Rhaenyra Targaryen

[FP1997]

Rhaenyra Targaryen

• Status: Heir to the Iron Throne, facing challenges to her claim

• Traits: Bold and determined, with a keen sense of entitlement

• Famous quote: "Fire is such strange power. Everything that House Targaryen possesses is owed to it. Yet it has cost us both what we loved.”

• Family: Daughter of King Viserys I Targaryen; Wife of Ser Laenor Velaryon; Mother to several children, including Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon

As the only surviving child of King Viserys I Targaryen and Aemma Arryn, the importance of legacy has been imposed on Rhaenyra Targaryen all her life. Born in the royal court of King's Landing, Rhaenyra was raised with the expectation of inheriting the Iron Throne. But as rival factions vie for control of the realm, outrage and betrayal among the realm's nobles mar her ascension with fire and blood.

At the tender age of eight, Rhaenyra not only became an experienced dragonrider with Syrax, but also assumed the integral role as the King’s cupbearer; dutifully attending to him at mealtimes, during tournaments and small council meetings. She was therefore no stranger to the intrigues and machinations of politics. While most at court deemed Rhaenyra the "Realm's Delight," others grumbled about the subversion of custom as, unlike most women at court, Rhaenyra was not solely groomed for marriage.

Alliance with the Hightowers

Central to Rhaenyra's story is her complex relationship with her childhood friend, Alicent Hightower. With Viserys having planted Alicent’s father Otto Hightower as Hand of the King, the historically peaceful tradesfolk acclimated to the sudden rise in power and thus, plotted their way closer to the Targaryens.

After the passing of Queen Aemma and, subsequently, Rhaenyra’s brother Baelon- dubbed by Prince Daemon as ‘King for a Day’- Viserys reluctantly bestowed the role of heir to his daughter Rhaenyra in front of all the lords and landed knights in Kings Landing. Alicent shared the burden of grief with Rhaenyra, remaining steadfastly loyal to her friend as she had for most of their childhood hardships. But behind closed doors, Alicent was also convening with the King, a slue orchestrated by the cunning Otto to worm their way into the grieving man’s vulnerable heart.

As such, when the time came for Viserys to name a new queen, Alicent became the most appealing choice- much to the shock and dismay of Rhaenyra. Yet, the marriage was swiftly made and, at the behest of her father, Alicent made sure to produce an heir that solidified the Hightower’s claim to power. Shortly thereafter is when Rhaenyra’s half-brother Aegon Targaryen was born.

The Greens and Blacks

To solidify her lineage, Rhaenyra was married to Ser Laenor Velaryon, a powerful ally. However, most deemed the marriage to be a political formality, with rumors swirling about Rhaenyra's true paramour and the preferences of her husband.  Rhaenyra's marriage to Laenor produced three children in Princes Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon. The birth of these three sons with features more akin to the Strong family guard fueled the speculations of their parentage. To stem the flow of conjecture, each boy was given a dragon egg in the cradle that eventually hatched, further bolstering Rhaenyra's position within the realm.

However, whispers of the potential challenge to Rhaenyra’s claim in Aegon II soon set the stage for a brutal civil war. At the funeral of Laena Velaryon, the second wife of Prince Daemon Targaryen, a fight broke out between Alicent’s son Aemond Targaryen and the sons of Rhaenyra over their potential parentage. In the brawl, Aemond loses an eye to a furious Jacaerys; and though Alicent vehemently demanded retribution, attention soon turned to where her children heard such rumours. Demanding peace, King Viserys demanded apologies be exchanged and that anyone spreading the Harwin Strong gossip should lose their tongue.

Following this, and the suspicious deaths of Harwin and Lyonel Strong at Harrenhal; the murder of Ser Laenor at the hands of his friend Ser Qarl Correy; and Princess Rhaenyra’s marriage to her uncle Prince Daemon, the divide between the Greens (Hightowers) and Blacks (Targaryens) grew ever wider.

Dance of the Dragons

Truly, the twisting of the knife came as King Viserys finally succumbed to leprosy. His death was initially concealed by Queen Alicent, who called together a meeting of the small council along with Ser Criston Cole- allegedly a former spited lover of Rhaenyra- and plotted to crown her first-born son Aegon instead of his half-sister Rhaenyra, named heir of the king.

As the shocking news of Alicent’s betrayal reached Dragonstone, Rhaenyra suffered a stillbirth and initially considered agreeing to Aegon II’s terms of concession. When Lord Corlys pledges his allegiance to her claim, she and Daemon send Princes Jacaerys and Lucerys as envoys to affix Houses Arryn, Stark and Baratheon as allies. But it is already too late, as Prince Aemond has already offered a marriage alliance in return for their fealty. As opposing Princes make to leave, they are caught up in a dragon-fight where Vhagar devours Prince Lucerys and his dragon Arrax.

Now the path is set, as Rhaenyra’s grief and rage sets its sight on King’s Landing, and the Green Council.

Who plays Rhaenyra Targaryen?

• Young Rhaenyra is portrayed by Milly Alcock; an Australian actress known for her roles in Upright, Janet King and Wonderland. Her role as Rhaenyra Targaryen catapulted her to international acclaim.
• Adult Rhaenyra is portrayed by Emma D’Arcy; a London-born actor known for their roles in The Talent, Truth Seekers and Mothering Sunday. D’Arcy’s portrayal of Rhaenyra was received with much positivity, especially after Alcock’s portrayal had been so lauded.