This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon, including future events that may or may not air in the show. It also contains references to difficult topics, including miscarriage and death in childbirth.
House of the Dragon takes viewers to the height of the Targaryens’ reign as the brutal civil war known as The Dance of Dragons comes to fruition. This HBO prequel series presents a wonderful opportunity for fans to get acquainted with the history of House Targaryen, a family that was only mentioned in passing in Game of Thrones.
The concept of the rightful Targaryen heir isn’t limited to House of the Dragon. Season 8 of Game of Thrones delves into this concept when it reveals that Jon Snow was actually born Aegon Targaryen. As such, his heritage conflicts with Daenerys’ claim to the Iron Throne, as she believed she was the only Targaryen alive. Like Daenerys, Jon Snow’s Targaryen lineage dates back to House of the Dragon‘s era. It’s interesting to work out how Jon Snow’s place in their family tree.
Updated on June 7, 2024, by Michael Colwander: House of the Dragon is about to kick off its second season, which is set to formally usher in the Targaryen civil war known as the “Dance of the Dragons.” Even more Targaryens have been added as well as their relation to Jon Snow.
12Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen Is Jon Snow’s Seventh Great-Grandmother
Debut Episode
“The Heirs of the Dragon” (Season 1, Episode 1)
Status
Alive
Parents
King Viserys I Targaryen and Queen Aemma Arryn
Children
Jacaerys Valaryon, Lucerys Velaryon (Deceased), Joffrey Velaryon, Aegon Targaryen, Viserys Targaryen, and Visenya Targaryen (Deceased)
Spouse
Laenor Velaryon (Separated) and Daemon Targaryen
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen is one of the most important characters in House of the Dragon. After her uncle Daemon was banished from King’s Landing, Rhaenyra was named heir to the Iron Throne by her father. This made her the first woman in line to the Iron Throne.
Rhaenyra would later become the mother of two future kings, Viserys II and Aegon III. King Viserys II had a son named Aegon. King Aegon IV then fathered Daeron II, who had a son named Maekar I. King Maekar I was the father of Aegon V, who fathered Jaehaerys II. Sometime after, King Jaehaerys II fathered Aerys II, better known as “The Mad King.” King Aerys II was the father of Prince Rhaegar, who was Jon Snow’s biological dad. This makes Princess Rhaenyra Jon Snow’s seventh great-grandmother.
11King Jaehaerys I Targaryen Is The Tenth Great-Grandfather Of Jon Snow
Debut Episode
“The Heirs of the Dragon” (Season 1, Episode 1)
Status
Deceased
Parents
King Aenys I Targaryen (Deceased) and an unnamed mother (Deceased)
Children
13 children all deceased prior to his death
Spouse
Queen Alysanne Targaryen (Deceased)
King Jaehaerys I Targaryen was the fourth Targaryen king. He was the son of Aenys I Targaryen and the grandson of Aegon I Targaryen, or “Aegon the Conqueror.” Jaehaerys ascended to the Iron Throne after his half-brother, King Maegor I, died in a conflict after usurping the throne. Jaehaerys I had the longest reign on the Iron Throne.
Because King Jaehaerys I outlived all of his children, the Great Council of 101 AC was held to determine the heir to the Iron Throne. The honor went to his oldest living grandson, King Viserys I, who was the father of Princess Rhaenyra. King Jaehaerys I would be Jon Snow’s tenth great-grandfather.
10Princess Rhaenys Targaryen Is Jon Snow’s, First Cousin Ten Times Removed
Debut Episode
“The Heirs of the Dragon” (Season 1, Episode 1)
Status
Alive
Parents
Aemon Targaryen (Deceased) and Jocelyn Baratheon (Deceased)
Children
Laenor Valaryon and Laena Velaryon (Deceased)
Spouse
Corlys Velaryon
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen is known as “The Queen That Never Was.” Her father was Prince Aemon Targaryen, the third son of King Jaehaerys I. Princess Rhaenys was passed over as the heir to the Iron Throne after her father’s death. Jaehaerys I instead named Prince Baelon Targaryen, his fourth born son, as heir.
Baelon later passed away, which led to the Great Council of 101 AC, where Prince Viserys was selected instead of Princess Rhaenys or her son, Laenor Valeryon. Princess Rhaenys is the first cousin of King Viserys I, making her Jon Snow’s first cousin ten times removed.
9King Viserys I Targaryen Is The Eighth Great-Grandfather Of Jon Snow
Debut Episode
“The Heirs of the Dragon” (Season 1, Episode 1)
Status
Deceased
Parents
Baelon (Deceased) and Alyssa Targaryen (Deceased)
Children
Rhaenyra, King Aegon II, Queen Helaena, and Aemond Targaryen along with numerous stillborn children including Baelon Targaryen
Spouse
Queen Aemma Arryn (Deceased) and Queen Alicent Hightower
Viserys was the King of the Andals before his death in Episode 8 of House of the Dragon – the longest reign in House of the Dragon thus far. King Viserys I was a kindhearted man who oversaw a long period of peace. However, he found himself in a succession dilemma as he ultimately failed to produce a male heir. After Lady Aemma’s death, Viserys I married Alicent Hightower, and they had four children.
King Viserys I initially named his only child with Lady Aemma, Princess Rhaenyra, as his heir. However, Princess Rhaenyra’s status as heir came into question after the birth of King Viserys I’s first son with Alicent. This makes King Viserys I Jon Snow’s eighth great-grandfather.
8Queen Aemma Arryn Is Jon Snow’s Eighth Great-Grandmother And First Cousin Ten Times Removed
Debut Episode
“The Heirs of the Dragon” (Season 1, Episode 1)
Status
Deceased
Parents
Daeila Targaryen and an unnamed Arryn father
Children
Rhaenyra Targaryen and numerous stillborn children including Baelon Targaryen
Spouse
King Viserys I (Deceased)
Queen Aemma Arryn was the beloved first wife of King Viserys I. She only appeared in one episode of House of the Dragon, but left a big impression on fans. Her death during childbirth was one of the most poignant scenes in House of the Dragon’s premiere. It was particularly heartbreaking because King Viserys tried to save his unborn son at his wife’s expense.
Aemma was a Targaryen herself, and not just by marriage. She was the daughter of Princess Daella Targaryen. Daella was the aunt of King Viserys I, making Aemma and Viserys first cousins. As a result, Lady Aemma was both Jon Snow’s eighth great-grandmother and his first cousin ten times removed.
7King Viserys I And Queen Aemma’s Children Are The Seventh Great-Uncles And Aunts Of Jon Snow
Debut Episode
“The Heirs of the Dragon” (Season 1, Episode 1, Baelon)
Status
Deceased
Parents
King Viserys I (Deceased) and Queen Aemma (Deceased)
Children
None
Spouse
None
King Viserys I and Queen Aemma had other children besides Princess Rhaenyra, but they were all miscarried or died during labor. Their final child together, Prince Baelon Targaryen, died shortly after his birth. This left King Viserys I without a son or a wife, on what was supposed to be one of the best days of his life.
This tragedy set the Dance of the Dragons into motion as King Viserys I named Princess Rhaenyra as his heir. Prince Baelon and his unborn siblings were the only full siblings of Princess Rhaenyra, making them Jon Snow’s seventh great-uncles and aunts.
6King Viserys I And Queen Alicent Hightower’s Children Are The Seventh Great-Half-Uncles And Aunts Of Jon Snow
Debut Episode
“Second of His Name” (Season 1, Episode 3, King Aegon II), “King of the Narrow Sea” (Season 1, Episode 1, Queen Helaena), and “The Princess and the Queen” (Season 1, Episode 6, Aemond), Daeron has yet to debut
Status
Alive
Parents
King Viserys I (Deceased) and Queen Alicent Hightower
Children
Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor Targaryen (King Aegon II and Queen Helaena)
Spouse
King Aegon and Queen Helaena are married to each other
King Viserys I attempted to mourn his dearly departed wife, but his Small Council began pressuring him to marry someone else. Princess Rhaenys and her husband Lord Corlys suggested their daughter, Lady Laena Velaryon. However, Viserys opted to marry Alicent, the daughter of Otto Hightower.
Alicent was close friends with Princess Rhaenyra before the inevitable schism made them bitter enemies. King Viserys and Queen Alicent had four children, Aegon, Aemond, Helaena, and Daeron. King Aegon II and his siblings are half-siblings to Princess Rhaenyra, making them Jon Snow’s seventh great-half-uncles and aunts.
5Prince Daemon Targaryen Is The Seventh Great-Grandfather And The Eighth Great-Uncle Of Jon Snow
Debut Episode
“The Heirs of the Dragon” (Season 1, Episode 1)
Status
Alive
Parents
Baelon (Deceased) and Alyssa Targaryen (Deceased)
Children
Baela Valaryon, Rhaena Velaryon, Aegon Targaryen, Viserys Targaryen, and Visenya Targaryen (Deceased)
Spouse
Rhea Royce (Deceased), Laena Velaryon (Deceased), and Rhaenyra Targaryen
Prince Daemon Targaryen is King Viserys I’s only brother. This initially made him the heir to the Iron Throne at the start of House of the Dragon, as Viserys did not yet have a son. After the death of Prince Baelon, Prince Daemon mocked and celebrated the “the heir for a day,” which infuriated his brother.
King Viserys I promptly banished Prince Daemon from King’s Landing and named Princess Rhaenyra his new heir. Despite being problematic, Daemon remains one of the most popular characters in House of the Dragon in part due to being highly quotable. Prince Daemon is Princess Rhaenyra’s uncle, which makes him Jon Snow’s eighth great-uncle. Prince Daemon later married Princess Rhaenyra and fathered King Viserys II. This also makes Prince Daemon Jon Snow’s seventh great-grandfather.
4Baela & Rhaena Targaryen Are Jon Snow’s Sixth Great-Half-Aunts
Debut Episode
“The Princess and the Queen” (Season 1, Episode 6)
Status
Alive
Parents
Daemon Targaryen and Laena Velaryon (Deceased)
Children
None
Spouse
None
Baela and Rhaena Targaryen are betrothed to Jacaerys and Lucerys Velaryon, respectively, but they don’t marry either of them. Jace and Luke perish during the Dance of the Dragons, so Daemon and Laena’s daughters end up with different spouses. Their descendants have no direct connection to any Targaryen in the Game of Thrones timeline.
3King Aegon II And Helaena Targaryen’s Children Are Jon Snow’s First Half-Cousins Eight Times Removed
Debut Episode
“The Green Council” (Season 1, Episode 9), Maelor has yet to be seen
Status
Alive
Parents
King Aegon II and Queen Helaena Targaryen
Children
None
Spouse
None
In typical Targaryen fashion, King Aegon II (reluctantly) married his sister, Heleana, and together they have three children: Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor Targaryen. Jaehaerys and Jaehaera are twins. Each child has barely been seen in the show, only playing with a handmaiden.
As of the start of season two of House of the Dragon, Jaehaerys is formally King Aegon II’s heir. If he were to die, Jaehaerys would sit atop the Iron Throne. King Aegon II also has a slew of bastard children who share similar relations to Jon Snow, but only one such child has been seen in the show.
2Viseys Targaryen, The Son Of Rhaenyra And Daemon Targaryen, Is Jon Snow’s Sixth Great Grandfather And Sixth Great-Uncle
Debut Episode
“The Lord of the Tides” (Season 1, Episode 8)
Status
Alive
Parents
Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen
Children
None
Spouse
None
At some point in this mess of Targaryens is the one child child that would continue the lineage toward the eventual birth Jon Snow. That child is Viserys Targaryen, the son of Rhaenyra and Daemon, and one of Rhaenyra’s many children.
Viserys has only been seen as a very young child thus far, primarily only seen when Rhaenyra introduced him to her father, King Viserys I. King Aegon II initially offered, as a form of peace, that Viserys would be his cupbearer, which his parents both rejected. Viserys has a very complex ahead of him, but it would definitely take a few more time jumps and seasons to get there. Knowing this, it can be easy to get attached to him early on since he’s the distant grandfather of Jon Snow.
1Aegon Targaryen And Visenya Targaryen, Siblings Of Viserys, Are Jon Snow’s Sixth Great-Uncle And Aunt
Debut Episode
“The Lord of the Tides” (Season 1, Episode 8)
Status
Alive (Aegon) and Deceased (Visenya)
Parents
Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen
Children
None
Spouse
None
Viserys has two siblings, Aegon Targaryen and a sister Visenya Targaryen. Sadly, Visenya was stillborn during a tumultuous time after he mother Rhaenyra learned of her son Lucerys Velaryon’s death at the hands of Aemond Targaryen at the end of the first season of the show.
Aegon is the older brother of Viserys while Visenya was Viserys’ younger sister. King Aegon II offered to make the younger Aegon his squire, which was also rejected. Like Viserys, Aegon has only ever been seen as a young child and presently has little narrative weight at this stage of House of the Dragon.
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