As Season 2 of House of the Dragon concludes, the intricate web of Targaryen relationships becomes ever more crucial to understanding the power struggles and dragon battles unfolding. With potential heirs rising and falling, and the lines of succession blurred by war and ambition, grasping the “House Of Dragon Family Tree” is essential for any viewer. The battles for the Iron Throne are deeply rooted in family ties, making a clear picture of the Targaryen lineage more important than ever.
In Westeros, inheritance is anything but simple, especially when dragons and royal blood are involved. When House of the Dragon began, King Viserys I Targaryen faced a succession crisis. Lacking a male heir, he defied tradition by naming his daughter Rhaenyra as his successor, bypassing his brother Daemon. This decision, made against the counsel of his advisors, set the stage for the tumultuous events that followed and underscores the importance of the “house of dragon family tree”.
The Dance of the Dragons and Targaryen Succession
The birth of Aegon II Targaryen, Viserys’ son with Alicent Hightower, introduced another claimant to the Iron Throne and further complicated the “house of dragon family tree”. Rhaenyra, already named heir, now had a half-brother challenging her claim. As both Rhaenyra and Aegon II produced their own lines of descendants, the question of who should rightfully rule Westeros ignited a civil war – the Dance of the Dragons.
In this conflict, allegiances are drawn along family lines, and understanding who is related to whom becomes paramount. The Targaryen family tree, while rich in history, is also notoriously complex, made denser by generations of intermarriage. To navigate the drama and predict who might survive the dragon fire, let’s dissect the “house of dragon family tree” as it stands after the dramatic Season 2 finale.
Close-up view of the Targaryen family tree as depicted in House of the Dragon, highlighting the complex relationships and lineage of key characters.
Daenys Targaryen: The Dreamer Who Saved a Dynasty
Daenys “the Dreamer” Targaryen holds a foundational place in the “house of dragon family tree”. Her prophetic vision of Valyria’s destruction prompted her father, Aenar Targaryen, to relocate their family to Dragonstone. This pivotal decision ensured the Targaryens’ survival when Valyria was consumed by a cataclysmic event, known as the Doom. Daenys’ foresight established Dragonstone as the ancestral seat of House Targaryen and preserved the dragonlord lineage, making her a crucial figure at the very root of the “house of dragon family tree”.
Read More: Why Targaryen Dreams Are So Important in House of the Dragon
Aegon I Targaryen: The Conqueror and Founder of a Kingdom
Aegon “The Conqueror” Targaryen is arguably the most significant figure in the “house of dragon family tree”. With his sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys, Aegon and his dragons united six of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, forging the Iron Throne and establishing the Targaryen dynasty’s rule. His conquest marks the beginning of Targaryen dominance and sets the stage for all subsequent events in Westerosi history, making him a central figure in any depiction of the “house of dragon family tree”.
The Targaryen practice of incestuous marriage, intended to maintain blood purity, began with Aegon and his sisters. However, this practice carried risks, as highlighted by Queen Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones: Targaryen births are a gamble, producing either greatness or madness. This duality is evident in Aegon’s own sons, Aenys and Maegor, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of the Targaryen bloodline within the “house of dragon family tree”.
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Aenys I Targaryen: A Kind King Betrayed
Aenys Targaryen, son of Aegon the Conqueror, inherited a kingdom but faced challenges early in his reign. Despite his unfortunate name (pronounced “Ennis”), Aenys was known as a kind and just ruler. His reign was tragically cut short when he was murdered by his own brother, Maegor “the Cruel” Targaryen. Aenys married Alyssa Velaryon, from the other Valyrian family that survived the Doom. Although the Velaryons were not dragonriders, their alliance with the Targaryens made them powerful players in Westeros, and Alyssa’s marriage to Aenys further solidified this bond within the context of the “house of dragon family tree”.
Jaehaerys I Targaryen: The Wise and Long-Reigning King
Maegor I Targaryen’s brutal reign lasted only six years, ending with his mysterious death upon the Iron Throne. His nephew, Jaehaerys I Targaryen, Aenys’ son, ascended the throne and ushered in a golden age for Westeros. Jaehaerys, known as “The Old King” and “The Wise,” married his sister Alyssane. Despite the controversial nature of sibling marriage, their union was reportedly based on love. Jaehaerys’ long and prosperous reign was marked by peace and infrastructure development, a stark contrast to the tumultuous reigns of his predecessors. He and Alyssane had thirteen children, significantly expanding the “house of dragon family tree,” though only a few directly impacted the succession crisis in House of the Dragon.
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Aemon Targaryen: The Heir Who Died Too Soon
Aemon Targaryen, Jaehaerys I’s eldest son to reach adulthood, was expected to inherit the throne. He married Jocelyn Baratheon, a distant Targaryen relative, and fathered Rhaenys Targaryen. However, Aemon predeceased his father, altering the line of succession within the “house of dragon family tree”. His death paved the way for his younger brother Baelon to become heir, leading to the events that would ultimately exclude his daughter, Rhaenys, from the throne.
Baelon Targaryen: Father of Kings, Heir Who Never Reigned
Baelon Targaryen, Jaehaerys I’s second son, became heir after Aemon’s death. He married his sister and had two sons: Viserys and Daemon Targaryen. Baelon’s own death from illness (“burst belly”) before his father further complicated the succession. With both of Jaehaerys’ sons deceased, the question of inheritance became critical, directly impacting the future of the “house of dragon family tree” and setting the stage for the Great Council.
Rhaenys Targaryen: “The Queen Who Never Was”
Eve Best portraying Princess Rhaenys Velaryon in House of the Dragon, standing with regal posture and a determined expression.
Rhaenys Targaryen, daughter of Aemon, was arguably the rightful heir after Jaehaerys’ sons died. As the daughter of the elder son, primogeniture favored her claim. However, Westerosi patriarchy intervened. To avoid a potential war over a female ruler, Jaehaerys convened a Great Council to decide the succession. The council chose Viserys, Baelon’s eldest son, over Rhaenys, denying her the throne and earning her the moniker “The Queen Who Never Was.” This decision, based on gender bias, deeply impacted Rhaenys’ life and set a precedent that would be challenged again by Rhaenyra, highlighting the recurring theme of female succession within the “house of dragon family tree”.
In House of the Dragon Season 1, Rhaenys endures further tragedy, losing both her children. Despite these losses, she brokers a fragile peace with Rhaenyra after Viserys’ death. Rhaenys ultimately meets a heroic end in Season 2, sacrificing herself in the Battle at Rook’s Rest while riding her dragon Meleys.
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Viserys I Targaryen: The King Who Chose a Daughter
Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen in House of the Dragon, seated on the throne looking thoughtful and weary.
Viserys Targaryen inherited the throne due to the Great Council’s decision. He married his cousin Aemma Arryn, and their only surviving child was Rhaenyra Targaryen. Viserys desperately desired a male heir, but Aemma repeatedly miscarried or gave birth to stillborn sons. In a tragic and controversial scene in House of the Dragon‘s first episode, Viserys chose to sacrifice Aemma in a forced C-section in a futile attempt to save their newborn son, who also died shortly after. Left without a male heir, Viserys controversially named Rhaenyra his heir, breaking centuries of tradition and directly impacting the “house of dragon family tree” and the succession crisis.
Viserys later remarried Alicent Hightower and fathered Aegon II, Helaena, Aemond, and Daeron. Aegon II’s birth created an immediate challenge to Rhaenyra’s succession. On his deathbed, a misunderstanding led Alicent to believe Viserys wanted Aegon II to be king, triggering the coup that placed Aegon on the Iron Throne and ignited the Dance of the Dragons. Viserys’ reign and his conflicting decisions about succession are central to the unfolding drama in House of the Dragon and the complexities of the “house of dragon family tree”.
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Daemon Targaryen: The Rogue Prince and Ambitious Brother
Matt Smith portraying Prince Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon, with a brooding and intense gaze, clad in dark clothing.
Daemon Targaryen, Viserys I’s younger brother, is a complex and volatile figure deeply embedded in the “house of dragon family tree”. A skilled warrior and dragonrider, Daemon harbors ambition and a desire for power, often putting him at odds with the court and his brother. Initially married to Rhea Royce, whom he despised and ultimately killed, Daemon later married Laena Velaryon, fathering Baela and Rhaena Targaryen. After Laena’s death, Daemon finally married his niece Rhaenyra, with whom he had a long-standing attraction and political alliance. Together, Daemon and Rhaenyra become key players in the Dance of the Dragons, vying for the Iron Throne and further shaping the “house of dragon family tree”.
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Corlys Velaryon: “The Sea Snake” and Master of Driftmark
Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon in House of the Dragon, standing on a ship deck, embodying a seasoned sailor and powerful lord.
Corlys Velaryon, known as “The Sea Snake,” is a legendary mariner and Lord of Driftmark. He married Rhaenys Targaryen in a rare love match within Westerosi nobility. Their children, Laenor and Laena Velaryon, become significant figures in the “house of dragon family tree,” allied with the Targaryens through marriage. Corlys, despite being rejected as a suitor for Viserys’ hand for Laena, remains a powerful force and a crucial ally to Rhaenyra, his grandchildren’s stepmother. His influence and naval power are vital assets in the Dance of the Dragons.
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Alicent Hightower: The Queen and Rival
Olivia Cooke portraying Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon, with a regal and calculating expression, dressed in royal attire.
Alicent Hightower, daughter of Otto Hightower, Hand to the King, plays a pivotal role in the fracturing of the “house of dragon family tree”. Initially Rhaenyra’s close friend, Alicent’s marriage to Viserys I and the birth of their sons created a rift between the two women and their factions. Driven by her father’s ambition and her own fear for her children’s lives should Rhaenyra ascend, Alicent becomes Rhaenyra’s primary rival. Her actions, fueled by a deathbed misunderstanding, directly instigate Aegon II’s coronation and the Dance of the Dragons, making her a central antagonist in the unfolding Targaryen civil war and the complex “house of dragon family tree”.
Read More: Who Is the Hightower Family on House of the Dragon?
Rhaenyra Targaryen: The Queen Challenged
Emma D'Arcy as Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon, exuding royal authority and determination, with a dragon in the background.
Rhaenyra Targaryen, Viserys I’s named heir, is at the heart of the succession crisis and the “house of dragon family tree” conflict. Despite being designated heir, Rhaenyra faces constant challenges to her claim due to Westerosi societal norms favoring male inheritance. Her marriage to Laenor Velaryon was political, and the paternity of her sons Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey is questioned, adding fuel to Alicent’s faction’s claims. To solidify her position, Rhaenyra marries her uncle Daemon, further intertwining the Targaryen lines. Rhaenyra’s determination to claim her birthright and her strategic marriages are key drivers of the Dance of the Dragons and the ongoing saga of the “house of dragon family tree”.
Laenor Velaryon: The Husband in Name
John MacMillan as Leanor Velaryon in House of the Dragon, looking contemplative and somewhat detached, dressed in noble attire.
Laenor Velaryon, son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen, married Rhaenyra Targaryen for political alliance. Being gay, Laenor and Rhaenyra had an understanding, allowing both freedom in their personal lives. However, Laenor’s sexuality becomes a point of vulnerability for Rhaenyra, as the legitimacy of their children is constantly questioned by her rivals. To escape the pressures and scrutiny, Laenor, with Rhaenyra’s help, fakes his death and flees with his lover Qarl Correy, removing himself from the “house of dragon family tree” drama, though his children remain central to the succession dispute.
Laena Velaryon: Dragonrider and Daemon’s Wife
Nanna Blondell as Laena Velaryon in House of the Dragon, mounted on a dragon, showcasing her as a powerful dragonrider.
Laena Velaryon, daughter of Corlys and Rhaenys, was initially proposed as a bride for Viserys I, but he chose Alicent instead. Laena later married Daemon Targaryen and became a dragonrider of Vhagar, the largest dragon in Westeros. She and Daemon had two daughters, Baela and Rhaena. Laena’s tragic death during childbirth, choosing dragonfire over a slow demise, deeply impacted Daemon and further shaped the “house of dragon family tree”.
Aegon II Targaryen: The Usurper King
Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon II Targaryen on House of the Dragon, sitting on the Iron Throne with a smug and arrogant expression, wearing royal garments.
Aegon II Targaryen, Viserys I and Alicent Hightower’s eldest son, becomes the central figure of the opposing faction in the Dance of the Dragons. His birth created an immediate challenge to Rhaenyra’s claim. While initially uninterested in ruling, Aegon is manipulated by his mother and grandfather into pursuing the Iron Throne. Aegon’s ascension, spurred by Alicent’s misunderstanding of Viserys’ last words, directly usurps Rhaenyra and ignites the civil war. His reign, marred by cruelty and political maneuvering, is a defining chapter in the “house of dragon family tree” saga. The murder of his son Jaehaerys in Season 2 further fuels the cycle of violence and revenge.
Helaena Targaryen: The Dreamer Queen
Phia Saban as Helaena Targaryen on House of the Dragon, with a whimsical and slightly detached expression, holding an insect, hinting at her prophetic nature.
Helaena Targaryen, Viserys and Alicent’s only daughter and Aegon II’s sister-wife, is a dragonrider of Dreamfyre and possesses prophetic abilities, like Daenys the Dreamer. Married to Aegon II, she is Queen Consort and mother to Jaehaerys and Jaehaera. Helaena’s visions and her tragic circumstances – losing her son and being caught in the conflict – add another layer of complexity to the “house of dragon family tree”. Her internal conflict and reluctance to participate in the war highlight the personal toll of the Dance of the Dragons.
Aemond Targaryen: The One-Eyed Prince and Dragonrider
Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen on House of the Dragon, with a fierce and intense gaze, showcasing his eyepatch and determined demeanor.
Aemond Targaryen, Viserys and Alicent’s youngest son, is a formidable warrior and dragonrider of Vhagar, claimed after Laena Velaryon’s death. The loss of his eye in a childhood fight with Rhaenyra’s sons fuels his animosity towards them and Rhaenyra’s faction. Aemond’s accidental killing of Lucerys Velaryon in the Season 1 finale is the spark that fully ignites the Dance of the Dragons. By Season 2’s end, Aemond’s ambition and ruthlessness are on full display as he rules in Aegon’s stead, solidifying his role as a key antagonist within the “house of dragon family tree” narrative.
Jacaerys Velaryon: Rhaenyra’s Eldest Son and Heir
Harry Collett as Jacaerys Velaryon on House of the Dragon, with a noble and concerned expression, wearing Targaryen colors.
Jacaerys Velaryon, Rhaenyra’s eldest son, is her designated heir. His parentage is questioned, with rumors suggesting Harwin Strong as his true father, but legally, he is Laenor Velaryon’s son. Jacaerys is a dragonrider of Vermax and betrothed to Baela Targaryen, strengthening the alliance between the Targaryens and Velaryons. He plays a crucial role in rallying support for Rhaenyra’s claim during the Dance of the Dragons, navigating the treacherous political landscape of the “house of dragon family tree”.
Lucerys Velaryon: The Fateful Second Son
Elliot Grihault as Lucerys Velaryon on House of the Dragon, with a youthful and slightly apprehensive expression, in noble attire.
Lucerys Velaryon, Rhaenyra’s second son, also rumored to be Harwin Strong’s child, is heir to Driftmark. His childhood altercation with Aemond, resulting in Aemond losing an eye, has dire consequences. Lucerys’ death at the hands of Aemond and Vhagar in the Season 1 finale is a pivotal moment, triggering Rhaenyra’s full commitment to war and escalating the Dance of the Dragons. Lucerys’ tragic fate underscores the brutal consequences of the succession conflict within the “house of dragon family tree”.
Joffrey Velaryon: The Youngest Son
Emma D'Arcy and John MacMillan as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Laenor Velaryon in House of the Dragon, showing a strained relationship, with Rhaenyra holding baby Joffrey.
Joffrey Velaryon, Rhaenyra and Laenor’s youngest son, is still a baby during the early stages of the Dance of the Dragons. His young age positions him outside the immediate conflicts, but as a son of Rhaenyra, his future and claim within the “house of dragon family tree” are inevitably tied to the outcome of the war.
Baela Targaryen: Dragonrider and Betrothed Queen
Bethany Antonia and Eve Best as Baela Targaryen and Rhaenys Targaryen on House of the Dragon, showcasing a grandmother-granddaughter bond, both strong female characters.
Baela Targaryen, Daemon and Laena Velaryon’s elder daughter, is a dragonrider and betrothed to Jacaerys Velaryon. Growing up away from King’s Landing in Pentos, Baela is brought into the conflict by her father and betrothed. As a dragonrider and future queen consort (if Rhaenyra prevails), Baela is a significant player in the Dance of the Dragons and a vital link within the “house of dragon family tree”.
Rhaena Targaryen: The Dragonless Sister
Phoebe Campbell, Random Lady, Harry Collett, Emma D'Arcy, Matt Smith, Baby, and Eva Ossai-Gerning as Rhaena Targaryen, Random Lady, Jacaerys Velaryon, Rhaenyra Targaryen, Daemon Targaryen, Joffrey Velaryon, and Rhaena Targaryen in House of the Dragon, a family gathering with Rhaena slightly separated.
Rhaena Targaryen, Daemon and Laena’s younger daughter and Baela’s sister, is unique in that her dragon egg never hatched. Despite this, Rhaena remains a part of the Targaryen family and is betrothed to Lucerys Velaryon before his death. Her dragonless status sets her apart, but her lineage and betrothal still tie her to the central conflicts of the “house of dragon family tree.” Her attempts to hatch her dragon egg highlight the Targaryen obsession with dragons and the desire to maintain their dragonriding legacy.
Understanding the “house of dragon family tree” is not just about names and relationships; it’s about grasping the motivations, alliances, and conflicts that drive the narrative of House of the Dragon. As the Dance of the Dragons intensifies, these family bonds will be tested, broken, and reforged in dragonfire, shaping the destiny of Westeros.
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