King Viserys II Targaryen was the tenth king of the Targaryen dynasty to sit on the Iron Throne of Westeros. He was the youngest son of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Daemon Targaryen, named after his maternal grandfather and paternal uncle, Viserys I Targaryen. After thought to be lost during the Dance of the Dragons, he returned to King's Landing and served as Hand of the King to his elder brother, Aegon III Targaryen, as well as his nephews Daeron I and Baelor I before coming to the throne himself in 171 AC, and reigned one year until his death in 172 AC. He fathered Aegon IV Targaryen, Aemon Targaryen, and Naerys Targaryen.
Early life[]
Viserys was the younger son of Rhaenyra Targaryen, the grandson and nephew of King Viserys I, the younger brother of Aegon III and the uncle of Daeron I and Baelor I. He was named for his grandfather, whom his mother loved very much. Viserys was alive during the Dance of Dragons, but he was only a boy and his mother tried to send him away, only to be captured and held hostage throughout the reminder of the war. He wasn't present with his brother when his mother was eaten by his uncle Aegon II's dragon.
He ended as steward of the wealthy Rogare family of Lys and eventually wedded the eldest daughter of the family Larra Rogare, nine years his senior. He was only 13 when his son Aegon was born.
His wife left him shortly after Naerys was born, leaving him alone to raise their children at King's Landing.
As Hand and King[]
After Aegon II's death, his brother inherited the throne, and then both his nephews after them. His nephew Daeron I made him his King's Hand when he came to the throne in 157 AL, with responsibilities for keeping the kingdom running whilst he fought in Dorne. Baelor kept him in the position when he succeeded Daeron, and Viserys spent a lot of time suppressing his pious but politically naive nephew's more outlandish notions. He succeeded and his nephew died as one of the most popular kings in the history of Westeros.
With the deaths of both Daeron and Baelor without issue, Viserys finally took the throne as Viserys II. His reign was short, only one year, before succumbing to age. In that year he ruled well and released his nieces from the Maidenvault where Baelor had secured them, but there was a scurrulous rumour that he had arranged Baelor's death out of Baelor's incompetence at being the king. Although never proven, the rumour damaged his name somewhat. Upon his death he was succeeded by his eldest son, Aegon.
Character and Appearance[]
As a young boy, he was seen as more mature than his brother and elder half-brothers. He was also considered more charming than Aegon, but became stern as he grew older.
Viserys II reigned for a year but, as Hand, effectively ruled for fifteen. In this role he was a skilled negotiator and diplomat, as well as an able treasurer and administrator. He kept the realm ticking over whilst Daeron warred and Baelor prayed. He appears to have been strong and reliable, but the rumours over Baelor's death continued to besmirch his reputation long after his death.
Viserys was in his late fifties when he took the throne. He was strong and clean-shaven, but with a prominent nose, bushy eyebrows and a somewhat calculating look to his face. He was not a warrior and was usually found consulting with the small council. He wore his brother Aegon III's simple crown.
Notes[]
Some early American editions of A Game of Thrones and most of the British ones list Viserys II as the fourth son of Aegon III Targaryen. However, George R.R. Martin subsequently realised that this would make Viserys II too young to believably rule. He changed the order of succession to make Viserys II the younger son of Rhaenyra and the younger brother of Aegon III. This change was canonised in a discussion between Tyrion Lannister and Oberyn Martell in A Storm of Swords, in which Tyrion states that Viserys II was a great ruler since, whilst only ruling a year as king, he ruled for fifteen as Hand to both of his nephews.