Jacaerys

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Jacaerys Targaryen, born Jacaerys Velaryon
Alias(es)	Jace; Little Jace; Little J; Jacaerys I; the Uncrowned King
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	House Targaryen; Queen Rhaenyra's Black faction
Occupation/Role	Prince of Dragonstone; Crown Prince and Regent; King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men
Dragon	Vermax, a dark-green dragon of Jacaerys's age 39
Status	Deceased; died of dragonpox and was cremated by Vermax 125
First Appearance	Chapter 23

Appearance

Jacaerys is a handsome, burly boy with thick dark-brown hair, brown eyes, and a flat nose. His appearance visibly differs from the silver hair and purple eyes traditionally associated with Valyrian nobility, a fact that once deeply troubled him. 23 58

• Dark-brown or brown-black hair rather than Valyrian silver hair. 23 51
• Brown eyes and a flat nose. 23
• Wears riding clothes bearing the three-headed dragon emblem while flying Vermax. 53
• Was nominally nine years old during the journey to Nightsong, though his maturity often caused others to overlook his age. 53

Personality

Jacaerys is thoughtful, brave, polite, and unusually mature. He is keenly aware that rumors surrounding his parentage affect not only himself but also his mother and brothers, and he resolves to establish his worth through action rather than appearance. 51 58 121

His sense of duty extends beyond his own position. As king, he listens to commoners and lords alike, presses nobles to fund relief from their own treasuries, and comes to believe that a ruler's legitimacy depends on serving the people rather than merely possessing a crown. 123 125

Abilities & Skills

Dragonriding

Jacaerys is Vermax's rider. He learns to conserve the young dragon's strength by flying in the currents created by the much larger Vomysor, though Vermax initially cannot sustain long-distance flights or perform difficult maneuvers. 51 53

• Uses Vermax for rapid diplomatic travel, including missions to Nightsong, the Vale, Winterfell, and the Westerlands. 53 88 92 125
• Flies in battle against Prince Daeron and Tessarion, dodging dragonfire, circling behind Tessarion, and striking with dark-green flame. 101
• Leads Vermax in attacks against Hightower forces; arrows and bolts fail to penetrate the dragon's scales and thickened hide. 101 102
• Relies on Vermax's warmth and protection while fatally ill with dragonpox. 125

Martial Training

Jacaerys trains under Prince Daemon and later receives instruction through Longze's retainers. 23 39

• Endures repeated strikes in a wooden-sword test against the older Aslan Longdell and continues counterattacking despite pain. 51
• Holds his own long enough against the seventeen-year-old Aslan to earn respect for his courage and ability. 53
• Fights with determination when his legitimacy is challenged, though Lonzell prevents him from escalating the confrontation in the throne room. 77

Diplomacy and Rule

Jacaerys serves as his mother's envoy during the Dance of the Dragons and later develops into a ruler focused on practical justice and recovery. 88 123 125

• Presents Queen Rhaenyra's letter to Lady Jannie Arryn at the Gates of the Moon. 92
• Travels with Lonzell to Winterfell, where Cregan Stark pledges northern support for Rhaenyra. 92
• Presides over the Great Judgment at Harrenhal, rewarding the Strong family with Dustonbury in exchange for fealty and Harrenhal's cession. 123
• Holds courts in castles, villages, and gold mines; hears petitions from commoners and nobles throughout the Westerlands. 125
• Organizes the distribution of grain and medicine in plague-ravaged Crownlands and Riverlands settlements. 125

History

Early life

Jacaerys initially agonizes over his brown hair and eyes, but learns to accept that he does not resemble most Valyrian nobles. His distinctive appearance nevertheless remains a source of constant political attacks. 23 51 58

Before becoming Lonzell and Valar's attendant, Jacaerys serves Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon as a cupbearer. He and Lucerys later travel in secret to Blackhaven, where they receive instruction from Lonzell's former attendants, Lynn and Hofa. 39

He seeks Longze's counsel over whether bloodline or ability matters more in ruling. Longze tells him that dragonriding grants status among Valyrian dragonlords, regardless of legitimacy, but Jacaerys understands that dragons alone cannot resolve the political damage caused by the rumors about him. 58

Succession crisis and the Dance

When Ser Vaemond Velaryon publicly questions the parentage of Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey, Jacaerys immediately decides to go to King's Landing to defend both his brothers' rights and Rhaenyra's legitimacy. 77

Following Rhaenyra's coronation, he is named Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne. 87 He serves as her envoy in the Vale and accompanies Lonzell northward to secure support from House Arryn and House Stark. 88 92

Rhaenyra later appoints him Crown Prince and Regent, ordering him to assist Longze in suppressing the Hightower rebellion. 99 During the conflict, he and Vermax fight Tessarion and attack Hightower forces in Flower Valley. 101 102

Accession and reign

After Rhaenyra dies of the shaking sickness, Jacaerys asks Longze whether he can be a good king. He resolves to prove that hair color does not determine whether a ruler can bear the crown. 121

As king, Jacaerys conducts the Great Judgment at Harrenhal and begins confronting the consequences of war firsthand. Longze teaches him to balance the obligations owed to nobles with the survival needs of ordinary people. 123

Jacaerys never returns to King's Landing to sit upon the Iron Throne during his brief reign. Instead, he travels through the Westerlands, Riverlands, and plague-stricken Crownlands, dispensing justice, installing Corlyn Lannister as King of the Rock, and overseeing relief efforts. 125

Death and funeral

While awaiting the Silver Fleet, Jacaerys contracts dragonpox. Commoners gather around Vermax's shelter in the wilderness, hoping their king will survive. 125

Knowing that his corpse could spread the disease, Jacaerys chooses cremation. Before dying, he asks Longze to knight him so that he will have no regrets like Lucerys. Vermax mourns him, circles his body, and cremates him with dragonfire. 125

Vermax carries Jacaerys's ashes toward Dragonstone, while Longze later brings the urn to King's Landing for a memorial service in the Red Keep's small chapel. 126

Relationships

• Rhaenyra Targaryen — Mother and queen. Jacaerys defends her claim as inseparable from his own rights and succeeds her as ruler. 77 121
• Lucerys Velaryon — Younger brother and frequent companion. The brothers train, travel, and fly together in support of Rhaenyra's cause. 44 77
• Joffrey Velaryon — Younger brother. Jacaerys is conscious that Joffrey is excluded from the brothers' early military activities. 44
• Daemon Targaryen — Stepfather, great-uncle, trainer, and intended future father-in-law. 23
• Longze/Lonzell Varezys — Mentor, political ally, and later Hand of the King. Jacaerys repeatedly seeks his advice and entrusts him with his final wishes. 58 121 125
• Vermax — Dragon and closest companion. Vermax protects Jacaerys through his illness, mourns him after death, and cremates his body. 39 125
• Benira Targaryen — Fiancée intended to become queen upon Jacaerys's accession. She remains devoted to him after his death. 120 150
• Daeron Targaryen — Political and aerial-battle opponent. Their childhood acquaintance deteriorates as their families become opposing factions. 59 101

Notable Quotes

“I know I'm different from them. I only have my mother, my brothers, and my dragon to rely on.” 51

“I will show the people with my actions that my hair color is not the deciding factor for a King. I can bear the weight of the crown.” 121

“The crown of a true King isn't made of gold or Valyrian Steel; it's made by them.” 125

Legacy

• Jacaerys is remembered alongside Jaehaerys I as a wise king because he traveled through the realm, addressed commoners' grievances, and restrained nobles without stripping them of all authority. 161
• The Jacaerys Great Cathedral is later constructed in King's Landing in his memory. 147
• Longze proposes naming his future son Jacaerys, and that namesake later becomes a dragonrider of Skyfyre. 128 203