Who was the Last True Targaryen? Delving into Westeros' Dragon Legacy
The question of "Who was the last true Targaryen?" is a fascinating one for fans of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series and its HBO adaptation, Game of Thrones. It’s not as simple as pointing to a single individual without some careful consideration of what "true" Targaryen even means in the context of Westerosi politics and bloodlines.
Defining "True" Targaryen
When we talk about a "true" Targaryen, we're generally referring to someone who:
- Possesses the Targaryen bloodline through both mother and father, or at least a strong and undeniable lineage from a recognized Targaryen parent.
- Exhibits traits historically associated with the Targaryens, such as silver-gold or pale blonde hair, purple or violet eyes (though these are not absolute requirements), and a predisposition towards dragon-riding or possessing an affinity with dragons.
- Has a strong claim to the Iron Throne, as the Targaryens were the ruling dynasty for nearly 300 years.
- Is recognized by the realm, or at least by a significant portion of it, as a legitimate member of the Targaryen dynasty.
The Targaryens were known for their incestuous marriage practices, often marrying brother to sister, to keep their bloodline pure and their dragons strong. This practice, while unusual to modern eyes, was central to their identity and their ability to wield dragonfire.
The Reign of the Mad King and its Aftermath
The last Targaryen king to rule from the Iron Throne was Aerys II Targaryen, often called the "Mad King." His reign was marked by paranoia, cruelty, and increasingly erratic behavior. This ultimately led to Robert's Rebellion, a bloody conflict that saw the overthrow of the Targaryen dynasty.
Aerys II was killed by Jaime Lannister during the Sack of King's Landing. Before his death, Aerys II had several children, the most notable survivors of the rebellion being:
- Viserys Targaryen
- Daenerys Targaryen
Viserys Targaryen: The Exiled King
Viserys Targaryen, the elder son of Aerys II, was smuggled out of Westeros as a child and spent his life in exile, desperately trying to reclaim his birthright. He was obsessed with regaining the Iron Throne and often spoke of his family's legacy and the power of dragons. He married Daenerys Targaryen to his sister, hoping to forge an alliance that would help him conquer Westeros.
Viserys, despite his ambition and his Targaryen name, proved to be a weak and cruel man. He was not a capable ruler and was ultimately killed by Khal Drogo, Daenerys's husband, when he became too demanding and threatening towards Daenerys.
"I am the dragon's daughter. I will not be meek. I will not be broken. I will not be subservient." - Daenerys Targaryen
Daenerys Targaryen: The Mother of Dragons
Daenerys Targaryen is, by most accounts, the most prominent and arguably the "last true Targaryen" in terms of her direct lineage, her actions, and her connection to the dragons. She was born on Dragonstone just as the Usurper's rebellion began and was smuggled to Essos with her brother Viserys.
Daenerys grew up in poverty and hardship, but she always held onto the belief in her destiny as the rightful queen of Westeros. Her life took a dramatic turn when she married Khal Drogo and eventually hatched three dragon eggs, becoming the first person in centuries to do so. Her dragons – Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion – were a powerful symbol of her Targaryen heritage and her claim to the throne.
Throughout her journey in Essos, Daenerys freed slaves, conquered cities, and built an army, all while nurturing her dragons. Her silver-gold hair and violet eyes were classic Targaryen traits, and her ability to command dragons solidified her image as a legitimate heir.
The Fate of Daenerys and the "True" Lineage
Daenerys eventually returned to Westeros with her armies and her dragons, believing she was the rightful queen. Her campaign was marked by both triumph and tragedy. While she initially garnered support and was seen by many as a liberator, her methods became increasingly ruthless, and her final actions in King's Landing, where she burned the city, led to her assassination by Jon Snow.
With Daenerys's death, the direct Targaryen line, as represented by her, effectively ended. While there are other individuals with Targaryen blood in Westeros, none embodied the full Targaryen legacy – the claim, the dragons, and the inherent Targaryen spirit – as strongly as Daenerys.
What About Jon Snow?
This is where things get complicated and where the definition of "true" Targaryen truly comes into play. We learn that Jon Snow is, in fact, Aegon Targaryen, the son of Rhaegar Targaryen (Daenerys's older brother) and Lyanna Stark. This makes him a Targaryen by blood, and his true name, Aegon, is a Targaryen royal name. He also has the Targaryen look, though less pronounced than Daenerys's.
However, Jon Snow grew up as a Stark, unaware of his Targaryen heritage for much of his life. He never embraced the Targaryen identity in the same way Daenerys did. He was raised with Northern values and did not have the same drive to claim the Iron Throne. While he is *biologically* a Targaryen, his upbringing and his own character led him down a different path.
In the end, after Daenerys's death, the council of Westeros chose Bran Stark to rule, effectively ending the Targaryen dynasty's rule. Jon Snow, being a Targaryen, was exiled to the Night's Watch.
Therefore, while Jon Snow is a true Targaryen by blood, the title of the "last true Targaryen" is most often attributed to Daenerys Targaryen because she was the last to embody the Targaryen spirit, the claim to the throne, and the power of dragons, and she was the last to die with the full awareness and assertion of her Targaryen identity as a ruler.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How did Daenerys Targaryen prove she was a true Targaryen?
Daenerys Targaryen proved her Targaryen lineage and spirit through several key actions. Firstly, she was the last known descendant of Aerys II to hatch dragon eggs, a feat unseen for centuries and a hallmark of true Targaryens. Her silver-gold hair and violet eyes were also classic Targaryen traits. Furthermore, she actively sought to reclaim the Iron Throne, believing in her dynastic right, and gathered significant power and followers based on her Targaryen claim.
Why is Jon Snow considered a Targaryen but not always the "last true" one?
Jon Snow is a Targaryen by blood because he is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen. However, he was raised as a Stark and largely unaware of his heritage for most of his life. While he possesses Targaryen blood and physical traits, he didn't embrace the Targaryen identity or actively pursue the throne in the same way Daenerys did. His upbringing and character prioritized duty and honor over dynastic ambition, distinguishing him from the archetypal "true" Targaryen ruler.
Were there other Targaryens besides Daenerys and Jon after Robert's Rebellion?
After Robert's Rebellion, the most prominent surviving Targaryens were Viserys and Daenerys. Viserys was murdered by Khal Drogo. While there might have been other distant relatives or hidden members of the Targaryen family with claims or blood ties, they were not actively involved in the political landscape or known to possess the symbolic traits of dragon-riding or a strong claim to the throne. Daenerys and Jon Snow represented the most direct and recognized lines of descent.
What happened to the Targaryen dynasty after Daenerys's death?
Following Daenerys Targaryen's death, the Targaryen dynasty effectively ended its rule over Westeros. A council of lords and ladies, in an effort to prevent further bloodshed and the return of dragonlords, chose Bran Stark as the new king, establishing a new form of governance. Jon Snow, the last known Targaryen with a strong claim, was exiled to the Night's Watch, removing him from any position of power.
