Everything you need to know about the Targaryens to better understand House of the Dragon

On the fictional continent of Westeros, a historic war is about to break out that will change the territory forever. This is the premise with which the second season was created House of the Dragonsuccessful spin off of the famous Game of Thrones. But this is not only an interesting plot, but also a unique historical moment in the wider mythology of George R. R. Martin’s book saga. Confrontation between two factions the Targaryen family on the backs of their dragons, armies and supporters.

The event, detailed in the book A Dance with Dragons (2011), has been part of the context of the Game of Thrones franchise from the very beginning. But the prequel, House of the Dragon, doesn’t just delve deeply into the circumstances of the conflict that ultimately destroyed the Targaryen family and began its decline. At the same time, it allows us to understand the reason why the dragonriders fought each other for power and control of Westeros. Namely, in a fratricidal battle that highlighted the most cruel and ruthless elements of the clan.

This look at the Targaryens also allows us to analyze the family from a new angle. The heroes, villains, myths and legends who have ruled Westeros for centuries have a long tradition on their shoulders in Martin’s books. From their arrival in the 7 kingdoms to the fame that accompanies them as reckless or at worst, insane. The HBO series caps off an interesting journey that will feature some of its most violent and violent moments in its second season. To help you better understand what you see on the screen, We leave you with everything you need to know about the charming grey-haired clan ahead of the new chapters of the series.

The mysterious origins of an abusive family

House Targaryen originates from Valyria, the former capital of the Freehold of the same name, located in Essos. He was one of the forty noble houses that inhabited the region and were known collectively as l.dragon lords. Oddly enough, the family was considered one of the small clans. And not particularly warlike or violent, although there were rumors of his sanity at the time due to some of the members displaying prophetic powers. Many of them ended up driving the person professing them crazy or spiritually weakening them.

In fact, because of (or because of) these abilities, the Targaryens managed to save their lives from the Curse of Valyria, a cataclysm of inexplicable nature that destroyed the region. Twelve years before the tragedy occurred, Aenar Targaryen took his children and wife, as well as his five dragons, and went to live on Dragonstone. All this is because his daughter Daenice the Dreamer also had prophetic visions about this. What made the patriarch obey their requests and leave the lands, which will later be devastated by an apocalyptic event.

For a century, they held their territory exclusively on Dragonstone, turning the island into an impregnable fortress. Over time, four dragons died. But Balerion survived. In addition, two eggs hatched – a rare event – resulting in the birth of Vhagar and Meraxes. who will become living legends of Westeros.

Devastate Westeros with fire and blood

Seven generations after the arrival and settlement of Enar and his people, the Targaryen clan decided that the time had come to conquer the entire continent using all the resources at its disposal. So Aegon, the new family patriarch, and his sisters (who were also his wives), Visenya and Rhaenys, mounted their dragons for one purpose. It’s about destroying everything in their path and burning away any resistance they might encounter. Elder Balerion was still capable of flight. But in reality the burden of battle fell on Vhagar and Meraxes. turned into two of the largest specimens of mythical creatures ever seen.

With the help of dragonfire, a savage army, and unprecedented military might, Aegon, later called the Conqueror, conquered the Seven Kingdoms. Everyone except Dorn fell at the feet of the clan and swore allegiance. Which marked the beginning of a unified monarchy in the kingdom and the first years of the Westeros calendar.

In fact, the first year of the saga’s chronology begins with the coronation of Aegon as the absolute ruler of Antigua. To start over, the king abandoned Dragonstone as his family seat and founded King’s Landing. It then became the center of the dynasty and its reign for a peaceful and lasting 283 years.

Dynasty in full swing

During these nearly centuries, Westeros was ruled by seventeen kings, all descendants of Aegon or relatives of his main line of descendants. Notable among them is Jaehaerys I the Peacemaker (48–103 AD), who had one of the longest and most peaceful reigns in the clan’s history. And that it was he who gave Viserys I the opportunity to rule after his succession became unclear and forced the elderly monarch to make an emergency decision. Events told in the first season House of the Dragon.

Also in Targaryen history was Viserys’ son Aegon II (129–131 AD), whose accession to the throne sparked a war called the Dance of Dragons. Later, the Venom of the Dragon of Aegon III (131–157 AD) marked the semi-extinction of dragons. During the reign of Daeron II (184–209 CE), it was annexed to the kingdom of Dorne. Finally, Aegon V the Incredible (233–259 AD) came to the throne. brother of Maester Aemon of Castle Black mentioned in the saga Game of Thrones.

End of the Targaryen dynasty

The long line of descendants and power struggles led by the dragonriders ended with the reign of Aerys II. Around the year 282 according to the chronology of George R.R. Martina’s eldest son, Prince Rhaegar, flees with Lyanna Stark. What made the latter’s fiancé, Robert Baratheon, rebel against the court. What, having stated that in fact, the heir kidnapped a young woman.

Houses Stark, Arryn and Tully joined the Baratheon army. After a year of bloody war that devastated the country, Rhaegar was killed by Robert at the Battle of the Trident. On the other end The city of King’s Landing is devastated and captured by the Lannisters.

Finally, King Aerys, ready to blow up the aqueducts with Valyrian fire, is killed by Jaime Lannister, a member of the Kingsguard. Which allows Robert Baratheon to take the throne. And the events begin will be told later in the literary saga Song of Ice and Firestill incomplete.