Was Aerys II Targaryen, also known as the Mad King, simply misunderstood, or was he truly a tyrannical ruler driven to the brink? The historical and fictional accounts paint a disturbing picture of a king whose reign was marked by escalating paranoia, cruelty, and ultimately, madness, leaving an indelible stain on the Targaryen dynasty.
Aerys II Targaryen, the seventeenth and last Targaryen to sit on the Iron Throne, ruled from 262 AC to 283 AC. His reign, initially promising, devolved into tyranny and ultimately, his demise at the hands of Jaime Lannister during Robert's Rebellion marked the end of Targaryen rule in Westeros. To understand Aerys, one must delve into his lineage. He was the son of Jaehaerys II Targaryen and Queen Rhaella Targaryen, grandson of Aegon V Targaryen and Betha Blackwood. Jaehaerys II, the sixteenth Targaryen king, preceded Aerys on the throne, though his reign was brief, lasting only three years. Aerys continued the Targaryen tradition of marrying within the family, taking his sister Rhaella as his queen. This union produced several children, including Rhaegar, Viserys, Daenerys, and Prince Jaehaerys, whose birth briefly quelled Aeryss rising madness before his untimely death in the same year.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Aerys II Targaryen |
| Titles | King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, The Mad King, King Scab |
| Reign | 262 AC 283 AC |
| Predecessor | Jaehaerys II Targaryen |
| Successor | Robert Baratheon |
| Born | Unknown |
| Died | 283 AC, King's Landing |
| Father | Jaehaerys II Targaryen |
| Mother | Rhaella Targaryen |
| Spouse | Rhaella Targaryen (sister) |
| Children | Rhaegar Targaryen, Viserys Targaryen, Daenerys Targaryen, Jaehaerys Targaryen (died in infancy) |
| House | Targaryen |
| Character Portrayal | David Rintoul (in Game of Thrones) |
| Key Events | War of the Ninepenny Kings (early participation), Robert's Rebellion (overthrow and death) |
| Legacy | Known for his descent into madness and tyranny, leading to the end of the Targaryen dynasty's rule in Westeros. |
| Reference | A Wiki of Ice and Fire |
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