Whether you’re gearing up for the next season of HBO’s “House of the Dragon” prequel, waiting desperately for George R.R. Martin to publish the next “A Song of Ice and Fire” installment or rewatching the original series just to feel the pain all over again, you can never know too much about “Game of Thrones.”
Well, maybe you can. A little refresher on the history can’t hurt, though.
The drama, patricide, incest, betrayal, nudity and draconology of the “Game of Thrones” books and TV series spans more than 12,000 years. No, don’t think too hard about what “years” are in the fantasy realm of Westeros. Be thankful there’s a point of reference at all, because it’s about to get complex. (HBO shares parent company Warner Bros. Discovery with CNN.)
1 AC: Aegon’s Conquest is completed
The Targaryens (the ancestors of Daenerys, Jon Snow, and practically everyone on “House of the Dragon”) invade Westeros and become its ruling family, setting up the capital city of King’s Landing. (That’s where the Baratheons and Lannisters ruled from for nearly the whole “Game of Thrones” series.) 112 AC: “House of the Dragon,” Season 1
112 AC: ‘House of the Dragon,’ Season 1
The Targaryens are still in power, still marrying their sisters and cousins and whatnot.
King Viserys names his daughter Rhaenyra as his heir and then marries Alicent, her closest childhood friend. These are both extremely messy, dramatic decisions that affect the course of the entire show and, indeed, the history of Westeros.
After all that, King Viserys dies.
Rhaenyra is crowned queen and gets with her husband/uncle Daemon Targaryen. However, some Targaryens support her half brother, Aegon II, as the new ruler instead. Alicent’s other son accidentally kills Rhaenyra’s son in an ill-advised reckless dragon riding incident. Cue Season 2!
132 AC: The Dance of the Dragons
This is where “House of the Dragon” Season 1 leaves off. The Dance of the Dragons is the name for a civil war between factions of House Targaryen over who their rightful ruler should be. It is a big part of Westerosi history and is set to be the main action in “House of the Dragon” Season 2. No spoilers, but a lot of people die.
261 AC: The Reign of Aerys II, the Mad King
We still haven’t gotten to the main “Game of Thrones” action, but more than a Westerosi century after the bloody Dance of the Dragons, Targaryens are still in power, major GoT players are being born and events that influence the whole series start to play out. Aerys II was the “Mad King” who was eventually slain by Jaime Lannister, and marked the end of the unbroken centuries during which Targaryens ruled Westeros.
281 AC: Robert’s Rebellion
Another crucial moment in Westerosi history, this is when Robert Baratheon wrests power from the Targaryens. Also around this time, Rhaegar Targaryen (Daenerys’ brother) secretly marries Lyanna Stark, who gives birth to Jon Snow and then dies (RIP again), setting up one of the biggest and ickiest secrets of the series.
298 AC: ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 1 (‘ASOIAF’ Book 1: ‘A Game of Thrones’)
Finally, 186 years after “House of the Dragon” Season 1 begins, we get to the main action.
Robert Baratheon dies in a gory boar goring.
The Lannisters jockey for power.
Jamie Lannister pauses a round of incest with Cersei Lannister to push Bran Stark out a window.
Ned Stark is executed by Joffrey Baratheon because the former knows the latter isn’t the king’s actual son (it’s that darn incest again). As a result, the Starks scatter and Jon Snow, who is definitely Ned’s illegitimate son and not something far more complicated, gets sent to the Night’s Watch.
Daenerys, chilling across the narrow sea in Essos, becomes a Khaleesi and gets her dragons.
From here on out, each year roughly corresponds to a season of the show. Funny how these things happen!
299 AC: “Game of Thrones” Season 2 (“ASOIAF Book 2: “A Clash of Kings”)
299 AC: ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 2 (‘ASOIAF’ Book 2: ‘A Clash of Kings’)
The War of the Five Kings continues to pit Renly Baratheon, Stannis Baratheon, Robb Stark, Balon Greyjoy and current king Joffrey Baratheon against each other. Horrendous decisions are made by all.
Renly Baratheon is slain by a shadow demon birthed from the loins of the Red Priestess Melisandre.
The Lannisters and Tyrells beat Baratheon forces in the Battle of Blackwater Bay, Tyrion gets his cool-looking scar.
Jon mopes in the North, Daenerys fiddles around in Essos.
300 AC: ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 3 (‘ASOIAF’ Book 3: ‘A Storm of Swords’)
