"History does not remember blood. It remembers names." We figure out the family tree and legacy of the Targaryens. And we teach you how not to get confused about their children.
"History does not remember blood. It remembers names," was said in the first trailer for the series "House of the Dragon." And we heard the phrase itself in the seventh episode. Indeed, in the Targaryen family tree, many events took place and many children were born from various kinds of marriages, so the historical legacy can be traced for several more seasons. Moreover, they really loved naming their children after distant relatives (which thoroughly confuses viewers and memory). And regardless of whose children they actually were by blood.
Blood plays a very important role in the events unfolding on screen. The upcoming war will have many causes and prerequisites. But the series has been renewed for a second season, and we need to understand the Family Tree right at the threshold. So, let's get to know the Targaryens up close, because they are with us for a long time.
This material contains no plot spoilers from the books, only a few details.
Good Old Incest
"The blood of the dragon must remain pure."
Incest in the Targaryen family was considered normal practice, even a tradition, although those around (most often the most religious) deeply condemned it. It is rumored that their dynasty was made an exception precisely because of the dragons, as well as the belief that the blood of ancient Valyria is passed strictly through direct inheritance.
In Westeros, incest was specifically attributed to cases where a father slept with his daughter, or a mother with her son, or a brother with a sister (hello to the Lannisters). Children of such unions were considered… unacceptable.
Nevertheless, marriages between brothers and cousins, uncles and nieces, and the birth of children are quite common occurrences. We don't have to go far – Viserys and Aemma ( ) are essentially cousins. And Aegon the Conqueror himself was in a polygamous marriage with two sisters. Jaehaerys (the king who ruled the longest) married his younger sister Alysanne. Then his son Aemon married his aunt Jocelyn. And so on.
On August 21 on HBO and August 22 on Amediateka, the long-awaited prequel series to "Game of Thrones" titled "House of the Dragon" premiered. We analyze the first episode, meet the new characters
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Interestingly, only some moralists on the Internet object to the incestuous marriage of Rhaenyra and Daemon. But not history (hello to the dynasties of the kings of Britain, the Russian Empire, and other Europe), nor the author himself. The Middle Ages almost equal incestuous marriages to keep the crown within the same family.
In the series, neither King Viserys nor even Alicent objects to the relationship between niece and uncle. The latter was only upset that Rhaenyra deceived her and did not tell her about the relationship. And the king was only concerned that Daemon was already married by law. The traditions of ancient Valyria quite allowed these two to break certain rules. Let's not forget that Hand Otto himself once proposed to King Viserys a marriage between Rhaenyra and her brother – Aegon.
We recall and discuss what we saw in the third episode of "House of the Dragon": battles at the Stepstones, new children of the king, and dragons in action.
Open materialBut still, many decades later, it was incestuous marriages that came to be considered the cause of the "madness" among Targaryen kings.
So, Who's Who in House of the Dragon
We think you've figured out the main characters in the form of parents and older Targaryens/Hightowers. Moreover, the cast will no longer change. But with the children, there may be a little confusion. No wonder – some of them were given not only similar names but even identical ones! But, let's take it in order.
We figure out the children without spoilers affecting further plot development. Only minimal details from the books.
Children of Queen Alicent – the "Greens" faction
Aegon II
The eldest son, heir to the throne (according to some people at the royal court). In the book, called the Usurper. He was the rider of the dragon Sunfyre – the most beautiful dragon. Since childhood, a rather capricious child. Martin described him as a man with a sullen look, pursed lips, in armor, but not looking like a warrior. He ate and drank a lot. Especially drank. And he also liked to fondle maidservants. He was hot-tempered and held grudges for a long time.
He was named after Aegon the Conqueror – the very one who was the first king of the Seven Kingdoms from the Targaryen dynasty. The very one who was married in a double marriage to his sisters. He was the rider of Balerion.
Aemond
Rider of the dragon Vhagar, which he essentially stole. The boy himself had a classic Valyrian appearance. In childhood, he lost an eye and wore a sapphire instead (in the series, apparently a patch). Despite being half the size of his older brother in childhood, Aemond is much more fierce in character. He was taken under the wing of Criston Cole, who made him a skilled and dangerous swordsman and warrior. A headstrong and hot-tempered guy, also vengeful. He inherited enmity with Rhaenyra from his mother. He was often compared to Daemon. He received the nicknames One-Eye, Kinslayer.
Daeron
He was the rider of Tessarion the Blue Queen. The only one of the brothers had a more pleasant nickname – the Daring. He was considered one of the queen's most beloved and handsome sons. Also smart, courteous, but grew up in the shadow of his brothers.
Helaena
She was the rider of the dragon Dreamfyre. A pleasant and cheerful girl at court. Little was known about her character before the Civil War, but from the series we see clear hints of her slight detachment, even a bit of strangeness, and apparently Helaena is a seer or possesses some kind of gift of the Targaryen family.
Children of Rhaenyra – the "Blacks" faction
Jacaerys Velaryon
Born in marriage to Laenor. According to rumors (though who are we kidding) a bastard of Harwin Strong. He was the rider of the dragon Vermax. A strong, tall, and handsome young man. Dark-haired, brown-eyed, and curly. He was a brave and responsible child, which will also affect his political career. He was skilled with weapons.
Lucerys Velaryon
The second son of Princess Rhaenyra. He flew on the dragon Arrax. He was completely similar in character to his older brother. It was he who pulled out a dagger and slashed Aemond across the face, depriving him of an eye.
Joffrey Velaryon
The third son. He was named after a very close friend (read as lover) of Laenor. Rider of the dragon Tyraxes. Little is known about him yet. At the start of the war, he will be quite a child.
Aegon III Targaryen
The first child from the marriage with Daemon Targaryen. When the civil war began, Aegon (according to the book) was only nine years old. He was quite sad, gloomy, and rarely smiled. His future dragon – Stormcloud. The name was also chosen in honor of Aegon the Conqueror, or perhaps to annoy the "Greens" faction and Alicent personally.
Viserys II Targaryen
The second child from the marriage with Daemon. He was named after his grandfather. He was a charming and pleasant child. When the war began, Viserys was only seven years old. At the start of the war, he owned a dragon egg that had not hatched.
Visenya Targaryen
A stillborn daughter of Rhaenyra and Daemon. This will happen after the news of King Viserys I's death. Literally on the eve of the Dance of the Dragons.
Baela Targaryen
Daughter of Daemon Targaryen and Laena Velaryon. She was a dragonrider and flew on Moondancer. The girl was described as fearless, like her father. She preferred riding horses and flying.
Rhaena Targaryen
The second daughter of Daemon and Laena. During the Dance of the Dragons, her dragon Morning will hatch. She was slender and graceful, loved to dance. She was named after her grandmother – Princess Rhaenys.
Who is Daenerys's Ancestor?
Let's answer the main question right away, without killing the intrigue too much. Daenerys was named after one of the daughters of King Jaehaerys. Daenerys is the great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Viserys, and her brother also bore the name of their ancestor. Daenerys's father was, as we know, Aerys II Targaryen or the Mad King. It was he who was killed by Jaime Lannister, which ended the ruling dynasty on the Iron Throne.
Who is Jon Snow's Ancestor, a.k.a. Aegon Targaryen?
Jon Snow (according to the series, not yet the book) is the illegitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. Rhaegar was the last Prince of Dragonstone, the eldest son and heir of the Mad King. And, as we know, Daenerys's brother.
Let's turn to some details of the series "House of the Dragon" that are a beautiful reference. When in the seventh episode we see the famous dagger with the prophecy "from my blood come the prince that was promised," we understand whose legacy will truly continue the Targaryen line. The Valyrian dagger was first threatened at Daemon, and now at Rhaenyra – even cutting her hand.
By drawing blood, we again catch the irony of the prophecy and that it is her descendants who will lead to the one who will fulfill it.
Opening Credits
And a few more details. If you are the person who skips the beginning of each episode, we hasten to disappoint you. There is something to see. Because before each episode, the map changes a little, as do the streams of blood that emanate from symbols referencing the characters of the main story.
So, for example, in the next episode we will see how the bloodlines of Rhaenyra and Daemon merge, and then send out several more streams (children).
The map is a large canvas of the entire Targaryen legacy. And the entire history of Westeros. It reflects the entire future family conflict. And it also resembles the genealogy of House Targaryen, which includes characters, marriages, and children. So, the credits begin with the symbol of Aegon the Conqueror – where three dragons are depicted, on which he conquered Westeros. Then his blood flows down to two gears – the two sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys.
Next, from Rhaenys, the bloodline goes to King Aenys, then to King Jaehaerys, from whom branches go immediately to nine lines – he had many children. Then the lines intersect at Viserys – the king who ascended the throne at the beginning of the series' events.
An interesting part – those gears that are completely filled with blood indicate already dead characters. As, for example, happened with Aemma Arryn. Viserys's gear (who is stubbornly fighting for life) is still intact.
As soon as it disappears, then the Civil War will begin, which will lead to numerous casualties, both among people and among dragons.
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