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At the center of the Westerosi succession crisis is Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, who has the distinction of being both the dragonrider of Syrax and the queen who has captured my affection. Her father, King Viserys, notably chose Rhaenyra as his heir, deviating from the patriarchal tradition of choosing the eldest male descendant after his first spouse, Aemma (portrayed by Sian Brooke), succumbed during childbirth along with their newborn son, Baelon.
The logical heir in most eyes would be Visery’s sibling, Daemon (portrayed by Matt Smith), but his unpredictable character [intended as a compliment] makes him a controversial choice for the throne of the Seven Kingdoms. Daemon would ultimately wed his niece, Rhaenyra, when she reached a suitable age. At the point Rhaenyra was declared successor, she was Viserys’ sole progeny, but his subsequent marriage to Alicent Hightower (played by Olivia Cooke), Rhaenyra’s former confidante, resulted in two more potential male heirs—Aegon II (played by Ty Tennant/Tom Glynn-Carney), a deplorable being, and Aemond (played by Eewan Mitchell), the odd one—creating contestation for Rhaenyra’s crown claim.
During Viserys’ declining years, his stance on Rhaenyra as his successor remained unshakable. Still, a miscommunication occurred in his final moments. As he whispers “The prince,” Alicent inquires, “Prince Aegon?” to which the dying Viserys adds, “To unite the realm against the cold and the dark…It is you. You are the one. You must do this. You must do this.” Alicent misconstrues that Viserys intended her offspring Aegon to ascend as king. However, in his delirium, Viserys believed he was assuring Rhaenyra that she was the predicted one by Aegon the Conqueror to unify the Seven Kingdoms.
Indeed, familial confusion could have been substantially reduced if there were less repetitive naming conventions within their family tree.
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FAQ – House of the Dragon Season 2 Characters
- Who is Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen?
- What causes the succession crisis in the Seven Kingdoms?
- Who is Daemon Targaryen?
- Who are Aegon II and Aemond?
- What misunderstanding occurred concerning King Viserys’ last words?
Rhaenyra Targaryen is the dragonrider of Syrax and was named heir to the Iron Throne by her father, King Viserys, defying customary succession laws. She is a central character embroiled in the succession conflict in House of the Dragon.
The crisis stems from King Viserys appointing his daughter Rhaenyra Targaryen as his heir, overruling the typical lineage practices that would favor male descendants. The situation is compounded by the existence of two male half-brothers born to Viserys’ second wife, Alicent Hightower.
Daemon Targaryen is King Viserys’ brother, portrayed as somewhat unpredictable and is an alternative candidate for the throne. He later marries his niece Rhaenyra Targaryen.
Aegon II and Aemond are Rhaenyra’s half-brothers, sons of King Viserys by his second marriage to Alicent Hightower. They present a challenge to Rhaenyra’s claim to the throne. Aegon II is particularly despised, while Aemond is considered odd.
As King Viserys was on his deathbed, he talked about “the prince” and spoke to Alicent Hightower as if she were Rhaenyra, leading Alicent to incorrectly assume he was declaring her son Aegon as the rightful successor. However, Viserys actually believed he was reinforcing to Rhaenyra that she was the chosen one to unify the kingdom, as foretold by Aegon the Conqueror.
