Unraveling the Bond Between 'House of the Dragon' and 'Game of Thrones' Characters

House of the Dragon has rightfully earned its place as a fantastic lead-in to Game of Thrones, delightfully ushering us back into the world of Westeros. This dramatic fantasy epic, set two centuries prior to the timeline of the original series, masterfully tells the tale of a power struggle within the Targaryen family. This family feud, focused on claiming the crown, ultimately paved the path to their downfall. We've met a lot of new faces in this series, and their names often ring a bell because they're linked to the main characters we know from GOT. So, what's the connection between these individuals?

Dance of the Dragons

Three years after the final episode of "Game of Thrones" was shown, its successor "House of the Dragon" made its premiere on HBO. Regardless of the contentious ending of the original series, an astounding 10 million eager viewers switched on their screens for the initial airing of "HOTD", resulting in the most sizable premiere the network has ever seen.

Dance of the Dragons
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The series entitled "House of the Dragon" is rooted in the novel "Fire & Blood" authored by George R. R. Martin. This series climaxes with the incident known as the Dance of the Dragons. It is in this period where we witness the members of House Targaryen in a brutal struggle to retain control of the Iron Throne. But have you ever wondered, what is their original story leading them to acquire the throne in the first place?

First Targaryen King Emerges

Aegon I Targaryen, otherwise known as Aegon the Conqueror, is a key character in the history of Westeros. This important figure is brought up numerous times in the series House of the Dragon - it's not just because there's an abundance of characters who happen to share the name Aegon.

First Targaryen King Emerges
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Once Aegon the Conqueror managed to defeat all the other Seven Kingdoms, he crowned himself king and constructed the Iron Throne from the captured swords of his fallen adversaries. This event signaled the dawn of the extensive reign of the House Targaryen. Even though the House Targaryen held the rule for a long time, they were never able to replicate the shining times of Aegon the Conqueror's reign.

Kings Before Viserys I

"House of the Dragon" begins with Viserys I calmly governing Westeros. However, a considerable number of Targaryen kings ascended the Iron Throne before him, and they achieved various degrees of fame or infamy during their reigns.

Kings Before Viserys I
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Aenys I, who followed Aegon the Conqueror as ruler, was succeeded by Maegor the Cruel, a leader surrounded by controversy. He met a mysterious end, found lifeless on the Iron Throne. Contrary to his predecessor, Jaehaerys I filled his role with grace and he secured a record, reigning over the throne for 55 years, the longest for any Targaryen king. He was remembered in history as a stark contrast to Maegor.

Jaehaerys I’s Successor

Before the Dance of the Dragon, House Targaryen was already addressing a serious problem with their line of succession. When Jaehaerys I lost his sons, he was compelled to search for a different heir. This is the exact point where the story of House of the Dragon begins.

Jaehaerys I’s Successor
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King Jaehaerys I Targaryen was in need of a new heir, so he brought together the first Great Council for assistance in making this important decision. His eldest grandchild, Princess Rhaenys, was among those who sought after the Iron Throne. However, after much consideration, the throne was ultimately given to King Viserys, bypassing Princess Rhaenys.