House Of The Dragon, the GoT prequel series, has begun production and is so far set for a 2022 release. The story will follow the fortunes of the House of Targaryen through Dance of the Dragons, a civil war that followed the death of Viserys I.
During the May 2021 celebration of Game of Thrones’ 10-year anniversary, HBO released a few images and the announcement of a release window sometime in 2022. Here’s a look at some of the key points in The Dance of Dragons.
10 It Takes Place Three Hundred Years Prior To The Events Of GoT
The war takes place between 129 AC (or the 129th year after Aegon’s crowning in Oldtown) and 131 AC, about three centuries before the start of Game of Thrones. House Targaryen rules the Seven Kingdoms. Viserys I, a dragonrider, was the fifth Targaryen king on the Iron Throne, and his reign was generally peaceful and prosperous throughout the Seven Kingdoms. The civil war pitted Aegon II and his half-sister Rhaenyra (played by Emma D’Arcy) against each other after his death. The story is chronicled in George R.R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood.
9 Viserys I Favored Rhaenyra To Succeed Him
Of three children born to King Viserys I (Paddy Considine) and Queen Aemma Arryn, only Princess Rhaenyra survived. She was doted on by her father and trained to succeed the throne. Beginning as a young girl, Princess Rhaenyra was educated in matters like diplomacy and affairs of the state and was even allowed to join in council meetings on some occasions. This didn’t go unnoticed by the nobles from other houses, and many began to align themselves with her as she grew to become a young woman.
8 Viserys’ Second Marriage Would Prove Crucial
Queen Aemma died in 105 AC, and Viserys officially named Rhaenyra as his heir, a fact that was widely acknowledged. But, in 106 AC, he remarried. The new Queen was Alicent Hightower, and the couple would have four more children: Aegon, Helaena, Aemond, and Daeron. In true Westeros fashion, Aegon married his sister Helaena. Despite Aegon’s ambitions, Viserys I would continue to support Rhaenyra’s claim to his death.
7 By Viserys I Death, The Council Was Already Split
Viserys I died in 129 AC, and by his death, the Council was already divided in its support between Princess Rhaenyra and the future Aegon II – the greens and the blacks. Viserys’s declaration of Rhaenyra’s claim to the throne ignored previous divisive disputes over the succession of King Jaehaerys, his father.
After an extended dispute, Lord Lyman Beesbury, the master of coin, is killed by Ser Criston – a former champion of the Princess who turned against her. With the council now green, the ravens are sent out to anyone loyal to Aegon.
6 Aegon II Seized Power First
The future king’s brother, Prince Aemond, betrothed himself to one of the daughters of Lord Borros Baratheon to ensure the allegiance of the House of Baratheon, and a week after Viserys I death, Aegon hurriedly prepared for his coronation at the Dragonpit. Ser Criston Cole crowned Aegon, with the queen mother Alicent Hightower crowning Helaena, her daughter and the new queen, as Aegon’s wife. However, Ser Steffon Darklyn of the Kingsguard had stolen the crown of Viserys I.
5 The War Led To The End Of Dragons…Until Dany
It was the only conflict where dragons existed on both sides. Prince Aemond and his huge dragon Vhagar killed Arrax and Lucerys, Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon’s son, at The Dance over Shipbreaker Bay. Rhaenys and her dragon, Meleys, are killed in a titanic battle between Meleys, Sunfyre, and Vhagar 1,000 feet in the air. By the end of the war, there were so few dragons that they went extinct, right up until the Mother Of Dragons Daenerys Targaryen came along 300 years later.
4 The Great Houses Of Westeros And Other Powerful Players Became Embroiled In The Conflict
The great houses of Westeros took sides, either green or black, with many shifting their allegiance over the course of the war. The Starks took the Princess’s side, honoring an agreement with her father.
Ser Tyland Lannister quickly took up a position against the Princess, claiming that the oaths taken on Queen Aemma’s death had essentially been made too far in the past to still be valid. Rhaenyra had married her uncle, Prince Daemon Targaryen, and Ser Otto Hightower and others felt he would be the real power on the Iron Throne.
3 Rhaenyra Has Her Turn On The Iron Throne
Princess Rhaenyra was on Dragonstone when her father died, and she only learned about Prince Aegon’s power grab from a distance. She had fewer allies, but more dragons. As the conflict drew on, Aegon II saw his support slip among the nobles. The Princess would briefly take the Iron Throne after her forces took King’s Landing. There was time to exact revenge on Ser Tyland Lannister and others, and in an incident called The Butcher’s Ball, where a force of hundreds of greens was routed.
2 The Dragonseeds Were Called Into Service
Prince Jacaerys Velaryon was Queen Rhaenrya’s firstborn son. At one point, there were six dragons without riders on Dragonstone, and he sent out a call for the dragonseeds – the name used for bastards of House Targaryen as well as House Velaryon – since only those in the bloodline could ride dragons. Knighthood was promised to any dragonseed who could learn to ride one. Several were injured and a few killed, but four succeeded – including Nettles, who would also become Daemon’s lover, and have to flee on her dragon Sheepstealer.
1 The Civil War Changed Succession Practices In Westeros
After feeding his half-sister Rhaenyra to the dying dragon Sunfyre, Aegon II was only able to enjoy his rule for about six months. The civil war droned on, and ended with the coronation of Aegon III, Rhaenyra’s son, although he was only a child, and had to endure years under a regent before he could rule on his own. A more lasting effect would be felt in the future succession practices of the Targaryen clan, which would favor male heirs over female from that time forward.
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