Daenerys Targaryen’s family tree traces back through the Targaryen dynasty, a noble family of Valyrian descent that ruled the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros for nearly 300 years before Robert’s Rebellion. She is the daughter of King Aerys II Targaryen (the “Mad King”) and his sister-wife Queen Rhaella, making her the last surviving child of the dynasty’s final monarch.
Origins of House Targaryen
The Targaryens originated from the Valyrian Freehold, a powerful civilization on the continent of Essos. They were one of many noble families that controlled dragons, but they were not the most powerful. According to legend, a dream of the Doom of Valyria prompted the Targaryens to relocate to Dragonstone, a volcanic island off the coast of Westeros, about a century before the Doom. This move saved them from the cataclysmic event that destroyed Valyria. The family then conquered Westeros under Aegon I Targaryen, known as Aegon the Conqueror, who landed at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush with his sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys and their dragons. Aegon forged the Iron Throne and established the Targaryen dynasty that lasted until the death of Aerys II.
Daenerys’s Immediate Family
Daenerys was born on Dragonstone during a great storm that wrecked the Targaryen fleet, which is why she is sometimes called “Daenerys Stormborn.” Her parents were Aerys II and Rhaella, who were siblings, a common practice among Targaryens to keep their bloodline pure. She had one older brother, Viserys, who was born in 276 AC. Another brother, Rhaegar, was born in 259 AC, but he died before Daenerys was born. Rhaegar was the eldest son and heir to the Iron Throne, and his death at the Battle of the Trident, along with the death of Aerys, ended Targaryen rule. Daenerys was born after her father’s death, so she never knew him. Her mother Rhaella died giving birth to her. Viserys raised Daenerys in exile across the Free Cities, selling their mother’s crown to survive. Viserys was killed by Khal Drogo, Daenerys’s first husband, when he threatened her unborn child.
Extended Family and Ancestors
Daenerys’s family tree includes many notable Targaryen monarchs. Her grandfather was Jaehaerys II Targaryen, who ruled briefly before Aerys. Jaehaerys II was the son of Aegon V Targaryen, known as “Egg” from the Dunk and Egg tales. Aegon V was the son of Maekar I, who was the son of Daeron II. The dynasty goes back to Aegon I, the Conqueror, and his sisters. The Targaryens also married into other noble houses, but they primarily kept the bloodline within the family. For example, Daenerys’s parents were siblings, as were many Targaryen couples. The family tree is complex because of intermarriage, but the main line from Aegon I to Daenerys is well documented in the histories of Westeros.
The Targaryen Family Tree in the Books and Show
The family tree of Daenerys is presented in the books of George R.R. Martin, particularly in The World of Ice & Fire and the appendices of A Song of Ice and Fire. The HBO series Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon also depict the family, though the show simplifies some relationships. In the books, Daenerys has a stillborn son, Rhaego, with Khal Drogo. In the show, she also loses a child. The family tree is a point of interest for fans because of the prophecy of the “prince that was promised,” which some believe refers to Daenerys or her nephew Jon Snow, who is actually the son of Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark, making him Daenerys’s nephew. This revelation is central to the plot of the later books and the show.
How to Read the Family Tree
When looking at Daenerys’s family tree, it helps to understand the Targaryen tradition of naming and succession. The family often used the same names across generations, such as Aegon, Jaehaerys, and Viserys. To trace the tree, start with Aegon I, then follow the line of succession. Daenerys’s direct line is: Aegon I → Aenys I → Jaehaerys I → Viserys I → Aegon II → Aegon III → Daeron I → Baelor I → Viserys II → Aegon IV → Daeron II → Maekar I → Aegon V → Jaehaerys II → Aerys II → Daenerys. Note that some monarchs were skipped because they had no children or their line died out. For example, Jaehaerys I had many children, but the succession passed to his grandson Viserys I. The tree is not a simple parent-to-child chain because of deaths and usurpations.
Common Misconceptions
A common misconception is that Daenerys is the last Targaryen. In the books, there are other Targaryen descendants, such as Jon Snow (Aegon Targaryen) and possibly fAegon, a boy claiming to be Rhaegar’s son. Another misconception is that Targaryens are immune to fire. Daenerys survives a fire in the show, but in the books, Targaryens are not immune to fire; the event was a one-time miracle. Also, some fans think that the Targaryen family tree is fully known, but Martin has left some gaps, such as the fates of certain children. The family tree is a subject of fan theories, especially regarding the identity of Jon Snow’s parents, which is confirmed in the books and show, but the family tree itself is not fully complete for all branches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Daenerys Targaryen’s parents?
Daenerys’s parents are King Aerys II Targaryen and Queen Rhaella Targaryen. They were siblings, which was customary for Targaryens to keep their bloodline pure. Aerys was known as the Mad King, and Rhaella died giving birth to Daenerys.
Did Daenerys have any siblings?
Yes, she had two brothers: Rhaegar, who was the eldest and died before she was born, and Viserys, who was older than her and raised her in exile. Viserys was killed by Khal Drogo. She also had a stillborn son named Rhaego.
Is Jon Snow a Targaryen?
Yes, Jon Snow is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, making him Daenerys’s nephew. His real name is Aegon Targaryen, and he has a claim to the Iron Throne. This is revealed in the books and the show.
Why did Targaryens marry their siblings?
The Targaryens practiced incest to keep their bloodline pure and to maintain their connection to dragons. They believed that marrying outside the family would weaken their dragonriding abilities. This practice was common but also led to madness and deformities, as seen in Aerys II.
Who was the first Targaryen king?
The first Targaryen king of the Seven Kingdoms was Aegon I, known as Aegon the Conqueror. He conquered Westeros with his sisters and their dragons and established the Iron Throne. His reign began the Targaryen dynasty.
Are there any living Targaryens besides Daenerys?
In the books, besides Daenerys, there are possible Targaryen descendants such as Jon Snow (Aegon) and a boy named fAegon who claims to be Rhaegar’s son. In the show, only Jon and Daenerys are known. The family tree is not fully closed, so there could be others.
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