Long before the events of House of the Dragon, House Targaryen was one of the many noble families who ruled the powerful Freehold of Valyria. Unlike the other great houses, the Targaryens possessed a rare gift: they were dragonlords capable of bonding with and riding dragons, making them one of the most influential families in the ancient empire.
Everything changed with the Doom of Valyria, a catastrophic volcanic disaster that destroyed the Freehold and nearly wiped out every dragonlord family. More than a decade before the catastrophe, Lord Aenar Targaryen relocated his family to the island fortress of Dragonstone after his daughter, Daenys the Dreamer, foresaw Valyria’s destruction in a prophetic vision. The decision allowed House Targaryen to survive while the rest of Valyria fell into ruin.
Roughly a century later, Aegon I Targaryen united the Seven Kingdoms through his famous Conquest alongside his sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys, establishing House Targaryen as the ruling dynasty of Westeros. For generations, the family maintained its Valyrian tradition of marrying within the bloodline, believing it preserved both the purity of their ancestry and their unique connection to dragons.
By the time House of the Dragon begins, House Targaryen has ruled Westeros for nearly a century. Dragons are at the height of their power, the royal family has grown into numerous competing branches, and decades of intermarriage have created a complicated web of parents, siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews. When King Viserys I’s succession is challenged, those family ties become the foundation of the bloodiest civil war in Targaryen history: the Dance of the Dragons.
To understand how the conflict unfolds, it’s important to first examine the generations that came before Viserys, Rhaenyra, and Aegon II, beginning with the ruler whose reign shaped the dynasty more than any other: King Jaehaerys I Targaryen.
Table of Contents
Complete House Of The Dragon Targaryen Family Tree
Note: This family tree focuses on the major Targaryen and Velaryon characters featured in House of the Dragon. It does not include every historical member of House Targaryen from George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood.The Predecessors
The events of House of the Dragon did not begin with Rhaenyra Targaryen or the Dance of the Dragons. The roots of the conflict stretch back decades to a succession dispute that exposed divisions within House Targaryen long before swords were drawn.
Three members of the royal family, in particular, shaped the future of Westeros and laid the foundation for the civil war that would eventually tear the dynasty apart.
King Jaehaerys I Targaryen
Known throughout history as Jaehaerys the Conciliator or the Old King, Jaehaerys I Targaryen presided over one of the longest and most prosperous reigns in Westerosi history. Ascending the Iron Throne after years of instability, he ruled for 55 years alongside his sister-wife, Queen Alysanne Targaryen. Together, they strengthened the realm through legal reforms, infrastructure projects, and political diplomacy, creating an era of peace that later generations struggled to preserve.
Despite his successful reign, tragedy repeatedly struck the royal family. Jaehaerys outlived many of his children and grandchildren, creating uncertainty over who should inherit the Iron Throne. To prevent open conflict, he summoned the Great Council of 101 AC, where the lords of Westeros gathered at Harrenhal to determine the next ruler.
Rather than allowing the succession to descend into violence, the council voted in favor of Prince Viserys Targaryen over Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, establishing a decision that would echo throughout House of the Dragon.
Relationship Summary: Father of Prince Baelon Targaryen and grandfather of King Viserys I and Prince Daemon Targaryen.
Prince Baelon Targaryen
Prince Baelon, often remembered as Baelon the Brave, was one of King Jaehaerys I’s most respected sons and the heir apparent to the Iron Throne after the death of his older brother, Prince Aemon. A celebrated warrior and dragonrider, Baelon earned widespread admiration for both his military skill and his loyalty to the crown.
His sudden death from a burst belly before succeeding his father created a constitutional crisis that changed the course of Targaryen history. With Baelon gone, the question of succession shifted to his eldest son, Viserys, and his niece, Rhaenys. Their competing claims ultimately forced Jaehaerys to convene the Great Council of 101 AC, a decision that established Viserys as heir while leaving lingering resentment among those who believed Rhaenys had been unfairly denied the throne.
Baelon was married to his sister, Princess Alyssa Targaryen, following the family’s long-standing Valyrian custom of marrying within the bloodline. Together, they had two sons: Viserys and Daemon, who would later become the central figures in the Targaryen civil war.
Relationship Summary: Son of Jaehaerys I, father of King Viserys I and Prince Daemon Targaryen.
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen
Few figures in Targaryen history better illustrate the dynasty’s complicated approach to succession than Princess Rhaenys Targaryen.
As the only child of Prince Aemon, the eldest son of King Jaehaerys I, many believed she possessed the strongest hereditary claim to the Iron Throne. However, when the Great Council met at Harrenhal, the assembled lords overwhelmingly chose her younger cousin, Viserys, reinforcing the belief that a male claimant should take precedence over a woman.
That decision earned Rhaenys the enduring title “The Queen Who Never Was.” Although she accepted the council’s ruling, the outcome exposed deep divisions within House Targaryen regarding inheritance. These divisions would resurface a generation later when Viserys named his own daughter, Rhaenyra, as heir.
Rhaenys married the legendary seafarer Lord Corlys Velaryon, known as the Sea Snake, uniting two of the most powerful Valyrian families in Westeros. Their children, Laena Velaryon and Laenor Velaryon, would become central figures in the next generation, tying House Velaryon directly into the Targaryen line through marriage and setting the stage for the rival branches that dominate House of the Dragon.
Relationship Summary: Daughter of Prince Aemon Targaryen, wife of Lord Corlys Velaryon, and mother of Laena and Laenor Velaryon.
The Core Rulers And Rivals
Although King Jaehaerys I settled one succession dispute through the Great Council of 101 AC, the decision did not eliminate questions about who should inherit the Iron Throne. Instead, it established a precedent that would later be challenged by his grandson, King Viserys I.
The choices Viserys made regarding his own heir and the rival claims that emerged within his family would ultimately divide House Targaryen into two opposing factions and ignite the Dance of the Dragons.
King Viserys I Targaryen
King Viserys I Targaryen became the fifth ruler of the Targaryen dynasty after being chosen by the Great Council of 101 AC over his cousin, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. Unlike many kings before and after him, Viserys preferred diplomacy over warfare and inherited one of the most prosperous periods in Westerosi history. His reign is often remembered for its peace and prosperity, but his inability to resolve the question of succession ultimately planted the seeds of civil war.
Viserys first married his cousin, Queen Aemma Arryn, with whom he had a single surviving child, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. Following Aemma’s death during childbirth, Viserys shocked much of the realm by publicly naming Rhaenyra as his heir instead of his younger brother, Daemon. The decision broke with the precedent established by the Great Council and required the great houses of Westeros to swear loyalty to Rhaenyra as the future queen.
Years later, Viserys married Alicent Hightower, the daughter of Ser Otto Hightower, Hand of the King. Their marriage produced four children, Aegon, Helaena, Aemond, and Daeron, creating a second branch of the royal family.
Although Viserys never withdrew Rhaenyra’s status as heir, the birth of sons from his second marriage reignited debate over whether the Iron Throne should pass to the king’s eldest child or his eldest son. That unresolved conflict eventually erupted into the Dance of the Dragons immediately after Viserys’ death.
Relationship Summary: Son of Prince Baelon Targaryen; husband of Aemma Arryn and Alicent Hightower; father of Rhaenyra, Aegon II, Helaena, Aemond, and Daeron.
Prince Daemon Targaryen
Prince Daemon Targaryen, the younger brother of King Viserys I, is one of the most formidable and unpredictable figures in Targaryen history. A fearless warrior, accomplished dragonrider, and wielder of the Valyrian steel sword Dark Sister, Daemon thrives in conflict. He repeatedly proves himself as one of the greatest military commanders of his generation. His dragon, Caraxes, known as the Blood Wyrm, becomes one of the most feared dragons during the Dance.
Daemon’s relationship with his brother is marked by both fierce loyalty and constant rivalry. Although he frequently clashes with Viserys over matters of succession and governance, his ambitions are tempered by genuine affection for his family. Throughout the series, Daemon serves as commander of the City Watch, wages war in the Stepstones, and repeatedly influences the political landscape through bold and often controversial decisions.
His personal life further intertwines the Targaryen family tree. Daemon first married Lady Rhea Royce, though the marriage produced no children and remained deeply unhappy. He later married Laena Velaryon, with whom he had twin daughters, Baela and Rhaena Targaryen.
After Laena’s death, Daemon married his niece, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, strengthening her claim to the Iron Throne while producing two sons, Aegon III and Viserys II. Through these marriages, Daemon became one of the few individuals directly connected to nearly every major branch of House Targaryen during the civil war.
Relationship Summary: Younger brother of King Viserys I; husband of Rhea Royce, Laena Velaryon, and Rhaenyra Targaryen; father of Baela, Rhaena, Aegon III, and Viserys II.
As the children of Viserys and Daemon grew older, those family connections evolved into two competing branches of House Targaryen. One rallied behind Viserys’ chosen heir, Princess Rhaenyra, while the other supported his eldest son, Aegon II. Their rivalry would soon divide the realm into two opposing factions remembered as Team Black and Team Green.
Related: Is Ormund Hightower’s Fake Surrender in House of the Dragon Real? What Fire & Blood Actually Says
House Velaryon Connection
Although House of the Dragon centers on the Targaryens, the story cannot be understood without House Velaryon. Originating from Old Valyria like House Targaryen, the Velaryons shared the same ancestral homeland and maintained close ties with the royal family for generations. While they were not dragonlords by tradition, repeated marriages with the Targaryens placed them at the heart of the royal succession and made them one of the most influential families in Westeros.
Lord Corlys Velaryon
Lord Corlys Velaryon, widely known as the Sea Snake, was the head of House Velaryon and one of the richest men in Westeros. Through a series of legendary voyages across the known world, he amassed immense wealth and transformed Driftmark into a naval power that rivaled even the Iron Throne’s influence.
Corlys married Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, linking House Velaryon directly to the royal bloodline. Although his wife was denied the throne at the Great Council of 101 AC, Corlys never abandoned the belief that her descendants deserved to rule. That conviction later shaped his support for Princess Rhaenyra during the Dance of the Dragons.
As Lord of the Tides and Master of Driftmark, Corlys commanded the largest fleet in Westeros, making House Velaryon one of Team Black’s greatest military advantages.
Relationship Summary: Husband of Princess Rhaenys Targaryen; father of Laena and Laenor Velaryon; grandfather of Baela, Rhaena, Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey.
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen
Although remembered as “The Queen Who Never Was,” Princess Rhaenys also became Lady of Driftmark through her marriage to Corlys Velaryon. Her Targaryen ancestry ensured that her children inherited royal blood despite carrying the Velaryon name.
Throughout House of the Dragon, Rhaenys often serves as a voice of reason, attempting to prevent the growing divisions within her family. Even after losing her claim to the throne decades earlier, she remained fiercely protective of her descendants and ultimately stood beside Rhaenyra during the Dance of the Dragons.
Relationship Summary: Daughter of Prince Aemon Targaryen; wife of Lord Corlys Velaryon; mother of Laena and Laenor Velaryon.
Lady Laena Velaryon
Laena Velaryon was the elder child of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen. A dragonrider from a young age, she bonded with Vhagar, the oldest and largest living dragon in Westeros.
Laena married Prince Daemon Targaryen, bringing together two of the most prominent Valyrian families. Their marriage produced twin daughters, Baela and Rhaena Targaryen, strengthening the blood ties between Houses Targaryen and Velaryon. Following Laena’s death, Vhagar was claimed by Prince Aemond Targaryen, a moment that sparked one of the most consequential rivalries in the series.
Relationship Summary: Daughter of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen; wife of Prince Daemon Targaryen; mother of Baela and Rhaena Targaryen.
Ser Laenor Velaryon
Ser Laenor Velaryon was the younger child of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen and became Princess Rhaenyra’s first husband. Their marriage united the two most powerful Valyrian houses in Westeros while reinforcing Rhaenyra’s claim to the Iron Throne.
Although Laenor officially fathered Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon, persistent rumors claimed the boys were actually the sons of Ser Harwin Strong. King Viserys I consistently rejected those accusations, recognizing the children as legitimate members of House Velaryon and maintaining their place in the line of succession.
Laenor’s marriage connected nearly every major branch of the Targaryen family tree, making him a central figure in the complex relationships that define House of the Dragon.
Relationship Summary: Son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen; first husband of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen; legal father of Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon.
Team Black: Rhaenyra’s Branch
After King Viserys I reaffirmed Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen as his heir, her side of the family became known as Team Black. Named after the black-and-red colors of House Targaryen, the faction believed the Iron Throne rightfully belonged to Rhaenyra because she had been publicly declared heir and recognized by the great houses of Westeros.
Her branch of the family combined the bloodlines of House Targaryen and House Velaryon through a series of marriages that made the succession even more intertwined.
Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen was the firstborn child of King Viserys I and Queen Aemma Arryn. After the death of her mother, Viserys formally named Rhaenyra his heir, requiring the lords of the realm to swear fealty to her. For years, she remained the undisputed successor despite the birth of her father’s sons with Alicent Hightower.
Rhaenyra first married Ser Laenor Velaryon, strengthening the alliance between House Targaryen and House Velaryon. Following Laenor’s presumed death, she married her uncle, Prince Daemon Targaryen, further consolidating the family’s Valyrian bloodline.
Although Viserys never revoked her claim, the Green Council crowned her half-brother, Aegon II, after the king’s death, prompting Rhaenyra to declare herself the rightful queen and beginning the Dance of the Dragons.
Rhaenyra rides the dragon Syrax and serves as the central figure of Team Black throughout the civil war.
Relationship Summary: Daughter of King Viserys I and Queen Aemma Arryn; wife of Laenor Velaryon and Prince Daemon Targaryen; mother of Jacaerys, Lucerys, Joffrey, Aegon III, and Viserys II.
Jacaerys, Lucerys, And Joffrey Velaryon
Rhaenyra’s first three sons were born during her marriage to Laenor Velaryon and officially carried the Velaryon name. Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey were recognized by King Viserys I as legitimate heirs despite persistent rumors that their biological father was Ser Harwin Strong, commander of the City Watch.
Those rumors became one of the greatest sources of political tension in the realm. Supporters of Team Green repeatedly questioned the boys’ legitimacy, arguing that they should be excluded from the line of succession. Viserys consistently rejected those claims, insisting that the princes were lawful members of House Velaryon and House Targaryen.
Jacaerys, often called Jace, became Rhaenyra’s heir and emerged as one of Team Black’s most capable leaders. Lucerys, or Luke, was named heir to Driftmark, while the youngest brother, Joffrey, remained at Dragonstone during much of the conflict.
Relationship Summary: Eldest sons of Rhaenyra Targaryen; legally the children of Laenor Velaryon and widely believed to be the sons of Ser Harwin Strong.
Aegon III And Viserys II Targaryen
After marrying Prince Daemon, Rhaenyra gave birth to two more sons, Aegon and Viserys. Unlike her older children, their parentage was never questioned because both parents belonged to House Targaryen.
These brothers represented the union of two branches of the royal family and would ultimately play a crucial role in preserving the Targaryen dynasty after the devastating losses of the Dance of the Dragons. Their survival ensured that the royal bloodline continued beyond the civil war and shaped the future of the Iron Throne.
Relationship Summary: Sons of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and Prince Daemon Targaryen.
Baela And Rhaena Targaryen
Baela and Rhaena were the twin daughters of Prince Daemon Targaryen and Lady Laena Velaryon. Through their parents, they inherited the blood of both House Targaryen and House Velaryon, making them key figures in the family’s interconnected lineage.
Following Laena’s death, the sisters were raised alongside Rhaenyra’s children, strengthening the bonds within Team Black. Baela eventually became betrothed to Jacaerys Velaryon, while Rhaena was promised to Lucerys Velaryon, reinforcing the alliance between Daemon’s daughters and Rhaenyra’s heirs.
Throughout the Dance of the Dragons, both sisters remained loyal to Rhaenyra’s cause and represented the next generation of the Black faction.
Relationship Summary: Daughters of Prince Daemon Targaryen and Laena Velaryon; stepdaughters of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen; granddaughters of Lord Corlys Velaryon and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen.
Team Green: Alicent’s Branch
While Princess Rhaenyra’s supporters gathered behind the king’s chosen heir, another faction emerged within the royal court. Known as Team Green, this group backed the claim of King Viserys I’s eldest son, Prince Aegon Targaryen.
The rivalry between the king’s children from his two marriages divided House Targaryen long before Viserys’ death, with Queen Alicent Hightower and her allies believing the Iron Throne should pass to the king’s firstborn son rather than his eldest child.
King Aegon II Targaryen
Aegon II Targaryen was the eldest son of King Viserys I and Queen Alicent Hightower. Although Viserys repeatedly affirmed that Rhaenyra would succeed him, many influential nobles believed Aegon had the stronger claim under the traditional preference for male heirs.
After Viserys died, members of the Small Council secretly organized Aegon’s coronation in King’s Landing, proclaiming him king before Rhaenyra could assert her own claim. His crowning officially split the realm into Team Green and Team Black, marking the beginning of the Dance of the Dragons.
Aegon rides Sunfyre, one of the most magnificent dragons of the era. Though initially reluctant to wear the crown, he ultimately embraced the role and became one of the principal leaders of the civil war.
Relationship Summary: Eldest son of King Viserys I and Queen Alicent Hightower; husband of Queen Helaena Targaryen; father of Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor Targaryen.
Queen Helaena Targaryen
Helaena Targaryen was the second child and only daughter of King Viserys I and Alicent Hightower. Following the long-standing Targaryen tradition of marrying within the family, she became the wife of her older brother, Aegon II, strengthening the legitimacy of his branch of the dynasty.
Unlike many members of her family, Helaena showed little interest in politics or the struggle for the Iron Throne. Instead, she was known for her gentle personality and mysterious prophetic visions, many of which appeared cryptic at first but later proved significant as events unfolded during the Dance of the Dragons.
Helaena rides the dragon Dreamfyre and becomes one of the conflict’s most tragic figures after her family is devastated by the assassination known as Blood and Cheese.
Relationship Summary: Daughter of King Viserys I and Queen Alicent Hightower; wife of King Aegon II; mother of Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor Targaryen.
Prince Aemond Targaryen
Prince Aemond Targaryen, the third child of Viserys and Alicent, grew into one of the most feared warriors of his generation. As a child, he was mocked for lacking a dragon until he claimed Vhagar, the oldest and largest living dragon in Westeros, after the death of Lady Laena Velaryon.
The claim came at a high cost. A confrontation with Rhaenyra’s sons ended with Lucerys Velaryon slashing out Aemond’s left eye. Rather than seeing it as a weakness, Aemond wore a sapphire in its place and developed a fierce determination that defined much of his later life.
An accomplished swordsman and military commander, Aemond became one of Team Green’s most formidable leaders during the Dance, with his actions dramatically escalating the conflict between the rival branches of House Targaryen.
Relationship Summary: Second son of King Viserys I and Queen Alicent Hightower; younger brother of Aegon II and Helaena; older brother of Daeron Targaryen.
Prince Daeron Targaryen
Prince Daeron Targaryen was the youngest child of King Viserys I and Alicent Hightower. Unlike his siblings, he spent much of his youth in Oldtown as a ward of House Hightower, where he was raised away from the political tensions of King’s Landing.
Despite his distance from court, Daeron remained loyal to Team Green and eventually entered the war as one of its most capable commanders. He rode the dragon Tessarion, known as the Blue Queen, and earned a reputation for courage in battle while supporting his family’s claim to the Iron Throne.
Relationship Summary: Youngest son of King Viserys I and Queen Alicent Hightower; younger brother of Aegon II, Helaena, and Aemond Targaryen.
Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, And Maelor Targaryen
The children of Aegon II and Helaena represented the next generation of the Green branch of House Targaryen. Their eldest son, Prince Jaehaerys, was considered Aegon II’s heir, while his twin sister, Jaehaera, remained an important dynastic figure. Their younger brother, Maelor, completed the royal family.
The young princes and princess became targets almost immediately after the war began. The infamous Blood and Cheese assassination resulted in the murder of Prince Jaehaerys inside the Red Keep, an event that devastated the Green faction and intensified the cycle of revenge between the two rival sides.
Relationship Summary: Children of King Aegon II Targaryen and Queen Helaena Targaryen; grandchildren of King Viserys I and Queen Alicent Hightower.
The royal family was divided into two rival factions that fought the Dance of the Dragons.
Dance Of The Dragons
The Dance of the Dragons was the Targaryen civil war that tore House Targaryen apart from within. Rather than an invasion by an outside enemy, the conflict became a brutal struggle between members of the same family, with siblings, uncles, nieces, cousins, and nephews fighting for control of the Iron Throne. The war earned its name because both sides possessed dragons, resulting in some of the deadliest dragon-versus-dragon battles in Westerosi history.
The Succession Crisis
The roots of the Dance stretch back to King Viserys I’s decision to name his daughter, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, as his heir. Although the great houses of Westeros swore to honor that choice, many believed the throne should instead pass to Viserys’ eldest son, Prince Aegon, following the traditional preference for male succession.
When Viserys died, those competing interpretations collided. Supporters of Rhaenyra maintained that the king’s wishes were legally binding, while Alicent Hightower and her allies argued that Aegon was the rightful king by birth. Within days, both claimants had been crowned, leaving Westeros with two monarchs and no peaceful path forward.
Team Black Vs Team Green
The conflict quickly divided the realm into two rival factions. Team Black rallied behind Rhaenyra from Dragonstone, drawing support from House Velaryon and many lords who honored Viserys’ original declaration.
Team Green established its court in King’s Landing under Aegon II, backed by House Hightower, much of the royal administration, and powerful allies who believed the throne belonged to the king’s eldest son.
As the war expanded, families across Westeros were forced to choose a side. Political alliances, marriages, and blood relationships often proved just as important as military strength, turning the conflict into one of the most personal wars in the history of the Seven Kingdoms.
The Dragons At War
Unlike earlier succession disputes, the Dance was fought with dragons on both sides. Legendary dragons such as Caraxes, Syrax, Meleys, Vhagar, Sunfyre, Dreamfyre, Vermax, Moondancer, and Tessarion became decisive weapons, transforming battles into devastating spectacles unlike anything Westeros had witnessed before.
The war came at an enormous cost. Many members of House Targaryen perished, numerous dragons were killed, and the dynasty emerged permanently weakened. Although one faction ultimately prevailed, the conflict shattered the family’s dominance and marked the beginning of the end for dragons in Westeros.
Why The Family Tree Matters
The Dance of the Dragons can be difficult to follow because nearly every major character is related. Rivals are often siblings, half-siblings, uncles, nieces, cousins, or in-laws, while generations of intermarriage blur the lines between different branches of the family.
Understanding those relationships helps explain why every alliance, marriage, betrayal, and succession claim carries enormous weight throughout House of the Dragon. The Targaryen family tree is more than a genealogy; it’s the foundation of the entire conflict.
Who Inherits The Iron Throne?
One of the central questions in House of the Dragon is not simply who belongs to House Targaryen, but who has the strongest legal claim to the Iron Throne. Much of the conflict stems from different interpretations of succession, with rival factions relying on precedent, royal decree, and bloodline to justify their chosen ruler.
Princess Rhaenyra’s Claim
King Viserys I publicly declared Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen his heir after the death of Queen Aemma Arryn. He required the great houses of Westeros to swear oaths recognizing her as the future ruler and never reversed that decision, even after the birth of his sons with Alicent Hightower.
Supporters of Team Black argued that the king’s wishes were final. Since Viserys never removed Rhaenyra as heir, they believed the Iron Throne legally belonged to her upon his death.
King Aegon II’s Claim
Team Green relied on a different interpretation of succession. Its supporters argued that the Iron Throne traditionally passed to the eldest surviving son rather than the eldest child. They pointed to the Great Council of 101 AC, where Viserys himself had been chosen over Princess Rhaenys, as evidence that male heirs took precedence in matters of royal succession.
Following Viserys’ death, the Green Council crowned Aegon II in King’s Landing before news reached Dragonstone, presenting him as the rightful king under established custom.
Why Both Sides Believed They Were Right
The Dance of the Dragons became inevitable because neither side believed it was committing treason. Team Black defended the king’s explicit decision to name his successor, while Team Green argued that centuries of precedent favored the king’s eldest son regardless of any previous declaration.
Those conflicting interpretations divided not only House Targaryen but also the great houses of Westeros. Lords, knights, and even members of the same family chose opposite sides based on which principle they believed should determine the succession.
The Lasting Impact
Although the Dance of the Dragons eventually came to an end, its consequences reshaped House Targaryen forever. The civil war decimated the royal family, claimed the lives of many dragons, and weakened the dynasty’s grip on the Seven Kingdoms.
The succession crisis also became one of the defining moments in Targaryen history, influencing how later generations viewed the question of inheritance and the dangers of divided loyalty within the royal family.
Conclusion
The Targaryen family tree in House of the Dragon is more than a list of names and relationships; it is the foundation of every alliance, rivalry, and betrayal that drives the series. From King Jaehaerys I’s reign and the Great Council of 101 AC to the competing claims of Princess Rhaenyra and King Aegon II, every major conflict can be traced back to a single royal bloodline.
Understanding how the Targaryens, Velaryons, and Hightowers are connected makes it much easier to follow the show’s political intrigue and the devastating events of the Dance of the Dragons. As the story unfolds, these family ties continue to shape the fate of the Iron Throne and the future of House Targaryen.
Whether you’re watching House of the Dragon for the first time or looking to refresh your memory before the latest episodes, this family tree serves as a complete guide to the key characters and their place in one of Westeros’ most influential dynasties.
FAQ’S
How Is Rhaenyra Targaryen Related To Daemon Targaryen?
Daemon Targaryen is Rhaenyra Targaryen’s uncle. He is the younger brother of King Viserys I, Rhaenyra’s father. Despite their close family relationship, the two later married according to the long-standing Targaryen tradition of marrying within the family. Together, they had two sons, Aegon III and Viserys II.
Why Do Targaryens Marry Their Own Family Members?
House Targaryen continued the Valyrian custom of marrying within the bloodline to preserve what they believed was the purity of their ancestry and their unique bond with dragons. Sibling and cousin marriages were common among the Targaryens but were considered unusual by the rest of Westeros.
Why Are Rhaenyra’s Sons Called Velaryon?
Rhaenyra’s first three sons—Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey—were born during her marriage to Ser Laenor Velaryon. Under Westerosi custom, children take their father’s family name, so they were officially recognized as members of House Velaryon despite widespread rumors that Ser Harwin Strong was their biological father.
How Is Rhaenys Targaryen Related To Rhaenyra?
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen is King Viserys I’s cousin, making her Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen’s first cousin once removed. She is also the mother of Laenor and Laena Velaryon, whose marriages further connected the Velaryon and Targaryen bloodlines.
Is Corlys Velaryon A Targaryen?
No. Corlys Velaryon belongs to House Velaryon, another noble family of Valyrian origin. He became part of the Targaryen family through his marriage to Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, and his children and grandchildren inherited both Velaryon and Targaryen ancestry.
Who Is ‘The Queen Who Never Was’?
“The Queen Who Never Was” is the nickname given to Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. Although she had one of the strongest hereditary claims to the Iron Throne as the daughter of Prince Aemon Targaryen, the Great Council of 101 AC chose her cousin, Viserys I, as King instead.
Why Are There Two King Aegons?
The Targaryen dynasty reused several royal names across multiple generations, including Aegon, Viserys, Jaehaerys, and Baelon. In House of the Dragon, King Aegon II Targaryen is the son of Viserys I and Alicent Hightower, while Aegon III Targaryen is the son of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Daemon Targaryen.
Who Is Older, Viserys Or Daemon?
King Viserys I Targaryen is the elder brother of Prince Daemon Targaryen. Both are the sons of Prince Baelon Targaryen and Princess Alyssa Targaryen, making them grandsons of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen.
Is ‘House Of The Dragon’ Connected To ‘Game Of Thrones’?
Yes. House of the Dragon is a prequel to Game of Thrones, taking place about 200 years before the events of the original HBO series. Based on George R.R. Martin‘s Fire & Blood, it explores the height of House Targaryen’s power and the devastating civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, which forever changed the dynasty long before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen.
Who Eventually Continues The Targaryen Bloodline?
Although the Dance of the Dragons devastates House Targaryen, the royal bloodline survives through Rhaenyra Targaryen and Prince Daemon Targaryen’s sons, Aegon III and Viserys II. Their descendants continue the Targaryen dynasty for generations, eventually leading to the royal family seen and referenced in Game of Thrones.