Eiris Targarien: Life and Death, the Legacy of the Mad King

Indeed, the grandiose work done by George Martin over his cycle of novels "Song of Ice and Flame", formed the basis of one of the best serials of all time, called "The Game of Thrones." Each character, woven into the outline of the plot and even not being an active participant in the events described, is so thoroughly described that the reader or the viewer learns about him literally everything. Each hero is interesting in its own way and, one way or another, affects events, even if it is no longer alive. One such is and Eiris Targarien.

Nothing foretold troubles

When the king was not yet insane, he gave great hopes as a ruler, he wished that in the ages he would be remembered as great and wise. In his plans there were many incredible projects, such as another Wall, the construction of a canal in Dorn that would turn deserts into blooming lands, the erection of a new capital and others that could not come true, as the dreamy king soon forgot about them. Eiris Targarien for many years was friendly with Tywin Lannister and even made it his Hand. He also gradually replaced the people of his grandfather, Eigon V, in all key positions with his trusted faces, young and energetic. He also led a friendship with another influential lord - Steffon Baratean.

From friendship to hatred

At the beginning of his reign, Ayris was irritable and often gave vent to anger. Over time, the situation began to deteriorate, as well as his relationship with a friend and righthand Tayvin. Long before this the king was not indifferent to his cousin and Lannister's wife Joanne, who at one time was a maid of honor at the court. In addition, before Targarien began to hear rumors that filed consider him a puppet, but in fact, all run the right hand. Even then it became apparent that the mental state of the king leaves much to be desired.

He went against Tywin in all matters. That's why Eiris Targarien was captured by the rebellious Lord Denis Darclin from the Twilight of the Valley, in captivity who was almost half a year and was damaged by his intellect. After the king was rescued from captivity by Sir Burrist Selmi, he mercilessly dealt with all the rebels. And after that, he made Tywyn a personal enemy, abolishing the intended marriage of his daughter Cersei and his son Reagar and making Jame Lannister a royal guard, leaving the house of his right hand without an heir. Therefore it is not surprising that Tayvin left his post and left for the family castle.

Traitor or savior?

Eiris Targarien became paranoid, everywhere he saw plots and enemies, he became a real madman and cruel tyrant. His obsession, connected with dragons and fire, was horrifying and crossed all conceivable boundaries. He was surrounded by alchemists, palmists and other dark personalities. When the eldest son of Ayris Reagar kidnapped Lianna Stark, since the father married his son against his will on Elia Martell, Brandon Stark came to the king and demanded the return of his sister.

The madman Ayris captivated the heir of the North and summoned his father Ricard to the Royal Harbor, who was burned alive in front of his son. Brandon himself strangled himself in an attempt to save his father. Then the houses of Starkov and Barateonov, as well as other families who joined them, raised an uprising. Eiris Targarien sent Reagar along with the royal guards to suppress him, but in the last resort he developed a plan.

His stock of Wild Fire under the city would have been enough to destroy the entire Royal Harbor in case of a loss. He did not have time. When the elder Lannister took the capital, Jame, who was in the personal guard of the king, inflicted that treacherous blow in the back, and thereby saved thousands of lives, and also helped Robert Baratone occupy the Iron Throne.

Family and children of Eiris Targarien

Prince Jayhairis II secretly from his father married his sister Cheyere. The witch prophesied to him that the promised Prince Azor Akhai, the savior of mankind, should be born precisely in the Targarienes, so he forced his son Ayris to marry his elder sister Rayle at the age of fourteen. Naturally, there could be no question of any love.

Their first child was born quite early, he was called Reagar. Reila and Ayris were young, they had high hopes for the continuation of the Targarienes, which were getting smaller. But after Reagar they had not had other children for a very long time, miscarriages followed one after another, Sheina's girl was born dead, her brothers, Prince Deiron, and later Prince Eigon, and later Jayheyreis did not live even a year.

The second son, who was able to successfully be born and grow up, became Wieseris. A desperate king said that all this time his wife had cheated on him, and so the children died, because they were conceived on the side. After that, he put observers to her and stopped sharing her bed, only occasionally, in the rush of insanity after another burning of someone suspected of treason, Ayris came to Reilla's bedroom and violently raped her. One of these nights was conceived by their last child. Dayeneris was born nine months after the capture of the Royal Harbor, on the Dragonstone. Mother died during childbirth, Reagar and Eiris Targarien had long been dead, except for her, and the brother of Wieseris, all that was left of the once strong house, survived.

On the screen

Although at the time of the beginning of the events in the book and the series The Mad King was already dead, this character was to be shown in the first season of the "Game of Thrones" in flashback. However, the footage with the actor Liam Burke in the role of Ayris did not enter the television version. To the idea of still acquainting with it, the audience returned only a few years later. Only in the sixth season of the series "The Game of Thrones" by Eiris Targarien, embodied already by actor David Rintul, appeared in the vision of Bran Stark. And the fans of the books were dissatisfied with what they saw, for the books The Mad King before his death looked horribly, with long tangled hair and a long beard, as he did not allow barbers to come to him, and his long-cut nails resembled animal claws. In the series, in this case, they decided to retreat from the book canons.