The Enthralling Tale of Forging the Iron Throne

The Iron Throne holds a significant place in the Game of Thrones universe as the seat of the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. It represents power, authority, and prestige, and is where justice is dispensed and lords and ladies are addressed. Despite the destruction of the Iron Throne by Drogon in the series finale, its impact remains a part of Seven Kingdoms history. Viserys and Daenerys, the last surviving children of the Mad King Aerys II, both coveted the Iron Throne. While Viserys turned against his sister and her husband, Khal Drogo, Daenerys became consumed with the desire to claim it. The allure of the Iron Throne has captivated both rulers and rebels, and while few characters have actually sat upon it, many have sought it.

Throughout Game of Thrones, the Iron Throne is often synonymous with the monarchy itself. The throne was forged by King Aegon I Targaryen, also known as Aegon the Conqueror, the founder of the Targaryen dynasty in Westeros. As the first king of Westeros and the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Aegon I sat upon his throne to address his subjects and issue commands. This tradition continued until Queen Cersei Lannister's reign. Despite Daenerys Targaryen's victory in the Seven Kingdoms, she never had the opportunity to sit on the Iron Throne. While the Iron Throne's design appears complex, the question remains as to how it was forged.

The Iron Throne has been the symbol of power in the Seven Kingdoms since the kingdoms of Westeros were united. It is the seat of the king and the Hand of the King. In Game of Thrones season 1, episode 6, "A Golden Crown," Lord Eddard Stark, serving as the Hand of the King, sat on the Iron Throne and passed judgment on the petitions of Riverlanders seeking justice. Other notable rulers who have sat on the Iron Throne include Aegon V, Jaehaerys I, and Viserys I, all Targaryen kings.

In the final episode of Game of Thrones season 8, "The Iron Throne," Daenerys Targaryen was last seen in the ruins of the throne room, walking towards the Iron Throne. She placed her hand on the throne and experienced intense emotions. Jon Snow arrived and Daenerys shared with him the story her brother had told her as a child about the throne being made with a thousand swords from Aegon's fallen enemies. Lord Petyr Baelish also expressed fascination with the Iron Throne in Game of Thrones season 3, episode 6, "The Climb," but both Baelish and Daenerys ultimately met tragic ends.

The Iron Throne's creation is steeped in legend and myth. According to Game of Thrones lore, it was fashioned from the swords of a thousand enemies who had surrendered to Aegon the Conqueror. The swords were melted down using Balerion the Black Dread's fire, and then shaped into the iconic throne we know today. Twisted swords were used to adorn its steps, while many others were simply bent and left jutting from the ground.

However, the throne's design has changed over the years. During the reign of Aerys II Targaryen, the Mad King, many of the swords were removed to give the throne a more symmetrical appearance. Aerys II was infamous for his many injuries, which were caused by the sword points that remained on the throne. His arms and legs were often covered in half-healed cuts, earning him the nickname "King Scab."

The Iron Throne was not a comfortable or safe seat for rulers who aimed to govern with sincerity as it came with the immense responsibility of ruling over the Seven Kingdoms. Paddy Considine's King Viserys I Targaryen even described it as the most dangerous seat in the realm in House of the Dragon. In the Game of Thrones finale, Daenerys Targaryen revealed that as a child, she had imagined the Iron Throne as a mountain of swords too high to climb. However, after being consumed by rage and grief upon losing his mother, Daenerys, the Iron Throne became a target of Drogon's wrath in the Game of Thrones finale. The beast breathed fire at the Iron Throne, melting its blades, while Jon stood in awe before flying away with Daenerys' corpse.