House of the Dragon: Here’s what you need to know about House Velaryon

The ancient House of Velaryon plays an important role in “House of the Dragon”. The noble house rules the island of Driftmark, located in Blackwater Bay. The title “Lord of the Tides” and “Master of Driftmark” is held by the chief of Driftmark Castle.

The Velaryons are liegemen of Dragonstone. Her coat of arms features a silver seahorse on an aquamarine background. Like the Targaryens, the family hails from Valyria and, like the Targaryens, often has silver-gold hair, violet eyes, and pale skin.

Even before the Targaryens, the Velaryons traveled to Westeros and settled on Driftmark. Legend has it that they received the Driftwood Throne there from the Meerling King. The Velaryons are seafarers who made their fortunes from maritime trade. While the Targaryens rule the air, they are known for their powerful fleet. As masters of the ships, they made up a large part of the royal fleet.

The Targaryens and Velaryons often intermarried to strengthen their alliance. For example, the sea serpent Corlys Targaryen is married to Rhaenys Targaryen, Laenor Velaryon to Rhaenyra Targaryen, and Leana Velaryon to Daemon Targaryen.

Corlys Velaryon aus “House of the Dragon”

Corlys Velaryon is a key player in the Dance of the Dragons. His wife Rhaenys was denied the Iron Throne, as was his son Laenor. He got the nickname Sea Serpent because he traveled all over the world by sea. So he was already in Quarth, Yi Ti and Leng and amassed great wealth for his house through wise trading.

Through him House Velaryon became richer even than House Lannister and Hightower, Corlys was the richest man in the Seven Kingdoms. When Viserys Targaryen refused to marry Laena Targaryen and instead married Alicent Hightower, Lord Corlys saw this as another rejection of his house and he did not attend the wedding.