It is uncertain which real historical figure Visenya I Targaryen may have been inspired by, but her fame may place her among the she-wolves (women that the patriarchy considers predators). Even better, among the heroines. Depending on which side of History you want to look at, she was both.

The announcement that is moving fans of House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones, that HBO Max is considering producing a series about Aegon’s Conquest, is enough to remind us of the most controversial female Targaryen figure in the saga: the cunning and great warrior.

Visenya I’s trajectory is one of the most interesting in Fire and Blood. In addition to being one of the wives of her younger brother, Aegon I, and helping him conquer the Seven Kingdoms, she rode Vhagar (still alive and flying in the House of the Dragon series) and is considered a great diplomat (when was necessary). Some place her among the best rulers of House Targaryen, highlighting her strong temperament, but also remembering that her reputation is compromised by having been the mother of one of the most feared Targaryen kings: Maegor the Cruel.

Who was Visenya I Targaryen?

Her presence in George R. R. Martin‘s fantasy saga is one of the best news for fans because it is a potentially relevant role for any actress. Vikings‘ Kathryn Winnick topped Twitter’s list of suggestions, but as the win happened when Visenya was in her late 30s, we can evaluate a list of different candidates.

If you don’t already know, here’s a tip Visenya I Targaryen is the most important sister of Aegon I and one of the central figures in the House of the Dragon franchise.

The elder sister of Aegon I and Rhaenys Targaryen was born in Dragonstone, the firstborn of Aerion Targaryen and Valaena Velaryon. She grew up knowing that she would be the wife of her brother, Aegon I, born two years after her, but historians agree that the feeling between them was always just fraternal, with marriage being a family “function”.

Visenya was not an especially beautiful woman, especially in comparison to her sister Rhaenys, but she was defined as having an “austere and severe” beauty because she was always short on smiles and implacable in her judgments. “As comfortable with mail as with silk”, that is, feminine and warrior in equal measure, she was skilled with the sword – hers is the Dark Sister, today with Daemon Targaryen – and with the dragon, flying with Vhagar, today with Aemond Targaryen.

The three brothers trained together from an early age, but Visenya always stood out more in martial fighting, in addition to having a reputation for knowing how to deal with poisons and sorcery. She was crucial in the conquest of Westeros.

A political marriage

Visenya’s ferocity in battle was reflected in her personal life as well: no one knows exactly who or if the Queen loved anyone. Her union with Aegon was almost formal, sex was a Duty and they spent only the necessary nights together (one with her and 10 with Rhaenys, says the legend) as a result it took them more than a decade to produce a son, Maegor. They were not enemies, but they had similar temperaments – seeds of arguments – and every now and then they saw things differently from each other. Rhaenys brought the balance.

Beside her, Visenya took care of the day-to-day affairs of the Kingdom. One of the credits given to her was the creation (and selection) of the Royal Guard, mirroring in them the dedication of the Night Watch, and thus ensuring that her brother was always defended by the best knights in the kingdom.

Over the years, however, Visenya and Aegon I grew cold towards each other, spending most of their time apart. When he built the Red Keep in King’s Landing, he handed the project over to her while he stayed in Dragonstone. Some versions maintain that the King’s plan was to keep her busy and far away from him…

How Visenya is different from Rhaenys

Naturally, there was jealousy between the sisters, but Visenya adored Rhaenys. While the older girl braided her hair or tied it in rings, the younger girl wore hers loose and flowing, highlighting their differences in life.

While Visenya was sensual, more voluptuous, and with a dark side, Rhaenys, considered the most beautiful (she was said to be Aegon I’s true passion), was also more playful, sunny, mischievous, and even flirtatious, supposedly with lovers besides her brother. -husband.

Rhaenys’ tragic death in Dorne is shrouded in mystery and brings deep sadness to the brothers. The Wrath of the Dragon period was particularly marked by their revenge, with Visenya shaken by the death of her beloved Rhaenys.

Ultimately, she was the only one of the generation of the Conquest of the Targaryens to live with the next two kings, her nephew, Aenys I, and his son, Maegor. Her political influence during the reign of Aegon and Rhaenys’ son was especially important because he was a weak sovereign.

Unfortunately, many suspect that he eventually poisoned his nephew, replaced by Maegor. The analysis of the facts differs among historians because as Aenys was very weak, his death would have been for the good of the dynasty more than anything personal. It will be?

Was Visenya cruel as his son?

After she became a mother, some suggest that Visenya’s intentions were not aligned with those of her sister and brother. To make matters worse, when she was widowed, she openly expressed her opinion of Aenys’s weakness of spirit as successor, especially when Aenys presented Maegor with the sword he inherited from Aegon I, the Blackfyre, reinforcing the impression that he did not have the strength to rule.

When the kingdom turned against Maegor when he took a second wife, in a Valyrian wedding ceremony officiated by Visenya, he was exiled. To make matters worse, the following year, Aenys named his son Prince of Dragonstone, a title that belonged to Maegor, and Visenya left the ceremony in protest, frightening everyone. Then came the uprising of Faith Militants…

Aenys fled King’s Landing and did not listen to her aunt, who suggested that she set fire to the Septs to show her strength by becoming ill from the stress. He improved after Visenya took over her care, but collapsed when he learned that his children were under siege and subsequently died. The fact that Visenya immediately rescued her son from exile raised suspicions about the King’s treatment, even more so because Maegor had his help in usurping the Iron Throne.

In its early years, King’s Landing was ruled by three queens: Visenya, Megor’s lover and second wife, Alys Harroway, and his third bride, Tyanna, who many said was a sorceress. Unsurprisingly, she and Visenya soon became antagonistic. Many suggest that it was thanks to Tyanna that Visenya died, something that we hope will be clarified.

In a gesture that speaks positively of Visenya, she kept her great-nephews, Jaehaerys and Alysanne, as her wards in Dragonstone. Remember that Jaehaerys is the grandfather of Rhaenys, Viserys, and Daemon in House of the Dragon.

How good a warrior was Visenya?

Great. There are several stories of Visenya’s battles or leadership in the period of conquest, in the air, or on land. Vengeful, if necessary, she would destroy castles, fleets, or armies to highlight the power of the Targaryens.

In the battle known as Field of Fire, she was crucial to victory, even though she was injured by an arrow in the shoulder. Her flyby over the Vale secured the loyalty of House Arryn without spilling blood (and taking little King Ronnel for a ride around Rhagar, as he requested).

When Rhaenys died, Visenya and Aegon I burned down every castle and fortress in Dorne at least once, sparing Sunspear, the seat of House Martell. They also offered bounties on the heads of the Martells, who did the same. It was Visenya’s ability that saved Aegon when he was attacked by assassins on the streets of King’s Landing, who created the Kingsguard after that.

How Visenya died

No one goes down in history as Cruel by being good. When her position was becoming untenable, Maegor took Visenya and her nephews, Jaehaerys and Alysanne, hostage.

Despite her advanced age, Visenya was healthy enough to ride Vhagar, but suddenly she became thin and haggard, dying within a few months. Her pupils managed to escape from Maegor, taking with them the Dark Sister’s Valyrian steel sword.

The suspicion of poisoning was immediate, with Tyanna the likely mastermind. Without his mother, Maegor lost a great ally. All of the Great Houses of Westeros eventually openly turned against the King, who was found dead on the Iron Throne itself shortly afterward.

Visenya’s lineage and the curse of her name

Neither Rhaenyra nor Daenerys comes from Visenya’s direct lineage but from Rhaenys and Aegon I. The queen’s only son, Maegor, died without issue, so the Crown went to Jaehaerys, who was a kind and popular monarch.

For many, and this reinforces how her son tarnished her legacy, the name “Visenya” came to carry a curse, which Rhaenyra’s miscarriage in House of the Dragon did not help to change. The only daughter of the Queen of the Black faction died when she learned of the death of Viserys I and that Aegon III had usurped the Crown. It will be?

When will we see Aegon’s Conquest air?

Obviously, the Internet is in an uproar discussing the possibilities of the casting possibilities, as the Conquest of Aegon series is still in an early stage, without the official green light to move forward from HBO Max. The status as of February 2024 is of ‘treatment’, i.e., just a draft being prepared for discussion.

What we, who read the books and follow the saga, know is that it is impossible to ignore the appeal of filming ‘the beginning of history’, if we continue using the Targaryen dynasty as the main narrative. Anticipating the plot to a pre-arrival period of the Valyrian family was Bloodmoon‘s proposal, but not even George R. R. Martin delved so deeply into the period, which gives freedom, but at the same time makes the choice more risky.

Equally risky for now, given the bad reaction to the conclusion of Game of Thrones, is thinking about something post-GOT, like the case of Snow, as the author has yet to finish the books, and anything without the slightest approval from him will be so far away that fans will certainly experience rejection in some way. We like Kit Harington and Jon Snow deserve a more detailed conclusion, but time is needed.

So banking on what he’s already written, but left enough in check, worked for House of the Dragon and will work for Aegon’s Conquest. Hence, thinking about casting is a speculative game that only entertains the imagination.

Who will play Visenya?

Popular preference does not take into account the ages of the books. According to the writer, the trio of brothers was not even 30 years old when they dominated Westeros, ruling out most of the actors mentioned above. Unfortunately, this applies to Kathryn Winnick and Henry Cavill, both over 30, actually in their 40s.

Anya Taylor-Joy, touted as Rhaenys by fans, would be more aligned with Visenya than Rhaenys, almost perfect for the role, in fact. Would HBO Max bet on a big name to lead the cast?

The fact is that the franchise’s tradition is to have established names for special appearances. Ned Stark was going to be killed in the 1st season of Game of Thrones, fueling the tradition of Sean Bean choosing tragic characters. The same was expected of Paddy Considine as Viserys I in the first season of House of the Dragon. What ‘changes’ is having Olivia Cooke and Matt Smith as Alicent Hightower and Daemon Targaryen, respectively, because, in general, the franchise bets on revealing new names.

The actress chosen to play Visenya will have to dedicate a few years to the series; after all, the Queen will survive a new generation, unless they change performers as time goes on. Or don’t conclude your story, leaving Aegon I as the main one. The female audience is certainly focused on her protagonism.

So, ignoring the cons, let’s get to the poll.

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