HBO’s Game of Thrones saw the return of dragons to Westeros after an almost two-century absence. Its prequel series House of the Dragon, based on George R.R. Martin’s history of the rise and fall of the Targaryen dynasty titled Fire & Blood, is set way back when dragons were plentiful and dominated the skies of Westeros.
This is the story of how they came to die off.
House of the Dragon will depict dragons wielded as both protectors of various Targaryen factions but also as almighty weapons wielded in a war dubbed the Dance of the Dragons, a years-long campaign for succession among the various Targaryen claimants to the Iron Throne – a war that will prove tragic for all involved, human and dragon alike.
The following is a list of all the dragons that appeared during the Dance of the Dragons. Some have already debuted on House of the Dragon, while many others aren’t expected to appear for several more seasons due to the significant passages of time chronicled in Fire & Blood.
Let’s begin with the most notorious Targaryen dragon of them all …
The largest and eldest of all the Targaryen dragons, Balerion was flown by Aegon the Conqueror and later became the steed of King Viserys I. The black and red mal dragon has died by the time House of the Dragon begins, but his massive skull can be seen on display at the Red Keep.
The second largest dragon of the Targaryens, Vhagar is an ancient female dragon and the last of those flown during Aegon’s conquest, when she served as the steed of Queen Visenya Targaryen. Together, they burned the Arryn fleet in the waters off Gulltown. Vhagar was named in honor of a god of Old Valyria, and will factor into later developments in House of the Dragon.
As described in George R.R. Martin’s official companion book The World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones, the yellowish Syrax is the “huge and formidable” female steed of Princess Rhaenyra (portrayed in House of the Dragon by Milly Alcock as a youth and Emma D’Arcy as an adult).
Dubbed the Blood Wyrm, this huge, red, and horned beast is the steed of Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) and is as fearsome and vicious as his rider.
With his golden scales and flame, it’s no wonder this huge and formidable male dragon is dubbed “Sunfyre the Golden.” He is the steed of Aegon II Targaryen (who will be played in House of the Dragon as an adult by Tom Glynn-Carney and as a youth by Ty Tennant).
“The Bronze Fury,” the third largest dragon, is described in The World of Ice & Fire as “old and hoary.” This male dragon was once the steed of Jaehaerys I Targaryen, aka the Old King.
Once ridden by Queen Alysanne Targaryen, this she-dragon will later become the steed of Ulf the White, a “dragonseed” character yet to be introduced in House of the Dragon.
“The Red Queen” is the steed of The Queen Who Never Was, Princess Rhaenys (played in House of the Dragon by Eve Best, pictured above). Meleys is described in The World of Ice & Fire as “old and cunning, lazy, but fearsome when roused.”
Dubbed by The World of Ice & Fire as a “slender and beautiful” female dragon, she is the small but swift steed of Lady Baela Targaryen (who will be portrayed in House of the Dragon by actors Shani Smethurst and Bethany Antonia as the younger and adult Baela, respectively).
This grey and white dragon is still relatively young during the Dance of Dragons, during which it bonds with Ser Laenor Velaryon (played on House of the Dragon as a teen by Theo Nate and then as an adult by John Macmillan).
This silver and blue she-dragon has been the steed of both Princess Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I) and Queen Helaena Targaryen at different times. Helaena will be played by Phia Saban as an adult and Evie Allen as a youth in House of the Dragon.
“The Blue Queen” is the steed of Prince Daeron Targaryen, a role that has yet to be cast in House of the Dragon. This she-dragon, who breathes blue flame, is said to be younger than Dreamfyre, Sunfyre, and Vhagar.
This young male dragon won’t factor into House of the Dragon until later in the series, during which time it will be the steed of Aegon the Younger.
This young male dragon will serve as the steed of Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (to be portrayed on the HBO series by Harry Collett as an adult and Leo Hart as a youth).
Said to be five times smaller than Vhagar, this young male dragon is the steed of Prince Lucerys Velaryon (to be played by Elliot Grihault as an adult and Harvey Sadler as a youth in House of the Dragon).
The steed of dragonrider Prince Joffrey Velaryon, Tyraxes was not as big as Vermax and Arrax. The role of Joffrey has not yet been cast in House of the Dragon.
This young dragon is bound to Princess Jaehaera Targaryen, a role that’s yet to be cast in House of the Dragon.
This she-dragon is bound to Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen (Aegon II”s son), a role that hasn’t been cast yet in House of the Dragon.
The offspring of Syrax, this she-dragon was hatched during the Dance of the Dragons. Morning has pink scales and black horns and is the steed of Lady Rhaena Targaryen (to be played in House of the Dragon by Phoebe Campbell as an adult and by Eva Ossei-Gerning as a youth).
This “brown and plain” wild dragon is tamed by, as The World of Ice & Fire describes her, a “plain, baseborn and disreputable girl” named Nettles, who feeds the dragon mutton to win it over. Nettles has yet to be introduced in House of the Dragon.
Another beast yet to be introduced in House of the Dragon, this wild dragon is known in Fire & Blood for never having been tamed let alone ridden – and for eating other dragons, hence his name. Legend has it that it’s lurked on Dragonstone since before the arrival of the Targaryens.
Like The Cannibal, this is another wild dragon who was never tamed or ridden and has to appear in House of the Dragon. It is said to have feasted on fish rather than people.
Find all the latest updates on House of the Dragon here. In the meantime, discover what’s up with the major houses during House of the Dragon, which has already been renewed for Season 2. And be sure to read our Episode 1 review and Episode 2 review.