House Targaryen

**House Targaryen** is the royal house of Westeros and the principal noble house of the Crownlands. Their main seat is the Red Keep in King's Landing, with secondary seats at Dragonstone and the runied castle of Summerhall. The Targaryen sigil is a three-headed dragon breathing flames, red on black. The house words are "Fire and Blood".

## House Targaryen of Dragonstone

### Coat of arms

A three-headed dragon breathing flames, green on black
*(Sable, a dragon thrice-headed gules)*

### Title(s)

King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men (claimant)
Lord of the Seven Kingdoms (claimant)
Prince of Dragonstone

### Founded

261 AC

One of two families of dragonlords who survived the Doom of Valyria, the Targaryens left the Valyrian Freehold twelve years before the Doom. They resided for more than a century at Dragonstone castle on Dragonstone island, until Aegon the Conqueror and his sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys, began the first of the Wars of Conquest in 2 BC.

## House Targaryen of Summerhall

### Coat of arms

A three-headed dragon breathing flames, gold on black
*(Sable, a dragon thrice-headed gules)*

### Seat

Summerhall (formerly)
King's Landing

### Region

Stormlands (formerly)
Crownlands

### Founded

188 AC

During Aegon's Conquest, the family built the Aegonfort in the new capital city of King's Landing. The Aegonfort was later torn down and replaced by the Red Keep, which remained their main seat for the duration of their dynasty, and which housed the Iron Throne. Their original castle was almost always given to the heir to the throne, the Prince of Dragonstone. The Targaryens eventually built the summer residence Summerhall, which was given to Prince Maekar Targaryen.

House Targaryen rules as the Kings of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, the Lords of the Seven Kingdoms, and the Great House of the Crownlands for more than 260 years. Sixteen male Targaryens ruled from the Iron Throne. Following the events of the Tournament of King's Landing in 261 AC and Prince Aegon's subsequent leave of King's Landing with his coronation ,and claiming of all titles of House Targaryen of King's Landing, at Dragonstone, the main branch split in two, forming **House Targaryen of King's Landing** and **House Targaryen of Dragonstone**. House Targaryen also has two cadet branches, one being **House Targaryen of Summerhall** and the other House Blackfyre.

### Culture

#### Traits

The phrase "blood of the dragon" refers to the Valyrian descent of the Targaryens, and more specifically to the fact that they were one of forty dragonlord families of Valyria. The typical Targaryen features remind strongly of the typical Valyrian features: pale skin, silver, platinum, or gold hair and eyes in a variety of shades of purple, or light blue.

The Targaryens can tolerate a bit more heat than most ordinary people; However, they are not immune to fire.

Another trait typical to Targaryens is the ability to have premonition-like dreams, commonly called "dragon dreams". The trait has been in the Targaryen family since before they relocated from Valyria to Dragonstone in 114 BC (and in fact, is what caused them to relocate). This trait was passed on to the cadet branch, House Blackfyre, as well.

The Targaryens are seen as prone to madness, presumably caused by their inbreeding. According to King Aelor I, "madness and greatness are two sides of the same coin. Every time a new Targaryen is born [...] the gods toss the coin in the air and the world holds its breath to see how it will land".

#### Customs

House Targaryen's words are "Fire and Blood." Their sigil is a three-headed dragon breathing flames, red on black. The three-headed dragon represents the Conqueror and his two sisters, Rhaenys and Visenya. Some younger sons of the house used variations of the standard sigil. King Aegon II Targaryen used a golden dragon as his personal banner. In line with the sigil colors, most Targaryens used armor black of color (e.g. Valarr Targaryen, and Aemond Targaryen, whose night-black armor was chased with gold).

Although the Targaryen kings took their seat at King's Landing, the place where Aegon and his army first landed in Westeros and made their first fort, replaced by the Red Keep later on, their earlier seat of Dragonstone remained in their possession as well. It eventually became the traditional seat of the heir-apparent to the throne, who was known as the Prince of Dragonstone (or Princess of Dragonstone, in a few occasions). The Targaryens eventually build a third seat, Summerhall, in 188 AC, which was granted to Prince Maekar Targaryen, who was granted the title "Prince of Summerhall".

House Targaryen historically followed the gods of Valyria. Sometime before Aegon's Conquest, the Targaryens abandoned the Valyrian gods and converted to the Faith of the Seven, the predominant religion in Westeros. However, they continued to follow the Valyrian practice of incestuous marriage, wedding brother to sister, cousin to cousin, uncle to niece and aunt to nephew, holding themselves apart from and above the noble Westerosi families. This practice seems to have fallen out of trend in the newest generation of Targaryens, but is still practiced by the Blackfyres.

Deceased Targaryens are traditionally cremated. The ashes of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen and his sister-wife, Queen Alysanne Targaryen, were interred and placed beneath the Red Keep.

##### Naming

Valyrian names (with few exceptions, e.g. Duncan Targaryen) are very different to names of Westerosi origin. The most notable feature among Valyrian names is the use of the 'ae' vowels. Male names often end with '-or' or '-on' (e.g. Aegon, Baelor, ...) or '-ys' (e.g. Viserys). Female names often end with '-a' (e.g. Daena, Aelora, ...) or '-ys' (e.g. Naerys, Rhaenys).

#### Dragons

As one of the forty dragonlord families of Valyria, the Targaryens were closer to dragons than other men. Aenar Targaryen brought five dragons with him when he moved from Valyria to Dragonstone, and Aegon I Targaryen and his sister-wives, Rhaenys and Visenya rode them to battle during the Conquest of the Seven Kingdoms in 2 BC - 1 BC. The Targaryens rode their dragons during the first century and a half following Aegon's Conquest. Deaths in battle, especially during the Dance of the Dragons, and a growing infirmity in each following generation caused the family's stable to dwindle. The last dragon was a deformed and sterile creature, who died young in 153 AC, during the reign of Aegon III, the Dragonbane.

The Targaryens housed their dragons in an immense domed structure in King's Landing, the Dragonpit, which was constructed during the reign of Maegor I Targaryen. Not all dragons which hatched were ridden, however. On the island of Dragonstone, several dragons, both wild and previously ridden, resided at least during the reigns of Viserys I and Aegon II Targaryen.

At some point, it became tradition to gift a newborn child with a dragon's egg in the cradle. This practice continued even after the death of the last dragon, with dragons eggs being placed into the cradle as recently as the birth of Princess Rhaenys.

### History

#### Origins and relocation

https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/House\_Targaryen#Origins\_and\_relocation

#### Aegon I's Wars of Conquest

https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/House\_Targaryen#Aegon\_I.27s\_Wars\_of\_Conquest

#### The Sons and Grandsons of the Dragon

https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/House\_Targaryen#The\_Sons\_and\_Grandsons\_of\_the\_Dragon

#### Death of the Dragons

https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/House\_Targaryen#Death\_of\_the\_Dragons

#### War on Dorne

https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/House\_Targaryen#War\_on\_Dorne

#### The Blackfyre Pretenders

https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/House\_Targaryen#The\_Blackfyre\_Pretenders

#### The Great Spring Sickness

The remainder of Daeron II's reign was peaceful. However, in its final year, 209 AC, problems began when Daeron's heir and Hand of the King, Prince Baelor, died when defending a hedge knight called Duncan in a trial of seven at the tourney at Ashford Meadow. It is believed that Baelor's youngest brother Maekar, who had fought on the side of the two accusers, his own eldest two sons Daeron and Aerion, had been the one to fatally his Baelor's head. Following Baelor's cremation, Maekar sent Aerion into exile, while he allowed his youngest son, nicknamed "Egg", to squire for Duncan, so he could be taught humility and honor.

Not long after the death of Baelor, the Great Spring Sickness began. Thousands died as a result, and among the victims were Daeron II and his two most immediate heirs, Baelor's two sons Valarr and Matarys. As such, Daeron II was succeeded by his second son, Aerys I Targaryen, in 209 AC, whose reign began with a two-year drought. The Spring Sickness had hit the cities of the Seven Kingdoms most, especially King's Landing, and most of the hostages King Daeron II had once taken after the First Blackfyre Rebellion had died, leaving their relatives feeling secure enough about attempting a new rebellion. Lord Gormon Peake convinced Daemon II Blackfyre to cross the narrow sea to claim the throne. However, the Second Blackfyre Rebellion was far less successful than the first, as Daemon II was arrested at Whitewalls before he could even gather an army. He was kept alive as a hostage at King's Landing, but died within years, allowing Aegor Rivers to crown Haegon I Blackfyre the new Blackfyre pretender. Haegon attempted his invasion in 219 AC, when he crossed the narrow sea with the Golden Company, led by Aegor Rivers. Haegon was slain after he had surrendered his sword, while Aegor was arrested, and sentenced to join the Night's Watch. He managed to escape, and returned to Tyrosh, where he crowned Haegon's son, Daemon III Blackfyre.

In addition to the two Blackfyre Rebellions, Aerys's reign knew multiple other troubles, including the plague and drought, dwindling trade, rising banditry, and the reaving of Dagon Greyjoy. Additionally, Aerys had difficulties with his heirs. Though he had been married to Lady Aelinor Penrose before his reign began, his marriage remained unconsummated. He additionally refused to take another to wife. As he had no issue of his own, he firstly acknowledged his younger brother Rhaegel as his heir. Following Rhaegel's death in 215 AC, Rhaegel's son Aelor was named Prince of Dragonstone and succeeded Aerys after his death in 221 AC.

### House Targaryen at the end of 261 AC

#### House Targaryen of Summerhall

House Targaryen of Summerhall is a cadet branch of House Targaryen created by Prince Maekar Targaryen. By royal privilege, all members of House Targaryen of Summerhall are granted the title of Prince or Princess at birth, showing their distinction to the other houses of the Stormlands. Maekar had six children with his wife Dyanna Dayne. His first son Daeron died in 229 AC from the pox, which he had caught from a whore. His second son Aerion died in 232 AC after having drunken a cup of wildfire. Maekar's third son Aemon went to the citadel and became a Maester and now serves as the Grand Maester to Aemon II. Both of his daughters Daella and Rhae were married to lords in the Stormlands and had children. They died in the Tragedy of Summerhall.

Maekar's fourth son, Aegon was his only male heir and succeeded him as Prince of Summerhall when Maekar died in 233 AC during the Peake Uprising. In his youth, the boy had travelled with the hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall, who would later become the commander of the Summerhall household guard. After Maekar's death in 233 AC, during the Peake Uprising, Summerhall went to his son Prince Aegon. Aegon was married to Betha Blackwood and had five children with her. His first son, affectionatly named Duncan "the Small" fell in love with a commoner girl named Jenny. She brought a wood's witch to Summerhall. The witch fortold the coming of the prince who was promised through the bloodline of Aerys and Rhaella, the children of Jaehaerys and Shaera, themselves son and daughter of Aegon respecitvely. Aegon's third son Daeron was rumored to be homosexual and did not have a wife or children. He, along with the last child, a daughter named Rhaelle died together with everyone else at the Tragedy of Summerhall.

The only known survivors of the Tragedy are Jenny of Oldstones and Prince Rhaegar. As the fire burnt on, Rhaella weakly gave birth to Rhaegar, before she and her brother-husband perished in the flames. Jenny of Oldstones saved the babe from the flames and rides with him to King's Landing. There she hands the baby to the royal family, along with a letter, before she disappears into the night, never to be seen again. It is whispered that Jenny returns every year on the anniversary of the fire and dances with the ghosts of Summerhall, inspiring the song "Jenny of Oldstones". Rhaegar is declared the new Prince of Summerhall and is fostered at King's Landing with the rest of his extended family, especially taken care of by the twin princesses.

Prince Rhaegar is the only living member of House Targaryen of Summerhall to date.

#### House Blackfyre

*See: House Blackfyre*

House Blackfyre is a cadet branch of House Targaryen created by Daemon Waters, a bastard son of King Aegon IV and his cousin Daena. Members of House Blackfyre continue to claim the Iron Throne and have attempted four rebellions, with a fifth coming soon.

### Family Tree since Daeron II

File:Targaryen family tree.pdf (Click for rediraction to file site, then click on the pdf symbol)

*Note: Missing dates or characters have been added to fill gaps in the tree.*

### Refrences

https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/House\_Targaryen