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

Though Viserys had appointed his only surviving daughter as his heir to the Iron Throne, Rhaenyra was away on Dragonstone when the King passed. This allowed Queen Alicent Hightower to crown her son King Aegon, second of his name, before the Princess of Dragonstone even knew her father was dead.

Since it was no secret Aegon II was not Viserys' lawful heir, the Conqueror's namesake worked to bring a number of great houses onto his side. The Lannisters, Hightowers, and Baratheons all stood by their new King as his half-sister Rhaenyra prepared to fight for the crown that was rightfully hers.

While in battle upon his dragon Sunfyre above Rook's Rest, Aegon suffered horrific burns to his body, so bad as to melt his armour to his skin, and broke many bones in his body. The King was bedridden, limited in movement and mind by milk of the poppy, and unable to rule. His younger brother Aemond took up the fight for his King.

Just one year after Aegon II's coronation in the Dragonpit, Rhaenyra and her forces stormed King's Landing. Though she was successful in taking the city, and the Iron Throne, Aegon II had been smuggled out of the city and out of sight. While his half-sister ascended to the throne, the King escaped in disguise to Dragonstone.