Is Jon Snow The Last of the Targaryen?
The question of whether Jon Snow, also known as Aegon Targaryen, is the last of his line is a complex one, intertwined with the intricate lore of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire and its television adaptation, Game of Thrones. The short answer is: no, Jon Snow is not the last Targaryen. However, the nuances of this answer are where the true depth of the story lies. While Jon, having killed Daenerys Targaryen, is the last known Targaryen in the direct line of the throne, it is crucial to note that other Targaryens exist beyond the main narrative of Game of Thrones.
The Targaryen Lineage: Beyond the Main Players
The Game of Thrones series primarily focuses on the main line of Targaryens who were involved in the War of the Five Kings. This included Daenerys Targaryen, Viserys Targaryen, and of course, the revelation of Jon Snow as the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. However, throughout the sprawling history of Westeros, numerous other Targaryens existed and descendants could potentially be alive.
The “Mad King” and His Lineage
It’s important to understand the familial web that ties these figures together. King Aerys II Targaryen, infamously known as the Mad King, was the last Targaryen king to sit on the Iron Throne before the Baratheon Rebellion. His children were Rhaegar, Viserys, and Daenerys. Jon, secretly named Aegon, was born of Rhaegar’s secret marriage to Lyanna Stark. These figures represent the main Targaryen line involved in the power struggle for the Iron Throne.
The Potential for Hidden Targaryens
The show and books hint at the possibility of other Targaryens who were either never mentioned or who might have married into different Houses, their Targaryen heritage dormant. The long and complicated history of House Targaryen has seen many branches, both legitimate and illegitimate. It is entirely possible that distant relatives, unknown to most, could still carry Targaryen blood.
Jon Snow’s Significance, Not the End
Even though he doesn’t sit on the Iron Throne and is exiled beyond the Wall, Jon’s lineage is a vital component of the story’s prophecies and the larger themes of fire and ice. The focus on Jon’s being a Targaryen was primarily about his role in the fight against the Night King and the fulfillment of the Prince That Was Promised prophecy, rather than about his claim to the throne. He was not meant to be the last Targaryen, but a crucial part of the story. The ending of the series and his decision to live beyond the wall underscore that.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions that might help clarify the complexities surrounding the Targaryen family and Jon Snow’s role in it.
1. Was Jon Snow’s Targaryen Heritage Ever Relevant?
Yes. While Jon didn’t end up ruling the Seven Kingdoms, his Targaryen heritage played a significant role in his journey. It validated the prophecy of the “Prince That Was Promised” (a figure of fire and ice), placing him at the center of the conflict against the Night King. His Targaryen blood also gave him the right to claim the Iron Throne, a pivotal element of the entire story, which ultimately was passed by when the Seven Kingdoms moved to a form of democratic rule.
2. Why Wasn’t Jon Snow Immune to Fire Like Daenerys?
The Targaryen immunity to fire is not a consistent trait across all members of the family. This is particularly true in the books, where the ability is not universally present in all Targaryens. In the show, Daenerys’ immunity was a special circumstance, not a typical Targaryen ability. Jon being burnt by fire in the first book and the first season confirmed this. He was never meant to be immune to fire.
3. Why Does Jon Snow Have Black Hair Instead of Silver?
Jon’s dark hair is a result of his Stark heritage. He inherited the dominant hair gene from his mother, Lyanna Stark. Unlike many inbred Targaryens, Jon’s mixed heritage resulted in the black hair typical of the Starks, instead of the silver of the Targaryens. Rhaenys Targaryen is another example of a Targaryen with dark hair due to her Dornish mother.
4. Did Ned Stark Know Jon Was a Targaryen?
Yes. Ned Stark knew Jon’s true parentage and kept this secret to protect him from King Robert Baratheon who would have killed him. Ned’s vow to Lyanna and his deep sense of honor were paramount to his decision not to reveal Jon’s true origins to anyone, not even his wife.
5. Was the Night King a Targaryen?
No. The Night King was not a Targaryen. While a fascinating thought, there is no basis for the belief he was related to them. The show clarified his origin as being a First Man that the Children of the Forest converted to a weapon. The poetic idea of Jon and Daenerys facing their “many-greats-grandfather” never materialized.
6. What Was the Significance of Aegon the Conqueror’s Dream?
Aegon the Conqueror’s prophetic dream that warned of the fall of the world was a significant plot device in House of the Dragon. The dream was the reason for the Targaryens’ focus on unifying the realm. The knowledge of that vision was a secret that was passed from monarch to heir.
7. What Was the Point of Jon Snow Being a Targaryen?
Jon’s Targaryen heritage served several purposes. It made him eligible to the throne but, more importantly, it connected him to the prophecy and made him a central player in the fight against the Night King. His lineage highlighted the themes of fire and ice and the unification of those opposing forces, which were vital in saving the realm.
8. Is Jon Snow the “Prince That Was Promised?”
Many theories point to Jon as being the “Prince That Was Promised”. His connection to both fire (Targaryen) and ice (Stark) is compelling, however, neither the books nor the show have explicitly stated this, therefore the idea is open for debate.
9. Did Jon Snow Know He Was Aegon Targaryen?
Yes. Jon was informed of his true name and parentage by Samwell Tarly, after Samwell learned the truth of his heritage from Daenerys. This information came with the harsh reality that Daenerys had killed Samwell’s family.
10. Who Was the Most Evil Targaryen?
Maegor I and Aerys II are often considered the most evil Targaryens. Aerys II, the “Mad King,” is usually considered the worst of the two due to his acts of insanity and violence. Maegor I’s actions, while brutal, could also be argued as necessary for establishing Targaryen rule.
11. Did Aegon the Conqueror Marry His Sister?
Yes. Aegon I married both of his sisters, Visenya and Rhaenys, a common practice for preserving the Targaryen bloodline. This practice was a part of the Targaryens’ incestuous tradition.
12. Why Did Daenerys Go “Mad”?
Daenerys’ descent into madness stemmed from a combination of factors: grief, betrayal, and a sense of desperation. She felt that Westeros had failed her. The loss of her dragons, her allies, and her belief that her claim was being overlooked led to her unleashing rage on King’s Landing.
13. Who Killed Aegon II?
The poisoning of Aegon II is a mystery, though a man named Cregan Stark, serving as Hand at the time, had twenty-two men arrested. Those killed or pardoned are known, but the identity of the actual killer was never confirmed in Fire and Blood.
14. Who Killed Rhaenyra Targaryen?
Rhaenyra was killed by her half-brother Aegon II, who fed her to his dragon. This occurred during the infamous Dance of Dragons. Aegon’s act came after Rhaenyra had been betrayed and fled King’s Landing.
15. Who Succeeded Viserys I on the Iron Throne?
Aegon II Targaryen succeeded his father, Viserys I Targaryen, on the Iron Throne. This ascension was disputed by his half-sister, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, who had been their father’s named heir, leading to the Dance of Dragons civil war.
In conclusion, while Jon Snow’s role as Aegon Targaryen was crucial in the grand narrative, his story doesn’t end with him being the last Targaryen. He may be the last in his direct line, but the vast history of House Targaryen leaves open the possibility that others with the blood of the dragon still live.