The Targaryen family tree is indeed extensive and complex, tracing back through centuries of Westerosi history. Here’s an overview of the main branches and significant members of the Targaryen lineage:
Early Targaryens:
Before the Doom of Valyria (At least 1000BC – 102 BC):
– Originating from Valyria, the Targaryens were one of the forty dragonlord houses.
– Daenys Targaryen foresaw the fall of Valyria and led the family and their dragons to Dragonstone, surviving the Doom.
The Century of Blood (102 BC – 0 BC):
– Aenar the Exile led the family on Dragonstone. Little is known about this era, but family dynamics and successions occurred.
– Aegon, Gaemon the Glorious, and other Targaryens were notable figures during this period.
House of the Dragon Targaryen Family Tree – Key Generations:
Generation 1 – Aegon the Conqueror and his sons (2 BC – 37 AC):
– Aegon, along with his sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys, conquered Westeros with their dragons.
– Aenys I and Maegor I were Aegon’s sons, who faced turmoil and usurpation.
Generation 2 – Aenys I and his line (37 AC – 48 AC):
– Aenys I ruled briefly, succeeded by his son, Maegor the Cruel, who faced internal conflict but no heirs.
– The line of Aenys was restored through Jaehaerys I, who ruled wisely and faced a Great Council to determine his successor.
Generation 3 – Jaehaerys I and the Great Council (48 AC – 103 AC):
– Jaehaerys I ruled for 55 years, earning the nickname ‘the wise.’
– His succession was settled by the Great Council, which elected Viserys I over Laenor Velaryon and Archmaester Vaegon.
Generation 4 – Viserys I and the Dance of the Dragons (103 AC – 131 AC):
– Viserys I, facing family conflict, named Rhaenyra his heir over his son Aegon II, leading to the Dance of the Dragons civil war.
Generation 5 – Post-Dance of the Dragons (131 AC – 184 AC):
– Aegon III faced dragon extinction and a melancholic reign.
– Subsequent rulers faced challenges: Daeron I’s failed Dornish conquest, Baelor I’s religious piety, and Aegon IV’s infamy.
Blackfyre Family – Targaryen Offshoot:
The Blackfyre family (184 AC – 260 AC):
– Created from Aegon IV’s legitimization of his bastards, the Blackfyres rebelled against the Targaryens in multiple failed attempts to claim the throne.
Later Targaryens and Fall of the Dynasty:
Daeron II and subsequent reigns (184 AC – 283 AC):
– Daeron II’s reign succeeded by Aerys I and Maekar I, marked by internal and external struggles.
– Aegon V, known as Aegon the Unlikely, attempted reforms and faced Blackfyre rebellions.
– The lineage culminated in Aerys II, known as the Mad King, whose reign led to Robert’s Rebellion and the fall of House Targaryen.
– Daenerys Targaryen and Viserys escape to Essos, seeking to reclaim the throne.
– Daenerys’ actions in Westeros lead to her death, ending the Targaryen bloodline.
The history of the Targaryen family tree is intricate, filled with triumphs, conflicts, internal struggles, and eventually, downfall and extinction.
