Difference between revisions of "Baelor I Targaryen"

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:''This page is about the King named "Baelor Targaryen". For other characters called "Baelor Targaryen", please see [[Baelor Targaryen]].[[Image:Disambig.png]]''
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{{About|the king|the prince|Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)}}
 
{{Infobox monarch
 
{{Infobox monarch
| name          = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] '''Baelor I''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
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| arms = Targaryen
| image        = [[Image:BAELOR I.jpg|350px]]
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| arms2 = Septon
| image_caption = Portrait of Baelor I by Amok©
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| title = King
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| firstname = Baelor
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| regnalnumber = 1
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| lastname = Targaryen
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| epithet = the Blessed
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| image        = BAELOR I.jpg
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| image_caption = Portrait of Baelor I, by Amok ©
 
| reign = {{Date|161|171}}
 
| reign = {{Date|161|171}}
 
| coronation =
 
| coronation =
| othertitles = [[Iron Throne|King]] of the [[Seven Kingdoms]]
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| fullname = Baelor Targaryen the First of His Name
| alias        = Baelor the Beloved<br>Baelor the Blessed<br>Baelor the Befuddled
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| alias        = Baelor the Blessed{{Ref|AGOT|12}}<br>Baelor the Beloved{{Ref|AGOT|65}}<br>Blessed Baelor{{Ref|AGOT|65}}<br>Baelor the Befuddled{{Ref|ADWD|5}}
| fullname = Baelor Targaryen First of His Name
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| othertitles = [[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]]<br>[[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]<br>[[Protector of the Realm]]<br>[[Septon]]
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| dateofbirth = {{Date|144}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages#Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I Targaryen]] calculation.''</ref>
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| placeofbirth = [[King's Landing]]{{Ref|AWOIAF|Baelor I Targaryen}}
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| dateofdeath = {{Date|171}}
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| placeofdeath = [[King's Landing]]{{Ref|AWOIAF|Baelor I Targaryen}}
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| dateofburial =
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| placeofburial =
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| culture =
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| royalhouse = [[House Targaryen]]
 
| predecessor = [[Daeron I Targaryen]]
 
| predecessor = [[Daeron I Targaryen]]
 
| successor = [[Viserys II Targaryen]]
 
| successor = [[Viserys II Targaryen]]
Line 14: Line 28:
 
| queen = [[Daena Targaryen]]
 
| queen = [[Daena Targaryen]]
 
| consort =
 
| consort =
| spouse =
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| spouse =  
 
| issue = None
 
| issue = None
| royalhouse = [[House Targaryen]]
 
 
| father = [[Aegon III Targaryen]]  
 
| father = [[Aegon III Targaryen]]  
 
| mother = [[Daenaera Velaryon]]
 
| mother = [[Daenaera Velaryon]]
| dateofbirth = {{Date|144}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages#Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I Targaryen]] calculation.''</ref>
 
| placeofbirth = [[King's Landing]]{{ref|awoiaf| Baelor I Targaryen}}
 
| dateofdeath = {{Date|171}}
 
| placeofdeath = [[King's Landing]]{{ref|awoiaf| Baelor I Targaryen}}
 
| dateofburial =
 
| placeofburial =
 
| culture =
 
 
| coat-of-arms =
 
| coat-of-arms =
| Books        = ''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[The Sworn Sword]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (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>''[[The Sworn Sword]]'' (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)
 
| Played_by =
 
| Played_by =
 
| TV_series =
 
| TV_series =
 
}}
 
}}
 
 
'''Baelor I''', known as '''the Beloved''' and '''the Blessed''', was the ninth Targaryen king to reign on the [[Iron Throne]]. Known for his piety, Baelor was a septon as well as a king.{{Ref|aGoT|65}} He was the second son of [[Aegon III]] and ruled after the death of his brother [[Daeron I Targaryen]]. The [[Great Sept of Baelor]] in [[King's Landing]] features a statue of him. None of the [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] dynasty's kings are as beloved as Baelor, he loved the [[smallfolk]] and the gods in equal parts - yet imprisoned his own sisters.{{Ref|aDwD|65}}
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'''Baelor I Targaryen''', known as '''Baelor the Beloved''' and '''Baelor the Blessed''', was the ninth [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] king to reign on the [[Iron Throne]] as [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]. Known for his piety, Baelor was a [[septon]] as well as a king.{{Ref|aGoT|65}} He was the second son of King [[Aegon III Targaryen]] and Queen [[Daenaera Velaryon]], and ruled after the death of his older brother, King [[Daeron I Targaryen]].
  
 
==Appearance and Character==
 
==Appearance and Character==
Baelor was a peaceful, devoted and pious man. He was very thin (due to his repeated fasts) and frail looking. He had a genle, almost beatific smile,<ref name=SSM1/> and a reedy voice.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}} He wore a long beard and hair of typical Targaryen silver-gold color. His crown was made of flowers and vines.<ref name=SSM1/> Not a material man, Baelor's favorite 'weapon' was a prayer<ref>Targaryen History[http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/2810/]</ref>
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Baelor was a peaceful, devoted and pious man. He was very thin (due to his repeated fasts) and frail looking. He had a gentle, almost beatific smile,<ref name=SSM1/> and a reedy voice.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}} He wore a long beard and hair of typical Targaryen silver-gold color. His crown was made of flowers and vines.<ref name=SSM1/> Not a martial man, Baelor's favorite "weapon" was a prayer.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/2810/ Targaryen History] (April 20, 2008)</ref>
  
==Early life==
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==History==
In {{date|160}}, Baelor was married to his younger sister, Princess [[Daena Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}} He refused to consumate their marriage,{{Ref|affc|30}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}} however, causing his sister, who usually dressed all in black, to change her clothes to only whites, in an attempt to shame him, as she had sworn to wear nothing else until the was properly bedded. The plan did not work, as Baelor liked to see his sister all in white, feeling it made her look more innocent.<ref name=Three>Three Maidens in the Tower[http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/ssm/category/heraldry/p435/P330]</ref>
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===Early life===
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Baelor married his younger sister, Princess [[Daena Targaryen]], in {{Date|160}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}} He refused to consummate their marriage,{{Ref|AFFC|30}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}} however, causing his sister, who usually dressed all in black, to change her clothes to only whites in an attempt to shame him, as she had sworn to wear nothing else until she was properly bedded. The plan did not work, as Baelor liked to see his sister all in white, feeling it made her look more innocent.<ref name=Three>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Three_Maidens_in_the_Tower Three Maidens in the Tower] (June 27, 2006)</ref>
  
==Reign==
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===Baelor and Dorne===
Upon the death of his brother, King [[Daeron I Targaryen]], Baelor, at the age of seventeen, was crowned King and ascended the [[Iron Throne]]. His uncle, Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]], acting as [[Hand of the King]], had sent the fourteen [[Dorne|Dornish]] hostages Daeron had brought back from Dorne to the dungeons, to await execution. Baelor's first act as King was to grant a pardon to all the Dornish hostages. He publicly forgave his brother's killers, even though his lords and council were crying out for vengeance. Many similar acts of piety and forgiveness occured throughout his ten year reign. Baelor declared he meant to "bind up the wounds" of his brothers war and make peace with [[Dorne]]. He declared he would go to [[Dorne]] with neither sword nor army, as an act of piety.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}}
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Upon the death of his brother, King [[Daeron I Targaryen]], in [[Dorne]], Baelor was crowned king and ascended the [[Iron Throne]] when he was seventeen. His uncle, Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]], acting as [[Hand of the King]], had sent fourteen Dornish hostages to the dungeons to await execution. Baelor's first act was to pardon the hostages and publicly forgive his brother's killers, despite outcry from his lords and council. Many similar acts of piety and forgiveness occurred throughout his ten-year reign.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}}
  
Clad in only sackcloth, Baelor walked the [[Boneway]] barefoot. The fourteen highborn Dornish hostages travelled with him, riding horses. His journey took him to the location where [[House Wyl]] had imprisoned Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon Targaryen]] of the [[Kingsguard]]. It is said that Baelor pleaded to Lord Wyl to have Aemon freed, but was refused. Offering a prayer instead, Baelor continued his journey, swearing that he would return.{{ref|twoiaf| Baelor I}}
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Baelor desired to "bind up the wounds" of [[conquest of Dorne|his brother's war]] and personally return the hostages to Dorne. The king walked the [[Boneway]] barefoot and clad in sackcloth, while the hostages rode horses. His journey took him to the location where [[House Wyl]] had imprisoned Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon Targaryen]] of the [[Kingsguard]]. Baelor pleaded to [[Lord Wyl (conquest of Dorne)|Lord Wyl]] to free the naked and caged Aemon, but was refused. Offering a prayer instead, Baelor continued his journey, swearing he would return.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}}
  
It was an arduous journey, but Baelor eventually arrived at [[Sunspear]], which was considered the first miracle of Baelor's reign. Baelor met with the Prince of Dorne, and managed to succeed in forging a peace, which was considered the second miracle. Part of the peace agreements was that Baelor's young cousin, Prince [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron]], the only grandson of his uncle and [[Hand of the King]], Prince Viserys, would marry the eldest daughter of the Prince of Dorne, Princess [[Mariah Martell]], when both children were of age.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}}
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Baelor arrived at [[Sunspear]] after an arduous journey, which was considered the first miracle of his reign. Baelor forged a peace with the [[Prince of Dorne (father of Maron)|Prince of Dorne]], which was considered the second miracle. Part of the agreement was that Baelor's young cousin, Prince [[Daeron II Targaryen|Daeron]], the only grandson of his uncle and Hand, Prince Viserys, would marry the eldest daughter of the Prince of Dorne, Princess [[Myriah Martell]], when both children were of age. Baelor refused the prince's offer of a galley back to [[King's Landing]]. The prince made efforts to ensure that Baelor would be met with hospitality on his way back on foot. Special attention was paid to Lord Wyl, as Baelor had requested the Prince of Dorne to command Aemon's release. Yet, when Baelor returned to Aemon's location, Aemon's imprisonment had gotten worse.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}}
  
Baelor was offered a galley back to [[King's Landing]], but refused the offer of the Prince of Dorne, declaring that 'the Seven had commanded him to walk'. There were some in the Dornish court who feared that Viserys would take it as a new cause for war when Baelor died during his journey (as they did not believe Baelor could survive such a journey). Thus, the Prince of Dorne made efforts to ensure that Baelor would be met with hospitality on his way. Special attention was paid to Lord Wyl, as Baelor had requested the Prince of Dorne to command Aemon's release. Yet, when Baelor returned at Aemon's location, Aemon's imprisonment had gotten worse.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}}
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Lord Wyl granted Baelor a key to Aemon's cage, which was now suspended over a pit of vipers. Aemon begged Baelor to leave and seek aid, but Baelor felt [[Faith of the Seven|the gods]] would protect him. While singers like to say the vipers bowed their heads to Baelor as he passed, not daring to strike because he was pure and holy,{{Ref|ASOS|59}} Baelor was bitten, though sources differ on how often, ranging from half a dozen{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}} to half a hundred.{{Ref|ASOS|59}} Aemon pulled Baelor from the pit, into the cage, and climbed to safety with the king upon his back. Aemon carried the unconscious king along the Boneway until they reached the safety of first [[House Dondarrion]] at [[Blackhaven]] and then [[House Baratheon]] at [[Storm's End]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}}
  
Where previously Aemon had only been naked in a cage, there was now also a pit dug underneath the cage, which had been filled with vipers. Lord Wyl gave Baelor the keys to Aemon's cage, and the right to use them. It is said that, while Aemon begged Baelor to leave and seek aid, Baelor smiled, assured that the gods would protect him. So he stepped into the pit.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}} While the singers like to say that all the vipers bowed their heads to Baelor as he walked passed, not daring to strike him because he was so pure and holey,{{Ref|ASOS|58}} Baelor was in fact bitten by the vipers, though sources differ on how often, ranging from half a dozen{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}} to half a hundred.{{Ref|ASOS|58}}
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===Baelor in King's Landing===
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Upon his return to King's Landing, Baelor convinced the [[High Septon (Baelor I)|High Septon]] to dissolve his marriage to his sister [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]], since it had been contracted before he had become a king and was never consummated.{{Ref|AFFC|13}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}} Baelor then placed his sisters—Daena, [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aegon III)|Rhaena]], and [[Elaena Targaryen|Elaena]]—in their "Court of Beauty" in the [[Red Keep]], later called the [[Red Keep#Maidenvault|Maidenvault]]. Baelor wanted to preserve the innocence of his sisters from the wickedness of the world, and from the lusts of men,<ref name=Three/>{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}} and prevent them from tempting the men at court with carnal thoughts.{{Ref|aSoS|6}}{{Ref|aSoS|54}} There were people who wondered whether or not Baelor feared the beauty of his sisters on his own behalf. Many protested this idea, including the Hand Viserys, the princesses themselves, and other members at court, but Baelor would not relent. The three were kept in comfortable confinement, and lords and knights send maidens to the Maidenvault to gain favor with Baelor.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}}
  
Baelor managed to open the cage, before collapsing. Prince Aemon was able to pull Baelor from the pit, into the cage, and climbed to safety with the King upon his back. Because Baelor was unconscious, Aemon had to carry him, and did so halfway down the Boneway, before he was offered clothing by a septon. Aemon managed to reach the watchtowers of [[House Dondarrion]], and they were brought to [[Blackhaven]], where Baelor was cared for by the local maester. When the maester had done all he could, Baelor was send on to [[Storm's End]], where he would remain for half a year and more. On the way to Storm's End, Baelor regained his consciousness, but only muttered prayers. After Storm's End, Baelor finally travelled to [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}}
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[[File:Baelor the Blessed.png|thumb|350px|Baelor in prayer, by Oznerol-1516 ©]]
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Baelor next decreed prostitution to be outlawed in [[King's Landing]], putting more than a thousand [[whore]]s and their children out of the city. This was heavily protested, but Baelor refused to listen and closed his eyes to the unrest that followed. He busied himself with building a new sept on [[Visenya's Hill]] which he had seen in a vision. The construction of this [[Great Sept of Baelor|great sept]] would not be completed until years after Baelor's death. The smallfolk loved Baelor, as the king emptied the treasure regularly for his charitable acts. Baelor's erratic decisions made his lords uneasy, wondering if the [[snake]] venom had affected his mind. Being a septon prevented Baelor from having children, and the High Septon gained increasing influence over the spiritually-inclined king.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}}
  
Upon his return, Baelor convinced the [[High Septon]] to dissolve his marriage to his sister Daena, since it had been contracted before he had become a King, and it had never been consummated above all. The High Septon complied.{{Ref|affc|13}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}} But Baelor did not stop there. Next, he placed his sisters, [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]], [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aegon III)|Rhaena]] and [[Elaena Targaryen|Elaena]], in their very own "Court of Beauty" in the [[Red Keep]]. This would later be called the [[Red Keep#Maidenvault|Maidenvault]]. Baelor wanted to preserve the innocense of his sisters from the wickedness of the world, and from the lusts of men,<ref name=Three/>{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}} and prevent them from tempting the men at court with carnal thoughts.{{Ref|aSoS|6}}{{Ref|aSoS|54}} There were people who wondered whether or not Baelor feared the beauty of his sisters on his own behalf.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}}
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Baelor earned the contempt of his nobles by forcing the proud [[Lord Belgrave]] to wash the feet of a leper.{{Ref|aSoS|36}} He tried to replace messenger [[raven]]s with doves, as described in Maester [[Walgrave]]'s ''[[Black Wings, Swift Words]]''. He granted tax exemption to lords who protected their daughters' virtue through chastity belts,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}} and attempted to birth new [[dragon]]s by praying over his [[dragon egg]] for half a year, yet his prayers went unanswered.{{Ref|aSoS|54}} He donated a loaf of bread to each man and woman in the city for a year. He also had many books burned, including all copies of ''[[The Testimony of Mushroom]]'' by [[Mushroom]] and ''[[Dragons, Wyrms, and Wyverns: Their Unnatural History]]'' by Septon [[Barth]], because he claimed Barth was more a sorcerer than a septon,{{Ref|aDwD|14}} the contents of the book having been enough to win Baelor's enmity.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}}
  
Many protested this idea: Prince Viserys, who was still Hand of the King, the three princesses themselves, and other members at court, but Baelor would not relent. The three prinesses were kept in comfortable confinement, and lords and knights send maidens to the Maidenvault to gain favor with Baelor.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}}
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Towards the end of his reign, Baelor would fast to the point of fainting to tame the lusts that shamed him.{{Ref|AFFC|13}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}} When the High Septon died, Baelor choose a simple stonemason called [[High Septon (stonemason)|Pate]] as the replacement, as the gods had told him. Pate carved stonework so beautifully that Baelor believed him to be [[Smith (the Seven)|the Smith]] in human form. The new High Septon could not read, write or recite any prayers, was described as a lackwit, and died of a fever the next year after taking office. Rumor spread that Viserys had him poisoned to end the embarrassment to the realm. Baelor then raised a [[High Septon (child)|street urchin of eight years]] to the position, as Baelor claimed the boy worked miracles.{{Ref|aFfC|28}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}}
  
Baelor next decreed prostitution to be outlawed in [[King's Landing]], and put more than a thousand [[whore]]s and and their children out of the city. This was heavily protested, but Baelor refused to listen and closed his eyes to the unrest that followed. After all, he had a new project to keep himself busy with: a great sept he had seen in a vision, which would be build on [[Visenya's Hill]]. The construction of this [[Great Sept of Baelor|great sept]] would not be completed until years after Baelor's death.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}}
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===Death===
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When Baelor's cousin, Princess [[Naerys Targaryen|Naerys]], gave birth to twins who both died shortly after their delivery in {{Date|161}}, the king fasted for a moon's turn. When his sister and former wife, Daena, gave birth to a bastard named [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Waters]] in {{Date|170}}, Baelor fasted for forty days and nights, refusing to take anything but water and some bread. On the forty-first day of his fast, in {{Date|171}}, the king collapsed, and neither [[Grand Maester]] [[Munkun]] or the boy High Septon could save him.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}}
  
The smallfolk loved Baelor, as the king emptied the treasure regularly for his charitable acts. But Baelor's decisions grew more erratic every year, and the lords of the realm were starting to grow uneasy, wondering if the snake venom hadn't affected his mind somehow. Baelor had not only undone his marriage, but prevented himself from ever having children, by becoming a septon as well as a king. In addition, the High Septon was gaining more and more influence with Baelor, and the King's edicts became more and more concerned with spiritual matters.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}}
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History says Baelor starved himself to death by the prolonged fasting to cleanse himself of lust, but some believe he was poisoned by his Hand and uncle, Viserys.{{Ref|aSoS|59}} Some claim Viserys did so to gain the throne, but others claim Viserys had done so for the good of the realm, as Baelor had come to believe that the Seven wanted him to convert all the non-believers in the entire realm. Had Baelor been able to put these beliefs into action, war with the [[old gods]]-following [[north]] and the [[Drowned God]]-worshiping [[Iron Islands]] would have resulted.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}}
  
Baelor earned the contempt of his nobles by forcing the proud Lord [[Belgrave]] to wash the feet of a leper.{{Ref|aSoS|36}} He tried to replace all the [[raven]]s that delivered messages with doves, a debacle which is discussed in detail in maester [[Walgrave]]'s book ''[[Black Wings, Swift Words]]''. He granted tax exemption to Lords who protected their daughter virtue through chastity belts,{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}} and attempted to birth new [[dragon]]s by praying over his [[dragon egg]] for half a year, yet his prayers went unanswered.{{Ref|aSoS|54}} He donated a loaf of bread to each man and woman in the city for a year.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}} He also had many books burned, including all copies of ''[[The Testimony of Mushroom]]'',{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}} and  ''[[Dragons, Wyrms, and Wyverns: Their Unnatural History]]'', written by Septon [[Barth]], because he claimed Barth was more a sorcerer than a Septon,{{Ref|aDwD|14}} the contents of the book having been enough to win Baelor's enmity.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}}
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===Legacy===
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None of the Targaryen kings are as beloved as Baelor. He loved the [[smallfolk]] and [[Faith of the Seven|the gods]] in equal parts, yet imprisoned his own sisters in the [[Maidenvault]].{{Ref|aDwD|65}} Some remember him as a great and holy man and praise him for his contributions to the Faith, for forging a peace with [[Dorne]], his mercy and his many acts of charity.{{Ref|ASOS|59}} Others are less impressed by him, believing him to be an overly zealous weak fool. Ser [[Eustace Osgrey]] considered Baelor to be the feeblest king.{{Ref|TSS}}
  
Towards the end of his reign, Baelor began to fast more and more.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}} He would fast to the point of fainting to tame the lusts that shamed him.{{Ref|affc|13}} When the [[High Septon]] died, Baelor personally selected his replacement. He choose a simple stonemason called [[High Septon (stonemason)|Pate]] as the new [[High Septon]], as the gods had told him. Pate could carve stonework so beautifully that Baelor believed him to be [[Smith (the Seven)|the Smith]] in human form. While a fantastic stonecarver, this new High Septon could not read, write or recite any prayers. He was described as a lackwit and died of a fever the next year after taking office. Rumour spread that Baelor's Hand had him poisoned to end the embarrassment to the realm.{{Ref|affc|43}}{{ref|twoiaf| Baelor I}}  
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A statue of the king was placed before the [[Great Sept of Baelor]] in [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|AGOT|65}} After Dorne joined the [[Seven Kingdoms]], King [[Daeron II Targaryen]] and [[Maron Martell]], [[Prince of Dorne]], laid a golden wreath at the statue and said, "Baelor, your work is done."{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II}}
  
Baelor then raised a [[High Septon (child)|boy of eight years]] to [[High Septon]], a street urchin said to be the son of a draper. Baelor claimed the boy worked miracles.{{Ref|aFfC|28}} The [[Most Devout]], once more, granted the King's request{{ref|twoiaf| Baelor I}}
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Daeron's son, Prince [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor Breakspear]], was named after Baelor the Blessed.{{Ref|TSS}}
  
When Baelors cousin, Princess [[Naerys Targaryen|Naerys]], gave birth to twins who both died shortly after their delivery in {{Date|161}}, he fasted for a moon's turn. In {{Date|170}}, he took it a step further, when his sister and former wife, [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]], gave birth to a bastard son named [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Waters]]. Baelor fasted for forty days and nights, refusing to take anything but water and some bread. On the forty-first day of his fast, in {{Date|171}}, the King collapsed, and neither Grand Maester [[Munkun]] or the boy [[High Septon]] who Baelor said worked miracles could save him.{{ref|twoiaf| Baelor I}} So died King Baelor I Targaryen.
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==Recent Events==
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===''A Storm of Swords''===
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After the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], Ser [[Axell Florent]] urges [[Stannis Baratheon]] to attack [[Claw Isle]], put the island population to the sword, and loot the wealth rumored to reside there. When Stannis tells Axell to tell his plan to Ser [[Davos Seaworth]], Axell turns to the Onion Knight with a look on his face that Davos thinks is much like the look that proud [[Lord Belgrave]] must have worn on the day when King Baelor the Blessed had commanded him to wash the beggar's ulcerous feet.{{Ref|ASOS|36}}
  
History says Baelor starved himself to death by the prolonged fasting to cleanse himself of lust, but some believe he was poisoned by his Hand and uncle, [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]].{{Ref|aSoS|59}} Amongst those who believe Viserys had poisoned Baelor, different motives are given. There are those who claim Viserys did so to gain the throne, but others claim Viserys had done so for the good of the realm, as Baelor had come to believe that the Seven wanted him to convert all the non-believers in the entire realm. Had Baelor been able to put these believes into action, war with the [[North]] and the [[Iron Islands]] would have followed.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Baelor I}}
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===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 +
[[Tyrion Lannister]] thinks of the king as Baelor the Befuddled,{{Ref|aDwD|5}} and [[Cersei Lannister]] recalls Tyrion saying that King Baelor was terrified of his own cock.{{Ref|aDwD|65}}
  
==Legacy==
+
==Quotes==
Baelor is a controversial figure in the Targaryen Monarchy. Some remember him as a great and holy man and praise him for his contributions to the Faith, for forging a peace with Dorne, his mercy and his many acts of charity.{{Ref|ASOS|58}} Others are less impressed by him, believing him to be an overly zealous weak fool. Baelor is not remembered fondly by all. [[Tyrion Lannister]] thinks of Baelor as ''Baelor the Befuddled'',{{Ref|aDwD|5}} and [[Cersei Lannister]] recalls Tyrion saying that King Baelor was terrified of his own cock.{{Ref|aDwD|65}}
+
{{Quote|'''Tyrion''': Someone had to save [[Seven Kingdoms|the realm]] from Baelor's follies.<br>
 +
'''Sansa''': But Baelor the Blessed was a great king. He walked the [[Boneway]] barefoot to make peace with [[Dorne]], and rescued [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|the Dragonknight]] from a snakepit. The vipers refused to strike him because he was so pure and holy.<br>
 +
'''Oberyn''': If you were a viper, my lady, would you want to bite a bloodless stick like Baelor the Blessed?{{Ref|ASOS|59}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]], [[Sansa Stark]], and [[Oberyn Martell]]}}
  
==Quotes about Baelor ==
 
 
{{Quote|'''Lancel''': Marriage requires consummation. King Baelor was made to wed his sister [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]], but they never lived as man and wife, and he put her aside as soon as he was crowned.<br>
 
{{Quote|'''Lancel''': Marriage requires consummation. King Baelor was made to wed his sister [[Daena Targaryen|Daena]], but they never lived as man and wife, and he put her aside as soon as he was crowned.<br>
'''Jaime''': The realm would have been better served if he had closed his eyes and fucked her. I know enough of history to know that.{{Ref|affc|30}}}} - [[Jaime Lannister]] and [[Lancel Lannister]]
+
'''Jaime''': [[Seven Kingdoms|The realm]] would have been better served if he had closed his eyes and fucked her. I know enough of [[Blackfyre Pretenders|history]] to know that.{{Ref|AFFC|30}}|[[Jaime Lannister]] and [[Lancel Lannister]]}}
  
 +
{{Quote|He was a rare spirit, pure and brave and innocent, untouched by the evils of the world.{{Ref|AFFC|30}}|[[Lancel Lannister]] to [[Jaime Lannister]]}}
  
{{Quote|He was a rare spirit, pure and brave and innocent, untouched by the evils of the world.{{Ref|affc|30}}}} - [[Lancel Lannister]], to [[Jaime Lannister]]
+
{{Quote|The [[House Targaryen|Targaryen dynasty]] had produced kings both bad and good, but none as beloved as Baelor, that pious gentle [[septon]]-king who loved the [[smallfolk]] and [[Faith of the Seven|the gods]] in equal parts, yet [[Maidenvault|imprisoned his own sisters]]. It was a wonder that his statue did not crumble at the sight of [[walk of atonement|her bare breasts]].{{Ref|ADWD|63}}|thoughts of [[Cersei Lannister]]}}
  
 +
==Family==
 +
{{Targaryen tree Aegon III}}
  
{{Quote|The feeblest king who ever sat on the Iron Throne.{{Ref|TSS}}}} - Ser [[Eustace Osgrey]]
+
==References==
 +
{{References|refs=
 +
  <ref name=SSM1>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1253/ Targaryen Kings] (November 1, 2005)</ref>
 +
}}
  
==Family Tree==
+
{{Kings of Westeros}}
{{Template:Targaryen tree Aegon III}}
 
 
 
==References and Notes==
 
{{references|3|refs=
 
  <ref name=SSM1>So Spake Martin: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1253/ Targaryen Kings] (November 1, 2005)</ref>
 
}} 
 
{{Template:Kings of Westeros}}
 
  
 
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Revision as of 18:54, 5 April 2023

House Targaryen.svg King
Baelor I Targaryen
the Blessed
Star of the Faith.svg
BAELOR I.jpg
Portrait of Baelor I, by Amok ©
Monarch
Reign 161171 AC
Full name Baelor Targaryen the First of His Name
Titles
Predecessor Daeron I Targaryen
Successor Viserys II Targaryen
Personal Information
Aliases
  • Baelor the Blessed[1]
  • Baelor the Beloved[2]
  • Blessed Baelor[2]
  • Baelor the Befuddled[3]
Born In 144 AC[4], at King's Landing[5]
Died In 171 AC, at King's Landing[5]
Family
Dynasty House Targaryen
Queen Daena Targaryen
Issue None
Father Aegon III Targaryen
Mother Daenaera Velaryon
References
Books

Baelor I Targaryen, known as Baelor the Beloved and Baelor the Blessed, was the ninth Targaryen king to reign on the Iron Throne as Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. Known for his piety, Baelor was a septon as well as a king.[2] He was the second son of King Aegon III Targaryen and Queen Daenaera Velaryon, and ruled after the death of his older brother, King Daeron I Targaryen.

Appearance and Character

Baelor was a peaceful, devoted and pious man. He was very thin (due to his repeated fasts) and frail looking. He had a gentle, almost beatific smile,[6] and a reedy voice.[7] He wore a long beard and hair of typical Targaryen silver-gold color. His crown was made of flowers and vines.[6] Not a martial man, Baelor's favorite "weapon" was a prayer.[8]

History

Early life

Baelor married his younger sister, Princess Daena Targaryen, in 160 AC.[7] He refused to consummate their marriage,[9][7] however, causing his sister, who usually dressed all in black, to change her clothes to only whites in an attempt to shame him, as she had sworn to wear nothing else until she was properly bedded. The plan did not work, as Baelor liked to see his sister all in white, feeling it made her look more innocent.[10]

Baelor and Dorne

Upon the death of his brother, King Daeron I Targaryen, in Dorne, Baelor was crowned king and ascended the Iron Throne when he was seventeen. His uncle, Prince Viserys Targaryen, acting as Hand of the King, had sent fourteen Dornish hostages to the dungeons to await execution. Baelor's first act was to pardon the hostages and publicly forgive his brother's killers, despite outcry from his lords and council. Many similar acts of piety and forgiveness occurred throughout his ten-year reign.[7]

Baelor desired to "bind up the wounds" of his brother's war and personally return the hostages to Dorne. The king walked the Boneway barefoot and clad in sackcloth, while the hostages rode horses. His journey took him to the location where House Wyl had imprisoned Prince Aemon Targaryen of the Kingsguard. Baelor pleaded to Lord Wyl to free the naked and caged Aemon, but was refused. Offering a prayer instead, Baelor continued his journey, swearing he would return.[7]

Baelor arrived at Sunspear after an arduous journey, which was considered the first miracle of his reign. Baelor forged a peace with the Prince of Dorne, which was considered the second miracle. Part of the agreement was that Baelor's young cousin, Prince Daeron, the only grandson of his uncle and Hand, Prince Viserys, would marry the eldest daughter of the Prince of Dorne, Princess Myriah Martell, when both children were of age. Baelor refused the prince's offer of a galley back to King's Landing. The prince made efforts to ensure that Baelor would be met with hospitality on his way back on foot. Special attention was paid to Lord Wyl, as Baelor had requested the Prince of Dorne to command Aemon's release. Yet, when Baelor returned to Aemon's location, Aemon's imprisonment had gotten worse.[7]

Lord Wyl granted Baelor a key to Aemon's cage, which was now suspended over a pit of vipers. Aemon begged Baelor to leave and seek aid, but Baelor felt the gods would protect him. While singers like to say the vipers bowed their heads to Baelor as he passed, not daring to strike because he was pure and holy,[11] Baelor was bitten, though sources differ on how often, ranging from half a dozen[7] to half a hundred.[11] Aemon pulled Baelor from the pit, into the cage, and climbed to safety with the king upon his back. Aemon carried the unconscious king along the Boneway until they reached the safety of first House Dondarrion at Blackhaven and then House Baratheon at Storm's End.[7]

Baelor in King's Landing

Upon his return to King's Landing, Baelor convinced the High Septon to dissolve his marriage to his sister Daena, since it had been contracted before he had become a king and was never consummated.[12][7] Baelor then placed his sisters—Daena, Rhaena, and Elaena—in their "Court of Beauty" in the Red Keep, later called the Maidenvault. Baelor wanted to preserve the innocence of his sisters from the wickedness of the world, and from the lusts of men,[10][7] and prevent them from tempting the men at court with carnal thoughts.[13][14] There were people who wondered whether or not Baelor feared the beauty of his sisters on his own behalf. Many protested this idea, including the Hand Viserys, the princesses themselves, and other members at court, but Baelor would not relent. The three were kept in comfortable confinement, and lords and knights send maidens to the Maidenvault to gain favor with Baelor.[7]

Baelor in prayer, by Oznerol-1516 ©

Baelor next decreed prostitution to be outlawed in King's Landing, putting more than a thousand whores and their children out of the city. This was heavily protested, but Baelor refused to listen and closed his eyes to the unrest that followed. He busied himself with building a new sept on Visenya's Hill which he had seen in a vision. The construction of this great sept would not be completed until years after Baelor's death. The smallfolk loved Baelor, as the king emptied the treasure regularly for his charitable acts. Baelor's erratic decisions made his lords uneasy, wondering if the snake venom had affected his mind. Being a septon prevented Baelor from having children, and the High Septon gained increasing influence over the spiritually-inclined king.[7]

Baelor earned the contempt of his nobles by forcing the proud Lord Belgrave to wash the feet of a leper.[15] He tried to replace messenger ravens with doves, as described in Maester Walgrave's Black Wings, Swift Words. He granted tax exemption to lords who protected their daughters' virtue through chastity belts,[7] and attempted to birth new dragons by praying over his dragon egg for half a year, yet his prayers went unanswered.[14] He donated a loaf of bread to each man and woman in the city for a year. He also had many books burned, including all copies of The Testimony of Mushroom by Mushroom and Dragons, Wyrms, and Wyverns: Their Unnatural History by Septon Barth, because he claimed Barth was more a sorcerer than a septon,[16] the contents of the book having been enough to win Baelor's enmity.[7]

Towards the end of his reign, Baelor would fast to the point of fainting to tame the lusts that shamed him.[12][7] When the High Septon died, Baelor choose a simple stonemason called Pate as the replacement, as the gods had told him. Pate carved stonework so beautifully that Baelor believed him to be the Smith in human form. The new High Septon could not read, write or recite any prayers, was described as a lackwit, and died of a fever the next year after taking office. Rumor spread that Viserys had him poisoned to end the embarrassment to the realm. Baelor then raised a street urchin of eight years to the position, as Baelor claimed the boy worked miracles.[17][7]

Death

When Baelor's cousin, Princess Naerys, gave birth to twins who both died shortly after their delivery in 161 AC, the king fasted for a moon's turn. When his sister and former wife, Daena, gave birth to a bastard named Daemon Waters in 170 AC, Baelor fasted for forty days and nights, refusing to take anything but water and some bread. On the forty-first day of his fast, in 171 AC, the king collapsed, and neither Grand Maester Munkun or the boy High Septon could save him.[7]

History says Baelor starved himself to death by the prolonged fasting to cleanse himself of lust, but some believe he was poisoned by his Hand and uncle, Viserys.[11] Some claim Viserys did so to gain the throne, but others claim Viserys had done so for the good of the realm, as Baelor had come to believe that the Seven wanted him to convert all the non-believers in the entire realm. Had Baelor been able to put these beliefs into action, war with the old gods-following north and the Drowned God-worshiping Iron Islands would have resulted.[7]

Legacy

None of the Targaryen kings are as beloved as Baelor. He loved the smallfolk and the gods in equal parts, yet imprisoned his own sisters in the Maidenvault.[18] Some remember him as a great and holy man and praise him for his contributions to the Faith, for forging a peace with Dorne, his mercy and his many acts of charity.[11] Others are less impressed by him, believing him to be an overly zealous weak fool. Ser Eustace Osgrey considered Baelor to be the feeblest king.[19]

A statue of the king was placed before the Great Sept of Baelor in King's Landing.[2] After Dorne joined the Seven Kingdoms, King Daeron II Targaryen and Maron Martell, Prince of Dorne, laid a golden wreath at the statue and said, "Baelor, your work is done."[20]

Daeron's son, Prince Baelor Breakspear, was named after Baelor the Blessed.[19]

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

After the Battle of the Blackwater, Ser Axell Florent urges Stannis Baratheon to attack Claw Isle, put the island population to the sword, and loot the wealth rumored to reside there. When Stannis tells Axell to tell his plan to Ser Davos Seaworth, Axell turns to the Onion Knight with a look on his face that Davos thinks is much like the look that proud Lord Belgrave must have worn on the day when King Baelor the Blessed had commanded him to wash the beggar's ulcerous feet.[15]

A Dance with Dragons

Tyrion Lannister thinks of the king as Baelor the Befuddled,[3] and Cersei Lannister recalls Tyrion saying that King Baelor was terrified of his own cock.[18]

Quotes

Tyrion: Someone had to save the realm from Baelor's follies.

Sansa: But Baelor the Blessed was a great king. He walked the Boneway barefoot to make peace with Dorne, and rescued the Dragonknight from a snakepit. The vipers refused to strike him because he was so pure and holy.

Oberyn: If you were a viper, my lady, would you want to bite a bloodless stick like Baelor the Blessed?[11]

Lancel: Marriage requires consummation. King Baelor was made to wed his sister Daena, but they never lived as man and wife, and he put her aside as soon as he was crowned.
Jaime: The realm would have been better served if he had closed his eyes and fucked her. I know enough of history to know that.[9]

He was a rare spirit, pure and brave and innocent, untouched by the evils of the world.[9]

The Targaryen dynasty had produced kings both bad and good, but none as beloved as Baelor, that pious gentle septon-king who loved the smallfolk and the gods in equal parts, yet imprisoned his own sisters. It was a wonder that his statue did not crumble at the sight of her bare breasts.[21]

—thoughts of Cersei Lannister

Family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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
 
 
 


References