In the fantastical realm of Westeros, the Mad King is a pivotal figure whose actions shaped the course of history. His reign was marked by paranoia, cruelty, and a descent into madness that ultimately led to his downfall.
Known as King Aerys II Targaryen, the Mad King ascended to the Iron Throne in 262 AC. Initially a benevolent ruler, he gradually became suspicious and tyrannical, driven by a deep-seated fear of being betrayed.
Delving into his backstory and the events that transformed him into the Mad King provides a deeper understanding of his character and the impact he had on the Seven Kingdoms.
Who Was the Mad King in Game of Thrones?
King Aerys II Targaryen, known as the Mad King, was a pivotal figure in the history of Westeros. His reign was marked by paranoia, cruelty, and a descent into madness that ultimately led to his downfall.
- Ascended to the Iron Throne in 262 AC
- Initially a benevolent ruler
- Became suspicious and tyrannical
- Deep-seated fear of betrayal
- Ordered the deaths of many innocent people
- Burned people alive
- Killed his own Hand of the King
- Kidnapped and raped Princess Elia Martell
- Overthrown and killed by Jaime Lannister
The Mad King's actions had a profound impact on the Seven Kingdoms, leading to the outbreak of Robert's Rebellion and the end of the Targaryen dynasty.
Ascended to the Iron Throne in 262 AC
In the year 262 AC, King Aerys II Targaryen ascended to the Iron Throne, becoming the seventeenth ruler of the Targaryen dynasty. His accession marked the beginning of a reign that would be marred by paranoia, cruelty, and a descent into madness.
Aerys was the eldest son of King Aegon V Targaryen and Queen Betha Blackwood. He had two younger siblings: a brother, Prince Duncan, and a sister, Princess Rhae. Aerys was raised in the Red Keep in King's Landing, and from a young age, he displayed a curious and intelligent nature. However, he was also prone to fits of temper and outbursts of anger.
When Aerys was sixteen years old, his father died suddenly, and he became heir to the Iron Throne. He was crowned king two years later, at the age of eighteen. Aerys's early reign was marked by a number of positive developments. He appointed wise and capable advisors, and he worked to improve the lives of his subjects. He also married Princess Rhaella, his younger sister, in a lavish ceremony.
However, Aerys's mental state began to deteriorate over time. He became increasingly suspicious and paranoid, and he began to see enemies everywhere. He ordered the deaths of many innocent people, including his own Hand of the King, Lord Tywin Lannister. Aerys's cruelty and madness eventually led to his downfall. He was overthrown and killed by Jaime Lannister, a member of the Kingsguard, in 283 AC.
Aerys's reign was a dark period in the history of Westeros. His paranoia and cruelty caused untold suffering, and his actions ultimately led to the outbreak of Robert's Rebellion and the end of the Targaryen dynasty.
Initially a benevolent ruler
When Aerys II Targaryen first ascended to the Iron Throne in 262 AC, he was seen as a benevolent and promising ruler. He was intelligent, curious, and eager to improve the lives of his subjects.
- Appointed wise and capable advisors
Aerys appointed a number of wise and experienced advisors to his small council, including Lord Tywin Lannister as Hand of the King. These advisors helped Aerys to make sound decisions and to govern the realm effectively.
- Worked to improve the lives of his subjects
Aerys was concerned with the welfare of his people, and he worked to improve their lives in a number of ways. He reduced taxes, built roads and bridges, and encouraged trade and commerce.
- Married Princess Rhaella
Aerys married his younger sister, Princess Rhaella, in a lavish ceremony. The marriage was a political alliance, but it also appears that Aerys genuinely loved his wife.
- Patron of the arts and sciences
Aerys was a patron of the arts and sciences. He supported artists, musicians, and scholars, and he founded a number of libraries and academies.
During the early years of his reign, Aerys was a popular and respected king. He was seen as a wise and benevolent ruler who cared for the well-being of his people. However, Aerys's mental state began to deteriorate over time, and he gradually became more paranoid and cruel.
Became suspicious and tyrannical
Over time, Aerys II Targaryen's mental state began to deteriorate. He became increasingly suspicious and paranoid, and he began to see enemies everywhere. This led to a number of tyrannical actions, including:
- Ordered the deaths of many innocent people
Aerys ordered the deaths of many innocent people, including his own Hand of the King, Lord Tywin Lannister. He also had many people tortured and executed for even minor offenses.
- Burned people alive
Aerys developed a fascination with fire, and he often burned people alive. He would sometimes force people to watch as he burned their loved ones.
- Kidnapped and raped Princess Elia Martell
Aerys kidnapped and raped Princess Elia Martell, the wife of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. He also had her children killed.
- Became obsessed with wildfire
Aerys became obsessed with wildfire, a highly flammable substance. He had caches of wildfire hidden throughout King's Landing, and he threatened to burn the city to the ground if he was ever overthrown.
Aerys's tyrannical actions caused widespread fear and resentment among his subjects. Many people began to plot against him, and eventually, he was overthrown and killed by Jaime Lannister, a member of the Kingsguard.
Deep-seated fear of betrayal
Aerys II Targaryen had a deep-seated fear of betrayal. This fear was likely rooted in his childhood experiences. His father, King Aegon V Targaryen, was a kind and just ruler, but he was also weak and indecisive. Aerys's mother, Queen Betha Blackwood, was a strong and ambitious woman who often clashed with her husband. Aerys may have felt that he could not rely on his parents to protect him, and this may have led to his fear of betrayal.
- Abusive relationship with his father
Aerys's father, King Aegon V Targaryen, was a harsh and abusive man. He often beat and humiliated Aerys, and he made it clear that he did not think his son was worthy of being king. This treatment likely contributed to Aerys's low self-esteem and his fear of betrayal.
- Saw his father betrayed and murdered
When Aerys was a young boy, he witnessed his father being betrayed and murdered by a group of rebel lords. This event likely traumatized Aerys and reinforced his belief that he could not trust anyone.
- Felt betrayed by his closest advisors
As Aerys's mental state deteriorated, he began to suspect that his closest advisors were plotting against him. He had several of them executed, including his Hand of the King, Lord Tywin Lannister.
- Believed that his own family would betray him
Aerys even came to believe that his own family would betray him. He had his wife, Queen Rhaella, imprisoned, and he threatened to kill his children.
Aerys's deep-seated fear of betrayal led him to become increasingly paranoid and cruel. He saw enemies everywhere, and he was willing to do anything to protect himself, even if it meant harming those closest to him.