No house shaped the history of Westeros as much as House Targaryen. However, the dragonriders did not originally come from this continent. They fled from a terrible catastrophe that destroyed a powerful empire.
As can be seen in House of the Dragon or Game of Thrones, House Targaryen actually did not originate from Westeros, although they ruled there for centuries and were one of the most important families.
The dragonlords actually came from the continent of Essos and the Freehold of Valyria. By the time of the series, this state is completely destroyed, although it was once the most powerful empire. But how could this happen?
The most advanced civilization in the world of Game of Thrones
What was ancient Valyria? Valyria is located on the continent of Essos and was a city that belonged to the Freehold of Valyria. The city was situated on a peninsula. This area was home to many houses, such as Targaryen, Velaryon, or Celtigar, and was quite advanced.
There were stone roads that facilitated trade with other free states in Essos. Thanks to dragonfire, the dragonlords of Valyria were said to be able to shape stones and build with them. One can therefore assume that the civilization was highly developed. After all, they also forged Valyrian swords, which can kill white walkers.
The Freehold was also well-equipped for warfare. This was mainly due to the dragons and the dragonlords who could ride them. In Valyria, not only the Targaryens existed as dragonriders, there were also other lords who could utilize the creatures. They lived quite well there, as there was a volcanic chain (Fourteen Flames
) around the Valyrian peninsula.
In addition, Valyria was said to have engaged a lot with magical teachings. One theory regarding the origin of the dragons is that the Valyrian dragonlords created the beings with blood magic. A septon speculated that they were created from wyverns. Another origin theory would simply be the volcanoes.
But how could Valyria, with its advanced power, its magic, and its dragons, fall?
The mysterious downfall
How did Valyria fall? For 5000 years, Valyria was a highly developed civilization, but nearly 100 years before Aegon the Conqueror’s conquest of Westeros, a mysterious catastrophe occurred, known as the Doom of Valyria
.
Like in an apocalypse, explosions and earthquakes are said to have destroyed the land, its cities, and the inhabitants. Even dragons were reportedly killed. This event created the Smoking Sea
. One can assume that it was a natural disaster, but there are also other explanations.
Some clergy have theorized that the Valyrians were punished for their magic. King Viserys cryptically names the dragons as the reason for the downfall: The notion that we control the dragons is an illusion. They are a power with which man should never have played. A power that brought Valyria to ruin. If we ignore our own history, it will do the same to us.
However, it is unclear whether this specifically refers to the dragons, their origin, or is a metaphorical explanation.
If Valyria was destroyed, why does House Targaryen still exist? Daenys Targaryen was the daughter of the then-lord Aenar. She had a dream 12 years before the catastrophe (like dragon dreamers after her) about the downfall. This convinced her father to flee. Thus, House Targaryen went to Dragonstone with 5 dragons, an act that the other Valyrian lords would have considered cowardly. However, they survived, which ultimately led to the conquest of Westeros, nearly 100 years after the catastrophe.
House Velaryon and House Celtigar also come from Valyria and survived the doom.
The present of Valyria
What happened to Valyria after the catastrophe? The destruction of the Freehold caused much chaos in Essos, as a power vacuum arose, with no other states needing to fear the Valyrian power anymore. Not all Valyrians died directly in the downfall, but were killed along with their dragons.
From the once advanced area became a mysterious and dangerous place, where it is still unclear what one might find there. The dragonlord Aurion attempted to establish himself as emperor of Valyria but was never seen again after his journey with his allies.
54 years after the conquest of Westeros, Aeara Targaryen, according to a septon’s theory, inadvertently traveled to Valyria when she tried to ride Balerion, one of the 5 dragons that were taken to Dragonstone. According to the septon’s hypothesis, Balerion flew her to his homeland. When they returned, Balerion, the largest known dragon, was injured and Aeara was infested with mysterious parasites that killed her. The king at the time, Jaehaerys, thereafter banned travel to Valyria.
Even during the time of Game of Thrones, Gerion Lannister, Tywin’s brother, attempted to travel to Valyria to find possible treasures and the lost Valyrian sword Lightbringer. Gerion was never seen again after that. In the fourth novel by George R. R. Martin, A Fest for Crows, Euron Greyjoy claims to have found a horn in Valyria, but that could also be a lie.
In Season 5 of the TV series, Tyrion and Jorah sail through the ruins of Valyria and are attacked there by stone men, basically zombies afflicted with greyscale.
As of the latest point, Valyria remains a mysterious place, allegedly populated by demons and other dangers. It is questionable whether we will ever learn what really lives there.
Do you want to learn more about the lore of Westeros before the two series? Feel free to write to us in the comments. In House of the Dragon, King Viserys talks a lot about Valyria. Although he is a boring
king, he is one of the best characters of the series: The most boring character in House of the Dragon is also one of the best, says George R. R. Martin himself.
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