The Ultimate Ruler: Unveiling the Iron Throne's Longest Reigning King in House of the Dragon

In 101 AC, the renowned Targaryen dynasty possessed ten adult dragons, according to the cold opening of Season 1, Episode 1 of House of the Dragon titled "The Heirs of the Dragon." Tragically, King Jaehaerys I had lost both of his sons, necessitating the decision of a successor to secure the future of the realm. Consequently, Jaehaerys called upon the Great Council at Harrenhal to determine the line of succession. Among the thousand lords who convened at the dilapidated castle, the serious contenders were Princess Rhaenys, Jaehaerys' granddaughter, and Prince Viserys, her cousin. Ultimately, the lords disregarded Rhaenys and proclaimed Viserys as the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.

While Viserys I's reign brought tranquility and prosperity, he also sowed the seeds of a succession war between his firstborn daughter, Rhaenyra, from his decreed heir Aemma Arryn, and his firstborn son, Aegon, from Alicent Hightower. This conflict serves as the central theme in HBO's House of the Dragon, signifying a significant divergence from the subsequent Targaryen rulers. The Targaryen empire gradually declined after the passing of King Viserys I in 129 AC. In contrast, his predecessor, Jaehaerys I, wisely maintained stability and contentment amongst his subjects by skillfully managing various factions in society. Jaehaerys inherited a conflict between the throne and the military order of the Faith, resulting from Targaryen marriage customs. His ability to quell the Faith Militant Uprising earned him the epithets of Conciliator and Wise, as he successfully mended the fractures within the realm. With a remarkable fifty-five years upon the Iron Throne, Jaehaerys I Targaryen stands as the longest-reigning monarch, and the following account chronologically outlines his reign.

King Jaehaerys I Targaryen's Reign

Jaehaerys, the grandson of the Conqueror, took the throne after his uncle Maegor I's death in 48 AC. Like his Targaryen predecessors, Jaehaerys was a dragonrider who rode Vermithor, also known as the Bronze Fury, residing on Dragonmont according to House of the Dragon. With the typical Targaryen traits of purple eyes, silver hair, and a dignified appearance, Jaehaerys exuded a regal aura, even in his later years. However, his grandson Viserys I did not fare as well, suffering from "the rot." During his early years, Jaehaerys and his sister Alysanne lived on Dragonstone as hostages due to Maegor's usurpation of their elder brother Aegon's throne. When Maegor's mother, Dowager Queen Visenya, passed away, the siblings escaped Dragonstone with their dragons, Vermithor and Silverwing. In retaliation, Maegor tortured Jaehaerys' brother Viserys to death in King's Landing, and Aegon was killed by Maegor in battle, making Jaehaerys the eldest son of the late King Aenys.

The events surrounding Jaehaerys' ascension unfolded as follows: he claimed the Iron Throne and rallied those opposed to Maegor's rule. Lord Rogar Baratheon was the first to pledge allegiance to Jaehaerys, and over time, other major houses such as the Lannisters, Tyrells, Arryns, and Tullys followed suit. Additionally, two knights deserted Maegor's Kingsguard to join Jaehaerys' cause. In 48 AC, Maegor mysteriously died, leading to the fourteen-year-old Jaehaerys assuming the throne. While his mother, Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon, acted as Queen Regent and Lord Protector of the Realm, with Rogar serving as Hand, Jaehaerys displayed remarkable skill in governing. Soon after taking power, he imprisoned some of Maegor's loyalists, pardoned lords and knights who had served his uncle on certain conditions, and executed those involved in Viserys' death. All these actions indicated that Jaehaerys, portrayed by Michael Carter in House of the Dragon, would employ a balanced approach to statecraft.

An Abundance Of Heirs And The Great Council Of 101 AC

As news of Jaehaerys' pardons spread, those who had initially fled King's Landing in support of Maegor hastened back to pledge their loyalty to him. In Oldtown, he was crowned by the High Septon, an event that carried significant weight as it signified the achievement of peace with the Faith. Though he agreed to protect and support members of the Faith, Jaehaerys made it clear that the Swords and Stars of the Faith would not be reinstated. In a momentous decision, the Faith agreed to relinquish their weapons and surrender their role in dispensing justice, leaving the throne as the sole authority in such matters. Additionally, Jaehaerys rescinded the bounties placed by his cruel uncle on the order of the Poor Fellows and Warrior's Sons of the Faith, and granted clemency to members of the Faith Militant who sought it by sending them to the Night's Watch.

In 50 AC, Jaehaerys reached the age of majority and officially commenced his rule. The following year, he and his sister-wife, Alysanne, celebrated their marriage with a public ceremony held before the Iron Throne. Fearing the possibility of another uprising, Jaehaerys dispatched messengers throughout the realm to spread the Doctrine of Exceptionalism, an agreement he had reached with the Faith. During his reign, Queen Alysanne bore a total of thirteen children, including Aegon, Daenerys, Aemon, Baelon, Alyssa, Maegelle, Vaegon, Daella, Saera, Viserra, Gaemon, Valerion, and Gael. However, only nine of these children survived, and as the Old King outlived them all, he convened the Great Council of 101 AC, which is depicted in the TV series House of the Dragon.

King Jaehaerys I is highly regarded in history, and Rhaenyra's account of the early events in House of the Dragon demonstrates the Old King's wisdom. Grand Maester Benifer described King Jaehaerys as someone who upheld peace and ensured prosperity throughout the realm, calling him "knowledgeable like a maester and devout like a Septon." Archmaester Gyldayn agrees with this assessment. Queen Alyssa Velaryon, who was married to Aenys and was Jaehaerys's mother, reputedly considered him to be the best among her sons. Jaehaerys outlived his sister-wife, heirs, trusted advisors, and councilors. In the final two years of his reign, Otto Hightower rose to become the second most powerful figure in the realm after being appointed Hand of the King. Otto governed on behalf of the king, while his daughter, Alicent Hightower, attended to the needs of the Old King. Though House of the Dragon omits this detail, Viserys mentions that Otto served his grandfather Jaehaerys dutifully in his last days.