What Happened to the Velaryons in Game of Thrones​? Understanding The Legacy of House Velaryon

Considering their significance in House of the Dragon and their absence in Game of Thrones, many question about the future of House Velaryon. House of the Dragon is situated 200 years prior to Game of Thrones, providing the opportunity to examine the once-great families of Westeros that had a significant role in one of the franchise’s pivotal events.

While House of the Dragon chronicles the zenith of the Targaryen dynasty, the prequel series also reveals the unseen narratives of illustrious houses such as the Velaryons.

House Velaryon’s significance in House of the Dragon mostly pertains to their matrimonial alliances with the Targaryens, their proficiency in dragon-riding, and their substantial wealth and influence.

Corlys Velaryon’s family aligns with the “black” faction of the Targaryens in House of the Dragon, with his wife, children, and grandchildren endorsing Rhaenyra Targaryen’s claim to the Iron Throne.

Nonetheless, most of the prominent Velaryons perish by the conclusion of the Targaryen civil war, with Corlys surviving nearly all of his contemporaneous direct descendants. Nonetheless, as the Targaryens’ prominence waned in the Game of Thrones timeline, so too did that of House Velaryon.

Origins of House Velaryon and Its Connection to the Targaryens Explained

Given their significance in the events of House of the Dragon, it is understandable that people inquire about the whereabouts of House Velaryon in Game of Thrones. House Velaryon originates from Old Valyria, alongside the Targaryens, with both houses having maintained an alliance since their arrival in Westeros.

Although the families maintained a strong alliance, House Velaryon was not a dragonlord lineage like the Targaryens, as they distinguished themselves in naval endeavors.

House Velaryon was a crucial ally in supporting Aegon the Conqueror’s forces.

House Velaryon is reputed to have arrived in Westeros and established itself at Driftmark prior to the Targaryens, who would subsequently settle in proximity at Dragonstone. The Velaryons and Targaryens, both of Valyrian lineage, frequently intermarried, resulting in a significant common history.

House Velaryon played a crucial role in transporting Aegon the Conqueror’s troops across Blackwater Bay to seize control of Westeros, subsequently serving predominantly as masters of ships throughout the Targaryen dynasty.

The Significance of House Velaryon in House of the Dragon

After the introduction of House Velaryon in House of the Dragon, the Velaryon family is shown as one of the wealthiest in the realm, attributable to the maritime expeditions of Corlys Velaryon.

Many people find it peculiar that there are no characters from House Velaryon in Game of Thrones. Corlys Velaryon, known as the Sea Snake in House of the Dragon, undertook nine notable excursions to Essos, returning with exotic gifts and gold that conferred substantial fortune and considerable influence upon his family in Westeros.

This influence resulted in other unions with the successors of House Targaryen to the Iron Throne, notably Corlys’s marriage to Rhaenys Targaryen, their son Laenor’s marriage to King Viserys I Targaryen’s daughter Rhaenyra, and their daughter Laena’s marriage to Viserys’s brother Daemon Targaryen.

Due to their proximity to the Iron Throne, the Velaryons were regarded as the “second family” in Westeros during the period of House of the Dragon. What transpired with House Velaryon before to Game of Thrones?

What Happened with House Velaryon after to the Dance of the Dragons?

Upon the conclusion of the Dance of the Dragons, Rhaenyra’s son Aegon III Targaryen ascends as the “Broken King,” with Corlys Velaryon acting as one of his regents.

At this juncture, Corlys’ spouse Rhaenys, offspring Laenor and Laena, along with the “grandchildren” of Laenor and Rhaenyra, will have perished, leaving alone Corlys, his legal descendants Addam and Alyn Velaryon, and Laena’s daughters Baela and Rhaena Targaryen.

Nonetheless, although Baela and Rhaena were officially Targaryens, only Corlys and his “grandsons” (allegedly his offspring) constituted his direct lineage.

House Velaryon would maintain its role as the master of ships on the small council of successive House Targaryen monarchs.

Corlys passed away within one year following the conclusion of the Dance of the Dragons, resulting in Alyn “Oakenfist” Velaryon assuming the role of Master of Driftmark.

The identity of Alyn’s successor as Lord of the Tides remains ambiguous, however the family faced significant decline towards the conclusion of his reign, having lost a considerable portion of their fortune to the Rogare Bank.

House Velaryon would retain its role as master of ships on the small council of successive House Targaryen monarchs, although would never regain the wealth and prominence it experienced during the era of House of the Dragon.

In the period of Robert’s Rebellion, prior to the events of Game of Thrones, House Velaryon retained its position as the master of ships on the council of Aerys “The Mad King” Targaryen, despite frequently disparaging his son, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen.

Upon King Robert I Baratheon’s ascension to the Iron Throne, Dragonstone was bestowed upon his house, therefore obligating House Velaryon to pledge homage to the Baratheons of Dragonstone thereafter. Notwithstanding the conspicuous absence of House Velaryon figures in Game of Thrones, they remained a small house during that period.

Does House Velaryon Still Exist in Game of Thrones?

Although there are no characters from House Velaryon in Game of Thrones, the house remains extant within the series’ timeframe, in contrast to numerous other historical houses that become extinct by the beginning or conclusion of the narrative.

Although House Velaryon was omitted from Game of Thrones, the books sporadically mention family members, including the Lord of the Tides and their several distinguished seafaring bastards.

The exact date of Lucerys Velaryon’s death, King Aerys II’s master of ships, is ambiguous; however, his progeny govern Driftmark at the onset of Game of Thrones. In the chronology of Game of Thrones, Monford Velaryon serves as the Master of Driftmark and endorses Stannis Baratheon’s assertion to the Iron Throne.

Upon Monford’s demise at the Battle of Blackwater Bay, his 6-year-old son Monterys Velaryon ascended to succession.

The most significant member of House Velaryon following the age of House of the Dragon is Aurane Waters, Monford’s brother, known as “the Bastard of Driftmark,” who is appointed master of ships by the nefarious Cersei Lannister before escaping King’s Landing.

Despite the absence of screen time for House Velaryon in Game of Thrones, the literature acknowledges the previously illustrious Valyrian lineage.

Understand the fascinating history of House Velaryon and their essential contribution to the legacy of Westeros. Look at their Valyrian beginnings, ascent, decline, and lasting influence as depicted in House of the Dragon. Visit our website for an extensive analysis of House Velaryon’s legacy!