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{{Infobox character
 
{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House Targaryen crest.PNG|50px|left]] Rhaegar Targaryen [[File:House Targaryen crest.PNG|50px|right]]
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| Character_name = [[File:House Targaryen.svg|50px|left]] Rhaegar Targaryen [[File:House Targaryen.svg|50px|right]]
| image         = [[File:Rhaegar_twoiaf.jpg|320px]]
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| image = [[File:Rhaegar twoiaf.jpg|320px]]
| image_caption = Prince Rhaegar Targaryen as depicted by Karla Ortiz in ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]''
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| image_caption = Rhaegar Targaryen, as depicted by Karla Ortiz in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''.
| Alias         = Silver Prince<br>The Dragon Prince<br>The Last Dragon
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| Alias = Silver prince{{ref|ADWD|24}}<br>The dragon prince{{ref|ASOS|24}}<br>The last dragon{{ref|AGOT|23}}<br>[[The prince that was promised]]{{ref|aFfC|35}}
| Title         = [[Prince of Dragonstone]]<br>[[Knight|Ser]]
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| Title = [[Prince of Dragonstone]]<br>[[Knight|Ser]]
| Allegiance     = [[House Targaryen]]
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| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race           =  
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| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture       = [[Valyria]]n
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| Culture = [[Crownlands]]
| Spouse         = Princess [[Elia Martell]]
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| Spouse = Princess [[Elia Martell]]
| Place_of_Birth = [[Summerhall]]{{ref|awoiaf| Rhaegar Targaryen}}
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| Issue = [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys Targaryen]]<br>[[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|259}}
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| Place_of_Birth = [[Summerhall]]{{ref|AFFC|35}}{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
| Place_of_Death = the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]]
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| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|259}}{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|283}}
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| Place_of_Death = the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]]{{ref|aGoT|4}}{{ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}
| Books         = ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned)
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| Date_of_Death = {{Date|283}}<ref group="N">[http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/119534-twoiaf-spoilers-inconsistency-or-intentional/#comment-6391443 Erroneously listed] as {{Date|282}} in early prints of ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'', which has subsequently been corrected into {{Date|283}} in later prints.</ref>
| coat-of-arms   =  
+
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' (mentioned)
| Played_by     =  
+
| coat-of-arms =
| TV_series     =  
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| Played_by = Wilf Scolding
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| TV_series = [[Game of Thrones - Season 7|Season 7]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
Prince '''Rhaegar Targaryen''' was the eldest son of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] and his sister-wife, Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella]].{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}} As heir-apparent, he was the [[Prince of Dragonstone]] and crown prince for the [[Iron Throne]]. Rhaegar was popular with the [[smallfolk]] during his lifetime, but he died in [[Robert's Rebellion]] which was triggered in part by his abduction of [[Lyanna Stark]]. He was slain in single combat by [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] at the [[ruby ford]] during the [[Battle of the Trident]].
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Prince '''Rhaegar Targaryen''' was the firstborn son of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] and his sister-wife, Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella]].{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}} As heir-apparent, he was the [[Prince of Dragonstone]] and crown prince for the [[Iron Throne]]. Rhaegar was popular with the [[smallfolk]] during his lifetime, but he died in [[Robert's Rebellion]] which was triggered in part by his abduction of [[Lyanna Stark]]. He was slain in single combat by [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] at the [[ruby ford]] during the [[battle of the Trident]]. Rhaegar was the elder brother of the exiled last members of [[House Targaryen]], Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] and Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]].
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In the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'', Rhaegar is portrayed by [[w:Wilf Scolding|Wilf Scolding]] in flashbacks.
  
 
==Appearance and Character==
 
==Appearance and Character==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Rhaegar Targaryen|Images of Rhaegar Targaryen]]''
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{{See also|:Category:Images of Rhaegar Targaryen|l1=Images of Rhaegar Targaryen}}
Rhaegar was tall and beautiful, with [[purple eyes|dark indigo eyes]] and the silver hair of the Targaryens, worn long.{{Ref|ACOK|48}}{{ref|AFFC|24}}{{ref|twow||[[Arianne I (The Winds of Winter)|Arianne]]}} Rhaegar was exceedingly intelligent and excelled at anything he put his mind to. He was considered to be a talented musician and skilled [[knight]]. While well-loved by the people, Rhaegar was said to be quiet, private and bookish. He was deeply affected by "the shadow of [[Summerhall]]", because he was "[[Tragedy at Summerhall|born in grief]]" and was considered melancholic at times.  
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The beautiful{{ref|AFFC|24}}<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Arianne I (The Winds of Winter)|Arianne I]]</ref> Rhaegar had [[purple eyes|deep purple]]{{ref|ADWD|61}} or indigo colored eyes.{{ref|ACOK|48}} He had long, elegant fingers,{{ref|AFFC|24}} and was taller than his younger brother, [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]], would be in his adulthood.{{ref|ACOK|48}} Rhaegar's hair was similar{{ref|ACOK|48}} to the silver-blond of Viserys and their sister, [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]].{{ref|AGOT|3}} The hair of [[Aurane Waters]] is reminiscent of Rhaegar's,{{ref|AFFC|12}} although the Bastard of Driftmark's is more silvery than gold.{{ref|AFFC|17}}
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Rhaegar owned night-black plate armor, with the three-headed dragon of [[House Targaryen]] decorated in rubies on its breastplate,{{ref|AGOT|4}}{{ref|AGOT|58}}{{ref|AFFC|8}} and underneath the plate he wore golden ringmail.{{ref|AFFC|24}} Rhaegar decorated his helm with gold, orange, and red silken streamers resembling flames.{{ref|AFFC|24}}
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Rhaegar was an intelligent young man, who excelled at anything to which he put his mind,{{ref|ASOS|8}} and grew to be a great [[knight]] and a skilled musician.{{ref|asos|42}} The latter, however, held his preference; men said Rhaegar loved his silver-stringed harp more than he loved his lance.{{ref|aSoS|42}} [[Jorah Mormont]] has described Rhaegar as valiant, honorable, and noble{{ref|ASOS|23}} while [[Barristan Selmy]] has called him determined, deliberate, dutiful, and single-minded.{{ref|asos|8}} The crown prince was said to have been uninterested in the play of other children as a boy, but bookish "to a fault". He learned to read at such an early age that people jested that his mother [[Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella]] had swallowed some books and a candle during her pregnancy.{{ref|asos|8}} Later in life, however, Rhaegar did acquire several trusted and loyal companions.{{ref|asos|8}} Rhaegar was deeply affected by "the shadow of [[Summerhall]]", because he was "[[Tragedy at Summerhall|born in grief]]" and was considered melancholic at times.{{ref|ASOS|42}} At the same time, Summerhall was also Rhaegar's favorite place.{{ref|asos|42}}
  
While King [[Robert Baratheon]] despises and accuses him of having raped [[Lyanna Stark]], the only thought of [[Eddard Stark]], Lyanna's brother, that is mentioned in the books is that Eddard did not think Rhaegar frequented brothels.{{Ref|AGOT|35}} Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] still remembers the iron tones of Rhaegar’s voice{{Ref|aFfC|8}}. Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], who served three kings, thinks that Rhaegar would have been better then any of them. His sister, [[Daenerys Targaryen]], is often compared to Rhaegar as a compliment. People who had romantic feelings toward Rhaegar include [[Cersei Lannister]]{{Ref|aFfC|24}} and [[Jon Connington]].<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/5457/ Union Square Signing]</ref>
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The prince was well-loved by the people of the [[Seven Kingdoms]]{{ref|affc|24}} during his lifetime and is still fondly remembered to this day.{{ref|asos|23}} While [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] despises Rhaegar and accuses him of having raped [[Lyanna Stark]], the only thought of [[Eddard Stark]], Lyanna's brother, is he did not think Rhaegar frequented brothels.{{ref|AGOT|35}} [[Jaime Lannister]] remembers the iron tones of Rhaegar's voice.{{Ref|aFfC|8}} [[Barristan Selmy]], who served three kings, thinks that Rhaegar would have been better than any of them.{{ref|adwd|55}} His sister, Daenerys, is frequently compared to Rhaegar as a compliment.{{ref|AGOT|61}}{{ref|ACOK|27}}{{ref|ASOS|42}} People who had romantic feelings toward Rhaegar include [[Cersei Lannister]]{{ref|aFfC|24}} and [[Jon Connington]].<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/5457/ Union Square Signing], July 14, 2011</ref>
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
===Early Life===
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===Early life===
[[File:Rhaegar Targaryen Elia Martell marriage.jpg|thumb|350px|Marriage to Princess [[Elia Martell]] of Dorne]]
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[[File:Rhaegar Targaryen Elia Martell marriage.jpg|thumb|350px|Prince Rhaegar and Princess [[Elia Martell]] of [[Dorne]]'s [[Marriage|wedding]].]]
Prince Rhaegar was first born son of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] and Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella]]. He was born in {{Date|259}}, on the same day that the [[tragedy at Summerhall]] took place.{{ref|AFFC|35}}{{Ref|awoiaf| Rhaegar Targaryen}} As a child he read obsessively, to the point that jests were made about his habits. He became a noted warrior later in life, although he did not initially seem inclined to martial habits. However, apparently by something he had read, Rhaegar became motivated to become a warrior.{{Ref|aSoS|42}}
 
  
At the age of seventeen, Rhaegar was [[knight]]ed, and from all reports grew into a highly skilled and capable fighter, always distinguishing himself well at tournaments, although he seldom entered the lists - he never loved the song of swords the way that men like [[Robert Baratheon]] or [[Jaime Lannister]] did.{{Ref|asos|42}} Men said Rhaegar loved his harp more than he loved his lance.{{Ref|aSoS|42}}  
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Prince Rhaegar was the firstborn son of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] and Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella]]. He was born at [[Summerhall]] in {{Date|259}}, on the same day as the [[Tragedy at Summerhall|great tragedy there]].{{ref|AFFC|35}}{{ref|awoiaf| Rhaegar Targaryen}}{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} As a child he read obsessively, to the point that jests were made about his habits. He became a noted warrior later in life, although he did not initially seem inclined to martial habits. However, apparently by something he had read, Rhaegar became motivated to become a warrior.{{ref|aSoS|42}}  
  
Rhaegar's squires were [[Myles Mooton]] and [[Richard Lonmouth]], and after he knighted them they remained close companions. Lord [[Jon Connington]] was a good friend to Rhaegar too, but Rhaegar's closest and oldest friend was Ser [[Arthur Dayne]].{{Ref|aSoS|8}}
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At the age of seventeen, Rhaegar was [[knight]]ed,{{ref|affc|24}}{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} and from all reports grew into a highly skilled and capable fighter, always distinguishing himself well at tournaments, although he seldom entered the lists - he never loved the song of swords the way that men like [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] or [[Jaime Lannister]] did.{{ref|asos|42}}
  
Rhaegar often liked to visit the ruins of [[Summerhall]] with only his harp and when he returned he sang songs of such beauty they could reduce women to tears. Although Rhaegar was often dour, private and bookish, [[Cersei Lannister]] noted at the [[tournament in honor of Viserys's birth]] in [[Lannisport]] in {{date|276}} that the [[smallfolk]] cheered for Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] twice as much as for King Aerys II, but only half as loudly for Tywin as for Rhaegar. Rhaegar was defeated in the champion's tilt by Ser [[Arthur Dayne]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Aerys refused Tywin's offer at the tourney to betroth Cersei to Rhaegar.{{ref|AFFC|24}} Rhaegar defeated Arthur in the [[tourney at Storm's End]].{{ref|ASOS|42}}
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Rhaegar's squires were [[Myles Mooton]] and [[Richard Lonmouth]], and after he knighted them they remained close companions. [[Jon Connington]], whom he had squired with,{{ref|ADWD|22}} was a good friend to Rhaegar as well. Returning from a trip to [[Dorne]], Rhaegar once visited the [[House Connington|Connington]] seat of [[Griffin's Roost]]. His songs brought the castle's women to tears, while Lord [[Armond Connington]] sought [[House Targaryen]]'s support against rival [[House Morrigen]].{{ref|ADWD|61}} Rhaegar's closest and oldest friend, however, was Ser [[Arthur Dayne]],{{ref|aSoS|8}} the [[Sword of the Morning]], trusting him more than Ser [[Barristan Selmy]].{{ref|ADWD|67}}
  
When Rhaegar was born the [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] bloodline had decreased, and once he came of age, there was no sister, or anyone else of the bloodline, available for him to marry.<ref name=SSM>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/To_Be_Continued_Chicago_IL_May_6_83 To Be Continued (Chicago, IL; May 6-8)], May 06, 2005.</ref>{{Ref|aCoK|0}} To try and rectify this matter, his father, King Aerys, send his first cousin, Lord [[Steffon Baratheon]], to seek a bride for Rhaegar.{{Ref|aCoK|0}} Steffon could not find appropriate females of noble-enough birth for Rhaegar to marry, despite [[Valyria]]n blood still being present in [[Essos]], thereby failing his mission.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
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Rhaegar often liked to visit the ruins of Summerhall with only his harp and when he returned he sang songs of such beauty they could reduce women to tears. Although Rhaegar was often dour, private and bookish, [[Cersei Lannister]] noted at the [[tournament in honor of Viserys's birth]] in [[Lannisport]] in {{Date|276}} that the [[smallfolk]] cheered for Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] twice as much as for King Aerys II, but only half as loudly for Tywin as for Rhaegar.{{ref|AFFC|24}} Rhaegar fought well in the tourney besting a dozen skilled knights, among them Barristan Selmy, [[Gerion Lannister|Gerion]], and [[Tygett Lannister]] but was defeated in the champion's tilt by his friend Arthur Dayne.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Aerys refused Tywin's offer at the tourney to betroth Cersei to Rhaegar.{{ref|AFFC|24}} Rhaegar defeated Arthur in the [[tourney at Storm's End]].{{ref|ASOS|42}}
  
After this, Rhaegar married the [[Dorne|Dornish]] princess [[Elia Martell]] in a lavish ceremony. His father did not attend the wedding because he was paranoid about an assassination attempt and did not even permit the young [[Viserys Targaryen|Prince Viserys]] to attend. Rhaegar and his father's relationship was straining at this point and he and his new bride took up residence on [[Dragonstone]] instead of [[King's Landing]]. Rhaegar and Elia had their first child, a girl named [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]],{{Ref|aGoT|Appendix}} in {{Date|280}}. When the babe was presented at court, Rhaegar's [[Rhaella Targaryen|mother]] embraced her grandchild warmly while King Aerys remarked ''"she smells Dornish"''. The relationship between Aerys and Rhaegar became more and more estranged. {{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}  
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Rhaegar was born at a time when the [[House Targaryen|Targaryen's]] had declined, and once he came of age, there was no sister, or anyone else of their bloodline, available for him to marry.<ref name=SSM>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/To_Be_Continued_Chicago_IL_May_6_83 To Be Continued (Chicago, IL; May 6-8)], May 06, 2005.</ref>{{ref|aCoK|0}} King Aerys sent his first cousin, Lord [[Steffon Baratheon]], to seek a bride for Rhaegar.{{ref|aCoK|0}} Despite [[Valyria]]n blood still being present in [[Essos]], Steffon could not find appropriate females of noble-enough birth for Rhaegar to wed.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
  
Elia and Rhaegar would later have a son who they named [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]]. Elia, due to her delicate health, was bed-ridden for half a year after giving birth to Rhaenys and nearly died giving birth to Aegon, after which the [[maesters]] told Rhaegar she would be unable to have any more children.{{ref|ADWD|61}}  
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After this in early {{Date|279}}, Rhaegar was formally betrothed to the [[Dorne|Dornish]] princess, [[Elia Martell]], the younger sister of [[Doran Martell]], [[Prince of Dorne]]. They married the following year in {{Date|280}}, a lavish ceremony was held at the [[Great Sept of Baelor]]. His father did not attend the [[Marriage|wedding]] as he was paranoid about an assassination attempt and nor did he permit the young Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] to attend. Rhaegar and his father's relationship was straining at this point, and he and his new bride took up residence on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]] instead of [[King's Landing]]. Rhaegar and Elia had their first child, a girl named [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]],{{ref|aGoT|Appendix}} in {{Date|280}}. When the babe was presented at court, Rhaegar's mother, Queen Rhaella, embraced her grandchild warmly while King Aerys remarked: "she smells Dornish". The relationship between Aerys and Rhaegar became more and more estranged.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
  
Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]], whom Rhaegar corresponded with via [[Raven|raven messages]], remembers that Rhaegar believed his child Aegon to be [[the prince that was promised]].{{Ref|aFfC|35}}
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Elia and Rhaegar had a son they named [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]]. Elia, due to her delicate health, was bed-ridden for half a year after giving birth to Rhaenys and nearly died giving birth to Aegon, after which the [[maesters]] told Rhaegar she would be unable to have any more children.{{ref|ADWD|61}}  
  
When [[Tywin Lannister|Lord Tywin]] resigned his position as [[Hand of the King]] and left court, the new focus of King Aerys mistrust and paranoia was his own son and heir Prince Rhaegar. At court their was growing tension between the factions loyal to the king and those loyal to Prince Rhaegar. Grandmaester [[Pycelle]] had dispatched a letter to the [[Citadel]] writing that tensions and division at court strongly resembled those before the [[Dance of the Dragons]], Pycelle was fearful of a civil war between those loyal to the king and those who supported Rhaegar would break out unless some accord could be reached that would satisfy both factions.{{ref|twoiaf| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}
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Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]], whom Rhaegar corresponded with via [[Raven|raven messages]], remembers that Rhaegar believed his child Aegon to be [[the prince that was promised]].{{ref|aFfC|35}}
  
===Tourney at Harrenhal & Robert's Rebellion===
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When Lord Tywin resigned his position as [[Hand of the King]] and left court, the new focus of King Aerys's mistrust and paranoia was his own son and heir, Prince Rhaegar. At court, there was growing tension between factions loyal to the king and to the prince. Grand Maester [[Pycelle]] dispatched a letter to the [[Citadel]], writing that tensions and division at court strongly resembled those before the [[Dance of the Dragons]]. Pycelle was fearful a civil war would break out unless some accord could be reached that would satisfy both factions.{{ref|twoiaf| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}
[[File:PPRhaegarHarrenhalTourney.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Rhaegar crowns [[Lyanna Stark]] as [[queen of love and beauty]] as depicted by Paolo Puggioni in ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'']]
 
When Lord [[Walter Whent|Whent]] announced a [[Tourney at Harrenhal|tourney]] would be held at [[Harrenhal]] in either {{date|280}} or {{Date|281}}<ref>''The World of Ice and Fire'' lists 280 AC in "The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II", but 281 AC in "The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring". It has not yet been confirmed which date is correct</ref> to rival any previous tournament. It is believed by some that the tournament was secretly arranged and financed by Prince Rhaegar, as a pretext, so Rhaegar could meet up with the Great Lords of the realm to discuss arranging a [[Great Council]] and the removal of his father. The tournament was announced by Lord Whent shortly after his brother [[Oswell Whent|Oswell]], of the [[Kingsguard]], visited his older brother. When [[Varys]] alerted [[Aerys II Targaryen|King Aerys]] to this possibility, Aerys decided to attend the tourney. {{Ref|aDwD|67}}{{ref|twoiaf| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}
 
  
During the great [[tourney at Harrenhal]], Rhaegar Targaryen seemed unstoppable and defeated even Ser [[Arthur Dayne]], the [[Sword of the Morning]]. Taking the [[blue winter rose|winter rose]] crown for the [[queen of love and beauty]], he revealed his interest in [[Lyanna Stark]] by passing over his wife, the Princess [[Elia Martell|Elia of Dorne]], and setting it in Lyanna's lap. [[Eddard Stark]] later recalled that moment as "when all the smiles died".{{ref|AGOT|58}}{{Ref|aSoS|42}} The next year, Rhaegar seemingly kidnapped Lyanna, for reasons unknown. This act ultimately triggered [[Robert's Rebellion]] and the downfall of the [[House Targaryen|Targaryen dynasty]].
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===Tourney at Harrenhal===
[[File:twoiaf battle of the trident.jpg|thumb|400px|The Battle of the Trident as depicted by Justin Sweet in ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]''.]]
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:{{Main|Tourney at Harrenhal}}
  
Commanding the Targaryen army, Rhaegar met Robert in combat at a ford during the [[Battle of the Trident]], where the pair had a legendary duel in the raging rivers of the [[Trident]]. Rhaegar, despite wounding Robert, was struck down with a massive blow from Robert's warhammer, which scattered the rubies encrusted in Rhaegar's armor under the water. While Rhaegar lay dead in the stream, soldiers of both armies scrabbled in the water to search for the rubies. The location was named the [[ruby ford]] thereafter. Rhaegar died with Lyanna Stark's name on his lips.{{ref|awoiaf| Rhaegar Targaryen}}
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[[File:PPRhaegarHarrenhalTourney.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Rhaegar crowns [[Lyanna Stark]] as [[queen of love and beauty]], as depicted by Paolo Puggioni in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''.]]
  
His wife Elia and their children were murdered by Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] and Ser [[Amory Lorch]] during the [[Sack of King's Landing]]. Amory dragged the screaming girl, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]], from under her father's bed and stabbed her to death. Gregor, whom Rhaegar had knighted himself, killed the infant [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]] by dashing his head against the wall while his mother watched. He then raped and killed Elia while still covered in the blood and brains of her son.
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In {{Date|280}},<ref group="N">''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' lists two contradicting dates. In "The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II", the announcement is stated to have been made in {{Date|280}}, but in "The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring", the announcement of the tourney is stated as having been made in {{Date|281}}. It is confirmed {{Date|280}} is correct in later editions.</ref> Lord [[Walter Whent]] announced a tourney would be held at [[Harrenhal]] to rival any previous tournament. It is believed by some that the tourney was secretly arranged and financed by Prince Rhaegar, as a pretext, so Rhaegar could meet up with the great lords of the realm to discuss arranging a [[Great Council]] and the removal of his father. The tournament was announced by Walter shortly after his brother, Ser [[Oswell Whent|Oswell]] of the [[Kingsguard]], visited his older brother. When Lord [[Varys]] alerted [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]] to this possibility, the king decided to attend the tourney.{{ref|aDwD|67}}{{ref|twoiaf| The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}
  
The circumstances of Rhaegar's taking of Lyanna, and of her reaction to it, remain unknown. The [[House Stark|Starks]], [[Brandon Stark]] in particular, saw it as an abduction, and [[Robert Baratheon]] imagined that Rhaegar was raping Lyanna while he kept her prisoner. However, the Targaryen tradition sees Rhaegar acting out of true love for Lyanna. By the time Lyanna was found by her brother, [[Eddard Stark|Eddard]], she was being kept in the [[Tower of Joy]] in Dorne where, on Rhaegar's command, she was guarded by three knights of the [[Kingsguard]]. Lyanna died soon after Eddard's arrival and his [[Showdown at the Tower of Joy|defeat of the knights]]. She made her brother give a promise, the content of which remains unknown.  
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During the great [[tourney at Harrenhal]], Rhaegar seemed unstoppable and defeated even Ser [[Arthur Dayne]]. Taking the [[blue winter rose|winter rose]] crown for the [[queen of love and beauty]], he revealed his interest in [[Lyanna Stark]] by passing over his wife, Princess [[Elia Martell|Elia of Dorne]], and setting it in Lyanna's lap. [[Eddard Stark]] later recalled that moment as "when all the smiles died".{{ref|AGOT|58}}{{ref|aSoS|42}} The next year, Rhaegar seemingly kidnapped Lyanna, for reasons unknown. This act ultimately triggered [[Robert's Rebellion]] and the downfall of the [[House Targaryen|Targaryen dynasty]].
  
What all sides seem to agree upon is that the meeting of Rhaegar and Lyanna was fateful as it led to immense bloodshed. This leads to imaginations of an alternate history, in which Rhaegar never becomes infatuated with Lyanna. [[Viserys Targaryen]] blamed his sister [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] once for the downfall of the Targaryens, because she was not born earlier, as Rhaegar could then have married her and might have never become interested in Lyanna.{{Ref|aSoS|42}} Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] imagines that, had King Aerys accepted Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]'s proposal of marrying his daughter [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] to Rhaegar, the Dragon Prince might have never looked twice at Lyanna.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}
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===Robert's Rebellion===
 +
:{{Main|Robert's Rebellion}}
  
After his death Rhaegar was cremated, as is traditional for fallen Targaryens.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Asshai.com_Forum_Chat Asshai.com Forum Chat], (July 27, 2008)</ref>
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[[File:twoiaf battle of the trident.jpg|thumb|400px|Prince Rhaegar and Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] in combat at the [[battle of the Trident]], as depicted by Justin Sweet in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''.]]
  
==Recent Events==
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Some believe that Rhaegar spent the beginning of [[Robert's Rebellion]], also known as the ''War of the Usurper'', with [[Lyanna Stark]] at the [[tower of joy]] in the [[Red Mountains]] of [[Dorne]]. King Aerys sent Ser [[Gerold Hightower]], the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]], to retrieve Rhaegar. Leaving Ser Gerold, Ser [[Arthur Dayne]], and Ser [[Oswell Whent]] at the tower,{{ref|AWOIAF| Rhaegar Targaryen}} Rhaegar returned to the [[crownlands]] and took command of the Targaryen army after the defeat of his friend [[Jon Connington]] in the [[battle of the Bells]]. Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] was left at the [[Red Keep]] to protect Rhaegar's father and family.{{ref|ASOS|44}}
[[File:Denkata5698 Rhaegar Elia goodbye.JPG|Rhaegar and Elia - by Denkata5698©|thumb|250px|right]]
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
 
King [[Robert Baratheon]], when referring to Rhaegar, vilifies him as a ''monster'' and a ''rapist''.  
 
  
When the royal party moving south from [[Winterfell]] to [[King's Landing]] reaches the [[ruby ford]], [[Arya Stark]] and her friend [[Mycah]] decide to search the [[Trident]] for rubies from Rhaegar's armor.{{Ref|aGoT|15}}
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Rhaegar met Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] in combat at a ford during the [[battle of the Trident]], where the pair had a legendary duel in the raging rivers of the [[Trident]]. Rhaegar, despite wounding Robert, was struck down with a massive blow from Robert's warhammer, which scattered the rubies encrusted in Rhaegar's armor into the water. While Rhaegar lay dead in the stream, soldiers of both armies scrabbled in the water to search for the rubies. The location was named the [[ruby ford]] thereafter. Rhaegar died with Lyanna Stark's name on his lips.{{ref|awoiaf| Rhaegar Targaryen}} According to a semi-canon source, Rhaegar's body was cremated, as is traditional for fallen Targaryens.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Asshai.com_Forum_Chat Asshai.com Forum Chat], (July 27, 2008)</ref>
  
During her fever dream, [[Daenerys Targaryen]] sees her brother Rhaegar mounted on a stallion as black as his armor. Fire glimmers red through the narrow eye slit of his helm. Daenerys lifts his polished black visor. The face within is her own.
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His wife [[Elia Martell|Elia]] and their children were murdered by Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] and Ser [[Amory Lorch]] during the [[sack of King's Landing]]. Amory dragged the screaming girl, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]], from under her father's bed and stabbed her to death. Gregor, whom Rhaegar had knighted, killed the infant [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]] by dashing his head against the wall while his mother watched. He then raped and killed Elia while still covered in the blood and brains of her son.{{ref|AGOT|30}}{{ref|ASOS|53}} Meanwhile, Jaime Lannister killed Rhaegar's father, King Aerys, to prevent the [[wildfire plot]], earning himself the [[Kingslayer]] sobriquet.{{ref|ASOS|37}}
  
When Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] discusses with his brother [[Kevan Lannister|Kevan]] and his son [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] the dire situation of the [[House Lannister|Lannister]] forces after the defeats in the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]] and the [[Battle of the Camps]], Tyrion jests that his father should take comfort from the fact that Prince Rhaegar is still dead.{{Ref|aGoT|69}}
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The circumstances of Rhaegar's taking of Lyanna, and of her reaction to it, remain unknown. The [[House Stark|Starks]], [[Brandon Stark]] in particular, saw it as an abduction, and Robert Baratheon imagined that Rhaegar was raping Lyanna while he kept her prisoner. However, the Targaryen tradition sees Rhaegar acting out of true love for Lyanna. Lord [[Eddard Stark]], Lyanna's brother, and Lord [[Howland Reed]] found her at Rhaegar's tower of joy in Dorne.{{ref|AWOIAF| Lyanna Stark}} Lyanna died in the Red Mountains after Eddard's arrival and his [[Combat at the tower of joy|defeat of the three Kingsguard]]. She made her brother give a promise, the content of which remains unknown.{{ref|AGOT|35}}{{ref|AGOT|47}}
  
===''A Clash of Kings''===
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What all sides seem to agree upon is that the meeting of Rhaegar and Lyanna was fateful as it led to immense bloodshed. This leads to imaginations of an alternate history, in which Rhaegar never became infatuated with Lyanna. [[Viserys Targaryen]] blames his sister [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] once for the downfall of the Targaryens, because she was not born earlier, as Rhaegar could then have married her and might have never become interested in Lyanna.{{ref|aSoS|42}} Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] imagines that, had King Aerys accepted Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]'s proposal of marrying his daughter [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] to Rhaegar, the dragon prince might have never looked twice at Lyanna.{{ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}
Daenerys names one of her newborn [[dragon]]s in honor of her brother Rhaegar. The green and bronzed scaled dragon is named [[Rhaegal]] in honor of her brave brother who was killed on the green banks of the Trident.
 
  
Rhaegar appears in Daenerys's vision in the [[House of the Undying]]. He is seen talking to his wife [[Elia Martell]] discussing what he will name his son ([[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]]) and his destiny. He also states:
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==Recent Events==
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[[File:Denkata5698 Rhaegar Elia goodbye.JPG||Prince Rhaegar and Princess [[Elia Martell]], by Denkata5698 ©.|thumb|250px|right]]
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===''A Game of Thrones''===
 +
Discussing [[Robert's Rebellion]] with Lord [[Eddard Stark]], King [[Robert I Baratheon]] vilifies Rhaegar for raping Ned's sister, [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]].{{ref|AGOT|12}}
  
{{Quote|The Dragon has three heads, there must be one more.{{Ref|aCoK|48}}}}
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When the royal party moving south from [[Winterfell]] to [[King's Landing]] reaches the [[ruby ford]], [[Arya Stark]] and her friend [[Mycah]] decide to search the [[Trident]] for rubies from Rhaegar's armor.{{ref|aGoT|15}}
  
In the House of the Undying Daenerys also sees Rhaegar's death at the ruby ford of the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]] at the hands of [[Robert Baratheon]]:
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During her fever dream, [[Daenerys Targaryen]] sees her brother Rhaegar mounted on a stallion as black as his armor. Fire glimmers red through the narrow eye slit of his helm. When Daenerys lifts his polished black visor, the face within is her own.{{ref|AGOT|68}}
  
{{Quote|Rubies flew like drops of blood from the chest of a dying prince, and he sank to his knees in the water and with his last breath murmured a woman's name.}}
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When Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] discusses with his brother Ser [[Kevan Lannister|Kevan]] and his son [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] the dire situation of the [[House Lannister|Lannister]] forces after the defeats in the [[battle in the Whispering Wood]] and the [[battle of the Camps]], Tyrion jests that his father should take comfort from the fact that Prince Rhaegar is still dead.{{ref|aGoT|69}}
  
===''A Storm of Swords''===
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===''A Clash of Kings''===
While aboard the ship ''[[Balerion (ship)|Balerion]]'', [[Daenerys Targaryen]] tells [[Arstan Whitebeard]] that she knows little of Rhaegar, only the tales Viserys told, and he was a little boy when their brother died. When she asks him what Rhaegar was truly like Arstan replies:
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The green and bronze [[Rhaegal]], one of three [[dragon]]s hatched by Daenerys, is named in honor of her brave brother who was killed on the green banks of the Trident.{{ref|ACOK|12}}
  
{{Quote|Able. That above all. Determined, deliberate, dutiful, single-minded.}}
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Rhaegar appears in Daenerys's vision in the [[House of the Undying]]. He discusses with his wife, [[Elia Martell]], what he will name his son ([[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]]) and his destiny. Rhaegar states that the boy is [[the prince that was promised]] and his is [[the song of ice and fire]]. Dany also has a vision of Rhaegar's death at the [[ruby ford]] of the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]] at the hands of [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]].{{ref|ACOK|48}}
  
He then tells her a tale told of Rhaegar:
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===''A Storm of Swords''===
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While aboard the ship ''[[Balerion (ship)|Balerion]]'', [[Barristan Selmy|Arstan Whitebeard]] tells Daenerys that Rhaegar was able and dutiful. While Rhaegar was bookish in his youth, he decided to become a warrior after reading about [[the prince that was promised|something unknown]] in his scrolls.{{ref|ASOS|8}} Arstan later tells of the melancholy in Rhaegar's fondness of [[Summerhall]].{{ref|ASOS|42}}
  
{{Quote|As a young boy, the [[Prince of Dragonstone]] was bookish to a fault. He was reading so early that men said Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella]] must have swallowed some books and a candle whilst he was in her womb. Rhaegar took no interest in the play of other children. The [[maesters]] were awed by his wits, but his father’s [[knight]]s would jest sourly that [[Baelor the Blessed]] had been born again. Until one day Prince Rhaegar found something in his scrolls that changed him. No one knows what [[the prince that was promised|it might have been]], only that the boy suddenly appeared early one morning in the yard as the knights were donning their steel. He walked up to Ser [[Willem Darry]], the master-at-arms, and said, 'I will require a sword and armor. It seems I must be a warrior.}}
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While resting his head on a [[weirwood]] stump, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] has a fever dream of five of his old [[Kingsguard]] brothers under King [[Aerys II Targaryen]]. Beside them, crowned in mist and grief with his long hair streaming behind him, rides Rhaegar, who burns with a cold light of changing colors. Rhaegar's shade accuses Jaime of not protecting his family during the [[sack of King's Landing]].{{ref|ASOS|44}}
 
 
While sleeping with his head resting on a [[weirwood]] stump, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] has fever dreams.  In part of his dream he sees five of his old [[Kingsguard]] brothers under King [[Aerys II Targaryen]]. Beside them, crowned in mist and grief with his long hair streaming behind him, rides Rhaegar Targaryen, [[Prince of Dragonstone]] and rightful heir to the [[Iron Throne]].
 
Prince Rhaegar burns with a cold light, now white, now red, now dark. He tells Jaime:
 
{{Quote|I left my wife and children in your hands.{{ref|ASOS|44}}}}
 
Jaime replies to Rhaegar that he never thought his father, [[Tywin Lannister]], would hurt his family.
 
  
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
While standing vigil over his father's funeral bier, Jaime thinks about the day he said farewell to Rhaegar, in the yard of the [[Red Keep]].
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While standing vigil over the funeral bier of his father, Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], Jaime recalls the day he said farewell to Rhaegar, in the yard of the [[Red Keep]]. Rhaegar had wanted to call a council after [[Robert's Rebellion]] was suppressed, but the prince was instead killed at the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]].{{ref|AFFC|8}} Jaime also recollects that when Lord [[Owen Merryweather]] failed to contain the rebellion Rhaegar could not be found, causing King Aerys to turn to Rhaegar's friend, Lord [[Jon Connington]], whom he raised to [[Hand of the King]].{{ref|affc|27}}
  
The prince had donned his night-black armor, with the three-headed dragon picked out in rubies on his breastplate. Jamie pled with him to accompany him but Rhaegar refused, telling Jaime that [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] feared his father, [[Tywin Lannister]], more than he did his cousin, [[Robert Baratheon]]. Aerys wanted Jaime close so Tywin could not harm him.  Rhaegar stated that he dare not take that crutch away from Aerys at such an hour.  When Jaime balked at that Rhaegar put a hand on young Jaime’s shoulder and told him:
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Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]] remembers wanting to marry Rhaegar after meeting him at the [[tournament in honor of Viserys's birth]], but Aerys refused Tywin's suggestion of betrothal. Cersei, Robert's widow, never forgave Robert for killing Rhaegar at the [[ruby ford]].{{ref|AFFC|24}}
{{Quote|When [[War of the Usurper|the battle’s]] done I mean to call a council. Changes will be made. I meant to do it long ago, but ... well, it does no good to speak of roads not taken.  We shall talk when I return.}}
 
Those were the last words Rhaegar spoke to Jaime.  Outside the gates an army had assembled, whilst another descended on the [[Trident]]. The [[Prince of Dragonstone]] mounted up and donned his tall black helm, and rode forth to his doom. {{Ref|aFfC|8}}
 
  
[[Cersei Lannister]] remembers Rhaegar at the [[tourney for King Aerys II]] that had been held at [[Lannisport]] in {{date|276}}. She was already infatuated when she was presented to him:
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===''A Dance with Dragons''===
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Prior to Daenerys marrying [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]], Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] tells her that Rhaegar was very fond of [[Elia Martell]]; Dany thinks the word ''fond'' speaks volumes.{{ref|aDwD|23}} During her wedding procession she looks about for her paramour, [[Daario Naharis]], hoping secretly that he will come and carry her off at swordpoint, as Rhaegar carried off his northern girl, [[Lyanna Stark]].{{ref|aDwD|43}}
  
{{Quote|Seventeen and new to knighthood, Rhaegar Targaryen had worn black plate over golden ringmail when he cantered onto the lists.  Long streamers of red and gold and orange silk had floated behind his helm, like flames.  Two of her uncles fell before his lance, along with a dozen of her father’s finest jousters, the flower of the west. By night the prince had played his silver harp and made her weep.  When she had been presented to him, Cersei had almost drowned in the depths of his sad [[purple eyes]].  "He has been wounded," she recalled thinking, "but I will mend his hurt when we are wed." Next to Rhaegar, even her beautiful [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] had seemed no more than a callow boy.{{Ref|aFfC|24}}}}
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Barristan later regrets having rescued King [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]] from [[Defiance of Duskendale|Duskendale]], as he thinks Rhaeger would have been a better king than [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys II]], Aerys II, or [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert I]].{{ref|ADWD|55}} Barristan also regrets not having defeated Rhaegar in the lists at the [[tourney at Harrenhal]], as the victorious prince had proclaimed [[Lyanna Stark]] the [[queen of love and beauty]].{{ref|ADWD|67}}
  
Jaime recollects that when [[Owen Merryweather]] failed to contain [[Robert's Rebellion|the rebellion]] Rhaegar could not be found, causing King Aerys to turn to Rhaegar's friend, [[Jon Connington]], whom he raised to [[Hand of the King]].{{Ref|affc|27}}
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Traveling south on the [[Rhoyne]], [[Tyrion Lannister]] discovers the [[sellsword]] Griff is actually [[Jon Connington]], the exiled friend of Rhaegar and former [[Hand of the King]] to Aerys II. The youth called Young Griff is said to actually be Rhaegar's son, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]], widely believed to have been murdered by Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] during the [[sack of King's Landing]]. The exiles claim that [[Varys]] had switched the infant Aegon with a [[Pisswater prince|peasant baby]] and taken Aegon to safety with [[Illyrio Mopatis]], and that Gregor killed the peasant child instead.{{ref|ADWD|18}}{{ref|ADWD|22}}
  
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
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Jon discusses the issue of trust with Aegon, and then recalls that Rhaegar had been aware of Aerys's paranoia.{{ref|ADWD|24}} After [[Landing of the Golden Company|landing in the stormlands]] with the [[Golden Company]] to claim the [[Iron Throne]] for Aegon, Jon vows he will not fail Rhaegar's son as he failed his father. Jon thinks that Rhaegar's [[Purple eyes|eyes were a darker purple]] than those of the boy.{{ref|ADWD|61}}
Prior to marrying [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]], [[Daenerys Targaryen]] asks Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] if Rhaegar wed for love or duty, as he had seen Rhaegar wed. Barristan hesitates and says:
 
  
{{Quote|Princess [[Elia Martell|Elia]] was a good woman, Your Grace. She was kind and clever, with a gentle heart and a sweet wit. I know the prince was very fond of her.}}
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==Quotes by Rhaegar==
Daenerys thinks to herself that the word ''fond'' speaks volumes.{{Ref|aDwD|23}}
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{{Quote|'''Rhaegar:''' [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]]. What better name for a king?<br>
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'''Elia:''' Will you make a song for him?<br>
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'''Rhaegar:''' He has a song. He is [[the prince that was promised]], and his is [[the song of ice and fire]]. There must be one more. The [[dragon]] has three heads.{{ref|ACOK|48}}|Rhaegar and [[Elia Martell]] in [[Daenerys Targaryen]]'s vision in the [[House of the Undying]]}}
  
During her wedding procession the girl in Daenerys looks about for her paramour [[Daario Naharis]], hoping secretly that he will come and carry her off at swordpoint, as Rhaegar carried off his northern girl, [[Lyanna Stark]]. However, the queen in her knows that is folly.{{Ref|aDwD|43}}
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{{Quote|I will require a sword and armor. It seems I must be a warrior.{{ref|ASOS|8}}|Rhaegar to [[Willem Darry]]}}
  
[[Tyrion Lannister]] travels south on the [[Rhoyne]] in the company of a sellsword named Griff. During their journey, Tyrion discovers that Griff is actually [[Jon Connington]], the exiled friend of Rhaegar and former Hand of the King to [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]]. The youth called Young Griff is said to actually be Rhaegar's son, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]], widely believed to have been murdered by Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] during the [[Sack of King's Landing]]. The exiles claim that [[Varys]] had switched the infant Aegon with a [[pisswater prince|peasant baby]] and taken Aegon to safety with [[Illyrio Mopatis]], and that Gregor killed the peasant child instead.{{ref|ADWD|18}}{{ref|ADWD|22}}
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{{Quote|When [[Battle of the Trident|the battle's]] done I mean to call a [[Great Council|council]]. Changes will be made. I meant to do it long ago, but ... well, it does no good to speak of roads not taken. We shall talk when I return.{{ref|aFfC|8}}| Rhaegar to [[Jaime Lannister]]}}
 
 
When Jon is discussing the issue of trust with Aegon, he warns him not to become too wary - else mistrust can poison and make a person sour and fearful. He thinks to himself that:
 
{{Quote|King [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] was one such. By the end, even Rhaegar saw that plain enough.{{Ref|aDwD|24}}}}
 
 
 
Later, after landing in the [[stormlands]] with the [[Golden Company]] to claim the [[Iron Throne]] for Aegon, Jon vows he will not fail Rhaegar's son as he failed his father.{{ref|ADWD|61}} When Prince Aegon tells Jon that he likes his castle, [[Griffin's Roost]], Jon suddenly recalls Rhaegar’s words to him and the way he looked when he was standing on the roof of the east tower, the tallest at Griffin's Roost:
 
{{Quote|"Your father’s lands are beautiful,” he said.  His silvery hair was blowing in the wind, and his eyes were a [[purple eyes|deep purple]], darker than [[Young Griff|this boy’s]].}}
 
  
 
==Quotes about Rhaegar==
 
==Quotes about Rhaegar==
{{Quote|The [[Battle of the Trident|battle]] screamed about Lord [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] and Prince Rhaegar both, and by the will of the gods, or by chance-or perhaps by design-they met amidst the shallows of the ford. The two knights fought valiantly upon their destriers, according to all accounts. For despite his crimes, Prince Rhaegar was no coward.{{Ref|TWOIAF|Robert's Rebellion}}}} - [[Yandel|Maester Yandel]]
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{{Quote|[[Battle of the Trident|The battle]] screamed about Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] and Prince Rhaegar both, and by the will of the gods, or by chance-or perhaps by design-they met amidst the shallows of [[ruby ford|the ford]]. The two [[knight]]s fought valiantly upon their destriers, according to all accounts. For despite his crimes, Prince Rhaegar was no coward.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}|writings of [[Yandel|Maester Yandel]]}}
  
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{{Quote|In my dreams, I kill him every night. A thousand deaths will still be less than he deserves.{{ref|aGoT|4}}|[[Robert I Baratheon]] to [[Eddard Stark]]}}
  
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{{Quote|And Rhaegar ... how many times do you think he raped [[Lyanna Stark|your sister]]? How many hundreds of times? I will kill every [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] I can get my hands on, until they are as dead as their [[dragon]]s, and then I will piss on their graves.{{ref|aGoT|12}}|[[Robert I Baratheon]] to [[Eddard Stark]]}}
  
{{Quote|In my dreams, I kill him every night. A thousand deaths will still be less than he deserves. {{Ref|aGoT|4}}}}
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{{Quote|'''Robert:''' Treachery was a coin the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]] knew well. [[House Lannister|Lannister]] paid them back in kind. It was no less than they deserved. I shall not trouble my sleep over it.<br>
[[Robert Baratheon]], to [[Eddard Stark]]
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'''Eddard:''' You were not there. There was no honor in [[Sack of King's Landing|that conquest]].<br>
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'''Robert:''' The [[Others]] take your honor! What did any Targaryen ever know of honor? Go down into [[Crypt of Winterfell|your crypt]] and ask [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]] about the dragon's honor!{{ref|aGoT|12}}|[[Robert I Baratheon]] and [[Eddard Stark]]}}
  
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{{Quote|Your brother Rhaegar was the last dragon, and he died on the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]]. [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] is less than the shadow of a snake.{{ref|aGoT|23}}|[[Jorah Mormont]] to [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}
  
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{{Quote|Rubies flew like drops of blood from the chest of a dying prince, and he sank to his knees in [[ruby ford|the water]] and with his last breath murmured a woman's name.{{ref|ACOK|48}}|[[Daenerys Targaryen]]'s vision in the [[House of the Undying]]}}
  
{{Quote|And Rhaegar ... how many times do you think he raped [[Lyanna Stark|your sister]]? How many hundreds of times? I will kill every [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] I can get my hands on, until they are as dead as their dragons, and then I will piss on their graves. {{Ref|aGoT|12}}}} – [[Robert Baratheon]]
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{{Quote|'''Daenerys:''' Ser [[Jorah Mormont|Jorah]] named Rhaegar the last dragon once. He had to have been a peerless warrior to be called that, surely?<br>
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'''Arstan:''' Your Grace, the [[Prince of Dragonstone]] was a most puissant warrior, but...<br>
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'''Daenerys:''' Go on. You may speak freely to me.<br>
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'''Arstan:''' As you command. A warrior without peer... those are fine words, Your Grace, but words win no battles.{{ref|ASOS|8}}[[Barristan Selmy|Arstan Whitebeard]] and [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}
  
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{{Quote|Rhaegar fought valiantly, Rhaegar fought nobly, Rhaegar fought honorably. And Rhaegar [[Battle of the Trident|died]].{{ref|ASOS|23}}|[[Jorah Mormont]] to [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}
  
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{{Quote|'''Arstan:''' But I am not certain it was in Rhaegar to be happy.<br>
 +
'''Daenerys:''' You make him sound so sour.<br>
 +
'''Arstan:''' Not sour, no, but... there was a melancholy to Prince Rhaegar, a sense...<br>
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'''Daenerys:''' Say it. A sense?<br>
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'''Arstan:''' ... of doom. He was [[Tragedy of Summerhall|born in grief]], my queen, and that shadow hung over him all his days.{{ref|ASOS|42}}|[[Barristan Selmy|Arstan Whitebeard]] and [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}
  
{{Quote|'''Robert:''' Treachery was a coin the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]] knew well. [[House Lannister|Lannister]] paid them back in kind. It was no less than they deserved. I shall not trouble my sleep over it.  
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{{Quote|'''Daenerys:''' One day you must tell me all. The good and the bad. There is some good to be said of my [[Aerys II Targaryen|father]], surely?<br>
 +
'''Barristan:''' There is, your Grace. Of him, and those who came before him. Your grandfather [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys]] and his [[Duncan Targaryen|brother]], their father [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon]], your [[Rhaella Targaryen|mother]]... and Rhaegar. Him most of all.<br>
 +
'''Daenerys:''' I wish I could have known him.{{ref|aSoS|71}}|[[Daenerys Targaryen]] and [[Barristan Selmy]]}}
  
'''Ned:''' You were not there. There was no honor in [[Sack of King's Landing|that conquest]].
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{{Quote|Had any man ever been so beautiful? He was more than a man, though. His blood was the blood of [[Valyrian Freehold|old Valyria]], the blood of [[dragon]]s and [[gods]].{{ref|aFfC|24}}|thoughts of [[Cersei Lannister]]}}
  
'''Robert:''' The [[Others]] take your honor! What did any Targaryen know of honor? Go down into your crypt and ask [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]] about the [[Rhaegar Targaryen|dragon's]] honor! {{Ref|aGoT|12}}}}
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{{Quote|Prince Rhaegar loved his Lady [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]] and [[Robert's Rebellion|thousands died]] for it.{{ref|aDwD|67}}|thoughts of  [[Barristan Selmy]]}}
[[Robert Baratheon]] and [[Eddard Stark]]
 
  
 +
==Family==
 +
{{Targaryen_tree_now}}
  
{{Quote|'''Daenerys:''' I hit [[Viserys Targaryen|him]]. Ser Jorah, do you think... he'll be so angry when he gets back... I woke the dragon, didn't I?
+
===Patrilineal descent===
 
+
#King [[Aegon I Targaryen]], First Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
'''Jorah:''' Can you wake the dead, girl? Your brother Rhaegar was the last dragon, and he died on the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]]. Viserys is less than the shadow of a snake. {{Ref|aGoT|23}}}}
+
#King [[Aenys I Targaryen]], Second Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
[[Jorah Mormont]] and [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
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#King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]], Fourth Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
 
+
#Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]]
 
+
#Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]]
{{Quote|You took a wound from Rhaegar, so when the [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] host broke and ran, you gave the pursuit into my hands. The remnants of Rhaegar’s army fled back to [[King's Landing]]. We followed. [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] was in the [[Red Keep]] with several thousand loyalists. I expected to find the gates closed to us. {{Ref|aGoT|12}}}} – [[Eddard Stark]], to [[Robert Baratheon]]
+
#King [[Viserys II Targaryen]], Tenth Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
 
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#King [[Aegon IV Targaryen]], Eleventh Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
 
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#King [[Daeron II Targaryen]], Twelfth Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
{{Quote|I wish I could have known him.{{Ref|asos|71}}}} – [[Daenerys Targaryen]]  
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#King [[Maekar I Targaryen]], Fourteenth Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
 
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#King [[Aegon V Targaryen]], Fifteenth Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
 
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#King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]], Sixteenth Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
{{Quote|There was a melancholy to Rhaegar, a sense... of doom.{{Ref|asos|42}}}}
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#King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], Seventeenth Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
[[Barristan Selmy|Arstan Whitebeard]], to [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
+
#Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]]
 
 
 
 
 
 
{{Quote|Prince Rhaegar loved his [[Lyanna Stark|Lady Lyanna]] and thousands died for it.{{Ref|aDwD|67}}}}
 
– [[Barristan Selmy]]
 
 
 
 
 
{{Quote|Rhaegar fought valiantly, Rhaegar fought nobly, Rhaegar fought honorably. And Rhaegar died.}}
 
– [[Jorah Mormont]]
 
 
 
 
 
{{Quote|'''Daenerys:''' [[Jorah Mormont|Ser Jorah]] named Rhaegar the last dragon once. He had to have been a peerless warrior to be called that, surely?
 
 
 
'''Barristan:''' Your Grace, the Prince of Dragonstone was a most puissant warrior, but...
 
 
 
'''Daenerys:''' Go on. You may speak freely to me.
 
 
 
'''Barristan:''' As you command. A warrior without peer... those are fine words, Your Grace, but words win no battles.}}
 
 
 
[[Barristan Selmy]] and [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
 
 
 
  
{{Quote|Had any man ever been so beautiful? {{Ref|aFfC|24}}}} – [[Cersei Lannister]]
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==Notes==
 +
{{Notes}}
  
 
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==References==
{{Quote|'''Daenerys''': One day you must tell me all. The good and the bad. There is some good to be said of my [[Aerys II Targaryen|father]], surely?
+
{{References|2}}
 
 
'''Barristan''': There is, your Grace. Of him, and those who came before him. Your grandfather [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys]] and his [[Duncan Targaryen|brother]], their father [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon]], your [[Rhaella Targaryen|mother]]...and Rhaegar. Him most of all.{{Ref|aSoS|71}}}} - [[Barristan Selmy]] and [[Daenerys Targaryen]].
 
 
 
==Family==
 
{{Targaryen_tree_now}}
 
 
 
==References and Notes==
 
{{references|2}}
 
{{EnWP|House Targaryen|small=yes}}
 
  
 
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[[Category:Characters killed by Robert Baratheon|Targaryen, Rhaegar]]
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Revision as of 05:44, 14 June 2019

House Targaryen.svg
Rhaegar Targaryen
House Targaryen.svg
Rhaegar twoiaf.jpg
Rhaegar Targaryen, as depicted by Karla Ortiz in The World of Ice & Fire.

Aliases
Titles
Allegiance House Targaryen
Race Valyrian
Culture Crownlands
Born 259 AC[5]
Summerhall[4][5]
Died 283 AC[N 1]
the Trident[6][7]
Spouse Princess Elia Martell
Issue
Books

Played by Wilf Scolding
TV series Season 7

Prince Rhaegar Targaryen was the firstborn son of King Aerys II Targaryen and his sister-wife, Queen Rhaella.[8] As heir-apparent, he was the Prince of Dragonstone and crown prince for the Iron Throne. Rhaegar was popular with the smallfolk during his lifetime, but he died in Robert's Rebellion which was triggered in part by his abduction of Lyanna Stark. He was slain in single combat by Robert Baratheon at the ruby ford during the battle of the Trident. Rhaegar was the elder brother of the exiled last members of House Targaryen, Prince Viserys and Princess Daenerys.

In the television adaptation Game of Thrones, Rhaegar is portrayed by Wilf Scolding in flashbacks.

Appearance and Character

The beautiful[9][10] Rhaegar had deep purple[11] or indigo colored eyes.[12] He had long, elegant fingers,[9] and was taller than his younger brother, Viserys, would be in his adulthood.[12] Rhaegar's hair was similar[12] to the silver-blond of Viserys and their sister, Daenerys.[13] The hair of Aurane Waters is reminiscent of Rhaegar's,[14] although the Bastard of Driftmark's is more silvery than gold.[15]

Rhaegar owned night-black plate armor, with the three-headed dragon of House Targaryen decorated in rubies on its breastplate,[6][16][17] and underneath the plate he wore golden ringmail.[9] Rhaegar decorated his helm with gold, orange, and red silken streamers resembling flames.[9]

Rhaegar was an intelligent young man, who excelled at anything to which he put his mind,[18] and grew to be a great knight and a skilled musician.[19] The latter, however, held his preference; men said Rhaegar loved his silver-stringed harp more than he loved his lance.[19] Jorah Mormont has described Rhaegar as valiant, honorable, and noble[20] while Barristan Selmy has called him determined, deliberate, dutiful, and single-minded.[18] The crown prince was said to have been uninterested in the play of other children as a boy, but bookish "to a fault". He learned to read at such an early age that people jested that his mother Rhaella had swallowed some books and a candle during her pregnancy.[18] Later in life, however, Rhaegar did acquire several trusted and loyal companions.[18] Rhaegar was deeply affected by "the shadow of Summerhall", because he was "born in grief" and was considered melancholic at times.[19] At the same time, Summerhall was also Rhaegar's favorite place.[19]

The prince was well-loved by the people of the Seven Kingdoms[9] during his lifetime and is still fondly remembered to this day.[20] While Robert Baratheon despises Rhaegar and accuses him of having raped Lyanna Stark, the only thought of Eddard Stark, Lyanna's brother, is he did not think Rhaegar frequented brothels.[21] Jaime Lannister remembers the iron tones of Rhaegar's voice.[17] Barristan Selmy, who served three kings, thinks that Rhaegar would have been better than any of them.[22] His sister, Daenerys, is frequently compared to Rhaegar as a compliment.[23][24][19] People who had romantic feelings toward Rhaegar include Cersei Lannister[9] and Jon Connington.[25]

History

Early life

Prince Rhaegar and Princess Elia Martell of Dorne's wedding.

Prince Rhaegar was the firstborn son of King Aerys II Targaryen and Queen Rhaella. He was born at Summerhall in 259 AC, on the same day as the great tragedy there.[4][26][5] As a child he read obsessively, to the point that jests were made about his habits. He became a noted warrior later in life, although he did not initially seem inclined to martial habits. However, apparently by something he had read, Rhaegar became motivated to become a warrior.[19]

At the age of seventeen, Rhaegar was knighted,[9][5] and from all reports grew into a highly skilled and capable fighter, always distinguishing himself well at tournaments, although he seldom entered the lists - he never loved the song of swords the way that men like Robert Baratheon or Jaime Lannister did.[19]

Rhaegar's squires were Myles Mooton and Richard Lonmouth, and after he knighted them they remained close companions. Jon Connington, whom he had squired with,[27] was a good friend to Rhaegar as well. Returning from a trip to Dorne, Rhaegar once visited the Connington seat of Griffin's Roost. His songs brought the castle's women to tears, while Lord Armond Connington sought House Targaryen's support against rival House Morrigen.[11] Rhaegar's closest and oldest friend, however, was Ser Arthur Dayne,[18] the Sword of the Morning, trusting him more than Ser Barristan Selmy.[28]

Rhaegar often liked to visit the ruins of Summerhall with only his harp and when he returned he sang songs of such beauty they could reduce women to tears. Although Rhaegar was often dour, private and bookish, Cersei Lannister noted at the tournament in honor of Viserys's birth in Lannisport in 276 AC that the smallfolk cheered for Lord Tywin Lannister twice as much as for King Aerys II, but only half as loudly for Tywin as for Rhaegar.[9] Rhaegar fought well in the tourney besting a dozen skilled knights, among them Barristan Selmy, Gerion, and Tygett Lannister but was defeated in the champion's tilt by his friend Arthur Dayne.[5] Aerys refused Tywin's offer at the tourney to betroth Cersei to Rhaegar.[9] Rhaegar defeated Arthur in the tourney at Storm's End.[19]

Rhaegar was born at a time when the Targaryen's had declined, and once he came of age, there was no sister, or anyone else of their bloodline, available for him to marry.[29][30] King Aerys sent his first cousin, Lord Steffon Baratheon, to seek a bride for Rhaegar.[30] Despite Valyrian blood still being present in Essos, Steffon could not find appropriate females of noble-enough birth for Rhaegar to wed.[5]

After this in early 279 AC, Rhaegar was formally betrothed to the Dornish princess, Elia Martell, the younger sister of Doran Martell, Prince of Dorne. They married the following year in 280 AC, a lavish ceremony was held at the Great Sept of Baelor. His father did not attend the wedding as he was paranoid about an assassination attempt and nor did he permit the young Prince Viserys to attend. Rhaegar and his father's relationship was straining at this point, and he and his new bride took up residence on Dragonstone instead of King's Landing. Rhaegar and Elia had their first child, a girl named Rhaenys,[8] in 280 AC. When the babe was presented at court, Rhaegar's mother, Queen Rhaella, embraced her grandchild warmly while King Aerys remarked: "she smells Dornish". The relationship between Aerys and Rhaegar became more and more estranged.[5]

Elia and Rhaegar had a son they named Aegon. Elia, due to her delicate health, was bed-ridden for half a year after giving birth to Rhaenys and nearly died giving birth to Aegon, after which the maesters told Rhaegar she would be unable to have any more children.[11]

Maester Aemon, whom Rhaegar corresponded with via raven messages, remembers that Rhaegar believed his child Aegon to be the prince that was promised.[4]

When Lord Tywin resigned his position as Hand of the King and left court, the new focus of King Aerys's mistrust and paranoia was his own son and heir, Prince Rhaegar. At court, there was growing tension between factions loyal to the king and to the prince. Grand Maester Pycelle dispatched a letter to the Citadel, writing that tensions and division at court strongly resembled those before the Dance of the Dragons. Pycelle was fearful a civil war would break out unless some accord could be reached that would satisfy both factions.[31]

Tourney at Harrenhal

Rhaegar crowns Lyanna Stark as queen of love and beauty, as depicted by Paolo Puggioni in The World of Ice & Fire.

In 280 AC,[N 2] Lord Walter Whent announced a tourney would be held at Harrenhal to rival any previous tournament. It is believed by some that the tourney was secretly arranged and financed by Prince Rhaegar, as a pretext, so Rhaegar could meet up with the great lords of the realm to discuss arranging a Great Council and the removal of his father. The tournament was announced by Walter shortly after his brother, Ser Oswell of the Kingsguard, visited his older brother. When Lord Varys alerted Aerys II to this possibility, the king decided to attend the tourney.[28][31]

During the great tourney at Harrenhal, Rhaegar seemed unstoppable and defeated even Ser Arthur Dayne. Taking the winter rose crown for the queen of love and beauty, he revealed his interest in Lyanna Stark by passing over his wife, Princess Elia of Dorne, and setting it in Lyanna's lap. Eddard Stark later recalled that moment as "when all the smiles died".[16][19] The next year, Rhaegar seemingly kidnapped Lyanna, for reasons unknown. This act ultimately triggered Robert's Rebellion and the downfall of the Targaryen dynasty.

Robert's Rebellion

Prince Rhaegar and Lord Robert Baratheon in combat at the battle of the Trident, as depicted by Justin Sweet in The World of Ice & Fire.

Some believe that Rhaegar spent the beginning of Robert's Rebellion, also known as the War of the Usurper, with Lyanna Stark at the tower of joy in the Red Mountains of Dorne. King Aerys sent Ser Gerold Hightower, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, to retrieve Rhaegar. Leaving Ser Gerold, Ser Arthur Dayne, and Ser Oswell Whent at the tower,[26] Rhaegar returned to the crownlands and took command of the Targaryen army after the defeat of his friend Jon Connington in the battle of the Bells. Ser Jaime Lannister was left at the Red Keep to protect Rhaegar's father and family.[32]

Rhaegar met Lord Robert Baratheon in combat at a ford during the battle of the Trident, where the pair had a legendary duel in the raging rivers of the Trident. Rhaegar, despite wounding Robert, was struck down with a massive blow from Robert's warhammer, which scattered the rubies encrusted in Rhaegar's armor into the water. While Rhaegar lay dead in the stream, soldiers of both armies scrabbled in the water to search for the rubies. The location was named the ruby ford thereafter. Rhaegar died with Lyanna Stark's name on his lips.[26] According to a semi-canon source, Rhaegar's body was cremated, as is traditional for fallen Targaryens.[33]

His wife Elia and their children were murdered by Ser Gregor Clegane and Ser Amory Lorch during the sack of King's Landing. Amory dragged the screaming girl, Rhaenys, from under her father's bed and stabbed her to death. Gregor, whom Rhaegar had knighted, killed the infant Aegon by dashing his head against the wall while his mother watched. He then raped and killed Elia while still covered in the blood and brains of her son.[34][35] Meanwhile, Jaime Lannister killed Rhaegar's father, King Aerys, to prevent the wildfire plot, earning himself the Kingslayer sobriquet.[36]

The circumstances of Rhaegar's taking of Lyanna, and of her reaction to it, remain unknown. The Starks, Brandon Stark in particular, saw it as an abduction, and Robert Baratheon imagined that Rhaegar was raping Lyanna while he kept her prisoner. However, the Targaryen tradition sees Rhaegar acting out of true love for Lyanna. Lord Eddard Stark, Lyanna's brother, and Lord Howland Reed found her at Rhaegar's tower of joy in Dorne.[37] Lyanna died in the Red Mountains after Eddard's arrival and his defeat of the three Kingsguard. She made her brother give a promise, the content of which remains unknown.[21][38]

What all sides seem to agree upon is that the meeting of Rhaegar and Lyanna was fateful as it led to immense bloodshed. This leads to imaginations of an alternate history, in which Rhaegar never became infatuated with Lyanna. Viserys Targaryen blames his sister Daenerys once for the downfall of the Targaryens, because she was not born earlier, as Rhaegar could then have married her and might have never become interested in Lyanna.[19] Ser Kevan Lannister imagines that, had King Aerys accepted Lord Tywin Lannister's proposal of marrying his daughter Cersei to Rhaegar, the dragon prince might have never looked twice at Lyanna.[39]

Recent Events

Prince Rhaegar and Princess Elia Martell, by Denkata5698 ©.

A Game of Thrones

Discussing Robert's Rebellion with Lord Eddard Stark, King Robert I Baratheon vilifies Rhaegar for raping Ned's sister, Lyanna.[40]

When the royal party moving south from Winterfell to King's Landing reaches the ruby ford, Arya Stark and her friend Mycah decide to search the Trident for rubies from Rhaegar's armor.[41]

During her fever dream, Daenerys Targaryen sees her brother Rhaegar mounted on a stallion as black as his armor. Fire glimmers red through the narrow eye slit of his helm. When Daenerys lifts his polished black visor, the face within is her own.[42]

When Lord Tywin Lannister discusses with his brother Ser Kevan and his son Tyrion the dire situation of the Lannister forces after the defeats in the battle in the Whispering Wood and the battle of the Camps, Tyrion jests that his father should take comfort from the fact that Prince Rhaegar is still dead.[43]

A Clash of Kings

The green and bronze Rhaegal, one of three dragons hatched by Daenerys, is named in honor of her brave brother who was killed on the green banks of the Trident.[44]

Rhaegar appears in Daenerys's vision in the House of the Undying. He discusses with his wife, Elia Martell, what he will name his son (Aegon) and his destiny. Rhaegar states that the boy is the prince that was promised and his is the song of ice and fire. Dany also has a vision of Rhaegar's death at the ruby ford of the Trident at the hands of Robert Baratheon.[12]

A Storm of Swords

While aboard the ship Balerion, Arstan Whitebeard tells Daenerys that Rhaegar was able and dutiful. While Rhaegar was bookish in his youth, he decided to become a warrior after reading about something unknown in his scrolls.[18] Arstan later tells of the melancholy in Rhaegar's fondness of Summerhall.[19]

While resting his head on a weirwood stump, Ser Jaime Lannister has a fever dream of five of his old Kingsguard brothers under King Aerys II Targaryen. Beside them, crowned in mist and grief with his long hair streaming behind him, rides Rhaegar, who burns with a cold light of changing colors. Rhaegar's shade accuses Jaime of not protecting his family during the sack of King's Landing.[32]

A Feast for Crows

While standing vigil over the funeral bier of his father, Lord Tywin Lannister, Jaime recalls the day he said farewell to Rhaegar, in the yard of the Red Keep. Rhaegar had wanted to call a council after Robert's Rebellion was suppressed, but the prince was instead killed at the Trident.[17] Jaime also recollects that when Lord Owen Merryweather failed to contain the rebellion Rhaegar could not be found, causing King Aerys to turn to Rhaegar's friend, Lord Jon Connington, whom he raised to Hand of the King.[45]

Queen Regent Cersei Lannister remembers wanting to marry Rhaegar after meeting him at the tournament in honor of Viserys's birth, but Aerys refused Tywin's suggestion of betrothal. Cersei, Robert's widow, never forgave Robert for killing Rhaegar at the ruby ford.[9]

A Dance with Dragons

Prior to Daenerys marrying Hizdahr zo Loraq, Ser Barristan Selmy tells her that Rhaegar was very fond of Elia Martell; Dany thinks the word fond speaks volumes.[46] During her wedding procession she looks about for her paramour, Daario Naharis, hoping secretly that he will come and carry her off at swordpoint, as Rhaegar carried off his northern girl, Lyanna Stark.[47]

Barristan later regrets having rescued King Aerys II from Duskendale, as he thinks Rhaeger would have been a better king than Jaehaerys II, Aerys II, or Robert I.[22] Barristan also regrets not having defeated Rhaegar in the lists at the tourney at Harrenhal, as the victorious prince had proclaimed Lyanna Stark the queen of love and beauty.[28]

Traveling south on the Rhoyne, Tyrion Lannister discovers the sellsword Griff is actually Jon Connington, the exiled friend of Rhaegar and former Hand of the King to Aerys II. The youth called Young Griff is said to actually be Rhaegar's son, Aegon Targaryen, widely believed to have been murdered by Ser Gregor Clegane during the sack of King's Landing. The exiles claim that Varys had switched the infant Aegon with a peasant baby and taken Aegon to safety with Illyrio Mopatis, and that Gregor killed the peasant child instead.[48][27]

Jon discusses the issue of trust with Aegon, and then recalls that Rhaegar had been aware of Aerys's paranoia.[1] After landing in the stormlands with the Golden Company to claim the Iron Throne for Aegon, Jon vows he will not fail Rhaegar's son as he failed his father. Jon thinks that Rhaegar's eyes were a darker purple than those of the boy.[11]

Quotes by Rhaegar

Rhaegar: Aegon. What better name for a king?

Elia: Will you make a song for him?

Rhaegar: He has a song. He is the prince that was promised, and his is the song of ice and fire. There must be one more. The dragon has three heads.[12]

—Rhaegar and Elia Martell in Daenerys Targaryen's vision in the House of the Undying

I will require a sword and armor. It seems I must be a warrior.[18]

—Rhaegar to Willem Darry

When the battle's done I mean to call a council. Changes will be made. I meant to do it long ago, but ... well, it does no good to speak of roads not taken. We shall talk when I return.[17]

— Rhaegar to Jaime Lannister

Quotes about Rhaegar

The battle screamed about Lord Robert and Prince Rhaegar both, and by the will of the gods, or by chance-or perhaps by design-they met amidst the shallows of the ford. The two knights fought valiantly upon their destriers, according to all accounts. For despite his crimes, Prince Rhaegar was no coward.[7]

—writings of Maester Yandel

In my dreams, I kill him every night. A thousand deaths will still be less than he deserves.[6]

And Rhaegar ... how many times do you think he raped your sister? How many hundreds of times? I will kill every Targaryen I can get my hands on, until they are as dead as their dragons, and then I will piss on their graves.[40]

Robert: Treachery was a coin the Targaryens knew well. Lannister paid them back in kind. It was no less than they deserved. I shall not trouble my sleep over it.

Eddard: You were not there. There was no honor in that conquest.

Robert: The Others take your honor! What did any Targaryen ever know of honor? Go down into your crypt and ask Lyanna about the dragon's honor![40]

Your brother Rhaegar was the last dragon, and he died on the Trident. Viserys is less than the shadow of a snake.[3]

Rubies flew like drops of blood from the chest of a dying prince, and he sank to his knees in the water and with his last breath murmured a woman's name.[12]

Daenerys: Ser Jorah named Rhaegar the last dragon once. He had to have been a peerless warrior to be called that, surely?

Arstan: Your Grace, the Prince of Dragonstone was a most puissant warrior, but...
Daenerys: Go on. You may speak freely to me.

Arstan: As you command. A warrior without peer... those are fine words, Your Grace, but words win no battles.[18]Arstan Whitebeard and Daenerys Targaryen

Rhaegar fought valiantly, Rhaegar fought nobly, Rhaegar fought honorably. And Rhaegar died.[20]

Arstan: But I am not certain it was in Rhaegar to be happy.

Daenerys: You make him sound so sour.
Arstan: Not sour, no, but... there was a melancholy to Prince Rhaegar, a sense...
Daenerys: Say it. A sense?

Arstan: ... of doom. He was born in grief, my queen, and that shadow hung over him all his days.[19]

Daenerys: One day you must tell me all. The good and the bad. There is some good to be said of my father, surely?

Barristan: There is, your Grace. Of him, and those who came before him. Your grandfather Jaehaerys and his brother, their father Aegon, your mother... and Rhaegar. Him most of all.

Daenerys: I wish I could have known him.[49]

Had any man ever been so beautiful? He was more than a man, though. His blood was the blood of old Valyria, the blood of dragons and gods.[9]

—thoughts of Cersei Lannister

Prince Rhaegar loved his Lady Lyanna and thousands died for it.[28]

—thoughts of Barristan Selmy

Family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aegon V
 
Betha
Blackwood
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Duncan
 
Jenny
of Oldstones
 
Jaehaerys II
 
Shaera
 
Daeron
 
Rhaelle
 
Ormund
Baratheon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aerys II
 
Rhaella
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
House Baratheon.svg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rhaegar
 
Elia
Martell
 
Shaena
 
 
Stillborn
child
 
 
Jaehaerys
 
 
Drogo
 
Daenerys
 
Hizdahr
zo Loraq
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rhaenys
 
Aegon
 
 
 
Daeron
 
Aegon
 
Viserys
 
Rhaego
 

Patrilineal descent

  1. King Aegon I Targaryen, First Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
  2. King Aenys I Targaryen, Second Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
  3. King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, Fourth Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
  4. Prince Baelon Targaryen
  5. Prince Daemon Targaryen
  6. King Viserys II Targaryen, Tenth Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
  7. King Aegon IV Targaryen, Eleventh Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
  8. King Daeron II Targaryen, Twelfth Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
  9. King Maekar I Targaryen, Fourteenth Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
  10. King Aegon V Targaryen, Fifteenth Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
  11. King Jaehaerys II Targaryen, Sixteenth Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
  12. King Aerys II Targaryen, Seventeenth Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
  13. Prince Rhaegar Targaryen

Notes

  1. Erroneously listed as 282 AC in early prints of The World of Ice & Fire, which has subsequently been corrected into 283 AC in later prints.
  2. The World of Ice & Fire lists two contradicting dates. In "The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II", the announcement is stated to have been made in 280 AC, but in "The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring", the announcement of the tourney is stated as having been made in 281 AC. It is confirmed 280 AC is correct in later editions.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 24, The Lost Lord.
  2. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 24, Bran II.
  3. 3.0 3.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 23, Daenerys III.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 35, Samwell IV.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
  7. 7.0 7.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion.
  8. 8.0 8.1 A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
  9. 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 24, Cersei V.
  10. The Winds of Winter, Arianne I
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 61, The Griffin Reborn.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 48, Daenerys IV.
  13. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
  14. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 12, Cersei III.
  15. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 17, Cersei IV.
  16. 16.0 16.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 58, Eddard XV.
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 8, Jaime I.
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 8, Daenerys I.
  19. 19.00 19.01 19.02 19.03 19.04 19.05 19.06 19.07 19.08 19.09 19.10 19.11 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 42, Daenerys IV.
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 23, Daenerys II.
  21. 21.0 21.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 35, Eddard IX.
  22. 22.0 22.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 55, The Queensguard.
  23. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 61, Daenerys VII.
  24. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 27, Daenerys II.
  25. So Spake Martin: Union Square Signing, July 14, 2011
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Rhaegar Targaryen.
  27. 27.0 27.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 22, Tyrion VI.
  28. 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 67, The Kingbreaker.
  29. So Spake Martin: To Be Continued (Chicago, IL; May 6-8), May 06, 2005.
  30. 30.0 30.1 A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
  31. 31.0 31.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring.
  32. 32.0 32.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 44, Jaime VI.
  33. So Spake Martin: Asshai.com Forum Chat, (July 27, 2008)
  34. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 30, Eddard VII.
  35. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 53, Tyrion VI.
  36. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 37, Jaime V.
  37. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Lyanna Stark.
  38. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 47, Eddard XIII.
  39. A Dance with Dragons, Epilogue.
  40. 40.0 40.1 40.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 12, Eddard II.
  41. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 15, Sansa I.
  42. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 68, Daenerys IX.
  43. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 69, Tyrion IX.
  44. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 12, Daenerys I.
  45. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 27, Jaime III.
  46. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 23, Daenerys IV.
  47. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 43, Daenerys VII.
  48. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 18, Tyrion V.
  49. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 71, Daenerys VI.