As Westeros once again captivates audiences with “House of the Dragon” Season 2, the intricate history of House Targaryen takes center stage. For fans both new and old, understanding the Targaryen family tree is crucial to navigating the complex web of alliances, betrayals, and dragon-fueled conflicts that define this epic saga. From the legendary Aegon the Conqueror to the last dragon queen Daenerys Targaryen, their lineage is filled with tales of power, madness, and magnificent beasts.
This comprehensive guide delves into the House Targaryen Family Tree, outlining the key figures from both “House of the Dragon” and “Game of Thrones.” We will explore the significant players, their relationships, and their roles in shaping the destiny of Westeros, providing a clear and detailed picture of this fascinating dynasty.
The Founding of a Dynasty: From Aegon the Conqueror to Jaehaerys I
The Targaryen dynasty began with Aegon I Targaryen, known as Aegon the Conqueror. He united six of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros under his rule, initiating an era marked “After Conquest” (AC). His reign established the Targaryens as the supreme rulers, seated upon the Iron Throne.
Skipping forward several generations, we arrive at Jaehaerys I Targaryen, also known as “The Old King.” Jaehaerys I, grandson of Aegon the Conqueror, reigned for an unprecedented 55 years, the longest of any Targaryen king. His wise rule brought peace and prosperity to the realm. However, his decision regarding succession set the stage for future conflict. In the opening scene of “House of the Dragon,” Jaehaerys chooses his grandson Viserys I as heir over his eldest descendant, his granddaughter Rhaenys, a decision that would ultimately sow the seeds of the Dance of Dragons.
The Reign of Viserys I and the Seeds of Civil War
Viserys I Targaryen, the fifth Targaryen king, inherited a peaceful kingdom from his grandfather Jaehaerys. His reign, depicted in the first season of “House of the Dragon,” was initially prosperous, but the simmering issue of succession soon escalated into a full-blown crisis.
Viserys’s desperation for a male heir after naming his daughter Rhaenyra as his successor, and his subsequent marriage to Alicent Hightower, created two factions within the court: “the blacks,” supporting Rhaenyra, and “the greens,” supporting Alicent’s children. Viserys’s death in 129 AC triggered the Dance of Dragons, a brutal civil war between these two Targaryen branches.
King Viserys I Targaryen in House of the Dragon
Viserys, played by Paddy Considine, is central to setting up the Dance of Dragons through his succession choices and family dynamics.
Viserys was married first to Queen Aemma Arryn, and then to Queen Alicent Hightower. His children were:
- Rhaenyra Targaryen (from Aemma Arryn)
- Aegon II Targaryen, Aemond Targaryen, Helaena Targaryen, and Daeron Targaryen (from Alicent Hightower)
His brother, Daemon Targaryen, also plays a pivotal role in the events leading up to and during the Dance of Dragons. His cousin, Rhaenys Targaryen, known as “The Queen Who Never Was,” also becomes a key player in the unfolding civil war.
The Dance of Dragons: Targaryen vs. Targaryen
The Dance of Dragons was a bloody civil war fought between two factions of House Targaryen, each vying for the Iron Throne after the death of Viserys I.
The Blacks: Led by Rhaenyra Targaryen, Viserys’s named heir, and her husband and uncle, Daemon Targaryen. Their supporters included those who believed in the traditional line of succession and those who opposed the Hightower influence. Rhaenyra rode the dragon Syrax, and Daemon rode Caraxes.
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon
Emma D’Arcy portrays Rhaenyra Targaryen as the claimant to the Iron Throne, leading the “black” faction.
Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon
Matt Smith’s Daemon Targaryen is a formidable warrior and Rhaenyra’s crucial ally in the civil war.
The Greens: Led by Aegon II Targaryen, Viserys’s eldest son with Alicent Hightower, and his mother, Queen Alicent Hightower. They were supported by those who believed in male primogeniture and those who sought to maintain the Hightower’s power. Aegon II rode Sunfyre, and his brother Aemond rode Vhagar, the largest and oldest dragon in Westeros.
Key Figures in the Dance:
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Rhaenys Targaryen: Though passed over for the throne herself, Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys were staunch supporters of Rhaenyra and the blacks. She tragically died at the Battle of Rook’s Rest, killed by Aemond and Vhagar.
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Aemond Targaryen: Aegon II’s younger brother, Aemond, became a central figure in the war, known for his ruthlessness and skill as a dragon rider. His rivalry with Rhaenyra’s sons, particularly Lucerys, fueled much of the conflict.
Aemond Targaryen in House of the Dragon
Ewan Mitchell embodies Aemond Targaryen, a complex character driven by ambition and resentment.
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Helaena Targaryen: Aegon II’s sister and wife, Helaena, though not a warrior, played a tragic role during the Dance. Her children became victims of the escalating violence.
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Jacaerys Velaryon and Lucerys Velaryon: Rhaenyra’s eldest sons, often called “strong boys” due to rumors of their true parentage, were deeply involved in the Dance. Lucerys’s death at the hands of Aemond was a major catalyst for the war’s escalation.
Lucerys Velaryon in House of the Dragon
Elliot Grihault portrays Lucerys Velaryon, whose death ignites full-scale war in the Dance of Dragons.
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Aegon III Targaryen and Viserys II Targaryen: Rhaenyra and Daemon’s sons, though young during the Dance, would later become kings themselves, inheriting a fractured and scarred kingdom.
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Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor Targaryen: Aegon II and Helaena’s children, became pawns in the conflict. Jaehaerys was brutally murdered in a horrific event known as “Blood and Cheese.”
Helaena Targaryen's children in House of the Dragon
Helaena’s children, Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor, are tragically affected by the Dance of Dragons.
The Dance of Dragons resulted in immense losses for House Targaryen, decimating their dragon numbers and weakening their overall power. While the greens ultimately prevailed with Aegon II on the throne, the victory was pyrrhic, leaving the dynasty significantly diminished.
The Long Road to Game of Thrones: From the Ashes of the Dance
Following the Dance of Dragons, House Targaryen continued to rule Westeros for generations, but the seeds of decline had been sown. The dragons, once symbols of their unmatched power, never fully recovered their numbers.
Centuries later, leading up to the events of “Game of Thrones,” the Targaryen dynasty is represented by figures like Maester Aemon, a wise and honorable Targaryen who served in the Night’s Watch, concealing his true identity.
Maester Aemon Targaryen in Game of Thrones
Peter Vaughan played Maester Aemon, a wise Targaryen in disguise within the Night’s Watch.
Brynden Rivers, known as Bloodraven or the Three-Eyed Raven, was another significant, albeit mysterious, Targaryen figure. A bastard son of Aegon IV, he became entangled in Targaryen politics and eventually joined the Night’s Watch, later becoming a mythical figure beyond the Wall.
Aerys II Targaryen, “The Mad King,” was the last Targaryen king to sit the Iron Throne before Robert’s Rebellion. His descent into madness led to his overthrow and the near-extinction of House Targaryen.
Aerys II Targaryen, The Mad King, in Game of Thrones
David Rintoul as Aerys II Targaryen, the Mad King, whose reign ended the Targaryen dynasty in Game of Thrones era.
The Last Dragons: Daenerys and Jon Snow
At the start of “Game of Thrones,” only two Targaryens remained in the known world: Viserys III Targaryen and Daenerys Targaryen, children of the Mad King who were living in exile across the Narrow Sea.
Daenerys Targaryen emerged as a central protagonist in “Game of Thrones.” Her journey from a timid princess to a powerful queen and “Mother of Dragons” captivated audiences. She sought to reclaim the Iron Throne, believing it to be her birthright.
Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen, the “Mother of Dragons,” became a central figure in Game of Thrones.
Daenerys had two brothers:
- Rhaegar Targaryen, the Crown Prince, who died during Robert’s Rebellion. He was secretly married to Lyanna Stark and fathered Jon Snow.
- Viserys III Targaryen, who was arrogant and power-hungry, met a gruesome end at the hands of Khal Drogo.
Jon Snow, initially believed to be the bastard son of Eddard Stark, was revealed to be Aegon Targaryen, the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, making him the true heir to the Iron Throne and Daenerys’s nephew.
Jon Snow in Game of Thrones
Kit Harington as Jon Snow, revealed to be Aegon Targaryen, the last known Targaryen male in Game of Thrones.
In the dramatic conclusion of “Game of Thrones,” Daenerys’s descent into tyranny led Jon Snow to kill her, effectively ending the Targaryen lineage on the Iron Throne, though Jon himself, as Aegon Targaryen, remains the last known Targaryen male.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Fire and Blood
The House Targaryen family tree is a saga of power, dragons, ambition, and ultimately, tragedy. From their conquest of Westeros to the devastating Dance of Dragons and their eventual downfall, their story is woven into the very fabric of Westerosi history. As “House of the Dragon” continues to unfold, exploring the earlier generations of Targaryens, the legacy of fire and blood that defines this iconic house only deepens, reminding us of the enduring power and peril that come with the Targaryen name.
