The Targaryen Family Tree Explained

The Targaryens are one of the most crucial families in the lore of Game of Thrones. They also happen to be the most cunning and terrifying, especially with their history of raising dragons! That being said, most fans are only vaguely aware of the huge family tree that the Targaryen clan represents.

Now, with the debut of House of the Dragon, we’ve been introduced to several more members from the Targaryen family.

Many wonder how Daenerys Targaryen is related to HotD‘s Princess/Queen Rhaenyra, but in fact, this new TV show takes place 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones and 172 years before the birth of Daenerys.

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In this prequel, we revisit Westeros a few centuries before Robert Baratheon sat the Iron Throne. While there are still Baratheons to be found, however (and Starks, Lannisters, and more), the King’s Landing we’re introduced to in House of the Dragons is a very different place. At this point in Westeros history, the Targaryens and their dragons are still firmly in control of the realm. 

This makes for a different drama altogether, and introduces two crucial questions for viewers: How did we get here? And who are these people? 

Here are some answers in the form of an abbreviated Targaryen family tree (with a few friends tacked on as well) spanning from those mentioned and introduced in HotD to the more familiar faces we know from GoT.

Jump to:

• Earliest history of Targaryens
• Targaryens of ‘House of Dragon’
• Targaryens of ‘Game of Thrones’

What’s the earliest history of the Targaryen dynasty?

To understand where the Targaryens of House of the Dragon came from, it is first necessary to take a look back at the family’s earliest history in Westeros…. 

The Targaryens arrived in Westeros after their original home on the continent of Essos was destroyed by a cataclysmic event, “the Doom of Valyria”.

With the family tree spanning across 16 generations, it’s difficult to explore every family member, but one that started it all was King Aegon I Targaryen. Also known as Aegon the Conqueror, as explained in our GoT timeline, he was the first to unite and conquer the kingdoms of Westeros with the help of his three dragons.

King Aegon I Targaryen (Aegon the Conqueror)

A descendant of the Targaryens who fled Old Valyria before it succumbed to “The Doom,” Aegon was the first to take a real interest in the lands west of the Targaryen stronghold, Dragonstone. 

In “Fire & Blood,” Aegon (along with his dragon Balerion and his sister-wives and their respective dragons) conquers and unites Westeros almost just because he can. 

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In House of the Dragon however, it is implied that Aegon in fact sought to unite the kingdoms of Westeros to fend off an eventual, frosty apocalypse that has been foreseen (which we understand to be the coming of White Walkers centuries later). 

As to how we get to the characters and events of House of the Dragon though, Aegon’s role is simple. He conquered Westeros, established Targaryen rule, and sired two sons – one by each of his sister-wives…. 

King Aenys I Targaryen

Aenys I was Aegon the Conqueror’s first son, born to the younger of the king’s sister-wives, Queen Rhaenys. As such, he was the heir to the conqueror’s throne, and indeed, became the king upon Aegon’s death. 

Aenys was married to Alyssa Velaryon (a distant cousin), with whom he had five children. Unfortunately, however, he was a weak king; his reign was ineffectual, and he died young. 

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At that point, the crown ought to have passed to Aenys’ firstborn son – a boy named Aegon, after the conqueror. However, the remaining members of the conqueror’s immediate family had other ideas. 

Seeing his opportunity to become king, Aenys’s half-brother Maegor seized the Iron Throne, with support from his mother Visenya (the elder of Aegon the Conqueror’s sister-wives).  

King Maegor I Targaryen

The second son of Aegon the Conqueror, King Maegor ruled Westeros as a cruel tyrant. A warrior by nature, Maegor escalated simmering conflicts with the Faith (which disapproved of the Targaryen tendency to wed family members to one another). 

This led to one small war after another, and ultimately, to Maegor becoming a reviled leader. For some time he held onto his power despite the turmoil – but eventually he found himself all but friendless, about to be overcome by widespread rebellion before he died mysteriously in the throne room at King’s Landing. 

He died childless, and thus without a direct successor.  

King Jaehaerys I Targaryen

Among those who had been on the cusp of open rebellion against Maegor at the time of his death, were Aenys’s wife (Alyssa Velaryon) and surviving children. 

Allied with the powerful Rogar Baratheon of Storm’s End, Alyssa saw her son Jaehaerys established as the rightful ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. Upon Maegor’s death, young Jaehaerys was crowned (though his Hand, Rogar Baratheon, and Alyssa the Queen Regent would rule in his place until he reached 16 years of age). 

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Jaehaerys married his sister Alysanne before he took the crown. He would then go on to the longest rule of any Targaryen king – establishing peace with the Faith, fathering numerous children (nine who survived past infancy), and generally bringing about a prosperous era. His rule accounts for much of the history recounted in “Fire & Blood.” 

And as you may recall, House of the Dragon begins with the end of Jaehaerys I’s reign. We get a brief glimpse of the king in old age, as he names his grandson – Viserys – his heir…. 

The Targaryens of ‘House of the Dragon’

So, who are the characters we’ve been introduced to in House of the Dragon? Let’s go through the core cast, beginning with that same Viserys who was named as Jaehaerys’ heir…. 

King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine)

King Viserys I is the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms when House of the Dragon begins. The grandson and chosen heir of King Jaehaerys I, he faced two key responsibilities. 

The first was to maintain the general prosperity established by his grandfather (bearing in mind that peace and prosperity are always tenuous in the time of the Targaryens). The second was to establish a strong heir. 

Notably, Viserys’ own status as Jaehaerys’ heir was not beyond dispute. With none of Jaehaerys’ own children suitable for the role, there were some who believed that Princess Rhaenys – the daughter of Jaehaerys’ eldest son, Aemon – ought to have become queen. 

As Jaehaerys’ eldest grandson, however, Viserys was named instead. Thus, it is he who rules when this new tale begins, until his demise towards the end of HotD. 

Aemma Arryn (Sian Brooke)

Aemma Arryn was King Viserys’ queen – and, following the House of the Dragon premiere, will unfortunately be forever associated with a traumatic scene. 

Pregnant when the show begins, Aemma spent the bulk of the premiere under pressure from King Viserys to deliver a son and heir. Perhaps driven by memories of his own uncertain succession (and Jaehaerys’ lack of a direct heir), Viserys appeared almost wholly focused on the matter. 

And so, when those assisting Aemma’s difficult labor informed the king that she was unlikely to survive, but that the baby might be saved, Viserys did the unthinkable: He signed off on what was essentially the medieval version of cesarean section. 

Aemma delivered the child (who died soon thereafter) and died in the process – without having had a say in the matter.  

Baelon Targaryen

We mentioned that in the premiere of House of the Dragon, Aemma Arryn gives birth to a son, who dies soon thereafter. That son is Baelon Targaryen – however, briefly King Viserys’ heir and the next in line to take the Iron Throne. 

In his brief time with his family, Baelon was, in the Targaryen custom, set in a crib alongside a dragon egg. This particular egg came from Dreamfyre – the dragon who once belonged to Rhaena Targaryen (a particularly tragic Targaryen ancestor).

Princess/Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy)

Queen Rhaenyra, the lone child of King Viserys and Aemma Arryn, is a key piece in the Targaryens’ own ‘game of thrones’, so to speak. 

In the debut episode, we saw young Rhaenyra named as King Viserys’ heir, following the death of her infant brother. Yet, we haven’t heard the last of questions over succession, with her younger brother Prince (or shall we say ‘King’?) Aegon looming as a challenger.

Following the death of Viserys, Rhaenyra is named Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, putting her in direct opposition (and erm, at war) with her half-brother Aegon who, over at King’s Landing, has been wrongfully seated on the Throne.

She was married to Laenor Velaryon, until his death secret escape, and is now wedded to her uncle and true love, Daemon Targaryen.

Rhaenyra and Laenor had three children, Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon, but it is heavily implied that the true father of the Queen’s offspring is in fact Ser Harwin.

In later years, she and Daemon have two children together, Aegon and Viserys.

Note: Milly Alcock portrayed a young Rhaenyra Targaryen. However, actress Emma D’Arcy now plays the older Rhaenyra in portions of the series.

How is Queen Rhaenyra related to Daenerys?

For those who are wondering, Queen Rhaenyra is Daenerys’ great, great, great, great, great, great grandmother.

Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collet)

Jacaerys Velaryon is the eldest son of Rhaenyra and Laenor. He is the second in line to the Iron Throne after his mother.

Dubbed the “Prince of Dragonstone” and nicknamed “Jace”, Jacaerys and his fellow brothers are plagued with the reputation of being the bastard children of Rhaenyra’s guard Harwin Strong, born out of wedlock.

In his teenage years, he is betrothed to marry his cousin (and step-sister), Lady Baela Targaryen.

Note: Leo Hart played the young Prince Jacaerys, and Harry Collet portrays him in his teenage years.

Prince Lucerys Velaryon (Elliot Grihault)

Second son to Rhaenyra and Laenor, Lucerys was nicknamed “Luke”, and although presented as legitimate, he, too was in actual fact, the “bastard” son of Harwin Strong.

Luke was set to claim the Driftmark throne and was betrothed to marry Lady Rhaena Targaryen (his cousin and step-sister), but his fate turned dire when he was killed on dragonback by Aemond and his dragon Vhagar.

Note: Harvey Sadler portrayed a younger Prince Lucerys, while Elliot Grihault played the older version.

Prince Joffrey Velaryon

Joffrey is the youngest child of Queen Rhaenyra and Ser Laenor Velaryon. He is named after Laenor’s first true love, Joffrey Lonmouth (and has absolutely no ties to Joffrey Baratheon, if that’s what you’re wondering) and is also the illegitimate child of Harwin Strong.

Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke)

During the earlier episodes of House of the Dragon, Alicent Hightower is portrayed as the daughter of Otto Hightower and a companion to Princess Rhaenyra.

We know from background material that Alicent played a role in nursing King Jaehaerys in his old age, and in the House of the Dragon premiere, she is suggestively dispatched (by her own father) to comfort King Viserys following the death of Aemma Arryn and the infant prince. 

Several months later, and sure enough, Alicent and the king proved to have grown close – at least as friends of a sort. Thus, when the king was pressured to remarry (and, you know, make a new heir), he surprised the majority of his small council and announced that he was to marry Alicent, making her the (former) Queen of the realm.

Alicent and Viserys have four children together, Prince Aegon Targaryen, Princess Helaena Targaryen, Prince Aemond Targaryen and Prince Daeron Targaryen.

Note: As with Rhaenyra, the role of Alicent will be played by two actresses. Emily Carey played the younger Alicent, and Olivia Cooke now plays the character as a grown woman.

Prince/King Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney)

Prince/King Aegon Targaryen is the firstborn son of King Viserys and Queen Alicent Hightower. From what we’ve seen so far, it appears that this young character is already causing trouble in the realm, with his ‘drinking and whoring’.

When it is (wrongly) presumed by his mother Alicent that his father’s dying wish was to see him sitting on the Throne, Aegon is crowned King instead of his older half-sister Rhaenyra. 

Note: The teenage version of Aegon was portrayed by Ty Tennant. Tom Glynn-Carney portrays him as an adult.

Princess Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban)

We may not have seen much of Princess Helaena thus far, but according to lore, it’s certain the second child of the King and Queen will soon play a pivotal role in the Targaryen family dynamics.

Note: Evie Allen played the role of a young Helaena; the adult version is played by Phia Saban.

Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell)

The second son and third child of King Viserys and Queen Alicent is Prince Aemond Targaryen. Often pranked by his older brother and the Velaryon children, Aemond was a source of ridicule for being unable to bond with a dragon.

It goes without saying, however, that Aemond’s future is nothing short of significant, as he eventually manages to claim the dragon Vhagar, the biggest dragon alive. After (indirectly) killing Prince Lucerys, he is surely set to play a key role in the looming Targaryen civil war.

Note: Leo Ashton played Aemond Targaryen as a young boy and by Ewan Mitchell as an adult.

Prince Daeron Targaryen

Although we have yet to meet Viserys and Alicent’s fourth child, Daeron Targaryen, he does indeed play a major role in the civil war to come. As George R.R. Martin explained, “Yes, Alicent gave Viserys four children, three sons and a daughter. Their youngest son Daeron is down in Oldtown, we just did not have the time to work him in this season.”

Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith)

Prince Daemon is the younger brother of King Viserys. He was the commander of the City Watch in King’s Landing, and one of a few characters who thought they were in the mix to succeed Viserys.

Following the death of the King’s baby boy, the question of succession returned with greater urgency, but King Viserys shocked the realm by naming his daughter Rhaenyra as his heir, instead. Daemon lost his grip on heir status (to the extent he ever had it) and felt spurned.

From trying to marry his second wife, Mysaria; falsely claiming she was with child; and being named “King of the Narrow Sea” after his victory over the Triarchy, the Rouge Prince has attempted to prove himself the true heir multiple times.

Daemon murdered his wife (Rhea Royce) and tried to “wed” Rhaenyra in order to return House Targaryen to its proper glory (in which the King refused, surely). This of course set off a conflict and escalating tensions between the ruling brothers.

In later years, Daemon took Laena Velaryon as his new wife, and the duo had two twin daughters, Baela and Rhaena. Following the death of Laena, Daemon then wedded his true love (and niece), Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, making him the King Consort of Westeros. They now have two children together Aegon and Viserys.

Prince Aegon and Prince Viserys Targaryen

Prince Aegon and Prince Viserys Targaryen are the two royal children of Queen Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon.

Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (“The Queen Who Never Was”) (Eve Best)

We mentioned above that some believed the daughter of Jaehaerys’ eldest son ought to have been Jaehaerys’ successor. Said daughter was Rhaenys Targaryen, and because she was not chosen as her grandfather’s heir, she is known as “The Queen Who Never Was.” 

She is married to Corlys Velaryon – the powerful “Lord of the Tides” and head of House Velaryon.

At first, Rhaenys played a relatively minor role in the series, but her role in castle politics has recently come to show. When Aegon is wrongfully crowned King, she proves her power and strong alliance with Rhaenyra by crashing his coronation atop the dragon Meleys. 

Coryls Velaryon (“The Sea Snake”) (Steve Toussaint)

Known as both “The Sea Snake”’ and “Lord of the Tides,” Corlys Velaryon has a reputation as an unmatched sea captain. He is the head of House Velaryon and was at one point, the Master of Ships for the realm.

Early on in the show, with his own political agenda, Corlys sought an even greater power than he had already amassed by attempting to engineer an engagement between his very young daughter Laena and King Viserys. 

When Viserys instead decided he would marry Alicent Hightower, he appeared to make an enemy of the Sea Snake.

Years later, Corlys rekindled his (somewhat) friendship with King Viserys when his son Laenor was made to marry Princess Rhaenyra, and his daughter Laena married Daemon Targaryen.

However, following the death of his children (or supposed death of Laenor), being lost and sea and falling sick, Corlys later decides to step down in this ‘game of thrones’. Rhaenys instead convinces him to pledge allegiance to Rhaenyra and help her in her battle to secure the Throne.

Lady Laena Velaryon (Nanna Blondell)

Laena Velaryon was the young daughter of the Sea Snake (her mother being Princess Rhaenys Targaryen). Early in the show, she was effectively used as a pawn by her father – sent to express to King Viserys why a marriage between them would be sensible. 

It was an uncomfortable scene, as the character was 12 years old. With that said however, Laena did display intelligence that made her an intriguing character moving forward.

Her eventual relationship with Daemon Targaryen led to the birth of their twin daughters, Baela and Rhaena. It was the dire and failed birth of her third child which ultimately led to her death. Instead of having a C-section, Lady Laena Velaryon chooses to be burned by her dragon Vhagar, instead.

Note: Multiple actresses played Laena Velaryon. Nova Foueillis-Mosé played her as a 12-year-old girl; Savannah Steyn played her as a teenager; and the adult Laena was portrayed by Nanna Blondell.

Lady Baela and Lady Rhaena Targaryen (Bethany Antonia and Phoebe Campbell)

Lady Baela and Lady Rhaena are the twin daughters of Prince Daemon and Lady Laena Velaryon. From what we’ve seen so far, Baela is a dragonrider, while Rhaena hopes to be one day.

Baela is betrothed to Jacaerys, making her the potential queen of the seven kingdoms, while Rhaena was set to marry Lucerys before his untimely death.

Note: Shani Smethurst and Eva Ossei-Gerning played the young Baela and Rhaena Targaryen, and Bethany Antonia and Phoebe Campbell play the adult versions.

Laenor Velaryon (Theo Nate)

Laenor is the youngest son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen. Showing up as a young boy in the earlier episodes, the matured version of Laenor eventually played a more prominent role in the story.

A skilled warrior and rider of the dragon Seasmoke, Laenor notably had Velaryon blood and Targaryen heritage, making him a perfect suitor for Princess Rhaenyra.

Although he had his sights set elsewhere (he was attracted to men), the pair married in order to fulfil their duties to their families, and had three children together Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon (although their real father is in fact Ser Harwin).

Eventually, Laneor escaped his pretentious life by faking his death (following a plot set up by Daemon and Rhaenyra so they could get married), and fled across the Narrow Sea with his lover, Ser Qarl.

Note: Matthew Carver played the young boy who appeared in the premiere; Theo Nate played a teenage Laenor; and John Macmillan portrayed the character as an adult. 

Otto Hightower (Hand of the King) (Rhys Ifans)

We are first introduced to Otto Hightower as King Viserys’ Hand. However, he has actually been in the role longer than it may seem. 

Following the death of King Jaehaerys’ son Baelon – who had also been the king’s Hand – Otto Hightower in fact served in the same capacity. 

He was seen for a brief period as the de facto ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, while Jaehaerys grieved his son (and eventually his sister-wife Alysanne) near the end of his life. 

As Hand to King Viserys, Otto Hightower was a knowledgeable adviser, but also a power player in his own right. It has come to light that Otto has personal desires to see his grandson sit on the Iron Throne, and ensure the power of House Hightower. Following the King’s death, Otto is now fulfilling his desire to usurp the Iron Throne from Rhaenyra Targaryen.

The Targaryens of ‘Game of Thrones’

We could delve deeper into this family’s history and bloodline, exploring the Targaryens who were born in between the two shows, but unlike the Targaryens, we’re not that ambitious.

So, we’ll begin with Aemon Targaryen, the oldest Targaryen we’ve ever met on Game of Thrones, all the way down to Jon Snow, whom we now know is a Targaryen heir (or at least should have been).

Aemon Targaryen (Peter Vaughan)

First we have Aemon Targaryen, whom we see in the flesh, in his very old age, across the first few seasons of Game of Thrones. Having served as a Night’s Watch maester for years, people simply forgot he was even a Targaryen.

He is the grand-uncle of Aerys II Targaryen, Daenerys’ father, who most viewers know as the Mad King. In his younger days, Aemon was offered the throne but refused it, and it went to his brother Aegon V, who then birthed more children than one can count.

Aegon V

Aegon was the fourth son of Maekar I. He is Aerys II’s grandfather and therefore Dany’s great-grandfather.

Aegon, nicknamed “Egg”, took the throne despite all odds and became the fifteenth Targaryen king to rule the Seven Kingdoms. In addition to being a fairly good king, Aegon V was one of the few sane minds in his family – he believed that incestuous marriages were not the best option (no, really?) and for this reason, had most of his children betrothed to non-relatives.

Unfortunately, a series of unfortunate events led one of his children, Jaehaerys to get it on with his sister, Shaera, and the latter had two children: Aerys II (The Mad King) and Rhaella, who would also get married to each other.

Yeah, we also think Aegon V might have had a good hunch when he thought incestuous relationships weren’t a good idea, but this next part of the tree should speak for itself.

King Aerys II, or the Mad King (David Rintoul)

Skipping his incestuous parents, we have Aerys II. He is one of the most well-known names in GoT, not only because he’s the father (and grandfather, yes we can say that now) of the Targaryens that we know best, but also because his antics were the root of most bloodshed that would begin with Robert’s Rebellion and spill throughout the entire series.

Married to his sister Rhaella, Aerys started off as a promising king who seemed to do right by his subjects and kingdom. Unfortunately, many sorrowful events such as stillborn children, miscarriages, and political troubles including being kidnapped and probably tortured by a rebelling lord, led him to lose his mind for good.

In the latter years of his reign, Aerys became completely unhinged, paranoid, and cruel. Among many others, he had Rickard Stark, father of Eddard Stark, and his oldest son Brandon, killed when the latter came to ask for justice after Lyanna Stark was allegedly kidnapped by Aerys’ son, Rhaegar. Although it was actually a consensual lovers gateway so, you know…the irony.

Then, as most of us know, Aerys was eventually killed by a member of his own guard, Sir Jaime Lannister, thus putting an end to the Targaryen ruling.

Rhaegar Targaryen (Wilf Scolding)

Rhaegar Targaryen was the firstborn son of Aerys II, a dashing silver-haired knight who ravished the hearts of all the ladies in Westeros. But it wouldn’t be Game of Thrones if he didn’t ravish the wrong one.

Although married to Elia Martell, Rhaegar truly loved Lyanna Stark, sister of Eddard Stark and betrothed to Robert Baratheon. Together, the lovebirds left everything behind to get married in secret, leaving everyone to believe that Rhaegar had kidnapped her. This, of course, led to an entire war that was actually built on a lie.

Rhaegar was killed in combat by Robert Baratheon during the Battle of the Trident, while Lyanna died as she gave birth to their son, Aegon Targaryen (Jon Snow, yes we can say it now!).

Shortly before her death, Lyanna asked Eddard to protect her son, which he did by raising him as his bastard son, Jon Snow, rather than the royal heir he truly was.

Wife of Rhaegar, Elia Martell was raped and killed by Sir Gregor Clegane during the Sack of King’s Landing, along with the two children she had with Rhaegar, making Jon Snow the last Targaryen heir.

Viserys Targaryen (Harry Lloyd)

Viserys was the second born son of Aerys II. He was an ambitious but cruel young man who practically raised his younger sister, Daenerys, though definitely not in a healthy way.

Exiled with his sister from the Seven Kingdoms after the overthrow of their father, Aerys, the siblings grew up in hiding, and Viserys, determined to get on the Iron Throne, made Dany’s childhood a living hell by abusing her.

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After having practically sold his sister to the warlord, Khal Drogo in order to acquire the allegiance of his people, Viserys began to realize that it was actually Dany who was suddenly getting the royal treatment he so wanted.

This drove him to madness and during one of his fits of rage, Khal Drogo poured a crown of melting gold on his head, killing him in front of his very own sister.

We did tell you the whole incestuous thing wouldn’t have the best effects on the Targaryens’ sanity…

Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke)

Daenerys Targaryen is the youngest daughter of Aerys II. She was born in exile at the end of Robert’s Rebellion, during a great storm, earning herself the nickname of “Daenerys Stormborn”.

Afterwards, Dany and her brother grew up away from prying eyes, though she was abused and treated like cattle by her brother, who only saw her as an opportunity to gain allies in his quest for the throne.

After marrying Khal Drogo and seeing her brother die, Daenerys gained in confidence and soon became mistress of her own fate. With actual dragons by her side, Dany soon became the ‘Mother of Dragons’ which turned her into even more of a badass.

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Determined to get the throne, Dany cruised across the continent, freed people, gained an army and more allies than she could count. Dany made her way to Westeros and seduced none other than… Jon Snow… who was also her nephew (read an explanation of how they’re related).

At this point, nothing less surprising.

But following the death of her two dragons, her advisor, Jorah Mormont and dear friend, Missandei, as well as Jon Snow’s threat to the Throne, Daenerys was driven to madness, like her father.

The once-was savior burnt down King’s Landing, killing many innocent lives as well as Queen Cersei’s, and Dany was finally ready to steal the throne. Her story soon came to an end when her lover, Jon, killed her in order to protect the Seven Kingdoms.

What happened to Daenerys’ mother?

Indeed, no one really speaks of Dany’s mother, considering her father took most of the limelight throughout GoT history. But apparently, the Mad King’s wife died after suffering complications from Daenerys’ birth.

Jon Snow, or Aegon Targaryen (Kit Harrington)

Jon Snow was born during Robert’s Rebellion and subsequently raised as the bastard son of Lord Eddard Stark in Winterfell, alongside the Stark children that he considered his siblings.

Eddard never told him anything about his mother or ancestry, leading him and everyone else to believe that she was a mere commoner.

The major part of Jon’s journey happens as he fulfils his duty as a Night’s Watch guard, where he gains the confidence to go from a self-doubting bastard son to a fierce commander.

Jon Snow’s true lineage was heavily hinted at throughout the show, but it was only confirmed in the final episode of season seven. His brother (and actually his cousin), Bran Stark realized that Rhaegar secretly wed Lyanna, making their son a legitimate heir to the Iron Throne.

But after refusing the royal position and as a new democratic system was introduced in Westeros, Jon Snow did not become king of the Iron Throne and was instead sent back to the Night’s Watch for his treason.

So, there you have it, a concise family tree including the earliest and most recent members of the Targaryen clan. House of the Dragon has an exciting new cast of characters, fit to carry this Game of Thrones spinoff to spectacular heights (quite literally on dragon back, no less).

With so many new names and faces though, we hope this guide is helping to make the series all the more accessible. 

Let us know in the comments what details about the Targaryen family you think were also worth mentioning, as well as any Game of Thrones theory you might have about this cunning family!

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