Editing Doctrine of Exceptionalism

The '''Doctrine of Exceptionalism''', or '''Exceptionalism''' for short, is the precept that King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] worked out with the [[Faith of the Seven]] in {{Date|54}} in order for them to tolerate the continued practice of [[Incest|incestuous]] [[marriage]]s by [[House Targaryen]]. It was developed by King Jaehaerys, with help from [[Septon]] [[Oswyck]] and Septon [[Barth]]. The supporters of this doctrine are called '''Exceptionalists'''.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

==Doctrine==
The Doctrine of Exceptionalism's basic tenet was simple: the [[Faith of the Seven]] had been born in [[Andalos]] of old, where the [[Laws and justice of the Seven Kingdoms|laws]] laid down by [[the Seven]] in the holy texts decreed that [[incest]] was an abomination. The Doctrine of Exceptionalism confirmed this, but with one caveat: the Targaryens were not like other men, as they rode [[dragons]], and were the only ones in the world to do so since the [[Doom of Valyria]]. In addition, the Targaryens did not have their roots in Andalos, but in [[Valyria]], where different laws and traditions held sway. The Targaryens wed brother to sister as the Valyrians had always done, and as the [[gods]] had made them this way, it was not for men to judge.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

Apart from incest, one of the key beliefs of Exceptionalism was that the Targaryens were immune to common [[illness]]es that could kill other men.{{ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}{{Ref|TROTD|6|2}}<ref group="N">This belief has since been proven wrong, as several Targaryens died of different diseases. As examples, the [[Shivers]] for [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys]], [[greyscale]] for [[Maegelle Targaryen|Maegelle]], a [[w:Appendicitis|burst belly]] for [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]], infection and gout for [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I]], consumption for [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]], the [[Great Spring Sickness]] for [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron II]], [[Valarr Targaryen|Valarr]], and [[Matarys Targaryen|Matarys]], and a short illness for [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys II]].</ref>

==History==
After King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] wed his sister, [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], in {{Date|51}}, Jaehaerys sent the [[Seven Speakers]] to preach the doctrine throughout [[Westeros]], and win the [[smallfolk]] over with words, not with swords. The speakers traveled the realm barefoot and alone, going from village to village, town to town, telling the smallfolk of Jaehaerys's wisdom and Alysanne's kindness. When challenged by smallfolk or [[knight]]s who would quote passages from ''[[The Seven-Pointed Star]]'' which denounced incest, the seven would say the Valyrians rode dragons and thus were not like other men, and as such, an exception had to be made.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}

[[Septon]] [[Alfyn]] was one of the Seven Speakers, and a fierce champion of the Doctrine of Exceptionalism. When the [[High Septon (High Lickspittle)|High Septon]] died in {{Date|54}}, the king and queen hoped to prevent the election of a new [[High Septon]] that would denounce their marriage as incestuous and begin another uprising (like [[Faith Militant uprising|the one]] that had been ended only six years before). Septon [[Mattheus]] of [[King's Landing]] was a likely candidate, and fiercely opposed to the Targaryen practice of incest. King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne flew to [[Oldtown]], and according to Septon [[Barth]]'s account, there struck a deal with Lord [[Donnel Hightower]] to support Alfyn as the new High Septon. King Jaehaerys promised Lord Donnel that since Alfyn's old age meant he could soon die, his successor would be a [[House Hightower|Hightower]], on the condition of the Hightowers' support of the king's doctrine. As the High Septon, Alfyn and [[High Septon (brother of Donnel Hightower)|his successor]], a brother of Lord Donnel Hightower, made the Doctrine of Exceptionalism an official tenet of the [[Faith of the Seven]].{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}

In {{Date|60}}, Jaehaerys and Alysanne's young daughter, Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|Daenerys]], died of the [[Shivers]], which was considered a strike at "the very heart of the Doctrine of Exceptionalism".{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} Nevertheless, a pureborn Targaryen princess succumbing to a common illness did not stop the belief in Exceptionalism, nor the incestuous practices of the Targaryens.

==Consequences==
From the time the Doctrine was accepted till the fall of its dynasty, House Targaryen had nine incestuous marriages:{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}<ref group="N" name=Cousins>Marriages between cousins are not considered incestuous by Westerosi standards. Therefore the following unions do not hinge on the Doctrine of Exceptionalism:
* [[Viserys I Targaryen]] and [[Aemma Arryn]] (1<sup>st</sup> cousins)
* [[Laenor Velaryon]] and [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] (2<sup>nd</sup> cousins)
* [[Daemon Targaryen]] and [[Laena Velaryon]] (1<sup>st</sup> cousins once removed)
* [[Aegon III Targaryen]] and [[Jaehaera Targaryen]] (1<sup>st</sup> cousins)
* [[Alyn Velaryon]] and [[Baela Targaryen]] (1<sup>st</sup> cousins)
* [[Aerys I Targaryen]] and [[Aelinor Penrose]] (cousins of an unknown degree)
* [[Aerion Targaryen]] and [[Daenora Targaryen]] (1<sup>st</sup> cousins)</ref>

* Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon Targaryen]] wed his half-aunt Lady [[Jocelyn Baratheon]].
* Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] wed his sister Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]].
* Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] wed his niece Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]].
* King [[Aegon II Targaryen]] wed his sister Queen [[Helaena Targaryen]].
* King [[Baelor I Targaryen]] wed his sister Queen [[Daena Targaryen]] (marriage later dissolved).
* King [[Aegon IV Targaryen]] wed his sister Queen [[Naerys Targaryen]].
* Prince [[Aelor Targaryen]] wed his twin sister Princess [[Aelora Targaryen]].
* King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]] wed his sister Queen [[Shaera Targaryen]].
* King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] wed his sister Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen]].

Incestuous [[betrothal]]s also occurred:
* Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]] was betrothed to his first cousin and step-sister Princess [[Baela Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
* Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]] was betrothed to his first cousin and step-sister Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|[[The Seven|One god]] made us all, [[Andals]] and [[Valyrians]] and [[First Men]], but he did not make us all alike. He made the [[lion]] and the [[aurochs]] as well, both noble beasts, but certain gifts he gave to one and not the other, and the lion cannot live as an aurochs, nor an aurochs as a lion. For you to [[incest|bed your sister]] would be a grievous sin, ser…but you are not the [[House Targaryen|blood of the dragon]], no more than I am. What they do is what they have always done, and it is not for us to judge them.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}|[[Alfyn]]}}

{{Quote|'''Knight''': Aye, and if I want to [[incest|fuck my sister]] too, do I have your leave?<br>
'''Baldrick''': Go to [[Dragonstone]] and claim a [[dragon]]. If you can do that, ser, I will [[marriage|marry]] you and your sister myself.{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}|a [[hedge knight]] and [[Baldrick]]}}

{{Quote|Those of [[Valyrian]] descent were not like other men. [[Targaryen]]s had [[purple eyes]] and hair of [[gold]] and [[silver]], they ruled the sky on [[dragon]]s, the doctrines of the [[Faith]] and the prohibitions against [[incest]] did not apply to them... ''and they did not get sick''. Since [[Aenar the Exile]] first staked his claim to [[Dragonstone]], that had been known. Targaryens did not die of [[pox]] or the [[bloody flux]], they were not afflicted with [[redspots]] or [[brownleg]] or the [[shaking sickness]], they would not succumb to [[wormbone]] or [[clotted lung]] or [[sourgut]] or any of the myriad [[illness|pestilences and contagions]] that the [[gods]], for reasons of their own, see fit to loose on mortal men and women. There was fire in the blood of the dragon, it was reasoned, a purifying fire that burned out all such plagues.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}|words of [[Gyldayn]]}}

{{Quote|It was unthinkable that [[Daenerys Targaryen (daughter of Jaehaerys I)|a pureborn princess]] should [[Shivers|die shivering]], as if she were some [[smallfolk|common child]]. And yet she had. Even as they mourned for her and the sweet soul she had been, [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]] and [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] must also have been confronting that awful realization. Mayhaps the [[Targaryen]]s were not so close to [[gods]] as they had believed. Mayhaps, in the end, they too were only men.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}|words of [[Gyldayn]]}}

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References}}

[[Category:Faith of the Seven]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
[[Category:Seven Speakers]]

[[es:Doctrina del Excepcionalismo]]
[[fr:Exceptionnalisme]]