Who Did Aegon Love More: Visenya or Rhaenys?

The Seven Kingdoms have seen many great rulers throughout history, but none compare to Aegon I Targaryen. Born on Dragonstone in 27 BC to Lord Aerion Targaryen and Lady Valaena Velaryon, Aegon possessed a rare combination of ambition, wisdom, and strategic thinking that allowed him to conquer six of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Aegon's Conquest occurred almost 300 years before the events of Game of Thrones, when he landed at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush with his siblings Visenya and Rhaenys, their three dragons, and a small army in 2 BC. Aegon swiftly defeated the best military commanders and arrogant kings, proving himself to be the blood of Old Valyria indeed.

In addition to his many accomplishments, Aegon I also earned the respect of Westerosi lords and former kings. While Aegon led the invasion of the Seven Kingdoms, his sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys played critical roles in the Targaryen campaign. Their contributions in battles such as the Field of Fire were instrumental in establishing the Targaryen dynasty in Westeros. Riding Balerion the Black Dread, Visenya rode Vhagar (seen in House of the Dragon), and Rhaenys rode Meraxes, together they proved to be an unstoppable force.

Aegon The Conqueror Took Two Wives

The characters in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon hold Aegon the Conqueror in high esteem, as he is the most prominent figure in their history. In House of the Dragon season 1, episode 4 "King of the Narrow Sea," Daemon Targaryen declares his desire to marry his niece, Rhaenyra, in keeping with their family's tradition. He believes that since Aegon the Conqueror took a second wife, he too can do the same. Later in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 7 "Driftmark," Aegon, who later becomes King Aegon II Targaryen, expresses his displeasure at his betrothal to Helaena, stating that they have nothing in common. His younger brother, Aemond, rebukes him, stating that marrying his sister would strengthen the family and maintain their Valyrian bloodline.

These examples from House of the Dragon exemplify how incestuous practices were employed by the Targaryen family to retain their power. It is widely believed that their founder and patriarch, Aegon I Targaryen, married his older sister, Visenya, out of duty and his younger sister, Rhaenys, out of love. These marriages took place before he conquered the Seven Kingdoms. In fact, the three-headed dragon on the Targaryen sigil represents the Conqueror and his sister-wives. Aegon adhered to his family's customs by marrying within the family and taking two wives instead of one. Although he needed to marry his older sister to secure his succession, his marriage to Rhaenys was purely based on love.

Aegon's marital status became a topic of interest during the early stages of the Conquest, which may potentially be explored in a Game of Thrones prequel. This sparked a conflict between Aegon and the last Storm King, Argilac Durrandon. Argilac proposed a marriage alliance between Aegon and his heir, Argella, but Aegon declined, stating that he did not require a third wife. Instead, Aegon offered his friend and rumored bastard half-brother, Orys Baratheon's hand in marriage. This decision angered Argilac and led to a full-scale war, which ended in his defeat. Despite his incestuous and polygamous marriages, Aegon successfully brought the kingdoms under his control, and the people of Westeros accepted his unconventional choices. Additionally, Aegon deeply loved his queen, Rhaenys.

Queen Rhaenys Targaryen was widely regarded as Aegon's favorite and it was through their marriage that the Targaryen line of succession continued. Their eldest son, Aenys, went on to become the second Targaryen king to sit on the Iron Throne. After the Six Kingdoms were united, Aegon and his sister-wives resided at Aegonfort in King's Landing, leaving them in charge of the day-to-day affairs of the realm. Queen Rhaenys was instrumental in winning the trust and confidence of Aegon's vassals and the smallfolk. She even convinced Aegon to forbid the Ironborn practice of capturing women throughout the Seven Kingdoms, which was also an objection raised by Daenerys in Game of Thrones.

While it is true that the Targaryens practiced incest to keep their bloodlines pure, Aegon's love for Rhaenys was undeniable. He chose to marry her, despite not being obligated to. Tragically, Rhaenys was killed in the First Dornish War, leading Aegon and Visenya to seek revenge. Aegon's grief and anger fueled his use of Balerion to set fire to Dorne, resulting in the destruction of every Dornish stronghold except for Sunspear and its shadow city. These events, known as Dragon's Wroth, marked a dark period for both the Targaryens and Dorne.