Martin's writings. Anyone wishing to remain completely spoiler free for this prequel series should avoid any pages displaying this tag. Although his rule began benevolently, he succumbed to the madness caused by his incestuous lineage, and was eventually deposed by Lord Robert Baratheon in a civil war. He was the last Targaryen to sit on the Iron Throne.
He took on the tradition of Targaryen inbreeding in order to keep bloodlines pure by marrying his sister Rhaella Targaryen. While he was young, Aerys appeared to be generous, ambitious and wise, beginning his reign as peaceful and prosperous. Aerys was loved and respected by both lords and commoners.
He later became spiteful of the power of others, especially that of his Hand of the King , Tywin Lannister , who had once been one of his closest friends.
He eventually grew paranoid of his own family members and his Small Council. During the Defiance of Duskendale , Aerys was imprisoned and tormented for six months, until he was rescued by Ser Barristan Selmy , his imprisonment marking the beginning of Aerys's madness. He executed all those who were involved in the rebellion; the worst punishment was given to Lord Denys's wife, Serala , first mutilated and then burned alive. Commonly remembered as "the Mad King", his reign became increasingly erratic and murderous.
Despite the fact that nobody expected Aerys to turn up, he suddenly arrived at the Great Tourney at Harrenhal. During this tourney, Aerys knighted Jaime Lannister and admitted him to the Kingsguard , but not for his valor and honor. Instead, he wanted to spite his Hand, Tywin Lannister. His eldest son, Rhaegar Targaryen , competed in the tourney, and after winning, he shunned his own wife, Elia Martell , and laid his winning roses in the lap of Lyanna Stark of Winterfell.
