The Targaryens are the ruling family of the Game of Thrones universe. Daenerys Targaryen “birthing” three dragons earned her the title “Mother of Dragons,” and made her one of the most recognizable television characters in history. Her legacy gave grounds for the first Game of Thrones spinoff, House of the Dragon, to focus on the Targaryen civil war between Rhaenyra and Aegon II that planted the seeds for the family’s extinction. However, long before Rhaenyra and Daenerys, there was another Targaryen woman who laid waste to her enemy’s land to glorify her family’s name: Visenya Targaryen.

As viewers will learn in the future spinoff about Aegon’s Conquest, Visenya was one of Aegon the Conqueror’s sisters and wives. Yet, reducing her to these roles doesn’t tell the history she made during the war. Visenya was a fierce and just warrior who wielded the Valyrian sword Dark Sister and never made empty promises. She rode the dragon Vhagar, who would later become the oldest and largest dragon in House of the Dragon. As George R. R. Martin’s world (shared by Westeros and Esso), upheld a patriarchal society that forced women into traditional boxes, Visenya breaking barriers inspired future generations of Targaryen women to do the same.

Who Is Visenya Targaryen?

Visenya was born on the island of Dragonstone in 29 BC as the oldest child of Lord Aerion Targaryen and Lady Valaena Velaryon. She had two younger siblings, Aegon and Rhaenys, both of whom were born a few years before each other. Growing up, she spent her years training with Aegon and advancing her skills as a fighter. Visenya and Rhaenys couldn’t be more opposite. While both were beautiful, Visenya had a sharper appearance while Rhaenys’ beauty was softer. When Visenya was play-fighting with her brother, Rhaenys was dancing or riding her dragon Meraxes.

Visenya also rode the dragon known as Vhagar, but not as much as her younger sister rode Meraxes. The sisters also differed in personality: Visenya was much more serious than Rhaenys, who had a mischievous element to her. As the eldest sister, Visenya married Aegon, but he also took Rhaenys as his wife. It’s unknown if the polygamous marriage came between the sisters, but it’s always been said that Aegon married Visenya out of duty, and married Rhaenys out of desire. The three siblings were unstoppable together with their dragons, and their power subdued most of the Seven Kingdoms.

Visenya Targaryen Was Instrumental in Aegon’s Conquest

In 2 BC, Aegon Targaryen began his campaign to conquer the entire continent of Westeros under his rule. His reasoning for the conquest was to unite the realm against the coming darkness from north beyond the wall, as he saw in a prophetic dream highlighted in House of the Dragon. The dream visualized a Targaryen born from his line known as the prince who was promised who would rule the Seven Kingdoms when the darkness came. In keeping that information to himself, the rest of Westeros believed Aegon was conquering them out of greed and power. Assuming that Visenya and Rhaenys weren’t aware of the prophecy, they still supported their brother because, ultimately, they were Targaryens.

As the last dragonriders, they were considered gods above men. Visenya was one of the strongest believers in that claim. When Aegon started his conquest of Westeros, Visenya was the one who crowned him, as she would for her son in the future. Her efforts during the war and Aegon’s Conquest mainly involved instilling fear in the lords of Westeros by mounting Vhagar and destroying fleets and armies. Although Visenya was known to be harsher than her sister, she showed an act of strategic kindness by allowing the King of Mountain and Vale, young Ronnel Arryn, to ride on dragonback in exchange for the Eyrie.

Visenya also fought in the First Dornish War when the southernmost realm refused to bow to Aegon. When Rhaenys was killed, Visenya and Aegon burned down nearly every castle in Sunspear and sent assassins to murder the Dornish lords. However, Dorne was better skilled at stealth attacks. One attempt at murdering Aegon led Visenya to create the longest-standing tradition in King’s Landing in present-day Westeros. One of her greatest contributions that is still a Westerosi establishment is the Kingsguard. The queen created the group of loyal knights when she realized Aegon’s current guards were slower than she was. This should make her one of the most important people in history, but it’s likely swept under the rug due to a conspiracy that she killed King Aenys Targaryen, her nephew and stepson. Visenya was rumored to dabble in potions and black magic, and Aenys mysteriously died under her care. Conveniently,Visenya’s son Maegor was next in line to the throne, whom she always advocated was more fit to rule.

Visenya’s Death Marked the End of an Era

As the old and bloody tale of the Targaryen dynasty goes, Maegor was dubbed “Maegor the Cruel” and had six wives. At this point in history, Visenya was the only living member of her immediate family and the Targaryen custom of polygamy was outcasted by the Faith of the Seven. But Visenya would allow anything to put her son on the throne, to which many lords of Westeros objected. As she did during Aegon’s Conquest, an aging Visenya mounted Vhagar and destroyed castles with leaders who refused to kneel to Maegor.

“A true king, blood of Aegon the Conqueror, who was my brother, my husband, and my love. If any man questions my son’s right to the Iron Throne, let him prove his claim with his body.”

– Visenya defending Maegor’s claim

Not even a year after continuous battles, Visenya died from presumably old age at around 73 years old. Her Valyrian steel sword Dark Sister was stolen from Aenys’ widow, Alyssa Velaryon, whom Visenya held as wards during Maegor’s campaign. Per the Targaryen custom, Visenya was cremated and laid beside her brother and husband, Aegon. After Visenya’s death, the era of the Conquest was over. Maegor lost his greatest supporter and the absence of the great Targaryen power that Aegon and his siblings exuded opened people’s eyes to Maegor’s tyrannical personality.

Visenya’s line was believed to be full of evil and had to end, which is why Aenys’ eldest son Jaehaerys I Targaryen stepped up to take the throne. As for Vhagar, it was notoriously difficult for new riders to claim her. Targaryens were ambitious to ride a dragon from Aegon’s time, but she was picky about the prospective candidates. Vhagar only had three other riders that were as worthy as Visenya: Baelon Targaryen, Laena Velaryon and Aemond Targaryen.

Visenya Challenged the Traditional Roles of Women in Westeros

The vast cultures of Game of Thrones are heavily influenced by medieval monarchies, which is why women’s authority is a constant theme. Even the most elite women in power are considered lesser beings than their male counterparts. Traditionally, women in Game of Thrones are conditioned to be traded between families for marriage as part of a political and cooperative strategy. When women like the skilled and cunning Arya Stark or Brienne of Tarth reject societal expectations to pick up a sword or put on armor, people feel threatened and confused. But for Arya and Brienne, nothing is confusing about it.

Their first hero in life was probably Visenya, who was a queen and wife who also normalized non-conforming feminity. Arya herself idolized female warriors like Visenya and Nymeria, who shaped the history of Westeros. But great lords like Tywin Lannister nearly forget that Visenya Targaryen rode the largest dragon in the world at one point. For Targaryen women, Visenya was a symbol of taking matters into their own hands. Rhaenyra and Daenerys both possessed Visenya’s unforgiving attitude toward traitors and showed no fear of riding on dragonback into battle. Their long braids when riding a dragon also appeared to be inspired by Visenya, who wore her hair in braids and rings. Rhaenyra also modeled her image as a queen after Visenya in attitude; she spent most of her early days as a queen reading about history to find an element of fear that Visenya had as a woman.

Throughout generations, Targaryen women tried to honor Visenya by naming their children after her. Aemma planned to name her last daughter Visenya, but she gave birth to a boy who died not long after. Rhaenyra was also determined to name her only daughter Visenya, who was stillborn. Others may have thought the negativity around the namesake would’ve cursed the child. Whether on the good or bad side of history, Visenya was a unique legend in Westeros. Visenya may have slipped away in history because of her questionable deceptions, but she gave future women an idol to imitate.

Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon Seasons 1-2 are available to stream on Max. A third season of House of the Dragon is in development.