Difference between revisions of "Daemon Targaryen"

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After six months since his return, it was rumored that Prince Daemon took Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra's]] virginity prior to her sixteenth [[name day]]. [[Lyonel Strong]] counseled the livid King [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]] that Daemon should be executed for treason. Septon [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]], however, reminded the council about the taint of [[kinslaying]], thus Daemon was exiled instead.{{Ref|TRP}}
 
After six months since his return, it was rumored that Prince Daemon took Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra's]] virginity prior to her sixteenth [[name day]]. [[Lyonel Strong]] counseled the livid King [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]] that Daemon should be executed for treason. Septon [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]], however, reminded the council about the taint of [[kinslaying]], thus Daemon was exiled instead.{{Ref|TRP}}
  
Daemon returned to [[Bloodstone]] in the Stepstones.and resumed his struggle over his barren Kingdom. {{Ref|TRP}}
+
Daemon returned to [[Bloodstone]] in the Stepstones and resumed his struggle over his barren Kingdom. {{Ref|TRP}}
  
 
===Second and third marriage===
 
===Second and third marriage===

Revision as of 20:19, 20 December 2015

House Targaryen crest.PNG
Daemon Targaryen
City watch.png
Marc Simonetti Damon Prince-VillainII.jpg
Prince Daemon in his younger days as commander of the gold cloaks. © Marc Simonetti

Aliases
Titles
Allegiances
Culture Valyrian
Born 81 AC[1]
Died 130 AC
the Gods Eye
Spouses
Books

Prince Daemon Targaryen was a member of House Targaryen and the uncle and husband of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, whose claim he supported in the Dance of the Dragons.[2] He was Rhaenyra's second husband, following Laenor Velaryon. He was a younger son of Baelon Targaryen, and brother to Viserys I Targaryen.

Prince 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. He was father to two kings on the Iron Throne, Aegon III Targaryen and Viserys II Targaryen. Much of Daemon's life was written about by Archmaester Gyldayn in The Rogue Prince, or, A King's Brother.[3][4]

Appearance and Character

Daemon was a highly skilled warrior described in the histories as dashing, daring and dangerous. He was also ambitious, impetuous, mercurial, amoral, reckless and quick to take offense. [5] Archmaester Gyldayn described Prince Daemon as being as charming as he was hot tempered.[4].

History

Early Life

Daemon was born as the second son of Prince Baelon Targaryen and his sister-wife, Princess Alyssa Targaryen, in 81 AC, during the reign of his grandfather, King Jaehaerys I Targaryen. He had one older brother, Viserys, as well as one younger brother, Aegon.[6] Since his youth, Prince Daemon's face was familiar to every cut-purse, whore, and gambler in Flea Bottom. He was knighted at 16, and King Jaehaerys I Targaryen gave him Dark Sister.[4] His first marriage was to Lady Rhea Royce, but he disliked both her and the Vale. During the Great Council of 101 AC, Daemon supported the claim of his elder brother Prince Viserys (as it would make Daemon the heir after his brother) and was said Daemon had gathered a small army, when it was rumored that Lord Corlys Velaryon was readying a fleet to defend the rights of his son Laenor Velaryon. [5]

Early reign of Viserys I

When his brother became King, Daemon asked King Viserys to set his first marriage aside, but was refused. Daemon was allowed to serve on the small council though. He served briefly as master of coin from 103 AC until 104 AC and master of laws for six months after that. Governance bored Daemon and the Princes demeanor made him a rival of the Hand of the King, Ser Otto Hightower who could not stand Daemons presence and had begged King Viserys to remove Daemon from the council. [4]

Daemon was later appointed as Commander of the City Watch of King's Landing a position he thrived in and maintained for two years. Prince Daemon inspired loyalty with many of the rank-and-file men of the watch, improving the watches armaments and equipment and gave every man a golden colored cloak, which led to the watch to become known as the Gold Cloaks. Crime fell sharply under Daemons command, this is likely due to his love of inflicting harsh punishments on thieves and cut purses. Daemon developed a dark reputation in the stews and brothels, he was well known at every inn (where he drank for free) and brothels in the city where Daemon was never wont to make free of the wares on offer. Daemon in one of these brothels became acquainted with a prostitute named Mysaria who would serve as his mistress of whisperers in the streets of Flea Bottom. While Daemon called himself "the Prince of the City" he became known as "Lord Flea Bottom" among the residence of King's Landing.

It was no secret that Daemon considered himself his brothers heir as Viserys had no living sons and coveted the title Prince of Dragonstone, which his Grace refused to grant. King Viserys I was fond of his younger brother but had no wish for Daemon to succeed him. Ser Otto Hightower equally did not want Prince Daemon to succeed his brother as King and proposed the idea to King Viserys that his daughter, Rhaenyra should be named his heir. King Viserys however did not address the issue of inheritance as he was hopeful a son would be born one day soon, which would finally settle the issue. [4]

His brother Viserys's first wife, Aemma Arryn, died birthing Baelon Targaryen, Viserys' second son (the first son had died in the cradle). The boy died a day after his birth. Daemon was observed in a brothel in the Street of Silk making drunken japes with his cronies about the "Heir for a day". When word of this reached the grieving King Viserys, his grief quickly turned to rage and King Viserys had Rhaenyra declared the heir in response to his ungrateful brothers apathy, Daemon left the capital in a fury.[4]

On Dragonstone, Daemon impregnated his lover Mysaria. He wanted to present Mysaria with a dragon egg, which angered King Viserys, who demanded that Daemon returned the egg and that he returned to his wife in the Vale. Daemon send 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.[4]

Daemon offers his crown to his brother, King Viserys I Targaryen, by Chase Stone, as depicted in The World of Ice and Fire.

Conquest of the Stepstones

In 106 AC, Daemon led an army to invade the Stepstones in the southern narrow sea, with the support of Lord Corlys Velaryon and his fleet, and with the use of Daemon's dragon, Caraxes. He made many enemies in the Kingdom of the Three Daughters (Myr, Tyrosh and Lys) during the course of his adventures there.[4] He also made enemies in the Seven Kingdoms, including Ser Otto Hightower[2] and members of House Royce for his disregard for his first wife, Rhea Royce.[4]

After conquering all but two of the islands, Daemon declared himself King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea in 109 AC, being crowned by Lord Corlys. His new kingdom was far from secure, the Kingdom of the Three daughters launched a massive fleet to retake the isles the following year and Dorne joined them in an alliance against Daemon. Daemon eventually grew bored with ruling (and trying to maintain) his meager Kingdom and returned to the capital of King's Landing in 111 AC during the tournament that gave the greens and the blacks their names. Daemon reconciled with his brother by offering him his crown. Viserys welcomed his brother's return and Daemon was given a seat on the small council.[4]

Neither age or exile had changed Daemons nature, he soon took up again with old companions in the City Watch and returned to the establishments on the Street of Silk where he had always been a valued patron. While Daemon was cold with Viserys wife, Queen Alicent and her children (who had pushed him further down in the line of succession), his niece Rhaenyra was a different matter. Daemon spent hours in her company, praising her beauty, enthralling her with tales of his adventures, giving her gifts and mocking her step mother and her cronies.

After six months since his return, it was rumored that Prince Daemon took Princess Rhaenyra's virginity prior to her sixteenth name day. Lyonel Strong counseled the livid King Viserys that Daemon should be executed for treason. Septon Eustace, however, reminded the council about the taint of kinslaying, thus Daemon was exiled instead.[4]

Daemon returned to Bloodstone in the Stepstones and resumed his struggle over his barren Kingdom. [4]

Second and third marriage

In 115 AC he abandoned the Stepstones completely, after the death of his wife, Rhea Royce, but failed to claim Runestone, which had been Rhea's seat. No longer welcome in the Vale, Daemon turned to Driftmark, where he married later Laena Velaryon, the beautiful daughter of his friend Corlys (after killing her previous betrothed in a duel). Because the marriage had been without consent of the King, he and Laena left Westeros and toured the Free Cities. They remained in Pentos for some time when they learned that Laena was pregnant, causing their daughters Baela and Rhaena to be born in Pentos, in 116 AC. Laena died from childbirth in 120 AC, trying to birth Daemon a son (the boy died as well).

Later in the same year Daemon married again, this time to his niece, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. This marriage was performed suddenly without King Viserys knowledge or consent. It caused a huge scandal when word reached King's Landing, as either Laena, nor Laenor Velaryon, Rhaenyra's previous husband, had been dead for six months. According to Mushroom it was Prince Daemon who arranged the death of Laenor Velaryon by paying Ser Qarl Correy to kill him thus making Rhaenyra available to marry. [4]

Prince Daemon and Princess Rhaenyra, had two sons together: Prince Aegon, born in 120 AC, and Prince Viserys, born in 122 AC.[4] They also had a stillborn daughter, Princess Visenya, whose birth took place in the third month of 129 AC.[2]

The Dance of Dragons

By the time of the civil war called the Dance of the Dragons, Prince Daemon had more experience in warfare than all their foes combined. During Rhaenyra's coronation on Dragonstone, Prince Daemon placed the crown of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen on the head of his wife, proclaiming her queen and claiming himself Protector of the Realm.[2]

Daemon led the assault on Harrenhal, capturing the ruined castle from its castellan, Ser Simon Strong, without conflict by landing Caraxes on top of Kingspyre Tower. After hearing of the death of his step-son, Prince Lucerys Velaryon, at the hands of his nephew Prince Aemond Targaryen, Daemon, through his spymaster and former mistress Mysaria, hired Blood and Cheese to murder a son of Rhaenyra's rival, King Aegon II Targaryen.[2]

The prince's enemies made during his adventures came back to haunt the blacks when Ser Otto Hightower, now the Hand of the King of Aegon II, was able to recruit the Kingdom of the Three Daughters to send a fleet against them, breaking the Velaryon blockade and killing his stepson Jace.[2]

Daemon abandoned the great castle of Harrenhal when Aemond and Ser Criston Cole began marching on Harrenhal. Instead, Daemon flew Caraxes back to King's Landing and assisted Rhaenyra with capturing King's Landing.[2]

While searching for Aemond and Vhagar, who were burning the riverlands, Daemon took Nettles for a bedmate and made their base in Maidenpool. Maester Norren informed Daemon that Queen Rhaenyra wanted Nettles dead to which Daemon stated...

A queen's words, a whores work. [2]

Daemon thanked the Maester for the warning and he and Nettles separated the next morning.[2] Daemon challenged Aemond, waiting for thirteen days at Harrenhal until Aemond stopped burning the riverlands to come face him. The Battle Above the Gods Eye ended in the deaths of both riders and both dragons. Daemon was forty-nine when he died. Unlike Aemond's body, however, Daemon's was never found. Singers say that Daemon lived to spend the rest of his days in secret with Nettles, but most historians disagree.[2]

Quotes about Daemon

Over the centuries, House Targaryen has produced both great men and monsters. Prince Daemon was both.[4]

- Archmaester Gyldayn


Prince Daemon, a rogue if there ever was one.[7]

- George R. R. Martin


[...] for Prince Daemon had been the wonder and terror of his age [...][8]

– Maester Yandel


Let Daemon play at war. It keeps him out of trouble.[4]

- Viserys I Targaryen


The whore on Dragonstone is not the threat. No more than Rowan and these traitors in the Reach. The danger is my uncle. Once Daemon is dead, all these fools flying our sister's banners will run back to their castles and trouble us no more.[2]

- Aemond Targaryen


Make no mistake, should Rhaenyra ever sit the Iron Throne, it will be Daemon who rules us, a king consort as cruel and unforgiving as Maegor ever was.[2]

- Ser Otto Hightower to the small council of King Viserys I Targaryen


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.[2]

- Daemon and Prince Aemond Targaryen at Harrenhal

Family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.


See also

References and Notes