#canon rhaenyra targaryen

[sweetestpopcorn]

The Blacks and the Greens 🐉 by the beyond talented and patient and every compliment imaginable @lupotterdraws featuring (from left to right) Princess Helaena Targaryen, Prince Daeron Targaryen, Prince Aemond “One Eye” Targaryen, Queen Alicent Hightower, Prince Aegon “The Elder” Targaryen, and their graces King Viserys I Targaryen, (his favourite child) the Princess of Dragonstone Rhaenyra Targaryen “The Realm’s Delight” and last but not least her beloved uncle and husband Prince Daemon Targaryen, “The Rogue Prince”

Thank you from here to the moon and back Lu! You are as talented as Balerion’s fires were hot 🐉🔥

PS: asoiaf characters, these can only be found in the books and not in a certain lizard show

[pessimisticpigeonsworld]

HOTD has made many interesting choices in their adaptation of the story of the Dance. One of their favorite excuses for many of their questionable choices is "feminism". Why did they remove Alicent's ambitions and autonomy? Feminism. Why is Rhaenyra less proactive and hesitant? Feminism. Why are Daemon and Otto the primary active agents in the lead up to the Dance? Well women can't be in the wrong or violent, so feminism.

These choices are the farthest thing from feminist; they're sexist, end of story. Every decision surrounding the women of the Dance reeks of benevolent sexism. One of the most obviously sexist decisions made is the purposeful removal of female cooperation and friendship.

Rhaenyra in F&B has many female allies and friends. Her ladies in waiting loved her so much, one of them, Lady Elinda Massey gouged out her eyes at the sight of Rhaenyra's death. Lady Jeyne Arryn, Lady Alysanne Blackwood, and Lady Sabitha Frey/Vypren are just a few examples of ladies who fought for Rhaenyra (Alysanne and Sabitha literally fought in battles). Lady Fell chose death over betraying her oath to Rhaenyra.

Now, we haven't had any opportunity to meet most of these women I listed in the show. Lady Fell was portrayed as she was written in the book, a very minor character who simply foreshadowed how most of the realm would choose Rhaenyra over Aegon. Elinda Massey, however was reduced to an unnamed servant, not even a lady in waiting. Her treatment is an echo of one of my biggest issues with HOTD, the treatment of Laena and Rhaenys.

Laena was Rhaenyra's dearest friend in the book, in fact it's implied that they had a romantic relationship. Whether you believe that telling or not, it's undeniable that she and Laena were extremely close. They chose to betroth their children while they were infants, Rhaenyra flew to Laena's bedside during her final labor, and she stood vigil with Daemon over Laena's body.

All of that closeness and intimacy was removed in the show to make room for Alicent. So let's break that down: they removed a long and healthy relationship between two women and replaced it with a short-lived (in terms of screen time) friendship that quickly fell apart and turned into an intense rivalry. Reinforcing an old stereotype of female friendship: that it is entrenched in rivalry and toxicity and can quickly be turned to enmity. Alicent was so quickly and easily turned against Rhaenyra and it's even implied that she was jealous of Rhaenyra long before they became enemies.

Rhaenys in the book was an ardent supporter of Rhaenyra. She happily claimed Jace, Luke, and Joff as her grandsons, advised Rhaenyra to go to war, and gladly flew against Aegon and Aemond.

Meanwhile, in the show, Rhaenys was turned into one of Rhaenyra's rivals. She constantly challenged Rhaenyra's ideas, dismissed her as a naive child, disliked her children, and even considered backing the Greens. On top of that, they turned her into yet another "peaceful" woman. She advises against the war, and seems to continue to do so in season two. Rhaenys is virtually unrecognizable in the show. They chose to take a woman who tried to prevent a younger woman being wronged by the patriarchy the same way she was and turned her into a bitter woman who resents Rhaenyra (for most of the show).

HOTD claimed to have wanted to tell a story about how the patriarchy pits women against each other. That's all very well and good, but that's not what they actually did. They took a story where a woman is wrongfully usurped because of her gender and is supported by many other women and turned it into another tired female rivalry story.

Rhaenyra has no female friends aside from Alicent. Laena was turned from her dearest friend/lover into simply a rival for Daemon's affection. Rhaenys was turned from a supportive mentor and defender to someone who took out her resentment for the system on a fourteen year old who only starts to support her when she's proven "peaceful".

HOTD chose to perpetuate a harmful stereotype about women: that we constantly view each other as threats/rivals and can't have truly healthy relationships with other women. Rhaenyra had women who supported and cared for her in the book, in the show all she has is Alicent. A woman who abused and undermined her for ten years, raised her children to hate her, and usurped her. Every change HOTD made in the name of "feminism" solidified just how sexist it really is.

[drakaripykiros130ac]

“Daemon only ever wanted the Iron Throne! He wanted to rule through Rhaenyra!”

Daemon Targaryen was an ambitious dragon lord who wanted to be an important representative of House Targaryen, close to power, but also in a position in which he could be on the front lines in exciting battles, defending his family and the Realm. He never wanted to be stuck sitting on a chair for the rest of his life, forced to listen to the problems of smallfolk, deal with politicking and have to play mediator during Council meeting disputes.

People who truly understand Daemon Targaryen, know that the title of Prince Consort fits him just fine. It’s perfect, in fact. Exactly the kind of position that suits him.

He’s closest to the throne, the first man in the Realm, he’s husband to the reigning Queen, father to the next King, and this position grants him the opportunity to spend more time on the battlefield than in a throne room.

Daemon is free to lead armies and win wars, bringing House Targaryen to the height of its power, while Rhaenyra deals with everything he hates.

Daemon is just fine with Rhaenyra being Queen.

[thesilverlady]

“There's a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking. But behind all your stories is always your mother's story, because hers is where yours begin.” — Mitch Albom

[omnipotent-scient]

Personally, I've always perceived Rhaenyra as an entitled brat. That was sort of how she was portrayed in the book. Daemon was pretty nasty as well, as he groomed Rhaenyra. He was teaching her "how best to touch a man to bring him pleasure," if Mushroom is to be believed.

I am inclined to believe Mushroom.

I think most of Rhaenyra's behaviors at Daemon's fault, but I do think that Rhaenyra is mad as she wanted to torture her little brother for calling her bastard children 'bastards'. That isn't sane behavior, and nothing really excuses it. Aemond really was defending himself.

Alicent should have asked for Rhaenyra's boys to be swatted on the hands wooden spoon a good few times, not an eye. (Lucerys should not have had a dagger. Why would a child need a dagger?)

I don't think anyone thought Rhaenyra was still heir after Aegon was born. Viserys literally broke the laws of the entire realm for her.

War was inevitable, and there was nothing Rhaenyra could have done aside from marrying her infant brother.

I don't know if you've been asked something like this before. I also have no idea if the background to my question makes sense, but do you think there was any way Rhaenyra could have become Queen without breaking laws, murdering kin, and or bloodshed?

Who started breaking laws? —The Greens

Who started murdering kin?—The Greens

Who started bloodshed?— The Greens

In a monarchy, which Westeros is and has been for THOUSANDS of years the king's words is the law. Not that of his predecessors, but of the present ruling monarch.

Viserys named his 8 year old daughter as his heir, he varied from custom yes, but never broke law. HE IS THE LAW.

Viserys also broke custom by marrying Alicent, a daughter of a second son and not a ruling lord. A woman that could not give him anything of importance, not money, not a fleet, not any great allegiance. He married her simply because loved her. Being the second time he broke CUSTOM for a woman he loved. Rhaenyra and Alicent.

Even if Viserys allowed his 16 year old daughter to be wed to her 6 year old brother, you think that would prevent war? You people are simply stupid if you think so. Aegon (Otto & Alicent) could easily imprison Rhaenyra and simply put it out as she died, or simply even just end her life. And obviously with their children being young(if they had any, very unlikely) Aegon could crown himself as king rather than prince consort. And do you really think Alicent would let her precious son be king consort to a wanton woman? We see this with Jaehaerys' children Daenerys and Aemon.

I don't think anyone thought Rhaenyra was still heir after Aegon was born. Viserys literally broke the laws of the entire realm for her.

The Blacks? Literally many at court more than even the Greens supported Rhaenyra as heir. Even afterwards, during the war Rhaenyra had much more supporters than Aegon, even after her death.

Rhaenyra is mad as she wanted to torture her little brother for calling her bastard children 'bastards'. That isn't sane behavior, and nothing really excuses it. Aemond really was defending himself. Alicent should have asked for Rhaenyra's boys to be swatted on the hands wooden spoon a good few times, not an eye.

Right, Rhaenyra insisting for Aemond to be questioned sharply is mad but Alicent asking for a five year old's eye to be cut out is perfectly sane behaviour, yes? Be serious right now. Do you really think Viserys out of all people would let his son be tortured? Rhaenyra knew of that, she wanted Aemond to admit that his mother, Alicent has been spreading rumours abt easy as that.

It wasn't just for the insults either, Luke's nose was broken, Jace was hit in the head. And Joff was thrown into dragon droppings.

Afraid that the boy would raise the alarm, Prince Aemond shouted at him to be quiet, then shoved him backward into a pile of dragon droppings.

Aemond fought back, breaking Luke’s nose with a punch, then wrenching the sword from Joff’s hands and cracking it across the back of Jace’s head, driving him to his knees. As the younger boys scrambled back away from him, bloody and bruised, the prince began to mock them, laughing and calling them “the Strongs.”

Jace at least was old enough to grasp the insult. He flew at Aemond once again, but the older boy began pummeling him savagely…until Luke, coming to the rescue of his brother, drew his dagger and slashed Aemond across the face, taking out his right eye.

Aemond was TEN. Jace was SIX, Luke FIVE, Joff only THREE.

A 10 year old Pummeling (= boxing, repeatedly puching) and 6 year old is a perfectly good thing to do.

Lucerys should not have had a dagger. Why would a child need a dagger?

Because this child, is a prince? Almost everyone had daggers at that time, Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses, Ladies, Lords, Commonborn, every one had daggers. They carried it for personal protection, even Lucerys.

Не was teaching her "how best to touch a man to bring him pleasure," if Mushroom is to be believed. I am inclined to believe Mushroom.

Even then, if Rhaenyra is such an 'entitled brat' why would she want to please the son of a steward of a Lord. And that too, not even a major Lord. Why would she want to please a no-one that became a someone because of HER.

Personally, I've always perceived Rhaenyra as an entitled brat. That was sort of how she was portrayed in the book.

She was portrayed as spoiled, yes. How could she not be? She came after many miscarriages and stillbirth, many other losses in the family. To her parents she was their first daughter, both of them motherless on their own. To Baelon, she was his first granddaughter after the loss of this wife, son, aemon and the rest of his siblings. To Jaehaerys and Alysanne, she was probably the first great-grandchild they met, she came after they lost most of their children (+Jocelyn who was as good as daughter, Rhaenys and probably never met her children till the feast and tourney of 98). She was a light in a time where her family was sinking from the inside.

I don't know how fighting for something that is yours, and have been for over TWENTY YEARS is seen as entitlement rather advocating and defending her own right?

There is someone who is portrayed as entitled, however. Alicent Hightower. Who thought simply because she popped out the King's son, means he should become a king. And this son who thought simply because he was a man with a cock, he was more fit to rule than a daughter without a cock.

Why should I explain the basic of things to strangers as if they're 5 and lack comprehension? Lol😭

[ammmyturtle]

Queen Aemma Arryn with her baby girl princess Rhaenyra Targaryen

And a very hungry Syrax asking for attention XD

[camilledusk1800s]

My version of the realm's delight only inspired by canon and my own headcanon 🥹🩷

[chattylegendbitch]

Team green fans can be such hypocrites at times. Like shaming Rhaenyra for not physically fighting on dragonback, when she is in such pain and grief. But Helaena gets a free pass because her son was killed. And she's depressed and going through grief and mourning.

While that is exactly the emotion and pain Rhaenyra is going through (even more). Rhaenyra lost her father. Rhaenyra lost her birthright/throne/crown. Rhaenyra lost her son, Luke. Rhaenyra lost her daughter. That too in a stillbirth, which takes months to heal. Even if we put aside the grief and death and loss, there is still physical trauma, and pain. In such a condition she is supposed to be in bed resting.

But still what's the point of having a dragon if you're not putting it any use.🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[97black-storm]

She is giving so many Rhaenyra Targaryen vibes here ❤🖤

[unadulteratedbarbarianlady]

Elys Arryn raised a lady to a queen, raised Aemma to great things. She would have been more.

It wasn't until those stupid Jaehaerys Alysanne Viserys Baelon that the entire Targaryen house ruined it that they made it nothing.

And she and her father had done nothing to save her, her poor little sister her sweet Aemma hers, bleeding to death on the birthing bed of another baby she would not live, her eyes swollen her nightgown full of blood and her voice. She haunted her to this day.

"Promise me please Elys"

And she would do it, she would make Aemma's child a lady, a politician a queen.

A queen that Aemma and the entire Vale are proud of. Rhaenyra will be the queen that Aemma this should have been

[sweetestpopcorn]

How would you rank the top 5 most beautiful women of House Targaryen?

(I imagine it'd be a difficult endeavour 😜)

This actually was quite difficult yes! Because this is House Targaryen who George himself described as being composed of people who are otherworldly beautiful 😭 but luckily for you, Anon, I saw the lists of a friend and a friend of his and their explanations so I think it kind of helped me to decide.

Because this is only beautiful Targaryen women Shiera Seastar will be excluded since she's not strictly speaking a Targaryen. So my list is:

Viserra Targaryen -> described as a "goddess" and said to be the most beautiful of the daughters of Jaehaerys and Alysanne, she had all the dudes chasing after her, so we have a level of objectivity to say this and to say that the vast majority of people agreed she was extremely beautiful. Plus, she had several sisters also said to be beautiful - Daella and Saera - and still Viserra stood out. I will give her spot number one.

Rhaenyra Targaryen "The Realm's Delight" -> described by Daemon Targaryen - The Rogue Prince - as the "fairest maid of the Seven Kingdoms", and he had definitely seen many of them, lets also not forget Rhaenys and Laena also existed. Rhaenyra was also said to be "as beautiful as only one of dragon's blood could be beautiful" with her family's silver-gold hair and purple eyes. Much like Shierra Seastar, she is described as the fairest in Westeros. We also know anything straight enough was chasing after Rhaenyra. Hells, Forrest Frey asked her to marry him on the spot when he saw her. Hells, after six pregnancies men were still pinning for her. This is next level. I did want her to give her number 1, but it goes to Viserra because I know I am biased.

Rhaenys Targaryen - Queen Rhaenys -> the youngest of the Conqueror trio and again hinted to be the most beautiful woman in Westeros of her time. Besides her looks, however, Rhaenys was curious, kind to the smallfolk, smart, loved music and poetry. Aegon spent 10 nights with her for every 1 with Visenya, and Visenya was also a Targaryen. Probably the only reason there weren't more men chasing after her was because of how guarded Aegon kept her XD or because they feared Meraxes.

Daenerys Targaryen - "The Mother of Dragons" -> described again and again as the most beautiful woman on the world by many different characters. In a sense she almost reminds me of Rhaenyra because anything straight enough was wanting to marry her like, sir calm down! This woman is 15 (at the end of Dance)! The only reason I did not place Dany higher was simply because of how thin she's described to be, in a manner that is not very healthy and in fact, we do see she barely eats. But maybe she could or should be higher...

Naerys Targaryen -> I am putting her right after Dany because George said that the two had a certain resemblance to each other. Naerys is also described by George as a delicate otherworldly beauty with large deep-purple eyes. We could make an argument about no man chasing after her, but again Naerys was very religious and covered a lot, so maybe not the thing to get a man's blood pumping XD she was also described as emanciated which makes me frown my noise... but again she's here because of how George describes her and her resemblance to Dany who is indisputably, the most beautiful woman of her time.

Honourable mentions would go to: Daena Targaryen, Rhaena Targaryen (Aenys's daughter), Rhaena Targaryen (Aegon III's daughter) and Saera Targaryen

PS: ASOIAF Rhaenyra Targaryen only

[alba-targaryen]

ASOIAF is such a wrong universe to project ones conservative fantasies onto, honestly.

In-universe Greens issue with Rhaenyra is not that she's a woman (a friendly reminder that it was Otto who pushed for Rhaenyra to be named heir in the first place when it meant removing Daemon), but that she's not of their blood and that they can't rule through her. If Rhaenyra were male, they would still plot against her, just with less success.

And Rhaenyra, she's not a reformer like Dany. She's not striving to bring social change. She's fighting for her own benefit, and why shouldn't she? The whole "a good woman would step down and hand the power to any man who wants it" narrative is sick.

If GRRM wanted to portray Blacks and Greens as equally bad, that would be easy to do. Both sides have the same motivation: they want power and they are ready to fight for it. But somehow in ASOIAF those who would utilize misogyny to reach their goal happen to be shitty people in everything else too. Must be a coincidence, I guess…

[drakaripykiros130ac]

Only non-book readers (which are mostly TG stans, go figure) would claim that Rhaenyra “ran” to Dragonstone.

You do realize that Dragonstone, aside from being the Targaryen ancestral seat, represents a trial-run for the heir to the throne?

You can’t just take over the Seven Kingdoms without actual preparation (well, you can but you risk becoming a terrible ruler).

Rhaenyra didn’t “run” to Dragonstone. She was expected to rule there until the time came for her to ascend the throne. She was the Princess of Dragonstone. Get the picture?

In actual canon, Rhaenyra moved to Dragonstone right after she married Laenor (when she was only 16) and learned to govern, as was expected of her.

The showrunners decided to keep her longer in King’s Landing for the sake of “Court drama”, which (like most things on that show) makes no sense. But eventually, she did come to the realization that she should have left years ago (and told Laenor just that). Yes, she should have.

Because unlike Alicent Hightower and her spawns (who lie around and do nothing - even when they supposedly plan a coup in their heads), Rhaenyra was set to rule the Seven Kingdoms one day and needed to be well prepared for it.

And choosing to go to a place where she was expected to be since coming of age in order to learn to govern, instead of staying at Court and taking shit from a stepmother who has nothing even remotely useful to do with her time (aside from her feet sessions with Larys) is not called “running away”. It’s called being smart.

[thesilverlady]

The Princess & The Queen

[omnipotent-scient]

Rhaenyra wasn't usurped because she was a woman, she was usurped because she was a stupid woman. If she had kept her leg closed and didn't have BASTARDS she wouldn't have been so opposed throughout the Realm

Saying she wasn't usurped because of misogyny while spewing misogyny is quite funny.

It was never abt her having bastards to begin with. It is and was always abt her being a woman and not having a sausage between her legs.

In the many many drafts of the dance, in one she married a lannister and had no children, but still got usurped. In an other, rhaenyra was married to a lyonel strong, and she still got usurped.

The problem is not her children, or whether she kept her legs close, but that she is a woman.

And let us say it was about bastards, do you really think Daemon would let them live? Let his sons that he has waited for years get passed down. Daemon did love Rhaenyra, but he had his own ambitions and motives. I don't think he would do it publicly simply because of his love for Rhaenyra. But a simple fall, accidental drowning, an assassin, it's all very possible.

It was abt the Hightowers and Alicent's ambitions.

Hope this helps🙂

[ammmyturtle]

Tried to draw Alicent Hightower for a couple of times but my hands refused so here she is only in words😇