House Targaryen family tree: Exploring the who’s who of the House of the Dragon

The legacy of the dragon-riding Targaryens is as twisted and complicated as it gets. Full of incest, in-fighting, and constant backstabbings, the notorious family is not feared for nothing. Not only can they control and ride dragons, but their cunning in battles and mind games is unmatched.

Anybody standing between them and their goal will either be crushed or pricked like a thorn and discarded immediately. Their ambition drove them to establish Westeros and reign over the realm for decades before the Mad King was dethroned by a rebellion.

The silver-haired hot-tempered family is not one to be messed with. Lest you want to be burnt to a crisp by their cherished companions. Here’s a breakdown of who’s who in the sprawling Targaryen family that gives every other house a run for their money.

The complete House Targaryen family tree

Seen in House of the Dragon

Jaehaerys I Targaryen

Image: HBO

Actor: Michael Carter
Dragon: Vermithor

The prequel show to Game of Thrones begins with an elderly King Jaehaerys I on the throne. He has to decide his heir to the Iron Throne since both his sons died before him. Jaehaerys has to make his choice between his grandchildren – Rhaenys, Viserys, and Daemon. Fourth Targaryen king, he ruled for 55 long years, considered to be the longest reign in the history of Westeros. Consequently, his decision to crown Viserys after him is said to be the lead cause of the upcoming Dance of Dragons.

Also Read: Prince Daeron Targaryen and Nettles are absent from House of the Dragon season 2

Viserys I Targaryen

Credits: HBO

Actor: Paddy Considine
Dragon: Balerion

Heir to the Iron Throne, he rules for many peaceful years. Compared to Daemon, Viserys is considered a more calm and stable ruler, but at the same time, people believe he needs to be firmer in his stance. The same is seen when it comes to him naming his heir. He is unable to make a firm decision and it eventually leads to the Dance of Dragons where Alicent fights Rhaenyra to let her kid be the next King.

Daemon Targaryen

Credit: HBO

Actor: Matt Smith
Dragon: Caraxes

One of the fiercest warriors in the Targaryen family, he was both cunning and strong. His impulsiveness and hot temper stood as obstacles between him and the Iron Throne. This is why his grandfather Jaehaerys chose his older brother Viserys over him to inherit the kingdom. Nonetheless, Daemon’s ambition and ability to see the bigger picture helped him plan his moves strategically. He stands with his niece and third wife, Rhaenyra in her claim to the Iron Throne.

Rhaenys Targaryen

Credit: HBO

Actor: Eve Best
Dragon: Meleys

Nicknamed The Queen Who Never Was, Rhaenys spends her life in despair as she believes she is a better fit to inherit the throne. Where Daemon was impulsive and Viserys was feeble, Rhaenys could have ruled with a firm hand. She feels she has been denied her birthright. Lord Corlys Velaryon is her husband with whom she has two children. After Alicent imprisons her to curb her contest to the throne, Rhaenys goes to Rhaenyra to extend a hand of support.

Rhaenyra Targaryen

Credit: HBO

Actor: Milly Alcock/Emma D’Arcy
Dragon: Syrax

Daughter of Viserys I, Rhaenyra is the true heir to the throne. Her father even announces is at the beginning of House of the Dragon. However, in the blind urge to have a male heir, Viserys marries Alicent Hightower, daughter of the Hand of King Otto Hightower and Rhaenyra’s cherished companion. After the birth of Viserys and Alicent’s children, a squabble ensues to determine the next King or Queen which later becomes the Dance of Dragons. Rhaenyra marries Laenor Velaryon and has three kids. She later marries Daemon Targaryen and has two more children.

Also Read: Daemon Targaryen had an additional scene after killing Crabfeeder in House of the Dragon season 1

Aegon II Targaryen

Credit: HBO

Actors: Tom Glynn-Carney and Ty Tennant
Dragon: Sunfyre

When seen in comparison, Aegon II resembles Joffrey Lannister from Game of Thrones. Both of them view themselves as independent rulers with no care in the world. In reality, their mothers work harder to get them their due without an ounce of recognition. The end of the first season of House of the Dragon witnesses Aegon II claim the Iron Throne after his father Viserys I dies. His depravity and lust prove that he is not fit to rule, on top of his lack of maturity. Thus, angering Rhaenyra Targaryen and venturing into battle to claim the kingdom.

Aemond Targaryen

Credit: HBO

Actors: Ewan Mitchell and Leo Ashton
Dragon: Vhagar

Revengeful and spiteful, Aemond is another vicious son of Viserys I and Alicent Hightower. His ambition for the throne is clearly visible towards the finale of House of the Dragon season 1. He kills his cousin Lucerys to take revenge for his slashed eye. Though he has trouble connecting with and riding a dragon in childhood, he goes on to steal Vhagar, one of the largest dragons in Westeros from the Velaryons.

Helaena Targaryen

Credit: HBO

Actors: Phia Saban and Evie Allen
Dragon: Dreamfyre

Similar to her ancestor Daenys The Dreamer, it is believed that Halaena can also foretell the future. She sees visions of her brother Aemond riding a dragon when he has trouble coming near one. Moreover, when Rhaenys is about to escape her imprisonment, she sees a vision of a beast beneath the floor. She marries her brother Aegon II and has three children.

King Aegon and Queen Helaena’s Children – Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor Targaryen

Credit: HBO

While the three children are shown for a mere second as infants in House of the Dragon, we believe they will have a larger role in the upcoming season 2 of the show. As the war for the throne gets more brutal, the grown-up kids might also get involved in the battle.

Aegon III and Viserys II Targaryen

Son of Rhaenyra and Daemon, Aegon III is named after the original conqueror who consolidated the kingdoms. Viserys II is named after Rhaenyra’s father and Daemon’s brother. The two children will play a crucial role in the next season since they will support their mother’s claim to the throne. They were shown as babies in House of the Dragon season 1.

Also Read: What are the names of all the Dragons in House of the Dragon?

Rhaena and Baela Targaryen

Credit: HBO

The twin daughters of Daemon and Laena Velaryon remain with their father and his new wife Rhaenyra after their mother dies. Rhaena and Baela are betrothed to Jacaerys and Lucerys Velaryon so that the bond between the two families is consolidated.

Jacaerys Velaryon, Lucerys Velaryon, and Joffrey Velaryon

Children of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Laenor Velaryon, the three boys are calm and peaceful in their demeanor. Many believe they are actually sons of Harwin Strong since Rhaenyra and Laenor were unable to consummate their marriage and conceive children. The validity of their claim to the throne is also questioned repeatedly. Lucerys dies at the hands of Aemond after they battle in the sky above Storm’s End on their dragons. When this news reaches Rhaenyra, she remains inconsolable and her resolve to claim the throne is strengthened.

Seen in Game of Thrones

Maester Aemon

Credit: HBO

Actor: Peter Vaughan

Maestro Aemon of the Night’s Watch is the oldest Targaryen in Game of Thrones. He does not bring his heritage and his ancestry to the limelight often. Rather, he protects Jon Snow in the Night’s Watch and votes for him to be the Commander. He mentors young Snow and encourages him to pave a path for himself. Aemon does not sit on the throne out of his own volition and lets his brother Aegon V rule Westeros.

Aerys II Targaryen

Credit: HBO

Actor: David Rintoul

Aerys II ruled for many years before succumbing to madness and paranoia that gave him the name the Mad King. He brought an end to the mighty Targaryen dynasty’s rule over Westeros. Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark joined forces to rebel and overthrow him as the ruler. He is seen in Game of Thrones in a brief flashback episode. His fascination with Dragonfire can be understood better after we get to know that Aegon the Conqueror foresaw the end of the world of men. Since there were no dragons by the time Aerys sat on the throne, he had to use fire to defeat the White Walkers had they attacked Westeros. The Mad King becomes a cautionary tale for the Lannisters to rally people against Daenerys.

Also Read: 10 most shocking Game of Thrones moments that broke the internet

Rhaegar Targaryen

Credit: HBO

Actor: Wilf Scolding

Son of the Mad King, Rhaegar Targaryen is the brother of Daenerys and Viserys III. He is initially portrayed as similar to the Mad King in his lust and ambition. However, we later realize he is in fact a mild-mannered man who falls in love with Lyanna Stark. The two elope to be married in secret and give birth to their son Aegon Targaryen who lives under Eddard Stark’s protection as Jon Snow.

Viserys III Targaryen

Credits: HBO

Actor: Harry Lloyd

As seen in the first few episodes of Game of Thrones, Viserys III is a petty and vindictive man who cannot stand to see anyone favoring his sister over him. He belittles Daenerys and pawns her off to marry the Dothraki in an effort to gain their favor and their army to sack Westeros. His ambitions become the end of him as Daenerys manages to harmonize with the Dothraki and Drogo kills Viserys III.

Daenerys Targaryen

Credit: HBO

Actor: Emilia Clarke
Dragons: Drogon, Viserion, Rhaegal

Known as the Mother of Dragons, and Breaker of Chains among others, Daenerys Stormborn Targaryen suffers various losses only to realize the throne is her destiny. She journeys through suffering lands and brings them freedom, thus ensuring public support for when she claims the throne. However, her ambitions darken over time and she becomes single-minded toward getting her revenge and sitting on the Iron Throne. She is eventually killed by her lover and nephew Aegon Targaryen.

Also Read: Who is Sara Snow? Future House of the Dragon character explained

Aegon Targaryen (Jon Snow)

Credit: HBO

Actor: Kit Harrington
Dragon: Rhaegal

Named after his father Rhaegar, Rhaegal is the ideal dragon for Aegon Targaryen. Though he lives most of his life believing he is the bastard son of Eddard Stark, he learns he is actually the legitimate son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. When this fact comes to light, people learn he is the true heir to the throne, not Daenerys Targaryen. However, Aegon, or Jon Snow is beloved by all and has the correct temperament to rule Westeros with a clear mind and a firm hand.

Not seen on-screen

Aegon I Targaryen

Aegon the Conqueror brought the seven kingdoms together and established the fierce rule of Targaryens over Westeros. Rhaenys and Visenya, his two sister-wives helped him consolidate the kingdoms. Marriage between siblings was seen as ordinary back then as it kept their bloodlines pure. However, as time passed, this was viewed suspiciously since it resulted in children belonging to an extreme temperament.

Maegor Targaryen

Known as Maegor The Cruel, he is one of the cruelest kings in the history of Westeros. Son of Aegon The Conqueror, he murders his own brother and nephew to usurp the throne. Maegor is fond of cruelty and violence as he revels in defeating his enemies and getting whatever he wants. Subsequently, he claims Balerion the Black Dread as his dragon. The duo remained unstoppable in every facet and spread destruction wherever they went. During the six-year rule, he made many enemies and was later found dead in the Throne room with his wrists cut.

Aegon V Targaryen

Brother of Aemon Targaryen and son of Maekar I, Aegon V or Egg rules the kingdom after Aemon refuses to sit on the Iron throne. At first, he squires for Duncan the Tall, as narrated in the Tale of Dunk and Egg novellas. This enables him to see the world and learn the humility his brothers lack. After traveling across the kingdom. Aegon becomes more perceptible to the pleas of the masses and rules with their betterment in mind.

Also Read: House of the Dragon season 2 will premiere between April-June

Aemon Targaryen and Baelon Targaryen

Sons of Jaehaerys Targaryen, Aemon and Baelon die before they can claim the throne. Aemon dies when a crossbow hits him during the Tarth invasion. Subsequently, Baelon goes to Tarth to avenge his brother’s death after being named heir to the throne. Afterward, he dies during a hunt with a burst belly. They might be featured in a flashback scene. But it is quite improbable we will see them on screen because they are not directly related to the current storyline.

Daenys The Dreamer

She is one of the first Targaryens to realize her power of foretelling. After she sees a vision of Valyria falling into ruin, she protects her family from getting destroyed as they all move to Dragonstone. Daenys and her family become the last surviving dragon riders in the world.

Daeron Targaryen

The fourth child of Alicent and Viserys, Daeron is not seen in House of the Dragon yet. George RR Martin said that he does exist in the timeline, but due to the abundance of characters, they seemed to leave him out. Since in the story, Daeron was sent away to be a cupbearer in Alicent’s hometown, we might see him return as an adult in the upcoming seasons.

Notable Targaryen Bastards

Credit: HBO

Daemon Waters, Aegor Rivers (Bittersteel), Brynden Rivers (Bloodraven), Shiera Seastar

Bastard children of Aegon The Unworthy, they all brought bloodshed and destruction to Westeros. When Aegon legitimized his bastards on his deathbed, he opened up the possibility of them contesting the throne. His hatred for his wife and trueborn son led him to make haste decisions that eventually saw various rebellions and battles. However, Brynden Rivers is said to be the Three-Eyed Raven who guides Bran Stark on his journey to take over the art of greensight and protecting the realm.

Also Read: What happened during the battle of the burning mill?