A Song of Ice and Fire: Dragonless Ambitions Part 1

[@CadaverJunky8]

I have no idea how GRRM can create and juggle all these thousands of characters and plots within plots within plots -- even ones that happened hundreds of years in he past and aren't even very relevant to the current story. The man will forever have my respect.

[@pkeod]

He has creative ADD even within singular universes. Going into all of these paths of historical intrigue is natural to him.

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

I would say that if GRRM's only job was Ice and Fire, it would seem human. But he writes all sorts of other stuff, does GoT and tours around. I don't know how he does it.

[@grippingrope9937]

It's literary genius, the man's had my respect from day one.

[@johnlennon8327]

CadaverJunky8 It explains why it takes him so damn long to write a book. They're all incredibly complicated and are literary masterpieces (even AFFC)

[@pcharl01]

I would hope he takes notes to ensure continuity.

[@Bluemilk92]

With the show out, it's eerie how much Preston puzzled out 8 years ago. Remember, this was before Fire & Blood was compiled.

[@itsnotatoober]

Preston Jacobs- At 3:00. He's not a shitty historian. He can't speak openly against the Targaryans so he puts all the good stuff in Mushroom the Fool's mouth so he can't be blamed and scholars can read between the lines. In fact, tactics like this were used throughout history to evade censors. If anything, Mushroom's stories are the most believable ones

[@itsnotatoober]

itsnotatoober Or at least meant to tarnish the targaryens without blame possible

[@Salamon2]

+itsnotatoober Agreed. There were common practices among historians and artists up until the middle of the 19th Century in Western Europe where one can tell that the historian/artist knows something, but cannot officially do so or risk censorship or ending their patronage a head shorter. So tactics like what itsnotatoober suggests were part and parcel of history and art for the majority of the history of either.

[@countchocula2169]

+Salamon2 it also could be that the maesters are sneaking it in to prop up the hightowers because they're on their side against the targaryens

[@shdhfbf412]

GRRM likes his ambiguity Mushroom is unreliable too since he is an entertainer and wrote his Testimony cor entertainment not learning.

[@joeb3008]

Love that mushroom guy.

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Can't beat imps

[@joeb3008]

Preston Jacobs Imping actually is easy it is known

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

It's hard out there for an imp. When he's tryin' to get this money for the rent.

[@joeb3008]

The one thing I never understood about that movie was how DJs ho ,who had no money was able to buy him a lava lamp and a big gold chain.lol Would love to see that movie redone exactly how it is but with Dinklage's Tyrion. Dinklage would be great shoving the shit stained cassette tape in ludicrous his mouth and beating the crap out of him.

[@guesswho1047]

Preston Jacobs LMAO!!! How am I JUST seeing this comment as many times as I rewatch your videos!? 😅

[@AGuyWithAChannel]

Step One: Eliminate the Dragons Step Two: Eliminate the Targaryens Step Three: ??? Step Four: PROFIT Loved the video, and very probable.

[@Distortion0]

It's pretty clear the Maester's are aware of an inter-galactic human empire. They're worried that the resurgence of magic/psi-abilities will make Planetos a juicy target for reintegration into the empire. They're trying to hide magic in order to maintain planetary sovereignty.

[@ilovehistory5210]

Purge the Heritics?

[@theunknownpersonism]

Step 3 has to be eliminate the Baratheons. Or that is under step two as House Baratheon was founded by a Targaryen bastard.

[@chunkypythagoras1732]

Preston's channel is where you learn, accept, and celebrate the reason it takes GRRM so long to write a book. I challenge anyone here to write books as complex, tangled, and genius as these in LESS time than it takes George.

[@dustingaethje1332]

Countless authors have won your challenge many times. This story is far from the most complex story out there and yet, many authors with stories that rival or surpass this one's complexity still pump their books out significantly faster. 11 years dude. 11 years is enough time to write an entire SERIES, not just one book. Yeah, complexity is no excuse.

[@steveeason3667]

@@dustingaethje1332 name a series of a similar length that has produced as much discussion and theory crafting as asoiaf. They exist, but aren’t nearly as common as your implying. Unless you only did a surface level read through, ASOIAF absolutely ranks amongst the most complex and thorough fantasy series out there.

[@mikjoestar9028]

@@steveeason3667probably dune

[@Dell-ol6hb]

@@mikjoestar9028 The Dune series also was incomplete and in the span of 20 years Frank Herbert put out 6 books, in the span of 15 years GRRM had put out 5 books, so regardless they’re both comparable in terms of output, though he has been working on Winds of Winter for 12 years alone

[@adamiadamiadami]

​@@dustingaethje1332 Could you name some? I'm interested to read them.

[@RolfHartmann]

Seems less certain that the Maesters started the Dance of the Dragons, then that they poisoned the survivors afterwards. Dragons live hundreds of years and yet all the survivors of the Dance died during the couple decades after it. The disappearance was not a drawn out period of them becoming gradually less impressive/healthy but that within just a few short years the numbers already diminished from the war died off and were unable to be replaced. The Maesters are probably also why all the attempts at recovery have ended in failure. The Maesters probably encouraged the marriage between the Starks and the Tully's to spread the Faith of the Seven into the North by gradually converting its ruling house.

[@robertsmith8734]

There is no way that spreading religion can be their reason. It just could not work.

[@persephone342]

It could be. If belief in the old Gods and their magic keep that magic alive in living memory, then that could be one reason, but not the complete picture. Groups have multiple perspectives and goals.

[@ZoomReverseFlash]

It is pretty obvious why they dissed Rhaenys - as her husband is a Velaryon, her children would be Velaryons first, something the Targaryens wouldn't want. In comparison, if she first ascended to the throne, then taken a Velaryon as a consort, the children would be Targaryens, who could also inherit Velaryon lands. Of course the Targaryens wouldn't want to give the throne to a princess already married into another household, basically subverting their own dynasty's hold on the throne.

[@megamindtuber]

If Rhaenys had become Queen, then her children would take the Targaryen name upon their succession. That's how things work in a feudal society.

[@paolabruno4437]

I'd love to see this theory revised now that Fire & Blood has been published for a while.. We know now that Alyssanne wanted Rhaenys as the heir but it was Jaehaerys that didn't....

[@cheesecake6159]

One huge problem :: Alyssane didn't seem to have problems with Rhaenys or Corlys. In fact, there was a drift between Alyssane and Jaehaerys due to him favoring his second son over Rhaenys

[@jedgeco]

It's too much of a stretch from Marwyn that the maesters wanted to get rid of the dragons to conclude that they reverse-engineered the Dance of the Dragons, especially when family rivalry and power grabbing is an available and MUCH more plausible explanation for the Dance. Much more likely is that, after the Dance, the Citadel saw the opportunity to extinguish the remaining dragons once and for all, and they took it.

[@davidperasso5340]

I want to see Preston order from subway. You know it’s gotta be so particular. “Three olives per side please”

[@whsalih]

'Never trust a maester.', my mother always says. lol

[@theblancmange1265]

Never believe anything you hear at a woman's teat.

[@jamestaylor4511]

Damon and magor both caught onto the maester conspiracy

[@Iadad]

love when you put out videos. puts a smile on my face because i know im about to be entertained. thank you for all that you do and keep up the good work.

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Many thanks!

[@davidbodor1762]

Preston, I need you to answer something. How do Maesters make Valyrian steel rings if Valyrian steel cannot be replicated and only couple even know the secret to reforging it? Do maesters know how to reforge it? Do they have a valyrian steel weapon that they melt down?

[@sonofbigboss]

rewatching. must say these vids sorely miss the 'Daemon Targaryen Rogue Prince' interlude jingle. please fix Preston

[@tylerbarrett6652]

Okay... even GRRM says that the seeds of the Dance were sown a half century before the Dance began... so I'd say the first thing we need to do is go back 50 years and figure out what was going on then. It seems that Saera was having problems then and was exiled to the Faith... which pretty much puts her in the hands of the Hightowers. Later, Allicent attends king Jaeherys and he continuously mistakes her for Saera. She's supposed to be the spitting image of Saera - she LOOKS LIKE a Targaryen... and in THAT "coincidence", you may find a few more answers.

[@sebastianzuchniewski2749]

Preston, You are KZbinr that was promised :)

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Well, I have been tempering a sword in a lion for a few weeks now.

[@sebastianzuchniewski2749]

Preston Jacobs i am still waiting for Euron and warlocks video, but i think there is not many information about that. Euron is my favorite character and i'm trying to find any information about him and i'm looking for some theories - even those crazy ones ;)

[@quentongilliam5803]

Preston Jacobs How fare thee? Is the lion that is discussed a Lannister that Azor Ahai is going to kill?

[@khaelstorm3498]

Step 1 - Eliminate the dragons Step 2 - Eliminate the Targaryens Step 3 - ????????? Step 4 - Profit

[@Jaqen-HGhar]

you had me with your video on the Martells and have been subscribed ever since. This is probably one of my favs though. Brought my spirits up after them being crushed by finding out Jaime was filming in Dorne.

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Jamie in Dorne?!? Whaaaa? I guess they're giving him Arys or Balon's story?

[@Jaqen-HGhar]

I was praying it was some kind of flashback story but it had his golden hand in the picture. They have an Arys so I don't know. My next hope is that he was just filming a small scene with some actor that is already in Spain but needed reshoots with him. If they put him in Dorne that's akin to blasphemy I think. He's supposed to be headed to Harrenhal. I can forgive A LOT of changes from the books but Benioff & Weiss have been getting bad.

[@memerick420]

I would imagine he'll probably go down to tell them about the Mountain and then leave. That will give the viewers some sort of context instead of just starting a new storyline with brand new characters.

[@Jaqen-HGhar]

Maverick isn't that what Ravens are for? It's not like Dorne is just down the road.

[@grippingrope9937]

Brandon Ottinger It was bad enough to find out that they weren't doing Lady Stoneheart or Arianne but sending Jaime to Dorne is blasphemy in the eyes of book fans (even though I'm a book fan I've never had a problem with changes, it's the things they skip out that annoy me like the examples I've just named) his story was one of the best in AFFC. Not only that but now they aren't doing the Young Griff story which is basically confirming that he's a mumers dragon. I understand why they do it though I mean would you rather have a few changes on a show or the entire book series ruined for you, plus I think it's quite cool it's like the show's in an alternate universe to the books (same thing with The Walking Dead and its comic series).

[@MichaelSnyder1776]

I liked the Sebastian de Morra pic at 1:40! Iv'e been wondering if all the art has been Game of Thrones specific, but this one is certainly not. Sebastian de Morra was a dwarf in the court of King Phillip IV of Spain in the 17th Century. Great job as always Preston!

[@kiritugeorge4684]

This vid needs to be redone based on the new book Fire and Blood

[@beckyfinch4011]

This is my favorite series on your channel. The scheming is just out of this world. I've been pretty suspicious of the maesters. Love it!

[@thugyheadbanger]

revisiting this after HOTD, it seems more reasonable now.

[@raswartz]

Didn't Lady Dustin feel jilted by Rickard Stark because she wanted to marry him when he was betrothed to Catelyn? Does that make her interpretation of events slightly suspect?

[@CABRALFAN27]

Maybe, but there was clearly some sort of conspiracy going on. Think about it, Rickard and Tywin married their cousins, Steffon Baratheon married an Estermont, and Hoster Tully a Whent, all either relatives or vassals from their respective regions. Then, all of the sudden, during the Mad King's reign, they begin to unianimously marry their children to other Lords Paramount and/or their relatives. Seems fishy, no?

[@andredoi2796]

Aos brasileiros que podem ter vindo parar aqui por causa dos vídeos da Míriam e da Carol: legendei o vídeo! Tem só que aguardar a aprovação!

[@matheusfelipem.ferreira3580]

mandou bem demais, vlww

[@brun0caesar391]

brabo demais, sor !

[@colinsands1366]

Preston I believe you captured gold with this video. I can't wait until part two :D

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Glad to hear, I feared it might be too obscure.

[@nzcamel3]

Preston Jacobs That's hard to judge till you do part two and maybe more. I'm enjoying this, but a part of me is a bit like: "so what? The maesters are as political and hungry for power as everyone else when given the chance!?...why am I not surprised." But yeah, I'm interested to see where this goes.

[@Grimm48]

This is AWESOME. Thanks for releasing this one in a really timely manner again. Can't wait for the next ones!!

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

No, you're awesome!

[@Jaxck77]

Preston I gotta say, your videos keep getting better and better. Your theories are well thought out and explained, and a lot of them make more sense then the more popular theories (R+L for example). You mentioned it in an earlier video, but I was wondering if you plan to extend upon your speculation regarding the Horn of Winter and its ability to "Wake Giants?" How do you think all the supernatural species found north of the Wall interact politically? Is there a Children of the Forest conspiracy to take over the world of men? What are your thoughts on the Other-Dragon, Ice-Fire dynamic?

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

I think GRRM generally shies away from tropes in order to surprise us. In fiction, usually nature=good. But, GRRM's characters tend to be more complex with both good and evil within them. I suspect the forces north of the wall aren't as sad and dying as we think. I think its quite possible that the Children have a master plan to destroy man and I think the question is fairly open to whether the Others and the Children are conspiring (although the Others did attack Bran).

[@juanpablomina1346]

3:17 "Targaryen succession was supposed to be equal between men and women." Do you have any evidence for that? Aenys I had a few children. His eldest was Rhaena Targaryen. Yet, the heir was Aegon, until he died. And when Aenys died, Aegon claimed the throne. And then Jaehaerys claimed the throne, even though Rhaena was his older sister. Great video.

[@juanpablomina1346]

Juan Pablo Mina Also, the ruler of Dragonstone before the Conquest was Aegon, not his older sister Visenya. And if I remember correctly, from Aenar the Exile to Aegon the Conqueror, there was not a single 'Lady of Dragonstone'. It was always ruled by a male Targaryen.

[@thaibreuer3533]

Juan Pablo Mina yes, you're right. from Maester Yandel's the Untold History of Westeros, in The Reign of the Dragons, the full line from the Exlie to the Conqueror is listed and they are all Lords. The line of kings of Targaryen blood after the Conquest is also male. That's to be expected as they took over a feudal society, and usually accepting subjects practices eases the ruler's job. It seems that not only the Targaryens but also the Valyrians as a whole followed male lineage. Valyria was "the Freehold because all the citizenry who held land had a voice". They had no kinds but elected Archons. While this can imply women who had land, the ruling houses were led by the Dragonlords. Succession indipendednt of sex was in fact the practice of the Rhoynar. And that is at the origin of the Dornish law of succession.

[@juanpablomina1346]

***** That's what I mean. Before Jaehaerys I, history clearly shows that succession was not equal. When there were a few problems, they chose a male claimant. And Viserys I was the oddball who chose his daughter. The fact that she was his only living child doesn't help, but my point is that up until him, only males could rule the Targaryen family. When there was no controversy before him (e.g. Visenya and Rhaena), the male claimant was chosen naturally and no one complained, because women weren't supposed to rule.

[@juanpablomina1346]

Ianoodin "Female Valaryians even Targaryens could be heir appearants. In Valaria they were equal, this changed after the doom and Aegons landing." Do you have any evidence for that? From Aenar the Exile to Aegon the Dragon, we don't know about any female Targaryen leading the family, even though some were older than their ruling brothers (e.g. Visenya).

[@matthiuskoenig3378]

@Ianoodin the fact that all the lords were men does not mean women were not heirs, it just means that they had an unbroken chain of male heirs who married their sisters and/or cousins. We do know Aegon and his sister wives ruled equally (which would indicate that purhaps aegon was not the direct heir, and it was only the non-valyrian historians who interpreted it that way). we also know that high Valyrian prince and princess were the same word (and thus lord and lady were probably aswell) indicating that old Valyrian customs were probably gender blind when it came to the leaders of noble houses (and dragon 'lords'), although their incest probably ment they didn't care as much about inheritance as the two oldest children/relatives inherited anyway.

[@itzelgc4637]

I love rewatching your videos, they never get old!

[@granhermon2]

The rouge prince ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

[@Patrick-Snow]

Preston Jacobs Great video man, When your done with this series you should make a video about the patchface prophecies. He's brought up some animals that seem to represent house Sigils, (Seahorse, Mermaids, Crabs) that might relate to future events. I think if there is anything in those prophecies that can be broke down, you'd be the one able to do it.

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Prophecies are so tough. They can mean so many things. I'll think about it, though.

[@Patrick-Snow]

Preston Jacobs OK Then, I just think the sea creatures in Patchface's quotes are Houses. "Under the sea the merman feast on starfish soup, and all the serving men are crabs." ( House Manderly and House Borrell ) This could already have been prophesied with Davos being served to Wyman Manderly by Godric Borrell. "I will lead it. We will march into the sea and out again. Under the waves we will ride seahorses, and mermaids will blow seashells to announce our coming, oh, oh, oh." ( House Velaryon, possibly House Manderly and unlikely House Westerling ) Aurane Waters and Wyman Manderly both have Ships. If Stannis wins the battle of ice he'll need to go south. or at least Shireen will, perhaps Wyman's fleet will transport her and the sell swords Justin massey is suppose to hire, maybe to retake Dragonstone for the dragon glass. And we don't know if Aurane Waters is just out for himself. He might still be loyal to house Valaryon secretly.

[@MiddleEarthGirl75]

+Preston Jacobs Have you mentioned/explained any of the Ghost of High Heart visions in your uploads? I can decipher some but others seem to be trickier.

[@scottspa74]

Wait, you're saying it would be scandalous the king to marry Alicent, because her father is Hand of the King? But don't we have a similar situation when Tywin is Hand of the King, who is his grandson, and Queen Regent, sho is is daughter? I agree that seems like nepotism and power grab, and all that. It just doesn't seem it's necessarily all tat uncommon.

[@dutchpangermanist5673]

But he became hand after the marriage, Jon Arryn was Robert's hand when he married Cersei. Though I will say, having the queen-regent, hand of the king, master of coin and first sword of the kingsguard all be Lannisters with a half-Lannister king should seem suspicious.

[@user-td4do3op2d]

Marrying Alicent Hightower is no worse than Joff marrying Margeary

[@Pedro-m7f3f]

Preston, you are The Best!!!

[@ZephyrusMapping]

House Velaryon: Dissed 4 times And then you see teenage boys cry all day in the corner

[@harrisonkogan8761]

The original story is supposed to be part of GRRM's complete Targaryen history that he's releasing after he finishes the series. The Rouge Prince and The Princess and the Queen have been edited down by Gardner Dozois to make sure it isn't too long and possibly take out spoilers for the series. So some of the lack of detail in certain places is intended I would think.

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

It would be interesting if Gyldayn had another history on Jaehaerys that explains his weird behavior with regard to the choosing of Balon and the Council of 101. Still, one of the biggest signs of Gyldayn's bias is his failure to mention Maester Gerardys' death by dragon at the end of the Rogue Prince.

[@knightd00b]

Please keep these up! Your research is great!

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Many thanks!

[@mark0385]

Ser Jacobs, you deserve a contract to publish your theories in a book. I'll buy it for sure. Thanks for your enthusiasm and research.

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Many thanks

[@ashwetasahni1061]

Preston Jacobs In the World of Ice and Fire, ( Chapter - Targaeryn Kings : Jahaerys I) it is said that Queen Alysanne was angry with her husband for passing over inheritance to Baelon because she felt it violated her strong stand on equality. Apart from that, it seems to be a really long stretch for her to blame Rhaenys and take away her rights for something that wasn't her doing (the Lord's right to the first night)

[@renzodiaz2803]

True!

[@drfaisalkamal1275]

Viserys sounds like man who would have Rogue prince as a brother

[@grippingrope9937]

When I first read the history of the Dance of the Dragons I thought "maybe Rhaenyra can win this" clearly though the Maesters set her up from the beginning, probably with the overall intention of using the war to wipe out the dragons.

[@robertmaybeth3434]

honestly jacobs ever time i hear one of your videos i get a better understandinf of the story. Stuff i never would have grasped in a hunnerd years.

[@Orhan6125]

You should get a youtube partnership, because your theories and research deserve money.

[@FunnyGuy93]

You should update these videos by putting the music every time you mention Daemon Targaryen the Rogue Prince!

[@HowToPnP]

This intro feel so weird, now that we have a detailed multi hour series about it.

[@GuruJudge21]

I am really skeptical of what Lady Dustin says, she has become very cynical and bitter in her widowed and scorned years. Her grudge against Eddard transferring over to Robb, proves that in my opinion.

[@williamgunderson7365]

GuruJudge21 if her and Roose were really loyal to Tommen and the Lannister hierarchy, she wouldn't be saying what she was saying. She would have been a drone similar to Lysa, when it came to the secret Baelish relationship. The maesters have used families like the Lannisters and Hightowers to complete their goals. Tywin thought that he was really bright, but those maesters at Harrenhall used him. Clash of Kings shows us that. Of course there's more to it than that

[@christiancristof491]

William Gunderson How did the maesters possibly used ma' boy Tywin?

[@GuruJudge21]

I don't think she's loyal to the Lannisters, or that the Maesters aren't complicit in some shady things. Just that Lady Dustin isn't an unbiased source, she's bitter, her resentment clouds her judgement.

[@Alohaonalani]

Wow, that was really interesting...I'm not a book reader-so mahalo for sharing this plot within a plot! This realm of ASOIAF is so fascinating. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts! Big fan!

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

The books are so much richer and more detailed than the show (the show is great, though). If you want to jump into the books, but find them long and daunting, try listening to the audio book for one of the characters (Daenerys' story is an easy one as its not so linked to the others. You can get through Dany for AGoT in about 5 hours.) If it interests you, move onto the next character. You wont be sorry.

[@grippingrope9937]

Read the books you won't regret it. And towards the end of this month they're releasing a book which is a complete history of Westeros including full family trees for the Starks, Targaryens and Lannisters. It's called A World of Ice and Fire and I recommend it especially if you're a newcomer since this is a series where if you don't know the basic history at least you'll end up very confused, very quickly.

[@francescapatti2934]

You knwo what I hate about the Targaryens? They have like 5 names with a couple variations between them and honestly it's anybodys guess who you're talking about 😂 Seriously: Aegon, Aemon, Daemon, Alicent, Rhaenys/Rhaenyra/Rhaegar and Viserys/Visenya, with SOME Jahearys/Jahaera people sprinkled in and like three Daenerys/Daenys/Deanna or whatever.

[@theblancmange1265]

Denmark used 2 names for kings. They switched between Christian and Frederik for a few centuries. Chris 1, Fredy 1, Chris 2...

[@made-line7627]

Alicent was born a Hightower, though she *did* nurse Jahaerys, the husband of the deceased *Alysanne* Great point though

[@francescapatti2934]

It is realistic though, I mean the French had like 16??? Kings named Louis 😂

[@joeb3008]

So on point and well done Preston! House velaryon story is really nuts, they went from strong to pathetic. Maesters kick ass!

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

I've toyed with the idea that its Velaryon blood that actually hatches dragons and not Targaryen, but then remembered Dany :).

[@joeb3008]

Preston Jacobs yeah but im sure theres some Valeryon blood in there some where , there quite a few unnamed/uestablished wives in that family tree u could be onto some thing quite awesome

[@joeb3008]

U can trace Danys lineage all the way back to Aenys T and Alyssa Valerion if i read the tree correctly

[@bensonfang1868]

4:50 didn't Jaehaerys maester son Vaegon tell his dad to call the council?

[@juancarlosbeltran2856]

Yes, but this video was uploaded before Fire & Blood got published

[@Hydrobirdgaming]

Mas props Preston ! Easily the best GOT channel on KZbin!

[@sjn6297]

I get so excited when I see you've updated! Love your videos!

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Thanks!

[@ThaGnome70065]

Great video Preston. I just finished reading all the novellas and it never occurred to me that the Maesters were the ones instigating the the split between the blacks and the greens. Once again you have come up with a theory that is totally plausible. Congrats and keep up the great work.

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

It's funny, once you eliminate the sex and heresay, the story changes.

[@dasaggropop1244]

"Archmaester Gyldayn, you are a shitty, shitty historian" Preston Jacobs, Dragonless Ambitions Part 1, 20 Oct 2014

[@nathanhargreaves31]

Loved the change of font size in this week's spoiler tag!

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

I'm glad someone caught it. :)

[@joshuamolina459]

Love your videos. I don't always agree w you but i do enjoy hearing your ideas

[@SuperAndrew98]

While I was listening to the Princess and Queen, the Maesters seemed quite suspicious and your videos came to mind.

[@skyrimlord3253]

This is the most realistic theory so far and opens up some points i haven't seen.

[@rodrigopacheco12]

i really need to read the Dunk and Egg stories and these other short stories

[@jackbharucha1475]

Have you considered revising anything in light of information presented in THe World of Ice and Fire and Fire and Blood?

[@Rakven]

Why would you assume that there was ever gender equality in Targaryen succession? I can´t find one female Targaryen ruler before the conquest or after and actually Aegon the Conqueror had an older sister, Visenya. Rhaenyra was a special case since she was specifically designated as heir and can hardly be seen as precedent. If the laws were equal there would be no need to designate Rhaenyra in the first place. Equal succession wasn´t the law of the land, we have no reason to believe it was the law of Valyria or hardly any other culture except the Rhoynar. Saying the Velaryons were alienated because Aemons daughter got "snubbed" seems constructed to make your own case. Otherwise I love this series!

[@vanshpersie07]

the maester order has to be destroyed at the end

[@faisalkamal4319]

Those damn maestors

[@BruhMoment-mn9kn]

Barbrey Dustin really seems to hate the (((maesters))) lmao. Almost Austrian-painter levels of hate XDD

[@pisi66688]

Love all your videos! I'm not really sure if all of them are they way GRRM intended for the story to be perceived, but as you say "the sorry is meant to deceive". What i like is that you bring forward details that are usually overlooked at a first reading of the book(not many people read it a second time) and also have a different approach to many subjects that have become a cliche. Even if not every single one of your thesis end up true they are still such a great entertainment and bring depth and perspective to events that have become not so interesting because of the show(they just can't bring forward all the intricate narratives that the author has imagined). Thank you and keep up the great work!

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

The show is such a double edged sword. It got me interested in the books, but the detail and puzzles just aren't there. I've been mulling over creating a series that does a reread while comparing it to the show in order to let watchers know what they're missing.

[@EricaManfred]

Preston Jacobs Great idea!

[@NUFCMVFC]

Preston Jacobs Yeah, I've enjoyed the hobani website which has embedded the prophecies/dream sequences into Show scenes, using the audiobook and fan art I loved the show but it wasn't until I read the books and then went on the forums that I realised the depth of intrigue underpinning it all. Some things like Gravedigger I got but I actually missed the Frey Pies. Then there's all this other stuff (touched on in these videos for example)

[@nicoletje111]

every time you say Daemon Targaryen, I wait for: ...the Rogue Prince (insert music here)

[@halieearly4319]

i love your videos it brightens my day every time i see one. cant wait for part two.

[@MLCMD]

Nice Audio quality! -Great insights, as usual.

[@YksiSuomalainen]

Extremely interesting. Thank you for making this video series.

[@kevincarter2020]

Superb. Well done Ser, well done

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Thank you

[@Missbeckyx317]

Did you notice as well that when Daenerys is in the Western Market and is about to be poisoned, the wine seller shows her the casket. "The Redwyne Sigil, from the arbor. There is no finer drink." don't the redwynes work with the citadel ? If they didn't want dragons wouldn't they want her dead as well ?

[@xandrialenert]

Thank you for posting this video! I've been wondering these same things, but haven't been able to find videos or much else on the topic. c:

[@teebaby0486]

Love these videos

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Thanks!

[@teebaby0486]

Your doing a great job, makes me want to re read the series again

[@seanmcguinness9587]

I agree with Joe Bittar, you should be a guest anaylist on a large ASOIAF forum. Love your work.

[@grathoura]

Terrific video!! the maester's plot is the most interesting yet!

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Glad you liked it!

[@bastardofnightsong4545]

Simply awesome

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Thanks!

[@thexomber]

Hi Preston, these are awesome and I can always hear my wife laughing from the other room when you attempt the voices. Say - did you have a theory of who the "blood soaked giant" would be in Princess/Queen?

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

+Zaven Papakhian So, I'm not sure if the "giant" part is significant, but the "blood-soaked" certainly is. The storming of the dragonpit seems very much an organized assault. Although Maester Gyldayn claims it was a spontaneous riot, they had spears, crossbows and even a Valyrian sword. And it seems they knew what they were doing. They went for the dragon eyes, which is how to kill a dragon. One huge question is: why did Syrax come to the ground? In fact, Syrax climbed inside the dome of the pit. Why? Gyldayn gives the options of noise and the smell of burning flesh (from inside a domed dragonpit. The burning flesh seems somewhat likely, but Gyldayn saying it makes me question it. These dragons are likely are drawn to animal blood and not human flesh. However, the smell of animal blood is an idea. The blood-soaked giant was reportedly on top of the dome. Was he up there luring Syrax to the pit with pig's blood? Then, did he jump inside to lure the dragon in there? That is my guess.

[@chriswaugh1177]

Great video, very informative and new subject matter for me

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Thanks! I was worried it would be too out there since so few people have read the novellas.

[@westinschutz9203]

love the the channel, love the way you lay everything out, please keep it up. Q: where have the Hightowers been? I know Lord Hightower is trapped away in his tower, but what are their intentions?

[@purplehoodieproductions8505]

Queen Alysanne couldn't have been the major problem with passing over Rhaenys. When her father died, Rhaenys was passed over for the title as Princess of Dragonstone. This angered Alysanne so much that caused a major rift between her and Jaehaerys, wherein she left King's Landing for a while. So any issue she may have had with the Velaryons wasn't the reason Rhaenys was passed over as Queen-and therefore, it Alysanne's death by the Great Council of 101 would make more sense with it's outcome, given that her feminist beliefs in succession were no longer a driving influence.

[@lukaslambs5780]

Updated version of this playlist after Fire and Blood? (And kind of HOTD)?

[@berserkasaurusrex4233]

The Maesters = Bene Gesserit/SpacingGuild/Mentats, rolled up in one big mess of scheming jerks.

[@Volp24k]

I have a theory about how Euron Greyjoy will sit in the iron throne by infiltrating the Cidadel I find it strange how Euron trusted Victorian (his biggest enemy) with his only dragon horn and his biggest fleet. It is strange how Euron cut off the tongues of his crew like he has something to hide. And how a red priest tells Victorian he is being used by Euron, even though Victorian plans to betray Euron. And how much time he spent out of Westeros. The dragon horn has something vague written on it, the horn it`s called dragon binder. But we dont know for sure what the horn do, because binder could be interpreted in many ways. I think Euron sees Dany and Victorian more as threats than potential allies especially after Dany and Victorian teams up. So I think Victorian`s dragon horn will actually kill Dany`s dragons. Without the Dragons to unbalance the battle and with disease on both sides I think nobody will win the battle of Mereen. This means Dany wont have a big army and Victorian will die. But Dany will get more ships since the red priest from Volantis will take over the Valantis fleet, rescuing Dany,Tyrion and other few. Then the red priest will take Dany to Asshai to fulfill all her prophecies regarding Quaithe and the Red God, and she will improve their army(since Asshai is on her side and is the biggest city in the known world). And she will know about the "truth" that Quaithe mentioned, this could be anything, from what caused the doom o Valyria (faceless men), to what the red door in her dreams means. Tyrion will find his lost uncle which was exploring Valyria and he will give to them a dragon horn which this time will tame dragons. His uncle will also reveal Tyrion is the mad king`s son and that there is still dragons in the Shadow Lands. Dany and Tyrion will hunt dragons in the shadow lands(it is where the dragons came from, and it is next to Asshai). That`s why Bran had a dream with dragons near Asshai(and the dragon eggs were bought at Asshai). A red priest will go with them and they will find the sword of the Fire God`s prophecy in the Shadow Lands. It explains the "to find light you should pass beneath the shadow". Since the shadow lands is mostly unknown territory and it lays in the extreme east, I think Dany will literally get around the world and ending up at Oldtown (at west cost of Westeros and at the same latitude of Asshai). This would explain the "to reach west you should go east". If the world is round, that would be the shorter route to Westeros, and she would hear that from someone from Valyria(maybe Tyrion`s uncle or someone in Asshai). Since Valyria was the most advanced civilization they probably knew the world was round and the only reason they didnt go to the west cost of Westeros is because a prophecy that "the Lannister gold would cause the doom of Valyria". At the south of Westeros she will team up with Maester Marwin and Dorne and the remaining forces of Aegon at the south to then battle against the Others. It explains the part"to go north you should first go south". During Dany`s journey Aegon killed the Lannisters and took the iron throne, the Tyrells went defend their lands against the Iron Born, the Wildlings killed the Nightswatch then dispersed and marched south after the Pink Letter. The wall was too weak to stop the Others from marching south. Not sure about the starks, baratheons and boltons at the North but at the end they all will join forces against the Whites. Here is where it gets crazy. Euron was the one who stole the key from Pate at Oldtown, he did this to get information about the Shadow Lands with dragons, the dragon horns, Dany, a round world and maybe even the "truth" mentioned by Quaithe. All information that the Citadel kept in secret fearing the return of dragons to Westeros. It makes sense since the Citadel indirectly killed most of the Dragon in Westeros. Finally, righ after Aegon take the iron throne and before Dany arrives in Westeros, Euron returns from the Shadow Lands with a dragon and takes the iron throne. Im probable wrong but it would be so cool.

[@BeanerBen23]

I think that Jorah and Daenerys are gonna go back in time and bang, then Dany will give birth to Tyrion and fly off into the sunset and meet up with Jesus Christ, who will invite everyone to an orgy with dragons and white walkers and wargs and Theon is gonna get his dick back and slap Ramsay with it; Jorah and Dany are gonna reveal that they're Tyrions parents and get married and bang some more; Tywin is gonna come back to life as a golden turd; and Joffrey is gonna turn out to have been Azor Ahai, which means that the world is gonna end. The white walkers betray everyone at the orgy and it's later known as the white orgy, with Hodor being the only human being left. He reproduces asexually and lives happily ever after with all of his Hodor clones.

[@mikebernard8535]

awesome topic, very in-depth as i've come to expect. keep it up!

[@bungalowfeuhler1541]

If there was a Tully-Stark alliance arranged. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the Tullys were truly the Starks ally. Catelyns actions seem more like she bided her time until she received word from her sister that they are making their move, wrote off her children for the pawns they always were, ran to beat Ned to Kings Landing, planned things out with her lifelong friend Little Finger, tricked Ned to believe she would ready the North for war, and then deliberately started a war when the Starks are at their weakest. When the Starks got slightly ahead, she released their most vital prisoner for flimsy reasons. She just didn’t count on the fact that after she had served her purpose, there was no reason to keep her alive.

[@cheraxe4ever12345678]

Will you do a remake with the new information from Fire&Blood?

[@nathanhargreaves31]

The best part about this video is the fact that 8 days before the release of TWoIaF you call Archmaester Gyldayn a 'shitty, shitty historian'; Which in later interviews with GrrM turn out to be just about the only input (aside from notes and mutual collaboration) that he directly had! Preston Jacobs: You are a funny, funny prophet.

[@sjuyal85]

1. Gyldayn is a good historian. he gives even far fetched theories as alternative and sometimes are even says they are more plausible than Septon Eustace's 2. Great council of 92 AC decided the succession. Jhaerys and Alysanna had a dispute over this too. Similarly great council of 101 decided Viserys' succession. Both were called by Jhaerys 3. 3:50 Addam was a bastard. Now bastards can come from many sources not just first night.

[@rotellam]

I get your reasoning for Alysanne having a problem with lords who still practiced the First Night but I don't really see why she would have blanket enmity toward the Velaryons: her mother was a Velaryon. That's like Robb hating the Tullys. Also, what's the problem with marrying the hand's daughter? Robert was going to wed Joffrey to his hand's daughter.

[@Sarcaman]

"Archmaester Gyldayn. You are a shitty, shitty historian" 2:42 Definitely my favourite line.

[@Glockler]

Very interesting, probably no coincidence that a Maester (Pycelle) helped put the finishing touch on the Targ dynasty.

[@StarFox_SNES]

I'm going to have to stop watching these until all parts are released. I hate waiting for part after part!

[@cullenfarran3750]

Great stuff can't wait for part two

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Many thanks!

[@rebaivs189]

Soooo, after todays episode of Hotd, this premise is basically dead, ain’t it?

[@BoRickersonMcFoosters]

How do you figure?

[@rebaivs189]

@@BoRickersonMcFoosters much of Prestons argument relied on the probability that it was the maesters pulling the strings, but the show showed that it simply was a family feud fueled by petty slights of hand.

[@kingad8869]

@@rebaivs189 Different canons.

[@rebaivs189]

@@kingad8869 I saw that. It irks me

[@wisecontragio172]

@@pwnagenuss that is becoming so much more apparent with season 2 XDDD

[@kaseyduhon]

Great vid. this might be the best video you've ever made well thought out. I've only read The Princess and the Queen and The Rouge Prince but it look's like I'm gonna have to reread them a little earlier than I thought. I'm diff. a fan of the Blacks though Prince Daemon is a badass and I can't stand Prince Aemond . Can't wait till the next video

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

You know, most readers I've talked to side with the Blacks because they are more interesting despite them being the "villians."

[@TheresaWheeler]

The maesters writing history reminds me of the guy that sends the press release about the Hrangans at the end of the Hero.

[@StrickenPriest]

i came here from the list of genetics of dragons and war..... an everytime u mentioned the rogue prince i was hopping for the music.

[@filthywishdragon]

I know you have already recorded part 2. Seriously don't make us wait.

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Ha ha, I'm about 40% done with Part 2. These ones are going a little faster because they are mainly from the same sources.

[@filthywishdragon]

Preston Jacobs well you do fantastic work. Marwyn is one of my fav characters... So I've always thought the maesters killed the dragons. You're givin me the proof I need. Hah. And your view on the tower of joy totally made me rethink r+l=j ... You actually make more sense than the standard theory. So anyway.... I'm a subscriber... Fantastic work. Keep it up.

[@PiepMiau04]

yey new vid! thank you :)

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Thank you!