George Martin did a really tremendous job on his cycle of novels “A Song of Ice and Fire”, which formed the basis of one of the best series of all time called the Game of Thrones. Each character woven into the outline of the plot and not even an active participant in the described events is described in such detail that the reader or viewer will know almost everything about him. Each hero is interesting in his own way and, one way or another, influences events, even if he is no longer alive. One of these is Airis Targaryen.
Nothing portended trouble
When the king was not yet insane, he showed great hope as a ruler, wished for centuries to be remembered great and wise. His plans included many incredible projects, such as another Wall, the construction of a canal in Dorn, which would turn deserts into blooming lands, the construction of a new capital, and others that were not destined to come true, since the dreamy king soon forgot about them. Iris Targaryen had been friends with Tywin Lannister for many years and even made him his right hand. He also gradually replaced the people of his grandfather Eigon V at all key posts with his confidants, young and energetic. He also made friends with another powerful lord - Steffon Baratheon.
From friendship to hate
At the beginning of his reign, Iris was irritable and often gave vent to anger. Over time, the situation began to deteriorate, as did his relationship with his friend and right hand Tywin. Long before this, the king was not indifferent to the cousin and wife of Lannister Joanne, who at one time was a maid of honor at court. In addition, rumors began to reach Targaryen that the subjects considered him a puppet, but in fact, his right hand ruled everything. Even then it became noticeable that the king’s mental state left much to be desired.
He went against Tywin in all matters. That is why Eiris Targaryen was captured by rebel lord Denis Darklin from Twilight Dol, who was held captive for almost six months and was damaged by his mind. After the king was saved from captivity by Ser Barristan Selmi, he mercilessly dealt with all the rebels. And after that he made Tywin a personal enemy, canceling the planned marriage of his daughter Cersei with his son Reigar and making Jaime Lannister a royal guard, leaving his right hand house without an heir. Therefore, it is not surprising that Tywin left his post and left for the family castle.
Traitor or savior?
Eiris Targaryen became paranoid, everywhere he seemed to conspiracies and enemies, he became a real madman and a cruel tyrant. His obsession with dragons and fire terrified and crossed all conceivable boundaries. He was surrounded by palm alchemists and other dark personalities. When the eldest son of Eiris, Reigar kidnapped Lianna Stark, since his father married his son against her wishes for Elia Martell, Brandon Stark arrived at the king and demanded that his sister be returned.
The madman Eiris captivated the heir to the North and summoned his father, Ricard, to Royal Harbor, who he burned alive in front of his son. Brandon himself strangled himself in an attempt to save his father. Then the houses of Starks and Baratheons, as well as other families that joined them, revolted. Airis Targaryen sent the Reagar along with the Royal Guards to suppress him, but in an emergency he developed a plan.
His reserves of Wild Fire under the city would be enough to destroy the entire Royal Harbor in case of loss. He did not have time. When the elder Lannister took the capital, Jaime, who was in the personal guard of the king, dealt a treacherous blow to his back, and thereby saved thousands of lives, and also helped Robert Baratheon take the Iron Throne.
Family and children of Ayris Targaryen
Prince Jaheiris II secretly from his father married his sister Sheira. The witch prophesied to him that it was the Targaryen who should be born the promised prince Azor Akhay, the savior of mankind, so he forced his son Ayris to marry his elder sister Rayle at the age of fourteen. Naturally, there could be no talk of any love.
Their first child was born quite early, he was called Reigar. Reila and Eiris were young, they had great hopes for the continuation of the Targaryen family, which became smaller and smaller. But after the Reigar, they did not have other children for a very long time, the miscarriages followed one after another, the girl Sheina was born dead, her brothers, Prince Deiron, and a little later, Prince Eigon, and then Jaheiris did not even live up to a year.
The second son, who was able to successfully be born and grow up, was Viserys. The crazy king declared that all this time his wife was cheating on him, and therefore the children were dying, as they were conceived on the side. After that, he assigned observers to her and stopped sharing the bed with her, only occasionally, in a fit of madness after the next burning of someone suspected of treason, Eiris came into Reila’s bedroom and brutally raped her. On one of these nights their last child was conceived. Daenerys was born nine months after the capture of King's Landing, on Dragon Stone. The mother died in childbirth, Reigar and Eiris Targaryen were already dead for a long time, except for her, brother Viseris - all that was left of the once strong house remained alive.
On the screen
Although the Mad King was already dead at the time the events began in the book and series, this character was supposed to be shown in the first season of Game of Thrones in flashback. However, the footage with actor Liam Burke in the role of Eiris did not enter the television version. Nevertheless, the idea did not return to introduce the audience to him until several years later. Only in the sixth season of Game of Thrones, Airis Targaryen, embodied by actor David Rintul, appeared in Bran Stark's vision. Moreover, fans of the books were not satisfied with what they saw, because the Mad King before the books looked horrific, with long tangled hair and a long beard, since he did not let barbers close to him, and his nails cut for a long time resembled animal claws. In the series, in this case, they decided to step back from the book canons.