This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones.
The Targaryens are one of the most crucial families inGame of Thrones. They also happen to be the most cunning and terrifying, especially with their history of raising dragons! That said, most fans are only vaguely aware of the huge family tree that the Targaryen clan represents.
Now, with House of the Dragon, we’ve been introduced to several more members from the Targaryen family.
Many wonder how Daenerys Targaryen is related to HotD‘s Princess Rhaenyra, but in fact, this TV show takes place 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones and172 years before the birth of Daenerys.
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In this prequel, we revisit Westeros a few centuries before Robert Baratheon sat the Iron Throne. While there are still Baratheons to be found (and Starks and Lannisters!), the King’s Landing in House of the Dragon is a very different place. At this point in Westeros history, the Targaryens and their dragons are still firmly in control of the realm.
This makes for a different drama altogether, and introduces two very crucial questions: How did we get here? And who are these people?
Here are some answers in the form of an abbreviated Targaryen family tree (with a few friends tacked on), spanning from those in HotD to the more familiar faces we know in GoT.
Jump to:
- Earliest history of Targaryens
- Targaryens of ‘House of Dragon’
- Targaryens of ‘Game of Thrones’
What’s the earliest history of the Targaryen dynasty?
To understand where the Targaryens of House of the Dragon came from, we should take a look back at the family’s earliest history in Westeros…
The Targaryens arrived in Westeros after their original home on the continent of Essos was destroyed by a cataclysmic event, “the Doom of Valyria.”
With the family tree spanning across 16 generations, we can’t explore every family member, but one that started it all was King Aegon I Targaryen. Also known as ‘Aegon the Conqueror’, as explained in ourGoTtimeline, he was the first to unite and conquer the kingdoms of Westeros with his three dragons.
King Aegon I Targaryen
‘Aegon the Conqueror’
Parents: Aerion Targaryen, Valaena Velaryon
Spouse:Visenya Targaryen, Rhaenys Targaryen
Children: Aenys I Targaryen,Maegor I Targaryen
Dragon: Balerion
A descendant of the Targaryens who fled Old Valyria before it succumbed to “The Doom,” Aegon was the first to take a real interest in the lands west of the Targaryen stronghold, Dragonstone.
In “Fire & Blood,” Aegon (along with his dragon Balerion and his sister-wives and their dragons) conquers and unites Westeros almost just because he can.
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In House of the Dragon however, it’s implied that Aegon wanted to unite the kingdoms of Westeros to fend off an eventual, frosty apocalypse that has been foreseen (which *aha moment* we know is the coming of White Walkers centuries later).
As to how we get to the events and characters of House of the Dragon though, Aegon’s role is simple. He conquered Westeros, established Targaryen rule, and sired two sons –one by each of his sister-wives.
King Aenys I Targaryen
‘King Abomination’
Parents: Aegon I Targaryen, Rhaenys Targaryen
Spouse:Alyssa Velaryon
Children: Rhaena Targaryen, Aegon Targaryen, Viserys Targaryen, Jaehaerys I Targaryen, Alysanne Targaryen, Vaella Targaryen
Dragon: Quicksilver
Aenys I was Aegon the Conqueror’s first son, born to the younger of the king’s sister-wives, Queen Rhaenys. He was the heir to the conqueror’s throne, and indeed became the king upon Aegon’s death.
Aenys was married to Alyssa Velaryon (a distant cousin), with whom he had five children. Unfortunately, he was a weak king and he died young.
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At that point, the crown should have passed to Aenys’ firstborn son – Aegon (yep, another one). But seeing his opportunity to become king, Aenys’ half-brother Maegor seized the throne instead.
King Maegor I Targaryen
‘Maegor the Cruel’
Parents: Aegon I Targaryen, Visenya Targaryen
Spouse:Six wives
Dragon: Balerion
The second son of Aegon the Conqueror, King Maegor, ruled Westeros as a cruel tyrant. A warrior by nature, Maegor had conflicts with the Faith (which disapproved of the Targaryen tendency to wed family members to one another), which led to one small war after another.
Despite the turmoil, he held onto his power, but was eventually overcome by widespread rebellion, before mysteriously dying in the throne room at King’s Landing.
Maegor died childless, and so without a direct successor.
King Jaehaerys I Targaryen
‘The Old King’
Parents: Aenys I Targaryen, Alyssa Velaryon
Spouse:Alysanne Targaryen
Children: Baelon Targaryen, Alyssa Targaryen, Saera Targaryen + 6 more
Dragon: Vermithor
Among those who had been on the brink of rebellion against Maegor at the time of his death, were Aenys’ wife (Alyssa Velaryon) and surviving children.
Alyssa saw her son Jaehaerys as the rightful ruler of the Seven Kingdoms and upon Maegor’s death, young Jaehaerys was crowned (though his Hand, Rogar Baratheon, and Alyssa the Queen Regent would rule in his place until he reached 16 years old).
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Jaehaerys married his sister Alysanne before taking the crown. He then went on to have the longest rule of any Targaryen king – establishing peace and bringing about a prosperous era.
And as you may recall, House of the Dragon begins with the end of Jaehaerys I’s reign. We get a brief glimpse of the king in old age, as he names his grandson – Viserys – his heir.
The Targaryens of ‘House of the Dragon’
So, who are the characters in House of the Dragon and how do they relate to each other? Let’s go through the core cast, beginning with that same Viserys who was named as Jaehaerys’ heir:
King Viserys I Targaryen
‘The Young King’
Parents: Baelon Targaryen, Alyssa Targaryen
Spouse: Aemma Arryn, Alicent Hightower
Children: Rhaenyra Targaryen, Baelon Targaryen, Aegon II Targaryen, Helaena Targaryen, Aemond Targaryen, Daeron Targaryen
Dragon: Balerion
King Viserys I is the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms when House of the Dragon begins. As grandson and chosen heir of King Jaehaerys I, he faces two key responsibilities.
The first is to maintain the general prosperity established by his grandfather (bearing in mind that peace and prosperity are always tenuous in the time of the Targaryens) and the second is to establish a strong heir.
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Viserys’ own status as Jaehaerys’ heir was not beyond dispute. With none of Jaehaerys’ own children suitable for the role, there were some who believed that Princess Rhaenys – the daughter of Jaehaerys’ eldest son, Aemon – ought to have become queen.
As Jaehaerys’ eldest grandson, however, Viserys was named instead. And so, it is he who rules when this new tale begins – until his demise at the end of the first season.
Queen Aemma Arryn
Parents: Rodrik Arryn, Daella Targaryen
Spouse: Viserys I Targaryen
Children: Rhaenyra Targaryen, Baelon Targaryen
Aemma Arryn is King Viserys’ queen – and, following the House of the Dragon premiere, will unfortunately be forever associated with a traumatic scene.
Pregnant when the show begins, Aemma spends the bulk of the premiere under pressure from King Viserys to deliver a son and heir.
And so, when those assisting Aemma’s difficult labor inform the king that she is unlikely to survive, but that the baby might be saved, Viserys does the unthinkable: He signs off on what is basically the medieval version of C-section.
Aemma delivers the child (who dies soon thereafter) and dies in the process – without having a say in the matter.
Baelon Targaryen
Parents: Viserys I Targaryen, Aemma Arryn
The baby who dies alongside his mother, Aemma Arryn, is Baelon Targaryen, briefly King Viserys’ heir and the next in line to take the Iron Throne.
Princess/Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen
Parents: Viserys I Targaryen, Aemma Arryn
Spouse:Laenor Velaryon, Daemon Targaryen
Children: Jacaerys Velaryon, Lucerys Velaryon, Joffrey Velaryon, Aegon III Targaryen, Viserys II Targaryen
Dragon: Syrax
Queen Rhaenyra, the only child of King Viserys and Aemma Arryn, is a key piece in the Targaryens’ own ‘game of thrones,’ so to speak.
Young Rhaenyra is named as King Viserys’ heir, following the death of her infant brother, but faces challenges over her succession, with her uncle Daemon Targaryen looming as contender.
Following the eventual death of Viserys, Rhaenyra is named Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, putting her in direct opposition (and erm, at war) with her half-brother Aegon who, over at King’s Landing, has been wrongfully seated on the throne.
She marries Laenor Velaryon and they have three children together, Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon. Side note: it’s heavily implied that the true father of the Queen’s offspring is Ser Harwin Strong.
When Laenor plots his death secret escape, Rhaenyra finally weds her uncle and true love, Daemon Targaryen. In later years, she and Daemon have two children together, Aegon and Viserys.
How is Queen Rhaenyra related to Daenerys?
For those who are wondering, Queen Rhaenyra is Daenerys’ great, great, great, great, great, great grandmother.
Prince Jacaerys Velaryon
‘Prince of Dragonstone’
Parents: Rhaenyra Targaryen, Laenor Velaryon or Harwin Strong
Dragon: Vermax
Jacaerys Velaryon is the eldest son of Rhaenyra and Laenor. He is the second in line to the Iron Throne after his mother.
Along with his fellow brothers, Jacaerys is plagued with the reputation of being the bastard child of Rhaenyra’s guard Harwin Strong, born out of wedlock.
In his teenage years, he is betrothed to marry his cousin (and step-sister), Lady BaelaTargaryen.
Prince Lucerys Velaryon
Parents: Rhaenyra Targaryen, Laenor Velaryon or Harwin Strong
Dragon: Arrax
Second son to Rhaenyra and Laenor, Lucerys is nicknamed “Luke,” and although presented as legitimate, he, too is in fact, the “bastard” son of Harwin Strong.
Luke is set to claim the Driftmark throne and is betrothed to marry Lady RhaenaTargaryen (his cousin and step-sister), but in what is (ironically) one of the best scenes in House of the Dragon, his fate turns dire when he is killed on dragonback by Aemond and his dragon Vhagar.
Prince Joffrey Velaryon
Parents: Rhaenyra Targaryen, Laenor Velaryon or Harwin Strong
Joffrey is the youngest child of Queen Rhaenyra and SerLaenorVelaryon. He is named after Laenor’s first true love, Joffrey Lonmouth (and has absolutely no ties to Joffrey Baratheon, if that’s what you’re wondering) and is also the illegitimate child of Harwin Strong.
Queen Alicent Hightower
Parents: Otto Hightower, Janna Tully
Spouse:Viserys I Targaryen
Children: Aegon II Targaryen, Helaena Targaryen, Aemond Targaryen, Daeron Targaryen
Early on in House of the Dragon, Alicent Hightower is portrayed as the daughter of Otto Hightower and a companion to Princess Rhaenyra.
We first see her dispatched (by her own cunning father) to comfort King Viserys following the death of his wife.
Several months later, and sure enough, Alicent and the king grow close – at least as friends. When the king is pressured to remarry (and, you know, make a new heir), he announces that he is to marry Alicent, making her the Queen of the realm (until her son Aegon takes over).
Alicent and Viserys have four children together, Prince Aegon Targaryen, Princess Helaena Targaryen, Prince Aemond Targaryen and Prince Daeron Targaryen.
Prince/King Aegon Targaryen
‘Aegon the Usurper’
Parents: Viserys I Targaryen, Alicent Hightower
Spouse: Helaena Targaryen
Children: Jaehaerys Targaryen, Jaehaera Targaryen
Dragon: Sunfyre
Prince/KingAegon Targaryenis the firstborn son ofKingViserysand QueenAlicent Hightower.
This young character causes trouble in the realm with his drinking, ranting, and whoring. However, when it is (wrongly) presumed by his mother that his father’s dying wish was to see him sitting on the throne, Aegon is crowned King instead of his older half-sister Rhaenyra.
He marries his sister Helaena Targaryen, and they have two children together. However, when his son Jaehaerys is assassinated, Aegon is left without a male heir, causing chaos in the realm. His position as King is also compromised when he is injured in battle, leading his brother Aemond to become regent.
Princess/Queen Helaena Targaryen
Parents: Viserys I Targaryen, Alicent Hightower
Spouse: Aegon Targaryen
Children: Jaehaerys Targaryen, Jaehaera Targaryen
Dragon: Dreamfyre
Princess/Queen Helaena is the second child of Viserys and Alicent, and has a knack of prophesizing and foreshadowing.
While we’ve yet to see much of her, this character is starting to play a pivotal role in the Targaryen family dynamics. Married off to her brother, Aegon, and positioned as Queen, Helaena has two children, one of which is assassinated, and thus triggering the civil war betweenthe Targaryens.
Prince Aemond Targaryen
‘Aemond One-Eye’, ‘Aemond the Kinslayer’
Parents: Viserys I Targaryen, Alicent Hightower
Dragon: Vhagar
The second son and third child of King Viserys and Queen Alicent is Prince Aemond Targaryen.
At first, he is unable to bond with a dragon, but his future is nothing short of significant, as he eventually manages to claim the dragon Vhagar, thebiggest dragon alive. After (indirectly) killing Prince Lucerys, his role in the looming Targaryen civil war grows strong.
With his desire for power, Aemond contends to take the throne from his brother Aegon, by attempting to kill him in battle. When the King is incapacitated, Aemond is then designated as Prince Regentand Protector of the Realm.
Prince Daeron Targaryen
Parents: Viserys I Targaryen, Alicent Hightower
Although we have yet to meet Viserys and Alicent’s fourth child, Daeron Targaryen, he does play a major role in the civil war to come.
As George R.R. Martinexplained, “Yes,Alicent gave Viserysfourchildren, three sons and a daughter. Their youngest son Daeron is down in Oldtown, we just did not have the time to work him in this season.”
Prince Daemon Targaryen
‘The Rogue Prince’
Parents: Baelon Targaryen, Alyssa Targaryen
Spouse: Rhea Royce, Laena Velaryon, Rhaenyra Targaryen
Children: Baela Targaryen, Rhaena Targaryen, Aegon III Targaryen, Viserys II Targaryen
Dragon: Caraxes
Prince Daemon is the younger brother of King Viserys. At first, we’re introduced to Daemon as the commander of the City Watch in King’s Landing, and one of a few characters who think they are in the mix to succeed Viserys.
Following the death of the King’s son, the question of succession returns and Daemon is desperate to claim it. But he soon loses his grip on heir status when Viserys shocks the realm and names his daughter Rhaenyra as his heir, instead.
Daemon murders his wife (Rhea Royce) and tries to “wed” Rhaenyra in order to return House Targaryen to its proper glory (in which the King refuses, surely). This sets off a conflict and escalating tensions between the ruling brothers.
In later years, Daemon takes Laena Velaryon as his new wife, and the duo have twin daughters, Baela and Rhaena. Following the death of Laena, Daemon then weds his true love (and niece), Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, making him the King Consort of Westeros. They now have two children together Aegon and Viserys.
Prince Aegon and Prince Viserys Targaryen
Prince Aegon and Prince Viserys Targaryen are the two royal children of Queen Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon.
Ulf White
Parents: Baelon the Brave, unknown mother
Dragon: Silverwing
We first meet Ulf White as a member of the King’s Landing “smallfolk.” Boasting about his apparent linage, Ulf claims he is one of the “dragonseeds” of Dragonstone (Targaryen bastards) – bastard son to Baelon the Brave and a half-brother to Viserys and Daemon Targaryen.
This is later proven to be true as Ulf successfully claims the dragon Silverwing during Rhaenyra’s call for dragonseeds, and thus joining her battle against the Greens.
Hugh Hammer
Parents: Saera Targaryen, unknown father
Spouse: Kat
Children: Unnamed daughter
Dragon: Vermithor
Similarly to Ulf White, Hugh Hammer is part of the smallfolk in King’s Landing. A blacksmith who is struggling financially to provide for his wife and unwell daughter, this character proves himself to be yet another dragonseed during Rhaenyra’s initiative.
Disclosing his secret ancestry to his wife, Hugh says that his “silver-haired” mother (Saera Targaryen) was sister to Baelon Targaryen, and therefore an aunt to Viserys and Daemon – making him cousin to the Targaryen brothers. This is all revealed to be true when he is able to claim the dragon Vermithor.
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen
‘The Queen Who Never Was’
Parents: Aemon Targaryen, Jocelyn Baratheon
Spouse: Corlys Velaryon
Children: Laena Velaryon, Laenor Velaryon
Dragon: Meleys
We mentioned that some believed the daughter of Jaehaerys’ eldest son ought to have been Jaehaerys’ successor. Said daughter is Rhaenys Targaryen, and because she was not chosen as her grandfather’s heir, she is known as “The Queen Who Never Was.”
She is married to Corlys Velaryon – the powerful “Lord of the Tides” and head ofHouse Velaryon.
Rhaenys proves herself strong, capable, and incredibly brave (to the point where we think she would have ruled better than Rhaneyra). When Aegon is wrongfully crowned King, she proves her power and strong alliancewith Rhaenyra by crashing his coronation atop the dragon Meleys; and when it is time to charge the Green army on dragonback, she volunteers and sadly dies in vain.
Corlys Velaryon
‘The Sea Snake’, ‘Lord of the Tides’
Parents: Corwyn Velaryon
Spouse: Rhaenys Targaryen
Children: Laena Velaryon, Laenor Velaryon, Addam of Hull, Alyn of Hull
Corlys Velaryon is thehead ofHouse Velaryon and was at one point, the Master of Ships for the realm, before becoming Hand to Queen Rhaenyra.
We first see Corlys seek power by attempting to plot an engagement between his very young daughter Laena and King Viserys.This fails, but years later, his son Laenor is made to marry Princess Rhaenyra, and his daughter Laena marries Daemon Targaryen.
However, following the death of his children (or supposed death of Laenor) and being injured in battle, Corlys later decides to step down in this ‘game of thrones.’
Corlys’ wife Rhaenys convinces him to pledge allegiance to Rhaenyra and help her in her battle to secure the throne, and following her untimely death, he agrees to become Hand to Queen Rhaenyra.
Lady Laena Velaryon
Parents: Corlys Velaryon, Rhaenys Targaryen
Spouse: Daemon Targaryen
Children: Baela Targaryen, Rhaena Targaryen
Dragon: Vhagar
Laena Velaryon is the daughter of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen. At just 12 years-old, she is used as a pawn by her father, who tries (and fails) to set up a marriage with King Viserys.
As she gets older, her eventual relationship with Daemon Targaryen leads to the birth of their twin daughters, Baela and Rhaena. But it is the tragic birth of her third child which ultimately leads to Laena’s death.
Lady Laena Velaryon is overcome with griefover the loss of her son and so chooses to be burned by her dragon Vhagar.
Lady Baela and Lady Rhaena Targaryen
Parents: Daemon Targaryen,Laena Velaryon
Dragon: Moondancer (Baela)
Lady Baela and Lady Rhaena are the twin daughters of Prince Daemon and Lady Laena Velaryon. From what we’ve seen so far, Baela is a dragonrider, while Rhaena hopes to be the same one day.
Baela is betrothed to Jacaerys, making her the potential queen of the Seven Kingdoms, while Rhaena was set to marry Lucerys before his untimely death.
Laenor Velaryon
Parents: Corlys Velaryon, Rhaenys Targaryen
Spouse: Rhaenyra Targaryen
Children: Jacaerys Velaryon, Lucerys Velaryon (both disputed)
Dragon: Seasmoke
Laenor is the youngest son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen.
A skilled warrior and rider of the dragon Seasmoke, Laenor notably has Velaryonblood and Targaryen heritage, making him a perfect suitor for Princess Rhaenyra.
Although he has his sights set elsewhere (he is attracted to men), the pair marry to fulfil their duties to their families, and have three children together Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon (although their real father is Ser Harwin).
Eventually, Laneor escapes his pretentious life by faking his death (following a plot set up by Daemon and Rhaenyra so they can marry), and flees across the Narrow Sea with his lover, SerQarl.
Addam of Hull
Parents: Corlys Velaryon, Marilda Hull
Dragon: Seasmoke
We’re first introduced to Addam of Hull as a shipwright for theVelaryon fleet, but it is soon revealed that he is in fact the “bastard” son of Corlys Velaryon, along with his brother Alyn of Hull.
While the identity of his mother is not disclosed on the show, the books refer to her as “Marilda Hull,” a shipwright Corlys met during his time at the sea, and a well-kept secret from his wife, Rhaenys Targaryen.
The truth about Addam’s parentage becomes clear, as the unclaimed dragon Seasmoke chooses him to be his new rider. Proving his Valerian ancestry and now officially part of Rhaenyra’s army, Addam and Seasmoke are set to fight for the Blacks in the upcoming civil war.
Alyn of Hull
Parents: Corlys Velaryon, Marilda Hull
It is through Alyn of Hull that we learn about his and his brother’s true ancestry.
At first a “minor” character who saved the life of Corlys Velaryon, this sailor for theVelaryon fleet lets slip that he and Addam are indeed the illegitimate children of Corlys Velaryon and Marilda Hull.
Otto Hightower
‘Hand of the King’
Children: Alicent Hightower, Gwayne Hightower
We are first introduced to Otto Hightower as King Viserys’ Hand, but he’s actually been in the role longer than you think.He was also Hand to KingJaehaerys I Targaryen, and at one point even ruled theSeven Kingdomsas Hand.
In HotD, Otto is a knowledgeable adviser to Viserys, but also a power player in his own right. He has personal desires to see his grandson sit on the Iron Throne,and ensure the power of House Hightower.
Following the King’s death, Otto fulfills his desire to usurp the Iron Throne from Rhaenyra Targaryen. With his grandson successfully made King, things turn dire for Otto when he is fired from his position of Hand of the King.
The Targaryens of ‘Game of Thrones’
We could delve deeper into this family’shistory and bloodline, exploring the Targaryens who were born in between the two shows, but unlike the Targaryens, we’re not that ambitious.
So, we’ll begin with Aemon Targaryen, the oldest Targaryen we’ve ever met on Game of Thrones, all the way down to Jon Snow, whom we now know is a Targaryen heir (or at least should have been).
Aemon Targaryen
‘Uncle Maester’
Parents: Maekar I Targaryen, Dyanna Dayne
First we have Aemon Targaryen, whom we see in the flesh in his very old age, across the first few seasons of Game of Thrones. Having served as a Night’s Watch maester for years, people simply forgot he was even a Targaryen.
He is the son of KingMaekar I and grand-uncle of Aerys II Targaryen, Daenerys’ father, who most viewers know as the Mad King. In his younger days, Aemon was offered the throne, but refused it, and it went to his brother Aegon V, who then birthed more children than one can count.
King Aegon V Targaryen
‘Egg’
Parents: Maekar I Targaryen, Dyanna Dayne
Spouse: Betha Blackwood
Children: Duncan Targaryen, Jaehaerys II Targaryen, Shaera Targaryen, Daeron Targaryen, Rhaelle Targaryen
Aegon was the fourth son of Maekar I. He is Aerys II’s grandfather and therefore Dany’s great-grandfather.
Aegon, nicknamed “Egg,” took the throne despite all odds and became the 15th Targaryen king to rule the Seven Kingdoms. In addition to being a fairly good king, Aegon V was one of the few sane minds in his family – he believed that incestuous marriages were not the best option (no, really?) and for this reason, had most of his children betrothed to non-relatives.
Unfortunately, a series of unfortunate events led one of his children, Jaehaerys to get it on with his sister, Shaera, and the latter had two children: Aerys II (The Mad King) and Rhaella, who would also marry each other.
We also think Aegon V might have had a good hunch when he thought incestuous relationships weren’t a good idea, but this next part of the tree should speak for itself.
King Aerys II Targaryen
‘The Mad King’
Parents: Jaehaerys II Targaryen, Shaera Targaryen
Spouse: Rhaella Targaryen
Children: Rhaegar Targaryen, Aegon Targaryen, Daenerys Targaryen
Skipping his incestuous parents, we have Aerys II. He is one of the most well-known names inGoT, not only because he’s the father (and grandfather, yes we can say that now) of the Targaryens we know best, but also because his antics are the root-cause of bloodshed throughout the series.
Married to his sister Rhaella, Aerys starts off as a promising king who does right by his subjects and kingdom. But many sorrowful events like miscarriage, and political troubles like being imprisoned and tortured by a rebelling lord, make him lose his mind for good.
Aerys becomes unhinged, paranoid, and murderous throughout his reign, leading to Robert’s Rebellion. Among many others, he has Rickard and Brandon Stark (father and brother of Eddard Stark) killed when the latter demands justice for the kidnapping of his sister, Lyanna, by Aerys’ son, Rhaegar (although it was actually a consensual lovers gateway so, you know…the irony).
Then, as most of us know, Aerys is eventually killed by a member of his own guard, Sir Jaime Lannister, thus putting an end to the Targaryen ruling.
Prince Rhaegar Targaryen
‘The Silver Prince’, ‘The Prince That Was Promised’
Parents: Aerys II Targaryen, Rhaella Targaryen
Spouse: Elia Martell, Lyanna Stark
Children: Rhaenys Targaryen, Aegon Targaryen (Jon Snow)
Rhaegar Targaryen is the firstborn son of Aerys II, and heir to the throne. He is a dashing silver-haired knight who ravishes the hearts of all the women in Westeros. But it wouldn’t beGame of Thronesif he didn’t ravish the wrong one.
Although married to Elia Martell, Rhaegar truly loves Lyanna Stark: sister of Eddard Stark, betrothed to Robert Baratheon. Together, the lovebirds flee to marry in secret, leaving everyone to believe that Rhaegar had kidnapped her. This, of course, leads to an entire war that’s actually built on a lie.
Rhaegar is killed in combat by Robert Baratheon during the Battle of the Trident, while Lyanna dies, giving birth to their son, Aegon Targaryen (Jon Snow, yes we can say it now!).
Jon Snow / Aegon Targaryen
The King in the North’, ‘The Prince That Was Promised’
Parents: Rhaegar Targaryen, Lyanna Stark
With Rhaegar and Lyanna’s other child is killed, Aegon Targaryen (a.k.a. Jon Snow) becomes the rightful Targaryen heir.
Upon his birth during Robert’s Rebellion, Jon Snow’s dying mother asks her brother Eddard to protect her son, by raising him as his own.
And so, Jon Sow is subsequently raised as the bastard son of Lord Eddard Stark in Winterfell, rather than the royal heir he truly is, alongside the Stark children that he considers his siblings.
Eddard never told him anything about his mother or ancestry, leading him and everyone else to believe that she was a mere commoner.
Jon fulfils his duty as a Night’s Watch guard, where he gains the confidence to go from a self-doubting bastard son to a fierce commander. While his true lineage is heavily hinted at, it is only confirmed when the Three-Eyed-Raven Bran Stark has a vision proving that Rhaegar secretly married Lyanna, thus making their son a legitimate heir to the Iron Throne.
But after refusing the royal position and as a new democratic system is introduced in Westeros, Jon Snow does not become king of the Iron Throne and is instead sent back to the Night’s Watch for his treason.
Viserys Targaryen
Parents: Aerys II Targaryen, Rhaella Targaryen
Viserys is the second born son of Aerys II. He is an ambitious but cruel man who raises his younger sister, Daenerys, though definitely not in a healthy way.
Exiled with his sister from the Seven Kingdoms after the overthrow of their father, Aerys, the siblings grow up in hiding, and Viserys, determined to get on the Iron Throne, makes Dany’s childhood a living hell by abusing her.
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After practically selling his sister to the warlord, Khal Drogo in order to acquire the allegiance of his people, Viserys begins to realize that it is actually Dany who is getting the royal treatment he so desperately wants.
This drives him to madness and during one of his fits of rage, Khal Drogo pours a crown of melting gold on his head, killing him in front of his very own sister.
We did tell you the whole incestuous thing wouldn’t have the best effects on the Targaryens’ sanity…
Daenerys Targaryen
The Mother of Dragons’, ‘Khaleesi’
Parents: Aerys II Targaryen, Rhaella Targaryen
Spouse: Khal Drogo
Dragons: Viserion, Rhaegal, Drogon
Daenerys Targaryen is the youngest daughter of Aerys II. She is born in exile at the end of Robert’s Rebellion, during a great storm, earning herself the nickname “Daenerys Stormborn.”
Growing up away from prying eyes, Dany is abused and treated like cattle by her brother, who only sees her as an opportunity to gain allies in his quest for the throne.
After marrying Khal Drogo and seeing her brother die, Daenerys gains confidence and becomes a mistress of her own fate. With actual dragons by her side, Dany evolves into the ‘Mother of Dragons.’
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Determined to get the throne, Dany cruises across the continent, frees slaves, gains an army and more allies than she can count. She eventually makes her way to Westeros and seduces none other than…Jon Snow…who is also her nephew (read an explanation ofhow they’re related).
At this point, nothing less surprising.
But following the death of her two dragons, her advisor, Jorah Mormont and dear friend, Missandei, as well as Jon Snow’s threat to the Throne, Daenerys is driven to madness like her father.
The once-was savior burns down King’s Landing, kills many innocent lives, and Dany finally attempts to steal the throne. Her story soon comes to an end when her lover, Jon, kills her in order to protect the Seven Kingdoms.
What happened to Daenerys’ mother?
Indeed, no one really speaks of Dany’s mother, considering her father took most of the limelight throughoutGoThistory. But apparently, the Mad King’s wife died after suffering complications from Daenerys’ birth.
So, there you have it, a concise family tree including the earliest and most recent members of the Targaryen clan. House of the Dragon has an exciting new cast of characters, fit to carry this Game of Thrones spinoff to spectacular heights (quite literally on dragon back, no less).
With so many new names and faces though, we hope this guide helps to make the show all the more accessible.
Let us know in the comments what details about the Targaryen family you think were worth mentioning, as well as anyGame of Thrones theoryyou might have about this cunning family!
Originally published in August 2020.
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