrey to dab the blood from her broken lip with surprising gentleness. She thanks the Hound; she is a good girl and remembers her courtesies.

==Character List==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:33;" |
'''Appearing:'''
*[[Sansa Stark]]
*[[Pycelle]]
*[[Joffrey Baratheon]]
*[[Sandor Clegane]]
*[[Meryn Trant]]
*[[Arys Oakheart]]
| style="width:33;" |
'''Appearing:'''
*[[Petyr Baelish]]
*[[Cersei Lannister]]
*[[Janos Slynt]]
*[[Eddard Stark]] (dead)
*[[Mordane|Septa Mordane]] (dead)
| style="width:33;" |
'''Mentioned:'''
*[[Ilyn Payne]]
*[[Robert Baratheon]]
*[[Stannis Baratheon]]
*[[Renly Baratheon]]
*[[Robb Stark]]
|}

==External links==
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2011/11/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-game-of-thrones-part-32 Summary and analyses of the chapter] by Leigh Butler.
*[http://blogoficeandfire.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/sansa-daenerys.html Humorous review of the chapter]
*[http://towerofthehand.com/books/101/068/index.html Summary of the chapter] on Tower of the Hand.

==References and Notes==
{{References|2}}
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Game of Thrones: Chapter 67]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Sansa Stark]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Red Keep]]

[[es:Juego de Tronos-Capítulo 67]]
[[fr:A Game of Thrones, Chapitre 68, Sansa]]
[[pt:A Guerra dos Tronos - Capítulo 67]]
[[ru:Игра престолов, Санса VI]]

A Clash of Kings-Prologue

2024-01-21T16:44:30Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ACfK
| pov = Maester [[Cressen]]
| place = [[Dragonstone]]
| title = Prologue
| page = 1
| previous = [[A Game of Thrones-Appendix|Appendix]]
| current = [[A Clash of Kings-Prologue|Prologue]]
| next = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 1|Arya I]]
| arc previous =
| arc next =
}}

Maester [[Cressen]] broods on the omens all around him on [[Dragonstone]]. When news arrives that the [[Stormlands|storm lords]] will not support [[Stannis Baratheon]]’s quest for the [[Iron Throne]], Cressen comes into conflict with Queen [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]] and the red priestess [[Melisandre]] over what course to take. In a desperate attempt to kill Melisandre, Cressen shares poison wine with her, but dies while she remains unaffected.

==Synopsis==
[[File:Rafal Hrynkiewicz Maester Cressen.png|thumb|280px|left|Maester Cressen - by artist Rafal Hrynkiewicz . © Fantasy Flight Games. ]]

Maester [[Cressen]] watches from his balcony as the [[red comet]] spreads across the dawn over [[Dragonstone]] like a wound in the sky. The feeble 80-year-old chides himself for considering it an omen, yet he has never seen a comet so bright nor of that color. It is even visible during the day now. At the same time, hot steam has begun to issue from vents beneath the Dragonmont volcano, and a [[white raven]] has arrived from the [[Citadel]], declaring the end of the longest summer in living memory (10 years, two turns and 16 days); too many omens to deny. It is enough to make any man believe in omens, but the old [[maester]] cannot decide what they might mean.

Cressen’s eventual successor Maester [[Pylos]] interrupts his thoughts with word that Princess [[Shireen Baratheon|Shireen]] wishes to see the white raven. The title “princess” is a new appellation for the young girl, now that her father, [[Stannis Baratheon]], is a king. Cressen bids Pylos to show her in. The shy princess enters, followed by her shuffling fool [[Patchface]], who wears a mock helm made from a bucket with antlers and cowbells. Perhaps once Patchface was a good fool, but now he has lost his wits and is incoherent as often as not. Only Shireen laughs at his antics or cares about him at all. Shireen’s face is unattractive even discounting the disfigurement from a bout of [[greyscale]] that nearly claimed her life as an infant. Shireen asks to see the white raven, and the maester will not deny her since she has been denied too much during her life of almost ten years. She is the saddest child the maester has ever known and he considers her another mark of his failures.

While Pylos goes to fetch the white raven, Cressen thinks how the solemn 25-year-old Pylos is not a good match for Dragonstone because grim places need lightening. However, a maester does not choose his post, and Cressen recalls coming to Dragonstone himself 12 years ago with his lord, though he never liked it here and never considered it home. Of late, when he wakes from restless nightmares of the [[Melisandre|red woman]], Cressen often does not know where he is.

Cressen asks Shireen why she is up so early. The girl explains that she had nightmares of dragons coming to eat her. The maester remembers that she has always had nightmares. Thinking of the many dragon-inspired statues and buildings of Dragonstone, Cressen attempts to comfort her by explaining that Dragonstone was once the westernmost outpost of the ancient Freehold of [[Valyria]]. The dragon towers were created to make the fortress seem more formidable. He explains that the Valryians had long-forgotten ways of shaping stone and used them to make the thousands of stone dragons on the island. Shireen is unconvinced, telling him that the red woman says the thing in the sky is dragon’s breath. Cressen explains that it is only a comet and will be gone soon.

[[File:Whiteraven.jpg|thumb|300px|left|A white raven - by Alberto Aprea ©FFG]]

Shireen states that her mother says the white raven means it is not summer any more, and the maester confirms that it is true. He then goes on to tell her about the white ravens, and how the Citadel has determined that summer is over. Cressen says that it is hoped that there will be a warm autumn with bountiful harvests. He knows that a long summer is said to bring a long winter, but does not want to frighten the child. When she asks if it will snow, the maester says it will, but he prays it will not be for years yet. Then, Pylos returns with the white raven, and the maester introduces the raven to Shireen. Shireen is delighted to learn that it can speak.

Patchface begins to sing, “The shadows came to dance, my lord, dance my lord, dance my lord,” hopping from one foot to the other, “The shadows came to stay, my lord, stay my lord, stay my lord.” He jerks his head with each word, and his bells make a clangor. Shireen declares that Patchface has been singing that song often lately and it scares her. She asks the maester to make him stop. Cressen thinks back to how the old Lord [[Steffon Baratheon]] found the fool in [[Volantis]] while seeking a wife for [[Rhaegar Targaryen]]. Upon their return journey, within sight of [[Storm's End|home]], their ship sank, killing everyone aboard. Patchface was washed up on the shore three days later, naked, cold, and clammy. They took him for dead, but then he coughed up water and survived, albeit broken in mind and body, hardly capable of speech let alone wit. Many suggested that it would be kindest for Cressen to let the mad boy die, but he refused, and now he wonders at that decision. Cressen assures Shireen that Patchface is just rambling and does not comprehend any of what he says.

Pylos, who went to fetch Cressen’s breakfast, returns to inform him that Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] returned during the night and has been with Stannis most of the night. Cressen complains that he should have been notified, as it is his duty to advise the king. Asking pardons of Shireen, the old man has Pylos help him hobble with his bad hips to the Stone Drum, the main keep of Dragonstone. He passes windows from which he can see 3,000 men in the camp outside the wall, and the anchorage filled with ships since no ship that has come within sight of Dragonstone has been allowed to leave.

[[File:Davos Seaworth.jpg|thumb|160px|right|Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight - by Amoka©]]

Once inside the Stone Drum, Cressen leaves Pylos, stating he wants to see Stannis alone. As he ascends the stairs he regrets leaving Pylos. He meets Ser Davos coming down the stairs. Davos reveals that his mission as envoy to the [[Stormlands]] has been a failure. It is as Cressen warned: the lords sworn to [[Storm's End]] have no love for Stannis and will not support his claim. Instead, they have joined with the lords of the [[Reach]] in supporting Stannis’ younger brother, [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]].

News of Renly claiming the crown leads Cressen to worry for the youngest [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]]. When Ser Davos mentions that Renly has instituted a [[Rainbow Guard|new Kingsguard]], Cressen recalls that Renly was always fond of games and rich bright fabrics as a child. “Look at me, I’m a dragon,” and “Look at me, I’m a wizard,” the boy was always shouting. Cressen sees Renly’s bid to be king as no more than another game: “Look at me, I’m a king!”

Cressen asks Davos if he could bring Stannis any hope, but Davos insists that the only hope he could bring would have been the false sort. This leads Cressen to recall that Ser Davos was once a notorious smuggler who sailed a black ship past a [[House Redwyne|Redwyne]] blockade in the dead of night to deliver onions and salt fish to Stannis’ starving garrison during the [[Siege of Storm's End]]. It allowed them to survive until Lord [[Eddard Stark]] could lift the siege. Stannis knighted Davos for his deed. However, as punishment for his past misdeeds, Stannis himself cut short all the fingers on Davos’ left hand save the thumb; Davos had insisted that Stannis do the cutting. Cressen realizes that a man like that would give no false hope to Stannis. Ser Davos declares that if Stannis marches on [[King's Landing]] now, as is his intent, with so small an army it will only be to die. Cressen responds that Davos has done all he can and that it is now his turn.

[[File:Dragonstone Chamber of the Painted Table by Kim Pope.jpg|thumb|370px|left|The Chamber of the Painted Table – by Kim Pope]]

Cressen finds Stannis in the top room of the keep, looking down at the [[Painted Table]], which is shaped as a detailed map of the continent of [[Westeros]]. Stannis greets him with the statement that he knew Cressen would come even without a summons. He says that Cressen is now old and needs his sleep, and that he would have learned what Davos knew on his own anyway. Talk between the maester and the king quickly turns into a rant by Stannis about how the [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]] birthright of Storm’s End, the Stormlands, and its income should have passed to him rather than Renly when their brother [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] assumed the [[Iron Throne]]. Stannis did not want Dragonstone, but when his brother commanded it, he occupied it and built his brother’s fleets. It is an old grievance made new by the fact that Dragonstone, ancient and strong though it is, commands the allegiance of only a handful of lesser lords whose stony island holdings are too thinly occupied to supply the men that Stannis needs to seize his rightful throne.

Cressen explains that Robert did him an injustice, but gave him lordship of Dragonstone because a man’s strength was needed to hold it and Renly was just a boy. Stannis declares that Renly is ''still'' a boy, a thieving child who has never done anything to deserve the throne. Stannis wonders aloud why the gods inflicted him with brothers. Then he asks about the advice Renly gets from his maester, but Cressen doubts that Renly would seek council; Renly is bold and heedless, much like Robert.

When Stannis asks what he is to tell the few anxious bannermen he does command, Maester Cressen reminds him that [[House Lannister]] is his true enemy and suggests that he join with Renly to defeat them. Stannis flatly refuses. Cressen yields immediately and suggests a partnership with the new [[King in the North]], [[Robb Stark]], who commands all the power of [[Winterfell]] and [[Riverrun]]. Stannis again refuses, claiming that Robb is a green boy and another false king that seeks to steal half of his kingdom. Cressen suggests that half a realm is better than none and that Robb may even submit in exchange for help in avenging his father, but Stannis remains adamant and launches into another rant about the slights he received at the hands of his brother Robert:

{{Quote|“Why should I avenge Eddard Stark? The man was nothing to me. Oh, '''Robert''' loved him, to be sure. Loved him as a brother, how often did I hear that? I was his brother, not Ned Stark, but you would never have known by the way he treated me. I held [[Storm's End]] for him, watching good men starve while [[Mace Tyrell]] and [[Paxter Redwyne]] feasted within sight of my walls. Did Robert thank me? No. He thanked '''Stark''', for lifting the siege when we were down to rats and radishes. I built a fleet at Robert’s command, took Dragonstone in his name. Did he ever take my hand and say, '''Well done, brother, whatever should I do without you?''' No, he blamed me for letting [[Willem Darry]] steal away [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] and [[Daenerys Targaryen|the babe]], as if I could have stopped it. I sat on his council for fifteen years, helping [[Jon Arryn]] rule his realm while Robert drank and whored, but when Jon died, did my brother name me his [[Hand of the King|Hand]]? No, he went galloping off to his dear friend Ned Stark, and offered him the honor. And small good it did either of them.”}}

[[File:Stannis by Giliberti.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Stannis Baratheon – by M.Luisa Giliberti©]]

Cressen then proposes a marriage pact between Shireen and young [[Robert Arryn]]. Stannis dismisses the possibility of bringing the weak and sickly Robert to Dragonstone, as planned before Lord Arryn’s death, because [[Lysa Arryn]] is paranoid and hides him in the [[Eyrie]]. Cressen urges him to send Shireen and her fool to the Eyrie instead—Dragonstone is a grim home for a child. Stannis now agrees that it is worth a try.

Then Stannis’ wife, Queen [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]], arrives to argue that Stannis should not have to beg or bargain for help; they all owe their allegiance to him as the true king. Queen Selyse has been entirely converted to the worship of the foreign god [[R'hllor]] by the red priestess [[Melisandre]] of [[Asshai]]. Stannis tells her he needs swords, and asks whether she has an army. She replies that [[House Florent]] can provide an army, but Stannis retorts that they can only provide 2,000 men, and are too close to [[Highgarden]]. The queen proclaims that the [[Red Comet|comet]] is an omen from the Lord of Light that He will aid Stannis in his conquest. Stannis, who does not share his wife’s newfound faith, questions how many men the Red God will deliver him. Selyse insists that R’hllor will provide all the power of [[Highgarden]] and [[Storm's End]]. Stannis reminds her that those men now support Renly. Selyse agrees, but suggests that if Renly should die, his army would join Stannis. She then notes that Melisandre has looked into the flames and seen Renly dead. Cressen is horrified by the notion and pleads that fratricide is evil. Stannis declares that he has heard Cressen’s advice and will now hear hers, and sends the aged maester away.

By the time Cressen joins Pylos at the bottom of the steps, he can hardly stand erect, and needs to be helped back to his rooms. There, Cressen contemplates his options. He raised Robert, Stannis, and Renly after their father died, and cannot watch one kill the other. He knows that everything Queen Selyse said has been preached to her by Melisandre, the red priestess. It is she who must be silenced before she can convert King Stannis to her evil schemes and spread her mad religion beyond Dragonstone.

Therefore, Cressen goes to a small workroom under the rookery stair and retrieves a small vial of purple crystals, a poison known in Westeros only as [[the Strangler]]. Dissolved in wine, one of the small crystals is enough to cause the victim's throat muscles to constrict more tightly than any fist, making it impossible for the victim to breathe. Cressen plans to put one in Lady Melisandre’s drink at the feast Stannis is holding for his bannermen tonight. He knows it is a dreadful thing he is planning, but surely the gods will forgive him. As he lays down for a nap, Cressen wonders if the comet is his, foreboding murder.

[[File:Melisandre by mrgotland.png|320px|thumb|Melisandre giving the poisoned cup to Maester Cressen by [http://mrgotland.deviantart.com/ mrgotland]©]]

Hours later, Cressen wakes to discover he has overslept and is late for the feast. He calls for Pylos, who should have awoken him, but Pylos does not come, so he has to shout for the servants. As he crosses the long gallery, the comet outside the windows looks malevolent to him, but he thinks he should not fear. When he enters the great hall, he finds Stannis and his bannermen have begun without him. As Cressen crosses the room, Patchface the fool lurches into him while singing the same song from the morning and they both fall to the floor. Face-to-face with Cressen, the fool says “Under the sea you fall up, I know, I know.”

Cressen is too feeble to rise on his own, but fortunately strong hands lift him to his feet. When he turns to thank the knight he believes helped him, he comes face-to-face with Lady Melisandre herself, clothed in red silk with red eyes. The red priestess mockingly advises him to mind his steps, intoning her religion's prayer, “For the night is dark and full of terrors.” Cressen insists that only children fear the dark. Melisandre gives him a riddle, “A clever fool and a foolish wise man”, and places Patchface’s ridiculous antlered helm upon Cressen’s head, telling him “A crown to match your chain, Lord Maester.” All around him, Cressen hears laughter. He removes the crown, fighting his rage. He tells her he needs no crown but truth, to which Melisandre replies that some truths are not taught in Old Town.

When he reaches the high table, Cressen sees that Stannis has given his accustomed seat to Pylos. When questioned why he did not wake him, Pylos blushes and states he was told to let Cressen rest and that Cressen was not needed here. Cressen looks at the gaudy knights and captains: aged and sour Lord [[Ardrian Celtigar]], handsome Lord [[Monford Velaryon]], plump 14-year-old Lord [[Duram Bar Emmon]], homely Ser [[Axell Florent]], pious Lord [[Guncer Sunglass]], and the Lysene captain [[Salladhor Saan]]. Only Ser Davos Seaworth is simply dressed. Melisandre sits to Stannis’ right, in the place of high honor. Of all the lords, only Davos will meet his gaze, with pity in his eyes.

Stannis declares that Pylos will now assume all of Cressen's duties, insisting that Cressen is too ill and confused to be of use to him any longer. Cressen cannot believe it is Stannis’s voice that states this. Cressen is heartbroken by the rejection, remembering how he was the one that loved Stannis as a boy, perhaps because Stannis was the one who was unloved. Cressen accepts and meekly pleads for some place at the table, though he still feels he belongs at Stannis’ side. Of all the assembled lords, only Ser Davos offers him a seat.

[[File:J. Edwin Stevens Maester Cressen.jpg|thumb|left|Maester Cressen using the [[strangler]], by J. Edwin Stevens © Fantasy Flight Games]]
As Patchface continues to caper about, Ser Davos comments that they should wear motley, since they are about fool’s business: Melisandre has seen victory in her flames and so Stannis plans to press his claim, no matter the numbers. Cressen urges Stannis a final time to ally himself with Robb Stark or Lysa Arryn, but Queen Selyse insists that R’hllor is the only ally Stannis needs. Cressen replies that gods make uncertain allies, and here R'hllor has no power. Melisandre tells him that if he believes that he should put Patchface’s crown back on, and Queen Selyse commands thus. Stannis grudgingly orders the fool to give the crown to Cressen. After the fool places the crown on Cressen’s head, Selyse suggests that Cressen sing. Stannis refuses and declares that Cressen has served him well.

Suddenly, Cressen sees the opportunity to poison Melisandre. He is close to Davos’ cup, which he takes and slips a crystal into. He is sure only Davos notices. Cressen proposes to Melisandre that they share a cup of wine to toast to her god’s power. She agrees. Davos tries to stop him, but Cressen insists he is doing what he must for the sake of the realm and his lord’s soul. Before they drink, Melisandre gives him the opportunity to back out, but Cressen refuses. Melisandre drinks most of the cup, leaving only a small amount for Cressen. Cressen pushes away his fear and drinks as well. The ruby at Melisandre’s throat glows as she insists that her god R’hllor does have power. Cressen tries to reply, but his throat has already begun to constrict. Unaffected by the poison, Melisandre looks on with pity as Cressen collapses and dies.

==Character List==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:60;" |
'''Appearing:'''
{{Columns|2|
*[[Ardrian Celtigar]]
*[[Axell Florent]]
*[[Cressen]]
*[[Davos Seaworth]]
*[[Duram Bar Emmon]]
*[[Guncer Sunglass]]
*[[Melisandre]]
*[[Monford Velaryon]]
*[[Patchface]]
*[[Pylos]]
*[[Salladhor Saan]]
*[[Selyse Florent]]
*[[Shireen Baratheon]]
*[[Stannis Baratheon]]
}}
| style="width:20;" |
'''Mentioned:'''
{{Columns|3|
*[[Aegon I Targaryen]]
*[[Aerys II Targaryen]]
*[[Alester Florent]]
*[[Beric Dondarrion]]
*[[Bryce Caron]]
*[[Cassana Estermont]]
*[[Cersei Lannister]]
*[[Daenerys Targaryen]]
*[[Dalla (Dragonstone)]]
*[[Eddard Stark]]
*[[Gulian Swann]]
*[[Harbert]]
*[[Jommy]]
*[[Jon Arryn]]
*[[Jurne]]
*[[Loras Tyrell]]
*[[Lord Penrose]]
*[[Lysa Tully]]
*[[Mace Tyrell]]
*[[Matrice]]
*[[Morosh (admiral)|Morosh the Myrman]]
*[[Paxter Redwyne]]
*[[Petyr Baelish]]
*[[Renly Baratheon]]
*[[Rhaegar Targaryen]]
*[[Robb Stark]]
*[[Robert I Baratheon]]
*[[Steffon Baratheon]]
*[[Viserys Targaryen]]
*[[Willem Darry]]}}
|}

==Places and terms mentioned==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:20;" |
'''Places:'''
{{Columns|2|
*[[Asshai]]
*[[Blackwater Rush]]
*[[Braavos]]
*[[Cape Wrath]]
*[[Chamber of the Painted Table]]
*[[Citadel]]
*[[Dragonmont]]
*[[Dragonstone]]
*[[Dragonstone (island)]]
*The [[Eyrie]]
*The [[Great Hall]]
*[[Jade Sea]]
*[[Highgarden]]
*[[King's Landing]]
*[[Lys]]
*[[Myr]]
*[[Narrow Sea]]
*[[Oldtown]]
*[[Riverrun]]
*[[Sea Dragon Tower]]
*[[Seven Kingdoms]]
*[[Shipbreaker Bay]]
*[[Stone Drum]]
*[[Storm's End]]
*[[Summer Isles]]
*[[Valyria]]
*[[Volantis]]
*[[Winterfell]]}}
| style="width:30;" |
'''Terms:'''
{{Columns|2|
*[[Bannerman]]
*[[Castellan]]
*[[Conclave]]
*[[Dragon]]
*[[Faceless Men]]
*[[Fool]]
*[[Greyscale]]
*[[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]]
*[[King in the North]]
*[[Kingsguard]]
*[[Knight]]
*[[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]]
*[[Lord of Dragonstone]]
*[[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]
*[[Maester]]
*[[Poison]]
*[[Rainbow Guard]]
*[[Raven]]
*[[Red comet]]
*[[R'hllor]]
*[[Sellsword]]
*[[Faith of the Seven#The Seven|The Seven]]
*[[Small Council]]
*[[Smallfolk]]
*[[Valyrian Freehold]]
*[[White raven]]
*[[Wyvern]]}}
|}

==Houses, objects and events mentioned==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:40;" |
'''Houses:'''
{{Columns|2|
*[[House Baratheon]]
*[[House Bar Emmon]]
*[[House Celtigar]]
*[[House Florent]]
*[[House Lannister]]
*[[House Redwyne]]
*[[House Seaworth]]
*[[House Targaryen]]
*[[House Tarth]]
*[[House Tyrell]]
*[[House Velaryon]]}}
| style="width:30;" |
'''Objects:'''
*''[[Fury]]''
*The [[Iron Throne]]
*[[Melisandre's ruby]]
*The [[Painted Table]]
*''[[Windproud]]''
| style="width:30;" |
'''Events:'''
*[[Aegon's Conquest]]
*[[Siege of Storm's End]]
|}

==References==
* [http://blogoficeandfire.blogspot.com/2010/01/prologue-arya.html Humorous review of the chapter]
* [http://slynt.blogspot.com/2011/02/re-read-clash-of-kings-prologue-part-ii.html Review of the 2nd part of the chapter in the course of a 10th reread]
* [http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/01/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-clash-of-kings-part-1 Review and summary] by Leigh Butler.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Clash of Kings: Chapter 00]]
[[Category:Prologues and epilogues|Clash of Kings Prologue]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in Dragonstone]]
[[Category:Chapters with the POV of Maester Cressen]]

[[es:Choque de Reyes-Prólogo]]
[[fr:A Clash of Kings, Chapitre 01, Prélude]]
[[zh:列王的纷争-序章]]
[[pt:A Fúria dos Reis - Prólogo]]

A Clash of Kings-Chapter 8

2024-01-21T16:39:56Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ACfK
| pov = [[Tyrion Lannister]]
| place = [[King's Landing]]
| title = Tyrion II
| page = 90
| previous = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 7|Catelyn I]]
| current = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 8|Tyrion II]]
| next = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 9|Arya III]]
| arc previous = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 3|Tyrion I]]
| arc next = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 15|Tyrion III]]
}}
__NOTOC__
[[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] dines with Lord [[Janos Slynt]]. They discuss the murder of King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]]'s [[Barra|bastard daughter]], [[Eddard Stark]]’s execution, and candidates for Commander of the [[City Watch of King's Landing|City Watch]]. Tyrion then has Slynt taken into custody to join the [[Night's Watch]]. Afterward, he discusses the same topics with [[Varys]].

==Synopsis==
[[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] offers more wine to his dinner guest, Lord [[Janos Slynt]]. The butcher’s son accepts and asks if the wine is from the [[Arbor]]. Tyrion replies that the wine is actually an uncommonly rich [[Dorne|Dornish]] vintage. Slynt compliments Tyrion’s gift for words, calling him a lord, but Tyrion points out that Slynt is the true lord and a simple “Tyrion” will suffice. He notes that Slynt does not sip his wine and is so drunk he dribbles onto his fine clothes. Unlike Slynt, Tyrion has gone easy on the wine but certainly not the food, since one of his first acts as [[Hand of the King|Hand]] was to hire the finest cook in the city. Slynt is very impressed with the food and says perhaps he will hire Tyrion’s cook to serve him at [[Harrenhal]]. Tyrion quips that wars have been fought over less.

[[File:Borja Pindado janosslynt.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Janos Slynt - by Borja Pindado ©FFG]]

Tyrion declares Slynt a bold man to take a grim and allegedly cursed place like Harrenhal as his seat. Slynt dismisses the superstition and insists it takes a bold man to rise as he and Tyrion have. Tyrion refills Slynt’s cup as he asks about Slynt’s list of proposed successors as Commander of the [[City Watch of King’s Landing|City Watch]]. Slynt opines that he would choose [[Allar Deem]], whom he describes as a good and loyal man. Tyrion says he is considering Ser [[Jacelyn Bywater]], a distinguished knight whose name does not appear on Slynt’s list. Slynt argues that Bywater is rigid and thinks overmuch of himself and his honor, insisting that Allar Deem is the one Tyrion wants. Tyrion remarks that Allar Deem is little loved in the streets, but Slynt insists he is feared, which is better. Tyrion brings up that Deem killed a young whore and her [[Barra|infant daughter]]. Slynt explains that only the child was supposed to die, but the mother got in the way. He says he chose Deem because Deem is a hard man who always follows orders and never speaks of it afterward. Tyrion asks who ordered Slynt to kill the whore's bastard, but Slynt insists he prides himself on being as tight-lipped as Allar Deem.

Tyrion suggests that [[Jeor Mormont]], [[Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch]], could use men like Slynt and Deem, but Slynt responds that there is small chance of that. Tyrion points out that life takes queer turns, as it did with [[Eddard Stark]], who never imagined he would die on the steps of [[Great Sept of Baelor|Baelor’s Sept]]. Slynt laughs that few did and confirms that even [[Varys]] was surprised. Slynt also confirms the execution was King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]]’s decision, and seems confused when Tyrion points out [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] planned to allow Stark to take the black.

Tyrion comments on Slynt’s new bloody spear sigil, and asks if Slynt drove the spear into Eddard Stark’s back himself or if he only gave the command. Angered, Slynt insists Stark was a traitor who tried to buy him. Tyrion replies, “Little dreaming that you had already been sold.” Slynt declares he will not have his honor questioned, but Tyrion retorts that Slynt has no honor, though he does admit a spear thrust in the back is a good bargain for a lordship and a castle. Slynt rises and demands what right Tyrion has to chastise him. Tyrion points out that Slynt knows exactly who he is and should thank the gods he does not have to deal with Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] instead.

[[File:Jacelyn Bywater.jpg|thumb|270px|right|Ser Jacelyn Bywater – by Patrick McEvoy ©FFG]]

Tyrion declares Slynt’s two [[Jothos Slynt|younger]] [[Danos Slynt|sons]] will become squires and the [[Morros Slynt|eldest]] will inherit his title and sufficient lands, but not Harrenhal. Then Tyrion explains that the carrack ''[[Summer's Dream]]'' will take Slynt to [[the Wall]], where he is to join the [[Night's Watch]] and give Tyrion’s regards to Lord Commander Mormont. Enraged, Slynt declares he has powerful friends like King Joffrey, [[Petyr Baelish|Littlefinger]], and Queen Cersei; perhaps Tyrion will be the one banished to [[the Wall]].

As Slynt throws open the door to leave, he comes face to face with Ser Jacelyn Bywater, whom Tyrion introduces as the new commander of the City Watch. As six gold cloaks usher Slynt away, Tyrion hands Slynt’s list of successors to Bywater and asks him to see they accompany Slynt to [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]], adding that it would not be taken amiss if Allar Deem was swept overboard.

Soon after, Varys glides into the hall to praise Tyrion’s actions. Tyrion comments that he is tempted to do Varys the same as Deem. Varys replies that Tyrion might be disappointed: the storms come and go, but he keeps on paddling. Tyrion accuses the eunuch of concealing that Cersei sent gold cloaks to kill King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]]’s bastards. Varys asks forgiveness, but Tyrion refuses, angry that he must make a show of punishing the likes of Slynt and Deem while his sister continues on her savage course.

Tyrion insists Varys tell him everything he knows from now on, but Varys only says he knows quite a lot. Tyrion points out Varys did not know enough to save the whore and her child. Varys says he took steps to save another bastard, an [[Gendry|older boy]], but assures Tyrion he never dreamed the baseborn daughter of a whore would be considered a threat. Tyrion remarks that being Robert’s was enough of a threat for Cersei. Varys blames himself, and comments that the whore loved King Robert. Thinking of [[Shae]] and [[Tysha]], Tyrion wonders if a whore can truly love anyone. He recalls that, although he provided her with a rich manse and fine gifts, when he said Shae served him best between the sheets it was not what she wanted to hear.

Tyrion remarks that it seems Joffrey is truly to blame for Eddard Stark’s death, though Slynt and Ser [[Ilyn Payne]] carried out the sentence almost as if they expected it. Varys states that Tyrion can prevent further follies with the support of the gold cloaks, but there are still Cersei’s household red cloaks to consider. Tyrion responds that they are loyal to [[Casterly Rock]] and outnumbered by his [[Vale mountain clans]]men, not to mention six thousand gold cloaks if Bywater is the man Varys claims.

[[File:MarcSimonetti Varys the spider.jpg|thumb|290px|left|Varys the spymaster - by MarcSimonetti©]]

Tyrion does not trust Varys, but cannot deny his usefulness. He asks Varys why he is so helpful and Varys replies, “You are the Hand. I serve the realm, the king, and you.” Tyrion asks, “As you served [[Jon Arryn]] and Eddard Stark?” but Varys states he served as best he could, and he does not think Tyrion will share the same fate, since power is a curious thing. Varys brings up the riddle he asked Tyrion [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 3|before]]. Tyrion says the answer depends on the [[sellsword]], who holds the power of life and death. Varys wonders aloud why men pretend kings hold power if this is true. Tyrion points out that kings can call other swordsmen, but Varys only asks why these other swordsmen obey rather than rule. Neither the godly [[High Septon]], nor the lawful Queen Regent, nor the ever-knowledgeable Varys could prevent Eddard Stark’s death, so who truly killed him: Joffrey who gave the command, Ser Ilyn who swung the sword, or another? When Tyrion asks for the answer to the riddle, Varys declares that power resides where men believe it resides. Tyrion asks if power is just a trick, and Varys agrees it is a shadow on the wall, though shadows can kill and often a very small man can cast a very large shadow.

Tyrion smiles and declares he is growing fond of Varys, and though he may kill him yet he thinks he will feel sad about it. Varys declares he will take that as high praise. Tyrion asks what Varys is, but Varys only says he is a loyal servant of the realm. Tyrion presses on to ask who made Varys a eunuch and who he ''truly'' is. Varys’ smile never flickers, but his eyes show a very different emotion as he insists his tale is long and sad.

Varys draws a parchment from his sleeve and reveals the master of the galley ''White Hart'' plans to defect to Lord [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]]. Tyrion sighs that they should make an example of the man, which will serve both to discourage other captains and to keep Joffrey busy. Next, Varys informs him Ser [[Horas Redwyne|Horas]] and Ser [[Hobber Redwyne]] have bribed a guard and plan to escape on the [[Pentos]]hi galley ''[[Moonrunner]]''. Tyrion instructs Varys to have Bywater send the guard to the Night’s Watch and post a guard on the ''Moonrunner'' just in case. Next, Varys notes that the clansman [[Timett]] killed a man for cheating at [[tiles]]. When Varys confirms the man ''was'' cheating, Tyrion declares Timett did all honest men a favor. Next, Varys explains that the [[red comet]] has brought all manner of prophets to the city to preach doom and destruction. Tyrion instructs Varys to let them rant. Finally, Varys states that when Lord [[Gyles Rosby]] proposed a toast to the king, Ser [[Balon Swann]] remarked they would need three cups for that and many laughed. Tyrion insists he is not interested in treasonous table talk, which Varys calls wise.

Tyrion returns to his solar to find [[Bronn]] waiting. The sellsword asks about Slynt, and Tyrion admits he has likely replaced one of Littlefinger’s men with one of Varys’. Tyrion asks how the recruiting is going, and Bronn explains that he only hires the sellswords who make a good impression in a duel. Tyrion asks if Bronn has killed any candidates, and Bronn answers, “No one we could have used.” Tyrion asks what should happen if one of them kills Bronn, but Bronn only says that man will be one Tyrion wants to hire. Tyrion asks Bronn if he would kill an infant girl without question when commanded. Bronn replies, “Without question? No. I’d ask how much.” Tyrion remarks to himself that he does not need Slynt or Deem, since he has a hundred such men of his own. He wants to laugh or cry, but most of all he wants Shae.

==References and Notes==
{{References}}
*[https://www.tor.com/2012/01/27/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-clash-of-kings-part-4/ A Read of Ice and Fire: A Clash of Kings, Part 4] Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Clash of Kings: Chapter 08]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Tyrion Lannister]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Red Keep]]

[[es:Choque de Reyes-Capítulo 8]]
[[fr:A Clash of Kings, Chapitre 09, Tyrion]]
[[zh:列王的纷争-章节 8]]
[[pt:A Fúria dos Reis - Capítulo 8]]

A Clash of Kings-Chapter 8

2024-01-21T16:39:12Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ACfK
| pov = [[Tyrion Lannister]]
| place = [[King's Landing]]
| title = Tyrion II
| page = 90
| previous = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 7|Catelyn I]]
| current = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 8|Tyrion II]]
| next = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 9|Arya III]]
| arc previous = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 3|Tyrion I]]
| arc next = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 15|Tyrion III]]
}}
__NOTOC__
[[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] dines with Lord [[Janos Slynt]]. They discuss the murder of King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]]'s [[Barra|bastard daughter]], [[Eddard Stark]]’s execution, and candidates for Commander of the [[City Watch of King's Landing|City Watch]]. Tyrion then has Slynt taken into custody to join the [[Night's Watch]]. Afterward, he discusses the same topics with [[Varys]].

==Synopsis==
[[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] offers more wine to his dinner guest, Lord [[Janos Slynt]]. The butcher’s son accepts and asks if the wine is from the [[Arbor]]. Tyrion replies that the wine is actually an uncommonly rich [[Dorne|Dornish]] vintage. Slynt compliments Tyrion’s gift for words, calling him a lord, but Tyrion points out that Slynt is the true lord and a simple “Tyrion” will suffice. He notes that Slynt does not sip his wine and is so drunk he dribbles onto his fine clothes. Unlike Slynt, Tyrion has gone easy on the wine but certainly not the food, since one of his first acts as [[Hand of the King|Hand]] was to hire the finest cook in the city. Slynt is very impressed with the food and says perhaps he will hire Tyrion’s cook to serve him at [[Harrenhal]]. Tyrion quips that wars have been fought over less.

[[File:Borja Pindado janosslynt.jpg|180px|left|Janos Slynt - by Borja Pindado ©FFG]]

Tyrion declares Slynt a bold man to take a grim and allegedly cursed place like Harrenhal as his seat. Slynt dismisses the superstition and insists it takes a bold man to rise as he and Tyrion have. Tyrion refills Slynt’s cup as he asks about Slynt’s list of proposed successors as Commander of the [[City Watch of King’s Landing|City Watch]]. Slynt opines that he would choose [[Allar Deem]], whom he describes as a good and loyal man. Tyrion says he is considering Ser [[Jacelyn Bywater]], a distinguished knight whose name does not appear on Slynt’s list. Slynt argues that Bywater is rigid and thinks overmuch of himself and his honor, insisting that Allar Deem is the one Tyrion wants. Tyrion remarks that Allar Deem is little loved in the streets, but Slynt insists he is feared, which is better. Tyrion brings up that Deem killed a young whore and her [[Barra|infant daughter]]. Slynt explains that only the child was supposed to die, but the mother got in the way. He says he chose Deem because Deem is a hard man who always follows orders and never speaks of it afterward. Tyrion asks who ordered Slynt to kill the whore's bastard, but Slynt insists he prides himself on being as tight-lipped as Allar Deem.

Tyrion suggests that [[Jeor Mormont]], [[Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch]], could use men like Slynt and Deem, but Slynt responds that there is small chance of that. Tyrion points out that life takes queer turns, as it did with [[Eddard Stark]], who never imagined he would die on the steps of [[Great Sept of Baelor|Baelor’s Sept]]. Slynt laughs that few did and confirms that even [[Varys]] was surprised. Slynt also confirms the execution was King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]]’s decision, and seems confused when Tyrion points out [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] planned to allow Stark to take the black.

Tyrion comments on Slynt’s new bloody spear sigil, and asks if Slynt drove the spear into Eddard Stark’s back himself or if he only gave the command. Angered, Slynt insists Stark was a traitor who tried to buy him. Tyrion replies, “Little dreaming that you had already been sold.” Slynt declares he will not have his honor questioned, but Tyrion retorts that Slynt has no honor, though he does admit a spear thrust in the back is a good bargain for a lordship and a castle. Slynt rises and demands what right Tyrion has to chastise him. Tyrion points out that Slynt knows exactly who he is and should thank the gods he does not have to deal with Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] instead.

[[File:Jacelyn Bywater.jpg|thumb|270px|right|Ser Jacelyn Bywater – by Patrick McEvoy ©FFG]]

Tyrion declares Slynt’s two [[Jothos Slynt|younger]] [[Danos Slynt|sons]] will become squires and the [[Morros Slynt|eldest]] will inherit his title and sufficient lands, but not Harrenhal. Then Tyrion explains that the carrack ''[[Summer's Dream]]'' will take Slynt to [[the Wall]], where he is to join the [[Night's Watch]] and give Tyrion’s regards to Lord Commander Mormont. Enraged, Slynt declares he has powerful friends like King Joffrey, [[Petyr Baelish|Littlefinger]], and Queen Cersei; perhaps Tyrion will be the one banished to [[the Wall]].

As Slynt throws open the door to leave, he comes face to face with Ser Jacelyn Bywater, whom Tyrion introduces as the new commander of the City Watch. As six gold cloaks usher Slynt away, Tyrion hands Slynt’s list of successors to Bywater and asks him to see they accompany Slynt to [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]], adding that it would not be taken amiss if Allar Deem was swept overboard.

Soon after, Varys glides into the hall to praise Tyrion’s actions. Tyrion comments that he is tempted to do Varys the same as Deem. Varys replies that Tyrion might be disappointed: the storms come and go, but he keeps on paddling. Tyrion accuses the eunuch of concealing that Cersei sent gold cloaks to kill King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]]’s bastards. Varys asks forgiveness, but Tyrion refuses, angry that he must make a show of punishing the likes of Slynt and Deem while his sister continues on her savage course.

Tyrion insists Varys tell him everything he knows from now on, but Varys only says he knows quite a lot. Tyrion points out Varys did not know enough to save the whore and her child. Varys says he took steps to save another bastard, an [[Gendry|older boy]], but assures Tyrion he never dreamed the baseborn daughter of a whore would be considered a threat. Tyrion remarks that being Robert’s was enough of a threat for Cersei. Varys blames himself, and comments that the whore loved King Robert. Thinking of [[Shae]] and [[Tysha]], Tyrion wonders if a whore can truly love anyone. He recalls that, although he provided her with a rich manse and fine gifts, when he said Shae served him best between the sheets it was not what she wanted to hear.

Tyrion remarks that it seems Joffrey is truly to blame for Eddard Stark’s death, though Slynt and Ser [[Ilyn Payne]] carried out the sentence almost as if they expected it. Varys states that Tyrion can prevent further follies with the support of the gold cloaks, but there are still Cersei’s household red cloaks to consider. Tyrion responds that they are loyal to [[Casterly Rock]] and outnumbered by his [[Vale mountain clans]]men, not to mention six thousand gold cloaks if Bywater is the man Varys claims.

[[File:MarcSimonetti Varys the spider.jpg|thumb|290px|left|Varys the spymaster - by MarcSimonetti©]]

Tyrion does not trust Varys, but cannot deny his usefulness. He asks Varys why he is so helpful and Varys replies, “You are the Hand. I serve the realm, the king, and you.” Tyrion asks, “As you served [[Jon Arryn]] and Eddard Stark?” but Varys states he served as best he could, and he does not think Tyrion will share the same fate, since power is a curious thing. Varys brings up the riddle he asked Tyrion [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 3|before]]. Tyrion says the answer depends on the [[sellsword]], who holds the power of life and death. Varys wonders aloud why men pretend kings hold power if this is true. Tyrion points out that kings can call other swordsmen, but Varys only asks why these other swordsmen obey rather than rule. Neither the godly [[High Septon]], nor the lawful Queen Regent, nor the ever-knowledgeable Varys could prevent Eddard Stark’s death, so who truly killed him: Joffrey who gave the command, Ser Ilyn who swung the sword, or another? When Tyrion asks for the answer to the riddle, Varys declares that power resides where men believe it resides. Tyrion asks if power is just a trick, and Varys agrees it is a shadow on the wall, though shadows can kill and often a very small man can cast a very large shadow.

Tyrion smiles and declares he is growing fond of Varys, and though he may kill him yet he thinks he will feel sad about it. Varys declares he will take that as high praise. Tyrion asks what Varys is, but Varys only says he is a loyal servant of the realm. Tyrion presses on to ask who made Varys a eunuch and who he ''truly'' is. Varys’ smile never flickers, but his eyes show a very different emotion as he insists his tale is long and sad.

Varys draws a parchment from his sleeve and reveals the master of the galley ''White Hart'' plans to defect to Lord [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]]. Tyrion sighs that they should make an example of the man, which will serve both to discourage other captains and to keep Joffrey busy. Next, Varys informs him Ser [[Horas Redwyne|Horas]] and Ser [[Hobber Redwyne]] have bribed a guard and plan to escape on the [[Pentos]]hi galley ''[[Moonrunner]]''. Tyrion instructs Varys to have Bywater send the guard to the Night’s Watch and post a guard on the ''Moonrunner'' just in case. Next, Varys notes that the clansman [[Timett]] killed a man for cheating at [[tiles]]. When Varys confirms the man ''was'' cheating, Tyrion declares Timett did all honest men a favor. Next, Varys explains that the [[red comet]] has brought all manner of prophets to the city to preach doom and destruction. Tyrion instructs Varys to let them rant. Finally, Varys states that when Lord [[Gyles Rosby]] proposed a toast to the king, Ser [[Balon Swann]] remarked they would need three cups for that and many laughed. Tyrion insists he is not interested in treasonous table talk, which Varys calls wise.

Tyrion returns to his solar to find [[Bronn]] waiting. The sellsword asks about Slynt, and Tyrion admits he has likely replaced one of Littlefinger’s men with one of Varys’. Tyrion asks how the recruiting is going, and Bronn explains that he only hires the sellswords who make a good impression in a duel. Tyrion asks if Bronn has killed any candidates, and Bronn answers, “No one we could have used.” Tyrion asks what should happen if one of them kills Bronn, but Bronn only says that man will be one Tyrion wants to hire. Tyrion asks Bronn if he would kill an infant girl without question when commanded. Bronn replies, “Without question? No. I’d ask how much.” Tyrion remarks to himself that he does not need Slynt or Deem, since he has a hundred such men of his own. He wants to laugh or cry, but most of all he wants Shae.

==References and Notes==
{{References}}
*[https://www.tor.com/2012/01/27/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-clash-of-kings-part-4/ A Read of Ice and Fire: A Clash of Kings, Part 4] Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Clash of Kings: Chapter 08]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Tyrion Lannister]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Red Keep]]

[[es:Choque de Reyes-Capítulo 8]]
[[fr:A Clash of Kings, Chapitre 09, Tyrion]]
[[zh:列王的纷争-章节 8]]
[[pt:A Fúria dos Reis - Capítulo 8]]

House of the Undying servitor

2024-01-21T16:23:51Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox character
| epithet = A servitor
| image = Daenerys HOTU Petri Hiltunen.jpg
| image_caption = By Petri Hiltunen © Kirjava
| Alias =
| Title =
| Allegiance = The [[Undying Ones]]
| Race = [[Qartheen]]
| Culture =
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (appears)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played_by =
| TV_series =
}}

A [[Qarth]]een dwarf is a '''servitor''' in the [[House of the Undying]].{{Ref|ACOK|48}}

==Appearance==
He is a [[dwarf]], standing no higher than a knee. His faced is pinched and pointed, snoutish, while his hands are tiny and pink. He is dressed in livery of blue and purple.{{Ref|ACOK|48}}

==History==
===''A Clash of Kings''===
After [[Daenerys Targaryen]] enters the [[House of the Undying]] along with [[Pyat Pree]], the dwarf offers her a glass of [[shade of the evening]]. When she ventures inside, Daenerys finds a room in which four dwarfs quite similar to the dwarf servitor are ravishing a beautiful, naked woman.{{Ref|ACOK|48}}

==References==
{{References}}

[[Category:Characters from Qarth]]
[[Category:Dwarfs]]
[[Category:Unnamed characters]]
[[Category:Warlocks]]

A Clash of Kings-Chapter 61

2024-01-21T16:17:41Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ACfK
| pov = [[Tyrion Lannister]]
| place = [[King's Landing]]
| title = Tyrion XIV
| page = 623
| previous = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 60|Sansa VI]]
| current = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 61|Tyrion XIV]]
| next = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 62|Sansa VII]]
| arc previous = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 59|Tyrion XIII]]
| arc next = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 67|Tyrion XV]]
}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:John_Picacio_Tyrion.jpg‎|[[Tyrion Lannister]] during the Battle of the Blackwater ‎- © 2012 John Picacio|thumb|250px|left]]
[[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]], with Ser [[Balon Swann]] and Ser [[Mandon Moore]] at his side, is cutting through [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]]’s forces. He is confused to see such a large force of men to the west, seemingly fighting Stannis’s men, and can’t figure out where they came from. But he has little time to consider it, as he sees hundreds of Stannis’s troops crossing the [[Blackwater Rush|Blackwater]] by using the half-sunk ships as a bridge. Racing onto the boats, Tyrion’s men are overwhelmed, and he goes over the edge of a gunwale, clinging for his life. Ser Mandon Moore appears and tells Tyrion to take his hand, his left hand. As Tyrion reaches for his hand, he instinctively withdraws as Ser Mandon’s sword slices into his face. Tyrion, grievously wounded, watches as [[Podrick Payne]] saves his life by shoving Ser Mandon into the river.

==References and Notes==

* The synopsis was copied from AOL member vbkorik27 previously at [http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html].
* [http://slynt.blogspot.com/2012/02/re-read-tyrion-xiv-halfman.html Analyses and summary of the chapter] in the course of a 10th reread by Slynt.
* [http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/08/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-clash-of-kings-part-29 Review and summary] by Leigh Butler.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Clash of Kings: Chapter 61]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Tyrion Lannister]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in King's Landing]]
[[es:Choque de Reyes-Capítulo 61]]
[[fr:A Clash of Kings, Chapitre 62, Tyrion]]
[[pt:A Fúria dos Reis - Capítulo 61]]

A Storm of Swords-Chapter 74

2024-01-19T18:38:07Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ASoS
| pov = [[Arya Stark|Arya]]
| title = Arya XIII
| place = [[Inn at the crossroads]] - [[Saltpans]]
| page = 843
| previous = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 73|Jon X]]
| current = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 74|Arya XIII]]
| next = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 75|Samwell IV]]
| arc previous = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 65|Arya XII]]
| arc next = ''A Feast for Crows'' [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 6|Arya I]]
}}

==Synopsis==
[[Sandor Clegane]] and [[Arya Stark]] come to the [[inn at the crossroads]]. To Arya's dismay, she recognizes [[Polliver]] and the [[Tickler]] with a [[pimply squire]]. The squire tries to bait Sandor with insults about fleeing King's Landing and the room is tense. The Hound demands [[wine]], which the innkeeper brings and Sandor gulps down. When Sandor claims the men-at-arms will torture the innkeep for his gold, the innkeep, his girls, and other patrons vacate the common room.

The Tickler tells Sandor what has happened in the realm, including [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion's]] marriage, [[Purple Wedding|Joffrey's death]], and Tyrion's imprisonment. He claims that [[Sansa Stark]]'s sister (Arya) has been found and is to marry [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]], that [[capture of Harrenhal|Harrenhal]] has been taken by [[Gregor Clegane]], that [[siege of Riverrun|Riverrun]] is under siege by the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]], and that [[Randyll Tarly]] has taken [[taking of Maidenpool|Maidenpool]]. He says only the [[House Blackwood|Blackwoods]] are still holding out, and the [[House Bracken|Brackens]] are fighting them around [[siege of Raventree|Raventree Hall]].

[[File:Arya tickler by tribemun.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Arya Stark]] stabbing the [[Tickler]] by Tribemun©]]
The Tickler says Gregor would prefer that Sandor come back with them to Harrenhal, but when Sandor refuses, the Tickler throws a knife at him. Sandor, the Tickler, and Polliver all draw swords and begin to fight. The squire tries to join in but Arya throws a cup at him and knocks him down. Sandor is not fighting his best and Arya realizes he drank his wine too fast and is drunk. During the fight Arya stabs the squire in the belly and then sneaks up behind the Tickler. Repeating the questions [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 26|he had once asked]] of his torture victims, Arya stabs the Tickler over and over again in a rage until Sandor stops her. The mortally-wounded squire asks for mercy. Sandor tells Arya to give him mercy, and asks if she remembers where the heart is. Arya recovers [[Needle]], which was carried by Polliver, and kills the squire.

Sandor, seriously wounded, says Gregor must hold the [[ruby ford]] and that they will make for Saltpans and find a ship to the [[Vale]]. They leave the inn to travel on but the Hound is so wounded that he needs tending and they stop. The next day he is so weak that he falls out of his saddle. While he lies in a fevered sleep, Arya thinks about killing him. He wakes to see what she is contemplating and urges her to do it - to give him mercy - but Arya leaves him and rides on to Saltpans.

Arya tries to find a boat that goes to the [[north]] but only finds the trading ship ''[[Titan's Daughter]]'' with [[Braavos]] as its destination. She does not have enough money to get on board, however. Arya shows [[Ternesio Terys|the captain]] the coin she received from [[Jaqen H'ghar]] and says "''[[valar morghulis]]''", which causes him to give her both a cabin and passage.
[[File:Arya stark by robotdelespacio.jpg|300px|thumb|Arya gets her [[Needle]] back © Josu Hernaiz]]

==Character List appearing/mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
*[[Sandor Clegane]]
*[[Arya Stark]]
*[[Polliver]]
*[[Tickler]]
*[[Tyrion Lannister]]
*[[Joffrey Baratheon]]
*[[Sansa Stark]]
*[[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]]
*[[Gregor Clegane]]
*[[Randyll Tarly]]
*[[Jaqen H'ghar]]
*[[pimply squire]]
*[[Ternesio Terys|A captain]]
}}

==Places and terms mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
*[[Inn at the crossroads]]
*[[Harrenhal]]
*[[Riverrun]]
*[[House Lannister]]
*[[Saltpans]]
*[[Raventree Hall]]
*[[Needle]]
*[[Vale]]
*''[[Titan's Daughter]]''
*[[Braavos]]
*''[[Valar morghulis]]''
}}

==References and Notes==
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/10/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-storm-of-swords-part-48 A Read of Ice and Fire: A Storm of Swords, Part 48]. Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.

[[Category:A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Storm of Swords: Chapter 74]]
[[Category:A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Arya Stark]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Crossroads Inn]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place by the Trident]]

[[es:Tormenta de Espadas-Capítulo 74]]
[[fr:A Storm of Swords, Chapitre 75, Arya]]
[[zh:冰雨的风暴-章节 74]]
[[pt:A Tormenta de Espadas - Capítulo 74]]

A Storm of Swords-Epilogue

2024-01-19T18:35:18Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ASoS
| pov = [[Merrett Frey]]
| title = Epilogue
| place = [[Oldstones]]
| page = 915
| previous = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 80|Sansa VII]]
| current = [[A Storm of Swords-Epilogue|Epilogue]]
| next = [[A Storm of Swords-Appendix|Appendix]]
| arc previous =
| arc next =
}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:Petyr Pimple.png|thumb|right|250px|Petyr, hanged. Art by SquisherKing ©]]
[[Merrett Frey]] is approaching the ruins of [[Oldstones]] with the ransom for his half-brother's ([[Stevron Frey]]'s) grandson [[Petyr Frey|Petyr Pimple]]. He is considering all the ill luck throughout his life, starting as a squire, where in a battle against the [[Kingswood Brotherhood]] he got hit on the head so hard he was unable to ever truly fight again, which left him unable to reach knighthood. [[Walder Frey|His father]] has always mocked him as "Merrett Muttonhead", and all he was good for during the [[Red Wedding]] was to drink the [[Jon Umber (Greatjon)|Greatjon]] under the table.

Merrett recollects how his father ordered the massacre of the [[House Stark|Starks]] at [[Edmure Tully]]’s wedding, but it was [[Lothar Frey|Lame Lothar]] and [[Roose Bolton]] who had masterminded the whole affair. He considers how things at the [[Twins]] will turn worse for him when his father dies, as [[Ryman Frey|Ryman]] stands to inherit, and his sons [[Edwyn Frey|Edwyn]] and [[Walder Frey (son of Ryman)|Black Walder]] after him. Merrett feels that if he could accomplish this task, maybe his luck would change for the better, considering that Petyr is Ser Ryman’s son. However, he has failed at everything in his life, including his role in keeping the Greatjon too drunk to fight. The man killed or maimed four men, and it took eight to finally get him in chains.

When he reaches the site of King [[Tristifer IV Mudd|Tristifer]]’s sepulcher, he finds the outlaws who captured Petyr. They surround him and take the gold he carried for the ransom. Merrett demands to see [[Beric Dondarrion]], but [[Lem]] and [[Tom of Sevenstreams|Tom]] inform him that the Lightning Lord was needed elsewhere. They lead him to the tree from which Petyr Pimple is hanging, and then Lem ties a noose around Merrett’s neck. Sick with fear after they have lied about the ransom and now mean to hang him, Merrett pleads that he had nothing to do with the Red Wedding, and that they have no witness. However, Tom Sevenstrings steps aside to reveal a woman with grey skin and a hideous scar across her neck, [[Catelyn Tully|a woman]] Merrett knows to be dead, having seen his brothers slit her throat and dump her naked body in the river. Her eyes are terrible to behold: they see him, and they hate him. Lem tells him that she can’t speak, but she nods when Lem asks if Merrett was involved. Merrett opens his mouth to plead, but the noose chokes off his words.

==Character List appearing/mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
*[[Merrett Frey]]
*[[Stevron Frey]]
*[[Petyr Frey]] Petyr Pimple
*[[Walder Frey]]
*[[Jon Umber|Greatjon]]
*[[Edmure Tully]]
*[[Lothar Frey]] Lame Lothar
*[[Roose Bolton]]
*[[Ryman Frey]]
*[[Edwyn Frey]]
*[[Walder Frey (son of Ryman)]]
*[[Tristifer IV]]
*[[Beric Dondarrion]]
*[[Lem]]
*[[Tom of Sevenstreams]]
*[[Catelyn Tully]]
}}

==Places and terms mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
*[[Oldstones]]
*[[Kingswood Brotherhood]]
*[[Red Wedding]]
*[[House Stark]]
*[[The Twins]]
}}

==References and Notes==
* The synopsis was copied from Aol member vbkorik27 previously at[http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html]
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/11/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-storm-of-swords-part-52 A Read of Ice and Fire: A Storm of Swords, Part 52]. Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Storm of Swords: Chapter 81]]
[[Category:Prologues and epilogues|Storm of Swords Epilogue]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in the Riverlands]]
[[Category:Chapters with the POV of Merrett Frey]]

[[es:Tormenta de Espadas-Epílogo]]
[[fr:A Storm of Swords, Chapitre 82, Épilogue]]
[[zh:冰雨的风暴-终章]]
[[pt:A Tormenta de Espadas - Epílogo]]

A Feast for Crows-Chapter 2

2024-01-19T18:32:38Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter AFfC
| pov = [[Areo Hotah]]
| title = The Captain of the Guards
| place = [[Water Gardens]] - [[Sunspear]]
| page = 30
| previous = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 1|The Prophet]]
| current = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 2|The Captain of Guards]]
| next = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 3|Cersei I]]
| arc previous =
| arc next =
}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:BorjaPindado DoranM.png|thumb|right|Prince [[Doran Martell]], by Borja Pindado © Fantasy Flight Games]]
[[File:Drazenka Kimpel TyeneSandIII.jpg|thumb|[[Tyene Sand]] with her golden needles, by Drazenka Kimpel © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Prince [[Doran Martell|Doran]] has been at the [[Water Gardens]] for nearly two years now, watching the children play in the pools while trying to deal with his gout. Captain [[Areo Hotah]] hears the approach of [[Obara Sand]], eldest of the [[Oberyn Martell|Red Viper]]'s [[Sand Snakes|bastard daughters]], and bars her from disturbing Prince Doran's rest. Deadly as she may be, she is no match for the Captain, but the Prince calls her into his presence before they come to blows. Obara demands justice for her father, imploring Prince Doran to marshal the Dornish army and give half to her so she might march on [[Oldtown]] and burn it to the ground, and the other half to her half-sister Lady [[Nymeria Sand|Nym]] to march up the Kingsroad. Doran tells her that his brother was not murdered, but died in single combat, and that Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] has promised them Ser [[Gregor Clegane|Gregor]]'s head. Unappeased, Obara mocks her uncle for his meekness and stalks off after he tells her to await his word in [[Sunspear]]. Fearing an uprising in Sunspear incited by the Sand Snakes, Prince Doran tells Hotah that he must return to his seat at the Palace of the Sun. The Captain reminds him that Princess Myrcella is there, and that Ser [[Arys Oakheart]] sends letters to Queen [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]]. Hotah thinks that he and the [[Kingsguard]] will eventually cross swords, and when that occurs the Captain will kill him.

The next morning, the prince and his retinue begin the journey back to Sunspear, but along the way they come upon another of the Sand Snakes. The beautiful [[Nymeria Sand|Lady Nym]] is far more tactful than her older half-sister, but no less resolved to seek vengeance for her father. Scoffing at Obara's demand to go to war, Lady Nym tells her uncle that she needs only her sister [[Tyene Sand|Tyene]], and the two will assassinate Cersei, [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], Lord Tywin and King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]]. Stating that his brother was only to take the measure of [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]]'s court and not seek revenge for [[Elia Martell|Elia]] despite the seventeen years that have passed, Nymeria responds in parting, "My sisters and I shall not wait ten-and-seven years for our vengeance."

Arriving in [[Sunspear]], the prince's retinue is accosted by townspeople calling for vengeance for the Red Viper. In the [[Old Palace]], Princess [[Arianne Martell|Arianne]] greets her father and tells him that Tyene Sand awaits him in the throne room. The third of the Sand Snakes is embroidering when the captain encounters her while bearing Prince Doran to his high seat. Tyene offers her uncle the cloth she is knitting, which shows her father mounted on a sand steed, so that he will not forget the Red Viper. Prince Doran responds, "I am not like to forget your father." Tyene counsels her uncle to wed his son [[Trystane Martell|Trystane]] to [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]] now, and then crown the princess as is the [[Dorne|Dornish]] way. This would incite the Queen Regent and [[Highgarden]] to march on Dorne, where the prince's armies could bleed them in the high passes and treacherous deserts. When she calls her uncle fearful, Doran advises her, "There is a difference between fear and caution." Tyene raises her hand to touch her uncle, but Hotah brings the butt of his longaxe down on the marble floor, and cautions her, "My lady, you presume. Step from the dais, if it please you." The Sand Snake replies that she meant no harm and loves her uncle, he loved his brother. After she takes her leave, Maester [[Caleotte]] rushes to the Prince's side to make sure he was not pricked by one of Tyene's needles.

Shortly after, Prince Doran commands the captain to round up and confine all the Sand Snakes, including [[Ellaria Sand|Ellaria's]] young daughters. Obara, Nymeria and Tyene are locked up in cells at the top of the Spear Tower, but with no blood spilled, the younger Sand Snakes are restricted together with their mother to the Water Gardens. When Hotah tells him that the common folk will howl when they find out, the [[Prince of Dorne]] replies, "All Dorne will howl. I only pray Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] hears them...so he might know what a loyal friend he has in Sunspear."

==Character List==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:25%;" |
'''Appearing:'''
*[[Areo Hotah]]
*[[Doran Martell]]
*[[Obara Sand]]
*[[Nymeria Sand]]
*[[Tyene Sand]]
| style="width:25%;" |
'''Appearing:'''
*[[Arianne Martell]]
*[[Caleotte]]
*[[Myles]]
*[[Ricasso]]
*[[Manfrey Martell]]
| style="width:25%;" |

'''Mentioned:'''
*[[Oberyn Martell]]
*[[Trystane Martell]]
*[[Mellario]]
*[[Sarella Sand]]
*[[Mors Martell]]
*[[Olyvar Martell]]
*[[Elia Martell]]
| style="width:25%;" |
'''Mentioned:'''
*[[Myriah Martell]]
*[[Daeron II Targaryen]]
*[[Daemon Sand]]
*[[Jaime Lannister]]
*[[Cersei Lannister]]
*[[Tywin Lannister]]
*[[Tommen Baratheon]]
*[[Myrcella Baratheon]]
*[[Fowler twins]]
|}

==Martell family tree==
{{Martell_tree}}

==References and Notes==
*The synopsis was copied from Aol member vbkorik27 previously at[http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html]
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2014/02/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-feast-for-crows-part-2 A Read of Ice and Fire: A Feast for Crows, Part 2]. Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Feast for Crows: Chapter 02]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Areo Hotah|A Feast for Crows: Chapter 02]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in Dorne]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in Sunspear]]

[[es:Festín de Cuervos-Capítulo 2]]
[[fr:A Feast for Crows, Chapitre 03, Le Capitaine des Gardes]]
[[pt:O Festim dos Corvos - Capítulo 2]]

A Feast for Crows-Chapter 3

2024-01-19T18:24:54Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter AFfC
| pov = [[Cersei Lannister]]
| title = Cersei I
| place = [[King's Landing]]
| page = 46
| previous = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 2|The Captain of the Guards]]
| current = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 3|Cersei I]]
| next = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 4|Brienne I]]
| arc previous =
| arc next = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 7|Cersei II]]
}}

[[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] has a nightmare that features [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] mocking her. She is woken to be informed of Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]]'s murder. She gives order to make sure that Tyrion is safely in his cell and reflects on who could be behind the murder, settling for [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] and the [[House Tyrell|Tyrells]] as suspects. In a rush of desire for her brother, Cersei asks [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] to take the position of [[Hand of the King|Hand]], but is rejected and settles for Ser [[Kevan Lannister|Kevan]]. Information arrives that Tyrion has escaped.

==Synopsis==
[[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] dreams that she rules from the [[Iron Throne]] and courtiers are paying her tribute. But the pleasant dream turns into a nightmare when [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] appears and ridicules her, making the great lords, proud ladies and young knights snigger at her as well. She notices she is naked and tries to cover up. Hasty moves make her wound herself on the spikes and blades of the Iron Throne and soon she is engulfed in a mortal combat with the throne that is trying to rip the flesh off her.

She is woken up by her frightened maid [[Senelle]], accompanied by armed men who have arrived to deliver the news of Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin's]] murder. Cersei is still drowsy and believes this to be part of her nightmare. For a moment, she mistakes the [[Kingsguard]] knight who has been sent by the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard|Lord Commander]] for [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] himself and expects Tyrion to crawl from under her bed to laugh at her, although she knows that he is safely in his [[black cell]] and his execution will take place the same day. She drank too much wine last night, she thinks. She now recognizes [[Jocelyn Swyft]], Ser [[Osmund Kettleblack]] and Ser [[Boros Blount]] and notices [[House Lannister|Lannister]] guards, while she is being handed lemon water to waken her up. She wonders whether the news can be true, insisting that her father is surrounded by guards day and night. Ser Osmund tells her the guards were on their post, but a [[secret passage]] has been found behind a hearth in the [[Tower of the Hand|Hand's Tower]] and Jaime has gone in to inspect it. Cersei is worried about Jaime's safety as well as of [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]]'s, but she is told that guards supervised by Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] have been assigned to watch over the King. This stirs up her resentment against the [[House Tyrell|Tyrells]] and she wonders whether the murder was their doing, yet does not dare to speak this aloud. She commands Ser Osmund to escort her to the Tower of the Hand and Ser Boros to make certain that Tyrion is still in his cell. She doesn't believe Tyrion would dare to raise a hand against their father, but needs to be certain.

Outside, the sun is beginning to rise while the stars can still be seen, making Cersei think that the great star of the west has fallen. Ser Osmund tells her that [[Lum]], one of the guards, found the body in the privy. She already feels the hole left by Lord Tywin and decides to act swiftly as she suspects there will be attempts to push her aside, as always. She wonders whether [[Stannis Baratheon]] is behind the murder. She enters the tower, thinking that not crying makes her the only true son her father ever had. Climbing the many stairs to the Hand's chambers prompts her to think about tearing the tower down. As she enters the hall, she finds the room full of guards and servants, whispering among themselves. Cersei resents their presence as well as the fact that she was not called first. She orders Ser [[Meryn Trant]] to show the people out and is informed that her father's body has been brought to his bed. When she enters the bedchamber, guards are present again as well as her distraught uncle [[Kevan Lannister|Kevan]], kneeling by the bed and trying to pray for his brother. She notices how small the door to the secret passage behind the hearth is, making her think of Tyrion again, then settling for Stannis or the Tyrells as more likely suspects. She knows about the rumors of secret passages in the [[Red Keep]] and that [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor the Cruel]] supposedly killed the builders of the castle to keep them secret. She thinks of other, yet undiscovered, secret passages to other bedchambers and has a vision of Tyrion using one to get to Tommen.

Cersei has a look at her father's half-naked body. While reflecting on how he looks much older and smaller than when he was alive, she already notices a smell emanating from the corpse. She is furious that the quarrel that killed Lord Tywin has been left in his stomach and orders it to be removed. Cersei wonders whether she should act desperate and claw her own face, as she heard [[Catelyn Stark]] did when her son [[Robb Stark|Robb]] was killed before her eyes, and wonders how Lord Tywin once received news of his [[Tytos Lannister|own father's]] death. She commands that the bells must toll for her father just as they did for [[Robert Baratheon|King Robert]]. She asks for [[Pycelle]] and wants him to prepare the body, but is told that the [[Grand Maester]] has already been there and left again. This angers her more because of Pycelle's uselessness in old age and she calls for Maesters [[Ballabar]] and [[Frenken]] instead. Cersei asks about Jaime and is again told he's down in the secret passage, inspecting the depth of a shaft found there. She is worried about his safety, thinking of his lost hand and how the murderer might await him in the dark.

[[Qyburn]] is shown in, offering his service as maester. He informs her that he treated Jaime's hand and she remembers that he came down from [[Harrenhal]] with her brother. She notices that he doesn't have a maester's chain, receiving the answer that it has been taken away by the [[Citadel]] while his knowledge is still there. She orders him to remove the quarrel and prepare her father's body for the silent sisters. Qyburn asks her what he should do with the girl. Cersei has not noticed the second body in the bed before and takes a look at her naked body, observing the golden chain around her neck and that her face is as black as [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey's]] was when he died. She is furious and demands to know what the girl is doing there, receiving the unsatisfying answer that she has been found where she is and that she was Tyrion's whore. She thinks that Lord Tywin never used whores and defensively tells a guard how he treated his own father's mistress after his death, parading her naked through the streets of [[Lannisport]]. Qyburn suggests that Lord Tywin might have been questioning the girl about her mistress [[Sansa Stark]]'s disappearance. Cersei eagerly seizes on this notion but has a vision of Tyrion mocking it. She can't stand staying in the room with the girl any longer and goes back to the hall.

She finds Ser Osmund accompanied by his brothers [[Osney Kettleblack|Osney]] and [[Osfryd Kettleblack|Osfryd]] and orders them to make certain that nobody will ever hear about the dead girl in her father's bed. Her body is to be disposed of no matter how and everyone who talks about this matter will have their tongues torn out. She watches as the Kettleblacks put the girl's body in a blanket, remembering that the girl's name was [[Shae]] and that she came to her the night before Tyrion's trial by combat, asking that promises made to her by Tyrion and, allegedly, Cersei be kept, including a manse in the city and a knight to marry. Cersei made it clear that she would get nothing until she told them the whereabouts of Sansa Stark, making her leave in tears. She orders the Kettleblacks to carry Shae's body out through the secret passage, but wants to have the chain around her neck delivered to herself.

As Ser Osfryd is about to step into the tunnel, Jaime emerges from it. She rushes towards him, asking whether he has found the killers, but is told that the shaft ends in a chamber where half a dozen tunnels meet, some of them closed with locked iron gates, and Jaime needs to find keys first. He suggests that the killers could still be hiding in the maze he just left. Cersei again envisions Tyrion climbing through the walls like some monstrous rat, then reassures herself with the thought that he is in his cell. She says she wants the murderers to be found and that the whole tower will be demolished if need be. Jaime hugs her to console her and she has a rush of desire for him. She whispers in his ear, asking him to take over as [[Hand of the King]] to complete their father's work. But he pushes her away, declines the offer, makes a joke about a Hand without a hand and says that she shouldn't ask him to rule.

Cersei feels the rejection like a slap, realizing that it has been noticed by everyone present and that the whole castle will know soon. She angrily says that she didn't ask him to rule, as she is going to do that herself as the Queen Regent until Tommen comes of age. Jaime replies that he doesn't know whom to feel worse for, Tommen or the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. She slaps him. They are both admonished by Ser Kevan to take their indecent behavior out of the room where their father's body lies. Jaime apologizes for his sister, pointing out that she is forgetting herself while grief-stricken. This makes Cersei want to slap him again and regret her impulse to ask him. She wonders whether the position of Hand should be abolished altogether, remembering how [[Jon Arryn]] and [[Eddard Stark]] meddled in her affairs, the latter forcing her to get rid of King Robert before she could deal with his brothers, and how Tyrion sold [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]] to [[Dorne]], made Tommen a hostage and killed Joffrey.

Cersei settles on her uncle Kevan as the next Hand, as she considers him loyal and prudent while unambitious to challenge her as the real power behind the Iron Throne. She thinks that she needs men supporting her and that the current [[small council]] will not do, with Grand Maester Pycelle too old and Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] and his bannermen Lord [[Paxter Redwyne]] and Lord [[Mathis Rowan]] not to be trusted; she also can't rely on Jaime, who has lost his courage with his hand. She again considers the possibility of the Tyrells being involved in the murder, as Lord Mace must have known he can never rule the Seven Kingdoms as long as Tywin Lannister is alive. However, she realizes she has to proceed carefully against the Tyrells, with the city full of their men and [[Loras Tyrell]] now knight of the Kingsguard. The thought of the engagement of Tommen and [[Margaery Tyrell]] still makes her furious and she questions Margaery's virginity. Cersei intends to use [[Varys]] to find out more on this front.

The thought of Varys makes Cersei aware that the eunuch isn't present, while he is usually around when something important happens in the Red Keep. The only explanation for his absence is that he was involved in the plot, preempting his own downfall as Lord Tywin never had any love for him. She thinks that Varys might have known about the secret passage and acted on behalf of Stannis. She orders Ser Meryn to find the [[Master of Whisperers]] and bring him to her.

Ser Boros returns red-faced and puffing, announcing that Tyrion is gone, his cell open, with no sign of him anywhere. Cersei is appalled, thinking her nightmares are coming true. She points out her orders to keep the Imp under guard day and night. Ser Boros says that a goaler called [[Rugen]] has gone missing while two others were found asleep. She orders for them to be killed. Cersei's paranoia about Tyrion breaks out fully and reflects that he has already killed her mother, her father and her eldest son and will try to murder her too, remembering the prophecy she once received about her little brother killing her. She gets queasy and Ser Boros tries to sustain her, but she recoils from his touch, thinking that the knight of the Kingsguard might be one of Tyrion's creatures, too. He offers her a cup of water, but all she wants is Tyrion's blood. She envisions Tyrion grinning at her, feeling his hands closing in around her neck the very moment she thought she was rid of him.

==Character List==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:33;" |
'''Appearing:'''
*[[Cersei Lannister]]
*[[Senelle]]
*[[Jocelyn Swyft]]
*[[Osmund Kettleblack]]
*[[Boros Blount]]
*[[Lester]]
*[[Meryn Trant]]
*[[Kevan Lannister]]
*[[Tywin Lannister]] (dead)
*[[Puckens]]
*[[Shortear]]
*[[Qyburn]]
*[[Shae]] (dead)
*[[Osney Kettleblack]]
| style="width:33;" |
'''Appearing'''
*[[Osfryd Kettleblack]]
*[[Jaime Lannister]]
*[[Hoke]]
| style="width:33;" |
'''Mentioned:'''
*[[Tyrion Lannister]]
*[[Tommen Baratheon]]
*[[Loras Tyrell]]
*[[Lum]]
*[[Robert Baratheon]]
*[[Stannis Baratheon]]
*[[Mace Tyrell]]
*[[Maegor I Targaryen]]
*[[Catelyn Stark]]
*[[Robb Stark]]
*[[Tytos Lannister]]
*[[Aerys II Targaryen]]
*[[Pycelle]]
*[[Ballabar]]
| style="width:33;" |
'''Mentioned:'''
*[[Frenken]]
*[[Joffrey Baratheon]]
*[[Sansa Stark]]
*[[Jon Arryn]]
*[[Eddard Stark]]
*[[Myrcella Baratheon]]
*[[Paxter Redwyne]]
*[[Mathis Rowan]]
*[[Margaery Tyrell]]
*[[Renly Baratheon]]
*[[Varys]]
*[[Rugen]]
*[[Joanna Lannister]]
*[[Maggy]]
|}

==Places mentioned==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:33;" |
*[[Highgarden]]
*[[Red Keep#Tower of the Hand|Tower of the Hand]]
*[[Red Keep#Maegor's Holdfast|Maegor's Holdfast]]
*[[Casterly Rock]]
*[[Red Keep]]
*[[King's Landing]]
*[[Seven Kingdoms]]
*[[Harrenhal]]
*[[Citadel]]
*[[Lannisport]]
*[[Dorne]]
|}

==References and Notes==
*The original version of the synopsis was copied from Aol member vbkorik27 previously at[http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html]
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2014/02/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-feast-for-crows-part-3 A Read of Ice and Fire: A Feast for Crows, Part 3]. Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Feast for Crows: Chapter 03]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Cersei Lannister]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Red Keep]]

[[es:Festín de Cuervos-Capítulo 3]]
[[fr:A Feast for Crows, Chapitre 04, Cersei]]
[[pt:O Festim dos Corvos - Capítulo 3]]

A Feast for Crows-Chapter 22

2024-01-19T18:14:41Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter AFfC
| pov = [[Arya Stark]]
| title = Arya II
| place = [[Braavos]]
| page = 312
| previous = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 21|The Queenmaker]]
| current = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 22|Arya II]]
| next = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 23|Alayne I]]
| arc previous = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 6|Arya I]]
| arc next = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 34|Cat of the Canals]]
}}

==Synopsis==
Every day, the [[kindly man]] asks [[Arya Stark|Arya]] who she is. When she replies "no one", he tells her that she lies, trying to get her to forget her true self and give up her past, but Arya resists. She works hard in the temple, cleaning and doing other chores. She witnesses many people entering the temple, some to light candles, others to curl up near a statue to die, and others to speak in private to the kindly man. When asked whose names she whispers at night, she finally admits that they are people she wants to kill, but the priest tells her that it is the [[Many-Faced God]] who determines who shall die, not her. He also finally convinces her to dispose of her possessions, and she does so with all but [[Needle]], which she hides outside the temple under a stone. Once she has done this, the kindly man comes to her and tells her some of their history.

The [[Faceless Men]] are older than [[Braavos]], having started amongst the slaves working the mines beneath the volcanoes of the [[Valyrian Freehold]]. The slaves worked under the harshest of conditions, and since they came from many different nations, they all prayed to different gods. But one amongst them (although he may have actually been a noble's son or an overseer, no one knows) realized that they were actually all praying to one god- one who could set them free from their torture.

The kindly man does not finish the story, but now Arya is a novice at the temple, and she and the [[waif]] begin to teach each other their respective languages. As Arya learns Braavosi, the waif also teaches her how to read a lie on someone's face, and Arya discovers that the girl is actually well over thirty years old, having taken "poisons" as part of her sacrifice to become Faceless. One day, when other priests of the Many-Faced God visit the temple, Arya asks the kindly man how to change her face, as [[Jaqen H'ghar]] did. While the priest knows not the name, he tells her it takes years of prayer, sacrifice and study to accomplish what he could do. Still, Arya wishes to learn, so he tells her to begin training the muscles of her face in front of a mirror every day. The next day, the kindly man tells Arya that she must leave the temple for a while, so as to learn the Braavosi tongue by being amongst them all the time. He instructs her to find a fishmonger named [[Brusco]], but to not reveal who she really is. Arya decides to use the name "Cat", pretending to be an orphan girl from [[King's Landing]].

==References and Notes==
* The synopsis was copied from AoL member vbkorik27 previously at [http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html].
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2014/05/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-feast-for-crows-part-16 A Read of Ice and Fire: A Feast for Crows, Part 16]. Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Feast for Crows: Chapter 22]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Arya Stark]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in Braavos]]

[[es:Festín de Cuervos-Capítulo 22]]
[[fr:A Feast for Crows, Chapitre 23, Arya]]
[[pt:O Festim dos Corvos - Capítulo 23]]

A Feast for Crows-Chapter 23

2024-01-19T18:13:55Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter AFfC
| pov = [[Sansa Stark]]
| title = Alayne I
| place = the [[Eyrie]]
| page = 328
| previous = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 22|Arya II]]
| current = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 23|Alayne I]]
| next = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 24|Cersei V]]
| arc previous = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 10|Sansa I]]
| arc next = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 41|Alayne II]]
}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:JB Casacop Lyn Corbray.jpg|right|thumb|280px|[[Lyn Corbray]] draws [[Lady Forlorn]], by JB Casacop © FFG]]
[[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] is now completely in the role of [[Alayne Stone]], and she has considerable influence in the [[Eyrie]]. On the balcony of her rooms in the [[Eyrie#Maiden's Tower|Maiden's Tower]], she surveys the armies of the [[Lords Declarant]] camped outside the [[Gates of the Moon]]. Lord [[Gilwood Hunter]] arrived first, and immediately blockaded supplies from reaching the Eyrie. Though they are not yet under siege, the situation looks dire from her standpoint. Lord [[Robert Arryn|Robert]], even more irritable than normal because there are no eggs or bacon, tells Alayne that he still hears [[Marillion]] singing every night. Alayne assures him that the bard is dead, although she has not seen the body, but she herself no longer hears singing. When [[Petyr Baelish|Littlefinger]] arrives, he informs them that the Lords Declarant are on their way up to the Eyrie for a parley. He tells Alayne that there will be eight of them, but he is only concerned about [[Lyn Corbray]]. We learn that Lyn fought against [[Jon Arryn]] at [[taking of Gulltown|Gulltown]] at the onset of [[Robert's Rebellion]], but later fought alongside him at the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]], where he slew Prince [[Lewyn Martell]] of the [[Kingsguard]] and broke the Dornish line. While his [[Lyonel Corbray|elder brother]] supports Petyr's position as Lord Protector of the Vale, Ser Lyn has taken up with the Lords Declarant. Bearing the Valyrian sword [[Lady Forlorn]], Ser Lyn is a dangerous and unpredictable man, quick to demand a duel.

The Lords Declarant seek to defend Lord Robert and the Vale, but do not acknowledge the Lord Protector, naming him a false counselor who has been misruling the Vale. After Robert has another fit, Littlefinger suggests that Maester [[Colemon]] try giving him [[sweetsleep]], although the [[maester]] seems reticent to do so. Alayne tells her "father" that [[Yohn Royce]] will recognize her, having met her at [[Winterfell]] when [[Waymar Royce]] took the black, but Petyr explains that "men see what they expect to see." She also asks him why he doesn't leave the Vale to take up his position as Lord of [[Harrenhal]]. Littlefinger is convinced the place is cursed, especially after what happened to [[Tywin Lannister]], [[Gregor Clegane]], and [[Vargo Hoat]]. Lady [[Shella Whent]] recently died without any heirs, claiming yet another family that once ruled at [[Harren Hoare|Black Harren]]'s nightmare castle. When Alayne recommends that he give Harrenhal to Lord [[Walder Frey]], Petyr smiles and tells her he might, but he would really like to give it to [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], although he might have to "remove her from the game" sooner than planned, unless she removes herself first.

Alayne leads the Lords Declarant up to Petyr's solar, where he confounds them by saying that he would like to sign their declaration to weed out the false counselors. But Yohn Royce tells him they did not come to obtain his signature; they are here to remove Littlefinger and take Lord Robert to foster at [[Runestone]]. Petyr informs them that he plans to foster the sons of other lords here so that Robert will have boys his own age around. He also asks Lady [[Anya Waynwood]] to send [[Harrold Hardyng]] to the Eyrie as his ward, but the Lords scoff at this request. Littlefinger refuses their demand that he leave the Vale and turn over Robert, and after he calls their bluffs of violence, Lyn Corbray draws Lady Forlorn, but this enrages the other Lords Declarant, and Bronze Yohn tells the knight to up his steel, reminding him that they are guests. Corbray stalks off, but this has worked to Littlefinger's advantage, as he now turns hostile toward the Lords. Demanding that they lift their encampment and give him one year to set the Vale to rights or else he will willingly step down as Lord Protector, all the Lords except Yohn Royce agree, and Petyr emerges victorious in the parley.

Later that night, after the Lords have departed, Alayne asks Petyr what he plans for the next year. Littlefinger continues his tutelage of Alayne in playing the game of thrones. He states that one or two of the older Lords may die over the course of the year, and Lord [[Gilwood Hunter]] may well be killed by his younger brother [[Harlan Hunter|Harlan]], who arranged old Lord [[Eon Hunter|Eon]]'s death.<ref>Petyr's certainty is a strong indicator that he has spies in the Vale's other Houses, and may well have influenced Harlan previously. We learned in [[A Storm of Swords]], [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 80|Chapter 80]] that rumor has it that it was Gilwood who arranged his father Eon's death.</ref> Petyr admits that he will never be able to sway Bronze Yohn, but when Alayne inquires about Ser Lyn,<ref>Her specific wording reveals that she deduced that Lyn Corbray is in Petyr's service, something that the Lords Declarant are not aware of.</ref> he tells her that he can be bought "with gold and boys and promises."

==References and Notes==
{{References}}
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2014/05/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-feast-for-crows-part-16 A Read of Ice and Fire: A Feast for Crows, Part 16]. Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.
* The synopsis was copied from AoL member vbkorik27 previously at [http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html].

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Feast for Crows: Chapter 23]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Sansa Stark]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in the Eyrie]]

[[es:Festín de Cuervos-Capítulo 23]]
[[fr:A Feast for Crows, Chapitre 24, Alayne]]
[[zh:群鸦的盛宴-章节 23]]
[[pt:O Festim dos Corvos - Capítulo 23]]

A Feast for Crows-Chapter 28

2024-01-19T18:06:52Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter AFfC
| pov = [[Cersei Lannister]]
| title = Cersei VI
| place = [[King's Landing]]
| page = 410
| previous = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 27|Jaime III]]
| current = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 28|Cersei VI]]
| next = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 29|The Reaver]]
| arc previous = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 24|Cersei V]]
| arc next = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 32|Cersei VII]]
}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:Melissa Findley Negotiations at the Great Sept.JPG|right|thumb|280px|Queen [[Cersei Lannister]] negotiates with the High Sparrow. Art by Melissa Findley © FFG]]
[[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] and [[Taena of Myr|Taena]] share the queen's litter en route to the [[Great Sept of Baelor]]. The lady from [[Myr]] is telling Cersei about all the men who are always around [[Margaery Tyrell|Margaery]], and how she was present for the bedding at [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]]'s wedding. Although Taena is not sure if Margaery is still a maiden, she affirms that Renly was aroused. She also lets on that besides all the [[Knight|knights]] and bards, [[Pycelle]] is a frequent visitor of the young queen, and her brother [[Loras Tyrell|Loras]] visits perhaps more than any other. They also discuss the new [[High Septon]], a man who was once a "[[Sparrows|sparrow]]" and not a member of the [[Most Devout]]. This is not only surprising, but also of concern to Cersei, and she considers that she may have to poison this new leader of the Seven, if he becomes unruly.

Reaching the top of [[Visenya's hill|Visenya's Hill]], the queen's litter can continue no further as the streets are packed with "sparrows". Continuing on foot, Cersei considers Pycelle's objection to her choice of [[Osfryd Kettleblack]] to replace [[Addam Marbrand]] as the commander of the City Watch. She takes note of all the bones and skulls piled up around the statue of Baelor, and is told that they are the remains of septons and septas who were killed by the war, because they received no protection from the Throne. At the doors to the Great Sept, armed men block the [[Kingsguard]]s' entry since they bear weapons. Cersei must enter alone, and as she does she wonders about these anointed knights answering the call to defend [[the Faith]].

Inside the Sept, she is appalled to find Septon [[Raynard]] in roughspun robes scrubbing the floors, and learns that Septon [[Torbert]] has been imprisoned for being obese when so many are starving. She berates the new High Septon, this "sparrow" wearing frayed robes and standing before her barefoot. He tells her that the Faith has sold the crown her father gave his predecessor, as well as all the valuables in their vaults, in order to help feed the poor. Cersei recalls [[Qyburn]]'s report that the "sparrows" broke down the doors of the Sept before the final vote with axes in their hands and their leader on their shoulders. She now understands how this man was elected High Septon. Speaking in private, the priest reprimands her for beheading [[Eddard Stark|Ned Stark]] on the steps of the Great Sept, and reveals that he hasn't come to the [[Red Keep]] to bless King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]] because he is still praying for guidance from [[Faith of the Seven#The Seven|the Seven]] to affirm that the boy is the rightful king. The Queen Regent begins to seethe with anger, but concedes to his concerns that the holy men and women on the roads need protection from rape and murder: Cersei agrees to have Tommen rearm the Faith, something King [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] forbade almost 300 years ago. She promises to restore the [[Faith Militant]], for which the High Septon will acknowledge Tommen as king and forgive the Crown's debt to the Faith.

Back in her litter, Cersei tells Taena of her triumph: with one stroke she has gotten the Faith to bless Tommen, reduced the Throne's debt by almost a million dragons, and cleared the city of "sparrows" by restoring the [[Faith of the Seven#Faith Militant|Warrior's Sons]] and the [[Faith of the Seven#Faith Militant|Poor Fellows]]. Yet she doesn't realize the repercussions of what she has set in motion. On the way back to the Red Keep, Cersei's litter encounters Margaery's entourage returning from a horse ride and picnic. Margaery tells Cersei that she should share some of the burden of ruling the realm. But Cersei laughs at her, especially when the young queen tells her she is always well protected by her brother Loras when she goes riding.

==References and Notes==
*The synopsis was copied from Aol member vbkorik27 previously at[http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html]
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2014/06/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-feast-for-crows-part-20 A Read of Ice and Fire: A Feast for Crows, Part 20]. Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Feast for Crows: Chapter 28]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Cersei Lannister]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in King's Landing]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Great Sept of Baelor]]
[[es:Festín de Cuervos-Capítulo 28]]
[[fr:A Feast for Crows, Chapitre 29, Cersei]]
[[pt:O Festim dos Corvos - Capítulo 28]]

A Feast for Crows-Chapter 31

2024-01-19T18:03:12Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter AFfC
| pov = [[Brienne of Tarth]]
| title = Brienne VI
| place = the [[Quiet Isle]]
| page = 460
| previous = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 30|Jaime IV]]
| current = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 31|Brienne VI]]
| next = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 32|Cersei VII]]
| arc previous = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 25|Brienne V]]
| arc next = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 37|Brienne VII]]
}}

==Synopsis==
Upon reaching the [[Quiet Isle]], [[Brienne of Tarth|Brienne]] and her companions are taken up the path to see the [[Elder Brother (Quiet Isle)|Elder Brother]]. Brienne mentions to the brother guiding them that she is heading for [[Saltpans]] to kill [[Sandor Clegane|the Hound]]. This takes the man aback, but he tells them to speak to their elder. They see a huge horse in their stables, obviously a war horse, who has mauled two of the brothers. On a hill, they pass a [[Gravedigger|huge cloaked novice]] digging graves. The man appears lame, but they cannot see his face.

The Elder Brother speaks further of the horrible raid on Saltpans, made worse by the fact that Ser [[Quincy Cox]] hid behind his castle walls and did nothing to help the villagers.

After dinner, the Elder Brother speaks in private with Brienne. He asks what she seeks in Saltpans, and when she mentions a highborn girl, the elder knows she refers to [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]]. He lets on that it is the wrong Stark she seeks, for the Hound captured [[Arya Stark|Arya]]. Shocked that both of Lady [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]]'s daughters may yet be alive, she is equally surprised when he informs her that Sandor Clegane is dead. The Elder Brother has buried his corpse himself, and left the hound's-head helm on the grave. It was [[Rorge|some other outlaw]] who found and wore it when they raided Saltpans.

[[File:Pojypojy_B&Elder_Brother.JPG‎|[[Brienne of Tarth]] and the [[Elder Brother (Quiet Isle)|Elder Brother]] discuss Brienne's mission- by [http://pojypojy.deviantart.com/ Pojypojy ©]|thumb|250px|left]]
He goes on to tell her that he took pity on Sandor before he died, and will only say that ''"he is at rest"'' when she asks if he is truly dead. The elder remarks that the horse in their stables was the Hound's, [[Stranger (horse)|Stranger]].

The Elder Brother then tells her that he was once a knight who fought for Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]] at the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]]. He took several terrible wounds in the battle and fell into the river, yet awoke upon the shores of the Quiet Isle. He urges her not to be another casualty of this war, and return home. Brienne breaks down and cries, telling him her story, finishing with, ''"I have to try to save her... or die in the attempt."''

==References and Notes==
* The synopsis was copied from AOL member vbkorik27 previously at [http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html]
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2014/07/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-feast-for-crows-part-22 A Read of Ice and Fire: A Feast for Crows, Part 22]. Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Feast for Crows: Chapter 31]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Brienne of Tarth]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in the Riverlands]]

[[fr:A Feast for Crows, Chapitre 32, Brienne]]
[[pt:O Festim dos Corvos - Capítulo 31]]

A Feast for Crows-Chapter 36

2024-01-18T21:19:55Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter AFfC
| pov = [[Cersei Lannister]]
| title = Cersei VIII
| place = [[King's Landing]]
| page = 529
| previous = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 35|Samwell IV]]
| current = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 36|Cersei VIII]]
| next = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 37|Brienne VII]]
| arc previous = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 32|Cersei VII]]
| arc next = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 39|Cersei IX]]
}}

==Synopsis==
[[File: Blood and prophecies by crisurdiales.jpg|thumb|300px|Cersei, Melara, and Maggy – by Cris Urdiasles ©]]
Lord [[Aurane Waters]] has returned from [[Dragonstone]] with news that the fortress has fallen. This was good news indeed, considering that word from the [[Reach]] mentioned the ironmen raiding the [[Arbor]] and pushing towards [[Oldtown]]. Aurane indicates that Ser [[Loras Tyrell|Loras]] was grievously wounded during the assault and lay dying after having had boiling oil poured on him from the walls; he also holds Loras responsible for turning the battle into a massacre, as thousands of the Crown's soldiers died in the storming of Dragonstone's keep, many of them knights or lords. Ecstatic, [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] had to deliver the news personally to [[Margaery Tyrell|Margaery]]. The young queen is appalled by Cersei's description of the fate of her brother, and commands Cersei to get out of her quarters. Back in her solar, four separate men bring word on a dwarf sighting, and one brings her a head. However, none of them bear word related to [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]], and Cersei sends them away in frustation. Later, in court, Cersei must deal with several unimportant pleas, and then Septon [[Raynard]] arrives. Furious that the [[High Septon]] himself did not come before her, she scoffs at his words that the [[Faith of the Seven|Faith]] is trying to abolish the brothels in the city.

[[Pycelle]] brings word that Lord [[Gyles Rosby|Gyles]] may not live much longer, but Cersei demands that the Grand Maester do his utmost to keep the old man alive. At dinner with her son, [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]] mentions that Margaery has been urging him to attend court, to which Cersei responds how much she'd like to see the young queen's tongue torn out. Tommen yells at his mother, and as a punishment for his outburst, she commands [[Boros Blount|Ser Boros]] to oversee the lashing of the boy king’s [[Pate (King's Landing)|whipping boy]] by Tommen himself, rather than by a knight. During the night, Cersei dreams of her visit to the witch back when she was 10 years old. She vividly recalls [[Maggy|Maggy the Frog]]'s plea that they leave her, but Cersei and [[Melara Hetherspoon|Melara]] will not back down. Maggy commands them to cut open their thumbs, and the old easterner tastes their blood. She prophesized that Cersei would marry the [[Robert Baratheon|king]] (not the [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Prince]], as Cersei thought), but her husband would father 16 children and Cersei only three, and that she would reign as queen only "until there comes another, younger and more beautiful, to cast you down and take all that you hold dear... Gold shall be their crowns and gold their shrouds. And when your tears have drowned you, the ''valonqar'' shall wrap his hands about your pale white throat and choke the life from you." Maggy also warns that Melara will die very soon, and true enough, she drowns in a well shortly after.

Waking from the nightmare, she sends for Pycelle to make her a potion that permits sleep without dreams. She asks him if seeing the future is possible, but the old maester evades answering by saying, "Should our morrows be foretold? And to that I should answer, 'No.' Some doors are best left closed." Aggravated, she sends for [[Qyburn]], first asking if [[Falyse Stokeworth|Falyse]] was still capable of being used to root out [[Bronn]]. But the necromancer tells her it is too late for that. Then she inquires of him the same she had asked of Pycelle. We learn that Maggy was from the far east, and had married a wealthy merchant. Their son was "upjumped" to a petty lord by Cersei's grandfather. Qyburn tells her that the name Maggy was probably a mispronunciation of "maegi", and that bloodmagic was very powerful. The de-chained maester suggests that she already knew how to forestall the prophecy. Seizing upon this suggestion, Cersei plans a fool-proof way to have Margaery killed. Deciding that treason would work best, the next day she inquires of Ser [[Osmund Kettleblack|Osmund]] if his brother [[Osney Kettleblack|Osney]] could defeat Ser Boros in single combat. He replies that it wouldn't even be a match, and wonders if Boros has commited treason. Cersei replies no, but thinks to herself: But Osney has.

==References and Notes==
*The synopsis was copied from AOL member vbkorik27 previously at [http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html].
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2014/08/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-feast-for-crows-part-26 A Read of Ice and Fire: A Feast for Crows, Part 26]. Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Feast for Crows: Chapter 36]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Cersei Lannister]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Red Keep]]

[[fr:A Feast for Crows, Chapitre 37, Cersei]]
[[pt:O Festim dos Corvos - Capítulo 36]]
[[ru:Пир стервятников, Серсея VIII]]

A Feast for Crows-Chapter 43

2024-01-18T21:06:53Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter AFfC
| pov = [[Cersei Lannister]]
| title = Cersei X
| place = [[King's Landing]]
| page = 642
| previous = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 42|Brienne VIII]]
| current = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 43|Cersei X]]
| next = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 44|Jaime VII]]
| arc previous = [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 39|Cersei IX]]
| arc next = ''A Dance with Dragons'' [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 54|Cersei I]]
}}
==Synopsis==

[[File:Skirts and dignity by cabepfir.jpg|300px|thumb|[[Margaery Tyrell]] imprisoned, confronts [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]]. Art by Cabepfir©]]
Accompanied by six newly reinstated [[Warrior's Sons]], Septa [[Moelle]] brings word to the court that Queen [[Margaery Tyrell|Margaery]] and her cousins have been imprisoned at the [[Great Sept of Baelor]] for adultery and high treason. The Septa reveals that Margaery's maidenhead is not intact. Grand Maester [[Pycelle]] also reluctantly discloses to the Septa that Margaery has had him mix [[moon tea]] on many occasions. Leaving the throne room confident that Margaery was finished, [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] agrees with [[Aurane Waters]]' request to launch his new dromonds, in case Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] decides to march on [[King's Landing]] to save his daughter. Lord [[Orton Merryweather]] remarks that the High Septon may want to try Margaery himself, as the Faith used to do. Cersei hopes he is right.

Cersei has [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]] sign some blank warrants, which she then affixes names to. Summoning Ser [[Osfryd Kettleblack|Osfryd]], she orders him to arrest Ser [[Tallad]], the [[Blue Bard]], [[Hugh Clifton]], [[Mark Mullendore]], as well as the [[House Redwyne|Redwyne]] twins whom she wants to be found innocent of the charges of bedding Margaery. The next morning, Cersei and [[Taena of Myr|Taena]] are carried by litter to the Great Sept. On the way, Lady Merryweather inquires, "What if Margaery demands that her innocence be determined by battle?" Cersei smiles, and replies that she must be championed by a knight of the [[Kingsguard]], but since Ser [[Osmund Kettleblack|Osmund]] is brother to one of her accusers, that leaves only Ser [[Meryn Trant]] and Ser [[Boros Blount]]. Cersei states that the former will not be feeling well when the time comes. Within the Sept, the High Septon grants Cersei permission to visit her good-daughter, while Taena goes to speak with Margaery's cousins.
Margaery is beside herself, stripped of her clothes and dignity, while she is asked once an hour to confess her fornication. Cersei tells her that she has rounded up all those that Ser Osney named, lying that they will reveal her innocence. When Cersei says that a sworn brother of the Kingsguard will fight for her should it come to a trial by combat, Margaery demands that her own brother, Ser [[Garlan Tyrell|Garlan the Gallant]], be summoned to fight in place of the grievously injured Ser [[Loras Tyrell|Loras]]. Cersei would never allow this to happen; and Margaery, well aware of Cersei's intentions, tells her to leave, calling her a vile, scheming, evil bitch.

Cersei is then escorted deep beneath [[Visenya's hill|Visenya's Hill]] to speak with the High Septon. He tells her that seven will sit in judgment of Margaery and her cousins, as the Faith did in yore, before King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] stripped them of this power. When Cersei asks to have Ser Osney released into her custody, the priest flatly denies her. Chained to the ceiling of his cell, Osney has been brutally whipped. Infuriated, Cersei tells the High Septon that Osney came of his own free will. The holy man responds, "I have heard many men confess, but seldom have I heard a man so pleased to be so guilty... The more diligently we applied the scourge, the more Ser Osney's offenses seemed to change. He would now have us believe that he never touched Margaery Tyrell." When asked now if he had carnal knowledge of the queen, Osney points at Cersei, saying, "Aye. That one there." Furthermore, he confesses that Cersei ordered him to kill the old High Septon. Upon hearing this, Cersei bolts from the cell, racing headlong through the Great Sept. Fearing what may happen should the Faith question Taena Merryweather, she is soon overtaken by a group of septas, who strip her and confine her to a grim cell.

Her screams going unheard, Cersei begins to shiver from the cold. Every time she begins to fall asleep, she is jostled awake and asked if she will confess her sins. After two days of this torture, [[Qyburn]] enters her cell. She begs him to take her home, but the de-chained maester tells her it will not be allowed and she will be tried for murder, treason, and fornication. He reveals that Margaery will be tried by the same court, and that he delivered the Blue Bard to the High Septon, but despite the Faith's torture, "he is still singing the same sweet song we taught him". Qyburn then informs her of the rapid changes made since her fall: the realm is now being governed by Ser [[Harys Swyft]] and Pycelle; they removed Ser Osfryd as Commander of the gold cloaks and Qyburn from the small council (though he still works for them thanks to his control of [[Varys]]' whisperers); Lord Orton and Taena have fled to [[Longtable]], while Ser [[Kevan Lannister|Kevan]] has been sent for to take over the Regency. Perhaps worst of all, Aurane Waters unshipped his oars and sailed the fleet, possibly to join Lord [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]]; while Lord Mace Tyrell and Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] are marching on [[King's Landing]].

Despite Qyburn's words that his unbeatable "champion" is ready, Cersei knows that only a Kingsguard can defend her in a trial by combat. She has Qyburn pen her final plea to her brother: "Come at once. Help me. Save me. I need you as I have never needed you before. I love you, I love you, I love you. Come at once."

==References and Notes==
*The synopsis was copied from AOL member vbkorik27 previously at [http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html].
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2014/09/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-feast-for-crows-part-31 A Read of Ice and Fire: A Feast for Crows, Part 31]. Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Feast for Crows: Chapter 43]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Cersei Lannister]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Red Keep]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Great Sept of Baelor]]

[[fr:A Feast for Crows, Chapitre 44, Cersei]][[zh:群鸦的盛宴-章节 43]]
[[pt:O Festim dos Corvos - Capítulo 43]]

A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 55

2024-01-18T21:04:26Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ADwD
| pov = [[Barristan Selmy]]
| place = [[Meereen]]
| title = The Queensguard
| page = 730
| previous = [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 54|Cersei I]]
| current = The Queensguard
| next = [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 56|The Iron Suitor]]
| arc previous =
| arc next = [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 59|The Discarded Knight]]
}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:Alexandre Dainche selmy.jpg|thumb|300px|Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] and Skahaz, by Alexandre Dainche © Fantasy Flight Games]]
[[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] has not returned, many fear her dead. The [[Dothraki]] are searching for her across the [[Worm River]]. [[Belwas|Strong Belwas]] is still in mortal danger from the poisoned locusts that he ate during the reopening of the fighting pits,<ref>Probably meant for Daenerys or Hizdahr; Belwas ate the locusts in [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 52|Chapter 52 (Daenerys)]], page 691; and felt the effects on pages 696 and 697</ref> and Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] does not trust the Blue [[Graces]] that are taking care of him now. [[Jhogo]], [[Daario Naharis]], [[Groleo|Admiral Groleo]], and [[Hero]] of the [[Unsullied]] all remain prisoners of the [[Yunkai'i]].<ref>Since [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 50|Chapter 50 (Daenerys)]], page 663</ref>

Ser Barristan is told by [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]]'s seneschal [[Reznak mo Reznak]] that Hizdahr wishes to receive his Yunkish guests without Barristan there, essentially removing the duties of the head of the Queensguard. Of all of Dany's servants, only [[Missandei]] remains within the royal apartments, although she too has been replaced.

The Unsullied have been slighted by Hizdahr, and the [[Shavepates]] might well be more loyal to [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]] than to Hizdahr, so the king lets himself be defended by pit fighters while he prepares for the peace discussions with the Yunkai'i.<ref>Pages 730-731</ref>

Meanwhile, disease<ref>The [[Bloody flux]], also known as the ''pale mare''</ref> has spread throughout [[Meereen]], both in the city itself and among the Yunkishmen camped outside it, despite the best of Dany's earlier efforts. Due to this, the streets are extremely quiet. Barristan is in a depressed and reflective state, wondering how he got here, how he lost Dany like he lost her father and brother, as well as [[Robert Baratheon|King Robert]]. He remembers how he ran too slowly after Dany, pondering if Daario would have run faster. As [[Drogon]] took to the air with Dany on his back, spears and crossbow bolts were targeted at him, wounding him. In reply, he loosed his fire upon them, killing two hundred and fourteen people and wounding three times as many.<ref>Pages 732-734</ref> Rumor has it that the Yunkai'i sieging Meereen have mounted scorpions around the city in an attempt at slaying Drogon should he return.<ref>Page 735</ref>

As he thinks that she may be flying home, Missandei appears behind him. She tells him that Dany would not leave without them. She also says that Skahaz mo Kandaq the Shavepate wishes to meet with him, secretly. Barristan agrees to a meeting at the stables at sunset. There, the Shavepate says that the [[Sons of the Harpy]] [[poisoned locusts|poisoned the locusts]] that Belwas ate, intending to kill Dany, that [[Volantis]] has dispatched its fleet, and that Hizdahr means to open Meereen's gates for them.

Skahaz asks him to speak to [[Grey Worm]], as he will trust Barristan and support them. Selmy agrees to conspire with the Shavepate against Hizdahr, and to attack the unsuspecting Yunkai'i before the fleet from Volantis can arrive to take the city and enslave all Dany's people. He does this on the condition that Hizdahr's guilt can be proven and Barristan thinks to himself that he will kill the man personally. Barristan says that he will go speak to Grey Worm.

==Character List appearing/mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
* [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
* [[Belwas]]
* [[Barristan Selmy]]
* [[Jhogo]]
* [[Daario Naharis]]
* [[Groleo]]
* [[Hero]]
* [[Reznak mo Reznak]]
* [[Missandei]]
* [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]]
* [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]]
*[[Robert Baratheon]]
*[[Drogon]]
*[[Grey Worm]]
}}

==Places and terms mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
*[[Dothraki]]
*[[Yunkai]]
*[[Unsullied]]
*[[Meereen]]
*[[Sons of the Harpy]]
*[[Volantis]]
*[[Poisoned locusts]]
}}

==References and Notes==
{{References}}
*[https://www.tor.com/2015/08/13/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-dance-with-dragons-part-33/ A Read of Ice and Fire: A Dance with Dragons, Part 33] Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Dance with Dragons 55]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Barristan Selmy]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in Meereen]]
[[es:Danza de Dragones-Capítulo 55]]
[[fr:A Dance with Dragons, Chapitre 56, Le garde de la reine]]
[[pt:A Dança dos Dragões - Capítulo 55]]

A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 61

2024-01-18T20:59:52Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ADwD
| pov = [[Jon Connington]]
| place = [[Griffin's Roost]]
| title = The Griffin Reborn
| page = 801
| previous = [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 60|The Spurned Suitor]]
| current = The Griffin Reborn
| next = [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 62|The Sacrifice]]
| arc previous = [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 24|The Lost Lord]]
| arc next =
}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:Jon connington.png|300px|thumb|right|by [http://filipehattori.deviantart.com Filipe Ferreira]]]
[[Jon Connington]] and the [[Golden Company]] have landed at [[Cape Wrath]] in [[Westeros]], and manage to seize [[Griffin's Roost]] and other small castles by taking them unawares. The [[taking of Griffin's Roost]] was quite easy; the Golden Company only lost four men in the attack. Any raven trying to leave the castle was shot down, followed shortly by the castle's [[maester]] being thrown from his tower. After that, what was left of the garrison surrendered.

Taking his leave of the Golden Company officers by claiming to be going to pray at his father's tomb in the castle sept, Jon instead goes to the battlements and reminisces over the time [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]] visited his home and seemed impressed with Connington's lands. Jon then reflects on what happened next to [[House Connington|his House]]; after [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] exiled Jon, furious at his failure to stop Robert, the lands and title went to his cousin [[Ronald Connington]] (who had been Jon's castellan while he was in [[King's Landing]]) but after the end of [[Robert's Rebellion]], [[Robert Baratheon|King Robert]] stripped Ronald of his lordship and gave most of House Connington's lands to houses that had fought for him. Jon, however, is glad that he will not have to fight his deceased cousin or Ronald's son [[Ronnet Connington|Ronnet]], who is away fighting in the Riverlands, to reclaim Griffin's Roost, not wanting to celebrate his return by killing one of his own kin. Nor does he blame his cousin any longer for taking advantage of his downfall, since as far as Jon is concerned, the one responsible for House Connington's downfall is himself.

Jon's musings then turn to where he lost everything: [[Stoney Sept]]. Taking over pursuit of Robert from the [[House Tyrell|Tyrells]] after the [[Battle of Ashford]], Jon cornered the rebel in the town and began searching for him. But the search yielded nothing, as the townsfolk were protecting Robert, hiding him and constantly moving him. All of Connington's efforts to find Robert- offering bribes for information, taking hostages, threats and pardons- got him nowhere, and the delays bought time for [[Eddard Stark]] and [[Hoster Tully]] to bring a rebel army to Robert's rescue. The rebels attacked Connington's men at the same time Robert and his followers emerged from the town in a counterattack, and the [[Battle of the Bells|ensuing battle]] ended in a rebel victory. For years, Jon reflects that he insisted he did all he could, until [[Myles Toyne]] disabused him of that notion by pointing out that [[Tywin Lannister]] would have burned Stoney Sept to the ground to kill Robert, then offered pardons to Stark and Tully when they arrived to convince them to give up and go home. Connington, however, knew this would mean killing everyone in the town, and he both didn't want to be branded a murderer and wanted the glory of slaying Robert for himself. Jon reflects that his failure at Stoney Sept led to Rhaegar's death at the Trident and vows not to fail Prince Aegon as he failed his father.

Re-joining his fellows, Jon takes note of the captives, including Ronnet's brother, sister and bastard son. Most of the castle staff swear loyalty to him. Connington pays a visit to [[Haldon]], who is trying to interpret where most of the Golden Company, scattered along the coast by the Volantene ships that transported them from [[Essos]] to send a message to [[Doran Martell]] to inform him that his nephew [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]] is alive, in order to gain the Dornish alliance. Jon reflects that he could not have expected loyalty from these men if he had reclaimed his home while [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] and [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]] still held the Stormlands. Haldon also argues that they need to offer incentives to convince recalcitrant lords to join them-as most of the gold and land will go to the Golden Company officers that was taken from their ancestors, Haldon suggests offering the hands of Prince Aegon and Jon himself for marriage alliances. Jon, however refuses, in the face of his illness and his insistence that Aegon must be free to wed [[Daenerys Targaryen]] if she ever returns home. In his chambers, Jon privately treats his [[greyscale]] with wine. If his condition became known, he fears that any lords still loyal to [[House Connington]] would abandon him.

Four days later, Prince Aegon arrives along with [[Rolly Duckfield|Duck]], the first member of his [[Kingsguard]]. Jon recalls his disapproval of that choice and how he argued with Aegon that they should leave places in his Kingsguard open to both warriors of great renown or the younger sons of important lords to add lustre to their cause, but Aegon refused, saying all he wanted from his Kingsguard was their willingness to die defending him, pointing out that Jon's criteria for the Kingsguard perfectly fits [[Jaime Lannister|the Kingslayer]]. Jon informs him that his men plan to take [[Storm's End]] in ten days (he had refused the suggestions of the Golden Company officers to make an alliance with [[Stannis Baratheon]], who holds it, arguing that Stannis is Robert's brother, a rival claimant to the throne and leagues away from them with nothing to offer). Aegon agrees to this plan, and tells him that he intends for the siege to go forward with one change: Aegon will lead the attack himself.

==Character List appearing/mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
* [[Jon Connington | Jon Connington (Griff)]]
* [[Balaq|Black Balaq]]
* [[Harry Strickland]]
* [[Franklyn Flowers]]
* [[Malo Jayn]]
* [[Brendel Byrne]]
* [[Haldon|Haldon Halfmaester]]
* [[Rhaegar Targaryen]]
* [[Armond Connington]]
* [[Lester Morrigen|Lord Morrigen]]
* [[Aerys II Targaryen]]
* [[Ronald Connington]]
* [[Robert Baratheon]]
* [[Ronnet Connington]]
* [[Eddard Stark]]
* [[Hoster Tully]]
* [[Tywin Lannister]]
* [[Myles Toyne]]
* [[Jaime Lannister]]
* [[Raymund Connington]]
* [[Alynne Connington]]
* [[Ronald Storm]]
* [[Renly Baratheon]]
* [[Stannis]]
* [[Tristan Rivers]]
* [[Laswell Peake]]
* [[Gorys Edoryen]]
* [[Cersei Lannister]]
* [[Margaery Tyrell]]
* [[Mace Tyrell]]
* [[Myrcella Baratheon]]
* [[Doran Martell]]
* [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
* [[Elia Martell]]
* [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]
* [[Lemore|Lady Lemore]]
* [[Lymond Pease]]
* [[Dick Cole]]
* [[Marq Mandrake]]
* [[Tommen]]
* [[Lysono Maar]]
* [[Rolly Duckfield]]
* [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)]]
}}

==References and Notes==
{{References}}
*[https://www.tor.com/2015/09/10/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-dance-with-dragons-part-36/ A Read of Ice and Fire: A Dance with Dragons, Part 36] Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Dance with Dragons 61]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Jon Connington]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in the Stormlands]]

[[es:Danza de Dragones-Capítulo 61]]
[[fr:A Dance with Dragons, Chapitre 62, Le griffon ressuscité]]
[[pt:A Dança dos Dragões - Capítulo 61]]

A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 24

2024-01-18T20:57:15Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ADwD
| pov = [[Jon Connington]]
| place = [[Volon Therys]]
| title = The Lost Lord
| page = 306
| previous = [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 23|Daenerys IV]]
| current = The Lost Lord
| next = [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 25|The Windblown]]
| arc previous =
| arc next = [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 61|The Griffin Reborn]]
}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:Greyscale.jpg|300px|thumb|right|[[Jon Connington]] has been infected with greyscale. © Fantasy Flight Games]]
After the disappearance of [[Tyrion Lannister]],{{Ref|aDwD|22}} Lord [[Jon Connington]] decided to continue their route to [[Volon Therys]]. There, the former lord of [[Griffin's Roost]], [[Haldon]] and Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]] arrive at the camp of the mercenary [[Golden Company]] to meet their officers.

On their way, the man called Griff recalls memories of the time when he served with the mercenaries himself - the Golden Company was founded by former combatants and knights of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] who were defeated in the [[Blackfyre Rebellion]]. Jon Connington joined the Golden Company after his own defeat at the [[Battle of the Bells]], at [[Stoney Sept]], when he failed to capture the then-rebel [[Robert Baratheon]], seventeen years ago. It is revealed that Connington was dismissed from the Golden Company for ostensibly stealing from their war chest, but in reality left their service as part of a plan staged by Lord [[Varys]] to make his ignominious dismissal more forgettable. The Company was previously led by Connington's close friend Toyne but now it is led by "Homeless" [[Harry Strickland]], a man skilled in negotiating lucrative contracts but cowardly facing combat, in the eyes of Connington.

After presenting the young Griff as Prince Aegon Targaryen, son of the late Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], to the highest-ranking members of the Company, the officers, including Connington, voice their lack of enthusiasm for the complicated situation. They did not anticipate that Daenerys would decide to remain in [[Meereen]] instead of marching out to meet her enemies and joining with them. Strickland reveals that the Golden Company has received a large number of alternative offers, including some which would involve them joining the coalition currently arrayed against [[Daenerys Targaryen]]. They also bemoan the constantly-changing plans of [[Illyrio Mopatis]] and Varys, who did not anticipate [[Viserys Targaryen]]'s death or that Daenerys would go to Slaver's Bay rather than [[Westeros]]. Seeing their disillusionment and an opportunity to claim the Iron Throne for his own, Prince Aegon offers them an alternative, earlier proposed by Tyrion: He does not wish to try to rally Daenerys and her dragons, but instead to sail to Westeros with the hope of obtaining support from [[Dorne]] in accordance with [[Doran Martell]]'s own plan for avenging Princess [[Elia Martell]]. Aegeon reasons that once he and the Golden Company have begun the rebellion, Daenerys will cross the [[Narrow Sea]] to join him. This proposal is met with great enthusiasm from the officers, except Harry Strickland, who nevertheless has no choice but to comply.

Once agreed on the new plan, Aegon is taken on a tour of the mercenary camp. Connington retires to his quarters, satisfied with the new situation and impressed with a side of Aegon he has not previously seen. He hopes to return home to the castle of his ancestors and repay his debt to his old friend Rhaegar. It is then revealed that he is slowly succumbing to [[greyscale]] (presumably acquired during the attack by the Stone Men<ref>Between [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 18|Chapter 18 (Tyrion V)]] and [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 22|Chapter 22 (Tyrion VI)]]</ref>), which is beginning to spread in his hand - he hopes that he will live several more years to see his ward sit the Iron Throne.

==Character List==
{{columns|7|
'''Appearing:'''
*[[Griff]]
*[[Lemore]]
*[[Yandry]]
*[[Haldon]]
*[[Young Griff]]
*[[Franklyn Flowers]]
*[[Marq Mandrake]]
*[[Balaq]]
*[[Gorys Edoryen]]
*[[Lysono Maar]]
*[[Harry Strickland]]
*[[Watkyn]]
*[[Laswell Peake]]
*[[Tristan Rivers]]

'''Mentioned:'''
*[[Tyrion Lannister]]
*[[Rolly Duckfield]]
*[[Malaquo]]
*[[Daenerys Targaryen]]
*[[Cersei Lannister]]
*[[Myles Toyne]]
*[[Rhaegar Targaryen]]
*[[Robert Baratheon]]
*[[Aerys II Targaryen]]
*[[Rhaella Targaryen]]
*[[Elia Martell]]
*[[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys Targaryen]]
*[[Illyrio Mopatis]]
*[[Viserys Targaryen]]
*Khal [[Drogo]]
*[[Arthur Dayne]]
*[[Varys]]
*[[Maelys I Blackfyre]]
*[[Terrence Toyne]]
*[[Aegor Rivers]]
*[[Daemon I Blackfyre]]
*[[Bloodbeard]]
*[[Tattered Prince]]
*[[Aegon I Targaryen]]
*[[Tywin Lannister]]
*[[Tommen Baratheon]]
*[[Joffrey Baratheon]]
*[[Jaime Lannister]]
*[[Margaery Tyrell]]
*[[Mace Tyrell]]
*[[Ysilla]]
}}

==Places and terms mentioned==
{{columns|7|
*[[Shy Maid]]
*[[Volantis]]
*[[Selhorys]]
*[[Sorrows]]
*[[Volon Therys]]
*[[Golden Company]]
*[[King's Landing]]
*[[Iron Throne]]
*[[Westeros]]
*[[Stoney Sept]]
*[[Battle of the Bells]]
*[[Battle of the Trident]]
*[[Seven Kingdoms]]
*[[Pentos]]
*[[Slaver's Bay]]
*[[Faith of the Seven]]
*[[Dothraki]]
*[[Rhoyne]]
*[[the Reach]]
*[[Cider Hall]]
*[[House Fossoway]]
*[[Lys]]
*[[House Strong]]
*[[House Peake]]
*[[House Mudd]]
*[[House Mandrake]]
*[[House Lothston]]
*[[House Cole]]
*[[Summer Islands]]
*[[House Strickland]]
*[[Blackfyre Rebellion]]
*[[Dragonstone]]
*[[First Men]]
*[[Disputed Lands]]
*[[Myr]]
*[[Meereen]]
*[[Yunkai]]
*[[New Ghis]]
*[[Tolos]]
*[[Unsullied]]
*[[Narrow Sea]]
*[[Dorne]]
*[[House Lannister]]
*[[Casterly Rock]]
*[[Highgarden]]
*[[Griffin's Roost]]
}}

==References and Notes==
{{References}}
*[https://www.tor.com/2015/03/12/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-dance-with-dragons-part-14/ A Read of Ice and Fire: A Dance with Dragons, Part 14] Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Dance with Dragons 24]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Jon Connington]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in Volon Therys]]

[[es:Danza de Dragones-Capítulo 24]]
[[fr:A Dance with Dragons, Chapitre 25, Le seigneur perdu]]
[[pt:A Dança dos Dragões - Capítulo 24]]

A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 64

2024-01-18T20:55:38Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ADwD
| pov = [[Arya Stark]]
| place = [[Braavos]]
| title = The Ugly Little Girl
| page = 835
| previous = [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 63|Victarion I]]
| current = The Ugly Little Girl
| next = [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 65|Cersei II]]
| arc previous = [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 45|The Blind Girl]]
| arc next = ''The Winds of Winter'' [[Mercy (The Winds of Winter)|Mercy]]
}}

==Synopsis==
After a gathering of eleven [[Faceless Men]], [[Arya Stark|Arya]] is interrogated by [[plague face]] and deemed ready for her first assassination. Arya disguises herself again as Cat of the Canals and returns to [[Brusco]]'s. While selling seafood at the [[Purple Harbor]], Arya observes her target, an old man who sells insurance for captains, shipowners, and other merchants. When the [[kindly man]] suggests that the man might not be paying out for claims as he should, Arya determines that a family member of a client has prayed for the man's death at the [[House of Black and White]]. Arya eventually decides she will kill her target with [[poison]], which the [[waif]] then helps her prepare.

The kindly man informs Arya that she will need a new face for this job, since Cat of the Canals would be easily recognized. He and the waif lead her down into a hidden chamber deep under the House of Black and White. The walls are covered with mask-like faces, which Arya realizes are the faces of people who have died at the House of Black and White. The face chosen for Arya is that of a young girl who was abused to the point of permanent disfigurement, and who came to the temple seeking death. Arya's blood is used to soften the leathery mask into living skin, which then bonds to her head and becomes her new face. The kindly man warns Arya that she will suffer the nightmares of the girl whose face she has taken, but only for a time. His promise proves to be true, and that night Arya dreams of the abuse that was suffered by the girl at the hands of her father.

[[File:Paul Guzenko Poisoned Coin.JPG|250px|thumb|left|Arya's target bites the poisoned coin. © Fantasy Flight Games]]
The target is always accompanied by two guards, and the kindly man has forbidden Arya to kill anyone other than her target, so Arya must stalk the man for several days to find an opportunity. She eventually dispatches him by slipping a poisoned coin into the purse of one of his clients, knowing the old man selling insurance will bite into the shipowner's coins to test their legitimacy. Knowing that the target's heart would then soon give out after consuming the poison, the kindly man is pleased by Arya's success, and he raises her to the status of an acolyte. He gives her a black and white robe to wear while at the temple and restores her face. However, the next day she is to take a new face and leave for her first apprenticeship with someone named [[Izembaro]].

==Character List appearing/mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
* [[Arya Stark]]
* [[Lordling]]
* [[Fat fellow]]
* [[Plague face]]
* [[Handsome man]]
* [[Squinter]]
* [[Kindly man]]
* [[Gregor Clegane]]
* [[Dunsen]]
* [[Raff]]
* [[Ilyn Payne]]
* [[Meryn Trant]]
* [[Cersei Lannister]]
* [[Brusco]]
* [[Brea]]
* [[Old man]]
* [[Red Roggo]]
* [[Waif]]
* [[Jaqen H'ghar]]
* [[Tickler]]
* [[Talea]]
* [[Sailor's Wife]]
* [[Tagganaro]]
* [[Casso]]
* [[Izembaro]]
}}

==Places and terms mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
* [[Braavos]]
* [[House of Black and White]]
* [[Winterfell]]
* [[Purple Harbor]]
* [[Harrenhal]]
* [[Holy Refuge|Warren]]
* [[Gardens of Gelenei]]
* [[Stones of the Silent God]]
* [[Patternmaker's Maze]]
* [[Black Canal]]
* [[Ragman's Harbor]]
* [[Drowned Town]]
* [[Happy Port]]
* [[Ship (playhouse)|The Ship]]
}}

==References and Notes==
{{References}}
*[https://www.tor.com/2015/09/24/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-dance-with-dragons-part-37/ A Read of Ice and Fire: A Dance with Dragons, Part 37] Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Dance with Dragons 64]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Arya Stark]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in Braavos]]

[[es:Danza de Dragones-Capítulo 64]]
[[fr:A Dance with Dragons, Chapitre 65, La laideronne]]
[[pt:A Dança dos Dragões - Capítulo 64]]

Benifer

2024-01-18T20:35:27Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox character
| arms = Grand Maester
| title = Grand Maester
| firstname = Benifer
| image = [[file:Aerea death.jpg|300px]]
| Played_by =
| image_caption = Grand Maester Benifer witnesses the death of [[Aerea Targaryen]]. depicted by Douglas Wheatley in ''[[Fire & Blood]]''
| Alias =
| Title = [[Grand Maester]]
| Allegiance = [[Citadel|The Citadel]] [[House Targaryen]]
| Race =
| Culture =
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death = [[King's Landing]]{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|59}}{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
| Books = ''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rise of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Sons of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned)
}}

'''Benifer ''' was a maester of the [[Citadel]] who served as [[Grand Maester]] during the reigns of kings [[Maegor I Targaryen]] and [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

==History==
Benifer became Grand Maester after the execution of Grand Maester [[Desmond (Grand Maester)|Desmond]].{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

When Maegor decided to take another wife, Benifer suggested a match with Lady [[Clarisse Dayne]] of [[Starfall]] in the hopes of detaching her lands and [[House Dayne|house]] from [[Dorne]].{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

In {{Date|48}} when the realm had enough of Maegor's tyranny and were flocking to join their support to the claim put forth by Prince [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]], Maegor ordered Grand Maester Benifer to send forth his [[ravens]] summoning all Maegor's leal lords and bannermen to gather at [[King's Landing]]. Benifer instead abandoned Maegor and secretly fled on a ship to [[Pentos]]. Benifer was the only Grand Maester to have survived Maegor's reign as Maegor had beheaded the previous three.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}

Upon Maegor's death, the new young king [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] sent an invitation to Benifer asking him to return to King's Landing. Although Benifer was fearful he might be executed for treason, he returned and was reinstated to his office by Jaehaerys.{{Ref|FAB|Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I}}

When [[Balerion]] returned to King's Landing in {{Date|56}} with the afflicted Princess [[Aerea Targaryen|Aerea]] barely clinging to him. The princess was carried to Benifer by Ser [[Lucamore Strong]] of the [[Kingsguard]]. [[Septon]] [[Barth]] aided Benifer in attempting to heal the girl, but their efforts failed and the princess perished, both men were traumatized by the girl's death.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

Benifer was one of the victims of the [[Shivers]] when that disease came to King's Landing in {{Date|59}}. He died after serving as Grand Maester for a total of fifteen years under two different kings.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} [[Elysar]], who was twenty years younger than him, succeeded him as [[Grand Maester]].{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|Every man and [[Maiden|maid]] and child in the [[stormlands]] is my hostage, whilst I [[Dragonrider|ride]] [[Vermithor|him]], [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|His Grace]] said without saying, and Lord [[Rogar Baratheon|Rogar]] heard him plain.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}|Benifer writing about [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] and [[Rogar Baratheon]]}}

==References==
{{References}}

{{Grand Maester}}
{{Maegor I small council}}
{{Jaehaerys I small council}}

[[Category:Casualties of the Shivers]]
[[Category:Characters from Westeros]]
[[Category:Grand Maesters]]
[[Category:Members of Maegor I Targaryen's court]]
[[Category:Members of Alyssa Velaryon's court]]
[[Category:Members of Jaehaerys I Targaryen's court]]

[[es:Benifer]]
[[fr:Benifer]]

Marq Farman

2024-01-13T10:42:21Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox character
| arms = Farman
| title = Lord
| firstname = Marq
| lastname = Farman
| image =
| image_caption =
| Alias =
| Title = [[Lord of Fair Isle]]{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}
| Allegiance = [[House Farman]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Westermen]]
| Father = [[House Farman|Lord Farman]]
| Mother =
| Spouse =
| Issue = [[Franklyn Farman]]{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} [[Elissa Farman]]{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}} [[Androw Farman]]{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|4}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued2)#Marq Farman|Marq Farman]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Death = [[Fair Isle]]{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|50}} (aged 46)
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (mentioned) ''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned) ''[[The Rise of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned)
| Played by =
| TV_series =
| Coat-of-arms =
}}

'''Marq Farman''' was the Lord of [[Fair Isle]] and the head of [[House Farman]] during the reign of King [[Maegor I Targaryen]] and the early reign of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

==Character==
Marq was described as an amiable and good-natured man. He was a devoted father, who loved all his children.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

==History==
Marq was born a second son of the [[Lord of Fair Isle]]. His father and elder brother perished during the [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye]] while fighting for Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon the Uncrowned]], which made Marq the new [[lord]]. His eldest son and now his heir, Ser [[Franklyn Farman|Franklyn]], returned the bodies of his kin to Fair Isle for burial.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

In {{Date|47}} Lord Marq hosted Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} During the princess's stay at [[Faircastle]], she befriended his daughter [[Elissa Farman|Elissa]] and was courted by his second son [[Androw Farman|Androw]]. They married in {{Date|49}}; however, there were tensions between them and Lord Marq's heir, Ser Franklyn. Marq died in {{Date|50}}, choking on a fish bone at his own table. He was forty-six years old at the time of his death.{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

==Family==
{{Farman tree Jaehaerys I}}

==References==
{{References}}

[[Category:House Farman]]
[[Category:Characters from the Westerlands|Farman, Marq]]
[[Category:Deaths by strangulation|Farman, Marq]]
[[Category:Lords of Fair Isle]]
[[Category:Nobles|Farman, Marq]]

[[es:Marq Farman]]
[[fr:Marq Farman]]
[[pt:Marq Farman]]

A Clash of Kings-Chapter 64

2024-01-10T18:36:31Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ACfK
| pov = [[Arya Stark]]
| place = [[Harrenhal]]
| title = Arya X
| page = 648
| previous = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 63|Daenerys V]]
| current = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 64|Arya X]]
| next = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 65|Sansa VIII]]
| arc previous = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 47|Arya IX]]
| arc next = ''A Storm of Swords'' [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 3|Arya I]]
}}

==Synopsis==
After aiding in the [[fall of Harrenhal]], [[Arya Stark|Arya]] is now serving Lord [[Roose Bolton]] as his cupbearer, "Nan". She is bothered by the killing and head-staking of many of the servants who worked for Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]], most of them inherited from Lady [[Shella Whent]] who held Harrenhal prior to Lord Tywin.<ref> Maester [[Tothmure]], [[Lucan]] the armorer, Goodwife [[Harra]], and Lady Shella Whent's former steward.</ref> Arya does not wish to reveal herself to the [[Lord of the Dreadfort]], even though she knows Roose to be one of King [[Robb Stark]]'s bannermen.

Arya overhears a meeting between Bolton and his advisors, mainly [[House Frey|Freys]]. The Freys believe that Robb will lose, and that they should sue for peace and leave Harrenhal. Roose states that he is not a man to be undone, like [[Stannis Baratheon]] was. Arya learns that [[capture of Winterfell|Winterfell has fallen]] and is horrified when she finds out that her brothers are dead. Roose dismisses the Freys and has Arya remove the leeches.

[[Qyburn]] reads a letter from the Lady [[Walda Frey (daughter of Merrett)|Walda]], Roose's s new wife. Lord Bolton orders the letter burned, and a message sent to [[Helman Tallhart]], who has recently taken [[Darry]] from the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]]. Roose orders Helman and [[Robett Glover]] to burn the castle and put the people within to the sword in the name of King Robb, and then to strike east for [[Duskendale]]. Roose says that both men will wish vengeance for what has transpired to their families and homes in the [[north]].

Roose announces that he will hunt wolves that day, for he cannot sleep with all the howling at night. Meanwhile, Arya practices her [[water dance]] in the [[godswood of Harrenhal]].

[[File:Valar Morghulis by Tim Tsang.jpg‎|thumb|400px|left|In order to escape [[Harrenhal]], [[Arya Stark]] slits the throat of the guard at postern gate - © Tim Tsang]]
That evening, Lord Bolton returns with nine dead wolves, and he tells Arya that he means to give Harrenhal to [[Vargo Hoat]] when he returns to the north. Arya is to remain at Harrenhal to serve the goat. Outside the [[Wailing Tower]], which is occupied by the Freys, she hears much shouting within and sees [[Elmar Frey|Elmar]] crying on the steps. The young son of Lord [[Walder Frey]] says, "We’ve been dishonored. There was a bird from the Twins. My lord father says I'll need to marry someone else." Elmar was promised a princess originally, but whether or not he knows it to be Arya{{Ref|AGOT|59}} is unknown.

Arya decides to flee [[Harrenhal]], and eventually convinces [[Gendry]] and [[Hot Pie]] to come with her that night. They meet at the [[Tower of Ghosts]], Gendry says the postern gate is guarded, and Arya says she will get rid of the [[House Bolton guards|Bolton guard]]. She approaches him openly and tells him that Lord Roose has her giving a silver piece to all the guards for their service. She takes out the coin Jaqen gave her and drops it, when the guard reach for it, she slits his throat and the three ride out through a sally port and away from Harrenhal.

==References and Notes==
{{References|2}}
* The synopsis was copied from AOL member vbkorik27 previously at [http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html].
* [http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/08/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-clash-of-kings-part-30 Review and summary] by Leigh Butler.
* [http://slynt.blogspot.com/2012/02/re-read-arya-x-love-roose.html Analyses and summary of the chapter] in the course of a 10th reread by Slynt.

[[Category:A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Clash of Kings: Chapter 64]]
[[Category:A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Arya Stark]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in Harrenhal]]

[[es:Choque de Reyes-Capítulo 64]]
[[fr:A Clash of Kings, Chapitre 65, Arya]]
[[pt:A Fúria dos Reis - Capítulo 64]]

A Clash of Kings-Chapter 66

2024-01-10T18:33:24Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ACfK
| pov = [[Theon Greyjoy]]
| place = [[Winterfell]]
| title = Theon VI
| page = 670
| previous = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 65|Sansa VIII]]
| current = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 66|Theon VI]]
| next = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 67|Tyrion XV]]
| arc previous = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 56|Theon V]]
| arc next =''A Dance with Dragons'' [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 12|Reek I]]
}}

As [[Winterfell]] is being besieged, [[Theon Greyjoy]] declines Maester [[Luwin]]'s suggestion of yielding. Theon parleys with Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]], using Rodrik's daughter [[Beth Cassel|Beth]] as a hostage. Theon knows that the host will attack regardless of his threat of Beth and considers Luwin's suggestion of requesting [[Night's Watch|taking the black]] until he is informed that the northmen are [[battle at Winterfell|fighting among each other]]. Newly-arrived [[House Bolton|men from the Dreadfort]] unexpectedly attack Rodrik's host, and Theon is shocked to discover that they are being led by "Reek", who reveals himself to be [[Ramsay Snow]]. Ramsay knocks Theon to the ground and orders [[sack of Winterfell|Winterfell to be burned]].

==Synopsis==
[[Theon Greyjoy]] is approached by Maester [[Luwin]], who advises him to yield. [[Victarion Greyjoy|Victarion]] and [[Balon Greyjoy]] have not replied to Theon's messages, and although new birds will not reach them on time, Theon orders Luwin to send them anyway. He accuses Luwin of wanting him dead. The maester calmly explains that, although he bears Theon no great love, his [[maesters|order]] serves and the fact that Theon holds Winterfell means that Luwin is bound to serve him. Again, he counsels Theon to yield [[Winterfell]], as he has no hope of holding it. Theon counters that by holding onto Winterfell, Ser [[Rodrik Cassel]] cannot turn south to take Victarion in the rear. He is willing to withstand a siege of a year, but Luwin tells him that within days the northmen will be climbing the walls in more places than Theon can stop them.

Theon has his [[ironborn]] assemble in the yard. He informs his men he will not run from the northmen, and gives them the option of leaving him or dying beside him. None of his men reply, until [[Wex Pyke]] steps over to Theon's side. [[Black Lorren]], [[Red Rolfe]], [[Kromm]], [[Werlag]], [[Tymor]] and his three brothers, [[Ulf the Ill]], [[Harrag Sharp]], four [[House Harlaw|Harlaws]] and two [[House Botley|Botleys]], and [[Kenned the Whale]] follow. The others leave. Black Lorren counsels him to put the castle folk to the sword, as they will turn on them as soon as the fighting begins. Garbed for battle, Theon climbs the watchtower and watches the northmen who have gathered. Despite his disapproval about the plan, Lorren goes to fetch [[Beth Cassel]].

After [[Cley Cerwyn]] announces Rodrik's wish to parley with Theon, Theon goes to the drawbridge. Theon meets them in the market square of the [[winter town]], where Rodrik demands Theon return Winterfell to the [[House Stark|Starks]], command his men to lay down their weapons, and allow himself to be judged by [[Robb Stark]], [[King in the North]]. Theon gives Rodrik his own terms, telling the [[knight]] that the northmen are to disperse and to swear fealthy to Balon Greyjoy as their king and Theon as the [[Prince of Winterfell]]. He then signals Lorren, who produces Rodrik's daughter Beth with a noose around her neck atop the walls of Winterfell. When Rodrik accuses Theon of being craven, Theon tells him that he felt the noose for ten years. He declines Rodrik's offer of taking his daughter's place, informing the knight that she will hang if the northern army is still present at sunset. Every following dawn and dusk, he says, another hostage will follow.

[[File:Ramsay in winterfell by AldoK.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Ramsay Snow reveals himself to [[theon]]. by Aldo Katayanagi]]
Theon returns to the castle and retreats to [[Eddard Stark]]'s bedroom. He knows that the northmen will attack and that Winterfell will easily fall. Finding no solace in [[wine]], Theon takes his bow to the inner ward, where he loses shafts at archery butts. He sees no way out: if he hangs Beth, the northern army will attack at once; But if he does not hang her, he will prove his threats are empty. Luwin approaches him, suggesting Theon take the black. Theon considers the option, realizing it is a way to live with dignity and honor. They are interrupted by Kromm, who informs them that men from the [[Dreadfort]] have arrived, who are now fighting Rodrik's army.

After the [[battle at Winterfell]] ends, the leader of the Dreadfort men presents Theon with the corpses of Rodrik Cassel, Cley Cerwyn, and [[Leobald Tallhart]], and Theon orders Winterfell’s gates to be opened to their new friends. The Dreadfort leader, Red Helm, informs Theon that Rodrik thought the Dreadfort men were allies to the other northmen, which allowed the Dreadfort to win the battle despite being outnumbered five-to-one. He takes off his helm and Theon identifies him as Reek. The man tells Theon that Reek is dead; His name is Ramsay Snow, although he prefers Ramsay Bolton. Reek had been killed while fleeing the northern soldiers who had captured Ramsay, but as they had exchanged clothes, no one had realized the switch of identity. Ramsay tells Theon that he was promised [[Palla|a prize]] for bringing two hundred men, but brought more than promised by bringing six hundred. Instead of Palla, he prefers Theon's bedwarmer [[Kyra]]. When Theon objects, Ramsay punches Theon to the face and Theon falls to the ground in pain. The Dreadfort men attack the ironborn, and Theon sees Red Rolfe, Kenned, Ulf, and Luwin die, while the roof of the stables are set aflame. Ramsay orders his men to "save me [[House Frey|the Freys]] and burn the rest. Burn it, burn it all." The last thing Theon sees during the [[sack of Winterfell]] is his horse [[Smiler]] escaping the stables afire.

==Character list==
{| class="wikitable" width="60%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:50%;" |
'''Appears:'''
{{Columns|2|
*[[Cley Cerwyn]]
*[[Dykk Harlaw]]
*[[Endehar]]
*[[Gage]]
*[[Harrag Sharp]]
*[[Kenned the Whale]]
*[[Kromm]]
*[[Leobald Tallhart]]
*[[Black Lorren]]
*[[Luwin]]
*[[Ramsay Snow]]
*[[Red Rolfe]]
*[[Rodrik Cassel]]
*[[Smiler]]
*[[Theon Greyjoy]]
*[[Tymor]]
**His three brothers
*[[Ulf the Ill]]
*[[Urzen]]
*[[Werlag]]
*[[Wex Pyke]]
}}
| style="width:50%;" |
'''Mentioned:'''
{{Columns|2|
*[[Aeron Greyjoy]]
*[[Asha Greyjoy]]
*[[Balon Greyjoy]]
*[[Bran Stark]]
*[[Beth Cassel]]
*[[Catelyn Stark]]
*[[Donella Hornwood]]
*[[Eddard Stark]]
*[[Jon Snow]]
*[[Palla]]
*[[Reek]]
*[[Robb Stark]]
*[[Victarion Greyjoy]]
*[[Wyman Manderly]]
*[[Kyra]]
}}
|}

==Places and terms mentioned==
{| class="wikitable" width="60%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:25%;" |
'''Places:'''
*[[Essos|Across the narrow sea]]
*[[Dreadfort]]
*[[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]]
*[[Kingsroad]]
*[[Lannisport]]
*[[Moat Cailin]]
*[[Myr]]
*[[Neck]]
*[[North]]
*[[Pyke]]
*[[Wall]]
*[[White Harbor]]
*[[Winterfell]]
**Great Hall
*[[Wolfswood]]
| style="width:25%;" |
'''Houses:'''
*[[House Bolton]]
*[[House Cassel]]
*[[House Cerwyn]]
*[[House Flint]]
*[[House Glover]]
*[[House Hornwood]]
*[[House Karstark]]
*[[House Manderly]]
*[[House Stark]]
*[[House Tallhart]]
*[[House Umber]]
| style="width:25%;" |
'''Terms:'''
*[[Maester]]
*[[Ironborn]]
*[[Northmen]]
*[[Myrish lens tube]]
*[[Battle in the Whispering Wood|Whispering Wood]]
*[[Night's Watch]]
*[[First Ranger|Chief of rangers]]
*[[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]]
*[[Wildling]]
*[[Dothraki]]
*[[Castellan]]
*[[Knight]]
|}

==External Links==
* [http://slynt.blogspot.com/2012/02/re-read-theon-vi-turncloak-turncloaked.html Analyses and summary of the chapter] in the course of a 10th reread by Slynt
* [http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/08/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-clash-of-kings-part-31 Review and summary] by Leigh Butler.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Clash of Kings: Chapter 66]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Theon Greyjoy]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in Winterfell]]
[[es:Choque de Reyes-Capítulo 66]]
[[fr:A Clash of Kings, Chapitre 67, Theon]]
[[pt:A Fúria dos Reis - Capítulo 66]]

A Storm of Swords-Prologue

2024-01-10T18:29:03Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ASoS
| pov = [[Chett]]
| place = [[Fist of the First Men]]
| title = Prologue
| page = 1
| previous = [[A Clash of Kings-Appendix|Appendix]]
| current = [[A Storm of Swords-Prologue|Prologue]]
| next = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 1|Jaime I]]
| arc previous =
| arc next =
}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:Chett.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Chett, by [http://acidbetta.deviantart.com/ acidbetta]©]]
[[Chett]]'s hatred of [[Jon Snow]] and [[Samwell Tarly]] for usurping his comfortable position as steward to Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]] has boiled over. He and [[Lark]] the Sisterman are conspiring to desert the [[Night's Watch]], along with [[Small Paul]] and about a dozen other sworn brothers. The traitors plan to kill Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont|Mormont]] and several other officers to prevent anyone from actively seeking them out after they desert.

[[Thoren Smallwood]] and his party are the only of the three rangings to return so far, and they have seen the size of [[Mance Rayder]]’s army. Thoren wishes to give battle to Mance’s army, mainly because there are so few warriors in it, it's composed of mostly women and children. Chett and his men plan to kill in the dead of night, and flee to places of safety, leaving Thoren Smallwood and [[Ottyn Wythers]] as senior rangers. Thoren won’t search for them because he wants to lead the attack, and Wythers would rather flee to the Wall and could not care less about deserters. That evening, the Watch gathers before Mormont and his senior men, who announce that they will march in force against the [[wildling]] army, which is about ten days away. Mormont acknowledges that they might all die and has his men reaffirm their oaths to the Night's Watch. Meanwhile, Chett worries that some of his deserters may lose their resolve.

Late in the night, Chett awakens to find it snowing. The desertion plans are ruined because the turn cloaks can be easily tracked in the fresh snow. Chett still seeks to get some satisfaction from the night and creeps over to the sleeping Samwell Tarly, with the intention of murdering him. He is interrupted as a ranger in the distance sounds his horn. Sam awakens, and he and Chett hear the horn blow three times. Both men are shocked at the realization of what three horn blows mean, a signal that has not been used in hundreds and thousands of years. Three horn blows mean [[Others]]. Chett looks down and realizes he has wet himself.

==Character List appearing/mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
*[[Chett]]
*[[Jon Snow]]
*[[Samwell Tarly]]
*[[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)]]
*[[Lark]]
*[[Small Paul]]
*[[Jeor Mormont]]
*[[Thoren Smallwood]]
*[[Mance Rayder]]
*[[Ottyn Wythers]]
}}

==Places and terms mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
*[[Night's Watch]]
*[[Wildling]]
*[[Others]]
}}

==References and Notes==
* The synopsis was copied from AOL member vbkorik27 previously at [http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html].

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Storm of Swords: Chapter 00Prologue]]
[[Category:Prologues and epilogues|Storm of Swords Prologue]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in the Fist of the First Men]]
[[Category:Chapters with the POV of Chett the steward]]

*[http://slynt.blogspot.nl/2012/05/re-read-prologue-storm-of-swords.html Analyses and summary of the chapter] in the course of a 10th reread by Slynth.
* [http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/09/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-storm-of-swords-part-1 Review and summary] by Leigh Butler.
[[es:Tormenta de Espadas-Prólogo]]
[[fr:A Storm of Swords, Chapitre 01, Prélude]]
[[zh:冰雨的风暴-序章]]
[[pt:A Tormenta de Espadas - Prólogo]]

A Storm of Swords-Chapter 1

2024-01-10T18:26:12Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ASoS
| pov = [[Jaime Lannister]]
| place = Aboard a boat on the [[Red Fork]] of the [[Trident]] on the way to [[King's Landing]]
| title = Jaime I
| page = 15
| previous = [[A Storm of Swords-Prologue|Prologue]]
| current = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 1|Jaime I]]
| next = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 2|Catelyn I]]
| arc previous =
| arc next = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 11|Jaime II]]
}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:Felicia Cano Conflict of Interest.JPG|thumb|Cleos, [[Brienne of Tarth]], and [[Jaime Lannister]] by Felicia Cano © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Ser [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] is being escorted to [[King's Landing]] by [[Brienne Tarth|Brienne]] and his cousin, Ser [[Cleos Frey]], by boat. He was released in secrecy from [[Riverrun]] by [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] after swearing never again to take up arms against the [[House Stark|Starks]] or [[House Tully|Tullys]], and to honor his brother [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion's]] pledge to release [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] and [[Arya Stark|Arya]]. The oath was sworn at sword point and while drunk, and Jaime considers killing Brienne and getting away. He is still chained hand and foot.

Jaime ponders [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei's]] feelings with him after the [[Bran Stark|Bran]] incident and wonders if she sent the assassin to Bran's room, but dismisses that notion thinking that she would have sent Jaime himself to do the dirty work. Their boat is moving down the [[Red Fork]] of the [[Trident]], and Jaime has Cleos shave his head so he will be less recognizable should they get caught. He and Brienne treat each other with contempt. She stops their boat to cut down and bury several tavern wenches hanging in the trees. Jaime mocks Brienne because a note reveals the women were killed by [[northmen]], most likely Bolton men, for servicing [[House Lannister|Lannister]] men.

Their trip is interrupted when Brienne spots a river galley bearing down on them. The galley is under the command of Ser [[Robin Ryger]], sent by Ser [[Edmure Tully]] to return the Kingslayer to Riverrun. Brienne jumps out of the skiff and climbs a cliff face. Jaime distracts the men on the galley by challenging Robin to single combat while Brienne dislodges a large boulder which crashes down on the galley, sinking it. When Brienne swims back to the skiff, Jaime considers smashing her in the face with his oar, but instead pulls her into the boat. Jaime derides Brienne and asks her if she wants his thanks, but she rebuffs the "Kingslayer" and says she is only motivated by the oath she swore to Catelyn to return him to King's Landing. Jaime marvels at Brienne's sense of duty.

==Character List==
{| class="wikitable" width="80%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:25;" |
'''Appearing:'''
*[[Jaime Lannister]]
*[[Brienne of Tarth]]
*[[Cleos Frey]]
*[[Robin Ryger]]

| style="width:25;" |
'''Mentioned:'''
*[[Cersei Lannister]]
*[[Catelyn Stark]]
*[[Tyrion Lannister]]
*[[Aerys II Targaryen]]
*[[Genna Lannister]]
*[[Emmon Frey]]
*[[Tywin Lannister]]
*[[Walder Frey]]
*[[Sansa Stark]]
| style="width:25;" |
'''Mentioned:'''
*[[Arya Stark]]
*[[Joffrey Baratheon]]
*[[High Septon (Fat One)|High Septon]]
*[[Selwyn Tarth]]
*[[Robb Stark]]
*[[Bran Stark]]
*[[Robert I Baratheon]]
*[[Eddard Stark]]
*[[Jonos Bracken]]
| style="width:25;" |
'''Mentioned:'''
*[[Marq Piper]]
*[[Beric Dondarrion]]
*[[Roose Bolton]]
*[[Amory Lorch]]
*[[Renly Baratheon]]
*[[Sandor Clegane]]
|}

==Places==
{| class="wikitable" width="80%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:33;" |
*[[Riverrun]]
*[[The Twins]]
*[[Casterly Rock]]
| style="width:33;" |
*[[Tarth]]
*[[Evenfall Hall]]
*[[Storm's End]]
| style="width:33;" |
*[[King's Landing]]
*[[Trident]]
*[[Harrenhal]]
|}

==References and Notes==
{{References|2}}
* The synopsis was copied from AOL member vbkorik27 previously at [http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html].
*[http://slynt.blogspot.nl/2012/05/re-read-jaime-i-throwing-wench-in-works.html Analyses and summary of the chapter] in the course of a 10th reread by Slynth.
* [http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/09/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-storm-of-swords-part-1 Review and summary] by Leigh Butler.

[[Category:A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Storm of Swords: Chapter 01]]
[[Category:A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Jaime Lannister]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place by the Trident]]

[[es:Tormenta de Espadas-Capítulo 1]]
[[fr:A Storm of Swords, Chapitre 02, Jaime]]
[[zh:冰雨的风暴-章节 1]]
[[pt:A Tormenta de Espadas - Capítulo 1]]

A Storm of Swords-Chapter 7

2024-01-10T18:24:12Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ASoS
| pov = [[Jon Snow|Jon]]
| place = [[Frostfangs]]
| title = Jon I
| page = 74
| previous = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 6|Sansa I]]
| current = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 7|Jon I]]
| next = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 8|Daenerys I]]
| arc previous = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 68|Jon VIII]] ''A Clash of Kings''
| arc next = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 15|Jon II]]
}}

==Synopsis==
[[Jon Snow|Jon]] is brought before [[Mance Rayder]], since [[Rattleshirt]] doesn’t trust him. In the King’s tent, Jon mistakes [[Styr]] for Mance Rayder. But it is the gray-haired man playing the [[lute]] who is the [[King-Beyond-the-Wall]]. Rattleshirt reveals his misgivings about Jon to the king, but Mance wishes to speak with Jon alone.

[[File:Joshua Cairos mance rayder 1.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Mance Rayder - Art by Joshua Cairós. © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Mance indicates that he has seen Jon twice before, once when he was still a [[Night's Watch|black brother]] and Jon just a boy, and again during King [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]]’s visit to [[Winterfell]]. Mance had disguised himself as a singer in order to see King Robert and get the measure of [[Benjen Stark]], who was a bane to the [[wildlings]]. Testing Jon, he asks why he deserted the Night’s Watch, but Jon asks him to tell his story first. The king explains that he had been wounded in a hunt and treated by an old wildling woman. She mended his cloak with burgundy fabric which was rare for wildlings to have and hence very valuable to part with. When Mance returned to the Watch, they replaced his cloak with a new black one emphasizing the importance of the black uniform and not recognizing the symbolism of her gift. Mance came to resent the restriction to the new black cloak of the Night’s Watch.

Jon, knowing now that Mance was at Winterfell, asks, "And did you see where I was seated Mance? Did you see where they put the bastard?" The king then accepts Jon as member of the [[free folk]].

==Character List appearing/mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
*[[Jon Snow]]
*[[Mance Rayder]]
*[[Rattleshirt]]
*[[Styr]]
*[[Robert Baratheon]]
*[[Benjen Stark]]
}}

==Places and terms mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
*[[King-Beyond-the-Wall]]
*[[Night's Watch|Black Brother]]
*[[Winterfell]]
*[[Wildlings]]
*[[Free Folk]]
}}

==References and Notes==
* The synopsis was copied from AOL member vbkorik27 previously at [http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html].
*[http://slynt.blogspot.nl/2012/08/re-read-jon-i-beware-balrog.html Analyses of the chapter] in the course of a 10th reread by Slynth.
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/10/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-storm-of-swords-part-4 A Read of Ice and Fire: A Storm of Swords part 4] Analyses and summary by Leigh Butler.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Storm of Swords: Chapter 07]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Jon Snow]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place on the Frostfangs]]
[[es:Tormenta de Espadas-Capítulo 7]]
[[fr:A Storm of Swords, Chapitre 08, Jon]]
[[zh:冰雨的风暴-章节 7]]
[[pt:A Tormenta de Espadas - Capítulo 7]]

A Storm of Swords-Chapter 8

2024-01-10T18:20:56Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ASoS
| pov = [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]]
| place = Aboard the ''[[Balerion (ship)|Balerion]]'' on the [[Summer Sea]]
| title = Daenerys I
| page = 86
| previous = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 7|Jon I]]
| current = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 8|Daenerys I]]
| next = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 9|Bran I]]
| arc previous = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 63|Daenerys V]] ''A Clash of Kings''
| arc next = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 23|Daenerys II]]
}}

==Synopsis==

[[Illyrio Mopatis|Illyrio]]'s three ships are sailing for [[Pentos]], and [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] is watching her [[Dragon|dragons]] fly over the ocean. [[Barristan Selmy|Arstan]] tells her that [[Balerion]] was 200 years old when he died during the reign of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys the Conciliator]]. Arstan then speaks of [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]], how bookish he was as a child, always reading. Then one day he read something in a scroll that made him want to be a warrior, and he began training fiercely. Arstan admits that Rhaegar was a great warrior, but he won no battles.

[[File:Beguiled Bodyguard VeronicaV Jones.png|thumb|left|250px|Jorah makes unwanted advances on [[Daenerys Targaryen]], by Veronica V. Jones © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Later, [[Jorah Mormont|Jorah]] tells her that Arstan is more than he seems, and warns her not to trust him. The knight advises her to sail for [[Astapor]] and buy [[Unsullied]], the best trained fighting force in the world. He tells the tale of the [[Three Thousand of Qohor]], where a small army of Unsullied defeated a huge ''[[khalasar]]'' trying to pillage [[Qohor]]. The Unsullied are eunuch slaves trained to obey orders absolutely, and they feel no pain. Daenerys agrees that she will force Captain [[Groleo]] and Strong [[Belwas]] to change course. Ser Jorah then grabs her by the waist and kisses her. Dany tells him he should not have done so, but Jorah talks of her vision in the [[House of the Undying]], and how the dragon having three heads may mean that she should take two more husbands.

==Character List appearing/mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
*[[Illyrio Mopatis]]
*[[Daenerys Targaryen]]
*[[Barristan Selmy|Arstan]]
*[[Balerion]]
*[[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] Jaehaerys the Conciliator
*[[Rhaegar Targaryen]]
*[[Jorah Mormont]]
*[[Groleo]]
*[[Belwas]]
}}

==Places and terms mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
*[[Pentos]]
*[[Dragon]]
*[[Astapor]]
*[[Unsullied]]
*[[Three Thousand of Qohor]]
*''[[Khalasar]]''
*[[Qohor]]
*[[House of the Undying]]
}}

==References and Notes==
* The synopsis was copied from AOL member vbkorik27 previously at [http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html].
* [http://slynt.blogspot.nl/2012/09/re-read-daenerys-i-nudity-and-naivety.html Analyses and summary of the chapter] in the course of a 10th reread by Slynt
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/10/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-storm-of-swords-part-5 A Read of Ice and Fire: A Storm of Swords part 5] Analyses and summary by Leigh Butler.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Storm of Swords: Chapter 08]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Daenerys Targaryen]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place on the Summer Sea]]
[[es:Tormenta de Espadas-Capítulo 8]]
[[fr:A Storm of Swords, Chapitre 09, Daenerys]]
[[pt:A Tormenta de Espadas - Capítulo 8]]

A Storm of Swords-Chapter 18

2024-01-10T18:15:37Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ASoS
| pov = [[Samwell Tarly|Samwell]]
| title = Samwell I
| place = between the [[Fist of the First Men]] and [[Craster's Keep]]
| page = 195
| previous = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 17|Arya III]]
| current = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 18|Samwell I]]
| next = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 19|Tyrion III]]
| arc previous =
| arc next = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 33|Samwell II]]
}}

==Synopsis==
[[Samwell Tarly|Sam]] and the few survivors from [[Battle of the Fist of the First Men|the Fist]] are running south in the middle of night with a heavy snow falling. They are ringed by men with torches to keep the [[wight|wights]] away, but Sam is beginning to lag and is near exhaustion. He eventually falls in the snow, and cannot get back on his feet. He recalls the horror that occurred at the Fist, when the wights fell on the [[Night's Watch]]. [[Jeor Mormont|Mormont]] had commanded him to send ravens with warning, and Sam kept sending them with updates, but when it came time to send a raven with word that their end was near, Sam had already let the birds escape. The Watch held the Fist at first, using fire arrows to hold back the wights. But the dead were relentless and eventually overpowered the Watch, men dying by the score. Mormont had the survivors mount up and form a wedge, slashing past the wights and down off the Fist into the forest. Now they are running for [[the Wall]], pursued by the wights and perhaps the [[Others]].

[[File:Samwell Dragonglass.jpg|thumb|left|[[Samwell Tarly]] with an [[obsidian]] dagger, by Amok ©]]
[[Grenn]] tries to get Sam to his feet, but the fat steward is too tired. Finally [[Paul|Small Paul]] arrives and carries Sam, but the three of them have fallen far behind the survivors with their torches, and the cold sets in. Upon an undead horse, an Other appears from the swirling snow. The being kills Small Paul with its ice sword, but Sam stabs the Other with the [[dragonglass]] dagger that Jon gave him. The dagger causes the Other to melt away, body and armor, before Sam and Grenn's eyes. Grenn retrieves the icy cold [[obsidian]] dagger, and they once again run off to try and catch up with the other survivors.

==Character List appearing/mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
*[[Samwell Tarly]]
*[[Jeor Mormont]]
*[[Grenn]]
*[[Paul|Small Paul]]
*[[Chett]]
*[[Blane]]
*[[Thoren Smallwood]]
*[[Ottyn Wythers]]
*[[Eddison Tollett|Dolorous Edd]]
}}

==Places and terms mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
*[[Battle of the Fist of the First Men]]
*[[Wight]]
*[[Night's Watch]]
*[[The Wall]]
*[[Others]]
*[[Dragonglass]]
*[[Obsidian]]
}}

==References and Notes==
* The synopsis was copied from AOL member vbkorik27 previously at [http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html].
* [http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/11/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-storm-of-swords-part-10 A Read of Ice and Fire: A Storm of Swords part 10]. Summary and commentary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.
*[http://slynt.blogspot.nl/2013/02/re-read-sam-i-it-aint-over-until-fat.html Re-read: Sam I: It ain't over until the fat boy swings an obsidian blade +2, part 1]. Summary and analyses of the chapter in the course of a 10th reread by Slynt.
*[http://slynt.blogspot.nl/2013/02/re-read-sam-i-it-aint-over-until-fat_14.html Re-read: Sam I: It ain't over until the fat boy swings an obsidian blade +2, part 2]. Summary and analyses of the chapter in the course of a 10th reread by Slynt.


[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Storm of Swords: Chapter 18]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Samwell Tarly]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place Beyond the Wall]]


[[es:Tormenta de Espadas-Capítulo 18]]
[[fr:A Storm of Swords, Chapitre 19, Samwell]]
[[zh:冰雨的风暴-章节 18]]
[[pt:A Tormenta de Espadas - Capítulo 18]]

A Storm of Swords-Chapter 21

2024-01-10T18:13:32Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ASoS
| pov = [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]]
| title = Jaime III
| place = [[Maidenpool]] - road to [[Duskendale]]
| page = 235
| previous = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 20|Catelyn III]]
| current = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 21|Jaime III]]
| next = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 22|Arya IV]]
| arc previous = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 11|Jaime II]]
| arc next = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 31|Jaime IV]]
}}

==Synopsis==
[[Brienne of Tarth|Brienne]], [[Cleos Frey|Cleos]], and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] are still travelling to [[King's Landing]]. They visit [[Maidenpool]], but finding the town deserted, continue on toward [[Duskendale]]. Jaime has no success in provoking Brienne into a fight. He misses [[Cersei Lannister|his twin]] and thinks back about their childhood. Even as children they were close and they slept together. Once [[Joanna Lannister|their mother]] caught them. She was shocked and moved Jaime's bedchamber far away from Cersei's. Jaime muses that he should marry his sister as the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]] did.

Suddenly they are attacked by archers. Jaime and Brienne charge at them and the archers run away in the forest. They go back to find that ser Cleos is dead. His horse threw him off but as his feet was stuck in the stirrups he was dragged with his head bouncing against the ground. Jaime takes Cleos's sword and attacks Brienne. Although he is still chained he is confident that he can beat her. They fight for a long time. Jaime is amazed at her skill with the sword and realizes that she is stronger than him. Finally Brienne beats him.

[[File:In the Hands of the QohorikJoao BoscoII.png|250px|thumb|left|[[Zollo]] cuts off Jaime's sword hand, by Joao Bosco © Fantasy Flight Games]]
When they look up a number of men surround them. Jaime recognizes them as the [[Brave Companions]]. They quickly inform him that they have gone over to the [[House Stark|Starks]]. Jaime and Brienne are severely beaten and taken prisoner. Jaime warns Brienne that she will be raped and advises her not to resist, as this will make it worse. He tries to save her by telling the Brave Companions that [[Tarth]] is called the Sapphire Isle and that Brienne will be worth a high ransom. He tries to persuade the leader of the Brave Companions, [[Vargo Hoat]] in releasing them for a high ransom. Vargo Hoat replies that he will give [[Tywin Lannister|Jaime's father]] a message. His men grab Jaime and hold him down. [[Zollo]] raises his sword and brings it down as Jaime screams.

==Character List==
{| class="wikitable" width="80%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:25;" |
'''Appearing:'''
*[[Jaime Lannister]]
*[[Brienne of Tarth]]
*[[Cleos Frey]]
*[[Rorge]]
*[[Timeon]]
*[[Urswyck]]
*Fat [[Zollo]]
*[[Vargo Hoat]]
*[[Shagwell]]

| style="width:25;" |
'''Mentioned:'''
*[[William Mooton|Lord Mooton]]
*[[Florian the Fool]]
*[[Jonquil]]
*[[Cersei Lannister]]
*[[Joanna Lannister]]
*[[Tywin Lannister]]
*[[Tyrion Lannister]]
*[[Stannis Baratheon]]
*[[Joffrey Baratheon]]

| style="width:25;" |
'''Mentioned:'''
*[[Robert Baratheon]]
*[[Myrcella Lannister]]
*[[Sansa Stark]]
*[[Catelyn Tully]]
*[[Arya Stark]]
*[[Aerys II Targaryen]]
*[[Gerold Hightower]]
*[[Arthur Dayne]]
*[[Jon Umber_(Greatjon)|Greatjon Umber]]
| style="width:25;" |
'''Mentioned:'''
*[[Lyle Crakehall]]
*[[Gregor Clegane]]
*[[Sandor Clegane]]
*[[Amory Lorch]]
*[[Roose Bolton]]
*[[Robb Stark]]
*[[Harren Hoare]]
*[[Renly Baratheon]]
|}

==Places==
{| class="wikitable" width="80%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:33;" |
*[[Maidenpool]]
*[[Riverrun]]
*[[King's Landing]]

| style="width:33;" |
*[[Evenfall Hall]]
*[[Tarth]]
*[[Harrenhal]]
| style="width:33;" |
*[[Casterly Rock]]
*[[Duskendale]]
|}

==References and Notes==
* [http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/12/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-storm-of-swords-part-12 A first-time reader's summary and commentary] of the chapter, by Leigh Butler
* [http://slynt.blogspot.nl/2013/03/re-read-jaime-iii-hands-on-fightin.html Re-read Jaime III: Hands-On Fightin']. Summary and analyses of the chapter in the course of a 10th reread by Slynt.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Storm of Swords: Chapter 21]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Jaime Lannister]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in Maidenpool]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in the Riverlands]]

[[es:Tormenta de Espadas-Capítulo 21]]
[[fr:A Storm of Swords, Chapitre 22, Jaime]]
[[zh:冰雨的风暴-章节 21]]
[[pt:A Tormenta de Espadas - Capítulo 21]]

A Storm of Swords-Chapter 22

2024-01-09T17:56:14Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ASoS
| pov = [[Arya Stark|Arya]]
| title = Arya IV
| place = [[High Heart]] - [[Acorn Hall]]
| page = 246
| previous = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 21|Jaime III]]
| current = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 22|Arya IV]]
| next = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 23|Daenerys II]]
| arc previous = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 17|Arya III]]
| arc next = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 29|Arya V]]
}}

The [[brotherhood without banners]] searches for [[Beric Dondarrion]], and [[Arya Stark]] sees the [[ghost of High Heart]].

==Synopsis==
The outlaws first visit Lord [[Lymond Lychester]] and then the [[Lady of the Leaves]] in search of word on Lord [[Beric Dondarrion]]'s whereabouts. But none have seen him, only hearing rumors that he was dead—hanged once, killed by [[Vargo Hoat]], [[Amory Lorch]], and twice by [[Gregor Clegane]]. [[Arya Stark|Arya]] heard similar rumors at [[Harrenhal]], but [[Lem]] and [[Tom of Sevenstreams|Tom]] know that Beric is still alive.
[[File:Ravella Smallwood and Arya Stark by Amuelia.png|thumb|300px|left|Ravella and Arya Stark by Amuelia ©]]
The outlaws plan to ransom Arya at [[Riverrun]] after they meet up with Beric and [[Thoros of Myr]]. They arrive at [[High Heart]], an ancient hill sacred to the [[children of the forest]]. Thirty-one mighty [[weirwood]]s had stood at the top of the hill, but only their stumps remained from after the [[Andals]] chopped them down. Arya can still feel the power of the place. An [[Ghost of High Heart|old dwarf woman]] speaks in private to Lem, Tom, and [[Greenbeard]], but Arya overhears the conversation. The woman has dreams while sleeping among the weirwood stumps, and tells them she had dreamed of "a shadow with a burning heart killing a golden stag";<ref>A likely reference to the death of [[Renly Baratheon]].</ref> of "a man without a face, waiting on a swaying bridge, on his shoulder perched a drowned crow with seaweed hanging from its wings";<ref>A likely reference to the death of [[Balon Greyjoy]].</ref> and of "a raging river and a woman that was a fish…dead with red tears on her cheeks, but when her eyes did open, I woke from terror."<ref>A likely reference to the death of [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn Tully]].</ref>

At [[Acorn Hall]], [[Ravella Swann|Lady Smallwood]] informs them that Thoros had been through recently, and that [[House Karstark|Karstark]] men were searching for the [[Jaime Lannister|Kingslayer]]. Arya and [[Gendry]] go off to the smithy, and the former apprentice explains that Thoros was a charlatan, using regular swords with [[wildfire]] to make his flaming sword. After getting in a playful fight with Gendry, Arya tears a dress given to her by Lady Smallwood. As the Brotherhood is getting ready to leave, Lady Smallwood gives Arya clothes that had belonged to her now deceased son. Embarrassed by her actions, Arya apologizes to Lady Smallwood before leaving.

==Character List appearing/mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
*[[Lymond Lychester]]
*[[Lady of the Leaves]]
*[[Beric Dondarrion]]
*[[Vargo Hoat]]
*[[Amory Lorch]]
*[[Gregor Clegane]]
*[[Arya Stark]]
*[[Lem]]
*[[Tom of Sevenstreams]]
*[[Thoros of Myr]]
*[[ghost of High Heart]]
*[[Greenbeard]]
*[[Renly Baratheon]]
*[[Balon Greyjoy]]
*[[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn Tully]]
*[[Ravella Swann]], Lady Smallwood
*[[Jaime Lannister]], the Kingslayer
*[[Gendry]]
}}

==Places and terms mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
*[[Harrenhal]]
*[[Riverrun]]
*[[High Heart]]
*[[children of the forest]]
*[[weirwood]]
*[[Andal]]
*[[Acorn Hall]]
*[[House Karstark]]
*[[wildfire]]
}}

==References and Notes==
{{References}}

* The synopsis was copied from AOL member vbkorik27 previously at [http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html].
* [http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/01/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-storm-of-swords-part-13 A Read of Ice and Fire: A Storm of Swords part 13]. Summary and analyses of the chapter by Leigh Butler.
* [http://slynt.blogspot.nl/2013/04/re-read-arya-iv-twice-in-tub.html Re-read Arya IV: Twice in the Tub]. Summary and analyses of the chapter in the course of a 10th reread by Slynt.

[[Category:A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Storm of Swords: Chapter 22]]
[[Category:A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Arya Stark]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in the Riverlands]]

[[es:Tormenta de Espadas-Capítulo 22]]
[[fr:A Storm of Swords, Chapitre 23, Arya]]
[[zh:冰雨的风暴-章节 22]]
[[pt:A Tormenta de Espadas - Capítulo 22]]

A Storm of Swords-Chapter 23

2024-01-09T17:51:58Z

GreenWalderFrey:

{{Infobox Chapter ASoS
| pov = [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]]
| title = Daenerys II
| place = [[Astapor]]
| page = 257
| previous = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 22|Arya IV]]
| current = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 23|Daenerys II]]
| next = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 24|Bran II]]
| arc previous = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 8|Daenerys I]]
| arc next = [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 27|Daenerys III]]
}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:Joshua CairosDanyAstapor1.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Art by David Sondered © Fantasy Flight Games]]
[[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] and one of the master slavers in [[Astapor]] are discussing the purchase of [[Unsullied]] through a [[Missandei|translator]]. Dany is pretending not to know [[High Valyrian]] speech, but she understands everything the slaver is saying to the translator. [[Kraznys mo Nakloz|Kraznys]] demonstrates the loyalty of the Unsullied, how the eunuchs follow every command given them and feel hardly any pain. Both Daenerys and [[Barristan Selmy|Arstan]] are horrified by the conditions the Unsullied live under, and the brutality of their training. The slaver indicates he has 8,000 Unsullied currently for sale. Daenerys informs him she will spend the night considering the offer.

Arstan is against the use of slaves, when [[Sellsword|sellswords]] can be bought in the [[Free Cities]]; he insists that if Daenerys lands in [[Westeros]] at the head of a slave army, many of the realm's people will oppose her for no more reason than the abbhorence of slavery. Daenerys is, however, too proud to go back to [[Pentos]] as a beggar, not after seeing what it did to her [[Viserys Targaryen|brother]], how bitter and angry constantly begging for help left him.

Lonely since [[Drogo|her husband's]] death and confused over Ser [[Jorah Mormont]]'s advances on her, Daenerys takes [[Irri]] as a lover one night, the [[Dothraki]] handmaiden more than willing to sexually pleasure her [[Khaleesi]], but Daenerys finds no release, only guilt over treating her handmaid as a bedslave.

The next morning, when Ser Jorah comes to speak with her, Daenerys snaps at him; she despises Astapor and has only contempt for the Unsullied, but she still recognizes that they are too useful to pass up. Ser Jorah also gives Daenerys more food for thought on hiring the Unsullied, pointing out that they don't rape nor put to the sword the population of cities they've conquered unless specifically ordered to, minimizing the bloodshed that will inevitably occur when Daenerys starts the war to reclaim her throne. He also points out their usefulness in answering Daenerys' query as to why Astapor has never been sacked, since any enemy attacking Astapor would face the city's entire garrison of Unsullied, there are few neighboring cities and nations that pose a threat, and the combination of the Unsullied's reputation and heavy bribes offered by Astapor's rulers are enough to dissuade passing Dothraki [[Khalasar|Khalasars]] from attacking the city.

Daenerys is tempted, knowing that Viserys would purchase as many Unsullied as he could, but she questions if she can be anything like [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]], to whom Arstan and Jorah keep comparing her, if the loyalty of her men is only based on being bought and paid for. Ser Jorah points out that Rhaegar's honor and the loyalty he inspired in his men didn't save him from dying at [[Battle of the Trident|the Trident]].

==Character List appearing/mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
*[[Daenerys Targaryen]]
*[[Missandei]]
*[[Kraznys mo Nakloz]]
*[[Barristan Selmy]] Arstan
*[[Red Flea]]
*[[Viserys Targaryen]]
*Khal [[Drogo]]
*[[Jorah Mormont]]
*[[Irri]]
*[[Jhiqui]]
*[[Aggo]]
*[[Jhogo]]
*[[Groleo]]
*[[Aerys II Targaryen]]
*[[Rhaegar Targaryen]]
}}

==Places and terms mentioned==
{{Columns|3|
*[[Astapor]]
*[[Unsullied]]
*[[High Valyrian]]
*[[Sellsword]]
*[[Free Cities]]
*[[Westeros]]
*[[Pentos]]
*[[Dothraki]]
*[[Khaleesi]]
*[[Khalasar]]
*[[Battle of the Trident]]
}}

==References and Notes==
* The synopsis was copied from AOL member vbkorik27 previously at [http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html].
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/01/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-storm-of-swords-part-14 A Read of Ice and Fire: A Storm of Swords, Part 14]. Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.
* [http://slynt.blogspot.nl/2013/05/re-read-daenerys-ii-attack-of-clones.html Re-read Daenerys II: Attack of the Clones]. Summary and analyses of the chapter in the course of a 10th reread by Slynt.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Storm of Swords: Chapter 23]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Daenerys Targaryen]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place in Astapor]]

[[es:Tormenta de Espadas-Capítulo 23]]
[[fr:A Storm of Swords, Chapitre 24, Daenerys]]
[[zh:冰雨的风暴-章节 23]]
[[pt:A Tormenta de Espadas - Capítulo 23]]