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 Viserys by Laura Avellino | ||||
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| Title | Prince | |||
| Allegiance | House Targaryen | |||
| Culture | Crownlands | |||
| Born | 29 AC[1] | |||
| Died |
44 AC (aged 15)[1] King's Landing[1] | |||
| Father | Aenys I Targaryen | |||
| Mother | Alyssa Velaryon | |||
| Books |
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Prince Viserys Targaryen was the second son of King Aenys I Targaryen and Queen Alyssa Velaryon.
Character
Viserys was a promising lad beloved of both the commons and lords.[1]
History
Youth
Viserys was born in 29 AC[1] the thirdborn child of Prince Aenys Targaryen and Lady Alyssa Velaryon.[2] Viserys and his older brother, Prince Aegon, were with their grandfather, King Aegon I Targaryen, on Dragonstone when Aegon the Conqueror died in 37 AC, whilst telling his grandsons tales of his conquests.[3]
Reign of Aenys I
The eight-year-old Viserys travelled with his parents and older siblings to Oldtown, where his father, King Aenys I Targaryen, was anointed by the High Septon. Like his elder brother Aegon, he relished in the cheers of the smallfolk and the festivities held for his family at every castle they visted.[1]
In 42 AC, Viserys was present on Dragonstone for the funeral of his father.[1]
Reign of Maegor I
After the death of Viserys's father, King Aenys I, it was not Viserys's older brother, Aegon, who ascended the Iron Throne, but Viserys's uncle, Maegor. Viserys was present for Maegor's marriage to Tyanna of the Tower.[1]
To make sure his family did not try to overthrow him, King Maegor summoned Viserys, by then the eldest living son of his late brother, to King's Landing to serve as his squire and hostage. A Kingsguard knight shadowed him to keep him out of any plots or treasons. After Dowager Queen Visenya Targaryen died in 44 AC, Viserys's mother, Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon, fled with Viserys's younger siblings, Jaehaerys and Alysanne.[1]
In retaliation, Maegor ordered the Kingsguard to chain up his nephew in the black cells and question him sharply. Though Ser Owen Bush of the Kingsguard protested, they imprisoned Viserys. Maegor had Viserys tortured and questioned, but he did not know where his mother had gone. Even the black arts of Maegor's third wife, Tyanna of Pentos, did not elicit any answers. After nine days of questioning, the boy died, and his body was left in the courtyard for a fortnight, in the hopes that his mother would feel forced to return and claim him. When Alyssa did not return, Maegor finally had his body consigned to the flames. At the time of his death, Viserys was fifteen years old, and the realm wept for him.[1]
After ascending the throne, Viserys's brother Jaehaerys I Targaryen offered clemency to the majority of the realm, but this did not extend to Maegor's headsmen, gaolers and confessors who had assisted in Viserys's torture and death. They were all executed, their heads and hands delivered to Viserys's mother, who was pleased with the tokens.[4]
Quotes
Maegor: Chain him in a black cell and question him sharply. Ask him where his mother has gone.
Owen: He may not know.
Maegor: Then let him die. Perhaps the bitch will turn up for his funeral.[1]
Let his mother come and claim him.[1]
—Maegor I Targaryen, after Viserys was killed under questioning
When my boy Viserys was tortured and slain, these men stood by silently and spoke no word of protest. Why should we listen to them now?[4]
Family
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragons.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Targaryen Lineages.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Fire & Blood, Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I.