Lady Rhaenys Velaryon was born in 382 AC, the third child and only daughter of Lord Corlys Velaryon, Hand of the King, and his wife Lady Rhaenys Targaryen. The young Princess grew up at Driftmark, her family’s island fortress, with little prospect of ever marrying or leaving the island. She was once considered as a candidate to succeed her grandfather King Jaehaerys II as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms but ultimately lost out to her cousin Viserys II Targaryen at the Great Council of 387 AC. A Life of Heartbreak and Betrayal: The Story of Princess Rhaenys Velaryon
Overview
Eve Best will be playing the role of Princess Rhaenys Velaryon in the upcoming HBO series House of the Dragon. While Rhaenys was a dragonrider and wife of Lord Corlys, she was never crowned queen. She was passed over in favor of her cousin Viserys, which led to a life full of heartbreak and betrayal.
They would remain friends for the rest of their lives, each supporting the other as they watched their dreams slip away from them – first theirs and then each other’s.
Rebellion Against Aerys II Targaryen
In the midst of the rebellion against her father, King Aerys II Targaryen, Princess Rhaenys Velaryon remained loyal to him. She was one of the few people who still believed in his greatness, despite his descent into madness.
Rhaenys Targaryen, the Queen Who Never Was
Rhaenys Targaryen was born into a world of privilege. She was the granddaughter of King Jaehaerys Targaryen, who ruled the Seven Kingdoms for fifty years. When her grandfather died, her cousin Viserys became king. Rhaenys was passed over for the throne, even though she was a dragonrider and had been married to Lord Corlys Velaryon for two years. Rumors spread that she was passed over because of pressure from Queen Alicent Hightower and other powerful lords, who didn’t want a woman ruling the kingdom. If true, they were proved right when Lord Corlys led his daughter-in-law’s forces against their enemies in the Dance of Dragons – after he was killed by dragonfire on the battlefield. The next year, Princess Rhaenys traveled to Essos with her brother Aegon and sister Visenya, where they conquered Volantis before returning home to claim their birthright as rulers of Westeros
