Aerys and Rhaella

[Dogpile]

It's stated that Aerys and his sister wife Rhaella were not fond of each other and we're given plenty of examples of the Mad Kings boorish behavior so it's no surprise Rhaella would not have been happy in the marriage. That being said I wonder if there isn't more to it. This line by Barristan to Daenerys while in Mereen got me thinking:

“I saw your father and your mother wed as well. Forgive me, but there was no fondness there, and the realm paid dearly for that, my queen.”

Most folks focus on the next line about the woods witch that Jenny of Oldstones brought to Court:

“Your grandsire commanded it. A woods witch had told him that the prince was promised would be born of their line.”

So yeah that's a pretty big nugget but what does Barristan mean by ........and the realm paid dearly for that. He seems to be implying that their bad marriage had a role in the Targaryen dynasty downfall. Is it possible Rhaella had a hand in the events that led to the Rebellion? Obviously she would not have done it expecting the outcome that ultimately occurred but maybe she was hoping to see Aerys deposed and her son Rhaegar crowned....but things went awry. I've always thought there is more to the story of how Robert's Rebellion started than we've been told so far. Lady Dustin's statement about Lord Rickard's southeron ambitions pretty much waves a big flag that there was some political scheming going on at the time. Could the Queen have been a part of it?

[rozemarijn]

I have also thought a lot about that statement. We only see Rhaella as a victim, but maybe she was a player.

Perhaps Barristan meant she had some sort of part in Aerys madness? Perhaps his unhappiness made him crazy?

[corbon]

What is known about Rhaella, mostly from what Barristan tells us:

- in her youth she was in love with Ser Bonifer Hasty, but he was of too low birth to wed her and she had to wed her brother anyway.

- Joanna Lannister, whom Aerys would have married if he had a choice, was one of her her ladies in waiting

- there was little fondness between her and Aerys

- towards the end of their marriage Aerys was sexually abusive to her

- she protected Viserys from Aerys' madness

- she was always mindful of her duty

It is suspected by many readers that Rahella may have favoured her popular and proficient son Rhaegar over Aerys. It certainly would make sense on several levels.

Beyond that we have only speculation really, but plenty of room for speculation.

Perhaps the lack of closeness between them contributed to Aerys descent into paranoia and then madness?

Perhaps it was that Aerys was not free to marry Joanna?

Perhaps it was her supporting Rhaegar, who Aerys was suspicious of?

Perhaps it was something more substantial.

At this stage we perhaps need to wait for more data.

[Amris]

Interesting find.

The 'and the realm paid dearly for that' might hint at Aerys II (being unhappy in his marriage) having an affair with Joanna Lannister.

[SerWalterPuffsAlot]

I think this is a good catch. Any human in her position would probably want their husband out and son in as king. But i doubt that it will ever be addressed in the books whether she was a player or not wouldn't really further the story along at all... wait so GRRM will probably write 10 chapters on it and we'll know what she ate for every meal in detail.

[dRagonese]

I believe Barristan is just saying that if he had a woman that he loved as a wife he would of been alot happier and the madness may have been contained. They say any great man has a great woman behind him and I believe that is all Selmy is referring to.

[JonCon's Red Beard]

IICR, Jaime says something like the eyes of the Queen being closed for so many time already. I think he (and Barristan) meant that Rhaella did little to stop Aerys' madness, and rather favoured Rhaegar on taking the throne, something Aerys found out and triggered more his paranoia.

[nickdt]

Interesting find.

The 'and the realm paid dearly for that' might hint at Aerys II (being unhappy in his marriage) having an affair with Joanna Lannister.

If that is true, then my theory over the three headed dragon can come true (Tyrion the first, Jon the second and Dany the last). All three mothers died while giving birth to their child.