At the start Game of Thrones the Targaryens are shown as a weak and defeated family, but at one point they were considered to be one of the most powerful houses in Westeros.
Before Robert Baratheon claimed the throne, Aerys II was the King of the Seven Kingdoms and he was part of a dynasty that spanned more than 250 years.
Since Robert’s Rebellion, Daenerys and her brother Viserys had fled to the east, across the narrow sea, waiting to build an army large enough to claim back the Iron Throne.
Daenerys is continuing to try to claim the throne for herself, but she now has to help fight against the White Walkers and their army of the undead.
Here is everything you need to know about the Targaryen family and how they family has changed as they try to reclaim their rightful place in Westeros.
Aerys II
Aerys was the King of Westeros before Robert Baratheon won the war against him.
He was the father of Rhaegar, Viserys and Daenerys and was nicknamed ‘The Mad King’ after he succumb to madness.
He had planned to burn down King’s Landing with wildfire, but before he was able to he was killed by his Kingsguard Jaime Lannister.
Rhaegar Targaryen
Rhaegar (Wilf Scolding) was the eldest son of Aerys II and the heir to the Iron Throne.
He was married to Elia Martell and they had two children together – Rhaenys and Aegon, but they were all killed by Gregor Clegane following Rhaegar’s death.
Fans discovered in season 7 that he had ran way with Lyanna Stark because they were in love, and they married each other in secret.
Lyanna also gave birth to a son, who ended up becoming Jon Snow.
Rhaegar died during Robert’s Rebellion when he was killed on the battlefield by Robert Baratheon, which is considered to be the turning point of the war.
Viserys Targaryen
Viserys (Harry Lloyd) is the second child of King Aerrys II and he was smuggled out of King’s Landing along with his sister Daenerys when King Robert killed Rheagar and moved closer to claiming the throne.
He later agreed to give his sister to Khal Drogo in exchange for their service in supporting his return to Westeros.
The heir to the throne later grew frustrated with Drogo but he was then killed after having molten hot gold poured onto his head.
Daenerys Tagraryen
Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) was the youngest child of King Aerys II and she was smuggled away along with her brother Viserys during Robert’s Rebellion.
She was later married off to Khal Drogo in an attempt by her brother to get them to fight for the Targaryens.
Daenerys grew fond of Drogo but he later died from an infected wound but follows his death she was able to become the mother of three dragons.
Since then she has travelled across the lands east of Westeros, taking control of the Unsullied to form part of her army, as well as freeing Yunkai, Astapor and Meereen slaves.
She eventually arrived in Westeros and soon formed an alliance with the Starks and Greyjoys and later agrees to help fight off the White Walkers after seeing what they are capable of.
Jon Snow
In season 7 it was revealed that Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) wasn’t actually the son of Ned Stark, and was instead the child of Lyanna Stark and Rheagar Targaryen.
Their secret marriage means that Jon was a Targaryen by birth, as well as the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.
He is still unaware of his true parentage but is likely to be told by Bran Stark or Samwell Tarly when they next meet.
Aemon Targaryen
Aemon (Peter Vaughan) was the maester at Castle Black and part of the Night’s Watch.
He was the the brother of King Aerion, and despite being next in-line to the Iron Throne following his death, he refused to become the new king.
Aemon was the uncle of King Aerys II and therefore the great uncle of Danaerys and the great-great uncle of Jon Snow.
Maester Aemon died of old age in season 5 and his body was then cremated on a funeral pyre on the wall.
MORE: What happened at the end of Game of Thrones season 7?
