targaryen

The Targaryen dynasty, often called the Dragonlords, is a noble house of Valyrian descent that ruled the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros for nearly three centuries. The sigil is a red dragon on a black field, and the house words are Fire and Blood. Dragonstone was the traditional seat, with the Iron Throne later established in King’s Landing after Aegon the Conqueror’s conquest. The Targaryens are renowned for their dragonriding heritage and their role in unifying Westeros.

Origins and rise: The Targaryens survived the Doom of Valyria when most of their kin perished, one of the few dragonriding families to escape the catastrophe. They settled on Dragonstone and, under Aegon I and his sisters Visenya and Rhaenys, conquered and unified the Seven Kingdoms. Their victory forged the Targaryen dynasty and transferred royal power to the Iron Throne in King’s Landing.

Rule and culture: The dynasty presided over a long era of centralized royal authority and relative stability, producing rulers such as Jaehaerys I and Viserys I. Civil strife, including the Blackfyre Rebellions and the Dance of the Dragons, weakened the line. Over time dragons dwindled and eventually became extinct, a blow to the dynasty’s military prestige and symbol of power.

Fall and exile: The reign of Aerys II, the Mad King, ended with Robert’s Rebellion. The dynasty lost the throne and went into exile in Essos. The line persisted in exile, most notably through Daenerys Targaryen, who hatches three dragons and seeks to reclaim the crown.

Legacy: The Targaryens left a lasting imprint on Westerosi history and myth, with dragons and the motif of fire and blood shaping much of the saga in both literature and media.