‘House of the Dragon‘ has defied the expectations and is having a successful run. The first two episodes of this ‘Game of Thrones‘ prequel show have been critically appreciated. Its TV ratings are also impressive, the highest for a TV show debut for HBO. People who have enjoyed the parent show and George R. R. Martin’s books are especially interested in it.
Martin’s work or shows inspired by his work has a plethora of characters and families. This includes the Targaryens, the Lannisters, etc. The House Targaryen members, which is the central point of ‘House of the Dragon‘, marry their brothers and sisters. Let’s find out why they do it.
Read More: ‘House Of The Dragon’: Who Is Craghas “Crabfeeder” Drahar?
‘House Of The Dragon’: Why Do Targaryens Marry Their Brothers And Sisters?
House Targaryen is one of the most powerful houses in the entire Westeros. They are feared by the enemy as they can control the giant dragons. But there’s one aspect of them that’s kinda weird.
The Targaryens practice incest. Members of the house, like their ancestors of the Valyrian Freehold, frequently married brother to sister to keep their bloodline pure. This was also done to control the dragons and keep their Valyrian legacy.
There were several instances when the Targaryens married other people, and their incest continued. The madness that occurred in some of them, including the mad king, is attributed to generations of inbreeding.
Daenerys and her brother Viserys Targaryen were a result of generational inbreeding. This preserved their distinct Valyrian features such as a white complexion and platinum blonde hair.
Read More: ‘House Of The Dragon’: Did Daemon Targaryen Deflower Alicent Hightower?
How Did The Targaryens Survive The Doom Of Valyria?
The doom of valyria was a catastrophic event that took place almost four hundred years before the War of the Five Kings. It destroyed civilization and countless lives in a single night.
Often referred to as the doom, the nature of this event is unspecified and caused the collapse of the Valyrian Freehold, which existed for five thousand years in Essos. It completely destroyed the city of Old Valyria and wrecked a majority of the surrounding Valyrian Peninsula.
Daenys Targaryen had a vision of the catastrophic event called the doom of valyria, 12 years before it took place. She warned her father Aenar who was the dragonlord of House Targaryen.
He took her daughter’s warning seriously and packed everything he had. He brought his servants, wives, children, and dragons along to Dragonstone after he sold his family land. The Targaryens left the region riding their dragons.
