Duncan Targaryen
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 Duncan Targaryen, as depicted by Karla Ortiz in The World of Ice & Fire | ||||
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| Aliases | ||||
| Title | Prince of Dragonstone (renounced) | |||
| Allegiance | House Targaryen | |||
| Race | Valyrian | |||
| Culture | Crownlands | |||
| Born | 220–224 AC[2] | |||
| Died |
259 AC Summerhall[3] | |||
| Father | King Aegon V Targaryen | |||
| Mother | Queen Betha Blackwood | |||
| Spouse | Lady Jenny of Oldstones[4] | |||
| Books |
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Prince Duncan Targaryen, also known as Duncan the Small and the Prince of Dragonflies,[1] was a member of House Targaryen. He was the first son of King Aegon V Targaryen and his Queen Betha Blackwood,[5] but gave up the throne for love.[6]
History
Prince Duncan was the first child and eldest son born to then-Prince Aegon "Egg" Targaryen and his wife Betha Blackwood. He was named for his father's dearest friend, Ser Duncan the Tall, and so was nicknamed "Duncan the Small".[1] In 233 AC, Duncan's grandfather King Maekar died in the Peake Uprising, and through the decision of the Great Council of 233 AC, Maekar's fourth son Aegon became king of Westeros. Duncan, Aegon's eldest son, became Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne.[5]
Jenny of Oldstones
In 237 AC, Prince Duncan was betrothed to a daughter of Lyonel Baratheon of Storm's End, one of several advantageous betrothals arranged by his mother at that time. However, in 239 AC, while traveling in the riverlands, Duncan encountered and fell in love with and married a "strange, lovely, and mysterious" peasant woman known as Jenny of Oldstones.[5]
Despite the fact that King Aegon had married for love himself, and was a friend to the smallfolk and had practically grown up with them, he could not approve of the marriage of the heir to the throne to a commoner, and did all he could to have it undone. But Duncan stubbornly refused to put Jenny aside, even when the High Septon, Grand Maester, and small council joined together to insist that he choose between the Iron Throne and his wife. Rather than give up Jenny, Duncan abdicated as Prince of Dragonstone, and gave up his claim to the throne in favor of his brother Jaehaerys. After this, Duncan became known as "the Prince of Dragonflies".[5][6]
Unfortunately, even Duncan's abdication could not restore the peace. Duncan's spurned betrothed had been greatly grieved when he broke their betrothal. Her father, Lord Lyonel Baratheon, was so enraged by the shame and dishonor brought to House Baratheon that he renounced his fealty to the Iron Throne and declared himself Storm King.[7] A short, bloody rebellion followed, which only ended when Ser Duncan the Tall of the Kingsguard defeated Lord Lyonel in single combat. King Aegon also betrothed his youngest daughter Rhaelle, Duncan's sister, to Lord Lyonel's heir, and she was sent to Storm's End.[5]
Eventually Jenny of Oldstones was accepted at court, where she was politely called "Lady Jenny".[8]
Later life
Prince Duncan defeated Ser Barristan Selmy in the tourney at Blackhaven in 247 AC, when Barristan was only a ten-year-old squire and participating in the tourney as a mystery knight. Prince Duncan took pity on the small knight and jousted against him when no one else would, giving Barristan the nickname "the Bold".[1][9] Years later, in 253 AC, Duncan was defeated by Barristan at the winter tourney at King's Landing.[1]
In 259 AC, Prince Duncan died in the tragedy at Summerhall along with his father, King Aegon V Targaryen, his namesake Ser Duncan the Tall, and several other members of the royal court.[10][3][11]
Legacy
Jenny of Oldstones and the Prince of Dragonflies were a favorite subject of singers for many years.[8] There is at least one song about Duncan and Jenny's romance.[12] "Jenny's song" is most likely one of them.[13][14][15]
A young Catelyn Tully and Petyr Baelish once pretended to be Jenny and Duncan when they were at Oldstones.[14]
Quotes
The Prince of Dragonflies loved Jenny of Oldstones so much he cast aside a crown, and Westeros paid the price in corpses.[6]
Afterward Prince Duncan helped him to his feet and removed his helm. "A boy," he had proclaimed to the crowd. "A bold boy."[9]
—Barristan Selmy remembering the tourney at Blackhaven, where Duncan proclaimed him Barristan the Bold
Family
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 67, Jaime VIII.
- ↑ See the Duncan Targaryen calculation.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Aegon V Targaryen.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Stormlands: House Baratheon.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 67, The Kingbreaker.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Stormlands: House Baratheon.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 59, The Discarded Knight.
- ↑ The Citadel: FAQ: What happened at Summerhall
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys II.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 10, Sansa I.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 43, Arya VIII.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 45, Catelyn V.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Epilogue.