As Westeros once again captivates audiences with “House of the Dragon” Season 2, understanding the intricate web of relationships within House Targaryen is more crucial than ever. This powerful family, with their silver hair, dragon-riding prowess, and complicated history of incest, ruled the Seven Kingdoms for centuries. To truly appreciate the drama, betrayals, and fiery conflicts unfolding, especially the Dance of the Dragons, delving into the House Of Targaryen Family Tree is essential.
The Legacy of House Targaryen
The Targaryen dynasty’s saga begins with Aegon the Conqueror, who, along with his sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys, sailed from Dragonstone to Westeros and forged the Seven Kingdoms into a unified realm under Targaryen rule. Their dragons – Balerion, Vhagar, and Meraxes – were instrumental in their conquest, establishing dragon riding as a hallmark of Targaryen power. For generations, Targaryens maintained their lineage through incestuous marriages, a practice intended to keep their bloodline pure and their dragon-riding abilities strong. This custom, however, also contributed to the instability and madness that plagued later Targaryen rulers.
Ruling from the Iron Throne, the Targaryens shaped Westerosi history for nearly 300 years. Their reign was marked by periods of prosperity and peace, as well as internal strife and rebellion. “House of the Dragon” is set nearly 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” focusing on the Dance of the Dragons, a brutal civil war that erupted due to a contested succession to the Iron Throne. This conflict pitted Targaryen against Targaryen, dragon against dragon, and ultimately weakened the dynasty, setting the stage for its eventual downfall centuries later. The events of “Game of Thrones,” where Daenerys Targaryen attempts to reclaim the Iron Throne, are a direct consequence of this tumultuous history. Understanding the house of targaryen family tree provides context for the motivations, alliances, and conflicts that drive both “House of the Dragon” and “Game of Thrones.”
Key Targaryen Figures in House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones
To navigate the complex house of targaryen family tree, let’s explore the key figures who have shaped the destiny of this dragon dynasty, from the early days of Westerosi rule to the events leading up to and beyond the Dance of Dragons.
Jaehaerys I Targaryen: The Old King
Jaehaerys I Targaryen, known as “The Old King,” reigned for an unprecedented 55 years, making him the longest-serving Targaryen monarch. Grandson of Aegon the Conqueror, Jaehaerys ascended the throne after a period of instability and proved to be a wise and capable ruler. His reign was marked by peace and prosperity, earning him widespread respect and solidifying Targaryen rule. In “House of the Dragon,” the opening scene depicts Jaehaerys choosing his successor, a pivotal moment that sets the stage for the Dance of Dragons. His decision to bypass his eldest descendant, Rhaenys, in favor of his grandson Viserys I, despite Rhaenys being the elder, highlights the patriarchal norms of Westeros and sows the seeds of future conflict. Jaehaerys’s dragon was Vermithor, known as the Bronze Fury, further emphasizing his powerful lineage within the house of targaryen family tree.
Viserys I Targaryen: The Peaceful King
Viserys I Targaryen in House of the Dragon
Viserys I Targaryen, Jaehaerys’s chosen successor, ruled during a time of peace and plenty, earning him the moniker “Viserys the Peaceful.” However, his reign was ultimately overshadowed by the looming succession crisis. Despite having a daughter, Rhaenyra, as his heir, Viserys’s desire for a male heir and subsequent marriage to Alicent Hightower led to the birth of Aegon II, creating two factions vying for the throne. As depicted in “House of the Dragon” Season 1, Viserys’s well-intentioned but ultimately indecisive nature contributed to the escalating tensions that erupted into the Dance of Dragons. His internal conflict between upholding tradition and acknowledging his daughter’s claim is central to the unfolding drama. Viserys briefly rode Balerion the Black Dread, the dragon of Aegon the Conqueror, further linking him to the foundational figures of the house of targaryen family tree.
Rhaenys Targaryen: The Queen Who Never Was
Rhaenys Targaryen, cousin to Viserys I, is known as “The Queen Who Never Was” due to being passed over for the throne twice. First, her grandfather Jaehaerys chose Baelon, then Viserys, highlighting the preference for male heirs. Despite being a strong claimant and dragon rider, Rhaenys was denied the Iron Throne solely because of her gender. This injustice fuels her character and her eventual support for Rhaenyra’s claim during the Dance of Dragons. Married to the powerful Lord Corlys Velaryon, Rhaenys wields significant influence and commands respect. Her dragon, Meleys, the Red Queen, is a formidable beast, and Rhaenys herself is a skilled dragon rider, demonstrating the strength and capability within the female line of the house of targaryen family tree.
Daemon Targaryen: The Rogue Prince
Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon
Daemon Targaryen, Viserys I’s younger brother, is a complex and captivating figure. Known as “The Rogue Prince,” Daemon is a skilled warrior, dragon rider, and unpredictable force. Passed over for the throne, Daemon is ambitious and impulsive, often clashing with his brother and the Hightowers. His relationship with his niece Rhaenyra is central to “House of the Dragon,” evolving from uncle-niece to lovers and allies. Daemon’s actions, both strategic and reckless, significantly impact the unfolding Dance of Dragons. He rides Caraxes, the Blood Wyrm, a fearsome and battle-hardened dragon, reflecting Daemon’s own volatile and dangerous nature within the house of targaryen family tree.
Rhaenyra Targaryen: The Heir Disputed
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon
Rhaenyra Targaryen, Viserys I’s only living child from his first marriage, was named heir to the Iron Throne. Intelligent, strong-willed, and a dragon rider, Rhaenyra faces constant challenges to her claim due to her gender and the birth of her half-brother Aegon II. Her struggle to secure her birthright forms the core conflict of “House of the Dragon.” Rhaenyra’s relationships, particularly with Daemon and Alicent Hightower, are fraught with tension and betrayal. Her claim to the throne is the catalyst for the Dance of Dragons, highlighting the succession issues within the house of targaryen family tree. Rhaenyra rides Syrax, a formidable golden dragon, symbolizing her royal status and power.
Aegon II Targaryen: The Usurper King
Aegon II Targaryen, Viserys I’s eldest son with Alicent Hightower, becomes Rhaenyra’s primary rival for the Iron Throne. Proclaimed king by the green council upon Viserys’s death, Aegon’s claim is based on male primogeniture and the ambitions of his mother and her allies. Less capable and less interested in ruling than Rhaenyra, Aegon is nonetheless a key player in the Dance of Dragons, representing the faction that challenges Rhaenyra’s rightful inheritance. His reign is marked by conflict and brutality, further fracturing the house of targaryen family tree. Aegon II rides Sunfyre, a magnificent golden dragon considered one of the most beautiful dragons to ever exist, a stark contrast to Aegon’s own flawed character.
Aemond Targaryen: One-Eye, the Kinslayer
Aemond Targaryen in House of the Dragon
Aemond Targaryen, Aegon II’s younger brother, is a fearsome warrior and dragon rider. Driven by ambition and resentment, Aemond is a key figure in the green faction. His rivalry with Rhaenyra’s sons, particularly Lucerys, escalates the conflict and triggers the Dance of Dragons in earnest. Claiming Vhagar, the largest and oldest dragon in Westeros after Laena Velaryon’s death, solidifies Aemond’s power and makes him a formidable opponent. His actions, including the death of Lucerys, earn him the moniker “Aemond Kinslayer,” highlighting the brutal internecine conflict within the house of targaryen family tree.
Helaena Targaryen: The Prophetic Queen
Helaena Targaryen, Viserys I and Alicent Hightower’s daughter, is married to her brother Aegon II, continuing the Targaryen tradition of incestuous marriage. Known for her gentle nature and prophetic utterances, Helaena is a tragic figure caught in the crossfire of the Dance of Dragons. Her children become pawns in the conflict, and she suffers immense personal loss. Helaena rides Dreamfyre, a once-ridden dragon by Rhaena, daughter of Aenys I Targaryen, further connecting her to the long and complex history of the house of targaryen family tree.
The Children of Aegon II and Helaena
Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor Targaryen are the children of Aegon II and Helaena. Their young lives are tragically impacted by the Dance of Dragons. Jaehaerys is brutally murdered in the infamous “Blood and Cheese” incident, a reprisal for Lucerys’s death. Jaehaera and Maelor also face perilous fates during the war, highlighting the devastating consequences of the Targaryen civil war on even the youngest members of the house of targaryen family tree.
The Children of Rhaenyra Targaryen
Jacaerys, Lucerys, Joffrey Velaryon, and Aegon III and Viserys II Targaryen are Rhaenyra’s sons. The legitimacy of her elder sons is questioned, fueling the green faction’s challenge to Rhaenyra’s claim. Jacaerys and Lucerys play significant roles in the early stages of the Dance of Dragons, becoming key players and victims of the escalating violence. Aegon III and Viserys II are younger during the Dance but become important figures in the aftermath, ensuring the continuation of the house of targaryen family tree.
Rhaena and Baela Targaryen: The Dragon Twins
Rhaena and Baela Targaryen are Daemon Targaryen’s daughters with Laena Velaryon. Known as the “Dragon Twins,” they are skilled dragon riders and fiercely loyal to their father and stepmother, Rhaenyra. They play active roles in the Dance of Dragons, representing the dragon-riding strength within the younger generation of the house of targaryen family tree.
Maester Aemon: The Forgotten Targaryen
Maester Aemon Targaryen in Game of Thrones
Maester Aemon Targaryen, though appearing in “Game of Thrones,” represents a branch of the house of targaryen family tree that distanced itself from royal politics. Aemon, a maester of the Night’s Watch, was a scholar and wise counselor, and secretly a Targaryen prince. He chose duty over ambition, renouncing his claim to the Iron Throne to serve at the Wall. His lineage was largely forgotten by the time of “Game of Thrones,” but his wisdom and integrity reflect a different aspect of the Targaryen character.
Three-Eyed Raven (Brynden Rivers)
Brynden Rivers, also known as Bloodraven and the Three-Eyed Raven in “Game of Thrones,” is a more obscure branch of the house of targaryen family tree. A bastard son of Aegon IV Targaryen, Brynden was legitimized and played a role in Targaryen politics before joining the Night’s Watch. His transformation into the Three-Eyed Raven connects the Targaryens to the mystical elements of Westeros’s history, further enriching the family’s legacy.
Aerys II Targaryen: The Mad King
Aerys II Targaryen, The Mad King in Game of Thrones
Aerys II Targaryen, “The Mad King,” ruled Westeros during the events leading up to “Game of Thrones.” His reign was marked by increasing paranoia and cruelty, culminating in his overthrow during Robert’s Rebellion. Aerys represents the culmination of the Targaryen dynasty’s decline, showcasing the dangers of incestuous practices and unchecked power within the house of targaryen family tree. His madness and violent end paved the way for the events of “Game of Thrones.”
Rhaegar Targaryen: The Dragon Prince
Rhaegar Targaryen, Aerys II’s son, was a figure of legend in “Game of Thrones.” Known as the “Dragon Prince,” Rhaegar was admired for his chivalry and melancholy. His actions, particularly his elopement with Lyanna Stark, sparked Robert’s Rebellion and led to the downfall of the Targaryen dynasty. However, his secret marriage to Lyanna and the birth of Jon Snow revealed a hidden branch of the house of targaryen family tree with significant implications for the future of Westeros.
Viserys III Targaryen: The Beggar King
Viserys Targaryen in Game of Thrones
Viserys III Targaryen, Aerys II’s son and Daenerys’s brother, is introduced in “Game of Thrones” as the exiled “Beggar King.” Driven by a desperate desire to reclaim the Iron Throne, Viserys is arrogant and abusive. His actions ultimately lead to his demise at the hands of Khal Drogo. Viserys represents the desperate and diminished state of the Targaryen family in exile, clinging to past glory while lacking the strength to reclaim their birthright, a stark contrast to the powerful figures in earlier generations of the house of targaryen family tree.
Daenerys Targaryen: The Mother of Dragons
Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones
Daenerys Targaryen, the “Mother of Dragons,” is a central protagonist in “Game of Thrones.” Starting as a vulnerable exile, Daenerys rises to become a powerful queen and dragon rider, embodying the Targaryen legacy in its most potent form. Her journey to reclaim the Iron Throne and her eventual descent into fire and blood demonstrate the complexities and contradictions inherent in the house of targaryen family tree. Her dragons, Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion, are symbols of Targaryen power and her own transformative journey.
Jon Snow (Aegon Targaryen): The True Heir
Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones
Jon Snow, revealed to be Aegon Targaryen, Rhaegar’s son with Lyanna Stark, is the last known Targaryen heir at the end of “Game of Thrones.” Raised as a Stark, Jon embodies both Stark and Targaryen qualities, representing a potential reconciliation of the two houses. His claim to the Iron Throne, though initially rejected, highlights the enduring legacy and complex succession history within the house of targaryen family tree. Jon’s story arc explores themes of duty, honor, and the burden of heritage, concluding the Targaryen saga in Westeros, for now.
Conclusion
The house of targaryen family tree is a sprawling and intricate tapestry woven with threads of power, ambition, love, betrayal, and dragons. From Aegon the Conqueror to Jon Snow, their story is one of both magnificent rule and devastating self-destruction. As “House of the Dragon” unfolds, understanding these familial connections and historical precedents is key to appreciating the epic scale and personal tragedies of the Dance of Dragons and the enduring legacy of House Targaryen in the world of Westeros.
