HBO Max’s adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood introduced Game of Thrones fans to an earlier generation of Targaryens, which included The Black Queen, Rhaenyra Targaryen, who left her bloody mark in the annals of history. As part of her duties as a royal member of the Targaryen family, Rhaenyra had many children in her lifetime. In her younger years, she showed an aversion to the thought of having children, mainly due to the death of her mother during childbirth. But as she grew older, what little joy she felt in life was thanks to the love she felt for her sons.
In total, Rhaenyra had six children: her first three — Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey — were had legally with Ser Laenor Velaryon, but were explicitly confirmed in House of the Dragon to be biologically Ser Harwin Strong’s children. Rhaenyra had her last three children — Aegon III, Viserys II, and Visenya — with her uncle and husband, Daemon Targaryen. As seen in the Season 1 finale, the deaths of Lucerys and Visenya take a heavy toll on Rhaenyra and begin a war known as the Dance of the Dragons, which ultimately breaks the Targaryen dynasty. As Fire & Blood readers know, however, this is just the beginning of Rhaenyra’s losses.
Updated by Jordan Iacobucci on June 5, 2024: House of the Dragon Season 2 begins on June 16, giving audiences a chance to step back into the world of Westeros as the Dance of the Dragons begins. Lines are drawn between the Greens and the Blacks, as Rhaenyra and Alicent’s factions battle for control of the Iron Throne. Rhaenyra’s children will play a major role in the battle to come, making it extremely important that audiences know each of their characters well before the new season begins.
The Children of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (in birth order)
Name
Father
Jacaerys Velaryon
Harwin Strong
Lucerys Velaryon
Joffrey Velaryon
Aegon III Targaryen
Daemon Targaryen
Viserys II Targaryen
Visenya Targaryen
6Visenya Targaryen’s Life Barely Began
Father
Status In The Show
Age (at death)
Focal Point
Daemon Targaryen
Died due to premature birth and deformity
Stillborn
Rhaenyra suffered early contractions due to the actions of the Greens
The only daughter of Rhaenyra Targaryen, Visenya unfortunately does not have much story to tell in either House of the Dragon or Fire & Blood. After hearing the news that Aegon II had usurped the throne and was named King of Westeros, Rhaenyra went into premature labor that was both long and brutal. In both works, Visenya was stillborn and had dragon-like scales. In the show, Visenya was suffocated by the umbilical cord around her neck, and the book went into further detail about Visenya’s deformities, including a hole in her chest.
In the midst of learning about King Viserys I’s death and Aegon II’s ascent to power, Visenya’s birth is swept under the rug after her funeral. The book details how Rhaenyra furiously blamed the Greens for the death of her only daughter and demanded revenge, which may hopefully be adapted in House of the Dragon Season 2. Visenya’s tragically short existence made her less important to the overall story of the Dance of the Dragons, thus putting her at the bottom of this list, though her death haunted her mother for the rest of her life.
5Joffrey Velaryon Had A Good Heart But Could Make Rash Decisions
Father
Age (Season 2)
Focal Point
Ser Harwin Strong
Alive
12 years old
The heir to Driftmark
Joffrey is the youngest “Velaryon” of Rhaenyra’s children and is named after Laenor’s rumored lover, Joffrey Lonmouth, which was confirmed in the series. Along with his brothers, Joffrey’s parentage remains at large by the Greens, who believe his true father is Harwin Strong. As of the Season 1 finale, Joffrey is officially the heir to Driftmark after Lucerys’ death, but has remained in the background for the most part.
Like the rest of Rhaenyra’s children, Joffrey was a good-hearted lad who only wanted to support his mother in the war, despite his young age. In Fire & Blood, he became heir to the Iron Throne and Prince of Dragonstone after Jacaerys’ death. Joffrey proved to be a good suitor for the titles like his oldest brother was, but his young age made him susceptible to making rash decisions. He ultimately died mounting Syrax against his mother’s wishes, which led to him falling at a great height in Flea Bottom.
4Lucerys Velaryon’s Death Spurred The Civil War
Father
Status In The Show
Age (at death)
Focal Point
Ser Harwin Strong
Killed by Vhagar and Aemond
11 years old
His murder was a delayed revenge for Lucerys cutting out Aemond’s eye
Lucerys is the true definition of a boy gone too soon. Lucerys was the second-born son to Rhaenyra and Harwin (legally Laenor), and was suspected to be Rhaenyra’s favorite child. He remained loyal to his mother’s cause, and showed great bravery when he defended Rhaena Targaryen’s right to mount Vhagar against Aemond Targaryen. The incident led to Lucerys cutting out Aemond’s eye, beginning a long feud between the uncle and nephew.
Soon after King Viserys I’s death, Lucerys was killed when Vhagar and Arrax (Lucerys’ dragon) got into a fight in a storm, which was caused by Aemond. Lucerys is by far the most important of Rhaenyra’s children in terms of the story, as his death catapulted the Targaryens into the conflict later known as the Dance of the Dragons. Yet, his sworn oath to not fight at Storm’s End ultimately cut his life short.
3Viserys II Was Only An Infant But Had a Bright Future
Father
Status In The Show
Age (Season 2)
Focal Point
Daemon Targaryen
Alive
Months Old
Viserys II grew up to be a just and capable ruler
In the show, Viserys II is only an infant, but he lives an eventful life in Fire & Blood. Viserys II is named after his grandfather and is Rhaenyra and Daemon’s second child together. He was said to be thick as thieves with his brother Aegon III, with the pair always seen playing together.
Viserys II would go on to be regarded as one of the better Targaryen kings, even more so than Aegon III. He was intelligent, clever, and had a maturity level that other Targaryens lacked. Tyrion Lannister thought Viserys II would’ve been a better ruler than the nephews he served as Hand of the King. However, he only lasted a little more than a year as King, and many smallfolk believed the crown should’ve rightfully passed to Daena Targaryen — instead of repeating the cycle of overlooking a woman once more.
2Aegon III Was Just a Baby in House of The Dragon Season 1
Father
Status In The Show
Age (Season 2)
Focal Point
Daemon Targaryen
Alive
4 years old
Aegon III was Rhaenyra and Daemon’s first child
Although Viserys II was technically a more suited King, Aegon III made a more lasting impression on Westeros due to his significant presence in the Dance of the Dragons. Like Viserys II, Aegon III hasn’t made a grand impact in Season 1 of House of the Dragon. But if Fire & Blood proves anything, it’s that Aegon III will have a long and difficult journey ahead of him during the war.
The oldest child of Rhaenyra and Daemon, Aegon III was often regarded as a depressing and gloomy man and isn’t remembered fondly. He blamed himself for losing his younger brother (unbeknownst to him that Viserys II was alive) and was emotionally charred after witnessing Rhaenyra’s horrific death. He was ultimately crowned King after the war ended, which some could interpret as a win for the Blacks. His nickname “The Broken King” is quite ironic, considering he tried to keep the peace in a divided Westeros.
1Jacaerys Velaryon Was the Prince of Dragonstone
Father
Status In The Show
Age (Season 2)
Focal Point
Ser Harwin Strong
Alive
16 years old
Jacaerys made important allegiances for the Blacks on his mother’s behalf
Jacaerys Velaryon was Rhaenyra’s first-born child. Compared to his uncle Aegon II, Jacaerys took his duties seriously as heir to the Iron Throne and Prince of Dragonstone. This is displayed through his hard attempts to learn High Valyrian to honor his ancestors, which Rhaenyra took pride in. His responsible and courageous soul proved to be useful in the Dance of the Dragons.
Jacaerys was the first to volunteer to sway more allies for the Blacks after Aegon II took the throne. He rode to different lords and ladies of Westeros where he made political deals on the behalf of his mother and befriended Cregan Stark in Winterfell. Jacaerys also made efforts to reconcile Corlys and Rhaenyra after the death of Rhaenys and arranged to send away his younger brothers to safety. His ultimate death in battle was a terrible one, but he died a hero. His contributions to his mother’s cause made him the most important of all of Rhaenyra’s sons.
