Every Targaryen In A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms, Explained

Key Takeaways

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is based on “The Tales of Dunk and Egg,” set in Westeros, with Dunk and Egg as key characters.
The novellas follow the adventures of Dunk and Egg during the rule of Targaryen kings, including Daeron II, Baelor, Aerys I, and Maekar I.
The first season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is adapted from the novella “The Hedge Knight,” featuring key Targaryen figureheads.

As a humble scribe who has spent countless hours poring over the annals of Westeros, I find myself deeply moved by the tragic yet resilient lives of these Targaryen kings. The tale of King Aerys I and his unfortunate heirs serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of power and the unpredictability of fate. Yet, it is in their struggle that we see the true essence of their characters – Aerys’ quiet, bookish demeanor, Brynden Rivers’ cunning wisdom, and the young princes who, despite their flaws, were destined to leave an indelible mark on the history of Westeros.

In the Seven Kingdoms, it’s the Targaryens (without their dragons) who rule when Dunk and Egg’s escapades commence. Known as Ser Duncan the Tall and later as Prince Aegon (and eventually Aegon V), Dunk and Egg will be our main characters in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. The narrative will be enriched by a diverse cast, including Targaryens, nobles, and commoners from all corners of the realm.

In the series “Game of Thrones,” House Targaryen ruled over Westeros for approximately 300 years. Aegon and his sister-wives solidified their rule of Westeros following Aegon’s Conquest, starting from 1 AC. Over the generations that followed, the Targaryens came and went, but Robert’s Rebellion, which started in 281 AC, ultimately overthrew them. This rebellion, led by Robert Baratheon and backed by Lord Eddard Stark, Jon Arryn, and Lord Hoster Tully, resulted in the Targaryens being ousted in a brutal war. It was during this tumultuous period that the stories of Ser Duncan the Tall and Egg gained popularity among the people.

House Targaryen During The Time Of Ser Duncan The Tall

Every Targaryen In A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms, Explained

The television series titled “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” derives its foundation from a collection of novellas named “The Tales of Dunk and Egg,” which are set on the continent of Westeros. To date, three novellas penned by author George R. R. Martin have been published, with the first season of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” adapting the initial short story within this collection, titled “The Hedge Knight.

In the tale, Duncan gains recognition at the noteworthy tournament held at Ashford Meadow by House Ashford in 209 AC. This event, however, signifies a shift in the line of succession, as Prince Baelor, the heir to Dragonstone and potential ruler of the Iron Throne, dies during the Trial of Seven. Yet, before this trial brings about a new regime, let me introduce the prominent Targaryen leaders and those who held the Iron Throne.

King Daeron II Targaryen

Children: Baelor Targaryen, Aerys I Targaryen, Rhaegel Targaryen, Maekar I Targaryen

King Daeron II Targaryen ruled from 184 to 209 AC. He came to be known as Daeron the Good for his numerous achievements. After Aegon the Unworthy’s death, Daeron left for King’s Landing to take his seat as Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. He immediately set about correcting the deficiencies and prevented the near collapse of all organs of the government, brought about by his father, Aegon IV’s, misrule.

As a devoted admirer, I’d put it this way: In my eyes, my reign was fraught with the tumultuous challenge of the Blackfyre Rebellions, ignited when my father, Aegon IV Targaryen, legitimized all his bastards before his passing. One such bastard, Daemon Waters, later known as Daemon Blackfyre, was publicly knighted by my father at the tender age of twelve, bestowed with the venerable Targaryen regalia and the legendary Valyrian steel sword, Blackfyre. This grand gesture effectively granted Daemon a claim to the Iron Throne, setting the stage for future conflict.

Out of the five generations of strife against the Blackfyre Pretenders, King Daeron II oversaw and quelled the first in 195 AC. He wed Myriah Martell, with whom he had four sons: Baelor, Aerys I, Rhaegel, and Maekar I. To commemorate the official proclamation of Dorne’s admission to the Seven Kingdoms (by having his sister Daenerys wed Maron Martell), Daeron built Summerhall in the Dornish Marches. He ensured the City Watch of King’s Landing acted in the interests of the public and repaired numerous fractures within the monarchy.

In the tale of Dunk and Egg, Baelor, the Prince of Dragonstone and Daeron II’s heir, is a significant Targaryen character. Tragically, Baelor meets his untimely end in a mishap during the Trial of Seven in 209 AC at the hands of his brother, Maekar. The subsequent year, King Daeron II succumbs to the Great Spring Sickness, along with his first and second heirs, princes Valarr and Matarys, who were Baelor’s sons.

Prince Baelor Targaryen

Children: Valarr Targaryen, Matarys Targaryen

Among Daeron’s sons, the eldest, Prince Baelor, was famously known as Baelor Breakspear due to his skill in dismounting Sir Daemon Blackfyre during a tournament held for the wedding of Princess Daenerys and Prince Maron Martell of Dorne. Known not only for his martial prowess but also for his gallantry, wisdom, and kindness, Prince Baelor was present at Ashford when the central character of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”, Ser Duncan the Tall, made an appearance.

Lord Ashford’s steward refused to let Sir Duncan take part in the tournament as he didn’t have anyone to verify his knighthood. However, Sir Duncan the Tall claimed that he had served under Ser Arlan of Pennytree and was eventually knighted by him. Disappointed but resilient, Sir Duncan met Princes Baelor and Maekar Targaryen. Later, Prince Baelor backed up Duncan, and even defended him when the princes Aerion and Daeron Targaryen accused him of treason and other charges.

In the Trial of Seven, Maekar stood on the opposing faction, unintentionally striking a fatal wound upon Baelor the Braveheart. Tragically, Baelor’s two sons, Valarr and Matarys, succumbed to the Great Spring Plague, marking the extinction of their lineage.

Prince Aerys Targaryen

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Following the demise of Baelor, King Daeron II, Valarr, and Matarys, the Iron Throne was assumed by Aerys I Targaryen, Daeron’s second-born son. Known for his love of books, Aerys sat on the throne from 209 to 221 AC, allowing his Hand and uncle, Brynden Rivers (also known as Bloodraven), to govern in his place during this time. It was during his reign that the Second Blackfyre Rebellion was suppressed, with Aerys playing minimal role in the proceedings. The Targaryen victory against the Blackfyres at the Whitewalls Tourney is attributed to Bloodraven and Ser Duncan the Tall.

King Aerys I was left with four potential successors upon his death in 221 AC. First among them was his brother Rhaegel, who unfortunately passed away after choking on a lamprey pie. Next, Rhaegel’s son, Aelor, perished in an unfortunate accident. The queen consort, Aelora (Rhaegel’s wife), chose to take her own life. Lastly, King Aerys I’s youngest brother, Maekar, ascended the throne following his demise, becoming the new ruler.

Prince Maekar Targaryen

Children: Daeron Targaryen, Aerion Targaryen, Aemon Targaryen, Daella Targaryen, Aegon V Targaryen, Rhae Targaryen

Maekar Targaryen stood as the next ruler on the Iron Throne, much like his elder brother Baelor, who played a significant part in the tales from “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.” Maekar resided at the Targaryen stronghold of Summerhall and shared Baelor’s martial spirit. However, during a visit to Ashford to watch his sons Daeron and Aerion compete, Maekar was disgraced instead. Aerion rashly killed his opponent’s horse in a jousting event, while Daeron proved to be a worthless drunkard. To add insult to injury, Aerion even assaulted an innocent Dornish puppeteer named Tanselle, forcing Ser Duncan the Tall to intervene on her behalf. This led to the highly-regarded “Trial of Seven.

In a different perspective, Egg (Aegon V), Maekar’s youngest son, voluntarily joined the ranks of Ser Duncan the Tall as a Hedge Knight. However, Daeron, his eldest, manipulated the situation to appear as a kidnapping. Ridden with regret, Maekar realized he had been deceived by Daeron and Aerion’s partial truths about the Puppeteer affair, leading him to demand a Trial of Seven for Baelor. He also lamented his conflict with his brother and supporting the opposing side. Aerion was banished to the Free Cities, while Daeron expressed remorse. Meanwhile, Aemon Targaryen, their third son, chose the path of a Maester, whereas Egg continued as Duncan’s squire.

Maekar ascended the throne in 221 AC, after Aerys I. His heir, Daeron the Drunken, died from pox, leaving behind an unsure line of succession. After Maekar died in the Peake Uprising of 233 AC, his Hand, Lord Brynden Rivers, called a Great Council to resolve the matter of succession.

At the Great Council held in 233 AC, Aegon the Unlikely, also known as “Egg,” was officially crowned King of the Seven Kingdoms. Throughout his reign, he proved to be a faithful ruler, with his loyal companion, Ser Duncan the Tall, standing by his side.

2024-09-13 21:04