The Truth Behind Aegon the Unworthy

The question of whether Aegon the Unworthy (Aegon IV Targaryen) intentionally did not have a son or if it was merely bad luck that he only had daughters is a beset with intrigue and conflicting theories. In reality, the truth lies within the pages of George R.R. Martin's epic writings, The World of Ice Fire and Fire Blood.

Supporters of the theory that Aegon intentionally avoided having a son often point to George R.R. Martin (GRRM) as the source of his decision. His intention was to prevent his successors, particularly Jaehaerys, from freely ascending to the throne, ensuring a smoother lineage. However, this theory falls apart when examined through the lens of the original texts.

Aegon IV Targaryen's Children

In The World of Ice Fire and Fire Blood, readers are presented with a clear picture of Aegon IV's offspring. Contrary to popular belief, Aegon IV had multiple children, with four of them achieving significant prominence within the A Song of Ice and Fire universe:

Daeron II Targaryen: The only true-born son of Aegon IV, he eventually ascended to the throne and ruled as the King of the Seven Kingdoms. Daemon I Blackfyre: One of the most notorious characters in the series, he was the first illegitimate son of Aegon IV. Aegor Rivers (also known as Bittersteel): The Blackfyre pretender in his quest for the Iron Throne, Aegor was the second illegitimate son of Aegon IV. Brynden Rivers (also known as Bloodraven): Another influential Blackfyre pretender, he held significant political power and was also an illegitimate son of Aegon IV.

If one has actually read these books, it would be clear that Aegon IV Targaryen had several sons, both legitimate and illegitimate. The idea that he intentionally did not have a son is therefore fundamentally flawed.

Infertility or Magic?

Another theory proposes that Aegon I Targaryen may have been infertile, with Aenys and Maegor being impregnated through some form of witchcraft that prevented them from carrying the pregnancy to term. While this theory is intriguing, there is no concrete textual evidence to support it.

Considering the historical context, it is plausible that Aegon I may have had challenges with fertility, as this issue does appear in other Targaryen lineages. For example, Aegon's mother, Visenya, only had one child. Some individuals, such as Tyanna of the Tower (one of Aegon I's wives), were known to engage in dark magic and sorcery, which could have contributed to the difficulties in carrying a pregnancy to term.

Centuries of Inbreeding and Birth Defects

Centuries of inbreeding within the Targaryen dynasty have led to a range of physical and developmental issues. Aegon IV, despite having two wives, only produced two children. Similarly, even fertile women such as Rhaenyra Targaryen found themselves pregnant with deformed stillborn daughters. Aerys II Targaryen, known for his fertile line, still lost several children to birth defects.

The challenges of full-term pregnancies and birth defects are not unique to the Targaryen lineage. Historical evidence suggests that inbreeding, as practiced by the Targaryens, often leads to genetic abnormalities and difficulties in reproduction. Therefore, it is not far-fetched to speculate that the issue Aegon IV faced with his offspring was not a matter of intention or witchcraft, but rather a result of the centuries of genetic complications within the Targaryen bloodline.

Conclusion: Despite the allure of conspiracy theories, the truth behind Aegon the Unworthy's lack of a true-born son lies in textual evidence. The multiple sons within the Targaryen lineage, including legitimate and illegitimate ones, challenge the notion that Aegon Targaryen deliberately avoided having a son. The challenges faced by the Targaryens in terms of fertility and birth defects are more in line with historical patterns of inbreeding, rather than deliberate interference or sorcery.