'House Of The Dragon' on HBO: Decoding the complicated Targaryen family tree

The Targaryens are all set to bring lots of complexities and family drama. Here's everything you need to know about them before the series is released
PUBLISHED AUG 17, 2022
'House of The Dragon' revolves around the Targaryen family and their thirst to conquer it all (HBO)
'House of The Dragon' revolves around the Targaryen family and their thirst to conquer it all (HBO)

Let's be honest the Targaryen family has been extremely fascinating since 'Game of Thrones' but with fascination comes complexities. In 'Game Of Thrones' which aired first, Targaryens were shown as one of the most powerful families amongst the rest, and in the 'House Of The Dragon', the Targaryen family will be the main focus. It has been said that the Targaryens are in control of the iron throne. However, the twist is who is going to be the real successor amongst all the family members who are fighting over the throne to become the ruler of the seven kingdoms. 

The series will be released across the globe very soon. As the Targaryen family tree can be a little confusing, here's a list of the main branches of the Targaryen tree to simplify it for you. It is not a secret that what is incestual for commoners, is not a big deal in the Targaryen clan. Why? Because that is the way they keep the Dragon blood pure. Let's read on to know some of these characters. 

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1) King Jaehaerys I, “The Old King”

Jaehaerys was the longest-ruling Targaryen monarch, having ruled for fifty-five years. Because of this, he is referred to as the "Old King". His reign is remembered as the most prosperous period in the history of the Targaryen monarchy. His rule brought peace, stability, and justice to the Seven Kingdoms.

2) Princess Rhaenys, “The Queen Who Never Was”

Princess Rhaenys, “The Queen Who Never Was” (HBO)
Princess Rhaenys (HBO)

Princess Rhaenys Targaryen is the daughter of Jocelyn Baratheon and Prince Aemon Targaryen. She is also known among the smallfolk as the 'Queen Who Never Was'. She is the faithful wife of Lord Corlys Velaryon of Driftmark. She is a dragon rider whose dragon is Meleys, the Red Queen.

3) King Viserys I, “The Young King”

King Viserys Targaryen PLAYED BY PADDY CONSIDINE (HBO)
King Viserys Targaryen (HBO)

Viserys I Targaryen was the fifth Targaryen king to sit on the Iron Throne. He succeeded his grandfather, the Old King Jaehaerys I. Viserys continued the prosperous peace and legacy of his grandsire, but the seeds for the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons that would much later engulf the realm were inadvertently sown during his reign.

4) Prince Daemon Targaryen, “The Rogue Prince”

Prince Daemon Targaryen Matt Smith (HBO)
Prince Daemon Targaryen (HBO)

Prince Daemon Targaryen is a member of House Targaryen. He is the younger son of Prince Baelon Targaryen and a brother of King Viserys I Targaryen. Daemon is the second husband of Rhaenyra Targaryen, Princess of Dragonstone, following Ser Laenor Velaryon. Daemon is the most experienced warrior of his time and wielded the Valyrian steel blade Dark Sister. 

5) Princess Rhaenyra, “The Realm’s Delight”

Emma D'Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (HBO)
Emma D'Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (HBO)

She is the king’s first-born child. She is of pure Valyrian blood, and she is a dragon rider. Many would say that Rhaenyra was born with everything but she was not born a man.

This pretty much covers all the main characters of the Targaryen clan who have an important role in the series. This information is based on the book and its characters so it may differ in the adapted series, we will find out once it airs on August 21, 2022. 

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