This article contains spoilers for George R.R. Martin’sFire & Blood.
Summary
Visenya Targaryen is one of the most important characters inGame of Throneshistory, even though she has never appeared in any of the HBO shows based on George R.R. Martin’sA Song of Ice and Firenovels. AlthoughGame of ThronesandHouse of the Dragonboth cover very agitated moments such as the War of the Five Kings andthe Dance of the Dragons, the history of Westeros begins way before the likes of Daenerys or Rhaenyra were born.The Targaryen lineage in Westerosin particular goes back to Aegon the Conqueror and his sisters.
Aegon’s Conquestis arguably the most important event in Westeros' history, at least from the perspective of those who were born in a unified kingdom whose rulers sit on an Iron Throne. Even the way the years and eras are measured inASOIAF– before and after the Conquest – are tied to Aegon I. Although the term “Aegon the Conqueror” became quite popular both in-universe and among fans of the source material,the swords that make for the Iron Throne were not all burned by Aegon and his dragon.His sister-wives were also essential in establishing his rule.
Visenya Targaryen Was One Of Aegon The Conqueror’s Sister-Wives
Visenya was Aerion Targaryen and Valaena Velaryon’s firsborn.
Born in Dragonstone,Visenya Targaryen was the older sister of Aegon and Rhaenys.In true Targaryen fashion, Visenya married her brother, Aegon. However, Aegon decided to take on a second wife, which was a surprising move even for a Targaryen. Aegon married his younger sister, Rhaenys, shortly after taking Visenya as his first wife. One famous belief inA Song of Ice and Fireis that Aegon married Visenya out of duty and Rhaenys out of desire. Visenya was trained as a warrior from a very young age and eventually became a dragonrider.
Visenya carried the Dark Sister sword, which, inHouse of the Dragon, is wielded by Daemon Targaryen
Visenya claimed Vhagar, a massive dragon that would bring terror to Westeros alongside Rhaenys’ Meraxes and Aegon’s Balerion.George R.R. Martin’sFire & Bloodmentions reports of Visenya and Aegon visiting Westeros, particularly Oldtown, before the Conquest. This added to the perception that Aegon was already quite familiar with Westeros by the time he and his sisters started to conquer the country.Visenya’s relationship with Aegon was a turbulent one, both before and after Rhaenys died. That said, Visenya was instrumental in the Conquest and the reigns of Aegon I, Aenys I, and Maegor I.
Visenya’s Appearance & Personality
Visenya was a dragonrider trained in combat.
Fire & Blooddescribes Visenya as having long silver hair, similar to most Targaryens and Velaryons in the world ofA Song of Ice and Fire. Her hair was usually braided, which is also quite common among Targaryens with long hair. In the books, Visenya and many of theTargaryens had purple eyes. In HBO’sGame of ThronesandHouse of the Dragon, however, this particular aspect of the books was not adapted. Visenya could be quite ruthless and pragmatic, two attributes that helped her secure multiple victories during the Conquest.
Visenya’s Role In Aegon’s Conquest
Visenya secured Aegon several victories, including the Vale.
Visenya was essential in Aegon’s conquest of Westeros. Starting with the burning of House Stokeworth’s castle, Visenya sent a clear message to the lords and kings of Westeros – she and her siblings were willing to use their dragons against those who would not bend their knees. Following the coronation of Aegon I as King of Westeros, in which Visenya took part by placing the crown on her brother-husband’s head,the now Queen Visenya continued her quest across the country.Queen Visenya claimed a lot of castles and burned others while riding Vhagar.
King of the North
King of Mountain and Vale
King of the Rock
King of the Isles and the Rivers
King of the Reach
Meria Martell
Princess of Dorne
Conquering the Vale was arguably Visenya’s most important feat during the Conquest, but it happened in a rather unusual way. The Arryn fleet had secured a major victory against Aegon’s army by sinking a significant portion of the Targaryen fleet. In response, Visenya had Vhagar burn all of their ships. She would then fly over the Eyrie to let everybody know that the“impregnatable castle”would not be of much use against a dragon that could fly above it. Ronnel Arryn, the boy king ruling the Vale, would then ask to ride the dragon himself, which happened after his mother bent the knee.
What Happened To Visenya After Aegon’s Conquest & When She Died
Visenya helped Aegon rule and later backed up her son’s claim.
Although Aegon earned his “conqueror” title, the actual ruling of Westeros was often delegated to his council and queens. Tensions between Aegon and Visenya would increase after the death of Rhaenys in the Dornish War, which had been going on for years. WhileAegon and his sisters took over most of Westeros relatively easily–Torrhen Stark bent the kneeto them before any swords or dragons were used, for example – Dorne was a much more complicated situation. The Dornish War continued until 13 AC, with Rhaenys dying three years before that.
Aenys had a daughter, Rhaena, raising the question of whether his successor should be his brother Maegor or the girl.
Rhaenys left a son, Aenys, who was Aegon’s firstbornand heir to the throne. Despite rumors about Visenya not being able to have a child, she eventually gave birth to Maegor. Aegon’s immediate succession was clear – Aenys was going to inherit the throne – but what would come after that was tricky. Aenys had a daughter, Rhaena, raising the question of whether his successor should be his brother Maegor or the girl. A similar question would be the inception of the Dance of the Dragons a few generations later.
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Predicting that conflict could be born out of whether Rhaena or Maegor should succeed Aenys, Visenya proposed a marriage between them. However, it did not work out. Rhaena eventually married her younger brother, Aegon. In theory, Aenys’ firstborn son and daughter would succeed him as king and queen. However,as soon as Aenys died, Maegor returned from his exile and claimed the throne with the support of his mother.Visenya continued to help his son establish his rule until she died in 44 AC, roughly 60 years beforethe events ofHouse of the Dragon.
How Visenya Is Related To Rhaenyra & Daenerys
Visenya’s lineage ended with Maegor.
Visenya’s lineage is not directly tied to Rhaenyra and Daenerys. This is because Visenya only had one son, Maegor, who died without any heirs. Maegor, despite having taken six wives, never had any heirs. Therefore,once Maegor died, Visenya’s direct lineage died with him. That said, as the daughter of Lord Aerion Targaryen and Lady Valaena Velaryon, Visenya is obviously part of the family tree that would one day include Rhaenyra and Daenerys.House of the Dragon’s Rhaenyra was the daughter of Viserys Targaryen and Aemma Arryn. Viserys was the son of Baelor and grandson of Jaehaerys I.
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Jaehaerys was one of Aenys’ sons and ascended to the throne following the mysterious death of Maegor, who had three stillborn children but no heirs. Daenerys Targaryen’s lineage is a continuation of Rhaenyra’s through Viserys II. In other words,Rhaenyra is Daenerys’ sixth great-grandmother. Although Visenya’s lineage ended with Maegor, her legacy in Westeros cannot be overstated. As a conqueror and queen, Visenya served as an inspiration to many, including Rhaenyra. That said, there were also those in theGame of Thronesuniverse who perceived her as nothing but ruthless.
