Alysanne Targaryen

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Alysanne Targaryen
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Alysanne.jpg
Alysanne by Amok©

Alias Good Queen
Titles
  • Princess
  • Queen
Allegiance House Targaryen
Race Valyrian
Culture Crownlands
Born 36 AC[1]
King's Landing[2]
Died 100 AC[3]
King's Landing[2]
Spouse King Jaehaerys I Targaryen
Books

Queen Alysanne Targaryen, also known as Good Queen Alysanne, was the queen consort of her brother, King Jaehaerys I Targaryen. Alysanne was a dragonrider whose mount was Silverwing.

Character and Appearance

Alysanne was a small woman,[4][5] slim of waist and slight of frame.[6] According to a semi-canon source, she was small of breast, with a long neck, a fair complexion, a high forehead, and high cheekbones.[7] Alysanne was described as "pretty", but seldom as "beautiful", however. She had blue eyes, and honey-colored curls,[6] which according to a semi-canon source, turned white as snow in old age. She wore it in a bun, pulled back and pinned behind her ears.[7] Additionally, age left crow's feet around her eyes and laugh lines about her mouth, although her face never lost its strength.[7] Alysanne became thin and frail after the death of her son Aemon in 92 AC, and began to have difficulty in climbing hills. After she broke her hip in 95 AC, she walked with a cane. Further, as she aged, her hearing began to fail, and she became too unsteady to fly.[5]

Alysanne was bright but unremarkable as a young girl. She was courteous and biddable, and had a sweet smile and a pleasing voice. She was neither timid nor did she have a willful and stubborn temperament, as a child.[4] According to Lord Rogar Baratheon, Alysanne was a proud girl at the age of thirteen.[4] She was considered to be gentle, kind and loving.[4] Alysanne loved her subjects, both highborn and lowborn,[5] and was well loved throughout the Seven Kingdoms in return.[8] She loved her women's courts, where she listened to and learned from the women of the realm. She loved music, dancing, reading, and flying on her dragon.[5] She was a fearless woman.[5] According to a semi-canon source, Alysanne was a fine archer and hunter in her youth, and became renowned for her charities.[7]

Later in life, it was said that Alysanne had learned to read before she had been weaned. According to Septon Barth, she would have been sent to the Citadel, had she been male. She had a great wit, and all the chronicles agree that she made a powerful impression on those who met her.[6] Alysanne was high-spirited, charming and keenly intelligent.[8] Lord Roose Bolton considers Alysanne to have been shrewish.[9]

George R. R. Martin has stated that "You might consider Alysanne as the Eleanor of Aquitaine of Westeros, and model her on Katherine Hepburn's portrayal of Eleanor in the film The Lion in Winter." Alysanne often wore a slimmer, more feminine version of her brother-husband's crown at court.[7]

History

Youth

Alysanne was born to Prince Aenys Targaryen and Lady Alyssa Velaryon in 36 AC. She had four older siblings - (Rhaena, Aegon, Viserys, and Jaehaerys) - and one younger sibling, Vaella.[10][1] According to legend, her sister Rhaena placed a dragon egg in Alysanne's cradle, from which eventually the dragon Silverwing hatched.[1]

In 37 AC, following the death of her grandfather, King Aegon I Targaryen, on Dragonstone,[11] her father Aenys ascended the throne.[12] Followers of the Faith of the Seven began an uprising after King Aenys I married Alysanne's two eldest siblings, Rhaena and Aegon, to one another in 41 AC. After Poor Fellows scaled the walls of the Red Keep in an attempt to murder the royal family, Alysanne fled with her family to Dragonstone.[12] 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 42 AC, he collapsed when learning that Rhaena and Aegon were besieged at Crakehall, and died three days later.[12] Alysanne was present on Dragonstone for her father's cremation.[1] Following Aenys's cremation,[12] Dowager Queen Visenya Targaryen brought her son Maegor back from his exile. At Dragonstone, Maegor claimed the Iron Throne for his own, ignoring the claim of Alysanne's eldest brother Aegon. Before he could arrive, however, Alysanne's mother took her and her brothers Viserys and Jaehaerys to Driftmark. Late that year, they traveled to King's Landing for the wedding of King Maegor I to Tyanna of the Tower. Following the wedding, Alysanne, Jaehaerys, and their mother were kept on Dragonstone, prisoners in all but name, by Dowager Queen Visenya, while Alysanne's brother Viserys was kept in King's Landing by Maegor.[1]

Alysanne, Jaehaerys, and Dowager Queen Alyssa escaped Dragonstone in 44 AC, in the chaos following Visenya's death.[13] As the realm slowly began to turn against Maegor, Alysanne's only brother Jaehaerys put forward his claim for the throne, as their elder brothers had both died during the years before; Aegon had been killed in battle by Maegor in 43 AC, Viserys had been tortured to death by Maegor in retaliation for the escape of Alysanne, Jaehaerys and Alyssa from Dragonstone.[13] Alysanne stood beside Jaehaerys as vowed to end Maegor's reign at Storm's End. Following Maegor's mysterious death in 48 AC, Alysanne flew Jaehaerys and their sister Rhaena flew on their dragons to King's Landing to claim the Iron Throne for Jaehaerys.[1]

Alysanne would serve as a counselor for her brother throughout his reign. She urged him to allow the five surviving knights of Maegor's Kingsguard to join the Night's Watch, instead of executing them. When Jaehaerys allowed it, four of five took the black.[14]

Alysanne was one of many of the royal court who accompanied Jaehaerys to Oldtown in late 48 AC, where she attended his coronation in the Starry Sept.[14] The next year, Alysanne entertained the noble ladies who came to visit King's Landing for the wedding of her mother, Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon, to Lord Rogar Baratheon.[6]

Early marriage

Following Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon and Lord Rogar Baratheon's Golden Wedding, the small council began to debate about potential spouses for Jaehaerys and Alysanne. Still recalling the uprising of the Faith that had followed the wedding her children Rhaena and Aegon, Alyssa decreed Alysanne and Jaehaerys should not be wed to one another, and after Septon Mattheus agreed that such a marriage would likely again inflame the pious of the realm, the council agreed to find other spouses for the siblings. The council was quick to agree on a husband for Alysanne: Ser Orryn Baratheon.[6]

The wedding of King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne on Dragonstone, as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in Fire & Blood.

Alysanne soon learned about the council's decision. According to some, a servant who had been present for the council's discussions had warned her, others claim that it had been her uncle, Lord Daemon Velaryon. Alysanne informed Jaehaerys, who acted immediately, ordering his Kingsguard to discreetly travel to Dragonstone during the night, while he and Alysanne flew together to island upon their dragons. On Dragonstone, Alysanne and Jaehaerys were married in secret, with Septon Oswyck performing the ceremony. As Jaehaerys refused to consummate the marriage, believing Alysanne to still be too young, Alysanne remained a maiden. Lord Rogar and Queen Alyssa arrived on the island soon after the wedding. Upon learning that the marriage had not yet been consummated, Rogar ordered his men to secure the two children, but was defied by the Kingsguard, who formed a wall in front of their king and queen. While Alyssa and Rogar departed, defeated, Alysanne and Jaehaerys remained behind on Dragonstone, where they would spend the rest of the king's minority, spending nearly every hour in each other's company.[6]

Although they had the means to do so, Alysanne and Jaehaerys did not announce their marriage to the realm. Meanwhile, the king's council at King's Landing made no announcement either, but instead began to consider ways to undo the marriage.[6] On the seventh day of the second moon of 50 AC, several ladies-in-waiting departed King's Landing to Dragonstone on the orders of Dowager Queen Alyssa. Although Alyssa sent them under the cover of serving her daughter and be her household, their true purpose was to try and persuade Alysanne to rescind her marriage. Lord Rogar approved his wife's plans, as he wanted eyes and ears on Dragonstone, and saw these women as an opportunity to learn all Jaehaerys was doing. Despite her youth, however, Queen Alysanne charmed all her ladies-in-waiting, who soon became completely loyal to her.[4]

On the twentieth day of the ninth month of 50 AC, Jaehaerys came of age.[4] He flew his dragon to King's Landing to claim the throne soon thereafter, while Alysanne remained on Dragonstone. She followed him nigh on half a year later, flying from Dragonstone to the Red Keep on Silverwing. A month later, Alysanne and Jaehaerys married in a small, public ceremony; this time the ceremony was followed by a consummation.[15]

Queen

First Royal Progress

The attempted assassination of Queen Alysanne at Jonquil's Pool, as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in Fire & Blood.

In 51 AC, a pregnant Alysanne accompanied Jaehaerys on his first royal progress, touring the crownlands. At Duskendale Alysanne held the first of her famous women's courts, where she heard women of all ages and births bring her their fears, hopes and consternations. These courts would be held every time the queen visited a castle, town or city. The progress continued to the riverlands, where Alysanne and Jaehaerys eventually arrived at Maidenpool. There, the pregnant Alysanne wished to bathe in Jonquil's Pool. Although Jaehaerys's Doctrine of Exceptionalism had won over most of the pious in the realm, most was not all, and the holy women who tended Jonquil's Pool believed that the pool's sacred waters would become polluted if the queen, pregnant with the king's "abomination", were to enter the waters. While she was inside, Alysanne was attacked by three of these women with daggers. As only women were allowed in the bathhouse, Alysanne was accompanied only by her maids and septas, who did not hesitate to protect Alysanne by stepping between Alysanne and her would be assassins. Their shouts alarmed the two Kingsguard knights who stood outside, who burst in and slew two of the attackers, sparing the third for questioning. Under questioning, the remaining would-be assassin revealed the names of half a dozen more in the order who had helped plan the assault. Lord Mooton hanged the guilty women of the order, and planned to hang the innocent ones as well; Alysanne convinced him otherwise.[16]

Alysanne returned to King's Landing, where she remained until she went into early labor in 52 AC, giving birth to a son, who died three days after being born. Alysanne blamed the early birth and subsequent death of her child on the women who had attacked her at Jonquil's Pool at Maidenpool, believing that if she had she been allowed to bathe in the pool and its healing waters, her babe would have lived. Alysanne insisted that she needed a female protector, who could accompany her in places where men were not allowed to go. As such, Jaehaerys sent a raven to Duskendale to summon Jonquil Darke, who was subsequently appointed as Alysanne's sworn shield.[16]

Early motherhood

A young Queen Alysanne and King Jaehaerys with their son Prince Aemon as depicted by Magali Villeneuve in The World of Ice & Fire.

When the High Septon passed away in 54 AC, Alysanne and King Jaehaerys I Targaryen flew to Oldtown on their dragons, accompanied by Jonquil Darke and Ser Joffrey Doggett. There, they hoped to influence the election the new High Septon. In this they succeeded. They visited several castles on their way home. While at Blackhaven, Alysanne and Jaehaerys learned that their pregnant mother, Alyssa Velaryon, was on her deathbed. Alysanne and Jaehaerys immediately flew to Storm's End, where they arrived in time to see their mother before she died delivering a daughter.[16]

That same year, after several of close friends of Rhaena Targaryen were poisoned on Dragonstone by Rhaena's husband Androw Farman, Alysanne traveled to the island in an attempt to comfort her sister. Instead, Rhaena attempted to send her away on three occasions. When Alysanne refused to leave, Rhaena retreated to her chambers, while Alysanne met with her niece, Aerea, who begged Alysanne to take her back to King's Landing with her. Alysanne brought Aerea's request to Rhaena, who refused coldly, stating that Rhaena had nothing and Alysanne had everything, but would not have Rhaena's daughter too, concluding that "you have my throne, content yourself with that". Alysanne left soon after.[16]

After Aerea had escaped Dragonstone atop of Balerion, Alysanne prayed daily for her, blaming herself, but mostly Rhaena, for Aerea's flight. In 55 AC, Alysanne, together with Septon Barth, Grand Maester Benifer, and Lord Albin Massey, began to aid Jaehaerys with codifying, organizing, and reforming all the kingdom's laws. The project would take decades. That same year, Alysanne traveled to Dragonstone where she gave birth to Aemon. Alysanne was displeased when Jaehaerys began to refer to Aemon as his heir, as she believed their daughter Daenerys should be the first in line for the throne, as she was the eldest of the two. Although Jaehaerys would always reply that Daenerys would be queen when she wed Aemon, the answer never truly pleased Alysanne.[3]

In 56 AC, Balerion suddenly appeared at King's Landing with the severely ill Princess Aerea on his back. As Grand Maester Benifer and Septon Barth attempted to save her, Alysanne and Jaehaerys stood vigil outside the chamber.[3] The next year, Alysanne supported Septon Barth's plan of constructing sinking wells, pipes, tunnels, and cisterns, to provide King's Landing with fresh, clean water. Barth pointed out to Jaehaerys that the defouled river water was the only source of water for the smallfolk, suggesting his plans would provide the smallfolk with clean drinking water instead. When the king and his master of coin, Rego Draz, balked at the costs, Alysanne served them a tankard of river water and challenged them to drink it. Instead of drinking the water, the king and his master of coin approved the construction of the fountains, which would become known as "the queen's fountains".[3][8] That same year, Alysanne gave birth to another son, Baelon, just before spring broke.[3]

Progress to the North

In 58 AC, King Jaehaerys I Targaryen planned to visit the north on a royal progress together with Alysanne, intent on visiting Winterfell. However, when Jaehaerys was detained at King's Landing, Alysanne suggested she could go on the progress as planned to prevent Lord Alaric Stark from taking offense, with Jaehaerys catching up with her as soon as possible. As such, Alysanne traveled upon the back of Silverwing to White Harbor, with the royal retinue later joining her by ship. At White Harbor, Alysanne was hosted by Lord Theomore Manderly. She held the a women's court at Lord Manderly's hall, where two hundred women laid their grievances before her. A tourney was held in her honor, and Alysanne's sworn sword Jonquil Darke sparred with a wildling woman during the event, much to the approval of the northmen. Next, Alysanne traveled to Winterfell, where she was coldly received by Lord Alaric Stark. However, he warmed to her during the queen's stay, while Alysanne in turn grew close to Alaric's daughter, Alarra Stark. Next, restless of waiting for Jaehaerys at Winterfell, according to Archmaester Gyldayn, Alysanne traveled to Castle Black at the Wall.[3] However, according to Bran Stark, Alysanne grew bored only after Jaehaerys had arrived at the north, and flew to the Wall while Jaehaerys discussed matters with his Warden of the North. According to Bran Stark and his bastard brother Jon Snow, Alysanne stayed in several local villages while flying north. One of such establishments, Queenscrown, changed its name following Alysanne's visit in her honor, and painted the merlons atop the holdfast golden to look like the golden crown she had worn during her visit.[17][18]

During her time with the Night's Watch, Alysanne saw wildlings for the first time, when the Lord Commander presented her with his captives. She insisted on visiting other castles alongside the Wall as well. In addition, she attempted to fly Silverwing north beyond the Wall on three occasions. The dragon's refusal to go was troubling to Alysanne.[3]

Alysanne suggested to the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch that the Nightfort, the oldest and largest castle at the Wall, which was too costly to maintain, be replaced with a smaller castle nearby. She used her own jewels to finance the construction of the castle, which was named Deep Lake.[3] King Jaehaerys later sent men north to build the castle.[19] A statue of Alysanne was constructed in front of the castle.[3]

Alysanne so admired the Night's Watch's bravery that she convinced Jaehaerys to double the amount of land held by the black brothers[17] after having reunited with him at Winterfell. Lord Alaric was not pleased by the notion of having to force his bannermen to give up parts of their lands, but Alysanne charmed him into doing so either way.[3] According to Maester Yandel, however, this granting of the New Gift was not taken well by all the Starks,[N 1] and Maester Yandel believes that this might have influenced Lord Ellard Stark's choice of support during the Great Council of 101 AC.[20] The Night's Watch, on the other hand, was grateful. To thank Alysanne for financing Deep Lake and winning them the New Gift, the Night's Watch renamed the castle Snowgate, dubbing it Queensgate in her honor.[8][21][18]

From Winterfell, ALysanne and Jaehaerys traveled to Torrhen's Square and Barrowton, after which they returned to King's Landing.[3]

Return to King's Landing

Back at King's Landing, Alysanne made a plea before the small council. During her time in the North, she had heard tales from women during her women's courts at White Harbor, Barrowton, and Mole's Town concerning the first night, and the horrifying experience it was for the women who suffered through it. During the council session, she convinced the king and his counselors, with the help of Septon Barth to abolish the right of the first night.[9][8][22][3] This became known as the second of Queen Alysanne's laws.[3] By this time, Alysanne was overwhelming loved by the people in the Seven Kingdoms, especially the smallfolk.[8]

In late 58 AC, Alysanne attended the tournament held in celebration of King Jaehaerys's tenth year on the throne. She was crowned as the queen of love and beauty by the victor, Ser Ryam Redwyne.[3] The next year, the Seven Kingdoms were struck with a harsh winter and the deadly plague known as the Shivers. The plague lasted for more than a year and made succumbed to the disease, including Alysanne's daughter Daenerys, who died in 60 AC. Alysanne stopped attending council meetings for a while after this. Within two months of Daenerys's death, Alysanne discovered she was pregnant, and in late 60 AC gave birth on Dragonstone to another daughter, Alyssa, named after Alysanne's mother.[5]

Another daughter was born in 62 AC who was named Princess Maegelle Targaryen, who Alysanne and Jaehaerys decided would join the Faith of the Seven when she came of age. Some said that this decision must have please the gods, for the next several years Jaehaerys and Alysanne seemed blessed with the births of several healthy children. A son who was named Vaegon was born in 63 AC, followed by a daughter named Daella the next year. In 66 AC, Princess Saera came into the world, followed by the beautiful Princess Viserra in 71 AC. Princess Daella was delicate and shy and thus Alysanne gave her the lions share of attention, while Saera despite being three years younger than Daella was a trial from the start, tempestuous, demanding and disobedient. [5]

Motherhood and Marriages

In 70 AC Alysanne saw her son, Aemon wed to the Lady Jocelyn Baratheon, in a marriage ceremony that was said to rival that of the Golden Wedding.[5]

Alysanne became pregnant a few years later and following a difficult labour gave birth to her eleventh child, Gaemon in 73 AC only for him to die early next year, at only three months of age. Though grieving Alysanne took later comfort when Aemon and Jocelyn announced the birth of her first grandchild that same year. In 75 AC, Alysanne wed her children Baelon and Alyssa to each other. Alysanne thought of wedding Daella to her older brother Vaegon, but this idea was dismissed as Vaegon had shown no interest in relationships and had insulted Daella several times, making Daella afraid of him. [5]

In 77 AC Baelon and Alyssa gave Alysanne a grandson, who they named Viserys. That same year Alysanne gave birth to her twelfth child, a son who she named Valerion. The labour had been long and difficult and left Alysanne weak and bedridden for half a year. Valerion was born small and sickly like his brother Gaemon had been. Jaehaerys had half a dozen nurses come and go to attend Valerion, whilst his mother recovered. Valerion though died the next year, just a fortnight from his first nameday. Alysanne took his death with resignation and declared she was more suited to be a grandmother now, than a mother. [5]

In the winter of 80 AC, Alysanne gave birth to her and Jaehaerys final child. A daughter who was named Gael, though many feared the sickly babe would not survive. Grandmaester Elysar and Septa Lyra after the deaths of Gaemon and Valerion were determined to save the child. They nursed and looked after the babe for over a year and thanks to their efforts, Gael lived, much to Alysannes joy. Gael became known as the Winter Child in reference to both the winter of her birth and the winter of Alysannes years. [5]

After years of failing to find a suitor for Daella, Jaehaerys insisted that she wed now that she was over sixteen, Alysanne reluctantly brought in three Suitors for Daella to choose from and she selected the kindly Lord Rodrik Arryn whom she wed in early 81 AC. In 82 AC, after a year and a half of marriage, Daella wrote to her mother in her own hand to inform her of her pregnancy, telling her mother that she was frightened and asking her to come. Alysanne flew to her daughter on Silverwing, arriving three months before Daella was due. Alysanne remained with Daella until she gave birth. Daella went into labor a fortnight too early, and had a long and troubled labor. Although her daughter, Aemma Arryn, was healthy, childbed fever began soon after the birth. Her fever only grew worse, and Daella eventually died, at the age of eighteen.[5]

Rodrik begged Alysanne's permission to bury his late wife in the Vale of Arryn, but was refused. Alysanne declared that Daella would be cremated, and that her ashes would be interred on Dragonstone beside those of her sister, Princess Daenaerys. According to Archmaester Gyldayn, Daella’s death was the first hint of the rift that was to open between King Jaehaerys I Targaryen and his queen, as Alysanne believed her husband had pushed Daella into marriage at too early an age.[5]

First Quarrel

In 84 AC, Alysanne and Jaehaerys learned that their daughter Saera had bedded three young knights. When Saera was confronted she was confined to her bedchambers after she suggested she could wed all three of them, comparing herself to King 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, and she most likely would have succeeded if Saera had not attempted to flee to the Dragonpit to steal a dragon that same night, 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, Alysanne refused to witness the trial as she feared Jaehaerys might perish. As punishment for Saera she was sent to Oldtown to serve the Faith of the Seven as a novice for a time, where her sister Maegelle could watch over her. In 85 AC, however, Saera escaped to Lys where she became a whore in a pleasure garden. Alysanne despaired when she heard the news and proclaimed that the Lyseni had turned their daughter into a whore, Jaehaerys replied: "She always was", which further devasted Alysanne.[5]

In later years Alysanne arranged the marriage of her daughter Viserra to Lord Theomore Manderly, Viserra was unhappy with the choice, but decided she would have one night of freedom before she has to go to the North. The princess sneaked out of the Red Keep disguised as a maid to have a night of enjoyment with several friends, only to die later that night when she drunkenly raced her horse through the city and fell, breaking her neck. Alysanne following the death of Viserra and still in pain over the loss of Daella, begged Jaehaerys to bring Saera home, saying that she needed her daughter. Jaehaerys refused and sensing that Alysanne might wish to fly to Lys to retrieve her personally, warned her against such an action, presenting her with all the likely scenarios of what would transpire from this. This led to the couples First Quarrel. The rift would last for two years, the king spent these two years on a royal progress through the Westerlands followed by the Reach, while Alysanne remained in either the Red Keep or Dragonstone. The rift finally ended when Jaehaerys visited Oldtown, where his daughter Maegelle persuaded her father him to reunite with her mother, which he did.[5]

Second Quarrel

In 92 AC Myrish invaders fleeing from the Myrish Bloodbath occupied Tarth. Prince Aemon arrived to assist Lord Tarth, only to be killed by a crossbow bolt when two Myrish scouts came upon the Evenstar's camp. Baelon in his wroth, took Vhagar to the island and avenged his brother. Upon Baelon's return to the city, he collapsed into his mothers arms upon seeing her, grieving for his fallen brother, as Alysanne comforted her son. Following the death of Prince Aemon, Jaehaerys named Aemon's brother Baelon as the new Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the throne, passing over Aemon's only child, Princess Rhaenys, as well as her unborn children. Although Baelon was much loved, some did not approve. The most prominent of these was Queen Alysanne, who though she loved Baelon deeply, 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 against 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 94 AC, once more by their beloved daughter Maegelle.[8][23]

Final Years

Alysanne in her final days on Dragonstone reminiscing about her happy youth on the island, as depicted by Douglas Wheatley in Fire & Blood.

The last years of Alysannes life were sad and lonely ones, she could no longer ride Silverwing as she became too unsteady to fly, she had ridden her for the last time in 93 AC, Alysanne wept tears as she dismounted painfully from Silverwing's back. Worn out from childbirth, travel, age and above all grief, she became thin and frail. Alysanne lost her daughter, Alyssa who died in child birth in 94 AC delivering a baby named Aegon who soon followed his mother to the grave. Alysanne slipped and broke her hip in 95 AC and had to use a cane ever after, her hearing began to fail, music was lost to her and she no longer attended small council meetings as she could not hear half of what was said. In 96 AC Alysanne lost another daughter , when sweet and kind-hearted Maegelle died from Greyscale, which she contracted while lovingly caring for children afflicted with the disease.[8]

Alysannes youngest and favoured daughter Gael, after being seduced, impregnated and abandoned by a wandering singer, committed suicide in 99 AC. Gael's death broke Alysanne entirely, for she had outlived all but three of her children (Baelon, Vaegon and Saera). Saera was across to Narrow Sea in exile and had never once replied to any of her mothers letters, Vaegon was an Archmaester in Oldtown and had been always a cold and distant son, her son Baelon while a great comfort to Alysanne and always warm to his mother, was the Prince of Dragonstone and the newly appointed Hand of the King, thus often preoccupied with the duties of the realm. King's Landing and the Red Keep became completely unbearable to Alysanne and she returned to Dragonstone, where she dwelled on her memories, especially the happy ones of her and Jaehaerys time on the island during his minority. The good queen passed away on the first day of the seventh month in 100 AC. She was cremated, and her ashes were interred beneath the Red Keep, where a few years later they were joined by the ashes of Jaehaerys.[8][3]

Jaehaerys outlived Alysanne by a few years. She had been his great love, and it was said that the grief caused by their parting hung over his court,[8] reducing him to a shell of the man he had once been.[24]

Family and Legacy

Alysanne and Jaehaerys had a fruitful marriage with thirteen children been born from their union, though only nine lived to adulthood and Alysanne at the time of her death in 100 AC had outlived all but three of her children...

The bulk of Alysanne's children predeceased her, with the loss of Princess Gael in 99 AC being a particularly heavy blow that was believed by many to have hastened her own death.[8]

The marriage of Alysanne and Jaehaerys lasted forty-six years (the years of their two estrangements are not counted as part of their married years), until Alysanne death in 100 AC.[8] These two estrangements both lasted no more than a year or two and are known as the First Quarrel and the Second Quarrel.[8]

Alysanne had five known grandchildren, four of them living to adulthood: Aemon's daughter Princess Rhaenys, who married Lord Corlys Velaryon, Baelon's sons, Prince Viserys, who would later be crowned as King Viserys I, and Prince Daemon Targaryen, and Daella's daughter, Lady Aemma Arryn, who would later become Queen of the Seven Kingdoms through her marriage to her cousin, Prince Viserys.[24] Another son of Baelon and Alyssa, Prince Aegon, died before reaching his first nameday.[5][25]

There is a sad song, "Alysanne", that may be about the queen.[26] It is probable the galley Queen Alysanne is named after her as well.[27] Alysanne is remembered in Westeros with great love by the smallfolk. Her memory is greatly. honoured by the Night's Watch, who were extremely grateful for everything she did for the Watch, so much so that Lothor Burley, the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, renamed the castle Snowgate to Queensgate in her honor.[3]

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

Jon Snow recalls a tale told to him by Old Nan, Jaehaerys and Alysanne traveled to Winterfell together in a great royal progress that contained six dragons.[18] It is unknown if this was a later progress made by the royal couple or just a fable told by Old Nan.

A Dance with Dragons

Roose Bolton speaks of Alysanne with contempt when talking to Theon Greyjoy over her involvement in making the First night illegal.[9]

Quotes by Alysanne

My uncle Maegor was cruel, but age is crueler.[5]

—Alysanne near the end of her life.

The Mother Above loved my children more. She took so many of them away from me.[5]

—Alysanne near the end of her life.

You will be a great king, even greater than your father.[5]

—Alysannes last words to her son, Prince Baelon.

Quotes about Alysanne

She was his most trusted counsellor and his right hand.[7]

No mother ever loved a child more.[5]

Ancestors

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Valaena
Velaryon
 
Aerion
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unknown
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Visenya
 
Aegon I
 
Rhaenys
 
 
Orys
Baratheon
 
Argella
Durrandon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ceryse
Hightower
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aenys I
 
Alyssa
Velaryon
 
 
House Baratheon.svg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elinor
Costayne
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alys
Harroway
 
 
Maegor I
 
Rhaena
 
Aegon
 
Viserys
 
Jaehaerys I
 
Alysanne
 
Vaella
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jeyne
Westerling
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tyanna of
the Tower
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rhaella
 
Aerea
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
House Targaryen.svg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aenys I
 
Alyssa
Velaryon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rhaena
 
Aegon
 
Viserys
 
Jaehaerys I
 
Alysanne
 
Vaella
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issue
 
Aegon
 
Daenerys
 
Aemon
 
 
Baelon
 
Alyssa
 
Maegelle
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vaegon
 
Daella
 
Saera
 
Viserra
 
Gaemon
 
Valerion
 
Gael
 


Descendants

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jocelyn
Baratheon
 
Aemon
 
Daella
 
Rodrik
Arryn
 
Baelon
 
Alyssa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corlys
Velaryon
 
Rhaenys
 
 
 
 
 
Aemma
Arryn
 
Viserys I
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alicent
Hightower
 
Daemon
[Note 1]
 
Rhea
Royce
 
Aegon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Laena
Velaryon
 
Daemon
[Note 1]
 
Laenor
Velaryon
 
Rhaenyra
 
Daemon
[Note 1]
 
Son
 
Baelon
 
Aegon II
 
Helaena
 
Aemond
 
Daeron
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rhaena
 
Baela
 
Stillborn
son
 
Jacaerys
Velaryon
 
Lucerys
Velaryon
 
Joffrey
Velaryon
 
Viserys II
 
Visenya
 
Aegon III
 
Jaehaera
 
Jaehaerys
 
Maelor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes:
  1. 1.0 1.1 Prince Daemon Targaryen was married to Lady Rhea Royce from 97 AC to 115 AC, to Lady Laena Velaryon from 115 AC to 120 AC, and to Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen from 120 AC to 130 AC.


Behind the Scenes

George R. R. Martin has compared Alysanne to Eleanor of Aquitaine, including Katharine Hepburn's portrayal in The Lion in Winter.[7]

In one of the earlier drafts of the Targaryen family tree, dating circa 1998, Alysanne was displayed as the daughter of King Maegor I Targaryen. Not much later, however, George R. R. Martin changed the family tree and Alysanne became the daughter of King Aenys I Targaryen, Maegor's older brother, instead.[28] As a result of this change, Alysanne's husband, Jaehaerys I Targaryen, became her brother instead of her cousin.

Notes

  1. Earlier prints of The World of Ice & Fire, published in 2014, state that Lord Ellard Stark was the lord who had been forced to give up the New Gift. However, it has been confirmed that this is an error, and that the statement has been replaced by "the Starks were glad" in later prints, leaving it unknown for the time being which Stark had been the lord in question. In addition, Fire & Blood, published in 2018, state that the Lord of Winterfell at the time was Lord Alaric Stark, who had no living brothers at the time the New Gift was granted. It has been confirmed that George R. R. Martin wished for the granting of the New Gift to have been a point of contention that some scholars believe informed Ellard Stark's choice to back Laenor Velaryon in the Great Council, several centuries later, leaving it unknown which Stark, from which time, objected to the granting of the New Gift.

References

­­

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
  2. 2.0 2.1 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Alysanne Targaryen.
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Fire & Blood, A Surfeit of Rulers.
  5. 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Fire & Blood, The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 So Spake Martin: Good Queen Alysanne and Rhaenyra (June 18, 2006)
  8. 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 8.12 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 32, Reek III.
  10. The Sons of the Dragon.
  11. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I.
  13. 13.0 13.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
  14. 14.0 14.1 Fire & Blood, Prince into King - The Ascension of Jaehaerys I.
  15. Fire & Blood, A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I.
  17. 17.0 17.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 40, Bran III.
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 41, Jon V.
  19. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 56, Bran IV.
  20. The World of Ice & Fire, The North: The Lords of Winterfell.
  21. The World of Ice & Fire, The North: The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch.
  22. The Sworn Sword.
  23. Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
  24. 24.0 24.1 The Rogue Prince.
  25. The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Targaryen Lineage.
  26. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 10, Sansa I.
  27. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 58, Davos III.
  28. asoiaf.westeros.org: The Book of Swords - The Sons of the Dragon SPOILERS (August 28, 2018)