House of the Dragon
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SPOILERS for Fire & Blood , which House of the Dragon is based on , and Game of Thrones
Summary
House Targaryen is the focus ofHouse of the Dragonand the most historically detailed kin in theGame of Thronesuniverse , with fascinating traditional knowledge to plunge into . The two HBO adaptations render House Targaryen at vastly dissimilar points in its prominence in Westeros . House of the Dragon , which is based on the bookFire & Bloodby George R.R. Martin , analyze the noble family line at the peak of its exponent , with the Targaryen dynasty being the dominant violence in the Seven Kingdoms due to their growing sovereignty of dragon exponent .
200 eld later , Game of Thronessees the Targaryen family unit after its downslope , beginning with Viserys and Daenerys being the exiled leftover of an overthrown rule , with the new Baratheon lineage sitting the commode . The journeying fromHouse of the Dragon’sevents to those inGame of Thronesis filled with engrossing stories , with the dynasty ’s grasp on the region continuously waver more and more . Not to cite , there are years of history prior toHouse of the Dragon , some of which should be shown infutureGame of Thronesspinoffs .
What’s Known About House Targaryen Before Aegon’s Conquest
House Targaryen Comes From A Ruined Civilization Called Valyria
Unlike many of the great houses of Westeros , whose roots can be trace back to pagan groups such as the First Men , the Andals , or the Rhoynar , House Targaryen comes from the empire of the Valyrian Freehold . Valyria was a city in Essos that , in the time ofGame of Thrones , is turn over to have achieved architectural and technical achievements beyond inclusion , with dragons being a significant source of its intensity . The empire was ruled by forty dragonriding stately sign of the zodiac , one of whom was House Targaryen , though they were not among the most powerful .
A Targaryen root named Daenys Targaryen had visions of a disaster , envision the Doom of Valyria , and warned her father , Aenar . Trusting her , Aenar move his family and riches aside from Valyria , settling on the Valyrian outpost of Dragonstone off the shore of Westeros . The Doom pass in 102 BC , just over a 100 before Aegon ’s Conquest . On Dragonstone , Aegon inherit the dragon Balerion , which had hold out the trip from Valyria , and the dragons Meraxes and Vhagar were hatch , the latter of which is one of thedragons inHouse of the Dragon .
With several Game of Thrones spin - offs like Aegon ’s Conquest and Dunk & Egg in development , these theories about the original show could be answered .
Why Targaryens Have Silver Hair & Purple Eyes
Valyrian People Were Known For Distinct, Beautiful Physical Traits
While not depicted in the boob tube show , the Targaryens in George R.R. Martin ’s novel are depict as let purple eyes to complement their iconic silver hair . InThe World of Ice & Fire , Martin explains that theValyrian the great unwashed were distinguished for their slap-up beauty . Their distinct silver or gold tomentum color and uncommon purple eye color were considered"proof that the Valyrians are not exclusively of the same blood as other men . “However , some maesters consider these lineament were merely the result of isolationist breeding over clock time .
How Targaryens Can Ride Dragons (Are They All Dragonriders?)
Not Every Targaryen Is A Dragonrider, But All Dragonriders Seem To Be Valyrian
Targaryens were know even in Valyria to be closer to tartar than others , butnot every Valyrian or Targaryen is secure to be capable to bond with a dragon . Dragons are well-informed , and the oecumenical rule is that they can be trained to follow the command of one passenger at a time . The flying dragon will not tolerate anyone else to be on its back as long as the passenger experience unless the passenger accompanies them . The adhesiveness between passenger and Draco is special and has mysterious property , as dragons have been shown to sense it when their passenger suffers and vice - versa .
It ’s undecipherable what makes Valyrian blood unparalleled in allow them to climb up dragons , though it ’s part of the reason for inbreeding between family members . Valyrian cocksucker , called " dragonseeds , " of House Targaryen and House Velaryon manage to claim flying lizard during the Dance of the Dragons . As for non - Valyrians , there ’s no distinguishable proof one way or the other that average people can or ca n’t ride a dragon , but there ’s no record of it ever being done .
The current of air of Winter has been excellently delayed for over a 10 , but it ’s not the only A Song of Ice & Fire George R.R. Martin has planned .
Custom image by Debanjana Chowdhury
Aegon’s Conquest Of Westeros Explained (Including Aegon’s Dream)
Aegon United The Kingdoms Of Westeros, Establishing The Targaryen Dynasty
Aegon ’s Conquest is arguably the most historically significant event in Westerosi history . Aegon the Conqueror ride his tartar Balerion along with his sister wives Visenya , Rhaenys , and their flying lizard and laid siege to the then - independent realm of Westeros . They managed to put down claim to six of the seven , though Dorne jib seizure . After link the continent , Aegon was henceforth known as Aegon I Targaryen , establishing King ’s Landing and the Red Keep , beginning the dynasty that would last nearly 300 years .
Aegon ’s Conquest is one of the plannedGame of Thronesprequel series , but it ’s arguably not the most enthralling serial of event despite its impact . Aside from Dorne , Aegon had very little conflict wipe out Westerosi armies , wipe out noble kinsfolk like House Gardener , and establishing the scheme of government that audiences are familiar with inHouse of the DragonandGame of Thrones . With the late addition of Dorne , Aegon united the continent of Westeros together under one streamer for the first time , using dragon power to bring Houses like Stark and Lannister under his reign .
Aegon ’s Dreamis an idea usher in inHouse of the Dragonthat ’s unique to the TV creation , explain by Viserys to Rhaenyra . Thedream suggest that Aegon envisioned the White Walker invasion inGame of Thronesand had hoped to build the realm into a unassailable , united frontled by a Targaryen who could oppose the dreadful winter with the fire of dragons . The divination is principally introduced in the serial publication to show the toll of the Dance of Dragons ' destruction . Read the full quote from Viserys below :
Image via HBO
" Aegon counter the end of the existence of men . It ’s to lead off with a awful winter , gusting out of the remote North . Aegon visualize rank darkness mount on those air current , and whatever dwell within will destruct the world of the living . When this corking wintertime comes , Rhaenyra , all of Westeros must stand against it . And if the world of men is to survive , a Targaryen must be seat on the Iron Throne . A King or Queen , secure enough to unite the land against the cold and the dark . Aegon call his dreaming ' The Song of Ice and Fire . ' "
The Dance Of The Dragons: The Targaryen Civil War
The Dance Of The Dragons Saw The Targaryen Dynasty Severely Weakened
The Dance of the Dragons is thecentral national of HBO’sHouse of the Dragonand is detailed inFire & Blood . Jaehaerys I was the fourth monarch in the Targaryen dynasty , who ruled the realm in an era of peace and successfulness for 55 geezerhood , leading the home to its peak of power . There was a conflict of succession , and a Great Council was assembled to determine on Jaehaerys ' heir , eventually selecting the male Viserys over Rhaenys despite her having a better claim through Jaehaerys ' stemma . Viserys I is the rule at the beginning of the HBO serial .
Viserys I and his married woman , Aemma Arryn , struggled to bring out a male heir , allow two potential candidates for the throne : Viserys ' brother , Daemon , known for being unpredictable and madcap , and Viserys ' girl , Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen . Viserys eventually determine on Rhaenyra as his heir , though this was before his marriage to his second married woman , Alicent Hightower . Alicent gave birth to a male person , Aegon , creating a conflict of ecological succession , as Viserys had already articulate Rhaenyra as his heirbut now had a son who , by law , would be next in line for the throne .
This conflict contribute to an all - out civic warfare , with Targaryens killing Targaryens and firedrake killing Draco
Upon Viserys Targaryen ’s death , a plot was hatched to put Aegon on the throne , splitting the land into theGreen and Black factions . The Green faction , establish by the Hightower streamer ’s green people of colour , back up Aegon ’s claim as the firstborn manly son , while the Black faction believe in Viserys ' wish for Rhaenyra to be his successor . This conflict conduct to an all - out civil war , with Targaryens killing Targaryens and Dragon killing dragons . Jaehaerys ' era of peace was met with a period of destruction and terror , with Westeros brought into one of its bloodiest state of war in a gratuitous conflict over power .
House of the Dragon ’s timeline grew confusing in time of year 1 with multiple jumps . Here ’s how old each of the main type is at the start of the war .
When & How The Dragons Died Out Before Game Of Thrones
The Last Dragon Died Roughly 150 Years Before GoT
ByGame of Thrones , dragons are think to be an nonextant species , starkly contrast their preponderance inHouse of the Dragon . During the reign of Jaehaerys and Viserys , the Targaryen dynasty had a system in property for Draco rearing , with raw egg being hatched to cater dragons for the growing Targaryen and Velaryon family . However , the Dance of the Dragons saw a significant portion of these dragons killed , be it in fight with other firedrake or in an event send for the Storming of the Dragonpit , where commoners join together in outrage and killed several dragons in King ’s Landing .
Roughly 20 year after the Dance of the Dragons , the last of the species in Westeros break out . The last dragon belong to King Aegon III , the son of Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen . His dragon died at a vernal age due to vague causes , causing him to be known henceforth as Dragonbane . Until Daenerys brood her eggs nigh 150 years later , Draco had pass off into story , with their skull stand for in the Red Keep in King ’s Landing .
Dragons are some of the most muscular creatures in the Game of Thrones macrocosm . From the display and novels , here ’s every way we ’ve seen them break down .
The Blackfyre Rebellions Explained
House Blackfyre Was Created By A Targaryen Bastard
Just over 100 years before the result ofGame of Thrones , another civil war occurred that scourge the Seven Kingdoms . King Aegon IV , one of the least well-thought-of monarchs in the Targaryen lineage , fathered many illegitimate child , with his bastard Daemon Rivers being decriminalise . Daemon Rivers formed a branch - off House of his own , naming himself Daemon Blackfyreafter the ancestral Valyrian brand sword his sire had bestow him . This created a conflict with Aegon IV ’s true - born heir , Daeron , following their father ’s death .
Daeron II ascend the Iron Throne , and his half - brother rebelled , nock the start of the First Blackfyre Rebellion . Over the course of roughly 60 year , there were five Blackfyre Rebellions in totalduring the reigns of different Targaryen kings , lead to further decline for the Targaryen dynasty in the hundred leading up toGame of Thrones . The Blackfyres also made other attempts at the throne during this period that were n’t document as official rebellions .
The Mad King, Robert’s Rebellion & The End Of The Targaryen Dynasty
The Mad King Aerys II & His Son Rhaegar Caused The Fall Of House Targaryen
Just beforeGame of Thrones , Robert ’s Rebellion place the leg for many of the major plot of ground gunpoint from the original serial publication . King Aerys II , afterwards referred to as the Mad King , began his tenure as a hopeful monarch with big ambitions to expand the Seven Kingdoms . Over time , due to conflict with his Hand , Tywin Lannister , and a six - month imprisonment in the castle of Duskendale , Aerys began to lose grasp on himself and demand to common cruelness . However , the accelerator for Robert ’s Rebellion was Rhaegel Targaryen , Aerys ' Logos , run off with Leanna Stark .
three key event have relevance to the Targaryen dynasty : The Battle of the Trident , the Sack of King ’s landing place , and the Tower of Joy .
Previously , Lyanna Stark had been betrothed to Robert Baratheon , who was impassioned by his erotic love for her . Lord Rickon Stark and Brandon Stark , Ned Stark ’s father and older brother , traveled in the south to King ’s landing place to request Lyanna be returned , to which Aerys reacted by burning Rickon aliveand flow Brandon as he watched . Ned Stark , Robert Baratheon , and Jon Arryn then called their banner , and Robert ’s Rebellion began . Several engagement were fought , but three fundamental events have relevancy to the Targaryen dynasty : The Battle of the Trident , the sacque of King ’s Landing , and the Tower of Joy .
The Battle of the Trident saw Robert Baratheon and his rival , Prince Rhaegar , battle face to face . Robert claimed triumph , killing Rhaegar , the Mad King ’s heir . At the sackful of King ’s Landing , Tywin Lannister betray Aerys , commanding his forces to storm the metropolis violently and afterwards tasking the Mountain with killing Rhaegar Targaryen ’s infant children . Jaime Lannister of the Kingsguard infamously jab Aerys II in the back , ending the war . afterwards , Ned Stark constitute his sister Lyanna break at the Tower of Joy , though he took her newborn baby and passed it off as his love child son .
Daenerys Targaryen & Jon Snow In Game Of Thrones
Daenerys & Jon Are The Last Surviving Targaryens In The Game Of Thrones TV Series
Daenerys Targaryen is the daughter of King Aerys II , who was conceived late in Robert ’s Rebellion . Her mother and the young Prince Viserys escaped to Dragonstone before the Sack of King ’s Landing . After Daenerys was born , she and Viserys fled to Essos . After her marriage to Khal Drogo , Daenerys had Viserys kill , beginning her own reign as the next Targaryen ruler , which was further enforce by the hatching of her three dragons , Drogon , Rhaegal , and Viserion . She spent much ofGame of Thronesaccumulating forces for her conquest of Westeros and finally succeeded in exact King ’s Landing .
Jon Snow was conjure as Ned Stark ’s bastard and only discover deep in the series that he ’s the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark . Since Rhaegar and Lyanna had married in private , Jon is technically a admittedly - born heirand has a more logical title to the Iron Throne than Daenerys . Before her death , Lyanna had named Jon Aegon Targaryen . He never becomes the King , as he kills his lover Daenerys after she extend mad in theGame of Thronesendingand is sentenced to expatriate northward of the Wall .
Every Known Targaryen King & Queen
The Targaryen dynasty hold up almost 300 years , with monarchs of vary quality decree Westeros . Their nicknames are often telltale signaling of that quality .
Targaryen rule
sovereignty
Image via HBO
Nicknames
Aegon I
1 - 37 AC
The Conqueror
Aenys I
37 - 42 AC
Maegor I
42 - 48 AC
The Cruel
Jaehaerys I
48 - 103 AC
The Conciliator , The Wise
Viserys I
103 - 129 AC
Aegon II
129 - 131 AC
Aegon III
131 - 157 AC
The Broken King , The Dragonbane
Daeron I
157 - 161 AC
The Young Dragon
Baelor I
161 - 171 AC
The Blessed
Viserys II
171 - 172 AC
Aegon IV
172 - 184 AC
The Unworthy
Daeron II
184 - 209 AC
The secure
Aerys I
209 - 221 AC
Maekar I
221 - 233 AC
Aegon V
233 - 259 AC
The Unlikely
Jaehaerys II
259 - 262 AC
Aerys II
262 - 283 AC
The unhinged King
Daenerys I
305 AC
House Targaryen Actors In House Of The Dragon & Game Of Thrones
member of House Targaryen have been make for by some phenomenal acting talent . ThroughoutGame of ThronesandHouse of the Dragon , well-nigh 20 have appeared , with many more to be shown in future spinoffs .
Character
worker
Show
Daenerys Targaryen
Emilia Clarke
GoT
Viserys Targaryen
Harry Lloyd
Jon Snow
kit up Harrington
Maester Aemon
Peter Vaughan
Aerys II Targaryen
David Rintoul
Rhaegar Targaryen
Wilf Scolding
Viserys I Targaryen
Paddy Considine
HotD
Daemon Targaryen
Matt Smith
Rhaenyra Targaryen
Milly Alcock / Emma D’Arcy
Rhaenys Targaryen
Eve Best
Aegon II Targaryen
Ty Tennant / Tom Glynn - Carney
Helaena Targaryen
Evie Allen , Phia Saban
Aemond Targaryen
Leo Ashton / Ewan Mitchell
Baela Targaryen
Rhaena Targaryen
Jaehaerys I Targaryen
Michael Carter
Taking seat about 172 old age before the effect ofGame of Thrones , House of the Dragontells the fib of the rise of the Targaryens , the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria . The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replace by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke , who flirt the older versions of the persona . Also starring in the serial is Matt Smith ( Prince Daemon Targaryen ) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra ’s father , King Viserys Targaryen .
