King Baelor I Targaryen, the "Blessed" and one of the most beloved Targaryen monarchs, died without a surviving son, creating a succession question that reshaped the dynasty. He was succeeded by his cousin, Viserys II Targaryen, who ruled briefly before passing the throne to Baelor’s nephew, Aegon IV Targaryen. This succession established a line that would define the later Targaryen era, leading directly to the Blackfyre Rebellions. This evergreen explainer details the bloodline, the precise inheritance path, and how Baelor’s legacy influenced the Seven Kingdoms long after his death.
The Line of Succession: From Baelor to the Iron Throne
To understand who wore the crown after Baelor, it is essential to map his family. Baelor I was the son of King Aegon III and Queen Daenaera, placing him firmly within the first generation of Targaryen rulers following Aegon’s Conquest. He had no children, and his wife, Queen Daena, was his niece. Because he left no legitimate heirs, the Great Council of Lords and Kingsguard was effectively bypassed in favor of Agnatic succession, passing the crown to the nearest eligible male relative. This set the stage for a decade of relative stability followed by increasing decadence.
Viserys II Targaryen: The Brief Interim
Viserys II Targaryen was the younger brother of Aegon IV and Baelor I’s uncle. Despite being bypassed initially due to his status as the "middle brother," he became the immediate heir upon Baelor’s death because he was the closest adult male in the direct bloodline. His reign was short, lasting only about a year, but it was crucial for stabilizing the realm and ensuring a smooth transition. He served as a caretaker king, preserving the peace and upholding the legacy of his pious nephew until he could pass the crown to his own son.
Aegon IV Targaryen: The Lineage Unleashed
Upon Viserys II’s death, the throne passed to his eldest son, Aegon IV Targaryen, who is remembered as "Aegon the Unworthy." This succession marked a turning point. Aegon IV was decadent, corrupt, and infamous for his numerous bastards and the creation of the notorious Blackfyre legitimization on his deathbed. The transfer of power from Baelor’s line to Aegon IV’s direct descendants ignited the ideological and military conflict known as the First Blackfyre Rebellion, fracturing the realm for generations.
Baelor’s Death and the Mechanics of Inheritance
Baelor I Targaryen died of a fever after fasting too long during a religious vigil, starving himself to death in an attempt to cleanse the realm through personal sacrifice. His death in 171 AC created an immediate crisis of legitimacy. Because he had no children, the traditional line of succession fell to the next in blood. The inheritance followed a clear path: Brother (Viserys) rather than nephew (Aegon) initially to ensure a stable, adult ruler, and then to Aegon’s line to continue the dynasty. This event is a key pivot in Targaryen history, separating the "Dragon Kings" from the more turbulent era that followed.
Comparative Lineage Table
| Figure | Relationship to Baelor | Reign | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viserys II Targaryen | Uncle (younger brother of Aegon IV) | 171–172 AC | Interim ruler who stabilized the succession |
| Aegon IV Targaryen | Nephew (son of Viserys II) | 172–184 AC | "The Unworthy"; his reign caused the Blackfyre strife |
| Daeron II Targaryen | Nephew (son of Aegon IV, via another wife) | 184–209 AC | "The Good"; half-brother to the Blackfyres, rival king |
The Lasting Political and Familial Impact
The question of "who is king after Baelor Targaryen" is more than a historical footnote; it is the genesis of the greatest internal conflict in Targaryen history. By passing over his nephew Aegon the Unworthy initially, the realm arguably delayed the inevitable corruption of the throne. However, it was through Aegon’s line—the very line that followed Viserys II—that the ultimate challenge to the Iron Throne emerged. The legitimacy disputes, the exile of Daemon Blackfyre, and the carnage of the rebellions all trace back to this specific succession. Baelor’s piety created a vacuum that, when filled by his ambitious and unworthy cousin’s lineage, exploded into civil war.
Why This Lineage Matters in the Grand Narrative
For historians and enthusiasts of the realm, identifying the successor to Baelor is critical for understanding the trajectory of the Targaryen dynasty. It explains the shift from the idealism of the Faith Militant era to the political intrigue and moral decline of the later 2nd century AC. The answer is not simply a name; it is a chain of causality. Viserys II was the necessary bridge, but Aegon IV was the catalyst. The stability of the early years under Baelor gave way to the calculated chaos of the late 2nd century, proving that the succession after the Blessed King planted the seeds of the dynasty’s future strife.