Is the Mad King in House of the Dragon? Targaryen civil war explained

After Game of Thrones came to a divisive end in 2019, the epic fantasy franchise is returning to our screens in August 2022 for the long-awaited prequel series, House of the Dragon.

The series is set to tell the story of the Targaryen civil war, which marked the beginning of the end for one of the most powerful dynasties ever seen in Westeros.

However, some fans have been left with questions about House of the Dragon’s time period and whether the series will feature the Mad King.

TIMELINE EXPLAINED: IS HOUSE OF THE DRAGON A PREQUEL TO GAME OF THRONES?

House of the Dragon | Official TrailerBridTV10938House of the Dragon | Official Trailerhttps://i.ytimg.com/vi/6PnQxbW6Jc4/hqdefault.jpg10576781057678center13872

Who is the Mad King in Game of Thrones?

The Mad King was Aerys Targaryen II and he sat on the Iron Throne before Robert Baratheon’s rebellion.

Aerys was the father of Daenerys Targaryen and her brothers Viserys and Rhaegar. Despite his rule beginning in relative peace, his reign ended in death and destruction.

Several years before Robert’s Rebellion, Aerys was taken prisoner during the Defiance of Duskendale. Aerys was tortured by the band of rebels for six months before being rescued by Ser Barristan Selmy.

His imprisonment was the beginning of Aerys’ madness. Over the following years, he grew increasingly erratic and unhinged before the actions of his son, Rhaegar Targaryen – who allegedly kidnapped Lyanna Stark – sparked several houses to rebel against the throne.

Robert’s Rebellion raged for around a year until the rebelling armies surrounded King’s Landing.

However, Aerys did not plan on surrendering. He ordered his pyromancers to ignite caches of wildfire they had hidden all over the city to make sure Robert inherited nothing but burned ruins.

In response to Aerys’ plan to burn King’s Landing to the ground, Jaime Lannister betrayed the king and stabbed him in the back, earning himself the nickname, Kingslayer.

Is the Mad King in House of the Dragon?

No, the Mad King, Aerys Targaryen II, will not feature in House of the Dragon.

That’s because the prequel series takes place two hundred years before the events of Game of Thrones.

And, as Aerys Targaryen was only dethroned 15 years before Game of Thrones began, House of the Dragon is still far too early for his time.

Instead, House of the Dragon will focus on the Mad King’s ancestors as several members of the Targaryen family aim to ascend the Iron Throne as a succession dispute arises.

Download from official press site | Ollie Upton | HBO

What is House of the Dragon about?

Based on George R.R. Martin’s 2018 novel Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon tells the story of the Targaryen Civil War, which became known as the Dance of Dragons – itself loosely based on the real War of the Roses.

House of the Dragon begins with King Viserys I on the Iron Throne at the height of the Targaryen dynasty’s power.

Following the death of his wife, Viserys goes against tradition and controversially names his daughter, Princess Rhaenyra, as his successor which sparks tension between members of the Targaryen family and the other houses of Westeros.

As Viserys’ first-born child, Rhaenyra expects to be named the first queen regnant of the Seven Kingdoms.

However, Viserys’ brother, Prince Daemon Targaryen, a renowned warrior, also has his eyes on the Iron Throne.

Download from official press site | Ollie Upton | HBO

House of the Dragon will arrive on HBO in the US on August 21, 2022.
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