Who is Princess Rhaenys, the “Queen Who Never Was” in House of the Dragon?

Quick Details

Who was Princess Rhaenys Targaryen?

Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO

Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, also called the Queen Who Never Was, belonged to the Targaryen dynasty. She married Lord Corlys Velaryon of Driftmark. Rhaenys was a dragonrider and rode Meleys, the Red Queen. She played a significant role in the events of her time, particularly in the Dance of the Dragons.

She was the daughter of Prince Aemon Targaryen and Lady Jocelyn Baratheon. Rhaenys’ marriage to Lord Corlys Velaryon created a strong bond between the Targaryens and the Velaryons. Her claim to the Iron Throne was rejected, leading to the nickname the Queen Who Never Was. This rejection influenced her actions and alliances throughout her life.

She was the first leader of the Blacks to die during the Dance of the Dragons. Her death marked a turning point in the conflict. Her dragon Meleys was a powerful force in battles.

Rhaenys’s story differs slightly between the books and the television adaptation. In the books, she is a determined, warlike figure tied closely to the politics of her era. The show depicts her as a person who often cautions for peace and the avoidance of conflict. Both portrayals emphasize her courage, intelligence, and loyalty to her family.

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Quick Facts

Show

• Rhaenys Targaryen is portrayed by Eve Best.
• She is referred to as “The Queen Who Never Was.”
• She rides the dragon Meleys, known as the Red Queen.
• She is the cousin of Viserys I and Daemon Targaryen.
• Her marriage to Corlys Velaryon strengthens ties between House Targaryen and House Velaryon.
• She plays a significant role in Rhaenyra Targaryen’s Black Council.
• She dies in battle at Rook’s Rest, fighting King Aegon II and Prince Aemond.

Books

• Rhaenys is the daughter of Aemon Targaryen and Jocelyn Baratheon.
• She was born on the 7th day of the 7th moon of 74 AC.
• She became a dragonrider in 87 AC, claiming Meleys.
• She married Corlys Velaryon at age sixteen in 90 AC.
• Her father’s death led to her being passed over as heir to the Iron Throne.
• She has two children, Laena Velaryon and Laenor Velaryon.
• She dies in 129 AC during the Dance of the Dragons at Rook’s Rest.

In the show

Credits: HBO

Rhaenys’s Background

Rhaenys is the granddaughter of Jaehaerys I Targaryen. Her parents are Aemon Targaryen and Jocelyn Baratheon. She is the first cousin of Viserys I and Daemon Targaryen. She is named after her great-great-grandmother, Rhaenys Targaryen, who was Aegon the Conqueror’s sister-wife. Rhaenys claimed her dragon Meleys after sneaking into the Dragonpit at night.

She did so after the death of her aunt, Alyssa Targaryen. Her actions angered Alyssa’s second son, Daemon. Meleys, known as the Red Queen, was a strong and formidable dragon. Rhaenys’s bond with Meleys remained significant throughout her life. Her mastery over Meleys made her a powerful figure in Targaryen conflicts.

Rhaenys married Corlys Velaryon, the wealthiest man in Westeros. Corlys earned his wealth from trading expeditions to distant regions of Essos. Their marriage united two influential houses, strengthening their political power. Together, they had two children, Laenor Velaryon and Laena Velaryon.

The Great Council and Rhaenys’s Title

Rhaenys’s father, Aemon, died before her grandfather, King Jaehaerys. Jaehaerys named his second son, Baelon Targaryen, as his heir instead of Rhaenys. This decision caused controversy since traditional inheritance laws favored Rhaenys over Baelon. The lords of Westeros nicknamed her “The Queen Who Never Was” due to this decision.

Baelon’s death created a succession dispute between Rhaenys’s son, Laenor, and her cousin, Viserys. Laenor’s claim followed the principle of primogeniture, while Viserys’s claim came from an unbroken male line. To prevent civil war, Jaehaerys convened the Great Council at Harrenhal.

The council elected Viserys as the next heir to the throne. This decision solidified Rhaenys’s exclusion from ruling. Jaehaerys died two years later, and Viserys became king. Rhaenys continued to play a role in court politics.

The Heir’s Tournament

Rhaenys attends the Heir’s Tournament celebrating the expected birth of Viserys’s son Baelon. She is accompanied by her husband Corlys Velaryon, who serves as Master of Ships, and their two children, Laenor and Laena. Lord Boremund Baratheon asks for her favor in the lists, calling her The Queen Who Never Was, which angers Otto Hightower but is dismissed by Viserys.

During the tournament, Rhaenys remarks to Corlys that the knights are inexperienced and untested in real combat. She observes that the peace since Maegor the Cruel’s death has kept them unprepared for battle. When Viserys’s wife Aemma Arryn dies in childbirth, and their son Baelon also passes soon after, Rhaenys attends their joint funeral with other family members.

Six months later, Rhaenys and Corlys propose a marriage between their daughter Laena and King Viserys. Viserys hesitates because of Laena’s age but acknowledges the need for heirs. Rhaenys later advises Rhaenyra about the challenges of being a female heir, warning her that the lords’ oaths may not hold and that a woman on the throne would face strong resistance.

The Betrothal of Rhaenyra and Laenor

Viserys visits High Tide to propose a marriage between Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon. Corlys agrees, but Rhaenys privately expresses concern about Laenor’s preferences and how they could complicate the union. She admits to Corlys that she has accepted her own exclusion from the throne but fears for Laenor’s safety given growing opposition to Rhaenyra’s succession.

The Velaryons travel to King’s Landing for Laenor and Rhaenyra’s betrothal celebration. Rhaenys rides her dragon Meleys, and Laenor rides his dragon Seasmoke. The festivities are overshadowed by the death of Laenor’s lover, Joffrey Lonmouth, at the hands of Criston Cole. Afterward, Viserys cancels the seven days of celebrations, and the couple marries in a private ceremony.

Rhaenys grows distant from her husband over disagreements about their children. She questions Corlys’s ambitions and insists that Driftmark should pass to their granddaughter Baela in honor of Laena’s memory. Corlys refuses, arguing that legacy depends on name recognition rather than blood.

Laena’s Death and Family Conflicts

Rhaenys mourns the death of her daughter Laena, who dies in childbirth in Pentos. Laena’s remains are brought to Driftmark, where Rhaenys meets her granddaughters Baela and Rhaena and consoles them. She is also troubled by the growing rumors about Rhaenyra’s sons and their true parentage.

In private, Rhaenys blames Daemon for Laena’s death and criticizes Corlys’s pursuit of power. She suggests that Driftmark should pass to Laena’s daughters rather than Lucerys Velaryon, who she believes is not Laenor’s son. Corlys insists that they must maintain the appearance of legitimacy to protect their family’s legacy.

Rhaenys protects her granddaughters during a violent dispute involving Aemond and Rhaenyra’s children over the dragon Vhagar. Aemond loses an eye in the fight, further escalating tensions between the factions.

Imprisonment and Escape

After Viserys’s death, Otto Hightower’s faction locks Rhaenys in her quarters to prevent her from opposing Aegon’s coronation. Alicent Hightower visits Rhaenys, seeking her support for the Greens, but Rhaenys rejects Alicent’s overtures and criticizes the usurpation of the throne.

Rhaenys escapes with the help of Ser Erryk Cargyll, who opposes the Greens. During Aegon’s coronation at the Dragonpit, Rhaenys frees her dragon Meleys and disrupts the ceremony. She spares the Greens despite having them at her mercy, leaving to warn Rhaenyra about the usurpation.

Rhaenys informs Rhaenyra of Viserys’s death and Aegon’s coronation. She advises Rhaenyra to leave Dragonstone with her family but refrains from declaring war herself. Her actions bring critical information to Rhaenyra while maintaining her loyalty to her family.

The Black Council and Rhaenys’s Role

Rhaenys remains on Dragonstone and attends the funeral of Rhaenyra’s stillborn daughter Visenya. She witnesses Rhaenyra’s coronation as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and becomes part of the Black Council. She provides critical updates about Corlys’s blockade of the Gullet, ensuring Rhaenyra remains informed about the war’s progress.

Rhaenys argues for strategic restraint during council discussions, focusing on maintaining alliances. She volunteers to support the blockade by patrolling Blackwater Bay with her dragon Meleys. Her presence bolsters the Black faction’s strength, emphasizing her role as a key supporter of Rhaenyra’s claim to the Iron Throne.

Corlys eventually arrives on Dragonstone after recovering from injuries. Rhaenys confronts him about abandoning their family and accuses him of prioritizing ambition over their children’s safety. They reconcile after agreeing to protect their grandchildren and support Rhaenyra’s claim, despite lingering tensions about their differing priorities.

Battle at Rook’s Rest

Rhaenys takes part in the Battle at Rook’s Rest, flying Meleys into combat against Criston Cole’s forces. The Greens lay a trap, and King Aegon II and Prince Aemond arrive with their dragons, Sunfyre and Vhagar. Despite knowing the risks, Rhaenys confronts both dragons to defend the Black cause.

Meleys engages in a fierce fight, injuring Sunfyre and Vhagar before succumbing to the overwhelming odds. Both Rhaenys and Meleys die in the battle. Her death marks a significant loss for the Blacks, leaving a void in their leadership and weakening their position in the war.

Corlys is devastated by Rhaenys’s death and blames Rhaenyra for sending her into battle. He withdraws from active participation in the war temporarily, focusing on protecting Driftmark and their remaining family.

Read More: Recap of all the episodes of House of the Dragon: Season 1

In the books

Credits: Jota Saraiva

Appearance and Character

Rhaenys was known for her great beauty. She had black hair and lilac eyes. By the age of fifty-five, her face became lean and lined. Her black hair was streaked with white. She remained a clever, spirited, and proud woman throughout her life. She was fierce, fearless, and had a fiery temperament.

Rhaenys wore steel and copper armor that reflected brightly in the sun. Her striking appearance matched her strong personality.

Early Life and Marriage

Rhaenys was born in 74 AC on the seventh day of the seventh moon. As the firstborn child of Prince Aemon Targaryen, many considered her the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. Queen Alysanne Targaryen called her “our queen to be.” Rhaenys became a dragonrider in 87 AC, claiming Meleys, her late aunt Alyssa Targaryen’s dragon.

In 89 AC, Rhaenys joined King Jaehaerys I on part of his royal progress. She flew Meleys to Highgarden and the Shield Islands. On Greenshield, she informed Jaehaerys of her intention to marry Lord Corlys Velaryon and received his blessing. In 90 AC, Rhaenys married Corlys at the age of sixteen, arriving at the wedding on Meleys.

In early 92 AC, Rhaenys discovered she was pregnant with her first child. She gave birth to her daughter Laena Velaryon later that year. Two years later, she gave birth to her son, Laenor Velaryon.

The Queen Who Never Was

In 92 AC, Rhaenys’s father, Prince Aemon, died. King Jaehaerys chose Baelon Targaryen, Aemon’s brother, as his heir instead of Rhaenys or her unborn child. Rhaenys objected to the decision. Her husband, Corlys Velaryon, resigned as lord admiral and left the Small Council in protest. The couple returned to Driftmark in anger.

Rhaenys’s mother, Lady Jocelyn Baratheon, and her uncle, Lord Boremund Baratheon, also opposed the decision. Her grandmother, Queen Alysanne, expressed disapproval as well. Despite their protests, Baelon remained the Prince of Dragonstone. Rhaenys continued to be overlooked due to her gender, earning her the title “The Queen Who Never Was.”

In 101 AC, following Baelon’s death, the first Great Council convened at Harrenhal to determine the succession. The council rejected Rhaenys and her children’s claims because of their gender. Instead, they favored Baelon’s son, Viserys. This marked the third time Rhaenys and her family were passed over.

The Dance of the Dragons

Rhaenys sat on Queen Rhaenyra’s Black Council during the Dance of the Dragons in 129 AC. The Velaryon fleet blocked the Gullet, and Rhaenys flew Meleys to guard against dragon attacks. When Lucerys Velaryon was killed, Rhaenys and Corlys prevented Joffrey Velaryon from seeking vengeance. They took command of Rhaenyra’s war council during this time.

Nine days after Lord Staunton requested aid, Rhaenys appeared at Rook’s Rest on Meleys. She attacked Ser Criston Cole’s forces but was ambushed by King Aegon II and Prince Aemond on their dragons. Meleys fought valiantly but was overpowered. She died alongside Rhaenys in the battle, marking a tragic end for both.

The aftermath of Rhaenys’s death caused anger among her allies. Corlys blamed Rhaenyra for sending Rhaenys into battle. Her fearless decision to face overwhelming odds cemented her legacy as a courageous and formidable figure in Targaryen history.

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Quotes

“I understand the order of things. I’m not sure you do. […] Whether it’s to my daughter or someone else’s, your father will remarry sooner than late. His new wife will produce new heirs, and chances are better than not that one of those will be male. And when that boy comes of age and your father has passed, the men of the realm will expect him to be heir, not you. Because that is the order of things.”
― Rhaenys, to Rhaenyra in House of the Dragon

“We can go back to the ends of the earth together. But I’ll get there first, as I’ll be flying.”
― Rhaenys to her husband-to-be, Corlys Velaryon in Fire and Blood

Quick Answers

Who is Rhaenys Targaryen?

Rhaenys Targaryen, also known as the Queen Who Never Was, was the daughter of Aemon Targaryen and Jocelyn Baratheon. She was a dragonrider who rode Meleys, the Red Queen. She was married to Corlys Velaryon and was passed over as heir to the Iron Throne due to her gender.

Why is Rhaenys called the Queen Who Never Was?

In both the books and the show, Rhaenys was passed over as heir to the Iron Throne after her father’s death. King Jaehaerys I Targaryen chose her uncle Baelon as his heir instead of her, despite her being her father’s direct descendant. This decision led to her nickname, which reflects her exclusion from ruling due to her gender.

What role does Rhaenys play in the Dance of the Dragons?

Rhaenys supports Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and sits on her Black Council. She leads military efforts, including flying Meleys to defend the Velaryon fleet. She dies in battle at Rook’s Rest, fighting against King Aegon II and Prince Aemond.

How does Rhaenys claim her dragon, Meleys?

In the books, Rhaenys claimed Meleys in 87 AC after the dragon’s previous rider, Alyssa Targaryen, passed away. The show mentions her bond with Meleys but does not elaborate on the details of their union.

What is Rhaenys’s relationship with Corlys Velaryon?

In both the books and the show, Rhaenys is married to Corlys Velaryon, the Lord of Driftmark and the wealthiest man in Westeros. Their marriage unites two powerful houses. They have two children, Laena and Laenor Velaryon, who play significant roles in the Targaryen legacy. Their relationship is based on mutual respect and shared ambitions.

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01/09/2025 12:57 pm GMT