What You Should Know About Daemon Targaryen, House of the Dragon’s Most Unique Character

In the first episode of the season House of the Dragon, it has become clear that the war that is about to devastate Westeros begins with the royal house in King’s Landing. This includes the death of Aegon II’s son (Tom Glynn-Carney) in a brutal scene that shows the limits – or lack thereof – of the vengeance that drives the heroes. But specifically, all Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) is willing to do to avenge his stepson’s murder and beyond is place his wife Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) on the Iron Throne. The prince, who was personally responsible for organizing the death of the child, He does not hesitate to fight his enemies with all the weapons at his disposal.

Of course, this isn’t the first time in the series that Damon has shown his composure, ambition, and everything he’s willing to sacrifice for the good of the Targaryen faction, which he considers legitimate. The character, who began his journey on the small screen fighting his brother Viserys I (Paddy Considine), has developed enough to become an anti-hero. He did this by marrying his niece Rhaenyra and becoming the protector of his family. Specifically, by deciding to declare open war on the Red Castle. This is after Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) staged a coup and declared his grandson as acting king.

The above has turned the political scenario into a conflict ready to explode. Something that the Demon would support and, in fact, desire. Until now, the prince has moved his pieces to gain the support of his wife. But in the future he will also have to face resistance on the continent. Of course, this is not something that surprises or, in any case, would bother a character accustomed to dealing with extreme situations. It’s a moment that makes Damon one of the most enigmatic figures in George R.R. Martin’s work.

A man with a glorious past

Daemon, the second son of Prince Balon Targaryen and Princess Alyssa Targaryen, is a good example of the long-standing custom of inbred incest in the Valyrian family. This is because their parents were brothers, both sons of Jaehaerys I Targaryen. As you will remember, the latter was the king who had to decide on the heir in the line of succession in the middle of the conclave at Harrenhal. This led Damon to his first decision about loyalty.

For Jaehaerys, I had several candidates to choose from, including Daemon’s older brother, Viserys, who ultimately inherited the throne. Legally, since the old monarch preferred a man to a woman, Damon became the possible heir to power. Something that seemed to coincide with his heroic childhood. According to rumors from the palace – as you remember, the book Fire and blood, – these are the chronicler’s memories – fifteen days after birth, he learned the wings of a dragon. This is when he flew on the back of Meleis, a mythical beast that belonged to his mother, Queen Alyssa. This gave him a reputation as a pure Targaryen man with an impeccable line of succession.

During his childhood, his mother and brother Aegon died one after the other. His father, devastated, never remarried. Therefore, the moment Jaehaerys I announced the council to choose his successor, it became clear that Viserys, now king, would choose him as his heir. At least that’s what most of the King’s Landing court assumed.

The difficult and dishonest prince

However, while Viserys was known as a poet, literate and idealist, Prince Daemon from his youth was a frequenter of all sorts of lower-class hangouts in the most perverted area of ​​the Flea Lodge. Which earned him the worst reputation. At the same time, he achieved a lot of success as a warrior. Having become a legend in swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat while still a teenager, he received the Dark Sister’s sword at age sixteen from his grandfather, Jaehaerys I. A recognition that earned him admiration his family and clear superiority over the royal guard of King’s Landing.

When the prince was almost twenty years old, he married Lady Rhea Royce, heir to Runestone, his family’s ancestral home. Although the union seemed ideal – her relatives had obvious influence in the Vale of Arryn, and Damon was a good match – the young couple had differences from the first days. So much so that it fueled rumors of confrontations and betrayals. On the same wedding day, Viserys and his wife Emma conceived a daughter, Rhaenyra.

In the midst of this series of circumstances, Damon’s father, Balon, Hand of the King and Prince of Dragonstone, died in the midst of a painful illness. This placed King Jaehaerys in such a difficult situation that he feared his future succession to power. Therefore, Archmaester Wagon established a Great Council to choose the person who would succeed the king. Viserys was chosen at the competition. This moved Damon – at least in theory – one step away from the Iron Throne.

The problems begin

Since Viserys was the girl’s father, Daemon Targaryen considered himself the heir for most of her childhood. Meanwhile, his fearsome reputation grew stronger. Not only was he considered a skilled swordsman (and he undoubtedly was), but he was also capable of murder without guilt. On the other hand, he was already riding on the back of Carax and leading a group of mercenaries. It was rumored that it was this group that opposed Lord Corlys Velaryon if he opposed the decision of the Great Council. But this was not necessary, so the rumors around Damon were considered unfounded.

After Viserys became king, Daemon Targaryen served for several months on the Privy Council, in charge of currency and decrees. However, the prince did not seem particularly interested in such a cautious exercise of power. Moreover, by that time it was known about his confrontation with Otto Hightower. To avoid further tension and taking into account his brother’s abilities, As a result, Damon was appointed commander of the city guard of King’s Landing.

As the leader of a military group, he earned the loyalty of his men and became a particularly difficult figure due to his dark reputation in the Flea Bed. So much so that behind his back they began to call him “Lord Flea Bed.” And this despite the fact that he gave his legion golden cloaks and filled them with privileges. And yet, either because of the intrigues of Otto Hightower, or because of his own behavior, Damon became a character who was hardly considered suitable for the Iron Throne.

Difficult skirmish in the palace

As told in the first season House of the Dragon, because of all of the above, Daemon Targaryen was excluded from the list of heirs. In fact, his brother chose to buck tradition, the court, and the lords of the various houses by naming Princess Rhaenyra in his place. The choice that saved even after he married Queen Alicent and became the eventual heir of Aegon II.

Among all of the above, Daemon Targaryen, previously exiled from King’s Landing, gained fame and prestige thanks to his victory at the Stepstones. This led to him returning to his brother’s court, especially after declaring himself King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea. Having become a hero through his own efforts, he was eventually forgiven for his dissolute behavior, Viserys therefore restored his place on the Privy Council.

Over time, twice widowed, Daemon Targaryen married Rhaenyra. Something that complicated Viserys’ succession. The prince once again showed his dissolute behavior. In fact, his marriage to his niece gave rise to rumors that he had killed his wife and her husband Laenor. A fact that became more noticeable when Viserys and Otto Hightower died. made a strategic move by installing his grandson Aegon II as King of the Seven Kingdoms. This prompted Daemon and Rhaenyra to declare war on the Red Keep, events that will be told in the series’ current second season.