The Illustrious Lineage of House Targaryen: Discovering the Secrets of the Targaryen Family Tree

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The Targaryen name has become almost synonymous with Westerosi royalty, having ruled the Seven Kingdoms for nearly three centuries. But what do we really know about this illustrious House and its origins? As it turns out, the Targaryen family tree is perhaps one of the most intriguing and mysterious of all the noble houses in the fictional world of George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series.

At first glance, it may seem like we already know everything there is to know about House Targaryen – their characteristic silver hair, purple eyes, and affinity for dragons are all well-known trademarks. But beyond the superficial traits lies a complex web of lineage and intermarriage, complete with its own set of secrets and scandals.

In this article, we delve deep into the history of House Targaryen, tracing their ancestry back through the centuries and uncovering hidden connections between Targaryen kings and queens. We explore the role of magic and prophecy in the family's legacy, as well as the tumultuous events that eventually led to their downfall.

Whether you're a die-hard fan of the Game of Thrones TV series, or a book reader eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series, the Targaryen family tree is sure to captivate you. Join us on this journey of discovery as we unravel the mysteries that surround one of the most influential and unforgettable Houses in all of Westeros.


The Illustrious Lineage of House Targaryen: Discovering the Secrets of the Targaryen Family Tree

House Targaryen is one of the most famous and powerful families in the fictional world of Game of Thrones. Known for their silver hair and dragon-riding abilities, this family has experienced many highs and lows throughout its history. In this article, we will explore the secrets of the Targaryen family tree and compare some of the most notable members of the family.

The First Targaryens

The Targaryens were originally from the Freehold of Valyria before the Doom destroyed the city. Aegon Targaryen, his sister-wives Rhaenys and Visenya, and their dragons conquered Westeros around 300 years before the events in the show. They formed the Seven Kingdoms into one unified realm, and Aegon himself became the first Targaryen king.

Comparison Table

Name Title Significant Events
Aegon Targaryen King of the Seven Kingdoms Unification of Westeros under Targaryen rule
Rhaenys Targaryen Queen of the Seven Kingdoms Dragon-rider, conquered Dorne
Visenya Targaryen Queen of the Seven Kingdoms Dragon-rider, helped conquer the Vale

Mad King Aerys II

Aerys II Targaryen, also known as the Mad King, was the last Targaryen king before Robert Baratheon overthrew him in Robert's Rebellion. His madness and cruelty led to the deaths of many nobles, including Lord Rickard Stark and Brandon Stark. He was eventually killed by Jaime Lannister.

Comparison Table

Name Title Significant Events
Aerys II Targaryen King of the Seven Kingdoms Executed Rickard and Brandon Stark, burned people alive, plotted to blow up King's Landing
Jaime Lannister Kingsguard, Lord Commander Killed Aerys II Targaryen to prevent him from burning down King's Landing, fathered children with his sister Cersei

Daenerys Targaryen

Daenerys Targaryen, also known as Daenerys Stormborn, is one of the main characters in Game of Thrones. She is the daughter of Mad King Aerys II and the last surviving Targaryen. She becomes the Khaleesi of the Dothraki, frees slaves in Slaver's Bay, and eventually sets her sights on conquering Westeros to reclaim her family's throne.

Comparison Table

Name Title Significant Events
Daenerys Targaryen Khaleesi, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Breaker of Chains Freed slaves in Slaver's Bay, conquered Meereen, attempted to conquer Westeros
Jon Snow (Targaryen) King in the North, Protector of the Realm Formed an alliance with Daenerys, revealed to be a Targaryen and the rightful heir to the Iron Throne

Targaryens and Dragons

The Targaryens are known for their close relationship with dragons. At the beginning of their conquest, Aegon and his sisters rode on three dragons: Balerion, Meraxes, and Vhagar. Dragons were instrumental in the Targaryens' ability to unify the Seven Kingdoms and maintain their rule. When the last dragon died during the reign of King Aegon III, the Targaryen dynasty began to decline.

Opinion

It's clear that dragons played a crucial role in the Targaryens' success. Without them, it's unlikely that the Targaryens would have been able to maintain their hold over Westeros for as long as they did. However, the last Targaryen king to ride a dragon was Aegon III, over 100 years before the events in Game of Thrones. This demonstrates how important dragons were to the Targaryens and how much their power declined when the dragons died out.

The Future of House Targaryen

By the end of the show, nearly all of the Targaryens have been killed. Daenerys is dead, and Jon Snow has been exiled to the Night's Watch. However, it's revealed that the child of Jon Snow and Daenerys, who is also a Targaryen, is still alive. The final scene of the show implies that this child may play a role in the future of Westeros.

Opinion

The fact that a Targaryen heir is still alive provides a glimmer of hope for the future of House Targaryen. However, given the events of the show, it seems unlikely that the Targaryen dynasty will ever regain the prominence it once had. The end of the show marks a new era for Westeros, and the future is uncertain for all of its remaining rulers.


Thank you for taking the time to explore the illustrious lineage of House Targaryen with us. The history of this family is both rich and complex, filled with tales of triumph and tragedy that span generations. As you've seen, there is no shortage of fascinating stories and intriguing secrets hidden within the Targaryen family tree.

We hope that our exploration of this storied house has left you with a greater appreciation for the depth and complexity of the world of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire. The Targaryens have long been one of the most fascinating families in the series, and we believe that our examination of their history has shed new light on this endlessly fascinating group of characters.

As always, we encourage you to continue your exploration of the world of A Song of Ice and Fire. There are countless stories to be discovered within the pages of the books and the episodes of the television show. We hope that our blog has inspired you to take a closer look at the history and lore of this wondrous world. Thanks for reading!


People Also Ask about The Illustrious Lineage of House Targaryen: Discovering the Secrets of the Targaryen Family Tree:

  1. Who are the Targaryens?
  2. The Targaryens are a noble family in the fictional world of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, which serves as the basis for the television show Game of Thrones. They are known for their silver-gold hair and their ability to control dragons.

  3. How many Targaryens are there?
  4. There have been many Targaryens throughout history, but the most well-known are those who ruled as kings of Westeros. There were 17 Targaryen kings, beginning with Aegon the Conqueror and ending with Aerys II (also known as the Mad King).

  5. What is the Targaryen family tree?
  6. The Targaryen family tree is complex and spans many generations. It begins with Aegon the Conqueror, who conquered the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and established the Targaryen dynasty. From there, the family tree includes many notable members, such as Daenerys Targaryen, Jon Snow (whose real name is Aegon Targaryen), and Viserys Targaryen.

  7. What are some secrets of the Targaryen family tree?
  8. One secret of the Targaryen family tree is that many of its members engaged in incestuous relationships in order to keep the bloodline pure. This practice led to a number of genetic abnormalities, such as madness and physical deformities. Additionally, there are rumors that some Targaryens were able to control dragons through magical means.

  9. What happened to the Targaryens?
  10. The Targaryen dynasty came to an end when Aerys II was overthrown by Robert Baratheon in a rebellion known as Robert's Rebellion. Aerys was killed, as were his two children, Rhaegar and Viserys. Daenerys Targaryen, the last surviving member of the family, later attempted to reclaim the Iron Throne but ultimately died in the series finale.