The house of the dragon family tree maps the Targaryen lineage from Aegon I to the fragile heirs of the Dance of the Dragons. Understanding these bloodlines clarifies who claims the Iron Throne and why rivalries grow so bitter in Westeros.
This structured overview highlights key figures, their titles, major alliances, and the outcome of their dynastic struggles. Use it to trace how marriage, conquest, and madness shape the fate of House Targaryen.
| Name | Title(s) | Key Alliances | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aegon I Targaryen | King of the Andals and the First Men | Argilac the Arbitrary, Orys Baratheon | Established the dynasty and capital at King's Landing |
| Visenya Targaryen | Queen Consort, Dragonrider | House Arryn, Faith of the Seven | Secured legitimacy through marriage and the Faith |
| Rhaenys Targaryen | Queen Consort, Dragonrider | House Mooton, Dornish negotiations | Influenced early succession debates |
| Aegon II Targaryen | {"A": "usurper", "B": "Rhaenyra's half-brother", "C": "Green faction", "D": "Claimant backed by lords"}|||
| Rhaenyra Targaryen | {"A": "Princess", "B": "Heir apparent", "C": "Black faction", "D": "Claimant whose death ended the first phase"}|||
| Daemon Targaryen | Prince of the Blood, Regent | Mysaria, Corlys Velaryon | Kingmaker and instigator of the Dance |
| Jacaerys Velaryon | Lord of Driftmark, Envoy | Storm's End, Houses Velaryon and Celtigar | Assassinated while seeking northern support |
| Aemond Targaryen | Prince, Regent during civil war | House Strong, Borros Baratheon | Killed in duel with Lucerys Velaryon |
Ancestral Lineage and Bloodlines
Founders and Early Dragonlords
The house of the dragon family tree begins with the dragonlords of Valyria, but the Targaryen branch survives the Doom by settling on Dragonstone. Aegon I, Visenya, and Rhaenys unite the conquered kingdoms through conquest, strategic marriage, and the presence of dragons.
Marriage Pacts and Succession Claims
To bind Westeros, Targaryens wed brother to sister and cousin to cousin, preserving pure bloodlines. These unions create overlapping claims that later fuel the dispute between Rhaenyra and Aegon II, turning policy into open civil war.
Major Dynastic Conflicts
The Dance of the Dragons
The civil war known as the Dance erupts when Aegon II is crowned ahead of Rhaenyra. Houses fracture between Green and Black factions, dragons clash in the sky, and the realm bleeds for a generation.
Aftermath and Fragmented Loyalties
With dragons nearly extinct, claimants rely on propaganda, forged documents, and desperate alliances. The weakened monarchy sets the stage for future rebellions and the eventual rise of usurpers.
Family Structure and Key Figures
Patriarchs and Matriarchs
Founding figures like Aegon I establish the template for rule, while queens such as Visenya defend the dynasty through faith and force. Their children and siblings form a complex web of loyalties and rivalries.
Bastards, Allies, and Claimants
Illegitimate lines like Aegor Rivers introduce volatility, while houses Velaryon and Celtigar shift between cooperation and betrayal. Each decision ripples through the family tree, altering who sits the throne.
Geographic Power Bases
King's Landing and Dragonstone
The capital symbolizes authority, while Dragonstone serves as the ancestral stronghold. Control of these seats determines legitimacy and access to dragon eggs, shaping the course of every succession crisis.
Regional Loyalties and Frontiers
The North, the Stormlands, and Dorne respond differently to Targaryen demands. Alliances forged through marriage and fear determine which houses rally to the dragon banner and which choose opportunistic neutrality.
Legacy and Current Repercussions
Each branch of the house of the dragon family tree leaves a mark on law, dragonlore, and the politics of the realm. Heirs still reference these ancient ties to bolster their legitimacy.
- Trace ancestry to identify legitimate and contested claims to the throne.
- Map marriages and alliances to understand shifting loyalties.
- Study the Dance to anticipate how succession crises escalate.
- Monitor dragonlegends and artifacts that signal rightful rule.
- Assess regional loyalties when evaluating who can rally the Seven Kingdoms.
FAQ
Reader questions
How does the house of the dragon family tree explain the Dance of the Dragons?
The Dance stems from disputed succession, overlapping claims, and fragile alliances. Rhaenyra’s lineage conflicts with Aegon II’s coronation, turning court politics into a full-scale civil war that devastates the realm and reduces dragon numbers.
Which key figures are most influential in the Targaryen bloodline?
Aegon I, Visenya, Rhaenys, Daemon, and Rhaenyra form the core. Their marriages, dragonriding prowess, and political maneuvering determine the dynasty’s strength and its vulnerability to betrayal and madness.
What role do marriage and alliances play in the family tree?
Strategic unions bind houses together but also create rival claimants. Cross-lineage pacts, such as marrying into Velaryon or Celtigar, can secure support or become tools for propaganda during succession fights.
Why does the house of the dragon family tree matter for modern claimants?
Blood purity, dragon legacy, and historical precedent shape every challenge to the throne. Present-day aspirants invoke these connections to legitimize their cause, whether rallying lords or seeking foreign backing.