In Targaryen history, Princess Rhaenyra is arguably one of the most exciting storylines in George R.R. Martin’s Fire and Blood book.
Rhaenyra was never in line to become heir to the Iron Throne despite being the eldest true-born child of King Viserys.
Nevertheless, as there were no male heirs, King Viserys named her the Princess of Dragonstone.
Rhaenyra marries twice in her lifetime: Her first marriage is to Ser Laenor Velaryon and Daemon Targaryen (her own uncle).
She gave birth to six children from these two marriages: three Velaryon sons, two Targaryen sons, and one Targaryen daughter.
As the HOTD second season continues, her children will increasingly become key players in the Dance of the Dragons.
That being said, let’s know more about her children.
Jacaerys Velaryon
Jacaerys Velaryon is the firstborn of Ser Laenor and Rhaenyra, born in 114 AC.
Jace was named after his grandfather, Corlys Velaryon.
Each of Rhaenyra’s sons received a dragon egg in the cradle, and Jace’s dragon was named Vermax.
Jace made his tragic end at the Battle of Gullet when he flew Vermax too low and was struck by multiple crossbow bolts, resulting in his death.
Lucerys Velaryon
Rhaenyra’s second son, Luke, was only five when his father died.
His most notable childhood incident was cutting out his uncle Aemond’s eye with a knife during a fight.
Just like Jace, he often defended himself against accusations of illegitimacy.
Aemond later killed Luke and his dragon, Arrax, in a fight.
This devasted Rhaenyra, transforming the Dance of the Dragons from a diplomatic dispute into a full-scale war.
Joffrey Velaryon
Joffery’s life was a little tragic.
When his father, Laenor, died, he was only three. From the moment he could talk, he expressed his desire to win the Dance of the Dragons for his beloved mother. He claimed the dragon Treaxes.
After Jace’s death, Rhaenyra became terrified of losing her third son.
Despite her pleas, Joffrey defied her wishes and mounted the dragon Syrax. He fell to his death when the dragon bucked him off; he was only 13.
Aegon Targaryen
After Laenor’s death, Rhaenyra remarried her uncle Daemon. Their first son, Aegon III, was named after Aegon the Conqueror.
Too young to fight in the Dance of the Dragons, Aegon was only ten when the war ended, leaving most of his family dead.
Aegon grew into a sad and haunted man, scarred by his grim upbringing.
Witnessing his mother devoured by a dragon instilled in him a lifelong hatred of creatures.
The last dragon died during his reign, earning him the nickname Aegon the Dragonbane.
He died at 36, though many believed he appeared much older due to the hardships of his youth.
Viserys Targaryen
Named after his grandfather and great-uncle, Viserys was considered more clever and balanced than his elder brother Aegon III. Many saw him as the true intellect behind Aegon III’s rule.
Viserys maintained his role on the small council during the reigns of Aegon III’s sons. Upon their deaths, he inherited the Iron Throne at 49, but his reign lasted only a year.
Despite implementing policy changes that garnered public trust, he faced accusations of poisoning Aegon’s youngest son to seize power.
Viserys died at 50 from an unnamed illness.
Visenya Targaryen
Visenya, the only daughter of Rhaenyra, was tragically stillborn.
Rhaenyra endured a grueling three-day labor, seemingly triggered by the news of her father’s death and her half-brother Aegon III seizing the throne.
The famed court jester Mushroom claimed that Rhaenyra cursed the infant due to the labor possibly causing stillbirth.
Visenya‘s death likely deepened Rhaenyra’s resolve for vengeance.
Summary
All six of Rhaenyra’s kids suffered tragic events. Three died in the war, while two went on to rule the Seven Kingdoms, and one never truly lived.
Only one made it to adulthood but wished he hadn’t.
