Lives of Four Kings

Lives of Four Kings is a history written by Grand Maester Kaeth about select Kings of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men from House Targaryen.

Contents

In his book, Kaeth focuses on the lives of four Targaryen kings: Daeron I, Baelor I, Aegon IV, and Daeron II.

The Grand Maester argues that Daeron I made a mistake when he considered marrying one of his own sisters to the Sealord of Braavos. Daeron planned to do this in order to make an alliance between the Seven Kingdoms and Braavos, aiming to remove the pirates from the Stepstones who were hindering trade after his conquest of Dorne. Braavos, however, was at war with Lys and Pentos, who lent the Dornishmen aid because of Daeron's plans.

The book barely mentions the reign of Viserys II Targaryen, who ruled after Baelor I and before Aegon IV. Nevertheless, some consider Kaeth's writings too kind to Viserys.

Regarding Aegon IV, Kaeth wrote that "Aenys was weak and Maegor was cruel and Aegon II was grasping, but no king before or after would practice so much willful misrule". Kaeth determined that Ser Morgil Hastwyck's false accusations of adultery by Queen Naerys Targaryen were instigated by Aegon IV himself.

History

There are only four copies remaining in Westeros that were written in Kaeth's hand. The Citadel's copy has illuminations that are wondrous to behold. However, it is implied that common copies are also available, since the book is popular among the nobility.

Prince Oberyn Martell once saw the Citadel's illuminated copy.

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

Tyrion Lannister gives a copy of Kaeth's work to King Joffrey I Baratheon as a wedding gift in 300 AC. The book, written by the Grand Maester himself, is huge, bound in leather, and gorgeously illuminated. Shortly after receiving the gift, however, Joffrey carves the book up with another gift, his Valyrian steel sword Widow's Wail, which leaves only three copies remaining written by Kaeth himself. Several of the guests are shocked by the wasteful and callous destruction of the book, and Tyrion is infuriated.

Quotes

A book every king should read, Your Grace.

—Kevan Lannister to Joffrey I Baratheon

Garlan: Your Grace, perhaps you did not know. In all of Westeros there were but four copies of that book illuminated in Kaeth's own hand.
Joffrey: Now there are three. You and Lady Sansa owe me a better present, Uncle Imp. This one is all chopped to pieces.

—Garlan Tyrell and Joffrey I Baratheon

Oberyn: I once had the great good fortune to see the Citadel's copy of Lives of Four Kings. The illuminations were wondrous to behold, but Kaeth was too kind by half to King Viserys.
Tyrion: Too kind? He scants Viserys shamefully, in my view. It should have been Lives of Five Kings.

—Oberyn Martell and Tyrion Lannister

Behind the Scenes

The book is probably inspired by The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, a biographical work on Julius Caesar and the first eleven Roman emperors written by the historian Suetonius. George R. R. Martin has frequently talked about his love for Suetonius's works, and also the historian was a partial inspiration for Mushroom.