Familial legacy often means everything in House of the Dragon. Most of a person's life in Westeros will be determined by who their parents were. Kings raise princes and princesses, while the average blacksmith raises another blacksmith. Being born into House Targaryen has several blessings and a curse. Rhaenyra Targaryen's issue demonstrates the difficulties faced by every child born into the ruling family of Westeros.
Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon can be hard to follow. There are more characters than the average show, but many disappear into the background. Most branches on noble family trees lead nowhere, and most stories in Westeros end terribly. Part of the reason the powerful have so many children is that they're destined to lose more than they think they'll need.
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House Of The Dragon fans enjoy Rhaenyra Targaryen as much as they did Daenerys, but how close are they on their family tree?
Jacaerys Velaryon
Jacaerys Velaryon was born in 114 AC to Rhaenyra Targaryen and Ser Laenor Velaryon. Jace got his name from his grandfather, Corlys Velaryon. Though presented as legitimate heirs, Jace and his brothers were bastards fathered by Ser Harwin Strong. That premise is rumored in the book but canon in the series. Each of Rhaenyra's sons received a dragon egg in their cradle. Jace called his dragon Vermax. Jace frequently quarreled with his uncles about his heritage. He became skilled in battle and political matters in his youth.
He was an ambitious and savvy teenager when his mother and uncle entered the civil war called the Dance of the Dragons. His role was to fly Vermax across Westeros and convince Noble Houses to support Rhaenyra's claim. He won over House Arryn with a promise of security, the Three Sisters in a single meeting, and House Stark by offering his future firstborn daughter's hand. While in the North, he secretly married Cregan Stark's half-sister, Sara Snow. Jace arranged for the safety of his half-brothers by arranging foster parents for them. Jace tragically died at the Battle of the Gullet when he rode Vermax too low and sustained several crossbow injuries.
Lucerys Velaryon
Rhaenyra's second son, Luke, was only five when his father died. His most notable childhood accomplishment was cutting out his uncle Aemond's eye with a knife in a fight. Like Jace, he frequently and aggressively defended himself from accusations of illegitimacy. Luke's role in the Dance of the Dragons was slightly less demanding than his older brother's. Rhaenyra sent him as an envoy to Storm's End to enlist House Baratheon. Unfortunately, his uncle Aemond beat him there and rallied their support behind Aegon II. Aemond held a grudge for Luke's actions. Aemond killed Luke and his dragon Arrax in flight. Rhaenyra was devastated, escalating the Dance of the Dragons from a diplomatic dispute into a full-fledged war.
Joffery Velaryon
Joffrey's life was brief and sad. He was three when his father, Leanor, died. As soon as he could talk, he wanted nothing more than to win the Dance of the Dragons for his beloved mother. He claimed the dragon Tyraxes. When he learned Aemond killed Luke, he laid a baleful curse on his uncle and made for his dragon. His family stopped him because he was eleven, but his heart was set on revenge. When Jace died in the Gullet, Rhaenyra became terrified of losing her third son. Joffery defied her wishes, mounted the dragon Syrax, and fell to his death when the beast bucked him off. He was only 13.
Aegon III Targaryen
After Laenor died, Rhaenyra married her uncle Daemon. Her first son with her close relative was named after Aegon the Conqueror. Like Joffery, Aegon III was too young to participate in the Dance of the Dragons. He was ten when the war ended, leaving most of his family dead. Aegon III took the Iron Throne after both perspective options died in the battle. Aegon was a somber, silent, haunted man who never overcame the misery instilled in him by his grim upbringing. A dragon ate his mother, inspiring a lifelong hatred of the beasts. The last dragon died during his reign, giving him the nickname Aegon the Dragonbane. His reign was relatively short, as he died at 36. Many believed he was considerably older, the ordeals of his youth having aged him prematurely. He isn't remembered fondly.
Viserys II Targaryen
Named after his grandfather/great uncle, Viserys was seen as more clever and balanced than his elder brother. Many consider Viserys the mind behind Aegon III's rule. He became the Hand of the King during the final years of his reign. He kept the role on the small council while Aegon III's sons took the throne. After their deaths, Viserys inherited the Iron Throne. He was 49 when he ascended, but he died the following year. His brief tenure involved policy changes that inspired faith in the populace, but many accused him of poisoning Aegon's youngest to claim the seat. He died of an unnamed illness at 50.
Visenya Targaryen
Visenya was tragically stillborn. Rhaenyra's only daughter died before she was born. Rhaenyra's difficult labor lasted three days, seemingly prompted by the news that her father had died and her half-brother, Aegon II, took the throne. Famed court jester Mushroom claimed that Rhaenyra cursed the infant during labor, potentially causing the stillbirth. Visenya's death likely drove Rhaenyra further toward vengeance. She proclaimed these words shortly after the tragic event:
She was my only daughter, and they killed her. They stole my crown and murdered my daughter, and they shall answer for it.
Rhaenyra's children suffered a wide variety of tragic events. One of her six kids made it to adulthood, and the one that did seems to wish he hadn't. Three died in the war, two went on to rule the Seven Kingdoms, and one never truly lived. Arguably, Viserys turned out best among the bunch, but even he suffered. Their nightmarish stories should serve as a reminder that children born into war rarely live long lives.
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