Everything we know about Laenor Velaryon in House of the Dragon

Quick Details

Who was Laenor Velaryon?

Credits: HBO

Laenor Velaryon was the only son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen. As heir to Driftmark, Laenor was pivotal in uniting the Targaryen and Velaryon houses through his marriage to Rhaenyra Targaryen.

Born into privilege, Laenor's life was steeped in tradition and duty. Despite challenges, he served as a dragonrider, bonding with Seasmoke, a formidable dragon.

Laenor's personal life, marked by tragedy and mystery, included his rumored death during a staged duel. His legacy persists in Westerosi lore, influencing events in "House of the Dragon."

Read More: October 15th has been declared as George R.R. Martin Day by his hometown

Quick Facts

Show

• First appeared in "The Heirs of the Dragon."
• Portrayed by John Macmillan, Theo Nate, and Matthew Carver.
• Played a key role in uniting the Velaryon and Targaryen houses.
• Faked his death to escape to Essos.

Books

• Known for his Valyrian features and dragonrider status.
• Married Rhaenyra Targaryen as part of a political alliance.
• Believed to have died in Spicetown in 120 AC.
• His dragon, Seasmoke, later bonded with Addam of Hull.

In the show

Credits: HBO

Early Life and Background

Laenor Velaryon was born in 98 AC to Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen. His mother, a descendant of Jaehaerys Targaryen, was passed over as heir to the Iron Throne due to her gender. If Rhaenys had been chosen as queen, Laenor would have been her successor.

Laenor grew up as the heir to Driftmark, the seat of House Velaryon. He belonged to one of the wealthiest and most powerful houses in Westeros. His Valyrian heritage and strong ties to House Targaryen made him a key figure in the realm’s political landscape.

Laenor bonded with the dragon Seasmoke early in life, becoming a skilled dragonrider. This connection solidified his status as a prominent member of the Valyrian elite. He was known for his bravery and loyalty to his family.

Laenor’s upbringing prepared him for leadership. He played an important role in maintaining the alliance between House Velaryon and House Targaryen. This alliance would later influence his marriage to Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.

Despite his strengths, Laenor faced challenges. His personal preferences and relationships shaped his life and decisions. These factors often placed him at odds with societal expectations and the duties imposed upon him.

In House of the Dragon Season 1

Laenor attended the Heir’s Tournament with his family during his youth. He later participated in the War for the Stepstones, where he rode Seasmoke into battle. Laenor proposed a bold plan to lure the Triarchy forces into the open, showcasing his tactical mind and bravery.

To strengthen alliances, King Viserys arranged Laenor’s marriage to Princess Rhaenyra. The couple agreed to fulfill their duties while pursuing personal happiness. Laenor’s relationship with Joffrey Lonmouth flourished during this time.

At their wedding feast, tragedy struck when Ser Criston Cole killed Joffrey in a fit of rage. Laenor grieved deeply for his lover but proceeded with the marriage. Despite his sorrow, he committed to his role as Rhaenyra’s husband and partner.

Over the years, Laenor maintained a strong bond with Rhaenyra. Although their children were fathered by Harwin Strong, Laenor embraced them as his own. He named their youngest son Joffrey, honoring his late lover.

Laenor later chose to leave Westeros, faking his death with the help of Rhaenyra and Daemon. This plan allowed him to live freely with his new partner, Qarl Correy, while ensuring Rhaenyra’s political position remained secure.

Laenor’s Legacy and Personality

Laenor was known for his kind heart and honorable nature. Despite knowing his children were not his by blood, he loved and cared for them deeply. He supported Rhaenyra throughout their marriage and played a crucial role in her rise to power.

Laenor’s decision to leave Westeros allowed him to escape the constraints of his duties. He chose personal happiness over political ambition. This decision showcased his resilience and his desire to live authentically.

His legacy lived on through his children, who carried the Velaryon name and claim to Driftmark. Jacaerys, his eldest legal son, fondly remembered Laenor’s kindness and the lessons he imparted during their time together.

Laenor’s bond with Seasmoke left a lasting impact. The dragon’s behavior changed after Laenor’s departure, suggesting a deep connection between rider and dragon.

Read More: Fan compares Luigi Mangione to Daenerys Targaryen

In the books

Credits: riotarttherite

Early Life and Claim to the Iron Throne

Laenor Velaryon, born in 94 AC, was the only son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen. His elder sister was Laena Velaryon. Laenor descended from Jaehaerys I Targaryen’s eldest son, Aemon Targaryen, who was passed over for the throne due to his death. Rhaenys, Aemon’s daughter, was also overlooked as heir because of her gender.

House Velaryon and their allies believed Laenor had a stronger claim to the Iron Throne due to his descent from Jaehaerys’s firstborn son. The Great Council of 101 AC convened to decide the heir between Viserys Targaryen, grandson of Jaehaerys, and Laenor. Laenor’s supporters argued for primogeniture, but many favored the male line, giving Viserys the advantage.

Despite Laenor’s youth and support from key houses, including Baratheon and Stark, the council overwhelmingly voted for Viserys. By this time, seven-year-old Laenor had already claimed the young dragon Seasmoke but had not ridden him yet.

Although the vote ended Laenor’s bid for the throne, his dragonrider status and lineage secured his position as an important figure in Westeros. His family's influence persisted through political alliances and the promise of Velaryon wealth and naval power.

Laenor’s claim reflected the ongoing tension between the principles of primogeniture and proximity to the throne. His story highlights the complexities of Targaryen succession and the challenges faced by houses tied to the crown.

Marriage to Rhaenyra Targaryen

King Viserys I and his council selected Laenor as a match for his daughter, Rhaenyra, to unite Houses Targaryen and Velaryon. Concerns about Laenor’s lack of interest in women were dismissed by Grand Maester Mellos, and the match proceeded. Rhaenyra initially resisted the marriage but relented under pressure from her father.

In 114 AC, Laenor married Rhaenyra in a grand ceremony. He was twenty, and she was seventeen. Laenor was knighted before the wedding, and the couple appeared happy in public. However, their private lives differed. Rhaenyra reportedly pursued a relationship with Ser Harwin Strong, while Laenor favored Ser Joffrey Lonmouth.

During the wedding tourney, Ser Criston Cole killed Joffrey in a brutal joust. Laenor mourned his lover’s death deeply, staying by Joffrey’s side until his passing. After the tragedy, Laenor returned to Driftmark, leaving Rhaenyra at court.

Despite their separate lives, Laenor and Rhaenyra had three sons: Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey. Rumors surrounded their paternity, as all three boys bore a resemblance to Harwin Strong rather than Laenor. Laenor accepted the children as his own, naming the youngest Joffrey after his late lover.

Their marriage remained a strategic alliance, balancing personal freedoms with public duty. Laenor’s commitment to Rhaenyra’s political goals strengthened the bond between their houses, despite their unconventional relationship.

Death and Legacy

In 120 AC, Laenor attended a fair at Spicetown, where he quarreled with his companion, Ser Qarl Correy. Witnesses reported a heated argument before Qarl fatally stabbed Laenor. Some accounts suggest jealousy over Laenor’s interest in another man as the motive for the murder. Others implicate Prince Daemon Targaryen in plotting Laenor’s death.

Laenor’s father, Corlys Velaryon, recovered his son’s body and offered a reward for Qarl’s capture. Despite the bounty, Qarl disappeared and was never found. Laenor’s funeral was held at High Tide, attended by his family and Rhaenyra. During this time, Prince Aemond Targaryen claimed the dragon Vhagar, sparking conflict between Aemond and Rhaenyra’s sons.

Seasmoke, Laenor’s dragon, remained riderless after his death, making its lair in the Dragonmont. Nearly a decade later, Addam of Hull, a Velaryon dragonseed, claimed Seasmoke during the Dance of the Dragons.

In the years following Laenor’s death, rumors arose that Addam and Alyn of Hull were Laenor’s illegitimate sons. Although some doubted their parentage, Corlys Velaryon legitimized them as his grandchildren. Addam and Alyn played significant roles during the Targaryen civil war.

Laenor’s death marked a turning point in Rhaenyra’s life. Less than six months after his passing, she married her uncle, Prince Daemon Targaryen. Laenor’s legacy persisted through his children and their role in the turbulent history of House Targaryen.

Read More: How Emilia Clarke (Daenerys) helped Emma D’Arcy (Rhaenyra) with their role in House of the Dragon

Quotes

"We made an arrangement, all those years ago, to do our duty, and yet explore happiness. But there are times, I think, when these things cannot mutually exist."

Quick Answers

Is Laenor Velaryon alive?

In the show, Laenor fakes his death and escapes to Essos. In the books, he is believed to have died in Spicetown.

What is Laenor’s dragon’s name?

Laenor's dragon is Seasmoke, a young and agile dragon bonded to him since childhood.

Read More: George R.R. Martin was not in involved in Elden Ring: Nightreign

Fire & Blood: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones (The Targaryen Dynasty: The House of the Dragon)

$22.00 $14.40

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

01/03/2025 12:27 pm GMT