Ranking Targaryen Kings from Best to Worst (ASOIAF History)

[@FoxofScadrial]

Aegon III is probably my favorite Targaryen king just as like a character. This boy who lost everything when he was so young and was just unable to function as a normal human being for the rest of his life. He’s basically the physical form of the awful affects of the Dance. And the fact that despite not taking care of himself, he cares about the Kingdom and the small folk. He didn’t have that much charisma, so he’s not well remembered, but he was still the one who cancelled his progression and instead of taking the money and food for himself, he gave it away. He hated touch but still managed to have 5 kids to strengthen the throne. He was terrified of dragons yet tried to revive them for his family.

[@patbacktheleprechaun]

taste

[@LordBloodraven]

Aegon III suffered from a depression/apathy that made him unbothered by visiting commonfolk suffering from a pandemic in King's Landing. He did more to repair the reputation of House Targaryen in King's Landing by sitting by the bedside of the sick and dying, leading many to attribute their recovery to the "King's healing hands."

[@nicksmithnutmilk]

He had a banging hot wife 😂😂 of course he managed to have kids

[@nont18411]

So much “I don’t wannit. I never av.” energy

[@juangabrielcabana8270]

he wanted a 6 year old as a wife......

[@raymond-reviews]

Maekar was such a badass that the Blackfyres stayed away from Westeros during his entire reign.

[@Kunumbah1]

They stayed away because they just lost a devastating war in the 3rd Blackfyre rebellion. They can’t just respawn armies they gotta recuperate.

[@raymond-reviews]

@@Kunumbah1 and they knew that the realm would only be more unified behind King Maekar instead of another Blackfyre Pretender. Maekar played a decisive role in the 1st Blackfyre Rebellion & led the realm into victory in the 3rd. Most people would rally behind Maekar more than ever if there was a 4th Blackfyre rebellion during his reign. It only was in the reign of his son Aegon V, who was chosen by a great council instead of being proclaimed heir, that they decided to attack.

[@bierwolf8360]

@@raymond-reviews ew, Falseborn fans.

[@nate742]

He's basically what Maegor could've been if Maegor wasn't insecure about his erectile dysfunction.

[@LordBloodraven]

@@raymond-reviews Following a weakling like Aerys I and keeping Brynden Rivers as Hand, were enough to let the Blackfyres know Maekar I wasn't going to be a pushover.

[@skyfall7110]

Maegor was indeed the worst man, but not the worst King. Respect for not just throwing him to D like others do

[@whatisreddin7367]

saved the dynasty from an early demise IMO

[@MyUserTubeAccount]

yea, I'm going to disagree here. Maegor actually held the Targaryen Dynasty TOGETHER! had he never been involved, the Faith would have unraveled that family with the quickness. was he cruel? you try dealing with rebellion as a new family who took over 6 quarrelsome regions, while trying to keep it together when an organization that has sway with 5 of those regions is poisoning your reign. the fact he couldn't get an heir was another problem for him, and he began to get desperate. one thing we KNOW, is Maegor was Aegons son, the same could not be said positively for Aenys. i think he is in at least the B tier.

[@Oppawesome88]

@Valters Plūme With stuff that Euron's done so far? Maybe. But if you've read the Foresaken preview chapter I think by the end of the story, it'll be pretty clear that Euron is on a whole other level of evolution, leaps and bounds above anybody else.

[@alicedeligny9240]

@@MyUserTubeAccount I think Maegor might have just destroyed his family had he not been stopped (or killed himself). He was murdering, torturing, or hunting down all of his family members, and he would have been just as efficient had he protected and helped Aegon rule and rather than usurping and outright going to war with his nephews. Maegor was a menace for his own family, his usurping meant he'd have to wipe out his brother's line and he himself could not have children (+his paranoia got worse with time because of a situation he put himself in).

[@MyUserTubeAccount]

@@alicedeligny9240 do you imagine had he started spitting out children, he would still have behaved the way he did as far as other Targaryens? Visenya was his mother, we don't know what she told him, or what Maegor knew. maybe Aenys wasn't Aegons real heir? maybe Visenya felt SHE was also one of the conquerers, which she was, and her line deserved a chance?

[@InquisitorThomas]

I think you short change Jaehaerys II, he has one really strong thing going for him and that is crushing the Nine-Penny Kings before they became a serious threat, which effectively ended the Blackfyre Rebellions or at least preventing any rival claimants to the throne for at least a generation. All Aerys II had to do was coast by on the peace that had been bought, let his best friend and most efficient politician since Viserys II handle the day to day affairs, and not go Aerion Brightflame level crazy.

[@QuinnTheGM]

That’s a great argument! You’ve convinced me.

[@brentwyrick3300]

He also had Barristan's respect. Jaehaerys II was easily a decent person perhaps not the best King but he certainly was a qualified ruler that had he lives just a decade longer there is almost no way that Aerys II would have destroyed the dynasty...In my opinion.

[@adib3011]

Since Bloodraven*

[@ccorvid]

the only negative thing I have to say about Jae II, which wasnt touched on in the vid, is that he Forced his children to marry one another, despite them hating each other. whether or not he did that purely for the sake of prophecy? we'll maybe see in F&B2, but even if that's the case... yeesh.

[@jmeds94]

@@ccorvid That could have been the best thing he did as king if it led to the births of Rhaegar and Jon, bringing the Prince Who was Promised into the world. Jaeherys and his love for incest defeated the Others and saved the realm, change my mind.

[@carlrood4457]

When talking Aegon IV vs. Visery I, you have to take in their personalities. Viserys TRIED to do right by his family and the realm. He just wasn't strong enough. Aegon simply didn't give a f' about anything but himself and literally wanted the world to burn after his death.

[@QuinnTheGM]

That’s an excellent point, and great reasoning for putting Viserys above Aegon, however I still think they’re near the bottom of the barrel.

[@RahmanShayek]

Viserys wasn’t strong that’s why he legitimate STRONG boi to sit on the throne 😂

[@dingo9696]

Viserys tried to do good, he was just so inept that he failed spectacularly. He belongs in D tier. Hes directly responsible for the collapse of the house.

[@Kevin-fj3ff]

​@@dingo9696except he isnt, he should atleast be in c considering he was an actual good king

[@CeeMon-xo9mg]

​@@Kevin-fj3ffnot a good king if your whole house dies becuase of you and your children you smooth brain

[@maxmustermann9058]

Aegon III is S tier imo. He prioritised the smallfolk, worked closely with Viserys II and very importantly he was described as making active attempts to revive the dragons. It shows that he is willing to act against his own feelings if there is a good reason. He inherited the kingdom in one of it's worst phases and built it back up, in spite of his depression.

[@QuinnTheGM]

There’s a solid case to be made for this!

[@bennilol2034]

I never understood why his reign is often described rather negatively, at worst you could say that he was a mediocre king that left most of the ruling to his (insanely competent) hand viserys ||. Imo hes the most underrated king and a really tragic character

[@Chadius_Thundercock]

He didn’t build it back up, his brother did, that’s why he’s a terrible king. He couldn’t rule without his brother because he’d be too depressed, that much dependence on someone is a terrible trait.

[@swostikasharma9647]

He wasn't bad. After The Dance of Dragons events, to establish balance is almost impossible. He did good for someone who was a victim, traumatized, had PTSD and mentally not well. He did favour small folks. But in case of dragons, he was the one who caused their "extinction?" and because Viserys asked him to revive the eggs, he agreed and tried his best. So yeah, he was not bad, he was decent the circumstances were at fault.

[@Collin-to1oe]

​@@Chadius_ThundercockThe measure of him as a man is not necessarily what makes him a good or bad king. The realm was rebuilt by Visy2, but during Aegons reign.

[@jcnom6606]

It’s hard to rank Viserys now because of Paddy’s portrayal. He was not a great man like many Targaryen’s but he was a good man, unlike many Targaryen’s.

[@cdcdrr]

I would actually defend Aerys II somewhat, as it's not paranoia when they're really out to get you. Tywin behaved uncharacteristically rash in his siege of Duskendale, almost spelling out the fact that if Aerys died, Rhaegar would take his place. A thing that many of the nobles wanted. It's not a far leap to say they wanted him to die as a hostage, and were provoking Lord Darklyn to carry out his threats. On top of being a prisoner for months, it's understandable he developed a mental illness, and deserves some pity. Even his jerkass behaviour to Tywin could have just been attributed to kings being kings. And if he felt he needed to keep Tywin Lannister down, he'd be right; the man is shrewd and powerhungry. The irony, if we give Aerys credit, is that he might have been entirely correct in his assumptions about people, reading them like an open book and seeing them all for the traitorous pit of vipers they are. He just never bothered to hide his contempt very well, and they all hated him for shouting that the emperor has no clothes.

[@jakealter5504]

That’s true but Tywin warned him to not go to duskendale and aerys was well known for doing exactly the opposite of what his hand (Tywin) advised

[@ccorvid]

also, as much as I wanna sympathize and agree with your reading of him, we can't forget all of his incredibly abusive treatment towards all the women in his life: Rhaella, Joanna, and his many mistresses. plus, the "kings being kings" mindset is exactly what makes for a terrible king. a king should not act rashly and do whatever he wants just because he sees other political powers for the vipers they are. he should still think, and act with a calm manner and grace, not just for courtesy's sake, but also because reacting harshly only adds fuel to the fire, which is something he actually loved doing in particular, you may recall. and he did suffer from mental illnesses, then with the medicines available to them in their society being unable to treat him, it means that he is simply not fit to rule. (which may then point us to seeing that monarchies and feudalism as systems in general may just be unfit for societies as well.)

[@crim1188]

Okay no. Aerys was antagonistic to Tywin, who was his friend at this point, long before Duskendale. He acted like a petulant child and what little he decreed was stupid. The realm was run by Tywin. Kings being kings is NOT an excuse. Especially not when the man they're treating like shit is a friend of theirs and the actual most powerful man in the realm. His trip to Duskendale was absurdly stupid and done just to spite others. If he could read others so well, he wouldn't have went now would he? All the lords goading the rebels into killing Aerys were justified in doing so as well. He was an utter failure as a king even before he went completely mad

[@Barcaplsfkinwin]

Aerys had been going mad long before duskendale, it's why Tywin was more than happy to let him die.

[@dirrdevil]

Kings being kings? Boys will be boys? Not an excuse for jerkass behavior. Understanding a person's abuse and the ramifications of trauma is not justification for them being an abuser themself.

[@nevaehaho61]

Just a suggestion, I’d love to see a video like this ranking the Queen Consorts. Some we may not know much about, but there are some really good rulers in there as well :)

[@rexdanger7733]

With Baelor I think people also overlook that his building of his great Sept brought the High Septon from Oldtown and therefore the head of the faith of the 7 to King’s Landing. This is pretty huge as pretty much everyone south of the neck (aside from the Iron Islands & some houses like the Blackwoods) worship the 7 and now the Targaryens have easy influence over the head of that faith.

[@sachamason3116]

he is bottom of D tier, worst king by a long shot

[@BlueisNotaWarmColour]

@@sachamason3116 worse than Aerys II? Substantiate!

[@sachamason3116]

@@BlueisNotaWarmColour Aerys lost the throne, but that was in large part due to his son, his counselors, and perhaps supernatural forces. Baelor was an awful person and anti-magic, and the stuff he did ensured the targarians demise.

[@BlueisNotaWarmColour]

@@sachamason3116 he lost the throne because his paranoia and bloodlust upset any prospect of political stability, which was what triggered the actions of his son and counselors and the realm at large. Aerys didn't just lose the throne, he tried to blow it up

[@blackfish5139]

@@sachamason3116 so, most of the kings are rapist and murderers.

[@PhilHug1]

Great list but one note: I believe Daeron II brought Dorne into the fold. Baelor ended Daeron I's war in Dorne and married Daeron II to a Martell (although I guess that means he indirectly brought Dorne into the fold because Daeron II's Dornish wife likely influenced him to court Dorne)

[@QuinnTheGM]

True! Though I give Viserys/Baelor a lot of credit for getting that ball rolling.

[@PhilHug1]

@@QuinnTheGM fair point

[@brodystambaugh5149]

​@@QuinnTheGM They deserve the credit Baelor after all did make peace with dorne, but he did not unite them with the rest of westeros. Nor was Daenerys his sister. She was Daeron II's and it was HE that officially brought dorne into the rest of the kingdom, (with her marriage and his own).

[@j-rey-]

Another plus for Jaehaerys, the Conciliator, was that he recognized competence in Septon Barth enough to make him Hand. As far as we can tell, Barth was an extremely good Hand. Archmaester Gyldayn described him as the wisest in history, and Barth's enemies called him more sorceror than septon, which is a positive thing in my opinion 😂

[@Dork2099]

Found your channel after grooving on Alt Shift / Schwift for a couple of years. SO GREAT! One piece of 51% serious criticism: I get sad when I open a video and I see that you manage to rank a dozen or so kings in sixteen minutes. Feel free to let it all hang out and drone on for two hours any time!

[@raymond-reviews]

If Aemon the Dragonknight was king instead of his unworthy older brother, the realm would’ve prospered & could’ve been an A to S tier king.

[@Rougarou99]

He had been Kingsguard since Aegon III. However, it is often those who forsook power that probably deserved it.

[@zulqarnainaqeelbazmi780]

There are so many "What ifs" man. If Aemon hadn't stood where he stood and took an arrow on his neck. If baelon hadn't died. If Baelor breakspear hadnt died. so many what ifs.

[@judeconnor-macintyre9874]

He was a good knight and a good man but would he have been a good ruler?

[@Rougarou99]

@@judeconnor-macintyre9874 Raised by Viserys II, under the reign of Aegon III, I think he would have made a good ruler.

[@ausnik]

The reason the Targaryen dynasty survived Aegon IV is because he didn't have an Aegon IV to weaken the dynasty as badly as he has and get them to the point where the mad king was. Honestly, since the Dance of the Dragons each following generation seemed to lose more power rather than regain it, primarily due to the loss of dragons. I also think you did Jaehaerys I an injustice regarding dropping him below Aegon, and besides judging a Westeros king by Earth's standard of "sexism", which in itself is kind of a ridiculous argument, the guy literally abolished the lord's rights to prima nocta. His comment towards Saera of "she always was" referencing that she was a whore was 100% justified and true. Not only did she lie to him and the three men that got punished for her whoring, but she ended up being an actual whore in Lys. It's not sexist to call a whore a whore, and that's what her mother Alysanne said. Jaehaerys just confirmed it. He even fought personally to try and reclaim some of her honor, and after the entire fiasco, he became gaunt and old, at age 50 because he was heartbroken. Really think he should sit at the tippy top of S tier. Aegon was good, but had nowhere near the record of Jaehaerys nor the longevity.

[@blah55044]

Jesus christ incel chill. The entire book series is a critique of you.

[@Paal2005]

Comparing Aegon and Jaehaerys is pretty much like comparing Alexander the Great, or Napoleon, to Augustus. While Aegon was a competent ruler and a badass war king, Jaehaerys shaped Westeros into the Seven Kingdoms and created unity. The fact that Viserys was able to rule without much opposition for so long was solely because of his grandfather. The Targaryens didn’t even have that many claimed dragons at the start of his reign (only his brother and cousin had grown dragons), and still the realm was in such order that a weak king could rule in peace.

[@Mori_88]

@@blah55044 XDDD lol cope

[@MyUserTubeAccount]

Paddy made Viserys a compelling character, but the man absolutely destroyed the Targaryens. thanks to his weakness, they lost their dragons... END of their power

[@jakealter5504]

I’d say that was more because of house Hightowers plotting

[@MyUserTubeAccount]

@@jakealter5504 like i said, thanks to his weakness. Daemon wasn't fooled, neither was Rhaenyra.

[@concept5631]

​@@jakealter5504 Which he could have easily stopped had he not married a Hightower or kept a Hightower as hand of the king.

[@jakealter5504]

@@concept5631 true

[@yoooo790]

Wait until you hear about aegon lV.

[@kirby7294]

4:39 in Jaehaerys' defense, Saera was for the streets.

[@NakulSGurjar]

I was here to say this 😂

[@zaraandrews600]

The king who got killed by a catapult reminds me of James II of Scotland, who loved canons, and died after one exploded by him when he was trying to take Roxburgh Castle.

[@targaryen_timelord]

I'm not even gonna lie, George RR Martin's books taught me a lot about the human condition at conflict with itself. His use of grey-characters is what makes his world so intriguing. My favorite King's are Jaehaerys I and Viserys II. Aegon III also has a special place in my heart.

[@rafidmonsursikder1506]

This is why I put him over Tolkien...

[@philippeblais8594]

I will say about Jaehaerys the 1st though. I don't believe he was being outright sexist. He was upholding ancient andal customs. Such as when his eldest son, Aemon died. Jaehaerys didn't just pass over Aemon's daughter on a whim. He discussed the matter with his small council at length. Citing that andal customs of male primogeniture. The love of the smallfolk was also considered as they hailed Baelon a hero for avenging his brother. As for how he treated his daughter, Saera. I really don't blame him for being angry. I mean, how would you feel if your daughter compared herself to your uncle who murdered your brothers? Also, regarding the great council of 101. If not for the great council, the dance of the dragons may have occured 28 years earlier than it actuslly did. Since the 2 main claimants had dupporters rallying fighters to support their claimants' rights. So if Jaehaerys just chose between Rhaenys or Viserys to succeed him, the other side would have likely rebelled and fought.

[@Mcherri]

The problem was with that they could’ve dealt with a rebellion if necessary had he named rhaenys like he was suppose to and yes he was sexist through and through maybe not so in the beginning but he definitely was during and near the end alysanne was constantly at him because of it she wanted rhaenys on the throne and I believe that’s why aemon and Jocelyn never had any more children either had aemon been alive he would’ve put his foot down to his father for this being she was his only heir. I believe jaehareys just didn’t care anymore and palmed it off to the council to decide which was the biggest mistake and in the end regardless of what the lords want it’s the king who chooses otherwise what is the point of having or being the goddam king. At most it was the lords who were extremely sexist and this is made clear with alysanne when she brings forth a plan and they just patronize her because she is a female they only listen to the idea due to her being the queen and jaehareys just said nothing. The people would’ve accepted a queen they were ready for rhaenyra so why not the beloved daughter of the oldest of jaehareys sons.

[@vitaaeris]

If you go along and embrace sexist costumes, then you’re sexist. It’s pretty straightforward 😅

[@typhoonzebra]

​@@Mcherri His decision to do it by council was a good one. You may say that a king decides, but a king can't do diddly without his lords and their approval. If you, as the king, piss them all off, you're inviting revolt. And declaring Rhaenys (or rather her unborn son) the heir would have done just that. The genius of calling the council was that it was a near thing. While there was clear preference to declare Viscerys the heir, it wasn't like a 90/10 split. So by making the decision by council, knowing that either outcome is gonna piss off a lot of lords, he himself isn't the target of their rage, the other lords are. It's possible, likely even, that he already knew who he was gonna pick, but by calling a council, any lord upset with the result, would blame their fellow lords, not the king and they would be made keenly aware that they are outnumbered, curbing a rebellion in two ways at once. Declaring Rhaenys his heir was the worst choice he could have made. She was barely in the running, the vast majority of support was for her son or Viscerys; he'd be pissing everyone off by picking her. And without his lords, a king can do little.

[@Mcherri]

@@typhoonzebra yes but jaehareys rarely ever went against a lords or council decision he could’ve done it this one time the biggest mistake viserys made was getting re married and this is basically the same choice that jaehareys did by giving the choice to the council viserys easily could say no to getting remarried to the council his father baelon never got remarried after Alyssa and he only had 2 children and who could pass at anytime. Viserys could’ve waited until rhaenyra had her children than he definitely wouldn’t have to worry about making more spares for rhaenyra. Naming rhaenyra wasn’t really a big problem as Otto made it out to be even though it was his idea to begin with. All viserys had to do was the moment his health declined was give the crown to rhaenyra and help her as her hand that was it. Both the greens and blacks were spilt in the middle for support and only 3 big houses were on aegons side it was only Hightower, Lannisters that made a big deal about a woman on the throne the baratheons joined the greens because of a marriage pact, it had nothing to do with rhaenyra being a woman only those 2 houses kicked up a big stink about rhaenyra being a woman. Her sitting the throne was the only decision viserys stuck to and I don’t blame him for that he was asked constantly by Otto switching heirs it was getting tedious it’s funny he claimed daemon would be another maegor and yet it was his grandson that became worse aemond.

[@typhoonzebra]

@@Mcherri I'm not saying _Viserys_ was a great king, I'm saying _Jaehaerys_ made the best decision available. He picks either of the lead contenders without a council, the disgruntled loser lords revolt, he picks Rhaenys, the whole realm revolts, or close enough to it that it doesn't matter. Jaehaerys is killed along with his granddaughter, and then the lords of the realm fight each other over who should succeed him.

[@Ares99999]

Whoa, Daeron II is BELOW Aegon III? The guy undid all of the excesses in his father's reign and was noted to be very honorable and intelligent. Viserys might have gotten him married to Myriah Martell, but they made it work. He established a strong family, and only two things marred his very prosperous reign: the First Blackfyre Rebellion (which really wasn't his fault), and the Spring Sickness (which is a disease). Aegon III needed to lean on his brother at times and his moods (his PTSD) sometimes made him less-than-effective.

[@atro-city]

Jahaerys's sexism is very interesting as he himself does not seem to think low of women, but is reluctant to put them in positions of power because the world is sexist. He decisions remind me of that Logan Roy line from Succession: "of course you being a woman is a negative, I didn't make the world". People jump to his defense saying that Rhaenys was too young when Aemon died, and Balon was already a capable adult, so the choice seemed simple, but that is bs since Balon could've been named protector until Rhaenys came of age. This decision probably soured Jahaerys-Alyssane relationship. I think it was his sexism that he hid from Alyssane, hiding behind the fact that Balon had felt slighted all his life because of him being the "spare" and Aemon being the "heir" (GRRM wanted to start off HotD with the sibling rivalry of Aemon and Balon but that didn't happen because it would've added another season of build-up to the Dance). Alyssane would remember his dismissal of Rhaena and his sexism would've been plain for her to see now that he dismissed Rhaenys, leading them to separate. However, Saera does not seem to be a good person, I understand that the story is told from a male perspective, (Septon Barth's version of events), so we need to take her 'manipulative nature' with a grain of salt but if we look at her treatment of the fool Tom Turnip she does seem like a cruel person with a superiority complex. Seems like Jahaerys was only wroth with her after he had given her too many chances already.

[@QuinnTheGM]

GREAT use of a Logan Roy quote there, sums it up perfectly.

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

Yeah fr I don't understand how Jaeharys is a villain in the Saera situation. He handled it like any rational monarch would. She hurt the family image and that shit is everything in that world. She jeopardized her family, by who's authority she was a pampered princess. She fucked around and found out

[@erichreichenbach2923]

In the books remember, Jahaerys completely removes himself from the great council. The show makes it seem as though he had a major part, but in the book he leaves it completely to the lords to choose the heir. His worst acts I think are honestly his forcing of Daella to be married, leading to her death, and actively making Baelon heir over Rhaenys before Baelons Death. Saerra was not just a girl fooling around that he shamed, she was also a manipulative girl who didn’t care what happened to the people she fooled around with. And I think his last monologue to Alyssane about Saerra is actually extremely well argued, if not brutally honest and blunt.

[@Thegr8khans]

Also, don’t forget about Saera putting snakes in Daella’s bedchamber and bees in her chamber pot when she knew Daella had a phobia of both

[@tyf.5111]

​@erichreichenbach2923 Interesting to think that if Jaehaerys and Alysanne hadn't married Daella off, she never would have birthed Aemma Arryn and thus no Rhaenyra, and perhaps no Dance. Another curious "what if."

[@rexblade504]

I'll defend Aegon ll. By the end of his reign he had gone crazy due to milk of the poppy and the loss of his entire family. He seemed to actually start off as a decent war time King, but got cut short after having both his legs destroyed after him and Aemond's battle with Rhaenys ended up with them falling out of the sky.

[@daedalus3726]

He made dumb decisions even BEFORE he was incapacitated by his injuries during the Battle of Rook's Rest. Removing Otto as Hand was one of the biggest mistakes that he made early on in the dance. Choosing Cole as the replacement too? Disaster. Drinking and whoring, ignoring wise counsel from his council members. Throwing an entire feast just to celebrate a child's death. Aegon II was already doomed to begin with. And as much as how brave and heroic it is for a King like him to participate in Rook's Rest, risking his life for it was incredibly stupid and he was literally just lucky that he survived that fall and didn't succumb to his injuries. Him being incapacitated by his injuries led to Aemond and Cole ruling their faction for him, as both of these mfs are warhungry and very impulsive in their decisions which eventually led to the Blacks capturing King's Landing and their Riveralnds campaign failing. Rhaenyra died because her council was dumb and she listened to their dumb advises. Aegon II died because he was ignorant of the wise counsel of his wise council members. Tyland and Larys carried the Greens.. either of them should've been whom Aegon appointed as Hand and Regent.. not Cole and Aemond

[@nhoodjazz]

Fuck the Hightowers

[@ShadowShroud7]

Jaeherys' only mistake was the succession and passing over Rhaenys. His daughters was not his fault. He can't control if they'd die in childbirth or fall off a horse. Or at least alysanne should be equally blamed if we're blaming people unfairly. Saera was a narcissist bully who abused her sister Daella, sexually harassed the mentally slow court fool, slept around shamelessly, coerced her friends into sleeping with her boyfriends and getting pregnant, threw maegor into her dad's face knowing what he'd done to her dad, tried to steal a dragon, killed a nun, and ran off to lys and volantis to be a whore, never answering her mother's letters or even so much as sending flowers to her sisters funerals. Saera was not a victim, if anything jaeherys spoiled her and his harsh punishment could be seen as overcorrection, but it's not undeserved. Actions have consequences, supposed double standards are irrelevant.

[@Cristobalaraneda-n2u]

It is true that Saera commits quite questionable actions that she did things that do not have much justification, but in my opinion Saera was a victim of circumstances, Saera was the youngest of her sisters and despite having competent characteristics, she was never given the attention she needed. Not only does being a princess mean that she cannot feel alone and abandoned by her parents who did not give her attention, as a result she became rebellious and did questionable actions to get her parents' attention, and the fact that she was a woman In a patriarchal society, she was judged much more than other men in her family if in that case he had taken those actions, ending up exploding by being imprisoned in a castle and seeing your friend being murdered by your own father and being locked in a convent to be "reformed" if you think about it, her situation is quite traumatic, I think that people judge her by how she was because of her attitudes that were quite questionable, but they do not delve into how difficult it was to be a woman, especially in those times, And as for the double standard, clearly it was there since the actions they took against Saera would not have been so harsh if it had been the case of a man and the fact that Saera was the only woman alive after escaping and leaving her life in the royalty, it means a lot when all her sisters died when they were forced to marry and have children like her sister Daella, that means that the problem is not with the women themselves and I think that what it means in itself is that patriarchal society, especially in Royalty pressured women into a standard that all of Saera's sisters ended up dead, Saera was a free spirit and did not submit to that system and survived, the problem was never her herself, it was how the system treated women

[@tyf.5111]

​@Cristobalaraneda-n2u Nah. Saera was a cruel bully, and painting her as a victim of the patriarchy when she chose to be awful to literally everyone around her only serves to excuse her sadistic actions. Even princesses deserve to be held accountable for their actions. Being a "free spirit" doesn't give you a pass to abuse people.

[@Not_Wazze]

She wasn' the youngest,she wad the middle sister basically and treated her older sister horribly​@@Cristobalaraneda-n2u

[@King_Mac80]

I'd put Rhaenyra in C tier because she deserves credit for what she did as a Queen before taking over Kingslanding and when she actually took the Iron Throne she only was poor towards the small folk because the Greens took all the gold from the royal coffers leaving her unable to do much of anything

[@deadking8224]

Would've won had she gone to the Vale instead

[@moritzl4024]

Would have been cool to include the never crowned Crownprinces, like Rhaegar, Viserys or Baelor Breakspear.

[@nicksmithnutmilk]

Aegon The Uncrowned B tier Aerea C tier Aemon S tier Baelon S tier Daemon C tier Rhaenyra D tier Baelor Breakspear A tier Rhaegel D tier Aerion Brighflame D tier Daeron The Drunkard C tier Rhaegar C tier Viserys The Beggar C tier

[@moritzl4024]

@@nicksmithnutmilk Baelor Breakspear is a easy S and Aerion should be F Tier. Also Pre War Rhaenyra is at A Tier, so on average she is B Tier.

[@nicksmithnutmilk]

@@moritzl4024 Rhaenyra wanted to put a bastard on the Throne , even pre war Rhaenyra is a C at best mainly becuse of that . And I agree with Baelor , he was great . I forgot about Aerion's son . He was quite promising if I remember correctly even as a child . His name being Maegor and Aerion being his father are the only reasons the Great Council choose Aegon V instead of him

[@kyber3537]

Rhaegar - S Viserys - C Baelor - S Rhaenyra - D Rhaenys - A

[@bensonfang1868]

Maegor should have assumed the title of lord regent after returning from exile and rescued Aegon and rhaena. He’s undeniably the power behind the throne but he has no kids. He can even marry Alyssa and play the role rogar played. They they fight the faith together. After Visenya dies, prince Viserys the middle son of Aenys gets vhagaf

[@The_Malcontented]

Aegon II made one (1) good decision in his entire life, and that was keeping Otto Hightower as his hand, and he eventually canceled that out by firing Otto

[@wolf0o]

The fact that Aegon II saved the throne from the basterds and named Aegon III his heir, i believe he’s better than Rhaenyra.

[@pchurch692]

Great video! Loved the Viserys II video, so was fun seeing your opinions on the rest.

[@Akiraspin]

Nah putting Aegon II below Aenys is insane to me. Aenys literally was so incompetent that *even with Balerion he couldn't win the civil war against the Faith.* He was *that* trash. Aegon II at least had a competent Small Council and even spared Aegon III leading to an excellent political and economic windfall for the realm after his death.

[@riaodh]

He probably has a bias for team black. Aegon II may not have been a great king, but he sure as hell wasn’t a horrible king like many of the others he put before Aegon II.

[@alexkonoff2273]

Great video as always

[@manyux6694]

Think you confused Daeron 2 with Baelor with bringing Dorne into the fold. Cause Daenerys was Daerons sister not Baelor's. And Dorne joined the 7 kingdoms during Daerons reign not baelors if I'm not mistaken.

[@mysteryjunkie9808]

He did but Baelor arranged the marriage alliance of Daeron and Daerons sister and made peace with Dorne from Daerons war. So he definitely gets credit for starting the process

[@Mr.PepeSilvia]

Great list. I might have bumped Aerys I and Jaehaerys II up to B tier above Baelor.

[@QuinnTheGM]

That’s entirely valid. At least due to Bloodraven on the first count!

[@Mr.PepeSilvia]

@@QuinnTheGM all hail King Bloodraven lol

[@QuinnTheGM]

A thousand eyes and one!

[@memestillidie]

Heavy disagree with Aegon III, he let the dragons die out because he had PTSD and didnt want to deal with them. They say silverwing went feral but I believe she could have been tamed again and ridden again, plus she could have had some clutches of eggs, instead he let her just fly off and never investigated the sightings.

[@dieterhorvat5176]

Quinn your channel bangs

[@Ricardo_Muna_Singh_716]

Viserys I was a weak man and king, he was the main cause of the Dance, which devastated the Targaryen dynasty. Thank you for not believing the propaganda about Maegor and just throwing him in D tier

[@HaydenWilliamsMoran]

I’m still upset that he didn’t put Viserys II in first place as best ruler, seriously it was your list you can rank them exactly the way you want them too. I would have ranked Viserys II as the best king as well.

[@thatoneblackdude3333]

Visarys 2 had the potential to be a great king but he never realized it due to him dying.

[@roronoalaw7772]

Jaehaerys was easily the best King, got the most shit done

[@jakealter5504]

He doesn’t have anything that puts him above Aegon I or Jaeherys I

[@ramiromen6595]

Agree with everything except that I’d put Daeron II above Viserys II ( the guy resolved a major crisis ,left the realm well ruled after his death and annexed Dorne) and Baelor above Daeron I (Westerosi Saint Louis didn’t lose 100k guys in a military disaster against the Martells)

[@QuinnTheGM]

Agreed with Baelor above Daeron in retrospect.

[@patbacktheleprechaun]

you’re very real for ranking aegon iii as high as you did

[@RaynmanPlays]

A strong argument for Aegon the Unworthy being worse than The Mad King is to point out the role that the Blackfyres are _suspected_ to have had in contributing to The Mad King's downfall.

[@nicokrasnow1851]

Just imagine how amazing Aegon III would've been without his crippling deppression, or his older half-brother Jacaerys "my buddies are wolfs" Velaryion

[@DL-yr6ne]

Aegon lll was already shit when he was born. During his reign all the dragons died.

[@billychops1280]

To be fair to Jaehaerys, throughout his entire life woman tended to let him down except for his wife, also he was as deceit towards his daughters as Alysane was to her sons, countless time she brings up the rights of her daughters or granddaughters but arely does she do this for her sons, plus Alysane thought the eldest child no matter the gender should rule, by that Logic her sister should have been queen and after her her nieces, which would mean Alysane and her children would get nothing

[@jakealter5504]

Only problem with that is that Rhaena chose not to make a claim for the throne after Maegor died

[@Isuream6331]

Maegor would have been remembered as a great king if he just had a sudden heart attack the moment after he disarmed the faith

[@trainmap]

Jae II should be B Tier at least, I'd personally put him in A tier. Only bad things about him were 2 fold; He was sickly and didn't live long and he wasn't a fighter. And even then, he STILL was ready to lead the charge and take the fight to Meleys the Monstrous on the step stones. Blood of the dragon he was!

[@Crispifordthe3rd515]

Bro put a mf named " Maegor the *Cruel* " in C tier, and above people like Viserys and Aenys💀

[@Chadius_Thundercock]

Aenys and Viserys are both responsible for massive civil wars because of their weakness, with the latter being the direct cause for the beginning of the downfall for the dynasty. At least Maegor disarmed the faith militant

[@Crispifordthe3rd515]

@@Chadius_Thundercock The civil war wasn't even inherently his fault, that was the force of others who wouldn't just give up their ambitions as well as the mix of the sexist culture of Westeros (or I suppose the medieval world in general). He rules for some 30+ years of pure peace before that. Sure it was his Grandfather who forged that for him, but keeping it up for 3 decades??? That's nothing to scoff at. And Aenys while incredibly weak, didn't do anything wrong. Maegor is an incredibly evil person, and the only good thing he did was disarm a religious militant order...that's it. That's literally it. Just because Maegor *did* something does not make him a good leader. And it sure as shit doesn't make him a better one the the other 2 considering how evil he is. Especially considering he literally had EVERY Lord except a handful of unfortunate fools aid him in the end. And he went out like a coward. Killing himself on his throne. Because we know damn well they throne doesn't have a mind of its own, and who else would have killed him? 👀

[@jaspersong7959]

great vid!

[@LuckIsImpossible]

This was a really good ranking, it would be interesting to see a ranking of all of the major hands of the king, although that would be a bit longer

[@TheChefEgg]

Found yo punk ass

[@kitus112233]

Jaehaerys/Alysanne for me are top…they began to build and reform the road network in westeros to give it some cohesion as a state, reformed harmful and abussive feudal laws, helped the nightwatch and gave peace and prosperity to the realm after maegor…jaehaerys even nailed it with how to deal with his own succession in a difficult situation…lots of monarchs that are good rulers often mess things up with their own succession (alexander the great for example)

[@Maryourmother352]

Viserys was the worst king, he single handedly managed to create a rebellion for his own heir , divided the house of targaryans into blacks and greens, he turned a blind eye towards alicients entry during the wedding wearing a black gown which signalled a rebellion to the hightowers, did not become a good father for his sons, He should have married off rhenerys son and alicients daughter so as to make sure the rebellion doesnt ill say he is a fool. His reign made sure rule of dragons ended with it....

[@riaodh]

Glad to see someone with some sense.

[@CarterJohnson-lo7yo]

You're too soft on Viserys I in my opinion. Him, Aenys, Aegon IV, and Aerys all belong in the bottom tier. He was utterly incompetent, and his bs was directly responsible for the dying of the dragons, which is perhaps the most significant blow to the Targaryens legitimacy.

[@ursaber]

Daeron the Good was the one who brought Dorne into the fold, not Baelor the Blessed.

[@brentwyrick3300]

To be fair I love most of the rankings I personally would put Viserys II as A tier exclusively because 90% of his accomplishments were before he was actually king and he only rules a year. As actual King he did not rule long enough to justify S in my personal opinion.

[@magister343]

He was never a legitimate king! Viserys the usurper stole the throne from the rightful Queen Daena the Defiant, and then passed it on to his unworthy son whom he'd forced to wet a woman he hated rather than Daena.

[@DL-yr6ne]

Viserys ll was not smart but he had a smart right Hand Otto Hightower. Besides that he was calm but I do not think he would achieve big things like Aegon the Conquerer.

[@brentwyrick3300]

@@DL-yr6ne That was Viserys the First I'm referring to Viserys II

[@vuduong1428]

Daeron the young dragon: too bad he died young, he could have achieved more after Dorne His brother Baelor: thank god he didn't live longer, he might have gave the faith its own army again

[@Carrottime]

Personally I think that the consequences of Aegon the Unworthy's rule make him the worst King. Yes, Aerys the Mad brought the dynasty crashing down but the rebellion was equally blameable on his son Rhaegar too, whom he had no control over. Aegon IV meanwhile would cause via is own actions a series of civil wars that would plague Westeros for generations, causing the loss of both the Targaryen ancestral swords and destabilizing a large part of Essos as well. It's difficult to even understate just how badly his reign weakened the Targaryens.

[@taitfraser8727]

Baelor Breakspear would've been S tier

[@magister343]

How could you leave out the best king of all, Gaemon Palehair!

[@gerardjagroo]

Baelor did not bring Dorne into the fold. That honour belonged to King Daeron the Good. Baelor was a dumb fanatic that made House Targaryen the laughing-stock of the Seven Kingdoms. C tier at best

[@92irishjoe]

Aegon the 3rd is the last reason why all the dragons died, it’s no secret he’s had dragons poisoned. Little depressed king is definitely D

[@alistairdriscoll101]

Maekar deserves more credit I think, underrated and overshadowed next to his older brother as he was seen by most as the greatest knight in the realm but that doesn’t mean maekar wasn’t another one of the best battle commanders to sit the iron throne. He famously deserved more credit according to those who knew him and the realm did well while he was governing it, apart from the rebellion you called pointless it was a peaceful realm, top of a tier if you ask me

[@tjosiahhaynes]

Not that i have an opinion either way, but i often hear Jaehaerys II credited with making Aegon V's policies stick after Egg alienated the lords.

[@hatakekakashi3526]

Finally a youtuber who recognizes Aegon the conqueror's true place amongst his descendants. But at the same time when it comes to general ruling i feel like Aegon the second was downplayed by a lot especially considering his courts ruling decisions and him winning a civil war with just 4-5 dragons.

[@mysteryjunkie9808]

Aegon II was a warrior no doubt about that he had 4 to 13 dragons and 28 to 53 Houses and still managed to Win.

[@Koudey]

Love the voice cracks. Also, can't wait for Scarlet & Violet

[@hommedevitruve4677]

I'm going to try something a little different and pair the presidents with their Westerosi counterparts. FDR-Doran Martell. Paralyzed, cunning, and cautious, FDR ultimately acted when it was right to do so. Time will tell if Doran will do the same. Harry Truman-Davos Seaworth. Honest, direct, and straightforward congressman who suddenly became a major player. Eisenhower-Bobby B. didn't particularly want the job, but his military prowess made him a favorite. Rather lax and preferred to let his subordinates run things, but at least he kept the peace. JFK-Rhaegar Targaryen. Young, hot, beloved by all the ladies but sometimes surprisingly melancholy. He had a smart and beloved wife, but he cheated on her. Shot down in his prime. LBJ-Tormund Giantsbane. Loud, rude and brash with a massive member that he likes to shout at. He is nonetheless an effective leader who more or less intimidates his followers into doing his bidding. Richard Nixon - Aerys the Mad. He started out strong, but his creeping paranoia ruined it. Gerald Ford - Tommen Baratheon. Sweet and innocent, not much. Won't last long. Jimmy Carter - Ned Stark. Too honorable and naive for the job. Eliminated early on. Ronald Reagan - Tywin Lannister. The common people loved him for the prosperity he brought to the country. But he's still not someone you'd want to fuck. Ask the Grenadians/Castameres. George HW Bush - Kevan Lannister. A loyal congressman, he probably should have lasted longer but no one liked him enough. Bill Clinton - Oberyn Martell. Slick southern charmer with many lovers. George W Bush-Theon Greyjoy. Serious daddy issues. Led his people into an unwinnable war. Has a sibling who is the best bet to restore the family name. Barack Obama-young Aegon. Promised a lot, delivered some things but not as much as he would like, lots of questions from people unconvinced about his legitimacy for the throne.

[@Jon-k4y]

Jahaerys sexist? Aegon the second a tier? Tyland lannister did everything during aegon's II reign, while aegon was locked away in his chambers

[@maestrofeli4259]

he put aegon the usurper in D tier

[@malavery5017]

The beauty of Maegor is he got a lot of the really unpopular stuff with the Faith done, which freed up the kings who followed him

[@miguelsanchez825]

Its really interesting how the king regarded in history as the best king sowed the seeds of the worst moment in westerosy history, Jahaerys mistake with Rhaenys being passed down had a huge domino effect and while the dance is Viserys fault (or Otto's) I think Jahaerys had a big role in it. I wish we could learn more of Rhaenys as the history seems to kinda push her aside other than her title, but many times with the problems of the realm I can't help but to think she would have been great at dealing with the situation had she been Queen or at least had more power. I really do think she was the best dragon ridder at the time with how much she mounted Meleys, and I really wished that George at least injured Vhagar after their fight.

[@jakealter5504]

That was only part of the problem, you’re overlooking the large part that Otto Hightower played in the war happening

[@miguelsanchez825]

@@jakealter5504 when did I do that? I know Otto may be the one at the biggest fault for the Dance lol.

[@jakealter5504]

@@miguelsanchez825 true

[@rossl5908]

Aegon 1st - William the Conquerer Aenys - Edward ii Maegor - John/Henry Viii/Edward i (great knight when young) Jahearys - Henry ii/Henry i/Edward iii Viserys 1st - Henry iii/Henry i (only for succession issues) Aegon 2nd - Stephen/Richard ii Aegon 3rd - Victoria (wearing black)/Henry iV (sort of) Daeron 1st - Richard i/ Henry V Baelor - Edward the Confessor Viserys 2nd - ? Aegon 4th - Henry Viii Daeron 2nd - ? Aerys 1st - ? Maekar - little bit of Edward i Aegon 5th - ? Jahaerys 2nd - ? Aerys 2nd - Henry Vi/Charles Vi (French king)

[@svampen7782]

Good list. I thought that might've put Daeron II and Aegon V in S but the reasoning is sound.

[@LeroySierra-o7e]

This was so interesting. Do one for the hand of the king. Thanks.

[@billychops1280]

I agree with the list the only thing I’d change is Daeron the first being number 1 in A tier

[@glamourweaver]

I hope Fire & Blood vol 2 (if we ever get it) acknowledges the ravens that must have been flying between the Red Keep and Sunspear the entire time Baelor was walking as Viscerys actually negotiated the treaty his new king wanted.

[@Hruljina]

Viserys - literally causes a civil war and loss of dragons because he’s afraid of upsetting anyone. C tier 😝😝

[@glamourweaver]

Viscerys II is amazing but isn’t everything we know of him doing that was so amazing him as Hand and not as king? I agree he was the greatest Hand in the history of the Realm, but I don’t think he got a chance to distinguish himself as king since he died a year after Baelor did.

[@seanknapp1]

I hope we see the Peake Uprising in the dunc and egg show. love how the new lord roger reyne was just slicing off peake heads because his father died in that rebellion as well before he was calmed down by Egg.

[@andreim.5324]

Great picks! I think you are the only one who did this kind of ranking, with whom I agree 100% on all the choices. Maegor was a horrible person, but not the worst king indeed. For the way he destroyed those shoeless zealots, he will always have my respect🤭

[@theblackprotagonist5936]

How could Jaehaerys have done things differently for his succession? It’s like people forget that Visenya, The 7 Kingdoms Conquering, Vahgar Riding, Dark Sister wielding, FIRST wife of Aegon was still alive when he died. Even she wasn’t seen to be enough to Rule as a Woman. Why would Jaehaerys granddaughter be any different? She wasn’t even Married to A Targaryen! Her children wouldn’t have even carried on the name ffs.

[@Mori_88]

Visenya era una horrible persona ¿de que mierda hablas?

[@Big_Boss4269]

Viserys I very much benefited from his predecessor’s reign, and having VERY competent and capable people around him doing most of the day to day governance. Most people still had the reign of Jaehaerys I in their hearts and minds. Then once he was in power, his Small Council was capable in every regard (even if they became self serving once Viserys married Allicent). And I’m sure many people were also afraid of Daemon.

[@Kai_soze]

Aegon actually let his two sister wives do the ruling after his conquest. He understood the importance of knowing his role and not doing too much

[@John14710]

Maegor is condemned in history cause of his small picture personal actions, but his selfish actions actually benefitted the realm in the long term with the religious reformations and building of the red keep, and all Targaryens after were glad to have the power he gave them but ashamed of how they got it

[@emk3485]

The only thing I don’t agree with is Viserys I. He DID make it clear who he wanted his heir to be, but others circumvented the peaceful transfer of power. He could have stepped down before his death and crowned Rhaenyra but no king had done that before so it likely wasn’t considered an option. His problem, like many kings before and after, were his children. Rhaenyra was raised to be queen, but threw it all away to have multiple affairs and shame her house by birthing (very obviously) bastard children and then pretending they were legitimate. Not to mention marrying her uncle without the blessing of her father, the council, or the faith. Had she made better choices, her outcome would probably have been very different. He also could have done better by his other 3 children by raising them to be decent people but, again, he was not too concerned with actually teaching them honor, morality, loyalty, humility, etc.

[@alphonsoalvarez-haynesiii8069]

Being a 4th son of a 4th son, aegon v was the most unlikely king and rose the the office. He sent blood raven to the wall for killing the blackfyre. He tried to bring back dragons at summer hall. But following Duncan the tall around the seven kingdoms and not being treated like a king all his life prob helps him in my book. The story of how a boy named egg becomes king aegon v of his name is a damn good story. Aegon v is top 3 kings ever

[@veritasinvicta8128]

Meagor saved the Targaryian dynasty from Oldtown and the conspiring Andals, his methods were indeed harsh but make no mistake, a state of war existed between Oldtown and Kings Landing. Many people don't understand that the Maester conspiracy actually includes the Starry Sept and Hightower, this is shown throughout the history of Targaryian rule..

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

Facts, it's pretty much beaten over our head at this point that Oldtown is the biggest enemy of the Targaryens even if it's not blatant. It will use the maesters to sabotage from within, the faith to launch rebellions, and Hightower wealth to maintain influence

[@mgawsmestevan23]

Maegor was terrifying. The brute strength and his hot head, with giant Balerion the Black Dread to boot. But him destroying the faith Militant was the best gift for future Targaryen’s. In keeping up with their ‘traditions.’ No one ever spoke about it again.

[@cyclomorrison3620]

On the Maegor discussion: it really comes down to how one defines a “good king”; is a King that secures his own dynasty a good king? Surely one could argue that the perpetuation of the aristocracy is an important task for the king. But from the commoners point of view, a progression towards democracy is paramount. Having a diversion of power (E.g. between the faith and the crown) is one step away from absolutism.

[@thalmoragent9344]

Jaehaerys wasn't rude to women. If anything, he was more lenient than other men in the Realm likely would've been regarding some of the instances dealing with women. What Saera did was her own doing. The guy practically spoiled all his daughters, and let Alyssa Targaryen be essentially a tomboy, with no issue. It was the fact Saerra slept with half his court and then had the audacity to compare herself to Maegor after all that happened.... that was unforgivable in Jaehaerys' eyes. Daella was the only case I can say he jumped the gun on, admittedly. Married too young, though younger women than her have been married off and didn't have nearly as many issues. Gael... well, neither of them were at fault, Gael has a tragic story but, it wasn't the fault of the parents. And it was Alysanne who led to Viserra leaving out that night and died later. He kept Male Primogeniture as the way of the Targaryens before him, and that's how the Dynasty remained for centuries after him. Just saying... while Rhaenys may have been better than Viserys in the long run, well, we can't be certain what Viserys was like when he was younger. He had spoken to the Small Council and they gave the position to Baelon for more than just gender reasons. Then the Realm voted and gave it to Viserys. Viserys did terribly when he disregard the Great Council that put him on the Throne in the first place. Aegon II should've been raised to be the heir over Rhaenyra in the first place, which would've fixed a few problems, actually.

[@QuinnTheGM]

In Addition to just straight-up treating his daughters poorly, you’re also neglecting to mention the many, many times he overruled female succession (which wasn’t a precedent at all prior to his rule), which is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, cause of the Dance of the Dragons.

[@thalmoragent9344]

@@QuinnTheGM Nah, you're going backwards in regards to the Dance. I've already explained the situation with his daughters (in some cases, he wasn't even to blame, it was Alysanne at times). Saerra made her own decisions, and Jaehaerys perhaps spoiled her too much as a kid. Gael's situation wasn't something either parent could've prepared for, sadly. Viserra's situation was more the fault of Alysanne, not Jaehaerys. And Alyssa was straight up a tomboy, and he had no issue with that at all. Daella was the only one he truly messed up, as she was too young to marry as well. Secondly, he overruled Female Succession twice, regarding his Heir. And considering he was in Westeros, where it's mostly men who lead in general, it's not like he was outside the norm. The fact he even asked the Small Council before he made his decision to make Baelon Heir shows that he had considered Rhaenys. Not only that, but he asked the Realm next, and they also confirmed Male inheritance over Female. The Dance of the Dragons wasn't Jaehaerys' fault, it was Viserys' fault. He was chosen as the Heir due to the Realm's vote, and the fact he continues keeping Rhaenyra as Heir even AFTER having not one, not two, but THREE sons was foolish. Had he not neglected in raising Aegon II and naming him Heir, the Dance never would've happened. Or, he just shouldn't have had any more kids outside of Rhaenyra, if she was all that he needed.

[@limdoo6473]

Viserys in C tier is harsh imo, he kept the peace in the realm the way he knew how. Before the hightowers corrupted the council his decisions were solid, naming Lyonel strong as hand after getting rid of Otto was the best decision he could’ve made. If lyonel didn’t resign and the hightowers didn’t corrupt everything the dance of the dragons would’ve been likely prevented/not nearly as much of an issue

[@LSK1]

Great video

[@glamourweaver]

Maegor and Egg demonstrate that moral character is a factor in the quality of a king but not the final determinate, because if it was they’d be at the bottom and top respectively.

[@chandlerdoeswhatifs9399]

Imo Baelor was far better than his brother Daeron, and I'd personally put him at the bottom of A tier. He did much to patch the wounds of the realm, support the small folk and unify the realms I dont think he would have ever went to war with the north and Isles. He in fact denied to go to war with them when even the high septon himself suggested it.

[@gig7932]

Correct me if I'm wrong but in the books the great council of 101 AC was between Viserys and Laenor not Rhaenys.

[@frking100]

Correct. Most people forget that the council considered rhaenys inherentance right and deemed it by vote less strong than her very young son (laenor was like 2 years old). This precedent plus the precedent set by jahaerys when he "usurped" his older sister rhaena and her daughters with aegon the uncrowned is one justification that was used to support aegon II claim over rhaenyra.

[@LoneWolfOfHouseStark1989]

Spot on in regards to Maegor.

[@louiscolangelo8589]

I just reread F&B and I had the same take on Maegor. Aenys weakness in standing up to the faith with Rhaena/Aegon uncrowned betrothal sped up the conflict with the faith. Maegor put it down with force, leading the faith the work more willingly with a level-headed Jaehaerys. Edit: autocorrect

[@G_Kchrst]

Jahaerys was not sexist lol. Pragmatist yes but not a sexist, especially for the time. He was not cruel with his daughters, he was very harsh but these ones were monsters and should be put on their place.

[@lindsey7951]

"Richard III type character" you think he murdered his nephews?

[@baronvonjerch]

I do love that the Targaryen dynasty has a nice even spread of great, good and bad kings. Makes it very believable that this foreign dynasty lasted nearly 300 years.

[@isthatyoursomnomnom]

I typed "Worst Ta" in the search bar and KZbin knew exactly where I was going with that. 😂

[@quickstream]

I'm looking to play d&d soon with some friends GOT has most things if you include old wives tales do you think you could do a video on a d&d campaign in the game of thrones universe that I could use?

[@justdirt]

If you still check these comments, a tier list of the potential monarchs in the main series would be cool.

[@pv6b]

do the hand of the king version

[@QuinnTheGM]

Ooh that’d be a fun one.