A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Quietly Confirmed A Major Jon Snow Theory

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While Targaryens are known for their silver hair, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms complicates that long-held assumption by introducing yet another black-haired Targaryen, reigniting the debate over the sweeping generalization that defines their dynasty.A quick run-through of the most famous Targaryens, from Daenys the Dreamer, to Aegon and Rhaenys, Visenya, to Game of Thrones‘ Daenerys and House of the Dragon‘s Viserys, Daemon, Rhaenyra, Aegon, Aemond, shows that the Targaryens are famously silver-haired, or in Alicent Hightower’s words, not “plain featured.”

The Targaryens’ silver hair often makes them seem superior, contributing to the belief that they are better than other noble families in Westeros – that they have the blood of the dragon. However, both Game of Thrones and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms show us Targaryens with black hair, and it’s suggested that if these individuals had been in power, they could have led the Seven Kingdoms to a brighter future.

Baelor Targaryen From A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Could Have Been the Greatest King in History

Baelor Targaryen, the future king, had black hair and distinctive eyes, traits he got from his mother, Queen Myriah Martell of Dorne. Myriah’s marriage to King Daeron was key to bringing Dorne into the Seven Kingdoms and uniting them all. According to author George R. R. Martin, Myriah had classic Dornish features – black hair and unique eyes – which were passed down to her son, Baelor.

Myriah’s advisors from Dorne caused tension with the nobles at King Daeron’s court. Prince Baelor’s dark hair and Martell eyes also sparked gossip, with many noticing his strong resemblance to the Martells rather than the Targaryens. As the king’s heir, people often commented that he didn’t seem to carry the typical Targaryen look associated with the ‘Blood of the Dragon’.

Though Baelor didn’t physically resemble other members of his family, he possessed the qualities that made Aegon the Conqueror so well-respected. As depicted in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, he was known for his kindness, politeness, intelligence, and consideration. He wasn’t ambitious for power, but recognized that being king was a responsibility, not a reward. Baelor was fair-minded, rational, and possessed strong morals, empathy, and understanding. He was a natural leader and a skilled warrior. His son, Valarr Targaryen (who also had dark hair with a prominent silver-gold streak), believed Baelor would have been the greatest king since Aegon the Conqueror.

He had it in him to be a great king. The greatest since Aegon the Dragon.

George R.R. Martin recently identified a pivotal moment in Westeros’ history: the death of King Baelor Breakspear. In a 2022 interview with Penguin Random House, Martin explained that Baelor, a capable ruler, died protecting a common hedge knight’s reputation. This seemingly small event, detailed in the first Tales of Dunk and Egg story, The Hedge Knight, had a significant and lasting impact on the realm.

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Jon Snow (Aegon Targaryen) From Game of Thrones Would Have Been a Perfect King

Similar to his ancestor Baelor, Jon Snow from Game of Thrones isn’t interested in ruling as king, despite being a Targaryen with dark hair. He was secretly the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, but was raised believing he was Ned Stark’s illegitimate child. Everyone in the realm thought this was true, as they believed he was born during a rebellion against the king. Ned Stark took Jon in and kept his true parentage a secret to protect him from the king’s anger. The reason for this secrecy stemmed from a forbidden love: Lyanna was supposed to marry the king, but she ran away with Rhaegar, which sparked a war that ultimately led to the end of the Targaryen dynasty.

Jon shares several traits with Baelor Breakspear, notably a sensitive nature that hindered his potential. He physically resembled his mother, Lyanna, and was originally named Aegon Targaryen. Jon accomplished significant feats, including uniting the Free Folk and those living south of the Wall to defend against the Night King and his army. His skilled diplomacy forged a vital alliance with Daenerys against their shared enemy. He bravely fought battles both north and south of the Wall, from King’s Landing to Winterfell and beyond.

Jon, whose real name was Aegon Targaryen, had a better legal right to the Iron Throne than his aunt Daenerys. If he’d claimed the throne, he had the potential to be a truly great king.

The Two Black-Haired Targaryens Outshine Many Of Their Kin

Baelor, Valarr, and Jon Snow demonstrate that real Targaryen strength comes from a person’s qualities and abilities, not just their appearance. While Aegon II and Aemond have the typical silver hair of Targaryens, they both have significant flaws. Rhaenyra’s sons, who have black hair and are only half Targaryen through their mother, are actually more honorable and virtuous than their silver-haired relatives.

Marrying people outside the Targaryen family often resulted in children with stronger personalities, sounder judgment, and a greater sense of honor – examples include Baelor and Jon Snow. These marriages, which avoided the Targaryen tradition of siblings marrying siblings, ended centuries of inbreeding and likely lowered the chances of mental instability within the family. The success of heirs born from these unions proves that mixing Targaryen blood with other families can balance out the family’s more intense traits.

Baelor and Jon Snow were both remarkably skilled Targaryens with dark hair. They proved that a Targaryen’s strength wasn’t tied to having the typical silver-gold hair and violet eyes. Sadly, neither of them ever became king, and the realm ultimately paid the price for that loss.

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2026-04-11 04:13