Quick Links
To the Lord of Dragonstone, Aegon Targaryen, the continent of Westeros was ripe for conquer. It was divided into seven warring kingdoms that were superior in resources, defenses, and military, but they didn’t have an answer to dragons.House of the Dragonsays Aegon had what it took to win victories - a fighting spirit, and an unbreakable will.
As seen inHouse of the Dragon, Aegon was partly motivated bythe Song of Ice and Fire prophecyand partly by the vision of building a dynasty that would last thousands of years. But the history of Essos and Westeros bears testament to the fact that empires are high-maintenance and likely to crumble under pressure. While the Targaryens ruled Westeros for nearly 300 years, questions remain about the decline and the downfall of their house.
The Targaryen Conquest Of Westeros
Aegon, Visenya, and Rhaenys Targaryen beganthe conquest of Westeros in 2 BC, and it took them nearly two years to consolidate their presence. They set sail from Dragonstone with a small host and landed at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush. The undefended region where Aegon set foot came to be known as King’s Landing and, shortly after, the capital. Aegon’s first order of business was to give orders for the construction ofa motte-and-bailey castle - Aegonfort- on a raised area of the ground (Aegon’s High Hill). Aegonfort was the Targaryen’s residence and King’s Landing was the base of their power on mainland Westeros.
Within the first two years, Aegon’s sisters subdued minor neighboring Houses such as Stokeworth and Rosby. He was hailed as"Aegon, First of His Name, King of All Westeros, and Shield of His People"and coronated with his Valyrian steel and ruby circlet at Aegonfort. Herazed Harrenhal to the ground, burning Harren and his kin within their stronghold, and ending House Hoare’s rule as Kings of the Isles and the Rivers. Aegon’s commander, Orys Baratheon, and sister-wife, Rhaenys, conquered the Stormlands in an event known inGame of Throneslore as the Last Storm. Orys founded House Baratheon by marrying Argilac Durrandon’s heir, Argella. He was named Lord Paramount of the Stormlands and held the position of Aegon’s Hand.
Aegon, Visenya, and Rhaenys took on the combined Lannister-Gardener forces inField of Fireand added the Kingdom of the Rock and the Kingdom of the Reach to the fold. The Starks of the North, under Torrhen’s command, yielded to him, and the Vale’s Queen Regent, Shara Arryn, bent the knee to Visenya and Vhagar. The Lannisters became Wardens of the West, the Arryns Wardens of the East, and Starks Wardens of the North. Since House Gardener was decimated at the Field of Fire, the steward of Highgarden - Harlen Tyrell yielded to Aegon, and he was named Warden of the South. While Rhaenys returned unsuccessful from Dorne and the Principality remained out of the realm fold, Aegon’s presence in Oldtown resulted in House Hightower’s submission and his final coronation in the Starry Sept.
Early Targaryens And Later Targaryens
From Aegon I To Viserys The Peaceful
Aegon’s reign began the day the High Septon proclaimed him “King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm.” His rule imposed a political, military, and bureaucratic sword on most of Westeros.The Order of the Kingsguardwas also established during his reign. The conflict in the Iron Islands and the First Dornish War took most of his attention at the beginning. While Aegon took care of the Ironborn, he and Visenya unleashed Balerion and Vhagar’s wrath on Dorne after Rhaenys and Meraxes' deaths at Hellholt in 10 AC. The Ironborn were allowed to choose among themselves and elected Vickon Greyjoy as Lord of the Iron Islands, Aegon accepted the status quo with Dorne.
The last twenty-four years of Aegon’s reign were peaceful, and he spent most of his time learning about customs, traditions, and the religions of the Seven Kingdoms. He traveled throughout the kingdoms, revered the Faith, and built a wall around the periphery of King’s Landing. Finally, he married his heir, Aenys to Lady Alyssa Velaryon. This marriage resulted in six children, but the most notable were King Jaehaerys I and his sister-wife, Queen Alysanne. Aenys (mother: Rhaenys) and Maegor the Cruel’s (mother: Visenya) reigns weren’t impressive, considering onesparked a rift with the Faithover marriage practices and the other usurped his nephew and niece’s throne. The fourth Targaryen king, however, went on to cement their status as a ruling dynasty.
House of the Dragonseason 1, episode 1 “The Heirs of the Dragon,” opens with Rhaenyra Targaryen’s account of House Targaryen during the heyday of its power and glory:
As the first century of the Targaryen dynasty came to a close, the health of the Old King, Jaehaerys, was failing. In those days, House Targaryen stood at the height of its strength with 10 adult dragons under its yoke. No power in the world could stand against it. King Jaehaerys reigned over nearly 60 years of peace and prosperity.
The narration concludes with Rhaenyra admitting that Jaehaerys knew the bitter truth:
The only thing that could tear down the house of the dragon… was itself.
Strong Kings Vs. Weak Kings
Aegon the Conqueror, and Jaehaerys the Conciliator, and Viserys the Peaceful were the best of the Targaryens. Aegon’s reign marked the beginning of Targaryen rule in Westeros,Jaehaerys helped bridge the gaps in the regime, and Viserys inherited what his predecessor had worked on. Aegon II and Rhaenyra were embroiled in a war of succession known as the Dance of the Dragons that dealt a blow not only to the family but also to the realm. The later Targaryens, such as Aegon the Younger, who is aptly known inGame of Throneslore as Aegon the Dragonbane, don’t hold a candle to their predecessors.
House Targaryen’s biggest dragons, such as Vhagar, Syrax, Vermithor, and Caraxes, also perished in the Dance, while the last dragon perished in Aegon the Younger’s reign. These beasts made up the core of House Targaryen’s abilities for deterrence and defense, and with them gone, the road ahead was hard. The next of the Targaryen kings were incompetent; Daeron I is known for the failed and bloody invasion of Dorne and Aegon the Unworthy brought ruin to his House. While Aegon the Fifth intended to restore the ancient strength of House Targaryen, he caved because of the rise of nobility. He died in acatastrophic attempt to hatch dragon eggs at Summerhall,after which the empire’s fall was near.
The Fall Of House Targaryen
House Targaryen’s rule lasted until 283 AC. The immediate cause of the War of the Usurper / Robert’s Rebellion was the Mad King’s response to the alleged abduction of Lyanna Stark by the crown prince Rhaegar Targaryen, and the long-term cause was the growing discontent in the realm. The Great Houses no longer feared the House but just the king who sat on the Iron Throne. The unhinged monarch alienated most of his aides,such as Tywin Lannister,including his heir, and inspired the Great Houses, Arryn, Stark, and Tully, to revolt. The king was struck down for his descent into insanity, fascination with Wildfire, and most importantly, the executions of Rickard and Brandon Stark. The Targaryens were gone by the time the Usurper and Lyanna’s betrothed, Robert Baratheon, took the Iron Throne. Rhaegar fell on the Trident, the Mad King was slain by his Kingsguard, and his last children - Viserys and Daenerys - were spirited away.
Daenerys and her three dragons came for the Iron Throne, but she was killed by her kin,Jon Snow (Lyanna and Rhaegar’s son)at the end of the Last War. Jon, really Aegon Targaryen, was sent off to the Wall as a punishment. He is the last living Targaryen, as perGame of Thronescanon.
House of the Dragonis available on HBO Max.
House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon is HBO’s prequel series to Game of Thrones. Set hundreds of years earlier, the show follows the inner machinations and rivalries of the Targaryen royal family. The show was created by Ryan Condal and George R.R. Martin, and stars Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Rhys Ifans, and Olivia Cooke.
