Game of Thrones: A few facts about Targaryens to recap before prequel

Game Of Thrones is one of the most-anticipated series with a fan following all over the world. HBO has announced a new prequel of the show named House of The Dragons. According to HBO, the show is set 300 years before the event of Game of Thrones and tells the story of House Targaryen. It talks of the first King of Westeros, Aegon the Conquerer. The book, released in 2018 by George R R Martin has reportedly also been given a 10-episode order by HBO. 

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Facts about House Targaryen

House Targaryen, considered the central house in Game of Thrones, have been rulers of Westeros for nearly 300 years. Aegon the Conquerer established the Iron Throne and started the Targaryen dynasty. With a motto of "Fire and Blood", the House was accepted as the natural ruler. 

While the television series does not depict Targaryens in true light, the books give a deeper understanding of the House. As Danaerys mentions that she belongs to Old Valyria, House Targaryen originally was one of the dragonlord families from Old Valyria. According to the books, the people of this place is known for its purplish eyes and silver hair. 

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Mad or Great

The header Mad or Great goes due to the saying in the books and mentioned maybe once in the series, that the Gods flipped a coin every time a Targaryen was born. The coin landed on either one of the sides, mad or great. The qualities - both mad and great can be witnessed throughout the series and the books. While the House of Dragons is yet to explore the history of the House Targaryen, the Targaryens that are currently seen in the series certainly can be called either mad or great. Aerys, obviously considered mad. While Rhaegar was called great, Dany has a little of both the qualities, as witnessed. Jon Snow, on the other hand, can be without a doubt called great. 

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Dragon rulers

While, according to the series, the Targaryens are the only known people who can control the dragons, originally, they were not the only House to have control over Dragons. Some other noble Houses from Valyria - the Valeryon, the Belaerys, and the Celtigar also had dragons. The Targaryen is the only House, however, currently in the series that has dragons. Aegon and Daenerys conquered the Kingdom with three dragons.

The Rebellion

The Targaryen dynasty, while considered the true heir to the Iron Throne, ended with Robert Baratheon's rebellion. Aerys Targaryen, more commonly referred to as the Mad King was the last Targaryen to sit on the Iron Throne. Considered to be decent at first, Aerys grew mad and became paranoid over time. The insanity depicted by Aerys was the central reason for the fall of the House. Robert Baratheon, with the help of House Lannister, took over the Iron Throne making Robert the King. According to the books, Ser Jaime Lannister who was the Kingsguard killed the Mad King by striking him, earning him the name "Kingslayer." Robert Baratheon defeated Rhaegar Targaryen in single combat and took the throne for himself.

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