The opening of the second season of 'House of the Dragon' has suddenly changed. What exactly does the tapestry of history show?

Instead of the Targaryen family tree, the new credits of the second season of the series depict a medieval tapestry that weaves into the plot of the series. And mainly, it retells all the events of this family before the civil war – before the 'Dance of the Dragons'. Let's figure out what history made it into the frame.

Roman Kovalev

War of Feathers and Ravens. Recap of Episode 1 of Season 2 of 'House of the Dragon'

We recall and discuss what we saw in the first episode of the second season of 'House of the Dragon': Rhaenyra's mourning, the return of the Wall, and Daemon's bloody revenge.

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It all begins with the first scenes showing the ancient state of Valyria, the homeland of the Targaryens and Velaryons, and also Daenys Targaryen, known as the Dreamer. It was she who had a prophetic dream about the destruction of the empire in flames. It was because of this dream/prophecy that Lord Aenar Targaryen decided to move to an island near Westeros, where Dragonstone is now located.

12 years after Daenys's dream, the prophecy came true – Valyria was destroyed by a catastrophe in which seas boiled, volcanoes erupted, and so much fire fell on the land that even the dragons did not survive.

Centuries after the catastrophe, Lord Aegon Targaryen and his sister-wives Visenya Targaryen and Rhaenys Targaryen set out from Dragonstone on their dragons to conquer Westeros.

Countless battles were needed to conquer the territory. The frame shows Vhagar and Balerion setting fire to Harrenhal castle – an episode that ended the reign of King Harren, who refused to submit to the Targaryens.

After that, the other great houses knelt and swore allegiance to House Targaryen. In the frame – House Arryn, House Stark, and House Tully.

To adapt to the customs of the Westerosi nobility, the Targaryens created a symbol for themselves – the three-headed dragon, and built the city of King's Landing, which was to become the capital of the entire kingdom.

Next, the narrative moves to the reign of Maegor the Cruel. Son of Aegon I and his wife Visenya Targaryen. Maegor Targaryen died mysteriously – he was killed by the Iron Throne itself.

After that, the frame shows King Jaehaerys Targaryen and Queen Alysanne Targaryen (children of Aegon I and his wife Rhaenys Targaryen) in the prime of their youth. Their half-century reign, the longest of all Targaryen kings, went down in history as a period of unprecedented peace and prosperity in Westeros.

Aged King Jaehaerys I takes part in the Great Council, where the lords of Westeros will vote to choose the heir to the throne. The frame shows Queen Aemma, Viserys, Rhaenys, and Corlys.

Next comes a scene from the 8th episode of the first season, when King Viserys I dines with his family.

Aegon and Rhaenyra are shown, both crowned, each on their own throne.

Both are separated by the colors of each faction (green and black) and surrounded by blood caused by war.

It all ends with Vhagar and Aemond killing Prince Lucerys Velaryon, which becomes the trigger for the start of the Dance of the Dragons.