The Targaryen family is one of the craziest and most unpredictable dynasties in A Song of Ice and Fire. The family has been marred with madness and tragedy across its tumultuous history, with some of the most important moments in Westeros' history involving the Targaryens in a major capacity more often than not.
With House of the Dragon set to debut this year, fans can't wait to see whether this show will redeem Game of Thrones once and for all. After all, the less said about that infamous final season, the better. The Targaryens have a rich and intriguing history that is going to be documented extensively in the series, and here are some facts about this family that only book readers are aware of.
8 They Have Purple Eyes
Game of Thrones did a great job of showing the physical attributes of the Targaryens. Their platinum-blonde hair and beauty were present for all to see, but there was one physical trait that wasn't shown for logistical issues.
Targaryens also have striking purple eyes, which wasn't the case in the TV show. Emilia Clarke was given colored contacts to convey this look, but this idea was scrapped after it hampered her acting skills.
7 Aegon Targaryen Survived
Aegon Targaryen was just a newborn child when he was dashed against the floor in a bid to stop the Targaryen family from reigning supreme once and for all. Well, at least this was the story that had become common knowledge by the time the books started off with their story.
However, in A Dance with Dragons, it's revealed that the infant killed by the Mountain was not the prince. Aegon and his companion Sir Jon Connington have been roaming the lands and waiting for the perfect opportunity to declare their heritage publicly once again.
6 Many Members Of The Family Were Rampant Alcoholics
House Targaryen's members had too many vices to mention. Their cruel nature and penchant for madness were present for everyone to see, so perhaps dabbling in a bit of the drink might not be the most egregious offense they've made.
However, it's still pretty shocking to see just how many members of this family were quite irresponsible when it came to consuming alcohol. The most notable alcoholics in the family include Aegon II, Daeron the Drunkard, Saera, Viserra, and Viserys the Beggar King.
5 Brynden Rivers, The Illegitimate Son Of Aegon IV, Is Still Alive
Most people in Westeros think that the Targaryens are all but extinct, with Daenerys being the sole member of the family who is making waves. However, in the books, many members of the family are still alive, including the bastard of Aegon IV.
Somehow, Brynden Rivers has remained alive all this time by using sorcery to lengthen his lifespan. He's known as the Bloodraven, and is also the three-eyed raven that Bran has been seeing in his dreams as well.
4 Targaryens Have Had Miscarriages That Looked Like Human-Dragon Hybrids
Targaryens have a close relationship with dragons, there's no second-guessing that. However, it seems that their bonds run way deeper than most people would've assumed.
After all, there have been various instances of Targaryen women having stillborns who look like grotesque combinations of both dragons and humans. The obvious answer to this situation is pretty disturbing and doesn't really hold up, due to the logistical issues that arise from this action. The real explanation is not clear yet, but the connection between Targaryens and their dragons definitely plays a huge role here.
3 Their Crowns Have Been Varied And Iconic
The Targaryens certainly knew how to rule in style. The iconic nature of the Iron Throne should be proof enough of just how ostentatious and awe-inspiring their rule really was.
Along with a legendary throne, most Targaryens also had pretty iconic crowns that are quite interesting in their own right. Notable examples include a Valyrian Steel circlet (Aegon the Conqueror), a simple gold band (Aegon III), a crown of flowers (Baelor), and a rather evil-looking iron crown (Maekar).
2 Aerea Targaryen Died After Being Infected By Firewyrms
The history of the Targaryens has been full of strife and loss, with the family having to face numerous deaths that happened way before their time. However, one of the most gruesome deaths in this house was experienced by the princess Aerea Targaryen.
After running away with the legendary dragon Balerion for a year, Aerea came back as a shadow of her former self... almost literally! Her body had been infected by parasitic firewyrms that were slowly burning her body from the inside out and led to her experiencing a slow and excruciatingly painful death.
1 Targaryens Experience "Dragon Dreams" That Let Them See The Future
One of the most fascinating powers that all Targaryen family members share is the ability to foresee the future in their dreams. Fittingly enough, the house dubbed these to be Dragon Dreams that let them predict dangerous events and plan accordingly.
While these psychic powers weren't enough to prevent the annihilation of their bloodline, it's still a pretty neat fact regardless. Fans can only wait and see how these dreams will be replicated in House of the Dragon.