In the realm of fantasy literature, few families have captured the imagination and stirred the hearts of readers like the Targaryens from George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. With their silver hair, violet eyes, and mastery over dragons, the Targaryens have ruled Westeros for generations, leaving an indelible mark on its history and shaping the destiny of its inhabitants.
The Targaryen family tree is a complex and intricate tapestry of power, love, betrayal, and intrigue. It is a story of Kings and Queens, heroes and villains, whose actions and decisions have shaped the very foundation of Westeros. From Aegon the Conqueror to Daenerys Stormborn, the Targaryens have faced countless trials and tribulations, but through it all, their bloodline has endured.
As we delve deeper into the Targaryen family tree, we will encounter characters both noble and vile, alliances forged and broken, and a never-ending quest for power. We will witness the rise and fall of dynasties, the clash of swords and dragons, and the unfolding of a grand narrative that spans generations and continents.
Targaryen Family Tree
A tapestry of power, fire, and dragons.
- Ancient Valyrian Lineage
- Conquerors of Westeros
- Dragonlords and Dragon Queens
- Incestuous Marriages
- Tragic Downfall
- Resilient Bloodline
A complex and intricate saga that spans generations and continents.
Ancient Valyrian Lineage
The Targaryens are descendants of the ancient and powerful Valyrian Freehold, a civilization that once ruled over a vast empire in Essos. The Valyrians were known for their mastery of dragons, their advanced knowledge of magic, and their intricate social and political structures.
- Dragonlords of Old
The Targaryens are one of the few remaining families who can trace their lineage back to the dragonlords of Valyria. This heritage gives them a unique connection to the dragons, creatures of immense power and intelligence.
- Exiles from Valyria
The Targaryens were among the few Valyrians who escaped the Doom of Valyria, a cataclysmic event that destroyed their homeland. Led by Aegon the Conqueror, they fled to Dragonstone, an island off the coast of Westeros.
- Founders of the Iron Throne
Aegon the Conqueror and his sisters, Visenya and Rhaenys, used their dragons to conquer Westeros and establish the Iron Throne. The Targaryens ruled Westeros for centuries, their dynasty marked by both triumphs and tragedies.
- Legacy of Dragonriders
The Targaryens are renowned for their ability to bond with and ride dragons. This skill, coupled with their Valyrian blood, gave them a significant advantage in battle and helped them maintain their dominance over Westeros.
The Targaryens' ancient Valyrian lineage is a source of both pride and power. It is a legacy that has shaped their history, their identity, and their destiny.
Conquerors of Westeros
In the year 2 BC, Aegon Targaryen, his sisters Visenya and Rhaenys, and their dragons, Balerion, Meraxes, and Vhagar, set sail from Dragonstone with the intent to conquer Westeros. They landed on the eastern coast of the continent and quickly gained the support of several powerful lords, including Lord Orys Baratheon and Lord Paramount Harren Hoare of the Iron Islands.
Aegon's forces faced their first major challenge at Harrenhal, a massive castle built by Harren Hoare. Harren refused to bend the knee to Aegon, so Aegon unleashed his dragons upon the castle. The resulting firestorm destroyed Harrenhal and killed Harren and his sons. This victory sent a clear message to the other lords of Westeros: resist Aegon, and face the wrath of his dragons.
One by one, the lords of Westeros began to surrender to Aegon. Some, like Lord Paramount Torrhen Stark of the North, did so peacefully, while others, like Lord Paramount Mern IX Gardener of the Reach, resisted until they were defeated in battle. By the end of the year 1 BC, Aegon had conquered six of the Seven Kingdoms, with only Dorne remaining independent.
In 1 AC, Aegon was crowned as the first King of Westeros and took the Iron Throne. He established his capital at King's Landing, a new city built on the ruins of Harrenhal. The Targaryen dynasty had begun.
The Targaryens' conquest of Westeros was a monumental achievement. It brought an end to centuries of division and warfare and united the Seven Kingdoms under one rule. The Targaryens' reign would last for nearly three centuries, a period marked by both peace and prosperity.
Dragonlords and Dragon Queens
The Targaryens are renowned for their unique and powerful bond with dragons. This connection, known as dragonriding, is a rare and coveted skill that has played a pivotal role in the Targaryen dynasty's history.
- Dragonriding: A Targaryen Trait
Dragonriding is a skill that is passed down through the Targaryen bloodline. It is believed that only those with Valyrian blood can form a bond with a dragon. The Targaryens have used their dragons to conquer and rule Westeros for centuries.
- Dragons as Weapons of War
In ancient times, the Targaryens used their dragons to devastating effect in battle. The dragons' fire and immense size made them unstoppable on the battlefield. They were instrumental in the Targaryen conquest of Westeros and helped to maintain their dominance over the Seven Kingdoms.
- Dragons as Symbols of Power
The Targaryens' dragons are more than just weapons of war. They are also symbols of their power and authority. The Iron Throne itself is made from the swords of Aegon the Conqueror's defeated enemies, melted together by dragonfire. The Targaryen sigil features a three-headed dragon, representing the three heads of the dragon that Aegon rode to conquer Westeros.
- The Last Dragons
The Targaryens were once the masters of dragons, but their numbers dwindled over time. By the time of the Dance of the Dragons, a civil war that tore the Targaryen dynasty apart, there were only a handful of dragons left. The last dragons died out during the reign of King Aegon III, leaving the Targaryens without their most powerful asset.
The Targaryens' bond with dragons is an integral part of their history and identity. The dragons were the key to their conquest of Westeros and helped to maintain their rule for centuries. Even though the dragons are gone, the Targaryens continue to be known as the Dragonlords and Dragon Queens, a testament to their enduring legacy.