House of the Dragon (OCS): Is Jon Snow related to Rhaenyra or Alicent?

Broadcast since the end of August on HBO in the United States and on OCS in France, season 1 of House of the Dragon unfortunately soon comes to an end. In the 8th episode, King Viserys I struggles with all his might to ease the tension between his wife Alicent and his daughter Rhaenyra. He understands that Rhaenyra’s place as heiress is in question by the kingdom, and yet he is certain that her succession must go to her. If Viserys knows his hours are numbered, he can only think of Aegon Targaryen, the founder of the Targaryen dynasty, the first Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and King of the Iron Throne. And for good reason, the latter had had a premonitory dream. The prophecy, which came true centuries later in Game Of Thronestells that a threat coming from the Great North would disturb the Kingdom and thus cause the loss of men. In order to unite the latter in a common goal, only a Targaryen on the back of a dragon will achieve this feat… For those who have seen Game Of Thrones, the prophecy obviously refers to the White Walkers with, at their head, the night king.. However, Aegon’s dream also prophesied that it was necessary for a Targaryen to be on the throne to ensure the coming of the promised prince. On his deathbed, Viserys I, thinking of speaking to his daughter Rhaenyra, reveals to Alicent that the prophecy of the Song of Fire and Ice will come true one day and that to prevent disaster, he announces that she is the chosen one… Confused, she interprets that her husband refers to their child Aegon II and thus gives him his blessing. The King breathes his last when all his relatives have left the room. His face is tense and tornand even dead, we understand why Viserys I is worried… But then, who is “The Prince Who Was Promised” ?

Who is the chosen one evoked by Viserys I on his deathbed?

In the books of George RR Martinwe learn that The Prince that was promised would be the reincarnation of the hero Azor Ahai. A term, by the way, also used to refer to a woman. Several candidates could be the legendary prince, including Jon Snow. The other is Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke). In Game Of ThronesDaenerys and Jon fulfill the prophecy, although Melisandre believes that Jon is the prince who was promised after his resurrection in season 6. In the books, it has not yet been revealed who the promised prince in question is.

What are the origins of Jon Snow?

Many are still wondering what the relationship between Jon Snow – to which House of the Dragon first referenced by Viserys I when he shows his daughter his blade – with Rhaenyra and dæmon. As you can imagine, they are from the same lineage! And for good reason, as revealed in Game Of ThronesJon Snow is not the bastard son of Ned Stark (Sean Bean) but he is the fruit of the union between Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. When his sister died, Ned took his boy and named him Jon Snow to save him from certain death. But in reality, his name is Aegon Targaryen. He is the sixth man to bear this name. Rhaegar Targaryen was the older brother of Daenerys who was killed during the rebellion of Robert Baratheon against Aerys II, the “Mad King”, which means he is also related to Rhaenyra and Daemon.

What is the relationship between Jon Snow, Rhaenyra, Daemon and Viserys I?

As far as family ties are concerned, we have to go back several generations to understand how Jon Snow and the Targaryens of House of the Dragon are linked. Aerys Targaryen (David Rintoul), father of Rhaegar, was Jon Snow’s grandfather. Aerys, on the other hand, was Aemond’s nephew, a man who had renounced his lands and titles after joining the Order of Maesters. It means that many generations separate Jon Snow from his ancestors Rhaenyra, Daemon (Matt Smith), Viserys as well as Aerys and Aemon. One thing is certain, Jon Snow is the descendant of Rhaenyra and Daemon, and not that of Viserys and Alicent. Rhaenyra would thus be the great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandmother of Jon Snow – a total of eight generations seems to separate them. Concerning Viserys, father of Rhaenyra, we must count one more. Now that we know in part the ancestors of the latter, we can only say that it is indeed Targaryen blood that flows in his veins!

Article written in collaboration with 6medias