Difference between revisions of "Aenys I Targaryen"

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{{Hatnote|For "the second Aenys" Targaryen erroneously referred to in some editions of ''A Feast for Crows'', see [[Aerys II Targaryen]]}}
 
{{Monarch
 
{{Monarch
 
| name = [[File:House Targaryen.svg|50px|left]] '''Aenys I''' [[File:House Targaryen.svg|50px|right]]
 
| name = [[File:House Targaryen.svg|50px|left]] '''Aenys I''' [[File:House Targaryen.svg|50px|right]]
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| reign = {{Date|37}} - {{Date|42}}
 
| reign = {{Date|37}} - {{Date|42}}
 
| coronation =
 
| coronation =
| othertitles = [[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]]<br>[[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]<br>[[Protector of the Realm]]
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| othertitles = [[Prince]]{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragons}}<br>[[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]]<br>[[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]<br>[[Protector of the Realm]]
 
| fullname = Aenys Targaryen the First of His Name
 
| fullname = Aenys Targaryen the First of His Name
 +
| alias = King Abomination{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
 
| predecessor = [[Aegon I Targaryen]]
 
| predecessor = [[Aegon I Targaryen]]
 
| successor = [[Maegor I Targaryen]]
 
| successor = [[Maegor I Targaryen]]
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| dateofbirth = {{Date|7}}{{Ref|tsotd}}
 
| dateofbirth = {{Date|7}}{{Ref|tsotd}}
 
| placeofbirth = [[Dragonstone]]{{Ref|awoiaf| Aenys I Targaryen}}
 
| placeofbirth = [[Dragonstone]]{{Ref|awoiaf| Aenys I Targaryen}}
| dateofdeath = {{Date|42}}{{Ref|aGoT|Appendix}}
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| dateofdeath = {{Date|42}}{{Ref|aGoT|Appendix}} <small>(aged 35)</small>{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
 
| placeofdeath = [[Dragonstone]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
 
| placeofdeath = [[Dragonstone]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
 
| dateofburial =
 
| dateofburial =
 
| placeofburial =
 
| placeofburial =
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[The Sons of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (appendix)
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| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[The Rise of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[The Sons of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (appendix)
 
}}
 
}}
  
'''Aenys I Targaryen''' was [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]] and the second [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] king to sit the [[Iron Throne]]. He was the son of King [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and his younger sister-wife, Queen [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]. He had a younger half-brother [[Maegor I Targaryen]].
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'''Aenys I Targaryen''' was [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]] and the second [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] king to sit the [[Iron Throne]]. He was the son of King [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and his younger sister-wife, Queen [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]. He had a younger half-brother, [[Maegor I Targaryen]].
  
 
==Appearance and Character==
 
==Appearance and Character==
At birth, Aenys was small, with spindly limbs and small, watery eyes. He was weak and sickly for the first few years of his life, and slow to grow, but once he was given the hatchling [[Quicksilver]] Aenys began to thrive.{{Ref|tsotd}}{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} Although not in his youth,{{Ref|tsotd}} as an adult Aenys was as tall as his father, yet slender and weedy at the same time.<ref name=ssm>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Targaryen_Kings Targaryen Kings (November 1, 2005)]</ref> His fingers were long and slim. He had [[Purple eyes|lilac eyes]], paler than his father's had been, and curly hair which fell to his shoulders in ringlets.<ref name=ssm/> He also wore a silky beard and mustache.<ref name=ssm/>
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At birth, Aenys was small, with spindly limbs and small, watery eyes. He was weak and sickly for the first few years of his life, and slow to grow, but once he was given the hatchling [[Quicksilver]], Aenys began to thrive.{{Ref|tsotd}}{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} Although not in his youth,{{Ref|tsotd}} as an adult Aenys was as tall as his father, yet slender and weedy at the same time.<ref name=ssm>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Targaryen_Kings Targaryen Kings (November 1, 2005)]</ref> His fingers were long and slim. He had [[Purple eyes|lilac eyes]], paler than his father's had been, and curly hair which fell to his shoulders in ringlets.<ref name=ssm/> He also wore a silky beard and mustache.<ref name=ssm/>
  
Aenys dressed in the finest silks, samites, and velvets.{{Ref|tsotd}} Aenys was a kindhearted, courteous, charming, and soft-spoken man, who wished to be loved by everyone and always sought to please.{{Ref|tsotd}} This made him indecisive, as he would dither and hesitate over his decisions, fearing to disappoint someone.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} He made friends easily, but he also trusted everyone and allowed himself to be easily influenced.{{Ref|tsotd}} He was a dreamer and delighted in music and dance,{{Ref|tsotd}} so much so that he became a patron of singers, mummers, and mimes.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} He was a good singer himself, and had a "strong, sweet voice".{{Ref|tsotd}} A charming man, young girls doted on him.{{Ref|tsotd}}
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Aenys dressed in the finest silks, samites, and velvets.{{Ref|tsotd}} Aenys was a kindhearted, courteous, charming, and soft-spoken man, who wished to be loved by everyone and always sought to please.{{Ref|tsotd}} This made him indecisive, as he would dither and hesitate over his decisions, fearing to disappoint someone.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} He made friends easily, but he also trusted everyone and allowed himself to be easily influenced.{{Ref|tsotd}} He was a dreamer and delighted in music and dance,{{Ref|tsotd}} so much so that he became a patron of singers, [[mummer]]s, and mimes.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} He was a good singer himself, and had a "strong, sweet voice".{{Ref|tsotd}} A charming man, young girls doted on him.{{Ref|tsotd}}
  
 
A diligent student who did not lack for courage, Aenys was an adequate fighter. However, he was not a warrior, and lacked his father's strength.{{Ref|tsotd}} Training for battle eventually lost every appeal to him. Instead, he preferred the companionship of [[maesters]] and [[septons]], and dabbled in alchemy, astronomy, and astrology.{{Ref|tsotd}}{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} Aenys was a clever man, though he could not be considered bookish.{{Ref|tsotd}} He also loved to ride, and was given coursers, palfreys, and destriers. However, his favorite mount was always his [[dragon]], Quicksilver.{{Ref|tsotd}}
 
A diligent student who did not lack for courage, Aenys was an adequate fighter. However, he was not a warrior, and lacked his father's strength.{{Ref|tsotd}} Training for battle eventually lost every appeal to him. Instead, he preferred the companionship of [[maesters]] and [[septons]], and dabbled in alchemy, astronomy, and astrology.{{Ref|tsotd}}{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} Aenys was a clever man, though he could not be considered bookish.{{Ref|tsotd}} He also loved to ride, and was given coursers, palfreys, and destriers. However, his favorite mount was always his [[dragon]], Quicksilver.{{Ref|tsotd}}
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==History==
 
==History==
 
===Early life===
 
===Early life===
Aenys was born on [[Dragonstone]] in {{Date|7}} to King [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and Queen [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]. He was weak and sickly at birth and cried all the time. He refused to nurse from [[wet nurse]]s and would only nurse at his mother's breast. He was so unlike the king that it was rumored that the boy could not be the son of Aegon the Conqueror, who was a peerless warrior, and that perhaps his father had been one of the singers or mummers that Rhaenys had delighted in.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}} Aenys was three years old when his mother died in [[Dorne]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}} Always weak and sickly, the death of his mother shattered him. He went back to crawling around as if he were a baby. However, when Aenys was given the hatchling [[dragon]] [[Quicksilver]], his condition quickly improved, and "as the dragon grew, so too did Aenys." The rumors that he was not Aegon's son ended at this time.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}}
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Aenys was born on [[Dragonstone]] in {{Date|7}} to King [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and Queen [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]. He was weak and sickly at birth and cried all the time. He refused to nurse from [[wet nurse]]s and would only nurse at his mother's breast. He was so unlike the king that it was rumored that the boy could not be the son of Aegon the Conqueror, who was a peerless warrior, and that perhaps his father had been one of the singers or mummers that Rhaenys delighted in.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}} Aenys was three years old when his mother died in [[Dorne]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}} Always weak and sickly, the death of his mother shattered him. He went back to crawling around as if he were a baby. However, when Aenys was given the hatchling [[dragon]] [[Quicksilver]], his condition quickly improved, and "as the dragon grew, so too did Aenys." The rumors that he was not Aegon's son ended at this time.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}}
  
 
Aenys was five years older than his half-brother, [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]]. He was not close with Maegor while growing up, as Aenys was kept by his father's side in [[King's Landing]], while Visenya and Maegor lived on Dragonstone. Aenys was trained by his father's [[Kingsguard]], and although he was an adequate fighter, he lacked his father's size and strength. From time to time Aegon would let him practice with the [[Valyrian steel]] [[Bastard sword|sword]] [[Blackfyre]].{{Ref|tsotd}}
 
Aenys was five years older than his half-brother, [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]]. He was not close with Maegor while growing up, as Aenys was kept by his father's side in [[King's Landing]], while Visenya and Maegor lived on Dragonstone. Aenys was trained by his father's [[Kingsguard]], and although he was an adequate fighter, he lacked his father's size and strength. From time to time Aegon would let him practice with the [[Valyrian steel]] [[Bastard sword|sword]] [[Blackfyre]].{{Ref|tsotd}}
  
Aenys was married to [[Alyssa Velaryon]] in {{Date|22}}. Their marriage was a political match.{{Ref|awoiaf| Aenys I Targaryen}} Together they had six children: three sons ([[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]], [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys]] and [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]]) and three daughters ([[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] and [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Vaella]]).{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineages}}
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Aenys was married to [[Alyssa Velaryon]] in {{Date|22}}. Their marriage was a political match.{{Ref|awoiaf| Aenys I Targaryen}} Together they had six children: three sons, ([[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]], [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys]] and [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]]), and three daughters, ([[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] and [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Vaella]]).{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineages}} By all accounts, Aenys had a good and loving relationship with his wife and their children.{{Ref|tsotd}}
  
Aenys accompanied his father to [[Sunspear]] to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the peace between the Iron Throne and [[Dorne]].{{Ref|tsotd}} When King Aegon I turned sixty, Aenys took over the royal progresses together with his wife, Alyssa.{{Ref|tsotd}} In {{Date|37}}, when King Aegon I died of a stroke at Dragonstone, Aenys was at [[Highgarden]]. He swiftly flew Quicksilver to Dragonstone for the funeral and his coronation.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} He was proclaimed king by Grand Maester [[Gawen]].{{Ref|tsotd}} After Maegor had spoken the eulogy for their father and Aegon had been cremated, Aenys gifted his brother with the sword Blackfyre, admitting that Maegor was more fit to wield the blade than he was. Aenys asked Maegor to wield the sword in service to him, and told his brother that they would rule together.{{Ref|tsotd}}
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Aenys accompanied his father to [[Sunspear]] to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the peace between the Iron Throne and [[Dorne]].{{Ref|tsotd}} When King Aegon I turned sixty, Aenys took over the [[royal progress]]es together with his wife, Alyssa.{{Ref|tsotd}} In {{Date|37}}, when King Aegon I died of a stroke at Dragonstone, Aenys was at [[Highgarden]]. He swiftly flew Quicksilver to Dragonstone for the funeral and his coronation.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} He was proclaimed king by Grand Maester [[Gawen]].{{Ref|tsotd}} After Maegor had spoken the eulogy for their father and Aegon had been cremated, Aenys gifted his brother with the sword Blackfyre, admitting that Maegor was more fit to wield the blade than he was. Aenys asked Maegor to wield the sword in service to him, and told his brother that they would rule together.{{Ref|tsotd}}
  
After Aegon's funeral, Aenys traveled to King's Landing where he claimed his father's throne amidst the rubble and mud of the torn-down [[Aegonfort]] and the foundations of the [[Red Keep]]. He was cheered by many. There are conflicting written accounts about his coronation by the [[maesters]], According to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]], Aenys was crowned with his father's circlet of [[Valyrian steel]] and rubies on [[Dragonstone]], and later, when he traveled with his wife and children to [[Oldtown]] by the way of [[Riverrun]], [[Lannisport]], and [[Highgarden]], was presented by the [[High Septon (Aenys I)|High Septon]] at the [[Starry Sept]] with a crown of yellow gold, with the faces of the Seven inlaid in jade and pearl.{{Ref|tsotd}} However, according to [[Maester]] [[Yandel]], Aenys was crowned during a ceremony in the [[Red Keep]] with an ornate golden [[crown]].{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
+
After Aegon's funeral, Aenys traveled to King's Landing, where he claimed his father's throne amidst the rubble and mud of the torn-down [[Aegonfort]] and the foundations of the [[Red Keep]]. He was cheered by many. There are conflicting written accounts about his coronation by the [[maesters]]. According to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]], Aenys was crowned with his father's circlet of [[Valyrian steel]] and rubies on [[Dragonstone]], and later, when he traveled with his wife and children to [[Oldtown]] by the way of [[Riverrun]], [[Lannisport]], and [[Highgarden]], was presented by the [[High Septon (Aenys I)|High Septon]] at the [[Starry Sept]] with a crown of yellow gold, with the faces of the Seven inlaid in jade and pearl.{{Ref|tsotd}} However, according to [[Maester]] [[Yandel]], Aenys was crowned during a ceremony in the [[Red Keep]] with an ornate golden [[crown]].{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
  
 
===Reign===
 
===Reign===
 
[[File:Magali VilleneuKing Aenys I upon the Iron Throne.jpg|King Aenys upon the [[Iron Throne]], as depicted by Magali Villeneuve in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''.|thumb|330px|right]]
 
[[File:Magali VilleneuKing Aenys I upon the Iron Throne.jpg|King Aenys upon the [[Iron Throne]], as depicted by Magali Villeneuve in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''.|thumb|330px|right]]
  
Aenys received the blessings of the [[Faith of the Seven|Faith]]. Nonetheless, some people casted doubt on his ability to rule. Dowager Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] voiced a similar opinion, claiming that, by giving [[Blackfyre]] to [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]], Aenys had admitted that he lacked the strength to rule.{{Ref|tsotd}}
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Aenys received the blessings of the [[Faith of the Seven|Faith]]. Nonetheless, some people cast doubt on his ability to rule. Dowager Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] voiced a similar opinion, claiming that, by giving [[Blackfyre]] to [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]], Aenys had admitted that he lacked the strength to rule.{{Ref|tsotd}}
  
Within the first year of his reign, uprisings led by four rebels rose throughout the realm. The first of these occurred in the [[riverlands]], where a bandit outlaw known as [[Harren the Red|Red Harren]] claimed to be a grandson of [[Harren Hoare|Harren the Black]]. Harren and his men seized [[Harrenhal]] and killed Lord [[Gargon Qoherys]]. On the [[Iron Islands]], a man claiming to be the priest-king [[Lodos (II)|Lodos]] began to gather followers, while in the [[Dornish marches]] the [[Vulture King (I)|Vulture King]] began to gather an army of [[Dornishmen]] who wished to avenge the destruction visited upon [[Dorne]] during the [[First Dornish War]]. Finally in the [[Vale of Arryn|Vale]], Lord [[Ronnel Arryn (King)|Ronnel Arryn]] was taken captive by his own brother, [[Jonos Arryn]].
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Within the first year of his reign, uprisings led by four rebels rose throughout the realm. The first of these occurred in the [[riverlands]], where a bandit [[outlaw]] known as [[Harren the Red|Red Harren]] claimed to be a grandson of [[Harren Hoare|Harren the Black]]. Harren and his men seized [[Harrenhal]] and killed Lord [[Gargon Qoherys]]. On the [[Iron Islands]], a man claiming to be the priest-king [[Lodos (II)|Lodos]] began to gather followers, while in the [[Dornish marches]] the [[Vulture King (Aenys I)|Vulture King]] began to gather an army of [[Dornishmen]] who wished to avenge the destruction visited upon [[Dorne]] during the [[First Dornish War]]. Finally, in the [[Vale of Arryn|Vale]], Lord [[Ronnel Arryn (King)|Ronnel Arryn]] was taken captive by his own brother, [[Jonos Arryn]].
  
Convinced that the [[smallfolk]] loved him, Aenys did not understand why people felt the need to rebel against him. He considered sending messengers to the four rebels, to learn why they had rebelled. While Aenys was unable to decide how best to handle the rebels, the lords of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] took matters into their own hands. Lord [[Allard Royce]] gathered forces and penned Jonos up in the [[Eyrie]], after which Prince Maegor flew up to the Eyrie on [[Balerion]] to resolve the situation.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}} Lord [[Goren Greyjoy]] sent his fleet to [[Old Wyk]] and [[Great Wyk]], where thousands of the followers of the priest-king Lodos were massacred. Lodos himself was slain as well, and his pickled head was sent to King Aenys in a jar.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}} The largest of the threats, the Vulture King, was mostly ignored by Princess [[Deria Martell]], although she assured Aenys that she were doing everything she could to put the rebellion down. Eventually the [[Marcher lords]] resolved the situation, by defeating the followers of the Vulture King and capturing the Vulture King at the conclusion of the [[Vulture Hunt]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}} Red Harren lasted the longest of all rebels, but he too was eventually defeated. Aenys sent his [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Alyn Stokeworth]], to hunt Harren down with a few hundred men. Harren eventually killed by Lord Alyn's squire, [[Bernarr Brune]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}}  
+
Convinced that the [[smallfolk]] loved him, Aenys did not understand why people felt the need to rebel against him. He considered sending messengers to the four rebels, to learn why they had rebelled. While Aenys was unable to decide how best to handle the rebels, the lords of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] took matters into their own hands. Lord [[Allard Royce]] gathered forces and penned Jonos up in the [[Eyrie]], after which Prince Maegor flew up to the Eyrie on [[Balerion]] to resolve the situation.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}} Lord [[Goren Greyjoy]] sent his fleet to [[Old Wyk]] and [[Great Wyk]], where thousands of the followers of the priest-king Lodos were massacred. Lodos himself was slain as well, and his pickled head was sent to King Aenys in a jar.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}} The largest of the threats, the Vulture King, was mostly ignored by Princess [[Deria Martell]], although she assured Aenys that she was doing everything she could to put the rebellion down. Eventually the [[marcher lords]] resolved the situation, by defeating the followers of the Vulture King and capturing the Vulture King at the conclusion of the [[Vulture Hunt]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}} Red Harren lasted the longest of all rebels, but he too was eventually defeated. Aenys sent his [[Hand of the King]], Lord [[Alyn Stokeworth]], to hunt Harren down with a few hundred men. Harren was eventually killed by Lord Alyn's squire, [[Bernarr Brune]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}}
  
When all these insurrections finally ended, Aenys rewarded all [[lord]]s and [[knight]]s who had led their forces against the rebels with gold, titles, and lands. Bernarr Brune was personally knighted by Aenys as a reward for his service. Aenys granted Goren Greyjoy ''"any boon he might desire"'' as a show of gratitude, a decision Aenys would later regret as Goren required that he be allowed to expel all the [[Faith of the Seven]] from the Iron Islands, much to the Faith's fury.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}}
+
When all these insurrections finally ended, Aenys rewarded all [[lord]]s and [[knight]]s who had led their forces against the rebels with gold, titles, and lands. Bernarr Brune was personally knighted by Aenys as a reward for his service. Aenys granted Goren Greyjoy ''"any boon he might desire"'' as a show of gratitude, a decision Aenys would later regret as Goren required that he be allowed to expel the [[Faith of the Seven]] from the Iron Islands, much to the Faith's fury.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}}
  
As Lord Alyn Stokeworth had been killed by Red Harren, Aenys named his brother Maegor as his new Hand of the King. The two brothers despite there differences ruled together amicably for two years.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}} In {{Date|39}}, shortly after the birth of Aenys's sixth child, [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Vaella]] (who died in the cradle), a new crisis arose. Prince Maegor announced that [[Ceryse Hightower|his wife]] was barren and that he thus had taken a [[Alys Harroway|second wife]]. Aenys and Maegor quarreled bitterly about the [[polygamy|polygamous marriage]]. The [[High Septon (Aenys I)|High Septon]] denounced the marriage, and many of the pious lords in the realm similarly condemned the marriage. Feeling he had no other option,{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} a furious Aenys gave his brother a choice: either set [[Alys Harroway]] aside or go into exile for five years. Maegor chose the latter option and left for [[Pentos]] in {{Date|40}} with Alys and Balerion. Aenys requested that his brother return Blackfyre before he left, but Maegor refused to do so.{{Ref|tsotd}} In an attempt to placate the Faith, Aenys named [[Septon]] [[Murmison]] as his new Hand of the King. However, the High Septon continued to voice his discontent, while the lords of [[Westeros]] began to call Aenys weak and consider him incapable of ruling. Aenys was oblivious to these criticisms.  
+
As Lord Alyn Stokeworth had been killed by Red Harren, Aenys named his brother Maegor as his new Hand of the King. Despite their differences, the brothers ruled together amicably for two years.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}} In {{Date|39}}, shortly after the birth of Aenys's sixth child, [[Vaella Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Vaella]] (who died in the cradle), a new crisis arose. Prince Maegor announced that [[Ceryse Hightower|his wife]] was barren and that he had thus taken a [[Alys Harroway|second wife]]. Aenys and Maegor quarreled bitterly about the [[polygamy|polygamous marriage]]. The [[High Septon (Aenys I)|High Septon]] denounced the marriage, and many of the pious lords in the realm similarly condemned it. Feeling he had no other option,{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} a furious Aenys gave his brother a choice: either set [[Alys Harroway]] aside or go into exile for five years. Maegor chose the latter option, and left for [[Pentos]] in {{Date|40}} with Alys and Balerion. Aenys requested that his brother return Blackfyre before he left, but Maegor refused to do so.{{Ref|tsotd}} In an attempt to placate the Faith, Aenys named [[Septon]] [[Murmison]] as his new Hand of the King. However, the High Septon continued to voice his discontent, while the lords of [[Westeros]] began to call Aenys weak and consider him incapable of ruling. Aenys was oblivious to these criticisms.
  
In {{Date|41}}, Aenys decided to wed his daughter, Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], to his son and heir, Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]].
+
In {{Date|41}}, Aenys announced that his eldest daughter, Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], would wed his eldest son and heir, Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]]. The negative reactions to his announcement took Aenys by surprise. The Faith condemned the planned [[incest|incestuous]] marriage as an obscenity, Aenys though normally indecisive, decided to stand by his decision this time and went ahead with the wedding. On the day of the wedding, [[Warrior's Sons]] scowled and made note of the guests as they entered the [[Sept of Remembrance]]. At the feast that followed the ceremony, Aenys named Aegon [[Prince of Dragonstone]], a title which had previously belonged to his brother Maegor. Dowager Queen Visenya left the feast in protest.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
The Faith condemned the planned [[incest|incestuous]] marriage as an obscenity and sent messages to the King letting him know the doctrines of the [[Faith of the Seven]] on this issue. Aenys I though normally indecisive   decided to go ahead with the marriage. On the day of the wedding [[Warrior's Sons]] scowled and made note of the guests as they entered the [[Sept of Remembrance]]. At the feast that followed the ceremony, Aenys named Aegon [[Prince of Dragonstone]], a title which had previously belonged to his brother Maegor. Dowager Queen Visenya left the feast in protest. {{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}}
 
  
Aenys decided to Aegon and Rhaena on a royal progress throughout the realm, Rhaena wiser than her father asked his leave to bring her dragon [[Dreamfyre]] with them, but the request was denied. As Aegon had not yet claimed a dragon, Aenys feared that the lords and commons might think his son unmanly if they saw his wife on dragonback and him on a palfrey. The smallfolk were not receptive of the couple, jeering them wherever they went. {{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}} For having performed the wedding ceremony, Septon Murmison was expelled from the Faith. When Aenys asked the High Septon to restore Murmison, explaining the long history of [[Valyria|Valyrian]] [[marriage]] [[customs]] practiced by [[House Targaryen]], he received a denunciation as a response, addressed to "King Abomination". The pious lords of the realm, and even the [[smallfolk]] who had once loved Aenys, turned against him. When the High Septon declared Aenys to be a pretender and a tyrant who had no right to rule the Seven Kingdoms, the Faithful responded. Within a fortnight, Septon Murmison was hacked in pieces, signaling the start of the [[Faith Militant uprising]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
+
Aenys decided to send Aegon and Rhaena on a royal progress throughout the realm to win the love of the people, remembering the cheers of the smallfolk when he made his own progresses. He refused Rhaena when she requested to bring her dragon [[Dreamfyre]] with them, not wanting his son Aegon to seem unmanly by riding on a palfrey while his wife rode on dragonback. However, Rhaena and Aegon were jeered wherever they went.{{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}} For having performed the wedding ceremony, Septon Murmison was expelled from the Faith. When Aenys asked the High Septon to restore Murmison, explaining the long history of [[Valyria|Valyrian]] [[marriage]] [[customs]] practiced by [[House Targaryen]], he received a denunciation as a response, addressed to "King Abomination". The pious lords of the realm, and even the [[smallfolk]] who had once loved Aenys, turned against him. When the High Septon declared Aenys to be a pretender and a tyrant who had no right to rule the Seven Kingdoms, the Faithful responded. Within a fortnight, Septon Murmison was hacked in pieces, signaling the start of the [[Faith Militant uprising]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
  
The [[Warrior's Sons]] fortified the [[Sept of Remembrance]] on [[Rhaenys's Hill]]. Aenys decided to leave for [[Dragonstone]] with his family. Three days before they were set to sail, Ser [[Raymont Baratheon]] of the [[Kingsguard]] saved Aenys's life when two [[Poor Fellows]] scaled the walls of the king's manse upon [[Visenya's Hill]] and slipped into the royal apartments in an attempt to murder the king.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Stormlands: The Men of the Stormlands}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}} At Dragonstone Dowager Queen Visenya counseled him to bring "''fire and blood''" to the [[Starry Sept]] and Sept of Remembrance. Aenys refused to do so, but at the same time was incapable of deciding how to act instead. Eventually, the king fell ill. By late {{Date|41}}, most of the realm had turned against him. Thousands of [[Poor Fellows]] prowled the roads threatening and slaying any of the king's supporters, while dozens of lords took up arms against the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}}
+
The [[Warrior's Sons]] fortified the [[Sept of Remembrance]] on [[Rhaenys's Hill]]. Aenys decided to leave for [[Dragonstone]] with his family. Three days before they were set to sail, Ser [[Raymont Baratheon]] of the [[Kingsguard]] saved Aenys's life when two [[Poor Fellows]] scaled the walls of the king's manse upon [[Visenya's Hill]] and slipped into the royal apartments in an attempt to murder the king.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Stormlands: The Men of the Stormlands}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}} At Dragonstone, Dowager Queen Visenya counseled him to bring "''fire and blood''" to the [[Starry Sept]] and Sept of Remembrance. Aenys refused to do so, but at the same time was incapable of deciding how to act instead. Eventually, the king fell ill. By late {{Date|41}}, most of the realm had turned against him. Thousands of [[Poor Fellows]] prowled the roads, threatening and slaying any of the king's supporters, while dozens of lords took up arms against the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|tsotd}}
  
 
According to [[Grand Maester]] [[Gawen]], Aenys looked like a man of sixty even though he was only thirty-five years old. The maester despaired of improving his condition. When Dowager Queen Visenya took over his care, Aenys briefly improved, but he suffered a collapse upon learning that his eldest [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|son]] and [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|daughter]] were besieged at [[Crakehall]] during their yearly progress.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
 
According to [[Grand Maester]] [[Gawen]], Aenys looked like a man of sixty even though he was only thirty-five years old. The maester despaired of improving his condition. When Dowager Queen Visenya took over his care, Aenys briefly improved, but he suffered a collapse upon learning that his eldest [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|son]] and [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|daughter]] were besieged at [[Crakehall]] during their yearly progress.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
Line 75: Line 76:
 
Aenys died in {{Date|42}}, after only ruling for five years, at the age of thirty-five.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} He was cremated at [[Dragonstone]], with his widow, [[Alyssa Velaryon]], singing a dirge for him.{{Ref|tsotd}} Years later, some people suggested that Dowager Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] had been responsible for Aenys's sudden death. They cited Visenya's preference of her own son, [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]], her ambition to seat him upon the throne, and the fact that she took care of the sick Aenys when he apparently disgusted her as her reasons.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
 
Aenys died in {{Date|42}}, after only ruling for five years, at the age of thirty-five.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} He was cremated at [[Dragonstone]], with his widow, [[Alyssa Velaryon]], singing a dirge for him.{{Ref|tsotd}} Years later, some people suggested that Dowager Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] had been responsible for Aenys's sudden death. They cited Visenya's preference of her own son, [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]], her ambition to seat him upon the throne, and the fact that she took care of the sick Aenys when he apparently disgusted her as her reasons.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
  
The [[Iron Throne]], due to Visenya's actions after Aenys' death, passed to Aenys's half-brother [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] instead of Aenys's eldest son [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}{{Ref|tsotd}}
+
Due to Visenya's actions after Aenys' death, the [[Iron Throne]] passed to Aenys's half-brother [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] instead of Aenys's eldest son [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}{{Ref|tsotd}}
  
 
==Small Council under Aenys I==
 
==Small Council under Aenys I==
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!Name
 
!Name
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[Hand of the King]]
+
| rowspan="3"| [[Hand of the King]]
 
| {{Date|37|37}}
 
| {{Date|37|37}}
 
| Lord [[Alyn Stokeworth]]
 
| Lord [[Alyn Stokeworth]]
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==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
 
{{Quote|The king was easily influenced, swaying this way and that like a reed into the wind, like as not to heed whichever councillor last had his ear.{{Ref|tsotd}}|writings of [[Gawen|Grand Maester Gawen]]}}
 
{{Quote|The king was easily influenced, swaying this way and that like a reed into the wind, like as not to heed whichever councillor last had his ear.{{Ref|tsotd}}|writings of [[Gawen|Grand Maester Gawen]]}}
 
  
 
{{Quote|How can he rule the [[Seven Kingdoms]] when he cannot rule his [[Maegor I Targaryen|brother]]?{{Ref|tsotd}}|[[lord]]s on Aenys's rule and his relationship with [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]]}}
 
{{Quote|How can he rule the [[Seven Kingdoms]] when he cannot rule his [[Maegor I Targaryen|brother]]?{{Ref|tsotd}}|[[lord]]s on Aenys's rule and his relationship with [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]]}}
 
  
 
{{Quote|You are a fool and a weakling, nephew. Do you think any man would ever have dared speak so to your [[Aegon I Targaryen|father]]?{{Ref|tsotd}}|[[Visenya Targaryen]] to Aenys}}
 
{{Quote|You are a fool and a weakling, nephew. Do you think any man would ever have dared speak so to your [[Aegon I Targaryen|father]]?{{Ref|tsotd}}|[[Visenya Targaryen]] to Aenys}}
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[[Category:House Targaryen]]
 
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[[Category:Characters with purple eyes|Targaryen, Aenys I]]
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[[Category:Kings of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]]
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[[Category:Members of Aegon I Targaryen's court|Targaryen, Aenys I]]
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[[Category:Monarchs|Targaryen, Aenys I]]
 
[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Aenys I]]
 
[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Aenys I]]
 
[[Category:Princes of Dragonstone|Targaryen, Aenys I]]
 
[[Category:Princes of Dragonstone|Targaryen, Aenys I]]
[[Category:Kings of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]]
 
 
[[Category:Protectors of the Realm|Targaryen, Aenys I]]
 
[[Category:Protectors of the Realm|Targaryen, Aenys I]]
[[Category:Monarchs|Targaryen, Aenys I]]
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[[Category:Wielders of Blackfyre|Targaryen, Aenys]]
[[Category:Members of Aegon I Targaryen's court|Targaryen, Aenys I]]
 
  
 
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[[es:Aenys I Targaryen]]

Revision as of 01:20, 28 October 2022

House Targaryen.svg
Aenys I
House Targaryen.svg
AENYS I.jpg
Aenys I by Amok©.
Monarch
Reign 37 AC - 42 AC
Full name Aenys Targaryen the First of His Name
Titles
Predecessor Aegon I Targaryen
Heir Aegon Targaryen
Successor Maegor I Targaryen
Personal Information
Alias King Abomination[2]
Born In 7 AC[3], at Dragonstone[4]
Died In 42 AC[5] (aged 35)[6], at Dragonstone[6]
Family
Dynasty House Targaryen
Queen Alyssa Velaryon
Issue Rhaena Targaryen
Aegon Targaryen
Viserys Targaryen
Jaehaerys Targaryen
Alysanne Targaryen
Vaella Targaryen
Father Aegon I Targaryen
Mother Rhaenys Targaryen
References
Books

Aenys I Targaryen was Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and the second Targaryen king to sit the Iron Throne. He was the son of King Aegon I Targaryen and his younger sister-wife, Queen Rhaenys Targaryen. He had a younger half-brother, Maegor I Targaryen.

Appearance and Character

At birth, Aenys was small, with spindly limbs and small, watery eyes. He was weak and sickly for the first few years of his life, and slow to grow, but once he was given the hatchling Quicksilver, Aenys began to thrive.[3][6] Although not in his youth,[3] as an adult Aenys was as tall as his father, yet slender and weedy at the same time.[7] His fingers were long and slim. He had lilac eyes, paler than his father's had been, and curly hair which fell to his shoulders in ringlets.[7] He also wore a silky beard and mustache.[7]

Aenys dressed in the finest silks, samites, and velvets.[3] Aenys was a kindhearted, courteous, charming, and soft-spoken man, who wished to be loved by everyone and always sought to please.[3] This made him indecisive, as he would dither and hesitate over his decisions, fearing to disappoint someone.[6] He made friends easily, but he also trusted everyone and allowed himself to be easily influenced.[3] He was a dreamer and delighted in music and dance,[3] so much so that he became a patron of singers, mummers, and mimes.[6] He was a good singer himself, and had a "strong, sweet voice".[3] A charming man, young girls doted on him.[3]

A diligent student who did not lack for courage, Aenys was an adequate fighter. However, he was not a warrior, and lacked his father's strength.[3] Training for battle eventually lost every appeal to him. Instead, he preferred the companionship of maesters and septons, and dabbled in alchemy, astronomy, and astrology.[3][6] Aenys was a clever man, though he could not be considered bookish.[3] He also loved to ride, and was given coursers, palfreys, and destriers. However, his favorite mount was always his dragon, Quicksilver.[3]

History

Early life

Aenys was born on Dragonstone in 7 AC to King Aegon I Targaryen and Queen Rhaenys Targaryen. He was weak and sickly at birth and cried all the time. He refused to nurse from wet nurses and would only nurse at his mother's breast. He was so unlike the king that it was rumored that the boy could not be the son of Aegon the Conqueror, who was a peerless warrior, and that perhaps his father had been one of the singers or mummers that Rhaenys delighted in.[6][3] Aenys was three years old when his mother died in Dorne.[8] Always weak and sickly, the death of his mother shattered him. He went back to crawling around as if he were a baby. However, when Aenys was given the hatchling dragon Quicksilver, his condition quickly improved, and "as the dragon grew, so too did Aenys." The rumors that he was not Aegon's son ended at this time.[6][3]

Aenys was five years older than his half-brother, Maegor. He was not close with Maegor while growing up, as Aenys was kept by his father's side in King's Landing, while Visenya and Maegor lived on Dragonstone. Aenys was trained by his father's Kingsguard, and although he was an adequate fighter, he lacked his father's size and strength. From time to time Aegon would let him practice with the Valyrian steel sword Blackfyre.[3]

Aenys was married to Alyssa Velaryon in 22 AC. Their marriage was a political match.[4] Together they had six children: three sons, (Aegon, Viserys and Jaehaerys), and three daughters, (Rhaena, Alysanne and Vaella).[9] By all accounts, Aenys had a good and loving relationship with his wife and their children.[3]

Aenys accompanied his father to Sunspear to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the peace between the Iron Throne and Dorne.[3] When King Aegon I turned sixty, Aenys took over the royal progresses together with his wife, Alyssa.[3] In 37 AC, when King Aegon I died of a stroke at Dragonstone, Aenys was at Highgarden. He swiftly flew Quicksilver to Dragonstone for the funeral and his coronation.[10] He was proclaimed king by Grand Maester Gawen.[3] After Maegor had spoken the eulogy for their father and Aegon had been cremated, Aenys gifted his brother with the sword Blackfyre, admitting that Maegor was more fit to wield the blade than he was. Aenys asked Maegor to wield the sword in service to him, and told his brother that they would rule together.[3]

After Aegon's funeral, Aenys traveled to King's Landing, where he claimed his father's throne amidst the rubble and mud of the torn-down Aegonfort and the foundations of the Red Keep. He was cheered by many. There are conflicting written accounts about his coronation by the maesters. According to Archmaester Gyldayn, Aenys was crowned with his father's circlet of Valyrian steel and rubies on Dragonstone, and later, when he traveled with his wife and children to Oldtown by the way of Riverrun, Lannisport, and Highgarden, was presented by the High Septon at the Starry Sept with a crown of yellow gold, with the faces of the Seven inlaid in jade and pearl.[3] However, according to Maester Yandel, Aenys was crowned during a ceremony in the Red Keep with an ornate golden crown.[6]

Reign

King Aenys upon the Iron Throne, as depicted by Magali Villeneuve in The World of Ice & Fire.

Aenys received the blessings of the Faith. Nonetheless, some people cast doubt on his ability to rule. Dowager Queen Visenya Targaryen voiced a similar opinion, claiming that, by giving Blackfyre to Maegor, Aenys had admitted that he lacked the strength to rule.[3]

Within the first year of his reign, uprisings led by four rebels rose throughout the realm. The first of these occurred in the riverlands, where a bandit outlaw known as Red Harren claimed to be a grandson of Harren the Black. Harren and his men seized Harrenhal and killed Lord Gargon Qoherys. On the Iron Islands, a man claiming to be the priest-king Lodos began to gather followers, while in the Dornish marches the Vulture King began to gather an army of Dornishmen who wished to avenge the destruction visited upon Dorne during the First Dornish War. Finally, in the Vale, Lord Ronnel Arryn was taken captive by his own brother, Jonos Arryn.

Convinced that the smallfolk loved him, Aenys did not understand why people felt the need to rebel against him. He considered sending messengers to the four rebels, to learn why they had rebelled. While Aenys was unable to decide how best to handle the rebels, the lords of the Seven Kingdoms took matters into their own hands. Lord Allard Royce gathered forces and penned Jonos up in the Eyrie, after which Prince Maegor flew up to the Eyrie on Balerion to resolve the situation.[6][3] Lord Goren Greyjoy sent his fleet to Old Wyk and Great Wyk, where thousands of the followers of the priest-king Lodos were massacred. Lodos himself was slain as well, and his pickled head was sent to King Aenys in a jar.[6][3] The largest of the threats, the Vulture King, was mostly ignored by Princess Deria Martell, although she assured Aenys that she was doing everything she could to put the rebellion down. Eventually the marcher lords resolved the situation, by defeating the followers of the Vulture King and capturing the Vulture King at the conclusion of the Vulture Hunt.[6][3] Red Harren lasted the longest of all rebels, but he too was eventually defeated. Aenys sent his Hand of the King, Lord Alyn Stokeworth, to hunt Harren down with a few hundred men. Harren was eventually killed by Lord Alyn's squire, Bernarr Brune.[6][3]

When all these insurrections finally ended, Aenys rewarded all lords and knights who had led their forces against the rebels with gold, titles, and lands. Bernarr Brune was personally knighted by Aenys as a reward for his service. Aenys granted Goren Greyjoy "any boon he might desire" as a show of gratitude, a decision Aenys would later regret as Goren required that he be allowed to expel the Faith of the Seven from the Iron Islands, much to the Faith's fury.[6][3]

As Lord Alyn Stokeworth had been killed by Red Harren, Aenys named his brother Maegor as his new Hand of the King. Despite their differences, the brothers ruled together amicably for two years.[6][3] In 39 AC, shortly after the birth of Aenys's sixth child, Vaella (who died in the cradle), a new crisis arose. Prince Maegor announced that his wife was barren and that he had thus taken a second wife. Aenys and Maegor quarreled bitterly about the polygamous marriage. The High Septon denounced the marriage, and many of the pious lords in the realm similarly condemned it. Feeling he had no other option,[6] a furious Aenys gave his brother a choice: either set Alys Harroway aside or go into exile for five years. Maegor chose the latter option, and left for Pentos in 40 AC with Alys and Balerion. Aenys requested that his brother return Blackfyre before he left, but Maegor refused to do so.[3] In an attempt to placate the Faith, Aenys named Septon Murmison as his new Hand of the King. However, the High Septon continued to voice his discontent, while the lords of Westeros began to call Aenys weak and consider him incapable of ruling. Aenys was oblivious to these criticisms.

In 41 AC, Aenys announced that his eldest daughter, Princess Rhaena, would wed his eldest son and heir, Prince Aegon. The negative reactions to his announcement took Aenys by surprise. The Faith condemned the planned incestuous marriage as an obscenity, Aenys though normally indecisive, decided to stand by his decision this time and went ahead with the wedding. On the day of the wedding, Warrior's Sons scowled and made note of the guests as they entered the Sept of Remembrance. At the feast that followed the ceremony, Aenys named Aegon Prince of Dragonstone, a title which had previously belonged to his brother Maegor. Dowager Queen Visenya left the feast in protest.[2]

Aenys decided to send Aegon and Rhaena on a royal progress throughout the realm to win the love of the people, remembering the cheers of the smallfolk when he made his own progresses. He refused Rhaena when she requested to bring her dragon Dreamfyre with them, not wanting his son Aegon to seem unmanly by riding on a palfrey while his wife rode on dragonback. However, Rhaena and Aegon were jeered wherever they went.[2] For having performed the wedding ceremony, Septon Murmison was expelled from the Faith. When Aenys asked the High Septon to restore Murmison, explaining the long history of Valyrian marriage customs practiced by House Targaryen, he received a denunciation as a response, addressed to "King Abomination". The pious lords of the realm, and even the smallfolk who had once loved Aenys, turned against him. When the High Septon declared Aenys to be a pretender and a tyrant who had no right to rule the Seven Kingdoms, the Faithful responded. Within a fortnight, Septon Murmison was hacked in pieces, signaling the start of the Faith Militant uprising.[6]

The Warrior's Sons fortified the Sept of Remembrance on Rhaenys's Hill. Aenys decided to leave for Dragonstone with his family. Three days before they were set to sail, Ser Raymont Baratheon of the Kingsguard saved Aenys's life when two Poor Fellows scaled the walls of the king's manse upon Visenya's Hill and slipped into the royal apartments in an attempt to murder the king.[11][6][3] At Dragonstone, Dowager Queen Visenya counseled him to bring "fire and blood" to the Starry Sept and Sept of Remembrance. Aenys refused to do so, but at the same time was incapable of deciding how to act instead. Eventually, the king fell ill. By late 41 AC, most of the realm had turned against him. Thousands of Poor Fellows prowled the roads, threatening and slaying any of the king's supporters, while dozens of lords took up arms against the Iron Throne.[6][3]

According to Grand Maester Gawen, Aenys looked like a man of sixty even though he was only thirty-five years old. The maester despaired of improving his condition. When Dowager Queen Visenya took over his care, Aenys briefly improved, but he suffered a collapse upon learning that his eldest son and daughter were besieged at Crakehall during their yearly progress.[6]

Death

Aenys died in 42 AC, after only ruling for five years, at the age of thirty-five.[6] He was cremated at Dragonstone, with his widow, Alyssa Velaryon, singing a dirge for him.[3] Years later, some people suggested that Dowager Queen Visenya Targaryen had been responsible for Aenys's sudden death. They cited Visenya's preference of her own son, Maegor, her ambition to seat him upon the throne, and the fact that she took care of the sick Aenys when he apparently disgusted her as her reasons.[6]

Due to Visenya's actions after Aenys' death, the Iron Throne passed to Aenys's half-brother Maegor instead of Aenys's eldest son Aegon.[12][3]

Small Council under Aenys I

During the reign of King Aenys, his small council had the following known members:

Office Duration Name
Hand of the King 3737 AC Lord Alyn Stokeworth
3739 AC Prince Maegor Targaryen
4041 AC Septon Murmison
Grand Maester 3742 AC Gawen

Quotes

The king was easily influenced, swaying this way and that like a reed into the wind, like as not to heed whichever councillor last had his ear.[3]

—writings of Grand Maester Gawen

How can he rule the Seven Kingdoms when he cannot rule his brother?[3]

lords on Aenys's rule and his relationship with Maegor

You are a fool and a weakling, nephew. Do you think any man would ever have dared speak so to your father?[3]

Visenya Targaryen to Aenys

Family

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


Notes

References