Summary
Game of Thronesexists in an extensive fantasy universe.
The adaptions largely focus on the Targaryens, fromAegon’s Conquestto Jon Snow (Kit Harrington).
Among the Targaryen kings, few were as effective and long-lasting asJaehaerys.
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Jaehaerys was known as the Old King because he lived and ruled for so long.
During his reign, Westeros was prosperous and flourishing.
But despite being a good leader, Jaehaerys was a horrible father.
Image via HBO
He had thirteen children, most of whom lived to adulthood.
Yet, he failed to control his family.
He was known as the Conciliator, the Wise, and the Old King.
Image via HBO
He was the first Targaryen to have a dragon egg placed in his crib,which hatched into Vermithor.
Despite having an older sister, it was Jaehaerys' claim that united the houses against Maegor the Cruel.
Yet Jaehaerys didn’t have to kill Maegor himself, as he died mysteriously on his throne.
Yet Jaehaerys made many decisions himself despite his youth.
Jaehaerys was responsible for uniting the Targaryen dynasty withthe Faith of the Seven, which was common in Westeros.
Yet he defied the Faith, too.
He also had the Kingsroad built to connect the kingdom and provide an easy way to travel.
During his rule, Westeros' population grew exponentially, and he had thirteen children.
But Jaehaerys' family was far from peaceful, and he failed them.
Jaehaerys' wife believed he failed his daughters in particular, and that much is true.
Jaehaerys looked for a suitable husband for Daella, settling on Rodrik Arryn, who was old but kind.
Yet Daella was young, and Lord Arryn needed an heir quickly.
The next and most significant problem was Saera, who wasn’t a proper princess by Westerosi standards.
But she escaped to Lys, and her family later learned Saera was working at a pleasure house.
Despite Alysanne’s pleas, Jaehaerys refused to reach out to Saera.
She did outlive her father but never contacted him.
First, Viserra tried to seduce her widowed brother but failed.
Alysanne insisted he was passing over Rhaenys for no reason, but Jaehaerys' choice stood.
His successor, Viserys (Paddy Considine), stood no chance of holding the kingdom together.
Jaehaerys is a prime example ofGame of Thrones’theme that good kings aren’t always good men.
