Balerion the Black Dread
The gigantic black dragon of Aegon the Conqueror, whose last rider was Viserys I.
Balerion the Black Dread was a gigantic, black-scaled dragon from Old Valyria, bonded to and ridden by King Aegon the Conqueror during the Conquest of Westeros. He was afterwards bonded to King Maegor the Cruel and then to Princess Aerea, elder granddaughter of King Aenys I. Viserys Targaryen was the last to claim and ride him; Balerion died of old age in the reign of King Jaehaerys the Conciliator, and Viserys never rode again.
Quick Facts
- Notable riders
- Aegon the Conqueror
- Maegor the Cruel
- Princess Aerea
- Viserys Targaryen
- Cause of death
- Old age
- Burial site
- Skull kept beneath the Red Keep
Lore & Background
Balerion outlived the Conquest: after Aegon the Conqueror he was bonded to Maegor the Cruel and to Princess Aerea, and Viserys Targaryen rode him last before he died of old age under Jaehaerys the Conciliator. His skull was then kept deep beneath the Red Keep in King's Landing.
More in Dragons & Magic
Elsewhere in House of the Dragon
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