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House Velaryon
House Targaryen

"Laenor is a good man and a fine knight. He will bore you senseless."
―Daemon Targaryen to Rhaenyra[src]

Ser Laenor Velaryon[d] is the son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen, and the presumed deceased former heir to Driftmark.[7] He once rode the dragon Seasmoke.[8]

Biography[]

Background[]

Aemon Targaryen, Laenor's grandfather through his mother Rhaenys Targaryen was the eldest son and heir of old King Jaehaerys. Laenor's grandfather died before Jaehaerys did, but then Jaehaerys controversially passed over Rhaenys as heir on account of her sex, instead naming his second son the heir (even though by traditional inheritance law based on primogeniture, a lord's daughter inherits before his younger brother). Jaehaerys's second son himself died a few years later, after which the elderly Jaehaerys held the Great Council of 101 AC, in which all the lords of Westeros held a vote on whether Viserys, grandson of Jaehaerys through his second son, or Rhaenys was to succeed to the throne. Viserys won the election by a wide margin, and succeeded to the throne a few years later when Jaehaerys finally died. If Rhaenys had been chosen, Laenor would have been next in line to the throne.

House of the Dragon: Season 1[]

Laenor attends the Heir's Tournament with his family. As some knights start to kill each other, his younger sister Laena clutches onto his arm. Along with the Targaryens and the Small Council, the Velaryons leave the royal box when news arrive of Queen Aemma's death.[1]

A few years later, Laenor, mounted on his young dragon Seasmoke, fights in the War for the Stepstones. It is Laenor who proposes sending in Daemon Targaryen as bait to lure out the Triarchy forces from the caves, as the Crabfeeder has been using them to evade dragonfire. When his uncle, Ser Vaemond, criticizes Daemon, Laenor responds by accusing his uncle of inaction and cowardice, calling him the "Master of Complaints." Laenor then participates in the following battle, burning Triarchy men with his dragon.[8]

To avoid Corlys making an alliance with the Sealord of Braavos by marrying Laena to his son, King Viserys arranges a marriage between Rhaenyra Targaryen and Laenor to unite the two most powerful houses in the realm.[4]

Viserys and Rhaenyra travel to High Tide to finalize the arrangements for Laenor and Rhaenyra's marriage. As the prospective bride and groom walk along the shore together, they come to an understanding that the arrangement is entirely a political one and that they both have found love elsewhere, Laenor being attracted to men. With that in mind, they both agree to do their duties to their families, and afterwards to love as they please. He later shares this information with his lover Joffrey Lonmouth, who is pleased with the agreement.[2]

At the opening feast of what is planned to be a seven-day prelude to the wedding ceremony, Laenor dances with his betrothed and exchanges gossip with Joffrey, who has figured out that Rhaenyra has a secret lover of her own: Ser Criston Cole of the Kingsguard. After Joffrey talks to Criston about this, Cole begins beating him. Laenor makes his way through the crowd and tries to throw Criston off of Joffrey, but the stronger Kingsguard punches Laenor in the face and into a table, knocking him out. When Laenor wakes up, Joffrey has been beaten to death, causing Laenor to loudly anguish over his loss. Later that evening, Laenor and Rhaenyra are married in a private ceremony while Joffrey's blood is still warm.[2]

Ten years later, Laenor, despite trying, has failed to produce an heir with Rhaenyra, though they remain on good terms. Instead, Rhaenyra has three bastards on her new lover, Ser Harwin Strong: Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey, who Laenor names after his deceased lover. The boys are presented to the realm as the trueborn sons of Laenor, who seems to be content with this and is a loving father to them regardless. Like his wife, Laenor also finds new love, in the lowborn knight Qarl Correy. While Laenor wants to return to the fighting in the Stepstones, Rhaenyra commands him to stay when the rumors of their sons' legitimacy begin to surface. The family also moves to Dragonstone to be away from the Greens, and Laenor is allowed to take Qarl with him.[3]

Laenor attends his sister Laena's funeral after her death. After the burial, he stands in the sea, where he begins to tear up over having lost his beloved sister. Later that night, Laenor's absence is noted during the altercation in the Hall of Nine. As a result, Laenor decides to recommit himself to Rhaenyra as they discuss their marriage, their sons' parentage, and Qarl going off to fight in the Stepstones.[9]

In a ploy to strengthen Rhaenyra's claim by instating Daemon as prince consort, and to allow Laenor his desired freedom, a pretend-duel is staged between Laenor and Qarl in the Hall of Nine in front of a witness, who quickly leaves to inform Corlys. Before Corlys and Rhaenys arrive, a servant murdered by Daemon is planted in the hall and burned beyond recognition so as to make it seem that Laenor has been killed. Laenor, who has shaved his head to hide his Valyrian features, escapes on a boat with Qarl with the aim of self-exile in Essos.[9]

Personality[]

Laenor loves his children,[10] despite knowing that they are not truly his.[3] He is considered by others to be a good man.[2][9]

Quotes[]

Spoken by Laenor[]

"I am a knight. And a warrior. And I have played my part here, faithfully, for ten years. I am owed some—"
―Laenor, to Rhaenyra[src]
"I hate the gods for making me as they did."
―Laenor[src]
"We made an arrangement, all those years ago, to do our duty, and yet explore happiness. But there are times, I think, when these things cannot mutually exist."
―Laenor, to Rhaenyra[src]

Spoken about Laenor[]

"You are an honorable man with a good heart. It's a rare thing."
―Rhaenyra, to Laenor[src]
"House Velaryon has long allied itself with Princess Rhaenyra and what has it gained you? Your daughter dead alone in Pentos, your son cuckolded."
―Alicent to Rhaenys, about Laenor.[src]

Family[]

Paternal[]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Famtree-CorlysVelaryon
Corlys
Velaryon


 
Famtree-RhaenysVelaryon
Rhaenys
Targaryen
House Targaryen

 
Famtree-VaemondVelaryon
Vaemond
Velaryon

Deceased
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Famtree-LaenorVelaryon
Laenor
Velaryon
1

 
Famtree-RhaenyraTargaryen
Rhaenyra
Targaryen
House Targaryen

 
Famtree-DaemonTargaryen
Daemon
Targaryen
Daemon Targaryen

 
Famtree-LaenaVelaryon
Laena
Velaryon

Deceased
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Famtree-Jacaerys Velaryon
Jacaerys
Velaryon


 
Famtree-Lucerys Velaryon
Lucerys
Velaryon

Deceased
 
Famtree-JoffreyVelaryon
Joffrey
Velaryon


 
Famtree-Baela Targaryen
Baela
Targaryen
House Targaryen

 
Famtree-Rhaena Targaryen
Rhaena
Targaryen
House Targaryen

 
 

1 While Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey are officially Laenor's, he and Rhaenyra never had any biological issue. His three sons are in fact fathered by Harwin Strong.

Maternal[]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Famtree-RhaenaTargaryen
Rhaena
Targaryen

Deceased
 
Famtree-AegonTargaryenSonOfAenys
Aegon
Targaryen

Deceased
 
Famtree-JaehaerysI
Jaehaerys I
Targaryen
1
Deceased
 
House-Targaryen-HotD-Square
Alysanne
Targaryen

Deceased
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
House-Targaryen-HotD-Square
Aemon
Targaryen

Deceased
 
House-Baratheon-Main-Square
Jocelyn
Baratheon

Deceased
 
House-Arryn-Square
Rodrik
Arryn[e]
Deceased
 
House-Targaryen-HotD-Square
Daella
Targaryen

Deceased
 
House-Targaryen-HotD-Square
Baelon
Targaryen

Deceased
 
House-Targaryen-HotD-Square
Alyssa
Targaryen

Deceased
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Famtree-CorlysVelaryon
Corlys
Velaryon
House Velaryon

 
Famtree-RhaenysVelaryon
Rhaenys
Targaryen


 
Famtree-AemmaArryn
Aemma
Arryn
House Arryn/House of the Dragon
Deceased
 
Famtree-ViserysITargaryen
Viserys I
Targaryen

Deceased
 
Famtree-AlicentHightower
Alicent
Hightower
House Hightower

 
Famtree-DaemonTargaryen
Daemon
Targaryen
Daemon Targaryen

 
Famtree-RheaRoyce
Rhea
Royce
House Royce
Deceased
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Famtree-DaemonTargaryen
Daemon
Targaryen
Daemon Targaryen

 
Famtree-LaenaVelaryon
Laena
Velaryon
House Velaryon
Deceased
 
Famtree-LaenorVelaryon
Laenor
Velaryon
2 House Velaryon

 
Famtree-RhaenyraTargaryen
Rhaenyra
Targaryen


 
Famtree-DaemonTargaryen
Daemon
Targaryen
Daemon Targaryen

 
Famtree-Aegon Targaryen
Aegon II
Targaryen
Aegon II Targaryen

 
Famtree-HelaenaTargaryen
Helaena
Targaryen


 
Famtree-AemondTargaryen
Aemond
Targaryen


 
House-Targaryen-HotD-Square
Daeron
Targaryen


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Famtree-Baela Targaryen
Baela
Targaryen


 
Famtree-Rhaena Targaryen
Rhaena
Targaryen


 
Famtree-Jacaerys Velaryon
Jacaerys
Velaryon
House Velaryon

 
Famtree-Lucerys Velaryon
Lucerys
Velaryon
House Velaryon
Deceased
 
Famtree-JoffreyVelaryon
Joffrey
Velaryon
House Velaryon

 
Famtree-AegonIII
Aegon
Targaryen


 
Famtree-ViserysII
Viserys
Targaryen


 
Famtree-PrinceJahaerysTargaryen
Jaehaerys
Targaryen


 
Famtree-JaehaeraTargaryen
Jaehaera
Targaryen


 
House-Targaryen-HotD-Square
Maelor
Targaryen


1 Jaehaerys had thirteen children in all. For simplicity, only the direct ancestors of future generations are on this family tree and they are not in the exact order of birth. The thirteen children in correct order are: Aegon, Daenerys, Aemon, Baelon, Alyssa, Maegelle, Vaegon, Daella, Saera, Viserra, Gaemon, Valerion, and Gael.
2 While Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey are officially Laenor's, he and Rhaenyra never had any biological issue. His three sons are in fact fathered by Harwin Strong.

Behind the scenes[]

On October 5, 2021, HBO announced that John Macmillan and Theo Nate had been cast in the role of Laenor Velaryon for House of the Dragon, portraying the older and younger versions of the character, respectively. His character description reads as follows:

"Son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen."[11]

In the books[]

In Fire & Blood, Laenor was the son of Lord Corlys Velaryon and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. He was one year younger than his sister, Laena. Like their mother, Laenor and Laena were also dragon-riders: Laenor's dragon was Seasmoke.

There is no mention that Laenor participated in the War for the Stepstones.

In the books, Laenor is killed in a duel by Ser Qarl Correy in Spicetown. Although rumors persist that Prince Daemon paid Ser Qarl to murder Laenor, freeing Princess Rhaenyra to remarry, this is never confirmed. The show has altered this subplot considerably, by instead having Laenor be a willing participant in a plot to fake his own death, allowing him to escape his sham marriage to Rhaenyra and live out his days with Qarl in Essos.

Appearances[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 House of the Dragon: Season 1, Episode 1: "The Heirs of the Dragon" (2022).
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 House of the Dragon: Season 1, Episode 5: "We Light the Way" (2022).
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 House of the Dragon: Season 1, Episode 6: "The Princess and the Queen" (2022).
  4. 4.0 4.1 House of the Dragon: Season 1, Episode 4: "King of the Narrow Sea" (2022).
  5. House of the Dragon: Season 1, Episode 2: "The Rogue Prince" (2022).
  6. Qarl Correy. HBO. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  7. HBO Releases First Official Teaser For HOUSE OF THE DRAGON
  8. 8.0 8.1 House of the Dragon: Season 1, Episode 3: "Second of His Name" (2022).
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 House of the Dragon: Season 1, Episode 7: "Driftmark" (2022).
  10. Laenor Velaryon. HBO. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  11. Unknown author (Unknown date). House of the Dragon | Character Descriptions. Warner Bros. Discovery. Retrieved April 25, 2023.

Notes[]

  1. Laenor Velaryon is stated to be 14 years old in the script for "The Heirs of the Dragon," which takes place in 112 AC.
  2. In "The Princess and the Queen," Laenor Velaryon says that it has been ten years since his wedding to Rhaenyra Targaryen, which occurred in 116 AC; therefore, "The Princess and the Queen" takes place in 126 AC.
  3. In "Driftmark," Rhaenyra asks Daemon to be her "prince consort." This is presumably the same title that Laenor held as the husband to the Princess of Dragonstone. The Character Guide erroneously refers to Laenor as the "king consort," though its use in dialogue is hypothetical and most likely refers to the husband of the reigning queen, not the heiress.
  4. High Valyrian: Laenor Velarion
  5. Conjecture based on information from The World of Ice & Fire; may be subject to change.

External links[]


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