HBO’s House of the Dragon is bringing Game of Thrones’ Targaryens into the limelight once again, but the prequel only covers one area of the huge Targaryen family tree. While Game of Thrones mostly focused on House Stark as the protagonists, the family’s most compelling dynamic was its record with House Targaryen, who ruled on the Iron Throne for three centuries. By the end of Game of Thrones, it became clear that the overarching competition was based on the history and connections between House Stark and House Targaryen.
DeviantArtist user Maryon B.’s work is a brilliant take on the complex, once-mighty dynasty of the Targaryens that doubles as a handy reminder of just where Jon Snow fits into all of this (click here for the full-size version):
Game of Thrones started when the Targaryen family had finally been unseated after three centuries on the Iron Throne, with only two heirs, Danaerys and Viserys, staying to claim their birthright. Despite this, House Targaryen’s history and power never waned in importance for Westeros, as the heritage of the many kings that came before weighed heavily on the strategies and choices made by the prominent houses while playing the titular game of thrones. Throughout the entire history of Westeros, one statement about the Targaryens would never fade: “Every time a new Targaryen is born, the gods flip a coin.” Westeros knew the reign of many Targaryen kings and queens, with too many being divided by fury and destruction or peace and greatness.
