Summary
Despite not featuring at all inGame of Thrones, House Velaryon is one of the most important families inHouse of the Dragon, and many of its members are key players in the lead-up to the civil war known as The Dance of the Dragons. Similarly to House Targaryen, the Velaryons also hail from Old Valyria. Unlike their distant kin, they are not dragonlords and instead derive their power from the sea.
House Velaryon rules the island of Driftmark, which is near Dragonstone, and just off Driftmark is another small island where their castle, High Tide, stands. With similar-sounding names and only one season out, it can be hard to remember just who all the members of House Velaryon are.
1Corlys Velaryon, The Sea Snake
Lord Of The Tides & Master Of Driftmark
Corlys Velaryon, also known as theSea Snake for his nine great voyages across the world, is the head of House Velaryon and a powerful player in the politics of the land. Not only is he a member of the small council as the Lord Admiral, but he is also married to Rhaenys Targaryen, a previous claimant to the Iron Throne, and cousin to King Viserys I.
However, during the events of the first series, after starting in a strong position and subsequently going to war, Corlys eventually suffers a grievous injury, with many speculating about his imminent death.
2Ser Vaemond Velaryon
Younger Brother Of Lord Corlys Velaryon
Ser Vaemond Velaryon is the younger brother of Corlys Velaryon, although in the books he is instead a nephew of the Sea Snake. Vaemond is loyal to a fault to his family and in particular the blood that flows through Velaryon veins.
While not a major player in the constant games of thrones, Vaemond plays his part diligently in the War for the Stepstones as one of the commanders. In the end, however, Vaemond’s pride gets the better of him, and he loses something very dear to him…
3Ser Laenor Velaryon
Son & Heir Of Lord Corlys Velaryon
Ser Laenor Velaryonis the only son and heir of Lord Corlys Velaryon, but thanks to his Targaryen mother, he is able to ride dragons, namely Seasmoke. Most notably, Laenor unleashed the full might of his dragon in a battle against the Crabfeeder, during the War for the Stepstones.
Laenor also had a major role to play on the political front, as a marriage between him and Princess Rhaenyra would in theory forge a secure union between the two greatest Houses in Westeros, House Targaryen and House Velaryon. However, due in part to Laenor’s lack of interest in siring a child, peace was not to be.
4Laena Velaryon
Daughter Of Lord Corlys Velaryon
Laena Velaryon is the daughter of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen, so it’s easy to see where she got her willful and adventurous nature from. At the start ofHouse of the Dragon, Laena is a young girl who some see as a suitable marriage candidate for King Viserys after the Queen’s tragic death.
Years later, however, she ends up marrying the King’s brother Daemon instead, in a union that in part seems to have been made with compatibility in mind. Laena and Daemon, both of whom sharea fierce passion for dragons, went on to have two daughters, Baela and Rhaena.
5Jacaerys Velaryon
Eldest Son & Heir Of Laenor Velaryon & Rhaenyra Targaryen
While it’s fairly safe to say that none ofPrincess Rhaenyra’s three boysactually have Velaryon blood due to Laenor’s sexual preferences and Rhaenyra’s affair with Ser Harwin Strong, Jacaerys and the others are nonetheless Velaryons. Jacaerys, as Rhaenyra’s heir, has the makings of a great king with a keen sense of duty, and an aptitude for all aspects of ruling, and yet he is also good-natured.
However, with his mother’s succession contested, Jace must fight for her birthright long before he can look to his own possible reign. Just like popular characters from the main series such as Robb Stark and Jon Snow, Jacaerys too must rise to the responsibilities of adulthood early.
6Lucerys Velaryon
Second Son Of Laenor Velaryon & Rhaenyra Targaryen
Lucerys is Rhaenyra’s second son, and just like his brothers, genetically speaking, he is Ser Harwin Strong’s son, but will always bear Laenor Velaryon’s House name. Despite being the second son, Lucerys is the presumed heir of Driftmark as his elder brother would be inheriting the infinitely more lucrative title ofKing of Westeros.
However, Luke himself says he does not want Driftmark, as The Lord of the Tides naturally has duties at sea, and he gets seasick all too easily. Instead, thanks to his mother’s Targaryen blood, Lucerys is much more at home on the back of his dragon, Arrax.
7Joffrey Velaryon
Third Son Of Laenor Velaryon & Rhaenyra Targaryen
While the name Joffrey may draw bad connotationsfor viewers as well as the people of King’s Landing around two centuries after the events ofHouse of the Dragon, Rhaenyra’s third son is named for his legal father’s deceased friend and lover, Ser Joffrey Lonmouth.
As he is only six bythe end of the first season ofHouse of the Dragon, Joffrey Velaryon’s role is more about the future, and it will be interesting to see how he differentiates himself from his older brothers.
