Targaryen Bastards Abundance in House of the Dragon
Unbelievably, House Of The Dragon has revealed: there are far more illegitimate House Targaryen descendants than anyone could have ever thought. Although born from her relationship with Ser Harwin Strong, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen's three children are raised as trueborn heirs; many other Targaryen bastards live in anonymity. This begs the issue: why King's Landing boasts so many Targaryen bastards?
legacy of Jaehaerys I Targaryen
King Jaehaerys I Targaryen's great lineage helps to explain this phenomena in some measure. Thirteen children were born to him and his sister-wife, Queen Alysanne Targaryen; many of them lived to produce grandchildren. Although Jaehaerys was well-known for his commitment to his wife, it is still possible that he had children outside of their marriage during royal travels. Furthermore, some of Jaehaerys' offspring, such as Aemon and Baelon, could have produced several bastards, so augmenting the total number of possible Targaryen descendants.
Named Targaryen Bastards within House of the Dragon
The program features Hugh Hammer, Ulf, and Gaemon Palehair among several named Targaryen bastards. Among the several Targaryen forebears these people descended from are Saera Targaryen and Baelon Targaryen. Furthermore noteworthy are Viserys and Daemon, who were known for their young exploits in pleasure houses, might have produced children they are not aware of. This emphasizes even more the general possibility for illegal Targaryen descendants.
Baelon and Saera Targaryen's Effect
Father of Daemon and Viserys, Baelon Targaryen is said to have produced Ulf, an ancestor claiming a Targaryen lineage. Although Baelon's loyalty to his wife, Alyssa Targaryen points to he might have been more consistent, his young pleasures prior to their marriage cannot be discounted. Likewise, Hugh Hammer's mother is Saera Targaryen, a promiscuous rebel known for her disobedience. Saera's adventures, especially her stay in a Lysene pleasure house, most certainly produced many more illegitimate children, so extending the Targaryen line.
Future Effects of Targaryen Bastards
The family's power is seriously threatened by the several Targaryen bastards. Particularly if they have a dragon, Rhaenyra's son Jacaerys Velaryon worries that one of these "dragonseeds" could seize the Iron Throne. The events in Fire & Blood confirm this anxiety since one "dragonseed" finally seeks to take over the kingdom. The legacy of these bastards adds to the instability of the Targaryen dynasty, leading to the bloody Blackfyre Rebellions endangering the Targaryen rule for decades.
Legacies of Blood and Lineage
House Of The Dragon exposes a fascinating and nuanced feature of Targaryen history: the frequency of their illegitimate children. These "dragonseeds" could throw off the Targaryen dynasty, sparking generations of power battles and strife. The narrative of these bastards is evidence of the Targaryens' legacy, their ambition, and the results of their deeds, so determining the course of Westeros for next centuries.
