House of the Dragon: You need to know these 7 things about the Targaryens from the GoT universe

GAME OF THRONES

Aug 11, 2022 at 6:15 p.m

“House of the Dragon” brings back the Targaryens. The famous family from the GoT universe has white hair, (almost) only marries among themselves and rides dragons. We tell you everything important about Rhaenyra, Daenerys and Co.

The “Game of Thrones” series “House of the Dragon” will start in the summer of 2022 on US broadcaster HBO and in Germany on Sky. The series follows the reign of House Targaryen some 300 years before the GoT finale. The spin-off is based on George RR Martin’s book “Fire and Blood” and deals in particular with “Dance of the Dragons”.

1. The History of House Targaryen

The Targaryens originally came from Valyria, the capital of the Valyrian Free State. Over 5000 years ago, the Valyrians lived as simple shepherds until they discovered dragons in the volcanic chain known as the ”Fourteen Flames”. They tamed the dragons and used them to expand the Valyrian Freehold, occupying more than half of the known world.

One of the largest houses in the Free State, the Targaryens settled on the Isle of Dragonstone. Being far from Valyria, the Targaryens were not harmed when the Valyrian Freehold fell. Now they were the last great house in Valyria to have dragons.

With the help of their dangerous dragons and well-trained armies, they conquered almost the entire continent of Westeros and united the fragmented kingdoms. Aegon I Targaryen became the first ruler of this new empire, which would remain in Targaryen hands for three centuries.

2. House of the Dragon: Series is about “Dance of the Dragons”

After the death of the Targaryen ruler Viserys I, the 5th Targaryen King, conflict arose between his children Rhaenyra Targaryen and Aegon II over the Iron Throne. Before Aegon was born, the king was preparing his daughter Rhaenyra to rule Westeros. Aegon II Targaryen then emerged from Viserys’ second marriage to Alicent Hightower. After his father’s death, a dispute broke out over the Iron Throne, which led to the “Dance of the Dragons”.

Since both parties had dragons, violent battles broke out that destroyed entire regions. Eventually, Aegon II managed to capture his sister and feed it to his own dragon. But with Rhaenyra’s death, the War for the Seven Kingdoms was not over. Her son, Aegon III, avenged his mother and after Aegon II fell in battle, he ascended the throne. Since Aegon II had no children, this led to the end of the war.

Many dragons died in the war. The remaining dragons were too small and unable to ensure the survival of their race. The last dragon known as Dragonbane lived and died under the reign of Aegon III, the last of his kind.

3. The Targaryen crest

The Targaryen crest features a red, three-headed dragon. This represents the ability of the Targaryens to ride dragons. Only through the power that the dragons bestowed on them were they able to conquer almost all of Westeros.

The dragon on the Targaryen coat of arms known from GoT has two legs. “House of the Dragon” features flags with four-legged dragon creatures as crests. There’s a reason Daenerys’ ancestors featured a four-legged dragon on their crest.

4. Important family members of House Targaryen

“The House of the Dragon” introduces numerous family members of House Targaryen. In addition to Daenerys, unseen characters also play an important role in “Game of Thrones”. Introducing the Targaryen family.

5. The seat of House Targaryen is Dragonstone

The Targaryens’ headquarters before they lived in King’s Landing was Dragonstone. Dragonstone is a mighty fortress located in Blackwater Bay. Its walls are made of intricate Valyrian stone carving and have stood the test of time.

Due to its isolated position on an island, the fortress is considered impregnable. Even a small garrison is enough to successfully defend the large fortress.

Many centuries after Aegon the Conqueror, Aerys II came to power. He was the son of Aegon V. As is usual with the Targaryens, he married his sister and had three children by her: Daenerys, Rhaegar and Viserys. Aerys II was known for his mood swings and delirious fantasies.

Rhaegar was killed in battle by Robert Baratheon, Viserys and Daenerys fled to Essos with their mother. Aerys II, the Mad King, challenged his pyromaniac to set the city on fire. For over the period of his reign, Aerys had countless casks of wildfire made and stored beneath the city. He believed he could turn himself into a dragon with the fire and free the whole world.

Jaime Lannister, then a member of the Kingsguard under Aerys, would not allow King’s Landing to be destroyed. He murdered his king from behind and also prevented the pyromaniac from igniting the wildfire.

At the end of the war, House Targaryen was ousted from the Iron Throne and House Baratheon took its place.

6. In “Game of Thrones” House Targaryen fights back to power

Aerys’ surviving children, Daenerys and Viserys, escaped to Essos unscathed. There they tried together to reclaim the throne. However, Viserys turned out to be just as insane as his father and was killed by Daenerys’ husband Khal Drogo.

It took a long time for Daenerys to command an army, retainers, and dragons. She sailed towards Westeros along with the Iron Fleet and their mighty army to assert her claim to the throne.

At her side is Tyrion Lannister. As the “Queen’s Hand” he advises her on strategic decisions and supports him in all situations. In Dragonstone, Daenerys forms an alliance with Jon Snow.

They fight together against the threat from the north. In return, Jon Snow, proclaimed King of the North by the Northmen, swears allegiance to House Targaryen. At this point, only Bran and Sam know who Jon Snow’s real parents are.

7. Jon Snow: The Last Targaryen

In the third episode of GoT season 8 entitled “The Long Night” there is a fight against the white walkers. There are many casualties and numerous characters die in battle. In the end, Arya Stark manages to kill the Night King at the Battle of Winterfell. With that, she ends the second Long Night and wipes out all White Walkers and Revenants.

After defeating the Night King, Daenerys takes on King’s Landing. She attacks King’s Landing with her dragon and completely destroys the city. Like her father, she seems to be going insane. To prevent further harm, Jon Snow kills his beloved. When Daenerys’ dragon Drogon realizes that his mother is dead, he melts down the Iron Throne, grabs the dead Daenerys and flies away with her.

Jon Snow is condemned to serve the rest of his life in the Night’s Watch. He is the last living Targaryen and Dragon Rider from Westeros.

In the meantime, US broadcaster HBO has announced that they are planning a “Game of Thrones” spin-off about Jon Snow. Not much is known about the spin-off series so far, except that series star Kit Harington will reprise the role of Jon Snow. The stories of the Targaryen family don’t end with the finale of GoT.

We provide you with information about all the houses of Westeros in our overview. Information about characters can be found on our GoT characters overview. In our timeline you can read when the different events in Westeros took place. In our GoT Wiki we provide you with additional information about Game of Thrones.