Vaemond Velaryon

Vaemond came from a lesser branch of House Velaryon, descended from one of the younger sons of Corwyn Velaryon.

Among the nephews surrounding Corlys Velaryon, Lord of Driftmark, he was the eldest, a standing that later fed his ambitions over the island. His marriage produced two sons, Daemion and Daeron.

The year 126 AC saw him press his own claim to the island's succession: before the court, he argued that the children born of Ser Laenor Velaryon and Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen carried none of his family's blood.

The princess did not let the challenge stand — she asked her husband Daemon Targaryen to seize Vaemond and take his life by the sword. The headless body was left to feed Rhaenyra's dragon, Syrax.

Vaemond's death did not go unanswered: his relatives brought the widow and his two sons to King's Landing to demand a reckoning from the throne.

King Viserys I let the petitioners speak and answered only with silence, until his verdict came: he had their tongues torn out, a punishment for repeating doubts about Laenor's children as well. Ever since, they have been remembered by a single name: the five silenced.