Full House of the Dragon Family Tree Chart & Targaryen Lineage Explained

Explore the tangled bloodlines behind HBO’s Targaryen saga

The Targaryen family tree is less of a neat diagram and more like someone dropped a bowl of silver-haired spaghetti onto a map of Westeros.

House of the Dragon explores one of the most dramatic periods in Targaryen history, nearly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. At this point the family is at the height of its power, dragons dominate the skies and the Iron Throne seems almost untouchable.

The problem is not outside enemies. It is the Targaryens themselves.

A disputed succession after the reign of King Viserys I creates the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. To understand why cousins, siblings and former allies start burning each other’s castles, the family connections matter.

Here is the Targaryen family tree explained, from the Old King to the rival claimants fighting for the throne.

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)

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
Second Husband: Prince Daemon Targaryen (her uncle)
- Children:
  - Aegon the Younger (Aegon III)
  - Viserys (later Viserys II)

4. Prince Daemon Targaryen

Brother of Viserys I
First Wife: Rhea Royce (no children)
Second Wife: Laena Velaryon
- Children:
  - Baela Targaryen
  - Rhaena Targaryen
Third Wife: Rhaenyra Targaryen
- Children:
  - Aegon the Younger
  - Viserys

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)

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.