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The '''Great Council''' is a council that is formed when the inheritance of the throne is unclear. In [[Westeros]]i history, there have been at least two '''Great Councils''' to decide the [[Targaryen]] succession to the [[Iron Throne]], while a third decided the regents of an underaged king.
 
 
[[File:Marc Simonetti RoyalP.jpg|thumb|right|650px|The Great Council of 101, as depicted by Marc Simonetti in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''.]]
 
[[File:Marc Simonetti RoyalP.jpg|thumb|right|650px|The Great Council of 101, as depicted by Marc Simonetti in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''.]]
==Great Council of {{Date|101}}==
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A '''Great Council''' is a council formed when the inheritance of the throne is unclear. In [[Westeros]]i history, there have been at least two Great Councils to decide [[House Targaryen]]'s succession to the [[Iron Throne]], while a third decided the regents of an under-aged king.
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==Great Council of 101 AC==
 
===Prelude===
 
===Prelude===
When King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys I]]'s son and heir, Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]], died in {{Date|92}}, Jaehaerys chose Aemon's younger brother, Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]], as his heir, passing over Aemon's daughter, Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys]]. The decision caused the [[Second Quarrel]] between king and queen.
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When King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]'s son and heir, Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]], died in {{Date|92}}, Jaehaerys chose Aemon's younger brother, Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]], as his heir, passing over Aemon's daughter, Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys]]. The decision caused the [[Second Quarrel]] between king and queen.
  
Prince Baelon died in {{Date|101}} while serving as [[Hand of the King]], and Jaehaerys again needed an heir. Supporters of both Prince [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]], the eldest son of Prince Baelon and his sister-wife, Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen|Alyssa]], and [[Laenor Velaryon]], the son of Princess Rhaenys, reportedly formed armies. The king summoned from the [[Citadel]] his only surviving son Archmaester [[Vaegon Targaryen|Vaegon]]; whether Jaehaerys offered him the throne, or only wanted advice, is unknown. Vaegon suggested that lords, maesters, and the Faith discuss the candidates in a Great Council. Jaehaerys agreed, promising to accept whatever the council decided.{{Ref|fab|The Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
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Prince Baelon died in {{Date|101}} while serving as [[Hand of the King]], and Jaehaerys again needed an heir. Supporters of both Prince [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]], the eldest son of Prince Baelon and his sister-wife, Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen|Alyssa]], and [[Laenor Velaryon]], the son of Princess Rhaenys, reportedly formed armies. The king summoned from the [[Citadel]] his only surviving son, Archmaester [[Vaegon Targaryen|Vaegon]]; whether Jaehaerys offered him the throne, or only wanted advice, is unknown. Vaegon suggested that lords, maesters, and the Faith discuss the candidates in a Great Council. Jaehaerys agreed, promising to accept whatever the council decided.{{Ref|fab|The Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
As the first Great Council,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} no one knew how many would attend. The Crown wanted room for at least 500 lords and entourages, so chose [[Harrenhal]]. More than 1,000 lords came from throughout Westeros, gathering over a half year; some arrived as the council was ending.{{Ref|fab|The Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
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As the first Great Council,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} no one knew how many would attend. The Crown wanted room for at least five hundred lords and entourages, so the great castle of [[Harrenhal]] was chosen to host. More than a thousand lords came from throughout Westeros, gathering over a half year; some arrived as the council was ending.{{Ref|fab|The Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
 
===Outcome===
 
===Outcome===
The council met for 13 days. It discussed and dismissed nine lesser claims, such as from three rival [[bastard]]s of Princess [[Saera Targaryen]], and an alleged bastard of King Jaehaerys. The two final candidates as heir were Prince Viserys and Laenor Velaryon.{{Ref|fab|The Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} Primogeniture favored Laenor, as his mother, Princess Rhaenys, was the daughter of Prince Aemon, who had been the eldest living son of King Jaehaerys. Yet proximity favored Viserys, who, in addition, had been the last Targaryen Prince to ride the dragon [[Balerion]], before the Black Dread had died in {{Date|94}}. On the other hand, Laenor had recently acquired a dragon of his own, [[Seasmoke]].{{Ref|TRP}}
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The council met for thirteen days. It discussed and dismissed nine lesser claims, such as from three rival [[bastard]]s of Princess [[Saera Targaryen]], and an alleged bastard of King Jaehaerys. The two final candidates as heir were Prince Viserys and Laenor Velaryon.{{Ref|fab|The Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} Primogeniture favored Laenor, as his mother, Princess Rhaenys, was the daughter of Prince Aemon, who had been the eldest living son of King Jaehaerys. Yet proximity favored Viserys, who, in addition, had been the last Targaryen prince to ride the dragon [[Balerion]], before the Black Dread had died in {{Date|94}}. On the other hand, Laenor had recently acquired a dragon of his own, [[Seasmoke]].{{Ref|TRP}}
  
In the end, what mattered most for the many lords in the realm, was that the male line would take precedence over the female line. In addition, Prince Viserys was twenty-four years old, while Laenor was only seven. Yet Laenor had one big advantage over Viserys: he was the son of Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], the wealthiest man of the Seven Kingdoms. Corlys' fame, reputation and wealth did much to support Laenor's claim. Lord [[Boremund Baratheon]] supported Laenor's claim (his sister [[Jocelyn Baratheon|Jocelyn]] was Laenor's grandmother),{{Ref|TWOIAF| House Baratheon}} as did Lord [[Ellard Stark]], Lord [[House Blackwood|Blackwood]], Lord [[House Bar Emmon|Bar Emmon]] and Lord [[House Celtigar|Celtigar]],{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} the  [[House Dustin|Dustins]] of [[Barrowton]], and the [[House Manderly|Manderlys]] of [[White Harbor]].{{Ref|TPATQ}} They were too few, however. While the [[maesters]] never revealed the actual numbers,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} it was rumored that Prince Viserys had won by a twenty to one vote.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|TPATQ}} Amongst those who had spoken in favor of Viserys, was Viserys' younger brother, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], who had gone as far as assembling a small army, when it was rumored that Lord Corlys Velaryon was readying a fleet to defend the rights of Laenor,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}. Lord [[Grover Tully]] of [[Riverrun]],{{Ref|TWOIAF| House Tully}} and Lord [[Tymond Lannister]] of [[Casterly Rock]], also supported Viserys.{{Ref|TWOIAF| House Lannister Under the Dragons}}
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In the end, what mattered most for the many lords in the realm, was that the male line would take precedence over the female line. In addition, Prince Viserys was twenty-four years old, while Laenor was only seven. Yet Laenor had one big advantage over Viserys: he was the son of Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], the wealthiest man of the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. Corlys's fame, reputation and wealth did much to support Laenor's claim. Lord [[Boremund Baratheon]] supported Laenor's claim (his sister [[Jocelyn Baratheon|Jocelyn]] was Laenor's grandmother),{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Stormlands: House Baratheon}} as did Lord [[Ellard Stark]], Lord [[House Blackwood|Blackwood]], Lord [[House Bar Emmon|Bar Emmon]] and Lord [[House Celtigar|Celtigar]],{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} the  [[House Dustin|Dustins]] of [[Barrowton]], and the [[House Manderly|Manderlys]] of [[White Harbor]].{{Ref|TPATQ}} They were too few, however. While the [[maesters]] never revealed the actual numbers,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} it was rumored that Prince Viserys had won by a twenty to one vote.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|TPATQ}} Amongst those who had spoken in favor of Viserys, was Viserys's younger brother, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]], who had gone as far as assembling a small army, when it was rumored that Lord Corlys Velaryon was readying a fleet to defend the rights of Laenor,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}. Lord [[Grover Tully]] of [[Riverrun]],{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands: House Tully}} and Lord [[Tymond Lannister]] of [[Casterly Rock]], also supported Viserys.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}
  
Prince Viserys Targaryen was ultimately chosen by the assembled nobility,{{Ref|tpatq}} and while he was not present for the final deliberations, King Jaehaerys I named Viserys the new [[Prince of Dragonstone]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}
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Prince Viserys Targaryen was ultimately chosen by the assembled nobility,{{Ref|tpatq}} and while he was not present for the final deliberations, King Jaehaerys I named Viserys the new [[Prince of Dragonstone]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}
  
 
===Consequences===
 
===Consequences===
According to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]], in the eyes of many, the council of {{Date|101}} established an iron precedent on matters of succession: that the Iron Throne could not pass to a woman, or to a male descendant of a woman.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}
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According to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]], in the eyes of many, the council of {{Date|101}} established an iron precedent on matters of succession: that the Iron Throne could not pass to a woman, or to a male descendant of a woman.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}
  
King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] named his daughter, his only surviving child by his first marriage, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], his heir after the death of his second born son, Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Baelon]]. After three sons had been born in his second marriage, Viserys would be asked about the succession repeatedly, but Viserys chose to ignore the precedents of {{Date|101}}, and Rhaenyra remained his heir until his death. Viserys even dismissed his [[Hand of the King]], Ser [[Otto Hightower]], because Hightower would keep asking the king about the matter.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}{{Ref|TRP}}
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King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] named his daughter, his only surviving child by his first marriage, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], his heir after the death of his second born son, Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Baelon]]. After three sons had been born in his second marriage, Viserys would be asked about the succession repeatedly, but Viserys chose to ignore the precedents of {{Date|101}}, and Rhaenyra remained his heir until his death. Viserys dismissed his [[Hand of the King]], Ser [[Otto Hightower]], because Otto kept asking the king about the matter.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}{{Ref|TRP}}
  
Following the death of King [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I]], at the start of the coup for the throne by the [[greens]], Viserys' [[small council]] examined the annals of the Great Council. They determined that the houses which had dissented during the Great Council were likely to support the claim of [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] instead of [[Aegon II Targaryen]].{{Ref|tpatq}}
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Following the death of Viserys, at the start of the coup for the throne by the [[greens]], Viserys's [[small council]] examined the annals of the Great Council. They determined that the houses which had dissented during the Great Council were likely to support the claim of [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] instead of [[Aegon II Targaryen]].{{Ref|tpatq}}
  
==Great Council of {{Date|136}}==
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==Great Council of 136 AC==
 
===Prelude to the Council===
 
===Prelude to the Council===
King [[Aegon III Targaryen]] ascended the throne in {{Date|131}} at the age of eleven. It would be five years before the king would be able to rule in his own right, but instead of naming ''one'' regent, in the conclusion of the [[Dance of the Dragons]], a council of seven regents was named, who would rule together with the [[Hand of the King]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}
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King [[Aegon III Targaryen]] ascended the throne in {{Date|131}} at the age of eleven in the conclusion of the [[Dance of the Dragons]]. It would be five years before the king would be able to rule in his own right, but instead of naming one regent, a council of seven regents was named to rule with the [[Hand of the King]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}
  
The original council of seven consisted out of the following members: Lady [[Jeyne Arryn]], Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], Lord [[Roland Westerling]], Lord [[Royce Caron]], Lord [[Manfryd Mooton]], Ser [[Torrhen Manderly]], and Grand Maester [[Munkun]]. Out of these seven, only Munkun would serve the entire term ({{Date|131}} to {{Date|136}}).{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}
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The original council of seven consisted out of the following members: Lady [[Jeyne Arryn]], Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]], Lord [[Roland Westerling]], Lord [[Royce Caron]], Lord [[Manfryd Mooton]], Ser [[Torrhen Manderly]], and Grand Maester [[Munkun]]. Out of these seven, only Munkun would serve the entire term ({{Date|131}} to {{Date|136}}).{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}
  
 
===The outcome of the Council===
 
===The outcome of the Council===
Every time a member of the council of regents died or resigned, the council elected a replacement. However, when suddenly three spots on the council became available, a Great Council was called to name new members. The Great Council elected [[Willam Stackspear]], [[Marq Merryweather]] and [[Lorent Grandison]] by lot.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}
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Every time a member of the council of regents died or resigned during the [[regency of Aegon III]], the council elected a replacement. However, when suddenly three spots on the council became available, a Great Council was called in {{date|136}} to name new members. The Great Council elected [[Willam Stackspear]], [[Marq Merryweather]] and [[Lorent Grandison]] by lot.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}
  
These three members served with the other four regents until the sixteenth nameday of King Aegon III, when he dismissed them all.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}
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These three members served with the other four regents until the sixteenth nameday of King Aegon III, when he dismissed them all.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}
  
==Great Council of {{Date|233}}==
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==Great Council of 233 AC==
 
===Prelude to the Council===
 
===Prelude to the Council===
King [[Daeron II Targaryen]]'s heir, Prince [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor]], died after a [[Trial of Seven]] in {{Date|209}},{{Ref|THK}} making his eldest son [[Valarr Targaryen|Valarr]] the heir. However, later that year the [[The Great Spring Sickness|Great Spring Sickness]] killed King Daeron and both of Baelor's sons, Valarr and [[Matarys Targaryen|Matarys]].{{Ref|TSS}}{{Ref|TMK}} This in turn left [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron]]'s second son, Prince [[Aerys I Targaryen|Aerys]], to inherit, and Aerys was thus crowned as King Aerys I Targaryen.{{Ref|TSS}} Aerys left no issue, and upon his death in {{Date|221}} the crown was passed to his youngest brother, who reigned as King [[Maekar I Targaryen]] (Aerys' other heirs, Prince [[Rhaegel Targaryen|Rhaegel]] and Rhaegel's son, Prince [[Aelor Targaryen|Aelor]], had predeceased Aerys). At the death of Maekar at the hands of a rebellious lord in {{Date|233}}, the inheritance was unclear, and a council was called by Maekar's [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Brynden Rivers]], to decide who would inherit the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Maekar I}}
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King [[Daeron II Targaryen]]'s heir, Prince [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor]], died after a [[trial of seven]] in {{Date|209}},{{Ref|THK}} making his eldest son [[Valarr Targaryen|Valarr]] the heir. However, later that year the [[Great Spring Sickness]] killed King Daeron and both of Baelor's sons, Valarr and [[Matarys Targaryen|Matarys]].{{Ref|TSS}}{{Ref|TMK}} This in turn left Daeron's second son, Prince [[Aerys I Targaryen|Aerys]], to inherit, and he was thus crowned as King Aerys I Targaryen.{{Ref|TSS}} Aerys left no issue, and upon his death in {{Date|221}} the crown was passed to his youngest brother, who reigned as King [[Maekar I Targaryen]] (Aerys's other heirs, Prince [[Rhaegel Targaryen|Rhaegel]] and Rhaegel's son, Prince [[Aelor Targaryen|Aelor]], had predeceased Aerys). At the death of Maekar at the hands of a rebellious lord in {{Date|233}}, the inheritance was unclear, and a council was called by Maekar's [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Brynden Rivers]], to decide who would inherit the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}
  
 
===Outcome of the Council===
 
===Outcome of the Council===
Maekar's eldest son, Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron]], called "Daeron the Drunken", had died of a sexually transmitted pox prior to {{date|233}}. Daeron's only issue was Princess [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Daeron)|Vaella]], a feeble-witted, simple girl.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Maekar I}}{{Ref|ACOK|6}}
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Maekar's eldest son, Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron]], called "Daeron the Drunken", had died of a sexually transmitted pox prior to {{date|233}}. Daeron's only issue was Princess [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Daeron)|Vaella]], a feeble-witted, simple girl.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}{{Ref|ACOK|6}}
  
Maekar's next son, Prince [[Aerion Targaryen|Aerion]], had died in {{Date|232}}, when he drank wildfire in the mistaken belief it would turn him into a dragon.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Maekar I}}{{Ref|ACOK|6}} Aerion's only issue was an infant son, Prince [[Maegor Targaryen (son of Aerion)|Maegor]], who had been born {{Date|232}}, not long before Aerion's death.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Maekar I}}
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Maekar's next son, Prince [[Aerion Targaryen|Aerion]], had died in {{Date|232}}, when he drank [[wildfire]] in the mistaken belief it would turn him into a dragon.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}{{Ref|ACOK|6}} Aerion's only issue was an infant son, Prince [[Maegor Targaryen (son of Aerion)|Maegor]], who had been born {{Date|232}}, not long before Aerion's death.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}
  
Maekar's third son, [[Maester Aemon|Aemon]], had taken his maester's vows in {{Date|217}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Maekar I}}
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Maekar's third son, [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]], had taken his maester's vows in {{Date|217}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}
  
Maekar's youngest son, Prince [[Aegon V Targaryen]], had served as a squire of a [[Duncan the Tall|hedge knight]] in his youth, which had led to some of the lords mistrusting him, as they felt that Aegon's wandering with the hedge knight had left the Prince "half a peasant".{{Ref|TWOIAF| Maekar I}}  
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Maekar's youngest son, Prince [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], had served as a squire of Ser [[Duncan the Tall]] in his youth, which had led to some of the lords mistrusting him, as they felt that Aegon's wandering with the [[hedge knight ]]had left the prince "half a peasant".{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}
  
 
The claim of Princess Vaella was immediately dismissed. Only a few spoke up for the claim of Prince Maegor, but his ascension would mean a long regency, and in addition, it was feared that Maegor might have inherited Aerion's madness and cruelty. Thus, Maegor's claim was dismissed as well.
 
The claim of Princess Vaella was immediately dismissed. Only a few spoke up for the claim of Prince Maegor, but his ascension would mean a long regency, and in addition, it was feared that Maegor might have inherited Aerion's madness and cruelty. Thus, Maegor's claim was dismissed as well.
Prince Aegon's claim seemed as the obvious choice, but due to the prince's wanderings in his youth, there were enough lords who hated him, and thus, an effort was made to offer the throne,{{Ref|TWOIAF| Maekar I}} quietly, to Aemon. Aemon, however, refused the crown.{{Ref|ACOK|6}}
 
  
As the Great Council was debating the matter of succession, a fifth claimant appeared. [[Aenys Blackfyre]], the fifth son of the Pretender [[Daemon I Blackfyre]], had written to [[King's Landing]] from [[Tyrosh]] when the Great Council had first been announced, hoping to gain the throne with words, as swords had failed his family three times already. The [[Hand of the King]], [[Brynden Rivers]], had offered him safe conduct to Westeros.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Maekar I}}
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Prince Aegon's claim seemed as the obvious choice, but due to the prince's wanderings in his youth, there were enough lords who hated him, and thus, an effort was made to offer the throne,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}} quietly, to Aemon. Maester Aemon, however, refused the crown.{{Ref|ACOK|6}}
  
Upon arrival, however, Aenys was immediately arrested and dragged to the [[Red Keep]], where he was executed. His head was presented to the council, to serve as a warning against every lord who might still have sympathies for the Blackfyres.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Maekar I}}
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As the Great Council was debating the matter of succession, a fifth claimant appeared. [[Aenys Blackfyre]], the fifth son of the Pretender [[Daemon I Blackfyre]], had written to [[King's Landing]] from [[Tyrosh]] when the Great Council had first been announced, hoping to gain the throne with words, as swords had failed his family three times already. The [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Brynden Rivers]], had offered him safe conduct to Westeros. Upon arrival, however, Aenys was immediately arrested and dragged to the [[Red Keep]], where he was executed. His head was presented to the council to serve as a warning against every lord who might still have sympathies for [[House Blackfyre]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}
  
A majority of the council elected Prince Aegon soon thereafter, leading to the ascension of King [[Aegon V Targaryen]], "Aegon the Unlikely".{{Ref|TWOIAF| Maekar I}}
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A majority of the council elected Prince Aegon soon thereafter, leading to the ascension of King [[Aegon V Targaryen]], "Aegon the Unlikely".{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}
  
 
===Consequence of the Council===
 
===Consequence of the Council===
The first act of King Aegon V would be to arrest the man who had gotten him elected. [[Brynden Rivers]] was arrested and sentenced to death for breaking the word of the Iron Throne, having arranged the execution of Aenys Blackfyre. Aegon would later offer Rivers the option of going to [[the Wall]], which Rivers would accept. He travelled to the Wall together with [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]], and served in the [[Night's Watch]] from {{Date|233}} until he disappeared beyond the Wall in {{Date|252}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}
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The first act of King Aegon V would be to arrest the man who had gotten him elected. [[Brynden Rivers]] was arrested and sentenced to death for breaking the word of the Iron Throne, having arranged the execution of Aenys Blackfyre. Aegon later offered Bloodraven the option of going to the [[Wall]], which Brynden accepted. He travelled to the Wall together with Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]], serving in the [[Night's Watch]] from {{Date|233}} until he disappeared [[beyond the Wall]] in {{Date|252}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}
  
 
==Attempts to call a Great Council==
 
==Attempts to call a Great Council==
==={{Date|37}}===
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===37 AC===
King [[Aenys I Targaryen]] considered calling a Great Council, when four different rebels begin to harass [[Westeros]], and the king could not decide himself how to handle the situation. During this Great Council, he had wanted to discuss how best to deal with the situations. The Great Council was never called, as others acted more swiftly than the king, thereby solving the troubles.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
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King [[Aenys I Targaryen]] considered calling a Great Council in {{date|37}}, when four different rebels begin to harass [[Westeros]], and the king could not decide himself how to handle the situation. During this Great Council, he had wanted to discuss how best to deal with the situations. The Great Council was never called, as others acted more swiftly than the king, thereby solving the troubles.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
  
==={{Date|130}}===
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===130 AC===
In {{Date|130}}, after the fall of [[King's Landing]], Dowager Queen [[Alicent Hightower]] suggested assembling a Great Council, to decide which claimant should ascend to the throne, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] or [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]]. [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], however, refused to grant the wish.{{Ref|tpatq}}
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In {{Date|130}}, after the [[fall of King's Landing]], Dowager Queen [[Alicent Hightower]] suggested assembling a Great Council, to decide which claimant should ascend to the throne, the rivals Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] or King [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]]. Rhaenyra, however, refused to grant the wish.{{Ref|tpatq}}
  
==={{Date|281}}===
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===281 AC===
The announcement of the [[Tourney at Harrenhal]] by Lord [[Walter Whent]] gave reason for suspicion. It was rumored that there had been a "shadow host", who had been providing Lord Walter with the funds to pay the magnificent prizes which were promised. These rumors were widely believed in {{Date|281}}, and are still believed at the present. Whilst a dozen names have been put forward for the identity of this shadow host, over the years one name seemed compelling: Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Year of the False Spring}}
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The announcement of the [[tourney at Harrenhal]] by Lord [[Walter Whent]] gave reason for suspicion. It was rumored that there had been a "shadow host", who had been providing Walter with the funds to pay the magnificent prizes which were promised. These rumors were widely believed in {{Date|281}}, and are still believed at the present. Whilst a dozen names have been put forward for the identity of this shadow host, Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] is the most compelling.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}
  
The tale tells that Prince Rhaegar had arranged the tourney, by sending Ser [[Oswell Whent]], his friend, and Lord Walter's brother, as a go-between. Providing the gold for prizes, the Prince had wanted to lure as many lords and knights to Harrenhal as possible. But the Prince's interests would not have been the tourney itself. His intent would have been to gather as many of the lords of the realm together, to call an informal Great Council, hoping to discuss ways and means of dealing with the madness of Rhaegar's father, King [[Aerys II Targaryen]]. History suggests both a regency, or a forced abdication as possibilities of the hoped outcome.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Year of the False Spring}}
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Rhaegar allegedly arranged the tourney by sending Ser [[Oswell Whent]], his friend, and Lord Walter's brother, as a go-between. Providing the gold for prizes, the prince had wanted to lure as many lords and knights as possible to [[Harrenhal]] to call an informal Great Council, hoping to discuss ways and means of dealing with the madness of his father, King [[Aerys II Targaryen]]. History suggests a regency or a forced abdication as possibilities of the hoped outcome.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}
  
If this was truly Prince Rhaegar's intent, nothing came from it, as King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], warned of these rumors by his [[Varys|master of whispers]], decided to attend the tourney personally, despite not having left the [[Red Keep]] for four years.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Year of the False Spring}}
+
Aerys, warned of these rumors by his [[master of whisperers]], Lord [[Varys]], decided to attend the tourney personally, despite not having left the [[Red Keep]] for four years.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}
  
==={{Date|283}}===
+
===283 AC===
It is believed that [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], had he succeeded at the [[battle of the Trident]], would have wished to call a Great Council to determine what should be done about [[Aerys II Targaryen]].{{Ref|AFFC|8}}
+
It is believed that Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], had he succeeded at the [[Battle of the Trident]], would have wished to call a Great Council to determine what should be done about [[Aerys II Targaryen]].{{Ref|AFFC|8}}
 
 
==={{Date|299}}===
 
After realizing that [[Joffrey Baratheon]] was not the biological son of [[Robert Baratheon]], [[Catelyn Stark]] suggests to [[Renly Baratheon]] that he, [[Stannis Baratheon]], and [[Robb Stark]], who had all been crowned as kings, should set aside their claims and call for a Great Council to determine who should be king. Renly Baratheon laughed at the suggestion.{{ref|acok|33}}
 
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
 
===Kingsmoot===
 
===Kingsmoot===
:{{Main|Kingsmoot}}
+
A [[kingsmoot]] is a Great Council-like ceremony held amongst the [[ironborn]], where all longship captains are allowed to cast a vote as to who should be chosen as the new [[King of the Iron Islands|Iron King]]. The kingsmoot is traditionally held on [[Nagga's Hill]] on [[Old Wyk]].{{Ref|aFfC|1}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns}}
A kingsmoot is a Great Council-like ceremony held amongst the [[Ironborn]], where all longship captains are allowed to cast a vote as to who should be chosen as the new [[King of the Iron Islands|Iron King]]. The kingsmoot is traditionally held on [[Nagga's Hill]] on [[Old Wyk]].{{Ref|aFfC|1}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Driftwood Crowns}}
+
 
The last kingsmoot was called in late {{Date|299}} by the priest [[Aeron Greyjoy]], after the death of King [[Balon Greyjoy]].{{Ref|aFfC|2}} In early {{Date|300}}, [[Euron Greyjoy]] was chosen as the new Iron King.{{Ref|aFfC|19}}
+
==Recent Events==
 +
===''A Clash of Kings''===
 +
After realizing that King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]] is not the biological son of the late King [[Robert I Baratheon]], [[Catelyn Stark]] suggests to [[Renly Baratheon]] that he, his brother [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]], and [[Robb Stark]], who have all been crowned during the [[War of the Five Kings]], should set aside their claims and call for a Great Council to determine who should rule. Renly laughs at the suggestion, however.{{ref|acok|33}}
 +
 
 +
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 +
A [[kingsmoot]] is called in late {{Date|299}} by the priest [[Aeron Greyjoy]], after the death of [[Balon Greyjoy]], [[King of the Isles and the North]].{{Ref|aFfC|2}} In early {{Date|300}}, [[Euron Greyjoy]] is chosen as the new king by the [[ironborn]] assembled at [[Old Wyk]].{{Ref|aFfC|19}}
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
{{References|2}}
 
{{References|2}}
  
[[Category:Terms]]
 
 
[[Category:Events]]
 
[[Category:Events]]
 
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
 
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
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[[Category:Terms]]
  
 
[[es:Gran Consejo]]
 
[[es:Gran Consejo]]
 
[[fa:شورای بزرگ]]
 
[[fa:شورای بزرگ]]
 
[[fr:Grand Conseil]]
 
[[fr:Grand Conseil]]
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[[ru:Великий совет]]
 
[[zh:大议会]]
 
[[zh:大议会]]
[[ru:Великий совет]]
 

Revision as of 21:05, 20 May 2019

The Great Council of 101, as depicted by Marc Simonetti in The World of Ice & Fire.

A Great Council is a council formed when the inheritance of the throne is unclear. In Westerosi history, there have been at least two Great Councils to decide House Targaryen's succession to the Iron Throne, while a third decided the regents of an under-aged king.

Great Council of 101 AC

Prelude

When King Jaehaerys I Targaryen's son and heir, Prince Aemon, died in 92 AC, Jaehaerys chose Aemon's younger brother, Prince Baelon, as his heir, passing over Aemon's daughter, Princess Rhaenys. The decision caused the Second Quarrel between king and queen.

Prince Baelon died in 101 AC while serving as Hand of the King, and Jaehaerys again needed an heir. Supporters of both Prince Viserys Targaryen, the eldest son of Prince Baelon and his sister-wife, Princess Alyssa, and Laenor Velaryon, the son of Princess Rhaenys, reportedly formed armies. The king summoned from the Citadel his only surviving son, Archmaester Vaegon; whether Jaehaerys offered him the throne, or only wanted advice, is unknown. Vaegon suggested that lords, maesters, and the Faith discuss the candidates in a Great Council. Jaehaerys agreed, promising to accept whatever the council decided.[1]

As the first Great Council,[2] no one knew how many would attend. The Crown wanted room for at least five hundred lords and entourages, so the great castle of Harrenhal was chosen to host. More than a thousand lords came from throughout Westeros, gathering over a half year; some arrived as the council was ending.[1]

Outcome

The council met for thirteen days. It discussed and dismissed nine lesser claims, such as from three rival bastards of Princess Saera Targaryen, and an alleged bastard of King Jaehaerys. The two final candidates as heir were Prince Viserys and Laenor Velaryon.[1] Primogeniture favored Laenor, as his mother, Princess Rhaenys, was the daughter of Prince Aemon, who had been the eldest living son of King Jaehaerys. Yet proximity favored Viserys, who, in addition, had been the last Targaryen prince to ride the dragon Balerion, before the Black Dread had died in 94 AC. On the other hand, Laenor had recently acquired a dragon of his own, Seasmoke.[3]

In the end, what mattered most for the many lords in the realm, was that the male line would take precedence over the female line. In addition, Prince Viserys was twenty-four years old, while Laenor was only seven. Yet Laenor had one big advantage over Viserys: he was the son of Lord Corlys Velaryon, the wealthiest man of the Seven Kingdoms. Corlys's fame, reputation and wealth did much to support Laenor's claim. Lord Boremund Baratheon supported Laenor's claim (his sister Jocelyn was Laenor's grandmother),[4] as did Lord Ellard Stark, Lord Blackwood, Lord Bar Emmon and Lord Celtigar,[2] the Dustins of Barrowton, and the Manderlys of White Harbor.[5] They were too few, however. While the maesters never revealed the actual numbers,[2] it was rumored that Prince Viserys had won by a twenty to one vote.[2][5] Amongst those who had spoken in favor of Viserys, was Viserys's younger brother, Prince Daemon Targaryen, who had gone as far as assembling a small army, when it was rumored that Lord Corlys Velaryon was readying a fleet to defend the rights of Laenor,[6]. Lord Grover Tully of Riverrun,[7] and Lord Tymond Lannister of Casterly Rock, also supported Viserys.[8]

Prince Viserys Targaryen was ultimately chosen by the assembled nobility,[5] and while he was not present for the final deliberations, King Jaehaerys I named Viserys the new Prince of Dragonstone.[2]

Consequences

According to Archmaester Gyldayn, in the eyes of many, the council of 101 AC established an iron precedent on matters of succession: that the Iron Throne could not pass to a woman, or to a male descendant of a woman.[2]

King Viserys I Targaryen named his daughter, his only surviving child by his first marriage, Princess Rhaenyra, his heir after the death of his second born son, Prince Baelon. After three sons had been born in his second marriage, Viserys would be asked about the succession repeatedly, but Viserys chose to ignore the precedents of 101 AC, and Rhaenyra remained his heir until his death. Viserys dismissed his Hand of the King, Ser Otto Hightower, because Otto kept asking the king about the matter.[6][3]

Following the death of Viserys, at the start of the coup for the throne by the greens, Viserys's small council examined the annals of the Great Council. They determined that the houses which had dissented during the Great Council were likely to support the claim of Rhaenyra Targaryen instead of Aegon II Targaryen.[5]

Great Council of 136 AC

Prelude to the Council

King Aegon III Targaryen ascended the throne in 131 AC at the age of eleven in the conclusion of the Dance of the Dragons. It would be five years before the king would be able to rule in his own right, but instead of naming one regent, a council of seven regents was named to rule with the Hand of the King.[9]

The original council of seven consisted out of the following members: Lady Jeyne Arryn, Lord Corlys Velaryon, Lord Roland Westerling, Lord Royce Caron, Lord Manfryd Mooton, Ser Torrhen Manderly, and Grand Maester Munkun. Out of these seven, only Munkun would serve the entire term (131 AC to 136 AC).[9]

The outcome of the Council

Every time a member of the council of regents died or resigned during the regency of Aegon III, the council elected a replacement. However, when suddenly three spots on the council became available, a Great Council was called in 136 AC to name new members. The Great Council elected Willam Stackspear, Marq Merryweather and Lorent Grandison by lot.[9]

These three members served with the other four regents until the sixteenth nameday of King Aegon III, when he dismissed them all.[9]

Great Council of 233 AC

Prelude to the Council

King Daeron II Targaryen's heir, Prince Baelor, died after a trial of seven in 209 AC,[10] making his eldest son Valarr the heir. However, later that year the Great Spring Sickness killed King Daeron and both of Baelor's sons, Valarr and Matarys.[11][12] This in turn left Daeron's second son, Prince Aerys, to inherit, and he was thus crowned as King Aerys I Targaryen.[11] Aerys left no issue, and upon his death in 221 AC the crown was passed to his youngest brother, who reigned as King Maekar I Targaryen (Aerys's other heirs, Prince Rhaegel and Rhaegel's son, Prince Aelor, had predeceased Aerys). At the death of Maekar at the hands of a rebellious lord in 233 AC, the inheritance was unclear, and a council was called by Maekar's Hand of the King, Lord Brynden Rivers, to decide who would inherit the Iron Throne.[13]

Outcome of the Council

Maekar's eldest son, Prince Daeron, called "Daeron the Drunken", had died of a sexually transmitted pox prior to 233 AC. Daeron's only issue was Princess Vaella, a feeble-witted, simple girl.[13][14]

Maekar's next son, Prince Aerion, had died in 232 AC, when he drank wildfire in the mistaken belief it would turn him into a dragon.[13][14] Aerion's only issue was an infant son, Prince Maegor, who had been born 232 AC, not long before Aerion's death.[13]

Maekar's third son, Aemon, had taken his maester's vows in 217 AC.[13]

Maekar's youngest son, Prince Aegon Targaryen, had served as a squire of Ser Duncan the Tall in his youth, which had led to some of the lords mistrusting him, as they felt that Aegon's wandering with the hedge knight had left the prince "half a peasant".[13]

The claim of Princess Vaella was immediately dismissed. Only a few spoke up for the claim of Prince Maegor, but his ascension would mean a long regency, and in addition, it was feared that Maegor might have inherited Aerion's madness and cruelty. Thus, Maegor's claim was dismissed as well.

Prince Aegon's claim seemed as the obvious choice, but due to the prince's wanderings in his youth, there were enough lords who hated him, and thus, an effort was made to offer the throne,[13] quietly, to Aemon. Maester Aemon, however, refused the crown.[14]

As the Great Council was debating the matter of succession, a fifth claimant appeared. Aenys Blackfyre, the fifth son of the Pretender Daemon I Blackfyre, had written to King's Landing from Tyrosh when the Great Council had first been announced, hoping to gain the throne with words, as swords had failed his family three times already. The Hand of the King, Lord Brynden Rivers, had offered him safe conduct to Westeros. Upon arrival, however, Aenys was immediately arrested and dragged to the Red Keep, where he was executed. His head was presented to the council to serve as a warning against every lord who might still have sympathies for House Blackfyre.[13]

A majority of the council elected Prince Aegon soon thereafter, leading to the ascension of King Aegon V Targaryen, "Aegon the Unlikely".[13]

Consequence of the Council

The first act of King Aegon V would be to arrest the man who had gotten him elected. Brynden Rivers was arrested and sentenced to death for breaking the word of the Iron Throne, having arranged the execution of Aenys Blackfyre. Aegon later offered Bloodraven the option of going to the Wall, which Brynden accepted. He travelled to the Wall together with Maester Aemon, serving in the Night's Watch from 233 AC until he disappeared beyond the Wall in 252 AC.[15]

Attempts to call a Great Council

37 AC

King Aenys I Targaryen considered calling a Great Council in 37 AC, when four different rebels begin to harass Westeros, and the king could not decide himself how to handle the situation. During this Great Council, he had wanted to discuss how best to deal with the situations. The Great Council was never called, as others acted more swiftly than the king, thereby solving the troubles.[16]

130 AC

In 130 AC, after the fall of King's Landing, Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower suggested assembling a Great Council, to decide which claimant should ascend to the throne, the rivals Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen or King Aegon Targaryen. Rhaenyra, however, refused to grant the wish.[5]

281 AC

The announcement of the tourney at Harrenhal by Lord Walter Whent gave reason for suspicion. It was rumored that there had been a "shadow host", who had been providing Walter with the funds to pay the magnificent prizes which were promised. These rumors were widely believed in 281 AC, and are still believed at the present. Whilst a dozen names have been put forward for the identity of this shadow host, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen is the most compelling.[17]

Rhaegar allegedly arranged the tourney by sending Ser Oswell Whent, his friend, and Lord Walter's brother, as a go-between. Providing the gold for prizes, the prince had wanted to lure as many lords and knights as possible to Harrenhal to call an informal Great Council, hoping to discuss ways and means of dealing with the madness of his father, King Aerys II Targaryen. History suggests a regency or a forced abdication as possibilities of the hoped outcome.[17]

Aerys, warned of these rumors by his master of whisperers, Lord Varys, decided to attend the tourney personally, despite not having left the Red Keep for four years.[17]

283 AC

It is believed that Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, had he succeeded at the Battle of the Trident, would have wished to call a Great Council to determine what should be done about Aerys II Targaryen.[18]

Variants

Kingsmoot

A kingsmoot is a Great Council-like ceremony held amongst the ironborn, where all longship captains are allowed to cast a vote as to who should be chosen as the new Iron King. The kingsmoot is traditionally held on Nagga's Hill on Old Wyk.[19][20]

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

After realizing that King Joffrey I Baratheon is not the biological son of the late King Robert I Baratheon, Catelyn Stark suggests to Renly Baratheon that he, his brother Stannis, and Robb Stark, who have all been crowned during the War of the Five Kings, should set aside their claims and call for a Great Council to determine who should rule. Renly laughs at the suggestion, however.[21]

A Feast for Crows

A kingsmoot is called in late 299 AC by the priest Aeron Greyjoy, after the death of Balon Greyjoy, King of the Isles and the North.[22] In early 300 AC, Euron Greyjoy is chosen as the new king by the ironborn assembled at Old Wyk.[23]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Fire & Blood, The Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
  3. 3.0 3.1 The Rogue Prince.
  4. The World of Ice & Fire, The Stormlands: House Baratheon.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 The Princess and the Queen.
  6. 6.0 6.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I.
  7. The World of Ice & Fire, The Riverlands: House Tully.
  8. The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III.
  10. The Hedge Knight.
  11. 11.0 11.1 The Sworn Sword.
  12. The Mystery Knight.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7 13.8 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 6, Jon I.
  15. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V.
  16. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I.
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring.
  18. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 8, Jaime I.
  19. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 1, The Prophet.
  20. The World of Ice & Fire, The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns.
  21. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 33, Catelyn IV.
  22. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 2, The Captain Of Guards.
  23. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 19, The Drowned Man.