House of the Dragon, the first Game of Thrones spin-off, tells part of the story of the Targaryens, including Princess Rhaenyra. But what is his connection with Daenerys Targaryen? Warning, spoilers.
Based on the book “Fire and Blood” by George RR Martin, House of the Dragon is the first Game of Thrones spin-off. Centered on the Targaryen dynasty, this spin-off series is set approximately 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones.
We follow the wars of succession in the Targaryen family for the Iron Throne and the beginnings of the decline of the dynasty until a civil war called “The Dance of the Dragons”. Among the main characters, we find Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, played by Milly Alcock during her youth and then by Emma d’Arcy in the rest of the series.
What is the link between Rhaenyra and Daenerys Targaryen?
With her strong character, her power, her desire for freedom and the injustices she has suffered, Rhaenyra Targaryen is reminiscent of Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), the Mother of Dragons and heroine of Game of Thrones. So what is the relationship between the two women?
Game of Thrones taking place after House of the Dragon, Daenerys is obviously a descendant of Rhaenyra. But how are they related? We must refer to the family tree of the Targaryens, established thanks to the books of George RR Martin, in particular “Fire and Blood”, which serves as inspiration for House of the Dragon.
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Warning, if you haven’t read the book or if you don’t know the story, the sequel may contain spoilers. Rhaenyra is the daughter of King Viserys I and his first wife Aemma Arryn. And if Rhaenyra marries Laenor Velaryon for appearances, she will also secretly marry her uncle Daemon Targaryen with whom she will have four children, including Viserys II.
Among his Targaryen descendants are Aegon IV, Maekar I, Aegon V, Jaehaerys II, and Aerys II, otherwise known as the Mad King and father of Daenerys Targaryen. Daenerys is therefore a direct descendant of Rhaenyra and the latter is her great-great-great-great-great-great-grandmother.
But this link is biased since the relationship between Rhaenyra and Daemon is incestuous. It is not uncommon in the Targaryen dynasty to marry a brother, sister, or other family member to keep the bloodline pure. Therefore, Daenerys is also seven times first cousin of Rhaenyra.