Did Jaehaerys Hate His Daughter Daella?

In the realm of House Targaryen, Jaehaerys I Targaryen is often portrayed as a patriarch who held misogynistic views and acted with disregard for the well-being and rights of women. However, recent re-evaluations tend to lean towards a different perspective, suggesting that Jaehaerys did not necessarily hate his daughters, including his daughter Daella. Instead, his actions were driven by his extremely high expectations and a relentless pursuit of Targaryen greatness.

Jaehaerys's Expectations for His Children

Jaehaerys was known for his demanding and high expectations, especially for his children. In particular, he desired his daughters to embody the qualities of a 'fearless and intelligent Targaryen.' However, Daella did not meet this standard; she was admired for her kindness but was also described as 'dumb as rocks and afraid of her own shadow.'

Daella's Treatment and Marriage

Jaehaerys's approach to his daughters' marriages reflected his strict and rigid views. Unlike Alysanne Targaryen, who favored keeping her younger daughters by her side until they came of age, Jaehaerys preferred to have Daella married as soon as possible. This decision was not based on love or personal affection but rather on his vision of what Daella should be and achieve.

Although he did not marry Daella to her brother Vaegon, who was indeed a despised and cruel individual, Jaehaerys did take steps to ensure Daella had an acceptable match. However, the arrangement was largely driven by his expectations rather than genuine care for Daella's happiness.

Daella ultimately chose her husband from a selection of three men. The chosen husband was significantly older than Daella, which was in contrast to Vaegon, who was only a year older. This older husband provided Daella with the safety and care she lacked in her family, highlighting a more humanistic side to Jaehaerys's actions.

Jaehaerys's Relationship with Daella

Jaehaerys didn't hate Daella. He was simply disappointed in her. Daella's mental limitations were a particularly distressing aspect for Jaehaerys and, while disheartening, they didn't reach the level of disappointment he experienced with Saera, his daughter who was significantly more challenging.

Jaehaerys's treatment of Daella shows a complex balance between his idealistic vision of the Targaryen family and his more practical approach to the well-being of his children. While he held Daella to high standards, he also sought to provide her with the best possible future as she knew it.

Given the challenging circumstances and the societal constraints of the era, Jaehaerys's actions can be seen as a reflection of the prevailing societal norms rather than pure malice or hatred. Instead, his efforts were driven by a combination of love, duty, and an unwavering commitment to the legacy of the Targaryen family.

Reflecting on these details, it becomes clear that Jaehaerys's actions were not motivated by hatred but rather by his deeply entrenched beliefs and the high bar he set for his daughters. While Daella's life was shaped by these expectations, it also presented opportunities for her to find a semblance of happiness and protection in an often unforgiving world.