Black Brides

The Black Brides. By Magali Villeneuve

The Black Brides were three wives of King Maegor I Targaryen, who wed them in a single ceremony held in 47 ᴀᴄ,^[1] officiated by the High Septon.^[2] Maegor chose them because the three women were of proven fertility. All had been widows of men who had died in Maegor's wars, or at his command.^[1]

The women's children were brought as hostages to the wedding ceremony to enforce their compliance. Many strange stories were told of the wedding night, but it is difficult to know the truth from the legends.^[2]

The Black Brides

• Lady Elinor Costayne was the youngest of the three Black Brides, who had been married to Ser Theo Bolling, and had birthed him three children. Ser Theo had been arrested by the Kingsguard, accused of conspiring with Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon, and executed - all on the same day. Elinor, now nineteen years of age, was summoned to marry Maegor two weeks later. Elinor became pregnant with Maegor's child, but it was stillborn, eyeless with small wings. Elinor survived Maegor's reign.^[1]

• Lady Jeyne Westerling,^[3] the widow of Lord Alyn Tarbeck, had given her first husband a posthumous son. She became pregnant by Maegor in 47 ᴀᴄ, but the child came three months too soon. Another stillborn monster came forth from her womb, and Jeyne did not long survive the birth.^[1]

• Princess Rhaena Targaryen, widow of Prince Aegon Targaryen. When Tyanna of the Tower found her twin daughters, Aerea and Rhaella, Rhaena was forced to marry Maegor. Maegor named Aerea as his heir (disinheriting Prince Jaehaerys). Rhaena, after learning that her brother Prince Jaehaerys had made his claim, fled King's Landing on the back of Dreamfyre, stealing Blackfyre on the way. She was the second wife of Maegor to survive him.^[1]

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