Maekar Targaryen

Game of Thrones: In a conversation with Lord Eddard Stark, Grand Maester Pycelle informs him that during King Maekar's reign there was a long, hot summer that deceived many in the Citadel about the "Great Summer," but soon a cold, long winter arrived.

A Clash of Kings: During preparations for the Great Watch Beyond the Wall, Lord Commander Mormont talks to Jon Snow about Maester Aemon's past, mentioning some of King Maekar's reign attire.

A Feast for Crows: Maester Aemon tells Samwell Tarly that Prince Maekar disagreed with King Daeron the Good's decision to take him to study at the Citadel and make him a Maester.[16] Maester Aemon hopes that his father has found in death the peace he never knew in life, especially after the death of his brother, Prince Baelor.

During King Maekar's seven-year reign, there was a long, hot summer, and some within the Citadel believed it to be the "Great Summer." However, it was soon followed by a short autumn and a long, cold winter. During King Maekar's reign, Danelle "the Mad" Lothston, Lady of Harrenhal, is said to have turned to the dark arts of magic, causing the downfall of House Lothston. King Maekar gave the lordship of Harrenhal to House Whent as a reward for their service in overthrowing the Lothstons. King Maekar ruled until 233 AC when he fell in battle facing a rebellious lord in the Dornish Marches during the Peake Uprising. According to a semi-canonical source, he was crushed by a stone thrown from the battlements of Starbridge during the storming of the castle. After his death, a succession crisis arose, and Lord Bloodraven, the Hand of the King, convened the Great Council, which chose his son, Prince Aegon, to be the new king.

After the death of King Aerys I Targaryen in 221 AC, King Maekar inherited the Iron Throne. The death of his brother, Prince Baelor, at his hands still haunted him, and his desire to break with this past was so strong that he commissioned a new war crown, with black iron points on a red gold band. King Maekar's reign took place between two Blackfyre Rebellions and was considered peaceful. Despite their disagreements, Lord Bloodraven remained in his position as Hand of the King during the new reign. King Maekar summoned all his sons to his court, including his third son, who was already a Maester, to be part of his Small Council, but Maester Aemon refused, believing that this would usurp the place that rightfully belonged to the Grand Maester, and chose instead to serve his older brother, Prince Daeron, who was the new Prince of Dragonstone. However, Prince Daeron preferred to become the Prince of Summerhall, as Dragonstone was too dark. Eventually, Prince Daeron died of syphilis, which he contracted from a prostitute. In 232 AC, Prince Aerion also died before his father, after drinking a vial of wildfire, believing it would transform him into a dragon. It is said he was drunk when he drank wildfire and died screaming. While acting as a member of House Targaryen, Prince Aegon had repeatedly interfered in the affairs of many Great Houses of Westeros, attempting to reduce the rights and privileges of these houses over the common people, but in doing so he gained many enemies and opponents in the Seven Kingdoms, likely causing problems for King Maekar's rule.

When Dunk discovers the entire Blackfyre conspiracy unfolding at Alvasparedes, Lord Gormon Peake explains to the Hedge Knight that, among other reasons, Prince Maekar's isolation at Summerhall aided his plot. While captive at Alvasparedes, Egg threatens Lord Ambrose Butterwell, lying that he was there as a spy for Prince Maekar, who would come to his castle with a giant army. After the accidental deaths of Prince Rhaegel in 215 AC and his son, Prince Aelor, in 217 AC, King Aerys I Targaryen, who had no children, named Prince Maekar as his heir, thus making him the Prince of Dragonstone. Also in 217 AC, Prince Maekar's son, Aemon, received his Maester's chains. During the Third Blackfyre Rebellion in 219 AC, Prince Maekar was recognized for his leadership. Aegor "Bittersteel" Rivers was captured in battle, and Prince Maekar's son, Prince Aerion, and Lord Brynden "Bloodraven" Rivers demanded his execution. However, King Aerys I Targaryen was merciful and allowed Bittersteel to join the Night's Watch, but he managed to escape this fate. Prince Maekar's opinion on Bittersteel's punishment is unknown.

Prince Maekar's father, King Daeron II, and his two nephews, Prince Valarr (first in line to the Iron Throne) and Prince Matarys Targaryen (second in line to the Iron Throne), died during the Great Spring Sickness in 209 AC. Thus, the crown passed to King Aerys I Targaryen, the second son of the late King Daeron the Good. Prince Maekar had hoped to be appointed Hand of the King to his brother Aerys, but this position was filled by Lord Bloodraven, an old adversary of Prince Maekar. Feeling betrayed by his brother, Prince Maekar returned to Summerhall during King Aerys's reign. According to Septon Sefton Staunton, Lord Gormon Peake, and Ser Kyle the Cat, Prince Maekar is sulking and pensive in his castle because he is at odds with the king and the Hand. While Dunk and Egg were in Coldmoat on orders from Ser Eustace Osgrey to negotiate peace with Lady Rohanne Webber regarding the Chess Creek conflict, Septon Sefton Staunton tells Dunk and Egg that he was in King's Landing during the Great Spring Sickness and mentions that Prince Maekar sulked and went to Summerhall after being sidelined by his brother, King Aerys I. Later, Egg speaks privately with Dunk and tries to defend his father's actions. While on their way to the Wedding Tournament at Whitewalls, Dunk and Egg spend the night waiting for the ferry and talking with three other hedge knights: Ser Kyle the Cat, Ser Glendon Ball, and Ser Maynard Plumm. Egg explodes in anger when Ser Kyle says that Prince Maekar killed his brother, Prince Baelor, and that he would do the same to his other brother, Prince Rhaegel Targaryen. Later, at Alvasparedes, Egg fights and is beaten by other squires who called Prince Maekar a "kingslayer".

Dunk refuses the position at Summerhall, preferring to remain a Hedge Knight, but accepts Prince Aegon as his squire, provided they travel together through the Seven Kingdoms so he can teach Egg the humility his older brothers, Prince Aerion and Prince Daeron, never knew. Incredulous at Dunk's offer, Prince Maekar leaves without a word. After reflecting, Prince Maekar sends Egg the following morning to serve Dunk as his squire, ordering his son to keep his true identity a secret.

When Prince Baelor Breakspear sides with Dunk after a public plea (as only one supporter was needed), Prince Maekar is confused that his own brother is going against him, but Prince Baelor believes in Dunk's innocence. During the Trial of Seven, while Dunk was beating the fallen Prince Aerion with his shield, Prince Maekar tried to fight his way to his son to save him, but Prince Baelor prevented him from advancing, maintaining the advantage over his brother the entire time. While Dunk dragged Prince Aerion through the mud to force him to withdraw his accusation and end the combat as quickly as possible, Ser Lyonel Baratheon, the Laughing Storm, joins Prince Baelor against Prince Maekar, who was being severely pressured, receiving three blows for every one he landed, but unfortunately Prince Maekar managed to land a fatal blow to his brother's head. Prince Baelor survived long enough to see the trial end with Prince Aerion's surrender, but died shortly after removing his helmet. Prince Maekar felt guilty for his brother's death, as he never intended to kill him, but even so, he would be considered a fratricide and a regicide. Dealing with the problem of his sons, Prince Maekar banished Prince Aerion to the Free City of Lys. Prince Maekar sought out Dunk, informing him that Prince Aegon needed to become a squire, but the stubborn boy would not accept any other knight besides Dunk, so he offered him a position in his castle guard so that the Hedge Knight could hone his raw combat skills, and thus Egg could be his squire while being trained by the Master-at-Arms of Summerhall.

On the first day of the Tourney at Ashford, Prince Maekar leaves Ashford with Ser Roland Crakehall of the Kingsguard to search for his sons and finally finds Prince Daeron the Drunkard, but does not find his youngest son (who was serving as Dunk's squire under the pseudonym "Egg" to avoid being discovered). When Prince Maekar inquired about Prince Aegon, the frightened Prince Daeron lied, saying that he had been captured by a "great knight thief," and that he had spent three whole days searching for his brother. To make matters worse, Prince Maekar's second son, Prince Aerion Brightflame, attacked and tortured a Dornish pantomime artist named Tanselle, unjustly accusing her of high treason because of her puppet show, but Dunk attacked Prince Aerion and saved Tanselle. Since attacking a member of the Royal Family is a crime, Dunk would have been tortured and killed right there in front of everyone if "Egg" hadn't intervened and revealed himself as Prince Aegon Targaryen. Unfortunately, Dunk was arrested anyway to be judged. Prince Maekar was very frustrated by his sons' deception and chose Dunk as the target of his wrath, persuaded by Prince Aerion's vengeful malice and Prince Daeron's lies. Even Prince Aegon's pleas were not enough to change his father's mind, as the boy had a reputation for lying. When Dunk demanded a trial by combat (because he knew he wouldn't get a fair trial), the vengeful and fearful Prince Aerion demanded a trial by seven, as he believed Dunk wouldn't be able to gather six supporters at Ashford and would consequently be condemned to death. Initially, Prince Maekar questions his son's courage, asking if he was afraid to face Dunk alone, but in the end he sided with his son in his decision and assures the hopeless Dunk that if his cause is just, other men will support him.

In 209 AC, a tournament was held at Ashford. Prince Maekar went there to watch his sons, Prince Daeron and Prince Aerion, compete. His fourth son, Prince Aegon, would serve as squire to his older brother, Prince Daeron, in this tournament. Prince Maekar secretly hoped to see his sons outshine Prince Baelor's sons in the jousts. However, the Tourney at Ashford proved disastrous for Prince Maekar and his sons. Prince Daeron had no interest in participating in the tournament and fled with his squire, Prince Aegon. Prince Maekar sent his men after his missing sons, but Prince Daeron the Drunkard shaved Prince Aegon's head so he would not be recognized as a member of House Targaryen. Prince Daeron drank himself into a diner, but Prince Aegon wanted to be a squire in the tournament, so he fled from his brother and became a squire to the lowborn Hedge Knight named Dunk. Prince Maekar knew his firstborn, Prince Daeron, was a disappointment, so he placed all his hopes on his second son, Prince Aerion Brightflame. However, even Prince Aerion brought dishonor upon himself during the joust by purposely killing his opponent's horse, Ser Humfrey Hardyng. When Dunk went to Lord Ashford to get permission to participate in the tournament, Prince Baelor was trying to calm Prince Maekar's fury and frustration, as both Prince Daeron and Prince Aegon were still missing. Prince Baelor allows Dunk to participate in the tournament and treats him politely and kindly, but Prince Maekar is terribly rude and impatient with the Hedge Knight.

At the same time, Prince Baelor Breakspear and his army, formed with men from Dorne and Storm's End, attacked the rebel rearguard, crushing them against the "anvil" led by his brother, Prince Maekar, and ending the First Blackfyre Rebellion once and for all. After this, a famous song about the Battle of the Redgrass Field was written, called "The Hammer and the Anvil," with Prince Baelor being the "Hammer" and Prince Maekar the "Anvil." Despite being recognized as a great general for his achievements at the Battle of the Redgrass Field, Daemon Blackfyre's mistake in not attacking Prince Maekar's army when he had the chance did not go unnoticed. On the other hand, his brother, Prince Baelor Breakspear, was widely recognized and hailed for his deeds. Perhaps that is why Prince Maekar felt slighted. Sometime between 207 AC and 208 AC, the throne had many potential Targaryen heirs, as King Daeron the Good had four adult sons, three of whom had children of their own. Therefore, King Daeron II felt this could be dangerous and sent Prince Maekar's third son to the Citadel to become a Maester, despite his father's objections. Prince Maekar's wife, Lady Dyanna Dayne, died sometime before 209 AC.

Prince Maekar's father, King Daeron the Good, intended to unify Westeros and arranged the marriage between Prince Maron Martell and Princess Daenerys Targaryen, Daemon Blackfyre's childhood sweetheart. Daemon's resentment was fueled for eight or nine years by Bittersteel and Fireball until finally the First Blackfyre Rebellion occurred in 196 AC. The Blackfyre Rebellion ended in 196 AC after the decisive Battle of the Redgrass Field. Prince Maekar served as one of the commanders of the loyalist forces. Lord Donnel Arryn, another loyalist commander, had his army crushed by Daemon Blackfyre. Shortly after, Ser Gwayne Corbray of the Kingsguard arrived with reinforcements to fight Daemon, while Prince Maekar attempted to reorganize what remained of Lord Arryn's vanguard to unite them with his own army. Daemon Blackfyre defeats Ser Gwayne, but instead of advancing against Prince Maekar (who was still struggling to reorganize the remainder of Lord Arryn's defeated vanguard), he chose to slow the attack, dismounting his horse to save Ser Gwayne's life. This decision proved to be his grave mistake, as it gave Bloodraven and his Raven's Teeth time to reach Weeping Peak and rain down arrows upon Daemon and his twin sons, Aegon and Aemon. Immediately after Daemon's death, many rebels attempted to flee the battle, but Bittersteel took up the sword Blackfyre and assumed leadership, rallying the rebels and launching a final, mad attack against the loyalist army. In the midst of the battle, Bittersteel and Bloodraven clashed in a one-on-one fight, where Bloodraven lost an eye and was defeated. However, Prince Maekar finally managed to reorganize his army as well and arrived in battle, standing firm and bravely withstanding the rebel attack, like a "formidable anvil" that completely contained the advance of his uncle, Bittersteel.

Prince Maekar was the fourth son of King Daeron II Targaryen and Queen Myriah Martell. He had three older brothers: Baelor, Aerys, and Rhaegel. Although King Daeron the Good was not a warrior, two of his four sons (Prince Baelor and Prince Maekar) seemed to have everything one could wish for as knights, lords, or heirs. Ser Quentyn Ball, known as "Fireball," was the Master-at-Arms of King's Landing and trained Prince Maekar, all his older brothers, and the "Great Bastards" in arms, except for Aegor Rivers, who was raised at Stone Hedge. Prince Baelor became a tournament champion at seventeen, and Prince Maekar appeared to possess similar abilities. Being the fourth son, he had little chance of becoming King. He married Lady Dyanna of House Dayne early and fathered four sons and two daughters: Daeron, Aerion, Aemon, Daella, Aegon, and Rhae. He was granted the lordship of the Targaryen summer palace, Summerhall.

Maekar had a strong and powerful build. His hair was straight, and his beard was trimmed in such a way that it made his face appear square, partially concealing his cheeks marked by smallpox scars. Both his hair and beard were a silvery-blond color with touches of gold, but with strands so pale they almost appeared white in the dim light. Maekar had a powerful gaze and a brusque voice. Maekar was a man of irritable nature, harsh, proud, full of contempt, quick to judge and condemn, and he became even more severe and ruthless after the death of his brother Baelor Targaryen, for which he felt guilty, since it was he who delivered the fatal blow. Perhaps because of this, he had a strong desire to break with his past. His gruff and overly frank personality made it difficult for Maekar to make friends and allies, but somehow, Ser Duncan felt a kind of sympathy for him. Maekar was considered an excellent military leader, decisive in the rebellions caused by House Blackfyre (specifically the First and Third Blackfyre Rebellions), and was also considered an excellent warrior in his own right, formidable with his flail, but he was always overshadowed by his brother Baelor Targaryen, both in his warrior skills and his leadership ability. Furthermore, he was always overshadowed by his brothers in several other aspects. Raymun Fossoway says that Maekar is not as daring as Prince Baelor, nor as intelligent as his brother Prince Aerys, nor as kind as Prince Rhaegel, and his children are also overshadowed by the children of their older brother. Maekar had his own personal emblem: four red dragons with three heads, two and two, on a black background. He also wore armor that gave him a terrifying and intimidating appearance, with curved black dragon teeth running down his shoulders, up to the top of his helmet, and down again.

Royal House: House Targaryen Predecessor: Aerys I Targaryen Successor: Aegon V Targaryen Queen: Dyanna Dayne Children: Daeron Targaryen Aerion Targaryen Aemon Targaryen Aegon Targaryen Rhae Targaryen Daella Targaryen Father: Daeron II Targaryen Mother: Mariah Martell Personal Coat of Arms: Four red three-headed dragons, two by two, on a black background.

Reign: 221 AD to 233 AD Full name: Maekar Targaryen, the First of His Name Titles: King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men Lord of the Seven Kingdoms Protector of the Territory Prince of Solarestival Prince of Dragonstone Knight Birth: Between 174 AD and 179 AD, in King's Landing Death: 233 AD, in Piquestrela