The 'Rhae' Problem: Rhaenyra vs. Rhaenys
This is the big one. Getting these two straight is essential to understanding the entire conflict. They are the central figures whose fates define the war to come. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen is the main character. She’s the daughter of King Viserys I
and was named his official heir. Think of her as the central protagonist, the one fighting to sit on the Iron Throne. Her moniker is “The Realm’s Delight.” Memory trick: Rhae-NY-ra is NEAR the throne. Princess Rhaenys Targaryen is Rhaenyra's older cousin. She’s known as “The Queen Who Never Was” because she had a strong claim to the throne herself but was passed over in favor of Viserys simply because she was a woman. She is married to the sea-snake, Lord Corlys Velaryon. Memory trick: Rhae-NYS was passed over. NYS as in “nice try.”
The Next Generation: Baela and Rhaena
Just when you thought you had the 'Rhae' names down, Daemon Targaryen and Laena Velaryon had twin daughters: Baela and Rhaena. They are Rhaenyra's nieces and also her step-daughters (it’s complicated). Baela Targaryen is the more assertive and tomboyish of the two. She's a dragonrider bonded with the young dragon Moondancer. She takes after her father, Daemon, in spirit. Think B for bold. Rhaena Targaryen is the quieter, more traditionally courtly sister. For much of her youth, she is frustrated by her inability to bond with a dragon. She is eventually betrothed to Rhaenyra's son, Lucerys. Think of Rhaena as the one who *reigns in* her emotions more than her fiery sister.
The Aegon Epidemic
Targaryens love naming their sons Aegon, in honor of the original conqueror. This creates a massive headache for viewers. In the era of the Dance of the Dragons, there are two key Aegons you need to know. Aegon II Targaryen is the most important one to track. He is the first-born son of King Viserys and his second wife, Queen Alicent Hightower. He is Rhaenyra’s younger half-brother and her direct rival for the Iron Throne. He is the face of the “Greens” faction. When we say “Aegon,” this is usually who we mean. Aegon III Targaryen is the son of Rhaenyra and Daemon. He’s just a child during the main conflict but becomes critically important later. For now, just know that Rhaenyra also has a son named Aegon, which is a deliberate political statement against her half-brother.
The 'Ae' Brothers: Aegon vs. Aemond
Alicent Hightower's sons are a study in contrasts, and their similar-sounding names don't help. Aegon II (as discussed above) is the eldest. He’s a reluctant participant in his mother's political ambitions, more interested in wine and women than ruling. He’s the one being pushed onto the throne. Aemond Targaryen is Aegon’s younger brother and far more dangerous. He’s the one with the eyepatch, having lost an eye as a child to claim the massive dragon Vhagar. He is a skilled and ruthless warrior who fully embraces the fight for power. He is ambition personified. Memory trick: AEMond has one AIM: power. AEMond is missing an Eye.
The Velaryon Vexation: Laenor & Laena
House Velaryon, with their silver hair and dragon-riding heritage, are basically Targaryens by another name. The key siblings to know are the children of Rhaenys and Corlys. Ser Laenor Velaryon was Rhaenyra's first husband. Their marriage was a political arrangement to unite their houses. He is the (official) father of her first three sons: Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey. His personal preferences lay elsewhere, a key plot point in their story. Lady Laena Velaryon was Laenor’s sister and Daemon Targaryen’s second wife. A fierce dragonrider bonded to Vhagar, she was a powerful figure in her own right before her tragic death. She is the mother of the twins Baela and Rhaena. The easiest way to remember them: Laenor married Rhaenyra, Laena married Daemon.
