Guide to Understanding the Targaryen Lineage in ‘House of the Dragon 2’: Your Family Tree Explained

The second season of “House of the Dragon” explores the conflicts of House Targaryen and its complicated origin which could be confusing, but below we will break it down in a simple way so that you can understand it perfectly as the civil war known as The Dance of the Dragons is unleashed.

Everything You Need to Know About the Targaryen Family Tree in ‘House of the Dragon’

Aemma Arryn and Viserys I Targaryen

The story of “House of the Dragon” begins with Viserys I Targaryen being chosen as the next king of Westeros, along with his wife Aemma Arryn. Both ruled, keeping peace in the kingdom, and had two sons. Their firstborn, Rhaenyra Targaryen, and years later they were expecting their second baby, a boy named Baelon, who only lived a few hours because the queen suffered complications during childbirth that killed her.

Alicent Hightower and Viserys I Targaryen

After Aemma’s death, the king refused for a time to remarry, but his decision changed when Otto Hightower had his daughter Alicent visit him to win his love, which worked despite the large age difference between them.

Their marriage, which lasted about 10 years, was cemented by the arrival of Aegon II, Helaena, Aemond and Daeron Targaryen, who inherited the characteristic silver tone to their hair, like their father. A curious fact is that Daeron never appeared in the “House of the Dragon” series, so only the first three mentioned are on the radar.

Rhaenys Targaryen and Corlys Velaryon

Rhaenys is a cousin of Viserys and who was also vying for the Iron Throne, but was not chosen as ruler because she was a woman. Her family consists of her husband Corlys Velaryon, aka the Sea Serpent, and her two children Laenor and Laena Velaryon, who would later join their lives with other members of the Targaryen family.

Helaena Targaryen and Aegon II Targaryen

One of the most controversial customs of House Targaryen is consanguineous marriage, and that’s exactly what happened to siblings Aegon II and Helaena, children of Viserys I and Alicent Hightower.

According to the book “Blood and Fire”, they have three children together: the twins Jaehaerys and Jaehaera, and Maelor. As Aegon’s eldest son, Jaehaerys was heir to the throne, but that changed after his gruesome murder at the hands of two criminals hired by Daemon Targaryen.

Rhaenyra Targaryen and Harwin Strong

Rhaenyra Targaryen married her cousin Laenor Velaryon and they had no children together, but she had Jacaerys, Lucerys and Joffrey with a knight named Harwin Strong who worked at King’s Landing castle until he was banished to Harrenhal and murdered there due to rumors his romance with the princess.

Although none of the three children were legitimate heirs, they bore the surname Velaryon, which belonged to their mother’s husband.

Unfortunately, in the last episode of the first season of “House of the Dragon”, Lucerys died after a fight with her uncle Aemond Targaryen and his dragon Vhagar.

Laena Velaryon and Daemon Targaryen

Laena, daughter of Rhaenys and Corlys, became the second wife of Daemon Targaryen, brother of King Viserys I, which increased the power of both houses. Their marriage produced two daughters, Baela and Rhaena Targaryen.

In the first season of the series it is revealed that both would become parents for the third time, but unfortunately the birth becomes complicated to such a level that Laena decides to kill herself with the baby in her womb, asking her then dragon Vagar. to burn her to let her die.

Rhaenyra Taragaryen and Daemon Taragaryen

Once Laenor and Laena were dead (or at least they seemed to be), there was nothing stopping Rhaenyra and Daemon from marrying, never mind being niece and uncle. The royals formed a family, including children from their previous marriages and babies they had together: Aegon III, Viserys II and Visenya Targaryen. The latter died during childbirth, which turned out to be a tragic moment for the princess.

Now there is no excuse and you will be able to identify all the Targaryens without any problem!