House Targaryen Family Tree Overview
The House Targaryen family tree traces a dynasty of dragonlords who ruled Westeros from the Iron Throne for nearly three centuries before Robert's Rebellion ended their reign. The lineage begins with Aenar the Exile, who relocated from Valyria to Dragonstone, and continues through key figures such as Jaehaerys I, Aerys II, and Daenerys Targaryen. The family tree includes cadet branches, marriages with other noble houses, and complex succession claims that shaped major conflicts in the realm. Key events such as the Doom of Valyria, the Conquest of Westeros, and the Dance of the Dragons are central to understanding the dynasty's trajectory. For a detailed account of the Targaryen history and their dragons, see the Forbes overview of House Targaryen history.
The family tree is defined by incestuous marriages to preserve bloodline purity and dragon-riding abilities, a practice that set the Targaryens apart from other Great Houses. The main line descends from Aegon the Conqueror, who, alongside his sisters Visenya and Rhaenys, unified six of the Seven Kingdoms through conquest and diplomacy. Later generations branched into rival claimant lines, most notably during the Blackfyre Rebellions, which tested the stability of the dynasty. The Targaryen sigil, a three-headed red dragon on a black field, symbolizes the union of the three dragons ridden by Aegon and his sisters. The family's seat shifted from Dragonstone to the Red Keep in King's Landing after the Conquest, reinforcing their central role in Westerosi politics.
Key Members and Generations in the Targaryen Line
Aegon I Targaryen, also known as Aegon the Conqueror, stands as the foundational figure in the House Targaryen family tree, having established the Iron Throne and the capital at King's Landing. His descendants include notable rulers such as Jaehaerys I the Conciliator, who expanded the realm and codified laws, and Viserys I, whose death triggered the devastating civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. The family tree also includes controversial figures like Aerys II the Mad King, whose erratic rule led directly to Robert's Rebellion and the end of Targaryen supremacy. Daenerys Targaryen, the last known surviving member of the main line, is a central figure in the dynasty's modern narrative, having hatched dragons in Essos and launched a campaign to reclaim the Iron Throne. For deeper analysis of the Targaryen succession crises and key players, refer to the Forbes breakdown of Targaryen succession crises.
The cadet branches of the Targaryen family tree include the Blackfyres, descended from Aegon IV's legitimized bastard son Daemon, who launched multiple rebellions against the main royal line. Other notable branches include the Summerhall line, which suffered a tragic fire during the reign of Aegon V, and the connections forged through marriages with houses such as Baratheon, Martell, and Tyrell. The family tree also highlights key marriages that shaped alliances, such as Rhaegar Targaryen's union with Elia Martell, which produced Rhaenys and Aegon, and his controversial annulment to marry