Rhaenys Targaryen
Targaryen tradition says that no woman can rule Westeros, so Prince Viserys Targaryen was chosen over Rhaenys Targaryen. The world of Game of Thrones is set in an era when Cersei Lannister and Daenerys Targaryen ruled the Iron Throne, albeit not for long.
House of the Dragon takes readers almost centuries before the events of Game of Thrones, when the Targaryen line reigned supreme over the Seven Kingdoms but were on the verge of a catastrophic downfall at the hands of blond dragon riders.
Today we will focus on Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, also known as “The Queen Who Never Went to War”, and discuss why she lost her race due to claiming the Iron Throne to her brother Viserys.
Who is Princess Rhaenys Targaryen?
Rhaenys Velaryon is the wife of Lord Corlis Velaryon and also a member of the Targaryen family. She is an accomplished dragon rider, and Meleys, the Red Queen, serves as her mount. Corlis Velaryon, commander of the Targaryen ships and wealthiest gentleman in Westeros, has just married Rhaenys.
Velaryon amassed his fortune through a series of trading missions to the Far East. Rhaenys and Korlis are the parents of a girl, Laena Velaryon, and a boy, Laenor Velaryon.
Why Rhaenys Targaryen didn’t become queen
“Men would rather set a kingdom on fire than see a woman ascend the Iron Throne.“
The Grand Council in 101 AC marks the beginning of the House of the Dragon. After almost sixty years of quiet rule, King Jaehaerys realized that the issue of succession could cause strife among the Targaryen dynasty. To discuss the future and the 14 potential heirs to the Iron Throne, Jaehaerys convened the Grand Council of the Lords of Westeros.
Both Prince Viserys and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen’s arguments were of equal weight, but only one of them could win. Viserys was the eldest child of Balon Targaryen, making him a descendant of King Jaehaerys. After the death of Balon, the question of who would succeed him as head of the Targaryen clan became decisive. Similarly, Rhaenys made a bet on Aemon Targaryen, third child of the king and Rhaenys’ own father.
Ultimately, Viserys was chosen by the Grand Council, as seen in the first episode of the miniseries. Targaryen men have always been valued above Targaryen girls, so this choice was based on the misogynistic culture of Westeros. As a result, Aegon I, unlike his older sister Visenya, who captured the Seven Kingdoms, was crowned as the first ruler of Westeros.
The entire Targaryen bloodline of Viserys was considered superior to part of the Rhaenys Baratheon heritage due to their respective mothers, although Rhaenys was indeed a Targaryen through both of her parents. After the death of Jaehaerys in 103 AC. his son Viserys became monarch, and Rhaenys became known as “The Queen That Never Was.”
Dragon dance
Spoiler alert!!!!
Princess Rhaenys was a member of the dark council of Rhaenyra Targaryen. The Dark Council planned for Rhaenys to soar high while Velaryon’s fleet would block the Throat, moving through Dragonstone and Driftmark to prevent any ships from entering Blackwater Bay to prevent enemies from attacking their ships with dragons. Lord Staunton sent out a plea for help, and nine days later the dragon Meleys appeared on Rook’s Rest. Rhaenys Targaryen, clad from head to toe in armor that glittered in the sun, mounted her horse.
King Aegon II on Sunfire and Eymond Targaryen atop Vhagar appeared in the sky as Rhaenys battled the forces of Ser Christon Cawl. Rhaenys was ambushed by Criston and was successfully captured.
Rhaenys did not try to run away, instead drawing Meleys’ attention to the threat. Although Meleys had a chance to fight Vhagar alone, she was doomed to face two dragons. At an altitude of about 1000 feet, the three dragons collided with such force that all three collapsed to the ground.
Only Vhagar managed to get out of the dust of battle unharmed. Later, a corpse was discovered next to the dead dragon, believed to be Rhaenys Targaryen, although it was so badly burned that no one could be sure.