Viserys II Targaryen

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House Targaryen.svg King
Viserys II Targaryen
House Targaryen.svg
VISERYS II.jpg
Viserys II by Amok©
Monarch
Reign 171 AC - 172 AC
Full name Viserys Targaryen the Second of His Name
Titles
Predecessor Baelor I Targaryen
Heir Aegon IV Targaryen
Successor Aegon IV Targaryen
Personal Information
Born In 122 AC[1], at Dragonstone[2]
Died In 172 AC[3], at King's Landing[2]
Family
Dynasty House Targaryen
Spouse Larra Rogare
Issue Aegon IV Targaryen
Aemon Targaryen
Naerys Targaryen
Father Daemon Targaryen
Mother Rhaenyra Targaryen
References
Books
Played by Unidentified
TV series House of the Dragon: Season 1

Viserys II Targaryen was the tenth Targaryen king to sit the Iron Throne as Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. He was the son of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Daemon Targaryen, the brother and Hand of Aegon III Targaryen, and the father of King Aegon IV Targaryen, Queen Naerys Targaryen, and Prince Aemon "the Dragonknight".

Appearance and Character

Viserys had silver-gold hair.[4] In his youth, Viserys was said to be striking, though he was not as handsome as his older brother, Aegon.[4] According to a semi-canon source, Viserys II was clean-shaven with long hair. He had a prominent nose, bushy eyebrows and a shrewd, calculating look to him. He wore the simple crown of Aegon III.[5]

Viserys was frailer than his brother Aegon in his youth, but was more mature than Aegon and his Velaryon half-brothers.[1] As a boy, Viserys was said to be clever and gallant.[6] He was well-educated by tutors during his captivity, and excelled at the art of swordsmanship under his master-at-arms.[4] Unlike Aegon, Viserys had the gift of charm, but later became stern.[7] Due to his intelligence, he was later in life compared to his great-great-grandfather, King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, in terms of political capability.[7] According to Tyrion Lannister, Viserys had been far better suited to rule the Seven Kingdoms than the nephews he served loyally as Hand of the King.[8]

History

Youth

Daemon and Rhaenyra with their sons: Aegon and Viserys, by Jota Saraiva

Born in 122 AC, Viserys was the second born son of his father, Prince Daemon Targaryen, and the fifth born son of his mother, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. As per Targaryen tradition, a dragon egg was placed in his cradle.[1] Viserys was named after his grandfather, King Viserys I Targaryen.[1]

Viserys had four older brothers; three half-brothers from his mother's first marriage, Jacaerys, Lucerys and Joffrey Velaryon, and one full-blood brother, Aegon. He also had two older half-sisers, Baela and Rhaena Targaryen, from his father's second marriage.[9]

Viserys lived with his mother, father, brothers, and sisters on Dragonstone, his mother's seat as the Princess of Dragonstone. When his grandfather died in early 129 AC, Viserys and his family were thus away from the capital, since Rhaenyra was pregnant for the sixth time. This pregnancy led to the birth of Viserys's stillborn younger sister, Visenya.[9]

The death of his grandfather sparked a war of succession between Viserys's mother, Rhaenyra, and his half-uncle, Prince Aegon, who was crowned King Aegon II Targaryen, despite Rhaenyra having been the heir to the throne.[9]

The Dance of the Dragons

In late 129 AC, at the behest of their half-brother Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, Viserys and his older brother Aegon were sent to Essos aboard the Gay Abandon to be fostered by a prince of Pentos until their mother Rhaenyra secured the Iron Throne. However, the fleet of the Kingdom of the Three Daughters, who were allied with the greens and Aegon II Targaryen, captured the Gay Abandon during the voyage. Aegon flew away atop his dragon, Stormcloud, but Viserys had only a dragon egg. Remaining behind, the clever Viserys hid his egg and disguised himself as a common ship's boy, but his identity was revealed by one of the crew. A Tyroshi captain brought Viserys to Sharako Lohar, the Triarchy's admiral. Viserys's fate through the remainder of the Dance of the Dragons was unknown to his family, who believed he had died in the battle.[10]

A young Prince Viserys and his wife Larra Rogare hold their child, Aegon, as depicted by Magali Villeneuve in The World of Ice & Fire.

Viserys ended up in Lys under the stewardship of the magister Bambarro Bazanne. After the magister died in debt, Viserys passed into the custody of the wealthy Rogare family, whose bank at the time was as powerful as the Iron Bank of Braavos. Viserys was wed to the family's youngest daughter, Larra, despite her being seven years his senior.[4]

Reign of Aegon III

During the early reign of Viserys's older brother, Aegon III, it became known in Westeros that Viserys had survived. He was recovered by Oakenfist in 134 AC, and after a huge ransom was paid to the merchant princes of Lys, Viserys returned to King's Landing. Aegon had never forgiven himself for abandoning his brother during the Battle in the Gullet, and so Viserys's return was the only true joy he had in his reign. For the rest of Aegon's life, Viserys was the only person Aegon ever fully trusted.[7]

Viserys came to King's Landing with his new wife Larra Rogare and several of her kin. During the Lysene Spring, the ambitious Rogare family became embroiled in the conflicts of the regency of Aegon III. Although the Rogares at the Red Keep were apparently guilty of some crimes, their rivals in King's Landing blamed them for many more. In 135 AC, Lord Thaddeus Rowan was tortured in an attempt to find evidence against the Rogares, and Ser Marston Waters, the Hand of the King, sent men to capture Larra after arresting her brothers. Aegon and Viserys refused to surrender Larra, however, and defiantly protected her in Maegor's Holdfast in what would later become known as the secret siege. Eventually the case against the Rogares collapsed.[7][11]

Viserys and Larra had three children: Aegon (born 135 AC), Aemon (born 136 AC), and Naerys (born 138 AC). Larra never felt happy at court, and in 139 AC, she left Viserys and their three children and returned to Lys, an experience that made Viserys stern. Viserys had Aegon and Naerys wed to one another in 153 AC, with Aegon III's blessing, while Aemon became a knight of the Kingsguard.[7][12]

Hand of the King

Eventually,[N 1] Viserys served as Hand during the last years of Aegon's reign. Viserys remained in the office during the reigns of both of his brother's sons, Daeron I and Baelor I. Viserys was said to be instrumental in keeping the realm intact while Aegon brooded, Daeron warred, and Baelor prayed. It was rumored that to spare the realm embarrassment, Viserys used his position as Hand to order the poisoning of a stonemason whom Baelor had appointed as High Septon.[7][13]

Reign

Viserys II ascended to throne at age 49, after the death of his nephew, Baelor I Targaryen, in 171 AC. There were some amongst the smallfolk — and even some lords — who felt that the Iron Throne should have rightfully passed to Baelor's sister Daena, as she was Aegon III's eldest daughter. However, a decade of isolation in the Maidenvault had left Daena and her sisters without powerful allies, and memories of Rhaenyra Targaryen and the Dance of the Dragons had left many leery of the idea of a woman on the Iron Throne. Also, Daena the Defiant was seen by many as being wild, unmanageable, and wanton (as a year earlier she had given birth to her bastard son Daemon). The precedents of the Great Council of 101 AC and the Dance of the Dragons were therefore cited, the claims of Baelor's sisters were set aside, and the crown passed to Viserys.[12]

Although his reign lasted only a little longer than a year, Viserys issued reforms of the royal household and its functions, established a new royal mint, made efforts to increase trade across the narrow sea, and made positive revisions to the already progressive code of laws established by the Old King, Jaehaerys I. It is believed that Viserys had it in him to be another Jaehaerys the Wise, as he was just as wise and shrewd. Unfortunately, a sudden illness led to his death in 172 AC.[12]

Viserys was succeeded by his eldest son, Aegon IV Targaryen. Some historians suspect that Viserys's death was not natural and that Aegon IV had poisoned him.[12]

Legacy

Viserys is not remembered fondly in Westeros, as some accuse him of poisoning Baelor to gain the throne and doing nothing once he gained it. Still, Viserys may have reigned for only a year, but in his previous role as Hand of the King he had ruled and preserved the land for much longer. The reigns and follies of Aegon, Daeron, and Baelor would have been much worse if not for his tenure as Hand of the King.[12][8]

Quotes about Viserys

Prince Viserys was a lively and likely young lad, possessed of great charm and boundless vitality. Though not as tall, as strong, or as handsome as his brother, he struck all who met him as more clever and more curious than the king.[4]

—writings of Munkun

Viserys might have only reigned a year, but he ruled for fifteen, while Daeron warred and Baelor prayed.[8]

Family

Ancestors

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.


Descendants

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aemma
Arryn
 
 
 
Viserys I
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alicent
Hightower
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daemon
 
Rhaenyra
 
 
 
 
 
Aegon II
 
Helaena
 
Aemond
 
Daeron
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Viserys II
 
Larra
Rogare
 
Daenaera
Velaryon
 
Aegon III
 
Jaehaera
 
Jaehaerys
 
Maelor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aemon
 
Naerys
 
Aegon IV
 
 
 
 
Daena
 
Baelor I
 
Daeron I
 
Rhaena
 
Elaena
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daeron II
 
Myriah
Martell
 
Maron
Martell
 
Daenerys
 
Daemon
Blackfyre
 
Rohanne
of Tyrosh
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
House Targaryen.svg
 
 
 
 
 
House Martell.svg
 
 
 
 
 
House Blackfyre 2.svg
 
 
 


Behind the Scenes

In the first edition of A Game of Thrones, Viserys was listed in the appendix as Aegon III's fourth son, rather than his younger brother. However, a fan pointed out to George R.R. Martin that the math did not make sense with the ages of Aegon and Viserys's respective sons, and GRRM made the correction to the current family arrangement.[14][15]

Notes

  1. Ser Tywin Lannister was the youngest ever to be appointed Hand of the King at the age of twenty in 262 AC (The World of Ice and Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II). Therefore Viserys, born in 122 AC (The Rogue Prince), cannot have been named Hand earlier than 143 AC. As Viserys was Aegon III's Hand during the final years of his reign, which ended in 157 AC (The World of Ice and Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III), Viserys can not have been named Hand later than 155 AC. Thus, Viserys was appointed Hand of the King in or between 143 AC and 155 AC.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
  2. 2.0 2.1 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Viserys II Targaryen.
  3. A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Voyage of Alyn Oakenfist.
  5. So Spake Martin: Targaryen Kings, November 1, 2005
  6. Fire & Blood, The Lysene Spring and the End of The Regency.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 59, Sansa IV.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens.
  10. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold.
  11. Fire & Blood, The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II.
  13. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 43, Cersei X.
  14. So Spake Martin: Targaryen Ages, October 23, 1998
  15. So Spake Martin: Targaryen Succession, October 23, 1998
Unknown
Last known title holder:
Torrhen Manderly
Hand of the King
?–171 AC
Served under: Aegon III Targaryen
Daeron I Targaryen
Baelor I Targaryen
Unknown
Next known title holder:
Lord Bracken
Preceded by 10th
King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men
Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
Protector of the Realm

171172 AC
Succeeded by