Where Was House Velaryon During Game of Thrones?

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Though the Targaryens are still the main focus after season two, the Velaryons are becoming increasingly important. The Targaryen family is fractured, and a civil war – the Dance of the Dragons – is brewing. House Velaryon will be particularly crucial to Rhaenyra Targaryen, especially with Rhaenys Velaryon believed to be dead.

Key figures like Lord Corlys Velaryon might be less willing to back Rhaenyra’s claim to the throne, forcing her to work hard to keep things stable. The devastating civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons explains why House Velaryon is no longer a major power. Originally from Old Valyria alongside the Targaryens, the Velaryons were incredibly influential when they arrived in Westeros, largely due to their powerful dragons. However, even this noble family from Driftmark couldn’t escape the long-lasting consequences of the war.

House Velaryon Was The First Valyrian Family To Settle In Westeros

Before the Targaryens made Dragonstone their home, the Velaryons had already established Driftmark as a trading post and a presence in the smaller kingdoms of Westeros. While the exact dates are uncertain, stories say the throne of Driftmark was originally a gift from a powerful, god-like figure known as the Merling King, who ruled the Narrow Sea.

The Targaryen and Velaryon families didn’t initially aim to rule Westeros. Six generations after the Targaryens arrived, a marriage between Lord Aerion Targaryen and Lady Valaena Velaryon – who had Targaryen ancestry – brought about three children: Aegon, Visenya, and Rhaenys. These three would eventually conquer the continent.

Aegon the Conqueror had Velaryon blood, which explains why he formed an alliance with his mother’s family. This connection between the two Houses lasted for hundreds of years, up until the time of the Dance of the Dragons.

House Velaryon Shares Valyrian Roots With the Targaryens

House Velaryon shares ancestry with House Celtigar, but its origins trace back further to Old Valyria in Essos. While not a family of dragonriders, House Velaryon wasn’t among the most powerful families in Old Valyria, they still played a significant role in its prosperity.

As a long-time admirer of House Velaryon, it’s always been clear just how important they are to Westeros – and that goes way back, even to the days of Old Valyria. Characters like Lord Corlys really drive that home. In House of the Dragon, you can still feel the weight of that Valyrian bloodline; for generations, these families have shaped Westeros’ politics and armies, and their influence is still incredibly strong today.

The setting diminishes the importance of Valyrian ancestry. However, within the story of House of the Dragon, this family still wields considerable power, almost matching that of the Targaryens, even if they aren’t central to the main plot.

The Velaryons’ Prominence Stems From Wealth and Naval Strength

I’ve always been fascinated by the Houses in Westeros, and the Velaryons are seriously impressive. Over time, they just became the masters of the sea – nobody could touch them when it came to ships and sailing, not in Westeros or across the Narrow Sea in Essos. And when Valyria went down – that massive volcanic disaster – their naval strength became even more crucial. Everyone was scrambling after that, and the Velaryons were already set up to handle things, which really cemented their position.

The fall of the old, dominant empire paved the way for the last remaining Dragonlord family to rise to power. This event is hugely important in the history of A Song of Ice and Fire, whether you’re reading the books or watching the show. However, even with the incredible strength of Aegon I Targaryen, his sisters, and their dragons – which were essentially devastating weapons – they needed more than just military force to maintain control.

As a huge fan of the show, I always found it fascinating how powerful the Velaryons were. Their fleet was legendary – practically half of all the warships on the continent! Because of this, they naturally became the Master of Ships for the Targaryens, and that position stayed within the Velaryon family in King’s Landing for generations. But their strength wasn’t just naval power. They were incredibly wealthy, and with Lord Corlys Velaryon rising to prominence, that wealth became even more crucial to their influence.

Steve Toussaint portrays Corlys Velaryon in House of the Dragon, a character who rose to prominence through his own achievements and brought wealth to his family. Known as the “Sea Snake” because of his ship, Corlys completed nine legendary voyages around the world, bringing incredible treasures back to Westeros.

This success firmly established House Velaryon as the wealthiest family in the land and one of its most powerful noble houses. While marriages between the Targaryen and Velaryon families had happened before, Corlys Velaryon’s rapid increase in fortune led to a prestigious match with Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. This is quite different from what viewers see in Game of Thrones, where the Lannisters have unexpectedly become the most economically influential family.

When the Targaryens’ Mainstream Prominence Died, House Velaryon Mostly Followed

The new season will significantly affect House Velaryon. The conflict known as the Dance of the Dragons left everyone weakened, and by the end, very few members of House Velaryon remained alive besides Corlys.

When Aegon III Targaryen, the fourth son of Princess Rhaenyra, became king, Corlys Velaryon was named as one of his advisors. His grandchildren – Baela and Rhaena Targaryen, along with his grandsons – were the last significant members of House Velaryon. As fewer Velaryons remained, the family’s power gradually diminished along with that of the Targaryens.

The war for the Iron Throne weakened House Velaryon, reducing their numbers and wealth – a decline that would be felt even generations later in Game of Thrones. Shortly after the conflict, Corlys Velaryon passed away, and his heir, Alyn, watched as the house’s fortune was lost to the Rogare Bank, a financial institution based in the Free City of Lys in Essos.

It’s understandable that viewers of Game of Thrones might not remember House Velaryon, as they weren’t a major focus. During Season 2, Monford Velaryon led the house and pledged his support to Stannis Baratheon in the fight for the Iron Throne during the War of the Five Kings.

Monford Velaryon died during the Battle of Blackwater Bay, with Tyrion Lannister largely responsible for the victory, despite fighting on behalf of Monford’s ruthless and fearful nephew. Monford’s son, Monterys Velaryon, then became the new Master of Driftmark. Beyond Monford’s involvement and death at Blackwater Bay, House Velaryon is also known for the imprisonment of Aurane Waters, Monford’s illegitimate brother and Master of Ships, in King’s Landing during the events of A Clash of Kings.

After serving as Grand Admiral on King Tommen I Baratheon’s small council, he fled to the Stepstones. The Velaryon family’s decline began with the same events that ultimately destroyed the Targaryens, but unlike the Targaryens, they haven’t been almost entirely wiped out.

Season 2 of House of the Dragon shows the Targaryen family at the height of their power in Westeros. However, the events of the Dance of the Dragons will ultimately explain why they are almost entirely absent from Game of Thrones.

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2026-05-08 23:39