What the Targaryen Bloodline Chart Tracks and Why It Matters
The Targaryen bloodline chart maps descendants, marriages, and claims to the Iron Throne across three centuries. This guide explains major branches, inheritance customs, and how bastardy, regency, and exile reshape recorded lineage. It focuses on historically attested relationships in A Song of Ice and Fire and verified show materials, distinguishing confirmed facts from speculation. Use this as a durable reference for house structure, succession rules, and key figures such as Aegon I, Visenya, Rhaenys, and their direct heirs.
House Targaryen Lineage Overview
House Targaryen originates from Valyria and survives the Doom by relocating to Dragonstone. The lineage is traced through male and female lines, with succession customs favoring male-preference primogeniture before being supplemented by formal laws. The following table summarizes core facts about the house’s foundation and recorded status across media and continuity considerations.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| House Origin | Valyrian Freehold, Dragonstone exile post-Doom | Show, ASoIaF worldbuilding |
| Founder (Traditional) | Aenar Targaryen (the Exile) | Lore compendiums, Dunk & Egg novellas |
| Succession Preference | Male-preference primogeniture, formalized by Maegor | Show, World of Ice and Fire |
| Key Bastardy Rule | Children inherit the father’s designated house if legitimized | ASoIaF appendices, Dunk & Egg stories |
| Primary Status in Narrative | Deposed royal house in exile with succession disputes | GoT show; ASoIaF text |
Valyrian Foundations to Exile
Before the Doom, the Targaryens are one of forty dragonlord families in Valyria. Aenar Targaryen leads the migration to Dragonstone, establishing a geographically separate branch that survives the cataclysm. Relationships within this founding cohort are explicitly specified in both in-world texts and show dialogue, forming the trunk of the Targaryen family tree.
Formal Succession Customs
Maegor the Cruel’s formalization of succession favored males over females when crowns were contested. Later, Jaehaerys I and Visenya establish the Great Council to mediate claims when the line splits. These mechanisms influence how the bloodline chart is interpreted, especially for female heirs and distant relatives.
Core Branches and Major Figures
The main branches stem from Aegon I’s siblings and offspring. Visenya and Rhaenys establish distinct direct lines, while Aegon’s other children form the core royal succession. The following table concisely captures key figures, their branch roles, and their verifiable connections.
| Figure | Branch Role | Notable Relationships | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aegon I Targaryen | Founder, primary dynasty root | Sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys; son Aenys I | Show, ASoIaF |
| Visenya | Direct matrilineal ancestor | Wife of Aegon I; rider of Vhagar | Show, Dunk & Egg |
| Rhaenys | Direct matrilineal ancestor (dropped line) | Wife of Aegon I; rider of Meraxes | Show, ASoIaF |
| Jaehaerys I | Consolidator, long reign | Marriage to Alysanne; peaceful succession | Show, Dunk & Egg |
| Maegor I | Controversial succession enforcer | Multiple wives; conflict with Faith Militant | ASoIaF, show |
| Daenerys Targaryen | Modern claimant exiled in Essos | Khal Drogo; siblings Viserys, Rhaella | Show, ASoIaF |
Principal Branches Illustrated
- Direct male line: Aegon I → Aenys I → Jaehaerys I and onward through established succession.
- Visenya’s line: Often merged back into the main succession due to her status as queen consort and shared dragonriding legacy.
- Rhaenys’s line: Initially prominent but appears to fade in later succession due to the male-preference customs and lack of sustained heirs claiming the throne.
Inheritance, Bastardy, and Succession Rules
Targaryen succession leans on male-preference primogeniture, yet flexibility emerges through legitimization. Children born outside wedlock can be taken into the house and inherit if formally acknowledged, as seen with certain bastards in the lineage. Regional customs, royal decrees, and political necessity further influence who is deemed rightful heir.
Bastardy and Legitimization
Bastards are not automatically excluded; they may be legitimized by decree and assume house names. The mechanism is repeatable and documented across multiple cases, demonstrating that the bloodline chart must account for both formal and recognized informal branches.
Claims, Pretenders, and Consolidation
After Robert’s Rebellion, claimants and purported heirs proliferate. The Great Council and subsequent political maneuvers determine which branches retain credible succession rights. Maegor’s precedent and Jaehaerys’ compact serve as recurring references whenever legitimacy is contested.
Geographic and Political Context
Exile on Dragonstone positions the Targaryens apart from mainland Westerosi politics, allowing distinct customs to form. Their return and interaction with other houses generate marriages, alliances, and conflicts that are mirrored in the bloodline chart. Tracking these linkages clarifies regional power dynamics and succession vulnerabilities.
Marriage Alliances and Fealty Shifts
Strategic marriages, such as those with Martell and other houses, embed the Targaryens into broader networks. The breaking of these ties after the Rebellion alters the perceived continuity of the lineage and reshapes the chart’s outer branches.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
Not every person carrying the Targaryen surname is automatically central to succession; proximity to the main line and recognition by authorities matter. Equally, gender alone does not disqualify a claimant under the formalized rules, though practice often skews outcomes. The chart should be read alongside legal precedent and documented decisions rather than assumed patterns.
Myth vs. Mechanism
- Myth: Females can never inherit. Mechanism: Male-preference allows female inheritance in the absence of eligible males, notably discussed during the Dance and in later claims.
- Myth: All Targaryens are automatically rightful heirs. Mechanism: Legitimacy, recognition, and adherence to succession law determine viable claims.
- Myth: Incest is required to maintain the line. Mechanism: Marriages with other houses are common and strategically significant.
Conclusion and How to Use This Chart
The Targaryen bloodline chart is a practical tool for tracking lineage, claims, and inheritance logic. It is most useful when paired with primary sources and consistent notation of bastardy, legitimization, and political recognition. Treat it as a living reference: as new interpretations emerge and as the canon expands across books and shows, update relationships and branches accordingly while maintaining transparent sourcing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is succession decided if there are no male heirs? Succession moves to available females under male-preference primogeniture, formalized by councils when necessary.
- Can bastards inherit house status? Yes, if legitimized by an authoritative figure or council decree.
- What role does the Great Council play? It mediates disputed claims and establishes legitimate heirs when the line is fragmented.
- Are show and book lineages fully aligned? Core relationships align, but some nuances and minor branches differ between mediums.
- How should I update the chart over time? Incorporate verified canon expansions and clearly distinguish between confirmed facts and speculative interpretations.