That Targaryen blood is why Jon Snow can ride Rhaegal, the dragon whose name is styled like his father's, in 'Game of Thrones' Season 8.Īdditionally, a dragon will not let anyone ride them except the dragonrider they're bonded with unless their rider is also on their back. Outside of these four illegitimate offspring, who admittedly are of unknown ancestry, every Dragonrider since the Doom of Valyria has had the last name Targaryen or Velaryon.
Among the successful are Hugh Hammer and Ulf the White, who later betray Rhaenyra and spoil her opinion of all dragonseeds Addam, who is later legitimized as a Velaryon and a 16-year-old girl named Nettles, who claims Sheepstealer, one of the three wild dragons living on Dragonstone. Most are killed or maimed, but a few, presumably of Targaryen blood, succeed. In a great event called 'The Sowing of the Seeds,' plenty of people submit themselves to claim a dragon.
The royals bank on the fact that there are illegitimate Targaryen children - nicknamed 'dragonseeds' - living on the island who would be able to ride one of the dragons. So, her son puts out a call to the people of Dragonstone: Whoever can successfully mount and ride one receives knighthood and riches. Rhaenyra has several dragons on her side but lacks riders. This event sparks an interesting moment in the history of dragonriders.
