House Of The Dragon: Every Targaryen To Sit The Iron Throne

For all its intricacies and pure depth of story, the tale told in the Game of Thrones TV series simply scratches the surface of the epic Song of Ice and Fire saga. Aside from the main series, George R. R. Martin has released, among others, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, a trilogy of stories revolving around Dunk and Egg, A Word of Ice and Fire, and most recently, Fire and Blood.

'Written' by Archmaester Gyldayn and transcribed by Martin, the latter dives deep into the rich history of House Targaryen, from the moment Aegon began his conquest of Westeros, to the death of King Aegon III 157 years later. While this is just half of the Targaryen's time in Westeros, these years are filled with more than enough dragons, death, deceit, and drama to last a lifetime.

The book will form the basis of Game of Thrones' first spin off TV show, House of the Dragon. Since details surrounding the project are scarce, this is just about all we know. The show may follow the same format as the book and chronicle the entire 157 year time period, or it may focus on one specific event or monarch from the Targaryen dynasty.

Throughout Fire and Blood, the time of eight monarchs are detailed, each with their own distinctly different reign upon the Iron Throne, and each as compelling as the last.

After fleeing Valyria before the Doom burnt the city to the ground, the Targaryens made the small island of Dragonstone their home. A century later, atop Balerion the Black Dread, the most fearsome dragon ever to take to the skies, Aegon conquered Westeros.

Visenya and Rhaenys, the future King's sisters and wives, flew beside their brother upon Vhagar and Meraxes respectively. In a time when the Seven Kingdoms were actually seven kingdoms, the Conqueror set to the task of uniting them all under his own rule. At little more than the sight of the Targaryens and their beasts, six Kings bent the knee.

Dorne, however, stood strong against the invader, and waged war against the Dragon and his sisters. While Visenya headed North, Rhaenys flew south with Meraxes to bring Dorne within the new united kingdoms. Though it was difficult to kill a dragon, it was not impossible. Meraxes was shot out of the sky, dying upon impact on the ground, taking her rider with her.

After the death of his sister, the King of Westeros signed a treaty with Dorne, allowing her to remain a separate body, settling for just the six kingdoms to rule over. Aegon I Targaryen reigned as King for 37 mostly peaceful years before he died of a stroke. Leaving a legacy of two sons, one by each sister, the crown fell to the eldest upon the Conqueror's death, his child by his sister, Rhaenys.