King "Lamprey" Targaryen I

• General Notes
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    King Maekar I was the son of Daeron II and Myriah Martell. As a fourth son, he was not expected to rule and was given he Targaryen summer residence Summerhall for his own.  He married early and fathered at least four sons and two daughters.
    
    During the Blackfyre Rebellion, Maekar served as a Commander of one of the Targaryen forces.  It was his shield wall that held against the "mad" attack of his uncle, Aegor “Bittersteel” Rivers, in the Battle of the Redgrass Field, in 0196.  When his brother, Baelor Targaryen, attacked the rebel army from the rear, the battle was won. Later a song was written about the battle of "The Hammer (Baelor) and the Anvil (Maekar)".
    
    Nevertheless, Maekar may have felt unappreciated. The battle victory was more attributed to his brother and the errors of Daemon Blackfyre, then to Maekar's efforts. In other things he also stood in the shadow of his brothers, wounding his pride.  Raymun Fossoway said of Maekar, "Not as bold as Prince Baelor, nor as clever as Prince Aerys, nor as gentle as Prince Rhaegel, and now he must suffer seeing his own sons overshadowed by his brother's."
    
    In 0208, a tournament was held in Ashford. Maekar was there to see his sons Daeron and Aerion compete. His fourth son, Aegon, was to squire for Daeron. The tournament proved disastrous for Maekar and his sons. Daeron drank himself into a stupor before reaching the tournament, Aegon joined the service of the hedge knight Dunk in a disguise, and Aerion shamed himself during the joust by killing his opponent's horse.  After Dunk attacked Aerion and requested a trial by combat, Maekar had no choice but to support Aerion's call for vengeance, as well as Daeron's accusation that Dunk had kidnapped Aegon.
    
    During the Trial of Seven, Maekar came to blows with his brother Baelor, who fought for Dunk; Maekar delivered a lethal axe blow to Baelor's head.  Baelor survived the trial, but died soon after taking off his helmet.  Maekar suspected that he would thereafter be held in suspicion as a kinslayer.
    
    Dealing with the problems of his sons, Maekar banished Aerion to the Free Cities and offered Dunk a position in his personal guard to serve as a role model for Aegon. After Dunk refused, Maekar allowed Aegon to accompany Dunk as his squire.
    
    In the Great Spring Sickness (0209) King Daeron and the children of Baelor died. Maekar's brother, Aerys I, succeeded to the throne and appointed their bastard uncle, Brynden "Bloodraven" Rivers, as Hand.  Maekor had expected to be appointed Hand and could not get along with Bloodraven, so he withdrew from court to his residence at Summerhall.
    
    After Aerys's death, Maekar took the Iron Throne and had Bloodraven imprisoned. For seven years of Maekar's reign, a hot summer persisted. Some thought it was the Great Summer come at last. However, when it broke, it was followed by a short autumn and a long, cold winter.  Maekar ruled until 0233, when he fell in battle against an unknown rebel lord.  He was succeeded by his son Aegon.
    
    Maekar is powerfully built and wears a beard. His eyes are violet and his hair is such a pale blond that it is almost white. He had straight hair and a square-cut beard, both being the color of silver with a hint of gold. He was thickly built and powerful looking. Pox scares marred his cheeks.  Maekar wore a crown of black iron and gold, with sharp points. His personal coat of arms is the three-headed Targaryen dragon, four times.