Aegon the Conqueror

Lore & Background

Aegon's ancestors had migrated from Valyria to Dragonstone; three hundred years before the novels begin he invaded the Westerosi mainland with his two sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys, landing his army at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush. With the aid of his sister-wives and their three dragons, he conquered six of the Seven Kingdoms. His strategy combined overwhelming aerial superiority with diplomatic alliances, though he famously failed to conquer Dorne.

The conquest was not merely physical but symbolic; Aegon melted the swords of defeated kings into a jagged throne to remind all subjects of his authority. King's Landing stands on the Blackwater river on the spot where Aegon landed in Westeros to begin his conquest. In House of the Dragon, Aegon's dream regarding the "Prince That Was Promised" is passed down from each ruler to the heir. The union of three dragons—Balerion, Meraxes, and Vhagar—symbolized the unity he sought to impose upon a fractured continent.

Reader's Guide

To truly understand Aegon’s legacy, fans should delve into the historical records compiled by Maester Gyldayn in Fire and Blood. This chronicle details the Conquest not just as a military campaign, but as a cultural shift that reshaped Westeros forever. The narrative explores how Valyrian magic and dragonriding were utilized to subdue ancient houses like the Arryns and Lannisters. Beyond the battles, the deeper roots lie in Valyria: the Targaryen family moved to Dragonstone a century before the Doom. The Iron Throne itself serves as a physical reminder of his power, forged from melted swords of defeated kings. These elements combine to create the rich tapestry seen in House of the Dragon today.