Who Does Rhaenyra Marry in House of the Dragon

House of the Dragon is an American fiction series aired on HBO. The series depicts House Targaryen’s decline. Rhaenyra Targaryen was the offspring of King Viserys I. She was foreseen to follow him as the first ruling queen of Westeros. Her declaration to the Iron Throne flashed the Dance of the Dragons. Further, she was a great dragon rider. Rhaenyra’s role in House of the Dragon is essential, as she is the center of the conflict that leads the plot. Let’s cover every aspect, including who does Rhaenyra marry.

Who Does Rhaenyra Marry?

Rhaenyra was the prominent character in House of the Dragon, set 200 years earlier. This article portrays the Targaryen Civil War and who does Rhaenyra marry.

First Marriage

The first marriage of Rhaenyra was with Ser Laenor Velaryon in 114 AC. He was the son of Princess Rhaenys Targaryen and Lord Corlys Velaryon. The wedding was set by King Viserys I to reinforce Rhaenyra’s share of the throne and to alleviate the strong Velaryons.

It was grand, attended by multiple lords and ladies across the empire. She wore a gown of silver cloth and a crown of rubies. Laenor wore a seahorse pin of Valyrian steel. The High Septon conducted the ritual in the Great Sept of Baelor. Moreover, the dinner was arranged in the Red Keep.

Controversy with Laenor

Rhaenyra’s marriage to Laenor was not pleased. Both are rumored to have lovers. She was declared to have been enchanted with Ser Criston Cole. He crowned her the Queen of Love and Beauty at a clash when she was fourteen.

Likewise, Laenor had a long-term relationship with Ser Qarl Correy, his sworn guard. The stories about their affairs led to much gossip and dishonor in court and cast doubt on the legality of their kids.

Children with Laenor

Rhaenyra had sons by Laenor. They were named as Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey. She also called them after the sons of Aegon I Targaryen to emulate the praise of the Conqueror.

Yet, none of them rooted the features of their parents, like the silver hair and purple eyes. Instead, they had brown hair and eyes, resembling her rumored lover, Ser Harwin Strong. Rhaenyra adored her sons dearly and raised them as successors.

Tragic Death Plot of Laenor

Laenor suffered a tragic ending in 120 AC. Ser Qarl Correy killed him in Spicetown near Dragonstone in jealousy. He discovered Laenor had taken another lover, Joffrey Lonmouth. Some say that Correy was engaged by someone who tried to eliminate him and his sons from the throne.

People even doubted Rhaenyra wanted to marry her uncle instead. Others accused Daemon of coveting her and her dragons. Aegon II Targaryen and his mother, Alicent Hightower, killed him to claim the throne. But, the truth is unidentified. It left Rhaenyra a widow at twenty-three, with three sons.

Second Marriage

Rhaenyra was married to her uncle, Prince Daemon Targaryen, for the second time. He was her father’s younger brother, King Viserys I. Daemon was a dragon rider whose horse was Caraxes.

Moreover, he was the Lord of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea and a retired King of the Stepstones. He married twice before to Lady Rhea Royce and Princess Laena Velaryon. She was the sister of her first husband, Laenor.

Reasons behind it

Many reasons led to her second marriage. Politically, Daemon was a substantial and significant lord who supervised many loyal supporters and allies. He also claimed the Iron Throne as the successor of Viserys I after her. Rhaenyra supported him by marrying him and preventing him from becoming a foe.

Personally, both had been attracted to each other since she was fourteen. They had an affair before marriage to the Velaryon siblings. After becoming widowed, they revived their romance and chose to marry for love.

Secret Wedding

They married in secret soon after the death of Laena. They wed in the old Valyrian style, swapping rings of Valyrian steel and repeating verses in High Valyrian. Mushroom, Rhaenyra’s court person, and Septon Eustace were the only viewers. He later wrote a story of the Dance of the Dragons.

This wedding led to a massive scandal when known. It was seen as rude to the previous mates. King Viserys I was angry and expelled Daemon from the court. Later, he was reconciled and accepted their marriage.

Children with Daemon

Rhaenyra had two sons and one daughter with Daemon. Her first son, Aegon, was called after Aegon the Conqueror. The middle son, Viserys, was born in 124 AC. He was named after Viserys I, her father. Her daughter, Visenya, was named after Visenya Targaryen, the first Queen of Westeros.

Regardless, Visenya died soon after birth, leaving Rhaenyra to suffer. All three kids resembled their parents, with silver hair and purple eyes. They even learned dragon riding. Aegon rode Stormcloud, and Viserys rode Moondancer.

Fate of Rhaenyra

Rhaenyra met a miserable fate during the Dance of the Dragons in 129 AC. Her half-brother, Aegon II, crowned himself king with his mother’s and her allies’ help. Rhaenyra fought against Aegon II. The war also lasted almost two years and witnessed many deaths.

Aegon II’s dragons killed her sons and dragon, and her husband disappeared. Ser Alfred Broome backstabbed her. Thus, she died yelling and cursing her rivals. She earned her title “the Half-Year Queen.”

Conclusion

Rhaenyra Targaryen was a queen and a ruler. She survived during the Targaryen Civil War, noted as the Dance of the Dragons. Likewise, she married twice. Firstly, she married Ser Laenor Velaryon and later to her uncle, Prince Daemon Targaryen. Both weddings were contentious and depressing.

Both her husbands died fiercely. She had six kids from her two marriages, but only two endured the war. Later, she was killed by Aegon II. He claimed the rule after her.

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