10. Aerys I
Aerys was the 13th king of Westeros and second son of Daeron the good. He took the throne after his father died in a plague and his older brother Baelor Breakspear was killed in a tourney. The beginning of Aerys’ rule was tough; a plague was sweeping through the realm while the Greyjoys were reaving the Western coast.
Aerys named Brynden Rivers — aka Bloodraven, one of Aegon the Unworthy’s bastards — as Hand of the King. Bloodraven ruled from behind the scenes with an iron fist and was instrumental in quelling the first Blackfyre rebellion. Using his vast spy network, Bloodraven was able to prevent the second Blackfyre rebellion before it began and quashed the third one on the battlefield.
After dueling and defeating his half-brother and lifelong rival Bittersteel, Bloodraven brought the rebel before the king. Although Bittersteel was found guilty of treason, Aerys decided to go against everyone’s wishes and send him to the Wall rather than execute him. Bittersteel escaped and fled to Essos to plot another rebellion.
Although he was technically king for 12 years, Aerys never fathered an heir and did not do much besides read books. He died of natural causes in 221 AC.
9. Daeron I
The first son of Aegon III, Daeron I took the throne at age 14 and was known for his prowess in combat. While his uncle Viserys effectively ruled the realm as Hand of the King, Daeron was a young warrior who thirsted for glory. This ambition led to him trying to finally conquer Dorne and unite the Seven Kingdoms as one. He was successful in this endeavor, which was unexpected since Aegon the Conqueror could not even conquer Dorne, and that was back when the Targaryens still had dragons.
However, Daeron’s victory was short-lived. The Dornish smallfolk rebelled and Daeron returned to battle them into submission. When it looked as though Dorne was again ready to surrender, Daeron met with the Dornish lords under a peace banner. During this meeting he was betrayed and killed at 18 years old.
8. Jaehaerys II
Jaehaerys II was the 16th king of Westeros. His reign began with the final Blackfyre rebellion, known as the War of the Ninepenny Kings. The Ninepenny Kings were a band of nine cutthroats and brigands from Essos led by Maelys “The Monstrous,” allegedly the last living Blackfyre.
Many characters from Game of Thrones cut their teeth during this war, including Tywin Lannister, Blackfish Tully, Barristan Selmy and Aerys Targaryen. Although Jaehaerys II wanted to lead his army to the band of nine’s encampment in the Stepstones, he was dissuaded by his Hand of the Kind Ormund Baratheon. After the war, and just three years of rule, Jaehaerys died of an illness, and his son Aerys II, who would become known as the Mad King, ascended.