Game of Thrones: Every Targaryen who should appear in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
King Aerys I Targaryen
— Meep III (@BastardChjld) October 10, 2023
• Reigned from 209 AC - 221 AC
• He is remembered as a bookish man who would rather read then rule. He never showed any interest in his wife and has no issue. He isn’t remembered very fondly.
• He is succeeded by his fourth brother, Prince Maekar pic.twitter.com/CVXT3YWfmW
Aerys I Targaryen
As the second son of Daeron II, Aerys likely didn’t anticipate becoming king, especially after his older brother Baelor produced two sons. But after Baelor’s line ended and Daeron passed away, Aerys found himself sitting on the Iron Throne. However, accounts suggest that Aerys preferred to read books rather than rule the kingdoms, so he appointed his uncle Brynden Rivers (Bloodraven) as Hand of the King to rule in his stead.
Aerys’ 12-year-reign was tumultuous, with the Spring Sickness, a year-long drought, frequent Ironborn raids and two Blackfyre rebellions. Aerys did take action after Blackfyre leader Aegor Rivers, aka Bittersteel, was finally captured. He was brought to King’s Landing, but instead of executing him, Aerys ordered him to join the Night’s Watch. On the boat-ride to the Wall, Bittersteel escaped to Essos to plan the next Blackfyre rebellion.
Aerys never has any children, and The World of Ice & Fire says he would rather bring a book into bed than his wife Aelinor. Ouch. After a few more untimely deaths, Aerys’ heir and eventual successor was his youngest brother Maekar, who ascended the throne when Aerys died in 221 AC.
Through Aerys, we could see how Bloodraven was able to grasp so much power as Hand of the King. I think that would be one of his biggest roles on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.