Everything we know about Queen Rhaenys Targaryen

In the annals of Westerosi history, Aegon’s Conquest was the defining event that united the land of Westeros. This was the beginning of House Targaryen, a war filled with fire and blood. The man responsible for this war was Aegon I, also known as ‘Aegon the Conqueror.’ His decision was marked by a prophetic vision that is referred to in House of the Dragon as ‘The Song of Ice and Fire.’

George R. R. Martin has detailed the history of the Conquest in his anthology novel, Fire and Blood. Aegon began his conquest with aided by his two sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys. Though Visenya was responsible for many of the hardline decisions that Aegon took, Rhaenys preached temperance and a more balanced approach. Here is everything we know about Queen Rhaenys Targaryen.

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Who is Queen Rhaenys Targaryen?

Credits: Clark Ocleasa

Queen Rhaenys Targaryen, born on Dragonstone, was a dragonrider and member of the powerful Targaryen family. She was the sister-wife of King Aegon I Targaryen and played a critical role in Aegon’s Conquest of Westeros. Rhaenys had silver-gold hair and purple eyes, hallmarks of the Targaryen bloodline, and was known for her beauty and kind, impulsive nature.

She was part of a controversial marriage arrangement between her and her brother, Aegon. While Aegon was bound by duty to Visenya, Rhaenys’s marriage to him was driven by love. She was also an accomplished dragonrider, bonded with the dragon Meraxes. She had great love for music, dancing, and poetry.

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Quick Facts

Show

• Rhaenys’ dragon, Meraxes is mentioned in multiple seasons of Game of Thrones, particularly in Season 1 and 2, as part of Aegon’s Conquest.
• In House of the Dragon, Season 2, Meraxes’s skull is displayed in Dragonstone, honoring Rhaenys’s legacy.

Books

• Rhaenys plays a significant role during Aegon’s Conquest in Fire and Blood, particularly in the Field of Fire battle.
• Her contributions to the First Dornish War and subsequent death are chronicled in Fire and Blood.
• Her influence on Westeros’s politics, her marriage to Aegon, and her legacy are detailed in The Rise of the Dragon and The Sons of the Dragon.

In the show

Credits: HBO

Game of Thrones: Season 1

In the first season of Game of Thrones, Meraxes is mentioned when Viserys Targaryen speaks about the dragons from Aegon’s Conquest. While the focus is on Daenerys’s dragons, the reference to Meraxes links back to Rhaenys’s time and the crucial role dragons played in Targaryen dominance.

Game of Thrones: Season 2

In Season 2 of Game of Thrones, Arya Stark mentions Rhaenys’s dragon, Meraxes, while in Harrenhal. Though she references Rhaenys, Arya considers Visenya to be more of a hero.

House of the Dragon: Season 2

Season 2 of House of the Dragon briefly highlights Meraxes’s damaged skull, which is kept in the library of Dragonstone. This remains a subtle tribute to Rhaenys’s legacy and role in Aegon’s Conquest.

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In the books

Credits: Douglas Wheatley

Queen Rhaenys Targaryen during Aegon’s Conquest

As Aegon’s Conquest unfolded, Rhaenys sailed with her siblings from Dragonstone, unleashing dragonfire on the enemies of House Targaryen. She was instrumental in the Targaryen victory at the Field of Fire, where they defeated the combined forces of House Gardner and House Lannister.

Afterward, Rhaenys journeyed to the North and met with King Torrhen Stark, who submitted to Aegon. She then traveled alone to Dorne, where she encountered resistance. In Sunspear, Princess Meria Martell informed her that Dorne would not yield, marking the region as the only unconquered land during the conquest.

Queen Rhaenys Targaryen during the Reign of Aegon the Conqueror

Following Aegon’s Conquest, Rhaenys became involved in the governance of Westeros, playing a key role in strategic marriages and laws. She devised the “rule of six,” a law limiting punishment for infidelity. She was passionate about improving the lives of the common folk, contributing to her influence in King Aegon’s court.

Rhaenys gave birth to a son, Aenys, who later ascended the Iron Throne. However, rumors swirled about the true parentage of Aenys, with some suggesting that he was not Aegon’s son but rather the child of one of Rhaenys’s lovers. This raised doubts about the legitimacy of his claim to the throne.

Queen Rhaenys Targaryen during the First Dornish War

In 4 AC, Rhaenys led the Targaryen forces in the First Dornish War. She captured several castles and burned Planky Town, but the Dornish lords avoided open conflict. When Rhaenys reached Sunspear, she discovered the flight of Princess Meria Martell, signaling Dorne’s continued defiance.

Rhaenys’s forces eventually declared victory, but Dornish resistance remained strong. The conflict escalated, with the Targaryens deploying dragons to burn Dornish lands. In 10 AC, Meraxes was struck by a scorpion bolt during a skirmish at Hellholt, causing her death. This event marked the end of Rhaenys’s life and the intensification of the war with Dorne.

Legacy

Queen Rhaenys Targaryen’s legacy lives on in the history of the Targaryen dynasty. Despite her early death, she played a key role in shaping the course of Westeros through her military campaigns and contributions to Aegon’s Conquest. Her dragon, Meraxes, and her influence in the court are remembered as part of the foundation of Targaryen rule. Rhaenys’s tragic end in Dorne has become a symbol of the dangers of war and the cost of conquest. Her story continues to inspire songs and stories, and her name remains well-known across the Seven Kingdoms.

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Quotes

“Meria: I will not fight you, nor will I kneel to you. Dorne has no king. Tell your brother that.

Rhaenys: I shall, but we will come again, Princess, and the next time we shall come with fire and blood.

Meria: Your words. Ours are Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken. You may burn us, my lady … but you will not bend us, break us, or make us bow. This is Dorne. You are not wanted here. Return at your peril.”

—Meria Martell and Rhaenys

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Quick Answers

Who was Queen Rhaenys Targaryen?

Queen Rhaenys Targaryen was the wife and sister of King Aegon I. She was known for her dragonriding skills, particularly with the dragon Meraxes. Rhaenys played a significant role in the Targaryen conquest and governance of Westeros, especially in the early years of Aegon’s reign. Her legacy includes a strong influence on both the Iron Throne and the Targaryen dynasty.

What role did Queen Rhaenys play during Aegon’s Conquest?

Rhaenys contributed to Aegon’s Conquest by using her dragon, Meraxes, to fight alongside her siblings. She participated in the Field of Fire, where she helped defeat Houses Gardner and Lannister. Rhaenys also led a campaign in Dorne, though Dorne remained unconquered despite her efforts.

What is the significance of Queen Rhaenys’s death?

Rhaenys’s death in the First Dornish War was a turning point. She was killed when her dragon, Meraxes, was struck by a scorpion bolt. Her death led to a vengeful campaign by Aegon and Visenya, resulting in years of destruction and conflict in Dorne. It also had a lasting impact on her son, Aenys.

What is Rhaenys’s legacy?

Rhaenys’s legacy is marked by the memorials erected in her honor, including the Sept of Remembrance. Her story continues through songs, stories, and the naming of ships and islands after her. Her impact on both Targaryen politics and culture persisted long after her death.

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12/23/2024 11:37 am GMT