Who is Daeron Targaryen? Everything you need to know about the House of the Dragon character

Though many characters were introduced in House of the Dragon, one crucial character was missing from the ranks of the Targaryens. Prince Daeron Targaryen was a member of the Green faction and a dragonrider who played a large part in many of the battles in the Dance of the Dragons.

Prince Daeron Targaryen earned the title of Daeron the Daring due to his exploits during The Dance of the Dragons. This article covers everything we know so far about Prince Daeron Targaryen.

Who is Daeron Targaryen in Fire and Blood?

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Daeron Targaryen was the third son of King Viserys I and Queen Alicent Hightower. Like most Targaryens, Daeron was fair-skinned with silver blond hair and purple-hued eyes. He was considered handsome and the most popular of his three brothers. He was considerate, intelligent, and peaceful. Since he was the youngest in line after Aegon, Aemond, and Helaena, he was more used to following orders than giving them.

When he was born, his father, King Viserys I, had him share a wet nurse with his grandson Jacaerys, Rhaenyra’s youngest son. Viserys did this in an attempt to make sure that the two princes grew up without hostility, as there was already bad blood between their mothers, Alicent and Rhaenyra. Unfortunately, Viserys’ attempts failed, as the two princes grew up bitter rivals.

Daeron had a she-dragon named Tessarion by age six, though he did not ride her until much later. When he turned twelve, his family sent him to Oldtown as a cupbearer and squire to Lord Ormund Hightower, Queen Alicent’s cousin. This is the main reason that he does not appear in House of the Dragon.

Read more: Jack Cunningham-Nuttall (supposedly playing Daeron) teases fans with a blue dragon plushie

What happens to Prince Daeron Targaryen during the Dance of the Dragons?

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When the Dance of the Dragons began, Daeron marched with Lord Ormund Hightower’s army from Oldtown. They fought in the Battle of the Honeywine, where Ormund nearly faced defeat. Prince Daeron, riding Tessarion, saved the day. In gratitude, Ormund knighted Daeron with the Valyrian sword Vigilance and named him “Daeron the Daring.”

After King’s Landing fell later in the war, Daeron became the greatest threat to Rhaenyra’s rule. Many noble houses swore allegiance to the Greens to avoid facing Daeron and Tessarion. During the sack of Bitterbridge, Daeron had Tessarion burn the town. He showed no mercy, blaming the townspeople for the death of his nephew, Prince Maelor, who was reportedly torn apart by an angry mob.

When King Aegon II went missing after King’s Landing fell, Daeron became first in line for the throne. With Prince Aemond dead in the Battle Above the God’s Eye, factions debated whether Daeron should be crowned Prince of Dragonstone or King. When Hugh Hammer suggested Daeron should be king, Daeron threw wine in Hugh’s face.

Daeron met his end in the Second Battle of Tumbleton. Accounts vary, but one tale claims that a sellsword named Black Trombo killed him with a Morningstar. This allegedly happened as Daeron emerged from his burning tent, set ablaze by Seasmoke’s flames. Historians Munkun and Gyldayn agree that Daeron’s burning tent collapsed on him, causing his death.

After briefly regaining the Iron Throne, King Aegon II ordered statues of his fallen brothers, Aemond and Daeron, to be built in King’s Landing. The project was halted by Ser Tyland Lannister when King Aegon III took power.

Following Daeron’s mysterious death, several pretenders claimed to be him during King Aegon III’s reign. However, Maester Yandel confirmed that all were impostors.

Prince Daeron Targaryen in House of the Dragon

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Prince Daeron Targaryen is fostered by House Hightower in Oldtown, first under Lord Hobert Hightower and later under Hobert’s son, Lord Ormund.

By 126 AC, Daeron has bonded with Tessarion and is the ward of his great-uncle Hobert and Ormund. Although he is not directly involved in the events of the first season of “House of the Dragon,” Daeron is mentioned when Prince Daemon Targaryen counts four dragons on the side of the Greens.

In Season 2, after Ser Otto Hightower is dismissed as Hand of the King, he plans to return to Oldtown, hoping Daeron can aid the Greens. During a Green Council meeting, Lord Jasper Wylde advises Aegon to unleash Daeron and Tessarion from Oldtown to subdue the Riverlands.

Before Daeron departs for the Riverlands with Ser Criston Cole, Alicent asks her son Gwayne about Daeron. Gwayne describes Daeron as a stalwart and clever sixteen-year-old, skilled in both the lute and the sword. He assures Alicent that Daeron is kind. Daeron joins the Hightower army on their march, flying above them on Tessarion.

Actor Jack Cunningham has been rumored to be playing the role, and the actor himself has given a hint about his casting on Instagram by sharing a plushie of a blue dragon on his Instagram story. Daeron’s dragon Tessarion is known to have blue scales and was nicknamed The Blue Queen.

Read more: Jack Cunningham-Nuttall (supposedly playing Daeron) teases fans with a blue dragon plushie