Before House of the Dragon premieres, catch up on Targaryen history
HBO’s House of the Dragon is bringing us back to Westeros, but not to the Westeros most people are familiar with, at least on screen. The new Game of Thrones prequel series is set nearly 200 years before the events of the original series, and that means a totally different set of characters and events to learn about.
The show is based on the second half of George R.R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood, which serves as an in-universe history of the Targaryen family in Westeros. While you don’t have to read the first half to understand House of the Dragon, there are a few bits and pieces that might be useful. So here’s everything you need to know to watch House of the Dragon’s first episode.
Also known as the Old King, Jaehaerys I Targaryen sat on the Iron Throne before Viserys and played a large role in setting the precedent of male succession in Westeros, when he allowed the Great Council of 101 AC to name Viserys his heir rather than his older daughter, Rhaenys. Jaehaerys enjoyed one of the longest and most prosperous rules in Westeros’ history. He was much loved by all, but left his son Viserys with a large legacy to live up to. While most of this story happens well after Jaehaerys’ death, it also unfolds in his shadow.
Though they have both been dead for many years by the time House of the Dragon begins, you can think of these two as the ones that kicked off the story of the Targaryen dynasty in Westeros, which is why they’re still relevant to this story.
The Targaryens are originally from the Valyrian Freehold, a region of Essos on the Valyrian Peninsula. Despite the area’s great wealth and status, the Targaryens left the city unexpectedly when Aenar Targaryen moved his family out of Valyria to Dragonstone, a small
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