How Many Dragons Did Aegon the Conqueror Have When He Conquered Westeros?

The question of how many dragons Aegon the Conqueror had when he began his conquest of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros is a topic of great interest among fans of the books and television series A Song of Ice and Fire and A Song of Ice and Fire: Game of Thrones. This article delves into the history of the Targaryen Dragons, with a particular focus on those that Aegon the Conqueror owned and rode during the Conquest.

Dragon History of the Targaryens

According to the history of Westeros, House Targaryen brought a total of twenty dragons with them across the Narrow Sea from Valyria after Daenys the Dreamer had prophetic visions of the Doom of Valyria. These dragons played a pivotal role in the Rise of the Dragon, leading to the conquest of the Seven Kingdoms.

Five dragons accompanied the Targaryens from Valyria:

Balerion the Black Dread Meraxes Vhagar Baleenum Rhaenys

Over the course of the next century, most of these Dragons died. Only Balerion, the mighty Black Dread, continued to live and fight. This was an era where the skies of Westeros were dominated by flying monsters.

Aegon I Targaryen and His Dragons

Aegon I Targaryen, who rose to the Iron Throne as Aegon the Conqueror, had a greater number of dragons at his disposal for his conquest. He had three dragons during the initial stages of his campaign, but by the end of the conquest, he had only two left.

Initial Dragons

Balerion the Black Dread: Owned by Aegon the Conqueror. Balerion was the largest and most powerful of the Targaryen dragons, having been ridden by Aegon, King Maegor the Cruel, and King Viserys I Targaryen. Vhagar: Owned by Aegon the Conqueror's sister and wife, Visenya Targaryen. Meraxes: Owned by Aegon the Conqueror's sister and wife, Rhaenys Targaryen.

End of the Conquest

By the time Aegon the Conqueror completed his conquest, he only had two dragons left.

Balerion the Black Dread: This dragon was still prominent. Vhagar: Also survived and continued to be used by the Targaryens. Meraxes: Regrettably, Meraxes died during Aegon's failed conquest of Dorne in 10 AC, along with her rider, Prince Aegon Targaryen.

Post-Conquest Era

After the Conquest, the Targaryen reign over Westeros was characterized by a gradual decrease in the number of dragons. Many reasons contributed to this decline, including the deaths in battle during the Dance of the Dragons and the natural aging of the remaining Targaryen dragons. By the time Aegon III Targaryen, known as the Dragonbane, assumed the throne, the last Targaryen dragon had perished in 153 AC.

Current Context and Existence in Fictional Universes

The existence of Aegon the Conqueror and his dragons is somewhat fluid, depending on the universe in question. In the books and the TV series, they are very real entities living in a world filled with magic, dragons, and war. However, in our current universe, the Targaryen dragons are an integral part of the fictional world of Westeros, created by George R.R. Martin and brought to life on-screen by A Song of Ice and Fire: Game of Thrones.

Summary

Aegon the Conqueror, the ruler of House Targaryen, initially had three dragons at his disposal: Balerion, Vhagar, and Meraxes. However, by the conclusion of the conquest, Meraxes had been killed in Dorne, leaving Aegon with Balerion and Vhagar. The dragons of the Targaryens played a crucial role in the history of Westeros, contributing to the conquest and the subsequent rule by the Targaryens. The fates of the dragons, tied closely to the fate of the Targaryen dynasty, are central to the legend and lore of the Seven Kingdoms.

References

1. George R.R. Martin, A Song of Ice and Fire series. 2. A Game of Thrones: Art of the Story,edited by Steve Herd and Wayne Garvin. 3. "The Dragons of Dragonstone" article from A Song of Ice and Fire forums.