Who are the Targaryens?
With many centuries of history and originating from ancient Valyria as one of the Forty Families of the region, the Targaryens were known as the Dragon Lords and intermarried and reproduced only among themselves. Even before the Curse of Valyria, they left Essos and settled at Dragonstone, an ancient Valyrian fortress on the coast of Westeros. They lived there for over a century until they set out, led by Aegon the Conqueror and his sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys, to conquer the kingdoms of Westeros.
What was the first season of House of the Dragon about?
In the first season, the plot concerns the reign of Viserys I (Paddy Considine), about 130 years after Aegon conquered Westeros. Viserys I succeeded Jaeharys on the Iron Throne along with his first wife, Aemma Targaryen, with whom he had only one daughter: Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy). After years of failed attempts, the couple fails to have a male child to succeed them on the throne, forcing Viserys to name Rhaenyra as the future queen. Despite her oaths of loyalty, the Seven Kingdoms do not like the idea of having her in power. The king then remarries Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), his counselor’s daughter. The new couple has three children, including firstborn Aegon II Targaryen (Tyler Moffett / Tom Glynn Carney).
What was the end of the first season like?
With the death of Viserys I, Aegon II is immediately crowned king through the Hightower – father and daughter, Sir Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) and Lady Alicent Hightower. Rhaenyra, named heir to the throne by her father, is shocked by her brother’s coronation, causing her to go into premature labor and give birth to a stillborn child. Meanwhile, Daemon (Matt Smith), her current husband, gathers a council to create a strategy for the impending war.
At Dragonstone, Rhaenyra is proclaimed queen and the Black Council is created. After a peace offer from Otto Hightower before the start of the Dance of Dragons, Rhaenyra considers accepting the deal to prevent the death of her allies: if Rhaenyra recognizes Aegon II as king, she can remain Lady of Dragonstone, with Jacaerys as his heir. Daemon and Rhaenyra argue and the princess tells him about Aegon I’s prophecy, the Song of Ice and Fire.
Rhaenyra then sends her sons with her dragons to announce her coronation and gather potential allies. While Jacaerys goes north, Lucerys goes south to visit Lord Baratheon in Storm’s End. However, when she arrives, she realizes that Aemond is already there with Vaghar. Rhaenyra’s son is rejected as an ally and, attempting to leave, Aemond surprises him in the skies with Vaghar. A fight between the dragons ends with the death of Prince Lucerys and Arrax, his dragon, both devoured by Vaghar.
This is the first step for the Dance of the Dragons to begin.
What side are you on?
In 111 AC, a great tournament was held in King’s Landing for the fifth wedding anniversary of King Viserys I and Queen Alicent Hightower. At the opening banquet, the queen wore a green dress, the color of her family’s house, while Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen looked dramatic in the red and black of House Targaryen. As a result, the queen’s followers came to be called “greens,” and the princess’s “blacks.” Check out who’s on which side below:
Black Council: Rhaenyra Targaryen, Daemon Targaryen, Corlys Velaryon, Rhaenys Targaryen, Jacaerys Velaryon, Joffrey Velaryon, Baela Targaryen, and Rhaena Targaryen.
Green Council: Alicent Hightower, Otto Hightower, Aegon II Targaryen, Aemond Targaryen, Helaena Targaryen, Criston Cole, Tyland Lannister and Larys Strong.
The first season of House of the Dragon and all seasons of Game of Thrones are available on Max.
