Key Relationships Around Aerys II
The phrase “Mad King” refers to Aerys II Targaryen, who sat the Iron Throne from 262 AC to 283 AC. This relationship tree focuses on his immediate family to clarify how key figures are connected by blood and marriage.
| Relation Type | Name | Connection to Aerys II | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Father | Jaehaerys II | Direct parent | Died before Aerys came to throne |
| Mother | Shaera Targaryen | Direct parent | Daughter of Aegon V |
| Sister | Rhaelle | Sibling | Mother of Orys Baratheon |
| Wife | Rhaella | Marriage | Also his cousin |
| Children | Rhaegar, Viserys, Daenerys | Offspring | Viserys and Daenerys are siblings and also Aerys’s heirs |
Marriage and Cousin Unions
In Targaryen tradition, close kinship was common. Aerys married Rhaella, who was both his cousin and a member of the same dragon-blood line. This pattern reinforced claims but intensified the consequences when the dynasty collapsed. Such unions were framed as preserving purity, yet they reduced the pool of unrelated heirs and made internal conflict more likely.
Ancestry and Earlier Generations
To understand Aerys, it helps to trace backward through his lineage. Aegon V, known as the Unlikely, set the stage for later strife by supporting a claim he was not born to. Jaehaerys II, Aerys’s father, had a short reign and died young, pushing Aerys onto the throne sooner than expected. These prior decisions shaped the pool of loyalists and rivals available when Aerys’s temperament became unstable.
Siblings and Extended Kin
- Rhaelle Targaryen, Aerys’s sister, married into the Baratheon line and produced Orys, linking the houses.
- Other cousins formed alliances and marriages across the Narrow Sea, expanding the family’s reach but also its vulnerabilities.
The Next Generation: Viserys and Daenerys
Viserys and Daenerys grew up in exile after Robert’s Rebellion. Both are children of Aerys’s heir Rhaegar, making them central to succession claims. Their bond is biological rather than political, yet their paths diverged sharply. Viserys focused on reclaiming the throne, while Daenerys built power beyond the Narrow Sea, eventually returning with a claim rooted in her parentage and lineage.
Claims and Counterclaims
After Aerys died, several figures asserted rights to the throne. Robert Baratheon’s claim rested on rebellion and marriage to Lyanna Stark. Stannis and Renly represented alternative lines within the same rebellion. Daenerys’s claim derives from her father Rhaegar and, through complex interpretations of law, from her lineage back to Aegon the Conqueror. These competing narratives highlight how family ties can be leveraged for legitimacy long after a ruler’s death.
FAQ: The Mad King’s Family
| Question | Answer | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Who was the Mad King’s father? | Jaehaerys II Targaryen | Historical records |
| Who was the Mad King’s wife? | Rhaella Targaryen, his cousin | Official court records |
| Did the Mad King have siblings? | Yes, a sister named Rhaelle | Genealogical references |
| Who are the Mad King’s children in order of birth? | Rhaegar, Viserys, Daenerys | Lineage documents |
| Is Daenerys a mad king’s daughter or grandson? | She is his granddaughter through Rhaegar | Genealogy |
Takeaways
- Aerys II is the Mad King; Rhaella was his wife and cousin.
- His children are Rhaegar (eldest), Viserys, and Daenerys, all of whom carry claims or counterclaims.
- Earlier generations, including Aegon V and Jaehaerys II, shape the context of the family’s stability.
- Marriage within the family was common and intended to preserve bloodline authority but increased fragility.
- Post-rebellion exile and return show how family ties continue to fuel political legitimacy.
Understanding these relationships helps separate verified lineage from narrative interpretation. The Targaryen family tree remains central to claims, rivalries, and the long-term consequences of decisions made generations before Robert’s Rebellion.