Daena Targaryen

Born in the year 145, Daena Targaryen, nicknamed Daena the Rebel, was the eldest daughter of King Aegon III Targaryen and his second wife, Queen Daenaera Velaryon.

She was married to her brother, Baelor Targaryen, who had the marriage dissolved once he became king. She had a son out of wedlock, Daemon Feunoyr. Stubbornly, she refused to give the name of the father.

Appearance and personality

With silver-gold hair and violet eyes, Daena was a true Targaryen, beautiful, wild and stubborn. Lively and energetic, she excelled at running, hunting, archery, horseback riding (she liked to say she was made to ride a dragon, but those were gone) and even jousting (though she never participated in a tournament). She adored her father, from whom she inherited her golden three-headed dragon pendant, and idolized her brother Daeron, the Young Dragon.

She was highly regarded for her beauty and courage.

History

Daena is the third child and first daughter of King Aegon III Targaryen and Queen Daenaera Velaryon. She was born in the year 145. After her conquest of Dorne, her brother Daeron I brought her a Dornian bow.

She was married to her brother Prince Baelor in 160, but their marriage was never consummated. The following year, Baelor acceded to the throne and had their marriage dissolved by the Great Septon.

He locked his former wife with her two other sisters Rhaena and Elaena in their apartments in the Red Keep, which were then called the "Crypt of the Virgins".

The king wants to spare them the suffering of the wickedness of the outside world, but many believe that he wants to avoid the carnal temptations they represent for him. Only young girls of high birth are allowed to keep them company.

Daena decides to wear an immaculate white dress and to keep it on until she loses her virginity, hoping to hurt Baelor's self-esteem. But Baelor is satisfied, because white is the color of purity. Daena and her sisters became known as the "three virgins in the tower".

Not accepting this fate, Daena slips away from the Crypt of the Virgins several times, donning the clothes of a servant or a peasant. She even receives help from her cousin, Prince Aegon. Her impatience earned her the nickname "Daena the Rebel".

In the year 170, she gave birth to a bastard son, whom she named Daemon, and refused to reveal the name of the father. This unholy birth pushes King Baelor to a new fast, which is fatal for him.

If some people think that Daena should succeed him as Queen of the Seven Crowns, they are few and far between. Many more fear her fiery temperament or criticize her loose morals.

In contrast, her uncle Viserys has ruled the kingdom as Hand of the King for the past ten years, and he benefits from being a man.

The precedent of the year 92, the Great Council of 101 and the Dance of the Dragons are evoked to remove Daena and her sisters from the succession. Their uncle Viserys becomes king as Viserys II Targaryen.