House Targaryen

A warm king, a fractured family, and the war that nearly ended House Targaryen.

House Targaryen is the Valyrian dynasty that conquered and unified the Seven Kingdoms. The series focuses on their internal decline leading to a devastating war of succession known as the "Dance of the Dragons." Initially described as a warm and kind man chosen by a council to succeed his grandfather Jaehaerys I, Viserys is the firstborn son of Baelon and Alyssa Targaryen. His reign sets the stage for a conflict between his daughter Rhaenyra and his second wife Alicent Hightower's children.

Quick Facts

House name: Targaryen

Lore & Background

The family's power relies heavily on dragonriders: Daemon Targaryen rides Caraxes, known as the "Blood Wyrm"; Rhaenyra rides Syrax; and Corlys Velaryon's wife, Rhaenys, rides Meleys, the "Red Queen." Other key riders include Aemond One-Eye claiming Vhagar, the "Queen of All Dragons," and Aegon II bonding with Sunfyre. The succession crisis erupts when Alicent Hightower claims Viserys changed his successor with his dying breath to favor her son, Aegon II. This creates two factions: the Blacks supporting Rhaenyra, crowned queen by her supporters, and the Greens backing Aegon II, who is Viserys's firstborn son with Alicent.

Reader's Guide

To follow House Targaryen in this era, track the split between the Blacks and Greens. The Blacks support Rhaenyra Targaryen, the firstborn of Viserys I and Aemma Arryn, who is married to Daemon Targaryen. Their key allies include Corlys Velaryon, the "Sea Snake," and his wife Rhaenys. The Greens back Aegon II Targaryen, the son of Viserys and Alicent Hightower, whose supporters include Otto Hightower and Lord Commander Criston Cole. Dragon loyalty is crucial: Syrax backs Rhaenyra; Sunfyre supports Aegon II; Vhagar joins Aemond One-Eye. Watch for the rise of bastards like Jace Velaryon (Rhaenyra's heir) and Addam of Hull, who claim dragons amidst the chaos. The conflict spans from Viserys's death through the reign of Aegon II, with Rhaenyra eventually claiming the throne before the war consumes the dynasty.

Did You Know?

The series begins about 100 years after the Seven Kingdoms were united by the Targaryen conquest and 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen.
Viserys Targaryen was the last rider of Balerion, who died of old age during the reign of King Jaehaerys the Conciliator.
Aemond Targaryen is nicknamed "One-Eye" after losing his left eye in a brawl with his nephews.
The second season premiered on June 16, 2024, with eight episodes, and the third season premiered on June 21, 2026.