House of the Dragon Can’t Remain Accurate to the Books Until It Undoes S2’s Biggest Plot Point

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This account details the Dance of the Dragons, the brutal civil war that almost destroyed House Targaryen and led to the extinction of dragons. This conflict is a pivotal moment in Westeros’ history, marking the beginning of the Targaryen Dynasty’s decline and eventual overthrow as seen in Game of Thrones. The war pitted two factions against each other: the Blacks, who supported the king’s eldest child, Rhaenyra, and the Greens, who favored her younger brother, Aegon, based on the Westerosi custom of male primogeniture.

Without giving away too much, this war has a devastating outcome for everyone involved. The Targaryen family nearly disappeared, and although Aegon survived his sister, he was left with the difficult task of rebuilding the kingdom. A major challenge is how history remembers Rhaenyra in the present day – she’s largely known as a princess and a betrayer. However, the show portrays her as a rightful queen. After Rhaenyra’s death, the story will need to explain how Aegon works to change the public’s view of her and erase the idea that she could have legitimately been queen.

Rhaenyra Targaryen’s Claim to the Iron Throne

Rhaenyra appeared to be the rightful heir to the throne. As the oldest child of King Viserys and his first wife, Queen Aemma, and the only one of their children to live past babyhood, she had a strong claim. Aegon and his siblings, born to Alicent Hightower, were all much younger – over ten years younger, in fact.

Rhaenyra also has children of her own, which means her family line would continue if she became queen. A major reason she was considered a strong contender for the throne was the support of her father. After many years of hoping for a son, Viserys finally recognized that his heir was already there – his daughter Rhaenyra.

Rhaenyra had been observing her father’s small council meetings for a while now. Not only was she a skilled dragon rider, but she was the youngest person ever known to ride a dragon. Crucially, she was very different from her uncle, Daemon Targaryen. Because Viserys didn’t have any sons, the usual rules meant his crown would go to his brother, Daemon – a man known for being unpredictable and potentially dangerous.

When the troublesome behavior of the Rogue Prince became too much, Viserys decided Rhaenyra was the best choice for queen. He believed she would prioritize the good of the kingdom over her own desires. To solidify his decision, Viserys had all his lords pledge their loyalty to Rhaenyra, naming her as his heir. This was a significant departure from Westerosi tradition and would make her the first queen to ever rule the Seven Kingdoms.

The biggest challenge to Rhaenyra becoming queen was the long-standing tradition in Westeros. For thousands of years, the laws of succession have always favored male heirs. While Viserys and Rhaenyra hoped people would support her based on promises and loyalty, the birth of Viserys’s sons with Alicent Hightower after his first wife’s death created a major problem for her claim.

People unexpectedly pledged their support to a young boy with no leadership experience, and as he matured, he didn’t seem interested in ruling, nor did he possess qualities that would inspire followers. Despite this, many would still have preferred Aegon over Rhaenyra simply because he was male, even if he would have been a less capable ruler.

Rhaenyra’s rivals are also motivated by personal gain and ambition. Despite this, there’s a strong case to be made for her claim to the throne. However, unwavering loyalty to old customs and simple greed are her greatest challenges, and ultimately what caused her downfall.

Rhaenyra’s Fall and Later Vilification

Okay, so I’m still reeling from how things went down with Rhaenyra trying to rule. It honestly didn’t end well at all! The war completely wrecked the kingdom’s finances, and she had to impose some really tough taxes just to keep things from falling apart. It was a tough time for everyone, and it’s just…sad to see how it played out.

Let me tell you, things went downhill fast for Rhaenyra. Her people eventually turned on her, and a brutal riot led to the deaths of most of the dragons. She had to escape to Dragonstone, but even there, she wasn’t safe. Aegon and his forces had seized the castle while she was gone and ambushed her, ultimately taking her last child hostage. It was a truly ignominious end for her, but despite everything, Rhaenyra’s story still resonates today.

Despite his reasons to hate Rhaenyra, Aegon surprisingly didn’t try to erase her from history or make her seem like a villain. He likely avoided this because he needed to bring the kingdom back together, and many people still admired and supported her. Attacking her publicly could have cost him their loyalty.

Rhaenyra wasn’t removed from historical records, but Aegon ensured she was only referred to as “princess” in them. As the saying goes, winners write history, and Aegon wanted people to remember him as the rightful ruler. He wanted future generations to see Rhaenyra as someone who falsely claimed the throne and betrayed her brother out of personal ambition.

Things became even worse for Rhaenyra when her choices as queen caused the people of King’s Landing to turn against her. She had once been beloved and known as “the Realm’s Delight,” but by the time she left the city, they cruelly nicknamed her “Maegor with teats” – a harsh comparison to Maegor I, one of the most brutal Targaryen kings.

Viewers of the show understand Rhaenyra isn’t simply a villain. However, witnessing her actions as an outside observer – someone affected by her choices from a distance – creates a different impression than knowing her story, often leading to a biased understanding of her character.

The Modern Interpretation of Rhaenyra Targaryen

When we talk about how people view events, it’s important to consider how Rhaenyra is seen today, over a century later. Almost everyone, from powerful lords to ordinary citizens, believes she was a traitor. Historical texts mention her briefly, usually accusing her of betraying Aegon in her attempt to take the throne.

It seems many people dislike Rhaenyra, even though historical accounts support her being named Viserys’s heir. The only recorded positive mention of her comes from Princess Arianne Martell, who used Rhaenyra as an example to justify her own plan to put Myrcella on the Iron Throne instead of Tommen, based on Dornish law.

Most people now see Rhaenyra as a betrayer, rather than a rightful heir striving for the throne. This creates a challenge for the show as it approaches her death: how to portray the consequences of her actions and essentially reverse her accomplishments.

The show has followed Rhaenyra’s journey as she actively fights for her rightful place on the throne, building armies and seeking out new dragon riders. This has transformed her into a heroic figure – flawed, yes, but determined, which resonates with viewers. However, if Aegon kills her, all of her accomplishments risk being overshadowed and lost to history.

When Rhaenyra’s son, Aegon III, became king, he chose not to acknowledge her claim to the throne, probably to avoid conflict among his supporters. The last part of the show will likely focus on how Rhaenyra’s achievements are forgotten, and she’s remembered negatively – as someone envious and obsessed with power, rather than the loyal daughter she truly was.

It’s going to be heartbreaking, I think, when the show ends. We’ll see her family take the Iron Throne, but history will only remember her as a princess, not the queen she deserved to be. Honestly, when you really think about it, she essentially became the mother of a whole dynasty, even if she never got the title she earned.

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2026-04-06 23:38