Highlights
- House Targaryen: A powerful force with dragons and a divine complex, they justified conquering Westeros through prophecy.
- Daenerys Targaryen asserts her identity and seeks to reclaim the Iron Throne.
- Dragons give Targaryens a god-like status, and dreams drive their actions and belief in their destiny.
As per the events of House of the Dragon, House Targaryen is a force to be reckoned with. Starting with Aegon I, members of the House have forged a political entity from the Seven warring kingdoms, and ruled over it for over a hundred years. They are the blood of Old Valyria, they have dragons, and the rulers justify the conquest of Westeros through Aegon’s The Song of Ice and Fire prophecy.
House of the Dragon: Who is the Prince That Was Promised and What is the Song of Ice and Fire?
The mysterious Prince That Was Promised has become a central part of House of the Dragon.
Even in the original series, Game of Thrones, House Targaryen is unlike any of the Great Houses in the Seven Kingdoms. Everything from the Targaryens’ physical traits to their dragon-taming ability and the God Complex gives them an upper hand over the rest of the populace. In House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones, there are a few things only the Targaryens say.
1 “I Am Daenerys Stormborn Of House Targaryen, Of The Blood Of Old Valyria…”
Game of Thrones Season 1, Episode 10 “Fire and Blood”
- Daenerys Targaryen
- “I am Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, of the blood of Old Valyria. I am the dragon’s daughter, and I swear to you that those who would harm you will die screaming.”
Before walking into the flames of Drogo’s pyre, Daenerys offers the Khalasar the choice to live under her as brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, or to leave. Though most walk away, she swears to take the remaining under her protection.
Daenerys assumes responsibility for her people before she hatches dragon eggs. Daenerys, like her exalted ancestors, was born to rule. She loved her faithful friends, such as Missandei, Ser Jorah Mormont, and Ser Barristan Selmy.
2 “I Am Not Your Little Princess…”
Game of Thrones Season 2, Episode 6 “The Old Gods and the New”
- Daenerys Targaryen
- “I am not your little princess. I am Daenerys Stormborn of the blood of Old Valyria and I will take what is mine. With fire and blood, I will take it.”
Once Daenerys and her people are let through the gates of Qarth, and they recuperate, she decides it’s best to get started on taking the Seven Kingdoms. She wants the seat her father sat on and, since the city is ruled by a merchant guild called the Thirteen, she asks one of them – the Spice King, for his ships.
At that point in the story, all Daenerys has are a handful of Dothraki, three baby dragons, and a Targaryen name. She believes the Iron Throne was stolen from her by her enemies and the people of Westeros will rise for their rightful Queen. The Spice King declines and rightfully points out that without an army and allies, her efforts will go to waste. Daenerys, in response, speaks like a true Targaryen, reminding him of the Fire and Blood that Aegon the Conqueror brought to Westeros.
3 “Now You And I Both Own A Small Piece Of Our Ancestry.”
House of the Dragon Season 1, Episode 1 “The Heirs of the Dragon”
Before Viserys loses his wife and newborn boy and decides to name a new heir, Rhaenyra finds Daemon sitting on the Iron Throne. This incident takes place before Queen Aemma Arryn begins her labor, and Ser Harrold Westerling informs Rhaenyra about Daemon’s arrival.
House Of The Dragon: The Life Of Daemon Targaryen, Explained
Matt Smith’s Daemon Targaryen plays a critical role in House of the Dragon’s upcoming Dance, and here is an overview of the Rogue Prince’s life.
As Rhaenyra and Daemon banter in High Valyrian, the latter gets up from the seat and places a Valyrian steel necklace around her neck. They aren’t a “regular” uncle-niece duo by Westerosi standards, and they seem to share a mutual attraction. It’s a well-known fact that members of House Targaryen marry within the family to keep the bloodlines pure. Daemon’s sword, Dark Sister, is made of Valyrian steel, and now Rhaenyra wears jewelry fashioned out of the same coveted metal.
4 “Dreams Didn’t Make Us Kings… Dragons Did.”
House of the Dragon Season 1, Episode 10 “The Black Queen”
Daemon displays strong emotions the moment Rhaenyra talks about Aegon’s dream. He wants her to cast the Seven Kingdoms into war, but she wants to exercise maximum restraint because she is her father’s daughter.
Daemon is a soldier at heart, while Viserys loves history and believes in prophecies and dreams, such as a male baby being born to him wearing the Conqueror’s crown. Dragons, prophecies, and dreams are deeply associated with Targaryens. While Daemon believed Aegon conquered the Seven Kingdoms because he had dragons, Viserys believed it was his dream that compelled him to invade:
Aegon foresaw the end of the world of men. ‘Tis to begin with a terrible winter, gusting out of the distant North. Aegon saw absolute darkness riding on those winds and whatever dwells within will destroy the world of the living … if the world of men is to survive, a Targaryen must be seated on the Iron Throne.
5 “Everyone Says Targaryens Are Closer To Gods…”
House of the Dragon Season 1, Episode 1 “The Heirs of the Dragon”
- Rhaenyra Targaryen
- “Everyone says Targaryens are closer to gods than to men, but they say that because of our dragons. Without them, we’re just like everyone else.”
Princess Rhaenyra says these words to her father, Viserys, at Balerion’s Shrine when he asks her the question:
When you look at the dragons, what do you see?
House Of The Dragon: The Targaryen Family Tree, Explained
Aegon the Conqueror founded the erstwhile ruling Targaryen dynasty of Westeros, and here are the notable members who share the blood of the dragon.
Rhaenyra continues with how dragons give them a god-complex and contribute to the might of their House. Her assessment is correct, as most Targaryens believe they have exceptional intelligence, and are superior to others. Aegon the Conqueror was able to defeat King Harren Hoare, force Torrhen Stark into submission, and defeat the combined strength of the Lannister-Gardener armies because he had dragons.
6 “A Dragon Is Not A Slave.”
Game of Thrones Season 3, Episode 4 “And Now His Watch Is Ended”
- Daenerys Targaryen
- Said in High Valyrian: “Zaldrīzes buzdari iksos daor.”
Daenerys hands over Drogon in exchange for all of Kraznys mo Nakloz’s elite warriors – the Unsullied. She holds the whip and orders her army to march forward. She turns to Kraznys and declares in High Valyrian:
Nyke Daenerys Jelmazmo hen Targario Lentrot, hen Valyrio Uepo anogar iksan. Valyrio muno engos nuhys issa.
This translates to: “I am Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, of the blood of Old Valyria. Valyrian is my mother tongue.” Daenerys is the quintessential Targaryen – fiery, assertive, and bold. She startles everyone, including her aides in the Slaver City of Astapor when she pretends not to know her mother tongue and makes the big reveal in High Valyrian after negotiating a deal with the slave trader. She acquires an army and orders the men to kill every man holding a whip. Meanwhile, she commands Drogon to burn Kraznys alive.
7 “Dracarys.”
Game of Thrones Season 2, Episode 5 “The Ghost of Harrenhal”
- Daenerys Targaryen (Originally)
Dracarys translates to “dragonfire” in High Valyrian, and Daenerys uses it throughout Thrones. The Targaryens issue this command when they want their dragons to breathe fire.
It takes Daenerys a bit of practice to get “Dracarys” right. She first uses the word in Game of Thrones Season 2 when trying to teach baby Drogon to roast his meat. Drogon succeeds and Daenerys cheers him on, signifying that the bond between Targaryens and dragons is truly special.
Game of Thrones
- First TV Show
- Game Of Thrones
- First Episode Air Date
- April 17, 2011
- Where to watch
- HBO Max
