Aerys I Targaryen

King Aerys I Targaryen was the second son of King Daeron II Targaryen. His older brother, Baelor Targaryen, was killed in the Tournament of Ashes, so Aerys ascended the throne upon the death of his father, Daeron II Targaryen, who was killed by the Spring Scourge of 209.

Aerys shared his father's love of books and, unlike his two brothers, Baelor and Maekar, was not a warrior. He had a scruffy appearance, immersed in his reading. Like his father, he wore the elaborate crown of King Aegon IV Targaryen.

Aerys I Targaryen Reign

When Aerys ascended the Iron Throne in the year 209, he seemed unprepared for the burden of kingship. He appointed his bastard uncle Brynden Rivers as Hand of the King, angering his younger brother Maekar, who retired to Lestival.

Deep in his books, he left the day-to-day governance of the kingdom to his Hand and his small council, including dealing with the end of the Spring Blight epidemic and the heat wave of the year 211.

During his reign, the kingdom also faced the second and third Feunoyr rebellions and the daily raids of Lord Dagon Greyjoy.

Aerys appeared to be a weak king and it is Bloody Fry who seems to be the real master of the Seven Crowns despite his bad reputation.

Although he was married to Aelinor Penrose, King Aerys had very little to do with her and was left without an heir.

Aerys reigned for twelve years before his death in 221. His brother and third son of King Daeron II, Rhaegel, had already died as well as his son Aelor, so his last brother and fourth son of King Daeron, Maekar I Targaryen, took the throne.