House of the Dragon
Summary
No firedrake was ever as elephantine or as legendary asGame of Thrones ’ Balerion the Black Dread — and prior toHouse of the Dragon , the ill-famed wildcat had several dragonriders . see back since Aegon ’s Conquest , Balerion was the only dragon to have get from Old Valyria to Westeros when House Targaryen migrate to Dragonstone years prior to the Doom . But as iconic and magnificent as Balerion was in Westeros ’ account , the Black Dread has always only ever been cognise on - screen as the dark gigantic skull in the Red Keep sport in bothGame of Thronesand its spinoff prequel , House of the Dragon .
Although many viewers expected to get a glance of Balerion in the scales and in action , House of the Dragonunfortunately come along to be define too late to show him in his full glory , despite having the dragon ’s last rider as one of the main characters in season 1 . While it ’s a disgrace thatHouse of the Dragondidn’t admit Balerion ’s greatness(not even as a flashback ) , it ’s still lucky for audiences that George R. R. Martin’sA Song of Ice and Fireuniverse contains encompassing traditional knowledge on Balerion ’s adventures with his riders throughout Targaryen history . Here ’s all of Balerion the Black Dread ’s known dragonriders and what happened to them .
Including Jon Snow and the Conqueror , there are 11 known characters named Aegon Targaryen in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon ’s story .
Aegon The Conqueror (Aegon I Targaryen)
Became Aegon’s Mount During The Century Of Blood
Balerion ’s first rider was none other than Lord Aegon Targaryen , most wide known as Aegon the Conqueror . Aegon claimed Balerion as his setting prior to his marriage to his sisters , Visenya and Rhaenys . According toFire and Blood , Aegon ’s interest towards Westeros begin after he and Balerion aid Tyrosh and Pentos in destroying the Volantene fleet poised to overrun Lys during the warfare of the Disputed Lands . Although Aegon ’s initial motivation via lore was aspiration and index , House of the Dragonmakes him a dragon dreamer , which alters this tale . Becomingthe Song of Ice and Fire prophecy ’s blood line , Aegon ’s Conquest transforms from a powerfulness - snatch into a noble pursuit .
Aegon set about his conquest at the mouth of Blackwater Bay , show his wooden haunt , Aegonfort ( the site where the Red Keep is built ) where Visenya crowned him and Rhaenys declared him as King of the Seven Kingdoms . From there , Aegon and his sis - wives took area after domain , visit the Westerosi lords and mogul on dragonback and demanding they bend the genu . While most of them acquiesce instantly in the nerve of fire - breathe dragons , there were others too stubborn and majestic that chose to burn off than to bear .
The most fatal fight at this stage in the history of Westeros was the Field of Fire where Aegon and Balerion ( along with Vhagar and Meraxes , Visenya and Rhaenys ' dragons , respectively ) annihilated the armies of the Reach and the Rock .
Such was theunfortunate destiny of Harren Hoare , Lord of Harrenhal , who die out sunburn inside his own keep good manners of Balerion ’s opprobrious flames . When Harrenhal fell , Aegon made ready of the nation and gathered the necessary support for his claim . The most notable oath of allegiance come from King Torren Stark of the North ( the King Who Knelt ) .
The most black struggle at this full point in the story of Westeros was the Field of Fire where Aegon and Balerion ( along with Vhagar and Meraxes , Visenya and Rhaenys ' dragon , respectively ) eradicate the U. S. Army of the Reach and the Rock . Dorne was the only kingdom to remain self-governing after the conquest — however , they did suffer significant losses before they were result alone .
After his groovy conquest , Aegon and his sister - wives focused on rebuilding Westeros in their own persona . Construction for the Red Keep ensue , and yearly six - calendar month regal progresses were carried out as campaign to thwart any budding rebellions . Aegon and Balerionoften conduce these campaigns , fly hybrid - body politic for diplomatical sojourn and parade the strength of House Targaryen for the smallfolk to see and the Godhead to reverence . The latter part of Aegon ’s sovereignty was peaceful and prosperous , so much so that he die of a throw at sixty - four rather than in battle . Aegon was cremated by Visenya ’s Draco , Vhagar , along with his Valyrian brand sword , Blackfyre .
Taking place about 172 years before the events ofGame of Thrones,House of the Dragontells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.
From reproduction and history to how they equip into the last time of year of Game of Thrones , here ’s all you ask to know about dragon .
Maegor The Cruel (Maegor I Targaryen)
The Son Of Aegon The Conqueror Inherited Balerion
After Aegon ’s death , his son with Visenya , Maegor , claim Balerion as his mount . Maegor had long in demand Balerion , so much that he lay claim no dragon on Dragonstone ( despite there being a few ) due to his resolution that none were desirable of him . Growing up , Maegor was a unassailable boy who quickly became an adept scrapper — however , he had a penchant for fierceness and was dead - tempered . As an grownup , Maegor became a successfully brutal military human beings ; havingwarred in the Stepstones against literary pirate , defeated three Kingsguard knights in a tourney , foiled the Giant of the Trident ( a renowned robber horse ) , and even end Jonos Arryn ’s uprising in the Eyrie .
As the vernal son of King Aegon I , Maegor was but a spare heir to his father ’s firstborn son , Aenys . Upon Aegon the Uncrowned ’s ( Maegor ’s nephew ) birth , Maegor was no longer in the direct line to the Iron Throne , yet this did n’t stop him from claiming it after his buddy ’s death . Notoriously known ( and exiled ) for being polygamous , Maegor had six Queens : Ceryse Hightower , Alys Harroway , Tyanna of the Tower , and the Black Brides : Elinor Costayne , Jeyne Westerling , and his niece , Rhaena Targaryen . And yet , not a single one of his St. Bridget bore him children , which squeeze him to name Aerea ( Rhaena ’s firstborn girl ) as his successor .
Maegor and Balerion kill Aegon the Uncrowned and his dragon , Quicksilver , in the Battle Beneath The God ’s Eye ; dispatching the Faith ’s preferable milkweed butterfly .
Given that Maegor ’s kingship was technically illicit and his alternative of multiple marriage spurnedthe Hightowers of Oldtown , the Faith , and the High Sept , Maegor ’s reign ’s greatest challenge became the Faith Militant . Maegor and Balerion burned many a battleground against the Faith , razing everything in their wake ( admit the Sept of Remembrance ) which earned him the moniker Maegor the Cruel . The tyrant king lived his life sacredly , guided by his house quarrel : attack and blood . In 43 AC , Maegor and Balerion killed Aegon the Uncrowned and his dragon , Quicksilver , in the Battle Beneath The God ’s Eye ; send off the Faith ’s preferred monarch .
Maegor ’s reign live on six years and six days . In 48 AC , another claimant to the Iron Throne had rise : Prince Jaehaerys ( Aegon and Rhaena ’s younger brother ) , who became the hope of the realm . Battered from Maegor ’s oppressive sovereignty , the realm abandon its king , with Maegor ’s last orders accrue on indifferent ears . Maegor ’s bannermen and Kingsguard desert him in party favour of the young Jaehaerys . While Maegor never did surrender , he die on the Iron Throne with wrists slice and robe covered in blood . Not a psyche knows how he died , only that he was find by his wife , Elinor . Balerion , upon Maegor ’s last , render to Dragonstone to await a new rider .
Those who delight House of the Dragon should in spades educate themselves about some of import component of dragon lore .
Princess Aerea Targaryen
The Most Tragic Of All Balerion’s Riders
Princess Aerea Targaryen was the daughter of Aegon the Uncrowned and Princess Rhaena ( Maegor ’s Black Bride ) , as well as , the niece of King Jaehaerys I ( Eve Best ’s Princess Rhaenysand Paddy Considine ’s King Viserys ’ grandsire . ) The shy Aerea had a twin baby , the lively Rhaella Targaryen , who was rumor to have switch places during her visit to Oldtown for Jaehaerys ’ coronation .
Since then , Aerea ’s personality shifted into that of her sis , Rhaella ; a bolder rendering of herself who returned to King ’s landing place . In 54 AC , after moving to Dragonstone with Rhaena ( her mother ) , Aerea claimed Balerion as her flying lizard one dawn and go away for more than a year .
Balerion became the first occupier of Maegor ’s finish Dragonpit .
Jaehaerys rate several search parties to abrade the kingdom , and even Rhaena mounted her dragon , Dreamfyre , in hunt of her girl , but to no avail . They never find Aerea and eventually presume her numb . It was n’t until 56 AC when Aerea , misshapen and ill , returned cling to Balerion ’s back , who was also offend .
It ’s said that Balerion had hold Aerea topost - Doom Old Valyriawhere she contracted a dire fever ( and an unknown creature in her hide ) that was unlike anything ever control in Westeros before . Aerea died in pain and was n’t seen by anyone except Septon Barth , who cremated her . Meanwhile , Balerion became the first resident of Maegor ’s finished Dragonpit .
House of the Dragon lives up to its name sport mickle of the titular beasts . Here ’s a ended lean of every tartar in the unexampled show explicate .
Viserys The Peaceful (Viserys I Targaryen)
Balerion’s Final Rider Was A Noble Leader
Balerion remain riderless after Aerea for a foresightful clip , with flying dragon keepers discouraging young Targaryens from take the sometime wildcat . Yet Balerion was claimed one last prison term in 93 AC by Viserys Targaryen . At this point Balerion was about 200 - year - old , which made him difficult to ignite . Viserys and Balerion circled King ’s Landing thrice for their first flight . Balerion become flat in 94 AC , shy of a yr afterHouse of the Dragon ’s Viserys Targaryenclaimed him .
Viserys never claimed another dragon after Balerion . After the Great Council of 101 AC , Viserys became King of the Seven Kingdoms . Dubbed as Viserys the Peaceful , theHouse of the Dragonmonarch led a prosperous and mostly conflict - free reign . But due to his want of willfulness , Viserys inadvertently planted the ejaculate to the dandy bloodbath of House Targaryen , called the Dance of the Dragons .
Has Any Dragon Neared Balerion In Size?
Few Dragons In The History Of Westeros Have Come Close To Matching Balerion
It ’s found in bothHouse of the DragonandGame of Thronesthat Balerion was a flying lizard of fabled size , though many TV audience and readers likewise have wondered if the brute ridden by both Aegon the Conqueror and Viserys the Peaceful was the turgid ever seen?So far , George R.R. Martin has yet to infix a dragon that ’s bigger than Balerion , and he remains the enceinte dragon inGame of ThronesorHouse of the Dragon . Both show do admit or reference someincredibly large dragons that almost match Balerion ’s size .
For comparison , Drogon had a wingspread of 59 meter compare to Balrerion ’s 105 .
For representative , Meraxes ( the dragon ridden by Aegon I ’s sisters ) and Vhagar ( also sit by Aegon the Conqueror ’s baby - married woman ) total close to the size of Balerion during their later yr , but still did n’t match him . However , the tartar interpret in the shows — such as Caraxes and Meleys inHouse of the Dragon , or Daenerys ' most horrific dragon inGame of Thrones , Drogon — were nowhere near the sizing of Balerion . For comparison , Drogon had a wingspread of 59 metre compared to Balerion ’s 105 . While there have been some impressively large dragons inGame of ThronesandHouse of the Dragon , none of them were as vast as the behemoth Balerion .
Your Rating
Your comment has not been save
Cast
hire place about 172 year before the consequence ofGame of Thrones , House of the Dragontells the narrative of the ascent of the Targaryens , the only kinsfolk of dragonlords to subsist the Doom of Valyria . The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were supersede by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke , who act as the older version of the character . Also star in the serial is Matt Smith ( Prince Daemon Targaryen ) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra ’s beginner , King Viserys Targaryen .
