The Targaryen family is one of the most prominent and influential dynasties in the world of Game of Thrones. They are known for their silver hair, purple eyes, and affinity for dragons. But they are also notorious for their complex and incestuous relationships, which make their family tree a challenge to untangle.
One of the most intriguing characters in the upcoming House of the Dragon series is Daemon Targaryen, played by Matt Smith. He is the younger brother of King Viserys I Targaryen, and the husband of his niece, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. But how is he related to Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons and the main protagonist of Game of Thrones?
The Distant Uncle
The simplest way to answer this question is to say that Daemon Targaryen is a distant uncle of Daenerys Targaryen. To understand how, we need to go back to the first Targaryen king, Aegon I Targaryen, also known as Aegon the Conqueror. He was the one who united the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros with the help of his three dragons and his two sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys.
Aegon I had two sons by Rhaenys: Aenys I and Maegor I. Aenys I had six children, one of whom was Jaehaerys I, who became king after Maegor’s death. Jaehaerys I had thirteen children, one of whom was Viserys I, who became king after his father’s death. Viserys I had two sons by his first wife, Aemma Arryn: Baelon and Daemon.
Daemon was born in 81 AC (After Conquest), and was a skilled warrior and dragonrider. He was also ambitious and charismatic, but also ruthless and reckless. He had a tumultuous relationship with his brother Viserys, who gave him various titles and lands, but also took them away when Daemon displeased him.
Daemon married twice before marrying Rhaenyra. His first wife was Lady Rhea Royce, whom he divorced after seven years of marriage. His second wife was Laena Velaryon, with whom he had twin daughters: Baela and Rhaena. Laena died in childbirth in 120 AC.
The Niece-Wife
Rhaenyra Targaryen was born in 97 AC, as the only surviving child of Viserys I by his first wife, Aemma Arryn. She was a beautiful and intelligent princess, who loved dragons and books. She was also her father’s favorite child, and he named her as his heir in 105 AC, despite the tradition of male preference in succession.
Rhaenyra married her uncle Daemon in 120 AC, after both their spouses died. They had three sons together: Aegon III (the Younger), Viserys II, and a stillborn daughter named Visenya.
Rhaenyra’s claim to the throne was challenged by her half-brother Aegon II, who was the eldest son of Viserys I by his second wife, Alicent Hightower. This sparked a civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, which lasted from 129 AC to 131 AC. The war ended with the deaths of both Rhaenyra and Aegon II, and the ascension of Rhaenyra’s son Aegon III to the throne.
The Distant Niece
Daenerys Targaryen was born in 284 AC, as the youngest child of Aerys II Targaryen (the Mad King) and his sister-wife Rhaella Targaryen. She was born on Dragonstone island during a storm that destroyed most of the Targaryen fleet. Her mother died in childbirth, and her father had been killed by Jaime Lannister during Robert’s Rebellion.
Daenerys was exiled from Westeros along with her older brother Viserys III, who claimed to be the rightful king. They lived in Essos for most of their lives, until Daenerys married Khal Drogo, a Dothraki warlord. She received three dragon eggs as a wedding gift, which she hatched by walking into Drogo’s funeral pyre.
Daenerys became known as Khaleesi (queen) and later as Mhysa (mother) by her followers. She conquered several cities in Slaver’s Bay and freed thousands of slaves. She also amassed a large army of Unsullied soldiers, Dothraki warriors, sellswords, and loyal advisors.
She eventually sailed to Westeros with her three dragons: Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion. She fought against Cersei Lannister, who had usurped the Iron Throne, and Jon Snow, who was revealed to be her nephew and the true heir of House Targaryen. She also faced the threat of the Night King and his army of the dead.
Daenerys’s quest for the Iron Throne ended tragically, as she succumbed to the Targaryen madness and burned King’s Landing with Drogon, killing thousands of innocent people. She was then killed by Jon Snow, who stabbed her in the heart. Drogon melted the Iron Throne with his fire and flew away with Daenerys’s body.
The Family Tree
To summarize, Daenerys is related to Daemon through his son Viserys II, who was Daenerys’s great-great-great-great-grandfather. Here is a simplified version of the Targaryen family tree that shows their connection:
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Aegon I Targaryen = Rhaenys Targaryen
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+– Aenys I Targaryen
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+– Jaehaerys I Targaryen
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+– Viserys I Targaryen = Aemma Arryn
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+– Baelon Targaryen
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| +– Viserys II Targaryen = Larra Rogare
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| +– Aegon IV Targaryen = Naerys Targaryen
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| +– Daeron II Targaryen = Myriah Martell
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| +– Maekar I Targaryen = Dyanna Dayne
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| +– Aegon V Targaryen = Betha Blackwood
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| +– Jaehaerys II Targaryen = Shaera Targaryen
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| +– Aerys II Targaryen = Rhaella Targaryen
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| +– Daenerys Targaryen
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+– Daemon Targaryen = Rhaenyra Targaryen
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+– Viserys II Targaryen (see above)
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According to Celebseek, Daemon and Daenerys are linked by Viserys II, who was Daemon’s son and Daenerys’s great-great-great-great-grandfather. Another similarity between them is their love for dragons and riding them. Daemon was a daring fighter and a skilled dragonrider, while Daenerys was the first person to hatch dragons in centuries and the only one who could control them.
However, there are also many differences between them. Daemon was a rebellious and ambitious prince, who often clashed with his brother and other lords. He was also involved in several wars and intrigues, such as the Dance of the Dragons and the Rogue Prince. Daenerys was a compassionate and visionary queen, who wanted to break the wheel of oppression and injustice. She was also involved in several wars and conflicts, such as the War of the Five Kings and the Long Night.
Conclusion
Daemon Targaryen and Daenerys Targaryen are both fascinating characters in the Game of Thrones universe. They share a common ancestry, a passion for dragons, and a destiny to shape the history of Westeros. However, they also have distinct personalities, goals, and fates. Their stories are part of the rich and complex saga of House Targaryen, which will be explored further in House of the Dragon.
