The Faith and Targaryen Exceptionalism

This thread traces the conflict over whether the Targaryens are subject to the Faith’s laws on incest, marriage, and royal legitimacy.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Valyrian Marriage Meets Westeros

Two Traditions A Dynastic Custom Targaryens regard marriage between close kin as a means of preserving dragonlord blood and tradition. A Religious Objection The Faith condemns incest and plural marriage. Aegon’s political accommodation postpones the conflict rather than resolving it.

Aenys and the Uprising

Doctrine Becomes Revolt Public Condemnation The High Septon condemns Aenys’s children as illegitimate. The Faith Militant turns the dispute into armed rebellion. Religious Authority Challenges Royal Power The crisis shows that dragonfire can win obedience but not settled legitimacy. Aenys’s hesitation magnifies the danger.

Maegor’s Coercive Settlement

Force Suppresses Opposition Violence Against the Faith Maegor destroys the Warrior’s Sons and punishes religious opposition through executions and dragonfire. Victory Without Trust The immediate challenge is crushed, but fear replaces consent. His methods help make reconciliation necessary for his successor.

Exceptionalism Is Explained

A Religious Compromise The Seven Speakers Jaehaerys sends preachers to present Alysanne as pious and beloved, while articulating a special status for the Targaryens. A New Doctrine Exceptionalism accepts the general rule against incest but argues that dragonriders are different. It transforms an embarrassing royal custom into an official compromise.

The Compromise Endures

Faith and Crown Cooperate A Political Election Jaehaerys and Donnel Hightower influence the selection of a High Septon who supports Exceptionalism. Conditional Stability The agreement permits dynastic continuity, but depends on political relationships and the silence of later religious leaders.

Before and during the Conquest

41–42 AC, after Aegon and Rhaena marry

42–48 AC, during Maegor’s reign

51 AC, during Jaehaerys’s early rule

54 AC, during the selection of a new High Septon