Difference between revisions of "Daemon Targaryen"

From A Wiki of Ice and Fire
Jump to: navigation, search
(Early reign of Viserys I: from late 104 to late 105)
(42 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Character
+
{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House Targaryen.svg|50px|left]] Daemon Targaryen [[File:City Watch.svg|50px|right]]
+
| firstname = Daemon
 +
| lastname = Targaryen
 +
| arms = Targaryen
 +
| arms2 = City Watch
 +
| title = Prince
 
| image = [[File:Marc Simonetti Damon Prince-VillainII.jpg|300px]]
 
| image = [[File:Marc Simonetti Damon Prince-VillainII.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption = Prince Daemon in his younger days as commander of the [[gold cloaks]]. © Marc Simonetti
+
| image_caption = Prince Daemon as commander of the [[gold cloaks]], by Marc Simonetti ©
| Alias = [[King's Landing|Prince of the City]]{{ref|TRP}}<br>Lord [[Flea Bottom]]{{ref|TRP}}<br>The rogue prince{{ref|TRP}}
+
| Alias = [[King's Landing|Prince of the City]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}<br>Lord [[Flea Bottom]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}<br>The rogue prince{{Ref|TRP}}
| Title = Prince<br>[[City Watch of King's Landing#Known Commanders of the City Watch|Commander of the City Watch]]<br>[[Master of coin]]<br>[[Master of laws]]<br>[[King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]]<br>[[Protector of the Realm]]
+
| Title = [[Prince]]<br>[[Knight|Ser]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}<br>[[City Watch of King's Landing#Known Commanders of the City Watch|Commander of the City Watch]]<br>[[Master of coin]]<br>[[Master of laws]]<br>[[King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]]<br>[[Lord of Runestone]] <small>(claimant)</small>{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}<br>[[Protector of the Realm]]
 +
| Predecessor = [[Lyman Beesbury]] <small>(master of coin)</small>
 +
| Successor = [[Lyonel Strong]] <small>(master of laws)</small><br>[[Racallio Ryndoon]] <small>(King of the Narrow Sea)</small>
 
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]<br>[[Blacks]]
 
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]<br>[[Blacks]]
 
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
 
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
 
| Culture = [[Crownlands]]
 
| Culture = [[Crownlands]]
 +
| Father = [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]]
 +
| Mother = [[Alyssa Targaryen]]
 
| Spouse = 1st: Lady [[Rhea Royce]]<br>2nd: Lady [[Laena Velaryon]]<br>3rd: Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
 
| Spouse = 1st: Lady [[Rhea Royce]]<br>2nd: Lady [[Laena Velaryon]]<br>3rd: Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]
| Issue = [[Baela Targaryen]]<br>[[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]]<br>[[Aegon III Targaryen]]<br>[[Viserys II Targaryen]]<br>[[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Rhaenyra)|Visenya Targaryen]]
+
| Lover = [[Mysaria]]<br>[[Nettles]] <small>(debated)</small>
| Place_of_Birth =  
+
| Issue = [[Baela Targaryen]]<br>[[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]]<br>Stillborn son<br>[[Aegon III Targaryen]]<br>[[Viserys II Targaryen]]<br>[[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Visenya Targaryen]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|81}}{{Ref|fab|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
+
| Place_of_Birth =
 +
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|81}}{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
 
| Place_of_Death = the [[Battle Above the Gods Eye|Gods Eye]]
 
| Place_of_Death = the [[Battle Above the Gods Eye|Gods Eye]]
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|130}}
+
| Date_of_Death = 22<sup>nd</sup> day of the 5<sup>th</sup> moon of {{Date|130}}
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (mentioned)
+
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[The Rise of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[The Rogue Prince]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (mentioned)
 +
| Played_by = [[w:Matt Smith (actor)|Matt Smith]]
 +
| TV_series = ''[[House of the Dragon]]'': [[House of the Dragon - Season 1|1]] {{!}} [[House of the Dragon - Season 2|2]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
Prince '''Daemon Targaryen''' was a member of [[House Targaryen]] and the uncle and husband of Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], whose claim he supported in the [[Dance of the Dragons]].{{ref|tpatq}} He was Rhaenyra's second husband, following Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]]. He was a younger son of Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]], and brother to King [[Viserys I Targaryen]].
+
Prince '''Daemon Targaryen''' was a member of [[House Targaryen]], being a younger son of Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] and a brother of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]]. Daemon was the second husband of [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], [[Princess of Dragonstone]], following Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
Prince Daemon was the most experienced warrior of his time and wielded the [[Valyrian steel]] blade [[Dark Sister]]. A dragonrider whose [[dragon]] was [[Caraxes]], Daemon declared himself the [[King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]].
+
Daemon was the most experienced warrior of his time and wielded the [[Valyrian steel]] blade [[Dark Sister]]. A dragonrider whose [[dragon]] was [[Caraxes]], Daemon declared himself the [[King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} During the [[Dance of the Dragons]], he was a prominent supporter of his wife, Rhaenyra.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}
  
Much of Daemon's life was written about by [[Archmaester]] [[Gyldayn]] in ''[[The Rogue Prince, or, A King's Brother (by Archmaester Gyldayn)|The Rogue Prince, or, A King's Brother]]''.<ref name="ssm">[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://grrm.livejournal.com/360936.html The Rogues Are Coming... (March 12, 2014)]</ref>{{Ref|TRP}}
+
Much of Daemon's life was written about by Archmaester [[Gyldayn]] in ''[[The Rogue Prince, or, A King's Brother]]''.<ref name="ssm">[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://grrm.livejournal.com/360936.html The Rogues Are Coming...] (March 12, 2014)</ref>{{Ref|TRP}}
 +
 
 +
In the television adaptation ''[[House of the Dragon]]'', Daemon is portrayed by [[w:Matt Smith (actor)|Matt Smith]].<ref>HBO.com: [https://www.hbo.com/house-of-the-dragon/cast-and-characters House of the Dragon Cast & Characters]</ref>
  
 
==Appearance and Character==
 
==Appearance and Character==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Daemon Targaryen}}
+
{{See also|:Category:Images of Daemon Targaryen|l1=Images of Daemon Targaryen}}
Daemon was a skilled warrior, described in the histories as dashing, daring, and dangerous. He was also ambitious, impetuous, mercurial, amoral, reckless, and quick to take offense.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} [[Archmaester]] [[Gyldayn]] described Daemon as being as charming as he was hot-tempered.{{ref|trp}}
+
Daemon was described by Maester [[Yandel]] as dashing, daring, and dangerous, but mercurial and quick to take offense.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} Archmaester [[Gyldayn]] wrote that Daemon was ambitious, impetuous, and moody, as charming as he was hot-tempered.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
 +
 
 +
Daemon was a renowned warrior skilled in the joust, hunting, and swordplay.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} He was unfaithful to his third wife, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], taking [[Mysaria]] and possibly [[Nettles]] as his lovers.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
 +
 
 +
Daemon made many friends in [[King's Landing]], especially in [[Flea Bottom]],{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} and among the [[gold cloaks]],{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} as well as in [[Pentos]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} However, he was intensely disliked by Ser [[Otto Hightower]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
 +
 
 +
According to art for ''[[Fire & Blood]]'' and ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'', Daemon had silver hair and wore plate armor.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} While Commander of the [[City Watch of King's Landing]], he wore a gold cloak and a surcoat depicting the three-headed [[dragon]] of [[House Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} He wielded [[Dark Sister]], a [[Valyrian steel]] sword, and rode [[Caraxes]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
===Early life===
 
===Early life===
Daemon was born as the second son of Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] and his sister-wife, Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]], in {{Date|81}}, during the reign of his grandfather, King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]. He had one older brother, [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]], as well as one younger brother, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Baelon)|Aegon]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}} Since his youth, Daemon's face was familiar to every cut-purse, whore, and gambler in [[Flea Bottom]]. He was [[knight]]ed at sixteen, and King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] gave him [[Dark Sister]].{{ref|trp}}
+
Daemon was born as the second son of Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]] and his sister-wife, Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]], in {{Date|81}}, during the reign of his grandfather, King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]. He had one older brother, [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys]], as well as one younger brother, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Baelon)|Aegon]], who died in infancy.{{Ref|TWOIAF|Appendix: Targaryen Lineage}}{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} Within a fortnight of Daemon's birth, Alyssa took the child flying on [[Meleys]].{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} Daemon was free spirited and adventurous in his youth.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
 +
 
 +
Daemon was [[knight]]ed at sixteen, and King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] gave him [[Dark Sister]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
Daemon' first marriage was to Lady [[Rhea Royce]], but he disliked both her and the [[Vale of Arryn]]. During the [[Great Council]] of {{date|101}}, Daemon supported the claim of Prince Viserys, as it would make Daemon the heir after his brother. Daemon gathered a small army when it was rumored that Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] was readying a fleet to defend the rights of his son, [[Laenor Velaryon]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}  
+
In {{Date|97}}, Daemon married Lady [[Rhea Royce]], the heir to [[Runestone]], but he disliked both her and the [[Vale of Arryn]]; Daemon referred to his wife as his "[[bronze]] bitch".{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} During the [[Great Council of 101 AC]], Daemon supported the claim of Prince Viserys, as it would make Daemon the heir after his brother. Daemon gathered a small army of [[sworn sword]]s and [[men-at-arms]] when it was rumored that Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] was readying a [[Velaryon fleet|fleet]] to defend the rights of his son, [[Laenor Velaryon]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}
  
 
===Early reign of Viserys I===
 
===Early reign of Viserys I===
Ser [[Criston Cole]] twice defeated Daemon in the [[tourney for King Viserys I's accession]] in {{Date|104}}.{{Ref|TRP}} Daemon later asked his brother to set his first marriage aside, but was refused. Daemon served briefly as [[master of coin]] from {{Date|103}} until {{Date|104}} and [[master of laws]] for six months after that. Governance bored Daemon and the prince's demeanor made him a rival of the [[Hand of the King]], Ser [[Otto Hightower]], who could not stand Daemon's presence and had begged King Viserys to remove him from the [[small council]].{{Ref|TRP}}  
+
Ser [[Criston Cole]] twice defeated Daemon in the [[tourney for King Viserys I's accession]] in {{Date|104}}, besting him in first the melee and then the joust.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} Daemon asked his brother to set aside his marriage to [[Rhea Royce]], but was refused.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} Daemon served briefly as [[master of coin]] from {{Date|103}} until {{Date|104}} and [[master of laws]] for six months after that.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} Governance bored Daemon, however, and the prince's demeanor made him a rival of the [[Hand of the King]], Ser [[Otto Hightower]], who could not stand Daemon's presence and had begged King Viserys to remove him from the [[small council]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
 +
 
 +
Daemon was appointed Commander of the [[City Watch of King's Landing]], a position he thrived in and maintained for about a year to Otto's regret, as, with two thousand men at his command, he waxed more powerful than ever.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
Daemon was appointed Commander of the [[City Watch of King's Landing]], a position he thrived in and maintained for two years, to the regret of Ser Otto, as, with two thousand men at his command, he waxed more powerful than ever.{{ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
+
Daemon inspired loyalty with many of the rank-and-file men of the City Watch, improving their armaments and equipment. He gave every man a golden cloak, which led to the guards becoming known as the gold cloaks. Crime fell sharply under Daemon's command, likely due to his love of inflicting harsh punishments on thieves and cutpurses.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
Daemon inspired loyalty with many of the rank-and-file men of the City Watch, improving their armaments and equipment. He gave every man a golden cloak, which led to the guards becoming known as the gold cloaks. Crime fell sharply under Daemon's command, likely due to his love of inflicting harsh punishments on thieves and cutpurses. Daemon developed a dark reputation in the stews and brothels. He became acquainted with a prostitute named [[Mysaria]] who would serve as his [[mistress of whisperers]] in the streets of [[Flea Bottom]]. While Daemon called himself the "Prince of the City", he became known as "Lord Flea Bottom" among the residents of [[King's Landing]].
+
Daemon developed a dark reputation in the stews and brothels in [[Flea Bottom]], becoming familiar to every cutpurse, [[whore]], and gambler.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}} He became acquainted with a prostitute named [[Mysaria]], known to her enemies as Misery. While Daemon called himself the "Prince of the City", he became known as "Lord Flea Bottom" among the residents of [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
Daemon considered himself his brother's heir as Viserys had no living sons, and he coveted the title [[Prince of Dragonstone]], which the king refused to grant. Otto Hightower equally did not want Daemon to follow Viserys and proposed the idea that Viserys's daughter, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]], should be named heir. Viserys did not address the issue of inheritance, hoping a future son would settle the issue.{{Ref|TRP}}
+
Daemon considered himself his brother's heir as Viserys had no living sons, and he coveted the title [[Prince of Dragonstone]], which the king refused to grant. Otto Hightower equally did not want Daemon to follow Viserys and proposed the idea that Viserys's daughter, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], should be named heir. Viserys did not address the issue of inheritance, hoping a future son would settle the issue.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
Viserys's first wife, [[Aemma Arryn]], died birthing [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Baelon Targaryen]], Viserys's second son, the first having died in the cradle. Baelon died a day after his birth, however. Daemon was observed in a brothel in the [[Street of Silk]] making drunken japes about the "heir for a day". When word of this reached the grieving Viserys, the enraged king had Rhaenyra declared heir in response to his ungrateful brother's apathy. Daemon left the capital in a fury.{{Ref|TRP}}
+
Viserys's first wife, [[Aemma Arryn]], died birthing [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Baelon Targaryen]], Viserys' second son, the first having died in the cradle. Baelon died a day after his birth, however. Daemon was observed in a brothel in the [[Street of Silk]] making drunken japes about the "heir for a day". When word of this reached the grieving Viserys, the enraged king had Rhaenyra declared heir and Princess of Dragonstone in response to his ungrateful brother's apathy. The furious Daemon resigned from the gold cloaks and flew with Mysaria on [[Caraxes]] to [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]], and so was not present for Rhaenyra's ceremony in the [[Red Keep]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
On [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]], Daemon impregnated his lover, Mysaria. He wanted to present her with a [[dragon egg]]. The angry Viserys demanded that Daemon return the egg and that he return to Rhea in the Vale. Daemon sent Mysaria to [[Lys]], but Mysaria's ship sailed through a storm in the [[narrow sea]] and Mysaria lost the child. This hardened Daemon against his brother.{{Ref|TRP}}
+
Living on Dragonstone, Daemon impregnated his lover, Mysaria. He wanted to present her with a [[dragon egg]], but the angry Viserys demanded that Daemon return the egg and return to Rhea in the Vale. Daemon sent Mysaria to [[Lys]], but Mysaria's ship sailed through a storm in the [[narrow sea]] and Mysaria lost the child. This hardened Daemon against his brother.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
 
===Conquest of the Stepstones===
 
===Conquest of the Stepstones===
[[File:Daemon's crown.jpg|thumb|Daemon offers his crown to his brother, King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], by Chase Stone, as depicted in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''.]]
+
In {{Date|106}}, Daemon and [[Corlys Velaryon]], [[Lord of the Tides]], allied together for a private [[war for the Stepstones]], with Daemon desiring his own kingdom and Corlys wanting to rid the [[Stepstones]] of rule by the [[Triarchy]]. While Corlys provided the [[Velaryon fleet]], Daemon flew on his [[dragon]], [[Caraxes]], and led an army of adventurers and second sons.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
In {{Date|106}}, Daemon led an army to [[War for the Stepstones|invade]] the [[Stepstones]] in the southern [[narrow sea]], with the support of Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] and his fleet, and with the use of Daemon's [[dragon]], [[Caraxes]]. He made many enemies in the [[Triarchy]] ([[Myr]], [[Tyrosh]] and [[Lys]]) during the course of his adventures there.{{ref|trp}} He also made enemies in the [[Seven Kingdoms]], including Ser [[Otto Hightower]]{{ref|tpatq}} and members of [[House Royce]] for his disregard for his wife, [[Rhea Royce|Rhea]].{{ref|trp}}  
 
  
After conquering all but two of the islands, Daemon declared himself [[King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]] in {{date|109}}, being crowned by Corlys the Sea Snake. The Triarchy launched a massive fleet under [[Racallio Ryndoon]] to retake the isles, and [[Dorne]] joined the alliance against Daemon. Bored with ruling his meager kingdom, Daemon returned to the capital of [[King's Landing]] in {{Date|111}} during the [[tourney]] that gave the [[greens]] and the [[blacks]] their names. He reconciled with [[Viserys I Targaryen]] by offering him his Stepstones crown. Viserys welcomed his brother's return and Daemon was given a seat on the [[small council]].{{ref|trp}}  
+
Daemon made many enemies from [[Lys]], [[Myr]], and [[Tyrosh]], and he slew [[Craghas Drahar]] in {{date|108}}. After conquering all but two of the islands, Daemon declared himself [[King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]] in {{Date|109}}, being crowned by Corlys the Sea Snake. The Triarchy launched a massive fleet under [[Racallio Ryndoon]] to retake the isles, and [[Dorne]] joined the alliance against Daemon.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
Neither age or exile had changed Daemon's nature, however. He took up again with old companions in the [[City Watch of King's Landing|City Watch]] and returned to the brothels on the Street of Silk. Daemon was cold with Viserys's second wife, Queen [[Alicent Hightower]], and her children, who had pushed him further down in the line of succession. Daemon spent hours in the company of his niece, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], praising her beauty, enthralling her with tales of his adventures, giving her gifts, and mocking her stepmother and her greens.
+
===Return to Court===
 +
[[File:Daemon's crown.jpg|thumb|400px|Daemon offers his crown to his brother, King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], by Chase Stone, as depicted in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''.]]
 +
Bored with ruling his meager kingdom, Daemon returned to the capital of [[King's Landing]] in {{Date|111}} during the [[tourney]] that gave the [[greens]] and the [[blacks]] their names. He reconciled with [[Viserys I Targaryen]] by offering him his [[Stepstones]] crown. [[Viserys I Targaryen]] welcomed his brother's return and Daemon was given a seat on the [[small council]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
Six months after his return, it was rumored that Daemon took Rhaenyra's virginity prior to her sixteenth [[name day]]. Lord [[Lyonel Strong]] counseled the livid Viserys that Daemon should be executed for treason. Septon [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]], however, reminded the council about the taint of [[kinslaying]], and Daemon was exiled instead.{{Ref|TRP}} Daemon returned to [[Bloodstone]] in the Stepstones and resumed his struggle over his barren kingdom.{{Ref|TRP}}
+
Neither age or exile had changed Daemon's nature, however. He took up again with old companions in the [[City Watch of King's Landing|City Watch]] and returned to the brothels on the [[Street of Silk]]. Daemon was cold with Viserys' second wife, Queen [[Alicent Hightower]], and her children, who had pushed him further down in the line of succession. Daemon spent hours in the company of his niece, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], praising her beauty, enthralling her with tales of his adventures, taking her [[hawk]]ing, and mocking her stepmother Alicent and her greens. Daemon gave her books, [[pearl]]s, [[silk]]s, and a [[jade]] tiara once owned by the [[Empress of Leng]].  Daemon and Rhaenyra often flew to [[Dragonstone]] on their dragons, [[Caraxes]] and [[Syrax]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
 +
 
 +
Six months after Daemon's return, the brothers fell out again, with Grand Maester [[Runciter]] referring to an unspecified quarrel and others claiming that Alicent wanted Daemon gone. Septon [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]] alleged that Daemon had seduced Rhaenyra, taking her [[maiden]]hood prior to her sixteenth [[name day]], and that the two had been found by Ser [[Arryk Cargyll]] of the [[Kingsguard]]. Eustace's tale has Rhaenyra expressing her love for Daemon. The notorious [[Mushroom]] instead claimed that Daemon had been providing explicit lessons to the girl in how to seduce her champion, Ser [[Criston Cole]] of the Kingsguard, whom the girl was supposedly in love with. When Rhaenyra approached Criston, however, he spurned her. [[Lyonel Strong]], [[Lord of Harrenhal]], counseled the livid Viserys that Daemon should be executed for treason. Eustace, however, reminded the council about the taint of [[kinslaying]], and Daemon was exiled instead. Daemon returned to [[Bloodstone]] in the Stepstones and resumed his struggle over his barren kingdom.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
 
===Second marriage===
 
===Second marriage===
Daemon's wife, [[Rhea Royce]], died from falling from a horse in {{Date|115}}. Daemon departed to the [[Vale of Arryn]] to claim [[Runestone]], which had been Rhea's seat, but he was refused by [[House Royce]]. Not welcome in the Vale, Daemon turned to [[Driftmark]], where he laid eyes upon the enchanting [[Laena Velaryon]], the beautiful daughter of his friend, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon|Corlys]]. After killing in a duel Laena's betrothed, the son of the [[Sealord of Braavos]], Daemon asked the Sea Snake for his daughter's hand. While singers say Daemon fell in love with Laena at first sight, others state Daemon married into mighty [[House Velaryon]] to check his own descent from power, as he had been pushed far down the line of succession and made many enemies in his adventures.
+
[[File:Daemon Laena Chillyravenart.png|thumb|250px|Daemon and [[Laena Velaryon]], by chillyravenart ©]]
 +
Daemon's wife, [[Rhea Royce]], died from falling from a horse in {{Date|115}}. Daemon abandoned the [[Stepstones]] and flew to the [[Vale of Arryn]] to claim [[Runestone]], which had been Rhea's seat, but he was refused by [[House Royce]]. Sent away from the Vale by Lady [[Jeyne Arryn]], Daemon turned to [[Driftmark]], where he laid eyes upon the enchanting [[Laena Velaryon]], the daughter of his friend, Lord [[Corlys Velaryon|Corlys]], and he asked the Sea Snake for her hand in marriage. Laena was already betrothed to the son of a late [[Sealord of Braavos]], but Daemon killed the Braavosi with [[Dark Sister]] in a duel. While singers say Daemon fell in love with Laena at first sight, others state Daemon married into mighty [[House Velaryon]] to check his own descent from power, as he had been pushed far down the line of succession and made many enemies in his adventures.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
Because the marriage had been without consent of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], Daemon and Laena left [[Westeros]], abandoned the [[Stepstones]], and toured the [[Free Cities]]. They remained in [[Pentos]] for some time when they learned that Laena was pregnant, causing their daughters [[Baela Targaryen|Baela]] and [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena]] to be born there in {{Date|116}}. Daemon wrote his brother begging leave to present his daughters to court to receive a royal blessing. The [[small council]] advised the king to refuse, but Viserys replied, "Daemon is a father now. He will have changed."{{ref|TRP}}
+
Because the marriage had been without consent of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], Daemon and Laena left [[Westeros]] for [[Essos]]. [[Mushroom]] claims the pair went to the ruins of [[Valyria]], but more reliable sources indicate they toured the [[Free Cities]], visiting [[Pentos]], [[Volantis]], [[Qohor]], and [[Norvos]]. They returned for some time to [[Pentos]], where they learned that Laena was pregnant, causing their daughters [[Baela Targaryen|Baela]] and [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena]] to be born there in {{Date|116}}.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
Viserys's daughter, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], was wed to Laena's brother, Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]]. While Rhaenrya disliked her stepmother, Queen [[Alicent Hightower]], she became fond of Laena, and the two often rode together on their dragons. With the blessing of King Viserys, Rhaenyra betrothed her two eldest sons, [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]] and [[Lucerys Velaryon]], to Baela and Rhaena. Laena died in {{date|120}}, however, trying to birth Daemon a son who died as well.
+
When the twins were half a year old, the family returned to Driftmark. Daemon wrote his brother begging leave to present his daughters to court to receive a royal blessing. The [[small council]] advised the king to refuse, but Viserys told Grand Maester [[Mellos]], "Daemon is a father now. He will have changed."{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
 +
 
 +
Viserys' daughter, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], was wed to Laena's brother, Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]]. While Rhaenrya disliked her stepmother, Queen [[Alicent Hightower]], she became fond of Laena, and the two often flew together on their dragons. With the blessing of King Viserys, Rhaenyra betrothed her two eldest sons, [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]] and [[Lucerys Velaryon]], to Baela and Rhaena.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
 +
 
 +
Laena died in {{Date|120}}, the Year of the Red Spring, trying to birth a son who died as well. Later that year, Laenor was killed in [[Spicetown]] by his companion, Ser [[Qarl Correy]]. According to [[Mushroom]], it was Daemon who arranged the death of Laenor by paying Qarl to kill him.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} [[Lyonel Strong]], [[Lord of Harrenhal]], and his heir, Ser [[Harwin Strong|Harwin]], died in a fire at [[Harrenhal]] in {{Date|120}}. Since Harwin Breakbones was believed by some to have been the actual father of Rhaenyra's children with Laenor (Jacaerys, Lucerys, and [[Joffrey Velaryon]]), Septon [[Eustace (Dance of the Dragons)|Eustace]] counted Daemon as one of the possible suspects for the mysterious fire.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
  
 
===Third marriage===
 
===Third marriage===
In {{Date|120}} Daemon married again, this time to his niece, Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]. This marriage was performed suddenly without the knowledge of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], and was scandalous since neither [[Laena Velaryon|Laena]] nor [[Laenor Velaryon]], Rhaenyra's previous husband, had been dead for six months. According to [[Mushroom]], it was Daemon who arranged the death of Laenor by paying Ser [[Qarl Correy]] to kill him, thus making Rhaenyra available to marry.{{ref|TRP}}  
+
[[File:Daemon Rhaenyra Chillyravenart.png|thumb|250px|Daemon and [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], by chillyravenart ©]]
 +
In {{Date|120}} at the age of thirty-nine, Daemon married again, this time to his niece, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], the twenty-three-year-old [[Princess of Dragonstone]]. This marriage was performed suddenly without the knowledge of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], and was scandalous since neither [[Laena Velaryon|Laena]] nor [[Laenor Velaryon]], Rhaenyra's previous husband, had been dead for six months.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
 +
 
 +
Daemon and Rhaenyra had two sons together, Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], born in {{Date|120}}, and Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]], born in {{Date|122}}.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
 +
 
 +
In {{Date|126}}, Rhaenyra urged the ill Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] to name as his heir her second son, [[Lucerys Velaryon]]. When Corlys's nephew, Ser [[Vaemond Velaryon]], objected and claimed that Rhaenyra's first three children had been fathered by Ser [[Harwin Strong]], Rhaenyra had Vaemond seized by Daemon, beheaded, and then fed to [[Syrax]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
 +
 
 +
===The Dance of the Dragons===
 +
King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] died in {{Date|129}}, leading to the outbreak of the civil war called The [[Dance of the Dragons]]. While Viserys had previously decreed Daemon's wife, [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], [[Princess of Dragonstone]], to be his heir, the [[greens]] kept the king's death a secret from [[Dragonstone]]. Ser [[Otto Hightower]], the father of Queen [[Alicent Hightower]], objected to the idea of Daemon as king consort, and Ser [[Criston Cole]] claimed that Rhaenyra and Daemon would turn the [[Red Keep]] into a brothel. Criston crowned Alicent's son, Aegon the Elder, as King [[Aegon II Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}
 +
 
 +
Meanwhile on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]], Rhaenyra gave birth to a stillborn daughter, Princess [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Visenya]]; Rhaenyra blamed the child's deathon the [[greens]]. During the meeting of the [[black council]], Daemon advised that the [[blacks]] should court the [[Great Houses]] who had not yet announced their support for Aegon II. During Rhaenyra's rival coronation on Dragonstone, Daemon placed the crown of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]], which had been smuggled from the capital by Ser [[Steffon Darklyn]], on the head of his wife, proclaiming her queen and claiming himself [[Protector of the Realm]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}
 +
 
 +
The experienced Daemon led the [[assault on Harrenhal]], capturing [[Harrenhal|the ruined castle]] from its castellan, Ser [[Simon Strong]], without conflict by landing [[Caraxes]] on top of [[Kingspyre Tower]]. Daemon's victory allowed the [[riverlands]] to rise up in support of Rhaenyra.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}} Daemon later led the [[taking of Stone Hedge]] from the greens.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}
 +
 
 +
After hearing of the death of his stepson, Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]], at the hands of his nephew, Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]], at [[Storm's End]], Daemon, through his former mistress [[Mysaria]], hired [[Blood (the butcher)|Blood]] and [[Cheese (the rat-catcher)|Cheese]] to infiltrate the [[Red Keep]], and the two murdered Prince [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys]], a son of Aegon II.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}}
 +
 
 +
[[File:Daemon vs Aemond.jpg|thumb|The [[Battle Above the Gods Eye]], by Douglas Wheatley, as depicted in [[Fire & Blood]].]]
  
Daemon and Rhaenyra had two sons together, Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], born in {{Date|120}}, and Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]], born in {{Date|122}}.{{Ref|TRP}} They also had a stillborn daughter, Princess [[Visenya Targaryen (daughter of Rhaenyra)|Visenya]], whose birth took place in the third month of {{Date|129}}.{{ref|tpatq}}
+
The enemies made by Daemon during his earlier adventures came back to haunt the blacks when Ser [[Otto Hightower]], now the [[Hand of the King]] of Aegon II, recruited the [[Triarchy]] to send a fleet against them. The [[Battle of the Gullet]] broke the [[House Velaryon|Velaryon]] blockade of [[Blackwater Bay]] and killed Daemon's stepson, [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}
  
===The Dance of Dragons===
+
Daemon abandoned Harrenhal when Aemond and Criston began marching on the great castle with a host of [[greens]]. Instead, Daemon flew Caraxes back to the capital and assisted Rhaenyra with the [[fall of King's Landing]] to the blacks.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} Daemon's lover, Mysaria, became [[mistress of whisperers]] in all but name. While Lord [[Corlys Velaryon]] suggested peace with their enemies and pardons for the greens, Rhaenyra and Daemon were more bellicose and vengeful.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
While [[Viserys I Targaryen]] had decreed [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] his heir, Ser [[Criston Cole]] crowned Queen [[Alicent Hightower]]'s son, [[Aegon II Targaryen]], after Viserys's death in {{Date|129}}. At the start of the civil war called the [[Dance of the Dragons]], Prince Daemon had more experience in warfare than all their foes combined. During Rhaenyra's rival coronation on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]], Daemon placed the crown of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] on the head of his wife, proclaiming her queen and claiming himself [[Protector of the Realm]].{{ref|tpatq}}  
 
  
Daemon led the [[assault on Harrenhal]], capturing [[Harrenhal|the ruined castle]] from its castellan, Ser [[Simon Strong]], without conflict by landing [[Caraxes]] on top of [[Kingspyre Tower]]. After hearing of the death of his stepson, Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]], at the hands of his nephew, Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]], Daemon, through his spymaster and former mistress [[Mysaria]], hired [[Blood (the butcher)|Blood]] and [[Cheese (the rat-catcher)|Cheese]] to murder [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|a son]] of Aegon II.{{ref|tpatq}}
+
Rhaenyra sent Daemon and [[Nettles]] on their dragons, Caraxes and [[Sheepstealer]], to search the [[Trident]] for Aemond and [[Vhagar]], who were burning the riverlands. Making [[Maidenpool]] their base, Daemon kept Nettles, a seventeen-year-old [[dragonseed]], by his side at all times. Despite the fact that the lowborn Nettles was an unlikely paramour for a prince, according to [[Mushroom]]'s ''[[The Testimony of Mushroom|Testimony]]'', Daemon came to love the girl and took her as his bedmate. Though Mushroom's veracity is often questionable, Gyldayn considers this to be far more likely than most of his tales. Gyldayn further references Maester [[Norren (House Mooton)|Norren]]'s ''[[Chronicles of Maidenpool]]'', which recorded that "the prince and his [[bastard]] girl" slept in adjoining bedrooms, but that they ate together each night and morning. Norren wrote that Daemon doted upon Nettles "as a man might dote upon his daughter", and described Daemon teaching her common courtesies and giving her fine gifts such as an ivory hairbrush, a silvered looking glass, a velvet and satin cloak, and leather riding boots. Norren further wrote that Daemon showed Nettles how to wash herself properly, and recorded that maidservants reported they often shared a single tub, washing each other.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
  
The enemies made by Daemon during his earlier adventures came back to haunt the [[blacks]] when Ser [[Otto Hightower]], now the [[Hand of the King]] of Aegon II, recruited the [[Triarchy]] to send a fleet against them. The [[Battle of the Gullet]] broke the [[House Velaryon|Velaryon]] blockade of [[Blackwater Bay]] and killed Daemon's stepson, [[Jacaerys Velaryon|Jacaerys]].{{ref|tpatq}}  
+
After the betrayals of two dragonseeds, Ser [[Hugh Hammer]] and Ser [[Ulf White]], at the [[First Battle of Tumbleton]], Queen Rhaenyra's court at the Red Keep was outraged. Lady Mysaria fed Rhaenyra's growing distrust of the dragonseeds, informing her that Nettles was sharing Daemon's bed and saying that she would soon be pregnant with Daemon's bastard. Rhaenyra raged, declaring that Nettles used [[magic|spells]] to bond with Sheepstealer and to seduce her husband, and that Daemon could not be relied upon while in the girl's thrall. The queen sent a [[raven]] to [[Manfryd Mooton]], Lord of Maidenpool, ordering him to deliver Nettles's head but not to do Daemon any harm, only to tell him to return to the capital. However, according to Maester Norren, Manfryd and his advisors, fearful of how Daemon slept beside Nettles, unwilling to [[guest right|kill a guest]] or a young girl (or two guests, to prevent Daemon from becoming enraged at the death of the girl he was "more than fond of" and taking out his wrath on Maidenpool), disobeyed the queen and followed the maester's advice to pretend that they had never received the letter. When Maester Norren informed Daemon that Rhaenyra had declared Nettles a traitor, Daemon sadly replied, "A queen's words, a whore's work," recognizing Mysaria's hand in Rhaenyra's words, and thanked the maester for the warning. It is unknown how they spent their last night together, but at dawn Daemon helped Nettles saddle Sheepstealer one last time, before she escaped into the morning mists of the [[Bay of Crabs]]. According to Norren, no word of farewell was spoken between Daemon and Nettles, but as Sheepstealer flew away, Caraxes let out a scream that shattered all the windows of [[Jonquil's Tower]]. On the same day, Daemon publicly announced his departure for Harrenhal.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
  
Daemon abandoned Harrenhal when Aemond and Criston began marching on the great castle with a host of [[greens]]. Instead, Daemon flew Caraxes back to King's Landing and assisted Rhaenyra with [[Fall of King's Landing|capturing King's Landing]].{{ref|tpatq}}
+
The arrival of Daemon on Caraxes sent squatters fleeing from Harrenhal, so the prince waited for Aemond in solitude. Each evening at dusk he slashed the castle's [[heart tree]], a [[weirwood]] in the [[godswood]]. On the fourteenth day of Daemon's waiting, Aemond arrived on Vhagar with his paramour, [[Alys Rivers]]. While the two dragons grappled in the [[Battle Above the Gods Eye]], Daemon leapt from his saddle and drove [[Dark Sister]] into Aemond's blind eye. Both dragons crashed into the [[Gods Eye]], with Caraxes crawling to the shore before dying. The bodies of Aemond and Vhagar were discovered in the lake years later. Daemon's body was not found, but historians are convinced he died there as well.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
  
While searching for Aemond and [[Vhagar]], who were burning the [[riverlands]], Daemon took [[Nettles]] for a bedmate and made their base in [[Maidenpool]]. Maester [[Norren (House Mooton)|Norren]] informed Daemon that Queen Rhaenyra wanted Nettles dead, to which Daemon replied, "A queen's words, a whore's work."{{ref|tpatq}} Daemon thanked the maester for the warning and he and Nettles separated the next morning.{{ref|tpatq}}
+
==Legacy==
 +
Since Daemon's body was never recovered from the Gods Eye, singers say that he lived to spend the rest of his days in secret with [[Nettles]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
  
Daemon challenged Aemond, waiting for thirteen days at Harrenhal until Aemond stopped burning the riverlands to come face him. The [[Battle Above the Gods Eye]] ended in the deaths of both riders and both dragons. Daemon was forty-nine when he died. Unlike Aemond's body, however, Daemon's was never found. Singers say that Daemon lived to spend the rest of his days in secret with Nettles, but most historians disagree.{{ref|tpatq}}
+
Daemon never achieved his ambition to sit on the [[Iron Throne]], though his sons [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]] and [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys II]] eventually did. In {{Date|170}}, Princess [[Daena Targaryen]] named her bastard son [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Waters]] after her grandfather.{{ref|twoiaf|4|11}}
  
Daemon never achieved his ambition to sit on the [[Iron Throne]], though his sons [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]] and [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys II]] eventually did. In {{date|170}} Princess [[Daena Targaryen]] named her bastard son [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Waters]] after her grandfather.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}
+
The thirteen slashes made by Daemon on the [[weirwood]] of [[Harrenhal]] are said to bleed each spring.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
 +
 
 +
==Quotes by Daemon==
 +
[[File:Rogues cover.jpg|thumb|Daemon and [[Caraxes]], by Ken Laager ©]]
 +
{{Quote|[[Dark Sister]] was made for nobler tasks than slaughtering sheep. She has a thirst for blood.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}|Daemon to [[Corlys Velaryon]]}}
 +
 
 +
{{Quote|[[Dance of the Dragons|The war]] will end when the heads of [[greens|the traitors]] are mounted on spikes above the [[King's Gate]], and not before.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}|Daemon to [[Corlys Velaryon]]}}
 +
 
 +
{{Quote|'''Aemond''': You were a fool to come alone.<br>
 +
'''Daemon''': Were I not alone, you would not have come.<br>
 +
'''Aemond''': Yet you are, and here I am. You have lived too long, nuncle.<br>
 +
'''Daemon''': On that much we agree.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}|[[Aemond Targaryen]] and Daemon}}
  
 
==Quotes about Daemon==
 
==Quotes about Daemon==
{{Quote|Over the centuries, [[House Targaryen]] has produced both great men and monsters. Prince Daemon was both. In his day there was not a man so admired, so beloved, and so reviled in all Westeros. He was made of light and darkness in equal parts. To some he was a hero, to others the blackest of villains.{{ref|trp}}|writings of [[Gyldayn]]}}
+
{{Quote|Over the centuries, [[House Targaryen]] has produced both great men and monsters. Prince Daemon was both. In his day there was not a man so admired, so beloved, and so reviled in all Westeros. He was made of light and darkness in equal parts. To some he was a hero, to others the blackest of villains.{{Ref|trp}}|writings of [[Gyldayn]]}}
  
{{Quote|Let Daemon play at [[War for the Stepstones|war]]. It keeps him out of trouble.{{ref|trp}}|[[Viserys I Targaryen]] to his court}}
+
{{Quote|On no account can Prince Daemon be allowed to ascend to the [[Iron Throne]]. He would be a second [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor the Cruel]], or worse. Better the [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Realm's Delight]] than Lord Flea Bottom.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}|[[Otto Hightower]] writing to [[Lord Hightower|his brother]]}}
  
{{Quote|Make no mistake, should [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] ever sit the [[Iron Throne]], it will be Daemon who rules us, a king consort as cruel and unforgiving as [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] ever was.{{ref|tpatq}}|[[Otto Hightower]] to the [[small council]] of [[Viserys I Targaryen]]}}  
+
{{Quote|Make no mistake, should [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] ever sit the [[Iron Throne]], it will be Lord Flea Bottom who rules us, a king consort as cruel and unforgiving as [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]] ever was. My own head will be the first cut off, I do not doubt, but [[Alicent Hightower|your queen]], my daughter, will soon follow.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}|[[Otto Hightower]] to the [[small council]] of [[Viserys I Targaryen]]}}
  
{{Quote|[[Rhaenyra Targaryen|The whore]] on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]] is not the threat. No more than [[Thaddeus Rowan|Rowan]] and these traitors in the [[Reach]]. The danger is my uncle. Once Daemon is dead, [[blacks|all these fools]] flying our sister's banners will run back to their castles and trouble us no more.{{ref|tpatq}}|[[Aemond Targaryen]] to [[Criston Cole]]}}
+
{{Quote|[[Rhaenyra Targaryen|The whore]] on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]] is not the threat. No more than [[Thaddeus Rowan|Rowan]] and these traitors in the [[Reach]]. The danger is my uncle. Once Daemon is dead, [[blacks|all these fools]] flying our sister's banners will run back to their castles and trouble us no more.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}|[[Aemond Targaryen]] to [[Criston Cole]]}}
  
{{Quote|'''Daemon''': Were I not alone, you would not have come.<br>'''Aemond''': Yet you are, and here I am. You have lived too long, nuncle.<br>'''Daemon''': On that much we agree.{{ref|tpatq}}|Daemon and [[Aemond Targaryen]] before the [[Battle Above the Gods Eye|battle above the Gods Eye]]}}
+
{{Quote|'''Manfryd Mooton's captain of the guard''': This thing is easily done. The prince sleeps beside [[Nettles|her]], but he has grown old. Three men should be enough to subdue him should he try to interfere, but I will take six to be certain. Does my lord wish this done tonight?<br>
 +
'''Manfryd Mooton's brother''': Six men or sixty, he is still Daemon Targaryen.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}|[[Manfryd Mooton]]'s captain of the guard and brother}}
  
{{Quote|Daemon was the name [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]] gave to [[Daemon I Blackfyre|this child]], for Prince Daemon had been the wonder and the terror of his age, and in later days that was seen as a warning of what the boy would become.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}}|writings of [[Yandel]]}}
+
{{Quote|Prince Daemon had been the wonder and the terror of his age.{{ref|twoiaf|4|11}}|writings of [[Yandel]]}}
  
 
{{Quote|Prince Daemon, a rogue if there ever was one.<ref name="ssm"/>|[[George R. R. Martin]]}}
 
{{Quote|Prince Daemon, a rogue if there ever was one.<ref name="ssm"/>|[[George R. R. Martin]]}}
Line 102: Line 161:
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
{{references}}
+
{{References}}
  
 
{{Royal consorts of Westeros}}
 
{{Royal consorts of Westeros}}
{{Small council}}
+
{{Master of coin}}
 +
{{Master of laws}}
 +
{{Commander of the City Watch}}
 +
{{Viserys I small council}}
 +
 
 +
{{DEFAULTSORT:Targaryen, Daemon}}
 +
[[Category:House Targaryen|Daemon Targaryen]]
 +
[[Category:Blacks]]
 +
[[Category:Casualties of the Dance of the Dragons]]
 +
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands]]
 +
[[Category:Characters killed by Aemond Targaryen]]
 +
[[Category:Characters killed by Vhagar]]
 +
[[Category:Commanders of the City Watch (King's Landing)]]
 +
[[Category:Dragonriders]]
 +
[[Category:Kings of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea]]
 +
[[Category:Kinslayers]]
 +
[[Category:Knights]]
 +
[[Category:Masters of coin]]
 +
[[Category:Masters of laws]]
 +
[[Category:Members of Jaehaerys I Targaryen's court]]
 +
[[Category:Members of Viserys I Targaryen's court]]
 +
[[Category:Members of Rhaenyra Targaryen's court]]
 +
[[Category:Members of the City Watch (King's Landing)]]
 +
[[Category:Monarchs]]
 +
[[Category:Nobles]]
 +
[[Category:Protectors of the Realm]]
 +
[[Category:Royal consorts]]
 +
[[Category:Wielders of Dark Sister]]
  
[[Category:House Targaryen]]
 
[[Category:Blacks|Targaryen, Daemon]]
 
[[Category:Casualties of the Dance of the Dragons|Targaryen, Daemon]]
 
[[Category:Characters from the Crownlands|Targaryen, Daemon]]
 
[[Category:Dragonriders|Targaryen, Daemon]]
 
[[Category:Knights|Targaryen, Daemon]]
 
[[Category:Masters of coin|Targaryen, Daemon]]
 
[[Category:Masters of laws|Targaryen, Daemon]]
 
[[Category:Monarchs|Targaryen, Daemon]]
 
[[Category:Nobles|Targaryen, Daemon]]
 
[[Category:Royal consorts|Targaryen, Daemon]]
 
[[Category:Protectors of the Realm|Targaryen, Daemon]]
 
[[Category:Kings of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea|Targaryen, Daemon]]
 
[[Category:Members of the City Watch (King's Landing)|Targaryen, Daemon]]
 
[[Category:Commanders of the City Watch (King's Landing)|Targaryen, Daemon]]
 
[[Category:Members of Jaehaerys I Targaryen's court|Targaryen, Daemon]]
 
[[Category:Members of Viserys II Targaryen's court|Targaryen, Daemon]]
 
[[Category:Members of Rhaenyra Targaryen's court|Targaryen, Daemon]]
 
[[Category:Kinslayers|Targaryen, Daemon]]
 
 
[[es:Daemon Targaryen]]
 
[[es:Daemon Targaryen]]
 
[[fa:دیمون تارگرین]]
 
[[fa:دیمون تارگرین]]
 
[[fr:Daemon Targaryen]]
 
[[fr:Daemon Targaryen]]
[[ru:Деймон Таргариен (брат Визериса I)]]
+
[[nl:Daemon Targaryen]]
 +
[[pt:Daemon Targaryen]]
 +
[[ru:Деймон Таргариен]]
 +
[[zh:戴蒙·坦格利安]]

Revision as of 09:34, 28 May 2023

House Targaryen.svg Prince
Daemon Targaryen
City Watch of King's Landing.svg
Marc Simonetti Damon Prince-VillainII.jpg
Prince Daemon as commander of the gold cloaks, by Marc Simonetti ©

Aliases
Titles
Allegiances
Predecessor Lyman Beesbury (master of coin)
Successors
Race Valyrian
Culture Crownlands
Born In 81 AC[3]
Died In 22nd day of the 5th moon of 130 AC, the Gods Eye
Father Baelon Targaryen
Mother Alyssa Targaryen
Spouses
Lovers
Issue
Books

Played by Matt Smith
TV series House of the Dragon: 1 | 2

Prince Daemon Targaryen was a member of House Targaryen, being a younger son of Prince Baelon Targaryen and a brother of King Viserys I Targaryen. Daemon was the second husband of Rhaenyra Targaryen, Princess of Dragonstone, following Ser Laenor Velaryon.[1]

Daemon was the most experienced warrior of his time and wielded the Valyrian steel blade Dark Sister. A dragonrider whose dragon was Caraxes, Daemon declared himself the King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea.[1] During the Dance of the Dragons, he was a prominent supporter of his wife, Rhaenyra.[4]

Much of Daemon's life was written about by Archmaester Gyldayn in The Rogue Prince, or, A King's Brother.[5][2]

In the television adaptation House of the Dragon, Daemon is portrayed by Matt Smith.[6]

Appearance and Character

Daemon was described by Maester Yandel as dashing, daring, and dangerous, but mercurial and quick to take offense.[7] Archmaester Gyldayn wrote that Daemon was ambitious, impetuous, and moody, as charming as he was hot-tempered.[1]

Daemon was a renowned warrior skilled in the joust, hunting, and swordplay.[1] He was unfaithful to his third wife, Rhaenyra Targaryen, taking Mysaria and possibly Nettles as his lovers.[8]

Daemon made many friends in King's Landing, especially in Flea Bottom,[1] and among the gold cloaks,[9] as well as in Pentos.[9] However, he was intensely disliked by Ser Otto Hightower.[1]

According to art for Fire & Blood and The World of Ice & Fire, Daemon had silver hair and wore plate armor.[8][7] While Commander of the City Watch of King's Landing, he wore a gold cloak and a surcoat depicting the three-headed dragon of House Targaryen.[7] He wielded Dark Sister, a Valyrian steel sword, and rode Caraxes.[1]

History

Early life

Daemon was born as the second son of Prince Baelon Targaryen and his sister-wife, Princess Alyssa Targaryen, in 81 AC, during the reign of his grandfather, King Jaehaerys I Targaryen. He had one older brother, Viserys, as well as one younger brother, Aegon, who died in infancy.[10][3] Within a fortnight of Daemon's birth, Alyssa took the child flying on Meleys.[3] Daemon was free spirited and adventurous in his youth.[1]

Daemon was knighted at sixteen, and King Jaehaerys I Targaryen gave him Dark Sister.[1]

In 97 AC, Daemon married Lady Rhea Royce, the heir to Runestone, but he disliked both her and the Vale of Arryn; Daemon referred to his wife as his "bronze bitch".[1] During the Great Council of 101 AC, Daemon supported the claim of Prince Viserys, as it would make Daemon the heir after his brother. Daemon gathered a small army of sworn swords and men-at-arms when it was rumored that Lord Corlys Velaryon was readying a fleet to defend the rights of his son, Laenor Velaryon.[1][7]

Early reign of Viserys I

Ser Criston Cole twice defeated Daemon in the tourney for King Viserys I's accession in 104 AC, besting him in first the melee and then the joust.[1] Daemon asked his brother to set aside his marriage to Rhea Royce, but was refused.[1] Daemon served briefly as master of coin from 103 AC until 104 AC and master of laws for six months after that.[1] Governance bored Daemon, however, and the prince's demeanor made him a rival of the Hand of the King, Ser Otto Hightower, who could not stand Daemon's presence and had begged King Viserys to remove him from the small council.[1]

Daemon was appointed Commander of the City Watch of King's Landing, a position he thrived in and maintained for about a year to Otto's regret, as, with two thousand men at his command, he waxed more powerful than ever.[1]

Daemon inspired loyalty with many of the rank-and-file men of the City Watch, improving their armaments and equipment. He gave every man a golden cloak, which led to the guards becoming known as the gold cloaks. Crime fell sharply under Daemon's command, likely due to his love of inflicting harsh punishments on thieves and cutpurses.[1]

Daemon developed a dark reputation in the stews and brothels in Flea Bottom, becoming familiar to every cutpurse, whore, and gambler.[11] He became acquainted with a prostitute named Mysaria, known to her enemies as Misery. While Daemon called himself the "Prince of the City", he became known as "Lord Flea Bottom" among the residents of King's Landing.[1]

Daemon considered himself his brother's heir as Viserys had no living sons, and he coveted the title Prince of Dragonstone, which the king refused to grant. Otto Hightower equally did not want Daemon to follow Viserys and proposed the idea that Viserys's daughter, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, should be named heir. Viserys did not address the issue of inheritance, hoping a future son would settle the issue.[1]

Viserys's first wife, Aemma Arryn, died birthing Baelon Targaryen, Viserys' second son, the first having died in the cradle. Baelon died a day after his birth, however. Daemon was observed in a brothel in the Street of Silk making drunken japes about the "heir for a day". When word of this reached the grieving Viserys, the enraged king had Rhaenyra declared heir and Princess of Dragonstone in response to his ungrateful brother's apathy. The furious Daemon resigned from the gold cloaks and flew with Mysaria on Caraxes to Dragonstone, and so was not present for Rhaenyra's ceremony in the Red Keep.[1]

Living on Dragonstone, Daemon impregnated his lover, Mysaria. He wanted to present her with a dragon egg, but the angry Viserys demanded that Daemon return the egg and return to Rhea in the Vale. Daemon sent Mysaria to Lys, but Mysaria's ship sailed through a storm in the narrow sea and Mysaria lost the child. This hardened Daemon against his brother.[1]

Conquest of the Stepstones

In 106 AC, Daemon and Corlys Velaryon, Lord of the Tides, allied together for a private war for the Stepstones, with Daemon desiring his own kingdom and Corlys wanting to rid the Stepstones of rule by the Triarchy. While Corlys provided the Velaryon fleet, Daemon flew on his dragon, Caraxes, and led an army of adventurers and second sons.[1]

Daemon made many enemies from Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh, and he slew Craghas Drahar in 108 AC. After conquering all but two of the islands, Daemon declared himself King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea in 109 AC, being crowned by Corlys the Sea Snake. The Triarchy launched a massive fleet under Racallio Ryndoon to retake the isles, and Dorne joined the alliance against Daemon.[1]

Return to Court

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

Bored with ruling his meager kingdom, Daemon returned to the capital of King's Landing in 111 AC during the tourney that gave the greens and the blacks their names. He reconciled with Viserys I Targaryen by offering him his Stepstones crown. Viserys I Targaryen welcomed his brother's return and Daemon was given a seat on the small council.[1]

Neither age or exile had changed Daemon's nature, however. He took up again with old companions in the City Watch and returned to the brothels on the Street of Silk. Daemon was cold with Viserys' second wife, Queen Alicent Hightower, and her children, who had pushed him further down in the line of succession. Daemon spent hours in the company of his niece, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, praising her beauty, enthralling her with tales of his adventures, taking her hawking, and mocking her stepmother Alicent and her greens. Daemon gave her books, pearls, silks, and a jade tiara once owned by the Empress of Leng. Daemon and Rhaenyra often flew to Dragonstone on their dragons, Caraxes and Syrax.[1]

Six months after Daemon's return, the brothers fell out again, with Grand Maester Runciter referring to an unspecified quarrel and others claiming that Alicent wanted Daemon gone. Septon Eustace alleged that Daemon had seduced Rhaenyra, taking her maidenhood prior to her sixteenth name day, and that the two had been found by Ser Arryk Cargyll of the Kingsguard. Eustace's tale has Rhaenyra expressing her love for Daemon. The notorious Mushroom instead claimed that Daemon had been providing explicit lessons to the girl in how to seduce her champion, Ser Criston Cole of the Kingsguard, whom the girl was supposedly in love with. When Rhaenyra approached Criston, however, he spurned her. Lyonel Strong, Lord of Harrenhal, counseled the livid Viserys that Daemon should be executed for treason. Eustace, however, reminded the council about the taint of kinslaying, and Daemon was exiled instead. Daemon returned to Bloodstone in the Stepstones and resumed his struggle over his barren kingdom.[1]

Second marriage

Daemon and Laena Velaryon, by chillyravenart ©

Daemon's wife, Rhea Royce, died from falling from a horse in 115 AC. Daemon abandoned the Stepstones and flew to the Vale of Arryn to claim Runestone, which had been Rhea's seat, but he was refused by House Royce. Sent away from the Vale by Lady Jeyne Arryn, Daemon turned to Driftmark, where he laid eyes upon the enchanting Laena Velaryon, the daughter of his friend, Lord Corlys, and he asked the Sea Snake for her hand in marriage. Laena was already betrothed to the son of a late Sealord of Braavos, but Daemon killed the Braavosi with Dark Sister in a duel. While singers say Daemon fell in love with Laena at first sight, others state Daemon married into mighty House Velaryon to check his own descent from power, as he had been pushed far down the line of succession and made many enemies in his adventures.[1]

Because the marriage had been without consent of King Viserys I Targaryen, Daemon and Laena left Westeros for Essos. Mushroom claims the pair went to the ruins of Valyria, but more reliable sources indicate they toured the Free Cities, visiting Pentos, Volantis, Qohor, and Norvos. They returned for some time to Pentos, where they learned that Laena was pregnant, causing their daughters Baela and Rhaena to be born there in 116 AC.[1]

When the twins were half a year old, the family returned to Driftmark. Daemon wrote his brother begging leave to present his daughters to court to receive a royal blessing. The small council advised the king to refuse, but Viserys told Grand Maester Mellos, "Daemon is a father now. He will have changed."[1]

Viserys' daughter, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, was wed to Laena's brother, Ser Laenor Velaryon. While Rhaenrya disliked her stepmother, Queen Alicent Hightower, she became fond of Laena, and the two often flew together on their dragons. With the blessing of King Viserys, Rhaenyra betrothed her two eldest sons, Jacaerys and Lucerys Velaryon, to Baela and Rhaena.[1]

Laena died in 120 AC, the Year of the Red Spring, trying to birth a son who died as well. Later that year, Laenor was killed in Spicetown by his companion, Ser Qarl Correy. According to Mushroom, it was Daemon who arranged the death of Laenor by paying Qarl to kill him.[1] Lyonel Strong, Lord of Harrenhal, and his heir, Ser Harwin, died in a fire at Harrenhal in 120 AC. Since Harwin Breakbones was believed by some to have been the actual father of Rhaenyra's children with Laenor (Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon), Septon Eustace counted Daemon as one of the possible suspects for the mysterious fire.[1]

Third marriage

Daemon and Rhaenyra Targaryen, by chillyravenart ©

In 120 AC at the age of thirty-nine, Daemon married again, this time to his niece, Rhaenyra Targaryen, the twenty-three-year-old Princess of Dragonstone. This marriage was performed suddenly without the knowledge of King Viserys I Targaryen, and was scandalous since neither Laena nor Laenor Velaryon, Rhaenyra's previous husband, had been dead for six months.[1]

Daemon and Rhaenyra had two sons together, Prince Aegon the Younger, born in 120 AC, and Prince Viserys, born in 122 AC.[1]

In 126 AC, Rhaenyra urged the ill Lord Corlys Velaryon to name as his heir her second son, Lucerys Velaryon. When Corlys's nephew, Ser Vaemond Velaryon, objected and claimed that Rhaenyra's first three children had been fathered by Ser Harwin Strong, Rhaenyra had Vaemond seized by Daemon, beheaded, and then fed to Syrax.[1]

The Dance of the Dragons

King Viserys I Targaryen died in 129 AC, leading to the outbreak of the civil war called The Dance of the Dragons. While Viserys had previously decreed Daemon's wife, Rhaenyra Targaryen, Princess of Dragonstone, to be his heir, the greens kept the king's death a secret from Dragonstone. Ser Otto Hightower, the father of Queen Alicent Hightower, objected to the idea of Daemon as king consort, and Ser Criston Cole claimed that Rhaenyra and Daemon would turn the Red Keep into a brothel. Criston crowned Alicent's son, Aegon the Elder, as King Aegon II Targaryen.[4]

Meanwhile on Dragonstone, Rhaenyra gave birth to a stillborn daughter, Princess Visenya; Rhaenyra blamed the child's deathon the greens. During the meeting of the black council, Daemon advised that the blacks should court the Great Houses who had not yet announced their support for Aegon II. During Rhaenyra's rival coronation on Dragonstone, Daemon placed the crown of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, which had been smuggled from the capital by Ser Steffon Darklyn, on the head of his wife, proclaiming her queen and claiming himself Protector of the Realm.[4]

The experienced Daemon led the assault on Harrenhal, capturing the ruined castle from its castellan, Ser Simon Strong, without conflict by landing Caraxes on top of Kingspyre Tower. Daemon's victory allowed the riverlands to rise up in support of Rhaenyra.[11] Daemon later led the taking of Stone Hedge from the greens.[9]

After hearing of the death of his stepson, Prince Lucerys Velaryon, at the hands of his nephew, Prince Aemond Targaryen, at Storm's End, Daemon, through his former mistress Mysaria, hired Blood and Cheese to infiltrate the Red Keep, and the two murdered Prince Jaehaerys, a son of Aegon II.[11]

The Battle Above the Gods Eye, by Douglas Wheatley, as depicted in Fire & Blood.

The enemies made by Daemon during his earlier adventures came back to haunt the blacks when Ser Otto Hightower, now the Hand of the King of Aegon II, recruited the Triarchy to send a fleet against them. The Battle of the Gullet broke the Velaryon blockade of Blackwater Bay and killed Daemon's stepson, Jacaerys.[9]

Daemon abandoned Harrenhal when Aemond and Criston began marching on the great castle with a host of greens. Instead, Daemon flew Caraxes back to the capital and assisted Rhaenyra with the fall of King's Landing to the blacks.[9] Daemon's lover, Mysaria, became mistress of whisperers in all but name. While Lord Corlys Velaryon suggested peace with their enemies and pardons for the greens, Rhaenyra and Daemon were more bellicose and vengeful.[8]

Rhaenyra sent Daemon and Nettles on their dragons, Caraxes and Sheepstealer, to search the Trident for Aemond and Vhagar, who were burning the riverlands. Making Maidenpool their base, Daemon kept Nettles, a seventeen-year-old dragonseed, by his side at all times. Despite the fact that the lowborn Nettles was an unlikely paramour for a prince, according to Mushroom's Testimony, Daemon came to love the girl and took her as his bedmate. Though Mushroom's veracity is often questionable, Gyldayn considers this to be far more likely than most of his tales. Gyldayn further references Maester Norren's Chronicles of Maidenpool, which recorded that "the prince and his bastard girl" slept in adjoining bedrooms, but that they ate together each night and morning. Norren wrote that Daemon doted upon Nettles "as a man might dote upon his daughter", and described Daemon teaching her common courtesies and giving her fine gifts such as an ivory hairbrush, a silvered looking glass, a velvet and satin cloak, and leather riding boots. Norren further wrote that Daemon showed Nettles how to wash herself properly, and recorded that maidservants reported they often shared a single tub, washing each other.[8]

After the betrayals of two dragonseeds, Ser Hugh Hammer and Ser Ulf White, at the First Battle of Tumbleton, Queen Rhaenyra's court at the Red Keep was outraged. Lady Mysaria fed Rhaenyra's growing distrust of the dragonseeds, informing her that Nettles was sharing Daemon's bed and saying that she would soon be pregnant with Daemon's bastard. Rhaenyra raged, declaring that Nettles used spells to bond with Sheepstealer and to seduce her husband, and that Daemon could not be relied upon while in the girl's thrall. The queen sent a raven to Manfryd Mooton, Lord of Maidenpool, ordering him to deliver Nettles's head but not to do Daemon any harm, only to tell him to return to the capital. However, according to Maester Norren, Manfryd and his advisors, fearful of how Daemon slept beside Nettles, unwilling to kill a guest or a young girl (or two guests, to prevent Daemon from becoming enraged at the death of the girl he was "more than fond of" and taking out his wrath on Maidenpool), disobeyed the queen and followed the maester's advice to pretend that they had never received the letter. When Maester Norren informed Daemon that Rhaenyra had declared Nettles a traitor, Daemon sadly replied, "A queen's words, a whore's work," recognizing Mysaria's hand in Rhaenyra's words, and thanked the maester for the warning. It is unknown how they spent their last night together, but at dawn Daemon helped Nettles saddle Sheepstealer one last time, before she escaped into the morning mists of the Bay of Crabs. According to Norren, no word of farewell was spoken between Daemon and Nettles, but as Sheepstealer flew away, Caraxes let out a scream that shattered all the windows of Jonquil's Tower. On the same day, Daemon publicly announced his departure for Harrenhal.[8]

The arrival of Daemon on Caraxes sent squatters fleeing from Harrenhal, so the prince waited for Aemond in solitude. Each evening at dusk he slashed the castle's heart tree, a weirwood in the godswood. On the fourteenth day of Daemon's waiting, Aemond arrived on Vhagar with his paramour, Alys Rivers. While the two dragons grappled in the Battle Above the Gods Eye, Daemon leapt from his saddle and drove Dark Sister into Aemond's blind eye. Both dragons crashed into the Gods Eye, with Caraxes crawling to the shore before dying. The bodies of Aemond and Vhagar were discovered in the lake years later. Daemon's body was not found, but historians are convinced he died there as well.[8]

Legacy

Since Daemon's body was never recovered from the Gods Eye, singers say that he lived to spend the rest of his days in secret with Nettles.[8]

Daemon never achieved his ambition to sit on the Iron Throne, though his sons Aegon III and Viserys II eventually did. In 170 AC, Princess Daena Targaryen named her bastard son Daemon Waters after her grandfather.[12]

The thirteen slashes made by Daemon on the weirwood of Harrenhal are said to bleed each spring.[8]

Quotes by Daemon

Daemon and Caraxes, by Ken Laager ©

Dark Sister was made for nobler tasks than slaughtering sheep. She has a thirst for blood.[1]

—Daemon to Corlys Velaryon

The war will end when the heads of the traitors are mounted on spikes above the King's Gate, and not before.[9]

—Daemon to Corlys Velaryon

Aemond: You were a fool to come alone.

Daemon: Were I not alone, you would not have come.
Aemond: Yet you are, and here I am. You have lived too long, nuncle.

Daemon: On that much we agree.[8]

Aemond Targaryen and Daemon

Quotes about Daemon

Over the centuries, House Targaryen has produced both great men and monsters. Prince Daemon was both. In his day there was not a man so admired, so beloved, and so reviled in all Westeros. He was made of light and darkness in equal parts. To some he was a hero, to others the blackest of villains.[2]

—writings of Gyldayn

On no account can Prince Daemon be allowed to ascend to the Iron Throne. He would be a second Maegor the Cruel, or worse. Better the Realm's Delight than Lord Flea Bottom.[1]

Make no mistake, should Rhaenyra ever sit the Iron Throne, it will be Lord Flea Bottom who rules us, a king consort as cruel and unforgiving as Maegor ever was. My own head will be the first cut off, I do not doubt, but your queen, my daughter, will soon follow.[4]

The whore on Dragonstone is not the threat. No more than Rowan and these traitors in the Reach. The danger is my uncle. Once Daemon is dead, all these fools flying our sister's banners will run back to their castles and trouble us no more.[9]

Manfryd Mooton's captain of the guard: This thing is easily done. The prince sleeps beside her, but he has grown old. Three men should be enough to subdue him should he try to interfere, but I will take six to be certain. Does my lord wish this done tonight?
Manfryd Mooton's brother: Six men or sixty, he is still Daemon Targaryen.[8]

Manfryd Mooton's captain of the guard and brother

Prince Daemon had been the wonder and the terror of his age.[12]

—writings of Yandel

Prince Daemon, a rogue if there ever was one.[5]

Family

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


References

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 1.32 1.33 1.34 1.35 1.36 1.37 1.38 1.39 1.40 Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Rogue Prince.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens.
  5. 5.0 5.1 So Spake Martin: The Rogues Are Coming... (March 12, 2014)
  6. HBO.com: House of the Dragon Cast & Characters
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold.
  10. The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Targaryen Lineage.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son.
  12. 12.0 12.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV.