Difference between revisions of "Visenya Targaryen"

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{{Character  
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{{Character
| Character_name= [[File:House Targaryen.svg|50px|left]]'''Visenya Targaryen''' [[File:House Targaryen.svg|50px|right]]
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| Character_name = [[File:House Targaryen.svg|50px|left]] Visenya Targaryen [[File:House Targaryen.svg|50px|right]]
| image = [[Image:Visenya.jpg|300px]]
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| image = [[Image:Visenya.jpg|300px]]
 
| image_caption = Visenya by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/ Amok©]
 
| image_caption = Visenya by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/ Amok©]
| Alias =
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| Alias =
| Title = Queen<br>Dowager Queen
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| Title = Queen<br>Dowager Queen
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
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| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race = [[Valyria]]n
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| Race = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture = [[crownlands]]
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| Culture = [[Crownlands]]
| Spouse = [[Aegon I Targaryen]]
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| Father = [[Aerion Targaryen (son of Daemion)|Aerion Targaryen]]
| Place_of_Birth=[[Dragonstone]]
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| Mother = [[Valaena Velaryon]]
| Date_of_Birth = [[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 28 Before the Conquest|28BC]] or [[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 29 Before the Conquest|29BC]]<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Visenya Targaryen|Visenya Targaryen]] calculation.''</ref>
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| Spouse = King [[Aegon I Targaryen]]
| father = [[Aerion Targaryen (son of Daemion)|Aerion Targaryen]]
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| Issue = [[Maegor I Targaryen]]
| mother = [[Valaena Velaryon]]
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| Place_of_Birth = [[Dragonstone]]
| Place_of_Death=
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| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|-29}} or {{Date|-28}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages (Continued3)#Visenya Targaryen|Visenya Targaryen]] calculation.''</ref>
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| father = [[Aerion Targaryen (son of Daemion)|Aerion Targaryen]]
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| mother = [[Valaena Velaryon]]
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| Place_of_Death = [[Dragonstone]]
 
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|44}}
 
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|44}}
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned)
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| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[The Sons of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (mentioned)
| coat-of-arms =
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| coat-of-arms =
 
}}
 
}}
{{See homonyms|Visenya Targaryen (disambiguation)}}
 
  
Queen '''Visenya Targaryen''' was the older of King [[Aegon I Targaryen]]'s sisters. She was also one of his [[polygamy|two wives]], the other being her sister [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]]. A [[dragonrider]], Visenya rode [[Vhagar]] during [[Aegon's Conquest]] and the [[First Dornish War]].
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{{Hatnote|"Visenya" redirects here. For other uses, see [[Visenya Targaryen (disambiguation)]].}}
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Queen '''Visenya Targaryen''' was the older sister and wife of King [[Aegon I Targaryen]], the first [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]. Her younger sister, [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]], was [[polygamy|married to Aegon as well]]. Visenya was a [[dragonrider]], and rode the [[dragon]] [[Vhagar]].
  
 
==Appearance and Character==
 
==Appearance and Character==
 
{{See also|:Category:Images of Visenya Targaryen|l1=Images of Visenya Targaryen}}
 
{{See also|:Category:Images of Visenya Targaryen|l1=Images of Visenya Targaryen}}
[[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]]'s eldest sister was a passionate, temperamental woman. Visenya was both stern and sensual, more voluptuous than her sister [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]], more passionate, but with a dark and unforgiving side. Even those who loved her best found her stern, serious and unforgiving.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Targaryen_Kings Targaryen Kings], November 01, 2005</ref> Visenya was described as having a "harsh beauty" and was reputed to have dabbled in sorcery. While Rhaenys was the flirt, Visenya was the seductress. Although they shared their brother Aegon between them, they competed for him each in their own way. It is said that Aegon spent ten nights with Rhaenys for every one with Visenya.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
 
  
Visenya is the more likely than Rhaenys to garb herself as [[Woman warrior|a warrior]], and when so garbed, she would wield the [[Valyrian steel]] sword [[Dark Sister]], whose slender blade is designed for a woman's hand. She often braided her hair or bound it up in rings, while Rhaenys wore hers loose and flowing. The sisters likely wore jewels and clothing that reflected [[dragon]] and fire motifs.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Targaryen_Kings Targaryen Kings], November 01, 2005</ref>
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Like her siblings, Visenya possessed the classical [[Valyria]]n features: long, silver-gold hair, which she often braided or bound up in rings, and [[purple eyes]].<ref name=ssm/>{{Ref|twoiaf|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} Hers was a harsher, more austere beauty than her sister, [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]].{{Ref|twoiaf|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} A voluptuous, sensual, and passionate woman, Visenya was also stern, serious, and unforgiving.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}<ref name=ssm/> Some claimed that Visenya dabbled in dark sorceries and played with [[poison]]s.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
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Visenya was both a [[dragonrider]] and a warrior, comfortable in both silk and in ringmail.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} When garbed as a warrior, she always wielded the [[Valyrian steel]] [[longsword]] [[Dark Sister]].<ref name=ssm>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/More_Targaryen_Descriptions More Targaryen Descriptions]</ref>
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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===Early life===
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Born on the island [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]],{{ref|awoiaf|Visenya Targaryen}} Visenya was the eldest child of Lord [[Aerion Targaryen (son of Daemion)|Aerion Targaryen]] and Lady [[Valaena Velaryon]]. Her two younger siblings, [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon]] and [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]], were born within a few years following her birth.<ref name=ssm/> Since young age, Visenya trained together with Aegon at arms, and she became a skilled warrior.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
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As expected, Visenya was wed to her brother Aegon following Valyrian custom. However, Aegon took their younger sister as a wife as well. People claimed that he had wed Visenya out of duty, and Rhaenys out of desire. Prior to her wedding, Visenya became a dragonrider, having bonded with the dragon [[Vhagar]].{{Ref|twoiaf|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
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In her youth Visenya was reported to have visited the [[Citadel]] of [[Oldtown]] and Lord [[House Redwyne|Redwyne]] of the [[Arbor]] together with her brother Aegon.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
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===The Conquest===
 
===The Conquest===
: {{See also|Aegon's Conquest}}
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[[File:Aegon And His Sisters by Amok..png|thumb|400px|Visenya (left) with her brother [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon I]] and younger sister [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]], by Amok]]
  
Visenya accompanied the [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] fleet to [[Gulltown]] on her dragon. After the [[House Arryn|Arryn]] fleet defeated Aegon's [[royal fleet]] in a [[battle in the waters off Gulltown]], she had [[Vhagar]] burn the Arryn ships.
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When [[Aegon's Conquest]] of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] began, Visenya sailed with her siblings from Dragonstone. While [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon]] began construction of the [[Aegonfort]], Visenya subdued [[House Stokeworth]] by setting ablaze the roofs of [[Stokeworth]].{{ref|FAB|Aegon's Conquest}}  After the defeat of [[House Darklyn]] in [[Aegon's first test]], Visenya claimed the riches of [[Duskendale]], swelling the coffers of [[House Targaryen]]. Having conquered a dozen houses and secured the mouth of the [[Blackwater Rush|Blackwater]], Aegon was crowned king at the Aegonfort. Visenya, now queen, placed a [[Valyrian steel]] circlet on Aegon's head while their sister [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]] hailed him as the new [[King of All Westeros]]. Following the coronation, Visenya accompanied the Targaryen fleet to [[Gulltown]] and the [[Vale of Arryn]]. When the Arryn fleet sunk a third of the Targaryen ships and captured many more in a [[battle in the waters off Gulltown]], Visenya descended from the sky upon [[Vhagar]], burning their ships.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
 
 
After the death of [[Harren Hoare|Harren the Black]] in the [[burning of Harrenhal]], Visenya was sent by Aegon I to demand the submission of the lords of [[Crackclaw Point]]. The lords understood that they had no chance, so they laid their swords at her feet. Visenya took them as her own men and they would owe no fealty but to the [[Iron Throne]].{{ref|AFFC|20}}
 
  
She along with her siblings Rhaenys and Aegon secured the victory on the [[Field of Fire]] when all three [[dragons]] were unleashed together for the first and only time in the war. She was the only one of the three siblings to sustain an injury, taking an arrow to the shoulder.
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Next, Visenya was sent to [[Crackclaw Point]] by Aegon. The local lords had learned of the death of [[Harren Hoare]], [[King of the Isles and the Rivers]], at the [[burning of Harrenhal]] by Aegon, so the Crackclaws submitted quickly to Visenya, swearing oaths of fealty. Visenya took them as her own men, and from that day forth the lords owed their loyalty directly to the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|twoiaf|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}{{Ref|affc|20}}
[[File:Visenya riding Vhagar.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Visenya Targaryen riding [[Vhagar]] into battle.]]
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After the Field of Fire she was charged with subduing the Vale while Rhaenys was charged with conquering [[Dorne]]. House Arryn sent an army to the [[Bloody Gate]] but Visenya simply flew on Vhagar to the courtyard of the [[Eyrie]] to obtain the surrender of the [[Vale of Arryn]]. She succeeded and the Vale was taken bloodlessly.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
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Visenya met Rhaenys, Aegon, and the Targaryen host at  [[Stoney Sept]], from where they raced south. There, they met the combined hosts of the [[Reach]] and the [[westerlands]] in battle. Visenya and her siblings fought from dragonback, setting the dry grasses and stands of wheat on the battlefield afire. With more than four thousand men dead from the fire, and tens of thousands wounded by the flames, the battle became known as the [[Field of Fire]]. [[Mern IX Gardener]], [[King of the Reach]], died in battle while [[Loren I Lannister]], [[King of the Rock]] fled, giving the Targaryens the victory.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} According to legend, Visenya thanked the gods that Loren had ridden forth to face the Targaryens when she saw [[Casterly Rock]], as she believed that [[dragonflame]] would not have been able to dishearten the Lannister king if he had remained inside the Rock.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Westerlands: Casterly Rock}}
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Visenya had taken an arrow in the shoulder during the Field of Fire, but soon recovered. Following the surrender of King Loren, the three Targaryen siblings parted ways once more, but met soon again at the banks of the [[Trident]], where they awaited the host of [[Torrhen Stark]], [[King in the North]]. After Torrhen [[Inn of the Kneeling Man|bent the knee]], Visenya parted from her siblings and returned to the Vale, where [[House Arryn]] had strengthened their defenses. A strong host had been positioned at the [[Bloody Gate]], and the garrisons of [[Stone (waycastle)|Stone]], [[Snow (waycastle)|Snow]], and [[Sky]] had been tripled. However, Visenya bypassed these hosts by flying up to the [[Eyrie]] upon Vhagar's back. She landed in the courtyard, where she was met by [[Ronnel Arryn (king)|Ronnel Arryn]], the young [[King of Mountain and Vale]]. Ronnel's regent and mother, Lady [[Sharra Arryn]], surrendered the Eyrie to Visenya.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
 
===First Dornish War===
 
===First Dornish War===
[[File:Visenya targaryen by feliche.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Visenya Targaryen by [http://feliche.deviantart.com/ Feliche]©]]
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[[File:Visenya riding Vhagar.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Visenya riding [[Vhagar]] into battle.]]
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Visenya fought alongside her siblings in the [[First Dornish War]], which lasted from {{Date|4}} to {{Date|13}}. After Rhaenys died in [[Dorne]] in {{Date|10}}, Visenya and Aegon, grief-stricken at her death, set every castle, keep, and holdfast in [[Dorne]] ablaze at least once, with the exception of [[Sunspear]] and its [[shadow city]].
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They also placed bounties on the heads of the Dornish lords. Although half a dozen and more of those lords were killed by assassins, only two of the killers lived to collect their reward. In retaliation, the Dornish lords hired catspaws themselves.{{Ref|twoiaf|Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}}{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} Visenya and her escort were once attacked in [[King's Landing]], and she cut down the last would-be assassin down herself with [[Dark Sister]].{{Ref|FAB|Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I}} Visenya also twice wielded her longsword to defend her brother,{{ref|FAB|Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I}} with one occasion occurring in {{Date|10}}.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} When Aegon argued that his guards were still sufficient for his protection, Visenya drew Dark Sister. Before [[House Targaryen guards|his guards]] could react, she had cut Aegon's cheek, pointing out to him that his guards were slow and lazy.{{ref|FAB|Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I}} This event led to the birth of the [[Kingsguard]]. Visenya modeled the vows of the Kingsguard upon the vows of the [[Night's Watch]], and she selected the first seven members herself.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}}
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In {{Date|13}}, [[Deria Martell]], [[Princess of Dorne]], arrived in King's Landing in {{Date|13}} with a delegation to discuss peace. With her, she brought the skull of Rhaenys's dragon, [[Meraxes]], which was ill-received by Visenya.{{Ref|TWOIAF|Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}} Deria and Aegon eventually reached an agreement, striking a peace which ended the war.{{Ref|TWOIAF|Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}}
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===Motherhood===
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[[File:Visenya targaryen by bellabergolts.jpg|thumb|Visenya with [[Dark Sister]], by Bella Bergolts ©]]
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The day-to-day governance of the realm was often left in the charge of Visenya and Rhaenys, and Aegon's councilors.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}}
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Rhaenys's death in Dorne in {{Date|10}} shattered the health of her son [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]], and people began to doubt as to whether he would live. As Visenya had not yet gotten pregnant by Aegon despite more than a decade of marriage, some had come to believe that she was barren, and even went as far as to suggest to Aegon that he should take a new wife. Although many young women were presented to Aegon, he refused to voice his opinion on the matter. In {{Date|11}}, Visenya announced she was pregnant with a son, and the next year, she gave birth to Aegon's second son, [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor]]{{Ref|tsotd}} on [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|awoiaf|Maegor I Targaryen}} Visenya raised Maegor on Dragonstone, and gave him her [[Valyrian steel]] sword, [[Dark Sister]], as a [[nameday]] present when the boy turned thirteen.{{Ref|tsotd}}
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In {{Date|23}}, Aenys's first child, Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], was born.{{Ref|tsotd}} Shortly after Maegor turned twelve, Visenya proposed a betrothal between her son Maegor and Rhaena, to settle the issue of the royal succession, as Rhaena's birth had sparked the discussion about who was next in line behind Aenys: his own daughter, or his brother.{{Ref|tsotd}} However, the [[High Septon (Aegon I)|High Septon]] protested, and suggested his own niece, Lady [[Ceryse Hightower]], as a bride for the young prince instead.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}
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Visenya's relationship with Aegon, which had never been a warm one, grew more distant. When Aegon in {{Date|35}} had the [[Aegonfort]] torn down so they could start building the [[Red Keep]], Visenya was left in charge of the construction. In his histories, [[Archmaester]] [[Gyldayn]] states that it was suggested at court that Aegon had left Visenya at King's Landing so that he would not have to endure her presence on Dragonstone.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}}
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===Reign of Aenys===
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When Aegon died, both Visenya and Maegor were present as his body was cremated and [[Aenys I Targaryen]] was crowned. Aenys gifted Maegor with [[Blackfyre]] saying he was more fit to wield it. Visenya Targaryen voiced the opinion that Aenys was unfit to rule, 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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In {{Date|39}}, Visenya's son Maegor shocked the realm by taking a second wife and married [[Alys Harroway]]. Visenya officiated the wedding for lack of a septon. The outrage that followed resulted in Maegor being sent into exile.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} Visenya was present the next year at the wedding of Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]] to Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]]. At the feast that followed the ceremony, King Aenys named Aegon [[Prince of Dragonstone]], a title which had previously belonged to Maegor. Visenya left the feast in protest and returned to [[Dragonstone]] upon [[Vhagar]]. Singers claim that the moon turned red as they passed it.{{Ref|tsotd}}
  
In {{date|4}} Visenya took part in the [[First Dornish War]]. When her sister [[Rhaenys Targaryen]] was killed a few years later during that war, the wrath of [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon]] and Visenya was boundless. Their dragons consumed the abandoned Dornish castles in [[dragonflame]] and placed bounties on the heads of Dornish lords, and in turn the [[Dornishmen]] put bounties on the price of the Targaryens. Aegon and Visenya were assaulted on the streets of [[King's Landing]], and if not for Visenya's [[Dark Sister]] they would have been killed. This attack led to the forming of the elite royal bodyguard known as the [[Kingsguard]] in {{Date|10}}. Visenya chose the men herself.{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}}
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When King Aenys abandoned King's Landing at the start of the [[Faith Militant uprising]] and fled to Dragonstone, Visenya counseled him to burn down the [[Starry Sept]] in [[Oldtown]] and the [[Sept of Remembrance]] in King's Landing. Aenys, incapable of making a firm decision, instead fell ill and chose not to heed her counsel. Visenya took over his care and for a time his health improved. Aenys suffered a collapse when he learned his son [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] and daughter [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]] were besieged in [[Crakehall]], and he died three days later.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} As soon as Aenys was buried, Visenya then mounted [[Vhagar]] and flew to [[Pentos]] to retrieve her son Maegor from exile.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}
  
The Dornish war ended with peace terms due to a mysterious letter given to Aegon by the Dornish.
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===Reign of Maegor===
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[[File:Visenya targaryen by daenerys mod-d4gxqj9.jpg|thumb|300px|Queen Visenya, by Elia Fernandez]]
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With Visenya's aid, Maegor claimed the [[Iron Throne]]. Visenya accompanied him to King's Landing, where she challenged anyone who denied Maegor's right to rule, which resulted in a [[trial of seven]] between Maegor and the [[Warrior's Sons]]. Though severely injured, Maegor was the only survivor.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}
  
===Later Life===
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In {{Date|42}}, Visenya flew to [[Driftmark]] upon Vhagar to convince Aenys's widow, Dowager Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]], to leave her father's castle to where she had fled after her husband's death. At the royal court, it was said that Maegor's [[Hand of the King]] and council members enacted his will but did not have his ear - but instead, he was ruled by three queens: his mother Visenya, his paramour and second wife [[Alys Harroway]], and his new third bride, the Pentoshi spymaster [[Tyanna of the Tower]], a rumored sorceress. Visenya came to distrust Tyanna and a rivalry developed between them.{{ref|tsotd}}
Visenya largely oversaw the construction and planning of the city of [[King's Landing]] while Aegon was on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]]. She was the mother of [[Maegor I Targaryen]], her first and only child.<ref>[http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/83614-bubonicon-45/?p=4879997/ Westeros Forum]. Bubonicon 45, Mar 28 2013</ref> After Aenys I's accession to the Iron Throne she proposed her son Maegor wed Aenys's eldest daughter [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]], but the [[High Septon (Aegon I)|High Septon]] put up a vigorous protest and Maegor was forced to wed the High Septon's niece, [[Ceryse Hightower]]. In {{date|39}} Prince Maegor shocked the realm when he took a second wife and wed [[Alys Harroway]] in which Visenya officiated the wedding for lack of a septon, and Maegor went into exile.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
 
  
During the [[Faith Militant uprising]] Aenys abandoned the city with his family and fled to the safety of Dragonstone, where Visenya counseled him to bring fire and blood to the [[Starry Sept]] in [[Oldtown]] and [[Sept of Remembrance]] in King's Landing. Aenys, incapable of making a firm decision, instead fell ill and chose not to heed her counsel. Visenya took over his care and for a time his health improved. Aenys suffered a collapse when he learned his son [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon]] and daughter [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena]] were besieged in [[Crakehall]], and he died three days later. Visenya then mounted [[Vhagar]] and flew to [[Pentos]] to retrieve her son Maegor.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}
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In {{Date|43}} Visenya aided her son against those who refused his royal summons. Mounted upon her dragon [[Vhagar]], she burned the seats of several houses in the [[riverlands]], as once she had burned castles in Dorne: [[House Blanetree]], [[House Terrick|Terrick]], [[House Deddings|Deddings]], [[House Lychester|Lychester]], and [[House Wayn|Wayn]].<ref group="N">''[[The Sons of the Dragon]]'' states that Visenya burned the seats of Houses in the [[Reach]], before listing off all of these Houses, known from other sources to be in the riverlands. This one-word mention of the Reach is thus probably an error. It is corrected in ''[[Fire & Blood]]''.</ref> Next Visenya and Maegor turned towards [[Oldtown]], threatening to incinerate the [[Starry Sept]] in response to the [[High Septon (Aenys I)|High Septon]]'s condemnation of her sons [[polygamy|polygamous marriages]]. When the High Septon suddenly died, Lord [[Martyn Hightower]] opened the city's gates, saving Oldtown from the fire. Visenya watched as the [[High Septon (Pater)|new High Septon]] anointed her son as king.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Reach: Oldtown}}{{Ref|tsotd}}
  
Due to Visenya's actions, the [[Iron Throne]] passed to Maegor instead of Aenys's eldest son, Aegon. After the coronation of Maegor I, Visenya held Aenys's widow, [[Alyssa Velaryon]], and children as hostages on Dragonstone and challenged those who questioned her son's right to rule to prove themselves. The captain of the [[Warrior's Sons]], Ser [[Damon Morrigen]], challenged Maegor to a [[trial of seven]] when Maegor went to King's Landing. Maegor was victorious but lay in a coma for a month before recovering. Once her son was back on his feet Visenya returned to Dragonstone where she remained until her death in {{date|44}}.{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}
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After Maegor's victory in the [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye]], Visenya persuaded her son to spare the lives of several highborn rebels. After Prince Aegon's death, Visenya held Alyssa and her two youngest children, [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]] and [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], as her wards on Dragonstone.{{Ref|tsotd}}
  
After Visenya died many began to whisper that her nephew Aenys's sudden demise had been her own doing and some named her a king- and [[Kinslaying|kinslayer]].{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} However, she is mainly remembered and respected as a strong, capable warrior, something few women are acknowledged as in [[Westeros]]i history.
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By {{Date|44}} - despite being healthy enough to ride her dragon to battle the year before - Visenya had grown thin and haggard, as the flesh had "melted" from her bones.{{Ref|tsotd}} Visenya died that same year while Maegor was on campaign. Upon her death, Alyssa and her two children slipped away from the castle in the confusion, taking Visenya's [[Valyrian steel]] sword [[Dark Sister]] with them.{{Ref|tsotd}}{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}
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Visenya was cremated as per Targaryen [[custom]]. Her bones and ashes were interred beside those of her brother, King [[Aegon I Targaryen]].{{Ref|tsotd}}<ref group="N">''The Sons of the Dragon'' states that "''Her bones and ashes were interred beside those of her brother and sister.''" However, the body of her sister, [[Rhaenys Targaryen|Rhaenys]], was never returned from [[Dorne]] after her death in {{Date|10}} (''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'', Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons), making this impossible. It is corrected in ''Fire & Blood''.</ref>
 +
 
 +
==Legacy==
 +
After Visenya's death, it was suggested that she had caused King [[Aenys I Targaryen]]'s sudden death, causing some to call her a [[kinslayer]] and kingslayer.{{Ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
 +
 
 +
[[Elissa Farman]] gave the names [[Aegon, Rhaenys, and Visenya (islands)|Aegon, Rhaenys, and Visenya]] to islands she found in the [[Sunset Sea]].{{ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
 +
 
 +
The [[Great Sept of Baelor]] sits on [[Visenya's Hill]] in [[King's Landing]].{{ref|AGOT|18}}
 +
 
 +
''[[The Conqueror's Two Wives]]'' is a play about the royal siblings.{{ref|AFFC|34}}
  
 
==Family==
 
==Family==
 
{{Targaryen tree Aegon}}
 
{{Targaryen tree Aegon}}
  
==References and Notes==
+
==Quotes by Visenya==
{{references|2}}
+
{{Quote|Your guards are slow and lazy.{{ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}}|Visenya to [[Aegon I Targaryen]] after cutting his cheek to prove a point}}
 +
 
 +
==Notes==
 +
{{Notes}}
 +
 
 +
==References==
 +
{{References|2}}
  
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Revision as of 16:01, 21 December 2020

House Targaryen.svg
Visenya Targaryen
House Targaryen.svg
Visenya.jpg
Visenya by Amok©

Titles
  • Queen
  • Dowager Queen
Allegiance House Targaryen
Race Valyrian
Culture Crownlands
Born In 29 BC or 28 BC[1]Dragonstone
Died In 44 ACDragonstone
Father Aerion Targaryen
Mother Valaena Velaryon
Spouse King Aegon I Targaryen
Issue Maegor I Targaryen
Books


Queen Visenya Targaryen was the older sister and wife of King Aegon I Targaryen, the first Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. Her younger sister, Rhaenys, was married to Aegon as well. Visenya was a dragonrider, and rode the dragon Vhagar.

Appearance and Character

Like her siblings, Visenya possessed the classical Valyrian features: long, silver-gold hair, which she often braided or bound up in rings, and purple eyes.[2][3] Hers was a harsher, more austere beauty than her sister, Rhaenys.[3] A voluptuous, sensual, and passionate woman, Visenya was also stern, serious, and unforgiving.[3][2] Some claimed that Visenya dabbled in dark sorceries and played with poisons.[3]

Visenya was both a dragonrider and a warrior, comfortable in both silk and in ringmail.[3] When garbed as a warrior, she always wielded the Valyrian steel longsword Dark Sister.[2]

History

Early life

Born on the island Dragonstone,[4] Visenya was the eldest child of Lord Aerion Targaryen and Lady Valaena Velaryon. Her two younger siblings, Aegon and Rhaenys, were born within a few years following her birth.[2] Since young age, Visenya trained together with Aegon at arms, and she became a skilled warrior.[3]

As expected, Visenya was wed to her brother Aegon following Valyrian custom. However, Aegon took their younger sister as a wife as well. People claimed that he had wed Visenya out of duty, and Rhaenys out of desire. Prior to her wedding, Visenya became a dragonrider, having bonded with the dragon Vhagar.[3]

In her youth Visenya was reported to have visited the Citadel of Oldtown and Lord Redwyne of the Arbor together with her brother Aegon.[3]

The Conquest

File:Aegon And His Sisters by Amok..png
Visenya (left) with her brother Aegon I and younger sister Rhaenys, by Amok

When Aegon's Conquest of the Seven Kingdoms began, Visenya sailed with her siblings from Dragonstone. While Aegon began construction of the Aegonfort, Visenya subdued House Stokeworth by setting ablaze the roofs of Stokeworth.[5] After the defeat of House Darklyn in Aegon's first test, Visenya claimed the riches of Duskendale, swelling the coffers of House Targaryen. Having conquered a dozen houses and secured the mouth of the Blackwater, Aegon was crowned king at the Aegonfort. Visenya, now queen, placed a Valyrian steel circlet on Aegon's head while their sister Rhaenys hailed him as the new King of All Westeros. Following the coronation, Visenya accompanied the Targaryen fleet to Gulltown and the Vale of Arryn. When the Arryn fleet sunk a third of the Targaryen ships and captured many more in a battle in the waters off Gulltown, Visenya descended from the sky upon Vhagar, burning their ships.[3]

Next, Visenya was sent to Crackclaw Point by Aegon. The local lords had learned of the death of Harren Hoare, King of the Isles and the Rivers, at the burning of Harrenhal by Aegon, so the Crackclaws submitted quickly to Visenya, swearing oaths of fealty. Visenya took them as her own men, and from that day forth the lords owed their loyalty directly to the Iron Throne.[3][6]

Visenya met Rhaenys, Aegon, and the Targaryen host at Stoney Sept, from where they raced south. There, they met the combined hosts of the Reach and the westerlands in battle. Visenya and her siblings fought from dragonback, setting the dry grasses and stands of wheat on the battlefield afire. With more than four thousand men dead from the fire, and tens of thousands wounded by the flames, the battle became known as the Field of Fire. Mern IX Gardener, King of the Reach, died in battle while Loren I Lannister, King of the Rock fled, giving the Targaryens the victory.[3] According to legend, Visenya thanked the gods that Loren had ridden forth to face the Targaryens when she saw Casterly Rock, as she believed that dragonflame would not have been able to dishearten the Lannister king if he had remained inside the Rock.[7]

Visenya had taken an arrow in the shoulder during the Field of Fire, but soon recovered. Following the surrender of King Loren, the three Targaryen siblings parted ways once more, but met soon again at the banks of the Trident, where they awaited the host of Torrhen Stark, King in the North. After Torrhen bent the knee, Visenya parted from her siblings and returned to the Vale, where House Arryn had strengthened their defenses. A strong host had been positioned at the Bloody Gate, and the garrisons of Stone, Snow, and Sky had been tripled. However, Visenya bypassed these hosts by flying up to the Eyrie upon Vhagar's back. She landed in the courtyard, where she was met by Ronnel Arryn, the young King of Mountain and Vale. Ronnel's regent and mother, Lady Sharra Arryn, surrendered the Eyrie to Visenya.[3]

First Dornish War

Visenya riding Vhagar into battle.

Visenya fought alongside her siblings in the First Dornish War, which lasted from 4 AC to 13 AC. After Rhaenys died in Dorne in 10 AC, Visenya and Aegon, grief-stricken at her death, set every castle, keep, and holdfast in Dorne ablaze at least once, with the exception of Sunspear and its shadow city.

They also placed bounties on the heads of the Dornish lords. Although half a dozen and more of those lords were killed by assassins, only two of the killers lived to collect their reward. In retaliation, the Dornish lords hired catspaws themselves.[8][9] Visenya and her escort were once attacked in King's Landing, and she cut down the last would-be assassin down herself with Dark Sister.[10] Visenya also twice wielded her longsword to defend her brother,[11] with one occasion occurring in 10 AC.[9] When Aegon argued that his guards were still sufficient for his protection, Visenya drew Dark Sister. Before his guards could react, she had cut Aegon's cheek, pointing out to him that his guards were slow and lazy.[11] This event led to the birth of the Kingsguard. Visenya modeled the vows of the Kingsguard upon the vows of the Night's Watch, and she selected the first seven members herself.[9]

In 13 AC, Deria Martell, Princess of Dorne, arrived in King's Landing in 13 AC with a delegation to discuss peace. With her, she brought the skull of Rhaenys's dragon, Meraxes, which was ill-received by Visenya.[8] Deria and Aegon eventually reached an agreement, striking a peace which ended the war.[8]

Motherhood

Visenya with Dark Sister, by Bella Bergolts ©

The day-to-day governance of the realm was often left in the charge of Visenya and Rhaenys, and Aegon's councilors.[9]

Rhaenys's death in Dorne in 10 AC shattered the health of her son Aenys, and people began to doubt as to whether he would live. As Visenya had not yet gotten pregnant by Aegon despite more than a decade of marriage, some had come to believe that she was barren, and even went as far as to suggest to Aegon that he should take a new wife. Although many young women were presented to Aegon, he refused to voice his opinion on the matter. In 11 AC, Visenya announced she was pregnant with a son, and the next year, she gave birth to Aegon's second son, Maegor[12] on Dragonstone.[13] Visenya raised Maegor on Dragonstone, and gave him her Valyrian steel sword, Dark Sister, as a nameday present when the boy turned thirteen.[12]

In 23 AC, Aenys's first child, Princess Rhaena, was born.[12] Shortly after Maegor turned twelve, Visenya proposed a betrothal between her son Maegor and Rhaena, to settle the issue of the royal succession, as Rhaena's birth had sparked the discussion about who was next in line behind Aenys: his own daughter, or his brother.[12] However, the High Septon protested, and suggested his own niece, Lady Ceryse Hightower, as a bride for the young prince instead.[14][15]

Visenya's relationship with Aegon, which had never been a warm one, grew more distant. When Aegon in 35 AC had the Aegonfort torn down so they could start building the Red Keep, Visenya was left in charge of the construction. In his histories, Archmaester Gyldayn states that it was suggested at court that Aegon had left Visenya at King's Landing so that he would not have to endure her presence on Dragonstone.[9]

Reign of Aenys

When Aegon died, both Visenya and Maegor were present as his body was cremated and Aenys I Targaryen was crowned. Aenys gifted Maegor with Blackfyre saying he was more fit to wield it. Visenya Targaryen voiced the opinion that Aenys was unfit to rule, claiming that, by giving Blackfyre to Maegor, Aenys had admitted that he lacked the strength to rule.[12]

In 39 AC, Visenya's son Maegor shocked the realm by taking a second wife and married Alys Harroway. Visenya officiated the wedding for lack of a septon. The outrage that followed resulted in Maegor being sent into exile.[14] Visenya was present the next year at the wedding of Princess Rhaena to Prince Aegon. At the feast that followed the ceremony, King Aenys named Aegon Prince of Dragonstone, a title which had previously belonged to Maegor. Visenya left the feast in protest and returned to Dragonstone upon Vhagar. Singers claim that the moon turned red as they passed it.[12]

When King Aenys abandoned King's Landing at the start of the Faith Militant uprising and fled to Dragonstone, Visenya counseled him to burn down the Starry Sept in Oldtown and the Sept of Remembrance in King's Landing. Aenys, incapable of making a firm decision, instead fell ill and chose not to heed her counsel. Visenya took over his care and for a time his health improved. Aenys suffered a collapse when he learned his son Aegon and daughter Rhaena were besieged in Crakehall, and he died three days later.[14] As soon as Aenys was buried, Visenya then mounted Vhagar and flew to Pentos to retrieve her son Maegor from exile.[15]

Reign of Maegor

Queen Visenya, by Elia Fernandez

With Visenya's aid, Maegor claimed the Iron Throne. Visenya accompanied him to King's Landing, where she challenged anyone who denied Maegor's right to rule, which resulted in a trial of seven between Maegor and the Warrior's Sons. Though severely injured, Maegor was the only survivor.[15]

In 42 AC, Visenya flew to Driftmark upon Vhagar to convince Aenys's widow, Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon, to leave her father's castle to where she had fled after her husband's death. At the royal court, it was said that Maegor's Hand of the King and council members enacted his will but did not have his ear - but instead, he was ruled by three queens: his mother Visenya, his paramour and second wife Alys Harroway, and his new third bride, the Pentoshi spymaster Tyanna of the Tower, a rumored sorceress. Visenya came to distrust Tyanna and a rivalry developed between them.[12]

In 43 AC Visenya aided her son against those who refused his royal summons. Mounted upon her dragon Vhagar, she burned the seats of several houses in the riverlands, as once she had burned castles in Dorne: House Blanetree, Terrick, Deddings, Lychester, and Wayn.[N 1] Next Visenya and Maegor turned towards Oldtown, threatening to incinerate the Starry Sept in response to the High Septon's condemnation of her sons polygamous marriages. When the High Septon suddenly died, Lord Martyn Hightower opened the city's gates, saving Oldtown from the fire. Visenya watched as the new High Septon anointed her son as king.[16][12]

After Maegor's victory in the Battle Beneath the Gods Eye, Visenya persuaded her son to spare the lives of several highborn rebels. After Prince Aegon's death, Visenya held Alyssa and her two youngest children, Jaehaerys and Alysanne, as her wards on Dragonstone.[12]

By 44 AC - despite being healthy enough to ride her dragon to battle the year before - Visenya had grown thin and haggard, as the flesh had "melted" from her bones.[12] Visenya died that same year while Maegor was on campaign. Upon her death, Alyssa and her two children slipped away from the castle in the confusion, taking Visenya's Valyrian steel sword Dark Sister with them.[12][15]

Visenya was cremated as per Targaryen custom. Her bones and ashes were interred beside those of her brother, King Aegon I Targaryen.[12][N 2]

Legacy

After Visenya's death, it was suggested that she had caused King Aenys I Targaryen's sudden death, causing some to call her a kinslayer and kingslayer.[14]

Elissa Farman gave the names Aegon, Rhaenys, and Visenya to islands she found in the Sunset Sea.[17]

The Great Sept of Baelor sits on Visenya's Hill in King's Landing.[18]

The Conqueror's Two Wives is a play about the royal siblings.[19]

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
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Quotes by Visenya

Your guards are slow and lazy.[9]

—Visenya to Aegon I Targaryen after cutting his cheek to prove a point

Notes

  1. The Sons of the Dragon states that Visenya burned the seats of Houses in the Reach, before listing off all of these Houses, known from other sources to be in the riverlands. This one-word mention of the Reach is thus probably an error. It is corrected in Fire & Blood.
  2. The Sons of the Dragon states that "Her bones and ashes were interred beside those of her brother and sister." However, the body of her sister, Rhaenys, was never returned from Dorne after her death in 10 AC (The World of Ice & Fire, Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons), making this impossible. It is corrected in Fire & Blood.

References

  1. See the Visenya Targaryen calculation.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 So Spake Martin: More Targaryen Descriptions
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  4. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Visenya Targaryen.
  5. Fire & Blood, Aegon's Conquest.
  6. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 20, Brienne IV.
  7. The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands: Casterly Rock.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 The World of Ice & Fire, Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I.
  10. Fire & Blood, Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Fire & Blood, Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I.
  12. 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 12.10 12.11 The Sons of the Dragon.
  13. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Maegor I Targaryen.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
  16. The World of Ice & Fire, The Reach: Oldtown.
  17. Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
  18. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 18, Catelyn IV.
  19. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 34, Cat Of The Canals.