Difference between revisions of "Jaehaerys I Targaryen"
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==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
− | Jaehaerys was a child of King [[Aenys I Targaryen]]. For unknown reasons, his half-uncle, [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor I]], took the [[Iron Throne]] before him. After Maegor died without issue, Jaehaerys took the throne at the age of fourteen.{{ref|trp}} He inherited from his uncle's reign a war with the [[Faith Militant]], known as the [[Faith Militant uprising]]. Maegor had used brutal methods to eradicate the rebellion, such as placing bounties on the heads of all members of the Faith Militant, but the rebellion had continued. Jaehaerys pacified the rebellion with the offer of amnesty for all participants and the disbanding of the Faith Militant.{{ref|AFFC|33}} The offer was accepted and the orders disbanded on the condition that the [[Iron Throne]] would always defend the [[Faith of the Seven]]. This act earned him the name "the Conciliator." Jaehaerys also took away the right of the Faith to conduct criminal trials. | + | Jaehaerys was a child of King [[Aenys I Targaryen]]. For unknown reasons, his half-uncle, [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor I]], took the [[Iron Throne]] before him. After Maegor died without issue, Jaehaerys took the throne at the age of fourteen.{{ref|trp}} He inherited from his uncle's reign a war with the [[Faith Militant]], known as the [[Faith Militant uprising]]. Maegor had used brutal methods to eradicate the rebellion, such as placing bounties on the heads of all members of the Faith Militant, but the rebellion had continued. Jaehaerys pacified the rebellion with the offer of amnesty for all participants and the disbanding of the Faith Militant.{{ref|AFFC|33}} The offer was accepted and the orders disbanded on the condition that the [[Iron Throne]] would always defend the [[Faith of the Seven]]. This act earned him the name "the Conciliator." Jaehaerys also took away the right of the Faith to conduct criminal trials.{{ref|affc|43}} |
Jaehaerys ruled for over five decades, becoming the longest ruling of the Targaryen kings, which led to him also being referred to as the "Old King". Jaehaerys brought to the realm a time of great peace and prosperity, aided by his beloved sister-wife, Good Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]]. Alysanne convinced him to abolish the lord's right to the [[first night]].{{ref|tss}} As his [[Hand of the King|Hand]], Jaehaerys chose Septon [[Barth]], a smith's son who served him for forty years.{{ref|aSoS|54}} | Jaehaerys ruled for over five decades, becoming the longest ruling of the Targaryen kings, which led to him also being referred to as the "Old King". Jaehaerys brought to the realm a time of great peace and prosperity, aided by his beloved sister-wife, Good Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]]. Alysanne convinced him to abolish the lord's right to the [[first night]].{{ref|tss}} As his [[Hand of the King|Hand]], Jaehaerys chose Septon [[Barth]], a smith's son who served him for forty years.{{ref|aSoS|54}} |
Revision as of 19:35, 28 October 2014
Jaehaerys I | |
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Jaehaerys I by Amok© | |
Monarch | |
Reign | 48 AC - 103 AC |
Full name | Jaehaerys Targaryen First of His Name |
Titles |
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Predecessor | Maegor I Targaryen |
Heirs |
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Successor | Viserys I Targaryen |
Personal Information | |
Aliases |
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Born | In 34 AC[1], at King's Landing |
Died | In 103 AC, at King's Landing |
Family | |
Dynasty | House Targaryen |
Queen | Alysanne Targaryen |
Issue |
Aemon Targaryen Baelon Targaryen Daella Targaryen Saera Targaryen 5 unknown children |
Father | Aenys I Targaryen |
Mother | Alyssa Velaryon[2] |
References | |
Books |
|
Jaehaerys I Targaryen, known as the Conciliator, the Wise or the Old King, was the fourth Targaryen King of the Seven Kingdoms, ruling from 48–103 AC. He was a dragonrider whose mount was Vermithor.
Contents
Appearance
According to a semi-canon source, Jaehaerys looked wise and dignified even into his later years, with a long white, flowing beard. Not a warrior, his crown was a simple gold band with seven different colored stones inset.[3]
Biography
Jaehaerys was a child of King Aenys I Targaryen. For unknown reasons, his half-uncle, Maegor I, took the Iron Throne before him. After Maegor died without issue, Jaehaerys took the throne at the age of fourteen.[4] He inherited from his uncle's reign a war with the Faith Militant, known as the Faith Militant uprising. Maegor had used brutal methods to eradicate the rebellion, such as placing bounties on the heads of all members of the Faith Militant, but the rebellion had continued. Jaehaerys pacified the rebellion with the offer of amnesty for all participants and the disbanding of the Faith Militant.[5] The offer was accepted and the orders disbanded on the condition that the Iron Throne would always defend the Faith of the Seven. This act earned him the name "the Conciliator." Jaehaerys also took away the right of the Faith to conduct criminal trials.[6]
Jaehaerys ruled for over five decades, becoming the longest ruling of the Targaryen kings, which led to him also being referred to as the "Old King". Jaehaerys brought to the realm a time of great peace and prosperity, aided by his beloved sister-wife, Good Queen Alysanne. Alysanne convinced him to abolish the lord's right to the first night.[7] As his Hand, Jaehaerys chose Septon Barth, a smith's son who served him for forty years.[8]
Such was Jaehaerys's wisdom and skill at diplomacy that he even managed to negotiate a truce and bring fifty years of peace between Houses Bracken and Blackwood, two houses whose animosity has lasted for well over two thousand years.[9]
Jaehaerys was known for his love of travel, and once visited the North with Queen Alysanne, six dragons and half his court.[10] His grandson Viserys told his own grandchildren a tale of Jaehaerys flying north to defeat a vast host of wildlings, giants, and wargs at the Wall.[4]
It was during Jaehaerys' reign that the Night's Watch castle Deep Lake was built, which was paid for by his wife's jewels and built by men Jaehaerys sent north.[11] Jaehaerys built the kingsroad, and the king and queen were known to stay at the inn at the crossroads during their journeys, so that afterward it was called the Two Crowns.[12]
Jaehaerys and Alysanne had 9 children.[2] Their first born son was Aemon and their second born son was Baelon. In 92 AC Jaehaerys chose Baelon as his heir rather than Rhaenys. However, Baelon died before the Old King. Jaehaerys was succeeded by his grandson, Viserys I, who was selected as the heir by the Great Council of 101.[13]
After Septon Barth, Jaehaerys chose for his Hand the legendary knight Ryam Redwyne, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Ser Ryam while a great knight proved a terrible Hand, and was replaced in that office by the king's son and heir Prince Baelon. After Baelon's death, Ser Otto Hightower took the job for Jaehaerys's final years.
After the deaths of both his beloved wife and son Baelon, Jaehaerys's grief was great. The Old King's mind began to wander in the last few years of his reign and his time was usually spent bed ridden. His new Hand Otto Hightower effectively ruled the realm while his daughter Alicent looked after the ailing King, reading to him, washing him and helping to feed him.[4]
Jaehaerys passed away in 103 AC. He was sixty nine when he died. His body was burned in the Dragonpit and his ashes interred with Good Queen Alysanne's beneath the Red Keep. All of Westeros mourned, even Dorne. The Old King was well loved and brought the realm a time of great peace and prosperity.[4]
Small Council under Jaehaerys I
During the reign of King Jaehaerys his small council had the following known members:
- Hand of the King - Septon Barth, served for 40 years
- Hand of the King - Ser Ryam Redwyne[4]
- Hand of the King - Prince Baelon Targaryen[4]
- Hand of the King - Ser Otto Hightower
- Master of Coin - Lord Lyman Beesbury
- Lord Commander of the Kingsguard - Ser Ryam Redwyne[4]
Family
Ancestors
Descendants
References and Notes
- ↑ A Forum of Ice and Fire: (Spoilers) Sons of the Dragon Reading at LonCon Today
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire.
- ↑ Targaryen Kings. November 1, 2005 So Spake Martin
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 The Rogue Prince.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 33, Jaime V.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 43, Cersei X.
- ↑ The Sworn Sword.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 54, Davos V.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 48, Jaime I.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 41, Jon V.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 56, Bran IV.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 37, Brienne VII.
- ↑ The Princess and the Queen.