Viserys I Targaryen is the ruler of Westeros in House of the Dragon. He rules peacefully and wisely. Nevertheless, his actions cause a war. Here’s what you need to know about the good-natured king.
- Born: 77 years after Aegon the Conqueror
- Dragon: Balerion
- Faction: None
The HBO series “House of the Dragon” is a spin-off to George R. R. Martin’s “Game of Thrones.” The show tells the story of House Targaryen, which ruled over the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros for over 300 years. The “Dance of Dragons” war of succession between Rhaenyra and Aegon II, covered in the series. Targaryen dates back to the reign of Viserys I.
Viserys I Targaryen becomes King of Westeros
Viserys I Targaryen is the first son of Crown Prince Baelon Targaryen and his sister consort Alyssa. After the death of his father, the succession of the king had to be clarified anew. Viserys I’s father was already the second heir to the throne of King Jaehaerys I, who died before his coronation.
Viserys I, his cousin Rhaenys Velaryon and their son Laenor Velaryon are under discussion as possible new successors. Rhaenys is rejected by the Small Council because no woman should ascend the Iron Throne and her son Laenor is excluded because of his age. The boy is only seven years old.
Thus Viserys I is appointed as the new successor of Jaehaerys I. Two years later he ascends the Iron Throne. Together with his wife Aemma Arryn, Viserys I has a daughter named Rhaenyra Targaryen.
Rhaenyra is appointed Crown Princess
At the birth of their first son, Aemma dies, and a few hours later, so does the newborn. Viserys’ brother Daemon Targaryen mocks the deceased boy as “heir for a day.” Thereupon Viserys I, enraged, appoints his daughter as his heir to the throne. Until then, Daemon was his successor.
A year after his loss, the king marries the daughter of his right hand Otto Hohenturm, Alicent Hohenturm. With his young wife he has three sons Aegon II, Aemond, Daeron and a daughter named Helaena. Since he now has male successors, the question of his inheritance arises in the kingdom. But the king does not want to change his decision and Rhaenyra remains his heir to the throne.
Aegon II Targaryen fights against his sister
Over the years Alicent and especially her father Viserys I try to change his mind so that Aegon II. Targaryen becomes the new king. In the process, Otto is so meddlesome that Viserys I dismisses him from his post as Hand. This leads to a split in the House of Targaryen.
Over the years, disputes between family members increase. The Greens, led by Alicent, try to damage the reputation of Rhaenyra. In this way they want to force Aegon II’s appointment as heir to the throne. But Viserys I stands by his daughter and rejects any attempt to harm her.
When the king becomes seriously ill and can hardly maintain his reign, Alicent takes over more and more of her husband’s duties. After 26 years of reign, Viserys I Targaryen dies, whereupon the inheritance war “Dance of the Dragons” begins.
The Greens initially kept the king’s death under wraps in preparation for the coronation of Aegon II. When Rhaenyra learns of the betrayal, she too has herself crowned with her father’s old crown. Thus begins the rivalrous struggle of the siblings, brought about by Viserys’ decision to make his eldest child his heir, regardless of gender.
