The epic saga of Game of Thrones is woven with intricate plots, fierce battles, and, at its heart, the complex relationships within noble houses. Among these, House Targaryen stands out with a history as fiery as their dragons. As season seven of Game of Thrones reached its dramatic conclusion, the relationship between Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen took a pivotal turn, complicated by the revelation of Jon’s true parentage. This familial twist, confirming Jon as Aegon Targaryen, nephew to Daenerys, highlights the importance of understanding the Targaryen family lineage.
For viewers and readers alike, grasping the Targaryen family tree can feel like navigating a labyrinth. The sheer number of Aegons, Rhaenys, and Visenyas can become quickly overwhelming. Why name Jon Snow, the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, Aegon? To truly understand, one needs to delve into the rich, and sometimes tumultuous, history of the Targaryen dynasty, the family that ruled Westeros for nearly three centuries. If you’re struggling to keep track of the key players and their connections, you’re not alone. Fortunately, a dedicated fan artist has meticulously charted the entire House Targaryen family tree, offering both an educational and visually stunning guide.
DeviantArt user Maryon B. has created a comprehensive and beautiful depiction of the Targaryen lineage. Her artwork serves as an invaluable tool for anyone wanting to understand where Jon Snow, Daenerys, and other pivotal characters fit into the grand tapestry of Westeros history. Explore the full-size version of this detailed family tree to trace the Targaryen bloodline through generations:
The Complete Targaryen Family Tree by Maryon B.
Maryon, a French freelance artist and video game developer based in Helsinki, channels her passion for Game of Thrones into detailed illustrations. Her dedication to mapping out the Targaryen family history stems from a desire to move beyond superficial representations of the house. As she explained in her DeviantArt description, she felt frustrated by the simplistic portrayal of Targaryens as uniformly “beautiful, silver-haired and purple eyes,” wanting to showcase the depth and individuality within the dynasty.
“I actually started the Tree out of spite because all their descriptions (and fan representations) make them look the same — beautiful, silver-haired and purple eyes,” Maryon shared in an email interview in 2016. Her frustration fueled a project that became much more than just drawing pretty faces; it became a deep dive into the intricate web of Targaryen history.
The Targaryens are far more than just striking figures with dragons. Their complex family history, filled with triumphs, tragedies, and internal conflicts, has profound implications for the events in Game of Thrones. Understanding their lineage is key to unlocking the motivations and destinies of many characters.
The Legacy of Aegon: A Name Echoing Westerosi Unification and Conflict
The name “Aegon” carries immense weight in Westeros, primarily due to Aegon the Conqueror, who united six of the Seven Kingdoms under Targaryen rule. This historical significance explains why Lyanna Stark naming her son Aegon was no accident. It was a deliberate choice, invoking the legacy of Westerosi leadership and power. However, as the narrative of Game of Thrones unfolds, this powerful legacy becomes intertwined with internal strife and rebellion.
Rhaegar Targaryen's Family (without Jon Snow/Aegon)
Note: This image predates the full reveal of Jon Snow’s parentage and doesn’t include him as Aegon Targaryen.
Aegon I Targaryen’s conquest laid the foundation for Targaryen dominance. Subsequent Aegons, like Aegon V, known affectionately as “Egg,” continued to shape Westeros. Aegon V, featured in Martin’s Dunk and Egg novellas, is remembered as a wise ruler who navigated a harsh winter and sought to improve the lives of common folk. Yet, the Targaryen dynasty also faced periods of decline and internal conflict.
Aegon V’s reign, despite its merits, ultimately ended tragically. His grandson, Aerys II Targaryen, infamously known as the “Mad King,” descended into madness, casting a dark shadow over the Targaryen legacy. Aerys’s son, Rhaegar Targaryen, while admired for his chivalry and melancholy, inadvertently sparked a civil war that would shatter the Targaryen reign.
Rhaegar’s actions, driven by prophecy and love (or perhaps obsession) for Lyanna Stark, set in motion Robert’s Rebellion. His elopement with Lyanna, whether consensual or not in the eyes of the public, was perceived as a kidnapping by Robert Baratheon, Lyanna’s betrothed. This act, compounded by the Mad King’s brutal execution of Lyanna’s father and brother, ignited a rebellion that pitted House Baratheon and Stark against the Targaryens.
The rebellion culminated in Rhaegar’s death at the hands of Robert Baratheon. The aftermath was brutal: Rhaegar’s children with Elia Martell, including a young Aegon, were murdered during the Sack of King’s Landing. It is in this context of loss and upheaval that Lyanna Stark, on her deathbed, named her son with Rhaegar “Aegon,” perhaps hoping to restore the name’s honor and legacy, even as the Targaryen dynasty crumbled around them. Jon Snow, unknowingly carrying this weighty name, would later grapple with his Targaryen heritage and the complex legacy of the Aegons before him.
Delving Deeper: Exploring the Expansive Targaryen Lineage
The Targaryen family tree extends far beyond the well-known figures of Daenerys and Jon Snow. Spanning over 100 characters and 16 generations, it is a rich tapestry of individuals who have shaped Westeros history. Exploring even a single thread of this tapestry reveals fascinating stories and connections.
Consider Rhaenys Targaryen, known as “The Queen Who Never Was.” A dragon rider and the granddaughter of Aegon the Conqueror, Rhaenys was passed over for the Iron Throne in favor of her brother Viserys I, simply because she was a woman. Despite this injustice, Rhaenys remained a formidable figure, marrying Corlys Velaryon and becoming a celebrated adventurer and warrior. Her story highlights the societal constraints within Westeros and the often-overlooked contributions of women in positions of power.
Rhaenys Targaryen, The Queen Who Never Was
Rhaenys’s lineage connects back to Alyssa Velaryon, her great-grandmother. Alyssa married Aenys I Targaryen, the son of Aegon the Conqueror. Aenys’s reign was marked by instability and rebellion, and Alyssa found herself caught in the crossfire after his death. This era of Targaryen history showcases the challenges of consolidating power and the constant threats, both internal and external, faced by the ruling dynasty.
Aenys I Targaryen's Family – Illustrating Targaryen Family Complexity
Further down the Targaryen family tree, we encounter House Blackfyre. This cadet branch emerged from the bastard children of Aegon IV Targaryen, a king infamous for his licentiousness and poor judgment. Aegon IV’s decision to legitimize his bastards on his deathbed ignited the Blackfyre Rebellions, a series of five civil wars that plagued Westeros for generations. House Blackfyre represents the destabilizing consequences of internal Targaryen conflicts and the enduring impact of questionable royal decisions.
House Blackfyre – A Branch of the Targaryen Lineage
Maryon’s Targaryen family tree project, born from an initial interest in Dunk and Egg characters, became a deep dive into the entire dynasty. Starting with Baelor Breakspear and Maekar Targaryen, she found herself drawn into the stories of their ancestors, eventually committing to illustrate the entire lineage.
“[I]t got me interested in their ancestors, so I worked from there,” Maryon explained. “At first I never thought I’d do the whole bunch, but it’s when I realized that I was already halfway through just by making Maekar’s descendants that I gave in: ‘While I’m at it, might as well do the rest…’”
Maryon faced the artistic challenge of creating distinct portraits while maintaining the characteristic Targaryen features of silver hair and purple eyes. This required extensive study of real faces and a creative approach to character design.
“I had to find inspiration and study some real people’s faces so I learned a lot since I started.”
Examining the complete Targaryen family tree reveals the strategic marriages the Targaryens made to solidify their power, alliances with houses like Martell, Baratheon, and Velaryon mirroring real-world historical practices of royal families. For Maryon, the project fostered a deeper appreciation for House Targaryen.
“[I]n the end it made me appreciate House Targaryen much more since now I share a personal story with each and every one of them, and I would suggest anyone who likes Game of Thrones to be curious about them because they have a lot of stories to tell.”
Maryon’s DeviantArt page offers more excerpts from the Targaryen family tree and other Game of Thrones artwork. While a print version of the full family tree remains a future aspiration, her work stands as a testament to the enduring fascination with the Game of Thrones family lineage and the rich history of House Targaryen.
Explore more of Maryon’s Game of Thrones art on her DeviantArt page.
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