Explore the tangled bloodlines behind HBO’s Targaryen saga
The Targaryen dynasty in House of the Dragon is marked by complex relationships, political marriages, and deadly succession disputes. Set nearly two centuries before Game of Thrones, the series focuses on the family conflicts that sparked the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. Understanding who is related to whom, and how power passed (or failed to pass) down the line, is crucial to grasping the story’s depth.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the Targaryen family tree as portrayed in House of the Dragon, beginning with the Old King, Jaehaerys I, and ending with the warring factions of Aegon II and Rhaenyra Targaryen.
The Family Tree Chart: Overview from Jaehaerys I Onward
Note: This is based on HBO’s House of the Dragon adaptation. Certain elements diverge from George R. R. Martin’s Fire & Blood.
1. King Jaehaerys I Targaryen (The Old King)
- Wife: Queen Alysanne Targaryen (his sister)
- Children relevant to the show:
- Baelon Targaryen (father of Viserys I)
- Alyssa Targaryen (married Baelon, her brother)
2. King Viserys I Targaryen
- Father: Baelon
- First Wife: Aemma Arryn
- Child: Rhaenyra Targaryen
- Second Wife: Alicent Hightower
- Children:
- Aegon II Targaryen
- Helaena Targaryen
- Aemond Targaryen
- Daeron Targaryen (not yet shown in the series)
- Children:
3. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
- Mother: Aemma Arryn
- First Husband: Ser Laenor Velaryon (her cousin)
- Children (officially Velaryon, likely Strong):
- Jacaerys Velaryon
- Lucerys Velaryon
- Joffrey Velaryon
- Children (officially Velaryon, likely Strong):
- Second Husband: Prince Daemon Targaryen (her uncle)
- Children:
- Aegon the Younger (Aegon III)
- Viserys (later Viserys II)
- Children:
4. Prince Daemon Targaryen
- Brother of Viserys I
- First Wife: Rhea Royce (no children)
- Second Wife: Laena Velaryon
- Children:
- Baela Targaryen
- Rhaena Targaryen
- Children:
- Third Wife: Rhaenyra Targaryen
- Children:
- Aegon the Younger
- Viserys
- Children:
5. Alicent Hightower’s Children with Viserys I
These form the ‘Green’ faction in the civil war.
- Aegon II Targaryen: Marries his sister Helaena
- Children: Jaehaerys, Maelor, and others (many die during the war)
- Helaena Targaryen: A prophetic dreamer
- Aemond Targaryen: Bonded with Vhagar, killed Lucerys
- Daeron Targaryen: Youngest, stationed in Oldtown (not yet depicted on screen)
6. The Velaryon Connection
- Lord Corlys Velaryon (the Sea Snake) married Princess Rhaenys (Jaehaerys’ granddaughter)
- Children:
- Laenor Velaryon (married Rhaenyra)
- Laena Velaryon (married Daemon)
- Children:
This branch links the Targaryens to the powerful Velaryon fleet, dragons, and wealth, and plays a major role in the coming war.
The Dance of the Dragons: Key Divisions
The Targaryen family split into two rival lines during the civil war:
- The Blacks (supporters of Rhaenyra)
- Rhaenyra Targaryen
- Daemon Targaryen
- Her sons with Laenor and Daemon
- Houses Velaryon and Arryn
- The Greens (supporters of Aegon II)
- Alicent Hightower
- Aegon II
- Aemond, Helaena, and Daeron
- House Hightower, and much of the Lannister and Baratheon support
Visual Guide: Family Tree Summary
| Name | Relation | Spouse | Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaehaerys I | Grandfather of Viserys I | Alysanne | Baelon, Alyssa |
| Viserys I | King | Aemma Arryn, Alicent Hightower | Rhaenyra, Aegon II, Aemond, Helaena, Daeron |
| Rhaenyra | Heir to Viserys I | Laenor, Daemon | Jacaerys, Lucerys, Aegon III, Viserys II |
| Daemon | Brother to Viserys I | Rhea, Laena, Rhaenyra | Baela, Rhaena, Aegon III, Viserys II |
| Aegon II | Son of Alicent | Helaena | Jaehaerys, Maelor |
| Laenor | Rhaenyra’s first husband | – | Jacaerys, Lucerys, Joffrey (not biological) |
| Laena | Daemon’s second wife | – | Baela, Rhaena |
Timeline of Key Births and Deaths
| Event | Date (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Birth of Viserys I | 77 AC |
| Birth of Rhaenyra | 97 AC |
| Death of Aemma Arryn | 105 AC |
| Marriage of Alicent and Viserys | 106 AC |
| Birth of Aegon II | 107 AC |
| Death of Laena Velaryon | 120 AC |
| Marriage of Rhaenyra and Daemon | 120 AC |
| Start of Dance of the Dragons | 129 AC |
| Death of Lucerys | 129 AC |
| Death of Aegon II | 131 AC |
| Rhaenyra’s death | 130 AC |
| Aegon III crowned | 131 AC |
Legacy of the Family Tree
The civil war shattered the Targaryen line. Rhaenyra’s son, Aegon III, eventually ascended the throne, ruling over a traumatised realm. His reign brought the death of dragons, mistrust among the great houses, and the slow decay of the once-powerful dynasty.
Understanding these bloodlines offers more than clarity. It reveals why each betrayal matters, why every marriage carries weight, and how the past bleeds into the future. The same house that conquered Westeros could not conquer its own inner divisions.
