About King Robert Baratheon, I like what Barristan said on the show to Jorah. "Robert was a good man, a great Warrior, and a terrible King." That pretty much summed him up from my p.o.v..

Mance is cool too

Simple rule: If a ruler's name appears more than once, the first ruler called that name is probably a good ruler, since everyone who is named after the original ruler's name would also want to be like them (eg. Aegon, Jaeherys). This also applies in real life too (Henry 1-8 in England, Louis 1-18 in France)

Aegon III should be on this list Dude was pretty good for being the Most Depressed Targaryen to ever exist

I think Viserys II should be considered a good king. He managed the realm as hand of the king while Daeron was conquering Dorne and Baelor was praying. That's about 14 years, and then one more year as a king on his own.

Jaehaerys II was the only king who united Westeros under one banner. During the war of the nine penny Kings. Even the iron Islands joined in the fighting.

I cant believe you forgot the great king Joffrey, First of his Name. His marriage united 3 great houses, he lead the defence of the city and the Faith from Stannis and his heathens. He was always willing to settle disputes between his people, and even provided jobs for failed knights. He was also a strong champion of the rights of dwarves, being kind enough to provide them employment, in a show of kindness for his beloved uncle, who also suffered from dwarfism. He was willing to forgive the family members of his enemies, and allowed the daughter of the traitor Ned Stark to live a safe and happy life in the red keep, even providing her a husband when it wasnt seen as appropriate for them to marry. Long live our beloved king, and may he rest in peace.

If only Baelor Breakspear didn't die, he would have been one of the greatest Targaryen king

Why isn't Maekar I also considered a good king, in fact considering his reign was peaceful and fair. The way he punished his sons for their mistakes and educate Aegon V to be better than his elder brothers does really mark good stuff about him.

idk why people think Robert was a good king, because of him people like Littlefinger, Varys and Cersei gained an unhealthy amount of power and destroyed the realm, he should've been more involved and more strict on these people and his own son, he's the reason Ned is dead and the entire seven kingdoms are in war, a bit like Viserys the first, his reign was peaceful and pretty normal, but in the end he made some crappy decisions so when he died the world split.

my favorite king was Maekar but I appreciate Daeron's rule the most. He was dealt a way worse hand than Jaehaerys and in spite of that, did the best he could

I like how Baelor is considered a good king yet he locked all his sisters away in a tower for a decade because he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to control himself around them. wow. Great king!!

I swear ever time there is a good king there kids are either rebellious or something wrong is with them

Bealor wasn't great, he was a loon who had a good hand. Aside from the vipers, all good things he did can be attributed to his hand. He was a nut job who spent a bunch of money on a sept, if Aerys i isn't considered great, than neither is Bealor, both were preoccupied by things other than rule

I still think Baelor Breakspear could’ve been the greatest king in Westeros if he lived.

I thought you'd include Maekar. I thought he was considered a good king. And I was surprised to see Baelor on here.

Last time i was this early the targeryians still ruled

I feel bad for Jaehaerys and his sons, Aemon and Baelon. Those two would have been nothing but good for the realm. Arguably even better than Baelor Breakspear.

Jaehaerys is my favorite

Daeron II and Aegon the III are my two most underrated kings. They both got a bad reputation through no fault of their own. Both had some real parental trauma. And still with all the adversity they solidified their rules and brought stability in their reign.

The best king is always the inbred monstruosity we end up with in CK2-AGOT

The hand of the king is also an important role in the management of the kingdom 🤴👑and it's economy ......some Hand of kings were literally kings and had all the power like Brenden Rivers 😑 I would love to hear about all the hand of the kings and there achievements.

The thing about Boaratheon is that we only see him from the perspective of his best friend, thus he seems quite likable.

I'd still personally say that Robert should be at least "neutral". Sure he wasn't a great king (I wouldn't even say "good") but he was still the king while the country experienced nearly two decades of peace. And he has to be credited for the quick dismissal of the Greyjoy Rebellion. Sure, a lot of credit for that peaceful time should go to Jon Arryn, and Robert DID put the crown into a lot of debt, but I think those things only prevent him from being a good king. I still think the actual peace that came with his rule should be enough to prevent him from being "bad".

The best Targaryen ever in the dynasty is without a doubt Queen Alysanne.

I think king Baelor the blessed is highly overrated. He was basically the reverse of Maegor the cruel with his targaryen madness and perpetually bankrupted his realm and burned books with a lot of important stuff that would have helped future generations greatly. I actually wouldn't put him on the list at all.

55 years as king. You can't be king that long without being good or liked.

About Jaehaerys I , I would have added that he was very well advised by people like queen Alysanne (probably the best queen in the history of Westeros and the one behind most of his reforms), septon Barth (the best hand of the king until now and his best friend), and good experts in handling money and accounts like Lady Florence Fossoway and Rego Draz.

Do you think you could make a video about the smallest interactions with the largest implications in the Asoiaf universe? Such as Oberyn naming Balor breakwind leading to Elias death and war or Rhaegar crowning lyanna

Your videos really great, but I think Baelor suffers from the same issues as Robert? Like Robert spent all the money on tourneys, Baelor regularly bankrupted the crown to try and pay some very small amount of the country rather than a wide spread tax reform or something to that effect which would actually help. Also, the same way Robert was only remembered as good because of his hand Jon Arryn, it is regularly stated that Viserys II was the true king under his nephews and was the reason they are remembered so fondly when they were off fighting wars or locking themselves away from the world. The only difference I really see is that one was pious, and the other a bit more selfish. I really like your videos, though, and this one was great. Just something I spotted because I was so engrossed 👍

Thanks for the video whycreate, they're always very interesting and enjoyable

Aegon the Fifth is easily one of the best kings Westeros has seen. He meant well and did so much right.

Great video....I didn’t know a lot of the back stories of the kings 👍

Make a video on all the Queens of the Iron Throne (some are really interesting like Alysanne and Daenna)

a solid and well put together list

man I love your videos, whycreate

Top 3 best: 1. Jaehaerys I saved the Targaryen dynasty and ruled over a 50 years of peace and prosperity 2. Aegon I conquered the kingdoms and ruled over a relatively stable realm 3. Viserys I despite his short reign was a shrewd ruler Top 3 worst: 1. Aerys II was all around terrible king who caused the downfall of his dynasty 2. Aegon IV was all around terrible king who caused the Blackfyre rebellions 3. Viserys I was a inattentive and indecisive king during his reign which wouldn't be that bad, but he single handedly caused the most destructive civil war the Targaryen dynasty ever faced

I do appreciate the fact that you put Aegon I as a good King. His proposals did pacify the Seven Kingdoms, and his use of violence was selective, and mostly addressed to armies.

Good video. Pls keep them coming!

Really wish we see a show about these kings one day !

I agree with your ranking of the kings!

Robert's actions didn't directly cause the crown's money problems. That was purposely done dy Littlefinger to weaken the realm. I wouldn't argue that Robert was a good king but he did liberate the realm of the Mad King and he at least tried to put capable people in power. His reign was more so tainted by negligence than ill will.

Keep up the great work👍🏻

I have only watched the show and reading all the comments down here about the kings that have been or people who would have made a good king (whose names I have never head of) really confuses me. At the same time, however, it really excites and just boggles my mind what kind of incredible world-building George R R Martin managed to pull off in his books. Truly remarkable. He and Tolkien are gifted writers. Too sad that George will probably not finish the books though, if only he was a couple years younger and had his passion again 😪

Brilliant video. I agree.

Although Baelor did sue for peace early in his reign, Viserys II was the true ruler of the realm ever since he was appointed Hand by his brother, Aegon III. It said somewhere in the world book that while Aegon brooded, Daeron warred and Baelor prayed, Viserys ruled.

I completely zoned out throughout this whole video. I feel like the Dude in The Big Lebowski when he tunes out while that trooper keeps calling him a jerk off.

Nice video... Aegon The Conquerer 😍

Nice list we’ll done

1. Jaehaerys I the old king (he just did so much for realm and his family. the only thing I could say is that he had too many children and weird relationships with them) 2. Dearon II the good (he united dorne into the realm and did the best he could to have peace. defeating the first blackfyre rebellion was a win too) 3. Aegon I the conqueror (some say he is overrated bc he had dragons fighting with armies in horses and foot, but he was the first to conquer and set a standard. he was the king westeros needed to unite it) 4. Viserys II (he COULD’VE been a great king. He was an amazing hand, I have no doubt. He took charge for his brother and both nephews and for that year he ruled he tried to be like jaehaerys. Sad to say his reign was short) 5. Aegon V the unlikely (he was a good man and tried to be a good king. he was well liked by the small folk, but hated by noble houses. i give him this spot simply bc he couldn’t control his own children who at the end were the demise to his family’s dynasty) 6. Maekar I (10+ years of peace until he died in a rebellion) 7. Jaehaerys II (he defeated the last blackfyre rebellion and chose to go to them instead of letting them get to westeros and have innocent lives lost) 8. Aegon III the broken (nobody remembers this king much, only the fact that he had regents for a long time and his mother got eaten by a dragon. we don’t know much on his reign, but no big war was ever mentioned. his brother Viserys helped him rule. The loss of dragons brings him down a bit, but nobody can blame him for what he went thru. Also showing Dearon his heir the ropes or at least what not to do would’ve helped too) 9. Viserys I (I do think he was a good king, but he was very influenced on his decisions by his council. The dynasty was a it’s highest when he got the throne, but didn’t do anything on that matter. But the worst thing he did was not proclaiming his daughter the heir a better way. He simply just said she was and expected everybody to follow. He shouldn’t have gotten married again and have kids if he knew the consequences. Completely ignored the writing on the wall) 10. Baelor I the blessed (he was a good king, but his madness was shown at the end. all his decisions were head scratchers and by the end he more than likely would’ve started a war with the north and iron islands trying to convert everyone into the faith of the seven. not getting married and having kids also brings him. Could’ve saved the realm from a lot of trouble from aegon IV) 11. Daeron I the young dragon (he was terrible, but I give him a C for effort. He tried to conquer dorne and unite the realm. He did win, but eventually lost dorne and thousands of men. His ambition was too high and cost him his life) 12. Aerys I (he was a weak king, influenced by blood raven a lot. he didn’t seek his wife and didn’t try to have heirs of his own. a very forgettable king) 13. Aenys I (he was a weak king. He had all the power from his dragons and didn’t use it at all. He could’ve done this and that, but not single thing was done. He was too afraid, too indecisive. All he had to do was something, but he couldn’t even do that) 14. Aegon II (he stole the throne from his sister. he started a civil war that was the end of the family dragons. he was a cruel king and was going to do whatever it took to end his sisters line and was eventually poisoned by his own men who saw the madness of the terrible king) 15. Maegor I the cruel (I will say this: I do believe the targaryens needed maegor. He showed the faith what they needed to know a long time ago. They don’t rule, kings do. Maegor did just enough for jaehaerys to come in and make amends with the faith and realize that the iron throne will protect them, but I do believe it was only bc there wasn’t enough of the faith militant around bc Maegor killed a lot of them. BUT he was a cruel king. There’s no changing that. He was blood thirsty and was cursed by the gods. His line ended with him and that was it.) 16. Aerys II the mad king (madness… straight madness and stupidity. He was too ambitious, but never got anything done. With time he because erratic and mad, which eventually ended his dynasty.) 17. Aegon IV the unworthy (a piece of shit king. he for sure killed his father to gain the throne. the legitimized all his bastard in his death bed and with that caused trouble to the realm for 5 generations. THE WORST TARGARYEN KING)

Next there should be a list of The King’s Hands!

whycreate is honestly the best. The GOT Star Wars theory equivalent 👌🏾

I kind of feel like Aegon the Conqueror could have easily been called Aegon the Uniter. Depends who you ask.

You must remember Aegon dreamed that his line would save all Westeros from the long night, so realistically he conquered for absolute good ( in his mind )z

Hey man great video just one thing, brynden rivers (bloodraven, 3 eyed raven) wasn't King Aegon Vs cousin, he was his great uncle( grandfather's half brother) I get it these family trees can get confusing, especially the targaryen one, but other than that keep up the good work 👍

You dropped this king

Great video. Robert wasn't a great king, you're right. Which maybe prompts a video about every Hand of King

Good list

much appreciated

cool video and all but we all know joffrey was the best king of all time. lol for real i loved this video my favorite king is Robert but the best king is definetly aegon the 1st in my opinion still good video keep up the great work and stay safe :) .

I'm so ready for House of the Dragon

Bobby Baratheon should have been placed among the neutral kings, in my opinion. He wasn't dedicated to ruling, but he was good at inspiring people and was a great warrior. That being said, I was surprised to see a madman like Baelor among the best kings.

My current ranking from best to worst 1. Jaehaerys I 2. Aegon I 3. Daeron II 4. Viserys II 5. Jaehaerys II 6. Maekar I 7. Viserys I 8. Aegon III 9. Daeron I 10. Baelor I 11. Aegon V 12. Aerys I 13. Aegon II 14. Maegor I 15. Aenys I 16. Aerys II 17. Aegon IV

I love you!!

I liked Jaehaerys and Alysanne the most, but they were too blind to see that there were many conspirators behind their backs that made sure they had trouble naming an heir to the throne. Even the dragon eggs were poisoned.

8:16 the picture in the bottom right is hilarious. It reminds me that kid from Bojack Horseman who looked like two kids in a trenchcoat.

"this tour" comes from Belgian history, where the (very populous and rich at the time) cities of flanders, Brabant, Liege, namur and luxembourg expected whoever their new ruler was to make a tour and visit all of them, known as the joyous entry (blijde intrede or joyeuse entrée) the first one was in the 1200's, the last one was in 2013.

Do a video on the top worst queens, which one do you think is the worst?

Do a video on The Hands of the Kings'

You could do a video now about the "mediocre" or "in between" kings and why they are not in the best or worst lists.

Just watched House of the Dragon when they were young and read a bit of the dance of dragons, I think Rhaenyra would have been a controversial but good queen if Alicent and her devil spawns didn’t happen. The only reason her short reign was bad was because she was paranoid because of the war, and the greens basically bankrupted kingslanding by the time she reclaimed it forcing her to raise taxes.

Soo early !!

I’m a year late.. solid list.. I’d put jaehareys I then II but this is cool too lol

Hendrix Can you do a video on rhaegar Targaryen and what kind of king he would be and where would you place him? I know its going to be hard since he never was king but I know you can handle the task! Appreciate your videos. The longer the better!

Uhhhh and what about King Bran??? He does have the best story after all

Aegon, after receiving the messenger’s hands: Aight, I'm gonna head out.

The hang up seems to be “bad, king. Not bad king” a difference, Robert was an awesome character n well meaning man, but still, a bad king..

Thanks

Robert Baratheon reminds me of Andrew Jackson (except that Jackson literally grew up from the slums and he was a loyal husband). On one hand he was known a great guy to know personally, loyal to his friends and countrymen but on the other hand he allowed corruption to set forth the Trail of Tears.

Might as well make a video on the meh kings. Sure there’s not much to say about them, but as well finish the collection.

Dorne still made Baelor walk thru snakes and vipers , they weren’t THAT touched by Baelor’s walk.

Brynden Rivers (Bloodraven) is actually Aegon V great uncle. Aegons Grandfather was Daeron II, son of Aegon IV, and Aegon IV was also the father of Brynden. So Daeron’s sons were nephews to Brynden, and Daerons grandsons were great-nephews to Brynden.

2:46 Aegon targaryen: the king who traveled.

A list of the realms greatest conquerors or military minds could be cool... Any excuse to put Tywin on a list lol.

Aegon V could have easily outdone jaherys, only if he had much loyal family who actually obeyed and listened to him, he lost control of his family , he was slipping, that's why all that dragon dreams took his life

I wonder why Aegon the Conquerer didn't better prepare Aenys for rule or recognize the problems with Maegor.

Maybe you could do hands of the king?

House of the Dragon possibly sheds some new light on Egg's "obsession" with dragons. Did he learn about Aegon I's dream? It doesn't appear to have been automatically passed on by that point. It's possible it ended with Rhaenyra or Aegon III. Viserys II spent years presumed dead and wouldn't have been expected to rule, anyway so it would seem he'd be a likely point where the story stopped being handed down. It appears Rhaegar and Maester Aemon only learned of it through study.

Seven good kings. A significant number.

Robb stark

i feel like if baelon hadn't burned all the books on dragonlore and valyrian blood magic then aegon the fifth might have been able to bring the dragons back

See how charisma is so important for leaders? Robert was a bad king, but he had charisma, was fun to be around and was fierce. For a lot of the fans, all this overshadows how bad he was. You can even see it in the comments how people are still trying to "defend" him. That's the danger of charismatic leaders. GRRM knew what he was doing.

You cover more positive things than the mainstream media nowadays

About Robert: In my opinion he was neither a bad nor a good king. He did arrange for feasts and tourneys yes but he (well Littlefinger really) did bring in 10x mpre money than under the mad king (or something like that I'm not sure how exactly it was worded). The realm was bankcrupt because LF was quite good at making sure all the revenue was put into his own coffers. Now you could say Robert didn't care for ruling and was therefore a bad King but I'd argue that he knows that he's bad at ruling and while it would be better to well learn to rule he at least did the next sensible thing and let those rule who knew how to with his hand and small council. That's why I see him as neither bad nor good ruler just average

Any Aegon V fans?

If Viserys II didn't die so soon he probably would've been the second best Targaryen King after Jaehaerys.

I'm so early!!!!!!!!!

So the next one is going to be the top meh kings

I know it's conjectural in this context, but I feel like Rhaegar would have been one of the good kings. He's often spoken of in reverent and kind tones by people who actually knew him and he exhibited some of the more desirably mellow traits that made him an easy mover between the nobles and commoners.

Going on a whycreate binge 👍