Who is Aegon V Targaryen – New Game of Thrones ‘Hedge Knight’ Prequel Introduces The Mad King’s Grandfather

Aegon V Targaryen, popularly known as Aegon the Unlikely, had a huge impact on Westeros’ history and the events of Game of Thrones. Beginning as the fourth-born son of House Targaryen and ultimately ascending to the throne of the Seven Kingdoms, Aegon’s life was defined by unexpected twists and turns. The Hedge Knight, a prequel to the upcoming Game of Thrones series, will explore his life. The series will be based on a George R.R. Martin book that narrates the adventures of a young knight named Dunk and his squire, Egg, who is Aegon V of House Targaryen.

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HBO Approves Game Of Thrones Prequel The Hedge Knight Ft. Aegon V Targaryen

HBO has officially given the green light to a new Game of Thrones prequel, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, which will follow the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall, also known as Dunk, and his squire Egg, who is later revealed to be Aegon V Targaryen, the grandfather of the Mad King.

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This latest prequel will be based on George R.R. Martin’s Dunk and Egg novellas and will take place a century before the events of Game of Thrones. 

According to the official description of the prequel, the story will center on two unlikely heroes, stating,

“A century before the events of ‘Game of Thrones,’ two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg.

It takes place at a time when the Targaryen family rules the Iron Throne, and is further explained,

“Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.”

Martin has already published three novellas in the Tales of Dunk and Egg series, namely The Hedge Knight in 1998, The Sworn Sword in 2003, and The Mystery Knight in 2010.

With the global success of GOT, HBO has been developing numerous projects set in Martin’s world, but so far, only House of the Dragon has come to attainment, with its first season premiering in August 2022 and getting renewed for a second season within a week of its launch.

On April 12, 2023, at a presentation to investors and press by Warner Bros. Discovery, it was revealed that the upcoming prequel would be available for streaming on a combined HBO Max and Discovery+ service called Max. 

Aegon V Targaryen’s Legacy In Westerosi History

The Lord of the Seven Kingdoms is a crucial figure in the history of Westeros. Despite being an unexpected candidate to sit on the Iron Throne, Targaryen’s reign brought significant changes to the Kingdoms. However, watching the series House of the Dragon can be quite overwhelming as his family seems to grow exponentially. 

House of the Dragon, a TV series set in the world of Game of Thrones, is centered on the Targaryen family and their dragons during a civil war that is popularly known as the Dance of Dragons. The fifth king of the Targaryen dynasty, Viserys I, was the ruler sitting on the Iron Throne in the series.

As a descendant of Aegon I, who founded the dynasty in Westeros, Viserys I names his daughter Rhaenyra as his heir. However, after he has a son, Aegon, with his second wife Alicent Hightower, a rivalry ignites, leading to a civil war.

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After King Viserys I’s death, Aegon II becomes the new king, and the series focuses on his reign and the events leading up to the Dance of Dragons. Other Targaryen characters are also introduced, including Rhaenyra Targaryen, Viserys I’s daughter, who fights against her half-siblings, the children Viserys I had with Alicent Hightower.

The show also featured other family members such as Prince Daemon Targaryen, King Viserys I’s younger brother, and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, also known as the Queen Who Never Was.

Aerys II Targaryen, who takes over the throne after the civil war, and his son, Rhaegar, are also introduced. A civil war later leads to the death of both Aerys and Rhaegar and Viserys, Rhaegar’s younger brother, is killed by the Dothraki.

Daenerys, the youngest child of Aerys II, rises to fame as a potential heir, but Jon Snow ends up killing her because of her madness brought on by her desire for power. Jon Snow, the last surviving member of the Targaryen dynasty, is shown as the true heir to the Iron Throne, although he is unaware of his heritage for a long time.

Raised to believe he was the son of Ned Stark and Wylla, Snow is, in fact, a Targaryen and Ned’s sister Lyanna’s secret son. Protector of the Realm, Snow’s great-great-grandfather, is the great-grandfather of Rhaegar, Viserys, and Daenerys Targaryen, making him the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.

Source: Variety