What you need to remember (or know) before watching House of the Dragon

HBO’s House of the DragonThe new Westeros is taking us back, but not the Westeros we are most familiar with. The new Game of ThronesPrequel Series is nearly 200 years ahead of original series. That means you will have a completely new set of characters to discover and entirely different events.

This show is based upon George R.R. Martin’s book Fire & BloodThe Targaryen family of Westeros is described in the book. While you don’t have to read the first half to understand House of the DragonThese bits and pieces might prove to be helpful. So here’s everything you need to know to watch House of the Dragon’s first episode.

Who are King Jaehaerys’ parents?

Photo: Ollie Upton/HBO

Jaehaerys I. Targaryen, otherwise known as the Old Kings, sat on Iron Throne in the time before Viserys. His role was significant in setting Westeros’ precedent of male succession. The Great Council of 101 AC named Viserys his heir, rather than Rhaenys, his older daughter. Jaehaerys enjoyed one of the longest and most prosperous rules in Westeros’ history. His legacy was large and he was well loved by his family. While most of this story happens well after Jaehaerys’ death, it also unfolds in his shadow.

Aegon Conqueror and Daenys The Dreamer:

Although they were both long dead, it was a very happy time for them. 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.

Originaly, the Targaryens hail from the Valyrian Freehold. This region is located 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 island at the mouth of Westeros’ Blackwater Bay. Aenar’s decision was based on a vision his daughter Daenys had, which foretold a great catastrophe that would collapse the region and destroy Valyria forever. 12 years later, the Doom of Valyria was confirmed by her. Daenys, the Dreamer was her name.

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Aegon I Targaryen, nearly 100 years ago, set his sights upon Westeros to conquer it and unify the warring kingdoms. It is not clear what his motivations were, but it seems certain that at the very least one of them was simply because he felt it would be relatively easy. He and Rhaenys, his sister and Visenya both had dragons. No one else in Westeros has. Ultimately, Aegon’s assumption proved correct and he was able to unite all of Westeros (except Dorne).

Is it a tradition for Targaryens to get married to family members?

Like royal families of our past, Targaryens often marry family members in order to preserve their heritage. But while this is a longstanding Valyrian tradition, it isn’t necessarily a must for Targaryens in Westeros, and the royals have often married outside of their family. This is particularly true of those Targaryens that aren’t likely to be heirs to the Iron Throne. Marriage was often arranged between siblings, sometimes involving relatives like nieces and nephews. Although the Targaryens preferred to retain the role of queen and king within their family, marriage was sometimes used as an alliance tool and favors to other great houses for those who were least likely to become crowned.

Photo: Ollie Upton/HBO

House of the Dragon features a few examples of these ideas in its first episode, where we see Rhaenys Targaryen (no, not Aegon the Conqueror’s sister, a different one) married to Ser Corlys Velaryon. While the Velaryons also hail from Valyria they left the Freehold well before the Targaryens. Their dragon-riding skills and position within the region were not as strong. Despite this, house Velaryon has always been an important ally of the Targaryens, which is why the alliance was sealed in marriage to Rhaenys, who was once in line to be queen but bears the nickname “The Queen Who Never Was” by the time House of the Dragon begins.

The main story was already told, however. Game of Thrones Starts, almost 200 years later House of the DragonTargaryen kings continue to marry their sibling. King Aerys II also known as “The Mad King” was actually married his sister Rhaella.

If you have any other questions before watching the show, we’ll let George R.R. Martin will answer your questions in the preview video he made for you. House of the Dragon.