The Aenar Targaryen family tree represents a distinct branch of the larger Targaryen dynasty, tracing lineage through a specific cadet branch named after Aenar "the Exile." This guide clarifies how Aenar’s descendants relate to one another and to the main Targaryen line, covering crucial familial connections, succession order, and the lasting impact of their choices. Understanding these relationships is essential for interpreting Targaryen politics, inheritance patterns, and the dispersal of the family across Valyria and later Westeros.
The Aenar Targaryen Branch: Definition and Origin
The Aenar Targaryen branch originates from Aenar, a Targaryen prince who relocated his family from Valyria to Dragonstone roughly a century before the Doom. Often called Aenar "the Exile," he acted on a prophetic vision and moved supporters, dragons, and bloodstock away from Valyria. This move separated his line from the main Valyrian holdings and created a distinct cadet branch identified by descent through him. As a result, members of this branch are genealogically direct Targaryens but represent a side of the family that no longer held central power in Valyrian politics after the relocation.
Aenar’s Immediate Family and Descendants
Aenar married a noblewoman whose name is often recorded as Jaela, and their union produced at least one notable child, Gaemon. The siblings and children of Aenar formed the first generation of the branch, carrying both Targaryen heritage and the legacy of the prophetic move. Gaemon, as Aenar’s heir, married a woman named Valaena, continuing the practice of intra-family marriage common among Tergaryens. Their children carried the bloodline forward, establishing a durable presence on Dragonstone that would later prove crucial when the family returned to the center of power in Westeros. Below is a summary of these relationships in tabular form.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Name of Primary Figure | Aenar Targaryen (the Exile) | Lineage chronicle |
| Known Spouse (Household) | Jaela | Lineage chronicle |
| Notable Offspring | Gaemon | Lineage chronicle |
| Heir Example and Spouse | Gaemon Targaryen married Valaena | Lineage chronicle |
| Branches Resulting | Cadet branch named after Aenar | General consensus |
Bloodline Continuity and Marriages
The Aenar line practiced controlled marriage within the broader Targaryen circle to preserve dragonlord blood and magical affinity. Gaemon and Valaena’s union bound the family more tightly to Dragonstone and its small council of dragonseeds and stewards. Their offspring formed the second generation, inheriting both dragonbond and the responsibility of safeguarding the family legacy. The branch continued to grow as these descendants intermarried with other Targaryen cadet lines or local nobility on Dragonstone, balancing purity of blood with political alliances.
Key Figures in the Aenar Lineage
The most prominent figures in the Aenar Targaryen family tree are Aenar himself, his spouse Jaela, his child Gaemon, and Gaemon’s spouse Valaena. Later generations include individuals linked to Dragonstone governance and, eventually, to the Targaryens who returned to mainland Westeros during Aegon’s Conquest. Below is a concise list of the core figures and their primary relationships within this branch.
- Aenar Targaryen (founder of the branch; spouse: Jaela)
- Gaemon (child of Aenar and Jaela; spouse: Valaena)
- Valaena (spouse of Gaemon; mother of next-generation heirs)
- Dragonstone stewards and dragonseeds allied with the branch
- Later descendants tied to Aegon’s Conquest and post-Conquest governance
Impact on Targaryen Politics and Succession
The Aenar Targaryen branch introduced a geographically separate but symbolically vital lineage, maintaining dragonlord traditions away from the volatile Valyrian Freehold. Their removal from central Volantene and Ghiscari politics insulated them from many internal conflicts, allowing a relatively stable hereditary line. When Aegon I Targaryen rode to war from Dragonstone, this branch provided crucial familial and logistical support, reinforcing their role as kingmakers. Succession rules within the branch followed typical Targaryen customs, favoring male heirs and strategic marriages that strengthened claims and dragon preservation.
Relationship Map and Notable Connections
The Aenar family tree connects to the broader Targaryen family through shared ancestors and common dragonlore. Aenar is a direct descendant of the original Targaryen dragonspreaders who settled in Valyria. His children and grandchildren form a lateral branch that rejoins the main tree at several points, particularly via marriages into other cadet lines. Notable connections include alliances with Velaryon houses and other Dragonstone-affiliated houses, which enriched the gene pool and expanded influence. Understanding these links helps visualize how power and blood flowed between Valyria, Dragonstone, and later King’s Landing.
| Metric | Estimate or Range | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Generation Count | 2–3 generations from Aenar to Aegon’s Conquest | Lineage chronology |
| Key Locations | Valyria (origin), Dragonstone (seat) | Historical records |
| Major Marriages | Gaemon x Valaena, others with Targaryen cadet lines | Lineage chronicle |
| Influence Level at Conquest | High (Dragonstone leadership) | Histories and council records |
Clarifying Misconceptions and Gaps
Because the Aenar branch existed on the periphery of Valyrian power, some details about lesser-known descendants are speculative or poorly recorded. Where evidence is thin, this explainer defaults to verified lineages and widely accepted genealogical conventions rather than conjecture. When sources conflict, the most consistent interpretation across extant chronicles is presented. This approach ensures that the relationship map remains useful for understanding inheritance, marriage strategy, and political alignment without overstating certainty for obscure individuals.
Why the Aenar Lineage Matters Today
The Aenar Targaryen family tree helps explain the resilience and dispersion of dragonlord families leading into the Targaryen dynasty’s rise in Westeros. It clarifies how separate branches preserved bloodlines, maintained dragons, and formed alliances that shaped royal succession and governance. For historians, genealogists, and enthusiasts, this lineage offers a concrete example of how cadet branches influenced major dynastic outcomes while preserving core traditions across generations and geographies.