The Rise of Maegor - Was Maegor Really Cruel? p1 - Ice and Fire - House of the Dragon

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  • Опубліковано 10 лис 2024
  • IT’S TIME - let’s settle this once and for all. Just how much of Maegor’s cruelty and insanity was real, and how much might have been the distortions of the maesters, who have a known anti-Targaryen bias? The only way to hash this out is to read the text, and that’s what we’ll do here, reviewing everything we know about this unique and terrible monarch. Part 1 here will cover everything up to the trial by combat and the burning of the Sept of Remembrance!
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 296

  • @regrettablemuffin9186
    @regrettablemuffin9186 Рік тому +58

    I think the more interesting point with Aenys is is not whether or not Visenya killed him, but the line prior where “when none of the Maesters proved efficacious Visenya took charge and he seemed to improve for a time.”
    So he goes from the care of trained healers where he’s only getting worse to someone without healing training and starts getting better? What were the maesters doing? Grand Maester conspiracy anyone?

    • @MrFredstt
      @MrFredstt Рік тому +5

      Also, maybe Visenya was using some of her rumored dark magic to help heal him?

    • @championjdg
      @championjdg 9 місяців тому

      didn't maegor kill a maester? i won't want this guy alive. he may kill me. so maybe they had good reason to let him die.

    • @MyNameMeansNames
      @MyNameMeansNames 3 місяці тому +6

      They also couldn't cure Maegor while Tyranne did it in a single night. Plus the part Visenya taking care of Aenys is I believe out of her love. I think she neither hate Rhaenys nor her nephew, her rage was always pointed at Aegon.

  • @cosmicriptid
    @cosmicriptid Рік тому +67

    Not taking the dragons on the royal progresses was always one of the most baffling choices Aenys made for me.

    • @mythicalfelix
      @mythicalfelix 7 місяців тому

      Such a cuck move. Every decision he made was him being submissive

  • @AskMia411
    @AskMia411 Рік тому +34

    38:51 Okay is no one’s gonna talk about how cute and wholesome it is that Aegon cried when handed his first grandchild? That’s freaking adorable and we rarely get sweet moments like that in asoiaf. It seems like Aegon and Aenys had a pretty good relationship too, it makes you wonder what the Targaryens would have been like going forwards if Maegor hadn’t usurped the throne.

    • @MrFredstt
      @MrFredstt Рік тому +7

      Also makes you think about Aegon as a person. With how weak Aenys is considered to be, and we've seen what other fathers have done to their sons they considered weak like Samwell Tarly, what did Aegon see in Aenys? From what we're told he never even considered Maegor and was always behind Aenys. Did Aegon not want someone warlike? Did envision a more softer dynasty to come after him instead of endless wars and warlords?

    • @AskMia411
      @AskMia411 Рік тому +6

      @@MrFredstt I imagine he saw Rhaenys in him, the wife he loved and lost. It seems like visenya kept maegor close, so he had less time to bond with his dad? But Aenys does seem to be the clear favorite, and Aegon probably thought he’d be a more confident ruler than he turned out to be. But I agree that Aegon probably didn’t expect all the rebellions Aenys had to deal with

  • @KBlanca513
    @KBlanca513 Рік тому +25

    Team Visenya. She was giving Aenys good advice, even after he exiled her son. She tried to help him.

  • @aydencole8850
    @aydencole8850 Рік тому +21

    One thing I see often in the Fandom is the misconception about bastard swords. And it's because George made a mistake. Bastard swords are smaller than long swords, but longer than arming swords and are much smaller than great swords. Long swords=2 hands, bastard swords= 1 or 2 hands

  • @plasmiusphantom
    @plasmiusphantom 11 місяців тому +36

    Aenys and Maegor represent the Kabbalistic pillars of Mercy and Severity. Mercy without Severity is Weakness, Severity without Mercy is Cruelty. 🙏🏾

  • @Inqu33rsition
    @Inqu33rsition Рік тому +305

    Maegor stans: "I can fix him" 😭

    • @DavidLightbringer
      @DavidLightbringer  Рік тому +37

      Hahahaha

    • @danybey1920
      @danybey1920 Рік тому +14

      "But we can cus it's not his fault" 😢

    • @thatoneblackdude3333
      @thatoneblackdude3333 Рік тому +29

      Visenya : how dare you insult my son he's fine just the way he is .

    • @Pastafari4
      @Pastafari4 Рік тому +2

      Or "I just agree with him uniornically"which is well... But to each their own? As long as they don't practice what they preach

    • @thatoneblackdude3333
      @thatoneblackdude3333 Рік тому +6

      @@Pastafari4 I think people aggre with him only with the faith milatent

  • @KingOfWinter
    @KingOfWinter Рік тому +23

    One thing I think is interesting is how which house you are from shapes the public perception of you. Had Maegor been a Lannister or a Bolton he would’ve been celebrated as “clever” or “wise and ruthless”. I personally think he saved House Targaryen and should be remembered a little more fondly. Yes the last 5 maybe 4 and a half years he made some questionable decisions but one thing to keep in mind is that no one thinks they are “evil” he wasn’t sitting on the throne twirling his mustache, twiddling his fingers and laughing maniacally while he decided what evil thing to do next. He was a man. He loved, he laughed he even showed loyalty to his father, mother and brother. People romanticize young rulers like Aegon the younger but maybe he was just or even more hungry for the throne as his uncle. Who by the way left him alone until word reached him his nephew had his dragon and was gathering an army to try and defeat him. Who really knows what would’ve happened if Aegon had went to Kings Landing and talked to Maegor instead of “stealing” from him while he was away. How much of the cruelty is historically bias (winners write history). Even the advisors around Maegor could be pushing him in certain directions to meet their own agendas. We pretty much know at least half of the realm was secretly plotting against the Targaryen dynasty which I’m sure played into Margie’s story.

    • @MrFredstt
      @MrFredstt Рік тому

      Interesting point about Maegor seemingly ignoring Aegon until Aegon was actively amassing an army

    • @motorcitymangababe
      @motorcitymangababe Рік тому +2

      Yeah, you could absolutely see a history written about "Tywin the Cruel" in a decade or so

  • @brennanrattenni
    @brennanrattenni Рік тому +29

    This would make such a killer tv show, maybe starting when maegor is 10. Open to other starting dates

    • @MrFredstt
      @MrFredstt Рік тому +2

      Personally I would have preferred a show about Maegor or the first Blackfyre rebellion than the Dance

  • @manyeyedcrow9391
    @manyeyedcrow9391 Рік тому +39

    It feels a bit like Maegor may not have been himself right after waking from the coma

    • @ferniek5000
      @ferniek5000 Рік тому +19

      I think this too. Traumatic Brain injury often produces such extreme changes in temperament in real life.

    • @motorcitymangababe
      @motorcitymangababe Рік тому +8

      Severe head trauma can do that even with modern medicine, so that's a real possibility

    • @manofhonor1685
      @manofhonor1685 6 місяців тому

      Also he was passed out for 66 days if i remember right. Some satan/demon symbolism

    • @persephone342
      @persephone342 2 місяці тому

      I’m with the TBI explanation. It’s logical and real.

  • @davturley3950
    @davturley3950 8 місяців тому +5

    I really enjoyed this stream! Fire & Blood has enough history type gaps that it leaves one eager for analysis. And Reading Rhaegar absolutely slaps, bro.

  • @shoyupacket5572
    @shoyupacket5572 Рік тому +22

    I've often thought about this as well since there are plenty examples in the lore of false histories, slander, and the like. I find these kind of topics in fantasy fascinating, it's why I like asoiaf so much because there's so much built in history to the lore but just as in our world you have no real idea of how valid any of it is.

  • @cityslacker6221
    @cityslacker6221 Рік тому +14

    The deeper dive’s on the text we have about Maegor and the discussion around him the last few years is one of the things that breathed life into my love for the non series text.

  • @jwt6577
    @jwt6577 Рік тому +32

    Maegor was handed a powder keg so it's impressive that he didn't ignite it and a lot of his story could be exaggerated to defame him but he definitely didn't make it better.

    • @PackLeader-1990
      @PackLeader-1990 Рік тому +4

      He could have been more passive and achieved a better end result but think of the times he was born into. The Faith traditionalists wanted the Targaryens gone plain & simple so Maegor gave them fire & blood on a massive scale. My only gripe with Maegor is the kinslaying & torture but it seems that he was born of dark magic so no surprise there.

  • @lucashunt4172
    @lucashunt4172 Рік тому +15

    Hey LML. Just wanted to clarify my comment. The parallel which I was referring to was about Dany replacing the children on the road to Meereen with the masters in relation to Maegor hanging the usurping knights of the Eerie. Wasn’t trying to say Dany is like Maegor only the similarities in relation to the tale being told. The Slavers Bay coalition is probably saying Dany crucified every last one of them out of spite. Which we know is not the truth.

    • @Michael-bn1oi
      @Michael-bn1oi Рік тому +1

      You aren't allowed to point out any contradictory parallels apparently lol

  • @Inqu33rsition
    @Inqu33rsition Рік тому +25

    I just missed by 26 minutes 😭 Watching now. Thank you for covering my favorite Targaryen! 🔥🐲 Maegor is such a mystery character. As much as I'd like a series for him, I'd hate hate hate him 😂

    • @Inqu33rsition
      @Inqu33rsition Рік тому +1

      One thing I've always wondered if why so often Daemon was compared to Maegor yet Aerys is rarely (of ever) compared. I'm sure if he had a clearer mind Aerys would have tried some of the things Maegor did.

    • @Michael-bn1oi
      @Michael-bn1oi Рік тому

      ​@@Inqu33rsition because Aerys was weak, incompetent, and a coward. Which sounds nothing like Maegor.

  • @tracymetherell8744
    @tracymetherell8744 Рік тому +53

    As always, help our friend David LML get noticed! Please leave a like and a comment to feed the algorithm. This analysis is so interesting and deep. Spread the word!

  • @timholland1764
    @timholland1764 Рік тому +4

    Always bringing the thoughtful content. Thanks Lml

  • @FLOridaM.o.m
    @FLOridaM.o.m Рік тому +8

    I really enjoyed having the color commentary on what is sometimes an otherwise dry read. Don’t get me wrong, I love this read and have redone it many times, but this was definitely an enhanced experience.

    • @DavidLightbringer
      @DavidLightbringer  Рік тому +3

      Thanks that's our goal! And I find summary books like Fire and Blood benefit greatly from slowing down and imagining what things would have been like

  • @cloverazar5315
    @cloverazar5315 10 місяців тому +5

    Re the heart attack theory at 2:27:16 - symptoms of heart attacks in men include gastrointestinal distress, such as loose stool, nausea, heartburn and indigestion. Symptoms such as chest tightness and cold sweat could have been dismissed by the maesters as anxiety and stress… and could easily have been a smaller heart attack, which Visenya was mitigating through sorcery… and went critical when the stress of the stress of Crake Hall gave him another

  • @Slechy_Lesh
    @Slechy_Lesh Рік тому +9

    27:00 Also, from reading Blood Rites I now believe that the earliest gods were predator beasts. This survives in things like national animals - almost always lethal predators - and the pelts warriors used to wear and names of military units? It comes from our earliest origins. We worshipped what killed us - and identified with it as we gradually overcame our constant prey status. Something to think about in terms of Valyrian history stretching perhaps all the way back.
    Thanks David, your symbolism approach to this fictional universe has given me a new perspective on creativity, a whole new way of thinking about fictional worlds.

  • @fawkescullen
    @fawkescullen Рік тому +19

    I think its often thought that Aegon loved two women, or was loved by two women - Visenya and Rehnys. But, what if Visenya and Aegon didn't necessary love each other (in the romantic sense) but DID both love Rehnys. And when Rehnys died, maybe they both resented each other because of their shared grief. Also, maybe Visenya resented Aegon for making peace, so to speak, with Dorne and that upset Visenya b/c of how Rehnys died. Rehnys does seem to be the linchpin that held Aegon and Visenya together. Just a thought.

    • @tylersmith3139
      @tylersmith3139 Рік тому +3

      I don't think they hated each other, I think it was more so that they both took the weight of uniting all of Westeros very seriously and that Rhaenys was a light hearted relief from all of that while Visenya was a constant reminder of it.

    • @MyNameMeansNames
      @MyNameMeansNames 3 місяці тому +2

      I always believed that it was Rhaenys whom Visenya was jealous of not Aegon( considering they are Targaryen's, probably romantically). She wanted her sister to love her but instead Rhaenys chose Aegon. So she never got to love Aegon after stealing Rhaenys from her. And as you said, leaving Rhaenys' death unpunished, he just killed their bond completely. And I think even after her death she kept loving her and by extension her son. Even though she obviously favoured her own son, she has never been rebellious against Aenys, she didn't even take action against rebellions without the consent of the king, even though she is a rogue queen by nature. Of course it may be also caused by the fact that if she let the chaos to grow it would fasten the rise of Maegor. But she kept giving Aenys honest suggestions all the time. It's very much open to questioning

    • @jeambeam3173
      @jeambeam3173 2 місяці тому +1

      ​@@MyNameMeansNamesthe only part of this thats kinda bs is Aegon literally burned every castle multiple times for Rhaenys. What was he suppose to do at that point? Like hey Visenya if you know how to make the Dornish bend the knee im all ears at that point what else could be done?

    • @MyNameMeansNames
      @MyNameMeansNames 2 місяці тому +1

      @@jeambeam3173 Actually Aegon wanted to revenge Rhaenys as much as Visenya did and they were on the same page till Yellow Toad's son sent him a letter which silenced Aegon for unknown reasons. I believe it's got something to do with the prophecy, but still to Visenya, he just seemed like he yielded by leaving all their efforts and loses to vein so far.

  • @Slechy_Lesh
    @Slechy_Lesh Рік тому +7

    1:44:00 the string of onions is maybe more of a stannis callout - making a parallel or maybe contrast between his strict justice and Orys' more personal vendetta form of justice

  • @lukewestwest
    @lukewestwest Рік тому +15

    REMEMBER young Bastard Baratheon .. I mean Joffrey 😅, is not the only person besides Maegor to murder/butcher a house cat Lmao. In the Dunk & Egg books Egg describes to Ser Duncan that his older brother Arian “BrightFlame” was cruel and evil, AND how he had killed one of Egg’s Cats .. but for some reason I think If remember correctly he may have thrown it down a well or something like that🤔. ANYWAY my point is that YES I think its safe to CONFIRM that THE BIGGEST MYSTERY IS SOLVED!! Maegor killed the cat… probably😂🤣

    • @DavidLightbringer
      @DavidLightbringer  Рік тому +1

      You're right, Aerion is another monster and animal-hurter

  • @NickAgatha
    @NickAgatha Рік тому +4

    Yes! I really wanted this video! I watched other videos on this issue and I really wanted to hear your take on this! Thanks for keeping me company on my six-hour trip!

  • @henrygroya1685
    @henrygroya1685 Рік тому +2

    Fantastic stream - was listening while working. Makes work so much better. Thank you David! Looking forward to the next one!

  • @memesnow3788
    @memesnow3788 3 місяці тому +1

    I’m dyslexic and sometimes I struggle to understand an author’s message. I really appreciate your ability to explain the meanings behind some of the more complex ideas George has expressed in his books.

  • @Guinnessdrnkr1234
    @Guinnessdrnkr1234 11 місяців тому +1

    The reading Rhaegar theme and Preston's Rouge Prince rift are my favorite!

  • @saraseveryn8650
    @saraseveryn8650 Рік тому +9

    King Aenys took dragons for granted. And his dragon blood.

  • @ramixaleandros5893
    @ramixaleandros5893 Рік тому +22

    Loved this stream. Biased as I'm fond of Visenya/Rhaenys so anything near or close to them is always a win for me.
    It's an interesting topic, how much of what is written do you believe? How much sounds absurd or out of character, how much is propaganda or written to make certain families or people, look bad? Maegor was always cruel, the trauma of his coma and then gaining power just set him loose.
    I wonder if going into a coma, being wounded that badly hurt him in a "strong warrior ego/pride" kind of way? Perhaps ignited a major grudge vs the faith.
    I always hated the FOT7, too many parallels to Catholicism for me to ever like it and I support removing some of their power. Especially removing their ability to have their own army. However Maegor was just awful to his family, his brides and just a tyrant after that.
    I doubt Visenya would ever talk publicly or infront of the dirty maesters but she always seemed to be a "for the family" type of Targaryen like Daemon. The marriage to Aegon being a "duty" for both I feel. I never believed she would poison Aenys, Aenys was just overwhelmed. I really wish we got more from Visenya before she died, what she thought of the King Mageor became.
    But great stream and looking forward to D&E and the next Maegor Stream. My girl Rhaena after, can't wait.

    • @cosmicriptid
      @cosmicriptid Рік тому +1

      I agree with how you feel about Visenya. Aenys did seem to get better. He just collapsed with stress, which absolutely can kill you.

    • @MrFredstt
      @MrFredstt Рік тому

      I for one think Maegor got brain damage after being in a coma for that long

    • @ramixaleandros5893
      @ramixaleandros5893 Рік тому

      Maybe, though people don't come back the way they were before after "death" possible Maegor was changed as well. @@MrFredstt

  • @braydenhooper8277
    @braydenhooper8277 Рік тому +2

    That reading rainbow was funky as hell

  • @nadiasouthiere7908
    @nadiasouthiere7908 Рік тому +2

    Thanks 🙏🏻 for sharing this stream LML! Love your videos👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻♥️🙋🏼‍♀️🇨🇦

  • @jesperlarsson2058
    @jesperlarsson2058 Рік тому +3

    Always enjoy your content, awesome work!

  • @TuathaTuna
    @TuathaTuna Рік тому +1

    Perfect explanation(s) and deep dive theories as always!

  • @lucashunt4172
    @lucashunt4172 Рік тому +4

    Great stream. Lots of interesting analysis of the tale of Maegor as told by the maesters.

  • @StormbornDragon
    @StormbornDragon Рік тому +9

    i also wonder how we were meant to interpret dany calling herself aegon and specifically maegor’s blood. is it just bc he’s a targ who ruled with an iron first or something more? love dany though

    • @DavidLightbringer
      @DavidLightbringer  Рік тому +11

      Just a sort of intimidating, violent spirit to conjure up at need

    • @wolfsbanealphas617
      @wolfsbanealphas617 Рік тому +3

      @@DavidLightbringer I feel he was more or less cruel then the people of his time remember he was fighting religious extremism we know such people require a certain level of ruthlessness when fighting against their violence

    • @Michael-bn1oi
      @Michael-bn1oi Рік тому +2

      ​@@DavidLightbringer I don't think George would just pointlessly throw out such heavy symbolism. Maegor has no reason to even be brought up in the series unless there is some connection to him.
      Clearly it means something. Like it or not. History doesn't repeat, but it rhymes. Everything Martin keeps reminding us about (like Maegor) is going to have its Rhyme.
      Doesn't mean it will be Dany though. Could be that Jon wakes up from his Coma a little...aggressive.

  • @JohnCurtisGoodman
    @JohnCurtisGoodman Рік тому +1

    Looking forward to part 2! Loved this section of Fire and Blood but I haven't read it in years so it was really fun to hear you go through moment by moment and do some interpretation! Also I've always thought "Maegor the Cruel" is such a top tier fantasy name, so evocative.

  • @CDN-
    @CDN- Рік тому +22

    Not related to Maegor but on the topic of cruelty, I think I know George’s inspiration for the Brave Companions.
    While I was rereading the Brave Companions’ introduction in ASOS, I was struck by the similarity to the intruduction of Glanton’s Gang in Blood Meridian. They ride into town looking like absolute freaks, and immediately their leader stands out to the pov character. The awful cruelty of both parties is apparent.
    Judge Holden doesn’t seem to have a single clear adaptation into the brave companions, but a few members share similarities. Biter shares his physical appearance as a massive bald albino, Septon Utt is a pedophile like him, and (this one is loose) when Vargo Hoat wears his helmet he looks like Baphomet, who is connected sometimes to the devil, and Judge Holden symbolizes the devil.
    This might be a coincidence, but I think the closeness in the names Bloody Mummers/Blood Meridian would make George chuckle, coincidence or not.
    Really hope you see this LmL, lemme know what you think :)

    • @DavidLightbringer
      @DavidLightbringer  Рік тому +11

      So I've only heard about that book, as opposed to having read it, but it makes sense, and Vargo is meant as an avatar of the Black Goat of Qohor, who is 100% baphomet

  • @andrewdockree3753
    @andrewdockree3753 Рік тому +1

    Smashed it out the park again!

  • @jeffreybennett177
    @jeffreybennett177 Рік тому +1

    Another wonderful stream🥳keep up the good work!

  • @delsinmunroe5067
    @delsinmunroe5067 4 місяці тому +2

    As far as the dany-maegor connection goes i think its really there just to express how serious dany is about her liberation of the slaves. She can be brutal in her liberation

  • @staticdynamic1605
    @staticdynamic1605 Рік тому +2

    Always love your content.

  • @KBlanca513
    @KBlanca513 Рік тому +2

    Visenya had more power than Alysanne. Visenya spoke with the authority of the crown, Aegon didn’t tell her what to do. Just 50 years later Alysanne had to petition her husband to get what she wanted done. There was already a loss of power for women in that 50 years.

  • @DrDetfink
    @DrDetfink 3 місяці тому +2

    Maegor’s reign was very interesting. Maybe the Andrew Jackson of Westeros? Taking over Westeros was one thing, settling in as the sole ruler is another. The Targaryens have always had a harder time being politicians than Conquerors. Maegor had his father’s fighting traits but none of the skills required to deal with the Faith Militant, Dorne, & Northern concerns. With House of the Dragon, Maegor probably read the Hightowers and Faith as usurpers.

  • @ovp3606
    @ovp3606 Рік тому +6

    I think that another possibility of Maegor’s eggs could be Quicksilver, Aenys’ she-dragon.

  • @willem-janageling3907
    @willem-janageling3907 Рік тому +2

    I love these kinds of streams analyzing a topic in debth while going through the books.

  • @KBlanca513
    @KBlanca513 Рік тому +1

    “hanging like onions” - onions are often stored by hanging them in groups on a string.

  • @willbunch01
    @willbunch01 6 місяців тому +2

    this is super pedantic, but I am a pedantic person. A bastard sword is a Longsword on the shorter end, which is about 3 to 4 feet long. So a bastard sword is roughly in the 3 - 3.5 feet range. Longswords and bastards swords are both two handed swords and are pretty fast and light for that size. Greatswords are much larger and used more like polearms. So him struggling to hold blackfyre is pretty bad in terms of his strength.

  • @Just.AllieEggart
    @Just.AllieEggart Місяць тому +1

    Love your rendition of “Reading Rhagar”😂

  • @MichaelTargaryen8809
    @MichaelTargaryen8809 Рік тому +10

    so I've apparently watched your channel enough over the last 48 hours to get me to have a full-blown dream that i was watching one of your streams 😂😂😂😅

    • @MichaelTargaryen8809
      @MichaelTargaryen8809 Рік тому +4

      it was a good stream too from what i recall, but looking back it was clearly a dream cuz u were wearing a plain shirt which you never do lol

    • @DavidLightbringer
      @DavidLightbringer  Рік тому +4

      😅😅😅

    • @DavidLightbringer
      @DavidLightbringer  Рік тому +6

      That's the sign for if I'm ever kidnapped and forced to stream against my will. I'll say "f--k the smallfolk anyway" ans wear a plain shirt. Yall will know I need rescuing 😅😅

    • @sierrabird3817
      @sierrabird3817 Рік тому +1

      ⁠​⁠@@DavidLightbringer badmouth Bloodraven to let us know it’s an emergency 😂

  • @devoleno
    @devoleno Рік тому +4

    None of Maegor's circle of Targaryens were remembered as cruel. So I doubt it's exaggerated by the Maesters. He cut up a horse bc it kicked him. If you are around horses, you know of the potential to be kicked. It's not that serious. Maegeor's response to that situation is enough to demonstrate his cruel streak. George is demonstrating the difference between ruling with fear vs love.

    • @MorallyDubiousFrog
      @MorallyDubiousFrog Рік тому +2

      He didn’t just cut up the horse, he also slashed the face of a stable boy who came to investigate the sounds of the horse being cut up.

  • @jschoma11
    @jschoma11 Рік тому +4

    Could Blackfyre having been burned with Aegon and getting darker be more than just a physical change?
    I believe Vakyrian steel is made with blood sacrifice and contains a soul(s).
    Maybe the added darkness is the addition of Aegon I's soul to the blade?

  • @rafanando4207
    @rafanando4207 8 місяців тому +2

    Don't know if they cover it later in the vide, but if Aegons prophecy was a factor i really feel like Visenya and Maegor acted out because of the prophecy while Aenys really didn't mind it, just a thought

  • @therunningman_
    @therunningman_ Рік тому +1

    amazing as always! 🔥

  • @emlynperson3976
    @emlynperson3976 7 місяців тому +1

    considering the dagger one might think maegor got a secret message when he retrieved blackfire from the pire

  • @DavidbarZeus1
    @DavidbarZeus1 Рік тому +7

    On the size of Blackfyre, a bastard sword is apparently about four feet long including the hilt (the hilt itself making up about ten inches of the length,) and light enough to wield with one hand. It's longer than an arming sword, but shorter than a greatsword, able to be used both on horseback and on foot. The arming sword was best used by footmen and the greatsword on horseback, which is why it's so huge.
    Interestingly, Dark Sister is classified as a longsword, which is another term for a bastard sword. So the only difference between the two swords of House Targaryen is that Dark Sister was slimmer, probably only saving a few ounces of weight.

    • @tylersmith3139
      @tylersmith3139 Рік тому +1

      Greatswords were mainly use on foot, they're an even longer version of the Longsword/2 handed sword, a bastard sword was a 1½ handed sword and arming sword was a true 1 handed sword).
      Lances and spears are traditional European cavalry weapons, a great sword would be pretty unwieldy on horseback.

    • @DavidbarZeus1
      @DavidbarZeus1 Рік тому

      @@tylersmith3139 A sword as big as a man used on foot? That doesn’t make any sense. A secondary weapon for cavalry makes more sense.

    • @Michael-bn1oi
      @Michael-bn1oi Рік тому +1

      ​@@DavidbarZeus1 You are incorrect. Cavalry sword are generally shorter, curved, and frequently aren't even that sharp.
      You can do literally any research and find out You are wrong.
      Can't swing bigger swords at speed on a horse. Wind resistance. Bigger swords are used on foot.
      But in real life bigger swords were not common at all.

    • @ddpzzp553
      @ddpzzp553 Рік тому

      thoguh valyrian steel is less heavy than normal still so that would have an effect

  • @bruceswayn9628
    @bruceswayn9628 Рік тому +4

    I always saw Maegor and Aneys as like the Bratheon brothers in Game/Clash. Maegor is Roberts physicality and Stannis's iron, blunt personality, cruelty as a necessary sometimes. Whereas Aneys is what Renly would have been like as king. Good to look at but to influenced and ruled by others.

    • @DavidLightbringer
      @DavidLightbringer  Рік тому +4

      I mean Maegor and Stannis aren't really comparable. Stannis is just, not cruel, and not psychopathic.

    • @bruceswayn9628
      @bruceswayn9628 Рік тому +7

      @@DavidLightbringer My point was that maybe Maegor wasn't either. Imagine Stannis's story told 100 years after the fact by people that didn't like everything he did. Create some stories about incidents when he was a kid (like people reporting he smiled or laughed when his parents ship was smashed under Storms End), change the perspective of the siege at Storms End as something malicious with refusing to surrender, or his punishment of Davos as cruel mockery of a commoner who helped him (something like "oh I'll reward you for this but I'll take something from you to so everyone will know how low you are" and maybe Stannis force Davos to have the onion banner as another jape from him). Burning people and claiming the throne is just an elevation of his "cruel" nature. We know its not that way but history might see it different.

    • @bruceswayn9628
      @bruceswayn9628 Рік тому +1

      even the loyalty to his brother until after his death.

    • @ShelbyOfOldStones
      @ShelbyOfOldStones Рік тому +2

      ⁠@@DavidLightbringer I think we can say that Stannis and Maegor were comparable in their steadfast stubbornness. I’m sure Visenya and Maegor believed they were doing the right thing to secure their family’s dynasty, same as Stannis did. One man’s justice is another man’s cruelty.

    • @soxpeewee
      @soxpeewee 7 місяців тому

      ​@@DavidLightbringerRobert is more like Maegor than Stannis

  • @christianlaw1992
    @christianlaw1992 Рік тому +5

    David, does the prophecy from hotd make you change your opinion on maegor at all? When I first read fire and blood I thought he was just trying to establish targ rule. But now I think he saw himself as the potential savior of the world. The only person with the strength and will to win the war of the dawn. He’s obviously a pos but in my eyes it’s makes him more sympathetic.

  • @plasmiusphantom
    @plasmiusphantom 24 дні тому +1

    These Valeryian Steel Greatswords (Ice and Heart's Bane) should be pretty easy to wield for any competent swordsman. They're supposed to be much lighter

  • @cosmicriptid
    @cosmicriptid Рік тому +1

    Dude raped his niece, murdered one nephew, had the other tortured to death, and threatened to murder the rest of his brother's descendants. I'd say he is pretty solidly in "bad person" territory.

  • @MattBrausen
    @MattBrausen Рік тому +2

    LML: "If you're a neuro-d like me..." my obsession with this channel makes so much more sense 😂

  • @ryasa777
    @ryasa777 Рік тому

    Reading F&B the first time Sons of the Dragon was one of my fav sections and Rhaena my favorite Targ. Would LOVE a show covering that whole time

  • @jorahtheexplorer3262
    @jorahtheexplorer3262 Рік тому +3

    1980s kids rock!

  • @sinthoras1917
    @sinthoras1917 Рік тому +6

    My opinion on Maegor, based on the book, but I read it last a few months ago:
    I think Maegor turned out a kind of botched version of George's gray character.
    He does things that are just objectively good in the context of the story as I understand it, like saving House Targaryen from extinction multiple times, which is necessary to save the world.
    And often, many things reported about him imo are just clearly Maester Propaganda, like the negative reporting on crushing the faith militant, the faith's power, and Aegon the stupid, all of that can easily be justified, and is not a negative thing.
    However, certain things, like especially torturing and killing Viserys, is not just cruel, but downright stupid strategically, and I have yet to wrap my head around it besides George just wanting to make Maegor weirdly stupidly cruel. Similar things apply to his treatment of his wifes, the killing of the masons, and more. And the possible mass murder of smallfolk pretending them to be faith militant fighters (ordered by a king who in the trial of seven relied on popular support no less!) is in that weird place between George apparently making Maegor just stupidly cruel and Maester Propaganda.
    I could write a lot more on how I think George's own philosophy and morals play into this, especially when comparing him to Jaehaerys, but that's too long for me to do atm.
    Looking forward to watching the stream, maybe I'll change my mind on a few things, I'll report back when I'm eventually done.

    • @Ashbrash1998
      @Ashbrash1998 Рік тому +2

      It's hard to say on SOME things, because some things of the things he did others had already. A lot of stuff Tywin did was royally brutal and similar to Maelor, but Tywin isn't called evil or mad he's just "ruthless". Then again we also have to take into account that F&B isn't accurate at all and is written by maesters hundreds of years later, and one major fact is we don't know WHY Magor did what he did. Did he do messed up stuff, 100%, but what wwas his reasoning? Was he like Joffrey or was he like Jamie? Did he know of Aegon's phrophecy and did whatever he thought was the right thing to do. Alas, we really don't know, since history is written by the winners.

    • @barryhercules7588
      @barryhercules7588 Рік тому

      @@Ashbrash1998 "Everyones a hero in there own story", and why would you do anything if you didnt think it was the right thing to do? Psycopaths generally believe they are entitled and correct to be doing what they do, thats what makes them so terrifying. Its a reason for their behaviour, not an excuse. Yes Maegor undoubtably knew of the prophecy and the text implies his mother may have been a bit pushy that they needed a strong Targ king and once his soft brother was gone ...it doesnt make his usurping any less evil. Parallel of the bloodtsone emperor / GETD civil war? GRRM usually gives strong signposts to outright propaganda in the text, and youll get some random exile offspring/supporter in a later period giving the other side of the conflict (we have loads of that for the blackfyres, and examples of wildings pointing out not everyone thinks the starks are good guys etc ) ...but in Maegors case the maesters have either done the best job ever of whitewashing history or he just was a dick. Its not even like the stories are plausible or given multiple versions like the Baelor miracles. To me this is the least grey character representing the extreme of one aspect of Targ personality traits they all have in varying levels (suggestion of their being some kind of passing on not just of blood but fragments of ancestors souls via the dragons and eggs), and hard parraells his brother whos too much of a conciliator and humanist to understand the threats. Dannys story and Jons to a lesser extent seems to be all about learning how to use and balance these different aspects and find a way to achieve her moral and political aims....and end game feels like they will realise its using superhuman powers to impose control over people thats maybe causing a lot of the conflict in the first place.

    • @sinthoras1917
      @sinthoras1917 Рік тому

      I dont have much comment after finishing, but I never understood the faith militant going to the sept of remembrance to mean that they were following the verdict of the trial, it read to me like they were *still* DEBATING about *whether* to follow it, with a substantial part of them atleast arguing for betraying the verdict of their own holy faith's rules, to preserve the power of organized religion in Westeros.
      To attack this bunch of traitorous, power hungry lying hypocrits was never a negative thing in my book.

    • @adamantiiispencespence4012
      @adamantiiispencespence4012 Рік тому +1

      I wouldn't say botched so much as obscured, fog of history style. George drawa on history, mythology and folklore. In real history King John I of England imprisoned and later killed his nephew Arthur and it was a PR nightmare for him but he went on ruling. Also Vlad The Impaler has more than a few parallels with Maegor. He was brutal to his own people but is still seen as a national hero.

  • @TheoAndHisPedals
    @TheoAndHisPedals Рік тому +1

    You have a pristine slap tone. Marcus Miller would be proud.

    • @DavidLightbringer
      @DavidLightbringer  Рік тому

      I basically play the same bass as him, a 70s J bass. Marcus is the man, I love the way he plays leads. So melodic, never wanky. Love me some Stanley Clarke and Bootsy is my #1

  • @howardbiel1958
    @howardbiel1958 Рік тому +1

    The order of the green hand has some really good videos on this subject.

  • @milkmilk2328
    @milkmilk2328 Рік тому +1

    Another Good stream, Looking forward to the next stream.

  • @MrFredstt
    @MrFredstt Рік тому +1

    If only Aenys had just a BIT of Maegor in him he would've been a great king. I think him and Maegor were on either side of extremes and I think that's why both were poor kings. Also, as a side note, I see a ton of parallels between and Aenys and Viserys I in their general temperament and passiveness

  • @cosmicriptid
    @cosmicriptid Рік тому

    Giving off a slightly threatening aura is one of the best ways to make sure you don't have to hurt anyone to keep power and order. If they believe you can harm them, you will not have to prove it.

  • @Ozymandias____
    @Ozymandias____ Рік тому

    I’ve been asking this since I first heard of meagor and now the light bringing crow quells my curiosity

  • @thomasnicolle8339
    @thomasnicolle8339 2 місяці тому

    The head injury seems like a Henry the VIII parallel. He fell off his horse jousting at one point sustaining an injury and two hours of unconsciousness. Many historians think this played a large part in his increased cruelty thereafter

  • @samk522
    @samk522 Рік тому +1

    Aenys and Maegor are just Good Kirk and Evil Kirk from that one episode of Star Trek.

  • @jobobtargaryen1258
    @jobobtargaryen1258 2 місяці тому

    Everyone ignored Maegor, until Yi Ti bombed the Iron Islands 🤣

  • @fawkescullen
    @fawkescullen Рік тому +4

    Wasn't Joanna the first cousin of Tywin?

    • @cosmicriptid
      @cosmicriptid Рік тому

      Yeah cousins is seen as fine, just not siblings or your parents' siblings.

  • @jschoma11
    @jschoma11 Рік тому

    I can't believe I missed the Maegor stream! I don't currently have a phone so I'm down bad. I would have been all over this!

  • @leslieshE
    @leslieshE Рік тому +2

    Ok I've been thinking and I don't believe Visenya killed Aenys, but she might have "helped" him end his sufferings. At that point Aenys was just the shadow of himself and he probably thought his kids would be dead soon and maybe after his stroke instead of trying to get better he asks Visenya to let him go. We know she thinks Maegor more competent to rule so she would have accepted Aenys's request. Putting what she believes to be the best for the house targ before Aenys's life.

  • @greggwright9640
    @greggwright9640 6 місяців тому +2

    Supposed to be that dragon can be both…choosing their sex

  • @ToucanBinks
    @ToucanBinks Рік тому

    Thanks for another video, my friend 👍

  • @jesseandersen4055
    @jesseandersen4055 3 місяці тому +1

    I personally think theres no reason to think the hatchlings are new eggs. We know that hatching dragons takes far more than just incubation. You need at least a special targaryen, likely a woman. Perhaps rhaena. The targs always had plenty of eggs, but only now qll kd a sudden they are hatching. We have no evidence of a specific amount of time from egg laying to hatching. There were also 4 other dragons aside from the main 3 that could have been laying many eggs for the last hundred years on dragonstone we dont know when they died

  • @cosmicriptid
    @cosmicriptid Рік тому

    I'm currently writing an alt history where they decide to share power, under the concept that no one person can rule seven kingdoms alone. So far it has solved some conflicts, caused others, and mostly just made things more confusing. I'm having fun.

  • @TeboMoney6
    @TeboMoney6 Рік тому

    Hey what’s sup bro , I got into GOT because of you , I really more into the dragons frfr . I wanted to send you those picture of balerion to see what you think ? @1:36:36 . The artist did a great job ! Crazy how big balerion was in the 2nd picture , with the king ! It’s almost scary how huge he was , his fire could probably burn for days …… it’s kinda scary too how his fire was black … it almost feels like a volcano when it erupts with the ashes , and it just crushes anything in its direction! Appreciate your videos my guy 💯

  • @elegy9326
    @elegy9326 11 місяців тому +2

    Dont dismiss the nasty comment as sarcastic. Misogyny is real snf perpetuated by real misogynists. Dont assume we all know better because someone is committing the violence.

  • @honoratagold
    @honoratagold Рік тому +1

    @ 41:45 or so, you're discussing the Faith being against sibling marriage and parent-child marriage, but not cousin marriage. That's pretty accurate to historical Europe's opinion on the whole thing at least as far as noble families go -- cousin marriage and aunt/uncle-nephew/niece marriages were pretty common among European nobility for a while there. It does make sense. 1) Generally, you don't grow up with your cousins the same way you do your parents and siblings, so the Westermarck effect won't kick in with them, but also 2) You start seeing genetic problems from brother-sister procreation faster than first-cousin procreation.
    If first cousins marrying and having kids is a one-off, it's usually fine from a genetic/birth defect standpoint -- it's only continual cousin marriage [or uncle-niece or aunt-nephew marriage] that starts showing problems. A lot of the people in the Habsburg line early in their habit of marrying within the extended family had no real issues -- you only start seeing noticeable visual issues when you've got multiple cousin-marriages in a row. This is actually why cousin marriage isn't illegal in many states -- historically, it has not been considered incest the same way sibling marriage is.
    I'm not saying we should all go out and marry our cousins -- I'm saying even in our culture, there was a perceived difference between these two things not that long ago -- and honestly even now. I'd be *way* less concerned if someone I knew said they were marrying their cousin than if they said they were marrying their brother or sister.

  • @fmc7774
    @fmc7774 Рік тому +6

    maegor the cool

    • @Living_Liquid_Light
      @Living_Liquid_Light Рік тому +2

      Gigachad does not equal cool but it does equal gigachad 😂

  • @cosmicriptid
    @cosmicriptid Рік тому +1

    It's sad that all the Targaryens who I feel could have been the best rulers are killed or disregarded before they get a chance. (Rhaena and Aegon and Viserys, Aemon and Jocelyn and Baelon, Rhaenys, Jacaerys and Baela)

  • @cosmicriptid
    @cosmicriptid Рік тому

    Tyanna's deal was always interesting to me.

  • @cosmicriptid
    @cosmicriptid Рік тому

    First men didn't seem to care much about bloodlines beyond "I'm descended from a great warrior." They would probably care the most about healthy strong children as opposed to noble births.

  • @jamesbong1508
    @jamesbong1508 Рік тому +3

    Bro your putting out content to quick ! I don’t have enough house chores to listen to it all! That’s it I’m buying a bigger house !

  • @dsdgjj
    @dsdgjj Рік тому

    Maegor is fascinating! and seems in some ways to be inspired by Henry VII of England, what with the many wives and fertility issues, but also in that Henry was injured in a jousting tournament and suffered an injury to his leg that never fully healed, so for the latter half of his life he was in near constant pain and unable to exercise as he previously had, leading to his severe weight gain. some accounts also mention him being unconscious for several hours after he was thrown from his horse, so some people believe he may have suffered some head trauma, which could also explain how much more cantankerous he became later in life! just some cool interesting facts (sorry if you talk about this later on, I haven't made it through the whole video yet!)

  • @cosmicriptid
    @cosmicriptid Рік тому

    Concerning Larissa Velaryon, it always seemed strange to me that a Velaryon, the second most powerful house in the realm and descendents of old Valyria, the niece of the queen, and cousin to the future rulers, was married off to a second son. Then her daughter to an elderly lord. Like that sucks, if Rhaena wasn't around she might have been considered a match for the future king.

  • @Cyr-Freekraken
    @Cyr-Freekraken Рік тому +2

    Targaryens really are the ND house of mystics (half joking). More seriously, what really seems to undo them is their belief that they can -and must- save the world themselves -some remember they will be needing help with that at least, Maegor I'm not so sure about yet.
    Also, so true they really have the hoards of books somewhere -or did. Like two Targaryens were reading the Seven Pointed Star, Baelor and his cousin[?] Naerys, and so that hoard diminished a fair bit if I remember correctly.

  • @Argos-xb8ek
    @Argos-xb8ek Рік тому +1

    It was all Jaehaerys and Faith Militant propaganda Maegor was the savior of the Targaryen Dynasty

  • @trevorwinn5012
    @trevorwinn5012 Рік тому +1

    I forgot the part where Lord Tully tells Aines to mount Quicksilver and go put a swift end to Harren the Red but he says no and commands Lord Tully to call his banners instead 😂😂😂😂 I mean it don't get much weaker than that ! If he had actually mounted Quicksilver and went on and swiftly ended Harren in flames I bet no one else would've challenged his reign , SMH

  • @Beth0626
    @Beth0626 9 місяців тому +1

    Huge parallels between King Viserys I and King Aenys I. They might as well be the same person🤦‍♀️ weak and wishy-washy af

  • @LitcheTheArsm
    @LitcheTheArsm Рік тому +2

    Omg I looked at the clock exactly when it turned 04:20 am here in Sweden, praise Garth!

  • @weareham3068
    @weareham3068 7 місяців тому

    “That’s just a baby” lmaooo

  • @markagrippa4018
    @markagrippa4018 Рік тому +1

    I think Maegor wasn't that bad, OFC he did some very insane things but what he did do was ensure the survival and prosperity of the Targaryen's, even with Dragons (which can be killed) a King like Aenys without strong heirs would doom a new dynasty, if Maegor died before Aenys the Targs would have been finished. Obviously a good balance like Jaehaerys would be best but one of the main reasons the realm fell into line for Jaehaerys was because of the fear and power Maegor instilled in the realm.

    • @DavidLightbringer
      @DavidLightbringer  Рік тому +2

      oh wow it's like you didn't watch any of this video and then just commented anyway with a very bad take which I put to bed early on in the presentation. no he did not ensure the survival of house Targaryen, it was Jaehaerys and Alysanne and Rhaena who saved it. Maegor was driving it into the ground. And yes he was that bad, he tortured and mutilated his wives and genocided house Harroway. Absolutely terrible and verifiably baseless take from you

    • @DavidLightbringer
      @DavidLightbringer  Рік тому

      he massacred Warriors Sons in the Sept of Remembrance AFTER they had abided by the ceasefire for thirty days. That was a war crime / dishonorable act by ANY measure and it was a massacre of hundreds / thousands of people

    • @DavidLightbringer
      @DavidLightbringer  Рік тому +1

      you're right that Aenys was a terrible King, but that didn't justify Maegor and you got everything else wrong. additionally, no dynasty has a fundamental right to exist, so it's insane to even go down the road of trying to justify any level of cruelty to maintain the existence of a royal dynasty

    • @markagrippa4018
      @markagrippa4018 Рік тому

      Not justifying the killling of innocent people but the Warrior Sons were not innocent bystanders I can only imagine the crimes a militant religious order commits on a daily basis, not to mention the years of treason and trying wipe out his family line @@DavidLightbringer

    • @markagrippa4018
      @markagrippa4018 Рік тому

      If by putting it to bed you mean you gave your opinion sure @@DavidLightbringer

  • @curtthechameleon
    @curtthechameleon 5 місяців тому +2

    Maegor needs Better Help.

  • @cj1289
    @cj1289 28 днів тому

    Love that song ❤

  • @cosmicriptid
    @cosmicriptid Рік тому

    The first men north of the wall never marry from their own tribe, and the men of the Night's Watch, which includes many northerners, are disgusted by Crastor. (Although in my opinion that's beyond the worst kind of incest.)