Rhaegar Targaryen and Daenerys Targaryen, two pivotal characters in the Game of Thrones universe, share a complex family history. Understanding their ages and the timeline of events surrounding their births is crucial to grasping the dynamics of their story. This article delves into the timeline of their births and clarifies the age difference between Rhaegar and Daenerys.
Decoding the Targaryen Family Tree: Ages and Timelines
To understand the age gap between Rhaegar and Daenerys, we must first examine their parents, King Aerys II Targaryen and Queen Rhaella Targaryen. Aerys and Rhaella married young, with Aerys at 15 and Rhaella around 13 or 14 years old. Rhaegar was born in 259 AC (After the Conquest), when Rhaella was approximately 14 or 15. Their second son, Viserys, was born in 276 AC, a significant 17 years after Rhaegar. Rhaella experienced numerous miscarriages, stillbirths, and difficult pregnancies during these intervening years.
The Events Leading to Daenerys’s Birth
In 282 AC, a pivotal event occurred: Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark disappeared together. This act set in motion a chain of events that would culminate in Robert’s Rebellion. The following year, in 283 AC, the Battle of the Trident took place, resulting in Rhaegar’s death. Just days before this fateful battle, King Aerys II, in a fit of paranoia and rage, assaulted Queen Rhaella. This act of violence resulted in Daenerys’s conception. Following the Battle of the Trident, Aerys sent Rhaella and Viserys to Dragonstone for safety.
Jon Snow’s Birth and the Sack of King’s Landing
The sack of King’s Landing occurred roughly two weeks after the Battle of the Trident. Eddard Stark arrived in the ravaged city shortly after, and within days, he departed for Dorne in search of his sister, Lyanna. He found her at the Tower of Joy, where she had given birth to Jon Snow. Eddard promised to protect Jon, who was born in 283 AC. Meanwhile, Rhaella remained on Dragonstone until the end of her pregnancy. She gave birth to Daenerys in 284 AC and tragically died during childbirth.
The Age Gap: Rhaegar and Daenerys
Based on these established timelines, Jon Snow is approximately eight months older than Daenerys Targaryen. This makes Rhaegar significantly older than Daenerys. As Rhaegar was born in 259 AC and Daenerys in 284 AC, they have a 25-year age difference. This considerable age gap highlights the generational differences between them and underscores the complex web of relationships within the Targaryen family history. Understanding this timeline is crucial for comprehending the motivations and actions of these characters and the overall narrative of the Game of Thrones saga.
