The Real Reason Behind Aegon Targaryen’s Marriage to His Sister: Uncovering the History

BySolidarity Project Blog

Aegon married his sister as a political alliance to ensure that their combined Targaryen inheritance be kept intact.

Why Did Aegon Marry His Sister

Aegon the Conqueror famously married his sisters, Visenya and Rhaenyra – an event that has captivated modern audiences due to its irregularity. But why did he do it? Well, the truth is, marriage between siblings was seen as a way of cementing political alliances in ancient times. By marrying his sisters, Aegon declared himself King of both Dragonstone and Westeros and solidified his reign over both lands. In addition, such marriages were expected to produce strong offspring who could lead countriesa possibly decisive advantage in the tumultuous world of Westeros. Ultimately, Aegon marrying his sisters may appear unconventional by todays standards but it was a common practice in those ancient days for both political purposes and familial stability.

Historical Background

When discussing why Aegon I Targaryen married his sister, its important to understand the historical context of when and why this occurred. Family trees were an essential part of medieval culture and marriage was a tool used to ensure power and prestige. Marriages could be used to strengthen political alliances, or create new ones. It was also important for duty and honor – marriages were often arranged between two noble families in order to further their respective agendas.

Cultural Expectations

The role of women in medieval culture was largely dependent upon the expectations of her family. Women were expected to remain loyal to their families and to obey the orders and wishes of their fathers or husbands. Power struggles and politics were commonplace within medieval society – marriages between two powerful families could solidify an alliance or bring about a new one altogether.

Historical Context (Targaryen)

To understand why Aegon I Targaryen married his sister, it is necessary to look at the historical context of Westeros at the time. Aegon I Targaryen, also known as Aegon the Conqueror, was determined to unify Westeros under his rule. He did this by conquering six independent kingdoms with his three dragons – Balerion, Vhagar, and Meraxes. To solidify his newly formed kingdom, he began a series of alliances through marriage that would help secure his power over Westeros.

Religion & Belief Systems

Aegon I Targaryen was a firm believer in The Faith Of The Seven – a religion which had been practiced in Westeros since long before he arrived on the scene. This faith had a significant influence on his decisions; including that of marrying his sister Rhaenys Targaryen for dynastic reasons. Not only did this unite the two branches of House Targaryen but it also legitimized Aegons claim as king in the eyes of The Faith Of The Seven followers throughout Westeros. Additionally, it provided an opportunity for Aegon to create a lasting legacy with a story surrounding the creation of The Iron Throne – which served as both throne room for Aegons court and symbol of unity for all seven kingdoms under one ruler.

Polygamous Marriages In Medieval Times

Polygamous marriages during medieval times were not uncommon; however they usually involved male rulers marrying multiple wives from different foreign countries or royal houses in order to enter into foreign affairs or expand their political holdings by other means than warring with neighboring lands. In this instance however, it was not only advantageous for political reasons but also because it allowed House Targaryen to remain unified under one ruler while still maintaining its two branches separate from one another; thus allowing each branch its own autonomy while still being part of one larger kingdom ruled by Aegon I Targaryen

Political Subjugation of Women Within Marriages

The political subjugation of women within marriages has been a long-standing issue in Westeros. This was particularly evident during the reign of Aegon, who was known for his lack of empathy towards female subjugation. In order to gain control over the country, Aegon utilized strategic marriages between himself and his sisters. This allowed him to create a strong political alliance with his siblings and maintain control over the nation.

Despite the power that Aegon had over his sisters in these relationships, many women were able to take advantage of the situation and gain some level of power within their own marriages. For example, Rhaegar Targaryen married Elia Martell in order to bring together two powerful houses and create a strong alliance. Despite the fact that Elia was subjugated by Rhaegar in their marriage due to Westerosi customs, she was still able to use her influence as a Martell to gain a certain degree of autonomy in their relationship.

Westerosi Customs and Civil Laws

The Westerosi customs and civil laws played an essential role in shaping how marriage alliances were formed during Aegon’s reign. One example is the royal marriages between Aegon’s siblings; this custom allowed for male siblings such as Aerys II Targaryen to marry their own sisters such as Rhaella Targaryen, which was seen as an accepted way of forming political alliances between powerful houses at this time.

This custom also extended outside of royal families; throughout Westeros it was accepted for individuals from different backgrounds or social classes to marry, regardless of gender or religion. This allowed for individuals from different groups to form unions that could help strengthen their respective positions within society while also creating new alliances between them.

Clash of Values: Conquest vs Unity

The clash between values such as conquest versus unity had an immense impact on the political situation in Westeros during Aegon’s reign. While one side wanted to conquer and expand their borders through military force, others sought unity between different houses through strategic marriage alliances like those established by Aegon during his reign.

This clash between values was particularly evident when Aegon used his sisters’ marriages as a way to maintain control over his kingdom while other powerful houses sought out ways to expand their borders through violence or military force. Ultimately, these differing values created tension among various factions and resulted in instability within Westeros at this time.

Society versus Individual Choices

Although individual choices were respected in some ways during this period, society still held precedence when it came to determining gender roles and personal choices within marriage alliances such as those established by Aegon’s reign. Women were expected to remain subservient in these relationships while men were given more autonomy when it came to decision-making regarding these unions.

Despite these expectations, some women were able to take advantage of the situation and gain some level of power within their own marriages; however, they still faced limitations imposed upon them by societal norms that restricted what they could do or say within those relationships. Ultimately, this clash between individual choice versus societal expectations created tension among various factions during this period which had a significant impact on politics within Westeros at the time.

FAQ & Answers

Q: What is the historical background of Aegon’s decision to marry his sister?
A: The decision was largely based on cultural expectations, family trees, and marriage practices of the time. The role of women in medieval culture, power struggles and politics, and the Targaryen conquest of Westeros all played a part in Aegon’s motivations.

Q: How did religion and belief systems impact Aegon’s decision?
A: Religion was a major factor in Aegon’s decision to marry his sister. He was a devout follower of the Faith of the Seven and believed that this union would bring about unity between the kingdoms he had conquered. Furthermore, myths surrounding the creation of the Iron Throne also influenced his choice.

Q: What were some other factors that contributed to Aegon’s decision?
A: Polygamous marriages were common in medieval times and could be seen as a way for rulers to enter into diplomatic agreements with foreign affairs. Political subjugation of women within marriages also was a factor, with some women taking power in strategic marriage alliances. Westerosi customs and civil laws which allowed royal marriages across gender and religious lines were also influential.

Q: What impact did this union have on the political situation in Westeros?
A: This union represented a clash between values – that of conquest versus unity – as Aegon sought to bring together all seven kingdoms under one banner. It also had implications for society versus individual choices, particularly regarding gender roles precedence and personal choice.

Q: How did people view this union at the time?
A: People likely had mixed feelings about this union at the time as it was considered quite taboo due to religious beliefs and moral values surrounding incestuous marriage at this time period. Even so, it was still seen as necessary by certain powerful families who sought to gain more political power through strategic alliances through marriage.

In conclusion, Aegon marrying his sister was a strategic move to unite the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. By forging strong familial bonds between the Targaryen rulers, Aegon was able to solidify his power and create a dynasty that would last for centuries. The union of siblings also served as a symbol of strength and loyalty, ensuring that all rulers of Westeros would remain loyal to the Targaryen line.

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